God Eater 3 – Starling's Start
Chapter 2 - Tutorials
Name: Aurick Bird
Codename: Starling
Hairstyle: Type 2
Hair Colour: Dark purple
Face: Type 4
Eyes: Type 4
Eye Colour: Fox Brown
Accessories: Frizz 2 (Dark Purple)
Voice: 8
DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN THE GOD EATER FRANCHISE.
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"I wonder if we'll be fighting soon." I hear a voice coming from the corner of the room. The owner of the voice is a young, male child named Marr. He sports a black vest along with murky brown shorts with black accents. "I-I'm not scared! Honest!" At the sound of silence, the boy begins to panic and tries to downplay his worries.
"You won't be fighting." Hugo speaks up with a confident and determined voice, still standing beside me. "Not as long as I can help it." He tries to quell Marr's worries, but judging by the lack of positivity from the young boy's face Hugo's words probably didn't reach him.
"I need to go pick up rubbish again." The depressed, feminine voice of the child standing near to Marr tries to change the topic of conversation to their next mission. This young girl wears an oversized black jacket with light purple accents which matches the colour of her leggings. The girl also wears a light purple hat, her blonde hair tucked inside of it, with black goggles over the top of it. Of course, all the children complete their missions together. There is safety in numbers after all. "Please let there be no Aragami… Please let there be no Aragami…" Unbelievably, these children are sent out into dangerous conditions just to collect materials that may be of use to the Port. These children are AGEs like Hugo and I, but they are significantly less able to fight with their God Arcs due to their small, weak bodies. Hugo and I were like that once, and we were told time and time again that we would be lucky to reach adulthood. Thankfully, we were lucky, but we did have to leave many others behind. We've seen many people die due to Aragami attacks or even due to mistreatment from the Port. We've seen kids die too, and unfortunately, another kid seems to be at death's doorstep.
"*cough* *cough* *cough* *pant* *pant* *cough*" The lungs of Sho make us aware of his presence in the room. "Ah ha ha… I'll be fine." The small boy with black hair informs us through bated breath. He tightens his grip on his dark purple scarf wrapped around his neck which hides part of his white jacket. Looking down, I see his murky purple trousers stick to his legs due to the boy's sweat. It's clear to see that Sho is in a very sickly condition, yet he is being forced to gather materials despite his condition. "You don't have to worry about me." He tries to speak in confidence, but the way his voice wavers shows that he's holding back another coughing fit.
"I'm sure you'll beat that cold in no time, sport." Hugo tries to cheer him up. I give a nod of my head to show that I agree with Hugo.
"Hey!" An angered voice accompanies the rattles of the cage bars that keep us locked up in here. "Don't you have a job to do?!" The guard shouts to Hugo and I from the other side of the bars where he is safe from us. "Insubordination will get you locked up with no guarantee you'll get out." I feel Hugo's hand on my shoulder as he directs my attention away from the guard and to the large monitor in our prison cell where we are informed of our missions.
"You can double check the details on the monitor." We walk closer to it as he speaks, his hand leaving my shoulder as we do so. "They said it's high-density ash acclimation. Get prepped at the terminal and let's move out." He informs me and I turn my attention to the terminal located in our prison cell. Once I log into it, I'm greeted with multiple options. I click on the first option which says 'Loadout' and browse through my options.
After a little deliberation, I finally decide on selecting the Ammit Ring P (Melee Form), the Ammit Laser P (Gun Form) and the Ammit Tower P (Shield Form). Once I've finished deciding my loadout, I walk up to the monitor and wait for further instruction.
"Ash density certification is requested for new zones of action." Judging by the machine's voice, we'll be scouting out a new combat area. "Please execute acclimation programs 216 through 234." As the voice finally shuts up, I take the initiative in looking up the mission in more detail:
Old City: Chapel
D1 Certification – Ash Density Certification
Objective: Acclimatise to dense ash
Due to the scheduled operations in high-density environments, the following personnel are required to complete this program.
-PW-01408
-PW-01407
Judging by the way this mission briefing is worded, there will be a lot more missions in the near future that require us to head out into environments that are heavy with ash. Currently, Hugo and I have been operating in areas that have had little to no ash density, so we've been able to handle missions fine. I guess this means that we've been promoted to more dangerous environments now. After checking the monitor, I give a nod of my head to Hugo as we walk towards the guard on the opposite side of the bars.
"Heading out? Don't worry. If you don't come back, I can easily replace the whole lot of ya." I really dislike this guard. He has effectively just said that he was listening to the kids' conversation about not wanting to have to fight Aragami in high-density ash fields, and implied that if we die, the kids will take our place for the rest of our missions. Something of which I would not be comfortable with. "You better not think about making a will, either. I refuse to deal with the paperwork." Yeah, this guy is a cunt. "I'm opening the door now." The guard speaks as he unlocks the door and forces us out of the prison before locking the door and leaving the kids alone so he can accompany us to our destination. As it so happens, Hugo and I are told to walk all the way to our mission location as the Port does not want to waste fuel in getting us to our destination. So, with our suitcases containing our God Arcs in an inactive form in hand, we walk to the Old City about 90 minutes away on foot.
We eventually arrive at the Old City and the scenery around us brings back so many memories. There are so many wrecked, empty buildings in the area, some of which appear to be very unstable and could fall down at any moment. Already there is some rubble from buildings that no longer stand where they once did. Lava-like scorch marks litter almost every structure, suggesting a very power Aragami with the Blaze attribute devastated this place in the past. I truly wonder what this city looked like before it was destroyed. Although, it was destroyed a very long time ago, seeing as how Hugo and I had made a settlement here around ten years ago, before we were kidnapped and forced to join Port Pennywort. The two of us drop our suitcases containing our God Arcs and allow them to hit the ground with a thud as we take a brief moment's respite as we survey the area.
"Damn it! I can't see!" Hugo's attention is brought to the battlefield as we hear a person's voice through our communication lines. I join him in trying to find the person on the battlefield, but we have no luck in doing so. "Where is it? Where's the Aragami?"
"Our lines are crossed. What team are you with?" Hugo remains calm despite the other man's panic. For as long as I've known him, he's always been good at keeping calm. Even when we were kidnapped ten years ago, he was calm. On our first mission hunting Aragami he was calm. It took me a long time before I could control my emotions like Hugo does. I'd like to think that's just one way he's had a positive effect on me.
"Requesting salvage!" The panic in the man's voice becomes even more apparent as his voice shakes when he speaks, realising that a person can hear him on his communication line. "Please, I don't wanna die!"
"Forget 'em." A commanding voice rings through our ears as our boss makes himself known through the communication line. It's a voice I can never forget, seeing as how it belongs to the man that kidnapped us that night ten years ago. Who would have thought that he'd end up bossing us around in our missions? "They're already Aragami chow. You've got your own jobs to do, so get to 'em." Our boss commands.
"Hurry up and let us loose." Hugo retorts to the man in a calm and civil manner. I know that Hugo doesn't like this guy either, but we've had to put up with him for a long time now. There's nothing we can do about him.
"I am now releasing the restraints on Pennywort AGEs Hound 1 and Hound 2." The man broadcasts the through communication line. These missions and communications are recorded so that the Port can determine who is at fault if a mission goes awry. Usually, it ends up being the fault of the AGEs, although I'm sure that's because AGEs are the lowest rank in the pecking order. Blaming an AGE is probably a good way of not getting into trouble. A light blue current begins to circulate through our restraints, signalling that we can now release ourselves. Hugo instantly pries his arms apart with a bit of strength. I follow right after him, allowing myself to stretch before picking up my God Arc. "Alright dogs, sick 'em." We kick our suitcases over and allow them to revert back to an active God Arc. It has always confused me how an inactive God Arc can be held within the suitcase, regardless, there's not a lot of time to worry about that. "I'm limiting your operation area. If you try to do any moonlighting… well, you know what happens." Indeed we do. We tried to escape before, but it didn't go very well.
"Yeah, we know." Hugo responds to the man before he turns his head towards me. "Shall we?" I nod my head in response. "We'll make it out of this…" Hugo, Hound 1, jumps off of the ledge before I, Hound 2, follow him.
"Follow the program you were given and acclimate to the Ashlands." Our boss instructs us. "Once you've acclimated, return immediately. Defectors will be written off. That is all." He threatens us with our lives to make sure that we follow the mission exactly. Hugo and I head towards our destination; in front of the Chapel.
"Something unexpected might happen. If it does, I'll use my own judgement." Hugo responds to the man calmly, as though he expects things won't go as smoothly as anticipated. After all, we did hear that somebody needed help. If we can unexpectedly find the guy, I wouldn't mind helping them.
"Unnecessary combat may result in the loss of God Arcs, thus fighting is prohibited." Our boss mentions almost instantly to Hugo. "Proceed with test to confirm effectiveness in high ash density conditions."
"Yeah, yeah." Hugo dismisses the commander's words before turning to me as we stop in front of our destination. "How are you doing? I think I'm all right."
"Same here." I take a brief look around the place, on the lookout for any Aragami. It's important to never let your guard down. Ever.
"Are you disoriented? Look straight ahead for me." I guess I must have been looking around a bit too much as Hugo seems concerned for me. I look straight ahead, at him and he looks me in the eyes before dismissing the possibility of me being disoriented. "Well, you should be fine, then. Let's move. Follow me." I allow him to run ahead of me before I decide to follow. When we come to a stop, we stand directly in front of the stairs to the chapel.
"You've got no business in that rea. Move back. Another team is operating there." Our boss commands through the communication line.
"Yeah, sure. The ones with their wires crossed?" Hugo tries to fool the man by saying that we'll stay away from the area where the other team are operating in. "Keep a safe distance. Let's play it safe for now." The two of us back away from the stairs and retreat a good twenty metres. "It's funny how no matter how hairy it get, I always have fun when you're around."
"You like playing the teacher role?" I ask him out of curiosity. All he's been doing so far is checking up on me and seeing how I cope in this environment. Is that enough for him to have fun?
"Haha, I guess so. Or it's just because we're out of that prison cell." He smiles at me before he gets serious again. "Remember, if you find high ground climb on up. It's always an advantage in a fight. Looking down on Aragami crawling beneath you feels pretty good too." Either Hugo's a sadist, or he just enjoys the thrill of stealth. Whichever it is, I don't think I can share the same feeling as him. We start wandering around the area mid-way through Hugo's sentence and as we do so, I manage to find a piece of Flawed Jewel Steel on the ground and pick it up.
"This is Bull 1! I'm surrounded by Aragami! Requesting salvage!" The man's voice comes through our communication line again and we turn back to the chapel.
"This is Hound 1. I'm at Point Alpha. Can you break through their line?" Hugo asks, a hand to his ear as he speaks.
"Understood. I'll get through somehow!" Bull 1 replies confidently before the line drops.
"You do not have permission to transmit. Do you want to get written up?" Our boss commands through the communication line.
"Hey, you can't blame me for being curious." As Hugo speaks, he signals to me to start running back to the stairs in front of the chapel. This will be where Bull 1 should emerge.
"Idiot…" The commander replies seeming to accept that he's lost this match. However, Hugo knows that he's going to be punished for this later.
"Still got some stamina?" He asks me to which I nod my head. "It's easy to get winded this deep in the Ashlands. Together, the two of us wait for Bull 1 to break through the Aragami barrier blocking him from us.
"Hound 1, do you read me?" It's only about a minute later that Bull 1 gets in contact with us again. "I made it through the line. En route to Point Alpha." As the man speaks, Hugo and I notice a few Aragami not too far from us. I'm not sure when they appeared, but if Bull 1 is meeting us at Point A, then we'll need to defeat the Aragami here first.
"Alright, we'll clear out the Aragami in the area. Proceed with caution." Thinking the exact same thing as me, Hugo responds to Bull 1, informing him that there are Aragami at Point A as well.
"Hugo… I owe you for this!" Bull 1 replies with sincere thanks, however, his communication line quickly disappears,
"You do not have permission to transmit." Our boss speaks again, clearly angrier than before. "Do not make me tell you again. You haven't completed the acclimation program. Proceed with your assigned mission."
"If we can fight this deep in the Ashands, who gives a crap about acclimation?" Hugo brings up a very good point. If we can prove we can fight out here, then there's no need for the acclimation program.
"You'll be disciplined for your insubordination. I hope you're ready for that." The commander seems to have given up entirely now, knowing that Hugo knows he will be punished.
"Sure, whatever you say. Now quit looking over my shoulder. Saying we're fighting in dense ash is enough of an excuse, right?"
"You'll regret this." With the two of us now confident that we can attack without our commander interfering, we get to it.
First, the two Aragami that appeared are both of the same species: Axe Raider. They're mainly known for charging straight at their targets and try to kill their target by either crushing them under their weight or by impaling them against their horns. It's fairly easy to telegraph their attacks. Thus, it's easy to get into a decent rhythm against them. Land a few attacks, like the swinging to my Heavy Moon God Arc, then sidestep away from danger. After that, you follow the beast as it charges in the direction you sidestepped away from and land a few more attacks before repeating the same thing.
"Good you took the initiative. You seem comfortable enough in a fight." Hugo comments before we charge after the second Axe Raider. "You can fight in Gun Form too. See if you can transform for me." I do as Hugo requests and transform my Arc into its Gun Form, a laser gun. I fire the laser at the Axe Raider, making sure to constantly be on the move around it so that it doesn't decide to charge after me while I'm using the gun. After all, I don't have access to my shield this way. The laser grows thicker and more damaging the longer it focuses on the Aragami. However, my God Arc eventually runs out of Oracle Points so I'm forced to switch back to Melee Form and repeat my previous tactic of two hits then sidestep. The Axe Raider falls quickly thereafter. "Fighting in blade form restores your OP supply." Hugo mentions as I extract the cores of the two beasts we defeated. Immediately after, I check my God Arc and see that some Oracle Points have indeed been restored. Not a lot, but some. "Bull 1, come in. This is Hound 1. All Aragami eliminated." Hugo mentions as we stare back at the Chapel.
"This is Bull 1. Arriving at Point Alpha soon." A few minutes pass by before we see a figure leaving the chapel. They head straight towards us. "Thanks a ton. I thought I was a goner this time." The man pants heavily as he stops in front of us.
"Don't give up so easily." Hugo remarks. "Nobody's got time to wipe your nose for ya here." The man nods as he regains his breath. " 'Kay. Time to head home and get in our cells." Hugo mentions and we begin the long walk back to Port Pennywort.