"Mono/Dialogue"
'Inner thoughts'
Narration
[Message/communication apparatus]
Date: September 1082
Location: Kazimierz National Stadium, Kawalerielki, Kazimierz
POV: Narrator
The 19th Kazimierz Major seen several surprises along its course, and it is about to reach the final segment of the triennial event. Tournament that always garnered a worldwide attention had always been mired with interesting dilemma and perhaps even a social upheaval level of progression.
From a humble and perhaps rigid tournament where the main point was to gain knighthood, now it is an international event with state interest guised as personal interest, or vice-versa, to determine potentially profitable and positive future amidst the uneasy world peace.
New let us talk about some surprises that comes along the line.
First, a sudden influx of contrabands that was abnormally high. This had left the local authorities in a pinch while those involved with Kazimier Council are pointing finger upon each other to reap influences. Then there was the incident with explosives and originium smuggling that is still under investigation.
Second is the sudden return of Kazimierz unofficial hero, Nyx the Grey Serpent. She has been spotted to be loitering all around Kawalerielki and lending a hand in promoting the event. It is not a secret that she has ties with the Nearls, and tying the incident of their heir and wife disappearance, a thread was found.
But the interesting, and perhaps noteworthy, part is how she’s cozying up closer with K.G.C.C. and her lesser than usual frequency of being spotted with the Nearl family.
Gossips abound that she has, more or less, cut-ties with the family and how that they’re essentially ‘useless’ to her, Nyx’s mercenary fame is puzzling to say the least but her professionalism is beyond doubt. This spawned myriads and colorful negative nicknames and how she is seen as being a bitchy little opportunist and a leech without a grain sense of shame.
Her sudden rise of working frequency with K.G.C.C and Knights Association had created an ambiguous situation of her real status. Is she really someone else paramour? Was she perhaps promised a position? Did her working relation broke off with the Adeptus? Or maybe something else is in the play.
Regardless of reason, the public quickly forgotten the Nearls who fade into obscurity much faster. Several campaign knights retiree had expressed contempt on her ungrateful conduct, especially since the Nearl was the one vouching for her, according to several information networks.
Yet, no matter how many insults, slanders, and hates she garnered, the Grey Serpent didn’t spare even a blink to it, her cold indifference with other’s point of view remain the most consistent part. She still retaliate when someone goes too far but for the common masses, she’s generally the same apathetic individual who cares more about material gains than something like intimate relationship.
Her strictly professional conduct was rated highly however, especially when a mercenary always has these perception of being unreliable and untrustworthy. Such is why her work relationship is still the same old dealings and problems…
There are also other things that plagued the gossip tabloids, corporate magazines, and even state television channel… But all pales in comparison to the trendy and still hot for consumption event which is none other than the Kazimierz Major newest, and perhaps strongest, contender to date.
The meteoric rise of a certain Leithanien Caprinae. She arrived at the Lands of Knights with an awe inspiring and dominating presence. Her sheer martial prowess had garnered an immense level of following with numerous feats she had shown from the qualification all the way up to the current knock-out phase.
Her awe inspiring victories throughout the qualifiers has been imprinted deep within the Kazimierz Major’ history of being nigh-inhuman and just shy from monstrous all together when compared with her contemporaries contestants.
The first battle royale match ended with a staggering 105 /135 points, while being pretty much a one-vs-all scenario that shouldn’t have been that one-sided in Degenbrecher’s favor. Then a sight of her sword breakers shattering numerous state of the art equipment stunned a lot of major arms stakeholders and their respective wares.
Swords, maces, axes, and bladed weapons made from what can only be described as finest synthesis of materials, gone into nothing more than a disappointing pieces of scrap metal. Bent out of shaped, shattered into dust, dulled and broken, dismantled, and ravaged beyond repair.
Spears, staffs, halberds, and pole arms in general meant to withstand high pressure while maintaining a sharp point, was broken and snapped like a twig. The majority of spears weren’t simple wood or plastics either, but a composite of steel, carbon, and all marvel of technological advancement.
Armors, protective vest, carapaces, and defensive apparels meant to be comfortable like silk yet tough like dragon’s hide was no different than plain rag. There were several that had hold up for a while, before being turned into an unpleasant suit that just feels wrong to move and cumbersome to boot.
Which is why it is understandable for the general public to be so interested with her exploits. It is sensational, entertaining, and honestly a much needed remedy from gossiping about certain someone or political news that has little to no tractions most of the time.
She came months before the Major itself was confirmed, and her background had been a subject of gossips and talks, eclipsing the Grey Serpent’s scandals by a large margin. Her upbringing had been a subject for debate and when asked about it, Degenbrecher only frown in an almost hostile manner.
But that’s only fueled the public interests, as it usually be with consumerism that plagued modern day Kazimierzian, they are addicted with the newest, trendy, topic and gossips and what would be better than talking and rumormongering about the prime candidate for a title with highest notoriety a competition knight can achieve?
Now the major is approaching its climax, but the shadow of machinations and complicated schemes threatened to marred and desecrate its beauty with stains of an incident… thus what would happen if someone take advantage of it?
What could, or perhaps more appropriately will, happen when a predictable variable with unusual method entered the stage? Will it galvanize the event or will it put an ever deadlier flavor to this gallant gladiatorial game of wit and strength on the stage accompanied by initiative and guile beneath the surface?
Enter a certain Pythian Lady who would contend to grab not only the attention of the whole nation, but also perhaps Terra itself. All for her own goal, kindness, and selfishness molded into a singular knot of maximizing her potential profit and all possible benefits involved.
With nothing else other than the one thing she had hone and temper for years… the one thing that brought both boon and agony… the very thing where she willingly let herself suffer but also push herself unto a much greater heights…
An invention given by a higher powers or sheer grit and ingenious curiosity, an invention that shaped humanity, an invention that can be lost but also retained… and an invention that weaved about the cobweb of honest manipulation and enlightening deceit…
Voice.
Date: 9th October 1082
Location: Kawalerielki, Kazimierz
POV: Degenbrecher
“Degenbrecher! Is it true that you’re declining a lot of sponsorships!? Can we please interview you for a while!?”
“I’m afraid that would be for later, but I must confess that I’m flattered by the offer and would certainly give a much more appropriate response in due time.”
“Miss Degenbrecher there are those who gossiped about you being a deviant and lawbreakers! What is your response upon these rumors!?”
“They can say whatever they wanted, only fools and loser barks the loudest. Not much more than that.”
“Degenbrecher, ma’am! We are from the National Kazimierz Channel, what is your opinion on the current state of this beloved nation of ours!? We are very much thrilled to learn more about your view!”
“It certainly delivers as a nation, so much so that I still have so much to learn. For a more detailed account, you’ll have to wait.”
“Please wait a minute Miss Degenbrecher! Your fans wanted to procure similar arms and other such souvenirs and merchandise! Are you going to acquiesce to their wish!?”
“I’m still talking with my agent and… it is still in negotiation phase.”
“We are now live from the 12th stadium entrance and as you can see the reporters, journalists, and even fans are already swarming one the primary candidate for the new Kazimierz Champion’ Grand Knight title! For our foreign viewers, The Grand Knight title earned from Kazimierz Championship is not to be confused with Lady Grand Knight Ioleta Russell as the head of ministry of defense and also being Kazimierz de jure Field Marshal.”
“Miss Degenbrecher! Why didn’t you use any sort of Arts!? Were the rumors true that you’re incapable of honing your Arts capability!? Please, give us an answer!”
“Degenbrecher! Degenbrecher! Degenbrecher! Degenbrecher!”
These idiotic reprobates just won’t shut up wouldn’t they? It was amusing for the first and second time, now it is just a chore I must put up with. I can’t just swing my sword around willy-nilly to disperse the crowd… Hah… I just realized how expensive my private times were after I lost it… Freedom I earned was now casted aside by none other than myself.
Life can be really cruel if it wanted too… crueler than my former… handler… Born with arts defects, in Leithania no less, will guarantee discrimination. It wouldn’t be so if you’re unable to use arts to begin with, but defects are despised where I came from… cursed that blasted place… education my ass…
“Miss Degenbrecher, your transport has arrived, we’ll open up a path for you.”
“Very well.”
I keep my business smile etched on my face. I had been able to do it so naturally in just 3 weeks after being exposed to the utterly shameless corporatic schemes Kazimierzian stake holders concoct. Nyx… I hate how you downplayed these harassments way too much…
Finally my transport is here, courtesy from one of the chairmen who fancied my exploits, thus I’m in the middle of negotiating contracts. The clauses weren’t bad, and I already made myself known anyway… I should have been be happy, but there is this nagging feeling that I just made an egregious mistake to even come here…
Once I settled myself inside, I made my scowl known… why wouldn’t I if one of the spokesman is here, inside what was agreed upon as undisturbed space. He seems to pick up on my displeasure and motioned me to make myself at ease, might as well… I’m too tired after dealing with the crowd…
The spokesman name was Godfrey something, I couldn’t care less about it. Nyx had also told me that manpower is really abundant, thus making people replaceable. She told me not to bother familiarizing with people who wouldn’t last a year or two, there are exception but this one isn’t among them.
“Good Afternoon Miss De-”
“Hurry up, I’m tired…”
“Very well, let’s talk contracts…”
“Uh-huh…”
The clauses didn’t change much, but there is also an interesting offer that I would be given an extra privilege if I won this Major, first try with a streak of not losing any point. Well, shouldn’t be too hard really. Because other than mysterious man I met when I first crossed the border, and Nyx who is was clearly not having close-range-combat as her primary style, winning this Major is hardly a chore…
After some more rounds of negotiation, consisted of me nodding it off mostly with my snarking here and there, I finally reached my apartment. I didn’t care where I lodged before, but because of contract negotiation and paparazzi constant nagging, I moved up to a place where I will have peace and quiet… to an extent…
I swear these Kazimierzian are very creative on conjuring the most debatable topic imaginable…
Using my PT and keycard, I entered my apartment and it is as empty as usual. Apparently the chairman, who is essentially my boss now at the moment, had cleared out the whole building, renting all 7 stories for myself… I don’t know why they’re so keen on investing in me, perhaps there was someone who nudged them onward…
“Whatever, I can put my conspiracy theories for later…”
Taking off my protective vest, in lieu of light armors that I never needed after witnessing at how harmless the other competitors were, I just slumped on the couch. Exhaling tiredly from mental fatigue…
Why did I came here for again? My mind think back on the Major so far, there is barely any challenge so far.
‘Is this it? Is this all the Major has to offer? I was expecting something more than this…’
Of course, if I counted on how several personages who dislike my meteoric rise and sent hitman after me, then some spices did exist I guess… which brought me into a particular silhouette whose face and stature was concealed.
‘Who was that? I don’t know why, even when they are not looking at me, I can sensed their gaze boring deep from the back of my skull.’
“Hah… whatever, I’ll just rinse and hit the sack… this is a really tiring day…”
POV: Narrator
After Degenbrecher take an early rest, several unknown figures are seen outside her apartment. The apartment she rented is a rather isolated one, as much as mobile city is concerned. This place has their own set of protective walls, tall enough to deter unwanted intrusion but not too thick and ate up what precious little space available.
[This is Rook, target isolation protocol is done.]
[This is Crocea, copy that Rook, all unit proceed as planned.]
“Copy that Crocea, Jackal is moving out. Aight boys let’s get this shit on the road.”
“Why can’t we just burn the apartment? Safe us all the trouble.”
“Higher-ups said that they needed a show, besides… don’t you wanna have a taste?”
“Oh man, don’t say that… you’re making it hard to concentrate.”
“Disgusting…” One of their fellow operative grunted in annoyance, but work is work…
“No wonder you’re lonely. Look mate, in this line of work you just gotta enjoy it, ya hear?”
“…”
“That’s enough, team Topaz already deactivated the security system. Move swift and silent, and we got this on the bag. And for you, Kilo, you can do whatever, but don’t ruin her too much”
“Hehe, got it boss.”
“… Will it go well?”
“Sure is, the nerve agents we packin’ is enough to paralyze a herd of Gargatuskbeast you know.”
“Yeah, yeah… didn’t work on… you-know-who…”
“Oh shut it will ya? That thing was no woman, it is a demon in Pythian skin.”
[Enough, Jackal, double time it.]
“On it, sorry for that.”
25 minutes later…
POV: Nyx
“So that’s what happened here huh?” I asked the Major’ newest golden girl in front of me, we’re seated on the couch across one another… also a poor guy with a knife jabbed on his hand is slumped against the table. He is whimpering in pain, but no worries he won’t die… yet.
“I’m disappointed really. If these are all what those creeps have, they will die but not by my hand, unsurprisingly…”
“Mm-hm, so how was the nerve toxins?”
I just looked around this room, redecorated with damages here and there. A corpse, a woman I guess, was seen with her head bent on an unnatural angle, another a middle age man has his spine broken and turned into pretzel. I looked into the kitchen counter to see a body on top of it with multiple stab wounds and blood dripping down the countertop.
There is also a poor asshole with their leg stuck on the railing upside just behind me. I won’t disturb them, they are just hanging around after all. Or that guy who is now chilling in an aquarium, but it is not complete without mentioning a gall by the hall, well bits and pieces all around.
Deby already called for clean-up service. It was hilarious hearing them panicking like that, but you gotta make do in this mobile city. Death is a constant thing, and she will get headache in terms of noisy reporters.
Why am I here? Well, I just want to meet this new friend of mine, and because I sympathized with how much shit she must put up with in a spotlight. Turns out she is busy so I just watched from the sideline while recording the whole thing, and thankfully I just bought some snacks to pair with the carnage in front of me.
She didn’t demand me to erase the footage though… Anyway.
I was laughing my ass off seeing these shits face morphed into pure terror when Deby snapped an assassin in two with her bare hands like a twig. But if I can be nitpicky though, she was being too nice with them… but hey enough of that. Let’s talk about the surrounding.
Honestly I like Deby’s idea of decorations and room rearrangement. A bloodied pot of flowers, a simple doormat with crimson hue, a healthy amount of fresh meat here and there. It is an awesome work for an amateur like Deby in the art of decoration.
By the way, Degenbrecher is too long and I just call her Deby instead of Deg, since Deg sounds like it rolls of better with degenerate. She was pissed at first and called me a bitch for it, but meh not important. Also, she really knows how to brew an awesome tea. God my life in Victoria had caused me to manifest tea addiction, as it should be.
“I must say that… nerves toxins are annoying.”
“I know that feeling. SO! My cute little cretin, what do you… think!?” I jabbed another knife into the man’s hand. He can’t even scream with his mouth sealed with blooded cloth.
“Huh? No, you said? No fun~” despite rolling off my words, I sounded anything but warm.
“You do?”
“Yep, Deby-chan, first-hand experience.” Hahaha! Her face scrunched up in disgust, I’ll call her that more often just to fuck with her. Also her face then turned into disbelief after comprehending my insinuation beforehand.
“… You’re not implying that…”
“I did, stung pretty intensely but meh, nothing too special. It does make a pretty good substitute for cheap ass chili powder, if nothing else.”
“Are you some kind of wild animal?”
“Well, I can be an animal in bed, care to have a taste? I let you be the top~”
“Enough lollygagging, what do you want?”
“I’ll see you at the final, and I’ll crash your party. Hope you don’t mind.”
“… what are you even talking abou-”
“That’s it for today, bye~” I cocked my gun and aimed it at the shitstain.
*bang*
“… Will you pay for damaging the table?”
“Hmm~ why should I? Except if you want to rat me out, you can just blame it all on the assailant.”
“Wouldn’t that cause trouble for you? I mean none of the assailant brought a gun.”
“Meh, I have favors to spent and splurge, no biggie there for me Deby.”
Date: 11th November 1082
Location: Kazimierz National Stadium, Kawalerielki, Kazimierz
POV: Narrator
[LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! WELCOME TO THE PENULTIMATE STAGE OF OUR TRIENNIAL EVENT! OF OUR GLORIOUS TOURNAMENT! AND OF OUR VIRTUOUSLY GLORIOUS KAZIMIERZ MAJOR THE 19TH!]
Cheers and chants can be heard throughout the mobile city, every single one of its inhabitant’ has but a single focus. The major also attracted foreign interests, for along with it came an immense opportunity to pick and choose to then invest according to their design.
[We are finally here folks! The final of Kawalerielki Alliance’ Kazimierz Major! We have on one side the runner up of the last Major event and it is none other than the fabled knight with nicknamed of glimmering jewel! The knight that is known to be brimming with high-tech equipment! The one and truly is no one else! Diamond Knight!]
Diamond Knight, without the as per tradition of only usable by Grand Knights, is an unofficial name given by her fans due to her precious and expensive level of investment, like a diamond polishing process. Despite losing the 18th Major’ final, Diamond Knight still managed to get herself a lot of eager sponsors due to how profitable she is and how much she is willing to bend the rules a little.
Usually such a scandal would spell doom for a knight, but not her and her fans certainly don’t mind extra materials to collect.
The crowd goes wild while the competition knight entered the field under numerous flashing lights and attention from their fans and journalist. Diamond Knight is a serious contender for the Major’ title of Grand Knight, so much so that she was predicted to be the undisputable victor of this tournament… was anyway.
[And from the other side we have our newest contender! The foreigner who came from Leithania! The black horse who scored a new record for the highest battle royale marks ever! The one dubbed as the golden haired black knight due to her swiftness and overpowering presence! Like a darkness that follows the light which glittered along her golden hair! The one and only! DEGENBRECHER!]
The next wave of cheers instantly dwarfed the one accompanying Diamond Knight’s entrance. Degenbrecher can described as a complete opposite from Diamond Knight, she is really blunt and wouldn’t take just any sponsorship deals. Degenbrecher is also notorious, for the most part, of being extremely blithe in her interaction with those who didn’t earn her respect.
With a light armor strapped along her body, and new additions of vambracers with golden and black marking, Degenbrecher entered the field with her signature sword-breakers, but one thing also attracts the audience attention…
[AM I ACTUALLY SEEING THIS FOLKS!? THE DEGENBRECHER HAS HER GREATSWORD AT THE READY!? THIS IS THE FIRST WE SEE THE BLADE WITHOUT ITS SHEATH! THE CLIMAX FOR THIS MAJOR COULDN’T GET ANY BETTER!]
The both of them is now watching each other silently.
[LET’S COUNT. IT. DOWN!] While the audience’ are following the speaker’ cue, the finalists are preparing their weapon.
[3] Footing established, gaze focused.
[2] Sword-breakers drawn, a sophisticated rapier unfastened and retractable dagger gripped tightly.
[1] Form ready, clash imminent.
Audience’ enthusiasm had reached its apex, now all it took is merely the signal for it to start.
[BEGIN!]
The two of them shoot like an arrow and clashed right at the middle, and to Degenbrecher pleasant surprise, the one in front of her is not too shabby. The same can’t be said about her opponent however, Diamond Knight is sweating hard from a mere clash.
Knowing that she is outmatched, Diamond knight needs to keep up with her opponent’ pace. Without meaning to, she said her unreserved opinion.
“… What the hell are you?”
“Hmph, not important…” Degenbrecher is ready to pounce once more, and Diamond can only smile wryly on her predicament.
“Hah, I’m screwed. But no matter, En garde!”
Somewhere in Kawalerielki…
While the mobile city’ denizens are distracted by the Major, battles beneath the shadow erupted with blazing intensity hidden away from the masses. Blades broken, bows snapped, arrows and bolts wasted, and then corpses littered the unspoken battlefield. A group of clandestine operatives had been picking apart another group of what appears to be Knights’ splinter group.
Skip
“Damn it! They got us first!”
“Why the hell are Armorless Union here!?”
Skip
“Hey you! Get the wounded out!”
“Understood sir! Hey, get the medical detachment here!”
Skip
“Sir! The infected are gone!”
“What…!? How could that be!? We can’t lose our pawn like that!”
Skip
“Ma’am! Sector 4 had been wiped out!”
“So soon!? Curses…”
While the commanding element are having a hard time organizing a meaningful resistance against intensifying siege, their opponent are having their movements calculated meticulously with unerring focus.
“Sir, sector 4 had been occupied. We managed to gather and embed more incriminating evidences.”
“Group Hasting have confirmed that HVT Easter is K.I.A, they requested further order.”
“Lazurite Marco and Lazurite Roy have successfully infiltrated hostile’ primary stronghold, they are now commencing decapitation protocol.”
“Platinum is in position at the stadium, his group is ready to apprehend the criminals.”
Skip
“Ma’am, we still have no further update from Adeptus… they’re eerily silent.”
“Have an element from group Yram to ascertain their situation, if possible take out HVT Lazarin.”
“What is the current Major situation?”
“Subject Sunder is being overpowered by subject Enigma, a new Grand Knight is more or less confirmed.”
Skip
“I see, get our security detachment ready. K.G.C.C. requested us to-”
Before they can continue, an alarming message came through the emergency channel.
“THIS IS GROUP ALANIA, PRIORITY MESSAGE!”
“Send it, Alania!”
“Sector 7 is empty! I repeat it is empty!”
“What!? that can’t be!”
“Get group Julian and Remus to find sector 7’ package! We can’t let those explosives go haywire.”
“I want every group to be on highest alert! Then we-”
Skip
“SIR! GROUP ARMA FOUND THE EXPLOSIVES! IT IS AT THE CENTRAL PLAZA AND… DEAR GOD! THE STADIUM!”
“ACTIVATE PROTOCOL HERMES!”
But before further command is given, suddenly the entire mobile city is engulfed by darkness, confusion and dread soon follow.
Back to the Stadium, several moments before the present…
[WOULD YOU LOOK AT THAT FOLKS!? DEGENBRECHER FINALLY PULLED HER GREATSWORD!]
With an earthshattering step, Degenbrecher delivered a downward swing that cracked the ground. Diamond Knight is less than pleased seeing that she just avoided death, such a thing should have been violating Article 7 of major’ rule. However…
It has a loophole where due to differing strength between races and individual, making things hard to determine what is deemed a kill-shot or not. While also notwithstanding that the crowd’ excitement and general mood making it hard for her to forfeit without jeopardizing her career.
But the show must go on, and go on it will. She drew her rapier and ready to lunge when possible. Diamond Knight managed to survive this long due to her sophisticated and high-tech armor capable of dispensing medication and semi-automatic damage management.
Degenbrecher restarted her offense, while Diamond Knight deployed her own arts shield. This invention was meant to provide an alternative to physical shield, but the cost of owning one is high with repair cost that made ordinary people shudder from how many zeroes is in it.
Despite that however, the shield was cleaved clean. Then her opponent delivered a punch that cracked her armor, but instead of just tumble down and yield. Diamond Knight choose to fight until she can see only darkness.
“Alright! Come at me, Degenbrecher!”
“Hmph, I applaud your bravery. Let’s end this.”
Centering her gravity, the Caprinae is ready to fell her opponent. Without further words exchanged, Diamond Knights activated all the functions hidden away in her armor, all for a single to end it all. Her armor peeled itself to form a protective shell along her body, her gauntlet manifested an arts barrier and her rapier blazed in blue light.
Her opponent has nothing so visually pleasing, however. Her stance is nothing but a pure form of raw power, unaided by any arts. Her aura is purely formed by her and only her, the audiences are now holding their breaths. The climax is finally here.
Then, Degenbracher shot forward like a bullet while Diamond Knight, or Rea Kaśka, plunged everything she has on one final thrust. A greatsword crashed against the wall of both physical and arts shields. The rapier stabbed her shoulder, but Degenbrecher didn’t heed it. Her eyes are focused on her opponent… who finally toppled with every single one of her devices broken.
[WHAT A GAME! LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! LET US HEARTILY WELCOME OUR NEW CHAMPION! OUR HERALD OF A NEW ERA! THE VICTOR OF 19TH KAZIMIERZ MAJOR! THE! NEW! GRAND KNIGHT! DEGENBRECHER!]
The audience, both within and outside the stadium cheered and chanted her name.
“Degenbrecher!”
“Degenbrecher!”
“Degenbrecher!”
“Degenbrecher!”
When Degenbrecher raised her sword high, the city was suddenly engulfed in darkness. Confusion immediately spread, but not before the sky lit up in myriads of explosion. Strings of fireworks had been meticulously arranged.
Unbeknownst to them, a swift policing action was taken to subdue the would be saboteurs and Armoless Union teams who were at first on high alert for potential bombing is now drown in confusion… but all that change with an appearance of an unlikely actor…
The master of ceremony suddenly received a message through his terminal, to say he is surprised is putting it mildly. But his glee can be felt through his voice, this is truly unexpected but work is work. Despite the power outage, sound systems and broadcasting apparatuses still works… how intriguing…
[THIS JUST CAME IN FOLKS! WE GOT OURSELVES A SURPRISE PERFORMANCE! WITHOUT FURTHER ADO, LET US WELCOME! NYX, THE GREY SERPENT!]
Gasps of astonishment reverberated all across the mobile city. Confusion, skepticism, curiosity, and all sort of emotions surfaced… everyone was immediately silenced, by the figure that is clad in rather puzzling choice of wardrobe. They can see her face, it is none other than the Grey Serpent with a guitar at the ready.
(AN: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2N4tXf3Ensw)
Then she starts to hum, along with instruments that strummed along a song they had never heard before. The melody and rhythm is reminiscent to what average Terran would call ‘metal’ and it does energized the crowd. They also have this nagging feeling, nudging them to just enjoy the music, they know not from where however.
“Once I touched your heart
Held you in closed arms
Built a haven for your love
Until I let you fall apart”
An interestingly soft opening part after the fiery opening in a dogmatic and archaic dialect of Victorian. Her voice carried along with it a sense of longing, but also a sense of helplessness that will soon follow due to the nature of her love, to whom it was directed is unknown but the emotion held true like a blazing magma that is yet to erupt and engulfed the earth.
“Please forgive me”
An apology before the gate of emotion being barged open. Engulfing the audience and all who can hear her to be battered by emotion buried deep inside.
“God, I miss you like hell
I was wrong, I can tell
For the heart can be blind and frozen”
The audience is mesmerized from the energy and pain felt through her voice, it is intoxicating and the people starts to join along the song. The surprise concert is now in full swing, a love song with energetic tempo is just right up the alley of Kawalerielki citizen, embodying that time keeps moving ever onward and not backward.
“Now I live with the pain
Every night, every day
As I read those letters you wrote me”
The stadium’ mood is now in full swing, even the ever so rigid Degenbrecher enjoying the music her own way. The Diamond Knight also finally woke up, miraculously quick, only to be extremely confused but she too just enjoyed the song while the medical staffs are carrying her outside the stadium. She failed to notice that her injury is closing up visibly, but the bruises are still there…
“How I long for the time
When your lips would kiss mine
And the promise was still unbroken”
Nyx finally shed all of her mask, something that had mostly gone unnoticed by the audiences. Nyx let her aching heart to show itself, how she long for him to look at her, to tell him that she wanted him more than anything else. The Armorless Union agents however don’t know what to do, this is not something they had taken into account.
“I will wait for tomorrow
That may never come
I will wait in the name of love”
A figure was seen to be looking at Nyx wryly, even their hand that has been clutching their bow had gone slack. To say that things had escalated into a bizarre circumstance is not an understatement but cold, hard, fact. The song entered the next phase and the audience are now going wild with excitement. The darkness suddenly become something inconsequential and forgotten.
“My forlorn heart faintly beats
Your absence makes me weak
And if nothing brings you back
Surely, I'll roam through life in black”
Another soft spoken stanza, but oh so sweet to the ears. The audience now feel another nagging feeling, that the next part they can finally sing along. The more arts inclined audience would have noticed it… if they weren’t so hypnotized themselves. K.G.C.C. chairmen that was divided between fuming and amused suddenly felt their rage drained away too.
“Like a shadow”
As if on cue, the whole city is now singing along with her. The song is truly easy to remember and it will stuck in their heads for a long, long, time. Not like they will complain, the song itself is truly worth the subsequent earworm.
“God, I miss you like hell
I was wrong, I can tell
For the heart can be blind and frozen”
Nyx voice is drowned by all who sang along, but hers is distinct enough to not be lost beneath the ever encroaching wave that is turning into a tsunami of revelry and festivity. The whole city is now awake, and they can’t be happier for it.
“Now I live with the pain
Every night, every day
As I read those letters you wrote me”
The infected who are forgotten are also pleasantly surprised that someone had installed sound systems for them to listen or sing along, not to mention that there are a lot of packaged food ready for them to eat and relish. It even brought tears to some of them, someone out there knows that they exist, something they always so desperately hoped.
“How I long for the time
When your lips would kiss mine
And the promise was still unbroken”
Yet beneath this veil of celebration, the battle beneath them still rang true and intensifying. Understanding that the people is now distracted, both side are trying to capitalize on it to either vanish into the shadow or to finish it all in one glorious last stand. Ideals clashed against the nigh-robotic reality, a battle that will always be buried beneath the glittering falsehood of complacency.
“I will wait for tomorrow
That may never come
I will wait in the name of love”
Games of bidding and pulling favors had entered a new round. Kazimierz National Council had turned into a battlefield for 3 factions, all yearn and bid for the topmost chance of gaining profit and influence for their respective goals. Curiously, Ioleta rarely spoke and her sneer and pity masked by a sense of amusement. Adeptus might suffer, but the other side won’t pull out scotch free either.
“I would die for the love of mercy
Destiny, is this how it should be? No, no, no!”
The singing stops and in its placed is a guitar riffs and solo that reverberated all over the jungle of concrete and steel. Her fingers are strumming the strings with such intensity that it galvanized more vigor on all who aren’t deaf to her charm. The accompanying instrument tagged along before a trumpet floored all of them and battled the guitar for supremacy.
Her voice finally heard once more after the intense duet between the aforementioned instruments. Nyx serenade is now even softer than before, yet the people heard it to be loudest of them all, dwarfing all previous stanzas in terms of raw emotion.
“God, I miss you like hell
I was wrong, I can tell
For the heart can be blind and frozen
Now I live with the pain
Every night, every day
As I read those letters you wrote me”
A chorus that soon joined by cacophony of thundering zeal brought upon by the audience and listener to join her upon this most joyous occasion. The surface full or revelry while beneath them blood flows like the river nile, a complete opposite of nature that intersected yet will never come to pass else all hell shall break loose without control nor rest. The zenith is reached, and the nadir will soon follow.
“God, I miss you like hell
I was wrong, I can tell
For the heart can be blind and frozen
Now I live with the pain
Every night, every day
As I read those letters you wrote me”
Excitement had gone through the roof, it even shook the air itself with how many voices is now accompanying her beautiful serenade turned a full-blown orchestral miracle. The people who never sang before suddenly spoke in a smooth and measured but clearly amateurish style, but no matter since joy is the theme for this night to remember.
“How I long for the time
When your lips would kiss mine
And the promise was still unbroken
I will wait for tomorrow
That may never come
I will wait in the name of love”
The song is reaching its end, and along with a final strum of the guitar, it is ended with a roar full of mirth and truth, full of zeal and thrill, brimmed with glimmer and shimmer of will, and most importantly… of truthful simplicity and never ending, hearty, sense of freedom… voice is freedom, and with freedom comes the voice…
POV: ???
“Hmm… not bad.” I was watching the broadcast of the 19th Major. It appears they failed as expected for a test bed, but I pleasantly gained something much better… information and understanding.
The Grey Serpent is not as hardheaded nor having unrelenting hate on us, in fact her mannerism suggest that she sees nothing wrong with Kazimierz drive for modernity. Well, the future is still not yet set in stone, and things are still on schedule.
[What must we do about her Father? While not being harmful to us directly, she is too much of an uncontrollable anomaly.]
“Leave her be for now, we can still force her softly. Besides, call off the shots against the Nearls.”
[May I ask why, Father?]
“It will fracture us all, The Adeptus will fight tooth and nail protecting one insignificant family that is too cheap compared to our collective future.” I sigh, full of irritation. These damn old traditionalists are still unable of comprehending what is necessary for all of us.
Knighthood is not something deplorable, no. It is just these ignorant reprobates who can’t see beyond their false sense of honor, a nation that is being held back by redundant codes and nonsensical values.
“Listen well, Seweryn, while Kazimierz is cannibalizing upon one another, Columbia is pressing forward faster than ever. While Kazimierz is torn between tradition and necessity, Victoria still eclipsed it despite being a shadow of its own glory. And Ursus? A decrepit Empire that still has enough power to launch a conquest while fighting itself… Compared to them all, where is Kazimierz?”
[…Understood, Father.]
The communication has been turned off.
“Nyx… You have my attention now… A test is necessary, but I’ll wait till it rain… to see your true nature and value.”
Location: A certain mobile city.
POV: ???
“Hah! That was a terrific performance from her! To think that I can laugh so heartily like this. She would make a really flexible resource, I need to contact her immediately.”
“But dear… wasn’t what she did risky?”
“No, conversely in fact. She pushed up her value so her potential belligerents would be torn between themselves. When money is concerned, family will even tear itself apart. Even more so when corporate alliance is the one in it. Truly, she is a fool… I can do about it better, but her method is not wrong…”
“Can you stop fishing out for trouble? Your niece is about to embark on her education, and it is you who forced her too… She is suffering, especially after that incident, so why can’t yo-”
“I didn’t force her, I merely gave her an advice and… hah… the world keeps moving, and I must ensure her future is secured. I will not bar her path towards excellence.”
“… I’m going to help her prepare all the necessary baggage, that man won’t be useful at all…”
“Give her my regards and blessings…”
Location: Somewhere in the north
POV: ???
“What a fascinating little snake… to think that she can draw out the potential from such a mundane concept to garner support. Thankfully my beloved realm has no such weakness, only through conquest and its people live with pride does futures are made.”
I can’t help but to be mesmerized with it, an application of her nature that is charmingly devious, like a snake always should be. But that’s not all…
“Why did it feels like she is going to be at the center of a whirlpool? Hmm, she did had a hand in 72’s massacre, although the specifics still eludes me… Perhaps it is her voice? But I can’t sense anything from it…”
It is best if I made more contingency, she is just a small snake… but the smallest snake can be the most venomous… especially when I failed to force the Ageless into her cycle…
“Contact the Imperial Intelligence, scour everything they can find about her… that moderate kid can prance about all he want, but our way forward is only one…”
“Understood, Your Lordship.”
[END OF CHAPTER]
Author’s Note:
Yo there, this is me, myself, and I, the author who is plagued by the urge to let Nyx off doing whatever she wanted and it is also VERY INTERESTING what I can concoct amidst bout of depression.
At this point in time, you will most likely realize that her singing will play an integral role when she’s either winning or sinning, damn that’s another one of those rhymes.
Nyx actually sang 10 songs, the songs are in order of:
Blind and Frozen – Beast in Black
The Awakening – Onlap
My Dystopia – Beast in Black
Miracle – Onlap
Kishi Koushinkyoku – Knight of Sidonia OP
Elan – Nightwish
The One They Call the Witch – Octopath OST
Das Madchen und Die Liebe – Oonagh
Paradise – Within Temptation ft. Tarja
Nienna – Oonagh
We’ll be back on track (lol) again soon, Victoria is just there after all.
Update as usual, it will be faster if my thesis finally got approved.
Ciao
"Mono/Dialogue"
'Inner thoughts'
Narration
[Message/communication apparatus]
Date: September 1082
Location: Kazimierz National Stadium, Kawalerielki, Kazimierz
POV: Narrator
The 19th Kazimierz Major seen several surprises along its course, and it is about to reach the final segment of the triennial event. Tournament that always garnered a worldwide attention had always been mired with interesting dilemma and perhaps even a social upheaval level of progression.
From a humble and perhaps rigid tournament where the main point was to gain knighthood, now it is an international event with state interest guised as personal interest, or vice-versa, to determine potentially profitable and positive future amidst the uneasy world peace.
New let us talk about some surprises that comes along the line.
First, a sudden influx of contrabands that was abnormally high. This had left the local authorities in a pinch while those involved with Kazimier Council are pointing finger upon each other to reap influences. Then there was the incident with explosives and originium smuggling that is still under investigation.
Second is the sudden return of Kazimierz unofficial hero, Nyx the Grey Serpent. She has been spotted to be loitering all around Kawalerielki and lending a hand in promoting the event. It is not a secret that she has ties with the Nearls, and tying the incident of their heir and wife disappearance, a thread was found.
But the interesting, and perhaps noteworthy, part is how she’s cozying up closer with K.G.C.C. and her lesser than usual frequency of being spotted with the Nearl family.
Gossips abound that she has, more or less, cut-ties with the family and how that they’re essentially ‘useless’ to her, Nyx’s mercenary fame is puzzling to say the least but her professionalism is beyond doubt. This spawned myriads and colorful negative nicknames and how she is seen as being a bitchy little opportunist and a leech without a grain sense of shame.
Her sudden rise of working frequency with K.G.C.C and Knights Association had created an ambiguous situation of her real status. Is she really someone else paramour? Was she perhaps promised a position? Did her working relation broke off with the Adeptus? Or maybe something else is in the play.
Regardless of reason, the public quickly forgotten the Nearls who fade into obscurity much faster. Several campaign knights retiree had expressed contempt on her ungrateful conduct, especially since the Nearl was the one vouching for her, according to several information networks.
Yet, no matter how many insults, slanders, and hates she garnered, the Grey Serpent didn’t spare even a blink to it, her cold indifference with other’s point of view remain the most consistent part. She still retaliate when someone goes too far but for the common masses, she’s generally the same apathetic individual who cares more about material gains than something like intimate relationship.
Her strictly professional conduct was rated highly however, especially when a mercenary always has these perception of being unreliable and untrustworthy. Such is why her work relationship is still the same old dealings and problems…
There are also other things that plagued the gossip tabloids, corporate magazines, and even state television channel… But all pales in comparison to the trendy and still hot for consumption event which is none other than the Kazimierz Major newest, and perhaps strongest, contender to date.
The meteoric rise of a certain Leithanien Caprinae. She arrived at the Lands of Knights with an awe inspiring and dominating presence. Her sheer martial prowess had garnered an immense level of following with numerous feats she had shown from the qualification all the way up to the current knock-out phase.
Her awe inspiring victories throughout the qualifiers has been imprinted deep within the Kazimierz Major’ history of being nigh-inhuman and just shy from monstrous all together when compared with her contemporaries contestants.
The first battle royale match ended with a staggering 105 /135 points, while being pretty much a one-vs-all scenario that shouldn’t have been that one-sided in Degenbrecher’s favor. Then a sight of her sword breakers shattering numerous state of the art equipment stunned a lot of major arms stakeholders and their respective wares.
Swords, maces, axes, and bladed weapons made from what can only be described as finest synthesis of materials, gone into nothing more than a disappointing pieces of scrap metal. Bent out of shaped, shattered into dust, dulled and broken, dismantled, and ravaged beyond repair.
Spears, staffs, halberds, and pole arms in general meant to withstand high pressure while maintaining a sharp point, was broken and snapped like a twig. The majority of spears weren’t simple wood or plastics either, but a composite of steel, carbon, and all marvel of technological advancement.
Armors, protective vest, carapaces, and defensive apparels meant to be comfortable like silk yet tough like dragon’s hide was no different than plain rag. There were several that had hold up for a while, before being turned into an unpleasant suit that just feels wrong to move and cumbersome to boot.
Which is why it is understandable for the general public to be so interested with her exploits. It is sensational, entertaining, and honestly a much needed remedy from gossiping about certain someone or political news that has little to no tractions most of the time.
She came months before the Major itself was confirmed, and her background had been a subject of gossips and talks, eclipsing the Grey Serpent’s scandals by a large margin. Her upbringing had been a subject for debate and when asked about it, Degenbrecher only frown in an almost hostile manner.
But that’s only fueled the public interests, as it usually be with consumerism that plagued modern day Kazimierzian, they are addicted with the newest, trendy, topic and gossips and what would be better than talking and rumormongering about the prime candidate for a title with highest notoriety a competition knight can achieve?
Now the major is approaching its climax, but the shadow of machinations and complicated schemes threatened to marred and desecrate its beauty with stains of an incident… thus what would happen if someone take advantage of it?
What could, or perhaps more appropriately will, happen when a predictable variable with unusual method entered the stage? Will it galvanize the event or will it put an ever deadlier flavor to this gallant gladiatorial game of wit and strength on the stage accompanied by initiative and guile beneath the surface?
Enter a certain Pythian Lady who would contend to grab not only the attention of the whole nation, but also perhaps Terra itself. All for her own goal, kindness, and selfishness molded into a singular knot of maximizing her potential profit and all possible benefits involved.
With nothing else other than the one thing she had hone and temper for years… the one thing that brought both boon and agony… the very thing where she willingly let herself suffer but also push herself unto a much greater heights…
An invention given by a higher powers or sheer grit and ingenious curiosity, an invention that shaped humanity, an invention that can be lost but also retained… and an invention that weaved about the cobweb of honest manipulation and enlightening deceit…
Voice.
Date: 9th October 1082
Location: Kawalerielki, Kazimierz
POV: Degenbrecher
“Degenbrecher! Is it true that you’re declining a lot of sponsorships!? Can we please interview you for a while!?”
“I’m afraid that would be for later, but I must confess that I’m flattered by the offer and would certainly give a much more appropriate response in due time.”
“Miss Degenbrecher there are those who gossiped about you being a deviant and lawbreakers! What is your response upon these rumors!?”
“They can say whatever they wanted, only fools and loser barks the loudest. Not much more than that.”
“Degenbrecher, ma’am! We are from the National Kazimierz Channel, what is your opinion on the current state of this beloved nation of ours!? We are very much thrilled to learn more about your view!”
“It certainly delivers as a nation, so much so that I still have so much to learn. For a more detailed account, you’ll have to wait.”
“Please wait a minute Miss Degenbrecher! Your fans wanted to procure similar arms and other such souvenirs and merchandise! Are you going to acquiesce to their wish!?”
“I’m still talking with my agent and… it is still in negotiation phase.”
“We are now live from the 12th stadium entrance and as you can see the reporters, journalists, and even fans are already swarming one the primary candidate for the new Kazimierz Champion’ Grand Knight title! For our foreign viewers, The Grand Knight title earned from Kazimierz Championship is not to be confused with Lady Grand Knight Ioleta Russell as the head of ministry of defense and also being Kazimierz de jure Field Marshal.”
“Miss Degenbrecher! Why didn’t you use any sort of Arts!? Were the rumors true that you’re incapable of honing your Arts capability!? Please, give us an answer!”
“Degenbrecher! Degenbrecher! Degenbrecher! Degenbrecher!”
These idiotic reprobates just won’t shut up wouldn’t they? It was amusing for the first and second time, now it is just a chore I must put up with. I can’t just swing my sword around willy-nilly to disperse the crowd… Hah… I just realized how expensive my private times were after I lost it… Freedom I earned was now casted aside by none other than myself.
Life can be really cruel if it wanted too… crueler than my former… handler… Born with arts defects, in Leithania no less, will guarantee discrimination. It wouldn’t be so if you’re unable to use arts to begin with, but defects are despised where I came from… cursed that blasted place… education my ass…
“Miss Degenbrecher, your transport has arrived, we’ll open up a path for you.”
“Very well.”
I keep my business smile etched on my face. I had been able to do it so naturally in just 3 weeks after being exposed to the utterly shameless corporatic schemes Kazimierzian stake holders concoct. Nyx… I hate how you downplayed these harassments way too much…
Finally my transport is here, courtesy from one of the chairmen who fancied my exploits, thus I’m in the middle of negotiating contracts. The clauses weren’t bad, and I already made myself known anyway… I should have been be happy, but there is this nagging feeling that I just made an egregious mistake to even come here…
Once I settled myself inside, I made my scowl known… why wouldn’t I if one of the spokesman is here, inside what was agreed upon as undisturbed space. He seems to pick up on my displeasure and motioned me to make myself at ease, might as well… I’m too tired after dealing with the crowd…
The spokesman name was Godfrey something, I couldn’t care less about it. Nyx had also told me that manpower is really abundant, thus making people replaceable. She told me not to bother familiarizing with people who wouldn’t last a year or two, there are exception but this one isn’t among them.
“Good Afternoon Miss De-”
“Hurry up, I’m tired…”
“Very well, let’s talk contracts…”
“Uh-huh…”
The clauses didn’t change much, but there is also an interesting offer that I would be given an extra privilege if I won this Major, first try with a streak of not losing any point. Well, shouldn’t be too hard really. Because other than mysterious man I met when I first crossed the border, and Nyx who is was clearly not having close-range-combat as her primary style, winning this Major is hardly a chore…
After some more rounds of negotiation, consisted of me nodding it off mostly with my snarking here and there, I finally reached my apartment. I didn’t care where I lodged before, but because of contract negotiation and paparazzi constant nagging, I moved up to a place where I will have peace and quiet… to an extent…
I swear these Kazimierzian are very creative on conjuring the most debatable topic imaginable…
Using my PT and keycard, I entered my apartment and it is as empty as usual. Apparently the chairman, who is essentially my boss now at the moment, had cleared out the whole building, renting all 7 stories for myself… I don’t know why they’re so keen on investing in me, perhaps there was someone who nudged them onward…
“Whatever, I can put my conspiracy theories for later…”
Taking off my protective vest, in lieu of light armors that I never needed after witnessing at how harmless the other competitors were, I just slumped on the couch. Exhaling tiredly from mental fatigue…
Why did I came here for again? My mind think back on the Major so far, there is barely any challenge so far.
‘Is this it? Is this all the Major has to offer? I was expecting something more than this…’
Of course, if I counted on how several personages who dislike my meteoric rise and sent hitman after me, then some spices did exist I guess… which brought me into a particular silhouette whose face and stature was concealed.
‘Who was that? I don’t know why, even when they are not looking at me, I can sensed their gaze boring deep from the back of my skull.’
“Hah… whatever, I’ll just rinse and hit the sack… this is a really tiring day…”
POV: Narrator
After Degenbrecher take an early rest, several unknown figures are seen outside her apartment. The apartment she rented is a rather isolated one, as much as mobile city is concerned. This place has their own set of protective walls, tall enough to deter unwanted intrusion but not too thick and ate up what precious little space available.
[This is Rook, target isolation protocol is done.]
[This is Crocea, copy that Rook, all unit proceed as planned.]
“Copy that Crocea, Jackal is moving out. Aight boys let’s get this shit on the road.”
“Why can’t we just burn the apartment? Safe us all the trouble.”
“Higher-ups said that they needed a show, besides… don’t you wanna have a taste?”
“Oh man, don’t say that… you’re making it hard to concentrate.”
“Disgusting…” One of their fellow operative grunted in annoyance, but work is work…
“No wonder you’re lonely. Look mate, in this line of work you just gotta enjoy it, ya hear?”
“…”
“That’s enough, team Topaz already deactivated the security system. Move swift and silent, and we got this on the bag. And for you, Kilo, you can do whatever, but don’t ruin her too much”
“Hehe, got it boss.”
“… Will it go well?”
“Sure is, the nerve agents we packin’ is enough to paralyze a herd of Gargatuskbeast you know.”
“Yeah, yeah… didn’t work on… you-know-who…”
“Oh shut it will ya? That thing was no woman, it is a demon in Pythian skin.”
[Enough, Jackal, double time it.]
“On it, sorry for that.”
25 minutes later…
POV: Nyx
“So that’s what happened here huh?” I asked the Major’ newest golden girl in front of me, we’re seated on the couch across one another… also a poor guy with a knife jabbed on his hand is slumped against the table. He is whimpering in pain, but no worries he won’t die… yet.
“I’m disappointed really. If these are all what those creeps have, they will die but not by my hand, unsurprisingly…”
“Mm-hm, so how was the nerve toxins?”
I just looked around this room, redecorated with damages here and there. A corpse, a woman I guess, was seen with her head bent on an unnatural angle, another a middle age man has his spine broken and turned into pretzel. I looked into the kitchen counter to see a body on top of it with multiple stab wounds and blood dripping down the countertop.
There is also a poor asshole with their leg stuck on the railing upside just behind me. I won’t disturb them, they are just hanging around after all. Or that guy who is now chilling in an aquarium, but it is not complete without mentioning a gall by the hall, well bits and pieces all around.
Deby already called for clean-up service. It was hilarious hearing them panicking like that, but you gotta make do in this mobile city. Death is a constant thing, and she will get headache in terms of noisy reporters.
Why am I here? Well, I just want to meet this new friend of mine, and because I sympathized with how much shit she must put up with in a spotlight. Turns out she is busy so I just watched from the sideline while recording the whole thing, and thankfully I just bought some snacks to pair with the carnage in front of me.
She didn’t demand me to erase the footage though… Anyway.
I was laughing my ass off seeing these shits face morphed into pure terror when Deby snapped an assassin in two with her bare hands like a twig. But if I can be nitpicky though, she was being too nice with them… but hey enough of that. Let’s talk about the surrounding.
Honestly I like Deby’s idea of decorations and room rearrangement. A bloodied pot of flowers, a simple doormat with crimson hue, a healthy amount of fresh meat here and there. It is an awesome work for an amateur like Deby in the art of decoration.
By the way, Degenbrecher is too long and I just call her Deby instead of Deg, since Deg sounds like it rolls of better with degenerate. She was pissed at first and called me a bitch for it, but meh not important. Also, she really knows how to brew an awesome tea. God my life in Victoria had caused me to manifest tea addiction, as it should be.
“I must say that… nerves toxins are annoying.”
“I know that feeling. SO! My cute little cretin, what do you… think!?” I jabbed another knife into the man’s hand. He can’t even scream with his mouth sealed with blooded cloth.
“Huh? No, you said? No fun~” despite rolling off my words, I sounded anything but warm.
“You do?”
“Yep, Deby-chan, first-hand experience.” Hahaha! Her face scrunched up in disgust, I’ll call her that more often just to fuck with her. Also her face then turned into disbelief after comprehending my insinuation beforehand.
“… You’re not implying that…”
“I did, stung pretty intensely but meh, nothing too special. It does make a pretty good substitute for cheap ass chili powder, if nothing else.”
“Are you some kind of wild animal?”
“Well, I can be an animal in bed, care to have a taste? I let you be the top~”
“Enough lollygagging, what do you want?”
“I’ll see you at the final, and I’ll crash your party. Hope you don’t mind.”
“… what are you even talking abou-”
“That’s it for today, bye~” I cocked my gun and aimed it at the shitstain.
*bang*
“… Will you pay for damaging the table?”
“Hmm~ why should I? Except if you want to rat me out, you can just blame it all on the assailant.”
“Wouldn’t that cause trouble for you? I mean none of the assailant brought a gun.”
“Meh, I have favors to spent and splurge, no biggie there for me Deby.”
Date: 11th November 1082
Location: Kazimierz National Stadium, Kawalerielki, Kazimierz
POV: Narrator
[LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! WELCOME TO THE PENULTIMATE STAGE OF OUR TRIENNIAL EVENT! OF OUR GLORIOUS TOURNAMENT! AND OF OUR VIRTUOUSLY GLORIOUS KAZIMIERZ MAJOR THE 19TH!]
Cheers and chants can be heard throughout the mobile city, every single one of its inhabitant’ has but a single focus. The major also attracted foreign interests, for along with it came an immense opportunity to pick and choose to then invest according to their design.
[We are finally here folks! The final of Kawalerielki Alliance’ Kazimierz Major! We have on one side the runner up of the last Major event and it is none other than the fabled knight with nicknamed of glimmering jewel! The knight that is known to be brimming with high-tech equipment! The one and truly is no one else! Diamond Knight!]
Diamond Knight, without the as per tradition of only usable by Grand Knights, is an unofficial name given by her fans due to her precious and expensive level of investment, like a diamond polishing process. Despite losing the 18th Major’ final, Diamond Knight still managed to get herself a lot of eager sponsors due to how profitable she is and how much she is willing to bend the rules a little.
Usually such a scandal would spell doom for a knight, but not her and her fans certainly don’t mind extra materials to collect.
The crowd goes wild while the competition knight entered the field under numerous flashing lights and attention from their fans and journalist. Diamond Knight is a serious contender for the Major’ title of Grand Knight, so much so that she was predicted to be the undisputable victor of this tournament… was anyway.
[And from the other side we have our newest contender! The foreigner who came from Leithania! The black horse who scored a new record for the highest battle royale marks ever! The one dubbed as the golden haired black knight due to her swiftness and overpowering presence! Like a darkness that follows the light which glittered along her golden hair! The one and only! DEGENBRECHER!]
The next wave of cheers instantly dwarfed the one accompanying Diamond Knight’s entrance. Degenbrecher can described as a complete opposite from Diamond Knight, she is really blunt and wouldn’t take just any sponsorship deals. Degenbrecher is also notorious, for the most part, of being extremely blithe in her interaction with those who didn’t earn her respect.
With a light armor strapped along her body, and new additions of vambracers with golden and black marking, Degenbrecher entered the field with her signature sword-breakers, but one thing also attracts the audience attention…
[AM I ACTUALLY SEEING THIS FOLKS!? THE DEGENBRECHER HAS HER GREATSWORD AT THE READY!? THIS IS THE FIRST WE SEE THE BLADE WITHOUT ITS SHEATH! THE CLIMAX FOR THIS MAJOR COULDN’T GET ANY BETTER!]
The both of them is now watching each other silently.
[LET’S COUNT. IT. DOWN!] While the audience’ are following the speaker’ cue, the finalists are preparing their weapon.
[3] Footing established, gaze focused.
[2] Sword-breakers drawn, a sophisticated rapier unfastened and retractable dagger gripped tightly.
[1] Form ready, clash imminent.
Audience’ enthusiasm had reached its apex, now all it took is merely the signal for it to start.
[BEGIN!]
The two of them shoot like an arrow and clashed right at the middle, and to Degenbrecher pleasant surprise, the one in front of her is not too shabby. The same can’t be said about her opponent however, Diamond Knight is sweating hard from a mere clash.
Knowing that she is outmatched, Diamond knight needs to keep up with her opponent’ pace. Without meaning to, she said her unreserved opinion.
“… What the hell are you?”
“Hmph, not important…” Degenbrecher is ready to pounce once more, and Diamond can only smile wryly on her predicament.
“Hah, I’m screwed. But no matter, En garde!”
Somewhere in Kawalerielki…
While the mobile city’ denizens are distracted by the Major, battles beneath the shadow erupted with blazing intensity hidden away from the masses. Blades broken, bows snapped, arrows and bolts wasted, and then corpses littered the unspoken battlefield. A group of clandestine operatives had been picking apart another group of what appears to be Knights’ splinter group.
Skip
“Damn it! They got us first!”
“Why the hell are Armorless Union here!?”
Skip
“Hey you! Get the wounded out!”
“Understood sir! Hey, get the medical detachment here!”
Skip
“Sir! The infected are gone!”
“What…!? How could that be!? We can’t lose our pawn like that!”
Skip
“Ma’am! Sector 4 had been wiped out!”
“So soon!? Curses…”
While the commanding element are having a hard time organizing a meaningful resistance against intensifying siege, their opponent are having their movements calculated meticulously with unerring focus.
“Sir, sector 4 had been occupied. We managed to gather and embed more incriminating evidences.”
“Group Hasting have confirmed that HVT Easter is K.I.A, they requested further order.”
“Lazurite Marco and Lazurite Roy have successfully infiltrated hostile’ primary stronghold, they are now commencing decapitation protocol.”
“Platinum is in position at the stadium, his group is ready to apprehend the criminals.”
Skip
“Ma’am, we still have no further update from Adeptus… they’re eerily silent.”
“Have an element from group Yram to ascertain their situation, if possible take out HVT Lazarin.”
“What is the current Major situation?”
“Subject Sunder is being overpowered by subject Enigma, a new Grand Knight is more or less confirmed.”
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“I see, get our security detachment ready. K.G.C.C. requested us to-”
Before they can continue, an alarming message came through the emergency channel.
“THIS IS GROUP ALANIA, PRIORITY MESSAGE!”
“Send it, Alania!”
“Sector 7 is empty! I repeat it is empty!”
“What!? that can’t be!”
“Get group Julian and Remus to find sector 7’ package! We can’t let those explosives go haywire.”
“I want every group to be on highest alert! Then we-”
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“SIR! GROUP ARMA FOUND THE EXPLOSIVES! IT IS AT THE CENTRAL PLAZA AND… DEAR GOD! THE STADIUM!”
“ACTIVATE PROTOCOL HERMES!”
But before further command is given, suddenly the entire mobile city is engulfed by darkness, confusion and dread soon follow.
Back to the Stadium, several moments before the present…
[WOULD YOU LOOK AT THAT FOLKS!? DEGENBRECHER FINALLY PULLED HER GREATSWORD!]
With an earthshattering step, Degenbrecher delivered a downward swing that cracked the ground. Diamond Knight is less than pleased seeing that she just avoided death, such a thing should have been violating Article 7 of major’ rule. However…
It has a loophole where due to differing strength between races and individual, making things hard to determine what is deemed a kill-shot or not. While also notwithstanding that the crowd’ excitement and general mood making it hard for her to forfeit without jeopardizing her career.
But the show must go on, and go on it will. She drew her rapier and ready to lunge when possible. Diamond Knight managed to survive this long due to her sophisticated and high-tech armor capable of dispensing medication and semi-automatic damage management.
Degenbrecher restarted her offense, while Diamond Knight deployed her own arts shield. This invention was meant to provide an alternative to physical shield, but the cost of owning one is high with repair cost that made ordinary people shudder from how many zeroes is in it.
Despite that however, the shield was cleaved clean. Then her opponent delivered a punch that cracked her armor, but instead of just tumble down and yield. Diamond Knight choose to fight until she can see only darkness.
“Alright! Come at me, Degenbrecher!”
“Hmph, I applaud your bravery. Let’s end this.”
Centering her gravity, the Caprinae is ready to fell her opponent. Without further words exchanged, Diamond Knights activated all the functions hidden away in her armor, all for a single to end it all. Her armor peeled itself to form a protective shell along her body, her gauntlet manifested an arts barrier and her rapier blazed in blue light.
Her opponent has nothing so visually pleasing, however. Her stance is nothing but a pure form of raw power, unaided by any arts. Her aura is purely formed by her and only her, the audiences are now holding their breaths. The climax is finally here.
Then, Degenbracher shot forward like a bullet while Diamond Knight, or Rea Kaśka, plunged everything she has on one final thrust. A greatsword crashed against the wall of both physical and arts shields. The rapier stabbed her shoulder, but Degenbrecher didn’t heed it. Her eyes are focused on her opponent… who finally toppled with every single one of her devices broken.
[WHAT A GAME! LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! LET US HEARTILY WELCOME OUR NEW CHAMPION! OUR HERALD OF A NEW ERA! THE VICTOR OF 19TH KAZIMIERZ MAJOR! THE! NEW! GRAND KNIGHT! DEGENBRECHER!]
The audience, both within and outside the stadium cheered and chanted her name.
“Degenbrecher!”
“Degenbrecher!”
“Degenbrecher!”
“Degenbrecher!”
When Degenbrecher raised her sword high, the city was suddenly engulfed in darkness. Confusion immediately spread, but not before the sky lit up in myriads of explosion. Strings of fireworks had been meticulously arranged.
Unbeknownst to them, a swift policing action was taken to subdue the would be saboteurs and Armoless Union teams who were at first on high alert for potential bombing is now drown in confusion… but all that change with an appearance of an unlikely actor…
The master of ceremony suddenly received a message through his terminal, to say he is surprised is putting it mildly. But his glee can be felt through his voice, this is truly unexpected but work is work. Despite the power outage, sound systems and broadcasting apparatuses still works… how intriguing…
[THIS JUST CAME IN FOLKS! WE GOT OURSELVES A SURPRISE PERFORMANCE! WITHOUT FURTHER ADO, LET US WELCOME! NYX, THE GREY SERPENT!]
Gasps of astonishment reverberated all across the mobile city. Confusion, skepticism, curiosity, and all sort of emotions surfaced… everyone was immediately silenced, by the figure that is clad in rather puzzling choice of wardrobe. They can see her face, it is none other than the Grey Serpent with a guitar at the ready.
(AN: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2N4tXf3Ensw)
Then she starts to hum, along with instruments that strummed along a song they had never heard before. The melody and rhythm is reminiscent to what average Terran would call ‘metal’ and it does energized the crowd. They also have this nagging feeling, nudging them to just enjoy the music, they know not from where however.
“Once I touched your heart
Held you in closed arms
Built a haven for your love
Until I let you fall apart”
An interestingly soft opening part after the fiery opening in a dogmatic and archaic dialect of Victorian. Her voice carried along with it a sense of longing, but also a sense of helplessness that will soon follow due to the nature of her love, to whom it was directed is unknown but the emotion held true like a blazing magma that is yet to erupt and engulfed the earth.
“Please forgive me”
An apology before the gate of emotion being barged open. Engulfing the audience and all who can hear her to be battered by emotion buried deep inside.
“God, I miss you like hell
I was wrong, I can tell
For the heart can be blind and frozen”
The audience is mesmerized from the energy and pain felt through her voice, it is intoxicating and the people starts to join along the song. The surprise concert is now in full swing, a love song with energetic tempo is just right up the alley of Kawalerielki citizen, embodying that time keeps moving ever onward and not backward.
“Now I live with the pain
Every night, every day
As I read those letters you wrote me”
The stadium’ mood is now in full swing, even the ever so rigid Degenbrecher enjoying the music her own way. The Diamond Knight also finally woke up, miraculously quick, only to be extremely confused but she too just enjoyed the song while the medical staffs are carrying her outside the stadium. She failed to notice that her injury is closing up visibly, but the bruises are still there…
“How I long for the time
When your lips would kiss mine
And the promise was still unbroken”
Nyx finally shed all of her mask, something that had mostly gone unnoticed by the audiences. Nyx let her aching heart to show itself, how she long for him to look at her, to tell him that she wanted him more than anything else. The Armorless Union agents however don’t know what to do, this is not something they had taken into account.
“I will wait for tomorrow
That may never come
I will wait in the name of love”
A figure was seen to be looking at Nyx wryly, even their hand that has been clutching their bow had gone slack. To say that things had escalated into a bizarre circumstance is not an understatement but cold, hard, fact. The song entered the next phase and the audience are now going wild with excitement. The darkness suddenly become something inconsequential and forgotten.
“My forlorn heart faintly beats
Your absence makes me weak
And if nothing brings you back
Surely, I'll roam through life in black”
Another soft spoken stanza, but oh so sweet to the ears. The audience now feel another nagging feeling, that the next part they can finally sing along. The more arts inclined audience would have noticed it… if they weren’t so hypnotized themselves. K.G.C.C. chairmen that was divided between fuming and amused suddenly felt their rage drained away too.
“Like a shadow”
As if on cue, the whole city is now singing along with her. The song is truly easy to remember and it will stuck in their heads for a long, long, time. Not like they will complain, the song itself is truly worth the subsequent earworm.
“God, I miss you like hell
I was wrong, I can tell
For the heart can be blind and frozen”
Nyx voice is drowned by all who sang along, but hers is distinct enough to not be lost beneath the ever encroaching wave that is turning into a tsunami of revelry and festivity. The whole city is now awake, and they can’t be happier for it.
“Now I live with the pain
Every night, every day
As I read those letters you wrote me”
The infected who are forgotten are also pleasantly surprised that someone had installed sound systems for them to listen or sing along, not to mention that there are a lot of packaged food ready for them to eat and relish. It even brought tears to some of them, someone out there knows that they exist, something they always so desperately hoped.
“How I long for the time
When your lips would kiss mine
And the promise was still unbroken”
Yet beneath this veil of celebration, the battle beneath them still rang true and intensifying. Understanding that the people is now distracted, both side are trying to capitalize on it to either vanish into the shadow or to finish it all in one glorious last stand. Ideals clashed against the nigh-robotic reality, a battle that will always be buried beneath the glittering falsehood of complacency.
“I will wait for tomorrow
That may never come
I will wait in the name of love”
Games of bidding and pulling favors had entered a new round. Kazimierz National Council had turned into a battlefield for 3 factions, all yearn and bid for the topmost chance of gaining profit and influence for their respective goals. Curiously, Ioleta rarely spoke and her sneer and pity masked by a sense of amusement. Adeptus might suffer, but the other side won’t pull out scotch free either.
“I would die for the love of mercy
Destiny, is this how it should be? No, no, no!”
The singing stops and in its placed is a guitar riffs and solo that reverberated all over the jungle of concrete and steel. Her fingers are strumming the strings with such intensity that it galvanized more vigor on all who aren’t deaf to her charm. The accompanying instrument tagged along before a trumpet floored all of them and battled the guitar for supremacy.
Her voice finally heard once more after the intense duet between the aforementioned instruments. Nyx serenade is now even softer than before, yet the people heard it to be loudest of them all, dwarfing all previous stanzas in terms of raw emotion.
“God, I miss you like hell
I was wrong, I can tell
For the heart can be blind and frozen
Now I live with the pain
Every night, every day
As I read those letters you wrote me”
A chorus that soon joined by cacophony of thundering zeal brought upon by the audience and listener to join her upon this most joyous occasion. The surface full or revelry while beneath them blood flows like the river nile, a complete opposite of nature that intersected yet will never come to pass else all hell shall break loose without control nor rest. The zenith is reached, and the nadir will soon follow.
“God, I miss you like hell
I was wrong, I can tell
For the heart can be blind and frozen
Now I live with the pain
Every night, every day
As I read those letters you wrote me”
Excitement had gone through the roof, it even shook the air itself with how many voices is now accompanying her beautiful serenade turned a full-blown orchestral miracle. The people who never sang before suddenly spoke in a smooth and measured but clearly amateurish style, but no matter since joy is the theme for this night to remember.
“How I long for the time
When your lips would kiss mine
And the promise was still unbroken
I will wait for tomorrow
That may never come
I will wait in the name of love”
The song is reaching its end, and along with a final strum of the guitar, it is ended with a roar full of mirth and truth, full of zeal and thrill, brimmed with glimmer and shimmer of will, and most importantly… of truthful simplicity and never ending, hearty, sense of freedom… voice is freedom, and with freedom comes the voice…
POV: ???
“Hmm… not bad.” I was watching the broadcast of the 19th Major. It appears they failed as expected for a test bed, but I pleasantly gained something much better… information and understanding.
The Grey Serpent is not as hardheaded nor having unrelenting hate on us, in fact her mannerism suggest that she sees nothing wrong with Kazimierz drive for modernity. Well, the future is still not yet set in stone, and things are still on schedule.
[What must we do about her Father? While not being harmful to us directly, she is too much of an uncontrollable anomaly.]
“Leave her be for now, we can still force her softly. Besides, call off the shots against the Nearls.”
[May I ask why, Father?]
“It will fracture us all, The Adeptus will fight tooth and nail protecting one insignificant family that is too cheap compared to our collective future.” I sigh, full of irritation. These damn old traditionalists are still unable of comprehending what is necessary for all of us.
Knighthood is not something deplorable, no. It is just these ignorant reprobates who can’t see beyond their false sense of honor, a nation that is being held back by redundant codes and nonsensical values.
“Listen well, Seweryn, while Kazimierz is cannibalizing upon one another, Columbia is pressing forward faster than ever. While Kazimierz is torn between tradition and necessity, Victoria still eclipsed it despite being a shadow of its own glory. And Ursus? A decrepit Empire that still has enough power to launch a conquest while fighting itself… Compared to them all, where is Kazimierz?”
[…Understood, Father.]
The communication has been turned off.
“Nyx… You have my attention now… A test is necessary, but I’ll wait till it rain… to see your true nature and value.”
Location: A certain mobile city.
POV: ???
“Hah! That was a terrific performance from her! To think that I can laugh so heartily like this. She would make a really flexible resource, I need to contact her immediately.”
“But dear… wasn’t what she did risky?”
“No, conversely in fact. She pushed up her value so her potential belligerents would be torn between themselves. When money is concerned, family will even tear itself apart. Even more so when corporate alliance is the one in it. Truly, she is a fool… I can do about it better, but her method is not wrong…”
“Can you stop fishing out for trouble? Your niece is about to embark on her education, and it is you who forced her too… She is suffering, especially after that incident, so why can’t yo-”
“I didn’t force her, I merely gave her an advice and… hah… the world keeps moving, and I must ensure her future is secured. I will not bar her path towards excellence.”
“… I’m going to help her prepare all the necessary baggage, that man won’t be useful at all…”
“Give her my regards and blessings…”
Location: Somewhere in the north
POV: ???
“What a fascinating little snake… to think that she can draw out the potential from such a mundane concept to garner support. Thankfully my beloved realm has no such weakness, only through conquest and its people live with pride does futures are made.”
I can’t help but to be mesmerized with it, an application of her nature that is charmingly devious, like a snake always should be. But that’s not all…
“Why did it feels like she is going to be at the center of a whirlpool? Hmm, she did had a hand in 72’s massacre, although the specifics still eludes me… Perhaps it is her voice? But I can’t sense anything from it…”
It is best if I made more contingency, she is just a small snake… but the smallest snake can be the most venomous… especially when I failed to force the Ageless into her cycle…
“Contact the Imperial Intelligence, scour everything they can find about her… that moderate kid can prance about all he want, but our way forward is only one…”
“Understood, Your Lordship.”
[END OF CHAPTER]
Author’s Note:
Yo there, this is me, myself, and I, the author who is plagued by the urge to let Nyx off doing whatever she wanted and it is also VERY INTERESTING what I can concoct amidst bout of depression.
At this point in time, you will most likely realize that her singing will play an integral role when she’s either winning or sinning, damn that’s another one of those rhymes.
Nyx actually sang 10 songs, the songs are in order of:
Blind and Frozen – Beast in Black
The Awakening – Onlap
My Dystopia – Beast in Black
Miracle – Onlap
Kishi Koushinkyoku – Knight of Sidonia OP
Elan – Nightwish
The One They Call the Witch – Octopath OST
Das Madchen und Die Liebe – Oonagh
Paradise – Within Temptation ft. Tarja
Nienna – Oonagh
We’ll be back on track (lol) again soon, Victoria is just there after all.
Update as usual, it will be faster if my thesis finally got approved.
Ciao
