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"You told me you had someone you had to protect, how is this protecting her?"
Front City Defensive Line
Wake adjusted the collar of her new Disciple uniform, it was primarily white whith violet striping. She was told that the stripes were unique for every person, but she didn't know how far that went. Finishing her task she looked at her reflection in the changing room's mirror. She smiled at how formal she looked in her uniform, twirling a bit for fun.
The girl then struck a pose, which caused her to laugh at herself. Her uniform reminded her of a cartoon she used to watch. She didn't know why she felt so lighthearted, but she was enjoying the feeling. Wake paused, slowly she reached up to her lips.
She and Fuuko had kissed, her first kiss was with another girl, the memory of that moment sent shivers through Wake. She giggled to herself as she turned to the door. Quickly unlocking it she exited the room, finding Fuuko standing there in her own new uniform, with a knowing smile.
"You did the pose too, right?"
Wake just smiled, causing the girl to laugh. The two then hurried towards their next destination.
Fort City Defensive Line: Exterior Wall
Chief Ruby stood with her back resting against a wall as she looked towards the sea on the horizon. She didn't look down, as the thing that the wall was guarding was not something she wanted to look at.
She had done her research, and since there was nothing more to be gleaned from it, she ignored it.
The woman had been waiting for Fuuko and Wake to get changed. She brought them here to explain to Wake what exactly she was going to be going up against. She had told the higher-ups what would happen, but they ordered her to tell the girl.
A light breeze blew around her and she smiled, she enjoyed the way the wind felt up this high. Her thoughts were then interrupted as the exterior door unlocked. Turning her head she saw the two girls walk towards her. She pushed off from the wall and smiled.
"My, don't you two look cute in the new uniforms."
"Oh, Chief Ruby," Fuuko smiled; "thanks."
"Yes, I like this, thank you."
Ruby smiled and nodded as she turned back to the horizon, however she now looked down, towards the thing she no longer had an interest in, as she told herself.
"I suppose I should get to the point of why I brought you here. Look down there."
She then pointed at the object, Fuuko and Wake walked up to her sides and stared down into a crater. In the crater's center was a large metallic disk that had what resembled an electrical net. Several Disciples could be seen surrounding the ring.
"What you see before you is the world's first and largest Dusk Circle. It has been titled the Pandora Labyrinth, by the way. I suggest you know that name, makes it easier to remember."
"How frightening...This is the Dusk Circle that appeared twenty years ago..."
Ruby nodded as she turned from the site and walked off a bit, Fuuko and Wake watched her. The woman then slowly turned and continued.
"This is the first of eight Dusk Circles that sleep in this world. Two have become active as of now. That is, they have fully taken root, materializing as Labyrinths. This one, thankfully, is dormant. However, dormant does not mean inactive. The concentration of Dusk is so high that monsters are still being formed, and some getting out."
The girls nodded, Wake looked once more down to the Pandora Labyrinth and frowned. She could feel something stir in her heart, she felt like she was being pulled, but she ignored it. She then turned back to Ruby with a question.
"The Labyrinth is clearly visible, though. Why isn't this one considered an active Dusk Circle?"
Fuuko turned to look back to the Labyrinth as Ruby shrugged with a smile. Wake didn't like how she did that.
"There is one reason you can see this one so clearly. The Pandora Labyrinth's Dusk energy is at least a hundred times more potent than the energy you would find in a normal dusk circle."
"Then how is the city being protected?"
Ruby walked back to the edge and pointed towards the disk. Wake once again found herself staring at the Labyrinth. The more she did the more uneasy she felt.
"The Labyrinth, as you can see, is covered with a device that creates a magical wall. The wall is powered by volunteer Disciples, each strong enough to handle any monster that gets through. Even though it is rare, some monsters get past them."
Fuuko's head snapped around as realization dawned upon her, Ruby looked down at her with raised eyebrows.
"So, the monsters that attacked us when we got off the boat must have been some of those."
This got Ruby's attention, for the woman spun around as if she had told some bad news, her expression went along with that. She looked frightened, Wake felt sorry for her somewhat.
"You were attacked by monsters? There were no reports...did they come from another Nest?"
"Nests? Here? What in the heck Chief Ruby?!"
Ruby quickly calmed down as she turned to the silver haired girl. Wake's expression was a mixture of many other emotions. If Ruby hadn't wanted to keep the conversation serious she would have laughed. However, she quickly calmed herself and continued.
"Active Circles that are on the continent shoot out pods filled with monsters. This pods are called Nests, we equate them to spores. They make it to the island sometimes, but this is a very rare occurrence I assure you."
The two nodded, content with the answer for now. Ruby sighed, she was finally done, she hated explaining things she didn't care for. She hoped her other visitor would have arrived sooner, but they didn't. It was only when the conversation had ended that she heard the door open again, she again sighed.
Wake turned towards the door and saw another Female Disciple walk onto the wall. She had short yellow hair and piercing red eyes. She wore a Male Disciple uniform that was lined in gold, a sword at her hip. The girl had a serious air around her. This was only confirmed when the girl stopped before Chief Ruby and bowed. Her words were stiff and calculated.
"I apologize for having kept you waiting Chief Ruby."
"Ah, there you are," Ruby then turned towards Fuuko and Wake; "let me introduce you. This is another S Rank in the second year."
"Oh, so we're going to be in the same class. I'm Fuuko, nice to meet you."
"I am Alec Marker. Another S Rank?"
Fuuko nodded and chuckled sheepishly, rubbing the back of her head.
"So I'm told...I'm a little worried if I'll be of any use, though."
"You should not be so naive. Such thought will only lead to death on the battlefield."
"Y-You're right, ahaha..."
"That was not funny."
"Oh...Right."
Wake looked over to Fuuko and winced, Alec was being just a bit too direct with her answers. She reached over and patted the girl on the shoulder. Fuuko turned to her and Wake flashed a smile to tell the girl not to worry, she didn't see Alec turn her gaze upon her. Wake then turned and smiled to Alec as she extended a hand.
"I'm Wake Archus. It's nice to meet you."
"So," Alec's eyes narrowed; "you are the God's Gift..."
"What, is there something on my face? Did my hair turn yellow again? It tends to do that when I meet a possible rival."
Alec didn't respond to her attempt at humor, continuing to watch her. The tense mood she was feeling didn't even lift slightly. Alec then began speaking once more as she shook her head.
"No...It is nothing."
Before the situation could get any weirder Ruby pushed past Alec and smiled. She really needed to get out of here and get back to work.
"Why don't you let Alec guide you the rest of the way? I am rather busy, so see you later."
Ruby then quickly left and entered the building. Everyone watched her go, when the door shut Alec returned her attention to Wake.
"You need a tour? Follow me then, but is there anything you would wish to know while you are here?"
"Not at the moment, no..."
"I see..."
The girl then turned slightly and motioned towards the door, she kept eye contact with Wake. The silver haired girl gulped, for some reason she thought she may have made the girl angry.
"I will show you the firing control for the Dusk Screener first."
Before anyone could move however, alarms began sounding. A speaker crackled to life as the three girls turned towards it. Fuuko seemed worrired, and Wake ready to fight, but Alec just stood with the same expression.
Monsters are emerging from the Pandora Labyrinth. All staff that are on duty, intercept them immediately.
"What's going on?!"
Alec turned to Fuuko, the girl's face still betraying no emotion. The girl drew her sword and raised a hand to point at the Labyrinth entrance.
"Monsters have broken through the barrier."
Wake spun around and shouted as several of the dragon headed beasts rose from the barrier. They roared, the shockwaves knocking several of the Disciples to the ground. Some of the beasts were then attacked by Disciples that were still standing. Some of the beasts then sprouted wings and took off as their bodies became more bat like.
Wake really wished she had remembered to grab her sword, realizing it was gone when it wasn't at her side. It was probably still in the Holographic Labyrinth. She thought herself a fool when she realized she had forgotten it. Her thoughts were cut short as Alec turned to her, the monsters quickly closing the distance.
"God's Gift, can you fight?"
It sounded like Alec was challenging her, she decided to take her up on it.
"Yes, of course I am!"
Then, for the first time since they started talking, Alec displayed emotion. When Wake gave her an answer the girl's face split into the largest smile. The sinister look that it gave the girl made Wake shiver.
"Good, I will deal with these, go on ahead and finish off the rest."
Wake nodded and Alec took off running towards the monsters. The girl then started tearing through the beasts' numbers, almost feral in approach. Wake then turned towards Fuuko, who simply nodded with a determined look.
Smiling Wake then leapt over the railing, followed by Fuuko. The Ether Amp then began glowing, which caused her clothes to glow as well. Her Brand also shone in a bright orange light.
Violent electricity crackled around Wake as her uniform began glowing. The energy then swallowed her as her clothes broke apart, a black and red circle patter forming over her chest. The light then faded as more red lines began tracing along her legs and back. A scarf wrapped around her neck as the transformation completed.
Fuuko's uniform shattered like glass as the girl spun. A black and green dress wrapped around her body as the shards from her uniform began collecting around her. A white jacket covered her as white boots formed around her legs. Her headphones then opened up into cat ears.
The two landed and quickly scanned the area to find an opening in the monsters. Fuuko reached into holsters at her thighs and drew her Dusk Breakers, the guns now having energy blades extended that glowed blue. The girl charged forward, firing into the group of monsters. Wake followed, even though she didn't have a weapon she could handle the beasts.
One of the monsters, another bat, swooped towards Wake. The girl punched forward and was surprised to see a large blade extend forward and impale the monster through the head. It faded in black smoke as Wake pulled the blade back. The weapon was black with violet striping along the edge. The girl raised her other hand and another blade formed.
Despite the size of the weapons, what surprised Wake is that they had no weight. Smiling Wake spun the blades around to be reversed gripped she then surged through the line of monsters.
Fuuko was pushed back and Wake landed next to her. Wake dropped to her knee as she looked over the girl. Fuuko just chuckled as she pushed Wake's hand away.
"Don't worry, just got cornered. I'm fine."
Nodding Wake helped the girl to her feet. They had cut a sizable hole in the crowd of beasts, but now the remaining monsters surrounded her. Fuuko raised her guns and Wake her swords, neither noticing the blue glow from Wake's Ether Amp. Wake smiled as an idea floated through her mind, her eyes having a faint blue glow to them.
"Hey, Fuuko, I might have an idea."
"What is it?"
"Run forward and shoot as many shots as you can, and at as many enemies as you can. I'll follow and finish them off when you finish."
The pink haired girl nodded as she tightened her grip on the gun's triggers. Silently Wake gave the command and Fuuko began their assault. Charging forward Fuuko began firing several shots, she then spun out of the way of Wake who rushed from behind her with her blades crossed. The girl then threw her arms out to her sides. A large wave of energy launched forward, connecting with Fuuko's shots.
Both attacks then connected with several monsters, each monster reacting violently to it. The monsters then quickly became encased in ice that exploded. It was a glorious chain reaction that caused every monster to be frozen and then exploded.
When the last monster fell Wake sighed, her uniform returning to normal. She turned to Fuuko as the girl also changing back. The two looked to each other and smiled while Fuuko gave a thumbs up.
"That wasn't too bad."
The two girls made their way back to the top of the wall, after Wake made sure the other Disciples were fine. When they finally got back to where they jumped off, they saw Alec, waiting patiently for them. They walked closer and the girl nodded at them, her expression returned to its stoic one, Wake inwardly sighed. If she had to choose, she wouldn't want to see that feral one again.
"It looks like you are done here."
"Yep, I'm glad your safe Alec."
"I have to apologize," Alec frowned; "I have to take care of dealing with the aftermath here. My tour is over. I will escort you to the dorms, at least."
Women's Dorm
The trio had seemingly walked halfway across the island before they arrived at the dorms. Most of the walk was in silence, which bothered Wake, but when she saw the dorms she realized it was somewhat worth it. The building was quite large, more resembling a mansion than a school facility. Fuuko and Wake stood awestruck at the sight, Alec simply turned and motioned towards the building.
"Wow...This is luxurious..."
"S Rank Disciples are giveen different lodgings than other Disciples. And because you are a God's Gift, you will receive the same benefits as an S Rank Disciple. If you will excuse me."
Alec then started walking back the way the came, leaving the two alone. Wake turned to Fuuko and smiled. She noted how beautiful Fuuko looked in light of the sunset. She realized that she had been having a lot of those thoughts all day.
"Looks like our new lives are about to begin."
"Things are so different here," Fuuko sighed, tired; "I have to try my best for world peace."
The girl then leaned against Wake, her muscles giving out. Wake just smiled as she looked down to her.
"Well for right now you should try your best to get some good sleep."
Fuuko slowly nodded, which caused Wake to laugh. The taller girl then wrapped her arm around Fuuko, leading the exhausted girl to the dorm entrance. A question once more floated through her mind, she looked down once more to the girl in her arm.
"Fuuko, why did you ask me to kiss you when we Classmated?"
"It has something to do with the Bonding," Fuuko yawned; "they say that emotions can go rampant. Sorry about that, wasn't able to control myself."
Wake's eyes narrowed as she again put her hand to her lips. She could still feel the tingling of their kiss. Shaking her head she smiled.
"Well, you took my first kiss Fuuko, I would hardly think it fair if that wasn't what you actually wanted to do."
The girl didn't respond, Wake believed that she was probably too far gone to respond. She didn't notice the tint that spread across her cheeks.
The two entered the dorm and went to the desk, a Disciple smiled at them as they came in. She pulled out a book when they got close. Wake heard the girl chuckle when Fuuko collapsed onto the desk, Wake quickly grabbing her.
"Hello, are you new here?"
"Um, yes, I am Wake Archus, and this is Fuuko Amicus. Can you please tell us where are rooms are?"
The Disciple nodded as she opened the book, flipping through the pages. She then stopped on one and skimmed the page before she looked up to Wake with a smile.
"You're in luck, your room is just up the stairs Room 99. And it seems that this girl is assigned as your roommate."
Wake nodded with a growing smile, knowing her luck she should have expected that. She didn't mind that, it was just expected. The girl at the desk handed her a key, which Wake took with a 'thank you'. The girl then picked up Fuuko and proceeded towards their room.
Unlocking the door, despite the difficulties from trying to keep Fuuko from hitting the floor, Wake pushed it open. She hurried inside and flipped the light switch, closing the door with her foot.
The room was quite large, much to Wake's surprise. There were two queen sized beds with desks at the back of the room. There was a large window behind one of the desks, Wake knew which one she was going to take. Other than that, the room was quite bare. Ignoring that Wake made her way to one of the beds.
She picked up Fuuko and placed her onto the bed, making sure to take off the girl's shoes. The girl instantly curled up, which caused Wake to chuckle. Patting the girl on the head Wake moved towards the window desk and sat down. Pulling out her notebook she flipped through it as she remembered what exactly happened to her today.
"Fuuko said she had to try hard for this world, and so must I. These monsters must be destroyed."
Wake then looked over to the sleeping Fuuko, a sad smile taking the place of her regular one. Her eyes darkened as she frowned.
"I am not going to let anything happen to them. Not like last time."
Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, she then oppened up to a blank page in her notebook. She then began jotting down several new notes. Starting off with a listing titled 'How to be a good God's Gift'.
"Need to start somewhere."
Another chapter complete, I hope you enjoyed!
I had more free time and this was on the mind, so I thought why not? I realize it may seem slow, but the pacing will get better.
I know they have single person dorms in the game, but right now I am going to have it like this.
Alec is a girl in this story, I have my reasons. And she is alot colder initially than the actual Alec.
I again hope you enjoyed.
Have a nice day!
