"Target is in sight... ETA to landing Zone.. 5 minutes...can't get close enough without tripping any radars even with Stealth systems sir.." a pilot announced
"Noted. Land us where you can.. Beta and Delta will land behind us.." Daisuke Kudo's voice was rather calculative as he overlooked the blueprints of the Stronghold attentively "we're fortunate this militia's stronghold was built way before they occupied it.. used to be part of an old Palace utilized by the Empire long ago makes this much simpler.. alright! Alpha Team! Listen up!..." exiting the cockpit into the back bay.. he looked at everyone back and forth "Rose... Yuma... your with me, we'll head for the Ravine just several clicks south of the Hold... Marika.. Dante, you two will lead Beta and Delta teams to the front gates.. your gonna sneak under the entry bridge due West of the Landing Zone.. Climb up and give them a surprise attack.. when we hear the alarms blaring that's our cue to infiltrate.. while they focus on you.. we'll attack from behind... Rose and Yuma will get that entry point behind the gate open for you... while I go and find Sozen... understand?..."
"Hai! Then us four will go after the Chieftain while Beta and Delta Continue to raise hell outside.... Once the chieftain is taken down the remaining militia warriors will have no choice but to stand down and their stronghold will be overtaken by the Order..." Rose chimed in having gotten a good grasp of the mission fairly easily, as Yuma Lionheart smoothly chuckled at her words "this is gonna be fun~ ain't it? You and me... on a mission date..."
"A what?..." Rose's eyebrows furrowed, with her right hand and sharp nails, pushing down she dug into his knee making the Lionheart bolt up in pain "A-ah! Alright! Alright...jeez... lighten up..." he huffed at her mood swing, as Daisuke shook his head "Enough you two... Lionheart get your head in the game.. or we'll leave you on your own..."
"Huh?...y-yes sir..." Yuma sighed as he began to focus on the task at hand, before he flinched at the sound of a voice directly in his ear "testing.. testing... Alpha team.. I-it's me.. Cole Young... can you hear me clearly? We've adjusted the tone to optimal levels.."
"Oi! Cole! Wish you we're here pal!..." Dante kudo finally spoke up enthusiastically, a small smile on his face as he was the most excited of the group.. his very first mission, was of extreme important after all.. another step on his journey to be the Best. "I'm excited! I can't wait!...I've been itching for a real mission after all this time!"
"Dante-San... you have to remember. This isn't just a virtual field course.. or a sparring session.. A-any mistakes.. and you all could lose your lives. Please. Be careful..." Cole warned over the comms watching and tracking their movements from the bridge back at HQ.. sitting in a chair not far behind him.. was Subashī Jest with a bored expression on his face "Well~...if they do so happen to pass away. Just know.. I will have free reigns to experiment on your corpses~ Be grateful you can serve the order even after death.." the man said oh so casually, as Daisuke scoffed "I've been First class longer than you've been Commander... don't get ahead of yourself Jest.."
"Hn~ duly noted.. Daisuke-Kun...." Subashī jest replied with a hint of amusement, as he chuckled to himself "It must bring back memories.. No? This wasteland of Dead Forest was once where the Aragoto Empire main force reigned.. didn't Kisuke lead the Final Push to the Palace.. My first Promotion to commander was at that time as well...such.. brutal times~."
"No. I led the charge...." Daisuke said shortly not wanting to entertain the Mad man any longer..
"Back to the topic at hand. Who is this Target anyway?... leader of this militia?.." Rose asked curiously wanting to know the details before heading in.
"He isn't any major figure.... Their multiple chiefs for this Militia.. all have fallen to Sozen's blade. This one in particular seems to have a trick up his sleeve... one that is unknown. Chieftain Reyes.. he was once a grunt for the Aragoto Empire. He survived the war and kept this Militia going all this time.. whatever it is. Be wary.. because of this unknown condition that defeated Sozen he may be more dangerous than before..." Daisuke explained, glancing out of the window from their Helicopter.. Two More had caught up to them suddenly "Beta Team checking in Sir... Delta Team checking in!.." the two choppers identified themselves suddenly..
Daisuke In charge of this mission replied "Glad you can join us.. you know the plan! Everyone! This Mission is of upmost importance.. just get in, take them down.. search for Sozen! That's it...understood? No theatrics..." walking passed Alpha Team to the rear of the Chopper as it began to descend and the pilot announced "Landing now!.."
"Alright!... Knight Rose, Yuma! Let's get going!.. Corporal Marika.. keep my nephew out of trouble..." knocking on the wall.. the bay opened up allowing the first three to hop off as it landed... Rose followed Daisuke with Yuma close behind her.. beginning to traverse the extremely dense forest. The Stronghold was not that far.. several kilometers away. It was large in scope, lit up by dozens of spotlights as Two watchtowers overlooked the settlement... "come. Our rendezvous is waiting..."
Corporal Marika got off rather quickly with Dante in tow, her demeanor was ice cold and with an expression of seriousness not many her age had in them "According to the Coordinates... the Bridge is due west.. that way. While the others move to the ravine South of the Stronghold... we have to sneak through the Underpass. Climb up... get the ambush advantage!..." she glanced as Beta and Delta's choppers landed not far behind, speaking into her comms "Beta.. Delta.... Take right and Left flanks.. stay hidden. No sudden movements until we get up that bridge. Understood?."
"Yes, ma'am..." One of the teams responded as the other acknowledged her order "Roger that.." one foot at a time, the Corporal began rushing passed several trees... wanting to cut the distance shorter between them and the objective "Woah!.. wait up!.." In Dante's perspective things we're moving along rather quickly, the white haired knight ran to follow his superior it of course did not take long for him to catch up "What are we going to do about the Watchtower's?...."
"Nothing. We cannot get spotted so avoid the Spotlights.. the point of this plan.. is to hit them before they even notice.. catch them off guard, gain their attention so that Daisuke-sama and his team can infiltrate with less issues.." Marika made sure to give him details, noting that Dante's still relatively New in the field.. he won't pick up on bigger picture plans so easily, she was rather graceful as she moved.. possibly having done this a dozen times already though this was her first mission under Daisuke's command she wished to make her commander proud today. "We are going to adjust our part of the plan a little Dante... you and me are going to fight our way through the bridge instead.. while Delta and Beta climb up and flank from the left and right sides..."
"Huh?... aren't we moving a bit fast?...how are they going to catch up?..." Dante questioned, he could see the trees moving passed them with relative speed "we don't want to leave them behind-.."
"No worries Sir!...." Delta teams leader spoke, confidently.. the humming sounds of accelerating engines could be heard but it was extremely faint, coming up close behind them on each side.. through the desolate forest.. the Two teams of Soldiers we're keeping up. "These Red Wings help us increase our movements to match yours.."
"Jet packs?!....that's Awesome!..." The white haired knights eyes sparkled as he glanced beside him.. the soldiers we're truly remarkable human beings. 'Even though Soldier's spirit cores are nearly nonexistent...they make it up with technology and real physical training... that's so cool!..'
"Eyes forward!.. the stronghold's coming up..." Marika announced, as he placed her finger over her ear.. in the comm device "Daisuke-sama... We're reaching our positions.. we will strike as soon as you give us the signal..."
"Roger that Corporal... we'll be reaching our rendezvous point shortly as well...Knight Cole.. Commander Jest... do you have eyes in the sky?..." Daisuke questioned them suddenly, as Cole Young was tapping into his computer quickly "The Pilot's are deploying two drones now Sir!...we'll have visual soon!..."
It didn't take long.. as the drones launched from the Helicopters current landing zones... beginning to scan and take in the environment of the Aragoto Stronghold.. "How interesting~?..."
"Delta! Beta! Break off.. the bridge is straight ahead.. Dante stay close to me.." Marika shoulder bumped Dante to make sure his momentum wouldn't make him whiplash.. as the two soldiers teams descended downhill beside the beginning of the bridge.. Dante and Corporal Marika found cover behind a couple thick bushes.. with a clear view of the bridge..
"Dante... there are four patrol units on the bridge alone... 4-... no... 5 guards each.." Cole informed them of what their drones we're picking up.. "I'm not sure how your going to get passed them and reach the gate without climbing from below. I don't see any alternate routes..."
"Do not fret Cole Young...." Marika responded peaking through the leafs.. "we have it covered....keep your eyes on the enemy for now.. Beta and Delta need time to get into positions.."
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"Keep your guards up..." Daisuke repeated, as his fraction of the team found themselves walking through a Ravine suffering from Drought.. giving them more land to walk on rather than water.. "Cole.. I need you to raise our rendezvous unit... the ones that we're undercover... I'm surprised they haven't checked in yet..."
"Ah they did check in earlier.. just before the choppers hit the skies Daisuke-sama...though that was hours ago. Hmm.. let's see. They notified us that they would be waiting at your arrival zone.. but they couldn't contact us for long as their windows we're short.." Cole explained that situation in detail, though Daisuke's eyes narrowed "Your saying they checked in hours ago... that's not right. They were supposed to let us know when things we're clear..."
"I'm.. unsure. Their message was very vague though-..." Cole couldn't really quite understand what was being suspected at that point, as Subashī jest smirked sitting forward "Young... remotely pilot one of the Drones... I need you to activate heat signal verification onto the tunnel their supposed to enter..."
"Hai!..." Cole quickly did as he was told, from the comfort of his chair.. it still felt extremely uncomfortable having his Commander practically over his shoulder "hm..." the Drone broke away from its twin and flew towards the ravine discreetly, descending down and blowing passes the team.. stopping several clicks ahead of them at the Entry point.. "commencing scan.... 50%...100%...that's... strange... their are no heat signatures detected within the tunnel Sir!"
"Hn~...could it be... they've caught on to your nearly impeccable plan... Daisuke-San~..." Subashī chuckled amused at the sudden obstacle coming up.. as Daisuke scoffed.. before long they we're at the tunnel and he waved for the Drone to return up to its flight Pattern. "Soldiers are tougher than they look... they would die before revealing anything about themselves or The Order... at any rate! The mission still stands... since there no Heat signatures within.. that means they still haven't caught on to our plan... if those undercover soldiers we're taken prisoner we'll free them and Sozen too..they may be kept in the same place..."
"It is rather risky of this Militia to be pulling a stunt like this right next to the Elven Realm.... I see why we can't just blow this place to smithereens..." Yuma Commented understanding the importance of being discreet "that just means it's only a matter of time before one of this soldiers breaks and tells doesn't it?.."
"I 'Hate' To agree with him... but Lionheart's right... Daisuke-sama. Has a Soldier or Knight ever been tortured and broken enough to confess information... This Militia will be very desperate won't they?.." Rose asked curiously wanting to know what exactly their timeframe would be for pulling this off... "willing to do whatever it takes to get info on The Order..."
Daisuke huffed actually thinking on that question before his eyebrows furrowed "Then let's get moving... it's a straight shot.. just several kilometers until we're right under the hold!...Lionheart... Atarah... mana Movement.. Move!..Corporal Marika! Dante!...get this party started.."
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"Alright!.." Dante's face became very excited that they could finally begin, hovering his hand over the hilt of his long sword, his glowing Aqua eyes filled with determination and focus.. as the male was beginning to move from his position..
Suddenly he was interrupted by Corporal Marika "Ano... Dante.. Gomen'nasai.. I'll go first... follow my lead..." she ordered rather seriously as she exited the shadows and stood right in front of the bridge.. crossing her feet through the dirt, bending her knees ever so slightly.. closing her eyes.. the veins pulsates from her thighs down to her calves.. as her hand gripped her blade harshly "Albarea....
Pulse.."
"WHAT THE FUUaghhhh?!!!!-...." In single silent flash of nothingness... the young woman found herself.. standing on the other side of the bridge.. right in front of the gate.. standing up straight and sheathing her blade slowly.. with each split second.. all Four Units.. dropped... limbs severed by their joints... blood spilling and squirting out in a glory of gore... a single drop of blood on her cheek.. her eyes we're dark and shadowed in a murderous manner.. as if the bloodthirsty had just been awakened within her.. "Now then... it is time to dance.."
Dante's jaw dropped as he exited his hiding spot.. staring at the bloody event taking place.. his eyes drawn to the corporal standing at the edge menacingly.. shocked.. 'when did she?... how did she?... move so fast... I didn't even sense her Mana....she's not covered in Aura... so.. how-?...'
The Alarms began to raise.. and glare echoing through the Forest.. as several guards finally realized and watched their comrades become torn apart on the bridge "EH??!... intruder alert!. Intruder ALERT!! Bridge Patrol eliminated!... all Warriors to their battle stations!... all Warriors! To the FRONT GATE!..."it didn't take long for hundreds of Aragoto Militia Warriors to appear.. several of them hoping from the top of the gate.. the entrance opening ever so slightly allowing hundreds of them to exit into the outside.. surrounding Corporal Marika.. from the top of the gate.. several gunners pointing their weapons down at them... the watchtowers shining all their spotlights down on the intruders..
"She killed 20 men! In a second!! Kill her NOW!!!" The alerting guard exclaimed as the alarms continued to blare.. Corporal Marika Albarea.. stood unfazed by the incoming waves of men and women.. all fighting for their old blind and ignorant beliefs of an Empire Long gone.. as several warriors approached hesitantly.. turning on her heel.. within the blink of an eye.. the black haired knight dashed in a hundred directions.. with each severe slash of a joint.. she was practically bouncing back and forth like a pinball.. slashing and dashing.. with such speed and velocity that not many could keep up with.. "is this All you have!... you threaten the Order!.. you threaten the Peace Treaties of the Human Realm!! And all you can do is die...show me something!" This was completely different from the Marika that was currently known.. it's as if a switched went off.. and a ferocious swordswoman emerged from the shadows..
Finally stopping as she had cut down over 10 warriors once again.. one warrior shoved through and attempted to bury a hachet into her back.. 'huh?!...'
"Rock the World... Ryuu no Īkari!!!!" The blazing explosion of blue energy, blew back another 10 guards.. causing them to tumble harshly with an impactful roar.. the White haired Knight Dante.. smirked.. his body covered in a blue hue.. as his long sword was unsheathe and energized with his mana "Don't take all the fun from me... Marika-Chan!.. you've got a team remember!" He spoke confidently, a smirk on his face as he got into a samurai styled battle pose.. "ALRIGHT!... let's do this for real!.."
Marika was stunned looking beside her at Dante's own ferocious Mana.. matching her intensity, she nodded her head.. acknowledging him as she gripped her blade "Those gunners...once the dust clears.. they'll rain fire on us. They we're waiting for their men to move out of the crossfire.."
"No worries Corporal!.. Beta and Delta will handle them..." coming up from the sides of the Bridge.. flying high into the sky with their jet packs.. the soldiers each had Automatic assault rifles in their hands.. aiming them at gunners and guards that we're overflowing the top of the Gate.. and watchtowers "we'll handle above! You two Knights take the ground!..for Bushido!!!" A Fire fight began in the skies.. as the gunners and Soldier teams traded gunfire back and forth.. this had become an all out battle "get the missiles ready!.."
"Hell yeah! Now we've got us a fair fight! Hehe! Let's go!!... Hyaaaaaagh!!" A battle cry echoed as Dante and Corporal Marika dashed into different directions, beginning their onslaught of the Militia..
"Shit!!.. their taking them down!.. their a freak show! It's Knights! The ORDER's here!! more men! We Need More Men!!" The Alerting guard announced.. with that hundreds upon hundreds of more Warriors began to exit the gate hoping to put a stop to the slaughter. "For ARAGOTO!!"
Back to back.. as blood spilled on the battle field.. the watchtower's each began to explode as Delta team and Beta team each had one soldier with a Missile Launcher.. the spotlights we're shut down.. Giving Corporal Marika even more of an advantage "Albarea Style... a Slashing Crescent Moon!!." The sparks of A sword slashing through the dark along with the howling yells of Pain and despair.. a single spotlight fell still lighting up the area..
"Your really fast!.. your not using Mana Movement either.. this is all you isn't it?.." Dante asked cutting a Warrior in half rather easily, having observed the Corporal's movements..
"Yes.. your right. We Albarea's prefer to use Mana only when necessary.. but do we use it to enhance our physicality during training.. furthering our bodies to their peak conditions..even beyond.. so I am not be the strongest knight.. nor the most powerful.. but... I will say.. my physical speed.. is unrivaled.." Marika explained the reason she doesn't incorporate mana into her combat, as she dodged several attacks easily "they just keep coming. We must continue.. to give Daisuke-sama.. Rose and Yuma.. more time.." pausing and closing her eyes.. the white around her irises began to turn black.. and her irises a crimson red.. as a tattoo began to spread from under her shirt.. across her beck and arms.. "Moon Curse.. Level 1...." Finally... an actual crimson mana imploded from her body.. her protruding veins began to steam from the sheer heat.. the vibrations from it.. made Dante's skin crawl 'what the heck is that?!... this power.. it's unreal?....did she say Moon Curse?..' he thought seeing the Tattoos match her glowing eyes..
"Very~.. very interesting indeed~... so I get to see the Albarea curse in action after all....how odd... it being incorporated into battle..." Subashī jest said over comms and to Cole Young as he stared at the screen with clear intrigue as his smirk twisted.. "The Moon Curse... an Albarea Family ability.. passed down by generations.. the first having harvested it by absorbing the rays of fallen Moon Rock centuries ago during the Golden Age of Blacksmithing... Each Head of the Family.. would use this form to craft some of the greatest weapons in the history of mankind.. the Excalibur blade included....the swords of the Dragonknight Trio....etc...." He explained knowingly "ever since the first generation absorbed the rays of moon rock.. their spirit cores we're altered somehow. This form... allows them to access that alteration. To increase their speed.. and Mana output multiplied by 2... though I only ever heard it being used for Forging... this is the first time... I've seen an Albarea use it... in battle...it's quite.. a delicious sight~~!!.."
"T-the... Moon Curse?...." Cole said listening intently.. watching Corporal Marika's form in awe...
The young woman stomped cratering the floor.. as her muscles spasms irrationally"Albareaaaa.... Pulse!.." disappearing in this air.. moving passed Dante leaving him stunned.. he turned around seeing that she had moved to the other side even faster than he could react.. "oh Kami!..wait! Crap!.." the male had forgotten he was in the middle of a fight as he countered two consecutive attacks.. ready to release more Mana.. "your all starting to piss me off!...get out of my WAY!!" Another massive Slash of Mana sending a dozen guards flying off the bridge in horror...
Delta team's captain began speaking into comms "Daisuke-sama!... have you entered the Stronghold?... we only have so much Ammo.... Every gunner we kill.. ugh!.." he grunted firing at another gunner "is replaced by another.... Not sure how long we can hold out....the coast on your side must be clear..."
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'We've entered the Stronghold with no problems... will be sending two knights to get that Gate open shortly..' Daisuke responded.. as he was crouched and moving silently with his two lower ranks following his lead.. moving passed several guards rushing down corridors to get to the front of the stronghold "According to the layout... central hall of this place is riight.. around this corner..alright. Here we are.." looking around the vastly large structure.. it was rather old architecture of the Old Empire.. "last time I was here... it looked a lot more colorful.. hope that doesn't mean I'm getting old... then again I was about your ages.." he exclaimed impressed it still held together so well..
"Huh?.. Daisuke-sama... you we're here when it was actually occupied by the Empire...." Yuma Lionheart questioned, he was wearing an all black attire.. jet black jacket.. a chain holding it together rather than a zipper.. matching cargos.. black combat boots with silver knee sock guards.. "that's.. incredible it must bring back memories huh?.."
"Hn. Not exactly great memories.. I was... very different at that time.. young... reckless... and-..." Daisuke realized what he was about to say and his emerald eyes wavered for a second before shaking his head "Nevermind that. Yes.. I lead the final charge against this Stronghold actually... while the Light and Dark Elves charged from the other side.. there was.. over 10,000 Aragoto Soldiers... Bushido sent 5,000 soldiers... 500 Knights under my command.. and The Valkyries Command...Clara Narukami.. that was her title at the time.... Sozen lead the charge at another stronghold... while Kisuke... was baited and fought the Ruler of the Empire, his Royal Guard.. and the Three other Rulers of Ranthir... Amarantha... and Nagano that had given the Emperor all of their resources in hopes of gaining independence from Bushido.. that Emperor had twisted their ideals and visions.. blinded by his ambition. He planned on ruling all the kingdoms regardless... Kisuke had to put a stop to him... of course. Nobody knew then... the 'other shit show' that was going to take place before the war could actually end-..."
"Other shit show?.." Rose questioned herself suddenly before her eyebrows narrowed "did you say Light and Dark Elves.. working together?... that's.. ridiculous!" She said rather in disbelief at the notion "impossible.. light elves despise my kind!.."
"They do... and their the reason your kind is looked at differently across the globe... with all those misinformed rumors they spread to ensure no other race or species would ever help you..but.. Kisuke got them to get along just long enough until the War ended..it's why he didn't join the actual war till later.. was busy dealing with those politics of yours... and getting the Dwarves as well was no easy task.. but they joined for other 'reasons'.."
The Trio walked around some more before stopping at two Massive staircases One leading down into the dungeons.. and the other leading up towards the Old War room.. " okay. Enough chit chat... that Hallway to our left leads out to the Main Gate... get it open.. so Corporal Marika and Dante can join you... your gonna have to fight your way from the back.. I need the enemy forces depleted.. afterward your going to make your way up these stairs and hunt down the Chieftain... knowing how egotistical Reyes is.. he's definitely upstairs waiting..." he began to dish out his orders rather quickly turning his body towards the dungeons "I'm going down there... to find Sozen and our missing undercover op...you two. Please.." the Veteran Knight turned towards them with a small smirk "take care of each other will Yah?... I don't want to hear anymore bickering between you two until this is over.. promise me?.."
"Ah! Come on Daisuke-sama... I'm all loads of serious when I need to be.. Lycoris and me.. we got this.." Yuma Lionheart chuckled confidently wrapping his arm around Rose's neck "Right?! Agh!-.. alright I give!.." he huffed feeling an elbow into his side from the Dark Elf girl "shut it.."
"Rose..." Daisuke walked forward placing his hand on her head, a small smile on his face "I know life's been tough on you. I know the world isn't perfect... but one thing that was perfect was my choice of taking you as my disciple... you and Dante.. are the best I could've hoped for... remember. Keep each other safe.. okay? If anything happens... I need to know you'll watch him..."
"I.. I-I..." Rose looked up at Daisuke, whom had ruffled her hair... the sudden thought occurred to her. She never felt this sort of recognition.. certainly not from someone of this stature... these past five months... he's become more than a Mentor... a Father figure of sorts.. her eyes wavered as well before blinking and looking away "Hai. I.. will do what I can.. Daisuke-sama..."
"Forget the Honorifics... you are family now... at least to me.." Daisuke chuckled turning away and waving his hand lazily "Get going you two!..."
"HAI!..." Rose and Yuma yelled in Unison, as the two dispersed from their location rushing down the hallway they we're directed towards.. Lionheart put on his brass knuckles.. unleashing his Gilgamesh form with an Orange Aura covering him and his skin turning red.. the gauntlets and leg guards of steel appeared and dashed at incredible speeds towards a platoon of warriors moving ahead of them "Oi!...Shatter the Earth!.. Gilgamesh!.. Level 1!.." with a devastating bone-crunching punch.. the warrior that turned around at the call coughed up massive amounts of blood as he was sent flying backwards taking down the other like bowling pins....
Leaping up gracefully, stepping onto Yuma's shoulder with her blade in hand... using the male to launch herself even further passed them.. leaping over the heads of several guards.. as she did so.. in midair she began waving her blade simultaneously "Slice them to bits...Kami sori no kaze!" The pressurized winds whipped around becoming two separate attacks morphing and turning into dozens of razor sharp air slashes.. cutting up dozens of soldiers in quick succession.. landing on her feet and flipping her hair a bit she turned towards Yuma with a scoff "Not bad.. for a landing Mat.."
"Heh~.. you can use me as a mat all you like.. Lycoris...but.. how bout we focus on the task at hand first...don't want to keep them all waiting.." Yuma's skin returned to normal.. the brown haired male winked.. turning her insult and flipping it into a flirt easily.. the dark elf scoffed "You're perverse thoughts never cease do they.. let's go!. I can hear the fighting.. we must be close.."
It didn't take long for the duo.. to reach the main Gate from the inside.. seeing as all the guards we're occupied.. they quite easily snuck above to the top of the Gate.. sneakily taking down guards and warriors from left to right before reaching the control lever.. "This must be it..." Rose immediately hit the lever.. causing the Massive Gate to finally split and open up entirely... hopping over the railing and waiting for it to open.. Yuma's Eyes widened suddenly.. as a sweatdropped "Oh... damn..."
Within their vision... Corporal Marika had a Warrior Pinned to a Wall with her blade.. as the Tattoo receded back beneath her clothing and her expression was less murderous but more.. back to normal pulling her sword out as the warrior died...
Dante Kudo.. looked up from his position.. sitting on top of several bodies, he waved suddenly as if it was just another Tuesday "you know.. at first.. I thought it'd be difficult to take a life like this but honestly. It's no different from those simulation courses at HQ... that Technology is really useful with adapting to this stuff really quick..."
"You two... look like a 'couple' of Serial Killers... which I don't know if that's cool.. or not...but.. if you grin like crazy. I'm gonna have to report you at a mental hospital.." Yuma said questioning how he should even comment on it, as Rose walked forward poked Dante's forehead making him fall backward "This is what War looks like Lionheart... I've seen worse. At least The Order prepares you for it... I had no preparation when I took my first life years ago. Be grateful."
"R-right.." Lionheart rubbed the back of his neck, as Cole Young spoke through the Comm's "Delta Team and Beta Team have secured the Watchtower's.. t-they'll hold the front entrance in case any patrols are out in the Forest.. The Drone's returned to the chopper but didn't catch any heat signals on the way back.. we should be clear for now.. Dante-San, Rose.. Yuma.. Marika-sama... you should head up to the War room and take down the Chieftain.."
"Heh!.." Dante picked himself up.. dusting his clothes off before walking over and wrapping his arm around Corporal Marika without second "We make a Good team don't we?... we should get to know each other better! I'd love to learn about you Marika.. your really talented!"
Marika's face suddenly went beet red without any hint of returning to normal.. it was even more prominent due to her pale skin "h-huh?.. a-ah! W-well! Ano.. um.." demeanor had changed as she fixed her hair a bit before pulling herself away "I-I shall lead the way.. follow me you three! Delta and Beta! Man the front!..come now!.." frantically she ran off practically leaving the others behind in embarrassment..
Yuma chuckled at the sudden outburst from the corporal and Shook his head, patting Dante's shoulder giving him a sigh "subtle. Look. Next time you wanna ask a girl to get to know her... don't confuse it with sparring okay?...they don't mix that stuff man.."
"H-huh?... they don't?!.. I wonder what she thought I meant...." Dante Kudo the oblivious one, made Yuma.. Rose and even Cole from his desk in HQ facepalm as they all decided to venture after.. following Marika's Trail..
"Remember-... to-... don't let-... your-...' Cole's voice began to get cut off by a rush of static in their ear pieces.. until it was gone completely..
"Huh?.. Cole!.. Cole?..." Corporal Marika stopped suddenly, realizing that something was wrong with the Comms... "hm.. the chieftain may have started jamming our comms somehow... but... why now? Why this late?... that means we've lost communication with Daisuke-sama.. as well... I do hope he is alright..."
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'God damn.. comms are down...is this a malfunction?.. or is it actively being jammed?..' Daisuke Thought to himself ironically, as he entered the dungeons dropping a Warrior he had over his shoulder to the floor.. looking around.. he could see another Aragoto Warrior.. trying to hide from him behind a desk.. as the Veteran Knight moved around it grabbing him by the neck and slamming him into the wall with no trouble "Alright. Start talking... down here's like a ghost town so far... where is Sozen?.. and where do you keep your prisoners?..." he asked very straight forward and seriously..
"A-Ano?! Don't kill me okay?!... you guys are freaks of nature!... even that Sozen... he killed hundreds of us by himself!..." the Warrior exclaimed scared shitless... "he's... at the end... right behind that door over there.. hey! It was Reyes! He put us up to this!.. they put the others with him as well...look! I'm just a guard okay.. you don't need to-.. Agh!!.." his words we're cut short as his neck had been snapped immediately by Daisuke's one hand... walking towards the end of the dungeon floor.. to.. relatively no reinforcements.. the Veteran placed his hand on the door.. as if feeling for something 'it's cold... I don't sense much mana back there...' in a swift movement.. kicking the door off it's hinges.. with brute force and entering the large.. Room. his eyes... his emerald eyes widened in horror at the sight in front of him. If it was enough to cause him to be shocked.. a veteran that had seen it all.. it had to be bad...
Blood... guts... torn flesh... bare human meat.. and bones everywhere... a bloody torture chamber.. looking around frantically these we're Soldiers disguised as Warrior's "The rendezvous Op.... They we're made before making it to the tunnel.. looks like they didn't talk after all... fuck! But... where's?... he's not here...Sozen's not here."
"Mm-...mmRmmhnn!!!!" A grunt suddenly echoed throughout the room, alerting Daisuke.. as he huffed at the smell before looking in the corner of the room.. three more individuals.. alive.. but. They weren't wearing Aragoto or Bushido Attire... it was a very foreign but shiny armor like clothing... 'Crystalline Armor...' walking over he knelt down and removed the black cloth covering their heads.. "what the?!... your-.. you aren't supposed to be here..." stepping back a bit, he gripped his fists.. Sozen was nowhere to be found...The Order's Soldiers we're dead.. and the only three living individuals... "what's going on here?.. speak quickly elf!"
Light Elves.... A Patrol team... kidnapped and tortured by humans.. removing the duct tape around one of their mouths "just breathe. Tell me why the hell are light elves on this side of the border?..."
"T-t..these.. monsters!..... they... they took us overnight!.... Tortured us!... we we're tracking thieves. That stole our Great Artifact!...it was a Trap. They took us... beat us... abused.. us... said humans would be coming...then we heard a voice. A woman.. speaking to their Leader.. promised him power- their was this darkness.. he beat us up stairs first before they dragged us here...that's how I know. That woman.. she changed that man.. his skin... his stench.. his Aura... they became.. Cursed...and.. Megami! Aid us! He used the Orb!! It's.. it's going to destabilize!.." the light elf was extremely pale skinned, thin as if starved.. hair was long and silver.. ears way longer and sharper than Roses.. but his skin was far more lighter practically a glowing light "it is a Trap HUMAN! You must flee the premises! Immediately.. free us!... before we all perish!..the Orb must be suppressed!."
"Calm down knife ear... how could this be a trap?... most of their forces are destroyed...." Daisuke questioned further, as the light elf grunted in pain leaning forward looking Daisuke in his eyes.. they we're all beaten up very badly.. the Aragoto militia really we'd ruthless.. "The Orb!... you fool!.. he has the Orb!.. that Chieftain!.. The Orb of Megami!.... It'll destroy us all!..."
"The Orb of-... oh..
Fuck..."