Shadowbane

"... Never thought I'd be in here again." My Uncle said after we turned the lights on in the garage.

It was a massive open room with its own personal elevator used to move goods from this room to a holding room on the surface.

Thinking about it now, the design here is really convenient for moving things to the surface or your home. There are people working up there in the holding room all day long that are ready to pack your goods into a specific block for you to pick up anytime you want. Not that I expect to be moving anything I can't just carry myself, but it may come in handy in the future.

In the middle of the back wall was a massive television with a full suite of couches, chairs, and tables around it. The television was at least two hundred inches long, making it easily viewable from anywhere in the garage.

My Uncle headed for the main couch in front of the TV and turned it on after picking up the nearby remote. After going through several menus he eventually landed on a large map of Caedrus, at which point he began typing away at the TV's keyboard that was placed on a swivel arm attached to the couch. It was a convenient way for anyone on the couch to use the keyboard without needing to move.

"Here. I marked the two forts and the location of the two emblems. And as you can see, one of the emblems is kind of close to the southern fort, while the northern one is going to require you to run for a hell of a long time. You said you can go weeks without eating?"

"Yes but I'll bring food anyways. After all, you severely undervalued just how far away they would be from the forts. You said they were 'within range' last night, so what the hell are these distances?! The 'kind of close' one is still sixty miles away, while the other one is damn near two hundred, and it's teetering near the edge of the red zone on this map. I assume that's where all of the powerful machines are?"

Irvine nodded, "This isn't one hundred percent accurate either, so you may end up running into some of them long before you reach the emblem, but keep in mind, we only have names for a few of them and nothing more. I can bring up photos or videos of the ones people have seen from the Leviathan, but past that nobody actually knows what they're capable of."

"The Leviathan... When is it due to return to Arcadia? I'd like to use that to get close to the codes."

Irvine brought up the Leviathan's tracks on the map and its current location. It was at the northwestern edge of Caedrus and about to turn south for its return to Arcadia.

"Looks like you have about a month then. That's way too short though... You can't acquire both emblems before then, can you?"

I shrugged, "Maybe? If I don't run into any problems I should be able to. I told you about it last night but since I can fly, getting to the middle of Caedrus will take me no time at all. It's just that from there I'll need to run to one of those forts thanks to all of those anti-air machines. I already tested them by the way, and I was fine at ten thousand feet in the air, but I'm not all that interested in finding out what happens when I'm close to the ground, especially since I won't have Luna with me." I pointed at one of the forts, "How do people normally get there?"

"I'm still having a hard time grappling with the fact that you can fly, but that'll cut down on time for sure. And we have convoys that go back and forth between the forts, carrying people and supplies. Those convoys usually score a good amount of power cores along the way, so people are more than happy to sign up for those missions."

"Hmm... Can you bring up the current location of the convoys and their routes?"

After some more tapping on the keyboard seventeen different groups appeared on the map.

"Wow, that was more than I was expecting."

"I assume you don't plan on using any of these, but I can see several different routes that pass by the bottom emblem. If you need any help or have something you need them to carry, this could come in handy. Although it looks like you're screwed on the northern one, which is to be expected considering where it is."

I picked up the remote and after a little trial and error I was able to use it to move the map and draw lines on it. The more you zoomed in, the more detailed it was, but only for specific areas.

"There is so many places that are blank on this map, have they truly been unexplored this entire time?"

"You'll understand why eventually. Maybe not this time if you successfully take the emblems without fighting, but one day when you see what happens to us if we are caught by machines in the high threat zone, you'll understand why we've made so little progress." He zoomed the map out and brought up the borders, "And just so you know, the 'high threat zone' is what what we call the middle of Caedrus, which is where you'll be going. While 'hazard zones' are places that machines are known to frequent. And lastly, the 'dead zone' is the big red area on the left, which should be self explanatory."

I continued drawing lines from the southern fort to the bottom emblem, but as I was doing that another set of lines appeared on the map that almost mirrored mine.

Irvine chuckled, "People have already tried for this emblem many times, and this was the safest route. The problem is that every single group has run into a Screecher and was unable to kill it before it called the others."

"It literally just calls for others by screeching I take it? But yet again that makes no sense. Whenever I've thought back to this place and the machines, they always seemed so weird and illogical, and this 'Screecher' might be the worst one yet. Why would it scream for allies when it's a fucking machine? Are they not networked or something?"

"Oh, Hime... You would've made so many people here roll their eyes or laugh at you if they heard you say that. It's what all the newcomers say after spending some time here after all." He laughed while bringing up a diagram of a machine that had information related to it all over the image. "No one knows why they are the way they are, so don't bother asking, because you'll only be ridiculed. And hopefully whatever database is unlocked with the core's codes will enlighten us... Honestly, I'm still having a hard time believing that might actually happen. And the fact that nobody even knows that everything is about to change is making it even more dreamlike."

"What if the codes unlock something stupid like a cooking database?"

"Don't say something so ridiculous!!" Irvine leaned back into the couch, "Oh god, the very idea of that happening is horrifying..."

"I was just messing around! Come on, forget that and tell me why you brought up a diagram of a Screecher."

"... If something is preventing you from killing it, then try and destroy this part at the very least." Irvine highlighted the line going into the machine's throat. Unlike the Snatcher, this machine appeared rather well made and armored with no open holes. It's entire structure was rather small overall and it had four legs that ended in small three-clawed feet.

He then highlighted its legs, "It's very fast, as you can see here in the details. It needs time to speed up and struggles with fast turns, but if it's able to run directly away from you, it can reach up to seventy miles an hour. And it'll be screeching the whole way, which means you need to get the fuck out of there."

Another diagram appeared on the television. Even without reading the name at the top, I immediately knew what I was looking at. Besides the snatcher, this one was the only other machine I knew by name.

Irvine highlighted the massive chainsaw-like sword in the machines right hand, "Do not get hit by this. If you're alone, then you're completely fucked, because there is something to this weapon that won't allow you to escape if you're channeling mana. So if you're enhancing yourself, which you obviously need to do in a fight, then you'll be trapped if this weapon touches you. No matter how strong you are, the serrated part will start moving and chew through your mana in no time, and you won't be able to do anything about it. So out of all of the machines in the high threat zone, this one right here, the 'Butcher', needs to be avoided. Please remember this, Hime."

Uncle Irvine showed me another dozen or so machines before he explained how to use portable consoles. My family had dozens of them in the corner, so we just used one of those.

"Oh right, Uncle. Why were you covered in blood when I first saw you?"

"... Rookie got hit. We all heard the whistle, which meant that a lobber was firing at us, but not only did that kid react way too slow, he also slipped and fell while he was trying to run away. The bomb fell soon after that and blew him to pieces. I was just unlucky enough to have one of his legs hit me in the face."

Irvine picked up one of the twenty backpacks we had and handed it to me, "This is a good one. They're worth a lot of money and kind of hard to get your hands on these days. It'll survive quite a lot of damage so if you do end up losing it then that means you're in a situation that no backpack would have survived anyway."

Hmm, I was planning on making my own backpack, but this might be better. I'll just coat it in a small layer of the same flexible heavy armor that I'm wearing.

Irvine walked toward the door leading back to the living room. "Now follow me, I'll take you to R-4 where I accept all of my missions. There's a few places we can go, but this is the one I've always used."

I followed behind him and dropped the backpack in the living room before we headed outside. From there we took the elevator up to R-4 which was absolutely bustling with people. R-37 looks like a ghost town compared to this place...

The floor, walls and ceiling were pure white. And as expected, they were made out of the same unknown alloy seen only in Caedrus.

Along the left wall was an endless row of stores, while the right side was mostly walled too but it opened up to side streets more and more as we progressed further into the area.

"There it is." Irvine said about ten minutes into our walk. When we neared the center of the area it had opened up to much larger spaces, and this one was shaped like a circular town square, with the building he was aiming for being between two large streets.

Two large double doors opened up automatically as we neared them. We both walked inside and my first thought upon entering was that it looked like a restaurant. There was people eating everywhere while talking with one another. However, there was one clear difference from your usual restaurant. Everyone here looked heavily armed. I even saw a few sets of power armor that looked like they were made out of the same alloy I had been seeing everywhere.

"Uncle, what are those two there wearing?"

Irvine stopped and looked over at the two men I was pointed at, "Ahh, you mean the Tyranium suits? Someone found a stockpile of thirty of them ten or so years ago. He lives comfortably in the top layers after selling them to one of the clans. They can't activate the core system on the suits, but they're still the best ones we've ever seen. So those two must be high members in their clan."

"You don't know them? You used to know everything that was going on here. Or it seemed like that with the way you argued with Father."

Irvine continued walking toward the front counter, "Those days are long gone. Now I'm just..." He trailed off, staying silent until he reached the counter. There were three attendants spread out, and this was the only open one.

"Back so soon, Irvine? The world must be ending." The lady said.

"Good to see you too, Evette. Now give me two specific missions. Maya should have already called em in."

The lady narrowed her eyes, "... She did, but we assumed she was joking or there was some sort of interference in the communication."

"Just give us the damn missions, Evette. I can already tell you're going to drag this out more than necessary."

"I don't have to hand out anything, or did you forget how this place works? And who in their right mind would just give you two emblem recovery missions? Not one, BUT TWO! Have you finally gone insane?"

The two men wearing Tyranium armor looked over at us at the mention of emblems. I also saw a lady with short black hair wearing a maid outfit turn and look at us as well.

"Maybe I have gone insane, what of it? But don't forget that Maya's team is the one who called it in. I'm merely here to sign up their last member. She's going to be joining them."

The lady looked at me and raised an eyebrow, "This girl here in medieval armor is going to be assisting them? This just keeps getting weirder and weirder..."

Irvine grinned, "I'll tell you what. I will bet my entire fortune that they'll successfully retrieve both emblems. The houses of Hothgar and Inoue will have full access to their houses within the next half year."

The ladies eyes went wide as the two men in Tyranium armor stood up and tapped Irvine on the shoulder. "Apologies, Mr.Irvine, but I couldn't help but overhear that. Are you truly willing to enter into such a bet? My Lord would be quite happy to take you up on it."

Behind them I could see the maid quickly walk over to a console on the wall, where she pulled out the earphone from it and put it into her ear before making a call.

"Tell your Lord that I'm more than ready to apply my keypass to the bet."

The two men looked at each other. One was holding back a smile, while the other one was looking back and forth between his friend and Irvine with a befuddled look on his face. The first man then took his helmet off the table and placed it over his head. It seems these two know my Uncle and how much he's worth. He must not have been kidding about having a ton of money.

"... Irvine, what are you doing? I know things are rough with your kid and ex-girlfriend, but come on, this is too much." Evette said.

Irvine shrugged, "Consider me crazy if you want. I already have more money than I know what to do with, and now I'm about to have double that!"

Evette shook her head and began to type on her console. While she was doing that the man removed his helmet and smiled at Irvine, "My Lord agrees and is cordially asking you to visit him at our clan house. He'd like to sign the bet now before the mission takes place." The man could barely stop himself from laughing when he said the word 'mission'.

"By all means! Let me finish up here so you two can escort me or you can just insert its location into my console. Either way works for me." Irvine said with a big smile on his face.

"Excuse me." A voice said from behind the men. They turned around and moved to the side when they realized the lady was trying to talk to us.

Irvine quirked an eyebrow at the lady wearing a maid outfit in a hall full of mercs, "Yes...?"

"Master wishes to speak with you before you go. He is the current head of Clan Inoue." She turned toward the men in Tyranium armor, "Please accept my apologies, but he promises it will be short. He's nearby and wants to see who was stu---brave enough to accept his mission." She wanted to say 'stupid' huh? I actually prefer them being this cynical about it. It's going to make my victory all the sweeter.

"Don't worry, Miss Shizue. We aren't bothered by this at all. We'll just finish our meal here before escorting Mister Irvine here to our Lord." The man said before the two men walked back to the table they were sitting at previously.

"Well, where should we meet him?" Irvine asked.

Shizue shook her head, "There is no need to leave. He's coming here right now and will arrive shortly."

... There is something off about this lady. Her soul is very weird. It's not Human, hybrid, Eldritch, Abyssal... What the fuck is it that I'm feeling right now?

Less than a minute later a six foot tall man with long wavy white hair entered the building. Next to him was a girl with long straight black hair and bangs. She looks so familiar, but why would I recognize anyone---Oh!

I looked toward the right wall and one of the posters was of this exact girl. She had her hair done up in a double bun and it was saying something about a beautiful up and coming hunter.

Irvine followed the maid toward a table where the man had sat down. As he sat down at the table I noticed that the girl was glaring at me. Not a huge fan of me it seems.

"Miss?"

I turned around, "Yes, Evette?"

"I need your keypass. And..." She looked at my armor, "Can I touch that? I didn't notice it at first but I'm sensing something after being next to you for so long, and I'm very curious..."

"Heh, that's fine go ahead." I said while putting my keypass on the counter. She immediately reached out and touched my armor, but the second her fingers touched me she pulled back fast and gawked at me.

"H-How much mana is imbued in your armor?! My fingers felt like they were on fire!"

"You could tell that just from touching me? Are you highly sensitive to mana or something?"

Evette nodded, "Yes! We receive training for this job because it's necessary to evaluate our clients, but this... It's not artifact armor. I thought it was, but the mana used is far too different and unknown to me. Can I ask where you found it?"

"I made it."

"Come again? You made it?"

"Yes, I made it. And as for how, well, let's just say I'll be paying a visit to a Mr. Yulong after this. He and I need to have a chat."

Evette's eyes went wide, "The Abyss addict..."

"Everything good here?" Irvine said from behind me.

"Y-Yes. Just wait one moment, Irvine." Evette said, grabbing my keypass.

I was keeping an eye on them, but the two men to my left were too busy eating and talking to hear what we were talking about. I wasn't particularly worried about them finding out about my 'Abyssal' armor, but for now it felt like it was for the best that I remained a nobody. That is, until I returned with the two emblems.

About a minute later Evette handed my keypass back to me and wished me luck.

"What the hell happened while I was gone? I knew the clan head of Inoue showing up would shut her up, but I wasn't expecting her to see you off with a smile." Irvine said.

"She touched my armor and sensed how much mana I have packed into it, and I also told her it was Abyssal. So maybe she has some semblance of hope that I'll succeed? I don't know, but how about you? I see those two still haven't left, and the girl is still glaring at me."

"Hang on. Talk after." Irvine promptly said, barely audible. We were close to their table now so he was putting it off until we were outside apparently.

Once we exited the building he stopped and looked at me, "I think she's just jealous. She seemed very unhappy that someone else was attempting to acquire her houses emblem when her brother absolutely refuses to let her do it. And he's right to stop her of course. Their emblem is the one next to the dead zone after all. Apparently she's some up and coming hunter but she's out of her mind if she thinks she'd survive a trip next to the dead zone."

I did notice that the only areas near or in the dead zone that were mapped out, were areas next to the Leviathan's tracks. In other words, no one has ever surveyed a single foot of the western side of Caedrus. Aside from that one man who managed to send photos of the western edge of the continent before being killed by a machine. God only knows how he managed to do that though.

"But I thought you said people had tried to acquire these two emblems before? So people have tried for theirs, right?"

"I did, but when I said 'dozens of attempts' I wasn't being specific enough. All of those attempts except one have been for the Hothgar emblem down south. Only one team was insane enough to try for Inoue's emblem. I looked into it and there isn't even a record of how it ended. Normally there is, but they suddenly lost contact and were never heard from again. That happens sometimes near the dead zone, so there must be a machine over there that disrupts electronics. Long story short, no one attempted to try for their emblem again."

I wonder if it disrupts the electronics in power armor and mechs too? Although I doubt I'll ever really know the answer to that.

"Well, what are your plans?" Irvine asked.

"I'm going to see a man named Yulong. I mentioned him last night when regaling my past. Have you heard of him?"

"Hmm, I can't say that I have, but if you think showing him all of your memories from the Abyss will help you in some way, then I say go for it." Irvine jutted his chin out toward the building behind me. I turned around and saw the two men in Tyranium armor walking through the doors, "As for me, I have somewhere I need to be. I'll see you later, alright? And don't forget to call your Uncle!"

I laughed and waved at Irvine while turning to walk away, "Don't worry, I'll call you before I leave. Bye Uncle Irvine!"

After that I walked through the square, taking in the sights. Despite being the 'merc layer', only about thirty percent of the people here were armed or armored. It made for a weird contrast seeing a girl in a breezy dress sitting on the same bench as a guy in power armor.

I didn't feel like going home, so I walked through one street after another, looking for anything of interest. I was stopped a few times along the way by people asking for pictures. They thought my look was 'awesome' or 'weird' and wanted to save it on their consoles.

Nothing had really surprised me, until I was in one of the back streets that was nearly devoid of people. I was walking by a lone building that had an emblem on top of it that I recognize. A familiar looking sword and shield that had a cross on it.

... No fucking way.

I walked toward the building and passed through the invisible barrier surrounding it. The aura was welcoming me in, just as it always had before.

I opened the doors and walked into the temple. A voice echoed inside my head when I reached the middle of the room.

{Hello, Reimia. Welcome home.}

"... I'm home, Lord Arkaios."

I had this weird feeling all along that he was the one who created the Elves. He said his children were too fascinated with their technology and gadgets these days and that they ignored him. I thought about it again when my Uncle said that we weren't hybrids, but I quickly forgot about it because of everything else going on.

"Lord Arkaios, there is one thing I've been dying to ask you. Are Markus, Keith, Lindon, Nisha, and Albel with you? Viktor said they were in Gaia but I had no way of knowing if that was the truth."

{They are. He had a powerful unit of his men and Xerath carry the artifact to Gaia. He was already planning on sending them there, so it changed nothing for him. Once inside, it took a few years but eventually one of my men was able to find them, and they happily passed the artifact to him. Markus and the others were revived soon after that.}

... So he really was telling the truth. In the back of my mind this had always been bothering me. The not knowing if Viktor had kept the artifact and was using it as a paper weight. So this news was a huge weight off my shoulders. And while it's highly unlikely that Godwin's group would run into Markus, it's possible that they could meet a branded along the way. It'd be nice if they met again before I find them in the future. And who knows, maybe I'll run into Markus' group before I find Godwin?

But that's for the future me to figure out. For now, I need to prepare to leave. I'll rest for one more day, fill up on food, and then begin my flight toward the southern fort Bertram's little sister is stationed at. All things considered, I'm excited for what's to come. There were a few things my Uncle warned me about, and so long as I avoid them, I should be fine. But just in case I'll use my rest day to look up more information on the machines in the high threat zone and try to see if I can get the footage from the groups who attempted to get Hothgar's emblem.