Lenatti's POV:
"And here is our statue dedicated to Bishop Zacharias, who developed the technique for refining our weapons with the special property to make them lethal to demons."
Or so that what Oso was telling me what was said, because I wasn't paying attention. I hugged Oso closer, as I could feel his anticipation to our first mission that was bound to start at any second. We were currently on the B-Tier planet #64596, where a lot of the churches weapons and potions were produced here.
Lord Nidhogg instructed me to take the planet hopping journey, alone, to get here. Then I was to scope this place out, get an idea on how fortified it was then report back to Odin. When he first told me to do this, I hid my doubts. I assumed that I would be immediately taken prisoner by the church. However, he told me not to worry about it and act like a child. Churches loves kids, he said.
Ignoring the tour guide drone on, my mind couldn't help but think about the Midnight Covenant, namely Lord Nidhogg. My parents were murdered by the cult in a sacrifice to summon him. I knew I should hate him and the cult. At the very least be scared of him. But I was tired of being scared. That was for little girls, and I was a big girl.
That being said, I considered running away while I had the chance. Maybe find a way to grow stronger and come back for revenge. Oso knew what I was thinking and gave me a cautious squeeze to bring me out of my thoughts. I return the notion with giving him a reassuring snuggle. I wasn't actually going to run. Not only would Odin find me, I felt like I owed Lord Nidhogg for giving me this power. And a best friend. Hearing my thoughts, Oso grew warmer, bringing a smile to my face.
The guide takes us to a room where we can watch the potions being poured into giant vats through a window. From it, I could see multiple men walking around, presumably the guards. Confirming with Oso, I counted only thirty guards in the area.
As the tour guide continues, I carefully slip out unnoticed. I walk outside, pulling out a paper with an eye drawn on it. I place my hand on the paper over the eye, letting mana flow activating it.
"I can only confirm thirty guards present at the moment. The potions can be found in giant vats in the third room. You can find the weapons in crates by going to the facility on the right." I report to Odin. I don't get a response, nor do I expect one. It was never said that they would give me further orders. Putting the paper back in my pocket, I wait. I was interested to see what Lord Nidhogg's plan was.
Nidgogg POV:
Odin comes before me and kneels.
"Lenatti has made her report. She confirms that there are few guards, and all the potions and weapon are within the same area."
Gerald steps forward, "Should I lead this operation, my lord?" He offers.
"No." I decline. "This one will be led by Tempo, with Achlys there only to secure the potions. I will not be joining as my presence there will warrant a greater response from the church. Do not fail me." I tell them.
Both Achlys and Tempo bow, "We won't." They say in unison.
I nod to Odin, who places a hand on me. Closing my eyes, I can see the area around Lenatti clearly. Having seen the area and knowing where it's going, I activate Garganta. Members of the Midnight Coven cover their ears as the line appears with a buzzing noise. Soon, they find themselves staring at an abyss in front of them.
I motion for them to step through, as it gives me a headache to maintain it for long periods of time. Without hesitation, both the Fullbringers step through in the Garganta. Seeing their leaders step through fearlessly, over two hundred members of the cult followed.
I looked at their uniforms of the various units that Tempo decided to bring on this mission. First to enter were the Coven Knights. Dressed in black with armor covering their chest arms and legs, their faces were shielded with a helmet that formed a mask to resemble mine. They wielded double-edged swords on their waist and metal shields on their back. They made up sixty percent of the forces being sent.
Next were the bowmen, named the Coven Marksmen. They wore black tunic like light armor with rusted or worn-out crossbows on their back. Each also wore the same mask. They made up thirty-five percent of the units to be sent.
Finally, was the smallest group, the Midnight Assassins. Not many were capable of using dark magic to shield themselves to become invisible. However, though Malcolm's teachings, those numbers were elevated greatly. They wore the same masks in light armor on their chest with hoods. They wielded two daggers on each side of their waists.
If I was leading this mission, I would have made the same decision. These were the most developed out of all the offensive units in the Midnight Coven. Dark magic spells lacked the offensive spells the other elementals have. Instead, they summon almost eldritch like beasts. To do so, they require an extremely long chant and ritual. They could skip that by having a wand or staff, but we currently lacked those magical items.
I wouldn't have taken the medical unit due to the nature of this mission. This was more fast paced, as they were just extracting designated materials. The medical unit would take too much setup time and slow the mission down. Plus, using them would take up too many resources.
The Garganta closed just as the last member walked through. Odin stood beside me, as he draws an eye on the wall before us and multiple images of different perspectives broadcast before us. Crossing both sets of my arms, I watch how everyone will handle this.
General POV:
Within seconds of Lenatti making her report, right next to her, a line appears through space. It opens to reveal a black abyss. Instead of panicking, she recognizes this as the same method Lord Nidhogg uses. She watches as Tempo and Achlys walk through, followed by the Coven Knights who immediately start setting up.
"What are my orders?" Lenatti asks.
"Our first objective is to secure the building while we prepare to extract the supplies. Then we hold until extraction is complete. First you are to help take the building then head to the weyline with the Midnight Assassins and delay their reinforcements. Achlys will be in charge of extracting the potions while I handle the weapons. Kill all church members but no innocents are to be harmed. Understood?" Tempo explains to everyone present.
A resounding "yes" echos from everyone. Their presence hadn't gone unnoticed, and the factory was going on lockdown already, so a stealthy approach was already out of question.
The Coven Knights take the lead as they begin to advance towards the factory. Bystanders who were left outside when the factory went on lockdown begin screaming as they run away. They raise their shields against the five guards on top of the now locked gate begin to fire arrows down on them.
Knowing the operation should take as little time as possible, Lenatti makes a decision. She throws Oso who begins to run. As he runs, his body sprouts real fur, claws sprout from his paws as his entire stature grows.
Seeing the monstrous bear approach, the guards focus their attention on it. Oso shrugs the incoming arrows off as they further fuel him anger to his charge. Seeing him ignore their attacks, fear instills in them. Sensing the fear, Lenatti takes control of the guards. Knowing that Oso would handle the gate, there is no further use for the guards, so she commands them to kill themselves.
Oso tears through the gate easily, letting out a roar which frightens the remaining civilians. Using her ability again, she directs them away from the place. The Midnight Coven swarms in, detaining any innocents and killing the guards. Within the minute, the Midnight Coven completely secured the place.
At the vats of potion mixture, Achlys takes command. "Begin pouring them into these containers and placing them on this cart for easier maneuverability."
The same was happening the next building over with the weapons as Tempo was directing his troops. " Prepare for transport. I want all of this gone in the next thirty minutes."
Lenatti was already out of the area, heading towards the weyline with the Midnight Assassins. Oso had transformed back into his cute and cuddly form. While walking among her troops, she noticed that she was feeling something unfamiliar to her.
All her life, she'd known nothing but struggle. Her parents were homeless, and no meal was guaranteed for any of them. Even Oso was just something she pulled out of the trash and became her most prized possession. So as she now had the authority to boss people around, and even fight different church members, she realized this is what happiness felt like.