April 10th, three days before the raid, for the past week I have been dodging calls from Sol, training with Nico as well as Vallen when I leave Nico. Not only have my aether reserves grown, but also my power. The more aether I absorbed at the Oasis increased everything, but recently, the absorption rate has diminished. Nico said that my body's been absorbing more aether than the Oasis can replenish.
"I have been going like every day… so I guess. But like how was I supposed to know how fast it is absorbed? I thought it was unlimited!"
Anyway, now I'm still in the middle of training with Vallen, trying to teach this man how to… well concentrate.
"I swear you have to have some form of ADHD, my guy. We've been here for hours and you still can't focus," I said looking at Vallen, who is attempting meditation in an SCA compound that creates an artificial nexus zone. I used this before but didn't know what they were trying to imitate. Just being here, I could feel the difference in aether.
"Well, I'm trying but it's not working, ok? I don't think this is my way of concentration, you know. But hey, if you want, we could finish our bet from the exam that we never got to finish," looking at me, winking like he has something in his eye. "You look like an idiot but fine maybe this is a way to get some excess energy out."
"Yes! Now I can put in some practice. By the way, have you been experiencing any overload lately? Or the feelings of overload? Because my spells have been fritzing out lately, and I know I have enough aether, so I don't know what's going on." Vallen looked at his hands concerned.
"You do suck at aether control and always end up expending more than necessary. Maybe you just trained too hard not paying attention, that is something you'd do," I replied. "I can't say I suffered said side effects, but I have been having weird dreams. Plus, according to Nico and some of my other acquaintances in the science department, the increase in aether across the globe has increased but also is being funneled into several nexus zones as well. So maybe it's not a decrease in power but a drastic increase that could trick the body into thinking it's in overload."
Now moving over to the arena, I started to think about what he said and my training with Nico. If what Vallen was experiencing was true, then why haven't I experienced that? I have been taking in way more aether than normal, so wouldn't I have felt it too?
Finally, inside the arena, Vallen and I pinned our little theory, "Weapons or no weapons this time? I beat you without them before, so you may need the help," I chuckled asking Vallen.
"I'm down, but just to make sure, the sparing weapons right?" He asked. I just looked at him… "No dumb ass, let's use the lethal shit in a spar," I retorted.
"Hey, I was just asking, all possibilities are possible," he replied, reaching for the chain scythes, while I was stumped. I used the majority of the weapons they had: bo staffs, swords, twin daggers, hammers, even the whip, and scythes, which were our favorite, but there was one I didn't try yet, simply didn't like to use because everyone picked it as their go-to weapon: the swords, most balanced of the weapons. There was a long katana on the rack, pretty much half my body.
"This is like my favorite character from my game, I wanna try it," I grabbed it and headed to the arena to meet Vallen. "Sweet, I haven't seen you with a sword in a while! I hope you're still as good as you were before."
Vallen got into a fighting stance with the metal chain scythes ready.
"I hope so too; it would be bad if I still won the match and was rusty," I smiled widening my stance, holding the katana in a quick draw stance. "Ready… bring it!" I shouted.
Vallen spun the chain scythes in rapid circular motions, creating a whirlwind effect. Using the scythe blades, he hooked around my legs and pulled, aiming to trip me. As I fell, he swiftly followed up with a slashing motion to inflict damage.
Katana. The arena crackled with anticipation as Vallen twirled the chain scythes with finesse, creating a whirlwind around him. Lucian's eyes focused, and he prepared for the clash.
"Sweet moves with those scythes, Vallen. Let's see if you can keep up!" Lucian shouted, his excitement evident. He widened his stance, katana poised for a quick draw.
Vallen lunged forward, initiating the Whirlwind Dance. The chains whirred through the air, creating a barrier that forced Lucian to step back. Seizing the opportunity, Vallen swiftly changed tactics. With expert precision, he hooked the scythe blades around Lucian's legs, executing the Trip and Rip maneuver.
Lucian found himself on the ground, but before he could react, Vallen was already in motion. The chain scythes arced through the air as Vallen delivered a slashing motion aimed at Lucian's vulnerable position.
Reacting on instinct, Lucian rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the full impact of the attack. He sprang back to his feet, katana gleaming in the arena lights.
"Not bad, Vallen! But let me show you what the katana can do," Lucian declared. Adopting the Iaido Flash technique, he drew the katana with lightning speed, aiming for a counterattack.
The clash of metal echoed in the arena as Vallen defended against my swift strikes. His chain scythes deftly parried my rapid strikes. The clash of metal echoed through the arena as the two danced in a deadly choreography. Fueled by determination, I continued my assault with the katana, each stroke aiming for precision.
Vallen, not one to be outdone, responded with the Chain Whirlwind, a move that sent the scythe blades spinning in a mesmerizing pattern. Adapting quickly, I used the katana's superior reach to create a defensive barrier, deflecting the scythe blades with calculated moves.
As we circled each other, the atmosphere intensified. Vallen, taking advantage of the chain scythes' flexibility, launched a surprise attack. He swung the scythes in a wide arc, aiming to entangle my katana and disarm me.
Relying on my agility, I leaped backward, narrowly avoiding the chain's reach. The arena crackled with energy as I landed in a defensive stance, katana at the ready.
Vallen, not one to relent, closed in swiftly. The chain scythes blurred in a flurry of motion as he unleashed a series of strikes, probing my defenses. However, I showcased the art of Iaido, countering each strike with calculated precision.
The intensity of the battle reached new heights as Vallen and I continued our dance of blades. The crowd watched in breathless anticipation, captivated by the display of skill and power.
Vallen, determined to showcase the versatility of his chain scythes, initiated the Spiral Cyclone. The scythe blades spun rapidly, creating a vortex of slashing metal. Recognizing the danger, I swiftly activated the Shadow Dance technique, seamlessly evading the onslaught with elusive movements.
As the Spiral Cyclone subsided, Vallen seized the moment, transitioning into the Serpent's Embrace. The chains shot forward like striking vipers, attempting to ensnare me. Displaying acrobatic finesse, I leaped and somersaulted, narrowly escaping the constricting chains.
With a flash of inspiration, I unleashed the Rapid Draw. My katana was cloaked in water as I performed lightning-fast and fluid strikes aiming to disrupt Vallen's rhythm. The electrified blade added a new dimension to the fight, forcing Vallen to reassess his approach.
Vallen, undeterred, countered with the Shredding Gale. He swung the chain scythes in wide arcs, creating razor-sharp gusts of wind that sliced through the air. Relying on my keen instincts, I dodged and parried the cutting winds.
In response, I activated the Aether Flash technique. The katana gleamed with ethereal energy as I blurred in and out of visibility, creating afterimages that confounded Vallen. The arena became a canvas of light and shadow as I executed precise strikes from unpredictable angles.
The clash of blades and elements continued in a dazzling display of skill and prowess. Vallen and I engaged in a series of rapid exchanges, each movement calculated and precise.
Vallen, determined to gain an upper hand, executed the Emberstorm Whirl, igniting the chain scythes with fiery intensity. The heat intensified as he swung the scythes in a blazing circle. I, relying on agility and quick thinking, danced through the flames, the water-infused katana extinguishing the encroaching fire.
As the flames subsided, I retaliated with the Torrential Slash, creating arcs of water that countered Vallen's every move. The elemental clash reached a crescendo, the arena resonating with the sizzling harmony of water meeting flames.
Vallen, adapting swiftly, countered with the Blazing Chains technique. The scythes transformed into searing whips of fire, lashing out with ferocity. I conjured an Aqua Shield, a protective barrier of water that absorbed and nullified the fiery onslaught.
The battle reached its conclusion as Vallen unleashed the Inferno Requiem, a series of rapid slashes creating a fiery storm. Dancing through the flames, I maintained my composure, the watery defenses proving effective against the onslaught.
Just as it seemed one of us might gain the upper hand, a sudden disturbance echoed through the arena. The ground trembled, and a swirling portal manifested nearby. Out of the portal emerged Roy, a solemn expression on his face.
"Lucian, Vallen, the raid has been moved up. We're facing an outbreak, and we need every available Sentinel. Save your strength for what's coming," Roy declared, his voice cutting through the intensity of the battle.
"I know you guys were having fun but I'm going to have to cut it short. We were monitoring the gate but it suddenly started to crack. Not too long after the monsters flooded from the gate take over the area." Roy led us down the hall into a meeting room where we saw some new and old faces. There was Nico, Lilith, and Nikolai along with the other two in the top five Alexis and Oliver Lancaster. Alexis was an Elementalist and aspiring alchemist while Oliver was an aura user both children of a renowned family…I forgot their occupation though.
"Is this the whole raid team or…?" I asked looking around trying not to show my skepticism. "No Lucian this is just the people the association asked us to add to the team. My team is on standby and evacuating civilians from the area. But I'm going to make this quick ok so listen up," Roy said closing the door, turning off the lights, and activating the holo screen on the table showing us the current landscape. I never thought to ask where the gate was located but looking at the screen in front of me made me have mixed emotions.
"The gate is located in the Outpost right near the hospital 'ESC' also known as the 'Emergency Sentinel Care' at the moment we lost contact with the hospital…more than likely those who were there have either died or are in critical condition. The raid time will be split into three groups. Team C lead the evacuation and help the rescue and support team, team B will take to the streets and surrounding area killing all chaos beasts that are still lingering and were able to escape, then lastly team A which is my raiders on standby and you all who will raid the gate itself. This is the plan that was provided so this is what we will go off of if you have any questions save them for the ride to the gate. Everyone suit up and get to the helipad," Roy then turned around, hit the lights back on, and left the room while most of us still confused followed. Nico stayed seated with a worried look across his face.
"Are you ok Nico? You look like you saw a ghost or something. If you're scared it's justifiable it is a gate that is new territory for everyone. On the other hand, though we have a decent team with us so I don't think you need to worry much," I said trying to calm his nerves but I don't think it worked.
"It's all good I just need some time to think don't worry I'll be ready and meet you all at the helipad," He let off a faint smile…I know he's lying. "Ok just be safe," I turned around and walked out leaving him in the meeting room running to catch up to Vallen.
"Hey Val can I change in your room?" I asked.
"Yeah I don't care we gotta hurry," he replied.
Dashing to the room Val went into his bathroom to change as I used the second bathroom. I didn't notice how nappy my hair was…I did have a lot of hair normally I would cut it down but I feel like twisting it again. I looked at my arms and legs seeing all the faint bruise marks across my skin. "Luckily I'm dark-skinned but wish I was a little darker then these wouldn't be noticeable. This is the curse of having milk chocolate as skin can hide all the marks. Not to mention I'm tall too so I know I just stand out like a sore thumb," I began to change into my Sentinel uniform I left here. The outfit was black, grey, and white, think of those full-body suits used in that one virtual reality movie but more stretchy and made of aether and beast cores.
"Damn, I didn't think I worked out this much. It's starting to feel tight around my body," Leaving the bathroom I see Val darting all around the room picking stuff up and straightening up the room.
"My guy we gotta go why are you doing this so last minute?" I asked.
"I forgot to do it and I thought we had enough time guess not," he laughed tossing the dishes in his hands into the sink and walking to the door. "Let's go raid this gate bro!"
"Yea yea I hope we get paid from this I want some magic leaves you know what I'm sayin'?" I said nudging and winking at Val.
"Me too man sucks the SCA doesn't allow that while training," Re replied.
"Yeah me too but once we raid this we'll get our licenses so we can leave this place," I said as we started speed-walking down the hallway and running up up the stairs to the helipad.
"I haven't asked since like last year but what do you plan on doing after you get the license?" I asked Val.
"I'm not sure, to be honest, I just want to relax somewhere cold," he replied which shocked me since his power is fire I thought he'd want to be somewhere warm but hey to each their own.
"What about you Lu? What do you want?" We made it to the top of the stairs and as he opened the door the only answer I gave him was "Freedom…I just want to live comfortably and be free whatever that means and by any means," I replied stepping onto the helipad and looking at all my teammates standing battle-ready.
"Looking good guys, this will be our first and last fight together so give it your all and don't be afraid to retreat if possible this may be a raid but losing promising Sentinels can't happen. This is your last chance to leave if not get on and let's go we have 30 minutes till the raid starts," Roy now in his battle suit with two swords on his sides shouted. At the same time, a huge jet-like aircraft landed behind him and he boarded. All of us looked at each other and followed getting on the jet I was expecting something more military-like. It was fancy inside with a round seating area in front of a control table with all sorts of buttons. The color scheme matched our suits, and it even had a bar area that had all sorts of drinks. "Tragically none had alcohol."
"So now that we're here I do have a question," I spoke getting everyone's attention. "I speaking with the assumption we all had the same debriefing before we accepted the raid request but doesn't this whole thing sound sketchy? Like you two Nikolai and Lilith, you guys were sent here specifically for this raid right but they just started appearing on top of that I know there had to of been one where you both came from or near it at least but they sent you here? Then the prophecy what does it mean? I can't be the only one who's thinking this so why am I the first to bring it up?" I said
"You do have a point, Lu. Do you guys know exactly why you were sent here?" Vallen asked.
"All I know is that something called me here and by here I mean to you all and this gate. I didn't speak on it though so the higher-ups sending me must be fate no?" Lilith replied.
"As for me, I plead the fifth… I have no obligation to say anything," Nikolai stated crossing his arms.
"What do you mean you have no obligation? We're about to head into a battle and if I can't trust you then why would I fight with you?" I replied.
"No one said you had to plus I don't need your help anyways I can handle myself so worry about yours Lu," Nikolai said saying my name mockingly. "How your acting 'Lu' does fit you almost reminds me of my uncle," Nikolai continued.
"Listen dumbass for one don't call me that we're nowhere near that close for you to call me that. Two say less because one thing is for sure I don't plan on helping anyone who I can't trust let alone like. Lastly for someone who got their ass handed to them before I find it funny that you can talk so high and mighty," I retorted looking directly at him.
Before we could continue our banter Roy cut in, "Enough with the bickering we're here. Regardless of how you feel about each other, we're about to head into battle so harden your minds and brace yourself," Roy said as the Outpost cut into view. The majority of the city looked fine that is until we got passed the outskirts. The center of the city was in complete mayhem. Chaos beasts running wild killing everyone in their paths it was hard to see what kinds at first but as we got closer to the landing pad huge wolves in packs, Snakes the size and length of trains coiling around buildings swallowing everything organic or not. There were also insectoid monsters some released gases while others swarmed together like locus flying around eating everything including some other monsters not even leaving bones.
"This is insane… they all came from the gate? So what the hell is in there for us to kill? If there's so many creatures coming out of it and all of them look like that what could we do?" Alexis asked shaking at the sight of the city.
"We're going to land and meet with the raid team on the ground they'll have more information about the monsters. Be on guard some monsters can fly and I have a feeling that we've already been spotted," Roy said opening the hatch and jumping out of the jet. It was a good ten-meter drop onto the landing pad but he landed perfectly, following immediately monsters surrounded the jet, attacking at all sides.
"Everyone jump before it explodes and ready your weapons," Nico shouted holding a small baton, he proceeded to lean back out of the jet falling towards the landing pad, holding out the baton as it began to extend into a long pole, while a long sharp crescent-shaped blade protruded from it releasing a dark aura, with one rotation black slashes sent out in all directions killed each monster around the landing area.
"Wow… I didn't think he'd be that strong," Vallen said dive-bombing after Nico.
The rest followed suit while I waited because I started to feel like I was being watched and not just that but the aether concentrated in the area is denser than the Oasis. The landing pad was still too far up to see what exactly was going on below. Instead of meeting them on the pad I decided to jump straight down.
"I get the whole we need to regroup and assess the situation but I know this place all too well and waiting just isn't my strong suit in situations like this. So I'll meet you guys down there!" I shouted stepping off the jet falling to the ground, I created water tendrils that attached to the side of the building pulling me to it, upon landing on the building I focused a thin water at my feet and started sliding down, right before hitting the ground I could get a better description of the monsters and man I wish I just stayed up there. They were huge compared to what they looked like from above.
All the snake's scales looked like broken black and blue crystals, its teeth pointed to a curve, and its eyes gleamed green. Around it were baby snakes just like it, the Locus swarm looked like a bunch of Hercules Beatles with a scarab body, stingers, and tons of very sharp teeth. The wolves were just as big as I thought, their fur black, and nails the same blue as the rest of the creatures.
"What the fuck are you and where did you'll come from?" To my left I heard big explosions and screams, I ran to go see and provide help but was too late. The wolves and snakes already left a pool of blood and bones, I don't even think they killed them for food either because some of the people were still alive but either bisected, missing limbs, or just bleeding out from deep wounds. Some looked poisoned but they were already dead. The smell of everything finally hit me. "I almost vomited."
The air reeked of blood, decay, and death. You can smell the sour bodies that decayed or melted from the poisons and acids. The pungent smell of iron and copper flooded the area. I could hear all the screams and carnage. Images flashed across my mind of an incident just like this. It felt like I was going through sensory overload, I started to get a headache and my aether started to flair up around me causing water to spread around my feet making little waves shooting up around me.
"Not again… I have to regain control…please not right now," I struggled to reign my power back in but because of my current predicament it became increasingly harder. A massive wave spreads out washing all the dead bodies, blood, and random body parts away, even the monster corpses get swept away.
"Lucian, what happened?" Vallen yelled trying to run up to me but getting pushed by the water.
"Shit, he must have had another trigger. Vallen we're gonna have to stop him before he quite literally drowns everyone here," both of them give each other a nod, Vallen jumps high in the air starting to hover using fire focused at his feet as thrusters, and Nico follows, Vallen catches him, does a quick three-sixty spin and launches Nico at me.
"Lucian! Get it together!" He shouted flying straight into a wall of solid water making a thud.
"Ouch…I'll het you back for that," He touches the water conjuring darkness that cancels out my wall, then grabs my head landing a killer headbutt and shocking me. My mind now focused on my head eased the overload. I was able to regain some composure retracting the water and falling over a little bit leaving Nico to catch me.
"Luckily we got down here fast a lot of the civilians could have ended up dying faster than being killed by those creatures. I got you now so let us head back to the team and this time don't go off by yourself," Nico said helping me over to Vallen who grabbed my other arm and walked with me until I was able to regain my footing. "Which didn't even take long I don't know why they were acting like I was crippled or something."
We link back up with the group who was already speaking with the other members of the raid team located in a residential area on the defense line. "Welcome back runaway," Nikolai said as I entered the tent. Right before I could respond Vallen stopped me and Nico told me "Shh he's not worth it."
"The raid will begin in ten minutes so everyone listen up! Now that we're all back together I'll start debriefing. What we call these creatures are Quasmemtoms or Quasms for short. Where they come from still too much we don't know but what we can confirm is that they are far stronger than the creatures we faced so far. They have unknown powers and abilities that we don't know of so when raiding we have to be mindful. Now the scout team we sent to the gate also has not returned. When raiding keep an eye out for them as well as the enemy. The more information we can gather the better the Gate raids in the future could be. We have prepared weapons for you all those of you who brought your head out and stand with the rest of the team," Roy finished walking over to a case that held four weapons. Twin blades, chain sickles, a staff, and a long sword katana all radiated immense magic power.
"I feel like you watched me and Val's fight pretty closely," I looked at Roy who just had a grin on his face.
"I liked what I saw plus these were what we could acquire from the 'Vault' on short notice so enjoy and don't break them it'll cost too much to replace," Roy stated as, Val, Lilith, Nikolai, and I grabbed our weapons. Nik grabbed the twin blades, Lilith grabbed the staff, Vallen took the chained sickles, and of course, I grabbed the katana. We took them and headed out to the rest of the group. There were at least 40 people here so my hopes of you know… not dying. Is almost guaranteed.
"Alright, it's about time, everyone! We don't know what to expect but any monster you see kill it! If you need help call for back up don't try to fight things on your own. Sentinels move out!" Roy shouted leading the charge into the gate. Unknown to us out of our group three will "die" and one will kill the entire raid team. "All that came from the ocean will return."