* Date: September 28, 2173

* Time: 9:15 AM

* Location: Town Outskirts

[That armor is practically useless. You're clear to engage...]

[...Kick his ass, Tale.]

Tale then obliges by pulling the trigger. Multiple rounds burst out of the barrel of his rifle and headed toward the wyvern. Likewise, the elve released his arrow, soaring toward the Ghost. But the arrow wouldn't penetrate the Ghost's power armor. Tale's burst of hypersonic rounds wouldn't also penetrate the wyvern's armor. Instead, the incoming fifty-caliber rounds broke what looked like an energy shield. The wyvern roared as the rounds impacted his energy shield. Tale then took this opportunity to close the gap between them and run full speed toward the elf and his wyvern. Observing the Ghost's advance, the elve pulled his wyvern up, hoping to evade the Ghost's attack.

''Up!''

The elve commanded, but it was too late. As the wyvern ascended, Tale leaped and collided with it. Sending both combatants crashing back to the ground and knocking the wyvern unconscious. Dust and smoke obscured the vision of the rider. He got up to his feet and was immediately choked by the Ghost. His eyes widened, not noticing the Ghost got close to him after the crash.

''Any last words?''

A ball of energy manifested on the elve's right hand. Pointing his rifle's barrel at the elve's stomach, Tale pulled the trigger. At the same time, the elve raised his right hand near the Ghost's face. The energy exploded directly at Tale's helmet and sent him flying backward. Meanwhile, a single round broke the elve's energy shield and caused a stomach concussion. Puking blood: the elve desperately hustled to get back on his feet.

''What was that?''

[Unknown! Somehow, that elf created an energy source directly on his palm and exploded it at us!]

''Armor status?''

[The energy dispersal special coating took most of the blast.]

''Good.''

Getting up to his feet, Tale saw the elve's energy shield shimmer back to life. Surprisingly, his opponent had a regenerating energy shield. Vee gasped; it was perplexing. Based on her findings, these elves were supposed to be primitives. How could one of them possess an energy shield?

[Tale, you need to end this fast. That elve possesses an energy shield similar to that of a Kaynian.]

The rider would stand up to his feet, bow and arrow at hand. Tale did the same with his battle machine rifle. And as the smoke cleared, both eyed each other. Hand at their respective weapons. Simultaneously, both the Ghost and the rider fired at each other. Multiple rounds flew directly at the elve. Meanwhile, the elve released his arrow before swiftly creating a protective barrier. Blocking the incoming bullets, meanwhile, his attack didn't do much to the Ghost's armor.

[What the!]

Vee exclaimed, seeing a barrier materializing in front of the rider. Tale then ran to the side to try and flank the barrier. The elven rider then got another arrow and fired it at the Ghost. In return, Tale would fire another burst at the elve. Projectiles from both sides cross each other and into their targets. Once again, the arrow failed to penetrate, and the hypersonic rounds didn't punch through the barrier. Tale noticed how this barrier was able to resist fifty-caliber. The Ghost placed his rifle on his back before charging straight to the elf.

'If bullets can't destroy it. Then I will.'

The elven rider fired arrow after arrow, trying to stop the Ghost, but it would be useless. Tale punched the barrier and broke it like glass. This action alone brought fear to the rider and dashed them away to safety. Tale then redirected himself in the elve's direction. Taking out his battle machine rifle, Tale then spewed out another burst. The elve tried to dodge but was hit on his left shoulder, dropping his bow. Tale then took out the exhausted drum and replaced it with a new one. Again, the elve's energy shield broke. While on the move, the elve's energy shield regenerated once again before entering the trees on the sidelines. The elve hoped he could use the trees to his advantage, and behind him was the Ghost sprinting forward to catch up with him.

''Vee, track him!''

[On it!]

Vee then tracked the heat signature of the elve and displayed it on Tale's heads-up display. Tale watched as the elve administered another liquid to his wounds. While on the move, Tale pointed his rifle and fired another burst. The rider then took cover in one of the trees. Another ball of energy manifested on his hand. The very same thing knocked the Ghost backward several feet.

[Tale! I'm detecting that same energy that blasted you! Take cover!]

After the Ghost's attack had ended, the elven rider would respond with his own. Hedding his partner's warning, Tale successfully took cover behind a tree. The ball of energy would miss its intended target and explode prematurely. Walking out of his cover, the Ghost advanced toward the elve. Upon reaching the elve's last location, Tale would find it empty. Meanwhile, the elve was behind the Ghost and was currently invisible.

[Where is he?]

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''Vee, conduct a scan.''

[Affirmative...]

[...Okay, let's see. Where are you- He's behind you!]

Tale immediately turned around and fired another burst. The elve was shocked at how the Ghost knew where he was. Only a few bullets flew toward the elve, breaking his energy shield and causing severe stomach concussions. The rider coughed up blood as he struggled to maintain his balance. Dropping to the ground, he saw the Ghost point his weapon at him. Unbeknownst to Tale, the elve already had another one of his attacks ready in his hand.

''Surrender yourself.''

''Never!''

The elve said right before pointing his finger at the Ghost, releasing a bolt of lightning. Lightning would strike the Ghost's power armor head-on. All systems on his armor would then shut down temporarily.

''Vee! What's going on?''

[A fucking lightning bolt just struck us! Damn it, that lightning froze all the systems of the power armor; you're locked in place.]

Tale observed as the elve stood up and his energy shield regenerated. However, the Ghost noticed that the elven rider seemed exhausted before turning around and letting out a shout of incoherent language.

''Yooooooor-moooooo-taaaaay-oooom!''

Meanwhile, Vee busied herself trying to restart Tale's power armor. All of a sudden, a shadowy silhouette loomed over the Ghost. Landing in front of Tale was the wyvern.

''It's the wyvern...''

''...We need to move now!''

[Systems restarted!]

Vee exclaimed as Tale regained control back with his armor. His neuron connection snapped back to life. Looking at the skies, Tale increased his magnification and saw the wyvern carrying the elve.

''Vee, explain. What happened?''

Appearing on his heads-up display, Vee had a frustrated look.

[I don't know! I have no idea how he shot lightning from his finger. I have no idea how he created that barrier. I'm unsure how he acquired an energy shield, and I'm uncertain about how he propelled you away with an explosion from his hand....]

[...It just doesn't make any sense, Tale.]

''I see. It seems these elves are not so primitive as we thought.''

[Understatement of the year.]

Meanwhile, Joan was following the path of destruction brought by both the Ghost and the elven rider. She had agreed to hide. But right now, she was worried something had happened to the Ghost.

''Miss Vee! Mister Tale! Where are you!''

The Ghost and his artificial intelligence heard the shout of a familiar girl.

[Oh, that little...]

[...Didn't I tell her to hide.]

Tale sighed and strolled over to confront the young elve. Upon seeing the giant silhouette of the Ghost, Joan immediately ran toward him. Seeing the young girl make their way towards them, Vee would materialize her avatar.

''You're okay!''

Hugging Tale's leg, Joan held him tight and didn't notice the disappointed look of Vee beside her. Terwa bird stood unimpressed as he groomed his feathers, ignorant of what had occurred. Staring at the imposing silhouette of Tale, the bird just shrugged and continued grooming.

[Young lady!]

This caused Joan to squeal, hearing Vee's voice. Turning around, she saw Vee's avatar, her face full of disappointment. Vee was prepared to scold her so severely that she would reconsider not following her instructions.

''Hi, Miss Vee.''

[Joan, didn't I tell you to hide?]

''Yes, but I was worried...''

''...What if the bad man killed you.''

[Honey, it's going to take more than just a lightning bolt to kill us.]

''Lightning bolt?''

Joan questioned, and this caught Tale's attention. The way she reacted seemed like she knew what happened. This could be a foolish or brilliant idea, but perhaps asking her wouldn't hurt.

''Joan. Is there something that we should know?''

He asked, and he noticed her being eerily shy to say something.

''Mister Tale, please don't get mad at me.''

''I won't. I promise.''

''Do you not know about Magic?''

Joan responded, turning the perspective of both Vee and Tale upside down. Staring at each other, both the artificial intelligence and the Ghost had confused expressions. The revelations of what Joan had revealed to them might cross paths with their perspective of reality.

''Magic?''

[Magic?]

* Date: September 28, 1173

* Time: 9:30 AM

* Location: Elvenia Airspace

Adelard was exhausted and beaten. His confrontation with the invader left him in an undesirable state. The only thing that kept him on even footing with the invader was his Magic. But even that didn't allow him to slay the invader. Now flying on his exhausted wyvern, he needed to inform headquarters about the lone invader.

'Almost there...'

'...I must report this to General Eugene, and hopefully. She can assemble a fighting force to face the invader!'

Over the distance, the silhouette of Ivershine City could be seen. Ivershine is the second most populated city within the Elvenia kingdom. It is also the location of Elvenia's military headquarters, named Fae.

''Unknown rider, this is Fae HQ control tower, do you read?''

''Copy, this is Commander Adelard requesting immediate landing over.''

''Permission granted, lord commander. Welcome back.''

Utilizing telepathy magic, Adelard was able to communicate with the control tower. Flying over the bustling structures and city folk, Adelard would then reach Fae. On one of its wyvern pads, personnel was signaling him to know where to land.

''Lord commander, you clear to land on wyvern pad seven.''

''Aye, control tower.''

Receiving his clearance and Wyvern pad number. Adelard then proceeded to land gently. The crews were shocked to see the wyvern's magic shield unresponsive. Dismounting his wyvern, he could feel its exhausted breath and deep pain. As crews rushed to his wyvern to apply aid, the wyvern lost consciousness.

''No...''

''...What are you elves doing? Move!''

Adelard commanded, and the crews did their work. Taking off his wyvern's enchanted armor and applying healing potions. The wyvern would then be placed on a levitating platform and moved to an emergency room.

''Lord commander!''

Turning around, he saw Marie running toward him.

''Marie, I assume that the General is waiting for me?''

''Yes, lord commander.''

''Then let's not keep her waiting.''

The duo would move their way inside the headquarters. Passing many checkpoints, which they bypassed with no problem. But as he proceeded toward the General's office, a painful sensation forced him to pause.

''Lord commander!''

Adelard might be spared from the invader's iron-barreled sword. His Magic reserves are depleted, and the effects of Magic fatigue would be catastrophic. Enchanted armor has its own separate Magic reserve powering the Magic shield. But during his fight with the invader, it kept shattering and draining the Magic reserve of the enchanted armor. To counteract it, Adelard gave access to his Magic reserve, which is the cause of his pain.

''I am alright...''

''...Let us proceed.''

''Very well, lord commander.''

Bypassing the last checkpoint, they would be greeted by the great doors of the General's office. The doors would then open by themselves, probably through Magic. Entering the office, both Adelard and Marie saw the General.

''Ah, commander Adelard. Please come in.''

Said the General; she wore a red uniform with a window exposing her bosom. Accompanying her red hair and crimson eyes. She also had a coat over her shoulders, displaying many medals and trinkets.

''General.''

Both Adelard and Marie saluted in unison.

''My thanks for bringing the commander here, rider Marie...''

''...You are to leave us alone.''

After releasing her salute, Marie would turn around and comply with the General's command. Leaving the premises of the General's office, the doors would then close by themselves. Only Adelard remained to report his findings.

''What are your findings on Adel village commander?''

''General upon our arrival on the village. We found the village already in ruins along with the remains of the ravagers.''

''Ah, yes. The infamous ravagers, elve eaters.''

Adelard nodded, catching his breath for a second before continuing.

''Right after searching the village. I issued Marie to return to HQ and report our findings.''

''Yes, your word matches her. Continue.''

Taking a step forward to the General's desk, he would place one of the pieces of evidence found on the wyvern's corpse.

''This was found on the wyverns corpses, and I found the perpetrator responsible.''

''And what was it?''

Eyeing the General's crimson eyes. Adelard wanted her to think that this was something important. Which it was since Eldrant would once again find itself under threat by the invaders.

''Fifteen minutes ago. I engage in combat with an invader here on Eldrant.''

The General's eyes widened as fear and anger became her expression. Clenching her fist, the General couldn't just dismiss Adelard's words. After all, he is the Champion, the eyes, ears, and voice of Her Majesty the Queen.

To Be Continued.