Dante came out of his locker room first, having worn the same outfit suited for battle as before, with a few key changes that worked to his advantage, that being a more loose and applicable lower and upper half, with two arm guards and a much easier to access sheath in his back, as well as a very well hidden bulletproof vest, behind a newly applied jacket with a glowing inner part, providing much needed cooling and temperature regulation compared to the previous one just two days ago. Same with his lower half, the jumpsuit style of the old M.O.D. he wore was discarded completely, allowing for his entire arms to breathe after getting rid of the long, tight sleeves. His hands were now covered by gloves that extended from his arm guards and his legs were covered by comfortable jeans, compared to the tightened, latex like fabric he had before. The gun holster was also moved to the front, right above a casing for his smaller blade, giving him much easier access to them at a moment's notice. Heavy boots, compared to a simple shoe pair that connected with the one-piece, jumpsuit like outfit it was before were also provided, making it much easier for him to move around than the awkwardness he experienced before. It was all around, a much better and more adaptable to him upgrading.
"This is so much better." he moved around in his new M.O.D., "I can finally stretch out compared to what Drima's prototype was."
"It was far more practical than this." Mellistar echoed.
"To hell with that, we ain't soldiers that sacrifice it all for practicality and numbers. If I can't move properly on the battlefield while feeling comfortable, then I don't want to get deployed in the first place. Hell, I was almost certain that the parts around my ass and chest were cutting blood circulation anyway."
"Wasn't something about nano-machines that regulated Obsulyte flow said?"
"I don't feel much different than when I wore Drima's prototype. Basically, that same feeling going through my body."
"Do not forget the blade." Mellistar appeared before him, "She gave that thing some sort of modification as well. For better or worse."
Taking out his Gate, Dante inspected the new attachment on it. From the tip of the handle, extending up to a fourth of its dull side of the actual blade was now a tightly imprinted device that resembled a firing mechanism similar to that of a gun. Meticulously placed on the handle, was an actual gun trigger as well, covered and protected by the usual protective front to avoid misfiring. Trying to press the trigger while the device was off had him tightening his grip more and more before the trigger suddenly gave it after a moment and clicked, having then realized that the force it took to fire it was way more than normal. From the top of the attached part of the blade was a clean slate, rectangular to follow along with how the actual massive sword went, and hollowed-out edges on the device itself, indicating at it having some propulsion-like mechanism?
"That's interesting. You think this can work?" Mellistar wondered.
"We have more resources available, so it can't be that bad, right? Say...how about we fix you up too?" Dante looked at Mellistar in his armored form.
"As in?"
"You will be assisting me in battle now, of course, so how about we change you up to fit the way I move?"
"Why don't you change to the way I move instead?"
"Because I said so, or did you forget that you are the definition of a parasite that's feeding off me to stay alive? Evolve to fit the host's body." Dante rudely and boldly said.
Mellistar somewhat paused, "Hmph. I suppose your newfound courage would be commendable, had you not tried to be the definition of an asshole with it. I'll play into your game, but take care of your attitude while you're at it. What do you propose I do?"
"I have an idea...many of them. I can reconstruct you to my mind's image, right?"
"Like the weapons you create," Mellistar added.
"So why was the initial image of you like...this?" Dante wondered.
"It's almost as if you had a fantasy of being a part of an elite group of knights with silver armor, them also wielding melee weapons at a time when guns were involved. As for why the missing legs of a floating armor, I don't get that." Mellistar sarcastically said.
"Even the Silver Lances had a more updated and modern armor."
"Should I add on to the fact that your brain was filled with tales dating back to when the castles in Sandaco were active and had actual knights in them as well?"
"Ah, whatever. Let me think then." Dante looked at Mellistar briefly, before coming up with a design in his mind.
"That does seem more...fitting, to today." Mellistar agreed.
Mellistar then disappeared briefly before staying hidden for a moment, being able to completely shift his form and starting to reappear in front of Dante again, this time in a whole new look that was much more likeable to him instead. A slicker, simplified design of what the floating armor previously was, this time the surface was much glossier, smooth and betrayed a prideful yet glorious look to the outside. The helmet itself no longer had a caged visor, it was much easier for Mellistar to even see and move his joints around. According to Dante's image, his weapon also changed to a long, heavy sword with lance-like proportions, having three edges at the end of a somewhat sizeable handle. The edges of the handle's protective bar were instead flat blades that ended in a straight, non-sharp and flat end, exactly like the actual edge of the weapon itself that just appeared to be a semi-hexagonal, longer version of the handle blades themselves.
"Now that's more how I like it," Dante looked at Mellistar.
"Impressive. Easier movement and everything...however, you should also mark this as a very important moment, if you haven't realized." he pointed out.
"Yes, you got a makeover. We reached that point in our journey, like how I got one thanks to Tiki. It's called 'alone time', and helps you do a lot. Also, something about changing looks always makes you stronger...could just be that you're feeling better in a new outfit, therefore perform better as well."
Mellistar facepalmed with his metal like hand, "You are in your 20s indeed. Kids are seriously...nevermind. I am talking about your power. You and me. You were just able to completely upgrade my form, a part and extension of your power with such ease and so effortlessly, that it almost felt natural. This speaks wonders about the progress that you either made yourself or that this new technological advancement you're wearing made. I joked and laughed about how such armors, mere outfits you could piece together from shops alone, would do anything but...maybe there's much more to it. Maybe also the reason why Drima had his small freak-out when he realized that Tiki was the one who not only got the first taste of a M.O.D. but also was able to pioneer it into new horizons. Intriguing."
"I certainly feel different when I'm wearing this, seriously. The feel is, again, like...small electrical currents. Man...If I could draw a comparison, it's as if I tried to touch a doorknob after rubbing my socks against the carpet. Hell of a weird feeling, it surprised me first, but it feels nice and tingly when I don't pull back, like a massage that relaxes my muscles."
"This might get dangerous. Keep in mind that Gates use a similar way to distribute Obsulyte from you to them, vice versa and back, in order to fully function. With this...I reckon you can try and 'feed' Excelsior your Obsulyte. It's bound to your signature, so who knows how much it'll actually do to help you towards it."
"I just wish that sometimes, all this 'power' talk didn't revolve around weapons."
"Certain Gates, the way I remember, weren't weapons. Think of it as a...hammer. Gates are sometimes tools, like a hammer. You can use that hammer to build entire cities, or alternatively, smash and level a city to the ground."
"Such encouraging, not at all ominous words." Dante sighed, "Whatever. I'm way in too deep to back out now, same with the others. But in any case, I was already training to be a soldier anyway. But the real thing, compared to training regiments, tactical drills and routines is just...incomparable."
"Whither through it. The only thing you can do, for now at least."
"Yeah...at least. Hopefully, the trip they said to that tropical place on that Island in Galatea is worth it after this. Though winter is coming, so I dunno how much merit that location will hold this season."
"How about you focus on the battle that's in a couple of hours, rather than the tropical paradise you might not make it to if distracted?" Mellistar exclaimed.
This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.
"Right. Let's go and check on the others."
He approached the door that led to the main armory area, catching up with just Luna and Tiki, who were the only two present. Conversing with each other before a smaller table that outlined a more detailed plan using the same template of the map shown before, it wasn't long before they noticed him. Turning around, Dante then got to take a full glimpse at what Tiki had been up to. Her new gear showed her wearing the same color scheme as Dante's, unsurprisingly, of black and white, with her makeshift helmet with horns held on in her previous M.O.D. now gone, favoring way more practicality as only her tail was visible to leave a note hinting at her demi-human nature. The main part of her body was completely covered with a black, glossy, metal like armor piece resembling that of a one piece swimsuit with shorts that greatly covered the base of her tail around her back, while her legs were now able to fully and freely breathe as only a pair of sturdy, metallic like heels with a flat base on the actual surface of the heels themselves, making for a way more balanced version that what it'd be normally. On her shoulders laid two small metal shoulder pads that disconnected from the rest of the one piece armor, down to her hands which, like Dante, were covered with fingerless gloves. As for her weapon, the old one discarded, her own new, massive one sided axe stood beside her higher than herself, with the edge of the new axe curving at a 45-degree angle from the top and bottom, eventually ending on a flat sharp edge in the middle, with its construction looking much thicker and heavier than what she had wielded before, and the same system provided to Dante's sword attacked on the very top of her axe, around it's back, getting rid of the second side's edge for a somewhat big and very noticeable turbine like attachment that looked much stronger than what had been given to him instead.
"Ah, finally. I was waiting to talk to you." Tiki looked at him, "But before I do, I see you got into the new M.O.D. So, how is it?"
"Slick and easy to move around. I see you had similar outlooks on yours as well."
"Same source of inspiration, so what did you expect?"
"The heels though? I thought you aimed for ease of use."
"Heels? Meh, they largely look the part. They are new specific boots I made. They come at an angle, which enables lower recoil from strikes I will surely be doing using my legs. My version of my M.O.D.s centers around regulation from center mass, over to the other limbs, unlike Drima's, that's why you can move your legs and hands so freely. Hell, find a good enough fashionista, you can surely plug clothes on this as well, since aside from the base, everything else doesn't matter. I'd say I can go further with the base design even. Even got myself some gloves back, finally."
"Can't say you didn't do some fashion work yourself. Jeans on top the bulletproof base and shorts? Really?"
"We're going into battle, not the got damn beach, meatbag. The only thing military uniforms ever protected anyway, rightfully so, was your center mass. You know, the thing that all you're most important shit, like heart, lungs and others lie. So you bet your ass I'd have some clothes put over to cover everything not armor related. As for the other parts, like the gloves, cosmetic changes as large as this are important as well, at least to me. I need a surefire way to be able to spot the allied side at a glance mid battle, so diversifying our gears is one way to do so. Plus, assets like gloves, the way we fight, are top tier important. Need I remind you that if your hands get blisters because you swing around metal directly causing friction on your skin, it'll hurt like hell? Got a special cream to apply to my hands whenever we finish battle anyway, since I don't wanna let that happen. You should follow suit."
Dante nodded somewhat understandingly, "Whatever 'Great Leader'. The plan was yours, so hit me with the fine details you got."
"Right. You are coming with me to the southwest part of the circle exclusion zone, Luna will be with Terna in the north, and Hikari, along with her other ego, will be in the southeast. Now, Yuno I want with Hikari, but since the whole Guardian, Link, whatever bullshit exists, I have no idea where exactly to place him."
"He will come with me. Especially with the new M.O.D., I need him to be a secondary regulator to my Obsulyte flow. Hikari has shown some power capable of managing out large tasks, and Enemy herself is tactful enough to give me issues, so combining their strengths would be good enough to do this one thing of pushing the monsters towards the Victorian military, before meeting us in the center.", Dante suggested.
"Sounds good then. I'll wait for the other two here before explaining the really fine details then." Tiki briefly paused.
"I can see that your tactical acumen speaks wonders about experience. Hopefully, inside battle, you will show more of your mind's brilliance." Luna commented.
"Oh, you will see way more than that, now that it's a proper operation. I won't lie, part of me will definitely show off for the other military shitheads that won't back us up, just so that they can see actual Corostan and at large, Sandaco military prowess. That being said, speaking of showing off, I hope Lina is well kept inside that room of yours."
"Miss Magi is currently babysitting her," Luna affirmed.
"Yeah, she's good with kids, isn't she?" Dante sarcastically said.
"Attitude.", Tiki corrected him, "Clear your mind now, before we drop in there. This isn't the same mindless monsters, again. They are very much a threat."
Dante relaxed briefly, "I guess you're right..."
"The same goes with Hikari and Enemy. You are now on the same side, so no bullshit. End of story. If we have another injury like the furry did, or worse, right here, I swear to god that I will kick your ass and make it personal." she firmly asserted.
"Alright, god, we get it! Less you want me to actually start kicking ass here, cut it out." Dante angrily said.
"Good.", she nodded before turning around, hearing the sliding door open, "Ah, you two, at last."
Before them, now finally and properly joining the rest Hikari and Terna showed up in their own respective, battle ready outfits. Hikari was wearing a more updated and glossy version of her armor, the skirt of the old one being replaced, as well as the thigh high boots, for a fully enclosed, firm and powerful looking thick white armor that extended from her neck, all the way down to her toes, with multiple soft details around the armor itself that ended it few angled sports like the previous one, with the only exception being her shoulders down to her elbow, where two heavy looking gauntlets were worn, similar but way thicker to the previous ones allowing her arms to freely move around to enhance her maneuverability, while also securing her body heavily and allowing for more than enough hits to be endured. Meanwhile, at an almost complete contrast, Terna looked eerily normal. Having gone through her belongings, she wore nothing but a normal set of clothes, with a very weird style of two jackets, one worn properly and one tied around the hip, while her chest was covered merely by a shirt with an inner piece of tight clothing extending out and a little lower than her shirt's sleeves that faintly glowed, giving away the fact that this was indeed a M.O.D. being active and regulating Obsulyte flow. Lower half was also completely uninteresting, with just shorts that went down to her knees and simple shoes, and stockings that covered the rest of the areas from her hip to her feet. A style most unfitting for battle, perfectly fitting for Terna, and completely out of the ordinary for many, the only weapon she really had was her bright white sword-flute that sat between her gentle grasp of both hands that were wearing a slick pair of black gloves that were missing their top part in a half circle formation around their center, but firmly stuck on her skin. Tiki, first to notice and point out, was less than extremely unhappy.
"Ok, no, what the fuck is this?" Tiki snapped, "I refuse to let you show up in a goddamn battlefield with this? I said being able to recognize you at a glance. Hikari, very well so, is wearing a white, Silver Lance ass armor that makes her more visible than my phone with max brightness at night, but this shit? Seriously? How much of a main character looking ass do you think you are to even think of showing up with no protection, no proper gear, nothing that -I don't know- would actually work in a real life scenario?!", she went on a tantrum.
"You know, I think she's just worried about you," Hikari whispered to Terna.
"I think so too," Terna whispered back, chuckling a little.
Dante briefly leaned at Tiki, "You're fighting a battle of attrition already, you know that, right?"
"Rightfully so? Look at this shit!" she pointed at Terna.
Just then, slowly flying inside the room upon hearing Tiki's fury from a mile away. Trying his best to stay out of Tiki's line of sight, he slowly flew right by Dante, daring not to speak out loud as he played spectator to her short fuse getting rekindled.
"Fancy the new look. What's with her...again?" Yuno whispered to Dante.
"Terna." Dante very carefully pointed at Terna to avoid getting found by Tiki.
"Yeah, it's a cute outfit. Turns out that the same layer of the material in M.O.D.s can be attached to clothes as well, and she bugged Drima for a long time to do it."
"Still, I'm with Tiki on this one. At least her body should be covered to enter the field, just bare minimum protection for her vitals." Dante worryingly looked at Terna.
"I wouldn't be fast to judge her...somehow, someway, I can feel something vibrant coming from within her. Like she's...changed. Or rather, she showed something about her she didn't before."
She kept going with a barrage of worrisome words and insults, at least not censor worthy with more conventional swearing, having Terna simply standing alongside Hikari while she received probably the biggest scolding of her life, all the while she kept her cool and waited patiently for the right moment to speak her part on the situation. Hikari herself was instead slowly coming closer to Terna as Tiki's scolding seemed to never end, essentially pushing against her softly to help her stand her ground.
"-And I'm not having it!" Tiki rounded up her scolding
Finally finishing what she had to say, Terna found the perfect moment to act after being given more than enough time to properly gather and construct her own side on the matter, beginning carefully and speaking calmly to avoid agitating Tiki further.
Terna took a deep breath, "Alright, let's settle down. I understand your reasoning behind this, OK? But because my M.O.D. is already settled at least for today, I have to fight with this. I will admit that the grander battlefield wasn't what I originally designed it for, rather than everyday use, but it will do the trick just fine. I will be with Hikari too, right? If there's one person I feel most comfortable taking shelter behind of, it's her and her amazing defenses. I'll be honest, just like Hikari, I of course forgot about this to even start making plans for Galatea, having been stuck between the stress of Dirunon's battle, having to receive all the orders of my instruments that came in and my newfound diary that made me realize a few more things...it's been a little off. But nevertheless, I wholeheartedly believe that we got this!" she optimistically said.
Her calm tone of voice and her usual optimism were enough to slowly turn the tides to where calmness once again took over. Tiki surprisingly changed her attitude gradually albeit quickly, as she came to realize two things. The first thing was that Terna was far below the clouds and grounded, unlike the sheer fantasies she walked on, with ignorance that never once reflected what she'd been through, and the second thing was that they were still yet, at a major time restraint. Combined, those two facts were more than enough to make Tiki calm down more, as she recollected herself and took a deep breath, getting back into being focused on the task at hand while looking at Terna with the same concerned look as before, but this time with a very slight and almost untraceable hint of understanding in both her face and tone of voice.