* Date: September 30, 2173

* Time: 8:35 AM

* Location: Adel Village

''Vee, direction!''

[Follow the waypoint. It will lead you to it!]

Hedding the word of his partner, Tale proceeded toward the gate. The Ghost's loud footsteps echoed throughout the ruined village. Building after building, Tale made his way and reached the gate.

''We have a problem.''

[That we do...]

[...How the fuck do we reach the gate?]

Materializing her avatar, Sarroth made her appearance in front of the Ghost. The sole method for them to reach the gate and engage with it is through levitation magic. Although possible, Tale's power armor can affect the levitation because of its weight.

''Master, I have a solution for this conundrum.''

''What is it?''

''Levitation magic could allow you to float to the gate, but your armor's weight would prove a challenge, but it is doable.''

''I see; get to it then.''

Nodding in return, Sarroth used levitation magic and assisted the Ghost. I.C.E made sure that every Ghost Operative made was only the best of the best. Able to fight in different weather conditions, biomes, and even zero gravity. But there was no part on Tale's training and conditioning. That involves magically floating and defying physics and gravity. It wouldn't be long until the Ghost reached a platform made up of Kaynian metal. It seems that the gate constructed multiple platforms for any Kaynian to check the progression of its stages. It was something that the Ghost appreciated since they were about to take down the gate for good.

''The gate is up ahead, my master.''

''Objective spotted, moving in.''

Moving toward the gate module, Tale leaped from platform to platform to reach it. The Ghost then opened his palm to allow his partner to materialize her avatar. Hoping out of Tale's palm, Vee continued where she last took off.

[Okay, here we are...]

[...Now, where was I before you caused us to teleport?]

Vee quickly accessed the gates systems. Various codes and data that were not present before surprised the artificial intelligence. But what interested her was that the deactivation and self-destruct sequence was locked.

[No! No! No!]

''What's wrong?''

[Tale, the Kaynian Lord locked the deactivation and self-destruct sequence!]

''Is there another way?''

[Negative. It needs a specific code, and I suspect that our Kaynian friend has it.]

''Meaning you have to insert yourself into the Kaynian's system?''

[Correct, this needs to be a manual data extraction.]

Turning around, Tale noticed an explosion occur in the distance. Adelard and the others must be facing the Kaynian Lord with all their might. Hopefully, Vee can extract the data from a Kaynian's corpse. The Ghost immediately sprinted across the platforms and leaped off of it. Landing on the ground, the Ghost ran toward the village hall. As the Ghost made his way toward the village hall, Tale couldn't help but feel that something was about to happen. Of course, his senses were better than an ordinary human, so he should be able to react a lot faster. But this was different because deep inside, he knew something was wrong. There it is again, another explosion. Sarroth would appear on his head-up display with a dreaded look. Tale's not sure why Sarroth was like this, but he knew it was related to magic.

''My master, you must hurry! I have detected forbidden magic, and it's coming from the champion himself!''

''Then Adelard and the others are in trouble.''

Tale commented before continuing forward. He needed to hurry, whatever happened to Adelard and the others. The Ghost would be responsible for. In the distance, he saw one of the wyvern riders, Pauline, but where was the commander? And why is she falling back? Has Adelard issued a retreat?

''Hero!''

Following behind the rider was the black knight with the priestess on his back. The wyvern would lower in altitude and land in front of Tale. And with the knight arriving second. As the rider, knight, and priestess dismounted. Tale saw the commander's body and severe injuries, an arm missing, and a hole in his chest.

''Rider, status report.''

''We engaged the invader in combat and lost Catherine. The commander was angered and confronted the invader all by himself and- and-''

''Lost, hero...''

''...Forgive me.''

Approaching the commander's body, Tale saw the elve he fought before was now at death's door. Adelard was bleeding, his magic depleted, and his body exhausted. Tale has witnessed this scene countless times—soldiers sacrificing their lives for a cause.

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''Hero, the- the gate, did you?''

''Negative, sir. The Kaynian Lord has locked its systems, and he carries the key for unlocking its deactivation sequence.''

''I see. Hero, may I ask if you can grant my request?''

''What is it, sir?''

''Kill that invader bastard for me. He took the lives of my subordinates and threatened Eldrant...''

''...Please- please. Kill the invader and save us all.''

Adelard pleaded, asking the hero with the last inch of his strength. Tale kneeled and placed his hand on the champion's shoulder. Whether or not he will perish, the Ghost will honor his request.

''Consider it done, sir. It's been a pleasure serving by your side.''

That response alone brought the champion to tears. Standing up, the Ghost looked over the distance and saw the Kaynian. Its glowing silhouette and sword are visible to Tale's heads-up display.

''Rider''

''What is your order, hero.''

''Carry the commander's body back to the Javelin...''

''...Priestess, Knight, are the two of you still combat capable?''

The two elves nodded in response. Nadine's magic was still in a stable condition. While Hector still had enough stamina to confront the invader a second time.

''Yes, we are, hero.''

''Good, you two are with me. Our main objective is to recover the deactivation sequence for the gate.''

Adelard watched as the hero planned his move against the invader. Pauline would mount her wyvern before flying back to the light frigate. The champion's life was in her hands, and she wouldn't fail her old friend.

'Good luck, hero.'

The champion muttered before embracing the darkness that would take his life. The last thing he heard was the shouts of Pauline before dying. While explaining his plan, the Ghost felt the commander passing on to the afterlife.

'My daughter's champion has passed on my master.'

'Thank you, Sarroth, for informing me.'

'It is only my duty, master.'

Hector and Nadine were puzzled as to why the hero ceased elucidating his plan. Ignorant that the commander has perished from his injuries. Even though Pauline applied several healing magics and potions, Adelard's injuries were so severe that it did not matter.

'Shall I inform the others?'

'No, it would break their morale.'

'Very well.'

Albeit shocked about her master's response. She understood it was the only way to keep Hector and Nadine stable and combat-ready. The faith of Eldrant was now in their hands, and they could not jeopardize their situation.

''Nadine, you will be our fire support. Utilize your magic to damage the Kaynian from afar, and never get close. Hector, while I confront the Kaynian head-on, you'll contact hit-and-run tactics to give me an opening...''

''...Remember, our only hope of saving Eldrant is getting hold of the deactivation sequence. When we do, we will advance toward the gate and take it down, understood?''

''Yes, hero!''

Nadine and Hector answered out loud. Nodding to his allies, Tale then took out his battle machine rifle. It was evident that the Ghost would run out of ammunition. After all, he has spent three days here in Eldrant, and in those three days. Tale has fought multiple creatures, peoples, and the Kaynian Lord.

''Alright, spread out, and watch your approach to the Kaynian Lord.''

''Affirmative!''

''Understood, hero.''

Approaching their adversary, Nadine flanked the left side while Hector flanked the right. The Ghost went to the middle with his rifle at hand. Today was the day Eldrant would make its stand, and Tale was at the forefront.

''Demon, tell me. Why do you fight for these primitives? I've seen one of their memories, but only briefly. They are pathetic, ignorant, and easy to exploit. And they see you as their savior, a hero of this world's people!''

''Because it's my duty and purpose.''

''Is that all? Duty and Purpose are what drive your species and your creations. Do you think that will be enough? I have lived for thousands of years, fighting in every battle against everything that could have threatened the Arc Imperium. And that includes your race demon. The unholy spawn of the deities!''

''You may come to regret that.''

''I will only bring death and destruction to your kind and these primitives. And when the gate finishes, this planet will be under Kaynian rule and claim this planet for the Arc Imperium...''

''...But you, you are different than the others. You are the only being to survive my wrath. Because of that, I shall bring you a merciful death and severe your head as a trophy.''

''Then it's about time we find out.''

Unbeknownst to the Kaynian, the priestess utilized earth magic to construct a boulder and teleported it above the Kaynian before dropping it. Smoke and dust obscured the Kaynian's location as the boulder crushed the Kaynian Lord. Hector then went ahead and flanked the invader, making his presents unknown. Suddenly, a burst of energy exploded the boulder into pieces. Emerging from the smoke, the Kaynian utilized his telekinesis to propel the debris toward the Ghost. Tale responded by pulling the trigger of his rifle and firing a burst at the Kaynian Lord. Tale's fifty caliber rounds and the Kaynian's projectile attack went through each other and impacted their targets. Sarroth immediately protected Tale with her magic shield. Meanwhile, the Kaynian did the same with his energy shield. Both combatants grunted as they received each other's attack. After the Ghost's attack, Hector thrust his spear into the Kaynian's energy shield and shattered it. Afterward, the black knight would ride away from the Kaynian Lord.

'Sarroth, transform!'

'Right away, my master.'

The Ghost immediately placed his rifle on his back and summoned Sarroth. Tale then ran toward Kaynian Lord with Sarroth at hand. Afterward, the Ghost leaped into the air before slashing at the Kaynian's back. After getting hit, the Kaynian turned three hundred sixty degrees. Facing the Ghost before engaging him in melee combat. The two combatants clashed their blades for the second time. Pushing each other away, the two stared at each other before moving forward. The Kaynian Lord would make his first move and advance. Tale would be at the receiving end, blocking and parrying the Kaynian's attacks. The Kaynian Lord would charge his fist with psionics before punching the Ghost. Sending him backward, but luckily, Tale managed to hold his footing, and the magic shield absorbed the psionic. Preparing her ice magic, Nadine would launch several ice needles toward the Kaynian.

''That's not all, invader!''

The priestess rejoiced as she successfully damaged the Kaynian with her ice needles. Unfortunately for the Kaynian, Nadine still had another attack prepared. A spear crafted from ice hurled toward the Kaynian, yet his energy shield regenerated in time to deflect the incoming assault. While the energy shield blocked the incoming ice spear, it did shatter immediately. Much like last time, Hector thrust his spear at the Kaynian. But this time, there was a twist. Tale ordered Sarroth to unsummon herself to aid the black knight. Utilizing teleport magic, the Legendary Blade Spirit opens portals for Hector to go in and attack the Kaynian multiple times. It wouldn't be long until the Kaynian used his sword to impale Hector's mount. The black knight was thrown off his horse and saw his beloved steed perish. Pulling out his sword, the Kaynian Lord saw the black knight and approached him.

''Primitive!''

''You'll pay for that!''

Picking up his spear, Hector then charged the Kaynian. In response, the Kaynian Lord utilized his psionics to levitate the black knight in the air. The former queen of Elvenia would deny the Kaynian from killing Hector by firing a beam of magic at him. The beam inflicted substantial damage but also recharged the Kaynian's energy shield. Absorbing the spirit's beam attack, the Kaynian retaliated with his own. Unleasing a telekinetic push at the spirit, but since Sarroth was a spirit, it did not harm her. Unbeknownst to the Kaynian, the priestess again utilized earth magic to construct a boulder. However. This time, Nadine launched it at the Kaynian at high-velocity speed. It wouldn't be long until the Kaynian noticed it on his virtual interface, but it would be too late. A massive shockwave was the result. The Kaynian's energy shield also shattered in the process. But it also allowed him to survive the boulder's impact. Scanning his surroundings, the Kaynian felt exhausted from the constant attacks. Panting heavily and with his sword at hand.

''Is that- that all you can do!''

Shouted the Kaynian Lord before Sarroth utilized binding magic to hold the Kaynian in place. The Kaynian Lord struggled as Sarroth did her best to lock his movement. It wasn't long until the spirit overpowered the Kaynian. Picking up his spear, Hector charged at the Kaynian and stabbed his right leg. Causing the Kaynian to kneel with his right leg only. Locking the Kaynian into place. Grunting in pain, the Kaynian Lord was now helplessly pinned down. It wasn't long until Nadine saw the effort of Hector and Sarroth. The priestess joined in and utilized binding magic to aid the former queen. The three elves held the Kaynian and waited for the Ghost. Sarroth would use telepathy magic to communicate with Tale.

'My master, we have restrained the Kaynian in place!'

'Understood, on my way.'

Arriving at the scene, the Ghost approached the Kaynian Lord before choking him. Now, all four of them restrained the Kaynian. Vee immediately hacked into the Kaynian's systems and searched for the deactivation sequence.

''Vee, it's all on you!''

[Got it...]

[...Alright, you, let's see what lies inside that head of yours.]

Materializing her avatar, Vee would access the Kaynian's brain matrix. It was the first time in history that someone accessed the brain of a Kaynian Lord. Throughout the war, I.C.E has always wanted to discover what's inside a Kaynian's brain. Some theories say that the Kaynians possessed a complex brain structure. While there were attempts to capture a live Kaynian, all resulted in the Kaynian committing suicide, erasing their brains to the molecular level.

[Okay, I'm in. Oh, Mama, I got to record this!]

Vee exclaimed this was new; so much of this was new. The brain matrix of the Kaynian was the same as artificial intelligence, albeit more advanced. It was a gold mine of code and data of information relating to their enemy.

[Aha! Found you! Hmm, here it is, the deactivation and self-destruct sequence. You might be technologically and magically advanced, but that doesn't mean you're invincible. What's this?]

Adjacent to the deactivation and self-destruct sequence was a fragment of information about humanity. When Vee interfaced with the data, the A.I. was expelled from the Kaynian's brain matrix. Subsequently, the Kaynian released a potent shockwave, throwing everyone off.

''Vee, status?''

[I got it! Quick, we have to go now!]

''All combatants proceed to the gate now!''

To Be Continued.