* Date: January 24, M2100

* Time: 2:05 AM

* Location: Class V Dreadnought Oblivion Throne Room

The teleportation sequence sucked Tale and the Warmaster. The Kaynian was beaten and missing both of his arms, with the Ghost remaining operational but damaged due to the confrontation between the two. It wouldn't take long until they reached their intended location. The throne room of the dreadnaught. When they arrived, they were greeted by rows of Kaynian Honor Guards and their captain.

''Present arms!''

Immediately, the guards answered their captain's command and pointed their weapons at the Ghost. Meanwhile, several Warlocks approached the injured Warmaster and floated him near them to stabilize his condition.

'Master-r, I sense a powerful presence...'

'...And it's coming from that Kaynian.'

Sarroth whispered as she pointed to the Kaynian seated on a large throne. The features of the alien were menacing as it was clad in heavy armor, with artistry foreign to the Ghost. If this was the one that saw through the Howling Knight's cloak, then the U.G.E. has a problem. A nine-foot-tall problem.

''Greetings, human. It seems that you have bested my Warmaster in combat.''

The seated Kaynian spoke, sending a shiver down Tale's spine. Even the Kaynian's voice was imbued with psionics. It was surreal to think a being this powerful even exists, yet it does.

''Hmm, strange, your magic is akin to the one that stole the frigate. The Bane of Flare.''

Shit was the only thought that the Ghost had. This Kaynian recognized his magic residue, even though it had been a few days since he escaped Babylon. This was outright bad, but there was more. The Honor Guards reacted by intently eyeing the Ghost for any sudden movement. Whatever effect Tale had made him the number one target for the present Kaynians.

''Calm yourselves, my guards...''

''...This one is a guest, and as per my condition. Suppose one of the humans managed to defeat the Warmaster. All of them would be set free, even the one that defeated my Warmaster.''

The booming voice of the unnamed Kaynian echoed throughout the premises, and by instant, the guards relaxed their posture. Tale found this strange. Whoever this Kaynian was, he must be the one the Kaynians call an Arc. Upon realizing this, he immediately noted that this individual held great power beyond his own. Thinking that his team wouldn't get near the Kaynian before being swatted by psionics.

''Tell me, human. Where did you gain such prowess in psionics?''

The Kaynian asked, and Tale sealed his lips shut. He wasn't about to give the name of Eldrant for them to pursue and destroy. But something tells him they were already searching for the elven planet.

'Master, don't tell him. For the sake of Eldrant, they mustn't know!'

'It's too late for that.'

'May I ask why?'

'If I am to guess, they're already searching for Eldrant.'

This took the blade spirit by surprise. Normally, she would instinctively react by saying no. However, her master's word was fact, and he had never been wrong about the intentions of their shared enemy.

''I doubt that you would care about the planet's name.''

Tale responded as he gripped Sarroth and clenched his fist. He was outnumbered and outgunned. It wasn't necessarily a good recipe for a Ghost's lifespan. Eldrant and its people must remain hidden at all costs, unlike Earth, which had an actual fighting force capable of confronting the Kaynians.

''Hmm, how so?''

''If you know about its existence already, it's clear that you're probably searching for it.''

The Kaynian smiled at the response of the Ghost. Standing up, he showcased his enormous stature as he wielded his sword staff, the Despoiler. Seeing the nine-foot-tall Kaynian made Tale feel small in comparison, but he refused to feel fear, as his purpose was to stop the Kaynians from reaching Earth.

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''I applaud your resolve, human. Never had I imagined the spawn of the Deities to be so stoic in the face of me...''

''...Truly, your kind deserve the title of being called demons.''

This confused Tale further. Demon was often slang used by the Kaynians to describe A.F.E. military elements. Not only Ghost Operatives were called demons, but also regular marines. Any A.F.E. combatant writes it off as the Kaynians being backward-thinking but possessing advanced technology. However, now may be the time to address why this is.

''Why do you call us that?''

''Hmm?''

Hummed the Kaynian as he deciphered the context behind the Ghost's question. Meanwhile, Tale stared intently at the alien.

''Why do your kind call us demons?''

Clarifying his question, the Kaynian made a gesture similar to a human smirk. Why was this? Tale wondered, did his question somehow make himself into a fool?

''Ah, yes, your title. I suppose your makers haven't bestowed upon you the truth. Nevertheless, the reason why us Kaynians refer to you as demons is due to your destructive nature...''

''...We call you demons because you are the only mortal race that has ever stood against us and effectively denied us. Not only are you mortal, but you were also created by our hated enemy.''

This only served to confuse Tale further. Did he hear this Kaynian correctly? They had a creator? And this creator race had become an enemy of the Kaynians? But how did it lead back to them? And why point to humanity's destructiveness? Did this mean they were created for a reason and don't know? Was this Kaynian even telling the truth?

''You are ignorant of your purpose, but it's not like it matters. For I, the Arc Betrayer will ensure that the chosen of the Deities are erased from this galaxy we call home.''

The threat alone was enough for Tale to consider that maybe this Kaynian means to wipe out the entirety of Earth and her people. Arc Betreyer, a name that the Ghost Operative would have to report to I.C.E. to prepare for the worst.

"I need you to warn your kind of the upcoming doom that will arrive on your planet, Eden."

''Why?''

''The fate of your kind is already decided. It is only a matter of time...''

"...Now go. For the next time we meet, I will not be so merciful."

The Arc stated as several Honor Guards flanked him before motioning for him to turn around and move. Meanwhile, the Arc Betrayer smirked at the prospect that the chosen one was able to defeat his Warmaster. Quite an achievement for anyone.

* Date: January 24, 2183

* Time: 2:25 AM

* Location: UGS Howling Knight Bridge

After meeting the Arc Betrayer, Tale and the rest of Sword and Shield were directed to their ship. Having defeated the Warmaster known as Kostas, he couldn't help but feel confused as to why he and his colleagues weren't executed on the spot. Nevertheless, he wouldn't question it until they reached U.G.E.-controlled space. Currently, the commander was awake and being briefed about what had happened.

''Tale, you're telling me that this 'Arc Betrayer' had a condition that if you defeat his Warmaster, we'll be set free?''

''Affirmative.''

West was anything but perplexed by the idea of a Kaynian ordering that they be set free without any consequences. This was not like the Kaynians that mercilessly butchered any man, woman, child, and A.I. on Mars and Pluto. But here they were, heading back to Eden to warn them about the upcoming Kaynians.

''How are Nomad and Bishop?''

Turning his attention to the two unconscious Ghosts. West brushed aside the notion of their enemies setting them free due to defeating their Warmaster. Right now, he should focus on their condition and keep an eye on anything that would occur.

[Mostly unconscious, and their power armor retains some light damage on their system, probably from the teleportation sequence, but other than that, they're alive and well.]

''I see, thank you, Merci.''

Hearing that both his subordinates were alright and well. West moved past and approached his seat. Tapping his terminals, the commander would need to access the condition of the Howling Knight. The damage sustained during their approach to the Oblivion was extensive, and he needed to know if the stealth ship could reach Eden.

''Archer, Wave. Conduct an in-depth scan of Howling Knight's systems.''

[Roger.]

Archer responded as he and Wave began to access the damaged stealth ship. Flying through the entire Kaynian flotilla, the stealth ship was helpless if one Kaynian ship would open fire on them. They were still behind enemy lines, yet the 'Arc Betrayer' stated they were free to return to Eden. So maybe the Kaynian's word held some merit. After a few seconds had passed, the two A.I.s had already performed several hundred scans to identify the damage sustained by the Howling Knight. Their energy shield was in tatters but was in the process of regenerating. Their cloak was unfunctional, probably due to the intense maneuvers done by the stealth ship. The hull was heavily damaged from rashing head-first to the Oblivion's sides.

[Reporting, Commander West.]

''How is Howling Knight, Wave?''

[Well, her energy shields took a beating, but it is regenerating. The cloak is useless, and the entire ship's bow is damaged from our crash landing. Our light-type hell cannon is also out of commission because of this.]

''Is that all?''

Pausing for a moment, Wave nodded. The commander sighed at the condition of his ship. But she was still afloat, meaning they could make one jump to Eden. If they're lucky, they won't disintegrate during their FTL.

''Archer, what about our real space drive?''

West asked, and the A.I. paused and assessed the Howling Knight's FTL capability.

[Our FTL is still at one hundred percent functionality.]

The A.I. responded, and the commander was pleased about this development. Warning Eden about the incoming threat was his priority now, and the mission they were given by I.C.E. was a total failure now, but what would happen to them? They were still alive and were granted another chance by their enemies. How will I.C.E. deal with them?

''Archer, Wave, attend to your respective partners. Knowing them, they probably have plenty of questions when they wake up.''

[Understood, sir.]

[We'll answer any question they have, commander!]

The two A.I.s answered before they disappeared from the commander's terminal. With the knowledge that the Howling Knight was in good-ish condition jump, there was only one A.I. that West could rely on to perform the task.

''Merci.''

[Yes, commander?]

''Ready our real space drive and set course to Eden. And when we arrive, I want you to establish a connection with any of the Admiral of the Second Fleet if they're present...''

''...If they ask for clearance, tell them it's code alpha-omega.''

[Very well.]

Immediately, the A.I. went to work and prepared the real space drive of the stealth ship. The fusion reactors went to work to supply the drive with the necessary power for their voyage home. The Howling Knight would finally bypass the last Kaynian ship and reach open space. Although damaged, the stealth ship held together as it prepared its drive for the jump.

[Commander West. We've officially entered open space.]

Merci pointed out as the masses of Kaynian ships were now behind them. However, even though they were commanded not to open fire on the stealth ship, that didn't mean they didn't yearn for its destruction for crashing into their Arc's dreadnought.

''Good, our FTL?''

[Fully charged and awaiting your word.]

''Very well...''

''...Let's get out of here.''

Hearing the command of her partner, Merci engaged the Howling Knight's engines at a minimum, and the real-space drives were readied. The two unconscious Ghosts were locked into place with their magnetic boots and several gravitational clamps. With how damaged the stealth ship was, it was about to return.

''Understood, initiating jump...''

''...In three, two, one...''

''...Real space drive engaged!''

The Howling Knight immediately disappeared from the sensors of the Kaynian flotilla as it entered light speeds to reach and warn Eden. The failed attempt of I.C.E. to disorganize the ranks of the Kaynians had only made their situation worse. Now that the Arc Betrayer was coming to burn, maim, and crush any defenses that awaited them.

To Be Continued.