* Date: September 28, 2173

* Time: 8:35 AM

* Location: Unknown

With the sun shining directly on his power armor, the Ghost continued trekking in the direction his partner had advised. For the past three hours, the operative had pushed forward without pause, the earlier encounter with a dragon reminding him to remain cautious on this unfamiliar planet. Meanwhile, his A.I. companion, Vee, diligently cataloged everything they encountered—landscapes, flora, and fauna—while tracking the distance they had covered since their arrival.

[Finally, we're past this hill. We've officially walked about five point five kilometers...]

[...Well, at least the scenery's nice, but what's the point of us doing this?]

''I can elaborate. You said that the Kaynian device brought us here, yes?''

[Yeah, wait, you think the device came here with us?]

''Affirmative, and if it's here, then the Kaynian Lord will be too.''

Tale explained that, although he had no idea where the Kaynian device was located, it was their only way back to Mars. Since the Kaynian Lord had been with them when the device exploded, it was likely that the alien was also transported here. Remembering what had happened, Vee nodded in response to her partner's words. After all, her accidental activation of the device had brought them here; if she could do that, perhaps she could find a way to send them back.

[I see. Then we better start searching for it.]

''We'll start mapping the continent we're on and triangulate its location. Doesn't matter how long it takes us to return home as long as we can find the Kaynian device.''

[Roger that- Wait a minute.]

Suddenly, Vee spotted smoke in the distance—a clear sign that something was burning. This quickly caught her attention, and Tale noticed it as well. Enhancing his optics, he tried to determine the source of the fire and soon saw multiple wooden and stone structures in the distance, all engulfed in flames. Directly above the burning structures were two winged reptilians.

''Vee, are you seeing this?''

[Two airborne contacts; they must be a subspecies of dragons. But what are they attacking?- Oh no.]

''What is it?''

[Remember the dragon that you killed. How it went for you specifically.]

''Are you saying those contacts are engaging intelligent lifeforms?''

[It's either that or they're searching for something. We won't know until we confirm if that is the case.]

Wasting no time, the Ghost began sprinting toward the smoke. Despite the MK48GV3 Power Armor's half-ton weight, Tale managed to reach an impressive speed of sixty kilometers per hour as he hurried toward the unknown settlement. In the distance, Vee's suspicions were confirmed—reptilian creatures were attacking a village.

''Vee, scan the settlement for lifeforms.''

[Understood.]

Activating the sensor suite on her partner's armor, Vee immediately scanned the settlement. Strangely, the scans indicated no lifeforms detected. Wrapping her matrix around the problem. The A.I. scanned again and found no lifeforms other than the wyverns. This was peculiar—what could have happened to the village's residents? Then, suddenly, she realized the answer.

[Oh my goodness...]

[...Tale, those wyverns they've eaten the residents of that settlement.]

At that moment, Tale felt time had come to a standstill. He realized that the absence of individuals in the settlement meant the wyverns had come to feed on the villagers. He was too late to save anyone, but there was still one thing he could do: kill the wyverns and avenge the people who had been eaten. The operator's silent demeanor had now turned into fury, a quiet yet hateful fury. Vee felt it through the neural interface; the refined anger of her partner will now be unleashed.

''I see...''

''...Vee, mark wyverns one and two as targets. I'm going in.''

[Marking now.]

The reptilians were small compared to the dragon that the Ghost had slain. One was impaled with arrows, another had limping wings, and the third had an arrow sticking out of its right eye. Seeing his targets, Tale took out his MK12 Battle Machine Rifle, pointed it at the unsuspecting reptilians, and fired. The fifty-caliber rounds ripped through the air and into the ribcage of the first wyvern. The reptile screamed in pain as it descended rapidly. Seconds passed as the wyvern crashed onto a structure's roof, caving it in before being buried in rubble.

'One down.'

The Ghost thought as he set his sights on the second wyvern. Seeing its fallen brethren, the scaled predator stared intently at the perpetrator before diving. With its mouth open, it unleashed a potent flame attack at the Ghost operative; however, Tale wouldn't stand idle for the wyvern's fire to hit him and immediately dodged to the side, avoiding the fiery attack.

[What the! These things shoot out fires, too?]

''So, it would seem.''

Tale responded as he saw the wyvern circle around for another dive. However, his Battle Machine Rifle would disrupt the beast's attempt. He pulled the trigger, and several hypersonic rounds shot from the rifle's barrel, piercing the thin scales of the reptile. The wyvern's dive resulted in a crash instead, as it passed out mid-dive. Dirt and debris were launched due to the creature's crash landing. Landing head first, the beast would tumble for a few seconds before stopping a foot of Tale.

''Tangos down.''

The Ghost said as he dispatched the second wyvern before placing his weapon on his back. On his H.U.D., Vee's smile reflected her approval of his effectiveness, a trait typical of a Ghost Operative. With the reptiles eliminated, they could finally search for survivors from the village.

[Great, we can finally search for sur-]

Cutting the A.I. off was another wyvern busting through a structure just behind the operative. With its jaws wide open, the Ghost could only do one thing as he turned around to face the creature. Catch its nose and jaw. Doing exactly that. The operative managed to save himself from a bone-crushing bite from the wyvern.

[Tale!]

Vee exclaimed as she watched her partner catch the wyvern with his bare hands. Even with his super soldier strength combined with his advanced power armor, Tale grunted as he held off the advance of the wyvern, forcing its jaws to remain open as he thought of a way to dispose of the creature. However, slowly, he was being pushed by the creature's more robust frame. If he doesn't act now, the wyvern will eventually break free, and he will be in trouble.

'Damn it, this thing is strong...'

'...Alright, you want to bite? Here you go!'

The Ghost would then force the wyvern's jaws to close shut before delivering a powerful punch on its snout, sending the creature back. Quickly, equipping his Battle Machine Rifle, Tale fired, but his weapon clicked; his rifle was out of ammo.

'Damn it! I'm out!'

Tale cursed as he took out the exhausted drum magazine, but it was too late. The reptile would make the first move and shoot out a stream of fire. Immediately, the operative's armor was set aflame. However, unbeknownst to the wyvern, its flames were merely a nuance to the Ghost as his power armor shrugged off the attack without a scratch. Coming out of the fire, the Ghost Operative walked out unscathed. Staring at its prey. The reptile bore an expression of shock. Clearly, the creature did not anticipate its opponent to survive.

Love what you're reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.

''My turn.''

With a fresh drum magazine loaded, Tale pulled the trigger and fired at the wyvern. The rounds would punch through the thin scales. The limping beast would scream in pain as it endured against the barrage of fifty caliber rounds. It didn't take long for the wyvern to fall. A loud thud would echo throughout the burning village. However, the Ghost knew this wasn't the end, not by a long shot.

[Good riddance. Geez, these things sure are annoying. Now, we can conduct a-]

''No.''

[Huh? Why?]

''There's another one.''

[What! A fourth? Where is it?]

''Right behind us.''

Turning around, Tale spotted another wyvern a few meters away. This one was noticeably larger than the three the Ghost had previously slain. Upon laying eyes with its prey, the reptile snarled as it saw how the Ghost killed its brethren without issue. From the operative's perspective, he gripped his rifle tightly, standing face-to-face with the creature that had orchestrated the attack on the village. Wasting no time, Tale fired at the wyvern. The thunderous roar of his MK12 Battle Machine Rifle echoed as it fired its potent fifty-caliber rounds that penetrated its scales. Ignorant of what was about to happen, the reptile was subjected to the realization of what a firearm was and screamed in pain. However, the Ghost's attack wouldn't put the mighty wyvern down, and in retaliation, the creature breathed out a stream of fire.

[Heat signatures detected! Tale, you need to move!]

Going to the sidelines, the Ghost managed to dodge the incoming attack. Meanwhile, the wyvern would take flight, picking up a gust of wind powerful enough to blow away debris. Seeing his target take off, Tale immediately saw the reptile going for a strafing run as it turned around and unleashed a stream of fire. Seeing this, Tale busted through a building and sought cover.

''Vee, any idea how we could kill this thing?''

[Not exactly, but I know these wyverns share traits with the dragon you previously killed. Based on my scans, these reptiles are particularly susceptible to high-pitched frequencies.]

''What, like radio waves?''

[Exactly, if I adjust your power armor's system. I could distract the wyvern long enough for you to kill it.]

''Then let's get to it.''

Nodding in agreement, Vee immediately worked on the frequency needed to disorient the wyvern. Although not a permanent solution for dealing with this creature, it could at least be utilized to create an opening for the Ghost to deliver the killing blow. Exiting out of his cover, Tale saw the reptile circling the village. Pointing his weapon, he opened fire on the circling wyvern. The rounds ripped through the air and impacted the creature's scales. Roaring in pain from the Ghost's attack, the reptile was wounded but remained in flight. Then, it retaliated by spewing another stream of fire aimed directly at the operative's position.

[Tale move!]

Heeding his partner's advice, the Ghost dodged the incoming attack. Seeing its prey alive and unscathed. The reptile roared and dove toward him, folding its wings to achieve aerodynamic flight on its descent. However, the operative had something up his sleeve to disorient the wyvern.

''Vee, it's now or never!''

[Activating high-pitched frequency!]

Suddenly, the wyvern's hearing was bombarded with high frequencies that hurt the creature. Its dive would be disrupted as the reptile endured against the potent frequency afflicting its hearing. Seeing the wyvern fall into disarray, Tale took the opportunity and opened fire. With how predictable the creature's descent was, the hypersonic rounds flew and impacted the scales of the reptile. A crash landing soon followed as the wyvern impacted the ground at high speeds, resulting in its death.

''Wyvern down.''

The Ghost checked his ammo count and found it depleted. Reaching for a fresh drum magazine, he replaced the exhausted one. He looked around and took in the devastation these creatures had caused. If this was a common occurrence on this planet, then his skills would be tested.

[Finally. Now we can finally search for survivors.]

''Agreed.''

Placing his rifle onto his back. The Ghost immediately went off to search each household that wasn't broken as the fire consumed the flammable material present in the village. Of course, the flames weren't a threat to the Ghost Operative, but they were to anyone who might have survived the massacre. Looking at his surroundings, only ash and debris litter the small village. Not one body remained as each time he opened a structure, his H.U.D. would state no life signature in sight. Try as he might. It seems this settlement and its occupants have perished.

''Anything?''

[Negative, no signature detected.]

''Hmm.''

[I wonder who may have lived in this village, but we may never know now.]

Vee wondered how the intelligent lifeforms on this planet could have survived. It seemed unbelievable that they had advanced to their equivalent of the medieval period with multiple apex predators roaming around. Yet here they were, searching through the recently ruined buildings. Upon reaching the final structure, they braced themselves for what they would likely find. The A.I. and the Ghost still hoped to save someone.

[This is the last one. I won't be too surprised if this turns out to be empty.]

Conducting one last scan, Vee expected another no-life signature detected result, but this time, there was one.

[I got one!]

His A.I. partner said out loud, and immediately, Tale cleared out the debris blocking the way to the building. What the duo saw next were two bodies. In front of them was a child and her mother embracing each other. Entering the premises, Vee quickly got close and scanned them. Only one life signature was present, and it was the child.

[Tale, that little girl right there is the last survivor.]

''I see.''

Taking the child out of the mother's embrace. Tale placed her down separately from her diseased mother, Vee, and then conducted several scans on the child's health, anatomy, and brain activity. The data shows that the child is currently suffering from trauma.

[She's in good condition, but her brain activity suggests that she's suffering from trauma.]

''What about her anatomy?''

[Well, for starters, aside from her long ears, her bone density is soft compared to a human's. Also, I'm detecting the same energy signature found on that dragon you slayed.]

''Do you know what it is?''

[For the dragons and wyverns, they somehow create flammable fluid in their stomach before breathing it out...]

[...But for her, I don't have any clue.]

Looking at the unconscious child, Tale couldn't help but feel emotions for the second time in his life. This child, this alien child whose entire family, friends, and home were destroyed by those wrenching wyverns. Only one objective echoed in his mind: to protect this child for as long as he breathed. Of course, he wasn't the only one who felt that way. Looking at his partner's virtual avatar. Tale knew Vee felt the same way through the neural interface. Both of them want to protect this child. No matter the cost.

[I feel the same way, Tale.]

''Good, we need to ensure this child survives. Her survival ensures our return to Mars since she's the first of her species that we have encountered...''

''...Through our interactions with her, we can formulate a plan to retrieve the Kaynian Device. She'll be under our custody. As we learn her species, language, and personality.''

[Wait, so we're adopting her?]

* Date: September 28, 1173

* Time: 9:00 AM

* Location: Elvenia Airspace

Two wyvern riders soared in tight formation, scanning the landscape below. Their mounts flapped their wings periodically, maintaining altitude until thick clouds forced them to descend. Adjusting to the lower altitude. The riders peered intently at the ground, gripping the reins as they searched for movement. They remained focused, alert to any disturbance, ready to respond at a moment's notice.

''Current altitude is ten thousand feet, current heading Adel Village. Cruising at sixty-nine knots. Revising current altitude to five thousand feet.''

''Copy, commander.''

Adjusting their altitude. The wyvern riders descended, flying side by side through the open sky. They had been airborne since dawn, with the lead rider—a blonde elf—steering his wyvern with practiced ease. Meanwhile, his silver-haired companion followed closely, maintaining a tight formation as they prepared for their approach.

''Lord commander, we've been hunting the ravagers for three days. We should have seen them by now.''

''Patience Marie, we'll get these troublemakers soon enough.''

''Lord Commander Adelard, you've seen the reports, haven't you?''

''Yes, I have, and suffice to say. I'm not pleased about its contents.''

Commander Adelard, a young elven prodigy in magic, master strategist, and ace rider, had an impressive background. The priestess of the Pantheon Church bestowed upon him knowledge of magic from all the kingdoms of Eldrant. He was personally trained in strategy by General Eugene and later blessed by Saintess Isabella, the twin sister of Queen Gabriella of Elvenia. Throughout his career, he became a distinguished rider ace, ultimately earning the title of Champion from Her Majesty Queen Gabriella.

''A village named Dazon suffered the same fate as the other villages. Burned down and its villagers missing, presumed eaten.''

''That's just what I fear, commander. What if today Udel Village could have suffered the same fate.''

''Then we will avenge them by slaying these beasts.''

Adelard addressed his subordinate, Marie, a composed and strategic rider renowned for her skill in identifying the weaknesses of enemy combatants during battle. Recently, she had been taken under the wing of the Champion of Elvenia, Commander Adelard himself. The young rider assisted him on numerous missions, eventually becoming his trusted wing rider, always by his side during their flights.

''Lord commander. I see smoke over the distance!''

Marie pointed out the smoke rising in the distance, trailing hundreds of meters above the recently devastated village. Seeing this. The champion's heart sank; perhaps they were too late.

''Aye, I see them. Utilize enhanced vision magic.''

''Copy, commander.''

The rider's vision intensified tenfold, revealing the ruined village in the distance—the source of the smoke. This sight unnerved the riders. Had they turned in the wrong direction, or had the ravagers reached Udel first?

''We're too late...''

''...Marie, we must make haste!''

''Understood!''

Increasing the speed of their wyverns, the duo rapidly approached the village. Several minutes later, they reached Udel Village, or what remained of its ruins. Upon arrival, they were met with the sight of four lifeless wyverns scattered across the ground. The air was thick with the acrid smell of smoke and charred remains, a grim testament to the destruction that had unfolded. A deep sense of foreboding settled over them as they saw the famed ravagers.

''Are those the.''

''It would seem so. Those are the ravagers...''

''...We must land first before we can examine their bodies.''

''Copy.''

Safely landing, the riders dismounted from their wyverns and ordered them to remain on guard, to which the creatures nodded in understanding. As they approached the lifeless bodies of the wyverns, a heavy silence surrounded them, heightening the tension in the air. The sight of the fallen creatures left an unsettling feeling in their stomachs, and both riders exchanged wary glances, aware that something terrible had occurred.

'Looks like we have three wyverns and a single alpha. Although the size of the alpha might be larger than most dragons...'

'...However, these wyverns. Except for the limping one. Must have been killed while they flew.'

Adelard noted the location of the bodies of the three wyverns except the limped one. The first two wyverns and the alpha were positioned in ways that suggested they had been killed mid-flight. Somehow, these wyverns had been taken down while airborne and crashed to the ground. The only beings capable of achieving such a feat were skilled wyvern riders or the sophisticated magic cannons found in a city, not mere village guards.

''Lord commander. You have to take a look at this.''

Turning his attention to his subordinate. He approached Marie, who was studying the flightless wyvern. This one had multiple holes in its rib cage, which the others possessed, although in other parts of their bodies.

''What is it?''

''I found this inside the wyverns wounds.''

''Let me see.''

It was a piece of metal that was the size of his finger. Is this the culprit that took down the ravagers? But that didn't make any sense. The only way this object could have penetrated the scales would be through magic. However, he couldn't detect any magic residue from it. If it was not magic, then what could have killed these wyverns?

''Something is not right...''

''...Is there more like this inside the wyvern?''

''Yes, commander. I've collected three of them just now.''

''Good. Check through all of the bodies. I'll be in search of any survivors.''

''Understood.''

As Adelard walked through the village, he found it disturbing that the houses had been cleared of debris, indicating that something or someone was behind this devastation. While searching through each house and examining what remained, he came across a burial site, suggesting that a villager had been laid to rest with care amidst the chaos.

'It seems the one responsible gave a burial to one of the villagers...'

'...It's best I command Marie to return to H.Q. While I track the perpetrator.'

Having made up his mind. The champion ordered his fellow riders to report to their superiors and inform them of what had transpired. Meanwhile, he would conduct his search to determine who was responsible for slaying these wyverns, hoping to bring them to justice through his authority. Returning to his subordinate's side, he would issue his command before going.

''Marie. You are to return to H.Q. and report our findings here.''

''What about you, commander?''

''Worry not about me. The important part is that you report this to our superiors.''

''I- I understand.''

Mounting his wyvern, he prepared for takeoff, but not before stealing a final glance at his subordinate. He produced a ring from his pocket and tossed it to Marie, who caught it.

''That there is my ring. It would allow you to bypass all unnecessary checkups upon your return. And it would confirm all the words you say to the general. Use it well.''

''Of course, lord commander. I will not fail you!''

''Good. Once you are done collecting evidence, return to H.Q.''

Nodding to her commander. This gave Adelard the go-ahead to soar toward the sky. After reaching sufficient altitude, he began to look for anything unusual. Then he saw birds over the distance, flying upwards, an indicator of his unknown target. Turning his wyvern eastward, the Champion of Elvenia then flew with great speed,

'Whoever you are. Whatever you are. I will find you...'

'...Resistance will be futile, and you will answer my questions.'

To Be Continued.