Oculus was walking along the trenches along with a fellow Niflheim graduate, Reaper Traianus. The War raged on, spreading chaos throughout Remnant as the Faunus seeked equality. Seeing an opportunity for revenge, the Commonwealth sent several battalions as mercenaries to help the Faunus in exchange of certain political advantages once the conflict ended
Oculus and Traianus, along with other Reapears, had been sent to Mistral to help a Faunus front siege the port city of Argus. They were carrying shells for the artillery as said front prepare to break the siege and enter the city
They spot a battery missing their rounds
"Hey!"
The people operating them turn
"Great. Just in time"
Oculus and Traianus place the shells in place
The Faunus load the gun. Dusk is falling and its getting darker, but the trenches remain darkened
"Looks like its time. Leave us here, we will make sure you boys make it into the city unharmed. Commander Tusk is rallying people for the charge. Go!"
"Yes sir!"
Oculus pulls out their carbine, while Traianus pulls out quite the particular set of weapons. Sword and Shield"
"You're going antique?" said Oculus
"Sanctum is in there. Might as well honor them by fighting their way"
"Well. I hope you manage to get to the city without getting shot then"
Commander Tusk comes along the way, several soldiers lined up on the walls, itching to charge
"Great. Just in time. Line up with the men, 2 more minutes and we're leaving"
Oculus and Traianus line up behind a group of Faunus soldiers
"So. We're going with some of the cape bearers, sir? I don't feel sure about them" asked one of the soldiers
"Yes. We are. Even if they aren't here for our cause, they are still helping. They are as much of your brethren as your fellow Faunus, Private"
"Yes, sir"
"ALRIGHT. 1 MINUTE, EVERYONE LISTEN UP" called out the Commander
"ONCE YOU ALL HEAR THE SIGNAL, RUN OUT OF THE TRENCH AND CHARGE TOWARDS THE WALLS. THE CAPE BEARERS WILL SCOUT YOUR WAY, MAKE SURE TO FOLLOW THEM"
Oculus and Traianus immediately headed for the end of the trench facing the city. They climbed up the wall a bit to see outside
It was an empty field. The sun had already set enough for them to be hardly visible but still enough to see
"30 SECONDS, GET READY!" called out the Commander again
Then...A whistle. Oculus and Traianus charged outside, with other Reapers charging with them. They immediately headed right towards the wall of Argus
They ran. Walking past meters and meters of tall grass.
When the Mistral soldiers at the wall saw them, it was too late. They heard the sound of cannons firing at the distance while they heard the sonorous warcry of thousands of angered Faunus charging at them.
Gambit and the rest of his team were headed for one of Juno's main cities, Canali. This zone was located right on a Delta, being full of canals, hence the name. The train was just one stop away from Canale's main Station, Stazione di Canali Centrale
"I'm still surprised that you 2 didn't kill each other" said Crystal
"It's what...friends do" replied Cipher
"Novice..." said Gambit
"Hey! Last I recall, that could count as treason"
"Yes but actually no. Anyways, they're alive. It's what matters"
"Anyways, why are we going to Canale? Aren't we supposed to board a ship to Atlas now?"
"Oh, you're taking your combat mask to Atlas and getting killed, aren't you, Crystal?"
"Wait. Are you crazy?! You know the Mascherari aren't cheap, right?"
"No. But I know someone..."
They get off at the Central Station and walk out right into the Main Square. The Carnival was underway. Civilians and Reapers alike were masked up, celebrating the beginning of the Summer.
They would all be walking around the square until they reached an old, second hand store
In said store, an old man would lay in front, carving masks by hand. Then, he looked up
"Welcome. How may I...Oh. Gambit"
"Arlecchino"
Arlecchino gets up
"So...I take it you're here for a mask again..."
"Indeed. Miss Irina called us to be her escorts in a ... formal meeting in Atlas"
"I see...So...The War is just about to reach the turning point"
"Yes. Just...not the way we hoped for"
"So. 4 masks?"
"Yeah. What do you have?"
"Well. That's something each one can answer in private. You, the Novice"
"Me?" asked Crystal, a bit perplexed, as he beared the same cape as everyone else, excepting Arlecchino
"Yeah you. Come here"
Arlecchino got up from his chair and guided Crystal to the back of the store. Gambit checked out some masks, while Pigmallion and Cipher just waited outside
"So. Tell me, Novice" asked Arlecchino then continued
"What is it that drives you?"
"My newborn son"
"So...You are fighting for those that will come later"
"Yes"
"I see. Clearly you got luckier than I did. At least you have a better perspective of future than this old veteran"
"You're retired from service?"
"Yeah. But that is a story for when we can share them. Right now, you have to focus on your duty"
Arlecchino hands Crystal a very basic mask. It is white. The line of the chin is very straight, almost angular, like a V-shape. Other than that and the exaggerated nose, it had nothing. Then he continued
"This one should suit you better"
"Very particular" replied Crystal
"Trust me. Most men have used these since ancient times. It serves its purpose of elegance, which is what you will need with those Atlesians"
"Thank you, sir"
"Don't thank me. Thank your friend later. You can learn from them. Although ... its on you to be aware of what to learn and what to ignore"
Crystal removes their mask, their eyepatch still on, so Arlecchino could quickly recognize Juno's logo on it
"Oh. So you're from these parts?"
"No. Not precisely. I'm from Iberia. Are you from here?"
"Mmm...Let's say yes"
Arlecchino walks Crystal out. Crystal bags the mask while Arlecchino grabs a couple other masks from a nearby shelve
"Alright. Oracl-" said Arlecchino
"Oh. It's...Pigmallion now" replied Pigmallion with a lower tone
"Oh...My apologies. I wasn't aware"
"It's alright"
Arlecchino handed her a mask that was slightly smaller, but could be easily removed with one hand
"Mutta"
"Hmm. Fancy. Not quite like the Zanni but I like it"
"Cipher...If it still is the name, if that guy from last month updated me correctly"
"Yeah"
"Here. Dottore"
Arlecchino handed him a mask with the shape of a bird's beak
"Well. First time using one of these"
Then, Arlecchino grabs one in particular from a lockbox and hands it to Gambit
It was a white mask
"And here's yours. Volto. Or Larva, as some would call it here in Juno"
"Hmm. It really is a fine craft...Thank you, Arlecchino"
"Don't thank me now. You still have a duty to accomplish with it"
Gambit and the rest of the team would carefully keep their new masks and head out after paying. Crystal would think about what Arlecchino told him
It's on you to be aware what to learn and what to ignore
"What does that mean?" Crystal said to himself, as they headed back to the Centrale
