Chevie leaned against the crumbling brick wall of the DDA's mission outpost, the sharp scent of metal and Aetherium lingering in the air.
His fingers tapped idly on the hilt of his sword as he waited, his mind alternating between boredom and mild annoyance.
"So," he muttered to no one in particular, "this is what I've been reduced to. Sitting around waiting for someone to give me busywork."
The outpost was a squat, unimpressive building nestled at the edge of Avenridge City.
A handful of Gatewalkers milled about, some in full gear, others dressed like they'd rolled out of bed.
Chevie noted the sharp contrast between the veterans, with their weathered armor and confident gaits, and the rookies, who looked like they might keel over if someone mentioned a Bronze-rank Gate.
"Chevie Harley!" a voice called.
Chevie turned to see a stout man in a crisp uniform marching toward him.
The man's expression was a mix of exasperation and mild disdain, like he was dealing with a particularly stubborn stray dog.
"That's me," Chevie said, straightening up and offering a lazy grin.
"I'm Commander Orlan,"
the man said curtly. "You've been assigned to assist with a Silver-rank Gate investigation. Nothing too dangerous—think of it as a competency test."
Chevie raised an eyebrow. "Competency test? I didn't realize I was back in school."
Orlan's glare could have melted steel. "This isn't a joke. You're going in with a small team to evaluate your ability to handle yourself. We've had enough amateurs causing disasters."
"Got it. Don't screw up. Message received loud and clear."
Orlan handed him a slim datapad with the mission details. "You'll rendezvous at the Gate site in thirty minutes. Try not to embarrass yourself—or us."
With that, the commander stomped off, leaving Chevie to scroll through the mission briefing.
Rendezvous at the Gate
The Gate was situated in a clearing just outside the city, surrounded by a makeshift perimeter of glowing barriers.
The air hummed with energy, the telltale sign of an active dimensional rift.
Chevie's team was already assembled—a motley crew of three who didn't look particularly thrilled to see him.
"Great," said a wiry man with spiky blond hair. "They sent the newbie."
Chevie offered a mock salute. "Newbie? Nah, I'm just here to show you how it's done."
"Enough," snapped a tall woman with a no-nonsense expression.
She carried a halberd that crackled faintly with Aetherium energy.
"I'm Rayna, team lead. This is Jax"—she gestured at the blond man—"and Talli."
Talli, a petite woman with oversized goggles, waved cheerfully. "Hi! Don't worry, we'll make sure you don't die!"
"Appreciate it," Chevie said dryly.
Rayna cut in. "Listen up. This is a basic scouting mission. The Gate leads to a low-energy dimension, and we're here to map the area and neutralize any minor threats. Stick to your role, and we'll get through this fine."
"Understood," Chevie said, trying to keep his tone light.
As they approached the Gate, its swirling surface reflected the team's wary expressions.
Stepping through always felt like plunging into a cold, rushing stream.
Chevie braced himself and followed.
The dimension was eerily quiet, its landscape a mix of jagged rocks and crystalline formations that glowed faintly under a pale, sunless sky.
The air felt heavy, saturated with Aetherium, but not in the overwhelming way Chevie remembered from the Whitehole.
"Alright,"
Rayna said, her voice clipped. "Jax, take point. Talli, you're on survey duty. Chevie, stay close and don't wander off."
"Noted," Chevie said, resisting the urge to add a snarky comment.
The group moved cautiously, their footsteps crunching against the crystalline ground.
Chevie's hand rested on his sword, his senses alert. It was almost too quiet, and he didn't trust quiet.
"So, newbie," Jax said over his shoulder, "what's your deal? You don't look like much of a fighter."
Chevie smirked. "Looks can be deceiving."
Jax snorted. "We'll see about that."
They continued deeper into the dimension, the terrain growing steeper and more uneven.
Talli scanned the area with a handheld device, her goggles flickering with readouts.
"Energy levels are stable," she said. "No major anomalies so far."
"Good," Rayna said. "Let's—"
Her words were cut off by a sudden rumble beneath their feet.
"Uh, guys?" Talli said, her voice rising in pitch.
"That's an anomaly!"
The ground split open, and a monstrous creature burst forth—a hulking, crystalline beast with jagged limbs and glowing eyes.
"Formation!" Rayna barked.
The team moved into position with practiced efficiency.
Rayna charged forward, her halberd slicing through the air with a crackle of energy.
Jax flanked the creature, his twin blades flashing, while Talli set up a defensive barrier.
Chevie hesitated for only a moment before activating Aetherstride. With a burst of speed, he closed the distance, appearing on the beast's other side.
"Nice moves, newbie!" Jax shouted, though it sounded more like a challenge than a compliment.
Chevie grinned and swung his sword in a wide arc, aiming for the creature's vulnerable-looking joints.
The blade connected, sending shards of crystal flying, but the beast barely flinched.
"Great," he muttered. "Tough crowd."
The fight was chaotic but controlled. Rayna's halberd struck with precision, Talli's barriers kept the team protected, and Jax's relentless attacks kept the beast distracted.
Chevie found himself falling into a rhythm, his movements fluid as he darted in and out, striking where he could.
Finally, with a coordinated effort, the team brought the creature down. It collapsed in a shower of crystal shards, its glowing eyes dimming.
"Not bad," Rayna said, slightly out of breath.
"But don't get cocky. This was small fry compared to what's out there."
Chevie nodded, though his heart was still racing. "Noted."
The team regrouped and completed their survey, finding no additional threats.
As they exited the Gate and stepped back into the familiar sights and sounds of Avenridge, the tension in Chevie's chest eased.
"Good work, everyone," Rayna said. She turned to Chevie, her expression unreadable.
"You've got potential, but you need more experience. Don't let today's success get to your head."
"Understood," Chevie said, offering a small smile.