[ Belkan ruins, Walder / September 20, 0078 07:35 ]

The Gadgets everywhere were bad news. Just like in the camp, the ruins crawled with them. They were looking for something here, too, overturning every stone, probing every crevice.

The good news was Tea's cloaking still held up.

Half-way through the ancient settlement, Subaru caught a glimpse of light to the right.

"Tea!"

"What is it?"

"There's something there."

They listened and watched. Another flash came from behind a large building that could have been a warehouse. A metallic grating sound accompanied it.

"Someone's fighting them, Tea!"

"With magic?"

"We have to help them!"

"We don't have much time."

"What if it's the professor?"

A pause.

"Fine, let's check it out."

It weren't the archeologists. They entered the small yard on other side of the warehouse just in time to see a large muscular man in blue clothes crush a Gadget Drone's control module with his armored fist.

Almost immediately, the Gadget disappeared in a flash of iridescent light—teleported away, most likely.

The man turned around. Large animal ears protruded from under his white hair. His nostrils widened, sniffing. His gaze fixed upon the still cloaked mages.

"Who is there?"

"Z-Zafira-san?" Subaru stuttered. She had only seen Commander Yagami's familiar in his human form once before.

"Subaru-kun?" The wolf-man relaxed a little. "Is that Teana-kun with you?"

"Yes… Sir," Tea sounded just as dumbstruck.

"You shouldn't be here. Some of your scientists entered the main monastery yesterday. I haven't seen anyone exit. Get to them before the Gadgets do."

"And you?"

"I can handle myself. Go!"

Out of the corner of her eye, Subaru glimpsed soft green light coming from inside a house on the other side of the yard. But Tea already tugged her hand.

As they left, Zafira was turning to face the next drone.