Disclaimer: Halo and Genshin Impact DO NOT belong to me. They're owned by their respective owners and the only thing to my name is possible OC's and this story.
Reviews:
snipervtk4: Thanks for the advice, I have made it work; however I'll only say its just plainly scuffed. On the subject on Primogems, no comment; but I do appreciate the brainstorming.
Anyway, enjoy.
"Internal Dialogue"
"Regular Speech"
"Foreign language translated"
Effects
... Scene Break
His world spun, a dull throbbing in the back of his mind. Where was he? What was he doing?He felt the ground around him... fingers brushed over a smooth surface of squares... tiles? He flipped over and pushed himself up. He blinked a couple times, his vision clearing little by little. Blurry droplets of blood landed on the kitchen floor in a slow trickle. Palming the back of his head revealed a wet red hand. Wisps of smoke invaded his nose, memories of the past few moments rushing back with it.
No... oh god no... He had to run, find his sister, get away...! He wobbled out the kitchen and up the stairs. Through a doorway... hurry... hurry... turn left... up the stairs. The sound of wood shattering reached his ears.
...
His eyes shot open to a brown ceiling. He blinked a couple of times before tiredly sighing. He hadn't thought about that event for a long time. No dreams or even flashes since his career as a Spartan. It more or less resided as a subconscious feeling at the back of his mind. He sat up, grasping the bottom edges of his helmet and twisting. It released and he took it off, breathing deeply and exhaling out.
His eyes flicked around the room, reminding him of his situation. He sat on the lone bed at the corner of the room and on the other side laid the snoring fairy on a couch; buried in a bundle of blankets. A dresser took a portion of the wall on his right, mirror attached to it stared back at him. He silently got off the bed and went it, giving himself a good look.
He was pale, time spent in armor giving him a paler complexion than he had as a child. His face was nearing the end of the transition from adolescent to adult with masculine characteristics being more prominent. The regulation cut he had prior had since grown out, revealing his once absent golden hair. Dark bags outlined golden eyes, stress of the Covenant war giving him very minor crow's feet.
"Look at their eye's, don't they just shine?" An unknown woman's voice rang out in his head, both familiar and not; teetering at the edges of his mind. A motherly figure seemed to appear in the mirror beside his reflection, but the details were all blurred as it were made of fog. It materialized into the face of Lumine, but he knew that wasn't right. Though he had a good idea of who it was. Said eyes, looked dull and didn't seem to contain said light the specter woman spoke of; if it ever was there. Saying that, it seemed that his hair had dulled too and no longer had its brilliant luster since being initiated in the program.
"Not anymore mom... not anymore." He placed the gray helm back into place before looking further up. A clock showed that it was it was a little past 5. He could be feel a headache coming at another 'coincidence'. Names and phrases reminiscing that of main languages of Earth, having a standard Earth day with 24 hours, and creatures straight from fantasy. He was prepared for anything coming here, aliens, robots, hell... all kinds of scientific horrors. Not dragons, slimes, magic, and... supposed gods.
"Your destruction is the will of the gods, and we are their instrument." He muffled a chuckle, every Spartan-III had listened to that message when they enlisted. The Covenant's declaration of war. Their reasoning for genocide. That message has been used as propaganda to fuel the hateful fire within them, reminding them why they fight. If these vision users had such wild abilities, what could these 'Archons' do? Now that he thought about it… what would they know?
Were these beings related to the 'Heavenly Principles'? His mind went back to his battle with the unknown woman that defeated him. Beings of great power… principles… perhaps they're regulated or perhaps individuals placed to control the masses? Mind buzzing with activity, he quickly left a note for Paimon and silently exited the guest room. He stepped out in the hallways of the Knights' headquarters, heading to the library. He still couldn't believe that he was placed here in the first place.
For them to invite him to stay into their main base of operations after not even a day of knowing him. Trusting a complete stranger, one they blackmailed he might add, that may be a threat and has proven to be dangerous is… he didn't know. Their behavior about it was strange enough, especially the Librarian's. The serviceman of the UNSC have always had their own expressions on the Spartan's: admiration, astonishment, relief, fear, hate and many others. These people didn't… with the exception of the townsfolk and common knights, he didn't know how to feel about that. Their behavior didn't seem malicious, but the results were rather amiss.
From what little interaction he had, Jean seems to have a healthy amount of skepticism of him when she had shown him to his room. She tried to hide it, but he could tell from the quick movements of her eye and the tenseness from her posture. Kaeya kept a poker face the whole time, but he suspected it was the same case. Lisa has been the most welcoming though her personality was difficult to wrap his head around. The first two, he could understand their positions of being a leader of a military and being a spook. Then there was a librarian that served an unofficial rule as advisor in national matters, and literal shock trooper that vocally expressed her distaste of a larger workload. She was also... what did the marines called it... ah a flirt. The absurdity of it all, it was plain insane.
He grabbed the door handle and twisted. It refused to move; he should have suspected it he supposed. It was early in the morning after all, and he doubted anyone important enough was awake.
"-he c-" Or not. He turned around, looking across the empty hallway. Light spilled from underneath the door leading to Jean's office. He crept closer until he was beside the it, the muffled conversation becoming clearer.
"He threw you?" Muffled snickering can be heard.
"I can assure you it wasn't funny."
"Sorry, sorry. Continue, please." A tired sigh came after that.
"Then we encountered more trouble. A few Hilichurls and a very large slime. Not a problem for a vision user, but usually difficult for ordinary folk. I sent him along to see what he could do, and… it was something else. We were elevated above them, and he jumped off. He landed on an Hilichurl, completely crushing it yet maintaining form and balance. He took the other two out with his sword. It all happened so quickly that if I had blinked, I would have missed it. Finally, he went one on one with the slime. He was strong enough to throw it around and slice it in two with a dull short sword."
"Really? Without a vision no less. You've seen myself train my swordsmanship, how does his compare?"
"He lacked the technique and finesse I've seen in anyone familiar with a sword yet... he seemed familiar in hand-to-hand fighting. Another thing is that he didn't use his firearms at all. Why? It seems like his occupation is that of a ranged fighter like Amber. That makes me think there's some limitation we don't know of. We do only have Fatui firearms for comparison, however those use the elements when Aether hasn't shown any elemental capabilities. I even checked with my elemental vision. So how would they even work, are they firearms as we understand them? Perhaps he's intentionally not using them in front of me? Being so well equipped and fight in such a way shows a military doctrine unfamiliar to us and I daresay the Fatui." Impressive... she had to be more than just a librarian.
"...Then we made the right choice though I would have preferred to convince him to join us. Nonetheless, at least the Fatui won't make an attempt at his life. I refuse to let such injustice happen within the walls of Mondstadt, not while the city and everyone in it is under my care. How was working with him?"
"Ah... it actually worked better than I thought it would. It started when I saw his face and got to know him better." Not this cutie shit again...
"Oh? How so?"
"He's like someone I've been working with for a long time. You." The Spartan raised an eyebrow as no doubt Jean did as well.
"Me...? I fail to see the resemblance."
"...His looks spooked me at first. He looked to be about your age, or older. Yet he looked, or more 'felt' older than that and... burdened. The bags under his eyes didn't help either. It immediately brought you to mind."
"...Is that how you see me?"
"Please Jean, I can tell you're using make-up to cover your own bags. Being placed as Acting Grand Master has taken its own toll on you and Stormterror isn't helping." A short silence followed. So that is a reason why the witch was so friendly to him despite her colleagues reservations. She saw her leader in him and if Jean is similar to him... hmm...
"...Let's get back on topic."
"Oh, don't be like that~ He's quite professional like you though he's quite reserved. Speaking unless spoken to, keeping himself at a distance, and being quite perceptive and smart. Really similar to Albedo now that I think about it."
"Smart indeed, he was able to theorize a third party being in the mix of all this. Sadly, he was proven right... Kaeya returned with some alarming information. When he cleared out the Temple of the Wolf, he met opposition composing of organized Hilichurls; led by an Abyss mage." An Abyss mage? Another thing to check on when he has the chance. Another faction in the works, comprised of human beings or creatures? Uniforms?
"...The Abyss Order, they're planning something if they're rallying Hilichurls around and no doubt affecting Stormterror somehow. Along with the Fatui taking advantage of the situation, we're between a rock and a hard place. Do we tell him?" The Spartan quickly glanced around, making sure no one would get the drop on him before straining his hearing further.
"...No, there'd be no point. We don't have the right to have both a stranger and a victim of circumstances fight our battles. Against the wildlife and roaming Hilichurls is one thing, going against the Abyss Order is another. It'd be best that he stayed here, where we can keep an eye on him and ensure his safety." Twitch... He wouldn't admit it, but he certainly felt infuriated. To have... civilians? Knights? People...? tell a Spartan to hang back for their safety is... rather demeaning. He felt a little childish at the notion, Spartan's weren't prideful beings yet it didn't mean they didn't have any measure of it.
"I see... That reminds me, is Amber free today?"
"None of the Knights are free since Stormterror arrived Lisa. Is there something you need Amber for?"
"I was thinking of giving Aether gliding lessons. With him under our employ, I thought it'd be best we teach him how to use one. I'm sure Amber would be more than happy to help."
"Hmm... I don't see why not. I think Amber would enjoy that, I'll make sure to tell her as soon as she wakes up. I'll have to write a temporary permit and inform the rest of the guards..." The conversation drifted off to other matters, off of him. He slowly crept away from the door, silently walking back to his room lest he get caught.
...
White heels nervously shuffled in place, amber eyes glancing around. A large red ribbon sat atop long brown hair, a similarly red outfit clad her form. Amber, last outrider and Knight of Favonius known for excessive amounts of energy and bubbly personality, could only shift in place. There was a reason for that. That reason towered over her as the pair stood beside the railing overlooking the rest of the city. Wind gently breezed passed the pair and into the plaza .
"This is the manual? It appears more like a story than anything." The fairy broke the silence, peeking over the Spartan's shoulder. The young woman's face flushed. Her hands snaked the book from his hands and shoved it into her bag.
"It's not, it's... a story I read as kid. I must have mistook it for the manual." She cleared her throat, her blush lightening up. "Still I know the manual so I'll give you the short of it. Make use of a wind current, or a elevated position, to fly. Keep an eye on wind conditions and on your balance. Finally, make sure to retract the glider at an appropriate altitude else you may have a rough tumble." She grew more confident as she spoke of the subject, listing each point with a finger.
"Wow, you must know the manual inside out, huh?" Paimon muttered out. The girl stopped abruptly.
"Sure, I read the book on more than one occasion ha ha..." Amber placed both hands behind her head, averting eye contact. Strange... not exactly instilling confidence. "Anyway, here." She places a stone into his hand similar to what Lisa have given him except it was considerably larger. "Lisa explained what happened when you used her glider. It was a little risky, gliders are categorized by wing length for people of all sizes, yours being... the largest. Not only was the glider not suited for you, it's only for one occupant especially for a novice. The manual will go into greater detail about it."
"..." He placed the stone into the hard-case and looked back at her. She seemingly waited for him to talk. No reason to, it was rather straightforward. Said woman deflated a bit.
"Ok, how about we begin? I'll begin first, I'll jump off from here and glide my way down to the plaza with the fountain. Make sure to watch my form and follow me after. When gliding, weight distribution is very important. Stick your arms straight out at your sides for balance and bring a foot forward along with a foot backward so you don't roll yourself. Like this?" She mimicked the action as if she were in midair. "Now catch up! Whoo!" She ran to the railing and bounded off, wings blossoming off her back as her giggles slowly dimmed.
"C'mon after her!" Paimon zoomed off after the Outrider, leaving him alone. He only sighed to himself before jumping off, his own set of wings unfurling. These wings were substantially larger, large enough to span his torso. He mimicked the motion Amber demonstrated earlier and the flight stabilized. He kept things slow as he experimentally moving his arms and legs.
"help... me..." Someone's voice breezed past his ears as he quickly looked over his surroundings. Weak and incredibly faint, very easy to miss. Nothing among the rooftops not in the windows, passerby's walked below or those watching the flight show with mild interest. "I'm... *wheeze* sorry... Dvalin..." He became completely alert at the name, focusing on his hearing. It seemed as if... the wind was talking to him? How?! Every time the air blew into his helmet more words came out. He quickly glide straight down, cutting the training short.
Weak coughing reached his ears, as he turned his head which way to see if he could pin point the speaker. Perhaps not in the city? He maneuvered through minor crowds and buildings toward the gate at a brisk pace. The voice barely grew louder as he neared the entrance.
"Hey, why'd you run off like that?! Did something happen?" The fairy floated into view, keeping pace with him. He quickly shushed her, moving quicker. He reached the large grilled door barring his path.
"Whoa, whoa, where are you going?! You can't go out there! It's dangerous!" Amber caught up to the duo and stood before him. She nearly went tip-toed, placing a hand against his chest plate. The guards behind the gate peered back at them.
"Something's out there, need to investigate." Amber paused before planting her feet into the ground.
"...And how would you know that? You weren't high enough to see past the walls." Her eyes narrowed at him with suspicion.
"not... yet...!" The coughing came back louder yet... determined. Sounded male, young, sick...
"Don't have time to explain. Move." He deadpanned. She only stared him down harder, not moving. He didn't have time for this. He grabbed her by the armpits-
"Wha?! Hey! Let go!" and quickly put her aside. "Who do you think you are...?" Her voice trailed off as the Spartan grasped the bottom rungs of the gate. He braced and pulled, releasing a small groan of effort. The door gave a groan before the spiked bottom pulled out of the holes carved into the cobblestone. Stunned silence washed over as the Spartan slowly lifted the gate until it reached past his head. In one fluid motion, he stepped to the other side and released. It fell with a resounding bang as the large mass of metal came crashing down. He let out a quiet breath of relief.
"W-wait! Don't go, stay right there!" Amber backed away from the gate and looked above. "Open the gate!" She looked back to see the super soldier jogging away, already on the other side of the bridge. "Hey stop him!" The two gate guards ludicrously looked at each other and back at her.
"Us?! What are we gonna do? Drag him back? Did you see what he could do?"
"Aether?! Hey wait up!" Aether looked back, seeing Paimon overshoot the wall and zoom after the speeding Spartan. He stopped and waited, listening. Pained breaths brushed past his ears, it being louder in his left ear. He sprinted off into that general direction, entering the Whispering Woods if he recalled. He quickly outran Paimon's cries as he delved deeper into the foliage as he followed the voice.
"Hold on... Dvalin. I'll save... you." Pained grunting echoed out into the forest. He quickly pulled the assault rifle off his back and shouldered as he slowly walked the rest of the way. His thumb grazed over the selector, ensuring it was set to single shot. He opened the chamber enough to see that a cartridge was already inside before letting it closed. Pressing the mag release showed a full magazine before inserting it back in. He silently moved forward, keeping low to the ground and moving with cover in mind.
"ahh… ahh…" He heard heavy breathing further in, the sound faint and accompanied by rustling of grass. He slowly moved forward and around the noise in a clockwise rotation. Avoiding branches, dry leaves, and twigs he slowly came upon a prone form. A teen laid face down into the dirt, crawling further left where he came from. His clothing was primarily Aqua-green clothes with a cape covering his back and a cap atop short black hair sporting the color. Two braids of black hair gradually lightened into a light blue at the tips by the sides of his face.
"Freeze." He raised the rifle, aiming center mass. The boy flinched before stoping, lifting his hands an inch off the ground; palms open. In his left hand, he held an abnormally large aqua feather. Wait... the feather was barely glowing in his hand. The Spartan's eye flickered to the trail the boy left, a long drag mark that persisted further back. What immediately caught his attention was the trail was speckled with a black, tar like liquid. A very familiar liquid.
"Flip over and keep your hands up, slowly." The boy laid still for a moment before slowly using his elbows to lay on his back. He knew it. Aqua-green eyes looked at him and slowly scanned him from head to toe. The most discerning feature was his skin, it was unhealthily pale with pronounced black veins coursing under the skin. Black liquid painted his lips as it dripped onto his shirt. A vision with the sigil of Anemo, supposedly can control the wind, rested on his hip. On his other hip was a stained black lyre. A vision user, a threat.
He placed a boot onto his chest, quickly unclipping the vision and backing away. He placed it into his hard case and met the the boys glare.
"Tsk tsk, not even waiting for someone to pass away before you rob them of their worldly possessions. How fiendish." He wagged a finger at the super soldier.
"Security reasons. What's wrong with you? It's a sickness I haven't seen before." Aether lied, lowering the rifle, but keeping it close.
"Such harsh reception, I didn't know the Knights of Favonious have become cold hearted with their countrymen." Alright, he could be difficult too.
"Not a knight, let's just say I'm under their employ. What you have seems quite serious, so serious in fact that someone might die. Though… If I brought you help, this might spread to others. If I only knew more." The spartan shrugged helplessly.
"Hah… hah… a bard's joy is to bring happiness and song to others. Not woes and disease…" He coughed again, forming another black stain on his dirty shirt. "If you can be so kind, can you fulfill a bard's wish and bring him to Windrise under the Symbol of Monstradt's Hero."
"Isn't that the large tree? With the statue out front?" The bard chuckled, but a cough interrupted midway through.
"You aren't from around here, are you?"
"Aether! Aether! Where are you?!" He peered up and saw a white mass flew over the forest, looking down at the forest below.
"You wouldn't have any weapons on you?" The boy shook his head, unclipping the lyre. He smiled, brushing the strings releasing a sarcastic tune. The Spartan checked anyway, patting his form down; checking for any weapons or protrusions. He found none. He carefully picked the boy up in a princess carry and quickly moved.
Maintaining a brisk place, he dashed through the woods and reached the forests edge. Peering out, he could see an angry red figure zooming through the air and passing their position over the forest.
"Friends of yours?" The spartan ignored the question, intently watching Paimon and Amber flying over the forest, attempting to find him. Liabilities. This… boy is sick with whatever affecting the dragon. He's either another party or he's part of this Abyss Order. He doubted the latter, he wouldn't be in this position in the first place if he was. He's a lead the spartan can't afford to lose. He bolted, moving quickly to sparse trees and bushes that dotted the landscape towards the abnormally large tree. He periodically looked back to make sure they weren't spotted.
A few minutes passed before the gigantic tree loomed over them, bathing them in its shadow. He passed the statue in front and up the stairs, but not before curiously glancing at it. He placed the bard against the hard bark before backing away. The aqua donned boy sat up straighter, spending a minute in silence; focusing on breathing.
"You know... it's strange that you're out here. Outside of Monstradt's walls especially."
"One needs to travel, to inspire all kinds of verse. I simply got home sick is all."
"Home sick to the point to where you risk life and limb to reach it?" Bronze visor peered down at him, "Literally in this case."
"Stay outside of my homeland in comfort and leave the people's spirit to crumble? I don't think you realize the importance of a bard." He tsked playfully at him before pulling the lure out. "A traveling bard, leaving afar~ Following the verses of lands unknown, makes one to recall whats known. Akin to the wind, changes course. It's this bard's time to return home." He managed to sing out before he hacked again.
"...You're right. I don't know the importance of a bard and what it means to the people of Monstradt." Black lips turned up into a smile. "However I have a better idea of how important it is for them to meet their god." The boy blinked and to his credit kept a straight face, even going so far as to chuckle.
"Hehe, what are you talking about? I'm flattered for sure, but don't let the sisters hear that. They'll give you quite the earful." The Spartan wasn't easily deterred however.
"That feather in your hand, it's from the dragon; Stormterror." The bard's eyes flicked to the blue feather in his hand before placing it into his hat.
"No, it's not. It's just a good luck charm I got from my trip to Sumera. They got all kinds of birds in different colors."
"It's glowing." The super soldier deadpanned.
"...Besides how would I get even close to him? He's out there flying around Monstradt causing all kinds of trouble."
"Same way you got sick. That black tar that you're spitting out is the same substance that bled from it." The Spartan reached over his shoulder and pulled the blade out, letting it hang by his side. The bard tensed, eyes glancing between his face and his sword. "You know how I know? It's because I made it bleed." He monotoned, stepping closer; making the sick boy flinch.
"Stay *ack* back!" The bard placed a hand onto the bark, slowly standing up.
"You even go so far as to call him by name... 'Hold on, Dvalin, I'll save you.' Seems like you knew it personally. Odd since nobody has even met him for a hundred years unless you're willing to say you're the one controlling him." The gray giant took another step forward. "Be unreasonably careless for one to take the effort to manipulate the dragon and just get sick from it."
"I'm warning you...!"
"But you know what really put it all together? The statue behind me, an homage to Barbatos. Archon of Anemo, a god... one that looks exactly like you." In one quick motion, the Spartan swung the blade. Instead cutting into bone and flesh, the blade swung through air as the spartan was pushed back a few feet, digging trials into the dirt. Lances of aqua energy brushed past and over his armor; dispelling into the air.
He stared backed at the supposed 'boy' who had hand out, swirling aqua air in his palm. His aqua eyes glowed brightly as he breathed heavily. They both stared each other down before the Spartan placed the blade on his back, releasing a small metallic clang as magnetics did their job.
"And we both know that no human can control the elements without a vision." He crossed his arms. "So... are you gonna start talking? Dvalin needs saving." Barbatos, the god of wind could only lean back against the tree, leaning his head back. He explosively released his breath, taking a few seconds to breath.
"...You are intense... hah hah hah... way too intense..."
"..." The spartan stared at him impassively.
"...At least say something to soothe my aching heart."
"..."
"Ok... how did you find me? I find it hard to believe you were just nearby, especially with people chasing you."
"...I heard you while inside Monstradt's walls. Once I heard you mention Dvalin and assuming the poor condition you were in, I hurried here. It would have taken too long to explain if I tried. I'd doubt anyone would believe me anyway, I wouldn't." Barbatos gave a thoughtful frown. He plucked the feather from his cap and gave it a look. The feather was as large as the Archon's forearm, it glowed a bright aqua. He peered back at the spartan and slowly looked down his form. He didn't like the staring.
"That metal satchel you have... there's something in it. It resonates with Dvalin." The gem, yet... how could he tell? Even then how would 'resonance' cause him to hear someone outside the city? He wanted to shake his head, more magical nonsense.
He pulled it out, however he paused. The gem still retained its deep red color, yet it was now clearer. Clear enough that one could look through it. The dark red glow had switched around to glow a bright as possible, as if it were rejuvenated.
"Dvalin..." The fake-boy gave a sorrowful expression. He took his eyes off it and back to the bronze visor. "...That's his blood. Could you hand it to me?"
"Just a few questions first before I hand anything over. How could you tell his 'blood' was in there? Why would you want this? It was contaminated when I took it."
"I used elemental sight, it's an ability that elemental beings or vision users can use to see elemental particles in things. As to what I want with it... it'll cure me. This tree..." The bard brandishes the tree, arms wide open. " is slowly taking the corruption away. At the level I'm at, it'll take a real while. If I use that the blood, the life force of a great elemental being, it'll go away" he snapped his fingers "just like that. As to what purified it, I don't know. You had to have something to do with it."
"Flawless energy transfer..." The Spartan's thoughts led to the artifact hidden in his arm. It couldn't be? He peered at the crystal in his hands before handing it to the god. The Archon took it into his hands, and presented it. The crystal righted itself and floated above his palms, aqua energy seeping into its surface. The gem burst and disintegrated, its mass turning into the same aqua energy before seeping into the Archon's skin.
Pale skin soon flushed with its usual color, black veins receded, and the black stains vanished as it were washed by the wind. The wind dispersed, revealing the Archon back in health, said wind god released a large breath of relief. He threw his lyre off to the side where it disappeared into aqua particles of light... what? Only to reappear perfectly clean in the bard's hands. He hummed, strumming a tune out.
"Venti the bard, at your service." The bard posed brightly, he... could do that? Meaning he could have had anything on his person, catching the Spartan unaware. The super soldier tensed slightly at the thought, not liking the implications of materializing weapons out of thin air. "May I have my vision back?" The spartan spared a look before fishing said vision out and handing it to him. More likely a fake than anything since he's a supposed 'god', not needing a vision anyway. Grabbing the vision, the now claimed Venti placed the vision back on his hip before focusing on the super-soldier.
"Why do you hide yourself?" Aqua eyes flicker to him as the Archon paused.
"...What do you think freedom is?"
"Freedom. Absence of subjection or restraint." The boy only studied him for a moment for continuing.
"If I showed myself... I would be subjecting the Monstradt and the people in it." The bard peered off into the distance. "They revere me, worship me, and if one day I reveal myself... they may just hand me a throne... I don't want that... for me or them. That's not what I... or my friends fought for."
"And you want to save Dvalin, your friend right?" He looked back at him.
"More than anything."
"Than help me."
...
"Where have you been?! We've been looking all over for..." The white ball of fury drawled off, seeing the aqua form draped over the Spartan's shoulder. Amber rushed past the pixie and checked on the bard.
"Venti?! What happened to him?" The outrider went behind the Spartan's back to look at the bard's face. Venti lifted his face to meet her, revealing a black eye. Pressed against it was a icey blue blob of slime.
"Ah Amber! Nice to finally meet the lone outrider of Monstradt! After I was gallantly fighting off a whole band of particularly mean Mitachurls and a pair of Lawachurls, this good knight saved me in the nick of time." The hidden Archon gave a full-tooth grin at her.
"I found him getting beaten by a large group of hilichurls, turned out he was napping under a tree when he got ambushed." The super soldier monotoned.
"Slander! Slander, I say!" Any anger the outrider had dissipated as she sighed in relief before it was replaced by confusion.
"But how did you know where he was, or even that he was in trouble?" She walked beside him, looking into his visor; less with suspicion and more genuine confusion. The Spartan only jerked his head back at the bard. Lifting an un-slimed hand, the Archon formed a cup before placing it into his lips. His mouth moved, but no sound came out. In a clenched fist he threw it out and an aqua bird flew out disappearing out of view into the nearby shrubbery.
"Boo!"
"Aaahhh?!" The pixie recoiled as the bards voice ranged out behind her, a small burst of aqua dimmed to non-existence. Venti giggled at her expense.
"I saw it as I was gliding and it bursted, crying out for help. I went out as quickly as I could because I knew it would take time to find him, I apologize." The Spartan quickly explained as the pixie pointed a heated glare at the smirking god.
"No no no!" The outrider quickly waved her hands. "It's a really good thing that you did or else we'd lose someone tonight. It's just... don't do that again without a good reason, alright? We know that you can take care of yourself, it just won't sit right with us to let you go alone." Amber turned around, walking backwards with her hands behind her head. "Still for picking me up like a child, mark my words; you will have my vengeance!" She gave a bright smile as she giggled to herself.
...What a strange girl. He didn't know if he should take that statement seriously or not. Something tapped his helmet several times. He turned his head to the bard, the archon bringing his head close.
"I'll send word once we get back into Monstradt. Just keep the tear safe." The Spartan didn't acknowledge him and continued to look straight ahead. The statement already made the super soldier uncomfortable. The archon gave him Dvalin's 'tear', another red gem and asked him to purify it. He had looked at the bard dubiously before grabbing it, however... it worked, said gem clearing into a beautiful aqua. How the hell did it work? Was it due to the crystal, it had to be right? There was no other explanation for it. He want to shake his head at the m-word. "Magic."
Said tear now rested in his hard case, in the event Lisa asked for it. At least the charade it holding, Amber and Paimon none the wiser. The situation was less than ideal, with Jean holding out and locking everything down. Tying him down with it. Though he supposed it was more out of waiting for Lisa to make a breakthrough in learning how to deal with Dvalin. In his experience, such indecisiveness can and have gotten people killed.
Personally, he would have killed the oversized lizard when given the chance. Trying to pacify it would have been difficult even if a way was found. It just simply proved too much risk. This aren't his people though and he's not the one in command. Still, he has his own people to get back to and the sooner he get's this resolved, the sooner he can get back to the UNSC. Even if it means going behind the Acting Grand Master's back, then so be it.
...
2 Months, 2 Days Since Awakening
SPARTAN B-311
A lot has happened in the past two days, during one my hunting trips with Paimon; we were attacked by a dragon named Dvalin. During the scuffle, I was forced to interact with the current populace earlier than expected. It a strang matter of events I've came under their employ. As it turns out, Dvalin, though known more as Stormterror, has been terrorizing the nation I'm in as labeled as Monstradt. I'll have to make more dossiers for groups and individuals I meet, but for the moment; these logs will contain a generalization of my travels.
I've only spent a small amount of time with these 'humans' so I will withhold any comments until more time has passed. Other than that, I've barely done any real work under their employ and it has left me a little restless. As of now, when I went outside the cities walls, I've met their Archon... This world's version of a god. Honestly, it makes me a little nervous with some of the abilities it has shown. However Venti, as it likes to call itself, is the only way forward for me to accomplish my goals so I'll have to trust it for now...
He closed the book as an anemo specter of a bird flew toward him. Perching onto his shoulder, it combusted leaving a few whispers.
"Meet me in front of the Church once everyone has gone to bed. Alone." He frowned at that, regarding the implications. He peered down at the sleeping form beside him on the bench, the fairy having dozed off as he was writing. He decided to wait outside for the bards message. He carried her off back towards the Knight's Headquarters. He needed to prepare.
...
"...And that's the gist of it." Venti finished. Silence met him.
"So let me be clear, you want me to break into the Church, steal a holy lyre so that we can summon Dvalin and convince him to allow us to help him?"
"Well... yeah? You're saying it like it's dumb." That's because it is dumb.
"No, it's just that this plan has a lot of risk involved. What if Dvalin can't be summoned, what if he can't be convinced, what if he can't be saved? What then? Are you prepared for that possibility?"
"It won't come to that. I just need a chance."
"Like the one you had before you became a black tarred mess?" The bard recoiled.
"It'll be different, it has to be. I'll make sure of it." His eyes became more determined and more... heated. Seemed he struck a nerve... good, he needed the passion than just hopes and dreams.
"Is there another way other than stealing the lyre?"
"Well I did ask for it since it's mine to begin with, but... it didn't work out. I figure another way to get it is to ask for approval from the head priest and Jean, but I'd rather keep this matter discrete."
"Well, did you at least memorized the layout?"
"...huh, what do you mean?"
"When I go in, is there anything that I need to know? Patrol patterns, layout of the church, how many troops are there?" The Spartan counted them down.
"Ooohhh, it's just the main hallway to the basement. At the end of the main aisle, behind the pedestal. No one should be there other than a nun at this time, if that really. As to what goes on down there, I don't know. People aren't allowed down there. Ehe~" He rapped his knuckles against his head.
This is the worse operation with no foremost planning whatsoever he was going to take. The Spartan didn't say anything other than opening the church doors. Inside was the large main hall, glass pane windows lining the walls; pews empty. Standing in the main aisle was a nun who turned to greet him, a cryo vision pinned to her hip. Not only did that concern him, but her attire was different. The nun outfit she wore was not the tradition outfit he'd seen other nuns wear, with the primarily colors being a mixture of purple, black, and white with a crowned veil atop dark purple hair. Clawed hands clasped together in prayer before the nun regarded him.
"Welcome traveler, what brings you to church at this time? In need of prayer?" The statement seeemed innocent enough, however her eyes said otherwise. They were scrutinizing him to a deadly degree, the dark bags under them would make one believe that she was tired. Yet the glare was alert and her stance gave the smallest hint of tension.
"Just wanted a few moments to myself, someplace quiet." He moved past the nun and towards the basement entrance at the far end before stepping off to the side, seemingly studying the glass pane window by him. He barely tilted his head to the side to see that the nun has taken her place on one the pews. She held a silver mirror in one had and applied make up with the other, yet she kept an eye on him. His eye's narrowed at that, she was more than just a nun; she had been stalking him. For what reasons he didn't know, but he'd have to get rid of her. The main doors opened again and in came the bard.
Aqua eyes flicked from the sitting nun to him and back to her. Understanding twinkled in his eyes before he made his way to the nun.
"Sister! I'm sorry for this, but I'm in need of guidance for I have sinned!" One of her eyebrows twitched before she turned to him.
"I don't do the confessional, go approach another sister." She regarded him coldly.
"I can't do that, you're the only here tonight and I've been troubled the past few days. It's finally reached it's breaking point and I don't know who to turn to in these troubling times. I beg of you sister." He managed to sound utterly remorseful, hanging his head in apparent shame.
The nun looked as if she were presented with something revolting before she got up.
"...It is my duty as a sister to help those in need and guidance from our lord Barsibato." Venti face scrunched up at the name. Yeah, there's no way she's a real nun.
"Thank you, sister. Thank you." She beckoned at him with a finger before heading to the confessional. Only after hearing the confessional doors closing and muffled conversation did he quickly make his way to the basement entrance. Reaching the pedestal, he saw a crack in the wall and inserted his fingers into it. He pulled and quickly entered before shutting it behind him.
He moved through multiple halls and stair cases before reaching a large atrium full of all kinds of furniture such bookcases, desks, and cabinets. Lamps lining the walls and pillars gave a dim glow that produced dark shadows in multiple areas. Guards patrolled the large room. Easy enough. With great skill, he blended into shadows perfectly and silently maneuvered past conversing guards until he finally reached the room containing the lyre. A brown lyre with silver engravings sat atop a pedestal, he took a step and a flash of purple appeared at the edge of his vision.
His head whipped toward the source to see a masked woman appear out of thin air. His eye's widened as she ran towards the lyre, already at a dead sprint. Her hands reached out and grasped the musical instrument. He dashed forward, quickly covering distance before grabbing the offending thief's arm that held the lyre. She made a startled noise as she made eye contact with his visor. She placed a hand onto his wrist, electricity arcing off it.
He barely released a grunt as his muscles uncontrollable tightened and coiled, but he refused to let go. He reached with his other hand and grabbed the woman by her neck. She let out a panicked gasped before pulsing purple. A sudden sense of vertigo overcame him as his world turned purple before the light vanished. Instead of brown maple flooring or white walls, what greeted him was a room with dull gray brick walls and cobblestone ground. In a room of armed masked people that jolted in surprise at him. Multiple of them gave various cries of alarm at the choking thief, with many raising weapons of their choice. Guns, hammers, blades, and even overly sized gauntlets.
"...help me..." The woman managed to croak out, in her hand a ball of purple energy formed; electricity arcing off it.
Not. This. Time.
He squeezed.
SNAP!