[NORTH OF THE CAPITAL]
(MOUNTAIN RANGES)
The crisp morning air swept across the mountain ranges as Leo and Najenda soared high above the rugged terrain.
Their coats billowed dramatically in the wind, and the fresh air carried the scents of alpine greenery.
Below, the towering peaks were interspersed with vibrant flora and diverse fauna, painting a serene yet powerful backdrop.
Riding atop a massive, falcon-like danger beast with wings spanning the length of a building, they had departed the Revolutionary Army headquarters the previous day.
Their destination was the Night Raid's secret base, nestled far north of the Empire's capital.
As Najenda stole a glance at Bane, she noted his unwavering calm as he gazed at the mountains below.
His quiet demeanor was striking for someone so young, and their journey had been punctuated only by brief exchanges when Najenda had addressed him directly.
Having observed Leo during their sparring match and from Geralt's descriptions, Najenda had formed a clear picture of his reserved and guarded personality.
It reminded her faintly of someone from her past, though Leo's approach lacked the same aggressive edge.
Deciding not to dwell on these musings, Najenda focused instead on how effectively Leo could serve in Night Raid's operations.
After some time in thought, Najenda broke the silence, her tone casual.
"I forgot to mention something," she said, turning slightly toward Leo, "There's someone in Night Raid named Leone. You two have similar names, and it could cause confusion during missions. Any ideas on how to avoid that?"
Bane turned to meet her gaze, his calm expression beneath his mask unchanging. He nodded slightly, acknowledging her point.
Najenda pressed further. "Does Geralt, or anyone else, for that matter, call you by a nickname or another name?"
Bane paused, considering her question. "No," he replied finally, his voice steady. "There hasn't been any need for one before."
A moment of quiet passed before he added, "But you're right. It could cause problems during missions, and in some cases, that could mean danger."
After a few moments of contemplation, Bane's gaze drifted to the white, serpent-like Teigu coiled around his waist.
Something in the sight seemed to solidify his decision. "From now on, call me 'Bane,'" he stated.
"My old name doesn't hold any meaning. The only people who even know it are you, Geralt, and a few others in the Revolutionary Army," he said without a hint of hesitation.
Najenda tilted her head slightly, her sharp gaze appraising him. "Bane, huh?" she echoed, her lips curving into a small smile. She nodded. "Works for me. Simple, and it fits."
She turned her gaze back to the horizon. "Looks like we're almost there," she remarked, gesturing toward the hidden base nestled among the mountain ranges ahead.
Bane followed her gaze, taking in the sight of the base. While it didn't strike him as particularly concealed, he refrained from voicing his observation.
He reasoned that Najenda had likely set up a series of traps and alarms within the surrounding wilderness to keep the base secure.
The base itself consisted of sturdy, militaristic grey structures built under a natural arch formed by a hollowed mountain.
The curved rock provided natural protection and reinforced the stronghold's defenses.
As if reading his thoughts, Najenda said, "The base might not seem as hidden as you'd expect, but don't let that fool you. This area is swarming with high-grade danger beasts that tend to stick to their own territories, keeping outsiders away."
She continued, her voice firm but reassuring. "The base is fortified with traps, alarms, and other measures. On top of that, one of our squad members has a Teigu that specializes in detecting intruders from long distances. Trust me, if anyone gets close, we'll know."
Bane gave her a nod, his gaze lingering on the structures as they drew closer.
Najenda added, "Inside, you'll find everything we need, living quarters, a training area, weapons storage, a medical bay, and a command center. It's functional, not flashy, but it gets the job done."
As the bird-like danger beast descended, Najenda retrieved her luggage while Bane stepped off the creature without ceremony.
He had all his belongings stored in his low-grade spatial artifact, a tool that had proven invaluable during his missions.
The creature let out a sharp screech, signaling its departure as it lifted back into the skies. Bane and Najenda watched it vanish into the horizon before they began walking along the riverbank toward the base.
As they neared the entrance, Bane's eyes caught sight of a teenage girl with short black hair sitting by the riverside.
She was grilling a large chunk of meat from a danger beast bird, her relaxed posture indicating she was no stranger to the area.
Najenda smiled as she caught sight of the girl. "And that," she said, gesturing toward the riverside, "is one of your new squad mates. Looks like she's already enjoying her lunch."
Bane glanced at the girl, then back to Najenda.