Multiple Settings Valorous Order - Arc 1. The Paradox Raven

[Novelight]

[The coded version will be available at a later time today as I was unable to complete it within the allotted timeframe.]

Intro post

 

[voided]

Kriegsheld Cadre

EREBUS

HIKARU FUKUI

Imperius, Elesrith

Calling the ambush unexpected would be an understatement. But what else could they call it? Abrupt, unanticipated, unlooked-for—or how Hikaru would put it—backasswards, all synonyms that could describe the sudden ambush. Some felt more accurate to say than others, but ultimately, it all meant the same thing. No one expected an armored fiend alongside an unknown assailant. However, as fleetly as she made her presence known to the party, she disappeared off the bridge unto the sea below.

It wasn’t a true mission, but it certainly felt like a failure to Erebus. On the bright side, Armor Piercing rounds were her new best friend in matters like these. Perhaps, she’ll stock up on those a bit more if armored adversaries such as that were going to be a bit more common. The woman was glad that the fight was outdoors to say the least. If indoors, she wouldn’t be surprised if whoever controlled the mechanical aberration was willing to partake in a kamikaze attack if it meant stopping the Kriegshelden and Vanguards.

Nevertheless, in spite of the casualties the group carried on. Hikaru was normally one to talk someone’s ear off for mere entertainment, but for now she stayed quiet; dropping her theatrical mask for the time being. On the ride towards their next goal, she stayed fairly stationary. Managing to grab a window seat, Hikaru spent most of the ride peering out of it while her gun case stayed positioned between her legs, leaning against the shoulder furthest from the window. Fortunately—or perhaps unfortunately—it made it so she couldn’t talk to her teammates and see their faces. In the back of her mind, she feared yet another loss on her unofficial, mental record. Her leg bounced in place; was it anxiety or just something to do to pass the time, who knew. What an uneventful drive this was.

She needed a smoke.

--

Upon reaching the destination, Hikaru sat in the vehicle a bit longer, waiting to listen to any instructions that would come their way, if there were any in the first place. Regardless, once the orders were given or they were simply told to get out and get ready, Erebus left the vehicle. Kneeling down beside the vehicle—while also making sure she was not in the way of her coworkers—she opened her gun case and quickly installed needed attachments; the scope, extended magazine and the sling. Once that was all done, she slung the gun over her shoulder, letting it hang off-side for easy access.

Regardless if the others were ready or not, Erebus looked towards Syriel—her coworker and sergeant—and gave her a quick, silent wave of her hand. Or was Remiel in charge of this operation. Erebus wasn’t too sure, nor did she really care much. At least she wasn’t going to outwardly show it. Professionalism is key after all. “Ready whenever you are.” She spoke towards the Mage Knight. Quiet enough for the rest of the squad to hear, and only the squad. “So like, do we know if uhh...” What was the data lady’s name again? “Do we know if Cerby is actually here here? Or are we just waltzing in and hoping for the best? What if she isn’t here?”

What a bundle of questions Hikaru had. Lord knows there’s more where that came from.

Interactions: Panther [Remiel / Mage Knight], Sharatayn [Lupo Sanginus], Novelight [Cerberus]

Code by Serobliss

 

[Sharatayn]

Imperial Security Directorate

LUPO SANGINUS

LUCIA VARZEST

Imperius, Elesrith

At the pace deemed appropriate by her superiors, the vehicle traversed paved roads and busy streets. And within that vehicle, alongside the rest of the squad, was Lucia, absentmindedly reading a small magazine with only her right eye. Occasional bumps might disrupt the strands of hair that covered her left eye, but they would be unable to disrupt her focus, all of it going into the contents of the printed issue between her hands. To be sure, it would take someone a bit...odd, to so eagerly accept deployment alongside them after the Grand Bridge fiasco, but nevertheless she was there; it all had to count for something.

In tune with the lessening hum of the engine, Lucia would quickly close the magazine, rolling it up and forcing it into a shirt pocket before hopping out of the machine in one swift motion. With her boots on solid ground, the newest addition to the team would begin a quick final check of her own belongings - what little she had brought with her. A standard issue handgun, some clips of extra ammunition, and-well, that was it. One final pat down of the 'zine to try to keep it down where she had shoved it was all the preparation she could be seen doing.

Lupo Sanginus. That's right, she had a codename now, and she had to adhere to it; she was no longer Lucia, and should not, would not, respond to that name anymore. With the bright determination that only a rookie could carry with them, she intently listened. Listened to Erebus' questions, and any answers that might be given to her. Listened to any chatter taking place between her companions and other passengers of the vehicle that took them to the location of their next (and her first) mission. Listened to given official orders, whether aimed at her or not.
And while her ears strained to capture every single audible detail, her right eye stared at the building they had been sent to, as if to burn a hole through the supports and bring it all down. In practiced motions, her chest raised and lowered with perfect consistency, a specific breathing rhythm that could keep her heartbeat at a moderate pace. She would have the chance to prove herself soon, there was no meaning in wasting energy now.

One last thought crossed her mind. A sudden spark of cognition flashed over her face while she was lost in who knew what sort of ideas. "Lupo Sanginus, everything ready!" Though she had been prepared for some time now, unlike Erebus, she had forgotten to say as much. Well, perhaps the rest of the time could be seen as mental exercises. She was to be the vanguard, and yet the light clothing seemed no different from regular fabric; likely because that was what it was. Just what did her sleeves keep hidden for her to be so confident?

Interactions: Panther [Remiel / Mage Knight], voided [Erebus], Novelight [Cerberus]

Code by Serobliss

 

[Panther]

Ashen Embers

Remiel

Thessia Tyrren

Aucteraden

Silence. Nothing more, nothing less. That was the atmosphere within the team’s armored squad vehicle, cleverly disguised as an ordinary delivery van to reach their intended positions more safely and discreetly. The same applied to the many unnamed law enforcement troopers that went with them as extra hands, and as a tactical and strategic reserve should things go too far south.

The silence wasn’t particularly bothersome even if nobody was raising anything of importance right now. After all, the ones of relevance to the team were already raised prior. One woman in particular seemed to like the peace and quiet, Thessia Tyrren, codename “Remiel.” An elite operative of the Anteråsan “Ashen Embers” Special Task Force - the Collbrande of Anterås’s eyes, ears, and daggers. She is a new addition to the team as a result of an agreement between the Collbrandes of Anterås and Aucteraden to cooperate in an effort to bring a swifter end to the Arcalion Syndicate that operated in Agartha. A sophisticated bunch of rats and cockroaches. A plague, a disease that must be eradicated no matter the cost. But Thessia knows not to underestimate them if their recent victories against the Kriegshelden and Vanguards in Elesrith were anything to go by. These were points that she made clear when she coldly and professionally introduced herself to the team as one of their new commanders alongside Syriel Janus, the Mage Knight, the Second Arclight of the Kriegsheld Cadre. With regards to their charge however, Thessia seems to know more of the story that the people around her do not. A fact that she more than capably hides from everyone, even now.

Back to the matter at hand, her imposing aura likely contributed to the silence, but it didn’t matter to her. What did matter to her however, was what she and her part of the team are currently setting out to do – to act as support for an operation that involved their contractor team member Cerberus hacking into a vital enemy database in one of the many skyscrapers dotting the cities of the Province of Aucteraden. She is currently having an encrypted typewritten conversation with Syriel, who wasn’t present with the team in the vehicle as Remiel ordered the former to prepare and finalize what they agreed to call ‘strategically advantageous positions’ or ‘SAPs’, a euphemism for a variety of traps, killzones, and potential safehouses around the city of operation, something they’ve been doing in the days leading up to the mission today.

Remiel made it clear to the Mage Knight that this was a high-risk, high-stakes, but high-reward operation that could see the direct intervention of the Syndicate’s highest echelons, particularly one ‘Sertoria Feuersturm’ as suggested by intelligence that came all the way from the Province of Sanguinum and Aucteraden’s border with it. She is an indescribably dangerous fire-wielding woman from a fallen Noble House with a fully developed Exousiarch whose reputation certainly precedes her. With this, they had to prepare accordingly and be proactive against the Syndicate after some time of being on the back foot. This was a chance for them to catch or get rid of a very big fish, and they wouldn’t want to let that slip. Remiel then gets a report that the SAPs are almost ready, prompting her to tell Syriel to carry on, prepare for anything, and submit a more complete report of the day’s preparations after they are done for today. After that, she keeps her mobile terminal away in her pocket. And right on cue, they were arriving as per the heads up of the driver. It was time for everyone to ready up and then saddle up.

The squad vehicle then stops in the rear entrance of the skyscraper’s parking garage. Remiel was the first to disembark, wearing a lighter iteration of tactical armor that covered her from head to toe, concealing her person and visage. Her gauss rifle slung over her back, her vibroblade and daggers sheathed in scabbards attached to a utility belt alongside a holstered gauss pistol. The rest were magazines among other things like grenades of the explosive or smoky variety. She briefly acknowledges with a firm nod the soldierly and in-protocol introduction of the newest addition to the team, the beleaguered girl from the Imperial Security Directorate who possesses potentially great power, but at a great price – Lucia Varzest, codename ‘Lupo Sanguinus.’ Then she got to answering the question raised by another new addition to the team, Hikaru Fukui, codename ‘Erebus.’

“So like, do we know if uhh... Do we know if Cerby is actually here here? Or are we just waltzing in and hoping for the best? What if she isn’t here?”

“Yes.” And immediately after that, they all hear the loud bang of the explosion coming from the skyscraper of interest that Cerberus was operating in. If that wasn’t enough, other squads that arrived much earlier immediately reported to Remiel via their encrypted channels coupled with a barely noticeable tremor, “And I certainly don’t have to prove it to you anymore. Come on, people!” She motions with her hand before swiftly sprinting to an entrance with an elevator and stairs leading to where they want to be behind another squad of ISD troopers that had come in from the floor below. A trooper immediately reports to her, an officer in charge of a good portion of the troops dedicated for the operation.

“Ma’am, our troops are further upstairs busy with evacuating the building. We already have people near Cerberus’s location and are reporting that they’re being engaged.”

Remiel replies, “Have your troops break the Syndicate’s lines upstairs with the heavies going around to make their way to Cerberus and get her out of there, and fast. We already have a good idea of what we’re dealing with here. I’m going to need the troops to stay clear, we’ll handle whatever caused that explosion upstairs after you get Cerberus out. Am I clear?”

The officer replied, “Yes ma’am!” He held his communicator which caught Remiel’s words and relayed them before the officer continued, “You heard the lady, men! MOVE, EXTRICATE, AND EXFILTRATE!” He then goes into a service elevator that his men called for, “We’ll see you upstairs or outside, ma’am!”

Remiel nodded, reaching into her communicator while walking into another elevator that the officer’s men also called for, “I need fire services and riot control vehicles equipped with water cannons, immediately!” She then motions to the team, “We’re going up!”

After that, she switches channels on her communicator, “Mage Knight, I need SAPs within a one-kilometer radius of our position prepped and ready!” After the team gets in the elevator, she immediately closes it and pushes the button of a floor that’s a few flights of stairs from Cerberus’s position. The elevator then proceeded to go up the floors at a blisteringly fast pace, they would be at the destination floor in seconds, but still long enough for the others to strike very short conversations with each other.

Meanwhile at Cerberus’s position, just as the small-framed hacker contemplated the potential reality of her dying, it wasn’t to be. A squad of ISD troopers clad in enchanted incarce-tech heavy armor appeared in front of her and formed a shield wall while another ISD trooper from the their rear ran up to her and carried her up, “Let’s get you out of here! The others are on the way!” He briefly looks over beyond the shield wall to see just what it was they were dealing with. It became clearer through the smoke as it drew near. And to say it was a nightmare was an understatement, the trooper gritted his teeth with a grunt before barking an order, “MEN, WE’RE BACKING UP! KEEP THOSE SHIELDS UP IF YOU DON’T WANT TO GET IMMEDIATELY INCINERATED OR BLOWN TO BITS! BACK UP! BACK UP! BACK UP!” The men then proceeded to briskly and methodically withdraw with Cerberus with pressure from the Syndicate and the powerful pyromancer.

He exclaims through his communicator, immediately talking to Remiel on the unified channel for all squads, “Ma’am, it's positive! The Phoenix is here!”

Remiel took a deep breath in response. She wasn’t exactly positive about their odds considering the relatively greenhorn nature of the team and their first real operation together now involving quite literally something that can set an entire city block alight on a whim. The team has likely read up on this ‘Phoenix’ before sortieing, and they very well would know what this Phoenix is capable of. She looks at the team, “Now that one of our key targets is confirmed to be here, we have to lure her out of this building if she doesn’t see herself out of it first lest we entertain being trapped in a crumbling and burning building. Then once she’s outside, we’ll engage her in the streets while thinking on our feet. The enemy will be unpredictable. Don’t worry about people, I’ve already ordered for emergency services so the immediate battlespace should theoretically be clear of noncombatants within the hour.”

Interactions: Novelight (Cerberus) Sharatayn (Lupo Sanguinus) voided (Erebus)

Code by Serobliss

 

[Sharatayn]

Imperial Security Directorate

LUPO SANGINUS

LUCIA VARZEST

Imperius, Elesrith

"Yes'm!" Lucia was quick to spring to action in following Remiel's trail; so quick, in fact, that she began jogging before her superior had started moving, thus barely managing to not be left behind after the rest of the team sprinted towards their goal. It was a quirk she had developed to bypass certain limitations that held her back, with the added benefit of keeping her perception sharp. As sharp as it could be with half of a field of vision, at least.
During the exchange with the officer, her right eye glanced once or twice towards the stairs. Stairs...the final frontier. It was hard to decide on if stairs or ladders were worse, but both had proved to be a nightmare for the languid agent. A story or two? No issue! But the rumbling didn't feel like it came from the fourth floor, rather somewhere closer to the 40s...maybe higher. If they had to take the stairs no matter what, she could always take a more vertical approach. From outside, or perhaps an elevator shaft?

Thankfully for the girl whose breathing exercises were akin to a lifeline, the elevator's doors opened for their small squad as well, and she was more than happy to be the first to step foot within. Ah, the relieving feeling of vertigo that came from riding such a quick ascent in full comfort...nevermind the fact they were going straight into battle not even a month since deployment. Yet it did not feel like she was being flung into something unreasonable. Her performance would only be hurt by superfluous tasks and duties...not to mention the strain that would put onto her.
...scratch that, the phoenix? The Phoenix...so much for any sort of relaxing, instinct driven brawl, this would turn into a life or death whether she wanted it to or not. "...yes'm." Even so, fear did not take hold in her heart. "I should take point then!" With a long exhalation, Lucia's breath condensed into a cold mist, the aurora that surrounded her body after easily visible even under the artificial light built into the elevator.

The suit of armor that took the place of Lucia glimmered under the same light that the Incarce had been fighting against mere moments earlier. However, the wings that were wrapped around the breastplate from behind proved to be pushing her limits, as once her Exousiarch's skill manifested itself, Lucia was left stumbling back from the strain. Her head felt light and numb, and the breathing rhythm she had maintained could barely keep her upright.
But barely was still enough.
"I will...do my best to drive her outside! Uhm, after..." A rose by any other name...she had the will and nigh-reckless panache, but definitively not the gumption or wit that taking on the Phoenix of all people would call for. At least she was receptive to instructions?

Interactions: Panther [Remiel / Mage Knight], voided [Erebus], Novelight [Cerberus]

Code by Serobliss

 

[Novelight]

Valorous Order // Arc 1 - The Paradox Raven

Gundahar

Kriegsheld Cadre / Arclight Rank 5

Rooftop, Elaros Tech Building, Seraphiel City | Aucteraden, Mainland Agartha

Positioned atop the neighboring skyscraper across Artemis Building was a black-haired Exhelian equipped with a sniper rifle aimed directly at a specific black window among the multitudes that were glaring at the world outside. With his index finger adjusted to the side of the trigger, from below he awaited orders, silently gazing upon that one window where Cerberus was presumed to be located, awaiting for further confirmation before assuming with his predictions. If the reports were true, there was a chance that this entire ordeal would be over with this single shot - and with hope on his side, Dietrich was prepared to take out the adversary that would spell further trouble for them in the near future, someone capable of scorching this entire city on a whim.

Sertoria Feuersturm was the appellation attributed to a perpetrator renowned for her involvement in enigmatic acts of arson and other acts of terrorism, strategically accompanied by politically motivated messaging targeted at the Empyrian Empire in its entirety. After facing condemnation from her native province of Sanguinum, thereby rendering her homeless, the aforementioned criminal was subsequently discovered perpetrating her illicit endeavors in the central district of Aucteraden, though her precise motives remained ambiguous. Evidently, it became apparent that she had aligned herself with the Arcalion Syndicate, thereby intensifying the complexity of the clandestine mission to investigate the Syndicate beyond what was originally anticipated.

Dietrich's arsenal comprised a sole bullet, limiting his options significantly. Once the initial shot had been discharged, the likelihood of the second shot making contact plummeted to near zero, for Sertoria possessed the means to activate her Exousiarch, effectively disintegrating any projectiles in close proximity. A surprise assault represented one of the remaining alternatives, although failure would leave Kyouka and her companions responsible for executing a substitute plan. Despite Dietrich's steadfast faith in the abilities of his allies, his skepticism regarding the victory of this mission persisted, given his awareness of Sertoria Feuersturm's capabilities.

Nevertheless, Dietrich braced himself for the worst outcome and took a deep breath, only to witness a radiant illumination emanating from the very window under his scrutiny. This luminous display served as confirmation that their presumption had been accurate: Cerberus had been deceived into entering the building under the assumption that it was merely a data storage for the Syndicate, as initially surmised. Meaning, the Syndicate was well aware of what the investigation force knew thanks to the unknown mole.

His finger now on the trigger, Dietrich aimed with precision at the shadowy individual that stood close to the window. Thanks to the technology installed into his scope, he could see directly into the black window and confirmed the target into his communication device, “Target is within visual range and under observation,” he then moved his sights to the side to view the victim lying on the floor, “Cerberus requires immediate medical assistance. Send the paramedics alongside the vanguard unit.”

After notifying everyone involved with the operation, Dietrich drew in another deep breath, fortifying himself mentally for the impending task at hand. Having not fired a rifle of this caliber since his days in the Order, he had to admit that he was mildly nervous. His hands had already started to produce sweat, showing that he still remained skeptical and even somewhat doubted himself.

In a seamless motion, Dietrich relinquished control to his index finger, initiating the precise actuation of the trigger. Simultaneously, the rifle discharged an anti-material round at an imperceptible velocity, propelling it towards its intended target with lethal intent. Enveloped in enchantments and arcane incantations that defied sensory divinations, the bullet surged through the atmosphere, swiftly penetrating the window before it was about to make contact with the notorious criminal, before the unthinkable occurred that caused Dietrich to lift his head.

The bullet, presumed invincible in its capacity to dismantle any form of defense, encountered resistance as Sertoria deftly intercepted it with her blade. Upon contact with the tip of her sword, the bullet was seamlessly bisected, its severed fragments disintegrating into oblivion following Sertoria's activation of her Exousiarch. The impossible caused Dietrich to grit his teeth and view the situation with such shock that left him practically speechless.

Was Sertoria Feuersturm simply that skilled? Was her spatial awareness so finely tuned that it allowed her to discern a bullet hurtling through the air at a velocity ten times exceeding that of sound itself?

“Initiate the secondary plan… I underestimated her.” Dietrich spoke through the comms with a tone tinged with bitterness. “Be careful, and I mean that sincerely. Do not engage with the intention of arresting the target. I’m afraid the only way we’re taking down this beast is with sheer force with the intent to kill.”

Interactions: Panther (Remiel/Mage Knight), Sharatayn (Lupo Sanginus), voided (Erebus)

End of Post // Continuation of Chapter 05

 

[Novelight]

Valorous Order // Arc 1 - The Paradox Raven

Sertoria

Arcalion Syndicate / Lieutenant

FLOOR 105, ARTEMIC BUILDING, SERAPHIEL CITY | AUCTERADEN, MAINLAND AGARTHA

"My dear Sertoria, a true warrior must forever be aware that death relentlessly pursues their every step."

"Unshackle your mind from the clutches of fear, for it is victory's path that demands your unwavering attention. As the bearer of a remarkable Exousiarch, you stand as the revered one, destined to taste only triumph and never surrender to the tides of defeat."

"... Center your focus, and ascend as the sovereign of your surroundings. Allow no adversary to play tricks behind your back. For a formidable warrior’s greatest enemy is the cunning nature of the weak."​

As her inner flames grew increasingly fervent, the lingering echoes of her grandfather's words continued to taint her thoughts. In a peculiar manner, his words served to keep her alert during the entire ordeal, recalling the countless grueling days of training she had endured. Thanks to the lessons acquired from those rigorous sessions, her senses remained impervious, and her mental defenses remained impenetrable against any onslaught—including the sudden bullet that came at her with speed that should have pierced into her chest.

Sertoria flawlessly intercepted the projectile with a seemingly effortless motion, the sword deflecting it without leaving a single scratch, thanks to its magical composition. Crafted from an unyielding steel that defied conventional bending or chipping, Sertoria wielded her weapon with unwavering confidence, unsettling Dietrich to the point of agitation—a mental state he had long since forgotten. The recognition of his vulnerable position brought a sense of satisfaction to the Phenex, subtly reflected in a rare smile that graced Sertoria Feuersturm's typically serious visage.

Her unsettling grin came from the depths of a twisted psyche. To those versed in the language of madness, it bore no resemblance to genuine delight; rather, it served as a haunting visage, an embodiment of her own derangement. In a gesture of hospitality to those daring enough to confront her directly, Sertoria stood ready, foretelling their every move from a distance. Beyond merely evading the anti-material bullet, she possessed the extraordinary ability to foresee the future—an extension of her consciousness permeating the surroundings, reaching even the farthest corners of the building. It was a feat that defied conventional expectations, given her youth and limited experience, but she had mastered this technique regardless.

In other words, the entire building and her surroundings were now being observed by the Phenex, her mental gaze penetrating even the barriers of walls to fixate upon the enemies situated beyond.

The feeble prey, represented by the gray-haired girl writhing on the floor and the enigmatic sniper perched atop the distant roof, had already faded from Sertoria's consciousness. Her attention fixated solely upon the elevator gates, decorated with that familiar twisted smile that brought her perverse delight. With each fleeting second, the elevator drew nearer to her designated floor, and as she bided her time, the intensity of her fiery aura surged, signaling her ominous preparations for a devastating onslaught.

Emerging from the elevator gates came rushing a group of trained and armored members of the local paramilitary force. With practiced efficiency, they swiftly encircled their fallen comrade, fulfilling their duty as anticipated. Hidden within the lingering smoke, a testament to her recent assault on Cerberus, Sertoria stood in silence, her watchful eyes fixed upon the squad. With each deliberate step, she approached them, exuding an aura of intimidation. Her chin dipped slightly, accentuating the piercing gaze of her fiery orbs, while her stride exuded an air of unwavering confidence, a gait reserved for those who possessed an steadfast confidence.

Once the smoke around her disappeared, and her face and body was revealed to the squad before her, Sertoria merely kept her cool. Based on their defensive formation, she knew that they were waiting for her to make the first move.

Brandishing her sword, Sertoria directed its pointed tip toward the woman who held her utmost interest, locking her gaze with an intensity that she relished.

“To ashes,”

Words laced with incantations left her lips as flames began engulfing the sword. Then, like a tempest unleashed, the explosive inferno surged forth with unrelenting force, consuming all in its path with a voracious appetite for destruction.

Interactions: Gundahar, Sharatayn (Lupo Sanginus), Panther (Remiel), voided (Erebus)

End of Post // Continuation of Chapter 05

 

[voided]

Valorous Order // Arc 1 - THE PARADOX RAVEN

Hikaru | Erebus

Kriegsheld Cadre / Arclight Rank 2

FLOOR ???, ARTEMIC BUILDING, SERAPHIEL CITY | AUCTERADEN, MAINLAND AGARTHA

Oh thank god. Was all Hikaru thought as she followed Remiel in. Well, being thankful was probably the wrong thing to feel when someone could potentially die at one wrong move. She has never met this ‘Cerby’ yet nor was Hikaru all too keen on fighting against a high-value target, but the certainty that the person they had to protect was here did make her feel a little better on how to handle this. Following Remiel towards the elevator, Hikaru stayed fairly quiet as the other woman shouted orders at the I.S.D. troops and into her receiver. Once Remiel finally glanced back at the group, all Hikaru spoke was a quick, “Yeah, okay.” as she stepped into the elevator.

While she waited, she glanced over at the other newbie to the group, Lupo Sanguinus. The woman seemed raring to go, eager to please even. Turning her head slightly to glance at Lupo, Hikaru just flashed a quick, crooked smile. Insincere, but enough to make the taller women feel at ease. She then looked up at where the elevator was indicating what floor they were at. As it reached the desired floor, Erebus gave a lazy salute towards Remiel, giving the woman her usual smirk.

“Erebus, everything reeaa~dy,” Albeit saying similar earlier, Hikaru wanted to poke some fun at Lupo. Lowering her hand, she then looked over at Lupo Sanguinus. “What does your call sign even mean? I know Lupo means wolf, but what is Sanguinus?”

Regardless if Lupo began answering her question or not, the ding of the elevator and the doors opening was enough for Erebus to begin following Remiel out of the elevator car. Upon catching up with Remiel, Hikaru asked her a question in a hushed tone.

“How. How do we lure her out? Lupo has... an armor now but is strained.” Hikaru had read up on the Phoenix of Ignitus—founding member Arcalion Syndicate—a dangerous woman coupled with her affinity for Pyromancy. To say she was a force to be reckoned with was an understatement. One wrong move could mean death. “I can try and catch her attention before having her chase me down the stairs.”

Although, that would be suicide for me. Is what Erebus wanted to add. But for now, she kept her mouth shut. Flipping the safety on her gun, Erebus simply waited for Remiel to give her an order. As much as she would love to run up there and pull a trigger on their current HVT. That was a quick and easy recipe for disaster. It was like running towards a high-level boss in Cimmerian Essence while being level 1 and equipped with just a club. Basically, unless one was nigh-perfect, a feat such as this would be impossible.

The raven-haired woman let out a sigh as she hand her hand through her bangs. She was nervous, yes. But far from being terrified. Erebus just had to be careful. That's all. The Phoenix was made to destroy, and to destroy she would if no one was careful.

Interactions: Novelight [Gundahar | Sertoria], Sharatayn [Lupo Sanginus], Panther [Remiel]

End of Post // Continuation of Chapter 05

 

[Panther]

Valorous Order // Arc 1 - The Paradox Raven

Syriel Janus

Kriegsheld Cadre / Arclight Rank 2

Rooftop, Elaros Tech Building, Seraphiel City | Aucteraden, Mainland Agartha

Dietrich, the Exhelian marksman, wasn’t alone by himself on the rooftop for he also enjoyed the company of a fellow Kriegshelden comrade-in-arms clad in light armor designed for rapid mobility that came with a jetpack attachment. It was none other Syriel Janus, his senior in terms of rank, but the opposite in terms of age. But nonetheless, their relationship with one another is certainly far from professional at this point, especially given how Syriel doesn’t exactly feel right or at home being all cordial and formal with those around her. To her, it just made the atmosphere unnecessarily tense. But Remiel as her co-commander was another beast entirely, she was essentially the ice block of the group, ‘frozen’ in her cold and professional state that made people shudder or gulp and follow her orders lest they unleash what could be a beast within. Syriel was okay with the arrangement of sharing command with and even being a subordinate to Remiel, but there was just something about that woman with black hair and golden eyes that didn’t sit well with her.

Speaking of the devil, Syriel was on the line with Remiel about preparing the areas necessary to which the former gives the affirmative. Coordinating the onsite groups with her mobile terminal that featured a battle management system. She occasionally glanced at Dietrich who was prone, one eye looking through the scope while the other stayed open just in case. Then she hears Remiel call again with a more serious and urgent tone, confirming a hypothesis that they all went over prior to this operation.

“Mage Knight, I need SAPs within a one-kilometer radius of our position prepped and ready!”

Syriel looked at Dietrich who just now took the shot and failed, further hammering that it was indeed Sertoria Feuersturm that they were facing. Hearing of Cerberus’s situation from all the comms chatter, she took a deep breath while walking to the edge of the rooftop, talking to her communicator, “All onsite teams, I need the SAPs within a one-kilometer radius prepped and ready! Phoenix is positive! I repeat, Phoenix is positive! All onsite teams shift to the SAPs under Plans B through C! We’re burning daylight here, people!”

She sighs after finishing, turning to look at Dietrich, “Now I gotta get going, Dietrich. I’ll see you in the streets after I get our little princess.” She gives a short two-finger salute before pushing a button on a remote control, causing a high-pressure compressed air cannon behind her to fire a long grappling wire from the rooftop of the Elaros Tech Building she’s currently on to Floor 105 of the neighboring Artemic Building, where Hell was let loose. The wire flies through a window and penetrates a support beam, giving Syriel a very solid shot at getting into the building. She attaches her harness to the wire and flipped the visor of her helmet on before making a short leap into the air, dropping a bit before using her jetpack for a few seconds to send her careening down the zipline at a very fast speed. She spoke to her communicator, “Remiel, this is Mage Knight! I’m going in for asset exfil! You’ll get your SAPs posthaste!”

And with that, Syriel speeds into the building, detaching her harness once she was inside the building, using her enchantment magic to protect her from impact damage as the inertia sent her flying a short distance. She unsheathed her vibroblade and stabbed it into the floor as she went, serving as her anchor and slowing her down. She zooms right past the rear of the heavies forming a shield wall in front of Cerberus before fully stopping. She grunts before dispelling her enchantments, standing up and immediately sprinting to Cerberus, carrying the little hacker in her arms, “I got you, little princess. Now, next part’s gonna be rough so hold on to me real tight.” She then exclaims to the troops, “ALL OF YOU DISPERSE!”

And she gave the order right on time, Sertoria was on the verge of unleashing hell in the form of a controlled firestorm at the floor they were all at. The men and Syriel all scurried off as the blazing arcane flames raged throughout the floor, the former making a controlled run for the stairs where the main team was while Syriel opted for a more ‘direct’ exit. In so doing, she held Cerberus tightly and ran for a window on the opposite end of the building, charging through it and entering into a freefall. Syriel streamlines her profile to improve her aerodynamic cross section and then once they were at a certain height from the ground, she activates her jetpack a second time, lifting the two of them back up again. Then with some thrust control, Syriel would descend onto the flat pavement outside the building where one ambulance out of many were waiting. Fire services started coming in, their blaring sirens filling the air as they got into position and braced themselves.

Syriel sees a vacant ambulance and sprinted to it, handing Cerberus to the surprised EMTs, “She’s with Lord Kaiser. Now go!” The EMTs nodded and quickly got into action, driving Cerberus away from the building. Syriel sighed in relief, reporting to Remiel, “Asset extracted. She’s in safe hands. It’s on you people now!” With that, she once more leaves, intending to personally coordinate the onsite teams she was directing earlier. With her mobile terminal, it’s easier considering she gets real-time updates on the situation.

Back at the building, a pitch black mist starts seeping into the floor that Sertoria is in, quickly permeating throughout the whole floor and obstructing her vision. Sertoria quickly notices that her senses were being weakened, if not dulled here. Someone or something intends to strike her from the shadows. And she is definitely certain it’s going to be more than one individual.

Remiel called out to Lucia through the comms, ordering her to engage, “Lupo Sanguinus, engage!” Then followed by another order to Hikaru, “Erebus, provide support!” She didn’t need to send a message to Dietrich considering she knows him well enough and has faith in what he’ll be up to. Remiel in the meantime would summon her shadowy lupine familiars before going around in the mist for a flanking attack such that depending on how it goes, they could push Sertoria out of the building so that they could all relocate to a better position.

Novelight (Cerberus, Dietrich, Sertoria), Sharatayn (Lupo Sanguinus), voided (Erebus)

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