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Sylanwood, East Tarrabria: Abyssal Keep, Floor 4, Time: 7:30 PM
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After the satisfying dinner at Abyssal Keep, Bada clapped his hands decisively. "Well then! Shall we commence this evening's patrol?"
He smiled warmly at James and Mianne. "I know you've had a long day of travel. But a brief sweep of a nearby village should help acquaint you with the region and any...peculiarities."
His expression turned grim as Asmon's words about disappearing populace echoed ominously. What awaited them out in those now-abandoned streets?
But James was already on his feet, he decided to wear the suit so he could test out the power suit. "Sounds good to me! I'm itching to field test these new hydraulics anyway." He bounced on his toes, excited energy barely contained.
Mianne rose more slowly, magic writhing around her hands. "I too am ready," she said simply, resolve glinting in her eyes.
Bada nodded, lighting a lantern against the deepening night. "Excellent. Be alert for anything out of the ordinary and stay close."
"Now, hol' on for a second..."
A soothing voice stops Bada dead in his track.
Freya decided to stop him, "Alright, have fun, you three, and come back in one piece, alright? I need my hunbun to snuggle with tonight." Freya tightened Bada's tie and kissed him on the cheek.
A snicker came from Erik, Magne, and Mels, causing Freya to turn to them, "Alright, what's funny about this, you three?"
"Oh, nothing. Just laughing about something," Magne stated. Freya looked at her with skepticism and crossed her arms.
"I'm sure it's nothing important," Bada reassured Freya by kissing her on the cheek as well.
Bada looked at the time, "Well, I'll be going with them now. Come on, let's move up!" Bada led them down the elevator as Freya waved at them.
"So... One piece, huh?" Mels stated, causing a giggling fit between Magne and Erik.
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Sylanwood, East Tarrabria: Abyssal Keep, Enterance, Time: 7:50 PM
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They arrived at the entrance of Abyssal Keep, where a royal carriage awaited them.
"It seems our ride has arrived." Bada walked with them, opening the carriage door.
"Oh, it wouldn't be necessary to open the door for us..." Mianne sweatdropped at how much Bada was willing to treat them.
"Oh, please! I insist!" Bada gestured with his hand. Mianne was about to stop him, but James shook his head to signal her.
Both of them climbed into the carriage, with Bada being the last one to close the door and lightly knock on the carriage window to signal the driver to drive.
James and Mianne sat next to each other, while Bada sat on the other side.
"We will be traveling to Barcemanca; it shouldn't take long," Bada stated, leaning back against the cushion.
"Hah, I'm gonna be sleepy over this..." Mianne yawned and was about to fall asleep on James's shoulder, but she stood her ground.
Bada decided to grab something from his pocket, "May I suggest you try some of these?" It was a brown-wrapped candy with a coffee bean symbol on it.
"It's a coffee candy, mostly popular among night patrols to eat these before going out on their duty." Bada handed it to Mianne, who started to unwrap the candy and eat it, creating a satisfying crunch noise.
Mianne felt a bit more energetic now, "Mmm~ I feel a little bit better now! Thank you, Mr. Bada!"
"Would you like one, James?" Bada offered, but James waved his hand off.
"Nope! I could get through this, Mr. Bada!" James stated, keeping his energetic smile.
Bada smiled kindly at the eager young guardian's pep. "I admire your enthusiasm, James. Just don't be afraid to ask if you require an energy boost later."
He neatly folded the coffee candy wrapper, slipping it back into his pocket. "We may be in for quite the late night depending on what we uncover in Barcemanca."
His expression grew serious once more. "I only wish I could provide more details about the exact nature of the threat we may be facing. But there seems a veil of secrecy and denial shrouding this creeping disappearance of our people."
He gazed out the window pensively as the carriage jostled down the road. "Something or someone does not want the truth revealed about what has taken root in our lands. We must be cautious in piercing those obfuscating shadows."
Mianne nodded solemnly beside James, the coffee working to shake off her drowsiness. This unknown enemy had hampered even ArchSentinel investigations. Their clandestine mission just became significantly more perilous.
After a stretching silence, James spoke up hesitantly. "Mr. Bada, I did have one question about the equipment you provided before we left. The Custodiae thing?"
Bada raised a brow, intrigued. "Ah yes, those experimental biotech devices. What did you wish to know?"
James fidgeted with a hidden inner pocket. "Well...their ability to transform physiology when synced with runic shards..." He met Bada's eyes. "If I used say my Thunderbird shard, would that temporarily make me transform into Eldritch form?"
Bada tapped his chin thoughtfully. "The results would not be a pure transformation I'm afraid. More akin to...an incomplete hybrid form."
He gave James a serious look. "I advise exercising extreme caution utilizing Eldritch runes. The physical and mental side effects can be highly unpredictable and unstable. They are known to leash onto your worst moments."
James nodded slowly, hand slipping from his pocket as he mulled Bada's warning. He could get a custom-made Custodiae if he finally has time to commission one.
James considered Bada's cautionary words about the Custodiae artifacts and Eldritch runes carefully. Perhaps some powers, once unleashed, were beyond safely controlling again.
He decided to shift the topic to the other strange devices provided. "What about the Periculum and Discrimen then? I only glimpsed them briefly in the equipment packages."
Bada's expression darkened immediately. "Those...are extremely volatile creations that never should have left the testing field," he said grimly. "I cannot fathom why Director Kristen approved their field distribution."
He leaned forward, hands clenching. "The Periculum in particular amplifies destructive output tenfold. But the mental and physical feedback cost is immense. Most test subjects did not..."
He trailed off ominously before continuing. "Suffice to say, it flirts with forces peoples cannot reckon with. I implore you not to equip it no matter the circumstance."
James gulped nervously. Just what had BOE scientists been delving into lately?
"The Discrimen is marginally less catastrophic in use," Bada went on. "It increases combat capabilities and durability, but again at great personal risk. Better to rely on your skills and leave those relics buried."
He stared broodingly out at the passing night-shrouded landscape. "I cannot fathom the Director's motives for providing such dangerous implements to fledgling operatives. That woman's mind works in unfathomable ways..."
Unease stirred in James' gut pondering the uncontrolled research at BOE.
"Not to mention that she holds the title of The Supreme Overload of her own company." Bada looks out the window, he doesn't know what that means.
As the carriage rumbled on through the night, Mianne decided to shift the topic to lighter matters.
"So, Mr. Bada...I couldn't help but notice you and Lady Freya seem quite close," she ventured with a little smile.
Even in the carriage's dimness, she saw Bada flush slightly. "Oh! Ah, y-yes I suppose we have grown somewhat...familiar in recent years," he admitted, tugging his collar.
Mianne's smile widened. She lived for gentle romantic gossip. "Has she always been so affectionate with you?"
"Goodness no, we could barely hold a civil conversation at first," Bada chuckled. "I thought her a vain socialite, and she considered me a stuffy bore."
His expression softened with reminiscence. "But after clashing with a diplomatic envoy, we came to recognize each other's redeeming qualities beneath the superficial impressions. And well..."
He cleared his throat, blush deepening. "I cannot pinpoint when, but at some point, her playful taunting evolved into something more genuinely warm. And I found myself hoping to earn more of that radiant smile..."
He shook himself, flustered. "F-forgive me, I did not mean to prattle on so! Affairs of the heart tend to loosen tongues I'm afraid."
Mianne waved off his apology. "No please, it's wonderful seeing love kindle even amidst hardship," she assured sincerely. "I think you both complement each other beautifully."
Bada's smile glowed with quiet joy at her words. But before he could respond, the carriage rolled to a stop. They had arrived at last at the silent outskirts of Barcemanca.
The three exchanged solemn nods, mirth forgotten. The time now to pierce the ominous veil enshrouding this vanished populace.
A faint song could be heard somewhere.
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