Lyra panted as she ran hurried down the streets towards the main academy.
As soon as she heard the alarm sound, everyone at the machinery dropped their things and headed out of the building.
"Lyra, come on! We have to get out of here! That siren means trouble." someone called out as they hurried out. Lyra stood there confused. She was debating whether she should clean up first and then run, but just shook her head and ran after the others. She felt bad for leaving the items there, but hit herself on the head. 'Now is not the time to think of those little things!'
"Lyra, come on, quickly!" Lyra looked up and saw her captain, Nina up ahead. Lyra quickened her speed, by channeling some kei towards her feet, but not much, knowing she would need it later.
They quickly arrived at the main building. Lyra stopped to look around. It was crowded. The police force was standing there routing the others towards shelter, while the military arts students were heading inside the building.
Lyra quickly headed inside the building. She had lost site of Nina when she decided to pause and look around. 'Great… where am I supposed to go?' she thought looking around. Suddenly a pink petal came floating by her.
"Head straight down to the briefing hall." It was Felli's voice! Lyra nodded her head. "Thanks Felli!" she said as she hurried down. The pink petal was with her guiding her. Lyra soon arrived to the briefing hall.
Inside, it was packed with the Military arts students. Most of them were already in uniformed others were not. Lyra looked around. Those that came at the last second, hadn't changed yet.
"Lyra, over here!" she heard Sharnid's voice call out. Lyra looked up and noticed the orange haired sniper waving to her.
Lyra's face brightened a little as she noticed him and Layfon right next to him. She then started to squeeze between apologizing and excusing herself as she accidentally tripped over people and trying not to interrupt the president who was explaining the situation. Well he was more like giving a pep talk to the group before sending them off
They all pretty much knew where they were supposed to be. Lyra paused as she listened and then continued on listening as she walked on.
Suddenly she went stepping on someone's foot "Ow!" they hissed. Lyra looked up and saw it was Layfon's foot.
"Oops! Sorry!" she apologized.
"Well you took your time." Sharnid's voice came from behind her.
Lyra turned around and saw Sharnid smile, waving. She then frowned, "Not my fault I didn't know where I was supposed to go. It was thanks to Felli I made it here." They then heard a cough and it was Felli a little ahead of them.
Lyra then turned her attention to the President. "Zuellini has two of her legs stuck in a ditch. Unfortunately as she struggled to get out, she disturbed a nest and now Filth monsters are swarming out. You must hold them off long enough." He was ordering.
He then swung his hand down, "Since you've been staying here, Zuellini has provided you with a home and protection from the outside pollution. Now it's time we repay her. Failure is not an option! Our lives and this city depends on how efficiently you all can hold them off. Now move out!" he ordered, pointing at them all.
Everyone cheered hurrying out. Lyra filed out between Sharnid and Layfon.
"So we're just supposed to defend Zuellini from the filth monsters?" she asked, clarifying.
Layfon nodded his head. "That's right…" he started but Sharnid interrupted.
"Well you could say that. Though most of us just sit there and watch while Mr. Macho here does all the work." He replied glancing at Layfon with a smirk.
Lyra smirked at that. Of course that would be the case. Her face straightened then, "But where am I supposed to be?" she asked, realizing that she didn't have a position. This was her first time fighting in a situation like this. There had been many times in Grendan where there were attacks, but Lyra would just go into shelter with Leerin.
Layfon thought for a second, "Well most likely with Nina. Speaking of which, where is the captain?" he asked looking around.
"Right here." They spun around and saw Nina in her uniform.
"Well the captain finally appears." Sharnid remarked.
Nina rolled her eyes and turned towards Lyra tossing her a uniform. "Put this on quickly. You're going to be part of my squad so quickly." She ordered.
Lyra nodded her head catching the uniform. She looked at it. It was much different from her original uniform she wore during platoon matches. These were specifically built for the outside.
"Wow…" she thought.
"Hurry!" Nina's voice came
Lyra jumped, nodding and hurried off to change.
~xXx~
They all stood at the base of Zuellini. Lyra looked around the place, her eyes wide under her helmet.
There was a line of black in the sky and then the ground before them was black, swarming with filth monsters.
Suddenly Lyra felt a rush of realization hit her. These were the creatures that defeated Noemi… And image of a mature filth monster diving at her, appeared in her head. Lyra suddenly felt a rush of fear run through her. The screeching sounds of the monsters as they attacked, the cries of pain by the soldiers followed by the crushing noises.
"Lyra, focus now!" She heard Nina order. The captain noticed Lyra looking around in shock and could sense the uneasiness drifting off of her.
Lyra shook her head quickly and brought her attention back to the swarm of filth monsters in her section. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
"Aww don't tell me, little Lyra-chan is nervous." She suddenly heard Sharnid's voice radioing in.
Lyra's eyes narrowed, "I'm not scared. Just a little uneasy." She replied.
"Which means you're nervous." he repeated himself.
Lyra growled, about to argue, but Nina's voice broke in.
"Now is not the time to discuss this." She ordered.
Sharnid's voice came chuckling in. "Relax I'm not losing focus anytime soon. I have a date tomorrow and gotta make sure I don't get any unnecessary scratches that'll ruin my face." He remarked.
Lyra heard Nina give a groan of disapproval, but Lyra couldn't help but smile. Even though they were in a situation like this, he was still able to make these types of jokes.
She then let out a sigh taking another deep breath to calm herself. "Okay, give the word already." She replied as she restored her dite.
Nina didn't reply. She just waited, looking around. Lyra looked over at her captain and saw she was staring at a line. It wasn't there, but it was an imaginary line created in her head. Once she saw a filth monster cross it, then she would order the attack.
Then she heard a growling noise. Nina's eyes widened. Lyra took that as a signal to get ready, and started channeling her kei towards her feet. She would need it most, to help in evading the attacks. That's what Layfon had told her before the start of battle. Around her, she felt the other students preparing for the order.
Then she did.
Nina raised one of her whips in the air and shouted out the order to attack. Around her, Lyra felt the soldiers starting to run.
Lyra waited a couple seconds and once everyone was ahead of her she followed in pursuit. She wanted to see where everyone was going before running off. After all these were people she had never fought before. Some she fought in platoon matches and others she had seen fight once or twice, but that wasn't enough. She didn't want to get in the way of them and screw up.
Lyra watched as they all charged at different monsters. A couple of them were ganging up on single monsters. That was smarter. One human stood no chance against a filth monster, but with multiple attacking, it would be more effective.
Just then she heard one give out a roar and a cry of pain.
Lyra looked to see someone being tossed in the air. They were about to be swallowed by the person.
Lyra's eyes widened. She started running towards that person, praying she would make it in time. Risking a little more Kei in her legs, she arrived to where the Filth monster had opened its mouth, about to eat. Lyra channeled her kei to her feet and jumped up, and then focused it towards her dite, slashing upwards, closing the monster's mouth.
She then flipped backwards, and landed a little off from where the Filth Monster was still recovering. Behind her, she heard the other person's land.
Lyra turned around, though it was useless to try and see whom the person was that she just helped since they had helmets on.
"Are you all right?" She asked the person.
They nodded their head. It was obvious from the way they were shaking this was their first time.
Lyra sighed as a couple other students came running over to help the person.
Lyra then moved on. Around here, rubble was flying around. Lyra squinted her eyes to see past it all. It was dangerous with all this dust flying all over the place. It was making it hard for the students to see. And the screeching of the Filth monsters wasn't helping the students focus either.
Suddenly she felt something collide with the base of her neck. Lyra could only gasp as she fell forwards and hit the ground, knocking the breath out of her.
"Lyra get up!" she heard a voice call out. Who called out to her? It sounded like a female's voice, but then at the same time she heard a male's voice calling and then she heard the deafening roar of a filth monster, which echoed through out the area.
Echo?
Lyra's eyes shot open. Everything was a blur at first. She blinked a couple times and soon things started to clear up. She grunted as she sat up. Her side was throbbing.
Lyra looked down at it, but there was no external injury. She probably broke a couple ribs. She looked up again hearing a metal clanging noise. Where was the metal sound coming from?
That's when Lyra noticed. She was inside a building.
A building? She thought.
Why was she here? She was supposed to be outside fighting filth monsters.
That's when she heard a creaking noise.
Lyra jumped as she heard the noise and soon light started to enter the room.
Lyra shielded her eyes as the light entered and that's when she recognized the place. It was a loading dock. But of where?
Suddenly the entire area came to life.
"Dock seven is preparing to launch."
"Dock eight will be departing shortly."
"All passengers are to keep their belongings with them at all times."
"Folks, please remain calm and enter in a single file line. Everything will be taken care of shortly."
Lyra looked around hearing the voices. She then noticed a small light up in the corner of the building. Lyra squinted her eyes, trying to see what it was. Luckily, being a military artist, their eyesight was advanced biologically, allowing them to see things further and clearer.
That's when Lyra noticed the small doll like figure. It was the Electronic Fairy.
"Noemi!" Lyra called out. She was about to jump up when a jet of dirt came erupting from the ground a little off from her feet. Lyra quickly pulled her legs in as she saw something emerge from the dirt. It took her a couple seconds to realize what it was, but then she saw glowing red eyes.
Lyra's eyes widened. It was a filth monster. She cringed, covering her ears with her hands as it let out a deafening roar.
Then before she knew it, it was charging at her.
Lyra's eyes widened, as she sat there not able to do anything. Then, at the last minute, she felt an arm wrap around her and pulled her back.
"Phew that was too close... Now what did I tell you about just sitting there when you should be channeling your kei to your arms and legs and trying to jump back?" the person remarked. Lyra blinked. She then noticed the lock of red hair.
She turned her head towards the person, trying to recognize them. The man turned his face towards her and smiled.
It was Dixerio! But how?
"You okay?" he asked.
Lyra nodded her head slowly. She was about to speak, but he looked away and his eyes narrowed.
"Oh great…" He groaned as he placed Lyra down and stood up again, taking a step forward and got in front of her.
Lyra's eyes widened as she looked over.
It was them, The Wolf Masked people.
Three of them stood before the two.
"Hmph, back for attempt number three are we?" Dixerio remarked as he dug his dite into the ground.
The Wolf Masked figures all restored their swords. "Hand over the fairy." One of them spoke.
"You ask as if we're willing to do that." He growled as he pulled his dite out and ran at the three.
"Dixerio!" Lyra called out to him, but the red haired man didn't seem to hear. He went lashing out at one of them, who parried the attack. Dixerio tried to push down on the person. Lyra could see him struggling. That's when Lyra saw the other two appearing behind him.
"Watch out!" She called out as she ran forwards. She pulled out her own dite and restored it. However, instead of it being the sword she had been recently using, it was a long staff.
"Huh?" Lyra blinked. When did she get this? She was supposed to have a sword. Not this Bo staff. She then shook her head and quickly hurried forwards.
Lyra skid to a halt behind Dixerio, facing the two Wolf Masked figures in the air. Not thinking of what she was doing, she started to twirl her staff and channeled her Kei through it. Soon enough the ends sparked with a green colored electricity and as the two Wolf Masked figured made contact with her staff, they were both electrocuted on the spot and cried out. They landed on the ground, not moving and smoke coming off of them.
Lyra then heard clapping. She looked over and saw Dixerio standing there, smiling, "That was perfect! You finally did it!" he remarked.
Lyra just stood, panting, and looked around. That's when she remembered. "Where's Brother?" she asked.
She saw Dixerio's expression turn strict, "He's not here. Now come on. We gotta get to the buses." And before Lyra could speak, he grabbed her arm and they hurried towards the buses.
"Alright here get on." He said pushing her towards it.
"Wait, what about Brother?" Lyra demanded again.
Dixerio sighed, "I already told you. He isn't here any more." He replied.
"But—"
"Look," Dixerio stopped her. He then took a deep breath. "You're brother isn't here. He was crushed by a filth monster."
That's when it hit Lyra. "No…"
Dixerio nodded his head. His eyes filled with pain.
Lyra suddenly felt tears in her eyes. "That can't be!"
Dixerio shook his head, "I'm sorry… but it's the truth."
Lyra shook her head about to argue. "He can't be! He had to have escape—" She was cut off by the announcement that the bus was about to leave.
"Alright, Lyra get inside. The door is about to close." Dixerio said as he pulled her in for one last hug.
Lyra was now crying. He then moved her back in a seat. "Alright, I'm sorry to do this." He said as he placed a hand on Lyra's head.
Lyra' looked up with tears streaming down her face. Suddenly she felt light headed. She let out a quiet moan and was out.
Dixerio frowned. "Sorry for that." He whispered as he shifted her so she was lying in a more comfortable position. Then the announcement was heard that the bus was leaving. Dixerio jumped out of the bus and watched as the doors closed and the bus started to leave.
"Lyra get out of there!"
Lyra's eyes flung open.
Where was she now?
"Lyra! Move!" Whose voice was that now?
There were so many thoughts going through her mind at the moment, but none of it comprehended. Lyra could only stare and watched.
Suddenly a roar was heard. Lyra's thoughts instantly organized themselves. She looked around and saw she was in a field of filth monsters.
I'm in Zuellini… she realized. She then saw a shadow over head. Lyra turned to see a tail coming down towards her.
"Lyra!" the voice was literally yelling in frustration. It was Nina's voice. Lyra could sense the anger and panic in her voice. The tail went striking down.
"Oi! Lyra pay attention!" That was Sharnid's voice, calling out to her.
Suddenly everything clicked. Somehow his voice made her realize what was actually going on, but it was too late. The tail was about to hit. Lyra looked away as it came and waited for death to engulf her.
"Lyra!" Multiple voices called out. The crash never came. Instead there was a grunt.
Lyra's eyes shot open. There in front of her stood someone blocking the tail. She blinked. Who was that? They were facing the monster, trying to push the tail away.
"Hey what are you doing standing around? Move already?" another voice demanded. Before Lyra could speak, a short figure went ramming into her side pushing her away. Lyra barely had a chance to see the other man moving the other way.
Lyra coughed and gasped for breath as the shorter figure moved off of her. "What were you thinking standing around?" they started to yell. Lyra finally had a chance to see through the opening in the eye to see who it was. It was a short girl, with narrows eyes. She looked furious.
Lyra blinked as she stood up brushing herself off. "I-I'm sorry." She apologized, "Thanks for saving me." She started.
The girl just huffed, "Thank Goro, not me. Now quit standing around. This isn't the time to be day dreaming!" the girl said and before Lyra could even nod, she was off.
Lyra quickly shook her head. What was going on? She looked around at her surroundings. Though she was able to see that she was outside of Zuellini, fighting filth monsters, her mind was still back in Noemi. An image of the small doll like face popped in her head.
Noemi… The city she grew up in. Many times she had seen the small fairy floating around on her own. Lyra had met with her too. That fairy would come up to Lyra and play with her, but now…She was gone and with it her family, her home, but most importantly her brother…
Lyra turned around to glare at the monster that stood before her. They were all just charging forwards, not affected by any attacks hitting them. One was aiming at her in particular. "It's your fault…" she glared at the beast. The beast just roared at her in a response, but Lyra didn't flinch. She was beyond her normal self now. Inside her, she could feel the kei boiling, begging to be released.
The filth monster jumped up in the air. Its shadow formed above Lyra and Lyra watched as it started to come down towards her. Around her things started to get silent. At first she was just hearing a roaring sound and faintly, she could hear Nina's voice calling to her to move, but even that disappeared. The only sound she could hear was the pounding of the blood, adrenaline, and kei flowing through her body.
Then, using the newly active kei in her body, she focused the internal kei towards her leg, and in blinding speed, jumped up in the air, as she went higher, she focused the kei from her feet to her arms, into her sword and went slicing the beast into two. She could hear the echo of the cry that was about escape before it was killed. The creature landed in two pieces and Lyra landed a little off from it, blood all over her uniform. She tried and wipe some of it off of her visor, but it wasn't that effective.
But it didn't matter.
She then turned around and saw herself surrounded by a swarm of them. Lyra looked at them all and then, still focusing her kei in her legs and channeling some to her right arm that was gripping the sword, Lyra ran in a direction. She let out a battle cry as she swiped her blade in front of her. Her sword was emitting a green light and as she swung it around, a path of electricity followed the strip of green kei that went towards the filth monsters. Around her, Lyra saw the filth monsters freezing up. The electricity that was now surrounding the area was paralyzing them all and as the frequency increased, more started to drop. The insides of the monsters were getting fried and liquefied, causing them to just drop dead, with blood oozing out of them.
Suddenly, Lyra stopped in front of Zuellini's leg. She felt a wave of exhaustion wash over her, drowning her kei away. Lyra staggered to look at the surrounding. The filth monsters that had stood once before her were dead.
Lyra's eyes widened. "Whoa…" she hadn't even realized what had happened. The couple minutes she had just taken to wipe out the filth monsters in that area were a blur.
What did I do? She asked herself. She was about to walk forwards, but suddenly, everything went black.