"So, how's your preparation going?" Nyx inquired as Az's group arrived at the meeting point before the raid. Az nervously scratched his head, "Y-yeah, we're all set," he replied, glancing at his group. His teammates nodded in agreement, but their expressions conveyed more confusion than readiness.
Beatrice, ever the entertainer, winked at Akira. "Oh, we're ready to paint the town red, alien style!" she declared.
Freyn, however, intervened, whispering to the group, "Wait, what? We didn't prepare anything at all."
Az's jaw dropped. "Freyn!" he hissed, mortified. "Don't give away our strategy!" He was taken aback by Freyn's comment, leaving him flustered.
Deus and Akira chuckled at the revelation, while Nyx couldn't hide her disappointment.
"Seriously? I expected better from you guys," Nyx sighed, folding her arms, clearly unimpressed. The group exchanged sheepish looks, realizing their attempt to feign preparedness was fruitless.
Nyx, disappointed with the lack of readiness from Az's group, decided to call off the raid. As she was about to convey this decision, Az's demeanor shifted dramatically. He straightened up, his usual goofiness replaced by a serious and focused expression.
"Elodie," Az called out, his voice firm and commanding. "The usual." Elodie, understanding Az's instruction, swiftly activated her reconnaissance skill. A shimmering aura enveloped the area around them, and within moments, she had a detailed overview of their surroundings.
"Safe entry points are here and here," Elodie reported, pointing out the locations where they could enter without much resistance. "But beware, these areas are heavily guarded," she cautioned, indicating the zones they should avoid.
Az took charge, strategically positioning his group members. With an air of confidence, he arranged Lumi, Beatrice, and Freyn in the middle, surrounding them with protective members on the frontline and at the rear.
"To each their strengths and weaknesses," Az remarked to Nyx's group, gesturing for them to organize similarly. His leadership was evident as he placed himself at the front, leading the way, while Hex took up the rear guard. Elodie was positioned in the middle, guiding their path based on her reconnaissance data.
Az made sure everyone was clear about their roles. "Stay close, follow the plan," he instructed, his tone firm yet reassuring. "We move quietly, and we move together."
Elodie, having scouted the area, pointed out potential blind spots and safe paths. Nyx's group observed Az's confident organization and decided to follow suit, aligning their positions accordingly.
Nyx observed this sudden change in Az's leadership style and the swift response from his group. Impressed by their sudden efficiency, she paused, reconsidering her decision to call off the raid. Az's group might have just redeemed themselves.
As they tread along the path outlined by Elodie, the group made steady progress toward the base.
Nyx was on the verge of commending Az for his unexpected display of leadership when their route unexpectedly encountered a couple of aliens.
"Wait, I thought this was the safe route," Nyx expressed her confusion. "Well, you see..." Lumi attempted to explain, but the situation left her speechless. Instead, she gestured towards Az, who was already striding confidently toward the aliens, brandishing his hammer, prepared for action.
Az and Nyx's group halted, watching Az's demeanor seemed to shift once more, transforming from the composed leader back into the impulsive and confident individual they were more accustomed to.
Az's swift movement signaled the group to prepare for a confrontation. Hex readied his stance at the back, Elodie analyzed the surroundings for other approaching aliens, and Freyn, Beatrice, and Lumi stood back, their eyes darting between Az and the aliens.
"Hold on, let's assess the situation first." As Nyx tried to halt Az's impulsive advance, Deus intervened, placing a hand on her shoulder with a light chuckle, "Why not? A little warm-up never hurt anyone."
Nyx, frustrated with her team's impulsive nature, sighed at the sight of these battle-hungry individuals.
"Fine, do whatever you guys want!" she exclaimed with exasperation, throwing her hands up in the air, vexed by her team's impulsive actions.
Her voice echoed with a hint of resignation as she realized she couldn't entirely control the situation. Nyx quickly gathered herself, taking a few steps forward to keep a closer eye on the unfolding scenario. While she harbored reservations about their approach, she knew her team members were skilled in their own right.
Az exchanged glances with Deus and Akira, contemplating who would take the lead in the upcoming battle. The tension in the air was palpable as they silently communicated, each gauging the others' readiness.
Finally, Az broke the silence, "Who's going first?"
Akira, always eager for a fight, stepped forward with a confident grin, "I'm game." He adjusted his grip on the katana holder, assuming a poised stance, his eyes focused on the approaching aliens.
Az, leaning on his trusty weapon, observed with a subtle smirk, "Alright, Akira. Show us what you've got."
Deus nodded and gestured toward Akira. "You've got the agility, after all," Deus remarked.
Akira smirked, adjusting the grip on his katana holder. "I'll clear the way, but leave some for you guys," he said confidently.
Az chuckled. "Don't worry, we'll make sure to save a few for the rest of us," he joked, readying his hammer.
Deus cracked his knuckles, a smirk tugging at his lips. "I'll be right behind you, Akira," he declared, a glint of excitement in his eyes.
Az observed the aliens closely, noticing a distinct difference in their equipment. "The aliens around here are a little bit different," he remarked. "They each are equipped with a shield, if not only their blaster hammer."
Az's gaze lingered on the aliens' shields, a grim recognition in his eyes. He remembered the shields he once owned, from the hardened skin of the aliens he'd battled in the past. But these shields seemed different, more advanced, if not superior in durability to the ones he had encountered before.
Deus, catching Az's observation, chimed in with a nonchalant tone, "There's nothing much surprising about that. It's all because we're near their spaceship base."
Akira smirked, hearing the conversation behind him, twirled his katana holder with a confident smile. "No worries, shields or not, they won't be a match for me."
Az, intrigued by the aliens' shields, wondered aloud, "Akira, think you can penetrate those shields?"
Akira, adjusting his stance with a confident grin, responded, "Just watch me," ready to put his skills to the test against the alien defenses.
As Akira sprinted towards the aliens, the aliens quickly raised their shields in defense. "Well about Akira," Deus observed the scene with a knowing smile.
In a swift movement, Akira vanished into thin air and intentionally reappeared right in front of one of the aliens.
With a confident slash, Akira's katana cut through the shield effortlessly, as if it were butter, showcasing his exceptional skill and leaving the aliens bewildered.
The group watched in awe at Akira's mastery of his skills, impressed by his swift and accurate strike against the alien's defenses.
"Teleportation," Az uttered, his eyes locked on Akira's swift movements against the aliens. Deus chimed in, "and enhanced strength," emphasizing the extraordinary abilities on display, acknowledging Akira's mastery of two skill books.
The realization dawned on Az that the group he joined possessed skills and capabilities beyond the ordinary, setting them apart in this alien-infested world.