• Date: September 29, 2173


  
• Time: 7:00 AM


  
• Location: Fae Military Headquarters


  

  After half an hour, Tale and his companions arrived in Fae via teleporter. The sky was pitch-black, with massive clouds churning ominously. Suddenly, heavy raindrops began pelting the titanium plating of his power armor.

  ''Ah! It's raining!''

  Joan reacted as her choice of clothing would be soaked wet if she didn't find shelter soon. Fortunately for the young one, the champion used his magical prowess to create an invisible canopy, much like an umbrella, that shielded them from the rain.

  ''This should shelter us from the weather...''

  ''...Are you alright, little one?''

  ''Yes- Yes, thank you.''

  Hearing Joan's thankful response, Adelard looked around him and saw the military base continuing sorties. Despite the downpour, elven personnel diligently carried out their duties. Wyverns of various shapes and sizes continuously landed and took off from the base, their wings cutting through the stormy air.

  ''Welcome to Fae, Hero of Eldrant!''

  Marshal Eugene announced as she approached the group. However, something felt off—the marshal wasn't soaking wet despite the rainstorm hovering over the military base. Tale soon noticed the faint magical signature emanating from her body. Above her, an invisible canopy shielded her from the rain. Similar to the one Adelard had created to cover him and Joan from the weather.

  ''Marshal!''

  ''Marshal!''

  Tale and Adelard then immediately saluted. In return, the marshal signaled them to stand down, her demeanor calm but authoritative. Of course, the two soldiers complied, standing at ease as they awaited her orders.

  ''At ease...''

  ''...I would like to introduce my assistant. Delphine, she's a sea elve formerly from Zangratu, the island kingdom.''

  Delphine, with her kingdom's distinctive blue skin, wore a neatly buttoned gray trench coat. Her rank as colonel was prominently displayed on her left breast as she carried several documents.

  ''Good day to you all....''

  ''...Especially to you, hero.''

  The colonel introduced herself with a bow to the Ghost Operative. Again, it was odd for Tale to receive these gestures due to his lack of social skills. However, he wouldn't stay quiet as he nodded in return to the elven officer.

  ''Now that you're acquainted. Delphine will assist with your needs while you're here at Fae.''

  ''Please do not hesitate to ask.''

  The group, now joined by the marshal and her assistant, proceeded toward the heart of the military base. As they approached the entrance blocking their path, several military personnel promptly opened it. Some bowed in respect, while others saluted the general and the champion.

  ''We'll tour the base first. Right after, we'll head toward the device.''

  ''Please, wait for me!''

  Catching up with the group was a soaked female elve. Thankfully, the marshal would signal for the group to halt. This could only mean that she was someone important.

  ''Thank you!''

  Exclaimed the exhausted female, heavily panting. Marshal Eugene approached the newcomer and used fire magic to provide warmth. The unnamed elve reacted by embracing the flame to warm herself. This individual wore a white coat, enhanced glasses, and had bright pink hair.

  ''You're a lifesaver, marshal!''

  The pink elve muttered as she huddled closely to the Marshal of Fae. Still, Tale wondered who this particular elve was and why she was so casual to the marshal. An acquaintance, perhaps?

  ''Allow me to introduce the head of our research team, hero...

  ''...Doctor Amour.''

  The now-named researcher had her eyes staring directly at the armored body of the operative. Her long ears stood upright as her brain struggled to process that Marshal Eugene had just called him the hero.

  ''I- It's an honor to- to finally meet you, hero!''

  The researcher excitedly said, and Tale found it concerning when he noticed the heart-shaped pupil of the elve. Was this a sign of illness or a mutation? It was unique to see the Head Researcher of Fae acting so childish, especially since his past experiences with researchers had always been met with cold and stern expressions, except for one researcher who had raised him.

  ''Ahem! Doctor Amour personally handles the research concluding invader technology.''

  ''There is Kaynian technology present here?''

  He asked, curious about how much Kaynian technology the elves had acquired, studied, and more. After all, the I.C.E. and the A.F.E. didn't have much time to research their enemy's technological marvels without them being blown to bits.

  ''Why yes, Fae is not foreign in dealing with anything relating to the invaders. Especially their technology.''

  Taking notice of this, Vee immediately materialized on Tale's shoulder. Colonel Delphine and Doctor Amour were taken aback by her sudden appearance. However, what got their interest was that the A.I. did not possess any magical signature.

  [May I see the Kaynian technologies you have?]

  ''Of course, Lady Vee. I'll order a presentation later on.''

  [Much appreciated.]

  Entering the premises of Fae's massive hangar, the Ghost was greeted by the sight of hardworking elves diligently performing their tasks, maintaining and arming wyverns as part of Her Majesty's orders to prepare for mobilization. The air buzzed with urgency as every clang of metal and flutter of wings underscored the kingdom's readiness for battle.

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  ''Welcome to the hangar...''

  ''...Due to Lady Vee's information about the potential arrival of invader forces here on Eldrant. We have been mobilizing everything we have on Fae and every other base on the kingdom.''

  It wouldn't be long until the crews took notice of him. Some kneeled to show their respect, and the others gave a bow. Proceeding through the hangar, Vee saw an elven mecha of sorts. It was ten feet tall and was armed with a staff of sorts. Not only that, but it also radiated magic-based energies. Which caught the A.I.'s attention, wondering as to what its power source was.

  [What's that?]

  ''Ah, that their Lady Vee is a frame unit! During our battle with the invaders two hundred years ago. Our forces would encounter a warrior that the invaders called a paladin. After we won the war, we wanted to have an anti-paladin unit. Hence, the frame unit was created for that purpose...''

  ''...Although there's only a small amount of them. The resources needed to create a single frame alone are enormous. So we can only create a handful each year, and maintaining them is also a hasel!''

  Hearing the marshal's response, Vee quickly understood their perspective. It was obvious that the A.F.E. were leagues ahead of the elves, which was true. However, the Elves of Eldrant had something that Earth and Her People didn't, and that was magic. Their planet's magic enabled them to create humanoid mechas to combat Kaynian Paladins. It was a different take on armored warfare by the elves, and the A.I. couldn't help but be intrigued.

  [We also encountered paladins during our ongoing war with the Kaynians. They were regularly used as breakthrough units to punch through our defenses.]

  ''How did your military deal with them, milady?''

  The site of this elven mech was a statement. These elves were at least competitive in warfare, although not equal to the standards of the A.F.E. Designs were conceptualized for a mech during the late twentieth-first century and earlier twentieth-second century. However, it never got traction as the main battle tanks were the primary objective of the armored corps.

  [Armored vehicles, Marshal Eugene. Our main battle tanks can destroy ground-based Kaynian Paladins, while our gunships and drones efficiently eliminate airborne paladin models without issue.]

  Vee projected holograms of the vehicles she mentioned: a main battle tank, a gunship, and a drone craft. While the marshal struggled to understand how these armored vehicles could defeat a paladin, she chose not to question the hero's companion. After all, if they have been facing the invaders for three days, then that must mean that their military is quite advanced.

  ''Doctor Amour.''

  ''Yes, marshal?''

  ''I would like you to prepare your data regarding the Kaynian Device.''

  ''Of course! Let us proceed to the laboratory!''

  Following the researcher to her laboratory, they were met with pristine white walls. In the very middle was a see-through room housing the Kaynian Device. Several researchers noticed the marshal and her company approaching. Upon seeing the operative, they immediately paused their work. The theories they have been working on the blackboards all over the laboratory were halted upon sighting the Hero of Eldrant.

  ''Welcome to my laboratory.''

  [I assume that there is the device?]

  ''Yes! What are your thoughts about the security we set up, Lady Vee?''

  Doctor Amour asked but received only a concerned look as Vee turned to the marshal. Immediately, the head researcher began to panic upon noticing the subtle shift in the A.I.'s demeanor.

  [Marshal Eugene, have you informed your researchers about the second stage of the device?]

  Amour and Delphine exchanged confused looks as both wondered what the second stage could mean. The marshal then stepped forward, sighed, and prepared to explain the gravity of the situation.

  ''Well, since they're here. I might as well tell them...''

  ''...Doctor Amour during our meeting. Lady Vee told us that the device has a total of five stages. Currently, it is transitioning into its second stage.''

  ''And what is this second stage, marshal?''

  ''It means the device would begin teleporting all over Eldrant until it reaches the void; trying to disable it now is our only hope."

  Doctor Amour, Colonel Delphine, and the spectating researchers gasped in shock. How would the device suddenly teleport away and appear in the void? But something told them this wasn't the only mind-breaking information they would receive.

  ''Currently, we only have so much time. Suppose the device proceeds with its stages. It would then create a portal for the invaders to pass through, and Eldrant will be doomed.''

  That alone made everyone shiver. No one, except for Tale and Vee, wanted to face the wrath of the invaders. Remembering what had happened two hundred years ago, how much destruction was brought to their world.

  ''But how? We know the device has some semblance of intelligence after thorough testing. But what you suggest is that the device possesses self-awareness?''

  Amour questioned as if her life depended on it. She wanted to deny it—desperately—but she couldn't. If the marshal's words were accurate. Then, all their time and effort to understand the Kaynian Device had been in vain.

  [Not exactly, Doctor Amour.]

  ''Please, milady, explain to me! How we have overlooked this possibility!''

  [Tell me, doctor. What do you think I am, in your opinion.]

  It was an unexpected curveball of a question she had been given. Why would the hero's companion question her about that? It was painfully obvious she was a spirit, although Vee hadn't possessed any magical properties. Which would disqualify that thought, as spirits often had magical bodies. Was she perhaps an artificial lifeform? But the only way that could be done was through magic unless.

  ''Could it be that you're suggesting that artificial life could be created without magic?''

  Hearing the doctor's answer, Vee smiled as she caught up to her subtle hint. It was finally time for her to state that she was no spirit and didn't have magic, although she was partnered with Tale, who the elves hail as their savior. That doesn't mean she was a spirit of sorts.

  [You caught up quickly, and yes, you are correct...]

  [...I'll go straight to the point. Your kind has misinterpreted my existence. I am what you would call artificial intelligence, or A.I. for short. Unlike you or an artificial lifeform created by magic. I was made through technological means.]

  This set up fireworks inside the researcher's mind. How could life be created through technological means? In Amour's mind, the concept of artificial life was almost exclusively tied to magic. Examples of such creations included golems and puppets. Yet, Vee suggests she is a byproduct of technological artificial life creation. However, if the hero's companion was created with technology, then that would mean that the Kaynians also had something similar, if not better.

  ''If that was the case. Then the invaders would likely possess something like you.''

  [Well, you'd be right in that assumption, but that isn't the case.]

  ''How?''

  [I don't know. Throughout our war, the Kaynians never possessed something similar to me or any artificial life form. Their technologies are thousands of years more advanced than what our military has at its disposal.]

  ''Yet they don't have one?''

  Vee shook her head in return. The Kaynians are advanced enough to create anything, yet they don't have any semblance of artificial intelligence. That was weird and concerning. Are the Kaynians limiting themselves, or is there a reason for it?

  [Yes. We don't know the full scope of the Kaynians. The closest thing that could be considered artificial intelligence is that device.]

  Looking at the device, Amour wanted to deny these claims, but they were undeniable facts about their enemy. As they absorbed the information, everyone in the laboratory understood the gravity of what was about to unfold.

  ''Marshal Eugene, I assume this is why we are mobilizing Elvania's military?''

  ''Correct, Colonel Delphine. Her Majesty has ordered us to prepare for the eventual arrival of the invaders.''

  ''If that were the case, then we are hopelessly outmatched.''

  ''You're wrong, colonel. Why would the hero and his companions be here unless we have a plan...''

  ''...Since the device is still here, Lady Vee can tap into its inner workings and hopefully disable it or trigger its self-destruct sequence.''

  If that were the case, they might have a fighting chance. Of course, it wasn't guaranteed— their plan could either succeed or fail, but at least it was a plan.

  [Shall I begin my work, marshal?]

  ''Of course, Lady Vee...''

  ''...Doctor Amour. If you could please guide the hero and his companions.''

  The pink-haired doctor obliged and guided their savior. Entering a chamber: Tale's power armor would be pressurized. While this was happening, Doctor Amour utilized scan magic to see if his armor would protect him from the radiation, which it did.

  ''You are clear, hero. You can now proceed.''

  Approaching the Kaynian Device, Tale's sensors noticed the large amounts of radiation within the room. His partner immediately took notice as if she hadn't anticipated this to go so fast, yet it did.

  [Woah! This thing has been spewing radiation a lot!]

  ''Vee, focus.''

  [Yeah, yeah. I'll get to it. No need to be grumpy, Tale.]

  Hopping off her partner, Vee accessed the device's interface. Unlike before, she swiftly navigated its systems, as she was familiar with its code and data. With ease, she placed herself at the very heart of the device.

  [Okay. I need to find the. Got it!]

  [GATE SYSTEMS DAMAGED. TELEPORTATION SOLUTION. NINETY PERCENT...]

  [...WARNING! UNKNOWN PROGRAM ONBOARD!]

  [Yeah, I know, bud. Now let's see where I last left off.]

  Vee then observed the vast amount of data on the device. Which dwarfed her own by several million times. Moving forward, she searched for a valuable piece of information.

  [Here you are!]

  Accessing the device's back door to its self-deactivation systems. Vee found the code responsible for its operation. But before she could tap into it, something would freeze her into place. It seemed that, in her cockiness, the A.I. had forgotten the device was still Kaynian in nature. Thus, it held advantages far beyond her, which she was now paying.

  [UNKNOWN PROGRAM FOUND. CONDUCTING TERMINATION SEQUENCE...]

  [...ERROR! ERROR! TERMINATION SEQUENCE MISSING!]

  [Too bad I already took care of that stupid termination code that you have!]

  [QUERY. CONDUCT TELEPORTATION SOLUTION INTO EFFECT.]

  Hearing those words from the Kaynian Device's semi-intelligent program caused the A.I. to panic. In her frozen state, she couldn't do anything but slowly break out of the prison created by the device. However, as everything turned south, Vee could only say two things.

  [Well, shit.]

  Indeed shit, the device might not be able to terminate Vee. But it can teleport itself to an unknown location to prevent her from accessing its self-destruct sequence. Immediately, it shot out a shockwave, indicating its process of teleporting. It didn't take long for Vee to get out and appear on her partner's H.U.D. to warn him.

  ''Vee, what's happening!''

  [The device wants to prevent its deactivation by teleporting out of here!]

  Exclaimed the A.I. Meanwhile, the elves outside the room were confused and concerned about what was happening. Doctor Amour then detected an energy spike coming from the device.

  ''Oh no! You need to get out of there! The device is releasing large amounts of energy!''

  The doctor warned, but it would be too late. The Kaynian Device would envelop everything inside in an energy field before firing off another shockwave. Within seconds, the hero and the device vanished.

  ''No, no, no!''

  Joan said aloud. It had happened again; she had just gotten him back, and now this. As they stared through the glass room, the young elve and her pet were devastated by what had occurred.

  'Not again! Please, don't leave me! Mister Tale! Miss Vee!'

  She pleaded, but it wouldn't be of any use. Besides Joan, the rest of the elves were panicking over the disappearance of the Ghost Operative. Doctor Amour furiously conducted several magics to detect, scan, and locate him.

  ''Doctor, tell me what just happened!''

  ''Marshal Eugene, based on the information I gathered. It seems that the device has triggered its second stage.''

  ''Damn it!''

  Slamming Doctor Amour's desk. The marshal couldn't believe that the hero and his companions were gone. Time was finally ticking for Eldrant if they couldn't find the device or the hero. The prospect of the invaders arriving in their world could be realized. Thus, Marshal Eugene needed to inform the Queen about this.

  ''Delphine!''

  ''Marshal!''

  ''Send word to Her Majesty! Tell her that the Hero of Eldrant and the Kaynian Device had teleported outside Fae!''

  To Be Continued.