"Woah!"
As soon as we enter, the situation seems to be entering a height.
[Ey ey ey! Reactivate and repel the attackers to unleash our glory!]
"Reactivate what?"
[Uhhhh… okay so you know the guys that play with fire?]
I was left more confused.
"Assignment Fan Fire."
Miss Redalon spoke.
[Yeah that! So, deal with it!]
The countless amount of people running forward sparked a crazy imagination in my head.
Overhead smoke raised itself in the air.
So.
"So we're burning this big forest now?!"
[Tsk tsk J-J-Jenkins you have eyes.]
Why are they saying it like that..?
[So get a move on. Don't wanna be run over by some cars eh?]
"Huh?"
A large truck emerged from the darkness and bounced over us.
"When did they have the ability to do that."
"Kahahaha! Get those bastards!"
It went deeper into the burning forest.
"Where to?"
[Oh… let's make this easier– what the– what do you want from me–?!! No I'm not saying that you stupid fu–!!!!!! So go to this village, around northeast, and maybe you'll find somethin. I dunno.]
The switch up.
"Let's move."
Sir Argent weaved through the hordes of agents.
Followed by Miss Redalon.
"Ah, uh, yes sir!"
So many agents went deep in the forest.
Following the flames.
I think they might stop at some point.
I'm not sure…
"Never…!"
"Uh-huh sure buddy."
They are called elves.
They live in a forest right?
At least the many versions of them..?
He was stabbed and left to rot.
Ridiculed.
Ignored.
…I feel like a weight entered my chest.
— —
The sky was perfect.
Blissful.
There was nothing to taint it.
Remaining a silent, unchanging.
It lingers.
We are saved.
We are being freed.
I can't understand anything anymore.
For so long.
Was it for nothing I walked this long?
It was just empty?
[Do you see the damage caused?]
"...Yes."
[Alas, many are unfortunate. To be lost from a single action.]
Who..?
What is this voice?
[A single remain of a failing legacy. To be cut so easily. What is left then?]
"Are you trying to ignore?"
[My my. Impatience will do you no harm in the instance. However, over time…]
"Tch."
The sound of someone stepping closer.
A face appeared.
An adolescent face with a frown.
"They look dead."
[For shame. Despite it, they are not.]
"How do you know?"
The adolescent turned back.
[Merely simple signs of life.]
The adolescent grunted.
"...I don't see anything."
[There are many ways to check and see. Even if it is, there is always a small chance for it not to be.]
What did it matter.
Another head appeared.
Cloaked entirely with clothing of a wanderer.
[Daughter of the forest. Are you willing to enjoy life once more? Perhaps not.]
Let us be saved.
Let us be free wind.
"..."
[There is much to gain insight from. Let this Guide show you.]
— —
For a whole however long, my breathing has started to be unstable.
With the destabilizing air condition…
It makes wonders..!
"It… looks terrible!"
"Perhaps some have entered through here. Fortifying seems to have ended horribly."
Defense?
Here?
I saw marks of it, but it looked…
Rough.
I just thought it was some sketchy artist thing.
We walked through it.
Most of it was shaped like fruits.
Up above, were real fruit houses.
Though a red invader was turning it into fruit pie.
Unlike those, down here was wood painted.
"Hostiles ahead."
I gathered minerals to make a fist.
Getting closer we discovered two groups facing each other.
"Give up."
Surprise!?
One of the twelve in Valorie Division!?
"The Frontliner…"
"The Frontliner? I see." Sir Argent looked at my emblem. "Forgive my impertinence. Rare to see named."
"Ah, well…"
"No need to dawdle here." Miss Redalon said.
Wait wouldn't she be like super dr–
"Ain't no way you're makin it out of this alive if you point that towards us."
"It doesn't matter."
Behind those elves holding the line, there were just more with nothing to do with fighting.
"Consequence is one hell of a bastard." The Frontliner smirked.
At The Frontliner's gesture, they opened fire.
"Power grenade out!"
I wasn't sure.
Was it excessive?
–Boom!
For screams.
For cries.
For mercy.
"See who's left."
"Hello."
"Hm? Hell is you two doin here?"
"Searching for the Ashened Underworld agents."
"Tch. It's Them again isn't it. Group?"
"Equia Redalon of Etched Interest."
"Argent of Marked Sands."
"It really is Them and Their antics." The Frontliner sighed.
"Chief! Some are still kickin!"
The Frontliner looked at a lizard-ish Lecarnic.
"Er, Chief, they look like they might struggle if we do anything!" A white haired Draconic Acarnic.
"How nice of them. Those arsonists are a bit up ahead. Heavy zone full of enemies. If they don't appreciate their luck, take it from em!"
"Yes sir!"
"You… won't…"
The shaking hand reached for The Frontliner.
"What ferocity. Not ready to see the other side?"
Miss Equia and Redalon, as if getting everything moved ahead.
"Taylor."
They gestured and kept going.
"...Live…"
"My next day sure as hell will be peaceful."
"Let go..!"
"You dare?!"
"When our–!"
"No please!"
For every echo I don't know what I'm feeling.
[Keep going. Or do you still need time?]
"Taylor."
"Cause and effect are real damning pieces of shit. But it's about choice and the dominos."
"N..o…"
"Brought this on yourselves. Such incorrect pride." The Frontliner smiled. "Ha. 'Doesn't matter'. Then you should've stayed put."
The Frontliner took out a pistol.
"Waste of ammo."
–Splat.
"How merciful we are. Kill those who resist!"
""Yes Sir!""
….
[Taylor.]
I walk towards the last stand.
For this entire wreck, they had no silent requiem.
I suppose…
[Make your choice.]
With great fear.
Why do they keep trying?
With great confidence.
Why do they keep going?
I'm only someone who knows how to repair things…
I don't know how to fight!
I don't know what all this is!
Watching me are those with their backs to the wall.
"What are you doing."
"I… Don't know…"
"Who is this?"
"T-Taylor Jenkins. Armored brigade. Sub-department of Valorie Division."
"Gut's. You got that."
They all lowered their weapons.
My heart drummed in my chest.
"Who are we facing?"
"Them."
"Why are we facing them?"
…
"Their… order."
"Congratulations. Move."
"D-Do we have to?"
"Ain't no certainty till it's done."
Their eyes shapened by terror.
Their wounds dragged them deeper.
I suppose… it was never meant to be.
"Never…!"
"Why did you–"
"Just look at that inferior!"
"Told ya. Ain't no certainties till it's done."
When it seemed over, they stop trembling.
They bite.
Perhaps it eased my heart a bit.
Playing a hero role.
Even as the life seeps out of me.
"Fire."
This is what it means to follow…
"You're gonna be okay. Might be late, might be not. Pray for it kid."
I don't know.
Whether this is…
"Pride's all you have. These failures of life can't even take a hint."
Both.
------------------------------------------------------------
Pt. 2!!!!!!
Uh, maybe.
N: Nickel (Del)Nio
S: M
R: Wish Granter
Age: 235
P.O.B: Ion, Einda
Dept: Guarded Cards
Occ: Reinforcer
Rank: Iron card
Current Assignment: Gaaaaaaaaaaame shuw!
Previous Assignment: Diner Wash (that one was hella funny)
Given Code: 1006853
Type(s): [Flesh - Regeneration] [Electricity]
Abilities: Drivers License (lol), Focal Point Pierce, bending, reflexive(?), Can grant wishes
Alias, Current: Nick
Alias, Self: Nickel Nio
Self: A card that fits well in the package of other cards. From an attitude resembling a lazy soldier, to that of focused grit. Can be a bit of an idiot in certain situations. Interrogation or speech is not exactly the strongest field for him.
Self, others: A comrade in arms who will die like the rest of them should it come to for the sake of the mission. I.E one of the boys!!!!!! Eyyyyy it's time for fun!
Misc: Prefers to be in a comfortable environment. Will do as told. Unless it will, without a doubt, be a terrible order. Grants minor wishes of those who ask.
Thoughts: Gimme a beer and a toodle! Time for paaaaaaaaaaarteeeeeey!!!
N: Mina Garft (Was she also in V.D too?! Gasp?!!?)
S: F
R: Yeon
Age: 156
P.O.B: Laquien, Blinded Teruvan
Dept: Ashened Underworld
Occ: Fashioned light enthusiast
Rank: Newly lit Lamp
Current Assignment: Gaaaaaame sho!!!!!!!?
Previous Assignment: Grave Hallow
Given Code: 1008023
Type(s): \INSERTED/ [Fire] [Skin] \UNAFFILIATED/ [Plant]
Abilities: Ceremonial Fire, Resistance to heat, Cultivation - consumption
Alias, Current: N/A
Alias, Self: Mina Garft
Self: A new ish member marking the 23rd of 8000! No really, she is new. Grave Hallow is her only assignment. In terms of nervousness, it's on par with Val. In terms of critical thinking. Uh, it's not Kelsey levels of bull. Wait and see.
Self, others: For newbies, they are like lunch. Deli~cous. It's like raising your own pet. However touching the pet will burn your hand in the wrong area. Cute(?)
Misc: Nervous, willing to follow orders, 50/50 chance food gets caught on fire, not a leader
Thoughts: Keep trying and you'll find your place! Maybe.
The last one.
Haha.
My heart just loves too much. So wonderful. Let's keep it rolling eh?
N: "Akrieas".
S: F
R: "Cursed Being."
Age: 1953
P.O.B: Left at the castle.
Dept: Barren Rangers.
Occ: Take a Gander.
Rank: Only one way to ask.
Current Assignment: Divide Resurgence.
Previous Assignment: Fan Fire. Justly Righteous.
Given Code: 4000
Type(s): \CHAOS/ [Space] [The Eternal White] [Self - Wish] [Energy - "Dark"] [Lament, eyes]
Abilities: Delegation, Suffer underneath the cursed.
Alias, Current: "Akrieas."
Alias, Self: "Akrieas."
Self: Do you see them as what? What can be described for them? Think of it like this. A person who registers everything in certain colours. Regarding everything else in it's basic form.
Self, others: The de ████ ████. There may be others but none like this particular person. However it may be, expressions are not evident. Rather the eyes wander towards ███ ████. And it will stare back at you. Nothing will happen. Maybe.
Misc: Hates a certain someone~! If not annoyed, then the probability of earning attention drastically drops. Not fond of big interactions. Would you call them cruel? Arrogant? Superiority? I can't.
Thoughts: When I saw their emotions. What happiness. What sorrow. So even they can ████ ████ ██████. Vivid. Is it because of ██ ██████? Then it is beautiful. I may say anything, everything, but to see it in front of me.
There need be no more.
Even if not seen. Even if ████ ███ ████████. I won't stop. ████ ████ ██ ██ ███████.
Who is she?
She is "Akrieas".
Forming her own story.
█ ██ ███ █████. █ ██ ███ ████. █ ██ ███.
I know nothing.
I know everything.
Just like always.