Cerberus HQ, Arwen’s Office: 936, July 23rd, Monday, 9:00 AM.
“This mission sounds…” Tori swallowed dry, smiling nervously as she stood behind Claire—Scott and Eric to her side, with Gaspard behind all of them.
After a few quick repairs from the complete chaos that unfolded due to Paradise’s invasion at HQ, Cerberus’ headquarters still remained in a somewhat dire state. Thanks to the gladean empire’s support however, the company remained operational even after losing large amounts of support from backers.
King Date’s disappearance had not gone unnoticed by the people of Hemel, leaving the continent little choice in terms of replacements for the company, with Chimera and Hydra jumping at the opportunity. Jacob—who continued to be the face of Cerberus as Arwen—had refused meetings to discuss the company’s future, leaving the outside world guessing on the current situation.
With the increasing threat of the specters as the Deadlands continued to expand further into their homes, many desperate leaders from their respective countries had issued warnings, and even threats against Cerberus. Some countries had resorted to mobilizing their military to guard their borders, others had ventured into the deadly zone to investigate or perform a purge of the demons—ignoring Cerberus’ advice and warnings to abandon their operations in the hellish zone, causing thousands of loses in human lives.
In Arwen’s office, decorated with environmental posters and plant pots placed all over, Bloodhound was gathered to receive a special mission from their boss himself.
“You want us to serve as bodyguards for the emperor?” Claire asked—her brows slightly raised.
“Correct,” Arwen replied—sitting behind his desk with Bloodhound standing in front of him. “I’m sure you understand how important this is. The gladean empire is our greatest backer, well… the only one we have left, but the emperor’s support is invaluable for our future success.”
The lieutenant hummed while placing her finger on her chin, turning to look at her team from over her shoulder. Tori pumped her fists with determined eyes, Scott and Eric offered a smile and a nod, while Gaspard bowed in approval.
Claire turned back to look at Arwen with a proud smile—offering her reply. “We can do it,” she replied confidently. “Bloodhound will provide protection to the emperor, and assure his safety.”
Arwen nodded with a thankful smile, fixing his glasses. “Thank you, lieutenant. You and your team are the only ones we can count on for something like this” he said. “I’ll be preparing further details on your task. You may leave for now.”
“Sir!” Claire saluted—quickly followed by her team.
Bloodhound walked out of the office, but a sudden call from Arwen stopped the lieutenant as she placed one foot into the hallway—prompting Bloodhound to stop as well.
“Actually, lieutenant. I have something else for you, can you please close the door?”
“Uh… of course, sir.” With a quick glance and nod to her team, Claire dismissed Bloodhound and watched them leave through the hallway—closing the door behind her as she reentered the office, standing in front of Arwen’s desk once again.
“I’m happy to see you back on your feet so soon, lieutenant.” Arwen expressed. “Everyone was extremely worried when they couldn’t find you after the last operation.”
With a smile and a quick bow, Claire offered her thanks to Arwen. “Thank you, sir. I assure you I am back in top condition to complete my mission.”
“Are the formalities really necessary?” A familiar masculine voice spoke from a dark corner of the office—prompting Claire to turn and face it, fixing her gaze on the silver-haired man sitting on the office’s couch—one leg crossed on top of the other while grinning smugly from the obscured corner.
“I didn’t even know you were here…” Arwen pushed the bridge of his glasses to fix their position, huffing through his nose.
As the lieutenant prepared to speak, the wooden door of the office suddenly creaked open—revealing Yeon as she emerged from the other side, carrying a thin stack of papers under her arm. “Sorry I’m late, but the place is a complete disaster at the moment.”
“Ah… is something going on?” Claire redirected her eyes towards Arwen.
“It’s about your mission,” Sovereign said as he stood up from the couch—hiding his left hand inside his pocket. “A few necessary warnings for the road ahead.”
“You’ve fought specters, hybrids and even gladean knights by now.” Yeon chimed in as she strode her way next to Arwen’s desk. “An impressive record, but this mission is too important to leave it to numbers in a database alone.”
Sovereign stepped next to Claire, half extending his arm with two pages in hand—which she quickly took into hers. “The blonde guy is named Theo, a knight from Paradise and King’s right hand.”
“Don’t let his face fool you,” Yeon warned. “He may not come directly for you and your team, but he won’t hesitate in taking the emperor’s life if you allow it.”
As Claire moved the first page behind the other, a soft gasp escaped her lips as she fixed her eyes on the black-haired man with a smug smirk on his face. “This… I’ve seen him before.” she said, remembering the black-haired knight she encountered during her escape of Paradise.
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“His name is…” Sovereign tried to explain, but had to stop himself as the name evaded him—placing two fingers in his forehead. “Loki… his name is Loki.”
Yeon walked in closer to gently move Sovereign aside, handing him a small bottle filled with multi-colored pills. “This is worst case scenario,” she explained to the lieutenant. “There’s no telling on what he will do, but you are the only one we can trust with supporting the emperor against him.”
“Ninigi’s presence is also a possibility,” Arwen added. “But do not count on him, we are not sure what might happen during your stay in the empire. That said, we are confident you will know how to handle the situation.”
With a confident nod, Claire offered a quick hum before replying, “I understand, you can in our success.”
After the quick briefing and a short explanation of further details, Claire was promptly dismissed by Yeon—who accompanied her out into the hallway. The lieutenant turned to look back inside the office from over her shoulder, watching the silver-haired CEO swallow his pills from a small bottle.
Floating City of Paradise, Knight’s District: 936, July 23rd, Monday, 9:00 AM.
In a large arena filled with sand—built like a fairly large colosseum, a sole gladean knight stood at the center while swinging his twin azure swords at the air. He teleported around while practicing new moves and techniques, eventually stopped by the presence of another knight entering the arena.
“It’s impressive how you continue to improve your divine pathway,” Theo said as he stepped near Loki—his expression as calm as always. “Most gladean knights stop growing after reaching your age, champion.”
“How’s the old man?” The knight replied with a question—dusting off his hands with an indifferent frown.
“He’s mostly recovered, and will soon be back thanks to the goddess’ blessing.” Theo answered—changing the subject right after. “You mentioned a new skill you’ve been developing, have you mastered it yet?”
“Not quite, but it won’t take me long. I just need more time.” Loki said as he moved away from Theo, walking towards the exit. “Do you need someone dead, or did you come just to bother me?”
“I thought you’d want some help in testing your new skill,” Theo replied—his words stopping the knight in his stride. “So, I brought you the perfect subject. An intruder from the false empire.”
“Hah,” Loki chuckled, turning back to face Theo. “I won’t say no to that.”
With a heavy scrapping sound, the sturdy stone gate of the arena slid open to reveal a pair of gladean knights. They held a shirtless man captive, each of them holding his arms with a strong grip. He was tall and had a strong physique, his dark brown and spiky hair kept short.
Forced inside the arena by his captors, as the gate sealed itself shut. The prisoner was thrown into the sand at Loki’s feet, lifting himself into a planking position. Theo calmly moved away towards one of the edges of the arena, accompanied by the pair of knights. The prisoner picked himself back on his feet, glaring at Loki with a drop of sweat rolling down his cheek—his opponent staring into his eyes with a confident smirk.
“A hybrid huh,” Loki said. “Did the old emperor send you? Surely, he knew what would happen to you.”
“Your order will be destroyed…” the prisoner snarled. “The goddess would never agree with your evil deeds… you have lost your ways and will pay for what you’ve done.”
Loki raised an eyebrow, one corner of his lip lifting upwards. “Uh? Are you trying to convince me of something?”
Suddenly and without notice, the man reeled his arm backwards before launching a powerful strike against his opponent—aiming for his head. In an absurd display of velocity, Loki grabbed the prisoner’s wrist before the attack could connect—pressing his fingers tightly on his flesh. Pulling the man’s arm to the side to look at his foe in the eye, the knight grinned with excitement before pushing him away—stretching his arms and shoulders before relaxing his stance.
“You will do,” Loki said while cracking his knuckles. “Make sure you don’t die too soon.”
Planting his feet firmly on the ground, the man raised his fists in front with a confident stance. “Don’t underestimate a hybrid,” he claimed with a raspy voice. “I will show you the strength of Gladea’s followers. For the emperor!”
The hybrid opened his assault with a frontal charge, launching a powerful right hook against the knight. Loki moved his head to the side, barely avoiding the attack. His opponent did not let out however, continuing to swing left and right with a combination of relentless jabs and hooks.
“Is that it?” Loki smirked.
“Your overconfidence will be your downfall, knight.” the prisoner claimed—stretching his fingers to open his fist into an open palm.
As Loki stepped back to avoid another attack, the prisoner lunged forward in a fast impulse to get a hold of his opponent—planting his palm on the knight’s face. Loki’s grin disappeared into a puzzled frown, as a bright light suddenly emanated from within the man’s hand—Igniting into a blinding flash that engulfed the entire arena.
“Agh…” Loki stumbled backwards while covering his face with both hands. “What the hell… was that? I can’t see…” he claimed while removing his hands—keeping his eyes shut.
A victorious smile drew itself in the prisoner’s face, panting heavily through his mouth. “I did it…” he claimed. “Even if I can’t kill you… I can at least—grh!”
The prisoner was abruptly interrupted—biting his tongue in the process. A strong arm suddenly wrapped around his neck from behind, like an anaconda that has caught its pray distracted. Struggling to break free, the man sunk his fingers on the arm that continued to crush his windpipe—gasping for air with his eyes almost popping out from his face.
“Well, you tried.” Loki’s voice came from behind him—gritting his teeth with a smug grin. “I didn’t expect much from you, but I’ve seen worst fighters in my days.”
A sudden realization fell on the prisoner like cold water from above, the veins on his face surfacing on his skin as he struggled to breath. The knight in front of him was enveloped in particles of azure light, grinning devilishly before disappearing into thin air.
“A little weak for my taste,” Loki said with a frown before returning to his smug self. “I don’t need you anymore, go with Gladea and all of that.”
Imposing an absurd amount of pressure around the neck of his foe, Loki ended the man’s life in a sudden motion that snapped the prisoner’s neck with a loud crunching sound—unwrapping his arm around his victim, and allowing the motionless body of the prisoner to hit the sand.
“Forgot to ask about his name,” the knight indifferently stated while stretching one of his shoulders. “Tsk… who cares.”
“Impressive, Loki.” Theo commented as he approached the knight. “Although I could see the moment you swapped positions, wouldn’t it be better to rely on your teleportation instead?”
“Maybe,” the knight replied with little care. “But an idea popped into my head one day when talking to the little princess…” his lips curved into a grin. “Just wait for me to master this new ability… and I will bring you Specter’s head in a plate.”
END OF CHAPTER