Unstable

"Sumire," Corlean's firm and diplomatic voice caught the attention of the young wounded Nakai resting on the infirmary bed, waiting in sustained silence. In her hands was a set of light blue and beige colored spiritual garments made with interwoven silk and cloth. She placed the spiritual garments on the infirmary bed next to Sumire and clasped her hands together with a smile. "Tis your time in the Fon's territory. Mayhap you should wear our delightful garments. It shall identify you in Sagittarius as one of our own, and it should suffice for now."

"Thank you, Corlean," Sumire said as she picked up the set of clothing. It definitely was not her style, but it was surely better than wearing tattered dirty clothes draped with bandages across her shoulders and naked back. As she attempted to change her clothes, a light sting came about abruptly on her bullet wound, forcing her to place her arm back down. "Damn. I can't get my arm to go over this sleeve."

"Let me assist you," Corlean stepped in and lifted the spiritual top's sleeve for Sumire to easily slip into. "Your arm is certainly not unwanted attention. I suggest you elevate your arm with your sleeve for now. It may take quite a while for it to heal to an acceptable state."

"Wow," Sumire was honored to have someone as kind as Corlean to assist her, even though they were complete strangers with different backgrounds. Not that Sumire was an evil individual with any ill intent, but for Corlean to trust a random guest without the worry of backlash was a sign of mutual respect. "Thank you again, Corlean."

"Not to worry," Corlean replied, revealing a clipboard in her hands once again. Armed with a light feathery quill, Corlean scribbled down several notes regarding the young boy's condition. "Mr. August Ames's son, unknown age, sickened beyond repair. What a mystery this is. This is hardly the first time this young boy has ever been sick. Tracing his origins of arrival has been my task ever since Mr. Ames arrived to visit the Fon, and every time this young gentleman had been groveling in our infirmary's foreground. Surely this cannot be a coincidence, lest he is the one responsible for his actions."

Sumire realized that Corlean was a Fon descended version of her own Sunlight detective identity, carrying a fervent mindset of identifying and analyzing the Fon's difficulties and mysteries. For once, Sumire could identify as part of their culture, fore they carried the responsibility of ensuring the Fon was safe and sound from any ongoing difficulties.

"When it comes to Lucine, what do you think her motives are for leaving Planet Vicious?" Sumire asked, wanting to know her input on the past situation.

"Lucine, hmm…" Corlean placed her index finger underneath her chin. "Well, it certainly has to do with the sheer concept of revenge. Surely it is envious and emphatic revenge. If it is the otherworldly invaders that have convinced her to partake in such a discard of her sheer identity, then these invaders must have either modified her existing beliefs by force or convinced her with a reason to partake in such ill intent," Corlean sighed, placing her hands on her hips. "I wish it was naught but a jest. Lucine has been one of the Fon's biggest symbols of hope, as well as the individual who would do naught but rally and bless our people with the gift of song. Without her, many of our people have given up hope."

"These otherworldly invaders you're talking about are a small corporation by the name of Genesis Laboratories," Sumire identified based on her brother's recently revealed status. "Recently they've been held up at a place near the Virgo District, experimenting on humans and aliens alike. They've been housing very mysterious technology in their strongholds too. I'm wondering what their main goal is for having bothered the Fon for so long."

"Their main goal? Harnessing the energies of the Fon to produce crystals for their experiments," Corlean bluntly stated. "They feed off the life source of the Fon, leading to eventual catastrophic events for them. Some witness death, which eventually tarnishes and burns out the flames in their tiny beating hearts. Some of them eventually deconstruct and meltdown until they are naught but ash. These invaders, apologies… Genesis... has been constantly at our people's throats for a very long time. Only recently have we been able to discover some of their main goals after succeeding in light warfare taking place in our outdoor plains."

"Really?" Sumire expressed, realizing that Corlean knew much more about Genesis than usual. She was clearly the Fon's investigator and detective, much like Sumire's role in Sunlight. "I'm surprised, actually. For all of you to be so fearless when it comes to fighting people that constantly threaten you… it's really a lot to soak in."

"Yes…" Corlean turned her back against Sumire and embarrassingly swayed herself from side to side. "Especially when there are sacrifices made, deaths received, and our finest men and women perishing," Corlean stomped her ground in anger and scoffed loudly. "And the Fon! Ugh, I cannot stand this any longer!" She roared. "Surely there must be something I can do! I can't help but feel a lack of usefulness after standing so idly as the Fon do battle with these fools!"

"You're really fired up," Sumire chuckled, noticing how Corlean was not fond of passivity. "But this is serious news. I think we'll be able to find out Genesis's intentions very soon."

"We shall," Corlean placed her hands on her hips and smirked towards the exit of the infirmary. "Hmph. Let's be on our way now. I have some business to take care of with some of the Fon company's rations. Those soldiers may also know some vital information about Genesis."

"What about Ames's son?" Sumire asked, leaning towards the young boy's obscured face. His breathing was slow-paced and weak.

"It brings me great agony to say this, but we cannot do much as of now," Corlean stated. "Our doctors and nurses will do their absolute best to rejuvenate the boy. We must go now."

Sumire followed Corlean out of the infirmary. Many of the Fon's descendents scattered outside the infirmary to examine the newcomers and guests that entered the Sagittarius area. Many of them ogled at Sumire until Corlean stepped in front of her, swaying her clipboard aside towards the men and women barricading their pathway. The little Fon waved at Sumire as she passed by, enticing Sumire to wave back because of how adorable they were.

There were multiple Fon companies that were in charge of supplying materials, crafting weapons and armor, and gathering/transporting succor to the Sagittarius inhabitants. Many of these steampunk-themed buildings pumped out resources faster than the blink of an eye. Sumire watched as several Fon descendent workers hauled miniature vehicles such as wagons, bins, and carts of resources from one company destination to another. Several other demanding tasks required their tamed horses to pull their resources from one place to another. Sumire admired how outstandingly archaic and traditional their methods of work and transportation were.

Sumire and Corlean approached a building with multiple gears of different sizes rotating from the outside. As she followed Corlean's footsteps inside, she noticed several pieces of equipment on tables that did not match the old century appearance of the Fon's style. They were platinum white weapons and fragments of armor with golden and cerulean inlay. Sumire stepped out of line and examined them closely. She assumed that they were from recent Genesis warfare, considering how detailed and futuristic their weapons appeared.

"Good morning, Rhoy," Corlean greeted a tall Fon worker with a polite bow. His skin was slathered in oil and grime after working in the company's factory, and his entire body was dripping in sweat. "I take it you've been taking extraordinary care of our second-class soldiers? The last antagonistic force was no less than three days ago. I understand that coping with the deaths of some of them has been volatile and mixed in reception. However, I still-"

"You're here to take the rations from the deceased, are you?" Rhoy aggressively asked Corlean without regarding her job as one of the investigators and organizers of the Fon. "Heartless fool. Can't you let the man rest in peace without defiling his spiritual presence? What kind of investigator are you?!"

"Excuse me?" Corlean's voice began to quiver towards the side of uncouthness. "Let me remind you that Sir Vayah authorized me to collect all rations, regardless of current status. These rations must go to other soldiers!"

"Well, look around then. Sir Vayah is nowhere to be present," Rhoy shoved Corlean back with a single movement of his palm. "Now get lost, beastrider."

Corlean gasped. Sumire stepped in and took the floor, wanting to enact justice for Rhoy's rudeness.

"Hey, buddy!" Sumire antagonized. "Either you give us those rations or you can piss off. You're hindering an investigation."

"Look who's talking," Rhoy stood in front of Sumire and puffed out his chest. "Little injured outsider like you can stay out of our affairs. Acting as you care means naught to our people. Now get lost!"

Corlean stepped in once more in front of Sumire. "Rhoy, I must receive those rations!" She firmly stated.

"Receive this, beastrider!" Rhoy yelled, shoving Corlean towards the ground. Sumire snatched Rhoy's hand with her left hand and twisted it. She used her right foot and dealt an agonizing blow to his shin, forcing him to the ground. Sumire utilized her combat training as a Sunlight member to disable Rhoy. "Monster! You monster! Release me, now!" Rhoy whimpered.

"Gonna need those rations," Sumire repeated. "Unless you want me to tear your arm off."

"All right, all right!" Rhoy cried as Sumire continued seizing his arm. Sumire released him and tossed him back. "Damn cretin. Take your damn rations!" Rhoy tossed three bags of the remaining rations at Corlean and Sumire without delicateness. "To defile the deceased and their honor… what has this world become of? What will remain of us when all of us have passed?"

Sumire and Corlean remained silent as Rhoy left the area. Corlean sighed and followed the pathway out of the Fon company.

"Hey, Corlean?" Sumire called, noticing Corlean speeding off impatiently with her fiery temper blazing outward with every stomp of her feet. "Are you all right? That guy called you a-"

"Beastrider," Corlean finished Sumire's sentence, pausing her walk cycle in between. She turned around with a grumpy expression, realizing how flawed her actions and purpose were as an investigator for the Fon. "It is a common insult among the Fon, indicating that I… that I…" Corlean's cheeks suddenly lit up in flushed redness. "With the beasts, you understand…"

Sumire understood the hidden message. "O-oh… that," She stammered. "Well, screw that guy. You were only doing your job. He didn't have to be so anal about it."

"Apologies," Corlean interrupted. "A-anal…?"

"Oh, sorry," Sumire corrected, realizing that her language varied completely from the Fon's dialect. "I meant, annoyed. He didn't have to be so annoyed about it."

"I see," Corlean giggled. "That word certainly sounds like a jest."

"But he shouldn't have acted like that. I can't believe he would push you like that."

"No, he has every right to reject my request, for his mindset was justified," Corlean explained. "In the distant past, the Fon was greatly respectful for the fallen members of our people. However, the Fon only perished from natural causes. But now, with the Fon perishing from warfare, we obtain a sense of absolution for the fallen. He had every right to feel the way that he did, and I took that sense of honor away. All because of my orders. Orders, orders, orders…" Corlean's head dipped down in shame.

"Hey, hey," Sumire approached Corlean and patted her fluffy coat shoulder to comfort her. "I agree with you. It isn't right to take away the last remnants of the dead, especially when they wanted to live the fullest life. But right now we need to think about the living. They're just going to have to deal with it."

"You… you're certainly right," Corlean said. "Two sides of every coin, much like two sides in life and death. While they may find my behavior irrational, it certainly shall change in the forthcoming days!"

In the next half hour, Sumire and Corlean traveled to three different Fon companies to retrieve the rations of the deceased in the same manner they approached Rhoy. In these three instances, Corlean was shoved, spat on, insulted, and discredited as one of the Fon. And while Corlean distracted many of these uncouth and violent company leaders, Sumire began investigating many of the numerous retrieved Genesis equipment throughout their battles and violent exchanges. Some of the evidence was little traces, such as gunpowder, armor fragments and shards, and remnants of armored plates. Many of the Fon's weapons, which were old century blades and armament spears, were augmented with cybernetic attachments gathered from the Fon's enemies recalibrated to improve weapon handling, grip, and overall strength.

By the time Corlean had finished her fourth and final visit, she was already groveling on the grassy grounds with her body battered and exhausted from the abusive comments. Sumire managed to gather sufficient intel about Genesis's menacing soldiers based on their trip to the companies. Although Corlean was worn out, Sumire believed the time to be more useful than ever.

"Ugh…" Corlean dropped some of the rations on the grass and kneeled down. She twisted her body around until she bathed in the bright sun on the grass. Her skin soaked in the sunlight and allowed it to warm her cheeks. "Most days I hoped I could relax from my investigations. Yet there are still significant situations requiring my attention. I must admit that the Fon is broken, and this struggle is completely out of my reach."

"You don't need to dump all of your worries on yourself at the same time," Sumire said, gathering the rations to place by her side. She kneeled and rested beside Corlean. "I find it easy to take things one step at a time… even though it's hard."

"Perhaps you could instruct me on how to relieve these worries," Corlean asked, placing her hands behind her head to rest easy. "It is strange. Such early greetings, and you already remind me of Lucine. You substitute her melodic voice for such heart-filled passion."

"Passion?" Sumire asked. "What kind of passion?"

"To defend the ones that mean the universe to you," Corlean clarified. "Despite you being a stranger to our home, I sense no ill will inside your heart. You are keen and fervent in your actions, and you are quick to fight the ones that threaten your world. Is this your desire? Should the Fon not follow your heart? These broken demoralized people deserve such natural individuals who are willing to face their fears… surely that should remind them of what they had lost… Lucine."

"Lucine meant a lot to you all," Sumire said. "I understand that. To be honest, Lucine reminds me of myself too."

"Why is that?" Corlean asked.

"Well, not necessarily me now, but… she definitely was me in the past. We both shared similar lifestyles, having things and our loved ones taken away from us. The only difference is how we dealt with them. Lucine fought back with revenge, while I searched for another way out. The way out was through meeting other people that I loved so much. My caretaker, Claude, was nothing but a bartender in a typical jazz club. And my adopted parents were also kind to me too. I found harmony with my friends and family, and I think that's what Lucine lacked in her quest for revenge. She thirsted for it. She yearned for it. She wanted to destroy all those who destroyed her because they had taken everything away from her. She had completely lost herself… but I bet she's only being ignorant and blind to the truth; her family. You, Senna, Bame, Sir Vayah, and even the Fon."

"Astonishing," Corlean's eyes gleamed in reaction to Sumire's words. "Your words echo the truth. You truly are similar to Lucine."

"You know, despite her wanting to destroy everything, I feel that deep down, she misses you and her other cousins," Sumire said. "Just like the one that means the most to me right now… is my older brother. I miss him so much."

"You have an older sibling?"

"I do," Sumire sighed, thinking of his current condition. For the past nine years, she had devoted half of her life to him, and she was glad she was able to convey her emotions the moment before she was wounded and sent to the Sagittarius District. "He made a mistake when he was a child, and ever since then, he's been lost. But I've been supporting him from time to time. Little by little, he's getting better."

"He certainly sounds courageous," Corlean complimented. "I think it was generously marvelous of you to support him throughout his struggling journey. Mayhap it was a struggle to control his wayward emotions."

"It was," Sumire said, sighing after. "If only I knew the pain he'd be feeling now. I realize that I've been missing for quite a while and I haven't had much contact with him and my friends. I don't know what he's doing… but maybe he's working with the others trying to stop Lucine."

"He has the same goal in mind?" Corlean asked.

"He does. Only this time, I don't know if he'll be fine-"

An earth-shattering explosion interrupted Sumire and Corlean, shaking the grassy terrain that they laid upon. The both of them flinched as the terrain below them vibrated in madness. Corlean pushed herself up and pulled Sumire's left hand to assist. "Hells take me, what was that?" Corlean asked, searching for the explosion route.

"There!" Sumire pointed at a darkened area amidst the forest in the distance. Several of the Fon's soldiers and company members were rushing to the scene with their weapons. Many of them called for their allies to rally them closely to prepare for combat. "We should follow them. Something must have happened."

"Allow me to lead the way," Corlean suggested, stepping in front of Sumire. "Follow me!"

The two marched forward towards the designated chaotic site where a blazing trail of flame burned across the forest's plains. Several of the city-state's civilians gathered around the entrance, creating a barricade that blocked their path. Corlean declared them step aside, squirming and entering in between them. The civilians began chattering about the situation, wondering what was happening.

"Corlean! New one!" Bame's gruff voice came out of the blue with his booming volume. "Both of you, stay back. Only soldiers are authorized to pass through."

"Excuse me?" Corlean scoffed. "I am your cousin! I order you to let me through!"

"I cannot do that, young one," Bame rejected. "Return to your station and continue collecting the rations from the companies! That's what you were ordered to do!"

"Unbelievable," Corlean said as she rolled her eyes. "Am I just a messenger? Am I nothing but a maid that only lives to follow orders? I have enough credibility to understand the situation for us Fon as much as Lucine has! I can fight!"

"I said… no," Bame repeated.

As Corlean and Bame bickered with each other, Sumire peered through the civilians to understand the size of the situation. As several Fon descendent soldiers began parting the way, Sumire caught a glimpse of August Ames, the man she had met in the infirmary, injured in the forest's plains with another body resting next to him. His face appeared as if he had murdered a man in cold blood with his shuddering lips and fearful eyeballs quivering in paranoia. The body resting beside him was a fully armored Genesis soldier who appeared like a set piece for an action movie; out of place.

"August!" Sumire cried, dashing through the Fon descendent soldiers. Many of the mini flaming Fon latched onto Sumire's arm as she rampaged through the crowd.

"Hey! Get back here!" One of the soldiers yelled at Sumire.

As the civilians noticed that Sumire was out of place and pressed on despite her unauthorized status, they parted aside for the Fon descendent soldiers to storm the field. Armed with their armament spears, they surrounded Sumire, August, and the deceased Genesis soldier in a circular formation with their spearheads pointed directly at them. Sumire slid towards August and noticed a massive gash on his left arm.

"Hey, you okay?" Sumire asked.

"I-I'm fine," August replied, breathing heavily.

"Weapons down!" A commanding male voice came abruptly throughout the crowd. A man as tall as Bame, almost gargantuan by size, approached the soldier's phalanx and gestured with a single swipe of his forceful hand. He was a man with two horns that protruded out of his head, perhaps an evolution of the Fon's age. He wore a full set of plated silver armor with golden trimmed pauldrons. A giant sheathed claymore rested on his back, positioned to frighten even the strongest of all enemies. "I said, weapons down!" He commanded once more after the phalanx failed to move away.

As the phalanx followed his orders, they grabbed their armament spears and placed them on their palms. As they seized it tightly with their opposite hand, they saluted in unison and stood firm despite their aggressive and hostile nature towards Sumire.

Senna and Bame followed along with him, but Senna remained close to the gargantuan man. He stepped forward to face Sumire and August with his towering height. "Surely it was a simple task for the two of you to remain in the infirmary until further notice," The man's deep pressuring voice weighed down among them like a piledriver. "I wonder whose duty it was to uphold that agreement."

"It was Corleancia, Sir Vayah," Bame answered. "She brought the girl to organize the company's rations."

The man known as Sir Vayah, the presumed leader of the Sagittarius Fon, stared directly into Sumire's soul. He chuckled and kneeled down with a bright smile. The weight of his shadow was already overpowering. "Sumire, was it?" He asked. "I don't know who convinced that boy to bring you into our grounds, but he must have a reason for doing so…"

The mystery that confounded Sumire was finally disclosed. She needed to know, for her business back in Sunlight was significant. She stood back up and peered into Sir Vayah's eye to understand what kind of man he was. She could tell that he was a confident man, as his eyes were kind and filled to the brim with leniency and kindness. His smile was a rare one, for it seemed like the entire world wanted to see his kind heart take effect. Despite the recent hostilities against the Fon, his smile was something Sumire wanted to see after all the negativities that had occurred.

"I, well… I wanted to know who brought me here," Sumire said. "I know my presence here isn't exactly warranted."

"How dare you speak to Sir Vayah!" Bame intervened. "Sir Vayah, may I-"

"Silence," Sir Vayah strictly shifted his vocals to sound commanding and vigilant. He grinned and gestured for Bame to cease his words with a fist before smiling back at Sumire. "I understand your concern. However, the one who has left you here has expressed that his identity not be revealed, for that was his request. That is unfortunately so. However, he believes that you are pragmatic in the sense that you shall support us in defeating these invaders," He looked at August, whose injured body remained on the grass. "Are you all right, young man?"

"I'm fine. Facing that Genesis soldier wasn't easy," August said. "I have an idea. Since he's here, we can take him back to the infirmary and interrogate him once he's all healed up. We can win in this situation because he'll tell us where they're planning on attacking next."

Sir Vayah raised his palm. "It is a well-executed thought," He said. "However, I will let Senna decide this matter."

"No, you don't understand," August continued. "I work in science and technology. I," He pointed at himself, gesturing his trustfulness. "I can help secure this soldier. I can interrogate it easily. Back where I came from, we analyzed these kinds of topics day and night. You have to let me. I can't bear to see the Fon suffer."

"I understand," Sir Vayah repeated. "However, we cannot let this happen without Senna's word."

"But sir, you don't understand-" August rushed towards Sir Vayah, leaning forward and presenting his crooked back to gain sympathy. He placed his hands on Sir Vayah's armored chest, hoping to persuade him. However, two Fon descendent soldiers clashed with August's hands, shoving him slightly away. Sir Vayah extended his left first, revealing his massive electric-charged gauntlet pulsating through the atmosphere. With each pulse, polarized electricity surged through the soles of Sir Vayah's fists, shoving everyone around his proximity away with his weapon's power.

Sumire stepped back and examined his gauntlet. Such machinery was unthinkably powerful to her, for it was enough to tremble those to their feet.

August expressed his utmost infallible expression, honoring Sir Vayah's word with a heartfelt bow.

"That's far enough," Sir Vayah boldly stated, turning around to the crowd of Fon descendants. "Brothers and sisters of the Sagittarius Fon! I understand that you all share the same level of disdain for our guests here! But while they remain, we shall offer our utmost hospitality, for they have expressed their deepest gratitude to fight against the invaders! For our cause! Our people have sacrificed too much for the greater good. I am aware that our deceased people have been mistreated and misguided by the messengers and the public. But we shall honor them by stopping the ones who have started this!"

The massive crowd of Sagittarius Fon shouted in a war-like manner in unison to Sir Vayah's voice.

"We shall save and preserve these delicate waifs and prevent these invaders from destroying our land! Our world has been destroyed once; we cannot let it falter once more!" Sir Vayah continued.

The crowd cheered once more.

"Now then, back to your stations! Be free in this world and serve the cause so that one day we may be able to witness the light of our world once again! Fight, or be cowardly!"

The crowd cheered once again. Sumire kneeled beside August to support him up.

"Let us strive for victory! We are the Fon! This is our land!" Sir Vayah finished, pumping his electric gauntlet fist into the air to surge its electricity.

As the crowd cheered once more, all of the Fon's denizens returned back to their homes and jobs. Bame escorted Corlean, who turned her face back to look at Sumire to ensure she was okay. Sir Vayah rotated and gestured towards August for him to follow Bame, ensuring that he was safe from harm.

"Young Sumire," Sir Vayah began. "I know nothing of your heritage and your current standing in this realm. Would you care to join us tonight for a light banquet to honor your arrival? If there is anything that I know of you, I understand that you are a courageous and spirited woman whose voice rings clear. You have the potential to rally our people!"

"How… How do you know that about me?" Sumire shyly asked.

"The one who remains hidden, the one who has brought you here has told me so," Sir Vayah clarified. "You may reject my request. However, I believe the others will be pleased to be in your lovely presence. We have much to discuss, after all."

"Oh," Sumire said. "Okay. I'll go."

"Excellent!" Sir Vayah cheered. "Well, if you would follow me then..."

As Sumire exited the entrance of the Sagittarius Fon, she turned around and looked at the deceased Genesis soldier. These people sought blood for their dreams and efforts, and Sumire realized that she was going against an entire organization bent on creating the perfect continent; the one they stood on.