Disclaim: I don't own Elsword nor its characters, except my OCs.
Elsword - Rune Master (Age: 22)
Eve - Code: Sariel (With part of Code: Ultimate's weapon)
Kazuki Yuuki – Soul Reaper (Hidden as Assassin) (Age: 21)
Lily – Unknown Spirit (18)
Sakura – Former Hunter / Current Supporter (22)
Chapter 3: Promise
"Any casualties?" Eve asked her secretary.
"None dead, your Highness. 7 Nasod Guards were shut down by force. 4 Human Knights were injured but nothing serious. They will recover after a day or two."
"Very well, tell the hospital to tend them carefully." Eve told and sighed "Why did it happen like this?"
An hour later after the Assassin invaded, Eve had to stay in the Audience Hall to keep the security checked while she ordered to repair all of the cameras the mysterious person destroyed. Her mind was wandering about his words. Former Valkyria… It was what he called while his eyes were staring at her like he was referring her. After the incident, which was 30 minutes later, she came to the Altera Core to check any data of herself, but it came to the end as her data only recorded from the day she was awake. That could be called absurd. As far as she knew, she was born hundreds years, the day when she used her own El Energy to restore Nasod Power. There had to be any data left.
"Eve!"
"?!"
She snapped out of her thought upon hearing Elsword called. She looked at him and asked "What is it?"
"You know why this Assassin went after you?" He asked "There has to be something that this person would go and destroy your room intentionally."
"… *sigh* This person wants the code the I found underground. It's Valkyria." Eve told.
Elsword raised his eye-brows. He heard the name Valkyria before and said "…Valkyria… Any by chance… Valkyria of The Blue Fire?"
He saw her eyes widen in shock and then narrowed while asking "How do you know the Valkyria?" to make him scared, she rose up and slowly pinned him on the wall with the eyes promising of pains if he didn't say about it.
"Alright Alright! Just go back to your place and I will tell you!" Elsword said out loud "Gee… No need to do that."
"I love to." A smirk of satisfaction crossed her lips as she went back to her throne, waiting for him.
"When I traveled to Elysion, your old man (Adrian) did say something about the Code: Valkyria. I got my curiosity over me and asked him about that. He told me a bit about how dangerous the code was that it inherits a strange abnormal El Energy which corrupted the Nasod and turned themselves into a war machine. Allies or foes, they will attack for no reason and destroy for fun." Elsword said everything he knew.
Eve felt uneasy at this.
"Did he… say something else…?"
Elsword shook his head "No, he only said What Valkyria is. He didn't mention where it was and how triggered it."
"… I see, thanks for your information."
"You planning on your code?" Elsword asked.
"No… Not really. I merely recovered part of the Valkyria. I have yet to activate it."
"If so, try not to use it on your body." Elsword grinned "Wouldn't want the Queen go rampage on the Elrios."
This earned him a slap on his cheek. Then she continued staring toward emptiness. Aside from the Valkyria, she was thinking about the Assassin. The name Assassin is the title of the job that works in the shadow and carries out their work to assassinate the target without any trace. However, this one differed from others. If he's truly the Assassin, why didn't he kill the guards? Most of them had no serious injure, only disabling them temporary.
In addition, her record showed another 'person' that was following him. The camera caught a faint light floating beside the Assassin. Eve had tried to enhance vision and revealed the blurred sight of a person, possibly the female. She was more mysterious than the Assassin. Who was she? Why was she following him all the time?
"Damn… She got me…"
The Assassin, after attempt to escape the Altera Village which was under full security, fell on the ground near the miner. He took off the white coat to reveal the red stained shirt. He rolled up the helm of the shirt and saw a cut on his abdomen. He reached for the bag on his waist and took out the small green vial along with the bandage. He poor the medicine in the bandage and put it on the wound, bearing the pain of injure and the cure.
"You alright?" The spirit asked in concern.
"Still up and good, just the old wound reopened." The Assassin replied and covered the wound carefully.
"We should retreat for now. With the security's full alert, no doubts we can make it second time." Lily suggested.
Kazuki put the medical equipment back to his bag and leaned on the wall while recalling the last infiltration. He knew his grenade had destroyed her computer which was supposed to hold the forbidden data. However, he missed something. She charged forward to him without caring about the grenade. What's worst? He caught a glimpse of her computer, which showed the data transferring completed.
"Tsk! So that's how it was! How troublesome…"
He once again turned the radio on and reported.
"HQ, this is Hunter. Queen of Nasod acquired Valkyria. Moving on to the second objective."
"HQ to Hunter. Solid copy. I will send the coordinate of Actual Base to your device. Be advise, Drones scanning multiple heat signatures coming to you. Proceed with extreme caution."
"Understood. I will be on the way." Kazuki turned off radio and looked at the spirit and asked "Lily, can you scout this area. See if you can find any threat nearby."
"At once!"
He watched as Lily floated inside the forest to scan the area. Being in the ghost form had its great advantage. While she was away, he discarded his old hooded coat and took out another one with ghillied cover to blend in the environment. He noted himself not to use any noisy weapon, which will draw attention. He chanted and the gun disappeared, as well as his grenades. He equipped a small glass on his left eyes and dual electric daggers.
"Alright, let's get this nice and slow."
He followed the coordinate and entered the forest. There, he found Lily hiding behind the tree while staring at the first Nasod Scout, which was looking around.
"Scout before you, Bladers 2 and 11 o' clock."
Kazuki nodded in confirmation. As an Assassin, he had to sneak around the prey and attack in a swift, killing the Scout in an instant. No room is for mistake. He leaned on the tree while watching other targets moving. Picking up the rock, he threw it at the other side, drawing attention of two Bladers, before sneaking behind them.
"Oi, Robot!"
He called, drawing attention from the said targets and stabbed on them with his daggers at the same times, petrified them with electric. He pulled the daggers off of them and proceeded to the next target, which is another Scout. However, before he could approach it, the Scout suddenly turned around and saw him. Kazuki had no choice but throwing his dagger at the eyes of the Nasod, effectively shut it down.
"That's how it's done." A smirk crossed his hidden face.
He pulled the Scout inside the bushes to hide from the others as he continued his way till 30 minutes later, he found the exit. The Hunter let out a sigh in relief, finally ending the sneaking path.
Or so he thought…
"This is the end, Assassin."
He halted his movement and found another Nasod standing on his way. This time it was different. Before him was a girl with short pink hair, her forehead having a light crystal that was similar to the Queen's. From that he could tell, this was not the Queen's secretary, but someone else. Kazuki raised his daggers in defense as he spotted two more Nasods stepping beside her, a guardian wielding dual crossblades and… maid?
"I have seen multiple assassins all over Elrios, mostly the clumsy ones, but you are exceptional." A smirk appeared on her lips as she commended "Those Nasod I sent had sharp eyes and sensitive and yet, you snuck pass them like playing in the park."
"Save that. I don't need compliments from a person who would send their men to the graveyard." He spoke "I assume your Queen sent you to capture me."
"The name's Apple." The girl introduced "Second in Commander and her personal guard. And yes, we are here to capture you for invading Altera, causing several injures and destroyed the property of the Queen. Surrender and we won't hurt you… much."
'Second in Command, huh? She might prove to be a difficult threat to me.'
"What if I said no?" He said.
"Oberon! Sonic Wave!"
Kazuki dodged the incoming wind slashes from her personal guard. A smirk appeared on his face as he found a tough opponent to fight. He blocked and countered every attack the guard did and reflected the blades, effectively pushed it back.
"My turn, young lady. Silent Killer…"
Kazuki ran forward and slided below the blade Oberon swung and left a cut on his leg. Leaving no chance to counter, he approached and hit his back with elbow. Oberon felt on the ground, his left hand dropped the crossblade. Kazuki was planning to finish him but was stopped by the Nasod maid.
"?!"
The man dodged the area where the maid shot the explosive bullet. He was a bit startled by the maid's arms, which formed into small cannon.
"Idiot, you like charging, don't you?" The maid scolded.
"He's a bit tougher than me, Ophelia…" Oberon defended.
"Stay here…"
Ophelia stepped forward and fired other bullets at him. Kazuki tried to approach but Ophelia stopped him before he could.
"Heh… Guess I have to use my firearm." Kazuki grinned and chanted again, summoning his handgun on his waist and put the second dagger behind "Let's rock!"
"What took him so long?"
Inside Actual Base, a blond female who was sitting on the chair in front of a large monitor tapped her feet on the floor repeatedly, waiting for someone she expected to arrive. However, it has been an hour since she called him. She knew he would never be late this long unless he informed her first.
"Must be busy fighting those Nasod I spotted." She murmured "Yet, he was Hunter. He should have dealt with them easily, and even with Lily's help, he must be here on time. So what are they doing?!"
The woman's name is Sakura, Assassin's Supporter and Former Assassin. Her last name is hidden by the military as it would cause danger to her and the ones involved. She had been joining for years as the Underground Hunter and completed her quest in silent. However, a year ago, one of her mission went miscalculation and got herself a cut on her leg, thus removed herself from the Hunter and became Supporter for the time being.
As for why she was frustrated, let just say ever since she chose to be Assassin's Supporter, she had to keep his eyes on his condition every times, mostly injured. But then, under some circumstances, her life was saved thanks to a certain Hunter she knew. She may grow cold or angry at her… (She was heed over heel the man… a little too much…)
"What was that?!"
Ahem! Nothing! just your imagination.
"When will you bring him back?! I'm tired of waiting for him!"
For what? You want to torture him when he's here?
"None of your concern!"
Alright… alright… he will be here about… now. Back to be the Narrator~
"I'm here- *thud*" The said Hunter returned to the Actual Base and got pinned down by the same blonde who had her knife on his throat. The Hunter didn't need to be told who.
"Give me the reason why I shouldn't kill you right now." Sakura 'threatened' the target.
Kazuki's face covered with sweat and said "Just got hold back by Nasod-" / "They are not a mere threat to you. It's not enough to hold you back." / "Stop interrupting me, will ya? I haven't finished yet. I got hold back by Nasod Commander!"
Sakura raised her eye-brows, but still maintaining her knife at his neck and the cold voice "Then who's this Nasod Commander you are talking to…?"
"I would tell you everything after you get off me, won't ya. Wouldn't want Lily get jealous of you." Kazuki told in annoyance.
For a moment, the blonde girl put the visual glass on her left eyes and found the spirit girl puffed her cheeks while glaring at her, not hostility at all.
"I got it. I got it, though I like teasing both you and her." She smirked and helped the Hunter up "Now, start talking."
He spent 30 minutes to report every details of his path to the Actual Base, which he was in now, crossing every Nasod, shutting them down in silence, and facing the Nasod Commander, who was named Apple, along with her guards. The Assassin had to admit that those three gave him hard time and forced him to reveal a bit of his strength, especially her two guards, Oberon and Ophelia. They covered each other's weakness and almost got him a second time. As for Apple, he was a bit caught off. She had the sight of the young girl, but the title Commander didn't mean for show.
"I expected her to use drones like the Queen of Nasod, but No! She just had to use a weapon! A Sword! Worse, her weapon had range attack. I had no choice but wearing her out until she almost lost her energy and used EMP grenade to temporary shut her down."
"*giggle* You sure get yourself in trouble with women." She teased.
"Believe me, I am. You and Lily here are enough to me, and now this girl." Kazuki sighed. He heard the blonde stood up and picked the folder.
"I almost forgot this." Sakura said, getting to the job "This is for your second objective. We have yet to learn when they will come for the Valkyria so we will wait here."
Kazuki took the folder Sakura gave him and opened it to see a classified intel. He raised his eyes upon seeing this.
"I see we got permission to access secret weapon." He said in interest "But who will use it?"
"You know who obviously." The woman smirked as both of them turned their eyes at the spirit, who showed a confused look.
- Altera Village –
While the Hunter was preparing for something, Elsword was sent along with a few Nasods to find the Scout team. Apparently, Eve lost their signal not long and recorded last locations which were surrounding the forest, including the Nasod Commander. Yes, he found them on the ground with their core shut down while Apple and her guards had not much damage, only exhausted and temporary passed out. In addition, Elsword found out the place full of craters and fallen trees. A small sweat drop on his forehead fell when he imagined Rena would go berserk if she found out the forest was destroyed.
Once they retrieved the team, Apple was sent to hospital for medical treatment.
Eve was on her throne, watching the records from her Nasod and Apple. She inspected the Assassin and his abilities. She had to admit that he was a good fighter in both close and range combat. He made no hesitation in fighting Apple, Oberon and Ophelia in every tactic he came up. However, she didn't still understand his motivation, as well as why he left out vital points.
"Interesting…"
Before the record hit the end, a message was left by him.
"I suggest you stop wasting your strength and stay in your kingdom. I have no time for this."
"Seem like he was in hurry or something…"
Eve turned off the record and left her room to wander around the castle. She needs to get this off of her mind for a while by turning on her monitor and resume her research on Valkyria. It was a lucky shot that she protected the code from being destroyed by transferring the data into her core under the term 'storage' since she didn't want to use it. Once she transferred it back, she went for a full scan on her body to check her core that it wasn't affected by Valkyria.
During the transferring, she accidentally did on one of the pictures she had in her memory. It was the picture of her and Elsword when they were still Code: Electra and Rune Slayer. They were standing before the church in Altera, a sacred place that was still standing for decades. It was the key to trigger her hidden memory she planted in her core.
- Flashback -
The door of the castle suddenly widely opened by Code: Electra as she stepped outside to the air vehicle which had already been waiting for her.
"Elsword! Over here, quick!"
After her was her favorite magician. He was confused why she called him so suddenly without any explain
"Wait! Milady!"
Oberon tried to stop her but he was stopped by the Nasod Guards as they blocked his way.
"Hurry up!"
The last call made him rushed to her and entered the vehicle with her before Oberon managed to break through the guards, but he was too late. They both took off and headed to somewhere.
"Where are we going, Eve?" ELsword asked after a long silence of confusion.
"Just wait, Elsword."
For some reasons, The Queen's face had faint blush. She was a little embarrassed to say where they will go. As they are travelling, the vehicle suddenly shook lightly due to avoiding transportation, making Eve fell on Elsword's chest. Thing got awkward by second. Eve composed herself and looked away through the window beside her, the heat in her core rising.
"S-Sorry…"
"It's ok. I don't mind."
Even he said it, she was still embarrassed.
The rest of the road was consumed in silence until they both arrived before Thee Church of Memories.
"Why are we here?" The red hair bot asked in curiosity as he looked up the church.
"Elsword, do you know this place?" Eve asked.
"Yeah, the Church of Memories. I heard sis telling me that this is the sacred place that has been still standing for years. But I didn't understand why it was called sacred." He said and turned his eyes at her.
"There was a story that if a boy and a girl enter the church at the same time, they will fall in love till the rest of their life." She spoke, her voice lower.
"Oh so…"
She could tell Elsword was embarrassed when he heard that. A small giggle escaped her lips upon seeing his red face. It was kinda cute.
"You wanna go inside with me?"
Immediately she realized what she just said to him.
'What did I just said…?'
"I-If that's what you want… then…" / "Ahahaha… I was joking!" Eve interrupted with a shy laugh.
And again, they fell into awkward.
"Elsword…"
"?"
"… After this, I will upgrade my code to Battle Seraph, but I can't… this code requires my emotion exterminated. I will become emotionless again."
"What?!"
Eve startled by his outburst.
"What do you mean becoming emotionless again?! Don't you know how hard it was to gain emotion for you?"
"I know! But I can't stand being weak like this!" she yelled back "I don't want to be left behind by everyone! By you! I have to be strong to revive my race, everyone I care!"
Elsword bit his low lip. In truth, everyone had advanced to the higher lever while Eve remained with the same strength she can bear. Without any upgrade, she won't reach the same power as others. However, it was unfair that she had to remove her emotion just for the sake of the power.
"Elsword… if there's another way, I would take it, but at this current, it's the only way…" Eve sadly said "I was afraid… after I changed, I became a stranger to anyone, to you." She tremblingly reached and grab his hand and placed on her chest.
"Eve…"
"So please… promise me… You will treat the new Eve as your friend again… help her see my friends again… and you… When the time comes, if I find the solution to regain my emotion, we will return here and decide our fate. Can you do it…? not for Battle Seraph, not for Electra… for me, Eve…"
"…"
"Elsword…?"
"… I will have to deal with your slap more often, but I will." Elsword accepted with a big grin.
"Pinky promise?"
"Pinky promise."
And thus, the hook their pinky finger together as a vow.
- Flashback end -
A smile crossed her lips as those memories crossed her mind again. Those are precious to her and her favorite knight. Right now, Eve had regained part of her emotion thanks to the Code: Sariel, but not completely one hundred percent. The promise still had to be waited until she can be herself again.
*knock knock*
"Who's there?" Eve snapped out of her daydream and asked using her cold tone.
"It's me, Elsword."
A sigh of relief escaped her lips and said "Come in."
The door opened, revealed the red hair knight who greeted her.
"Yo!"
"What do you want?" Eve asked, remaining the cold tone.
"Don't be cold to me, Eve~" Elsword playfully winced "I came to see how you are."
"I'm perfectly fine." She replied "In fact, this Assassin barely caused trouble to me."
"Oh, that's good."
After that, silence consumed the room. The only sounds that echoed in her room was her fingers typing the keyboard. Both Elsword and Eve didn't know what to say. This felt awkward.
5 minutes… 10 minutes… 20 minutes passed and it's still the silence.
"Alright, I give up! Don't you have anything else to do?" Eve quit typing and turned to Elsword.
"Nope, aside the training, I don't have anything else to do." He shook his head.
"Ha…."
"Milady!"
Eve turned her head back to the monitor and found Mio calling her from the other side.
"What is it?"
"I found an unidentified source of energy emitting below the Altera Island. I can't make it clear to see what it is."
"… Then we will move out."
"We?" Elsword asked in curiosity.
"Elsword and I will investigate this source. Keep me updated."
"Roger."
The call went off.
"Let's go, Elsword."
Yuu: Well, another OC joined in the story. And… this girl is a little bit short temper when it came to my main OC. I decided to pull Oberon and Ophelia into the story but they will be Apple's guards (her class is Code: Empress after all)
Anyway, Read and Review, Please OwO/