It's a special day for a particular agent. In the middle of nowhere lies an esteemed training facility. In it was a tall young woman ready to show the world what she's made of. After she's done training, of course.

"Hi ho, Trixie!" said the voice of a little girl in the woman's head. "Our souls are in perfect sync, so that means I can help guide you through Sarolta's Meteor Corp Special Training Program! Let's start with some basic drills to see if you're up to scratch!"

From her neck to her ankles, a blue and purple cybernetic bodysuit covered Trixie's fair-skinned body. Trixie ran her hands through her long, deep blue hair. Her icy blue eyes twinkled with determination, ready for the challenge ahead.

"I wanna get to the real missions already!" she said.

"Not so fast, Trix! It wouldn't be a good idea to just jump out there without a good warm-up. First, let's start with some target practice."

"Target practice? Now you're talking, Piper!"

"But we won't be using any ordinary targets here. These will be made of aura."

So I won't be able to see them unless I use the Pinpoint technique? Trixie thought.

"That's right! So let's see what you got!"

Trixie focused her aura into her eyes. She observed as the targets came into view around the room. Some of them were moving, but that didn't deter Trixie one bit.

"And now, it's showtime." she said. She gathered her aura into the tip of her index finger and shot at the targets. The targets shattered like glass onto the floor, and Trixie looked at her masterpiece with a grin.

"That was great!" Piper said. "Now you're ready to move on to the next room."

A door opened ahead of Trixie, which she entered. The door closed behind her before the light above it turned red. Inside of the room were a series of platforms alternating in height.

"By changing the texture of your hands using Interaction, you can climb surfaces that otherwise would be impossible. You can also attract objects to you, kind of like telekinesis. Let's go through this obstacle course to demonstrate these abilities."

Trixie ran up to a high wall and looked down to her hands. With a little focus, she modified her hands to give them more friction. She climbed the wall with ease and got herself on top of it, looking ahead. There was a large gap between her and the next area, and she knew just how to handle this. She reached a hand out to the distant platform, using her aura to tug on it. The platform moved towards her until it was right in front of her. Then she stepped on it in preparation for the next step. With a swing of her arm, the platform began moving to its original location.

"Be careful on this part, Trix!" Piper warned.

Trixie kept her balance, floating along and looking down into the vast pit below. Don't fall… she thought. She reached the other side, releasing her aura's hold on the platform and stepping off, heading into the next room with a grin.

Inside, there was a training robot a bit shorter than she is. It was deactivated and surrounded by an electromagnetic field.

"Step over the line to activate the training drone. We're going to be practicing special techniques on it. Oh, and don't fret – it won't fight back." Piper said.

Trixie went over the line, activating the drone. It took a fighting stance.

"You sure it won't do anything? This robot's looking like it's ready to kick some serious butt right about now." Trixie said in a sarcastic voice.

"Nope! That's its default stance. Nothing to worry about here." Piper assured her. "Anyways, we're practicing hand-to-hand combat with Augmentation. See if you can knock it down." she continued.

"Say no more," Trixie said with a smile, her aura surrounding her body. The majority of her aura then flew into her arms. With her new strength, she launched a fast punch at the drone. It flew back in a way that made it seem light as a feather.

"Wonderful! Now, let's try using Augmentation on yourself to block its attacks." Piper said.

Trixie's aura surrounded her body, increasing its durability tenfold. She then stepped over the line, activating the robot, which then threw punches at her. She stood there completely unfazed and unamused.

"You notice your Aura Shield flashing?" Piper asked. "That's the sign of a connecting blow. It will grow dimmer with the more punishment that it takes, until it finally shatters. Don't worry, though, it will recover in a few moments. Be warned: some attacks may be so incredibly powerful that it may even cause serious harm to your Protective Shell! Well then, that's enough for now! Great work, Trix! You've finished your basic training, and now you're ready to take on the world out there! There's so much to remember, I know, but I'm always here in mind and soul should you need me and my assistance."

★

Trixie was walking down a popular strip in Saber Point, her eyes locked onto a liquor store as she approached it. Trixie took a deep breath and entered the liquor store, eyeing its shelves filled with different types of alcohol. Her eyes locked onto some whiskey bottles and she decided to make it her drink of choice for the day.

"Ladies and gents! I give you…!!" the store clerk said with a manic grin, pointing towards the refrigerators in the corner as if they were an audience. She then pulled something from beneath the counter, turned around, and held it up for Trixie to see. "...Corn!" she revealed in a calm voice.

Trixie couldn't help but laugh a little, but she maintained her composure. "...Krystal, you accidentally took the wrong pill, didn't you?" she replied.

Krystal possessed sharp teal eyes and short grayish blue hair. She wore a black shirt and gray jeans which were a bit torn, especially around the knees.

"You know me all too well, Trix." she replied while shaking her head. "So what'll it be today?"

"Eh, the usual. I just got back from training so now I'm waiting for the green light from my boss."

"Ay, you go, girl!" Krystal said as she grabbed shots of whiskey from the shelf and put them on the counter. "Meanwhile I have to deal with drunkards causing a fiasco just because. And recently, it's been getting worse. Way worse."

"I can imagine."

Krystal rang up the shots with a sly smile and held out her hand. "Six hundred Sunstones!"

"Haha! Stop playing, Krys!" Trixie let out a hearty laugh.

"Seven ninety-five!"

"Now that's better!"

Trixie paid the amount, and Krystal bagged everything up.

"Best of luck on those super secret missions of yours, I can see you making a name for yourself out there." Krystal said.

"Nahhh, it's not gonna be like that. I'm just carrying out my boss's orders and stopping tech crime for the most part."

"Still far better than what I have going on, heh."

"Well… I'm going to get toasted before the jig is up, say hi to the gang for me!"

"Will do. You just make sure to return alive." Krystal smirked.

"Don'tcha worry about poor ol' me, I'll be busting heads just fine." Trixie smirked back and turned to the exit.

"All right then, go get 'em, Big Trix!"

"You're on."

Trixie exited the liquor store and stepped out onto the sidewalk. In front of her, she saw the rest of Saber Point, sprawling out in the distance like a bustling city. With a wide grin, she took a swig from her whiskey and started to walk through its streets. After a few moments, Piper gasped, alerting Trixie.

"Hey, what's going on, Pipes?"

"I have received a message from Boss Sarolta. She said she's very pleased with your performance and has a mission for you!"

Trixie's eyes lit up as a wide grin spread across her features. "Already?!"

She felt a sense of urgency within her, as if she had to get going on her mission right away. She walked towards her next destination with a bit more haste than usual.

After what felt like several minutes, she reached the headquarters for Meteor Corporation and walked through the front doors.

She was greeted and escorted to her boss, Sarolta, who was waiting for her in the main office. "Trixie, it's good to see you again," Sarolta said with a wide grin. "I've received feedback on your training mission, and I'm pleased to say that you have passed with flying colors."

"Thank you very much, Sarolta," Trixie said in a gracious tone. "Is there anything else I need to know?" she asked.

"Yes, actually," Sarolta responded. "There is a new mission for you, my dear."

"Oh! That's great!" Trixie said with a smile. "What's the mission?" she asked eagerly.

"It seems that there has been a rise in cyber crime recently, and we've got a report of something being stolen," Sarolta began. "We've got a lead on where the criminals are, but we need someone on the inside. Would you be willing to accept this mission?" she asked.

"Of course I would, Sarolta," Trixie said with a smile. "I'm always up for a little bit of cyber crime investigation."

"Wonderful," Sarolta replied. "But let's not get ahead of ourselves here. Before you go on the mission, I have something very important to tell you."

Sarolta paused, looking Trixie straight in the eyes. "This mission will require exceptional talent, tenacity, and courage. It is not something to be taken lightly." she warned. "Are you okay with that?" she asked.

"Yes, I am." Trixie said, her eyes narrowed in determination. "I'm going to make you proud, Sarolta."

"Very well," Sarolta nodded. "First, let's go over the details of the mission."

Sarolta proceeded to provide Trixie with the information about the stolen item, where the criminals were located, and what she would have to do in order to retrieve it. Trixie listened carefully, nodding along as she did. When Sarolta was finished, she seemed ready for whatever came next.

"Any questions?" Sarolta asked.

"I believe I understand everything," Trixie replied. "I'm just wondering what I should expect once I get on the mission."

"Oh, that's easy to answer," Sarolta answered with a sly grin. "A lot of trouble." she continued, her tone becoming more serious. "You must use your wits to survive."

"But don't worry!" she continued. "I know you can do it. Just trust in me and you'll get through it. But until then, let's get you ready."

"Of course, Sarolta," Trixie replied, taking a deep breath. She was ready, and she was determined to do whatever it took in order to retrieve the stolen item.

"Are you ready to go, Trixie?" Sarolta asked.

"Yes, I am," Trixie answered. Her adrenaline was pumping through her veins and the whiskey had started to take effect. She could feel her body burning with energy and she was ready to get started on the mission.

"Then it's time. Let's get you ready," Sarolta said with a smile.

Sarolta walked towards one of the wall-mounted screens and pressed a button. It illuminated and displayed a detailed map.

Trixie examined the map, taking in all of the information she could. There was a marker for the stolen item, as well as several other important locations such as the criminals' base.

Once she was familiar with the layout of the area, she took a deep breath and looked at Sarolta. "I'm ready to go," she said.

"Excellent! Just remember, take it slow and steady. Get that item and come back safe," Sarolta said with a reassuring smile.

"Well, then, let's do this." Trixie said. With a quick glance at her equipment, she walked out the door and into the city.

★

Upon reaching the disclosed location, Trixie scaled the sides of the building. She slid open a window and snuck in, closing it behind her.

"Trix, you weren't in any danger during your training. Now that you're out in the field, I'd advise you to keep a close eye on your Aura Display Gear." Piper said.

Trixie improvised and looked down to her wrist. On it was a high-tech wristband that displayed the status of Trixie's aura. This piece of tech was new to her, so she tinkered with it for a few seconds before looking back up. After some snooping around the room, she noticed a console. It had a symbol on the screen, the same symbol that was on the door next to it.

"You know what to do," Piper said.

Trixie nodded and entered the code to access the console, pressing a button when she was finished. The door slid open and she went through, sneaking her way through the base.

On her way, she came across a fallen soldier with a red and blue power cell beside him.

"Oh, look– a power cell!" Trixie exclaimed, picking it up and putting it in her pocket. "Man, remember when batteries were a thing?"

"Yes indeed," Piper replied. "The world had to either accept the new power cell, or get crushed beneath it and have their technology be rendered obsolete."

"Oh, how times have changed."

Piper paused for a moment, and decided to speak up, "Speaking of things being different... Just between you and me, I have something that I would like to share."

"Oh? Go on…"

"I'm not supposed to be telling you this, but according to Sarolta's notes, your aura is different from those of other Void Magic users. If you have enough aura in your reserves, you can power yourself up without the use of Augmentation. It'll apparently give you a huge boost of strength and heighten your perception abilities. However, it has a short duration, so do take advantage of that boost when you need it. Just please don't let Sarolta know that I told you this."

"Lips sealed," Trixie replied. She pressed on, going through the building with the utmost stealth.

On her way down a corridor, a soldier came around the corner. He charged at her, but Trixie raised up a finger and shot an aura bullet at his shoulder. Then, he made a run for it.

"Quick, catch him, Trixie! According to my readings, there's an alarm console on the upper floor! Don't let him get to it and activate it!" Piper warned.

"Don't have to tell me twice," Trixie said before shooting another bullet of aura into his leg. While he was crawling on the floor, she finishes him off with a bullet to the head. "Headshot!" she said with a giggle.

Trixie kept pushing until she reached two big doors and a maintenance man standing next to it. A console was beside him. "Hey! Boy, am I glad to see you. There's these guys in shiny suits and they're trying to place something in this huge armored truck. They're shooting down anyone and everyone who gets too close. They're even holding our manager hostage upstairs. You have to stop them for us, and fast. Here, I'll even open these doors for you." said the man as he scurried to the console and typed in the code in the console. The doors flew open, and Trixie wasted no time in heading in.

Inside was a large warehouse which was swarmed with soldiers. Trixie thought of it as a hassle to take them down all alone. In her peripheral vision, however, she noticed some familiar figures coming her way from behind a large container.

They were none other than Adrastea, Hollard, Sixtine, and Saxon; the heirs of Aberzanthan and Elbrastion. Coming behind them was a redhead with blue eyes. She was a familiar face to Trixie and she could've swore that she had seen her before. Trixie stared at them in disbelief, unable to speak.

"Greetings, Trixie," Svenja said as she and the rest of the group gathered around her.

"It is good to meet you," Trixie replied calmly and gave a respectful bow.

"You're the meteor corp agent that Sarolta spoke of, right?" Adrastea asked with a smile.

"Yes, that is correct," Trixie answered.

"My, my," Svenja replied as she looked at Trixie. "We've heard a lot about you."

"Such as?" Trixie asked with a curious expression on her face.

"Well, we know you're a talented agent for Meteor Corp," Hollard answered. "And we know that you've helped Sarolta on many important missions."

"And we have a proposition for you," Sixtine said. "We could use your assistance in stopping the Platinum Army."

"They're a dangerous group that's notorious for their ruthless behavior in war," Saxon added.

"This sounds quite dangerous, Trixie," Piper said, her voice laced with worry and concern. "I hope they aren't going to take advantage of your abilities, the Boss wouldn't like that…"

"Of course I would be happy to help," Trixie replied. "I've been trained for moments like this."

"Wonderful!" Svenja replied with a wide grin. "It seems like the timing has been perfect to meet you. As you know, the Platinum Army is getting very close to achieving their goal."

"And we cannot let that happen," Adrastea said, her tone serious. "We've been trying to find ways to stop them for some time, but they always seem to find a way past our defenses."

"The Platinum Army is incredibly formidable," Sixtine added. "Their leader has been known to take no hostages and to show no mercy towards any enemies. So we must act quickly and coordinate a strategy that will allow us to combat their superior numbers."

"This is where you come in," Svenja continued. "We believe that you, with your skill in cyber security and technology, can provide valuable assistance in stopping the Platinum Army."

"But that is not all," Adrastea interrupted. "The Platinum Army is not the only threat we face."

"That is correct," Svenja said, continuing where Adrastea left off. "The Platinum Army is not the only threat we face. There's also the threat of the Imperialists in Aberzanthan and the Elbrastion Knights."

"They are both formidable war machines," Hollard added. "And their war over the region is making it difficult for us to fight back against the Platinum Army."

"We can't let either side win the war," Sixtine said. "We need to maintain the balance of power between the two kingdoms."

"I see," Trixie replied, taking in the situation. "So there's more to the mission than just stopping the Platinum Army."

"That is correct," Svenja replied. "And it seems like this mission also has political significance."

"We need to make sure that the Elbrastion Knights and the Aberzanthan Imperialists don't destroy each other," Sixtine added.

"But we cannot do it alone," Adrastea said. "We need help, and that's where you come in, Trixie."

"Understood," Trixie replied with a determined expression. "If I help you all stop the Platinum Army and maintain the balance of power between the two kingdoms, I can also be a crucial player in the war, which could give Meteor Corp influence over the region."

"That is indeed correct." Svenja confirmed. "We need someone as skilled as you for this mission."

"If you're willing, I would be honored to join the fight and help you achieve your goals." Trixie said.

Satisfied with Trixie's response, the group began to coordinate their plans. They went over everything that they've learned about the mission so far. The Platinum Army and its leader, and the Aberzanthan Imperialists and Elbrastion Knights. Once they were done with all the planning, they felt ready to take on the challenge and get to work.

"Alright," Trixie said as she prepared for the mission. "Let's stop the Platinum Army and bring an end to this conflict once and for all. Starting with stopping the truck from leaving this warehouse."

The group diverged and went in their own directions through the warehouse. Trixie saw this as her time to impress, so she fought her way through the waves upon waves of Platinum soldiers.

A few rooms later, Trixie found herself in the vicinity of the armored truck, looking down on it from a window above. "That's our truck," she said, taking a good look at it.

Piper scanned the truck, then she exclaimed. "Trixie! I've just finished scanning that truck, and the soldiers are about to pull off with the artifact we're looking for! There's no way to break into the truck though, but you must still somehow find a way to stop it from leaving!"

"Uh-oh — that's not good. But wait, Sarolta gave me this device that can shut down anything that runs on energy. Maybe if I can get close to it, put it on and turn it on… I can disable the truck for the reinforcements!"

"Brilliant plan! That's my Trixie for you!" Piper praised in a cheerful voice.

Trixie looked to her left and her right, noticing staircases on either side that lead to the bottom floor. Thinking it would take too long to run down the stairs to get there, an idea came up. She used Interaction on the small crates lying on the floor, and put each crate in a straight line. She then lowered the crates ahead of her, the crates now looking like a set of stairs. She ran down the crates before taking a big jump to the floor below.

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She stood in front of the large, armored vehicle, and realized that this was likely her target. Before she could make her move, she was met face-to-face by the leader of the soldiers. To Trixie's surprise, it was a young girl.

She summoned a note out of thin air. She made it a paper airplane and threw it at Trixie. Unfolding it, she read it and was met with the words, Fall back, or you'll die.

Trixie glared at her, crossing her arms. There's no way I'm going to get my ass handed to me by a kid… she thought. "Yeah, over my dead body. I am Agent Trixie of Meteor Corporation. If you think you have the upper hand against me, then you've got another thing coming."

Not falling for the small talk, Esther lunged towards Trixie, aiming to take her by surprise. But Trixie was prepared and performed a swift dodge. With the element of surprise still on her side, Esther launched a follow-up strike that sent Trixie flying through a nearby wall. As the dust settles, she can see Trixie crawling out of the wall.

Trixie's eyes went huge and she struggled for air, taken aback by the toughness and tenacity of Esther. But she knew that she had to continue to fight. She took a deep breath and picked herself up out of the rubble. She looked at Esther with a fierce glare. I'm not going to let some mere girl beat me, a specially trained agent, in a fight. she thought before charging at Esther.

Trixie fired aura bullets at Esther, all of which were easily dodged. Esther summoned a book and before Trixie knew it, a magic circle appeared beneath her. Trixie rolled out of the way just in the nick of time before an explosion went off. When she looked back up, Esther was nowhere to be seen. The cloud of smoke served as a good cloak for Esther's presence, and Trixie knew this. Trixie stood on guard for a surprise attack, looking around with cautious eyes. Seconds passed with no sign of Esther, until Piper warned, "Trix! Behind you!"

Before Trixie could react, she felt a boot crash into her lower back. She flew a few feet back from the blow and recovered with a flip. Without giving Trixie a break, Esther came from behind with another attack. Trixie looked back and was able to block on time. She shook off the pain and stared at Esther with a cocky smile.

"Don't get greedy! You'll regret it, messing around with me!" Trixie taunted.

Esther's eyes narrowed before she turned her book to another page. She became enshrouded in a dense, fierce aura. And then, she launched at Trixie at a blinding speed, landing a punch straight at Trixie's chest. Trixie stood her ground and went for a counterattack with a wave of aura. Esther raised her book at the incoming attack and reversed it, the wave now heading back to Trixie. She leaped out of the way, but found herself being pinned to the ground by Esther's foot in the middle of her maneuver.

Trixie was out of breath, but she could feel her adrenaline still pumping through the veins in her limbs. Esther had gained the upper hand, yes, but Trixie was not going to throw in the towel any time soon. As difficult as the fight was, it was beginning to be fun.

"You're an impressive soldier," she said to her opponent, "But I'm not going to give up this easily."

Esther summoned another piece of paper and let it fall down on Trixie with a smirk. The note read, You're not going to give up at all, are you?

"No, I'm not." Trixie said, returning Esther's smirk with one of her own. "I'm not one to give up after a punch. Or even two punches. Besides, it would be a shame to quit now when we're having so much fun."

Esther raised an eyebrow and conjured another note before handing it to Trixie, We're having fun?

"Of course," Trixie responded. "We may be fighting against each other, but that doesn't mean we can't also enjoy this. Can't you feel the adrenaline pumping through your veins? It's practically intoxicating, isn't it?"

Esther seemed to consider Trixie's words for a moment, her expression turning thoughtful. Her expression then changed to one of realization, and she began to smile. She handed Trixie another note, You're right, Trixie. It is a lot of fun.

Trixie couldn't help but feel a little surprised and touched by Esther's sudden change of heart. In the midst of battle, she seemed to forget that both she and her opponents were still human and not just combatants. She wondered what other lessons this situation could teach her.

What about you, Trixie? read another note, her expression shifting from a battle-hardened soldier to one of genuine curiosity. Can you really say that you're having fun right now? All this fighting, all of this chaos around us… the note continued.

Trixie thought about the question for a moment before replying, "Honestly, I am having fun. I enjoy the thrill of it all, the chaos, the adrenaline..." She paused to take in the situation around her, and then added, "I just wish the stakes weren't so high."

That's an honest response, Trixie, read Esther's next note, her gaze soft and understanding. The stakes are indeed high; too high for anyone's comfort, really.

"But you know what else I enjoy besides the fun?" Trixie asked, a mischievous grin growing across her face, "Winning."

Esther beamed, realizing that this girl was not as innocent and pure-hearted as she seemed. She admired her for her courage and wits and was almost tempted to let her go. But at this point in the mission, she couldn't afford to show any mercy.

Well, then, Esther's last note said, her brown eyes burning with overwhelming seriousness, Let's see who's the better fighter.

With that, she began to attack Trixie again, trying to catch her off guard. She fought with renewed vigor, using every trick in the book to try to overpower Trixie. But Trixie was just as ready to fight as Esther was, and the two engaged in an intense duel of wits and strength.

The fight went on for some time, neither side wanting to quit until their mission was complete. After many minutes of struggle, Esther managed to gain the upper hand again.

Esther smirked at Trixie, her breath ragged from the intense battle as she handed Trixie another note. Not bad, Trixie. You're a quick learner.

"Thank you," Trixie replied with a smile of her own. "You're pretty tough yourself."

Tough enough to have your respect? Esther asked with the eyes of a confident warrior.

"Enough for me to consider you an ally," Trixie said, her expression turning friendly. "And enough for me to hope that we can fight side by side on the battlefield."

I would certainly like to be fighting on the same side as you, Trixie, Esther agreed, a small blush creeping onto her face. You are quite a capable fighter.

"As are you. I'm very glad we aren't enemies," Trixie said with a grin, "We'll have to train and grow in our abilities together. Who knows? Maybe we'll become good friends."

I hope so as well, Trixie, Esther answered, her expression softening further. If she hadn't already been convinced of Trixie's talents, she for sure was now.

In the distance, they heard the sound of an Armored Truck being started up. Both Trixie and Esther looked at each other, the battle behind them forgotten. They both realized that the Platinum Army's mission was about to be completed.

"Come on, we don't have much time!" Trixie cried out, grabbing Esther by the arm and running towards the truck.

Esther ran alongside Trixie, their feet pounding the pavement as they rushed towards the truck with all the speed they had.

As they got closer, the sound of the engine grew louder.

Trixie and Esther made it to the truck, which was about to pull away from the base.

"Hurry!" Trixie called out to Esther, who responded by running as fast as she could towards the truck, keeping up with Trixie's pace. They were so close, they could already see the driver of the truck, a stern-looking individual with their face obscured behind a thick, metal helmet.

As they got closer, the driver noticed them and let out a loud "Hah!" as he shifted his truck into gear and took off down the road.

Trixie and Esther looked at one another, knowing what they needed to do. With a quick nod of solidarity, the two of them turned and chased after the truck, sprinting as fast as possible to catch up.

When they closed the gap, they were able to get a look at the driver. He appeared to be a tough, no-nonsense individual, with his face obscured by a heavy metal helmet. Trixie and Esther exchanged another look, and then…

Trixie jumped onto the truck while it was moving, managing to grab onto a metal railing on the back panel of the vehicle. Esther followed her lead, leaping up and grabbing onto the same railing as the truck sped away. They tried their best to steady themselves as the truck took sharp turns and moved over rough rubble.

After a few minutes, the driver noticed the two girls jumping onto the back of the truck, and he looked at them in confusion. Just as he was about to shout at them, Trixie jumped forward and slammed into the driver, causing him to fall unconscious at the wheel.

With that, the truck skidded to a halt and Trixie and Esther landed on their feet. The two of them let out a sigh of relief after stopping the truck. But they knew that they were not in the clear yet. They still had to stop the Platinum Army from taking off with the stolen item. It would be difficult to do so without the truck.

Esther handed Trixie another note, What now? she asked, fidgeting as her breath quickened.

"We take care of the rest of them first," Trixie responded in a calm voice, sizing up the situation ahead.

As they stepped out of the truck, they were met with a horde of angry soldiers staring them down. The soldiers were first shocked by the sight of their leader teaming up with a Meteor Corp agent. Then by the sight of their getaway driver lying unconscious on the ground. It didn't take long for their shock to turn to fury.

In response, they raised their weapons and readied themselves for battle. They all had one common goal: to take back their Armored Truck and reclaim the stolen item.

Trixie and Esther exchanged a quick glance, recognizing that they were vastly outnumbered.

The soldiers charged towards the two girls, their weapons raised and ready to attack. However, instead of fleeing, Trixie and Esther stood their ground. With a confident look on their faces, they prepared to fight against the onslaught of soldiers.

Trixie took on the first wave of soldiers, dodging their attacks while simultaneously counter-attacking with powerful strikes. Esther, on the other hand, focused on eliminating the soldiers behind the first wave. She used a mixture of speed and agility to weave in between the soldiers, taking out multiple opponents at once with sharp blows.

After a few minutes of intense fighting, the remaining soldiers had been taken out. The two girls were drenched in sweat, panting as their bodies were sore from the constant motions and movements.

As the soldiers lay defeated on the ground, Trixie and Esther both turned their attention towards the stolen item that the soldiers had been trying to reclaim. It was the very artifact that triggered the war between Elbrastion and Aberzanthan. A large staff made of platinum and ruby, shining with dominance and brilliance.

"Is that..." Trixie began.

Esther gave Trixie a note reading, The Platinum Rouge.

"Platinum Rouge, huh?"

When Trixie looked back up, Esther was nowhere to be seen. "Damnit," she exclaimed in a shocked tone.

On the floor, a note was left where she stood. Trixie picked it up. It read, Meet me at the camp.

"The camp?" Trixie wondered.

"I think it would be a good idea to meet back up with the individuals from earlier, Trix," Piper said. "They may have hefty rewards for you!"

"Now that's what I like to hear." Trixie replied with a hopeful smile.

"Oi," called out a familiar raspy voice from behind Trixie. After turning around, the redhead from earlier was walking up to her with the royals in tow.

"Ah, it's you guys!" Trixie blurted out.

"Yep, it's us guys," Hollard said as he punched her shoulder in a playful way. "The heirs to the kingdoms and the leader of the Alliance, right here!" he added with a cocky grin.

Trixie paused at this, staring at each of them with eyes sparkling with wonder. "No. No! You're telling me… I'm standing in front of the one and only Elbrastion royals, Aberzanthan's Imperial powers, and the Alliance's leader right now?!"

"Aye," Svenja replied with a salute.

"And what's more," Adrastea chimed in, "We're eternally grateful for your aid in driving off the Platinum Army. That said, it would be rather rude if we didn't introduce ourselves. I'm Adrastea, the queen of this Empire." she finished. She wore a beautiful long dress reminiscent of ancient times and was adorned with ornate jewelry.

"Ah, so the country is named after her?" Piper said.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Your Majesty," Trixie replied with a bow. "Your kingdom is beautiful and you are an absolute delight."

"The pleasure is all mine," Adrastea said with a humble smile.

"I am Hollard, prince of this nation. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance." Hollard beamed with admiration. His black and silver suit matched his sharp black eyes and hair.

"My name's Sixtine. I'm Aberzanthan's princess and I lead the Imperialists of my nation." Sixtine said. She wore a white and gold satin dress with red stockings that glimmered in the light.

"Greetings, Trixie," Saxon greeted her. He wore a blue armored suit with the symbol of the Aberzanthan Imperialists emblazoned on the chest. "We are glad to have you on our side. The name's Saxon, and I'm Aberzanthan's fine prince. It is an honor to meet another warrior like yourself."

"Right back at you guys," Trixie replied with a dismissive wave, an awkward grin spreading across her face. "So...that was an incredible battle, wasn't it?"

"It was," Hollard nodded. "I didn't realize how much energy it takes to go toe-to-toe with members of the Platinum Army like that."

"I know what you mean," Trixie said. "We definitely got lucky, but I'm glad that we all made it through without any major injuries."

"Yeah," Sixtine said, looking around the camp. "We really owe you a big thank you. That battle would've gone very differently without you by our side."

Trixie blushed at the praise. "You're being too kind," she said, trying to brush it off. "I was just one member of a large team, and every single one of us played our part in defeating them."

"But we still owe it to you," Saxon said. "You're the one who managed to take out Esther. That was a huge blow for the Platinum Army."

Trixie's eyes widened at hearing this. Should I tell them...? Trixie thought.

"Esther said she would be at the camp. Why not give them a little surprise to come back to?" Piper insisted in a half-serious tone.

"I'm glad I was able to help." Trixie replied, feeling a bit more confident thanks to Hollard's kind words. "In the end, none of us did this alone," she added. "It was truly a team effort, and I'm looking forward to working with all of you again."

"I'm so happy to hear that," said Sixtine with a gracious smile. "So, shall we make our way?"

"Sure thing, lead the way!" Trixie replied with a nod.

With that said, Trixie and the others headed towards the camp, each lost in their thoughts as they tried to digest the events of the day.

★

After several hundred steps, the group found themselves at the camp. Members of the Fairylyl Alliance, the Elbrastion Knights, and the Aberzanthan Imperialists stood before Trixie and gathered around her. There, they congratulated and thanked her for her efforts, and invited her to join their cause. Trixie found herself surrounded by a group of vibrant and passionate individuals, and she couldn't help but beam in delight from their enthusiasm.

Trixie couldn't help but feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of praise and admiration she was receiving. Her actions might have just saved the day for these royal figures, and now they seemed to be treating her like some kind of hero. She wasn't sure how to handle it, but she was grateful for their kindness and grateful to have the opportunity to work with such passionate and driven individuals. For Trixie, who was still processing everything that had happened, now was the time to take a break. She sat down on one of the chairs and took off her boots. She felt a presence coming from behind her and turned.

"We're very pleased to have you on our team," came the voice of Svenja as she approached Trixie, her peers bowing their heads and nodding in agreement.

"Welcome to our humble camp," Hollard said to Trixie, offering her a warm smile. "Your bravery in facing off against the Platinum Army is appreciated by our people."

"It was an honor to do so," Trixie replied with humility.

"Hey, Trixie?" came the warm, velvety voice of Adrastea from behind her. She was now standing next to Trixie, and had clearly been listening to their conversation.

"Yes, Your Majesty?" Trixie replied, turning to face her.

"When I say that you helped us today, and that you saved us all...know that it's truly from the bottom of my heart." Adrastea smiled warmly at Trixie. "You've become a great hero in the eyes of our kingdom, and a trusted friend."

"T-That's...thank you." Trixie said, feeling her face heat up while blushing as a result. She wasn't used to this kind of praise, and she was beginning to understand just how much her actions meant to these people.

"Well, I'm just doing what I can to help the cause." she said, trying to remain humble. "I don't want to take any credit that isn't mine."

Adrastea shook her head and placed her hand gently on Trixie's shoulder. "No, that's not true." she said firmly.

"No, really, I'm just happy to be of service." Trixie said quickly and tried to brush it off again, but she couldn't deny the fact that she felt flattered by Adrastea's kind words. "I just want to make sure that we can take down the Platinum Army and save this kingdom." she added with a determined expression on her face.

"You're definitely right," Svenja nodded. "Even if it is a team effort, there will always be someone that stands out, and today, that was definitely you. Now, how 'bout ya have a chat with us all? After all, everyone here's super grateful for your heroic deeds. Before you head off though, I'd love to tell you about some of the members of the Alliance. I bet they'd love to have ya around, too!" she continued, gesturing to where the Fairylyl Alliance members were gathered.

Trixie turned her attention to the members of the Alliance. Straight away, a gem sprite in tribal clothing caught her attention. Trixie pointed at her, and Svenja smiled. "Ya wanna know about Ahina, eh? Ah yes, she's a special one. She's a gem sprite, but she's a unique one 'cause of her dark skin. She may have spilled crazy amounts of blood on the battlefield, and she's pretty stern, but she has a really good heart."

"She looks…quite exotic, huh, Trix?" Piper said.

Trixie scanned the area for more interesting individuals, her eyes landing on a black-haired girl with a life-sized hammer beside her. "Woah, what's up with the one with that gigantic hammer?!" she asked.

"Ah, ya mean Marnie? Yeah, that's her trusty hammer. It's huge, ain't it? And it's also very good at bustin' heads. I can see you and Marnie getting along pretty well, though. She's pretty snooty since she grew up in Lunaria. Even then, she'll put that hammer to good use when her pals are in trouble."

"I see…" Trixie replied before looking for another member to ask about. She noticed a tall young woman wearing a hairband with bunny ears attached. "Hmm…the one with those bunny ears looks really interesting."

"That one there's Naphi. She comes from a very prestigious family that are very skilled in Void Magic. I think you two would make great friends, seein' how you're both down-to-earth and humble, yet ready for action."

"Neato! All right, no more spoilers! I want to leave myself with some surprises."

"Very well then! It's time you go and see them for yourself. Have fun with 'em before we leave!"

"Will do, Svenja, thanks!"

Trixie put back on her boots and walked over to the area of the camp where the Alliance members were.

As Trixie settled into the Alliance headquarters, she was greeted by a young fairy with long blonde hair and green eyes. She had a cheery disposition and a wide smile. "Ah, it's so nice to meet you! My name is Marla and I'm the strategist of the Alliance," she began. "Svenja has told us a lot about you and we're all very excited to have you!"

Trixie, still filled with a sense of wonder, bowed to Marla and introduced herself. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Marla." she replied. "Thank you for having me."

"Yes, it'll be great to have you around!" Marla replied. "By the way, have you had a chance to speak to all the other members yet?"

"No, not quite yet. I've been meeting a lot of new people and my head is still spinning a little!" Trixie answered.

"Oh, don't worry," Marla laughed. "I know it can be overwhelming at first, but you'll get used to it soon. So, where are you from actually?"

"Oh, I'm from Elbrastion," Trixie replied, her voice filled with the excitement of having a new friend. "Is everyone else from here as well?"

"No, we're quite the diverse bunch actually," Marla explained. "Some of us are from Elbrastion, others are from Aberzanthan, or any of the other six continents of the world. We even have someone from Lunaria!" she remarked.

"Oh, wow, that's amazing!" Trixie exclaimed, amazed by all the different members in their organization. "How were you guys all able to come together and work as a team?" she wondered aloud.

"A shared desire to stop the Platinum Army and protect our kingdoms," Marla replied. "Once everyone found that common ground, working together as a team came naturally. We all have different strengths that we can contribute, so the more diverse we are, the better we can do our job."

"...Yeah, that's true," Trixie nodded, understanding the importance of diversity and how it makes the team stronger together.

"If you don't mind me asking," she continued, looking around the room to check if there was anyone else nearby. "What do you do in the team? I don't really know who does what yet."

"Sure! I'm a strategist, which means I help come up with tactical plans for taking down the Platinum Army. Everyone in this Alliance has a particular role to play, whether it be planning, leading, fighting, recon, or whatever's needed. You're going to be on the recon team with me, actually!" Marla explained with a smile. "We've had a lot of success with our reconnaissance tactics, which is what led us to rescue the royals. You being here is only going to make our team even stronger."

Trixie was grateful for Marla's explanation and excited to learn more about her role as a reconnaissance agent. "So it was thanks to your plans that we were able to save the royals from the Platinum Army?" she asked.

"Exactly," Marla responded with a proud grin. "Svenja knew that if we had advanced tactics on our side, we would have the upper hand against the Platinum Army, so she assigned me to lead the tactical side of the mission. You were a huge help as well, obviously. Without you, none of this would've been possible."

Trixie felt a little smirk creep onto her face after hearing Marla's words and couldn't help but puff out her chest with pride. "I'm so glad to hear that I made an impact," she said. "But the real credit goes to you."

"Aw, you're too kind," Marla replied with a smile. "Thank the Goddess you were on our side. But you know, the other members of our Alliance are very excited to see you, too!"

Trixie's eyes widened in realization, giving a nod. "You're right, I should see what everyone else is about. But it was nice talking to you though, really!"

"Likewise, Trixie! I hope we have more conversations like this soon!" Marla replied, grinning ear to ear.

"Same here! Take it easy!"

Trixie walked off towards the rest of the Alliance members, looking back to see Marla still smiling at her. Trixie couldn't feel any prouder as she came up to the formidable-looking Ahina. Ahina's striking silver eyes twinkled with wonder as she observed her leader's rescuer. Ahina wore a blue tube top that supported her large bust, a blue and gold loincloth, and gold sandals.

"Oh hey," Ahina called out, "You're the agent that saved our leader's hide! You have nothing but my utmost respect." She praised her, brushing her long orange hair out of her face before bowing in respect.

Trixie gave an awkward smile and waved her hand in a dismissive way. "No, no- it was just part of my mission!"

Ahina chuckled and put her arm over Trixie's shoulder. "Yes, but to me and the others, it wasn't just part of your mission. You came to the right place at the right time, and you could've just left Svenja and the Royals hanging. But you took the time out of your day and risked your job to help them out. You're a lifesaver, you know." she ended, giving Trixie a peck on the cheek.

Trixie flushed and giggled before backing away, walking backwards. "H-hey! I'm just doing my job!" she replied.

She continued backing up until she bumped into the huge hammer she saw earlier, making it fall over and hit the ground with a loud impact. Marnie turned to Trixie with a smirk and shook her head. She had green eyes, and her hair was black with green highlights and reached past her shoulders. She wore a green skirt with black compression shorts underneath, a green and black jacket with a white shirt underneath, and black boots. "Hehe, much clumsy, are we?"

Trixie let out a shy laugh as she scratched the back of her head. "Ah, sorry about that!"

"Oh, I'll make you sorry!" Marnie replied, her smirk widening as she picked up the hammer with ease and reached back.

Trixie flinched and held up her arms to block. Marnie just laughed and dropped her hammer on the ground, making the area around it shake.

"How in the world can you even lift that, let alone swing it?!" Trixie asked, her eyes still big. "You're not muscular or anything…hell, I don't even think big time bodybuilders can lift that!"

"Ehhhh, it's fine...it's what's on the inside that counts! Plus, while it may not look like I'd stand much of a chance in a fight, lemme tell ya, this big hunk of metal I swing around all day says otherwise...I mean, I can easily knock a giant over with it!" Marnie replied with a smug grin while swinging it around as if it were a feather.

"...Remind me to never get on your bad side, Marnie."

Marnie threw her head up and unleashed a maniacal laugh. She then let out a sigh and shook her head. "I mean, between you and me, I don't usually feel like doing this whole 'protecting the world' thing, but...you do seem nice enough, for an agent anyway. And if you ever do end up on my bad side..." She whacked the hammer against the ground, shaking the earth and leaving behind a small crater. "...I'm sure this'll remind you." she continued, giving Trixie a mischievous smile.

Trixie recoiled and gasped, taking a small step back. "Hoo boy…!" she said under her breath.

A presence approached her from behind. Turning around, she noticed the young woman with the bunny ears from earlier. "Showing off again, Marnie?" Naphi asked with a cheeky grin. Her pink eyes gleamed in the moonlight as her jet black hair moved with the soft breeze.

"Oh, it's you!" Trixie said, checking out Naphi as she stood before her. Naphi wore a black halter top with a fishnet bodysuit. She also has on black jean shorts and black knee-high boots.

"Forget about me, you're the star of the camp tonight! You rock for what you did for Svenja and the Royals!" Naphi replied.

I'm going to keel over from all this praise at this point… Trixie thought with a sheepish smile. "Th-thanks…! Just…doing my job…!"

"Aw, no need to be so shy and humble! You accomplished something huge, so you best act like it!" Naphi said.

Trixie then felt a gentle tap from behind. Turning around with a raised brow, she noticed a familiar face that brought a wide smile to her own face. "Esther! You're here!"

Instead of wearing the usual Platinum Army uniform from before, Esther now wore a nun's outfit. She beamed at Trixie and gave her a note. You made it! it read.

Trixie nodded and hugged Esther, pulling back after a moment and looking into her deep brown eyes. "Yes I have, and you too!"

As Trixie continues to observe Esther, something catches Trixie's attention. A small necklace that was hidden behind her attire, with a golden locket engraved with intricate decorations.

Trixie noticed the necklace and looked at it as her eyes narrowed. "Huh, that's a...neat necklace there! Mind if I take a closer look...?"

Esther held the locket close to her chest, her smile growing as she tilted her head, as if she were challenging her to do it.

"I guess I'll take that as a yes!" Trixie said with a faint blush. She leaned in closer to observe the locket in more detail, her eyes glimmering with delight. "My, my, it's really nice...!"

Esther moved her head a little lower, providing Trixie access to the locket. It's decorated with unique ornamentation. The engravings are faded and scratched as the chain looks as if it's been through some abuse, but it was still holding together well.

Trixie recognized the engraving right away, as it depicts a young girl similar to the woman in front of her, with long black hair and wearing a nun's outfit, but with a more vibrant appearance. It's unclear whether they are the same person, but a small note is inscribed on the inside of the locket.

Trixie saw the note and raised a brow, her eyes glistening. "M-may I take a look at the note there...?" she asked.

Esther nods and slides the locket closer in her direction, allowing her access to the note. It reads:

"Dear reader, hello. If you're reading this, I am probably now dead. Whoever found me, please take care of this locket, it's one of the last things I have left of my childhood. - Esther"

Trixie's eyes went big as she read the note, her expression humbling before she leaned back. "Oh, so your name is Esther, huh? How beautiful! That's...quite something, though. When did you write this, if you don't mind answering?"

Esther's smile disappeared and she tensed up a little, before relaxing and leaning towards Trixie once more. She hoped that Trixie could read her lips as she muttered, "About 8 years ago..."

Trixie was a bit caught off guard as she saw her tense up. She tried to read her lips to the best of her ability. "W-was that 8 years ago? I hope I guessed correctly...!"

Esther nodded, her lips curling up again into a small but welcoming smile. She then tilted her head to the side and looked right into Trixie's eyes, a hint of curiosity in hers.

"Oho? Do you two know each other?" Marnie asked.

Marnie's voice alerted Trixie, who forgot where she even was for a moment.

"Yes indeed," Naphi replied. "Esther's our newest recruit, and she told me all about Trix."

"What an interesting day," Ahina said. "First, we have the Platinum Army's most infamous soldier on our side, and now we have a special Meteor Corp agent helping us out! Now is the best time to be an Alliance member!"

"Hell yeah! We're on a roll!" Marnie replied with a wide smirk.

Svenja approached the group, stopping in front of Trixie. "Well, well, well!" she began. "Did you speak with all of the Alliance members yet, Trix?"

Trixie looked around the camp with a nervous smile and nodded. "Um, I spoke with them, all right, haha…!"

"Right-o, mate! Now then, there was something I wanted to ask of you."

"Really? I'm all ears, have at it."

"So, I know you still have Meteor Corp and your boss will want you back at some point. But…do ya think you could stop by the King's castle for your ol' pal?"

Trixie stroked her chin in silence. "The…King? Why, though?"

"Ya know, 'cause ya saved our asses and we can't reward you with just a few heartfelt thank-you's! The King would love to see you and hear what you did to save his country and its powers! He'll do you a better service than any of us can!"

"The castle she's referring to is all the way in Aberzanthan. It wouldn't be a good idea to be so far away from the Boss for too long. At least without telling her." Piper said, her tone imbued with uncertainty.

"True…but it would be kinda rude to not meet him and let down Svenja at the same time. I know he'd want to express his gratitude, so I don't want to just pass this up and leave him hanging like that."

"...Are ya talkin' to yaself there, Trix?" Svenja asked with a curious gaze.

Trixie waved her hands and shook her head. "No! I-I was just thinking aloud!"

"...All right…" Svenja leaned forward and raised a brow.

"So, um, anywho…I accept. I'll go see what the King has to say and all the in-betweens." Trixie said with a nod.

"That's the spirit! I knew you had it in ya! To be fair, none of this was on your schedule, and I get that. But 'ey, if this means we get to grow closer, then I'd say we all get somethin' outta this, eh?" Svenja beamed. "Alrighty then, to the castle!" she finished.

★

In a flash of light, Trixie found herself in front of the castle where the King resides. All the other members of the Alliance were gone, leaving Trixie and Svenja alone.

"Woah- what happened to everyone?" Trixie asked.

"Ah, they're all at the Alliance HQ, no need to worry! But right now you're gonna meet the King, so prepare your nerves, my girl!" Svenja said as she gave Trixie a friendly push towards the castle.

Inside of the castle, there were knights in blue armor standing around who were watching Svenja lead Trixie to the throne room.

"I present to you…" Svenja began, standing in front of the King with a grand smile. "...The legendary agent I told you about, Trixie!"

The King bowed his head, his lips curling up into a smile of gratitude. "Greetings, young lady. I am Lord Zamazenti, ruler of this glorious country. You have my deepest thanks for protecting and saving the Alliance. Not to mention Adrastea, Sixtine and Saxon. You've truly outdone yourself." he said, his voice steeped in admiration.

Trixie shrugged and gave her head a slight shake. "Thank you so very much, Your Majesty. But…I just helped in any way I could."

"Bahaha! Why the humble demeanor? Do show some pride!"

"But you aren't just here to meet Zamazenti here," Adrastea began. "We also implore you to join our forces."

Trixie took a step back and threw her hands up, her mouth agape as she gasped. "Y-you what?!"

"You're an agent for Meteor Corporation, so I know that your hands may very well be tied up as is. However, you should consider this offer. The members of the Alliance, as well as the Imperialists and the Knights of Elbrastion are dying for you to join their ranks. A lot of them are within your age range, too! Imagine taking this world by storm with such courageous and noble souls standing beside you!" Adrastea replied, her deep green eyes simmering with passion.

"Hey hey, if it'll help me become even more powerful and all that good stuff, then I'll bite."

"Pshh, if you're lusting after strength, then you're at the right place!" Saxon chimed in. "Only the best of the best get to walk through these halls, yourself included! You'll be part of a big family whose hearts are as big as the power and talent we possess!"

"You know what? I accept." Trixie replied with a nod, giving the Royals a warm smile.

"Ayo!" Saxon cheered, taking Trixie's hand to shake.

"A grand choice indeed," Sixtine said. "Your decision will echo throughout this world forever."

"But must we tell you just a little about the purpose of our organization?" Adrastea asked. "Within this kingdom are three factions: the Imperialists, the Knights of Elbrastion, and of course, the Fairylyl Alliance. Our mission is to search for and recruit rare talents around the planet and encourage them to join our cause for the betterment of Fairylyl." she explained.

"Yep! And you can be filthy rich or poor as dirt. Pale as paper or darker than midnight. None of that matters here. In these walls, we're all family." Saxon added.

"Each aforementioned faction is lead by an individual with a distinct vision." Sixtine said. "You have the Elbrastion Knights, feared but respected warriors who do what they must to defend themselves and their home country. Next are the Aberzanthan Imperialists, who are bent on keeping the stability of this nation secure and its people safe from outside threats, especially the Platinum Army next door. Last, but not least, you have the Fairylyl Alliance, a group that only the most prolific Void Magic users can join. This group defends not only Aberzanthan, but all of Fairylyl from any dangers that may befell it."

"If it were up to me, I could choose the faction for you. But as thanks for your aid, I'll grant you the opportunity to make the choice yourself." Zamazenti said.

"So you mean, I can…" Trixie replied.

"Choose whichever one you want? Oh yeah. You saved our bums, after all!" Saxon said with a chuckle.

"Choose wisely, Trixie," Piper advised. "Even though I think I know which one you're going to choose."

"...The Fairylyl Alliance," Trixie responded.

"Ah, so the Alliance is the faction you desire? Is this correct?" Zamazenti asked, raising his eyebrows.

"That's correct." Trixie confirmed with a nod.

"That's my girl!" Svenja replied, grinning with pride.

"Very well then, dear agent. May your soul be your guiding light." Zamazenti ended.

★

"Well, well, well!" Reagan said as he watched Trixie walk into the Fairylyl Alliance Headquarters. Every member of the Alliance without exception was present, ready to welcome Trixie with open arms.

As Trixie looked around, she had a warm smile seeing the familiar faces all around. She noticed Marla and waved as she beamed, with Marla doing the same.

"Ain't it funny," Svenja started, her smile tinged with smugness. "Who else do you guys know that can run into someone in a random warehouse and next thing ya know, you're both sharing the same roof, eh?!"

"Sounds like fate to me," Naphi said, chuckling.

"Fate, shmate," Uni said in a dismissive way. "All that matters is that this gal's on our team now! We're excited to have you here with us!" she continued.

"With that said, I declare you an official member of the Fairylyl Alliance!" Svenja announced. "Now, we have one big rule here that everyone must follow. That rule is…there are no rules; do whatever the hell ya want!" she continued with a hearty laugh.

"She's got that right," Noah said with a slight smirk on her face. "Just kick your feet up and make yourself comfortable for all we care."

Esther stepped up and gave Trixie another note with a wide smile. Congratulations on your enrollment. it read.

Trixie returned the smile and giggled. "Thanks, you too!" she replied.

A girl came out from within the group and walked up to Trixie, tapping her fingers against Trixie's pressure points with a curious expression. The girl had bandages wrapped around her forehead and over her right eye, and she was dressed like a mortician.

"Um, what is she doing?" Trixie asked no one in particular, flashing an awkward smile.

"That's Nana," Noah replied. "She's just getting used to your aura, that's it. You better be glad Svenja told her about you beforehand, otherwise she'd be freaking out right now. That's what she did to Esther. You should've seen her face when that happened." she said with a giggle. "But don't feel bad, she does that to everyone she comes across." she added.

Nana continued her repetitive actions for a while before backing away, her curiosity satisfied as the edges of her lips curled upwards.

"Y-you're not a-a demon! We-we're safe!" she said with a strong stutter and a cheerful grin.

"Wow, you're the first person that she hasn't accused of being a demon!" Zoe said, her brow raised in shock and interest. "There must be something special about you." she ended.

"...Demon…?" Trixie replied, narrowing her eyes as she froze in place.

"Sorry to interrupt this little meeting here," came a girl's voice from the nexus located in the center of the chamber.

"What's up, Chami?" Fritz asked.

Chami projected a holographic screen, which had the news channel playing on it. The reporter was explaining how there had been a sudden rise in crime and violence across Elbrastion, and how the Platinum Army was suspected to be responsible. A video then played showing a large mob attacking a village, burning, looting, and destroying everything in sight.

The Alliance members watched the footage, their faces written with either dismay, shock or horror. "This is really bad," Piper said, her voice dripping with concern. "The Platinum Army has never attacked like this before. It seems like they're getting more organized and vicious."

"I think the Elbrastrian army needs to be alerted about the situation as soon as possible," Trixie said.

"Agreed," Ahina nodded. "This isn't something to be messed with. We need to tell both of the kingdoms about this."

"Then let's do it." Reagan said in a decisive tone. "We'll tell the Elbrastrian royals all about it and formulate a plan to handle them. But who should we go to first?"

The entire group turned their heads to Marla. Marla shrunk in place as all of the weight of the situation was put on her shoulders at once. "That's terrible," Marla said as she trembled a little, thinking about the potential consequences. "This is a major security threat and could pose a risk to the whole kingdom. We need to alert the rulers and inform the Elbrastrian army as soon as possible."

"Well hey," Ahina began. "My claymore's thirsty for more blood anyways, so let's get to the pounding and show the Plats what we're made of!"

"You heard Ahina, folks! It's time to get out there and humble those buffoons! We're going to be relying on Trix big time, I'll tell ya that!" Svenja said.

"Of course. With me here, I'll send them running to the hills! Here I go!" Trixie said, puffing her chest out with valiance.