The sun was slowly setting behind the caravan from the Union. The military detachment had arrived on the outskirts of town without notice amid all the chaos of Leoris. Steam rose below them as they settled on the main path and sat in quiet observation. The onset of cold in the past day had caused the member of the helm to change attire. Most of the military staff present had changed over into dark blue jackets with the white diamond insignia of the Dakken Union.
Arata stepped away from his seat and called on an officer pacing the deck. He was attentively overseeing the staff as they were diligently attending their posts. Arata firmly addressed him. “I need reports on chrism activity throughout the town. I want to be informed of levels of concentration and any abnormalities. Include in the data any observable events.” The officer began rushing about, collecting the readings from various stations.
Kurei folds his arms next to Arata who had his hands held behind his back in a reserved posture awaiting the report. Kurei asked, “Need me to head out and start shaking whatever is out there loose?”
Arata answered concisely, “No need just yet. I know the Farlands lacked this sort of thing, but with assistance, the Union refined the technology of the hubs to be more mobile. We can track readings of chrism which detect firearms, descendants, and Leoris’ functionality. We’ve also learned to track at least the feral Fallen. They appear like voids in the spectrum to detect chrism. Then, of course, are the blips and anomalies that lack explanation and need to be examined.”
Kurei cracked his knuckles and stretched his legs. “I still prefer boots on the ground reconnaissance. Regardless of the toys you have present our Farlands team still outplayed your group.”
Arata smiled and shut his eyes. “Indeed. I would have been thrilled to have fought with the Farlands. Formidable is an understatement. I wonder how it would have played out without Ivalic showing up.”
A moment later, one of the helmsmen saluted Arata and began reporting. “Considering the activity, Leoris would be considered ground zero for a significant war zone. The flow of chrism is unstable in all the town proper. Their hub is operating at less than fifty percent. We’ve observed movement that seems to void chrism output in some areas. It is like reports where the Fallen congregated, but never on this scale. We’ve also measured two active hotspots. In the northern sector of town is a void of chrism save for one abnormality with readings similar to a descendant. It spiked momentarily, but fell off after a few moments. In the east lies a clash of chrism and void. Like a pitched battle is being fought between people armed with chrism and the Fallen.”
Arata sat with his fingertips pressed against one another. “Thank you for that, helmsman.”
“Wait…there is something else. There was a momentary blip. A spike for a split second that was an indecipherable scale of chrism. It corresponds to a recording that your teams previously made. It was when Ivalic razed the field of battle when Dakken met the Farland in open war. The only difference is that when Ivalic rampaged there, it stayed on the readings and eventually blew out our entire network.”
Kurei shuddered for a moment. “That isn’t an experience I want to relive. We would know if it was Ivalic. The town would be carved up and laying in ruin.”
A grin spread over Arata’s face from ear to ear. Jubilation filled his eyes. “It would seem we’ve arrived at quite the spectacle. If I had to guess, Desdin will be to the east where the blip occurred. He will probably move on to the bigger battle. Such is his reputation. Cherry will be the anomaly to the north. It is her or some other anomaly. A reliable recording of an Awakening has not been done. Kurei, be a dear and go test out exactly how well the awakened of the Lux stands up against a descendant. Bring her back alive if possible. That data would be invaluable. I’ll send some men with you. I’ll dispatch another regiment to Leoris to secure the town. And I will take the remaining forces around to the eastern front and assist in cleaning up the Fallen threat. Maybe I can meet Desdin. I have so many questions for him.”
“No offense, commander, but I came here to make sure you didn’t get left alone with him. I don’t take orders from you, remember?” Kurei said. “Desdin is not one to be manipulated. An attempt to dominate him with words would only encourage him to cut your tongue out. I’m not saying that he could. I'd rather not find out.”
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Arata shrugged and before he could retort, a bolt of darkness shot out from the north. A vibrant pillar of deep purple emerged from the lodge. There was massive natural growth occurring outside of the building. It was twisting together wildly into the form of a great majestic tree. “That is new! And exciting! I’m glad I brought you along, Kurei. Take three additional regiments. No, instead, you may receive half of the armed regiment. Didn’t you wardens like to play hero? I suggest you hurry now and quell whatever the hell that crazy shit is,” Arata said while watching the phenomenon with open eyes.
Kurei ground his teeth. “What did we step into? I still haven’t met back up with Desdin and it is already like this!”
Arata laughed. “We are going to have a lovely evening. I am going to check in on our dinner guests one last time before we head into Leoris and settle the affairs in town.” Upon saying that, he descended down the stairs from the helm.
He walked into the brig and questioned one of the guard. “Any updates I should be aware of?”
The guard stood at attention and answered. “No sir, they huddle around and murmur. They eat only when hungry and encourage each other, but we’ve mostly left with their privacy according to your command.”
Arata nodded at him before dismissing the guards and pacing the parameter of the enclosure. Rabbit watched him the entire time before asking, “So, are we there yet?”
With a grin, Arata replied, “Yes, in fact, we’ve arrived. I’m going to allow some of our brilliant men and women to help bath and clothe you. If all goes well in Leoris, we will all sit down and break bread with Ms. Lightbear. Now then, I need you all to behave while we prepare. I’d truly hate to come back and find your corpses.”
Leaning against the bars, Rabbit continued talking to Arata as the other prisoners huddled together. “You are an intelligent man, Arata. You are not an unknown entity to us in the Lux. We are at worst subversive for reasons you are aware of. We are diplomatic. Why not let us take Cherry and leave after this.”
Arata tucked his tongue into his cheek before answering. “You understand intelligence from your point of view. Let my experience teach you. The injustices your society perceives are subjective based on your values. As outsiders you cannot hope to understand the struggles our people have. Your acts of subversion are not appreciated because they are misinformed. Let me also add this on the Oldest and descendants. Just because you don’t see it, doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.”
“You are talking way above my paygrade man.” Rabbit said plainly. He glared at Arata standing before him. Brule, along with her fellow prisoners, sat in silence and were all watching in nervous anticipation. They looked like prey waiting to be fed alive to a monster they couldn’t predict.
Reaching out and placing his hand behind his head, Arata forcibly wrenched Rabbit’s head against the cage. “Don’t pretend with me. I don’t care that your ancestors fled during the fifth age. I don’t care about what your personal entreaties may be. The Awakening your nation manufactured is intriguing. I am envious that your nation has flourished with the technology that was pilfered when your founders migrated. If you were diplomatic, we could share intel. Instead, you consult with rebellious factions and avoid working with us altogether. Do not feign innocence.”
“It is hard to work with people whose first reaction is to wound, then interrogate their target.” Rabbit locked into his stare with Arata.
“You understand why it is like this right now. The Lux created a way to infiltrate our hubs. You coordinated with your agents here using our own network. It is impressive that your people did this. The hubs were created by the Oldest after all. But then I produced the advances that discovered what you were doing. Stop trying to play us.” Arata glared so fiercely that it was intimidating, and his words were spoken with such authority that it was frightening to behold.
Rabbit entranced by his focus. From this close, he could smell the mint on his breath, the musk of his soap, and the pampered complexion of his skin. “The Union affords you some halfway decent comforts.” As Rabbit said this Arata pushed him by his forehead with his finger. “So, what, you want to bully us now? Abuse the power you have over us. You keep us here as trophies or for some sick amusement?”
“Your people are ignorant. You call me intelligent. As if you are an authority to gift me such an accolade. For such an advanced people, you are so simple. Do not claim to know me or the Union. Be cautious, otherwise I'll reveal my humble nature. I grew up hunting in the wilderness, and I’ve skinned a rabbit or two.” Arata kept smirking at the rest of the prisoners and took a breath in refreshingly while stretching.
Rabbit took a moment to rid his face of anxiety and fear before complimenting Arata. “I didn’t know what to think when you captured us. I wondered how. Regardless, here we are. I sincerely hope that we both deeply regret the outcome of our meeting.”
“I’m just focused on this being an amazing day. You should consider that and not be so reckless. I can’t wait to see you all at dinner.” Arata waved his hand nonchalantly as he made his way out of the room.