"Next year will mark the year nine-eighty, after Hefaloss was found and the nations and lands were all finally established. When that war ended, we would start anew.
Year one—when Kria stood as the centre between all the nations after the war. Kria, where all the nations gathered and discussed new terms to live in peace—the City of New Beginnings.
And yet, we have been left behind by the other nations in progress. A vote for me will mark a new beginning again and bring Kria into the modern age. I give you, Electricity to Kria!"
The doors burst open just as the mayor finished his campaign speech—banners unravelling, Kria's flags strewn about the conference hall.
A gust wailed into the room and snow blizzarded into Kria Estate down the corridors as a velatos—eight eyes and eight legs—four of which grasped onto the doorframe.
The audience of reporters gasped and screamed moving from their seats, as Krialin went in front of the mayor. Kept at bay by a shining golden sword with light silver hints, was the reason why all eight legs did not enter.
Moren Mataya held the head of the spider back, groaning and thrusting, "HhhhAAA!" he brought his blade back and smashed it against its pincers, his hair in a mess.
Along the sharp edge trailed a flame from his hilt. "HISS!" He stabbed into its eye, slicing across the lot of them and kicked it back. It landed away, legs crumpling, dying along with its shadowy form.
"Ting!" His sword, glossy and smaller than the heft he seemed to place it down with. He panted, leaning on the hilt, "Mayor Gestryle. Couldn't reschedule could you?" a hearty laugh.
"Another attack on Kria?" the mayor spoke from across.
"It's been hours; you've been cooped up in here, not hearing the hell outside?" he lifted and sheathed his sword.
The mayor smiled, "Well, when all hell breaks loose, we have adventurers like you don't we? Ladies and gentlemen, Moren Mataya," the mayor announced before peppering a few claps.
The reporters, even the opposing parties around the mayor followed along. "Ah, it's nothing. This place seems safe anyway. Leave it to us."
Filled with a sense of hope from the sudden dread, the audience clapped louder, cheers of appraisal. "And of course, one for all the other adventurers, Krialin and Ordinate members out there.
Including the Thundering Blade, where my own support goes to. I'm sorry to pick favourites Mr Mataya," Mayor Gestryle chuckled, little laughter spreading in the audience.
"Ha," Moren sighed, "Can't argue there, she's a tough one. Though, I haven't seen her around," he frowned, "No sound of thunder, I'm a little concerned-"
"This is the Thundering Blade and I have an important message so please listen," Jotou's voice echoed through the corridors and halls.
The crowd shuffled, Moren furrowing his brows and watching out the door; sound echoed all around them, "Moren Mataya, leader of Kria's Adventurers Guild has been working with the Trailon Regime for months, making the 'Velatos Case'."
The mayor narrowed his gaze onto the guild leader, pens and pencils nearly broke on notepads and clipboards as mutters and whispers went around.
"I swear by my name and my blade. We can set Kria free from the shadows…" Moren turned around, heavy glares and cocked eyebrows were in his direction.
"Mr Mataya, what are your comments on this?"
"Is this true?" before he could be mobbed, his mouth wriggled… He turned around and dashed out the way he came as he grappled at something around his belt.
"Guards, cease him!" the Krialin around the mayor glanced at each other, eyes shifting till they had no choice but to pursue.
Moren ran out the doors; he the several dials, the right channel, come on, come on! Why would she do something like this? What was the play!?
Everything was calculated, everything! This was not going to make her win! It nearly slipped out of his hand before he pressed the button, "What's happening!?"
The transceiver screeched back, "Sir, we attempted to apprehend her, but Kor Azveal came to aid and she managed to slip away. We tried playing to her rage as per your advice, it almost worked."
He mashed down on the button, creating a few cracks in it, "I thought I ordered you to terminate her!!!?"
"Sir, with all due respect, the orders we received from the higher-ups was to apprehend; which overrode your order. The current order being spread is a retreat."
"A retreat!? Which idiot decided that!? We're exposed, take Kria by force! That was the plan!"
"Mr Mataya, we have plans beyond your greed," another voice overtook the channel. "We predicted this could happen, but your prolonging of the operation to gain as much as possible only increased the chances of this happening.
The risk has outweighed the reward for sometime now. If we take Kria by force, we lose all intelligence that would otherwise come to Kria as well as-"
"What about the ship routes!? The resources!? The land!?"
A sigh from the speaker, "The pinch-point in the Nilvus Sea is not worth it and the land itself is a bottleneck to the mainland. The land being taken near Galuvit serves the same purpose already.
The entire operation hinged on confidentiality. You have put Trailon in a state where even the other Regimes may not be able to send troops or resources since the war crime is exposed.
I'll handle the operation of retreat from here on out, due to your incompetence. I do wish you luck in your endeavours; I hope all that wealth will aid in your escape."
"Wait! Where are you!? Don't I get an escape route here!?"
"I'm offshore Mr Mataya~ Though Frost is more than delighted to aid in your escape back at base. Ms Frennes and the Krialin also have the same plan; so do travel with haste."
"You planned this all along, didn't you? I thought letting Namora and Azveal near the papers was all some genius plan but you set me up!?"
Moren heard no reply, pressing the button over and over—sweat in his palms, the blizzard dying down to snow. The Krialin had paused behind him, hearing the entire exchange… With snowy breaths, Moren dashed.
_
"Owuaaaghh," Asobi yawned, fingers one, two, three… Two arms caught her before she fell as Asobi giggled, "I'm tired…"
"Yeah, maybe push yourself a little harder? Especially here…?" the wind slapped blonde bangs against her eyes while holding Asobi.
"Do you think everyone heard me?" she rubbed an eye.
"I certainly hope so," Jotou turned, feeling wind pick up from under her. The blue platform was ready behind her. She stepped on, "Dammit!" she squeezed Asobi; "I looked down…"
Once close to the ground, Asobi wiggled her legs and hopped off, throwing her hands out. "Where're the assassins?" Jotou stepped down.
Kor steadied himself from panting, "They leapt into the gaps, but after hearing your speech, only took a few seconds before they backed off."
Jotou's eyes widened, "You mean…?"
"Best case scenario!" Asobi threw a firework in the air! Before her arm fell limp.
"Maybe. But this could be a trick, keep the wall up." 'Better to be safe than sorry… But, it worked? I thought you made sure I failed every bet I made life?' A sigh and a goofy grin grew on the blonde.
"Hm, well in the case your presumption is correct, I have enough energy for maybe… forty? Fifty minutes at best before I pass out."
"Hotaru!"
Jotou turned to Asobi, "Right," the smile wiping away, "Oh hell, I need to make another gamble on whether they retreated or not? Fine, it's worth it for Hotaru; and Fumeko."
"I believe Asobi was alerting you to her presence," Kor pointed.
The wolf-girl was running towards them, nose as red as her hair and "Rejuvenate!" she kept splashing on herself as she arrived at the barrier.
"Open it up!" Jotou and Asobi ran towards her.
A gap opened, letting Hotaru through. "Oh wow, this is, wow," Hotaru looked straight up, out of breath between her words.
"Hotaru!" Asobi leapt and wrapped her hands around the redhead. Hotaru's tail wagged; she closed her eyes and smiled as she gave a hug back.
"I'm so glad you're safe," Hotaru let go.
Jotou stared, fingers wriggling, "Uh," she wanted to hug her, dance, sing even, but her legs remained in a stammer.
"Hi," Hotaru stared back, calming her breath and parting her hair from her face. The sunny-snow glistening upon the drips of her sweat.
"Hey…" all the blonde could reply, blushing red. Hotaru rushed up, embracing Jotou in a hug. "I… I was so worried," giving up on her awkwardness, she clasped Hotaru back.
"Thank you and sorry."
"No need to apologize Hotaru! We're glad you're safe! Now, where's Meko?" Asobi put a hand over her eyes and stared off into the distance.
Hotaru pulled away, "She's not with you?" her gaze widened.
"Happy you're safe Hotaru," Kor approached.
"All of you too. This is an amazing spell," she gawked, "But if Meko's not here then she's still at home."
Jotou knitted her brows, "Then we need to go get her. If they're not in retreat, I'm still taking that risk. We need to get back home."
"The necromantic spell doesn't only grow and shrink velatos, but can also mesh a bunch of them together—creepily. But all the velatos just, well, melted and disappeared on my way here. I also saw people in Trailon uniforms heading west," Hotaru told.
"Can we ride the horses!?"
"Asobi none of us can ride horses," Jotou's eyes glazed over.
"There are however many bicycles sent here for enchantment. I don't think the owners would mind if they were borrowed for now," Kor interjected.
"Okay then." Jotou's legs were about to snap at this point, "More pedalling, let's go."
"Rejuvenate," she splashed in the air, nearly like a fountain atop of everyone. Their eyes awoke with vigour, stamina enriching their-
"WOO!!! Time to go tell Meko the good news!"
"Thanks," Jotou cracked her fingers, "You okay?"
"Yup," Hotaru gulped… "Actually; they, the velatos murdered my, my father," she got out in a huff, eyes to the grass…
Not a second thought, the blonde's arms wrapped around her, catching her by surprise.
"I'm sorry for your loss Hotaru," Kor's eyes sunk.
"I'm so sorry. You stay here then, me and Asobi-"
"No, Jotou, I'm okay, I'm fine; I'm coming with you."
"I can't just let you-" Jotou looked her in the eyes… "Are you sure?" Hotaru nodded and gasped as an elf hugged her from behind.
The redhead's lips quivered lightly… She hugged onto Jotou's shoulder again, Asobi still behind her, "Thank you so much," her nails dug into Jotou's back; batting an eye, Jotou endured.
Hotaru snivelled, letting tears glide across Jotou's waterproof sleeves. Tail still, ears folded and elf on her shoulder she needed to cry; at least a few seconds.
She whimpered off of the blonde, having to pry Asobi off of behind her. She wiped the tears using her coat sleeve, "Time to go get Meko."
Acquiring bicycles, some made to bounce, some made for speed, even on uneven terrains and some which required no pedalling after a few thrusts.
Hopping on, the wind opened up a gap, letting them into the city. "Good luck," Kor wished.
Hotaru led them homewards, specks of white from the sky turned into one, no two black- It was soot, spiralling up in the distance…