Barbed Whip of the Shade Queen (Legendary): The severed tail of a Shade Queen. With naturally elastic musculature, this whip can stretch further than one would initially anticipate, giving it a reach much further than what should be possible. The shade drinking property of this whip causes it to become nearly invisible when in total darkness. Exposing it to the light however…

Ma’Z sent the description over to Heaven, who practically squealed after she read the description.

“Ohh baby. Now that’s what I’m talking about! Gimme, gimme, gimme, gimme, gimme, gimme,” she screamed.

Ma’Z, for his part, recoiled in terror. “Who are you, and what have you done to my fiancé,” he said.

Heaven continued to hover over him as he held the whip out of her reach.

“If you’re as much of a racing freak as I’ve heard, then this is the machinest version. High tier forging material practically turns her into a lovestruck teenager,” Brigand said.

“This can’t be how I act before a race,” Ma’Z said.

“Oh please. I offered you free reign to do whatever you wanted with me one time, and you shut me down to go do a three v three.”

“You were being facetious though!”

“Oh, I most definitely was not!”

“Oh damn,” Brigand said.

“Oh shit,” Ma’Z lamented.

“Yeah. When you get into the headspace for racing, that’s literally ALL you think about,” Heaven said.

“I’m sorry. It’s just, I don’t know. When I think of competing against other people as hellbent as I am on going as fast as possible, I just can’t help myself. I just got to race them.”

“Yeah, yeah, it’s fine. I’m used to it.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing! Geez. Don’t get so wound up. Now are you going to give me that whip or not?”

“I’m charging you for it.”

“Are you serious?”

“I’m broke, Heaven! And you know I’m going to be looking for parts to tune up my Frame for racing. So, I’m going to need money, like pronto.”

Heaven sighed, “Yeah, ok. Point made. But you knew I was going to be your mechanic, right? I can cover your gear, and it makes little sense for me to buy parts off of you just for you spend my money to buy gear that I’m going to put into your rig anyway.”

“Still doesn’t change the fact that I need to make my own money.”

“Point. So tell you what. I’ll set you up with some people I know. They’re my usual go to when I need some parts on the quick.”

“Now how can I say no to a direct hookup like that? But uh, you going to show me what you picked up off of the progenitor?”

“What? Oh yeah. Most of them were just cores, but check out this bad boy.”

Night Core of the Shade Progenitor (Legendary): Suffused almost entirely of the Nocturn aspected æther, so long as the core remains submerged in darkness, the core can manipulated to create a tendril that can behave as either an elastic or a solid. But like all other shade cores, subjecting it to intense light can create explosive results.

“Oh dang. Does that mean whoever has this can become a tentacle monster?”

“Dear Goddess, why are you like this? But yeah. Sure. Total tentacle action. Complete with all of the tentacle sounds while you’re at it.”

“Ok. Point. I took it too far.”

“Apology accepted. So, how about we trade? Give me the whip, and I’ll install the core for you when I get a chance.”

“Ok, fine by me. Cores. Whip. All yours.” Ma’Z put out his hand and sent out a trade.

“Done. And done. Now let’s say we get out of here.”

A few minutes later, they were out of the cave and heading back up the ravine. Heaven took point again as they followed a new path towards another jump. The second time wasn’t any less exhilarating than the first.

Looking over his shoulder, Ma’Z couldn’t help but be impressed with how the Titan Frame handled such a large jump. He expected the thing to handle like a tin can, and it more or less did, but a tin can with grace.

“You handle that thing as if it were a bird. I take it you’ve been done this a few times,” Ma’Z said.

“Don’t let the bulk fool you, kid. Remember we always have spells and abilities to change our performance on a dime,” Brigand said.

“Point. You said you were a tuner, right?”

“Yeah. I do the general maintenance on the Frames, and some commission work for a few clients, when I’m free.”

“Don’t let the humble brag fool you. Brig’s got a waiting list over six months long,” Heaven said.

Ma’Z whistled. “Sounds like you know your way around a Frame. You work on Heaven’s too?”

“As if,” Brigand laughed, “Complete custom job from top to bottom. She’s sleeping on her booster, though. Says she’s waiting for a special part before she commits to building a new one.”

“Is that true?” Ma’Z said turning to Heaven.

“Yeah, and now that I got it, I’m all set to start,” she said.

“Oh? What’s it do?” Ma’Z said.

“Well, as it turns out, it’s kind of a genius programmer and knows how to balance speed and performance while seamlessly integrating it with the user’s style so that it’s more an extension of the user than just another part.”

“Oh. By part, you meant me.”

“Yup. Was planning to build twin boosters. One for me. One for you.”

“Oh, ok. Now you got me curious. What kind of booster were you thinking about.”

“No idea. That’s why I needed you for the final part.”

“What the hell?”

“Hard to explain with words. Once we get started kitting out your Frame, you’ll understand in no time.”

“I… see.”

“I think this is the part where we part ways,” Brigand said. “You guys got dinner plans, and as much as I love your company I have things to do myself.”

“Ok. It was nice meeting you Brigand. Guess I’ll see you around the frat house soon enough,” Ma’Z said.

“Yup. See you around, kid. Heaven, I’ll have that report for you soon. Going to report to the boss then off to another job.”

“Busy, busy,” Heaven said. “I’ll look forward to it.”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

They were quickly approaching the walls to the City of First Light. Brigand split from the two, and headed towards the main gate, while Heaven veered off and headed around the wall.

“Hey, where we going?” Ma’Z said.

“We’re going towards the northern gate. Got something to I’ve been meaning to show you.”

“You lead. I follow,” Ma’Z said with a grin.

A few minutes later, they arrived at the northern gate to the city. It looked identical to the main gate, except for a giant N above the arch, indicating that it was north end.

Crossing into the militarized zone, the layout was slightly different, with far more automated defenses and buildings spaced further apart allowing for more vehicle traffic. Specifically of the Erzalis variety. When they passed through into the city proper, the road quickly wound its way to the right across a high up hillside that overlooked the largest racetrack that Ma’Z had ever seen in his life.

At first glance, it looked like several tracks intertwining as they crossed this way and that. There were lanes dedicated to drag races and a few smaller circuits for combat. The largest track, however, was a behemoth that put the Nürburgring to shame. Ma’Z knew it was a mixed circuit track with a mix of different race types that were often strung together during a single race.

Just the thought of engaging in a battle of skill with other racers was getting him pumped.

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“This is it,” Heaven exclaimed excitedly. “I was going to bring you earlier before that pop contract, but we thankfully made good time. And now here we are, the Erzalis Renbaan Circuit.”

“Holy hell, Heaven. It’s bigger than I even dreamed. Is this really it? Pinch me!”

“Settle down, cowboy. This isn’t just a sightseeing tour. We’re going to go meet some friends of mine as well as get you registered to race.”

“Really? Then what the hell are we cruising around up here for? Let’s go!”

Before Heaven could get another word in, Ma’Z tore off down the road like a man possessed. She started to protest, but already knew better. He was quickly pulling away, however, and she couldn’t just let him reach the front gate before her.

With a gentle nudge, she began to accelerate down the street ever faster. The road was a winding switchback that sharply banked at each turn. It was an unofficial checkpoint for would be racers. Passing those corners was like a test for any who wanted to join.

Heaven smiled fondly as Ma’Z tore through each turn as easily as he tore through his lunch. He really was in a different league when it came to racing.

“Yemaya. Record.”

“Yes, boss.”

Heaven used her Godseye to check him for weight distribution, brake efficiency, and other factors. The armor she made was originally spec’d for combat, but she left room to tweak it as necessary.

After the seventh switch back, Heaven decided she’d seen enough and proceeded to catch up to her fiancé.

“How’s it feel now?” she said.

“What’s that?”

“Your Frame, dummy. You’ve been tearing through those turns like they didn’t even exist, but I’m certain a perfectionist like you isn’t satisfied with that.”

“Hmm. It’s hard to say. The grip seems to be holding well enough, and I don’t feel off balance at all hitting the turns, but I do feel a little sluggish accelerating once I leave. It’s not a lot, but there’s just a bit of tension, like the rear tires aren’t aligning fast enough.”

“Well, normally you would drift into alignment, and then accelerate out of it.”

“Yeah, but this feels different. These babies handle nothing like my ol’ Cocytus.”

“You looking to recreate that?”

“Can’t. With magic and transforming fighters in the mix, I got to think of a completely different approach to racing. And from what I can see just from the ride down, this league is going to be an experience of a lifetime.”

“Oh, I’m looking forward to it.”

A few minutes later, they were approaching the entrance to the track. A pair of Riders had pulled away from a smaller group and were approaching when Heaven said, “Ah. Looks like they got my message.”

“This the guy?” Ma’Z said.

“Yup. Ma’Z meet Oko and Ocean. These guys are my parts dealers. You name it, they’ll get it.”

The pair stopped as Heaven and Ma’Z pulled up to greet them.

“Ma frere, Heaven. Mon frere, Ma’Hiz. It is an honor to finally meet ze legendary Krow,” Oko said.

The young woman, a Nilflen, looked every bit like a child inside of a giant. Her Titan looked more like a construction worker than a combat machine. It eschewed the more cosmetic appearance of every frame he’d encountered up to this point. It’s armor looked more like blocky muscles than plating.

There were some flourishes around the shoulder, but unlike Brigand, who’s titan was dressed to the nines in weaponry, Oko’s held enormous tools instead.

Oko, himself, looked like a bit of precocious teen with the most disarming smile. He radiated good humor covered in mischief. His hair was in an unkempt ponytail, half of it falling over the right side of his face, and the rest, struggling to stay in its hair tie.

He wore a thick wrap over his chest, strapping down whatever was hidden under there, and coveralls, with the upper half tied around his waist.

The two things that stood out the most were the absolutely packed muscles that framed his lithe body, and the sound of his voice. Like Striga, He sounded way too much like an adult whose voice was more alluring than it had any right to be.

“Ok, do all of you sound like that?” he asked.

Oko turned to Heaven, who was wiping her face with disbelief. “Ma’Z. I told you before, that’s how they sound in real life. Other than racial modifiers, we don’t modulate our voices.”

“Even the g.i.r.l.s?”

“What girls?”

“Guys in real life.”

“Motherf- You know what? I haven’t actually met anyone who came as a different gender, now that you mention it,” Heaven said thoughtfully.

“Well I assure you, I am who I appear to be,” Oko interjected.

“A child?” Ma’Z said

“A Tear! He’s native,” Heaven corrected.

“Oh yeah? I mean, oh shit! I mean, I’m sorry, I wasn’t trying to offend. I just- I don’t know, I’m just having a really hard time getting used to your race… also why do you sound French?” Ma’Z said.

Oko looked to Ocean, and the two started laughing.

Heaven shook her head and said, “Did you forget we’ve also picked up quite a bit of their vernacular?”

“Huh?” Ma’Z started to ask, then said, “Oh! Cultural bleed. So, you’ve been around lot of french people?

“Several. Yes,” Oko laughed.

“Even got the inflections down. That’s pretty amazing, actually.”

“When we Nil integrate into a group, we tend to immerse ourselves pretty deep.”

“That a way the kid lookin’ falshers make themselves seem like they’ve been one o’ ya the ‘ole time. It’s a nifty disguise for ones ‘oo sound more like they belong in a bahs parn, than runnin’ espionage. Though I admit they do lend themselves pretty well to spying the happenin’s and all,” Ocean explained.

“A what now? Spies? What’s a bahs parn?” Ma’Z asked.

“It’s a ‘ores house, ya I’Lutian yautshi,” she added as if it were obvious.

“Enough of that, Ocean,” Heaven warned. “He’s only been here a day. He’s practically a newborn in an adult shell.”

“Right. My apologies, child. I didn’t mean ta be lookin’ down on ya.”

Ocean appeared much as any Dwarf he’d ever seen in his life. A squat, stocky, humanoid wrapped in muscle and hair. He was surprisingly attractive, wearing a thickly braided ponytail that reached past the middle of his back, and a few loose strands of hair framing his face. His way of speech and accent threw him off, however. Every word came straight from the gut and carried like a megaphone.

He was dressed similarly to Oko, wrap and all, with the addition of unique tribal tattoos marking him as a member of the sapphire clan. Ma’Z blinked, trying to hide the recognition. He wasn’t sure why he knew about the markings but felt in his soul that he was right.

Changing his focus, he noted his Erzalis had many similarities with Oko’s except it had a giant cleaver and a shield strapped to its back.

“No offense taken,” he said. “So, I take it that sword and shield isn’t just for show?”

“Definitely for the show. ‘Specially when I show it to a metal djinn and they stop movin’ afterwards,” Ocean bellowed.

“Just my type,” Ma’Z said. “I’d ask to see what you got, but I honestly don’t even know what I’m looking for yet.”

“Ne t’en fais pas. Heaven simply called so introductions could be made. We both greatly look forward to our partnership,” Oko said.

“Indeed. If your reputation is anythin’ like we’ve ‘eard, I’m not sure we ‘ave large enough pockets for the amount of take we’re about ta receive,” Ocean added.

“Well shit. Now the bar’s set. I hope I can live up to your expectations,” Ma’Z said.

“Oh, don’t worry about that. Once we finish running the simulations, you’ll be damned certain of what you want,” Heaven said.

“Heaven, was that an earth curse word that came out of your mouth?”

“Shut uuuup!" Heaven pouted.

Oko and Ocean both began to laugh.

“Oh, this iz rich. I’ve never heard ma frere Heaven speak with such unreserved humor before. This iz so refreshing to see you this way,” Oko said.

“Right? My girl’s practically a teen again,” Ocean said.

Heaven’s cheeks began to turn beat red.

Ma’Z, to his credit, said nothing as he stifled a laugh.

“Ok, we’ll be leaving you two love birdz. You still needed to register, yes?” Oko said.

“Yeah. I’m assuming the big sign that says registration is where we need to go?” Ma’Z said.

“Indeed. Now if you excuse us. Ocean, let’s say we get back to what we were doing, yeah?”

“Right behind ya. Take it easy ya two,” Ocean said.

The two waved as Oko and Ocean drove back into the sea of Riders.

Ma’Z took one last look before he went to make his way towards the registration desk, not sure whether to call it a kiosk or a drive-thru. Hardly anyone was on foot, like the entire venue was built around the concept that a Rider and their Frame were basically one and the same.

It wasn’t until he thought about it that Ma’Z realized that other than lunch and when he woke up this morning, he spent all of his time inside of his Erzalis.

“Do you spend all day inside your Frame too?” Ma’Z said.

“Hmm? Do I wha- Oh. No. Actually, I think that’s one of the things that separates Civilians from Sentinels. For my profession I have a whole assembly line and specialized machinery to do a lot of the fabrication work for me. Though I do use my Erzalis when I go to the forge.”

“Why there?”

“Eh, just kind of like the process of heating the billet and banging out each new blade, I guess. Full disclosure, I can fabricate those too, but I’ve yet to forge anything less than mastercraft, so I don’t have any intention of stopping.”

“I don’t blame you.”

“There’s a lot to do on foot within the city too. Sentinels, on the other hand, are built for fighting, so that means going out of the city to beat up the monsters and rogue mechs.”

“You mean explore the Kev with a side of murder and mayhem, right?”

“Sure, honey. We’ll go with that,” Heaven smiled.

Ma’Z returned a skeptical look but didn’t say anything. A minute later they were at the kiosk. It was one of at least a dozen terminals with several Riders queued up at each one.

Ma’Z was greeted by a simple welcome screen, where he proceeded to input his information and create a new account. When he got to the prompt to enter a new screen name, he started to write Krow out of habit, then thought better of it.

Chancing a look towards Heaven, he decided to get cheeky and wrote Heaven’s Fury.

“You mind telling me what you’re doing?” Heaven asked.

“I have no idea what you mean, honey. I’m just registering so I can race, obviously,” Ma’Z answered.

“Really? By taking my name?”

“Haha, relax. I was just teasing. Think I’ll go with this.”

Vagrant Night. Name registration successful.

Heaven raised an eyebrow. “Interesting. And how long has this been running around in that brain of yours,” she said.

“Hmm, not long. I was just thinking about peregrine falcons, but peregrine didn’t quite sit right. So, then I got to thinking about synonyms, and wanderer came to mind, but that didn’t work either, and so I got to thinking about another word for wanderer, and then settled on Vagrant.”

“What in the three degrees of separation nonsense… so what about night?”

“That was easy. Night always sounds cool!”

“I’m marrying an idiot,” Heaven said as she wiped a hand over her face. “If night makes everything cooler, why didn’t you just use the name Peregrine Night?”

“Uhhhh. Fuck! I don’t know. It didn’t even occur to me! Can I change it? Where’s the settings tab? Ah, c’mon. Gah!”

“Too late. genius,” Heaven laughed.

A data orb was printed a moment later, which Ma’Z gingerly transferred to his StoCar.

“Awww man,” he sighed. “Ah well. So what’s next?”

Heaven turned to look at the main track and pointed to the stands, “Where else? To watch the pros show you how it’s done.”

Ma’Z just smiled in response and said, “Yeah. I’ve been itching to see what this world’s got for me.”

“Then right this way, otru fin.”

Just as they were making their way to the stands, a voice called out.

- A promise is a promise, you know? And you promised you’d come back. -

“Hey, are you Ma’Hiz? It’s you, isn’t it? Ma’Hiz Olorun,” they said.

“What? Is someone calling for me?” Ma’Hiz turned, looking for where the voice was coming from.

“Yeah, it is you. I’ve been looking all over for you, man. You probably don’t remember me, but we met when you crashed my raid,” he said

“Is that… Garrus? The leader of JDT?” Heaven said, turning to look as well.

Ma’Z heard the name of the fraternity, but couldn’t place why it sounded so familiar to him. He had no idea who Garrus was either. When he finally saw who had been calling for him, though, he nearly had a heart attack.

“Ahh shit!”