Episode 16: stand up And Rise 

The Universe is a vast place. Mortals have, not only a limited lifespan, but a limited understanding and their place among the wonders of space is only miniscule. So, what did they do?

They ventured the unknown. They explored and unraveled the secrets hidden before them, expanding their understanding and filling the limitations.

They placed their foot in this great plane and marked their homes.

The InterGalactic Guild became the forefront of adventure and exploration, placing themselves head first into the trench and pushes forward.

They keep their hands outstretched but their minds close to what they claim home.

Orbiting the planet of Terra Prime, IGG's Hub Station, among many others, continues to fill in for defending its denizens in this crisis. Within it, many ambitious souls continue to search for ways that they can contribute in the darkest days since the last Blight Invasion.

One of them being Cilli...

"This is hell," he said under his breath as he watched as the populace scattered about the docking bay. Enforcers, military officials, and guild members ran about trying to sustain the injured and keep a slight grasp on the situation.

Quarantine has been put under full effect. Most of the personnel has been outfitted with Hazmat suits imbued with protection runes to keep themselves safe from a possible infected. There were a lot of refugees that were impacted during the event and they want to ensure the safety of everyone on board.

Every ship that comes in from the planet holds an unknown case, someone injured, people who had lost something precious, or even worse. Everyone was being examined and there was no room for error. With the slightest mistake, the situation can become dire.

Cilli had completed his examination and was clean. The night before, after seeing Allen off, he indulged himself with a few friends with an afterparty. When he finished hopping various bars, Cilli made his way home only to be met with an infected individual. It spiraled from then on, leading him here.

"Hell would be a more preferable place," Krazong, the half ork, spoke up next to him.

Krazong had business he had to attend to but was interrupted by the invasion. He does not know if his acquaintances were safe yet but now all he could do was wait for any further news.

"I think our opinions differ on what hell is," Cilli retorted.

"Wherever it may be, I think sitting here and waiting for results is much worse than being out there."

Cilli looked out the phase gates and saw how the planet had now been engulfed in a mass storm with dark roots that peaked out of the clouds as the ominous lights flickered about.

"I'd rather keep my body where it is now."

"Then you don't know honor."

"I-" Before Cilli could argue, a commotion interrupted his train of thought.

"Please, send some help in the capitol!" A woman was crying for aid towards the guild officers who were trying to fulfill his duties. He was visibly distressed as he didn't want to interact any of the new arrivals.

She was clothed in a white summer gown with braided brunette hair that paired well with her Beige skin. She looks young but has the striking features of a mother, wrinkles that were due to stress and a worried expression.

"Another one," Krazong said in a pitied tone.

"How many does that make?"

"I lost count."

"It's sad that they can't do anything for the people on the surface."

"There is nothing they could do for them. A blighted invasion is the worst-case scenario and beyond their pay grade."

"I didn't think that they IGG would be a selfish bunch that think about profit."

"Not all of them are."

"I'm sorry ma'am but there is nothing we can do. I've got my hands full of maintaining the situation as it is. I cannot risk anyone else going in there to aid the surface."

"But, Allen and John," this peaked Krazong and Cilli's interest. "They are trapped down there and from the looks of it, it's not getting any better."

"I'm sorry, but your children will have to find a safe passage on their own."

"Zilla, that's enough," the girl with red streaks in her hair spoke up. "There's nothing we can do now."

"But you saw that tree, right? Something is not right! I cannot sit and wait for my son's to be delivered to me in caskets!"

"Ma'am, that is beyond my expertise. Even if you did find the higher authorities, there are no ships that are willing to make the trip back unless absolutely necessary."

"I- I...."

"I'm sorry but the most I could do is bring this information to the militants and have them send an envoy, but that would take some time."

"I... I understand...." The woman's gaze fell dead to the ground as she reluctantly walks back to her place on top of some crates.

"You don't think, hey, Krazong!" Cilli was about to make assumptions but Krazong seemed to be determined about meeting them as he made his way towards the weary mother.

"Can you tell me more about your situation?"

"Who might you be?" Elaine said in suspicion from the

"We're acquaintances of your son, I believe." Cilli came in before Krazong said anything acerbic. "Does he happen to have dark hair and a complexed look on him?"

"That's oddly specific." Krazong commented.

"Allen? Yes. How do you know him?"

"We met on the way to the GuildFest."

"I was one of the competitors in the 100g Dash."

"I'd recently became friends with him during our trip."

"Aren't you the one that almost got his limbs blown away?" Elaine said in a monotoned apprehension.

"I'm glad that the Great Elaine knows of me, but I wish that wasn't the first thing you recognized."

"I'm happy to know Allen was making friends." Zilla said with a graceful smile.

Despite having the situation as it is, Cilli was surprised that her first words to them was that Allen was making friends. It did make him feel happy a bit inside. It was hard not to under the gaze of such a gentle person.

"I'm glad to have met someone like him. What happened?"

Zilla's expression changed as she began recalling the events.

"We were separated as soon as news arrived about the invasion. He went with his brother John to aid the capitol but as soon as we left orbit, I saw this ominous looking tree. I just want them to be safe..."

"Tree?"

"The Blighted Tree, also known as 'Nature's Scourge'," another voice came from a distance.

They turned their heads to find a woman dawned in a Mythrillian suit. It stood out from the rest of the members of the guild as hers was a variation older than the model Cilli and Krazong wore during the Guildfest. It was even colored differently with a vibrant blue that paired with her ember eyes and blonde hair, braided in a ponytail.

What stood out was a sigil of position that was placed on her chest, a golden band with a unique stitching around it.

"Captain," Elaine stood in attention as soon as she met eyes with her.

"Captain?!" Cilli said in shock.

Krazong followed Elaine in a silent salute, which caught Cilli off guard for a second before he too fell in line.

"No need for formalities, fellas. I'm just here to return a favor."

"Favor," Cilli again questioned.

"Madam Etruem," the captain kneeled before the wearied mother and calmly spoke. "Where did you say John and Allen were at?"

With this, Zilla found again a new hope in saving her sons as the light illuminated in her eyes as it met with the captain's determined expression.

"I will find them and bring them back to you. I swear in the name of Guild Stitches, as her Matron, I will."

On closer look, you can see her name under the stitched golden band, "Captain Sera M.".

~

"I knew this was a bad idea!"

"Just keep shooting!"

Allen with commander Martin on his back were making their way through toppled buildings and alleyways just to use the tight spaces to their advantage against the horde of infected that were following their trail.

"Layla! Take a right from here!" Allen ordered the little girl as she made a sharp turn that almost made her trip. "Don't stop, just keep moving!"

"I don't know where you're going, lad, but you'd better find a refuge soon."

"The map, if I'm reading right, should lead us straight towards a bridge to cross the highway."

"That bridge- Shit!" Martin was almost caught by a feral infected, so he took out his blade and shoved it straight into the beast's skull. It wailed in pain from the imbued blade before it toppled to the ground and tripped a couple infected behind it. "That bridge has been decommissioned for years and that highway is a straight pit down to the slums!"

"I'm counting on the trip down! Now, Layla climb!"

Layla took another sharp turn and climbed the stairs leading to the bridge. It was a long bridge that spanned a couple buildings worth of distance. This was a one-way sprint.

"We won't make it across in time!"

"We will! Toss some of the rune bombs behind us!"

"Your use of rune bombs is really crude you know...." Martin was doubting Allen's state of mind as he began to recollect Allen's feats so far. "Were you the one that toppled the southern district!?"

"Now is not the time!"

Martin began to flung the remaining rune bombs he had in his pockets. Once they made contact with the structure, they began to furious explode one after the other, tearing away at the bridge behind them. It even started to reach their own footing.

"I knew this was a bad idea!"

Allen picked up his pace. Compared to the 100-G Dash, this was nothing!

He picked up Layla and dashed his way to the other side of the bridge. He did not dare to look back nor did he even want to look down. He only needed to run, even when he felt that the ground beneath him was starting to give way.

It did not seem like they were going to make it but with a sudden push from behind him, assumably from a stray rune bomb, they were all able to crash land safely on the other side.

"Ugh," Allen groaned. "Is everyone okay? Layla?"

"Layla is fine!" Martin's voice came from the side of Allen, all of them still completely dazed.

Layla was under Martin, who had caught her mid-air during the crash. Allen was laid faced down, trying to catch his bearings as he struggled to get up to his feet. It was then that a searing pain rushed in the middle of his torso, the injury from the GuildFest.

He winces in pain and hissed a pained breath.

"Are you alright, lad?" Martin called out in concern.

"Yeah, yeah," Allen said with a raised hand. "Just need to catch my breath."

"We need to find a place to settle," Martin looked back at the carnage they had barely escaped. There was no sight of those things following them but there were still howls in the distance. There was a desolate building next to them that could give them time to rest.

"Lassy, mind taking me over to that door?"

Layla, still a little dazed, agreed and helped Martin to his feet.

"You shouldn't be overexerting yourself," Allen called out despite still in visible pain.

"Speak for yourself. We'll lay low here for now."

Allen finally regaining a little composure rushed to Martin's side to offer a little assistance as they limped towards the structure.

"This looks like an apartment complex, but it's a bit..."

"Ragid?"

"I was going to say old."

"Even in lustrous cities, there are places like these. Despite the governing powers effort, there is too much conflict to manage everything."

Martin reached for the door, which seemed to be left unlocked. It seemed that the inhabitants had followed procedures and made their way towards evac points. Martin did hope that they made it.

Opening the door left a loud creaking as they entered. They cautiously made their way towards the stairwell, searching every crevice to ensure there weren't any threats around them. When they thought it was safe, they continued their way up.

"Do you think that there'd be a bridge that'll lead us towards the bank?"

"Most of the buildings are connected by numerous bridges to make it more convenient to walk so there wouldn't be much foot traffic. Well, that still didn't stop the problem."

The continued to make their way up the stops as it creaked under their weight.

"When there is a place that welcomes all types of folks, you'd have to expect there to be a surplus in population density."

"Isn't the IGG making way for new homes to be developed?"

"It's not that easy, lad. Some places could take months to even years or even centuries to begin inhibiting hospitable environments. As they do so, we wait."

"There are people who don't have homes?" Layla first words to them. Curiosity really was a contagious thing but they wished it wasn't this kind of topic that she had to learn at such a young age.

"It's unfortunate, las but it happens. The universe doesn't play by our rules."

Allen thought deeply about this. Even as there was a threat inside their homes, there were many more things to worry about in the foreseeable future. How much does he not understand about the universe that revolves endlessly?

"However, they are still putting in the effort and that is what matters and possibly more that will pitch in," Martin smiled softly towards the two.

Layla silently accepted the words but she did not understand it just yet.

Allen just didn't feel like he could measure up to the expectations of the people around him, especially when they were so ahead of him. What would he do? What contribution can he bring to this world or even the universe vastly before him? These were questions that continue to run in his mind.

He can't help but think about his time with Ol' Man Ozzy. The days he spent as a journeyman and the places he had visited. The experience he gained was valuable but he wonders how he could apply those feat to the issues before him.

"We're here." Martin broke Allen train of thought.

When they climbed the last few steps, the hallway opened up to a wide bridge that connected to the next building.

"From here, we can make our way easily to the Central Bank." Martin searched the area around them and found an open room. "We'll take a breather here first."

They limped their way towards the door and opened it softly. They expected a vacant room but there before them was something they did not expect to see.

They were first met with a waft of decay and the scent of blood that lingered a bit too long.

They wanted to escape the area but they were visibly exhausted to make another run, so they decided to stand their ground. Allen and Martin immediately got into position, ready to face whatever was awaiting in the room.

Layla already knew what to do as she got behind Allen, who was more physically capable of getting away when necessary.

As they waded through the rooms, they cautiously checked every corner. Allen watched one side and Martin watched the other as they locked bodies, pointing their weapons over every corner.

The apartment was 4 roomed complexes, an interconnected dining/living room, a bathroom, a guest room and a main bedroom. The layout was simple as there was not much that seemed to be owned by the previous owners.

Martin lost his last imbued knife during the first rush so he had to rely on his regular one for stunning. Allen had a pistol, left with him by one of the enforcers, with only 3 bullets left in the clip. They had them ready as they silently cleared each room.

When they cleared most of the rooms, there was only one place left to visit, the furthest room in the back, the main bedroom.

The hesitated for a bit with the waft of decay becoming stronger as they got closer. Layla held her gag under her hands and the two were staring darts towards the door.

Martin reached for the knob as Allen held his weapon up to head level, ready to blast whatever rushes them. Martin turned the knob and before pushing, he nodded towards Allen who acknowledged.

When Martin swung the door open, Allen pushed his gun forward and met whatever lies behind the door... Except, what was behind the door was no longer considered to be alive.

There were three bodies. They were all slouched together on top of the bed. They looked very peaceful, as if they were asleep but the stench and the partially eaten parts, what seems to be rat bites, had shown how much these corpses had decayed throughout the day.

"Layla, look away," Martin said in a downed tone, enough for her to listen but soft enough to not startle her.

"What happened?" Allen's widened gaze were stuck on the bodies. He couldn't believe that these people would allow themselves to be eaten by infected. With an even closer look, he noticed one of the corpses was smaller built than the others.

Martin then pointed at the countertop next to the bed. "There are others in this world who do not have the same luxury of survival."

On top of the small drawer, there was an open bottle of pills.

"The lengths people go to ensure that they remained together is...."

Allen then leaned over to the side, feeling the bile rising up from his stomach, scratching at the tips of his ribs. The pain allowed him to tense the vomit in, but his thoughts cannot bear to look any longer.

"Please cover them, lad." Martin asked in a solemn tone. "I'll take the girl to the Livingroom."

Allen didn't answer but he lets Martin go and stays in place for a minute before pulling himself together.

He walked over to bodies and took one last good look at them. Despite the mangled parts that were spread about on the bed, he noticed that they were smiling, peacefully. He wondered how can they be peaceful despite the circumstance then covered their bodies fully before leaving.

~

"John, John, John," Pride spoke up towards the downed hero. "How can you keep up appearances with a face like that? 'Possibilities to an End' so laudable," he chuckled.

"You wouldn't understand the meaning behind it, Lewentos."

"I understand fully what you meant. You believe that there is someone out there that is going to rise up and save you from the mess."

"It's more than just saving me."

"And the world? HAH! It's already gone through the gutter! There is no saving it."

"That's the difference between you and me, Lewentos, Blight Lord of Pride. I see more than you can ever imagine."

"And what would that be?" Lewentos leaned his face closer to John's, enough for their eyes to be leveled as he gazed into the silver iris. "Your brother."

John's eyes wavered for a bit but returned even sterner.

"Yeees, I like that look." Lewentos smile creeped up as he growled. "A defiant prey is always the most exciting to catch."

"Lay a hand on him and I swear!"

"What? There is nothing stopping us from getting to him. In a matter of moments, Snaigheim will arrive with the boy at-"

A sudden killer hornet arrived in the scene with its black and yellow wings, beating the wind around them, kicking up the ashes as it landed. It was a giant bug that did not seem like it would survive in the pressure of the planet. It seemed like it was made in such a way that the weight of its exoskeleton wouldn't bother it. However, there seemed to be some tension as there was a bit of ooze that dripped from its joints.

"See."

Lewentos approached the hornet as it began to dance to an unheard melody, shaking off a pheromone that whisked with the wind. Lewentos leaned in to take a whiff of the coded message.

"What?" A snarl ripped from his mouth.

The hornet began to quiver under the intense pressure exuding from the Blight lord.

"That useless snake."

Lewentos shot a gaze towards John who had a smirk across his face. The Blight Lord kicked the haggard hero a few feet back before speaking again, "FIND HIM!"

The hornet tilted its head towards the lord and began to take flight.

"I cannot believe that they are struggling just to catch one mere boy!"

John chuckled to himself, "He's my brother, of course, he'd be hard to catch. You know the first time we met he-Guh!"

Pride interrupted John by kicking him in the lower abdomen.

"Silence you!"

Pride furiously kicked the down hero multiple times.

"That 'Pride' you have is detestable! Unnecessary! INEFFICIENT! Have you no understanding of your own worth? If you hadn't been holding back, you would be the greatest being in all of the cosmos, yet you allow yourself to be dragged down by the very thing you protect!"

Lewentos stopped to take a breather.

"You disappoint me..."

John coughed up splotches of blood. "I'm sorry to disappoint but... " John rose to his knees despite the pins he felt in his torso. "You misunderstand what my pride does for me."

"What would that be?"

"My Pride is what makes me stand up." John stood from his spot; his eyes began to light up in a fiery glow. "And Rise!"

The pressure returned. His aura began to build up and the world around them began to tremble once again.

"Flaunting yourself won't do you any good now."

"It's not me that I'm worried about." A grin resurfaced on John's face as he got into a stance once again.

"Have it your way," Lewentos sighed as he raised his hand in the air.

It seemed like Wrath didn't wipe out the entirety of the Blighted forces in the area. They began to pop out of the ground like moles and started to swarm around John.

There was a numerous variety of them from infected to giants.

"I hope you have enough energy to hold off long enough against this."

"You sure don't like to get your hands dirty."

"Just being near you is despising."

"I am sure loved."

John took a deep breath before taking a defensive stance, keeping one hand close to his face and another outreached towards his front. His legs were spread out evenly to balance his center gravity.

He couldn't use his flight any more than necessary now. It consumes essence as he goes.

He cannot fight with his summoned weapons. It takes too much time.

He cannot waste the abilities he has. There was a limited use now.

"This sure is a pinch."

Lewentos kept his hand raised as he waltzes towards his charred throne. "I thought you heroes loves to get yourself in the worst-case scenario?"

"It makes us feel alive."

"I hope you live after this then," as Lewentos takes his seat. His arm slowly drops towards John.

The blighted army that surrounded him initiated with a roar before rushing towards John. There were was legions that were hidden beneath the rubble that their unified voice rumbled the ground before the weight of their steps engulfed the area, inching towards quickly to the Hero of Eons.

~

Even at a distance, the ensuing fight continues to shake the area around the group of survivors. It frightens them that the danger is so close. They began to doubt whether the area was safe.

There was no time for them to relax even when they were in a safe area. The conflict amongst themselves didn't help.

"I say that we continue to move!" CEO began to complain.

"We need to wait here for further instructions." The enforcer said adamantly.

"We'll be sitting ducks here if we don't find a way out."

"There is no way out if we don't know which direction to go."

"Like I said, I know these streets! If we continue north from here then we can reach the Stadium! That way we have a higher altitude to be rescued, plus It's a better place to be defending ourselves than out in the open like this!"

"Going there could be a possible suicide! Look around you! These people cannot make another trek. There are injured, children, and elderly that barely made it out of the first venture. You cannot expect them to keep moving after that. We don't even have the equipment to protect all of you."

CEO looked around the lobby. He knew that the integrity of the building wouldn't last any longer from a single wave of those things and seeing that communication was barely making through was making him feel uneasy.

The enforcer was right though, they've gone through almost all of their supplies and going out with a large group wouldn't be any better.

"What if we take a small group, enough to be able to slip through the enemy undetected and hail for aid?"

The enforcer began to contemplate. They did have enough to make a covert operation but he wasn't sure if there was enough to split the supplies.

"Listen, if we could make it to the top of that building, we'd be able to get a better reception since it seems like those dark clouds are the main reason for the interference. Once we pass that, we'd be able to save everyone!"

"I-…." He was hesitant. The position of command landed to him after losing the commander and their only military personnel to that one blighted leader. Just the thought of facing that thing again brought chills down his spine.

"What's your name?"

"Private Crude."

"Alright Crude," he took the rifle that was leaning on the pillar. "This will be a definite chance to be safe while help comes your way. I'll take a few people with me and we'll make it to that stadium."

"And if you don't?"

"We will."

There was too much pressure that he had to give in. He couldn't handle the command as he was now and letting them go was the best option for survival anyways so he gave his remaining mags to the citizen. This normally wouldn't be approved but he was too young, too afraid.

"Before you go," he tugged on CEO's tuxedo. "You promise to call for aid, right?"

"Of course." The man called for a few well-bodied people to follow him and they left.

It then struck the young enforcer. "I didn't catch his name."

~

"Are you sure this is the quickest way to get to Allen and John?"

"Deeeefinately, I think."

"Captain, I don't know if the hull can handle any more damage since the last trip."

"It'll be fiiine. It's just a quick pick-up."

"Does a quick pick-up involve bringing a ship into the atmosphere while ramming through the thick miasma?!"

The Stitches, one of the flag ships of the IGG, is the prominent figure that stands for Foregoing the unknown and claiming the untouched sects of the universe. Its crew are known for their proficiency and unparalleled will to get the job done. Their captain, an Arch themself, had been told to be one of the very best out there even as she is careening her ship in a blazing inferno through the atmosphere.

"Sounds like a quick trip to me." Captain Sera said nonchalantly.

"I cannot believe that we're doing this again..." Pierre, the snow-elf, felt the ironic chill down his spine.

"I'm sure the captain has a well thought out plan." Jasper comforted the deterred Pierre with a paper bad in hand.

"Her plans are not so well thought out." Ronx, the ship's maintenance, knows his wife very well and this was another one of her 'bright' ideas.

"Get ready for a sudden entry!" Captain Sera stated over the intercom.

"Breaking the atmosphere was the entry?" Elaine remained composed but she already knew how dire things were looking.

"That's just the appetizer, mi 'girl! Got them in your sights, Cupid?"

"Don't call me that! I know I said I'd help you, Elaine, but I didn't expect this!"

They've began to enter through the clouds. The ship's external fire extinguishers did their work as they cooled the hull from the ensuing fires. With the help of the clouds' moisture, it made it easier to snuff the flames.

"Ton?"

"Ready and awaiting, ma'am."

"It's time to crash the party!"

It was then that sudden thuds were heard hitting the window.

"We've got some bugs on the screen!"

"We're taking care of the ones that are around us!"

"The fire didn't kill most of them."

Valorie and Ton were shooting off the beasts that started to latch on to the seat. It was lucky that Valorie had a lot of time with games that she can use the gunner seat to take them out one screen at a time.

Ton was the expert though as he had a multitude of screens open and each of them were knocking more blight than Valorie could. She noticed it quickly and began to use her full focus.

"Don't burn through your ammo," Ton recommended.

"I know," Val said as she gritted her teeth trying to knock more blight than Ton.

"You used the entry to burn away the flying blight? That's actually smart but I think we're going in to fast."

The ship was shaking violently as it was going in with high velocity. It didn't seem like there was any way to stop other than crashing. Elaine didn't want to die before reaching her destination.

"I haven't shown you even a quarter of what this baby can do! Activate the Swizz Anchor!"

"Not everything can be solved with the Swizz Anchor." Ronx rebutted.

"Faith, my love!"

Ronx sighed reluctantly pulled the lever to a full click.

The ship began to rumble and churn as the gears began to spin their works. It's tail that stood tall from the back end began to loosen itself before flipping to the bottom of the ship to a full drop, locking firmly in place.

"Now what?"

"Full Reverse and leave the controls to me! I got this!"

"Aye!" Everyone said in unison. They got into their seats and firmly grasped on the armrest. This seemed like a routine to them.

"I suggest ya'll use your seatbelts and hang on. THIS IS GOING TO GET BUMPY!"

Elaine and Valorie had locked themselves in their seats and braced for the impact.

It took a bit of time before the ground was visible. The horizon was set before them and the buildings were just at the tip, scraping the dorsal fin of the ship's anchor.

Captain Sera made sure the ship was right in between the buildings so that the ship doesn't make any contact with them.

"There doesn't seem to be any vitals in the buildings ahead of us." A woman spoke over the intercom.

"Kasepeian enforcement did their job well! Web em!"

"Aye!" Ronx replied as he pressed on a bottom that was locked to a couple buildings that had a strong foundation.

The ship shot out a couple cables that attached horizontally to adjacent buildings right before the ship's dorsal made contact, locking on to the cables.

"Again!"

Another volley of cables attached themselves to more buildings and the fin attached towards more of them. The earlier cables were about to reach their limit as the strain from the pull began to stretch them beyond their limits.

"Again!"

Another volley of cables latched to more buildings and met with the dorsal fin. They were about to hit their limit before the ship began to slow down. Some of them tore pieces of the buildings off as the ship halted in place.

Everyone lets out a breath of relief, seeing as there was minimal collateral damage.... this time.

"See? Told you I had it."

Elaine's face was flushed. She didn't want to go through that again but her face remains stern. They've finally arrived and now she can reach the two. She unlatched her belt and got to her feet, but nearly stumbling in place. "Let's go."

"You're stronger than you look, girl, but you need to take it slow. We'll prepare before entering the battle. This place may be infested with those things and we have to be prepared. Pierre!"

"Yes... ugh," he almost spilled his guts as he got up to salute. "Ma'am."

"You and Titan take point and clear the area below."

"Understood."

"Jav," she called to the semi-giant that was patting Pierre on the back. He stood a little bit taller than the doorway but he seemed to be a very meek person. "I need you to carry out supplies once the area is clear."

"Aye aye!"

"Ton and Cupid will take the nest and keep your eyes out. We need to know where to go since there seems to be a lot of interference with our compass."

"Yes, captain."

"Like I said-"

"C'mon Val," Ton pulled Valorie away from the intercom.

"Hey, just because you got more kills doesn't mea-"

"Elaine, we'll go vanguard once business is set."

"But-"

"I understand your eagerness but to get the best possible outcome, we need to take our time to prepare for the worse one."

"Yes, ma'am."

Despite her earlier nature, Captain's control over the situation made Elaine understand a little bit of what the Stitches' crew was like and how they became so prestigious. It was because of this one person's grip and willpower to do anything necessary and unnecessary to get the job done.

"Hold on a little bit longer, Al." Elaine whispered to herself as she touched a spot on her collar. Something that was buried under the mythrillian cloth that she held very dear to her. "I'm coming."

Edited and Reviewed by

Aces Association and Friends