Axel, embodying confidence but feeling a hint of nervousness, held his gaze steady on the nun. He was unable to think of a suitable conversation starter, so he took a deep breath and said, "Thank you, Fairy 001, for your unwavering service to humanity. I must confess, you possess an elegance that truly captivates. The beauty you carry is nothing short of remarkable."
The nun, briefly taken aback by his unexpected compliment, felt a warm flutter at his words. With a playful smile, she replied, "Oh, you're too kind, Comet 01. Do you really think I'm beautiful? After three hundred seventy years, it's easy to forget what that means amidst the chaos of battle. But I suppose there's still a hint of charm left in me. Just remember, in our line of work, it's not our appearances that define us but what we do for others."
She paused for a moment, then added with a flirtatious glint in her eye, "Perhaps after this mission, we can share a drink sometime. Even a nun deserves a little time to unwind."
She then turned her gaze to Pheonix, adopting an authoritative stance. "Young lady, if you want to be bred like a mule by those lizards, then go outside, vent your frustrations, and let the whole city hear your indignation. Waste your parents' legacy if that's truly what you wish to do."
Not accustomed to such ridicule, Pheonix looked down, tears welling in her eyes as she whispered, "I'm sorry."
"Your apology won't bring the dead back to life," the nun replied with firmness. "You want to blame me for not saving them, don't you? What if I told you I have tried over five thousand times in countless scenarios and still failed? Would you label me weak, incompetent, and uncaring? The burden of humanity rests on our shoulders. We have not merely tried. We have done our utmost to save them. You think those big red and orange lizards are the worst? Think again. There are horrors out there capable of swallowing suns and unleashing incurable plagues that mutates flesh every passing second, making a cure impossible. Do not drag us down like this. Those hands and feet that once helped you stand as a child should also be used to rise and fight back. Use them to take down those challenges and strike at the heart of the enemy… Join us and make a stand!"
Phoenix's eyes light up with determination as she looks up at the nun. She takes a deep breath, and a newfound sense of purpose fills her. "I won't just stand by and be a mule," she says, her voice firm. "I'll use my hands and feet to fight back. I'll make a difference."
After the passionate dialogue between Fairy 001 and Phoenix, they made their way down to an underground passage filled with caches of gear ready to be used. New, unfamiliar types of weapons hung on the walls, and the soldiers, eager for new equipment, couldn't help but marvel at the additions. However, their daydreams were interrupted by the voice of Fairy 001 as she said, "Those are not yours, but if you can wield Arcane, then feel free to pick one. We do have standard gear available in the armory cache on the right. Just leave your old weapon behind and choose a new one. By the way, you can carry two Pisions with you, but make sure not to lose them."
The soldiers began to collect the undamaged gear, replacing their worn-out equipment with fresh replacements. They couldn't help but wonder why they needed to leave their old gear in the cache, but they kept their questions to themselves. After all, challenging a battle-hardened veteran like Fairy 001 could invite a stern reprimand. Meanwhile, Axel took the lead in reporting to Mission Control, ensuring that all progress and intelligence were meticulously documented.
"Mission Control, this is Comet 01. We have successfully secured the weapons. All Cloak and Bulwark systems operational at 100% integrity. Ammunition status on 1,000 rounds for the Winston and two Pisions with a total of 14 rounds. Requesting clarification on the prohibition against retaining the old weapons as reserves in our inventory. Over."
"Comet 01, this is Mission Control, the cache is a Personal Device used by Fairy 001, its main function is to recycle the materials and make newer ones, I cannot disclose all its full operation as this might violate her privacy. Over."
Axel stood in disbelief, grappling with the notion that Spacetime Operatives had their own sensibilities around privacy in a world where every move had once been scrutinized. To him, it felt almost absurd! Soldiers didn't usually concern themselves with confidentiality. The very idea of a 'Personal Device' being off-limits was a foreign concept, one that clashed with the rigid military doctrines he had lived by. He couldn't help but wonder how such modern practices fit into the battlefield mentality he had always known.
"Comet 01, there's no need to be surprised. Maintaining privacy in operations like this is standard practice, as it provides us with a strategic advantage against hostile forces. Furthermore, we only recruit individuals of genuine integrity who are dedicated to safeguarding our existence. Trust is a fundamental principle we extend to everyone, including you and her. As a reminder, you'll need to construct the device yourself or enlist a weaponsmith to create it for you. Once it's complete, you can have it registered with a tag, and then you'll be all set. Just so you know, she built hers entirely on her own."
Upon hearing this, Axel felt a renewed sense of confidence in humanity's progress. It was clear that they had entered an era marked not only by remarkable advancements but also by individuals whose integrity and commitment exemplified the best of their species. This was a time when freedom transcended mere ideals, becoming a tangible reality grounded in trust, skill, and a shared purpose to protect what truly matters.
With their weapons in hand, Fairy 001 motioned for three children and Pheonix to join her for a demonstration of the weapons they could use alongside their powers. Axel, intrigued, asked if he and the other soldiers could observe. Fairy 001 consented, recognizing that this could serve as an eye-opening experience for them. As the soldiers gathered at the side, eager to learn, Fairy 001 began the session with an introduction to Arcane.
"Alright, everyone! Let's talk about something really fascinating called Arcane, which is all about how atoms move. Think of it like this, atoms can come together to form molecules, break apart, and scatter all around us. For instance, look at this cup of water in my hand." The nun wields the cup, transforming the water into vapor, then into snow, and finally into a stunning blue ice sword. The audience gasps in amazement at the display of artfully controlled science. "See that? It's science that we can manipulate with just mere thoughts! Now, watch this." She slices a medieval shield in half with the navy-blue sword, demonstrating her control over the material. "Now, atoms can group together to form molecules, and when those molecules break apart, they can release energy. But here's the catch, it takes energy to put those atoms back together into molecules, there are different types of ways to do that. Watch this." With a flick of her wrist, she returns the water back into the cup, as if nothing had happened.
The curious little girl then spoke "So, big sister, when the atoms break apart, they go 'boom' and scatter everywhere, right? But when they come together again, we need a big 'boom' to put them back together, right?"
Taking a brief pause, Fairy 001 responded, "While that's technically true, all these weapons before you are my creations. This doesn't account for the time-consuming process of gathering the atoms. By casting your arcane instantly, congratulations! You can now bypass those cumbersome incantations that make you sound like a devil worshipper." She then added, "finally there is the types of casting," she then took the pistol shaped weapon, then one of her team members who was also in nun attire put a dummy in front of the crowd.
"First, there's fast casting," she explained. "This means I can fire an almost unlimited number of shots as long as my mental capacity is sufficient." With that, she pressed a button on the pistol, and a rapid 'ratatatatat' filled the air as it unleashed a barrage of bullets, transforming the iron-plated dummy into a sieve. The men gawked at the sight, astonished to learn just how useful magic could be in combat, the fire rate was comparable to that of a submachine gun. Pheonix, who only understood that she needed to be emotionally agitated to access her powers, was taken aback. She couldn't help but ask a question.
"Could... could... could my mom and dad really do this?" She longed for answers about what could possibly kill her parents. The turmoil in her heart needed resolution, she knew they were strong, but not to this extent.
The mischievous Fairy 001 couldn't help but smirk at her and then said, "They are not only capable of this." Four more guns floated into the air and formed a circle that fired simultaneously at five different targets. The soldiers, captivated by the quick-scoping prowess of such arcane power, almost reached for pen and paper to take notes. Axel then noticed Wong shedding tears and approached him, sensing something was amiss.
"Comet 07, is your mental state stable?" asked Axel.
"Sniff… Sniff… Captain… Captain…. Could… could a flying sword be more than just a dream now? I, Wong, will defy the heavens and banish these invaders with my sword in a single sword strike! Captain, I have always dreamed of becoming a cultivator. Please let me learn this Arcane. It might be the secret my ancestors have long sought," Wong said, his pleading eyes brimming with hope.
Axel couldn't reprimand the man because he could clearly see the sincerity in his gaze. Fairy 001, witnessing this, chuckled and stated, "Comet 07, I won't stop you from learning, but know this. In the future, you might discover that there is more to cultivation than you think. Who knows?" She shrugged and looked at Wong teasingly.
"I will take you on as my master," Wong exclaimed. "I will swim in a sea of fire, climb a mountain of swords, and swear my eternal allegiance to you. Please accept me as your disciple!" Wong proceeded to kowtow as if pounding garlic. Seeing a brawny man like Wong take such actions, Pheonix and the children realized that this might be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity they couldn't afford to miss. This realization, in turn, made things easier for Fairy 001.