"Huff, huff... why is it so far away... bossu! Wait! Don't move faster without me!" Ava's voice wavered as she trailed behind the group, her steps heavy with exhaustion. Tears welled in her eyes, blurring her vision. Koda was left back at the base this time, still in progress, and she was feeling the absence of his calming presence more than ever. The sky above them was still dark, only a few hours before dawn would break over Terra II, a world where the day stretched for a full 36 hours. To them, it was now just the norm.
"We're not going that fast, Ava. See? Only a couple of miles left before we reach the rig." Zyra slowed her pace, walking beside Ava now, her tone more teasing than harsh. Ava gritted her teeth in frustration, silently cursing her own lack of stamina. Tch… I should've exercised more! Curses!
As the rusted outline of the rig loomed closer, Sera's mind raced with thoughts of how to approach their mission without raising alarms. Right… We'll take the ladder on the right side, climb up to the topmost level, do another scout to ensure nothing was missed, and then start clearing the bandits from top to bottom. Her plan was meticulous, and she felt a swell of pride. She led the group just as Dmitri did his, though this time their numbers were smaller—30 of Dmitri's men, Zyra, Ava and five engineers, Alaric with seven of the surrendered soldiers, and herself, making a total of 47. Not ideal for an operation like this, but it would have to do.
"Move it! Ugh, damn dust. Fucking hate this place. Get on!" one of Dmitri's men grumbled, coughing as they gathered near the base of the ladder. One by one, they began their ascent, the ladder creaking under the combined weight of their gear. Sera adjusted her mask with a grimace. Better... at least I can breathe through this nastiness now, she thought, taking a deep breath of the filtered air, though it still reeked faintly of rust and oil.
The climb was slow. Five platforms separated them from the top, and though it wasn't far, each rung felt like it dragged on for an eternity. Just when Sera began to relax into the rhythm of the climb, a shout echoed down the corridor, freezing them all in place.
"INTRUDERS!"
Shit.
Hell broke loose in an instant. "Change of plans!" Sera snapped, reacting without hesitation. "Ava, go find the controls and stop this thing! You ten—go with her, keep her safe!" She shoved them toward the stairs leading up, her mind already spinning with the next step. "Zyra!" she barked, "see if you can find anything we can scavenge—get word to Ava!" But when she turned, Zyra had already disappeared into the shadows.
Damn it, Zyra. Sera cursed under her breath, pivoting her attention to the rest of the group. Alaric and Dmitri had already taken care of the two bandits who had sounded the alarm. Dmitri wiped the blood off his blade, his expression twisted with anger.
"Oi! You lot!" Dmitri bellowed to the rest of his men, his voice echoing off the steel walls. "Spread out and take care of whoever's left! We're not leaving this rig without taking something worth the trouble, so MOVE YOUR ASSES before I kick 'em!"
The bandits lay crumpled at Dmitri's feet, their bodies riddled with stab wounds and deep cuts. Sera watched them fall, frustration building inside her like a tidal wave. She tightened her grip on her blade, Ling, and flicked it once, the metal igniting with a quiet hiss as flames crawled along the edge. I can't use BOOM BOOM without suppressors either. Her temper flared, magicules leaking from her body in small, pulsating waves. The air around her seemed to hum with the raw energy she barely contained.
The others exchanged uneasy glances. Though her face was hidden behind her mask, the tension radiating off her was palpable. Even Alaric, normally stoic, felt the weight of her gaze on his back. He cleared his throat awkwardly. "Uh… I'll check on the others' progress," he muttered before hurrying off, leaving Sera to simmer in her own fury.
Zyra, having known Sera since they were children, couldn't help but smirk from her position in the shadows. She's mad now, Zyra mused, a quiet chuckle escaping her lips. Even after all these years, Sera's fiery temper hadn't changed. Zyra disappeared deeper into the rig, her mind already on her next task.
Sera, left behind in the chaos, exhaled sharply and sprinted down another corridor, her boots clanging against the metal floor. Her thoughts raced as she sensed a presence ahead. Five bandits waited, hidden in the shadows, thinking they had the upper hand. They never got the chance to act.
With a single motion, Sera used her rapid dash skill to close the distance between them. Her blade sliced through the air, aimed at the first bandit's throat. He barely had time to blink before the flaming edge of Ling tore through his flesh, silencing him instantly. Another swung at her, and though she dodged most of the blow, his blade grazed her side, slicing through her jacket and leaving a burning sting.
She gritted her teeth, ignoring the pain. Two more lunged at her, but Sera was faster. With a flick of her wrist, her burning threads whipped out from her blade, searing into their flesh. The smell of burning skin filled the air as they screamed in agony, their bodies falling to the ground in smoldering heaps. The last two bandits hesitated, fear flashing in their eyes. Sera smirked behind her mask, her magicules flaring brighter now.
But as she swung for the final blow, one of them managed to land a hit. His dagger glanced off her faceplate, scratching the metal with a loud screech. The force of the impact nearly knocked her off balance, and for a split second, she felt the cold edge of death brush against her skin. Had that blade hit just a few inches lower...
Her pulse quickened, adrenaline surging through her veins. Fueled by the near miss, Sera drove her knife through his chest, her movements precise, brutal. His body crumpled to the floor, lifeless.
Panting, she stood amidst the bodies, blood trickling down from the cut on her side. She reached up and touched the scratch on her faceplate, her fingers trembling slightly.
That could have been worse… much worse.
She wiped the blood off her blade, straightened her back, and turned toward the next hallway. There was still work to be done.