The days in Friar had been as normal as ever; new missions, new Aragami as each day would pass. The Blood Unit would go out in groups of four, occasionally five. Solo missions were still a normal thing for Brynn and check-ups had been occuring more often.
It began when her God Arc began to malfunction after devouring multiple times, she would only experience it during solo missions, this brought her worry and thus reported it to the blonde scientist.
"Do not tense up too much, Brynn. That machine isn't going to eat you up." She stared up at the ceiling of the machine as her body went through it, she heard her superior's voice which slightly calmed her down. She had been getting used to the out of place giggles and deep words and phrases she would use.
A light shined upon her body and scanned her from head to foot, she became conscious of her breathing and used it as a way to calm herself down. She managed to hear the soft humming of Rachel. A few seconds passed and the machine began to pull away.
"I'll have the results in a few minutes, do come up here so that I may explain my findings to you." Brynn sat up and immediately left the room.
She walked the empty halls lonely, Friar was even more quiet due to the fact that three of the Blood Unit members had been sent out to another branch to provide back-up. She would find herself participating in multiple missions with the recruit from Scotland. The male was constantly scolding her for not checking her health gauge from time to time, this resulted with him bringing multiple recovery items that he would use on her.
She had a feeling that the Captain had something to do with this, or not.
'Imagine if he finds out that my God Arc is malfunctioning.' She chuckles to herself imagining a fuming 6'1 male. She arrived in front of the laboratory and knocked on the door twice.
"Come in." She let herself in and saw the lame woman looking at the large screen in front of her. A distinctive smile on her face which sent shivers down her spine.
'This can't be good.'
"I've discovered the reason why your God Arc is acting up." She began not taking her eyes away from the screen, "You may have already noticed that you do not require your daily dose of injections that the other members of Blood have."
She then began to think deeply and had a eureka moment.
"Hey, Brynn! We're heading to the lab, you wanna come with us?" Romeo pointed to his armlet, Brynn only cocked her head to the side befores shaking her head in a dismissive way.
"I'll pass, my presence is not being requested anyways." Romeo and Nana looked at her with a bewildered look, both shrugging their shoulders and making their way to their said location.
"Alright, see you later!" Nana said for the both of them before the elevator doors closed.
"I suppose that look on your face expresses that you have realized that." Came the doctor's soft voice which drove her away from her thoughts. The doctor did not wait for the girl to answer, "I assumed that you would have known, you produce your own Bias Factor. Quite fascinating." She looked back to the screen.
"My own Bias Factor?" She repeated with a cocked eyebrow, "How is that possible?" She added, her curiosity being driven even more, earning another giggle from the woman.
"The data here is limited, dear Brynn." This caused her shoulders to slump, "Perhaps we could find information regarding this matter in other documents. Going back," She cleared her throat before continuing. "You mentioned that your God Arc only acts up when you're alone? And when you devour?" She nods at this.
"When a God Eater devours, there is an increase in the Oracle Cells that are present in their system, this is what drives a God Eater into a Burst state." She began explaining as Brynn listened intently, "Usually, the God Eater is capable of containing these excess Oracle Cells in the body, I have assessed your stats during your solo missions. The amount of Oracle Cells in your body go beyond what is normal." Her eyes widen at this.
"Along with that, I also examined missions that Blood has with you, and those that they don't have you as a teammate." She pointed to a couple of graphs on the screen, graphs that Brynn could barely understand. "Whenever they have you as a teammate, the Oracle Cells that they collect have a 30% increase. Granting them more OP and longer Burst states." Another graph appeared on the screen which showed lower numbers and did not have her name.
"So you mean that those extra Oracle Cells that I gather-"
"Are being siphoned and put to good use by your teammates." The doctor continued her sentence with a smile on her face. Brynn hummed in response.
"Another blessing and curse at the same time, my sweet Amaryllis." The younger girl dismissed the name that she was called. Her thoughts began to drift away.
"Eat this, Son of a -" Brynn summoned her predator form to bite into the Ogretail that was flailing helplessly on the floor. The familiar surge of energy ran through her veins. She lifted the scythe into the air to slash the nearly defeated bipedalled beast on the floor. Her eyes widened upon seeing her God Arc had not returned to its blade form.
"What the-" She eyed the black mass which began to bite into the small fry once again. It continued until it began to tear away at the different parts of the aragami. Until it devoured the core.
She stayed as the mass of Oracle Cells from the Aragami began to spread through the air, the Ogretail dissolving into the ground.
"Uh, you should turn back now?" She attempted to reach out to her God Arc which was still in its predator form. She sighed in annoyance and began to heave her artificial Aragami back to the extraction point.
"Yo, Fran, requesting for pick up. And, uh… A mechanic would be great, my God Arc doesn't want to revert back to its blade form."
She was snapped back to reality after that, the blonde scientist, looking at her with curiosity, "You may go now, Brynn. I believe that you have a mission with Gilbert and our visitor."
'Visitor?' Brynn bowed slightly and thanked the doctor, she made her way out and proceeded to the lobby area.
She was greeted by the empty lobby, her enhanced sense of hearing managed to pick up the typing that the operator did on her computer, she rushed her way up to greet the younger girl.
"Good afternoon, Fran." She gave a wide grin when a mug of coffee had been pushed in front of her, "Aw, you spoil me so much."
The girl happily took the mug of coffee and breathed it in. Due to a certain event that transpired between her and the Captain, her coffee rations had been limited. She was no longer allowed to have the drink everyday. At least the ones provided in the canteen.
"It's the least that I can do." The operator softly replied as she continued to type on her keyboard, preparing the information for the day's mission.
Fran was usually lonely, she was only approached whenever someone needed information, needed to prepare for a mission, or hold appointments with any of the superiors. The older girl had put effort into getting to know the operator and making time to converse with her whenever she was free.
"What are we up against today?" Brynn asked after she took a sip from the warm drink. Smiling as the sweetness travelled through her tastebuds.
"Your primary target will be an Ukonvasara that has been making the old factory a resting place, feeding on the multiple Ogretails in the area which are to be disposed of as well." She paused for awhile and turned the monitor to the awaiting God Eater. She peered at the screen and noticed the foreign name that was underneath hers and Gil's.
"Emil?" She spoke the name in an inquisitive manner. Not even bothering to say the last name as she wasn't sure how it was pronounced.
"You will meet him when he arrives." Fran informed her and looked at the time, "He will be here around 1500 hours. As soon as he arrives, you and Gil will depart." She nodded in response and checked the time. She grinned before putting down her empty mug.
"Thanks for the coffee, Fran! I'll have to check my loadout and mail. Let's talk when we get back." She turned on her heel and raised an arm in the air, serving as her goodbye.
From: Julius Visconti
Subject: Update
Message: I have been informed regarding your missions during the last 2 days. I commend you for your stellar performance, fast improvement, and adaptability. However, I was also informed that you have been neglecting your health during missions. Please do take caution, it would be detrimetal to the team if something were to happen to you. I will have Gil watch over you more closely during missions. We will be reporting back in Friar in 2 to 3 days.
Julius Visconti
Brynn grumbled before closing the mail and going throigh the other ones, she thought of what to reply, when a devious grin appeared on her lips.
To: Julius Visconti
Subject: -
Message: Alright, dad. See you soon!
Your loving daughter, Brynn Mercu Visconti(?)
She grinned and sent the message. Her face suddenly grew pale upon realizing that her message could send a different meaning.
"Damnit, Brynn. You idiot." She cursed herself before shrugging her shoulders, "He'll probably get it anyways." She then checked on her loadout, recovery items, and bullets. She checked the time and noticed that she still had half an hour before they would depart. She grinned at this and jumped on her bed.
"I'll just take a nap." She closed her eyes, snuggling close to her pillow, and soon after she had been consumed by sleep.
She was soon engulfed by darkness, unaware of where she was.
"This power, it could be used for the … gis… je… " A voice of an older man flowed throughout the area.
"How is this even possible?" Came another voice, the one earlier had seemingly disappeared. "This would relatively be impossible… Unless…" The voice faded away.
'Unless what?' Brynn questioned and groaned in irritation upon not earning a response.
"Hey, wake up." Caramel eyes met bright blue ones. Brynn groaned and rolled over to the side, dismissing the towering figure.
"Five more minutes, mom." She slurred out as she buried her head into her pillow, which was quickly taken away from her.
"We'll be late if you keep this up." The tall man reminded her. She still ignored him. "I'm not giving you my share of chi-" He briskly moved back when the girl sat up, as quick as lightning.
"I'm good to go!" She stood up and ran out the door. Leaving the man in her room, who followed after her. A bothered look on his face.
"I guess she doesn't remember thrashing around in her sleep." He turned back to look at the disarrayed pillows and bed sheet. He closed the door and made his way to the elevator, where a smaller blonde was waiting for him.
"Hurry up, slowpoke." Brynn teased earning a serious look. They made their way to the lobby, Brynn leading the way to the counter. She was about to approach the operator when a loud voice had startled her.
"So you are the Blood Unit!" She jumped at the sight of a blonde man, wearing lilac colored clothes which reminded her of some rich person during the old times, something that she had seen in the Norn database. He was standing a few feet from her, twirling his long, out of place, lock of hair around his finger.
"You must be-"
"Ohoho! Please, relax. It's only natural to be nervous, but I assure you, all is well." He cut her off. He stopped twirling his hair when his eyes opened and he began making random gestures with his hand. "Now that I'm here, you need never fear again!" Both Gil and Brynn stared at him with blank looks on their faces.
"Oh!" He began again, not giving them the chance to speak, "Forgive my dreadful manners." He continued twirling his hair again. "A knight in service of the Far East Branch's glorious 1st Unit Fighters. I am Emil von Strasbourg."
"Nice." Gil said, before the obnoxious man could say anything else. "Good seeing you, pal." Brynn chuckled silently at what her companion said.
"Brynn Amaryllis Mercu," She was stuck her hand out, in order to shake his, which he rejected as he continued to drone on.
"Yes, this Friar is truly a majestic vessel." She dropped her hand and noticed her companion chuckle as well. "Is it not? Impressive, yet tasteful." He closed his fist and pulled it down. "Yet beyond the horizon the Aragami scourge awaits, plotting to hinder this vessel's blessed voyage."
'Blessed, huh.'
"You are undoubtedly gripped by fear. Yet, I say unto thee: Take courage, friends, for I am here."
'Fear of you, maybe.' Brynn couldn't help but cock an eyebrow at the other's antics. He remained posed in a dramatic manner as he finished his monologue. He looked towards them, with a serious and determined look on his face, Brynn coughed to mask her laughter.
"I shall stand firm and defend you." He wasn't finished, he went back to twirling his hair with his gloved hand, "You shall know no fear whilst beside me."
Brynn gave a slight bow with her arm on her stomach, "Well then, most wondrous knight, t's truly a most wondrous honour to has't thee square by our side." She looked up and saw the pleased look on the other's face, she grinned, wanting to laugh but kept up the act.
"Don't be shy, my friend! It is my sworn duty to help the weak." An invisible vein throbbed on both of their heads, "That is the truth of Chivalry." Brynn then walked towards the storage area, knowing that if she didn't do anything, they would never finish conversing here.
"Well then, knight in shining armor," It was Gil's turn to mock the oblivious male, "We need to get started with our mission." His gruff voice echoed throughout the empty lobby as he followed the female. The newcomer rushed to follow behind them.
The Ukonvasara managed to get away a few minutes before it would have met its demise. The three God Eaters decided to split up. After circling the entire radioactive swamp, the members of Blood had managed to run into one another.
"Any signs?" The taller one asked, shouldering his spear. Before Brynn could answer, a loud battle cry managed to echo from a distance.
"That." The duo ran towards the direction of the sound, they stopped a short distance from where the import they teamed up with was facing the nearly-defeated Aragami.
The male had skid away after dodging an attack coming from the alligator. "Creature of darkness!" He slowly stood up and got into a fighting stance. "I, Emil von Strasbourg, will banish you to where you came!" He swung his hammer, ready to land a hit, but the beast spun around and hit him once again. He struggled to get up, sprouting more nonsense.
"All right, you shall now get a taste of my true strength!" He charged again and was about to slam the Ukonvasara to the ground, but it spun around in perfect timing, knocking him away.
"What the hell?" Gil said in frustration, "Let's go take care of that thing." He had been stopped from advancing when an arm hand blocked him. He turned to see Brynn looking intently at what was happening.
"Ugh, whatever." He moved backwards and continued to watch what was happening, "You're just going to fuel his pride if he does manage to breakthrough." Brynn shrugged her shoulders and proceeded to watch.
Emil panted heavily, his God Arc still ready in his arms, "Every battle a God Eater faces is a noble quest!" He managed to catch his breath, "In this world drowning in darkness, the God Eaters bring the shining ray of hope to humanity!" He said a few more lines before he let out a large battle cry then charged. He jumped into the air and slammed his hammer into the Ukonvasara who had not dodged in time. It had been impaled into the ground, the hammer leaving a mark on its head.
The male jumped swiftly to the side with a victorious smile on his face.
"Heh." Gil chuckled in amusement, "Would you look at that, the idiot actually did it." He casually swung his spear over his shoulder before turning his back. "Go extract the core, I'll call for extraction."
Three days passed and the team of three had been going on various missions together, with high rates of success that had granted them higher rewards and more access to difficult missions. The other members of Blood would be returning and they would go out on a 6 man mission involving 2 Kongous and multiple Zygotes.
Brynn leaned against the tree, her eyes tightly shut when she heard the elevator doors open. She had been busy enjoying the sunlight as there was no sign of Red Nimbus that day. She opened one eye and took in the familiar figure approaching her.
"Hello, Captain." She greeted with a yawn, opening both eyes after that and she stretched. The man gave a small smile before leaning against the tree as well. Feeling the roughness of the bark against his clothes.
"Hello, Brynn." He replied, "I again would like to commend you for your performance during the last few days." He said with pride.
"Thank you, Captain." She paused for a while, blinking rapidly in order to wake herself up, she made a mental note to stop sleeping so often. "You can reward me by treating me dinner when we get back." She joked earning a chuckle from the other.
"That I believe, is becoming a routine for us." He hummed upon realizing the truth. The girl had been constantly pestering him about food, it was no wonder that he was running out of credits.
"You never say no anyways." She softly replied and continued to shut her eyes, the silence began to consume them.
"How was the other branch?" She inquired after finally coming to her senses.
"Small compared to Friar and the front lines. They had limited God Eaters and most of them being first generation ones." He answered as the two continued to bask in the silence and the calm that the garden provided. Brynn was someone that Julius wouldn't mind speaking with, despite the fact that he was a distant person. However, even the silence didn't face the two. Before they could start another conversation, a loud high-pitched voice had earned their attention.
"Captain Julius! Brynn! It's time to headout." By the elevator stood a black-haired girl who was waving her hands in the air in a rapid manner. Brynn groaned and stood up, dusting the dirt that had been attached to her clothes. She stuck a hand out for Julius to assist him in getting up. The moment that he grabbed it, a quick blur passed through her vision.
"My son, we'll be back before you know it." Came a woman's voice.
"Next time, we'll bring you with us so that you could meet their child. She's about the same age as you."
Brynn blinked rapidly, still trying to process what she just heard, Julius had a baffled look on his face which matched her own. When he stood up, he let go immediately and they began to walk towards Nana who had been watching the two from afar.
They arrived at the departure area, mostly listening to Nana's babbling about what had occurred during the days that they were gone. The blonde half-listened as they walked on.
"Took you long enough." Gil remarked upon noticing the arrival of the other three, he had been stuck with two males that contradicted his personality, it didn't amuse him at all.
"I'm getting pumped for our mission!" Romeo exclaimed as he jumped into the helicopter. Followed by the others who did so with less fervor. The helicopter ride was silent most of the way. Each taking their own parts to stay in. Brynn was sitting by the open door of the helicopter, her knees brought up to her chin as she stared out.
Julius was glancing at her every once in awhile, he had been working on mission reports on the tablet that he brought. Although he preferred his laptop or terminal, the tablet was more convenient when he was travelling. Unfortunately, his numerous glances had not gone unnoticed by the cheerful black-haired and gold-haired guo. They gave each other knowing and mischievous looks.
The mission ended as soon as they arrived. The team had been split into 2; Gil, Brynn and Nana in the first team; Romeo, Julius and Emil in the second. They had been ordered by the captain to search around the area after they had defeated the two Kongous. They made fast progress, eliminating the two ape-like aragami with stellar time.
They were just about to regroup. Brynn had just walked out of the observatory area, when a loud shout stopped her in her tracks.
"What the fuck is this now?" She turned to the direction of the screen which came from the cliff area of the city.
"Attention! My God Arc isn't working!" Emil came out with a large beast, wolf-like in appearance, chasing after him. It knocked him other with it's armored paw, making him skid away and hit the wall. The Aragami jumped towards Brynn swiping her and knocking her away.
"What the hell are you?" She angrily cursed and glared angrily at the creature. Her caramel eyes met yellow. She felt a sudden surge of adrenaline rush through her veins.
Blood.
Her vision began to dim, she began readying her scythe not able to control her own movements, however, she could feel the power that was going to be released in that strike.
Blood.
Her vision had blotches of red and black, allowing her only to see the Aragami in front of her, the blade of her scythe being engulfed in red and black aura.
"Get ready for this you son of a-!" She screamed loudly earning the attention of her teammates.
"What the-?"
"It's just like the captains!"
"Observe, the Blood power has finally awakened."
Blood. Blood. Blood. Blood.
She screamed once more and swung Auricle with as much force as her body could, successfully knocking the beast off its feet and scarring its left eye. It remained on the ground for a few more seconds before making its way to its attacker. Brynn was panting heavily, slumped over but got Auricle ready. She attempted to raise her arms to attack once again, but the Aragami had been rained with bullets keeping it at bay. Her teammates had stood in front of her to protect her. The beast roared one last time, jumping towards the highest building in order to escape.
It glowered, its eye never letting Brynn out of his sight. She glared back before it sauntered away, not to be seen by them anymore.
Brynn groaned and slumped over, using Auricle as her support. She felt a hand on her back, coaxing her to relax. Her legs gave in due to the amount of energy that she had exerted earlier. "You did well, Vice Captain, that beast was strong." Came Julius' comforting voice, she did not have the strength to react to the title that he had given her.
"Captain?" She managed to call out, her vision beginning to dim. They all surrounded her, Julius supporting her to stand up, making her use his shoulder as support. "I don't think that I can-" Her body nearly hit the ground, if it weren't for the captain who had foreseen the action.
The male blonde sighed before carrying the girl in a way that he had one arm that supported her neck while the other was underneath her legs. He looked down with concern at the unconscious girl, as did the others who neared them. Nana was the first one to speak up.
"Captain, will she be alright?" She was worried about her friend, Julius nodded in response and looked at them.
"Yes, she will be." He took in the girl's serene face once again before looking towards the tallest in the group, "She needs to rest, have Fran send in our pick up and don't forget about Emil. He must have been knocked out from the impact." He ordered and looked over to Romeo, "Take her God Arc with you." Romeo nodded in response and was about to speak up, "I have specialised gloves in my pocket."
Upon the orders being completed, they walked over to the extraction point, "I'm certain that it will be you to treat us lunch after that promotion."