[The convoy rolled quietly through the dim streets, headlights cutting through the night haze. Reina's vehicle led the formation, flanked by Infiltration Unit and Task Force Unit vehicles. Each officer inside was alert, gear checked, and eyes sharp. The air buzzed with anticipation, the weight of what awaited pressing on everyone's shoulders.]
Reina: scanning the surrounding buildings, voice firm but calm All units, hold positions. Infiltration Team moves first. Task Force covers extraction points. Everyone else, maintain overwatch.
[Haruto sat beside Shirou, hands clenched on his knees, energy flickering faintly around him as he tried to stabilize his powers. He hadn't fully mastered them yet, but he knew he could sense things — glimpses of movement, faint traces of the base's layout.]
Haruto: quietly, almost to himself
I can see… parts of it. But not enough to predict everything.
Shizuka: leaning closer to him, steadying tone Use what you can. We'll make it work together. Focus on Aoi and Mio. That's all that matters.
[The vehicles stopped just short of the abandoned site. Officers disembarked swiftly but silently, checking comms and signaling positions. The tension was palpable, each step forward deliberate. The mission wasn't just about infiltration — it was about getting Aoi back safely, and protecting everyone involved.]
Reina: into comms
Infiltration Team, move. Task Force, cover. Keep eyes open for anything unusual. This is our only window.
[Reina raised a hand sharply, halting the convoy and signaling all units to freeze. Her eyes caught movement in the distance — another black van, larger and more imposing than the rest. Its headlights cut through the night, reflecting off broken glass and wet asphalt.]
Reina: into comms, calm but firm
Hold positions. Another vehicle approaching.
[The van came to a slow stop, doors opening with mechanical precision. Two figures stepped out — Vlad, tall and imposing, his presence commanding and cold, and beside him, Irisyvell, radiating a calculated, dangerous confidence.]
Haruto: jaw tightening, energy flickering faintly We need to be careful. Their power… it's different.
Shizuka: placing a hand lightly on his shoulder Stay focused. Remember Aoi and Mio.
[Reina's gaze sharpened, scanning the perimeter. Every unit fell into tense silence, weapons ready, eyes tracking the enemy's movements. The moment stretched, the night air thick with anticipation. This was the first direct confrontation, and the balance of the mission now hung on the edge of action.]
Reina:into comms, low and precise
Positions confirmed. Infiltration Team, advance on my mark. Task Force, cover all exits. No mistakes.
[Haruto felt the hum of Aoi's presence through the walls ahead, her energy steady despite the danger. Determination surged inside him, mingling with the fear of what awaited. They were close — and everything depended on the next move.]
[Haruto closed his eyes briefly, taking a steadying breath as the energy around him hummed faintly. He reached out with his thoughts, focusing entirely on Aoi, willing his mind to touch hers through the distance and walls separating them.]
Haruto: thinking
Aoi… I'm here. Can you hear me?
[A faint pulse returned, steady and unmistakable. Aoi's presence, warm and alive, flowed into his mind. His eyes snapped open, astonished and relieved.]
Haruto:thinking, with urgency Aoi… stay calm. We're coming for you.
[Her presence responded, soft but determined.]
Aoi:thinking I know… I can hold on. Mio is with me, but she's hurt badly and losing blood.
[Haruto's heart clenched at the thought of her courage. He leaned closer to Shirou and Shizuka, whispering urgently.]
Haruto: I can reach her… I can sense her. She's okay for now, but we need to move carefully and fast because Mio is hurt badly.
Shirou: nodding, voice low Then we coordinate around that. Use her presence as a guide.
Shizuka:firmly Stay sharp, Haruto. Channel her energy, but don't overextend yourself.
[Haruto focused, letting her energy anchor him. The telepathic connection was fragile but steady, giving the team a real advantage. Every step, every glance, every sense became sharper as they prepared to infiltrate, the weight of the mission now intertwined with the direct knowledge that Aoi was alive and reachable.]
[Haruto's focus sharpened, energy humming faintly around him as he connected with Aoi's presence through the telepathic link. Her pulse of thought was urgent but steady, threading through the walls and shadows of the underground base.]
Aoi: thinking Brother… we'll be leaving in a few minutes. Please hurry.
[Haruto's eyes widened slightly at the timing, heart racing. He immediately leaned closer to Shirou and Shizuka, whispering with urgency.]
Haruto: They're moving soon. Aoi says they'll be leaving in a few minutes. We have to act fast.
Shirou:nodding, low voice Then we coordinate around that window. Reina?
Reina:nodding You heard the boy. Task Force and Infiltration Units, move on my mark... Now!
[The team moved with precision, silent steps carrying them through the abandoned site. Infiltration Unit led the way, shadows blending with shadows, Task Force Unit covering all possible exits. Haruto stayed close to Shirou and Shizuka, feeling Aoi's presence pulse steadily through the walls.]
Shirou: whispering Positions confirmed. Move carefully, but we need to reach the target before they relocate her.
Haruto: thinking to Aoi Hold on… we're close. Just a little further.
[Every corridor they navigated was tense, officers alert to the faintest sound. The faint hum of machinery echoed through the base, each creak of metal making the team flinch.]
[Suddenly, a sharp klaxon cut through the silence — the alarm had been triggered. Red lights flashed across the walls, reflecting off the concrete with urgency.]
Reina:into comms, firm All units, the alarm is active. Move fast. Infiltration Team, adjust positions. Task Force, tighten perimeter. They know we're here.
Shizuka: gripping her weapon tightly
Haruto, stay with me. Keep sensing Aoi.
[Haruto's hands trembled slightly, energy flaring faintly as he reached out with his telepathy, trying to guide the team around guards and automated security. The pressure increased with every passing second, alarms ringing louder, the sense of urgency building — the mission teetered on a knife-edge.]
Shirou:low, determined No mistakes. We get her back, everyone stays safe. Move.
[The night air seemed to close in around them as the team surged forward, each step bringing them closer to Aoi — and closer to the inevitable confrontation with the mafia and the looming presence of Vlad and Irisyvell.]
[The red alarm lights pulsed harshly across the concrete walls, painting the abandoned base in streaks of urgency. The team moved with controlled chaos, Infiltration Unit clearing corridors, Task Force Unit covering exits. Haruto's energy flared faintly as he kept Aoi's presence in focus, guiding the team toward her cell.]
Reina:into comms, precise
All units, stay sharp. Guards on the lower floor are mobile. Prioritize stealth where possible, but engage if necessary.
[From the shadows, armed guards surged forward, blocking passage. The team split seamlessly — Shirou, Shizuka, and Haruto moved toward the main corridor, Infiltration Unit handling flanking enemies, Task Force containing reinforcements.]
Shirou: low, determined Contact front. Take them down quietly.
[The first guards fell with swift, precise movements. Officers moved like a single entity, eliminating threats efficiently, but the alarms only intensified, echoing across the underground halls.]
[Suddenly, the corridor ahead darkened further as two figures entered — Leviathan and Arthur. Leviathan's movements were calm, controlled, but the subtle tension around him suggested inner conflict. Arthur's presence was sharp, his stance commanding, ready to counter any intruders.]
Arthur: You're too late. Extraction is about to begin.
[Leviathan's eyes flicked toward Aoi's cell, a faint hesitation hidden behind his stoic expression. He stepped forward, subtly blocking one flank, while Arthur moved with calculated precision to intercept the team.]
Haruto: thinking to Aoi
Stay with Mio. We're almost there. Don't move until we reach you.
[The team advanced, encountering resistance at every turn. Guards were dispatched with careful coordination, but Leviathan's calm efficiency and Arthur's tactical strikes created a growing gap.]
Shirou:swift, precise Task Force, cover left flank. Infiltration, move closer to the cell. Focus fire, no unnecessary risks.
[Leviathan intercepted a pair of officers with subtle but devastating force, while Arthur challenged Shirou directly, blocking advances and forcing careful maneuvers. The clash intensified, red alarm lights reflecting the urgency and chaos of the raid.]
[Amid the chaos, a low rumble vibrated through the ground — an ominous, deep presence signaling something far larger than any guard. The distant walls shuddered, hinting at Behemoth's impending deployment. Every officer felt it, the tension rising with an almost tangible weight.]
Reina:into comms, urgent Team, stay focused. Behemoth is activating. Prioritize the target — Aoi and Mio — above all else. Engage only when necessary.
[Haruto felt Aoi's pulse spike, a silent signal of the looming danger. The connection kept him steady, giving the team direction through the storm of guards, Leviathan's conflicted intervention, and Arthur's calculated strikes. Every step was a delicate balance between speed and caution, knowing the next moment could erupt into full-scale chaos.]
[The underground base, once quiet and abandoned, had become a battlefield — shadows, alarms, and energy pulses weaving around officers and antagonists alike, all converging toward the cell where Aoi waited, unaware of how close the final confrontation was.]
[The chaos of the underground base intensified. Guards fell back under the coordinated assault of Shirou, Shizuka, and the Infiltration Unit, while Leviathan and Arthur kept the team in check, their movements precise and imposing. But then, the air shifted — heavier, charged with anticipation.]
[Through the main corridor, Vlad and Irisyvell appeared, moving with unshakable confidence. Their presence commanded attention, every officer freezing for a split second under the weight of authority and menace.]
Vlad: Long time no see, vigilantes. I can't wait to see you suffer with the power we built!
Irisyvell: Behold, the reanimated Behemoth! Created by yours truly. Now, contain all intruders. Extraction is secondary.
[Behind them, shadows lengthened, and the ground trembled. A low, resonant rumble grew louder, echoing through the concrete corridors. From the darkness, a towering figure emerged — Behemoth, its massive frame nearly scraping the ceiling. Sparks of residual energy flickered along its body, evidence that it had survived, somehow reanimated and ready for war.]
[Gasps ran through the team. Shirou's eyes widened in disbelief, Kei stiffened, Shizuka's grip on her weapon tightened, and even the officers nearest the entrance froze momentarily. Behemoth's presence was overwhelming, a force they had thought gone forever.]
Ryou: breathing hard, voice low
Hey, hey. That thing is still alive?
Shin:clenching fists
How is this possible…
Kei: I guess beating his ass last time wasn't enough for him.
Shirou: steadying himself, determination hardening
Focus. The target comes first.
[Behemoth advanced slowly, each step shaking the floor. Vlad and Irisyvell moved with deliberate precision, positioning themselves strategically at its sides. The combined threat was immense — a living weapon of destruction, guided by two of the most formidable Arches leaders.]
[Haruto felt Aoi's pulse spike sharply through the telepathic link, her energy trembling with both fear and resolve. He could sense the widening gap between the team and the approaching behemoth, knowing that this was a battle unlike any they had faced before. Every officer's focus, every movement, every decision now carried the weight of survival and the urgency of rescue.]
Reina: into comms, commanding
All units, stay coordinated. Protect the team, reach the target. Avoid direct confrontation with Behemoth until we have a clear opening. This is our only chance.
[The underground base shook under the steps of the towering Behemoth, Vlad and Irisyvell closing in on the team with lethal precision. The raid, once tactical and calculated, had now become a desperate struggle against overwhelming power — the fate of Aoi, Mio, and the entire team hanging in the balance.]
[The underground base had become a warzone. Concrete walls cracked under the tremors of Behemoth's steps, dust and debris scattering across the floor. Red alarm lights strobbed over the scene, reflecting off metal and sweat-drenched faces. Officers and infiltrators moved like a single organism, weaving through chaos while maintaining focus on Aoi's location.]
[Shirou charged first, sliding beneath a swinging arm of Behemoth, the impact sending concrete fragments spraying across the corridor. He rolled forward, weapon raised, dispatching guards with precise strikes. Each move carried the weight of desperation, every breath timed with awareness of the looming threats.]
Shirou: Keep your spacing! Watch their movements!
[Shizuka mirrored him, leaping over toppled debris, energy flickering faintly from her attacks as she intercepted two guards rushing toward the flank. Sparks of metal clashed with the officers' weapons, ringing through the air as the corridor became a maze of steel and chaos.]
[Behemoth's towering form advanced, its every step causing the ground to tremble violently. Concrete tiles cracked, forcing officers to jump or dodge, while shards of broken walls flew unpredictably. Vlad and Irisyvell moved with lethal precision at Behemoth's sides, coordinating strikes with the entity's swings, cutting through anyone who dared get too close.]
Reina:into comms, commanding above the noise Do not underestimate them. Protect each other! Keep pushing toward the cell!
[Leviathan intercepted a squad advancing too quickly, his movements a blur of controlled power. Each strike he delivered was precise, meant to incapacitate rather than kill, though the force behind it was enough to send officers skidding across the floor. Arthur, on the other side, parried Shirou's attacks with calculated precision, forcing him to retreat several steps, all while Behemoth's shadow loomed overhead.]
[Haruto felt Aoi's pulse through the telepathy link, her energy guiding him. He shouted mental commands to Shirou and Shizuka, pointing out paths and openings, helping them avoid both guards and Behemoth's destructive swings.]
Haruto:thinking, urgent Left corridor, open path… avoid that swing. She's close… hold on!
[Dust and smoke filled the air as debris collapsed from Behemoth's movements. Officers ducked under beams falling from the ceiling, kicked aside rubble, and rolled under the sweeping limbs of the towering creature. The metallic screech of weapons against armor echoed relentlessly, punctuated by shouts and the distant rumble of the alarm.]
[Shirou lunged through a broken wall, narrowly avoiding Arthur's calculated strike, while Shizuka vaulted over a fallen beam to block two guards aiming for the flank. Sparks flew from metal colliding with reinforced panels as Task Force units tried to hold chokepoints, giving the infiltration teams a chance to push forward.]
[Behemoth's swings were relentless, each movement deliberate and crushing, forcing the team to split and regroup continuously. Vlad's presence was a cold command — each motion of his hand redirected the entity, forcing officers to dodge around unpredictable arcs of destruction. Irisyvell moved with fluid agility, her strikes precise and devastating, taking out guards before they could reach the team's core.]
[Leviathan's hesitation was barely noticeable, a fraction of a second that allowed Shirou to exploit a gap, sending two guards sprawling. But Arthur's counterstrike forced Shirou into cover, sending a shower of concrete fragments into the air. The sound of metal snapping and the groan of stressed structures created a living symphony of war.]
[Haruto's energy flared, guiding the team through the chaos, sensing Aoi's location through every tremor and pulse. Officers ducked and weaved, splitting into small units to handle localized threats while following Haruto's telepathic instructions. Each corridor became a deadly gauntlet, every step a calculated risk.]
Shizuka: Push forward! The cell is just ahead!
[The team's advance was measured, each officer adapting instantly to Behemoth's swings, Vlad and Irisyvell's movements, and the lethal precision of Leviathan and Arthur. Dust choked the air, metal and concrete scattered like shrapnel, and the echo of shouts, collisions, and footsteps filled every corner of the underground base.]
[Amidst the chaos, Haruto felt Aoi's energy spike, signaling she had noticed the movement of her rescuers. Hope surged through him, sharpening his focus as he guided them closer, dodging debris, evading attacks, and weaving through the battlefield like a thread through a storm.]
[The scene was chaos incarnate: concrete cracked under the weight of Behemoth, flashes of energy and weapons clashed violently, officers shouted over the din, and every heartbeat carried the weight of life or death. The team pushed relentlessly, every movement a delicate balance of aggression and caution, all converging on the single goal — rescuing Aoi and Mio.]
[Away from the main chaos of the underground base, in a dimly lit side corridor of the facility, Sera faced Leviathan. The sound of distant alarms and Behemoth's steps vibrated through the walls, but here, it was just the two of them, locked in a deadly dance of skill and will.]
[Sera's eyes were sharp, every movement calculated. She tightened her grip on her weapon, muscles coiled like springs, ready to strike or parry at a moment's notice. Leviathan stood opposite her, towering and composed, his presence a steady force, but the subtle tension in his posture betrayed the conflict within.]
Sera: I won't let you stand in our way.
Ren: Me neither, I won't back down on what I believe is right.
The first clash was immediate. Sera lunged, blades flashing in the dim light. Leviathan countered effortlessly, parrying with controlled strength that could have shattered bones. Sparks flew with every strike, each impact resonating like a drumbeat in the quiet corridor.
Sera: Right? That, you're fighting for right there, is falsehood. You just don't want to realize it!
[They moved fluidly, circling one another. Sera struck left, forcing Leviathan to retreat and then pivot, twisting to maintain balance as she pressed forward again. Each strike was precise, deadly, testing both skill and endurance.]
Sera: You're holding back…
Ren: gritting teeth I'm not your enemy, nor your ally.
[Sera's strike clipped his shoulder, a shallow cut that drew blood but did not stop him. Leviathan retaliated, a sweeping strike that Sera narrowly ducked, the force sending shards of concrete skittering across the floor. Dust hung in the air, mingling with their controlled breaths.]
[They exchanged a flurry of strikes, parries, and feints, each attack more intense than the last. Sera's movements were sharp and elegant, honed from years of discipline, while Leviathan's strikes carried cold precision, every motion calculated to disable without overcommitting.]
Sera: You've always been conflicted… you can still choose to stand for yourself.
[Leviathan hesitated for a fraction of a second — enough for Sera to press the advantage, sweeping low and forcing him back against the wall. The impact rattled both fighters, but he held his ground, his eyes flicking to her, almost questioning.]
Leviathan: I… don't know if I can.
Sera: Then start small. Stand for one thing. Just one... Even if it's for me.
[The duel intensified, neither giving quarter, each strike punctuated by the echoes of the base, the distant alarm, and Behemoth's looming presence somewhere else in the facility. Sparks and energy flares lit the corridor, shadows dancing over the walls as two forces clashed with both physical power and the weight of conflicting ideals.]
[Every motion carried meaning — a test of loyalty, a challenge to resolve, and a silent question of whether one could break free from the chains of orders and past mistakes. Neither fighter backed down, the intensity of their duel reflecting the storm raging elsewhere in the underground base.]
[The clash between Sera and Leviathan continued, each strike ringing sharply in the narrow corridor. Suddenly, Arthur lunged from the shadows, targeting a brief lapse in Sera's guard, aiming to break her defenses with one decisive strike.]
[Sera's eyes widened in surprise, her body tensing for the impact. Arthur's attack was precise, fast — meant to exploit her momentary opening. But before the blade could land, Leviathan moved.]
[With calm, fluid precision, Ren intercepted the strike, parrying it effortlessly. The clang of metal against metal echoed through the corridor, both Sera and Arthur frozen for a split second, stunned by the sudden intervention.]
Arthur:stepping back, narrowing his eyes
Hey, are you… trying to betray SoveCle?
[Leviathan's expression remained unreadable, but the brief hesitation in his stance hinted at inner conflict. He did not respond immediately, letting the accusation hang in the air like a weighty pause. Sparks from the parried strike scattered across the floor, illuminating the tension that had suddenly deepened.]
[Sera, still regaining her focus, glanced at Ren, her mind racing. She hadn't expected him to intervene, and Arthur certainly hadn't anticipated his loyalty — or perhaps his choice — would shift so suddenly.]
[Arthur's gaze burned with challenge, his next movements deliberate, testing the subtle line between orders and personal conviction. Leviathan's presence now stood as both shield and silent question.]
Ren: I hate how I just realized this now; How far could one follow orders before choosing their own path?
Arthur: What do you mean by that, Levi? tightening his grip on the sword
Ren: Sorry, Art. I can't do this anymore. I hate being stagnant, after all. he breathed deeply and declared From now on, all of SoveCle will see me as traitor, just as they see Yggdrasil in the past. Leviathan... is now dead.