Back at the Erebonian Northern Border.
"Ugh, this rotten smell...", I uttered softly seeing the dead pierced body of a Jaeger clad in red armor laid unmoving near my feet.
Seeing this, a white haired girl similar to my age swiftly flew down beside me, only to observe the corpse as well.
"First kill?", Fie asked me, but she's acting as if she was already used to it.
"Yeah. It ain't my first time seeing blood, but I'm pretty sure I have yet to kill anyone.", I uttered softly.
I know I have my dhampir form, and I've actually drank blood before. But that was Rose's blood. It was like comparing eating a golden apple to rotten flesh. Perhaps since I wasn't in that form right now, it's more mild? I wonder, how would I react if I switched classes right now?
Sadly, that thought ended quickly, as I heard Fie respond to me again.
"Monster blood is different. Once you get your first kill, then the real battlefield begins. Out here its kill or be killed.", Fie simply answered me.
Using her agile speed, she saw one red and one black Jaeger approach us. Just as the two were about to open fire, Fie vanished from sight. In the next moment, Fie reappeared behind the black Jaeger, and with one quick flick of her gunblade, it pierced his chest. Not even a bit of hesitation could be seen in her eyes as she pierced the guy's chest. His eyes turned wide in shock for a brief moment, before they dulled, only to slump over onto the ground not too far away from the Jaeger that I just pierced.
Fie did the same motion, only to kill the one clad in red next. Before long one black armored and two red armored Jaegers slumped over into a pile. I took a moment to observe this while at the same time, resisting an urge to hurl. I do have a gamer system, but mine didn't prevent side effects like that.
But I took this moment to look at Fie. Or more specifically, her actions she just took.
Yes. It was that unhesitant motion. I needed a mindset like that if I am to become one of Zemuria's rulers in the future. Fie is still younger than me by two years, yet she can already decide on such a thing. Well, she was trained to do so, as other Jaegers were. As she just called it, out here in the battlefield, it was killed or be killed.
It looks like Fie took notice of my momentary observation, and a smile appeared on her lips.
"But it looks like you've overcome that.", Fie happily responded.
"Haha. Well, this is the first actual battlefield I've been on. It's quite exhilarating to be honest.", I said to Fie.
I could feel the blood in my veins pumping like crazy, letting the adrenaline flow all while being empowered by my level, stats, and equipment. I still need to do a thorough log check of what I've done with all the quests and rewards I've received thus far. (A/N: I have plans to do a good ch or two of stat stuff before the Vermillion Trials. Quests and rewards have been completed off screen and such thus far.)
But I am confident in saying I'll be able to partake in the Vermillion Trials in the next year or two. Now is obviously not the time for that though, considering I'm still on a battlefield.
Unexpectedly, I heard a notification sound off inside my mind after Fie and I conversed a bit on this matter. And what's even more, a second notification took me by surprise.
[Ding! Fie sees you in a better light and has earned your respect. Favorability risen by a great amount.]
[Ding! Due to your focus on the target at hand and rescuing her friends, Favorability has risen by a good amount with Sara Valestein.]
Hearing that first notification was great, but that second notification made me blink my eyes for a moment. I couldn't help but inwardly smile.
After all, the mission Rutger gave us in Zephyr was to accompany the Northern Jaegers to help repel an imminent attack that Nidhoggr was conspiring. The only thing that wasn't really taken accounted for was the fact that they had enough mira to hire the Red Constellation out of all Jaeger corps.
So in the western front, this battle had only begun, but it was already quite on a large scale already, all residing within the darkness of the dusky night. Normal North Ambrian citizens weren't even aware.
As such, of the Northern Jaegers to come to us, Sara was one of the quickest to request back up, so she ended up taking her squad with her. And coming to now, we were able to find off the first wave of Nidhoggr and the Red Constellation, still on this rocky and craggy terrain at the northern border. In the distance stood Dnieper Gate.
With that, we heard a whistle, coming from one of the Northern Jaegers.
"Phew~ You two really saved our asses back there. We're one of the scouting squads but I didn't think we'd get this swamped so quickly.", One of them said, revealing to be the second man of the group.
Seeing the battlefield momentarily clear, especially the very tall crag that now had a few unconscious Jaegers that tried to shoot at us from above, the group who survived quickly approached us along with Sara, as she too no longer detected any presence.
"I hate to admit you're right, Marty, but for once I agree. And that's saying something.", The first man said.
"Hehe, you can say that again, Captain.", The girl Jaeger responded. Still, none of them sheathed their weapon as they approached us, and neither did we.
However, the three closest to us removed their helmets. The first man appeared to be in his twenties, and had small purple strands of hair that accented his blonde hair. The second figure appeared to be in her teens, very similar to us in fact, maybe a year or two older. She was also similarly a blonde haired girl. And like the first man, she had pale purple accents that curled her bangs upward. As for the third man, he had cerise colored hair with orange eyes.
"I lead this squad that you just saved. Sara here is also a member of it. The name's Talion, but you can call me Tal. The girl is Iseria while the poor bastard over there is Martin. But you can call him Marty.", Talion said, introducing his squad to us.
"H-Hey! What'd I do this time, Captain?", Marty retorted him, which earned another giggle from Iseria.
"Likewise. I'm just glad I was able get in contact with Zephyr. Thanks for that flare earlier, Captain.", Sara said, only to glance back our way. "So you two are among the fastest in that corp, huh? Zephyr seems to be teeming with talents lately.", Sara continued say. "I wouldn't mind doing a speed match with you two sometime.", Sara said.
"I'd be down with that. Just name the time and place.", Fie retorted back, playing along. I couldn't help but laugh hearing that while Talion shook his head a bit, letting out a sigh.
"You guys do realize those snakes and reds could send out more reinforcements at any given time, right?", Talion retorted as he saw us converse like this.
"Haha, but they haven't yet, so what's the harm in a momentary respite? Still, It's good to know who we are fighting side by side with. Like Sara said, I'm Phoenix, and this is Sylphid. More of Zephyr is inbound. And more of the Northern Jaegers as well, right?", I asked, looking back at Sara. Sara nodded her head to confirm.
"That's right. Several groups are on the way. Papa's squad is also leading them. We just need to find out who at all is at play here.", Sara said, answering me.
Meanwhile, during this short downtime as the Northern Jaegers we just got acquainted with began to discuss with us, toward the opposite direction to where trees could be seen that surrounded the road that lead to Dnieper Gate...
Barely any noise could be heard as a dull wind passed by. However, if one could detect presences, many could be seen hiding either within the trees or behind the trees, calmly observing the large rocky and craggy terrain beyond them. More toward the front, scouts both clad in black and clad in red could be seen, carefully observing the outcome of the battle that just happened.
As those scouts continued to observe the scene, one sole figure next to a tree nearby currently had what appeared to be an orbal viewing telescope of sorts. This figure currently had it in use, with one of their eyes being covered with it. If one followed their path, they were currently observing the boy clad in dark green Jaeger armor who had violet hair and golden eyes.
The figure observing them seemed kind of out of place as well, as they appeared to be a ten year old or so girl with fiery red hair. Despite being as young as Fie, a smile appeared on her lips. She could be seen wearing red Jaeger armor, but it didn't cover a lot of her body.
"So that's the loser who done Dolphy in but didn't kill him, huh?", The figure said, currently observing the boy conversing with other Jaegers. Hearing the girl utter that, a huge ogre-like figure suddenly approached her side, sporting a large mane-like red hair as well. He also revealed a grin.
"So that brat decided to partake in this eh?", The aged man said, only to look down at the little girl beside him. Seeing her, his grin turned into a smile, only to place his hand on her head and ruffle her hair a bit.
"Can I play with him this time, Daddy?", The girl responded, only to look back up at the giant ogre-like man. Anticipation could clearly be seen in her eyes.