The battle at Dundorma ended with the annihilation of the monsters, at the cost of some human lives. Yet, it didn't feel like a victory.
People around the city were left in confusion by the regenerating monsters. The word spread quickly across the country, leaving everyone aware of the threat.
The guild still hadn't said a thing.
Somehow, everyone in the group had managed to return alive.
"What was with all that, anyways?" Ben asked.
"No idea. How would I know?" Callum asked in response.
"I wasn't expecting any answer, I was just asking cause I wanna know."
"The one we fought was similar to that Deviljho and that Tigrex. Minus the talking. It was the same for the rest of ya, right?"
"Mm." Ben agreed. The rest who were there for those fights nodded.
"They'd have to have been coordinated to all attack at once."
Terrence finally spoke.
"There was something else weird. When Joseph used his aura, they called more over."
"I guess they were targeting aura users." Alexandra said.
"Yeah. Probably."
"Oh, that reminds me." Josh thought aloud. "The head of the guild is an aura user."
"What?"
"The head of the guild is an aura user. We saw her."
"...Huh?"
"Yeah. Though it makes sense, I guess."
Josh explained what happened.
"Honestly, it's news to me too." Joseph replied.
"Weren't ya there?" Matt asked.
"I guess, but I can't remember the end. I guess I was just sorta unconscious for the last part."
"You answered her question pretty clearly, though." Terrence replied
"What'd I say?"
"You said you wanted revenge on 'that Molten Tigrex'. I've never really heard of it before though, so I'm not sure what you meant."
"It's not important, ya don't have to know."
"Look, can we just drop talking about her already?" Asked Vert "Nothing good's gonna come of getting involved with her."
"What makes ya say that? I'd say saving me from dying's not that bad."
"I know, but nothing good's ever come of you meeting other aura users before, right? Not only that but she's just… off."
Joseph was about to reply, before noticing someone unfamiliar. They'd managed to slip they'd way into the crowd without any of them noticing.
"You're the warrior that our leader took an interest in, correct?"
"...Ya can't just surprise everyone and stay so calm at the same time. But yeah, sure, whatever you say. Whaddya want?"
"We need to go somewhere more private." The figure moved to an alleyway nearby, indicating that he should follow.
"...There you have it." Joseph looked over to the others, seeming uncertain.
"That doesn't change what I said, you know." Vert replied.
"Well yeah but, it's kinda hard to refuse when she sends a ninja to get me."
"I didn't think ya could be pulled in by her that easily." Zach muttered from the side.
"I still don't trust this fully, don't worry." Joseph replied "But if this has anything to do with that monster attack, it wouldn't be the worst idea to check it out, right?"
No one really argued back, though he did notice Nargy trying to follow.
"I don't think they'll allow ya to come with me, dude."
He continued anyways.
"...The concern's both out of nowhere and nice, but don't worry. I'll be back soon enough, I doubt anything major'll happen while I'm gone."
He followed the messenger out of sight.
"Plus…" He thought "If this can lead me to the Tigrex, then it'll be better if I don't get any of them involved."
The messenger led him to a building.
Fallon was waiting inside.
"So you decided to arrive, after all."
"Yeah. The one you sent refused to explain anything, so I might as well ask ya. What do you want?"
"To gather all the warriors I haven't already had join me."
"That word again. What's it mean?"
"People with manifestations like us."
"Oh, so that's it. I just call them aura users, or abilities. Y'know, it's simple. Actually, I'm probably asking the wrong thing here. Ya mean there's more being gathered than me?"
"You've already met some before, haven't you?"
"Not gonna ask how ya know that, but yeah, I guess."
"Ah, one's arriving now."
Joseph turned, seeing familiar white hair.
"Speak of the devil."
"Just so you know, I didn't choose my title myself." Aron replied.
"Huh? What's that have to do with it?"
"...So it was unintentional. Not that I care, I never liked it anyways. How's Terrence doing?"
"None of yer business."
"I am his father, you know."
"Ya officially lose the ability to say yer someone's family when you try to kill them."
"I suppose…"
"I get that you two have a history," Fallon cut them off "But this isn't the place for your arguments."
"He started it." Joseph replied.
"No I didn't."
"It was already started back then, this is just carrying on."
"Are you two capable of listening? Look, here come the rest."
Three more were led in.
A young boy with long hair.
Someone of a normal height with medium hair, who was also smoking.
A woman far larger than anyone else there, to the point where the room was almost too small for her.
"With all of you gathered, I suppose introductions are in order. I believe all of you know me, but just in case you don't, I'm the leader of the guild, Fallon Bachika. Start in the order you arrived."
"Joseph Gilmore."
"Aron Gandor."
"Raf Wagner."
"Avery Irwin."
"Fa Byrne. With that out of the way, what did you gather us for?"
"A good question. Well, to start, let's discuss powers. You're aware of what I mean when I say warriors, right?"
"No idea." Aron replied.
"People with power like us. An aura that surrounds you and guides you to victory, which can also be used for a power unique to just you, a manifestation."
"So that's what it's called." Avery replied.
"I always just called it aura, and the powers abilities." Raf murmured.
"Same, looks like we've both got a great naming sense." Joseph replied.
He went for a high-five, only for the boy to look at him confusion.
Fa pretended not to laugh at him, while Avery didn't bother hiding it. Aron didn't react.
"Moving on-" Joseph quickly began to change the subject "There's gotta be more aura users around than just the six of us here, right?"
"That's true. The current number of active warriors, to the extent of the guild's knowledge is fourteen. In the guild, we have nine, including me."
"Wait, you mean your higher-ups or whatever?" Avery asked.
"Yes. Every single executive in the guild is a warrior."
Joseph and Avery reacted with slight shock, while the rest didn't seem affected.
"This has to do with the monsters that attacked yesterday, doesn't it? I heard they were different to normal."
"Yeah. They were immortal." Joseph answered.
"If they're immortal then how the hell did they die?" Aron asked back.
"Well, they're not immortal technically. We just call em that cause they keep regenerating. And sometimes they talk. Though thinking about it, that part has nothing to do with the naming."
"Talking monsters?" Avery replied "You sure your brain's in working order?"
"No, he's right." Fallon told him. "Though we call them awakened monsters. They can regenerate from injuries more than normal, and some can speak like us. We've known of them for a while, but their existence wasn't public knowledge. Until now."
"What's the point in hiding something like that?" Fa asked.
"If they were widely known, it'd just cause a panic. Like it has now. But now that we're here, I'm asking for your assistance in the fight against them."
"Sure." Joseph agreed quickly.
"Well, I can't deny that I wanna see these things for myself, so I guess I'm in." Avery also agreed.
"It shouldn't… be a problem." Raf replied.
"Crushing them should be good, yeah." Fa answered.
That just left Aron.
"I guess there isn't a reason for me to refuse." He paused. "Since we're all agreeing, wouldn't it be a good idea to show off our powers?"
"I mean sure," Avery said "If you're fine with this entire room getting destroyed."
"I'm against it." Raf answered, seeming to ignore Avery's response "There's not enough space in here, so I can't do anything."
"If no one else is doing it, I've got no reason to." Fa replied.
"I'm not even sure what ability I'd have to show," Joseph thought "So yeah, it'd be more convenient if we just left it."
"Sure, then." Aron replied.
"It doesn't matter for the time being anyways." Fallon spoke again "Now, since you're all in, follow me."
She led them down another corridor.
"She must be taking us to the other aura users." Joseph thought "Yeah, that makes sense. So it'll be this group here against however many immortal monsters there are. That's good…"
He finished thinking this as they reached their destination. The group stepped outside, seeing a crowd of people in front of them.
"Eh?"
"People of Dundorma!" Fallon began "I understand that you're still recovering after the attack yesterday, but listen to my words! I will now explain everything the guild knows about the culprits!"
This got the attention of everyone in the area.
"The enemies are what are known as awakened monsters. As some of you saw, they're capable of regeneration, and have the intelligence to act as a group. Their only interest is wiping all of us out. Does this mean we should live in fear of them?"
She paused, taking a breath.
"We've already worked out their base of operations. They've taken over another country by the name of Dia! We have to invade them and wipe them out before they do the same to us! It may seem to hopeless to have to fight monsters that powerful, but they're not the only ones who can evolve. Here we have gathered powerful warriors, who will lead you to defeat them!"
The crowd's attention shifted to the group behind her.
The group stared at Joseph in confusion. His expression showed he was just as confused.
"Our enemy is organised. They've taken up residence in that country across the sea, and have named themselves Armageddon. Humanity will not lose to them! I hereby declare war on the awakened monsters!"
With those words, the starting gun was fired.
TO BE CONTINUED