"Mono/Dialogue"
'Inner thoughts'
Narration
[Message/communication apparatus]
Date: 14th October 1085
Location: Bavaria–Leichtstein, Leithanien.
POV: Nyx
I squeezed the trigger of my gun, a hot metallic, originium-infused, lead scream through the hallway. My shot’s aim is true, a small animal made up of clay was shattered. It fell and broke into pieces on top of the metallic ground. I had sensed it coming, just a few seconds before it turned silently from the corner by creeping up along the walls.
‘Ah… shit… more problem piling up on my plate…’ I grin bitterly, the destroyed, let’s just say familiar or golem, released Arts residue that immediately seeped away. This felt really sophisticated and my senses immediately tuned up a notch or two, meaning that this might get complicated.
Naturally, the shot startled everyone involved, especially the impoverished and forgotten denizens of the underground world. Some of them scattered, others watch from cracks that are present amongst this section of the city plate. Before either Kola or Brant can voice their complaint, I called out to our little friend that has been watching…
“Go, I’ll catch up with either of you after this one is done and dealt with.” I found a moment to tap on my watch, not long after files that detailed potential escape points had been sent into both of the Young Lady’s guardians. Kola, being the one with the most freedom at moment’s notice, checked the files and starts formulating an impromptu escape path. After doing it in mere scants of seconds, she forwarded the modified file towards Brant.
“May I ask why?” Brant still asked me a query which is understandable.
“This one is not connected to the contract. That much I can guarantee so please believe me, you really don’t want to deal with whatever that is taking interest on this Catastrophe Messenger. Once again, don’t worry it shouldn’t take long and neither do we need to keep dilly-dallying.”
“… Very well.” The trio then left me to deal with whoever had sent that thing our way. I shouldn’t have done this, but the feeling I get from that momentary connection is that… the perpetrator felt… old… After they had gone away far enough, the presence moves ever closer while also trying to choose from which point do they need to show up… I got fed up at this point.
“Show yourself or does no one ever teach you even a semblance of courage and responsibility upon your own action?” I called out towards one particular corner, I waited and waited until the person who had been watching with interest finally revealed itself. A Caprinae ‘man’ shown himself from the shadow, he is well dressed and definitely look like your typical Leithanien’ middle to upper class citizen from how he dressed… but all I can sense from this person, or something akin to a person, is just tedium, disinterest… and clear fluctuation of emotion when he finally gazed upon me.
‘Fuck me… am I dealing with an Elder or a Feranmut that Gareth had told me about? This is really stupid Nyx… real fucking stupid…’ Which is why I cannot drag those three into what could potentially be my sole problem, would have been bad otherwise.
‘What the hell is wrong with me to meet these sorts of eccentrics…’ It’s really not funny, but tasteless jokes can either be a masterpiece or total garbage… no in between… welp…
“What a wonderful skill, no wonder the people of this land had been mixing in your tale in between glasses of wine and joyous revelry. You’re truly the authentic-”
“Cut the crap, that was not all that impressive, so what do you want?” My finger had yet to leave the trigger, just a simple squeeze and this ‘man’ would have a personally made bullet wound by yours truly. Despite my clear threat, the ‘man’ doesn’t seems to care, regardless of his best fake expression and act of fright while flinching ever so slightly.
“A… simple greetings… and I daresay you had been quite an interesting specimen, despite your action to be, and I’ll be completely honest, a mediocre form of madness. Yet… you certainly has your charms that I can’t quite put my understanding into it… Fear not, I have neither an interest nor ill will upon those 3…”
“I’m not stupid… your emotion is false. Your tone is uncaring. Your idea of being natural is an empty shell of what it truly is… If you want to act, look into a mirror and practice some more.”
The ‘man’ then smirk, pure satisfaction gracing that punchable face of his. His apathetic eyes finally shone, and I briefly spotted cyan color to show itself. He seems to be quite proficient in disguise… which goes completely out of the window if you cannot embrace the mask… only tedium and sunk cost fallacy for the sake of doing things are all I can sense from him…
“My sole attention and interest… is you.”
He smiled amicably, this one is genuine and that it doesn’t disgust me to no end no more. The emotion he shows no longer an empty shell, but a real one. Kind of flattered really…
‘These eccentrics are truly colorful…’
“I take that as a compliment… my good ‘sir’… to what do I owe you this pleasure then? It would be best for you to be on your way and mine on my own.” Now the old me would have killed him in a heartbeat, but I know better than to immediately start hostilities after that catastrophic combat with that stupid Emperor’s Blade. Gareth also insinuated that Elders and Feranmuts would be my biggest adversary, barring super soldiers of course.
“Frankly speaking… what are you?”
“I’m the one who should have ask you that question… but I’m just an ordinary Catastrophe Messenger. If you need my service, don’t be shy to reach out on our branch office… I’m quite the capable courier.”
“… Hmm, I suppose there is indeed merits in our words… Regarding another choice… taking you in combat would be… unwise. How about we have a talk? I do understand that you’re deeply in hurry, so how about we have a little chat later on?”
“Aye…”
“Wonderful, I thank you for your understanding… we’ll meet again… Nyx… and one more thing… brace for the storm…” His body literally melted where he stood, it seeped through the crevices and I watches on until his present is truly and well vanished for good.
“Brace for the storm? Hmph, my life has had enough storms as is…” Yeah right, this would a jolly day.
‘… Can’t I not meet an esoteric being? Oh well… guess, I need to make a call.’ I pulled out my portable terminal, this one looks like a really old phone, the one where you still use the physical keypads and shit. But you know what they say in the military? Old means reliable. I search on for a particular contact, and it can be seen whether they’re available or not with a marked symbol besides their number. After looking for a while, I found them.
‘Thank goodness they’re nearby…’ But I still frown seeing how bad the connection is. I love and hate underground facility and stuffs… speedy and quiet but also insipid and bad. Welp guess I’ll just starts typing instead.
[Does your extra offer still stands? If yes, how long can you get it done?] I waited for response while walking my way back to those 3, I’m still in an escort mission and I did exactly the opposite… no wonder no one wanted me as their escort. Finally my PT vibrate, signaling that a response had been made.
[Why yes of course. We are always more than happy to entertain such a loyal customer and partner, we’ll have it done shortly. Mayhap any more you wish to request? We brought quite the haul due to your cooperation.] Why do I get the impression that bucket head would look so pleased with himself… oh yeah, gotta answer back.
[That would be perfect, I’ll need…] Thus I start making some… arrangements… you can’t do everything by yourself after all…
POV: Narrator
Nyx soon catch up on the trio who had waited on one of their agreed upon route’ checkpoint. Viviana seems to be reading some sort of book, Nyx eyed it curiously but said nothing. She then turned her head towards the other 2, the both of them sporting an expression that demands answer.
“… The one that had sent the familiar was a Leithanien noble, but he expressed disinterest on everything other than me.”
“Pray tell why should we believe you?” Brant’s hand never left the handle of his blade, his skepticism only grew with the passing of time. Kola watches on wordlessly.
“Because there is nothing to gain from crossing any of you and your guarantor.” The Grey Serpent shrug, her apathy is clear.
“Just think about it, the only thing I would gain from crossing all of you is that an entire nation hunting me down. I already had Ursus hating my guts, my allegiance to Catastrophe Messenger also meant that any misdeeds I would have done would be viewed with tripled negativity. I couldn’t care less about what they think of me, but I do still need others to do things for me… I’m good, terribly so, but I cannot topple an entire empire alone.” She ended her answer by raising her hands before putting them behind her back.
“…”
“…”
Brant exhaled wearily and let go of his sword. He motioned her to continue guiding them towards the exit point, she had mentioned that arrangement had been made. The journey was then spent in silence, aside from Viviana who peek at her book to read a page or two once in a while, their walk is serene and peaceful.
Kola’s ears perked up, she halted her steps… then yanked Viviana sideways from a spear that was falling down the ceiling. The young lady was shocked, before she can even scream, numerous projectiles are coming down their way from crevices and broken pipes that had been expertly modified as murder holes. Thankfully Brant and Kola is always ready to evoke a sound arts for shield, allowing them to go unharmed.
There seems to be another waves at the ready, but The Grey Serpent easily tore down the traps and urge the rest of the group to move forward. Her emotion synapse flared when a large surge of anxiety, hopelessness, and instinctual fear for converging upon their position rapidly.
“So we do have companies, but took them long enough.” The Grey Serpent voice echoed, and was immediately answered by projectiles of all size that she can deflect quite handily and accurately. She glide all across the metallic floor like dancing upon the most sophisticated and pristine dance hall, weathering the incoming storm that wish to swallow this group whole.
Brant doesn’t just stand idly by and chanted a simple verse to fire back upon where their attacker’ potential position is at. It was then followed by a chant of an ordinary style, something that was taught upon even the most Arts deprived Leithanian, a chant to speed up his reaction speed and allow heightened resistance towards voice and sound based Arts pollution. Which made things curious upon Nyx, either she is really blank on her Arts’ department or that hers is much more complicated, thus elevating her own resistance naturally.
Numerous cloaked hostiles sprang forth from the darkness, the flickering of lights that is already spare to begin with, making up an illusion of their foes melding in with the shadow. Even when facing against foes that seemingly manifested themselves from the abyss, Nyx is already on her next move, never missing even a half-beat to consider what needs to be done. Her body had already positioned itself in between them and the incoming hostiles.
Brant himself immediately pulled his sword to deflect several crossbow bolts that rained towards their position not long afterwards. His skills, coupled with the sword secondary function as an Arts’ staff, allow him to formulate a series of slashes with blitzing speed. Sadly, the nature of their mission prevented him from making a full use of his Arts.
“Guess we’re surrounded, again…” She said nonchalantly and even shows a combative smirk. Her hand reached out on her gun and keeps on squeezing the trigger, felling the enemy with a mechanical precision and cold-hearted pragmatism. She looks almost bored, if one can’t see the almost pitying expression dancing in her dilating pupils, further enthused by an amber glow of her eyes.
“We should not stop, never stop…” Brant said while disposing, by way of dissection, 3 unfortunate hostiles. Their bodies are dissected in a perfect horizontal form, separating their upper body while their lower toppled on the ground lifelessly. The group keeps on moving while ocmbating their way out of the underground.
“No matter, I was not just sitting on my ass for the last few days after all.” They had enough time to banter amidst the encroaching foes. Their footsteps are measured but distinctly speeding up even more so than ever.
She dashed forward on intercepting an incoming Arts fireball, meant for Viviana, with her own bare hand, scorching a good chunk of her own flesh but her face doesn’t even flinch in pain and instead an unimpressed glare formed upon her face. Viviana is frozen with both fright and shock, the sight of blood had yet to register in her mind, but it does so agonizingly more apparent with each heartbeats to be real.
Kola is unable to offer her utmost in terms of combat support and her Arts would blow their cover if she proceed thus she did her best to ensure that Viviana is always within arm’s reach. She can also see the realization settling in on her lady’s eyes, she can do none when several hostiles are closing on her position. She’s still being forced to use as much Arts as possible without having her resonance detected by the enemy for as long as possible.
The Grey Serpent herself end up as the focus for the majority of hostiles in the area. Nyx can feel their desperation and fatalistic emotions, she is being singled out to buy time and only time. Their numbers are in the dozens, substantial but not insurmountable, yet they did their best to keep their distance and only closed in when she tried break away.
“What a goddamn annoying piece of shits!” She snarled from hails of crossbow bolts and Arts fireballs raining down on her position. Yet the Grey Serpent dodged the most of it while shrugging off those that did found its mark. Her opponent’s fears are palpable, but something compelled them to keep moving forward, regardless of what they think.
She then dodged an opportunist’ slash, paying back in kind with sickening kick on the gut, a terrible crunching noise is audible. She added an extra originium bullet to the head, thus a wet crimson flower sprouted. The Young Lady looks like on the verge of vomiting, this is the first time she saw bloody and gory violence back-to-back.
Brant is holding up well while also not having an easier time either, one of the crossbow bolt had even managed to hit his shoulder, thankfully the armor underneath it had prevented him from taking an injury too early. Thus, his prowess with the sword meant that a good chunk of their adversary must expend themselves upon his blade, thus realization clicked in.
‘They’re being controlled… battle thralls!? Blast! Are they insane!?’ His eyes turned towards Kola who is doing her best in fending off the Remnants’ battle thralls, she appears to be at her limits while protecting the still unresponsive Viviana.
Without further ado, the group tripled their pace and starts dashing through the darkened crevices of civilization. Their footsteps echoes loudly, and naturally the sound of her gun roaring non-stops alerted everyone underneath the city, thus prompting collection of frenetic, almost stampede-like, mania of people in flight.
Nyx turned back every now and then to shoot back upon their pursuers, their numbers doesn’t seems to dwindle that much, all things considered. If it were anything other than escort contract, the Catastrophe Messenger would have given them all a demonstration of why she gained her moniker during her mercenary’s heyday. Alas, reality said otherwise and it is best to reach their escape point than risk being separated, she knew better than anyone else about her battle trance’ focus and its shortcomings.
Brant positioned himself as the vanguard, felling foes that tried to ambush them along the way with deadly accuracy and efficiency befitting his position as one of Leithanien’s finest knight. He gave each felled foes passing glances and spotted that their assailants are made up from both the infected and non-infected, despite being hidden by cloak and hood. Other than their apparent poor level of coordination, he noticed that their equipment is sophisticated enough to challenge local garrison.
Viviana, being carried by her guardian, can only curse herself silently. While her escort and guardians are, seemingly, struggling, all she can do is being muted in fear. She tried to at least muster her light Arts to shine the way forward but she can’t due to her shaken heart and trembling with terror mind. Thus all she can do is to cling upon Kola, who is doing her best of protecting her.
Finally arriving upon what looks like a T-junction, the left pathway was suddenly closed by its plate’ lockdown function in case of separation. Kola’s expression tightened from the implication, unverified yes but not a thrilling revelation all the same.
‘It appears that even the steadfast Eideker has his limits, and thusly exacerbating this upset to occur. Strange however, our escort doesn’t seems to be minding it all that much…’ She turned her gaze towards The Grey Serpent, there is nary a concern that can be seen and sensed.
Making a split second judgment, she updated their map, thus signaling Brant to keep pressing straight ahead. The disguised Viscount cut through all and each adversary that stood in their ways, their foes determination had yet to wane nor discouraged. Their steps are not at all practiced, it was propelled by both apprehension and hope.
The group moved forth through 8 more corridors and hallways before finally reaching their destination, sadly the Remnants had erected a barricade in front of them, several Arts staves and Leithanian mini-gramophones are pointed on their direction.
“Well that’s just great…”
“Such an insistent reprobates, they would have served Leithanien well if they weren’t so misguided.” He turned his eyes toward Nyx, the Baroness can already be seen to be fiddling with her watch.
“What are you doing?”
“Heh, watch…” After flicking and tapping on her watch, a mechanical roaring sound reverberated from behind the Remnants’ barricade. Not long after, an armored van busted its way out of hidden compartment within the plate’s walls. The sudden arrival of this armored vehicle surprised the hostiles within the barricade, some of them weren’t fast enough and got smashed by 10 tons worth of steel going on a terminal velocity, crushing everything that mattered in their body.
The van’s upper compartment then parted, armed drones coming out of it and starts spraying originium lead, massacring these poor sods with body full of originium lead. If the wound won’t kill them, the ensuing and accumulating originium dust will. The van itself keeps on speeding up before pulling a sharp turn while opening its backdoor. The group immediately jumped in, they see no driver.
“Where’s the driver?” Kola’s bewilderment is understandable, automated equipment is still not exactly widespread in terms of usage in Leithanien. The Pythian just smirked, one side of her wish to brag about this particular vehicle that has been a really good companion aside of her bike, the other side of caution won out however, thus she answered vaguely.
“That’s the neat part, there wasn’t any to begin with and making it easier for me.” Nyx tapped on her watch once more, a mechanical voice replied on her. She then sit on the comms chairs while Viviana and her guardians are making themselves as comfortable as possible.
[Greetings, Nyx. Your orders?” The mechanical voice came from the forefront end, the three passengers can see a short of display showing a smiley face on an interface.
“Hi Conrad, get us out of here and open the armory compartment.” She answered while swiveling around on her chair, she stood up and head towards the locked armory section. With a hissing and mechanical whirring noises, it opened and shows a substantial amount of weaponry.
[Consider it done.] The smiley face then turned into a devilish mask, akin to a far eastern mask that signifies a wrathful demon. The van roared forward and starts navigating its way out. The Remnants are bewildered, they are forced to regroup and starts procuring their own transportation or something of the kind.
“… Are you perhaps intending to take on a whole mobile city after all?” Brant can’t hide his bewilderment, the amount of Originium Guns, Bladed weaponry, and all sorts of ranged weapon are neatly, and tightly, packed like a can of salted riverland finbeast. He is privy with varying sorts of Sankta’s armament to understand that their escort has a very strong backing and connection to get away with this much weaponry.
I mean, what sort of Catastrophe Messenger that has a rocket and grenade launcher being a part of their armory? He can also see that a pair of exoskeleton that has been folded neatly to save on extra space for ammunition.
“Remember, speak softly but carry a big stick… well in my case, armed and mean.” She grinned before opening up the window and settled herself atop the van. Her giant bow in hand, she kneeled comfortably for overwatch. The drones are circling and following the van, each had even been programed to take turns in recharging and rearming itself.
“Viscount Reiner, can you get on the wheels? Conrad can drive just fine, but he is a ditz when things get dicey.” Hearing that, the demonic mask turned into a shocked looking face along with mock betrayal.
[I’m shocked with how little faith you have on me, my lady…]
“Oh fuc- I mean, you did calculated that jumping down the ravine was a good idea! That’s not how shortcut work if the package got fumbled you ret- you silly A.I.”
[Oh what’s this? You can’t curse? Good riddance on that filthy mouth of yours… Mayhap due to this lovely lady? My, you could learn some delicacy and decency when interacting with people you know? What say you?] Conrad’s frowning interface then turned into a waving and smiling one, Viviana shyly waved back.
“Yeah, yeah sure whatever… Viscount, you there yet?”
“I am…” Brant had been listening on their banter, after he settled himself behind the wheels of course. The A.I let go of its control on the wheels, and starts entertaining the guests.
[May I have the honor of knowing your name, my lady?” Viviana look towards Kola who nodded. She turned her face back on the now eager and curious face that is being shown through the screen.
“U-um… My name is Viviana…”
[What a lovely name! You must have been quite tired no? Do you have anything of particular want, my lady?] Conrad transmitted while a box was brought up from the interior, 3 canned drinks was automatically distributed towards its guests.
“… Do you have… any books?” Viviana said after quenching her thirst, the canned lemon was quite refreshing after all…
[Books!? You love reading too!? My, oh my! I found myself a kindred in spirit!” Conrad, despite its mechanical and somewhat lifeless voice, shows clear joy from her request. The left side compartment open and shows that there are a lot of books. Some of them are about fairytales and other of it kinds… then there are those that looks really familiar…
“Huh?” She pulled one of the shelf and was bewildered seeing what appears to be a manuscript version. How would she know about it? Well, the book lack actual cover and only titled “The 7th: Legacy of Tartarus.”
[U-Um was there something wrong?] Conrad expression shifted again, now showing a sweating face.
“N-no… but I read its previous editions before…”
[Aha! You had read my lady’s creation too!? Here I thought my kindred in spirit can’t be even more likable!]
“Ah fuck…” a certain lady slipped on her words, thankfully no one can see her reddening face.
“Huh?” A certain young lady can only offered a reflexive response.
“Excuse me, can’t you repeat that?” Her guardian sported an expression that the A.I had somehow grown another head if it has a humanoid physical body.
“… Heh… life sure is surprising… truly…” A certain guardian of order said, he had been navigating through the map to see that they are on course.
Despite her countenance, Viviana’s mind is in complete chaos. One moment they were being chased by a lot of enemies, now she found herself talking with an A.I whom she only knows from books and gossips. She is not complaining however… until she recalled the sight of blood… She vomited on the spot and Kola frantically starts taking care of her lady.
“Viviana!? What’s wrong!?” Brant also looked back momentarily, but he decided that Kola can take of the Young Lady just fine while he focused on the road.
“I-… I… *sobs*” She starts crying… with the tension dissipating, so too her adrenaline was being washed away. Her mind was mentally exhausted and her body, where she was also running along with them when able, finally catch up on the fatigue. Conrad voice out its preliminary assessment.
[Hmm… Lady Viviana seems to be in shock. One moment please…] Conrad interface flashed briefly, the flash was meant to diagnose the young lady for anything that might be harmful in or on her body.
[I found nothing wrong with it, but please do keep in mind that the young lady is currently suffering from both exhaustion and traumatic experience. Further therapy would be necessary, but I’m ill fitted to act upon it at the moment.]
Kola listened intently while taking care of her lady… Then lights starts pouring out from the end of the tunnel. The reason? The plate had opened up just enough, allowing them to escape the city. They are being greeted by the darkened sky and downpour that is now deigning them with a deluge and the screaming of winds. A particularly nasty storms had been hitting the city, all the while they’re focusing on running.
Thus their journey towards Kazimierz start…
POV:???
“So she also had helps huh? But to think that the mobile city lord would agree with giving her a hand like that.” I said while puffing out smokes, this Bolivarian tobacco is something else that no wonder it made those greedy businessmen to scrambled and rambled on for it sizable market. Despite my restrictive looking and, some people called it dumb looking, helmet, I can still smoke just fine.
My terminal rang out, looking through the name and designation, it is one of my brothers in arms.
[Sir, the situation inside the city had unfolded as expected. What’s next?]
“Keep shadowing her, and how come the package so far?”
[It has been planted as ordered, it would be enough as a cover for her little performance.]
“Wonderful, thank you for the update.”
[Understood chief, Vanya out.]
Another puff of smoke and I starts making my way down the cliff. Honestly… Terrans should stop fighting themselves like this… My gaze snapped northward, to the frigid cold of Infy Icefield…
“Hah… another incursion huh? Those Wendigos can hold, but for how long…? Wonder if The Old General is still kicking and pretty sure some kind of group called Reunion had gone really active there too… Hopefully their method stays true…”
[END OF CHAPTER]
Author’s Note:
Yo there, this is me, myself, and I, the author who will soon have his thesis tested.
You know, I had always been wondering about how to give Nyx a companion that won't get in her way too much. It is not that I don't want her to have one but the way her character works would be... Challenging for mortal companion to put up with her shenanigans. Thus C.O.N - R.A.D (Companion Overlay Network - Resilient Artificial Deputy) was born.
Can you guess the one who that talked about those 3 things? Quite easy if you’re playing IS and or been paying attention during Vigilo.
I may or may not be updating for the following weeks, that’s all.
Ciao
"Mono/Dialogue"
'Inner thoughts'
Narration
[Message/communication apparatus]
Date: 14th October 1085
Location: Bavaria–Leichtstein, Leithanien.
POV: Nyx
I squeezed the trigger of my gun, a hot metallic, originium-infused, lead scream through the hallway. My shot’s aim is true, a small animal made up of clay was shattered. It fell and broke into pieces on top of the metallic ground. I had sensed it coming, just a few seconds before it turned silently from the corner by creeping up along the walls.
‘Ah… shit… more problem piling up on my plate…’ I grin bitterly, the destroyed, let’s just say familiar or golem, released Arts residue that immediately seeped away. This felt really sophisticated and my senses immediately tuned up a notch or two, meaning that this might get complicated.
Naturally, the shot startled everyone involved, especially the impoverished and forgotten denizens of the underground world. Some of them scattered, others watch from cracks that are present amongst this section of the city plate. Before either Kola or Brant can voice their complaint, I called out to our little friend that has been watching…
“Go, I’ll catch up with either of you after this one is done and dealt with.” I found a moment to tap on my watch, not long after files that detailed potential escape points had been sent into both of the Young Lady’s guardians. Kola, being the one with the most freedom at moment’s notice, checked the files and starts formulating an impromptu escape path. After doing it in mere scants of seconds, she forwarded the modified file towards Brant.
“May I ask why?” Brant still asked me a query which is understandable.
“This one is not connected to the contract. That much I can guarantee so please believe me, you really don’t want to deal with whatever that is taking interest on this Catastrophe Messenger. Once again, don’t worry it shouldn’t take long and neither do we need to keep dilly-dallying.”
“… Very well.” The trio then left me to deal with whoever had sent that thing our way. I shouldn’t have done this, but the feeling I get from that momentary connection is that… the perpetrator felt… old… After they had gone away far enough, the presence moves ever closer while also trying to choose from which point do they need to show up… I got fed up at this point.
“Show yourself or does no one ever teach you even a semblance of courage and responsibility upon your own action?” I called out towards one particular corner, I waited and waited until the person who had been watching with interest finally revealed itself. A Caprinae ‘man’ shown himself from the shadow, he is well dressed and definitely look like your typical Leithanien’ middle to upper class citizen from how he dressed… but all I can sense from this person, or something akin to a person, is just tedium, disinterest… and clear fluctuation of emotion when he finally gazed upon me.
‘Fuck me… am I dealing with an Elder or a Feranmut that Gareth had told me about? This is really stupid Nyx… real fucking stupid…’ Which is why I cannot drag those three into what could potentially be my sole problem, would have been bad otherwise.
‘What the hell is wrong with me to meet these sorts of eccentrics…’ It’s really not funny, but tasteless jokes can either be a masterpiece or total garbage… no in between… welp…
“What a wonderful skill, no wonder the people of this land had been mixing in your tale in between glasses of wine and joyous revelry. You’re truly the authentic-”
“Cut the crap, that was not all that impressive, so what do you want?” My finger had yet to leave the trigger, just a simple squeeze and this ‘man’ would have a personally made bullet wound by yours truly. Despite my clear threat, the ‘man’ doesn’t seems to care, regardless of his best fake expression and act of fright while flinching ever so slightly.
“A… simple greetings… and I daresay you had been quite an interesting specimen, despite your action to be, and I’ll be completely honest, a mediocre form of madness. Yet… you certainly has your charms that I can’t quite put my understanding into it… Fear not, I have neither an interest nor ill will upon those 3…”
“I’m not stupid… your emotion is false. Your tone is uncaring. Your idea of being natural is an empty shell of what it truly is… If you want to act, look into a mirror and practice some more.”
The ‘man’ then smirk, pure satisfaction gracing that punchable face of his. His apathetic eyes finally shone, and I briefly spotted cyan color to show itself. He seems to be quite proficient in disguise… which goes completely out of the window if you cannot embrace the mask… only tedium and sunk cost fallacy for the sake of doing things are all I can sense from him…
“My sole attention and interest… is you.”
He smiled amicably, this one is genuine and that it doesn’t disgust me to no end no more. The emotion he shows no longer an empty shell, but a real one. Kind of flattered really…
‘These eccentrics are truly colorful…’
“I take that as a compliment… my good ‘sir’… to what do I owe you this pleasure then? It would be best for you to be on your way and mine on my own.” Now the old me would have killed him in a heartbeat, but I know better than to immediately start hostilities after that catastrophic combat with that stupid Emperor’s Blade. Gareth also insinuated that Elders and Feranmuts would be my biggest adversary, barring super soldiers of course.
“Frankly speaking… what are you?”
“I’m the one who should have ask you that question… but I’m just an ordinary Catastrophe Messenger. If you need my service, don’t be shy to reach out on our branch office… I’m quite the capable courier.”
“… Hmm, I suppose there is indeed merits in our words… Regarding another choice… taking you in combat would be… unwise. How about we have a talk? I do understand that you’re deeply in hurry, so how about we have a little chat later on?”
“Aye…”
“Wonderful, I thank you for your understanding… we’ll meet again… Nyx… and one more thing… brace for the storm…” His body literally melted where he stood, it seeped through the crevices and I watches on until his present is truly and well vanished for good.
“Brace for the storm? Hmph, my life has had enough storms as is…” Yeah right, this would a jolly day.
‘… Can’t I not meet an esoteric being? Oh well… guess, I need to make a call.’ I pulled out my portable terminal, this one looks like a really old phone, the one where you still use the physical keypads and shit. But you know what they say in the military? Old means reliable. I search on for a particular contact, and it can be seen whether they’re available or not with a marked symbol besides their number. After looking for a while, I found them.
‘Thank goodness they’re nearby…’ But I still frown seeing how bad the connection is. I love and hate underground facility and stuffs… speedy and quiet but also insipid and bad. Welp guess I’ll just starts typing instead.
[Does your extra offer still stands? If yes, how long can you get it done?] I waited for response while walking my way back to those 3, I’m still in an escort mission and I did exactly the opposite… no wonder no one wanted me as their escort. Finally my PT vibrate, signaling that a response had been made.
[Why yes of course. We are always more than happy to entertain such a loyal customer and partner, we’ll have it done shortly. Mayhap any more you wish to request? We brought quite the haul due to your cooperation.] Why do I get the impression that bucket head would look so pleased with himself… oh yeah, gotta answer back.
[That would be perfect, I’ll need…] Thus I start making some… arrangements… you can’t do everything by yourself after all…
POV: Narrator
Nyx soon catch up on the trio who had waited on one of their agreed upon route’ checkpoint. Viviana seems to be reading some sort of book, Nyx eyed it curiously but said nothing. She then turned her head towards the other 2, the both of them sporting an expression that demands answer.
“… The one that had sent the familiar was a Leithanien noble, but he expressed disinterest on everything other than me.”
“Pray tell why should we believe you?” Brant’s hand never left the handle of his blade, his skepticism only grew with the passing of time. Kola watches on wordlessly.
“Because there is nothing to gain from crossing any of you and your guarantor.” The Grey Serpent shrug, her apathy is clear.
“Just think about it, the only thing I would gain from crossing all of you is that an entire nation hunting me down. I already had Ursus hating my guts, my allegiance to Catastrophe Messenger also meant that any misdeeds I would have done would be viewed with tripled negativity. I couldn’t care less about what they think of me, but I do still need others to do things for me… I’m good, terribly so, but I cannot topple an entire empire alone.” She ended her answer by raising her hands before putting them behind her back.
“…”
“…”
Brant exhaled wearily and let go of his sword. He motioned her to continue guiding them towards the exit point, she had mentioned that arrangement had been made. The journey was then spent in silence, aside from Viviana who peek at her book to read a page or two once in a while, their walk is serene and peaceful.
Kola’s ears perked up, she halted her steps… then yanked Viviana sideways from a spear that was falling down the ceiling. The young lady was shocked, before she can even scream, numerous projectiles are coming down their way from crevices and broken pipes that had been expertly modified as murder holes. Thankfully Brant and Kola is always ready to evoke a sound arts for shield, allowing them to go unharmed.
There seems to be another waves at the ready, but The Grey Serpent easily tore down the traps and urge the rest of the group to move forward. Her emotion synapse flared when a large surge of anxiety, hopelessness, and instinctual fear for converging upon their position rapidly.
“So we do have companies, but took them long enough.” The Grey Serpent voice echoed, and was immediately answered by projectiles of all size that she can deflect quite handily and accurately. She glide all across the metallic floor like dancing upon the most sophisticated and pristine dance hall, weathering the incoming storm that wish to swallow this group whole.
Brant doesn’t just stand idly by and chanted a simple verse to fire back upon where their attacker’ potential position is at. It was then followed by a chant of an ordinary style, something that was taught upon even the most Arts deprived Leithanian, a chant to speed up his reaction speed and allow heightened resistance towards voice and sound based Arts pollution. Which made things curious upon Nyx, either she is really blank on her Arts’ department or that hers is much more complicated, thus elevating her own resistance naturally.
Numerous cloaked hostiles sprang forth from the darkness, the flickering of lights that is already spare to begin with, making up an illusion of their foes melding in with the shadow. Even when facing against foes that seemingly manifested themselves from the abyss, Nyx is already on her next move, never missing even a half-beat to consider what needs to be done. Her body had already positioned itself in between them and the incoming hostiles.
Brant himself immediately pulled his sword to deflect several crossbow bolts that rained towards their position not long afterwards. His skills, coupled with the sword secondary function as an Arts’ staff, allow him to formulate a series of slashes with blitzing speed. Sadly, the nature of their mission prevented him from making a full use of his Arts.
“Guess we’re surrounded, again…” She said nonchalantly and even shows a combative smirk. Her hand reached out on her gun and keeps on squeezing the trigger, felling the enemy with a mechanical precision and cold-hearted pragmatism. She looks almost bored, if one can’t see the almost pitying expression dancing in her dilating pupils, further enthused by an amber glow of her eyes.
“We should not stop, never stop…” Brant said while disposing, by way of dissection, 3 unfortunate hostiles. Their bodies are dissected in a perfect horizontal form, separating their upper body while their lower toppled on the ground lifelessly. The group keeps on moving while ocmbating their way out of the underground.
“No matter, I was not just sitting on my ass for the last few days after all.” They had enough time to banter amidst the encroaching foes. Their footsteps are measured but distinctly speeding up even more so than ever.
She dashed forward on intercepting an incoming Arts fireball, meant for Viviana, with her own bare hand, scorching a good chunk of her own flesh but her face doesn’t even flinch in pain and instead an unimpressed glare formed upon her face. Viviana is frozen with both fright and shock, the sight of blood had yet to register in her mind, but it does so agonizingly more apparent with each heartbeats to be real.
Kola is unable to offer her utmost in terms of combat support and her Arts would blow their cover if she proceed thus she did her best to ensure that Viviana is always within arm’s reach. She can also see the realization settling in on her lady’s eyes, she can do none when several hostiles are closing on her position. She’s still being forced to use as much Arts as possible without having her resonance detected by the enemy for as long as possible.
The Grey Serpent herself end up as the focus for the majority of hostiles in the area. Nyx can feel their desperation and fatalistic emotions, she is being singled out to buy time and only time. Their numbers are in the dozens, substantial but not insurmountable, yet they did their best to keep their distance and only closed in when she tried break away.
“What a goddamn annoying piece of shits!” She snarled from hails of crossbow bolts and Arts fireballs raining down on her position. Yet the Grey Serpent dodged the most of it while shrugging off those that did found its mark. Her opponent’s fears are palpable, but something compelled them to keep moving forward, regardless of what they think.
She then dodged an opportunist’ slash, paying back in kind with sickening kick on the gut, a terrible crunching noise is audible. She added an extra originium bullet to the head, thus a wet crimson flower sprouted. The Young Lady looks like on the verge of vomiting, this is the first time she saw bloody and gory violence back-to-back.
Brant is holding up well while also not having an easier time either, one of the crossbow bolt had even managed to hit his shoulder, thankfully the armor underneath it had prevented him from taking an injury too early. Thus, his prowess with the sword meant that a good chunk of their adversary must expend themselves upon his blade, thus realization clicked in.
‘They’re being controlled… battle thralls!? Blast! Are they insane!?’ His eyes turned towards Kola who is doing her best in fending off the Remnants’ battle thralls, she appears to be at her limits while protecting the still unresponsive Viviana.
Without further ado, the group tripled their pace and starts dashing through the darkened crevices of civilization. Their footsteps echoes loudly, and naturally the sound of her gun roaring non-stops alerted everyone underneath the city, thus prompting collection of frenetic, almost stampede-like, mania of people in flight.
Nyx turned back every now and then to shoot back upon their pursuers, their numbers doesn’t seems to dwindle that much, all things considered. If it were anything other than escort contract, the Catastrophe Messenger would have given them all a demonstration of why she gained her moniker during her mercenary’s heyday. Alas, reality said otherwise and it is best to reach their escape point than risk being separated, she knew better than anyone else about her battle trance’ focus and its shortcomings.
Brant positioned himself as the vanguard, felling foes that tried to ambush them along the way with deadly accuracy and efficiency befitting his position as one of Leithanien’s finest knight. He gave each felled foes passing glances and spotted that their assailants are made up from both the infected and non-infected, despite being hidden by cloak and hood. Other than their apparent poor level of coordination, he noticed that their equipment is sophisticated enough to challenge local garrison.
Viviana, being carried by her guardian, can only curse herself silently. While her escort and guardians are, seemingly, struggling, all she can do is being muted in fear. She tried to at least muster her light Arts to shine the way forward but she can’t due to her shaken heart and trembling with terror mind. Thus all she can do is to cling upon Kola, who is doing her best of protecting her.
Finally arriving upon what looks like a T-junction, the left pathway was suddenly closed by its plate’ lockdown function in case of separation. Kola’s expression tightened from the implication, unverified yes but not a thrilling revelation all the same.
‘It appears that even the steadfast Eideker has his limits, and thusly exacerbating this upset to occur. Strange however, our escort doesn’t seems to be minding it all that much…’ She turned her gaze towards The Grey Serpent, there is nary a concern that can be seen and sensed.
Making a split second judgment, she updated their map, thus signaling Brant to keep pressing straight ahead. The disguised Viscount cut through all and each adversary that stood in their ways, their foes determination had yet to wane nor discouraged. Their steps are not at all practiced, it was propelled by both apprehension and hope.
The group moved forth through 8 more corridors and hallways before finally reaching their destination, sadly the Remnants had erected a barricade in front of them, several Arts staves and Leithanian mini-gramophones are pointed on their direction.
“Well that’s just great…”
“Such an insistent reprobates, they would have served Leithanien well if they weren’t so misguided.” He turned his eyes toward Nyx, the Baroness can already be seen to be fiddling with her watch.
“What are you doing?”
“Heh, watch…” After flicking and tapping on her watch, a mechanical roaring sound reverberated from behind the Remnants’ barricade. Not long after, an armored van busted its way out of hidden compartment within the plate’s walls. The sudden arrival of this armored vehicle surprised the hostiles within the barricade, some of them weren’t fast enough and got smashed by 10 tons worth of steel going on a terminal velocity, crushing everything that mattered in their body.
The van’s upper compartment then parted, armed drones coming out of it and starts spraying originium lead, massacring these poor sods with body full of originium lead. If the wound won’t kill them, the ensuing and accumulating originium dust will. The van itself keeps on speeding up before pulling a sharp turn while opening its backdoor. The group immediately jumped in, they see no driver.
“Where’s the driver?” Kola’s bewilderment is understandable, automated equipment is still not exactly widespread in terms of usage in Leithanien. The Pythian just smirked, one side of her wish to brag about this particular vehicle that has been a really good companion aside of her bike, the other side of caution won out however, thus she answered vaguely.
“That’s the neat part, there wasn’t any to begin with and making it easier for me.” Nyx tapped on her watch once more, a mechanical voice replied on her. She then sit on the comms chairs while Viviana and her guardians are making themselves as comfortable as possible.
[Greetings, Nyx. Your orders?” The mechanical voice came from the forefront end, the three passengers can see a short of display showing a smiley face on an interface.
“Hi Conrad, get us out of here and open the armory compartment.” She answered while swiveling around on her chair, she stood up and head towards the locked armory section. With a hissing and mechanical whirring noises, it opened and shows a substantial amount of weaponry.
[Consider it done.] The smiley face then turned into a devilish mask, akin to a far eastern mask that signifies a wrathful demon. The van roared forward and starts navigating its way out. The Remnants are bewildered, they are forced to regroup and starts procuring their own transportation or something of the kind.
“… Are you perhaps intending to take on a whole mobile city after all?” Brant can’t hide his bewilderment, the amount of Originium Guns, Bladed weaponry, and all sorts of ranged weapon are neatly, and tightly, packed like a can of salted riverland finbeast. He is privy with varying sorts of Sankta’s armament to understand that their escort has a very strong backing and connection to get away with this much weaponry.
I mean, what sort of Catastrophe Messenger that has a rocket and grenade launcher being a part of their armory? He can also see that a pair of exoskeleton that has been folded neatly to save on extra space for ammunition.
“Remember, speak softly but carry a big stick… well in my case, armed and mean.” She grinned before opening up the window and settled herself atop the van. Her giant bow in hand, she kneeled comfortably for overwatch. The drones are circling and following the van, each had even been programed to take turns in recharging and rearming itself.
“Viscount Reiner, can you get on the wheels? Conrad can drive just fine, but he is a ditz when things get dicey.” Hearing that, the demonic mask turned into a shocked looking face along with mock betrayal.
[I’m shocked with how little faith you have on me, my lady…]
“Oh fuc- I mean, you did calculated that jumping down the ravine was a good idea! That’s not how shortcut work if the package got fumbled you ret- you silly A.I.”
[Oh what’s this? You can’t curse? Good riddance on that filthy mouth of yours… Mayhap due to this lovely lady? My, you could learn some delicacy and decency when interacting with people you know? What say you?] Conrad’s frowning interface then turned into a waving and smiling one, Viviana shyly waved back.
“Yeah, yeah sure whatever… Viscount, you there yet?”
“I am…” Brant had been listening on their banter, after he settled himself behind the wheels of course. The A.I let go of its control on the wheels, and starts entertaining the guests.
[May I have the honor of knowing your name, my lady?” Viviana look towards Kola who nodded. She turned her face back on the now eager and curious face that is being shown through the screen.
“U-um… My name is Viviana…”
[What a lovely name! You must have been quite tired no? Do you have anything of particular want, my lady?] Conrad transmitted while a box was brought up from the interior, 3 canned drinks was automatically distributed towards its guests.
“… Do you have… any books?” Viviana said after quenching her thirst, the canned lemon was quite refreshing after all…
[Books!? You love reading too!? My, oh my! I found myself a kindred in spirit!” Conrad, despite its mechanical and somewhat lifeless voice, shows clear joy from her request. The left side compartment open and shows that there are a lot of books. Some of them are about fairytales and other of it kinds… then there are those that looks really familiar…
“Huh?” She pulled one of the shelf and was bewildered seeing what appears to be a manuscript version. How would she know about it? Well, the book lack actual cover and only titled “The 7th: Legacy of Tartarus.”
[U-Um was there something wrong?] Conrad expression shifted again, now showing a sweating face.
“N-no… but I read its previous editions before…”
[Aha! You had read my lady’s creation too!? Here I thought my kindred in spirit can’t be even more likable!]
“Ah fuck…” a certain lady slipped on her words, thankfully no one can see her reddening face.
“Huh?” A certain young lady can only offered a reflexive response.
“Excuse me, can’t you repeat that?” Her guardian sported an expression that the A.I had somehow grown another head if it has a humanoid physical body.
“… Heh… life sure is surprising… truly…” A certain guardian of order said, he had been navigating through the map to see that they are on course.
Despite her countenance, Viviana’s mind is in complete chaos. One moment they were being chased by a lot of enemies, now she found herself talking with an A.I whom she only knows from books and gossips. She is not complaining however… until she recalled the sight of blood… She vomited on the spot and Kola frantically starts taking care of her lady.
“Viviana!? What’s wrong!?” Brant also looked back momentarily, but he decided that Kola can take of the Young Lady just fine while he focused on the road.
“I-… I… *sobs*” She starts crying… with the tension dissipating, so too her adrenaline was being washed away. Her mind was mentally exhausted and her body, where she was also running along with them when able, finally catch up on the fatigue. Conrad voice out its preliminary assessment.
[Hmm… Lady Viviana seems to be in shock. One moment please…] Conrad interface flashed briefly, the flash was meant to diagnose the young lady for anything that might be harmful in or on her body.
[I found nothing wrong with it, but please do keep in mind that the young lady is currently suffering from both exhaustion and traumatic experience. Further therapy would be necessary, but I’m ill fitted to act upon it at the moment.]
Kola listened intently while taking care of her lady… Then lights starts pouring out from the end of the tunnel. The reason? The plate had opened up just enough, allowing them to escape the city. They are being greeted by the darkened sky and downpour that is now deigning them with a deluge and the screaming of winds. A particularly nasty storms had been hitting the city, all the while they’re focusing on running.
Thus their journey towards Kazimierz start…
POV:???
“So she also had helps huh? But to think that the mobile city lord would agree with giving her a hand like that.” I said while puffing out smokes, this Bolivarian tobacco is something else that no wonder it made those greedy businessmen to scrambled and rambled on for it sizable market. Despite my restrictive looking and, some people called it dumb looking, helmet, I can still smoke just fine.
My terminal rang out, looking through the name and designation, it is one of my brothers in arms.
[Sir, the situation inside the city had unfolded as expected. What’s next?]
“Keep shadowing her, and how come the package so far?”
[It has been planted as ordered, it would be enough as a cover for her little performance.]
“Wonderful, thank you for the update.”
[Understood chief, Vanya out.]
Another puff of smoke and I starts making my way down the cliff. Honestly… Terrans should stop fighting themselves like this… My gaze snapped northward, to the frigid cold of Infy Icefield…
“Hah… another incursion huh? Those Wendigos can hold, but for how long…? Wonder if The Old General is still kicking and pretty sure some kind of group called Reunion had gone really active there too… Hopefully their method stays true…”
[END OF CHAPTER]
Author’s Note:
Yo there, this is me, myself, and I, the author who will soon have his thesis tested.
You know, I had always been wondering about how to give Nyx a companion that won't get in her way too much. It is not that I don't want her to have one but the way her character works would be... Challenging for mortal companion to put up with her shenanigans. Thus C.O.N - R.A.D (Companion Overlay Network - Resilient Artificial Deputy) was born.
Can you guess the one who that talked about those 3 things? Quite easy if you’re playing IS and or been paying attention during Vigilo.
I may or may not be updating for the following weeks, that’s all.
Ciao
