Without counting the times she saw the Primeras on recordings, it was Claire’s first time seeing one of them up close.

Perhaps to endear, or to help integrate themself to the people around, they seemed to assume the rough shape of a human. However, the marks of the ruling creature’s inhuman physical characteristics were still clear. Considering their technological advances, Izabel surmised that it was either due to their physical features being incompatible with their extensive body-modification technology that they have developed, or due to the desire to distinguish themselves from the humans under their rule. Either way, even without the stage made of colorful metals and decorated with colorful lighting devices, the ruling species has made itself clear from how it looks. Their rough shape is one of a human, but rather than flesh, they seemed to be made of vines and bark, twisting around to form limbs and body, clothed in an odd material that maintained their neatly pressed, flawless look despite how their bodies likely would not allow it.

A simple thing, but uncanny all the same.

Yet, the being themself paled in comparison with the person sitting next to them. To most, said person was sitting on the lap of luxury, as close to its true meaning as possible without it being literal. However, to Izabel, the scene looked nothing short of horrifying. The human woman looked no older than twenty at most, but she has been altered, triangular ears of a tamed predator resting atop her head. Her expression was one of, as expected, happiness, but unlike most, there was an empty, unsettling soullessness to her eyes, it was as if not even her self-awareness remained, all obliterated as unneeded.

“That is what they do to those that strike their fancy. Perhaps, the closest term I can convey this to you with is… “Designer” should be sufficiently understandable,” Hunter said. “I know they can do alterations to the beings under them, however, I do not know the extent of which they could do it to the inhabitants of this dome. Either way, I can understand your distaste for them. After all, it is such a demeaning thing.”

Izabel knew not of the altered human’s name, but at that moment, she felt a mix of pity and disgust. How much of either, she couldn’t really tell.

“That aside, remember our objective. If they chose this place, it must be for a reason.”

Izabel made a sound to indicate she understood, and then looked around the stage. The Primeras standing on top seemed to still be busy, explaining that the dome’s safety has been enhanced in a spectacle of light shows, even giving orders for the altered human next to them whenever the audience’s attention waned.

Something about such a display being able to steal most of the audience’s attention away was almost pitiful.

“Izabel! On your left!”

Hunter shouted, just in time for Izabel to step to the right, narrowly dodging a hand made of gems, all in uniform white. Under the dome’s light, their body reflected various colors, though the reflection did not detract from the fact their body was mostly white.

“Not enjoying the show, dear? I can help. Just in case, can I check your coefficient number?”

Dammit.

Izabel turned around, covering the device on her wrist out of instinct. No one around her noticed.

Her senses were on overdrive, every single part of her focusing on the Primeras who was standing before her. Unlike the Primeras above the stage, this one closer to her looked like they were made of polished white gem, carved to resemble the form of a human in such a flawless way no joints or other folds were visible, and even what seemed like their clothes were in truth also made of the same material as the rest of their body. In contrast to the one Primeras standing on the stage, the one standing before Izabel didn’t look like they were alive at all. if they didn’t move, they could likely pass as a decoration. Their polished body also made the device attached to them all the more visible, a metallic device that wrapped around their hand, with three different colored liquids running through artificial veins.

“No need to be afraid, here, let me just…”

Their voice was soft as they outstretched the hand covered with the device, but the gesture, if anything, only made Izabel even more wary. The hand covering her Mirror Device trembled as Izabel mentally cursed. This was no time to be afraid.

“Calm down, focus,” Hunter reminded her. “You are correct, though, avoid the device. If I am not mistaken, they contain dangerous substances. However, from the looks of it, it should be a very close-ranged weapon. As long as you steer clear of them, you should be safe”

“My name is Theia of the Brilliance, one of the Stewards of this dome. You are safe, just let me help.” Theia smiled, their voice soft, though it has the opposite effect to Izabel. Her apprehension only increased as sharp, long nails began to slide from the fingertips of their device, each finger tainted with the colors of the substances she had seen flowing on the device’s veins.

Izabel could only hope that she was unnoticed. Her body was tense, and it would only take a little bit of provocation for her to–

“Theia, that’s not how you take a Dome Inhabitant.”

A heavy voice interrupted the two. It belonged to another Primeras, one that looked almost similar to Theia. The only differences between the two was that their voice was heavier, and their body reflected light more brilliantly. Another point of difference was, they do not seem to have a device on them.

“Hyperion of the Skies? Why are you here?”

“That’s not important. See, she’s tense. First, you have to make her trust you.”

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

Hyperion, to their credit, at least looked as if they were less hostile. They reached behind their back, and pulled out a small confectionery. It has a spiral shape, and it emitted an enticing, sweet scent, far more intense than any treat the system has ever conjured for her before. As her awareness diminished, subsumed by the overwhelming, single-minded desire to take the treat, Izabel could see nothing else, think of nothing else, as if there was a void in her stomach that needed to be filled, and nothing else would compare to what Hyperion was offering. Somehow, on a base, primal level, she could sense that the inside of the treat was filled with cold, sweet ice cream.

“Izabel!”

She jolted a step back, awareness restored with Hunter’s almost desperate voice. Her fingers were inches away from the treat, and it took everything she had to even retract the hand reaching for it. With her senses restored, she could feel that Claire’s protective Bud of Reassurance wrapped around her has been pulsing, creating a thin layer of skin-tight barrier around her whole body.

“What is your name? It’s okay, we won’t hurt you,” Hyperion offered the treat closer, their tone soft and full of affection. “We only want to see you thrive.”

“Sorry, but no–, no, thank you.” Izabel almost choked.

“Remember, Izabel! Focus on me, hold on my voice. Please,” Hunter spoke. Izabel’s willpower was hanging by a thread, but at least, the thread holds, and in a burst of defiance, she managed to steel herself before speaking again, more firm this time, the sway of the mysterious treat dissipating from her mind.

“No, thank you. If that is all, I’ll be off watching the show again.”

To their credit, Hyperion did not look like they were offended. Instead, with a sleight of hand, the treat disappeared, a part of Izabel still regretting the decision. With a smile, Hyperion replied, “We’re staying here for a few days as some important things need to be fixed here. If you change your mind, find us here. We can give you a better life than any life Dome Inhabitants have.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Izabel nodded.

“Still the same tactics,” Hunter spat, narrowing her eyes at the two as Izabel retreated as far as she could from them. She weaved her way into the oblivious crowd, disappearing into them before leaving the place.

“Same? What do you mean by that?” Izabel asked.

“Their conquest tactics are always similar - drown the ruling species of the ecosystem they are targeting into a mess of blissful insanity, then harvest the happiness from it,” Hunter explained. “Effective, not to mention, ensures the victims can’t fight it, then depending on which species they are targeting, use various ways to ensure the descendants are unaware of their own existence’s current state.”

Behind the cover of buildings, the two of them watched as the show started to wind down to its end. They were all but proven right, more than an announcement of system update, this was likely meant to be a distraction, but from what?

However, one thing was clear, if the Primeras were willing to come down here in a group of at least three, it must be an important target.

Their answer came in the form of two familiar voices approaching their way. A quick look around revealed that there was only one entrance and exit, one too far away to run to without arousing suspicion.

“Izabel! Adjust the numbers!” Hunter shouted.

[Mental Integrity Number Distribution]

[87 - 13 (Host)]

She understood, and then, with a series of quick taps, she could feel the overwhelming power settle into her entire body. Hunter guided her to jump as high as she could, and just like that, she was propelled up, with just enough time to adjust her landing. As she looked down, she saw the two Primeras.

“Interesting, it seems that there are some Dome Inhabitants able to resist Sucellus’ indulgence,” Theia hummed, keen curiosity tinting their tone.

“Sucellus of the Celebrants’ indulgence is a simple distraction ability,” Hyperion replied. “Its airborne substance form simply nudges down the inhibitions of those within their range, allowing them to easily amuse the targets, make them more honest, and so on similar to the effects of a mild alcohol. In other words, it was a mere party trick in truly dire situations.”

“Correct, In their defense, in most cases, there was no need for a more advanced technique. Sucellus’ true contribution was their knowledge, not their fighting abilities. Their group is responsible for maintaining the tools we need.” Theia replied.

“Still, as you said, it is very rare to see a Dome Inhabitant able to resist it. Are you still fixated on them, Theia?”

“Truthfully, yes. They have a dark void in their eyes that I would so love to shine a light into.” Theia replied. Though her expression betrayed nothing, their sticky, saccharine fond tone was enough of a hint.

Izabel had to suppress a shudder, and in response, Hunter placed her hand on Izabel’s, offering as much comfort as her formless state could. In that quiet moment, each was comforting the other with their presence, even as their attention was still fixated on the two conversing Primeras down below.

An interesting tidbit pulled them out of their shared moment, and Izabel had to resist the urge to lean down to listen more closely.

“Are they done playing distraction? This is supposed to be their duty,” Hyperion sighed.

“Unless you have a better way to make sure none of the Inhabitants are around here, don’t complain,” Theia replied, their voice an indication they were resisting the urge to laugh. “Perhaps, you can play tricks with that inhabitant you took in?”

“I’m the frontline sort, not the joke around or the bookish sort, unfortunately.”

“Really? Could have fooled me. Anyway, the coordinates of the tear in the dome should be around here. At least, that is what the data is indicating, anyway.”

Theia used their armored hand to poke and prod at the air around them, their gestures kind of similar to someone trying to find an invisible hole on a wall. “I have an inkling that the one responsible for this was trying to put on a show.”

“It's not our job to decide whether it’s a show or not, our job is to eliminate the cause. If the cause isn’t found and the tear isn’t repaired in time, there will be a repeat of that incident, and the Inhabitants can’t take another mass memory reset this quickly or their psyche will be affected. Not to mention the potential injuries and deaths.” Hyperion said.

“Fair. We only need to find the place, mark it, and get to the cause of it– hm, this might be it.” Theia said. “No, wait, this one is more…”

“Hunter, do you think this may be the ground zero of the incident?” Izabel asked, as she watched the two Primeras try to pinpoint what they were looking for. “Should we follow them? I know the risks, but also, this may be our chance.”

“Too dangerous, even discounting their earlier behavior, it will be two against one, and from the looks of it, one of them is a formidable fighter. If you adjust the number distribution high enough in my favor, I can take one, but two is out of the question unless you go all-in and put your Mental Integrity at zero. That is a risk better not taken.” Hunter replied.

After a short moment of silence, Hunter spoke again.

“As for the first question, yes, it is around here. But our only option is to tell the others. Time is not on our side, and going back is going to waste more time, but also…”

“... entering the CORDIS space here is a risk, too.” Izabel finished.

“There should be no one here right now, but I can’t say the same for when we come back.”

“Let’s take the risk, then,” Izabel said.

“I suppose it is safer.” Hunter nodded. “Look around just in case. I will keep watch while you enter.”

Izabel decided to crouch and hide in the corner, then she pressed the button, entering the virtual space in a flash of light.

–

“Hah, so that’s their objective.”

On the same rooftop, a woman with fiery red hair stepped out of her hiding place. Her long hair was done up in a ponytail, heavy armor covering her body, and a pair of metallic white wings with black spots could be seen folded behind her back. Her hands carried a pair of deep red spears longer than she was tall, each with drill-patterned tips sharp enough to glint under the daylight. Though she wore heavy armor, her steps were quiet, auburn eyes focused on the two Primeras down below with hostility.

A few moments pass as the two Primeras tore out chunks of the tear, revealing darkened skies and land behind the cracks. The chunks they tore out turned into dark, pulsating masses before melting into an ashen substance that dispersed through the air.

She watched as the two Primeras entered the gap, then, with a hard flap of her wings, she glided down and gave chase.