Sorry that I have not posted anything in a while, but it is due to my school work and private life matters. Anyways, I am back with new chapter for this story. And it is still mostly based off the video game, so bare with me a little longer until it gets to the point where the developers have temporarily stopped.

Anyways, I do not own any of the characters from either series, and/or any other series in the japanese universe.

Enjoy!

Chapter 2: Recognition

Unknown P.O.V:

As soon as we stepped foot into the place, my eyes widen. This place… It's the Temple of the Goddess, a place of safety in case any invasions got too bad. Well, what's left of it. I drew a shaky breath while trying to stop the shaking of my hands. Get your act together! You are a warrior fighting for Harmony. Your feelings will only get in the way. Not a second too soon, my previous expression appeared once more.

Zero began to wander around, looking at everything with wonder or familiarity. I could not tell from where I was. But just as quickly as he did so, Four moved towards him, grabbing his shoulder in the process, stopping him. Zero looks back at him without a word as Four silently stares back at him for a few moments before speaking, "You shouldn't wander around the mission site. Especially since Nine hasn't given any of us instructions."

I gave a dry, but hollow chuckle, "I'm sorry to point this out, but Nine isn't here at the moment." The two men looked to where Nine previously was. Zero shakes off Four's hand and begins to walk further down the empty corridors of the temple. Four merely watches him with a bit of irritation etched in his features.

"Aish, here even…?" I watched with a suppressed amusement as Four muttered under his breath while walking to who knows where. With Four distracted, Zero uses this as his opportunity to explore the temple ruins. He glances back at me as he stops to touch, and examine one of the statues which so happens to be a figure clad in a flowing Greek-like dress that he is caressing.

"Do you know who this statue is supposed to be?" he asked trying to confirm something from me. My lips pressed into a thin line, and my eyes darted to the side hoping that my expression did not betray what I knew. However, I did not see the glint in his eyes and the smirk playing on his face.

"We could narrow it down based on the location, to the god or gods that were worshiped here. I can run a search…," Nine spoke as he appeared at my side. The male starts to stare at another statue. Suddenly, Four appears on the other side of Nine, clearly annoyed at the fact that the two of them weren't taking this seriously.

"Have you all forgotten that we're here on a mission? And this girl can leave now. She's done her part."

Anger begins to swell up from deep within me. I bit the inside of my cheeks, tasting the metallic liquid mixing with my saliva. Before I could say anything, Nine's comment made all the rage disappear in a blink of an eye.

"Even if we are working… I think it's always good to take time out to learn about the world around us if we can because we might not get another chance like this."

Four gives Nine a glare. "Even so, work is work. And this is Zero's first mission outside of Olympia. We should be—" I quickly pulled out my bow from earlier ready my Holy Arrow. Both Four and Zero quickly noticed my sudden behavior and quickly turned in different directions. Four quickly moves away from us as quietly as possible while Zero puts himself in front of Nine and me defensively.

"Were you expecting someone?" I asked. A voice quickly replies to my question, "We weren't."

Several figures, clad familiar white and red habit tailing off into a half skirt covered with intricate silver and yellow markings, stood before us. They were wearing boots, large white hoods with masks covering the top half of their faces. The males had coverings on their arms and legs. As for the females, they have bare arms and legs. Each of them were wielding a rusty gold colored ax that was similar to my deceased father's Anubys. Four was nowhere to be seen as for Zero, he watches the hooded figures like a hawk. Nine suddenly begins to speak to the men, "This is your hideout, right? Sorry to intrude…"

"You know damn well that this is our place," one of them growls as he looks at the two men and narrows his eyes. "A girl and some freaks from Olympia… There is no way we will let you soil our beloved Lady's temple." My right hand tightly gripped the bow until small streams of red liquid taint the clothing on my right arm. There was one word that describes who they were exactly—fanatics.

Suddenly, Nine puts two of his fingers to his ear for a moment. His eyes lit up in some sort of acknowledgment. He then lets his hand fall back down, and instead, he slides on the same pair of sunglasses from earlier. Nine calmly states to the fanatics in white, "We're just looking for one thing in particular, really."

Behind the group of fanatics, something catches my eyes. I knew exactly who it is, Four. He quickly grabs the leader's head with both of his hands, Four quickly twists it, dispatching their leader with ease. Before the body could hit the floor, the PHASe operative quickly turns to another one of the white hooded fanatics. I caught the flash of steel coming out from the pocket of his jacket, and in a blink of an eye he cuts down the woman faster than what the naked human eye could see. However, I was special. Everything around me slowed down as I saw Four covered the woman's mouth before making a clean cut to her throat. Suddenly, time is brought back to normal as soon as the body hits the floor. The third fanatic looks downright terrified and bolted out of the temple before Four could do anything to him. Four looks at the man leave, but he does not follow after him. His focus then returns to the surrounding area. I believe I have found new profound respect for Four.

But our troubles were far from over, another hooded fanatic appears from behind one of the statues. The fanatic begins to fire something from his sickle like ax clearly aiming for both Zero and Nine. My body quickly moved on its own accord, and before I knew it, I find myself taking a hit for the two men that I had just met. The force has managed to knock me to the ground, and force my hair out of its bun revealing the other three colors. I have not noticed the surprised look on Zero for my back was turned towards him, but I did see the one who did this to me. The color of his healthy skin becomes a sickly white, and even though the mask covered the top part of his face he looked terrified at what he had done to me.

The male fanatic gets down on his knees and bowed profusely, murmuring a large number of apologies. "Please forgive me Your Grace. Had I known that you would be accompanied by these men, my brothers and sisters and I would not have attacked you. Please forgive me for my ignorance," Nine and Zero were slightly taken back at the fanatic's sudden behavior. This was the reason why I put my hair up in a bun. Everywhere I went, no matter what universe I was in, people would recognize me with my hair down. My natural hair could not be replicated no matter how hard anyone tried to copy it. It was no use putting it back up in a bun now that someone has already recognized me. Zero quickly helps me get up on my feet.

Four suddenly appears beside Zero. "You let a girl take a hit, Zero. A hit. That mistake could possibly be the end of this girl's life."

The fanatic suddenly shouts, "She would not easily die from such a weak attack from the likes of me! So how dare you try and lump her in with those who are weak. And You!" The fanatic sharply looks at Zero with hatred in his eyes. "How dare you!" Zero looks down at his feet.

Before the fanatic could say anymore, I brought down my fist, connecting it to his jaw. "You have some nerve to attack random people that just wants to get what they want," my voice low and uncaring that only the male fanatic heard what I was saying. Not a second too soon, my previous behavior returns, and I quietly walked over to the three men.

Four ignores the fanatic clutching his jaw in pain and turns his gaze towards Nine. "The weather generator is secured."

"Ah, good. And I heard that the others just successfully wrapped up their mission too." At Nine's comment, Zero snaps his head to his leader.

"Is everyone okay?" Zero asks such a simple question to which the leader nodded his head.

"That type of mission was Six's specialty, so there wasn't any need to worry."

"He never let anyone get hurt. Not even Five." Zero looks away again, and I feel annoyed with Four. I do understand what he was trying to get at, for I was and still am like that. But from what I heard earlier, this was Zero's real first mission.

Four continues on with his comment, "Even if Five does have a habit of wandering off."

I felt the need to say something to Four. "There are things in life that are just out of your control. So what if he tripped, it's not like he meant to do it. Things just happen, and sometimes you've just gotta accept the fact that you and everyone else can't change it. Besides, this is Zero's first real mission, so cut him some slack. Now if he had done this many times, that would have been a different story altogether depending on the situation," I feel as if a load was suddenly taken off of me.

"Hmph! You don't know anything about us, so stay out of this. We're not playing here. One mistake could mean the end of a life," his comment just riled me up even more.

"You're right. I don't know anything about all of you, but I can make assumptions from what I've seen so far," I couldn't reveal to them who I really am, so that was as far as I could say to them, Four especially. I also wanted to say to him that I that I know what it is like, but due to my vows I could not say it.

"And if that were true, then… Why don't you all finally explain exactly who you are?"

Nine takes off his sunglasses and smiles. "For you… I'll tell you this much. You can keep a secret, right?" I nodded in reply.

"I'm sure that you already guessed that we are apart of P.H.A.N.T.A.S.M. A special team within PHASe to be exact. Our missions are… extremely critical to the nation."

"So you came all the way here from Olympia?" Nine nods.

"Sorry, I can't tell you more about what we do, or our real names… But you've seen us work with your own eyes. I can tell you that you should be on the lookout for a special message, soon."

"A message from PHASe?" It wasn't really a question, but more of a statement.

Nine nods again and Four snorts, "Lucky you. I wonder if you'll make it."

Zero merely stares at me with an inscrutable expression, seeming a bit curious himself.

"I've been trained to adapt, fight, and gather intel in any weather conditions from natural biomes ranging from deserts to literally the bottom of the ocean floor at the age of two," I flatly stated out to them.

"Um, anyways, will be going now. And thanks for your help. I really appreciate it. I'm sorry that we can't give you a ride back," says Nine.

"Don't worry. If anything, I need to deal with my own things here." I fiercely glared at the fanatic who was still on both of his knees. The male slightly flinches at my sudden glare, but nonetheless stood his ground.

"Son of Mastema, send word to your brethren that they shall bring no foul to these three men, or any other guests that I bring in the future." The male figure bowed before taking his leave to find the rest. Once he left, I hold out my hand to Nine.

"I admire your charisma, and I can also tell that you are very intellectual." He smiles at my compliments and takes my hand. Nine mumbles humbly, "Some people say that."

"I see. You are humble and kind too. With those kinds of assets, you will be an even greater leader. It was truly an honor to meet all three of you." Nine's dimples begin to show.

"Likewise. Hopefully, we will meet again soon." He then lets go of my hand.

Both Four and Nine turn and start to make their way to the temple's entrance, but Zero doesn't immediately move at first. He seems as if he wanted to say something, but whatever he was going to say dies immediately when Four calls out to him. With that, Zero reluctantly turns and leaves to catch up with his comrades. When the three men left the building, the holy ring dangling on my right ear gave off a slight stinging sensation.

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Preview to the next chapter:

"I want a small group working on this while the others warriors focus on what is causing all of this. As for Ophanim, I want you to continue what you are doing. It is crucial that you gain the trust of everyone in this PHASe program, and find anything that is critical to the cause," says a godly, feminine voice. I went back to Zero's side once more. "Hai." I flick the holy ring once again, and time resumes.