The FusionRider hummed to life as Coren settled into the passenger seat, Lyra taking the controls with practised ease. Behind them, HG's combat chassis folded with an unsettling efficiency, its metallic limbs compacting into a neat configuration that barely took up any room in the vehicle's storage bay.
Coren glanced over her shoulder as the door slid shut. "For better or worse," she muttered, more to herself than anyone else, "he's coming with us."
HG's face appeared on the holodisplay between the seats, his expression as animated as ever. "Of course, I'm coming! You'll need my unparalleled intellect and historical insights for this leg of the journey. It's practically destiny."
Lyra let out a low sigh, gripping the steering controls as the FusionRider rumbled forward. Coren didn't bother responding. The sense of unease that had settled over her since HG announced his intention to join them refused to dissipate. This journey, already teetering on the edge of too much, now felt like it had tipped firmly into chaos.
The countryside blurred past, an endless expanse of ash and decay. They drove in silence at first, the engine's steady growl the only sound. But silence, as Coren quickly realised, wasn't something HG tolerated.
"Oh, would you look at that!" HG piped up, his holographic form gesturing grandly toward the barren landscape. "This used to be the SolarBelle Botanical Hub—a marvel of engineering where humanity merged greenery and technology in perfect harmony. Imagine it! Towers of living plants, intertwined with gleaming metal, powered by the sun and the Fields."
With a flick of his holographic hand, an image materialized in the air before them. A stunning city of verdant towers shimmered against a bright blue sky, its inhabitants strolling along pathways that seemed to float above the ground. It was a vision of humanity's greatness—long gone.
Coren stared at the projection, her chest tightening. Outside the window, the reality was stark: jagged ruins, scorched earth, and a sky that seemed permanently grey. The image faded, leaving a hollow ache behind.
HG pressed on, oblivious—or perhaps entirely aware—of the effect his narrative was having. He launched into a detailed history of the region, his words weaving a picture of what had been lost. Lyra's knuckles whitened on the controls, but she said nothing, her jaw tight as the FusionRider continued across the desolation.
It was nearly dusk when they reached the coordinates. Coren leaned forward, her gaze narrowing at the sight ahead. The location wasn't unguarded. Figures moved in the distance, shadowy outlines against the fading light. Whatever this place held, it was something someone didn't want them to find.
Coren crouched low behind a ridge of crumbled stone and ash, her heart pounding as she took in the sight below. A team of six Fieldwielder enforcers patrolled the area with military precision, their uniforms emblazoned with the unmistakable insignia of the Fieldwielder Association. Their movements were methodical, their heads swivelling in precise arcs as they scanned the area. Faint glows radiated from their gauntlets—evidence of active Field reactors filled with latent power.
The entrance they were guarding wasn't just any ordinary structure. It was an active gate. Its surface shimmered faintly, a distortion in the air betraying its presence, though the gate itself was inactive for now. Surrounding it were automated turrets, their sleek metallic forms dormant but bristling with weaponry. Automated sentinels—humanoid machines far less friendly-looking than HG—stood at attention nearby, their glowing visors scanning the perimeter.
Coren felt a chill crawl up her spine. "Well, that's… not what I was expecting."
Lyra crouched beside her, her eyes narrowing as she studied the scene. "They're not here to protect the gate," she said, her voice low and grim. "They're here to keep it hidden. This isn't about safety—it's about control."
Coren didn't doubt it. The presence of the enforcers, combined with the automated defences, spoke volumes. Whatever lay beyond that gate, the Association wanted to make sure no one—especially not them—got through.
They pulled back from the ridge, retreating to where HG and the companions were waiting just out of sight. Coren sat down on a flat rock, her mind spinning as she tried to process their options.
"We'll need a plan," Lyra said, pacing as she spoke. "There's no way we can just walk in. Those enforcers will spot us before we even get close."
HG leaned casually against a nearby boulder, his combat chassis glowing faintly in the dim light. "A plan, you say? Well, I have an excellent one: I go down there, make a bit of a scene, and poof! Problem solved." He mimed an explosion with his hands, his grin almost comically wide.
"No," Sol said immediately, his voice cutting through HG's enthusiasm. "That's not happening."
HG sighed dramatically, throwing his hands in the air. "Oh, come on! It's efficient, it's direct—what more could you want?"
"We're not killing anyone," Sol said firmly. "That's not who we are."
Coren nodded in agreement, though she couldn't help feeling a pang of frustration. The odds were stacked against them, and HG's reckless suggestion—while horrifying—did have a certain brutal simplicity. Still, she knew it wasn't the right path.
Lyra stopped pacing and crossed her arms. "Fine. No explosions, no chaos. What do we have, then? Resources, allies—what can we use?"
Coren thought for a moment, her gaze drifting toward Sol. "The stealth song," she said. "We can use it to recon the area, figure out where the enforcers are weakest."
Lyra nodded. "Good. That's a start. But we'll need more than just recon if we're going to get through all of that."
HG tilted his head, his glowing eyes narrowing in thought. "Do you have any allies nearby? Someone who could even the odds a bit?"
Coren hesitated, and then a thought struck her. "The Wolfiger," she said. "And the rest of the pack. We could gate them here."
Lyra raised an eyebrow. "You think they'll come? It's been a while since we left them."
"They will," Coren said confidently. "The Wolfiger's been watching over us since this all started. It'll come."
HG clapped his hands together. "Brilliant! A pack of apex predators? Now that is a plan I can get behind."
"We're not using them as cannon fodder," Lyra said sharply.
"Of course not," HG replied, waving her off. "I simply mean they'll make excellent… distractions. And perhaps a little intimidation never hurt anyone."
Coren stood, brushing the dirt from her knees and glancing at Lyra. "Then it's settled. We'll backtrack and find the Wolfiger. I'll use the gate to bring them here—it's our best shot."
Lyra nodded, her expression tight but hopeful. "Let's hope they're still nearby the mountain. They're our best chance of covering this ground quickly."
They travelled back toward where the FusionRider was parked, Coren immediately pulling up the mountain coordinates in her mind. The energy of the gate echoed faintly as the glowing portal shimmered into existence, a rippling oval of light anchored to the mountain terrain they had left behind.
Emerging on the other side, Coren and Lyra stepped back into the familiar rocky expanse of the Mountain Prison. The jagged cliffs loomed above them, their shadowed surfaces casting an almost oppressive weight over the scene. Coren's heart quickened as she scanned the area, her thoughts immediately jumping to the Wolfiger and its pack.
"Do you think they'll come?" Coren asked, her voice quieter than she intended.
"They will," Lyra said, her tone certain. "They've always known more than we give them credit for. They'll know we're here." It looked like she was concentrating, transmitting a mental message to the area around her.
Moments later, a low growl echoed through the air, followed by the unmistakable sound of padded feet on stone. Coren turned toward the source, and her breath caught as the Wolfiger appeared from the shadows, its sleek, striped form glowing faintly in the twilight.
Before she could react, the creature trotted up to her, its massive head lowering as it nudged her shoulder affectionately. A second later, its tongue darted out, licking her face with an enthusiasm that made her laugh despite herself.
"All right, all right, I missed you too," Coren said, pushing gently at the creature's snout, though she couldn't hide the grin on her face.
Lyra stepped forward as more Wolfigers emerged from the cliffs, their glowing eyes fixed on the two humans. The leader growled softly, a sound that seemed almost welcoming, and padded toward Lyra, its massive head brushing against her arm.
"They knew," Lyra murmured, stroking the creature's thick fur. "They knew we'd come back."
The rest of the pack joined them, circling the group with a quiet excitement that seemed almost reverent. One by one, they nudged and licked at Coren and Lyra, their affection unmistakable.
Coren crouched beside the pack leader, resting her hand against its flank. "We need your help," she said softly, meeting its glowing gaze. "There's something out there, and we can't do it without you."
The Wolfiger growled low, a sound that resonated with understanding. It glanced toward the gate, then back at Coren, as though waiting for her next move.
"They're ready," Lyra said, her voice steady.
"Good," Coren replied, standing. "Because so are we."
The Wolfiger led the way as the group returned through the gate, the shimmering light reflecting off the pack's sleek forms as they moved.
As Coren, Lyra, and the pack of Wolfigers stepped through the shimmering gate back to the barren plain, HG's holographic form flickered to life outside the FusionRider. His glowing blue eyes brightened as he scanned the new arrivals. Before his combat chassis came to life.
"Ah, marvellous!" HG exclaimed, clapping his mechanical hands together with an audible clink. "Fascinating creatures. Truly a testament to pre-Severance ingenuity—or madness, depending on your perspective."
The pack froze in unison, their glowing yellow eyes locking onto HG. Low growls rippled through the group, their sleek forms bristling with tension as they took cautious steps forward.
"Stand down!" Coren said quickly, placing a hand on the flank of the pack leader. "He's… not a threat. Just really annoying."
"Annoying?" HG sounded almost offended, tilting his head at an exaggerated angle. "I am a marvel of artificial intelligence and engineering, I'll have you know. These creatures, while impressive, are clearly derivative by comparison."
The pack leader tilted its head, its gaze narrowing as it prowled closer to HG, sniffing the air. The Wolfiger's growl deepened, a sound that sent a chill up Coren's spine.
"Uh, HG," Lyra said cautiously, stepping closer. "Maybe dial it back a little. You're not exactly making friends."
"Nonsense!" HG replied, waving her off. "This is an excellent opportunity for cultural exchange! Observe." He extended a mechanical hand toward the pack leader, his tone turning overly cheerful. "Greetings, noble beast! I am HG—your intellectual superior but willing ally."
Before Lyra could stop him, the pack leader lunged, its teeth bared. It stopped just short of HG's extended hand, sniffing it warily before letting out a sharp huff. HG remained perfectly still, his holographic projection flickering slightly as the Wolfiger leaned in closer.
"I must say," HG murmured, his tone quieter now, "their sense of intimidation is quite effective. Noted."
The pack leader nudged HG's hand once with its massive head before backing away. Its growls faded, and it returned to Lyra's side, though its gaze stayed locked on HG.
Coren let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. "Well, that could've gone worse."
HG straightened, brushing imaginary dust from his chassis. "I believe I handled that rather gracefully."
Lyra rolled her eyes, patting the pack leader's flank as if to reassure it. "If by gracefully, you mean they didn't rip you to pieces, then sure."
HG's eyes flickered with a hint of smugness. "I'll take that as a win."
Coren shook her head, glancing at the pack. "They're going to take some convincing."
The pack leader growled softly, nudging Coren's arm.
"Guess that means we're moving," Lyra said, gesturing toward the guarded location "Come on, let's get going before HG says something else to set them off."
As they started to walk back. HG's voice followed them. "For the record, I believe we're off to an excellent start!"
The Wolfigers didn't respond, but their glowing eyes followed HG as they prowled beside the group, their distrust palpable.
Lyra crouched low, her gaze fixed on the enforcers' patrols. "The stealth song will get us in close, but we'll need to time this perfectly. Coren, you and Sol focus on disabling the automated sentinels. I'll take out the turrets. HG, you're on overwatch. Keep an eye on the enforcers but don't engage unless we have no other choice."
HG gave a mock salute. "Understood, Commander Lyra."
The group moved into position, blending into the environment with the Stealth Song. The Wolfiger pack circled wide, their padded steps silent as they took up positions around the perimeter.
Coren's heart pounded as she crept toward the first sentinel. The Stealth Song cloaked her movements, but she could still feel the enforcer patrols nearby.
With a steadying breath, Coren reached out with the Communication Field, disrupting the sentinel's control link. The machine twitched, its glowing visor flickering before it powered down completely.
"One down," Sol whispered in her head.
Across the field, Lyra used a similar method to disable one of the turrets. Her precision was remarkable, each movement calculated and efficient. Coren watched her for a moment, feeling a pang of admiration—and a twinge of jealousy—before focusing back on her own task.
The operation continued smoothly, each member of the group playing their part with precision. By the time the enforcers realised something was amiss, it was already too late. The Wolfiger pack emerged from the shadows, their low growls rumbling like distant thunder and halting the enforcers in their tracks.
Lyra stepped forward, her gauntlet glowing faintly with an active Field as she raised her hand, her expression calm but commanding. Coren stood behind her, her mental Serakey ready, fingers poised to summon a shield at a moment's notice.
"We're not here to escalate," Lyra called out, her voice steady but firm. "We only want safe passage. Let us through, and there's no need for this to go further."
The enforcers hesitated, exchanging wary glances. Their postures, once rigid, softened slightly as they weighed the situation. One of the younger enforcers shifted uncomfortably, his gauntlet lowering just a fraction.
Coren could feel the tension in the air, her senses tuned to the faint hum of the Fields surrounding them. She took a step closer, adding her voice to Lyra's. "We're not your enemy," she said evenly, her tone earnest. "We're just trying to uncover the truth. Let us pass, and we'll be out of your way."
For a moment, it seemed their words might break through. The leader of the enforcers narrowed his eyes, his expression conflicted as he looked between Lyra, Coren, and the looming Wolfigers.
But then his grip on his gauntlet tightened, and he straightened, his resolve hardening. "You're trespassing in a restricted zone. Stand down, or we'll be forced to engage."
Lyra sighed softly, her shoulders dropping just slightly as though weighed by disappointment. "We didn't come here to fight," she said again, her voice quieter now but no less resolute. "But we'll defend ourselves if we have to."
The leader's eyes flicked toward the pack of Wolfigers, their glowing eyes reflecting the faint light of the enforcers' gauntlets. The hesitation was brief but undeniable before he gave a sharp nod to his team.
The air crackled with tension, energy filled the air as the enforcers activated their Field songs.
"Coren!" Lyra shouted, dodging to the side.
Coren reacted instantly. She threw up her shield, the Energy Field and Probability Field snapping into place around them. The shimmering barrier absorbed the incoming blasts, but every impact sent a jolt through her body. She gritted her teeth, feeling the strain of holding the shield for longer than she ever had during training.
"This is bad," Coren muttered, sweat dripping down her temple.
HG strolled into the chaos like he was on a casual afternoon walk. Energy blasts zipped past him, but he avoided them effortlessly, his combat chassis moving with an almost lazy elegance. "Well, diplomacy has officially failed," he said, his voice as cheerful as ever. "Perhaps it's time for a bit of… action."
Lyra ducked behind Coren's shield, glaring at HG. "You're enjoying this way too much!"
"Oh, don't be so dramatic," HG replied, waving her off. "Here's the plan: you two use that lovely shield to rush the gate. The gate won't work with your shield active so you will need to remove it before entering. I'll stay here with the Wolfigers and deal with the riff-raff. Non-lethally, of course. Pinky promise!" He held up one metallic finger in an exaggerated attempt at sincerity.
"We don't have a choice, do we?" Lyra asked, her voice tense.
Coren's arms trembled under the strain of keeping the shield active. "Not unless you've got another plan in the next ten seconds!"
Lyra sighed and adjusted her gauntlet. "Fine. Let's do this. HG, no casualties—I mean it."
"Cross my circuits and hope to short," HG said with a grin, turning toward the enforcers. "You two focus on the gate. Leave this mess to me."
With that, HG charged forward, his combat chassis a blur of precision and speed. The Wolfiger pack followed, leaping into the fray with terrifying grace. HG ducked and dodged through the enforcers' attacks, disabling their weapons and gauntlets with pinpoint accuracy. The Wolfigers tackled the automated sentinels that had been brought back online, their claws and teeth finding weak points without dealing fatal damage.
"Go!" HG called over his shoulder. "I've got this!"
Coren tightened her grip on the shield, pouring every ounce of her focus into maintaining it. "Lyra, stay close!"
The two of them broke into a sprint, the shield shimmering around them as they rushed toward the gate. Energy blasts and stray projectiles rained down on them, but Coren's shield held firm, absorbing each hit with an audible crackle.
"Almost there!" Lyra shouted, her eyes locked on the gate.
Coren could feel the strain tearing through her body. Her legs felt like lead, and her head throbbed with the effort of sustaining the shield. Each step was harder than the last, but she pushed forward, knowing they couldn't stop now.
The gate loomed ahead, its shimmering surface rippling like water. Lyra reached out to activate the controls, and the gate flared to life just as they reached it.
"Go, go, go!" Lyra urged, grabbing Coren's arm and pulling her through. Coren's shield flickered one last time before collapsing entirely
They stumbled onto the other side, the chaotic sounds of the battle fading instantly as the gate closed behind them. Coren staggered forward, her legs giving out beneath her.
"Coren!" Lyra dropped to her knees beside her, gripping her shoulders. "Hey, stay with me!"
Coren managed a weak smile, her vision swimming. "Made it… didn't we?"
Lyra nodded, her own breathing uneven. "Yeah. We made it."
Coren's head lolled to the side, her body too drained to hold itself up. The last thing she saw before the darkness took her was Lyra's worried face and the faint, rippling glow of the gate behind them.