The wind cracked around a fist that was thrown with the strength and speed of a loaded shotgun. The sound of clanging metal rang throughout the farm field when the punch connected. A strike so devastating it left a deep cavity within the skull of the robotic farmer that had once dared raise its scythe against the deliverer of the blow.

The deliverer pulled back her fist from the crumpled metal as the farmer fell to the tilled soil below. A red ichor coated her pale knuckles. Her icy eyes watching the same ichor pour free from the mangled cracks of the farmer's metallic head. The stench of which making her nostrils flare in exhilaration.

"Blood."

She knelt down beside the bleeding out farmer. Her lupine tail coiling around her rugged, black boots. She dug into her pockets to fetch a pack of cigarettes and an antique lighter. Comparatively, the lighter itself with its golden and intricate detailing was more kempt than the brick wall of a wolf-folk who maintained it. She looked like a greaser with her black, leather jacket with a prominent furred collar dyed a pure white. It was left unbuttoned to reveal her white tank-top underneath as she wore a pair of matching leather pants. The back of her jacket had a graphic of a wolf with a detached head as the word "DULLAHAN" was embroidered above the graphic.

With a lit cigarette smoldering between her thin lips, she inspected the farmer. She ripped off the weathered poncho that blanketed the cold, mechanical corpse. A fleshy growth was revealed sprouting from the torso of its chassis. Narrow tendrils spread from its bulbous heart like veins, rooting themselves within the rusted exoskeleton of its host. A biological corruption of mechanical kind.

She watched with curiosity as the meaty growth that she could easily hold in her fist pulsed helplessly. It pumped and pumped, providing more blood to its motionless host as the scarlet substance continued to spurt out onto the damp soil.

"Do you help perpetuate the Cycle, or are you here to stop it?" she interrogated, her gravelly, smoke-filled voice falling on the non-existent ears of the alien growth. The black sclera of her eyes only made her cold-blue irises all the more intimidating. She narrowed her ghastly gaze upon receiving no response. Not that it could speak to begin with.

Dissatisfied by the bulb of flesh, she reached out to grab hold of it. Her fingers enveloped around the bulb, and when she went to forcibly tear it off, it retaliated with tendrils that threatened to pierce her hand. She clicked her teeth, her digits sinking into the flesh of the bulb before encasing it in frost in an intense flash freeze.

A dense, cold haze formed around her as the smoke from her cigarette left her lips. With the frozen bulb in her grasp, she clenched her hand, easily shattering it into smaller fragments before standing up. She ran her hand through her short, wispy, cyan hair. Her angular, lupine ears twitching and swiveled to her left.

She turned to face the source of her ears' interest, spotting a figure crouching on the edge of one of the many terraced hills. Her ghostly eyes peered through the twin lenses of the binoculars that scoped in on her. She met the feline gaze of Oriol who was looking through said binoculars, lowering them from her eyes in surprise as Rye turned to face her.

"What's wrong?"

"I thought Isles had...never mind..."

The mere possibility of Isles' eyesight being that precise at the distance between the two where the tall wolf-folk appeared as a mere speck in her vision was too incredible. Too daunting to rationalize.

Rye's eyes continued to spell his worry over the operative by his side, but if she was not willing to state her problems then he would not pry. "Hm, we should regroup with her all the same. Did you manage to spot Vox?"

"No," Oriol said, shaking her head and pocketing her binoculars. "The only question we have before us is how do we close the distance without having to scale down each cliff?" she asked as Rye merely shrugged. Hearing her own question made her wonder how Isles was able to travel as quickly as she did. Perhaps there was an alternative route somewhere that they missed.

"By the Nine Gates above grant me the strength..." Razel mumbled from behind, marching up to stand along the same ledge Oriol was crouched upon. She cupped her hands around her mouth and with a deep breath, she bellowed out.

"ISLES!!!"

The voice of an enraged squirrel-folk echoed throughout the vast farms. The visceral rage caused Isles' ears to droop in annoyed anticipation. A lone hand rubbed against the black stitching along the width of her neck, tilting her head to work out a dull crack.

"An idiot, but she pays me," Isles said, taking one last drag from her cigarette, parting her lips to breathe out the inhaled smoke.

"Hear me, Frozen Lake, my Miracle," she called with a calm tone and setting her eyes at the distant party. An arcane circle drew itself into existence behind her as the ancient scriptures were held suspended in the humid air that became colder and colder. The circle made manifest acted the role of a gate for a motorcycle to roll through. Its cyan, ethereal wheels contrasting with its blackened, vintage frame that housed the monstrous engine and flaring exhaust pipes that rumbled with fervent vigor. Isles raised a hand to point toward the distant party, mouthing the word, "Go."

The interplanar motorcycle revved its engine as the command was given, and took off towards them. Its wheels froze the ground beneath it, riding up along an irrigation canal with ease that was otherwise too awkward and steep to traverse through. In doing so it had created an icy pathway leading them downward to Isles. The lone bike blitzed past the party, launching itself into the air as a separate arcane circle manifested upon the roar of its engine. Just as quickly it came, it left, leaving with them a clear path to Isles. A slippery, perilous path.

Cass rubbed his large ears in pain after having the absconded motorcycle's roars hammer his eardrums. He looked onward to the icy path with a sense of pessimistic doubt. But, seeing Razel immediately leap atop it and begin her rapid descent left him with little time to continue his silent scrutiny.

He cautiously climbed over the concrete ledge of the iced over irrigation canal as Rye stepped over to support his stance. His legs shakily worked to keep his balance, but Rye's firm grasp greatly aided in this effort.

"Look where you are going and keep your stance like this. Traversing through ice was a necessary skill in our homeland of Sagittarius. You'll be fine," Rye comforted as Cass nodded, albeit anxiously.

"Con confianza!" Cass exclaimed in an attempt to work up the courage to ride down dizzying long stretch of ice. Rye flashed him a prideful smile before nudging Cass forward, sending the unknowing rat-kin downhill.

The rushing winds made his hair and tail sweep back as his eyes maintained straight ahead toward Razel who rode upon the frozen slope as if it were a grind rail. A thrill filled exhilaration swelled in his chest as it brought out a manic smile that spanned across his face. Never did he think he could feel such excitement from something this reckless. Nor did he think he would be paid handsomely while doing it.

But with confidence, he here was, and it was this confidence that blinded him.

Cass heard the distant shouts of the trio that had yet to board the slope from behind him. His intoxication caused by the rushing adrenaline diluted the screams of the others. The weightlessness he felt when he soared through the sky was the moment he was reeled back to reality.

Terror filled his eyes when he found himself flying, staring at a boulder that had smashed right through the frozen canal as fragmented concrete, chunks of ice, and spewing water littered the maintained soil below. Gravity quickly grabbed hold of him, pulling him down to his rightful place on the ground as a thudding impact rocked his head. Dazed, he slid along the other end of the frozen bridge he landed upon. His helpless, motionless body sliding along it.

Then, darkness filled his vision.

* * *

Numbness. This was a drug that he had grown to cling onto, letting it become a permanent state of being for himself.

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Why bother chasing after degrees when the institutions themselves would only put him into debt that could last for decades with no promise of an actual career. Why bother pursuing the hope of living comfortably in a modern world that is quick to strike you off and strip you of everything you've labored day in and day out to own. Why bother aiding a family that is so quick to berate, neglect, and belittle despite the sacrifices one makes to appease them. Why bother fighting tooth and nail for an inch only to be immediately knocked back down several feet.

Time and time again did he find himself pushed down in the dirt. Nowhere to go, no one to turn to. They always say that he'd rather be in his misery than to find happiness, to dwell in his own sadness until he found himself drowning in it. But how could he make a choice when all he knew was his own compounding, suffocating misery. Joy was a mere concept to him, something that was seemingly forever out of his reach. But he could put a face to that concept, an illustrious one that had inspired him to risk the remaining pittance of his existence just to see that face once more.

The last time he had met the object of his inspiration was at the turn of the year in January. He fondly remembers being sat next to him on a bench as they watched soft snow fall down upon them as crowds of Radiants and Astrals hustled and bustled to find the perfect spot for the New Year's fireworks display in the park. He remembers keeping his gaze fixated on the orange furred cat-kin that sat next to him, taking in his enamoring visage before the two inevitably had to be separated for a time.

"You know, Fritz, I always did admire just how much you have figured out your life," Cass said, raising his thermos to prepare to take a sip. The rich scent of the hot chocolate contained within filling his nostrils with a comforting warmth. "I wished I was more like you, but it's also why I'm grateful. It helped me find a way to make something of myself."

"I'm glad to hear that Cass, I know you had mentioned you have been working to become a Proxy since we last met," Fritz replied with a toothy smile, but his emerald eyes showed a deep sadness that his face strained to withhold. "Though in truth it was never really me that 'figured it out', it was all thanks to my father. He wants me to take over his restaurant once he passes, so he has me on this track. It's the crown jewel of the Astaires, after all..."

"Wait, what..." Cass trailed on, biting his tongue to stop him from appending a 'you too?'

"It's why I'm even attending this culinary school to begin with. He even already has expectations to bring him a child once I marry." Fritz continued as he bit his lip, his quivering hands wrapping around the thermos that Cass had brought for him as his smile turned into a scowl.

Cass watched him for a moment to gather his thoughts, debating on how to best console him. He was always careful with his words so as to not provoke the ire of his parents and instead live neglected in the background with his festering anger. But it was different with Fritz, ever since they first met he felt as if he could open up without being immediately denied and insulted.

He placed a comforting hand upon Fritz's shoulder, looking up at him with a small smile. "But you do enjoy cooking, right? You sounded passionate when we exchanged recipes and tried out each other's cooking."

"I do like it, I just don't want it to be my entire life. I'd sooner go insane if I had to manage that restaurant until I find myself having a foot already in the coffin."

"Then live with me. I already have a contract lined up in March with a 10 million equ payout. I can take care of you in the meantime while you figure out what you want to do."

"That does sound nice...but what if you fail? I can't take a gamble that big..."

Cass's eyes wavered for a moment as his success was called into question. The hand that rested upon Fritz's shoulder moved to grab hold of his own hand, a confident grin spanning across his face. "Then wait for me. This year is your last year in the school, yeah? Then wait until I visit you for your graduation date in December as a successful Proxy. I can be your fallback."

Fritz was surprised by his sudden assertiveness, but he was swayed by it. The belief that the two could help break free from their shackles and start a new life together brought him a warm solace amidst the cold snow surrounding them. His fingers gingerly interlocked with Cass's own as tears pooled in his eyes, "Just please don't keep me waiting," he whispered.

"We'll make something of ourselves together. I promise," Cass spoke tenderly, moving to bring Fritz in for a comforting embrace. The grandiose flashes and thunderous ruptures of the distant fireworks begged for their attention, but the two kept each other in their arms. Their attention undivided.

* * *

His golden eyes slowly pulled themselves open, finding himself staring up at the face of Strafe who expressed both immense delight and worry to see him come to his senses. A stinging pain still reverberated throughout his head, raising a hand to rub against his throbbing forehead. "Where are the others?" he asked dully, moving to sit himself upright.

"H-huh?" Strafe stammered, expecting him to ask about his condition first. "Well...they're currently fighting off these weird agricultural automatons that turned hostile. There's also a really big one that Rye and Isles are trying to take down. B-but you should stay here! You took a pretty bad hit to your head, Oriol didn't think you'd be able to wake up soon enough. So I was tasked with watching over you!"

"Thank you Strafe, but I'll be joining them. I can't afford to keep falling behind," he resolved, standing up and digging into two pouches that dangled off of his hips.

"What? No! I was explicitly told to not let you get into harm's way!"

"Then I'll take the fall if you get in trouble."

"Cass, you can't."

"Just watch me," he said, striding toward the remaining half of the frozen slope. "Thank you for watching over me, but this is something that I must do. To prove to myself that I can succeed."

Strafe silently watched as Cass climbed up onto the slope once more. She knew better than to let him go down there to join the fight, but this was just one of many risks a Proxy must come to expect and thrive in. But it was too late to stop him, for he had launched himself down the slope.

From within the pouches he drew a pair of yo-yos. Their metal bodies gleamed golden as the lettering "100KG" was etched onto the faces of each plate. He slipped the thick strings over his middle fingers, his piercing gaze affixed on the automaton that squared off against Isles and Rye at the end of the slope. From this distance, Cass estimated it to be the size of a three-story house. He noted its chassis that was designed to be a walking combine which led his discerning gaze to target the unprotected neck of the colossal automaton.

He gripped his yo-yos tight within his palms and leapt from the slope. Once more he soared through the air, but this time he was in control. He tossed his arms out to the side, launching his yo-yos as the strings quickly unwound themselves to their full extent. He'd let their combined weight propel himself further the air. His body becoming a whirling flurry of whipping string and dense metal.

"HIM?!" Razel exclaimed dumbfoundedly from down below as Oriol turned to look up at what had snatched her attention away from the fight.

A defiant frown was seen plastered on his face. He rocketed toward the automaton who kept its cold, glowing eyes focused down Isles and Rye who worked to cripple its huge legs. With one last rotation of his body, he turned his head to peer over his shoulder, his golden eyes trained on the nape of the unknowing automaton.

"Please, keep waiting for me," he muttered to himself, swinging the first yo-yo around as it struck true. The immediate collision violently whipped its head forward, threatening to have it snap off at the base as the mechanisms in its knees buckled from the sudden force. Then the second came round, caving in the metal plates of the automaton as the crumpled metal could no longer support the weight of its own head.

In its disorientation, Isles followed up by gripping onto one of its teetering legs as embrittling ice froze over its thick limb. Rye was quick to charge forward with his raised axe to deliver a leveled cleave along the shin of the frozen leg. With its leg now destroyed, the colossal automaton fell down to its knees.

"Aim for the bulb!" Isles commanded of Cass who was currently falling down along with the mechanical titan.

He did not know what she had meant at first, but as his eyes scoured its body, he found it. The grotesque, overgrown bud of flesh that had attached itself to it blighted chest. Cass shot one of his yo-yos downward, aiming for the base of the bulb. With a flick of his wrist, the string hooked around its rooted base and reeled him in.

His feet planted themselves laterally against the automaton's chest. He grabbed hold of the string with both hands and flexed his muscles, pulling with all of his might.

"¡¡¡Suéltate!!!" he shouted, demanding for the throbbing bulb to let go of its host, for this was a battle it would not win. With one final pull, the bulb was ripped free. A cascade of darkened blood flowed from the wound upon its rusted chest, showering the ground below in its ichor. The giant automaton creaked forward as the vigor had all but left it, its corpse threatening to squash those who remained underneath it.

Cass had nowhere to go. He found himself falling with the automaton that was beaten by the trio's might. His circular ear perked up at the familiar roar of an engine sounding off from his right. The ethereal motorcycle had been summoned once more and sped along the body of the automaton. It ramped itself off of its right shoulder, launching itself to catch him as Cass reached for the handlebars.

With his hands catching hold of the handles, he gripped on until the claws of his fingers drew blood from his palms. The motorcycle was too large for him to ride and drive properly, not that he knew how, so all he could do was hold on and let it continue on its path. A path of which was immediately met as the bike landed abruptly on a terraced hill.

Now on leveled ground, Cass fell off from the seat of the motorcycle, watching it disappear once more. His hand worked to reel in his yo-yos that dragged against the soil, his head spinning from the exhilarating thrill and the concussion-induced dizziness. He walked towards the ledge with staggered steps, watching as the last of the metallic farmers be destroyed by the hands of his party.

Dazed thoughts filled his mind as he pocketed his yo-yos, but the most prominent of them was a sense of prideful hope. He witnessed those at the ground level turn to face him, waving him down for him to join them. With a jubilant smile creeping along his lips, he eagerly scaled down the hillside to meet up with them.