a/n: Hello, everyone. Long time no talk. I'm so sorry about that.
Also I'm sorry, I haven't replied to all the lovely comments you wrote me over the months when I didn't come online. I deeply appreciate every single one and read all of them; I really hope I can reply to them in future, but clarify, I did read them all. ;w; Thank you so, so much.
The main reason I wasn't on FF for so long is mostly my private life. I don't always have it all going for me, and I admit I've been mostly into western media lately. But this place will always have a special place in my heart, the good, the bad, and the ugly. Without the bad parts, it's not a real relationship.
I'm giving you all a peek on my latest project. A serious one. I've been working on this since March. It was so hard to keep it a secret after all this time! But surprise~! This upcoming fantasy series is called, "Unravel". May or may not be infrequently updated due to slow thought processes and development. But no worries, I'll keep in touch. Should I get a tumblr? I have no idea how to use one, though. XD
But I owe my thanks to Oranssi-Rin. Without her, this story wouldn't be here today. Because of her encouragement and patient support, there's a new journey for everyone to look forward to!
So, pairing wars. They've always been a problem. All of you don't need to be told to "not bash" because you know already not to. I'm not going to slap your wrists or anything because I'm not your mother, but you gotta know that behavior hurts people, and it's not okay. Trust me, I learned the hard way. Some people are like sandstones: they're brittle underneath a rigid structure. Haha~ but maybe you're not one of those people, and you're actually pretty cool. And that's good. I also understand that sometimes the words that you say in real life sound completely different on the net, and when that happens, it's easy for people to take them the wrong way.
We've all been there as fangirls. It's just a phase. We're all young once, and we all get immature at some point. But we all gotta exercise some tolerance because tearing each other apart like this sets us up for a destructive community. No one wants that. When you get the opportunity, let's… all… just… try to get along…? I'd be sad if any of you made the same stupid mistakes I did as a bad fan. It's all just fanon, after all. We can all laugh about this later on in life.
Words are wind. I will write this story using nothing but diligence and fair play. To you all as my witnesses, I swear upon my honor.
I always hoped I could come back and be reunited with my old friends on here from way back when I first starting writing, and it seemed like they would come back until I realized that there were some things you just couldn't control. Like… the more you try to fix a tangled yarn ball, the worse the mess becomes. I just couldn't stand how much things changed, and how it seemed like I could never change or move on.
But writing stories is a part of me. I love this site more than I hate the differences and the divide that can rip this community apart. I mean it.
Auntie Cliche… alphaprincess0803… Miko-sensei… and onigirimi. I miss you guys a lot. I'll keep our memories together alive in my heart. Thank you for being in my life and teaching me everything.
Anyway, I'll stop here since I don't want to keep spamming. Please enjoy.
Disclaimer: ...okay. I'll do this kind of thing just one more time to humor you all. But. Do you honestly think I'd be writing fanfiction if I owned the Vocaloids? Nah, baby. I'd be eating, drinking, and partying my life to an early death. Just kidding. Or am i/shot
Full summary: Monsters live among us, but they know how to hide: they blend in and then rip you open when night falls.
It's known monsters are cut from the same cloth, and the Chevalerie Order represent the scissors which cut them down. A war fought in secret away from prying eyes.
Megaton is overpopulated by monsters with its last two chevaliers brutally slaughtered. Due to a shortage of units, Rin is temporarily posted in Megaton to keep the city safe. Little does she know that the true monsters aren't always the ones that reveal themselves at night. Will the threads of her own life unravel?
Megaton, Chesteros
02:11AM
Red Metro
Megaton, a city to behold. What was once a garden flourishing with vivacious blossoms is now a dry wasteland full of bad seeds.
But the monsters lurking beneath the streets at night are the ones you need to fear. Megaton is their home: the city is overpopulated with monsters. They come in all colors, shapes, sizes. Some of them might be walking among you. It might be the person sitting next to you in class, or it might even be the sweet old lady who lives next door.
So who are these monsters?
According to the system, they don't exist.
They live in secret, hiding among the normal people. The Mundies. They pretend to live normal lives when in reality, they live to hunt humans.
But you'll never know, not until it's too late.
That's why you should never be out late at night. That's why you should always lock your doors before you sleep. As the old saying goes, "Beware of the Hush Wolf lest he marks you as his hunt". Even in dreams, he'll find you.
Woe to the unfortunate fool who doesn't heed these warnings.
"SOMEONE HELP ME! PLEASE!"
Far below normal ground level, a young woman cried out from below the tunnels of the Red Metro. With one free hand, she clutched her bleeding arm. She desperately used the wall for support. Then three ghouls loomed over her trembling form as she stumbled down the stairs in her blue heels, their shadows stretching across the walls.
A deep growl rumbled right in her ear as the haggard creature made a grab for her, causing her to scream as she wrenched out of their reach. Her shopping bags clattered to the floor as she ran across the walkway, her tears streaming down her face.
She stole a glance behind her shoulder, frightened to see that the ghouls were chasing after her. Her hair whipped in her face and she let out another cry, inciting their wrath. With an angry shriek, one of them caught up to her and struck her with incredible force.
"AAGH!" She was flung against the wall before sliding to the floor, gasping in pain. Their shadows loomed over her, causing her eyes to widen.
"No… no..." She crawled as far away from them as she could, only to be backed into a corner. "SOMEONE HELP ME!"
SHLINK!
Suddenly, someone stabbed them from behind.
"Guhhh…" The light disappeared from their eyes as they suddenly slumped forward, dead as soon as they hit the floor.
Two boys, still dressed in their school uniforms, stood tall and proud. Despite their seemingly normal appearance, they carried rapiers at their belts. One of them rushed to her aid, helping her up and looking over her wounds. The other one fought off the last ghoul with a loud cry.
"It's alright now, miss. You're safe now." She met the eyes of a light-haired boy. His smile looked as bright as the sun. His eyes were gentle, but his form was well-built and sturdy. At the sound of a body hitting the floor, she craned her head just in time to see the other boy ripping his sword out of the ghoul's skull. Not bothering to wipe the blood from his face, he spat to the side and turned to look at her. Unlike his companion, he appeared much younger with dark hair and a skinnier frame.
"Oh thank you! Thank you!" The young woman sobbed, catching the older boy by surprise as she flung herself into his arms and cried into his chest. "I-I-I was so frightened! One m-moment I was out with my friends, before I knew it we were surrounded by those… things! Those horrible things who ate... my friends!"
The younger dark-haired boy snorted, "What kind of reason could you possibly have for being out this late? It's obvious how dangerous it is at night!"
The older boy sent his companion a disapproving look, "Kuro…"
"Don't look at me like that, Shiro." Kuro snapped, "This empty-headed girl needs to learn to use her head. If no one tells her how ignorance combined recklessness gets people killed, then who knows what she might do next."
"I-I won't do it again!" At this harsh statement, the girl shook with tears as she stood to her feet, refusing Shiro's outstretched hand, "I-I'm so sorry!"
Kuro glared at her, "You ought to be! It's because of your carelessness that nearly got all of you killed! Do you wanna know what would've happened to you if we weren't around?!"
"E-Eeep!" The girl hide behind Shiro, burying her face in his jacket. She was shaking like a leaf. Her red eyes glistened with tears, like dewdrops gathering at a ruby's edges.
"Hey, face the truth of your actions properly!" The younger boy scowled, moving to get to her, "Don't hide behind him!"
Shiro stepped between them, looking down at Kuro. "Stop it already. She just lost her friends. Not to mention she's already seen a lot today. Let's just get her home." When the younger boy looked like he wanted to say something, the older boy scolded his companion once more. "You really need to learn to treat girls gently. It's no wonder everyone thinks you're so prickly. Just leave this to me." causing the latter to scoff and turn away in disgust.
"Whatever."
With a helpless shake of his head, the senior turned around and offered the girl a gentle smile. "Sorry about my friend, miss. He may seem unpleasant, but he's actually a really nice guy. He just doesn't know how to be nice to girls."
"Only to stupid girls." Kuro muttered under his breath, earning an annoyed look from his senior.
"No… h-he's right." she sniffled, "If it weren't for me, my friends would still be…" As she broke off at the end, Shiro moved to comfort her.
"Hey, it's alright now. We'll need to clear some things up about what happened tonight, but let's get you home first. And we'll get that arm looked at." He tried to move away, but she suddenly clung to his arm. "Ah ha… um, miss-"
"Please, Shiro-kun. Call me Tei."
A blush rose to his face at the familiarity, nonetheless, he continued to smile, trying to detach himself from her vice grip without hurting her feelings, "Tei-chan... I'm afraid I need my arm back, please."
"You're strong. You won't leave me alone, will you?" Looking up to his eyes, she blinked up at him. Shiro felt a lump rising in his throat. Up close, this girl was actually quite cute. She obviously took great care in maintaining her appearance, but not to the point of vanity. She was exotic to the eye, with her long white hair and glistening red eyes. But with the way she was holding his arm captive against her soft… ahem, assets, he had to guess that she was likely popular with boys. He couldn't help feeling a twinge of disappointment. He wouldn't mind asking her out: she was definitely cute. However, it was impossible. She was probably seeing someone already.
That, and… he and Kuro were sworn to service. They were part of the Chevalerie. The Chevalerie itself was a sworn brotherhood dedicating their lives to hunting down monsters in secret. A life not many people choose or are even aware of.
Monsters came from the Harrowing, a realm beyond the Veil. The Veil: an ancient barrier invisible to the naked eye. It was the only thing that separated this world from the Harrowing. It's been protecting this world for thousands of years. The individual members of the Chevalerie reject worldly ambition and titles, practice celibacy, assume neutrality in politics, and never desert their assignments - on the pain of death. That's been the tradition for many centuries, and you practically have to give your life up for the greater good.
Monsters from the Harrowing can still enter through tears in the Veil. That's how they end up in this world and leak into cities, feeding on human flesh. The ghoul threat from earlier was just one of many.
As chevaliers, it was their job to keep the streets clean of monster activity. With the threat of monsters falling out of the sky at any time, anywhere, it practically consumed their lives.
In spite of all that, joining the Chevalerie was still considered an honor because anyone could rise through the ranks regardless of criminal past or financial situation.
Only a handful of people in this world knew about these things.
"By the look of things, it looks like these ghouls just recently landed here. That means more monsters are coming in through more tears." Shiro informed Kuro, who nodded. Even though they were talking about this stuff in front of a Mundy, they would erase her memories of this conversation as soon as they got her home. "Who knows what else is lurking out there. We'll need to hurry up."
"Ufu…"
With a friendly smile, Shiro turned down to look at the girl, "Ah, sorry, miss. I didn't mean to-"
SHLICK.
His smile froze in place as something plunged into his skin and wormed its way deep into his abdominal wall, scrambling his insides. A searing agony ripped through his muscles, but his throat clogged up from the tension knotting in his torso. He couldn't say a sword, not even to warn Kuro.
"SHIRO!" The boy stood in horror as he watched the girl twist her hand through his stomach, causing the boy to vomit everywhere. The smell of blood polluted the air, causing bile to rise in Kuro's throat.
"But… your wounds…" Was all Shiro managed to choke out. "How…"
"Self-inflicted, my hero. A little mangling doesn't bother me so long as I get what I want." Her demeanor changed from a helpless girl to a cruelly seductive ghoul in a matter of seconds. Her eyelashes fluttered as she drew back a bloodstained hand to her mouth. Her tongue flitted across her red-painted nails. A look of pure rapture enveloped her face. "Mmm… delicious…"
"Gungh… aagh..." Shiro tried to speak, but the blood bubbling in his mouth prevented him from doing so. He tried to reach for his sword but to no avail. She grabbed his wrist before his fingers could even brush the hilt. His eyes bulged as the girl drifted closer to whisper in his ear. He suddenly started thrashing in agony as she delved her hand further up his body.
"They say the way to a man's heart is through his stomach." Using a sweet voice, she breathed out against his neck. She was smiling as she tore out his bleeding heart. The older boy gagged, clutching at her arms as he stared at her in horror and betrayal. Then his eyes rolled to the back of his head, and he died, With a giggle, she watched him collapse on the ground. She stared in fascination at the blood pooling at her feet. Then she ravaged into the fresh meat in her hands, feasting like a wild animal.
Kuro couldn't move, unable to do anything in his shock. All he could do was watch as she consumed his friend's heart right before his very eyes.
When she finally finished with a loud slurp, another giggle rumbled in her throat.
"I tend to follow through on that saying… quite literally." Her smile widened, the blood dripping from her chin. "I mean, do you know what I had to do to get those guys to play along with me?" Licking up the blood dripping down her hand, she glanced over at the dead ghouls laying on the tracks. "Well. I suppose it was worth it in the end."
Turning to other the chevalier, she giggled. Her eyes were a blazing red. Her skin shifted into a sickly, ill pallor, and blue veins branched out across her face and arms, making her appear as ghoulish as the others. Her red fingernails grew in length, transforming into sharp blades.
The younger boy stared at his dead companion in shock, then he shakily met her gaze with his own. His face was wrought with terror.
White hair… red eyes… a female ghoul…
This girl was…
"Venus... flytrap." He uttered, his throat going dry. He took a step back
Hearing her alias spoken so freely, her shoulders trembled as she giggled.
"You've should've realized it sooner, handsome. But then, you humans are so easy to fool. So cute, so gullible… so dead." Tei hid her smile behind the back of her hand, swaying as she approached the other boy. "Kuro-kun, was it? There's something I like even more than acting. Know what it is?"
His sword trembled in his grip as he swallowed, taking another step back.
"It's the big reveal! The moment a man's lovestruck face contorts into dawning horror when they realize they're my next meal! The first taste after their terror is the best!" Saliva pooled in her mouth as she revelled in the sight of her next meal. "Aha! That expression… it's fantastic!" She staggered towards him, her eyes flashing with mad glee. "Won't you allow me to thrill myself even more?!"
Laughter shook the subway as she charged at him.
"YOU TWISTED BITCH!" Putting aside his fear at the last minute, the younger boy met her halfway with his sword. They clashed. Sparks ignited from the heat of their intense battle. She swung at him. He sliced off several strands of moonlight hair as he dodged.
"Predictable." Her shrieks of laughter died down as she let out a sigh. All of a sudden, her voice sounded deadpan. "I won't play with you anymore."
The moment he swung at her with all he had, she evaded his blow. Moving like water, she slipped out of his line of sight.
Kuro broke into a sweat, gritting his teeth as he stood there in the cold. He searched the shadows, his sword shaking in his hands. He swore he heard a giggle here and there. Adrenaline pumped through his bloodstream. He never kept his back unguarded. There was a cacophony of her laughter, Shiro's screams, and the rumbling of a distant train: all of it was ringing inside his head.
It stopped to a grinding halt the moment he turned around and met her bloodstained, innocent smile.
"Now you're mine."
She wrenched her claws deep into his stomach, lifting him off the floor. He let out a loud scream as the blood gushed from his arteries, staining his uniform and all. With a crazed laugh, she threw him aside and watched him tumble to the ground with another pained grunt. His sword clattered to the floor, vanishing into dust as the life was slowly drained from its owner.
Her blue heels clacked against the floor as she walked until she was standing right in front of him.
"So, who are you chevaliers?" Tei asked, feigning an innocent demeanor once again. The contrast with the blood staining her cardigan and her face was a twisted contrast to her doe-eyed expression. The younger boy was in too much agony to reply. He kept pressure on his bleeding stomach, but it wasn't helping much. "Hm? Don't you know it's impolite to keep a lady waiting for an answer?"
"Fuck… you..." His breathing was starting to slow. The light started to fade from his eyes. "Monsters like you… will get what's coming to them..."
"Perhaps I'm just as rude though! I'm asking a question I already know the answer to!" Ignoring his statement, she threw her head back and laughed before plunging her teeth into his neck and cutting off his strangled cries.
It sounded like something fleshy was being ripped apart, followed by a loud slurping noise.
"Mm… aah…" Satisfied, she finished him up quickly and got to her feet. She looked around at the scene before her, at all the men who foolishly sought after her. And to think, all she had to do was bat her eyes and say please.
Any girl, perhaps, might feel flattered upon being gazed in such an admiring way - like she was the most beautiful thing a man's ever seen, like all men who would hang the moon and stars - all for her.
Tei, for her part, has always been bored.
She's pretty, and she knows it: she'd have to be blind not to. She's also talented at playing the role of a delicate, demure young lady who's never harmed a fly in her life and she needs a big, strong man by her side to keep her safe.
Straight men are such easy prey, she thought to herself with a sneer. All they want, really, is a pretty girl with a nice body to call their own, one who's dainty enough to stroke their ego by making them feel like big, strong protectors. Plain and simple animal instinct, shared by monsters and humans alike. Desire has always been such an interesting thing.
But it always rankles, having to act so helpless and defenseless and weak around her future meals. Having to act like prey. She's a ghoul, a superior existence. She prides herself on her strength and her independence. To think these silly, stupid men always fail to see past her facade, see her for the monster she truly is, it was almost insulting to her pride as a huntress.
She was an apex predator, but she was also a great actress. The betrayed looks on their faces the moment she seals their fate makes everything worth it. She always did have a bit of a dramatic streak, after all.
She especially likes her meals when they have an aftertaste of vengeance.
"When will you chevaliers learn?" She mused, looking over the dead bodies. She was impressed at her handiwork. This time, she left quite a mess. Looking down at the disemboweled boys, she smiled, "You're no one. You're nothing. And according to the system, you don't even exist."
With a sigh, she fished out a handkerchief from her pocket and wiped the blood from her mouth. Then she retrieved her fallen bags and headed for the exit.
"What a waste of time." With a flip of her hand, she sent her long white hair fluttering behind her like a shimmering white curtain. Feeling particularly gluttonous, she decided to head for the nearest bar. There were always more men to flock wherever they could find possible dates. With a giggle, she flitted into the light like a moth.
"The night is still young. Perhaps I'll find someone else to have fun with."
Megaton is home to humans and monsters alike.
But especially for the monsters.
Raven Rock, Chesteros
?
Chevalerie Operations Centre
Far in the west, a hidden base stood hiding in the mountains of Raven Rock. It's where the commander resides and where the new recruits train.
The old and bearded commander looked out from the ceiling window as the moonlight filled the room. He and his men were gathered at a large table where another meeting was currently in session.
"The cold winds are rising…" He gruffed as he met the eyes of his fellow men. "The message couldn't have come soon enough. It's been three days since the chevaliers at Ironwrath have fallen."
"I'm afraid we have some bad news, sir." One of his men spoke up, his face as grave as the rest of them. "Megaton has also lost their chevaliers. They've been butchered… presumably a ghoul's work."
"If they were men, then it could be none other than Venus Flytrap. She's always been a problem in Megaton." One man said.
"Ha! One of many, I presume. Megaton is a foul-smelling flower that attracts the flies. And yet the Chevalerie keep sending their own."
Directing his gaze to the man who said that, the commander appeared more terse and cold than ever, "Is that what we are, Lord Tonio? An army of flies ready to be squashed by the likes of those monsters?"
Holding up his hands in surrender, Tonio chuckled, "My apologies, Commander. I meant no disrespect."
"You may be our visitor, but I've told you before that we've no interest in the game of politics where you're from. We will not send anymore of our own to accompany you when you leave." He then paused, collecting his hands in a serious manner. "Also. I may have known your father, bless his soul. But you ought to learn a lord's courtesy should you wish to make prospective allies."
Tonio laughed, "You're right, but my words have truth, Commander. You don't have enough soldiers to even be considered an army. Aside from Lola, none of you are particularly funny."
"Boy! You will address her as Major Lola! She wouldn't be so familiar with the likes of you!" One man shouted to him from his chair, his face tense with anger. The Commander rose his hand to stop him from talking any further, effectively diffusing the situation.
"I hope we've provided enough stories for you when you return to Rorrim Capitol." The aged man rumbled in a deep voice, his eyes narrowing, "It's something to think about while you enjoy your parties and money. Half the recruits you've seen training will die when they've set out on their own. MIght be a nighthowler that gets them… might be a ghoul… might be a wolfskin… might even go mad themselves after the first corruption."
Tonio's smile gradually fell from his lips.
"They die in pain. They do it… all so the Mundies can live their normal lives. All so little nobles like you can enjoy their summer afternoons in peace and comfort." The Commander informed, "The Chevalerie is the only thing standing between the Harrowing and what lies beyond. And it's become an army of scattered alliances, withered old veterans, and dying brethren. There are less than a thousand of us now."
Any jokes Tonio thought of at this point had completely dissipated in his head. Even he had to take the matter seriously at this point.
"We can't properly patrol the wilderness that lies deep within the Harrowing. We can't man castles in Rorrim Capitol like you ask. We've barely enough resources to keep our chevaliers armed and fed."
One of the members of the operation branch spoke up, "Lord Tonio. Your sister sits by king's side. Please tell her we need help."
Tonio looked straight at him, "My sister is a concubine, not a consort. The King won't listen to her."
The Commander settled back in his chair with a long sigh, "When winter comes, God help us all if the Hush Wolf reawakens. The Old Seeress has whispered another prophecy. In this century, he is sure to return. With the veil thinning at its weakest, there will be many tears for him to enter this world and reclaim it as his own."
"We still need to send someone to Megaton. Because the two chevaliers have died on their watch, we'll need someone who can keep the city together."
"But who could we possibly send? We can't spare any of our units from other cities: they're packed tight with work! The younger ones had to quit school in order to prevent the monster activity from escalating any further! Those last two boys were the only ones available for the job!" The other members continued shouting. One of them slammed his fist against the table and caused several papers to scatter. "We'd need someone who can pull off miracles!"
"Is that right?" The doors suddenly opened, and a pair slender legs leading up to an attractive dark-haired woman immediately caught their attention. Fully dressed in uniform, she made her way down the aisle and cleared her throat. "Gentleman, please. You flatter me. But there is someone you can send."
Otanashi Lola, the operations director with the rank of major. Her duties were extended but not limited to handling bureaucratic aspects of Chevalerie operations and working at the command center alongside the captains for every team posted in Chesteros. The new information gathered on all the currently known monsters would be immediately brought to her attention.
"Fashionably late as always, Major Lola." The commander noted in a surly tone, "Putting your tardiness aside for now… who, pray tell, might that be? We're already short on men as it is."
Lola smiled, "My youngest niece. I'm sure you're familiar with her. Granted, she's young and inexperienced, and this will be her first serious posting. But I assure you… given the time and patience, she'll flourish like a golden harvest ripe for the reaping."
The room fell silent.
There was hesitance in the commander's expression. "I presume you're talking about Shimoda Rin?" At the aforementioned name, the rest of the council broke into disgruntled murmurs.
Lola continued to smile, maintaining a confident air, "That's the one."
"PREPOSTEROUS!" The other members went in an uproar. Any lesser woman would've flinched at the outburst, but not Lola. It took her years to finally get used to the yelling and backlash from superiors whenever she spoke her mind. She wouldn't allow them to intimidate her now. "Perhaps if it were her sister, we'd consider the offer, but never that girl!"
"Never is… an awfully long time, sir. She's been on standby for years now." Lola calmly reminded them, raising a brow at her superior. "I understand you find my request unconventional, but I wouldn't ask you to consider this if were a waste your time. And all of you should know by now that I'm not someone who wastes time." She said, turning to face the commander. "Given the circumstances, surely you can give her a chance. I think it's about time we put her to work."
Tonio looked around, blinking at the new conflict of interest that unfolded before him. He smiled to himself and nestled back in his chair to enjoy the debate. Well, this should be interesting.
The Commander shook his head, "Shimoda-chan is still quite young, Major Lola. Usually our age requirements cut off around sixteen. Fifteen at the youngest. She's a rare exception for two reasons." he informed, "One, because you personally asked us to enlist her many years ago after her village burnt down. Two, she's the daughter of Dans Solem, your brother." he paused before adding, "But you agreed to wait until she became of age before she could be put on active duty. It's been many years since we talked about this, but I trust you still remember the terms we agreed to? "
"Yes, of course, Commander." Lola answered with unwavering conviction, "But right now, we are severely undermanned!"
"You know danger when you see it. After all, you and your brother have fought at our side for years." One of the men acknowledged her logic as well as her place, "Feared and known to all… you, Lux Lunae, and your brother… Dans Solem."
Lola lowered her gaze momentarily, her face adopting a more serious countenance.
"Shimoda Leon. He was the best we ever had. Lord Commander of the Chevalerie. And later on, the Hand of the King. We'll always remember him as a true hero who singlehandedly laid siege on the Grey Watch at the cost of his life. Without him, the ghouls would be all over Chesteros by now. His sacrifice taught us all what it meant to be a true chevalier. We all strive to follow his path." Another of the old veterans reminisced. The rest of the men had their heads bowed out of respect for her late brother.
"Indeed." Clasping his gloved hands together, the Commander hunched over the table to look at her straight in the eye. "You and Dans Solem are true chevaliers. I respect your word, Lola. But the weight of an entire city is not something that should rest upon a child's shoulders. Megaton is no place for your niece."
Lola's eyes narrowed. "So instead of my niece… you'd rather put your faith in an old woman's babbles about an entity who hasn't appeared for thousands of years?" She challenged. If it were anyone else who'd spoken these words, they'd surely find themselves punished for such insolence. But she had been Lux Lunae, the fearsome chevalier who led the charge alongside her brother in the Second Plight.
"Our forefathers have felt from the beginning that Hush Wolf was a great danger than all the others combined." The Commander replied, his eyes hard as stone. He did not raise his voice, but it still trembled with power. Even Lola realized she had touched a nerve. She should not have dismissed the notion so easily. "I apologize, Major. But your niece does not reach our expectations. We cannot deem her able to face the ever-looming threats… at least, not until she comes of age." With a wave of his hand, his underling presented her personal file before him. He flipped through it, reading aloud, "Let's see. A history of ill health, confinement in the sanatorium, and… multiple truancies at her boarding school before she was pulled out after a certain violent incident." Lola winced at the countings, closing her eyes in exasperation. He paused before narrowing his eyes, "And that's not the worst part."
Lola opened her mouth to protest, "I beg to differ. Rin has potential. She's-"
"E-ranked. The lowest of the food chain. For five years." One of the council members spoke up, his words cold as ice.
"No thanks to the failures of marital problems! The girl is a bad omen, just like her mother!" An older man with a ill temper bellowed, muttering the words, "Bloody Mary..."
Miriam. Lola bit her lower lip, her brow furrowing at the mention of her sister-in-law.
"Her father was a hero to us all, but the woman he chose…" His face darkened with hateful ire. "She was a monster. You were there with him the day he rode through her village, fell for her the moment he saw her."
"I remember their union. They wedded at first light." Lola quietly agreed, closing her eyes as she thought back to that day.
"Everyone thought she was just a commoner. A beautiful, charming girl. They discovered too late that she was as mad as a hagraven." One of the men commented.
Suddenly, an unnatural chill began to settle as though death's draft swept in. Lola suddenly found herself feeling extremely cold. For a moment, it felt as though a ghost had swept right through their very souls. A silence befell the entire room.
Finally, the Commander broke the tension, "...With a more pressing matter to attend to, I trust we can all agree that Shimoda Rin is not to be sent?" Murmurs of agreement resonated, and no one bothered to hide their relief at the dismissal of Lola's suggestion.
Well, everyone except Lola.
"You speak of a child, sir!" She walked up right to the table, putting her hands down on the surface. "Rin is only fourteen, and she is certainly nothing like Miriam. She wouldn't harm an innocent."
The Commander didn't break his gaze from hers, "How long has it been since you've last seen your niece, Major Lola?"
"...Five years." she reluctantly admitted.
"She's a different girl then."
The others agreed. "Meanwhile, her older sister, Lily has flourished from E-rank to A-rank in less than two years. She's been all over the eastern border! She trained under her father, Dans Solem himself."
"She's also a crass partygoer who gets drunk on top of castles and throws chickens at her enemies when she's wasted. Last time we had to cover the expenses at Rivet City because she blew up half the citadel during a ghoul invasion! She didn't even try to keep the damages at the minimum."
At that, Lola wanted to snort. Not because it sounded like lies, but because it wasn't actually too far from the truth.
"They may be the daughters of your brother, but it's no secret that they are both severely undisciplined. No amount of training can make them understand what duty is." An old veteran spoke up, the lines of his crow's feet crinkling around his eyes. "Lily is destructive and out of control, but Rin is the weakest, most deficient chevalier in our Order. She's yet to even awaken her weapon, all because she hasn't even killed a collected a single soul." An old veteran spoke up, the lines of his crow's feet crinkling around his eyes. "Megaton is a warzone. The city overpopulated with tears and monsters alike. The moment you send either of them in, they'll be eaten alive."
"They will be out there anywhere else if you don't give them this chance to truly make use of themselves." Lola barked before turning to her superior, her eyes unwavering. "Commander, please. If Megaton falls, it will be on our hands. Lily is thousands of miles away." She began to reason, "We can just send Rin! She'll be much easier to manage!" Seeing the impatience finally reach his eyes, she quickly added, "I'll keep her under watch! I'll make sure she doesn't fail!"
If the Commander wanted to dismiss the idea in the first place, he would've ordered her to keep her mouth shut about the matter and never discuss it again. Instead he gave her this chance to convince him.
The fact that she was still standing here not being chewed out right now… that had to mean he was at least considering the proposal… right?
Lola felt beads of sweat collect at the base of her neck. She stood tall and firm. She tried not to show anyone how nervous she really felt on the inside. But honest to God, she felt like she was about to pass out.
"...This is no small request you ask of me." The commander finally answered, surprising the rest of the room, "Do you want to get her killed? Give me one good reason why I ought to consider sending her to the city overpopulated with monsters and heathens alike. If we're lucky, she might even come back in one piece."
Lola let out a breathe she didn't even realize she'd been holding. Feeling her head clear, she shook herself out of her daze and met his eyes, "Because I'm going to make sure she'll be left in one piece. I'll personally oversee her stationing herself. Every step of the way." An impish glint appeared in her eyes. "Besides, you know very well that Leon and I grew up in Megaton. It's practically home. Shimodas are hard to kill. It's in our blood."
At that, the Commander finally chuckled and nodded his consent. "...Very well. I suppose the city would be doomed one way or another whether or not we send her. She will be under your watch. Under no circumstances is she allowed to go anywhere outside city limits without our knowledge."
The room remained silent with discontent, but the satisfaction was clear on Lola's face. She couldn't help feeling a little smug as she looked over every one of her displeased superiors.
"Thank you, sir. We won't betray the trust you've put in us." Lola saluted. "I'll keep you updated with weekly reports." Then her eyes hardened. "We won't forget those poor boys and the service they did. They deserved a better death. They will be avenged."
The Commander nodded his approval, "Send word to Hightower. See to it your niece arrives in Megaton no less than a week. I trust you will accomodate to her as needed. She will be put on immediate duty. I pray she lasts more than a week until we can find someone more suitable for a grisly lifestyle." Looking around the room, he clapped his hands once, "You're all dismissed."
a/n: It got a little boring at the end, probably, but don't worry! It's just the beginning. This is certainly a different take on how I view our favorite characters. They're all going to be rather different... than how I usually portray them. ;D I know how much you guys love Len. Don't worry. He's a special case. I'm enjoying myself immensely right now. It's been so long since I've had this much fun writing. Rin will be appearing in the next chapter as well as a few of our other favorite characters. But... I'm going to sleep now. It's 3AM already, and I've been working on this all day. Good morning. Excuse me while I pass out.