My eyelids blinked, and blinked again, trying to dispel illusion before me. The said illusion was certain grumpy man carried a pink cardboard box filled with 'Energy Drink'. He shoved it to my face and pushed me away from doorway, entering my room uninvited and sat on sofa.
"Don't get your hopes up. It's a surplus from old man." Soma denied before I had a chance to ask it.
"Awww I was wondering if you brought it for me." I grinned.
"Not a chance!" Soma glanced my room, looking for something or someone.
"Looking for someone? Some Aragami girl perhaps? Well, she's not here. Rina took her to Licca moment ago."
Alisa and Sakuya effort to dressed Shio two days ago led up to a damn cat and mouse game, so I took over their responsibility. I did a bit of test on Shio by given her series of fabrics laced with different concentration of Oracle. Predictably, the more it contained Oracle the longer she tolerated it. I asked Licca to make a dress from pure Oracle. An engineering challenge no doubt, but still possible.
Licca called me earlier, telling me that the dress design had finished and she needs Shio for body measurement. My sister brought her to Licca, and grumpy came not long after they left.
I spent my morning chatted with Soma. Well, it was more like one-sided chat, Soma barely replied, only occasional grunt or nod. I shouldn't expect too much, his willingness to came to my room was already a massive improvement.
Afternoon came along with my sister and Shio. They entered my room and greeted us.
"We're back." My sister greeted us.
"Um... Good after...noon?"
"Yep, afternoon. Why it took so long to measure her?" I asked.
"It shouldn't be this long, but Licca have to redraw her design after Shio used her diagram as painting paper... Here, this is from Licca." My sister gave me a note.
My eyes widen with awe at the note. A sketch of beautiful white and green dress with flower like pin on its chest and frills on the back. The next page contained its material requirement. My eyes widen again, not from awe, but from disbelief. Her dress required significant amount of material, rivaling even God Arc.
"Chimera Spark Fur, Simian Great Tail, King Armor, Goddess Feather, and Knt Needle. That some numerous part we got here." I spelled the list.
"Yes, we can use my materials. I got Chimera Spark Fur, King Armor, and Goddess Feather, only Simian Great Tail and Knt Needle left." My sister offered.
"Great! Two more to go, a monkey and overgrown scorpion."
"I'm leaving." Soma stood up and walked to the exit.
"Eh? You're leaving now?"
A closed-door was the only replied I got from him.
"What's up with him? He waited for you both only to left after you came back?"
"Maybe he got something to do?" My sister answered.
"Perhaps. Oh well, let's ask doc Sakaki."
We moved to Dr. Sakaki's office together with Shio. We found him typing on his keyboard as usual, concentrating on his monitor. Various Bias Factor and Patterns reflected on his glasses. We kept staring for whole minutes before he stopped and turned at us.
"It's about her dress I presume?" Dr. Sakaki asked.
"Yep, so Licca have told you about that. I want to borrow your radar." I answered. "I need a Kongou and Borg Camlann."
"I see." Dr. Sakaki resumed typing on his keyboard and watched his monitor. "There's one unregistered Borg Camlann in Valley of the Blue Ice."
"That's pretty far. And the Kongou?"
"There're few of them scattered in the region, but it had been registered."
"That's not good. I can't risk myself getting discovered by other unit." I shook my head.
"I can help you with that. I'll take a mission from Hibari, just wait for us at the site." My sister spoke.
"Ah, good idea. We'll borrow your chopper in few hours doc."
"Few hours?" My sister raised her eyebrow.
"Yep, got something to do. Catch you later." I left Dr. Sakaki's office and headed to God Arc Storage Facility.
Two cans of First Love Juice stacked in my pocket while I held the third can, opened and half drained. I brought this canned drink from vending machine near elevator. That damn scrap metal ate my change. Not much, merely forty Fc, but a proof that it should be scrapped instead.
I tossed empty can into trash bin near God Arc storage facility and entered our workshop. Fresh air greeted me instead of welding fume and oil, a welcomed change of pace. I found Licca crouched near Link Support Device, checking its connection cable.
"Yo Licca. Something wrong with that?"
She lifted her goggles and turned at me. "No, just usual check up. Hey, is that..." Licca took a can from my pocket and examined it. "You said my iced curry is poisonous, yet you drank this?"
"Oh, it's not that bad. By the way, I found a place where we can test this device."
"Oh? That's good. Where is it?"
"Valley of the Blue Ice. There's lone Borg Camlann in there." I put the can back to my pocket.
"So, a field test and gathering material for her dress at the same time. Not a bad idea, but do you know how far it is?"
"Yep, a hundred kilometers from here."
Valley of the Blue Ice. Remnant of massive dam located at the base of tall mountain north-west of the Den. A bone chilling ruined dam covered in eternal snow, like Tranquil Temple. It was the furthest and most isolated area in Far East region, therefore inhabited by many rare and strong Aragami.
"I don't object your idea but you have to do it yourself."
"Eeh? Why? I thought you were waiting for this."
"I am." Licca sighed. "You see, this is not an official project. Fenrir will never agree with me leaving the Den for personal project."
"Uh... who gonna operate this device if you aren't coming with us?"
"That will be you. Don't worry, I'll teach you how to do it."
"Eeh? I don't think I can do it."
"I'm sure you can."
Three hours. For three hours Licca patiently tutored me. From deploying Link Support Device, setting up, choosing the right Core, firing pulse, to shutting down Device and packing it up. My engineering skills helped me, but ultimately it was up to Licca and her tutorial.
Our session took longer than I anticipated. By the time I finished my course it already three in the afternoon. I returned to my room after asked Licca to send the Link Support Device to Dr. Sakaki's helipad. I jogged through the hallway, then to elevator, and Laboratory section.
Soma came back to my room. I sensed him as soon as I stepped out from elevator. I increased my pace and opened the metal door. Soma listened quietly to his headphones at the corner of my room while Shio followed my sister. She rummaged my knapsack, looking for Shio's food.
"Grumpy! What're you doing in here?"
Soma grunted and looked away from me.
"Hey sis. Look what he brought for us." My sister called me. She held a piece of Kongou tail and smiled at me.
For some reason Soma started to glare at her.
"What? Is that..."
"Yes, Simian Great Tail. Not only that, he-"
"Don't you dare!" Soma glowered.
"Nope." My sister grinned. "You see, Soma overheard our discussion about material for Shio's dress. You know what, he went as far as taking two Kongou alone in solo mission."
Soma squirmed in place and pulled his hood, hiding his face from us. Didn't hide his rapidly beating heart from my ears though. Now I knew why he abruptly left us right after I listed the material. He really changed, old Soma wouldn't care about us. Although, I wonder, how long it would take for him to openly admitted his true self? Nahh, it still far away.
"Shio, come here."
Shio obediently came to me. She hopped from one tile to another and landed in front of me.
"Look at grumpy over there." I pointed at Soma. "He helped us gather material for your dress. What do you say when someone helps you?"
Shio moved closer, wobbly walking to Soma. She peeked under his hood and bowed. "Thank you!"
Soma stayed still, acting as if he didn't care. Yet his heart drummed faster. Eventually, he had enough of Shio's innocent gaze and left my room, back to his room or wherever he goes.
"Aaand he left us. I'm sorry sis, but you have to gather Knt Needle without me." I moved closer and sat beside her on sofa.
"Oh? You got other assignment?"
"No, I'll come with you, but I'll be manning Link Support Device and help you from afar."
"Link Support Device?" My sister asked.
"Hm... a complex machine designed to manipulate all Oracle Cells in various ways. Let's just say it's a man-made Bias Field emitter."
"Oh, so it can disrupt Aragami or something like that?" A shard of awe slipped into her tone.
"Yep, from enhancing your stamina, creating single use barrier, to weakening Aragami or paralyzing it. I've been working with Licca on this project since I arrived here, it's time to test it in real combat."
"That's great. I'll tell others, meet us at helipad."
I paced back with Shio on my trail, passing hallway and handful of people. Licca already waited for me in storage facility. She handed me four God Arcs kept in large black briefcase. I didn't ask whose God Arc, it might belonged to Third Unit or commonly known as Reserve Unit. A defense unit created to protect Aegis Island during construction. However, they became Reserve Unit once small Anti-Aragami Wall erected around Aegis.
My sister brought Alisa, Sakuya, and Soma with her. They waited for us near helipad and was checking on Link Support Device as I got there. On our way to Valley of the Blue Ice I explained my plan to them, Soma and my sister would charge at the overgrown scorpion head on while Alisa would provide fire support. Sakuya and Shio stayed with me on one of the tallest tower west side of the dam, ensuring I could work uninterrupted while took potshots at scorpion below.
Valley of the Blue Ice, isolated area at the far end of Far East Region. It cost us two hours to reached it even with Dr. Sakaki's chopper, thanks to its sheer distance. By the time we arrived the sky had turned orange, and the sun was about to set. We disembarked on small icy platform on east side of the dam, not the west side like I predicted. I worked on Link Support Device, assembling the cables and other bits while Shio plunged God Arcs into its port.
"All set and ready to go." The Device monitor flickered and turned on, showing the device status and port effect. "We got two stamina boosters, a paralysis, and a shield. First wave will be ready in two minutes."
"Let's go everyone." My sister jumped from tower, followed by Soma and Alisa.
They were landing harmlessly on broken dam roof far below. Such long fall would kill normal people, and they did it while carried their God Arc. I reached my headset and twiddled the frequency button, changing it to First Unit frequency.
"Sis, everyone, can you hear me?"
[Huh? You can use our line?] My sister answered.
[Yes, clearly.] Alisa confirmed.
[Don't bother me.] Soma answered in his own way.
"Listen, in about thirty second I'll let the first wave go. It's stamina booster, you should feel the effect immediately. Contact me if you feel something wrong."
Link Support monitor showed almost fully charged main capacitors. It reached 90% and steadily increased.
"Energy booster in 3... 2... 1... Go!"
A blast of Bias Field rapidly expanded from Link Support Device, covering entire dam and rousing our Oracle Cells. Their body jerked by sudden rush of pure energy.
"I feel good..." Shio jumped in place, unable to contain her energy.
[Woow, this is amazing!] My sister shouted through her radio. She sprinted endlessly, chasing Borg Camlann at the end of the dam.
"Taking a shot." Sakuya aimed her sniper God Arc and pulled the trigger, repeatedly.
Couple of round struck true to its target, a tail of oversized scorpion. A crack appeared on its exoskeleton. Red liquid seeped from the wound, dripping on cold concrete. The scorpion roared in anger and turned its body at my sister and her group, thinking it was them who shot it. Neat, I wish my spike could reach as far as that sniper God Arc.
"I see you're about to fight it. I'll release the next wave, rush in when it paralyzed." Link Support Device hummed in high pitch, indicating it was fully charged. "Link Support Device is ready, firing pulse... now!"
"Aaaah!" My body crashed to the icy concrete, convulsing uncontrollably. Yellow spark like arc danced around my twitching arms. I forced my numb neck to turn, peeking at Shio.
She coped no better than me. Spasmed violently and covered in yellow spark, unable to even spoke or moved.
"Rena, Shio, wake up! Why are you trembling like that?" Sakuya ran to our side.
Sakuya's medic training took over her, she frantically snatched a Restore Pill from her pocket and pried open my mouth. I tried to close my mouth but failed because of numbness and her insistence. What a waste of medicine.
"Li... Link... De... vice... Turn... o-off!" Desperately, I pointed my shaky fingers at monitor.
Sakuya approached the monitor and began typing. A wave of energy pulsed from Link Support Device.
"Wrr... Wr... ong... Nghhh... Arghhhh!"
Instead of turn it off, Sakuya unwittingly set off another energy booster. It turned out a stimulant and an electrocuted muscle was a bad combination. My convulsions became more violent, completely disabling me.
"No! What should I do?" Sakuya panicked. She furiously stroked keyboard and set off the last wave, barrier.
Despite our violent convulsions I knew we weren't in danger. Paralysis from Link Support Device didn't directly harming Oracle Cells nor it would leave any damage. Still, watching panicked Sakuya was kinda funny. Too bad, I couldn't do anything.
Our paralysis gradually weakened. I could move my fingers and my mouth a bit, but not my limbs. "C-calm... do... wn... not... d-dan... gerous..."
"No! How can I calm down when you're in pain?!" Sakuya kicked Link Support Device in frustration. She had given up on trying shut it down.
"Not... pa... painful... j-just... can't... mo...ve..."
Sakuya stopped panicking as the paralysis diminished. I crawled to platform edge and rested my back on railing, flexing my shaking hands and legs.
"See... It's not really... that bad." I clenched my fist. Almost returned to normal, only slight numbness left. In the corner of my eyes I watched Shio slowly sat up. Her legs were shaking and she had to use her white blade as makeshift crutch, but she managed to stood up.
"You startled me. Moment ago both of you were fine, the next thing I knew you dropped and convulsed uncontrollably." Sakuya sighed with relief.
"It taste bad..." Shio scowled.
"Sorry, I don't expect this device will affect me too. What about Rina and others?" I asked Sakuya.
"They killed it. That Borg Camlann suddenly stopped moving after you activate that machine."
A flipped scorpion with three persons around it. They took advantage of paralyzing wave and killed it while it was disabled.
"Come Shio, they got your food."
"Food!" Shio chirped. Her scowl faded and a smile formed in its place.
We regrouped with my sister at the dam. They harvested each usable part and divided equally. I snapped its stinger and stashed it in my knapsack along with other little bits and pieces.
"All right, this should do it. Anyone still need a piece of this?" I tapped the scorpion carcass. Nobody answered, so I took it as no. I turned at Shio and patted her head. "Go ahead, this is all yours."
"Let's eat!" Shio dug in. She stuffed a mouthful of its orange flesh and gulped greedily.
"Thank you everyone. With this we could make a new dress for her. A dress from pure Oracle Cells." I thanked to First Unit.
"A dress?" Alisa asked.
"Ah, I forgot to tell you. Shio hate clothes. However, she willing to wear Oracle Infused cloth for a while. So I come up with idea to make a dress entirely from Aragami part."
"That certainly make sense..." Sakuya nodded.
I felt a tug on my sleeve.
"Tasty..." Shio pulled my shirt. She held Borg Camlann Core in her palm, offering it to me.
As I chewed, I watched the horizon darkened and stars filled the blank sky. There was still another hour before Dr. Sakaki's chopper arrived, so we made a campfire near my Link Support Device. We sat circling campfire, doing our own interest. My sister, Sakuya, and Alisa chatted together, talking about various thing. Soma, well... he just stared at fire danced before him and snacked on Fenrir field ration. Shio happily nibbled bits of Borg Camlann as usual.
"Soo... What do you say about Link Support Device? Is it helpful?" I swallowed the last piece of scorpion Core in my mouth and asked them.
"It was amazing! It felt like having limitless energy. I sprinted across the dam without losing my breath." My sister yelled. "How long until it finished?"
"Calm yourself leader. Your sister mentioned this is a field test, which means it still require higher-ups approval and further development before it can be mass-produced. Am I right?" Alisa made an educated guess.
"Yep, it can be anywhere from few months up to years. You know how selfish Fenrir actually are." My sister slumped in defeat upon hearing my words. "However, I can ask Licca to lend this machine for you, no promises though."
"Better than nothing..." My sister mumbled.
Large blizzard approached us. We were preparing to move the Link Support Device to safer position when our evac arrived, sparring us from the trouble and from snowstorm altogether.
Back in the Den, my sister embraced fluffy bed and went asleep after a quick bath and a dinner. That was unusual, she rarely exhausted herself like this, not to mention she almost doubled her dinner portion. Something to do with Link Support Device perhaps?
Time passed quickly while someone in deep thought. Shio's dress, Link Support Device, avenging Lindow, these thoughts swirled in my head and before I knew it my sister woke up from her sleep.
"Nghh... morning." She yawned loudly. "Oh, you already awake sis."
"Morning!" Shio replied.
"Morning. I don't sleep silly." I smiled. "Go wash yourself, I'll make your breakfast."
Licca knocked my room after we finished our breakfast. She took me and Shio to our workshop for debriefing. I explained everything, from the moment we landed, deployment sequence, each pulse I shot, and paralysis we suffered. Licca loaded my Bias Pattern in her computer and compared it to common Aragami.
"As predicted." Licca muttered.
"Hm? Predicted what?"
"The source of your problem. Link Support Device pulse aiming at specific type of Bias Pattern. I've modified it to include your Bias Pattern when using beneficial pulse." Licca explained.
"And it worked perfectly... until I set off paralyzing pulse."
"That's the problem. Link Support Device saw you as potential target for negative effect, and I can't prevent it."
"Because if you put our Pattern in excluded list other Aragami won't be affected. So it's either take all of these pulses or not at all." I nodded at her explanation.
"Have you found all the material for her dress?" Licca left her computer and circled Shio.
"I got it right... here." I dropped my knapsack on table and took out it one by one. "Let's see... Knt Needle? Check. Chimera Spark Fur? Got it. Simian Great Tail? Check. King Armor? Yep. Goddess Feather... Where is that butterfly part?"
"Here... you drop..." Shio picked Sariel's bluish feather from the ground.
"Ah yes, thanks. Okay, it's all here."
"Hm..." Licca examined my materials. "Yes, this should be enough. We can begin making it"
"Great, thank you Licca, I owe you one."I tapped her shoulder.
"No, it's the least I can do." Licca shook her head.
We worked together creating Shio's dress. Actually, Licca was the one who did most of the work, I could only watch and helped her carry various tools and materials.
[Rena? Come to my office.]
"It's about Dyaus Pita?"
[Yes, we finished decoding its Bias Factor.]
"Um... Licca?"
"Yes, I know. Doc Sakaki called you. Go now, leave this dress to me." Licca gave me a thumb up.
The image of Dyaus Pita flashed in my head as I walked back to his room. Soon, we would have our vengeance. Unlike the last time, I grew stronger and accepted my true self. Also, I wouldn't be alone this time, I got entire First Unit and Shio on my back.
Dr. Sakaki's office crowded, they'd come and was waiting for me and Shio. Dr. Sakaki handed me a stack of papers filled with Dyaus Pita picture and descriptions.
"Now, I will begin my announcement. As for today, our scientist division successfully decoding Dyaus Pita Oracle Cells. We can now pinpoint its location."
A collective gasp resounded in the room. Alisa and Sakuya were the loudest among us.
"It's time..." My sister said.
"Yea, it's time for our vengeance." I nodded.
"I know you are all eager to face it, but don't be reckless. Open the second page, you'll find its ability there."
I did as Dr. Sakaki asked and flipped the page. Second page filled with description and picture on its razor wings. Its volt generator doubled in size compared to normal Vajra, which signifying its threat. No wonder it nearly knocked me out when it shocked me with electric blast.
"Be wary with its blade like wing. It's tough and sharp, strong enough to cut through most thing with ease." Dr. Sakaki explained.
"Where is it?" Soma asked.
"Previously, it wandered above Infernal Subway. It changed course recently, heading to Tranquil Temple as we speak."
"Understood, when the mission begin?" My Sister asked.
"I will submit a formal order in six hours." Dr. Sakaki said.
"There's still enough time before it begin, upgrade your God Arc, prepare your medicine and traps, this will become a difficult and risky battle." I said.
"How did you know that?" Kota asked.
"I've faced it before. Alisa, Sakuya, come to my room, I have something to discuss."
Back in my room, Alisa and Sakuya sat facing me in sofa while my sister and Shio sat beside me. I made them a tea to ease their tension.
"Alisa, Sakuya, I want you to honestly answer my question." I shifted my gaze, focusing on their face. "Can you do it? Can you face this Aragami?"
"I can do it." Alisa said.
"Yes, for Lindow." Sakuya clenched her hand, tightly grasping her dress.
"Are you sure about this? This Aragami killed someone we hold dear. Lindow... and your parents, Alisa."
"How did you know that?!" Alisa gasped.
"I have my way. Can you overcome your trauma? This Aragami is a dangerous opponent, there's no room for hesitation and doubt."
I turned my gaze at Sakuya.
"And you Sakuya, this Aragami is the one that murdered Lindow. Can you keep your head cool facing such loathsome Aragami? A rash decision will only cost your life."
"What about you? Can you do it?" Sakuya retorted.
"Yes I can." I calmly replied. After all, I got Rei on my side. He would take over me once it turned dangerous.
"Remember, there's nothing wrong with running from a hopeless battle." I took a can of First Love Juice from table and drank the sweet syrup. "I won't hold it against you if you both choose to stay, I doubt anyone will."
I leaned on sofa and closed my eyes.
'Can I depend on you Rei?'
'Maybe?'
'Thank you for your uselessness, jerk.'
'You're welcome.'