For this one, it's originally a slight Arknights crossover. But I made some major changes so that it's no longer a crossover and more of a proper continuity of the previous chapter (with small references here and there). This probably will be the last short I'll remastered from Spacebattles before I'll write a proper fic on FFN. You'll see Zenith again, but with some tweak to these settings. Either starts on post-Lescatie fall or way before it happens.
The core writing format for this one is different, I feels like this one is more dialogue-focused and less refined.
For anyone who'd like to see my other works (Like the one in which Zenith becomes an Alp), check out the MGE thread on Spacebattles. The hammer edition one, I also made a monthly snippet index there so you can easily find other author's works posted on the thread.
The Dawn before the Darkness.
Lescatie Guard Headquarter, Morning after the incident at Sasha's Orphanage.
The meeting room of the headquarter falls silent as the final briefing of their organization take place. All the remaining officers, heroes and knights remain seated as they listen to their commander's daily briefing on the podium for one final time. The evacuation plan was already finalized, half of the defenders will be stationed at the grand cathedral to provide a diversion by forcing the mamono's hands into attacking the cathedral in order to prevent the forbidden "Litany of Heaven's Judgement." ritual from completion. Hopefully diverting enough pressure from the other sector of the city, allowing the officers and mages stationed in each district to evacuate the citizen via portal to the designated evacuation site. Where the rest of the heroes who were on assignment outside the city are now stationed there to provide security on the arrival end of the portal.
This is a high-risk gambit, deceiving the fourthborn lilim that with her heroes are now scattered and disorganized, Salvation castle and their strongest heroine, Wilmarina, has fallen into Druella's hands. This sacred nation is now at it's most desperate moment by placing their last hope in the ritual from before the current Chief God's era.
But with what happened last night, there is some tweak in the plans.
"Due to the incident at Sasha's Orphanage last night, we are skipping the evacuation of the slums. Officer Jackson and Parker will be moved to assist the Cathedral team. Shield-Captain Ace will take Inspector Zenith's place as the coordinator." The commander announced. The role of coordinator is massively important in this operation, they have to monitor the situation of all evacuation point, performing last minute decision and most importantly. Order the general retreat of the cathedral team when the diversion is no longer required.
"Aye sir." The officers responded.
"No assignment for this morning, take your free time to make the final preparation. Everyone report at their station at 1pm. Remember, our priority is to get as many people out as we can. Keep your eyes open, make sure no monsters blend in with the crowd."
The Commander's posture then turned slightly more relaxed.
"Don't forget to get some rest, tonight will be the longest night in the history of our nation. Dismissed, May the Chief Goddess protect us."
"Amen" The rest of the room chanted. Then the officers quickly leave the meeting room.
A wounded inspector stood up, his right shoulder, left cheeks, and left leg is covered in enchanted bandage from his skirmish last night. He approach the commander who is about to leave the room.
The fallen god has favored her newest champion that night. He was instantly welcomed with tendrils of demonic energy the moment he opened the door. But not before he quickly retaliated with a shot through her shoulder. Even though his foe is stronger and more experienced in combat than him. He's a Noscrim, personally trained by his sister, combined with his experience in urban environment. He is more than capable of holding the dark priestess long enough for the children to safely escaped.
"Sir, with all due respect. I can still fight, I can still coordinate the evacuation. And besides, only I can draw "her" out" Zenith demanded.
"And I believed you. I've seen you been through worse. But not this time, the risk is too great, I was planning to send you out early to help secure the arrival point of the portal. But the King personally demand your presence at 8. At your usual room at the palace. All I know is he has a special assignment for you. That's what he told me, you'll understand." The commander replied. His calm demeanor remained.
"Yes sir." The inspector saluted. For the king to personally assign him a task in these dark times must be an important one, at least he hoped.
As the commander reached for the door, he turn his head back towards him.
"You did a splendid work last night, going head on against a former war hero like Sasha and ended in a stalemate is no small feat, you saved lives. Never forget that. Good luck out there Zenith, I'll buy you a drink next time we met. If there is a next time."
Princess Francisca's quarter, Royal Castle. Lescatie City, 8am.
"Tell me, young Noscrim. If someone you loved is in danger, How far would you go for those you held dear." Asked King Castor, an old friend of his father. Contrary to popular belief among the nobles, the Noscrim is the major supporter to the King's rule. They said the King and Priest Noscrim were childhood friends. Nobody can confirm it. The fact that it's the King who grant the permission and the land to build the fortress city of Salvation, House Noscrim's seat of power, proves that the Noscrim are indeed in the king's favor.
"Anything, everything." The youngest of the Noscrim instantly replied. For all the prestige the family gain, they are the family that been through too many tragedies. Losing their mother before they even learn how to hold a sword, betrayed by the closest ally and barely escaped the assassination attempt with their life hanging by a thread. All they have is their wealth, influence, and each other. And now his elder sister went missing, likely to be corrupted already.
"Then let's get straight to business, time is the luxury we no longer have. I have a contact at a hospitalier order known as the Knights of the Ark. Their leader owned me a favor long time ago. They just discovered a mean to cure Francisca." The King slowly explained, so it's about Francisca. Their childhood friend, Zenith, Wil, Elton and Fran. As Elton's family was banished, him and Wilmarina started training and moved to Salvation. The fourth princess was left alone in her quarter, neglected even by her family. It's not until the youngest of the Noscrims returns to work as a junior inspector that he visited her again during his free time. Helping out with physical exercise, cleaning and dealing with the maids who mistreated her.
Zenith's eyes widened, surprised by the new.
"While I have no doubt that the forces of the Order and our defense can handle what's coming soon. I feared for my daughter's safety. Not to mention the possibility of her being used as a leverage against me. But amidst the chaos of the current situation, it turns to be a golden hour for me to see her leave this city and into their care. All I need is someone who will go the same length as I do for her. I know what you did to help her during the years. Can I trust you one more time?" The king continued.
"Must I really wear this, Father?" A voice shyly asked from the wardrobe. The sickly princess walked out of the closet, wearing a pink robe like a merchant, or a minor noble that no one really cares. Her long, purple hair tied into a ponytail.
"You looked beautiful in that, my dear" Her father softly answered.
"Pink and purple do nicely match, princess. A bit too noticeable in the crowd but it'll do. Nobody expected you to be outside the castle anyway." Her longtime friend added.
The king turned towards the silver-blue haired man once more.
"Her luggage is ready, I already talked to her about where she's going to. Your task is to escort her to the Island of Rhodes. She'll then be in safe hands. Miss Amiya, despite her young appearance, is someone I can fully place my trust in. You are authorized to do anything within reason in order to get her there safely. Stay safe, both of you. Now if you'd excuse us, . A father would like to say goodbye to his daughter one last time."
Zenith bowed, and quietly leave the room.
The king sighed.
"Good grief, he's grown so fast, reminds me of his father during his younger years. Too bad he inherrit too much of his mother's tendency to walked into a trouble."
As Zane and Fran leaving the castle. Elton, a redheaded soldier quickly spotted and run towards them.
"Zane, Fran! Did you head about what happened at Sasha's Orphanage?" He asked the pair.
"Some arsonist tries to burn it down, that's what I heard. I suspected it's those Order inquisitor who finally caught a wind that she's secretly runs a mamono orphanage and decided to take matter into their own hand. I was there when it was set on fire, Little Peter asked me to buy potions and by the time we got back to the Orphanage, it's already on fire. Good thing everyone made it out alive, as far as I know. Sasha's in hiding. As for the perpetrator, they escaped like a ghost." Zenith lied, leaving a bitter taste in his mouth. But for now, it's better than telling the truth that it's him who tried to assassinate the newly turned dark priestess and failed.
"Guess that explained the bandages. Anyway, what are you two doing. You don't usually take Fran outside." He asked.
"Father asked Zane to escort me to the Rhodes. For treatment. We're departing right now." The fourth princess answered, earning a glare from her companion.
"Which is what I'm about to ask from you, Elt. I need someone to look after the orphan, possibly escort them out of the city. Take them to the Cathedral at noon and told officer Carl that I send them. He'll open a portal for them to leave the city. The other side should be safe enough to figure out what comes after.
"Where are they now? The children, I mean." Elt worried.
"My manor, at least I finally found the answer to that Victorian ice cream fiasco last week." Another upside of having a manor to himself is that nobody will question what happened during that time. His father still busy meeting with the cardinals over at Lateran and no sign of him returning soon, ironically he's in the safest place he could be right now.
"Zane, you can't feed the children with only ice cream." Francisca scolded.
"Why? They love it. Besides, it's going to spoiled if nobody eat them anyway."
Noscrim Manor, Lescatie City, 9am.
As the trio arriving at the manor, they were met by a hero in his combat uniform, his shield and hammer peacefully rested on his back. Who came to check on the orphan.
"Elt, Fran. Go inside before me, supplies are on the dining table. I'll have a chat with him. The kids should be at the guest rooms. You know where to go."
The runaway princess and her old friend then enter the manor. After the doors are shut, the inspector finally greets the Shield-Captain.
"Captain Ace, how do you do?"
"Pretty good, compared to you at least." The grizzled man replied, smirking. Then continued. "So, what about you. The king ask you to take one of those top secret mission again? Else they won't removed you from tonight's party."
"Something like that, if I told you the details then I have to kill you. Direct orders from King Castor himself. We are to depart from Lescatie immediately. The more daylight time we have the safer our journey."
"What about the children, you can't leave them like this." Ace pointed out.
"Carl will open the portal to clear out the injured personals at noon, I'll send the kids out with them. In the meantime, Elton will look after them."
"Good enough. Safe travel, brother. I'll handle things on this side. Don't worry about us." Said the veteran captain.
"Thank you, for everything. Don't you dare get yourself killed out there man, I still own you that coffee beans" Zenith walked towards the door to the building...then stop, took a deep breath, then returned to Ace.
"Honestly, I don't want this. I want to go out there with you guys, fighting to the very end. See for my own eyes if they are really turned to the demon side or not."
"I know that feeling too well, I understand. Orders are orders, the king choose you because he trust you with his daughter. Like I said, we'll take it from here. Believes in us." Ace patted him in the back.
"So, you also know about the princess?"
"It's not just you and Elton who visited her every other day. Have some faith in the people."
Noscrim Manor Lescatie City. 9.45 am
"Hope we'll see each other again." Said Elt.
"Of course we will, It won't be easy, but one day we will. " Replied Zenith. Hugging his best friend.
"Godspeed, Sir Elt. May fates reunite us once more." Said the princess.
Then the two descended down the secret tunnel, leading far outside the city wall.
"The tunnel is quite long down here. We should be able to exit the tunnels system before sundown. Maybe taking a stop at a family vault, see if there is something we should bring with. I'm not seeing myself returning here for quite some time in the future. Tell me if you're feeling unwell, no need to overextend yourself."
"Right, thank you. For everything." Replied Francisca.
"Save that when we reach the Ark. There's still a long way to go after all."
