-Azuchi Castle, Autumnfall Island-
On the northside of Autumnfall Island lies a district in which the 1st division is located. At the very edge of the district stood a large structure, fortified walls surrounding it in a square area leaving only one entrance by the gate. Azuchi Castle, shared by the top members of the 1st division. Within it, Kenji and Ikki were sitting in an empty open room right below the roof of the castle. With several pillars keeping the roof up, the air could be felt entering without any walls covering them. They sat on the wooden floor facing each other with a kotatsu table in between them. Kenji poured them both a cup of tea as they began their discussion.
Ikki: Apologies for bringing you here, I'm sure you have other things to attend to.
Ikki picked up her cup and took a sip of the tea.
Kenji: Not at all, well actually we have new members for both the 3rd & 4th division but the other members can handle it.
Ikki: New members, at this time? Seems a little odd don't you think?
Kenji: Both Sylvana & Argo are both clear, I can assure you that.
Kenji takes a sip of his own tea as well.
Ikki: So those are their names, Argo & Sylvana. Well if you're sure then I won't ask more. More importantly, did you check the archive data?
Kenji: I did. So far, there's no record of anyone stealing the Tetra City files let alone leaving Oryza with it. However-
Ikki: However?
Kenji: Zephyr did say that Morgana left before we did.
Ikki: Is that so? Where was she headed?
Kenji: Apparently she's investigating Yggdrasil. She was sent by Zephyr herself.
Ikki: What was recorded in the archive for her mission files?
Kenji: That's just the thing, it's blacked out.
Ikki: So it's an official secret mission approved by Zephyr. That or she's potentially investigating with the 5th division. Have you contacted Jack?
Kenji: Jack's been unavailable ever since our meeting. You know how he and his division are.
Behind Kenji, footsteps of someone can be heard coming up the stairs. Kenji turns around to see a middle aged man with medium length brown hair that was combed neatly. As he walks up to them, he looks at them through his black square rimmed glasses that rests in front of his dark red eyes. He wore a white haori above his uniform that had black stripes, resembling those of a tiger. He stopped right next to Ikki and knelt down.
??: Commander Hanamori, we have a new mission given to us.
Ikki: Tell me the details, Hwan-sang.
Hwan-sang: Yes of course. We are to subdue magical beasts roaming near the edges of Steinstadt. Their threat level is confirmed to be at least A.
Ikki: The city of Dwarves hmm? And how does their Chief want to deal with this?
Hwan-sang: He wishes to leave everything in our hands, preferable without much collateral damage.
Kenji: No collateral damage huh? That will be hard, I assume Yanling will be going. You can say goodbye to the forest then.
Hwan-sang: I'll do my best to prevent her from fighting but no promises.
Ikki: Take assault cruiser number 0 and get Durandal to lead the mission. Send my regards to Chief Thorjarn.
Hwan-sang: You're not coming with us commander Hanamori?
Ikki: I still have some matters to attend to. Update me on the situation once it's over.
Hwan-sang: Of course, commander Ikki. I shall depart at once.
Kenji: Good luck.
Hwan-sang: I don't believe in luck Kenji but thank you.
Hwan-sang stood up and bowed before leaving the two of them. As Hwan-sang descends the stairs, Ikki pulls out a small pen-sized device. She activates it and a hologram reveals a list of details. Kenji scans through the list thoroughly as he continues taking a sip of tea.
Kenji: Dark mana levels, past missions, Yggdrasil, Kuki Kyoko- Hold on, is that what I think it is?
Ikki: Mhm, It's the list of all the strange phenomena recorded for all such past missions. In particular, if you align these missions for the past 6 months.
Ikki highlights several mission details, filtering everything else out.
Ikki: Do you notice it?
Kenji: Multiple cases of magical beasts of threat A and above appearing. All around the same time as Yggdrasil's movements. That and Morgana's missions seem too closely timed to the other two. But earlier you said she could be with the 5th division or sent by Zephyr herself-
Ikki: I know but that doesn't mean she isn't a traitor. If anything, it gives her more opportunities to betray us if she's approved to go on secret missions.
Kenji: It still doesn't show how she's a traitor, it could be just coincidence.
Ikki: Perhaps so but if that's the case, how do you explain the Tetra City files being stolen? Right after she left too. I don't think this is a mere coincidence. For now, we shall wait and see what her next move is. If she really is a traitor, we'll subdue her before she's able to do anything.
Kenji: Let's hope that it doesn't come to that. Is that why you called me here?
Ikki: Unfortunately, no. There's something else of greater importance.
Ikki closes her eyes and an aura around her can be seen.
Ikki: Mana Burst: Mana Expansion.
Ikki opened her eyes and took a sip of tea.
Ikki: Now no one will be able to listen in on us via any form of magic.
Kenji: Your Mana Burst is as impressive as ever. Well then, what's so important that you had to go through all that to tell me?
Ikki places down her cup of tea and looks Kenji straight in the eyes before speaking.
Ikki: Cynon has sent an emergency distress signal to me. He requests immediate assistance. He's not one to do so unless he found something important in a mission. Even so, to send it to me directly without notifying Oryza, this has to be urgent.
Kenji: The scout division. Do you think the signal could be a trap?
Ikki: Trap or not, I'm heading out personally to find out.
Kenji: And you're telling me this because you want me to come along? Wouldn't Durandal or someone from your division be better?
Ikki: You're mistaken, I want you to remain here. The 1st division is headed for Steinstadt and I'll be investigating the distress signal. Jack's location is unknown so that leaves the 3rd & 4th division. Which means-
Kenji: That Hakumai's defences as well as surveillance are low, that will allow the traitor to move more freely. So you want me to be your lookout, is that it?
Ikki: There's no one else that I trust as much to do so. You're also the most capable in the event anything happens.
Kenji: What about Ren? Should I tell her anything?
Ikki: She's very skilled but she's still young. We both have seen what betrayal is like during the Arcana War, let's not place her in the same boat as us.
Kenji: Understood. Are you leaving immediately?
Ikki: The faster I get this over with, the sooner I can get back. When I do, we'll put an end to this situation.
-Central Terminal, Oryza HQ-
Beneath Hakumai's floating ship dock, on the ground level, sits a terminal where multiple vehicles gather. The vehicles picked up and dropped off several Hakumai members, along with any cargo they brought. It was a trapezoidal shaped vehicle of decent size that hovered above the ground as it moved. 2 such vehicles arrived to pick up Argo and the others.
Sylvana: Cool!! Are we gonna ride one of these?
Majiki: Indeed. These are the vehicles that take us to our islands as well as back to Oryza HQ. It's called an AT-CV, short for all terrain carrier vehicle. Due to the hover technology, we can travel above the water to get to the other islands. The exterior shell of the vehicle is also sturdy, being able to withstand both physical and magic damage to an extent. It's also has a built in adjustable temperature setting that you ca-
Sylvana, who had stopped listening halfway through, had already boarded the AT-CV, waving to the rest from the inside through the window. Majiki adjusts her glasses and lets out a sigh.
Majiki: Why do I even bother..
Rosary: It's alright Majiki! I listened to all of that!
Volt: It's not like it's your first time knowing this stuff.. What about you lil bro, what do you think?
Volt turns to Argo who seems to be in deep thought. He was staring into blank space in the direction of the AT-CV. His expression is one that Volt has never seen prior to this.
Argo: (I'm trying to feel excited, or at least that's what the feeling is called when you see something that excites you. Yet, all I can do is pretend by letting out a smile as always.)
Argo places his hand on his chest, feeling the rhythm of his heartbeat.
Argo: (Same as always, I thought things would change a little if I joined Hakumai but it looks like I'll have to keep searching.)
Volt places his hand on Argo's shoulder.
Volt: Lil bro? Aspheria to Argo? Anyone there?
Argo snaps back into reality, turning to Volt while giving him a smile.
Argo: Ahh my bad Volt, I was just taken aback by the AT-CV. I've never seen anything like it in my life.
Volt: Haha you worried me there for a bit lil bro! Yeah this thing is one of a kind, made in Tetra City just like our Assault Cruisers.
Rosary: Come on you guys, let's get on board! I wanna get back and take a shower. It's been such a long day, all that walking made me sweat buckets! See ya later Majiki!
Rosary waved to Majiki and boarded the front AT-CV.
Volt: Hey wait up!
Volt nods at Majiki who nods back and boards after Rosary. Argo looked from behind and he slowly began walking towards the AT-CV.
Argo: (I can see why they're eager to get back to Winterfrost Island but I can't relate to the feeling of happiness. Is it happiness? I wouldn't know. My facial muscles would move to make a face, yet I have no idea what it means. Wearing a mask that changes with convenience, that is how it's always been for me.)
Argo waves to Majiki and both of them boarded their individual AT-CV. The two AT-CV began to move their separate ways. Along the way to Springleaf Island and Winterfrost Island, the AT-CV's passed by numerous fields of wheat and corn. Vineyards stretched across the endless green fields of Oryza. There was even a farm with multiple animals being raised. The ride spanned about 10 minutes due to its incredible speed. As the terrain changed, both AT-CV came to a stop at their respective islands.
-Twilight Castle, Winterfrost Island-
Rosary leapt out of the vehicle, landing on a crystal-like floor. Argo and Volt followed behind her soon after.
Rosary: We're back!
Volt: Home sweet home eh?
Argo takes a look around them, they were within the walls of a very large castle. It looked as if everything, from the floor to the walls of the castle was made of a crystal-like material. The AT-CV was parked next to the other AT-CV's that were there at the moment. Several 4th division members are walking around, some carrying boxes.
Volt: Welcome to Twilight Castle lil bro! It's our 4th division's home base.
Argo: This is pretty cool!
Rosary: Pun intended? Hehe
Argo: What exactly is this castle made of, some kind of gemstone?
Rosary: It's all Ice! Well to be more specific it's commander Morgana's Ice Magic.
Argo kneels down and places his hand on the floor.
Argo: It's not cold at all, is this really ice?
Volt: Yeah, commander Morgana can adjust how cold the temperature of her ice is. No matter how high or low it gets, her ice won't ever melt.
Rosary: Yep! It's her unique magic!
Argo: Unique magic, magic with special properties. There's many kinds of ways to use magic. The two main ways being elemental magic and healing magic. Unique magic is basically any kind of magic that has special properties. It's said that they are very rare and can only be used by certain people. They're either born with it or attain it via some unknown way isn't that right? So commander Morgana is one such person.
Volt: You sure paid attention in class lil bro. Yep that's right. She has a unique ice magic which she used to create Twilight Castle. Just so you know lil bro, big bro Filio is also a unique magic user.
Argo: Thread magic right? Both me and Sylvana saw it in person when he used it to make a clone out of emerald-coloured threads.
Volt: That's the one!
Rosary: I'm going on ahead, I'll see you two later!
Rosary waves at them and runs up ahead to the inner parts of the castle.
Volt: There she goes.. Well then in the meantime, let's go find big bro Filio. We'll check to see if commander Morgana is back so that you can meet her. Afterwards, we'll have something to eat and game in big bro Filio's game room! You'll love the games he has!
Argo: Haha sure, I can't wait!
Volt: When Rosary gets back later, we'll both give you a tour of the whole castle.
Argo: Sounds good to me.
-Ikazuchi Mansion, Springleaf Island-
The AT-CV came to a stop right after passing through a large gate. Sylvana takes a peek out the window in which she saw a structure outside resembling a traditional imperial palace. Not being able to contain her excitement, she exits the vehicle in a hurry. Majiki takes a look at her digital wristwatch and leaves the vehicle after Sylvana.
Majiki: 1730 hours, just on schedule.
Sylvana: Wow!! Just wow! What is this place? Is this some kinda emperor's castle?
Majiki: No, that is commander Ren's mansion. It's also where we have our 4th division meetings and take our orders from her.
Sylvana: I didn't know she was rich! This is such a cool house!
Majiki: Technically all Hakumai commanders are given a very luxurious abode of their own, but you're not wrong in saying she's rich. A commander's pay is well over 50k Drahl. However, she's not the type to pay any heed to money. I digress, we should be heading in now. I'm sure she's expecting us.
Majiki turns to see Sylvana already walking ahead of here, waving to her in the distance.
Sylvana: Come on Makiki! Didn't you say she's waiting?
Majiki adjusts her glasses and speedwalks towards Sylvana.
Majiki: It's Majik- whatever.. Let's go
The two of them entered from the front of the mansion. The courtyard of the mansion was vast. There were multiple 3rd division members leaving the mansion and walking down the stairs. Behind them were large red pillars that held the building itself. Past the pillars was a tall door that leads to an open hallway inside. Next to the door itself stood 2 members who were standing guard. They opened the door when they saw Majiki approaching.
Majiki: Good work.
The two guards stepped aside and let them enter the mansion. Majiki and Sylvana walked down the vast hallway in which every step they took could be heard due to the floor being hardwood. At the end of the hallway, Ren was sitting on a comfortable large floor cushion atop the hardwood floor. She was busy sorting out documents on the wide and long table in front of her. Behind her, a large banner that spells out 3rd division in traditional letters can be seen hanging on the wall. Ren notices them and asks them to take a seat with her.
Sylvana: Renny! We're here!
Sylvana tries to run over to Ren to give her a hug but Majiki pulls back her shirt from behind.
Majiki: It's commander Ren! Whatever will I do with you..
Ren: Welcome back Majiki. Welcome to Springleaf Island Sylvana. Just give me a moment while I finish up some of these documents. Majiki, could you pour the 3 of us some tea in the meantime? Also, grab that "thing".
Majiki: Of course commander. That "thing", yes? Right away.
Majiki heads to the left side of the room and exits from a door. Ren signs one last document and places everything on the side of the table.
Ren: And that should be about it. Once again welcome Sylvana, I take it that Zephyr explained stuff about Hakumai?
Sylvana: Z sure did! I almost fell asleep right when it was over but it's a good thing she finished. In short I now work for you isn't that right Renny?
Ren: Well that's one way to put it- I do hope we'll get along with Sylvana.
Ren extends her hand out for a handshake in which Sylvana happily grabs it and shakes it back.
Sylvana: Of course!
Ren: Now then, before Majiki gets back, I'd like to talk to you about something non-work related for now.
Sylvana: Sure, anything you want Renny! What do you wanna talk about?
Ren: You said that my master, Noir Homura, was the reason you came to Aspheria. Tell me all about it.
-Ship Dock, Oryza HQ-
Amidst the 7 ship bays that Hakumai had, one of the assault cruisers was preparing to head out. A large gold symbol that showed the number 0 shined on the side of the ship. Smoke from a smoking pipe drifted through the air.
Yanling: Took you long enough, Park Hwan-sang.
Hwan-sang: I had to inform commander Hanamori. As I expected, she wants us to use ship 0.
Yanling: Your predictions are none of my concern. However they do prove to be amusing at times. I take it that your prediction of the commander not coming with us is true as well?
Hwan-sang: Yes indeed. Where's vice commander Durandal?
Yanling: She's already on-board the ship. Shall we then?