Welcome back again everyone! Last time we saw Tenebrae, he was observing the Vanguard Special Unit that Marta once led. Aside from Emerald, the group comprised itself of Scarlet, Topaz, Vermillion, Azure, Lavender and Selene.

Although Emerald got most of them to bring Alice, Decus and Richter down, Scarlet appeared to take offense at Emerald questioning Brute's methods in regards to dealing with Tethe'alla!

How will Emerald get out of this bubbling conflict? Will Tenebrae save the noble kunoichi from Scarlet's boiling fury? We'll find out after a quick peek into the present.


Scarlet Bio

Hometown: Palmacosta

Country: Sylvarant

Age: 26

Height: 5'7"

Weight: 112 lbs.

Race: Human

Weapon: Crimson Blaze (Katana)

Element: Fire


Selene Bio

Hometown: Palmacosta

Country: Sylvarant

Age: 17

Height: 5'0"

Weight: 90 lbs.

Race: Human? (Selene can use magic, but she doesn't confirm nor deny anything about whether she's human, an elf or a Half-Elf.)

Weapon: Black Rider (Riding Crop)

Element: Darkness


Grass Field Outskirts [Present Day]

As everyone listened to Tenebrae in regards to his observation of the Special Unit, they were all interested by the rather unique group of women in Marta's group. Aside from Emerald who is already unique, there was a tomboy brawler, an intelligent woman, a playful like lady, a lady knight, a hot-headed woman and even a dark look-alike of Marta. Needless to say, it this Special Unit sounded like a good group of people, although the once called Scarlet sounded off-putting...

"Wow, Marta must have been lucky to have those girls as her Unit in the Vanguard." Colette chimed in as Tenebrae was about to continue his explanation. Once again, her innocence speak volumes, although to be fair, it seemed that everyone except Scarlet sounded decent.

"Y-yes. They were all nice in their own way. Although, when Tenebrae told me what he saw, I was sad that Scarlet thought so little of me. Although, I couldn't blame her... I did leave them without explaining what I was doing and she was very loyal to Daddy..." Marta added on, revealing her own thoughts and feelings in regards to Scarlet. But why did it sound like she was speaking about her in past tense?

"Why is Scarlet loyal to Brute, Marta?" Emil asked Marta in wonder about why she would be so dismissive of Marta, let alone approve of using the Mana Cannon. Granted, Hawk and Magnar were also genuinely loyal to Brute as opposed to Richter, Alice and Decus, yet they had their own motives that didn't involve the Mana Cannon.

"It has to do with her being from Palmacosta. From what she told me, Scarlet was a trained swordswoman. Her father taught her everything she knew in regards to the blade until he died from an illness when she was 20. Ever since then, she wandered from place to place in Sylvarant for four years until she saw the Giant Tree attack going on. I didn't know her reasons for joining then, but I'm assumed it had to do with that and Tethe'alla's treatment of us." Marta replied to Emil and everyone in regards to Scarlet's background.

"What happened to her mother?" Presea asked, wondering what became of Scarlet's mother.

"I don't know, she doesn't like to talk about it. If I had to guess, her mom either left her and her father or she passed away before her father did." Marta followed up while rubbing her arm in unease.

"As for why she's loyal to Daddy, it was because Scarlet was inspired by him and he even helped her when she was being harmed by some Tethe'allan nobles. Scarlet told me that she wanted to make Sylvarant safe for everyone and she believed in Daddy's words, hence why she joined the Vanguard. She was even a viable candidate to be the captain of the Combat Unit as her skills far exceeded both Alice and Hawk, yet she felt needed to protect me as I'm Daddy's "legacy" as she put it." Marta continued, revealing why she was so loyal to her and Brute. It sounds like she truly believed in her father, yet Marta sounded sad about being Brute's legacy. In regards to the Vanguard, it's understandable why it's upsetting but...

"In a matter of speaking, you are his legacy. Not in regards to the Vanguard, but the fact that he wants you to live your life, even long after his time's come. Any good parent would want to make certain that their child will be alright in the future." Raine explained, hoping to let Marta know that there's more than one meaning to succeeded your parent and this managed to put a smile back on her face.

"What about Selene? It's hard to believe that she looks like you..." Emil followed up with another question, curious how this dark girl that resembled her. They sounded like polar opposites.

"Well... she does resemble me a bit. It was like looking in a mirror, although I didn't know much about her when she first joined. All that I know about her back than was that she was born in Palmacosta and that she used magic. It left a lot of people, in and outside of the Vanguard wondering if she was human or a Half-Elf, yet she never once confirmed or denied anything. She was distant from us initially, but she slowly warmed up over time." Marta replied with some fondness for Selene. Looking back, Marta could have easily been like her in terms of personality; a sad, lonely girl who kept everyone at a distance.

"Did you ever learn anything else about her?" Zelos added on, hoping that there's more to this dark look-alike.

"There is, but I'll tell you when we get around to that part later on." Marta said, not wishing to jump out of order. Not to mention that Selene's past is... rather tragic.

"Lady Marta... would it be okay if I can continue?" Tenebrae said in slight annoyance at the massive interruption.

"Sorry! We were just curious Tenebrae." Emil apologized as he wanted to know about the people who was working under Marta. After all, any friend of Marta's is a friend of his. Although for Scarlet, he hoped that she at least becomes Marta's friend again by the end of the story.

"It's okay Emil. Please continue Tenebrae." Marta said as she allowed Tenebrae to continue, although she wished she didn't have to hear about the sad breakup of her team again.

"Right. As I said, while five of the seven members were in agreement about dealing with Richter, Alice and Decus, Scarlet rose up with her anger rising in regards to Emerald standing against Brute's plan to use the Mana Cannon..." Tenebrae said as he proceeded to continue his story about the breakup of the Vanguard Special Unit.


Ossa Trail [Campfire]

Tensions immediately started rising as Scarlet lost her temper again. Not at the continued attempts on Marta's life, but for disagreeing with Brute's plans for the Mana Cannon, something that Tenebrae couldn't believe he was hearing.

"Answer me Emerald! You would question Commander Brute!?" Scarlet repeated herself with anger, hoping she would frighten the kunoichi into answering, but instead she was seeing a girl standing her ground despite feeling afraid.

"Y-yes... I think what Commander Brute is considering is not good at all. I don't think wiping out a whole country will lead to peace at all." Emerald timidly explained herself to Scarlet, hoping to at least get through to her, but to no avail.

"So you intend to rebel against our leader then!?" Scarlet yelled as she once again got up to walk toward Emerald, but Vermillion and Topaz stepped in front of her before she could reach her.

"Get out of the way you two! She needs to be taught a lesson!" Scarlet ordered the two as Emerald immediately stood up in concern. Tenebrae could only look in disbelief at the idea that Scarlet would attack Emerald for standing up for what she thought was right.

"Hold on there Scarlet, think about what you're saying! You think beating up Emerald will teach her anything!? Besides, she has a point here about Commander Brute's idea." Topaz said with a fierce expression before nodding back at Emerald in reassure. This caused Scarlet to be taken aback, but she didn't back down.

"You agree with her about questioning the Commander!?" Scarlet asked in disbelief as she looked at the tomboy, who stood her ground.

"So what if I do? Besides, but our purpose is protect the Sylvaranti, not mindlessly murder people or wipe out an entire country." Topaz replied in a way that she's scolding a little sister, even though from what Tenebrae got, Scarlet looked older than Topaz.

"Then you need to be taught a lesson too-" Scarlet said before Vermillion pushed her away slightly. This earned a sour look from the red haired woman.

"What are you doing?" Scarlet said with a low growl as she stared the knight's featureless helmet.

"Keeping you from making a terrible mistake. Ever since Lady Marta left, you've changed for the worst. For one, you never adress her by name anymore and you've been getting more volatile lately. You think fear is the best way to keep us in line, but you're wrong." Vermillion explained as she stood her ground, clearly not afraid to speak her mind. Tenebrae was impressed with her calm way of approaching the situation at hand here.

"Excuse me? Need I remind you that the Commander's Daughter betrayed her father? Who kept her safe? Who protected her from being defied? Who had us safeguard her so that she can lead the Vanguard for generations to come!? Besides, why would you stand up for the Tethe'allans who've done NOTHING but kidnap and murder our people!?" Scarlet bitterly asked as her anger had no way of stopping while accusing Vermillion of defending Tethe'alla.

"Maybe because not everyone in Tethe'alla is out to harm us. I've never spoke up before until now and I have Emerald to thank for that and personally, I think Commander Brute made a mistake putting you in charge of the Special Unit." Vermillion said with a tone of disappointment in her voice, earning a look of shock from Scarlet.

"I have to agree with Vermillion. Don't get me wrong Scarlet, you've done your duties well and you are one of our strongest next to Topaz and Vermillion, but that anger problem of yours is a fatal flaw, not a blessing. Don't forget that it was Lady Marta's compassion that united us." Azure followed up, hoping that it would get Scarlet to listen to reason as she recalled how kind Marta was.

"And need I remind you that she never once got involved in our missions! She tells us to help people or chase away the Tethe'allan's that bothers people, but doesn't do much except guide bystanders away from the conflict?" Scarlet bitterly noted as everyone overheard her point. Tenebrae recalled that Marta didn't do much during her time in the Vanguard according to what she said during training. Maybe she was spoiled back then, but he knew that she was slowly growing out of that mindset.

"But Scarlet, I saw Lady Marta! Yes, we didn't fight Richter, but I can tell she's changed! Even back during her time with us, she got hurt protecting a boy from a Tethe'allan noble back in Palmacosta a few months ago!" Emerald argued back, recalling why Marta got hurt that one day.

"But then Cheif Richter had to bail her out, and another-" Scarlet replied bitterly and before she can say something else, she was punched hard in the face and onto the ground by Selene of all people, earning surprised looks from everyone, including Tenebrae.

"I had enough of your self righteous attitude, Scarlet..." Selene said with a semblance of anger at the red haired woman, who could only look back at the girl as she rubbed her jaw. There was no anger on Scarlet's face, but surprise and a look of betrayal.

"S-Selene... w-what are you doing...?" Scarlet asked in confusion as Selene never once raised her hand against those who ranked above her as the dark haired girl is normally passive.

"Something I should've done, a long time ago. I thought that by scaring and hurting the Tethe'allans, we'd be making a difference... but we're not. That and I refuse to let you demonize the person who reached out to me, even though she had nothing to gain from it." Selene replied as she raised her crop at a defenseless Scarlet, earning shocked expressions from everyone.

"Wait! Wait! Selene, stop! I know Scarlet's being harsh, but it comes from good intentions!" Lavender shouted as she aimed her ball at Selene, clearly looking like that she didn't want to hurt her.

"Why are you defending her Lavender? You know Scarlet's not in her right mind right now and neither is Commander Brute." Azure noted as she got picked up her advanced gun and pointed it at the ball, intending to shoot it out of her hand.

"I mean... Lady Marta just left us without saying anything... and it hurt... also, the Commander threatened us with imprisonment or death if we don't obey him and... I don't want us to get locked up or killed..." Lavender replied with some tears in her eyes as she revealed her thoughts on the matter. Emerald can tell that she's afraid like she is, but helping Marta gave her some courage. However, she, Topaz, Vermillion, Azure and even Selene shared the same feeling as they were also hurt when Marta left without a word, yet they believed that their captain had a good reason for doing so and wanted to understand her. As Tenebrae looked on, he was taken aback by how they all acted in regards to Marta.

'Lady Marta must have been beloved by her Unit, even the ones who don't agree...' Tenebrae thought to himself as he flew up to wear some rocks are. He planned to drop a rock nearby to startle Scarlet and put out the campfire so that Emerald can make a run for it.

"I understand your pain and fear Lavender, but I truly doubt Commander Brute's ability to lead now and I can see that Lady Marta has a good reason for stopping him. Besides, letting Alice be Captain of the Combat Unit was a red flag to begin with. Right now, we should focus on letting the Commander know about what that sociopath is doing before we discuss this further." Vermillion replied, never once raising her voice to Lavender or Scarlet, trying to remain the mature one in this situation. However, she failed to notice Scarlet crawl back to her sword...

"Enough!" Scarlet yelled as she stood up and pointed her katana as flames engulfed it and she was not happy. Even Lavender was taken aback...

"I appreciate you stalling them Lavender. As for the rest of you, I will notify the Commander about Alice, Decus and Richter's intent to murder the Commander's Daughter, but I won't let the five of you discredit our leader! Our king! Our savior!" Scarlet shouted as the flames on her sword engulfed itself further. With this, Emerald and Vermillion picked up their weapons while Topaz punched her gauntlets together as Selene and Azure aimed their weapons at the Scarlet, who has no intention of letting them rebel.

"Please stop and listen to Scarlet!" Lavender shouted in a vain attempt to dissuade them from what they're considering. This was staring to upset her as she believed Scarlet to be in the right about this whole mess.

"Sorry Lavender, but I think say for the five of us that neither one of us want to take part in genocide!" Azure raised her voice, clearly hating what she's gotten herself into. At this point, Emerald gave a resigned and apologetic look as she looked up to the cliff, seeing it wobble slightly...

"I'm sorry Marta..." Emerald whispered as she took a deep breath and...

"TENEBRAE! PLEASE HELP US!" Emerald yelled, earning a stunned look from everyone. Even Scarlet wondered what's gotten into the kunoichi as he anger was replaced with a bemused expression.

"What are you...?" Scarlet replied as a boulder landed in the campfire, putting out the flame in the process and leaving them all in the darkness with zero visibility.

Of course, Tenebrae and Emerald are no strangers to darkness as Emerald put her Shiruken on her back and grabbed Topaz and Vermillion by their hands, running off before Scarlet and Lavender's eyes could readjust. Likewise, Tenebrae grabbed Azure's hand with his tail and followed Emerald before noticing extra weight slowing him down slightly. Looking back, he saw Azure grab Selene's hand, but returned his focus back on Emerald.

As soon as they got into the forest, a pillar of flame ignited high into the sky, prompting the fleeing girls and Centurion to look in awe and horror.

"ARRGGGHHH! YOUR GOING TO LEAVE ME ALONE TOO!? YOU WOULD BETRAY ME LIKE WHAT OUR CAPTAIN DID!? WOULD YOU!? AHHHHHHHHH!" Scarlet cried in despair at the top of her lungs until the flame pillar died down, with no semblance of rage or sign of a chase, just only pain and sorrow until loud sobs on anguish are heard. Tenebrae sadly noted that the Vanguard Special Unit's time has come to an end.


Ossa Trail Forest

Tenebrae and Emerald got to a clearing far away from the campfire site where Scarlet and Lavender were at as the four girls they led away were catching their breath. After calming down and adjusting their sight to the dark view at night, they bore witness to Tenebrae himself as he sat in place like a dog. Recalling that he's the Centurion that's with Marta according to Emerald's story, they pieced everything together that Emerald came with the Centurion to bail her out if things went south. With that, Vermillion kneeled before the Centurion of Darkness, much to the latter's confusion.

"Thank you for your aid, Centurion of Darkness. Emerald made a good call bringing you with her in case something like this happened. I am called Vermillion." Vermillion said with great gratitude before she rose from where she kneeled.

"Charmed I'm sure. I am Centurion Tenebrae and I must say that you remained calm under pressure." Tenebrae replied with his own introduction while praising the knight before him.

"P-please before you say anything, Mr. Tenebrae asked me if he could come and offered to bail me out if things got bad, so don't blame him for anything..." Emerald said while lowering her head as she didn't want to be viewed as being a coward for relying on Tenebrae. However, she was pulled into a hug by Topaz.

"Don't be, there's nothing wrong with having a friend to help you out and to be honest, you ARE brave Emerald. You proved it by standing your ground." Topaz explained to Emerald, prompting tears of joy to escape the kunoichi's eyes. After a minute or two, Topaz ruffled her hand through Emerald's head before turning to Tenebrae.

"I don't think we're properly introduced. My name's Topaz and any friend of Lady Marta and Emerald is a friend of mine!" Topaz introduced herself while pointing at herself with an air of confidence.

"You certainly are the strong type, but I didn't expect you to have such a kind side to you." Tenebrae replied in regards to the warmth she shows compared to her physical appearance.

"W-well, Lady Marta and Emerald are like the little sisters I never had before. Same for everyone else, even Lavender and Scarlet..." Topaz explained as she trailed off upon mentioning Scarlet, recalling the pain yells of sadness she let out.

"Scarlet must have bottled her feelings for so long and this proved to be the breaking point. By the way Centurion Tenebrae, my name is Azure. Pleasure to meet you." Azure said with a slight bow to the Centurion. The Centurion nodded in reply to her introduction.

"Likewise. Lady Marta and I did hear from Decus that Scarlet took Lady Marta's departure hard. That is my fault and I apologize for causing it." Tenebrae replied while giving his own apology. While Marta wanted to help him, he realized that because of him, the Special Unit fell apart.

"Don't be. While Marta could have told us about what she intended to do, it makes sense why she didn't now. Scarlet would have tried to stop her and would have gotten us involved. Besides, I think the five of us leaving this will give Scarlet time to reflect and get the pain out of her system..." Selene bitterly noted and while she appeared calm, Tenebrae could tell she and the others felt bad at leaving Scarlet while she's emotionally vulnerable.

"Anywho, my name is Selene." Selene introduction herself with no sense of flair compared to the other girls here.

"I can certainly say that it is a privilege to meet the four of you along with Emerald. It makes me happy that Lady Marta has good people looking after her." Tenebrae replied in great sincerity. Sense he woke up, he had not had good run ins with some of the humans and half-elves of this age because of Richter, Alice, Decus and Brute, but Marta, Nova and his family, and now these five women here have given Tenebrae a better impression of the people in this time.

"It's pleases me to hear praise from you Centurion of Darkness." Vermillion nodded with approval. Although Tenebrae wished he could see her face to know what she is showing, but he felt that she was smiling at him.

"Oh! That's right! Is Lady Marta okay!? You've been with her right!?" Topaz replied as like any older sibling, she was worried about her despite that Emerald helped her out earlier today.

"Me and Emerald will explain everything as we continue moving. For now, it's best to get far away from the Ossa Trail." Tenebrae replied as he floated up and with a wave of his tail, he signaled them to follow him.

With one last look back, the five former Vanguard Special Unit girls followed the Centurion into the darkness of the woods, but the Orange Knight took another peek and said something to herself...

"Goodbye... my sisters..." Vermillion whispered to herself as she followed the others.


Iselia Forest

It must have felt like at least two hours, but fortunately they got far enough that they had no reason to worry about Scarlet or Lavender chasing them. Azure took a look around and realized where they are now.

"Iselia Forest... that means we must be close to Iselia." Azure noted based on sights alone. This left Tenebrae impressed.

"You got that on sights alone? Impressive." Tenebrae followed up as he took a glance at the girls.

"Still, I don't know if Scarlet and Lavender alone can get Alice in hot water or if she'll even do so. Now that we left, she's bound to let Brute know." Topaz followed up, knowing that she and the others will need to face the consequences of standing up to Brute for Marta's sake.

"Still, to think the source of this crazy weather is because Ratatosk is asleep. Not to mention that Richter is trying to murder him, thinking he's a demon and here I thought he was smart..." Selene followed up recalling what Tenebrae told Marta. While Selene took this information with gusto, Emerald and Azure were appalled, Topaz was stunned and Vermillion... well it's hard to tell what she was feeling, but it did look like she wanted to object about Richter's involvement.

"Even so... if... if Richter intends to murder Lady Marta, we will be there to stop him." Vermillion replied with determination despite a brief moment of hesitation she felt.

"Yeah, but like I said, I told Lady Marta to set off the firework two days from now. So it will be a while before she sets it off and I'm worried that we might be too far away..." Emerald said with a hint of sorrow as she knows they may not see the firework go off.

"Hmmm... Izoold..." Tenebrae murmured to himself before getting an idea.

"The person Lady Marta and I are staying with mentioned that we'll be heading to Izoold tomorrow morning. Do any of you know where it is?" Tenebrae said while asking if any of the five here know where the town in question is. After a moment of quiet passed, Emerald stepped forward.

"I do... it's my hometown. I... I can easily get us there..." Emerald said nervously as she spoke up. This didn't escape the Centurion's notice, but he decided not to press her.

"I will explain to Lady Marta about what happened tomorrow morning while the five of you head to Izoold. Once we meet up, we'll discuss what to do then." Tenebrae said as he lifted off the ground, preparing to return to Marta's side.

"How are you going to get back to her?" Azure asked, curious how he'll find her, this late at night no less.

"I can sense her thanks to Lord Ratatosk's core on her forehead. I'll be fine. For now, it's best the five of you get some rest and I hope that we'll see you all soon." Tenebrae explained before telling the girls to sleep so they won't run themselves ragged.

"Right. I'd rather not sleep on the dirt, but what can we do. Tell Marta I said hi." Selene replied as she searched for a decent spot to sleep for the night.

"You be careful and get some sleep too." Topaz said with a wink and thumbs up to the Centurion. Needless to say, Tenebrae appreciated the tomboy's sentiment.

"May you and Lady Marta have safe travels the next two mornings and two nightfalls." Vermillion followed up with a greatful bow.

"And I want to say this, not just from me, but from all of us. Thank you." Azure said with sincerity she took off her glasses, ready to get some shut eye.

"You are all welcome." Tenebrae said as he's about to vanish in a puff of smoke, but he heard one more thing from Emerald as he left...

"Take care my friend!" Emerald called out as Tenebrae vanished into the darkness that he's accustomed too. He had to admit that being called friend by another outside of Lady Marta felt nice.

"You too." Tenebrae softly replied as he made his way back to Marta and Nova.


Caravan [Night Time]

It took some time, but Tenebrae was able to get back to the Caravan. As he landed, he noticed Marta sleeping nearby the campfire peacefully. As he walked up, he noticed that she's smiling, which meant that she must be having a good dream.

'Did something happen tonight? I mean, she got to see Emerald again, but she still got chased by Richter though.' Tenebrae thought to himself, wondering what happened during the period he was gone. Maybe something with Nova? Whatever the case, he was sure that Marta would explain to him if she's willing to talk about it.

'Regardless, it's time that I got some rest myself. I'll need it after all the excitement that I had today.' Tenebrae thought in a tired tone as he got into a sleeping position nearby Marta. He dreaded about telling Marta about how the Special Unit broke apart from Emerald's burst of courage, but he knew that she'll have the support of Emerald, Topaz, Vermillion, Azure and Selene.

As Tenebrae fell asleep, the Centurion briefly wondered how Marta met the seven girls who would form the Vanguard Special Unit? Why is Scarlet so loyal to Brute over her own Captain? Little did the Centurion know, that exact question is what Marta is currently dreaming about at this moment in time...

To Be Continued...


With that, the introduction of the Vanguard Special Unit is now complete. Five of the seven members are now on Marta and Tenebrae's side while Scarlet and Lavender stand alone against them.

This is without one of the shortest chapters so far, but it's better then cramming EVERYTHING into a single segment.

For the next two chapters, I will show info about the other four girls from the Special Unit (Topaz, Vermillion, Azure and Lavender). Hopefully you grow to enjoy them as the story progresss'.

So, how will Marta and Tenebrae go forth with their newfound allies? Will Scarlet and Lavender reconsider their loyalties? Will they be able to face Richter, Alice and Decus in the foreseeable future? How did Marta meet the seven girls who became her Unit?

Well, that last question will be revealed next time.

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas everybody 🎄!