* Date: September 28, 2173

* Time: 4:35 PM

* Location: Quake Town

In the streets of Quake Town, elves run in a panic. The residents of the town hurried toward the town hall, seeking shelter. With the town guard's demise, the people of Quake Town would be helpless against the invader. But not all hope is lost; behind a tavern called The Shining Bell is a warrior clad in iron. He had been standing watch over a merchant's caravan, unconcerned about the events.

[What the...]

[...Tale, somethings happening in the streets.]

''Is it one of their events?''

[Well, unless you call screaming for dear life an event? Sure!]

Vee retorted to Tale, moving past the caravan. Tale saw multiple elves running away, and it wasn't long until he saw the magnitude of panicking elves. What in the world was happening?

''Vee, status?''

[I'm not sure, but whatever's happening, it's big!]

Stepping onto the streets, the Ghost proceeded through the panicking crowd of elves.

''Vee, scan the streets and find out who's causing this mess.''

[Will do.]

In situations like this, Ghost Operatives. First, gather information before doing anything drastic. But since Tale had his quantum stealth capabilities broken beyond repair. He essentially needs to check the area without being spotted.

'Back to old school.'

Tale muttered, moving past a few more panicking elves. He finally found something interesting. Dead elves, presumably guards. Then he noticed the broken entrance of the town's auction house.

[Tale! I found it!]

''Found what?''

[The Kaynian device it's here! Or rather, there!]

Vee pointed at the auction house. Tale couldn't believe it, but if it was here. Then how come they didn't notice it? Unless someone recently activated it, but the only one capable of that is Vee. But that wasn't exactly true either, and Tale hoped that wasn't the case.

''Then that would mean the Kaynian Knight we faced is here.''

[What!]

''Besides you. No one else could have cracked Kaynian technology...''

''...He's here to use or retrieve the device.''

[Then we'll have a rematch ahead of us.]

The Ghost nodded, proceeding to the entrance of the auction house. Putting his back against the wall, Tale took out his rifle before moving in. Anticipating close-quarters combat, the Ghost proceeded with caution.

''Directions?''

[Take a left and proceed straight. You should encounter the device and probably the Knight as well.]

''Affirmative.''

Taking a sharp left, Tale saw a room open, along with its busted doors. Entering the Ghost was greeted by multiple dead elves. Looking forward, Tale finally saw the Kaynian Knight interacting with the device.

''Shit.''

[Yeah, shit. What's the plan?]

''Can you hack the device from a distance?''

[Well, technically. I can, but it would blow up our cover.]

''Doesn't matter...''

''...I'll distract the Knight. You see to it that the device can bring us back home.''

[Copy. Let's do this!]

Aiming his rifle at the occupied Kaynian. Tale pulled the trigger, firing multiple fifty-caliber rounds at the Kaynian. Meanwhile, Vee began uploading herself to the Kaynian device. Hearing the rattling sound of a weapon. The Kaynian turned his attention and saw the cloaked Ghost. Fifty caliber rounds impacted the Kaynian's shield, bringing it down to a few percent.

''Demon!''

Utilizing his psionics, the Knight would levitate multiple objects in the room and throw them at Tale. Preparing for the collision, the Ghost absorbed the hits. Of course, none of them manage to punch through his armor.

''Begone!''

Still standing, Tale would then be subjected to a telekinetic push. Sending him outside of the room. Meanwhile, the Kaynian levitated the device before creating a massive hole in the wall.

[Tale! He's taking the device away!]

''I'm on it!''

Getting up to his feet, the Ghost sprinted across the hallway and exited the auction house. Looking to his right, he saw the Kaynian running away with the device behind him. Aiming his rifle, Tale opened fire while sprinting. Emptying his drum magazine, Tale would score multiple hits on the Kaynian device. Severing the psionic ability of the Kaynian, letting it fall to the ground. The Kaynian Knight took notice of this and halted to a stop.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

''You dare!''

Summoning his sword, the Kaynian rushed toward the Ghost. Quickly replacing the exhausted drum, Tale opened fire at the charging Knight. Multiple hypersonic rounds exited the barrel of the Ghost and headed toward its target. Impacting the Kaynian energy shield: The rounds would bring its durability down to a few percent. The charging Knight would try and slash at the Ghost. But only for Tale to roll backward, dodging the attack.

''I will rip your head!''

''Come and get it!''

Angered by this, the Kaynian would thrust his sword at the Ghost. Placing his rifle on his back. Tale would counter the Kaynian sword by side-stepping and catching the Knight's arm, locking it before punching. The Ghost's punch would stun the Knight and push him back. This gave him time to pull out his rifle and fire a full burst at the Kaynian. Multiple fifty-caliber rounds impacted the energy shield and lowered its percentage. Meanwhile, Vee has been focusing on cracking the Kaynian device again. It had reconfigured itself even though it wasn't an artificial intelligence. This frustrated Vee, but she wasn't about to complain when their chance of returning to Mars was at arm's length. Digging through strings of data and multiple pieces of information relating to what the Kaynian device was. Analyzing the raw data she recovered, she translated it. Vee gasped as she discovered the true strength of the Kaynians. The purpose of the Kaynian device and its name. A gate is a device capable of faster-than-light travel by opening a wormhole anywhere in the galaxy.

'Looks like the fleet admiral didn't just send us on an important mission...'

'...S.N.S was sent to stop the Kaynian reinforcements from arriving on Mars.'

The revelation of the gate's purpose is now fully realized. Vee wondered what would happen if the gate were to open here on Eldrant. Based on the data the A.I. gathered, the fleet that attacked the solar system was not a fleet but a reconnaissance flotilla.

'A flotilla, that was it? Then...'

'...If the gate opens here, the entire planet will be subjected to the Kaynians!'

Continuing with her work, Vee began finding a way to permanently shut down the gate. Tale was sent crashing straight to another establishment.

'Damn it!'

Cursing, the Ghost then got up and headed toward the Knight. Meanwhile, upon approaching the device, the Kaynian checked its systems. It wouldn't be long until the Knight noticed Vee's intrusion and meddling.

''You abominable construct!''

[Hey! I have a name, you know!]

''Your kind has no place in this gate!''

[Yeah, right! What are you gonna- Ahhhh!]

Vee screamed as the Knight blasted his psionics into the gate. Attempting to terminate Vee's coding. Hearing the screams of his companion, the Ghost aimed and fired at the Kaynian. More rounds impacted the Kaynian's energy shielding. This prompted the Knight to stop his motive in terminating Vee. Turning around, he immediately charged toward the Ghost.

''Vee status report!''

[I'm good...]

[...Just distract him!]

''Copy!''

The Knight would score a hit on Tale's abdomen. But the special dispersal energy coating prevented the energy sword from cutting Tale in half. Staggered, Tale would be open for another strike. Delivering a solid punch at the Ghost's helmet. Tale would be sent down to the ground, along with dropping his rifle. Slowly, the Kaynian approached his position. The internal damage inflicted on his body was severe but manageable. He would endure like he always has. Getting up, Tale would respond by punching the Knight's chest and a right hook to its jaw. The Ghost would grab hold of the Kaynian's shoulder before headbutting him. Headbutting the Knight resulted in its energy shield shattering.

''Gotcha, you son of bitch!''

Tale then continued pummeling the Kaynian with his punches, right hook, left hook, jabs, and an uppercut. Having enough of this, the Knight tried to slash at the Ghost, but Tale blocked it. Following up with a right hook, Tale continued to pummel the Knight. More jabs and uppercuts followed suit. For the first time, the Ghost expressed his anger toward the Knight with the utmost fury.

''Enough!''

Recovering from the barrage of punches. The Kaynian Lord would release a powerful psionic shockwave. Causing the Ghost to be sent backward.

''Vee...''

''...Status?''

[I'm almost done!]

Unbeknownst to both of them, a particular young elve watched everything unfold.

''Mister Tale!''

Turning his attention, Tale saw Joan crying. Why was she here? Wasn't she supposed to be with Louis? These questions raced in the Ghost's consciousness. Getting up, Tale picked up his rifle and faced the Knight.

[Joan, you need to get out here now! It's not safe for you!]

The artificial intelligence pleaded, afraid for the child's well-being. Pulling the trigger, the Ghost re-engaged the Kaynian once again. This child somehow found him in a dangerous situation and now is responsible for her safety. Much like how a mother protects her child, Tale would do all he can to keep Joan out of harm's way. Meanwhile, the Kaynian's energy shield recovered, although it's probably not as durable as before.

* Date: September 28, 1173

* Time: 4:40 PM

* Location: Quake Town Outskirts

Minutes have passed as the Champion of Elvenia hurried toward Quake Town.

'Finally, I have arrived!'

But his arrival would be met with silence. Then he saw the gate and entrance of the town. The walls had arrows on them while the gate was blown off.

'The invader is here...'

'...The town guards must've engaged the invader with their defenses.'

But why were there arrows sticking on the wooden walls of the town? Perhaps the invader is capable of magic? But why was that not the case when he fought the invader?

''I have the element of surprise. Wherever the invader may be, he won't know what will come upon him!''

Flying past the walls and entering the town. Adelard would be met with the site of two invaders facing each other. The first was the one he recognized, but the second was different; it carried a sword.

'How can this be! Two invaders facing each other...'

'...Could it be that one of them might be the hero?'

He theorized, but the more he looked, the more he realized something. Why was there a spirit near the first invader? The lady spirit seems occupied with a strange object he has not seen before.

'Wait, the murderer that killed Marie and her squadron used a large sword as his weapon. I also detected foreign magic residue...'

'...Could it be that I misjudged?'

Regret was an emotion the Champion was foreign to. Never in his life has he wronged someone until now. There lies a possibility that the invader he encountered might be the hero.

''But how? What will I do? Shall I intervene? Make up for my mistake?''

Adelard contemplated, and then he saw the iron-barreled sword of the first invader damaging the second invader's magic shield. But what tipped him off was the moment; he felt the magic of the second invader. It was undeniably the same as the one that murdered Marie and her squadron.

'It's him. He's the one that killed Marie!'

In anger, the Champion nose-dived his wyvern straight toward the sword-wielding invader. He charges up his partner's attack before releasing it at the invader. Unaware of their arrival, the invader would be subjected to the flame of a wyvern. Engulfing the invader in flame, the Champion pulled up and circled the invaders.

'It's still alive, typical.'

Heading toward the invader, Adelard and his wyvern would be pulled to the ground, crashing. The invader had survived and used its foreign magic to bring them down. The impact would knock out his wyvern's consciousness. Leaving him alone with the two invaders. Pulling out his bow and arrow, he prepared himself.

''Pathetic!''

Shouted the invader, stepping out of the flame completely unscathed. Firing his arrow, it impacted the invader's shield. The Champion was taken back by the invader's magic shield.

'Magic shield, I should've known!'

Summoning an energy ball in his right hand. The Champion ditched his bow and arrow, preferring his magic for this fight. Meanwhile, the invader would levitate multiple debris and objects.

''Die!''

The invader would then throw them at the Champion. Adelard would muster his magic to summon a magic barrier. But the quantities of debris thrown at him meant he couldn't maintain it for long. The magic barrier shattered like glass. But an unlikely savior would grant the Champion safety. Opening his eyes, Adelard saw the back of the invader he fought.

''Are you alright?''

Slightly turning its head, the armored entity inquired the Champion.

''Yes...''

''...I am in good condition.''

Adelard responded, and afterward, the invader would face his opponent.

''I require your assistance.''

The invader asked him earnestly. This caught Adelard off guard, this armored being who he thought was an invader. Looking around him, it's painfully obvious. This armored being wants the other invader to be slain.

''Very well. I shall aid you!''

''Good. Utilize your magic to damage him from a distance, and never get close to him.''

''I understand.''

The rattling sound of the iron-barreled sword erupted. Adelard saw the projectiles inflict significant damage on the invader's magic shield. A few seconds later, the barrage would halt.

'My turn.'

Adelard then released his energy ball directly at the invader. An explosion erupted as the energy ball connected with the invader's magic shield. But much like last time, the invader was completely unscathed. How was this possible? Although he dealt more damage than his ally, that energy ball should have broken its magic shield, but it didn't. Walking out of the rubble, the invader started to glow. The invader retaliated with a powerful shockwave. Taking cover behind his ally, the force of the shockwave damaged nearby establishments. After the shockwave died down, the armored being would advance. More projectiles exited the armored being's weapon. The invader then levitated more debris and threw it at the armored being. Meanwhile, Adelard ran directly to the sidelines, flanking the invader.

''I will make your death painful, demon!''

The invader roared right before charging the armored being. Slashing its sword, the invader tried to strike at the armored being but missed. The armored being barreled rolled, dodging the invader's slash. Rising to his feet. The armored figure aimed his weapon and fired at the invader's vulnerable back. Additional projectiles struck the invader, causing its magical shield to shatter again. This prompted the invader to utilize his magic to push the armored being to a building. A massive crash occurred as smoke and dust covered the armored being. Unbeknownst to the invader, the Champion of Elvenia snuck in and struck with lightning magic. This brought the invader down to its knees. With its magic shield shattered, Adelard pressed on with his attack.

''I got you!''

As the invader endured the pain, it wouldn't be long until it started to retreat. Ending his attack, Adelard saw the invader fall back. Heavily injured, the invader would run away as fast as it could back from where it came.

''You may have won primitive, but I shall return!''

The invader said right before leaving the battle-torn town.

'By the Pantheons! I did it!'

Turning his attention to the armored being. Adelard approached, but then something emerged from the debris of battle. A young child ran toward the armored being and acted as a barrier between him and the being.

''No! I won't let you hurt him!''

Hurt him? Why would this child be concerned about the armored being? Taking a step closer, Adelard raised his hands, showing he wasn't a threat.

''I'm not going to hurt him...''

''...I promise, young one.''

Stepping closer, the child did not budge a little. But before he could meet the child, a lady in blue would materialize in front of him. It was the lady spirit he saw earlier while in the air. But her expression told him that she was displeased seeing him. Her clothing was foreign to him; she also wore a form of eyewear that only nobles wore.

[Prove to me why you aren't a threat, elve.]

To Be Continued.