Kyra and her six companions hovered in the sky, their forms illuminated by a series of glowing symbols. These ring-sized markings signified their identities as Riders, individuals imbued with extraordinary abilities.
Five of the team shared identical symbol placements, while Sena stood out, the symbols adorning the backs of her hands a testament to her unique lineage.
Upon their chests, larger, fist-sized symbols pulsed with an inner light, each shape as distinct as the Rider it represented, and these were their Primal Runes, reflecting the diversity of their capabilities and origins.
As the symbol materialized on their bodies, they vanished in a near-instantaneous blur, reappearing near a debris-strewn road, remnants of past conflicts littering the landscape. The initial symbols faded, leaving only smaller versions on their chests, a constant reminder of their mission.
"You know what to do," Kyra stated, her voice carrying the authority of a seasoned leader. The six Riders nodded in response, their expressions reflecting a shared understanding of the job.
The symbol appeared on their left wrists, prompting them to touch their clothing. In a fascinating display of transformation, their uniforms shifted, morphing into individual outfits that reflected their personalities. The only unifying element was the beige cloak that now adorned each of them.
"Ready your Soul-Severs," Kyra commanded, her gaze hardening. Those three cannot detect our Soul-Severs, but time is not our ally. We must be prepared the moment we enter their reach. The thought of their targets – three rogue Riders who had plunged Dorban into darkness – fueled her determination.
A black, disk-shaped tear ripped open in space beside Kyra as a Rune appeared on her right wrist. Another Rune followed, and from the tear, she drew a long sword. She sheathed the weapon with practiced ease and tossed the black stone bracelet from her left wrist into the swirling void.
Dorban is no NF; we won't need the BlackStone. Their StreamBreath signature would only alert our prey, she reasoned.
One by one, her team mirrored her actions, summoning their tears and drawing their Soul-Severs – specialized weapons designed to sever the flow of StreamBreath within Riders, negating their regenerative abilities and rendering them vulnerable.
Daed's Dao sword, glimmering with an otherworldly sheen, reflected his calm and focused nature. Igniss's white gloves, imbued with the strength of a dragon, hinted at the power he held in check.
Selhob's double-bit battle axes, radiating an air of controlled chaos, mirrored his unpredictable and impulsive personality. Sena's silver spear, a beacon of precision and elegance, spoke of her disciplined and focused approach.
Gaia's dark green bow, whispering tales of forgotten forests, hinted at her connection to the natural world and her ability to manipulate its elements.
And CodeForger's long-barreled handgun, a marvel of engineering, capable of disrupting the very fabric of reality, showcased his ingenuity and mastery over technology.
With their Soul-Severs drawn and their black-stone accessories discarded, the tears in space sealed shut, leaving no trace of their presence.
Kyra turned to CodeForger, his silver mask concealing his features but not the brilliance of his mind. "CodeForger," she stated, "we need transport. Fast, sturdy, and inconspicuous. The form is your choice."
"Roger that!" CodeForger strode towards the wreckage of an ancient truck, the symbol appearing on his neck as he activated his Kin Rune, the power of the TechKin coursing through him.
With a mere touch, the rusted metal dissolved into a swirling cloud of brown dust, becoming Nano machines, each particle dancing to the rhythm of his will. The dust coalesced and reformed, taking the shape of a familiar eight-wheel truck – a testament to the TechKin's ability to create and manipulate highly advanced technology.
"Captain, is this satisfactory?" a woman's voice inquired. It was Codex-7, the advanced AI inhabiting CodeForger's mask, her consciousness intertwined with his. She had chosen the design, drawing upon her vast knowledge and understanding of Dorban's technology.
"Good work, both of you," Kyra praised, a hint of a smile gracing her lips.
"It seems old and rusty! Will it even move?" Selhob, the ShadowWeaver Rider, scoffed, his innate desire for conflict seeking an outlet.
"Solar-powered, but it'll move," CodeForger grinned, unfazed by Selhob's provocation. His mind was already on to the next challenge, his satisfaction derived from creation, not confrontation. "It's not my usual style, but it's efficient." He touched the truck with his left palm, the symbol appearing as he erased any lingering traces of StreamBreath, ensuring their passage would remain undetected.
"Now, we need currency," Kyra declared, her focus shifting to the practicalities of their mission.
Gaia, the Celestial Rider, bent down and picked up an ordinary rock. A Rune reappeared on her wrist, and with a subtle flex of her will, the rock transformed into a gleaming piece of Argonot, the rare and highly valued mineral used as currency in Dorban.
CodeForger returned, offering seven black threads, each no longer than a fingernail. With Kyra's permission, he placed them near their ears. The threads, marvels of miniature engineering, burrowed into their skin, establishing discreet communication links that would allow them to stay connected throughout their mission.
As they approached the truck, Kyra and the others paused, their gazes turning to Igniss, the Noble Dragon, who lagged behind. "What?" he inquired, raising an eyebrow in confusion.
"Igniss," Kyra began, her voice laced with amusement, "how much do you weigh right now?"
"Around five thousand KiloFrames," he replied, the realization dawning on his face. Even in their humanoid forms, Dragons had immense weight, a fact that could pose a slight problem for their current mode of transportation.
He scuffed then activated his Mass-Shift Rune, the symbol appearing on his forearm as he adjusted his weight to a more manageable level.
"A hundred KiloFrames should be fine," CodeForger suggested, ever the pragmatist.
With a playful grumble, Igniss complied, and they finally boarded the truck. Kyra settled into the passenger seat, her long sword resting between her legs, a silent guardian at her side. CodeForger took the wheel, his hands moving with the practiced ease of a master artisan. The others climbed into the back, their expressions a mix of anticipation and determination.
"How is she?" Kyra inquired, referring to Kira, the young girl they had entrusted with a device linked to Codex-7's consciousness. Through this link, CodeForger could monitor Kira's every thought and action, ensuring her safety and gauging her potential role in their plan.
"She's still eating," CodeForger replied, a hint of warmth in his voice. "She seems to be enjoying Igniss's cooking."
Kyra smiled, picturing the unlikely scene of the gruff dragon preparing a meal for the young girl.
I wanted her to eat in peace, undisturbed. She thought back to their encounter with Kira, to the kindness she saw reflected in the girl's eyes and the strength she sensed within her.
Live, get stronger, get better. Face life with your head held high. She believed in Kira. She believed that she had the potential to overcome the hardships she had faced and emerge as a beacon of hope for her people.
"Captain, what you did was unwise," Gaia spoke up from the back of the truck, her voice laced with concern. "You told her too much."
"I'm no fool, Gaia," Kyra murmured, her eyes closed but her mind alert. "Everything is under control."
A ripple of concern spread through the team. They understood the risks involved in placing their trust in Kira, but she was a crucial element in their plan. The device she carried, a marvel of CodeForger's creation, would allow them to identify their three targets – Renegades who had plunged Dorban into chaos and darkness.
"If she goes haywire, we terminate her," Kyra stated, her voice devoid of emotion. The thought of resorting to such measures weighed heavily on her, but her duty to the Aggregate and Dorban's people outweighed her personal feelings. She would do what was necessary to ensure the success of their mission, even if it meant making difficult choices.
CodeForger, ever the reassuring presence, spoke up. "I can stop her at any time. Besides, we have the contingency plan."
Selhob grinned mischievously. "Captain, you were soft on her."
"Tell that to Igniss and Daed," Kyra countered with a smirk, her eyes twinkling with amusement. Memories of the unlikely scene of Igniss preparing a meal for the girl brought laughter from the team, shortly easing the tension that had settled over them.
"Seeing a Dragon care for an Unawakened is a rare sight," Codex-7 joked, her artificial voice carrying a hint of playful sarcasm.
"Despite his demeanor, Igniss is the kindest I know," Sena added with a gentle smile, her words carrying the weight of genuine affection for their gruff companion.
Igniss cringed. "I just fattened a meal, that's all."
Daed, the Masson, known for his gentle nature, blushed and scrubbed the back of his head, his smile radiating warmth. "A good deed brightens the heart."
As they journeyed towards SaberTwins, the devastated capital city, they passed through numerous rundown villages, each one a stark reminder of the misery inflicted upon Dorban's people by the Renegades' tyranny. Kyra, moved by the sight of their suffering, tossed an Argonot block towards one such village, a small act of defiance and a symbol of hope for a brighter future.
"CodeForger," Kyra asked, her voice taking on a more serious tone, "have we entered his reach yet?" They were closing in on the Noble Dragon Renegade, the one who had remained in Dorban, overseeing the subjugation of its people.
"Yes, twenty miles in," CodeForger confirmed, his voice steady and focused.
Kyra paused, her expression hardening as she contemplated the task ahead. "The Arbiter gave me permission to kill two of them if necessary, but we must capture the RiteMaster alive." They needed him to expose the network of loyalists who had infiltrated the LastBorn Aggregate, a cancer that threatened to spread chaos and destruction. He was the key to dismantling their operation and preventing further harm.
A collective grin spread across the team, their eyes gleaming with a mix of excitement and determination. The prospect of a challenging mission ignited their spirits, each Rider eager to put their unique abilities to the test.
"He's of my kin, so he'll be hard to catch," Selhob remarked, his voice laced with a hint of pride and anticipation. As a ShadowWeaver Rider, he shared a lineage with the RiteMaster, understanding the cunning and resourcefulness that came with their kind.
"Afraid, little Selhob?" Gaia teased, her lips curving into a playful smirk.
"Nah, just excited," he retorted, his grin widening. "Let's make it thrilling. I bet the plan will fail."
One by one, the others countered his bet, expressing their unwavering faith in Kyra's strategy and their collective ability to overcome any obstacle.
To their surprise, Kyra herself chimed in, "I bet pro."
Selhob burst into laughter, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Why are you betting against yourself?"
Kyra's smile held a hint of mischief, her eyes glinting with a challenge. "Because it's more fun that way." She was not afraid of failure; they still had the contingency plan, a carefully crafted backup strategy designed to ensure their success even if the initial plan went awry.
"What about the contingency plan?" Selhob pressed, his curiosity piqued. "I bet it will succeed."
This time, the team responded in unison, including Sena, their voices ringing with unwavering confidence: "I bet pro."
Selhob groaned playfully, a hint of admiration in his voice. "Do you trust Daed that much?"
Daed's blush deepened, but a smile graced his lips, his eyes reflecting the quiet confidence that resided within him.
As the Masson of the team, his role was to anticipate and prepare for any eventuality, ensuring that they were always one step ahead of their enemies.
The playful banter continued as they pressed onward.