The Masking

The Masking

(Chapter 21)

**

[<<]

Valentina's still working hard at it. In fact, she's even more involved than Anika at the moment. Anika wonders why. It's because she has to survive this. She has no other choice. Guillelmus gallantly walks in, in his armor. Seems like Erin was already done repairing it long ago.

"Finally. What took you?"

"Well I'm here. Are we going for the Lancentaurus?"

"We don't have to. Judging from these readings, we'll meet it on the way."

"Well then… Are you ready to Raid?"

[>]

[Shadow]

They haven't left the waterfall. In fact, they're in the exact same spot, exactly as they were before. They're embracing each other, gazing down the beautiful scenery.

"Axel."

"Mhm."

"What if Succubus is alive and we're wasting time here?"

"If they're gonna die, they would've died already. Nevertheless, if you want to hurry up and scale the cliffs, be my guest."

"It looks dangerous. The vines, mosses and lichens must've eaten into and softened the rocks," she says as she peers over—"and there's also the fact that even if one of us stands guard, the bullet will reach us before the warning."

"And that's why we're next to a waterfall. If you're scaling and there's any hazard just throw yourself into the basin."

"… That's quite logical but I've heard about people hitting their heads."

"Only dumb people. You don't DIVE into a basin." They get dressed. "Since we haven't a clue where the Mal-Hecate is, you'll have to go first. I'm gonna tie these vines so that you can rappel down. Once you get down there I'll follow but make sure that you're clear."

"Alright."

[The Twins]

They're on their way back to the Town Hall. He's rambling on about something in an inaudible tone. Paz gets pissed off.

"It's nicer when it's quiet you know?"

"Forgive me if I offended you."

"It's not that brother. She probably thinks you're going—bananas."

"… We came here because of you. Now we're about to go South-East for five-hundred bananas… I really wonder who's gonna pay for all that—"

"Indeed," some stranger interrupts. The upper part of his face is shrouded in darkness that his hood provides so you couldn't ID him even if you wanted to. His cloak is heavily ornamented with Gold and Gem articles. He must be a regal or something.

"Excuse me mister. Who're you?" Paz asks.

"The answers to some questions lie in plain sight."

"I'm not in the mood for riddles."

"I just came to tell you that two of you are going to clockworks." He turns around.

"Hey wait! What're you—?" Jedi starts to ask. The figure walks forward and sinks into the ground "Wait! Your name at least!"

"…Deltaurus Isona." He disappears, leaving a book on the ground.

"Isona? I've heard that somewhere. "He gets down on one knee and picks the book up. "Clockworks, hunh…" He takes a look.

"What's inside brother?"

"I can't read it. Some sorta foreign language maybe."

"But you're the smartest person we know. You SHOULD be able to."

"I have more things to worry about; that'll be my last resort. The fastest way is to find another soul who has read one of Isona's books."

"What a creeper. Let's hurry on before we get stranded out here again."

"Alright Paz. Lemme just put this away first."

[Boundless]

Elmus and Valentina trot along. After a short while, they arrive at the Eastern Gate. It's a large compound gate with a much smaller open gate in the big closed gate. To clarify the material, it's metal of course. After the incident with the Emerged Ogres abducting the children just outside the Eastern Gate, restrictions have been enforced and one'd need clearance to head East. All the other Guild Members went in groups. If it isn't for the fact that…

"Hello! May I go through?"

"Haven't seen YOUR face around here."

"Last time I went through here, I didn't see you either. I'm new. Name's Valentina. Nice to meet you!" She extends her hand.

"Nice to meet you too! The name's Tony." He shakes her hand "Unfortunately, you can't go through here now unless you have clearance from Tyrannus. That's the new order from above."

"Really? I just happen to be dispatched from there and I wasn't told anything. Could you please let me through this once?"

"I can't do that 'cause I didn't see any Valentina in the register. If you get hurt it'll be on my head. This country values its people."

"But I just said that I was… I'm with someone."

"Yeah? Who?"

"Guy…guy… I can't really remember his name; it's so weird."

"For your own safety, you'll have to step back. It'd be a shame if you got yourself hurt."

"Really… at least, do you have a changing room or something?"

"…Come with me."

He takes her to the guards' changing room. By the time he goes out, Guillelmus has already caught up, panting and all. They exchange pleasantries and all, and he keeps trying to ask him whether an orange-haired maiden came through but he's out of breath. He just gives up on it and goes through. Just when he gets out, he encounters Blood-Eye, who seemed to be waiting for him to arrive. He whistles to signal him, and draws his attention to the shade of the tree, where he was sitting. Guillelmus approaches him cautiously.

"So you kept true to your word."

"I hope you know why I'm meeting you?"

"Haven't a clue."

"What's your business with the Dark Alley?"

"Tell me yours first. What's your problem? Think I'm gonna fall for this?"

"…Fine. What if I told you it was the eradication of the Dark Alley?"

"You'd have to prove it to me first. Even after that…"

"How?"

"… Come to my house when I'm back. Although, that won't be enough. Why would you even need my help?"

"I met the previous Jacket and he was no joke. If you're the one, you'll be a valuable asset… I mean ally."

"… If you try to double-cross me…"

"You're leaving. We could just raid your home while you're gone. That should be enough reason to believe what I'm saying."

"Don't dare me."

"This is a very risky move I'm making as well. I needn't advise you to tread carefully, should I?

Someone calls out to Elmus and when he turns back, Blood-Eye has disappeared.

[/]

"Has something gone wrong?!"

"Almost done!" She walks out in a few. Seems like she took off the concealers. "Thank you so much."

"Gah! Stripping!? Have some decency!" He turns aside.

"No-no-no-no! It's nothing of the sort! Did anyone with feather-like hair come by?"

Tony peeps out and Guillelmus is there talking to someone. "Yeahhh, nice try."

"He's there?! Yes that's him! I promise! I would never tell a lie! Call him up if you wish."

"…" He gives her the brow.

"If you don't, people are gonna die!"

"…Fine. Hey! Elmus!" Elmus comes over. "Sorry to worry you but is she with you?"

"*laugh* Yes. Valentina's in my Unit. Please don't tell anyone about the outfit either, she gets quite restricted during combat."

"It boggles my mind to think about the sorta missions you're having together with her dressed like this. But… since you've been cleared, I'm gonna let it slide for today. She'll have to obtain clearance."

"Thanks. Tina, let's go." They walk a distance ahead. The density of the wood around them starts to spike.

"What was that about? Why aren't I there?"

"You asked Anika to be cautious with your info, remember?"

[Veteran]

They're all cooped up in the hut. There are some vats of water in the left side of the hut, alongside a lot of delicious-looking berries. Grandpa lies prostrate on the floor and asks Alexandra to sit on a specific part of his back. It's soothing to him.

"Aren't I rather hurting you?" she asks.

"On the contrary. I think this is the only way I'll be able to fall asleep without a pain-killer."

"…"

"Something on your mind brother?"

"I doesn't feel right… we did the right thing didn't we?"

"I don't get you?"

"Marlene didn't know anything about it. To her, we bit the hand that healed us… She wouldn't have known what her parents were up to. She must blame us for tarnishing their image."

"Don't think about it that way kiddo. What's right is what doesn't bring people pain."

"Um. Hello?"

"They robbed people. It hurts 'cause they worked hard to produce their own materials. We have alleviated them of that pain. That's where your focus should be, "the origin of the error."

"But…"

[<<]

Alex chanced upon Marlene earlier in the morning. She was actually crying while she prepared the breakfast. A half-part of him told him to leave her be but, he's a soft-hearted gentleman so he approached her. Stands beside her for a while; that's until she notices.

"*scream* WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT? *heavy breathing*"

"I just didn't know what to say. If I said 'hi', you still would've screamed."

"Is that so?" She wipes her tears. "…What do you want?"

"What kind of person do you think I am?"

"Calculated. It's not that you don't like to speak; you only speak when there's a high probability of leading the conversation your way."

"… So you really are a doctor hunh… I want to say something but…"

"You're right. There's nothing you can say… Did you hear him? That was the last operation! I wouldn't have gotten to know anything about it. My father has always been an honest man."

"And he still is. We're alive, aren't we?"

"That's not it. If you guys hadn't done anything… I wouldn't feel the way I'm feeling right now. How would you feel if your hero, maybe your grandfather, turned out to be a villain?"

"That isn't the best scenario 'cause back at home, that's how my parents treat him. He's given his all to making sure that we're all safe but they don't see it that way."

"And that's why you won't get what I'm feeling right now. It just hurts for no reason."

"… Could I tell you that you look pretty even when you're crying?"

"…yeah… it's not your fault either. Don't worry about me. I'll only cry for a few weeks or months and I won't get over this but it's-it's okay," she says bursting into tears at the last part. He hugs her.

"Darn it. It's always the innocent people who get hurt."

"And that's how the world is. No matter what, someone's gonna get hurt," she cries.

[>]

"Darn it…Why worry my head about someone getting hurt?"—he rocks his head back—"Someone's always getting hurt."

"Exactly brother. If you pay heed to such things you'll be a walking blob of tears. It IS SAD, but what's done is done."

[Boundless]

They've already headed into Zone A of the Evil Forest. It's woods all about them. Tall trees tower, with their dense, dark canopies above. The light penetration is low and there's a bit of mist close to the ground. There's no sign of tangos so they decide to do a last minute follow-up as they dash on.

"So what's the plan Valentina?"

"Aren't you the one who knows what you're doing?"

"Not in a Survival. Besides, didn't you do some reconnaissance?"

"… The Lancentaurus' attacks are almost impossible to dodge. It can normally whip out up to a minimum of 3 meters. It's advisable to take it head on with parrying attacks. Note that it has four arms so it can defend even at close-range without using its lance. We should be able to overwhelm it easily if we're alone but that might not be possible with the Zombies around."

"And what's the worst case scenario?"

"We encounter more than one Lancentaurus. If it happens, our only chance of surviving will be by divergence. Don't try to show you're charming or heroic. Just run away okay?"

"Nah. If one of us dies, Boundless is over. I won't allow that to happen—"

He wasn't paying attention. Valentina tackles him out of the way. The Lancentaurus had sent its lance flying straight for him, like an arrow. If it wasn't for Valentina's intervention, he would've been skewered already. They're both shocked for a moment.

"What're you waiting for Tina? It's disarmed!"

She gets off of him and lunges for it. (In case you aren't getting the description, it's half horse- half man with four arms and a long lance.) It thinks that she's going in for the kill but she slides, in an attempt to set up the finish. It jumps over, but what it failed to see was, it's a two way trap.

Elmus comes charging in and leaps at it, to deliver the finishing blow before it recovers. It thinks fast and grabs Elmus' blade regardless of getting cut, and pulls him under. Valentina, who had set her blade in position to pierce him on landing has to abort and roll aside. It pummels Elmus and tosses him aside, then makes a run for its lance. That's another chance. Valentina runs after it but it mule kicks her and retrieves its lance.

"AAH!"

"Tina no! Don't stay down!"

He tries again. He lunges in but it uses all four of its arms to unleash a devastating flurry of strikes that Elmus can barely track. It notices Valentina coming in behind him and pretends to throw the lance, but brings it down on Elmus real hard. As anticipated, he blocks overhead and the LTaurus thrusts at Valentina.

Elmus thinks he can turn the tables and grabs hold of the lance. "Valentina-NOW!" It also proves futile. Valentina jumps onto the beam but it yanks it from under her. She back flips and gains more momentum, but he pulls Elmus in the way. She flinches.

It jumps up and stomps on them; takes them by the legs, bashes them around a bit and casts them aside. That's not anything for it though. It cuts of part of a nearby tree trunk and equips it as a make-shift shield. They're flummoxed.

"Hey! This is nothing like the Spectre!" she exclaims, trying to catch her breath.

"I don't get it either… How could the closest limits of the Common and Epic Emerged be so many leagues apart?!"

[Anika]

Anika's still taking some careful looks at the grid. In fact, she's standing with her face so close to it. She looks tensed up. Erin and Rex step into the Conference Room as well. After all, there are no Units anywhere near so they barely have anything to do.

"You two need something?"

"Not really. Have you had any sleep?"

"Why do you ask Rex?"

"You're face is awfully close to the table. Your vision's getting blurry, isn't it?"

"…" She sits down in one of the chairs, face up and eyes closed, as if she were trying to blow off some steam. It's evident that she just MIGHT break down anytime soon. "Now that you mention it, yeah. I didn't notice that was the problem."

"If you're not at your best, you're just gonna 'cause more harm."

"And Erin's right about that."

"… Then please come help me."

"Exactly as planned. You see, Erin noticed you weren't well." They take a look. "WOW! When you said State of Emergency, you weren't joking. Where should we start?"

"Closest to the East Gate. That's where Boundless is headed. A Lancentaurus Emerged at Zone A."

"… Hey Anika, how many?"

"Might be more than one."

"If it's more than one, isn't there a chance of Masking?"

Anika rockets up. "Oh no! I totally forgot!" she exclaims, plucking at her hair.

"Calm down. You said Boundless, as in Elmus' new Unit?"

"YES."

"Darn it. I'm going to protect the Gate."

"That isn't fair Rex. Have some faith in a brother."

"That's the reason why I'm not heading in instead. If they fail, the Guards are gonna need some help to keep them at bay." He runs out.

[Boundless]

It's the LTaurus' turn. It charges at them and flails about with its lance and shield. They're really having a hectic time. It might've dealt considerable damage if there weren't so many trees to shield them.

"Tina!"

"Don't you think it's time to turn up the heat?!"

"Haha! Exactly what I was thinking." He braces himself. "Amitha, are you ready"

"Don't prolong this battle. BURN ME!"

"Here it goes!" The young Harmonie charges in with Amitha set in the direction of his shoulder, and starts to pump his mana into her. As expected, it tries to whack him aside with its lance but he parries and leaps toward it. "CHECKMATE!" His blade momentarily begins to exude bright orange flames in mid-air. The LTaurus' flinches and he brings down all his might on it in a downward whirl. It realizes that it messed up.

In a desperate attempt to guard its internal organs, it sacrifices another one of its arms. It's blood rips through the air. It's not over though. On landing, Guillelmus has already prepared to unleash a combo strike. On the other hand, Valentina's running up to them from Elmus' rear. She plans to either slide under or jump over him to deliver the finishing blow. It doesn't wanna go down like this.

When Elmus slashed it, it reared up on its hind legs. Death seems to be imminent. The only escape route it can think of is forward. It leaps forward, running Elmus over upon landing, and deflects Tina's attack with its Lance. It gains a steady distance.

"It's almost finished! Let's go one more time!"

"I Copy, Tina." Both of them give chase.

Its mood seems to have changed since it's lost two of its arms. It looks left and right. It's compelled to put the lance in its mouth so it can suppress the bleeding. Fear starts to embrace it. "SHRIIIIEK!" it goes. Valentina zooms at it and whirlwind slashes towards it. All of a sudden, a flaming lance meets her blade, and it's overwhelming force catapults her far, into a tree.

"AAH! What the?..."

"Tina… The gravity just multiplied."

A Flaming Lancentaurus has joined the battle. More robust than the other, it stands tall with blazing hair and a flaming lance. It's chest is guarded by armored plates. Another Lancentaurus trails right behind it. The presence of the Silver Emerged was masked by the two Bronze Emerged of the same type that were accompanying it. The trio lets out loud, consecutive shrieks, right before the Elder descends on Elmus.

-------End of Chapter 21-------

Chapter 22 Teaser

You might think that things can't get worse. That's until you hear "BRAINZ!"

To be continued…