Mission Detail
Security Level: Psila/High
Primary Designated Branch: Investigation Sector
Secondary Designated Branch(es): Spy Corps, Combat Sector
Briefing
Over the past few years, the Aeronaut Society has had a weapons contract with the mercenary group, known well in Paradin, as Eveloite. A group which has existed for nearly 800 years. Eveloite has in its entirety been owned by the Evancy family, with Swap Evancy currently at this time its head honcho. This group is well known for its procuring of high valued material necessary for the making of reliable Magicktech as well as its security guard services.
Much like the Aeronaut Society, Eveloite employs a high number of Wielders, and has even been known from time to time for crushing Wielder smuggling rings, though their prior successes have been overshadowed since the establishment of the Society. Clearly on that logic one would say our two groups are well suited for each other. However since the beginning of our contract with Eveloite we have been observing their business transactions due to unsettling rumours of a possible connection with a well-known Aeronaut Society target labelled as, The Merchant of Reapers. An entity that has been terrorizing hospitals and private industries, by stealing their very thin supplies of the Reaper curse counter agent: Miznonith…more commonly referred to as Reapers Tears.
What this entity does with the rare mineral is unknown, but upon each big heist the same calling card is left in the form of a rather disturbing message:
Forgive me for the crime I have befallen you Marcus Florentine…
Even more disturbing is that this entity’s first crime was committed exactly a year after Marcus Florentines passing. While many speculate this is just a cruel joke, some theorize this entity may know something to the cause of the Aeronaut Societies founder’s death.
Recently, Eveloite has been showing a strange profit gain from their own Reaper Tear mineral sells, and while they reassure it’s just a small but rich vein they found in Silverature... one can easily find it odd that they are just now selling such a valued commodity six months after their last expedition returned from the Frozen Kingdom.
With that said, Eveloite's leader in a meeting with High Commander Anorgos, explained that they had in fact bought the vein from a second source. When questioned on the second source, Swap Evancy willing complied with all the information they had.
This second source is a small caravan group, currently about to make a second business trade on some left over boxes of the rare mineral, this time to a Vardis merchant near the Uliqo plains. Acting as a distraction, and to avoid immediate hostility, Eveloite will be lending us one of their most prominently known members to help disguise one of our own in order to interrogate the caravan on how, and where, in Silverature they found their "Rich Vein".
This should be a simple info extraction, if all the current data is to be believed, and there should be no hostile actions necessary. However due to concerns of the possibility this could indeed be a new lead on the "Merchant of Reapers", we are not going to take a chance.
Going undercover with our Eveloite accomplice will be Second Lieutenant/current Combat Captain-Select: Sleif Destati. To insure that no hostility is sensed, they will both go in unarmed, though their weapons will still be on board their transport if the need arises. On the chance that the mission does take a sour turn, there will be a Spy Corps member ready to assist, and already armed. Due to the Spy Corp's rule I cannot state who will be sent in with 2nd Lieutenant Destati. That is all ladies and gentlemen, we will reconvene to debrief.
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~♣Invoke The Lies To Gain The Truths♣~
"My, the weather is just ghastly tonight. One could say it would be quite a dreadful night for a curse… wouldn't you agree Mr. Destati?" The conversation immediately awoke Sleif from his nervous silence, as he pulled his eyes away from the rather aged, weathered, red Typors wood shutter.
Outside the weather had indeed taken a foul turn for the worst, the smaller plant life was easily swallowed whole by the constant downpour from the ominous clouds above. It seemed this would quickly turn into a thunderstorm if things continued on their current path, a fact that started to remind Sleif of another mission long ago that had similar weather, and the feeling of uneasiness about it had returned with the rain. Of course that wasn't exactly what had Sleif's senses on alert, that was more towards his current guest sitting right in front of him.
"That's an interesting thing to say ma'am... though I don't believe in curses. I would agree that any activity would be quickly soured by tonight's state of affairs. On a high note though it’s not too often I get to share the company of such a beauty." He responded finally looking directly at the woman in front of him.
She was dressed in a rather well tailored Orthan styled suit, the dark blue material covered in white streaks ran down her body. With long bright pink hair that reached down to her hips, one would indeed be pulled to her rather mysterious appearance, as the upper half of her face was hidden behind a matching round Orthan hat.
The only facial features noticeable were her ruby red lips that complimented her dark brown silky skin. She was indeed a curvy beauty that would easily make anyone feel uncomfortable in her presence. However, what really made the Captain-Select nervous was her actual stature rather than her looks. Lightly smirking at the compliment she leaned forward before responding.
"No need for such formality. This is simply a business venture between our two factions." she soothingly spoke as if to help calm his nerves. At this point though, now that he had a chance to pass a few words, most of his nerves were gone as his more light-hearted smile came to life.
"Yes, but you’re not the soldier sitting across from the other Factions leader, Miss Evancy." Sleif chuckled which surprisingly caused the woman to lightly giggle in response. As all sense of stature absolved, Sleif could feel a light blush come on as the Mercenary Leader continued to remain close to him.
"True, I guess I should have explained that it would be myself partaking in this "little" mission of yours." Swap Evancy apologized as she switched legs in her current crossed sitting position adjusting the mahogany light brown cane in her hands. "So what were you thinking of? The weather seems to have pulled at a thought in your mind." she curiously asked.
"I was just remembering a familiar situation…" Sleif reassured Swap, not wanting to talk about that particular thought, and as if almost right on queue the sounds of horses loudly neighing signalled the start of the carriage’s slow halt.
"Hm, seems fate has beckoned." Swap chuckled as the sound of the driver getting near the door could be heard, the sounds of the elements outside immediately rushed in with a strong gust of wind rattling both Swap's cloths, and Sleif's rain poncho. With the click of an umbrella opening Swap exited the carriage first, and Sleif quickly followed afterwards into the pouring rain. The driver was completely hidden inside a black robe where even his face was concealed by the hood.
For a moment Sleif smiled at the driver, a final deep breath releasing all sense of nerves he originally had as he followed behind the Eveloite Leader, the Driver clutching the handed umbrella and shielding her from the rain. Not too far from where they had halted was a well sized camp, set up with a tightened down rain cover trying to protect the caravan and those currently trying to stay warm with their dwindling camp fire. Upon sight of the three people coming towards their camp the supposed Caravan Leader started to run towards with four other armed personal.
Once they got close enough, Sleif could make out the gypsy like clothing of a usual caravan group, yet to his trained eye, even with the rain, he could also see the slight slip-ups in their clothing, revealing they were wearing Magicktech-Bodyframes... which meant they were armed with unnatural gear for a regular caravan.
"Miss Evancy? What... what are you doing out here?" The lead spoke clearly surprised, and obviously expecting someone else. Just like his four guards he was the normal gypsy robs of the caravan life, and through small hiccup's Sleif could tell he was also hiding the Magicktech suit.
"I have been informed, by another benefactor of mine, that you have apparently been holding off a bit of the Miznonith I bought from you in full... as you can imagine such a thought would be "very" unkind if it is true." She spoke with a rather sudden venomous whisper that easily spooked a nervous flinch from the leader of the caravan.
"I came out here to make sure such a fancy tale was just a slight misunderstanding, of a few false whispers in the air." She added making her appearance much more firm as she placed her cane down in front of her.
"Of course ma'am, we gave you all we had of it. We’re just here on our way back to Silverature. Nothing wrong with one returning to their main source of work, yeah?" The man responded with a hesitant smile clearly not at all comfortable with the fact he couldn't see the woman's eyes making it unpredictable what she might have thought of his answer, or whether she believed him.
"Then there should be no problem with me, and my associate, checking out those crates over yonder?" Swap asked pointing her cane in the direction of the very obvious crate at the end of the camps protection. "Just to be sure, in which I will then apologize and be on my way." She sweetly assured.
"...I apologize ma'am, but I fear my fellow members wouldn't feel comfortable with you going through our things. Surely this source of yours is mistaken."
"Then why are your hands shaking so bad?" Sleif calmly asked, bringing the attention of everyone to the shaking hands of the Caravan lead. In that moment of silence it was pretty clear what was about to happen as nervousness turned to fear on the leaders face, and his hands started to go to his sides to reach for his hidden weapon.
Before said weapon could be retrieved, Sleif's right hand gripped onto the man’s left shoulder. Everyone paused expecting for something massive to happen, for Sleif to do something that only a Wielder could do. "Is someone else's lie worth your people’s safety?" The sudden concern in Sleif's eyes caught the Caravan leader off guard, yet with it the man slowly closed his eyes.
"Stand down men."
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"There was never a discovered vein to begin with... we were halted on the road one day by a crimson cloaked figure who offered us a chance to earn some coin, enough to possibly end our travels and final settle somewhere safely. We were given a load of crates, one that we were to give to a big group and then another to any Vardis group we could find. We were to instruct them to come make the purchase in the Uliqo Plains, and then just wait after for the next shipment... we have done this quite a few times now…" the Caravan leader explained as he, Swap, and Sleif sat around the fire that had finally revived to full health.
"Well, that would explain some random attacks on Vardis groups… we’ve been seeing more for quite some time." Sleif tilted his head as he stared into the fire, thinking of some similar reports that involved Vardis groups getting attacked while awaiting a Reapers Tear supply trade. "It seems we have our target at least, and that they seem to be targeting Vardis elements in Paradin." It was clear the small informational mission had just expanded into a full ops assignment.
Unfortunately for him, there was no way his communication devices would be able to reach the closest Aeronaut Outpost for back up, not while this storm continued. Tapping his nose Sleif tried to consider his next plan of action in this current predicament.
"I don't mean to interject on this revelation, but where did our escort go?" Swap's question immediately broke Sleif’s concentration, and as he face-palmed he caused Swap to raise an eyebrow at the rather odd reaction to her question.
"Well... that's a new record."
"Of him disappearing?"
"No, of him staying... probably trying to catch the Merchant of Reapers in the act... wouldn't be hard for him to find them with the Thermal Magicktech gear he carries on his person." Sleif groaned upon realization he hadn't been keeping an eye on his disguised teammate. Though at the same time he reminded himself this nature was common among the Spy Corps members... none more so than his friend.
"Seems we are in need of a favour… one that will clear your name, as far as I am concerned with your lying." Swap motioned to the Caravan leader as she took a sip of tea she had procured a few minutes ago. As she finished her glass she stood up with cane now pointing right at him. "Hopefully you’re willing to oblige?"
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"W-Why are you doing this to us...?! We... We've done nothing wrong!" the words shivering in fear came from a man who was fighting for air as he dangled about, his neck tightly grasped by a rather large, burly, like metallic, hand attached to a unnaturally large, raggedly crimson stained brown robbed behemoth of a figure. It indeed had the shape of a man, but the hunched creature whose humanly features couldn't be seen by the human eye in the showering rain would be easily mistaken as a monster from a twisted nightmare, complete with blank staring eyes.
"Noth... ing? You are... mistaken... Vardisian... your lineage alone... is crime enough." the sound of creaking metal resounded with each word the "monster" forced out of its vocal cords, whether or not it was male or female was too hard to tell. The man in its grasp still fought with every ounce of strength he had, not for himself. Cowering underneath the burning wagon behind him was his own family... his wife and daughter.. the last two members of the caravan, besides himself, still alive from the wreckage of hell this monstrosity had engulfed them in.
"W-We are not like our homeland! We left to-to separate ourselves from those s-sinful monsters!" the man pleaded, trying to get the "monster" to at least spare his family. The creature was silent for only a moment as its hooded head looked towards the terrified spouse covering her three year olds eyes, already tearing up as she reached out for her papa, begging mama to save him.
Silence stayed with the figure as it started to lift up its other hand, a tight grip holding onto a rather bloodied axe clearly that of Magitech origin, but due to old age was clearly losing its tech like parts, wearing it down to a rusted axe. The captive started to squirm with what little energy he had left as it was clear the creature had no more interest, or care, for talk.
"PAPA!"
"CHERENA!" the mothers scream was followed by the loud water-splashing steps of the daughter running towards her father.
The man squirmed even more once he could tell the axe in the air was now tilting in the very direction of his daughter... the creature aiming to kill the running target first. Right as the daughter was in range the axe went swinging down, the daughter's tearful eyes were locked with hers father's fear filled ones as he reached out trying to tell his daughter to run away, but all to no avail as the axe head met its target.
There wasn't a scream of terror, nor a tearful cry that came from either parent, all there was, was a look of pure confusion as the axe had indeed cut down onto the daughter with the head dug deep. Yet there was no blood, and their daughter was still in one piece with a man dressed as a coachman holding onto her shoulder in a kneeling position with a hand that glowed a dark green.
The creature slowly turned its hooded head to the newcomer now standing and picking up the crying child. With a step forward the coachman's hand was nearly inches away from the creature as a dark green blast of energy overtook its face. With a side step to the left the coachman's hand hooked around the father's waist as a surge of the same dark green energy spread throughout the father's body, and as the creature jerked backwards due to the blast... the man’s neck phased through its grip.
Once the father was secured upon the coachmen's left shoulder he jumped backwards right about where the mother was hiding, placing both of the rescued family members down before returning his attention towards the creature who had recovered without even a scratch. in fact even the hood was disturbingly intact. The creature seemed to take a moment to acknowledge all that had happened, and once it realized its prey had escaped it unleashed a rather loud, strangely mechanical, scream as it looked directly at the four upheaving its massive axe from the ground and unearthing quite a bit of grassland with it.
"Leave," was the only nonchalant response that escaped the coachman's lips, his left hand ripped a hole in his right sleeve right at the shoulder blade before tugging at a looped string. What followed was a loud whirling sound as the whole coat’s right arm was shred to pieces, revealing a Magictech armoured gauntlet of purple metal, spreading out and adding a clawed glove to the coachman's right hand.
The coachman took a combative stance as the family did as they were told, quickly getting more and more distance from the two fighters as soon as possible. Regardless of its prey getting away, the creature kept its eyes locked on the attacker, well versed in the fact that if it wanted the family it needed to get rid of this intruder first.
At first neither party moved, just a silent standstill with hidden eyes locked with those behind a top hat and a ragged hooded robe. An even heavier downpour started to consume the fields, now extinguishing the fire of chaos the creature had originally spread, and as the flames died the level of light slowly was devoured by a rather uneasy darkness. As the last of the flames was expunged from existence the coachman's right hand burst to life, and with that same deathly dark green energy from before steaming off of the Magicktech gauntlet, he acted.
The coachman rushed forward in an almost madness consumed pace towards his hulking target, who had already immediately swung its axe vertically just as insanely fast with such a massive weapon. As it seemed the two forces would meet, a burst of the phantom green energy shot the coachman upwards in an arc and dodging the immense swing. As the rusted axe halted upon full extension of the creatures reach the coachman landed upon its behemoth blade with back turned to the monstrosity. The axe remained unaltered by the added weight, and with both feet planted firmly the coachman, from his kneeled position, violently twisted to the right to deliver a five pronged slash to the creature face, though soon found it blocked by a guarding left forearm.
As the phantom like energy attack dispersed in numerous directions off the cloaked arm the sound of metal scratching against metal resounded almost inaudible in the heavy rain, an unnatural hollowed metallic echo took the coachman by surprise. The two fighters soon had distance created between them as the coachman was flung off the axe as it heaved upwards. Yet as the creature regained its stance it was met with darkness all around, with its opponent nowhere in sight of the rainstorm attacked grasslands.
It was then the eerie green mist gleamed light behind the creature, and immediately, with a loud stomp, turned around to be met with the sight of multiple orbital blasts flying right towards it. And with only enough time to cross its hands, the mysterious figure was bombarded by the phantasmal rounds. After a good ten seconds in, the volley came to a halt as steam started to disturbingly ooze off the creatures robes, still undamaged and unchanged from their near tattered state.
Just as the creature was about to put its guard down the coachman appeared mid-air to the right, unleashing an onslaught of clawed slashes upon the behemoth's right shoulder with each hit resounding with that strong hollow echo of metal as before. The coachman final touched ground as he put a brief stop to the assault, adjusting his footing and making sure not to slip in the now rather muddy battleground. Yet without the flurry of attacks the creature now had the chance to retaliate, and with an aggressive shift of its body it pushed its full right arm forward shoving the coachman backwards as his feet fought to not lose balance as he skidded against the muddy ground. Just like last time however the creature was met with pitch-blackness, but knew very well where its target was.
Jumping forward and causing a rather large vibration to move throughout the layer of water on the ground, the coachman was given all the warning he needed as he looked to the sky to see the behemoth swinging down, with the full force of both hands on the axe handle, the mighty rusted weapon. The speed of weight was too fast for the coachman to regular dodge, especially with the muddy terrain against any sort of sudden movement... well except for one type of sudden. Both hands extended outward, the coachman releasing a burst wave against the monster and sending himself flat onto his back far-away from the crushing force which had sent a massive amount of water, and earth, in all directions.
Once the mini-quake passed the coachman jumped back onto his feet, a soft growl escaping through his heavy breath. This was an unnatural opponent, one of a kind, unique. Most people would not even be conscious still with all the attacks the coachman had connected and yet this thing was shrugging them off as if they were nothing. And the sounds from each contact... there was something very wrong with this thing’s body, not including that strange robe that somehow was possibly negating his energy attacks.
It was clear this thing could not be hurt easily, not without massive force hits, which at this moment the coachman couldn't do without the rest of his equipment unless he wanted to harm himself in the process. At the moment though he just needed to keep striking from the shadows, or be immediately found by the rampaging behemoth rushing right towards him blindly. Once the creature could adjust its eyes to realize it had found its opponent it lunged with its weapon forward, planning to skewer the coachman in one fell move. Yet as the man ducked the creature was met with an immediate counter blast to the face, forcing it to release another metallic-like screech of annoyance, as it swung wildly from being blinded.
Its blade would not find its target however, the coachman already having taken the element of surprise to get right behind the creature, with gauntlet fully charged, and exerting a massively violent swirling dark green mist. With a wide swing his clawed hand unleashed five energy waves upon the creature upper back, dispersing upon contact against the strange robe yet with enough power to force the behemoth into falling forward. With hands moving forward the creature’s fists halted it fall with a mighty thud, but before it could recover the coachman was upon it, jumping forward with a familiar yet sporadic mist charge exerting from his unarmed left hand.
With a downward momentum his fist delivered a shock burst between the creature’s shoulder blades, forcing the figure further down, but not onto the ground as the coachman had hoped. The creature was using its brute strength to stay up... for some reason it did not want to get knocked flat down. With such an odd change in the situation from before with the creature, the coachman, still mid-air swung his body backwards before digging both feet into the creatures back. This was probably not a wise tactic, but with no time to think it over, just as he had done earlier in the fight, he released a burst of phantasmal energy sending him flying up as it forced the creature down and flat onto its stomach along with digging its fists into the muddy ground shoulder deep.
Landing harshly onto the wet ground the coachman rolled away trying to negate most of the force from damaging his body. Once he stopped moving his head turned toward his fallen opponent, who was oddly still at the moment. Thanks to the heavy rain the coachman didn't need to worry much on sounds, as most were inaudible in this foul weather, and so he soon quickly got up, keeping an eye on his strange opponent.
"What are you doing…?," the coachman mumbled to himself, while he slowly and cautiously moved in a circular motion around the creature, feeling his current distance was safe enough for now. The creature was motionless. No scream of annoyance, nor any sign of trying to escape its current dilemma. Was it giving up? It was then the coachman could feel a strange vibration at his feet. Taking a step back the coachman's body stiffened as the behemoths hands ripped through the ground, its hands extend out wide to the side and sending muddy chunks of earth everywhere as if it was nothing... what the hell was this thing. The coachman wouldn't have much time to ponder as the creature lunged forward grabbing its weapon, and hurling it with amazing strength right for the coachman.
"YOUR LEFT," the coachman immediately shifted his body to the left as the massive rustic weapon was halted in a mystifying sight as the force left the weapon causing great winds to ruffle the coachman's cloths wildly backwards. Suspended in place as an unseeable force fought to keep it up, the aged weapon’s halt had been caused by contact with a single sword's tip which was held by none other than the Captain-Select, Sleif Destati, who released a rather appeased breath of relief. The coachman tilting his head in the direction of the sword wielder, as the swords blade was to his back, replying with a rather estranged sigh. A few clicks, and veering sounds revealed that the blade holding back the mighty sized axe was indeed also a magictech weapon as strange black tendrils of magic waved off it keeping its owners magic in check for its intended purpose. Still in his lunge like pose Sleif smiled drenched in the rain as if it had no effect on him.
"You should be extracted information out of the caravan, or saving the folks left alive from this one," the coachman seemingly scolded the Captain-Select. Yet in response the select responded with a rather strange friendly chuckle not fit for the current dire situation. Before the coachman could continue to scold Sleif the unusual moment was interrupted by a mechanical screech filled roar directing both Aeronaut members attention to the behemoth as it was standing tall once again. Realizing its attack had been halted, the unknown entity had clearly become enraged by Sleif's interference. Yet... it seemed to calm down almost a few seconds later as if something had clicked.
"No worries you created a pretty good distraction for us to get anyone still alive out."
"I see... going beyond our original requests. How kind of our guest," the coachman mumbled dryly realizing Sleif was talking about the leader of Eviolite. A loud splash filled the air as the rustic axe was finally dropped to the ground as Sleif also stood up straight. The coachman started to circle around to the right of the currently silent killer, aiming his broadsword at the creature as his fingers expertly spaced themselves as they tightened around the handle. Moving his left leg to the back slowly as to not panic the creature, he stood firm as the rain once again started to pick back up, keeping all three combatants drenched in reminder of the storm above them.
It was at the height of this intense silence that a large clap of thunder resounded throughout the heavy rainfall, almost as if a divine signal for the fight to resume. The monstrous being knelt, knee barely brushing against the muddy ground, before a jump; so monstrous that a thunderous quake rippled through the watered ground, had the being leap towards Sleif and with clear aim to retrieve its weapon by sheer, brute, force. Sleif's stance immediately changed. What was once calm turned to full out aggression, as he adjusted his blade completely to his right side. The iris's in his eyes glowing a very noticeable pulsing purple as the creature was quickly closing the gap between them. With a single blink of an eye, a faint, shy of completely invisible, bubble of purple particles erupted from Sleif, radiating out a good number of feet with him as its centre. As the behemoth passed through the particle field, it could be seen that time, or perhaps gravity itself, had been changed so drastically that the hulking fighter now merely glided through the air instead of soaring like a bird.
With knee's slowly bending, the tall Captain-Select's eye blazed to life once more, his iris glowing wildly as that same aura of surging purple started to rise around that of his sword. The heavy right fist of the cloaked behemoth, even in its immensely slowed state, continued to move down towards Sleif, clear in its intent to crush whatever it struck. With eye opened wide however, time resumed, and with it came a swing from the Captain-Select’s sword with such unexpected speed and ease, it was as if the heavy looking blade was as weightless as a saber.
Sword met fist as a wave of force burst from their impact, with so much strength from the two opposing entities that for a single moment it was as if a dry dome of space was created around the two, before the rain returned to devour it whole again. Almost right on queue three green orbital blasts converged on the killer's right shoulder blade, strong enough to disrupt the behemoth's mid-air stance and to lose its balance. The surprise attack allowed Sleif to quickly step forward, towards the rising mist that came from the struck being that now laid on the ground once again.
The weakening glow the large broadsword nor the slight pain from the scorch-like marks underneath his eyes could stop him from what he was preparing to do. Not even that of a sudden, yelling, warning voice. He couldn’t hear it once the pounding rain had returned. Already in mid swing and behind the behemoth, the iris of Sleif’s eyes blazed at his target as he swung his sword, the same glow as before returning again as a mighty blaze, before suddenly dying as the Captain-Select struck the cloaked back of the being with a thud.
Even without his apparent gravitational control, Sleif's natural strength was still enough to send the creature forward, hurtling harshly into the ground, yet at the same time also sending the Captain-Select straight onto his back and sliding a few feet away. Covered in murky water Sleif laid there for a moment, the coachman walking over to him with a hand out and ready to help him up.
"Something you forgot to mention…?" Sleif asked with squinted eyes as he took the offered gloved hand.
"It’s got some sort of armour underneath the robe,… I tried to tell you there." Came the reply as the Captain-Select was pulled back to his feet.
"Probably something you should have mentioned at the beginning, instead…," Sleif chuckled as he rolled his shoulders, the stiff pain from the trip he had just taken already beginning to fade into an ache. "So… any suggestions that I should know about?"
"Go for the hands and face… that about it if you’re going to use your power," the coachman spoke as the two directed their attention to the murderous almost demonic entity from afar as it picked up its rustic weapon.
“And for everything else… hit it hard.â€
"Can the axe do anything?"
"I hope not," was all the coachman spoke as the supposed Merchant of Reapers released another mechanical roar at both Aeronaut members. Sleif raised an eyebrow at the unnatural vocal cords the being used, but that didn't prepare him for what happened next.
"Why... why do you protect... those with a lineage... of sin?" Sleifs eyes went wide as their target final spoke with that strange gender-ambiguous, mechanical like voice. However, his shock didn't last long as he spoke back at the behemoth, his voice as loud and clear as can be over the pounding rain.
"Why punish those who have done nothing wrong? Sort of continuing the cycle of wrongful blame don't you think?"
"Someone must pay for those wronged... if not the perpetrator... then let the punishment pass to their children," Countered back the mechanical being, its mind clearly missing any resemblance of reason or sanity, and instead filled with a self-righteous rage towards anyone it believed wrong.
"And what gives you the right to be judge and executioner?" the coachman suddenly yelled out in question, the hulking being choosing to turn its gaze away from the two members instead of answer. Sleif turned to his partner, confused by the sudden outburst, but also of the silence that fell on their opponent.
The hostility in the air oddly seemed to vanish all together as the behemoth decided to sit on the ground, the murky water already beginning to pool around them as they sunk slightly into the mud. The two society soldiers momentarily exchanged another indecisive glance on how to continue with this unusual development, but decided to keep their distance for now.
"Regardless of your so called justice, you have murdered many innocents… children… in numbers I can't even begin to imagine," Sleif said, gripping the handle of his blade with a clear repulsed distaste of the being’s actions. “Children…?,†questioned the giant figure, a slow shake of their head side to side soon following before that same genderless voice spoke again. “No, never children… but… there were children…?â€
"Something's changed… it was nothing like this before you got here…" the coachman warned. It was almost like somewhere from the fight to now the personality, and nature, of this thing had switched. Though calm for the moment, a different sense of danger soon came from the sitting figure in the form of words, mumbled and just loud enough to be heard over the pouring rain, as if more trying to hear itself speak than be heard by anyone else there.
“I… I would never hurt…,â€
“But they must pay! None are innocent!â€
“But children…,â€
“Not even children!â€
“No… they must be… protected…,â€
“No… must punish all… I must… I MUST!â€
The violent eruption of water as the cloaked giant suddenly moved, was mixed with the mud thrown up in its wake. With such a sudden outburst and reaction the two Society Members were taken a little aback, almost being unprepared when the figure and its weapon were within feet of them in those short seconds. The shades of greens and purples seemed to mix for those brief couple of moments, and as the dead, rusty, axe struck against the solid black surface of Sleif’s sword; a familiar green gauntlet pressed tightly on its mirrored side as well, the explosive force was anything but mild, catapulting both sides, and all three, away from one another and into the dark covered plains…
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“Yes, we’ve read your colourful report already. What followed then?â€
“Oh, Yes sir. Apologies…â€
The rain had completely been replaced with a cold, calm silence. The soaked plains, with freshly made mud, was now a sterile metal room with only four occupants in its entirety. Sleif sat upon the same steel chair just like the others in the room, a long desk between him and the two stationed Captains and one General of the Combat Sector he now faced.
“Well Captains, General, I was out a little longer than my partner… but as it said in his own report it was a minute or so when he was strong enough to get up and search the area for any signs of the target.â€
“And it was at least ten minutes of this before you yourself awoke and joined up with him?â€
“That’s correct, sir.â€
“And in the end you found what?â€
“…Nothing, sirs. Besides the obvious signs we already knew about… it was as if the target completely vanished from there. Not even a single boot mark showing what direction they might have taken.â€
“That’s what the initial reports make mention so far as well.â€
“I think that’s it for now, Captain-Select Destati. You’re free of any current duty for the time being, but do stay on alert in case of immediate assignment.â€
“Yes sir, thank you sirs.â€
A formal standing and sign of respect and rank from all those within the room a second later and the four figures soon began to file out through the large opened doorway, the tall Sleif himself the last one to leave, already knowing the one waiting for him outside in the semi-busy hallway.
“Hey there! Wasn’t keeping you, was I?â€
Sleif smiled that large grin of his as he looked down at the blue-haired young man, only to get a short hmph in return as the shorter man started to walk away, the Captain-Select easily keeping up by his side still with that wide grin.
“Everything was laid clear in my report. I saw no need for any further questioning.â€
“Well, I just think they wanted to make sure they had everything straight. That’s all!â€
“Questioning your report? I understand. But my own?â€
“…what’s wrong with my reports?â€
“You embellish.â€
“Woah! Hey now! I take offense to that remark and…!â€
The sudden stop at the corner was enough to almost make Sleif trip over his own feet, a small gulp escaping as he found the cold eyes of the much shorter man staring piercing up at him.
“Okay Taces… perhaps I might… might that is… add some much needed life or excitement to my reports…. Sometimes!â€
“…so you embellish-â€
“-I embellish yeah…â€
The silence between the two lasted only a moment before Sleif began laughing, the smaller Taces merely crossing his arms and shaking his head at the spectacle, but nothing out of the ordinary in how he always responded to his friend’s laughing fits.
“Still though…,†Added Sleif, wiping a tear away from the corner of his eye as the last of his giggles finally started to fade away.
“It’s annoying we couldn’t find any sign of the big guy… girl… mech?… whatever it was!â€
“Same…â€
“Not even Miss Evancy was able to find anything.â€
“Though that’s only what her statement said.â€
“Still, we had our own examiners out there after the storm and they found nothing too.â€
“If Evolite is involved I wouldn’t trust anything at first glance-â€
“-Ohh, is someone maybe a little annoyed they’ve got to work with Miss Evancy again in the future?!â€
“I am not annoyed. I just –don’t trust them.â€
“-don’t trust them.â€
The two voices sounded so calm, so to the point expressionless for that one moment, that any passersby wouldn’t have been able to tell the two apart… and that’s what annoyed Taces the most… that after knowing one another for so long this now tall, almost gangly thin with just a hint of any actual muscles, could mimic him so well.
That same silent, cold, stare of Taces once again pierced upwards to Sleif, and once again the shorter figure only got the face of someone barely holding back a dam of laughter.
“…let us just go and eat.†A sigh escaping from Taces, not for the final time that day of course, as he simply turned and continued on his way down the hallway, Sleif close after him with a large grin.
-------
Taces was the first to waken on that water soaked plain, and while the cracking of lightning once again illuminated it in brief flashes it didn’t seem to make any difference for the rain soaked figure. Quickly checking the still down Sleif, he was immediately out in the direction the Cloaked Figure was seen flying in those few seconds from before.
The world was a mixture of grey shades from the three’s spot on the closest hill.
Raindrops pouring from the sky were like little flecks of pure black, and while every crack of lightning helped to brighten the near complete darkness that covered everything in the real world, here it made no difference, the land as clear as a picture in its various overtones of grey for the watching cloaked figure, leaving the familiar hunched giant to be seen by the sole other figure.
“Care to inform us of what’s happening?â€
“The small one is up and looking about.â€
“Already?...well that’s something at least. And what about the other?â€
The watching figure began to move at the question, the rain-soaked cloak they wore clearly heavy from the downpour brought on by the storm, and yet they moved with an unnaturally silent, somewhat bobbing, movement.
“They’re still just lying there… though the Big One here was sent flying, even with that freaky metal of yours, so maybe it took a lot out of that guy. Maybe it’s not so ‘impervious’ as you thought.â€
“Perhaps. And perhaps it was a one-off fluke due to this idiotic mishap!†The resounding thunk was heard as the other rain-soaked figure rapped his knuckle hard against the now exposed metal chestplate of the hulking being, showing off the cracks and slight buckling of metal plates that covered them.
“Still…,†Soon added the once annoyed figure, that same calmness returning just as quickly as their anger.
“While not expected, it was nevertheless interesting we were able to test you against Wielders with intent to actually kill you. Right, oh ‘Merchant of Reapers’?â€
The laugh from the figure was met with only silence by the giant, that blank stare of theirs from long before now completely returned, and so they merely stood as the figure draped their cloak back over the cracked sight of its body.
The bobbing figure continued watching Taces search the area through all this, and even as that ghostly faint green, now a darkening grey, cloaked young man started making their way up that same hill and towards them, the figure merely kept watching with growing glee.
Finally turning away from the statuesque giant, the figure by their side removed a pair of glasses from inside their hood and began to try and wipe them clean, more so in annoyance, especially in how they spoke.
“Quit teasing the poor boy.â€
“Hmm? Me, tease-?“
“-Yes, tease! You’re leading him on, aren’t you?â€
“Well… maybe a little, but-“
“-I don’t want excuses! Stop it this instant and do your job, properly.â€
“Hmph… fine. You can be such a killjoy!â€
As Taces finally made his way to the top of the hill, the storm having begun to pass through another of its brief lapse of rain, the young man was already prepared for a fight, gauntlet covered arm at the ready. But just like the plains below, here too did Taces find nothing. No disturbed ground, no muddy footprints but his own, nothing even to show any sign of some kind of waiting transport. With a short grunt of annoyance he turned back and started to make his way down the muddied hill, already seeing the approaching tall figure of Sleif and the lights of the wagons and men in the distance.
[/CENTRE]