CROSS ANGE:
THE GLITCH IN THE SYSTEM
ARC 2: THE BURN PRINCESS
With the break of dawn, the bright sun filled the crystal blue sky with hardly any clouds from last night's storm. A cool breeze to compliment the beautiful morning roamed the halls and promised a beautiful day for the residents of Arzenal who were still in high spirits from the previous night's celebration. That is, everyone except for Commander Jill. Having to induct a new arrival was always a headache but this one promised to be especially troublesome. With Inspector Emma at her side, they stood at the back of the classroom to observe the introductory education for the girl who sat at the very rear, occasionally shifting and wincing in pain caused by the undersized chair. Having been stripped out of her bloodstained dress, she now wore the standard blue tunic of base personnel.
"Surpassing time and space to attack this world," Mary the teacher announced, "the giant hostile life forms called DRAGONS." After shutting off the class monitor, she drew open the curtains and sunlight flooded the room. "Protecting the humans by intercepting and destroying the DRAGONS is the only reason Norma like you and I are allowed to live in this world. Never forget that as you fight with everything you've got."
"Yes Ma'am!" All the kids cheered except for the new arrival.
"Now who can tell me what is the name of the First Of we recently encountered?" She asked the school children who all raised their hands up enthusiastically.
"It's called The Scarlett Demon." A girl with black hair done in a single ponytail answered.
"That is correct Sue." Ms Mary praised.
"It was all thanks to Cal that it was defeated." Abigail said.
"They say he defeated it single handily."
"He's like a knight in a fairy tale."
"The Demon Slayer!" They all cheered and laughed.
"Alright kids settle down." Ms Mary hushed as she caught a disapproving glare from the Inspector. "We want to set a good example for the Commander and Inspector." Jill simply nodded at Ms Mary as her attention was mostly focused on the late arrival.
"Do you understand what's expected of you?" Jill asked in a sharp tone. "You better be taking notes Ange. It could mean life or death."
"At any moment now…" Ange grumbled as her long golden blonde hair shook, not even bothering to turn her head to look at her. "My release order forms from the Misurugi Empire will arrive very soon. You will not be forgiven for humiliating and defiling me, an Imperial Princess, the way that you have." Jill simply smirked. She reminded Jill of another princess who had once arrived on Arzenal a lifetime ago.
"Inspector Ange's education is complete. From today she'll be joining the first squad." Jill announced to Emma whose eyes bulged in surprised.
"The first squad?!" Emma gasped. "Commander are you sure?"
"I've already informed Zola of the situation. Ange let's get going." Roughly grabbing Ange by the arm, Jill yanked her from her chair and out of the classroom with Inspector Bronson behind them.
"Take your hands off me!" They all heard Ange demand from outside the room. The kids turned around to the commotion while Mary shook her head. 'What a despicable attitude.' She thought. 'Cal was like an angel when he first arrived compared to her.'
"I said unhand me!" Ange snapped yanking her arm out of Jill's prosthetic grasp which jerked awkwardly.
"Speak to your Commander with respect!" Emma warned shooting Ange a look. Jill glanced behind to the girl who once again kept her head down. 'It's not going to be easy breaking through to her,' Jill realized. 'Unlike Cal I might have to get rough with her.'
CHAPTER 20
ANGE
From inside the lower hanger the armourers worked their magic in repairing the broken and damaged Para-mail from yesterday's attack. Zola's in particular needed extensive cleaning out from the seawater, seaweed, and crabs which had managed to climb inside after it washed up on the reef. Across the hanger, Mei was hard at work getting Siegfried back into top shape. "That should do it." Mei sighed as she wiped her brow. "The Freeze Bullet Launcher is fixed."
"Thanks a bunch Mei," Cal called as he watched from the deck below. "I'll be sure to go easy on that thing from now on."
"You better." She warned pointing the wrench she was holding at him. "Or I'll shove this wrench sideways so far up your…"
"Yeah, yeah I get it." Cal promised before walking away. "And I thought the Commander could be scary." he muttered. Over on the ledge, the rest of First Squad had gathered. Zola was looking through a pair of binoculars with her arm around Hilda.
"So that's the imperial princess they've been talking about." Zola cooed.
"Hey Zola, what you looking at?" Cal asked.
"At our new recruit." Zola answered as she licked her lips.
"What seriously a new one already?" Cal asked. "2 new recruits in 2 days, you've definitely got your work cut out for you." Zola however didn't care for that too much. Her mind was on something entirely different.
"The body of a pure noble." Zola licked her lips grabbing Hilda's breast. "I can't wait to get my hands on her."
"You don't care who it is so long as she's fresh meat." Hilda sighed as Rosalie and Chris nodded in agreement.
"Aw c'mon don't tell me you're all jealous, just a little taste." Zola teased which made the girls pout.
"And here I thought Scarlett would keep you on a leash." Cal mumbled.
"You all are so cute." Zola brought the four into a smothering hug when without warning Zola's hand reached around to squeeze Cal's rear.
"Oi!" Cal yelped. "You know I hate that!"
"Captain!" Salia scolded. "Will you please keep physical contact to a minimum. The new recruits have complained that your massages really hurt."
"Yeah, yeah I'll be careful Vice-Captain." Zola purred. "So long as you don't keep this stud all to yourself." She smirked pointing to a spot at her neck as Cal escaped from the huddle. Salia blushed giving Zola a reproachful look as she yanked her collar up to cover the fresh love bite on her neck.
"I swear I thought with her and Scarlett back on good terms she would keep her hands to herself." Salia scowled.
"Well, she is slightly more controlled compared to when I first arrived." Cal admitted.
"Maybe, but she's always a little too aggressive."
"You're one to talk." Cal teased. "Especially after last night." Salia smacked him on the top of the head with the clipboard she was holding.
"Pervert." She frowned, her face reddening. Ersha giggled before taking the clipboard from Salia.
"Alright Miranda, Coco, this is the new recruit who will be joining us from today." Ersha said showing them the clipboard. "She's 16 so she's a little older but do your best to make her feel welcome."
"Yes Ma'am." They both replied. Curious Vivian leaned over to glimpse at the picture of the new recruit.
"Hey Salia, here's a pop quiz." She chirped. "Who do you think will die first?" Salia, Miranda and Coco gasped in horror, Cal however stifled a laugh.
"Why do you think I'm here!" Salia yelled grabbing Vivian, digging her knuckles into the younger Norma's head. "I'm training them so they WON'T!"
"Ow, cut it out before I die!" Vivian protested.
"We're as close as ever." Ersha giggled, however Coco looked nervous and a little taken aback by Vivian's comment.
"Hey, don't listen to Vivian, she's only kidding." Cal assured her. "With my new machine Siegfried, and Miranda by your side, we won't let anything happen to you." Coco felt the heat rise in her cheeks and fidgeted with her hands.
"Thanks Cal-Senpai." She smiled. Ersha then handed Cal the clipboard and looked through the new recruit's file. He had to admit despite her rough and bloody mug shot she was very pretty. Then his heart skipped a beat once he saw her name, 'Angelise Ikaruaga Misurugi.'
'That name! It's the same name in the letter Gramps stuffed in my pocket the night he died.' Cal remembered. 'You mentioned a Norma named Angelise Gramps. And that she'll have a heavy fate placed on her shoulders. What exactly did you mean by that Gramps?'
"Alright everyone let's get ready for simulator training." Zola announced. "The Commander wants us there in 15 minutes."
As they all began to change into their pilot suits Cal noticed Coco was extremely uncomfortable and embarrassed by the fact a man was changing in the same room as her. "Hey if you're uncomfortable with me being in here I'll wait outside until you've changed." He offered. Coco gulped then shook her head, she knew that everyone showered and changed with Cal despite him being a man. Though it was awkward, she knew she'd have to eventually get used to it and began to change into her standard grey and blue pilot suit.
However, her eyes gaped at Miranda's new pilot suit which she had bought with her extra cash from Cal. It was a pale dark blue with red highlights. "Did it cost a lot." Coco asked her.
"Not too much." Miranda answered. "But it will take you years since you always spend your pocket money on pudding." She giggled making Coco pout. Once they were all changed, they arrived at the simulators where the rest of the pilots were already training. Zola lined them up just as Commander Jill entered with a gloomy looking blonde-haired girl beside her.
"Salute the Commander!" Zola barked as everyone snapped to attention.
"She's in your hands now Zola, get her up to speed." Jill said, glad to be rid of the girl.
"Yes Ma'am." As Jill turned and left, Zola smirked as she examined the girl. Petite and slender yet well endowed; she looked even more enticing up close. "Welcome to the first squad. I'm Captain Zola." Zola approached Ange getting right into the girl's face, but didn't respond until Zola gave her a little shove forward by putting a hand on Ange's rear, giving it a little squeeze to make the girl yelp. "Vice-Captain introduce everyone."
"Yes Ma'am. I'm Salia the Vice-Captain." She greeted before gesturing to the other members of the squad. "This is our frontal assault, Hilda and Vivian."
"Hiya." Vivian waved as Hilda simply scoffed at Ange.
"This is Rosalie our light artillery gunner…"
"So then all of these things…are Norma?" Ange asked in an empty tone, interrupting Salia's introduction.
"Excuse me." Salia frowned, the reaction of everyone else ranging from outrage to disgust by Ange's comment.
"You think we're 'things' just because we're Norma?" Hilda asked.
"Listen Bitch." Rosalie growled while Vivian, not phased in the slightest, held her hand out to Ange.
"You got it." Vivian interrupted, seemingly not phased in the slightest as she held her hand out to Ange. "We're all Norma just like you. Wanna be friends?"
"Of course not!" Ange snapped. "I am the Empire of Misarugi's first Princess, Angelise Ikaruga Misarugi. I am not a Norma!" It was then that Ange finally noticed the taller of the group who stood at the back, her eyes widening in surprise and apprehension to see a man. "Wait a moment." She gasped. "What's a man doing here?!" He had an athletic muscular build with fair skin, short spikey jet-black hair and sky-blue eyes. He didn't look much older than she did and noticed he was wearing the same suit as the Norma but less revealing. "Why is a human working alongside Norma?" She demanded.
"Well that's because I'm not a human." Cal answered her casually. "I might be a guy but I'm a Norma too."
"What!" Ange gasped in shock, the very idea of a male Norma was non-existent. "Liar!" She yelled. "Did you make that up to hide the shame of betraying your own kind to fight alongside these things?!" Her further rant made Hilda even more irritated as the anger began to boil over. "You can't be a Male Norma it's impossible."
"Well, I can't use Mana just like everyone else here." Cal said plainly. "And you wouldn't be here if you weren't one as well."
"That's…" Ange stuttered, words trying to escape her. The memory of the policeman's barrier breaking as she touched it the previous day came flooding back to her, but she pushed it down. It was a fluke. Nothing more. "That's…because the light of Mana cannot reach this place that's all!"
Everyone sighed by that. "Well, the Inspector can use Mana here." Cal added.
"The light of Mana will return to me when I reach home." Ange muttered as Zola burst out into hysterical laughter.
"Damn Commander, you've given me a real pain in the ass this time." Zola muttered as she shook her head. "She's defective and she's in such denial she doesn't realise the situation she's in."
"And defects don't get to talk all big." Rosalie scowled. Chris gave a snide chuckle with a hand to her mouth.
"Yeah she is really pathetic." Chris mused adding salt to the wound. "I think she's going to cry. Poor baby."
"You are the defective ones!" Ange shouted. "And you…" She added as she turned at Cal. "If you are a Male Norma then you're even worse than they are. An abomination that…"and Ange's rant was cut off in a cry of pain as Hilda suddenly drove her heel into Ange's foot before sweeping her leg and knocking her to the deck.
"Know your place you pathetic so called 'Princess'." Hilda seethed towering over Ange. The redhead loomed over Ange and almost looked ready to hit her again when Ersha put a hand on Hilda's shoulder.
"Okay everyone, let's not fight." Ersha said.
"Are you kidding me." Hilda said. "This ugly cow needs to be taught a lesson. You of all people are just gonna allow her to talk to us and Cal like that?"
"Hilda's right." Chris agreed.
"Wait Ange isn't an ugly cow." Vivian interjected.
"Well, you do have a point." Ersha admitted, though she didn't want Ange to get hurt, she was rather angry and upset that the girl had the audacity to call Cal an 'Abomination.'
"You're too kind for your own good Ersha." Hilda sighed.
"I say we teach this bitch a lesson right now." Rosalie said as she cracked her knuckles.
"Alright that's enough!" Zola barked stopping all the commotion, she walked over and picked Ange off her feet, patting her on the head like a cat. "Listen there's no need to be catty here." Zola purred into Ange's personal space. "We're all Norma here…right." Ange didn't respond but glared at Zola with an icy fury. "Alright," Zola announced as she shifted into her professional mode, "Let's begin simulator training. Ersha, Rosalie, Chris you're with me. Let's work on that new artillery scenario I've planned up since we're down to one light artillery gunner. Salia show the new arrival the ropes." Salia saluted though she was annoyed she had to train someone as defiant as Ange. "Hilda test Miranda's pilot and combat skills on level 4. Cal, I want you to train Coco in her first simulation flight. The Commander thinks you might have what it takes to make officer so consider this training yourself as well. Vivian you're with us, we'll need frontal cover in our new formation."
"You got it." Vivian pumped her fist with excitement. As Zola dismissed everyone, Hilda and Cal took Miranda and Coco to the farther simulators, leaving Salia alone with Ange. "Come with me Ange." Salia ordered.
"I refuse," she answered. "You don't have the authority to order someone like me around." Salia's patience finally ran out as she pulled out her knife from its sheath and with one quick movement, pulled Ange into an arm lock and held the knife to her throat. Ange's eyes widened with fear and shock by how quick that was.
"Orders from your superiors are absolute. Understood?" She warned. Ange gulped and nodded her head. From the side lines; Cal, Hilda, Miranda and Coco watched as Salia and Ange disappeared around a corner through the hallways. Hilda in particular had a satisfied smirk at how Salia put that spoiled bitch in her place.
"Ha look at her, she's all talk then cries when threatened." Hilda mocked.
"Why is she so bitter?" Miranda asked feeling insulted by the way Ange had spoken to them, Coco however noticed a slight tint of anger in Cal's eyes, as if something bad had resurfaced.
"Are you okay Cal-Senpai?"
"Yeah I'm good, just a little annoyed." Cal replied.
"Don't let her get to you," Hilda told him. "A big mouthed bitch like her will be shitting herself when thrown into combat."
"Well I'd never thought I would see this side of you Hilda, defending me like that." Cal joked. "I knew you cared for me all along, I feel all warm and fuzzy now."
"Watch it." Hilda warned as Coco and Miranda giggled. "I know how much of an ass you are, so only I get to insult you like that." Then flicked her twin tails in Cal's face.
Cal however was more annoyed at Ange, when she had called him 'Abomination', it had reopened the horrid memory of the night he and his Gramps were attacked and how one of the soldiers called him that. It was a hard reminder the way humans saw Norma and how he was perceived as the only Male Norma in the world. 'Seriously, this is the girl that Gramps wrote about?' Cal dreaded. 'Who does she think she is?'
After being brought to the locker room, Ange seated herself on the bench and looked around. All in all, it looked just like the one she and her friends used back in school. It was the only thing so far that reminded her of home. Salia meanwhile rummaged through one locker. Since Ange was a late arrival everything from her uniform, locker and pilot suit was second hand.
"This is your pilot suit," she announced. "Put it on."
"Ugh…" Ange grimaced. The suit resembled something from an adult lingerie store. The very thought of wearing that made her stomach churn. "I can't wear that, it's way too revealing for me." It was then she noticed a few dried-up blood stains below the name tag that read 'Naomi.' "What is that?" Salia turned the suit over and her eyes filled with sadness.
"It belonged to someone else." Salia said quietly. "She was a friend who died." With a sigh she pulled off Naomi's tag out and set it to one side.
"Wait, you're giving me a dead Norma's clothing?" Ange gasped.
"Look it's all we have since you're a late arrival." Salia sighed. "If you want something new, you'll have to go buy it yourself."
"Well what about that one boy's suit?" Ange asked. "Couldn't I wear something like that instead?"
"Cal's suit was custom made and paid for with his own money. So just put it on." In a huff, Ange snatched the pilot suit out of Salia's hands and threw it across the room.
"I'd rather be naked than wear that thing and you can't force me too!"
"Oh really?" Salia's mouth thinned as her eyes narrowed. "Have it your way then." Before she could counter, Salia lunged at Ange and began to strip her out of her clothes. Ange shrieked and tried to fight back but was ultimately powerless to keep herself from being shoved butt naked into the hallway. Ange tried to lunge back into the room but Salia put all her weight behind the door and held it closed.
"Let me in this instant." She cried as she banged on the door. As if on que, two girls came walking down and saw the naked Ange trying desperately to get back in.
"What's going on?"
"She's naked. Seriously?"
"Open up! What if that Abomination comes through and sees me!" Ange yelled.
"I will," she heard Salia say from the other side of the door. "If you promise to stop calling Cal an abomination! You better hurry up. He usually comes down the hallway around this time." Ange squealed and cried more loudly.
"OKAY PLEASE I PROMISE. JUST LET ME BACK IN!" Salia gave it a few more seconds before letting Ange back in who practically launched herself in like a rocket and collapsed to the floor, her face brick red and panting heavily.
"What's wrong? You said you'd rather go naked!" Salia picked the suit off the floor and held it out to Ange who angrily snatched it from her. 'This is just what I learnt in school.' Ange thought flipping and turning the piece of clothing around. 'How barbaric can these Norma be?' Then her mind traced to the sole male Norma and an ice-cold shiver went up her spine, not wanting to find out how savage he could be compared to the women.
"Come on hurry up!" Salia said impatiently as Ange blushed in embarrassment.
"Can you…help me…please?" She gulped.
"What!" Salia gaped. "You've never dressed yourself before?" Her eye began to twitch as she face palmed. "Seriously, you're worse than a toddler."
Once Jill was rid of Ange, she immediately went to the infirmary to get her prosthetic arm repaired. To her relief the infirmary was only occupied by Maggie and Jasmine who were waiting for her.
"Oh, look at this welt you have." Maggie teased as she tended to Jill's stump. "My goodness it's completely swollen up." Jill winced as Maggie was being rather rough. "Does it hurt? How much? Describe it for me." Maggie pressed on getting right into Jill's face who grimaced from the smell of wine on Maggie's breath from last night.
"You stink of booze Maggie." Jill sighed in annoyance before chopping her on top of the head with her good hand.
"Ah ha." Jasmine announced as she worked at Jill's prosthetic with a power drill. "I found the problem, the screws on the outside of the wrist are stripped." She clicked her fingers, and Vulcan brought her a box containing shiny silvery bolts which she displayed to Jill. "I just got these in from the Misarugi Empire. A little more expensive but sturdier."
"Just put it on my tab." Jill told her.
"My pleasure." Jasmine chuckled as Maggie reattached Jill's prosthetic arm back into place. "You need to be more careful with that arm Jill, it's tough but nowhere near as tough as you."
"Apologies. But I had to deal with a restless horse with a wild kick." Jill said, lighting a cigarette to which Maggie opened a window.
"You mean Her Majesty, right?" Jasmine corrected.
"That girl is a wreck Jill, are you sure she belongs with the first squad?" Maggie asked. "She's not exactly like Cal was when he first arrived. At least he had Gaz's training him all those years behind him, but that girl's been fed with a silver spoon all her life." Jill puffed out a cloud of smoke as she coldly smirked at them.
"If she dies, then she didn't belong here." However, she had worked too hard for a star prize like Ange to go to waste. "But maybe she just needs a little…help." Jill handed Jasmine a clipboard and the older woman raised an eyebrow.
"Are you sure this is the solution?" Jasmine questioned. Jill grunted and snubbed out her cigarette.
"If she is the right one for Villkiss then she along with her knight need to start bonding so they trust each other. No better way than this."
Finally, with Salia and Ange returning, everyone was ready to begin training the recruits. "Is that…" Cal asked, seeing Ange dressed in a familiar blue pilot suit. "Is that Naomi's?" Hilda saw the sudden disgust in his face and spoke up.
"She's a late arrival so she'll be given hand-me-downs. It's standard procedure."
"But Naomi…" Cal said in sudden anger.
"Look there's more important things to worry about. Focus on the new recruit's training." However, this did little to ease Cal. Seeing the new girl in Naomi's pilot suit felt so wrong that his stomach lurched, yet he held his tongue and accepted it as he and the others took the new recruits to the simulators that had been reserved for them. "Para-mail destroyer mode simulator activated." Hilda announced. "Confirm Plenum chamber charge."
"Plenum chamber charge complete." Miranda replied gripping her controls as Hilda set her battle scenario to level 4. At his station, Cal checked Coco's progression as she plugged her chamber charge into place. Coco then readied the gears, and the cockpit gave a loud hiss making her yelp.
"Release the arresting gear first unit Coco." Cal instructed.
"R…releasing arresting gears now!" Coco said nervously.
"Coco relax it's your first flight." Cal told her.
"I'm nervous Cal-Senpai." She gulped as cold sweat began to form across her head.
"Don't worry we're just going through the basics. We'll tackle this one step at a time so show us what you're made of."
"I'll make you proud Cal-Senpai." Coco vowed. As Ange was escorted to the simulator, the revealing suit she wore made her skin cold as goosebumps sprouted all over her. She could imagine how ashamed her friends and family would be if they saw her dressed like this. Salia meanwhile shoved her in one of the large metal boxes and gave a rundown of the buttons, switches, controls and gears. "What is this thing?" She finally asked.
"It's a Para-mail simulator." Salia replied.
"What's a Para-mail?"
"We Norma fly them into battle. Think of it as our coffins." Salia closed the simulator door shutting Ange inside. "You won't get it right on your first flight," she broadcast through Ange's visor. "For now, just get used to the feel of flying."
"Requesting lift off." Hilda announced.
"Unit Miranda requesting lift off confirmed." Miranda replied, eager to up her score to level 5.
"Requesting lift off." Cal called next.
"Unit Coco…requesting lift off…confirmed." Coco felt her body shake from nervousness and swallowed the huge lump in her throat.
"What are you trying to force me to do?" Ange asked as she got more confused. "Please explain."
"Unit Angje confirmed." Salia said ignoring Ange's question. "Flight mission 07 begin!"
Before she could demand a further explanation, Ange was launched out of the hanger and sent careening into the sky. Her long blonde hair flew back behind her in every direction as she screamed in terror. "Hyaaaaah! Why is this happening to me?!"
"Keep both hands on the controls! Your about to pull up." Salia instructed. Before she could react, Ange was sent rocketing towards the clouds. "Now turn." Salia announced. Ange felt herself yanked as her machine swerved sideways and almost ended up doubling over upside down. Ange tried to keep her eyes open but the swirling made her feel sick, she closed her eyes wishing it would stop. "Keep your eyes open, this is nothing compared to live combat." Salia ordered.
Cal watched as Coco blasted out into the sky and pulled her body and head down almost to the point of hugging the cockpit. "Coco keep your head risen and eyes straight ahead." Cal instructed. Coco did as she was told and held onto the controls for dear life.
"Let's try levelling out when performing a dive." Cal told her. In an instant Coco was sent forwards into a dive straight towards the rocky sea. "Don't pull up at the last minute. We're just practicing levelling out for now." Coco pulled up hard, squinting against the G-forces pushing up against her. "Keep those eyes wide open Coco!" Cal reminded her trying to keep Coco from pulling up too hard but too late as she almost sent herself into a backwards loop. "Waaah!" She squealed, desperately trying to straighten out.
"I'm sorry Cal-Senpai…I just…"
"Don't be sorry, just don't crash. Let's try that again." For her first retry, she reacted too late and crashed into the sea. The second time she had managed to level out and cheered in celebration causing her to lose control and spiral wildly. Finally, the third time she pulled off a perfect climb. "Good job Coco, now let's try something a little different."
"I don't feel so good Senpai." Coco moaned, her stomach beginning to rumble and churn.
"Keep it together Coco." Cal urged. "This is just your first flight, now let's see how you handle circling." As much as he wanted to help her out, he knew the best way was to keep pushing her forward. 'Me and Ersha have spoiled her and the children a lot.' He mused. But now it was time for a little tough love.
As soon as Miranda was in the air Hilda adjusted her settings. Ange and Coco's Glaives disappeared as the sky turned from day to night and the silhouettes of 20 schooners and 3 Corvettes appeared before Miranda.
"Unit Miranda ready to engage the enemy." Hilda announced.
"Ready." Miranda called. Miranda opened fire and began to mow down the Schooners first. However, she misjudged the distance and had to bank upwards to avoid being hit by one of the Corvettes' energy attacks.
"Unit Miranda keep your distance as far away as possible, charging into a large hoard will be tough to pull off." Hilda pointed out. Miranda quickly pulled up to the highest she could go before reaching the clouds, converting to destroyer mode as she began raining down bullets at the incoming swarm. But in doing so she left her left flank exposed, allowing a Corvette to tackle her as her surroundings turned black and the huge crimson words 'Mission failed' popped in front of her eyes.
"Damnit." She groaned as Hilda rubbed the bridge of her nose.
"Try again, next time don't be so reckless." She said as the mission restarted.
"Yes Ma'am!" Miranda confirmed. She had to get stronger. Coco and Cal were counting on her to carry her weight and she wasn't going to let them down.
For over five minutes Ange was still struggling. She had not managed to perform any manoeuvre to recruit standards and Salia's patience was running thin. "Unit Ange I repeat pull your body forward when mounting. You'll be able to turn and move more fluidly." Beside Ange, Coco almost flipped backward as she let out a yell. Ange did as she was told and as she did a strange sense came over her.
'Why does this feel so familiar?' She wondered. However, her thoughts were cut off by Salia's voice.
"Okay next let's practice vertical diving." Quickly and sharply, Ange's para-mail dove down towards the earth, the green and rocky surface of the island below coming closer and closer by the second. "Pull up before you hit the bottom." Salia instructed. Ange continued to stare at the upcoming ground, deep in thought as it finally clicked. 'Wait I know this feeling.' She thought.
"Unit Ange pull up now!" Salia warned, seeing she was less than 100 meters from crashing. Her hand hovered over the emergency stop button. At the speed she was going the sudden halt would be akin to slamming into a brick wall. 'Guess that's too be expected from a late arrival.' She thought as Ange's face suddenly lit up.
'Yes! This sensation.' she realized. As her feet adjusted the gears and her hands gripped the controls tightly, with a fierce yell she pulled up with all her strength as she rose back into the air. 'I knew it. This is just like Iaria!' It was just like being back home at the stadium matches at Ho-oh Academy. Only instead of Momoka controlling the sled, Ange was the one piloting.
As she watched outside, Salia's jaw dropped as Ange suddenly began flying as if she were a veteran. "That was quick how did she…" Salia gasped.
For the next hour, as Miranda and Coco continued to struggle through their simulations, Ange continued to fly around with such confidence and accuracy Salia simply allowed free reign.
"Well, she's something else." Salia looked over her shoulder and Zola saw grinning as she watched alongside Ersha and the others.
"It looks like she has some natural talent." Ersha smiled. Rosalie and Chris however scowled.
"Ange is awesome!" Vivian said in a cheerful tone. "She's got badass skills." Over by their simulator, Cal shut off the power and opened the door to help Coco out.
"You did great pulling off that double loop at the last minute." Cal praised. "Next time you'll do better." Coco however didn't reply as her face turned green and she doubled over. Before Cal could react, her entire body shuddered and she vomited out the mouth opening of her helmet, spraying it all over Cal. "AW C'MON NOT AGAIN!" he cried in embarrassment as Vivian roared with laughter. "Hey Viv, you wanna give your big bro a hug?" Cal dared holding his arms out walking towards her.
"No thanks!" Vivian squealed running for her life.
"Hilda?" he asked with a mischievous smirk.
"Try it and I'll gut you like a fish!" she threatened.
"Cal go and get yourself and the new recruit cleaned up." Zola said. "We'll handle the rest from here." Grabbing a bucket just in case, Cal headed off with Coco to the showers.
"I guess first flight is always an experience," came a voice from behind Zola as Scarlett appeared, towelling her face off from training. "I heard you got the Princess. How much of a pain has she been?"
"Let's put it this way," Zola admitted. "Sadie was less of a problem than her."
"That's an achievement if I ever heard one," Scarlett added as she leaned over Salia's shoulder to get a better look at Ange's progress. "I have to admit she is rather impressive for a rookie. I've never seen one take to first flight so easily before."
"Not as impressive as the moves you pulled off last night in bed." Zola lustfully smirked. Rosalie and Chris both blushed but Scarlett rolled her eyes in annoyance.
"You'll never change." She mused. "Just go easy on the princess."
"As long as I have you, girls, and the stud around, I'll promise to behave."
"Yeah right." Scarlett said sarcastically.
After arriving at first squad's locker room, Cal and Coco stripped out of their vomit encrusted flight suits and wrapped some towels around themselves before going in to clean up. "You okay?" Cal asked patting Coco on the back.
"Yeah, I'm good…I just..." Coco panted heavily before she once again shuddered and retched once more into the bucket. Hearing the door open, Cal looked up to see none other than Miranda standing in the doorway. "Hey Miranda, will you look after Coco so I can get cleaned up?"
"Make it stop…" Coco begged, her stomach spinning like a washing machine.
"Don't worry Coco," Miranda comforted her as she knelt by her friend's side. "At least you didn't vomit inside the simulator like I did. Captain Zola made me clean out the whole thing." Cal meanwhile took one of the shower stalls near the door. Removing his towel, he was about to turn the nozzle to the hot water until a deafening scream filled the entire room. They all turned to see a naked Ange, her face as red as a tomato, her arms covering what dignity she had left.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN HERE YOU…YOU PERVERT!" Ange screamed. Before Cal could react or even speak, she slapped him hard enough to nearly make him stumble.
"Have you lost your mind!?" Cal shouted. Like a feral animal Ange grabbed anything she could get her hands on from stools, shampoo bottles, sponges and soap and threw them at him.
"DO YOU HAVE ANY SHAME?!" She wailed almost on the verge of tears. Everything flew across the room in a frenzy fire as Cal took cover behind one of the stalls, blood now running from his lip to his chin.
"Oi stop it! Will you calm down and just listen to me?!" Cal yelled in desperation as a wash basin struck him in the mouth. Something hot drooled from his mouth and Cal reached up to feel that she had actually busted his lip.
"GET OUT NOW YOU ANIMAL! PERVERT!" As Ange was ready to throw another stool a firm hand caught her wrist.
"That is enough." Ersha warned. "The showers are for washing not fighting." Though her tone was gentle her eyes were fierce, making Ange back down as everyone else entered.
"You having fun with the princess without me?" Zola teased.
"Do I look like I'm having fun!" Cal said angrily.
"Aw my poor stud," she cooed as she smushed his face into her ample bosom. "Don't worry I won't let her bully you anymore." Ange was beside herself with shock and disbelief at the scene before her.
"What do you all think you're doing?" She demanded.
"What do you mean?" Vivian innocently asked.
"You're all naked!"
"So?"
"You're telling me that you all shower and wash with that…that pervert?!"
"Now Ange just calm down," Ersha urged. "Cal's a Norma same as us!"
"But he's a man!" she shrieked. "I knew you Norma were indecent and uncivilized, but this is…" again, Ange was cut off when Hilda grabbed her by the neck and slammed her against the shower wall.
"You better watch your mouth burn princess," she warned. "Or you'll be digging an early grave."
"You okay Cal?" Chris asked.
"Ouch, looks like she nailed you good," Rosalie snickered.
"I'm fine, just keep that friggin psycho away from me." Cal growled taking the furthest stall away from Ange. As they squad began to shower, Hilda washed off Zola while Chris and Rosalie offered to bodyguard Cal, all the while Chris washed his back and Rosalie his front, dropping no small amount of hints that they wouldn't mind "comforting" him after his trauma with Ange.
"I'm quite impressed with our little royal pain." Zola said while Hilda began to scrub Zola's arm. "She didn't even vomit during her first simulation." Coco kept her head down, looking ashamed of herself. "Haha don't worry about it newbie. Take Rosalie here, it took her a week before she stopped wetting herself." She laughed as Rosalie gasped then blushed seeing Cal trying to stifle a snicker.
"You've taken a liking to her haven't you." Hilda mumbled coldly as Zola felt her scrub a little too hard.
"Yeah, she'll do." Zola grinned.
"Hey Salia!" Vivian chirped. "What's Ange's deal? She's really funny!" Salia didn't answer, her eyes narrowed as she turned to look at Ange who was bathing far away from everyone else.
Letting the water wash over her, Ange felt her heart hammering against her chest. 'These Norma are more barbaric than I thought, showering with a man as if it's perfectly natural. This place is so wrong and diabolical. I have to return to my home no matter what.'
As the day stretched out, Salia took Ange for a tour around the base while Cal and most of the others headed to the cafeteria to a much-needed lunch. Hilda had become surprisingly quite possessive, taking Zola away for a little 'stress relief.'
"I'm surprised at Hilda." Rosalie announced. "Usually, Zola's the more persistent one."
"I noticed that to." Cal admitted.
"What do you mean?" Chris asked.
"Doesn't she seem, I don't know, a little down lately?" Cal said to which Rosalie and Chris shrugged. Ersha however knew what Cal was getting at. With Zola and Scarlett back on good terms it was if Hilda was fighting a losing battle when it came to Zola. As he took a bite, he winced as he felt his lip and cheek throb.
"Still feeling it huh?" Rosalie asked. "I'm glad that bitch isn't here to piss me off." Rosalie growled.
"When do you think she'll break?" Chris smiled evilly. "I bet in 2 days she'll cry like a baby. The defectives always do."
"What does that mean? Defective?" Cal asked.
"It's a word we use to describe late arrivals that deny they're Norma." Ersha told him. "Before Ange or you for that matter, 6 years ago Sadie was the oldest late arrival at 14. It wasn't until 6 months that she finally accepted reality." Cal groaned at the thought of putting up with Ange's attitude for that long.
"Here's a pop quiz." Vivian chirped through a mouthful of mash potatoes. "What's Ange's deal with Big Bro? Why does she hate him the most?"
"Because she's never seen a Male Norma before." Cal answered. "She probably never thought it was possible until now."
"To be fair everyone here was shocked when you first arrived." Ersha giggled. "Seems like a lifetime ago now."
"Yeah, I've always wondered how you are the only Male Norma in the world." Rosalie mentioned. "I guess it would be great if there were more like you. Then we wouldn't have to share."
"I guess." Cal replied nervously, staring at his tray in thought. They had no idea that his whole existence was a freak accident due to a failed experiment and didn't intend to tell them.
"I wonder what Ange's life was like outside of this place?" Coco said dreamily. "Do you think it's exactly like those fairy tale stories?"
"I'd assume but she doesn't act anything like a princess and more like a screeching banshee." Cal joked.
"C'mon I'm being serious," Coco pouted. "I want to know what it's really like outside here." Cal looked at Coco understandingly. She had always longed to see what the outside world was like and used to be obsessed in asking Cal questions of his former life on the island with his Gramps.
"Please tell me again Senpai!" Coco begged resting her head against his shoulder, Ersha smiled while Rosalie and Chris found the whole thing cute.
Up on the wall, the clock suddenly chimed half past the hour and Cal leapt out of his chair.
"Crap I'm gonna be late!" Cal panicked finishing his food up quickly.
"What's wrong?" Miranda asked.
"I'm due for my shift back at the mall." He told them handing Coco his pudding as a way to apologise for his sudden leaving.
"You're late." Jasmine said in a dangerous tone seeing Cal panting as he arrived.
"Sorry I was a little distracted." He grinned scratching the back of his head. It was then she noticed his cut lip and the bruise over the right side of his mouth.
"I see Hilda gave you some trouble in sparring again," She noted.
"Actually, it's from that newbie Angelise." Cal told her. Taking a quick look to make sure no one was eaves dropping, Cal came forward to talk more privately to her. "I actually wanted to ask you or the Commander about her. You know, Gramps letter. How did he know she was a Norma and who is she exactly?"
"I'll tell you once you're finished, away from prying ears." Jasmine promised as Cal picked up a few crates. "Now hurry and get to work or I'll dock your pay."
"Hey, you should be giving me a rase since I bring in the customers." He joked. With a loud crack, Jasmine smacked him on the rear with the death stick.
"Get on with it!" She warned making him hurry away from her. 'Damn that boy.' She mused. 'He's getting more and more like Gaz every day.' Taking her usual place at the mall entrance with Vulcan by her side, Jasmine relaxed as she took a drag on her pipe. In celebration of the mall reopening, Jasmine had started a 10% off sale and with Cal working again business was like a cash mine.
Hearing someone approach, she looked up and who should she see but Salia walking alongside a girl with long blonde hair. 'So that's the princess.' She thought. The girl looked green as they came, but word of her surprising success at her first simulation had travelled like wildfire.
"Showing the rookie around?" Jasmine said.
"Yeah, I'm here to collect her pilot uniform and dorm keys." Salia instructed.
"You don't say." Jasmine said, though she wondered why Ange's blue base personal uniform was torn. As Ange changed in one of the dressing rooms, Jasmine waited outside to talk with Salia. "Word has it she has a natural talent for flying."
"Beginner's luck." Salia scoffed. "Her attitude though is a problem. She actually called Cal an abomination." Jasmine guessed she shouldn't be surprised someone from the outside would think that. Not that it made her any less irritated.
"You'll probably need these as well," Jasmine said as she handed Salia a set of keys.
"Room 13-A!" she gasped loudly." But that's…"
"Commander's orders, she wanted someone to keep a close eye on the girl." It technically wasn't a lie, but Jasmine had a feeling Salia wouldn't be too happy if she learned of Jill's plans for Ange.
"This is outrageous." Salia frowned. "What is Jill thinking?"
"I don't make the rules hon. So long it doesn't interfere with the squad's morale or Libertus then everything should be fine." Salia sighed in disappointment and Jasmine smiled as if knowing exactly what was on her mind. "I think you two will be fine without having each other for company for a few nights." she teased, making Salia's face turn brick red as she covered it with a clipboard.
"What we do, it's…it's just…for stress relief." She stuttered in alarm. "Because…I am getting a little too old for that costume." Jasmine shook her head in bemusement and decided to let her off the hook. Seeing her win over Cal last night against the other girls reminded her of herself. When Gaz first arrived, she fought like hell against the other Norma and female ancient folk from getting their hands on him since Gaz was eye candy for being the most muscular man in Libertus.
Finally, the curtain opened, and Ange was now dressed in the standard pilot uniform that consisted of a midriff baring white and black tunic. Though regulations allowed for pilots to customize their uniforms, Ange had opted for a variation of the standard ensemble consisting of a sleeveless maroon collared jacket with a short black skirt, pale green high stockings, and black and white heel boots. "Follow me Ange." Salia ordered.
"Sure you don't want to pick out some accessories?" Jasmine asked. Ange ignored her and fallowed after Salia without a word. 'I guess late arrivals are all the same.' Jasmine concluded.
At 17:00 Cal finally finished, and Jasmine pulled him into the storage room to talk privately. "So, what's the deal with Ange." Cal questioned. "How did Gramps know about her?"
"Well from what we've gathered she's been sheltered all her life by her parents." Jasmine began.
"But why is she denying that she is a Norma?"
"Because her maid used her Mana to tend to her every need. Your Gramps managed to put the pieces together before the world found out." For the next half hour, Jasmine gave Cal a rundown of who Ange was and how she was exposed as a Norma. To say he was shocked was an understatement. A Norma shrouded by royalty and wealth been kept secret in plain view.
"So she's been pampered her whole life and in denial about it so she punches me in the face," he groaned. "God this is going to be a pain. Even Abigail wasn't that bad." A sudden slap of cold hit Cal in the face as Jasmine tossed a raw piece of steak at him.
"For your mouth." She laughed. "Look she'll have to accept reality soon. But until then she might need a little help. She may be a pain, but she is your new squad mate."
"I guess you're right." Cal sighed. "Don't worry, I promised Gramps that I would help her out and that is what I intend to do."
After leaving the flea market masquerading as a mall, Ange followed Salia through the maze of hallways until finally coming to a metal door with the number 13-A labelled on it. Salia unlocked the door and handed Ange a paper bag with her keys on top.
"You've been assigned to this room." She said irritably throwing a small stack of bills to her. "Use this to buy anything you need. Role call is at 5 AM." As Salia walked back to her room; she was tired, annoyed, and frustrated that she would miss Cal's touch tonight. 'I might let off a little steam as Holy Knight Pretty Lilian before Vivian comes back.' She decided.
Ange entered the dark room and felt disgusted as she looked around. Never had she seen such a small bedroom in her life. And it was meant for two people. It had two wardrobes and two identical wall stands with a single bared up window. On the right was a single extremely uncomfortable looking bed. However, the left side was much nicer and livelier. The much larger bed was a small double size that looked much softer and more comfortable. The bed sheets were midnight blue with white stars. By the wardrobe was a small desk and plastered all over the walls was several drawings. Curious, Ange stepped forward to better examine the drawings. One was of a waterfall, the other of a small cabin as well as places she recognized from around the base. However, one stood out amongst the rest. It was a drawing of a girl that looked a similar age to her. She had violet eyes, long dark pink hair with two bunches done like cat ears. And the way she was painted she looked very happy and full of light. 'This must be my roommate,' Ange thought. 'For a Norma she's surprisingly talented as an artist.'
After gaining her bearings, it dawned on her how small and closed in she was. Her room felt more like a prison cell and it began to dawn on her how much she missed home. She closed her eyes trying to remember home and it came to her as if she was there only minutes ago…
…Taking a hold of her wardrobe doors, Ange pulled them open and smiled as the interior shone with dresses in every color of the rainbow. In the Empire of Misurugi, the civilians wanted for nothing but as first Imperial Princess, Ange was blessed with foremost access to the most glamorous of fashions. Behind her she heard a soft humming and turned to see her personal maid Momoka making her large bed.
"Sister!" a voice called from outside. Ange skipped to the window and opened up to find her entire family looking up to her from the royal courtyard below. Her father, Jurai Asuka Misurugi, stood tall and proud beside her mother, Sohpia Ikaruga Misurugi, as beautiful as an angel. Behind them mounted on a large brown stallion were her Brother, Julio, handsome and wise. And seated in front of him was her little sister Silvia who waved up to her.
"Hello there Silvia!" Ange called as she waved back, feeling the cool fresh air on her face. "Momoka prepare my horse…"
Turning around Momoka was nowhere to be found. And instead of her royal bedchambers, she was back in the small quarters she was confined to. As the grief and sorrow overcame her, Ange's legs gave way as she sank down on the much larger bed, her head leaning against the stone-cold wall.
"I'm so cold…Momoka." She whispered until the sound of a door opening and the room light turning on redirected her attention.
After having a nice soak in the onsen, Cal felt his aching muscles relax and ease. 'Phew, Scarlett's new workout session sure is something else. I don't know how she can still have so much energy between that and Zola.' For himself, he just wanted to get a good night's sleep. He still had no idea how he was going to get through to Ange and her attitude and he had a feeling tomorrow wasn't going to be any easier. Arriving at his door, he clicked on the light and received the shock of his life when he saw a familiar head of blonde hair perched on his bed
"What…what are you doing here?!" Ange demanded, her eyes wide with fear and shock as she leapt off and backed against the wall.
"I could ask you the same question, what are you doing in my room?" He fired back.
"Your room?" she gasped. "No there must be some sort of mistake. There's no way anyone in their right mind would put a princess like me in a room with a Male Norma." Cal rolled his eyes. He didn't mind sharing a room. Between Salia and the others he rarely spent a night all by himself anyway. But why Ange? Unless this had something to do with Libertus.
"Look," he sighed, "I don't like this any more than you. But we're roommates and you're stuck here on Arzenal. I'm not gonna lie. When I first arrived, I almost died and have about several time…" Suddenly Ange's eyes began to well with tears and she covered her face with her hands.
"I just want to go home," she sobbed. She didn't care if she sounded like a child. It wasn't fair that this was happening to her. She wasn't a Norma. She was Angelise Ikaruga Misurugi. First Imperial Princess of Misurugi.
"I know it's hard," Cal said as he reached out his hand, "but please let me help you."
"Don't touch me!" Ange snapped as she slapped his hand away. "I don't need help from you, or any other Norma so just leave me alone!" Walking across the room, Ange curled upon the second bed with her back to Cal. "And if you try anything I swear I'll scream!"
"Fine suit yourself." Cal groaned. 'Whatever happened to her on the outside it wasn't pleasant.' He concluded as he began to change.
Ange could hear the sound of clothing hit the floor and felt disgusted. 'That inhuman monster is now stripping in my presence. Does he not have any decency?' Not knowing why, she sneaked a peek over her shoulder and her eyes bulged in shock. Not from his muscular, athletic body but from the many scars that riddled all his body. Beneath his right rib were the marks from where it looked like he had been stabbed. But the one that interested her the most was the scar that circled his entire left wrist from which hung a rose gold bracelet with letters on it. As Cal placed it on the nightstand and turned off the light, Ange climbed off the bed and crept towards the table. She turned it over and in the dim light from the moon was able to make out the name, 'Naomi.'
"Don't touch that!" Cal suddenly snapped, making Ange flinch. She fell back against her bed and gripped the mattress in fear as he stared at her through the darkness. "It's important to me," he said as he calmed down. Ange turned her head away from him as an awkward silence filled the room and realised she didn't have any sleep wear. But when she checked her wardrobe to found it completely empty.
"Why haven't I got any spare clothes." She asked.
"If you want new clothes then you'll have to buy some." Ange gulped, feeling dirty that she would have to wear the same underwear two days in a row.
"But what am I going to sleep in?!" She yelled in embarrassment. There was no way would sleep naked with a Male Norma in her presence, but she didn't want to sleep with her clothes on either. Cal groaned and went to his own wardrobe.
"Here you can borrow these." Cal offered as he pulled out a long white shirt and a pair of black boxers. Ange grimaced at the clothing but took them anyway. Ange gave Cal a cold look and turned away.
"Listen, when we finish training tomorrow," he said over his shoulder, "I'll show you where to buy…"
"Close your eyes pervert!" Ange yelled catching him in the act, throwing her satchel at the back of his head. Once Ange was changed, she felt disgusted that the clothing was so loose and big for her small frame. It was like wearing a tent. Without saying a word, she climbed back into bed.
"Goodnight Ange." He yawned. As expected, Ange didn't reply and yanked the bed sheets over her.
As the night went on, another storm blew in and the rain pelted against the barred window as the sky roared with thunder and flashes of lightning. 'Sylvia,' Ange thought. 'Are you okay?' Back in Misurugi, her little sister would get frightened during thunderstorms and Ange would sing to her Eternal Story, the lullaby that guided the Royal Family, just like mother did for her when she was young.
"Mother," she whispered as a tear fell down her cheek…
Looking down at her hand, Ange was overcome with awe at the Misurugi family ring that had been placed on her finger, pure silver with a gleaming green gem set in the centre.
"May the light protect you, Angelise." Her mother said with a smile so warm and gentle.
"Thank you, mother." Ange embraced her before in a flash, she found herself suspended high above the ground behind a wall of glass. The huge, seated crowd below gasped in horror.
"Hear this, my beloved subjects." The voice of her elder brother Julio spoke over the intercom. "I will now reveal the truth. My sister, Lady Angelise…is a Norma!" His voice rang out with such disdain and malice that Angelise barely recognized it. "To cover up the truth and have a Norma in politics is treason! This is truly a plot to undo our great nation. And I will not allow a monster to reign over us!" As the crowd gasped in horror, Ange's mother managed to break free and pull Ange from the glass chamber meant for her baptism. Together, they ran into the Dawn Pill, the guards that had once sworn to protect them now chasing after them. Her mother used the Light of Mana to close off their pursuers until finally they reached outside only to find a large force of guards and police waiting for them. Encased in a pyramid shaped Mana dome, her mother held back, all Ange could do was watch. It wasn't until she walked forward that the dome broke and shattered into millions of pieces like glass.
"Drop your weapon!" A captain of the NMB shouted. "Do it or I will shoot!" Ange looked down to the ceremonial dagger hanging from her waist and narrowed her eyes at the guns pointed at her.
"How dare you point a gun at me, I am the first Princess!" She yelled grabbing her sword and running at her the man in front of her. A loud bang followed by her mother jumping into front of her, then nothing but red filled her vision. Staring down at her dying mother in her arms, the tears spilling from her eyes, Ange was dragged away, powerless to do anything but watch as her mother disappeared from sight. "Mother!" A sudden flash of lighting and she was now in a dark room, bent over a table with her wrists in chains.
"I am the Empire of Misarugi first Princess, Angelise Ikaruga Misarugi!" She wailed.
"You were." Commander Jill's cold voice told her. "From today, you're just Ange." At these words and the horrible events that transpired, Ange felt her soul, mind and body split in two as she let out a desperate scream…
Ange's eyes shot open, and she bolted straight up from her bed. Her heart pounded in her chest as she looked around and to her dismay found herself in the small, cramped room she now shared with a male Norma. Her hand drifted to her ring finger and felt only bare skin. That horrible brute of a Norma who had soiled her body had taken it from her.
"It's all gone." She cried to herself. Her family, her nobility, her mother's ring. "I wish I was dead." As the hot tears streamed down the side of her face, Ange felt a presence behind her as she looked up at the tall figure standing over her. 'Go ahead.' She dared the male Norma, not caring anymore. 'Beat me, rape me, kill me.' Instead, she felt the chill of the room fade as the Male Norma placed a blanket over her shivering body followed then the sound of creaking mattress springs as he returned to his own bed. Ange was at a loss. After everything she learned in school about how the Norma were nothing but barbaric and violent, she expected him to do unspeakable things to her. But the way he placed the blanket over her was with such care and gentleness, it put her at ease as she laid back down.
"Live on Angelise, no matter what." The last words her mother ever spoke to her came.
"I will mother," she vowed as she finally fell asleep. "I'll keep fighting until I'm out of this horrid place."
AURTHORS NOTES
Here we are at arc 2 and the main story, here's a small update to Cal's character Bio up to this point in the story.
Cal
Height: 5' 8", 173 cm
Age: 18
Eyes: Sky Blue
Hair: Black (short and spiked up)
Weight: 72kgs
Build: Athletic, Muscular (think Natsu and Gray from Fairy Tail or Kirishima from My Hero Academia)
Voice Actor: Josh Grelle (Issei Hyoudou, Highschool DxD)
