《Manifest Fantasy》 Chapter 1: First Contact Groom Lake, Nevada Area 51 November 3, 2024 The sandstorm was a nuisance, damn well enough. Captain Henry Donnager grumbled as he fought his way toward the hangar, the wind doing its best to yank his cap right off his head. Sand stung his eyes and scraped at his skin, making it a real bitch to see where he was going. The only consolation was that he wasn¡¯t alone in this misery ¨C every poor bastard on base was battling the elements, rushing to secure equipment and seal off doors before the storm could do any real damage. Even through the chaos, one corner of the base still remained as active as ever, sandstorm be damned. Henry squinted through the haze, making out the shape of the hangar housing the Manifest Project. He¡¯d been there a million times, but today felt different. Apparently, the inclement weather hadn¡¯t been enough to convince Director Lombard to postpone. Whatever she had planned, it couldn¡¯t wait. The sound of crunching sand drew his attention, and he turned to see Lieutenant Ron Owens trudging towards him, a grin on his face that seemed to defy the raging storm. Henry was no slouch himself ¨C as built as any Tier One operator worth their salt. But Ron? Ron was something else entirely. A mountain of a man, an imposing figure whose physical prowess could have easily secured him a starting spot on any NFL defensive line. He''d been Henry''s wingman since they graduated from the Academy a few years back. Why Ron stuck with the Space Force was a perplexing mystery to most, though Henry understood his reasoning well enough. Whenever anyone asked Ron about his decision to stay, his answer was unwavering: ¡®Adventure.¡¯ After all, who could turn down the opportunity to stand where Armstrong once stood, to marvel at the vastness and beauty of Creation? Certainly not Henry. And now here they were, lounging around a metal box in the ass-end of Nevada. Some ¡®final frontier¡¯ this turned out to be. A Space Force Captain and Lieutenant, two men who experienced the G¡¯s of space and even set foot on the moon, reduced to glorified security guards for a science experiment that refused to work. ¡°Henry! What¡¯s good? You excited?¡± Ron called out, his booming voice carrying over the howling winds. Henry dapped him up. ¡°Excited? Shit, only thing I¡¯m excited about is getting away from this sand. Coarse, rough, irritating, and all that.¡± He briefly removed his glove, brushing said sand from his face and out of his brown, short-cropped hair ¨C barely a stopgap until he could get into a good shower. ¡°Naw, c¡¯mon bruh,¡± Ron said, leading Henry past the closing hangar doors, ¡°Today¡¯s the day, I can feel it in my bones!¡± Henry snorted, shaking his head. ¡°That¡¯s what you said the last fourteen times, man. I¡¯m starting to think your bones need a fucking reality check.¡± Ron chuckled, throwing an arm around Henry¡¯s shoulders. ¡°I¡¯m telling you, bruh. Trust, it¡¯s finna be different this time. Just wait and see.¡± Henry wasn¡¯t so sure, but he had to admit, the facility did feel different. The research staff had some strange excitement about them ¨C not like they were hoping for something to happen, but like they knew something was about to happen. He¡¯d overheard whispers in the mess hall, snippets of conversation that hinted at a major breakthrough. But he¡¯d learned long ago not to put too much stock in rumors. ¡°I¡¯ll believe it when I see it,¡± he said, shrugging off Ron¡¯s arm. ¡°Let¡¯s just get inside.¡± Together, they made their way into the heart of the facility, passing through a series of security checkpoints and sealed doors. The deeper they went, the more the chaos of the Nevada desert fell away. In its place came the pitched whine of machinery ramping up and the excited chatter of voices, like they hadn¡¯t seen a dozen of these experiments fail before. Eventually, they reached the heart of it all: the gateway. Resting upright upon a concrete platform, the massive semicircle stretched to at least half the length of the hangar, boasting a diameter large enough to fit a Boeing 747 with ease. Thick transparent barriers surrounded the gateway alongside cameras, sensors, and layers of defenses. Mysterious symbols ¡ª dubbed ¡®runes¡¯ by the researchers ¡ª dotted the ring¡¯s perimeter. What they meant was anyone¡¯s guess. It looked like something straight out of a well-known classic, a portal to another world just waiting to be opened. Hopefully the scenery would be more diverse than ¡®Planet Vancouver¡¯. Stumbling across a planet of such a biome wouldn¡¯t be the most exciting, per se, but he couldn¡¯t argue against the underlying wonder of just being able to explore another world ¨C the sheer novelty, the glory and awe of discovery. Hell, the mere presence of this enigmatic structure ignited a sense of thrilling anticipation within him ¡ª a taste of the ¡®adventure¡¯ he and Ron had signed up for. Maybe the big guy was right. Maybe today was the day they¡¯d finally make it work. ¡°Incredible, huh?¡± Ron said, coming to stand beside him. ¡°This shit may very well be the greatest discovery of human history, and to top it all off, we ¡®boutta be the first to lay eyes on it.¡± ¡°I¡¯ve seen it dozens of times, and it still gets me,¡± Henry sighed. He watched as men and women in protective suits set up computers and other gadgets by a large silvery box that echoed the arcane design of the ring. Ron¡¯s eyes settled on the figures moving about. ¡°Looks like they¡¯re getting ready to seal the gate just in case,¡± he said, pointing at a group of lab-coated personnel huddled behind some consoles near the gate itself. ¡°Can¡¯t blame them,¡± Henry mused, taking stock of the myriad of safety measures surrounding the gateway. ¡°Last thing we want is an alien plague on Earth.¡± Ron¡¯s laugh was genuine, but his eyes remained fixed on the gate. ¡°Or bloodthirsty wannabe Romans.¡± Henry turned towards Ron, tearing his eyes away from the alien structure for a moment. He lowered his head and raised an eyebrow. ¡°Seriously, Romans? There could be parasitic aliens masquerading as deities, lanky grey men, hell, even dragons and shit, and your first thought is the Roman Empire? What kinda adventure you dream about when you signed up for the Space Force?¡± ¡°Look, Cap, not my idea, alright? But there was this one anime ¨C,¡± he paused for a moment to clear his throat, ¡°Ahem, Japanese cartoon, that has fantasy Romans pouring out of a portal, just to get clapped by modern guns. Just a reference.¡± ¡°Well, as long as it doesn¡¯t have any of those generic weeb harems and 500-year-old teen girls, I guess I won¡¯t judge your taste.¡± Ron looked to the side, a slight gesture that slipped past Henry¡¯s radar. ¡°Anyway, the scientists say that the readings are more energetic than before, and even managed to convince General Harding to come by and check it out.¡± Henry¡¯s skepticism returned as a half-smile. ¡°Really, now?¡± Ron raised his hands, ¡°Look, I¡¯ve had doubts, but I think I¡¯ve also had more faith. Besides, if Dr. Lamarr thinks something¡¯s gonna happen for real, then it probably will.¡± ¡°Yeah dude,¡± Henry sighed, conceding. ¡°I guess you do have a point there.¡± His eyes drifted over toward a tall blonde woman in a white coat, assisting the other researchers. After pointing at a screen, she paused and looked up at the ring, catching Henry staring at her from the railing. Henry gave a wave and a smile, satisfied as she returned the friendly gesture before going back to work. Ron nudged him teasingly. ¡°Got your eye on Dr. Lamarr, huh?¡± ¡°Watch it,¡± he replied, though his grin belied his feigned irritation. ¡°She¡¯s the top scientist here, aside from Director Lombard herself. Helps to have friends in smart places.¡± A sudden rush of wind swept through the hangar as the barriers sealed the gateway within a fortified containment chamber, like the air being sucked out of a micrometeorite puncture. The last of the technicians cleared the area, leaving just the hum of machines, Henry¡¯s guys, and a bunch of nervous scientists behind their consoles. He couldn¡¯t stop thinking about what might be waiting on the other side, if they really did get around to activating it. A bunch of rocks and dust? Another version of Canada? Little green men? Hell, for all he knew, they could be opening a door to a whole civilization. The not-knowing nearly drove him nuts, barely tempered by pragmatism. ¡°Times like this, I wish we knew more about those who built this thing,¡± Ron admitted, his voice dropping to a contemplative tone. ¡°What were they like? Why¡¯d they leave?¡± Henry shook his head, his gaze fixed on the now-contained gate and the automated defenses around it. ¡°Maybe we¡¯ll find out soon. Hell, now you¡¯ve got me excited about the final frontier and boldly going.¡± Ron grinned. ¡°You¡¯ve been hanging around the eggheads too much, man. Starting to sound like a Trekkie.¡± ¡°Hey, don¡¯t knock the classics,¡± Henry shot back with a smirk. ¡°Besides, I¡¯d rather be a Trekkie than a weeb any day.¡± A voice over the intercom interrupted their conversation. ¡°All personnel, please report to your stations. Gate activation will commence in T-minus one hour. FPCON Delta is now in effect.¡± Ron glanced at Henry, then up at the control room above them. Henry followed his gaze and spotted a figure silhouetted against the sharp light framing the control room¡¯s glass. Stern posture, hands clasped behind his back ¨C it was undeniably General Alexander Harding. Next to him, a slender figure watched the preparations with an almost giddy expression ¨C Dr. Andromeda Lombard, the director of the Manifest Project. ¡°Looks like the director¡¯s excited too,¡± Ron observed. Granted, she was more ecstatic than usual ¨C enough to lift Henry¡¯s skepticism by the thinnest of margins, but that wasn¡¯t saying much. ¡°She may be excited, but I¡¯ll believe it when I see it. Let¡¯s get to our stations. It¡¯s almost showtime.¡± ¨C¨C General Harding gazed out the control room¡¯s window, eyes narrowing at the array of technical equipment and personnel in motion. Somehow, Dr. Lombard¡¯s optimism had gotten to him. Hell, her words even had the Cabinet and the President convinced. For her sake and the sake of confidence in the project, he hoped she was right. Dr. Lombard joined him, the tablet in her hands displaying a graph of energy signatures. Milligauss readings ¨C the only semblance of grounding they could extract from the otherwise alien energies emitted by the gateway. ¡°General, it¡¯s real. I ¨C I¡¯ve ¨C This is all new! The energy pattern has just shifted,¡± she said, her voice trembling with barely contained excitement. ¡°Oscillations at frequencies never before recorded. Look! Look at this waveform ¨C it suggests a resonance with an external source!¡± Harding¡¯s focus shifted to the screen, his brow furrowing. External source? What the hell could that mean? ¡°So we¡¯ve finally got a two-way connection?¡± Lombard nodded, her eyes shining with a fervor that Harding had rarely seen before. It was the look of someone who truly believed they were on the cusp of something great. ¡°Yes.¡± She took a deep breath, then composed herself before she went on. ¡°MRD-7 is in position, ready for environmental analysis.¡± Well, it would take more than excitement to convince him. ¡°A real connection, huh? The powers that be won¡¯t be too pleased with another false alarm, Director.¡± She looked him in the eye. ¡°I¡¯m positive. We¡¯ve been over the data repeatedly. This isn¡¯t a glitch. The gate is responding to something tangible.¡± He studied her a moment before nodding. ¡°Alright. I hope you¡¯re right. But¡­ at the first sign of irregularity, I want the gate shut down.¡± ¡°Understood,¡± she responded, her expression resolute. They looked out over the hangar once more. The preparations were visible in every corner: technicians double-checking the MRD-7 recon drone¡¯s manifold instrumentation, soldiers settling in place to secure the perimeter, and scientists huddling around monitors. Harding¡¯s voice broke the silence. ¡°Let¡¯s move to the briefing.¡± The men and women on the video feeds represented the nation¡¯s elite: President Keener himself, Vice President Lieu, Secretary of State Thompson, Secretary of Defense Morgan, other top-ranking officers, leading scientists, top-ranking officers, and government liaisons, along with those involved in the Manifest Project from day one, including Ambassador Luke Perry. ¡°Thank you all for coming,¡± Harding began. ¡°Director Lombard?¡± Lombard began the presentation immediately, projecting the energy signatures. ¡°Over the past several weeks, we¡¯ve noticed an uptick in the electromagnetic side effects surrounding the gateway ¨C not a result of our planned experiment, which started drawing power a few days ago, but from the gate itself. Take a look at the milligauss readings before the experiment. These don¡¯t match the usual dormant-state effects.¡± Harding addressed the room. ¡°Mister President, it¡¯s extremely likely that we¡¯ll have our first successful activation. This is our last chance to turn back.¡± The President responded without hesitation. ¡°This is everything we¡¯ve been waiting for. I take it there are no objections?¡± The silence that followed said enough. President Keener nodded. ¡°It seems we have our plan. Ambassador Perry, General Harding, Director Lombard, you have my full confidence to lead this delicate task with wisdom and restraint. You hold the keys to not only our nation¡¯s future but that of all humanity. Make history. Make us proud. Good luck, and God bless.¡± ¨C¨C Henry shifted his stance, the tactile fabric of his environmental suit adjusting with him. He glanced at the M7 rifle in his hands. Its weight seemed to have subtly increased, as if burdened by the gravity of the mission. His earlier skepticism, once as pervasive as background radiation, had largely decayed. A sudden chime echoed above, followed by an automated announcement. ¡°Gate activation in two minutes.¡± ¡°So, this is it,¡± Henry began, sighing deeply. ¡°Two minutes until we either make history or become a cautionary tale.¡± Ron chuckled softly. ¡°Yeah, no pressure, right? Just another day at the office.¡± Henry smirked. ¡°You ever think we¡¯d be here, doing this? About to activate a portal to¡­ Lord knows where?¡± ¡°I always thought we¡¯d be doing HALO jumps or fighting commies on the moon. If you told high-school me about this, I¡¯d say you¡¯ve¡­ got your chevrons locked in all the wrong places.¡± Henry smiled. It seemed like his ¡®ol buddy was more cultured than he thought. ¡°You know, part of me still wonders if this is just an elaborate, overfunded LARP session,¡± he said, gaze drifting back to the increasingly busy control room. Ron leaned on a railing. ¡°If it is, they¡¯ve got killer production values.¡± ¡°For real. Well,¡± Henry sighed, checking the chamber of his M7 one last time before closing the dust cover, ¡°let¡¯s just hope the only thing we meet on the other side is an alien deer or something. I can deal with that.¡± ¡°Agreed,¡± Ron replied, ¡°Anything¡¯s better than running into kaijus or eldritch horrors.¡± Henry¡¯s eyes flicked back to Ron. ¡°You ready?¡± ¡°As I¡¯ll ever be.¡± Another chime broke through. ¡°Gate activation in ten¡­ nine¡­ eight¡­ seven¡­¡± The gate began to hum, the pitch rising steadily, synchronizing almost organically with the countdown. Concentric rings of light on the gate¡¯s frame began to illuminate one by one, forming a radiant cascade toward the center. Each glowing ring separated itself from the main structure, beginning to rotate in the air. Geometric shapes materialized ¨C pentagons, hexagons, complex spirals ¨C as if etched by a holodeck. If anything, they looked like magic circles from general fantasy media, except much more refined. ¡°Six¡­ five¡­ four¡­¡± The hum escalated into a whirring resonance as the luminous rings accelerated. The light show straddled mechanical precision and an innate, natural fluidity. If there ever was a thing to emphasize Clarke''s quote about technology, it was this. The inscriptions and runes transformed into flowing streams of light, the patterns locking into place as if turning the tumblers of a cosmic lock. ¡°Three¡­ two¡­ one¡­¡± Finally, the gate¡¯s rotating rings seemed to reach a point of equilibrium. They stopped spinning, locking into place with a final, resounding thrum. A blinding flash erupted from the center of the gate, forcing Henry and Ron to squint even behind their visors. The brightness pulsed in waves, energy crackling toward the center. Henry couldn¡¯t make sense of the swirling symbols within the rings ¨C something was cascading, like a chain reaction. The resulting vortex unfolded, and folded in on itself. If Henry had to describe the fourth dimension, he¡¯d probably replay this very memory. And then, just as quickly as it had begun, the chaos resolved into a warped sphere of light. Colors swirled across its surface ¨C blue, green, purple, all of them cast in an otherworldly silver glow. Fractal patterns reminiscent of the circles from before flickered across the surface at irregular intervals. It was like looking into a black hole, but without the darkness. Around its edges, the light from the room stretched and warped ¨C gravitational lensing, but without the crushing pull. It was the most beautiful, most terrifying, and most awe-inspiring thing Henry had ever seen. ¡°Connection is stable, no irregularities detected,¡± Lombard announced over comms. ¡°Standby for rover deployment,¡± Harding¡¯s voice echoed next, his voice wavering a bit ¨C a rare but justifiable divergence from his usual character. Henry and Ron watched the rover¡¯s feed through the ATAK software on their consoles. Ahead, the rover lurched forward, slowly rolling into the portal. ¡°And Destiny makes history,¡± Ron muttered. For a split second, the camera feed fuzzed, light warping around it as it traversed the portal. Seeing the liquid kaleidoscope honestly hurt his eyes; whatever he¡¯d seen must¡¯ve been a complete violation of the laws of physics. Thankfully, it didn¡¯t last too long. The chaos soon ceased and the view stabilized. The rover emerged into a landscape so picturesque that it looked like it came straight out of a Bob Ross painting. Rolling green meadows stretched out as far as its cameras could capture, dotted with splashes of color from wildflowers that swayed in the breeze. Distant mountains stood in the background, majestic and imposing all the same. And the sky above, shit, it held a clarity rarely seen on Earth ¨C a Windows screen saver brought to life. It wasn¡¯t all nature and sunshine though. Scattered across the landscape were structures that looked like they belonged on an alien ringworld, not a variation of Azeroth. They were made of some kind of metal Henry had never seen before, their sleek geometry reflecting the architecture of the gateway. Ethereal light trails connected fragmented platforms, some of which hovered unnaturally above the ground, as if the laws of gravity were suggestions rather than rules. The ruins ¨C if the well-preserved structures could even be called such ¨C looked extraordinarily advanced, as if their builders held some sort of mantle of responsibility. As the rover ventured further, its optics refocused on movement ahead. Figures emerged from the treeline adjacent to the ruins. Humans. Wait, humans? Except¡­ they seemed to be plucked right out of Westeros. At least there weren¡¯t any staff guns or forehead tattoos in sight. They were prepared, their formation suggesting they¡¯d been awaiting something ¨C perhaps the gateway¡¯s activation. Knights stood at the ready, their armor similar to the gray of steel, but more vibrant. Their shields bore glowing ornate designs, like they were enchanted. Alongside them stood individuals in robes, wielding staffs crowned with orbs or gemstones emitting faint auras: mages, had to be. The mages murmured incantations while waving around their artifacts, corresponding to an uptick in the milligauss readings plastered on the side of Henry¡¯s screen. Clearly, they had their own procedures and protocols. The hangar went dead silent for a moment, then erupted into noise. Ecstatic scientists and rugged security personnel alike were awash with excitement, either geeking out over the simple fact that they¡¯d finally made first contact with alien life ¨C human looks notwithstanding, or simply the real-life fantasy unfolding on the screen. Others looked disappointed, like they¡¯d been hoping for something a bit more... unique. Stolen novel; please report. Henry fell somewhere in the middle. Finding alien life in the first place was cool and all, but where were the aliens and spaceships? Hopefully, some of that armor could retract in on itself. At the forefront of this assembly was a singular figure in a blue robe. It was a brighter shade compared to the robes of the other mages, additionally hemmed with silver... runes, perhaps? They seemed to indicate some sort of authority. His staff was even more impressive, topped with a purple gem that made the others look like cheap trinkets. Even through the mechanical detachment of the rover¡¯s lens, Henry could tell ¨C this was a man of immense influence and uncanny ability. ¡°Must be their leader,¡± Henry mumbled. ¡°Go to Condition Amber,¡± Harding¡¯s voice interjected, his words cutting through the incredulous visuals. ¡°Maintain readiness. We¡¯ve got unknown entities ahead; we cannot assume intent. Mister Ambassador, stand by for first contact. All units, be prepared for contingencies.¡± Henry toggled the console to a higher readiness level, alerting the security team on their side of the gateway. A panel on the screen blinked from green to amber, aligning with the security condition change. He glanced at Ron, who had already fine-tuned the focus of the secondary cameras, prepping them for rapid movement and target acquisition. ¡°Ambassador Perry, your console is activated,¡± Lombard announced, her voice surprisingly steady given the circumstances. Perry¡¯s hands hovered momentarily above the interface like he was about to play a game of chess, or maybe like he was savoring the weight of the moment. He engaged the console and scooted his seat inward, taking a deep breath. Across the room, the techs exchanged glances. They¡¯d gone from what might¡¯ve been a fifteenth failed activation to staring at real-life wizards and knights in the blink of an eye. Some seemed on the verge of popping champagne, while others seemed more cautious about this first glance at interstellar life. They seemed a bit like himself, just waiting for the other shoe to drop. All eyes returned to the live feed plastered across various screens throughout the hangar. ¡°Proceed,¡± Harding finally intoned. The drone¡¯s wheels crunched over the foreign yet shockingly familiar, Earth-like soil, inching closer to the gathering of knights and wizards. Expressions of bewilderment flickered across their features, morphing gradually into ones of intense curiosity, reverence, or even fear. The leader ¨C the archmage, Henry mentally labeled him ¨C narrowed his eyes as the rover approached. He raised his staff, not like he was about to attack, but more like he was trying to get a read on the situation. He said something, perhaps a soft incantation, and the gem at the apex of his staff glowed momentarily. It was as though he were probing the drone, perhaps seeking to understand its nature or origin. ¡°Optical and thermal sensors are still nominal,¡± a nearby tech reported. ¡°No signs of jamming or interference.¡± Henry was ready to call the shutdown at the slightest hint of hostility, but nothing of the sort came. Instead, the archmage just stared at the rover for a long moment, then slowly lowered his staff and took a step back. The knights and wizards followed his lead, giving the rover some space. ¡°It looks like they¡¯re giving us room,¡± Henry noted, feeling the room exhale a collective sigh of withheld breath. Perry moistened his lips, his finger hovering over the console. ¡°Initiating first contact sequence.¡± With a press, the rover¡¯s external projection system whirred to life. A low buzz filled the air as it projected a simple square onto the grassy ground that lay between the rover and the locals. The archmage looked at the shape for a moment, then glanced back at his posse. It was like they were having a whole conversation without saying a word, just a bunch of looks and little gestures. Then, with a flourish of his staff, the archmage made his move. The gem on top of the staff glowed. A similar square took form, conjured out of thin air, hovering above the projection on the ground. It fit over the original square with such precision that it was as if a blueprint had been laid atop an architect¡¯s model. ¡°Incredible, ¡° Lombard whispered, the shock and excitement in her voice evident even over the comms. ¡°No hostile body language¡­¡± Harding¡¯s voice cut in, a hint of relief coloring his usually stony tone. ¡°Continue with the protocol.¡± The atmosphere in the control room shifted perceptibly, like a taut wire suddenly given slack. What they¡¯d seen wasn¡¯t merely a returned gesture ¨C it was a mirror, a recognition that spanned worlds, one that just made history. Perry didn¡¯t waste any time. He started the next sequence, a hopeful little smile on his face like a kid on Christmas morning. The projection switched from shapes to simple dots of light. One dot appeared first, followed by two dots, then three. The archmage seemed to deliberate for a moment, his eyes moving between his staff and the projection. With another elegant motion, the gem at his staff¡¯s pinnacle flared to life. Blue dots materialized in the air, counting upward from one to ten. A collective breath filled the control room. After letting the dots linger for a moment, Perry moved on to the next sequence. He pressed another key, and the projection shifted into a sequence of dots and symbols to signify basic addition. Two dots appeared, then a cross, followed by three more dots. A line of parallel dashes came next, and finally, five dots filled the space. The archmage watched intently before waving his staff once more. His own dots and symbols came to life, perfectly replicating Perry¡¯s sequence. Three plus four equals seven. ¡°Basic addition,¡± Lombard said, the giddiness in her voice swelling. ¡°We¡¯ve just communicated basic arithmetic across worlds.¡± ¡°Alright,¡± Harding beckoned, ¡°Let¡¯s take it up a notch.¡± Another keystroke, and the projection changed again. This time, it was a triangle, its sides demarcated by dots: three on one side, four on another, and the hypotenuse conspicuously empty. For the first time since the interaction began, the archmage hesitated. He squinted at the triangle like it was a particularly tricky riddle. The gem on his staff dimmed for a brief moment, then flared back to life as though mimicking its master¡¯s fluctuating certainty. The seconds ticked by, each one ratcheting up the tension in the control room. Then, almost casually, he waved his staff. Five dots appeared along the previously empty hypotenuse. ¡°Holy shit,¡± Henry muttered, his jaw dropping. Ron nodded, equally stunned. ¡°He understands the Pythagorean Theorem.¡± But the archmage wasn¡¯t done. With a few more waves of his staff, he conjured up a series of dots and symbols, using a circle to represent multiplication. Three times three plus four times four is equal to five times five. He then drew a new triangle, its individual sides containing five, twelve, and thirteen dots followed by the respective formula. ¡°He knows!¡± Lombard exclaimed, nearly jumping out of her seat. ¡°He¡¯s not just parroting back what we¡¯re showing him. He¡¯s expanding on it!¡± The control room erupted into a cacophony of gasps and excited chatter. People were ecstatic, exchanging high-fives and gawking at their screens. Even Harding seemed impressed, a hint of wonder creeping into his usually neutral tone. ¡°Record the data for immediate analysis and keep the interaction going. What¡¯s the next step in the protocol?¡± ¡°Mathematics seems a universal language,¡± Perry observed, already initiating the next phase. ¡°We¡¯ll transition to basic physics and chemistry before tackling linguistics.¡± The projection changed again, a simple lever appearing with a fulcrum, effort, and load represented by varying numbers of dots: a straightforward concept, but a building block to more complex ideas. The archmage waved his staff, nascent blue particles swirling in the air and coalescing into an image. But before the conjuration could solidify, the rover¡¯s external microphone spiked with a distant shout. The archmage¡¯s eyes shot to the side ¨C out of the camera¡¯s field of view ¨C and the fledgling image collapsed, its particles disappearing scattering like startled birds. Abruptly, a knight blurred into the rover¡¯s camera frame. His pace was fast, supernaturally so, as if the armor were wrought from air rather than metal. The knight skidded to a halt beside the archmage, kicking up a cloud of dust. Planting his boots firmly, the knight pulled him to the side. The archmage resisted momentarily, spitting out words that sounded like a mix of Latin and something else entirely ¨C unintelligible to Henry, and possibly even the linguists among them. Only when a muffled explosion boom in the distance did the archmage cease his protests and abandon his progress with the rover. Relenting, he took off after the knight, sprinting toward the growing clamor. ¡°Rover¡¯s picking up additional contacts, numbering in the low hundreds ¨C coming in fast from the east, about a klick out. Possible hostiles closing on the contact site,¡± Henry reported. It was difficult to make out the details, but he was certain that these contacts were not human. Harding leaned into the microphone, his voice echoing through the intercom, ¡°All units, prepare for Contingency Plan Delta-2. Ambassador, halt the protocol. Director, status on environmental safety?¡± Perry looked up to the control room, ¡°Delta-2? General, we can¡¯t presume ¨C¡± Harding cut him off, ¡°I know, I know. But the circumstantial evidence suggests otherwise. One side is clearly capable of peaceful diplomacy. The other ¨C which quite frankly appears to be a bunch of monsters ¨C is currently attacking without provocation.¡± ¡°Still¡­¡± ¡°We¡¯ll validate whether this second faction is a threat and await confirmation or direct hostilities first,¡± Harding reassured. ¡°Understood,¡± Perry conceded. Harding turned his attention back to Lombard. ¡°Director, status?¡± Lombard rattled off a bunch of numbers, ¡°Rover data shows atmosphere is 74% nitrogen, 25% oxygen, 1% other trace gasses. Gravity is 1 g ¨C Earth-normal. All filters for biological, chemical, and radiological hazards are green.¡± ¡°Confirmed. No immediate environmental threats,¡± Harding noted. ¡°Ambassador Perry, prep to resume first contact once the area is secured. Your envirosuit is on standby.¡± ¡°Understood, General,¡± Perry acknowledged, watching the situation unfold on the other side through the rover¡¯s feeds. Henry and Ron executed a swift status check alongside a platoon of personnel under their command. ¡°All systems green, suits at 100%, weapons at Condition 1,¡± Henry confirmed. He ensured his rifle was completely prepared for combat, his fingers ready to flick the safety off. ¡°Alright, everyone, sound off!¡± After the platoon sounded off, Harding issued the final command, ¡°You are cleared to proceed. Remember our ROE; we need to exercise utmost caution here: minimal force to neutralize threats. Exercise caution ¨C the locals may not recognize your weapons. I expect you to make not only America proud, but all of Earth.¡± ¡°Prepare for barrier disengagement,¡± he announced. Henry braced himself as a technician carried out Harding¡¯s command. A series of mechanical clunks and groans resonated throughout the room as heavy blast doors and other security measures started to retract. ¡°Deploy UGVs to lead the entry,¡± Harding ordered. Operators immediately engaged their control systems. Heavily armed unmanned ground vehicles rolled through the portal. Screen feeds lit up across the room, showing first glimpses of an alien terrain. Henry and Ron followed suit, approaching the swirling gateway. They were really about to do this ¨C step into another world. ¡°Godspeed,¡± Harding said, a note of hope coloring his voice. With that, Henry led his team into the gateway. One moment he was outlined in the vortex of light, the next, gone. Ron and the others followed, swallowed by the unknown. ¨C¨C Henry felt as if he had been hurled through a wall of ice-cold water. For a second, he couldn¡¯t feel a damn thing, his senses completely shut down. The numbness soon faded and he found himself grounded, boots hitting a stone platform on the hilltop gateway. The portal¡¯s glow faded behind them, its radiance swallowed by a different sort of luminescence ¨C a serene, natural daylight. He blinked hard. The Windows screensaver looked even more beautiful in person, breathtaking, even. Almost too perfect to be real. This was it ¨C the payoff for all those months of disappointment in a sweltering wasteland: a new world. Henry felt a laugh bubble up in his chest. This was the very moment he¡¯d dreamed of ¨C a culmination of all the late nights reading sci-fi novels under the covers, of all the late nights at the Space Force Academy. He thought he had made it when he first touched lunar dirt, but it could hardly compare to the real, alien soil beneath him. Even through the shock, he felt his mouth moving on its own, acting on instinct. ¡°Security Platoon Zulu-9, sound off,¡± Henry called out, taking a knee while more people poured in. As pretty as the place was, there¡¯d be time for sightseeing after they¡¯d secured the area. Ron rested his hands on his knees. ¡°A bit queasy, but all good,¡± he said, sounding like he was trying not to puke. Or maybe that was excitement. ¡°Three, good to go,¡± the next member of the team chimed in. Then came Four, Five, and the rest. ¡°Two zero up, last man.¡± The roll call finally concluded as the rest of the members took in the scenery. Seeing it in person was a different beast compared to seeing it on the screens back at the base. On the ground, the blue skies seemed brighter, the landscape more idyllic. Juxtaposing this view was a set of sleek ruins and¡­ something far less idyllic. ¡°Distance to the¡­ uh, AO?¡± Henry questioned, the word sounding inadequate even as he said it. ¡°About 400 meters, sir,¡± one of the men answered. Henry zoomed in using his visor, the range finder confirming the distance. He squinted, trying to make out the individual elements of the conflict below. He saw the knights and wizards from before, facing off against some sort of creature. Some of the creatures were agile and small, scurrying on four legs and covered in greenish scales. Others were larger and muscular, taking to the sky for brief seconds with leathery wings. And then there were the big ones, towering and dragon-like, circling above the mayhem, occasionally swooping down like birds of prey and laying bursts of fire. ¡°What the fuck?¡± Henry heard one of his men mutter over comms, disbelief leaking through the helmet. Everyone had their fair share of comments, likening the scene to everything fantasy, from Dungeons and Dragons to a smattering of MMORPGs and anime. As Henry and his platoon assessed the situation, the battlefield lit up with mystical flames and roared with earth-shattering cries. Knights clad in sophisticated plate armor stood their ground, almost glowing as they clashed with the scaled creatures. Around them, individuals dressed in robes conjured an array of elemental spells, offering both offense and defense in coordinated maneuvers. On top of classic ¡®spells¡¯ like fireballs, the mages also employed unique tactics made possible only through magic. One of them materialized pitfall traps in the heat of battle while another raised a spiked coil of earth to slow down the charging monsters. It was like they were using magic to create their own version of barbed wire. ¡°What in the world is happening down there?¡± someone carrying a grenade launcher muttered. ¡°Looks like a Renaissance Fair gone horribly wrong.¡± ¡°Yeah, except Renaissance fairs don¡¯t usually include artillery,¡± Ron added, noticing bursts of fire arcing through the air and crashing into clusters of the smaller, greenish creatures. The explosions were followed by a chorus of shrieks that made Henry¡¯s skin crawl. Yet as impressive as the mages were, the knights were something else entirely. They moved with agility on par with that of an Olympic sprinter despite their heavy armor, delivering blows that seemed unnaturally powerful, cleaving through the tough scales of the larger creatures. Some performed leaps that carried them several meters across the battlefield, landing amid throngs of enemies and then repositioning like they¡¯d planned it all along. ¡°Now this is what I¡¯d expect a Warcraft movie to look like,¡± whispered one of the younger members of Zulu-9. ¡°Fucking crazy.¡± Henry had to agree. As more of the reptilian creatures crashed into the knights, the magical support intensified. He watched as spikes of earth erupted from the ground, not just skewering the smaller creatures, but cleverly herding them into killzones. Patches of the land froze over in an instant, turning the battlefield into a slippery ice rink, forcing the charging hordes to slide right into a wall of spears. And then there were the shields ¨C brilliant, glowing lattices of blue energy, deflecting the fiery breath of the dragon-wannabes like it was nothing. Behind those with shields and spears, spellswords flung icicles and rocks into the crowd, overlapping their fields of fire. Several mages at a distance from the main battle raised their staffs skyward. A series of brilliant flares burst into the sky, exploding into showers of sparkling light. The winged creatures recoiled, some tumbling from the sky in disoriented spirals. Their anti-air efforts were interesting to watch, but it was nothing compared to what happened next. A handful of mages and knights converged, their hands and weapons glowing as if sharing energy. Then, of all things, a fucking fire tornado erupted from the group, surging forward to consume dozens of the scaled creatures in its path. Despite the grand displays of magical and martial prowess, the monstrous horde seemed largely unaffected. It was clear that the knights and wizards were faltering, the beasts winning this battle of attrition. Henry broke their trance. ¡°Alright, Zulu-9, we¡¯re looking at real people ¨C yeah, okay, and real monsters ¨C down there. The entities down there resemble knights and wizards, but under ConPlan Delta-2, they qualify as diplomatic personnel. Our mandate is to protect them and offer tactical assistance to stabilize the situation.¡± ¡°They may react with hostility, sir. How are we supposed to communicate?¡± someone asked. ¡°We¡¯ve got our own universal language: firepower and backup,¡± Henry¡¯s confident reply came. ¡°We¡¯re going to get down there, assist them, and hope to God they¡¯re smart enough to realize we¡¯re friendlies. No offensive actions against anything human-shaped or resembling those knights and wizards ¨C unless they fire first.¡± ¡°Copy, delineating friend from foe based on visual parameters,¡± another man said, relaying the information back to the drone operators. ¡°And let¡¯s get the rover active,¡± Henry added. ¡°They didn¡¯t attack it before. Maybe seeing it fighting alongside us will hammer home the point that we¡¯re allies.¡± The rover joined them in response, rolling alongside them. The UGVs took flanking positions, their weapons systems armed but holding fire. The rover lumbered ahead of them, its operator positioning it between Zulu-9 and the human locals. Meanwhile, the men on the ground moved like clockwork, squads fanning out in a loose line perpendicular to the threat ahead. ¡°FCO: Enemy contact, four hundred meters, multiple ground and airborne targets! Coming in from the treeline!¡± The fire control order jolted through Zulu-9¡¯s comms. Henry didn¡¯t hesitate. ¡°Weapons free!¡± Gunfire erupted from the line, the sound a deafening roar even through his envirosuit. As Henry pulled the trigger, the rifle recoiled in his arms, each 6.8mm round whizzing through the air and finding its mark among the charging, scaled creatures. The effects of the projectiles were immediate and destructive, the hides and scales not meant to withstand anything stronger than arrows. Several of the smaller creatures dropped like marionettes with their strings cut, legs jerking in postmortem spasms. ¡°Reloading!¡± Henry¡¯s shout was almost drowned out by the continuous rattle of machine guns and the deeper booms of the UGVs¡¯ autocannons. He ejected the spent magazine and slammed a fresh one in, the metallic clink echoing in the air as he chambered the first round. The UGVs contributed more than their fair share to the chaos. Their 30mm autocannons roared, each explosive round impacting the field with ferocity, turning earth and creature alike into a mist of blood and soil. The platoon¡¯s machine gunners joined in on the fun, their M250s spitting out a torrent of lead that tore into the mass of attackers. Their barrels glowed red even through their controlled bursts, their operators fighting a different battle altogether as they tried to prevent overheating. ¡°Snipers, focus on the larger ones. Those things look like pack leaders,¡± Henry ordered, watching as one resisted the impact of several rounds. ¡°Roger that, sir. Adjusting targets,¡± came the calm reply from one of the snipers. A moment later, a high-caliber round cracked through the air. One of the larger, lion-sized creatures let out an ear-piercing shriek as part of its body was torn off. Henry¡¯s gaze then shifted back to the archmage¡¯s forces. The knights and mages, initially startled by the onslaught of unfamiliar weaponry, now regained their composure. They knew that aid ¨C however peculiar ¨C was here. A staff rose into the air, its tip glowing brightly before releasing a beacon of light into the sky ¨C a flare, Henry inferred. A cry for reinforcement, or perhaps, acknowledgment? ¡°Davis,¡± he turned to one of his men, ¡°send up a counter-flare. Let them know we see them, and we¡¯re with them.¡± The American flare ascended, meeting the arcane light of the archmage¡¯s spell and breaking through the language barrier. With the locals on board, Henry turned his attention back to the fight. His HUD lit up with new targets, highlighting the airborne threats that had broken away from the main group and now headed straight for them. It was none other than the dragon-wannabes, likely realizing who the biggest threat was. ¡°Aim for the eyes or wing joints if you can,¡± Ron transmitted, falling back on fragmented lore from fantasy media back home. ¡°Copy, I¡¯ll see what I can do,¡± a sniper responded. Adjusting to the aerial threat, Henry issued a new command. ¡°UGVs, switch to anti-air. Light those dragons up!¡± The UGV¡¯s autocannons tilted skyward, redirecting fire from the beasts below to the threats above. They rattled off volleys of 30mm rounds and sent waves of TOW missiles from their customized pods, torching the sky as if recreating the Battle of Midway. The beasts roared in pain and fury as the rounds found their mark, their erratic flight patterns doing little to throw off the machines¡¯ aim. As the 30mm rounds made contact, the effects were devastating. The dragons ¨C or whatever they were ¨C wailed in fury and agony, their roars piercing even the clamor of machinery and explosions. Those cries became increasingly erratic as they were buffeted by the incoming ordnance. Any protection they might have had from scales or spells was gone in an instant, stripped away by the relentless onslaught. Raw, unprotected flesh was laid bare, torn open by each new round and missile. One beast found its wing torn off by a direct missile hit; the resulting imbalance sending it tumbling out of the sky like a faltering kite. Another took a missile straight to its midsection, resulting in a gut-wrenching fireball that showered its kin below with viscera. The overkill was evident; creatures of myth and scale stood no chance against weapons designed for armored vehicles. Henry watched as the tide finally turned. The smaller creatures, no larger than wolves but far deadlier, slowed, then halted. What had been a relentless wave now broke apart, scattering in every direction. Like water pulled by some unseen current, they slunk back into the dark edges of the forest, swallowed by shadow. ¡°Cease fire,¡± Henry finally ordered. ¡°Zulu-9, prepare for the next phase.¡± A subtle release of tension flowed through Henry¡¯s muscles. The first critical phase was over; they¡¯d pulled off contingency plan Delta-2 and protected the archmage¡¯s men. Now what? Meet the archmage and initiate first contact? Exciting, but far less straightforward and much more nerve-wracking than blowing alien monsters to bits. The archmage and his cadre stared back with a range of emotions: awe, relief, confusion, and suspicion. Among them, the archmage stepped forward, as if ready to begin talks. Repelling an enemy attack was one thing, but navigating a first contact situation? Henry took a deep breath. With a hand signal, Henry motioned for his men to regroup before climbing onto the rover. With a smooth hum, they descended the hill toward the waiting archmage. As the rover came to a gentle stop, Henry disembarked. He walked up to the archmage, the servos in his envirosuit whirring faintly. The fine details seemed to grow louder; he was acutely aware of the weight of his own gear, knees threatening to turn to jelly, and the eyes of his men and the locals boring into him. A cocktail of emotions churned in his gut: one part excitement, two parts ¡®holy shit,¡¯ with a dash of ¡®look at me, Mom, Dad, I made it.¡¯ First human to make official contact with an alien civilization. Interstellar human civilization? Either way, no pressure, right? The archmage shared a glance with his knights and mages, giving a subtle nod. The staffs dimmed as their arcane energy disappeared into the air, and the knights returned their swords to their scabbards with a synchronized metallic slide. The archmage then did something unexpected ¨C he extended his staff toward the earth, tracing two identical circles in the dirt. They were covered in magic symbols, both glowing with an eerie red light. He stepped into one of them and made a gesture toward the vacant one, eyes locking onto Henry. His earpiece vibrated. ¡°Captain, what¡¯s your status?¡± Harding asked. ¡°We saw the locals lower their weapons.¡± ¡°Sir, first contact remains non-hostile so far,¡± Henry reported, keeping his eyes on the archmage. ¡°He¡¯s created some kind of blue magic circle. Looks like an invitation ¨C or a test. Could be their method of communication or some ritual for trust.¡± Harding hesitated for a brief moment. ¡°Standard protocol recommends we wait for Dr. Anderson and the linguistic team to take the lead, but ¨C¡± Director Lombard interjected, ¡°This could be an unprecedented opportunity for diplomatic relations, General ¨C a groundbreaking moment for humanity. Their peaceful reaction to our rover ¨C especially after it aided them in battle ¨C indicates that we might be missing an invaluable diplomatic opportunity if we hesitate now..¡± General Harding sighed audibly, ¡°We should err on the side of caution, but you¡¯re right. The fact they accepted our aid and lowered their weapons does speak to potential friendliness.¡± Ambassador Perry, who had been silently listening, finally spoke. ¡°What¡¯s the risk-benefit here, General? It wouldn¡¯t make sense for the locals to backstab us after all that¡¯s happened. Moreover, with Captain Donnager having actively participated in combat, he has most likely gained a level of standing among them. Cultural norms could make it critical for him to make the first move.¡± ¡°Wouldn¡¯t you normally be the one to initiate first contact?¡± Harding asked, directing the question to the ambassador. ¡°In any other circumstance, yes,¡± Perry responded. ¡°But Henry has the situational awareness here. And I don¡¯t want to risk ruining this by stepping in and possibly creating a cultural faux pas, like appearing to withdraw our ¡®champion¡¯ at a crucial moment. Captain Donnager has discretionary authority as far as I¡¯m concerned.¡± ¡°I agree with the Ambassador,¡± Lombard said. Harding relented, ¡°Very well. Captain, you¡¯ve been given discretionary authority. It¡¯s your call.¡± Henry looked at the archmage¡¯s earnest face and the blue magical circle beneath him. Then he glanced back at his men, silhouetted against the iridescent light show behind them. The call was his, and now the weight of the world fell upon his shoulders. ¡°One small step,¡± Ron murmured, voicing the opening phrase of a quote that had once bridged another frontier. Henry grinned. Just the past hour was enough to make the months of security guard duty more than worth it. How much better could it get from here on out? ¡°One giant leap¡­¡± He stepped into the circle. Chapter 2: Gaerra Vicinity of the Gateway, Unknown Planet November 3, 2024 As Henry stepped into the circle, electricity seemed to dance along his skin. The sensation faded as red hues dimmed, the circles disappearing into the air. He locked eyes with the robed figure, whose previously taut gaze softened. The man¡¯s smile seemed to border more on excited curiosity rather than just plain friendliness. ¡°Ah, your timely arrival, and the strength you and your companions displayed against those malevolent beasts ¨C these are blessings for which I must express gratitude,¡± the archmage began. His voice carried a slightly lilting tone, words far too articulate and surprisingly, in English. Henry¡¯s eyebrows twitched slightly in surprise. He was familiar with the concept of universal translators from various shows; evidently, the world beyond the gate was no stranger to it. ¡°This¡­ magic you¡¯ve cast, it allows us to understand each other¡¯s speech?¡± The archmage¡¯s eyes shimmered with mirth, ¡°Indeed, you have activated the Circle of Understanding. Do you find this agreeable?¡± Henry relaxed, ¡°It¡¯s surprising but very useful. Before we proceed, did any of your men sustain injuries during the attack? We have medics on standby who can assist.¡± The archmage glanced back, ¡°Thankfully, the majority are unharmed and the rest are already under the care of our healers, but your offer is appreciated. And so, may I know who has graced us with such timely intervention?¡± Henry considered shaking the archmage¡¯s hand, before settling on a quick salute. ¡°I¡¯m Captain Henry Donnager from the United States of America, planet Earth. We ¨C come in peace.¡± He cringed as the clich¨¦d words rolled off his tongue, but he had to admit, it did sound fitting. ¡°A captain ¨C a rank of weight and responsibility, no doubt. I am Kelmithus ad Helis of the Sonaran Federation, of the realm of Gaerra. I am an archmage and scholar amidst these ancient ruins, and perhaps, today, a herald to a new epoch.¡± He extended his hand, palm open and fingers slightly curled ¨C a universal invitation across cultures, Henry figured. He mirrored the gesture with his gloved hand, finding Kelmithus¡¯ grip firm, yet not imposing. ¡°A herald to a new epoch, you say?¡± Henry raised an eyebrow, ¡°So then, you¡¯re authorized to kickstart diplomatic ties between our worlds?¡± Kelmithus gave a hearty laugh as he released Henry¡¯s hand, his fingers briefly brushing a pendant at his chest. ¡°The very act of our meeting, Captain, serves as an initiation of sorts. I can mediate, but let us proceed cautiously; the landscape is uncharted for both of us.¡± Henry¡¯s eyes tracked the brief touch to the pendant before he refocused on the archmage. The hint of levity in his eyes gave way to a more serious look. ¡°Safety should be our top priority.¡± Kelmithus flexed his hand on his staff. ¡°Indeed, Captain. The path ahead is veiled, yet the mere thought is exhilarating. And on the note of safety, your armor ¨C it is quite unlike anything I¡¯ve seen¡­¡± ¡°It¡¯s more than just armor, sir,¡± Henry paused, searching for the right words. ¡°This suit I¡¯m wearing, it¡¯s not just protection against weapons or the environment. It¡¯s also to prevent the spread of diseases that our worlds might not be prepared for.¡± Kelmithus lifted his chin as he scanned the contours of the suit. ¡°Ah, a warding garment then, shielding against spirits of pestilence, or something akin to an enchanted piece to protect against threats such as flames? Fascinating¡­ and wise. It would seem our worlds, though different, share common threats.¡± Henry tilted his head. He was sure Perry would¡¯ve handled this better, but he more or less got the point across. ¡°Yessir, something like that. And until we have a clearer understanding of our respective environments, it¡¯s best to exercise caution.¡± ¡°I concur, Captain. As you¡¯ve put eloquently, ¡®safety should be our top priority.¡¯ As interested as I am in embracing and exploring the unknown, your caution is warranted and wise. On that note, what comes next in your procedures? Are there rites or ceremonies to solidify our newfound understanding?¡± Henry felt the weight of the archmage¡¯s words, a strange blend of poeticism and practicality ¨C lyrical, archaic, but easy to understand. Still, it was jarring to him, reminding him of his historic position. ¡°We have a designated diplomat for things like that, someone who can navigate the intricacies of first contact. Would it be acceptable for me to introduce him?¡± Kelmithus¡¯ gaze deepened, assessing. ¡°An ambassador, skilled in the art of words and negotiation? Indeed, I believe that would be prudent. However, I must ask: where is this diplomat of yours?¡± ¡°He¡¯s on the other side of the portal, in our world. He and our leaders are observing and listening to our conversation, ensuring we move forward with the best intentions,¡± Henry explained, gesturing toward the devices within his helmet. The archmage¡¯s eyebrows rose in mild surprise. ¡°An impressive feat of artifice; scrying through contraptions,¡± he murmured. ¡°So even though we stand in a different realm, they listen and advise from the shadows?¡± Henry gave a slight chuckle. ¡°Not exactly from the shadows. Think of it like¡­ scrying¡­ to see what¡¯s ahead of you in a dark dungeon.¡± Kelmithus nodded. ¡°Very well. Let us hear from this Ambassador.¡± Henry breathed an internal sigh of relief. He knew little about the jargon of fantasy ¨C that was Ron¡¯s forte. Yet, it seemed the archmage standing in front of him understood his message. ¡°Mister Ambassador, I believe it would be best if you made a personal appearance on this side.¡± A pause ensued before Perry¡¯s voice responded, ¡°Understood, Captain. Give me a few moments to make preparations and I¡¯ll cross over. Maintain your diplomatic etiquette.¡± ¡°Take the time you need,¡± Henry replied, looking back at Kelmithus. ¡°The Ambassador will be joining us in person shortly. I hope this format will be more conducive to our discussions.¡± Kelmithus glanced toward the portal with a sense of wonder and anticipation. ¡°It is a remarkable age we live in, where worlds once separated can now meet with but a few steps. I shall eagerly await his arrival. Until then, Captain Donnager, perhaps we can share more of our own experiences and tales?¡± Henry gave a nod, smiling out of relief now that the hard part was over. The opportunity for a more casual interaction was more than welcome. ¡°Certainly. There¡¯s much I¡¯d like to learn about Gaerra, and I¡¯m sure you have questions about Earth as well.¡± Kelmithus gazed towards the battlefield, his eyes briefly tracing the remnants of the struggle. ¡°Indeed, I must thank you again for your aid against the fenwyrms. It¡¯s not often one sees such efficiency in dispatching them, especially the Tier 6 fenwyrm lords.¡± Henry followed his gaze, grimacing. ¡°So that¡¯s what they¡¯re called. The fenwyrms¡­ They attacked without provocation. We have creatures back on Earth that can be hostile, but these¡­ they¡¯re on a different scale. Do they frequently pose a threat?¡± Kelmithus sighed, a note of weariness in his voice. ¡°Indeed. These creatures have been the bane of many travelers and settlements. Especially the warriors and alphas. The spawns, while numerous, are easier to manage.¡± ¡°Do they normally appear in packs like this?¡± ¡°Not normally. It is likely they were drawn by the intense arcane energies produced by the gateway as it formed the portal.¡± He leaned in, as if scrutinizing Henry. ¡°Yet, despite the overflowing energies of the Aether, I sense none from you or your kin. Is this absence common among your people?¡± Henry shrugged, ¡°Is that what you call the stuff you use to make fireballs? As far as I know, we only have stories about magic. What you see is the result of technology and innovation, without the touch of the ¡®Aether¡¯.¡± The archmage leaned back a bit ¨C he looked genuinely surprised. ¡°A realm without magic? How wondrous and strange that must be. And yet, you¡¯ve achieved so much. In the absence of the Aether, what fuels these machines?¡± Henry hesitated, searching for a simple explanation. ¡°Energy. Derived from various resources on our planet. It¡¯s a¡­ transformation of potential to motion.¡± Kelmithus nodded slowly. ¡°Much like the conversion of raw magical energy into a tangible spell. Or perhaps, if my understanding aligns with yours, it parallels the new steam engines crafted by one of the industrious dwarven nations.¡± Yet another basic trope that even he ¨C despite his lack of interest in fantasy ¨C could understand. ¡°Yeah, those steam engines would probably be an apt comparison.¡± Henry¡¯s answer only fueled the archmage¡¯s thirst for understanding. His gaze sharpened, becoming more analytical. ¡°In the skirmish against the fenwyrms, your prowess was evident. With what means do you channel such destructive force?¡± ¡°We have a combination of weaponry: guns for infantry, supported by¡­¡± Henry paused, wondering how to put it, ¡°Mechanical carriages with larger guns on them.¡± Kelmithus leaned in, his demeanor becoming more like an ecstatic researcher than that of a distinguished archmage. ¡°These ¡®guns¡¯ you speak of, do they launch metal bolts? Much like a more advanced arquebus?¡± Henry pondered for a moment, drawing from his limited knowledge of the topic. ¡°Yes, similar to an arquebus but more refined. In our history, we had early firearms, a bit unreliable and less precise. As technology progressed, these early firearms evolved into the guns we use today.¡± ¡°A path of evolution dictated by necessity and environment. A world of endless curiosities. Your tales would be cherished among our scholars.¡± Henry smiled, ¡°Hopefully, there¡¯ll be ample opportunity for exchanges in the future. Speaking of which, the envoy I mentioned earlier, Ambassador Perry, should be joining us momentarily. He¡¯s better versed in navigating diplomatic waters.¡± As if on cue, a glimmer from the portal caught their attention. Emerging from the shimmering gateway and descending the hill was a figure, distinguished not just in gait and demeanor, but also in attire. While all suits shared the same pristine white base, this new arrival¡¯s suit bore elegant gold trim and a streamlined appearance, contrasting the muted gray markings and bulky attachments on those of Henry and his team. Both suits displayed the star-spangled banner of their homeland, but the diplomat¡¯s suit also showcased an additional emblem ¨C a silver dove, wings outstretched, positioned above the flag. Kelmithus observed the approaching figure with interest. ¡°Ah, the promised envoy. He carries an aura of experience and knowledge.¡± Henry nodded in agreement, ¡°Ambassador Perry has been through many negotiations and peace talks on our world. We¡¯re hopeful his expertise will aid in forging a strong bond between our societies.¡± ¡°Allow me to prepare another Circle.¡± Kelmithus tightened his grip around his staff, its ornate gem pulsing with a gentle light. Drawing the staff close to the ground, the archmage began to mutter in a cadence, the words unfamiliar despite the translation magic. With each word, the staff¡¯s glow intensified, and the ground before him began to shimmer. The patterns danced and interwove, finally settling into a distinct red circle similar to the one Henry had stepped into. He exhaled slowly, the energy from the staff receding. ¡°It is complete. Please have your envoy step into it, as you have done,¡± he declared, raising his gaze to meet Perry¡¯s. ¡°Captain Donnager,¡± Perry began, his eyes sweeping over the scene, ¡°Looks like the initial contact went well.¡± ¡°Better than expected, sir,¡± he replied. ¡°The magic circle you see here is called the Circle of Understanding. Works like a universal translator.¡± Perry moved forward, positioning himself inside the circle. An ethereal glow momentarily enveloped him before settling down. Perry blinked, processing the sensation, then nodded towards Kelmithus. ¡°Impressive. It feels¡­ intuitive.¡± The archmage extended his hand. ¡°Welcome to the realm of Gaerra. I am Archmage Kelmithus ad Helis of the Sonaran Federation.¡± Offering a warm, respectful smile, Perry accepted the hand. ¡°I¡¯m Ambassador John Perry, representing the United States of America and the greater domain of Earth. It is truly an honor to meet the individual who made this remarkable first contact possible.¡± Kelmithus quirked an eyebrow. ¡°Were you the seer behind the earlier ¡®visions¡¯? The shapes and arithmetic?¡± Perry gave a slight nod, gesturing towards the rover. ¡°Indeed. Through that device, I relayed our symbols and numbers, a way to establish a foundation for our interaction.¡± Kelmithus¡¯ gaze lingered on the rover. ¡°It reminded me of controlling a homunculus or viewing through the eyes of a summoned golem. Though, your method was devoid of magic, an intriguing thought.¡± Perry acknowledged the remark with a nod, shifting the conversation toward the immediate concerns. ¡°While our meeting today holds promise for both our worlds, our primary concern is the safety and well-being of everyone involved. Earlier, your men faced an attack by those creatures. Is there any immediate medical attention required for your people?¡± ¡°The Captain was quick to offer aid. Fortunately, our healers have already tended to the wounded. But I sense your approach to vitality is vastly different from ours.¡± Perry agreed, ¡°It is. Still, it¡¯s heartening to know your people have been taken care of. I believe in the value of exchanging knowledge. Understanding each other¡¯s methods of healing can only benefit both our worlds.¡± ¡°A collaborative approach could be most beneficial,¡± the archmage agreed. ¡°While our healers employ both natural remedies and magic, it would be fascinating to learn of your techniques.¡± Perry chose his words with care. ¡°On Earth, our methods of healing and protection are rooted in understanding the tiny, unseen organisms that make up our body and the environment around us. Some, we call pathogens. They are so small they cannot be seen with the naked eye, but they can cause illness.¡± Kelmithus pondered the explanation, his eyes alight with curiosity. ¡°An intriguing notion. It resonates with some ancient writings. They speak of a world teeming with life, not all of which can be seen. So, these¡­ pathogens, you¡¯ve found ways to observe them?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± he responded. ¡°Through devices that magnify, we can observe them.¡± ¡°Perhaps akin to our divining magic that reveal hidden curses. And these invisible agents, if from our realm, could pose a threat to yours, or vice versa?¡± ¡°Exactly,¡± Perry replied. ¡°There¡¯s potential for unpredictable reactions when the organisms of two different worlds converge. It¡¯s why we tread carefully.¡± A thoughtful expression passed over the archmage¡¯s face. ¡°I surmise then, it is this knowledge that prompted the protective armor your men don. It shields not just against the seen, but the unseen?¡± Perry affirmed with a nod, ¡°That¡¯s a succinct way to put it, Archmage. Before progressing further, we¡¯d need to ensure no harmful elements affect either side. This would involve collecting samples from the environment and Gaerran organisms, including samples of bodily fluids.¡± Kelmithus appeared to frown before returning to a neutral expression. ¡°Your vigilance is commendable. We can coordinate with your scholars to ensure this balance. While magic can detect and deter many impurities, melding our methods with your unique approach will make our joint efforts more robust.¡± Perry showed no sign of his internal relief. ¡°It¡¯s heartening to find understanding and cooperation in such an alien landscape. In addition to our immediate concerns, I believe it might be beneficial to have linguistic and cultural teams from both our worlds convene. The Circle of Understanding provides a bridge, but deeper understanding will foster even stronger ties.¡± ¡°Your words hold great wisdom, Ambassador. There is a city nearby, Eldralore, which would be an apt place for your scholars to immerse and learn, and for diplomacy to be officially discussed.¡± ¡°That sounds promising,¡± Perry replied. ¡°We¡¯ll need time to prepare our delegation ¨C,¡± he paused, looking at the time conversion plastered on his HUD. Apparently, Gaerra had a similar daily rotation to Earth. ¡°We can convene here in seven days. Will that provide adequate time for your people to prepare?¡± ¡°That should be sufficient, Ambassador,¡± Kelmithus confirmed. ¡°During this time,¡± Perry continued, ¡°We would like to set up a permanent base of operations near the portal. This will facilitate our communication and aid in the safety and wellbeing of both our people.¡± Kelmithus tapped his fingers around his staff. ¡°The Grenden Plains is considered neutral territory. There are no holdings or treaties preventing you from building here. We will have a few specialists and scholars remain here, both to aid in your protocols and to share knowledge. Once you¡¯re ready, we will escort your delegation to Eldralore for the official talks.¡± Perry offered a handshake. ¡°Archmage Kelmithus, I feel very optimistic about the future of our two worlds. We have taken the first steps toward a meaningful relationship.¡± The archmage grasped Perry¡¯s hand firmly. ¡°Indeed, the potential here is unfathomable. I pray this marks a new epoch of prosperity and knowledge for both our civilizations.¡± ¡ª¡ª Grenden Plains Armstrong Base November 10, 2024 Henry¡¯s boots pressed into the soft grass, leaving a faint trail behind him. Patches of terrain had been cleared, and signs of early groundwork for infrastructure were evident: rudimentary paths, communication equipment, construction vehicles, and tents. Over the last week, remains from the battle against the fenwyrms were cleared out and prefabricated structures had sprung up around the portal¡¯s perimeter, with a semblance of order now overtaking what was once unknown wilderness. The sound of machinery in the distance added a constant backdrop as he approached the prefab command center. By the gateway, a handful of mages prepared translation circles for new arrivals. Stepping inside the metal structure, he was immediately met by the hushed buzz of conversation. The round table in the center was covered in Sonaran maps of the region and various reports. While there weren¡¯t any satellite images, drones had done their part in capturing aerial views of the terrain leading to Eldralore. Nearby, a screen displayed an interactive map generated from the reconnaissance data, giving a bird¡¯s eye view of the convoy route. Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original. General Harding stood at the opposite end of the room, eyes glued to the screen. Perry and Lombard were already seated, chatting with other personnel and shuffling through piles of reports. As Henry took his place, one of Lombard¡¯s assistants handed one such report to him. He skimmed it. Great news, relatively speaking: all signs looked good for biological compatibility, so at least they could breathe the air without much concern. Clearing his throat, General Harding began, ¡°Thank you all for gathering. We¡¯ve had a week in Gaerra, a week of adapting, of coordinating, and of laying down our first footprints on this foreign soil. Reports are promising. No harmful pathogens to speak of, no errant weather patterns to worry over, and our personnel have been updating protocols based on local flora and fauna interactions.¡± Henry nodded, recalling the meticulous checks he underwent after every external patrol. It was reassuring to know that Gaerra¡¯s environment was, at the very least, not overtly hostile. Ambassador Perry took the cue. ¡°On the diplomatic front, our conversations with Archmage Kelmithus and his associates have been fruitful. We¡¯ve established primary terms of engagement, and the Sonarans have been more than cooperative.¡± General Harding leaned in slightly, placing both hands on the table. ¡°We¡¯ve been fortunate so far. The Sonarans have been invaluable in teaching us about the local wildlife and guiding our recon. But here¡¯s the hard truth: while we¡¯ve chased away most of the hostile fauna and secured a clear path to Eldralore, there are pockets out there that are unpredictable.¡± Henry studied the route highlighted on a screen ahead. A network of blue lines signified rivers, and patches of green hinted at forests. But what caught his attention were the grey symbols ¨C caves and ruins. ¡°Any significance to these?¡± A voice beside him chimed in. It was Kelmithus, wearing an attire less grand than their first meeting, but no less majestic. He also wore a plate carrier vest under his robes ¨C a sight that continued to jar Henry. ¡°These are local cave systems and forgotten ruins. They might appear dormant from the surface, but they¡¯re historically known to be hideouts for bandits, brigands, and other miscreants, not to mention the presence of beasts that claim them as lairs.¡± Henry¡¯s grip tightened on a new report. He¡¯d seen what these ¡®bandits¡¯ could do during their attacks on merchant convoys, if Ron''s anime shows were to be believed. ¡°We¡¯ve been using the intel provided by our Sonaran counterparts throughout the week to shape our strategy. With everything we¡¯ve gathered, are there any last-minute adjustments or recommendations you¡¯d advise?¡± General Harding, after a brief moment of contemplation, replied, ¡°Our drills and simulations incorporated everything we¡¯ve received. Today, we finalize and fine-tune these plans based on real-time conditions and any additional Sonaran input. We need to ensure all teams are synchronized and ready for contingencies.¡± As the words left the General¡¯s mouth, a junior officer rushed into the tent, holding up a tablet displaying a drone feed. ¡°General, we picked up minor activity roughly 10 miles ahead on the route to Eldralore,¡± he remarked, tapping on the screen to expand the drone feed. It showed an overhead view of a meadow. Faint wisps of smoke rose, suggesting a small campfire. From the aerial perspective, there was no discernible movement in the vicinity of the smoke, no visible figures, nor any indication of it being anything more than a solitary fire. Kelmithus examined the feed. ¡°That¡¯s close to the footpath used by adventurers from Eldralore seeking ancient relics in the nearby ruins. It¡¯s not unusual for them to set up camp. They usually travel in small parties.¡± ¡°Hmm¡­¡± Harding crossed his arms as he considered the new information. ¡°We¡¯ll make some adjustments. Let¡¯s include an extra UGV and have an armed drone provide escort above the convoy for increased visibility and rapid response.¡± Kelmithus inclined his head, ¡°Considering the complexities we might face ahead, I suggest being present in the ¡®em-rap¡¯ alongside Ambassador Perry and Captain Donnager. I can help facilitate dialogue with my countrymen and my knowledge might provide additional safeguards against magical threats we might encounter.¡± Henry exchanged a glance with Perry, who subtly nodded in agreement. ¡°Having an expert in magic sounds like a logical measure,¡± Henry remarked. ¡°Very well. Before we finalize the formation, let¡¯s introduce you to some key members who will be accompanying this mission. They¡¯re specialists, each chosen for their unique expertise, ensuring our convoy¡¯s security and the success of this delegation and beyond.¡± The General got up from the table and walked toward the exit. They made their way toward a garage, where a group of vehicles and a line of individuals in varying uniforms awaited them. He gestured towards the first figure in line, ¡°Many of you already know Lieutenant Ron Owens. He was among the first to step into this world, guiding our initial exploration. As Owens gave a curt nod, the General¡¯s hand moved to the next two figures. ¡°Isaac Yen and Ryan Hayes, specialists sent from Langley. If anyone can help us understand the complexities of Gaerran society, it¡¯s them.¡± Both Yen and Hayes gave casual nods, their reactions betraying the cryptic introduction provided by General Harding. ¡°Next,¡± Harding continued, his finger pointing to a man who seemed like a middle-aged college professor yet carried himself like a trained soldier, ¡°is Dr. Victor Anderson. His name might ring a bell for those who have been with the Manifest Project for a while. He was instrumental in decoding some of the enigmatic artifacts, building the groundwork for the gate activation. He¡¯ll be accompanying the delegation to study Sonaran culture up close.¡± Dr. Anderson¡¯s face, etched with lines of experience, broke into a small, appreciative smile. Harding concluded the introductions, ¡°Supporting them will be elements from Zulu-9. Their experience with the local fauna and reputation should speak for themselves. Now let¡¯s get to work.¡± He gave a nod, signaling the beginning of the operational phase. The garage buzzed as the convoy prepared to depart. Personnel approached the MRAPs, conducting final inspections of their gear before jumping in. The Bradley-sized UGVs stood ready, awaiting their directives. Technicians conducted checks on their weapons systems, ensuring that the missile pods were fitted with both SACLOS and Hellfire units for a balanced loadout. Kelmithus, sharing a few last words with Perry, gestured towards a group of Sonarans climbing into carriages led by lizard-like pack animals. ¡°Our dradaks are prepared, and my knights stand ready. Together we ensure a secure passage.¡± With measured steps, he headed into the lead MRAP. Henry followed behind Kelmithus, claiming shotgun as he sat next to Ron, who was already seated at the wheel. ¡°All set?¡± With a thumbs-up, Ron responded, ¡°Systems are green, Captain. Just waiting for the Sonarans.¡± The dradaks ahead let out a strange cry ¨C a mix between a roar and a neigh ¨C before trotting forward and leaving the confines of the rudimentary base. The American vehicles followed closely behind, their speed limited by those of the Sonaran mounts. The outside landscape, a blend of Gaerra¡¯s unique but familiar flora and fauna, served as a serene backdrop to their journey. ¡°This terrain really makes me feel like I¡¯m in one of those isekais,¡± Ron mused, taking in the pristine European-like countryside ahead. Dr. Anderson leaned back, shifting around to make space for Kelmithus¡¯ staff. ¡°I¡¯ve seen a lot of great environments, but nothing quite like this. I¡¯d say this is straight out of a Tolkien work, though the ecosystem here is mind-bogglingly diverse ¨C nothing like anything I¡¯ve read so far.¡± ¡°A bit too diverse for my liking. The wildlife is hella aggressive,¡± Henry commented. ¡°I¡¯d rather not have another fenwyrm surprise.¡± Kelmithus chimed in, ¡°The scrying accomplished by your ¡®drones¡¯ should still hold true. It is unlikely we will see a surprise assault on the scale of the one at the ruins. The incident there was unique: as long as we do not use mana to the extent of the artifact, we need not worry about luring beasts.¡± Perry spoke, peeling away from the scenery at the window. ¡°We should arrange a joint training session sometime. Exchange some best practices. We can show you our tactics, and you could teach us how to¡­ develop magic capacity?¡± Kelmithus laughed before clearing his throat. ¡°Pardon me, Ambassador, but learning magic might be more of a challenge for you than you think. All inhabitants of this realm are born with some level of mana; I know not how well our teachings and methods of training would apply to those without mana. However¡­ I¡¯d be curious to see one of your ¡®drones¡¯ up close." Henry glanced at a screen displaying the drone¡¯s feed. ¡°That can be arranged. But right now, our focus should be on that forested region up ahead. Kelmithus, you mentioned adventurers frequenting areas like these?¡± ¡°Yeah, how exactly do adventurers work around here?¡± Ron seconded Henry¡¯s question, interested more in the conversation than the road. All eyes turned, hungry for lore about this world. The archmage chuckled, his gaze momentarily shifting to the forests outside. ¡°Ah, adventurers. Quite the diverse lot, bound by thrill and challenge. They generally operate from the cities, enrolling in guilds that assign them quests. These quests can be anything ¨C seeking ancient relics in forgotten tombs, collecting materials or herbs, handling rogue beasts that trouble villages, even assisting townsfolk with larger tasks. In return, they earn both coin and recognition, advancing through established Tiers as they gain experience.¡± Dr. Anderson adjusted a pair of glasses, his scholarly curiosity piqued. ¡°These Tiers¡­ they signify some sort of ranking system?¡± Kelmithus nodded, ¡°Precisely. An adventurer starts at the lower echelons, say Tier 2 or 3, and as they complete quests and prove their mettle, they ascend the ranks. Achieving Tier 10 status isn¡¯t trivial ¨C it¡¯s a testament to an adventurer¡¯s skills and renown. Most in Eldralore would accord significant respect to a high-tiered adventurer, especially one who could rival a company of knights and mages.¡± Ron smirked, glancing at the passengers behind him and then back to the road. ¡°Sounds like a fantasy MMO.¡± He turned toward Henry, ¡°Maybe you¡¯ll finally enjoy the genre once you experience it in real life, dude.¡± Kelmithus raised an eyebrow. ¡°Em Em Oh?¡± Ron attempted to explain, ¡°They¡¯re games, but simulated.¡± He paused, searching for a way to relate the concept to the archmage. ¡°Imagine a scrying spell that allows you to see a different realm. Within this realm, you can control a version of yourself, much like a golem. This golem-like avatar can interact with others, go on quests, and face challenges, all within this fabricated world. Millions from Earth participate in these simulations at the same time, interacting with each other, but all within the safety of this make-believe environment.¡± Kelmithus looked intrigued. ¡°A fascinating concept. So these¡­ Em Em Ohs, they allow individuals to experience adventures without real consequences?¡± ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s a way for a lot of people to escape reality,¡± Ron said. Kelmithus nodded, ¡°Oh, if only we had such abilities. The perils adventurers face here are undeniably real. Forests such as the one we¡¯re approaching are rife with both treasures and threats. They tend to attract both fledgling adventurers eager for recognition and seasoned ones searching for rarer challenges.¡± Perry interjected, ¡°Given these forests are often frequented by adventurers, how should we perceive them? Potential allies, possible threats?¡± Kelmithus pondered for a brief moment before responding, ¡°Likely allies. All adventurers sign contracts during the registration process. By signing, the adventurer agrees to stipulated terms, which often include clauses about the respectful treatment of locals and abiding by local laws. Violations of these contracts incur damning consequences. While there may be some unscrupulous individuals within the guild, they would never dare devolve into banditry. Most adventurers are helpful souls who would come to the aid of those in need.¡± ¡°Huh, guess we won¡¯t have to worry about getting betrayed by party members for being useless, eh?¡± Ron quipped. Kelmithus opened his mouth to respond, but a sudden forceful impact against the MRAP¡¯s window cut him off. An arrow, glowing with a slight luminescence, slammed into the reinforced pane and embedded itself within the layers, leaving behind a spider-web pattern on its surface. Before anyone could react, another louder thud resonated, causing the entire vehicle to shudder. Looking ahead, they witnessed a massive boulder crashing down on one of the Sonaran carriages, splintering it under its immense weight. Almost simultaneously, the once-stable ground beneath them morphed, turning into a sludgy mess that gripped the MRAP¡¯s tires and tugged at the Sonaran dradaks. The dense, oppressive green of the forest came alive with enemy movement, forming a claustrophobic corridor of potential threats on all sides. From the treeline, a blazing streak of light ¨C unmistakably a fireball ¨C hurtled toward one of the UGVs. Upon impact, it exploded with a force reminiscent of a WW2-era bazooka. The flames and smoke danced around the UGV, the sheer force of the blast creating a concussive wave. However, the vehicle¡¯s armor held, showing damage no more superficial than some scorch marks. Arrows and sharp stones flew at the convoy as earthen spikes erupted from the ground. But against the American vehicles, these attacks left mere dents and marks. The sudden impacts jolted everyone inside. As Ron repositioned the vehicle in a staggered defensive formation alongside the other MRAPs and UGVs, Henry immediately reached for the doors and barked orders. ¡°Ambush, three and nine! Dismount and take cover!¡± ¡°Bandits!¡± Kelmithus exclaimed, ¡°Prepare yourselves!¡± A whistling arrow barely had time to embed itself into the MRAP¡¯s armored skin before Henry was in motion. ¡°Perry, Anderson, stay close. Ron, stick with the knights!¡± Door latch released, rifle up, boots hitting dirt; the transition was seamless. He pressed his back to the MRAP¡¯s thick tire, eyes darting through the scope. Before Henry could even shout an order, Zulu-9 was already laying down fire at the treelines. No pause, no hesitation ¨C just the guttural thump of .50 caliber turrets alongside 30mm autocannons and the strident echoes of rifles firing in unison. Accompanying it was a translucent barrier of magical energy, hastily conjured by the Sonaran knights as they filled in the gaps between and beside the MRAPs. Tapping the trigger, Henry¡¯s XM7 spat 6.8mm at silhouettes darting through the trees, each shot a calculated elimination. Perry and Anderson hunkered behind another MRAP, flanked by Ron and a duo of Sonaran knights. In seconds, the forest edge had been transformed into a graveyard of felled bandits and smoldering trees. Without missing a beat, Henry snatched his radio. ¡°Pioneer to Armstrong, Tango-Mike. Magic users confirmed, heavy contact. Uploading coordinates. 10 mikes from Eldralore. Request immediate QRF.¡± A voice on the other end crackled to life, ¡°Armstrong to Pioneer, copy all. QRF spinning up. ETA 20 minutes.¡± Henry tucked the radio back, his gaze flitting between the forest line and his HUD where the coordinates blinked, uploaded. ¡°Armstrong, Pioneer copies. Make it quick,¡± he responded. His eyes narrowed as he reviewed his team¡¯s positions, a tactical overlay alive on his visor. Everyone was holding, but 20 minutes was a lifetime in a firefight. A guttural scream echoed in the forest, cut short by the percussive drum of a .50 cal. Henry continued to sweep the burning greenery for more signs of enemy activity, catching a glimpse of a red circle hovering in the air. ¡°Mage, 2 o¡¯clock by the large boulder, 50 meters!¡± A heartbeat later, the nearby thud of an anti-materiel rifle followed. One mage crumbled, a plume of red mist replacing where his head and neck had been. Another recoiled, clutching a bullet wound in his shoulder, his incantation faltering. ¡°Nice shot, Hayes,¡± Henry praised, eyes still trained for the next threat. ¡°Knights, hold position. Their magic¡¯s faltering.¡± Suddenly, he heard a scream of agony beside him. ¡°Man down! Medic, on me! Covering fire!¡± Henry barked. The downed soldier was quickly dragged back by Yen and Hayes, laying him behind the safety of an MRAP, his arm bleeding profusely. Yen was on him like a shadow, hastily unzipping his medical bag. ¡°Hang in there, Harris,¡± he muttered, prepping a morphine autoinjector and jabbing it into the man. ¡°You¡¯ll feel a little sting,¡± he said, but the soldier hardly seemed to notice; his face was a contorted mask of pain and adrenaline. After quickly cleaning the wound with antiseptic wipes, Yen looked up. ¡°He¡¯s ready for you.¡± A Sonaran knight stepped forward. Incantations spilled from his lips as he chanted about vitality and life. His hands, hovering over the wounded arm, began to glow with a soft yellow aura. A wave of light washed over Harris, the glow intensifying around the wound. The skin seemed to knit itself back together, the torn muscle fibers rejoining. A war cry tore Henry¡¯s attention away from the miracle. Silhouettes of warriors, moving with inhuman speed, dashed from the trees as the rain of arrows and spells died down. Despite their enhancements, their swift advance was cut short. The lead storm from the convoy¡¯s guns, combined with the larger rounds from the MRAP turrets and UGV autocannons, halted them in their tracks. As the intensity peaked, a distinct whistle sliced through the noise, followed by discernable shifts in the forest. The bandits, who moments ago were launching a determined onslaught, began pulling back rapidly, their forms fleeting as they melted away into the dense woods. ¡°Cease fire, cease fire!¡± Henry¡¯s voice thundered. His vision pierced the diminishing smoke, the scope of his rifle scanning the treeline. He could see the figures receding ¨C what remained of the bandit force. He then turned to his men. ¡°Status report!¡± One of Zulu-9 spoke up. ¡°Two injured, but they¡¯re good now thanks to that magic.¡± ¡°Roger that.¡± Henry rallied his men. ¡°Secure the perimeter! Zulu-9, cover all flanks! Get some drones in the air!¡± While Zulu-9 members and Sonaran knights promptly established a 360-degree security perimeter around the convoy, the drones overhead maintained vigilant scans of the retreating bandits, ensuring no immediate threats lurked nearby. ¡°Vehicle check!¡± Ron shouted, already inspecting the MRAP he had driven. Teams began evaluating the convoy vehicles. The UGVs, though splattered with mud and marked with scorch marks, appeared operational. The Sonaran carriages avoided destruction, enemy attention having been diverted toward the deadlier American vehicles instead. Henry¡¯s gaze shifted to Kelmithus. He stood tall, shimmering staff in hand, conferring briefly with one of his knights. He then turned to survey the battlefield, his eyes lingering on the gore past the convoy¡¯s perimeter. He spoke softly to a wounded knight before placing a hand on the man¡¯s shoulder. A soft glow emanated from his palm, and the knight visibly relaxed. Kelmithus then caught Henry¡¯s eye and walked over. There was a solemnity in his gaze, one that told of a man who¡¯d seen the horrors of battle and found them wanting. But there was something else ¨C respect, perhaps, or the recognition of an uncomfortable truth. Henry could only speculate, but whatever it was, it suggested the day¡¯s events had left an indelible mark not just on the knights but the archmage as well. The forest had gone quiet now, save for the distant chatter of birds resuming their interrupted songs. ¡°Archmage?¡± ¡°Your weapons,¡± he mused, his voice tinged with both respect and revulsion, ¡°make even the wildest magic seem tame. It¡¯s as if they¡¯ve channeled the unforgiving, indiscriminate wrath of nature itself.¡± Henry took in the fallen trees and the smoky air. ¡°We¡¯ve engineered them to be effective. It¡¯s not about fair fights; it¡¯s about ending them before they escalate.¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Kelmithus said, removing the arrow from the cracked window, ¡°On that, our realms find common ground. This was no mere opportunistic attack. Their sorcery was too refined; the level of coordination speaks not of banditry,¡± he observed. Henry nodded, going over the surroundings. ¡°Let¡¯s ensure we¡¯re secure first. Then we¡¯ll dive deeper into who and why. Think you can clear the mud out and move the boulders ahead?¡± Kelmithus nodded and took a deep breath, walking along the mud-engulfed path. He extended his hands, fingers splayed, and raised his staff. The air around him shimmered, vibrating with energy. Slowly, the thick mud began to recede, condensing back into solid ground. Simultaneously, he directed his attention to the boulders obstructing the way. With a focused, sweeping motion, the ground beneath them shifted, causing the massive rocks to roll to the side of the path, creating a clear passageway. He made his way back to Henry. ¡°It is done.¡± Henry gave him a nod of appreciation before reaching for his radio. ¡°Pioneer to Armstrong, situation green. Ambush repelled, path clear.¡± A brief silence ensued before a response came through. ¡°Armstrong copies, Pioneer. CASREPs?¡± ¡°Four minor injuries, equipment operational. Proceeding to Eldralore.¡± ¡°Copy that, Pioneer. Continue to update. QRF en route; ETA two minutes. Will rendezvous and provide escort. Armstrong out.¡± Ron approached Henry, ¡°Yo, we gonna move forward or we gonna retrograde?¡± ¡°We¡¯re moving forward. QRF¡¯s gonna join us.¡± Henry stowed the radio, addressing the team with urgency. ¡°Mount up and move out. Stay alert; we¡¯re not out of the woods yet.¡± The team quickly regrouped, the familiar hum of engines filling the atmosphere, meshing with the low murmurs of discussions and the rhythmic clinking of armor. Everyone got into formation, preparing to continue the journey. As the convoy began to move again, Perry turned to Kelmithus, who sat by the cracked window. ¡°You mentioned earlier that this wasn¡¯t just a mere bandit attack, Archmage?¡± Kelmithus replied, ¡°Indeed, Ambassador. Their tactics were too coordinated, the spells they wielded too refined. They were¡­ organized.¡± Perry nodded slowly. ¡°Could they be affiliated with a larger power or entity?¡± Kelmithus sighed looking at the cracked window to his side, ¡°I have my suspicions, though it¡¯s too early to say. Their knowledge of magic, especially the more strategic spells,¡± he said, touching the window, ¡°might suggest connections to one of the major players in South Eanif. Most likely the Nobian Empire, given their proficiently planned ambush, but that¡¯s merely conjecture at this point.¡± ¡°Archmage, regarding the individuals your knights have detained¡­ It might be mutually beneficial for us to jointly understand their motives. Would it be possible for our teams to collaborate in gathering information from them?¡± Henry looked back and added on, ¡°It¡¯s imperative we understand the full scope of this attack. We have methods and techniques that might be unfamiliar to yours, which could yield results.¡± Kelmithus raised a brow, intrigued. ¡°A valid point, Captain. I¡¯ll speak with our knights about arranging an interrogation that includes both Sonarans and Americans.¡± The convoy transitioned from the dense canopy of the forest to a path that gradually unfurled into sprawling vistas on either side. Fields of golden grain swayed gently, and distant herders guided flocks along the rolling hills. But it was the sight ahead that captured Henry¡¯s full attention: the majestic city of Eldralore. Towering spires rose skyward, their intricate stonework hinting at skills and craftsmanship long perfected. The formidable walls, battle-scarred and time-worn, watched over a line of visitors, citizens, and merchants at the gates. The MRAP¡¯s engine purred as it slowed its pace, joining the line behind merchant caravans pulled by sturdy dradaks, their laden carts filled with vibrant textiles and exotic goods. Nearby, farmers in sunworn hats looked up from tending to their fields, their expressions oscillating between curiosity and astonishment. Guards, with crests emblazoned on their armor, patrolled the city gates, casting wary glances at the unfamiliar convoy. Passing adventurers paused to gawk, only to be turned away by Kelmithus¡¯ knights. Ron leaned into the wheel, his face getting closer to the windshield as he looked out in awe. ¡°So we¡¯re finally here.¡± Henry followed Ron¡¯s gaze, taking in the sight and pulling out a camera to snap a picture. Perry and the other passengers looked out their windows, similarly entranced by the otherworldly view. ¡°Indeed,¡± Kelmithus said, unfastening his seatbelt. ¡°Welcome to the city of Eldralore.¡± Chapter 3: The Sonaran Federation Eldralore, Sonaran Federation November 10, 2024 Kelmithus¡¯ boots met the smooth gravel road as the ambient sounds of the city ¨C voices of traders, footsteps, and distant laughter ¨C formed a backdrop. Upon seeing the archmage, the guards by the gate immediately stiffened and presented a deep, synchronized bow, their spears held vertically in salute. Ambassador Perry, holding a radio in one hand and his clipboard in the other, pressed a button. ¡°Pioneer to Armstrong, this is Perry. We¡¯ve arrived at Eldralore and are currently at the entrance.¡± Ron¡¯s hand remained on the wheel, his attention focused on the exchange outside. ¡°Once the archmage signals, we¡¯ll move up.¡± Henry directed a question to Perry, ¡°Are we expecting any additional formalities during our stay?¡± Perry released the radio button, allowing it to hang by his side. ¡°Kelmithus should smooth things over. I¡¯ll handle most of the talking. As long as you don¡¯t say anything¡­ out of pocket around the nobles, we should be fine.¡± Henry nodded and looked back to the front. Outside the MRAP, the wind picked up, rustling the banners that hung from the city walls ¨C one of the star-studded flag of the Sonaran Federation and another of the local duchy. Kelmithus approached the guards, waving his hand. The guards eased up at the sign and the one with an intricate design on his armor stepped forward. ¡°Archmage Kelmithus,¡± the guard began, ¡°it is an honor to receive you and your guests.¡± He eyed the MRAPs behind Kelmithus. Kelmithus offered a nod. ¡°Indeed, Captain Arlen, these are the esteemed delegates mentioned in the aethergraph message. Their realm is not unlike ours, with its share of adversities and triumphs. Let us show them our hospitality.¡± Dr. Anderson peered through the window as the conversation took place and murmured to Henry, ¡°Look at the other guards. They¡¯re trying hard not to look our way, but you can see they¡¯re curious. The youngest ones can barely contain it.¡± Ron leaned back in his seat, ¡°Bet they¡¯ve never seen these metal carriages before, huh? Just wait ¡®til they catch a glimpse of our steel dragons.¡± ¡°Who knows,¡± Perry responded, leaning his arm on the door. ¡°It¡¯s possible they¡¯re familiar with the concept if they are aware that dwarves have steam engines. Though, it might be best not to disrupt the local societies with our technologies. Our guidelines still emphasize a policy of minimal interference.¡± As Kelmithus¡¯ conversation wrapped up, Arlen signaled to a couple of guards who were manning a sturdy wooden barrier arm. Operating a windlass, they lifted the barrier and stepped aside to make space for the convoy. Kelmithus took a moment to exchange a few more words with Captain Arlen before gesturing to the convoy. Ron revved the engine softly, edging the vehicle forward to pick up Kelmithus. Local knights on dradaks led the convoy, the afternoon sun painting everything in a warm light as they exited the wall¡¯s shadow. Henry fixed his gaze outside, taking in every detail of Eldralore¡¯s lively streets. The ride was smooth. Unlike the rugged terrain during the journey here, the roads had a solidness to them. It was made of¡­ compacted gravel? Henry wondered how the Sonarans managed to create something so reminiscent of familiar asphalt back home. Magical lights and signs at junctions provided guidance, giving some semblance of order in the busy city. As they moved, the tantalizing aroma of baked goods, roasted meats, and herbs wafted from open-air eateries. In the distance, the rhythmic sound of a blacksmith¡¯s hammer met Henry¡¯s ears, interrupted by a chime of a bell from a nearby tower. Unique establishments lined the streets ¨C a store with a potion drawn on a sign outside, another with drawings of tools and cutlery. Beside them stood a butchery, complete with slabs of alien meat and wagons waiting by the front door. They then passed by a blacksmith, furnace belching smoke as a mage stoked the flames within. All of the buildings were characterized by a unique blend of baroque and high medieval architecture ¨C exactly what Ron had shown him in clips of various anime and movies. Dr. Anderson scribbled down constant notes in between snaps of photos, mouth hanging slightly open as he immersed himself in the fantastical environment. ¡°This place¡­ it¡¯s like stepping back in time, yet everything¡¯s so¡­ alive.¡± ¡°For real.¡± Ron slowed down as a group of adventurers walked past, ogling at the convoy just as much as Ron ogled at them. Though he wasn¡¯t as busy as Dr. Anderson, Henry could only guess how excited he must¡¯ve been. They approached a wide square with a towering fountain at its center, water spouting from the maws of a hydra carved with intricate detail. The sound of cascading water filled the square, mingling with local conversations. Ambassador Perry leaned out the window to get a better view. ¡°The Archmage wasn¡¯t kidding when he said this city was rich in history.¡± ¡°Just hope they¡¯re as rich in catgirls or elven baddies¡­¡± Ron trailed off, the last words in his sentence inaudible to all but Henry. Henry nearly did a double take. ¡°Bro what?¡± Ron cleared his throat, ¡°Uh, just hope they¡¯re as rich in hospitality. Ahem.¡± He steered the MRAP skillfully through a tighter street, which then opened up to a wider road. ¡°So, uh, where are we headed?¡± Kelmithus answered, ¡°We are headed to the grand abode of Duke Vancor ad Styne. Though, not his primary residence. His generosity has extended to provide lodgings for your esteemed delegation.¡± Henry nodded as the heart of Eldralore gave way to a distinctly affluent district. Buildings, crafted from stone and crowned with pointed arches, were interspersed with broad driveways. Commerce and chatter were abundant as they made their way through. He could see ornate entrances leading into shops and high-end boutiques, frequented by wealthy merchants or nobles. They picked up a bit of speed, continuing to follow the knights ahead until they entered a path that seemed much more maintained than the busy city roads they had left behind. As they continued, the sweeping visage of an opulent mansion unveiled itself. The mansion¡¯s entrance boasted an ornate gate, guarded by statuesque figures. They were accompanied by magical lights on each side which cast reflections over meticulously tended gardens. Tall towers loomed on either end of the mansion, overlooking the surrounding walls. Resplendent in their gleaming armor, guards stood sentry by the gate and within the courtyard. The convoy slowed down, coming to a graceful halt before the gateway. Henry observed as Kelmithus stepped out to speak with the mansion¡¯s guards. The conversation was brief, with one of the guards giving a curt nod before signaling for the gates to be opened. As they slowly creaked open, Henry¡¯s gaze fell upon the courtyard, taking note of its layout and the placement of attendants who awaited them. The vehicles rumbled to a stop, and Henry was the first to disembark. The ground was firm underfoot, feeling like asphalt or concrete. Attendants in modest tunics and blazers approached him and the rest of the delegation. One of them, a middle-aged man with graying hair, stepped forward. He had elongated ears that ended in a point. Similar to a Vulcan, Henry mused, though ¡®elf¡¯ would probably be more appropriate. He didn¡¯t even need to look at Ron to know he was on the verge of wetting himself over seeing his first elf. ¡°Greetings, esteemed travelers, and welcome to the guest mansion of Duke Vancor. I am Rolan, head steward of this establishment. Please, allow me to guide you to your lodgings.¡± Ambassador Perry extended his hand with a smile. ¡°Thank you, Rolan. I am Ambassador Perry, representing the United States of America. We appreciate the hospitality.¡± He gestured to Henry. ¡°This is Captain Henry Donnager, our head of security.¡± Henry gave a curt nod, replying, ¡°Lead the way, Rolan.¡± He cast a glance at the other attendants, assessing them. Rolan gestured towards the mansion. ¡°This way.¡± As they started the short walk toward the building, Rolan pointed to some of the mansion¡¯s architectural features. ¡°Although this is a guest residence, Duke Vancor commissioned artisans from across the Federation to work on its construction, ensuring comfort and security for esteemed visitors.¡± Henry, staying close to Ambassador Perry, took in his surroundings. The mansion was surrounded by a low stone wall, the top of which was decorated with intricate, leafy designs that shimmered ever so slightly under the sunlight ¨C likely some magical enchantment. The wall clearly offered a layer of redundancy if the outer walls were ever breached, yet maintained the aesthetic of the courtyard. He eyed Dr. Anderson. Sure enough, he was marveling over the designs. Their path led to a massive wooden door, flanked by two guards with spears at the ready. Their armor was ornate but practical, and their focused gazes never left the delegation, taking stock just as he was. Not a word was exchanged between them and Rolan, but they effortlessly swung the doors open at his approach. The main hall beyond was grand but not ostentatious. High-vaulted ceilings loomed above, supported by thick wooden beams, and the polished marble floor was interrupted only by lush rugs that muffled their steps. Light streamed in from tall windows, lending warmth to the otherwise cool space. Henry¡¯s eyes drifted to a couple of doorways branching off the main hall, likely leading to other chambers. His eyes then jumped to the spiral staircase, then another door, taking mental notes of the mansion¡¯s layout, possible exit points, and vulnerabilities. Kelmithus had demonstrated himself to be trustworthy so far, but he couldn¡¯t reliably say the same about everyone else ¨C especially not after the recent ¡®bandit¡¯ ambush. Though he didn¡¯t outright distrust their hosts, it also didn¡¯t hurt to be prepared. Ryan, walking a step behind, leaned in. ¡°This place seems sturdy. Good vantage points,¡± he commented in a low voice. Henry nodded, whispering back, ¡°Let¡¯s not make any assumptions. We¡¯ll review the grounds later.¡± Rolan paused in the center of the hall, gesturing toward the artwork adorning the walls. ¡°Duke Vancor possesses a fondness for the arts. These tapestries depict significant moments in the history of the Sonaran Federation.¡± He led the group toward a particular painting, its grandeur outshining its neighbors and housed within a finely carved wooden frame. It showcased a noble figure upon a magnificent throne, his brow crowned with intertwined gold and silver. Encircling him, nobles from all corners engaged in fervent conversation. Some conveyed their points with animated gestures, while others remained still, lending earnest ears. ¡°This,¡± Rolan began with a touch of solemnity, ¡°is the revered High Council. Behold King Elthran ad Selios as he sought discourse with the nobles of Old Sonara, a time where unity was wrought from dire need.¡± Henry scrutinized the assembly in the painting. ¡°An alliance was forged?¡± ¡°Indeed, Captain,¡± Rolan responded with a gentle nod. ¡°The former Kingdom of Sonara, though rich in heritage and bounty, was riven by discord. The great lords, sovereigns in their own right, were often at odds, each vying for influence. Foreign nations, keenly aware of our inner strife, endeavored to exploit this to their own ends.¡± Dr. Anderson analyzed the paintings with childlike wonder, noting the foreign banners woven into the backdrop. ¡°External threats compelled them to rally together.¡± ¡°Verily,¡± continued Rolan. ¡°The fractures within rendered us susceptible. In wisdom, King Elthran envisioned the birth of the Sonaran Federation, granting autonomy to lords in their dominions in exchange for a pledge of fealty to the federal government.¡± Ambassador Perry raised an eyebrow, a smile growing on his face. ¡°Interesting. So these lords, or governors, manage their own region yet unite under a central authority during pressing matters?¡± ¡°Aye, a close likeness. As the years waned, surrounding nations aspired to join our fold, be it for security, commerce, or shared faith.¡± Immersed in the lore, Ron asked, ¡°Shared faith?¡± Rolan indicated the sun emblem, glowing subtly in the painting. ¡°Sola, Goddess of the sun, of light, and of life. She bathes our lands in her light and wisdom. Her teachings bind us, standing stark against the shadowy beliefs of the worshipers of Lunara, who have taken root in the Nobian Empire.¡± Henry caught the undercurrents of tension in Rolan¡¯s tone. The Nobian Empire¡­ Kelmithus had mentioned this name after the ambush. He looked at Perry, brows furrowed and arms crossed. He wasn¡¯t the only one who wanted answers on these mysterious Nobians. ¡°What can you tell us about the Nobian Empire?¡± he ventured. Rolan¡¯s smile faded, his eyes becoming hard. ¡°The Nobian Empire, once a mere collection of territories, has of late risen in might and ambition. Their embrace of Lunara, the Goddess of the night and darkness, fuels their growing audacity. It is whispered that some within the Empire seek greater power and influence.¡± Dr. Anderson crossed his arms. ¡°The dossier on the Nobian Empire says the same thing, but it didn¡¯t really go into depth on current geopolitics aside from their basic history.¡± Kelmithus, who stood at a little distance, gave a slight bow. ¡°My apologies for the oversight, Doctor. In penning that ¡®dossier¡¯, I endeavored to remain impartial. In truth, we believe that they covet Sonaran lands, and with it, its history and magics. However, this assertion remains uncorroborated, for the Nobians have spurned our overtures of diplomacy. Alas, our interactions with them have been but minor frays and skirmishes upon the Grenden Plains.¡± The implications of Kelmithus¡¯ statement were clear to Henry, especially considering the fact that the ruins and their base were smack dab in the middle of the Grenden Plains. ¡°Is that something we¡¯re gonna have to worry about?¡± Kelmithus shook his head. ¡°The Nobians have not ventured into those lands for many a year. However, the possibility lingers that they might tread there once again. The ambush bore hallmarks of their tactics, and I must concede that discerning their movements has been a challenge of late.¡± Ryan took a step forward, his voice rough and tinged with Southern drawl as he spoke. ¡°With all due respect, an ambush of that damn scale indicates a significant breach of operational security. Who knew of our arrival? Are those ¡®aethergraph¡¯ things secure? Is it possible the message was intercepted?¡± Kelmithus adjusted his stance. ¡°I share your concern, Sir Hayes. We took every precaution, but it seems word spread to nefarious ears. The aethergraphs are indeed ¡®secure¡¯. There lies no possibility of ¡®interception¡¯.¡± He lowered his voice, ¡°It is probable there are Nobian spies within the ranks of the local guards.¡± Rolan stepped in, putting on a smile and holding his hands up. ¡°Worry not; everyone here is under the personal employ of Duke Vancor himself; there is no risk of betrayal here.¡± Isaac eyed a pair of guards patrolling outside the building. ¡°Still, perhaps holding our discussions at the base would be a wiser choice. The security there is more¡­ familiar.¡± Henry frowned, assessing the room, while Perry cleared his throat. ¡°Look, I understand the concerns, but consider this: pulling out now and heading to Armstrong Base might send the wrong message to the Sonarans. They might see it as a slight. The last thing we need is to strain this delicate, historical relationship from the get-go. We cannot allow humanity¡¯s first interplanetary contact to be a failure.¡± He paused, taking a brief moment to gauge the reactions of those around him. ¡°Also, moving now could expose us even more. Eldralore has its defenses, and we¡¯ve got Captain Donnager¡¯s team and their gear, plus the good Archmage. We should play it smart and leverage the security we have right here, rather than risking the journey back.¡± Ryan shrugged. ¡°I still think Isaac¡¯s right, but the Ambassador does have a point. This location has a lot of open lines of sight and great vantage points. Minimal risk of intruders even getting close to the gates. Your call, Captain.¡± The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. Henry scratched his neck. He initiated all of this and with Perry¡¯s justification and Ryan¡¯s support, he simply had to see it through. ¡°Alright, we¡¯ll stay and hold the meetings here. But we hightail it back to base at the first sign of trouble.¡± Perry placed a hand on Henry¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Thank you, Captain.¡± Rolan, sensing the moment of tension had passed, gestured gracefully to an archway leading further into the mansion. ¡°Pray, follow me and I shall conduct you to the chambers prepared for your repose.¡± They passed by more indistinct hallways and adjoining rooms before finally arriving at their living quarters, which faced a conference room, training hall, and bath. Rolan opened the door to one of the bedrooms, revealing the luxuries within. ¡°Herein lie your quarters, diligently prepared to ensure your rest and solace. We have assigned one bedroom to each person,¡± he declared, the rich timbre of his voice hinting at pride. ¡°They are furnished with all that might be requisite for your comfort. Should any additional need arise, do not hesitate to summon our attendants, who stand ever ready to serve.¡± Henry looked in awe. It was as one would expect for a noble¡¯s bedroom: massive white spaces, sophisticated decorations, a large and comfortable bed, and maids standing at attention. Everything was surprisingly fit for modern standards, with magical lighting attached to a switch. Even the bathroom had proper plumbing, including a toilet and shower. It wasn''t a surprise that Dr. Anderson was utterly intrigued by this anachronism, closely studying the design of those amenities and jotting down notes. Ambassador Perry, who seemed the most unfazed by this display, offered only a smile and a handshake to express his gratitude. ¡°We are much obliged for your hospitality, Rolan.¡± Rolan, with a refined nod of his head, replied, ¡°The honor is ours, Sir Perry. Please remember, in an hour¡¯s time, dinner shall be served in our grand hall. Until then, be it your wish to explore these venerable halls or simply relax, you have our leave.¡± As Rolan strolled down the hallway, the delegation¡¯s members dispersed to investigate their immediate surroundings. Henry took a few steps inside of his bedroom, surveying its intricacies. His hand grazed the bedspread, feeling the fine, cool texture. He could hear the distant chatter of his colleagues ¨C some of the rooms further down discussing their quarters. Ron ambled in, leaning by the open door. ¡°Fancy as hell, right? Kinda makes you forget we¡¯re on a diplomatic mission.¡± Henry smirked, glancing at the maids who stood attentively at the room¡¯s corner. ¡°You must be so excited, huh?¡± ¡°Bruh,¡± Ron said. ¡°I may be a weeb, but that doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯m a degenerate.¡± Henry clapped his friend on the shoulder as he walked out of his bedroom. ¡°Sure thing, buddy. Anyway, I think I know where to establish our command post.¡± He gestured to the adjoining conference room. Bookshelves dominated the walls, no doubt filled with tales ripe for an eager Anderson. Perry and Kelmithus were already seated at the elongated table in the center and engaged in earnest discussion. At the far end, a lone window loomed, overlooking the courtyard below. ¡°Seems like the most practical choice. It¡¯s right between all our rooms ¨C a nice central spot to strategize and monitor everything from. Speaking of which,¡± he waved a hand to Isaac and Ryan, who were checking the room for possible bugs. ¡°Yo! Yen, Hayes!¡± Henry called out, beckoning to them as he walked toward Kelmithus and Perry. ¡°Captain,¡± Ryan nodded, approaching the table. ¡°I¡¯m thinking of setting up here,¡± Henry said, taking in the room¡¯s layout. ¡°Looks solid,¡± Ryan agreed. ¡°Aight, let¡¯s get these babies rolling,¡± Isaac said, pulling out electronics from a bag and setting it on the table. Nudging Ryan, he motioned with his chin to the walls. ¡°You think this old stone¡¯s gonna mess with the signal?¡± ¡°Nah dude, doubt it,¡± Ryan said, glancing over to Kelmithus. ¡°Dunno about the enchantments and stuff though.¡± The archmage looked out at the wall outside. ¡°Doctor Lamarr¡¯s testing yielded little evidence of ¡®interference¡¯; I know not of the natural philosophies behind your mechanisms, but her judgment appeared sound.¡± Henry nodded. ¡°Just in case though, would you mind having some of your knights take up shifts here?¡± ¡°Your recommendation holds wisdom. I will reassign some of my men from the perimeter patrols. Our insight into the Aether may prove useful.¡± ¡°Alright.¡± Henry glanced at his watch. ¡°We¡¯ll reconvene here ten minutes before dinner; should be enough time for a review of our plans and local etiquette.¡± Dr. Anderson, having momentarily been lost in a tome from a shelf, reluctantly shut it and approached the table. ¡°No time for a quick tour of the library, then?¡± Henry shook his head, grinning slightly. ¡°Priorities, Doctor. But we¡¯ll see.¡± As everyone prepared for the upcoming dinner, Henry turned away from the conference table and made his way back to his room. The day had been long, and a wash before dinner seemed a prudent choice. As he stepped into the bathroom, the sheer opulence of it made him momentarily forget he was in a foreign world ¨C gleaming marble tiles, a tub that looked hand-carved, and various vials and jars containing substances he didn¡¯t recognize. As he closed the door and undressed, he considered trying out the mysterious liquids but instead pulled his own shampoo and soap from a bag. What caught his attention, however, was the shower. There were no knobs or handles, just a set of intricately designed glyphs arranged in a circle, with three major ones laid out in a row. Maybe he missed the handle? He searched for one to no avail. He then touched one glyph, hoping for water to start pouring, but nothing happened. After a few futile attempts, he realized he might need some assistance. Clearing his throat and putting his clothes back on, he stepped out and noticed one of the maids still lingering nearby. ¡°Excuse me,¡± he began, ¡°I seem to be having some trouble with the shower. Could you help?¡± The maid, a young woman with bright hazel eyes and a gentle smile, stepped into the bathroom and glanced at the glyphs. She nodded, placing her hand over the third glyph in the row. With a glow, it slowly spun to life. Water poured out of the showerhead, already tuned to a comfortable temperature. ¡°The bathing systems here call upon the essence of mana. Unfortunately, without innate magic, one would need an external touch.¡± She produced a small, radiant blue crystal from a pocket in her attire and handed it to Henry. ¡°We use mana crystals like this to operate more mana-intensive equipment, but you can hold on to this. Hold the crystal near the glyphs to supply it with magic energy, then select your desires upon the glyphs.¡± Henry accepted the crystal, the strange object exuding a soft pulse. ¡°Thank you,¡± he said, noting the warmth of the object. ¡°I¡¯m not quite used to¡­ this.¡± The maid chuckled softly. ¡°Fear not. We were briefed about the vast divides between our realms. The first glyph commands the warmth of the water, the second its vigor, and should you wish it ceased, press the crystal to the third.¡± With an appreciative nod, Henry said, ¡°I think I¡¯ve got it from here. Thanks again.¡± She bowed slightly. ¡°Always at your service. Should further assistance be sought, merely voice it. May you enjoy your shower.¡± Left alone again, Henry examined the crystal for a moment before following her instructions. Henry smiled like a kid using a new toy as he operated the shower. It was more like someone on a starship using holograms to control things rather than magic. As he showered, all he could think of was how conveniently modern the plumbing was and how grateful he was that he didn¡¯t have to reduce himself to shitting in a bucket. Feeling refreshed, he dried off and dressed in his official attire, giving another nod to the maid as he walked to the conference room. Upon entering, he noticed the members of his team busily setting up the equipment. The elongated table was now covered in wires, displays, and various electronic devices. Perry and Kelmithus were still engrossed in conversation, but now with some blueprints spread out before them. Ron, reading one of the books from the shelves, looked up at Henry¡¯s entrance. ¡°You figure out the restroom on your own?¡± Henry grinned, recalling his brief mishap. ¡°Nah. Had to ask the maid to turn it on for me.¡± He pulled out the mana crystal, ¡°Turns out their things run on mana so we gotta use these?¡± Ron gave a shrug, his smile giving way to a chuckle. ¡°Well, at least you didn¡¯t mess up like Jankowski. The guys are calling him Royal Flush now, pretty sure that¡¯s gonna stick for a while.¡± Henry stifled a laugh. ¡°Shit, what happened?¡± ¡°Dude took a crap, and couldn¡¯t flush it ¡®cause he didn¡¯t have one of those crystals. Maid had to come in and take care of it for him, and the rumor spread from there. Good thing he brought his own toilet paper, or else the maid would¡¯ve had to wipe his ass for him.¡± ¡°Ouch,¡± Henry responded, still struggling to contain his laughter. ¡°And here I thought figuring out the shower was a challenge.¡± Anderson approached, overhearing the conversation. ¡°It¡¯s truly fascinating, isn¡¯t it? The existence of magic here led to new technological developments otherwise impossible. I can only imagine what that means for their culture, economy, and warfare.¡± Henry¡¯s head lowered subtly at that word. ¡°Warfare.¡± He turned the mana crystal in his hand, letting the blue light refract through his fingers. ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s a significant concern. We got lucky with the bandit ambush. There¡¯s no telling what else magic is capable of. Could be at a serious disadvantage if shit hits the fan.¡± ¡°That¡¯s what our Sonaran buddies ¨C hopefully ¨C are for, right?¡± Ron lightly jabbed his elbow at Henry. Henry shrugged. ¡°Yeah, guess so. Alright, let¡¯s prepare for our review. Yen, Hayes?¡± Ryan replied as he typed away at a laptop. ¡°Cameras are installed at all the main hallways and junctions. We¡¯ve also got motion sensors and infrared lasers positioned near entrances and windows. Any suspicious activity will give us silent alerts. We¡¯ve already informed the attendants to steer clear from these areas at night.¡± ¡°Archmage?¡± ¡°My knights stand ready to assist,¡± Kelmithus affirmed. ¡°They have thoroughly vetted each member of the mansion staff and found no irregularities. I dare say, we need not fear any obstacles.¡± Henry, satisfied with the setup, nodded. ¡°Excellent work, everyone. Ambassador,¡± he gestured to Perry, allowing him to take over. ¡°Quick refresher,¡± Perry announced. ¡°Remember to avoid direct political discussions and stick to our main goals. And please, do not mention the Nobian Empire. There won¡¯t be any other guests at this dinner aside from ourselves, but I¡¯d still like everyone to treat this dinner like a black-tie event. Thankfully, Sonoran etiquette is compatible with our own, so I expect everyone to conduct themselves accordingly. Given our different cultures, misunderstandings are bound to occur, but let¡¯s handle them with tact.¡± A knock on the door interrupted the briefing. The door opened to reveal Rolan, who gave a deep bow. ¡°I trust our accommodations have been to your liking?¡± he asked, allowing his gaze to briefly sweep over the room and the unfamiliar devices strewn across. Henry suppressed a smile, remembering the misfortune of Royal Flush. ¡°Indeed, Rolan. We¡¯re just wrapping up here.¡± ¡°Most fortuitous,¡± the butler responded, inclining his head gracefully. ¡°The banquet in the grand hall nears its commencement. It awaits you and your esteemed compatriots. While it shan¡¯t be graced with the presence of nobility, the repast has been prepared with utmost care to honor our distinguished guests.¡± ¡°So we¡¯re basically nobles now, is what he¡¯s saying?¡± Ryan whispered. Isaac muttered back a quick ¡®yeah¡¯ as Perry responded to Rolan. ¡°We appreciate the hospitality. Please lead the way.¡± With Rolan leading, they proceeded down the corridor and navigated through hallways and stairs until they reached the grand hall on the first floor. Upon entering, Henry was struck by its sheer magnificence. Towering ceilings, radiant chandeliers, tables adorned with an array of exotic dishes ¨C Rolan wasn¡¯t kidding about the hospitality. Rolan stepped forth, announcing to the other attendants present, ¡°Introducing the delegation of the United States of America and Archmage Kelmithus ad Helis.¡± The delegation spread out, taking their seats. Henry sat near the head of the table, alongside Perry and Kelmithus. The various small dishes arrayed in front of him bore familiar aromas and appearances, yet were undoubtedly different from anything on Earth. One of the dishes had precisely cut slices of what looked like ribeye steak, but rather than the typical pink medium, it had a more purplish hue, like a dragonfruit. Kelmithus, noticing Henry¡¯s intrigued expression, softly said, ¡°That would be steak made from a cav. They¡¯re bovine creatures, akin to your ¡®cow¡¯. They graze in fields near concentrations of mana crystals, hence their unique hue.¡± Henry nodded, taking a small portion and placing it onto his plate. The first bite was tender, and a subtle, beefy flavor danced on his tongue. The meat really did resemble beef, but it had a unique zest to it, something that he couldn¡¯t quite place. Across the table, Dr. Anderson examined a greenish broth filled with floating herbs. ¡°What might this be?¡± A nearby attendant answered, ¡°Tis Manafern Soup, good sir. Made of cav stock and a rare herb used in crafting potions. It aids in replenishing mana and is favored by mages after intense spellcasting.¡± ¡°Dr. Perdue tested local food, right? We can eat mana-rich foods?¡± Henry interjected. Kelmithus nodded. ¡°Indeed, her tests concluded that your biology is compatible and that ¡®there are no adverse effects¡¯, and I concur. Beings with low mana capacity do not absorb excess and instead excrete it.¡± ¡°Huh.¡± With his concerns alleviated, Henry returned to enjoying his meal. The clinking of silverware and soft murmurs of appreciation filled the grand hall as dishes were tasted and praised. Kelmithus took a sip from his goblet, setting it down with a thoughtful look. He turned to Henry, his eyes briefly resting on his wristwatch ¨C a novelty to him, no doubt. ¡°These metal beasts of yours that patrol the perimeter, what are they?¡± Henry set his fork down. ¡°They¡¯re called UGVs - Unmanned Ground Vehicles. They¡¯re controlled remotely, like the rover.¡± Kelmithus tilted his head back slightly. ¡°Ah, so you have different types of golems at your disposal. But¡­ what are they animated by? Pure artifice?¡± ¡°In a way, yes,¡± Perry interjected, eager to explain. ¡°Similar to how magical energy powers your devices like the lights and shower, our machines rely on electrical energy. They¡¯re programmed by our own version of runes, I suppose.¡± The archmage¡¯s gaze deepened, a slight frown forming. ¡°Machines¡­ I¡¯ve seen the wonders they achieve in your camp. It¡¯s fascinating¡­ and oddly familiar.¡± ¡°Oddly familiar?¡± Perry asked. ¡°The machines you describe are similar to those within the Gatebuilders¡¯ ruins. Though, we believe them to be powered by a blend of spellwork and ¡®electrical energy.¡¯¡± After a contemplative pause, Kelmithus continued, ¡°Your kin are bereft of mana. How did you activate the gateway?¡± Perry looked to Henry, who nodded slightly. ¡°Interestingly, we believe that we managed to activate it out of pure coincidence. One of our experiments happened to coincide with unknown energies ¨C¡± ¡°Our testing!¡± Kelmithus realized. ¡°Simultaneous experimentation culminating in an alignment of fate.¡± Henry took a bite of something that tasted like chicken, listening to the exchange as he ate. The atmosphere grew warmer as the evening progressed; he could even feel himself relaxing a bit. While he focused on his food, his ears remained attuned to the conversations around him ¨C Ron asking about the ratio of female elves in the Adventurer¡¯s Guild, Isaac somehow joining in on that topic, and Anderson learning more about Sonaran history from Rolan. Just as the main course¡¯s remnants were cleared, attendants brought forth the final dish of the evening. It looked remarkably like a chocolate tart, but the rich aroma wafting from it was unlike anything Henry had encountered before. In front of Kelmithus, the dessert shimmered, imbued with faint traces of mana. Ron, sitting nearby, quirked an eyebrow. ¡°Is this some sort of¡­ mana-chocolate tart?¡± Kelmithus grinned. ¡°Ah, that¡¯s a good name! It¡¯s a blend of dark Ureth cacao and infused with a pinch of Starshade ¨C an herb known to aid in rejuvenation and relaxation.¡± Henry, intrigued, took a cautious bite. The familiar bitterness of cacao melded seamlessly with a calming, ethereal sensation. It tasted a bit like Hershey¡¯s mixed with something akin to mint. ¡°It¡¯s extraordinary,¡± he murmured, savoring the taste and sensation. Kelmithus chuckled. ¡°It¡¯s a favorite among many.¡± As the dessert course concluded, the delegation members began to rise from their seats. A few exchanged final pleasantries with maids or newly befriended knights, while others stretched and yawned. Henry could sense the undercurrent of exhaustion, especially from his own team. It had been a long and eventful day. Rolan, having observed the proceedings with quiet dignity, stepped forward. ¡°I hope the repast found favor with your tastes. The banquet was prepared under the guidance of the esteemed Duke Vancor. While circumstance denies us his presence this eve, he has conveyed profound regret and extends his fervent wishes for a fruitful congregation on the morrow.¡± Kelmithus rose, nodding in Rolan¡¯s direction. ¡°Rolan, please extend our gratitude to the Duke. Tonight¡¯s gathering was splendid.¡± Perry stood, extending a hand towards Kelmithus. ¡°Thank you, Archmage, for the enlightening conversation.¡± Kelmithus shook it. ¡°Until the morrow.¡± Henry stood up, sliding his chair in. Guided by the mansion staff, the delegation made their way through the corridors, the soft glow of magical lights casting elongated shadows upon the carpets beneath. Their footsteps echoed subtly, the stony walls of the mansion muting any surrounding sounds. As they approached a crossroads of hallways, Ron sidled up to Henry, keeping his voice low. ¡°Got Hayes on first watch with a couple guys from Zulu-9. We¡¯re on a rotation. I¡¯ll relieve him in a few.¡± Henry gave a curt nod, his eyes occasionally darting to the windows. ¡°Aight. Stay sharp, especially tonight.¡± ¡°Copy that, Captain.¡± The group continued its journey through the mansion, the sound of hushed conversations gradually waning as they reached their respective rooms. Henry, turning the ornate handle of his chamber¡¯s door, stepped inside, the gentle ambiance of the room like that of stepping into a hotel room after a long flight. The plush bed, with its velvety blankets and embroidered pillows, seemed all too welcoming. Slipping off his uniform jacket and draping it over a chair, he took a moment, reflecting on the day¡¯s events. They¡¯d repelled an ambush that was possibly orchestrated by a third faction, then made landfall in a fantastical city pulled straight out of one of Ron¡¯s animes. With the familiar weight of his sidearm on the nightstand and a pager nestled under his pillow, Henry settled into the bed. The cool fabric of the sheets seemed to draw the weariness from him. As the pull of sleep began to take hold, he took comfort in the knowledge that the men of Zulu-9 were keeping watch. Chapter 4: Intruders Eldralore, Sonaran Federation November 11, 2024 Bzzt! Bzzt! Henry felt a subtle vibration under his neck, groaning as his dream faded away. It took a couple seconds for his foggy mind to register the sensation, but once clarity hit, his eyes snapped open. The pager beneath his pillow was the source of the disruption ¨C a silent alarm was triggered. Heart rate elevating, he instantly shifted from half-consciousness to alert readiness. He grabbed his sidearm from the nightstand and pocketed his vibrating pager, taking a swig from a water bottle before pushing off the covers. He grabbed his uniform from the chair and walked over to the closet, taking the tactical vest and rifle stashed within. With a pattern of knocks, the door opened a fraction, revealing Ron¡¯s silhouette. ¡°Tripped laser,¡± was all he offered. Henry nodded, securing his vest. ¡°Cams?¡± Ron shook his head, eyes darting momentarily toward the corridor. ¡°Footage showed zilch. Everyone¡¯s gathering ¨C conference room.¡± Henry yawned. ¡°Fuck, bro. What time is it?¡± ¡°Four in the morning,¡± Ron responded. With a heavy sigh, Henry mentally prepared himself. ¡°Alright. Let¡¯s go.¡± The two men left the room, navigating the mansion¡¯s dimly lit halls. Arriving at the conference room, they found the door slightly ajar, revealing a soft glow from within. Henry pushed it open, and the scene unfolded before him: Isaac was hunched over a portable tablet, tracing a path with his finger. Ryan stood next to him, pointing out specific spots on the screen, his brow furrowed in concentration. A cluster of Zulu-9 operators and Sonaran knights murmured amongst themselves, exchanging glances and sharing theories. More members continued to stream into the room, groggy-eyed but tense. ¡°Yen,¡± Henry began, nodding in acknowledgment as he stepped inside, ¡°Report.¡± Isaac looked up, holding out the tablet. ¡°The laser at the entrance was tripped. No staff over there.¡± Ron leaned in, eyes squinting at the screen. ¡°Camera feeds?¡± Ryan interjected before Isaac could answer, ¡°All up and running. But there¡¯s nothing out of the ordinary with them. We¡¯re reviewing the footage again to see if we missed something.¡± There was a pause ¨C a stifling silence hanging in the air. The weight was broken by an unexpected quip from one of the Zulu-9s, ¡°Maybe it¡¯s a ghost, looking for some late-night snacks?¡± A few chuckles resonated through the room. Henry smirked but remained focused. ¡°Keep the jokes for later,¡± he said, eyes still on the tablet. ¡°We need to¨C¡± Another alert sounded, this one more pronounced. Heads snapped toward the source. Ryan quickly tapped on the camera feed, magnifying the view of the grand hall. The doors to the grand hall were open, but there was no one present. ¡°Shit, do ghosts actually exist?¡± someone else asked. Henry¡¯s sharp eyes caught it first ¨C a barely discernible ripple in the air, reminiscent of heatwaves on asphalt. ¡°Wait,¡± he said, holding up a hand. He motioned to the screen. ¡°There. Replay that.¡± Ryan quickly rewound the feed, playing back the last few seconds. The doors creaked open slightly, followed by the same ripple almost imperceptibly moving inside. ¡°The fuck?¡± Isaac noticed the faint distortion. ¡°Legit ghosts? Active camo?¡± ¡°Switch to infrared,¡± Henry ordered, a gut feeling nudging him. Ryan raised an eyebrow. ¡°Infrared? You think it¡¯ll show up?¡± ¡°Just a hunch,¡± Henry said. With a tap, the screen¡¯s hue shifted. The grand hall was awash in blues and purples, with the occasional yellow of warmer objects. But next to the warm amber glow of the lantern, there was a distinct, cold silhouette. More silhouettes surrounded it, each varied in how well they blended with the background. Henry leaned in closer, his suspicion confirmed. ¡°Gotcha,¡± he murmured. Ryan blinked, surprise evident. ¡°I¡¯ll be damned.¡± The murmurs grew louder as the men in the room commented on the source of the intrusion. ¡°What the hell is that?¡± Before Henry could voice his thoughts, Kelmithus approached the screen. Catching sight of the evidence, his face tightened. ¡°That,¡± he began, voice low, ¡°is no mere phantasm. ¡®Tis the art of Nobian cloaking magic.¡± A murmur of unease swept through the room. Isaac and Ryan exchanged a glance, their usual composed demeanor slipping just a tad. Henry picked up on it and held up a hand, bringing the room to a hush. The projection of the distortions on the screen, now with an explanation attached, seemed even more menacing. Henry nodded at Kelmithus, silently urging him to continue. ¡°In the lands of the Nobian Empire, there reside beasts called lurkers. They bear a talent to bend the very fabric of light around their form, rendering themselves nigh invisible to our sight.¡± Henry recalled wildlife documentaries where animals like chameleons changed color to blend with their surroundings, but this seemed more advanced. ¡°Bending light?¡± he interjected. Kelmithus gave a solemn nod. ¡°Indeed. Much akin to how this device,¡± he gestured to the infrared display, ¡°reveals the warmth of beings, not unlike the manner of reptiles in this realm. ¡®Tis whispered amongst our scholars that the Nobians, through ages of observance and study, might have gleaned secrets from these lurkers. With time and art, they might have harnessed such knowledge, fashioning spells to grant them comparable concealment.¡± ¡°So they learned from those lurkers,¡± Ron said. Kelmithus replied, ¡°It is only what we surmise. Our knowledge of the Nobians is scant at best. They have long shielded their intents, often rebuffing our overtures for peace and kinship. Yet, tales have trickled down ¨C hints and whispers.¡± Henry crossed his arms. They had such little information to work with. ¡°How effective is their magic? Does it only bend the light?¡± Kelmithus shook his head. ¡°No, not merely so. It refracts it, disperses it. If wielded with mastery, it can render the caster near invisible, spanning diverse spectrums. Yet,¡± his finger gestured to the screen where the distortion ambled past the warm light, ¡°it appears some among the Nobians lack finesse in all domains.¡± Ryan smirked, ¡°So most of them are more familiar with making themselves invisible to the human eye, but a handful screwed up when it came to infrared.¡± ¡°In essence, aye,¡± Kelmithus affirmed. ¡°It appears this one erred in his art, neglecting to adjust when nearing the warm radiance. A fleeting misstep, but one that betrayed their presence.¡± Henry breathed a sigh of relief. ¡°At least we know Nobian magic is still fallible.¡± Kelmithus nodded slowly, his eyes narrowing. ¡°All forms of art have their frailties, even the sophisticated spells of the Nobians. Yet, we must remember that full reliance on your devices might lead to deception.¡± Isaac tilted his head. ¡°So you¡¯re suggesting we can¡¯t lean on our tech to spot these guys?¡± The archmage turned to face him. ¡°While your technologies are wonders in their own right, they might not always prevail against these arcane means. I would advise diversifying our approach.¡± ¡°What do you propose then?¡± Perry asked. ¡°Disrupting their illusions is of utmost importance,¡± Kelmithus explained. ¡°Our knights and mages have honed particular counters to dispel such magics. If timed right, these could momentarily fracture their cloak, rendering it ineffective or, at the very least, weaken it.¡± Ryan raised an eyebrow. ¡°That sounds like a plan. So, we¡¯ll work in tandem?¡± ¡°Aye,¡± the archmage confirmed, ¡°your eyes, our magic.¡± Henry rubbed his eyes, his mind running through the implications. ¡°Let me get this straight,¡± he started, ¡°You want to identify the intruders so you can cast your magic on them? How exactly will you disrupt their cloaking?¡± Kelmithus swept his hand through the air, invoking a shimmer of translucent waves. ¡°Consider their cloaking magic as a ceaseless endeavor to weave into the tapestry of their surroundings. Should they walk past a tree, they must meld with it. Should they walk through a crowd, they must meld with the many faces and fabrics that make up the crowd. Our counters are purposed to fray that delicate weave.¡± ¡°By flooding their sensory inputs,¡± Henry guessed. Kelmithus nodded thoughtfully. ¡°Precisely. We deluge them with potent, ever-shifting magical currents, creating a tumult their illusions struggle to mirror. Our casting shall be unpredictable, shifting faster than the Nobians can adapt.¡± Ryan frowned. ¡°But won¡¯t that tip ¡®em off? They don¡¯t know that we can see ¡®em. The moment they feel their cloak weakening, they¡¯ll realize we¡¯re onto ¡®em.¡± Henry tilted his head. Ryan was right, to an extent. ¡°It might, but they probably won¡¯t notice right away. We can bait them into wasting more of their energy and attention. We don¡¯t need to unveil them right away, we can just tire them out. By the time they realize, it¡¯ll be too late.¡± ¡°And once their guise falters, if even for a fleeting heartbeat, our knights shall spring forth. Their speed should make capture a trifling matter.¡± ¡°Might wanna knock ¡®em out ASAP,¡± Ron commented. ¡°We brought a few tasers along with us. Flashbangs too. We can toss them to give the knights an easier time.¡± Ryan nodded. ¡°Can¡¯t get answers out of a corpse.¡± Henry felt a shiver as he heard Ryan¡¯s words, as if he spoke from first-hand experience. Knowing that Ryan and Isaac were dispatched from Langley, it didn¡¯t surprise him, but it still sent a chill down his spine. This was a man truly not to be fucked with. Perry seemed to be impacted a bit more by Ryan¡¯s words. He held up his hands, ¡°Woah, woah, let¡¯s try not to end up with bodies here. Look, I get the stakes, and I know your team¡¯s priority is to ensure our safety. But if there¡¯s a chance, even a slim one, to detain one of these intruders peacefully¡­ it could make a world of difference in understanding their intentions. Our actions tonight could dictate the trajectory of our future interactions with the Nobians.¡± ¡°I certainly agree, Ambassador, but no promises,¡± Ryan said. As the words left his mouth, a new silent alarm popped up. Isaac glanced down at his screen and then looked up. ¡°Kitchen adjacent to the grand hall,¡± he announced, his tone tight. Henry¡¯s pulse spiked slightly. The intruders were getting deeper into the mansion; it wouldn¡¯t be long before they circled around and found the guest quarters upstairs. He gestured to Ron, Ryan, and Kelmithus. ¡°Owens, on point. Hayes, rear. Archmage, you¡¯re in the middle. Take two of your knights.¡± Kelmithus assessed his knights, deciding who to bring along. ¡°Hale, Wynt,¡± he nodded to two knights. ¡°Take up the flanks,¡± Henry said. The two knights, both adorned in full plate armor, stepped forth and took their positions. Ryan adjusted the sling of his rifle, hand grazing an equipment pouch, while Ron gave Henry a brief acknowledging tilt of his head. Satisfied with his squad, Henry turned back to Isaac. ¡°Lemme know if another point gets tripped.¡± After checking comms, Isaac nodded. ¡°Understood, Captain.¡± ¡°Set up a QRF with Weaver and pair them with some of the knights,¡± Henry continued. He still didn¡¯t know how many intruders were inside the mansion. Three squads, including his own, would have to manage. ¡°I want 5 others with Weaver. Have them bring the mansion staff over here for safety. Once they¡¯re back, have them prepped in case there are more alarms or if we need backup. Everyone else stays behind in the conference room to protect the Ambassador and his staff.¡± ¡°On it,¡± Isaac replied. Henry gave a curt nod. ¡°Good.¡± He turned to his squad, ¡°Let¡¯s get to the kitchen. Keep it tight and silent.¡± He felt confused by his own words, looking at the knights and their clinking armor. But as they left the conference room, he noticed that their movements emitted little sound. Magic, or training? He shelved the thought, focusing on the hallway ahead. Drawing the goggles over his eyes, the HUD immediately lit up, presenting a crystal-clear display. The shadows that previously veiled objects and corners were pushed back, the outlines of his teammates and surroundings highlighted in a subtle glow. Small blue icons floated above Ron and Ryan. ¡°Manual tagging,¡± Henry muttered as he tapped a button on the side of his goggles. A soft chime acknowledged his command. Focusing his gaze on the knights Hale and Wynt, he quickly spoke, ¡°Tag as friendly.¡± Two new icons settled above the knights, joining the others. He then swiftly glanced at Kelmithus, who was already marked with a distinct circular icon ¨C different from the blue diamonds over everyone else ¨C that hinted at his magical prowess. Ron, just up ahead of Henry, signaled the all-clear as they approached the doors to the grand hall. Henry¡¯s earpiece crackled to life, Isaac¡¯s voice coming through. ¡°Grand hall¡¯s showing clear on cams, no visible threats. Proceed with caution.¡± ¡°Copy, Yen. Going in.¡± With that assurance, he signaled Ron to take point with the knights. He glanced at Hale, then pointed it as his large shield. The knight nodded, lifting it high in preparation. They positioned themselves on the left side of the door while Ryan, Wynt, and Kelmithus positioned themselves on the right side of the door. After a tap on the shoulder, Hale moved forward. The two knights stepped into the grand hall and immediately veered to their respective sides to clear the corners, shields providing an effective barrier. Henry raised his rifle, swiftly moving behind Ron and Hale. Infrared lasers swept across the room as his squad cleared it. Scanning, he found nothing but polished furniture and dimly flickering lights. Looking through the thermal view on his goggles, he found no distortions at all. Having cleared the entrance to the grand hall, the knights adjusted their shields and pushed toward a side door that led into the kitchen. ¡°Stack up,¡± Henry murmured, indicating the kitchen¡¯s entrance. Repeating their breaching process, they swept the kitchen. The room was vast, the central magic stove casting an eerie glow. The immediate silence was disrupted only by the subtle clink of equipment and the subdued footfalls of the squad. Ron, after sweeping the left, signaled an ¡®all clear¡¯. Ryan, having done the same on the right, mirrored the gesture. Henry¡¯s gaze was drawn to the stove, curiosity piqued. But as he studied the strange device, a ripple caught his eye. The colors on his goggles seemed to shift hues ever so slightly before disappearing into the background. ¡°Kitchen¡¯s clear,¡± Ron whispered, but the tone of his voice held a question. It was the inflection Henry had come to recognize ¨C the one that meant, Do you see what I see? He merely nodded and adjusted the grip on his gun. A thought flashed across his mind. If the cloaking relied on manipulating light, could a focused beam disrupt it further? Without making it too obvious, he adjusted his rifle¡¯s angle, letting the laser on it sweep past the stove, almost as if he were scanning the general surroundings. The reaction was near-instantaneous. Where the laser touched, the air quivered and revealed a faint thermal distortion. For a split second, the Nobian intruder¡¯s outline sharpened, the laser¡¯s concentrated beam throwing the cloaking magic off balance. It was as if the laser¡¯s intense, singular beam was too precise and concentrated for the magic to refract seamlessly. Henry kept his face impassive, hiding his realization. Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators! Instead, he turned to Ron, using his eyes to indicate the position of the hidden figure. He then turned, his back facing the stove, and pointed at a bag of flour then subtly thumbed over his shoulder. Ron caught his eye movement and followed the subtle direction, giving a minute nod in response. Henry motioned for Ryan to move around to the far pantry, marking a point on his visor. Ryan nodded, hand brushing his equipment pouch as he moved discreetly, acting as if he were inspecting the surroundings. As he walked to the designated point, Henry turned to the Sonarans. He pointed to them, then to himself: follow me. Taking cover behind a shelf out of the Nobian¡¯s line of sight, he used swift gestures to demonstrate the necessary precautions to take against a flashbang. He pointed to his mouth, opening it slightly, then gestured for the Sonarans to do the same. The Sonarans watched, concentrating as they tried to grasp the significance of these unfamiliar gestures. Thankfully, Kelmithus was quick to catch on, imitating Henry¡¯s movements. Looking at the knights, Henry pointed to Kelmithus and himself. The knights realized his message, nodding and following suit. He gave them a thumbs up and a nod, internally relieved. He then signaled for them to stay put and keep low, holding a closed fist in the air. A subtle click resonated from the far pantry ¨C the sound of a safety pin being pulled. It was followed by the faint sound of metal skidding across the floor, and then a deafening pop that filled the kitchen. ¡°AGGH!¡± the intruder screamed, groaning in pain. ¡°Go! Go!¡± Henry dropped his fist, reaching for a taser. As he turned the corner past the shelf, he saw Ron tossing a bag of flour over a clearer distortion that was visibly fumbling over the countertops. The fine white particles settled in the air and clung to the hidden Nobian, revealing a humanoid silhouette. Henry lunged forward, taser in hand. The electrified prongs found their mark on the man, sending jolts through his form. The intruder convulsed for a brief second, his magical cloak flickering off, before collapsing to the ground. Almost immediately, Hale and Wynt sprinted forward. They threw themselves onto the Nobian intruder, pinning him firmly. Kelmithus then manipulated the stone floor, shifting it to wrap around the intruder¡¯s limbs. Ron and Ryan stepped forward, guns pointed at the man on the floor. ¡°Shit,¡± Ron remarked, ¡°can¡¯t believe that actually did the trick.¡± Ryan moved swiftly, kneeling beside the unconscious Nobian and beginning a careful but efficient search of the man¡¯s person. ¡°Wish I had this shit in Tehran,¡± Ryan muttered. Henry knelt down to help him out. His fingers brushed against the cold metal of a blade, hidden seamlessly within the folds of the operative¡¯s clothing. Extracting it and setting it aside, Henry¡¯s brow furrowed at the unfamiliar alloy it was composed of and the intricate symbols engraved on its hilt. Ryan, observing the blade, commented with a half-whistle, ¡°That¡¯s no souvenir shop find.¡± Henry nodded, looking up to Kelmithus. ¡°Anything we should be worried about here?¡± The archmage picked up the blade and inspected the symbols. ¡°The blade bears enchantments to enhance its durability. Moreover, it can serve as a conduit for weaving spells. Yet, fear not, it holds no snares or timed spells, if such are your concerns.¡± Henry¡¯s attention turned to Ryan¡¯s voice. ¡°Mana crystal,¡± he said, giving the object to Kelmithus for study. ¡°A crystal of lesser quality, nearing depletion,¡± he commented. ¡°The fractures indicate a hasty rate of mana consumption.¡± As Ryan pulled another set of blades hidden in the Nobian¡¯s boots, Henry felt the contours of a pendant around the man¡¯s neck. Removing it, he handed it to Kelmithus. ¡°An artifact?¡± ¡°Indeed. Within, it houses a crystal of greater refinement, albeit this too is spent. I surmise its use was to bolster the art of concealment, but further study is required for a fuller understanding.¡± Next, Henry produced a sealed vial, its contents a shimmering blue liquid. ¡°A basic mana potion,¡± Wynt offered. Henry nodded, pocketing it. Dr. Lamarr and Dr. Perdue would certainly love to take a look at the substance. He finally reached the last of the man¡¯s pockets, retrieving a small, tightly rolled scroll and a quill. At a glance, it looked like any other piece of parchment, but given the context, it could be something more significant. Ron leaned in, ¡°Orders?¡± ¡°Could be,¡± Henry murmured, unfurling the scroll. It revealed writing, but none that Henry could understand. He turned to Kelmithus, offering him the scroll. ¡°Does the translation magic not work for writing?¡± He took the scroll, analyzing its contents. ¡°Aye, it does. The Circle of Understanding works for both spoken word and scripture. The ones that I and my mages applied covered only the Sonaran tongue and Eanish common. However, I can bestow upon you knowledge of other languages I am versed in.¡± ¡°Yeah, please do,¡± Henry said. ¡°Very well.¡± The archmage summoned a handful of magic circles under Henry, Ron, and Ryan. Electricity once more crawled along Henry¡¯s skin. As the circles faded, Kelmithus returned the scroll to Henry. This time, the words seemed to click in his mind, rearranging to English. He read the contents of the scroll aloud, ¡°¡®Unknown faction, large metal carriages stationed near entrance, likely same ones encountered during our ambush.¡¯¡± Henry paused, looking up, then doing a double take on that line. It didn¡¯t change; it was definitive proof that the Nobians had something to do with the ambush. ¡°The fuck?¡± Ryan took the words right out of his mouth. ¡°So these are the fuckers behind that¡­¡± Kelmithus shrugged, a gesture he had learned from the Americans. ¡°It would seem my suspicions held true.¡± He glanced at Henry. ¡°Please, continue.¡± ¡°¡®No riders atop. Emit strange humming sound. Unknown purpose, likely some sort of siege mechanism. ¡°Strange warriors, not of Sonaran or known lands. Dark and sleek armor, unlike metal or leather. Movements suggest elite training. Faces shielded with glass that glows faintly. Wield not swords, but elongated instruments. Likely same tools identified during the ambush that shot thunder without incantation. Not crossbow. Something more potent. ¡°Frequently converse with Sonaran archmage of high standing. Possible alliance? The archmage wears regalia ¨C likely identified as Kelmithus of house Helis. Accompanied by two Sonaran knights. Possible threat to the Empire. ¡°Strange boxes and panes affixed to their armor. One of the panes can emit light, like a scrying mirror.¡¯ And it looks like he drew some sketches of what he saw.¡± ¡°Damn,¡± Ron muttered after Henry finished, ¡°Sounds like we made quite the impression.¡± Henry nodded, considering the implications of the scroll. They had just been given a glimpse into how alien their presence must seem in this world. And this agent had taken note of everything. ¡°It¡¯s more intel for them on us than vice versa,¡± Ryan said. ¡°We should get back to base.¡± Henry concurred with a silent nod, stowing the scroll away. As he did so, a crackle in his earpiece broke the momentary silence. Isaac¡¯s voice came through. ¡°Sitrep?¡± Henry replied, ¡°One hostile detained. Searching for intel. What¡¯s your position?¡± ¡°Another alarm, staff quarters. They¡¯re on the move. Count two tango oscar mike en route to quarters.¡± ¡°Copy.¡± Henry¡¯s mind raced ¨C this complicated their situation. ¡°Status on Weaver?¡± Isaac answered Henry¡¯s concern, ¡°They brought back the mansion staff. Safe and sound here. The quarters are a ghost town now.¡± ¡°Solid copy.¡± Henry¡¯s response was crisp, but his mind was already turning over the logistics of an evacuation. ¡°We need to consider pulling back to Armstrong. The mansion is compromised.¡± Isaac responded, ¡°Understood. I¡¯ll brief Perry. Are we calling it?¡± ¡°Yeah, notify Armstrong. Secure the Ambassador, start prep for evac. I¡¯m heading to the staff quarters first, but have transport on standby.¡± ¡°Roger that.¡± Henry turned to Kelmithus. ¡°The Nobian ¨C can you keep him under?¡± The archmage gave a nod. With a few whispered incantations, he hovered his hands over the still figure¡¯s face, palms glowing as he cast his spell. ¡°He shall remain in slumber for another three hours.¡± ¡°Hayes, Wynt, secure the Nobian in the conference room. Once you¡¯re done, meet us at the entrance to the staff quarters.¡± The two men nodded, grabbing the intruder by the arms as they began to drag him out of the kitchen. ¡°Owens, Hale ¨C on me. Archmage, stay in the middle. We¡¯re heading to the staff quarters.¡± Ron and Hale fell into step beside him. They left the kitchen, moving slightly ahead of Ryan and Wynt. They transitioned from the grand hall to the mansion¡¯s entrance, carefully navigating up the stairs to the left until they found themselves at the entrance to the staff quarters. ¡°Weaver¡¯s status?¡± Henry asked. ¡°En route,¡± Isaac responded. ¡°Should be coming from the guest quarters in a few seconds.¡± ¡°Copy.¡± Henry¡¯s hand went up, and they paused outside the entrance. The doors were opened ¨C the Nobians didn¡¯t even bother to close them; they knew they were exposed and had little time to escape. But if escape were so important, why detour to the bedrooms? They had to be searching for more intel. He could only hope that Rolan¡¯s staff didn¡¯t leave behind any significant information on the delegation. The seconds ticked by quickly, Weaver¡¯s squad approaching with the soft shuffle of equipment. ¡°Hallway¡¯s clear,¡± Henry announced. ¡°Let¡¯s sweep.¡± The knights in Weaver¡¯s squad joined Hale in the vanguard, moving forward with their shields raised. Henry¡¯s eyes swept the hallway ¨C a narrow artery of stone and shadows ¨C as Weaver¡¯s squad fell in behind Hale and advanced. As they approached the first bedroom door, he caught the eye of a knight from Weaver¡¯s squad and jerked his head toward the hallway. Without a word, the knight and two others peeled off, guarding the others while they stacked up on either side of the bedroom door. ¡°On my go,¡± Henry whispered. The knights acknowledged. One to the left, another to the right, they braced. Henry counted down with his fingers. Three¡­ two¡­ one¡­ and the knights breached. The door, barely resisting, swung open to reveal the dim interior of the staff bedroom. The team flowed in behind the shields, swiftly checking the corners of the room. Kelmithus moved in, shifting mana in the room randomly as he raised and lowered the temperature. A dresser drawer was ajar, its contents spilled like an afterthought. He swept his gun¡¯s laser over the room ¨C no thermal distortions. Henry¡¯s hand went to the open window, the night breeze cooling the room. He leaned out to check; no activity in the courtyard. ¡°Clear,¡± Ron¡¯s voice was low but certain. No intruders, just the whisper of what was left behind ¨C or the aftermath of the hasty evacuation led by Weaver. Henry stepped back, his glance meeting Weaver¡¯s. ¡°Next room.¡± They withdrew as one, the knights backing out last, shields still guarding the space they vacated. The men in the hallway held their positions, shifting forward as Henry¡¯s team stacked by the second door. They repeated the clearing procedure ¨C entry, sweep, cast, clear. He saw nothing but the residue of hurried departure. Then, as they regrouped, a sound ¨C a soft creak of wood ¨C echoed down the hall. They turned as one, just in time to see a door swing open. A subtle distortion entered the room, fainter than the cloak of the Nobian captured in the kitchen. An operative¡¯s voice cut through the earpiece, ¡°Contact!¡± Henry¡¯s hand shot up, a silent command halting any forward motion. The operative¡¯s report of movement hung in the air, a taunt that tempted a rash response. But Henry¡¯s mind worked the angles, his focus narrowing. He knew better than to chase shadows ¨C not until every corner had been checked, every potential threat accounted for. ¡°Maintain position,¡± he ordered. ¡°Confirm all rooms are secure. We¡¯re not splitting up or getting drawn out.¡± Room by room, they swept through the remaining spaces, each clearing yielding nothing but the echo of absence. Hayes and Wynt returned, helping secure the last rooms. With the hallway now under their control, Henry gathered his original squad. ¡°You¡¯re with me. If this is a feint, we don¡¯t bite hard.¡± He continued, turning to face Weaver¡¯s squad, ¡°Weaver, hold here. Secure the area and keep comms clear. Anything moves, let us know ASAP.¡± Henry¡¯s squad formed up, Hale and Wynt with shields up front. The narrow corridor stretched out before them, magical light casting shadows on the carpet. They crept forward, Henry¡¯s eyes scanning the surroundings for any sign of thermal distortion. A sudden scuff from the open window to his left drew his attention, but there was nothing outside ¨C a simple trick of the acoustics, or perhaps a deliberate distraction. They moved on. They reached the door, the threshold where the distortion had last been seen. The room was dark ¨C not a major concern for his goggles, but he could only imagine how the knights must¡¯ve felt pushing into a pitch-black death trap like this. Once more, they stacked up against the door and cleared the room. The room was as empty and messy as the others ¨C items from drawers and closets strewn about and an opened window. ¡°Clear,¡± Henry announced, finding no distortions. The quiet was deceptive. All this build-up ¨C would it be for nothing? He walked up to the open window and looked out again. His eyes scanned the grounds beyond, searching for any disturbance in the landscape. ¡°There, garden beside the entrance, about 100 meters out,¡± his voice was barely audible as he gestured towards a line of shrubbery that swayed unnaturally as if someone brushed past it. ¡°Looks like they¡¯re retreating.¡± Wynt¡¯s armor clanked subtly to his left as he approached the window. ¡°Shall we pursue, Captain?¡± Henry simulated the scenarios. Pursuing now could lead them into a trap, or worse, away from the heart of the matter back inside the mansion. There was no good reason to pursue, and he doubted they could find the cloaked intruders easily in the dark expanse of the early morning. ¡°We circle back,¡± he decided. ¡°Cordon and secure. Regroup and prep for immediate exfil.¡± They withdrew from the window, retracing their steps. The team reversed out of the staff quarters, making their way back to the conference room without incident. Henry¡¯s mind was already turning over the necessary steps for evacuation as they entered the conference room. Inside, the captive from the kitchen lay bound and still unconscious on the floor. A few operatives worked on clearing out the myriad of electronics as Dr. Anderson stowed a group of scrolls and books into his bag ¨C texts on Nobian society. Isaac waved as Henry¡¯s team entered. ¡°Captain, Armstrong confirms our evac ¨C ETA on escort, 5 mikes.¡± ¡°Roger that. Owens, prep our exfil. I want the MRAPs warm and ready ASAP,¡± Henry ordered. While Ron and a few other drivers darted away, Henry turned to Ryan, ¡°Hayes, take point on the prisoner transfer.¡± Acknowledging the order, Hayes maneuvered towards the inert form of the Nobian, calling over Wynt to help drag the man out. As they did so, Rolan walked up to Henry, presenting a deep bow. ¡°Pray, forgive us for failing to prevent this incursion. I have notified the knight garrison of your evacuation via aethergraph. They shall assist your convoy to the city limits. If there is anything else you require of us, do not hesitate to say the word.¡± Henry half-expected the man to initiate a cliched apologetic ramble in an attempt to save the face of Duke Vancor. Instead, the butler¡¯s response was direct, efficient, and above all, without bullshit. Henry appreciated that. ¡°Good work. For now, help us pack our stuff.¡± ¡°At once, Captain.¡± Wrapping up the evacuation procedures, a thought struck his mind. He frowned out of concern, approaching Perry. ¡°Ambassador, did you manage to reschedule the talks?¡± Perry nodded ¨C a sight that granted Henry a sliver of relief. ¡°Yeah,¡± he answered, ¡°Talks are deferred to next week. I¡¯m hoping to relocate talks to Armstrong or Groom Lake as well.¡± ¡°And the Duke?¡± Henry probed further, tone anticipatory. If Duke Vancor agreed to relocate to Armstrong or Groom Lake, security would be a whole lot easier. ¡°Kelmithus will keep our dialogue with Rolan ¨C and through him, the Duke ¨C ongoing via aethergraph.¡± Perry gestured toward the Archmage, who stood conversing with his knights. ¡°We¡¯ll know in a few hours at the earliest ¨C or whenever the Duke wakes up.¡± Henry looked to the side, glancing at Kelmithus and his knights. ¡°A week, huh? Will the delays impact our current agreements?¡± Perry followed Henry¡¯s gaze. ¡°No. The Archmage and his men will continue to work with us, so we¡¯ll be able to continue gathering data and maintain their magical and tactical expertise ¨C one less thing to worry about, given the Nobians¡¯ newfound interest in our affairs.¡± That was a relief. The Nobians already gave them enough trouble snooping around for intel. ¡°Good. Unexpected lessons in Nobian tactics should be a one-and-done. Everything¡¯s green on your end for exfil?¡± Perry double-checked his bags, ensuring all his diplomatic paperwork was secured. ¡°Yes, all set here. Just making sure nothing¡­ sensitive gets left behind.¡± Henry shifted his focus, conducting a thorough final sweep of the room and his quarters. His eyes scanned methodically, searching for any misplaced equipment. The SOP was clear ¨C leave no trace ¨C and he intended to follow it to the letter. He grabbed the toothbrush and other toiletries from the restroom, stowing them in a bag. Not the most sensitive, but he understood Perry¡¯s and Anderson¡¯s concerns about cultural contamination. ¡°Zulu-9, status report,¡± he called into his radio. ¡°Area sanitized, sir. All personal effects accounted for and gear recovered,¡± one of his men answered. ¡°Copy that. Confirm with team leads, we¡¯re leaving now,¡± Henry responded. He glanced around once more before approaching the stairway overlooking the main entrance. Perry was already there, leaning over the rails. The delegation¡¯s personnel streamed out the front door, maids and butlers helping carry some of the bags. ¡°A shame we couldn¡¯t get to stay,¡± Perry sighed. Henry could imagine the man¡¯s disappointment ¨C historic first contact, stunted by the wanton aggression of an unknown party. ¡°A shame indeed,¡± Henry agreed. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± They descended the staircase, noticing Rolan waiting for them at the bottom. The distinguished attendant stepped forward as they reached the last step. ¡°Ambassador, Captain, it has been both duty and honor to attend to your needs within these walls,¡± he said. ¡°I hope that our endeavors have risen to meet the unforeseen nature of your stay here.¡± Perry extended his hand, a mutual respect reflected in his firm handshake. ¡°You¡¯ve gone above and beyond, Rolan. We won¡¯t forget the hospitality we¡¯ve been shown, nor the cooperation.¡± Rolan nodded, his face as unreadable as ever. Henry couldn¡¯t say for certain, but he could sense the man¡¯s relief. For all he knew, he could¡¯ve been legally executed in this country for such an oversight. ¡°The roads may be fraught with the perils of not only beasts but also with the whims of those who may seek to waylay your convoy. May your passage to your base be swift and blessed by the light of Sola.¡± With a final nod, Henry and Perry joined the delegation¡¯s controlled exodus, exiting the mansion. Outside, the morning light began to paint the world in hues of gold and amber, not unlike the sunrises of Earth. The knights of the local garrison, now serving as the advance guard, had already begun clearing a path. Henry stepped out onto the mansion¡¯s porch, squinting slightly as his eyes adjusted. He saw the knights in formation, their glinting armor a stark contrast to the gear of his own men. ¡°Weaver, confirm our lead with the garrison. I want eyes on for advance sweep,¡± he ordered, watching as Weaver nodded and relayed instructions. Perry joined him, the straps of his bag gripped tightly in his hand. ¡°Think the Nobians are still in the city?¡± he asked. Henry opened the door to his MRAP, taking a seat beside Ron. ¡°Doubt it, but I can¡¯t say for sure.¡± ¡°Man, I just hope we don¡¯t get off on the wrong foot,¡± Perry rubbed his face as he sulked back in his seat. Ron rolled the car forward, leading the rest of the convoy out of the mansion¡¯s driveway. ¡°Might be too late for that,¡± he said. Though Henry shared Perry¡¯s optimism, he knew that Ron¡¯s answer was the most probable. If the Nobians were interested in discourse, they wouldn¡¯t have infiltrated the mansion ¨C no cultural excuse could possibly cover for this, and even Dr. Anderson agreed. As the walls of the city faded behind them, he picked up his radio. ¡°Armstrong, this is Pioneer lead. We have exited Eldralore. We are oscar mike, over.¡± Chapter 5: Alpha Team Groom Lake, Nevada Area 51 November 17, 2024 As dawn cast a pale light over the Nevada desert, Henry¡¯s morning routine was abruptly interrupted. The familiar buzz from his communicator cut his breakfast short ¨C his briefing was in 5 minutes. He tapped the device clipped to his belt, acknowledging the summons as he finished up the remnants of his French toast. He strode toward the situation room, taking in the changes that had taken place over the past week. Where once there had been the quiet hum of scientific exploration and data collection, there was now the rumble of construction and transportation. The pathway leading to the shimmering portal, previously traveled by scientists and a trickle of military personnel, had expanded into distinct incoming and outgoing lanes complemented by traffic lights. To the side of the hangar, massive construction vehicles queued, awaiting their turn to pass through the gateway. A paving machine, its form a silhouette against the portal¡¯s glow, inched forward until it was swallowed by the iridescent threshold. One by one, they disappeared into the portal, each carrying their part of the American initiative to Gaerra. A team of technicians surrounded the incoming lane, clearing it out and sounding a buzzer to mark the lane¡¯s temporary transition to a second outgoing lane. Henry caught sight of a pair of Apaches approaching the lane. Secured on large flatbeds, the helicopters would soon find their new home at Armstrong Base. As Henry picked his way between the stacks of cargo and clusters of personnel, Ron caught up to him with a less-than-enthusiastic shuffle. ¡°Morning wake-up calls just keep getting earlier. What¡¯s the bet this is another ¡®strategic urgency¡¯ spiel?¡± he yawned, the dim hangar lighting casting a tired shadow over his face. Henry offered a wry smile. He knew exactly what could get the man excited, pause. ¡°Well, if they¡¯re pushing us to gear up for Gaerra, I¡¯m all for sacrificing sleep. Beats staring at the sagebrush art around here,¡± he quipped. Ron snorted, his stride upright with new life. ¡°Shiiit, I¡¯d trade in my figurines to get back there. Beats the hell outta this metal maze.¡± They approached a staircase beside the gateway, walking up to the control room. ¡°Bruh, you just want a front-row seat to see if Kelmithus was speaking facts about elves,¡± Henry teased, elbowing Ron lightly. Ron flashed a conspiratorial grin, ¡°Hey, a little recon on local¡­ wildlife never hurt. Nah but for real though, you think we¡¯re rolling out soon?¡± Henry paused at the top of the stairway and considered the flurry of activity around them. ¡°Hard to say, but with all this,¡± he gestured at the preparations around them, ¡°plus the talks coming up, I¡¯d say we¡¯re not just here to play war games.¡± He continued walking, boots thudding against the metal grating as he and Ron approached the control room. Inside the glass-paneled room, Director Lombard and Dr. Lamarr were engrossed in their work. Snippets of their conversation about the Gaerran gateway and something about an analysis of Kelmithus¡¯ magic flowed out of the open doorway. They must¡¯ve enjoyed Kelmithus¡¯ lectures on magic far more than he did. They moved past the control room, stepping into the quieter corridor that led to the situation room. Reaching the door, Henry pushed it open and stepped inside, ready to pivot from the ¡®what-ifs¡¯ to the ¡®what-nows¡¯. Scanning the room, Henry saw familiar faces: Hayes having a conversation with Ambassador Perry, Yen on his laptop, and Dr. Anderson on a tablet reading a PDF scan of a book from the guest mansion¡¯s library. They all looked up at Henry¡¯s and Ron¡¯s entrance, sending acknowledging nods their way. As Henry took a seat with Ron, he glanced at Ambassador Perry, then back to the others. Another diplomatic security mission? Henry¡¯s gaze drifted momentarily to the window, watching as the technicians restored the incoming lane. He turned his attention back to the room just as the door swung open again, revealing General Harding. The chatter subsided instantly, Henry and the other operatives saluting him. ¡°At ease,¡± Harding said, holding up a hand. As everyone returned to their seats, he began, ¡°Today, we¡¯re adapting to a new operational landscape. The events at Eldralore have expedited the need for a specialized unit. This will be a first for us ¨C a hybrid team with a very specific mandate.¡± Henry leaned forward, elbows on the table and fingers interlaced. It looked like this might be something more exciting than just a diplomatic security mission. ¡°Captain Donnager, Lieutenant Owens, Mister Hayes, Mister Yen, and Doctor Anderson. You¡¯ve been selected based on your service records, your skills, and your recent experiences on Gaerra. You will comprise a new unit, designated as Alpha Team.¡± Harding then turned to face Henry. ¡°Captain Donnager, you¡¯ll command Alpha Team. Your actions in Eldralore showed initiative and adaptability ¨C traits we need for what lies ahead.¡± Henry accepted the appointment with a nod. ¡°Alpha Team will be embedded into local societies, operating with self-sufficiency and within a few hundred miles of Armstrong Base. Your diverse skill sets should cover everything you may need, with Doctor Anderson additionally overseeing interpretation and relations.¡± Harding took a moment to survey the room, ensuring he had everyone¡¯s attention before he delved deeper into their mission parameters. ¡°Alpha Team¡¯s primary objective is intelligence ¨C hard intel on Gaerra¡¯s political factions, military capabilities, the capabilities of magic and local fauna, and any other players on the board. Establishing relations will be just as crucial. The more rapport you can build, the more we can know about ¨C and the better we can defend against ¨C possible threats.¡± He paused. ¡°Your secondary objective is to safeguard U.S. interests in the region. Armstrong Base is our foothold in Gaerra, and we need to be ready to act against any threats that may arise. To that end, your immediate assignment is to integrate yourselves within the fabric of Eldralore.¡± He clasped his hands behind his back, continuing, ¡°Alpha Team will head to the Adventurer¡¯s Guild there. You¡¯re to register as adventurers. This guise will provide you with the necessary cover to operate freely and gather intelligence on the ground. This approach is unconventional, but it will grant you access to resources, information, and contacts that would otherwise be out of reach. The quests will give you a means of obtaining funds to sustain yourselves, as well as materials and artifacts that you will be sending back to Armstrong for analysis.¡± Henry glanced at Ron. Here it was, the ¡®adventure¡¯ Ron always spoke of, and the man was damn near unable to contain his glee. Even Isaac seemed to be excited. Honestly, he was actually looking forward to seeing what Ron was so excited about. His eyes moved back to the General as he continued. ¡°It is imperative that you blend in, learn the lay of the land, and establish a network within the Adventurer community. According to Sir ad Helis, the various Guilds are all international entities ¨C all with vast information networks. How you navigate these initial steps will set the stage for all our subsequent operations.¡± Perry stood up then. He distributed a packet to each member ¨C mission dossiers ¨C filled with the current intel and preliminary assessments. Harding gave a nod of approval. ¡°Those packets have also been uploaded to your tablets and contain everything we know so far ¨C and highlight what we need to find out. Study them. Know them. They will be the foundation of your strategy.¡± Henry flipped open his dossier, his eyes quickly scanning the contents. The maps were expanded from a basic view of the base¡¯s immediate surroundings to a complex analysis encompassing the entirety of the Grenden Plains. Shaded areas denoted territorial claims while stars marked settlements within a hundred miles of the base. Sketches and scanned paintings of various fauna stared back at him, accompanied by detailed profiles authored by Kelmithus and other Sonaran liaisons. As he absorbed the information, Harding continued, ¡°The prisoner¡¯s cooperation has been¡­ enlightening, though not without its challenges. Corroborating his intel is difficult given our limited presence on Gaerra, but we¡¯ve verified enough to act upon thanks to our enhanced interrogation of the captured bandits and details from the Sonarans." Henry¡¯s focus sharpened as Harding laid out the verifiable basics. ¡°The Nobian Empire is on high alert. They¡¯re probing into our sudden appearance on the Grenden Plains and our intentions. Their first contact was aggressive ¨C it¡¯s a clear indication that they¡¯re not just curious. They may perceive any alliance we form as a direct challenge to their dominance in the region.¡± Henry leaned back, taking a breath. He recalled the prejudicial view that the Sonarans in Eldralore had on the supposedly war-mongering and devious Nobian Empire. Perhaps they weren¡¯t prejudiced at all. Harding turned, giving the floor to Ambassador Perry. ¡°The prisoner¡¯s insights give us a unique diplomatic advantage. We must be cautious, strategic, when it comes to who we talk to and how we affect the local societies. Ideally, we refrain from letting the Nobians think we¡¯re upsetting the geopolitical status quo. It¡¯s inevitable you will run into Nobians ¨C scouts, merchants, or plain travelers. Our interactions with them will set the tone for future engagements. It¡¯s imperative we do not close any doors ¨C diplomatic channels must remain open, even if they seem unresponsive to our overtures.¡± Perry¡¯s eyes met Henry¡¯s. ¡°Alpha Team will be our eyes and ears on the ground. How you engage with the Nobians, should the need arise, will either build bridges or burn them. After the ambush and the incident in Eldralore, it may seem like the bridge has already been burned, but there remains the possibility that those actions were not sanctioned by the official Nobian government. Until we can find out more, remember that your actions not only reflect our military might but the diplomatic intentions of the United States.¡± As Ambassador Perry concluded his guidance, General Harding stood once more. ¡°No questions?¡± Upon seeing the shaking of heads, he continued, ¡°Excellent. You¡¯ve got your orders. Gear up, study your dossiers, and be ready to move out within the hour. Dismissed.¡± Henry and the rest of Alpha Team made their way to the exit. As the situation room door closed with a soft click, Harding¡¯s sigh barely filled the silence. ¡°Less than an hour ¡®til Duke Vancor¡¯s supposed to arrive,¡± he mused. Perry didn¡¯t look up as he stacked his briefing materials. ¡°Nervous?¡± he asked, the question coming off as more of an observation than an inquiry. Harding shrugged. ¡°Lord knows. I always wondered how it would be if the Manifest Project ever succeeded.¡± ¡°And here we are,¡± Perry said, finishing Harding¡¯s thoughts. Harding waited for Perry at the door as he finished gathering papers into a binder. ¡°Yup. Feels different, now that we¡¯re actually here.¡± Stepping out of the situation room, they began walking down the stairs toward the gateway. ¡°There¡¯s a certain clarity in moments like these,¡± Perry offered. ¡°The future is ours to shape. It¡¯s a heavy mantle, but we carry it well.¡± ¡°Clarity, sure,¡± Harding grunted. ¡°But it¡¯s the unpredictable elements that keep me alert.¡± They walked alongside trundling vehicles on a smaller path within the outgoing lane reserved exclusively for foot traffic. Stepping through into Armstrong Base, they were greeted by the lush greenery of the Grenden Plains and a pleasant early sunrise. Feeling the cool, crisp breeze, they paused to admire the scene. Perry¡¯s voice broke the brief reverie. ¡°And that¡¯s precisely what we need, General. Director Lombard, myself, and many others ¨C we¡¯ve all got a childlike optimism for this. You¡¯re our anchor.¡± General Harding watched the landscape of Armstrong Base. It thrummed with the bustle of machinery, straddling the line between old certainties and new horizons. New structures had sprung up over the past week ¨C barracks, warehouses, garages, hangars, and the foundations for heavier infrastructure like radar. HESCO blocks and concrete T-walls created a perimeter around the base. To the right of the gateway, the skeleton of a future runway stretched out like the promise of tomorrow. He wondered how Duke Vancor would react to all this, then shook off the thought; that was Ambassador Perry¡¯s job. ¡°I suppose so, Ambassador. I suppose so.¡± He checked his watch. ¡°We should move to the rendezvous point. The Sonaran delegation will be here in less than fifteen minutes.¡± Ambassador Perry stretched his arm out. ¡°After you, General.¡± They made their way toward the gateway¡¯s security checkpoint. Harding looked around the area, noting the positions of his men. They didn¡¯t have a red carpet, but they were certainly ready to receive the Sonarans. As they approached, he gave a subtle nod to a technician near the gateway. ¡°Commence Gateway Hold,¡± the technician broadcasted. ¡°Secure all ingress and egress at the gateway.¡± ¡°Roger, Gateway Hold is in effect,¡± confirmed a watch officer from the nearby control booth. The familiar hustle around the portal ceased with immediate effect, traffic being redirected to make way for the delegation. Harding tracked the road that snaked towards Armstrong Base. The morning air was clear, save for the distant dust cloud stirred up by the approaching Sonaran delegation. Next to him, Ambassador Perry adjusted his binder, eyes lifting occasionally to the horizon. They both watched as the Sonaran procession appeared over the rise, the dradaks and carriages emerging into view and escorted by a subtle vanguard of UGVs. The beat of hooves and the rumble of engines grew steadily louder, the American escorts maintaining a respectful distance. The procession approached, the dradak¡¯s reptilian neighs adding a unique undertone to the morning calm. As the delegates reached the staging area, the UGVs peeled off, their task complete. The Sonaran convoy halted in front of them, guards and diplomatic staff dismounting from carriages while dradak-mounted and horse-mounted knights stood watch. Duke Vancor descended from his carriage, the morning light catching on the polished silvery metal of his breastplate. He swept aside his cloak, revealing intricate, flowery filigrees decorating his armor. The Duke¡¯s gaze swept the area ¨C a calculated, lingering survey that took in the armed guards, the nascent alien structures of Armstrong Base, and the mysterious mechanical constructs that hammered the earth in the background. Perry approached him. ¡°Your Grace, Duke Vancor ad Styne, I am Ambassador John Perry, representing the United States of America,¡± he said, extending his hand. ¡°We are honored by your historic visit and look forward to embarking on this journey of mutual understanding together.¡± Duke Vancor studied the ambassador for a moment, eyes darting from his suit¡¯s lapels to the blue tie and the American flag pin before finally meeting his eyes. He shook his hand, responding with a slight, acknowledging smile. ¡°Ambassador Perry, I extend to you the greetings of Sonara. Your amicable welcome is received in the spirit it is given. I am eager to partake in dialogue that shall illuminate the path for both our civilizations.¡± General Harding then stepped forward. ¡°And I am General Alexander Harding, the commanding officer of this installation. My role here is to ensure the security of these talks and to address any military concerns that may arise during our discussions.¡± The Duke¡¯s response was equally direct, a nod to the simplicity of military candor. ¡°General,¡± he said, shaking his hand, ¡°your charge is well received and respected. The sanctity and security of these proceedings are of equal import to us. We, too, wish for a discourse that will proceed unhindered and yield fortuitous outcomes for all.¡± Following the initial introductions, Perry gestured towards the looming portal. ¡°Your Grace, if you would accompany us, we have prepared a place for more comfortable discussions at our facility.¡± Duke Vancor, casting a final glance back at his retinue, signaled his readiness. ¡°Lead on, Ambassador.¡± As they drew nearer, the subtle buzz of the portal¡¯s energy filled the air. Perry, walking beside the Duke, offered a courteous smile. ¡°I must express our gratitude for the hospitality your steward Rolan extended at the guest mansion. It¡¯s a rare comfort to find such welcoming grace in foreign lands.¡± ¡°A courtesy due to esteemed guests,¡± Vancor replied, subtly lowering his head. ¡°I only regret that the peace of your stay was marred by those Nobian curs. Measures have been taken to fortify our hospitality against further intrusion.¡± They stood before the portal, its surface a swirling dance of light and shadow. Duke Vancor hesitated, eyeing the phenomenon. Perry offered a reassuring smile. ¡°It¡¯s quite the experience, Your Grace. You may feel a slight frosty chill and a bit of nausea as we pass through, but it¡¯s a brief sensation.¡± Harding could sense the man¡¯s resolve as he faced the unknown. If he felt trepidation, he hid it well. The Duke drew a breath, steeling himself. ¡°A chill, you say? A small discomfort for the promise of progress,¡± he said and stepped forward, his posture resolute as he disappeared into the portal¡¯s embrace. Harding followed after Perry, navigating the disorienting kaleidoscope of folding space-time with familiarity. Stepping off the gateway platform, Duke Vancor¡¯s composure was briefly undone by the experience and the sight that greeted them. The vastness of the facility opened up around them, a cavernous space bustling with activity. Barriers and security personnel formed a clear path, while off to the sides, scientific equipment blinked and hummed. Beyond, the shapes of construction vehicles and stacked materials stood idle, waiting for the Gateway Hold protocol to be lifted. ¡°A remarkable¡­ establishment,¡± the Duke muttered, his eyes tracing the orderly lines of cargo awaiting transport to Armstrong Base. Harding noted the Duke¡¯s reaction. ¡°It¡¯s a constant effort. With the threat of dangerous fauna and now the Nobians, we¡¯ve had to expand security further.¡± As they walked, the Sonarans¡¯ were softly exclaiming and pointing to things like tourists. ¡°These contraptions,¡± one of the aides murmured, ¡°they are unlike anything in our forges.¡± Ambassador Perry glanced back with a practiced smile. ¡°The fruits of innovation and necessity. We¡¯ll discuss more as we proceed.¡± This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. Harding and Perry led them through the facility, making their way to the briefing room upstairs. The Sonarans moved tightly together, eyes stuck on the nearby security personnel and their strange staves. The efforts of Director Lombard and Dr. Lamarr in the control room were viewed with much confusion as the Sonarans struggled to wrap their heads around the displays present. As they entered the briefing room, they exchanged pleasantries with some of the Ambassador¡¯s aides. Perry gestured to the seating. ¡°Please, make yourselves comfortable.¡± Duke Vancor took a seat, the rest of his delegation following suit. His eyes briefly closed before reopening. Reflection? Adjustment? Harding wondered what it could be. ¡°General, Ambassador,¡± the Duke began, ¡°I am prepared for the proceedings to begin.¡± Perry took the lead. ¡°Very well, Your Grace. Let us then address the immediate concerns that have precipitated these talks.¡± Harding observed the assembly in silence as the discussion unfolded. The Duke seemed to shift his body slightly at those words. They were starting off strong, and there was no doubt the Duke had prepared for this. Though, was there anything the Duke could do to get ahead after such an embarrassment to Sonaran security? Perry continued, ¡°First ¨C the incident involving the bandit ambush, confirmed as a Nobian act, as well as the Nobian intrusion that compromised the guest mansion¡¯s security and forced an evacuation. These unfortunate incidents that have precipitated this meeting are symptomatic of larger threats that could be preemptively addressed through our collaboration.¡± Duke Vancor remained silent and composed, yet his attempt at masking his expressions was betrayed by a furrow of his brow. ¡°Indeed, those incidents are regrettable. I am listening, Ambassador.¡± ¡°We would like to propose an arrangement where the Sonaran Federation and the United States cooperate to better prepare ourselves against further incursions,¡± Perry suggested. ¡°In the spirit of mutual benefit, we would value an open exchange of information. Your insights into the regional dynamics, and particularly, the role of magic, would greatly enhance our understanding and operational readiness on Gaerra ¨C and in doing so, minimize security breaches.¡± ¡°An exchange of information for the boon of security,¡± he mused. ¡°This is a matter I shall bring before our High Council. Your¡­ aerial scouts,¡± he said, glancing at a finely detailed printed map of the Grenden Plains, ¡°would present a compelling argument for the merits of such an exchange.¡± Harding raised an eyebrow. The Duke was astute. He heard of the existence of Sonaran aerial assets like griffin or wyvern knights, but they couldn¡¯t hope to match the precision of their machines. He could see it in the Duke¡¯s eyes; this was the perfect tool for the ruler of a fortress city at the edge of Sonaran territory. ¡°Indeed, Your Grace,¡± Harding interjected with a nod. ¡°The more information we know, the more we can mutually benefit from this exchange.¡± Vancor¡¯s posture relaxed marginally, the stiffness of his figure easing away. ¡°This is a proposal of significant weight. It is a matter that demands careful deliberation, yet the virtues it may yield beckon our attention. Let us proceed with outlining what this cooperation might entail, with the understanding that any agreement will be subject to the approval of our High Council.¡± Harding allowed a pause to settle before outlining the terms that his and Perry¡¯s superiors worked on. ¡°The United States is prepared to provide the Sonaran Federation with advanced aerial surveillance. This includes real-time feeds and detailed mapping of potential threats, particularly along your borders,¡± he said, gesturing to a screen with a drone feed to highlight his point. ¡°This surveillance will be conducted around Armstrong Base, focusing on the neutral territory of the Grenden Plains. We¡¯ll inform you of any sign of hostile activity from fauna or the Nobians.¡± Duke Vancor listened intently. ¡°What do you seek in return for this surveillance? Perry answered, ¡°In return, we would seek access to your repositories of knowledge ¨C libraries, institutions, and the like ¨C particularly those pertaining to magic. Our interest lies in understanding its principles, both for its cultural significance and potential practical applications.¡± Harding watched the Duke closely, gauging his reaction. The Duke steepled his fingers, putting on a convincing poker face. ¡°Your request is substantial, for our repositories of arcane knowledge are the sanctuaries of our history and wisdom. Nevertheless, the lure of safeguarding our realms with such foresight cannot be easily dismissed. I shall lay this matter before our High Council.¡± Perry pulled out some papers from his binder. ¡°Of course, Your Grace. We can provide a detailed written proposal for you to take to them.¡± ¡°Very well,¡± Vancor agreed, accepting the papers. ¡°I shall review these preliminary terms with my advisors later. If all is well, I shall ensure they are given due consideration by the High Council.¡± One deal hopefully down, another to go. Harding watched as Perry transitioned to the next topic on their agenda. ¡°Moving on to the subjects of culture and economy, I was informed about the existence of Guilds. How do they work?¡± ¡ª¡ª Eldralore, Sonaran Federation November 17, 2024 ¡°Guilds stand as the pillars of our society, orchestrating the harmonious blend of skills, knowledge, and commerce,¡± Kelmithus explained. ¡°Each Guild, sovereign within its sphere, upholds standards, nurtures talents, and contributes to the common weal.¡± Henry leaned against a nearby column as Kelmithus talked. The plaza around them felt as busy as Times Square, but with fantastical diversity. A trio of adventurers passed them, hauling bloodied leather bags ¨C no doubt confirmation of whatever mission they just completed ¨C as they walked inside to claim their rewards. They walked by a line directly in front of the guild¡¯s entrance, which consisted of young, eager-looking recruits. Many looked his age or younger, with some looking like they would have barely been in high school. The building itself towered above the plaza but was no taller or shorter than the other guild branches around them. They encompassed broad professions, from the Artisans Guild to the Magic and Commerce Guilds. Banners in myriad colors representing various factions within the guilds fluttered in the breeze alongside starry Sonaran flags and flags of House ad Styne. At the center of the plaza stood the statue of a woman ¨C the goddess Sola. Ron gave a short whistle, a smile conveying his excitement as clear as day. ¡°So this is the place you were talking about last week.¡± ¡°Indeed. Of these Guilds, the Adventurers Guild, where we now find ourselves, is of particular import,¡± Kelmithus continued. ¡°I recall the file on the guilds,¡± Yen said. ¡°Structured systems for what would otherwise be freelancers?¡± ¡°Indeed so, Mister Yen,¡± Kelmithus replied. ¡°The Adventurers Guild provides structure, resources, and a code of conduct. These tenets ensure that the endeavors of our Adventurers are well-directed and harmonious with the greater good.¡± Dr. Anderson seemed almost as excited as Ron but for a different reason. ¡°It¡¯s truly fascinating how these guilds and their branches are able to collaborate over such vast distances. The level of bureaucracy and organization involved ¨C it¡¯s quite advanced for this era.¡± ¡°I daresay, Dr. Anderson, your scholarly inclinations would find the intricacies of the Guild Council¡¯s workings quite enthralling,¡± Kelmithus teased the man. Dr. Anderson sighed. ¡°Checking out their headquarters in the Arthi continent would be a dream. I just hope I get the chance to visit the local headquarters in Sonara.¡± Henry looked as another group of adventurers entered the building. ¡°So, what exactly should we expect for our registration?¡± ¡°Come, let us venture forth to procure the necessary forms. I shall explain the registration process along the way,¡± Kelmithus declared, gesturing toward the guild entrance with a flourish of his hand. As Kelmithus and Alpha Team entered the Adventurers Guild, a hush fell over the nearby adventurers. Pointed fingers, surprised gasps, giddy fangirls? Henry didn¡¯t expect it, but it turns out Kelmithus was famous. Walking up to the counter, he leaned against it and observed the mixed reactions around them. The young clerk at the registration desk looked up, her eyes widening slightly. ¡°Master Kelmithus, what an honor to have ye here!¡± The archmage gestured toward Alpha Team. ¡°My companions seek to join as adventurers. I vouch for them and stand as their patron.¡± The clerk quickly gathered several forms, sliding them across the counter along with a set of quills. ¡°For the registration, kindly mark down your names, where ye come from, what skills or experiences ye bring, and the like. Right here,¡± she gestured towards the bottom of the form, ¡°ye¡¯ll need to promise to uphold the Guild¡¯s ways and rules.¡± Henry picked up a quill, eyes scanning the parchment registration form. It was comprehensive, divided into several sections with each requiring thoughtful responses. The first was straightforward, asking for basic personal information: name, place of origin, age, education. He quickly jotted down, ¡°Henry Donnager, United States, 24, US Space Force Academy.¡± Next came a section on combat training and magical knowledge. He checked off his proficiency in hand-to-hand combat, but there was no box for firearms or marksmanship. Archery would have to do. Beside him, Ron did the same, though he paused at the section on magic. ¡°Well, I¡¯ve seen magic, does that count?¡± he joked quietly. Henry smiled. ¡°Put down ¡®observer¡¯, that should cover it.¡± The form then delved into past adventuring experiences. Henry glanced at his colleagues. Their time in Gaerra was their first real ¡®adventure¡¯ in a traditional sense, but their military background was filled with experiences that felt relevant. He decided to summarize it as ¡°Extensive military operations in varied environments¡±, including their success against the bandit ambush and the capture of a Nobian intruder as examples. The next section was about preferred roles. A list of options was given: archer/ranged, frontline/melee, support/healer, and others. He circled ¡®archer/ranged¡¯, but was stumped with what to put in the description underneath. If Kelmithus was familiar with Dwarven arquebuses, then surely the Adventurers Guild would also be familiar with the concept of firearms? Eh, hopefully it won¡¯t be an issue. Filling out the section, he moved on to the next. ¡°Quest Preferences¡± was the most intriguing part. The form listed various types of quests ¨C from monster hunting to diplomatic missions, rescue operations, and even more mundane tasks like herb gathering or escort services. Ron looked over. ¡°Do we select all?¡± Henry thought about it. ¡°Might as well. We¡¯re here to gather intel, and even an herb-gathering mission could result in some good material for Dr. Perdue.¡± The final section was a declaration section, a solemn vow to uphold the Guild¡¯s code of conduct and adhere to several articles on adventuring ethics, international amity, and client confidentiality ¨C all written in a simplified, proto-legalese. Henry looked to his right. As expected, seeing such a document put an excited smile on Dr. Anderson¡¯s face. The document concluded with a formal attestation: ¡°In setting my signature hereunto, I, Henry Donnager, do hereby bind myself to these tenets and duties, fully cognizant of the weight they carry and the ramifications of their neglect¡­¡± After reading the articles, Henry signed his name at the bottom and submitted the form. The clerk nodded approvingly as she collected the papers. ¡°Well then, your registration is nearly done. Now, ye¡¯ll be going through trials to see where ye stand in the ranks and what sort of quests ye¡¯ll be fit for.¡± Henry exchanged a look with his team. ¡°Tests, huh? Sounds like we¡¯re back at the academy. Let¡¯s see what they¡¯ve got for us.¡± The clerk gave a friendly smile, gesturing towards a large doorway behind the counter. ¡°Ye¡¯ll be going through that door there and begin with the written tests. Best of fortune to ye, and welcome to the Adventurers Guild!¡± ¡°The trials you face hence are not merely assessments of skill but gateways to deeper understanding and greater feats. Duty calls me to confer with Captain Orlen regarding our recent tribulations, so I shall return later, after you have obtained your Adventurer Cards. As you may say, good luck.¡± Henry led his colleagues through the large door, which opened into a hallway lined with banners depicting various beasts and heraldic symbols. A sign was placed next to the first door on their right ¨C that¡¯s where they would be taking the written tests. Entering the room, they were met with rows of desks and a handful of budding adventurers who were already seated. Some of the adventurers were clearly new, teenagers fidgeting with their quills as they waited for the proctor to arrive. Others were already a few months into their journey, hoping a good score would bump them up from Tier 4 to Tier 5 and trepidation for the advanced tests past Tier 5. Their conversations fell silent as they took in the arrival of Alpha Team. As Henry¡¯s team found their seats, a young elven woman at a nearby desk glanced over. Dressed in a green cloak and flexible armor that seemed to have both a silvery and golden sheen, the woman brushed her light blonde ¨C almost silvery ¨C hair aside as she looked Henry up and down. ¡°You certainly stand out,¡± she remarked. ¡°I¡¯m Seraphine ad Sindis, Tier 7. And who might you be?¡± Henry found himself mesmerized by the woman¡¯s purple eyes ¨C a biological anomaly that turned out to be rather alluring. He extended his hand, ¡°Captain Henry Donnager. We¡¯re¡­ not from around here. Seraphine looked at Henry¡¯s outstretched hand, waiting as if to intentionally make Henry uncomfortable and awkward before accepting it. ¡°Oh? That had escaped my notice,¡± she said, analyzing their gear. ¡°Most entrants begin with naught but a simple tunic and blade, not garb as¡­ unusual as yours. A bold choice for neophytes.¡± ¡°It worked well enough against those bandits last week,¡± Ron muttered with a hint of defensiveness. ¡°Ah, so it was your quaint troupe that quelled that skirmish? You¡¯ve proven yourselves in a scuffle with common brigands, then.¡± Her voice held a tinge of respect, but also an undertone suggesting that she considered the bandits to be a lesser challenge. ¡°An impressive feat for newcomers, indeed. Yet, the path of an adventurer is strewn with far greater perils than mere bandits. It shall be intriguing to see how your¡­ unique methods fare against more formidable adversaries.¡± Her gaze lingered on them for a moment longer before she turned her attention back to her desk. Before more could be said, the guild proctor arrived and brought the room to order. ¡°Your inaugural trial shall be of written form,¡± the older lady announced. ¡°It shall encompass the breadth of knowledge requisite for adventuring ¨C the perils, the lore, and the sagacity needed to navigate them. Two hours shall be allotted for this test. Begin.¡± Henry thought he¡¯d be done with academic challenges after graduating, but he had to admit, this was pretty interesting. Guess it¡¯s time to see how much of that briefing material stuck, he thought to himself. The test was meticulously structured, beginning with an in-depth exploration of monster tiers and physiology. Intricate illustrations of creatures filled the pages, from the common goblins to the elusive and dangerous Death Knight. Henry leaned in, scrutinizing each drawing, recalling briefing notes and cross-referencing them with the creatures¡¯ characteristics before naming and categorizing them into their respective Tiers. The Lesser and Greater variants and other subcategories thereof were a bit harder to pin down, but he could guess their general ranking amidst the other creatures. Overall, it was a much smoother experience compared to his high school days of identifying the mitochondria and other structures on a blurry, ink-splattered, and grainy figure of a cell. The next section presented a series of mathematical challenges centered around the economics of adventuring. Here, the questions were grounded in reality: calculating equipment repair costs, material profits, and expedition budgeting. One problem, in particular, stood out to Henry. It read: ¡°A shattered sword requires 1,500 Lumins for repair. If a Sonaran merchant offers to pay for the repair in the local currency, how many Sonnars should Henry expect to receive?¡± According to Kelmithus, the exchange rate between Lumins and Sonnars was about one to four. He flipped the page, checking a table to make sure. Yup, that would be 6,000 Sonnars. The section continued with similar problems, ranging from the griffin feather arbitrage in different cities to quest fees and taxation. Thankfully, the questions were nothing compared to the complexities of higher-order differential equations. A turn of the page brought them to the world of alchemy. The section was filled with detailed descriptions of potions, each characterized by its unique color, scent and effects. They demanded careful analysis, challenging Henry¡¯s understanding of this arcane science. One of the questions posed a complex scenario: ¡°If combining two parts of Moonshade Extract with one part of Sunleaf Sap creates a potion for enhanced night vision, what would be the result of reversing the proportions? Discuss an application for this new potion.¡± This type of question tested not only the basic knowledge of potion effects but also the principles of alchemical reactions, akin to stoichiometry. Honestly, Henry didn¡¯t know the answer to that question but he could make an educated guess. If the original potion¡¯s dominant ingredient was moonshade extract it relates to night vision, then Sunleaf Sap, by contrast, might be associated with daylight-related effects. Thinking of practical applications, the new potion could probably reduce the intensity of light, allowing the user to see in blinding conditions, like if a dragon attacked from the direction of the sun. Henry wrote down his answer, taking his time and thinking through the problems. Some scenarios he could deduce; others he had to recall from the dossier. The test even delved into basic aspects of crafting potions, particularly for injury recovery or other applications relevant to adventuring. In another instance, the test asked, ¡°Calculate the volume of Solarian Oil needed to neutralize the acidic properties of a large vial of Veridian Venom.¡± Interestingly enough, the Guild seemed to have a standardized system of measurement similar to the metric system. If not for the provided tables and ratios, he would¡¯ve certainly struggled to answer these questions. He also made a mental note to get this crucial data uploaded, if it wasn¡¯t already. The final segment of the test plunged them into the realm of strategy and tactics. Here, hypothetical scenarios sprawled across the pages: orchestrating an ambush on a bandit encampment, planning a defensive strategy against a marauding dragon, or coordinating a team for a dungeon delve. Each scenario provided its own description of available resources and terrain. Though he was more familiar with modern combat and tactics, he had studied and understood Kelmithus¡¯ dossier well. His quill moved confidently, drawing from his own experience to craft unique strategies that made the most of each scenario¡¯s available resources. As the time concluded, the proctor¡¯s voice cut through the room¡¯s concentrated silence. ¡°The allotted time has elapsed. Let your quills rest and cease all endeavors forthwith.¡± Henry set down his quill, leaning back in his chair with a deep breath. He scanned the room, observing his team¡¯s reactions. Dr. Anderson, in particular, seemed unfazed, almost at ease. Made sense; academic tests wouldn¡¯t be much of an issue for an academic. After collecting the tests and stacking them on her desk, the proctor addressed the room with a firm yet encouraging tone. ¡°Make your way to the training hall for the ensuing segment of your evaluation ¨C the trials of physical prowess. These shall gauge your readiness to face the myriad trials and tribulations that lie in the path of a true adventurer.¡± The room stirred into motion. Sera was already on her feet, a certain smugness in her behavior suggesting overwhelming confidence in her abilities. She caught Henry¡¯s eyes and offered a small, knowing smile. ¡°There¡¯s more to the path of an adventurer than mere words,¡± she said. ¡°The true test begins now. For in the training hall, we shall see the mettle not just of mind, but of body and spirit.¡± Ron nudged Henry as Sera strode ahead, rushing to meet her next challenge. ¡°She¡¯s bad as fuck bro. And she¡¯s got an attitude.¡± Henry smirked, watching Sera¡¯s retreating figure. ¡°Yeah, she certainly is a baddie. I dunno, I kinda like it. Reminds me of Dr. Lamarr a bit ¨C skilled, confident, not afraid to speak her mind.¡± ¡°Y¡¯all thinkin¡¯ about minglin¡¯ with the locals already, huh?¡± Ryan joined in. ¡°Can¡¯t say I blame ya. Hopefully, the options here are less limited than in Tehran.¡± Ron snickered. ¡°Watch the elves be super modest. I¡¯m chilling though, chances are the catgirls and bunnygirls will be down to ¡®mingle¡¯, y¡¯know, cause of biology.¡± Henry looked at Ron. ¡°Bruh.¡± ¡°Catgirls and bunnygirls huh?¡± Isaac turned to Ron, a grin growing on his face. ¡°My man,¡± he said, dapping him up. The other test-takers around them raised a few eyebrows at the conversation, but Henry could see the growing smiles on their faces. Seems like this type of banter was a universal constant among young people, no matter the setting. They entered the training hall, a vast space filled with the sounds of clanging metal, muffled thuds, and occasional cheers. The hall was segmented into various areas, each designated for different roles. Henry led his team towards the ¡®ranged¡¯ section, where targets of varying distances and sizes were set up. From the corner of his eye, he spotted Sera already waiting for her proctor at a section marked for magic swordsmen. They waited alongside a few archers who cast curious glances at their attire and gear. After a few minutes, the proctor overseeing the ¡®ranged¡¯ section walked up. Clad in a functional tunic that failed to contain his bulging muscles and holding a massive longbow engraved with runes, he addressed them. ¡°Stand to, archers!¡± he barked in a voice that reflected a military background. ¡°I am Taldren ad Vorne, Tier 9. I will oversee the ranged test today, and I expect each of you to demonstrate your prowess with keen eyes and steady hands.¡± The other adventurers quivered upon seeing the man. Meekly, they abandoned hope of being graded positively by ¡®Dragon-Eye Taldren.¡¯ But the archer didn¡¯t pay heed to the amateurs wetting themselves. Instead, he found interest in Henry and Alpha Team. ¡°Now, where might your bows be? These contraptions you bear resemble no bow I¡¯ve seen.¡± Henry stepped forward, rifle in hand. ¡°These are our ranged weapons. They¡¯re called rifles, and they serve the same purpose as a crossbow, albeit with a different mechanism.¡± The proctor eyed the rifles for a moment longer, his expression one of bemused curiosity. ¡°Rifles, you say? A queer sort of contraption, but the rules state any ranged weapon is permissible.¡± He paused, then nodded curtly. ¡°Very well. The Guild embraces all capable of hitting their mark, regardless of the weapon. However, be warned, this test is not merely about hitting a target. You will be judged on accuracy, adaptability, and precision. Do you understand?¡± ¡°We do,¡± Henry replied. ¡°Good.¡± He then turned to the group as a whole. ¡°I will be testing your performance individually, beginning with our foreigners here. Your test begins shortly. Prepare to prove your worth as marksmen of the Adventurers Guild.¡± Chapter 6: Adventurers Alpha Team stood in a loose semicircle around Taldren, gazes drawn to the blend of traditional and innovative elements before them. The range stretched outside of the building and into the woods, with stationary wooden targets interspersed with obstacles that mimicked diverse battle conditions. Taldren began, ¡°The first phase of this test¡¯ll judge your accuracy against stationary targets. You¡¯ll be judged not merely on striking true, but on your precision as well. A strike in the center scores highest, with lesser points for outer rings or inconsistency.¡± He then pointed toward another adventurer who stood off to the left side of the range. ¡°The second phase demands adaptability and quick reflexes. The other examiner over there¡¯ll be launching discs into the air. You¡¯ll be facing moving targets, a true test of an archer¡¯s skill.¡± Finally, Taldren gestured toward the end of the range where a mage stood ready. ¡°And in the third phase, you shall face a stress test scenario. Our mage¡¯ll summon golems, which shall serve as your targets. They¡¯ll fight back, offering a taste of a true skirmish. You¡¯ll be granted a magic shield ¨C if it breaks, the test is over.¡± ¡°Your unique weapons will make for an interesting performance, no doubt,¡± he added, facing Alpha Team. He consulted his notepad then looked up again. ¡°Henry Donnager, step forth and begin. Let us see how these contraptions fare in this trial.¡± As his name echoed in the air, Henry walked forward, rifle in hand. The crisp air of the morning sharpened his focus as he approached the firing line, which was cordoned off by a wooden barrier. Taking his position, he shouldered his rifle and surveyed the range. He counted over a dozen wooden targets, all set up at various ranges. The first three were positioned side by side, a mere ten meters from his current position. Singular targets were set up in ten-meter intervals up until 50 meters. Then, the targets became spread out even more, with another group of three appearing at 100 meters and a final group at about 200 meters. The ranges appeared ridiculous in the context of historically effective ranges for bows, but it cemented just how different this world was. Henry recalled the arrow that hit Kelmithus¡¯ window during the ambush, its force rivaling modern ballistics. Magic was certainly potent. Yet, it lacked the finesse of modern technology. Henry peered through his scope, aligning his sights with the first target. The rifle¡¯s crack shattered the morning calm, a sound starkly different from the twangs of traditional bows. Despite the attached suppressor, the sound was still loud and startled the other adventurers into retreating steps. The first target¡¯s bullseye splintered under the impact ¨C a perfect hit. Within a second, the other two were hit, scoring perfectly. The sounds of suppressed gunfire drew the attention of nearby adventurers, murmurs of intrigue rippling amongst the blossoming crowd. Moving to the 20 and 30-meter targets, he maintained his rhythm. His finger pulled the trigger twice more. Each shot hit its mark, the speed of his performance garnering more attention from the onlookers. At the 100-meter mark, he briefly paused, adjusting his variable zoom scope and zeroing his weapon accordingly. His shots landed in the center of each target, the precision undiminished by the increased range. Finally, the 200-meter targets presented themselves. Henry made a minor adjustment, aligning for the extended range. He exhaled slowly, taking a bit more time to line up his shots. The distance, likely challenging even for Taldren, was comfortably within the M7¡¯s effective range. The bullets found their targets with unerring accuracy, leaving no doubt about the engineering of the rifle or Henry¡¯s marksmanship. As the last target was hit, a wave of applause swept through the gathered crowd. Henry lowered his rifle. It was a piece of cake ¨C easier than his training back home. The impressed audience was an ego boost, certainly, but his eyes sought Taldren, whose unimpressed demeanor was puzzling. Was he just good at hiding his shock, or were the higher Tiers capable of so much more? ¡°Well done,¡± Taldren said. ¡°Your performance is among the best I¡¯ve seen ¨C worthy of the upper Tiers. Let us see if you are able to maintain it.¡± Moving to the second phase, Henry watched as the other examiner prepared for the test. The moving targets consisted of large wooden discs thrown anywhere from 30 to 60 meters from the firing line, which the examiner himself flung into the air by magically-enhanced throws. The discs reminded him of clay pigeons used in skeet shooting but their trajectories were devoid of the predictability associated with machinery. The examiner launching them varied almost every aspect of each launch, differing in speed and even incorporating curves and wind magic. It wasn¡¯t too difficult, but still nothing to scoff at. As Henry fired his rifle, the wooden discs shattered mid-air, fragments tumbling to the ground. Gasps and impressed chatter coincided with the sounds of shots, but Henry ignored them as he continued with the test. After a few more minutes, the examiner signaled the conclusion of the test. He missed a couple shots adjusting to the introduction of wind magic, but still managed to hit every single target. Taldren, observing Henry¡¯s performance in the second phase, couldn¡¯t hide a flicker of respect. ¡°Impressive,¡± he conceded, motioning Henry towards the final challenge. ¡°But now, let us see how you fare against adversaries that fight back. Prepare yourself.¡± As Henry entered the range, an examiner cast a spell. A blue circle coalesced beneath him, swirling and encasing him in a shimmering, almost transparent bubble of energy. He tested its range of motion, finding it moved fluidly with him. He looked back to his team; they were already taking notes on this valuable intel, prepared to compile data on magic shields. Across the range, the mage¡¯s chant echoed as magic circles appeared around piles of rocks and earth. The ground shivered, and from it, three golems of stone and earth rose, their cores glowing like molten heartbeats with their rocky chests. Henry eyed the Earth Golems, recalling the briefings on Gaerran entities. Their cores were their lifelines. He moved cautiously, maintaining distance, eyes darting between the towering figures and the mage controlling them. The golems, sensing their target, coordinated their approach, arms raised to shield their glowing centers. Henry fired his rifle at the lead golem, bullets chipping away at the stone but unable to penetrate the arm¡¯s density. It was like firing a bullet into a HESCO block ¨C there was no reaching the other side. He didn¡¯t like it, but without heavy weapons, his only opportunity was to wait until the golems attacked. The first golem lunged, a fist of stone aimed at Henry. He sidestepped, the shield humming as it absorbed shards of rock and dirt from the golem¡¯s missed strike. With the golem¡¯s left arm in the ground and right arm preparing for another strike, he saw his window of opportunity. He aimed for the exposed core, firing a short burst. The bullets pierced the rocky, loosely compacted exterior, traveling deep enough to shatter the core. Ensuring he wouldn¡¯t be cornered, he maneuvered around uprooted trees and boulders to maximize his range of movement and minimize the angles of attack for the remaining golems. While gathering data on hits would certainly be useful, he avoided them, aware of the shield¡¯s untested durability and the value of the test. The second golem, learning from its fallen counterpart, advanced with more caution. It shielded its core with its arms as it walked forward, opting to use its legs to attack him. Its stomps were easy to dodge, but finding an opening was difficult. Henry circled around behind a tree, feigning a flank and causing the golem to shift its guard. He dashed back toward the side he came, figuratively breaking the golem¡¯s ankles. In that brief moment, he found his mark, firing a shot that caused a crack to form, dimming the core¡¯s light. The third golem presented a more formidable challenge. It moved unpredictably, adapting to Henry¡¯s tactics. It swung its massive arms, each miss causing the ground to tremble, but carefully kept one arm constantly defending its core. Henry kept moving, using debris as cover and firing shots to test the golem¡¯s defenses. He noticed a pattern in the golem¡¯s movement, a slight delay in its reaction. Capitalizing on this, he reloaded his weapon and drew the creature toward a large boulder. As the golem swung, he dodged. His shield flickered as it absorbed fragments that flung off the boulder. The impact exposed its core for a split second, visible from under its legs. Henry didn¡¯t hesitate; a final burst rang out and struck its core. The golem crumbled, its form collapsing into a mound of earth and stone. As the last remnants of dust settled, the range fell into an impressed silence, then erupted in applause. Taldren, watching the entire spectacle, gave a nod. ¡°Your performance¡­¡± He paused, searching for the right words, ¡°is noteworthy.¡± Henry stepped aside, thanking the proctor and joining the onlookers. Ron was up next. He breezed past the first two phases just as he had. As the golems emerged, Ron moved with an almost playful agility, dodging and weaving, firing at critical moments as if the golems were nothing more than scripted AI with defined attack patterns. Were they? Henry typed up some notes on his tablet, wondering how well gaming experiences and fantasy media back home could be applied to this new reality. Isaac¡¯s performance was similar to Ron¡¯s, but emphasized timing and calculated strikes rather than the game-like flair of the previous trial. Ryan on the other hand was a contrast to the two; he was methodical and uncannily precise. Out of everyone, he managed to sustain the least damage to his shield. His skill was not just on par with Henry¡¯s; it exceeded it in certain aspect, particularly in speed and accuracy. Dr. Anderson, the academic of the group, surprised many. Despite his scholarly background, his shots were consistently accurate. His handling of the rifle, while not as fluid as the others, was effective, dismantling the targets with longer bursts. If he had to guess, Anderson probably spent some time in the military before going back to school to obtain his degree. Henry observed the reactions of the adventurers and Taldren as his teammates took the test. Their expressions had shifted from skepticism to respect, some even displaying open admiration, characterized by cheers and applause. As the last of his teammates completed their test, Taldren stepped forward, his expression a mix of respect and professional scrutiny. ¡°Stand firm, warriors,¡± he announced. ¡°Your weapons, strange as they may be, have demonstrated a power beyond ordinary. Your skill in harnessing them, it¡¯s clear, not just in marksmanship but in adapting to challenges unknown. This bodes well for your journey as adventurers.¡± He looked over the team, eyeing the rifles. ¡°These arms¡­ they break the mold of our traditions. Firearms of such¡­ efficiency and lethality are unknown in our lands, surpassing even the famed works of the dwarven forges.¡± He paused. ¡°I must confess, the arrival of such technology stirs both curiosity and a degree of apprehension. In the hands as skilled as yours, they could reshape the very nature of adventuring.¡± His stance was confident, but Henry could see the minor cracks ¨C an unspoken acknowledgement of the potential challenge these weapons posed, even to someone of his stature. ¡°As a Tier 9 adventurer, I have seen and mastered many arts, but this,¡± he gestured towards the rifles, ¡°this is a new frontier. The Guild values privacy and innovation, so we do not pry into the origins of your arms. But be wary ¨C others may not share our restraint or values.¡± Henry nodded. He didn¡¯t need to have Dr. Anderson¡¯s knowledge to know how this would play out. Magic and the dynamics of this world were still a mystery, but a leap like this could disrupt existing geopolitics and invite curiosity, fear, or even hostility. If the captured intruder was anything to go by, the Nobians were already a mix of all three. Taldren looked over the strangely dressed foreigners. ¡°Your performance today was not just a test of skill but a demonstration of change. We will be watching your journey with great interest. For now, head to the tavern, gather your thoughts, and await your rankings. This day marks the beginning of a new chapter for you¡­ and perhaps for all of us.¡± With that, Taldren stepped back and began the next round of tests with the other adventurers. As Henry walked toward the exit, he peeked at the section for magic swordsmen. ¡°Looking for your girlfriend?¡± Ron teased. ¡°My girlfriend?¡± He echoed, a bit puzzled at first. Then, realization dawned, and he broke out into a smile. ¡°Ohhh, Sera? Bruh, I guess I am.¡± Ron laughed, nudging Henry¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Bro, sounds like you¡¯re down bad. But hey, can¡¯t blame you. She¡¯s bad as fuck and a badass with that sword.¡± ¡°Bro I am not down bad,¡± Henry shot back. Ron merely had to raise an eyebrow for Henry to recall his statement. ¡°Alright, maybe a bit,¡± he admitted. Dr. Anderson walked alongside them, taking interest in their banter. ¡°I never took you for the type to get distracted so easily, Captain,¡± he commented, a hint of amusement in his tone. Henry gave him a wry smile. ¡°Eh, not really a distraction, Doc. More like¡­ appreciating local talents.¡± Ron turned to Dr. Anderson, his curiosity piqued. ¡°Speaking of talents, where¡¯d you learn all that, Doc?¡± Dr. Anderson chuckled softly. ¡°Ah, well, I actually went back to school after completing my contract. Used to run ops with JSOC. Got into archaeology in Egypt, unsurprisingly.¡± Behind them, Ryan¡¯s gruff voice cut through their laughter. ¡°Magic bullshit tossing SOP out the fuckin¡¯ window,¡± he muttered, shaking his head. ¡°If it were up to me, I¡¯d¡¯ve called in an airstrike instead of dancing around with peashooters.¡± Ron glanced back, a smirk on his face. ¡°Not much for the fantasy setting, eh, Hayes?¡± Ryan snorted. ¡°I reckon that was more of a circus show than any real test. Ain¡¯t nothin¡¯ in the rule book ¡®bout fightin¡¯ rock monsters.¡± Isaac chuckled, pointing out the irony of Ryan¡¯s statements. ¡°Come on, dude, where¡¯s your sense of adventure? Remember that last DnD campaign? You were like,¡± Isaac paused, building up his mock Southern accent, ¡°I don¡¯t care how small the room is, I said cast fireball!¡± Ryan rolled his eyes but couldn¡¯t suppress a smirk. ¡°DnD¡¯s one thing, man. Real life¡¯s supposed to make a bit more sense. Though, I gotta admit, throwin¡¯ fireballs was a damn good time.¡± Isaac nudged him. ¡°See, You¡¯re a natural sorcerer at heart. Not gonna lie, it was pretty crazy to hear all that ¡®magic bullshit¡¯ coming from a guy with an ice shards meta build.¡± ¡°Yeah, well, a guy¡¯s gotta have some hobbies,¡± Ryan conceded, his tone lightening. ¡°Doesn¡¯t mean I wanna live it out for real.¡± They finally reached the large doorway, emerging into the lobby from behind the front counter. The clerk from earlier turned around at the sound of their conversation, her eyes lighting up with recognition. ¡°Ah, Alpha Team!¡± she exclaimed. ¡°Word of yer feats has already reached many ears. A hearty congratulations on yer stellar performance in the trials!¡± She leaned forward, expression blending enthusiasm and respect. ¡°Ye¡¯ve shown yerselves to be quite the formidable group. The Guild¡¯s been all abuzz since ye stepped into the testing grounds. It¡¯s not every day we see such¡­ innovative approaches. But then again, I¡¯d expect nothing less from companions of the Arcane Scholar himself.¡± ¡°The Arcane Scholar, huh?¡± Henry noticed. ¡°Oh, there are many tales of his feats, but ye¡¯d best ask him yerself about the origins of his title,¡± the clerk said. With a warm smile, she then gestured toward the tavern nestled into the corner of the lobby. ¡°Now, I suppose ye¡¯d be wanting some well-deserved rest. Head over to the tavern, rest yer feet, and enjoy a bit of hospitality. I¡¯ll call ye when yer results are ready. Best of luck, and once more, welcome to the Adventurers Guild!¡± ¡°We¡¯ll check out the tavern, thanks,¡± Henry returned the clerk¡¯s smile. The tavern, seamlessly integrated into the lobby, reminded him of a Starbucks nestled inside a Barnes and Noble, though the atmosphere and scope here was unmistakably Gaerran. Wooden beams crisscrossed the ceiling, and the walls were adorned with various paintings, quest postings, and fantastical artpieces. Many tables were occupied by adventurers, their attire ranging from basic garb ¨C tunics, leather breeches, and chainmail vests ¨C to more exotic outfits featuring vibrant cloaks, intricately embroidered robes, and armor pieces glowing with subtle enchantments. Some were animatedly recounting tales of their recent quests, while others huddled over maps and scrolls, planning their next adventures. The energy was contagious, and even the more reserved members of Alpha Team seemed to absorb some of the excitement. If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. As the team found a table near a large hearth, the warmth of the fire added to the inviting atmosphere. Henry couldn¡¯t help but observe the diverse group of patrons. A lot of the parties featured at least one non-human member ¨C dwarves, elves, and the myriad of therianthropes. Ron whistled as he looked around, a huge grin plastered on his face. ¡°Man, I really can¡¯t get enough of this place.¡± As they settled in, a server approached. ¡°Welcome to the Guild Tavern,¡± she said cheerfully. ¡°Can I get you anything? Our special today is a roasted griffin wing, served with a side of shrimp mushrooms and honey-glazed root vegetables. It¡¯s a favorite among the adventurers here in Eldralore.¡± Henry raised an eyebrow. ¡°Griffin wing, huh?¡± He shared a look with Ron and the others, who gave approving nods. ¡°Sounds adventurous. We¡¯ll take five specials and what, water?¡± Dr. Anderson agreed with water. Ron and Isaac decided to try out some sort of berry juice, while Ryan took an interest in ale. Henry gathered their orders, relaying them to the server. ¡°Good choices, gentlemen! I¡¯ll get your drinks first. The order¡¯ll be ready in about fifteen minutes.¡± As the server left, they caught snippets of nearby conversations. A party at a nearby table shared a tale of a close call with a goblin horde, only for a helmeted adventurer to interject and explain why goblins are worthy of extermination. Another table was engaged in a heated debate about the best strategies for tackling a dragon¡¯s lair. Dr. Anderson commented on their surroundings, fascinated by the array of races and stories around them. ¡°The diversity here is astounding,¡± he remarked. ¡°Shame the world won¡¯t know anytime soon.¡± ¡°Lucky us,¡± Henry said, raising his glass of juice. ¡°To the formation of Alpha Team and our future adventures.¡± ¡°Hear, hear,¡± Ron echoed enthusiastically, clinking his glass against the others. Just as they set their glasses back on the table, their server approached with a cart of steaming food. The aroma of the roasted griffin wing and the accompanying sides filled the air, drawing their attention to the hearty meal set before them. Though not on the same level as the fancy cuisine served by Rolan and the mansion staff, the griffin wing was still an impressive sight in its own right, its golden-brown skin glistening under the tavern lights. Henry dug in. The rich, savory flavors were a pleasant surprise. After a couple bites, a party of adventurers approached their table. The leader, a tall woman with a longsword strapped to her back, gave them a friendly nod. ¡°Good morrow. I am Elara of the Mithril Order, Tier 8. Your prowess in the trials has caught our eyes. The manner in which you wield those novel armaments, it speaks of a disciplined military heritage. Rarely do we witness such a fusion of strategy and skill in these halls.¡± Henry, pausing mid-bite, replied, ¡°Mithril Order? That¡¯s a pretty cool party name.¡± ¡°Clan, actually. The Mithril Order stands distinguished for its strategic mastery and martial discipline. Aligning with our clan opens doors to resources and ventures far surpassing what solitary parties or the common Guild provisions may yield.¡± One of Elara¡¯s companions, a burly man with a scar across his cheek, added, ¡°Our resources are gathered into the clan¡¯s coffers, providing us with superior gear, privileged information, and access to grand Campaigns. These are not mere quests, but ventures that can shift the very tides of an entire region.¡± Dr. Anderson asked, ¡°And what would be expected of us if we were to join your clan?¡± ¡°Should you join our ranks, your talents would bolster the clan¡¯s endeavors. In exchange, you¡¯d gain unfettered access to our collective bounty and armaments, and partake in campaigns with us. It is a partnership where your distinct skills would flourish amidst grander pursuits.¡± Henry looked at Ron, as if discerning his opinion before turning back to Elara. ¡°Sounds promising, but what¡¯s the catch?¡± Elara tilted her head, gauging their interest. ¡°The only requisite, should you be inclined, is a steadfast commitment. You will be expected to participate in Campaigns and contribute a small fee ¨C 5 percent ¨C from each quest''s earnings.¡± Before they could delve deeper, the clerk appeared beside their table. ¡°Yer test results are ready,¡± she announced cheerfully. ¡°I must say, there¡¯s quite a buzz about yer scores. Once yer done here, please come up to the counter and I can tell ye about what to do next.¡± Elara nodded glanced at the clerk then back at Alpha Team. ¡°I won¡¯t intrude any longer. I¡¯ll let you think about our offer. Should the Mithril Order intrigue you, inquire at the counter. A cadre of your distinction would be a valued addition to our ranks.¡± Henry finished up the honey-glazed vegetables on his plate, mulling over the lady¡¯s offer. Aligning with a clan like the Mithril Order could open new doors for them, a fact that he knew would pique General Harding¡¯s interest. But for now, his focus was on the test results. He downed the last of his griffin wing, fishing out a pair of silvery coins and setting aside a few bronze ones as a tip. With their meal finished, they stood up from the table and headed back toward the counter. Henry noticed the clerk holding a parchment. ¡°Yer performance in the tests was quite remarkable,¡± she began, ¡°particularly in the ranged section. Ye folks scored so well, in fact, that we¡¯d like to offer ye a placement evaluation for Tier 6! As ye know, Tier 5 is the highest a new adventurer can attain, but given yer skill and the Arcane Scholar¡¯s recommendation, we¡¯ll make an exception here.¡± The team gathered around the parchment, scanning their scores. They had a few mistakes on the written exam, with Dr. Anderson completely acing it. The physical test was where they all shone; their proficiency with firearms secured scores that were impossible with bows. ¡°Now,¡± the clerk continued, ¡°yer Party Evaluation test will be a Tier 6 quest: investigate a Minotaur Warrior sighting near the forest and eliminate it.¡± Henry nodded, recalling the file on minotaurs. They were basically the same creature from Greek lore, though they made liberal use of Gaerra¡¯s Aether to enhance themselves in terms of speed and strength. ¡°We¡¯ll start preparing right away. Any specifics we should know about?¡± ¡°Just that it¡¯s more than a simple beast hunt,¡± she cautioned. ¡°These minotaurs are cunning, and there have been reports of increased aggression. Latest sighting is near the bend in the river here,¡± she said, pointing to a rough map. ¡°Guildmaster Taldren himself says yer probably close to Tier 7 or 8, so this quest should be no problem. Best of luck to ye!¡± Considering the information provided by the clerk, the team gathered in a quiet corner of the Guild¡¯s lobby, away from the hustle and bustle, to strategize. Henry placed on a table and pulled up their own map, which depicted the region in greater clarity ¨C topographical and otherwise. He placed his finger on the screen, scrolling to the aforementioned bend in the river before double-tapping to place a marker. ¡°Minotaur Warrior, huh? That¡¯s a Tier 6 monster; cunning, as the clerk said, but susceptible to ¡®Wind Snipe¡¯ and other ranged or magic attacks.¡± Isaac leaned over the screen, his finger tracing the river. ¡°Assuming the river is its water source, the lair should be somewhere nearby.¡± He placed a marker at a point about 300 meters equidistant from the last known sighting near the river and a nearby cave. ¡°It¡¯s probably hiding out in this cave here, so we can drive to the middle and post up, conduct some drone recon. If it ain¡¯t there, we can wait for it to hit the water source again. We find its lair, then Hayes can take a shot.¡± Ryan nodded, scanning the terrain around the river bend. ¡°I can set up once we identify the target. ¡®Wind Snipe¡¯ ain¡¯t gonna be shit compared to my 107.¡± ¡°We¡¯ll keep the AT-4 ready as well, in case we encounter something bigger or more armored. Owens, you¡¯ll take the launcher. I¡¯ll hold the M250. Yen, you¡¯ll take the MRAD. The Doc will maintain drone surveillance and act as your spotter.¡± Wrapping up their strategy, they left the Guild and hopped back inside the MRAP. Ron took the driver¡¯s seat, maneuvering the vehicle through the terrain that led to the forest. The rest of the team settled in, double-checking their gear as the MRAP rumbled along the path. Finally, they arrived at Isaac¡¯s marker, a small cliff overlooking the river. ¡°This is close enough,¡± Henry said. ¡°We go on foot from here. Let¡¯s get that drone up.¡± Ron launched the quadcopter drone, and its cameras started feeding live images to their handheld screens. The dense canopy of the forest made it difficult to see everything clearly, but the thermal imaging soon revealed a large heat signature walking near a rock formation. Flipping back to standard visuals, they confirmed the identity of the creature ¨C it was the minotaur, wielding a large club. Ron handed his tablet to Dr. Anderson, who continued to monitor the screen as they moved around to get a better angle on the creature below. Approaching the suspected lair, they saw no immediate sign of the minotaur, which had disappeared into the nearby cave. The drone¡¯s camera panned around, searching for any movement. ¡°Wait,¡± Dr. Anderson whispered, pointing to the screen. The minotaur emerged from the cave, followed by another similarly-sized one and a larger beast that looked markedly more menacing than its kin. ¡°Two Warriors and a Chieftain. Warriors are armed with a club and longsword, the Chieftain¡¯s armed with a large battle axe.¡± ¡°I thought this was a Tier 6 quest?¡± Isaac wondered. ¡°Guess they weren¡¯t able to confirm it too well,¡± Henry shrugged, assessing the situation. ¡°Alright, slight change of plans. Let¡¯s tighten our perimeter and prepare for an engagement with multiple targets. Hayes? Yen?¡± ¡°In position,¡± he replied, uncapping the scope and setting down the bipod on his Barrett M107A1. The crosshairs of his scope settled on one of the smaller minotaurs, visible through a break in the foliage. ¡°Ready on your signal.¡± Isaac, with a Barret MRAD, confirmed his readiness. ¡°In position. Have visual on targets.¡± Henry crouched near the treeline with Ron, eyeing the group of monsters through the scope of his M250 as he posted up on a rock. The Minotaur Chieftain had shifted position, hanging back near the cave. ¡°Ready for initiation. Hayes, take the Warrior on the left. On my command¡­ Three. Two. One. Execute.¡± The forest, momentarily still, was suddenly split by the synchronized fire of two high-caliber sniper rifles. Ryan¡¯s shot found its mark on the first Minotaur Warrior, dropping it instantly with a center mass hit. Simultaneously, the second Warrior to the right of the cave entrance was struck with equal precision and lethality despite the smaller round. ¡°Target down,¡± Ryan confirmed calmly, quickly shifting his aim back toward the cave to prepare for the Chieftain. ¡°Second target neutralized,¡± Isaac reported. ¡°Excellent shots,¡± Henry acknowledged, maintaining his position. ¡°Now for the Chieftain. Doc, any alternative exits from that lair?¡± Dr. Anderson analyzed the drone feed. ¡°No secondary exits visible,¡± he replied. ¡°The back passage is too narrow for something that size. It¡¯s effectively a single point of entry and exit.¡± Henry processed this. ¡°If he¡¯s as smart as they say, he might be playing a waiting game.¡± He turned to Ron. ¡°Yo, let¡¯s nudge him out. Prep the smokes.¡± Ron nodded, retrieving the grenades from his pack. ¡°Deploying smokes to obscure his vision and force a move. Of course I¡¯m the lucky guy who gets to throw them.¡± He moved stealthily forward, just close enough to toss the grenades effectively towards the cave entrance. Henry chuckled. ¡°Of course, dude. Up until last week, I didn¡¯t know jack shit about minotaurs, O Man of Culture.¡± ¡°Touch¨¦,¡± Ron replied as he prepared a couple of grenades and threw them. They clattered faintly against the rocky ground then began to hiss, spewing out billowing clouds of smoke. ¡°Shit, shit, shit.¡± Ron swiftly retreated back to a safer distance, breathing a sigh of relief as he rejoined Henry and postured defensively with his AT4. ¡°Eyes sharp for any movement,¡± Henry instructed. As the thick smoke began to envelop the cave entrance, Henry watched intently, the M250 mounted on a log. He felt a familiar tension grip him, waiting for the Chieftain¡¯s emergence. His grip on his weapon was firm, the slight dampness of his palms a reminder of the looming confrontation. Ron, beside him, adjusted his grip on the launcher, his focus evident in the way he steadied it. Then, he saw the smoke shift. Henry could see the Minotaur Chieftain¡¯s immense form looming within the smoke. The beast¡¯s size was formidable, muscles rippling under its thick hide as it waved away the wispy tendrils and scanned its surroundings. Its snarl was guttural, resonating through the forest with a deep bass that reminded Henry of the feeling of a heavy bassline in a song, the kind that breaks the subwoofers in a car and sends vibrations through his chest. Its eyes, just visible through the haze, glowed yellowish and glinted with a feral intelligence. The Chieftain¡¯s gaze locked on to Henry¡¯s position, sensing them through the foliage. When it charged, it was with the force of a freight train ¨C hooves pounding the earth, kicking up debris. ¡°ENGAGE!¡± Henry yelled. Ryan and Isaac¡¯s shots rang out, striking the charging monster in the chest. The bullets hit with enough force to stagger the beast, but its massive build absorbed the impact with terrifying resilience. Henry held down the trigger on his LMG, rounds thudding into the Minotaur¡¯s thick hide and embedding into it but doing little to slow down its momentum. Ron fired the AT4, the launcher nudging slightly as he absorbed the force. The rocket-propelled grenade streaked toward the Chieftain and detonated with a deafening blast. The explosion was intense, the shockwave rippling through the air. The Chieftain, struck directly, was thrown off its feet by the sheer force of the blast. ¡°Hold fire!¡± Henry declared, ready to inspect the effects of their weaponry. The smoke began to clear, lending visibility to the downed form of the fallen Chieftain. The AT4 had inflicted a devastating wound; the impact site was a mangled mess of torn flesh and shattered bone, far more severe than any injury a creature of its size should reasonably withstand. The brutal effectiveness of the weapon was unmistakable, leaving no doubt about the outcome. Despite the apparent lethality of the strike and the few moments motionlessness from the figure ahead, Henry knew better than to take chances. ¡°Ryan, ensure the kill,¡± he ordered. Another crack shattered the forest silence. The bullet struck the Minotaur¡¯s head, ensuring that the beast would not rise again. ¡°Confirmed,¡± Ryan reported. ¡°Damned thing ain¡¯t getting up from that.¡± With the confirmation, Henry and Ron continued their approach, their weapons still at the ready. The air was heavy with the smell of charred dirt and flesh. They reached the Chieftain, its massive frame now lifeless and inert. The explosive round had not merely wounded the creature; it had obliterated a significant portion of its torso. At face value it looked like overkill, but the fact that anti-material rifles and LMGs had little effect on the beast was harrowing ¨C they needed a weapon meant to take down armored vehicles just to kill one Minotaur Chieftain. After the reality of their encounter settled in, Henry directed the team to secure the Minotaurs¡¯ weapons first. The club and longsword wielded by the Minotaur Warriors were worn, likely appropriated from human combatants in battles long past. The Chieftain¡¯s large battle axe, on the other hand, was in remarkable condition. He frowned at the implications, paying his respects. After Ron moved the MRAP closer, Henry deposited the heavy axe inside. ¡°Let¡¯s see what else we can find in their lair,¡± he suggested. ¡°There could be useful loot or equipment.¡± ¡°And you say you don¡¯t like fantasy,¡± Ron quipped. Henry brushed him off with a smirk. ¡°Alright, maybe it¡¯s growing on me,¡± he admitted as they entered the lair. The lair was rather small for a dwelling of three minotaurs ¨C about the size of a studio apartment. ¡°Clear,¡± Ryan said. Henry nodded, beginning to look around. Inside, they found an assortment of items ¨C a mix of weaponry, armor pieces, and various trinkets. Some looked valuable, likely taken from unfortunate adventurers or travelers. While Ron and Isaac gathered the loot, Dr. Anderson and Henry examined the Minotaur bodies. ¡°We should take samples,¡± Anderson proposed. ¡°Their hide, horns, maybe even teeth could be valuable for crafting or research.¡± Ryan, already at work with a knife, replied without looking up. ¡°Ain¡¯t nothin¡¯ new for me. Been huntin¡¯ since I was old enough to hold a rifle. This is just a bigger game; same drill, just with a whole lot more¡­ Minotaur.¡± As he deftly began to collect materials, his efficiency in the task was evident. The others joined in after securing anything useful from the lair. The hide was tough and thick, likely making for excellent armor material, while the horns and teeth had a certain quality that suggested a hardness unattainable in Earthly nature. ¡°Never thought I¡¯d be cutting up Minotaurs for science,¡± Ron muttered, half in awe, half in excited disbelief, as he helped gather the materials. Once they finished, they packed the items into the MRAP or fastened them to the roof, ensuring everything was secure for transport. The return journey to the Guild was quiet, an occasional discussion popping up as Dr. Anderson worked on their mission report ¨C both for the Guild and for General Harding. When they arrived back at the Guild, the team unloaded some of their cargo. The Minotaur heads, extra equipment pieces, and trinkets from their lair were presented to the Guild officials, who seemed taken aback by the sheer volume and nature of what Alpha Team had brought back. The clerk, who had initially briefed them on the quest, looked on in amazement as the items were laid out before her. ¡°Please wait here a bit while I go fetch the Guildmaster.¡± The clerk quickly summoned Taldren. As he arrived, his eyes widened slightly at the sight of the Minotaur remains and other artifacts. ¡°Impressive,¡± he muttered, examining the items closely. His eyes fell on the trinkets that Alpha Team brought back. ¡°You did good work in bringing these back. These will provide closure for many.¡± Henry gave a respectful nod. Taldren shifted, ¡°It was not our intention for your party to encounter such a challenge for this quest, but your undertaking has surpassed our expectations. Recount your tale, tell us what happened.¡± Dr. Anderson read through the detailed report he made, which Taldren accepted with a nod. ¡°Truly impressive. Your tactics, the efficiency of your engagement¡­ it speaks of a mastery not often witnessed here.¡± He continued, ¡°Your prowess and aptitude, they eclipse what we typically observe from novices, transcending even those of higher standing. To face not one, but a trio of Minotaurs, including their Chieftain, and to prevail with such strategies¡­ it is indeed a feat of great note.¡± He paused, taking a breath. ¡°In light of your extraordinary performance and the outcomes of this quest, a unanimous accord has been reached.¡± He pulled 5 cards from his pocket, handing them to Henry and the others. ¡°These will serve as your temporary Adventurer Cards until we are able to process your registration. Congratulations, Alpha Team. You stand now as Tier 6 Adventurers.¡± Chapter 7: Armstrong Base Henry received his card, flipping it over. It felt smooth and cold, clearly made of some metal or new compound. It had his name, current tier, role, other identifying information, and an empty slot for a picture. It seemed rather out of place for what he imagined to be medieval fantasy, but like the case with the advanced plumbing, he welcomed the amenities. After the distribution of ID cards, Taldren gave the team a nod. ¡°I must attend to other pressing matters of the Guild. Mira Lenton here¡¯ll assist you with the rest of your rewards and formalities,¡± he said, gesturing towards the clerk. Mira explained, ¡°These will be yer official Guild IDs. Keep ¡®em close during yer quests; they prove yer part of the Guild and show yer Tier. They¡¯ll also let ye pass through gates and roads without payin¡¯ tolls.¡± ¡°And for yer outstanding performance in the Minotaur quest, the Guild has seen fit to award ye handsomely,¡± she announced, handing them a sealed envelope. As Henry broke the seal and unfolded the document inside, he was taken aback by the sum ¨C 40,000 lumens credited to their Party account. The money constituted significant capital to kickstart their operations, a welcome head start. ¡°This coin will serve ye well in yer future endeavors, whether for gear, supplies, or gatherin¡¯ information. They¡¯ve been added to yer account, which you can access with the Guild IDs. And with the grand deed ye¡¯ve done, the Guild¡¯s also given ye access to special places and knowledge here. Ye¡¯ll be able to use our best training grounds, get yer hands on quests not open to just anyone, and seek advice from those who know the lay of the land best.¡± Ryan whistled softly. ¡°Well, ain¡¯t that somethin¡¯?¡± Isaac looked over the envelope¡¯s contents. ¡°More than just somethin¡¯. I can see why so many locals wanna become adventurers.¡± After handing out the rewards for the Minotaur quest, the clerk paused and sifted through her papers before looking up again. ¡°There¡¯s more, ye see,¡± she said with a hint of excitement. ¡°For yer bold actions savin¡¯ the Arcane Scholar from those fenwyrms out in the Grenden Plains, he¡¯s made sure ye get full credit for that quest. And the way ye handled those bandits? The Eldralore Knight Order¡¯s recognized that too ¨C they¡¯re givin¡¯ ye credit for puttin¡¯ an end to their menace!¡± She handed over another set of envelopes to the team. ¡°Inside these, ye¡¯ll find our thanks in more than just coin. There be letters of high regard from the branch leaders of our Guild. They¡¯ll mark ye out for special missions, a true mark of honor for ones such as yerselves.¡± Henry analyzed their contents, containing his pride and amusement as he flipped through the papers. Like the first envelope, these also contained receipts of lumins being added to their guild account. However, these also contained the letters of commendation that Mira mentioned ¨C tickets necessary in a society of nobles such as this ¨C and slips that seemed to be vouchers. Henry looked up at the clerk. ¡°Thank you for these,¡± he said with a nod. ¡°Can you tell us more about these vouchers?¡± ¡°Those slips can be traded with our trusted vendors here or those who stand with us. They¡¯ll fetch ye free or discounted gear and supplies of finer make, the sort not usually within reach of newcomers.¡± Henry accepted the envelopes, the vouchers between his fingers feeling like keys to a treasure trove of possibilities. He knew their firearms were extremely potent in this world; an enchanted sword or bow seemed redundant for their kind of work, likely more valuable as research artifacts than practical tools. ¡°Great,¡± he said, pocketing the envelopes thoughtfully. While traditional weapons might not add much to their arsenal, the prospect of other magical items and potions piqued his interest. If the tales were true, these could offer advantages in scenarios where brute force wouldn¡¯t suffice. The thought of utilizing magical aids, especially potent healing potions, felt like a smart strategic addition for their missions. Mira gave them a smile. ¡°It¡¯s been a pleasure assisting ye. If there¡¯s aught else ye need, ye know where to find us!¡± ¡°Thank you, Mira,¡± Henry replied. ¡°We really appreciate it.¡± They made their way out of the Guild, passing other adventurers in the hall. Stepping outside, they walked to the Guild¡¯s parking lot, navigating through the stables and carriages until they reached their MRAP. The team loaded their gear and the envelopes into the vehicle, each member settling into their usual spots. ¡°Mira¡¯s lowkey kinda bad,¡± Ron muttered as he started the MRAP. ¡°Heh,¡± Henry smirked. ¡°Thought you liked elves and catgirls?¡± ¡°What can I say,¡± Ron shrugged, grinning. ¡°A baddie¡¯s a baddie.¡± As the MRAP rumbled along the pathway and ventured onto the main road, Henry¡¯s attention turned to the city around them. Leaving the city limits, Henry stared out the window. In the rearview mirror, he could see Dr. Anderson flipping through the pages of the commendations they had received, engrossed in the cultural significance of the documents. Meanwhile, Ron, Isaac, and Ryan were engaged in a low-key debate about the best way to utilize the new resources and access they had been granted by the Guild. It felt weird, considering how mundane his routine was just two weeks ago, but this was life now. While it hadn¡¯t been the star-hopping adventure he used to dream about, it was something he wouldn¡¯t give up for anything. As they approached the base, the familiar sight of its prefabs and the bustling activity of personnel brought a sense of reality back to the forefront. It was home sweet home ¨C a small piece of America in the heart of Gaerra. Base staff lent more eyes to their arrival, aware of Alpha Team¡¯s reputation as the premier exploration team. Henry nodded in acknowledgement to the waves and salutes they received as they drove toward the portal. Emerging on the other side, they disembarked and walked to the situation room for debriefing. The debriefing itself was straightforward. Henry led the report, outlining their encounters and the outcomes of their mission. After showing the Guild IDs to General Harding, he handed over the commendations and the vouchers they had received, explaining their potential use in future operations. ¡°Impressive work, Captain,¡± Harding began. ¡°Your team¡¯s adaptability is commendable. The way you¡¯ve handled yourselves, not just in combat but in navigating the complexities of Sonaran society, is exactly what we need.¡± Henry acknowledged the compliment. ¡°Thank you, sir.¡± Harding folded his hands on the table, his gaze fixed on the envelopes. ¡°Regarding the rewards you¡¯ve received, you¡¯ll be able to use them at your discretion for mission-related expenses and acquiring necessary equipment. We¡¯ll be assigning a handler to help manage and review your purchases. The non-essential physical items you¡¯ve obtained, especially anything of research value, will be cataloged and stored here for analysis.¡± Henry nodded. This arrangement left open the possibility of maintaining critical items like potions or other useful equipment that they might need. The protocols and doctrine were nothing like he was accustomed to; the rules were still being written. ¡°Now, about your next steps. Tomorrow, I want you to meet with Chief Warrant Officer Cole at the quartermaster¡¯s. We¡¯ll be continuing to bring in new equipment over the next few weeks, but he¡¯s got some stuff you might want to check out. And then, I¡¯d like you to speak with Dr. Lamarr and Dr. Perdue. They have some specific requests that align with our objectives on Gaerra.¡± ¡°Will do, sir,¡± Henry replied. ¡°We¡¯ll make sure to coordinate closely with them.¡± General Harding stood up. ¡°Good. Hopefully, I¡¯ll have some new assignments for your team once the talks have been concluded. Dismissed.¡± Henry exited the room and headed back to his quarters to wash up. The facilities at the Guild and the Clorox wipes in the MRAP had served as mere stopgaps. He could still smell the lingering odor of Minotaur on himself, and could only imagine how much worse it was for Ryan ¨C and how much worse it would be when they have their first eventual taste of extended quests. He sighed as he entered the shower, relishing a simple luxury that he had long taken for granted. After cleaning up, he donned a plain shirt and headed to the mess hall. The prospect of dinner was both a welcome and a slightly dreaded routine; their stock of fenwyrm meat, an exotic delicacy from their first weeks on Gaerra, was running low. As he entered, the familiar sounds and smells of the base canteen greeted him. The place was bustling with personnel, all hoping to enjoy the last vestiges of the fenwyrm meat. At a corner table, Ron and the rest of Alpha Team were already gathered, each with a plate of food. Ron waved him over. ¡°Better hurry up, Cap! The fenwyrm steak ain¡¯t gonna last long!¡± Henry grabbed a tray and joined his team, sliding into the seat with a soft clatter of his utensils. ¡°Enjoying it while it lasts, I see,¡± he remarked, surveying the dishes. ¡°Mmm, yup,¡± Ron said, his words muffled by a mouthful of food. He swallowed and grinned. ¡°Y¡¯know, we need to give Gordon Ramsay security clearance for this place. Or hire a Sonaran chef.¡± He speared another chunk of meat, savoring the taste. ¡°Nothing beats the taste of victory.¡± Isaac leaned back tapping his mouth with a napkin. ¡°Or we could just send you to Gaerra with a cookbook. ¡®Ron Owens: Interdimensional Chef¡¯ has a nice ring to it.¡± Henry chuckled, cutting into his steak. He took a bite, its rich, gamey flavor enhanced by a hint of umami and a velvety wine sauce, It was like a robust venison, but completely alien in its own right. ¡°I¡¯ll stick to my day job for now,¡± he replied. ¡°Tomorrow¡¯s meeting with Sergeant Cole and the docs might just turn out to be more than we bargained for.¡± Ryan, taking a swig of his sweet tea, raised an eyebrow. ¡°Reckon we¡¯re gettin¡¯ some new toys from the quartermaster?¡± ¡°Could be,¡± Isaac said thoughtfully. ¡°With the Manifest Project in full swing now, they¡¯ve probably got the green light for new assets and supplies.¡± The meal continued with light-hearted banter. After finishing, they went their separate ways to unwind. Henry, feeling the need to stretch his legs, stepped out into the cool night air. The base was quieter now, the hustle of the day giving way to the calm of the evening. He wandered aimlessly for a bit, eventually finding himself near a hangar storing vehicles ¨C MRAPs, UGVs, humvees, and even some Abrams ¨C all awaiting transport to Armstrong. After a few more minutes on his walk, he headed back to his quarters. The main room had a subdued ambiance, each team member settling into their own evening routine. Ron was sprawled on the couch, scrolling on his phone and oblivious to the world. Isaac was propped up against his pillow, absorbed in a book about medieval history while Ryan sat on a desk, grinding for loot online. A strange way to unwind after a similar mission in real life, but to each his own, Henry supposed. Dr. Anderson sat at his own desk, pen in hand and scribbling furiously in his notebook. He was likely cataloging the day¡¯s events or drafting ideas for possible upcoming quests. The man had an insatiable curiosity that seemed to drive him relentlessly. Henry found his bed and laid back, feeling the fatigue of the day seeping into his bones. He stared at the ceiling for a while, his mind a whirl of thoughts about the past and the future. He closed his eyes, beginning a prayer to the Lord. As he finished his prayers, the physical exhaustion took over, pulling him into a deep sleep. ¡ª¡ª Henry woke up to the muted sounds of the early morning on the base, the sunlight filtering in through his window. There was no blaring alarm to jar him awake, just the natural transition from sleep to consciousness, a rarity that he appreciated whenever it happened. He lay there for a moment, rubbing his eyes and letting the stillness of the morning sink in. Around him, the facilities were quiet, the rest of Alpha Team still in the grip of sleep. Henry savored these rare moments of peace. Finally rising, he swung his legs off the bed, slipping into some crocs as he dressed quickly in his standard base attire. As he stepped outside, the base was just beginning to stir. The sky was a blend of oranges and purples, dawn casting long shadows across the concrete and steel. He made his way to the mess hall, the aroma of coffee and breakfast guiding him. The mess hall was sparsely populated at this early hour. Henry grabbed a cup of coffee and a light breakfast ¨C french toast with a side of bacon and eggs. He scrolled through his phone, looking for something to watch while he enjoyed his meal. There: the anime that Ron recommended about the JSDF fighting fantasy enemies. Ron and Isaac were pretty adamant about watching Attack on Titan as his first anime instead, but this seemed a fitting first, given his line of work. Surprisingly, it was rather eye-catching, if not for how comparable it was to his own experiences after first stepping foot on Gaerra. After breakfast, he headed to the outdoor training area for a brief morning workout. The physical activity helped him clear his mind, setting the tone for the day. As he finished his routine, the rest of Alpha Team began to emerge, each member following their own morning rituals. Once the team was assembled, Henry briefed them on the day¡¯s agenda. ¡°We¡¯ve got a meeting with Chief Warrant Officer Cole at the quartermaster¡¯s first thing. Let¡¯s see what new gear we have at our disposal. After that, we¡¯re scheduled to meet with Dr. Lamarr and Dr. Perdue. They¡¯ve got missions for us that tie into our objectives on Gaerra.¡± Ron, sipping his coffee, nodded. ¡°Sounds like a plan. Curious to see what we can scrounge up this time.¡± As the team walked to the quartermaster¡¯s, Henry noticed a bustle the magnitude of which was typically unseen for the early morning ¨C trailers carrying new supplies and equipment, more dozers and construction vehicles, and scientists carefully transporting lab equipment. Armstrong Base was looking to be a permanent base ¨C perhaps what might even be considered a colony. ¡°Morning, Alpha Team. I¡¯m Warrant Officer Cole, resident Logistics and Technological Officer, and the guy who¡¯ll be handling Gaerran expenses,¡± a lean young man greeted them as they stepped into the quartermaster¡¯s. ¡°Sorry ¡®bout the mess, folks.¡± Henry looked around. Indeed, it was quite a mess. He counted at least ten other people unloading new things and sorting them. ¡°Quite the operation, huh?¡± ¡°No kidding,¡± Cole said. ¡°The General¡¯s been able to requisition a lot of new gear thanks to the success of the Project. We¡¯re still figuring out what works best in Gaerra, but we¡¯ve got a few things here that should help.¡± Walking through the aisles of the quartermaster¡¯s, Cole pointed out various pieces of equipment tailored for the diverse challenges Alpha Team might face. He first showed them the Enhanced Combat Helmets. ¡°These new helmets should provide much more utility than the hand-me-downs y¡¯all currently got. These fine specimens,¡± he said, smacking a helmet at the top, ¡°can be used interchangeably with Envirosuit helmets and include the brand-new IVAS three-point-oh ¨C improved voice command recognition, enhanced HUD with customizable data feeds, and improved accessibility with other systems for better situational awareness, like linking with drones.¡± Ryan grinned as he picked one up. ¡°Hell, it¡¯s about time.¡± Isaac put a hand on his shoulder. ¡°Don¡¯t go and wet yourself over the fancy doo-dads, ¡®Mister Findlay.¡¯¡± Cole¡¯s next item caught the team¡¯s attention immediately. ¡°What we have here,¡± he said, holding up the lightweight mesh garment, ¡°is a new type of protective overlay. It¡¯s designed to be worn over your Envirosuits or standard field apparel.¡± He explained the construction: ¡°DARPA says they used ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene ¨C UHMWPE ¨C woven into a fine, flexible mesh. The material has layers of this stuff and titanium and is pretty damn strong for its weight. Should offer good protection against slashing attacks, something you might encounter often on your missions. It¡¯s also more effective than standard Kevlar against stabs and piercing threats like arrows.¡± Henry picked up the mesh, feeling its lightness and pliability. ¡°Looks like chainmail, but without the weight,¡± he commented. ¡°Exactly,¡± Cole affirmed. Ryan examined the mesh, putting it on and moving his body around. ¡°Well, I¡¯ll be,¡± he drawled, ¡°feels lighter than a feather on a breeze. Movin¡¯ in this ain¡¯t no chore at all.¡± A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. ¡°And quick to put on and take off as needed,¡± Cole added. ¡°It¡¯s also relatively low-profile, perfect for high-level meetings or Game of Thrones shenanigans.¡± Henry nodded. ¡°What about for heavier threats?¡± ¡°We can¡¯t issue you tanks, but I can give you the next best thing. Here,¡± he said, gesturing to a compact, portable anti-tank weapon. ¡°It¡¯s a Carl Gustaf ¨C a bit heavier than the AT4s y¡¯all got, but it''s reusable and versatile. As for aerial targets, we¡¯ve got these bad boys,¡± he flourished his hand, introducing two launchers. ¡°The FIM-92 Stinger, good all-around. It can reliably track and take down one of them Fenwyrm Lords, but in case y¡¯all run into a frost wyrm or something, we¡¯ve also got the Starstreak.¡± ¡°Laser guidance should cover all of our bases,¡± Ron said. ¡°How effective would these be against dragons?¡± Henry asked. ¡°Assuming dragons are like flying tanks.¡± ¡°Stinger¡¯s probably gonna be a peashooter,¡± Cole admitted, shaking his head. ¡°Starstreak might do a bit more. The missile is twice as fast as a Stinger one, I think it can get up to Mach 4. Straight up, I think even a dragon would have a tough time shrugging off the pure kinetic energy from the Starstreak, but you¡¯re probably better off booking it and calling for backup. Apaches and UGVs are currently available, and I hear we¡¯ll be getting some heavier stuff in the next few weeks ¨C Abrams tanks, Reapers, A-29s, and F-35Bs, plus some even better stuff in the coming months.¡± Dr. Anderson shrugged, ¡°Should be fine as long as we don¡¯t run into anything higher than Tier 9.¡± Cole pointed out a set of medical kits. ¡°These are stocked with broad-spectrum antibiotics, antivenoms, anticoagulants, and first-aid supplies that aren¡¯t found in your Advanced and Multiple First Aid Kits.¡± Cole moved on to the next set of items. ¡°Given the unpredictability of Gaerra, we¡¯ve included some compact drones in your kit. These aren¡¯t your average surveillance quadcopters. First up, the Switchblade 300 ¨C quick, agile, and perfect for precision strikes against softer targets or individuals.¡± Ryan eyed one of the sleek drones, which was positioned next to its launch tube. ¡°Switchblade 300, eh?¡± Cole nodded and then pointed to a larger drone. ¡°And this is the Switchblade 600. Heavier payload, like having a flying tank buster at your disposal.¡± Ryan¡¯s eyes widened slightly as he examined the Switchblade 600. ¡°Now that¡¯s more like it. Heard tales ¡®bout these babies. Reckon it¡¯ll do us well against heftier targets. Ain¡¯t no Minotaur is gonna shrug off one of these.¡± Finally, Cole unveiled a more sophisticated drone. ¡°And this is the XQ-28 Falconet. Extensively tested in controlled environments, and just awaiting a field test before we get to call it the MQ-28. Versatile for both recon and combat, equipped with a small machine gun chambered in 5.56.¡± He demonstrated a compact tablet with a high-resolution display and an intuitive interface. ¡°You can control it using this. The interface is user-friendly; you can pilot the drone, access feeds, and engage targets with a few taps and swipes. It also supports an Xbox controller for finer flying control.¡± Henry glanced at Ron ¨C now this was something he was familiar with. ¡°I bet the ability to kill something without exposing ourselves is gonna be useful down the line.¡± Cole showed them a portable water purification system. ¡°Unknown water sources can be risky. This kit can purify and desalinate water, making it safe to drink. It¡¯s compact enough to fit in your packs.¡± He then presented a comprehensive multi-tool kit. ¡°For field repairs, adjustments, or any other unexpected needs. It¡¯s got everything from bolt cutters to a digital multi-meter.¡± His next item was a stack of rations. ¡°And for sustenance, we¡¯ve got these.¡± He handed them a plain cardboard box labeled ¡®StarBars¡¯. ¡°Developed for astronauts and Space Force personnel like yourself. Nutrient-rich, calorie-dense, long shelf life, what¡¯s not to love?¡± Henry¡¯s lips pursed, as if he could taste the so-called ¡®food¡¯. He picked up a StarBar, the design almost as bland as the taste. ¡°Let¡¯s hope the local cuisine is more appealing, or we¡¯ll be living off these and dreaming of chili mac MREs.¡± Ron chuckled. ¡°Maybe we can find a way to make them palatable with some Sonaran spices.¡± Henry glanced at Ron. ¡°See? Already on your way to becoming our Gordon Ramsay.¡± Cole grinned. ¡°Consider them a backup plan. I¡¯ve also included some field chemistry kits for testing substances you might encounter. They¡¯re simple to use and could be crucial for identifying potential hazards or useful materials.¡± As they finished reviewing the supplies, Cole led the team outside, where two MRAPs were parked side by side, each looking distinct in its setup. ¡°We¡¯ve got a lot of new stuff, so y¡¯all are getting a second MRAP and a M1082 trailer to boot. You¡¯ll have a bit more space for any loot y¡¯all come across in the field.¡± He pointed to the first MRAP. ¡°Thanks to new requisitions, we¡¯re not gonna have to rely on placeholder gear. The powers that be recognize the reality of the Project and the world on the other side, so your original MRAP has been replaced with an upgraded version. This one¡¯s fitted with an upgraded communication system. It¡¯s a high-frequency radio setup, designed for extended range without SATCOM integration.¡± ¡°World War 3 type shit, basically,¡± Ron remaked. ¡°Yup,¡± Cole agreed. ¡°Originally intended for a sticks-and-stones scenario with the entire world bombed back to the stone age. One of the geniuses in logistics realized how useful this would be on Gaerra, so here we are. This one can link directly with drones, providing you with real-time data and ensuring communication continuity in Gaerra¡¯s environment. Navigation-wise, we¡¯ve replaced the standard GPS with a system that relies on pre-established data and drone links. It¡¯s more suited to Gaerra, where conventional GPS simply isn¡¯t an option.¡± Turning to the second MRAP, Cole highlighted its distinct features. ¡°This MRAP is equipped with a TOW missile system. Given what you¡¯ve faced so far, we thought it prudent to provide you with something capable of taking on heavily armored targets. It does come with a mounted .50 cal for additional firepower.¡± Ron whistled appreciatively. ¡°That¡¯s some serious hardware.¡± Isaac walked up to the second MRAP. ¡°You can say that again.¡± Cole then returned to the first MRAP. ¡°And this one¡¯s been fitted with a Remote Weapon Station. It includes a Mark 19 grenade launcher for versatility in combat scenarios. Should be effective against a range of targets, giving you both offensive and defensive capabilities.¡± Henry surveyed both vehicles, impressed by the thought put into their customization. The extent of these modifications in just two weeks seemed improbable under normal circumstances. ¡°Two weeks is a tight window for all this,¡± he remarked. Cole nodded, understanding the unspoken question. ¡°Well, Captain, let¡¯s just say the Manifest Project had a few plans up its sleeve. We¡¯ve had contingency setups and modular systems ready, just waiting for the green light. Anything more than what you see here will have to go through standard R and D, though.¡± ¡°Either way, the additional firepower and systems are exactly what we need,¡± Henry said. ¡°Glad to hear it,¡± Cole replied. ¡°The M1082 trailer should handle well towed by the MRAPs. Plus, everything¡¯s got enhanced suspension systems ¨C should handle Gaerra¡¯s terrain more effectively.¡± ¡°Appreciate the thorough setup, Chief,¡± Henry said. ¡°No problem, Captain Donnager. If you need anything else, you know where to find me.¡± Henry gave a nod of respect to the man before leaving the quartermaster¡¯s. They ventured into the large hangar that housed the gateway, passing by a growing number of workers as dawn gave way to day. Similarly, the disciplined order of the hangar¡¯s exterior gradually transitioned to the focused calm of scientific inquiry as they walked further. The lab was deep within the facility, sheltered in a section close to the main gateway but far enough from it to not detract from the researchers¡¯ concentration. As they entered, the air was filled with the hum of machinery and the scent of ozone, a tang hinting at high-tech research. In the center of it all was a blonde woman, who took her eyes off a complex chromatography setup, analyzing samples presumably collected from Gaerra. Henry stepped forward, breaking the brief silence. ¡°Dr. Lamarr, Alpha Team reporting as directed.¡± His voice carried a formal edge ¨C a bit too formal. Dr. Lamarr offered a curt nod, her gaze lingering on Henry for a moment too long. ¡°Captain Donnager, good to see you again.¡± Her words were professional, but the tension was unmistakable, like a note held too long in a song. Ron, leaning against a workbench, caught the exchange and shot Henry a knowing look accompanied by a slight smirk. Henry¡¯s glance back was sharp. Dr. Lamarr smiled, clasping her hands together. ¡°Well, first off, congratulations on becoming adventurers,¡± she said, hoping to break the awkward silence. ¡°I¡¯ve been in discussions with Director Lombard and General Harding, and they¡¯ve agreed to allow me to issue specific missions to your team. These missions will align with our research objectives here and hopefully help us learn about Gaerra¡¯s unique environment and phenomena.¡± Lamarr cleared her throat, drawing their attention to a screen displaying an image captured from Henry¡¯s helmet cam. It showed the Guild¡¯s quest board, paused and zoomed in on a specific Tier 6 quest. A smaller window on the top right corner of the screen showed aerial drone footage of a village ¨C a picture-in-picture setup. ¡°I¡¯ve been looking through the Guild¡¯s quests and I found something interesting here. This quest comes from the village of Hardale, situated about 30 miles directly south of Armstrong and adjacent to a trade route through the Mirrowen Forest. They¡¯ve reported an unusual surge in monster attacks ¨C it¡¯s somewhat reminiscent of our initial encounter with the fenwyrms, but with a broader variety of creatures involved.¡± Henry leaned in, observing the screen intently. ¡°Looks like more than just bad luck,¡± he remarked. ¡°Precisely,¡± Lamarr said, pointing to a graph on another monitor. ¡°We¡¯ve been tracking environmental data from our drones. There¡¯s no way to directly measure magical energy yet, but we¡¯ve detected some unusual electromagnetic fluctuations in the area. A proxy for magical activity, maybe. These could be indicative of something¡­ unnatural occurring.¡± Ron peered over Henry¡¯s shoulder. ¡°So, something like the gateway¡¯s energy attracting the fenwyrms?¡± ¡°Potentially,¡± Lamarr replied. ¡°It¡¯s a working theory. These electromagnetic readings don¡¯t fit typical patterns we¡¯ve observed on Earth. If Gaerra¡¯s magic operates as a form of energy, these fluctuations might be the closest thing we have to a ¡®mana signature¡¯.¡± Dr. Anderson considered this. ¡°So we might be looking at an artificially induced hotspot for monster activity?¡± ¡°That¡¯s the hypothesis,¡± she confirmed, the pitch in her voice rising along with her excitement for a potential new discovery. ¡°According to the quest posting, Hardale¡¯s looking for help in investigating the cause of these monster attacks. I¡¯d like to see for myself, of course, but I wouldn¡¯t want to slow you down. The quest aligns with our observations and could tell us more about the nature of magic and how it affects the local fauna.¡± Henry nodded. ¡°We¡¯ll get to the bottom of this.¡± ¡°Before you go,¡± Lamarr said, reaching for a set of boxes on a nearby shelf, ¡°I have some equipment here that can help me understand this phenomena better.¡± She handed over the boxes to Henry. ¡°I¡¯ve included soil sampling kits and EMF meters. They¡¯re straightforward to use and should provide valuable data on the local environment.¡± Henry opened one of the boxes, inspecting its contents. He recalled using tools like these during his time on the Moon, so it shouldn¡¯t be too difficult. At the very least, testing for soil samples on an alien planet with life was already a much better alternative to checking moon soil for water ice and helium-3. ¡°And these EMF meters,¡± Lamarr continued, ¡°though we can¡¯t measure mana directly, any unusual electromagnetic activity could give us indirect clues about magical disturbances.¡± Ron picked up one of the meters, turning it over in his hands. ¡°Never thought I¡¯d be ghostbusting on an alien planet,¡± he joked. Lamarr then handed them a laptop. ¡°Use this for data logging and preliminary analysis. I¡¯ve loaded it with the necessary software. It¡¯s not as advanced as what we have here, but it should be sufficient for fieldwork.¡± ¡°Appreciate it, Doc,¡± Henry said, securing the laptop in its protective case. ¡°We¡¯ll make sure to gather as much as we can.¡± Lamarr gave him a smile. ¡°Stay safe out there.¡± ¡°Will do,¡± Henry assured her. He led the team outside, bringing the equipment to their MRAPs. Surprisingly, Ron didn¡¯t say anything about any ¡®girlfriends¡¯. If the Joker-esque grin on his face was anything to go by, the man must¡¯ve been too excited to go on his first real quest. Henry exhaled heavily. He never thought he¡¯d be as much a fan of the setting as Ron or Isaac, but he was certainly growing into it. After storing their new gear and taking some time to inspect the new adjustments up-close, Alpha Team boarded their MRAPs. Henry turned to Ron, ¡°Dr. Perdue¡¯s lab is on the other side, right off to the side of the gateway at Armstrong.¡± Acknowledging Henry¡¯s directions, Ron started the vehicle and drove ahead, joining the line of personnel and equipment awaiting transit to Gaerra. They rolled through, the cold embrace of the portal¡¯s event horizon greeted them ¨C a feeling that Henry was already starting to get used to. The MRAPs emerged on the other side, kicking up dust as they navigated a narrow dirt track leading to a squat, modular building that stood out amidst the rows of tents. Henry hopped out first, leading his team into a sterilization chamber attached to the structure. A fine mist of disinfectant enveloped them, the clinical scent stinging their nostrils. Passing through the chamber, they emerged behind a series of thick PVC strip curtains into Dr. Perdue¡¯s lab. The interior was a blend of field-ready practicality and advanced research: portable biohazard containers sat alongside high-resolution microscopes, and modular shelving units held an array of samples and scientific instruments. Off to the side sat the entrance to the infirmary and a quarantined ward ¨C a necessary precaution. A lab-coated brunette lady in her mid-thirties stood ahead, hunched over a petri dish. Glancing back, she greeted them. ¡°Alpha Team! I¡¯ll be right with you.¡± After finishing up her work and washing her hands, she approached them. ¡°Heard you¡¯re heading out on a new mission. Dr. Lamarr filled me in.¡± Henry nodded. ¡°That¡¯s right, we¡¯re investigating some unusual activity near a village in the plains. Might run into some interesting wildlife.¡± ¡°Perfect,¡± Dr. Perdue replied. ¡°I¡¯m keen on getting more biological samples ¨C anything you come across, really. Plants, animals, whatever you find unusual.¡± Ron leaned against a counter, eyeing a row of specimen jars. ¡°Gonna craft some potions for us, Doc?¡± Dr. Perdue cracked a small smile. ¡°Not quite yet, Lieutenant. But these samples could pave a path to that. Here,¡± she handed them a set of compact sample collection kits. ¡°These are for biological samples. Easy to use, just follow the instructions. And keep them secure; we don¡¯t want any contamination.¡± Henry took the kits, distributing them among his team. ¡°We¡¯ll make sure to collect what we can. Anything in particular you¡¯re interested in?¡± ¡°Behavioral patterns, reactions to stimuli, anything out of the ordinary,¡± Dr. Perdue explained, handing Henry a cooler. ¡°I¡¯ve also heard that ¡®monsters¡¯ of higher Tier typically have ¡®legendary¡¯ qualities. If you can procure samples from such fauna, those would be invaluable. I¡¯ll even take whole carcasses, if possible.¡± Isaac raised an eyebrow. ¡°You want pieces of monsters?¡± ¡°If possible,¡± Dr. Perdue affirmed. ¡°Tissue samples, blood, scales ¨C whatever you can get. It¡¯s all data. And who knows, there might be some¡­ practical applications. Maybe not right away, but maybe in the near future. Sooner, if we can learn from the Sonarans.¡± ¡°Understood. We¡¯ll bring back as much as possible.¡± As they prepared to leave, Dr. Perdue added, ¡°Multiple samples help as well. If there are any extras, I¡¯ll hand them back to you and you¡¯ll be able to sell them.¡± Stepping out of Dr. Perdue¡¯s lab, Henry could feel the excitement of their new mission. Collecting monster parts wasn¡¯t exactly what he had signed up for, but then again, nothing about this gig was turning out quite as he had expected. Regardless, he wouldn¡¯t complain about the chance to explore an alien planet and conduct some pioneering xenobiology, however fantasy-laden this chance was. ¡°Looks like we¡¯ve just got our first side quests,¡± Ron remarked, grinning as they walked back to their MRAPs. Henry smiled. He played enough video games to see the parallels. ¡°With ¡®research points¡¯ as a reward.¡± Isaac chimed in as he loaded their new sample kits into the second MRAP. ¡°Bet this wasn¡¯t in the recruitment brochure, huh?¡± ¡°Recruitment brochures are for the Air Force, not the Space Force,¡± Henry replied, placing the cooler in the trailer. ¡°Besides, they probably would¡¯ve undersold it.¡± Dr. Anderson laughed as he hopped inside the second MRAP. ¡°¡®To explore strange new worlds, seek out new life and new civilizations, and boldly go where no man has gone before¡¯ ¨C now that¡¯s a recruitment pitch.¡± He paused his laughter, ¡°Actually, Director Lombard did approach me with something similar.¡± ¡°Huh,¡± Ryan said. ¡°We were told it was a matter of national security. High-stakes job in a damn exotic spot. Didn¡¯t sugarcoat it or nothin¡¯. Said our expertise was needed for some ¡®unique¡¯ situation.¡± Isaac nodded. ¡°Yeah, ¡®unique¡¯ was the word. ¡®Unprecedented opportunity,¡¯ they said. Now, they didn¡¯t use that phrase often so I guessed it¡¯d be something interesting, and looks like I guessed right.¡± Henry took his seat beside Ron, Dr. Anderson joining them in the back while Isaac and Ryan took the second MRAP. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s head to Eldralore and get this quest officially on the books.¡± As they neared the main entrance of the base, Ron eased off the accelerator. Up ahead, a handful of base personnel seemed to be talking to a caravan of local merchants, who were attempting to trade. Henry spotted an array of goods ¨C fabrics, fruits, and even combat equipment like swords and potions. ¡°Look at that,¡± Ron muttered, turning his head to spectate the exchange. ¡°I bet we could get rich selling them spices.¡± ¡°Certainly,¡± Dr. Anderson said, adjusting his glasses. ¡°If the talks proceed well, I imagine that we¡¯ll see a trading post spring up around here. I¡¯ve actually recommended the sale of spices to Ambassador Perry ¨C not in high enough volume to disrupt local suppliers, and not impactful enough to shift local culture. Hopefully, we¡¯ll be able to trade for magical artifacts or new alchemical ingredients.¡± Ron nodded, resuming speed as they passed the checkpoint. ¡°Wonder if the Chief will add any potions to his stock.¡± ¡°Until then, we¡¯ll have to buy what we need locally,¡± Henry said, watching the trees pass by. The journey was uneventful, almost sending Henry to sleep. As they pulled into the Guild¡¯s parking lot, Henry yawned and stretched before leading his team inside. As they walked inside, Mira greeted them. ¡°Ah, Alpha Team!¡± she said with a bright smile. ¡°Returnin¡¯ for another bout of adventure, are we?¡± ¡°Yup,¡± Henry said, ¡°we¡¯re here to register for a Tier 6 quest about monster attacks on a village.¡± ¡°Aye, the Hardale troubles, that¡¯s the one. Got yer quest scroll right here.¡± She rummaged briefly before handing over a rolled parchment. ¡°This the right one?¡± Henry unfurled it, looking through the details. ¡°Yup, that¡¯s the one. Got any new details or updates?¡± ¡°The latest from Hardale speaks of a real mixed bag of trouble. They¡¯re facin¡¯ attacks from monsters of all sorts: common goblins, Lesser Treants, Fenwwyrm Spawn. Hardale¡¯s holdin¡¯ on, but there have been reports of hobgoblins, so they¡¯re runnin¡¯ low on time. These attacks¡­ it¡¯s unheard of in these parts. Whatever¡¯s stirrin¡¯ them up, it¡¯s no natural happening. Keep yet wits about ye. This quest could be more than a mere investigation.¡± ¡°Thanks for the heads up.¡± He turned to his team. ¡°First official quest as adventurers, let¡¯s check it out.¡± Chapter 8: Hardale Hardale Village, Duchy of Eldralore Sonaran Federation November 18, 2024 Small snaps and thwacks hit the windshield as leaves, twigs, and other debris flew past the MRAP. Henry looked outside of the passenger seat window, trees swaying in the slight gale outside. It looked tranquil ¨C extremely so, but he knew that this pastoral peace wouldn¡¯t last. He couldn¡¯t help but feel a tinge of irony. Here he was, a man trained for the depths of space, now navigating through a fantasy nightmare turned reality. He shook his head slightly, a rueful smirk playing on his lips. ¡°Should¡¯ve seen this coming the day I signed those NDAs,¡± he murmured to himself. ¡°Excited for your first quest, eh?¡± Ron quipped. Henry exhaled. ¡°Guess you could say that. Not as jittery as you, though.¡± ¡°You know it, dude,¡± Ron said with a smile. He glanced at the rearview mirror, catching a glimpse of Dr. Anderson hunched over his gear, brow creased in concentration. ¡°Anything interesting, Doc?¡± Dr. Anderson responded through the beeps of his EMF meter. ¡°We¡¯re hitting about 3,000 milligauss here,¡± he said, voice tinged with a mix of awe and apprehension. ¡°I¡¯m no expert in this field, but this is well beyond natural levels.¡± An EMF meter would normally read under 2 milligauss in most places on Earth. On Gaerra, the norm appeared to be around 20. ¡°3,000 quite a bit. Depending on how magic scales, we¡¯re talking possible interference to electronic equipment,¡± he said, partly to himself. What would normally be perceived as bad news by most was received well by Ron, who appeared even more excited upon hearing Henry¡¯s thoughts. Strange behavior, to be sure, but not something that Henry already didn¡¯t feel himself. Ron¡¯s magical quest was his spatial anomaly and the Doc¡¯s ancient discovery. As if directly addressing Henry¡¯s statement, the radio crackled and strained against the magical interference. The transmission came from Armstrong Base, ¡°Alpha¡­ fzzt¡­ Overwatch. Hostile¡­ fzzt¡­ Hardale. Expect communication¡­ fzzt¡­ Proceed with caution.¡± ¡°Copy, Overwatch,¡± Henry replied. "We¡¯re seeing the interference here. Keep us updated as best you can.¡± Approaching the village, Henry steadied his hands on the Remote Weapon Station¡¯s controls. From the feed and outside the window, he could see dark smoke rising from the treeline. His fears of being too late subsided as he saw the first visuals of the battle. He zoomed in, getting a grasp on the situation. The villagers, armed with nothing more than farming tools and sheer desperation, held back a tide of monsters, holding a chokepoint at the village¡¯s main gate. They jabbed and pierced with some modicum of coordination from behind a wooden barricade, men behind the main line throwing what flammable material they could. Sapling Treants, Goblins, and Hobgoblin grunts assaulted the makeshift fortification, with a few attempting to break down the wooden walls that surrounded the village itself. Unlike their smaller Goblin cousins, the Hobgoblins seemed much more humanoid, standing at average human height and wielding weapons and gear as a human might. The weirdest thing about the entire scene was the fact that the monsters seemed to be working together ¨C a fact that went against everything he had learned in preparation for the test at the Guild. Amidst the fray, a lone figure stood out, marked by a feminine grace. She fought on the outskirts of the village, drawing attention away from the congested chokepoint. Clad in armor that gleamed with a silvery-golden sheen, her green cloak flapped wildly amidst the melee. Her silvery-blonde hair whipped around as she pivoted, revealing mesmerizing purple eyes that were unmistakable even from a distance. It was Seraphine ad Sindis, the magic swordswoman from the Adventurer Test. Sera¡¯s movements were almost a blur, but one thing was clear ¨C her swordplay was effective. Dashing forward with inhuman speed, she thrust her blade into the thick hide of a Hobgoblin Grunt, piercing it before fluidly transitioning into a wide arc that cleaved another assailant in two. Her movements were far too swift, mirroring the physical enhancement Henry had seen from the Sonaran knights. In tandem with her swordsmanship, Sera¡¯s mastery of magic was a sight to behold. With a flit of her left hand, she conjured a spike of compacted soil from the ground directly underneath a squad of Goblin Warriors. Long, sharpened stalagmites burst from the ground and impaled them, leaving bloody corpses hanging in the air. With a swift incantation, her sword¡¯s edge shimmered with an icy aura, frost spreading along the blade. As she slashed through a Fenwyrm Spawn, the blade trailed wisps of condensation in the air. The gash left in the wake of her blade crystallized, the flesh now cold and black. The creature recoiled, the icy wound hindering its movement and its flesh visibly cracking around the frozen cut. Seraphine moved on to her next target, her blade a blur of silver and white as she eviscerated a treant. Henry took a deep breath. As entertaining and cool as the scene was, Sera and the villagers couldn¡¯t possibly handle all of those enemies on their own. ¡°Alpha Team, engage at will. Prioritize hostile fauna near civilians. Watch your fire.¡± With Sera busy near the barricade, he would have to adjust their line of fire. ¡°Owens, bring us around to the right side. Let her handle the monsters over there. We¡¯ll take on the ones further out.¡± The .50 cal machine gun atop the MRAP roared to life, echoing through the clearing. Henry tapped the trigger methodically, picking off a few of the monsters along the way as Ron repositioned. He steered the vehicle deftly, keeping it at a steady 20 MPH while avoiding obstacles and providing Henry with a stable firing platform. Dr. Anderson called out distances and bearings, aiding in target identification as he took a few shots out the window. ¡°Five Goblins, 11 o¡¯clock, 50 meters, behind the Treants!¡± Henry shifted his aim, the turret¡¯s hydraulic servos whirring as it turned to face the group. He fired short bursts at the Sapling Treants, completely shredding them with .50 cal rounds. The towering creatures staggered under the impact, splinters of wood exploding from their forms. The goblins behind died the moment the covering treants were ripped apart, reduced to smears of gore before they could even question how they were torn to shreds behind a sturdy defense. He couldn¡¯t help but compare this scene to his training simulations against the PLASF ¨C those were predictable; this was anything but. The treants died as inexplicably as they existed. Suffering critical structural damage, their ¡®faces¡¯ and branches stopped moving. If Henry didn¡¯t know any better, he would¡¯ve thought these were shattered trees with faces carved into them, rather than the shells of animated vegetation. Their demise was a positive development for the villagers, but a detriment for Henry¡¯s continued assault. ¡°Ron, hard left and flank. Can¡¯t see past the treants. Need a clean line on those Hobs up ahead.,¡± Henry commanded. ¡°Adjusting position,¡± Ron confirmed as he turned the wheel to the left, avoiding the bodies and debris that cluttered the ground below. The Hobgoblin Grunts past the treants were taller than their Goblin cousins, boasting more robust physiques and weapons of greater sophistication. They wielded swords, spears, and an assortment of bows with proficiency ¨C more so than their lesser-skilled kin. Though not a match for Sera, it was enough to threaten the villagers. If they broke through, it would be a slaughter. ¡°Clear shot. Firing.¡± Henry gripped the joystick and pressed the trigger, laying down fire on the Hobgoblins closest to the wall. Their torsos and limbs erupted in a spray of dark red blood as the .50 blew holes the size of basketballs through them, completely eviscerating their fragile physiologies. The Hobgoblins were thrown into disarray by the sudden and brutal efficiency of the .50 cal. The ones not immediately torn apart by the gunfire scattered, seeking cover or attempting to regroup. Additional gunfire from Ryan¡¯s MRAP behind them contributed to the chaos, filling the air with violent booms that neither the villagers nor monsters had heard before. The initial shocked reactions of the villagers were entertaining ¨C a thought experiment brought to life. He wondered how they would react to a single Dorito, but pushed the notion aside as he panned the turret to engage the retreating stragglers. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the villagers quickly regaining morale, taking advantage of the fire support to bolster their defenses and clear out the few goblins and minor monsters that were harassing the main entrance. The Hobgoblin Grunts retreated toward a ridge sheltered by a canopy of trees and dense foliage, where several more of their kin emerged with bows. Their coordination and concept of covering fire were intriguing, confirming Kelmithus¡¯ lecture on the complex intelligence of some monster species. Though a compelling study, their intelligence was not enough of a match for the MRAP¡¯s armor and firepower. Arrows simply thunked against the metal exterior, leaving mere scratches. ¡°Shooters on the ridge, 9 o¡¯clock!¡± Dr. Anderson called out. It was almost amusing how discrepant the power between them was, but Henry paid it little heed as he locked on to the targets above. The heavy bullets ripped through the air, each impact on target resulting in a Hobgoblin being thrown backward or outright disintegrated by the sheer force. The experience was nothing like the simulations against the PLASF, but the training more than carried over. Compared to hitting targets in a low-g environment, hitting the swiftly leaping Hobgoblins was a piece of cake. He picked off the last few survivors scampering off into the distance, tapping the trigger until the last of them disappeared behind the thick greenery of the forest. As the immediate threat dwindled, Henry panned the camera around, ready to respond to any further movement. ¡°Area secured for now. Stay alert for additional hostiles,¡± he announced. It was surreal ¨C fun, almost. He didn¡¯t know how to feel; there existed no such ¡®thrill of battle¡¯ in the efficiency of modern combat. But here, amidst the chaos of fighting creatures of legend, there was an unsettling exhilaration. The bullets tearing through goblin flesh, the way the treants crumbled under heavy fire ¨C it was like something out of a high-octane shooter, not the calculated, methodical engagements he was accustomed to. Yet, as his eyes briefly swept over the scene beyond the immediate clash, he was hit with the sobering reality of the situation. The villagers defending the front gate bore the scars of battle, some with gashes across their bodies and others with sunken, tired eyes. They were little more than simple farmers or hunters, unexpectedly tasked with the harsh work of battle. A tinge of guilt washed over him for that fleeting sense of enjoyment as he saw Sera rush over to a body on the ground, a soft yellow glow emanating from her hands. He sighed, opening the door to his right. ¡°Owens, hold the vehicle. Doc, with me ¨C let¡¯s assess their situation.¡± He radioed over to Ryan and Isaac, static prevalent but negated thanks to their proximity to each other. ¡°Yen, get the medkits ready. We¡¯ve got injured civilians.¡± Stepping out of the MRAP, Henry was immediately hit by the stench of battle ¨C a noxious mix of charred flesh, gore, and earth. He coughed, his boots avoiding the grisly remnants of goblins and fenwyrms strewn across the battlefield. Dr. Anderson, with a look of both fascination and disgust, followed closely. The villagers ahead were a motley group of farmers and hunters, clad in simple tunics with a few donning basic armor ¨C likely amateur adventurers. Covered in dirt and blood, they eyed them warily with expressions blending shock and exhaustion. None seemed to recognize Henry and his team despite the uproar at the Guild. The news likely hadn¡¯t reached them yet, and they only saw heavily armed warriors unlike any they had ever known. A grizzled man in a worn leather jerkin approached them cautiously, a short sword held in a way that struck Henry as defensively practical. The blade was angled downward ¨C not pointed directly at them, but the man¡¯s grip was firm, suggesting he could shift quickly to attack if needed. ¡°Ye be the ones respondin¡¯ to our call fer aid?¡± he asked, voice tinged with a rural accent. Henry reached into his pocket and pulled out his Guild ID. He adopted a more reassuring tone as he responded according to local customs, ¡°Captain Henry Donnager, Alpha Team, Tier 6. We¡¯re responding to the quest posted by your village.¡± The man nodded slowly, eyes slightly widening at the sight of the ID. ¡°Tier Eight Lady and now Tier Sixes eh? Name¡¯s Harald. I¡¯m overseein¡¯ our defenses, such as they are. We weren¡¯t expectin¡¯... well, anything like ye.¡± Harald¡¯s gaze lingered on Henry¡¯s rifle, more curious than suspicious. ¡°Your gear¡­ ¡®tis unlike any we¡¯ve seen. Like somethin¡¯ out of the old tales.¡± Henry looked at Dr. Anderson. Firearms in ancient tales? Judging from the look on the Doc¡¯s face, it seemed that they did not mishear. This was something they hadn¡¯t anticipated. Yet, despite the allure of this historical anachronism, there were more pressing matters. ¡°What¡¯s the situation looking like, Harald?¡± As Harald began to recount the attack, Sera joined them. Her presence immediately drew the attention of the villagers, her armor barely marked from the battle despite the vicious melee she was embroiled in. She gave a curt nod to Henry, out of thanks¡­? Respect? He couldn¡¯t tell. ¡°We must convene with your chief forthwith,¡± Sera declared. ¡°Lead us to him without delay.¡± Harald, taken aback by her tone but recognizing her authority as both a noble and a Tier 8 adventurer, nodded. ¡°Aye, the chief¡¯s tendin¡¯ to the wounded. Follow me, m¡¯lady, sir.¡± Trudging behind Harald, Henry¡¯s eyes roved over the village¡¯s battered visage. Most of the buildings remained untouched, but a few bore scars of battle ¨C damage from arrows and stains from monster blood. The locals paused their makeshift repairs to eye the newcomers. Their stares were a tangled web of wariness and wonder ¨C a reaction Henry was starting to get used to. They arrived at a space cleared for the wounded, where an older man tended to the injured. That must be the village chief. He cleaned a gash on a man¡¯s leg with water from a wooden bowl before wrapping a bandage tightly around the leg and applying pressure. He clasped a mana crystal in his left hand, pressing down on the bandage with his right as he murmured a spell. The crystal¡¯s glow intensified as a glimmer of yellow embraced the wound. The man¡¯s weathered face lifted as they approached. ¡°Ye found us in dark times,¡± he said, voice hitching as he eyed the newcomers¡¯ gear. ¡°I¡¯m Eldon, chief here. Who shall I give thanks to for repelling the beasts outside our walls?¡± Sera showed her Guild ID. ¡°Seraphine ad Sindis, Tier 8.¡± Henry extended a firm hand to Eldon, his own Guild ID between his fingers. ¡°Captain Henry Donnager of Alpha Team, Tier 6. We¡¯re here on your summons. What can you tell us about the monster attacks? The chief¡¯s hand met Henry¡¯s. ¡°We¡¯ve seen strange happenings as of late. Creatures, more bold and numerous, and shadows lurking near the lake that way,¡± he pointed to the west. ¡°It started a week past and has only worsened.¡± ¡°Any changes in the environment? Anything unusual?¡± Dr. Anderson asked. Eldon nodded, tending to another injury as he responded. ¡°Aye. Wildlife¡¯s been skittish. And there¡¯s a¡­ a thickness near the lake. The air feels laden, as if by untamed magics.¡± ¡°Doc, lemme see that,¡± Henry pointed toward the EMF meter. The device now read an alarming 4,000 milligauss. Sera furrowed her brow at the sight of the device in Henry¡¯s hand. Her eyes darted between the meter and Eldon. Though she didn¡¯t know what the device¡¯s function was or its significance, Henry could tell she was piecing together the puzzle. She finally spoke, ¡°A confluence of magic this dense is seldom wrought by natural means. Such an escalation in the density of Aether here reeks of foul play.¡± ¡°I was thinking the same thing,¡± Henry said, ¡°Looks like we¡¯ve got more than just random monster sightings on our hands.¡± Sera nodded. ¡°We must investigate these shadows posthaste. The source of this corruption must be sought out.¡± Eldon¡¯s gaze shifted to Sera. ¡°Would that we could, m¡¯lady. Our hands be full keepin¡¯ hearth and home safe.¡± ¡°We¡¯ll handle it,¡± Henry reassured the village chief. Henry paused as he turned to Sera. He knew that his next words might strike a nerve with her. ¡°Ma¡¯am,¡± he cautiously broached the subject, ¡°maybe you should stay here, help defend the village.¡± He was ready for the pushback, the swift rebuttal from a Tier 8 adventurer and noble not used to being sidelined. Her posture stiffened visibly. Crossing her arms, she replied with an indignant edge in her voice. ¡°And miss the heart of the action? You jest, Captain.¡± This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there. Henry held her gaze, unflinching. ¡°It¡¯s not about glory, ma¡¯am. It¡¯s about ¨C¡± ¡°About what, Captain? Keeping a Tier 8 Adventurer from the fray?¡± Sera interrupted, her tone sharpening. ¡°I need not remind you of your own status. And I assure you, my abilities are better utilized unraveling this mystery than playing sentry.¡± Henry let out a slow, controlled breath, a mix of exasperation and tactical consideration washing over him. Damn, she¡¯s as stubborn as they come, he thought, eyeing Sera¡¯s defiant stance. Despite the frustration, there was an undeniable allure to her ¨C not just her striking appearance but also the fierce determination she radiated. She¡¯s going to be a handful, he mused silently. ¡°Fine, I¡¯ll split some of my team. You¡¯re with us,¡± he conceded, his voice betraying none of the internal conflict. She gave a smug expression, as if she had won. It was a bit annoying, but a part of him couldn¡¯t help but admire her grit. Even he had ¡®misinterpreted¡¯ orders for the sake of efficiency, and at the end of the day, the girl wasn¡¯t even a part of his unit, so why be upset about not being able to give her orders? He just hoped that pride of hers wouldn¡¯t cost them down the line, aware of the delicate balance between harnessing her strengths and mitigating the risks her headstrong nature posed. With the decision made, he announced over comms, ¡°Hayes, Yen, change of plans. You¡¯re on village defense detail. Set up a perimeter, assist with fortifications, and provide support as needed. We¡¯re heading to the lake to investigate. Maintain hourly check-ins. Acknowledge.¡± ¡°Acknowledged, Captain. Happy hunting,¡± Ryan¡¯s voice crackled through the comms. He could barely make out the words due to the interference. He then prepared to report back to Armstrong Base but was met with only static. Whatever was happening at the lake, it was getting stronger. His train of thought was interrupted by Harald, who approached them. ¡°I can guide ye to the lake. Know the land like the back of my hand, I do.¡± Henry didn¡¯t even have time to weigh the risks of bringing a civilian into a potentially dangerous situation before Sera considered Harald¡¯s proposal. ¡°Your offer is valuable, Harald,¡± she said, voice contemplative. ¡°Very well. However, be warned, the dangers we face may be beyond anything you have encountered.¡± Harald nodded, stepping up like an eager adventurer. ¡°I¡¯ve seen my share of dark days. I stand ready, m¡¯lady.¡± As Sera quickly accepted Harald¡¯s offer, Henry felt a twinge of irritation at her overstepping. However, he couldn¡¯t deny the fact that Sera held authority here. Suppressing his initial annoyance, he stepped in to assert his leadership. ¡°Hold on,¡± he interjected firmly, addressing both Sera and Harald. ¡°While I agree your knowledge is valuable, Harald, this isn¡¯t a simple trek. If you¡¯re coming, you follow my lead and my orders. And especially no heroics. Understood?¡± ¡°Aye, I¡¯ll heed your commands,¡± Harald replied. As they approached the MRAP, Harald¡¯s eyes widened. ¡°Saints preserve us, is it safe to journey with this manner of beast?¡± ¡°It¡¯s more than safe; probably the safest option there is,¡± Henry assured him, opening the side door to the MRAP, allowing Harald to sit up front and provide directions. Sera followed behind, her usual poised posture intact. As she stepped into the MRAP, Henry noticed her expression, a subtle sign that even she wasn¡¯t immune to curiosity. She glanced around the interior, eyes settling on the array of screens and controls. Though she quickly composed herself, Henry couldn¡¯t help but catch the fleeting look of intrigue that crossed her face. Ron, already waiting at the wheel, glanced back. ¡°First time in a car? You¡¯re in for a treat.¡± Henry settled into his seat, watching as Harald and Sera made themselves comfortable. Sera had already strapped her seatbelt, mimicking Henry and Ron¡¯s motions. ¡°Harald, strap in. It¡¯s not like riding a¡­¡± he paused, almost saying ¡®horse¡¯ but choosing a term more familiar, ¡°a dradak.¡± The MRAP moved forward, pulling away from the village. Harald quickly grabbed onto his seat, taken slightly off-guard by the vehicle¡¯s movement. It didn¡¯t take long for him to mask his surprise, returning his focus to providing directions to the lake despite his shock at the vehicle¡¯s capabilities. ¡°You seem to have embraced our idiosyncrasies quite readily, Captain,¡± Sera commented, her tone full of intrigue with a hint of sarcasm. ¡°Your fashion sense has taken quite the turn since our last encounter. Remind me again, from where do you hail?¡± Henry glanced at her. ¡°Around, ma¡¯am. Let¡¯s leave it at that,¡± he replied, intentionally vague. And to be honest, they really were from ¡®around¡¯; the Grenden Plains weren¡¯t all that far from Eldralore. ¡°Oh, ¡®Around,¡¯¡± she echoed, a smirk on her face. ¡°A curious origin indeed. It must be land of such great mystery.¡± Henry looked into her eyes and her smile, catching himself from smiling like an idiot. ¡°Every land has its mysteries,¡± he responded, keeping his tone light. ¡°Some more than others.¡± Sera leaned back slightly, her eyes locked onto Henry¡¯s. ¡°Indeed. Rumors abound, particularly those entwined with Duke Vancor. Sightings of unfamiliar figures, whispers of new alliances. A flag no one¡¯s seen before,¡± she said, eyes slowly drifting down to the patch on Henry¡¯s shoulder. ¡°One might surmise a great deal from such tales.¡± Henry¡¯s smirk deepened. ¡°I will neither confirm nor deny,¡± he replied smoothly. Sera¡¯s smile broadened ever so slightly, as if she was enjoying the verbal sparring. ¡°A wise stance, Captain. Ambiguity often speaks volumes in realms of diplomacy.¡± Henry shrugged in response before turning his attention to Harald. ¡°Harald, anything in particular this region is known for?¡± ¡°Aye, Captain, ¡®round these parts, we¡¯re no strangers to scuffles, more so with them Nobian lot. We oft see knights from Eldralore fightin¡¯ off the curs, spies and all.¡± ¡°Skirmishes with the Nobians?¡± Henry asked, sharing a look with Dr. Anderson. This wasn¡¯t the first time the Nobians have cropped up in a negative light. It seemed like everything that had gone wrong so far was related to them. ¡°Aye, they be like shadows, them Nobians, sneakin¡¯ ¡®bout, they are,¡± Harald explained. ¡°By the time we catch wind of ¡®em, poof, they¡¯re gone, not a trace left behind. The knight order, bless ¡®em, they can¡¯t even get here fast enough, and them border guards they send, well, they¡¯re just as stumped as we are. Come to think of it, there¡¯s been a right uptick in scuffles these past weeks, just ¡®fore these attacks started.¡± Sera interjected, her tone taking on a more serious note. ¡°The Nobians have long been known for their guile and duplicity. That they might be the architects of such an insidious ploy is hardly a revelation that would rouse my surprise.¡± ¡°Nobians again, huh?¡± Ron remarked. He sounded like he was tired of dealing with them already, as if he were one of the border guards. Dr. Anderson asked, ¡°Do you have any insight on what might be causing the anomaly?¡± ¡°Mere theories,¡± she answered, looking out the window. ¡°I posit a sort of magical siege, though only by uncovering the source of this disruption can we ascertain the truth.¡± As the MRAP pushed through the forest, the landscape gradually opened up to a vast clearing by the lake. The setting was idyllic, with sunlight dancing on the lake¡¯s tranquil surface. The natural beauty of it all seemed untouched by the turmoil they were investigating. Harald pointed ahead. ¡°There, that¡¯s the lake. This is where most sightin¡¯s ¡®ave been.¡± ¡°We¡¯re over 5,000 milligauss here,¡± Dr. Anderson announced. That wasn¡¯t a good sign. Henry surveyed the scene before turning to Harald. ¡°Stay here with Lieutenant Owens over here,¡± he said, placing a hand on Ron¡¯s shoulder. ¡°We¡¯ll continue the investigation outside.¡± Henry, Dr. Anderson, and Sera stepped out. Henry analyzed his surroundings with his IVAS, flipping through the device¡¯s various modes. It projected the environment in enhanced detail, allowing him to scan for heat signatures or movements through the underbrush. He expected to see monsters hiding in the foliage or the shimmer of cloaking magic but instead found nothing. Dr. Anderson followed Henry¡¯s lead, keeping his eyes on the surrounding area while also glancing at his own equipment. Henry looked back at Sera. ¡°Ma¡¯am, stay behind cover and follow our lead,¡± he instructed. ¡°We¡¯ll secure the area first.¡± Sera¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword as she looked around. She was clearly not used to taking orders, especially in a situation where she would probably be leading. ¡°Very well, Captain,¡± she conceded, likely interested in seeing how Henry functioned. They advanced cautiously, approaching the water by weaving through increasingly sparse trees and boulders. The serene setting of the lakefront put Henry on edge. It was cliched, he thought, but it really was too quiet. ¡°Something¡¯s definitely off here.¡± Sera looked behind, back to the MRAP. ¡°This tranquility is deceiving. Should we truly be facing Nobians, be aware that they are masters of concealment.¡± Henry nodded. ¡°Almost found out the hard way. Let¡¯s keep moving.¡± He kept a vigilant eye as they skirted the lake¡¯s edge. The stillness of the water, mirroring the sky with deceptive calm, didn¡¯t sit right with him. Sera¡¯s earlier caution about the Nobians, combined with his own experiences, lingered in his mind like an unshakable echo. He stopped abruptly, his focus shifting to a faint wisp of smoke curling up from behind the opposite shore. ¡°Look there,¡± he gestured. ¡°Smoke.¡± Sera squinted in the direction Henry indicated. ¡°A mere oversight, or perhaps a deliberate ruse?¡± ¡°Only one way to find out,¡± Henry replied. He swept his infrared laser ahead, searching for distortions as he moved forward and began to circle the lake. They approached the source of the smoke, steering clear of the open lake and opting for the relative safety of the treeline as they pushed up. The trail, though slight, was a clear marker of recent human activity. After a couple of minutes, Henry found himself just outside the site, spotting a tent and a pile of smoldering documents and materials. He scanned the surroundings for another minute before finally deeming it clear enough to proceed. He walked up toward the tent and fire. It was a scene that spoke of urgency ¨C an effort to erase evidence as quickly as possible. Kneeling beside the remnants, Henry examined the charred edges of scrolls and half-melted objects. He caught a familiar sight, reminiscent of the quill and scroll he obtained from the Nobian intruder in the Duke¡¯s guest mansion. Reaching in with his gloves, he carefully extracted a burnt scroll. He turned to Sera. ¡°We need to extinguish the flames. Can you remove the oxygen ¨C the air around the scroll?¡± Sera leaned in, assessing the situation. ¡°You mean to asphyxiate the blaze?¡± ¡°Yup,¡± Henry nodded, holding up the scroll for her. Sera focused on the deteriorating paper, extending her hand towards it. She stared intently, calming her breathing as she hovered her palm over the fire. A gentle but firm breeze swirled around the scroll, isolating it from the surrounding air. The flames flickered, wavered, and then died out, leaving only a trail of smoke that quickly dissipated. ¡°Perfect,¡± Henry remarked, watching as the last wisp of smoke vanished. ¡°Let¡¯s see if we can salvage anything from this.¡± A gnawing anxiety at the back of his mind compelled him to carefully hand over the scroll to Dr. Anderson. He was an archaeologist, and they worked with scrolls that could crumble at any moment, right? Dr. Anderson accepted the item, cautiously unfurling it. Despite its burnt state, a few lines of ink were visible, though heavily obscured by the damage. ¡°It¡¯s Nobian script,¡± Dr. Anderson revealed. ¡°Too damaged to decipher fully, but I can make out a few words and phrases. Something about runes?¡± He tilted the scroll, aligning it toward Sera. ¡°Any thoughts?¡± Sera knelt down, reading what few words and phrases remained. ¡°It would seem this scroll imparts commands for a Rune System.¡± ¡°A Rune System?¡± Henry asked, glancing at Dr. Anderson, who shared the same curious but confused look. Sera chimed in, ¡°A system of runes, each intricately woven with its own spell. They are arranged to act in concert, akin to sentinels springing to action, unleashing their magic upon the right provocation. Couched within these scorch remnants lie a program for manipulation, not of the dominative sort, but a subtler kind. These runes are designed for Aether control. The rest of the text is burnt, but I surmise that these allow for indirect control of monsters. Such creatures are susceptible to the very Aether around them. It is possible to generate nudges that mimic their own inner compulsions, fooling beasts into compliance.¡± Henry raised his eyebrows, both impressed and somewhat taken aback by the depth of Sera¡¯s knowledge. ¡°That¡¯s quite an insight. Mind control for monsters, huh? Where¡¯d you learn about this?¡± Sera held her head high. ¡°Such knowledge is requisite for ascension to Tier 8,¡± she answered proudly. ¡°It is essential for one of my station to be well-versed in the various arcane arts, especially those employed by potential adversaries.¡± Her response reminded him of his academy days. He smiled at the thought, but only briefly as he returned his attention back to reality. He looked back at the lake, toward the direction of the village. ¡°So they¡¯ve been using this¡­ Rune System to stir up the monsters around here?¡± Sera stood up, brushing off her hands. ¡°Indeed. And their precipitous departure suggests they did not foresee the swiftness with which their subterfuge would be unveiled. Given the strength of the Aether here,¡± she said, glancing at Dr. Anderson¡¯s EMF meter, ¡°I surmise that their Rune System remains active, likely concealed nearby. We would be remiss not to seek it out.¡± It was a smart observation ¨C one that they probably couldn¡¯t have figured out by themselves due to their lack of overall Gaerran knowledge and one that Henry agreed with. ¡°Yeah, let¡¯s look around.¡± As Dr. Anderson secured the scroll into a case, Henry used the EMF meter to search for the Rune System. He walked toward the tent, watching as the numbers fell. He turned around, moving away from the campsite in the opposite direction of the lake. ¡°Readings are getting stronger over here,¡± he called out, indicating a path through the dense underbrush. Following the signal, he navigated the terrain with caution. It was tough enough not knowing what he was looking for, and the vegetation didn¡¯t make it any easier. All he knew was that they were looking for something out of place. As he continued his search, Sera abruptly stopped. ¡°There, beneath those branches,¡± she said, the pitch of her voice suggesting that she¡¯d found something. Pushing aside the branches and leaves, they discovered a stone marked with runes. As they cleared more vegetation, an entire network of similar stones emerged, each carved and linked in a deliberate pattern. They were connected by a web of vines in a way that reminded Henry of a circuit board, with each rune serving as a node in a larger network. The vines themselves appeared to be more than mere plants; they had a subtle luminescence that suggested they were conduits for magical energy. Henry crouched beside an artifact in the center of the network. Unlike the surrounding stones, this object was distinctly more advanced in its design. It was not just a simple rock but a complex metallic device. It had an industrial feel to it ¨C anachronistic for the current era of the Sonaran Federation, with interlocking segments that implied it could be opened or adjusted. ¡°This must be it,¡± he muttered, examining the unfamiliar object. Sera joined him, intently studying the arrangement. ¡°It is as I surmised. The runes here are for monster manipulation. and the artifact in the center is¡­ Baranthurian in origin.¡± ¡°Baranthurian? You mean the Gatebuilders?¡± Dr. Anderson asked. Despite the heavy readings provided by Kelmithus, it seemed even he hadn¡¯t come across this name. ¡°Indeed not, Doctor. The Baranthurians are a more recent civilization that rose and fell over twenty eons ago. The relics they left behind are arcane enigmas.¡± Sera explained. Henry frowned, processing the information. Another ancient civilization? ¡°How do the Nobians know how to use their tech?¡± ¡°The Baranthurians left behind many artifacts, like this core. Our current mastery of magic is, in part, derived from these relics,¡± Sera explained. ¡°The artifacts have always been a source of arcane study. It¡¯s not beyond reason that the Nobians have deciphered some of their secrets.¡± Henry glanced at the complex system. ¡°We need to shut this down. Can we do it without triggering some kind of backlash?¡± Sera knelt beside the core, closely scrutinizing its design. ¡°It is possible. Give me a moment.¡± She opened the core, revealing a set of crystalline nodes within, each with a latching mechanism. With a deft touch, Sera realigned them. It looked like she locked them out of the system, effectively turning them off. Her eyes then drifted to the edges of the artifact, eyeing the clump of vines. Identifying the brightest one, she followed the snaking figure past a bush. Henry caught a glimpse of a blue shimmer as she pushed the vegetation away and unlinked a collection of mana crystals. As soon as she ¡®unplugged¡¯ the power source, the core and the surrounding runestones dimmed. Rising from her task, Sera glanced at the now inert runes. ¡°Thus, the Baranthurian relic is inert,¡± she declared with a note of satisfaction. ¡°The nearby monsters should no longer be under its sway.¡± Though the process seemed more to Sera like turning off a computer, it looked to Henry as if she was defusing a bomb. And with how volatile magic could be, it may very well have been a bomb. ¡°Well,¡± Henry said, ¡°Good work.¡± Sera smiled, giving a nod in response. Henry looked at his EMF meter. The readings were already plummeting without the constant spellcasting, dropping under 2,000 milligauss. He picked up his radio, which was noticeably clearer. ¡°Owens, the system¡¯s shut down. Bring the MRAP up here and send a message to Hayes and Yen, and let them know that we¡¯ve successfully neutralized the anomaly. We¡¯re going to secure the area and gather what we can.¡± ¡°Acknowledged. I¡¯m on my way,¡± Ron replied. Sera crossed her arms, regarding Henry thoughtfully. ¡°Captain, I trust you realize the significance of this relic. It¡¯s not just another trinket for your collection.¡± There it was. Henry knew that it was coming, but he had hoped she would let it slide. Out of the entire rune system, the relic was probably the most valuable for Lamarr¡¯s research. If they were going by contribution, it was rightfully Sera¡¯s to take. Henry considered her words, looking at the loot around them. His gaze finally settled on the mana crystals hiding behind the bush. ¡°We couldn¡¯t have completed the quest without you, so how about a trade? We take the relic, and you take the crystals.¡± Sera walked over to the crystals, analyzing them. She held up a dull crystal ¨C its energy likely drained ¨C before tossing it out and reaching back into the collection to inspect the other crystals. After about a minute, she seemed satisfied enough with the quality of the remaining crystals. ¡°Very well. We have a deal,¡± she offered her hand. ¡°Deal,¡± Henry said, internally relieved but also curious about the value of the crystals he had just traded away. ¡°Say, we¡¯re a good distance from Eldralore. Need a ride?¡± Sera gave a smile that Henry could only describe as sultry. ¡°My, what a gentleman! I couldn¡¯t turn down such an offer.¡± Henry felt his cheeks slightly warm up. He cleared his throat, shifting his focus back to the defunct components of the rune system. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s wrap this up. We¡¯ll pack these parts carefully.¡± The MRAP arrived, Ron stepping out with empty containers from their exploration kits to help with packing. Finally, with everything secured and ready for transport, Henry looked up at Sera. ¡°All set. Let¡¯s head back. This should make for an interesting ride.¡± Sera¡¯s smile remained. ¡°Indeed, Captain. I look forward to it.¡± Chapter 9: The Baranthurians Eldralore, Duchy of Eldralore Sonaran Federation November 18, 2024 Ron eased their MRAP into a parking spot near the Guild¡¯s stables, taking an empty space marked for larger carriages and cargo. Henry glanced back at Ryan and Isaac¡¯s MRAP as they maneuvered into a space beside them, struggling a bit with the trailer. Their cargo: samples and collected artifacts from Hardale ¨C proof of their recent endeavors and vital components for Dr. Perdue¡¯s and Dr. Lamarr¡¯s requests. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s make this quick,¡± Henry said, unbuckling his seatbelt. As he stepped out, he was met by a snarl ¨C or perhaps a neigh, from dradaks in the stables. Failing to recognize Henry, they returned to their hay and meat, as if uninterested in anyone but the local handlers and their owners. Slinging his backpack over his shoulder, Henry opened the door for Dr. Anderson and Sera, whose sight drew a few discreet glances from passersby. Ron joined Henry stretching his arms and back. ¡°I¡¯ll help Yen and Hayes with the trailer. You guys go ahead,¡± he said, tilting his head toward the Guild¡¯s entrance. Henry nodded, leading the way to the Guild with Dr. Anderson and Sera in tow. They rounded the corner before entering the main plaza, where they saw a large group of people standing by the fountain in the center. Several carriages were also parked near the road adjacent to the plaza, with numerous people moving back and forth from them carrying crates. ¡°Look at that,¡± he murmured. It was a diverse crew, easily three, maybe four dozen strong. Some were clad in leather and chainmail, others in robes that screamed ¡®mage¡¯ from a mile away. Well, they wore robes, yes, but their clothing was also reinforced with pieces of light chainmail and padded leather ¨C much more practical than what he had seen in Ron¡¯s fantasy anime shows or Ryan¡¯s DnD campaigns. The robes themselves were marked with subtle runes and symbols seemingly woven into the fabric. Enchanted gear, perhaps? The others had similarly practical getups, and matching gear to boot. Swords, staves, you name it ¨C they had it. Each one of them was busy in his or her own way: analyzing maps, loading carriages, checking weapons, and double-checking supplies with a seriousness Henry knew all too well. Henry¡¯s eyes followed one figure in particular, a woman who stood out even in the crowd. It was the same person who approached him with a Clan invitation ¨C Elara, the Tier 8 swordswoman. And if she was here, that meant the group was ¨C ¡°The Mithril Order,¡± Sera muttered, confirming what Henry was already thinking. ¡°It appears they are preparing for the Campaign.¡± Henry watched them for a moment longer. Elara wasn¡¯t kidding when she said her clan revolved around martial discipline. Everything about the preparation was professional, even down to the logistics. It was like watching his own team, just¡­ more medieval fantasy. ¡°Let¡¯s get moving,¡± he said, breaking away from the sight and heading into the Guild. Inside, the hustle and bustle was much more pronounced than he had expected. He thought back to the first time he came by and to the Minotaur quest ¨C there hadn¡¯t been a line as long as this, or any line at all for that matter. The queue snaked around a maze of stanchions, forcing them to wait in line like they were at a DMV or event. Henry scanned the bustling rows of adventurers, a question forming in his mind. He turned to Sera. ¡°Do you know what¡¯s going on?¡± She looked at Henry as if he was an idiot for not knowing before her expression relaxed ¨C probably after remembering that Henry was a strange foreigner who just recently became an adventurer. ¡°The Ovinne Mountain Campaign,¡± she said. ¡°A dormant Elemental Dragon awakening from centuries, perhaps eons, of slumber is hardly a trivial matter. The ensuing chaos, as one might expect, has lured every would-be hero and spellcaster in the vicinity.¡± Henry raised an eyebrow. An Elemental Dragon? It sounded mythical ¨C Tier 10 for sure. ¡°Sounds like a major operation,¡± he remarked, trying to grasp the magnitude of such a creature stirring. ¡°Major, to say the least,¡± Sera responded. ¡°The local creatures are in utter turmoil, causing a cascade of ecological imbalance. The Federation, Garethia, and Ovinnegard find themselves obliged to confront such a menace ¨C and obliged to exploit newly discovered Gatebuilder ruins. A campaign of this magnitude presents not just a formidable challenge, but, dare I suggest, a ripe opportunity for the foolhardy seeking glory.¡± ¡°Or those seeking riches,¡± Ron said, catching the tail end of her explanation. Ryan and Isaac strode up beside him, joining them in the line. Sera turned towards the newcomers. ¡°Indeed, the allure of riches does tend to stir the greedy hearts of many.¡± She glanced at Ryan and Isaac. ¡°So the other valiant members of Captain Donnager¡¯s ensemble finally grace us with their presence.¡± ¡°Yeah? A real shame we didn¡¯t make introductions in Hardale,¡± Ryan said with blunt sarcasm, his annoyance barely veiled. He locked eyes with Sera before continuing, ¡°Heard someone fucked over our SOP and had us on babysitting duty.¡± Sera was unfazed, instead seeming to be emboldened by Ryan¡¯s challenge. She gave a cool sardonic smile. ¡°Ah, village babysitting, a noble task indeed for warriors of your caliber,¡± she replied, her tone playfully mocking. ¡°My sincerest apologies for the hardship,¡± she continued, her voice dripping with feigned contrition. Ryan bristled at the remark, his jaw tightening. ¡°With all due respect, ma¡¯am ¨C¡± Before he could retort, Isaac stepped in and placed a calming hand on Ryan¡¯s shoulder. He cut him off, ¡°I heard your expertise was invaluable in disabling that, uh¡­ magic thing¡­¡± ¡°Rune System,¡± Dr. Anderson offered. He picked up on Isaac¡¯s attempt at de-escalation. ¡°I¡¯ve never seen such a system before ¨C we¡¯re lucky to have had your wisdom.¡± Sera¡¯s expression softened slightly at their intervention, her smile turning into a more genuine one. ¡°Rune System, yes,¡± she acknowledged with a nod. ¡°A complex creation, harnessing forces yet shrouded in mystery, and fueled by a perilous relic from a bygone era. It was fortunate that our combined efforts proved sufficient to neutralize its influence.¡± Ryan, now a bit more composed after hearing the rationale behind the abrupt change, added with a reluctant respect,¡± Yeah, I get it. Ryan Hayes, by the way.¡± His tone was still gruff, but the edge had softened. The presence of the Rune System was a pretty convenient excuse, but it did make sense to have someone specializing in magic able to help out during a magical anomaly. ¡°Isaac Yen,¡± Isaac said, offering a handshake. ¡°It¡¯s a pleasure.¡± ¡°Seraphine ad Sindis,¡± Sera responded, appreciating the formal introductions. ¡°Glad we¡¯re all acquainted now,¡± Henry interjected. Seeking to change the topic, he turned to Sera, curiosity piqued by the scale of the operation and the line that still seemed to snake around despite the passing of several minutes. ¡°What does it take to join a Campaign?¡± ¡°Intrigued, are you? A venture most audacious, but it¡¯s more than presenting yourself armed for battle,¡± Sera explained. ¡°Prerequisite to such an undertaking is membership in a Clan or a Tier 7 Party or higher. This is no endeavor for the inexperienced or the solitary. The hazards are immense, and the Guild ¨C in accord with its regulations, seek not mere numbers. They require seasoned warriors, adept at facing the unpredictable and the perilous.¡± ¡°Tier 7 Party?¡± Ron asked. Sera shuffled forward as the line progressed. Nodding, she explained, ¡°A Tier 7 Party is one where each member holds at least a Tier 6 standing, yet it¡¯s the leadership of a Tier 7 Adventurer or above that defines its essence. Such is one of the only exceptions by which a Tier 6 Adventurer may participate in quests above their rank.¡± ¡°And you?¡± Henry asked, tilting his head toward Sera. ¡°Are you gonna join a Clan or Party for this Campaign?¡± Sera gave a short, almost dismissive laugh. ¡°Join a Party or Clan? Preposterous, Captain. My time amidst the nobility has shown me enough of such¡­ power struggles. Soirees turned into strategic battlegrounds. I¡¯ve observed, time and again, how adventuring parties often become a reflection of those very squabbles. Ambitions collide, and what one seeks is not always in harmony with the desires of others.¡± Adventurers couldn¡¯t all be like that, could they? No, they couldn¡¯t, or else the entire system would have failed long ago. Henry nodded, remaining silent so Sera could continue. Her gaze drifted away, off into the distance but focused on nowhere in particular. ¡°Being of noble birth, I have borne witness to how personal aspirations can eclipse the greater good. Adventuring is somewhat of an escape, but not much so. It¡¯s been elucidated to me, how such internal strife can prove¡­ detrimental.¡± Henry noticed the subtle shift in her tone. It was clear her stance was not just a casual preference but rooted in something deeper. He understood why she took the initiative back in Hardale. It didn¡¯t make her actions less annoying, but at least now he could try to find a way around it. She folded her arms, her eyes finding Henry¡¯s once more. ¡°As for myself, I prefer the solitary path. It affords a singular focus-, unmarred by the entanglements of collective aims and¡­ let us say, the unpredictability of adventurers¡¯ ¡­ acquaintanceship.¡± Sera¡¯s word choice spoke poorly of adventurers. Her decision clearly had layers and hopefully, these layers wouldn¡¯t translate much to him and Alpha Team. ¡°Understood,¡± Henry responded, thinking back to her interest in him and his party despite her general aversion to adventurers. As they neared the front of the line, Henry noticed a party unloading an array of collected geodes and looted weapons from a cart. The geodes ranged from small mana crystals to more exotic, almost vibrant materials that he couldn¡¯t easily identify. The looted weapons were nothing to scoff at, either. A massive bronze shield, a chipped but shining silvery sword, a set of spears, three armor vests, another two shields ¨C wait, something didn¡¯t add up. The cart, no larger than the trunk of a small car, seemed to be a bottomless pit of supplies. ¡°How the hell¡­?¡± he muttered under his breath. Ron watched, equally baffled. ¡°That¡¯s some serious clown car shit,¡± he whispered. The adventurers in front of them kept pulling an endless array of items from the cart. It was like watching a magician¡¯s endless handkerchief trick, but with a ton ¨C perhaps literally ¨C of loot. ¡°It¡¯s a fucking Tardis,¡± Henry said, mouth slightly agape. ¡°Huh?¡± Ryan asked. ¡°I reckon it is a tad retarded,¡± he said, squinting at the cart as he nodded. Henry let out a half-smirk, ¡°No, I mean ¨C nevermind, yeah,¡± he conceded, deciding not to delve into an explanation about time travel sci-fi at that moment. Sera, overhearing their conversation, looked at the cart and then at the puzzled faces of Alpha Team. ¡°Unfamiliar with this, are you? It¡¯s a Holding Cart, endowed with spatial enchantments,¡± Sera explained simply, as if that cleared everything up. ¡°Spatial enchantments¡­¡± Henry echoed, the words feeling foreign on his tongue. Ron let out a low whistle as he eyed the cart enthusiastically. ¡°Well, that¡¯s one way to pack light,¡± he commented, no doubt coveting the magic tool. Just then, the clerk called out, ¡°Next in line!¡± The voice was female ¨C and distinctly familiar, amplified by what Henry assumed to be magic. Henry snapped back to the present. Looking to the right, he saw an open space under a hanging sign marked ¡®8¡¯. ¡°That¡¯s us.¡± he said, walking to the counter. As he approached, he realized why the voice sounded familiar. ¡°Alpha Team!¡± Mira greeted, recognizing them with a bright smile. ¡°What a pleasant surprise to behold! Ye¡¯ve returned from Hardale, haven¡¯t ye?¡± Henry nodded, unzipping his backpack and producing the appropriate quest scroll, signed by Hardale¡¯s village chief, Eldon. Dr. Anderson approached from his right, sliding a report onto the counter while Ryan placed down three bags and one plastic container of teeth. Mira put on a pair of gloves and opened the bags. The first goblin ears ¨C trophies to confirm the kills. She tallied and totaled them, processing them no differently as she would paperwork, albeit of a more macabre nature. Henry watched, wrinkling his nose slightly. It was gross, sure, but he couldn¡¯t realistically expect every monster to run around with their own sets of dog tags. Next came the hobgoblin ears ¨C larger, tougher, and just as unpleasant. The third bag contained treant leaves, each marked with unique patterns like a fingerprint or snowflake. It felt less gruesome, more scientific somehow, even if the whole concept of animated trees was as far from reality as one could get. The last confirmations were a group of sharp, right canines from the fenwyrm spawn. Mira inspected each one, logging them in the Guild¡¯s ledger. ¡°All seems in order,¡± she commented, skimming the report. After stamping the signed quest scroll to officially mark its completion, she placed it in a secured drop box beside her. ¡°By the way, we encountered evidence of Nobian activity in Hardale,¡± Henry mentioned. ¡°It¡¯s in the report.¡± ¡°Nobian meddling in affairs, is it? We don¡¯t normally entangle ourselves in international matters, but if they¡¯re rousing monsters on purpose, that¡¯s a dradak of a different color. I¡¯ll need to file an additional report on this,¡± she said, flipping the pages of the report and reading it more carefully. ¡°I¡¯ll send word to the local Knight Order. Keep an eye on yer Guild Inbox for any missives they might send yer way.¡± Henry nodded. He wondered what sort of relation the Guild had to host nations; it seemed like they were some sort of powerful international body ¨C an interesting development that might be of interest to Dr. Anderson and the diplomatic staff back home. Mira then turned her attention back to the task at hand. She pulled out two sealed envelopes from beneath the counter. ¡°Now then, let me present to ye yer earned rewards for completing the Tier 6 quest posted by Hardale Village,¡± she announced, handing one envelope to Henry and the other to Sera. Henry accepted the envelope. 10,000 lumens, not bad considering that they shared the quest with Sera, who received her envelope and tucked it away without opening it. ¡°Beyond the lumens,¡± Mira continued, ¡°the folks of Hardale Village have seen fit to offer ye some extra tokens of thanks for yer efforts.¡± She consulted a ledger to verify the correct drawer for their specific quest, then walked back to a series of shelves and cabinets behind her. She unlocked one and opened it, retrieving a small, carefully wrapped package. ¡°These items here were reserved just for the ones who¡¯d triumph in the quest. Might not be the grandest of treasures as far as Tier 6 rewards go, but they could well catch yer fancy.¡± Henry looked at the contents within: several vials of bluish and greenish liquids, a collection of seeds ¨C useful for Dr. Perdue¡¯s studies, and an assortment of miscellaneous materials from dried herbs to small mana crystals. He accepted the package, nodding appreciatively. The rewards probably would¡¯ve been lackluster for the average adventurer, but they were perfect for fulfilling Alpha Team¡¯s mission parameters. The vials seemed to be healing potions, something he would have to look into for field use. ¡°As for these,¡± Mira continued, gesturing toward the plastic box, ¡°Fenwyrm canines ¨C even spawn ones ¨C are rare finds. Ye can choose to keep ¡®em or, if ye wish, we¡¯d be willing to take ¡®em off yer hands for a fair price.¡± Henry considered for a moment. The market price for canines was about a hundred lumens a piece, which meant the box was worth 1,500 lumens, and a bit less if he chose to sell to the Guild directly rather than a local store. It was a tantalizing offer, but the research staff back at the base would probably want a look at these first. ¡°We¡¯ll keep them.¡± ¡°No frets,¡± Mira responded. ¡°Should ye have a change of heart, just swing by anytime and we¡¯ll be happy to make a purchase from ye!¡± ¡°Oh,¡± Henry remembered about the monster parts they collected from the bloodied outskirts of Hardale. They had been split into containers to bring back to Dr. Perdue, a section for sales, and a section for Sera¡¯s kills. ¡°We do have some items we¡¯d like to sell in our¡­ cart outside.¡± You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story. ¡°Very well then. I¡¯ll see to it right quick. Are ye planning to divvy up the sales as well?¡± Mira asked. ¡°We are,¡± Sera responded. ¡°I¡¯ll go with you.¡± ¡°Owens,¡± Henry said, looking at Ron before jerking his head toward Sera and Mira. Ron nodded and joined them. As he did so, Mira addressed Henry and the rest of Alpha Team. ¡°I won¡¯t be but a moment. Meanwhile, why not take a look at the Quest Board? It¡¯s been freshly updated with new postings.¡± ¡°Thank you, Miss Lenton. We¡¯ll go check out the Quest Board,¡± Henry replied. As he walked, he tapped the side of his helmet. ¡°Alpha Lead to Overwatch, requesting a line to Dr. Lamarr.¡± ¡°Overwatch acknowledges. Standby, Alpha Lead,¡± the voice of a communication officer responded. ¡°Connecting you to Dr. Lamarr; it might take a moment.¡± Henry approached the Tier 6 Quest Board, its sprawling display reminding him of the vast blackboards in university lecture halls. Around a dozen adventurers clustered below it, most congregating under the ¡®Hunting¡¯ category. The board was neatly segmented into distinct sections: ¡®Escort¡¯, ¡®Reconnaissance¡¯, ¡®Acquisition¡¯, Miscellaneous, and the crowded ¡®Hunting¡¯. From what he could see over the shoulders of other adventurers, the ¡®Hunting¡¯ category seemed to be related to eliminating targets ¨C criminals and bandits with bounties on their heads, powerful monsters that local militias can¡¯t handle, and the typical goblin infestation. The ¡®Miscellaneous¡¯ section covered a variety of mundane tasks from helping local farmers to construction work. Decent pay for contractual work, but not quite aligned with their mission objectives. The ¡®Acquisition¡¯ category focused on collecting items for a client. Henry leaned in closer, inspecting one of the quests posted there. It was a simple quest to gather high-purity mana crystals near the Ovinne Mountains. Not the most enticing quest, but it was useful to know where high-purity mana crystals were located. Another quest called for the search for a lost Elemental Amulet, offering a substantial reward. Must be pretty rare if they couldn¡¯t just go ahead and buy a new amulet, he mused. He moved on to the ¡®Reconnaissance¡¯ section, which seemed mostly to deal with investigations, unusual activity, and surveying regions for mining companies. As he skimmed over a quest relating to missing cattle, the communications officer gave Henry an update. ¡°Alpha Lead, Overwatch confirms a successful connection to Dr. Lamarr¡¯s office. Patching you through now.¡± ¡°Copy.¡± Dr. Lamarr¡¯s voice came through. ¡°Captain Donnager, what do you have for us?¡± Henry connected his helmet cam, uploading a live feed of what he was seeing. ¡°Looking at the reconnaissance missions for now.¡± He scanned a quest titled ¡®Unusual Activity in the Grenden Highlands¡¯. ¡°This one¡¯s about investigating a valley in the highlands in between the base and the Ovinne Mountain Range. Any reads there?¡± ¡°Nothing on the scale of the Hardale anomaly. Seems interesting, but keep an eye out for anything that might give us more direct insights into magic,¡± Dr. Lamarr advised. He went back to the ¡®Acquisition¡¯ category, briefly scanning the titles of each quest. One of them was about gathering rare herbs. It didn¡¯t pique his interest, but he lingered for a moment, listening for Dr. Lamarr¡¯s input. ¡°Hmm, no. Herbs? Maybe Dr. Perdue would be interested, but wouldn¡¯t you have to give them to the merchant that posted the quest? Pass,¡± she said. Henry nodded slightly, moving on to the next one. It was about retrieving a stolen artifact ¨C assumed to be in possession of black market arms dealers. ¡°Mmm, maybe. Take a picture of that one just in case,¡± Dr. Lamarr suggested. Henry snapped a photo with his helmet cam, cataloging it for potential consideration later. He scanned through a couple more quests, each varying in nature and complexity, but none quite hitting the mark. ¡°Why don¡¯t we look at another category?¡± Dr. Lamarr finally proposed. Henry agreed. ¡®Acquisition¡¯ was pretty lackluster today, so he¡¯d have to wait for a decent posting to pop up. He turned his attention to the ¡®Escort¡¯ category, which he had yet to scrutinize. It was less crowded, which made some sense. Most of the quests there were for guarding merchant convoys; not many adventurers wanted to get tied up with a single quest for up to weeks, especially not when there were more profitable and efficient ventures out there. However, one of the quests caught his eye. It was posted on a high-quality parchment and neatly written: ¡®Escort Scholars to Grenden Forest Ruins.¡¯ ¡°This one looks promising,¡± Henry said, reading the details. ¡°An escort for archaeologists heading to some Baranthurian ruins in the Grenden Forest. And it''s¡­¡± he trailed off, seeing the client¡¯s information at the bottom of the sheet, ¡°it¡¯s posted by Kelmithus!¡± ¡°Kelmithus, you say? Like, ad Helis, the Archmage?¡± Dr. Lamarr¡¯s voice had some notable inflections, clearly interested now. ¡°Affirmative,¡± Henry responded. ¡°Didn¡¯t think I¡¯d see him here.¡± ¡°Well, that certainly adds another layer of significance,¡± Lamarr considered. ¡°And the Grenden Forest, that¡¯s not far from base. If Sonaran scholars are involved, it definitely warrants investigation. I¡¯d like you to proceed with this one, Captain. This could be a valuable opportunity for our research, and might even interest the Ambassador.¡± The possibility of joint research did sound exciting, even if he was barely taking part in it. Henry reached out, carefully detaching the quest scroll from the board. ¡°Will do,¡± he replied. As he tucked it away, he heard Kelmithus¡¯ voice behind him. ¡°Choosing your next venture, Captain Donnager?¡± Turning, Henry saw the archmage approaching. ¡°Archmage, fancy seeing you here,¡± he said with a casual nod. ¡°It seems our paths are aligning frequently these days. Congratulations are in order, I hear, on your recent admittance into Tier 6.¡± ¡°Thanks,¡± Henry said with a polite smile, somewhat surprised that Kelmithus had kept track of their progress. Though, it did make some sense given he declared himself their patron. ¡°It¡¯s been an interesting journey so far.¡± ¡°I can imagine,¡± Kelmithus remarked with a nod. ¡°Perusing the Quest Board, I see?¡± ¡°Yeah, just picked up something interesting,¡± Henry replied, casually holding up the parchment with a slight grin. ¡°An escort mission for scholars, apparently posted by you.¡± Kelmithus¡¯ eyes lit up with recognition. ¡°Ah, yes, that quest. It¡¯s heartening to see it caught your interest. It forms a crucial part of our endeavors to unravel the mysteries of Baranthurian technology. We stand on the cusp of establishing a link between their civilization and the Gatebuilders.¡± If current Gaerran technology was based on Baranthurian relics, it would stand to reason that the Baranthurians probably learned from the Gatebuilders. ¡°Huh, we just had a run-in with something related to the Baranthurians. A complex Rune System, disarmed thanks to Lady Seraphine¡¯s expertise.¡± Kelmithus tilted his head more likely out of curiosity or surprise than acknowledgment. ¡°Lady Seraphine, hm? She¡¯s rather renowned for her solitary nature. She must have taken a liking to your troupe.¡± Henry shrugged. For a person who disliked adventurers, she seemed to be rather cordial with them. ¡°Guess so.¡± Kelmithus continued, ¡°And on the topic of learning, my presence here sought to ascertain if any brave souls had undertaken my quest. It seems I have an answer now.¡± Henry chuckled. ¡°Seems like it. We¡¯re heading back to Armstrong Base soon to bring back our materials and prepare for the quest.¡± ¡°Would there perchance be space for an additional passenger?¡± Kelmithus inquired. ¡°I bear gifts from Duke Vancor for Ambassador Perry, tokens of esteem for our initial diplomatic parleys. It would be my honor to deliver them in person.¡± ¡°Gifts, huh? What kind of gifts we talking?¡± Henry asked. ¡°A bounty of knowledge ¨C simple tomes detailing our history and magic, and a selection of mana crystals, symbolizing our goodwill,¡± Kelmithus explained. Updating their dossiers and getting some more intel on the uncertainty that was magic did sound nice. ¡°Sure, we can give you a lift. It¡¯ll be good to have you along.¡± As they finalized their plans, Ron, Sera, and Mira returned from the parking lot. ¡°Archmage, didn¡¯t expect to see you here,¡± Ron remarked. ¡°Archmage Kelmithus,¡± Sera and Mira greeted politely. ¡°Sir Ron, Lady Seraphine, Miss Lenton,¡± Kelmithus nodded. Mira stepped forward with a ledger and a scroll. ¡°Captain, the sale of the monster parts and gear is complete. Your Party Account has been duly credited with 7,720 lumens,¡± she announced, handing him the scroll. Henry unrolled it to find a detailed receipt. A quick scan revealed the breakdown: 375 lumens for goblin and hobgoblin kills; 3,500 lumens for the sale of Fenwyrm Spawn materials including hides and scales; 500 lumens for Lesser Treant sap and herbal leaves; and 4,200 lumens from the hobgoblins¡¯ looted gear. The sale amounted to a total of 8,575 lumens, minus a ten percent fee before being rounded up to the nearest ten. He turned to Mira after reviewing the receipt, surprised by the anachronistic nature of her work. ¡°Thank you, Miss Lenton. I appreciate you sorting this out for us.¡± Henry held up Kelmithus¡¯ quest scroll. ¡°By the way, we¡¯re planning to take on this quest. Could you register us for it?¡± Mira leaned in to get a closer look at the quest, jotting down the details on a sheet. ¡°Of course! I¡¯ll get right to it. Is there aught else ye need?¡± Henry shook his head. ¡°Nothing for now. Thanks for all the help.¡± ¡°Right then, good luck!¡± Mira said before returning to her desk, already calling up the next set of adventurers in line. After a brief, polite exchange, Sera excused herself with a final nod. ¡°I bid you a safe journey back to ¡®Around¡¯, Captain.¡± ¡°Thanks,¡± Henry smiled. ¡°Take care.¡± After waving Sera goodbye, he led the team back to the MRAPs, filling in Ron on the minor change to their trip back. ¡°Oh,¡± Ron said as he settled into the driver¡¯s seat. ¡°Well, let¡¯s hope we don¡¯t run into any bandits again,¡± he joked. Kelmithus gave a hearty chuckle. ¡°The local brigands would dare not encroach upon us after hearing the rumors.¡± Henry smirked at the archmage¡¯s laughter; it was interesting to see his less formal side. ¡°Glad to hear it,¡± he replied. Ron nodded proudly. ¡°Damn right. Say, Henry, did you see those potions we got as part of the rewards? I¡¯m kind of curious to see what they can do.¡± Henry strapped himself in and turned to look at the package containing the small vials of liquid. ¡°Yeah, saw them. Don¡¯t think I¡¯m too keen on being a test subject, though. What, don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re thinking of trying one?¡± Ron¡¯s eyes lit up with excitement. Of course. ¡°Why not? We apparently shit out mana completely. And if they work as intended, they could come in handy. Beats carrying a med kit.¡± Henry picked up a vial, swishing the liquid around inside. If true, yes, they could be extremely useful, but he remained unconvinced. ¡°Mmm, yeahhh I don¡¯t know about that one, dude. Sounds like you¡¯re going native already.¡± Kelmithus chimed in, ¡°Potions are a staple of improving oneself, from healing to enhancing one¡¯s abilities. While I don¡¯t personally believe any harm would befall you, your caution is indeed prudent.¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Henry agreed. ¡°I¡¯ll believe you if Dr. Perdue gives the all-clear. Like, what if we drink it and turn into goblins or something?¡± ¡°Hmm.¡± Kelmithus tapped his staff. ¡°I have heard origin tales of goblins and other such fiends. It has been rumored that they originated from magic-less humans whose physiologies reacted poorly to concentrated mana.¡± ¡°What?¡± Ron turned his head back, brows furrowed in concern. ¡°You serious? Yo, wasn¡¯t that manafern soup basically concentrated mana?¡± ¡°Indeed. Alas, you may have little time left,¡± Kelmithus closed his eyes and lowered his head, as if praying for Ron. Ron glanced at Kelmithus¡¯ expression, completely buying it. ¡°Shit¡­¡± Ron whispered, staring straight at the road. As soon as it seemed like Ron¡¯s soul left his body, Kelmithus interjected. ¡°Hah!¡± He laughed. ¡°I merely jest. Fear not, the soup was harmless. As for the potions, I¡¯ve yet to hear of any human turning into a goblin from their use. Though, in a world as diverse as this, stranger things have happened.¡± ¡°Oh,¡± Ron gave a heavy sigh, likely relieved out of his mind, ¡°Guess I¡¯ll stick to the soup for now.¡± Dr. Anderson nodded, amused by the interaction. ¡°Probably for the best. We¡¯ll leave the magic testing to the experts.¡± ¡°Indeed,¡± Kelmithus agreed. ¡°And speaking of magic, I noticed you¡¯ve obtained a relic. How did you manage to find a Baranthurian Core?¡± Henry leaned back as he explained, ¡°Yeah, that was an interesting find. It was part of a Rune System used to control monsters. Didn¡¯t expect to stumble upon something like that in Hardale.¡± ¡°Fascinating,¡± Kelmithus said. ¡°A Baranthurian artifact is a rare discovery. Cores happen to be one of the rarer ones.¡± ¡°We received a basic explanation from Lady Seraphine, but who exactly are the Baranthurians?¡± Dr. Anderson asked. Kelmithus settled into his seat, preparing himself for a lecture. He seemed almost excited, like he appreciated Dr. Anderson¡¯s interest as a colleague ¨C or even a student. He answered, ¡°A civilization of significant repute that once held dominion over the southern reaches of Eanif, or so the fragments of history suggest. Their societal structure, believed to have mirrored the complexities of a republic, remains shrouded in mystery, with scant traces left of their cultural and political fabric.¡± Henry listened, intrigued by this slice of history. He¡¯d seen firsthand what these old relics could do. All things considered, the Baranthurians were basically an ancient alien civilization. ¡°Their architecture was magnificent, yet few ruins remain. We can only surmise that a majority of their cities were constructed similarly to our own ¨C with cost-efficiency and convenience in mind. The ravages of the eons are not forgiving to materials such as wood and brick,¡± Kelmithus continued. ¡°The Grenden Forest Ruins, where we shall venture forth next week, stand as one of the rare vestiges of their legacy. Such sites, often erstwhile military bases, repositories of knowledge, or centers of research, are now coveted by both sage and warrior. They beckon as wellsprings of forgotten knowledge and latent power.¡± Henry raised an eyebrow, invested in the Baranthurians¡¯ lore. While it made sense that such locations would last longer than the wood and brick of most pre-industrial ¨C and even post-industrial ¨C era structures, the fact that their most important structures survived made things even more interesting. ¡°Sounds like they were pretty influential,¡± Henry said. ¡°What happened to them?¡± Kelmithus sighed, his face taking on an expression Henry had become familiar with during his time with Dr. Anderson. It was the look of a historian grappling with the reality of how little had survived the passage of time ¨C a longing for what could have been. ¡°Theories abound, but one prevalent belief speaks of their fall being wrought by a demonic invasion. This isn¡¯t mere folklore; for our forays into the remnants of Baranthurian strongholds have unearthed demons, lingering yet. Such findings lend credence to these tales of ancient strife and downfall.¡± Demonic invasion? Demons were mentioned in the monster dossier but were an incredulous topic nonetheless. These weren¡¯t the fallen angels he had learned about or the horned humanoids in the fantasy anime Ron typically recommended; these were monstrous abominations, devoid of humanity and truly alien in the sense of the word. Even more harrowing, some of these abominations were believed to have evolved, mimicking the races of man and making a cruel mockery of them. It seemed like goblins and similar humanoid monsters could possibly be descended from demons. ¡°That is a significant claim,¡± Dr. Anderson commented. ¡°Are there specific archaeological findings or artifacts that directly support this theory of a demonic invasion?¡± ¡°Verily,¡± Kelmithus assented. ¡°Artifacts recovered from various sites sometimes depict skirmishes or drafted strategies against demonic entities. Scholars have also uncovered scripts, fraught with allegory, speaking of these demons as the manifestations of the Baranthurians¡¯ own sins. They tell of a world made right through the sacrifice of a Man divine and sinless. Some believe it was simply a hero made tall through the passage of time. Yet, a considerable amount of evidence points toward a more profound truth. Curiously enough, this narrative bears striking parallels to Sonaran faith ¨C and a handful of other global faiths, for that matter.¡± Henry shared a look with Dr. Anderson. Kelmithus¡¯ words sounded all too familiar ¨C and it certainly wasn¡¯t just some classic tale of a hero. ¡°Do you know the name of this divine Man?¡± Kelmithus shook his head. ¡°Unfortunately, no. Alas, we can only trust that Sola speak for us, for we know not what we do, nor do we know to whom the debt of our salvation is owed.¡± ¡°Are you searching for His name?¡± Henry asked. ¡°Always. The quest before us is twofold in intent. Though, our foremost aim here lies in unraveling the mysteries of Baranthurian arcane practices and, perchance, to unearth secrets of their technologies. The adventurers who initially found the ruins brought back tantalizing hints of a facility dedicated to research. It is my fervent hope that what we uncover therein may reveal new understanding in the melding of magic and mechanisms..¡± ¡°Rune Systems,¡± Dr. Anderson muttered. ¡°Precisely,¡± Kelmithus said. ¡°Should this indeed be a sanctuary of research, it might yet serve as a linchpin in unraveling the elusive connection between the Baranthurians and the enigmatic Gatebuilders. The presence of artifacts pertaining to the latter within these halls would solidify such a theory.¡± Henry focused on the road ahead, recognizing the familiar structures of Armstrong Base in the distance. Glancing upward, he spotted an MQ-9 Reaper circling over the base, its presence a new addition to their defenses and signaling the completion of a basic airstrip. The development was reassuring, considering their recent encounter with the Minotaur Chieftain. The thought of having air support on standby was a comforting one, especially if they ever faced threats more formidable than what they had already encountered. Kelmithus continued his explanation, pausing only briefly to survey the new changes to Armstrong Base. ¡°The Baranthurian civilization faced a conflict of unimaginable scale. Based on the ruins and artifacts discovered, we surmise it was a prolonged struggle, possibly spanning decades if not centuries. Beleaguered, the Baranthurians were pushed to their limits, eventually succumbing to the ravages of war. It¡¯s theorized that the resulting turmoil led to a dark age, a period where the races of mankind regressed.¡± ¡°And what happened to the demons?¡± Ron asked, passing by the checkpoint and guiding the MRAP toward the garage area. ¡°The remnants of that invasion likely lingered for countless generations,¡± Kelmithus speculated. ¡°Remaining demons entrenched themselves, holding sway over vast territories. It was only in the epochs that followed, barely a few millennia past, that most of the major Demon Lords were vanquished, thereby granting the nascent civilizations the respite to emerge and flourish.¡± Ron brought the MRAP to a stop, turning off the engine as he looked at Kelmithus. ¡°Quite the history. Are there still any demon lords we need to worry about?¡± Kelmithus held his ornate box of gifts, responding as he opened the door. ¡°Indeed, though their whereabouts remain veiled. These ancient beings are likely slumbering in hidden bastions or quietly marshaling their forces.¡± Ominous. Henry stepped outside, stretching as he did so. Hoping to end on a lighter note, he joked, ¡°Well, let¡¯s hope they sleep for another few thousand years. We¡¯re gonna unload and head over there.¡± He pointed his thumb behind him, toward Dr. Perdue¡¯s lab. ¡°I¡¯ll see you at the front entrance in a few days?¡± ¡°Very well, Captain,¡± Kelmithus agreed, stepping out into the brisk air of the base. ¡°I shall await our expedition with great anticipation.¡± Chapter 10: Grenden Forest Ruins Armstrong Base, Grenden Plains November 22, 2024 Henry yawned, rubbing his eyes. His stride towards the gate had that pre-dawn sluggishness, his gear feeling every bit as cumbersome as it looked. The morning air was cold, pronounced further by the chill of the chainmail against his neck and making him miss the warmth of his bed all the more. His eyes caught the first light of dawn, painting the MRAPs and his waiting team in a soft, surreal glow. He raised his hand to wave at them. ¡°Yo!¡± Ron, already by the MRAPs, shot back with a smirk, ¡°Took ya long enough.¡± His breath fogged in the chill, mingling with the steam from his cup. The rest of the team, draped in their pre-mission silence, nodded or grunted in acknowledgment. Kelmithus, standing a little apart, was wrapped in a heavy cloak that seemed to ward off the chill more through magic than fabric. The aesthetic, however, contrasted heavily with a tactical vest, backpack, and helmet he wore in his hat¡¯s stead ¨C an Enhanced Combat Helmet straight from Chief Cole¡¯s inventory. Beside him stood a younger man, wearing a similar cloak and also clad in the anachronistic American gear. He introduced himself as Arran, a student of Kelmithus and a ¡®prodigy¡¯ according to the archmage himself. It seemed only he, Kelmithus, and Dr. Anderson were lively, though it made sense given the context of their upcoming mission. Walking up to his MRAP, Henry gave it a once-over. Dr. Anderson was halfway inside, his bottom half sticking out as he shoved a satchel onto a seat. Yen and Hayes stood next to the other MRAP, giving their equipment some checks. ¡°Alright,¡± Henry called out, ¡°time to run the checklist. Yen, comms?¡± ¡°Crystal clear, Captain,¡± Yen replied, tapping his helmet. ¡°Should be all good unless we run into another magic Chernobyl.¡± Hayes chimed in without looking up from tying his laces, ¡°Ammo¡¯s stocked up. MRAPs¡¯ been cleaned, too.¡± Henry gave a nod. He had heard stories of weapons getting jammed due to debris. Better safe than sorry, he thought, appreciating the attention to detail. The last thing they needed was a firearm malfunction in the middle of an engagement with who knows what. Kelmithus stepped forward. ¡°The core?¡± he asked simply, eyeing the MRAP. ¡°Dr. Lamarr was a bit disappointed in having to wait a couple more days, but it¡¯s in there, safe and sound,¡± Henry replied, nodding toward the vehicle. Kelmithus nodded, eyes stuck to the MRAP for a moment longer before he stepped back. ¡°All set?¡± Henry asked. Met with nods, he led the way to a nearby tent. ¡°Alright. Let¡¯s review.¡± The tent was rather utilitarian ¨C barren save for the clutter of wires and monitors and basic furniture. An intelligence officer stood by a table in the center, clean-shaven and in his late thirties. The screen beside him showed a map of the Grenden Plains and the adjacent Grenden Forest, obtained via drone reconnaissance. A red circle highlighted the Area of Operation around the ruins. The officer zoomed in on the target area and briefed them. ¡°Based on recent recon, we¡¯ve identified several heat signatures here,¡± he pointed to a thicket near the ruins. ¡°IMINT confirms the presence of at least one Rillifane Stalker.¡± He pulled up a grainy photograph of a panther-like creature with, shockingly, muscular limbs not unlike those of a gorilla. ¡°This is all we¡¯ve got in terms of visual confirmation. Thermal activity suggests more. Could be a nesting area.¡± Henry studied the map. ¡°Any updates on patrol patterns or numbers?¡± The officer switched to a series of drone images. ¡°We¡¯ve been monitoring their movements. Not enough for a full pattern analysis, but MASINT has confirmed regular movement here and here,¡± he indicated two paths originating from a thermal hot spot and leading into the thicket. Ryan leaned in, squinting at the screen. ¡°These trails here, branching off? That¡¯s their huntin¡¯ ground. We plant ourselves along these lines, might just funnel ¡®em straight to us.¡± ¡°It is worth noting,¡± Kelmithus added on, ¡°that within the ranks of the Rillifanes, there invariably stands an Overseer ¨C a pack leader. Engaging directly would ordinarily not be counsel I¡¯d lightly offer.¡± ¡°Ordinarily?¡± Ron asked, amused. ¡°Ordinarily,¡± Kelmithus confirmed. ¡°The armaments at your disposal, however, reside well beyond the bounds of the ordinary.¡± Henry smiled. He remembered a little bit about Rillifanes from his studies for the Adventurer Guild test ¨C they hunted in packs, preferring to ambush and relying on magically enhanced strength to overpower and blitz their prey. The standard Tier 5 Prowlers didn¡¯t seem like much of a threat ¨C no more than the fenwyrms and hobgoblins they faced. The Tier 6 Stalkers were a bit more dangerous than their kin, but were really just slightly stronger and faster Prowlers. The Tier 8 Overseers, on the other hand, had very little information on them; most information on the Overseers were either obtained from studying its victims or from the remains of one after facing an even more menacing threat. If everything went as expected, their engagement would result in the latter. Bombing their nest was much more preferable, but he couldn¡¯t risk damage to the ruins. ¡°So, we ambush one of their hunting parties and lure them out until all that¡¯s left is the pack leader.¡± ¡°Divide and conquer,¡± Isaac affirmed. ¡°Sounds like a plan.¡± Kelmithus, on the other hand, didn¡¯t seem so certain. ¡°Rillifanes are intelligent. The clamor of battle, particularly with sounds unfamiliar, may not necessarily draw them out as anticipated; they possess the acumen to discern the opportune moment for engagement. They may prefer to prepare an ambush on their own territory.¡± ¡°If that¡¯s the case, why not flush them out? Like what we did with the Minotaur Chieftain?¡± Ron asked. Henry raised an eyebrow. ¡°Could work,¡± he said, considering the plan. Then, recalling exactly how that went down, he smirked, ¡°Why, you volunteering?¡± ¡°Hell nah,¡± Ron shook his head, clearly averse to the idea. Considering how menacing the Minotaur Chieftain looked, Henry understood why. He would¡¯ve felt the same. Still, if they proceeded with the plan¡­ ¡°Hey, someone¡¯s gotta do it,¡± Isaac shrugged. ¡°If I may,¡± Kelmithus interjected, ¡°What did you do during your quest?¡± Henry searched himself for a smoke grenade, showing it to Kelmithus. He briefly recounted their little adventure, ¡°We threw one of these inside the Chieftain¡¯s den. Pulling the pin here ignites a timed fuse. Once the fuse goes off, this grenade releases a cloud of smoke within a ten-meter radius, more or less. It¡¯s harmless, but the monsters here don¡¯t know that.¡± Ryan pointed back toward his and Isaac¡¯s MRAP, ¡°We¡¯ve got us some CS gas on standby, in case this here smoke ain¡¯t cuttin¡¯ it.¡± ¡°CS gas?¡± Arran asked. Ryan scratched his chin as he searched for terms he and Kelmithus might understand. ¡°Like a poison cloud,¡± Ryan briefly explained. ¡°Burns the lungs.¡± Henry nodded, a plan already forming in his mind. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ve got something; listen up, Alpha Team. Our objective is clear: neutralize the Rillifane nest blocking our access to the ruins. Based on available intel and Hayes¡¯ analysis, we¡¯re leveraging the Rillifane hunting paths for an ambush. Here¡¯s how we¡¯re gonna execute.¡± He pointed to the map, its infrared overlays marking the dense forest terrain and the paths less obscured by foliage. ¡°We¡¯ll dismount at the road here, then approach the paths on foot. Yen, Hayes, you¡¯re rigging IR tripwires here and here,¡± he said, marking one point along each path. ¡°These will serve as our early warning. We need a tight perimeter; any breach and we lose the element of surprise.¡± Henry shifted focus, ¡°Owens, Doc, Archmage, Arran, you¡¯re with me on the main assault line. While Yen and Hayes are working, we¡¯ll prepare ourselves for the engagement. We initiate once we have a confirmed lock on Rillifane movement. We¡¯ll position ourselves equidistant from both paths here to minimize response time and spread out to maintain overlapping fields of fire. No gaps in our perimeter.¡± He marked a spot right in the middle of both paths, south of the nest and close to where they diverged. ¡°After we engage the hunting party,¡± he continued, "we need to assess the situation. Yen, you¡¯ll send a drone over to the nest. We¡¯ll need real-time intel on how the rest of the pack reacts to our strike.¡± He laid out the contingencies, ¡°If the engagement draws the rest of the Rillifanes out, we¡¯ll exploit that. We¡¯ll maintain our positions and have them come to us. But, if the main pack doesn¡¯t take the bait, we¡¯ve got plan B.¡± ¡°The tear gas,¡± Ron guessed. Henry nodded. ¡°Yup. We¡¯ll regroup, grab the MRAPs, and bring them toward the nest about a hundred meters out.¡± ¡°They¡¯ll know we¡¯re coming at that point,¡± Arran commented, voice sounding a bit uncertain. Ryan cleared his throat, ¡°That¡¯s what we¡¯re countin¡¯ on. We ain¡¯t ambushing them. We¡¯re sieging them.¡± Henry jabbed a thumb behind him, referring to the vehicles outside. ¡°We¡¯ll deploy the CS gas and draw them into our big guns.¡± Dr. Anderson crossed his arms, like he was unconvinced by the plan. ¡°It was a bit windy earlier. Could present a hazard¡­¡± It was a real concern, one Henry surprisingly hadn¡¯t realized until now. He considered employing flashbangs, which could probably do the trick just as well. Before he could even propose an alternative solution, Kelmithus stepped in. ¡°Fear not the winds,¡± he offered. ¡°With but a weave of the Aether, I shall ensure the gas is directed precisely towards their nest, sparing us from its effects.¡± That worked too. Henry gave him a nod. ¡°We¡¯ll let the Archmage handle that. Rules of Engagement are simple: protect our VIPs, eliminate the threat. No engagement outside our ambush zone. If we encounter civilians, which I heavily doubt, we extract and reassess. Any deviation from the expected, we adapt on the fly. Questions?¡± A sea of shaking heads answered for him. ¡°Alright,¡± Henry continued, ¡°We¡¯re not just hunters today; we¡¯re also the bait. Let¡¯s make sure it¡¯s the Rillifanes that get caught. Let¡¯s move out.¡± After the briefing, Henry led the team outside. ¡°Archmage, Arran, you¡¯re with me and Ron,¡± he gestured towards the first MRAP. ¡°Please, we¡¯ve known each other long enough. Kel would do just fine,¡± Kelmithus said. Henry smiled, patting the man on his shoulder as he walked toward the MRAP. While Kelmithus instructed his student on how the metal carriage worked, Henry turned to Dr. Anderson. ¡°Doc, you¡¯re with Isaac and Ryan.¡± Dr. Anderson¡¯s face briefly showed a flicker of disappointment, missing the chance to continue his conversation with the Sonarans. He would¡¯ve put them together, but there simply wasn¡¯t enough space in the MRAPs. It was a slight inconvenience, but he¡¯d live. Hopefully. After all, there was much more to look forward to once they arrived. As they divided into their assigned vehicles, the low growl of engines filled the air. Henry, riding shotgun, caught Arran¡¯s wide-eyed wonder, looking around at the interior like it was some sort of alien enigma. Well, from Arran¡¯s perspective, they basically were aliens ¨C human ones that didn¡¯t look any different from himself, sure, but from a different planet nonetheless. Turning to Kelmithus, who had long grown accustomed ¨C more or less ¨C to their technology, Henry broke the silence. ¡°Kel, you ever dealt with Rillifanes before?¡± Kelmithus leaned back slightly, considering Henry¡¯s question. ¡°Rillifanes? Yes, I have encountered their kind. Not only are they shrewd as predators, but ¡®tis their pelt that holds much allure. Imbued with natural concealment, many a craftsman seeks it for its properties.¡± Henry absorbed this. It sounded a lot like a creature Kelmithus had mentioned before. ¡°Lurkers?¡± Kelmithus shook his head. ¡°Nay, not Lurkers, though akin they may seem. Academia theorizes shared lineage, yet empirical evidence, owing to their elusive nature, proves elusive itself.¡± Arran added, ¡°Master, it seems to me, if I may, that Rillifanes lean more on nature¡¯s guise than the vanishing that Lurkers are capable of. Such a trait surely poses little trouble to any adventurer with a good eye, does it not?¡± ¡°Precisely so,¡± Kelmithus affirmed. ¡°The Rillifane, with its reliance upon the gifts of nature rather than arcane invisibility, oft presents but a trifling puzzle to those with keen sight. Now, Vorikhas, on the other hand, are creatures of a different mettle, demanding vigilance and strength of arm.¡± Intrigued, Ron turned his head back. ¡°Vorikhas?¡± Kelmithus¡¯ gaze became distant as he gave a nod, like he was recalling a personal encounter. ¡°Vorikhas are titans of the wild, truly meriting the dread that accompanies a Tier 8 designation. Their hide is impervious to the steel and shafts of common arms, as though each scale were wrought from the purest Adamantium. And the claws, oh how they rend through granite as easily as one might cleave the air.¡± He paused, voice dropping to a low tone. ¡°But the heart of their dread lies not in their brawn. Nay, they can be overpowered by a Minotaur Chieftain. However, they possess one thing that a Minotaur Chieftain does not: the ability to tap into the Aether. Their primal magic, though lacking a mage¡¯s finesse, presents a grave challenge when combined with their physical might.¡± ¡°And their scales, Master, they¡¯re more than just armor, right?¡± Arran asked. ¡°Aye, Arran,¡± Kelmithus affirmed. ¡°Each scale is a marvel, ensorcelled to disrupt and absorb magic as if they were made of voidstone. Spells cast directly upon them find their potency waning, diminishing upon proximity. Thus, the wise combatant would resort to employing magic indirectly ¨C propelling a projectile. They may also choose to forego the use of the Aether entirely, relying on traps to ensnare the beast or brute force to prevail.¡± He could see why the Vorikha was such an issue. Anything the local Sonarans could muster basically didn¡¯t work, despite the creature itself being weaker than a Minotaur Chieftain. Not that it would matter in the face of hot lead traveling faster than sound. If anything the prospect of a human as strong as a Minotaur Chieftain and beating the crap out of a Vorikha was somehow more frightening than the description of the Vorikha itself. But there was something that didn¡¯t sit right with Henry. ¡°If they are covered in scales that, like, disrupt magic, how do they cast it?¡± Kelmithus hinted at the answer, speaking like how a professor would guide a student. ¡°Consider, if you will, the paradox of their nature: covered almost entirely in scales that disrupt magic, yet able to use magic with a roar.¡± ¡°Their mouths?¡± Ron guessed. ¡°Indeed, the maw, devoid of the ensorcelled scales, holds the key. More precisely, the fangs,¡± Kelmithus answered. ¡°As the scales are coveted for their fortitude and their capacity to thwart magic, the teeth, in contrast, are esteemed for their antithetical properties. When a Vorikha weaves a spell, it employs the sole unshielded vessel ¨C its maw. This is the root of their infamous roars; not merely calls of the wild, but the conduits of their magic.¡± ¡°Sounds like something Dr. Perdue would be interested in,¡± Ron remarked, half-joking yet aware of the value these materials held. Kelmithus nodded. His smile grew enthusiastic, like he went beyond understanding the implication and was instead excited for it to happen. ¡°Indeed, the study of Vorikha materials could lead to remarkable advancements. Our own forays, modest though they be, have resulted in leaps in the field of Aether Fundamentals. ¡¯Tis a tantalizing thought, what more mysteries your kin might unveil.¡± Henry could guess why Kelmithus seemed enthusiastic. ¡°Yeah? You know, I heard that the talks are almost over, and that a certain agreement was reached on the topic of knowledge exchange¡­¡± ¡°Indeed, Captain,¡± the archmage responded. ¡°Duke Vancor imparted such tidings unto me. After a nomination from the Duke, the High Council has ratified my role as the principal liaison for our collaborative research, pending the conclusion of our diplomatic parleys.¡± Henry raised an eyebrow. Kelmithus working alongside Dr. Lamarr or Dr. Perdue would be quite the sight. It wasn¡¯t the reverse-engineering of alien tech that he had imagined would occur after stepping through the portal, but he was all for it nonetheless. ¡°That¡¯s great news, Kel. Looking forward to seeing more of you at the base then.¡± You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story. As they mulled over the exciting prospects of this collaborative effort, Ron¡¯s voice cut through from the driver¡¯s seat. ¡°We¡¯re here, folks.¡± The MRAPs rumbled to a stop. Everyone quickly disembarked, grabbing supplies from the vehicles as they stepped outside onto the untainted air of the Grenden Forest. Ryan seemed the most hyped up, inhaling deeply with a pleasant look on his face. ¡°Y¡¯all catchin¡¯ that scent?¡± Isaac stepped out of the other MRAP, entertaining Ryan¡¯s question while he secured his MRAP. ¡°Uh¡­ the smell of leaves and animal shit?¡± Ryan shook his head, chuckling. ¡°Well, you ain¡¯t wrong. But it¡¯s fresh fuckin¡¯ air. Y¡¯know the best thing about this place? No damn microplastics.¡± ¡°Real,¡± Ron commented as he covered up his MRAP with foliage before locking it. Henry nodded along, as did Dr. Anderson, amidst a confused Arran and Kelmithus. ¡°My-crow-plas-tics?¡± Kelmithus asked. ¡°Some sort of poison, I presume?¡± ¡°Damn straight,¡± Ryan said. ¡°But I reckon we ain¡¯t gonna find none of that trouble here on Gaerra, God willing.¡± ¡°Hopefully,¡± Henry agreed, patting Ryan on the shoulder. ¡°You guys ready?¡± he asked, gaze flicking between his colleagues. Isaac nodded. ¡°Got the IR tripwires right here,¡± he said, holding up his backpack. He delved back in, this time pulling out a compact quadrotor drone. ¡°And this will help us navigate,¡± he added, unfolding it and sending it up. The drone hummed to life, its rotors whispering as it ascended through the dense canopy, disappearing from sight. Henry watched as Isaac tapped on his wrist device, syncing the drone¡¯s aerial feed with their HUDs. A top-down view of their immediate surroundings materialized on their displays, the dense forest suddenly less daunting with this bird¡¯s-eye perspective. Blue arrows indicated each member of their team, including Kelmithus and Arran. Ryan took point, leading the team into the forest. They walked northwest, toward the ruins. According to IMINT and Ryan¡¯s insight, the hunting trails were somewhere in between the road and the ruins, intersecting with a small creek. It seemed straightforward enough on the monitor back at the base, but now that he was on the ground, every part of the forest looked the same. After a few minutes of moving toward the ruins, Ryan knelt down, analyzing a faint impression on the ground. ¡°Look here. These depressions ain¡¯t nothin remarkable, but they¡¯re a sign of passage. Ain¡¯t a clear path, but it¡¯s a start.¡± As they advanced, Ryan pointed out other signs: broken twigs snapped at a consistent height, suggesting movement at a particular level. The direction of disturbed foliage also indicated a general direction of travel, which led toward the ruins. ¡°Ain¡¯t never seen a Rillifane before, but they¡¯ve gotta be just like any other animal.¡± The team marked each significant sign with a digital tag through their HUDs, creating a virtual breadcrumb trail back to their starting point. They named each marker with simple but memorable nicknames like ¡®ball vine¡¯ for a vine bunched up in a peculiar way, and ¡®moss tree¡¯ for a tree trunk heavily laden with moss on one side. Markers like the latter even indicated the prevalent direction of moisture, and possibly even the general direction of the Rillifanes¡¯ movement. After following the signs for a good distance, they noticed an increase in the signs¡¯ frequency and clarity. The compressed soil turned into more defined footprints and the paths of disturbed vegetation became more pronounced. Finally, Ryan halted, signaling the team to a stop. Ahead, the signs coalesced into a discernible trail. The earth was worn down by frequent passage and the vegetation on either side was pushed back, revealing a clearer path through the dense underbrush. ¡°This is it,¡± Ryan confirmed, ¡°and the other trail is right over there by that creek,¡± he pointed toward the direction of running water. ¡°Good work, Hayes,¡± Henry said before turning to address the rest of the team, ¡°Let¡¯s get started.¡± Isaac unpacked the IR tripwires, setting them up at strategic points along the paths. ¡°Placing marker on north trail, 70 meters out,¡± he communicated. He moved on, setting another. ¡°Marker on west trail, 40 meters. No obstructions.¡± While Ryan and Isaac worked on setting up the tripwires, Henry directed everyone else to a spot in between the paths. ¡°Let¡¯s clear out the vegetation for clear lines of sight,¡± he ordered. As they worked, Kelmithus aimed his staff at the underbrush. Without a word, a magic circle materialized at the tip of the staff, causing vines and leaves to wilt. Clearing out the vegetation with a combination of machetes and magic, they created clear lanes leading to the hunting paths. They then positioned themselves around the paths, settling into their hiding spots. They laid prone for minutes that stretched forever until finally, Isaac¡¯s voice came through. ¡°Contact on the north trail. Movement detected, eight targets, steady pace.¡± ¡°Copy,¡± Henry whispered, swiveling around to face the northern trail. ¡°Hold fire. Let them enter the kill zone.¡± The Rillifanes approached, their figures now visible through the light filtering in from the canopy above. They blended in with the background, their dark fur adjusting hue and tone to match the greenery around them. They were also much larger than he expected. He had thought they were around the size of a panther but no, they were closer to small elephants than panthers. Despite their size, they made little noise as they walked along the path, limp goblins and fenwyrm spawn clenched in their jaws. Kelmithus placed his staff into the soft earth, the bottom sinking without a sound. He squinted at the distance, eyes focused on the ground beneath the Rillifanes while channeling mana into the central gem atop his staff. The gem glowed in response, echoing his intent despite no words being said. Beside him, Arran chanted softly, murmuring something brief and poetic about the goddess of the earth, giving form to the magic as his staff too found its place in the ground. Together, they manipulated the terrain, sabotaging the stable path and creating a muddy morass interspersed with spikes that caught the creatures off-guard. As soon as the Rillifanes began to realize their predicament, Henry knew it was time. They were disoriented, their attention diverted ¨C the perfect moment for an ambush. ¡°Engage,¡± he said sharply into the comms. Henry¡¯s finger tensed around the trigger, the M250¡¯s recoil jarring against his shoulder, alleviated slightly by the bipod. He aimed for a Rillifane struggling in the mud, a smaller one in the rear of the hunting party. The first shots hit a forelimb, the creature¡¯s roar muffled by the suppressor. It tumbled, further ensnared by the mud and spikes as its limb collapsed, unable to support its weight. A subsequent burst from Ron to his side shredded the incapacitated Rillifane¡¯s upper torso and head, putting it down for good. Simultaneously, Ryan fired his Barrett M107A1. The high-caliber shot boomed, more felt than heard. The resulting impact turned his target¡¯s head into pulverized jelly ¨C not exactly a clean shot to brag home about, but certainly a fun upgrade over the Remington Model 700s and Nosler 21s used by his buddies back home. Henry didn¡¯t pause. He retargeted, aiming for another trapped Rillifane. A burst to its hind legs sent it crashing, its thrashing only burying it deeper. Final shots to the torso and head ensured it wouldn¡¯t rise. The ground acted like quicksand: the more they struggled, the deeper they sank. Their desperate struggles served only to exacerbate their situation, making them more vulnerable to the spikes and incoming gunfire. The other members of Alpha Team responded with their own lethality, each Rillifane falling with little more than a whisper of resistance. It mimicked the ease of target practice, sans the paper targets. It was effortless. Too effortless. As the last of the grotesque forms slumped into the mire, Henry confirmed what their eyes registered. ¡°All threats neutralized.¡± ¡°Copy,¡± Isaac said. ¡°Switching to overhead, sweeping.¡± He checked the feed from the quadrotor hovering above them. ¡°No additional movers. Zone¡¯s cold.¡± ¡°They still at the nest?¡± Ron asked. Isaac sent the drone toward the ruins, scanning for the nest. The hues on his tablet melted into oranges and blues as he switched to infrared. ¡°Affirmative,¡± he said, confirming Ron¡¯s guess. It was a bit of a shame that the other Rillifanes weren¡¯t lured out by their recent engagement, but at least they¡¯d have the MRAPs¡¯ firepower available for this next engagement. Henry nodded. ¡°Alright. We retrograde to the MRAPs and ingress via the road. Approach with caution, maintain dispersion.¡± As they walked back to the road, Isaac kept the drone¡¯s camera fixed on the ruins. ¡°Visuals are clear. No additional movement detected around the ruins.¡± Using the markers they had left behind, they retraced their steps quickly. Within a few minutes, the MRAPs came into view. Henry turned to Ron. ¡°Owens, lead us out. Yen, continuous feed, call out any shifts. Ron took point and got into the driver''s seat of their MRAP. ¡°Let¡¯s roll out steady.¡± The drive to the ruins was winding, but still faster compared to a trudge straight through the forest. Whatever runes maintained the compacted 4-lane road seemed to still be functioning, keeping the road itself in good condition despite the overgrowth sprawling across it. He could almost imagine the traffic that once used this path, now reclaimed by nature. As they neared the ruins, Henry¡¯s eyes scanned the treeline. Though the Rillifanes were confirmed to be in their nest, there was no telling what other dangers might be lurking out there. He keyed his mic, ¡°Yen, status on aerial?¡± ¡°Drone¡¯s showing clear,¡± Isaac responded. ¡°No movement yet.¡± The MRAPs halted a safe distance from the ruins, the engines idling. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s get to work,¡± Henry said, disembarking. He grabbed some CS canisters while Ron remained inside, handling the Remote Weapon System. Meanwhile, Kelmithus and Arran prepared their magic, evident by the increase in wind speed around them and the fluttering of leaves. Taking a glance at the ruins, it looked much more imposing than what he had seen from the drone feed. The entrance itself seemed to be built into a rock formation, reminding him of the Cheyenne Mountain Complex. The heavy iron doors were cracked open and riddled with signs of battle and deterioration from the ages ¨C scorch marks, bent metal, and rust. That must be where the Rillifane nest was. Henry took a position that gave him a clear line of sight to the nest¡¯s entrance. He set up his M250, and then prepared the grenade launcher on his M7. With a nod to Kelmithus, he fired the CS gas canister, watching as it arced beyond the doors. The canister clattered on the floor and rolled deeper inside before erupting, releasing a cloud of tear gas. Kelmithus immediately intensified his spell. The wind swirled around them, now a focused gale that funneled gas directly into the nest. The leaves and branches around them rustled violently in the artificially amplified wind before settling as Kelmithus contained the spell to the entrance. Meanwhile, Arran prepared his earth magic ¨C the same grasping mud that they had employed in the initial ambush. The gas filled the nest, the sounds of confusion and distress emanating within. The Rillifanes wheezed, stumbling out of the entrance. ¡°Engage with caution,¡± Henry ordered, sighting down his LMG. As the first Rillifane emerged, he opened fire and dropped it instantly. The disoriented Rillifanes were easy targets, bogged down by the gas and clumped up into a perfect chokepoint. The .50 cals on the MRAPs were much more effective than their guns, tearing through the Rillifanes with complete ease. If their engagement earlier was too effortless, then this was¡­ like shooting fish in a barrel. The only downside, of course, was the quality of their kills. It would be much harder to salvage materials from the downed Rillifanes, but would it really matter in the face of the untold treasures inside the ruins? As the initial wave of Rillifanes were cleared out, the engagement took a sudden turn with the emergence of the Rillifane Overseer. It stood above its slain kin, eyes reddened and more enraged than affected by the tear gas. The size of the beast itself was staggering, easily dwarfing that of an elephant. Unlike the other Rillifanes, this one stood upright, looking like it could take on a T-rex ¨C and win. The .50 cal and small arms fire seemed to merely scratch its thick, matted fur, causing little more than superficial damage. It snarled at them, its nostrils pushing aside the gas. Without so much as a warning, it charged at them. The gunfire from Ron¡¯s MRAP stopped, instead replaced with thumps from the Mk 19 Grenade launcher. The first round hit, rocking the Overseer with a concussive blast and tearing a chunk of dark fur from the creature like it was nothing, exposing the skin beneath. But that was just it ¨C it was only the fur. Each subsequent blast resulted in similar superficial damage, with the grenades scorching and charring the exposed skin but failing to penetrate deeper. It staggered, clearly affected, but far from down. Seeing the beast just shake off the blasts, barely flinching as its hide got blasted away to reveal that charred but unyielding hide¡­ it was a cold splash of reality. Their standard ordnance wasn¡¯t as effective as they¡¯d hoped. They had to pull out something bigger. ¡°Hayes, use the TOW!¡± Henry ordered. Ryan acknowledged the command. The turret swiveled smoothly as Ryan aimed. The launch was instantaneous, a sharp hiss preceding the missile¡¯s rapid departure. It carved a straight path toward the target, the propulsion¡¯s glare a brief comet in the dim. The impact was immediate and intense. The missile¡¯s shaped charge was designed to penetrate and detonate within; there was no way this creature was surviving a weapon meant for over 2 feet of steel. The beast bore the full brunt of the blast, the shockwave rippling through the surrounding area. Debris and dust spiraled into the air as the echo of the explosion reverberated through the forest. Henry, instinctively shielding his eyes from the intense light of the explosion, caught glimpses of the Overseer¡¯s demise through narrowed lids. The Overseer had a gaping hole in its body, limbs barely hanging onto the compromised structure. Behind, a spray of viscera spread out in a cone-like formation, painting everything behind the Overseer in a dark red. ¡°Damn,¡± Ryan said, sounding more amused than shocked. Ron whistled, ¡°That¡¯s a helluva way to go out.¡± It certainly was. At least there was something to salvage. ¡°Yen, status?¡± ¡°Area¡¯s clear, Captain. No additional threats detected,¡± he responded. Henry nodded. Now all they needed to do was clear out the mess and find a way inside. ¡°Copy. Send the sitrep to base. Request a collection team for this zone. In the meantime, we¡¯ll secure the perimeter and find our entry point.¡± The team spread out. The obvious first choice was the front gate, where the nest was. The light seeping in barely lit up the place, so Henry turned on his flashlight. He swept the nest alongside Ryan, Dr. Anderson, and Arran. Aside from a pungent odor, there were no threats within. ¡°Clear,¡± Henry announced. The first thing he noticed was a secondary set of iron doors, similar to the one outside. It was slightly rusted, but it much better condition compared to the other barrier. The ceiling overhead arched down, forming a tunnel not unlike the one from the Cheyenne Mountain Complex. Walking up to the barrier, he gave it a slight push. ¡°Completely sealed,¡± he reported. ¡°We¡¯ll need to find another way in.¡± Ron chimed in with his own report, ¡°Got a secondary entrance outside, smaller, for pedestrians. Kel cleared out the rocks blocking it, but¡­¡± ¡°The door, alas, has not withstood the ravages of the elements. Its runes are now lost to erosion, rendering it impassable save from the inside¡± Kelmithus continued. Then, as if anticipating the next question, he explained further, ¡°With little remaining of the original rune, I cannot repair or reproduce it.¡± ¡°Copy,¡± Henry said. With both of the main entrances basically impossible to breach, they would have to report back to base and bring in some heavier tools for excavation. As soon as he began to contact Armstrong Base though, Ryan¡¯s voice cut in. ¡°Got somethin¡¯ over here. Owens, Yen, Kelmithus,¡± he called out to his comrades outside. Henry turned to face Ryan, spotting his silhouette against a wall. He swept his arms, clearing what looked like vines from the wall. As he got closer, he realized what he had found ¨C a window. He followed Ryan to the obscured window and helped him. As they cleared the last of the vines, the reinforced glass came into view, its surface marred by the passage of time and completely delaminated. It was almost opaque ¨C difficult to see inside, but he could make out what looked like a desk and chair. A security checkpoint, he mused, given the room¡¯s position relative to the tunnel and gates. Henry tapped on it with the butt of his gun, expecting it to be brittle. His gun bounced back slightly as the glass resisted, remarkably sturdy despite what he would have expected from thousands of years of deterioration. ¡°Looks like bulletproof glass,¡± he said. Isaac and Ron approached, examining the window closely. Isaac turned to Ron, ¡°Got any breaching charges in the MRAP?¡± Ron nodded, already heading back to the vehicle. Moments later, he returned with a thermobaric strip charge, specifically engineered to breach defenses made of materials with high tensile resistance. ¡°This should do it without bringing the whole wall down,¡± he commented, setting the charge carefully against the glass. ¡°Back outside, by the doors,¡± Henry directed, knowing the heavy iron would provide ample protection from the blast. They retraced their steps, positioning themselves behind the massive doors. Ron double-checked the charge placement before retreating to join the others. He pulled out the detonator before whispering a final reminder into his mic, ¡°Check your angles.¡± The team acknowledged, each member opening their mouth and covering an ear with one hand, the other readying their weapon. With a nod to confirm readiness, Ron declared, ¡°Breaching.¡± He pressed the detonator. The charge detonated with a muffled thump, more a release of intense pressure than a fiery explosion. The bulletproof glass bowed inward under the force, the layers suffering delamination and spider-webbing around the charge¡¯s focal point before succumbing to the engineered assault. As the dust settled, a clear entry point was revealed. The glass¡¯ integrity was compromised enough to allow entry but not shattered completely, reducing the risk from sharp fragments. Ron gestured forward, Alpha Team preparing to breach the room alongside him. Peering through the newly created opening, Henry could see the room clearly. It was small, furnished only with a chair, desk, and some cabinets. There was a singular entrance aside from the one they had just created: an interior security door, with ancient runes etched onto the panel itself. The desk contained mechanical controls, an array of buttons and switches that looked like they once commanded the structure¡¯s barriers. It was a long shot, but it wouldn¡¯t hurt to try. Henry reached in through the opening and pressed a few buttons experimentally, but there was no response ¨C a clear sign there was no power running through them. ¡°Looks like we¡¯re not getting any help from the controls,¡± Henry observed. He then climbed over to the other side, shifting his attention to the cabinets. He pulled them open one by one and inspected their contents. They were mostly empty, but in one, he found a rusty key and a pile of ashes that probably used to be documents. Meanwhile, Kelmithus had approached the interior door, his focus on the runes. ¡°These are still intact,¡± he murmured. After a thorough examination of the runes, he placed his hand on them and applied some mana. The runes glowed in response ¨C a promising sign that beckoned him to push it, but the door didn¡¯t budge. He stepped back, a slight frown creasing his brow. ¡°Found this a few seconds ago,¡± Henry said, holding up the key he had found. ¡°Maybe this will work.¡± Kelmithus nodded and stepped aside, making room for Henry. He fit the key into the lock. It slid in perfectly. However, as he turned it, the key resisted, hindered by the decay that clung to it. Ultimately, it jammed, refusing to turn further. He pulled the key out, trying several more times to no avail. ¡°Damn.¡± ¡°If I may,¡± Kelmithus offered, holding his hand out. Henry gave him the key. Maybe it needed magic to open the door? Kelmithus inspected the key closely, fingers running over the key¡¯s biting. A faint glow emanated from the metal as he did so. ¡°Fascinating,¡± he murmured, realization dawning upon him. ¡°The biting¡¯s edges are imbued with mana, albeit in disparate measures. ¡®Tis the mana, I deduce, that once flowed into the lock¡¯s pins.¡± Ryan eyed the key. ¡°So, you¡¯re tellin¡¯ me this thing¡¯s a no-go without some of that magic touch?¡± ¡°To an extent, yes,¡± Kelmithus explained. ¡°Ordinarily, the key need not any input of mana. Alas, the relentless march of time has dulled the enchantment¡¯s vigor, so I must manually unlock it.¡± Henry shared a look of curiosity with Ron as Kelmithus set to work. He inserted the key all the way, then held his hand out to Arran, who provided him with a thin wand. Using the wand, he channeled a flow of blue energy from the tip. A stream of mana flowed into the tiny gap in the keyhole. Kelmithus placed his ears close to the lock, listening for signs of success. The first pin clicked, evident by a smile that stretched across the archmage¡¯s face. After a minute of experimentation, the lock finally yielded and Kelmithus turned the key with a grin. The door swung open to reveal a hallway ahead, illuminated by dim emergency lights. He stepped back, a hint of pride in his eyes. Henry raised an eyebrow. It seemed the archmage had some tricks up his sleeve. ¡°Where¡¯d you learn all that?¡± Kelmithus answered, ¡°In years past, many a door stood in my way, each urging a¡­ diverse set of skills. An adventurer¡¯s life, it was, for a score of years.¡± Right; Kelmithus wasn¡¯t always a scholarly magic professor and researcher. Henry nodded and clapped him on the back. ¡°Nice work, Kel. Now, let¡¯s see how well those skills paid off,¡± he said, leading the way into the Baranthurian facility. Chapter 11: Coordinates Baranthurian Ruins, Grenden Forest November 22, 2024 The iron door swung open easier than Henry expected a soft click echoing off the walls as it unlocked. He hesitated just a moment, peering into the dimness beyond. The corridor was completely dark, illuminated only by the flashlights they held. The air inside was stale but breathable, cooler than it was outside. He turned off the flashlight and hovered his hand over the side control panel of his IVAS, activating the system¡¯s low-light enhancement. The corridor ahead was now rendered in clear detail, the outlines and shapes crisp in the monochrome vision. Behind him, Kelmithus followed his gesture before helping Arran use his equipment. ¡°Casting shield,¡± Kelmithus announced, adapting to the precision of Alpha Team¡¯s callouts. Blue circles coalesced beneath them, amorphous wisps reaching up before enveloping each person in a transparent bubble. It was exactly like what they had experienced during the Adventurers Guild test when fighting the golems. Whether they would hold against magic traps or lurking demons was not something Henry wanted to test out, but he appreciated the additional safeguard. Henry gave the man a nod before turning to face the corridor. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s move,¡± he murmured, activating the mounted laser on his M7. The architecture of the Baranthurian structure was a blend of industrial functionality and arcane elegance. Combined with the presence of the heavy iron barriers outside and the security checkpoint protected by bulletproof glass, there was only one guess that made sense: this was a military research facility. The corridor was lined with doors on either side, each sealed shut. Their surfaces were adorned with etched lines ¨C dormant runes. Henry watched as Kelmithus put his hand on one such door before pulling his hand away upon seeing no reaction. Kelmithus inspected their surroundings. ¡°The mana here is dense, yet the runes remain inert.¡± ¡°Probably won¡¯t operate without any power,¡± Isaac mused, trying to see through the darkened glass of the locked doors. The barrier controls at the security checkpoint looked like they needed power as well. Henry checked the other locked doors. ¡°Think there¡¯s a generator room or something around here?¡± ¡°Gotta be,¡± Ron said. ¡°Think that leads to the main hallway; let¡¯s start there?¡± He stood ahead at an intersection, pointing his rifle to the left. Henry approached to see what he was pointing at. Peering around the corner, he spotted a set of double doors with faint lighting on the other side. It was evident that at least some part of this facility was receiving power. How this was even possible after thousands of years of dormancy was a mystery ¨C one that would probably get Dr. Anderson¡¯s pants wet. ¡°Yeah, let¡¯s see what¡¯s there.¡± The double doors revealed a main corridor, stretching out like the spine of the facility. He could see glimpses of the main entrance to the left, where the road from earlier must¡¯ve led to. A faint light emanated from there, confirming that the main parts of the facility likely still had power. It was close, so he decided to check the main entrance first then double back and investigate the rest of the facility ¨C just in case there was anything interesting there. Henry led the way, his rifle¡¯s laser painting a steady beam ahead. The front lobby was empty, save for mounted furniture and a reception counter dotted with scattered papers. Strange rectangular frames were positioned in the center of the walkway, reminding him of a setup at an airport or federal courthouse. They didn¡¯t seem quite like metal detectors; magic detectors, perhaps. Henry heard Dr. Anderson¡¯s voice call out from behind the reception counter, ¡°Archmage, do you think you can translate these documents?¡± Kelmithus approached him. ¡°Ah, the tongue of the Baranthurians¡­ Allow me a brief study. Arran, would you bear these?¡± He passed a portion of the documents to his pupil. While they focused on that, Henry decided to check out the entrance itself. Large, imposing doors marked the facility¡¯s front. They stood slightly ajar, revealing the tunnel-like road they had navigated earlier. To the left stood the iron barriers from earlier, sealed completely shut. To the right, the road probably stretched for a mile, maybe more. It was difficult to tell even with the IVAS¡¯ capabilities; there simply wasn¡¯t enough visibility down the tunnel. They¡¯d have to investigate that later. Henry walked up to the reception counter, curious about the documents they were examining. The papers, spread out across the surface, seemed too ordinary for such a place ¨C and too preserved compared to the items in the security checkpoint. ¡°Anything useful?¡± he asked, hoping for something good. Dr. Anderson handed him a thin glass case with a wooden frame and a sheet inside. ¡°It¡¯s an evacuation plan ¨C a complete map of the facility.¡± Henry nodded, prying it open with his knife and taking the sheet out. ¡°Good find,¡± he said as he analyzed the map using his IVAS, updating their tactical map with the new information. ¡°What about the other stuff?¡± he turned toward Kelmithus and Arran. Kelmithus, absorbed in the script, replied, ¡°¡®Tis but a ledger of arrivals: names, dates, and what can be directly translated as ¡®clearance levels¡¯. Included herein are safety codes ¨C scant in revelations, yet of merit for our passage through the facility.¡± ¡®Clearance levels¡¯ and the existence of safety codes caught his attention. He had suspected that the Baranthurians were industrialized to some degree based on the composition of the Core they had found during the Hardale quest, but it seemed that they weren¡¯t the steampunk civilization he imagined them to be. They were more advanced than that; nowhere near the modern age based on the lack of electronics, but close enough to worry him. How powerful were the demons to wipe out a civilization this advanced? Henry pushed the thought aside as he replied to Kelmithus, ¡°Anything that suggests where the power is?¡± He cross-referenced the facility¡¯s evacuation plan. ¡°Nothing on this map.¡± Kelmithus shook his head. ¡°Nay, we must seek it out like true explorers.¡± Henry acknowledged him with a nod. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s keep moving then. Eyes sharp, everyone.¡± They retraced their steps back toward their entry point in the main corridor and continued deeper into the facility. The first door they approached wasn¡¯t locked but was stuck. It resisted until finally yielding to a firm push from Ron¡¯s shoulder. Inside, they found a small office, paperwork strewn across a dust-covered desk. Kelmithus scanned the room, noting the lack of anything immediately significant. ¡°Clear,¡± Ron called out, already moving to the next door. One by one, they checked each room along the corridor. Most were locked, the dormant runes impossible to bypass without power. The few they managed to open revealed similar scenes ¨C offices frozen in time, storage rooms with shelves bare or cluttered with unidentifiable tools. The further they went, the more the silence of the facility pressed in on them. They came across a larger room, filled with long tables and benches with a kitchen at the back ¨C a mess hall. Henry paused for a moment, taking in the scene. Unlike the other rooms, this one lacked power. The furniture, dishware, and utensils were ready to crumble; far from the preserved states of the offices. The remnants of meals, now desiccated and nothing but dust, lay on plates scattered across the tables or preserved in a mummified state within sealed glass compartments at the counter. With a nod from Henry, the team continued, leaving the ghostly quiet of the mess hall behind. The corridor twisted and turned, leading them deeper into the bowels of the facility. They finally came across an intersection with symbols etched into the walls. ¡°¡®Quarters¡¯ to the left, ¡®secure¡¯ facilities ahead, and ¡®maintenance¡¯ to the right,¡± Kelmithus translated. Henry shared a look with Ron. Maintenance sounded exactly like what they needed. ¡°Let¡¯s continue right.¡± They passed more locked doors, all bearing dormant runes. Finally, they reached a section different from the others. They encountered another set of double doors, a faint hum coming from within. The panel beside it was adorned with intricate carvings and dormant lights. ¡°Yo, I think this might be it,¡± Ron whispered. Henry could feel the excitement in his tone. Kelmithus read the inscriptions, confirming Ron¡¯s guess. ¡°Indeed, this is the ¡®Aetheris Nexus 1¡¯. I can sense the flow of mana within.¡± Henry tried the handle. Thankfully, it wasn¡¯t locked. He swung the doors open with little effort, the air within immediately rushing toward them. It was heavy with the distinct smell of aged lubricants and the tang of metal. A layer of dust contributed a dry, earthy note, blending with the residual odor of coolant that had once circulated through the room¡¯s devices. The lights inside were brighter than those of the other rooms they had come across ¨C enough that night vision was no longer necessary. Henry returned his IVAS to a normal view, taking in the sights around him. The room itself was massive. Consoles and workstations cluttered the room, blocking some lines of sight. Henry glanced at the unfamiliar equipment as he checked the corners of the room. Sure enough, this part of the facility was in much better condition than the dilapidated offices they had come across. Whatever was preserving this facility must be reliant on power ¨C or mana, in this case. ¡°Clear,¡± Ryan announced after a sweep of the room. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s start,¡± Henry said. But where could they even start? Henry checked around. If this was the Baranthurian¡¯s take on an electrical room, then there had to be some central control or conduit system, a focal point where power was distributed. His eyes scanned for anything resembling a hub or a panel that stood out, something that would scream ¡®start here¡¯ to a civilization that harnessed both technology and magic. He stopped by one of the consoles near the entrance, inspecting the interfaces. Some had switches and other mechanical controls, as one might expect, but the others seemed like solid shapes. They appeared impossible to operate without an application of mana ¨C similar to the shower at the Duke¡¯s guest house. Isaac joined him by the console. ¡°No power buttons, no switches¡­ Wonder how they activated these,¡± he pondered. Henry was about to respond when Kelmithus called out, ¡°Captain, here.¡± The archmage stood before a central console, different from the others. The runes on its surface were different from the others. Henry identified one that looked similar to the ¡®cold¡¯ setting for the magic shower. At the heart of it lay an empty slot, perfectly shaped to fit the Core they had retrieved from Hardale. ¡°Looks like we¡¯ve found where the Core goes,¡± Henry remarked. It was a perfect fit, but placing it inside was just the first of many steps. ¡°Owens, take Hayes and Arran to grab the Core.¡± While they left to bring the Core over, Isaac examined the surrounding area and noted a closed shaft above the console. ¡°You think this is some kind of vent?¡± he asked, pointing upwards. Henry remembered the Core being relatively warm on top, back during the Hardale quest. He probed the Core¡¯s housing unit for clues. ¡°Could be for heat dispersion when this thing¡¯s running. See that lever? Might open it.¡± Dr. Anderson pulled the lever cautiously. With a creak, the shaft opened to reveal a dark, dusty channel. Debris fell down onto the empty core platform below. What exactly the debris was composed of was not something Henry wanted to figure out, but they still had to clean it. He picked up a brush lying off to the side and walked over to a sink in the corner of the room. To his mild surprise, a twist of the faucet brought forth water. It was more a reluctant dribble than anything, but it worked. ¡°Guess the creek out back¡¯s seen better days,¡± he muttered to himself. It seemed even the facility¡¯s plumbing, like the rest of it, was clinging to functionality by a thread. With the water¡¯s modest flow, he set about clearing the debris. Scrubbing away at the vent, he glanced over at Kelmithus, who was still poring over the console with a scholar¡¯s intensity. ¡°This one,¡± Henry pointed with the wet brush, ¡°looks a lot like the ¡®cold water¡¯ setting back at the Duke¡¯s guest house. They using this to keep the core from overheating or what?¡± Kelmithus, without breaking his focus, nodded. ¡°Aye, you are correct. This symbol regulates temperature in a fluid, akin to the mechanisms in most of our nobles¡¯ plumbing systems. Yet, the complexity of these runes surpasses that of any we have in use today. To gaze upon a Baranthurian rune as well-preserved as this is rare ¨C an ¡®archaeological treasure¡¯, as Dr. Anderson might say.¡± Henry gave a nod and checked on the others. Isaac had taken an interest in the wires running into the floor, searching to determine where they might be connected. He eventually stopped by a blast door at the far end of the room, opening it carefully. A soft blue glow washed over him as he did so. ¡°Found the power ¨C stacks of mana crystals, just like the setup rigged up outside of Hardale.¡± His voice echoed slightly, blending with the dry scratches of Henry¡¯s brush against the ventilation shaft. Dr. Anderson, meanwhile, continued searching the cabinets. Henry noticed him holding up a document, positioning it against the lighting above. ¡°Found something useful, Doc?¡± ¡°Not at all,¡± Dr. Anderson responded, holding up a faded document with a defeated look. ¡°It¡¯s too deteriorated. I¡¯d need to use Reflectance Transformation Imaging to make out any details, but we don¡¯t have the equipment.¡± Henry nodded along like he knew what the words meant. ¡°Right¡­ Well, if we¡¯ve got the cooling figured out, that¡¯s one less thing to worry about. We¡¯ll just have to figure things out along the way.¡± He turned around as Ron and the others came back, holding the core. ¡°Guess we¡¯re about as ready as we¡¯ll ever be to see if this thing has a pulse. Owens, let¡¯s hook the Core.¡± Ron nodded and gripped the handles at the side before lifting it with a grunt. He hoisted the core into position. Henry watched closely, his heart rate ticking up a notch. This was it ¨C the moment they¡¯d finally get to unlock some alien mysteries. Kelmithus moved to stand beside Arran at the console, holding his wand. ¡°Power,¡± he said simply. Together, he and Arran touched their wands to the rune they had identified for power. ¡°Stabilization,¡± Kelmithus said next, applying mana to a different rune. ¡°Circuit¡­ Control¡­ Cooling¡­ Activation.¡± Each rune lit up under the touch of the wands before dimming again. But then, nothing. The Core remained dark, inert. Kelmithus rechecked the runes and applied more mana to no avail. The anticipation fizzled out, replaced by a blanket of disappointment. ¡°Damn,¡± Ron muttered, echoing the sentiment they all felt. Kelmithus took a step back, frowning. ¡°It appears we are bereft of a key element here¡­¡± Henry let out the breath he¡¯d been holding with a heavy sigh. ¡°Back to square one, then.¡± He eyed his team. ¡°Let¡¯s search around. Hopefully, we can figure out what¡¯s wrong with this thing.¡± He decided to start the power supply. The blue glow from earlier suggested that there was indeed a supply of mana crystals available to serve as a power source, but he figured that they might not be connected. He led the way into the back room. The space was cluttered with old equipment, an ensemble of Baranthurian technology with purposes lost to time. Isaac joined him and shone his flashlight at the power supply. The mana crystals were neatly encased in a container, still glowing with energy. Henry nudged the casing to inspect the wire connection underneath; it was indeed hooked up. He let out a sigh. They were just starting to tackle the problem, yet it already felt like a slog to get through. The anticlimactic activation completely killed the mood, turning their troubleshooting into a disappointing grind. ¡°Let¡¯s try tracing the main cable,¡± Henry suggested, pointing to a thick cable partially covered in dust and cobwebs. They split into groups, one starting at the Core¡¯s housing and the other starting with the power supply. The process was slow, with most of the wire hidden behind panels. Each section they uncovered was meticulously inspected for any sign of damage. ¡°These Baranthurians didn¡¯t do things by halves, did they?¡± Isaac mused, brushing away layers of dust from a junction box. They reached a panel that had likely been chewed open, the edges jagged and worn. The cable inside was severed, its innards exposed. ¡°Probably a rodent,¡± Isaac commented, holding up the damaged cable. Henry crouched down for a closer look. ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s our problem alright. Hey, we¡¯ve got soldering gear. Shouldn¡¯t be too difficult a fix if we¡¯ve got any of that wiring lying around somewhere.¡± He straightened up, beginning a search. ¡°I¡¯ve already checked,¡± Isaac responded, shaking his head. ¡°We¡¯re SOL.¡± The team gathered around the damaged infrastructure, inspecting it. Henry was certain there had to be some spare materials in the facility; the issue was that the facility was huge, and they wouldn¡¯t be guaranteed to find it nearby ¨C and in a room that wasn¡¯t locked, no less. ¡°Back in Hardale,¡± Dr. Anderson pointed out, ¡°the Nobians used vines with mana crystals to rig up a power source. What if we tried something similar here? We don¡¯t have any wiring, but there were a lot of vines and other materials outside.¡± Kelmithus rubbed his chin, holding up the frayed end of the wire. ¡°This appears to be made of orichalcum. To think that orichalcum can be used in such a manner¡­ truly fascinating.¡± ¡°Orichalcum¡­ that¡¯s like the top-tier stuff for magic conduction, ain¡¯t it?¡± Ryan mused aloud. ¡°Indeed, its properties are unparalleled, typically used in equipment for mages,¡± Kelmithus replied, continuing to study the wire. ¡°While the vines outside are also magically conducive, their properties differ significantly from orichalcum¡¯s. We must consider this disparity ¨C and what dangers it may hold.¡± Henry turned the idea over in his head. Electrical repairs were one thing, but magical ones? That was new territory. Swapping in any metal for copper wiring was already a big no-no. With magic in the mix, messing with the standard could probably spell even bigger trouble. ¡°Using a lower grade substitute in a pinch isn¡¯t ideal¡­ we¡¯ll probably see something like increased resistance or inefficiency. It¡¯s already risky enough in electrical systems; can¡¯t imagine how much worse it¡¯ll be for a magical system.¡± The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement. ¡°Right,¡± Isaac agreed, ¡°we¡¯ll probably see some overheating at best and something explosive at worst. But, given our situation, it might be our only shot.¡± Dr. Anderson seemed hesitant, but he finally relented. ¡°We¡¯ll need to monitor it closely then. If we can get it working, even temporarily, it could lead us to a more permanent solution.¡± ¡°A prudent course,¡± Kelmithus said, his tone suggesting that he was more excited than he should be. ¡°We still have our shields, thus, our safety is, in theory, assured.¡± Somehow, Kelmithus¡¯ reassurance only made Henry more concerned about their makeshift repair possibly blowing up in their faces. Noting the dubious glances cast by his companions, Kelmithus cleared his throat and continued, ¡°We will employ the vines as a temporary conduit. We shall seek orichalcum or a more suitable replacement thereafter.¡± Henry¡¯s eyes darted from the wire to the archmage. The plan was an absolute gamble, but this was the type of adventure he had always dreamed of ¨C unraveling alien mysteries. Besides, the shields would probably be enough in case things went south. If this wasn¡¯t boldly going, he didn¡¯t know what was. ¡°Let¡¯s do it.¡± He removed the mana crystal container from its slot and then led the team back to the main Nexus. ¡°Kel, can you cut the power to the Core?¡± Kelmithus nodded, completing his task. After confirming that all connections were dormant, they began their journey back outside. Stepping out into the crisp air, they found themselves amidst a tangle of thick, green vines. Henry and Ron walked over to a vibrant set that Kelmithus had identified as favorable for the repairs. Ron pulled out his knife and set to work. ¡°Never thought I¡¯d be foraging for magical vines on an op,¡± he muttered, shaking his head as he bundled the vines in his arms. Henry navigated the virtual interface on his IVAS and called up the file on the celisyrin vine, or as Dr. Perdue had officially named it, celisyrus arcanum. He flicked through the images, finding one that matched the vine he was currently working on and positioning the virtual display beside it. The vine¡¯s internal blue glow was much more vibrant than the image on file. It certainly had more conductivity than its counterparts, but would it be enough to act as a substitute for orichalcum wiring? He gathered the materials he had cut up, placing them inside an empty container they had found inside the facility. ¡°This should be enough,¡± he commented. ¡°Let¡¯s head back.¡± After hauling the vines back into the Nexus, Henry laid them out on a workbench. The eerie blue pulsing from the celisyrin gave a ghostly glow, making the cold metal surfaces around them seem even more unwelcoming. Comparing them to the wire that connected the power supply container to the Core, the vines were much thicker. ¡°Looks like we¡¯ll have to split the vines and use the fibers inside,¡± he observed. Kelmithus nodded as he pulled out a knife of his own, the blade¡¯s surface a glittering silver and engraved with small runes. ¡°It behooves us to keep these fibers whole, for their conductivity must be maintained. We must then intertwine the intact strands with the wire and bind them securely with a knot; this shall, in theory, preserve the continuity of our temporary repair.¡± Isaac walked over and picked one of the pieces up. ¡°A knot, huh? Guess we¡¯ll have to make do without electrical tape,¡± he mused as he weighed the vine in his hand. ¡°Desperate times call for desperate measures,¡± Ron joked as he leaned on the wall, spectating the repair project. After extracting the fibers and matching the radius of the wire as best he could, Henry tied a knot at one end of the connection while Isaac worked on the other end. Securing the last of the vines, he stepped back and eyed their handiwork. It was crude, undeniably so, but there was a certain elegance in the way the glowing fibers complemented the dull casing of the orichalcum wiring. ¡°Time to see if this patch job holds,¡± Henry announced, wiping his hands on his pants. He caught Kelmithus¡¯ eye, nodding toward the core. ¡°Let¡¯s give it another go.¡± Kelmithus signaled Arran. They approached the core again, wands in hand. With a flick of his wrist, he directed his mana into the same sequence of runes. Everyone watched with bated breath as they watched the runes light up, one by one. Finally, they touched the activation rune. Henry kept his eyes fixed on the core, waiting for any sign of life. The first indication that their repair might have worked came as a faint hum, a sound so subtle it was almost lost in the silence. Then, slowly, the core began to glow, its light intensifying until it bathed the entire room in a soft luminescence. The machinery around them responded in kind. Gauges on the nearby panels began to twitch, needles moving and runes lighting up. Henry let out a low whistle, impressed despite himself. ¡°Damn. It actually worked.¡± He turned to his team, ¡°Alright, we split up from here. Ryan, Isaac, Arran, you three take the quarters. See if you can find any personal logs or anything that could give us more insight into what happened here.¡± He then nodded to Ron, Dr. Anderson, and Kelmithus. ¡°We¡¯ll take the secure wing. There¡¯s bound to be something in there that can tell us more about this place and what the Baranthurians were working on.¡± The march to the secure wing was quiet, the kind of silence that made even heartbeats audible. Cold air brushed against their faces as they approached the junction they had come across earlier. With Ryan¡¯s group already going their separate way, Henry led the others down to a blast door that separated the secure wing from the rest of the facility. Like the other doors, it was covered in runes. However, it didn¡¯t have a keyhole. ¡°There¡¯s gotta be some control we missed,¡± Henry said, scanning the walls around them for some sort of pad or lever. ¡°Here,¡± Dr. Anderson said, opening a wall panel to reveal a small console with runes ¨C similar to the settings they encountered in the Nexus. Kelmithus walked up to it and touched his wand on the panel. ¡°Allow me.¡± The panel beside them hummed before the deep rumble of grinding metal echoed throughout the hallway. Slowly, the blast doors swung open. Past the door, they found themselves in a desolate lobby that invited them to explore further. Overhead, sconces cast a pulsating crimson glow throughout the room. The soft wail of an alarm, its potency stripped away by the years, echoed its mournful cry. What happened here? Henry studied the lobby. The area was straightforward, with corridors branching off to various sectors of the secure wing. Papers and personal belongings littered the floor, likely dropped in haste. A cup, still half-filled with a desiccated remnant of what might have been coffee or tea, sat abandoned on a nearby table. Hanging from the ceiling in the center of the room was a sign with arrows corresponding to each corridor and accompanying labels. Kelmithus translated the sign. Working from the left to the right of the room in a clockwise fashion, the corridors led to the armory, command center, labs, offices, and garage access point. Henry considered the different paths. Of the possible choices, it was probably the armory that would be the easiest to explore and search for intel. ¡°Let¡¯s start with the armory,¡± he said. The armory door was less ornate than others they¡¯d passed, its utilitarian purpose clear. Henry pushed it open, the sound of metal against stone echoing in the quiet. Inside, the room was lined with racks upon racks of weapons, each piece meticulously maintained and placed as if waiting for its owner to return. It seemed that the personnel of this facility had truly left in a hurry. The first thing that struck Henry was the absence of medieval weaponry, like what he might¡¯ve expected in a Sonaran setting. Instead, the racks held an array of firearms that would have looked at home in an old Western, save for the intricate runes etched along their barrels and the shimmering mana crystals embedded in their mechanisms. ¡°Not your standard issue,¡± Henry murmured, picking up one of the lever-action rifles and inspecting its design. On the surface, it looked basically just like any other lever action rifle from Earth, though he wouldn¡¯t be surprised if the internal mechanisms were different. Beside the firearms, sets of armor stood on display. They were made from materials Henry couldn¡¯t immediately identify ¨C a silvery metal that he guessed was adamantium and leather from some unknown domesticated creature, given how the sets appeared to be mass-produced. Each piece was reinforced at critical points, clearly designed to offer protection against more than just firearms and physical blows. ¡°This shit is like¡­ hextech,¡± Ron marveled, giving the equipment googly eyes. The term sounded familiar ¨C it came from one of the early intelligence briefings that listed the types of technology he might encounter in Gaerra. Apparently, it came from a popular video game and described a level of technology a step up from standard medieval fantasy; closer to steampunk fantasy, if anything. Henry placed the rifle back on its rack, turning as Kelmithus became no better than Ron. ¡°Most intriguing!¡± the archmage exclaimed, standing before a locker filled with strange gear. ¡°Could this be a diminutive form of aetherphone? The implications of such an artifact for our exploration of conveying sonance through the Aether would indeed be profound.¡± Henry peered into the locker, most of the equipment completely alien aside from accessories like amulets and small cylindrical objects that seemed a lot like grenades. The armory was a treasure trove of Baranthurian military innovation, each piece enough to spark a technological revolution in the Sonaran Federation ¨C each piece enough to go to war over. He instinctively glanced at Dr. Anderson, who already understood what he was thinking. ¡°We¡¯re fortunate that we¡¯re the first to find this place. In the wrong hands, especially the Nobians¡¯, the potential for misuse is deeply concerning. Who knows what they¡¯ll do with this technology,¡± Dr. Anderson blatantly pointed out. ¡°Or what they¡¯ll do if they find out we have this stuff and they don¡¯t. The last thing we need is an arms race with this kind of firepower on the table,¡± Henry added, crossing his arms. He fell into deep thought, already mulling over the implications. Kelmithus stowed the radio-lookalike away, intrigued by their exchange. ¡°Verily, which is why the urgency of harnessing this newfound knowledge cannot be overstated. As if the seals of Traverna¡¯s Vault were broken, so too have the possibilities expanded before us. The Nobians are vigilant and covetous; they will not sit idly while their rivals surpass them. It stands to reason that the Nobians, in due course, might stake their claim upon this knowledge under threat of arms ¨C or, in a darker turn, unearth their own cache of Baranthurian relics and eclipse our advancements.¡± Henry found his gaze returning to the Baranthurian weapons. If Traverna¡¯s Vault was anything like Pandora¡¯s Box, then Kelmithus was right; there was no turning back. The Nobians had already proven to be aggressive, and the existence of these ruins would undoubtedly set them on edge. There was no way in hell the DoD or the Sonarans would let go of this site, a fact that boded poorly for their already shaky relations with the Nobians. He sighed. No use worrying about geopolitics anyway; that was Perry¡¯s battlefield, not his. ¡°Yeah, true,¡± he said, finding himself agreeing with Kelmithus¡¯ logic. ¡°We¡¯ll need as much of an upper hand against the Nobians as possible, in case they decide to start something they¡¯ll regret.¡± ¡°In the eventuality they start something they¡¯ll regret,¡± Kelmithus corrected. Henry gave a nod. As biased as Kelmithus was, his analysis was spot-on. It didn¡¯t take a genius to realize that reasoning with the Nobians was as far-fetched as the existence of magic once was. Ron, oblivious to their conversation, was still engrossed in his own discovery. He called out from a corner of the room, holding up a pair of gloves with intricate silvery threading. ¡°Yo, check these out! Feel like I could punch through a wall with these.¡± Henry gave the gloves a cursory glance. ¡°Bag ¡®em. Might come in handy, or at least give Dr. Lamarr and the lab geeks something to gawk at.¡± His mind was already moving on, though. The armory was fascinating, but it was the laboratories that promised answers about the Baranthurians. Leaving the armory, they navigated to the command center. To Henry¡¯s disappointment, the door was locked ¨C inaccessible even after several attempts from Kelmithus. Finding no luck with the door, they moved on to the research sector. The corridor there opened into a cavernous space, branching off into numerous labs. Kelmithus lingered at each door, translating the labels with a growing sense of excitement. ¡°Mana studies, crystallography, Aether Dynamics¡­¡± he listed off, his voice a mix of awe and anticipation. Henry gathered the team at the first lab on the left, its door left open. ¡°Guess this is as good a place to start as any,¡± he muttered, pushing the door open. The lab beyond was bathed in the soft glow of mana crystals, their light casting long shadows across the dusty tables and scattered papers. It was time to see what secrets this place held. He stepped inside, his eyes quickly adjusting to the crystalline luminescence. The tables were cluttered with a variety of intricate devices, one of which resembled an early refractometer made of brass and glass. Nearby, objects similar to Erlenmeyer flasks perched on rune-etched stands hinted at experiments with liquid mana. The stuff here was a goldmine for research, and Dr. Anderson¡¯s enthusiasm all but confirmed it. The man had already gravitated to the papers, analyzing them with an equally enthusiastic Kelmithus. Henry could empathize, but he felt that this lab¡¯s experiments were just the tip of the iceberg. After documenting their findings, he knew they needed to move on. ¡°Let¡¯s check the next lab,¡± he decided, curiosity piqued by the promise of more discoveries. He moved to the adjacent room but found its door sealed shut by the ongoing lockdown, entrance denied by runic protocols that even Kelmithus couldn¡¯t crack. They continued their search down the corridor until they finally came across another lab that was left open ¨C a room dedicated to ¡®Aether Dynamics.¡¯ The door to the lab creaked open to reveal a scene of chaos, with overturned furniture and shattered glassware. A cylindrical object mirroring a Core stood on a platform in the center of the room, inert. ¡°Damn, looks like we found where things went sideways.¡± Henry entered the room, stepping cautiously over the debris. The only things not scattered were a set of sleek, angular artifacts that were too alien to be from the Baranthurians. If anything, they reminded him of the pristine ¡®ruins¡¯ near Armstrong Base ¨C minimalist, yet extravagant at the same time. The pieces hovered in their containment units, surfaces marked by precise lines that emanated blue light. It was like looking at something straight out of a game he enjoyed, except this was real, and it was right in front of him. There was no doubt: these must¡¯ve belonged to the Gatebuilders. Kelmithus began sifting through reports scattered on a desk, translating snippets of text. ¡°Herein lies a record of an experiment. They endeavored to bend and channel mana streams by employing Gatebuilder design tenets,¡± he murmured. ¡°This¡­ This is evidence of the link we long hypothesized!¡± Dr. Anderson pulled up a chair and sat beside the archmage, adding, ¡°Sounds like they were trying to play with knowledge they didn¡¯t fully understand, and something went wrong.¡± ¡°This device,¡± Kelmithus said, nodding toward the object on the platform, ¡°was referred to as an ¡®Aetheric Nullifier¡¯ by its creators. Its purpose, as the moniker implies was to purge an area of the Aether as a means to combat mana-dependent demons. It would voraciously absorb nearby mana, a function they theorized to bear adverse effects on not just demons, but people as well. Alas, it appears their prototype was activated all too hastily, in the throes of an onslaught.¡± ¡°What happened?¡± Ron asked. Kelmithus found a final entry in the logs. ¡°The chronicle concludes with the ¡®unexpected development of a mana vacuum¡¯. Were I amongst those scholars, the sounding of alarms would have been an immediate recourse.¡± Henry¡¯s eyes narrowed as he scanned the room. A small panel near the entrance drew his attention. He approached it, noticing a flashing red button with a Baranthurian label that he guessed said ¡®Emergency Shutdown¡¯. It was still active. Pressing the button, he felt a slight resistance before it clicked into place. Instantly, the alarms and pulsing red lights ceased, replaced by a steady glow of white. ¡°That should lift the lockdown on the other labs and the command center,¡± he remarked, turning back to the group. ¡°We¡¯ll leave the labs to the excavation and research teams. Let¡¯s check the command center.¡± The command center, once plunged into emergency mode, now lay dormant under the steady white light. The room, spacious and lined with wooden workstations, had an air of Victorian elegance. Maps of the surrounding region sprawled across the tables, marked with troop placements and other information. Like the other scenes they had come across, the one around them was marred by evidence of an urgent evacuation. Henry watched as Kelmithus picked up a document beside a set of Baranthurian aethergraphs. ¡°What¡¯s it say?¡± he asked. Ron and Dr. Anderson gathered around as Kelmithus translated, ¡°This appears to be an evacuation order. The failed ¡®Aetheric Nullifier¡¯ experiment forced all base personnel to the teleportation nodes in the garage, ere rendered inoperative by the Nullifier.¡± ¡°And these?¡± Dr. Anderson asked, inspecting a series of shelves filled with what appeared to be communication logs. His fingers traced the runes embossed on the spines of the leather-bound binders before selecting a few and flipping them open on a nearby table. ¡°Aethergrams, akin to the ones sent by our aethergraphs,¡± Kelmithus explained, beginning to translate them. Most were mundane, detailing routine supply requests, personnel transfers, and updates regarding the base¡¯s research. However, one particular log caught their attention. ¡°This one speaks of a shipment received from a Gatebuilder excavation site,¡± Kelmithus announced, voice tinged with excitement. ¡°It seems they were studying artifacts from the ruins ¨C like the ones in the Aether Dynamics lab, perchance seeking leverage in their ongoing conflict with the demons.¡± Henry nodded, processing the information. ¡°This could be big,¡± he said. The inaccessible Gatebuilder ruins by the gateway was the first priority on their list ¨C and a tantalizing enigma regardless. Now, they had a chance to unravel more about the Gatebuilders. ¡°We need to find that excavation site.¡± As they sifted through the documents and maps scattered across the command center, Ron¡¯s voice cut through the silence. ¡°Yo, think I¡¯ve got something,¡± he called out, holding up a map marked with an unusual icon that mirrored the distinctive architecture of the Gatebuilders. Henry and the others walked over, analyzing the map. Kelmithus gently took the map and studied the text underneath the symbol. He looked up, a spark in his eyes. ¡°This is it: the excavation site.¡± ¡°The next step¡­¡± Dr. Anderson muttered. Kelmithus nodded. ¡°Indeed, Doctor. This is the next step, and the magnitude of this revelation warrants an inquiry of the highest order. I intend to register this venture ¨C omitting sensitive information ¨C as a Tier 8 quest at the Adventurers Guild. Such classification shall ensure the provision of requisite means and the due acclaim this mission merits.¡± Henry considered Kelmithus¡¯ suggestion, but they were currently only Tier 6 adventurers. ¡°Are we even qualified for a quest of that tier?¡± he asked. ¡°Ordinarily, your current rank would be a constraint,¡± the archmage answered. ¡°However, with the inclusion of at least one other Tier 8 adventurer, the Guild¡¯s stipulations for embarking upon such a quest would be satisfied.¡± The mention of a Tier 8 adventurer sparked an idea in Henry¡¯s mind. ¡°Seraphine ad Sindis,¡± he blurted out. He winced internally, realizing his mistake, and braced himself. Ron raised an eyebrow and gave Henry a knowing smirk. ¡°No surprise there,¡± he teased, a light chuckle escaping him. ¡°Hey, I ship it already.¡± Henry mustered up a haphazard defense, giving a reluctant grin. ¡°Look, she uh ¨C well, we¡¯ve already worked with her. We know she¡¯s y¡¯know, a good adventurer.¡± ¡°Sure, sure,¡± Ron said, his smirk growing wider. ¡°Your rationale aside,¡± Kelmithus stepped in, ¡°Lady Seraphine is a wise choice. Collaborating with an adventurer of her integrity ¨C and familiarity ¨C would be preferable to working with someone we don¡¯t know.¡± ¡°Yeah, well, we¡¯ll get this planned out later,¡± Henry said quickly, hoping to change topics. He radioed Ryan¡¯s group, ¡°Hayes, sitrep?¡± Static crackled briefly before Ryan¡¯s voice came through. ¡°All quiet on our end, Captain. Quarters cleared, ain¡¯t a single sign of intel or hostiles. You find anything interesting?¡± Henry glanced at the map in Kelmithus¡¯ hands. ¡°Found something solid here. Kel just confirmed a map marking a Gatebuilder excavation site.¡± ¡°Gatebuilder excavation site, huh?¡± Ryan reiterated Henry¡¯s words, intrigued. ¡°Copy that. Y¡¯all done over there?¡± They still needed to clear the offices and the garage, but they were basically done. ¡°Almost,¡± he replied. ¡°Come on over. We¡¯re wrapping up over here; still need a couple more rooms to check. Once we¡¯re done we¡¯ll compile a report for Armstrong and prep for exfil. We¡¯ve got our next op lined up, and it¡¯s gonna be crazy.¡± Chapter 12: The Market District Armstrong Base, Grenden Plains November 24, 2024 As Henry walked into the quartermaster¡¯s depot, he couldn¡¯t help but notice how¡­ empty it was. Technically speaking, it was stocked to the brim with supplies and gear, but there was a telling lack of Chief Warrant Officer in the room, despite there being less than a minute left for their scheduled meeting. The only person present was a sergeant, who seemed busy with a tablet. Glancing up from his inventory list, he noticed their entrance. ¡°Alpha Team! Looking for the Chief?¡± he asked. Henry barely had the time to nod; it seemed that the sergeant already knew the answer. The man set his tablet down. ¡°Let me go check on his status. He was in a meeting ¨C s¡¯posed to be back by now.¡± ¡°Alright, thanks,¡± Henry said, turning to the others. ¡°The Chief¡¯s snagged in another meeting?¡± Henry chuckled, shaking his head. Typical. Isaac nudged him with his elbow, ¡°Or off playing golf. Hell, if I were a warrant officer I¡¯d be at the gym; avoid the late-night crowds.¡± ¡°On some real shit,¡± Ron agreed, leaning back against the wall. Henry smirked. Warrant officers were infamous for their lack of availability, and Chief Cole certainly lived up to their expectations. ¡°He¡¯s probably going over the new stuff that we and the collection teams brought back.¡± Kelmithus followed loosely, still getting a handle on their dynamic and the intricacies of their humor. ¡°Is it¡­ normal for this ¡®Chief¡¯ to be absent?¡± ¡°Kinda,¡± Henry answered. ¡°It¡¯s like an inside joke, warrant officers being unavailable and all that. We usually just chill around till he shows. Speaking of the new stuff, the Ambassador¡¯s talks with the Duke went well, huh? Official relations and all that.¡± Kelmithus¡¯ eyes lit up, and it was no wonder. Given his background, he had probably studied the Baranthurians and Gatebuilders for decades, only now seeing an opportunity to finally unravel the mystery he¡¯d been working on for all this time. ¡°Indeed. With the coming conclusion of the diplomatic parleys, I¡¯ve been appointed to lead the joint research initiatives on the Baranthurians and the Gatebuilders. I¡¯ll be joining forces with your Dr. Lamarr and Dr. Perdue once we¡¯ve completed our investigation of the excavation site.¡± ¡°Moving up in the world,¡± Ron patted Kelmithus on the back, ¡°congrats, Kel.¡± The others congratulated him as well, with Dr. Anderson seeming almost as excited as the Archmage himself. ¡°The prospect of learning more from you and your colleagues is something I¡¯m quite looking forward to.¡± This partnership was a big deal ¨C one that came with more than just the prospect of developing advanced ¡®magitech¡¯. Learning more about Gaerra, the Sonaran Federation, and the other factions promised incredible lore that Ron would especially be invested in, but Henry was more interested in the tangible, mouth-watering benefits. ¡°Not as much as I¡¯m looking forward to seeing more of that roast griffin,¡± he said. Ryan was quick to echo his sentiment, a smirk reflecting just how much he preferred the exotic local foods to the MREs and StarBars they¡¯d been existing off of ¨C a thought that made his mouth dry up. ¡°Damn straight,¡± he agreed. ¡°Ain¡¯t gonna forget what they served at the Duke¡¯s place neither.¡± Ron nodded enthusiastically, grinning as he recalled his experience there. ¡°Yeah, that shit was fire. Yo, and think about it, that¡¯s just the tip of the iceberg.¡± ¡°Truly, there is much more to discover,¡± Kelmithus concurred with a proud grin. ¡°I¡¯m certain you¡¯ll be pleasantly surprised to find out what I¡¯ve planned for the rest of the day.¡± Before Henry could even ask what he meant, the sergeant returned with Chief Cole in tow. ¡°Apologies for the tardiness, folks,¡± Cole said as he entered the room. ¡°Let¡¯s get right to it then, yeah?¡± Henry nodded, bringing his attention to what Cole had to offer. He¡¯d just have to ask Kelmithus later. ¡°Alright so, I learned that this excavation site is somewhere ¡®round the mountains ¨C something like the Baranthurian place y¡¯all ran into a couple days back. Given that, I¡¯ve prepared some new gear. Let¡¯s start off with the weapons.¡± Cole picked up a black shotgun, collapsing the buttstock. ¡°First up, we¡¯ve got the Benelli M1014,¡± he started, opening the action and pressing the release to show them the empty loading port. ¡°It¡¯s a semi-auto, gas-operated beast, perfect for the close-quarters and unpredictable environments you¡¯re heading into. These are outfitted with ghost ring sights for quick target acquisition and picatinny rails that are compatible with the accessories you¡¯ve already got.¡± "And, considering the potential for engagements in confined spaces, we¡¯re also including a selection of shells ¨C buckshot for general use, flechettes for penetration, and slugs for precision shots.¡± He picked up a set of shells for display: red for the buckshot, green for the flechettes, and blue for the slugs. He then moved on to a final shell, this one yellow. ¡°Plus, 12 gauge tipped with Whiskey Pete. Something a bit more potent than dragon¡¯s breath for¡­ well, you¡¯ll know when you¡¯ll need it.¡± Kelmithus chuckled softly as he contemplated the name. ¡°Dragon¡¯s breath? Sounds like quite the spell ¨C something stronger than it at that.¡± The name did sound like it belonged in a world like this, Henry mused. It was a sight that looked magical enough on Earth; he could imagine that the supposedly prohibited white phosphorus ammunition was even more so. ¡°Yeah, just wait till you see it in action.¡± ¡°Probably not as flashy as what you might be used to, but it hits pretty hard,¡± Cole smirked, equally amused by the exchange. ¡°Anyway, next up we¡¯ve got attachments for your M7s: barrels, stocks, grips, and all the other good stuff to enhance your SOPMOD kits. I¡¯m willing to bet the Gatebuilders are all about being grandiose, considering the ruins out in the distance there. Not expecting spaces that are too tight, so, I¡¯d personally recommend the 11-inch barrels alongside folding stocks for your kit when you explore that excavation site.¡± Even with the shorter barrels, they¡¯d still outrange most things both the Nobians and the wilderness had to offer. Still, the thought of CQC in a cave unnerved him. It was difficult enough with human insurgents wielding AKs, according to Ryan. How much more unpredictable would it be against the magic and monsters of Gaerra? Cole moved on to the next item, opening a case of knives. ¡°And finally, for weapons, we¡¯ve got these: Special Warfare Utility Knives.¡± He held one up, the edge looking like it could cut through even kevlar as if it were paper. ¡°This right here,¡± he said, pointing to the finely sharpened edge with a gloved finger, ¡°is made from CPM-S40VN steel ¨C it ain¡¯t your run-of-the-mill ¡®kay-bar¡¯. You do not wanna handle the blade without gloves.¡± ¡°Case in point,¡± he continued, holding the edge to a two-by-four block of wood. He applied downward pressure, smoothly slicing through it. Kelmithus squinted, processing what he¡¯d just seen. ¡°Phenomenal. To think this blade is wrought from mere metals, without a single enchantment applied to it¡­¡± he trailed off, losing himself in his own thoughts. ¡°Yeah, imagine if it did,¡± Cole said excitedly. Moving away from the wooden block, he placed a swatch of grayish material on the table. ¡°Dyneema¡¯s tough ¨C tougher than kevlar and probably tougher than most things you¡¯ll find out there. Maybe.¡± Noticing a couple skeptical glances, he gave a shrug. ¡°Hey, I don¡¯t know how tough Rillifane skin is,¡± he said, sawing at the material below him, ¡°but if it can do this to Dyneema, I¡¯d say you¡¯ll be able to compete with the local metahumans.¡± He then brought out a transparent sheet of what looked like hard plastic, positioning it as the next challenge. ¡°Polycarbonate can be akin to the tough scales or chitin you might find on some of the monsters you encounter. Don¡¯t know why you¡¯d be fighting one using this knife, but if shit really hits the fan, then,¡± he paused, grunting as he slashed through the sheet. After leaving a gash through the polycarbonate, he used the knife¡¯s point to score the material deeply. ¡°You¡¯ll at least have a fighting chance.¡± Ryan gave a nod that seemed a bit too enthusiastic. Henry knew exactly what he was thinking, and it damn well wasn¡¯t because he planned on fighting any monster using this knife. As if confirming his suspicions, Ryan picked up one of the knives from the case and inspected it. ¡°Say, you reckon this¡¯d be fine for dressing game?¡± He looked around, rephrasing in layman¡¯s terms, ¡°Or uh, skinning?¡± Cole rubbed his chin. ¡°Now that I think about it, yeah. Ya know, if we¡¯re being technical about it, these new knives are gonna make a world of difference for Dr. Perdue. She¡¯s always on about the quality of samples, right?¡± He paused, a hint of a smirk exposing his true intentions. ¡°I should probably remind her it¡¯s all thanks to yours truly that she¡¯s getting better stuff to work with. Maybe that¡¯ll score me some points, huh?¡± Henry shook his head, the Chief¡¯s not-so-subtle interest bringing up an amused smile. ¡°Well, I¡¯ll try to put in a good word for you, but I¡¯m ninety-nine percent sure she¡¯s already married.¡± Cole hung his head dramatically, releasing a defeated sigh. ¡°Fuckin¡¯ A. Makes sense, I guess.¡± ¡°C¡¯mon now, Chief,¡± Ron beamed. Henry shook his head again. Knowing Ron, he wouldn¡¯t be surprised if he brought up what he thought he was about to bring up. ¡°We¡¯re in a fantasy world. You know exactly what that means,¡± Ron¡¯s grin grew brighter. ¡°Fantasy bitches?¡± Cole guessed. ¡°Fantasy bitches,¡± Ron affirmed. He thrust his thumb over his shoulder, ¡°You can be boring like Donnager over here and be into elves, or you can explore what this world has to truly offer. Think about it: dryads, nymphs, mermaids, bunny girls, shit, cat girls?¡± ¡°You might be onto something¡­¡± Cole leaned against a table, as if he were really considering what Ron had to say. Another victim caught in Ron¡¯s cult, Henry thought. Thankfully, Cole seemed to shelve the idea for later internal deliberation. ¡°I¡¯ll do some research,¡± he conceded. ¡°Anyway, I¡¯ve got one last thing.¡± He produced a folder and slapped it down on the table. ¡°Finally got this through, upon the Archmage¡¯s recommendation. Think you¡¯ll love this one.¡± Henry opened the folder, brows lifting in surprise as he leafed through the folder¡¯s contents. Well, hot damn¡­ he thought, a slow grin forming. So this was the surprise Kelmithus mentioned earlier. It was an official authorization to dip into the funds they¡¯d racked up as adventurers. Not something he¡¯d anticipated would come so soon, but damn if it wasn¡¯t welcome. ¡°Y¡¯all gotta see this,¡± he said, waving his team over. As everyone huddled around, the document laid it all out. They could use their earnings for local equipment and amenities, with some catches. They had discretion in deciding what to buy, but any purchases over a thousand lumens were subject to auditing. Isaac spoke up as he read through, ¡°A thousand lumens? Yo, how much is a night at the local brothels?¡± Cole chuckled, ¡°I mean, you¡¯re allowed to use the funds for¡­ amenities, but at the end of the day that means less money to go around in case you wanna get, I dunno, enchanted armor or potions?¡± Henry couldn¡¯t agree more. Resource management was critical in the games he¡¯s played ¨C doubly so in this world. ¡°We¡¯ve got some leeway here, but I recommend we keep things essential. At least until we¡¯re making bread from the higher-tier quests.¡± ¡°A man can dream,¡± Isaac accepted, sulking slightly at the response. Clearing his throat, Cole wrapped up their meeting. ¡°Since the Ambassador¡¯s opening up trade with the Sonarans, I plan to stock up on basic supplies. So, try not to spend all of your money on potions and minor stuff I¡¯m likely gonna have in the inventory soon.¡± ¡°Got it,¡± Henry said, stuffing away the folder and securing some of the new gear. He gave Cole an appreciative nod as he turned to leave. ¡°Thanks, Chief. Kel, you coming with?¡± The archmage shook his head. ¡°Not this time, I¡¯m afraid. I have other matters to attend to ¨C diplomacy and joint research.¡± ¡°Ah, right, right.¡± It was a shame that they wouldn¡¯t be able to rely on Kelmithus¡¯ expertise when it came to magic and magic equipment, but Henry understood. As Henry reached the door, Cole raised a hand, ¡°Oh, by the way, the General¡¯s greenlit Apache support for CAS. Doubt you¡¯ll need it, but it¡¯ll be available for tasking in case you run into trouble. I¡¯m getting everything prepped on our end. Also, by mission day, we¡¯ll have QRF on standby at the new outpost we¡¯re setting up at the Baranthurian facility. Just a shout away, halfway to your target.¡± Henry recalled the briefings from the intel analysts. GEOINT hadn¡¯t shown anything concerning so far, but then again, the dense forest and cavernous mountains near the excavation site were chock-full of hiding spots. There were too many gaps in their intelligence, which made the availability of an Apache all the more appreciated. ¡°Understood.¡± Cole waved them goodbye. ¡°Good luck, Alpha Team. And try not to have too much fun shopping.¡± ¨C ¨C Eldralore, Sonaran Federation The Adventurer¡¯s Guild felt noticeably quieter today, at least compared to the chaos Henry remembered from their last visit. The bulk of adventurers already headed out to the Ovinne Mountain Campaign, leaving behind a mix of those still scrambling with last-minute preparations and a few handling logistics caravans for the main Clans. There were a good amount of adventurers relaxing ¨C mostly those ineligible to participate or the few who, for one reason or another, didn¡¯t want to participate. One such adventurer caught his eye as he entered the front door. She stood apart from the rest: Seraphine ad Sindis, unmistakable even in the dwindling crowd. She stood before the quest board under the ¡®Hunting¡¯ category, searching for something amidst the parchments and notices. Approaching Sera, he cleared his throat softly, not wanting to startle her. ¡°Looks like the hype around the Campaign left a few quest opportunities open,¡± he commented. Sera turned, a slight smile gracing her features as she recognized them. ¡°Why, if it isn¡¯t my favorite American.¡± That was a term he wasn¡¯t expecting her to use. ¡°Word gets around fast, huh?¡± Sera¡¯s smile deepened as she recognized the surprise her words had sparked. ¡°Ah, yes. The privilege of finally learning about ¡®Around¡¯ is thanks in no small part to the circles of Duke Vancor. They prove most¡­ enlightening, to say the least.¡± With Sera¡¯s personality, it was sometimes hard to remember that she was, in fact, a noble. Still, the connections were impressive. ¡°Sounds like you¡¯re quite well-informed. I guess that¡¯s one of the perks of noble friendships?¡± ¡°One of many ¨C that is, in the rare instances when we nobles do find true friendships. And on the matter of perks, I¡¯ve actually decided to accept that quest you and the Arcane Scholar invited me to,¡± she said, referring to Kelmithus. ¡°I¡¯m quite intrigued to see why the quest posting was as enigmatic as it was.¡± ¡°That¡¯s reassuring to hear,¡± Henry chuckled, glad for a multitude of reasons ¨C some more personal than others. ¡°You¡¯ll find out more about the quest soon enough. Came in to withdraw some funds for equipment, actually. Prepping for the op.¡± Sera¡¯s expression shifted to one of mild amusement ¨C a reaction Henry had seen a few times before, whenever he said something that showed his lack of Gaerran understanding. ¡°Withdraw funds? My dear Captain, do not mistake Eldralore for some backwater province. Here, we are graced with the presence of a Guild Plaza, which means we have the privilege of transacting through the Guild Council¡¯s billing system.¡± ¡°Billing system?¡± The term was rather anachronistic for what Henry had expected from the Sonarans; it was ahead of their time. Naturally, he wasn¡¯t the only one intrigued by this misplaced term. ¡°What do you mean by billing system?¡± Dr. Anderson asked. Sera gave them a quizzical look, as if she was wondering what rock they had all been hiding under, but quickly dropped it. ¡°Ah, my apologies. Right; you hail from ¡®Around¡¯. The concept is thus: all shops connected to the system can levy charges directly to one¡¯s Guild account. Simply present your Guild identification, and they shall undertake the transaction via aethergraph. Admittedly, it may demand a modicum of patience, contingent on the aethergraph operators¡¯ current engagements, but it does spare one the cumbersome task of transporting an unwieldy sum of lumens.¡± This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon. ¡°Sounds convenient as hell,¡± Isaac commented, speaking for everyone. Ron nodded in agreement. ¡°Yeah, for real. Here I was, wondering if we¡¯d have to lug it around or pull it out of our asses like we¡¯re playing Warcraft.¡± The reference caught Sera off guard, but she could more or less discern what he meant. ¡°One might surmise the employment of Holding Carts or Holding Bags. These items are indispensable to any adventurer or merchant transporting materials for commerce or procuring gear for an ¡®op¡¯. A far cry from the fanciful notions of conjuring items from one¡¯s ¡®ass¡¯, as one might find in your¡­ Warcraft.¡± Henry chuckled at Sera¡¯s formal dissection of Ron¡¯s offhand comment. Though, as entertaining as the exchange was, her mention of Holding Carts reminded him of their non-existent grocery list. That was one item they absolutely had to add. ¡°Crap, speaking of Holding Carts, we actually need to pick one up. And some Holding Bags while we¡¯re at it,¡± he said to his team. ¡°You¡¯re going to the market district?¡± Sera asked. It then dawned on Henry that this would be their first time exploring the city. In the few times they¡¯ve visited, they had mostly traveled along the main road to and from the Guild Plaza, not even bothering to check out its surrounding districts. ¡°I guess? Y¡¯know, we¡¯ve actually never seen anything outside the Guild. Always straight to business and back.¡± Sera tilted her head slightly. ¡°Oh? Then this presents an ideal chance to address that. I happen to be in need of some alchemical reagents and a few scrolls from Spellbound.¡± She paused in consideration, ¡°What say you to a guided visit through Eldralore?¡± Henry turned to gauge his team¡¯s reactions briefly. There was no reason to refuse, so they were all in agreement. ¡°Sounds like a plan,¡± Henry replied with a soft smile. Sera nodded, her smile mirroring Henry¡¯s. ¡°Excellent. Shall we, then?¡± ¡°Ladies first,¡± Henry gave a light bow as he gestured toward the door. They stepped out into the fresh air, the hustle of the Guild quickly replaced by the open space around the central fountain. Henry glanced at Sera as she led the way. ¡°We shall begin with the market district,¡± she said, tilting her head towards a pedestrian walkway beyond the Guild¡¯s parking area. ¡°This is where you¡¯ll find essentials from weaponry and armor to basic provisions. It is also where you¡¯ll find the various Holding Containers.¡± As they approached the market, Henry found himself navigating a sea of faces ¨C adventurers with their flashy armor and weapons easy to spot among the Eldralore locals. It wasn¡¯t quite the spectacle of Fifth Avenue¡¯s window displays, but the vibrant stalls and animated vendors had a quaint allure that beckoned him to snap a few photos with his camera. The marketplace seemed to be divided into smaller subsections, each separated by blocks and each easily navigated by Sera. ¡°This way,¡± she gestured. She walked at a bit of a slower pace, allowing them to take in the sights and sounds. At first glance, it seemed like a typical fantasy bazaar ¨C tented stalls stocked with everything from fruits to necklaces, the clang of a blacksmith¡¯s hammer on steel, the diverse array of humanoids. The storefronts and compacted walkways were remarkably clean, reminding him more of a modern promenade or the outdoor sections of a Westfield mall ¨C not at all what he had expected after his introduction to Ron¡¯s anime. A stall laden with exotic fruits caught his eye. One of its boxes contained something that looked like apples, while another contained a spiky, neon-blue fruit that looked truly alien ¨C some blend of pineapple and dragonfruit, but blue. If he had withdrawn money from the Guild, he probably would¡¯ve wanted to buy one, just to try it out. They continued past a bakery with tables and umbrellas set up outside, the rich aroma of bread and cinnamon wafting towards them. Henry felt his stomach growl as he looked at the setup, nudging Ron. ¡°Looks like we found the local Cinnabon. We¡¯ll have to grab a bite sometime.¡± Sera pointed out notable establishments along the way. ¡°There¡¯s Steelforged, renowned for their exceptional weaponry ¨C though, given your current armaments,¡± she said, glancing at the rifles concealed beneath their cloaks, ¡°I doubt you¡¯ll find much of use within.¡± Near the entrance, a shady-looking merchant tried to peddle what appeared to be low-quality, second-hand weapons to unsuspecting passersby, even attempting to catch their attention. The man¡¯s exaggerated claims and pushy demeanor set off alarm bells in Henry¡¯s mind. They already had all the weapons they needed, but even if they didn¡¯t, there was no way in hell he¡¯d ever fall for such a scam. Hopefully. If not for the scenery around him, he would¡¯ve chalked up the Sonarans¡¯ infrastructure in the Duke¡¯s guest mansion as a perk of noble living. Yet, as it turned out, even the general populace had access to amenities he never would¡¯ve imagined being available to the typical medieval peasant. One glance at Dr. Anderson¡¯s gawking was enough to confirm that he was thinking the same thing he was. The pedestrian-friendly promenade stretched on for a bit further before Sera led them around a corner, bringing them deeper into the market district. Whereas the main thoroughfare catered to foot traffic, the more affluent inner sections accommodated horse- and dradak-drawn carts. At the intersections, square signposts denoted right-of-way and restrictions, reminiscent of traffic signs back home but with a distinctly Sonaran flair. They continued onward, walking straight past the section that looked like it was for the middle class, winding up in a part of the market that just oozed wealth and status. The compacted cobblestone streets were wider here. The buildings, too, were grander, with ornate facades and gilded signs replacing the humble awnings and wooden signs of the stores behind them. It was clear this section was meant for a more loaded clientele ¨C rich adventurers, nobles, and merchants conducting wholesale business. Henry¡¯s eyes were immediately drawn to a blacksmith¡¯s shop that looked like it catered to the elite. Through a display window, he could see an array of weapons and armor that were so beautifully crafted, it was hard to imagine anyone actually using them in battle. The only reason it wasn¡¯t impossible to imagine was because Sera was living proof. The level of detail in the gear was insane, and he couldn¡¯t help but wonder how much time and skill went into creating each piece. He looked up, finding a sign identifying it as Mithrilforged. Isaac took the words right out of his mouth, ¡°Mithrilforged, as in, Steelforged?¡± Sera nodded, ¡°Yes, they¡¯re both subsidiaries of Metalforged Consortium ¨C an entity that holds sway over a great many of the finest smithies and artisans in Old Sonara.¡± ¡°Huh, so it¡¯s like a chain of blacksmiths?¡± Ron asked, trying to wrap his head around the concept. ¡°In essence, yes,¡± Sera said, hesitating as she tried to find the right words. ¡°Metalforged Consortium, with its ¡®subsidiaries¡¯ Steelforged and Mithrilforged among them, insists on a certain excellence in quality and craftsmanship. My understanding is that they supply the means, training, and personnel to aid in these pursuits. The intricacies of their operations, however, remain somewhat obscure to me.¡± ¡°Subsidiaries?¡± Dr. Anderson noticed, ¡°That¡¯s a rather advanced concept. Where did this idea originate from?¡± ¡°In truth, I¡¯m not particularly well-versed in matters of commerce,¡± she admitted with a shrug, tone shifting to one of uncertainty. ¡°Yet, I¡¯ve heard that this concept originated from the Arthi continent ¨C and that the concept is rather¡­ innovative, even by their standards. Beyond this, my insight is limited.¡± Henry nodded, trying to process the information. It sounded like Metalforged Consortium was similar to the corporate structures back home. It seemed all of the anachronistic concepts came from the homeland of the Guilds. Just how advanced was this Arthi continent? Before he ¨C or Dr. Anderson, for that matter, could even begin to ask about the peculiarities they¡¯d seen, Sera motioned to her right. Nestled between Mithrilforged and a glittering jewelry shop was a store with a minimalist, yet elegant exterior. The outward design philosophy resembled an Apple store, just with a red and black color theme and a sailship logo. Yet, the interior looked like a fancy, older version of Target ¨C complete with a section for produce, aisles for general merchandise, and a patronage comprised of nobles¡¯ servants and higher-tiered adventurers. ¡°I¡¯m guessing that¡¯s the place we¡¯re looking for?¡± Ron asked. Sera nodded. ¡°Red Sail,¡± she exhaled, ¡°a trading company known for their exceptional quality and craftsmanship. They¡¯re one of the best in the shipping industry. Naturally, this also applies to their transport solutions.¡± ¡°Holding Bags,¡± Ryan said, following Sera¡¯s implication. ¡°Indeed. Though they primarily focus on shipping, they cater to both merchants and adventurers alike,¡± Sera explained, entering the store. As they walked in, a well-dressed man approached them, face brightening as he recognized Sera. ¡°Lady Seraphine, what an honor it is to welcome you once more to our establishment. Do I presume correctly that you¡¯re here to introduce some esteemed guests in need of our expertise?¡± he said, turning to inspect Alpha Team. Sera smiled and gestured to Henry and his team. She held her chin a bit higher, voice sounding more posh as she spoke, ¡°Indeed, Zorith, a delight as always. You¡¯ve deduced correctly. Allow me to present some valued acquaintances who are keen to benefit from your guidance: the Tier 6 Adventurers of Alpha Team.¡± The man, who Henry now knew as Zorith, appraised them. ¡°Welcome to Red Sail. I am Zorith, the branch manager.¡± Henry couldn¡¯t help but notice the shift in Sera¡¯s tone and demeanor. He wondered if he should follow suit, adopting a more formal and polished manner of speaking. Clearing his throat, he introduced himself, ¡°A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Zorith. I am Captain Henry Donnager, leader of Alpha Team.¡± He gestured to each member of his team in turn. ¡°Allow me to introduce my colleagues and fellow adventurers: Lieutenant Owens, Specialists Yen and Hayes, and Dr. Anderson. Each team member nodded or offered a brief greeting as they were introduced. Zorith inclined his head. ¡°An honor to make your acquaintance, Captain Donnager and esteemed members of Alpha Team. I must say, I have often pondered the moment I would have the privilege of serving my first American clients. Little did I anticipate such a distinguished occasion would present itself so promptly.¡± Henry raised an eyebrow, surprised by the comment. ¡°You know we¡¯re American?¡± Zorith chuckled. ¡°In my line of work, information is the lifeblood of success. One does not rise to the rank of regional manager without cultivating a robust network of knowledge.¡± He nodded towards their attire. ¡°And if I may be so bold, your accoutrements are quite¡­ unparalleled, distinguishing you markedly from the typical adventurer. I know of no smithy that produces such pocketed vests, nor have I seen armor of such fine quality.¡± Henry smirked. Yeah, it was good to know that DARPA and modern production techniques outclassed the local megacorps. ¡°Well, I suppose we do stand out a bit.¡± Zorith smiled and clasped his hands together. ¡°Now, how may I assist you today? Might I inquire about the nature of your venture and the type of cargo you intend to transport? Or perhaps, your interest lies in perusing our exquisite collections from across the seas?¡± The offer to take a first glance at all the various products Gaerra had to offer was tempting, but that would have to come another time. ¡°We¡¯ve got an expedition coming up that¡¯ll take us into the forest. We¡¯ll need a larger container suitable for carrying a variety of items ¨C monster materials, equipment, basic supplies ¨C and a smaller bag for each of us.¡± He gestured to himself and his team. ¡°Very well,¡± Zorith bowed. ¡°At Red Sail, our pride lies in curating an unparalleled assortment of wares. Please, follow me, and allow me the honor of escorting you through our inventory. I¡¯m confident you shall find the essentials to guarantee the success of your expedition.¡± Trailing behind Zorith, they walked past the main grocery area, sidestepping a party of adventurers in what looked to be top-tier Mithrilforged armor. It was hard not to notice ¨C the kind of stuff typically associated with Tier 8 adventurers and the upper ranks. They glanced back at him, whispering. It seemed that Zorith¡¯s observations about their unorthodox gear were on point. Zorith brought them to a section of the store dedicated to Holding Bags. Various aisles separated arrays of satchels, backpacks, and pouches in various sizes and materials. ¡°Here, we have our selection of Holding Bags.¡± He gestured to a row of messenger bags. ¡°These are our smallest options: the Pixie line. They¡¯re more fashion-oriented, so I think you might be more interested in the other options ¨C our Griffin line backpacks and our Leviathan line rucksacks.¡± ¡°Could you show us the inside of one of the Griffin backpacks?¡± Henry asked. ¡°Certainly.¡± Zorith pulled one of the backpacks from the shelves, explaining its characteristics as he unzipped the main pocket. ¡°Our Griffin series backpacks are crafted from top-quality Griffin leather, as one might expect. They offer ample space for your weapons, equipment, and provisions, also featuring an array of side pouches within for organizing smaller items like potions and scrolls.¡± Henry leaned over to inspect the Holding Bag, his initial skepticism waning and giving way to intrigue. From the outside, the bag seemed no larger than a standard backpack, yet the interior suggested a space akin to a closet. It could honestly swallow all of his gear without so much as a hiccup. Tentatively, he extended his hand into the bag¡¯s depths, expecting to lose his arm up to the shoulder. Instead, his fingertips brushed against the bottom with minimal effort. What the fuck? He felt his brows furrowing in confusion as he straightened up and rubbed the back of his neck, dizziness settling in. Physics, as he knew it, did not account for spaces that bent and stretched like rubber at a carnival show. The sensation of touching the bottom of what should have been an abyss was disorienting at best, and he could already feel a mild wave of nausea threatening his composure. Sera put her hand on his shoulder. ¡°The experience does require a period of adjustment. The first time I looked into a Holding Bag, I was nearly overtaken by vertigo.¡± Henry took a slow, steadying breath. He¡¯d seen fireballs form in midair and Nobian scribbling rearrange to English but this ¨C this was the craziest magic he had seen so far. Yes, he had seen adventurers use a Holding Cart, but witnessing the phenomena with his own eyes was a completely different spectacle. With a cautious nod, he stepped back. The practical part of his brain, the part that cataloged and assessed every tool for its utility in the field, knew the value of what he was seeing. Yet, the rational part, the part grounded in the laws of physics and reality, balked at the acceptance of such a blatant defiance of nature. Ron decided to take a peek as well, similarly staggered by the sight. He looked confused, but not in the same way. ¡°Hey, if these are made of Griffin leather, does that mean the Pixie bags are made of¡­ uh, y¡¯know¡­¡± ¡°Ah, heavens forbid,¡± Zorith hastily clarified. He raised his hands up, as if eager to dispel the misconceptions. ¡°Let me allay such concerns posthase. Our Pixie collection takes no liberties with the fey themselves. The name is merely a reference to their diminutive size and lightweight nature. They are, in truth, fashioned from the finest Falquor leather, with exquisite alternatives in Skyrend and Blazehide. Might you be interested?¡± ¡°Well, it¡¯s good to know they¡¯re not made of Pixies, but I think we¡¯ll pass on those for now. How much are the Griffin bags compared to the Leviathan bags?¡± Henry asked. ¡°Our baseline Griffin model starts at 15,000 lumens. Should you favor the Leviathan series, the base offering begins at 50,000 lumens.¡± The recent quest with Kelmithus brought them from 87,720 lumens all the way to almost 150,000 lumens thanks to the generous quest rewards and the Rillifane materials. As much as he was interested in storing long rifles and launchers in a large rucksack, it seemed that he¡¯d have to wait until they had enough money. They¡¯d have to stick with the Griffin series, but choosing a specific model was another question. ¡°What are the differences between the Griffin models?¡± ¡°Our base models come with enchantments for steadfast durability and elemental resistance. Beyond these, we extend the opportunity for additional enchantments, available for integration both here and via our affiliated enchanters,¡± Zorith explained, handing Henry a catalog of the different possible enchantments they could apply. ¡°Options span from charms that render the pack as light as possible to compartments that can withstand volatile materials.¡± Henry considered the options. While some provided enticing benefits, he didn¡¯t know if they would be worth straining their wallets. Just having a Holding Bag to begin with was already a step up. He turned to this team, ¡°I think the base model should suffice. What do y¡¯all think?¡± ¡°Seems solid,¡± Isaac commented, his sentiment echoed by the others. ¡°We can always look into enchantments later on, if needed,¡± Dr. Anderson agreed. ¡°Alright then,¡± Henry said, facing Zorith, ¡°We¡¯ll take five of the base Griffin backpacks.¡± Zorith made a note on a small notebook he produced from his coat pocket. ¡°Excellent. Now, let us move on to the Holding Carts.¡± He guided them to another section of the store, where larger containers were displayed, from carts to chests built into wagons. ¡°I imagine you would prefer to use your peculiar iron carriages for transport, so I recommend our Voyager series. Those amongst our clientele, namely parties who favor their own wagons, often select these for their more compact sizing.¡± ¡°Yeah, why not? Let¡¯s take a look at the Voyager models,¡± Henry agreed. Zorith brought them to an aisle of carts that looked about the same size as a typical storage bin that one might find in a warehouse. ¡°The Voyager models are crafted from reinforced treant wood with Thornfeyl weave for added durability.¡± That was yet another eyebrow-raising comment. Thornfeyls, if he recalled correctly from the briefings, were humanoid entities mostly made of plant matter. He could more or less see the nomenclature for the Pixie bags, but the way Zorith explained it made it sound like the carts actually used Thornfeyl materials. ¡°Aren¡¯t Thornfeyls¡­ humanoid?¡± ¡°Oh, Captain, your concern is charmingly misplaced,¡± Sera began, a faint smile growing on her lips like she was amused by a private joke. ¡°Thornfeyls, though they may look the part, are far from being kin to us. It¡¯s all an elaborate ruse by nature ¨C roots and vines ingeniously crafted to bewilder the uninitiated. In fact, our scholars once had the curious notion to dissect one; that¡¯s how we discovered the Thornfeyls have not a hint of flesh. They¡¯re merely the forest¡¯s attempt at a jest, nothing more.¡± ¡°Brilliantly said, Lady Seraphine,¡± Zorith affirmed with a respectful nod. ¡°Indeed, materials derived from Thornfeyls surpass the resilience of most fibers and even exceed celisyrin in conductivity. The base models, equipped with enchantments akin to those in our Holding Bags, are priced starting at 50,000 lumens.¡± Henry opened one of the carts, bracing himself for another bout of reality bending. The cart, looking no more cumbersome than a regular handcart, apparently held a space as vast as a small apartment, split into several ¡®rooms¡¯. He gave it a cursory look-over, the initial shock of the Holding Bag still fresh in his mind tempering his reaction. It didn¡¯t make any more sense, but at least the visual trick didn¡¯t hit him as hard. Stomaching the view, he decided this would be perfect for storing the myriad materials and artifacts they might find ¨C as well as some of the heftier gear like the envirosuits. ¡°We¡¯ll take a base model.¡± Zorith¡¯s grin widened as he surveyed the collection they¡¯d amassed. ¡°An excellent choice, Captain. If there¡¯s nothing else, please follow me to the counter and we¡¯ll conclude your purchase.¡± Henry nodded and followed him. As Zorith set to work tallying the cost, Henry¡¯s hand instinctively went to the front pocket of his pack, fishing out the slightly wrinkled voucher they¡¯d been awarded from their first day as adventurers. ¡°Hold up, we¡¯ve got this,¡± he said, offering up the voucher. Taking the voucher, Zorith analyzed the terms. ¡°Ah, with this discount applied, we shall deduct twenty percent from the initial asking of 135,000 lumens,¡± he said, quickly scribbling on his paper, ¡°rendering your amended total to 108,000 lumens.¡± Henry felt a small wave of relief wash over him. Every bit saved meant more leeway for whatever curveballs this world decided to throw at them next. With the discount hammered in, the final number was a bit less of a gut punch. He slid his Guild ID across the counter. ¡°My thanks for your patience, Captain. This transaction may require a few minutes,¡± Zorith said, crafting his request to the Adventurer¡¯s Guild via aethergraph. It was a brief wait, the aethergraph operators on the other end no doubt processing multiple requests simultaneously, but soon enough, the transaction was complete. Zorith handed Henry a neatly written receipt. ¡°I extend my gratitude for entrusting your needs to Red Sail, Captain. Rest assured, the Holding Bags and Cart you¡¯ve selected shall serve you well. If there arise any issues, you may see the receipt for details on your warranty and any returns.¡± Henry accepted the receipt. The purchase brought them down to around 40,000 lumens ¨C a significant hit, but one they could bounce back from once they completed their next quest. He tucked it safely into his pocket, picking up his new Griffin bag. ¡°Thank you, Zorith. Your expertise and guidance have been much appreciated.¡± They exited Red Sail, their new acquisitions in tow. As they stepped out onto the compacted cobblestone outside, Sera turned to Henry with a seemingly enthusiastic smile. ¡°So, where to next? I believe I mentioned a visit to Spellbound. I dare say you¡¯ll be quite fascinated by their elixirs and scrolls.¡± Henry glanced at his team, gauging their reactions. They seemed genuinely intrigued by the prospect, and truth be told, there was nothing else they had scheduled for the day. Why not see what other wonders Eldralore had to offer? He returned Sera¡¯s smile. ¡°Lead the way.¡± Chapter 13: Tier 9 Armstrong Base, Grenden Plains November 29, 2024 Henry stepped out of his quarters, putting on a jacket as the chill of the air nipped at his skin. The base was quiet this morning, most of the personnel probably still recovering from the Thanksgiving feast they¡¯d shared with the Sonarans. It had been an interesting experience, blending traditions like that. The Sonarans had been fascinated by the history of the holiday, and in turn, they¡¯d shared some of their own customs. The food had been a trip too ¨C Henry never imagined having gravy made from the local herbs and spices. The food ran out surprisingly quickly ¨C in high demand by both the base personnel and the various diplomatic and scholarly staff from the numerous Sonarans who had participated. And now, it was back to basics. Henry entered the relatively empty mess hall and grabbed a plate of French toast and bacon, pairing it with a cup of coffee. He took a seat alone at one of the tables, digging into his meal as he pored over the mission briefing on his tablet. The Gatebuilder site, with its strange readings and potential for advanced technology, had been on his mind since the moment he woke up. He noticed movement in his peripheral vision, someone approaching him. He looked up and felt his heart flutter a bit upon recognizing her vibrant purple eyes. Sera slid into the seat across from him, setting her tray down on the table with a clatter. Henry blinked in surprise at the mountain of food she¡¯d managed to pile onto the tray. ¡°Uh, hungry?¡± he asked, eyeing the stack of pancakes, the mound of scrambled eggs, and the generous helping of bacon and sausage. She picked up a strip of bacon and analyzed it. ¡°I must confess, the composition of this dish is rather puzzling. But the server was quite adamant that this constituted a ¡®classic American breakfast.¡¯ I suppose it would be remiss of me not to at least try it.¡± She took a tentative bite of the strip, eyes widening at the crunch and the burst of flavor. ¡°Oh, this is quite delightful. What was this called again?¡± Henry chuckled. ¡°That¡¯s bacon. And those,¡± he pointed to the sausages, ¡°are sausages. The fluffy things are pancakes ¨C great with butter and syrup. And the yellow stuff is scrambled eggs.¡± ¡°Well I must say, this is quite the feast,¡± Sera remarked. ¡°I¡¯m surprised a military force offers such luxuries. Typically, such a bountiful meal would be reserved for the most special of occasions, or the tables of the nobility.¡± ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s mostly just us. We get special treatment since we¡¯re, y¡¯know.¡± Henry said, gesturing to the base outside. ¡°The brass likes to make sure we¡¯re well-fed. Keeps morale up when we¡¯re far from home.¡± Sera furrowed her brow, glancing out the window toward the swirling portal. ¡°But surely, with the gateway so close at hand, you could return to your homeland with ease?¡± Henry smiled, leaning back casually. ¡°Well, yeah, but imagine the stories we¡¯d miss out on here, the adventures. But if you¡¯re asking for an invite,¡± he said, raising an eyebrow, ¡°I¡¯m afraid we¡¯ll have to stick with going out in Eldralore for the time being.¡± ¡°An invitation to your world?¡± Sera gave an interested smile. ¡°My, Captain, how forthright of you. Yet, you speak truly. There remain many stories yet to unfold here. And on that note¡­¡± She trailed off, her gaze drifting towards the window again, but this time with a more distant look. ¡°The Gatebuilders. Some claimed they were gods ¨C the Baranthurians, too, appeared to hold them in such a light. To have the privilege of uncovering their secrets¡­ it¡¯s an opportunity I scarcely dreamed possible.¡± Henry nodded. Sera seemed like the type to chase after tall tales and elusive legends, so it was surprising to hear her apparent passion for discovery. ¡°Didn¡¯t realize you were so into ancient history. Thought you were more about the thrill of the fight, the glory of the win.¡± ¡°Ah, but therein lies the true glory, my dear Captain,¡± she declared, voice ringing with conviction. ¡°For what greater challenge could there be than to unravel a mystery than has confounded the ages? What greater triumph than to stand where gods once stood and to behold with my own eyes the marvels they wrought? Wouldn¡¯t you agree, Captain?¡± Henry smirked. It¡¯s what got him excited about the Manifest Project in the first place. He never expected to see magic in the final frontier, but it was so far an enjoyable experience nonetheless. ¡°Well, I¡¯m of the firm belief that there¡¯s only one true God, but I¡¯d be lying if I said I wasn¡¯t interested in finding more about the Gatebuilders. We¡¯ve got a saying where we¡¯re from: ¡®any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic¡¯, and I bet my ass it ain¡¯t any different with these guys.¡± Sera canted her head, looking pensive. ¡°The idea of a singular, all-powerful God¡­ the concept is not wholly unfamiliar to the followers of our own gods. Sola, Lunara, Khayo, Ordos, and the others ¨C many of their adherents hold that they are but aspects of a greater power. Could it be, perhaps, that this higher being and your God are the same entity?¡± It sounded strange, but it made sense in a way. Angels were important figures on Earth, and given what Kelmithus had mentioned about a divine Man, it was likely that some knowledge and history might have been lost during the Gaerran dark ages. Or, they might truly be gods, beings alternative to angels but created for similar purposes. He couldn¡¯t hope to guess how God might¡¯ve set up a different universe, so he simply shrugged. ¡°Yeah, maybe.¡± Sera nodded. ¡°Yes, perhaps. But I do see the wisdom in your saying. When I first bore witness to the power of your weapons, I thought, surely this must be some arcane art, some spell of unimaginable might. Imagine my surprise when I learned that these technologies were the work of man, devoid of magic. To see them rend flesh and shatter bone from distances beyond the reach of any bow and with the force of higher-tiered magic¡­ it was a sight that defied all I knew of combat. Truly, I see what that saying means.¡± Henry grinned and finished off his coffee. ¡°But then you saw how we maintained them, how we talked about the underlying science behind them, and realized it wasn¡¯t magic, but technology. Advanced technology.¡± ¡°Indeed, not much more conceptually different from some of the Dwarven endeavors I¡¯ve heard about, or the products coming in from the Arthi continent,¡± Sera agreed. ¡°And it makes me wonder¡­ what must the Gatebuilder¡¯s capabilities have been like? We have little knowledge of them outside of scant mentions in Baranthurian records and what we can see outside their impenetrable structures.¡± Henry whistled lowly. ¡°Yeah, we know they¡¯re able to cross worlds in an instant ¨C our being here is proof of that. I bet they¡¯ve got a whole lot more game-changers up their sleeves. Stuff that could rewrite everything we think we know.¡± ¡°That we might be the first to lay eyes on it in thousands of years¡­¡± her voice trailed off. ¡°It is a thrilling prospect ¨C one that sets the very blood afire with anticipation, does it not?¡± ¡°Can¡¯t argue with you there,¡± Henry agreed, standing up and stretching. ¡°But we won¡¯t find out by sitting around here. We¡¯ve got one last review, and then it¡¯s off to the races.¡± Sera stood as well, grabbing her tray. ¡°Indeed. Lead the way, Captain. Adventure awaits.¡± They bussed their trays and headed out. As they walked, he tried doing the math on how a slim girl like Sera could¡¯ve possibly managed to finish that mountain of food so easily. Did magic burn off a lot of calories or something? They arrived at the briefing tent to find the rest of Alpha Team assembled and Kelmithus seated. A tall brunette woman with glasses stood at the front, flanked by a large screen displaying a map of the Grenden Forest. She recently joined their ranks, a Senior Intelligence Analyst who they had come to know as Captain Lara Sinclair. ¡°Captain Donnager, Lady Seraphine. Good, you¡¯re right on time,¡± she said briskly. ¡°Let¡¯s get started.¡± ¡°You all know your mission ¨C investigate the Gatebuilder Excavation Site and secure any valuable intel, artifacts, what have you. Now, let¡¯s get into the specifics.¡± She pointed to the map, indicating a marker within the Grenden Forest. ¡°The site ¨C designated GB-2 ¨C is located here, wedged inside of a spur near the southernmost mountain. It¡¯s 35 miles west from home, sweet home, near the end of the Grenden Neutral Zone. We¡¯ve identified a likely entry point in this clearing, at the end of a Baranthurian road.¡± She showed a set of images depicting the site itself. ¡°Drone feeds ¨C here are the latest snaps. As you can see, thermal and IR scans haven¡¯t picked up any signs of life or activity. In fact, the region appears to be cooler than expected, averaging 10 degrees Fahrenheit below the surrounding regions. Synthetic aperture radar has been unable to map the Gatebuilder structures themselves, so you¡¯ll have to map out the facility once you get there.¡± She continued, swapping to an image of charts. ¡°Now, let¡¯s discuss the current situation. MASINT confirms highly anomalous EMF readings emanating from the site. The frequencies range from 5,000 to 10,000 milligauss, with intermittent spikes to 15,000. These readings are consistent with signatures we¡¯ve associated with high concentrations of magical energy. Given these readings and information provided by our contacts within the Adventurers Guild and Eldralore Knight Order, we can expect the presence of significant threats ¨C Tier 6 and higher. We¡¯re looking at a variety of hostile creatures, most of which you¡¯ve already encountered: goblins, fenwyrms, Rillifanes, and what have you.¡± ¡°Milligauss?¡± Sera asked. ¡°I recall the term during our Hardale quest,¡± she said, turning to Henry. ¡°Is that how you¡¯re measuring mana?¡± Sinclair nodded. ¡°It¡¯s not a direct measurement, but rather a way to quantify the electromagnetic fields that seem to correlate with high concentrations of magical energy. The Hardale readings barely exceeded 5,000 milligauss. The readings here are almost three times as powerful.¡± She pressed a button, highlighting the designated route in red. ¡°You¡¯ll be taking this route through the forest ¨C likely the same one the Baranthurians themselves used. It¡¯ll take you right past the research facility you recently explored, where Zulu-9, our QRF, is stationed. Comms will likely falter near the site. If comms are compromised, use flares ¨C we¡¯ll look out for them on the Reaper. Red for immediate QRF, green for technical support, blue for aerial intervention. We¡¯ve got Apache support on standby for CAS, callsign Thunder 1-2. Mark targets with smoke. You¡¯ll likely be in close enough proximity to the Apache for comms, but it might be a bit choppy. Based on what we know about Gatebuilder engineering, their structures are nearly invincible. Still, Dr. Lamarr and the other research staff have petitioned me to request that you keep any possible damage to a minimum.¡± She swapped to the next slide, which outlined their Rules of Engagement. ¡°That brings me here. ROE are as follows: Minimize collateral damage to the site and artifacts, but you are authorized to engage as necessary. If you encounter artifacts, document their location and characteristics, and recover them if it is safe to do so. If you find an artifact that¡¯s too dangerous to handle, mark its location for EOD to address later. Questions?¡± ¡°No ma¡¯am,¡± Henry said, shaking his head. Sera raised her hand. ¡°What is a Cue Are Eff?¡± ¡°Quick Reaction Force,¡± Sinclair explained. ¡°They¡¯re your backup if you need help engaging a target or need extraction. Anything else?¡± Sera seemed satisfied with the answer and shook her head. ¡°Good,¡± Sinclair said, turning to face the others. ¡°Personally, I¡¯d want to be out there sifting through that alien goldmine, but you know how it is. Good luck out there. Dismissed.¡± Henry and the rest of Alpha Team filed out of the tent. ¡°Alright, you heard the Captain,¡± he announced. ¡°Gear up and let¡¯s get moving. I want wheels up in 15.¡± The preparations were rather quick, feeling no different other than the fact that they now carried Holding Bags each packed with various potions and over double the amount of ammo and equipment they could previously carry. On top of that, it weighed less than what they used to lug around. Henry couldn¡¯t help but marvel at the bag as he packed it. It was like having a portable armory at his fingertips, everything he needed right there in a compact package. But damn if it wasn¡¯t trippy to actually use the thing. Every time he reached in, his brain kept expecting his arm to just keep going, to disappear into that impossible space. It was like that magic trick with the top hats and the rabbits, except instead of a fluffy bunny, he was pulling out enough firepower to level a small village. He¡¯d gotten a bit more used to it since their trip to Red Sail, but the vertigo still hit him every time he looked inside and saw that endless expanse. He¡¯d heard stories of astronauts on extended missions getting used to the zero-g environment and having their cognitive senses jumbled accordingly. If their experiences could cause the abrupt dropping of objects, how might the Holding Bag¡¯s physics-defying characteristics screw over his senses? Well, trippy or not, he couldn¡¯t deny the utility of the thing. Being able to carry all that gear without feeling like a pack mule was a game-changer. Shouldering the bag, he made his way over to the waiting MRAPs. The rest of the team was already there, chatting it up with the Sonarans as they conducted final checks. He climbed into the lead vehicle, settling into the CROWS control seat while Sera slid into the seat beside him. In the second MRAP, Dr. Anderson, Kelmithus, Isaac, and Ryan were similarly getting situated, stowing their gear and preparing for departure. They pulled out of Armstrong Base, rolling through the Grenden Plains. Amidst the silence, Henry found himself gazing at the Gatebuilder towers in the distance. He tried to picture what the Gatebuilders might¡¯ve looked like, based on the little they knew. Were they humans, like themselves and most of Gaerra? Or something completely alien, beyond anything they could imagine? He wondered what hid within the confines of their structures. Surely they didn¡¯t seal away a galaxy-ending parasite for research purposes, right? It spooked him to think about what they might find, but hey, that¡¯s what they signed up for. They weren¡¯t quite doing this for shits and giggles, but in the cosmic scheme of things, they might as well be. ¡°I must say,¡± Sera said suddenly, her voice cutting through his thoughts, ¡°your proceedings are rather¡­ convoluted. Every ordinance arrayed so meticulously ¨C I¡¯ve not seen anything like it within the Guild, where the unforeseen is oft embraced. A remarkable sight.¡± Henry glanced back at her. ¡°Oh? How are things done with the Guild?¡± Sera leaned forward, resting her arms on her knees. ¡°We have our own procedures, of course. The Guild maintains various guidelines and codes, as do the knightly orders. Yet, they encompass not the breadth of what you seem to have.¡± Henry nodded. ¡°Yeah, we¡¯ve had a lot of time to get to where we are now. It might seem a bit extra, y¡¯know, but it helps keep things from descending into chaos when the shit hits the fan.¡± Sera paused, tilting her head. ¡°When the¡­oh, truly, that would entail considerable disorder.¡± Henry laughed. ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s just a saying we have back home. It means when things go wrong, and believe me, if there¡¯s something that can go wrong, it will go wrong. And when it does, we¡¯ve got all the protocols and structure to fall back on.¡± ¡°Then, by whom are these decisions made? Who is it that dictates each person¡¯s role?¡± Henry tapped his chest. ¡°That would be me, but there¡¯s other people above me. There¡¯s a chain of command, with Captain Sinclair in the intelligence department and General Harding above her, and so on up the line. Keeps everyone uh, accountable.¡± Sera was quiet for a moment, seeming to mull this over. Then, almost hesitantly, she asked, "Should someone ¨C a Sonaran, perhaps ¨C wish to join your party, what path would they tread?¡± Henry raised an eyebrow, his mouth curving into a small smile. ¡°Why? You thinking of signing up?¡± A soft, somewhat uncertain laugh followed from Sera. ¡°Might be I¡¯m considering. But truly, I¡¯m just curious. It¡¯s so different from anything I¡¯ve known.¡± Henry gave the question some serious consideration. It wasn¡¯t as if they didn¡¯t have contingencies in place if such an occasion ever arose, but they didn¡¯t think it¡¯d happen so soon. ¡°Well, it¡¯d be a process. For one, you¡¯d have to get used to following orders, even if you don¡¯t always agree with them.¡± The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. He glanced at Sera, locking eyes with her. ¡°I know you¡¯ve expressed some uh, reservations about me leading the team, given our difference in Tiers. And I get it. As an adventurer, rank and experience are everything. But the same goes for us, and since Alpha Team is first and foremost a US military unit ¨C adventurer party second ¨C our chain of command takes precedence.¡± Sera frowned slightly, even if she did understand the reasoning. ¡°So, should I join your group, my Tier notwithstanding, I¡¯d still be expected to¡­ defer to your leadership?¡± Henry nodded. ¡°Yup.¡± He could see Sera processing this. It was clear she was used to being in control of things, but despite that, she did show serious interest. Before she could come up with a response, their line to Armstrong Base lit up. ¡°Overwatch to Alpha Team, do you copy?¡± Henry pressed the PTT button on his helmet. ¡°Alpha Team here. We copy, Overwatch. Go ahead.¡± ¡°Be advised, Overwatch has ISR assets reporting visual on a civilian caravan one klick west of your current position, moving towards your vicinity. Assessment suggests it¡¯s a local merchant caravan, escorted by adventurers. Sending visual feed. How copy?¡± ¡°Solid copy, Overwatch,¡± Henry acknowledged, analyzing the intel provided to him. He saw five wagons, escorted by a group of around ten adventurers. ¡°Proceeding with caution. Any intel on cargo or affiliations? Over.¡± There was a brief pause before the response came through. ¡°Negative, Alpha Team. No actionable intel on cargo or affiliations at this time. Recommend visual confirmation. Over.¡± Henry rubbed his chin. There was only one major player to the immediate west ¨C the Nobian Empire. Were these guys Sonaran merchants returning from a journey, or was this how the Nobians conducted their infiltration? ¡°Acknowledged, Overwatch. We¡¯ll give you a heads up.¡± ¡°Acknowledged, Alpha Team. Overwatch maintains surveillance support. Advise if you require assistance. Overwatch out.¡± Henry turned to face the MRAP behind them, looking out the back window. ¡°Y¡¯all get that?¡± ¡°Loud and clear, Cap,¡± Isaac responded. ¡°What¡¯s the play?¡± ¡°We¡¯ll make contact, but keep it brief,¡± Henry decided. ¡°Owens, find us a good spot to pull over. Kel, you¡¯re with me and Sera; we¡¯ll be making the approach.¡± As Ron pulled over, Henry and Sera exited the vehicle. Linking up with Kelmithus, they walked towards the approaching caravan and stood in the center of the narrow dirt road. As the caravan drew closer, Henry could make out more details, confirming the data he¡¯d received from Overwatch. ¡°Tier 5 adventurers, predominantly,¡± Kelmithus pointed out. Henry gave their gear a cursory look-over. He probably couldn¡¯t have told from a first glance, but he could see how Kelmithus knew. Their gear looked like basic stuff out of Steelforged ¨C nothing at all like the fancy products from higher-end shops like Mithrilforged. The lead wagon slowed to a stop, a distance of about a basketball court away from them, with sounds that fell somewhere between a hiss and a neigh coming from the dradaks. The driver eyed them warily, his eyes growing wide at the sight of the MRAPs. A door in the lead wagon opened up as a well-dressed merchant stepped out of it. Taking one of the adventurers, he approached Henry. ¡°Hail, travelers,¡± he called out with a slightly apprehensive ¨C almost inquisitive ¨C voice. ¡°What ventures lead you hither?¡± Henry stepped forward, offering a wave. ¡°Just passing through,¡± he said with a smile. ¡°Saw your caravan and thought we¡¯d check in, make sure everything¡¯s alright.¡± The man¡¯s wariness seemed to ease a bit, although this was more likely due to the presence of Sera and Kelmithus than it was to his friendliness. ¡°Ah, your concern warms the heart. Truth be told, our journey¡¯s been none too gently of late.¡± The adventurer he brought with him, a tall, lean man with a sword at his hip, stepped forward. ¡°By the heavens,¡± he breathed, ¡°Lady Seraphine and Archmage Kelmithus, an honor it is to stand amidst such company.¡± He gave a slight bow. Sera smiled, inclining her head in acknowledgment. ¡°The honor is ours, good sir. But do tell, what troubles have befallen your caravan?¡± The merchant whispered to the adventurer. If Henry had to guess, he probably said something along the lines of, ¡®Do you know who they are?¡¯ After conferring with the adventurer, the merchant relaxed a bit more and explained, ¡°Our paths were bound for Hactis, a Nobian city to the west. Prosperous trade awaited, weeks in the making. Yet, not a day past did we encounter our plight.¡± Henry exchanged a glance with Sera. ¡°What do you mean?¡± The merchant¡¯s demeanor became slightly distressed as he recounted his experiences. ¡°A fog descended upon us¡­ unbidden! We were beset by a sudden chill, then a dense fog enveloped us. And the clamor¡­ by heavens, striking were the sounds we heard ¨C colder than the chill itself.¡± The adventurer nodded grimly. ¡°Aye, ¡®twas like nothing I¡¯ve ever heard before. Howls, screeches, unsoundly shrieks of a creature in torment. And through the fog was there a massive beast, though only its shadow we¡¯ve seen.¡± Henry frowned. A mysterious fog, anomalous temperature readings¡­ it didn¡¯t sound good. ¡°Did you get a good look at it?¡± he asked. The merchant shook his head. ¡°Nay, nothing seen; the fog swallowed all vision. Yet, from the shadow it cast, vast beyond reckoning, it might well have been a beast of legends, a Tier 10 dragon, I daresay. Such as the one spoken of lately, the target of the latest Campaign!¡± The adventurer held up a hand. ¡°Aye, Tier 10 might be stretching the tale. More like Tier 8 or 9, I¡¯d wager.¡± He turned back to Henry, ¡°But make no mistake, even at that, it¡¯s a formidable beast.¡± ¡°And then what happened?¡± Kelmithus asked. The merchant sighed. ¡°We bid a swift retreat, that¡¯s the truth of it. The entire caravan turned on its heels, making for the opposite direction with due haste. Bound for Hactis by the longer route do we now find ourselves, all in the name of sidestepping any shadow of that menace.¡± He continued, ¡°Unnatural is the touch of ice there. A darkness, a foulness resides in whatever place that creature has laid claim to. Whatever you¡¯re looking for, ¡®tis not worth the risk.¡± ¡°We appreciate the warning,¡± Henry said, ¡°but our quest is important.¡± The merchant looked at them for a long moment, then exhaled heavily. ¡°Your minds seem set, then. But heed this plea: venture carefully. Should that fog-bound beast find you, think not of valor. Instead, choose flight. Survival is the greater part of valor here.¡± Henry appreciated the man¡¯s concern. ¡°We¡¯ll keep that in mind. Thank you for the information, and good luck on your journey to Hactis.¡± The merchant offered a weary smile in return. ¡°Luck be with you too, on your path. May the gods grant you their favor.¡± After the merchant left to board his wagon, Henry turned to Sera and Kelmithus. ¡°Facing our first dragon, huh? Sounds fun.¡± Kelmithus smiled. ¡°An exciting prospect indeed, but no more exciting than what we might discover after slaying the beast.¡± Henry led Sera and Kelmithus back to the MRAPs, allowing the caravan to pass through on the road. Climbing back into his vehicle, Henry updated Armstrong. ¡°Overwatch, Alpha Team. We¡¯ve made contact with the caravan. They reported encountering Tier 8 or 9 fauna in the fog, possibly a dragon. Advise updating mission parameters and threat assessment. Over.¡± ¡°Overwatch copies, Alpha Team,¡± came the response. ¡°ISR confirms increased electromagnetic interference in your AO. Threat level updated. Recommend proceeding with extreme caution. Thunder 1-2 is on standby for immediate support if needed. Over.¡± ¡°Copy, Overwatch. Alpha Team out.¡± As they continued their journey, the narrow dirt road merged into a wider, decrepit Baranthurian road. The ancient asphalt ¨C or whatever they used ¨C still held together. What sort of techniques they used to compact and pave them must¡¯ve been incredibly advanced. Was it possible that they learned some insights from the Gatebuilders? Maybe. After all, it was what they wanted to do as well. The silhouette of a tower in the distance came into view, its angular form juxtaposing the jagged edges of the surrounding mountains. The deeper they ventured into the forest, the closer the tower got, and the more the temperature seemed to drop. It was gradual at first, barely noticeable, but as they pressed on, the change became more pronounced. Henry rubbed his finger against the window, wiping at a thin layer of condensation to peer out into the forest. That¡¯s when he noticed the fog, which ¨C as far as he could tell ¨C appeared out of nowhere. Initially, he could make out the shapes of trees and the winding path ahead for half a mile, the visibility dimming but still discernible. Just a few minutes later, the fog thickened rapidly. It swallowed the landscape in a gray blanket until he could scarcely see beyond the hood of the MRAP, visibility dropping to less than 100 meters. As the fog intensified, so too did the magical energy in the area. Henry glanced at the readings on the EMF meter beside him, watching as the numbers climbed steadily higher. ¡°Be advised,¡± he reported over local comms, ¡°EMF readings are up to 10,000 milligauss. Expect potential interference with long-range comms.¡± ¡°Copy that, Cap,¡± Isaac¡¯s voice crackled back, the signal still holding strong between the two MRAPs. ¡°We¡¯re seeing the same on our end. Overwatch, do you copy?¡± There was no response from Overwatch, as expected. He continued to scan the forest through the CROWS, the thermal imaging struggling against the dense fog. No threats popped up as they approached the clearing, but Henry managed to catch wind of something peculiar. The condensation on the windows grew worse, frost beginning to spread across the glass. At the same time, the fog thickened, as if tied to the dropping temperature. As if? What if it was? Henry recalled what he knew about fog formation. Fog was essentially a cloud at ground level, formed when water vapor condensed into liquid water droplets in the air. This usually happens when the air cools to its dew point, which could be triggered by a variety of factors ¨C mixing of different air masses, cooling of the ground and ambient air, or even an increase in humidity. For all intents and purposes, all of these could be brought upon through the use of magic. And if magic could cause it, couldn¡¯t it also reverse it? ¡°Kelmithus,¡± he called out over their comms as the MRAPs slowed down, ¡°You can control temperature, right? Is that how you¡¯re able to make fireballs?¡± ¡°Indeed so,¡± Kelmithus responded. ¡°Have you a plan?¡± He didn¡¯t know much about magic, and the dossiers certainly didn¡¯t cover anything like this, but he needed this hail mary to work. ¡°Can you manipulate the temperature of a specific area, like the width of the road around our vehicles?¡± Kelmithus paused for a moment. ¡°I ¨C Yes, I can try. What would you have me do?¡± There wasn¡¯t enough time to calculate or run simulations. He¡¯d have to stick with the basic principles. ¡°Let¡¯s uh, let¡¯s start with room temperature ¨C 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Raise the temperature outside to room temperature, but gradually; 5 degrees per minute. If that¡¯s too precise for you to gauge, just do it as consistently as you can.¡± ¡°Understood,¡± Kelmithus confirmed, followed by the sound of a hatch popping. ¡°I shall begin now.¡± Henry then turned to Sera and addressed her. ¡°Sera, once Kelmithus starts raising the temperature, I need you to use your wind magic to help disperse the fog.¡± He helped open the roof hatch on their MRAP, the freezing air outside seeping in. ¡°Gentle, just enough to help the warmer air mix with the colder air. Oh, and keep your helmet on. Might be uncomfortable for your ears, but it¡¯s better than going deaf.¡± ¡°Very well.¡± Sera positioned herself under the hatch and readied herself. ¡°I await your signal.¡± Henry gave the order, and the two Sonarans began their work. He could feel the chill slowly recede as the air around them got warmer. Kelmithus didn¡¯t have a thermometer to work with, but the result was as gradual and consistent as he could expect from simple intuition. Simultaneously, Sera created a soft breeze that swirled around the clearing. The circulation looked like it was working. The warm air from Kelmithus¡¯ efforts mixed with the cooler, fog-laden air, gradually thinning the mist. However, there remained the possibility that this fog was present for a reason, and that whatever created the fog wouldn¡¯t be too happy about it suddenly disappearing. ¡°Owens, Hayes, keep circling ¡®round the clearing.¡± Henry kept a close eye on his display. The fog was still thick, but he could clearly see the treeline at the edges of the clearing now, and the entrance to the Gatebuilder structure. He allowed himself a small smile. It was working. The plan, unconventional as it was, was actually working. Scientific knowledge to enhance magic¡­ who would have thought? But the smile quickly faded as a guttural rumble cut through the dissipating fog, a sound far more terrifying than what he¡¯d seen come from T-Rexes in a theater. It wasn¡¯t natural. Well, maybe for this world it was, but it didn¡¯t sound real at all. ¡°Contact,¡± Henry reported. ¡°Unknown contact at the treeline, southeast from the entrance.¡± Another rumble echoed through the clearing, closer this time. Henry could feel the vibrations through the chassis of the MRAP. ¡°There!¡± Sera shouted, ¡°South, by our path in!¡± Henry swung the CROWS toward their ingress point ¨C the Baranthurian road that led to the clearing. He strained to see through the mist. For a moment, there was nothing. Then, a shadow flickered between the trees. It was serpentine and massive, a bit over two stories tall and somewhere between an Olympic-size swimming pool and a commercial airliner in length. ¡°Unknown hostile, engaging!¡± Henry called out, aligning the targeting on his CROWS with the creature¡¯s midsection. He opened fire, sending .50 cal rounds and grenades toward the treeline. Most of the rounds ricocheted off its scales, but a few found their mark, drawing spurts of dark blood. The grenades did their work in chipping away at the scales, but he didn¡¯t think they were enough. They might as well be shooting at a tank with a BB gun. The creature recoiled, a screech of pain and anger that almost drowned out the sounds of gunfire and explosions. Judging from the relatively minor damage they¡¯d inflicted, it was probably more out of anger. With a speed that defied its size, it whipped around and headed straight for his MRAP. ¡°Oh, shit, shit, shit!¡± Ron called out, jerking the wheel in an attempt to avoid the strike. The tail grazed the side of their vehicle, the force of the impact sending a shudder throughout the MRAP. Henry held on to Sera¡¯s leg, keeping her grounded. ¡°It¡¯s a Lindwyrm!¡± Sera shouted. ¡°A Sentinel Lindwyrm!¡± This was the first time he ever heard genuine concern in her voice. Sentinel Lindwyrm¡­ Henry gritted his teeth. This was a Tier 9 monster. Even between the TOW missiles and the Switchblade 600 sitting in its mounted launch tube, he wasn¡¯t sure if that was something they could handle. ¡°Doc,¡± Henry said over the comms, ¡°Send up a blue flare. I repeat, blue flare.¡± ¡°On it!¡± Dr. Anderson replied. Through the CROWS feed, Henry saw a door open, followed by a hand aiming a flare gun into the air. His order materialized as the flare rocketed skyward, a brilliant blue streak against the gray clouds. The Lindwyrm, meanwhile, seemed to be changing its tactics. It gave up on trying to slam into the MRAPs and instead retreated back to the treeline, raising its two frontal limbs. The fog began to swirl, coalescing into small objects shimmering around its head. Was it¡­ casting a spell? The fog dissipated even faster, allowing Henry to land more hits on the thing. Removing the fog should¡¯ve been a good thing, but something didn¡¯t seem right. Suddenly, a barrage of icicles emerged from the treeline, launching towards the vehicles with incredible speed. The MRAPs swerved, but there were too many, coming too fast. Sera managed to deflect one away from herself, but it damaged the switchblade mount. Looking outside, Henry watched as several icicles slammed into Ryan¡¯s MRAP, the impacts resonating through the vehicle¡¯s frame. He could see the aftermath of the attack. Kelmithus¡¯ instinctive defensive magic seemed to have kept him unharmed, but the vehicle itself, not so much. The armor held, but barely, deep dents forming in the crumpled metal. One of the icicles had hit the window on Isaac¡¯s side, blinding his left. ¡°We¡¯re hit!¡± Ryan reported. ¡°No casualties, but vision on our left is compromised!¡± ¡°Fuck,¡± Henry swore under his breath. The Lindwyrm was adapting, using its magic to attack from a distance. Another hit like that could disable Ryan¡¯s MRAP. They needed to end this as soon as possible. Luckily, the attack didn¡¯t come without downsides. In siphoning the nearby water to form the icicles, the Lindwyrm was now clearly visible through the trees. ¡°Hayes, status on the TOW?¡± he asked as he laid down some suppressive fire on the Lindwyrm. The rounds and grenades didn¡¯t do much, but at least they drew attention away from Ryan¡¯s damaged MRAP. ¡°Need a line of sight! We gotta draw it closer to the clearing!¡± How were they gonna do that? The creature was smart enough to use the trees for cover, but like all predators, it had to go after its prey eventually. He needed to bait it out. An idea formed in his mind. It was risky, but they couldn¡¯t just sit around and take another hit waiting for the Apache to get here. ¡°Owens, I need you to drive toward the treeline. Get as close as you can, then slow down.¡± ¡°Uh, repeat that last?¡± Ron asked, disbelief evident in his voice. ¡°We need to lure the Lindwyrm out for a clear shot. Slow down near the treeline to bait it out, then floor it. Once it¡¯s clear of the trees, Hayes can take the shot. Sera, once it jumps at us, I¡¯ll need you to hit it with a spell ¨C anything and everything you¡¯ve got.¡± There was a moment of silence as Ron rested his forearms on the steering wheel. ¡°Copy that. I hope you know what you¡¯re doing, dude.¡± ¡°Eloquently said, Lieutenant,¡± Sera agreed. ¡°Yeah, you and me both,¡± Henry sighed. ¡°Execute.¡± Ron gunned the engine, the MRAP lurching forward with a roar. They sped towards the treeline, positioning themselves directly ahead of Ryan¡¯s MRAP, Ron angling the vehicle for a quick getaway. Henry could see the Lindwyrm shifting in the trees, preparing to attack. They were closing the distance rapidly. 50 meters. 30 meters. 20 meters. ¡°Steady,¡± Henry said. More of the surrounding fog began condensing into icicles, the beast rearing back as if readying itself for a pounce. ¡°Go!¡± Henry shouted as the monster lunged forward. Ron slammed his foot on the gas, wrenching the wheel and causing the MRAP to swerve violently away from the treeline. At the same moment, Henry opened fire on its head while Sera unleashed a bolt of lightning at it. The beast recoiled, its icicle attack going wide and shattering harmlessly against the trees and the ground. It let out a roar, no doubt pissed off at Henry¡¯s MRAP. Overtaken by its emotion, it charged out of the trees with terrifying speed. It was frightening, but also heartening ¨C this was exactly what Henry wanted to see. ¡°Hayes, now!¡± he yelled over the comms. ¡°Yup,¡± Ryan responded. ¡°TOW away!¡± Chapter 14: GB-2 A high-pitched whine pierced the air as the TOW missile streaked toward its target: the Sentinel Lindwyrm. Henry watched through the CROWS display as the missile closed the distance, his finger hovering over the trigger for follow-up shots on any new weak spots. Impact. The warhead detonated against the Lindwyrm¡¯s head and neck in a blinding flash, the overpressure wave rippling through the surrounding fog. The Lindwyrm shrieked, the sound deafening even through their ear protection. Smoke billowed from the blast zone, mixing with fog and dirt. The creature thrashed its head, tossing dark blood into the environment as it staggered back toward the treeline and disappeared behind the debris. Chunks of flesh and shattered scales rained down, but Henry couldn¡¯t tell if it was dead or not. By all accounts, it should be ¨C the TOW missile was a weapon capable of taking out IFVs, and there was no way the Lindwyrm could¡¯ve survived a direct hit to the head, could it? ¡°Sera, wind,¡± Henry called out. Without a word, Sera acknowledged and blew away the smoke with a strong gale. The area where the beast once stood was empty, save for the blood and viscera on the clearing grounds. The Lindwyrm bellowed again, the guttural sound echoing from the forest. ¡°Lost visual on target. It retreated back into the forest,¡± Henry said. The radio crackled with Ryan¡¯s voice, ¡°Copy, reloading. Though I reckon it ain¡¯t gonna fall for the same trick twice.¡± Ron looked up at the rearview mirror. ¡°Think it ran for good?¡± It wasn¡¯t a question Henry could readily answer, even with what he¡¯d learned about the Sentinel Lindwyrm. They were a territorial species, but also incredibly intelligent. The TOW had hit the damn thing right in the head and neck, a solid hit that should¡¯ve put it down for good. Sure, it could¡¯ve run, but he knew better than to assume the fight was over just because of one lucky shot. Henry kept his attention on the screen, still scanning the treeline for any sign of the injured monster. ¡°Negative. If anything, it fell back to lick its wounds. Chances are, it won¡¯t abandon its den; we won¡¯t be able to investigate the site until we confirm the area is secure, and that only happens when that thing is dead.¡± ¡°Captain,¡± Sera called out suddenly, ¡°to the west, I espy frost forming from the treeline!¡± Henry swiveled the CROWS camera to face the western side. The ground near the trees seemed to be freezing over, frost spreading out from the forest like some kind of fast-forward nature documentary. It coated everything it touched, leaving behind a landscape that looked more like Antarctica than the surrounding Grenden Forest. It was smart ¨C damn smart, he had to give it that. There was only one reason why it might try to freeze over the ground like this: to limit their mobility and make it harder for the MRAPs to maneuver. ¡°Son of a bitch,¡± Henry muttered. ¡°Alpha Team, be advised. The Lindwyrm is using some kinda wide-area frost effect. It¡¯s flash-freezing the clearing. Hayes, get ready. Sera, Kel, try keeping the frost at bay.¡± The two Sonarans acknowledged, using earth magic to crack the ice and fire magic to melt it away. It worked, but marginally. Even after all that, it seemed the Lindwyrm still had a lot of mana left over ¨C or was simply better than the two Sonarans at exploiting the ambient mana of the environment. The Lindwyrm was out there, lurking just beyond the veil of fog and frost. It was just a matter of time before it made its move. And then it happened. Throwing up dirt to mask its charge, the Lindwyrm burst out of the forest like a living battering ram. It emerged at an angle, putting Henry¡¯s MRAP directly between itself and Ryan¡¯s vehicle. In that moment, he realized exactly what the Lindwyrm was doing. It was using his MRAP as a shield, preventing Ryan from getting a clear shot with the TOW missile. The creature was smart, a hell of a lot smarter than they had given it credit for. It had figured out their tactics, their weapons, and it was using that knowledge against them. ¡°Owens, get us out the way!¡± Henry yelled as he brought the gun and grenade launcher to bear on the Lindwyrm. He aimed for the beast¡¯s wound ¨C which had frozen over ¨C and opened fire. With how erratic its movements were, it was hard to accurately target the weak spot. Most of the bullets and grenades hit the scales, pinging off and leaving behind little more than scratches and dents. These weapons were enough for light vehicles, not tanks. While a few of the shots managed to hit their mark, it wasn¡¯t quite enough. Henry felt Sera jump down from the hatch and secure herself to her harness as the beast approached. Soon after, the Lindwyrm slammed into the side of the MRAP with the force of a runaway train. The MRAP rocked violently, the hull groaning and screeching as the creature¡¯s bulk battered it. The vehicle then tipped, the world around him tilting at a sickening angle as the MRAP was lifted off its wheels. For a moment, everything seemed to hang in suspension, the fog swirling around the vehicle like the world¡¯s most surreal snow globe. Then, with a final, wrenching groan of tortured metal, the MRAP toppled over, crashing down onto its roof with a bone-jarring thud. Inside the vehicle, Henry and Sera were thrown against their restraints, their bodies straining against the harnesses as the world turned upside down. Cracking plastic, popping rivets, loose gear shifting and tumbling, gunshots from the other MRAP outside ¨C it was true chaos. The only thing Henry could take solace in was the fact that the reinforced frame of the MRAP held, its roll cage protecting him and Sera from the worst of the impact. He shook his head, blinking away the dark spots and blurs that danced across his vision. ¡°...there? Captain?¡± Ryan¡¯s voice came through his headset. ¡°Yeah,¡± Henry grunted. ¡°Sitrep?¡± he asked, feeling pain as he spoke. ¡°Target ran back into the forest, but I¡¯m damn sure it smells the blood in the water, over.¡± Henry took a breath and exhaled. Assuming the Apache left base immediately after they fired their flare, they¡¯d probably get here within a few more minutes. ¡°Copy. Maintain overwatch. We stay put til Thunder 1-2 gets here, over.¡± ¡°Solid copy, Alpha Actual. We¡¯ll keep a lookout, over.¡± Henry rested his head on his seat. He could taste blood in his mouth, feel it trickling down his chin from where he¡¯d bitten his tongue. Fuck, he didn¡¯t bite it off, did he? A cursory feel around his mouth confirmed that his suspicions ¨C thankfully ¨C were false. He wiped the blood from his mouth with his sleeve and rinsed his mouth with a cleaning solution before spitting it into a bottle. Beside him, Sera groaned softly, her breath coming in short, pained gasps. She had already pulled out cleaning pads from her Individual First Aid Kit, tapping away at minor cuts before healing them with magic. ¡°You alright?¡± Henry asked, his voice rough and strained. Even getting the words out hurt, causing him to wince. ¡°Worry not for me,¡± Sera chided gently. She took a break from tending to her scrapes, bringing her hand to caress Henry¡¯s cheek. ¡°¡®Tis your own state that demands attention.¡± Henry felt the warmth of her hand ¨C or was it the blood rushing through him? For a moment, he couldn¡¯t tell what Sera was doing, overcome by shock. Then, as a soft yellow glow surrounded her hand, he understood. The stinging sensation in his mouth drifted away, replaced by a slight but much more preferable soreness. ¡°Thanks,¡± he said, finding himself staring a bit too long into Sera¡¯s eyes. Sera smiled, ¡°Of course, Captain.¡± Before the moment could get any more awkward, a pained groan emanated from the driver¡¯s seat. Henry turned to the front. ¡°Owens? You good, bro?¡± Ron¡¯s face was pale, his teeth gritted against the pain. ¡°My leg,¡± he managed, his voice tight. ¡°Think it¡¯s twisted.¡± Henry cursed under his breath. Without proper diagnostic tools or a doctor around, he had to recall his first aid training. It was hard to be sure, but the symptoms suggested a severe sprain, and possibly a minor fracture. Cutting the fabric of his pants to get a better look, it didn¡¯t seem too bad. He quickly assessed Ron¡¯s condition: the leg was swollen and bent at an awkward angle, not typical of a simple sprain. Ron couldn¡¯t move it, but the bruising was light and most importantly, there was no protruding bone or bleeding. Thank goodness. A twisted leg wasn¡¯t life-threatening, but they could kiss running for the excavation site goodbye. With the Sentinel Lindwyrm still an active threat, they were basically stuck in here until help arrived. Taking their chances in the MRAP seemed much better than risking it out there. Isaac¡¯s voice came through the radio. ¡°Alpha Actual, we¡¯re repositioning to get a clear shot. Standby, over.¡± Henry could feel the vibrations of the other MRAP¡¯s engine through the frame of his own vehicle as Isaac maneuvered for a better firing position. He could picture the TOW launcher swiveling, Ryan¡¯s finger hovering over the trigger, waiting for the perfect moment to let the missile fly. He¡¯d just have to hope that the Lindwyrm would make a mistake. Henry turned to Sera, then to Ron. ¡°We¡¯re gonna drag you back here. Can you move your leg at all?¡± ¡°Nah, can¡¯t,¡± Ron replied. ¡°Fuck. Alright, this is gonna hurt, but we gotta get you outta that seat.¡± Henry positioned himself next to Ron, careful not to jostle the injured leg. ¡°Sera, I need you on his other side. We¡¯re gonna lift him on three, okay?¡± Sera nodded. ¡°On your command, Captain.¡± ¡°Okay. One, two, three!¡± Together, they lifted Ron as gently as possible, maneuvering him out of the driver¡¯s seat and into the rear of the MRAP. Ron hissed in pain, but he didn¡¯t cry out. Once they had him settled, Henry turned his attention to the injured leg. ¡°Sera, I need you to hold his leg steady,¡± he said, rummaging through Ron¡¯s IFAK. ¡°I¡¯m gonna splint it, but I need you to keep it aligned.¡± Sera did as she was instructed, her hands gentle but firm on Ron¡¯s leg. Henry worked quickly. He¡¯d done this before, in training and in the field, but never in conditions quite like these. The MRAP¡¯s interior was cramped and messy from the tumble they went through. He started by checking the circulation in Ron¡¯s foot. Removing his boot and sock, Henry placed a finger against the nail bed, watching for the color to return. It did, indicating that the blood flow wasn¡¯t completely compromised. Next, he palpated the leg, his fingers probing gently for any obvious deformities or crepitus ¨C the grating sensation of bone rubbing against bone. To his relief, he didn¡¯t find any. The leg was swollen and painful, but it seemed to be a severe sprain rather than a full-on fracture ¨C just as he had initially suspected. Still, he couldn¡¯t take any chances. A sprain could turn into a fracture if it wasn¡¯t properly immobilized, and a fracture could turn into something much worse if it wasn¡¯t treated quickly. He reached into the IFAK, pulling out a rolled-up SAM splint. He positioned it along the side of Ron¡¯s leg, making sure it extended from just above the ankle to just below the knee. Then, using the Coban wrap from the kit, he began to secure the splint in place. As he worked, he could hear the muffled sounds of battle raging outside: the crack of icicles against the MRAP¡¯s underside, the dull thud of explosions, the roar of .50 cal. He tuned it out, focusing all his attention on the task at hand. He couldn¡¯t afford to be distracted, not now. The MRAP was built to withstand explosives ¨C it would hold against some fragile icicle ballistics. Sera, on the other hand, flinched a good bit. He could see the worry in her eyes, the tension in her shoulders. She had training as an adventurer, no doubt, but she lacked the discipline of a soldier. To her credit though, she never wavered despite the ongoing chaos. She kept Ron¡¯s leg steady, even as the MRAP shuddered around them. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Henry sat back on his heels. The splint was in place, snug but not too tight. It would hold the leg steady, prevent any further damage until they could get Isaac to take a look at it. ¡°Alright,¡± he said, wiping the sweat from his brow. ¡°That¡¯s the best we can do for now. Sera, you remember the Integrated First Aid course?¡± Sera nodded. She was a bit shaky, but he could tell she was determined. ¡°I do. Yet be forewarned, my skill shadows faintly that of the Arcane Scholar.¡± Henry hesitated. Magic was still an unknown, something he didn¡¯t fully understand. But hey, if Dr. Perdue was behind the courses, then surely they must account for something. ¡°That¡¯s fine,¡± he said, nodding. ¡°Do it.¡± Sera placed her hands on either side of the splint, her eyes intently focused on Ron¡¯s leg in concentration. For a moment, nothing happened. Then, slowly, a soft golden glow began to emanate from her palms, suffusing Ron¡¯s leg with a gentle warmth. The swelling began to subside, the mottled bruising fading from angry purple to a dull yellow-green. Ron¡¯s face grew more pained for a moment before slowly relaxing, the lines of tension easing from around his eyes and mouth. Ron sat up, glancing wide-eyed at his leg. He gave an astonished smirk, ¡°Shit, that felt kinda weird at first but it feels a lot better now.¡± He looked up at Sera. ¡°Thanks. You¡¯re a real lifesaver.¡± Sera¡¯s nod was accompanied by a playful tilt of her head. ¡°Your gratitude is appreciated, Lieutenant. Though, save your words for when we¡¯ve cheated death itself, not a moment sooner.¡± Another explosion rocked them, the blast coming from the road they came in from. Henry leaned down, peeking out the cracked bulletproof windows. It was difficult to see through the spiderweb of fractures, but he could just make out the smoke and debris billowing from where the TOW missile had struck. Ryan¡¯s voice came through. ¡°That was our last missile. We¡¯re black on TOWs, over.¡± Well, shit. Without the heavy firepower of the TOWs, they were in a world of hurt. The .50 cal could sting the Lindwyrm, but it couldn¡¯t put the damn thing down for good. Henry pressed the PTT button on his headset. ¡°Copy that. Did you neutralize the target? Over.¡± Ryan¡¯s exasperated sigh was audible through the radio. ¡°Negative. Lost visual.¡± Henry was about to respond when a new voice burst through the static, garbled at first but quickly clearing up. ¡°Thund¡­ inbou¡­ secon¡­ Repeat, Alpha Team, this is Thunder 1-2, flight of one AH-64, holding at Angels One with a full load of Spikes, 30 mike-mike, and rockets, time on station 2 mikes. Ready to receive sitrep and 9-line, over.¡± Relief surged through Henry¡¯s veins. It was the Apache, their guardian angel in the sky. He¡¯d never been so glad to hear that call sign in his life. Henry felt his heart leap in his chest as he responded. ¡°Thunder 1-2, this is Alpha Actual. 9-line as follows. Line one: IP East. Lines two to four: danger close. Line five: target is one Sentinel Lindwyrm, vulnerable to anti-armor. Line six: 1500-1530. Line seven: No mark available, advise visual ID of target. Line eight: friendlies in immediate vicinity. Line nine: Request immediate effect, ready nothing follows. Fire at your discretion. How copy, over?¡± The pilot responded, ¡°Alpha Actual, Thunder 1-2 copies all. We¡¯re inbound with eyes on the clearing. Initiating visual confirmation for target ID. Arming NLOS. Danger close acknowledged. Stand by for my call. Confirm when ready for engagement. Over.¡± The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. Henry acknowledged the transmission. They needed to create some distance, give the Apache room to work. But how? As if in answer, a thunderous impact rocked the MRAP. Henry was thrown against his harness again, this time making sure to keep his tongue away from his teeth. The Lindwyrm had rammed them again, but this time, the force of the impact had flipped the vehicle back onto its wheels. That was their chance. He scrambled into the driver¡¯s seat, ignoring the stabbing pain in his shoulder. ¡°Hang on!¡± he yelled, slamming the MRAP into drive. The engine roared as he floored the accelerator, the tires churning up a spray of dirt and ice. The Lindwyrm, caught off guard by the sudden movement, let out a roar of frustration. Henry didn¡¯t let up, pushing the MRAP to its limits as he put distance between them and the Lindwyrm. In the rearview mirror, he could see the creature giving chase, shrugging off the .50 cal rounds coming from Ryan¡¯s MRAP. Henry analyzed the ground ahead ¨C the clearing was about to end. He had to slow down or risk flipping over again. It looked completely fucked, but then the sky above them erupted with the roar of rotor blades. There, materializing out of the mist like an avenging angel, was the unmistakable silhouette of an AH-64E Apache Guardian. It hovered over the clearing, its powerful searchlight cutting through the gloom. ¡°Alpha Actual, this is Thunder 1-2. We have confirmation on the target. Confirm you are ready for strike, over.¡± Henry smiled. ¡°Thunder 1-2, you are cleared hot, over.¡± ¡°Cleared hot! TOT 10 seconds.¡± What followed was a display of firepower that Henry would never forget. The monster didn¡¯t even have time to register the new threat before it was beaten down. The Apache¡¯s 30mm M230 chain gun opened up, a stream of armor-piercing rounds tearing into the Lindwyrm¡¯s scales. Dark blood sprayed from the wounds, painting the ground a grisly crimson. The creature staggered back, howling in pain and rage as it vainly attempted to block the attacks with ice. Perhaps it would¡¯ve worked against the standard adventurer, but it was paper against rounds designed to shred steel armor. The Lindwyrm¡¯s body was covered in gashes, holes, and wounds. Its scales were falling apart by this point, barely holding together by thin fibers. With the Lindwyrm¡¯s charge stopped, a pair of NLOS missiles streaked from the Apache¡¯s launch rails, slamming into the Lindwyrm¡¯s flank with thunderous detonations. The explosions ripped through the creature¡¯s body, tearing it apart from the inside out. For a moment, the Sentinel Lindwyrm remained standing, its body a ruined mass of shattered ice and pulverized flesh. Then, slowly, it toppled over, crashing to the ground with an impact that shook the earth. ¡°Alpha Actual, Thunder 1-2, off target. Assessing effects, stand by for BDA, over.¡± Henry slumped back in his seat, his heart pounding in his chest. They¡¯d done it. Or rather, Thunder 1-2 did it. Against all odds, they¡¯d survived. The Lindwyrm was dead, and they were still breathing. He gave a shaky laugh, relief and exhaustion washing over him in equal measure. ¡°Thunder 1-2, damn good shooting! Target confirmed destroyed. We¡¯re battered but alive. We owe you one, over.¡± ¡°Just doing our job, Alpha Actual. Be advised, we¡¯ll remain on station for ten mikes for re-engagement and support. Call us if you need another rain check, over.¡± Henry parked the MRAP next to Ryan¡¯s, stepping out to assess the damage. ¡°Roger that, Thunder 1-2. Appreciate the assist. Let Overwatch know we¡¯re heading into GB-2, Alpha Actual out.¡± He took a moment to survey the aftermath of the battle, taking in the scorched earth, the shattered trees, and the gore that littered the clearing. So, this is what it took to fight a Tier 9 monster. It was a sobering sight, one that reminded them that even they had limits. He made his way over to Ryan¡¯s MRAP, where the others were already working to set up a perimeter. Ryan crouched by the side of the vehicle, examining a gash in the armor plating ¨C right where the dent was. He looked up as Henry approached, a wry grin on his face. ¡°Well, if that wasn¡¯t a damn shitshow.¡± Henry snorted, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. ¡°Yeah, magic bullshit, huh? How¡¯s the MRAP looking?¡± Ryan glanced over the damage, his hand brushing against the jagged edge. ¡°Reckon she¡¯s holdin¡¯ up better¡¯n expected, all things considered. She¡¯s built sturdy, but even the toughest get a bit weary after a tussle like that. Gonna need some good ol¡¯ Tender Lovin¡¯ Care to get her back on her feet, I¡¯d say. Just a bit of patchin¡¯ up and she¡¯ll be ready to dance again ¨C just not with any Tier 9s.¡± ¡°Hard agree on that one,¡± Isaac said, stretching as he put a drone in the air. ¡°Can¡¯t imagine what a Tier 10 would be like. Godzilla?¡± ¡°Possibly,¡± Henry said. His gaze drifted to the corpse of the Lindwyrm. The creature was a mangled wreck, its once-fearsome form reduced to a heap of charred flesh and scattered bone. ¡°Would probably need some bunker busters for something like that, maybe more. But anyway, let¡¯s not get too comfortable. Yen, take Kelmithus and go check on Owens. Think he¡¯s got a leg sprain. Managed to patch him up a bit with Sera¡¯s magic, but I¡¯m sure he¡¯d appreciate a second look.¡± ¡°You got it,¡± Isaac said with a nod. Henry turned to Ryan and Dr. Anderson. ¡°Scout around the entrance, see what you can find.¡± As the team dispersed to their tasks, Henry¡¯s eyes returned to the Lindwyrm. There, Sera stood, crouching by the Lindwyrm and staring at it with an inscrutable expression. He hesitated for a moment, then made his way over to her. ¡°Penny for your thoughts?¡± he asked, coming to stand beside her. Sera glanced at him quizzically. ¡°Penny? Is that some form of currency in your world?¡± Henry chuckled. ¡°Well yeah, but it¡¯s just an expression. What¡¯s on your mind?¡± Sera turned back to the Lindwyrm with furrowed brows. ¡°I wonder of the strength of your armaments. A Tier 9 Sentinel Lindwyrm, laid low with such¡­ effortlessness.¡± Sera wasn¡¯t bad at hiding her shock, but it still seeped through. Henry could imagine what ramifications and implications she was thinking up, possibly calculating what such technology was capable of. But, there was a side of her that seemed almost¡­ interested; excited, even. Why not indulge? ¡°The Apache is a top-of-the-line attack helicopter. It¡¯s designed to punch through heavily armored targets, like uh,¡± Henry responded, searching for the right words to convey ¡®anti-armor¡¯ without bringing up tanks or bunkers, ¡°fortress walls or golems. Against something like the Lindwyrm, even with its magical abilities¡­ well, you saw the result.¡± With a thoughtful pause, Sera absorbed his words. ¡°By its deed against such a beast, what tier might this Apache claim? On the Guild¡¯s system.¡± Henry scratched his chin. The Tier system was similar to the Richter scale or the decibel scale in that it used a logarithmic scale to measure the magnitude of power, with each increment representing a significant increase in strength. However, it wasn¡¯t a definitive scale ¨C a Tier 8 creature like a Mithril Golem would have a lot more durability than the Tier 9 Sentinel Lindwyrm they just faced. Given the right matchup, even Tier 5 adventurers could possibly pull off a win against a Tier 7 monster. Similarly, a careless Tier 7 adventurer could lose to a Tier 5 monster. ¡°Hard to say, really,¡± Henry admitted. ¡°The guild teaches that some tactics and equipment are more effective against certain monsters than others. In the same way, the Apache¡¯s effectiveness depends on a lot of factors ¨C the skill of the pilot, the terrain, the enemy¡¯s capabilities. All things considered though, if I had to put a number on it¡­ maybe Tier 9 or 10? It¡¯s definitely up there.¡± Sera¡¯s eyes widened, but not in a way that expressed complete disbelief. It seemed like she¡¯d already expected an answer like this. ¡°Tier 10, you say? Such is the tier of myth and legend. Has your world then, machines aplenty of this caliber? Henry grinned. ¡°Well, to be frank, the Apache¡¯s just the tip of the iceberg. You should see some of the other toys we¡¯ve got back home. Makes this look like a kid¡¯s birthday party.¡± Sera arched an eyebrow, a wry smile forming. ¡°Careful, Captain. Your words may yet sway me to join your ranks. I truly wonder, are these ¡®toys¡¯ of yours truly as grand as you claim? Or are they merely the stuff of bards¡¯ fancies, embellished to impress wide-eyed maidens?¡± Henry felt his grin widen. ¡°Hey, you could always see for yourself. Offer¡¯s always open. We could use someone with your skills and knowledge. Plus, I bet you¡¯d look damn good in a set of our fatigues.¡± ¡°My, my, Captain. You do paint a tempting picture, but I fear you underestimate the allure of my current attire,¡± Sera said, spinning around. ¡°¡®Tis not so easily replaced, even by your undoubtedly¡­ fetching fatigues.¡± Henry was about to respond when a voice called out in his headset ¨C it was Isaac confirming that he and Kelmithus had fully healed Ron¡¯s leg. ¡°Well, I guess we¡¯ll continue this another time,¡± he said to Sera, adopting a more serious tone. ¡°We should probably get moving.¡± Sera glanced at the massive corpse in front of them. ¡°And the Lindwyrm?¡± Henry studied the corpse, pulling off a bloody scale. It was icy to the touch. ¡°Eh, the frost should preserve it for a while. We can¡¯t call for Collection cause of the interference, so we¡¯re gonna have to do that later. Glory awaits, eh?¡± ¡°Of course,¡± Sera nodded. ¡°Lead the way, Captain.¡± Henry regrouped with the rest of Alpha Team, approaching the excavation site entrance. It was a massive, open cavern ¨C part of a spur that connected to a large mountain. The walls soared dozens of yards overhead, made of rough, natural stone, with the occasional artificial surface jutting out. ¡°Remarkably preserved, Baranthurian relics aside,¡± Kelmithus noted, eyes glancing over the sight. ¡°The Gatebuilder construction, it seems, defies the natural decay to which the mountain succumbs.¡± Dr. Anderson agreed with a nod. ¡°Everything the Gatebuilders left behind seem incredibly resilient. The fact that they could withstand untold millenia of erosion and plate tectonics ¨C I wonder what they¡¯re made of?¡± Henry ran his hand along a section of smooth, metallic wall hidden beneath the crumbling stone. ¡°Who knows? Nobody ever found this throughout the centuries?¡± Sera shook her head. ¡°Nay, Captain. This land has lain fallow and forgotten for centuries, lost to time and the depredations of monsters. While the soil may be fertile, neither Sonaran nor Nobian, nor any other people, deemed it worth the investment to cleanse the land of its¡­ fell inhabitants.¡± As they moved deeper into the cavern, the team began to notice signs of the Baranthurians¡¯ presence. Old excavation equipment, now rusted and decayed, lay scattered about the area. Abandoned drills sat alongside hydraulic jacks and pulley systems that had long seized up. Dr. Anderson knelt beside one of the drills, carefully examining its components. ¡°Fascinating,¡± he murmured, ¡°it looks like these were probably steam-powered. The drill bits though ¨C they¡¯re made of a material I¡¯ve never seen before. Some kind of enchanted crystal, perhaps?¡± ¡°An astute observation, yet of lacking accuracy,¡± Kelmithus said, joining him. ¡°This is no crystal, but an alloy ¨C a blend of mithril and adamantium, at the very least. Alas, I cannot say with more certainty, for Baranthurian metallurgy still confounds us.¡± Henry watched as the two scholars continued to examine the equipment, marveling at the ingenuity of the Baranthurians. He could only imagine how much more of a nerd fest it¡¯d be if he got Dr. Lamarr in the mix. Well, he couldn¡¯t blame them. Ancient civilizations, forerunners and precursors, fallen empires ¨C they took the cake when it came to mystery and intrigue in sci-fi. Ryan called out from the far side of the cavern, ¡°Think I found the Lindwyrm¡¯s nest!¡± Henry signaled for the team to approach cautiously. The nest was a large mound of rocks, ice, and various organic materials, tucked away in a side chamber that had been partially concealed. Whatever this section was, it must¡¯ve been used by the Baranthurians for their vehicles before the Lindwyrm moved in. ¡°Definitely the Lindwyrm¡¯s nest,¡± Sera confirmed, her nose wrinkling at the pungent odor that emanated from the mound. ¡°The beast¡¯s musk is strong.¡± The nest didn¡¯t have much of immediate interest. Some bones that Dr. Anderson might be interested in picking, but nothing else significant otherwise. Moving on, Henry led the team further into the cavern, searching for any sign of an entrance into the Gatebuilder structure. It didn¡¯t take long before they came across an obvious entrance: a massive sealed doorway that reached well over two stories high. It was a seamless rectangular expanse of metal set into the cavern wall. Unlike the rough stone that surrounded it, the door¡¯s surface was smooth and unblemished, without any visible handles, keyholes, or control panels. ¡°I don¡¯t see any signs of forced entry,¡± Dr. Anderson said, squinting as they walked toward the door. ¡°No tool marks, no evidence of drilling or blasting. It¡¯s as if the Baranthurians never even tried to breach the door.¡± ¡°Maybe they found another way in?¡± Isaac suggested. ¡°They must¡¯ve gotten those Gatebuilder artifacts somehow.¡± Stepping in front of the doorway, Henry frowned and considered the possibilities. ¡°The Gatebuilders were advanced. Maybe the Baranthurians found some sort of access code or artifact that let them through?¡± ¡°Or maybe it¡¯s voice-activated?¡± Ron wondered aloud. With a deep breath, he projected into the cavern¡¯s expanse, ¡°Open Sesame!¡± The echo of Ron¡¯s command lingered as the team anxiously awaited a reaction, Henry included, who was half-convinced the door might just oblige. The seconds ticked by, with nothing happening. The unchanging facade of the door soon dashed all hopes. Shaking his head, Henry couldn¡¯t help but feel foolish for even a flicker of hope. ¡°A for effort, Owens, but I don¡¯t think the Gatebuilders had Arabian Nights in their library.¡± Just as he finished speaking, the door suddenly hummed and began to slide open with a smooth, almost silent motion. A brightly lit corridor lay just beyond, beckoning them forward. The team exchanged startled glances, their weapons instinctively coming up to the ready. ¡°Uh, Captain?¡± Isaac said, ¡°Did you do that?¡± ¡°Negative,¡± Henry responded. Could it be? Henry gave Ron a sidelong glance. Ron gave a smug smile and a shrug. ¡°You were saying?¡± Henry peered down the corridor. It was an amusing prospect, but how likely could it have been? ¡°Yeah, I don¡¯t think it was your magical phrase, bro. Probably just a coincidence.¡± ¡°Coincidence it may be, but the way has been opened,¡± Kelmithus declared, granting each person an individual magic shield. ¡°Shall we proceed?¡± With a nod, Henry led the way, the team falling into formation behind them. As they stepped into the structure, the first thing that struck them was the eerie silence. Despite what Henry initially thought, there wasn¡¯t even the rushing of wind. Hell, there wasn¡¯t even a pressure difference to facilitate wind. It was strange, but then again, it wouldn¡¯t be a stretch to assume that the Gatebuilders had long mastered environmental controls. The hallway stretched out before them, its walls lined with pulsing conduits. Their footsteps echoed off the smooth, metallic walls. He¡¯d honestly take a cheery AI popping up out of nowhere to tell him about reclaimers over this unnerving silence. Every few yards, the main passage branched off into smaller corridors and chambers, each one beckoning with the promise of new discoveries. The sheer scale and complexity of the Gatebuilders¡¯ creation was one of the greatest marvels he¡¯d ever seen. Rooms the size of aircraft hangars housed sleek, towering machines and obelisks whose purpose they could only guess at. Some of the smaller chambers had more identifiable things: tables, shelves, and chairs, alongside furniture or equipment that looked truly alien. Though, for all the wonders they encountered, there was one thing that was conspicuously absent: any sign of the Gatebuilders themselves. Every room, every chamber, was empty. It could¡¯ve been that the Gatebuilders abandoned them, or that the Baranthurians excavated everything long ago, or perhaps even a combination of both. Eventually, they came across a room that was different from the others. It was smaller, more intimate, with a series of raised platforms arranged in a circle around a central dais. Each platform had a smooth surface, free from any engravings or other decor ¨C all except for pulsing lights. ¡°What do y¡¯all fancy this stuff is?¡± Ryan asked, stepping cautiously onto one of the platforms. ¡°Some kind of control room?¡± ¡°Nah, I know exactly what this is,¡± Isaac snorted, a grin spreading across his face. ¡°Beam me up, Scotty,¡± he quipped, stepping onto another platform. At first glance, maybe, but wouldn¡¯t a civilization like this have the means to teleport anywhere, without the need of individual platforms like these? Plus, the arrangement of the platforms suggested something else. Each platform had a corresponding partner, positioned directly above them. ¡°Yeah, I don¡¯t think these are what you think they are. Look up there.¡± Henry pointed. ¡°Looks more like stasis fields to me.¡± Ryan and Isaac hurriedly stepped off, eyes widening as they followed Henry¡¯s gaze upward. ¡°Stasis fields?¡± Dr. Anderson murmured, stepping closer to examine one of the platforms. ¡°Yes, I think you¡¯re right, Captain. These platforms could suspend biological specimens, preserving them for study.¡± They passed by more rooms, all as empty as the ones before them. Finally, they stumbled across a small locker room, or what looked like one. The benches were recognizable enough, but the lockers looked like simple slabs of metal. Either the lockers worked by teleporting stored items, or they weren¡¯t lockers at all. It could just as easily be a server room, but then, why would there be benches in a server room? Henry¡¯s thoughts were interrupted by Kelmithus, who stood by an open passageway that seemed to have opened on its own. ¡°I believe I may have found something of interest,¡± he stated. Henry and the others hurried over to where Kelmithus was standing, his hand resting in the air next to a door set into the far wall, just beyond the passageway. Like the other doors, this one had no handle or hinges ¨C just a faint outline that suggested it should be a door. Henry glanced at Kelmithus¡¯ hand, realization dawning on him. He doubted that Kelmithus would be one to engage in pantomime in a place like this, so there was only one possible explanation. Henry moved his hand toward the door carefully, his movements forcibly stopped by an invisible wall. Unlike the other doors, this one was shielded and did not open for them. ¡°Seldom are seals without purpose,¡± Kelmithus noted. Sera nodded. ¡°Closed doors oft hide secrets. Horrors may lie beyond. Or glory. Truly, ¡®tis a coin flip ¨C fine odds for an adventurer.¡± She smiled, looking up at Henry. ¡°What say you, Captain?¡± ¡°I¡¯d love to investigate, but we need to find a way in first,¡± Henry replied. He looked around for a moment. Judging from the size of this compartment, it was likely some sort of vestibule or airlock ¨C a decontamination chamber, maybe. It sounded about right, assuming that the locker room was used for storing personal effects or putting on biohazard equipment before stepping inside. And there it was: a small, simple button along the panel behind them. A similar button was built into the wall outside of the vestibule, hidden behind one of the ¡®lockers¡¯. ¡°Think I¡¯ve got it,¡± he announced. ¡°But¡­ we should probably put our Envirosuits on, first.¡± Henry fished his suit out of his Holding Bag. It looked goofy, pulling such a large suit out of a backpack, but he had gotten used to it. After putting his Envirosuit on, Henry produced a shotgun from his bag and loaded it with standard buckshot. Then, he tossed a scale he picked up from the Lindwyrm and tested the button on the chamber before they themselves stepped inside. As expected, the passageway sealed itself, a window materializing from the new wall. A hum and a sweep of bright light soon followed before the door to the other side opened. It was hard to see through the slit, especially since the lighting on the other side was dim. He pressed the button again, opening the passageway on their side. Henry picked up the scale, which was now sparkling clean. He glanced around. ¡°Everyone ready?¡± Ryan readied his shotgun. ¡°Damn right,¡± he nodded. ¡°I¡¯ll go first,¡± he said, stepping into the chamber. Hearing his own unsteady breathing within the Envirosuit, he calmed himself. Then, he pressed the button. Chapter 15: Primal GB-2, Grenden Forest November 29, 2024 The chamber lit up with a blast of white light ¨C quick, like a flashbang, but silent. Even through his envirosuit¡¯s filters, it was like getting flashed in the face with a high beam. He squinted hard, a bit annoyed. Must be the decontamination thing doing its job, he figured. After the glare dialed down, Henry blinked away the spots in his vision. The wall melted open and he stepped into the dim corridor, his boots ringing on the metal. The way the door formed suggested nanotech, which would explain why the facility was so well-maintained and sturdy. The section here was as quiet as the main hallway behind them, aside from some old machine¡¯s soft hum somewhere out of sight. The air was still, almost oppressively so, as if something were lurking just out of sight. Well, as long as there weren¡¯t any grotesque pustules and twisted biomass, he supposed they¡¯d be fine. Henry turned back to the small window within the chamber and gave a thumbs up. His team followed, each moving through the light. ¡°Well, ain¡¯t that a kick in the pants,¡± Ryan muttered as he emerged from the chamber, his voice slightly distorted by his suit¡¯s comm system. ¡°Reckon these Gatebuilders coulda used a dimmer light.¡± ¡°Yeah, well, personally I¡¯d take the lightshow over the risk of something crawling up my ass,¡± Isaac remarked. Ryan gave a nod. ¡°Touch¨¦.¡± Ron stepped through, followed by Sera, Kelmithus, and Dr. Anderson. The two scholars were the most enamored by the sight, seemingly oblivious to the unsettling atmosphere. Hell, they were probably even excited by it. The corridor led into a hallway with two ¡®windowed'' rooms on either side. Henry had seen enough of such setups to recognize them as laboratories, even if he couldn¡¯t identify a single piece of equipment. Dr. Anderson walked up to one of the windows, face plastered on the invisible field that separated the room from the hallway. ¡°The technology here is incredible. To have remained undisturbed and operational for so long¡­¡± ¡°No signs of Baranthurian interference either,¡± Henry added, noting the fact that the various rooms hadn¡¯t been stripped bare. ¡°They must not have breached this section.¡± Kelmithus summoned a few small orbs of light to illuminate their path. "Indeed. The Baranthurians either lacked the means or chose not to pursue this area." They pushed deeper until they reached another doorway. The wall here seemed¡­ dead. It gave off the same impression as seeing a pale body, even if the analogy was stretching it for the nanotech walls before him. Henry touched the wall. As expected, it lacked the same malleable feel as the other parts of the Gatebuilder site. ¡°Captain, here,¡± Sera announced over the silence, crouching down by the open doorway. The team huddled around Sera, spotting a thin wisp of white in the corner. Cobwebs, and large ones at that. Not so undisturbed after all, Henry thought, eyeing the delicate threads moving in their wake. He straightened up as Kelmithus sent some orbs of light through the doorway. The room had a box in the middle, accompanied by a chair and some sort of stand positioned directly in front of the chair. From the looks of it, it was some sort of containment unit or isolation chamber, large enough to accommodate a passenger airliner ¨C or perhaps even the myriad of higher-tiered fauna on Gaerra. As he peered further, Henry noticed a tube linking the box to the ceiling, likely a vent. Scattered around were desks holding alien tech so advanced he couldn¡¯t even tell what they were. Though, there weren¡¯t many of them. Most of the tables were empty. If he had to guess, the Gatebuilders probably materialized whatever they needed, just like with the walls. An empty panel decorated the wall beside the entrance ¨C an empty weapon rack. Among the relics that were present, he spotted heaps of dust that had probably been important documents at some point, now just whispers of what was. Henry approached the containment unit, studying it closely. The box was completely sealed, with no visible seams or openings. Whatever the Gatebuilders held in here had zero chance of ever getting out. Dr. Anderson stepped up to the stand in front of the unit tapping it with his hand. The pedestal reacted, flashing a holographic screen above. ¡°Incredible,¡± he said, stepping back. ¡°If only we found one of these when the gateway was unearthed, huh?¡± Henry remarked. Dr. Anderson gave a light chuckle. ¡°I can¡¯t imagine it would¡¯ve been any easier to activate it even if we did. We would have been like cavemen trying to figure out how an iPhone works.¡± The screen was clean, devoid of clutter and icons aside from a set of lines, which appeared to be a menu. The archaeologist¡¯s brow furrowed, a slight movement that Henry caught through the man¡¯s helmet. Was he¡­ stumped? Kelmithus joined him, beset by the same confusion. ¡°Any luck, Doc?¡± Ron asked, moving to stand beside him. Dr. Anderson shook his head. ¡°There¡¯s just too little information on the Gatebuilders. This is my first time seeing their language. I don¡¯t even know where to begin.¡± ¡°Kel?¡± Henry asked, looking at the archmage. He, too, shook his head. ¡°Absent one versed in the language, my translation magic finds no purchase.¡± Despite the bleak outlook, Dr. Anderson didn¡¯t seem like he was ready to give up. He hovered his finger over the screen and flicked it up. The screen reacted accordingly, scrolling through the menu. Then, he pressed one of the entries. A soft chime echoed through the room and an icon appeared on the display. It was a simple rectangular shape, reminiscent of a battery with a sliver of red at the bottom. ¡°Well, that¡¯s something we can recognize,¡± Henry said, pointing at the icon. ¡°Guess that confirms it ¨C this section is low on power.¡± ¡°Oughta be simple enough, right?¡± Ryan asked. Isaac inspected the icon on the screen. ¡°Yeah, I dunno about that one. Certainly won¡¯t be like substituting wire for vine. For all we know, these guys could¡¯ve used antimatter or, shit, even zero point energy.¡± ¡°Antimatter? Zero point energy? You speak in riddles, Specialist Yen. Though, should fortune favor us, mayhap the solution will be within our grasp, even if the means are yet unknown,¡± Sera said. It was optimistic, probably even far-fetched, but there was still a chance. ¡°Yeah, let¡¯s hope all we gotta do is flip a switch¡­¡± Henry tilted his head, directing his team to begin the search. They spread out, searching for clues. The room was relatively barren for its massive size. As they moved further in and away from the containment unit, the presence of cobwebs increased, particularly near a doorway at the far end. Seeing that was the only other door in the room, they gravitated to it. Henry glanced at Kelmithus, who immediately responded by illuminating the doorway. It led into a room full of the stasis platforms they had identified earlier. The darkness inside seemed to permeate with greater effect. Was it just an optical illusion? Sera paused, halting her approach a few feet away from the doorway. ¡°I¡­ hear something.¡± Ron took up a position beside the ¡®frame¡¯, preparing for a breach. ¡°Yeah¡­ I hear it too. The fuck is that? Shit¡¯s giving me the heebie jeebies.¡± Henry checked his HUD, confirming that his helmet was picking up the audio. He adjusted the settings to enhance the sound. It was a strange combination of noises, like a brush running along wood, accompanied by a continuous whine of stretching rope and soft, rapid drumbeats. These were familiar sounds, though he¡¯d only heard them once before. It wasn¡¯t a pleasant experience: he had put on a helmet prior to a training session only to hear strange scratching and tapping. Only when a spider crawled along his visor did he realize where the sounds originated from. Here, the sounds were amplified, audible enough to be registered by Sera. The scratching noises ¨C stridulating, as it was apparently called ¨C were like a sinister whisper, promising something far worse than the average creepy crawly. He¡¯d seen his fair share of oversized bugs in Gaerra, but hadn¡¯t yet come across ones large enough to be deemed monsters and granted their own tier. If the size of the cobwebs were any indication, whatever created them was no ordinary spider. Henry looked back into the room, then turned to his team. He signaled for Isaac and Ryan to stack up on either side of the doorway, their shotguns at the ready. Sera and Ron took up positions behind them, while Kelmithus and Dr. Anderson stayed back, prepared to provide support if needed. Henry held up three fingers, counting down silently. Three, two, one. On the signal, Isaac and Ryan breached the room. Isaac went left while Ryan went right, their weapons sweeping the corners and potential hiding spots as they cleared the immediate area. ¡°Clear left,¡± Isaac reported. ¡°Clear right,¡± Ryan confirmed. Henry and the rest of the team entered the room, following behind Isaac and Ryan. The corners in the ceiling and the blind spots behind the few desks scattered around were clear, but full of webbing, The stasis chamber was cavernous, rows upon rows of platforms stretching out into the darkness. Some of the pods had near-transparent fields around them, giving off a faint glow that cast eerie shadows on the walls. ¡°Owens, take point. Sera, cover our six. Kel, lights,¡± Henry ordered in a low voice. As more orbs of light brightened their surroundings, they moved deeper into the chamber. The tapping and stridulating from earlier ceased, giving way to an eerie silence. As they progressed, Henry felt a growing sense of unease. The sheer number of creatures contained within the fields was staggering. Hundreds, maybe more, all from different regions. Some were familiar, like the monsters he¡¯d encountered and learned about in preparation for the Tier 5 test ¨C likely distant ancestors of dradaks and rillifanes. Others, less so. They looked like they were pulled right out of a horror film or dystopian universe ¨C clawed, insect-like monsters that seemed poised to swarm en masse, and unsettling aliens whose appendages looked perfectly designed to latch onto a person¡¯s face. Hopefully, the fact that he couldn¡¯t recognize them meant they were extinct. Sera was drawn to a pod with a snake-like creature within. It had scales that caught the faint light, sharp teeth that looked capable of tearing flesh, and a pair of small, awkward wings. ¡°This bears great resemblance to a fenwyrm. An ancestor, perhaps?¡± Dr. Anderson inspected one of the active pods, his face practically pressed against the stasis field as he examined the creature inside. It was a formidable-looking beast, some sort of arthropod with a hardened carapace. ¡°Fascinating,¡± he muttered, ¡°The Gatebuilders were studying Gaerra¡¯s wildlife. I wonder¡­ did they have magic before coming here, or did they get it after?¡± Henry glanced at another pod containing one of the primal fenwyrms. ¡°Kel? What do you think?¡± Kelmithus studied a nearby specimen and the stasis field containing it. ¡°A perplexing query, that is. The Gatebuilders¡¯ technologies are so thoroughly imbued with the Aether that discerning the origin of their magical prowess is a formidable task. However, the study of the various beasts herein suggests that magic is, indeed, endemic to our world. Had they brought magic with them, I gather they would have focused their efforts on other pursuits.¡± ¡°Research sounds about right. But hey, maybe they just wanted to collect specimens for a zoo,¡± Ron shrugged. ¡°A zoo?¡± Isaac scoffed. ¡°More like a freak show. Look at this thing,¡± he said, pointing to a pod containing a creature with tentacles sprouting from its back, its maw filled with razor-sharp teeth. Henry shook his head, scanning the rows of stasis platforms. The deeper they progressed, the more frequently they came across empty units. The power outage had done a number on this place. Some of the platforms were totally dead, their stasis fields ¨C and whatever creatures were inside ¨C long gone. Others flickered on and off, equally empty. The scene before him made little sense. ¡°Gatebuilder tech so far has been so well-maintained; I doubt decay or erosion could¡¯ve caused this,¡± Henry noted. Dr. Anderson nodded. ¡°Agreed. Something must have managed to get inside, cause a cascading effect.¡± Suddenly, a buzzing sound echoed through the chamber, like a power line got cut open. Henry whirled around, aiming his shotgun in the direction of the noise. One of the pods had shut down, its stasis field flickering and dying as the creature inside tumbled out onto the floor. It was a small, furry thing, with big eyes and a long tail ¨C almost like a squirrel. It looked up at them and let out a pitiful whimper before scurrying off into the shadows. ¡°What the hell?¡± Ron started, scanning the perimeter with his weapon. The scratching and drumming sounds were getting louder now, bouncing off the walls in an unsettling chorus that set Henry on edge. He could feel the hairs on the back of his neck standing up, his senses on high alert. Whatever lay ahead probably wasn¡¯t as threatening as a group of insurgents with AKs or a Sentinel Lindwyrm, but it sure as hell topped them in terms of creepiness. ¡°Let¡¯s fall back to the containment unit room,¡± Henry ordered. They retraced their steps quickly and without incident. The sounds faded behind them, but the unease they left in their wake remained. Once they reached the relative safety of the containment unit room, Henry took up a position near the entrance. ¡°Yen, get the Black Hornet in the air. We need to know what we¡¯re dealing with.¡± Isaac wasted no time as he prepped the nano drone for launch. Hopefully, the profile of the small helicopter drone would be enough to allow it to sneak through undetected. The device powered up, rotors spinning as it lifted from Isaac¡¯s palm. With deft taps on his wrist control, Isaac directed the Black Hornet through the doorway into the stasis chamber. Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. Henry watched the drone feed¡¯s camera feed on his HUD, jaw clenched tight as the device navigated the rows of stasis pods. The thermal imaging revealed little. The stasis platforms seemed to produce no excess heat, as if neither the machinery nor the creatures suspended within the fields existed. Suddenly, the feed focused on a large, shape crouched over a smaller heat signature. As the drone drew closer, the details became clearer ¨C it was an arachnid figure, akin to a very large spider and easily the size of a desk, feasting on the remains of the furry creature they had seen earlier. Henry noted the creature¡¯s size and behavior, calculating the potential threat it posed to the team. Observing the creature¡¯s aggressive dismantling of the prey and the apparent liquefaction associated with its feeding, Henry suspected it might employ ambush tactics, akin to terrestrial trapdoor spiders. In fact, it looked familiar¡­ almost like a ¨C ¡°Spiranid,¡± Sera muttered, finishing Henry¡¯s thoughts. ¡°Though, I can¡¯t say I¡¯ve ever seen a Spiranid that looks quite like this.¡± ¡°This appears to be a primal form of Spiranid, potentially a precursor to the species we¡¯re familiar with today,¡± Dr. Anderson pointed out. ¡°I¡¯m not as well versed as Dr. Perdue, but the segmentation of the abdomen and structure of its mandibles don¡¯t match Spiranid documentation from the Adventurer¡¯s Guild.¡± ¡°Wonder how different these ones are¡­¡± Ron said. The drone continued its sweep, revealing two more stasis chambers ahead. Each room was crawling with more of the spiders, cocoons of their unfortunate victims tucked away in the corners. The smallest were the size of stools, while the largest were as big as couches. Henry counted at least ten in each room, noting their general positions. As the drone pressed on, it entered a larger area, one devoid of stasis platforms. In the center of the room, the camera picked up a large, webbed-up structure that looked like it could be a power unit. Surrounding it were several large, pulsating masses that could only be eggs, visible even in the low light. Henry brought his hand up, expanding the feed with his fingers. If that was the power source for this section of the facility, then those eggs were a problem. Clearing those eggs was crucial before even thinking about restoring power. Just as he was about to give the order to recall the drone, the feed suddenly cut out. The last image seared into Henry¡¯s mind ¨C a massive, segmented leg filling the screen. ¡°Damn,¡± he muttered, tightening his grip on his shotgun. ¡°We¡¯ve got a big one in there. Could be damn near the size of a truck, at least.¡± ¡°At least we got a map of the area,¡± Isaac said, uploading a basic layout of the rooms to their HUDs. Henry glanced at the map at the top left of his heads-up display, which showed the rooms ahead and blue dots representing his team. ¡°Alright, listen up. Stasis chambers first. Yen, get a new drone up. Owens, Hayes ¨C flank security. Sera, Kelmithus, with me. Power room is the OBJ once we¡¯ve cleared out the rooms. Sera, focus on the smaller targets. Leave the larger targets for our guns. We¡¯ll try to minimize collateral damage as best we can. Kelmithus, focus on shielding and temperature: if these are anything like the spiders back home, extreme cold should slow them down a bit. Think you can manage that?¡± Kelmithus nodded. ¡°It shall be as the Lindwyrm¡¯s magic. How great a chill must I summon?¡± Henry gave it some thought. Their envirosuits were rated for extreme conditions, from the freezing Arctic to the void of space. The Gatebuilders¡¯ technology could probably handle it as well. He figured Kelmithus could go all out. ¡°As cold as possible, as quickly as possible. We¡¯ll build up our tactical advantage; we push in after the temperature drops below freezing.¡± ¡°Once we reach the power room, our priority will be to neutralize the suspected queen and clear out the eggs. Expect CQB. Use the environment, maintain spacing, watch crossfire. Doc, identify any manual controls or interfaces. We¡¯ll breach the rooms with flashbangs; no frags. Check your gear and we¡¯ll head in.¡± Everyone gave nods or thumbs up, signaling their readiness. Henry raised his shotgun. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± The archmage took a deep breath, focusing his energy as he approached the doorway. Henry watched as Kelmithus raised his staff, a faint blue glow emanating from its orb. The air around them began to cool rapidly, evident from a thin layer of frost that formed on the metal surfaces. As the temperature dropped, the corresponding icon on his HUD declined, finally plummeting below 30 Fahrenheit. Kelmithus lowered his staff, the blue glow fading. ¡°It is done,¡± he announced. Henry signaled to Ron and Ryan, who were already stacked up on either side of the door. They acknowledged with sharp nods, waiting for the countdown. He held up three fingers, counting down silently. Three, two, one¡­ As Henry¡¯s pinky went down, Ron and Ryan pushed through, their weapons sweeping the corners and potential hiding spots as they cleared the immediate area. Henry and the rest of the team entered the chamber. The spider¡¯s must¡¯ve retreated into the depths of the room, hoping to get away from the freezing temperatures as best they could. He noticed a glint of webbing tucked away in the far reaches of the room, near a light source. ¡°Sera, take point. Kel, lights,¡± Henry ordered with a hushed tone. More orbs of light brightened the chamber. The soft tapping and stridulating from earlier had ceased, leaving an eerie silence. The stasis fields didn¡¯t seem to be affected by the chill, their surfaces unblemished by frost, or any other indication of the freezing temperatures. They didn¡¯t radiate heat, but he wondered if the Spiranids would¡¯ve gravitated to them anyway, due to the faint light they gave. Suddenly, a dark shape lunged from behind one of the active stasis fields, skittering towards them with alarming speed. Sera reacted instinctively, cleaving the dog-sized spider in two with almost no effort. The creature didn¡¯t even have time to cry out, silenced by the sheer speed of its death. Then, more jumped at them. ¡°Contact!¡± Henry called out, already moving to acquire a target rushing at them from the right side. He reacted instinctively, his shotgun snapping up as he squeezed the trigger. The blast echoed in the confined space, the buckshot tearing into the Spiranid¡¯s carapace. It let out a high-pitched shriek, ichor splattering the ground as it thrashed. Henry blasted it again, following up in quick succession. Sera whirled to her left, a blast of wind magic sending a pair of smaller Spiranids crashing into the wall. They twitched and went limp, their exoskeletons cracked. It seemed the stool-sized ones were fragile; he guessed that a basic stomp would be enough to neutralize them. The larger ones, however, seemed to soak damage much better than their miniature counterparts. More Spiranids emerged from the shadows, scuttling along the walls and ceiling. Henry heard more weapons fire ¨C powerful shotgun blasts, the dull cracks of an M7, and even the sound of someone¡¯s M18. It was apparently Kelmithus, taking shots at a Spiranid that he¡¯d impaled with an icicle. The sight of an archmage in an envirosuit ¨C wielding a staff in one hand and a gun in the other ¨C was certainly a sight to behold. If he had to sum it up in one word, he¡¯d say it was unreal. Maybe even badass. As unique as the scene was, he was sure he¡¯d probably see more of it in the future. He kept the surprise in the back of his mind as he took down another Spiranid, this one the size of a desk and managing to eat a shot directly to the face. A quick burst from Ron¡¯s M7 took it down. That was the last one, for now. Henry signaled his team to move forward, reloading as they used the stasis fields for cover. He could hear the skittering of more Spiranids ahead, their shapes darting between platforms near the entrance to the next room. He held up a fist, signaling his team to hold position. ¡°Yen, Hayes, flank left,¡± he whispered into his comm. ¡°Owens, with me. Everyone else, cover us.¡± The arrows on his HUD spread out as his team moved to comply. Henry and Ron advanced slowly, their weapons trained on the gaps between the stasis units. The skittering grew louder. He didn¡¯t know if spiders were capable of emotion, but if they were, the sounds now suggested they must¡¯ve been completely pissed off. As they reached the end of the row, Henry prepared a countdown. On one, he and Ron swung around the corner, weapons at the ready. Four large Spiranids crouched behind the stasis platforms. Their glowing red eyes gave the impression of rage, mandibles clicking like a bunch of angry crickets on steroids. Yeah, they were definitely pissed off. Henry didn¡¯t hesitate. He aimed at the nearest one and squeezed the trigger, the shotgun bucking in his hands as the buckshot tore into the creature¡¯s carapace. Ron fired simultaneously, hitting the closest target with a burst before quickly transitioning to the next. The monstrous spiders shrieked, their exoskeletons shattering under the onslaught of lead. Ichor splattered the walls and slid off the active stasis fields, pooling in sickly green puddles. But one of them, larger than the others, didn¡¯t want to go down easy. It lunged forward, faster than something that size had any right to move. It slammed into Ron, sending him sprawling. The creature then set its sights on Henry, its mandibles looking like it could crush the envirosuit plating. Henry brought his shotgun to bear on the Spiranid¡¯s head and fired. The creature reeled back, its face pockmarked with small holes from the pellets that struck it. Yet, it didn¡¯t seem to be enough. Before he could get a second shot off, a blast of frigid air engulfed the creature. It screeched, its movements slowing as frost coated its exoskeleton. Sera stepped forward, her hand outstretched as the glow of magic faded from her gloved fingers. Henry took the opening. He stepped in close, pressing the barrel of his Benelli M4 against the Spiranid¡¯s frozen head and pulled the trigger. The blast shattered its carapace like a hammer through ice, fragments of frozen chitin tinkling to the floor. The Spiranid slumped over, its legs twitching in its final moments. ¡°Clear?¡± Henry called out, scanning the room. ¡°Clear,¡± came the response from Isaac and Ryan, who had circled around to the other side. Henry helped Ron to his feet, checking him over for injuries. Thankfully, his envirosuit only appeared to have minor scratches ¨C nothing that breached inside. ¡°You good?¡± he asked. ¡°Yeah,¡± Ron grunted, rolling his shoulder. ¡°Tough bastard caught me by surprise. Feel like a damn pinata today.¡± ¡°What doesn¡¯t kill ya, am I right?¡± Henry remarked, suppressing a smile as Ron gave an annoyed sigh. He clapped Ron on the shoulder before turning to face the battlefield. The floor was littered with Spiranid corpses, their ichor pooling on the metal. It was quite a mess; hopefully the collection personnel wouldn¡¯t mind. The various parts here should be more than enough to satisfy Dr. Perdue for a while. ¡°Alright,¡± Henry called out. ¡°Let¡¯s keep moving. We¡¯ve got more rooms to clear.¡± As they regrouped, Henry checked his Holding Bag to keep track of his ammo expenditure. He still had enough to clear out a dozen more rooms if he needed to, thanks to the Holding Bag¡¯s capacity. The standard buckshot worked well against the Spiranids, but sometimes he¡¯d need to shoot two, maybe three times to take down one of the bigger ones. The white phosphorus ammo would definitely perform better, but these were hard to come by. After all, this ammo wasn¡¯t supposed to exist or be in use anymore. He guessed he¡¯d rather save them for the upcoming ¡® boss fight.¡¯ Kelmithus had already moved toward the next chamber, staff glowing with an icy power. The team took up positions, ready to breach as soon as the temperature dropped. The process was repeated, the cold slowing the Spiranids¡¯ reactions as Henry and his team stormed the room. They moved from chamber to chamber, the routine becoming almost mechanical. Kelmithus would cool the room, they would breach, and the Spiranids would fall under a hail of lead and magic. By the time they reached the final chamber, Henry¡¯s stomach was growling from the constant effort ¨C and he really needed to take a piss. The job was almost done. The stasis chambers were clear, the immediate threat neutralized. As the team took a moment to catch their breath and regroup, Henry noticed Sera approaching him. She had a pensive look on her face, as if wrestling with a thought. ¡°Captain, might I have a word?¡± she asked. Henry turned to her, his brow furrowed slightly in concern. ¡°Of course, Sera. What¡¯s up?¡± Sera hesitated for a moment, seeming to choose her words carefully. ¡°Fighting alongside your party¡­ ¡®tis a far cry from what I¡¯m accustomed to. Your coordination is impressive.¡± Henry nodded. ¡°Standard procedure for us. Having magic on our side though, it¡¯s taken things to a whole new level. Those ice blasts? Damn handy.¡± ¡°You mentioned that the ¡®offer¡¯s always open¡¯. Being with you ¨C¡± she cleared her throat, ¡°Fighting alongside you all... ¡®Tis given me pause¡­ about your offer.¡± Henry raised an eyebrow. ¡°Oh? Thought you weren¡¯t really interested in joining up.¡± ¡°I have dabbled,¡± she admitted, ¡°Yet beholding what we may accomplish jointly¡­ it compels me to rethink.¡± Sure, Sera knew how to fight, but she wasn¡¯t a soldier. Henry regarded her carefully. ¡°It¡¯s a big decision. We operate differently than Adventurers. More structure, more rules.¡± Sera scoffed. ¡°Rules, I can abide. ¡®Tis just¡­¡± She hesitated, looking away for a moment. "Joining your team, it would change things. For me.¡± Henry nodded. ¡°Yeah, it would. But y¡¯know, you¡¯d still be you. Your skills, your magic¡­ that doesn¡¯t change. You¡¯d just be applying them in a new way.¡± Sera looked up at him, her eyes telling him all of her concerns without the sound of a single word. It was obvious ¨C she had been a solo adventurer for so long, and joining Alpha Team was a huge shift. However, Henry could also see that her time with them was probably the most exciting experience she¡¯d had in a while, perhaps ever. Sera¡¯s eyes then grew determined. ¡°I¡­ I have decided. Seldom have I bound my lot with that of others. I oft find Adventurers distrustful, but I see now that it was a mistake to see you as I did others. Might I join your party? Would you accept me into Alpha Team?¡± Henry offered a smile. ¡°Sera, you¡¯re one hell of a fighter and a valuable asset to any team. I¡¯d be honored to have you join us, but it¡¯s not entirely my decision to make.¡± Sera tilted her head. ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°Well, I am the leader of Alpha Team, but I still need to answer to my superiors back at Armstrong,¡± Henry explained. ¡°Specifically, General Harding. Yeah, we¡¯re a Party of Adventurers, but above that, we¡¯re a military unit. So, the General¡¯s the one who gives the final approval on any new members.¡± Sera nodded. ¡°I understand. And when might we seek his approval?¡± ¡°After we finish this mission and return to base,¡± Henry said. ¡°I¡¯ll vouch for you, and I¡¯m sure the General will see the value in having you on the team. For now though, we¡¯ve got other matters to focus on.¡± ¡°Right. The secrets of the Gatebuilders await.¡± With a nod, Henry turned back to the others. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s get this done. We¡¯ll sort out the rest later.¡± As they rejoined the team, Henry noticed Isaac on his wrist controls, monitoring his HUD while tapping away. ¡°What¡¯s our status?¡± he asked. Isaac glanced up, sharing a live feed to Henry¡¯s HUD. ¡°See for yourself. Looks grim, Captain. Almost twenty hostiles, and¡­¡± He paused, ¡°Think there¡¯s another contact by that central obelisk. Bringing the drone around to get a better visual.¡± The power room was expansive, centered around what appeared to be the main¡­ generator? Encircling it were several pulsating masses resembling eggs. Shadowed corners revealed distinct Spiranid silhouettes, with one form dominating the others in size. Just as the Spiranid Queen came into view, a string of white darted toward the display, the feed jostling as the drone was caught in what appeared to be a web. The Queen approached the camera, giving a menacing chitter as it crushed the drone under one of its legs. Henry crossed his arms as the feed went dark. ¡°Damn, that shit¡¯s big,¡± he muttered. Turning to his team, he started his briefing, ¡°Alright, we¡¯ve got visual confirmation on a Spiranid Queen in there, plus about 20 smaller Spiranids. Hayes, switch to Whiskey Pete. Everyone else, check your gear, standby for breach.¡± Ryan gave an amused grunt. ¡°Been waitin¡¯ for a chance to break out these beauties,¡± he murmured, sliding the white phosphorous-tipped shells into his shotgun. Henry turned to Ron. ¡°Owens, you¡¯re on point with the Gustaf. On breach, engage the Queen. Prioritize the cephalothorax.¡± Catching Ron¡¯s confused expression through his visor, Henry continued, ¡°Uh, the head and neck area. Hopefully, we neutralize it quickly.¡± Ron nodded, pulling a launcher out of his Holding Bag. ¡°Solid copy.¡± Henry addressed the rest of his team. ¡°Everyone else, focus on the smaller Spiranids. Nades and suppressive fire the moment we step in. Watch your angles, control your bursts. Keep them away from the central unit; we don¡¯t wanna accidentally make a reactor go critical. Kel, you¡¯ve been throwing out a lot of magic. You good to chill the room ahead?¡± Kelmithus gripped his staff. ¡°Fear not, Captain. I yet have abundant reserves of mana.¡± ¡°Solid,¡± Henry acknowledged. ¡°Sera, you¡¯re our wildcard. Move smart, watch crossfire, and stay vocal.¡± Sera unsheathed her sword. ¡°Understood, Captain.¡± Henry checked his Benelli M4 one last time. ¡°Alright, stack up. Kel, work your magic. Breach on my mark.¡± Henry watched the temperature drop, the warm colors on infrared giving way to the chilling blues. They were so close to finally unraveling the mysteries of the Gatebuilders. They¡¯d dealt with the imposing Sentinel Lindwyrm outside; now, only the monstrous arachnid ahead stood in their way. As the room¡¯s temperature dipped below freezing, Henry initiated the countdown. Three, two, one¡­ execute. Chapter 16: Power Play Three, two, one... execute. Ron peeked around the corner, his M4E1 Carl Gustaf already loaded with standard HEAT rounds. The rest of Alpha Team stacked up behind him or behind Ryan, who was on the other side of the doorway. Through the opening, they could see a nightmarish tangle of webs and egg sacs, with the skittering shapes of Spiranids lurking in the shadows in the far corners of the room. The Queen was positioned in the center of the room, completely exposed by a cluster of eggs. Henry watched as Ron leveled his Gustaf, taking aim at the Queen while they stayed along the wall to ensure Ron¡¯s backblast was clear. It should have been an easy kill, but a flicker of movement caught Henry¡¯s eye. A blob of white flew across his vision, smacking into Ron just as he fired his weapon. The thick strands of webbing bypassed Kelmithus¡¯ shielding and wrapped around him, sending him flying back a couple of meters. He landed on his back, his body and launcher completely stuck to the floor by the condensed silk. Around the same time, the Gustaf¡¯s projectile struck the Queen¡¯s abdomen section. The resulting blast tore through its exoskeleton but was far from a fatal blow. The Queen shrieked, a sound far deeper than Henry expected. ¡°Fuck!¡± Ron shouted, struggling to break free from the webbing. Henry exhaled. They were a man down, but helping him had to wait; the not-dead Queen and its minions took precedence. It would be great if he had another launcher in his own Holding Bag, but that was something he¡¯d have to bring up to Chief Cole later. Henry tossed his grenades into the room, the pops mingling with the screeches of injured Spiranids. Ryan struck simultaneously, throwing his own collection into the mix. Like firecrackers, the explosives were violent but short-lived. As the chaos subsided, Henry pushed in. Raising his shotgun, he tore through a Spiranid that pounced at him, its carcass smoldering from the white phosphorous. Beside him, Isaac, Ryan, and Dr. Anderson¡¯s shots rang out, tearing through their own sectors of fire. Almost immediately upon their entry, the Queen surged forward with terrifying speed. It reared its head back like it was about to vomit, mandibles covered in a sick, yellowish color. Henry recognized immediately what it was trying to do. ¡°Acid, move!¡± Henry dove away from his previous position, taking a shot at another Spiranid that had taken the opportunity to jump at him while its master was preparing to attack. He narrowly escaped the lethal spray as it jetted toward him. The acid splattered on the ground where they had stood not even a second before, sizzling fiercely as it corroded the thick webbing sprawled across the floor. He noticed as he ran that, rather curiously, the acid was simply puddling on the floor. There was no damage to the floor itself, but if it could tear apart high-quality monster silk just like that, he didn¡¯t want to find out what it could do to an envirosuit. Henry glanced back after blasting apart his third Spiranid. His teammates were fine ¨C Ryan helping him keep the Queen¡¯s attention, Sera already on her way to Ron, and the others taking care of the smaller Spiranids. He tried to get a quick headcount of how many Spiranids they¡¯d already eliminated. Between their guns, Kelmithus¡¯ magic, and the grenades, he estimated they had killed at least a dozen so far. Solid progress, but the fact that they weren¡¯t able to take out the Queen with their first strike was an issue. Henry rolled to his left as the Queen pounced on his previous position. It was fucking fast, like a Goliath birdeater but scaled up ¨C and with nasty abilities that really shouldn¡¯t belong on a creature like this. He recovered quickly and took aim, firing point-blank into its thorax. The white phosphorous pellets hissed as they burned into its exoskeleton, forcing it back. Beside him, Ryan¡¯s shotgun boomed. He struck the Queen¡¯s legs, which seemed to be more fragile than the thick exoskeleton surrounding the head and thorax. The pellets bit into the chitin, likely striking a nerve as evidenced by the leg¡¯s subsequent buckling and collapse. It was a lucky shot ¨C one that he doubted they could repeat four or five more times. ¡°Sera, use my knife! Here, right here!¡± Ron called out. Sera¡¯s sword must¡¯ve been too large to effectively cut through the webbing. They had to hurry up. He and Ryan had been dodging the Queen¡¯s attacks, but mostly by a hair¡¯s breadth. All it took was one lucky hit from the Queen to put them out of commission, possibly for good. ¡°Sera, status on Ron?¡± ¡°One minute!¡± she responded. Damn. That was one minute later than he¡¯d hoped. Reacting instinctively, Henry noted the Queen raising one of its legs ¨C a sure sign of it preparing for another attack. The Queen struck again, this time cleaving the air with the leg, aiming to corral him into a predictable escape route. As its leg swept through the air, Henry caught sight of the Queen rearing its head back in a grotesque mimicry of a snake about to strike ¨C another acid attack. Anticipating the monster¡¯s strategy, Henry feinted to the right, a move he hoped would mislead it about his true intentions. As the Queen¡¯s head followed his feint, Henry twisted sharply, scraping against the rough ground. With a powerful push from his legs, he launched backward just as the Queen unleashed its attack. Acid spewed forth in a wide arc, splattering where he had just been. The corrosive globs almost instantly melted the webbing on the floor, collecting into pools. And there was the second issue. The longer this fight dragged on, the less room they¡¯d have to maneuver. Henry unloaded into the creature¡¯s compound eyes before tossing a flashbang near its legs. The creature staggered backward, blinded in both its eyes and its sensory hairs. Henry used the precious few seconds he bought to reload his weapon and check up on his team. ¡°Yen, sitrep?¡± ¡°Stragglers neutralized; we¡¯re moving to you now.¡± Automatic gunfire erupted as Isaac and Dr. Anderson joined the fight against the Queen, dumping their mags on the creature¡¯s head. The 6.8mm seemed to penetrate well, but he could say the same if they fought an elephant; the Spiranid Queen was simply too large for the relatively small caliber rounds to have any effect besides pissing it off. The Queen lunged again, its legs surrounding him from all sides. There was only one way out, and it was through the belly of the beast. Henry rushed forward, ducking under the Queen¡¯s mandibles as he slid underneath its abdomen. He fired his shotgun as quickly as he could, unloading pellets into the beast¡¯s underbelly. The white phosphorous scorched the softer flesh, drawing a shriek of pain from the massive creature. As the Queen writhed under the relentless assault, Ryan and the others seized the moment to reload their weapons and reposition. They poured everything they had into the creature¡¯s cephalothorax, bluish ichor oozing from the hundreds of new wounds that they opened up. Yet, it was like chipping away at a mountain ¨C it simply wasn¡¯t enough. The creature thrashed around violently in response; Henry knew it was only a matter of time before it landed a hit on someone. And land a hit it did. With a terrifying swiftness, one of its massive legs slammed into Henry¡¯s chest, launching him backward. The shield Kelmithus cast on him flickered as it absorbed the brunt of the impact. He crashed into an egg sac by the entrance ¨C its membrane ruptured on impact, drenching him in a sticky, corrosive slime. The sac provided little cushion, and he hit the ground hard, the breath knocked out of him. Pain flared across Henry¡¯s chest where the Queen¡¯s leg had struck him. Gasping for breath and battling the encroaching blackness in his vision, he instinctively checked his envirosuit. He started with the areas he could see, glancing down at his chest. It was visibly deformed, dented but not quite a gash. Still intact, thank goodness. No breach, but another hit like that would be disastrous. He breathed a sigh of relief, his chest hurting like hell as he did so. He checked his sides and back. Parts of his suit were covered in slime from the egg sac. It didn¡¯t seem as corrosive as the Queen¡¯s acid, but it was still a hazard. Quickly, he swiped at it, removing as much as possible with his gloved hands to prevent further damage. He forced himself up, grabbing his shotgun from the floor. The Queen was already barreling toward him, the damn monster not letting up. He didn¡¯t have time to make a run for it; he needed to jump to one side or the other, and the timing needed to be perfect. Just as the Queen¡¯s shadow engulfed him, the air turned icy cold, frost creeping up on his visor. Ice formed from thin air, spearing up from the ground and piercing through the Queen¡¯s legs. The spikes rooted the beast in place. Not one to waste an opportunity, Henry dashed away from the entrance, firing at the immobilized giant spider as he linked up with the others. ¡°Sera?¡± Henry asked again. Sera¡¯s voice came in strained. ¡°Almost¡­¡± Then, with a triumphant shout, she announced the word Henry had been desperate to hear. ¡°Done!¡± ¡°Owens!¡± Henry said, risking a glance back. Ron had already grabbed his Gustaf and was in the process of loading another HEAT round. ¡°On it!¡± Henry grinned. It was a relief, to be sure. With Ron free and back in the fight, the odds had just tipped heavily in their favor. The Queen was tough, but it wasn¡¯t invincible; they just needed an opening. Given the damage the Queen sustained to its body, Henry couldn¡¯t imagine it being in peak fighting condition. Even in its weakened state, though, it still had the capability to dodge Ron¡¯s attack, and it seemed to be saving its web ability for that very inevitability. ¡°Take out the legs!¡± Henry ordered. They combined their fire on the left legs, since Ryan managed to break one of them earlier. He heard a crack that might¡¯ve been the chitin giving way or the leg snapping, but it was hard to tell. He was just about to chalk it up to the prevailing gunfire around them, but then he saw it: a brief stumble. The Queen recovered quickly, but it was clear to Henry that it wouldn¡¯t be able to manage any more damage to its legs. Then, he noticed a blur in his peripheral vision to his right, moving so fast his eyes could barely keep up. Shit, he was certain he kept track of the Queen¡¯s movements. With the existing damage to his envirosuit, he¡¯d be completely fucked. He braced himself for another impact, but it never came. As he focused harder on the blur, he caught a glimpse of a flash of light that could only be one thing ¨C Sera¡¯s sword, And, just like a flash of lightning, she had already cleared the vicinity of the Queen. The Queen¡¯s foreleg seemed to simply vanish, severed so cleanly that it took a moment for the beast to realize what had happened. When it did, it let out a screech of pain, its balance faltering as it tried to adapt to the sudden change. While Henry focused on taking out another leg from the left side, Sera had already shifted to her next target. Their assault was brutal: white phosphorus pellets and hard-hitting 6.8mm on one side, ice magic and skilled swordsmanship on the other. And to think, they managed to inflict all this damage by the time Ron completed his reload. ¡°Clear the way!¡± Ron called out, his Gustaf aimed right at the Queen¡¯s head. Henry jumped back, watching as Kelmithus conjured another set of ice spikes to root the beast again, in case the five obliterated legs weren¡¯t enough to keep it down. The Queen thrashed against the icy bonds, its remaining legs slashing through the air in a frenzied bid for freedom. It spat acid ¨C a tactic that would¡¯ve worked effectively on most other materials, but instead simply got diluted with the melting ice. Even as the acid reacted with the ice, the spikes held firm, anchoring the beast in place like steel cables. Henry¡¯s heart pounded in his ears. Come on, Owens, he urged silently. Take the shot. As if on cue, Ron pulled the trigger. The Gustaf bucked in his hands as the HEAT round streaked towards its target. Henry barely had time to brace himself before the explosion hit, the shockwave slamming into him and nearly toppling him over. He staggered back, gazing into the settling dust. When the smoke cleared, the Queen¡¯s head was obliterated ¨C replaced by a gory mess of shattered chitin and pulverized flesh. Blood sprayed from the gaping hole, covering the ground in a pale blue hue. The creature¡¯s body convulsed, its remaining legs scrabbling weakly at their surroundings. A surge of triumph washed over Henry, but it was fleeting. From the corner of his eye, he locked on to a glimpse of movement. One of the Queen¡¯s legs continued to spasmodically jerk around and spray the ground with blue ichor. He raised his shotgun in a nonchalant motion and blasted the errant limb, watching as it shuddered and went still. Sera stepped up, her sword barely catching the light as she jammed it into what was left of the Queen¡¯s thorax. A sharp twist, and it was over. She then yanked the blade from the carcass, her grip shifting subtly along the hilt. As she flicked the sword, frost swiftly coated the ichor clinging to the metal. The frozen debris was flung off, hitting the ground and shattering like glass. He glanced down at his Holding Bag. Damn, the fight took out most of his shells. Swapping out his shotgun for his M7, he turned to his team and took stock of their condition. It seemed everyone had mostly gone unscathed, only debris and dirt scarring their envirosuits. Well, except for himself and Ron. ¡°Think we¡¯re gonna have to start calling you pinata now,¡± Henry said, clapping his friend on the shoulder. Ron scoffed. ¡°Yeah? Says the runner-up,¡± he said, tapping the dent on Henry¡¯s envirosuit. ¡°Better ¡®pinata¡¯ than ¡®roadkill¡¯, though. But seriously, what¡¯s next? Don¡¯t even know where to start.¡± The room was empty, save for the debris strewn about and the singular obelisk standing in the center of the room. He didn¡¯t notice it earlier, but as he got closer, he realized that the obelisk emitted a faint light that barely escaped the canopy of webs. He looked it up and down before turning to the others. ¡°Only one place to start. Let¡¯s clear out the webs, see what¡¯s hiding below.¡± ¡°Doc, Kel, clear out the eggs. Hayes, Sera, see if the Queen¡¯s got anything useful. Everyone else focus on the webs,¡± Henry ordered. Ron drew his knife and started slicing through the dense cobwebs. ¡°Hey, what y¡¯all think the Queen¡¯s Tier is?¡± Isaac paused to consider. ¡°Eh, Tier 8, probably. Minotaur boss and Rillifane boss were both Tier 8, so I¡¯d say the spider¡¯s around the same level.¡± ¡°Well, the resilience of the specimen isn¡¯t a definitive measure of the Tier,¡± Dr. Anderson pointed out. ¡°It¡¯s quite possible that we merely had the most suitable tools at hand in this particular encounter.¡± ¡°The scholar speaks truly,¡± Sera agreed. ¡°There is nary a defining criterion; defense is but one of many that are considered by the Guild. Were it so simple, Kelmithus and I would have attained Tier 9 ere now.¡± ¡°So, what do you think the Queen is, then? Tier 7 maybe?¡± Ron asked. Henry shook his head. Tier 7 didn¡¯t seem accurate. Using his knife to scrape some of the webbing off his glove, he voiced, ¡°Spiranids are weak in general, but are classified as Tier 5 or higher because of their traps, ambush tactics, numbers, and abilities. Archers can use Wind Snipe and mages can use wide-area spellcasting, but they can¡¯t reliably penetrate the exoskeleton¡¯s armor. If anything, this is probably on the lower end of Tier 9.¡± ¡°Tier 9, huh?¡± Isaac muttered. Sera smiled as she stood back. She stuffed a frost-covered gland into her holding bag and paused from her work as she chimed in, ¡°Hmm¡­ how keen. I expected nothing less from the first Tier 6 entrants in Eldralore¡¯s history! It shows plain why the Guild did so swiftly raise you.¡± ¡°Hah,¡± Henry chuckled. It was an amusing thought, but¡­ ¡°Say, ya think we can get to Tier 7 after this?¡± Sera¡¯s eyebrows shot up. ¡°Tier 7? A mark of no slight merit. What have you achieved since attaining Tier 6?¡± Henry reached to scratch his chin, then cursed softly as his glove thudded against his visor. ¡°Well, we took down a Rillifane pack, a Sentinel Lindwyrm, and now this primal Spiranid Queen. That¡¯s not too shabby, eh?¡± ¡°Firm victories,¡± Sera admitted, ¡°but advancement weighs more than battle alone. The Guild also considers quest difficulty, knowledge gained therefrom, and impact ¨C in other words, glory.¡± ¡°The Baranthurian Ruins,¡± Dr. Anderson blurted, taking the words out of Henry¡¯s mouth. He turned to Kelmithus, who approached them after confirming that the eggs had been cleared out. ¡°Surely, working with the Sanctum Arcanum must be quite the honour. The Guild holds their quests with high esteem, wouldn¡¯t you say?¡± Kelmithus nodded, burning a clump of disposed webs on the ground. ¡°True as that may be, advancement oft hinges upon the cumulative experience of dozens of quests.¡± ¡°Well, ain¡¯t no small feats for us lately,¡± Ryan remarked. ¡°The quest to the Baranthurian ruins, what was it, Tier 8? Yeah, that was Tier 8. Sentinel Lindwyrm? Hell, Tier Nine. That there beast?¡± Ryan pointed his gun at the carcass of the Spiranid Queen. ¡°Tier 9 as well.¡± Ron interjected, ¡°Plus we¡¯ve been helping out along the way, like those villagers, and taking on quests others won¡¯t touch. Honestly, the Hardale quest should be pretty weighty too, considering the Nobian shenanigans.¡± Sera hummed, mulling over Alpha Team¡¯s experiences. The fact that most of their quests at Tier 6 had essentially been Tier 7 quests or higher in difficulty was probably unheard of in the Guild. Not only that, but they¡¯d been able to complete these difficult quests successfully. Hell, with flying colors, even. That had to count for something. Henry looked over at Sera, stepping back as he allowed Kelmithus to dispose of the webs that he had cleared out. ¡°So, whaddya think? Based on what we¡¯ve done, you think we got a shot at Tier 7?¡± Sera looked up at the ceiling as she weighed her response. ¡°Ehh, you¡¯ve a strong case. Alas, it¡¯s Taldren¡¯s call to make. His favor seems yours, though; I wager he¡¯ll agree.¡± Henry grinned. Moving up meant they could have access to more quests. Naturally, that also meant better rewards and in turn, access to some truly magical equipment. ¡°Good to hear. Guess we¡¯ll see to it once we get back to Eldralore. Now, we should probably ¨C¡± A soft glow of light gradually lit up the room, interrupting Henry mid-sentence. He squinted, readying his weapon. The light came from the walls and ceiling, illuminating the once-dark chamber. The obelisk, now free of webs, now hummed¡­ healthily? It wasn¡¯t like he had a manual to tell him if this was a good or bad development, but judging from the facility¡¯s reaction, it must¡¯ve worked. Henry glanced at his HUD. The temperature readings were rising, too. The icy chill from Kelmithus¡¯ magic rapidly dissipated as the environmental controls kicked in. ¡°Well, looks like we¡¯ve done all we can here. Let¡¯s head back to the containment cell room and see if we can find anything else of interest.¡± ¨C ¨C ¨C Outskirts of GB-2, Grenden Forest Carvus Alnect Virelius narrowed his gaze toward the brightening sky, his eyes cutting through the retreating mist that had long veiled the forest¡¯s canopy. This unprecedented clarity above the ruins was strange. After centuries cloaked in an impenetrable fog, why did the skies clear now? The Umber Vicearch¡¯s mind worked like a whetstone, sharpening the fragments of reports from his scouts, cryptic as they were. The recent skirmish, occurring concurrently with the lifting fog, could not be mere happenstance. Regardless of the answer, the unexpected fold presented a welcome complexity to test his mettle. He set his thoughts aside as the sound of footsteps approached. ¡°Leuarch Eldreyn reporting, milord,¡± one of his men said. ¡°We¡¯ve word from Serarch Trelian.¡± Carvus gave him a nod to continue. Eldreyn relayed the news. ¡°The scouts espy traces of battle: a fallen Sentinel Lindwyrm and two carriages left abandoned near the cave¡¯s entrance. The land bears scars from some form of magic, strewn with strange metal tubes and other objects unknown to us. Save for the Lindwyrm, no other bodies are to be found. What are your commands, milord?¡± Carvus took a deep breath. No other bodies? Two carriages? That such a formidable creature was felled with no apparent casualties among their ranks suggested a small but extraordinarily capable force. Each member was no doubt Tier 7 at the least. The limited number of carriages implied a party not larger than ten. But¡­ what could the metal objects mean? Powerful though they might be, could such a small group withstand his numbers? Carvus entertained the thought briefly. No, direct confrontation would be unwise. The site bore secrets too vital to squander on rash gambles. Better to maneuver them into a position where the only viable option would be to comply with his demands. ¡°Hold our position, Lornus,¡± Carvus commanded. While he preferred the safety of their hidden vantage in the forest, the intrigue of Trelian¡¯s findings ¨C the slain Lindwyrm ¨C was too compelling to ignore. ¡°The contents of Trelian¡¯s report compel our own investigation. Lead us, that we might see for ourselves.¡± ¡°As you command, milord.¡± It was a short walk to the clearing. As they reached the treeline, Carvus held up a hand, signaling his men to halt ¨C they should go no further than the cover of the forest. The aftermath of the battle lay evident before them. The massive form of the Sentinel Lindwyrm sprawled near the far side of the clearing, its outline murky at a distance. Carvus squinted, adjusting his position slightly for a better view. He felt his jaw drop, a lapse in composure that surprised even him. Yet, who could fault him? The beast lay nearly torn asunder, its massive body riddled with gaping, jagged wounds that no sword or arrow could inflict. Indeed, not even traditional siege weapons or combat spells could inflict such damage. The destructive capability of fyric powder was well-known to him ¨C he had seen its use in adamantite mines. The wounds on the Lindwyrm, however, spoke of a force of another Tier entirely. Where fyric powder might clear a path through a stubborn boulder, the agent used against the Sentinel Lindwyrm seemed capable of obliterating several boulders at once, perhaps even an entire cliffside. Turning his attention from the ravaged beast, he scanned the battlefield. Among the chaos, his eyes caught the glint of metal ¨C strange tubes scattered about, all some lighter shade of bronze. The craters were blackened and littered with debris: shards of metal mixed with wires. This was clearly no ordinary skirmish. He moved closer to the tree line, cautiously examining the unfamiliar objects. The metal tubes bore no resemblance to any weapons known to Nobian forces. However, their presence here implied that somehow, these objects were related to the catastrophic wounds on the Lindwyrm. If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Near the cave¡¯s entrance, two metal carriages lay abandoned. Their exteriors were marred by dirt and marked with an array of dents that appeared to be from the Lindwyrm¡¯s armored tail. The carriages, in style and make, aligned with reports of American machines observed by their Umbercari in distant Eldralore. Mounted atop each was a long cylinder. As foreign as they were, he could tell they were weapons ¨C ones capable of unleashing formidable destruction. Adventurers throughout the ages had ventured here, all repelled by the formidable Lindwyrm that long guarded these grounds. Had it been folly to devote their resources to the conquest of their neighbors, rather than to mastering and exploiting this site? Such questions surpassed his station, yet irrespective of the answers, the Emperor would surely take no pleasure in learning that he had allowed Americans to plunder the Gatebuilder¡¯s secrets. Carvus turned to Lornus. ¡°Bid our scouts to investigate the cave.¡± As Leuarch Eldreyn departed to carry out the orders, he beckoned to one of his serarchs. ¡°Bring me one of those metal tubes. I wish to examine it.¡± He sat on a rock, watching the light bend around the man¡¯s form until he vanished from sight. The serarch then adjusted the temperature around his body, matching it to that of the forest. Were it not for the subtle shifts in the man¡¯s mana as he held the spells, Carvus would have surely lost track of him.The serarch made his way forth, passing through the trees and into the clearing beyond. With haste, he seized upon one of the tubes that lay scattered about, and then, as quick as he had come, he turned and made his way back to the forest¡¯s edge. When at last he returned, Carvus stood up and held out his hand. The tube, lighter than its solidity might have portended, was chill to the touch and was marked by a patina that showed clear signs of bending. He tried to bend it with his fingers, but the metal resisted. Even when he used magic to strengthen himself, it yielded naught but scant impression. What could have possibly moved the metal? Looking closely, he noticed that the metal wasn¡¯t bronze, as he had first thought. Though bearing a hue akin to bronze, it was of a kind unfamiliar to him. The surface was engraved with American script ¨C characters and sequences that held little meaning to him. Yet, to deem the letters ¡®engraved¡¯ would be to err; it was as if they were imprinted with a craftsmanship nary a smith could rival. He turned it over in his hands, his eyes drawn to a circular groove near the base. Examining both ends, Carvus noted the open end was distorted as if a great force had expelled something from within ¨C an insight into his previous question. The other end was sealed, marked by a small, precise indentation. He held it up, aligning it with a similarly sized hole in a nearby tree. This was no common weapon. As a trebuchet releases its load, so too must this tube have hurled its own projectile. It gave him an idea. What if one were to use an adamantite tube with fyric powder, place a keen arrowhead atop, and ignite the mixture below? Would it rival a standard Wind Snipe combined with physical enhancement magic? Carvus¡¯ thoughts were interrupted by someone calling out to him. ¡°Milord.¡± ¡°Hm?¡± He looked up, finding the face of Leuarch Franus. ¡°What is it, Martano?¡± He hesitated, as if second-guessing his words. ¡°The¡­ The Lindwyrm¡­ The men grow restless, milord. They wish to claim the spoils of this battle ¨C the Sentinel Lindwyrm¡¯s materials are prized in many a lore. And these carriages, would it not profit us to salvage what we can? They may hold more secrets ¨C or riches.¡± He turned the leuarch¡¯s words over in his mind as he would a well-worn coin. In truth, the idea held merit. Even the smallest measure of a Lindwyrm¡¯s blood was a treasure beyond compare ¨C to say nothing of the other materials, sought after by alchemists and smiths alike. That the Americans had forgone harvest was a curious thing indeed. Could it be that they were ignorant of the creature¡¯s true worth? Or perhaps, had they found something more valuable? And then there were the carriages, gleaming in the sun like ripe fruit waiting to be plucked. If they could but glean some understanding of how the Americans had so deftly slain a beast of the Lindwyrm¡¯s standing, it would surely prove a boon to the Empire¡¯s own martial pursuits. Perhaps, armed with such knowledge, they might at last gain the upper hand against the accursed Sonarans. Carvus cast his gaze once more upon the clearing, then turned to face Martano. ¡°Aye,¡± he said. ¡°Let it be so.¡± Yet, as he made to step forth, a low, droning sound beckoned his attention ¨C a buzzing hum that seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere at once. The unfamiliar noise compelled him to halt. He raised his hand, stopping his men as he searched for the noise. He tilted his head skyward, squinting as he beheld a strange sight: a winged thing hanging in the air above the clearing, like an animal circling its prey. As the sunlight reflected off its surface, it became evident to him that this was no creature of flesh, but a machine ¨C much like the metal carriages. ¡°Hold,¡± Carvus ordered. ¡°We dare not venture forth.¡± Martano stepped forward, doubt and confusion etched across his face. ¡°But, milord, if we shroud ourselves in invisibility, surely they cannot see us.¡± Carvus shook his head. ¡°Nay; recall the umbercari we sent to infiltrate the Duke¡¯s mansion. They, too, thought themselves hidden, yet were somehow discovered. We know not what sorcery that flying machine might possess, and we cannot risk exposing ourselves.¡±Before Martano could respond or venture any further protest, the scouts returned, led by Serarch Trelian. The search bowed his head before providing his report, ¡°Milord, the cave lies empty, and the Lindwyrm¡¯s nest remains untouched. We discovered footprints leading to a great sealed door, which we believe to be the entrance to the ruins.¡±Carvus nodded. The Americans had ventured forth and left the loot behind for a reason. He thought back to a fortress that the Empire once sacrificed to encircle the forces of the now-conquered Kingdom of Durenelle. ¡°So be it. Let us abandon these lesser spoils. As our adversaries have forgone these spoils in pursuit of greater gains, so must we sacrifice Straltus.¡± ¨C ¨C ¨C Inside GB-2 ¡°Huh, that wasn¡¯t there before,¡± Ron said, pointing to a new hole in the wall ¨C another passageway. Henry turned to look where Ron pointed. Sure enough, there was a new doorway. It must¡¯ve been a section that opened after they restored the power. ¡°Huh, yeah. Let¡¯s check it out.¡± He went through, finding a short hallway past it and another room just beyond. Henry signaled for his team to form up, preparing to breach. As they stepped in, they found themselves in a brightly lit room filled with various types of furniture ¨C empty pedestals, comfortable-looking single couches, and empty desks with opened cabinets. Henry stepped further into the room, eyeing the oddly arranged furniture. The single couches were lined up in neat rows, all facing the same direction ¨C towards the empty desks. It was like some sort of waiting room, but for what? ¡°Is it just me, or are these couches set up weird?¡± Isaac asked, voicing the question on everyone¡¯s mind. ¡°I mean, who lines up a bunch of single couches like this?¡± ¡°Strange, indeed,¡± Sera agreed. ¡°They seem arranged as though for spectators, yet naught lies before them to behold.¡± Like a movie theater, Henry thought. However, there weren¡¯t any screens or holograms to watch. If there was a clue, it would probably be within the couches themselves. Dr. Anderson approached one of the desks. ¡°Perhaps this was some sort of office or workspace? The desks and cabinets certainly suggest that.¡± Isaac then decided to touch one of the seats, eliciting no reaction. He pushed further, sitting down on one of them. At that point, the couch began to adjust its form to better suit Isaac¡¯s envirosuit, as if able to optimize its comfort for the user. Then, a nozzle slowly stretched up from the seat¡¯s headrest area, stopping just short of Isaac¡¯s neck. ¡°Woah!¡± Isaac bolted up as the nozzle bonked against his helmet. ¡°Neural interface, maybe?¡± Henry wondered. ¡°I think we should leave this to the researchers¡­ unless you wanna volunteer as a lab rat?¡± ¡°Hell nah,¡± Isaac vigorously declined the offer. ¡°Hey, there isn¡¯t anything on my helmet is there?¡± Henry dusted off the back of Isaac¡¯s helmet with his glove. ¡°Nope, you¡¯re clear. Just gotta hope it ain¡¯t grey goo.¡± He could see the dread and uncertainty through Isaac¡¯s visor. Henry gave him a pat on the shoulder. ¡°Well, think about it this way: if it really was grey goo, it would¡¯ve gotten to us ¨C or the Spiranids, for that matter ¨C long ago. C¡¯mon, let¡¯s secure the next room.¡± With a nod, Isaac fell in line behind Henry as they moved towards the doorway leading to the adjacent room. Peeking inside, it couldn¡¯t be further from the rest of the room¡¯s they had encountered so far; not at all what they could¡¯ve possibly expected inside an ancient, high-tech alien facility. It was expansive, with a layout that reminded Henry of a high-end restaurant. Comfortable booths lined the walls, while tables of varying sizes filled the central space. The furniture looked almost human ¨C perhaps even indistinguishably so. The room was tinted with a soft, cozy yellow light. The warm and inviting ambiance felt soothing compared to the clinical feel of the previous areas. The lighting, combined with the plush booths and elegant tables, gave Henry a nostalgic impression. ¡°Well, I¡¯ll be damned,¡± Ryan remarked. ¡°Think they got any cheesecakes?¡± If it wasn¡¯t for the alien decor and helping of sleek devices scattered around the room, Henry would¡¯ve thought they were back home. Hell, there was even a bar, filled with exotic liquors that could probably fetch millions at an auction ¨C or give them the trip of their lives. Beside it however was something unusual. Where he might¡¯ve expected a path leading to the kitchen, he instead found a wall with a slight, rectangular-shaped recess that was just big enough for a tray. He glanced at Isaac, who returned a knowing look. ¡°Replicators,¡± Isaac said. Henry smirked. ¡°Personally, I¡¯m partial to synthesizer, but to each their own.¡± They gathered around the wall, which didn¡¯t seem to respond to their presence. Taps on the wall didn¡¯t seem to do anything, either. Henry considered probing further, but decided against it. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s not take any chances. We¡¯ll make a note of this for the research teams to analyze later. Let¡¯s keep looking around.¡± Henry split apart from the others, pairing with Ron as they continued to walk around the room. They soon came across another doorway on the far side of the room, which opened up into a short corridor that led into multiple sets of doors. Each had a symbol on the wall beside the doors ¨C one that depicted the basic figure of a person. Ron pushed open one of the doors, taking a peek inside. ¡°Looks like even the Gatebuilders needed restrooms.¡± Finally! ¡°Alright, let¡¯s take a quick break here. Bring everyone else over.¡± Thankfully, the amenities within were easily comparable to those of modern society. The toilet looked like a toilet, and the sink resembled a sink. Even in a space as mundane as this though, the Gatebuilder¡¯s technology was evident: self-cleaning surfaces and enough technology to put a high-quality Japanese bidet toilet to shame. At least, that was just from the look of things. Henry didn¡¯t think now would be the best time to check whether the restroom had ass-washing robots or not. After a few minutes, Henry regrouped with the rest of the team around a central table in the ¡®restaurant¡¯. Dr. Anderson was already present, his archaeological kit opened and a spread of alien items organized on the table. ¡°Ah, Captain!¡± Dr. Anderson noticed him approaching. ¡°We found cabinets that weren¡¯t empty. Most of the artifacts appear to be personal effects.¡± He held up a necklace, emphasizing his point. ¡°Jewelry, memorabilia, and some other artifacts that I ¨C admittedly ¨C can¡¯t quite describe.¡± Dr. Anderson pointed his pickup tool at a small disc laid out on a padded mat. ¡°It hasn¡¯t shown any active properties yet. It¡¯s rather peculiar; it seems to be a solid disc. Lightweight, unblemished surface, no visible markings or etchings.¡± ¡°Have you tried touching it directly?¡± Henry asked. Dr. Anderson frowned, manipulating the claws of his pickup tool. ¡°Well, not directly.¡± Catching the implications in Henry¡¯s query, he continued, ¡°I¡¯ve checked for radiation, toxins ¨C all clear. While I¡¯d advise against direct contact, I¡¯d be lying if I said I wasn¡¯t the least bit curious.¡± Henry nodded. Yeah, the Doc was probably right, but what was discovery without risk? He reached out and picked it up, rotating it in his hands. As his gloved fingers brushed against the surface, the disc suddenly emitted a soft glow. Henry flinched slightly, almost dropping the disc in surprised. As he fumbled with it, the disc seemed to respond to his touch. Suddenly, a series of objects materialized on the table, appearing out of thin air. ¡°Oh, shit!¡± Ron exclaimed. ¡°It just¡­ spawned a bunch of stuff!¡± Henry stared at the new items. Several containers, probably holding some kind of food, were still sealed tight and impossibly effective at insulating its contents. It was crazy to think that the food inside might still be hot after who knows how long. Next to the containers was a bracelet. Possibly normal, possibly enchanted or integrated with technology they couldn¡¯t hope to understand. There was also a bottle of some bright blue liquid ¨C probably for drinking, but there was no way to be sure until Perdue tested it. And then there was the picture, showing a strikingly human couple, holding each other underneath a gorgeous alien sky. It reminded him of memorabilia people would sometimes keep in their wallets, though why humans were there was a mystery. The last object the disc spat out was a thin, transparent sheet. Coincidentally, it was about the same size as a smartphone. If he had to guess, it probably had the same function as one, too. ¡°Incredible,¡± Dr. Anderson gawked at the items. ¡°The disc must be the Gatebuilders¡¯ version of a wallet, somehow using dimensional storage technology!¡± ¡°Akin to the Holding Bags,¡± Kelmithus noticed. He peered into his own Holding Bag, his expression indicating that he was connecting the dots. ¡°Fascinating!¡± Dr. Anderson then inspected the image, his face reflecting the same confusion Henry felt when he first saw it. While they continued to sort through the items, Henry explored the sheet further. The moment he tapped the screen, a holographic interface sprung into existence above it. What he had initially thought was a simple hologram was something far more advanced, almost indistinguishable from reality itself. Almost instantly, they were surrounded by mountains and valleys, details springing up to form a realistic, three-dimensional map. It was like a pocket holodeck. The only anchors the projection had were the various icons and pockets of text floating around ¨C and the fact that the hologram was transparent enough for him to see his surroundings and his teammates. Sera seemed to be the most shocked out of all of them. He couldn¡¯t blame her. The sight was surprising enough for himself, who was even familiar with the concept through sci-fi; how much more alien would it seem to someone from ¨C effectively ¨C the past? ¡°I¡¯ve not beheld such a spell¡­ ever!¡± she exclaimed softly, pausing to gather her thoughts. ¡°Hold on¡­¡± she continued, pointing to the distant peaks. ¡°Why, yon mountain range! Does it not strike you as familiar?¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Ron squinted at it. ¡°Does it?¡± ¡°No, yeah, it does!¡± Isaac said. ¡°Shit, uh, is that the Ovinne Mountain Range?¡± Henry brought up the file for the Ovinne Mountain Range on his visor, comparing it to the hologram. ¡°Huh, yeah, it is. What¡¯s a map of that doing in here, though?¡± Dr. Anderson raised his hands in the air and spread them apart, mimicking a zoom. Lucky for them, the alien tech seemed to understand what they were going for. Now up close and in full detail, the Ovinne Mountain Range dominated the room. Somewhere in the mountains, an icon that looked like a pair of glasses sat right on top of a Gatebuilder tower, barely poking out of the mountainside. Ryan crossed his arms as he scrutinized the hologram. ¡°Is this what, Find My iPhone?¡± ¡°Hmm¡­ rather likely,¡± Dr. Anderson agreed. ¡°This device must be some sort of Locator.¡± ¡°Locator, huh?¡± Having this clue was an incredible breakthrough, but he noticed something else. ¡°And right where the Ovinne Mountain Campaign¡¯s supposedly taking place, at that.¡± ¡°Indeed, that you mention it, such alignment is surely noteworthy,¡± Kelmithus remarked. His voice took on a more excited note, ¡°Be it fate, perhaps?¡± Henry smirked. ¡°Hah, you¡¯re sounding a bit like Sera, now. Well, looks like fate¡¯s telling us where to go next. Let¡¯s pack this up and head back.¡± They carefully stowed the various artifacts in their holding bags, Henry holding on to the Locator. They made their way back to the locker room where they first entered, everyone excited for the next step in their mission. Henry stepped through the airlock first, emerging on the other side. As he did so, a faint sound caught his attention. It was distant, muffled, but definitely not a sound that belonged to this facility. He wanted to take off the envirosuit, but it seemed that had to wait. Ron came through the airlock after him. ¡°Bro, you think ¨C¡± Henry held up a hand, stopping him short. He raised his weapon, picking up on the ¡®something¡¯s not right¡¯ vibe. Activating his infrared vision and using the laser mounted on his M7, Henry searched for signs of thermal distortions, just like he¡¯d done back at Duke Vancor¡¯s mansion. Ron did the same. As the rest of the team emerged from the airlock, they quickly caught on to the situation. Without a word, they joined them in securing the room. After clearing the locker room, Henry signaled to move on to the lab next door. It was just as empty as the locker room, but now the sounds were more audible, definitely coming from the megalithic hallway just outside. Instructing his team to hold still, he crept toward the doorway to investigate. He peeked around the corner, and felt his stomach drop. There, in the main hallway, was a group of soldiers. They were decked out in distinctive black armor and cloaks. They had no identifiable markings or insignia on their armor, but it was obvious ¨C these were Nobians. Henry pulled back, returning to his team. ¡°Contact outside. At least a dozen Nobians securing the hallway.¡± Ron¡¯s expression grew serious. ¡°Shit. Any idea on their entry point?¡± Henry positioned himself behind a desk, aiming his weapon at the doorway. ¡°Probably the same way we came in.¡± ¡°Main corridor¡¯s the only play, huh?¡± Ryan said. The main hallway only had one line of sight, and it just happened to be the only way out. Well, the only one they could reasonably access. The facility probably had other exits or fancy teleporters, but they¡¯d already scoured the area for the former and wouldn¡¯t be able to figure out the latter. ¡°Dozen hostiles doesn¡¯t seem like a lot,¡± Isaac pointed out, taking out another Black Hornet from his bag. ¡°We¡¯re still good on ammo, too.¡± Ron shook his head. ¡°Dozen? Yeah, a dozen that we can see.¡± ¡°Owens is right,¡± Henry agreed. ¡°We can¡¯t confirm their numbers outright. If I had to guess, it would probably be at least fifty. Manageable, but I¡¯d prefer that to be our last resort.¡± ¡°How might we fare with a disturbance?¡± Sera offered. Kelmithus gripped his staff. ¡°I might conjure an echo of noise distant hence. It shan¡¯t last, but it can afford us enough time for our escape.¡± Kelmithus¡¯ plan seemed like it could work, but only if the Nobians didn¡¯t know they were here. ¡°No,¡± Henry disagreed. ¡°They¡¯ve seen our MRAPs outside. We¡¯d get surrounded.¡± ¡°How about negotiation?¡± Dr. Anderson suggested, a hopeful note in his voice. ¡°Negotiation? With the Nobians?¡± Kelmithus questioned. They all knew what the Nobians were like. It really did come off as a ridiculous idea, but what if Dr. Anderson was right? The archaeologist defended himself, ¡°I know, I know. However, we have yet to confirm their hostility, and it would not serve us well to initiate hostilities with the Nobians.¡± Taking in the silence as contemplation, he continued, ¡°If talks break down, we hold our ground here. It¡¯s not ideal, but we¡¯ll control the engagement area and prevent them from flanking us.¡± Henry reviewed the situation again. 12 hostiles, but they should expect the worse, so at least 50 hostiles plus failed negotiations. Holding the only way out, they were likely spread out between the hallway, the cave system, and possibly even the forest outside. Dr. Anderson¡¯s plan was solid, but he had a few minor qualms. In particular, holding the line meant possibly exhausting themselves in a battle of attrition. ¡°Alright. We¡¯ll open with negotiations. I¡¯m skeptical, but it''s worth a shot. Should that fail, we can¡¯t engage in a drawn-out conflict. We¡¯ll disrupt their positions and quickly move to the cave outside.¡± ¡°Smoke grenades and flashbangs,¡± Ryan muttered. ¡°Affirmative,¡± Henry said, nodding in agreement. ¡°If we can¡¯t see them, we¡¯ll level the playing field so they can¡¯t see us.¡± ¡°Captain,¡± Kelmithus quickly interjected, ¡°Bid me aid your efforts. I¡¯ve insight enough to create fog. I¡¯ve learned from our encounter with the Sentinel Lindwyrm.¡± ¡°You can replicate that heavy fog?¡± Ron asked. Kelmithus held up his palm, producing an opaque puff of steam to prove his point. ¡°Indeed so, Lieutenant. Adequately do these envirosuits shield us, that I might harness more extreme temperatures for more effective casting.¡± Henry was impressed with how quickly the archmage grasped such a concept. ¡°Good. Yen, get that drone into the cave. We¡¯ll hold for updates.¡± Yen nodded, carrying out Henry¡¯s order silently. The drone¡¯s feed directly streamed to their HUDs, and after a few minutes, Isaac looked up. ¡°Done.¡± Henry analyzed the data. They had visual confirmation of a dozen Nobians inside the facility itself and a staggering forty outside, both in the cave and around the cave entrance. It was an assumption, but there probably weren¡¯t many cloaked soldiers past the hallway. He sighed; the worst-case scenario would have them facing a hundred men in total. It was a challenge, but the drone¡¯s intel granted them a critical tactical advantage. He analyzed his minimap, selecting and sharing a route with minimal enemy contact. ¡°After clearing the facility¡¯s entrance, we¡¯ll proceed along the designated path. Upon exit, I¡¯ll deploy a flare to signal our movement to the MRAPs for extraction. We will then rendezvous with Zulu-9 and coordinate with air support before re-engaging to secure the site.¡± His team nodded, fully on board with the plan. He took a deep breath to steel himself before checking his watch ¨C 16:24. ¡°Alright, time to show ourselves.¡± Letting his M7 sling over his chest, Henry prepared two flash grenades ¨C one in each hand ¨C before stepping out. With his team in tow, he moved to the center of the hallway, catching the attention of one of the Nobian patrols. ¡°Attention, Nobian forces! We request parley. I am Captain Donnager of Alpha Team, Tier 6 Adventurer. We are on an official quest sanctioned by the Adventurer¡¯s Guild. We have no intention of hostilities and seek to discuss our presence and objectives to ensure mutual understanding.¡± As Henry¡¯s words echoed through the hallway, the Nobian soldiers snapped into action. He heard the sounds of bowstring being drawn taut and the rasp of metal as swords cleared their scabbards. His hands tightened around the flash grenades. He kept his gaze steady, projecting a sense of calm; of confidence ¨C enough to convince the Nobians that even outnumbered, he and his team were still no match for them. More soldiers joined the patrol, until all twelve of the previously identified Nobians were upon them. They kept their distance, but Henry could feel the tension boiling. Just as the standoff seemed to reach a critical point, the air in front of them seemed to fold outward from itself, like watching the effects of gravitational lensing on light. A figure coalesced from the distortion ¨C so this is what invisibility magic looked like. The man was broad-shouldered and tall, seeing eye-to-eye with him, even despite the extra inches in height the envirosuit gave. As the last wisps of the cloaking magic faded away, Henry found himself staring into a pair of piercing gray eyes that seemed to bore into his very soul. The newcomer had an angular face and was clad in black armor with a different sheen than the black armor of his comrades. Silver trimmings and an insignia emblazoned on his chestplate ¨C a dagger through a swirl of mist ¨C differentiated his status. A cloak of the same dark hue billowed behind him as he walked forward and drew his sword. Keeping his sword to the side, he stopped a respectable ten meters away from Henry. ¡°I am Carvus Alnect Virelius, Umber Vicearch of the Order of the Shadow.¡± He then pointed his sword at Henry, declaring, ¡°Of desecrating sovereign Nobian territory, you stand accused.¡± As Carvus spoke, more soldiers materialized alongside him, shimmering into existence as they dropped their cloaking spells. Henry had expected this to happen, but seeing it play out still sent a chill down his spine. How many more were still lying in wait? The Vicearch kept his weapon on Henry, eyes narrowing. ¡°Commander unto commander, I offer a choice: cede your Holding Bags, that secure passage may be granted unto you. Refuse, and you shall be declared as spies and enemies of the Nobian Empire, your lives forfeit to swift execution.¡± Chapter 17: Ultimatum ¡°Commander unto commander, I offer a choice: cede your Holding Bags, that secure passage may be granted unto you. Refuse, and you shall be declared as spies and enemies of the Nobian Empire, your lives forfeit to swift execution.¡± Swift execution? Henry fought the urge to scoff. Pride or not, these Nobians were really pushing it. The Vicearch¡¯s terms were audacious to the point of being a clich¨¦ in a second-rate drama ¨C laughable under different circumstances, but with their current disadvantage, dangerously real. He adjusted his grip on the flashbangs. His inner voice wanted to just toss it and watch the chaos unfold, but he checked that impulse. It must be the adrenaline and cynicism talking. Whatever went down now could dictate the course of all American-Nobian relations moving forward. On top of that, he was already tired from fighting the Sentinel Lindwyrm and Spiranids. For Ambassador Perry¡¯s ¨C and their own ¨C sakes, he had to give negotiation a shot. ¡°Vicearch,¡± Henry began, ¡°Grenden Forest is neutral territory. Any aggression here could be seen as a violation of that neutrality and a potential act of war.¡± It was hard to see Carvus'' face through his helmet, but the tightened grip on his sword told Henry all he needed to know. He continued, ¡°My team is here on official Adventurer¡¯s business. We have no intention of interfering with Nobian affairs. As a leader, surely you understand the importance of fulfilling one¡¯s duties and maintaining the Guild¡¯s integrity.¡± ¡°Your ¡®duties¡¯?¡± Carvus scoffed, his voice heavy with scorn. ¡°You claim neutrality, invoking your Guild¡¯s banner as though it were a shield. Yet, here, deep in our territory, your pretense of neutrality carries no weight. You are naught but intruders, cloaking your trespasses in ¡®duty¡¯, violating lands that you falsely deem neutral. The Guild¡¯s name will not shield you from the consequences of trespassing on sovereign territory." Henry took in his surroundings while the Vicearch talked, taking note of enemy positions. They were split into two groups ¨C one currently encircling them and forming the leader¡¯s entourage, and the other spread out across the hallway. The Nobian positions in the hallway seemed to have gaps ¨C large, empty spaces between their men. However, given what they knew of the Nobians, those spaces likely weren¡¯t as empty as they looked. Sera stepped up beside Henry. Her voice shifted from the gentler tones she used with him to something much sharper. ¡°Don¡¯t try to twist the truth, Vicearch. The Grenden Accords permit Adventurers on official quests. Your presence here ¨C a Nobian military unit ¨C is a direct insult to the sacrifices made to achieve peace. Is the Nobian Empire so eager to plunge us back into the chaos of war?¡± Carvus sneered. ¡°You dare cast aspersions of warmongering upon the Empire? We are a simple research unit, investigating ruins within our borders. It is you who have invaded our rightful lands, coveting secrets that are ours by divine right. Your Guild¡¯s ¡®integrity¡¯ is nothing more than a fa?ade for your own greed and ambition.¡± Carvus¡¯ sword began to shimmer ¨C the same way that Sera¡¯s sword shimmered whenever she enchanted it. ¡°I will not stand idle whilst foreign interlopers and their pet nobles seek to subvert Nobian sovereignty. Those who oppose the Emperor¡¯s decree will be ground beneath our heel as naught but trifling vermin. I will not repeat myself. Yield forthwith, or steel yourself for your demise.¡± Divine right? There was no way invoking a treaty would deter the Nobians at this point. That only left one other method of persuasion: force. The only issue was that it wouldn¡¯t matter if the Nobians couldn¡¯t understand ¨C or didn¡¯t want to understand ¨C the advantage modern technology granted them. If the Vicearch had any doubts about winning, though, he did an extremely good job of hiding it. There was nothing but confidence and determination in the man¡¯s eyes. Negotiation, it seemed, was off the table. Henry kept his eyes trained on the Nobian Vicearch. With all alternatives exhausted, the path was clear. He kept his gaze forward, giving no impression that he whispered, ¡°Kel, you¡¯re up.¡± Kelmithus acknowledged and stepped forward, his staff lowered and his Holding Bag hanging off his arm. ¡°Very well. I do not wish to cause war, so I shall lay down my Volcanic Annihilation.¡± The way those words rolled off Kelmithus¡¯ tongue was so casual, so conversational, that it nearly slipped past Henry¡¯s attention. And, looking at the Nobians, he noticed they too seemed to have barely registered the spell¡¯s incantation. In a panicked frenzy, they scrambled to prepare their own defensive magic. Henry¡¯s HUD displayed the rapidly falling humidity as walls of water sprung up around the Nobians, bracing for a fiery blast. He braced himself as well, but nothing of the sort ever came. There was no lava, no explosion, nor anything else that could be called ¡®volcanic¡¯ ¨C and there certainly wasn¡¯t any annihilation. In a split second, the Nobians came to the same realization. He could see it in their faces: where was the ¡®Volcanic Annihilation¡¯? As the Nobians staggered back, their hastily summoned water walls burst into clouds of steam. Through the swirling mist, Henry caught the distorted sounds of pain and confusion. He could see shadows flinching, some clutching at their faces and armor as the steam turned against them, exploiting any vulnerability. The Vicearch reacted quickly. His silhouette blurred as he dodged back with astonishing speed. As he expected, it would take a lot more than a diversionary spell to take down the Nobian leader. Although the maneuver spared him the brunt of the steam¡¯s heat, there was no way the man had escaped unscathed. With the steam creating confusion, Henry seized the moment. He made a break for the wall to his left and quickly hurled the flashbangs ¨C one toward where he last saw the Vicearch and another towards the deceptively ¡®empty¡¯ spot ahead. The concussive blasts and blinding flashes ¨C muted against the filters of his envirosuit ¨C compounded the chaos, leaving more of the Nobians reeling. ¡°Block the exit!¡± The Vicearch barked out orders to his men, his voice quickly fading away as the distance between them grew. Everyone followed his lead, hugging the wall and using it as a guide as they sprinted forward. Through the gaps in the rising steam, Henry caught glimpses of the Nobian soldiers. Each one of them was disoriented, barely able to conjure protective air bubbles for themselves. Despite the chaos, they managed to maintain their invisibility ¨C sure signs of a professional unit. More canisters hit the floor, spewing out smoke. These extra grenades obscured the hallway further, mixing with the steam to form a thorough blend of aerial goop. Henry watched a few sporadic blasts of wind move the particulates around. Not that the Nobians could¡¯ve known without a more developed understanding of science, but all their efforts simply introduced turbulence that encouraged the mixture of steam and smoke. It was hard to see even past 5 feet ¨C perfect for their plan. That said, it was difficult to track the Nobians as they stumbled about in the steam and smoke. With the particulates as turbulent as they were, their thermals were almost useless. The one saving grace, though, was the fact that the Nobians were only invisible ¨C not intangible. It had been just a few seconds since they deployed their flashbangs. Adding the effects of the scalding steam, that meant they had maybe around ten more seconds before ¨C his train of thought was broken as he caught a distortion to his right, just within his peripheral vision. Turning to bring his weapon to bear, he noticed that the smoke had broken apart, forming a thin outline in the shape of a human. He couldn''t see the target itself, but the parting haze gave him all the information he needed. Reacting instantly, Henry fired. Three rounds struck in rapid succession as the soldier charged with inhuman speed, sparking off his armor. Chest, chest, shoulder. With his momentum unchecked, the figure crashed sideways into the wall beside them, the impact extinguishing the remnants of his cloaking spell in a flutter of distorted light. The fallen Nobian¡¯s sword skidded out of reach as he slumped to the ground, disappearing in the smoke behind them. Henry and his team kept pushing forward, following the wall as they navigated through the thick haze. He popped another smoke grenade, enhancing the already dense mixture of steam and smoke that filled the hallway. As they returned fire, the brief flashes from their rifles briefly illuminated the dense smoke, inadvertently signaling their position. Picking up on the signs of their presence, arrows sliced through the fog and thudded into the nearby wall. The only visible clues were the fleeting paths of the arrows, hinting at their origin. Reacting to these cues, Henry swiftly aligned his rifle with the last seen trajectory and fired back, hoping to suppress the hidden assailants. ¡°Contact rear!¡± Ryan¡¯s voice crackled over the comm, punctuated by gunfire echoing from behind. With all the gunfire, the Nobians were now fully aware of their position. Kelmithus¡¯ brief acknowledgment came through the comm. Almost immediately, Henry heard the distinct sound of ice crackling and expanding. This was quickly followed by a series of thuds and grunts as their pursuers collapsed on the slick ice. More of the Nobians¡¯ attacks converged on them ¨C more swordsmen rushing in, more arrows flying, and even some spells thrown in the mix. It felt like they were getting hammered from all sides, barely grazing past deadly wind snipes and fireballs thanks to the smoke¡¯s effects on the enemy¡¯s accuracy and Kelmithus¡¯ efforts. Sera also chipped in, creating localized blasts of wind to briefly open up lines of sight as she guessed where the archers were ¨C somewhere up ahead. Naturally, it was even more difficult to see them at a distance, but their faint outlines were more than enough. Landing a shot on a nigh-invisible target from the hip was well, nigh-impossible. Hell, that far away, accuracy by volume wouldn¡¯t work, either. But¡­ they didn¡¯t need to be accurate to hit their enemy. Henry reacted purely on instinct. Grabbing a grenade, he pulled the pin and chucked it toward the faint echoes where the arrows had been coming from, not even sure what he¡¯d hit. The grenade¡¯s arc disappeared in the thick smoke, but its landing was undeniable ¨C a heavy thud followed by an immediate blast. The explosion rose above the sounds of gunfire, violently shaking the air. The subsequent cessation of incoming arrows was a welcome sign that the grenade had paid off. The smoke started to dissipate slightly, pushed by the force of the blast. What lay ahead was now slightly clearer, though still a mess ¨C a pathway obstructed by scattered debris forced into a makeshift barrier. It looked like it was made of bramble and rock ¨C not the most ideal, but still sturdy enough to block their advance. Henry signaled for his team to stop moving and to set up a perimeter. ¡°Owens, the Gustaf!¡± Ron had the same thought, already loading a round into the chamber. Ahead, the barrier stood defenseless ¨C though there was no way to tell for sure. Instead of guards, there seemed to be a glow just behind it as more rocks and vegetation attached themselves to the existing structure. If the mages were just behind the barricade, he had to be ready to take them out the moment Ron blew it apart. He couldn¡¯t allow them to rebuild the barrier. Ron took aim at the center of the barricade, his finger on the trigger. As Ron prepared to fire, Henry positioned himself away from the predictable backblast. Ron squeezed the trigger, and the Carl Gustaf bucked in his hands as the high-explosive round bolted from the tube. Just as the round was fired, a pained grunt echoed from behind them. Henry recognized that voice ¨C Carvus. Henry spun around, barely catching a glimpse of a faint outline stumbling backward as the man was no doubt caught unawares by the fierce backblast. Though visibility was nil, Henry aimed where he last sensed movement and squeezed off a burst. Too late. Carvus had already pulled his disappearing act, vanishing into the haze. In an amusing twist however, the often hazardous backblast had somehow turned into an asset, finding an offensive use. He found himself smirking at the thought of Carvus being caught off guard by something that was normally the bane of new recruits. The Nobians might have some unique magic on their side, but they clearly knew little about their weapons. Henry turned back to the barricade. The explosion had done its work, shattering the rock and turning the brambles into kindling. The concussive blast sent debris flying, skewering a group of previously cloaked Nobians ahead of them with shrapnel. As the dust settled, he saw that the barricade was now nothing more than a pile of rubble. The way forward was clear. The mages who had been maintaining the barrier were caught in the blast, too. They staggered back, disoriented and riddled with injuries ¨C easy targets. He and Dr. Anderson opened fire, picking off the mages before they could gather their wits and start rebuilding the barricade. They must¡¯ve been too disoriented to pull up personal shields for themselves because they went down easily. Henry paused at the breach, scanning his left and right as he would when entering a doorway. Then, he leaped through, clearing the right side. Ron followed closely, clearing the left. ¡°Clear!¡± Henry announced. He aimed his weapon back at the breach to cover the rest of the team as they made their way through. Sera and Dr. Anderson continued forward, ensuring the path ahead was clear. As the rest of the team crossed the threshold, Henry tossed a flashbang through the hole, followed by a grenade. Kelmithus reacted instantly, sealing the breach with earth magic. Seconds later, he heard a muffled pop from the other side, accompanied by a groan of pain. They¡¯d just bought a few more moments. He returned to the front with Ron, allowing Isaac and Ryan to maintain their rear to create a wedge-shaped formation. Looking forward, Henry recognized the cavern that they had entered initially, spotting the Lindwyrm nest in the distance. Glancing at his HUD, Henry led his team through a corridor as he followed the pre-designated route. The uneven cave floor was a hassle to work through, strewn with jagged rocks and jutting formations. Fuck, he should¡¯ve accounted for terrain instead of simply selecting the route with the least activity. This was the least active path for a reason. Kelmithus produced a light cloud of steam around them ¨C smart thinking. It wasn¡¯t enough to scald or otherwise significantly hinder their pursuers, but it would be enough to track their movements. That only left the issue of maintaining their advantage, or at least preventing the Nobians from getting the upper hand. Henry¡¯s heart raced as he scanned the area ahead. Was there anything they could use? A bottleneck, a natural barricade, hell, even a stalagmite for cover would do. It seemed they had the short end of the stick, though. The cavern offered little in the way of defensible positions. Gunfire once again flared up behind them. The Nobians had caught up to Ryan and Isaac. It was almost impossible to tell how many contacts they¡¯d engaged. ¡°Kel, go with Hayes and Yen!¡± As Kelmithus left to support them, the steam ahead parted suddenly. Not even a second later, an arrow materialized out of the void, cutting through the haze and heading straight for him. Henry reacted on instinct, jerking to the left as the arrow whizzed past, barely missing his neck. As he did so, he returned fire at the same spot where the arrow had come from. A muffled grunt and the clatter of a falling bow confirmed his success, but surely it couldn¡¯t be the end of that. Two more arrows streaked out of the steam, appearing as they cleared the bows of their concealed shooters. They came in fast, reminiscent of the Wind Snipe arrow that had struck their MRAP back when they encountered those bandits. Everything seemed to slow down ¨C the arrows soaring through the steam, Ron and Dr. Anderson taking aim at the faint silhouettes ahead. As he tried to dodge, Sera lunged forward. A blur of silver appeared across his vision as she tried to intercept the arrows. One ricocheted off her blade, sparking as it was deflected harmlessly into the cave wall. Shit, it didn¡¯t look like she was going to get the second one. Henry braced himself as the arrow slipped past her guard. It drew closer, piercing through the magical shield Kelmithus had cast on him earlier and puncturing his envirosuit. The enchanted arrowhead buried itself in his right shoulder, but he wasn¡¯t sure if it got through the UHMWPE mesh layer beneath. ¡°Agh, fuck!¡± Henry sucked in air. Instinctively, he moved his hand to the shaft protruding from his shoulder, ensuring it was not so loose as to snag on his equipment or hinder his movement. It hurt like hell, but it was almost impossible to tell the full extent of the penetration. He had to leave it in for now, at least until they could find a safe spot. After confirming the kills on the archers, Ron checked on Henry. His eyes widened as he saw the shaft sticking out of his shoulder ¨C shock, anger, probably also surprise that an arrow somehow managed to break through modern armor. At least, that¡¯s exactly what Henry currently felt, pain notwithstanding. ¡°Shit¡­ Exit wound?¡± ¡°Nah, don¡¯t think so.¡± Henry let his rifle hang from its sling, instead drawing his sidearm with his left hand. Ron nodded to Dr. Anderson and Sera before approaching Henry. ¡°Lemme take a look,¡± he said. Henry slowed his pace slightly, not too much to slow their advance but just enough to allow Ron to get a good look. Ron checked the hole in the envirosuit¡¯s plating, shining his helmet light on it. ¡°Can¡¯t see shit¡­ Okay, I don¡¯t think it went deeper than the mesh, at least. No blood.¡± He then carefully probed it, trying to feel for the arrowhead. ¡°Yeah, feels like the mesh caught it. No penetration, thank fuck.¡± It was a cold comfort to hear that, but it still felt like getting hit with a sledgehammer. Just how much kinetic energy did that arrow have, even after crashing through the magic shield and envirosuit? ¡°Yeah, thank fuck, alright.¡± Ron nodded. ¡°Doc, Sera, take the lead.¡± He then faced Henry. ¡°We¡¯ll have Yen take a closer look at it later. There¡¯s an alcove up ahead, close to our route.¡± Henry looked up at his minimap. Their path branched off into the route they were supposed to follow and a small nook that led into separate pathways. He grunted in acknowledgment and positioned himself to the left of Ron. The pain was still there, throbbing with every movement, but at least the arrow hadn¡¯t done any serious damage. Small mercies, he supposed. ¡°All contacts neutralized back here,¡± Ryan updated. ¡°How¡¯s it looking up there?¡± Henry responded, straining his voice a bit because of the pain, ¡°Copy. Arrow got me in the shoulder, no penetration. We¡¯re making a short detour to an alcove up ahead, marked it on the minimap.¡± Ryan acknowledged, tightening the formation in response to Henry¡¯s injury. While Sera and Dr. Anderson maintained the vanguard, Ron kept Henry in the center. Kelmithus then caught up, approaching Henry with his glowing staff. ¡°Allow me to cast the shield anew. It shan¡¯t withstand another direct blow, but it should offer some succor.¡± Henry slowed down for a bit. ¡°Thanks.¡± Kelmithus waved his staff, and a new barrier materialized around him. With the shield set, the archmage fell back and took up a position between the rear and the center. The cave started to narrow ahead ¨C a sign that they were nearing their temporary objective. Dr. Anderson¡¯s subsequent report confirmed their position. ¡°I see the alcove, about twenty meters.¡± Henry saw it too: a narrow passageway leading into a hidden nook. It seemed like it was just another section of rock until they approached it and got a better angle ¨C subtle enough to miss if they hadn¡¯t known about the spot from prior reconnaissance and were simply running along the path. Dr. Anderson and Sera pushed in, clearing the shallow recess. It was barely enough to hide them, but it would do. Ron pulled out a smoke grenade, glancing at Henry for confirmation. He must¡¯ve wanted to toss it the other way, to divert the Nobians. Henry nodded, and Ron tossed the grenade down the path. Thick smoke billowed out of the device, filling the corridor. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road. At the same time, Kelmithus directed the remaining steam toward the same direction. It left them without their crucial sixth sense, but at least they still had their infrared lasers to fall back on in case anyone tried to push through the narrow chokepoint. Soon after the smoke spread out, Henry saw wisps trailing in the other direction ¨C cloaked Nobians running after the decoy. Good. Henry watched the parted smoke soon fill back up, hardly daring to breathe. A few seconds later, there were no more disturbances. They were in the clear, for now. Isaac turned to him as soon as it felt safe to do so, whispering into the comms, ¡°Sit down on this rock. Let me take a look.¡± Henry shifted, trying to find a position that didn¡¯t hurt. ¡°Yeah; think the mesh caught it. Doesn¡¯t feel like it went too deep.¡± Isaac frowned. ¡°Well, there¡¯s no external bleeding, at least.¡± He shone a light on the break in the envirosuit, pulling a multitool from his Holding Bag. The metal on the envirosuit groaned slightly as Isaac pried it open. He gritted his teeth, suppressing a grunt as he worked on it. Each movement sent jolts of pain through his shoulder. In the meantime, the others reloaded their weapons and maintained a perimeter, with Dr. Anderson deploying his own Black Hornet to check out the alternate route. After a moment, Isaac sighed with relief. ¡°Lucky you. The mesh stopped it. Can¡¯t believe a pussy stick managed to get through the shield and the plating, though¡­¡± ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s what I¡¯m sayi¨C ngh!¡± Isaac gripped the arrow shaft and pulled it out with a swift yank. Henry clenched his jaw, feeling the pressure ease as the arrow came free. ¡°Damn.¡± Isaac stowed the arrow in his Holding Bag. ¡°I won¡¯t be able to give a proper diagnosis until we can get the envirosuit, mesh, and uniform off you. My guess is blunt force trauma. Hold still.¡± He pulled out a portable ultrasound scanner and ran it over his shoulder. After completing a pass, Isaac nodded. ¡°Good news: no broken bones.¡± He then fished out a small packet and a bottle of water from the aid kit in his Holding Bag. ¡°Ibuprofen,¡± he said simply, handing the items to Henry. Henry obliged, swallowing the pills. ¡°Kel.¡± Isaac waved the archmage over. ¡°No broken bones. You¡¯re good for healing magic.¡± Henry felt a slight relief as both the painkillers and the healing magic took effect. Within a minute, the pain in his arm was almost gone, feeling more like a soreness after an extreme workout rather than a scooter to the shin. He rolled his shoulder experimentally, testing the range of motion. Not bad. ¡°Captain, I¡¯ve mapped the alternate route,¡± Dr. Anderson informed him. ¡°Looks like a shortcut to the surface. We¡¯ll pop out around the side of the spur, a bit away from the entrance.¡± Henry glanced at the minimap on his HUD. The route was shorter than their previous path, with the added bonus of ¨C hopefully ¨C no enemy contact. ¡°Lucky us. Good work, Doc.¡± Sera¡¯s eyes moved to the top of her helmet as she too studied the new route. ¡°Should the Nobians be absent when we emerge, we should escape on foot lest we lose all to folly. Why tarry here and tempt fate with our Holding Bags at risk?¡± ¡°How often do you apply your uh¡­ physical enhancement magic?¡± Henry asked. Sera tilted her head. ¡°Why, constantly.¡± She paused after giving her response, then inclined her chin. ¡°Ah.¡± Henry nodded. ¡°Yup. Even if we wanted to, we wouldn¡¯t make it; the Nobians would catch up or intercept in no time. Either way, our MRAPs are too critical to leave behind.¡± ¡°Hey,¡± Ryan patted Sera on the shoulder. ¡°We were gonna take ''em on anyway. Good thing we ain''t gotta fight through the whole damn cave to get to our rides.¡± Ryan was right, but it only meant that their mission went from extremely challenging to simply very challenging. Henry laid out the plan, ¡°Once we get out, we¡¯ll form a perimeter. I¡¯m gonna pop both flares; call in the QRF and the Apache. If we¡¯re lucky, the fog will be too thick for the Nobians to see the flare going up. If not, well¡­¡± Kelmithus picked up, ¡°We then must brace for the Nobians who shall converge upon our position within the forest.¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Henry said. ¡°Doc, what¡¯s outside the exit?¡± Dr. Anderson shared his drone¡¯s feed. ¡°Boulders, tree trunks, vegetation ¨C good natural cover. There¡¯s a cliff directly above the exit, about 15 feet. If we can climb it, we¡¯ll be able to get into a higher position directly overlooking the main entrance. Unless the Nobians can scale 40 feet of rock, there¡¯s only one other way up there.¡± Henry analyzed the scenery. There was an area to the left of the cave with natural formations that formed somewhat of a path to the top. They just needed to lock that down until reinforcements arrived. ¡°Then we¡¯ll do that immediately after I pop the flares. Sera, Kel, you guys able to climb?¡± ¡°Oh, joy, another climb. I suppose it would only be a trifle for one such as myself,¡± Sera smiled, placing her hand on her chest. Henry looked at Kelmithus. The archmage only sighed, stretching his back. ¡°I shall manage.¡± Henry stowed his sidearm and picked up his rifle. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s get moving.¡± The team got into formation, squeezing through the narrow cave passage. The alternate path was tight, especially considering their envirosuits. It forced them uncomfortably into single file, but the path seemed relatively untouched. The air was cool and damp, carrying a faint draft that seeped into the hole in his envirosuit. The darkness began to lighten as they moved up an incline. The air became fresher and Henry could feel his ears popping. The faintest hint of afternoon light began to filter through the passage, growing brighter as they neared the exit. Wait, afternoon light? He quickened his pace slightly, eager to reach the surface. The tunnel widened, revealing the mouth of the small cave ahead. He emerged into the open, his visor tinting and adjusting to the change in luminosity. The afternoon sun was clear overhead, bathing the landscape in a warm light. The fog that had plagued them earlier was completely gone, replaced by the open sky. If the fog was gone, wouldn¡¯t that mean Overwatch would be able to see them? Henry scanned the skies above for the Reaper. There it was, circling over the spur. First the lucky route and now this? He¡¯d have to buy a lotto ticket next time he stepped foot back home. With the drone circling overhead and the fog gone, they wouldn¡¯t need to risk a flare and draw unnecessary attention. Instead, they could use a light. He quickly motioned to the others, pointing at the drone. ¡°No fog, no flares. I¡¯ll send a message to ¡®em, give me a sec.¡± Henry pulled out a flashlight from his Holding Bag and turned it on, covering it with his hand in intervals. He signaled to the drone in morse code, keeping the message brief: QRF AND APACHE NEEDED. Henry repeated the message, watching the drone intently. After a couple tries, the drone tipped its wing. Message received. Henry let out a breath. ¡°Alright, good. We¡¯ve got reinforcements inbound. ETA should be around 20 to 30 minutes, based on distance.¡± He took a moment to survey the surroundings again. The spur¡¯s base was a rocky outcrop, dotted with patches of vegetation and the occasional tree. The cliff face directly above the exit, as Dr. Anderson had pointed out, was a straight shot up. He didn¡¯t have that much experience rock climbing outside of training, but with his equipment, how hard could it be? Henry reached into his Holding Bag and produced his climbing gear, stepping up directly beside the cliff. He attached the ropes and carabiners, ensuring everything was secure. Then, with a deep breath, he took the lead. ¡°Owens, Sera, Kel, with me. We¡¯ll go up first.¡± He attached a climbing anchor to a crack in the rock and clipped his harness to it. Using natural handholds and footholds, he carefully tested each grip before committing his weight. As he made more progress, he placed another anchor higher up and clipped his rope to it, securing their progress. Inch by inch, they made their way up the cliff, with Henry leading and placing anchors while the others followed and clipped into the secured line. After a challenging climb and almost losing his footing twice, Henry hauled himself over the edge of the cliff. He took a moment to catch his breath and then turned to help the others. One by one, they made it to the top. It took about ten minutes for everyone to get up ¨C about halfway until reinforcements arrived. They continued along the edge of the cliff, climbing higher. The terrain was rough, but at least they had a clear view of the area below. If not for their pressing circumstances, this would actually have been a great spot to take a picture. When they approached the cliff directly above the main cave entrance, Henry motioned for the team to halt and crouch down. Below them, the clearing spread out, with their MRAPs parked near the entrance and seemingly untouched. Henry turned to Ryan. ¡°Hayes, help me set up rappelling anchors.¡± Facing everyone else, he continued, ¡°Sera, Kel, Owens, secure the perimeter. Doc, Yen, mark enemy positions.¡± Ryan gave a quick nod and pulled out the rappelling gear from his Holding Bag. They headed for the sturdiest-looking trees near the cliff¡¯s edge. Henry took the lead, wrapping the rope around the base of a thick oak. A figure-eight follow-through knot, a few half-hitches to secure it, a tug for good measure, and he was done. Quick, simple, reliable. As Ryan finished setting up his anchor on a nearby tree, Isaac approached Henry with a tablet in hand. Tapping on the tablet, Isaac highlighted the points he had marked during his observations, sharing them with Henry¡¯s minimap. ¡°Got eyes on ten hostiles. Two in the treeline at our two o¡¯clock, one by the boulder at ten, three near the fallen log at eleven, looking over the MRAPs. The rest are inside the cave, directly below us. One of them has neat armor; I think it¡¯s Carvus.¡± Henry studied the footage. He could recognize that armor anywhere. Coupled with the fact that someone was casting healing magic on him, yeah, that was Carvus, alright. Who knew how many more were cloaked, hiding around? Henry took a knee behind an outcropping, resting his rifle on the rock. He peered through the scope, the MRAPs parked below coming into sharp focus. All quiet on the western front, for now. He glanced at his watch. Zulu-9 should be arriving within eight minutes, assuming they didn¡¯t run into any issues on the road. He turned to the rest of his team, who had taken up positions along the cliff. He addressed their drivers first, ¡°Owens, Yen, you¡¯ll be first to descend.¡± He then faced the two scholars, ¡°Doc, Kel, you¡¯ll go next. Sera, you¡¯re with me and Hayes. Cover us while we provide overwatch to everyone else. We¡¯ll head down as soon as Doc and Kel are clear.¡± After his team acknowledged, it was a waiting game. It didn¡¯t take long for the first crackles of static to appear. ¡°Alph¡­ opy¡­¡± ¡°Zulu-9, this is Alpha Actual. Say again, you¡¯re breaking up.¡± The static crackled again, the voice on the other end coming through in fits and starts. ¡°...pha Actual¡­ Zulu-9¡­ oscar mi¡­ ETA five mi¡­¡± The transmission cut off abruptly, swallowed by a burst of white noise. The clarity was better, but still not great. Henry could only make out bits and pieces. ETA five mikes, that was the important part. He keyed the mic again. ¡°Zulu-9, be advised, we have eyes on enemy positions: ten confirmed hostiles in the AO. Sending coords now.¡± He tried to upload the data from his HUD, only for a pop-up to appear: upload failed. He scanned the treeline below, his finger resting lightly on the trigger. The waiting was always the hardest part ¨C the adrenaline and tension building up was like getting blue-balled. A new notification appeared: upload successful. Thank goodness. At the same time, the static finally started to clear. ¡°...olid copy, Alpha Actual. Approaching the¡­ sitrep, over.¡± ¡°Zulu-9, this is Alpha Actual. Data upload successful. Check your HUDs. We have ten confirmed hostiles in the AO, over.¡± ¡°Copy that, Alpha Actual. We got ¡®em. Approaching your position. ETA one mike, over.¡± Just as Henry received the message from Zulu-9, a familiar voice popped up. ¡°Alpha Actual, this is Thunder 1-2. We¡¯re inbound to your location, four mikes. What¡¯s your sitrep? Over.¡± Henry switched to Thunder 1-2¡¯s frequency, relaying the same information he relayed to Zulu-9. ¡°... Our team is positioned on a cliff directly above the main cave entrance. Be advised, no 9 line available. We¡¯ll mark targets with red smoke or laser. Stand by for further instructions. Over.¡± ¡°Copy that, Alpha Actual. No 9 line, standing by for your mark. Make us useful. Over.¡± As soon as he was done communicating with the Apache, the sound of engines started fading in. They grew closer until Henry could spot the UGVs rolling along the main road, approaching the clearing at a steady speed. ¡°Alpha Actual, this is Zulu-9. We are on station and have visual on your marks. Ready to start the party. Over.¡± Henry responded quickly. ¡°Copy that, Zulu-9. Engage at your discretion. Over.¡± Once they were in range, the UGVs used their mounted grenade launchers to toss canisters of CR gas into the enemy positions. White plumes sprouted up, spreading through the treeline, around the boulder and fallen log, and within the cave entrance. The CR gas did its job fast. Nobians staggered into view, coughing as their cloaks stuttered in and out of existence. No surprise they couldn¡¯t focus on their magic while their lungs were burning from the inside out. The moment the Nobians became visible, they were torn apart by Zulu-9. It was a bloodbath. If they didn¡¯t get hit from 6.8mm and 7.62mm from Zulu-9¡¯s infantry, they were obliterated by the UGV¡¯s 30mm. The larger rounds tore through trees and enemy cover, sending splinters and shrapnel flying. Canisters of red smoke flew out from Zulu-9¡¯s ranks, landing among exposed Nobian positions within the forest. Thunder 1-2 made its dramatic entrance, banking overhead and adding its firepower to the mix. It was kind of overkill, blowing apart swordsmen with 30mm and missiles, but the shock and awe were necessary. Hopefully, this would dissuade the Nobians from fucking with them any time soon ¨C as long as it didn¡¯t start a war. As the first volleys from their reinforcements shook the ground, Henry called out to his team. ¡°Move out! Go! Go!¡± Isaac and Ron grabbed the ropes and began rappelling down. They descended quickly, each jump covering almost a story. Isaac hit the ground first, immediately unhooking his harness as he sprinted to his MRAP. Ron followed closely, encountering no hostiles during his dash. Henry scanned the clearing below and the surrounding forest. Any movement he spotted was either culled immediately by a barrage of hot lead or directed away from the MRAPs. Meanwhile, Dr. Anderson and Kelmithus followed suit. Henry watched them descend quickly, the ropes shaking with each explosion. It seemed that the Nobians had finally noticed the MRAPs, catching the starting engines and movement as Ron and Isaac repositioned the vehicles to provide the rappelling spot some cover. He spotted flashes of fire and lightning as the Nobians struck one of their UGVs. Good try, but it was too bad they didn''t know that the UGV armor was rated for rocket-propelled grenades ¨C way more potent than whatever they were tickling the UGV with. The embers licked harmlessly at its chassis, dealing nothing but emotional damage. Looks like the Nobians were completely distracted by the fireworks, at least for now. His only concern was the infantry: the men in Zulu-9 had the same high-quality armor he wore, but he knew more than anyone else just how ineffective it was against potent magic. A wind snipe broke through a magic shield from a Tier 8 archmage and envirosuit plating. A layer of mesh and a ceramic plate could probably hold the line, but what if one of them got hit in the leg or shoulder like him? The men fighting down there didn¡¯t have a magic shield or an envirosuit to help stop a Wind Snipe. Henry dismissed the thought. If he wanted to worry for his brothers in Zulu-9, he had to focus on the extraction. As the two scholars cleared the lower third of their descent, Henry called out to Sera. ¡°Sera, go!¡± A soft glow enveloped her as she ran her glove along the rope, running at full speed toward the cliff edge. With an acrobatic twist, she oriented herself along the cliff face and straight up ran down the sheer drop. She slowed down as she neared the ground, using the friction of her gloves and envirosuit against the rope alongside wind magic to soften her drop. She landed gracefully, cleaving a Nobian swordsman that Dr. Anderson had shot. Henry took a deep breath and gripped the rope, signaling to Ryan on his right. They launched over the edge, rappelling down the cliff face in tandem. The sensation of free fall followed by the jolt of his rope kept his adrenaline spiking. Just how the hell did Sera manage to make running down a vertical wall look so easy? He tightened his fingers around the rope as he spectated the battle mid-descent. It was complete chaos ¨C a bona fide battle and a rare sight to see amidst the relative peace back home. Zulu-9 and Thunder 1-2 had completely razed the surrounding vegetation, putting down the few witnesses who had survived the battle against the Sentinel Lindwyrm. If tree spirits were real on this planet, he really hoped they wouldn¡¯t try to seek revenge. He glanced down, taking stock of his team. The Nobians seemed to now be fully aware of the MRAPs¡¯ presence, judging from the fact that smoke- and gas-covered outlines were damn near swarming them. Thank God the UGVs and tear gas were able to keep them at bay though, basically forming a wall of death between the cave entrance and his team. Seeing torsos getting deleted and blood spraying everywhere wasn¡¯t a pretty sight, but it was a welcome one, especially considering the alternative. The ground rushed up to meet them faster than Henry expected. As he neared the bottom, he bent his knees slightly, ready to absorb the impact. With a thud, he hit the ground, a shockwave going up his legs. He snapped his harness off, abandoning the rope as he sprinted for the MRAPs. He covered their right with his M7, looking in the direction of the cave¡¯s mouth, allowing Ryan to cover their left. Henry¡¯s heart pounded in his chest as he tried to keep the clouds of gas away from the hole in his envirosuit. He covered it with his left hand, firing his M7 from the hip into the suffocating swordsmen who tried to push through the gas. They fell almost instantly, and Henry could almost see the glimpses of cloaking magic behind the gas. It didn¡¯t take long for the other Nobians to realize just what the gas was, and how outmatched they were. They fell back, seemingly giving up on the MRAPs and initiating a retreat. As he neared the MRAPs, he saw his team already inside, laying down what fire they could from within. Henry yanked open the side door to the command MRAP and hopped in, slamming it shut behind him. He glanced over his shoulder, confirming that Ryan had made it into his MRAP. ¡°Go! Go!¡± Henry yelled, getting ready to man the CROWS. ¡°Zulu-9, Alpha Actual. We¡¯re moving! Check fire!¡± Ron didn¡¯t need the order to act; he had already punched the accelerator upon hearing the door slam shut. Henry felt his back press against his seat as the vehicle surged forward. They blazed past the wall of gas, the vehicle¡¯s armored bulk plowing through the dissipating plumes. Henry swiveled the turret, scanning the haze for disruptions in the smoke. With all the bullets flying and explosions going off, it was hard to tell what was a cloaked Nobian and what was just a blast¡¯s pressure wave. But he could target the poor souls who lost their focus. He spotted a group of Nobian mages struggling to get some fireballs in the air through a cloud of gas. Yeah, not happening. Henry squeezed the trigger. The turret thumped as it sent a hail of lead downrange. The rounds tore through the mages, their bodies jerking and contorting as they were riddled with holes. As they sped away from the cave entrance, Henry scanned the battlefield for any sign of Carvus. The Vicearch¡¯s distinct armor was nowhere to be seen amidst the carnage. Henry grimaced. Carvus was a slippery bastard. He¡¯d probably used his cloaking magic to slip away in the chaos. Well, at least they¡¯d given him a bloody nose and a taste of what American firepower could do. The MRAP jostled and bounced as Ron navigated the rough terrain, making a beeline for the road that would take them back home. Behind them, Zulu-9¡¯s UGVs fell into formation. It seemed like the fighting stopped ¨C and rather quickly, too. The Nobians must¡¯ve recognized their disadvantage and retreated. He could only imagine their shock; what they must have thought. There was no point in fighting metal carriages that can¡¯t be pierced, and certainly no point in chasing after them once they¡¯ve started to fall back. As they hit the road, the ride smoothed out, allowing Henry to take a breath. He slumped back in his seat, the adrenaline slowly ebbing from his system. ¡°Fuck,¡± he muttered, not even bothering to take off the envirosuit. Sera, sitting beside him, let out a weary chuckle as she took off her helmet. Yeah, now that was a sight worth seeing. She placed it beside her, fixing her hair. ¡°¡®Fuck¡¯, indeed. I must say, your people certainly do have quite the talent in departures most grand.¡± Henry cracked a smile at that. To be fair, he basically cracked a smile at anything Sera said. ¡°Yeah, well, we aim to please.¡± He reached into his Holding Bag, rummaging through the various items they¡¯d collected during their mission ¨C items that they prevented from falling into Nobian hands. He pulled out the Locator, the device¡¯s transparent screen glinting in the setting sun. This is what they struggled for. And hopefully, it was worth it. ¡°Can¡¯t wait to finally get back home,¡± he muttered, turning the Locator over in his hands. He glanced out the window, watching the Grenden Forest whip by in a blur of green, brown, and gold. It was crazy to think that they¡¯d only been here for about a month. Nothing had played out as Henry had first expected, but damn if he wasn¡¯t excited to see where their first clue would lead them. Chapter 18: Seraphine ad Sindis Armstrong Base, Grenden Plains November 30, 2024 Henry woke naturally, the wisps of his dream fading away. What was it about? He remembered Sera being in it, her laugh echoing in his mind, her smile fresh in his vision. Whatever they were doing, it felt¡­ right. He hadn¡¯t felt this way in years, since his freshman year girlfriend at the Academy. He wished he could remember, but the details slipped away like smoke. He stretched, savoring the crisp morning air seeping in through his window. Somehow, the soreness in his shoulder was almost completely gone. He rotated it, checking to see if it really was healed. Impressive. If Kelmithus started a spa back home with that healing massage technique of his, he¡¯d probably be rolling in the dough. Grabbing his phone, he checked the time ¨C 0700 hours; 7 AM local. The sun was just beginning to rise outside, its golden light piercing through a scattered array of clouds. White specks floated downward. Snow? Guess it was finally that time of year. He wasn¡¯t sure if he was ready to trudge around the cold, but at least it was beautiful. His stomach grumbled, a reminder of yesterday¡¯s quick dinner. Yeah, he didn¡¯t have much to eat last night ¨C just a small bowl of rice with cav and turvon, made in the style of beef and broccoli. After coming back and going through a quick debriefing and checkup, he was ready to collapse in his bed. The same went for the others, even Ron, despite his excitement over ¡®progressing the main quest¡¯. Henry sat up, the memory foam mattress shifting beneath him as he swung his feet over the edge of the bed. He reached for his slippers, the plush fabric a welcome barrier against the cold concrete floor. No point in subjecting his toes to frostbite this early in the morning. He stood up, stretching his arms overhead until he felt a satisfying pop in his shoulders. Okay, maybe he shouldn¡¯t have done that. The sunlight filtering through the window cast a warm glow on the room, belying the chill outside. The snow-covered landscape almost looked like a winter wonderland. The base looked different, the usual greys and greens replaced by a blanket of white. It reminded him of those little model villages his mom used to collect, all pristine and perfect. He wondered if the snow would slow down operations today. Probably not. The eggheads had assured them that the vehicles could handle a little frost. After all, the conditions out here were much more forgiving than the blistering heat and coarse sand of Groom Lake. All Henry knew was that he''d have to break out the thermal underwear. He padded over to his private bathroom, relishing the convenience of not having to share with the rest of the barracks. One of the perks of being a captain, or perhaps one of the amenities the military offered to keep morale high on an alien planet, he supposed. He turned on the shower, letting the steam fill the small space as he brushed his teeth and let his mind drift off to breakfast. The mess hall had promised a special treat today: waffles with labradorite syrup, a Garethian delicacy that tasted like a cross between maple and blueberry. He''d been skeptical at first ¨C who puts rocks in their food? ¨C but after one bite, he was hooked. They cleared even his favorite French toast. He hoped they hadn''t run out already. He''d seen how Ron could put away a stack of pancakes ¨C or in this case, waffles ¨C like it was his last meal. However, based on what happened last time, Sera could probably take the throne from him. As he rinsed off, he heard a commotion outside. He quickly toweled off and threw on his clothes ¨C a comfy hoodie and a thicker pair of jeans, enough to stave off the cold ¨C before peering out the window. He felt a smirk coming on, eyes widening at the captivating sight. The Sentinel Lindwyrm was being hauled away on a massive flatbed truck, its limp form dwarfing the vehicle. A pair of UGVs flanked the truck like an honor guard, peeling off as the truck neared Dr. Perdue¡¯s lab. Henry shook his head in amazement. Even dead, the creature was intimidating as hell. He remembered the battle from yesterday, the way the Lindwyrm''s scales had shrugged off their bullets like they were spitballs. Even their TOW missiles weren¡¯t enough. If it hadn''t been for that clutch save from the Apache, they might have been Lindwyrm chow. He watched the procession until it disappeared around the corner, then grabbed his keys and headed out the door. As he walked down the hallway, he couldn''t shake the feeling that yesterday''s mission was just the beginning. The Locator, the Ovinne Mountain Campaign, the escalating tensions with the Nobians ¨C it all pointed to something big on the horizon. He was sure he¡¯d be seeing them a lot more in the near future; they must¡¯ve figured out by now how critical Gatebuilder sites and technology are. His stomach growled like an angry bear as he made a beeline for the mess hall. He spotted Sera as soon as he walked in, her shock of silvery-blonde hair standing out like a beacon. She sat at their usual table, a heaping plate of waffles and sausages in front of her. He secured his own meal before making his way over, dodging the obstacle course of half-asleep soldiers and overloaded trays. He plopped down across from Sera, flashing her a friendly smile. ¡°Morning, sunshine,¡± he said. ¡°I see you¡¯re enjoying the local cuisine.¡± Sera looked up and returned his smile. ¡°Yup,¡± she agreed. She forked another piece, dousing it with rivulets of syrup as she shoved it in her mouth. ¡°Forsooth, a far departure from the swill and rations common to long journeys. First ¡®pancakes and bacon¡¯, now these ¡®waffles¡¯... your food piques my interest. The pattern does remind me of a blacksmith¡¯s forge, though the flavor is sweetly surprising.¡± Henry supposed a waffle would look a bit weird to someone who had never seen one before. He reached for the carafe of coffee as he took a bite from his own plate. ¡°Yeah, waffles are a classic back home. Just wait ¡®til you try out the wonder that is chicken and waffles.¡± Sera raised an eyebrow. ¡°Chicken, as in fowl?¡± Henry nodded. ¡°Mhmm.¡± ¡°Fowl and waffles¡­? You surely jest. Such an unholy union sounds like the fevered dream of some sotted alchemist.¡± Henry shrugged. She wasn¡¯t wrong, honestly. ¡°Yeah, to be fair, it does. Personally, I¡¯m not too partial to it. I¡¯m more of a French toast fan, y¡¯know?¡± ¡°French toast? Whatever this ¡®French¡¯ may be, I¡¯m certain it must taste extraordinary to captivate your palate so.¡± Henry shook his head, waving his hands as if he could wipe away the misconception. ¡°Oh, uh, French refers to a place, France. It¡¯s a bit complicated since the dish itself is actually Roman ¨C from Rome ¨C in origin, but we just call it French toast ''cause French immigrants brought it to us.¡± Sera tilted her head back slowly. ¡°I¡­ see¡­ You Americans certainly have unusual ways about you. To name victuals for those who brought it rather than its place of origin? An odd sort indeed.¡± ¡°Hey, c¡¯mon now,¡± Henry laughed, ¡°It ain¡¯t that weird. I bet it won¡¯t take long for you to get used to it. Hell, you even started saying ¡®yup¡¯ and ¡®yeah¡¯ just like us!¡± Sera¡¯s fork paused halfway to her mouth. ¡°Have I, now?¡± she asked, her eyes widening slightly. She looked genuinely surprised, like someone had just told her she could breathe underwater. She glanced down at her plate, tapping her fingers lightly on the edge. Yeah, she was definitely testing the words in her head, replaying recent conversations like looking through her mind¡¯s chat history. As she did so, a slight frown creased her forehead. He felt a slight chuckle bubbling up. ¡°Yeah, you have,¡± he said. ¡°It¡¯s kinda endearing, lowkey. Makes you sound like one of us.¡± She looked back up, meeting his eyes. There was a flicker of something there, quickly masked by her usual confidence and playfulness. Whatever it was, Henry could only guess. ¡°Yeah, I suppose I have,¡± she agreed with a smile. Henry took another bite. ¡°Hey, at least we know you¡¯ll breeze through your cultural awareness courses.¡± ¡°Cultural awareness courses?¡± Sera repeated the term. Henry nodded. Did he forget to tell her about those? ¡°Oh, right. Yeah, like I said yesterday, joining us has other prerequisites; it isn¡¯t as simple as registering to join any other Party at the Guild, since we¡¯re also a unit under the U.S. military first and foremost. Cultural awareness courses are one of the things you¡¯ll need to take, y¡¯know, to familiarize yourself with how we talk and our background in general.¡± ¡°Joy of joys. I can hardly wait to unravel the mysteries of your ¡®bruhs¡¯ and ¡®gyatts¡¯.¡± Henry nearly choked on his coffee. Where the hell had she heard those? Okay, maybe he might¡¯ve said ¡®bruh¡¯ a few times, but ¡®gyatt¡¯? He made a mental note to have a little chat with Ron later. ¡°Yeah, maybe don¡¯t put those on your flash cards just yet. Let¡¯s stick to the basics, like uh, knowing what a TV is or how to use an air conditioner.¡± Sera laughed lightly. ¡°Come now, don¡¯t be coy. Clearly this ¡®gyatt¡¯ holds mystical significance if your friend speaks of it so freely.¡± She waved a dismissive hand. ¡°But very well, indulge me with your ¡®basics¡¯ first if you must. I shall bide my time to uncover the secrets of the ¡®gyatt¡¯.¡± Henry set his mug down with a sigh. Oh, boy. Is this what Ambassador Perry warned against when it came to cultural contamination? ¡°Ah¡­¡± Her teasing manner faded as genuine curiosity took over. ¡°Might these ¡®courses¡¯ also include a sojourn to your lands? Sir Owens spoke rather highly of a ¡®Six Flags¡¯ ¨C a venue for ¡®hella fun rides¡¯, as he so eloquently described.¡± It was a bit optimistic, but he was sure the government wasn¡¯t ready to risk leaking the Manifest Project by having an elf walk around back home. ¡°Well, not quite. Maybe one day, though. I¡¯m sure you¡¯d love Six Flags.¡± Sera smiled at the thought. ¡°That would be interesting. What else is there?¡± ¡°Well, the cultural awareness courses are just the start,¡± Henry said. ¡°You¡¯ll also need to get trained on our weapons and combat tactics. That means firearms training.¡± Sera nearly spat out her food. ¡°Firearms?¡± She asked, eyes going wide, ¡°You mean¡­ your guns?¡± Henry nodded. Sera gave a disbelieving shake of her head. ¡°Why, even the crossbow remains a curiosity naught but described in tomes. How am I to lay hands upon such exotic weapons as ¡®guns¡¯ when I¡¯ve yet to experience loosing a simple quarrel ¨C when I¡¯ve yet to even lay hands on a crossbow?¡± Henry waved his hand dismissively. "Nah, you''ll be fine. Kel picked it up within a few days; you saw him using his sidearm back when we fought the Spiranids. We''ve got instructors who''ll show you every step of the way: marksmanship training, handling and maintenance, drills, y''know. If anything, I think you''ll be a natural." Sera smiled, doing a complete 180 as a hint of red crept into her cheeks. "Why, I fain accept your praise. I even wager I''d surpass you, once I''m fully fettled by your courses." There it was, that competitive streak. Reminded him of his ex, always trying to one-up him in Call of Duty. She never did, obviously, but he knew what it meant when a girl got that glint in her eye. He returned her smile with a smirk of his own. ¡°We¡¯ll see about that. Firearms are a whole different beast from swords and bows. From what I¡¯ve seen though, you¡¯ve got solid hand-eye coordination and reaction time. You¡¯ll just need to put in the time at the range and get a feel for the weapons.¡± ¡°Then let it be so. It may not seem like it, but I¡¯m no stranger to hard work.¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Henry said, taking another sip of his coffee. Honestly, he almost forgot Sera was a noble. ¡°I bet. Can¡¯t get to Tier 8 without some form of effort, huh?¡± ¡°Precisely,¡± Sera confirmed. ¡°Well, on top of physical effort, there¡¯s also mental stuff. Discipline, focus, adaptability.¡± Henry rubbed his chin, tilting his head. ¡°Well, I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve got all that down as well ¨C the basics, at least.¡± Sera lifted her chin. ¡°All things expected of a Knight of Eldlralore. It¡¯s how we¡¯re trained.¡± Her comment reminded him of something. He¡¯d always wondered about the inner workings of the Sonaran military, but he¡¯d never found the right moment to ask. ¡°Wait, so how exactly do Sonaran knights train?¡± he asked, popping another syrup-drenched bite into his mouth. ¡°Walk me through it.¡± Sera gazed at the ceiling, absently twirling a strand of hair around her finger. ¡°It¡¯s no mere trifle: first came grueling travails to temper our bodies,¡± Sera began. ¡°Innumerable drills, full-tilt passes of sword on sword leaving many a wight sore. We drove our bodies to their utmost limits ¨C honing strength, swiftness, agility.¡± Henry nodded. It all sounded familiar ¨C except, of course, for the sword sparring. ¡°Sounds a lot like our basic training. Lots of running, push-ups, basic exercises.¡± ¡°This was but a start, however,¡± she continued. ¡°Such training would have been adequate for simple levies or militia. Unlike them, mastery of physical enhancement magic was required of us. You¡¯ve seen it before: the use of mana to increase strength and speed beyond normal means.¡± Henry nodded. He knew exactly what she was talking about ¨C knights in full armor leaping like Olympic athletes, Kelmithus dashing faster than a man his age really should, and Sera herself blitzing through the Spiranid Queen like a superhero. ¡°Yeah, some crazy shit, I¡¯ll say.¡± Sera laughed. ¡°In a sense, I suppose. After such fettling, a knight could cleave iron with a single blow or outstrip a sperrot¡¯s wingbeats without pause.¡± She laid her fork down. ¡°In fact, we were also bade to maintain these enhancements, while casting magic ¨C at the same time!¡± It sounded difficult, and Henry could imagine that it was probably impossible for most people. It didn¡¯t help his understanding that he had only ever seen Sera do it. ¡°Damn, no wonder you made it look so easy.¡± ¡°Of course! Though, I shall admit, the first efforts were¡­ assays of chaos, to put it mildly. One of our tasks was to launch fireballs accurately at wooden targets.¡± Sera lowered her head slightly, hiding a smile. ¡°And¡­ I loosed an errant fireball mid-leap and accidentally singed my own tresses into cinders.¡± The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. Henry snorted. ¡°No shit? How¡¯d that turn out?¡± ¡°Well, let¡¯s just say I sported a rather daring coiffure for a span thereafter,¡± Sera smirked wryly. ¡°From that incident sprang forth the sobriquet by which I am now known.¡± Henry raised an eyebrow. ¡°Like, your adventuring nickname? Like Kel as the Arcane Scholar?¡± Sera nodded. ¡°Wait, hold on now,¡± Henry grinned. ¡°You can¡¯t just tease it like that without telling me. What kinda nickname did that earn you?¡± Sera did a double take, her cheeks flushing. ¡°You¡¯ve not heard of it?¡± Henry shook his head. ¡°Nah, not a single whisper.¡± ¡°Hmm¡­¡± Sera crossed her arms. ¡°C¡¯mon, everyone already knows,¡± Henry laughed. ¡°And besides, I¡¯m bound to find out at the Guild.¡± Sera rolled her eyes. ¡°If you must know¡­ I became known as the Queen of Cinders.¡± ¡°Queen of Cinders, huh?¡± Henry rolled the words around. ¡°Sera Sindis, Queen of Cinders¡­¡± Sera gave a sigh that hinted at exasperation, but the smile beneath spoke otherwise. ¡°Oh, must you tease me so?¡± Henry raised his hands up in mock surrender. ¡°Hey, it¡¯s actually a badass nickname. Shit goes hard, honestly. Very hard.¡± As Sera¡¯s features softened in response to his statement, he ventured further, ¡°Wait, is that why you always use ice magic?¡± ¡°Hah! A seer now, are you?¡± She sat back. ¡°Well, perhaps you are. I do avoid using fire magic, despite my acumen.¡± That gave Henry a thought. According to what he¡¯d learned about magic from Kelmithus, magic was based on a caster¡¯s visualization of the phenomenon they want to materialize. That¡¯s why most mages had to use verbal casting ¨C for example, to put the image of a searing flame and burning heat in their minds. Experienced casters ¨C or simply, people with solid imagination and understanding, didn¡¯t need to do this. So¡­ what if one were to increase said understanding through science? ¡°Y¡¯know¡­ Maybe we should include some science classes with the cultural awareness courses.¡± Sera looked up as she pierced the last waffle bite on her plate. ¡°Science classes? You speak of the natural philosophies? What for?¡± Henry dismissed the proposal. ¡°Just a thought for now; even the General couldn¡¯t give approval. But if they do, it¡¯ll certainly be better than learning about whatever nonsense Ron is teaching you.¡± The sound of Sera¡¯s laugh was dangerously intoxicating. Henry¡¯s heart drummed in his chest, starting with light taps before turning into solid thumps. Any more, and he feared his eyes would pop out of their sockets and turn into hearts like a fucking cartoon character. Staring at Sera, Henry couldn¡¯t help but wonder how things would be moving forward. Sure, she wanted to join and they¡¯d probably have more moments like this, but one question kept nagging at him. ¡°Say, I remember you mentioned your distaste for Parties ¨C internal strife and whatnot. What changed?¡± Noticing her shift in posture, he followed up, ¡°Not that I¡¯m complaining, but you did say you were more of a lone wolf type, right? Solo adventurer?¡± Sera narrowed her eyes, her smile flickering like a candle in the wind. Something dark passed behind her eyes, there and gone again in a blink. ¡°Ah, yes. I did say that, didn¡¯t I?¡± Henry only nodded. He didn''t know what else to say, or if he should say anything. Sera hesitated, but he could see her gathering her courage. It was plain as day; she knew just as well as he did that real cohesion started here. He wouldn¡¯t pressure her, but she had to be able to do at least this much if she really wanted to join them. ¡°I suppose the present serves well enough as any,¡± she started, taking a deep breath as she prepared to recount her story. ¡°I became an adventurer not long after receiving my knighthood from the Royal Academy of Sonara. A few of my fellow newly-minted blades and I formed a Party ¨C we called ourselves Hot Silver.¡± It was an interesting name, probably having something to do with fire magic and silvery hair, but he didn¡¯t pry. He nodded, allowing her to continue. She sighed, her face looking like she was reliving the good times, before it all went to shit. ¡°When we formed our Party, we decreed a core rule ¨C whosoever contributed most should also reap the most. At the time it seemed a prudent creed, you know? Drawing our ambitions to ever greater heights of glory. We started at Tier 5, youthful, reckless. Our quests were easy, perhaps even fun, I daresay.¡± Her smile faded. So this must be where it all went to shit. ¡°But ere long, our core rule begot corruption. Lucan ad Darnath, our vanguard and appointed leader, saw his mind clouded by greed ¨C as did Tancred ad Velen, our archer. They vied for rewards, heedlessly rushing ahead into peril, placing valor ¨C if such a term could even be used to describe their actions ¨C before caution.¡± She continued, ¡°There were two others in our party ¨C Livia ad Riena, our mage, and Raulin ad Felsmond, our scout. We voiced protests against such folly, yet Lucan scorned our counsel.¡± Her voice took on a sour, mocking tone as she spoke his name, like it left a bad taste in her mouth. ¡°The daft knave dismissed it as minor annoyances, complaints against ¡®rousing competition¡¯.¡± She made air quotes around those last two words, scoffing. Henry nodded along and gestured for her to continue. ¡°I thought his foolishness bearable ¨C a grave error in hindsight, one that I should not have overlooked. As we reached Tier 6, we took on a quest to scour the Baranthurian ruins skirting the town of Lorranius. Careful reconnaissance ere engagement ¨C such was our plan.¡± ¡°But no sooner had we breached the ruins than Lucan espied a Mitrhil golem ¨C a prize whose components are worth tens of thousands of lumens to alchemists and smithies.¡± Sera gave an awkward smile and a lifeless laugh. ¡°I suppose it would be strange coming from me, but delusions of glory possessed the man. He charged the golem forthwith, sundering our formation and abandoning poor Livia to exposure.¡± Sera¡¯s voice turned bitter. ¡°If we had followed our plan and allowed Raulin to scout the chambers, we would have known of the four other golems hidden away. They awoke as Lucan struck the first golem, and we were set upon from every quarter whilst out of formation. Poor Livia was the first to suffer Lucan¡¯s folly, and her ribs were shattered by a strike that came from nowhere. To preserve our lives, I grabbed Livia and called out our retreat.¡± A typical rock golem, as Henry could recall, weighed about as much as a car. These mithril golems? They probably weighed as much as a small truck. He couldn¡¯t imagine what it would be like getting a direct hit from one, much less surviving it. ¡°And what happened to Livia? Did she turn out alright?¡± Sera nodded, a sigh of relief escaping her lips. ¡°By the grace of Sola, she narrowly escaped a killing blow. Unlike you, Lucan hardly cared. You know, the first thing he said to me as we emerged from the ruins was a curse? He raged at me for ¡®robbing his glory¡¯, for the failure of our quest. Only when I pressed did Lucan deign to ask Livia if she was okay ¨C as but an afterthought to slake his wounded vanity.¡± ¡°Damn. Sounds like a real fucking dickhead,¡± Henry commented. ¡°I couldn¡¯t agree more,¡± Sera said, finishing the last of her waffles and draining her cup. ¡°Well, that proved the final insult. I could no longer suffer his reckless egoism endangering our lives. I admit, we all sought glory from our efforts ¨C achievements to mark our success and bring honor to our families. His methods, however, were rash.¡± Henry shook his head slowly. He could imagine how bad it must¡¯ve been. If the Delta guys acted like that Lucan asshole, putting glory before the team, well¡­ there wouldn¡¯t be any Delta guys left. Sera gave a weak smile. ¡°Glory rings hollow for those interred before their time. What use is renown for one who cannot revel in it?¡± Truer words had never been spoken. Henry raised his mug. ¡°Amen to that.¡± Sera clinked her own mug against his before continuing the story, ¡°I departed Hot Silver that very night, seeking solace among other Parties in hopes of finding true fellowship and common cause.¡± A shadow passed over her features. ¡°Alas, it was a fool¡¯s errand. Each new venture proved as vexing as the last: the same petty squabbles and selfish ambitions that had rent asunder my former companions.¡± ¡°That bad, huh?¡± She shrugged. ¡°As if fortune had become allergic to me.¡± Her smile returned, so it must¡¯ve been a sign that she didn¡¯t have terrible experiences with the other parties, at least. ¡°The first Party I threw my lot in with following Hot Silver¡¯s demise? Why, none other than the self-proclaimed Tier 5 ¡®Hellscorn Blademasters of Obsidian¡¯ ¨C an absurd moniker if ever there was one.¡± Henry coughed. It sounded like something a high-school edgelord would come up with. ¡°The Hellscorn Blademasters of Obsidian, huh? Yikes.¡± With a melodramatic roll of her eyes and an embarrassed sigh, she continued, ¡°I should have known just by the name alone. Their leader fancied himself some dread warlord reborn, addressing us as mere ¡®initiates¡¯ with titles like ¡®Bladekeeper¡¯ and ¡®Flamebearer¡¯ as he parceled out roles.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll not soon forget the day our scout misstepped and found herself ensorcelled by some relic¡¯s protective wards. When she emerged with a smudged face and charred hair, our fearless commander demanded to know what ¡®profane forces¡¯ had dared strike her down. Her reply? ¡®Erm¡­ my own arcfire, Lord Blackheart?¡¯¡± Sera chuckled alongside Henry, shaking her head. ¡°Needless to say, their fanciful bravado swiftly lost what little luster it once held in my eyes after such incidents. The ¡®Hellscorn Blademasters¡¯ amounted to naught but a troupe of self-important buffoons play-acting at genuine heroics.¡± Henry finished his own meal, leaning back in his chair. ¡°Makes you wonder how they even hit Tier 5 in the first place.¡± ¡°Precisely!¡± she exclaimed enthusiastically, like someone finally understood her. ¡°Which is why I could scarcely believe what I was hearing from their blustering mouths. Anyway, if you can believe it, the next sorry lot I fell in with made those blades look like the Guild¡¯s Exalted Paragons in comparison.¡± Henry furrowed his brow. ¡°The Tier 10 Club?¡± Sera nodded. ¡°Steel Dawn, they called themselves ¨C though ¡®Dull Ember¡¯ would have proved more apt. At the helm sat their commander, one Varric Hamspag, a commoner and Tier 7 warrior who lacked not for ego despite his Party¡¯s lacking¡­¡± Sera tilted her head as she searched for the right words. ¡°How shall I put this? Whereas the Hellscorns suffered from overinflated ambitions, Steel Dawn seemed wholly bereft of aspiration beyond Varric¡¯s own selfish aims. Oh, the others postured well enough at being capable blades; they were either Tier 5 or 6. But any quest rewards or glory to be had, their leader insisted on keeping the lion¡¯s share under one pretext or another. ¡®A leader¡¯s tax for guidance provided¡¯, or some such drivel.¡± It was a good thing Ron wasn¡¯t here to hear all this; he would¡¯ve gotten his adventuring dreams crushed. ¡°And let me guess, the other Parties were more of the same?¡± Sera sighed, giving a rueful nod. ¡°If not incompetence, it was greed. If not that, it was brashness. For all their talk of glory and renown, these Parties achieved little of lasting worth. How ironic that their obsession with accolades resulted in accomplishing nothing at all.¡± She raised her mug at Henry. ¡°But you¡­ there¡¯s nary a note of boastful pretense, nor meaningless pontification in your words or tone. You cut straight and true. And¡­ your Party has true potential, promised by your outre methods and weaponry.¡± He wondered why Sera wanted glory so badly, even after her experiences with such parties. ¡°Yeah, in that case, let¡¯s see what the General has to say.¡± Sera got up from her seat, lifting her empty tray. ¡°Of course. Lead the way.¡± Henry pushed back from the table. Despite the ups and downs of their joking banter, there was an earnestness to her words. For all her snark and bravado, the Queen of Cinders seemed to want¡­ what? Validation, maybe? The way she spoke about her failed Parties, it was like she¡¯d lost something deeper than just a chance at glory. He considered asking her, some half-formed question about her past on the tip of his tongue. But then the chatter in the mess hall just so happened to die down. In that lull, he caught a voice that snapped his attention like a rubber band. ¡°... fucking got Jankowski. Arrow to the shoulder. Completely shattered his fucking collarbone, man.¡± His head swiveled toward the source ¨C two men from Zulu-9, seated at a table. Just one look at their faces was all he needed to know what was going on. To say they were upset would probably be an understatement. He glanced at Sera, seeing her reaction. She slowed her movements, inching an eyebrow up. The taller soldier paused, spoon hovering over his meal. ¡°Huh? Fuck you mean, Jan got dusted?¡± The shorter soldier answered. ¡°Nobian wind snipe. Came from inside the fucking tunnel and turned his shoulder into fucking nothing. Thank God some of the Sonaran researchers were healers¡­¡± He trailed off. What should¡¯ve been a hopeful comment instead had a lingering uncertainty to it. ¡°But?¡± The shorter soldier lowered his head, gripping his fork tightly. ¡°But even with surgery and healing magic, the best the docs could do was put him in a fuckin¡¯ COMA to try saving what¡¯s left of him! The healers couldn¡¯t fix the internal bleeding and trauma; they just don¡¯t have the knowledge.¡± He raised his fist, as if preparing to slam it into the table, but slowly lowered it. ¡°Fucking bullshit, man. The Nobians turn away Ambassador Beckett just to pull off this shit? The fuck did we ever do to them? They didn¡¯t even follow the own Goddamn treaty they signed with the Sonarans! Makes no fucking sense.¡± No protective magic, no advanced anti-ballistic plating. All he could do was pray for Jankowski. Henry¡¯s hand reflexively went to his shoulder. It was hard to forget the sickening punch of that shaft boring though Kelmithus¡¯ shield and his envirosuit. Sera followed his gaze. A subtle furrow pinched her brow in an unspoken question: Should we¡­? ¡°Can¡¯t wait til the tanks and bombers get here,¡± the other man said. ¡°Tanks and bombers? I can¡¯t wait til the nukes get here. The Sonarans were right about the Nobians. These fucking animals don¡¯t wanna talk peace, oh nah, but I bet they¡¯ll fucking listen to fear. Fucking glass ¡®em til they do, and if they don¡¯t, then glass ¡®em til we finish the fucking job.¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± his friend simply said, going back to his meal. Henry shook his head, dropping off his tray before heading out. His jaw tensed as the soldiers¡¯ voices faded back into the mess hall''s ambient chatter. After a few paces past the mess hall¡¯s exit, Sera broke the silence. ¡°Those men¡­¡± she began, hesitating. ¡°They react as if this ¡®Jankowski¡¯... As if he were forever lost to them. Surely the healers can restore him, given enough time and care?¡± Henry could hear the confusion in her tone. To her, healing magic was like a universal panacea. And for most Gaerrans, it probably was. Their bodies were stronger and above all, had integrated mana to work with. He let out a breath, considering how to explain it to her. ¡°If the efforts of our doctors and your healers could only manage putting him in a coma¡­¡± Henry shook his head slowly. ¡°It ain¡¯t a good sign.¡± The realization seemed to click for Sera then. Healing magic assumed external, superficial damage, basic blunt force, or clean strikes from a blade ¨C not that kind of internal large-scale trauma. Not only did the Sonarans lack medical expertise, but they were also accustomed to casting healing magic on bodies reinforced by mana. Henry could tell she got it from the slight narrowing of her eyes. Henry explained, ¡°Stabilizing Jankowski by inducing a coma ¨C it¡¯s likely a method of buying time. Trying to teach your healers about human physiology and anatomy before they apply more complex healing magic to him.¡± Sera¡¯s voice took on a somber tone. ¡°And if they were to cast the magic too soon, I imagine it would fail to work?¡± She seemed to understand a lot, even with what little information she was given. With a nod, Henry confirmed her concerns. ¡°Yeah. Since magic is based on a caster¡¯s understanding, there¡¯s a chance of accidentally fusing bone fragments incorrectly, or regenerating tissue over debris, or missing certain parts because the healers simply didn¡¯t know a specific part of the body existed.¡± ¡°I¡­ see.¡± Their walk fell silent as they continued through Armstrong¡¯s corridors. She seemed antsy, still, like there was more on her mind. As they neared the briefing room, she finally spoke up. ¡°I cannot help but dwell on what those men alluded to¡­ These ¡®tanks¡¯ and ¡®bombers¡¯ they spoke of with such fervor. Weapons of immense devastation, I gathered? Much akin to your ¡®Apache¡¯ and ¡®UGVs¡¯?¡± Henry shrugged. ¡°Well, you could say that.¡± Sera nodded, no doubt trying to guess at what Tier these new weapons would likely be. If Henry had to guess, it¡¯d probably be Tier 9 for tanks and Tier 10 for bombers. ¡°And this¡­¡± Sera hesitated, ¡°this ¡®nuke¡¯? Some sort of attack, I presume?¡± Henry tensed his jaw. How should he respond to this? He quashed the initial impulse to deflect or rebuff her question entirely. Was this the sort of world that needed nukes? He really hoped not. ¡°Let¡¯s just say it would be best if we never find out,¡± he said at last, reaching the briefing room¡¯s door. ¡°Well actually, if all goes well after this debriefing, you might be properly read-in before too long.¡± He hoped his reticence was obvious enough for Sera to pick up. An arched eyebrow followed by a simple nod reassured him that she understood the boundaries. ¡°Ah, I shall endeavor to have patience then. It stirs no small excitement, knowing I¡¯ll soon see your recondite war machines unfurled before me.¡± Henry allowed himself a faint smirk as he grasped the handle. ¡°Well then, Queen of Cinders, let¡¯s not keep the General waiting.¡± Chapter 19: Exceptions ¡°... covers the recon sweep of GB-2. Zulu-9 has the exfil and comms details in their supplemental.¡± Henry closed the folder and sat back, noting the sideways glances and wide eyes around the conference table. The room fell silent as Armstrong''s command and scientific staff digested the information. From the Sentinel Lindwyrm to the facility¡¯s artifacts and the Nobians, the GB-2 mission had uncovered more than they ever could have imagined. Director Lombard seemed as antsy as her fellow scientists. Of course, Henry completely understood why. The Manifest Project had been chasing scraps for decades, ever since Area 51 was first constructed over the gateway. She probably expected to wait another several decades before anything interesting came up following the portal''s activation. For Lombard, who had dedicated her entire career to unlocking the secrets of the Gatebuilders, the artifacts from GB-2 must have been the archaeological equivalent of hitting the lottery. Dr. Perdue was just as excited ¨C it was more than obvious. The creature¡¯s scales alone, which had shrugged off .50 cal rounds and weathered 40mm grenades like a tank, promised to revolutionize their understanding of material science. And then there were the rumors of dragon parts being used in everything from top-quality local equipment to magical elixirs and treatments. Well, lindwyrms weren¡¯t quite dragons, but they were close enough, right? If even half of the rumors were true, then they had at their fingertips an exclusive goldmine of discoveries. Beside her, Dr. Lamarr seemed relatively composed, but Henry knew her. The darting eyes gave it away: while she was definitely interested in the report, she was dying to get back to the lab and poke around a bit more. The locator and storage devices alone could probably propel them a few hundred years ahead, if they could even figure out how these things worked. There wasn¡¯t much a caveman ¨C even a really smart one ¨C could learn from a smartphone. He simply wouldn¡¯t have the tools or the industry. Unlike the hypothetical caveman though, they had access to an entire Gatebuilder site, perhaps multiple if they could figure out how to crack open the various Gatebuilder towers around Armstrong. Ambassador Perry, in contrast, looked like his kid just flunked a class. It was a pretty accurate assessment too, since the last time he looked like this was well, when his kid got a 1 in AP U.S. History. Anecdotes aside, it was pretty uncharacteristic of him ¨C it suggested a concerning development, especially coupled with the fact that General Harding shared the very same look. It didn¡¯t take a genius to guess why they seemed so sour. The Nobian¡¯s blatant disregard for the Grenden Accords was a red flag ¨C a sign that they were growing bolder and more aggressive. The incident at Duke Vancor¡¯s guest mansion, the Hardale quest, and now a violation of a long-standing treaty? If they were willing to risk open war with the Sonarans, it could only mean one of two things: either they''d amassed enough strength to no longer fear their neighbors, or they''d recognized the immense value of the Gatebuilder sites and were willing to do whatever it took to secure them. Maybe both. Either way, the implications were grim. With only a thousand personnel at Armstrong Base, they were ill-equipped to face the full might of the Nobian Empire alone. The obvious answer would be to bring over more personnel, but that would mean risking a leak; Russian and Chinese satellites wouldn¡¯t just ignore a huge convoy rolling into Area 51, disappearing into nowhere. The second most obvious answer would be to cozy up with the Sonarans. Cultural contamination at that point wouldn¡¯t even be a concern compared to how the Nobians would react. Would word of an alliance force their hand? In any case, that was a problem for the General and the Ambassador, and their superiors. Henry shook off the thoughts and turned his attention to General Harding as he finished his sidebar conversations. ¡°Outstanding work, Captain Donnager,¡± Harding said. ¡°The Nobians will certainly be an issue, but the artifacts and intelligence you¡¯ve brought back are more than worth the trouble.¡± ¡°Couldn¡¯t have asked for a better breakthrough,¡± Lombard added. Despite all the issues, Henry certainly agreed. With a leak being the worst case scenario, there wasn¡¯t too much to worry about. He nodded in response, waiting for them to continue. Harding turned to Dr. Lamarr. ¡°Speaking of breakthroughs, what¡¯s your initial assessment on the artifacts? How soon can we start unpacking their secrets?¡± ¡°Well, General, it¡¯s hard to say for certain until I can bring the artifacts back to Groom Lake. Electron microscope and all the other equipment¡¯s back home,¡± Dr. Lamarr explained. ¡°But based on a first glance and what Alpha Team has reported, it¡¯s clear enough that these are light years beyond anything we have. I¡¯d even venture to say they¡¯re light years beyond anything we¡¯ve seen in popular sci-fi shows, although there are a few contenders that are rather¡­ ¡®cultured¡¯.¡± ¡°Hm¡­¡± General Harding crossed his arms, remaining silent. Dr. Lamarr continued, speaking up before the silence could get awkward. ¡°I have been able to, with the aid of Dr. Anderson,¡± she said, nodding to him, ¡°conduct some preliminary examinations on the hologram-based artifact ¨C the Locator. It¡¯s been surprisingly intuitive, possibly owing to the Gatebuilders¡¯ human physiology and psychology, we think. Anyway, we¡¯ve identified some of its primary functions and have determined how to navigate its interface on a basic level.¡± She held up the Locator, activating it. A map burst forth, smaller than the one that enveloped the room when Henry first interacted with it, but unmistakably of the same region. It looked like she figured out how to downsize it, at least. She gestured to the display. ¡°As you can see, the device seems to be primarily designed for navigation and information storage. The screen can project life-like holograms of maps, schematics, and virtual environments. I confirmed the location Captain Donnager pointed out earlier, the set of glasses right here.¡± She pointed to a spot within the Ovinne Mountains. ¡°I managed to find several other coordinates, but they seemed greyed out; locked. The one in the Ovinne Mountains is the only one we¡¯re able to access currently. We should investigate this location as soon as possible. The more clues and artifacts we collect, the better I¡¯ll be able to understand the Gatebuilders¡¯ technologies.¡± Harding nodded, but seemed hesitant. Henry knew the General agreed with Dr. Lamarr¡¯s assessment, but getting there would be a whole other challenge. ¡°We¡¯ll make it a priority, Doctor,¡± he finally said. Harding sighed, glancing at Dr. Perdue. They¡¯d only had the Lindwyrm for an hour ¨C not enough for a full study, but maybe enough for at least some preliminary insights. ¡°Have we learned anything so far?¡± Dr. Perdue gave a small nod. ¡°We¡¯ve barely scratched the surface, but initial scans are promising. Here, we noticed a few things that could be of interest.¡± She tapped a few keys on her tablet, bringing up some rough scans before sharing them with a nearby display. ¡°One of the first things that caught our attention was the creature¡¯s blood vessels. They basically confirm what we theorized when comparing the vascular systems of the Rillifanes and other creatures we¡¯ve dissected: they all have mana channels running through them. It looks like their circulatory systems are dual purpose: normal blood transportation for one, and then magical energy transport on top of that. For the Lindwyrm specifically, though, it¡¯s incredibly dense ¨C far surpassing the Celisyrin vine sample from last week. The potential for magic conductivity is¡­ well, it¡¯s impressive, to say the least.¡± She swiped to a new image, this one a side-by-side comparison of the Lindwyrm¡¯s skeletal structure and a dragon skeleton as recorded by Sanctum Arcanum. ¡°Now, obviously, we¡¯ll need to run more detailed comparisons to confirm the parallel. However, if true, then given the similarities between the Lindwyrm¡¯s anatomy and dragon physiology, it could give us a starting point for predicting some of the Elemental Dragon¡¯s capabilities. Its strength, its speed, maybe its abilities or mana capacity¡­ we might ¨C key word, might ¨C be able to extrapolate from what we¡¯re seeing in the Lindwyrm.¡± ¡°Now again, this is all very tentative. We¡¯ll need a lot more analysis to draw any firm conclusions,¡± she said, bringing the images down from the display. General Harding nodded slowly. ¡°Understood, Doctor. Keep me and Captain Sinclair posted if you find anything new.¡± He then turned to Sinclair, nodding for her to begin her own report. ¡°As of 0800 this morning, my team has completed a preliminary analysis of the battlefield remains and artifacts recovered from GB-2 post engagement with Nobian forces. While there is still much work to be done, we¡¯ve got several key findings to report.¡± Captain Sinclair took a breath, opening with helmet cam footage from the battle itself. ¡°First and foremost, the capabilities displayed by the Nobian forces aligned with our estimates, based on intelligence shared by the Sonarans. Given the observable effects and post-engagement analysis, we¡¯ve assessed that the Nobian operators employed magically-enhanced archery, which allowed their arrows to achieve subsonic velocities and kinetic energy transfer comparable to modern high-powered rifles. For reference, arrows during the medieval era could reach speeds on average of 300 feet per second. The Nobian arrows exceeded 1,000 feet per second.¡± Sinclair punctuated her briefing by bringing up a new image - this time the twisted remnants of a single Nobian arrow, its shaft splintered and head mangled into an oblique lump. "We''re still awaiting the full compositional assay results," she stated, "but preliminary spectroscopic scans indicate the arrowhead itself is fashioned from some sort of mithril-derivative alloy." Yup, precisely what broke through Henry¡¯s armor, and what the bandits used to crack their MRAP¡¯s window when they first set out for Eldralore. ¡°Archmage Kelmithus, who has been consulting closely with us, has analyzed these enchantments and assessed they are consistent with advanced applications of the Wind Snipe spell, typically usable only by mages of Tier 5 proficiency or higher,¡± Sinclair went on. ¡°The fact that every Nobian operative was able to employ these spells suggests their overall arcane capabilities met or exceeded that Tier threshold.¡± ¡°In addition to their enhanced archery,¡± she continued, ¡°the Nobians appeared to be simultaneously employing physical enhancement magic, invisibility magic, and some form of wind magic to create protective air bubbles around themselves, which allowed them to sustain operations in proximity to our CR gas deployments ¨C to an extent.¡± The footage played out the harsh reality ¨C several Nobians stumbling blindly through the dense gas clouds, coughing and choking uncontrollably as their cloaking spells flickered and fizzled. For the soldiers though, there was no reprieve. Fire and brimstone rained from the edges of the feed, sending bodies jerking in morbid staccato before they crumpled to the scorched earth. For all the incredible magic the Nobians could muster, they remained bound to the same physical vulnerabilities as any other combatants. Only a few seemed to emerge largely unscathed - the lucky ones who''d managed to erect those protective wind bubbles before the gas started churning. Even then, their perceived immunity proved distressingly brief. The wind bubbles conformed tightly to their casters, giving away their location to Zulu-9, who responded expeditiously with automatic weapons fire and explosions. Whether asphyxiated by airborne particulate or just straight-up pounded into oblivion, the result was the same. The flickering outlines of Nobians convulsed under those explosive onslaughts before crumpling into scorched heaps amidst the drifting smoke and dust. It was harrowing, but also reassuring ¨C technology''s supremacy announced in displays of overwhelming firepower. ¡°Upon reviewing the tactical footage and interviewing Alpha Team,¡± Sinclair''s voice sliced through, ¡°we''ve identified a strong correlation between the observed spellcasting and the presence of these amulets, which were recovered from every Nobian combatant.¡± Another image filled the screen ¨C this time of an ornate golden amulet inlaid with glowing blue crystals. Henry squinted at it, trying to recall if he''d actually noticed Nobians wearing those in the fray or if it had just blended into the general chaos. Captain Sinclair explained, ¡°Preliminary spectroscopic analysis of the amulets confirms the presence of high-grade mana crystals, which appear to have been significantly drained during the course of the engagement. Archmage Kelmithus has confirmed that these amulets are consistent with standard equipment enchantment practices, designed to amplify and sustain the wearer''s mana output." She brought up a comparison, showing a Tier 8 necklace alongside the Nobian counterpart. ¡°Based on the EMF signatures and comparative analysis against reference samples from Archmage Kelmithus and the other Sonaran scholars, we assess that these amulets likely increased each operator''s effective mana capacity by a factor of two at minimum. They could probably sustain low to moderate spellcasting for, maybe¡­um, 2-3 hours? Less if they''re slinging heavy-duty combat magic, but still ¨C that''s a significant force multiplier.¡± So, it meant that the Nobians could probably stay cloaked for up to 3 hours straight. If he had known that just a day earlier, they probably could¡¯ve just waited things out at GB-2. Sure, the Nobians would¡¯ve still kept in wait, but at least they might¡¯ve been able to drain their mana a bit, make the fight a bit easier. Well, it was good to know for next time. Sinclair paused briefly. ¡°Obviously our analysis is still preliminary at this stage. The Sonaran consultants have been understandably preoccupied dealing with Sergeant Jankowski''s condition, so we haven''t had a chance to thoroughly crosswalk their arcane expertise against our technical assessments yet.¡± Harding gave a grim nod. ¡°They''ve still got Jankowski in that coma, I take it?¡± ¡°Yes sir,¡± Sinclair confirmed. "Our doctors have been walking the Sonarans through human anatomical models and radiology scans to get them up to speed. But it¡¯s uh¡­ delicate, to put it lightly. That is, transferring that medical knowledge over in a way the healers can integrate their magic without accidentally fusing his skin to bone fragments, or worse." Harding sighed. ¡°Damned Nobians,¡± he spat, rage distilled to two words. Though, it wasn¡¯t really rage that he registered in that moment ¨C at least not for Henry. Rather, it was just the dull, viscous resentment that came with knowing the enemy¡¯s bullshit had no sense. Whatever it was, it burned away quick as receipts after an AAR. ¡°Do we have any indication that they¡¯re aware of our findings?¡± ¡°From what we can tell, sir, no indication they had actionable intel on the Locator or the site,¡± Sinclair reported. ¡°However, it¡¯s probable they learned of our expedition via assets embedded in Eldralore. Even if they knew there was a Sentinel Lindwyrm, deploying a sizable force from the Order of the Shadow suggests that they weren¡¯t there simply to investigate the disappearance of the fog.¡± True as it was, there wasn¡¯t much they could do aside from try to cover their tracks better. ¡°Understood,¡± Harding said, turning to Lamarr next. ¡°Talk to me about this Ovinne site, then. What¡¯re we looking at?¡± Dr. Lamarr pulled up a topographical map, modeled from the Locator¡¯s data. ¡°Terrain-wise, I¡¯d say it¡¯s rugged, to put it mildly. The Locator tells us a lot about the layout of the facility and its location, but accessing it will be difficult.¡± ¡°Not to mention the fact that the entire area¡¯s cordoned off by the Guild,¡± Sinclair interjected, the added reality check landing hard. ¡°Access is restricted to Tier 7 Parties or Tier 5 adventurers operating as part of an established Clan.¡± Harding exhaled deeply. Bureaucracy ¨C the bane of everyone everywhere. ¡°Well, don¡¯t government entities get some kind of pass on these restrictions?¡± Perry shook his head. ¡°Yes, that is true, but uh¡­ Our status is still¡­ unresolved, for lack of a better term. We¡¯ve only begun the process of establishing national sovereignty and petitioning for membership in governing bodies like the Guild.¡± The General''s frown deepened as the full implications set in. ¡°So they don''t currently recognize the U.S. government as a legitimate state actor yet?¡± "That''s correct." The hopeful lilt to Harding''s question was swiftly undercut by Perry''s frankly doubtful head shake. ¡°Unfortunately¡­¡± And there it was - the sound of their lifeline being ever-so-politely severed. Perry met Harding''s gaze evenly. ¡°Formal recognition and accession into a body like the Guild typically involves extended negotiations, verification of territorial claims, adherence to standardized legal frameworks and rights of membership. It''s a very systematic process. And to be frank, only a few people within the Sonaran Federation, Nobian Empire, the Guild, and a few surrounding factions are even aware we exist.¡± He paused briefly. ¡°For a non-native entity like ourselves, it¡¯s new. No one¡¯s ever done this before ¨C interplanetary relations. Not ourselves, not the native Gaerrans. So, asserting national personhood and having that status legitimized by bodies like the Guild...it could potentially take years to achieve the required consensus and approvals. Likely spanning multiple phases of negotiations, credentialing reviews, administrative benchmarks.¡± Harding nodded slowly, jaw tightening as each hassle piled remorselessly onto his shoulders. ¡°Bureaucratic hurdles, in other words.¡± ¡°Precisely, General.¡± A faint grin flickered across Perry''s features, there and gone. "While our unique circumstances may allow for some expediting, we must still navigate the proper credentialing channels. Pushing too far outside those processes could jeopardize our international standing.¡± Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation. That meant they had to get access through the guild. ¡°Then we have two main options,¡± Henry said, ¡°either we undergo the Tier promotion and get ourselves up to Tier 7, or we ¨C¡± Harding gave a curt shake of his head ¨C it was a no-go, and understandably so. ¡°Let¡¯s table the Clan option for now.¡± ¡°That leaves us with the rank up,¡± Henry stated. He knew full well what that entailed ¨C quests until they reached the threshold, then the Tier 7 test itself, then any administrative hoops ¨C the whole nine yards. ¡°Might be a good time to explore joint training with the Sonarans, then,¡± Harding mused. ¡°We¡¯re gonna need to get used to fighting combatants capable of magic, anyway. We¡¯ll have Alpha Team test the waters, work with one of their scholars in the lead-up to their evaluation.¡± The General tossed out the fantastical idea sans garnish or even a raised eyebrow. Even something like this seemed normal now ¨C cross-pollinating Alpha¡¯s TACOPs with magical training. That is, if the Sonarans were willing. The man paused, then looked at Perry to ask the question already formulating in Henry¡¯s mind. ¡°Ambassador? What do you think?¡± The faintest crease popped up between Perry¡¯s brows before disappearing as quickly as they formed ¨C angles considered and ultimately deemed navigable. At least for this overture. ¡°Ehh, shouldn¡¯t be a problem. I can work it into the Lindwyrm study agreement as an additional provision.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s pursue setting that up, then,¡± Harding said with a satisfied nod. They had secured the basics, but what would come next? He turned to Henry, ¡°Captain, this will be a first for all of us ¨C updating our TTPs with this stuff. What requirements do you anticipate for this integration?¡± Well, it wasn¡¯t an easy question to answer, especially without knowing exactly what to expect. How did Sonarans train with magic anyway? It¡¯s not like he had any magic to accidentally burn his hair with. Might as well be honest. ¡°Sir, I can¡¯t give a definitive answer until we meet with possible instructors. I anticipate we¡¯re gonna be figuring out a lot of this on the fly.¡± Henry saw the General nod ¨C the facts were obvious enough. The opportunity he now had in front of him, though, was a different story altogether. ¡°However, I can say with certainty that magical capabilities represent a critical force multiplier we can¡¯t afford to ignore. Learning how to adapt our current equipment against magical threats is necessary and can work, but I think we can do one better.¡± He took a breath. He had never been this tense before, but then again, the stakes weren¡¯t his this time around. Following a glance at Sera, he continued, ¡°In light of this, I¡¯d like to recommend integrating Seraphine ad Sindis into Alpha Team as our sixth member, with your approval.¡± Henry caught the subtle lean in Harding¡¯s posture and didn¡¯t wait for the question. ¡°She¡¯s an experienced Tier 8 adventurer from a noble lineage. Her talents would be a force multiplier and her pedigree could help smooth things over on diplomacy or get us access to conveniences we might need, like passage. And her experience against Gaerra¡¯s native threats ¨C humanoid or otherwise ¨C would be invaluable in improving the efficiency of our tactics and adapting our approaches as situations might demand. More importantly¡­¡± Henry locked eyes with Sera. ¡°She¡¯s proven her proficiency in the field and that her commitment aligns with our own.¡± Somehow, Henry felt like he was as anxious as Sera, waiting through Harding¡¯s contemplation. It surprised him. Was he really this concerned over whether or not Sera was on his team? General Harding¡¯s response ¨C and Henry¡¯s reaction to said response, was more than enough of an answer. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll approve it.¡± Henry let out a breath he didn¡¯t know he¡¯d been holding. ¡°I¡¯ll leave the process to you and Captain Sinclair,¡± Harding said. ¡°You¡¯ve already informed Lady Sera of what to expect?¡± Henry nodded. ¡°Absolutely, sir. Cultural lessons, BCT, the like. I¡¯ve already thought up a possible curriculum as well.¡± ¡°Alright, good. Then that makes one problem down,¡± Harding sighed. Indeed, that was one problem down, but the look on Dr. Lamarr''s face suggested that that was just the tip of the iceberg. ¡°Honestly, that¡¯s¡­ that¡¯s just it, though ¨C it¡¯s only one problem. The bigger challenge lies with the, uh, the environmental conditions.¡± Perdue picked up the thread. ¡°The elevated ambient mana levels in that region. Much more dense than what we¡¯ve seen at GB-2.¡± They all knew what that meant, Henry and Alpha Team more than anyone else. Well, Ron specifically. It was understandable ¨C he wouldn¡¯t want to play the role of a pi?ata either. And if there was still any lingering uncertainty, it was thoroughly cleared by Perdue spelling it out for them. ¡°It¡¯s no coincidence that the Ovinne Mountain Campaign takes place in the same general region. Following the trend of monster strength versus mana density, it¡¯s highly likely that the Elemental Dragon is guarding the Ovinne site, much like how the Sentinel Lindwyrm guarded GB-2.¡± Ryan¡¯s chair creaked in protest as he rocked back, feigning nonchalance. ¡°Top of the food chain, huh?¡± Was it a mask? With Ryan, Henry could barely tell. For the others, though, they all knew the truth, cold and obdurate as a concrete T-wall. More than cold, it was a truth they didn¡¯t want to hear ¨C an unflinching obstacle. If they wanted to get into the next Gatebuilder site, they needed to take out a Tier 10 monster, the highest on the Guild¡¯s system. And given the logarithmic nature of the system, a Tier 10 represented an utterly unknown upper limit of strength. TOW missiles represented the best anti-armor option they could mount on their MRAPs, Switchblades excluded. They were potent enough to delete most Tier 8s from the gameboard. But against Tier 9s? They could barely hold their own. What the hell would they need to use against Tier 10s? Of course, they could jump the gun and go straight to nukes, but that was their trump card. An exciting thought experiment, no doubt, and something Henry wouldn¡¯t mind seeing. Though probably far less thrilling for whatever Pentagon and National Command Authority officials had to navigate the approval processes to actually get a live warhead transloaded to Gaerra. Probably not too fun for Chief Cole, either. Naturally, Ryan¡¯s comment was met with only silence. No one knew what to say ¨C neither their immediate thoughts on the matter, nor the obvious solution in the back of their minds. ¡°So, what do we know?¡± Harding finally grated out. Time to lay it out. Spikes and Hellfires wouldn¡¯t be the best options against a Tier 10, but it wasn¡¯t as if they didn¡¯t have anything stronger than them but weaker than nukes. Henry organized his thoughts for a moment, starting with what they knew of Tier 10 threats in general. ¡°The Guild has few records on them, but most Tier 10 threats typically don¡¯t have any significant weaknesses ¨C at least not in terms of their base characteristics. They can hit hard, they can take hard hits, and they can think hard. Some are capable of human-level intelligence, others make up for it with magic abilities.¡± Admittedly, it was shit intel. It gave them no real sense of the Elemental Dragon¡¯s capabilities aside from what they already knew ¨C a creature like that would no doubt be stronger, smarter, and overall better than the Lindwyrm. Sera, on the other hand, seemed to know more. With a raised hand, she began, ¡°You speak true of the might such creatures may possess. Perhaps a tale of my father¡¯s own exploits may shed light on what we could face.¡± Sera continued after a nod from General Harding. ¡°This dates back near a century and two decades past, ere my father had hung up his sword. His Party had been tasked with clearing a Baranthurian site for the Sanctum Arcanum ¨C it was an ancient base, a fortress, perhaps. They soon found something dreadful there, a Ravalisk Behemoth.¡± The Guild didn¡¯t have much information on those, either, but from the sketches he¡¯d seen, he could tell they were no joke. They definitely looked like a ¡®lisk¡¯ ¨C something more suited for an alien hivemind than a fantasy world. ¡°No spell nor blade could so much as dent its dark carapace. And¡­ they ¨C my Father and his Party ¨C had easily triumphed over Tier 9 monsters. They had likely thought their abilities sufficient, but nay. They realized their error in rousing such a beast, and so survival became their priority. It was only by my Father¡¯s quick wits that total ruin was averted.¡± Sera continued, ¡°See, they¡¯d espied a stockpile during their investigation ¨C something akin to fyrite, barrels of oil, mana crystals: a ¡®munitions dump¡¯, as you might say. And thus they devised a desperate gambit. While some engaged the Ravalisk¡¯s attention, others destabilized structural supports throughout the ruin. All the while, they prepared to ignite the explosives.¡± ¡°Using the ruins themselves to trap the Ravalisk within, they ran and ran, then struck the area with lightning from afar. The conflagration that followed was a sight to behold, according to my Father. That ancient fortress, made of materials of strength we know little of, was reduced to ash. Even a quarter league away, the eruption battered them. Indeed, the crater remains there to this day. If this Elemental Dragon rivals the menace they faced that day, then equal devastation may be the least that is required to humble it.¡± A quarter league was like what, around a kilometer? Henry wasn¡¯t sure how much of the story was true, but if the details were to be believed, then Spikes and Hellfires definitely wouldn¡¯t be enough. Isaac was already a step ahead of him. ¡°Yup. Forget a flying tank; we¡¯re probably dealing with a flying battleship. I don¡¯t think we can use anything short of GBU-57s or TLAMs.¡± Harding looked worse for wear ¨C not so much because they were about to engage a Tier 10 dragon, but because of the sheer complexity of coordinating the deployment. ¡°That means we¡¯d need to get strategic bombers and Typhon systems over here¡­¡± he grumbled. ¡°Better than the nuclear option, sir,¡± Henry offered some consolation. ¡°Fair enough,¡± the General sighed. ¡°Any other concerns?¡± Of course, it didn¡¯t stop there. Sinclair didn¡¯t even hesitate to be the bearer of bad news. ¡°Entry corridors into Ovinnegard, sir.¡± Her blunt statement was followed up by another one, this time from Perry. ¡°Through standard diplomatic channels, we¡¯re looking at a 4 to 6 month window, realistically, to get overflight and transit permissions.¡± Harding¡¯s eyebrows shot up; it seemed ridiculous. ¡°Four to six months? That long?¡± Perry only shrugged. ¡°Ovinnegard¡¯s bureaucratic processes are slow. They¡¯re way behind us in tech.¡± That made Harding exhale heavily. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ too long. Other options?¡± ¡°I may have something,¡± Perry said, straightening in his seat. The tone made it seem like there was a heavy catch ¨C but was there ever not a catch when it came to politics? Harding gestured for him to continue. ¡°I can leverage our relations with Duke Vancor to arrange a meeting between ourselves and the Ovinnish embassy in Eldralore. Apparently, the Duke¡¯s on good terms with Ovinnegard. Hopefully they¡¯ll make an exception for us.¡± ¡°Can we add this as another provision to the Lindwyrm study agreement?¡± Harding asked. ¡°Ehh¡­¡± Perry scratched his chin. Perry¡¯s reaction made sense; it might be asking for too much. ¡°Alright,¡± Harding conceded. ¡°Let¡¯s see what he might want. Get me a scope on that and I¡¯ll see what accommodations we can provide, within reason.¡± ¡°In the meantime, let¡¯s focus on what we can do,¡± Harding nodded to everyone. ¡°I want a full range of options for everything we¡¯ve discussed in 72 hours,¡± he said, turning to Henry, ¡°plus the proposal for Sera¡¯s integration. After that, you¡¯re free to enjoy a week of downtime, Alpha Team. Dismissed.¡± ¨C ¨C Adventurer¡¯s Guild Eldralore, Sonaran Federation Of course, the first thing they needed to do was confirm the completion of their quest and collect their rewards. Henry led them straight to the main counter, recognizing Mira¡¯s bubblegum pink hair tied back in its customary braid. Typical of the woman, her polished workspace was predictably fastidious ¨C not so much as a stray parchment marring its seamless order. If only the DMV was like that. ¡°Why, if it isn¡¯t me favorite adventurers, plus the Queen of Cinders!¡± Mira¡¯s bubbly voice rang out as they approached. ¡°Come to regale me with another epic tale, have ye?¡± Henry smirked at her countrified shtick, but played along. ¡°You know it, Miss Lenton. We¡¯re here to report a completed quest,¡± he said, handing her the corresponding quest scroll. ¡°Isn¡¯t that grand!¡± She clapped her hands together with relish before accepting and unfurling the scroll. ¡°Looks like the Sanctum Arcanum¡¯s already confirmed it for ye!¡± One hand then dipped beneath the counter¡¯s surface, riffling through some unseen cache before resurfacing with a simple cream-colored envelope. ¡°Just needs yer confirmation on the details,¡± Mira said, holding it out to him. Henry scanned the receipt, finding the usual listing of quest particulars, objective parameters, and rewards. At the bottom ¨C the total lumens to be credited to their Party Account upon completion: a nice, cold 100,000. Henry gave a succinct nod and stowed it away. ¡°Looks good.¡± ¡°Splendid! I¡¯ll have it processed posthaste!¡± Mira made a few notations in her ledger before stamping a section with a wax seal. She looked back up at them with a polite smile. ¡°An¡¯ for yer supplemental rewards¡­¡± Mira stepped over to a series of shelves and cabinets behind the counter, retrieving a parcel about the size of a box of cake. She held out the package for Henry. ¡°Standard issue supplies fer a Tier 8 quest, plus some crystals an¡¯ ore samples, courtesy o¡¯ the Sanctum Arcanum.¡± She then handed him a clipboard, which had a couple open spaces for signatures. ¡°So,¡± Mira said, turning her attention to Sera, ¡°the solitary Queen of Cinders? Found a Party, have ye? Or perhaps¡­ a daring an¡¯ dashing hero?¡± Henry looked up from the clipboard, glancing back at Sera. Not quite a bright-red tomato, but he could tell she was flustered by the question. He smirked, going back to the signatures while Sera grasped at a response. ¡°Well, a daring and dashing hero, you say? Hah,¡± she flipped her silvery hair over her shoulder, ¡°I suppose every heroine needs her daring counterpart to make the tales more¡­ compelling.¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± Mira¡¯s voice became sultry. Complementing her change of tone with a wink, she slid a blank form across the counter. ¡°In that case, why don¡¯t I give ye the Party Amendment form? Just complete it an¡¯ drop by when yer set to induct her into Alpha Team.¡± Henry collected the form with a smile. ¡°You got it.¡± ¡°Right then!¡± Mira¡¯s grin shone. ¡°Was there aught else needin¡¯ me hospitalities? Quest listings to peruse, perhaps? Appraisals for yer latest spoils?¡± ¡°Yeah, actually. Uh, what can you tell us about the requirements for the Tier 7 evaluation?¡± Henry asked. ¡°I think we¡¯ve just about accumulated the needed experience.¡± Mira¡¯s pinched expression said it all ¨C she was already bracing to deflect his request. ¡°Well¡­ based on the records, yer party is still 14 Tier 6 quests shy of the experience threshold, truthfully.¡± Here it came. The obligatory caveat dangling the possibility of a consolation prize. ¡°Not that yer higher Tier quests don¡¯t factor in, o¡¯course¡­¡± It was a possibility Henry had expected, and had prepared for during the drive here. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. He had to at least fight for it. ¡°We¡¯ve completed two Tier 8 quests for the Sanctum Arcanum, plus several Tier 7 quests already. And we took down a Sentinel Lindwyrm on one of those. Surely that¡¯s worth more than a bunch of Tier 6 quests.¡± He let the words hang there, calibrated tonally between statement and challenge. He could tell Mira was caught between his logic and the Guild¡¯s policies. There had been prior cases of premature evaluations, some well-earned, some mistakes. At the end of the day, the Guild had apparently decided to leave it to the discretion of the staff themselves. It seemed she leaned toward ¡®yes¡¯, but the decision was plucked from her hands before she could answer. ¡°Requesting an evaluation exemption, I hear? Bold, but hardly unique.¡± Henry pivoted to see an imposingly broad-shouldered form striding towards them ¨C Guildmaster Taldren ad Vorne himself. For a warrior growing elderly even by elven standards, the man¡¯s chiseled features and severe blue eyes belonged more to a commander than a bureaucrat. Though he stood barely taller than Henry, Taldren¡¯s bulk still managed to add a seemingly physical inch to his presence. His armor-clad shoulders strained like a draft horse¡¯s against the studded leather gambeson. He had to give it to the Guildmaster, he was probably among one of the most intimidating men he¡¯d ever met, and he knew a lot of Tier 1 operators back home. ¡°If you seek special dispensation, know that the Guild¡¯s standards are sacrosanct; not so easily bent.¡± There was an edge to the elf¡¯s clipped bass tones. Not hostility, but¡­ certainty. Assured certainty in his own hard-earned mastery and an explicit expectation of competent candor in kind. Their case had to be unassailable, but Henry felt confident. ¡°Just looking for consideration given the stakes of our operations. Two Sanctum Arcanum Tier 8 quests and defeating a Tier 9 Sentinel Lindwyrm, as mentioned.¡± Taldren nodded. ¡°Very well. I¡¯ll hear you. Join me in my office, and let your argument speak for itself.¡± He turned and started walking before Henry could respond, forcing them to quickly fall into step behind the imposing Guildmaster. Taldren led them through a vaulted arch past the training hall, the ambient sounds of the lobby and tavern fading behind them. As they followed the Guildmaster¡¯s broad shoulders down a curved hallway, they passed by various artifacts and trophies adorning alcoves in the walls. Stuffed wyverns and fangs of all sizes, from vorikhas to fenywyrms and others Henry could scarcely recognize. Each had a plaque describing their origins from epic hunts and glorious Campaigns. It was like walking through a museum of the Guild¡¯s most daring exploits, which was a lot considering Eldralore only represented one city¡¯s branch. Finally, Taldren stopped before an unassuming wooden door and grasped the handle, throwing it open to usher them inside with a curt sweep of his other arm. ¡°Please, take a seat.¡± His office was¡­ underwhelming, all things considered. It was an austere, almost barren space adorned with the barest essential amenities: a heavy oak desk flanked by two high-backed leather chairs. Two couches separated by a coffee table. Shelves of tomes and ledgers. Racks of mundane but high quality equipment like coils of rope, pitons, potions, and other practical adventuring gear. A mount with a fancy-looking recurve bow with an almost orange glow ¨C something that Ron would no doubt classify as ¡®epic¡¯ loot. The only embellishments present hinted at Taldren''s accomplishments - a tattered Sonaran banner hanging from one wall, and a dented breastplate suspended in a case beside his desk, scored by what looked like deep claw marks. All in all, it was a very Spartan-looking office. A solid choice in aesthetics, Henry had to admit. As they took their seats on the couches, Taldren leaned on his desk. ¡°Your achievements precede you, Alpha Team. I grant you this exception. The Tier 7 evaluation is yours to undertake, beginning on the morrow. Should you require more time, we conduct evaluations bimonthly.¡± Well, that was a bombshell. Henry shared a look with his teammates. No one expected such an easy persuasion. ¡°I appreciate your understanding,¡± Dr. Anderson started, ¡°but why?¡± Taldren¡¯s explanation was nonchalant. ¡°My reasons are manifold. Foremost, the Sanctum Arcanum¡¯s endorsement. Then, there¡¯s the matter of the Nobians and the Guild¡¯s neutrality policy. I trust you can discern the rest, Dr. Anderson.¡± One look at the Doc¡¯s face was all it took to confirm Taldren¡¯s words. Politics was a fickle thing, inescapable no matter what reality one finds themselves in. As a branch of the Sonaran government, the Sanctum Arcanum understood well that their research was contingent on the U.S. military¡¯s ability to secure relevant materials. On top of that, the Guildmaster made it explicitly clear that he was a Sonaran at heart. He couldn¡¯t interfere, but that didn¡¯t mean the same applied to Alpha Team, if they coincidentally engage hostile forces that just so happen to be Nobian. And who knew what else was at play. The Guild¡¯s interest in the U.S.? Their interest in the Gatebuilder sites, if they even knew of their existence? ¡°And Lady Sera, a word,¡± Taldren continued, turning to face her. ¡°I advise you to defer signing the Party Amendement form until their evaluation is concluded. A matter of fairness, you understand.¡± ¡°Of course, Sir Taldren,¡± Sera acknowledged with a deferential nod. Taldren returned the nod curtly. ¡°Very well. The evaluation phases will be arduous. Prepare accordingly, and I bid you fortune.¡± Chapter 20: Magical Theory Armstrong Base, Grenden Plains December 9, 2024 Henry yawned, blinking away the gritty feeling behind his eyes. A week of downtime, Harding had said. Some downtime that turned out to be. Between setting up Sera¡¯s crash course, cramming magical theory with Kelmithus, and endless briefings on the Ovinne Mountain Campaign, he¡¯d barely had time to breathe. He could probably say the same for Sera, who should be halfway through her orientation training by now. The IVAS unit beeped, finally finishing its boot sequence. He blinked as his standard HUD template filled the corners of his visor. Apparently, they¡¯d managed to slap an EMF meter onto the helmet and connect it to the IVAS itself. It wasn¡¯t pretty, but he¡¯d take this makeshift mana detector over nothing at all. ¡°Dude,¡± Ron said, trudging along beside him. ¡°You notice the EMF overlay¡¯s eating up half the FOV?¡± Henry found the EMF overlay and activated it. Ron wasn¡¯t kidding. It dominated the center of the screen, completely taking up the bottom third and cutting into the temperature and humidity readings on his left. ¡°Yeah, it¡¯s cluttered as hell. Bet some intern back home pushed this update.¡± ¡°Real,¡± Ron muttered. ¡°Wonder what they were told. See all these new widgets? The hell is ¡®field density gradient¡¯?¡± Henry cycled through the menu, eyes narrowing as he focused on the new readout. ¡°Hold up. This shit might lowkey be useful.¡± Ron glanced over. ¡°Yeah? How so?¡± ¡°Turn it on, and then uh¡­¡± Henry looked around. How could it be useful? Then he saw it ¨C a fluctuation between a nearby tree and a JLTV parked under it. He pointed. ¡°Look over there. See how the gradient changes when I move closer? Bet you this could help pinpoint spell sources or something.¡± Ron nodded, studying his own display. ¡°Predict incoming attacks?¡± ¡°Yeah.¡± ¡°Yeah, I see it,¡± Ron confirmed. ¡°Still cluttered as hell though, but¡­ yeah, you right. This shit might just be useful.¡± ¡°Exactly,¡± Henry agreed. ¡°Whoever coded this probably thought they were making a fancy EMF detector for ghost hunters or something. Little do they know¡­¡± Ron chuckled. ¡°Little do they know, we out here living the dream.¡± Maybe not the past week, but Henry could see where Ron was coming from. Actually, he couldn¡¯t agree more. Chilling on an alien planet that just so happened to be a fantasy world, getting live magic shows, doing stuff Indiana Jones probably wished he could do ¨C life on Gaerra beat anything else on Earth. They trudged up the hill, the base¡¯s perimeter fence fading behind them. Henry narrowed his eyes as he caught sight of Ryan, Isaac, and the Doc huddled under a tree at the top of the hill. All three seem to be preoccupied, gawking at something like kids at a circus. ¡°Wonder what¡¯s got them so worked up?¡± Henry muttered. Ron shrugged. ¡°No clue, but I definitely ain¡¯t gonna miss out.¡± He picked up the pace, running instead of trudging. Henry followed after him. As they closed in, a crack like thunder split the air. Or maybe it was thunder. ¡°Yo, what¡¯s going on?¡± Henry asked, reaching the top. Ryan turned back. ¡°¡®Bout time you showed up, Captain. This ain¡¯t like any fireworks show back home.¡± He gestured to the clearing down below. Henry squinted into the clearing. There Kelmithus stood, nonchalant, unfazed. And Arran? The kid was in the midst of hauling himself off the ground, looking like a regular civilian who had just taken a blindside hit from Aaron Donald. ¡°Well hot damn,¡± Henry said. ¡°How long¡¯s this been going on?¡± Isaac didn¡¯t even turn around. ¡°Around 10 minutes. Arran¡¯s down again. Fifth time?¡± He turned to Ryan. Ryan nodded. ¡°Yeah, fifth time,¡± Isaac continued. ¡°Kid¡¯s got guts, I¡¯ll give him that.¡± ¡°Huh.¡± Henry glanced at Dr. Anderson, trying to gauge his reaction. He stood stock-still, eyes locked on the duel, transfixed. For once, the man was completely speechless. Henry¡¯s eyes returned to the battle. He spectated in silence as Arran downed a potion like a frat pledge taking a shot. The grimace on his face said it all ¨C that shit was definitely not Gatorade. Probably more like Kirkland vodka. But hey, if it worked, it worked. And work it did. In a matter of seconds, Arran was back on his feet. Sharp eyes, straight posture, and ready for another round. The IVAS confirmed it, registering a sudden spike in the ambient magic around Arran. Even amped up like this, could he stand a chance against Kelmithus? The kid himself didn¡¯t seem to think so. He took a defensive stance, keeping his distance from the Archmage. Henry had no clue what Arran might¡¯ve done the last 5 times, but his position now looked like he¡¯d probably exhausted all of his options. Henry¡¯s eyes flicked to the left of his HUD. ¡°Humidity¡¯s going up,¡± he muttered. Ron nodded beside him. ¡°Water spell, maybe?¡± ¡°Maybe. Or maybe ¨C¡± Before he could even finish sentence, the humidity readings subsided, replaced with an quick blip picked up by the infrared sensors and a spike in the EMF reading. Arran¡¯s wand glowed as a volley of several firebolts spontaneously appeared over his shoulders, rocketing toward Kelmithus with blistering speed. Huh, now that was interesting. It wasn¡¯t the tactic he¡¯d expected. Hell, it probably wasn¡¯t a tactic anyone expected. Anyone except for Kelmithus, probably. For a split second, a look flashed across his face. No, not surprise. It was more like he was¡­ impressed. If it were anyone else, the attacks likely would¡¯ve gotten through. Instead, the firebolts simply evaporated into thin air. The humidity readings were the only clue as to what might¡¯ve happened. The resulting steam fizzled as Kelmithus redirected it back toward Arran as a distraction. Kelmithus¡¯ casting was more like Arran¡¯s quick firebolt casting, but barely registered on his IVAS at all ¨C no EMF, no gradual humidity shift, nothing. Only when the spells actually materialized did they register, and holy shit did they light up. The Archmage had simultaneously casted at least 3 spells, each one as difficult to track as it was complex. Henry¡¯s eyes darted between the HUD and the clearing below, trying to process the flood of data. This must¡¯ve been what it felt like for Annie to use an Advanced UAV properly as a newcomer to Call of Duty. Sorry, Annie. The IR overlay lit up ¨C or rather, lit down? ¨C with a rapidly expanding cold spot centered on Arran. While the ambient temperature remained stable, the thermal imaging revealed a localized vortex of frigid air beginning to swirl around the young mage. A gust of wind tore through the clearing, kicking up a mini-cyclone of dead leaves and frost. Reacting to the cold, Arran summoned a barrier of flames around hismelf. Too bad the kid didn¡¯t know about the Ideal Gas Law. Instead of countering the cold, the heat only intensified the gale. The pressure difference amplified the vortex, nearly lifting him off his feet. Physics: 1, Magic: 0. Wait, no ¨C Physics: 1, Magic: 1? The Archmage had used basic thermodynamics to amplify his spell and set an unexpected trap. He was two steps ahead, knowing Arran would try to counter with fire, and that it would only make things worse. It all happened in a flash so it was hard to notice, but the EMF readings spiked through the howling wind. The milligauss count jumped from an ambient 50 to a jaw-dropping 12,000 in an instant, coinciding with Kelmithus¡¯ simultaneous casting. Floating above the Archmage¡¯s outstretched hand was a fireball unlike anything Henry had ever seen. It was blue ¨C not some standard Bunsen burner flame, but a vibrant, eye-searing cyan that spoke of extreme heat and insane combustion. What, did Kelmithus learn how a blowtorch worked, then somehow apply it to his fireball? Arran, still reeling from the enhanced wind, barely had time to throw up a secondary magical shield before the sapphire flames slammed into him. The impact sent him skidding backwards, his feet leaving furrows in the ground. The kid¡¯s primary shields flickered a dangerous red ¨C any more damage and he was out of the fight. And that¡¯s where spell number 3 came in. As Arran struggled to regain his footing, the ground beneath him erupted in a tangle of thin roots. They snaked up his legs faster than he could react, anchoring him in place. Then, the roots calcified, turning from little more than vines to solid, gnarled wood. Arran, to his credit, didn¡¯t panic. His wand flashed, and the ground beneath him hardened, cutting the roots off ¨C well, at their roots. Talk about fighting fire with fire ¨C or in this case, earth with earth. He followed up with a flame-enchanted knife, slashing at the remaining tendrils with a neurosurgeon¡¯s precision. Henry had to hand it to him; these defensive moves were pretty impressive. But Kelmithus¡¯ offense was just so much more. More roots lashed out from spots Arran had missed, sprouting from the unhardened ground. They herded Arran back, predictably so. Henry could see the trap coming from a mile away. While the kid was distracted with avoiding the roots, a tiny projectile flew in. A pebble ¨C seriously, a pebble? ¨C struck Arran¡¯s shield just as he backpedaled. The timing was so perfect it was almost cruel. The shield shattered like cheap glass, leaving Arran exposed and probably feeling like an idiot. The look on Arran¡¯s face said it all ¨C one part ¡®how the hell did that happen?¡¯ and one part ¡®yeah, should¡¯ve seen that coming.¡¯ He raised a hand, looking thoroughly beaten. ¡°I yield.¡± Kelmithus acknowledged, his face a masterclass in restrained smugness. In the span of a few heartbeats, the Archmage had demonstrated exactly why he was the teacher, and Arran the student. Henry glanced at his team, nodding toward the clearing. They made their way down, half-sliding on loose dirt and pebbles. The IVAS kept pinging residual signatures, ambient mana readings slowly dropping from their post-battle high. It reminded him of the radiation falloff charts from his CBRN training, only instead of half-lives and rem, it was magical energy dissipation. As they approached, he caught the tail end of Kelmithus¡¯ one-on-one with Arran. ¡°¨C must remain focused, even amidst the fray. For even a mere pebble may fell a giant.¡± Yeah, no kidding. Kelmithus turned to them, waving his hand. ¡°Ah, our observers wend hither. I trust the demonstration proved most enlightening?¡± Henry nodded. He glanced at Arran, who looked like he¡¯d just survived the Nasty Nick obstacle course at SERE school, complete with the ¡®what the hell am I doing with my life¡¯ thousand-yard stare. ¡°Enlightening¡¯s one way to put it,¡± Henry said. ¡°Though I think for Arran here, ¡®humbling¡¯ might be more uh, applicable.¡± Arran managed a weak smile. ¡°Perhaps both, Captain.¡± Kelmithus chuckled. ¡°Indeed so. Shall we now dissect this encounter? It is rife with matters worthy of examination.¡± The Archmage led them to a set of tents off to the side. Grabbing a water bottle from a cooler, he plopped down on a chair and faced them. ¡°Though you witnessed but to the duel¡¯s conclusion, I wonder¡­ have you any insights?¡± Henry appreciated Kelmithus¡¯ approach. It made sense to start with what they¡¯d seen before getting into the nitty gritty ¨C test the waters and see what their knowledge base consisted of, so to speak. ¡°Well,¡± he began, ¡°that water-to-fire combo Arran pulled off was pretty slick. Looked like he was gonna cast some sort of water-based spell, but flipped it into those firebolts. Didn¡¯t see it coming. Now, I¡¯m not too sure about the magic side of things, but from a tactical standpoint ¨C if I was a mage and wanted to prepare my counters based on what I thought my opponent was doing ¨C I¡¯d say it was a solid feint.¡± The others agreed, and so did Kelmithus. ¡°Ah, yes. Clever. Arran, might you expound upon the underlying theory?¡± Arran straightened up as he refreshed with a potion and gestured the flask toward Henry. ¡°Captain Donnager¡¯s words ring true; I aimed to cast Icicle Spear. At the same time, I prepared to cast several firebolts. The Icicle Spear was ¨C I hoped it would mask my real intention to cast fire.¡± ¡°Thank goodness I ain¡¯t been to a magic duel. I¡¯d just shoot the sonuvabitch and be done with it,¡± Ryan muttered with crossed arms. Ryan did have a point. All this seemed a bit excessive for eliminating a target. Throw shields into the mix though, and all of a sudden attrition becomes a consideration and these tactics become significant. Lord knows how they¡¯d probably complicate their techniques if they had access to a thousand other alternatives via magic. ¡°So a bluff, basically,¡± Henry said. ¡°Make Kel think you¡¯re gonna throw water or ice at him, and have him set up to defend against that kind of attack, then hit him with the opposite instead.¡± Kelmithus confirmed his guess. ¡°You have the right of it. Howbeit, I venture Arran failed to anticipate the swiftness with which I would discern and counter his ploy.¡± Arran¡¯s face reddened slightly. ¡°I fancied myself quite astute,¡± he admitted. He ran a hand through his hair, a self-deprecating smile tugging at his lips. ¡°Suppose not. I did attempt to mirror your techniques in the previous rounds. Though¡­ I suppose it was folly to think one of your mastery would not swiftly recognize them.¡± ¡°Hey, don¡¯t beat yourself up,¡± Ron chimed in. ¡°From where I was standing, it looked hella effective. Shit, if you pulled that on anyone other than Kel, they¡¯d prolly be cooked ¨C literally.¡± You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story. Kelmithus chuckled. ¡°True indeed, Sir Ron. Well have you executed the technique, albeit just not as well as I. With time, I am confident you shall master the art of deeper deception.¡± Dr. Anderson had been fidgeting for the past minute, clearly bursting to ask something. Seeing his chance, he finally blurted out, ¡°Arran¡¯s counter was solid, alright. Surely, he held his own, but those blue fireballs? I must say, that was bloody brilliant. Though, I¡¯ve not seen you ever pull off something like that. Any chance you could break down the mechanics of that? For purely academic reasons, of course.¡± Kelmithus¡¯ eyes lit up. Oh, he knew that look ¨C it was the same one his high school chem teacher got right before he ¡®accidentally¡¯ set off the emergency sprinkler system. Again. ¡°Ha! Forgive me; you may find my response wanting. By my troth, I found myself astounded at the spell¡¯s success,¡± the Archmage explained. Wait, he wasn¡¯t even sure before he tested his theory? Henry found himself speechless. ¡°Uh¡­¡± Kelmithus paused, looking up at the top of the tent before levelling his eyes. ¡°I must confess, I ventured into uncharted waters with this experiment. It was a¡­ a scholar¡¯s gambit, if you will.¡± Henry fought the urge to roll his eyes. A ¡®scholar¡¯s gambit¡¯ that could¡¯ve fried them all if it went sideways. Still, he had to admit the results were rather impressive. ¡°A gambit that packed quite a punch. How¡¯d you come up with it?¡± ¡°Ah,¡± Kelmithus¡¯ eyes gleamed. ¡°Fortune smiled upon me yesterday. You see, as I aided Dr. Perdue in the Lindwyrm¡¯s dissection, I espied containers of peculiar aspect. Though they bore semblance to common loam, they were in fact a substance to enrich soil.¡± Ron¡¯s face scrunched up in confusion. ¡°You mean fertilizer?¡± Fertilizer. The stuff that was half plant growth and half improvised explosive. This ought to be good. Kelmlithus gave Ron a nod. ¡°Indeed. The cautionary placards beside them interested me. How could such simple earth harbor such danger? Thus I asked, whereupon Dr. Perdue described the nature of a compound called potassium nitrate ¨C an oxidizing agent, as she termed it.¡± He continued his explanation, the excitement in his voice only growing. ¡°Its properties for enhancing combustion are truly prodigious. Naturally, this begat a litany of queries regarding the mechanics of such combustion and the principles she dubbed ¡®thermodynamics¡¯ and ¡®chemistry¡¯. Ergo, I besought her leave to borrow some, to use as casting reagents.¡± Kelmithus offered a demonstration, unsealing a small pouch of the fertilizer and using a fingertip¡¯s worth of it to ignite a small, blue flame before blowing it away. Huh, so that was how reagents were used. ¡°So,¡± Henry said, ¡°instead of just using the surrounding air, you incorporated our science and chemicals into your spellcasting? And for the other spells as well?¡± Kelmithus nodded. ¡°A prescient inquiry, Captain. Indeed, the ice spell I used was predicated upon principles of thermodynamics ¨C specifically, inducing a difference in pressure to engender powerful winds.¡± Henry mentally replayed the duel. The wind wasn¡¯t quite around hurricane or tornado level but still strong, definitely over fifty miles per hour. With snow still falling, Kelmithus¡¯ ice must¡¯ve been way below freezing to create such a strong difference in pressure. ¡°Let me guess, Ideal Gas Law?¡± The Archmage¡¯s eyebrows shot up. ¡°Your discernment is impeccable, Captain. This principle I but lately acquired from Dr. Perdue¡¯s lectures ¨C a truly captivating facet of your ¡®science¡¯. It unfolds¡­ why, manifold new avenues for magic.¡± Well, shit. With the insight on combustion and thermodynamics, it looks like they¡¯d just opened Pandora¡¯s box. If not for the circumstances, Henry probably would¡¯ve said something along the lines of ¡®so much for OPSEC.¡¯ Though, science lessons were already on the table for exchanges with the Sonarans, so he supposed it was only a matter of time. Plus, Kelmithus already had clearance; the man just hadn¡¯t had the time to explore a lot. Since the cat was out of the bag at this point, might as well roll with it and thank God it was Kelmithus of all people who was the first to figure it out, and not someone like Carvus. Too bad they couldn¡¯t really exploit science-enhanced spells though. He had some damn good ideas too ¨C thermite or napalm as a reagent, magical atmospheric lensing, the list went on. Oh, if only they actually had mana to work with. Now that would¡¯ve really sold Henry on the fantasy stuff, being able to cast spells for himself. Hell, it might¡¯ve even pushed him past mere professional interest into Ron¡¯s level of hype. A man could dream¡­ ¡°What about those roots at the end?¡± Dr. Anderson¡¯s question cut through his daydream of magical napalm. ¡°I barely registered any magical signature before they appeared.¡± Henry¡¯s attention snapped back to the conversation. Come to think of it, he hadn¡¯t picked up on any tells either. His IVAS hadn¡¯t so much as blipped before those roots had Arran trussed up. ¡°A fine observation. Of course, it is the very dearth of such ¡®signatures¡¯ that renders such casting effective in the fray.¡± Isaac frowned. ¡°But there¡¯s always a tell, right? Even if its subtle.¡± ¡°Indeed,¡± Kelmithus confirmed. ¡°For earth-wrought spells like the roots, one oft finds tremors the surest herald. It is the rumbles beneath that presage the spell¡¯s emergence; you merely stood too far to sense them.¡± ¡°Like how you can feel a tank coming before you see it?¡± Ron asked. Kelmithus tilted his head. ¡°If this ¡®tank¡¯ is as heavy as your ¡®UGVs¡¯, then it is just so. Albeit on a far smaller scale, naturally.¡± The pieces clicked. ¡°Something we¡¯d be able to feel through our boots ¨C hopefully,¡± Henry said. ¡°With diligence, certainly. Shall we put it to the test?¡± Kelmithus stood from his seat, gesturing outside. Henry followed the Archmage outside. The next hour was a crash course in magical seisomology. The first few root spells and earth spikes ¨C slow, dull ones, of course ¨C were easy to detect; they were accompanied by a rather obvious rumble and took a few seconds to manifest. He couldn¡¯t say the same for the other ones. As the hour drew on, Kelmithus¡¯ spells became increasingly subtle. At one point, they became almost impossible to detect. ¡°I ain¡¯t feeling shit,¡± Ryan grumbled after the fifth attempt. ¡°Patience,¡± Kelmithus counseled. ¡°Attend not to what you expect, but to any deviation from the common.¡± Dr. Anderson seemed to get the hang of it easily by getting low to the ground. Effective, sure, but only at detecting the tremor. Kelmithus demonstrated just why that wasn¡¯t a great option, having the roots lash out faster than Dr. Anderson could react, and they were back to square one ¨C trying to detect the spells upright. Slowly, maddeningly slowly, they began to improve. Henry found he could sometimes sense a faint tremor about half a second before the roots erupted ¨C the point right before they rocketed out of the ground. It wasn¡¯t much, but in combat, that half-second could mean the difference between getting ensnared and dodging clear. And with his reactions, that half-second was all he really needed. ¡°Okay, so we¡¯ve got the earth spells covered,¡± Henry said. ¡°What about other types? Fire, wind, that kind of thing?¡± ¡°The basic earth spells, yes. We will review the more advanced spells at another time. For now,¡± Kelmithus gestured, holding his palm out. ¡°Let us begin with the rudiments. Mark well as I conjure a simple fireball, then do so with more refinement. Observe closely.¡± Henry nodded, locking his eyes onto the Archmage¡¯s hand. For a moment, nothing happened. Then, the air above Kelmithus¡¯ palm begin to shimmer, like the heat waves off a sun-baked road. The EMF readings on Henry¡¯s HUD started to climb steadily. ¡°Huh, would ya look at that,¡± Ryan murmured. The shimmering intensified, and suddenly a small fireball burst into existence, hovering inches above Kelmithus¡¯ skin. Kelmithus quenched the flame without so much as a gesture. ¡°Now, as I refine my technique. Remember, mastery lies not in mere puissance, but in understanding and control.¡± This time, Henry couldn¡¯t spot any visible shimmer. He switched to the IVAS¡¯ thermal imagine. For a few seconds, nothing. Then, a small heat signature began to form just above Kelmithus¡¯ palm. The EMF readings remained steady. He was about to comment when the readings suddenly spiked. In that same instant, another fireball materialized, this one forming much faster than the first. ¡°Shit,¡± Ron breathed. ¡°That was wayyy quicker.¡± ¡°Indeed, more adept mages can shorten the casting time and focus the mana more efficiently. The harbingers wane, the spell manifests in but a twinkling.¡± Henry thought it through. ¡°So for a basic cast, we¡¯ve got visible distortion and a gradual build-up. But for an advanced cast, we¡¯ve got what, minimal visible signs and a sudden spike right before the spell manifests?¡± ¡°Aptly observed,¡± Kelmithus confirmed. ¡°The more versed the mage, the more fleeting your moment to act becomes. Ergo, recognizing even the slightest tell is of great import. Amid the tumult of battle, such acuity may well be the fulcrum between victory and¡­ let us say, a rather uncomfortable demise.¡± They spent the next hour practicing with other spell types, learning to spot the signs that preceded each ¨C changes in air pressure and slight breezes for basic wind spells, fluctuating humidity levels for water spells, static buildup for lightning spells, and condensation for ice spells. It was grueling work, some harder to discern than others. It would¡¯ve been great if they were as obvious as a random guy shifting his stance and body for a punch, but he couldn¡¯t argue with their progress. It was easy enough to spot beginner spells ¨C even some of the more refined ones, especially up close. As long as he wasn¡¯t up against a mage on Kelmithus¡¯ level, he¡¯d rather have to deal with magic than a camouflaged sniper or IED ambush. ¡°You seem assured,¡± Kelmithus said. The archmage must¡¯ve seen the look on his face. Well, from the way he seemed to address them as a whole instead of just one person, they probably all had some version of that same look. ¡°Perhaps we ought to put your mettle to the test? A practical exercise, if you will.¡± Henry smirked at Kelmithus¡¯ suggestion. Now this was more his speed. All the theory and lectures were well and good, but nothing beat hand¡¯s on experience. He caught Ron¡¯s eye, saw the same eagerness reflected there. Even Dr. Anderson, usually more at home with analysis and excavation, looked ready to put his new knowledge through its paces. ¡°What did you have in mind?¡± Henry asked. He really did wonder ¨C would it be a simple spell detection exercise? Something more involved? ¡°A combat simulation,¡± the Archmage began, gesturing to the open field around them. ¡°Apply your newfound acumen ¨C identify and eschew our spells while striving to best Arran and myself.¡± Henry felt his eyebrows shoot up. ¡°Best, huh? As in actually fight back?¡± ¡°Indeed,¡± Kelmithus nodded. ¡°Though with considerably less¡­ finality than your wonted arms.¡± The Archmage brought them back to the tents, where he approached a crate and produced several paintball markers. Henry recognized them as Tippmann A-5s, not too different from what they used in CQC training back at the Academy. There were a few other options, too ¨C including a rifle-style marker meant for longer range engagements. ¡°These shall be your weapons,¡± Kelmithus said. ¡°Arran and I shall don protective gear, of course. It would be folly to mar such fine robes.¡± Arran appeared behind him, carrying a bundle of what looked like modified fencing masks and light cloaks. Henry couldn¡¯t help but grin at the image of the dignified Archmage running around in paintball gear. ¡°And our defense?¡± Ryan asked, examining his paintball gun with a critical eye. ¡°Ah, yes. The crux of our exercise.¡± Kelmithus pulled out his wand and pointed it at them, one by one. ¡°Each of you shall bear three layers of magical shielding. Deem them your¡­ vitality.¡± A subtle wisp enveloped him, reaching up from the blue magic circle that had appeared at his feet. ¡°You shall be ¡®neutralized¡¯ should two shields be sundered,¡± Kelmithus continued. ¡°The last shield stands as safeguard ¨C ¡®just in case¡¯, as you might say. You may descry your shields¡¯ integrity by sight, as ever.¡± Henry nodded. Just like the Adventurer¡¯s Guild Test, with a few concessions and differences. ¡°How are we gonna do this? We¡¯re not going up against anything crazy, are we?¡± The Archmage held his hands up, chuckling. ¡°Oh, not at all! We shall confine ourselves to lesser spells ¨C naught to cause true harm, even sans shields. Mostly basic elemental spells.¡± He stroked his beard pensively. ¡°Four phases should suffice. Arran shall commence with the simplest of techniques, then unleash his full puissance. I shall be your opponent for the final two phases, escalating to more¡­ creative applications.¡± The way Kelmithus said ¡®creative¡¯ sent a small shiver down Henry¡¯s spine. He¡¯d seen the Archmage get ¡®creative¡¯ during his duel with Arran. No way he meant it in that way, right? Either way, this was definitely gonna be one hell of a challenge. ¡°Terrain?¡± Isaac chimed in, scanning the open field. Kelmithus smiled and waved his wand. Henry¡¯s jaw dropped as mounds rose and fell, ditches carved themselves out of nowhere and nothing, and what looked like the beginnings of walls took shape. ¡°I shall fashion a¡­ dynamic battlefield,¡± Kelmithus said. ¡°The terrain shall transmute twixt phases, growing more labyrinthine and dangerous ¨C chokepoints, shifting walls, and such. You must thus adapt with celerity.¡± It was damn impressive. This was way beyond any urban warfare training Henry had ever done at the McKenna MOUT site back at Benning. A shifting battlefield would force them to stay on their toes, never getting too comfortable with any one piece of cover ¡ª or any one position. ¡°Objectives and scoring?¡± he asked. ¡°Your objective will be to survive,¡± Kelmithus replied. ¡°Neutralize Arran or myself ¨C a direct hit with your markers shall suffice ¨C and you¡¯ve mastered that phase. We shall judge your performance on shield preservation. Retain all shields, and you¡¯ve achieved perfection. Lose two, and you¡¯ve failed.¡± It was a straightforward system; simple enough. No convoluted point values to keep track of, just pure survival and mission accomplishment. ¡°Time limit?¡± ¡°We¡¯ll start with fifteen minutes per phase, adjusting as needful.¡± Kelmithus glanced at Arran, who nodded in agreement. ¡°Have you further inquiries ere we begin?¡± Henry looked at his team. Nothing. ¡°I think we¡¯re good,¡± he said, hefting his paintball marker. ¡°Just one last thing. Safe word? In case things get out of hand?¡± ¡°A wise precaution,¡± Kelmithus concurred. ¡°I suppose ¡®ceasefire¡¯ shall suffice. Now, shall we grant you time for strategem? You have ten minutes to prepare ere Phase One commences.¡± Henry nodded and gestured for his team to huddle around. "Alright, let''s break it down. We''ve dealt with Nobian mages, but Sonaran mages - experienced adventurers at that - are gonna be a whole different beast. I''m expecting different tactics from Arran and Kel, and it wouldn''t be a stretch to say they''ve probably got COIN experience too - dealing with Nobians and all that." "Not to mention the fact that they''ve fought alongside us already. They know our playbook; they''ll be ready for standard maneuvers," Ryan brought up. Henry grimaced. Ryan was right on the money. Their usual tactics might as well be an open book to Kel, maybe Arran. ¡°Good catch.¡± ¡°If they know what we¡¯ll do, shall we shake it up?¡± Dr. Anderson asked. Henry glanced at the shifting terrain around them. Kelmithus was already shaping the battlefield ¨C low walls and scattered cover points materializing from the ground. Shake it up? They could probably do that, but he wasn¡¯t so sure. CQB was dangerous. Against a mage? Doubly so. ¡°Let¡¯s stick with what we know ¨C fast and violent. See how it works and adjust from there.¡± ¡°We¡¯ll approach with a modified wedge formation,¡± Henry continued. ¡°Should still be our best bet. Flexible enough to adapt on the fly, familiar enough that we won¡¯t trip over ourselves trying something completely new.¡± He sketched out the formation in the dirt. ¡°Owens, you¡¯re on point.¡± ¡°On point, huh?¡± Henry patted him on the shoulder. ¡°All those countless hours watching anime finally paying off. You¡¯re the fastest and most accurate when it comes to identifying spells.¡± ¡°Well, shit,¡± Ron chuckled. ¡°Told ya it¡¯d come in handy.¡± Somehow, he couldn¡¯t disagree with Ron on that one. Henry continued, ¡°Hayes, Yen ¨C you¡¯re on the flanks. Doc, you¡¯ve got the rear. The good Archmage never said anything about other tools, so you¡¯re gonna be on the Black Hornet.¡± He then tapped the center of the sketch. ¡°I¡¯ll take take center, coordinate our movements. Once the Doc¡¯s identified a path to the objective, we¡¯ll approach via bounding overwatch. Owens and Yen, you¡¯re Red. Hayes, Doc ¨C you¡¯re Blue.¡± ¡°How we gonna keep track of shields?¡± Ron asked. It would¡¯ve been great if their IVAS units were on par with the Master Chief¡¯s helmet, complete with shield integrity indicators and a neat audio cue, but they had to work with what they had. ¡°It¡¯s as Kelmithus said ¨C discern by sight. We go with a buddy system. See a shield flicker or change color, call it out.¡± ¡°As for spells,¡± Henry continued, ¡°keep it short and sweet. Type, then direction. Fireball from two o¡¯clock? ¡®Fire, two¡¯. Same shit we use for any other mage.¡± The terrain was nearly complete, which meant their time was almost up. Isaac spoke up. ¡°Say, what if the terrain shifts mid-firefight? We could end up separated or cut off.¡± Kelmithus never outright mentioned that, but knowing him, there was a good chance it was part of the ¡®creative¡¯ applications he brought up. ¡°Valid point. If that happens, fall back to the nearest piece of cover. It won¡¯t take long for the minimap to update, but use your judgement.¡± The ground stopped rumbling; the training site was now complete. ¡°Alpha Team, shall we commence?¡± Kelmithus¡¯ voice came through their comms. Henry swapped to his team¡¯s channel, ordering a comms check. As the last acknowledgment came through, he responded on the Archmage¡¯s channel. ¡°We¡¯re ready.¡± ¡°Very well,¡± Kelmithus responded. ¡°Begin.¡± Chapter 21: Humbled ¡°Begin.¡± Henry took a breath as Kelmithus¡¯ words faded from his earpiece. He fell into the center of Alpha Team¡¯s wedge, moving forward alongside his team. As he stepped into the makeshift battlefield, he somehow felt almost¡­ excited. Nervous, perhaps, but excited for sure. This wasn¡¯t the Ranch or Olympus ¨C no OpFor here, just a couple of magic-slingers who could probably turn him into a frog if he fucked up. Well, it wasn¡¯t a spell he¡¯d ever learned about or seen, but hey, who was he to say what magic was capable of? He couldn¡¯t help but snort at the absurdity of it all as they cleared the entryway ahead. Here they were, decked out in cutting-edge gear, about to play magical paintball. It was a bit of a surprise; he had actually expected simmunition, but it seemed paintball was more palatable to the locals ¨C apparently most were pretty wary about having realistic guns pointed at them. If only his old drill sergeant could see him now. But as ridiculous as it felt, he knew they weren¡¯t here to just fuck around. Those Nobian assassins had been crafty bastards, sure, but they were killers first, magic-users second. The bandits? Hardly worth the ammo. Arran and Kelmithus? Now these guys were the real deal ¨C mages trained from the ground up to fight with magic alone. And maybe a sidearm in Kelmithus¡¯ case. Either way, it was time to lock in and see if all those mind-numbing lectures on magical theory would hold up in the field. Past the entryway was a large arena. It was hard to get a sense of the scale just from the ground level, but he could tell the Archmage¡¯s efforts weren¡¯t just for show. It wasn¡¯t quite like Olympus¡¯ killhouses, but it was damn solid for something that was cooked up in a few minutes. Low walls of packed earth snaked across the field, forming crude rooms and corridors. Past the plaza ahead, boulders and scrubby vegetation broke up the landscape, providing a mix of hard cover and concealment. The whole setup was a far cry from the flat clearing they¡¯d walked in on. Ron moved up, crouching behind a waist-high wall ahead. He scanned the half-formed archway at 2 o¡¯clock, confirming it was clear. Good. That would¡¯ve been quite the spot for Arran to pop out and start slinging spells. Ryan had the right flank, shooting back another confirmation for the corridor stretching from 10 to 11. Yeah, they¡¯d probably want to avoid that if they couldn¡¯t find Arran with the drone ¨C potential choke point. Henry¡¯s nose twitched at the earthy smell of freshly moved dirt. He would¡¯ve loved to say it reminded him of his parents¡¯ garden, but there was one memory that took the forefront ¨C those earth roots. Probably wouldn¡¯t be an issue with Arran, given the kid wasn¡¯t quite on Kelmithus¡¯ level, but the possibility remained. Perimeter secured, Henry allowed himself a moment to breathe. He caught the Doc¡¯s eye, nodding toward him. The Doc knew what came next, already reaching for the drone. With just a touch of a button, the Black Hornet¡¯s rotors spun up. It rose from Dr. Anderson¡¯s palm, hanging in the air for a split second before zipping upward. Man, no matter how many times he saw it, the little piece of tech never failed to impress. Hell, having one could¡¯ve saved an arm and a leg many times over for lots of guys he¡¯d talked to. His IVAS pinged as the drone¡¯s feed came online. The top-down view replaced his minimap ¨C a whole new perspective on their makeshift arena. From up there, Kelmithus¡¯ handiwork was even more apparent. He scanned through the feed ¨C no movement, no defenses, no sign of Arran. Doc must¡¯ve seen the same lack of Arran, since he switched to thermals. And there it was, near a cluster of boulders about 80 meters out, concealed by an alcove of earth. One heat signature, humanoid, crouched low: Arran. A new ping popped up on Henry¡¯s HUD ¨C Dr. Anderson marking Arran¡¯s position. Looked like the kid was planning an ambush. With magic traps? He¡¯d have to get closer to check for EMF readings, but even then, they wouldn¡¯t be accurate enough to point out specific traps ¨C only enough to warn him that there was some spell in the area. Oh, how he wished Lamarr could MacGyver an EMF sensor onto the Black Hornet, but that sounded more fantastical than the real magic he¡¯d seen. Now, options. What could they do here? A direct approach was out of the question, and the possibility of magic traps around those boulders remained extremely high. Chances are, Arran probably only had the time to lay down traps in his immediate vicinity; they''d have to engage him at range. Flanking was the obvious choice, but obvious didn''t always mean wrong. If they could draw Arran''s attention in one direction while maneuvering around... yeah, that could work. Ryan was their best shot, and those low walls to the left offered decent cover for a flanking route. Meanwhile, the rest of his team could cover all the angles around that boulder. It was impossible to predict how Arran would react, but it was the simplest option. Henry highlighted a path for Ryan on his HUD then pointed at the man, fist with thumb down, then left. Ryan blinked once, a slight nod. Message received. Henry tapped his own chest, flat hand push forward, twice. He was gonna draw fire from a mage. Not exactly standard infantry school stuff, but hell, when had anything about this world been standard? For Ron, Isaac, and Dr. Anderson ¨C hand raised, fingers spread, then a sweeping motion outward. They¡¯d disperse, spreading out to cover multiple angles. Movement confirmed that they got the memo. Henry allowed Ron to take point as they crept forward, using the walls and terrain to mask their approach. Henry laid down by a shrub for concealment while everyone else skulked around the edges like they were prepping to get the jump on Bin Laden. Was it overkill? Yeah, probably. Against a mage? Well, no such thing as overkill. The closer they got to those boulders, the more his skin tingled. Reminded him of static before a lightning strike, only constant. The EMF readings on his HUD ticked up as they approached. Ambient mana, or Arran building up charge for a spell? Tough to say. This region was after all ground zero for the duel earlier. He glanced to the left. Couldn¡¯t see Ryan past the walls and obstacles, the Black Hornet above confirmed he was in position and ready. Now, to draw Arran out and get him to commit. What better way than a little misdirection? Henry pulled the trigger, sending three paintballs flying toward Arran. Bright splotches splattered against the right boulder. Arran took the bait almost immediately. He rounded the boulder, exposing his entire body as he prepared to fight back. Amateur move. Well, in terms of positioning. The instant firebolts that formed over his head suggested a different kind of expertise, though not quite enough to make up for everything else. A rapid succession of pops came from the left ¨C Ryan, right on cue. Arran sent the firebolts upward, raising his hand as he recognized the hits. ¡°Target neutralized,¡± Ryan announced. Arran stepped out. ¡°Well played, Alpha Team.¡± Surprisingly, they didn¡¯t even get to apply what they¡¯d learn from Kelmithus. Half an hour of wargaming against a mage wasn¡¯t nearly enough to say for sure, but it looked like their basic tactics were enough for most magic users ¨C no surprise there considering their performance against the bandits and Nobians. A part of him had expected ¨C maybe even hoped for ¨C some spectacular magical duel. But this? This was better. Still, Henry knew better than to get cocky. One successful little bout didn¡¯t mean they had it all figured out. Phase 1 was just the warm up. Kelmithus would have tougher challenges in store, guaranteed. ¡°Thus concludes Phase One,¡± the Archmage said. ¡°A commendable showing. Now, steel yourselves for a change in the field of battle.¡± The ground began to tremble as the low walls and pseudo-structures sank back into the ground. Henry tilted his head to the left, directing his team back to the tents while Kelmithus spent some time restructuring the arena. The field warped and twisted, spitting out buildings like a 3D printer on steroids. The mapping software on his IVAS struggled to keep up, error messages flashing as it tried to process the impossible. The general layout was simple enough ¨C recreation of the middle-class section of Eldralore¡¯s market district, complete with almost a dozen buildings and a central square. He caught a few glimpses of unique features before the walls came up completely. The four-story in the middle? Perfect overwatch position. The narrow alleys through the main promenade? Dangerous choke points. Kelmithus wasn¡¯t done yet, but Henry had seen enough to know what he wanted to do. ¡°Yen, Doc ¨C you two on overwatch. The four-story in the main square looks like it¡¯ll have good sight lines for most of the arena.¡± Henry gave a quick nod to Ryan and Ron. ¡°Tight triangle formation. Owens, you''re point. Hayes, left flank. I''ll take right and rear. Three meter dispersion, ready to break on my signal. Ron, you''re primary breach. Let us know if you see any tells. We¡¯ll leave the center once the minimap¡¯s updated.¡± The rumbling stopped, the last of the buildings solidifying into place. Kelmithus¡¯ voice carried across their headsets. ¡°Alpha Team, preparations for Phase Two are complete. Are you prepared?¡± Henry looked back at the hill. The Archmage didn¡¯t seem tired at all. Or if he was, he showed no sign of it. ¡°Yup. We¡¯re ready.¡± ¡°Thirty minutes for this phase. Begin.¡± Ron took point as they entered the conjured district. Surprisingly, their boots barely kicked up dust; though freshly formed, the earthen streets had been compacted enough to mimic the real deal. No sound but their own movement as they pushed through ¨C the magical construct was a dead zone, devoid of the ambient noise one would expect in a real urban environment. They made for the central structure, a four-story cube of packed earth that would give Isaac and the Doc the vantage they needed. No sign of Arran so far. ¡°Yen, Doc,¡± Henry said as they reached the entrance. ¡°Get topside and start your sweep. Radio when you¡¯re set.¡± They watched the main square in the meantime. Again, no sign. Seemed like the kid wasn¡¯t interested in the primary POI, probably plotting an ambush somewhere in the tighter areas. He wouldn¡¯t be surprised if Arran had anticipated they¡¯d take the tower in the middle; that would narrow down the search areas to blind spots where the local architecture blocked lines of sight from Isaac¡¯s position. ¡°Minimap should be updated.¡± Dr. Anderson¡¯s words accompanied the shift in their HUDs. Perfect. Henry nodded to Ron and Ryan. ¡°Let¡¯s move. East side first. We¡¯ll go counterclockwise.¡± They spread into their wedge, Ron at the helm, Henry and Ryan on the flanks. The buildings around the main square looked pretty normal, but as they started their search along the roads not taken, something felt off. Henry¡¯s eyes narrowed. Yeah, he knew exactly what was off. Windows. Fucking windows everywhere. Every cube of packed earth was riddled with them, from ground level to the top floors. There were even some diagonal ones, likely positioned adjacent to staircases. It was an infantryman¡¯s nightmare, a shooting gallery where they were the ducks. ¡°You¡¯ve gotta be fucking kidding me,¡± Ryan spat. The man sounded half amused and half annoyed. Yeah, that was exactly how Henry felt. Probably Ron too, based on his sigh. He had to hand it to Kelmithus ¨C the old mage sure knew how to make things interesting. His gaze shifted from the windows to the layout of the streets. Shit. As if the windows weren¡¯t enough. The Archmage hadn¡¯t just given them a thousand potential sniper nests ¨C he¡¯d funneled them into a killing zone. The road ahead was barely wide enough for two men to walk abreast, hemmed in by the sides of the buildings. No side entrances, no alternate routes. Just one long, narrow corridor of certain death if Arran decided to open up from any of those windows. It was straight up urban warfare nightmare fuel. Henry suppressed a grim chuckle. Kelmithus might not have combat experience, but the crafty bastard was a real quick learner. Just a few weeks with them and he already knew how to create THE tactical clusterfuck. It¡¯d be a pain in the ass, but that was the point, wasn¡¯t it? This wasn¡¯t some half-assed training ground; hell, this wasn¡¯t even the real deal. It was worse: stress inoculation at its finest. Part of him wanted to groan at the challenge. The rest of him? Well, he¡¯d be lying if he said he wasn¡¯t looking forward to it. Getting through a worst-case scenario was pretty exciting. Looked like this road was clear. ¡°Yen, sitrep.¡± ¡°All quiet up here,¡± Isaac replied. ¡°No movement on the skyline.¡± ¡°Drone¡¯s coming up empty too,¡± Dr. Anderson added. The fake town was quiet as a tomb. They couldn¡¯t take too long, either, since they had a time limit. 30 minutes was more forgiving than the first phase¡¯s 15, but not nearly enough to carefully clear out all the buildings. More than enough if they just walked along the fatal funnels and didn¡¯t bother with each and every room. It was only a matter of time before Arran showed up on one of the windows. Why hide away in a corner for a stalemate when he could get easy pickings from one of the million windows? It didn¡¯t take too long to be proven right. Ron slipped into a doorway, taking cover. Henry and Ryan instantly imitated Ron¡¯s move. ¡°Second to last building on the left, second story windows.¡± Sure enough, there was a flicker of movement ¨C a shadow. Now, if there was one saving grace about the layout of the district, it was the fact that the entrances worked both ways. One way in, one way out. The big question now: had Arran seen them? If he hadn¡¯t, they might have a chance to approach undetected. But if he had¡­ Henry couldn¡¯t be sure. They couldn¡¯t afford uncertainty. ¡°Alright,¡± Henry decided. ¡°Hayes, suppression. Owens, we¡¯re bounding. Stick to the left, come up on his blind spot. Let¡¯s move.¡± Ryan opened up with a volley from his paintball marker, splattering the windows ahead. Whether by inexperienced surprise or deliberate awareness, Arran immediately responded. Fog rolled in faster than he could react, engulfing them in seconds. Well, so much for breach and clear. ¡°We¡¯ve lost visual,¡± Isaac said. ¡°Fog¡¯s too thick. You¡¯re on your own down there.¡± Shit, there went the sniper support. ¡°Yup. Doc, bring that drone closer; park it at the intersection ahead of us.¡± He strained his ears, listening for any sound that might point to Arran¡¯s position. It was nothing compared to the Nobian assassins back at GB-2. No invisibility magic here, no silent footsteps. Just fog. And unlike those assassins, Arran couldn¡¯t hide his body heat. Nor could he hide the disturbances in this mist as he moved. It was nothing they couldn¡¯t handle, but still dangerous if they got sloppy. ¡°Nothing on infrared,¡± Dr. Anderson reported. ¡°He must still be inside.¡± They approached the doorway, stacking up on either side. Couldn¡¯t really pie corners with all the fog. It sucked, but there was still a time limit. Ron moved in first. He barely cleared the doorway before he hit the deck, landing on his back and keeping his weapon trained toward the room ahead. Henry joined him, using the doorframe as partial cover as he leaned in. A bolt of energy ¨C probably some sort of stunning spell from Arran ¨C sizzled through the space where Ron¡¯s torso had been a split second earlier. Henry opened fire at the direction where the spell came from. ¡°Oh.¡± Muffled surprise confirmed at least one hit had found its mark. A light gust of wind cleared the fog. ¡°Well played.¡± Arran raised his hands in surrender. They stepped out of the alley and into the main square, allowing Kelmithus to prepare for the next phase. They¡¯d won this round, sure, but the margin was a bit too close for comfort. If it had been a version of Ron ¨C or anyone else in Alpha Team for that matter ¨C with magic, they probably would¡¯ve been cooked. A mage with no experience in urban warfare? Easy pickings. A mage with even a modicum of experience? That¡¯d be a real issue. If anything, the whole ordeal taught him one important thing: they were missing a ballistic shield. He¡¯d have to ask for a couple from Chief Cole to stuff in the Holding Cart, at least until they could get their hands on and test one of the local shields. Ballistic shields sure were great against bullets and arrows, but if he recalled correctly, he figured a shield made from Vorikha materials or voidstone would work better against magic-based attacks. He eyed the Archmage, then glanced at the map he was building. It was shaping up to be an indoor facility about the size of a small mall, one where such a shield would¡¯ve come in handy. Of course, the walls sprung up first. Bit unfair that Kelmithus would know the layout and they wouldn¡¯t. But hey, stress inoculation, right? Plenty of ops where they¡¯d gone in blind. Kelmithus didn¡¯t take too long. Once he finished construction, he approached them by the entrance. ¡°Harken, for I would set forth a condition ere we commence. In the phases to come, you shall rely only on your helmets and the drone. All other tactical equipment are henceforth prohibited.¡± Damn. No smoke grenades or flashbangs, then. Slight handicap, but nothing they couldn¡¯t work around. IVAS and comms were still available to them, which was the important part. ¡°Understood. We¡¯re ready.¡± ¡°Very well.¡± Kelmithus walked into the facility, disappearing past the entryway as he no doubt made his way to his respective starting point. Took a couple minutes, but his voice finally popped up again. ¡°Thirty minutes. You may begin.¡± The entryway opened into a narrow corridor that, by the 20 meter mark, split into three tunnels. From what Dr. Anderson could tell, all three converged 30 meters ahead into what looked like a chamber. The initial corridors had low ceilings, about a story. As their drone progressed, the space opened up. Some areas stretched upwards to 5 or 6 meters, with a visible second level. No clear choke points aside from the tunnels, but plenty of blind corners and crevices along the way. The two-story space itself reminded him of the expanses within a castle, complete with a large staircase. Past it, chambers of varying sizes dotted the layout. Some were the size of living rooms while others opened into multi-story spaces with balconies and overlooks. Among these, one stood out ¨C a cavern-like space that must¡¯ve been near the center of the complex. Interestingly, the highest floor had lines of sight throughout most of the makeshift facility. Perfect spot for a sniper. The journey there was easy enough, but between the initial drone scouting and the actual transit, they¡¯d already used up 10 minutes. They covered about half of the facility, leaving 20 minutes for the other half plus scoring on Kelmithus. It was time to explore the T-junction ahead. Isaac¡¯s vantage point up top showed a lot, but not quite where the left and right paths led to. They probably could use the drone itself to map out the rest of the facility, but it¡¯d be cutting it close. Though, it seemed like they didn¡¯t need to. ¡°Movement on the right path,¡± Dr. Anderson corroborated what Henry just saw. ¡°Send the drone ahead. Hayes, Owens.¡± He tilted his head toward the path. Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. They consolidated into the same triangle formation they used in the second phase, Ron at the point. As they approached the junction, Henry caught sight of a sliver of stained gray ¨C Kelmithus¡¯ protective gear. He moved around the corner, seemingly unaware of their presence. He didn¡¯t think it¡¯d be this easy, but hey, it wasn¡¯t implausible that he made a mistake. The moment Ron peeked around the corner, he sent a burst of paintballs at the target. Instead of the satisfying splat of a hit, they passed right through. The figure subsequently shimmered and vanished like smoke. ¡°Illusion,¡± Ron muttered. Before Henry could process this, movement flickered in his peripheral vision. Two more Kelmithuses appeared, one at the end of the left path and one straight ahead from their position. Both were moving, one appearing to cast a spell while the other ducked behind cover. He immediately shot at the one behind them to the left path. Another fizzle and puff of smoke. Another illusion. Ryan confirmed that his target had been an illusion as well. ¡°Captain, the illusions didn¡¯t have any heat sigs,¡± Dr. Anderson informed. Henry nodded. Switching to infrared would be smart. It was a great callout, but time was already halfway up. Where was the real Archmage while they chased shadows? The other copies they encountered walked through doorways, hid in corners, pretended to charge at them, and generally mimicked human movements, but it seemed that was all they could do. From the looks of things, they couldn¡¯t actually cast spells or interact with physical objects. They had no physical or magical presence. They weren¡¯t threats, just distractions. If there was one thing he was certain of, it was that Kelmithus was waiting for the perfect opportunity to attack. They could spend the rest of the time running circles to no avail, or they could take the bait. The more disadvantageous their position, the more likely it was that Kelmithus would swoop in for the kill. It was a shitty plan, but with time running low and Kelmithus anywhere on the field, it would have to do. ¡°New plan,¡± Henry announced. ¡°We¡¯re gonna chase one of the illusions. Make it look good.¡± Ron nodded, sprinting ahead toward the Kelmithus decoy on the right. Henry and Ryan fell in behind him. The illusory Archmage led them on a merry chase, always just out of reach. Henry played the part, deliberately missing shots like a stormtrooper just to sell the act. To Kelmithus, it would hopefully look like they were falling for the trap hook, line, and sinker. ¡°Dead end ahead,¡± Anderson warned. ¡°Narrow passage, opens into a small chamber with a lot of pillars. One other exit.¡± Perfect. Henry grinned. ¡°Yen, you got eyes?¡± ¡°Affirmative,¡± Isaac replied. ¡°But it¡¯s a tight angle. Can¡¯t see the corners. You¡¯re gonna have to draw him toward the main entrance or out the side.¡± ¡°Copy.¡± Henry pushed forward. Kelmithus was in here; there was no doubt about it. But¡­ he couldn¡¯t see him. He wasn¡¯t behind any of the pillars. Right then, he heard the telltale sign of earth magic ¨C the crackling of rocks, coming from above. Ron dodged instantly, rolling to take cover by a pillar. Henry followed, jumping toward his own pillar right as a series of shards bombarded the ground. ¡°Fuck!¡± Ryan hissed. ¡°Lost a shield!¡± It was a nasty ambush, but not one they didn¡¯t expect. Kelmithus stood on an outcropping of rock, a small foothold that was connected to the structure itself. It slid down one of the pillars before landing with equal gentleness and quickness. Kelmithus leapt off, three moving walls of earth forming around him as he descended. The best they could do was suppress the Archmage; there was no chance their paintballs were ever gonna penetrate those barriers. The moving walls¡¯ surfaces bubbled before launching more earthen shards, completely suppressing them behind the pillars. At the same time, the ground beneath them began to liquefy, threatening to sink them ankle-deep in quicksand. Talk about getting caught between a rock and a hard place. Or in this case, a soft place. They had to do something. Not willing to risk getting caught by the quicksand, Henry burst from the side, pelting Kelmithus¡¯ position with a barrage of paintballs. Ron and Ryan followed suit without hesitation, syncing perfectly as they struck the Archmage¡¯s barriers from multiple angles. Kelmithus¡¯ earth walls shifted rapidly, trying to block incoming fire from all directions. With three separate ¨C and moving ¨C attack vectors, he certainly couldn¡¯t cover them all and the accuracy of his shard counterattacks showed. This was it. That divided attention, that split second lapse in judgment was all Isaac needed. A single shot splattered against Kelmithus¡¯ shoulder. The Archmage froze, the earthen walls crumbling around him. He raised his hand, calling the hit before congratulating them. ¡°Most commendable. I trust your prowess in the final trial shall prove equally remarkable.¡± Huh, the old man actually sounded impressed. Henry bit back a smirk. ¡°I¡¯m looking forward to it.¡± Well, not the fact that they¡¯d be going up against the near-pinnacle of magic with only paintball guns. That was definitely not something to look forward to. Seeing what was possible, though? Seeing just how far their tactics could go? Now that was something he could look forward to. ¡°Pray, would you clear the area?¡± Kelmithus tapped his staff on the ground, causing the structures to flow back into the earth. Right. Henry jerked his head towards the sidelines. Once he and his team were back at the tents, Kelmithus raised his staff to begin construction on the fourth and final map. ¡°So,¡± he turned to the others. ¡°Thoughts?¡± ¡°That was bullshit.¡± The words came out of Ryan¡¯s mouth like he was just waiting to say it. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t be down a shield if it weren¡¯t for that spellcrap.¡± Ron chuckled. ¡°Yeah, bruh. No kidding. How the hell we supposed to counter that? What if he just makes an earth dome around hismelf? No shot our paintballs are gonna do shit.¡± Anderson¡¯s face said it all: it was one hell of an uphill battle. And if the third phase was a simple hill, the last phase would probably be Mount Everest. ¡°It does seem rather¡­ stacked against us.¡± Henry sighed. Yeah, he didn¡¯t like the odds either, but¡­ ¡°I¡¯m sure Kel¡¯s factoring that in. He wouldn¡¯t set up an impossible scenario. This is more about y¡¯know, adaptability. Stress test. I¡¯m sure he¡¯s not interested in our ability to punch through solid rock.¡± ¡°Fair point,¡± Ron said. The rumbling earth finally stilled ¨C that was a bit quick. Kelmithus¡¯ voice came through their earpieces, ¡°The final arena is prepared. Alpha Team, are you ready?¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Henry responded. ¡°Let¡¯s do it.¡± ¡°Very well. You may begin.¡± Henry signaled the team forward. The structure¡¯s exterior was similar to the previous map ¨C just a large cube with straight walls. The interior, just as similar. Natural light filtered in through holes in the roof, their positioning speaking volumes about Kelmithus¡¯ tactical thinking. The lights covered the main walkway and possibly other open spaces throughout the rest of the structure, whereas hidden corners remained dark. In other words, they couldn¡¯t see the enemy, but the enemy could sure as hell see them. ¡°Lighting¡¯s ass,¡± Ron pointed out. ¡°Yeah.¡± Henry switched to night vision. The world shifted to crisp black and white, as the phosphor tubes activated. Better contrast and depth perception compared to the green murk they used to have, but it still felt like looking through a high-end security camera. Kelmithus had to know the light ¨C or lack thereof ¨C wouldn¡¯t be a problem. So what was his play? Force them to use night vision? Henry looked up. The light pouring through the hole in the ceiling blazed through the IVAS¡¯ night vision, making everything else fade into deep shadows. Seemed Ryan had the same idea. ¡°Better to use flashlights.¡± It was the better of their alternatives. Flashlights carried an increase risk of exposure, but it was preferable to getting a bedsheet pulled over their heads and getting skullfucked by one of Kelmithus¡¯ traps. They secured a small antechamber of sorts near the entryway. It reminded him of the lobby in the Baranthurian site. Packed dirt walls surrounded them, the only other exit a single corridor that stretched ahead. ¡°Doc.¡± Dr. Anderson deployed the Black Hornet. It zipped down the corridor, its feed populating Henry¡¯s HUD. As it explored more of the map, it became obvious why the lobby felt so similar ¨C the entire place must¡¯ve been modeled after a Baranthurian facility. That aside, there was one other thought, this one much more pressing. Oh great, another CQB shitshow. He couldn¡¯t say he didn¡¯t expect this, but it still didn¡¯t change the fact that he hated what he saw: tight corridors, glorified closets that would probably go for $3,000 a month in New York, earthen barriers, and all manner of corners and blind spots that just made him feel bad for Ron. Well, and wish again for a ballistic shield. The first few rooms off the main corridor were barren, save for half-hearted attempts at cover ¨C little more than lumps of packed earth masquerading as furniture. Kelmithus hadn''t wasted much effort here. The more the drone pushed in, the more the details sharpened. Complex room layouts with tight chokepoints and barriers, better-defined shapes. Then, bingo. The drone''s camera panned across a room that practically screamed ¡®boss fight¡¯. A tight chokepoint entrance opened into a space cluttered with eerily human-shaped mounds of earth. And there, tucked behind it all, a flash of stained gear. Henry¡¯s jaw clenched. This wasn¡¯t a challenge ¨C it was a fucking invitation. Kelmithus might as well have painted a giant ¡®X¡¯ on the floor. ¡°Well, that¡¯s not obvious at all,¡± Henry muttered. ¡°That¡¯s gotta be the target room. Kel ain¡¯t hid¨C¡± A brilliant flash filled the drone¡¯s feed, followed by a black rectangle emblazoned with ¡®NO SIGNAL¡¯. ¡°Well, he certainly isn¡¯t hiding at all,¡± Dr. Anderson said. It was a trap, but one they couldn¡¯t move around. The rules were simple ¨C neutralize Kelmithus or fail the phase. Sure, it¡¯d be tough without equipment, but breaching was breaching. No point in overthinking it. ¡°Yeah. Let¡¯s move.¡± It was a straight shot through. Of course, they still pied each room as a courtesy, in case Kelmithus managed an upgraded illusion trick. They found nothing. Kelmithus was serious about wanting that fight. They eventually came across the final room, Ron covering the left angle while Ryan covered the right. No shots from within, even as they peeked. Kelmithus must be crouched behind one of the many rows of barriers. All Henry could see were those earthen mounds, which only looked even creepier up close. He glanced at the EMF readings on his HUD. Completely normal, despite the elevated ambient mana. The decoys themselves didn¡¯t seem to radiate any mana. ¡°No cores,¡± Ron said, weapon trained on one of the decoys. Henry recalled their test back at the Adventurer¡¯s Guild. ¡°No cores, so we don¡¯t have to worry about golems?¡± ¡°Don¡¯t think so.¡± Henry sighed. Without access to any other gear, their options were severely limited. ¡°We¡¯re just gonna have to sweep the rows.¡± Ron and Ryan went in first, clearing their respective corners. Henry followed suit, covering the central aisle. The first row was empty, save for a bunch of Kelmithus statues in various positions, all taking aim at the door with dirt staffs. No heat sigs among them. They cleared the first row of barriers, starting to move onto the second row. Then Henry heard it. ¡°Hark, earth beneath. Gather into cylinders, then compact with great pressure. Bond and harden as the finest steel¡­¡± Shit, an incantation, and a bit of a long one at that. Let the old man finish and deal with whatever spell he conjured? Or rush in, risk the trap, but maybe disrupt the cast? What if he was doing the same trick he did against the Nobians? What if this was a powerful new spell and he actually needed an incantation to cast it? Fuck it. Risk, reward. ¡°Push! Stop the spell!¡± Henry pushed forward, marker up. Sounded like he was in the far corner, the furthest Kelmithus could possibly be from the entrance. No grenades to throw, and no peeking Archmage to take a shot at from this range. He needed to get to the final row for line of sight. ¡°... Lesser motes, compress and taper. Form yourselves as rounded arrowheads¡­¡± Whatever Kel was cooking up, it was taking its sweet time. And from the sounds of cylinders and rounded arrowheads, it was probably a new spell inspired by their guns. Impressive, but also horrifying. Talk about cultural contamination gone wrong. ¡°Clear,¡± Ron called from up ahead, darting past the second row of barriers. Henry kept his sights on Kelmithus¡¯ little corner, ready to advance alongside Ron when ¨C ¡°Fuckin¡¯ bollocks! It¡¯s the statues! They¡¯re animated and hostile!¡± Doc? Henry whipped around, coming face-to-face with one such statue throwing a haymaker at him. He ducked instinctively, the packed earth fist whistling over his head. His marker came up, squeezing off two quick shots center mass. The statue¡¯s chest erupted in a spray of paint and dirt before crumbling to the ground like a sandcastle hit by a wave. Holy shit. These were the dirt piles they¡¯d ignored. Moving. Twisting. Throwing hands, of all things. Lumps of earth stretching into something way too human-like for comfort. But how? They didn¡¯t have cores, for fuck¡¯s sake. That¡¯s why they¡¯d dismissed them in the first place. ¡°Doc¡¯s down a shield!¡± Isaac reported. Fantastic. As if the Archmage¡¯s casting wasn¡¯t enough of a headache. They couldn¡¯t let the constructs stop them, though. Who knew how screwed they¡¯d be if Kelmithus managed to complete his incantation. ¡°We¡¯re cutting through!¡± Henry ordered. They got past the fourth row of barriers, somehow. Halfway to Kelmithus. But how the hell were they supposed to keep fighting this swarm? Take one of the statues down and three more seemed to replace it. It helped that they were pretty fragile, but there were just too damn many of them. ¡°Magic bullshit¡­¡± Henry heard Ryan mutter. No kidding. Henry ducked under a wild swing, then drove his elbow into the attacker¡¯s face. The thing¡¯s head just¡­ disintegrated. Okay, that was kinda satisfying. This wasn¡¯t something they could keep up forever though. ¡°... Fyrite, gather beneath the motes¡­¡± ¡°EMF¡¯s rising,¡± Ron said. Not much time left. Where had he heard ¡®fyrite¡¯ before? Shit, was it when Sera talked about blasting a Ravalisk sky high? ¡°... Flame, erupt with furious might. Ignite within these earthen chambers¡­¡± The ground quivered beneath his boots just as he bolted past the fifth row and entered the sixth. It was so subtle, a faint vibration that would have otherwise been easy to miss if not for Kelmithus¡¯ training earlier. It was hard to believe that Kelmithus was really throwing this at them while controlling the statues and crafting a new spell. Tier 9 was no joke. ¡°Jump! Roots!¡± Henry sprang into the air as the ground exploded beneath him. Damn dirt tentacles everywhere, writhing like something out of a hentai nightmare. He twisted, feeling one brush his calf. Too close. He hit the ground hard, rolling to disperse the impact before bringing up his marker to dispatch another group of statues. A strangled yell to his left. Ryan. Henry¡¯s head snapped around just in time to see one of those earthen bastards latch onto the poor guy¡¯s ankle, snaking up his leg faster than he¡¯d seen even in that one anime Ron had him watch. ¡°Fuck! I¡¯m hit!¡± Isaac suffered the same fate. Henry caught a glimpse of him thrashing. ¡°Can¡¯t break it!¡± Henry looked ahead. ¡°Owens, you good?¡± ¡°... Earth and flame, join in wrathful propulsion¡­¡± ¡°Affirm¨C¡± Ron cut off his own reply. ¡°Oh sh¨C GET DOWN!¡± ¡°Loose your barrage, Earth Artillery!¡± Henry barely had the time to duck under one of the barriers when a deep rumble shook the ground. A hellish shriek filled the air as Kelmithus¡¯ spell tore through the room. The barrier above him exploded, showering him with dirt and rock fragments. Holy fuck. A statue to his left caught the full brunt of one of the bullets. It got completely vaporized. No warning, no mercy ¨C it just¡­ ceased to exist. One second it was there, the next it was a rapidly expanding cloud of pulverized earth ¨C or at this point, fine sand. Apparently that wasn¡¯t the end of it. He took a moment to survey the devastation. Barriers that had seemed solid moments ago were similarly vaporized. Not just the barriers, but the literal walls as well. He could see the next two rooms over from the holes in the walls. Wait, were their shields even rated for this? ¡°Anyone hit?¡± Henry asked. ¡°Doc¡¯s eliminated and I¡¯m down one,¡± Isaac replied. ¡°Hayes still holdin¡¯ up.¡± Ron turned his head back, taking a look at the faint shimmer around Henry. ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re also down a shield.¡± When had that happened? Henry didn¡¯t even remember getting hit. The shrapnel from the exploding walls, maybe? He didn¡¯t dwell on it. What¡¯s more important was the fact that it was quiet. Kelmithus must be out of ammo. He risked a peek over the remnants of his cover. A firebolt over his head forced him back under, but he got all the intel he needed. The earth barrels were falling apart like early railgun prototypes, barely able to sustain that initial volley before getting ripped apart by their own forces. One and done, just like those the DoD¡¯s first attempts at electromagnetic weapons. And the statues? Vaporized by their creator¡¯s own spell. Hooray for friendly fire, as long as it happened on the other side. With the field clear and Kelmithus¡¯ spell out of juice, it was clear as day. This was it ¨C their window of opportunity. ¡°He¡¯s dry!¡± Henry barked. ¡°Move!¡± He had already hopped over his shattered cover before the words were fully out of his mouth. The battlefield was an obstacle course of cratered earth and pulverized barriers, but it was sure easier to navigate without a horde of Kelmithus mannequins. Twenty feet. A leap over a mound of dirt. Fifteen. Sidestep a small crater. Ten. Incoming icicles and firebolts. Slide under a partially collapse wall. Five. Suppressive fire from Ron. Kelmithus¡¯ eyes widened, staff aimed at Henry as firebolts formed just over his shoulder. Too little, too late. Henry opened fire. Paint bloomed across Kelmithus¡¯ chest just as three firebolts erupted. Henry tensed, but the magical projectiles fizzled out halfway, dissipating into harmless sparks and smoke. Kelmithus lowered his staff, his hand rising in the universal ¡®I¡¯m out¡¯ signal. ¡°Well played, Captain,¡± he said. ¡°Whew,¡± Henry let out a breath, lowering his marker. ¡°Thanks. You certainly didn¡¯t make it easy.¡± Kelmithus chuckled. ¡°Indeed, it would be a disservice to offer aught but a genuine challenge. One¡¯s mettle is best honed against the most formidable of trials, or so Captain Sinclair spoke of your practices as a warrior.¡± With a wave of his staff, the arena began to crumble, sinking back into the earth. Damn, the sunlight was bright. Henry gestured back to the tents as he shielded his eyes. ¡°Let¡¯s head back for our AAR.¡± Ron jogged to catch up with them, something clearly on his mind. ¡°Say, Kel¡­ that Earth Artillery spell was some crazy shit.¡± Kelmithus smiled. ¡°¡®Some crazy shit¡¯, it was indeed.¡± Was that pride in his voice? ¡°Rather mana-intensive though, I must admit. It demands simultaneous mastery over earth and fire, not to mention exacting control over myriad projectiles.¡± ¡°Sounds draining,¡± Isaac said, swiping off the dirt from his legs where he got anime¡¯d. ¡°Verily,¡± Kelmithus concurred, his prideful smile only growing. ¡°The spell draws inspiration from your firearms, you see. The earth forms both barrel and projectile, while fire and fyrite provide the propulsive force. Where the mechanisms of a gun handle the attack, each process of this spell requires intense focus.¡± If that was what a Tier 9 magic user was like, then they were up against some serious threats. Ryan, of course, was already thinking ahead. ¡°How long you reckon you can keep that up?¡± ¡°In true combat? My mana capacity permits mayhap ten such attacks of that caliber. Fifteen if I were to be fully rested, and have supplementary artifacts. It is a devastating opening gambit, but not one to be sustained. As you¡¯ve seen, the barrels crumble after but one volley, and the casting time is lengthy.¡± ¡°Hmm,¡± Dr. Anderson mused. ¡°A trade off, then? Proper damage output, but leaves you vulnerable?¡± Kelmithus nodded. ¡°In magical combat, as in your means of war, judicious use of one¡¯s resources is paramount. Overreach,¡± he lifted a statue from the ground before slamming an earth spike into it, ¡°and you may find yourself bereft of defense at a critical moment.¡± ¡°Huh. And those decoys?¡± Henry asked, tilting his head toward the statue that Kelmithus had just demonstrated on. ¡°Didn¡¯t expect them to come to life like that. Thought we had ¡®em figured out when we didn¡¯t detect any cores.¡± Kelmithus raised up another statue, having it walk alongside them. ¡°A touch of guile oft proves invaluable in combat. While autonomous constructs such as golems require cores, a mage may directly animate and control forms without. It is more taxing, to be sure, but affords great adaptability and the element of surprise.¡± Ron whistled low. ¡°No kidding. Damn near took a shield off with that surprise.¡± ¡°Advanced magic tactics revolve around diversion ¨C to compel you to contend on multiple fronts at once that you may be overwhelmed.¡± Henry took off his helmet as they reached the tents. ¡°Can¡¯t rely on our EMF readings to pre scan for threats, then.¡± Kelmithus pointed to a nearby tree and demonstrated. Several acorn-like objects flew from its branches, slamming into a random part of the clearing. ¡°Anything subject to magic can become an extension of a mage¡¯s will. Walls, floors, trees, nay, even the air itself.¡± Isaac sighed. ¡°Damn. How are we supposed to keep track of all that?¡± Kelmithus stroked his beard. ¡°As it happens, I may have just the thing. Should you wish to learn of such tactics, I could arrange for you to observe training sessions at the Eldralore Academy. We¡¯ve a forthcoming competition that may interest you and your researchers.¡± Henry raised his eyebrows. ¡°Oh?¡± The Archmage explained, ¡°There, students of diverse disciplines vie, and you¡¯ll see quite the array of spells and techniques. As I shall be busy for the next few weeks, this would provide an excellent opportunity to study various spell types, their tells, and countermeasures. Furthermore, you¡¯d have the chance to observe mages of varying proficiency. It is one matter to face a seasoned Archmage,¡± he said, pausing, ¡°but quite another to contend with the unpredictability of a novice.¡± Ron nodded. ¡°Mhmm. Can¡¯t know what the enemy is thinking if the enemy doesn¡¯t know what he¡¯s thinking.¡± ¡°Aptly said,¡± Kelmithus laughed. ¡°In addition to spectating the competition, I could also arrange for you to sit in on some theoretical classes. Understanding the principles underlying spell construction won¡¯t be very useful without magic, but they may prove insightful nevertheless.¡± ¡°Sounds like a solid opportunity.¡± Henry looked to his team. Everyone seemed interested, excited, or both. ¡°I bet Owens here is already creaming at the thought of it. Say, what does this competition entail anyway?¡± Chapter 22: Culture Shock Armstrong Base, Grenden Plains Sera stirred from her slumber, eyes fluttering open in the comfortable darkness of her room. For once, she felt properly rested. Now, what ungodly hour might it be? She squinted at the glowing figures upon the nightstand. 0543. At least her inner clock hadn''t gone daft in this realm of machines and electricity. One less matter to relearn in this magic-barren base, if she didn¡¯t count their strange 24-hour time. She stretched, grudgingly admitting that the bed was... not wholly disagreeable. Not a patch on her feather-down mattress back home, to be sure, but leagues better than the flea-ridden sacks some taverns dared call beds. These Americans might lack sorcery, but it was clear they knew the craft of a decent mattress. With a sigh that was half vexation, half anticipation, Sera hauled herself from her repose. Time to face another day of bewildering Earth customs and contraptions. Joy of joys. Sera rushed through her morning routine, unable to help a small thrill at the unfailing hot water. Still a marvel, that was. No enchantments here, just reliable... what had the Americans called it? Plumbing. Hah. As if mere pipes and valves, bereft of any whisper of magic, could hope to match their systems back home. Still, Sera had to admit, it was a relief not to fret over an errant surge of magic turning her morning wash into a scalding ordeal. Perhaps there was something to be said for their mundane methods after all. Clean and marginally more awake, Sera eyed the neatly folded pile of olive drab awaiting her. Fashion fit for a mud farmer, mayhap, but needs must. She lifted the shirt, testing the strange fabric. The quality and softness came as a surprise. ¡°Well,¡± she muttered. ¡°At least it is not burlap.¡± It was easy to put on, practical if anything. Yet, as she looked in the mirror, it was painfully more obvious how¡­ ugly it was. Heavens above, what manner of joyless tailor dreamt up this excuse for a uniform? She twisted around, catching all the angles. It did fit her figure well, but the colors! How awful they were. Still, she¡¯d be a fool to ignore the cleverness behind the design. Under the cover of leaves and at a distance, they¡¯d be as invisible as a Nobian assassin ¨C a vital trait, especially in the face of weapons like the Americans¡¯ guns. Perhaps there was wisdom in blending with dirt and shadow when even the most hardened adamantium might as well be parchment. Sera ran her enchanted brush through her hair, frowning slightly. The strokes smoothed her locks as always, but the ambient magic¡­ why, it was like wading through treacle. Thick, heavy, near overwhelming. How could these Americans not notice? Aye, they lacked the gift to control mana, but surely they must feel something. Like a man born deaf thrust into the heart of a raging tempest - he''d not hear the thunder, true, but he''d feel it rattling his very bones. Did these Earth folk even know what manner of power they''d built their base upon, or did they just see through those ¡®EMF meters¡¯ of theirs? Sera scooped up her materials and paused at the door, hand hovering over the handle. She felt like a dwarf in an elven city. What fresh nonsense would this day bring? Another morn of stumbling through American customs like a novice adventurer on her first quest, no doubt. At least she''d faced worse. Probably. She flung open the door, glancing down at her map. Briefing Room C... Down the hall, left at the junction, then two floors up. The base''s layout was a damned sight more sensible than most dungeons she''d plumbed, she''d give it that. Probably no mimic door handles to watch for either, more''s the pity. Might liven things up a touch. Sera trudged through the corridors, stifling a yawn. Somehow, the base was already alive. Did these Americans never sleep? The soldiers hurrying about reminded her of the palace on the morn of a royal decree. At least there were no bleary-eyed courtiers stumbling about, reeking of last night''s revelry. Door after door slid past, each bearing some manner of numerical sigil. Sera snorted. As if any soul with half a wit could lose their way in this orderly maze. Though, perhaps their own strongholds and castles could learn a thing or two from these orderly Americans. Eventually, Briefing Room C loomed before her, and Sera paused, smoothing down her uniform with a grimace. She sighed. Goodness, she felt like a child playing at soldiers. But needs must, and if these Americans insisted on such dreary attire, who was she to argue? She entered, recognizing the two women who had helped her settle in the eve past ¨C Lieutenant Zoe Nakamura and Staff Sergeant Emilia Kov¨¢cs. It was a relief to see familiar faces, though their intriguing names still vexed her tongue. Her gaze fell upon the device clutched in the Lieutenant¡¯s hands ¨C something she¡¯d seen Dr. Anderson use before. This ¡®tablet¡¯ was a far cry from the delicate scrolls and tomes she knew, yet it held their attention as surely as any arcane text. Built of sterner stuff than it appeared, no doubt. Like as not, it would survive even Lord Harron''s legendary fits of pique. ¡°Good morning, Ms. ad Sindis.¡± Nakamura looked up. ¡°I trust you found your way without incident?¡± Sera nodded. ¡°Good. Please have a seat.¡± Sera settled into one of the chairs. And oh, what a chair it was! It swiveled and rolled like¡­ well, like nothing she¡¯d ever encountered. It was all she could do not to give it a merry spin. Perhaps later, when no one was looking. ¡°We¡¯ll begin with an overview of your integration process and our objectives. Staff Sergeant Kov¨¢cs will then brief you on today¡¯s itinerary.¡± Nakamura tapped at her tablet, and the display on the wall erupted into light and color. Sera bit the inside of her cheek slightly to keep from gawking. No matter how oft she witnessed it, this conjuring of images from naught never failed to surprise her. At least that accursed ¡®loading¡¯ circle was mercifully absent this time. One less vexation to endure. Nakamura''s hand moved, and the wall erupted into a riot of color. Sera blinked, focusing on what appeared to be a timeline stretching across several weeks. Colorful blocks dotted the expanse, each bearing a label of baffling brevity: CATP, BCT, SERE-C, OCC, and other abbreviations. What, did these Americans fear full words as a peasant fears plague? Mayhap they believed ink too dear to waste on complete terms. ¡°Ms. ad Sindis, your integration process will be intensive and tailored to your unique background and abilities. We''ll begin with a week of orientation and familiarization.¡± A whole week just to get acquainted? These Americans¡¯ thoroughness rivaled that of a master scribe copying the king''s own decree. ¡°This first week is crucial. We''ll introduce you to American culture, customs, and technology. Think of it as a crash course in Earth living. We¡¯ll also cover essential military protocols, including operational security ¨C OPSEC, as we call it. This ensures you understand how to handle sensitive information, like what you might find in a Gatebuilder site, for example.¡± Ah, the noble art of guarding one¡¯s tongue. At least in that arena, the vipers¡¯ nest of court life had already honed her skills to a keen edge. ¡°Following orientation, we¡¯ll move into specialized training programs. This includes firearms training, our combat techniques, survival skills, and leadership integration training.¡± Firearms training. Now there lay a promise of intrigue. Sera couldn¡¯t imagine herself using the Americans¡¯ weapons, but she¡¯d seen Kelmithus use them with familiarity already, and there was nary a reason to allow herself to fall behind. Thunderous weapons that can pierce further than a wind snipe¡­ mastering such power would be a worthy challenge indeed. The lieutenant continued, ¡°You¡¯ll be going through what we call a Small Arms Master Gunner course. It¡¯s quite comprehensive. You¡¯ll learn how to shoot, maintain your weapon, and everything in between.¡± The display shifted again. ¡°BCT stands for Basic Combat Training, and SERE-C is Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape. All crucial skills for any soldier.¡± They seemed no different than the various skills she had to learn as an adventurer. It seemed the Lieutenant could see through her as well as any diviner could, and she spoke again before Sera could even open her mouth. ¡°We know you¡¯re not a fresh recruit. You¡¯ve got skills ¨C that¡¯s why you¡¯re here. We just wanna validate that you know what you know, and then sharpen your skills, and maybe even add some of our methods to your toolkit. It¡¯ll come in handy when you¡¯re working with our tech. You might find some of it¡­ interesting.¡± These Americans really left little to chance; they prepared for war with the meticulousness of an alchemist measuring reagents. Admirable, if a touch overwhelming. At least they weren¡¯t treating her like some coddled noble who¡¯d never seen the wrong end of a sword. ¡°Most importantly, we¡¯ll be developing new protocols to integrate your abilities with our standard military doctrines. This is unprecedented territory; we¡¯ll be learning as much from you as you will from us. Do you have any questions about the integration process?¡± Nakamura asked. Nothing came to mind. If there was one thing about the elaborate procedure, it was, well, that it was extraordinarily elaborate. Actually, Sera did think of one thing. ¡°This officer candidate training ¨C what is it?¡± ¡°It typically prepares individuals for leadership roles within our military structure, which you¡¯ll be learning more of later today. In your case, Ms. ad Sindis, we¡¯re less concerned with rank and more focused on the skills themselves,¡± Nakamura explained. Intriguing. So they sought not to chain her with their rigid hierarchy. What a relief. What would she do without her freedom as an adventurer? ¡°The course covers tactical decision-making, team leadership, and operational planning. We believe these skills will be crucial in helping you integrate your abilities with our standard operating procedures.¡± Sera fought to still her lips, lest they betray her amusement. She had to admit, it had been quite a while since she had actually led any Party. Brushing up wouldn¡¯t hurt. ¡°Furthermore,¡± Nakamura added, her tone taking on a hint of¡­ what, eagerness? ¡°This training will give you insight into how our military thinks and operates. It¡¯s as much about you understanding us ¨C and by extension, Alpha Team ¨C as it is about honing your skills.¡± ¡°I see,¡± Sera said. ¡°Your design sounds most¡­ comprehensive.¡± ¡°Yeah. Now, unless you have any other questions, I¡¯ll hand you over to Staff Sergeant Kov¨¢cs for your daily schedule.¡± Sera nodded, shifting her gaze to the other woman as she took over. ¡°Right, let¡¯s go over today¡¯s agenda. You¡¯re already familiar with the command center and the mess hall and the living quarters, so we¡¯ll take a look at the rest of the base. We¡¯re gonna start with the motor pool ¨C that¡¯s where we keep our vehicles. Then we¡¯ll visit the science wing and introduce you to Dr. Perdue and Dr. Lamarr. After that, it¡¯s the logistics center to meet Chief Cole.¡± The names sounded familiar ¨C oft as mentions during her conversations with the members of Alpha Team. ¡°From 0900 to 1030, we¡¯ll cover military structure and protocols. Ranks, chain of command, procedures ¨C the works. There¡¯s a break at 1030, then Sergeant Anson Choi will take over for communications training until lunch.¡± Sera bit back a sigh. Another labyrinth of titles and protocols to navigate. It was like learning courtly etiquette all over again, only with more acronyms and less poisoned wine. The communications training though did pique her interest. ¡°Lunch is from 1200 to 1300. After that, Sergeant First Class Liam O¡¯Connor will handle physical training standards and skill evaluation for the rest of the afternoon, with a short break in between.¡± At last, something truly worth her time. The Americans fancied themselves warriors, did they? Well, she¡¯d show them what Tier 8 adventuring prowess and a dash of magic could do. Perhaps their faces would prove more entertaining than their endless prattle about protocols. ¡°We¡¯ll wrap up with a debrief at 1630. Any questions about the schedule, Ms. ad Sindis?¡± Sera shook her head. ¡°Right, let¡¯s get started with the tour then, shall we?¡± Sera followed the Staff Sergeant outside. The base had expanded since her last visit, new structures sprouting like mushrooms after a spring rain. Prefabricated, Henry had called them. Sera snorted. As if assembling a building like some child''s toy was aught to boast of. Still, she had to admit, the speed was... impressive ¨C comparable even to the efficiency of higher tier earth mages. "First stop, motor pool," Kovacs announced, leading her towards a section of packed grayish earth and metal. Sera wrinkled her nose as they entered the area. What was that foul miasma? It smelled like an alchemist¡¯s workshop combined with the metallic heat of a blacksmith¡¯s furnace, nothing like the herb-scented halls of the Guild. Rows of those boxy vehicles stretched out before her, still alien, but no longer as bewildering as they once were. But something stood out ¨C a set of behemoths that made the others seem as naught but toys. What manner of vehicle was that? Long snouts, clattering tracks, and armor that mocked the very notion of arrows ¨C it was unmistakably the ¡®tanks¡¯ Henry had oft spoken of. A band of men swarmed about them, daubing their hides with green hues. The machines shed their desert tan for something more apt for the Grenden Forest before her very eyes. ¡°Caught your eye? M1A2 Abrams,¡± Kov¨¢cs said. ¡°Main battle tanks. Just got ¡®em in, actually. We¡¯re in the middle of repainting them, so look only; don¡¯t touch.¡± The tanks were larger than even those lumbering UGVs, a feat she scarce thought possible. Many a weapon had she seen in her travels, from enchanted blades to Dwarven cannons. None could compare to this, not even the UGVs she¡¯d seen lay waste to Nobian formations outside of the Gatebuilder site. ¡°Captain Donnager spoke of these before. They ¡®pack quite a punch¡¯, as he said.¡± Kov¨¢cs smiled. ¡°That¡¯s putting it mildly. Remember that Sentinel Lindwyrm?¡± As if Sera could forget. ¡°Well, this here darling could turn it into mincemeat. Just one of these could probably handle a whole family of those Lindwyrms.¡± ¡°Is that so?¡± She could see the tank defeating one, perhaps two, but more? The Staff Sergeant continued, as if reading her mind ¨C these people truly did have a gift for it, despite their lack of magic. ¡°The autocannons you¡¯ve probably seen so far on our UGVs and Apaches are 30 millimeters by 115 millimeters, shooting projectiles with a diameter similar to a soda can but much longer in length. Like, probably 2 or 3 cans stacked on top of each other in terms of length. Some of our stuff even gets to 5 cans stacked on top of each other. Nasty pieces of work, yeah, but peashooters compared to this.¡± If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. She jabbed a thumb at the tank¡¯s snout, walking to the front to get a good look at it. ¡°This here¡¯s packing a 120 millimeter smoothbore cannon. Size matters,¡± Kov¨¢cs smirked, ¡° but that ain¡¯t the half of it.¡± Sera chuckled as the American woman continued her explanation. ¡°The ammo is just as important. Those 30 mils can fire high-explosive incendiary and armor-piercing variants ¨C effective even against Lindwyrm scales, but this baby? Depleted uranium sabot rounds.¡± Sera tilted her head. She understood perhaps one word out of four: ¡®rounds¡¯. ¡°Basically, they can punch through a good like, 2 or 3 feet of solid steel. Let¡¯s just say whatever¡¯s inside won¡¯t be pretty afterward,¡± Kov¨¢cs explained. The woman then flashed a smile, akin to an adventurer who just purchased a new weapon. ¡°One shot, one kill. That¡¯s the Abrams¡¯ motto. And against most monsters? I¡¯d bet it¡¯d hold true.¡± And hold true it very well might. If such a construct was truly rated for ¡®2 or 3 feet of solid steel¡¯, then even a Sentinel Lindwyrm would fall in a single shot. ¡°It¡¯s got range for days, as well ¨C¡± She hadn¡¯t heard that term before. ¡°Range for days?¡± Sera asked. The Staff Sergeant looked up to the man atop the vehicle¡¯s head, who only gave a shrug. ¡°Uh, for days. Like, a lot of. Over 4 kilometers.¡± Sera recalled one of the words Lieutenant Owens had never deigned to teach her ¨C nay, one she¡¯d gleaned from his frequent use of it. ¡°Hella range?¡± ¡°Yes! Exactly!¡± Kov¨¢cs beamed. ¡°Wait, ¡®hella¡¯? Where the hell¡¯d you learn that?¡± ¡°A quaint young man in Alpha Team,¡± Sera answered honestly. ¡°Well look at that, you¡¯re adapting already. But yeah,¡± the Staff Sergeant said, turning back to face the tank, ¡°we designed these for warfare on Earth, but they¡¯re for sure to be just as damn useful ¨C probably necessary, too ¨C here. Giant monsters, magical constructs ¨C nothing¡¯s too big for an Abrams to handle.¡± The woman¡¯s stiff bearing had melted away, replaced by the fervor of a scholar expounding upon their latest enchantment or breakthrough in spellcrafting. It was¡­ oddly reminiscent of the Academy¡¯s halls. ¡°Aye, it is a fearsome beast indeed.¡± Sera looked the tank up and down. She tried seeking familiar points of reference, but no success. Alas, it was like comparing a crossbow to a fireball. There was naught of its design that she could fathom, yet one truth rang clear ¨C this metal beast would sunder an Adamantium Golem as easily as a mace rends a wooden shield. Kov¨¢cs leaned in close. ¡°Just wait till you see one in action.¡± She checked her watch. ¡°But that¡¯s enough of that. Let¡¯s take a look at the airstrip before we move on to the science wing.¡± Kov¨¢cs led her away from the motor pool¡¯s reek of oil and metal, guiding her to a stretch of gray as flat and barren as a petrified lake. Why, it dwarfed even the grandest plazas of Sonara! ¡°Our airstrip,¡± Kov¨¢cs declared, arm sweeping across the vast nothingness. ¡°Where¡­¡± Sera began. ¡°Out on a sortie ¨C familiarizing themselves with our surroundings,¡± the American woman replied. ¡°Lucky for us, means we can take a proper look without pissing off the ground crews.¡± How most convenient. Here Sera stood, upon the very grounds where those metal birds supposedly took flight, and nary a one in sight. It was like attending a joust with no knights present. They strolled along the strip¡¯s edge, Kov¨¢cs explanations washing over her. Hangar, taxiway, control tower ¨C the names meant little and less without the beasts they housed and guided. The vast expanse of flat grayish stone stretched before her, a road for the mysterious ¡®planes¡¯ to gather speed ere leaping skyward. She swept her gaze across the empty sky. Would one appear at any moment? The silence was disappointing. Well, at least she had the Staff Sergeant¡¯s eager explanations and the whisper of the wind to keep her company. How different it must be when these planes were about. A piercing wail cut through the air, interrupting her thoughts. It reminded her of a banshee, though mercifully lacking the power to liquefy one¡¯s innards. Had some fell beast breached the base¡¯s defenses? Nay, Kov¨¢cs seemed untroubled, nigh ecstatic even. ¡°F-35B,¡± the woman said, pointing skyward. Sera followed her line of sight. Could it be? A metal shape tore through the clouds, unlike any beast she¡¯d ever seen. It was sleek, like a Falquor in a dive. No dragon nor griffyn had ever cut through the air with such precision and speed. The craft slowed, then¡­ stopped. It hung there, suspended, as if the laws of nature were naught but trifles to be ignored. Sera blinked hard. Surely, the vision would vanish like a mirage, right? Nay, the machine remained. How did it stay aloft? No flapping wings, no spinning blades as the Apache helicopters beheld. She narrowed her eyes and it thus became evident: it must be poised upon that impossible column of fire spewing out of its tail. It descended slowly, drowning them out in a loud whine until suddenly, it ceased and the craft was on solid ground. ¡°I don¡¯t suppose you¡¯d consider bartering one of those for a few enchanted swords?¡± Sera asked, only half in jest. Every noble lady she¡¯d known had dreamt of taming a dragon at least once in their lives. This? Now this was a beast beyond even those aspirations. What stood before her was steel dragon that could outrace a Falquor ¨C nay, perhaps it might even outrace an arrow propelled by Sir Taldren¡¯s Wind Snipe. Indeed, such a mount would make anyone seethe with jealousy. They would remain mere dreams, however. Kov¨¢cs¡¯ chuckle heralded the disappointing, but expected news. ¡°Sorry, these babies are strictly off-limits. C¡¯mon, let¡¯s head to the science wing. You¡¯ll get to see more airshows in the coming days, anyway.¡± Sera''s shoulders sagged, though she knew better than to expect aught else. Military folk and their toys, be they steel or spell, were alike across worlds it seemed. Nary a chance to lay hands upon them without a lifetime''s worth of paperwork and the blessings of a dozen petty officials. She followed the Staff Sergeant outside, trailing her as they walked toward the gateway. Off to the side, there stood a larger set of those prefabricated structures. Kov¨¢cs led them through a checkpoint, then another, then another. Why, these Americans left no quarter when it came to security! If it was not the guards, it was the strange devices that beckoned Kov¨¢cs¡¯ card, followed by her thumb or eye. In her travels, Sera had seen many a fortified keep, but nothing quite like this. No swords, no shields ¨C yet she wagered these Americans could bar entry as effectively as any portcullis, if not more. Fascinating, truly. They entered another briefing room that looked similar to the last. Two women awaited them, clad in long white coats that marked them as scholars ¨C scientists. The taller one had striking looks and hair that was a cascade of gold. ¡°You must be Lady Seraphine! I¡¯m Dr. Emma Lamarr. Alpha Team has told me quite a lot about you!¡± How often did Henry speak to this woman? ¡°What have they said?¡± ¡°For starters, they¡¯re real impressed with your skills and magic. Couldn¡¯t have gotten through GB-2 without your and Kelmithus¡¯ help. Thanks for retrieving the artifacts, by the way. I can¡¯t wait to show you what we¡¯ve found so far!¡± Sera blinked, a bit taken aback by the woman¡¯s exuberance. Since when did scholars greet adventurers with such¡­ enthusiasm? Well, perhaps Kelmithus, but he was indeed an exception. The other woman, more reserved in her manner, offered a slight nod. ¡°It¡¯s nice to finally meet you, Miss ad Sindis. I¡¯m Dr. Perdue. We¡¯re quite interested in the Lindwyrm and Spiranid samples you¡¯ve helped procure.¡± Ah, there was the scholarly demeanor she¡¯d expected. Sera inclined her head in return. ¡°Well met, good doctors. I trust the artifacts and the Spiranid Queen¡¯s remains proved fruitful for your studies? It was no small feat to fell such a beast, I¡¯ll have you know.¡± The animated one ¨C Dr. Lamarr ¨C lit up like a mage who¡¯d just stumbled upon a lost grimoire. ¡°Fruitful? It¡¯s amazing! That Locator you brought back is packed with information about Gatebuilder sites.¡± Sera raised an eyebrow. In truth, she''d scarce given thought to the device since relinquishing it to these eager scholars. ¡°And pray tell, what secrets has it yielded beyond the Ovinne Mountains?¡± ¡°We¡¯ve identified dozens of potential Gatebuilder locations from the map,¡± the woman said, understandably excited. ¡°We¡¯re still working on mapping them out. The local geography around the respective sites might have changed over the years, so we¡¯re being cautious.¡± Dozens? By the gods. Each one like as not to be crawling with abominations or guarded by beasts of legend. A fine mess they¡¯d gotten themselves into, and no mistake. But well worth the glory to be earned. ¡°I trust you¡¯ve some method of choosing which deathtrap to spring first?¡± ¡°Mhmm,¡± Dr. Lamarr nodded. ¡°We¡¯re trying to prioritize them based on the data we can interpret so far. I hate to admit it, but it¡¯s hard to tell, so we¡¯re going based off facility size and distance from the base. It¡¯ll probably keep us busy for a while.¡± Aye, busy indeed. Busy dodging fell beasts and alien hazards, more like. Still, it was the path she¡¯d chosen, was it not? The woman¡¯s grin spread wider, if such a thing were possible. ¡°Now, wanna see something cool?¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Sera said, drawing an intrigued look from the two scientists. She followed Dr. Lamarr out of the briefing room and down a short passage. As they crossed the threshold of their destination, a peculiar scent met her nose. It was crisp, clean ¨C not unlike that of an apothecary. The air held an unnatural freshness, as if some magic continuously purified it. The chamber beyond was a curious melange of the familiar and the utterly foreign. One half bore equipment that put her in mind of an artificer¡¯s workshop ¨C tools and devices that she could hardly recognize. The other half¡­ Sera squinted. Those odd contraptions and containment units bore an uncanny resemblance to the relics she¡¯d encountered in Baranthurian ruins, albeit looking distinctly more advanced. Through a window of glass thicker than her arm, Sera beheld the gateway itself. Seeing any Gatebuilder construct up close was always a sobering sight, to be sure. Lamarr approached one of the containment units, navigating around stacks of crates that were yet to be unpacked. ¡°Here¡¯s where we keep the Gatebuilder artifacts. We¡¯re still setting up most of our equipment, so we¡¯re focused on basic scans and containment for now.¡± She brought her over to a display, gesturing grandly toward the charts and numbers on it. ¡°See these readings? They indicate some seriously exotic materials. We¡¯re light-years away from understanding how they work, but man, the potential! The sheer potential!¡± Sera gazed upon it, fighting the urge to squint like some befuddled peasant. Indeed, what stood before her was math and charts, but it remained incomprehensible. It may as well have been the ravings of a mad oracle, scrawled in Orcish. ¡°Not unlike our scholars¡¯ perspective on the Baranthurian ruins,¡± she said, trying to mask her confusion. ¡°Precisely! But on quite a larger scale. The Gatebuilders were probably hundreds of thousands, if not millions of years ahead of us.¡± Dr. Perdue cleared her throat. ¡°If we¡¯re done with the artifact show-and-tell, perhaps we could move on to the biological samples?¡± She beckoned Sera to approach a strange device festooned with multiple lenses. ¡°This is a microscope. It allows us to examine things too small for the naked eye to see.¡± Perdue adjusted something on it. ¡°Take a look. This is a sample of Lindwyrm blood vessels.¡± Sera leaned forward, peering through the eyepiece as instructed. At first, she saw naught but a bewildering array of shapes, but then she noticed it ¨C a pattern. The view reminded her of the structure of celisyrin vine and the design of Baranthurian mana conduits. ¡°Fascinating. Have you attempted any practical applications? We oft use monster parts in potions or equipment.¡± ¡°We¡¯re not quite ready for practical applications. However, I imagine it won¡¯t be long before we try our hand at creating new equipment. Perhaps we could arrange a more¡­ structured debriefing session?¡± Perdue suggested. ¡°We have access to the books provided by your government, but having an expert on hand would make the research a lot smoother ¨C and Mister ad Helis is a bit too busy.¡± Sera could not even muster a reply before Dr. Lamarr added, ¡°Oh! And your equipment too! Those enchanted weapons and armor of yours¡­ they¡¯re simply fascinating.¡± These scientists seemed to know their craft, even if it was far removed from the magic she knew. And had they not handled the Gatebuilder relics with utmost care? ¡°Well¡­ I suppose I won¡¯t be using them for some weeks. We can start with something small. My vambraces, perhaps?¡± ¡°Yes! That would be absolutely fantastic!¡± As Kov¨¢cs ushered them toward the exit, Lamarr turned back. ¡°Oh, and should you stumble upon any more little uh¡­ oddities in your travels ¨C specimens, artifacts, anything of the sort ¨C we¡¯d be real grateful if you¡¯d bring them our way. Every little bit helps!¡± These scientists would surely be in for a surprise. What would they make of a basilisk egg? Might be worth the trouble just to see their faces. Kov¨¢cs led Sera towards the gateway, the Americans¡¯ defenses growing as they approached. Thrice-walled, like some great lord¡¯s keep, but wrought of stuff strange to her eyes ¨C smooth grey ¡®stone¡¯ that mirrored the grayness of the American structures. Guards stood watch at each checkpoint, positioned before colossal machines that surely probed the traffic with an efficiency to humble the most exacting of city gatekeepers. The road upon which the traffic traversed was split in twain, marked clearer than any Sera had trod in all her travels. One path for entering, another for leaving, simple enough. When she asked about the possibility of visiting Earth someday, Kov¨¢cs¡¯ response was noncommital. The Staff Sergeant merely gave a ¡®maybe,¡¯ conditional on the General¡¯s approval ¨C on trust. Trust, ha! These Americans guarded their secrets as fiercely as any Guild, for all their talk of alliance. Their soldiers walked freely through Gaerra, yet a glimpse of theirs remained out of reach. What marvels ¨C or perils ¨C lay beyond that guarded gateway? Then came the ¡®logistics hub¡¯, a large gathering of supplies sprawled beneath a pavilion vast enough to shame the grandest of Eldralore¡¯s markets and bazaars. Within, chaos reigned supreme, as if a Clan readied for a great Campaign. Why, the chaos would even be enough to make a Guildmaster weep. Amidst the fray stood Chief Warrant Officer Cole, a man of slight build but thunderous voice. If Sera were to be admitted to Alpha Team, she would oft interact with this man ¨C for quest preparations and depositing materials. It seemed this ¡®Cole¡¯ was as a master merchant establishing a new post in a foreign city. How he mastered this madness and even dared to seize more, Sera knew not. After introductions, Cole showed them around. Sera had first been drawn to the wall lined with the Americans¡¯ fearsome weapons ¨C guns of varying sizes and the devastating tubes that Ron had boasted as ¡®launchers¡¯. Inspiring, perhaps, yet it was the opposite wall that truly gave her pause. There, familiar mana crystals shone like captive stars, nestled amongst crates marked by the Americans¡¯ abbreviations and alphabet. Healing potions, their green fluids clear as day, stood beside these crates. Even without magic, these Americans were keen to recognize the utility of potions. And there! Cloaks and shields she¡¯d stake her life were crafted by Sonaran tailors and smiths. What game were these Americans trying to play at? To amass such artifacts of her realm, one might think they fancied themselves adventurers. The defenses the American stronghold boasted were no less surprising. Why, they would bring a tear to the eye of even the most battle-hardened siege-master. The same gray stone ¨C ¡®concrete¡¯, the Staff Sergeant had finally revealed ¨C stretched further than aught Sera had ever seen in city fortifications, encircling the base. It was also topped with wire that would give even a manticore pause if it ever thought to scale such walls. The perimeter was further defended by patrols and constructs akin to golems ¨C ¡®automated sentry guns¡¯ ¨C yet more fell and unerring in their vigilance. Not even the fiercest of fireballs could breach this place, that was certain. Sera could scarce help wonder what havoc such defenses would wreak upon a traditional assault. The Nobian Empire might do well to reconsider any design they harbored to test these Americans¡¯ mettle. The rest of the landmarks blurred together past that: barracks as orderly as an uptight elf¡¯s wardrobe, the mess hall Sera had visited before, training grounds that she¡¯d be familiar with ere long. Alas, that was the end of their tour. Fie upon it, now the Staff Sergeant would regale her with the tedium of military structure and protocol, a prospect as enticing as a cold bath on a winter¡¯s morning. And thus it began. The American system¡¯s logic was not entirely foreign to her understanding, having been schooled in the hierarchies of the Sonaran military and the Adventurer¡¯s Guild. The notion of ¡®standardization¡¯ and that it was promulgated so widely that every soldier, from highest to lowest, did operate from the selfsame playbook, was a feat most singular and fair. The Guild¡¯s Tiers were basic enough, if only as a means of categorizing Adventurers and difficulties by status. While the Sonaran military¡¯s chain of command was a step above in terms of order, it could be hindered by personal affinities and feudal obligations. The military of these Otherworlders? They combined the best of both worlds ¨C plain communication, defined roles, yet enough freedom to allow each person to ply their trade with greater efficacy. The clear chain of command was as Henry claimed ¨C one that could have forestalled many of the disputes and power struggles that had rent asunder so many Parties. No more wrangling over who held sway or whose plan to follow. She knew who made the decisions, and she trusted them to make wise choices. It was undeniably a more admirable structure, a far cry from the world of adventuring, wherein might oft made right. Complex and convoluted as well, compared to the systems she¡¯d known, but for good reason. Sergeant Choi¡¯s instruction on the ¡®JTRS¡¯ communication system seemed to hammer in that point. The array of terms that accompanied ¡®proper¡¯ communications for the American radio stood a testament to their complexity. Yet, Sera would take these any day over the vague cries of ¡®over yonder!¡¯ or ¡®behind you!¡¯ that she was wont to use. Forsooth, it surpassed even the Mithril Order¡¯s protocols. At least it left scant room for misinterpretation. And that, in the heat of battle, could prove the difference twixt life and death. The ambush in Ytther, wherein Tancred had attacked the wrong target due to a misheard plan? The final straw in Lorranius, where Livia was nearly killed because of Lucan¡¯s plain idiocy? If only they had coordination and communication like this. They would¡¯ve never had to brush so closely with death. Nevertheless, dwelling on past regrets would change naught. Choi continued his lecture until eventually, his voice became a hum in the background, drowned out by the rumbling in Sera¡¯s stomach as the clock ticked ever closer to lunchtime. Finally, Choi dismissed her, and she found her way to the mess hall. Henry had promised her that the ¡®cheeseburgers¡¯ on the menu were a true wonder, surpassing all others ¨C and made all the more tantalizing by the fact that they were fashioned from Rillifane meat and cav cheese. Truly, it was a dish that might finally sate her hunger, till she could prove her mettle to the Americans in feats of arms or get her hands on their curious firearms. Chapter 23: Back to School Eldralore Academy, Eldralore The MRAPs came to a stop outside Kelmithus¡¯ mansion ¨C yes, mansion ¨C adjacent to the academy itself. Apparently, this was the best place they could park their MRAPs, unless they wanted to travel from Armstrong by carriage. The Archmage had also offered some rooms, but Ryan argued it¡¯d be better if the school didn¡¯t come to see them as ¡®the fancy guests who stayed at Professor ad Helis¡¯ home.¡¯ Yeah, it was a fair point not trying to attract too much attention to themselves. Something told him, though, that this wasn¡¯t just a reflection of the man¡¯s experience in clandestine ops. Judging from the smile on the guy¡¯s face as they stepped outside, Henry could almost swear Ryan just wanted to feel like a college kid. Maybe he could, though he reckoned it¡¯d be more like Harvard study sessions instead of ASU ragers. The academy itself wasn¡¯t too far from the mansion; it was uphill, completely visible from his position and looked more like a castle than a school. Well, when teaching kids to throw fireballs, he supposed the serious architecture was more than necessary. ¡°Everyone good?¡± he asked, popping the door open and hopping down. Arran stumbled out of the back seat, leaning over the grass. ¡°Oh, I believe I am a bit¡­ nauseous¡­¡± Ron patted the man on the back. Hands on knees ¨C not great, but Ron definitely wasn¡¯t gonna tell him that. ¡°You¡¯re good bro; think of it like uh, like riding a carriage!¡± ¡°But I hate riding carriages.¡± ¡°Well¡­¡± Henry scratched his shoulder, adjusting his robe. ¡°Uh, anyway, Arran, we¡¯re not gonna be doing that again any time soon. We¡¯ll give ya a couple minutes to catch your breath.¡± He glanced back at his team. Looked a bit weird seeing them all decked out like adventurers, but they seemed to clean up okay in Gaerran duds. At least it¡¯d help them fit in a bit more. Of course, they still had all their things in their Holding Bags or under their cloaks. Henry pulled out his helmet, bringing the IVAS HUD to life. An entire magic school stood before them. No way he was gonna walk in without at least checking what it looked like on the EMF meter. The overlay popped up, aligning with what he¡¯d expected out of the place ¨C 500 milligauss. Not quite on the level of the various ruins they¡¯d been through, but it made sense for one of the most magically dense areas in the city. Past that, there was nothing out of the ordinary, just the usual background ambience that seemed to permeate everything else in the world. Arran walked up to them, still looking like shit. ¡°I¡¯m ready,¡± he said. The kid¡¯s appearance suggested otherwise, but if the kid wanted to push through despite that, then Henry wouldn¡¯t argue. He wanted to see the place as much as everyone else, probably not for the cat girls ¨C as Ron did ¨C but for the general curiosities he might find within. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s get moving then,¡± Henry declared, hiding the helmet away. They started on the path leading to the main gate out front. The walk to the academy was short, but it gave them a lot to chew on. This part of Eldralore was a weird mix of the market district¡¯s medieval fantasy and something almost modern ¨C if one squinted and ignored the lack of power lines. The cobblestone streets were clean, way cleaner than any medieval-era city had a right to be. Odd modernizations, just like the aethergraph system and the amenities in the Duke¡¯s guest house. Really, it wasn¡¯t all that different from some of the bigger state schools back home, just with a magic touch to it. Ron seemed the most¡­ disappointed. ¡°Huh, here I was thinking it was gonna be Hogwarts. But really, it kinda looks like UCLA.¡± Henry nodded. ¡°Yeah, just swap out the football team for battlemages. Though I bet their tailgates are something else.¡± Walls surrounded the main entrance, stretching up and forming ramparts. Upon closer inspection, it became clear that the carvings he thought to be decorations were actually runes ¨C defensive, utility, maybe both. The practicality reminded him of the Duke¡¯s place and the Adventurer¡¯s Guild, in a way. Pretty, but functional. Then there were the two massive statues flanking the gates. They looked as much like warriors as the knights standing beneath them. Knowing the Sonarans, these probably weren¡¯t for decoration either. Henry nudged Arran. ¡°Golems, I¡¯m guessing?¡± Arran grinned. ¡°You guessed right, Captain. Those are Steel Golems; they serve as our guardians. Tier 7. They lie dormant most days, but can be roused should danger arise.¡± Not quite automated turrets, but these could probably handle most of the local fauna out here. Students flowed in and out of the gate in a steady stream. Henry had expected them all to wear robes like Arran and Kelmithus, but the fashion was surprisingly diverse. Most sported what passed for ''casual wear'' around here, while others donned fancier outfits or even full-on adventurer gear. The robes, it seemed, were this place''s version of college hoodies, complete with an Eldralore emblem. A few students had small creatures with them ¨C one that looked like a black cat with wings upon the shoulder of a female mage with an eyepatch, a blue blob that Henry guessed was a Lesser Slime, and a small rodent with a rather shocking tail. Familiars. He¡¯d seen them a handful of times at the Guild, before most of the higher-Tier adventurers left for the Campaign. The whole scene looked like something straight out of one of those animes Ron always went on about. ¡°Arran!¡± A young woman with fiery red hair waved as she passed. ¡°New students, are ye?¡± She eyed Dr. Anderson and Ryan. ¡°Though some of ye look past yer learning years¡­ Meaning no disrespect, mind.¡± ¡°None taken,¡± Dr. Anderson chuckled. ¡°Ah, mind not Reena¡¯s words. She¡¯s never one to mince them.¡± Arran turned to the woman. ¡°These are guests of the Academy. I¡¯m showing them about the grounds.¡± Reena¡¯s eyes widened slightly as she took in the group. She probably saw right through their robes, trying to place their odd appearance. ¡°Right then. Make merry during yer stay,¡± she said finally, before hurrying off to join a group of friends. They moved past the gate, into the entrance hall. The inside looked pretty damn familiar, for a magic school. Felt like his own college days. Yeah, the setting was a bit different ¨C more Oxford than the Space Force Academy ¨C but the energy was the same. Kids lounging on benches, laughing at inside jokes. Hell, they were probably his age, if not a year or two younger. Probably shouldn¡¯t be calling them kids. Anyway, there was the nervous energy of freshmen leaving their dorms to head to the city. The faint smell of tea and what could be magic weed, but was probably just herbs. It really reminded him of back home, just a few years ago. Same mix of excitement and terror ¨C especially for the local commoners, though he doubted these kids were worrying about PT at dawn. Then again, who knew what counted as physical training when they could literally defy gravity? Probably whatever Sera used to do. A few kids cracking up in the corner drew his attention. Henry glanced over ¨C oh, great, another showoff. This one was making sparks dance between his fingers. Reminded Henry of the time Neunzeher had tried to impress everyone with his knife tricks. Went about as well as one would think ¨C infirmary trip and a new nickname, from the basic ¡®Kraut¡¯ to the more distinguished ¡®Niner.¡¯ Fuck, they were really good with nicknames. Nine fingers, nine letters, and the dude screaming ¡®NEIN!¡¯ when he¡¯d chopped it off? Made him wonder what these magic kids could come up with. ¡®No-Brows Landor,¡¯ maybe? Well, it was pretty hard to beat ¡®Queen of Cinders.¡¯ ¡°What¡¯s so funny?¡± Ron asked. Henry nearly flinched. ¡°Uh¡­¡± Good thing he had a damn good reaction time and that his mind was trained for quick thinking. ¡°Just remembering our days at the Academy. So, Arran, what¡¯s our first stop?¡± Arran nodded towards the grand staircase at the far end of the hall. ¡°We''ll start with a look at the main buildings, then make our way to the offices ere long. Dean ad Caldwin awaits us.¡± Arran headed up the stairs and they followed. And goodness were these some long ass stairs. Henry already felt the burn in his calves. Damn, these wizards must have legs of steel. Or levitation, apparently. Two students zipped past them, feet hovering inches above the steps. Or good ol¡¯ physical enhancement, seen by the group jumping ten steps at a time. Dr. Anderson turned to Arran, who hadn¡¯t even broken a sweat. ¡°Hm, a bit newer compared to the other structures in the city. Any idea on how old this place is?¡± Kelmithus¡¯ prot¨¦g¨¦ perked up at the question. Seemed like he was itching to talk about it. ¡°But a century old. It was founded by Magister Trissa ad Nayron.¡± ¡°Magister?¡± Isaac asked. ¡°High-ranking member of the Sanctum Arcanum,¡± Ryan explained. Guess all those briefings and all that studying paid off for the guy. Arran nodded. ¡°Yet she was not merely a Magister. As with most nobles in the military or in the arcane branches, she was a formidable adventurer, one who believed true mastery of magic required more than just¡­ study.¡± ¡°Quite the martial culture,¡± Dr. Anderson remarked. ¡°Yes, a necessity, given the threats we¡¯ve faced. Indeed, Lady Trissa chose this very location for its proximity to the frontier. Fell beasts and ancient ruins abound, providing ample opportunity for practical instruction.¡± Ron whistled. ¡°Sounds¡­ dark.¡± ¡°Stars shine brighter in the dark, after all.¡± Henry nodded. It was basically trial by fire ¨C a universal concept, probably, given the fact the Sonarans seemed to embrace it. ¡°Though I assure you, we¡¯ve taken all care,¡± Arran said. ¡°We don¡¯t send our students forth unprepared. They train and are always accompanied by our instructors, most of whom are at least Tier 8. Challenging, aye, but effective. Our students gain experience, and the professors revel in research opportunities.¡± They passed a bunch of kids chatting about new equipment in stock. Sounded like nobles ready to go on a shopping spree in the market district. ¡°Has it always been this¡­ intense?¡± Isaac asked. ¡°Oh,¡± Arran chuckled, ¡°From what Kelmithus has said, it¡¯s actually been far more rigorous. Lady Trissa held beliefs quite radical for her time. She championed the admission of commoner students like myself. She offered scholarships to those of talent, regardless of their birth.¡± Ron raised an eyebrow. ¡°Bet that didn¡¯t sit well with the nobility.¡± ¡°You speak true. Yet, it was hard to dispute results. It was oft the commoner students who returned with the most impressive discoveries from ruins or the best tales of vanquishing monsters. Their hunger to prove their worth drove them high, and the aristocracy welcomed them for it. And because they helped bolster our forces against the Nobians.¡± Finally, they crested the killer stairs, finding themselves at a bustling hallway and a set of grand doors leading to the main campus. Arran swept his hand across the sight. ¡°And so, you¡¯ll find all manner of folk here. Noble or commoner, it matters not. If one possesses the talent and the will, the Academy¡¯s doors stand open.¡± Arran barely gave them time to admire the sight before he ushered them forward. ¡°Shall we begin our tour?¡± Ryan sighed. ¡°Ah, ¡®cause fuck me sideways, right?¡± ¡°Dude, weren¡¯t you Delta?¡± Ron asked with an amused tone. ¡°Yeah,¡± Ryan grunted. ¡°I could do a hunnid more¡¯a these sumbitches, no sweat. Don¡¯t mean I gotta like this bullshit though.¡± Henry patted the man¡¯s shoulder. ¡°You¡¯ll live. Take us through, Arran.¡± The entrance courtyard stretched out ahead, green lawns and stone paths just like any old Ivy League campus. Somehow, the kids lounging on the grass with their floating books and the various club and event stalls posted up made Ron¡¯s claim almost believable. Was Trissa an isekai¡¯d individual? According to their personal tour guide, most of the concepts here came from the Arthi continent ¨C the home of the Guilds. It was kinda like seeing a fantasy version of globalization in play, in a sense. Hopefully, the locals didn¡¯t have any customs about staring because man, was Henry doing a lot of it. Yeah, it could be rude, but he couldn¡¯t help it! Hell, he couldn¡¯t think of a single person who could. There were all sorts of crazy types of magic beyond the elemental variations to captivate his attention. And real beastpeople ¨C catgirls included ¨C to captivate Ron¡¯s and Isaac¡¯s. ¡°That,¡± Arran said, pointing to a massive tower in the middle of campus, ¡°is the Central Tower. Not the most creative name, to be sure, but an apt one nonetheless. It houses our most advanced research facilities ¨C modeled after what we know from the ruins.¡± ¡°Can we check it out?¡± Dr. Anderson asked, damn near giving puppy eyes. Arran shook his head. ¡°I¡¯m afraid it¡¯s restricted to professors and select researchers. Kelmithus would be able to bring you inside, but¡­¡± he shrugged. Yeah, Kelmithus wasn¡¯t here; too busy at Armstrong. ¡°I can speak of some of the workings within, though. Magic aplenty. Novel spells and enchantments. Understandably, we¡¯ve had our share of mishaps.¡± Arran chuckled. ¡°Naught too dire, mind you, but it¡¯s best we keep this stuff contained.¡± They continued on, passing by a slightly less imposing building to their right. It looked newer than the tower, but still had that same magical vibe. ¡°This is one of our Arcane Studies Buildings,¡± Arran explained. ¡°We¡¯ve several spread across the grounds, each dedicated to different disciplines. This one is for our Artifice and Enchantment departments. Sir Traynam, from Red Sail, used to be a professor there..¡± Red Sail¡­ wasn¡¯t that where they got their Holding Bags? ¡°He got snatched up after making a breakthrough on Holding enchantments?¡± Henry guessed. ¡°Indeed.¡± ¡°What about the other buildings?¡± Dr. Anderson asked. They walked past a few structures beside the one for Artifice and Ancient Magic. Arran pointed as he spoke. ¡°Elemental Magic and its branches, Theoretical Magic, Practical Applications, Alchemy, that one''s for dining, and yonder''s a training yard. More lie scattered about the grounds, including the Battlemage Training Complex on the far side. We can visit those on the morrow, should you still have the inclination after seeing the Arena.¡± ¡°Battlemage Training Complex, huh? Yeah, why the hell not? But uh, ain¡¯t somethin¡¯ already goin¡¯ on over there?¡± ¡°Pardon!¡± Two students ran past their little tour group, shouldering their way through a crowd that had formed by a training field. Henry watched them go, then turned to Arran. ¡°What¡¯s got them so worked up?¡± A flash of orange light burst above the heads of the gathered students, followed by a hiss and a puff of steam. ¡°Ah,¡± Arran grinned. ¡°It seems we¡¯ve chanced upon an impromptu duel. Shall we draw nearer for a better look?¡± Henry looked over at Ron, then to Ryan and the others. ¡°Yeah, why not?¡± The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. They made their way over, squeezing through the crowd. As they reached the edge of the field, another cheer went up from the spectators. Two students faced each other in the center of a ¡®ring¡¯ indicated by magic runes, about ten yards apart. One was a tall, elven boy with wild hair that looked like he¡¯d just rolled out of bed. Given the time ¨C and if college kids here were the same as back home, he probably did. He sported a well-muscled frame that spoke of rigorous training ¨C kinda like a budding Taldren ad Vorne. Looked like he¡¯d be more at home in a gym than a magic school, but Henry guessed that was the point. Despite his strength, he looked nervous as hell, hands flexing like he wanted to use them, but couldn¡¯t. The dwarf girl, on the other hand, was built like a tank ¨C short and stocky, but he could tell she was solid muscle. Her blonde hair was buzzed short, practical. While the elf kept fidgeting, she was dead still, eyes locked on her opponent like a sniper on a target. Both looked young for their respective races, though there was still a significant chance they were older than even Kelmithus. If he had to guess, they were probably freshmen ¨C new and learning, though their stances and physiques suggested they were no strangers to combat. ¡°Taellan and Brina,¡± Arran explained. ¡°Both new, but already proving themselves.¡± An older student stood nearby, on the field with the two combatants but with some space between them. ¡°That¡¯s Arcas,¡± Arran added. ¡°Third-year, serving as a referee of sorts.¡± The elf ¨C Taellan ¨C launched a volley of fireballs. Brina countered with a wall of water. ¡°Ooooh, and a steam bath befalls him! And now, an icicle rain dance to follow up!¡± Arcas boomed as Brina used the smokescreen to launch a counterattack. ¡°And a hit! But it takes two to dance!¡± The elf let his shields absorb the hit, shooting rocks toward Brina to force her to dodge into a pair of firebolts he¡¯d curved from the side. The rocks missed, crumbling as they impacted a shield around the ring, but the firebolts didn¡¯t. ¡°And a curveball from Taellan! He¡¯s truly afire now! Two for both! Remember, first to five wins!¡± The crowd roared as the battle fell into a short lull, the two fighters circling each other within the bounds of the ring. Then, Taellan went on the offensive, lobbing fireballs like an angry, disowned prince looking for his one chance at redemption. ¡°Damn,¡± Ron muttered. ¡°He¡¯s not messing around.¡± Arran nodded. ¡°Taellan is more a man of strength than of sorcery. He depends on sheer force and physical enhancements. Hardly suited for a magic duel, to be sure.¡± ¡°And Brina?¡± Dr. Anderson asked. ¡°She seems quite adept at magic, for a dwarf.¡± ¡°We¡¯ve learned to forsake such preconceptions, actually. Elves may be hardy, and dwarves graceful. True, the stereotypes arise from some verity, and oft hold for many societies, but they don¡¯t define the students here. Brina is rather learned in magic, and a natural defender as well.¡± Henry analyzed Brina¡¯s defenses. She used ice to block Taellan¡¯s attacks, keeping a stockpile of shields that she moved into position whenever she needed to protect herself. ¡°Natural defender? I guess you can¡¯t shake everything, then.¡± Arran chuckled. ¡°Yes, I suppose not. Watch her timing.¡± Taellan¡¯s attacks eventually began to slow, looking as if he¡¯d taken up Ryan¡¯s challenge of walking those stairs a hundred times. Henry knew exactly what this was, although he¡¯d only seen Sera show small symptoms of it before. ¡°Mana exhaustion.¡± Brina feinted with a water spell, forcing Taellan into a puddle before blasting frigid air at the elf¡¯s feet. ¡°Brina¡¯s advancing! It¡¯s do or die, sink or swim, freeze or ¨C BY THE GODS!¡± Taellan stumbled, foot encased in ice. A red glow surrounded it, as if trying to melt the ice. He yanked his foot out, no doubt using physical enhancement magic, but it was too late for the man. Brina¡¯s water jet caught him square in the chest ¨C or rather, the shield protecting his chest ¨C and sent him flying into the edge of the ring. ¡°And Taellan is OUT! Brina didn¡¯t even need all the points; she just turned this bout into a swimming lesson instead! Someone fetch Taellan a life jacket, for he has been thoroughly DUNKED!¡± Henry clapped as the crowd went wild. ¡°Damn good show, gotta say.¡± Ron turned to Henry. ¡°Hey, not as good as Arran¡¯s duel with Kelmithus. Shit, if only we coulda seen all of it.¡± The crowd cleared as the two fighters shook hands and went about their respective ways. Arran brought them back to the main path. ¡°Ah, maybe one day. We should¡­ erm, make our way to the administrative building now. We still must meet the Dean, Lyrus ad Caldwin.¡± He paused. ¡°I must warn you however, the Dean may not be¡­ entirely welcoming.¡± Henry sighed. Great. Sounded like this Lyrus guy wasn¡¯t gonna be rolling out the welcome mat for them. Well, whatever. They¡¯d dealt with bureaucrats with sticks up their asses before. How bad could this guy be? ¡°Alright, let¡¯s get this over with.¡± They followed Arran into the admin building, which stood out from the rest with its old-world charm: stone walls, fancy carpets, busts on pedestals, and elegant paintings. Damn, this place screamed ¡®important people only.¡¯ What, was a guard gonna pop out and ask what the hell they were doing here? Arran led them to a door with ¡®Dean Lyrus ad Caldwin¡¯ in gold lettering. Looked like the kind of office where dreams went to die. ¡°Ready?¡± Arran asked. ¡°Yeah,¡± Ryan grunted. ¡°Lemme just put on my ¡®give-a-fuck¡¯ face real quick.¡± Henry smiled. ¡°C¡¯mon, it won¡¯t be that bad. I hope.¡± Arran opened the door and they walked into an office that looked like it belonged in some fancy law firm. Everything was neat and organized, like whoever worked here had OCD or something. And there, behind a massive desk, sat a real stickler of a man ¨C it could only be the dean. First impression? Guy looked like he¡¯d rather be anywhere else. Actually, more like there was no other place he¡¯d rather be. As if the suffering of bureaucracy was somehow his lifeblood. Henry could feel the waves of ¡®I don¡¯t want you here¡¯ coming off him. Well, to each his own. ¡°Ah, our¡­ guests,¡± Lyrus said, not even trying to hide the disdain in his voice. ¡°I suppose we should conclude this matter quickly.¡± Yup, it was as he had predicted. Another pencil-pusher ¨C or¡­ ink-dipper? Quill scratcher? ¨C with a scroll up his ass. If Sera were here, she¡¯d definitely roll her eyes. Henry tried to keep his tone neutral, diplomatic. ¡°Dean ad Caldwin, thanks for meeting with us. I¡¯m Captain Henry Donnager ¨C¡± Lyrus didn¡¯t even bother to stand up. Just waved a hand at some chairs in front of his desk as he cut him off. ¡°I know who you are. Sit. I¡¯ll make this brief." ¡°Hear me well,¡± Lyrus started coldly. ¡°Your presence here is tolerated solely due to my government¡¯s directive and my respect for Archmage Kelmithus¡¯ wishes. Oft I have made exceptions for those with connections to my good friend, but do not suppose you are welcome beyond that.¡± Henry nodded. At least the guy was being upfront about it. ¡°We understand. We¡¯ll do our best¨C¡± ¡°You will do nothing,¡± Lyrus interjected. ¡°You are not to interfere with our scholars or instructors. Naught but observation is permitted. You will not disrupt the pursuit of knowledge within these walls, nor the order that upholds it. You are guests, nothing more. Is that understood?¡± Henry bit back a sigh and nodded. Lyrus narrowed his eyes. ¡°Very well. I shall spare you the trouble of asking. Most of the campus is open to students. You may observe classes from the rear, but nary a word shall you speak. The library is available to you, but the restricted sections are off-limits. The Central Tower and advanced research labs are forbidden to you, on pain of my censure. Have you any questions?¡± Henry glanced at his team. They all looked as thrilled as he felt. ¡°No, Dean ad Caldwin. I think you¡¯ve made everything pretty clear.¡± ¡°Good,¡± Lyrus said, already going back to the papers on his desk. ¡°Arran will show you out. See that you cause no trouble during your stay, lest I be forced to take umbrage.¡± And just like that, they were dismissed. Henry stood up. Oh how he would¡¯ve loved to say something snarky. Hopefully, they wouldn¡¯t have to deal with him anymore. ¡®Cause if they did, it¡¯d be about as fun as a 20-mile ruck march in full gear. Actually, that¡¯d be an insult to the march. As they filed out of the office, Henry caught Arran¡¯s apologetic look. Poor kid looked embarrassed as hell. He sure wasn¡¯t kidding when he said that the Dean wasn¡¯t gonna be welcoming. Once they were back in the hallway, Henry let out a long breath. ¡°Well, that was fun.¡± Ron snorted. ¡°Yeah, about as fun as a root canal. What crawled up his ass and died?¡± ¡°Us, apparently,¡± Ryan muttered. Arran cleared his throat. ¡°I apologize for the Dean¡¯s¡­ attitude. Perhaps we should continue the tour? There¡¯s still much to see.¡± Henry nodded. The whole interaction had been no more than a few minutes, but it was still a bother he wanted to get away from. ¡°Lead the way, Arran. Let¡¯s get some fresh air.¡± After the shitshow with Dean Stickler, Arran led them back out to the courtyard. Place was bustling, even more than before, students everywhere rushing to classes or just hanging out. Ah, the good old days. Occasional fireball or floating textbook exempted, of course. ¡°We¡¯re now in the Main Courtyard. Over there is the Nayron Library, named after Lady Trissa.¡± Henry squinted at the building Arran pointed at. Looked like a classical, old-world style library with its columns and big windows, but with a twist. ¡°Those blue gems in the windows¡­ some kind of magic?¡± Of course it was. ¡°Fire suppression,¡± Arran explained. ¡°Ice magic, actually. Effective, truly, against any mishaps.¡± ¡°Yeah. I guess it wouldn¡¯t do good to have another Alexandria.¡± ¡°Hm?¡± ¡°An unfortunate event in our history,¡± Dr. Anderson said with a heavy sigh. ¡°One of the world¡¯s largest libraries at the time burned down ¨C all that knowledge lost.¡± Arran understood. ¡°As with the Baranthurians and those that came before them. We strive to preserve, that the fruits of their wisdom may not be lost to the ages.¡± They kept walking, spotting more of the golem statues scattered around. The layout of the place seemed pretty damn strategic. Like, whoever designed this had defense in mind ¨C and not just against the crazy monsters a high-Tiered adventurer like Trissa ad Nayron would¡¯ve faced. It was also defensible against a human ¨C or otherwise ¨C ground assault. Made sense, given what Arran had said about the school¡¯s location near the frontier, and the little demilitarized zone separating the city from the Nobians. ¡°That¡¯s gotta be the Arena, right?¡± Ron asked, pointing to what looked like a mini-colosseum. ¡°Wonderful, isn¡¯t it?¡± Arran seemed to get giddy. ¡°It¡¯s where we hold most of our practical combat magic training and demonstrations ¨C against humanoid opponents. Much like the duel you witnessed earlier, but on a grander scale. This is also where our upcoming competition will take place.¡± ¡°Mind if we get a closer look?¡± Arran stretched his hand, giving a slight bow as he let Alpha Team pass. ¡°By all means.¡± Henry let out a low whistle. The place was huge, way bigger than it looked from the outside. No Holding Bag shenanigans here, though. It was just the grandeur and scale of it all that made it seem larger than life ¨C kinda like a world wonder. Rows of stone seats surrounded a large circular area in the center. The platform itself was just smooth, flat stone. ¡°Pretty basic setup,¡± Isaac remarked. Arran looked over the setup. ¡°The arena is crafted so by design. Easy to arrange by organizers, easy to manipulate by participants, if they so choose to use earth magic in their bouts.¡± ¡°And the runes?¡± Ron pointed to the walls. ¡°Defensive runes,¡± Arran said. ¡°When activated, they create a shield that isolates the pit from the rest of the arena. Keeps the audience safe from errant spells.¡± Henry felt like asking his own questions about the arena when he noticed a figure standing by the far side of the seats. The guy was tall, dressed in dark robes, and had this intense look about him. Something about him didn¡¯t seem¡­ right. ¡°Hey, Arran,¡± he said gently. With a subtle nod towards the man, he asked, ¡°Who¡¯s the shady guy over there?¡± Arran looked where Henry nodded to and froze for a split second. The cheer in his eyes faded, no longer excited about showing them around the arena. ¡°Ah, that is¡­ Professor Valtor ad Stron. A recent addition to our faculty, having arrived but a short while ago.¡± The kid¡¯s voice got tight when he said the guy¡¯s name. Interesting. ¡°What¡¯s his deal?¡± Henry pressed, keeping the professor in his peripheral vision. ¡°He instructs some of the more advanced students in Magical Applications in Warfare, Tactics and Strategies of Magical Engagement, and Advanced Spellcasting for Combat,¡± Arran said, his voice a little flat. ¡°I confess, I know little else of him, save that he was selected to fill Kelmithus¡¯ absence in those courses, and that he is a skilled magic swordsman.¡± Professor ad Stron seemed to notice their group, gaze likely aimed in their direction before he turned and walked out of the arena without a word. ¡°Friendly guy,¡± Ryan muttered. ¡°Indeed,¡± Arran said. ¡°Perhaps we should continue our tour?¡± They passed by a grand building that looked more like a five-star restaurant than a school cafeteria. The aroma wafting from it was mouthwatering ¨C a mix of spices he could hardly recognize and freshly baked bread that reminded Henry of that fancy Michelin-starred place in New York he¡¯d been to once. Henry¡¯s stomach growled loudly, despite the fact he¡¯d eaten just a couple hours earlier at the Guild¡¯s tavern. Arran chuckled. ¡°That would be the Central Refectory. A ¡®cafeteria¡¯, I suppose. The victuals taste as well as they smell; they¡¯re made by professionals under the Duke¡¯s employ. And yes, before you ask, we do use magic in food preparation.¡± ¡°If only we could enjoy the difference,¡± Dr. Anderson said. Arran tilted his head. ¡°How mean you?¡± ¡°Well, apparently, we just shit out the magic.¡± Henry shrugged. ¡°Y¡¯know, since our bodies have nothing to actually process the mana with¡­¡± Arran lowered his head dramatically. ¡°Verily, I weep for the mana, cast aside like so much, ahem, waste.¡± Ron grinned. ¡°Hey now, it¡¯s all part of the Circle of Life, ain¡¯t it? Magic in, magic out¡­ and then back in again, somehow.¡± Now that Henry thought about it, that¡¯d mean the soil around Armstrong would be even more magic dense in the future. ¡°Any chance we could grab a bite later?¡± Ryan asked, completely unfazed by the discussion on human waste. ¡°Of course,¡± Arran said, giving an amused smile. ¡°I¡¯d be happy to show you some of our specialties.¡± Passing by some more training facilities, recreational centers, and student dorms, they approached another building that looked a lot like the Arcane Studies one they¡¯d seen earlier. Arran pointed at the emblem and large sign out front. ¡°Ah, here we are. Another Arcane Studies Building. This one houses our Artifice and Ancient Magic Departments, wherein lie Baranthurian artifacts and other antiquities.¡± ¡°Just like the ruins we explored earlier,¡± Henry noticed, rubbing his chin. ¡°The very same,¡± Arran nodded. Then, seeming to predict what he was gonna ask next, Arran preempted, ¡°The building itself remains open to students, yet certain of the labs within are barred from passage.¡± Dr. Anderson stood before the structure, probably just waiting for Arran¡¯s go ahead. ¡°It is also where you¡¯ll be having your orientation with Professor Elwes. She¡¯s much more¡­ welcoming than Dean ad Caldwin, to be sure.¡± Well, after their meeting with the Dean, that wasn¡¯t really saying much. But hey, maybe this Professor Elwes would surprise them. ¡°Alright then. Lead the way.¡± Arran brought them to a lecture hall, which was a true blast from the past ¨C both in the sense that it yanked Henry back to his college days, and in the way it looked like they¡¯d stepped into Europe a few hundred years past. Rows of plush seats sloped down to a podium area illuminated by light pouring in from tall windows. Only difference from reality was, instead of a whiteboard, screen, or chalkboard, there was some kind of magical surface. A woman stood at the front, scribbling something in the air with her finger. The writing hung there, glowing slightly. It was reminiscent of the trick Kelmithus pulled when blowing everyone¡¯s minds with the Pythagorean theorem, just adjusted for a magic dry-erase board format. Pretty cool. She turned as they entered, and Henry was surprised to see she looked pretty young. Human, maybe mid-thirties, with short dark hair and a demeanor not unlike Kelmithus¡¯. ¡°Ah, you must be our American guests,¡± she said warmly. ¡°I¡¯m Professor Elwes. Welcome to Eldralore Academy.¡± Henry nodded. Man, this lady was great. He already felt more at ease than he had with Dean Dickhead. ¡°Captain Henry Donnager, ma¡¯am. This is my team.¡± Professor Elwes smiled, exchanging pleasantries with him and his team. ¡°Please, call me Elwes. We have but little state here, save for Lyrus, whom I daresay you¡¯ve already had the pleasure of encountering.¡± Henry couldn¡¯t help but grin. ¡°Oh, the greatest of pleasures.¡± ¡°Fear not, it¡¯s but his manner,¡± Elwes said with a chuckle, waving a hand. ¡°He dispenses his¡­ charm, shall we say, equally amongst all. Shall we proceed with your orientation?¡± They took seats in the front row, and Elwes began. ¡°We observe but few rules here, and those for good reason. Be gentle with the premises, and courteous to your fellows. I mention our caution against unbridled experimentation, though I daresay it scarcely applies to you.¡± Henry raised an eyebrow. ¡°Happens often?¡± Elwes laughed. ¡°Oft, I fear. Magic and youth make a heady brew, prone to boil over.¡± She went on to explain the layout of the academy, handing them maps. They¡¯d already seen most of the central area on the tour, but the outskirts were still ripe for exploration. She also added some details Arran had missed, like how the library had a section dedicated to military spellcraft. Not that they could apply such knowledge, but it could still be useful for insights. ¡°Kelmithus also mentioned that your people are bereft of magic,¡± Elwes continued. ¡°As such, I¡¯ve prepared these tokens to afford you some safeguard.¡± She held up what looked like a fancy medallion, attached to a string. ¡°They¡¯re enchanted with basic defensive magic; they grant the wearer a magic shield. They¡¯re as formidable as those granted upon you by Kelmithus in your journeys, in case you were wondering.¡± Henry took the medallion. It felt slightly warm, almost like a phone that¡¯s been on for a while. ¡°Thanks. Guess this¡¯ll come in handy if Owens here decides to try casting any spells.¡± Ron snorted. ¡°Oh, if only, bruh.¡± Elwes grinned. ¡°Perhaps, in days to come. Now, let us speak of access. Your tokens are fashioned after those we provide to students. They shall admit you to all areas open to our students and serve as traditional mana tokens; you¡¯ll be able to use runes by mere touch. And of course, certain areas remain barred to all but our faculty.¡± ¡°Like the Central Tower?¡± Dr. Anderson asked. ¡°Indeed so,¡± Elwes nodded. ¡°If there be some place you wish to visit, but find barred to you, I daresay a word in my ear would suffice. I can oft¡­ facilitate such requests.¡± Henry exchanged glances with his team. ¡°We really appreciate it, Elwes.¡± Dr. Anderson already had a smirk on his face. Yeah, he was definitely gonna have a field day with that offer. Chapter 24: Settling In Henry cracked an eye open, feeling surprisingly well-rested. For once, his body wasn¡¯t screaming at him to go back to sleep. He reached for the water bottle on the nightstand, took a long swig, then checked his watch. 0900. Sheesh. Sleeping in till 9 was a luxury he rarely indulged in, but after that clusterfuck at GB-2 and the so-called ¡®downtime¡¯ filled with Sera¡¯s prep and endless reports, Harding had finally cut them some slack. The General wanted them to actually decompress during this academy stint, as long as they took the studying and training seriously. Fair enough. Rolling out of bed, Henry grabbed the tablet they¡¯d set up last night. No alerts, no movement, nothing out of the ordinary on their makeshift security system. Most importantly, no invisible assholes trying to sneak in while they slept. Good start to the day. Factor in the feeling that the bed might as well have been one of those pure-opulence Duxianas, and it was a damn good start to the day. Somehow, he still felt a bit full from the night before. After Elwes¡¯ orientation, they¡¯d checked out the Carfley Refectory downstairs. Fancy name for a dining hall, but it sure did live up to the hype. The place was a mix of high-end buffet and ¨¤ la carte service that would put a lot of five-star restaurants to shame. And this was just one of the dining halls on campus. Extravagance befitting the nobility, Henry supposed. Henry held up the meal token next to his coin pouch. It was an interesting concept: a magic credit card that drained mana instead of dollars. Apparently, it was sealed tight against any student shenanigans ¨C no mana in, only mana out. Made sense, not that it¡¯d apply to them. Though, still a neat feature that the doc would probably love to tack on to his cultural analysis of the Sonarans. Henry set it back down, heading to the restroom to take a piss and brush his teeth. It was just as lavish as it was the night they arrived. They¡¯d spent most of the evening exploring the place, settling into an apartment that was more of a penthouse than any normal college apartment. It was a luxury that a guy like him would never have otherwise experienced ¨C individual rooms for each of them, private bathrooms, and a common area that seemed fit for a palace. Might as well have been a place at a Ritz-Carlton hotel, just with some Merlin treatment. The amenities ¨C lighting, temperature control runes, restroom ¨C were all like those at the Duke¡¯s guest house. Thankfully, they¡¯d all learned how to operate the toilet back then. Henry spat out the Starshade-flavored toothpaste ¨C half-bubblegum, half-mint ¨C and rinsed. As he wiped his mouth, he caught the sound of a soft rumble of water from the other side, then metal on metal from the kitchen. Guess it was time for everyone to wake up. Come to think of it, none of them had actually checked out the kitchen last night. Too busy gawking at the rooms or being knocked out from the long day, maybe. Might as well check out what the kitchen had to offer. He padded into the kitchen, following the clinking sounds. He found Ron with his head practically inside a large closet, just gawking at the contents within like a dude having the craziest acid trip of his life. ¡°Yoooo¡­¡± the man muttered. Henry walked up. ¡°What, found Narnia in there?¡± Ron just shook his head, still staring. ¡°Nah, bruh. This is the fridge. Just take a look at this shit.¡± So that closet-looking thing was a fridge? Oh, this was gonna be good. Henry leaned in for a closer look, and holy shit. The first thing that caught his eye was the aesthetic of it all ¨C a far cry from the stainless steel behemoths he¡¯d find at Home Depot or Best Buy. It was more like¡­ an ornate wooden cabinet, straight out of a renaissance fair and probably made of mahogany or whatever fancy equivalent they had around here. Inside, a network of blue runes crisscrossed the walls, connecting to a compartment that probably housed mana crystals, if what the magitech they¡¯d seen at the Baranthurian ruins was anything to go off. The whole setup resembled a circuit board - another rune system, rudimentary compared to the Baranthurian ones, but functional nonetheless. Looked like this was their magical answer to Freon and CFCs. Well, no need for compressors, condensers, or refrigerants when they could just carve some cooling runes and power them with crystals. Talk about cheating the tech tree. The second thing that caught his eye ¨C probably the first for Ron ¨C was the stuff the fridge actually held. At first glance, it seemed pretty normal ¨C at least for the setting. On the top shelf sat a makeshift carton of eggs made out of a wooden tray and straw. Then there were slabs of meat wrapped in butcher paper or some type of cloth, a large glass bottle of milk, a small container with freshly churned butter, and so on. But on closer inspection, everything was just a bit¡­ off. The eggs were easily twice the size of chicken eggs, speckled with what looked like gold flakes. The meat? Unwrapping one of the slabs revealed a cav ribeye ¨C at least that was something familiar. As for the other slabs and cuts and sausages, he wasn¡¯t entirely sure what kind of animals they must¡¯ve come from, but they sure as hell weren¡¯t cows or pigs or chickens. The milk ¨C or at least, the jug of creamy liquid he assumed to be milk ¨C had a faint golden sheen to it that was definitely not FDA-approved. Or pasteurized. Would the Sonarans have even discovered pasteurization if they already had fridges to extend shelf lives? Maybe the Doc would know if this stuff was safe to drink. ¡°Well, ain¡¯t that something,¡± Henry muttered. Ron finally turned around, probably interested in his reaction. ¡°Yeah?¡± He smiled. ¡°Crazy shit, huh?¡± Henry couldn¡¯t help but agree. ¡°Yeah.¡± Somehow, that only seemed to spur on the man. ¡°If you think all this is crazy, just wait ¡®til you see this shit.¡± Ron pulled open the produce drawer. All it took was one glance for his mind to process the fact that he couldn¡¯t quite pin a single item there. It all looked like stuff from one of those early AI art generators ¨C pure nonsense. If the rest of the fridge contents were slightly alien, the vegetables and fruits were just straight-up bizarre. Blue spiral¡­ carrots? There was also something that might have been lettuce, except it was shaped more like a fern and had the color of a mana crystal. Raw manafern? Henry glanced at the other items. At least the fruits retained their normal color palette of warmer yellows, oranges, and reds. Though, aside from the one thing that looked like an apple, everything else seemed like they¡¯d either be found in the unexplored Amazon or in a niche Asian supermarket. ¡°Think any of this stuff¡¯ll kill us?¡± Ron asked, poking at a cluster of yellow berries that seemed to be pulsating. Henry shrugged. ¡°Guess we¡¯ll find out soon enough.¡± He glanced at the pantry, which looked normal enough with its assortment of breads and jars. ¡°Eggs, sausages, bread, we could probably make some pancakes, too. Got butter and some syruppy thing.¡± ¡°Pancakes, you say?¡± Dr. Anderson said, joining in. He peered into the fridge and took a long pause. ¡°Well then,¡± he finally said, hiding his shock well. ¡°Sounds good, but I¡¯d murder for a cuppa to go with that. Found any tea?¡± Ron snorted. ¡°Tea? Doc, we¡¯ll be lucky if we can figure out what half this shit is.¡± He waved his hand across the open fridge. Dr. Anderson sighed, somehow looking concerned, frustrated, and intrigued all at once. ¡°Bit dramatic there, Owens. C¡¯mon now. It¡¯s simply tea we¡¯re after, not deciphering the Voynich manuscript.¡± He peered into the pantry, then started opening cabinets after finding no joy. ¡°Surely it can¡¯t be that difficult to find some dried bloody leaves¡­¡± Henry smirked. ¡°Y¡¯know, Doc, for all we know, those berries down there might be their version of tea. Maybe you uh, crush ¡®em up or something.¡± He tapped the produce drawer as he took out the milk and butter. Dr. Anderson paused, glancing back at the fridge before closing it. ¡°Let¡¯s¡­ not get too desperate just yet. I¡¯d rather not hallucinate my way through our first day at Hogwarts.¡± Ryan then joined in, hair still wet from a shower. ¡°Mornin¡¯.¡± Henry and the others returned the greeting. ¡°Any coffee ¡®round here?¡± Ryan asked. ¡°¡®Fraid not, man,¡± Henry replied. ¡°You can join the Doc in tearing open the cabinets and drawers if you¡¯d like. Or try your hand at the uh, the juice in the fridge.¡± Ryan pulled out a glass of some unknown bluish liquid from the fridge. Looked like something a bartender would cook up, with all the shimmer and whatnot. ¡°Ah, fuck it,¡± he said, swishing it around the glass to test the viscosity. ¡°Looks drinkable enough. What y¡¯all cookin¡¯?¡± ¡°Eggs, sausages ¨C prolly fenwyrm or rillifane ¨C bread, stuff for pancakes. Classic Denny¡¯s Grand Slam.¡± Henry said, stomach already growling from the thought. ¡°Except the bacon, I guess. And the lack of ketchup.¡± Ron, it seemed, had no trouble at all getting the stove to start up. Guest token at the square rune on the counter, a little twist of a knob here, and voil¨¤, a magically conjured flame ready for cooking. Leave it to the resident weeb to figure it out. It was an interesting sight ¨C one that almost distracted Henry from his mission of mixing pancake batter in the bowl he¡¯d scrounged up. ¡°Y¡¯know, I¡¯d really hate to think how different these will taste.¡± Ron chuckled. ¡°Would be fucked up going in thinking you¡¯re eating a pancake, and them bam! Mouth full of something salty.¡± ¡°Oddly¡­ specific¡­¡± A new voice popped up behind them ¨C Isaac. Henry turned around. ¡°Ah, Yen! Glad you could join us. I¡¯m sure Owens here has a perfectly reasonable explanation for that, talkin¡¯ bout some ¡®mouth full of something salty.¡¯ Pause.¡± ¡°Hey, hey,¡± Ron held a hand up, the other still holding onto the pan. ¡°Just a product of a very creative imagination, nothing else at all. Ya feel me?¡± ¡°No, sir, I do not feel you. Sounds a bit¡­ sus, I¡¯d say,¡± Isaac laughed. A devious smirk grew on Ron¡¯s face. ¡°Aw, c¡¯mon guys. Even if it was a bit salty, I ain¡¯t gonna knock it ¡®til I try it.¡± ¡°Ayo!¡± Henry burst as everyone else devolved into laughter. He set the readied pancakes on a plate, still chuckling. The table was ready: golden pancakes, normal-looking scrambled eggs with a hint of gold specks, and sausages that smelled vaguely of cinnamon and sage. Despite how crazy everything looked, it somehow felt¡­ normal. Here they were, far away from planet Earth and about to chow down on not-so-alien breakfast in what amounted to a magical frat house. ¡°Well,¡± Henry said, raising his glass of wannabe blue Gatorade, ¡°here¡¯s to our first homemade breakfast in another world. May it not kill us or turn us into rabbits.¡± With a clink of his glass, Henry dug in. The pancakes tasted high-quality, like they came out of a fancy cafe ¨C several tiers above the standard Kroger pancake mix. The butter and syrup still tasted like butter and syrup, just¡­ with varying differences in sweetness and a unique flavor that could¡¯ve been umami. The eggs were richer, almost buttery, and the sausage¡­ ¡°Mmm, fuck,¡± Ron mumbled around a mouthful, damn near moaning in ecstasy, ¡°Not gonna lie, this shit fire.¡± Henry had to agree. It was nothing he¡¯d ever tasted before ¨C savory and sweet at the same time. No, it wasn¡¯t rillifane, fenwyrm, or anything else they¡¯d had so far. It didn¡¯t taste gamey either; could it be another type of livestock? ¡°Mm, yeap. So, Party Leader, what¡¯s up for today?¡± Ryan asked, his plate almost as clean as it was when it was first set on the table. Henry swallowed his bite of sausage, reaching for the course listings and map Elwes had given them. He spread them out on the table, careful not to get any syrup on the papers. ¡°Right, so¡­ Arran mentioned the Battlemage Training Complex yesterday. Thoughts?¡± ¡°I¡¯m down,¡± Ron said. ¡°Tryna see what they got.¡± ¡°Seconded,¡± Dr. Anderson agreed. He looked about as intrigued as Ron, though probably not because he wanted to enjoy a genuine isekai experience. ¡°I must admit, I¡¯m rather curious to see what differentiates it from the Arena. Seems a bit redundant, having two such complexes for magic combat. Wonder what I¡¯m missing?¡± Nods across the table confirmed their next destination. ¡°Guess we¡¯ll find out soon enough. Battlemages it is for our first stop today, then. After that, hmm¡­ Central Refectory for lunch? Heard they¡¯ve got different selections from Carfley downstairs.¡± ¡°Hmm, sure, why the hell not. Humin¡¯ says it¡¯s a step up from Carfley, so I¡¯m fixin¡¯ to find out.¡± Ryan hardly minced his words. Really, ¡®fixin¡¯ to find out,¡¯ even after devouring that breakfast? Just what kind of stomach did the guy have? Isaac, on the other hand, barely even noticed. Probably normal to him by now. ¡°Humin, huh? What, you overheard the two kids at the table across from us last night?¡± Ryan gave the smuggest smile Henry had ever seen. ¡°Damn right I did. Best intel I¡¯ve heard to date.¡± ¡°Bruh, you haven¡¯t even been there yet,¡± Ron pointed out. ¡°What if it turns out¨C¡± Ryan¡¯s hand shot up. ¡°Ah, ah, ah, ain¡¯t even gonna hear it, Owens. Don¡¯t go jinxin¡¯ our lunch.¡± ¡°Should be fine either way. Probably not much difference between two ultra-fancy ¡®refectories¡¯ initially designed to cater to spoiled nobles. Anyway,¡± Henry said, looking through the afternoon course list. ¡°There¡¯s not much to do after lunch. Tuesdays and Thursdays are pretty slow, I guess. So, I¡¯m thinking we use that time to split up, explore a bit more. I¡¯ll leave it up to you guys.¡± ¡°Well then, I am rather interested in visiting the libraries¡­¡± Dr. Anderson trailed off, eyes hopeful. Henry had to bite back a smirk, knowing what was coming next. ¡°Ah, not you, Doc. You¡¯re coming with me.¡± The doc¡¯s face fell faster than an anvil. Henry grinned. ¡°We¡¯re gonna see Professor Elwes about the Baranthurian stuff.¡± And just like that, the Doc perked right back up. Just one mention of the Baranthurians and the guy was ready to write a whole damn dissertation on the spot. Hell, the chances were high enough of him working on a paper with Elwes. With breakfast done, they blitzed through the dishwashing fairly quickly, stymied slightly since they didn''t know which liquid on the counter was supposed to be the soap. Letting Isaac handle the rest, Henry returned to his room to get changed. Reaching into his Holding Bag, he pulled on a soft, cream-colored linen shirt and a dark blue doublet that felt more like a fitted jacket. The trousers were a matching blue, made of some material that breathed better than any cotton he''d worn before. It was a good thing Cole spared no expense with the Sonaran gear. Henry adjusted the custom leather holster strapped to his chest, making sure his M18 sat snug against his ribs, hidden by the doublet. He slipped a few extra mags into the inner pockets sewn into the trousers. One glance at the mirror was all it took to realize he definitely wouldn''t be pulling any girls with this. Made him glad Sera wasn''t here to see it. But hey, at least it was comfortable, and it''d be covered by the robe. Grabbing his coin pouch and meal token, Henry headed back out. Everyone else was there, ready to go. ¡°Sola statue in the Central Courtyard. Arran said he¡¯d be there at 1030.¡± The journey from the Carfley area to the Central area felt about as long as any other walk on a large state university¡¯s campus, probably since they didn¡¯t have magic to make the trek any easier. Finally, they reached the massive Central Courtyard, spotting Arran. He brought them straight to the Battlemage Training Complex, which looked like someone had plucked a Great War bunker and plopped it down in the middle of fantasy-land. It did still have a few aesthetic touches ¨C banners, window styling, and the like ¨C that reminded Henry that the building was indeed Sonaran, but completely alien otherwise. Well, not so alien. If he had to guess, the Sonarans probably tried copying the style of a Baranthurian bunker. It stood several stories tall, likely with an underground section as well. Above the structure, a flock of birds veered sharply upward as they approached the complex, like trying to avoid an invisible wall. Weird. He was gonna point it out when a stray shard of ice zipped out of a high window, slamming into¡­ nothing. Or so it seemed, until a translucent blue shimmer of hexagons rippled out from the impact point, fading as quickly as they¡¯d appeared. Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel. Arran guided them through a throng of students passing in and out of the entrance, leading them to the front desk. Two knights in full plate sat behind a stone counter, looking about as thrilled as DMV employees on a Monday morning. Their swords leaned against the counter, within easy reach. Well, at least there was a sense of familiarity here. If not for the setup, Henry probably would¡¯ve expected them to yell ¡®None shall pass!¡¯ or something along the lines. Instead, one of them barely glanced up from what looked like a chess game and grunted, ¡°Tokens.¡± Henry followed Arran¡¯s movements as he fished out his token. The knight simply grunted and tilted his head to the doorway past him, returning to the game against his coworker. As soon as they stepped in, Henry felt a subtle tingling ¨C kinda like what happens before a thunderstorm. It was about the same as the sensation that enveloped Armstrong, the Grenden Plains, and the ruins they¡¯d visited. Without an EMF meter, it¡¯d be hard to tell, but this place definitely had heightened magic ¨C somewhere in the region of a couple thousand milligauss, maybe. What stood before him was a complete training area, basically this world¡¯s version of gyms. The main training floor resembled what they¡¯d seen in the Adventurer¡¯s Guild, including multiple spaces for sparring, racks of wooden training weapons, and ranges for those practicing marksmanship for their spells or arrows. Scattered throughout were various ¡®stations¡¯, not unlike the diverse set of machines one would find in a gym, but of unknown purpose and functionality. The first thing that caught Henry¡¯s eye was a group of students off to the side, levitating a series of increasingly heavy rocks, ranging from small stones all the way up to a refrigerator-sized boulder. Looked heavy as hell, even for a guy using magic to lift it. ¡°Weight training,¡± Arran explained, ¡°to expand your mana pool and refine control.¡± Further down, another group stood in isolated rooms, sealed within walls of a dark-colored material. From a window, Henry saw them casting basic spells. Perhaps it was for more volatile students who didn¡¯t yet know how to control their magic? Arran noticed his interest. ¡°Ah, the Aether chambers,¡± he smiled. ¡°Clever things, truly. They¡¯re pumped with mana from crystals, sealed with voidstone plating to trap the mana within. They make casting easier ¨C both for novices and the more learned. Though, the more learned use these to practice drawing ambient mana, rather than depleting their own stores.¡± From the looks of things, magic users like Kelmithus could probably cast basic spells indefinitely. Depending on how intensive invisibility magic was, that just meant they had yet another thing to worry about. They¡¯d estimated that accessories could enable cloaking for up to 3 hours, but that was just an educated guess. With high ambient mana, how long could a highly trained Nobian assassin hold out for? Hell, how would they even be able to answer that without someone who could actually test it? No use thinking too hard about it. On the other side of the room, opposite from the Aether chambers, he saw a different group of students practicing in a similar chamber. The only difference was they looked like shit, faces straining like pilots under high G-forces. They seemed to be struggling to cast their spells, tiny balls of water and small puffs of flame barely appearing before ultimately fizzling out. ¡°What¡¯s up with them?¡± Arran brought them closer to the chambers. ¡°Dead chambers; they function counter to the Aether chambers, see? Casting spells within is as fighting against a strong current. We use them to teach our novices to be sparing with their mana. They must learn to cast with less, lest they find themselves empty-handed when they need magic most.¡± ¡°Like tryna breathe through a straw while running a marathon,¡± Ron said. Smart. Yeah, it looked like pure torture, but Henry could see the value nonetheless. Nothing builds efficiency quite like deprivation. Kinda like those runners who train at high altitudes. Train hard, bleed less. Better to go through this hell then get caught lacking out on the field. They walked around the main training floor, circling back to the stairs near the front. ¡°Shall we head up?¡± Arran asked. Henry nodded. The second floor was quieter than the open space downstairs, dominated by a single hallway that stretched out before them. Doors lined the sides, each one accompanied by a small window ¨C perfect for peeking in without disturbing whatever was going on inside. Well, the ones not covered by drapes, at least. ¡°This level is dedicated to practice rooms,¡± Arran said. ¡°The nearest are for fire magic.¡± They walked up to the closest door. Through the window, he could see a large room with metal walls ¨C all marred by scorch marks. A row of shooting booths lined one wall, facing a grid of metal poles stretching across the room. The poles held cups of varying sizes ¨C larger ones closer to the firing line, shrinking to what was basically shot cups at the far end. A student stood at one of the booths, eyeballing the targets and carefully aiming his wand like he was lining up a tricky shot. A tiny flame sparked to life in one of the smaller cups about twenty feet away. The kid shifted to another target, and another flame popped up, this time with less visible effort and in a medium-sized cup maybe ten feet to his left. ¡°The candle dance, as some may call it. Looks simple, yet many a prideful novice has found himself humbled by these fickle flames. To summon fire at a specific location, it¡¯s child¡¯s play until you attempt it for yourself. I¡¯ve witnessed seasoned apprentices brought low by this very exercise, myself included.¡± The kid sat back in a chair, taking a break as the fumes from the flames drifted upward into a vent. Interesting. Henry scanned the rest of the room, catching a couple more things that stood out: a set of hoops ¨C probably for fireball guiding practice ¨C and a set of water barrels in the corners, backed up by blue runes reminiscent of the ones gracing the campus libraries¡¯ walls. Ryan leaned in, squinting at the candles. ¡°What¡¯s the range on that spell, ya reckon?¡± ¡°Hmm, naught but a few paces, generally speaking,¡± Arran offered, creating a small wisp of fire about 5 meters from himself. ¡°Though I¡¯m fain to say, some mages of rare prowess can cast beyond that bound. Such mastery is rare, mind you. Why, even Professor ad Helis, skilled as he is, can scarcely cast past ten meters.¡± Well, that was good news. Damn good news, in fact. At least some Nobian prick couldn¡¯t spawn fireballs on their heads from a mile away. One less shit to worry about. They entered the next room, which wasn¡¯t quite what he expected. If anything, it looked more like a science lab. The room was littered with containers, all filled with water ¨C glasses, buckets, and larger tubs. Unlike the individual rooms for fire magic, this one encompassed a singular, open space. Students were scattered around, each locked in their own little world of spellcasting. Near the entrance, a gangly teen hunched over a simple setup: a glass of water, a melting ice cube on a dish, and an open book with an accurate but simplified water cycle diagram. The kid glanced down at the book for a good moment, then returned to the glass and started muttering. ¡°As winter¡¯s breath chills the lake, so too shall this water harden. Ice Freeze!¡± Nothing happened. The kids stared at the glass for a moment, then sighed, shoulders slumping a bit. He took another deep breath and gripped the ice, as if trying to internalize the cold. Then, he repeated the incantation while holding it. The water in the glass shivered slightly, then turned to slush. ¡°Ha! Yes!¡± The kid clenched his fist in triumph, but it was short-lived. ¡°Ah, well¡­¡± Arran smiled. ¡°Novices,¡± he said, keeping his voice low. ¡°They oft expect swift results. Alas, magic demands understanding, not simply will.¡± A few stations over, Henry spotted someone who actually looked like they knew what they were doing. A girl stood before a large basin, poring over an open textbook. A chapter heading caught his eye: ¡®Advanced Water State Transitions.¡¯ A small boiler with glowing red runes sat to her left, producing a steady stream of vapor. The girl¡¯s head flicked between her textbook and the setup in front of her. She started with what Henry assumed to be the basics ¨C turning vapor from the boiler into water droplets, then freezing those into tiny crystals. With each repetition, she sped up the process. Finally, she took a deep breath and went for it. The vapor condensed and froze instantly, forming a shard of ice in mid-air. Henry stared at the exercise. Hopefully the girl wouldn¡¯t mind an audience. She formed more of the shards, completely skipping the liquid state as she converted the vapor straight into solid ice. ¡°Deposition¡­ fascinating,¡± Dr. Anderson observed. ¡°I take it this is the precursor to casting spells like Icicle Lance, then?¡± ¡°Aye,¡± Arran said. ¡°No time to tarry with turning vapor to water, then water to ice. Ere the spell¡¯s done, a man finds himself skewered, stabbed, impaled, mauled, or worse.¡± Ryan crossed his arms. ¡°Lord have mercy, worse than impaled? What, are the monsters gonna stick ya on a kabob or somethin¡¯?¡± ¡°Yes,¡± Arran said. Henry couldn¡¯t tell if he was serious or joking. Ryan shook his head. ¡°Yeah, y¡¯know what? Forget I even asked.¡± Henry chuckled. Arran¡¯s deadbeat response had caught them all off guard, and now Ryan was just throwing his hands up in mock surrender. Ron, on the other hand, wasn¡¯t deterred even the slightest. ¡°So what happens if she uh, lets it go?¡± Ron asked. Isaac caught on quickly. ¡°Ha, ha. Well, I guess it wouldn¡¯t bother her anyway?¡± Ron smiled, but held up a hand in protest. ¡°Nah, nah. Serious question.¡± It wasn¡¯t long before the girl followed up with a response. She formed another shard, bigger this time, and sent it flying. The ice whistled past the station, slamming into a target set up against the far wall. Left a decent-sized dent on the metal, too. ¡°Sheesh,¡± Henry muttered. Guess that answered that question. Arran nodded. ¡°Once it¡¯s made, gravity takes over. It¡¯s naught but a chunk of ice, after all.¡± ¡°So¡­ how do you throw it?¡± Isaac asked. ¡°Ah, well, the motion is more ¡®guiding¡¯ than ¡®throwing¡¯,¡± Arran said. ¡°For once the ice is formed, pure mana is used to direct its course. The more mana one applies, the greater the force. Yet, in aiming, a mage must be careful, lest his focus on the target be lost, and with it, his mastery over the ice. Or fireball, or stone, or what one may use as a projectile. Greater propulsive force warrants foresight with your spell¡¯s trajectory, as it would be harder to control during flight. I do think the sensation is not unlike that of exerting one¡¯s will upon an object, as if to stir it with the mind alone.¡± Henry glanced at his team. That sounded a lot like telekinesis. Frightening, but at least it seemed to be capped by mana ¨C no lifting bridges or bringing down starships. Arran continued, ¡°The workings of it? We¡¯re not wholly certain, to be sure. Some scholars think it an imposition of a mage¡¯s will upon the Aether surrounding the ice. Others think it a direct sympathy ¡®twixt mana and projectile. In practice, however, you merely¡­ will it to move, and lo, it does. With enough practice, it becomes as natural as casting a stone with your hand.¡± ¡°Huh¡­¡± Henry could already see the unnerved frowns forming on his friends¡¯ faces. Sure, those abilities seemed to be capped to a manageable extent, but the fact that it was almost second nature to Gaerrans was still a bit concerning. ¡°I must admit, though, I¡¯m not the most learned when it comes to Aether Fundamentals. Now, wind magic ¨C of that I can speak with more assurance. The practice rooms lie just ahead, in fact. They differ greatly from what we¡¯ve seen ere now ¨C for air, being unseen, demands a more nuanced understanding.¡± Arran led them into the next room, which was smaller, dominated by a long, wooden contraption that seemed reminiscent of the craftsmanship behind the fridge, and similar to what Henry had seen during his own Academy days. Again and again, the Sonarans continued to tear down his perception of ¡®medieval fantasy.¡¯ This time, it was a rudimentary wind tunnel, about 15 feet long and propped up on brackets that left a lot of room underneath. A female beastwoman stood by the device, eyeballing a small feather sitting smack in the middle of the tunnel. She brought her hand to the underside of the contraption, blue energy flowing from her palm and into what was probably a rune. A gentle breeze kicked up, lifting the feather a couple inches up, fluctuating as the girl played around with the rune and adjusted the airflow. The feather bobbed, but stayed suspended right down the center of the tunnel. ¡°Damn, these guys smart as hell, not gonna lie,¡± Ron said. For the catgirl enthusiast to be more infatuated with the technology than the catgirl herself was quite a surprise. Or maybe not, considering that his entire expectations for an isekai medieval society was upended yet again. The student shut off the rune and took a deep breath and a step back. This time, she held a wand towards the tunnel. The feather jumped before settling into a state of suspension akin to the one produced by the rune. She kept it there for maybe half a minute before lowering it back down. ¡°How long¡¯s it take to get that good?¡± Ryan asked. Arran shrugged. ¡°The pace of progress varies, I find. Some take to it in a week, while others need several months. But this exercise is the foundation for all wind magic, as freezing a glass of water is for all ice magic.¡± If there was one thing about this Henry could appreciate, it was how organized and practical the Sonarans were. ¡°I¡¯m guessing the next steps involve working with larger volumes of air and more complex stuff?¡± Arran nodded. ¡°Lifting heavier objects, lifting multiple objects in concurrence, and such. They¡¯re tasks of no small difficulty, working with naught but unseen air.¡± He brought them back to the hallway in front of a window with another contraption, this one built around a translucent 3D maze. Wait, how the hell did they even manage to make something like that? Was that even possible for the Sonarans? Henry was no historian, but judging from the look on Dr. Anderson¡¯s face, the answer should¡¯ve been a hard no. Arran continued, pointing to the maze, ¡°Being able to control multiple air currents is a skill of great import, for it leads to more advanced techniques: potent updrafts, whirlwinds, and the dispersal of mists. Why, it¡¯s even the key to flight itself, and in combat, the propulsion and guidance of projectiles ¨C shown through spells like Wind Snipe.¡± Finishing his little lecture, Arran glanced over. Their guide seemed to read the Doc¡¯s mind, though it admittedly wasn¡¯t that hard of a task. ¡°But, I suppose, our manner of construction has caught your eye?¡± Arran smiled, not even waiting for confirmation. ¡°Earth magic affords us rather creative means of shaping glass, as we need not physically touch it,¡± he answered their unspoken questions. ¡°Perhaps a closer look at the other rooms might prove enlightening?¡± He led them ahead, only to be disappointed by the sight. ¡°Spoke too soon, huh?¡± Isaac remarked. The earth magic practice rooms were empty ¨C devoid of both students and well, much of anything else. Most of the rooms had a simple setup: pits of dirt or piles of rocks. A few others were a bit more elaborate, with rock samples and shelves lined with textbooks. But¡­ what for? Henry couldn¡¯t really tell, but they were probably related to whatever prerequisite geology knowledge that served as this element¡¯s counterpart for freezing a glass of water. Ron peered into one of the empty rooms. ¡°Well, that kinda sucks.¡± ¡°So it does,¡± Arran sighed. ¡°It can¡¯t be helped. The earth mages oft prefer the open air, where they¡¯ve room to breathe and none to complain of the mess.¡± Though a bit of a letdown, Dr. Anderson wasn¡¯t too bothered by it. ¡°Seems fair enough, I suppose. We¡¯ve already had a glimpse of Kelmithus¡¯ rather clever mud traps and insta-building, haven¡¯t we?¡± ¡°Very well then. The lecture halls await us above.¡± Henry trudged up the stairs after Arran. The third floor stretched out before them, four identical doors lining the hallway. The first three they passed were dark and silent, but as they approached the last one, the muffled sound of a voice drifted out. Finally, some action. Henry peered through the small window in the door. Inside, a group of students sat in rows, focused on the instructor at the front ¨C a middle-aged woman with graying hair. She wore the same professorial robes as Elwes, giving some sort of demonstration. Arran eased the door open, and they slipped inside. The instructor barely glanced their way, too busy setting up what was probably a chemistry experiment. A bunch of different materials sat on a stone table: some burning chunks of wood, a wet rag, and a chunk of iron. A student raised his hand, addressing a question they probably just missed. ¡°Set the heat upon a small place, till it make an ember, then give it air to feed the flame?¡± ¡°Aye,¡± the instructor nodded. She held out her hand, and a tiny spark appeared above a chunk of dry wood. It caught fire immediately. She moved on to an oil-soaked cloth, then to the piece of iron. Each material responded differently to the flames ¨C logical enough. The nature of things was consistent, magic or not. ¡°Now,¡± the instructor said, holding up the piece of iron, ¡°some may wonder if metal can burn as wood or cloth does. Iron does not burn in a like manner, yet it responds to heat nonetheless.¡± She focused a more intense flame on the iron, unbothered as it developed an orange glow. A thin layer of frost coated her hand, shimmering faintly in the heat. ¡°To those curious, this is a plain use of water magic. The frost, as it meets the heat, begets a vapor that shields my skin, even as a drop of water plays upon a hot pan. Though a water mage¡¯s art, every fire mage would do well to master this technique, for it teaches control over temperature.¡± The iron¡¯s glow grew brighter. ¡°Behold, how the iron glows and bends when subjected to sufficient heat. Though it does not catch fire as any organic material, it can be shaped, softened, or melted, according to the heat applied. Thus, fire magic serves as well in the forge as on the battlefield.¡± The iron took the form of an ingot before she cooled it down and set it aside. ¡°Let us now consider how best to extinguish these flames. What is the simplest means?¡± Most of the class raised their hands. The instructor pointed to a student seated at the back. ¡°Water magic,¡± the student answered confidently. ¡°Indeed. But is it always the wisest choice?¡± The instructor invited two students forward to put out the flames. The first guy easily doused the wood fire with a stream of water. The second kid tried the same trick and it went about as well as expected. The instructor calmly suppressed the blaze. ¡°So, what went awry?¡± The room went quiet for a second before a girl in the middle row hesitantly raised her hand. ¡°The water spread the oil about? And made the fire worse?¡± ¡°Well noted,¡± the professor said. ¡°Where water has failed, what shall succeed? Would anyone like to try?¡± Another student jumped up. ¡°Leave it to me,¡± he said, striding to the front. The kid held out both hands, and suddenly the oil fire was engulfed in an even bigger flame. Henry raised an eyebrow. Ballsy move, but he could see where this was going. After a few seconds, the fire sputtered and died out. ¡°Fire has need of air. So I made it burn faster than it could take in.¡± The instructor¡¯s hand reached to her pocket, probably where her wand was. Clearly, she hadn¡¯t expected the kid to go full pyromaniac. Realizing what was going on, she relaxed her arm and cleared her throat. ¡°I suppose that does suffice, in a manner of speaking,¡± she said. ¡°However, let me demonstrate a more¡­ efficient approach.¡± She lit another oil fire, then stood back. A small gust swept through the lecture hall as a ball of air consolidated around the fire. The flames seemed to flatten, then winked out entirely. ¡°If only the airbenders stood on business,¡± Ron commented. Henry nodded. Something like wind magic had a lot more potential than Wind Snipe and ¡®Suffocate¡¯, or whatever they called that spell. ¡°Yeah, imagine?¡± ¡°By sequestering inhalates and heat from the flame, and replacing them with cold exhalates,¡± the instructor explained, ¡°we may starve it, and thus extinguish it entirely without risk of spreading it further.¡± She swept the ashes into a tray, then looked up at the class as she sorted the remaining materials into bins. ¡°That shall suffice for today. Mark well that your essays on elemental interactions with fire are due by next week¡­¡± ¡°Looks like class boutta end,¡± Ron noticed. ¡°Let¡¯s go?¡± Ryan had already gotten up. ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m starvin¡¯.¡± Chapter 25: Unsettling The mouth-watering aroma hit them before they even reached the Central Refectory. Much like Carfley, the scent was overwhelming ¨C in a tantalizing way. Passing a group of students exiting and bidding Arran goodbye, Henry pushed through the atmosphere of spices, meats, and pastries. Though expected, the sight within was still something to behold. Hell, it was about as fancy as Carfley, if not more. Vaulted ceilings, clean glass windows ¨C it mirrored something out of an Ivy League brochure, if Ivy Leagues employed magical constructs made of stone as wait staff. Four-legged chest-high golems ambled about, torsos carved out to make space for trays. Honestly, they looked damn strange, yet practical at the same time. If anything, they kinda reminded Henry of those restaurant server robots he¡¯d seen at that hot pot place back home, at least in terms of function. Design? Well, it seemed like the Sonarans had to make do with what they had. The golems worked in tandem with flesh-and-blood waiters from a myriad of humanoid races. The constructs handled the heavy lifting and transportation while the living staff managed the finer points of service. ¡°Welcome to the Central Refectory, I am Head Steward Callan,¡± a voice blindsided them. Henry turned around, finding himself face-to-face with an older man in an immaculate uniform and¡­ bunny ears? He blinked, forcing his face into what he hoped was a neutral expression. It was bound to happen at some point, but man was it tough to get used to whatever passed as ¡®normal¡¯ on this planet. ¡°Please, allow me to seat you.¡± The steward brought them to a prime table near one of the large bay windows overlooking the academy grounds. ¡°Now, good sirs, we do offer two dining options.¡± He pointed to several tables with food arrayed on top. ¡°We have here our banquet tables, where you may sate your hunger with a single tap of your tokens. Should you desire a more bespoke selection, I suggest you choose by the bill of fare. Each dish therein also requires a single tap of your tokens.¡± He produced several menus with a flourish. ¡°Please, peruse at your leisure, and do let me know when you are ready to make your choice.¡± As Callan stepped away, Henry picked up a menu. Identifying the banquet tables as their version of a buffet was simple enough, but... ¡°Bill of fare?¡± ¡°Dishes by the bill of fare¡­¡± Dr. Anderson studied his menu. ¡°¨¤ la carte,¡± he translated. ¡° If I¡¯m not mistaken, the concept emerged in late 18th century France, right before Napoleon rose to power.¡± Ron tapped his menu. ¡°Sonarans kinda got a head start then, huh? Relatively speaking.¡± The Doc glanced at the kitchen area. ¡°Not altogether surprising, I suppose. Our restaurants require proper infrastructure, don¡¯t they? Fridges, ovens, stoves, cooks, fresh provisions¡­ the Sonarans seem to have found a way to circumvent the logistical challenges through their magic. I mean, it was rather easy cooking breakfast earlier, didn¡¯t you find?¡± ¡°Though,¡± he said, flipping his menu around to point at the various entrees, ¡°I suppose you¡¯d be more interested in the offerings than a lecture on the Ancien R¨¦gime?¡± Henry looked down at his own menu. ¡°Huh.¡± The Doc was right. The first item on the list seemed normal enough: Fenwyrm filet, seared rare with garlac butter. The rest, not so much. ¡°Grilled tharne tenderloin¡­ what the hell is a tharne? Ryan shrugged. ¡°Fuck if I know. Sounds expensive as shit, though. And hell if it don¡¯t sound mighty scrumptious right now.¡± ¡°Prolly something that¡¯s gonna pop up on our Tier 7 test,¡± Ron said. ¡°What else they got?¡± Henry went down the list. ¡°Saut¨¦ed skarth tail in spiced wine reduction, steamed bren in herbal broth, braised halgorn with mild moss-berry¡­ compote? Grilled whillow steak, meat-stuffed corrick caps, and roasted grusk ribs with smoky lumir glaze. Well, at least I recognize a few things: wine, broth, ribs.¡± A devious smirk grew on Ron¡¯s face. Oh boy. ¡°Meat-stuffed. Glaze.¡± He jabbed his elbow at Henry. It was enough to earn a few snorts; Henry had to admit that. After sharing a good chuckle, he moved on, ¡°Hey, looks like there¡¯s a note at the bottom. About the buffet. Apparently, they¡¯ve got griffin roast and fenwyrm stew.¡± Isaac leaned back. ¡°Griffin, huh? Didn¡¯t we have that at the Guild? It was kinda cheap too, for a mythical creature.¡± ¡°Not so mythical ¡®round these parts, I reckon. Wonder how it stacks up to the Guild¡¯s stuff?¡± Ryan wondered. Looking around, it was clear to Henry that the refectory was indeed fancy, but that alone wasn¡¯t reason enough to be confident in the buffet. ¡°Who knows? So¡­ What do y¡¯all think? ¨¤ la carte or buffet?¡± ¡°Why not both?¡± Dr. Anderson proposed. ¡°We can all get one dish, then hit the buffet. The servings don¡¯t seem all too large.¡± He inclined his head toward a table beside them. ¡°Hm, alright then,¡± Henry said. ¡°Guess I¡¯ll go with skarth tail. Gotta be something like lobster, right?¡± Ron scoffed, ¡°Yeah, or scorpion.¡± Henry frowned, realization hitting him. Ron was probably right; the name ¡®skarth¡¯ didn¡¯t exactly evoke seafood. Even if it wasn¡¯t some kind of crustacean, it had to be good if it was served to nobles, right? Just as they finished making their selections, Callan returned. ¡°Have you decided, good sirs?¡± Henry nodded and relayed their order, adding, ¡°And we¡¯d like to visit the buffet afterward if that¡¯s alright.¡± Callan beamed, finishing his notes on a loose sheet of paper before pocketing it. ¡°Most commendable choices. I shall attend to your selections forthwith. In the meantime, please, take your ease and explore the banquet tables at your leisure.¡± Henry led the way to the buffet area, the rest of the team behind him. Up close, the spread was something else. The section was larger than he anticipated; they couldn¡¯t really see past the pillars and walls from their seat by the window. At one end sat a massive roasted griffin, not crispy and crunchy, but still looking finger lickin¡¯ good. On the other, a cauldron of fenwyrm stew bubbled away, smelling even better than it looked, if that really was the origin of the incredible aroma around them. ¡°Well holy hot damn,¡± Ryan muttered. ¡°That¡¯s a whole griffin.¡± Ron grinned, grabbing a plate from a nearby table, ¡°What, you thought they¡¯d serve it in nuggets?¡± Henry readied his own plate, stepping up to the griffin. A cook stood ready with a carving knife. ¡°What¡¯s your pleasure, sir?¡± the cook asked. Henry fought the urge to ask where Master Wayne was. ¡°Uh, I¡¯ll take a slice, please.¡± The cook nodded, carving off a generous portion. ¡°And of the crackling?¡± Crackling? Like pork rinds? ¡°Uh, sure. A bit of everything, I guess.¡± As the cook piled his plate with cuts from other meats, Henry glanced over at his team. Ron stood behind him, waiting for his turn to be served. Isaac and Dr. Anderson seemed to be interested in the sides, while Ryan was already in the midst of ladling stew into a bowl. Thanking the cook, Henry moved on to the sides and greens. He grabbed a second plate, eyeing a sign bearing the label ¡®mashed roonets.¡¯ Potato, potahto; why not? He spooned some of the roonets onto his plate, drizzling some rather normal-looking gravy on it. Then, he placed a small bowl of stew right in the center. The rest of his plate was dedicated to a strange salad and a couple of thirsk rolls ¨C standard dinner rolls in all but name. And probably taste. Plates loaded, Henry started to head back. It was a daunting task, trying not to spill anything ¨C that is, until one of those golem-tray hybrids walked up to him. It stopped, the hollow in its torso at just the right height for his plate. Huh, that was convenient. He hesitated for a second, then shrugged and set his plates in the golem¡¯s chest cavity. A small rune on its surface briefly glowed blue ¨C probably a sign of acknowledgment? Might as well place a glass of juice in there to save a trip. Setting down some sort of citrus drink, Henry followed close behind as it walked towards their table. He glanced back to see the others had caught on, their own plates and drinks nestled in golem-trays. Once they reached the table, the golem reached into its chest with spindly fingers, delicately transferring the plates from its trays to the table. Henry couldn¡¯t lie, it looked a bit odd despite its convenience ¨C as if aesthetics were merely an afterthought. Couldn¡¯t the Sonarans have at least made it a bit cuter, like the food delivery robots that roamed the Space Force Academy campus? Ron finally arrived, and he didn¡¯t seem to care even one bit. ¡°Ay bruh,¡± he smiled as his own golem set his plates, ¡°these things are lowkey neat. Like, look at that!¡± He pointed at Ryan¡¯s golem, which skillfully dodged a student pushing his chair back. It was obvious enough that whatever controlled each golem was intelligent ¨C probably enough to perform most menial tasks and maybe kickstart an industrial revolution, whenever the Sonarans got around to that point. Henry nodded, watching as his golem plodded away. ¡°Yeah, they¡¯re¡­ something alright.¡± ¡°Mm, now this stew¡¯s somethin¡¯ alright,¡± Ryan said, already halfway through his bowl. ¡°All respect to the cooks back home, but damn if this ain¡¯t summa the best grub I ever had!¡± ¡°That good, huh?¡± Henry raised an eyebrow and reached for his spoon. He dipped it into his bowl. The moment it hit his tongue, he understood. ¡°Well, shit.¡± The flavors were intense, a perfect blend of savory and sweet. The meat ¨C fenwyrm ¨C was tender enough to melt in his mouth. ¡°Told ya,¡± Ryan said through a mouthful of food. Meanwhile, Dr. Anderson speared a forkful of the alien salad, eyeing it for a moment before popping it in his mouth. He chewed, lips pursing in appreciation. ¡°Not bad. Reminds me of seaweed salad, sorta. Bit sweeter, though.¡± Isaac picked up a cautious portion from his plate. ¡°Looks uh¡­ radioactive.¡± ¡°Well, we haven¡¯t turned into ghouls yet,¡± Henry shrugged. He took a bite of the salad, the strange vegetables blending with the creamy dressing. Despite looking like it¡¯d taste similar to Caesar salad, it really did taste like seaweed salad. ¡°Huh. He¡¯s right.¡± Then came the dish Henry ordered. The skarth tail was, as Ron had unfortunately guessed, more reminiscent of an arachnid than a crustacean ¨C an unsettling sight, but one that a flavorful bite could easily dispel. It tasted about the same as a cooked lobster tail would, earthiness aside. Pretty good, actually. Interesting, even. Just about as interesting as the textbook sitting on the table across, which depicted¡­ ¡®elemental particles?¡¯ Isaac also noticed. ¡°You see how scientific these guys are? Kinda crazy how they know about states of matter. Real impressive for a medieval society, huh?¡± Dr. Anderson swallowed a bite of his meat-stuffed mushrooms. ¡°It does make some sense, I suppose. Having that level of elemental control would¡¯ve likely given them a cracking pace of discovery, wouldn¡¯t it? I mean, being able to conjure rain or freeze a glass of water at will would rather simplify the experimental process.¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Henry agreed. ¡°No waiting around for nature to do its thing. Must¡¯ve given them a hell of a head start on understanding how stuff works. That and the Baranthurian ruins lying around.¡± ¡°They got a great mindset outta it too. I mean, shit, Kelmithus and his Earth Artillery? Imagine what he could do if he took some classes.¡± Henry raised an eyebrow. ¡°Explosion magic enhanced by chemistry. Now that¡¯d be something to see.¡± Ryan set his finished plates aside, then asked, ¡°Ya reckon they could whip up somethin¡¯ even worse than that? I mean, they basically jumped a couple centuries ahead with them fridges. Would be fuckin¡¯ crazy if they figured out magic nukes.¡± Dr. Anderson shook his head. ¡°Unlikely, to be honest. Magic, as we¡¯ve seen it so far, seems to be rooted in manipulating natural processes. Fission, let alone fusion ¨C well, that¡¯s a rather different kettle of fish than casting a better fireball.¡± ¡°Plus,¡± Isaac added, ¡°where would they even get fissile material to work with?¡± ¡°Good point,¡± Ryan said. He leaned back, eyebrows still furrowed. ¡°Still, more firepower¡¯s just that ¨C more firepower. Reckon Command¡¯s gonna wanna keep tabs on their little exchange.¡± ¡°Hey, speaking of keeping tabs,¡± Henry said, lowering his voice. He discreetly nodded toward a table past Ryan, near the banquet tables. ¡°On Ryan¡¯s six. Isn¡¯t that the professor from yesterday?¡± Ron glanced over. ¡°Huh. Valtor ad Stron, right? Looks like he¡¯s working on something.¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Henry muttered. It wasn¡¯t such a weird thing to see a professor eating at a dining hall, but something about this Valtor guy specifically seemed¡­ unsettling. ¡°Can¡¯t make out what it is from here though.¡± Dr. Anderson¡¯s seat had a better line of sight. Maybe he could¡­? The Doc read his mind. ¡°Appears to be some kind of map or diagram. He¡¯s rather absorbed in it, but otherwise seems¡­ perfectly normal.¡± Ryan, his back to Valtor, kept his eyes on the team. ¡°Worth checkin¡¯ out?¡± Henry considered. Was it worth it to trust his gut, even if it was likely to be nothing? Absolutely. And from the looks of everyone else, it seems they too had the same gut feelings. ¡°Yeah. Imma grab some dessert, get a closer look.¡± He stood up, stretching casually. ¡°Anyone want anything while I¡¯m up there?¡± Isaac shook his head. ¡°Nah, I¡¯m good.¡± Ron held up a hand. ¡°One of everything?¡± Ryan and Dr. Anderson nodded, confirming the same. Henry grinned. ¡°Back in a sec.¡± He made his way towards the dessert table, walking straight through. It was tempting to take a more roundabout path, try to get as much intel as possible, but he didn¡¯t want to set off any alarms. As he passed by, he let his gaze drift over, trying not to be too obvious about it. Well, it was certainly a map of the campus. Henry couldn¡¯t make out all the details without stopping to stare, but he caught sight of markings around what looked like the arena, the Ancient Magic Studies building, and the Central Tower. Interesting¡­ wasn¡¯t that one of the areas they couldn¡¯t access? He forced himself to keep moving, grabbing a slice of some fruit tart from the dessert table. He lingered there for a moment, filling up the plates his team requested, and risked another glance at Valtor. The professor remained still, still hunched over his map, scribbling notes in the margins while his food cooled beside him. Whatever he was planning, it was clear he didn¡¯t want to be disturbed. Henry headed back to the team, another golem in tow. Splitting the plates, he explained what he saw. ¡°It¡¯s a map of the campus alright. Couldn¡¯t see everything, but he¡¯s got notes all over it. Lotta markings around the restricted areas.¡± Ryan swallowed his food. ¡°Hm. Odd choice of buildings to focus on.¡± ¡°Could be nothing,¡± Ron offered. ¡°Playing devil¡¯s advocate, guy¡¯s a new professor, right? Maybe he¡¯s just trying to get his bearings.¡± Isaac lowered his head, smirking in disbelief. ¡°Really, on restricted areas?¡± Dr. Anderson¡¯s gaze drifted back to Valtor¡¯s table. ¡°Perhaps that¡¯s where he teaches his classes or has his office? Though, I do share suspicion.¡± He turned back to Henry. ¡°Think we should alter our plans for the day?¡± Henry took a bite of his tart, chewing slowly. Damn was it absolutely scrumptious. ¡°Not sure, but I¡¯ll probably bring it up to Elwes later. Maybe she¡¯ll have some insight.¡± Cleaning up the last of his desserts, he waved to Callan and made a writing motion in the air, as if holding an invisible pen. As Dr. Anderson had mentioned, the concept of restaurants was probably new to the Sonaran Federation, but thankfully the steward understood. The man approached with a thin stone tablet, runes centered around a token-shaped indentation. It didn¡¯t look like it accepted Apple Pay, but it seemed intuitive enough. Henry pressed his token on the indentation twice, two mechanical clicks sounding as the payments locked in. ¡°Grammercy, sir,¡± Callan said, bowing his head slightly. ¡°Did your repast content you? Was there aught in your service that might have been bettered?¡± The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation. Henry glanced around the table, then back at Callan. ¡°Everything was great, thanks.¡± ¡°I¡¯m heartily glad to hear it. Would you require aught more ere you depart? A draught to go, perhaps?¡± ¡°No, we¡¯re all set,¡± Henry replied, standing up. ¡°Um, many thanks for your service.¡± ¡°Very well, sir. Fare you well,¡± Callan responded with a bow before moving on to attend to the next table. As Henry exited the refectory, he checked his watch and paused just outside. ¡°Meet back at the dorm at 1800?¡± ¡°Yup,¡± Ryan replied, the others nodding alongside him. As they left to head to the library, Henry pulled out his map. He¡¯d gotten all the major landmarks memorized, but just needed to be sure. He led the way to the Ancient Magic Studies building, Dr. Anderson close behind. The interior of the buildings was a different story. This one was new to him, but fortunately there stood a directory out front. Though the place was big, the layout was straightforward enough ¨C typical university design with wings and numbered rooms. ¡°Elwes¡¯ lab should be just around the corner,¡± Henry said, reaching the third floor. ¡°Room 3045.¡± Henry knocked on the door. A moment later, it opened to reveal Professor Elwes. ¡°Ah, Captain Donnager, Dr. Anderson,¡± she greeted them. ¡°Please, come in.¡± ¡°Ma¡¯am,¡± Henry politely returned her greeting. They stepped into the lab. It was larger than Henry expected, with several workbenches covered in papers and strange-looking mechanical objects that looked quite out of place in relation to everything else ¨C Baranthurian artifacts. Shelves lined the walls, crammed with books and binders. Despite the clutter, the room had an organized feel to it. Lots of objects scattered around, but like any other lab he¡¯d been to, they were definitely sorted. ¡°Welcome to my laboratory,¡± Elwes said, leading them toward a large central workbench. ¡°My thanks for coming in today. I gather you¡¯ve had quite the experience in the Grenden Forest Ruins. Kelmithus spoke of your discoveries when I last saw him.¡± Henry nodded. There were lots of discoveries, actually, though probably not many that would be best to share with a relatively nascent civilization like the Sonarans¡¯. Maybe once they¡¯d developed some more trust, but then again, wasn¡¯t this part of it? ¡°It was pretty enjoyable, I gotta say. I assume you asked us here to take a look at some artifacts?¡± ¡°Indeed,¡± Elwes said, tone barely hiding her excitement. ¡°I daresay, you shall find it most intriguing. We¡¯ve recovered it from one of the Mirrowen Forest Ruins.¡± She gestured to the workbench, where an assortment of almost-familiar tools and components lay scattered. At first glance, it looked like an old electrical workbench ¨C probably the Baranthurian version of the one he¡¯d seen in his grandfather¡¯s garage. At least a few of the items were distinctly recognizable: wires, tweezers, crimpers, and other basic tools. ¡°I¡¯ve been studying this for weeks now. Might you gentlemen have any insights to offer?¡± Henry and Dr. Anderson leaned in for a closer look. The objects were clearly ancient, with a patina of age, but their purpose was easy enough to deduce. ¡°Those from without oft bring fresh perspectives, and I surmise that your background renders your insights all the more distinctive,¡± Elwes continued. ¡°That it does, Professor,¡± Dr. Anderson said. ¡°Though, I must admit, these materials are still as foreign to me as they are to you ¨C basic tools aside.¡± Elwes picked up a familiar tool. Wire strippers. The jaws were made of a dark material ¨C likely voidstone, depending on what they were designed to be used on. Like most other Baranthurian tools they¡¯d come across, this too was etched with tiny runes. These looked sturdy, built to last ¨C though certainly not enough to survive several millennia. Some kind of preservation magic, probably. ¡°You recognize these, then?¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Henry said, picking up the tool. ¡°These are wire strippers. They¡¯re used to remove the insulation from electrical wires without damaging the metal core.¡± Dr. Anderson leaned in, examining the tool closely. ¡°Interesting. This definitely wasn¡¯t handcrafted. Industrial-era manufacturing, perhaps? Jigs and specialized tooling, maybe even early milling machines. I¡¯d put this around the 19th century, quite frankly.¡± Elwes swiped a book from the desk and jotted down notes as quickly as the Doc spoke. She probably couldn¡¯t understand half of what he was saying, but it didn¡¯t seem to faze her. If anything, it emboldened her. Kinda reminded Henry of Kelmithus whenever he learned something¡­ useful for spellcasting. Henry moved on, picking up a strand of fine, golden wire. She picked up what appeared to be a spool of that same wire. ¡°You know of this wire? We believe this to be orichalcum wire, though its precise purpose, particularly in relation to these other tools, yet eludes us.¡± It wasn¡¯t exactly the size Henry had seen in the Grenden Forest, but it looked similar enough. ¡°Yeah, we came across some of it. I recognize a lot of the stuff here, actually. But I¡¯m curious, Professor ¨C what else have you been able to determine so far?¡± Elwes sighed, twirling her short hair. ¡°Not as much as I would wish, I fear. We have identified a few items, yet others¡­¡± she trailed off, gesturing to a set of tubes that seemed too large for the wires. Henry eyed the tubes. No way ¨C heat shrink? Here? He then noticed a gun-like object nestled among the wires and tools. Looked almost like a heat gun, but with those runes etched into the grip¡­ ¡°What¡¯s this one?¡± he asked, nodding towards it. Elwes followed his gaze. ¡°Ah, that.¡± She picked it up, applying mana to it. ¡°The runes would have it generate heat, though for what end, we have yet to discern.¡± Henry picked it up. Pulling out his token, he held it firmly against the rune. ¡°Mind if I try something?¡± At Elwes¡¯ nod, he grabbed one of the larger tubes. ¡°Doc, hold this end, would you?¡± The doctor obliged, and Henry positioned the gun over the tube. A faint warmth emanated from the device as he squeezed the trigger. The tube began to shrink, conforming tightly to the wire beneath. ¡°Well, I¡¯ll admit,¡± Dr. Anderson said, watching the tube shrink. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect that to work quite like that. Rather impressive.¡± So it really was heat shrink tubing. Wasn¡¯t that a recent innovation ¨C around the Cold War? Henry frowned. Maybe the situation was akin to the fridge ¨C magic let them skip a few steps, giving the Baranthurians a completely different, nonlinear tech progression. Seeing Elwes¡¯ confused look, Henry explained, ¡°It¡¯s for insulating and protecting wire connections. Slide the tube over, apply heat, and it shrinks to fit.¡± Elwes nodded, jotting notes in her book. ¡°This certainly fills in some gaps in our understanding. Might I ask, what necessity lies in the insulation?¡± Would it be alright to explain Ohm¡¯s law and electrical safety? It¡¯s not like they had a Prime Directive anyway. Fuck it, some insights couldn¡¯t hurt if it at least built some trust. ¡°It¡¯s pretty damn important,¡± Henry said, gesturing to the exposed ends of the wire. ¡°Keeps your wires from shorting out and starting fires, for one. Electricity¡¯s not exactly forgiving when it goes where it shouldn¡¯t. I¡¯m guessing the same applies to mana.¡± He paused, then added, ¡°Also helps maintain the integrity of your circuits and prevents energy loss. You want your electricity, mana, whatever, going where it¡¯s supposed to, not leaking out along the way. Though, I suppose all this depends on how much you know about electrical theory, and how accurate it is when mana¡¯s involved.¡± Elwes set her book down. ¡°Studies of the Baranthurians have afforded us some understanding, though your knowledge proves far more enlightening. I daresay, much of what you¡¯ve shared is beyond our current grasp.¡± ¡°Really? How far along are you in your understanding?¡± Dr. Anderson asked. ¡°We¡¯ve had some success with recreating basic circuits,¡± Elwes answered, bringing them over to another workbench. ¡°Light sources and simple motors as well, though nothing beyond the most elementary functions. Admittedly, these are but crude replications of what we¡¯ve collected from their ruins.¡± Henry tilted his head. Not bad, considering the leaps they had to make without knowing the basic principles. He glanced at the workbench again, taking in the replicated tech. ¡°Crude, but headway nonetheless. Anyone else working on it? Other kingdoms or empires, I mean.¡± Elwes nodded. ¡°Oh, certainly. Elusive as they are, Baranthurian relics have found their way into many a kingdom, each fiercely hoarding what little they possess. The technology they offer, especially their ancient weaponry, is most coveted.¡± Dr. Anderson frowned. ¡°Coveted enough to conduct espionage for?¡± Elwes¡¯ expression tightened, a sigh more than enough to answer the question. ¡°We have had no shortage of challenges over the years. Nobian spies, of course. Their zeal for Baranthurian knowledge knows no bounds.¡± ¡°No kidding,¡± Henry muttered. It seemed the Nobians stopped at nothing short of all-out war for their goals. How far were they willing to go for Gatebuilder knowledge? ¡°It remains a constant concern,¡± Elwes continued. ¡°Just last year, a new student was caught attempting to steal research notes. And that¡¯s to say nothing of the efforts to bribe or coerce our researchers.¡± Some things were the same across all worlds, it seemed. ¡°I imagine that puts a bit of a strain on international cooperation, doesn¡¯t it?¡± the Doc asked. ¡°Ha! Cooperation? From the Nobians? A fantasy, at best,¡± Elwes said with a shake of her head. ¡°As for other nations, the challenge lies in exchange. There¡¯s nary a faction willing to share their knowledge; they all expect something in return. Even yourselves.¡± ¡°I won¡¯t deny that,¡± Henry said, smiling. ¡°As long as it¡¯s a win-win, y¡¯know?¡± ¡°Mutual benefit indeed,¡± Elwes echoed. She then paused, head tilting. ¡°Though¡­ Captain, I wonder what¡¯s stirred your interest in secret intelligence? Some matter that¡¯s come to your notice, perhaps?¡± This was it. ¡°Professor Valtor ad Stron,¡± he answered. ¡°Something about him seems off.¡± Elwes¡¯ eyebrows raised slightly. Henry could barely tell, but it seemed hardly out of surprise. ¡°Oh?¡± ¡°When we first arrived, I noticed him acting a bit suspiciously. Kept to himself, doing who knows what in the arena. Watching us. And just today at lunch, we spotted him working on something ¨C a school map. Had notes all over. Circled the arena, this building, and the central tower.¡± Elwes crossed her arms. ¡°Hmm¡­ Valtor is new, having joined us scarce a term ago. Though he satisfied our inquiries at the time, I daresay he still seemed¡­ well...¡± ¡°Could be nothing,¡± Henry admitted. ¡°He¡¯s new, maybe just familiarizing himself with the campus. But given what you¡¯ve told us about Nobian spies, I thought it might be worth mentioning.¡± ¡°Thank you, Captain, for apprising me of this. I¡¯ll make quiet inquiry into the matter. We cannot suffer potential Nobian spies to be privy to our research.¡± ¡°What about Dean Lyrus?¡± Dr. Anderson mentioned. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t he also be informed?¡± Elwes sighed. ¡°Lyrus can be¡­ trying. He¡¯ll not stir without solid evidence. I¡¯d prefer to collect more evidence ere I lay this before him.¡± ¡°Alright, then. We¡¯ll let you know if we come across anything new.¡± Henry glanced back at the workbench with the Baranthurian electronics. Manatronics? ¡°And thanks for showing us all this, Professor. It¡¯s given us¡­ a lot to think about.¡± Elwes offered a soft smile, glancing at Dr. Anderson as she responded, ¡°I am pleased it proved stimulating. Intellectually, of course.¡± She cleared her throat. ¡°There remains much to uncover. Might we not take up this discourse again, when you¡¯re next free?¡± Dr. Anderson smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. ¡°Yes, I¡¯ll see about clearing my schedule. I shouldn¡¯t like to miss an opportunity to be stimulated¡­ Intellectually, of course.¡± Henry and Dr. Anderson bade farewell to Elwes, leaving the lab to link back up with the others. Apparently, they''d found a book about Guild tests. The best part about it? It contained everything they needed. Everything from old Tier 1 quest pools to Tier 9 written exams were lumped into the book - Quizlet in another world. They definitely wouldn''t have found this anywhere else. Hooray for... noble academy privileges? The rest of the afternoon flew by as they pored over the book, jotting down notes, listing down all the Tier 7 and Tier 7-adjacent monsters that could pop up on the real test. All the other test subjects ¨C alchemy, biology, geography, local geopolitics, and even math ¨C were for other days. Not that any of them would need to take a look at math, though. Actually, a quick skim would suffice ¨C in case the Guild threw anything crazy at them. Dinner was a lax affair; lots of food to try and lots of info to process. They ate at Carfley again, comparing the food to Central while catching up on the Baranthurian tech, Elwes¡¯ reaction to Valtor, and now this goldmine of Guild test info. At the very least, everyone was still on the same page about the new professor¡¯s vibe. And the incredible taste of the Tier 7 River Taska filets. Returning to their apartment, everyone else settled in, cracking open a cold not-Gatorade or sharing their pocket Chegg for another study session. Henry instead decided to relax a bit ¨C take a nice comfortable bath. Finally, after toweling off, Henry donned his home clothes and sat down at his desk for the highlight of the day: his video call with Sera. Opening his laptop, he initiated the call. After a few seconds, Sera¡¯s face appeared on the screen, her hair slightly damp as if she¡¯d just showered as well. ¡°Captainnnn, come to gauge my progress, have you?¡± Sera greeted him with a grin. Henry returned her grin. ¡°Yup. How are you holding up so far, Sera?¡± ¡°I fare well enough, Captain. Though I confess, the tedium of this ¡®training¡¯ is beginning to chafe already. Surely you¡¯ll not have me sit through many more lectures as those of ¡®protocols¡¯?¡± Henry chuckled. ¡°Well, that depends. Have you familiarized yourself with them?¡± ¡°I suppose I should thank Sola for my gift of memory.¡± Sera briefly summarized her morning, recapping what she¡¯d learned and where she¡¯d gone. It reminded Henry of listening to a friend complain after having to deal with a Karen at work ¨C though perhaps not quite as colorful. Then, her expression flipped. ¡°Ah, you know, I did chance upon some peculiar sights. Scarcely enough to whole banish tedium, mind you, but I daresay it was a sight better than naught.¡± ¡°Yeah? C¡¯mon now, what could be more fun than a lecture on military structure?¡± Henry teased. ¡°Ha!¡± She waved her hand with playful disdain. ¡°Mayhap I painted too dreary a picture. Well then, dear Captain, if you must know, I encountered one of those wondrous flying contraptions you spoke of: a ¡®fighter jet,¡¯ was it? Though I confess, it behaved most oddly, nary a white like your descriptions. It moved more like¡­ a ¡®helicopter,¡¯ though lacking rotors. Kov¨¢cs called it a ¡®thirty-five¡¯ or some such befuddling nonsense.¡± Huh, so Armstrong finally got them? F-35Bs were a curious choice, though it did make some sense given the lack of a fully developed runway, and the fact that they didn¡¯t have any harriers on hand. ¡°Ah, an F-35B?¡± ¡°Indeed, that very one. Oh, its mere visage! No doubt it would give even dragons pause. And those tanks you spoke of! Why, they were larger than I fancied. I scarce thought to behold a contraption more imposing than your UGVs. Alas, I stand corrected.¡± Henry smiled. ¡°Anything else stand out?¡± ¡°Well, we had lunch. They presented a curious fare called a ¡®cheeseburger,¡¯ though made with Rillifane meat and cav cheese. It was possibly among the best dishes to ever grace my palate.¡± Damn. Rillifane cheeseburgers? Of all the things he could have missed, it had to be this. And the way Sera described it - fuck, his mouth was already starting to water. "Aw, man," he said, deflating. "Oh, it was truly a delicacy to behold!" Sera pressed. "Why, such a dish might grace the royal table itself!" Henry shook his head; Sera was having way too much fun with this. "But surely, you''ve had your own wonders at the academy?" ¡°Ehh, I guess. Ain¡¯t gonna lie, everything was top notch. I was just hoping to try that burger.¡± ¡°Well now, perhaps we ought to hunt another rillifane when next we meet?¡± Henry felt his stomach growl at the mere thought. ¡°Hah. By the time you¡¯re done with the courses, you¡¯ll probably be able to hunt a whole pack solo.¡± ¡°Why, if O¡¯Connor¡¯s words hold true, I might master such a feat ere long. Oh, you should have seen his face during training! It was a sight to behold.¡± ¡°Yeah?¡± ¡°O¡¯Connor sought to gauge my mettle, so we began with basic tests: running, push-ups, that manner of thing. He bade me perform each twice ¨C first with magic, then without.¡± This must be good. Sergeant O¡¯Connor was a recent name, having popped up right after they got back from GB-2. That meant he¡¯d yet to see all Gaerra had to offer. ¡°How¡¯d it go?¡± ¡°Well, with magic¡­ it would be fair to say I might have bested a few standing marks,¡± Sera said, her lips curling into a prideful smile. ¡°O¡¯Connor dropped his clipboard and regarded me as though he¡¯d never witnessed magic before! Wait¡­ maybe he truly hadn¡¯t. Anyway, despite his initial shock, he showed keener interest in my feats unaided.¡± ¡°Huh,¡± Henry said. Come to think of it, he¡¯d never seen Sera¡¯s limit without magic. Hell, he¡¯d never seen her function without magic at all. ¡°And how was that?¡± ¡°Fair enough, I¡¯d say,¡± Sera replied. ¡°It has been ages since I¡¯ve trained sans magic, but we did our share of such during knighthood training. O¡¯Connor supposes I¡¯ve a solid foundation already.¡± Henry nodded. ¡°That¡¯s good. Anything surprise you about the tests?¡± ¡°Naught of note, truly. At present, I await the Sergeant¡¯s judgment; he spoke of needing a couple days to craft a curriculum for me. I know not what to expect.¡± "Hmm, going off what you told me, I''m guessing he''ll put you through a simplified course since you already have a hang of all the basics. In any case, I''m glad you''re enjoying things so far.¡± Henry felt a nefarious smirk creep up. ¡°Since you''re faring well enough, maybe we gotta toss in some more lectures..." ¡°Oh, spare me your lectures, Captain,¡± Sera laughed, rolling her eyes. ¡°I¡¯d sooner wrestle a chimera than endure another of your droning discourses on military minutiae. Mayhap I should school you in the finer points of courtly etiquette, hmm? I wager you¡¯d be begging for mercy ere we finished discussing the proper way to address a viscount¡¯s third cousin twice removed.¡± Well, that was a concerning thought. It was probably just Sera¡¯s usual sarcasm, but¡­ ¡°Is that¡­ really a thing?¡± Henry asked. ¡°Mercy me,¡± she giggled, shaking her head. ¡°Of course not! Well, not precisely as I¡¯ve put it, at any rate. Though I daresay some of the actual rules of etiquette are scarcely less absurd. Why, I once saw a minor lord throw an absolute fit over being seated three chairs too far from the salt at a banquet. Can you imagine?¡± Henry raised an eyebrow. At this point, he couldn¡¯t even tell what was real. Hopefully that was something the Doc could handle instead. ¡°Yeah, uh¡­ I¡¯ll take your word for it.¡± ¡°Why, you never know when such knowledge might prove vital! Imagine encountering some baron¡¯s insufferable whelp on campus. Oh, you¡¯d be utterly lost!¡± Sera clutched her heart, wallowing like a distraught Juliet in the shadow of Romeo¡¯s demise. ¡°The scandal, the social ruin ¨C oh, the abject calamity of it all!¡± ¡°Fuck, that¡¯d be a nightmare,¡± Henry laughed. ¡°Doubt it¡¯ll happen, anyway. It¡¯s been nice and boring so far over here. Toured the battlemage training complex, had lunch, met with one of Kelmithus¡¯ friends. Professor Elwes. Ring any bells?¡± Sera stared up as she thought. ¡°Hm, I¡¯ve heard the name.¡± ¡°Yeah, so she showed us some Baranthurian tech. Electronics, actually. Wanted to get our opinion.¡± Electronics?¡± Sera cocked her head. ¡°Like this computer?¡± She pointed a finger at the camera. ¡°Kinda. It was real basic stuff. Nothing compared to what we¡¯ve got, but still impressive for their time. Maybe you¡¯ll learn about it in your science lectures next week.¡± Sera frowned. ¡°More lectures?¡± ¡°Ah, you¡¯ll like these ones. Trust,¡± Henry reassured her. If anything, it¡¯d be because they could literally upgrade her magic. ¡°They¡¯re more¡­ uh, practical. You can ask Kelmithus. A few books and friendly chats with our scientists and bam! He¡¯s Tier 9.¡± Sera smiled at the prospect. It was an easy sell. ¡°Now that piques my interest most thoroughly.¡± ¡°Say,¡± Henry said, recalling the rest of his discussion with Elwes, ¡°Have you ever heard of a Valtor ad Stron?¡± Sera paused, thinking. ¡°Nah? No bells?¡± Sera shook her head. ¡°Hm, that¡¯s odd,¡± Henry mused. ¡°Guy¡¯s a professor at the Academy. Teaches advanced combat magic and tactics or something. He¡¯s filling in for some of Kelmithus¡¯ classes.¡± Sera furrowed her brow. ¡°How odd¡­ While I shan¡¯t claim acquaintance with every noble lineage, I have never heard of ¡®ad Stron¡¯ at all. And an advanced combat magic professor? Surely such a personage would have garnered at least some whispers.¡± The more he learned about Valtor, the more suspicious he seemed. Was it just confirmation bias, or the realization of what his instincts had been hinting at? ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s what I thought. Elwes seemed pretty concerned as well.¡± Sera leaned closer to the screen. ¡°Have you told Kelmithus about this?¡± ¡°Not yet. Still working on my report for the General. Could you relay the message?¡± ¡°Of course,¡± she confirmed. Then she smirked. ¡°Why, look at you, already neck-deep in academy intrigue. And here I thought I¡¯d be the one having all the adventures.¡± Henry waved his hand dismissively. ¡°Pfft. This is more like¡­ murder mystery type shit. I¡¯d much prefer a good ol¡¯ dungeon crawl.¡± ¡°A man after my own heart,¡± Sera approved. ¡°Yes, there¡¯s naught quite like a good dungeon crawl.¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Henry chuckled. ¡°So, same time tomorrow?¡± ¡°I wouldn¡¯t dream of missing it,¡± Sera responded. ¡°Goodnight, Henry.¡± Henry smiled warmly. Wait, was it his smile that was warm, or the blood rushing through his cheeks? ¡°Goodnight, Sera.¡± Chapter 26: Advanced Spellcasting Tactics December 17, 2024 Eldralore Academy Damn, if only this place had some ketchup. Henry sat in the dining room, shoveling forkfuls of eggs, sausage, and bread into his mouth. The Guild test book they¡¯d found yesterday lay open next to his plate, carefully angled away from any potential splatter. He¡¯d woken up right past 8, relishing the extra hours of sleep after the usual crack-of-dawn routine. He took a swig of the Ureth cacao Isaac had scrounged up, grimacing at the bitter taste. Even dumping half the sugar bowl in hadn''t helped much. Wasn¡¯t Starbucks, but it got the job done. It wasn¡¯t exactly early anymore ¨C he glanced at the clock, just after nine ¨C but the morning routine felt slower today. Sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting soft streaks across the floor. Is this what retirement might feel like? It was definitely something he could get used to. Or at least, it was definitely something he could enjoy for today. The event logs showed nothing unusual at first glance ¨C just the standard parade of students passing through the hallway. ¡°Looks normal enough, yeah?¡± Ryan asked. ¡°Yeah, yeah,¡± Henry agreed. Ryan kept swiping through the files. Late night snack run, early riser heading to the library, then an anomaly at 0455: a single clip with no face attached, no person whatsoever present on the screen. Just a red square hovering over an empty hallway, flagged by the system as an infrared anomaly. Kinda like facial recognition software bugging out, as if trying to capture a ghost. Unless the Academy had suddenly developed a haunting, Henry could only think of two phenomenons that could produce anything like this. Henry squinted at the feed, pinching the screen to zoom in. The clip was brief ¨C just a handful of frames ¨C as a patch of blue swept over the yellow heat signature of the sconce. Then, the yellow seemed to slide away, fading back to blue as it moved. Odd. The lighting was fixed, so why did the heat signature appear to shift? ¡°Have we ruled out a glitch?¡± ¡°Yup. Checked it all already ¨C cameras are runnin¡¯ fine. Reckon we¡¯ve got ourselves an intruder. Nobian, if I had to guess, ¡®less somebody else figured how to go invisible.¡± Henry hoped that wasn¡¯t the answer, but it was the same theory he had. ¡°Ah, for fuck¡¯s sake¡­¡± Ryan simply shrugged. ¡°Figured it was just a matter of time ¡®fore we ran into these sumbitches again.¡± ¡°Can we be sure?¡± Ryan hesitated. ¡°Well¡­¡± ¡°Morning,¡± Ron grumbled as he shuffled in from the kitchen, clutching a steaming mug of Ureth cacao. He took a long sip, eyes half-open. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± ¡°Possible intruder,¡± Henry said, nodding toward Ryan¡¯s tablet. Ron raised an eyebrow, moving closer to peer at the screen. ¡°You deadass right now?¡± ¡°Afraid so,¡± Henry replied. ¡°Flagged heat sig, no visual.¡± ¡°Fuckin¡¯ Nobians,¡± Ron grunted, now fully awake. Though they were all on the same page, Henry knew better than to jump the gun. They could at least get some more opinions first. ¡°Yeah, most likely, but we¡¯re not exactly sure yet. Mind getting Yen and Doc?¡± Ron nodded. He returned a minute later with Isaac and Dr. Anderson trailing behind, both with serious looks. ¡°Something got past our security?¡± Dr. Anderson asked, leaning over Ryan¡¯s chair. Ryan shook his head. ¡°Nah, not quite. Didn¡¯t mess with the door, didn¡¯t trip the alarm, nothin¡¯. Only worry is this here anomaly.¡± Henry rubbed his chin. It was tough to make a judgment based solely on the handful of anomalous frames. Maybe a comparison would make things clearer? He pulled up security footage from the Nobian intrusion back at the Duke¡¯s estate. He set his tablet beside Ryan¡¯s, playing the two clips on a loop. ¡°Can¡¯t really quantify shit, but here. Duke¡¯s estate versus now ¨C detection looks about the same, yeah?¡± He pointed to the older clip. ¡°Shimmer near the light here, like something tryna adjust temperatures quickly as it¡¯s moving past.¡± Henry then pointed to the more recent clip. ¡°Same thing happened here, just a few hours ago.¡± ¡°Huh,¡± Ryan mused. ¡°Ain¡¯t that somethin¡¯.¡± ¡°Thermal lag,¡± Isaac said. That was the giveaway ¨C cloaking magic seemed to have trouble masking heat signatures in real time. A person, limited by the reaction speed of their synapses, would never be able to fully account for temperature variations in a natural environment, nor adjust instantly. There¡¯d always be a slight delay, this lag, where the heat from lights or fires got displaced for just a moment before the caster corrected it. No caster could be fast enough to avoid this ¨C especially not when challenging the frame rates and precision of machinery. Though Henry could agree with Isaac¡¯s deduction, there was still more to the puzzle. ¡°Their temp regulation can¡¯t keep up. But why just¡­ walk past?¡± ¡°Could be he¡¯s simply scouting? Or testing our defenses, perhaps?¡± Dr. Anderson suggested. ¡°They didn¡¯t linger at all,¡± Isaac pointed out. Henry could guess his thoughts even before he spoke. ¡°Even if they don¡¯t know about our cameras, they walked right past like they knew not to stick around. I¡¯m guessing we¡¯re dealing with one of that edgelord¡¯s guys ¨C what was his name, Carver? Carvus?¡± ¡°Yeah, Carvus. Carvus Alnect Virelius.¡± Henry couldn¡¯t forget the name. The man was competent, and whatever covert unit he ran equally so. And that¡¯s what bothered him the most. By this world¡¯s standards, the intruder was a ghost. No thief or mage could have pulled this off without leaving some kind of trace ¨C at least, not if they had the ability to sense mana. But without that, the only reason they saw anything was because of the infrared cameras. Whoever it was had no idea they were being watched with tech that didn¡¯t belong in this world. A professional, no doubt. Still, there were too many questions. Sitting around guessing would simply be a waste of time. Henry stood, finishing the food on his plate. ¡°We¡¯ll report this to Elwes first. Probably give her a radio as well to keep in touch. After that, I¡¯m thinking we check in on Valtor. He¡¯s got a class right before lunch ¨C Advanced Spellcasting Tactics. Apparently, it¡¯s held in the forest.¡± ¡°Number one suspect, huh?¡± Ron asked. Henry simply shrugged. At least, that¡¯s what his gut told him. ¡°Yup. Don¡¯t have anything concrete to go off of, but I gotta say, there¡¯s just something to him. He just seems sketchy all around.¡± Ryan raised his hand. ¡°Seconded.¡± ¡°Alright. Grab a bite to eat. We¡¯ll head to Elwes¡¯ lab once she¡¯s done with her 10 o¡¯clock class. Imma go update Armstrong,¡± Henry said, pushing back from the table. He stepped into the hall, returning to his room to open communications with the base. A brief crackle, then a solid connection. ¡°Armstrong Base, this is Alpha Actual. How copy? Over.¡± The duty officer¡¯s voice came through: ¡°Alpha Actual, this is Armstrong. Read you loud and clear, over.¡± ¡°Possible snake infestation in Hogwarts.¡± Henry kept it brief, outlining what they¡¯d encountered. ¡°Advise elevated threat posture on your end, over.¡± The duty officer responded, ¡°Acknowledged, Alpha Actual. Standing by for additional traffic. Over.¡± ¡°Negative, Armstrong. Nothing follows. Alpha Actual, out.¡± Henry clicked off the radio, returning to the dining room. Normally, using Hogwarts as a code for a magic academy would be poor OPSEC, but in a world where Earth culture didn¡¯t exist in the slightest, it made perfect sense. And well, Nobians being snakes also made perfect sense. Isaac looked up, setting his utensils to the side of his now-emptied plate. ¡°We good?¡± ¡°Yup.¡± With Henry¡¯s confirmation, the others got up from the table, submerging their dishes in water before they collected their Holding Bags. Hopefully, they wouldn¡¯t need to use anything inside, but a combat class in the forest warranted extra caution ¨C even at the risk of exposure. The Campus was near empty around this time ¨C most of the kids probably slogging through their 8 AM lectures or still asleep. It lowkey reminded him of the good old days, enjoying the peace and quiet of the Vandenberg campus. Great thoughts, but all shattered by the threat of an invisible super assassin on the loose. If there were any solace, it¡¯d probably be that the super assassin was most likely in class as well, maintaining their cover. The bell in the distance rang as Henry reached the third floor. He led his team single file through the center of the hallway as students streamed out of their classes, waiting as the last of Elwes¡¯ students left her lab. He knocked on the door as he entered, Elwes turning in surprise. She glanced at Henry, then the rest of his team. ¡°Captain Donnager, Dr. Anderson, and friends, I see. You¡¯re not here to submit lab reports, I gather?¡± ¡°Wish we were,¡± Henry shrugged. ¡°We think there might be an intruder on campus. We picked up something unusual with our equipment ¨C an anomaly. It¡¯s a bit technical, but essentially, we can see heat with it, kinda like reptiles. We saw movement against a light ¨C unnatural. Whatever it was didn¡¯t leave a single trail.¡± The Doc continued, ¡°Our prevailing theory is Nobian cloaking magic. But¡­ we don¡¯t have confirmation.¡± Elwes¡¯ eyebrows rose as she moved toward the window. ¡°That is equally concerning and intriguing. To see as reptiles do? It seems your wonders never cease.¡± She then sighed, ¡°As it happens, I¡¯ve seen disturbances of my own ¨C strange fluctuations of magic in the wards, though nary a proper specter to be found.¡± Henry nodded. Invisibility magic wasn¡¯t an easy thing to keep up, according to what Sincair¡¯s analysts had found. Bending light? Simple enough ¨C for Nobian mages, at least. Regulating temperature and suppressing mana while casting all those spells at the same time? Not so much. ¡°Well, that about lines up with what we¡¯ve seen on our end. Could be related.¡± ¡°If it be cloaking, then whoever¡¯s responsible surely has a deft hand,¡± Elwes said. ¡°It is the kind of precision I might admire if I weren¡¯t so concerned. To toy with my detection wards with such ease? That takes remarkable skill.¡± ¡°We¡¯re heading to Valtor¡¯s class after this, out in the forest. Advanced Spellcasting Tactics. You mentioned last time you were gonna investigate quietly?¡± ¡°Valtor ad Stron¡­¡± Elwes mused. ¡°Yes, I have, but unfortunately, my inquiry has yielded little. His reputation for brilliance precedes him, though his actual reputation ¨C oddly enough ¨C remains nonexistent. Should he indeed be a spy, he¡¯s frighteningly good at it. Though suspicious, we¡¯ve not chanced upon any evidence against him. He likely won¡¯t reveal much, but do take care.¡± The Nobians were extremely competent, thwarted only by advantages in tech they never knew existed. In all other areas, Armstrong would have to treat them as equals. Getting HUMINT outta them? Yeah, never in a million years ¨C unless they could manage to somehow catch one of them alive. Elwes was probably right, but hey, maybe they¡¯d be able to find at least some sort of clue. ¡°Alright. We¡¯ll keep in touch.¡± Henry nodded to Isaac. ¡°Yen here will guide you through it.¡± Isaac pulled out a ¡®perc¡¯ ¨C no, not a 30, but an AN/PRC: a small, handheld radio. He handed it to Elwes, giving her the basic rundown on how to operate it. She beheld it like an ancient wonder, barely even attempting to hide her excitement. If she could spend all week picking it apart, she probably would. ¡°I¡¯ve heard of the Baranthurians using small boxes to communicate. Could this be a similar device?¡± ¡°Yeah, pretty much,¡± Isaac said. ¡°I do hope to make use of it, though I daresay I also hope the need for such emergencies remains¡­ theoretical.¡± She placed the device on her desk before turning to bid them farewell. Henry led his team out of the lab, heading to the front entrance. They reached the wagon station just as Valtor¡¯s convoy was about to leave. Each wagon had a driver controlling two dradaks and carried about six students crammed into the wooden frames. Valtor was already up front, climbing into his personal carriage. At the sound of a whistle, students piled in, with Alpha Team getting a wagon all to themselves. It gave them some privacy, but enough to talk freely? Not quite; they couldn¡¯t risk the driver eavesdropping. Aside from a few mundane observations, Henry found the team preoccupied with complaints. Sure, the carriage looked more ornate than an MRAP, but its suspension was sorely lacking. It felt like they were rolling over every stone and root between the academy and the forest. The driver up front didn¡¯t seem particularly concerned with the comfort of his passengers either, whipping the dradaks as if the team wasn¡¯t bouncing around in the back like unsecured cargo. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. In a reprieve for their asses, they finally arrived at their destination: the heart of the Eldralore Woods, smack dab in the middle of Armstrong Base and Eldralore, about 12 miles either way. The carriage lurched to a stop, mercifully ending the bone-jarring ride. Henry stepped out, scanning the clearing. Valtor had already disembarked, conjuring a stone platform without a gesture. Students scrambled out of the wagons, forming a semicircle around the platform. ¡°We have guests today,¡± Valtor announced in raspy monotone. ¡°They are but observers. Let not their presence distract you.¡± He tilted his head towards Henry, pausing as the students took a glance. Valtor continued, ¡°Today¡¯s lesson is simple: a continuation of our work on advanced combat magic ¨C specifically, the coordination of roles. The only difference is that today, you will not be practicing against training golems; you will face real targets. This is not for the reckless or the weak. You are not here to play with power. No¡­ you are here to master it. Precision, discipline ¨C these are what separate those who wield magic from those who are ruled by it. You shall develop control ¨C cold, deliberate control.¡± The professor lowered his platform, the raised earth fading away into the ground as if there had never been any shift in terrain. He turned away from the students and faced the forest. ¡°Our objective lies within the forest. Come.¡± Valtor led the class deeper into the forest, students chatting amongst themselves, boasting about how they¡¯d show off, or about how nervous they were. Did they even listen to the guy¡¯s ever-so-slightly menacing monologue? Shit, the way the guy talked was suspicious enough. That aside, Henry¡¯s number one suspect had yet to reveal any indication of his true loyalties. So far, Elwes was right. The students remained blissfully oblivious, continuing their banter and conversations until they reached their destination. The clearing they arrived at had all the typical signs of a hobgoblin village according to their hobgoblin dossier. Crude hovels dotted the landscape, cobbled together from wood and hides. Dilapidated wooden walls surrounded said village ¨C hopefully an indication of hobgoblin engineering ineptitude instead of a remnant of a real village long desecrated. But the worst sign of them all? The fucking smell ¨C a horrid stench of unwashed bodies, waste, and rotting meat. Valtor paused barely a few hundred meters outside of the village¡¯s perimeter to address the students again. ¡°Before we begin, there¡¯s something you must understand ¨C even these hobgoblins have their place. Vermin, yes, but still integral to the environment. I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve learned in your other classes of ecological conservation.¡± Henry tried to pull something from Valtor¡¯s words, but nothing stood out. Everything sounded frustratingly logical. Ecological conservation? Realistic, mirroring what he¡¯d learned in school about food chains. The actual lesson plan? No joy either. Instinct told him to keep an eye on the professor, but instinct wasn¡¯t evidence. All he had was the hope that something would pop up. Valtor continued, ¡°Your task shall be to unleash your might upon these hovels. But mark this well ¨C when our quarry flees, you shan¡¯t give chase. Any questions so far?¡± A girl with embroidered blonde hair raised her hand. ¡°Professor, I have not ¨C erm, many of us have come without arms.¡± Valtor sneered, seeming to weigh her worth for even asking. ¡°Ah, yes. I see some of you are just now realizing what was plainly stated in the previous lecture. You were not instructed to bring arms today ¨C this is deliberate.¡± He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose as if frustrated, before looking back up. His tone held just enough venom to remind them of their place. ¡°You will engage the hobgoblins without your precious tools. Had you paid heed, you would know that true power lies not in the weapon you carry, but in how you wield that which already resides within you.¡± He paused again ¨C not out of hesitation, but as though he found the class¡¯ discomfort a minor amusement. ¡°But of course,¡± he said, almost savoring the words, ¡°I suspect you¡¯re far more concerned with how you will manage such a feat. Allow me to demonstrate.¡± Not even a second after Valtor raised his hand, particles of dirt and rock burst forth from the ground, coalescing into humanoid shapes like the Sandman reconstituting himself. A squad of 4 golems took form ¨C a bonafide adventuring party. The one at the helm of the formation was a tank, complete with a conjured stone sword and shield. Behind it stood a lithe skirmisher brandishing compacted stone daggers, a mage with an earthen staff, and a cleric wrapped in robes so fine that the detail could probably rival the Veiled Virgin. The ground beneath them trembled, rising as a platform that allowed them to oversee the coming battle. Valtor¡¯s next gesture was so subtle it might have been a muscle spasm, yet it unleashed complete pandemonium. The tank catapulted forward, pulverizing the hobgoblins¡¯ excuse for a perimeter wall. The poor bastards near the impact zone were completely blindsided, thrown back by the sheer force of the golem¡¯s ramming maneuver. The shoddy wood collapsed in on itself, leaving a glaring opening into the village. The tank pushed forward, crushing a hobgoblin¡¯s head underneath its foot while cleaving another in two. The dazed monsters returned fire, arrows looking no better than toothpicks as they cracked against the golem¡¯s heavy shield in a futile display of resistance. The golem dashed forward, cleaning up the remnants of the perimeter¡¯s defenders by smashing their skulls in with its heavy shield before falling back. The hobgoblins, in their infinite wisdom, turned their attention to the rear golems ¨C right as the tank materialized in their path, a stone middle finger to their tactical ¡®acumen¡¯. What might have worked against uncoordinated beasts simply failed as checkers to Valtor¡¯s chess. Meanwhile, the skirmisher darted forward. It slipped between the trees like a ninja, quickly closing in on the unsuspecting hobgoblins trying to get a good shot on the golems in the rear. One of the enemy archers, still focused on the tank¡¯s position, crumpled as the skirmisher¡¯s daggers sliced through it. Before the corpse could hit the dirt, the golem had vanished, leaving nothing but death and terror in its wake. The skirmisher¡¯s trajectory suddenly veered, avoiding a patch of ground moments before a concealed hobgoblin burst from a hidden tunnel system. The ambusher hesitated, surprised. The skirmisher didn¡¯t. The hobgoblin¡¯s moment of triumph lasted precisely as long as it took the golem to slam a stone shard into its face, sending the unfortunate soul back into its own trap, brain reduced to mush. It was only then that Henry realized the suspicious quality of the golems¡¯ movements. No golem could move like that unless being controlled, and Valtor¡¯s focused look reinforced that idea. If the golems were being actively imprinted with these combat skills, then it begged the question: where the hell did Valtor pick them up? There were only a few establishments or environments in any world that could produce a master of all trades, proficient in all ways of killing. Perhaps there was more to his background after all. Valtor¡¯s hand twitched again. The mage golem stepped forward, flanked by the tank and cleric. They moved as one unit towards the hobgoblin stronghold in the center of the village. The tank led the charge, its shield a veritable wall of ¡®fuck you¡¯ to anything in its path. Behind this mobile fortress, the mage golem ¨C or rather, Valtor ¨C unleashed hell. Casting for the golem, he summoned lightning from the mage¡¯s staff to smite the hobgoblin front line, reducing it to a twitching, smoldering mess. Those lucky enough to survive found themselves caught in a slew of mud, their movements reduced to a geriatric crawl. In a last-ditch effort born of either desperation or suicidal idiocy, the hobgoblin archers attempted a flank and loosed a volley. The cleric golem¡¯s response was as expected ¨C a shimmering barrier materialized, arrows bouncing harmlessly off of it while the skirmisher skewered the sorry bastards. The mage golem, apparently not one for breathers, kept up its arcane onslaught. Waves of fire, ice, and stone alternated in a dizzying display of elemental mastery. Even the term ¡®obliteration¡¯ seemed quaintly inadequate. As far as Henry could tell, the professor was the real deal. Rumors on campus put him up there with Kelmithus - Tier 9. While Valtor didn''t have any crazy artillery spells enhanced by modern science, being able to multitask that well with high-tier spells and sophisticated melee combat was proof enough of his strength. Dozens of the monsters lay dead ¨C devastation worthy of compelling the chieftain out of its tent. Easily twice the size of its kin, it brandished a crackling maul that sparked with crude magic. Its arrival galvanized the remaining forces, who rallied around their leader with renewed vigor and formed a secondary defensive line. The golems stopped, giving the hobgoblins space as they formed their own line. Valtor finally stirred, addressing the wide-eyed students. ¡°And that,¡± he announced, ¡°is how one commands the flow of battle.¡± He swept a hand toward the hobgoblins, now a compact, defensible unit instead of the scattered rabble they¡¯d been minutes before. ¡°I¡¯ve left you a challenge more¡­ palatable. Now, let us see what you¡¯ve learned. The field is yours.¡± As the platform sank, Henry soaked in the students¡¯ faces. He didn¡¯t need to be a psyker to read such an open book. Confusion melted into realization, then solidified into determination ¨C or in some cases, pure, unadulterated panic. The gap between Valtor¡¯s nonchalant mastery and the students¡¯ deer-in-wandlights vulnerability probably seemed insurmountable to some of the kids. Henry realized that the professor had given the students all they needed. Sure, they could go ahead and try to summon their own golems and puppeteer them, but the answer was much more simple. At the end of the day, the golems were simply conjured rock. Similarly, all the kids needed to do was create some stone equipment for themselves. A well-built ginger guy up front ¨C probably some noble¡¯s kid ¨C arrived at the same conclusion and jumpstarted the action. A sword materialized at his side, followed by a shield and armor. And just like that, the floodgates burst. Weapons and armor popped into existence, copying the lead of the ginger. Then there were the wannabe puppet masters, hoping to show their prowess by summoning golems of their own, only to fail miserably at it. Meekly, they simply followed the tried and true method practiced by the other students. Wielding their new equipment, the students hit the field. The redhead led the charge, going straight for the hobgoblin chieftain. But¡­ what was he doing? He didn¡¯t conjure a shield for himself. Did he intend to tank the arrows with his stone armor or deflect it with his sword? He did neither. Instead, a wall of earth rose to meet the incoming volley, intercepting it. He then launched said wall at the enemy ¨C a literal ton of dirt and rock crashing onto the hobgoblin ranks. He sliced through a pair of hobgoblins, bringing his sword down upon the chieftain, which blocked it with its warhammer. The kid swiveled, taking advantage of the recoil to slash right and score a hit, only to receive an uppercut that sent him flying back. He¡¯d clearly spent more time in the training yard than the banquet hall. The kid got up immediately after hitting the ground, covered by a rain of stone projectiles and spells that pinned the chieftain back. A couple seconds with a healer and he was already back in the fight. Despite the chaos of the battlefield and Henry¡¯s expectations, the class actually seemed to be coordinated, giving callouts. There were also a few squads that stood out from the rest, probably already familiar with working together from real adventuring. Of course, there were also a few who seemed to just be winging it. One kid had conjured a massive stone shield, using it as both defense and offense. He¡¯d rush forward, slam into a group of hobgoblins, then let his classmates pick off the disoriented monsters. And then there were the pure mages, relying little on conjured equipment and instead on conjurations themselves ¨C good ol¡¯ fashioned ¡®make icicles and throw them at the enemy.¡¯ While the weaker students focused on whittling down the hobgoblin count, the ginger continued his duel with the chieftain. The brutish hobgoblin caught the student again, with a backhand this time. Again, he rose up, patiently waiting several seconds for healing magic to kick in before diving back into the fray. The clash dragged on, less an epic saga and more a grueling spreadsheet of attrition. The ginger noble, initial bravado notwithstanding, found himself in a deadlock with the chieftain. Each exchange left both parties resembling particularly animated punching bags, neither quite managing to tip the scales. However, the student had something the chieftain did not: numbers. As redhead¡¯s classmates whittled down the hobgoblin ranks, the tide began to shift. The chieftain, for all its brute strength and bargain-bin magic, couldn¡¯t quite match the constant barrage as more and more students focused their attacks. It was death by a thousand cuts ¨C or rather, death by a few dozen well-placed spells and the occasional lucky sword swing. The ginger noble, while far from fresh, had the luxury of periodic tune-ups from his classmates. The chieftain, meanwhile, collected injuries like some grotesque badge of honor. A frost bolt here, a stone projectile there ¨C it didn¡¯t take a genius to see that the hobgoblin was completely cooked. Eventually, the laws of probability caught up with the monstrous commander. Its swings began to resemble a drunk trying to swat flies, its blocks about as effective as using a sieve as an umbrella. The noble, seizing an opening created by a fireball, finally landed a solid blow. The hobgoblin leader staggered, its grip on the maul loosening like a politician¡¯s grasp on ethics. Smelling blood, singed hair, and the ever-pervasive stench of shit, the students pounced. A volley of spells that could probably do some serious damage to a Humvee forced the chieftain to its knees, and the noble delivered the coup de grace with all the finesse of a particularly enthusiastic lumberjack. With that, the chieftain¡¯s head fell to the ground, blood oozing onto the forest floor. As their leader toppled with all the grace of a felled oak, the remaining hobgoblins decided that discretion was indeed the better part of valor. Those still standing beat a hasty retreat, making a mad dash for the woods. The ginger noble, despite delivering the final blow, looked about as triumphant as a marathon runner crossing the finished line on shaky legs. He leaned on his conjured sword like it was the only thing between him and an intimate encounter with gravity, not daring to conjure a seat for himself while all the ladies were watching. The victorious students, sweat-drenched and stone-dusted, didn¡¯t pursue. And all the better for it. In heeding Valtor¡¯s lesson, they managed to avoid running into a pair of creatures that emerged from the woods. Curiously, they ignored the hobgoblins, making a beeline instead toward the wrecked village and the victorious students within. Henry barely noticed it from a distance, but the pitch black of their scales damn near blended in with the shadows under the canopy. The beasts slunk forward, titans of muscle and scale, monstrosities of death and claw ¨C Vorikhas. Each stood taller than the burliest student, and even the golems Valtor had created earlier. Aligning with the dossier created by Kelmithus, the monsters¡¯ hides seemed to devour the light, enough to contend with vantablack and literal black holes. It gave them an uncanny, almost shadowy presence even in broad daylight. One student ¨C a girl who¡¯d shown promise with earth magic during the battle ¨C attempted to raise a barrier as she scrambled away. Her spell dissipated mere inches from the nearest Vorikha, its scales drinking in the magic like a sponge. Another student launched a fireball, only for the flames to sputter and die like an amateur¡¯s firebolt against the creature¡¯s hide. A lanky student, still high on victory and oblivious to the new threat, found himself mere feet from becoming an impromptu chew toy for one of the Vorikhas. It tensed its muscles, ready to pounce. Henry grabbed his Holding Bag, reaching in, but the Vorikhas were faster. And apparently, Valtor was fastest. Valtor didn¡¯t so much as move an inch. Not even a flick of his wrist, and the earth became a conveyor belt of stone and soil. The hapless student yelped as he slid backward, narrowly avoiding a set of jaws that would¡¯ve used his head as a grape. He rubbed his neck in pain. The whiplash didn¡¯t look fun, but it was definitely preferable to the alternative. Valtor walked forward with a slight look of annoyance, seeming to take responsibility in handling things. Henry kept his grip on his weapon, but held off from pulling it out of the bag. A quick glance to the sides revealed that the rest of his team thought the same way ¨C ready to arm themselves and just waiting for the go-ahead. The beast, enraged at losing its prey, reared back. The roar that followed wasn¡¯t just any random bestial cry ¨C it was magic made manifest. Trees splintered and the earth itself buckled under the onslaught. Students ran back, their own protective spells crumbling under the primal force. As soon as the Vorikhas made their move, Valtor made his. The air around the Vorikhas tightened, and suddenly their roars were cut off, trapped in bubbles of silence. Though resistant to magic itself, what could they do when the magic was instead used to part the air around them? How could they tank hits when there were no spells to absorb? In the same instant, the ground beneath their feet collapsed, burying them up to their necks. With the beasts immobilized and their primary weapon neutralized, Valtor produced a dagger from his cloak. Holding his breath, he approached the first Vorikha and planted the dagger firmly in its eye socket, ravaging the brain in the process. The beast slumped silently, the other beginning to panic as Valtor¡¯s blade neared, only for its erratic head movements to cease once the professor finished his work. The beasts simply sat there, their fearsome presence reduced to nothing more than very large, very dead obstacles. Well, it looked like Henry didn¡¯t need to expose his weapon. He loosened his grip, relaxing as Valtor returned. ¡°And that,¡± Valtor said, as if delivering a lecture on weather patterns, ¡°is what becomes of a foe when you strip it of its strengths and exploit its weaknesses.¡± ¡°This¡­ was not part of today¡¯s lesson, but you¡¯ve learned something vital nevertheless. Unforeseen threats may strike at any time, unbidden. The difference between life and death is simple: adaptation.¡± He held the gore-covered dagger aloft. Frost swept across the blade in an instant, encasing the viscera in a thin sheet of ice. Flames then engulfed the dagger, vaporizing the ice. With a simple flick to remove any lingering debris, he sheathed the blade. Valtor gestured toward the path back to the wagons. ¡°That will suffice for today. Gather yourselves, and return to the wagons. We depart at once.¡± As the students headed back, the professor used earth magic to drag the corpses of the Vorikhas along. Though Valtor hardly revealed anything of note aside from his very particular set of skills, one thing stood out to Henry: what the hell were Vorikhas doing this close to Armstrong, miles away from their natural habitat in the mountains? And why the hell did they not attack the hobgoblins? Chapter 27: D茅jè„¿ vu December 17, 2024 Eldralore Academy Henry shut the door behind him, turning to Ryan. ¡°Any alerts?¡± Ryan scrolled through his tablet, then finally shook his head. ¡°Nah,¡± came the relief-inducing response. Henry set his Holding Bag down and plopped his ass on the couch. The shit they encountered in the forest was concerning enough. Having to deal with intruders on top of that? Thank goodness they¡¯d been left alone for the time being. ¡°Alright,¡± he sighed. ¡°Safe enough to debrief, I guess. So, any takers?¡± Ron cleared his throat, sounding as exasperated as Henry expected. ¡°The Vorikhas. The way they avoided the hobs. The way Valtor clapped ¡®em so easily when it woulda taken us TOWs. The way the Vorikhas were there in the first place. Shit, where to even start?¡± Henry let out a small chuckle. It certainly was a lot to cover. He leaned forward, elbows on his knees. ¡°Guess we can start with Vorikhas in the forest.¡± ¡°Vorikhas in the forest, huh?¡± Ryan didn¡¯t rush his answer, but he didn¡¯t dwell either, like he¡¯d been mulling it over since they left the forest. His tone had that matter-of-fact certainty that came with years of hunting ¨C man and beast alike. ¡°Mountain critters like them ain¡¯t got no business wanderin¡¯ this far down. If they¡¯re movin¡¯ down, somethin¡¯s pushin¡¯ ¡®em. Could be hunger. Could be somethin¡¯ bigger.¡± Isaac frowned. ¡°Like¡­ the Ovinne Mountain Campaign driving them out of their natural habitat?¡± ¡°Perhaps,¡± Dr. Anderson said, voice tapering off, as if something didn¡¯t quite add up. ¡°But that doesn¡¯t explain why the Vorikhas passed over the hobgoblins. They prey on them, don¡¯t they? It¡¯s certainly atypical. I suppose it could be a number of factors, such as illness or ¨C¡± ¡°Or someone¡¯s fuckin¡¯ with ¡®em,¡± Ron finished bluntly. ¡°Mhmm. Shit ain¡¯t right,¡± Ryan agreed. As far as Henry was aware, there was only one sort of circumstance where monsters would simply ignore their instincts ¨C monster manipulation. ¡°Reminds me of Hardale. Similar control, but different scale. Back then it was a Tier 7 threat ¨C a bunch of goblins, fenwyrms, and treants; nothing too crazy. Now it¡¯s Vorikhas? Just twelve miles from Armstrong, too.¡± ¡°Twelve miles,¡± Isaac muttered, shaking his head. ¡°That¡¯s practically in our backyard.¡± A bit too close for comfort. Henry needed to phone this in ¨C contact Armstrong. ¡°Blue One, this is Alpha Actual, over.¡± The response came immediately, though masked by a crunching sound ¨C chips, if Henry had to guess. ¡°Alpha Actual, this is Blue One. Send traffic, over.¡± Henry took a breath, then relayed the situation. ¡°Blue one, Alpha Actual. We just confirmed presence of multiple Tier 8 hostiles ¨C Vorikhas ¨C approximately 12 miles northeast of Armstrong base in Eldralore Woods. Professor ad Stron eliminated two of them. We¡¯re currently back in Hogwarts. Hostiles exhibiting behavior consistent with magical control, with a potential Tier 9 threat in the AO. Weather is clear, though foliage may impact visibility in the forest. Request immediate UAV for ISR over Eldralore Woods. How copy? Over.¡± ¡°Alpha Actual, Blue One. Solid copy on SITREP. Stand by for instructions, over.¡± A brief pause, then the radio cut back in. ¡°Alpha Actual, Blue One. We¡¯re tasking a Reaper to Eldralore Woods. ETA 30 minutes to AO. Maintain current position and await further instructions. Acknowledge, over.¡± ¡°Blue One, Alpha Actual. Wilco. Standing by for further instructions. Out.¡± Henry turned back to his team. 30 minutes to soak in the questions that still irked them. ¡°Alright, we¡¯ve got a Reaper checking it out. Hopefully, we¡¯ll find something connecting Valtor to it.¡± Isaac raised an eyebrow. ¡°What, you still think he¡¯s involved?¡± Involved? It was a biased assumption, but Henry stood by it. Valtor had yet to slip up, maintaining his cover as a professor well ¨C almost as if he truly were a professor, down to the snarky side comments and impactful lessons. He couldn¡¯t deny that the professor had even been a significant help ¨C even if indirectly ¨C in teaching insights necessary for their Tier 7 test. Yet despite all they had learned in the forest earlier, and despite the crushing lack of evidence against Valtor, Henry couldn¡¯t shake the pit in his stomach. ¡°I¡­ don¡¯t know,¡± Henry admitted. ¡°Yeah, it doesn¡¯t make sense, but I still feel like there¡¯s something up with him. Shit, I mean, the timing? And how he handled those Vorikhas¡­¡± ¡°Like it was nothing,¡± Ron said. ¡°Ain¡¯t gon¡¯ lie, I¡¯ve never seen anyone take down Tier 8 monsters so easily. And that¡¯s coming from the guy who blew up a Minotaur Chieftain.¡± ¡°Hell, maybe the sumbitch is just that good. He¡¯s supposed to be some kinda high-speed combat instructor or some shit, ain¡¯t he? But yeah, I feel ya. What fuckin'' wizard''s out here slingin'' blades like a damn ninja?¡± ¡°Alright, let¡¯s entertain the idea,¡± Dr. Anderson said, deciding to take on the role of devil¡¯s advocate. ¡°If Valtor¡¯s pulling the strings, what¡¯s his angle?¡± ¡°Hmm¡­ Maybe to distract us?¡± Henry mused. ¡°Could be something bigger going on, bigger than the monsters. And his cover as a combat professor is perfect ¨C gives him free reign over the forest without raising any flags.¡± ¡°Yeah, but then why reveal the Vorikhas?¡± Isaac countered. ¡°If he¡¯d never shown the Vorikhas ignoring the hobgoblins, then we would¡¯ve never gotten suspicious.¡± Ron shrugged. ¡°Or maybe that¡¯s intentional, and he¡¯s tryna get us to investigate. Bite off more than we can chew, prolly get bitten and chewed in the process.¡± ¡°All fair points, but there¡¯s not enough evidence,¡± Dr. Anderson said. ¡°Far too much deniability. We don¡¯t even know if Valtor¡¯s tied to the Vorikhas at all, or whether he¡¯s working solo or with someone else. Why, we¡¯ve no way of knowing if he¡¯s behind any of this.¡± ¡°What about Lyrus?¡± Isaac asked. ¡°Shouldn¡¯t we hit him up?¡± Ryan let out a derisive snort. ¡°Shit, and tell him what exactly? Ay Dean, we reckon your new combat instructor¡¯s a Nobian spook or some puppet master ¡®cause, well, he ain¡¯t suckin¡¯ at his job? Hell, might as well ask for a one-way ticket outta here while we¡¯re at it.¡± Henry couldn¡¯t disagree with Ryan. Even if Lyrus was inclined to believe them, the Academy still had rules in place. ¡°Yeah, we gotta be careful about confirmation bias. We¡¯ll find out soon enough, anyway. Let¡¯s regroup in twenty.¡± Henry lifted himself from the couch. The team already started to disperse, everyone attending to their own needs after a tense day. He headed to the bathroom, answering nature¡¯s call while considering the Valtor situation. On his way back, he detoured to the kitchen, grabbing a glass of pinkish liquid from the fridge. The scent of berries provided a welcome distraction from the clusterfuck at hand. Ron and Isaac were already sprawled on the couch, sharing a bag of local jerky. Ryan emerged from his room, freshly showered, while Dr. Anderson read through the study guide they¡¯d found in the library earlier. Of course, the extra time to think turned out to be as useful as Henry had expected. Gravitating back together, the notes and theories they compared still amounted to about as much solid evidence as a flat-earther¡¯s presentation at a NASA conference. The radio then crackled, ¡°Alpha Actual, this is Blue One. Do you copy? Over.¡± Finally. ¡°Blue one, Alpha Actual. Solid copy, over.¡± ¡°Alpha Actual, Reaper is currently inbound to the AO over Eldralore Woods. ETA two mikes. Prepare to receive ISR feed, over.¡± Henry tapped the spacebar on his Toughbook, rousing the ATAK from its electronic slumber. Up came Eldralore in all its topographical glory. Green and brown contours emerged, a deceptively serene representation of terrain Henry knew to be anything but. ¡°Copy, Blue One. Standing by to receive feed, over.¡± ¡°Alpha Actual, feed¡¯s live. Transmitting now. Confirm receipt, over.¡± The map of Eldralore was replaced by video from the Reaper¡¯s optics complete with panels depicting thermal signatures and electromagnetic readings ¨C poetry in pixels, if one¡¯s taste ran to the militaristic. ¡°Blue One, Alpha Actual. Feed received. Over.¡± ¡°Roger that. I¡¯ll connect you to Captain Sinclair for briefing. Stand by, over.¡± Once Sinclair picked up the radio, she wasted no time on pleasantries outside of their usual protocol. ¡°Forest is showing elevated activity. I¡¯m seeing readings exceeding eleven thousand milligauss in multiple sectors. Visual confirmation of multiple Tier 8 entities, including at least four Vorikhas. Hostile movements appear coordinated. Over.¡± Great. ¡®Coordinated¡¯ was one of the words Henry least wanted to hear. ¡°Copy all, Blue Actual. We see the same on our end. Any indications of external control or command elements? A rune system, maybe? Over.¡± She responded, ¡°Negative on visual identification of control elements at this time. However, patterns are consistent with manipulation ¨C what we¡¯ve seen in Hardale. We¡¯re still assessing the data. Over.¡± Of course. Because a day without an arcane mystery was like coffee without caffeine ¨C theoretically possible, but what was the point? ¡°Understood. Recommendations? Over.¡± Captain Sinclair took a moment to respond this time, background chatter coming through in unintelligible bursts. ¡°Alpha Actual, you¡¯ll be maintaining your current position. You¡¯re authorized to coordinate with Academy staff tomorrow to inform them of the potential threat. Leverage your local insights. Do not engage or enter Eldralore Woods without express orders. Over.¡± It was too bad they didn¡¯t have anything larger than an F-35 just yet. JDAMs were a pleasant addition to their arsenal, but couldn¡¯t quite cover the area they needed. A nice MOAB - or even some good ol¡¯ saturation bombing ¨C would¡¯ve done the trick nicely. Why couldn¡¯t the Nobians have waited a couple more months before enacting their shenanigans? Henry sighed, ¡°Wilco, Blue Actual. We¡¯ll liaise with the Academy and monitor for any developments on our end. Over.¡± ¡°Additionally, gather any intel available regarding Professor Valtor ad Stron, alongside any unusual activities at the Academy that are potentially related. Transmit findings via secure channels. Over.¡± That was already hard enough. Hopefully, they¡¯d be able to get at least something done now that they had evidence of monster activity ¨C probably not enough to convict Valtor, but maybe enough to get Dean Dickwad to listen. ¡°Understood, Blue Actual. Over.¡± ¡°Alpha Actual, we¡¯ll send updates tomorrow morning at 0700, before you meet with Academy staff. Blue Actual, out.¡± ¨C ¨C Armstrong Base ¡°We¡¯re really gonna offer airstrikes and armor, huh?¡± General Harding glanced over at Ambassador Perry, dejection seeping out of his every pore. ¡°Affirmative,¡± was all he offered. The Ambassador crossed his arms. ¡°So much for minimal interference.¡± ¡°Well, the Nobians shouldn¡¯t have fucked around, then. Besides, it¡¯s not like we have a Prime Directive,¡± General Harding said. Perry¡¯s silence was its own response. He simply sighed, watching the approaching Sonaran convoy. Six carriages in total, flanked by mounted knights in¡­ not-so-shiny armor. Well, that was a surprise. In contrast to the gleaming visage they boasted a few weeks ago, the armor now looked muddied ¨C camouflaged, almost, as if trying to mimic what they¡¯d seen and learned from their visits to Armstrong. The formation was standard high-level diplomatic stuff for this world, but seeing it against the backdrop of T-walls, HESCO barriers, and razor wire was still a jolt. Overkill for a twenty-mile ride? Maybe. But with the recent monster activity, he couldn''t blame them for being prudent. He''d have done the same. The lead carriage rolled to a stop, the dradaks¡¯ flanks heaving from the journey. The escorting knights dismounted, establishing a protective cordon around the carriages in very much the same way the Secret Service would ¨C except with swords and bows instead of guns. They kept a respectful distance from the base¡¯s guards, keeping their weapons sheathed. Once the perimeter was secure, a knight came out of the rear carriage. Unlike the others, he had the usual shimmering armor; ornamental, perhaps. Or maybe he didn¡¯t want to risk ruining whatever enchantments it had. He must¡¯ve been Captain Orlen. Harding hadn¡¯t met the man personally, but the sight triggered a sense of recognition, almost as if familiarity was an inevitability between men of their stature. Much like the Duke himself, Orlen probably wasn¡¯t someone who could plan or execute a high-altitude airdrop, but the broader principles of warfare, of loyalty and dedication, remained the same. Duke Vancor ad Styne emerged last, guided by Orlen. The man¡¯s gaze swept over the base ¨C cataloging the changes since his last visit. He didn¡¯t hide his shock at all, but it was hard to determine what he might¡¯ve been impressed about. The new technology? The speed at which they¡¯ve built up the base? Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original. ¡°Welcome back to Armstrong Base, Duke ad Styne,¡± Harding called out, stepping forward with a firm handshake. ¡°General Harding,¡± Vancor replied, his grip as unyielding as ever. ¡°Your fortifications have swelled since last I set foot here. Most wise.¡± ¡°Can¡¯t be too careful,¡± Harding said, ¡°especially with the neighborhood being rough as it is.¡± Vancor gave a nod. ¡°Aye, the roads and forests are thick with vermin. But let them come; I have seen darker times, and bolder men brought low. We shall be prepared, ere the day is done.¡± Harding glanced at the muddied armor of the knights. ¡°I see you¡¯ve also been updating your tactical wardrobe.¡± Vancor smiled, as if he¡¯d been waiting for Harding to notice. ¡°Indeed. After watching your men, we found some merit in letting the earth itself lend us its cover.¡± General Harding simply hummed in response. He¡¯d have thought the Sonarans would be the quintessential medieval fantasy civilization, but between the various studies conducted by their anthropology department and what he learned just now, it seemed folly to think otherwise. These guys were adaptable, through and through. Respectable, but also dangerous. He could probably expect the same ¨C or better ¨C from the Nobians. ¡°Your Grace, good to see you again,¡± Ambassador Perry greeted the man. ¡°Shall we proceed?¡± They got through the formalities fairly quickly as they stepped away from the main entrance and began their brief journey to the main command center by the gateway. As regal as the Duke seemed, he was a warrior at heart ¨C more at home in war rooms than at soirees; more appreciative of concision than of small talk. Harding brought him up to speed on the incident in the forest as they walked. ¡°We¡¯ve managed to visually confirm at least 4 Tier 8 Vorikhas, alongside hundreds of hobgoblins, treants, fenwyrms, and rillifanes of various Tiers. The mana in the region ¨C or at least, the way we¡¯ve been detecting it so far ¨C appears consistent with what we¡¯ve seen in the Gatebuilder site Alpha Team and Kelmithus have explored recently.¡± Vancor exhaled. His smile revealed a troubled mind ¨C one that was simultaneously relieved and concerned. ¡°So, this is the cause that spares me that tiresome dinner. Fate, it seems, has a curious sense of humor.¡± He chuckled. ¡°Though, had I known it would bring a threat to rival the Sentinel Lindwyrm, I might have chosen the lesser torment. Tier 9, you say? We shall need more than a ceremony and gilded arms for this.¡± If there was one thing Harding liked about the Duke, it would certainly be his levity, though that was hardly the only thing. ¡°I¡¯m afraid it¡¯s no laughing matter, Your Grace. Though I assure you, we¡¯ve moved well beyond ¡®gilded arms.¡¯ If our Apaches can handle a Sentinel Lindwyrm, I¡¯m sure our jets and tanks¡¯ll do a damn sight more than ceremony ever could.¡± Vancor damn near started to grin, his eyes narrowing like he was trying to picture what Harding was describing, and then coming up empty. ¡°A curious thing, these ¡®jets¡¯ and ¡®tanks.¡¯ Your Apaches proved formidable enough against the Sentinel Lindwyrm ¨C a fear not easily achieved. If these new weapons possess such power, perhaps our foes will tremble long before they face our steel.¡± The man¡¯s enthusiasm was hard to miss, though he probably had no clue what a tank actually was. Vancor¡¯s imagination probably didn¡¯t have a framework for a jet screaming through the sky at Mach 2, either, but that wasn¡¯t as important as the message itself. ¡°If we¡¯re lucky, they won¡¯t get the chance to tremble. By the time they hear us, it¡¯s already too late. From what your Archmage tells us though, we might be looking at something a bit more complex.¡± Harding led them up the stairs inside the command center, turning right. ¡°Situation room¡¯s this way. We¡¯ll give you the full picture once we¡¯re in there.¡± To Harding¡¯s mild surprise, Vancor didn¡¯t bat an eye at the technological wonderland before him. Seen a computer, seen them all? After offering a nonchalant nod to Kelmithus, the Duke focused his attention on the various maps ¨C those he could understand, despite the methodology of sourcing the intel itself. Screens became reports and maps, analysts became advisors, and the whole situation room from Vancor¡¯s perspective probably appeared no different from a war room in a castle ¨C albeit one with significantly better lighting and climate control. ¡°Impressive,¡± was the man¡¯s only reaction, seeming already at home. ¡°Now then, what is the situation?¡± Captain Sinclair introduced herself before laying it all on the Sonarans. Since their communication with Alpha Team, they¡¯d confirmed 7 Vorikhas in total. Though lacking visual confirmation, the numbers alone were enough to heavily imply the presence of a pack leader: a Tier 9 Vorikha Apex. Alongside the notable absence of infighting and territorial disputes among the various species, this strongly supported what they¡¯d suspected all along ¨C the second coming of the Hardale incident. This time, however, they wouldn¡¯t be dealing with fodder easily handled by .50 cal. ¡°We¡¯ve also identified five potential strike zones,¡± Sinclair said, gesturing to one of the screens. The map displayed glowing nodes around the Eldralore Woods, clustered like seismic activity markers on an earthquake map. ¡°These locations show the highest concentration of magical interference, and we¡¯ve been detecting consistent spikes in milligauss readings. Comparing it to what we¡¯ve seen in Hardale, we think there¡¯s a rune system at play, plus 4 other conduits. However¡­ The data is imprecise. Each zone covers a radius of approximately half a mile to one full mile.¡± Harding had figured as much. As useful as their MacGyvered tech was, its capabilities were limited ¨C only impressive because nothing else could detect mana. ¡°So, while we¡¯ve isolated five zones, we can¡¯t pinpoint exactly which one contains the rune system. The conduits we¡¯re picking up are likely feeding into the main rune system, but we can¡¯t distinguish between them with the tools we have.¡± Captain Orlen spoke up, ¡°General, could we not make use of your flying machines to bombard the targets?¡± Harding nodded to Kelmithus, who answered for him. ¡°The zones are too vast, and the resources required to raze the forest entirely too great, to speak nothing of the ruin of our own lands. A preliminary bombardment, lacking precision, could well stir the beasts to assault us before we stand ready. We must proceed with care, lest we invite calamity upon ourselves.¡± Vancor took a seat, steepling his fingers on the table. ¡°I concur with the Archmage ¨C haste may well court disaster. Should our enemies catch wind of our intent or we strike amiss, we risk provoking a full-scale assault upon Eldralore. Our fortifications stand ready, as ever, but time to strengthen them further would serve us well.¡± Fortifications aside, the monsters were already gathering. The Vorikhas, the hobgoblins ¨C who knew just how much worse the situation could get? Though they had mortar units and even an MLRS, strategic bombers were on hold until after New Year¡¯s. Pushing troops into the forest was too big a risk; with the forest right in between Armstrong and Eldralore, neither he nor the Duke could spare men for an assault. The best play right now ¨C perhaps the only play ¨C was defense. ¡°How long do you need?¡± Harding asked. ¡°Two days, at the very least,¡± Vancor replied. ¡°Though if it were mine to choose, I would ask for two weeks. Should I deem our defenses sufficient, you may launch your preliminary bombardment to prevent their numbers from swelling.¡± Harding rubbed his chin. 2 weeks was a lot of time ¨C both for their own preparations and for the presumed Nobians behind the monster manipulation. ¡°How fast could their numbers grow?¡± Harding asked. Sinclair pulled up a chart on another screen, showing a curve reflecting the estimated growth rate of the monster population. ¡°Well, we¡¯re assuming the monsters are migrating in from other regions. On the bright side, we know their growth is logarithmic.¡± Vancor leaned forward. In no surprise, he seemed to understand Sinclair¡¯s words well; expected of a ruler of a fortress city at the edge of Sonaran civilization. ¡°The forest¡¯s limits are evident, but have they means of resupply from without? When you noted their gatherings, did you see the beasts feeding? If so, it follows that the Nobians have provisioned them to support a larger force.¡± Sinclair nodded. ¡°There are signs of that, yes. We¡¯ve seen clusters near water sources, and it seems the Vorikhas are taking down game in the outer regions of the forest. Their current numbers seem manageable, which is, ironically, a good thing.¡± ¡°They likely won¡¯t attack until they¡¯re over capacity,¡± Harding deduced. He sighed. Just a single B-52 would¡¯ve given them the perfect solution, but he had to make do with what he had. ¡°Alright. We¡¯ll keep monitoring the forest. In the meantime, we¡¯ll prepare our forces. If the monsters advance, we¡¯ll engage them outside your walls ¨C thin their ranks ¨C while your men handle what reaches Eldralore.¡± Vancor nodded. He agreed with the plan, likely seeing it as the best option they had, but certainly didn¡¯t enjoy it. ¡°Then we abandon our search for the rune system.¡± But did they need to? Harding raised an eyebrow at Sinclair. She understood his unspoken thoughts as well as a telepath might. ¡°Not necessarily. An opening is inevitable ¨C either we get lucky over the next few days and find it and bomb it, or we deploy a strike team to search for the device when the enemy finally commits the bulk of their forces to an attack.¡± ¡°A contingency, then,¡± Vancor mused, leaning back in his chair. Kelmithus cleared his throat, stepping up to provide a suggestion that was already on the tip of Harding¡¯s tongue. ¡°If we are to send a strike team, Alpha Team may be best suited for the task. I would accompany them, as would Lady Sindis.¡± Vancor stood from his seat. ¡°Very well. Then we have our strategy.¡± Harding nodded, rising as well. ¡°We¡¯ll keep you updated on any developments. In the meantime, since we¡¯re running ahead of schedule, let¡¯s see if we can get you back to that dinner of yours.¡± A deep chuckle escaped Vancor¡¯s mouth, the weariness of the meeting evident in his tone. ¡°Ah, if only such trivialities were the worst of it. By now, no doubt, the wine has turned and the conversation descended into banalities unworthy of note. I imagine my absence is hardly lamented.¡± He stretched lightly, casting a glance toward the screens. ¡°But you are right, General ¨C perhaps I should indeed raise a glass. Though, I fear the drink I shall require for this campaign must be of a far stouter vintage than that which has been laid upon the table this evening. And perhaps your men, too, will need drinks, ere they¡¯re sent unto their great quest.¡± ¨C ¨C December 18, 2024 Eldralore Academy Henry groaned, rubbing his eyes as he checked the time ¨C a soul-crushing 0630 compared to what he¡¯d enjoyed the past few days. Back to early mornings, it seemed. The brief taste of academic luxury had spoiled him faster than unpasteurized mystery milk left out under the light of Sola. Right on cue, his Toughbook chimed, signaling an incoming video call. Henry accepted it, and Captain Sinclair¡¯s face appeared on the screen. ¡°Alpha Team, this is Blue Actual. Everyone present?¡± Sinclair began, seemingly unbothered by these hours. ¡°Alpha Actual, acknowledging. We¡¯re all here. Go ahead, Blue Actual.¡± ¡°Still counting sheep, I see. Maybe this¡¯ll wake you up.¡± A new file popped up beside Sinclair¡¯s face. Henry opened it, scrolling through the contents as Sinclair explained, ¡°We have new updates on the monster party, plus yesterday¡¯s meeting with Duke Vancor. Hate to break it to you, but intel suggests high probability of a Tier 9 Vorikha Apex in Eldralore Woods. Visual confirmation still pending, but with 7 Vorikhas runnin¡¯ around, I recommend you treat it as a guarantee.¡± Fuck, if that didn¡¯t snap the grogginess right outta Henry. And everyone else too, if the wide-eyed stares around him were anything to go by. A Tier 9 Vorikha Apex? Fantastic. As if regular Vorikhas weren¡¯t already enough of a pain in the ass ¨C and they hadn¡¯t even fought one yet! At least the Sentinel Lindwyrm offered Thunder 1-2 a big, fat target to aim at. Henry could scarcely imagine what that¡¯d be like ¨C probably like fighting the Spiranid Queen, but ten times worse. Their best chance would be an engagement on open ground, assuming their MRAPs could move fast enough to kite a speeding monstrosity on crack. Unfortunately, it didn¡¯t end there. ¡°We¡¯re also looking at five potential zones where the rune system might be hiding ¨C each a square mile on average. The Duke doesn¡¯t have the forces to spare for an offensive, so we¡¯re focusing on defense for now.¡± Sinclair proceeded to outline the strategy cooked up in yesterday¡¯s meeting with Duke Vancor. It wasn¡¯t exactly a defensive masterpiece, but it was the best they could manage with their current constraints and lack of heavier assets. ¡°Understood, Blue Actual. Any other uh¡­ pertinent information?¡± Henry could already guess where this was heading. Sinclair smirked in a way that made Henry almost regret asking ¨C not that it would¡¯ve mattered. ¡°Well, if you¡¯re asking for good news, Alpha Actual, then that¡¯s an affirmative. We¡¯re evaluating options for a search and destroy mission targeting the rune system controlling these creatures. Your team is being considered for this operation, alongside Sir ad Helis and Lady ad Sindis.¡± Chances were, the Tier 9 Vorikha would probably be guarding said rune system, not to mention the backup it could call from the surrounding monster-infested forest. It was no wonder Sinclair said to treat it as a guarantee. He didn¡¯t even need psionics to sense the groans from his team. So much for their ¡®relaxing¡¯ academy stint. Couldn¡¯t they have given the job to Taldren? At the very least, Henry could hope that a JDAM would take the load off them. He sighed. ¡°Solid copy, Blue Actual. What¡¯s our timeline looking like?¡± ¡°Still in the planning stages,¡± Sinclair replied. ¡°It¡¯s just a contingency, if we do ever find an opening. For now, your orders are to brief Dean ad Caldwin on the situation. The Archmage has already apprised him of the situation via aethergraph, so the Dean should be expecting you. We¡¯re sending the documents to your phones and tablets as well ¨C show him the data we collected and make sure he understands our defensive strategy.¡± ¡°Roger that, Blue Actual.¡± Henry acknowledged, already bracing for what promised to be a fun conversation with the ever-so-welcoming Dean. ¡°Alpha Actual, out.¡± Henry turned to his team as the call ended. ¡°Well then, Dean¡¯s office opens at 0800. We¡¯ve got a bit of time for a quick breakfast.¡± They settled for something light ¨C bread and jam with herb-enhanced scrambled eggs on the side. Not the best option, but satisfactory enough. As they made their way across campus, the morning air still carried a chill that made Henry wish he¡¯d grabbed an extra layer. Freezing temperatures aside, the falling snow painted the campus as a sort of winter wonderland ¨C pretty, serene, peaceful, juxtaposing. The grounds were quiet, most students probably still cocooned in their beds, blissfully unaware of the shitstorm brewing in the woods beyond the Academy walls. They finally reached the administrative building and made their way to Lyrus¡¯ office, the door already open. The Dean sat behind his desk, looking up as they approached. ¡°Ah, Captain Donnager,¡± he greeted, his tone polite but noncommittal ¨C the way people sound when they¡¯ve had too much coffee but none of it strong enough. ¡°I understand you have some¡­ pressing matters to discuss?¡± Henry stepped into the office, his team filing in behind him. ¡°Good morning, Dean,¡± he nodded. "You¡¯ve received Kelmithus¡¯ aethergraph message?¡± ¡°Yes, I have. The disturbances within the forest are already known to me; I find myself at a loss as to why your presence in this matter is either necessary or desired.¡± Dean Dickhead, at it again. Did he really need to be so difficult? Henry bit back a retort; he couldn¡¯t waste Kelmithus¡¯ influence. ¡°I¡¯m here to brief you, at Kelmithus¡¯ request.¡± Henry pulled out his tablet and laid it on the desk, starting with the aerial snapshots of the monster activity. Lyrus reclined in his chair, eyeing the device with a reluctance so thinly veiled that anyone could see it ¨C though, of course, the Dean hadn¡¯t even bothered to mask it. ¡°Pray, Captain, what precisely is it that I am expected to discern from these¡­ images? I¡¯ve no need for redundancies.¡± Fair enough. The images of monsters didn¡¯t really add anything new to Lyrus¡¯ understanding. Henry scrolled past them, landing at the EMF data they¡¯d collected. ¡°We believe that the monster activity is artificial in nature ¨C monster manipulation magic, coordinated through a rune system. These zones here show mana levels aligning with Tier 9 magic, and a closer look at the monster activity shows various species ¨C even aggressive, territorial ones ¨C coexisting. Predators and prey feeding alongside one another, sharing shelter, hell, displaying a complete lack of aggression.¡± Lyrus¡¯ eyes narrowed as he grudgingly examined the evidence. Even he had to take them seriously. ¡°This is¡­ concerning,¡± he admitted, though his tone suggested he¡¯d rather eat glass than agree with Henry. ¡°Curious, Professor ad Stron had reported this as an anomaly yesterday, though one attributed to unusual migration.¡± Now that was something of note. Of course, it was possible that the whole fiasco might seem to be ¡®unusual migration¡¯, but to someone like Valtor, who apparently had extensive knowledge about monster ecology and behavior? ¡°With all due respect, Dean, this goes beyond a simple migration. The evidence points to deliberate monster manipulation on a large scale. The Duke is already fortifying the city¡¯s defenses.¡± Lyrus scoffed. ¡°And I suppose you must have some brilliant recommendation, Captain?¡± Henry accepted Lyrus¡¯ challenge. ¡°I think an investigation on Professor ad Stron is warranted. The discrepancy between his report and our findings is¡­ significant.¡± The Dean¡¯s face clouded over. ¡°Investigate one of my professors? That¡¯s prepo¨C¡± He paused. Though an incredulous proposition, it looked like they were starting to win him over. ¡°Hm¡­¡± Henry had to capitalize, starting with what Sera had told him. ¡°Isn¡¯t it strange that the ad Stron lineage is hardly known?¡± He pressed. ¡°A Tier 9 combat mage ¨C who taught him? Where did he learn all of his skills from? That aside, how could a mage of his caliber not notice Tier 9 magic in the area?¡± Lyrus sat in stony silence for a long moment. Henry pressed just a bit further, ¡°We could also get Kelmithus¡¯ input. We¡¯re sure he¡¯d agree.¡± The Dean finally spoke, each word seeming to cost him physical pain. ¡°Very well. I will¡­ consider your recommendation.¡± Chapter 28: Trigger Condition December 22, 2024 Eldralore Academy ¡°Still nothing?¡± Henry asked. Around the dining table, the rest of Alpha Team simply shrugged or shook their heads. Ryan looked up from his notebook. ¡°Nah, got nothin¡¯ at all.¡± ¡°Well,¡± Dr. Anderson interjected, ¡°the Dean did find Valtor¡¯s background ¨C or lack thereof ¨C rather suspicious.¡± ¡°But no physical evidence of espionage,¡± Henry guessed. The Doc shook his head. The news was unfortunate but expected for any talented operative. They may as well have been working against a KGB super-spy, adept in OPSEC and combat all the same. However, Henry knew they were capable of slipping up; the revelation in the forest was evidence enough of their limits. It was only a matter of time before the next one occurred. Hopefully, they¡¯d find something during their excursion to the arena. Henry gathered his things. ¡°Got one last major place to check. Let¡¯s see if Valtor¡¯s tryna mess around with the tournament.¡± Arenas: the terrorist¡¯s playground of choice, whether dealing with Earth¡¯s finest nutcases or Gaerra¡¯s magically inclined psychopathic assassins. Predictable, really. Henry had to admit, if the Nobians were planning something, this would be the place. One well-executed strike and voila ¨C Eldralore¡¯s magical society gets a surprise facelift, minus a few hundred faces. The cream of Sonaran potential, wiped clean ¨C from rising students to nobles who¡¯d probably never lifted a finger in their lives, all conveniently gathered in one place like a gift-wrapped present. It¡¯d be catastrophic, not to mention the political fallout for Sonara over the deaths of international guests in attendance. He could almost admire the efficiency, if it wasn¡¯t so utterly horrifying. They¡¯d accomplish the elimination of powerful assets and the tactical pruning of the next generation, all while sending a message that the Nobians were already in Sonaran cities, simply waiting to strike. Subtle as a sledgehammer, yet undeniably effective. At the arena¡¯s entrance, Henry nodded toward one of the guards present. Just a few days building trust with Lyrus had been well worth it. The guard stepped to the side, granting access as if it had been decided long before they arrived. Walking inside, Henry pulled out his handheld EMF meter ¨C no oddities yet. ¡°Alright. Owens, you¡¯re with me for the upper levels ¨C let¡¯s check the VIP area and seats. Hayes, Yen, Doc, look through the ground floor. Focus on any structural supports, columns, beams, and load-bearing walls. Anything that could conceal or anchor something. Keep an eye on high-traffic areas too ¨C walkways, stairs, entrances, exits.¡± Henry started with the grand staircase leading to the VIP section. The device remained silent, its display showing only the ambient magical energy of the surrounding environment. ¡°Huh,¡± he muttered, reaching the top. ¡°Nothing on the main approach.¡± ¡°Strange?¡± Ron asked. Henry looked back at the stairway. ¡°Maybe. Probably not high-traffic enough to warrant traps.¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Ron scratched his chin, looking around the vast arena, ¡°but shit, there¡¯s like 30 other stairways. Tons of places to hide.¡± Henry nodded. ¡°Yeah, alright. Let¡¯s clear this out. I¡¯ll take the north side.¡± They split up, Henry starting with the area reserved for the highest-ranking guests. Yet, after almost half an hour of searching, he found nothing. No traps under the seats, no bombs hidden away in containers, no traces of runes. The absence was more unsettling than any discovery could have been, almost begging the question: did he miss something? He paused, frowning. The VIP area should have been a prime target. The Nobians weren¡¯t known for half-measures or mercy, yet the best place for a strike remained unnervingly devoid of threats. ¡°Think I got something,¡± Ron called out, shaking Henry from his thoughts. Henry made his way over to Ron, who stood before a¡­ silvery sphere mounted on a pedestal? The Sonarans always had a penchant for the unusual ¨C or the impractical. This sphere was probably no exception. ¡°What¡¯s this?¡± he asked, studying the object. The surface appeared to be covered in runes, though for what purpose, Henry could hardly guess. Ron shrugged. ¡°Fancy decoration, I guess. But here, check this out.¡± He pointed to a small panel near the base of the pedestal. ¡°Looks like an access port, kinda.¡± Henry crouched for a closer look. The panel wasn¡¯t elaborate by any means ¨C just a simple recessed plate with what looked like a manual trigger mechanism consisting of interlocking grooves. Not daring to mess around with pressing the plate, he scanned it with his EMF meter. The magic inside was powerful, but contained ¨C a few thousand milligauss up close, and likely much higher if the device was activated. ¡°Must be one of those wards Kelmithus mentioned.¡± He stood up, examining the sphere more thoroughly. Like a radome, the sphere was likely designed to project magic outward in a hemispherical pattern, all while masquerading as a simple decoration. Had the Sonarans figured this out on their own, or were they borrowing from Baranthurian design philosophy? The Doc would probably love to take a crack at the technical details, but that wasn¡¯t Henry¡¯s concern right now. Yeah, it was definitely a ward emitter ¨C that much was obvious. But what did Ron find so special about it? ¡°Yup, now take a look at this.¡± Ron bent forward, his frame lowering just enough to bring his eyes level with a gap between the sphere and the pedestal it rested on. Henry knelt beside him. ¡°Huh. That ain¡¯t right. These are supposed to be sealed tight, aren¡¯t they?¡± ¡°Mhmm,¡± Ron agreed. ¡°And it¡¯s not sitting perfectly. Kinda like it¡¯s propped up, but just enough to leave space underneath and go unnoticed otherwise.¡± Great. They¡¯d finally found something important. And great, now they had to deal with this shit. The misalignment was subtle, but definitely deliberate. The only question was, to what end? And hell, how could they even determine that? ¡°Alright, we can¡¯t deactivate it or move it ourselves. How we gonna see what¡¯s under there?¡± Ron scratched his head, finally straightening with a clear eureka moment. ¡°You got that borescope shit right? Part of the site exploitation stuff?¡± ¡°What,¡± Henry tilted his head, ¡°you mean the snake camera? Yeah, I think I got it. Lemme check.¡± He reached into his Holding Bag, fumbling through the site exploitation equipment until he found it ¨C a rolled wire with a USB-C cable on one end and a tubular camera on the other. ¡°Got it.¡± The cable connected to his toughpad with a soft click, a notification popping up as it detected the external device. As the live feed flickered on, Henry turned to Ron. ¡°Keep your meter on the thing. Anything goes crazy, let me know and I¡¯ll pull out.¡± ¡°Aight, I gotchu.¡± Henry inched the camera forward, keeping his hand steady. The interior of the sphere mirrored the smooth exterior, similarly studded with runes. He angled the camera downward, focusing on the pedestal¡¯s surface. And, surprise, surprise ¨C another rune. Unlike the thinly etched runes associated with the sphere, this one had been carved with a wider tool, possibly a knife. He couldn¡¯t recognize the rune itself, but he¡¯d learned enough about them and wards to know that this certainly wasn¡¯t a part of the original design. He snapped several pictures of the rune and the interior of the sphere, complementing it with a panning video of the whole setup before he pulled out the camera. ¡°I found four other wards earlier,¡± Ron said pointing at the corners of the room. ¡°Should check ¡®em.¡± Henry couldn¡¯t agree more. They moved to the next emitter, repeating the process. It showed no signs of tampering ¨C just a perfectly boring, untouched sphere on its pedestal. Without a gap to peer inside, there was no way of telling if the interior was messed up. Unsealing it just to check was a risk he didn¡¯t want to take; might as well leave it to the academy staff. The third and fourth spheres were less cooperative, each containing hidden runes similar to the first. They looked identical, as far as he could tell, likely rigged to cast the same spell. Henry snapped some more pictures, saving the documentation for both Elwes and Armstrong. The final emitter was lackluster, though probably for the best. Henry carefully retracted the camera. They¡¯d definitely seen enough. Henry tapped the push-to-talk button on his vest, lowering his mouth to his collar. ¡°Alpha Team, Alpha Actual. Just found defensive wards; looked like someone tampered with them ¨C scratched new runes that we can¡¯t ID. Any updates?¡± ¡°Yeah, we done come across some runes too,¡± Ryan¡¯s voice came up. ¡°Sent y¡¯all the pictures. They¡¯re up under the main seats, some scratched near the base of the columns, like someone wanted ¡®em hidden but close enough to matter. Reckon they ain¡¯t supposed to be there.¡± ¡°Copy,¡± Henry said, watching the notification pop up on his tablet. ¡°Keep looking. I¡¯ll radio Elwes.¡± Swapping to his handheld radio, he updated her on the runes. ¡°Ah, I do hope I¡¯m using this properly. I¡¯ve received your message and will be there promptly. Be sure not to touch any of them,¡± Elwes warned. ¡°Now how does one end this? Is it this button here? Yes, I daresay I¡¯ll try ¨C¡± The radio clicked as she ended the transmission. Her awkward sign-off lightened the mood a bit, but did little to dispel the tension surrounding the mysterious runes. For all Henry knew, they might as well be ticking time bombs, primed and waiting for the right conditions to detonate. He¡¯d be damn sure not to touch them. Speculation with Ron confirmed his suspicions ¨C bombs seemed the likely culprit. The placement under the main seats and near critical structural supports pointed to one goal: maximum devastation. Their only consolation, grim as it was, lay in the likelihood that detonation wouldn¡¯t occur until a sizeable target was present. Elwes arrived after a lengthy five minutes, striding into the VIP section. ¡°Captain Donnager, Lieutenant Owens,¡± she greeted. ¡°Professor.¡± Henry approached her with his tablet. He swiped through the images, starting with the untouched wards. ¡°These are what the wards are normally supposed to look like, right? Completely sealed?¡± Elwes leaned over the tablet, squinting. ¡°Yes,¡± she replied, her voice carrying a trace of expectation. Henry swiped to the next set, showcasing the wards that had a gap between the sphere and the pedestal. ¡°Alright, so I¡¯m guessing these aren¡¯t supposed to look like this?¡± The professor shook her head, confirming Henry¡¯s suspicions. Now, the more pressing concern. ¡°And I¡¯m guessing these runes aren¡¯t supposed to be there either?¡± He offered her the device. Elwes took the tablet, swiping too hard at first. She hesitated, then tried again, copying the gesture she¡¯d seen him use. Henry had no doubt that under different circumstances, she''d be absorbed by the device, fiddling with it out of curiosity. But now, her attention stayed locked on the screen, studying the runes. ¡°Captain, the instruments you used to capture these pictures ¨C they¡¯re purely electromechanical, are they not? No¡­ magical components?¡± ¡°Yeah,¡± Henry confirmed. ¡°Nothing magical about ¡®em.¡± Elwes¡¯ shoulders visibly relaxed. ¡°Thank heavens. These runes¡­ I suspect they are fashioned to trigger upon reaching a certain mana threshold. Had a detection spell been cast too near, I daresay the result could have been most calamitous.¡± Henry felt his stomach tighten. If not for their tech, they probably would¡¯ve triggered one of those landmines. ¡°How bad are we talking here?¡± Elwes looked up from the tablet, apparently not needing any more study, as if she¡¯d figured it out already. ¡°The runes are of¡­ an explosive nature.¡± ¡°So they¡¯re bombs,¡± Ron said. ¡°Indeed.¡± The professor folded her arms, confusion settling into her face. ¡°However, they appear fashioned to detonate only upon contact with Tier 9 magic.¡± Tier 9? It made little sense to Henry. ¡°No way the crowd¡¯s ambient mana could set that off. Maybe spells flying around during the tournament itself?¡± ¡°No, perhaps not. The students¡¯ spells reach but Tier 8 at most. And the nobles¡¯ gallery stands too far removed from the ring for any magic cast there to affect these runes.¡± The situation didn¡¯t sit well with Ron, either. ¡°In that case, why make a trap that¡¯s pretty much impossible to trigger unless someone¡¯s investigating? Wouldn¡¯t that uh, defeat the purpose of taking out a bunch of important nobles?¡± Elwes shrugged. ¡°I fear we''ve missed some vital piece. There must be more to this design we''ve yet to uncover.¡± Henry gave it some thought, but perhaps it was time to move on. Maybe they¡¯d figure out something later. ¡°What about these runes? We found them under the seats and around the columns.¡± She analyzed the new set of images, eyes narrowing again. ¡°They, too, are explosive runes. Though¡­ they differ markedly from the first few. I dare say, they are designed to respond to a continuous flow of magical force, perhaps corresponding to the presence of a thousand souls or more.¡± Henry frowned. ¡°A thousand? That¡¯s about how many people the arena holds, right?¡± Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. ¡°Aye. Should such power be sustained for no less than ten minutes, I fear the runes would detonate.¡± Elwes paused, no doubt grappling with the severity of the threat. ¡°The force of the initial blast would wreak great destruction; yet, I find myself more concerned with the release of magical energy thereafter.¡± Henry crossed his arms. ¡°Enough to reach Tier 9, I¡¯m guessing?¡± The realization hit Elwes hard. ¡°Yes, I believe so¡­ By Sola¡¯s light, it would surely rouse those more potent runes we uncovered ere now.¡± Henry remained silent. The system was apparently designed to work without intervention ¨C a brutal but effective solution to the lack of remote detonators. The Nobians were crafty, more than he would¡¯ve liked. Once more, they¡¯ve proven themselves a near-peer enemy, one that¡¯d make underestimation a fatal mistake. ¡°We need to lock this down,¡± he finally said, looking at Elwes. ¡°Can you tell Lyrus? Get him over here, maybe?¡± It wasn¡¯t his favorite idea, but it had to be done. Elwes gave a brisk nod. ¡°I shall reach out to him at once.¡± The professor raised her hand, summoning a small, spectral familiar that looked like a crow. She leaned in and spoke quietly, then released it. The familiar flew off swiftly, disappearing through the window. A few moments later, it returned with Dean Lyrus and several more academy staff in tow. The door swung open with the kind of flair only self-important bureaucrats seemed to master. Lyrus swept in, trailed by a coterie of sycophants masquerading as staff. His gaze locked onto Henry and Ron, lips curling in what could only be the sour aftermath of their failed charm. Clearly, they hadn¡¯t built that much trust just yet. The man who¡¯d reluctantly authorized their presence now looked like he was regretting every life choice that led to this moment. ¡°Professor,¡± Lyrus addressed Elwes, ¡°what precisely is the nature of this¡­ interruption? Your familiar spoke of urgent business, yet I find only,¡± he paused, eyes sliding over Henry and Ron like they were particularly distasteful insects, ¡°our¡­ external consultants.¡± The way he said ¡®consultants¡¯ almost made it sound like a communicable disease. Henry suppressed a smirk at the man¡¯s near-comical ¡®thrill¡¯. Elwes stepped forward, focusing on the situation at hand like a truly responsible adult. Henry had to admire her composure; dealing with Lyrus on a regular basis would likely drive lesser academics to drink. ¡°Dean Lyrus, we¡¯ve happened upon explosive runes.¡± She gestured towards Henry. ¡°These gentlemen possess images depicting the runes, which are scattered across the arena grounds. Some among them lie concealed beneath wards, even within this gallery.¡± Henry handed Elwes the tablet, watching Lyrus¡¯ reaction. He gave no other hint than the pursing of his lips. Honestly, he¡¯d seen glaciers move faster than this man¡¯s thought process. Insane. Bombs sitting right beside them, and here he was taking his sweet ass time. ¡°Speak, then,¡± Lyrus eventually relented, ¡°if indeed there lies aught you have uncovered beyond your approved investigation.¡± Henry held his tongue. Now wasn¡¯t the time to remind the Dean that their ¡®approved investigation¡¯ was about as well-defined as a politician''s campaign promises. ¡°Lyrus,¡± Elwes interjected, ¡°I¡¯ve examined the runes myself. We must postpone the tournament.¡± As cathartic as it might¡¯ve been, Henry knew that punching the Dean would be pretty counterproductive. ¡°With all due respect, does the scope of our investigation really matter when lives are on the line?¡± Lyrus narrowed his eyes, clearly affronted by Henry¡¯s tone, or possibly annoyed by the very valid point he¡¯d brought up. ¡°Very well, then. Let us see these wards which you claim to be so perilous.¡± ¡°Center of the room, plus those two at the outer corners of the gallery. The ones with the best view of the arena, naturally.¡± Henry gestured toward the window. Lyrus approached the central pedestal. Shockingly, he reached for the sphere. Henry blinked, sure he¡¯d misunderstood. No way the Dean was about to ¨C But yes, the pompous ass had already laid a hand on it, unscrewing the sphere like the last few minutes of conversation never happened. Henry¡¯s stomach plummeted. For one heart-stopping moment, he was convinced they were all about to be atomized by bureaucratic hubris. The urge to dive for cover warred with morbid fascination as Lyrus manhandled what was basically a magic IED. Hell, was the Dean following some fucked up checklist? ¡®Step one: Potentially trigger apocalyptic explosion. Step two: File incident report in triplicate.¡¯ Despite the Dean looking like he knew what he was doing, Henry didn¡¯t find it any easier to watch. Thankfully, the sphere came free without protest, exposing the reassuringly inert rune beneath. Lyrus set it down casually on a nearby seat with not a care in the world. Henry¡¯s relief at continued existence was quickly overshadowed by an overwhelming desire to introduce the Dean¡¯s head to the nearest hard surface. ¡°Lyrus!¡± Elwes¡¯ voice cracked. ¡°Surely that¡¯s not ¨C¡± Lyrus silenced her with an impervious wave, bending to examine the exposed rune. After an agonizingly long moment, he straightened. His face had shifted from his usual resting bitch face to¡­ well, genuine concern. ¡°It appears that your findings may have some merit after all.¡± Henry resisted the urge to say ¡®No shit.¡¯ Barely. Lyrus turned to his staff. ¡°Fetch the voidstone containers.¡± He paused, wrestling with his next words. ¡°And¡­ seal the entire campus at once; let none come or go.¡± The staff members exchanged glances, probably unused to seeing the Dean rattled like this. Lyrus¡¯ eye twitched. ¡°Do move yourselves now ¨C unless, of course, it is your wish to remain here until these runes take it upon themselves to reforge the arena?¡± They scattered like startled pigeons. As they exited, Lyrus turned back to Henry and Ron, bearing an expression between constipation and grudging respect. With a heavy sigh, he began, ¡°It seems, then, that I owe you some measure of appreciation for your diligence in this affair. Your¡­¡± he paused, choking on his next word, ¡°expertise, though I loathe to admit it, has proven itself to be of greater worth than anticipated.¡± Henry raised an eyebrow. Actual gratitude? From Lyrus? Not something he¡¯d expected, but hey, he¡¯d take it. ¡°From this point onward, we shall see to the matter ourselves,¡± Lyrus continued, his tone leaving no doubt that Henry and his team were now excluded. ¡°You are dismissed, sir. Doubtless, there are other pressing affairs that require your attention.¡± The dismissal was about as subtle as a brick to the face. Henry gave a nod to both Lyrus and Elwes as he turned to leave. No point in burning bridges, even if Lyrus seemed determined to douse them in kerosene ¨C or fyrite? Exiting the gallery, he gave an update to Ryan, Isaac, and Dr. Anderson. It seemed for now that the mission was over; all that remained was to inform Armstrong. Upon reaching the relative privacy of their apartment, Henry immediately got to work. ¡°Blue One, Alpha Actual. Priority traffic. Over.¡± The officer¡¯s reply came back muffled ¨C an absent-minded ¡®mmm,¡¯ followed by the crinkle of¡­ a bag of chips? ¡°Alpha Actual, Blue One. Send traffic. Over.¡± ¡°We¡¯ve found multiple explosive runes. Tier 9 magic, likely Nobian. Sonarans have initiated lockdown; they¡¯re handling sweep. No casualties. Transmitting imagery now, over.¡± ¡°Alpha Actual, solid copy. Stand by ¨C relaying to Blue Actual. Over.¡± Henry allowed his body to sink into the couch while he waited for their response. Who knew investigations could be so¡­ like this? Lyrus, the epitome of arrogant dickheadery, messing around with an IED like a 2-year-old with Legos. If ignorance was bliss, the Dean was practically euphoric. And Elwes, bless her, trying to inject a modicum of sense into the proceedings. Then Valtor, still a prime suspect but clean of any connection to the runes so far. The empty glass on the table beckoned to Henry. Monsters in the forest preparing for an all-out assault, followed by a plot to bomb the tournament? It was no coincidence. The evidence suggested something larger at play, but what? Was the fiasco in the woods simply a distraction from the runes? And what if the runes were just another layer, a cover for something else? Man, he sure as hell had earned a drink. Probably the whole damn bottle, while he was at it. The radio crackled again. ¡°Alpha Actual, Blue One. Orders from Blue Actual: Return to base for immediate debrief. Acknowledge. Over.¡± Henry felt the slight tug of a smirk on his lip. ¡°Blue One, Alpha Actual. Solid copy. ETA 1 hour. Out.¡± He ended the call, letting his head fall back against the couch. Huh, that meant they¡¯d be back for Christmas. His smirk grew wider. How would Sera react? ¡°Ay, what you smilin¡¯ about?¡± Ron¡¯s voice nearly startled Henry. He sat straight up. ¡°Shit, uh, just got off the radio with TOC. Armstrong¡¯s pulling us back just in time for Christmas.¡± Ron snorted, dropping into the chair across from Henry. ¡°Yeah. alright. Christmas is nice and all, but it ain¡¯t that wonderful. Bet yo ass was thinkin¡¯ ¡®bout standing under some mistletoe.¡± Henry grinned. Once again, the big guy¡¯s instincts were on point. ¡°Fuck, you got me. Let¡¯s hurry up and tell the others so we can get back.¡± ¨C ¨C Armstrong Base At last, it was upon her ¨C the moment of true action. Days of preparation, and here she stood. The ceaseless drills, the uninspiring dry fire, the endless assemblage of these strange weapons ¨C aye, she¡¯d borne it all. And for what? Supposed calluses on her hands? As though these strange weapons could truly mar her skin so. At least it was far gentler than her days training with the sword ¨C no blisters nor foes seeking to send her sprawling. If she must endure O¡¯Connor¡¯s endless berating, she could at least take solace in the simplicity of the Americans¡¯ methods. Sera¡¯s grip tightened upon the surprisingly light pistol, much as the day when she¡¯d first cast aside those wretched training swords. Gods above, such pitiful things, suited only for children and recruits. But when at last true steel had been placed in her hands, she had learned the difference ¨C no more wooden toys, but a weapon of genuine purpose. And now, this M18? It was much the same. Ere now, she¡¯d observed Alpha Team ¨C and even Kelmithus ¨C making sport with their firearms. But now, power lay within her grasp and with it, the opportunity to prove she could master this alien art of war as readily as she had the arcane. Sergeant O¡¯Connor stood afore Sera. ¡°On my command, you will approach the firing line. Don¡¯t get too excited, now. Weapons remain on safe until instructed otherwise. Understood?¡± ¡°Aye, Sergeant.¡± At O¡¯Connor¡¯s command, Sera drew nigh unto the firing line. She adopted that peculiar ¡®isosceles¡¯ stance the Sergeant had shown her; feet planted at shoulder width and arms thrust forth, with the M18 held aloft. She fixed her aim upon the paper target ahead, much as an archer would, though the stance felt far less graceful than the draw of her blade. ¡°Huh, damn near perfect. Alright, now watch closely.¡± Were it not for Sera¡¯s discipline, she might have preened at the Sergeant¡¯s praise. Yet she held fast, turning only to attend his words. Sergeant O¡¯Connor drew forth his sidearm with a swiftness that rivaled Sera¡¯s own unsheathing of her blade. Then did he commence his recitation upon the weapon¡¯s parts, explaining the barrel, grip, trigger, and so forth. Sera dispelled the urge to roll her eyes. Did he imagine she¡¯d spent these days in idle repose? ¡°Sergeant, might we dispense with a lecture of the M18¡¯s anatomy? I assure you, I¡¯ve not been merely admiring my reflection these past days.¡± ¡°Well, if you say so. Pay attention; this is what I¡¯m gonna want to see from you.¡± He pressed upon a small lever, whereupon the magazine clattered onto his hand. ¡°Mag¡¯s out; now we check the chamber.¡± Angling the top of the weapon toward Sera, he drew back the slide and searched the chamber within. ¡°Empty. Good.¡± Satisfied, he took the magazine and drove it into the weapon¡¯s grip. He then released the slide, whereupon it snapped forward to chamber the round. This routine had become familiar enough to her these past days, yet a stirring in the belly beset her. Excitement? Anxiety? Anticipation? It might have been a combination, for her turn was nigh. The Sergeant fired, the shots sounding distant, muffled as though beneath water. The tightness of the ear inserts was near unbearable but for all their discomfort, she understood their use. Elsewise, she¡¯d scarce hear aught but ringing for days to come. Still, her impulses whispered sweetly, instilling a longing to cast them off for but a breath. O¡¯Connor ejected the magazine, checking the chamber, ere he laid the weapon upon the table. The Sergeant¡¯s look galled her, as though he fancied her some highborn lass unused to discomfort. Well, that she was of noble birth, aye, ¡®twas true enough ¨C yet her hardiness? That, forsooth, was a matter most disputable. She suppressed a scoff, knowing full well the coverings chafed ¨C aye, but she¡¯d not grant him the satisfaction of seeing it. ¡°Fear not, Sergeant. These contraptions shan¡¯t hinder me.¡± O¡¯Connor laughed heartily, perhaps seeing right through her facade. ¡°Sorry, we didn¡¯t exactly plan for elves when we packed this gear. But hey, we¡¯ve got some custom ones coming in a couple weeks. For now, just hang in there a bit longer.¡± Alas, salvation was a couple weeks too long. ¡°Your consideration does your credit, Sergeant. No doubt these marvels would prove as crucial as Mithrilforged gear in a dragon¡¯s lair. Though I confess, these current coverings do have their merits, I suppose.¡± ¡°Yeah?¡± ¡°Yeah, indeed; they serve right well to mute the droning of lectures and prattling courtiers alike. Perhaps I shall retain a pair for the affairs of court. Now, shall I commence?¡± She turned her gaze back to the range. The Sergeant smirked. ¡°Alright, then. Load your weapon. Insert a magazine, then chamber a round.¡± Sera steadily replicated the Sergeant¡¯s earlier procedure. This done, she stood at the ready, awaiting the Sergeant¡¯s next word. ¡°Good. Stance is good so far, alright. Your target¡¯s ten yards out. Take your time, line up your sights, and fire when ready.¡± Ten yards? Sera almost laughed. A paltry distance, truly, for a weapon of such repute. Why, with her bow she could strike a fleeing goblin from thrice the distance ¨C and these firearms were said to be far more precise. Nay, this would prove no challenge at all. Sera aligned the front sight with the rear, flipping the safety off. She drew breath, then squeezed the trigger. The ensuing thunder was mighty, even through her ear coverings. Having grown to the sense of the weapon from her dry fire practice, she found the weapon¡¯s kick scarce worthy of note. It hardly shifted in her grip, the recoil naught but a trifle even without her physical enhancement magic. It was almost disappointing. She¡¯d expected more of a challenge, but no ¨C the pistol might as well have been a child¡¯s toy in her hands, so readily did she master it. Yet, in that very ease did she also recognize the weapon¡¯s true might. Dwarves, Men, Elves, all made equal by this simple ¡®handgun¡¯, scarce heavier than a dagger and as readily hidden. It was a thing of such simplicity in use, yet able to grant a Tier 1 novice the means to kill even a Tier 10 swordsman with the mere press of a trigger. A great equalizer, aye. The very weapon mocked the bow. Strength was ever needful for it, each draw a task upon the string and her muscles. Yet here, this weapon required but a scant touch, granting a force that far surpasses aught she had known. Strange, how so little effort could make an archer¡¯s skill seem naught but wasted toil. Yet thrilling indeed, how this ease might free her hands for aught beyond ¨C the casting of spells, the command of the field ¨C all whilst felling foes with a fraction of the strain. ¡°So? How¡¯d you like it?¡± Sera cleared the weapon, then turned to O¡¯Connor. Try as she might, she could scarce contain her grin. ¡°Very much, Sergeant. I¡¯d not have thought so small a thing could ¡®pack quite a punch.¡¯ I say, I¡¯m very much fain ¨C excited ¨C to commence drills with the full magazine.¡± The Sergeant paused, for custom would bid him start with but a single round, then two, to build in due measure. Yet, much to her surprise, he yielded. ¡°Alright, why not? Go ahead, then ¨C load up and show me what you can do.¡± He surveyed the field to ensure the targets were set, then with a nod, bid her begin. Sera loaded her weapon again. Raising it, she took aim upon the closest mark at 20 yards and fired. She had now the measure of the recoil, yet the impact pressed upon her more keenly. The magnitude of visual recoil scaled with greater distances, demanding she keep a surer hand. Advancing to the thirty-yard mark, she found a steady cadence, yet found herself tarrying a bit longer between shots to ensure they¡¯d find purchase. This was no longer child¡¯s play, after all. At fifty yards ¨C the range of an unaided longbow, she squinted; the target was but a speck against the front sight, almost as if it mocked her efforts. The notion that this small weapon might reach so far seemed nigh unto folly. Yet, the very existence of the target spoke of O¡¯Connor¡¯s expectations. Had he set this up just to see her falter? Well then, she¡¯d not disappoint. She called forth a touch of strengthening magic, steadying her grip. A cheat, perhaps, yet with fifty yards and that pitiful speck of a mark afore her, she¡¯d not lose sleep. She pulled the trigger with a smirk. Even so, keeping the pistol true required concentration. The shots landed well enough to be satisfactory ¨C aye, a fair challenge, though she¡¯d as lief swallow nails as tell the Sergeant so. ¡°Shit,¡± O¡¯Connor whistled, clapping his hands slowly, ¡°that ain¡¯t bad at all.¡± Sera glanced over at him. Fifty yards with this pistol? A fool¡¯s errand, certes, and yet the Sergeant but says ¡®ain¡¯t bad¡¯? Forsooth, it was a feat fit for a rifle! If he¡¯d call it naught but ¡®not bad¡¯, then she¡¯d wager he knew it well enough. ¡°Well, Sergeant, I could keep tossing pebbles at that mark ¨C or, if you¡¯re willing, perhaps place a proper tool in my hands. A rifle, perhaps?¡± She held his gaze, bracing for an outright refusal. Even she knew rifles were scarce granted upon a whim. She¡¯d dry-fired an M7 just yesterday, aye, but most of her time had been spent laboring over sidearms. Yet, the prospect lingered ¨C if he were impressed enough, perhaps he¡¯d yield. O¡¯Connor chuckled. ¡°Tryna run before you can walk, huh? Y¡¯know what, I can respect it. But uh¡­ aren''t you a magic knight or somethin''? Surprised you wanna pick up a new primary weapon so quickly.¡± Sera folded her arms. ¡°A good knight adapts to the battlefield. Rest easy Sergeant, I can manage the walk. Yet if you fancy I should crawl,¡± she let out an overdramatic, exasperated sigh, ¡°then so be it ¨C crawl I shall.¡± He smirked, clearly entertained. ¡°Alright, alright. We¡¯ll see about rifles soon enough. Besides, I heard Alpha Team¡¯s coming back soon. Let¡¯s see what Captain Donnager has to say.¡± Chapter 29: Mistletoe and Missiles December 22, 2024 Armstrong Base ¡°Were you able to ID the culprit?¡± Henry frowned at Harding''s question. It was the one gap they hadn''t managed to fill. The scene of the crime practically gleamed, wiped clean by someone who knew exactly how to leave no trace. The absence of evidence was almost taunting, almost as if the spy knew how to counter forensics ¨C or worse, operated in a way that rendered forensics irrelevant. Either way, Armstrong had a lot of catching up to do. Modern tradecraft didn¡¯t necessarily apply to magical scrubbing, and after only a month in contact with the Sonarans, they had no local assets to tap into ¨C no infrastructure, either. Tough luck for the poor case officer, starting from complete scratch with nothing to lean on. ¡°No, sir,¡± Henry sighed. ¡°We¡¯ve narrowed the field, but concrete evidence is still lacking. That said, we have some theories worth exploring.¡± Harding didn¡¯t say anything at first. He hid it well, but Henry could see the impatience beneath the surface. ¡°Let¡¯s hear them.¡± ¡°Given the access to the wards, it¡¯s likely an insider; school faculty,¡± Henry explained. The only issue was that despite this, pinpointing the insider was like trying to catch smoke. ¡°Initially, we suspected Professor Valtor ad Stron. But¡­ Kelmithus has some insights that cast doubt on that theory.¡± ¡°Apparently ¨C and this comes as no small surprise ¨C the ad Stron lineage is bound quite closely to the royal family. It seems improbable that the Nobians could have reached so far, and, were that the case, made no use of the advantages such closeness would grant them. That he should act as their agent is¡­ doubtful.¡± ¡°Really?¡± Shock slipped past the General¡¯s tonal filter. Clearing his throat, he leaned back in his seat. ¡°Well, okay then. How¡¯d you figure that out?¡± ¡°The Duke shared it with us,¡± Captain Sinclair answered. ¡°Turns out, it¡¯s not something the ad Strons want out there. I¡¯ve made a note of it, but our resources are currently a bit too busy to pry open that can of worms.¡± The ad Strons were likely royal muscle, handpicked to guard those closest to the crown. That explained Valtor¡¯s proximity but didn¡¯t resolve the nagging suspicion. There was something off about the man, something buried beneath the noble fa?ade. Still, even he had to concede that chasing shadows wasn¡¯t worth their time right now. They had the essentials, and their resources were better spent dissecting the rune systems and figuring out what exactly was brewing in the forest. ¡°Moreover,¡± Kelmithus added, ¡°he has been charged by the Sanctum Arcanum to expose espionage. Were he a double agent, it would be quite the bold stroke to place him in such a role.¡± It was a fair point, Henry had to admit. Still, bold moves weren¡¯t exactly unheard of. Hell, Robert Hanssen had been the FBI¡¯s guy for catching Soviet spies, all while stuffing secrets for Moscow. If that wasn¡¯t a slap in the face to ¡®unlikely,¡¯ nothing was. Captain Sinclair knew just as well as he did, but even she had few options. ¡°Boldness doesn¡¯t disqualify him. But the logic does check out. Without any way of validating that, we¡¯ll have to move him lower on our list.¡± Harding leaned his head back, reflecting, longing ¨C understandably so. ¡°What I wouldn¡¯t give to have a proper spook network here. Feels like we¡¯re flying blinder than in North Korea.¡± It sounded about right. No one could stand being in the dark, and whatever their opinions of the spooks may be, the absence of solid intel always reminded them just how indispensable those operatives were. Henry understood that first-hand, especially given that tradecraft wasn¡¯t his specialty. ¡°We¡¯re still working to coordinate with the existing Sonaran network and their assets, sir. The new case officer, Mister Harold Dwyer, is currently prioritizing data collection on the Nobians. Identifying Nobian cells in Eldralore is lower on his tasking, but I can elevate it if you¡¯d prefer.¡± Harding shook his head. ¡°No, that¡¯s fine. Anyway, if Valtor¡¯s knocked down the list, then what are we looking at?¡± It would¡¯ve been easier if Valtor was pulling the strings. Now, all they had were suspects that didn¡¯t fit neatly into any box. ¡°We¡¯ve been considering Professor Elwes and the Dean as well. Kelmithus?¡± ¡°Elwes and I are well acquainted. She has for many years been engaged in Baranthurian study, and nary a thing has arisen to cast suspicion upon her. Her long tenure and the respect she commands do bear witness to her loyalty.¡± ¡°She presents a complex case,¡± Sinclair admitted. ¡°Yeah, her long tenure and cooperation are definitely positive indicators, but they don¡¯t rule out the possibility of compromise. Maybe she hasn¡¯t outright stolen anything, but has she shared intel? We can¡¯t know for sure.¡± Considering Elwes as a possible suspect wasn¡¯t the most enjoyable idea, but Henry had to agree; she hadn¡¯t been validated just yet. ¡°I remember when we talked to her about the intrusion, she mentioned Nobian obsession with artifacts and previous espionage. What do you make of that, Captain?¡± Sinclair tilted her head. ¡°It could be genuine transparency. Or maybe a calculated move to appear forthcoming. Honestly hard to tell. Without more data on her personal life, finances, or things like off-campus activities, it¡¯s premature to clear her entirely. But, just logicizing it out, she¡¯s lower on our list of suspects.¡± ¡°By the time we¡¯re able to tell, it might be too late,¡± Harding stated. The General¡¯s bluntness hit hard, but it didn¡¯t seem to bother Sinclair. ¡°True, but with their arena bombing foiled, it won¡¯t be long before they try something new. And that leaves us with the Dean, Lyrus ad Caldwin ¨C the exact person who is in charge of the Academy¡¯s security. Ironically, we know more about Valtor than we do Lyrus.¡± Lyrus. Just the name was enough to bring that familiar irritation to a boil. But Henry knew better than to let that cloud his judgment ¨C being a dick didn¡¯t make someone guilty. Still, dealing with him always felt like more trouble than it was worth. Henry cleared his throat. ¡°About Lyrus, I just remembered something. Kel, would you say that you¡¯re ¡®good friends¡¯ with the Dean?¡± Kelmithus found it about as absurd as Henry did. ¡°By no means! Our dealings are but professional, and most surely not friendly as with Elwes.¡± ¡°Quite the discrepancy,¡± Harding said. ¡°What¡¯s your read, Donnager?¡± ¡°Sir, he¡¯s abrasive and dismissive; consistently so. He¡¯s just like any other stuck-up bureaucrat type, which makes it harder to read him.¡± Sinclair hummed. ¡°Well, it¡¯s a solid observation, Captain. In my experience, people like Lyrus fall into two categories: people who are genuinely difficult ¨C your ¡®bureaucrat types,¡¯ and those who cultivate that image. The tricky part is telling them apart. Genuine assholes tend to be consistent. Professional spies tend to be too consistent.¡± Henry shrugged. ¡°With the campus locked down and us conveniently kicked out, I doubt we¡¯ll be able to figure that out anytime soon.¡± ¡°We¡¯ll table the investigation for now,¡± Harding decided. ¡°Our immediate priority is preparing for the attack.¡± He turned to Henry. ¡°When is the tournament postponed until?¡± ¡°I believe it¡¯s January 4, sir.¡± Harding nodded. ¡°Hmm¡­ The forest will probably hit its logarithmic ceiling before then. Alright. Captain Donnager, you and your team will remain at base until it begins. Be ready to move at a moment¡¯s notice.¡± ¡°Understood, sir.¡± ¡°Sinclair, I¡¯ll leave it to you.¡± Harding addressed the room, ¡°You¡¯re dismissed.¡± ¨C ¨C December 23, 2024 The downtime dug like an ill-fitting plate carrier: protective, yeah, but maddeningly annoying. Such was the reality of military life. Wanna relax? Sure! Do so while poised on the knife¡¯s edge of action. Still, he¡¯d be damned if he wasted this opportunity. Stringing up Christmas lights and a small tree in the corner was the least he could do to liven up the place after their extended vacation. And seeing Sera after weeks of separation? Definitely a pro, albeit one that played merry hell with his composure. A knock on the door pulled him from his thoughts. Time to lock in. He opened the door, and ¨C well, shit. All that mental fortification crumbled, all of it down the drain. Sera stood there, a model in standard-issue fatigues, her silvery-blonde hair glowing under the fluorescents like some kind of angelic halo. Those purple eyes locked onto his, and the smile; fuck, that smile. ¡°Sera,¡± he said, steadying his tone as warmth crept up his neck. ¡°Come in.¡± ¡°Henry,¡± she replied, gliding past him. He closed the door, guiding her to the common room. ¡°Have you tried the hot chocolate yet?¡± ¡°Not yet, though I would fain accept, were you offering.¡± In that case, Henry would gladly ready a mug for her. ¡°Coming right up. Bit sweet for some, but I think you¡¯ll like it.¡± Sera took in the space while she waited. Henry had gotten used to the sparse common room, but seeing it through her eyes made it acutely obvious how drab it was. The lights were a sad attempt at festivity, the small tree in the corner more depressing than lively, despite his best efforts. ¡°Those lights¡­¡± she pointed. ¡°They¡¯re not of the common sort, are they? I¡¯ve seen their like in the cafeteria and in Lieutenant Nakamura¡¯s office.¡± Henry set the kettle down, glancing over his shoulder. ¡°Nah, not standard issue. I brought these from storage. Christmas decorations.¡± ¡°Christmas. Hmm.¡± She¡¯d heard of it, apparently. ¡°Is it a sort of American holy day?¡± Henry chuckled ¨C yeah, it was a lot more than that. ¡°Not just American. It¡¯s celebrated all over Earth, but yeah, it started as a Christian holiday. Celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, which gets a bit weird since it¡¯s not actually His birthday. Apparently, December 25 got picked to line it up with traditions from new converts or something like that. But you¡¯re probably better off asking the Doc about that sort of stuff.¡± ¡°A muddling of traditions, then? Much like the Federation¡¯s own way, surprisingly ¨C gathering aught they could smooth the path to unity. It seems this craft of stitching things together spans all worlds alike.¡± Henry gently floated a few mini marshmallows in the cups of hot chocolate. Latte art was beyond him; it¡¯d have to do. He brought it over, taking a seat beside her. ¡°Pretty much. It¡¯s a pretty big holiday, actually.¡± Sera tried the drink. ¡°Mmm. And these modest adornments are all that bespeak your wondrous ¡®holiday¡¯, then?¡± ¡°Oh, nah. This is just the bare minimum,¡± he chuckled. ¡°Back home, people go all out. They put up trees, lights, decorations everywhere, all sorts of stuff to get in the spirit of things. Here?¡± He shrugged, gesturing toward the display. ¡°SOP.¡± ¡°SOP.¡± She nodded. ¡°Standard Operating Procedure. And I imagine this is a result of this¡­ OPSEC?¡± ¡°Yeah, pretty much.¡± ¡°Forsooth, it¡¯s a notion hammered into my very bones. Though it¡¯s rather droll to see it applied with such zeal even here, to something so benign.¡± ¡°Benign¡¯s a slippery slope. Even a minor cut can turn septic if you don¡¯t stay on top of it. OPSEC¡¯s the same ¨C nip it in the bud before it spreads like cancer.¡± She raised an eyebrow. Whoops, he might¡¯ve dumped a bit too much. Henry slowed down, ¡°Well, basically you wanna put the fire out while it¡¯s still small. Or else it¡¯s gonna spread like an infection.¡± Sera sunk into the couch. ¡°I see. I recall learning of similar arts, akin to your OPSEC. When embroiled in conflict, our fortresses and war camps maintain an everyday mien, even during feast days or holidays. This we do to deny our foes and their invisible eyes any sign of weakness. For when the enemy knows full well where to strike, we indulge in no false notions of peace.¡± ¡°Yeah, exactly,¡± Henry said, taking a sip from his mug. ¡°Sounds like I don¡¯t have to worry about your OPSEC classes, then. You¡¯re doing what now? Firearms training, right?¡± She gave a quick nod, her whole demeanor changing. ¡°Indeed. And had I known you were concealing such marvels, I¡¯d have sought you out post-haste! These firearms ¨C they make a bow pale in comparison.¡± Henry smirked. ¡°Yeah, I thought you might like it. It¡¯s fun. Dangerous, but fun.¡± ¡°Oh, I can hardly wait to use one on a quest.¡± Sera mirrored his smile, holding up a finger gun as if yearning for a trigger. Seeing Kelmithus use a gun back at GB-2 was interesting enough. Just how badass would it be to see Sera using one? ¡°I can imagine. You¡¯ve been keeping up, though. No complaints from the instructors?¡± ¡°Why, nary a whisper of grievance has reached my ears. I daresay they hold my undeniable assiduity in fair regard. Though, it seems they¡¯ve taken notice of¡­ shall we say, the unorthodoxy of my methods.¡± Unorthodox? Hell of a way to put it. This had to be magic. Curious wasn¡¯t even the word ¨C he had to know what she meant by that. ¡°What?¡± she smiled. ¡°It¡¯s the nature of magic to confound expectations, is it not?¡± Henry chuckled. ¡°I guess. So, what did you do?¡± ¡°Well,¡± Sera said, looking pleased with herself. ¡°I¡¯ve endeavored to rely chiefly upon raw skill, mind you. And yet¡­ There are occasions when I find myself, erm, gently persuading the fabric of reality to steady my aim. Just basic strengthening magic. A trifling matter, surely?¡± ¡°¡®Gently persuading¡¯, huh? Mmhmm¡­¡± Sera rolled her eyes. ¡°Oh, come now. I applied a tiny modicum of arcane finesse, only with the M18, and at a full 50 yards, no less. To expect unerring precision at such a distance, without a rifle? Why, it¡¯s only just! I assure you, my skill suffices well at shorter ranges.¡± ¡°Hmm, yeah. Just a little touch of magic; definitely not cheating, huh?¡± ¡°Me? Cheat? Surely you jest.¡± Sera couldn''t have looked more satisfied with herself if she''d tried. Henry had to admit though, fifty yards was impressive enough given the circumstances: newbie who just started out, plus a standard-issue sidearm with an effective range at half that distance. That aside, using magic to bump it up to the max firing range opened up quite the applications. A sniper¡¯s dream, for one. He¡¯d have to see the grouping for herself, but O¡¯Connor¡¯s impression was already worthy of note. That kind of precision and steadiness at a thousand yards? Or hell, take something with real kick. A Desert Eagle, maybe. Most people could barely handle the recoil, but Sera? She¡¯d probably nail bullseyes for fun. A Desert Eagle. Now there was a thought. The Christmas lights winked in Henry¡¯s peripheral vision. Three days till the big day, and suddenly that flame-enchanted necklace from Eldralore felt about as special as a sweater or regulation sock. But a Desert Eagle? Shit, Sera had probably never even heard of one. The look on her face alone would be worth owing a favor to Cole. Henry let the idea simmer for a moment. Yeah. Yeah, that could work. ¡°Say, Sera,¡± he kept his tone carefully neutral, ¡°ever handled anything with a bit more kick than an M18?¡± ¡°I once did handle an M7, though only for dry firing. What might you be hinting at?¡± The hand cannon, of course. But what surprise would it be if she knew? ¡°Oh, just thinking out loud. There¡¯s stuff out there that could pack a serious punch, that¡¯s all.¡± Sera gave a short, amused laugh. ¡°If it be more potent than the M18, I should like to see how well I fare with it. Yet I sense this leads somewhere¡­ perhaps to some matter of your customs?¡± ¡°Could be. I mean, Christmas is all about giving gifts, right?¡± ¡°These gifts ¨C are they ever as useful as your weapons, or might they serve some other purpose?¡± He almost smirked. She caught on quick. ¡°Eh, hit or miss. Really depends on who¡¯s giving it, and who¡¯s getting it. Some folks go all in on sentimental stuff, or just buy a random pair of socks from the store. Others go for something more¡­ exciting. Like, say, a PS5. It¡¯s the kinda gift where you go ¡®Hell yeah!¡¯ rather than just ¡®Oh, that¡¯s cool.¡¯ And then there¡¯s the best gifts: the ones that do both. Something you¡¯d never expect, but when you get it, it¡¯s just perfect.¡±Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit. Sera inclined her head. ¡°Not unlike our own customs, it seems. I suppose feasting and revelry are no stranger to your traditions, either.¡± Henry finished up his now-lukewarm chocolate, standing up to bring both cups to the sink. ¡°Oh, yeah. That¡¯s a big part of it. ¡®Feasting and revelry¡¯, maybe a bit too much eggnog, and even drunken attempts to court a fine lady. But aside from that, the gifts, and the decor, there¡¯s also good ol¡¯ family time, caroling, slamming Christmas noobs, and so on.¡± Sera followed him. ¡°I can scarcely conceive how you might partake in your undoubtedly glorious and honorable ¡®slamming of Christmas noobs¡¯, given OPSEC.¡± He laughed. ¡°Yeah, real sad. Missing out on the new Black Ops right about now, at least until it¡¯s cleared for the internal network. It¡¯s a party pooper, yeah, but we make do, y¡¯know? Can¡¯t go all out, but we¡¯ve got our ways.¡± ¡°Oh? And what ingenious methods have you devised to ¡®make do¡¯?¡± ¡°Well, like I said, it¡¯s lowkey. But we¡¯ve got some good stuff. We¡¯ll probably end up watching some movies. It¡¯s kinda become a tradition on base. Well, on the other side of the portal, anyway.¡± ¡°A movie? Like the training videos they showed in my classes?¡± ¡°Oh, nah. Nah. Not at all. This is way better. Trust.¡± He paused for a second. What¡¯s the closest thing she¡¯d get? ¡°You¡¯ve been to plays, yeah? Kinda like that, but crazier.¡± She still didn¡¯t seem convinced. ¡°Die Hard,¡± Henry explained, ¡°it¡¯s an action movie ¨C guns, explosions, bad guys ¨C but it¡¯s set during Christmas. So, it¡¯s basically a Christmas movie. Kind of a team favorite.¡± ¡°Sounds¡­ exciting,¡± she admitted. Because of course, what else would get a hotshot adventurer hyped up if not guns and explosions? ¡°Do you have it here?¡± Henry pushed off from the counter and jerked his thumb toward the far end of the room. ¡°Yeah, we¡¯ve got a stash of movies in the cabinet over there. Lemme grab it.¡± He brought her to the storage cabinet tucked beneath the archway connecting the common room to the bedrooms, bending down. He pulled open the door and started rifling through the pile of old Blu-rays and DVDs, flipping past a couple classics ¨C Home Alone, Polar Express ¨C before spotting it. ¡°Ah, got it.¡± Standing up, he noticed Sera looking up. He followed her gaze and voila, there hung a little green sprig, right over their heads. Mistletoe. ¡°What¡¯s that?¡± she asked. ¡°A sprig? But what meaning has it, hanging here so deliberately? Surely it bears some significance.¡± Fuck, was he in a romcom? How long had that even been there? The thing basically just spawned in. He was damn sure he hadn¡¯t set it up there last night, so it must¡¯ve been one of the other guys earlier this morning. Sera¡¯s alluring eyes bored into him. Damn, she looked good up close. A warm flush crept up his neck, but he willed the world¡¯s greatest poker face onto his face. Should he just say ¡®fuck it¡¯? It¡¯s not like the no fraternization rule had a clause on civilian elves from another world, right? There was also the option of a lie, but the fragile peace of plausible deniability was on a knife¡¯s edge. Nah, why lie? There was no way he¡¯d be one of those MCs from Ron¡¯s isekai anime shows. Fuck it. Surely General Harding would understand. And if not, well, that¡¯s what the legal gray area was for. Truth it is. ¡°It¡¯s a mistletoe. It¡¯s got a tradition around it. Basically, when two people find themselves under it, they¡¯re supposed to, uh¡­¡± He paused, searching for the right words. ¡°Well, it¡¯s customary for them to ¨C¡± The harsh blare of an alarm shat on the moment. The moment, whatever it might have been, got completely and utterly fucking atomized. ¡°Ah, for fuck¡¯s sake.¡± ¡°The monsters?¡± Sera asked. ¡°Yeah, probably. Let¡¯s get moving.¡± ¨C ¨C Eldralore Academy ¡°Hearken all! A monster stampede approaches from the northwest. Students must take refuge and remain therein until this threat is past. Faculty and knights, to the northwestern wall! Bolster the defenses and hold firm! I say again¡­¡± Blast that infernal alarm! Elwes¡¯ hand jerked, nearly scoring the delicate runes etched along the Baranthurian heat gun¡¯s inner barrel. She had but now begun to unravel its secrets ¨C a most remarkable advance in thaumaturgy. Forsooth, it seemed fortune ever chooses the worst hour. She set the device down, its heating element exposed. The runes, each of a thumb¡¯s breadth, achieved a functional density far past that of current Sonaran enchanting. As much as she desired, there was no leisure now to reassemble it. She secured the dismembered tool within her desk¡¯s drawer before grabbing her staff. This mischance would delay progress by days, perhaps even weeks. When, pray, might she next have a moment¡¯s peace to study it? Elwes stepped to the door, locking it behind her with a swift turn of a key. The security runes were now active. That done, she headed for the stairs. She drew mana to her muscles and bounded down whole flights, reaching the first floor in seconds. Where were the others? Surely, they had tarried not and were already away. Bursting from the Ancient Magic Studies building, she focused the circulation of mana throughout her body. Her legs responded in kind, fatigue melting as she picked up her pace and crossed the campus with as much speed as she could muster. ¡°Elwes! Stay your haste a moment!¡± Professor Mintor¡¯s voice pulled her back. He approached, robes askew, gasping for breath. Three knights in full plate trailed behind him, their armor muddied despite the lack of battle, as though to mimic what she¡¯d heard of the ¡®dirty¡¯ American uniforms. Heavens, what a spectacle. On the wall, they¡¯d scarce draw a blade, let alone get close enough to need all that steel and mithril. ¡°Have you any word on the particulars?¡± Mintor gasped out betwixt breaths. ¡°Only what we all heard,¡± Elwes said. ¡°A monster stampede, in the hundreds. Details are lacking.¡± ¡°Right, then.¡± Mintor trailed off, panting as they rounded the corner by the alchemy building. The northwestern wall loomed just ahead, distant booms echoing through the air. Fire magic? Explosion magic? It seems the Americans had already begun their onslaught. Approaching, they gathered at the base of the wall, stepping onto an earthen platform where a sulking mage awaited them. ¡°Professors!¡± an adventurer called out, his partner in tow. Tier 6, it seemed. ¡°Might there be room for a couple more upon your wall?¡± So they¡¯d elected not to partake in the Ovinne Mountain Campaign. Or they¡¯d not been in a Clan. Either way, it was a wise choice. Wherefore should one risk their neck against a Tier 10 dragon when there was plenty of trouble to be had here in Eldralore? Elwes nodded and then squeezed to the side, holding the short fence that surrounded the platform. The adventurers joined them, and the dirt platform stirred beneath them. It rose, slowly, with all the vigor of the wilted mage operating it. At last, they reached the top of the wall. Smoke billowed from the forest, and she finally saw it ¨C streaks of light ¨C like meteors tearing through the sky ¨C arcing above the treeline. They approached with a low rumble, as a flame might crackle at a hearth. No magic stirred the air: none to create the projectiles; none to guide them; none to temper their descent. Then, they fell. Flame and smoke rose where the blasts did strike. Each blow tore the earth as though the mages of a great army had channeled multiple Tier 9 spells. The bombardment razed the land, whole swaths of forest laid to scorching, smoldering waste. Were it not for the necessity of it all, she would have wept at the horrible destruction of the Eldralore Woods, at the loss of their students¡¯ training grounds. Of course, destruction was no stranger to her ¨C magic could summon flame and ruin aplenty ¨C but even a Tier 10 mage would falter under such sustained force. Yet here it raged unlike aught she had seen, without pause, as though stamina and mana were no limitation. How much more could the Americans unleash if they willed it? Brutal. Terribly so. ¡°I dare say¡­¡± She snapped out of her stupor, clearing her throat. The action spurred Mintor and the others to action, as they, too, returned to reality. Mintor tipped his hat to her, bidding farewell. ¡°Right, then. Let¡¯s not dally. Best of luck, Professor.¡± He joined the knights and adventurers, making their way to a supply tent on the right. As for her? Well, she¡¯d nearly forgotten her role. Where was she supposed to go? The command tent perhaps, to confirm her orders? Before she could act on her plan, a figure approached from the ballista platform. His armor was dulled, streaked with dirt, as though the days of gleaming mithril had long passed. It was neither crest nor polish that gave him away, but the ruggedness of his face, the scar running along his right cheek, and his fiery red hair. Captain Orlen. The shine of his stature mattered little now, it seemed. ¡°Professor Elwes!¡± he called, raising a hand in greeting. A strange device ¨C a ¡®radio¡¯ much like her own, she realized ¨C remained in his grasp. ¡°The Americans send further word on the hordes that approach. It is most urgent that you hear it.¡± To have her hear it? Elwes inclined her head. ¡°Has the Dean made his appearance?¡± Orlen hesitated. ¡°I¡­ have yet to hear word from him, Professor. I take it he is detained with matters of coordination¡­ though, truthfully, I cannot say for certain.¡± That placed her at the head of the Academy¡¯s efforts. It was a role she would prefer to be rid of, but one she¡¯d reluctantly accept. ¡°A rare stroke of such incredible fortune,¡± she sighed, Captain Orlen no doubt catching onto her exasperation. ¡°What word do they bring?¡± Orlen stepped closer. ¡°They report several waves of monsters ¨C goblins, hobgoblins, fenwyrms, treants, and more ¨C all led by Vorikhas. Two large hordes press forward, and a dozen smaller bands follow. The American artillery delays their advance but shan¡¯t halt them in full.¡± Elwes paused. Flames from the latest ¡®meteor¡¯ barrage continued to devour the Eldralore Woods. ¡°Then, we are to face what escapes their barrage. Have the golems been dispatched to the outer wall?¡± ¡°Aye. I¡¯ve diverted most of my archers and mages there as well,¡± he said, his words accompanied by the rumble of a ballista as it rolled across the bridge. Elwes prepared to acknowledge him, but fell short as an unexpected voice interrupted them. ¡°Professor Elwes, where would you have me?¡± She turned around, finding Valtor. Hold ¨C Valtor? What business had he here? Forsooth, it was his duty as a professor, yet Elwes had long marked him as suspicious. Now, it seemed otherwise. Were he indeed a spy, wherefore would he trouble himself with the Academy¡¯s defense? It would have been far simpler to remain absent, unnoticed. Something was amiss ¨C whether it lay with Valtor or elsewhere, the air still felt wrong. ¡°Professor Valtor,¡± she began, the name near foreign to her lips. ¡°I had not thought to see you here.¡± His brow stirred but a fraction, as though he wanted to question her comment. But instead he held his tongue. ¡°Where would you have me?¡± Where might she station him, that his presence would least interfere ¨C if indeed her suspicions proved true? ¡°Assist at the outer wall, next to Captain Orlen,¡± she said, nodding slow. ¡°The golems will require oversight.¡± ¡°As you will.¡± Not a flicker of surprise nor protest; nothing to betray his purpose. Still, his presence ¨C it festered, gnawing at her like a wound corrupted by the touch of necromancy. Once he crossed the bridge, she turned to Orlen. Having Valtor was an excellent force multiplier if his loyalty held. That remained to be seen. ¡°I will join you. Be wary of him.¡± ¡°Aye, Professor.¡± Orlen understood, though neither said more. They moved toward the wall¡¯s battlements. She crossed at Orlen¡¯s side. Valtor had already taken his place before the gate, staff raised in readiness. Most curious, that he should prove so prompt in duty when suspicion hung ever about him. Yet there he stood, channeling mana in proper measure, willing the earth to rise at his command. What emerged was a thing of terrible aspect ¨C nay, eight such terrible things, each rivaling a Minotaur Chieftain in its massive form. It was a formidable arrangement he made of them, truth be told. The shield-bearers spread in their crescent around the gate, those bearing spears positioned just so behind their fellows. No simple gap remained through which lesser beasts might slip, yet neither stood they so close as to hinder their own motion. The rattle of wheels drew her eye. Orlen, bearing his cart of mana potions - ah, but there was prudence. Supplies for attrition, though they¡¯d likely not need it. She stowed one in her coat¡¯s pocket, turning as another boom resounded from the forest. Such terrible magnificence did the Americans display ¨C fresh volleys streaming forth, each star-bright trail hanging lower than those prior. Two score such lights, perhaps more? It was scarce possible to mark their number, for each blazing arc commanded attention unto itself. The very principles of matter were undone where these weapons struck - ancient trees rendered to naught but smoke and splinters, the earth itself heaving up as though struck by a Tier 9 earthquake spell. The only trace of mana to stir the air was that of the dead and dying expelling their stores. Their bombardment pressed ever closer to the tree line. The monsters were nearing. She looked to the right and marked Mintor a battlement hence, standing motionless, for once bereft of his usual complaints. Those Tier 6 adventurers who had thought to join their defense stood rigid at the wall''s edge ¨C small wonder, for they had likely never witnessed power to rival even a single Tier 9 anything, let alone such a barrage as this. Their hands gripped stone as though it might steady their minds. But what was this? Movement caught her eye through the smoke - aye, the monsters came forth at last, bursting from the flames. How strange, that they should press onward through such devastation! Either these beasts possessed less sense than a failed golem, or something of greater import drove them hence. The lesser creatures ¨C goblins and their larger kin ¨C darted through the impact sites like scattering roaches. The greater beasts emerged alongside them: a fenwyrm lord here, a treant there, and the Vorikhas leading each group. Their numbers grew as they spilled onto the clearing that separated the Academy from the forest. The sight might have proven fascinating, were it not for the growing certainty that far too many would survive to reach the walls. What manner of force could drive such creatures to advance through this inferno? She¡¯d heard of monster manipulation, but never on this scale. ¡°Mages!¡± She pushed her voice along currents of wind, feeling the air compress and carry each syllable forward like a horn''s blast. ¡°Make ready your bolts and spells!¡± How like a great game of Toarce it seemed ¨C pieces arranged just so upon the wall¡¯s length. Here stood the Order¡¯s battlemages, there the knights, and between them the bowmen and ballistae crew at their positions. Some few adventurers had joined the number, none greater than Tier 6. Some gripped their staffs too tightly, having never seen a swell of monsters this great. The beasts advanced through lands yet smoking from American fire. Two miles might lie between wall and horde now, if memory of countless drills served her true. And behold, how the monsters spread wide! A tactic too cunning for mindless beasts, though it should avail them little. Yet witnessing proud creatures among the masses, moving in concert, served only a reminder of the strangeness of whatever unknown art did work upon them. As she readied a shower of firebolts, a sound struck the landscape. Wherefore came such a sound as this? A shrieking howl rent the air, growing louder with terrible swiftness. It was neither magic nor any beast known to her study. Nothing in her training nor practice matched such a thing, either. Aye, the whistle of arrows sang familiar enough ¨C that pure cutting of wind. And she knew well how the great bolts of ballistae punched through the air, like a hammer¡¯s blow upon the winds. But this noise ¨C it bore the force of a thousand bolts shrieking as one, drawn out endless across the vault of sky. Nay, even that fell short. Soon, she beheld the cause: two silvered shapes that cut the sky, scarce higher than the cruising of a griffin and swifter ¨C aye, far swifter than a falquor¡¯s flight. Like great predatory birds wrought of metal they seemed, as though some master artificer had captured the very essence of speed within steel and glass. Approaching from a distance, they wheeled apart with grace. Each turned toward its prey, guided by merciless will. And what fell from beneath them? Not spells nor anything borne of Aether, yet these things moved of their own accord, shifting path through the air as though possessed of reason. Four such weapons they cast forth, two from each craft¡¯s wings. Heaven¡¯s truth, but what followed! Each impact brought forth such light as might shame the noonday sun, striking with force to match the detonation of a fyrite storehouse! And here these metal birds cast down devastation as easily as a child might drop pebbles. Nine long breaths passed before thunder struck the very wall. In that terrible instant, circles of earth akin to the main gate¡¯s span were unmade, the ground torn deep enough to swallow a house entire. Of the Vorikhas and their elite guards, no trace remained save smoke and ash. Even the greatest beasts that stood but at the edges of these strikes were devastated, whilst fragments of debris wrought bloody havoc hundreds of paces hence. The very air itself seemed to strike the monsters as a giant¡¯s fist ¨C a shockwave that pulverized everything in its path across an area wider than her largest siege spells could affect. With the battlefield rendered a necromancer¡¯s dream, the silver craft wheeled about, climbing unto the heavens. Their fearsome cry grew deeper, transformed ¨C then came such a crack as might split the very skies asunder. Through the arc of heaven they swept, and never had she witnessed motion of such dreadful beauty. A falquor variant, brought to a hypothetical Tier 10, with all its art of wind and sky, might labor a lifetime and achieve not half such mastery. Yet what was this? Though the Vorikhas lay unmade, their lesser minions pressed onward still. Had not reason dictated that such devastating strikes must needs shatter their resolve? It seemed not, and the silver craft returned, sensing the monsters¡¯ folly. Descending like great hawks upon their prey, they struck anew. This time, their bellies opened up, releasing a great mass that burst mid-fall, spawning hundreds of lesser forms that fell upon the hordes below. Then, together, they burst. Where they did, lesser beasts were torn to pieces, while even mighty Treant Guardians reeled beneath their fury. The spectacle was no less inspiring ¨C perhaps crushing for a prideful few ¨C than the massive blasts that obliterated the Vorikhas. For her? It was extraordinarily moving. Their mission seemingly complete, the silver birds vanished northward, their departure marked by twin cracks like those heard but a minute prior. Blood and dust cluttered the field, sky and earth unmade, yet again still the beasts advanced. Most peculiar, that whatever magic worked upon them should survive even the Americans¡¯ strikes. Less than a mile now remained between wall and beast, with more yet emerging from the treeline. If the American weapons could work such devastation, surely Eldralore¡¯s defenses might achieve their own feats. The thought was enough to excite even someone of her stature. ¡°Ballistae, mages!¡± The crews tensed as she bid the wind to carry her voice. Such glory awaited! ¡°Fire!¡± The great bows spoke their thunder. Each massive bolt crossed the field, landing amidst throngs of enemies. A hobgoblin champion split it twain ¨C aye, there was craft in such a strike. Then, the bolts detonated. Clusters of goblins and other monsters scattered like chaff before wind, naught but broken bodies in their wake. Elwes let fly her own magic. Like an arrow cart¡¯s fury, scores of firebolts flew forth from her staff, bending to her will as they struck down the lesser beasts. For the greater creatures ¨C the larger treants and hobgoblins ¨C she held ready her lightning and fireballs. From her immediate left came Valtor¡¯s work ¨C not mere flames, but carefully shaped streams that caught the wind just so, spreading in deadly arcs like a living Flame Wall. The Knight Order¡¯s battlemages joined: great spears of stone rose from the ruined earth, impaling the larger beasts or corralling them. Where they were bunched together, shards of ice and stone rained from above, eviscerating them as a hunter would for trapped game. Though they matched not the Americans¡¯ fury, they brought forth their own sweet satisfaction. The adventurers fought with less discipline ¨C though what necessity of form when any cast was sure to strike? With so many targets, even a child could hardly miss. Just fill the air with death and let the beasts do the work of dying. Good coin for such simple labor. ¡°Reload and make ready!¡± Elwes commanded, downing a mana potion. The range drew ever closer. The horde advanced, heedless of losses that would scatter any natural beast. Half a mile remained, then less. A surviving Vorikha reared up, batting aside a ballista bolt as though it were a reed ¨C ah, but a lightning strike from Mintor rendered it to roast. Not so grand as silver birds and thunder, perhaps, but the flash of lightning itself stood proper proof of what spellwork might achieve! At last, the monsters reached the killing field. Valtor¡¯s work beckoned her attention; how could it not? Despite what she may have thought of him, it was something to witness. Each construct bore itself like a veteran of a dozen campaigns. That he could maintain such fine control over a full formation! There remained many questions, but any man who could make stone soldiers fight thus had surely worn armor himself. College-bred mages could make golems walk and strike, aye, but only one who¡¯d stood in formation himself could capture such¡­ knowing. And to see such masterwork spent in the Academy¡¯s defense? Well. Perhaps Elwes had been too quick in her judgment. Just perhaps. Fresh mana now reinvigorating her veins, she returned her attention to the battle. Fresh spellcraft gathered atop her staff as another wave approached the golems. The Americans had their machines ¨C well and good ¨C but Sonaran magic should not be outdone. Let the beasts suffer the full measure of what Eldralore might achieve. ¡°Fire!¡± Chapter 30: Eldralore Woods ¡°Mithril 1-1 and 1-2 holding at the clearing. Forest¡¯s all yours, Alpha Team. Happy frolicking, over.¡± Four massive silhouettes dominated the clearing''s edge ¨C two M1A2s and two Sheriff UGVs. Not exactly the subtlest entrance they''d ever made, but subtlety wasn''t really the point when hunting something that could throw trees like javelins. The tanks would hold overwatch here: sparse woods meant excellent lines of fire, and anything big enough to warrant that kind of firepower would have to cross open ground to reach the teams. Setting up a proper killzone made more sense than charging in. The Sheriffs were at least more maneuverable. Or rather, just ¡®GV¡¯s at this point. Their operators had foregone remote control entirely, opting to ride inside instead as a precaution. Magical interference played hell with radio signals at the best of times, and this deep in monster-infested woods ¨C with active Tier 9 magic at that ¨C definitely didn''t qualify as ¡®the best of times.¡¯ The vehicles split off to maintain coverage between the three search teams as Hunter 1 and 2 peeled away toward their assigned zones. Zone Three was theirs. Not his first choice; the terrain was rougher here, which meant slower going, but he''d lost that particular coin toss to Hunter 2''s commander. At least they had the most experienced team for this sort of work. Between Kelmithus''s magic detection and their enhanced optics, they stood a decent chance of spotting anything peculiar before it spotted them. ¡°Alpha Team to all: we¡¯re Oscar Mike to Zone Three. Hunter teams, confirm your sectors.¡± A touch of static crackled through the radio ¨C manageable at this range, but a reminder of why they''d switched to fiber optic tethered drones. ¡°All Hunter elements copy, Alpha One.¡± The midday sun cut harsh shadows between the trees ahead. The sparse woods offered decent lines of sight, though the deeper forest beyond promised the usual fun of trying to spot magic-resistant monsters through dense vegetation. Not that forest cover mattered much when hunting something like a Vorikha Apex, though. The sheer heat signature from a creature that size would light up their thermals like a bonfire. Henry kept his hands on the RWS controls while Ron rolled their MRAP to a stop. In the MRAP behind them, Isaac called out that he was prepping their first sweep. Not the most elegant start to an afternoon, but hunting rune systems rarely was. At least they had proper support this time ¨C a significant upgrade from their first encounter with Nobian monster manipulation back at Hardale. The forest swallowed most sounds except for the MRAP''s engine and the whir of Isaac''s drone deploying. Through the thermal feed, the first sector showed nothing but standard wildlife signatures: a few scattered deer-like creatures ¨C halgorns, probably drawn by the sound of their approach, and smaller heat blooms from birds. ¡°Three hundred meters out, all empty. We¡¯re getting colder; EMF has faint readings here,¡± Isaac reported, voice slightly distorted by the ambient magic. ¡°Let¡¯s move west.¡± Ron eased the vehicle forward to their next position. The process was methodical: stop, deploy, scan, reel in, move. Not exactly thrilling, but it beat stumbling into a cracked-out Vorikha unprepared. The drone whirred back to life for their second sweep. Isaac switched to visual feed as something caught Henry¡¯s eye ¨C movement where there shouldn''t be any. A massive tree detached itself from the canopy about a hundred meters ahead of them, its branches swaying against the wind as it turned toward their position. ¡°Tier 7 Treant Guardian, I believe,¡± Dr. Anderson reported. ¡°It appears it¡¯s coming to investigate us.¡± ¡°Shall I cut it down?¡± Sera asked from beside Henry. It would definitely be a bad idea to light up the forest now and potentially attract a bunch of monsters to them before they found the rune system. ¡°Hmm¡­ Let Kel handle it,¡± he decided. ¡°Best not to step outside.¡± Kelmithus acknowledged over the radio. A stone spear erupted from the ground, punching through the treant¡¯s trunk as it approached. The animated tree collapsed with barely a sound, its branches settling into the surrounding foliage. As Isaac continued his sweep, Kelmithus¡¯ voice came up again. ¡°A Tier 7 creature¡­ Captain, your evaluation for Tier 7 approaches, does it not? The timing proves rather unfortunate, given recent events.¡± ¡°Yeah. Timing¡¯s fucked, honestly,¡± Henry said, keeping his eyes on the treeline. ¡°Ah, so shall your advancement find itself delayed ¡®til mid-January then? I suppose the world shan¡¯t mind the wait, should we ask it nicely.¡± ¡°Ha, ha. I suppose it shan¡¯t.¡± Henry smirked, shaking his head. ¡°But for real though, I think we¡¯ll keep the same schedule ¨C test on the Fifth. It means we¡¯re probably gonna miss out on watching the tournament, but the Ambassador¡¯s apparently almost there with Ovinnegard, and apparently, no one¡¯s found the Elemental Dragon yet.¡± ¡°A prudent choice. Though I confess some surprise that Taldren permitted such haste.¡± Ron rested his shoulders on the wheel. ¡°Yeah, right? Guild¡¯s been surprisingly accommodating lately.¡± ¡°Hm; that they have.¡± Kelmithus paused, humming over the open comms. ¡°Have you given thought to which quest you¡¯ll undertake?¡± Henry hadn¡¯t heard that before. ¡°Huh? We get to pick?¡± ¡°Aye, one may oft choose. Yet I confess, I¡¯d near forgot ¨C they deem you somewhat special, so the Guild ventured to assign your tasks. I imagine they¡¯ve operated thus to prevent you from selecting easy advancement quests. For most, though, the choice is freely given.¡± Henry shrugged. ¡°Lucky us, I guess. The Guildmaster hasn¡¯t found any quest for us yet; guess we¡¯ll just have to find out on the day of.¡± ¡°Hmm. Taldren certainly requires no further proof of your combat effectiveness,¡± Kelmithus said. ¡°It seems likely he shall examine other qualities. Exploration, material identification, perhaps something else.¡± ¡°Well, ain¡¯t that shapin¡¯ up to be a real party,¡± Ryan sighed over their internal comms. ¡°Any ideas on what we oughta gear up for?¡± ¡°The Guild favors certain patterns. A stolen artifact among quarreling noble houses, a merchant¡¯s disappearance, signs of sabotage in a trading company.¡± Kelmithus¡¯ mouth quirked. ¡°The politics oft prove more dangerous than any monster.¡± ¡°Well, Sera,¡± Henry said. ¡°Looks like we might have to take you up on those etiquette lessons after all.¡± ¡°Oh, they needn¡¯t all involve politics,¡± Kelmithus offered. ¡°There are rather odd cases of spreading blights, or villages where residents fall ill with strange afflictions and return as undead, or unusual phenomena in ancient ruins¡­¡± Yeah, like any of that was any more desirable. ¡°Damn. So no easy way out, then?¡± Isaac asked. There were no takers until Sera spoke up. ¡°Well, there remains the rescue provision. Should a rescue quest remain unclaimed a full day, Guild law demands it be assigned without delay. Yet, in sooth¡­¡± she shook her head. ¡°They prove naught but trouble.¡± Henry winced. He¡¯d heard enough stories of rescue ops gone sideways from Ryan and Isaac. Fighting the bad guys was already complicated enough without throwing injured teammates or scared civilians into the mix. And rescuing adventurers would probably be worse than either ¨C too stubborn to follow orders but not trained enough to help. ¡°True enough,¡± Kelmithus said. ¡°Though as we speak of troubling quests, I realize I may have spoken in haste regarding your combat effectiveness. Your arms remain¡­ well, untested against certain threats. Mayhap Taldren wishes to see how your weapons fare against beings supernatural. Wraiths, perhaps, or ¨C¡± ¡°Hunter 2 to all,¡± the radio crackled, cutting the conversation short. ¡°We¡¯ve got visual on target. Vorikha Apex spotted in Zone 2, near a cave. Maintaining distance, over.¡± ¡°Hunter 2, Alpha copies. We¡¯re en route to the splash zone. What do you see?¡± ¡°Big bastard¡¯s sittin¡¯ pretty. Wait.¡± A pause. ¡°Shit. Ramirez, get the TOW ready! Bain, back us the fuck up! Hurry! Oh, shit, get the fucking bast¨C¡± The distinctive crack of a TOW launch cut through the static, followed immediately by the sound of splintering wood and screaming metal. Then silence. ¡°Hunter 2, status?¡± Henry switched channels. ¡°Mithril Lead, target is active in Zone 2. Hunter 2 lost contact. Requesting armor support, over.¡± ¡°Copy that, Alpha. ETA eight mikes.¡± ¡°All units, converge on Zone 2.¡± As Hunter 1 and the Sheriff operators confirmed the order, Henry turned to Sera. ¡°How¡¯s the ambient magic?¡± ¡°It grows ever more potent.¡± She stared down at her EMF meter. ¡°8,000 ¡®milligauss¡¯ and climbing.¡± Henry kept the Switchblade¡¯s control unit ready. He wouldn¡¯t let the launch unit get fucked up before he could actually deploy the thing, but he had to wait. With 2 miles still between them and Zone 2, plus the rising interference, the signal would probably be torn to shreds. They¡¯d need to get within a klick, maybe less, before he could risk sending it forward. ¡°Hunter 2, do you copy?¡± Henry tried again. Fragments of voices emerged through the static, but nothing clear enough to make sense of. The fact that they were getting anything at all meant at least someone was alive to transmit. Ryan¡¯s voice popped up. ¡°I¡¯ve got Yen on CROWS, TOW loaded. What¡¯s the play when we get there?¡± ¡°Gonna assume Hunter 2 took some direct hits. Probably got their vehicles disabled.¡± Henry adjusted his grip on the Switchblade controller. ¡°We play this like the Lindwyrm ¨C keep it busy; kite it ¡®til the cavalry arrives.¡± ¡°Yo, the Lindwyrm was the size of a building,¡± Ron cut in. ¡°It was kinda fast, but Vorikhas? They¡¯re ¨C¡± ¡°Fast as fuck, yeah.¡± Henry watched the trees blur past. ¡°That¡¯s why we¡¯re not getting cute. We find Hunter 2, and don¡¯t let that thing close distance. Sheriffs will be coming up from the south. Between us and Hunter 1, we¡¯ve got three angles of fire.¡± More static-filled fragments came through the general channel. Henry caught what sounded like ¡°--near the rocks¨C¡± before it cut out again. The MRAP jolted over rough ground as Ron maintained speed. Through the trees ahead, Henry caught a glimpse of rising smoke. The magnetic field reading stood at over 11,000 milligauss now; they must be getting close. He readjusted his grip on the control unit. No point sending the Switchblade up just to lose control, but once they had eyes on target¡­ ¡°Sheriff-1, ETA four mikes.¡± ¡°Sheriff-2, following Sheriff-1. Four-thirty.¡± Hunter 1, based on relayed information from the Sheriff operators, was also about 4 minutes out. By now, their heavy armor was probably about six minutes out. Not too bad under normal circumstances, but that hardly applied here. Six minutes was a hell of a long time to play tag with a Vorikha Apex. At least the sparse woods meant good lines of sight ¨C whenever they finally got there to use them. A burst of clearer transmission cut through: ¡°¨Cpinned down by the outcrop. I¡¯ve got two unconscious¨C¡± Static swallowed the rest. If they were picking up transmissions this well, this close to the epicenter, it meant they had to be within a klick. Close enough to risk the Switchblade now, even with the interference. Henry powered up the control unit. A massive heat signature bloomed on Henry''s thermal display, about two thousand meters out at two o''clock. Both Hunter 2 vehicles showed up clearly on thermal... both disabled ¨C one rolled and the other moving slowly but still fighting back. ¡°Aw, fuck,¡± Ron muttered. ¡°We¡¯re gonna have to get right up in there, aren¡¯t we?¡± ¡°Multiple smaller signatures converging from the east,¡± Dr. Anderson reported from the second MRAP. ¡°Can¡¯t tell if it¡¯s a handful of stragglers or if we¡¯ve gotten the attention of the main force near the Academy.¡± Henry weighed his options. The Switchblade would need his full attention to guide it through this interference ¨C he couldn¡¯t manage both weapons. Sera hadn¡¯t yet touched the CROWS in training, but all the settings were locked in for immediate engagement. Simple point and shoot. And if there was one thing she knew how to do, it was to hit targets. ¡°Sera, get on the CROWS. Settings are locked in, Just use the stick to aim and trigger to fire. Keep anything small off us.¡± Henry switched to the Switchblade controls. The .50 cal''s occasional bursts suggested she was managing. The drone shot forward as he guided it above the canopy, its camera feed stuttering through the interference. Through the static-filled video, he caught sight of the overturned MRAP, just outside of a cave. The other one was now stationary, but still firing. There it was. Henry switched the Switchblade to attack mode and banked it hard, trying to maintain control through the interference. The feed cut out twice before he got the angle he wanted, then¨C The explosion lit up the trees ahead. A roar of pain or rage echoed through the forest ¨C pain if he¡¯d actually managed to land the drone straight on its dome; rage in the likely chance the interference had caused him to miss. They burst through the treeline just in time to see the aftermath of the strike, and to confirm that all they¡¯d done was piss off the Vorikha. ¡°Alpha Team, thank fuck.¡± A new voice cut through the static ¨C Hunter 2¡¯s lieutenant. ¡°I¡¯ve got two unconscious and both my vehicles are completely fucked. Combat ineffective.¡± ¡°Solid copy, Hunter 2. We¡¯ll keep it off you. Sit tight and hold fire.¡± Blast marks and drops of purplish blood on the ground suggested Hunter 2 had managed to score some solid hits, limited only by the firepower at hand. Yeah, the thing was definitely pissed off. If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. ¡°Shit¡­¡± Ron muttered. ¡°Hey, on the bright side, it ain¡¯t focused too much on Hunter 2 anymore.¡± Henry tapped Sera on the shoulder. ¡°Use mud magic; slow it down where you can.¡± She nodded, relinquishing the CROWS to him and fastening herself to one of the passenger seats. The creature wheeled toward them, its massive form somehow fluid despite the bulk. At least three explosive impacts had torn chunks from its scales ¨C solid hits that would¡¯ve turned even a Minotaur Chieftain to paste. The damn thing hadn¡¯t even slowed down. Its roar split the air. The ground ahead of them buckled and twisted upward into a jagged wall. Ron yanked the wheel right as counter-magic from either Sera or Kelmithus forced the earth flat again, buying them precious seconds. It was hard to believe the Vorikha was that smart, but Henry had seen similar from the Sentinel Lindwyrm. ¡°Shit. Sera, focus on countering. Kel, you¡¯re on offense.¡± ¡°Copy,¡± Kelmithus said. The Archmage attempted Valtor''s vacuum sphere trick ¨C evident by the shimmer of displaced air form around the Apex. The creature didn''t even seem to notice. Its magic manifested just as easily without sound, like the best human casters who¡¯d moved beyond verbal components. ¡°Aight, scratch that,¡± Henry said, focusing his firepower on the creature¡¯s head and upper torso. ¡°Hayes, hammer the thing wherever it looks like it¡¯s gonna cast. Fuck with its concentration.¡± A massive oak sailed over their MRAP ¨C the Apex had just casually ripped it from the ground like pulling a weed. Henry squeezed off another burst as Ron swerved around the fallen tree. What would¡¯ve normally caved in the armor on a humvee instead ricocheted off the scales ¨C not really effective, but even a distraction was helpful enough to add to the mix. The ground beneath the Vorikha turned to slush, but true to its moniker, the Apex was simply faster. At that speed, it basically skipped across the mud like a stone over water. Even with Kelmithus hammering it with stone spears and Ryan''s grenades forcing it to dodge, the damn thing just kept coming. Ron drifted their MRAP, accelerating through a hard turn as Kelmithus tried to predict the monster¡¯s movements and turned the ground into a soupy mess. The Vorikha¡¯s momentum carried it forward, and instead of getting bogged down, it roared again. The mud hardened while the path ahead of the MRAP flash-froze into sheets of ice. Simultaneously, the Vorikha threw another tree ¨C a shot clearly meant to catch them when the ice inevitably made them skid. A neat trick, but they¡¯d already seen it once before. The MRAP¡¯s new winter-rated tires bit into the ice ¨C an upgrade courtesy of that particular clusterfuck ¨C while Sera¡¯s magic shattered the surface with earth and fire. The ice wasn¡¯t even that thick, either; unlike the Lindwyrm¡¯s specialized frost magic, this was just a Vorikha¡¯s brute-force attempt at area control. The tree crashed into the ground well ahead of them as they maintained traction and speed. The constant percussion of 40mm detonations and the occasional TOW blast seemed to be working though ¨C its magical attacks were getting sloppier. Still deadly as fuck, but at least they had a slight counter now. But of fucking course, the Apex seemed to realize this too; instead of the wide-area magic, it switched to rapid-fire spells ¨C stone spears and ice shards that were harder to track and counter. And just to make their lives even more interesting, it started ripping up everything in reach. Trees, boulders, chunks of frozen earth ¨C all of it becoming ammunition as it gained on them with terrifying speed. Henry almost regretted the counters they¡¯d enacted. Between sheer projectile spam and having to deal with clever traps, it was hard to determine which was worse. With objects that size, even a glancing blow would fuck up their mobility. Hell, that¡¯s probably what happened to Hunter 2. ¡°Movement at our nine!¡± Dr. Anderson called out. ¡°Contacts at the treeline!¡± Multiple Vorikhas ¨C smaller than the Apex but still easily Tier 8 ¨C burst from the woods. Treants, goblins, and hobgoblins trailed behind. Of fucking course, again. Because what was a boss battle without a bunch of extra bullshit to worry about? The distinctive crack of 30mm from the treeline saved him from having to stress over a half-second improvisation. Tracers from the woods slammed into the Vorikhas, sparks erupting on impact ¨C HEI-T. They weren¡¯t as effective against the scales, but the constant explosions and heat sure as hell made it harder for them to focus their magic. The smaller Vorikhas tried spreading out, probably hoping to split the Sheriffs¡¯ fire, but Henry had seen Kurata and Mancini do this before, against the fenwyrms. Sheriff-1 kept up suppression while Sheriff-2 switched to its TOW. The missile caught the first Vorikha center mass, blew it apart in a spray of scales and gore. The others broke formation, tried to retreat to cover ¨C exactly what the gunners wanted. Two more TOWs finished the job, precise shots catching them in the open. Three Tier 8s down in just around thirty seconds. Clean work. Hunter 1 rolled in from the opposite treeline just as the Sheriffs shifted their focus to the Apex. Three angles of suppression, plus some heavier firepower ¨C that opened up some options. Assuming, of course, that the Apex didn''t have any more surprises waiting. ¡°Sheriffs, good kills,¡± Henry called out. ¡°Hunter 1, watch for stragglers and handle crowd control. We¡¯ll keep the Apex busy while the Sheriffs hammer it. Kel, Sera ¨C let¡¯s bog it down.¡± The 30mm rounds did work when they connected, blew chunks off the Apex¡¯s scales; keyword being ¡®connected¡¯. The damn thing hardly sat still enough for them to accurately track it. Instead, they faced something that had already figured out cover and movement fundamentals ¨C used the trees like defilade, timed its advances between bursts, the whole nine yards. It even had the wonderful idea to grab its dead smaller cousins for improvised cover, letting their scales absorb the incoming fire until they gave way. Every time they pinned it down with concentrated fire, it just adapted. Threw up quick barriers of compressed earth, dragged fallen trees around for cover ¨C basic stuff, but pretty damn effective when it could shrug off the hits that got through. And now it was learning their firing patterns, using false movements to draw fire before moving the other way. Great. Just what they needed ¨C a Tier 9 that understood basic fire and maneuver. Henry kept the CROWS on target while Sera and Kelmithus worked their magic. Their combined fire stopped it from setting up anything too nasty, but they needed something bigger to actually put it down. Even with fresh wounds and one arm up to shield its head, it still coordinated the smaller monsters, used them to probe their positions. At this rate, the thing would start running tactical seminars. A trunk whipped out of nowhere ¨C not toward their Humvees, no, but right at Sheriff-2¡¯s turret. Henry saw the impact snap the sensors off with a brutal crunch, leaving the cannon listing sideways. The 30mm sputtered and paused, then stuttered back to life in short, erratic bursts as it switched to a rudimentary manual fire mode, spitting rounds without any real aim. It was putting out firepower, sure, but precision? That was a distant memory. Mancini¡¯s voice cemented the setback. ¡°Control¡¯s busted ¡®ere. Don¡¯t get too close.¡± ¡°Mithril 1-1, in range in 60 seconds.¡± The Vorikha¡¯s head swung toward Sheriff-1, blood matting its scales, one eye now a grotesque ruin. If anything, it looked keener for the loss. Less to worry about, maybe, if it even thought in those terms. It adjusted, lowering its head to account for lost depth perception. As inaccurate tracers grazed past it, the Vorikha learned that Sheriff-2 was near-ineffective and determined that it was no longer a threat. So what did it decide to do next? It fucking charged straight at Sheriff-1. It had a sense for suppressive fire, timing its rush between bursts and angling its approach to force a risky shot. The Apex cleared the last trees between it and Sheriff-1. Their fire tracked it, rounds detonating against scales and flesh, but it just powered through. Kurata must have realized what was coming; the Sheriff reversed hard, trying to maintain distance, but there wasn''t enough space to build up speed. Henry squeezed off another burst, but the Apex just tucked its head, brought up its good arm to shield its remaining eye. Not random thrashing or blind rage ¨C actual defensive positioning. Perfect. Give it another few minutes and it''d probably start teaching CQC. ¡°Check fire, check fire!¡± The call went out as the monster launched itself forward. The creature landed square on the vehicles hull, its weight driving the suspension to the stops. A jagged screech ripped through the air as claws raked over the Sheriff¡¯s armor. Strong enough to hold, for now, but that sound told Henry all he needed to know. If it kept at this, the plating wouldn¡¯t last. Kurata toggled his comms. ¡°Fuck, it¡¯s tearing through the¨C¡± Another wail of rending metal cut him off. The Apex kept its bulk behind the turret, using it for cover while it tore into the hull. Smart move. Real smart move. They couldn''t shoot without risking Kurata, and it knew. Fuck it. Sometimes the only good option was the least bad one. ¡°Hayes, TOW, now!¡± Henry switched channels. ¡°Kurata, incoming!¡± The TOW slammed into the Apex¡¯s flank. The explosion rolled the creature off Sheriff-1, showering the area with scales and smoke. So, good news ¨C problem solved. Bad news? The Sheriff looked like someone had taken a can opener to its hull, and the Vorikha was already getting back up. ¡°Kel, Sera ¨C pin it down! Mithril Lead, we need that shot now.¡± ¡°Eight seconds.¡± The Apex staggered to its feet, half its body a mess of torn scales and exposed flesh. But instead of pressing the attack or trying to escape, it just... paused. Head tilted. Like it was processing what had just happened. Shell shock? Concussion? Whatever it was, it was already starting to recover. The creature¡¯s remaining eye locked onto Henry¡¯s vehicle. It bunched its muscles for what would probably be one hell of a sprint. Six seconds. Sera¡¯s magic hit first, liquefying the ground into deep, viscous mud. Without its momentum, the Vorikha was just like any other sitting duck. The creature¡¯s own mass worked against it, each movement only driving it deeper. It tried to leap clear, but its legs found no purchase. Kelmithus followed up with interlocking stone spears. They threaded between limbs, crossed over its back, locked around its torso ¨C a geometric prison of stone anchoring it to the mire. The Vorikha¡¯s strength could shatter individual spears, but the pattern meant each broken restraint left gaps for two more to replace it. The Apex thrashed against the combination, attempting to compress the earth beneath its feet for solid ground. But between Sera liquefying the soil, Kelmithus weaving new restraints through the gaps, and several MRAPs pounding its head, the creature could barely counter the magic. Through raw strength alone, it finally managed to snap enough spears to begin rising. But it was too late. ¡°Gunner, sabot, Vorikha!¡± ¡°Identified.¡± ¡°On the way!¡± The first 120mm sabot didn''t so much pierce the Vorikha as it did phase through it. One moment the Apex was there, rising through stone and mud, and the next ¨C well, there wasn''t much left to rise with. The round hit just behind the shoulder, and physics took care of the rest. The Vorikha¡¯s torso basically ceased to exist, replaced by an expanding cloud of red mist, scales, and assorted chunks that used to be internal organs. The follow-up shot from Mithril 1-2 caught what remained of the upper body as it began to fall. This time the explosion turned everything above the waist into rapidly expanding vapor. What was left of its lower body slumped into the mud, twitching, while pieces of its head and neck decorated the surrounding trees. The comms erupted in whooping and hollering. Amazing what two depleted uranium darts moving at five thousand feet per second could do to solve one¡¯s problems. Sucks for the Vorikha, though. Being smart didn''t help much when your molecules suddenly decided to part ways. Despite the adrenaline, though, Sera didn¡¯t look too pleased. Henry could guess why. Watching a Vorikha get atomized was cool and all, but it also meant a lot of the valuable materials were eviscerated with it. At least Dr. Perdue would still have the lower body and parts of the head to work with. Henry tapped his push-to-talk button. ¡°Good shooting. Anyone check on Kurata?¡± ¡°I¡¯m fine. Sheriff¡¯s fucked, though,¡± Kurata¡¯s voice crackled through. ¡°Wish I coulda seen the money shot. Someone got that on video, right?¡± ¡°Yeah, we¡¯ll make sure you get the highlight reel,¡± Henry said. ¡°Hunter 1, get both Hunter 2 crews and Kurata out of here. We¡¯ll recover the vehicles once the area¡¯s secured.¡± The static cleared up a bit now that the Vorikha wasn¡¯t throwing magic around, but it wouldn¡¯t be gone unless they took out that rune system, wherever it was. Probably in that cave, which required dismounting. ¡°Mithril Lead, can you maintain overwatch?¡± ¡°Copy, Alpha Actual. We¡¯ll keep the small ones off you.¡± Ron brought their MRAP to the entrance. Stepping outside, Henry took a deep breath ¨C though given the gore, he probably shouldn¡¯t have. ¡°Sera,¡± he coughed. ¡°Sense anything?¡± She nodded at the entrance. ¡°Aye. Potent magic flows from within.¡± Henry turned to his team. ¡°Alright. Let¡¯s check it out.¡± A light buzzing zipped past him as Dr. Anderson sent a wired Black Hornet inside. The cave entrance was a natural formation, widening into a chamber about thirty meters deep. Their lights swept over treant carcasses sprawled across the floor, their wooden forms twisted and warped. Failed conversion attempts, probably. Either that, or the Nobians needed more conductive fibers for their rune system. White crystalline deposits dotted the cave walls, almost like salt formations, but with a faint luminescence that had nothing to do with their flashlights. The rune system itself sat against the back wall, exactly where they''d expected to find it. Same basic framework they''d seen before, though this one had been built with better materials. Mana crystals lined the edges, their glow reflecting off the orichalcum wiring that formed the primary conduits. Celisyrin vines wound through the secondary pathways, likely handling the lighter loads. Premium setup ¨C definitely a step up from the simple vines they¡¯d found at Hardale. ¡°Area seems clear,¡± Dr. Anderson called out. They approached the rune configuration. ¡°Think it¡¯s booby trapped?¡± Ron asked. ¡°These assholes seem like the type.¡± Henry started to dismiss the idea, then stopped. The crystalline deposits... They looked almost like saltpeter. Wait ¨C fyrite. He''d seen samples in Elwes'' lab, though not this much of it. And given what they¡¯d found at the Academy, it wouldn¡¯t be that alien to think the Nobians had set this place to go sky high. ¡°Kel, can you check for traps?¡± ¡°Wait!¡± Ron stopped him. ¡°If the Nobians can program runes to blow up from mana levels, is scanning even safe?¡± Henry paused. Was it? Before he could answer, Isaac stepped in. ¡°Nah. If there were detonation triggers based on ambient magic, this whole setup would''ve blown itself sky high days ago. That kind of trigger condition isn''t compatible with a functioning rune system ¨C you can''t have it react to energy output smaller than the rune system itself. I hope.¡± Kelmithus nodded. ¡°Indeed. Though one might posit they¡¯ve incorporated simpler triggers.¡± He gestured, analyzing the Core itself. ¡°Nothing of note as yet. Have you uncovered aught, Sera?¡± She shook her head. ¡°Clear of traps, but¡­¡± She frowned at the setup, following a trail of wire toward a large supply of mana crystals. ¡°Seems they¡¯ve set orichalcum wires to bear the brunt of the work, leaving the vines to wind through the lesser channels. A fair bit more clever than the clumsy layouts we¡¯ve seen ere now.¡± ¡°Indeed so. But let us study later. Sera, if you would¡­¡± Henry watched them work. Sera knelt beside the Core, studying its configuration for a moment before finding the access panel. The basic principle hadn¡¯t changed since Hardale: lock out the nodes, cut power, remove Core. Simple enough in theory. In practice... well, that depended on how badly the Nobians had jury-rigged everything. She carefully opened the Core, revealing the crystalline nodes inside. Each one had its own latching mechanism, and she began methodically realigning them, effectively shutting them out of the system. Kelmithus maintained a steady drain on the power supply while she worked. With the immediate concern handled, Henry found himself staring at the white crystalline deposits again. Fyrite. Enhanced saltpeter, basically. Something about that tickled the back of his mind, but he couldn''t quite pin it. And then there were the treants. All that enhanced cellulose, lying right next to deposits of enhanced saltpeter. Why did that feel important? There was something there, some connection he should be making¡­ Sera locked out another node. Henry watched the careful manipulation, but his thoughts kept circling back. Saltpeter. What did you do with saltpeter? Mix it with acid, right? Yeah ¨C sulfuric acid broke it down into nitric acid. That was it. But why did that matter here? A burst of gunfire erupted outside ¨C Mithril¡¯s tanks handling some minor contacts, most likely. Wait, mithril? That was basically magic-enhanced steel, able to easily outperform its mundane counterpart. Then, what could they use magic-enhanced nitric acid and cellulose for? There was definitely something there. What happened when you mixed them? It was one of those reactions he¡¯d learned about, the kind that showed up on tests because¨C Oh. Holy shit. Magic smokeless powder. ¡°Done,¡± Sera announced, decoupling the Core from the final power supply. His radio crackled as the interference cleared. ¡°¨Cyet to receive a response.¡± Henry recognized that voice. ¡°Professor Elwes?¡± ¡°Ah! Finally! Captain Donnager, I presume?¡± Henry shared a look with Ron. Why would Elwes be calling at this time? ¡°Yeah,¡± he replied. ¡°Most excellent. I trust your mission proceeds apace? Well, I''ve matters of some urgency to report. The wards about my laboratory and the Central Tower have been breached ¨C possibly our Nobian friend. The timing suggests they struck during our defense against the hordes. Most clever of them, I must admit.¡± Well, fuck. Henry set the thought of smokeless powder aside. Today just kept getting better.