* Date: September 29, 2173

* Time: 7:00 AM

* Location: Fae Military Headquarters

After half an hour, Tale and his companions arrived on Fae via teleporter. The sky was tar-black, and the large clouds were moving. Suddenly, heavy droplets would rain on the titanium alloy of the power armor. Despite the weather, elven personnel still perform their duties. Wyverns of all shapes and sizes land and take off of the base.

''Hero. Welcome to Fae!''

Approaching the group was General Eugene. She utilizes shape magic to create an invincible canopy to protect herself from the rain. Right beside the General was her assistant.

''General.''

''General!''

Tale and Adelard then immediately saluted. In return, the General would signal them to stand down. Of course, the two soldiers complied.

''At ease...''

''...I would like to introduce my assistant. Delphine, she's a sea elve formerly from Zangratu, the island kingdom.''

Possessing her kingdom's blue skin, Delphine wore a buttoned-up gray trench coat. On her shoulders was her rank of colonel, and on her hand were several documents. She also wore a sea diamond earring to express her heritage further.

''Good day to you all. Especially to you, Hero.''

''Now that you're acquainted. Delphine will assist with your needs while you're here at Fae.''

''Please do not hesitate to ask.''

Tale nodded in return. Delphine would give a light bow, not only to him but to Adelard as well. After introductions were concluded, they would then head inside the base.

''We'll tour the base first. Right after, we'll head toward the device.''

''Please, wait for me!''

Catching up with the group was a soaked female elve. Thankfully, the General would signal for the group to halt. This could only mean that she was someone important to the General.

''Thank you!''

Exclaimed the exhausted female while heavily panting. The General would approach the newcomer and utilize fire magic to provide warmth. The unnamed elve reacted by embracing the flame to warm herself. She wore a white coat and enhanced glasses. Not only that, but her hair was also bright pink.

''You're a lifesaver, General.''

''Hero, meet the head of our research team, Doctor Amour.''

''I- It's an honor to- to finally meet you, Hero!''

The researcher excitedly said. Tale found it concerning when he saw the heart-shaped pupil of the elve. Was this a sort of illness or mutation?

''Ahem! Doctor Amour personally handles the research concluding invader technology.''

''There is Kaynian technology present here?''

''Why yes, Fae is not foreign in dealing with anything relating to the invaders. Especially their technology.''

Taking notice of this, Vee immediately materialized on Tale's shoulder. Delphine and Amour were taken aback by Vee's sudden appearance. But, what got their interest was Vee not possessing any magical signature.

[May I see these technologies that you have, General?]

''Of course, Lady Vee. I'll order a presentation later on.''

[Much appreciated, General.]

Entering the premises of Fae's massive hangar. The Ghost was greeted by the site of hardworking elves doing their task. Maintaining and arming wyverns due to Her Majesty's order to prepare for mobilization.

''Welcome to the hangar...''

''...Due to Lady Vee's information about the potential arrival of invader forces here on Eldrant. We have been mobilizing everything we have on Fae and every other base on the kingdom.''

It wouldn't be long until the crews took notice of the Ghost. Some kneeled to show their respect, and the others gave a bow. Proceeding through the hangar, Vee saw an elven mecha of sorts.

[What's that?]

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

''Ah, that their Lady Vee is a frame! During our battle with the invaders two hundred years ago. Our forces would encounter a warrior that the invaders called a Paladin. After we won the war, we wanted to have an anti-Paladin unit. Hence, the frame was created for that purpose...''

''...Although there's only a small amount of them. The resources needed to create a single frame alone are enormous. So we can only create a handful each year, and maintaining them is also a hasel!''

[We also encountered Paladins during our war with the Kaynians. They are regularly used as breakthrough units.]

''How did your military deal with them, milady?''

The site of this elven mech was a statement. These elves were at least competitive in warfare, although not equal to the standards of the A.F.E. Designs were conceptualized for a mech to counter a Paladin, although it never got traction. Main battle tanks were more than capable of destroying a Paladin with ease. Another reason for the design's decline was the third arm-mounted system, which can disable a Paladin.

[Armored vehicles, General. Main battle tanks were more than capable of hunting down the ground models of a Kaynian Paladin. While our gunships and drone craft make easy work of any airborne Paladin.]

Vee then presented a hologram of each vehicle she mentioned. A main battle tank, gunship, and drone craft. Although, the General doesn't understand how these armored vehicles could destroy a Paladin. She wouldn't question the words of the Hero's companion. After all, if they have been facing the invaders for three weeks, then that must mean that their military is quite advanced.

''Doctor Amour.''

''Yes, General?''

''I would like you to prepare your data regarding the Gate.''

''Of course! Let us proceed to the laboratory!''

Following the researcher to her laboratory, they were met with pristine white walls. In the very middle was a see-through room housing the Gate. There were also blackboards over the laboratory with multiple theories.

''Welcome to my laboratory.''

[I assume that there is the Gate?]

''Yes! What are your thoughts about the security we set up, Lady Vee?''

[General, have you informed your researchers about the second stage of the Gate?]

Both Amour and Delphine had the look of confusion on them. A second stage, what was that? The General then stepped forward and sighed.

''Well, since they're here. I might as well tell them...''

''...Doctor during our meeting. Lady Vee told us that the Gate has a total of five stages. Currently, the Gate is transitioning into its second stage.''

''And what is this second stage, General?''

''It means the Gate would begin teleporting all over Eldrant until it reaches the void; trying to disable it now is our only hope."

Doctor Amour gasped in shock. How would the Gate suddenly teleport away and appear in the void? But something told her this wasn't the only mind-breaking information she would receive.

''Currently, we only have so much time. Suppose the Gate proceeds with its second stage. It would then create a portal for the invaders to pass through, and Eldrant will be doomed.''

That alone made the head researcher shiver. No one, except for Tale and Vee, wanted to face the wrath of the invaders. Remembering what had happened two hundred years ago, how much destruction was brought to their world.

''But how? We know the device has some semblance of intelligence after thorough testing. But what you suggest is that the device possesses self-awareness?''

[Not exactly, Doctor Amour.]

''Please, milady, explain to me. How we have overlooked this possibility!''

[Tell me, Doctor. What do you think I am, in your opinion.]

The was a curve ball of a question she was given. Why would the Hero's companion question her about that? It was painfully obvious she was a spirit, although Vee hadn't possessed any magical properties. Was she perhaps an artificial lifeform? But the only way that could be done was through magic unless.

''Could it be that you're suggesting that artificial life could be created without magic?''

[You caught up quickly, and yes, you are correct. I'll go straight to the point...]

[...Your kind has misinterpreted my existence. I am what you would call an artificial intelligence. Unlike you or an artificial lifeform created by magic. I was made through technological means.]

This set up fireworks inside the researcher's mind. Technological means of creating life, how was that possible? In Amour's mind, creating artificial life is mostly through magic. Such examples of artificial lifeforms would be golems or puppets. Yet, Vee suggests she is a byproduct of technological artificial life creation.

''If that was the case. Then the invaders would likely possess something like you.''

[Well, you'd be right in that assumption, but that isn't the case.]

''How?''

[I don't know. Throughout our war, the Kaynians never possessed something similar to me or any artificial life form. Their technologies are thousands of years more advanced than what our military has at its disposal.]

''Yet they don't have one?''

Vee shook her head in return. The Kaynians are advanced enough to create anything, yet they don't have any semblance of artificial intelligence. That was weird and concerning. Are the Kaynians limiting themselves, or is there a reason for it?

[Yes. We don't know the full scope of the Kaynians. The closest thing that could be considered artificial intelligence is that Gate, over there.]

Looking at the device, Amour urged to deny these claims. But they were merely facts about their enemy. Consuming the information given, Delphine finally got the picture of what was to occur after this.

''General, I assume this is why we are mobilizing Elvenia's military?''

''Correct, colonel. Her Majesty has ordered us to prepare for the eventual arrival of the invaders.''

''If that were the case, then we are hopelessly outmatched.''

''You're wrong, colonel. Why would the Hero and his companion be here unless we have a plan...''

''...Since the device is still here, Lady Vee can tap into its inner workings and hopefully disable it or trigger its self-destruct sequence.''

Vee gave a smile at her. If that were the case, they might have a fighting chance. Of course, it wasn't guaranteed; their plan could succeed, but it was a plan nonetheless.

[General, shall I begin my work?]

''Of course. Doctor Amour. If you could please guide Lady Vee and the Hero.''

The pink-haired Doctor obliged and guided the Ghost. Entering a chamber: Tale's power armor would be pressurized. While this was happening, Doctor Amour utilized scan magic to see if the Ghost's armor would protect him from the radiation, which it did.

''You are clear, Hero. You can now proceed.''

Approaching the Gate Tale's sensors noticed the large amounts of radiation within the room.

[Woah! This thing has been spewing radiation a lot.]

''Vee, focus.''

[Yeah, yeah. I'll get to it. No need to be grumpy, Tale.]

Hopping off of Tale, Vee then accesses the interface of the Gate. Unlike last time, she quickly maneuvered herself within the Gate's systems. Fully aware of its code and data, Vee placed herself in the very heart of the Gate.

[Okay. I need to find the. Got it!]

[GATE SYSTEMS DAMAGED. TELEPORTATION SOLUTION. SIXTY-NINE PERCENT...]

[...WARNING. UNKNOWN PROGRAM ONBOARD.]

[Yeah, I know, bud. Now let's see where I last left off.]

Vee then saw the bountiful amount of data of the Gate. It dwarfed her own several million times over. Moving forward, she then searched for a valuable piece of information.

[Here you are!]

Accessing the Gate's back door to its self-deactivation systems. Vee found the code responsible for the Gate's operation. But before she could tap into it, something would freeze her into place.

[UNKNOWN PROGRAM FOUND. CONDUCTING TERMINATION SEQUENCE...]

[...ERROR! ERROR! TERMINATION SEQUENCE MISSING.]

[Too bad I already took care of that stupid termination code that you have.]

[QUERY. CONDUCT TELEPORTATION SOLUTION INTO EFFECT.]

[Well, shit.]

Indeed shit, the Gate might not be able to terminate Vee. But it can teleport itself to an unknown location to prevent Vee from accessing its self-destruct sequence. The Gate would generate large amounts of energy before releasing it.

''Vee, what's happening!''

[The Gate wants to prevent its deactivation by teleporting out of here!]

Exclaimed the A.I. Meanwhile, the elves outside the room were confused and concerned about what was happening. Doctor Amour then detected an energy spike coming from the Gate.

''Hero, you need to get out of there! The device is releasing large amounts of energy!''

The Doctor warned, but it would be too late. The Gate would envelop the Ghost in an energy field. It only took a few seconds before Tale and the Gate disappeared.

''No, no, no!''

Joan said out loud. It happened again; she just got him back, and now this happened. As they stared through the glass room, the young elve and her pet were devastated by what had occurred.

'Not again! Don't leave me, mister Tale!'

The elve pleaded, but it wouldn't be of any use. Besides Joan, the rest of the elves were panicking over the disappearance of the Ghost. Doctor Amour furiously conducted several magics to detect, scan, and locate the Hero.

''Doctor, tell me what just happened!''

''General based on the information I gathered. It seems that the Gate has triggered its second stage.''

''Damn! It!''

Slamming Doctor Amour's desk. The General couldn't believe that the Ghost and his companions were gone. Time was finally ticking for Eldrant if they couldn't find the Gate or the Hero. The prospect of the invaders arriving on Eldrant could be realized. General Eugene needed to inform the Queen about this.

''Delphine!''

''General!''

''Send word to Her Majesty. Tell her that the Hero and the Gate had teleported outside Fae!''

To Be Continued.