Chapter - 5 - Betrayal in the Shadows
Melromarc, Castletown
Market place
[Redacted] Call Sign "Ice"
At Site-19, before the Strike Force—namely Ice, Pops, Whiskey, Polak, and Ares—ventured into the other world, they were each supposed to be equipped with specialized devices designed to override the restrictive protocols of the Legendary Weapons. These devices granted the ability to use any weapon of their choosing, in addition to their assigned Legendary Weapon.
The device functioned like a highly-targeted EMP, disabling the protocol that prevented the Heroes from wielding weapons other than their legendary arms. For the MTF operatives, this offered a critical advantage, allowing them to use their modern weaponry alongside the immense power of their legendary equipment.
However, since only Ice bore a Legendary Weapon, he was the sole recipient of this particular device. He twirled the small, black box in his hand, keeping it hidden from Myne as they moved through the marketplace, his instincts telling him to remain cautious.
"We should look for a blacksmith!" Myne suddenly called, her honey-sweet smile never wavering.
"Uh… and why?" Ice asked, his tone bored as he continued walking nonchalantly.
"Well, duh. I need a better weapon to fight alongside you, of course, Sir Ice."
Icesighed, thinking for a moment. What's the harm in that? he thought to himself before finally giving in. "Fine…"
The constant clanging of hammer on steel echoed through the air as Ice and Myne approached the blacksmith's forge. The heat from the roaring forge gave off waves of warmth, contrasting with the cool air of the late afternoon. The forge was surrounded by weapons and armor, all expertly crafted—gleaming swords, heavy shields, and armor with intricate designs, polished and ready for battle.
Ice kept a close eye on his surroundings, scanning the weapons on display with a practiced eye. His shield was bound to him by the magic of this world, but the rest of his gear—the weapons he had brought with him—stood out against the more traditional equipment surrounding him. Despite the rich selection, Ice wasn't here for upgrades, but he remained wary. This place might offer more than just new gear.
A tall, broad-shouldered man with a thick beard stood near the forge, his sleeves rolled up to reveal muscular arms. He set down his hammer as he noticed Ice and Myne approach. His gaze lingered on the strange equipment Ice carried, particularly the object slung over his shoulder—something unlike anything Erhard had ever seen.
"I don't think I've seen you two around here before," the blacksmith said, his voice a deep, gravelly rumble. He wiped the sweat from his brow, casting a curious glance toward Ice. "Name's Erhard. I run this forge."
Myne stepped forward, her ever-charming smile in place. "We've been traveling. Thought we'd stop by to see what you've got before heading out again."
Erhard nodded and, with a quick flick of his eyes, focused on the shield strapped to Ice's arm. "You've got some unusual gear there, friend," he said, his tone casual but clearly intrigued. "Otherworldly, isn't it? I've never seen anything like it."
Ice didn't react much, offering only a brief nod in response. "I'm just looking."
Erhard's eyes shifted to the object slung across Ice's shoulder—a long, black weapon with a barrel unlike anything found in his world. "And that?" he asked, pointing toward the AR-15. "What in the world is that thing? Some kind of… crossbow?"
Ice's grip tightened slightly on the strap, his voice flat as he deflected the question. "Just something from where I'm from."
Erhard raised an eyebrow, clearly curious but sensing Ice wasn't going to give more. The blacksmith let out a grunt of acknowledgment, shrugging as he turned his attention back to the forge. "Well, if you ever need to fix it or want something more suited to this world, you know where to find me."
Ice remained silent, but he appreciated the blacksmith's professionalism. However, the conversation was cut short when Erhard's eyes flickered over to Myne. He studied her for a moment, a slight frown creasing his forehead. "You look familiar. Have we met before?"
For a brief moment, Myne's smile faltered. Ice caught the subtle shift, the tiny flicker of unease before she quickly regained her composure. "No, I don't think so," she replied with a light laugh, waving off the question. "You must be mistaking me for someone else."
Erhard's frown deepened for a second, his gaze lingering on her before he shrugged again, seemingly letting it go. "Maybe. Faces tend to stick with me."
Myne turned her attention back to the weapons on display, acting as though nothing had happened, but Ice wasn't so quick to brush it off. Her reaction had been just a little too quick, her dismissal too smooth. He filed the interaction away in his mind, another subtle piece of the puzzle falling into place.
"Well," Erhard said, breaking the brief silence, "if you need anything repaired, upgraded, or even something custom, just come by. But be careful out there. Things are changing in the kingdom, and it's not as safe as it used to be."
Ice nodded curtly in acknowledgment. As they turned to leave, Myne chatted casually, as if Erhard's remark about familiarity had never happened. But Ice wasn't fooled—something was off, and he was determined to figure out what it was.
As they walked away from the forge, Ice's mind raced. Myne's quick denial, the blacksmith's curiosity about his weapon, the subtle hints of unease—it was all starting to add up. I'll play along for now, he thought, casting one last glance back at the forge. But I'll need to stay sharp.
The marketplace was beginning to thin as dusk approached. The air cooled, and the shadows grew longer, creating pockets of darkness in the alleyways around them. As they moved through the quieter part of the market, Ice's instincts flared. There was something off—a strange tension lingering in the air.
From the corner of his eye, Ice noticed a figure standing still, partially hidden in the shadows between two stalls. Clad in ragged, nondescript clothes, the figure was watching them, though their face was obscured beneath a hood. Ice's grip tightened on his shield, but he continued walking without breaking stride, acting as though he hadn't noticed.
Just as they passed the figure, a low voice called out from the shadows. "Shield Hero."
Ice stopped, the tension thick in the air between them. His hand hovered near the AR-15, ready but not drawn. He turned slowly, meeting the figure's gaze, or what little he could see of it beneath the hood.
"You are in danger Shield Hero," the figure rasped. The voice was rough but carried a strange weight, as though it knew more than it let on.
Before Ice could respond, Myne stepped in, her voice cutting through the tension like a blade. "Ignore him," she said quickly, grabbing Ice by the arm and pulling him forward. "He's just a beggar. We have more important things to focus on."
Despite Myne's insistence, Ice's instincts screamed at him that this was no ordinary beggar. There was something unsettling about the encounter, something he couldn't quite place. As they walked away, Myne kept her grip firm on his arm, her cheerful demeanor slipping for just a moment.
"We should hurry to the inn," Myne said, her voice back to its usual upbeat tone, as if the strange encounter hadn't unsettled her in the slightest.
Ice cast one last glance behind them, eyes sweeping over the quiet streets before nodding and following her. The figure's words echoed in his head: You are in danger. But Ice pushed it to the back of his mind. He knew there was more to Myne's carefree act, and it was only a matter of time before things unraveled.
They made their way through the thinning marketplace, the sounds of the day slowly dying down as dusk settled in. The inn Myne had chosen was at the far end of the street, a modest building with warm lanterns flickering in the windows.
"This place should do for the night," Myne chirped, pushing open the door. Inside, the inn was simple but cozy. Wooden tables and chairs dotted the common area, and a low fire crackled in the hearth. The smell of fresh bread and roasted meat filled the air.
"Welcome," the innkeeper greeted them with a smile, handing Myne a couple of keys after she handed over a few coins. "Dinner's being served shortly. Help yourselves and take a seat."
Myne turned to Ice, keys in hand. "Let's grab something to eat first," she suggested, gesturing toward a nearby table. "You'll want to be well-rested and well-fed for tomorrow."
Ice followed her to the table, his eyes scanning the room as they sat down. He didn't like this place. Something about it felt too comfortable, too ordinary. His soldier instincts were still on high alert after the strange encounter earlier.
As they sat, the innkeeper brought them two bowls of steaming stew and a plate of bread. Myne, ever cheerful, took a sip of the stew and sighed contentedly. "It's been a long day, but at least we've made good progress."
Good progress? Ice screamed in his thoughts. If she calls spending almost half of our gold on worthless bullshit, "progress," then I don't know what is.
He took a deep breath, his eyes narrowing slightly as he watched Myne. She was far too comfortable, far too in control. He had to keep his guard up, no matter how friendly she appeared.
"Are you okay, Ice?" Myne's voice suddenly interrupted his thoughts, her face a picture of concern. But Ice saw right through the act—her tone was too sweet, too well-rehearsed.
"Yeah, don't worry," Ice replied halfheartedly, forcing himself to meet her gaze, though his voice carried none of the conviction.
Myne's worried expression softened into a smile, as if she had bought his answer. "Good. You seem a little distracted."
Distracted, he thought bitterly, glancing down at his untouched bowl of stew. More like calculating every move you make.
Before Ice could say anything more, the door to the inn creaked open, drawing their attention. The three other heroes—Motoyasu, Ren, and Itsuki—along with their respective parties, stepped inside. Each group scanned the room, their gazes quickly locking onto Ice and Myne.
Motoyasu led his party in with the same swagger he always carried, his spear resting casually over his shoulder. His companions followed behind him, casting curious glances toward Ice and Myne as they took their seats at another table. Ren, the Sword Hero, entered quietly, his expression stoic as usual, while his party stayed close, surveying the room in silence. Itsuki, the Bow Hero, walked in last, his adventurers trailing him like shadows, their eyes sweeping over the room with caution.
"There you are," Motoyasu called out, his voice carrying through the inn as he spotted Myne. He gave a brief nod toward Ice, though his eyes lingered on Myne longer than necessary. "Looks like we're all gathering here, huh?"
Myne turned to him with her usual bright smile. "Motoyasu! It's good to see you." She gestured to the open space at their table. "Join us, won't you?"
Motoyasu, never one to pass up the chance to be near Myne, didn't hesitate. "Don't mind if I do," he said, pulling out a chair and sitting down across from Ice. His party settled at the adjacent table, throwing glances at the Shield Hero but saying nothing.
Ren and Itsuki approached more cautiously, their parties hanging back. Ren gave Ice a curt nod. "Shield Hero," he greeted, his voice neutral. "How's your shield treating you?"
"It works," Ice replied flatly, not eager to engage in small talk.
Itsuki chimed in, his gaze flicking between Ice and Myne. "Looks like we've all been preparing in our own ways. Everyone's ready for the Waves?"
Ice's jaw tightened. Preparing wasn't exactly how he'd describe the day they'd just had, but he wasn't about to give anything away. "Ready as I'll ever be."
"Good to hear," Motoyasu added, leaning back in his chair. "Because when the time comes, you're going to need all the help you can get, Shield Hero."
The way he said Shield Hero made it sound more like an insult than a title, and Ice could feel the tension between them building. He'd expected this kind of attitude, but it still grated on his nerves. He remained calm, though, keeping his tone measured. "We'll see when the Waves hit".
Myne, ever the diplomat, quickly intervened, flashing her charming smile at Motoyasu. "No need for competition now. The Waves will come soon enough, and we'll all have our hands full. For now, why don't we relax and enjoy the evening?".
Ice sat quietly at the table, his eyes scanning the room as he picked up on every subtle shift in expression and every glance exchanged. What really caught his attention, though, were the lingering glances between Motoyasu and Myne. At first, it was nothing—a quick look here, a shared smile there—but the more Ice observed, the more he realized something was off.
They know something, he thought, his grip tightening slightly on the edge of the table. Motoyasu and Myne had been exchanging these looks for a while now, almost as if they were sharing some unspoken understanding—one that Ice wasn't a part of. Something they're keeping from me.
He didn't like it. Not one bit.
Myne laughed at something Motoyasu said, but Ice was only half listening. His focus was entirely on the way they interacted—too familiar, too comfortable. His mind raced, putting pieces together. Maybe it's not just Motoyasu… What if the others are in on this too?
His eyes flicked over to Ren and Itsuki, who were both quietly watching the exchange as well, though their expressions were harder to read. Ren, ever the stoic, didn't betray much emotion, but there was a sense of quiet observation in his eyes. Itsuki, on the other hand, seemed more at ease, but Ice couldn't tell if that was genuine or if he, too, was hiding something.
I have to find out, Ice told himself, leaning back in his chair, trying to stay casual despite the rising suspicion gnawing at him. There's more going on here, and I need to know what it is.
He caught another quick glance between Motoyasu and Myne, their eyes meeting for just a second too long. They were in on something—something Ice wasn't a part of. And if the others were involved, this could be more dangerous than he first thought.
"Relax, Ice," Myne said suddenly, her voice cutting through his thoughts. She smiled at him, her eyes as bright and innocent as ever. "You seem tense."
Ice forced himself to return the smile, though it felt hollow. "I'm fine," he replied, his voice as calm as he could make it. "Just thinking."
"Well, don't think too hard," Motoyasu said with a laugh, clearly enjoying the camaraderie he had with Myne. "Save that energy for the Waves."
Ice's smile tightened. They think I don't see it. They think I'm blind to whatever game they're playing. But he saw it clearly now. He couldn't trust Myne—he never had, really—but now, Motoyasu was involved too. Maybe even the others.
As the conversation continued around him, Ice made a silent vow. I'll find out what you're hiding, Myne. And when I do, you won't see it coming.
As the evening dragged on, the chatter between the heroes and their parties grew lighter, with more laughs exchanged, though Ice stayed mostly quiet. He was too busy watching, thinking, and calculating. Every glance between Motoyasu and Myne only deepened his unease. He could feel the threads of a plot starting to tighten around him, and the more he observed, the clearer it became.
But Ice wasn't the only one observing. Myne, as cunning as ever, had been carefully watching Ice out of the corner of her eye. She noticed how his gaze lingered just a bit too long on her and Motoyasu, the way his answers had grown shorter, more calculated. He wasn't just "thinking" as he had claimed earlier—he was suspicious. Too suspicious.
She couldn't let this go on much longer.
"Motoyasu, Ren, Itsuki," Myne said suddenly, her voice cutting through the conversation like a knife. "It's getting late, and we all have a big day ahead of us tomorrow."
Motoyasu blinked, clearly surprised at the abrupt shift in tone. "Already? I figured we'd keep talking for a bit longer."
Myne laughed softly, but there was a firmness in her eyes that only Ice seemed to pick up on. "We need to be well-rested if we're going to face the Waves. I don't want anyone burning out before we've even begun."
The other heroes, unaware of the underlying tension, seemed to take her words at face value. Ren nodded in agreement, standing from the table. "She's right. We should call it a night."
Itsuki stretched his arms lazily. "Yeah, it's probably for the best."
Myne turned to Ice, her eyes locking onto his with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Come on, Ice. You look like you could use some sleep too. Tomorrow's a big day."
Ice met her gaze, his expression unreadable. For a moment, neither of them spoke. Myne's smile remained, but there was something behind it—something calculating. She knew. She knew that Ice had caught on to something, and now she was trying to end the night before he could dig any deeper.
"Yeah," Ice finally replied, his tone flat. "Guess I should get some rest."
Myne's smile brightened, but Ice could see through it now. "Goodnight, everyone," she said sweetly, standing from her chair. "We'll see you all tomorrow."
Motoyasu watched her stand with a hint of disappointment but didn't argue. "Goodnight, Myne. Sleep well."
Ice stood up as well, keeping his expression neutral as Myne led the way to the stairs. As they walked up to their rooms, Ice couldn't shake the feeling that she had caught onto him—that she knew he was starting to piece things together. And now, more than ever, he had to be careful.
As they reached their doors, Myne paused, turning to Ice with her usual warm smile. "Goodnight, Ice. Make sure to get plenty of sleep." Her voice was sweet, but the warning was clear.
"Yeah, you too," Ice replied, watching her closely as she slipped into her room, the door closing behind her with a soft click.
Ice stood there in the hallway for a moment, staring at her door. You're onto me, he thought. But it's too late. I'm already onto you.
Authors note
reviews:
Tactical Narrator- Well— yes it would but Dr. Bright (The dude who made the character) is currently involved in a major conspirocy and sending heavily armed and trained killing machines just sounds better. Everything for the Lore man
rollynolly- I can't spoil to much but I can say this. "ROE- No prisoners"
Doom King of Latveria- As you probably have read in the story, the Foundation was here before but this time things change. The will make major breakthroughs in understanding the nature of this SCP and it's anomalous abilities
Perseus12- Hehe... SCP Foundation go [Containment breach! SCP-682 has escaped Containment]
Doom King of Latveria- Because Ice Kidnapping the Princess to interrogate her would have major impacts in the Political picture of the world. Once the other Kingdoms hear anout some dudes in black kidnapping nobility for questioning, they'd surely gather an army to fight them. (that's my point of view, feel free to share yours though)
