AD 2203, 7/20, 23rd Hierarchical City of Wakumusubi – Lower District
Amidst the heavy rain stands a metal marionette, the Deus Machina: Nirvana. Next to her strides the scrawny frame of a teenage boy, his chin length blonde hair matting to his face. His name is Carl Clover.
The pair are on the hunt for a man named Goro Joizumi, a criminal known for his ability to shatter walls with a shout.
Goro's been rather reckless as of late, robbing quite a few powerful families of their relics. Hence the large bounty on his head.
What's drawn Carl's interest is that the man does not appear to be using Ars Magus.
Earlier that day, he'd managed to get a lead as to Goro's whereabouts from some other thugs. It's not often that a city will have such an abandoned district, but Wakumusubi is larger than most. So, the disrepair of certain areas was perhaps an inevitability.
Rundown housing and desolate storehouses make up the pair's surroundings. The grime and soot in the streets combine with the falling rain to form an artificial fog of sorts. They'll have to be careful, lest they become the ones caught by surprise.
From what he's gathered, Carl knows that Goro has a quick temper, and a quicker trigger finger, so to speak. Every time the NOL has sent a squad to apprehend him, they've come back in pieces.
A second set of footfalls.
Carl halts, a chilling smile growing on his lips. "Am I speaking to Goro Joizumi?"
A click of the tongue, a warning. "Scram kid, but leave that doll o' yers. Looks pretty valuable."
Carl pivots and his smile fades into an irritated frown. "My sister is no 'doll.' I suggest you come quietly. The NOL didn't specify a condition for your retrieval."
The man in front of him is stocky, with short hair and shockingly blank eyes. Goro laughs angrily. "We-ell, damn kid. Aren't you a cocky little shit?" His eyes narrow dangerously. "But I ain't in the mood to be playing around. Guessing yer that bounty hunter what put the hands on my boys."
Carl nods confidently. "Correct. Now, are you going to surrender, or—!"
Goro opens his mouth as if to speak, but instead, a strange glow surrounds his parting lips. Nirvana instinctually pushes Carl behind her and braces herself.
A loud screech fills the air, and a pinkish glow rushes toward Nirvana. A moment later, the road in front of her explodes, sending a wave of shrapnel slamming into her denting frame.
Carl's eye widens as he sees firsthand the ability known as a "Drive." He quickly wrenches aside the metal patch above his left 'eye,' piercing the fog with an azure glow. He'll see this man's soul for himself.
"How in the hell is this happening?!" Goro thinks as he weaves his way through the alleys.
That brat and his doll were fucking stubborn, he'd give them that.
He hadn't seen anything that could take a hit from his Screaming Jaw before. Damn doll also has claws that cut through concrete like butter.
And that kid, he's got some freaky looking thing where his eye should be. Some kinda light. When he first felt it touch him, it was like someone jammed their hands under his skin.
"Fucking freaks…" He mutters, though he really shouldn't be the one to talk, given his schtick.
As he rounds the corner, he sees a white and purple blur whirl around him.
"Vivace!" That brat twirls like a dancer, and a bronze lance shoots out from his cape, nailing Goro in the shoulder.
"Argh!" Goro clutches at the bleeding wound, before opening his mouth to give the brat a taste of his power. That damn light is back on him, he feels that crawling sensation all over him.
His scream cuts off as something large and blunt slams into his back. His jaw snaps shut as blood and bile rush up his throat, along with his power.
His eyes widen in horror as he feels the power lodge in his mouth, unable to escape.
As the last of Goro's soul fades, Carl grunts and groans. That last attack of his had blown away his head, leaving Sis badly damaged. Carl had only just been able to summon Rook to block the brunt of hit for himself. Cuts and bruises from the large wave of shrapnel litter his body. He feels lightheaded and woozy from the painful sound he's just suffered through.
What he's seen in Goro's soul has once more left him disappointed. It seems he will learn nothing more from bounties such as this. Even those who have awakened the power of their soul.
"Sis, are you alright?" Carl's voice is quieter than usual as he stumbles toward Nirvana, who shakily raises her head to look at him.
"…" Nirvana tilts her head down at her young master, her tone one of worry and discontent.
"Hehe… Yeah, sorry about that. I guess I got a little too hasty, huh?" Carl smiles weakly as he enters Nirvana's waiting arms. He has Bishop and Pawn pull the remains of Goro into his cape.
Carl sighs tiredly as they begin the long trek back to the vigilante wing of the NOL branch.
"?" Nirvana tilts her head down, her question giving Carl a momentary pause.
After a moment, he hums, "No, Sis. As long as you're here…" Carl beams up at her. "I'm happy just as I am." He yawns, "Wake me when we get there, okay Sis? I need… a little rest."
Nirvana remains silent, but if one were to understand her posture, they would see only sadness.