In Quezon City, Philippines, an incredulous battle ensued. The many eyes of people present there were fixated on the respective guns they held. Jaws opened wide, these terrorists were at loss for words as their weapons crumbled into pieces like dirt. One of them, a bearded husky man still had his gun intact.
"W-What the hell?! What is that?" This man, Rodriguez, aimed its weapon at an Aegis User a hundred feet away from him. "Those white crystals swallowed our guns, and in the next second, it just got destroyed like that?! What kind of Aegis User are you?!!!"
Exactly.
At a terrorist's base in Quezon City, one guy laid waste to these people who opposed Maltyie's new and reformed country. Though to be more specific, he wasn't there because he was an ally of the Great Corporate United or anything. He was not affiliated with any faction whatsoever. Rather, this lone man acted on a single wish he grasped until this very day.
Indeed, he was the terrorists' worst nightmare. It didn't matter whether they used a tank against him, or a railgun they recently stole—all failed to scratch his casual clothes even by a tiny bit. Whatever they threw at him, his snow-white Aegis crystals turned every last one into fleeting solid dust.
"Is this all?" said Kian Lindberg, a former Pillar who once served under his own mother, Amathelia Lindberg. "Even my daughter can beat you with her eyes closed. But! I can't afford to let grunts cause trouble around here. She might have to involve herself in this because of it."
The leader, Rodriguez was the only one displaying hostility against such formidable foe. Truly, his pride and negligence would be the end of him.
Bullets cut across the distance between them and struck Kian.
To be more exact, it hit the white Aegis crystals wrapping Kian's arm and were deflected with ease.
"G-Get Allec to come here!" shouted Rodriguez. Kian raised an eyebrow at the scattering terrorists when the ground shook. Chunks of stone that were once the terrorist base exploded in front of Kian, and a metal hand shot out.
Not even an iota of a second could match the speed. In an instant, a gargantuan black robot had Kian in its grasp. This robot resembled a factory-standard Vasquez used by the C.U, except for the fact that this one was 100% made of layered titanium with a red visor as its eyes.
However, before this unknown robot could even hope to crush Kian's head, the very hand clutched to him was immediately coated in his Aegis crystals. The robot couldn't use this arm of it and immediately settled for punching Kian with his other arm.
"..."
Kian willed the robot's Aegis-coated hand into liquid metal—and with his command, it slashed the robot's swinging arm in a wide arc, cutting it clean.
"A new generation of Vasquez? I'm surprised you manage to get one. Then again, the military around here even let you guys set up a base under their nose so getting one straight out of their hangar won't be too hard. These soldiers commitment are lacking."
The Vasquez, having lost its arms narrowed down its option to kicking Kian, but with a flick of his wrist, the robot was turned into metal scrap.
The liquid metal Kian controlled sliced and diced the robot's vessel through and through. Having taken down the terrorists strongest weapon, they tried to run away, their feet moved flittingly, abandoning everyone else but their own selves. Kian sighed from this. He'd come here to get rid of them, so of course, he wasn't going to let even one slip away from his hand.
As he was about to will his Aegis crystals, a loud series of explosions shook the area. Starting from Kian's left side, the explosions deadened the terrorists' cry for help and took them all out with it, sending clouds of black smoke to the sky.
"Kian, you haven't finished here yet? I took down another one of their base in Manila, so I figured you've done your thing here, but when I arrived, it turns out you're taking your time."
Kian looked over his shoulder and grinned.
A winged figure descended from the boorish battlefield and landed a few feet away from him. Wearing a red jacket and slim-fit blue jeans, Ivar sneered from under his blond bangs.
"I saved you, ya' know," said Ivar. "If not for me pulling that lance out and taking you to safety, you would be dead from frostbite, out in the open snow."
"I said my thanks already!" Kian laughed.
"Anyway, these terrorists popping out here and there makes me think they were..."
"These people were supporters of the previous ruler. Strong supporters of Amathelia," interjected Kian. "How is your Aegis doing anyway, Ivar? I still don't think you should use it too much with your condition."
"Ah..." Ivar brushed his hand over the peach Aegis wings sprouting out of his shoulders. "After being knocked out by Ava back then, for some reason, I can control my Aegis again, albeit just a tiny bit from how I used to. But it levels up from there."
"You're still not at your best though..." said Kian.
"That is true. But it doesn't matter right now. Our objective is to get rid of those who tried to disturb Ava's peace. These terrorists will not get their way with us around."
Kian nodded. Ever since that day Ava left him, Kian had resolved to what he could do for his daughter. Right then, he didn't want to see her just yet. Redeeming himself was what matters most for now.
"You sure you don't want to go back to Ava's side?" asked Ivar. "Having her real father around would be great."
"I'm not ready yet.... I have done so many terrible things to her, and everyone else. After I redeem myself by doing what we're doing right now, then I will come to see her," answered Kian smoothly.
"You're not the only one, ya' know. I have sinned too. That's the reason why I join you," said Ivar.
We need to show we could redeem ourselves.
This statement rang true in their hearts. Until the time comes, these two would seek out those who could be a threat to Ava's new life; and get rid of each one of them. Ivar wanted to show he wasn't blind to what was right and wrong. Having sworn to help Ava, this man strived to gain his former strength and trample down the injustice of this world.
"Ah, right! I found some top secret info in the vault of that base I destroyed. It's a map to another base," said Ivar.
"Let's go." Kian walked out of the base engulfed by a blazing inferno, while Ivar flew away upwards as they carved their way to a new path they'd chosen.
◈◈◈
Meanwhile, a whole different crew in another area worked their hardest, flitting up and about carrying documents to each desk in the office. Some of them were ensconced in their leather seats, while their hands hovered over the keyboard in front. A particular individual among these boisterous workers was sweating profusely as he carried a pile of papers.
"Haaaaaah!" Khenbish placed at his best friend's desk, Qara. "These are new requests from our clients. Please check them!"
"Are you serious?!!! I'm already full here!"
"So am I!"
A light bulb popped above Qara's head. "...These are just details about material requests, right? For the construction sites in Khovd. So, Odval can take care of it!"
"Hey!! I'm busy here!" sounded Odval from the opposite corner of the room. Her hands flitted across the keyboard, her bespectacled eyes glued to the monitor.
"How can she hear you from that far?" said Khenbish incredulously. "Well, she's not your girlfriend for nothing, Qara. Each word you speak from a mile away, Odval can hear it."
"You're exaggerating...!" Qara sighed and continued his work. Truly, for the past few days, this group of labor was forced to work non-stop, if you ignored the scant hours they got from sleeping.
After the war ended, these Mongolian citizens decided to rebuild Mongolia to their former glory, and of course, it started from Khovd. Others worked on other regions in Mongolia, slowly adding to the rebuilding phase. Maltyie, the new C.U Ruler contributed significantly by sending a good number of workers in addition to the current group.
"Qara...! You're good at multi-tasking, right? There's a new pile for me to clear here, so—"
"Hell nah!" Qara refused to help another busy office worker in that boisterous office.
Knock! Knock!
Everyone stopped moving once a certain someone entered the room.
"Oh my. You lads are working hard as you should be!" Ulii laughed as her cane poked at the standing Khenbish. She too played a part in the rebuilding phase, instructing these thirty young bunch on what tasks they should focus on and whatnot. Ulii may not look like it, but she was smart, having acquired a masters degree in her prime days. After appraising her three students' respective abilities, she distributed work equally through it.
Needless to say, the old woman knew what she was doing.
"Ulii! Is there some client that want to meet us?" asked Khenbish.
"Derrick Jones, a highly respected general in the C.U. He wants to meet the three of you!!" answered Ulii with a grin.
"The three of us...? Who are those three?"
"Tsk." The old woman's wooden cane found its mark on Khenbish's chin, and he stumbled backward. "Khenbish! You're someone that can't lie even if you want to. Your face says everything. I can read Khenbish like a book!"
"Ugh..." Khenbish rubbed his red chin. "I'm not a book, but okay!"
"By three of you, I meant my precious students of course! Who else?!"
"Ohhhhhhh!!" Qara stood up from his leather seat and walked over to Ulii. "Let's go right now! Where does Derrick want to meet us?"
"You're so eager, Qara..." Odval halted at his side. "Well, the work here is killing us anyway."
"Derrick wants to meet you three at a construction site in Khovd," answered Ulii.
And so, the group of four went to this construction site Ulii spoke of. It wasn't that far anyway since their office was literally outside Khovd itself, so to speak. The site was one of many sites spread throughout Khovd, repairing a large section of the residential area. Labor workers carried materials such as cement bags on their shoulders with the help of some Anciles posted there.
"Derrick! Yo!" Qara called.
Derrick turned his blue military hat in the group's direction and bowed. "Welcome, minister Ulii, and of course her officials. I'm General Derrick Jones."
"Oh, come on, Derrick! We've met before. Cut the formalities!" said Qara.
"It's the protocol, Mr. Qara."
"Hmm?" Ulii frowned. "The current minister of Mongolia is not me..."
"That position is empty right now. But, I'm sure a lot of people would be pleased if you take it," said Derrick.
"Perhaps. Oh! These houses are almost complete!"
Ulii gazed at some rebuilt houses in the site, and her jaw dropped with the remodeled design of it. It looked very modern considering the former designs of the houses were outrageously outdated. After all, Khovd along with many other Mongolian cities were a bit lacking in technology, so it should be no surprise for its architecture to be behind.
"Anyway, Derrick, why you called us here?" asked Odval.
"Ah, right! The C.U's Ruler, Her Benevolence Maltyie Jones wants to recruit the three of you to work in Sweden."
"Ahhhhhhhh?!!!!" Qara, Khenbish, and Odval almost stumbled from hearing that.
"Maltyie— Ah, I mean, the C.U's Ruler wants us to work with her?!" repeated Odval.
"Yes. You three are talented after all. Relax! You've made it this far after those struggles. Be proud of it!" Derrick patted Qara and Khenbish on their shoulder, but the two guys still hadn't recovered from Derrick's sudden psychological attack.
"I..." Khenbish regained his consciousness back and shook his head. "I don't want to go over there, even if the pay is quite good... Haha~"
Drool dripped down from his lip as he imagined the wealth he could get by working with Maltyie. The others who saw it narrowed their eyes at him, disgusted.
"A-Anyway! I don't want to go to Sweden. It's nice there and all, but Mongolia is where I want to work... So... um, sorry, Derrick. I have to refuse your offer— Ah, I mean, her offer. Mongolia is slowly but steadily being rebuilt with her help, and I'm grateful for that, but I want to continue rebuilding it too."
"Khenbish..." Odval placed a hand over her chest.
"Who are you? You're not him. What have you done to my real friend?" Qara prodded about this to Khenbish, but Qara still didn't believe him after all the unnecessary explanation he'd heard from him.
"How about you two—"
"I'm staying here," said Qara and Odval.
A smile flitted across Derrick's face. He knew this would happen even before he came here, but orders were orders so he had to fulfill it.
"Derrick!! Maltyie is your wife. Don't be so uptight! Just refer to her as your wife. Everyone knows this." Ulii swung her cane and it struck Derrick's back, and the guy yelped in surprise.
"B-But she is still the highest authority in all of C.U. So..."
"I'm sure she wouldn't mind. After all, Maltyie is quite happy for the past few months—the happiest I'd ever seen her. You can tell she will love it if you just refer to her as your wife to everyone you meet," said Ulii with a grin.
"...I will, from now on."
"Excellent!"
Ulii struck his back again and he flinched. "Don't do that so sudden!"
"Hm? Oh! I'm late! I am very sorry, everyone. But this old woman must go now."
"Eh?" The other four stared at Ulii as she walked back towards her limousine.
"I have a date."
"Ehhhhhhhh?!!!"
"A date with my granddaughter, Miranda!"
"..." The rest just looked at Ulii as she laughed. Once her limousine took off, the group left behind exchange no words with each other, until a few minutes passed.
"So... who's going to take us back to the office?" asked Khenbish.
"Ahhhh! My work!" Qara flailed and ran in circles in panic.
"I have a few more people to meet after this, but I have some time before that. I'll take you three back."
The three Mongolians stopped moving, and immediately they pounced Derrick. The poor guy got hugged by them for a long, long time, and only when a site worker interfered did they stopped harassing poor Derrick.