Seed of hope
...
On varakiel bedroom.
Varakiel: First thing first, lend me your weapons, I don't know how much maintenance they need yet.
Snow white:....*sigh*
Snow white then leaves all her weapons on the floor.
Varakiel: Now let's see…
Seven Dwarfs: the official weapon of the nikke snow white. [Durability: 1028/200000]
60 rnd Assault Rifle: the official weapon of the nikke snow white.[Durability: 981/200000]
Varakiel keeps inspecting it
Varakiel: jeez.
Snow white: how bad is it?
Varakiel: if you keep this up it would have broken at most in 1 year, 2 months with your desire to fight all raptures you find…
Snow white:....that's bad.
Varakiel chops her head.
Varakiel: is not "bad", is terrible, a weapon is something you put your trust on, something that holds your beliefs and protects those you care for, if you see a weapon as just a tool, then you won't get better with it, only yourself will improve.
Snow white: that's nonsense.
Varakiel: It's not, follow me.
Varakiel then takes Snow white to the shooting range.
Varakiel: Good, now.
a rifle too similar to snow white 60 rnd assault rifle, and her anti-ship seven dwarves appears on varakiel hands.
Varakiel: these are temporary replicas created with technology from my family. try them out.
Snow white:...
*rat tat tat*
Snow white:....
*rat tat tat*
Snow white:....it doesn't feel right.
Snow white then picks the seven dwarves replica.
*bang*
Snow white:....
*bang*
Snow white misses her last shot.
Snow white:....
Varakiel: See, it is not just a bunch of nonsense, after using a weapon for a long time it becomes part of you, an extra arm so to speak. and like an arm you have to clean it, check if it's okay, take care of it.
Varakiel then hands Snow white her original weapons.
Varakiel: Try it again, this time take in mind my words.
Snow white:.....
*Bang*
Snow white:....!
*Bang*
Snow white:..how come…
Varakiel: in the old tales of humanity, there has been legendary weapons that were used by people who wished to do the right thing, and those weapons became a symbol of what they are, they are their companions, their trusted friends, they witnessed their ups and downs, in a sense your weapons are not different….in this world magic exist, is subtle but it does, your weapons are becoming a legendary weapon like in those tales.
Snow white: magic exists?
Varakiel: Of course, for example this.
Varakiel: [Rock Smash]
Suddenly a boulder of rock comes from the ground and Varakiel throws it to the target in the shooting range.
Snow white:...what?
Varakiel:....the Fateburn family managed to create a device that allowed humans to use magic, but sadly 50 years ago they were destroyed by raptures and almost all of its members perished; only my relatives managed to barely escape.
Snow white:..i see….there were rumors about some people that developed a super weapon like nikkes in the past…
Varakiel:....(really?)something like that, but instead of a super weapon, it was supposed to be used to solve global issues, like global warming or hunger, sadly the devices to grant magic have been destroyed there's only one in my possession but i don't know how to replicate it, so i hide it on me and only use on people i trust.
Snow white:.....does it work on nikkes?
Varakiel: yes, rapi, anis, neon and other 2 nikkes can use it.
Snow white: I see…..
*growl*
Snow white stomach makes a sound.
Varakiel: hm? Are you hungry?
Snow white:....i am okay, i'll get something on the way….
Varakiel: *sigh* Let's go back to my room.
...
Varakiel and Snow white were back in the bedroom.
Varakiel: please sit down, i'll make you something to eat.
Snow white: no tha-
Varakiel then takes several ingredients out of the fridge.
Varakiel: Would you like meat or vegetables?
Snow white:.....both are okay.
Varakiel: both it is.
*chop chop chop*
Varakiel: You can sit down on the table, after that I'll do maintenance to your body. If your weapons were like that i can't imagine how bad is your body.
Snow white: *nod*....my body is 30% raptures parts, I don't think it is a good idea for anyone to see it….
Varakiel: I said I'll make it, don't worry, if it exists we can fix it .
Snow white:....if you say so…..*sniff*.....
snow white begins to smell the food.
Snow white: *drool*
Varakiel: (hehe so adorable).....mhm.
...
*cling*
Varakiel then puts a tray of food in front of snow white.
Varakiel: Here you go, eat as much as you want.
Snow white:...*drool*.....*cof* thank you…..
*munch munch*
Snow white:.....
*munch munch*
The eyes of snow white slightly tear up…
Snow white:...
Varakiel: (poor child)is it good?
Snow white: it's…..delicious.
*munch munch*
Snow white:....*gulp*....
Snow white then finishes her plate.
Snow white:....*sigh*
Snow white looks down at her now empty plate…..
Varakiel then pats her head.
Varakiel: Do you want another round?
Snow white:...*nod*
snow white takes a whole minute to nod to varakiel.
Varakiel: alright.
*click* *thud*
suddenly varakiel door opens up.
Neon: not fair commander!
Anis: You should have told us you were cooking today!
Rapi: anis, neon is not appropriate to barge into the commander bedroom like that…..
Mihara: Hmmm, it smells delicious as ever.
Yuni: What are you doing today commander!?
Mihara and Yuni also enter the bedroom.
Varakiel: well today we have boiled vegetables and grilled meat, come, take a seat, i'll make your part now
Neon: yay, is nice to be able to eat actual food for once.
Anis: yeah, at this path i wouldn't be able to take splendamin anymore.
Rapi:.....isn't this a little too expensive commander?
Varakiel: don't worry, we have a secret farm where I get all these ingredients, it is really far far away, a place where raptures can't be found.
Mihara: Is that so? Just how big was your family?
Yuni: Does that mean we can eat this everyday commander!?
Yuni says to varakiel with shining eyes.
Varakiel: mhm of course.
Snow white:....
Snow white decided to remain silent.
...
Varakiel: Alright everyone here you go.
Varakiel then gives everyone a plate with food.
Varakiel: If you have any suggestion or want something different next time just tell me.
Anis: woohoo, let's eat everyone.
Neon: it smells delicious, I can't wait.
Rapi:....thank you commander.
Mihara: hmmm.
Mihara has a smile on her face.
Yuni: It smells great commander, c'mon Mihara let's eat.
Mihara: of course yuni.
Snow white:...
Varakiel: And here's yours snow white.
varakiel hands another plate of food to snow white.
Snow white:...thank you.
Varakiel then sits on the table to eat as well.
Varakiel: don't mention it, hehe.
....
some time later everyone except snow white and varakiel left the bedroom.
Varakiel: hm….so snow white, before you leave, let's give your body maintenance. please lay down on the bed.
Snow white:....*nod*
Snow white nods and lays down on the bed.
Varakiel: Let's see….
Varakiel then inspects snow white legs and arms.
Varakiel: hmmm, there's moderate damage on both your arms and legs…..
Varakiel then moves to her head.
Varakiel: Tell me, how long has it been since you turned on your pain sensors?
Snow white:....i...don't remember.
Varakiel:.....alright just let me do some repairs on your body.
Varakiel hands then begin to shine with green light.
Snow white: !! is that….magic?
Varakiel: Mhm, right now I will use magic to fix your body, since metal and alloys are part of the earth I can use magic to repair nikkes bodies with ease.
Snow white:.....what about fighting raptures?
Varakiel: *sigh* you only think of that don't you huh? yeah you could use it in combat for raptures….
Snow white: Can I use it?
Varakiel: Let me finish, but the magic on the surface is relatively low so at most you can use it to throw some boulders at raptures, but of course there are more efficient ways of using magic.
Varakiel then points at a photo on the wall.
Varakiel: Do you see that photo?
Snow white turns her head and sees the photo of a middle finger made on a field.
Snow white:....what is that?
Varakiel: I made that using earth magic, which took me 3 hours to make. Magic right now at most can be used to ambush raptures, and if you want to do something big you'll need to use a lot of energy.
Snow white:...is that so?
Varakiel: mhm, alright turn around i need to see your back.
Snow white: okay.
Snow white turns around on the bed.
Varakiel: mhm…..you have no scratches or anything on here…you never give up don't you.
Snow white:.....
Varakiel:*sigh* alright turn back around again.
Snow white: *nod*.
Varakiel: alright now, i don't know what will happen when i fix your body with magic, worst case scenario the raptures parts on your body will come out as your body repairs which would be very painful so don't turn on your pain sensors, alright?
Snow white:...understood.
Varakiel: Alright, I need you to take off your cloak.
Snow white: okay.
Snow white then takes off her cloak and under that is an amalgamation of rapture parts and nikke.
Varakiel: mhm, i don't know if you want to see this but you should close your eyes, i don't know if this can affect your brain.
Snow white:...okay.
Snow white then closed her eyes.
Varakiel: alright beginning the healing process.
then has varakiel uses the repair magic on snow white, slowly the nikke's side regrowns while the rapture part is expelled out of her body.
Varakiel: good thing that they can turn off their pain sensors…
...
after a whole hour on healing process varakiel finishes.
Varakiel: mhm, you can open your eyes….snow white?
Snow white:.zzzz…
Snow white was sleeping.
Varakiel:.....she felt that safe huh?...sweet dreams, little one.
Varakiel then covers her up with the blanket of the bed and sits in front of a computer in the room.
Snow white:...zzzz…co…mmander…
Varakiel:(heh-heh so adorable..)...now let's review everything i have learned today….
.....
an hour later snow white wakes up.
Snow white:!!...where..is this?
Varakiel: Oh you woke up, good morning, or more precisely night.
Snow white:....is everything okay ?
Varakiel: check it up yourself, turn on your pain sensors, if you feel something is because there's something wrong.
Snow white:.....i don't feel pain….
Varakiel: good to know, and here.
Varakiel hands her now repaired equipment.
Varakiel: all of them at full capacity, and a little surprise for your journey out there.
Snow white: a surprise?.....
Varakiel: heh check one of your storages later, and…..here.
Varakiel hands her a phone to snow white.
Varakiel: This is a modified phone, with this you can communicate with me and use the map to find your way back here or anything you find interesting out there, let me show you how it works.
Varakiel then teaches how to use the map on her new phone.
Snow white:.....why are you helping me?
Varakiel: because I like you.
Snow white: what?
Snow white says with a confused expression.
Varakiel: mhm, you have been fighting all this time against raptures without rest, i might not know your reasons, but to fight non stop like that, i only can say that i have a huge respect and honestly…i think you're really cool, haha.
Snow white:....just that?
Varakiel: Mhm, just that, we barely know each other, hell we just met yesterday, but I can see you're someone who needs a place to come back. Snow white, when you feel that you can't keep on alone come back, everyone including me will join you to fight against raptures, and also tell other pilgrims about this place, they are also welcome here.
Snow white:.....okay…..then…
Snow white then stands up and walks to the door.
Snow white: I'll be in touch. I'm heading back. Thank you for….all your help commander, i won't forget it.
Varakiel: Remember, you might not see it like that right now, but this is your house, you're welcome here any time.
Snow white:...*nod*
Snow white then leaves the outpost.
Varakiel: (the seed of hope have been planted on her heart, snow white, good luck out there, and be safe)
*beep*
Varakiel: hm? oh andersen.
—-
Andersen
Report to the command center.
I have something important to discuss with you.
I'll be waiting for you.
—-
Varakiel: alright, time to work.
…..
*click* *thud*
Andersen: There you are.
*thud*
the door closes down.
Varakiel: mhm.
Andersen: you really put yourself through the wringer with that last fight. Anyway, it's good that you made it out alive. Let's cut to the chase. the reason i called you here in such a hurry. was because I've received instructions from the central government.
Varakiel: instructions?
Andersen: you're the only commander who has survived multiple encounters with chatterbox. you're the first to come in contact with the pilgrims and the heretics, and witness an altercation between them. you're also the first to see one of their former subordinates become a heretic.
Varakiel: (well it was not the real marian but oh well)
Andersen:..therefore, some key personnel in the central government have come to a decision. considering how often you have come into contact with living beings up on the surface. you and your squad are being appointed as special commandos.
Varakiel:....I am still wearing underwear…
Andersen:....*sigh* you'll have more autonomy when it comes to your missions. no one under the rank of deputy chief may issue you an order of any kind. you may also refuse any order issued by the upper ranks, provided there is a justifiable reason for doing so. so long as you maintain regular reports, no one can touch you. I should also mention that, if you were so inclined, you are also entitled to conceal information. ah yes, and the CEOs of the big three have no power over you whatsoever. That was my own suggestion.
Varakiel:....*sigh* i promise that one of these days i'll invite you for a beer or something….thank you, i can still remain on the outpost is it?
Andersen: Yes, you've come a long way in such a short span of time. you were the only logical choice. From now on, you will live in the outpost, where you may investigate all beings above ground as you see fit. In regards to the ark, you are free to come and go as you please.
Varakiel: alright.
Andersen: As for now, you and your squad get to enjoy a month's vacation. you've all been through a lot. take this as an opportunity to rest and recuperate.
Varakiel: (niceeee, time to find some nikkes, and get to know the dark side of the ark.)
Andersen: I can see by your face that you have a lot on your plate and want to get started, but for now, rest. That's an order.
Varakiel: I'll keep that in mind….maybe.
Andersen: hmph….i was hoping that you would be able to slip under the central government's radar. but now, their ambition devours all.
Varakiel: don't worry…I am not someone who can be devoured so easily, if they want a piece of me, they will have to pay a price.
Varakiel says with a prideful tone.
Andersen: So you are aware that I am aware of your capabilities…that's why I sent you to the outpost in the first place. out of sight, out of mind. I didn't expect you to do so well so quickly and end up drawing attention to yourself.
Varakiel: Andersen, you are someone that has gained my trust. So I can tell you something, nikkes and raptures aren't the only ones with power in this world.
Andersen: Is that so?…..*sigh* That'll be all I'm due for a lunch meeting. keep up the good work.
....
At night on varakiel bedroom.
Varakiel:hm….so they managed to copy marian at 99% i wonder how many nikkes have become heretics by now...a month is it?....
Varakiel then stands up and looks outside.
Varakiel: this place needs a ton of work…and out there ludmilla needs help to find the sleeping princesses…..i need to find more nikkes to work with…..
Varakiel then begins to write in a notebook.....
Varakiel:....first we need a place for nikkes to relax besides the dormitory....
Varakiel then sees an old amusement park in the distance.
Varakiel: that can work….then some facilities, a police department, we can't be without law enforcement, then we need a movie theater, a workshop and a hospital…mhm those facilities should do for now…