Skavit’s tail held onto the hatch as the vehicle climbed up the small hillside. His heart thumped like war drums, ears flat against his skull as the rodent mentally prepared for the work ahead.

  Soon, the metal beast groaned as it reached the top of the hill, and Skavit could already see many warriors tense up at the sight of it. Quickly, he raised his arms in the air and waved, trying his best to keep himself balanced.

  Many warriors visibly relaxed a bit at the sight of someone from their kin riding such a monster, but the atmosphere was still tense. The cyan colors of their armor shone and reflected the sunlight, a mixture of metal and hide. They held metallic spears, swords made of bone, with a few bowmen at the back line.

  The armored vehicle stopped before it slowly spun in place, turning the back exit toward the warriors. Finally, the ramp fell down onto the ground with a heavy thud, and the Marines marched out from it. Quito’s fireteam moves out first, going around the metal beast’s side before stopping and holding position at the front of the vehicle, covering their flanks. Then, Arizona’s fireteam came out alongside the sarge, weapons in resting position until finally, the Ambassador stepped out.

  The sight scared the warriors, growing anxious as they shifted in place. But curiosity was still in the air, despite the thin layer of fear that lay over them.

  Skavit hopped off the top of the vehicle, quickly moving to stand beside the ambassador. “< The Angel’s Monarch greets the fellow warriors. Where is your matriarch? >”

  The rodents take glances at one another, squeaks and chirps echoing as no response came. Until suddenly: “< Give way! >” A deeper voice ordered as the thump of a drum echoed.

  Almost like the flick of a switch, years of dedicated training clicked together in the minds of the warriors. They moved, the unified group splitting into two as they gave way. From between the vermin, a smaller group stepped forward from the other end of the hillside.

  First and most important was what seemed to be the Grand Patriarch of the Yeth Clan. He stood around half a foot taller than his army, armor with clear signs of aging: cuts and dents covering its metallic frame and cyan colors. His grey fur shone between the small gaps in his armor, the few spots where hide wasn’t covering. The Patriarch himself seemed old, one scarlet eye staring at Skavit while the other remained unfocused, with a clear white over the red. He held a fully metallic spear, leading the small group. Right behind him, two royal guards held up a gray banner as high as they could, the symbol of a dark skull right in the middle.

  In the middle of the group, four other guards held a humble palanquin made of cloth and metal. Sitting inside it was she, their Grand Matriarch. She wore ceremonial clothes, robes similar to what Litha wore but with a color scheme of cyan and black. The matriarch’s fur was a bright and pure white, groomed into a perfect image. Her ears stood tall with their fluffy tips, ruby eyes half-lidded as the young Matriarch kept her focus on the ambassador.

  The group slowly approached until finally stopping at the front of the army. They would stand there, the ones holding the palanquin ready to move out while their Grand Patriarch stepped forward.

  “< I, Galth, the Grand Patriarch of the Yeth Clan, greet the Monarch of the Angels. >” He squeaked loudly from across the hill as he turned his spear down and sunk it into the dirt. “< Who speaks on behalf of your Monarch? >” The old vermin questioned.

  Skavit took a hurried step forward, raising his chest, trying to seem more confident. “< I, Skavit of the Low Yllif Clan. >” His voice echoed across the field, with the old Patriarch’s whiskers furrowing. “< I am the bridge and the messenger, I am the one who speaks the words of the Monarch in our tongue. >”

  After Skavit elaborates on his role, the Galth’s whiskers relaxed, acknowledging them as almost equals. It was a standard thing for these kinds of meetings in the field: patriarchs greet each other first. Or at least, two rodents with equal authority, keeping the playing field equal before it was safe for the Matriarchs. But this was only half of the ritual, the most important part came next.

  Skavit took his pistol and set it on the ground before approaching. Galth let go of his spear in kind and began walking towards him. Soon enough, both vermin would stand face to face, staring at each other in silence. The older rodent reached forward, grasping Skavit’s hands before clasping them together.

  “< For my daughter and clan. >” Galth squeaked while staring down at the younger rodent patiently. His demeanor felt soothing, like the sway of a boat under gentle waves.

  Skavit stood silent for a moment, staring down at the grass as he thought. What he deemed most precious or important? It wasn’t everyday he had to think much about something like this. Fortunately, he didn’t have to think for long, the first and most obvious one being his mother and matriarch. Then came those who were important to him right now.

  He looked up, staring at the older vermin’s eyes with determination. “< For my mother and brothers in arms. >”

  Silence once again hung in the air. Galth nodded, accepting Skavit’s unspoken promise before finally letting go of him.

  They switched sides, and the vermin holding the palanquin lowered it down, letting the Grand Matriarch step out of it and slowly make her way to the two males. Meanwhile, Skavit beckoned Nila with a hand, with her closing in the distance as well.

  Soon the four stood together, with the younger male taking a glance or two at the Matriarch right beside him. This time, though, he wasn’t that nervous, merely scanning her. After all, he’s where he’s supposed to be.

  “< I, Litha, Grand Matriarch of the Low Yeth Clan, greet the Angel. >” She squeaks, keeping her composure while looking at the human expectantly.

  Skavit quickly interjected, “Matriarch Litha greets ye.” before glancing at Litha and adding in a hurry. “Bow.”

  The Ambassador raises an eyebrow, but follows the instruction anyway, giving the Matriarch a short but cordial bow with as much grace as someone tripping on a stone. “I’m Nila. It is an honor to meet the Matriarch.”

  “< The Monarch feels honored by your presence, Matriarch. >” The interpreter squeaked, turning to Litha and keeping his pointy ears up while fidgeting his claws together.

  She remains silent for a moment, a soft hum echoing. “< So the rumors are truthful… >” Litha ponders before facing Skavit, her posture changing as she attempts to seem taller than him, like a predator ready to pounce on prey. “< Why hasn’t their Matriarch come here herself? >”

  The interpreter freezes for a moment, eyes briefly going wide. He took a few looks between Nila and Litha anxiously before coughing and replying. “< Their Matriarch is far away. Many realms need her presence beyond the skies. It would be dangerous to bring her. She battles over the stars. >”

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  The matriarch’s ears twitched, whiskers furrowing as she seemed to be taken aback by this revelation. But masterfully, she recomposes herself, giving Skavit a small nod. “< I see… In this case… >” she whispers before turning to the Ambassador and giving her a slow bow.

  After that, her people and even the Patriarch were surprised. The atmosphere now seems dense as the rodents grow restless by this fresh development. After all, what kind of existence was that which could make a Grand Matriarch bow?

  Meanwhile, Nila seemed pleased, a smile appearing on her face as she reached for her pocket. She takes out a simple rectangular device from it, having a single button, some speakers, and two LED lights, one already shining a bright green.

  “The UNE wants to protect and help your people, and to begin this relationship, I offer a gift.” The Ambassador speaks, offering the device to the Matriarch.

  “< Her kind wishes to help and become friends with the Yeth Clan. To begin such a relationship, she offers a gift. >” Skavit steps in, nodding towards the device, urging Litha to take it.

  The Matriarch tilts her head to the side, briefly breaking her composure out of sheer curiosity. She reaches out and grasps the device, bringing it closer to herself to inspect the item while the Patriarch seems tense, ears flat against his skull.

  “It’s a communication device, a direct line for you to speak with me,” Nila explains before taking another device, one vaguely similar and yet simpler. Her device didn’t have a single button. Instead, it was just a flat surface of glass.

  “< It’s a magical device, a way to speak with the Monarch from far away. >” The interpreter squeaks while leaning closer, pointing at the button.

  Litha’s eyes briefly widened, and reluctantly, she pressed the button with a thumb. Immediately, all ears in the field perked up as a ringing sound echoed from the ambassador’s device, with her muffling out a chuckle before swiping at the screen.

  “Hello there.” She speaks, and just like magic, her voice rings out from the artifact in the matriarch’s hands. She stares at it, before curiously bringing it closer to her ear. “Hello there!” The human once more greets her, chuckling through the speakers of the device.

  Litha is stunned, glancing between her own device and the one Nila is holding. Eventually, she brings it closer to her own mouth and mutters. “< Greetings. >” And sure enough, her voice echoed from the speaker.

  With a swipe of a finger, though, Nila shuts off the call, a small beep echoing through the Matriarch’s device. The next minute involved explaining some basic technicals, like battery charge and other basic things. Litha had an excitement akin to a youngling, mesmerized by the technology and gripping the artifact.

  The tension in the air faded, being replaced by a sense of wonder and curiosity.

  “< The Monarch recommends you to call her tomorrow. Either I or another of our kin will be the bridge between you and her. >” Skavit finished the talks, his tail taking on a slow sway alongside the matriarch’s one.

  Litha nods before turning her attention to the ambassador. “< It is an honor to be given such a priceless gift. Our future shall be bright. >” she squeaked, offering a cordial bow to Nila.

  “The Matriarch is honored and looks forward to the… footoore…?” Skavit chirps, an ear falling flat against his skull at his attempt. Fortunately, the ambassador simply has a look of understanding on her face and doesn’t address it.

  “Perfect, we’ll be taking our leave now then.” Nila replied, giving Litha a bow of her own. Now the gesture wasn’t that uncomfortable for her. The stance clearly meant that they were equals.

  Skavit didn’t even need to do his job this time. The meeting was over. He glanced at Galth, ready to do the exchange and last words, but suddenly, the echoing sound of an army marching rang through the air. From the side of the hill, vermin warriors appeared, ones who did not wave colors nor banners.

  Spears were pointing high at the sky, clicking metal and squeaks softly rumbled. At the front of the army, a young brown rodent stood tall. He wore more elaborate armor, metal of clear higher quality than those amongst his ranks, alongside a spear. Those dark globes stared intently at the matriarch while he grasped his spear. “< Grand Matriarch Litha, this warrior requests your surrender! >” He blares out, pointy ears standing tall. Meanwhile, the Marines moved, repositioning but not yet aiming their weapons at the newcomers.

  Silence rang heavily in the air, with Skavit taking quick glances at the Matriarch, who seemed just as confused as he was. But soon enough, someone would step up. “< How dare you make such a request! >” Galth roared, putting himself between the other two and the ambassador while snarling. “< Tell me now which Clan you belong to so I can know where to send your bodies after I’m done. >”

  But alas, silence answered his question. They came here with their goals settled, the only thing they waited for was for the Yeth’s Clan warriors to draw their blades and spears.

  “Skavit…?” Nila asked, glancing at the rodent beside her and waiting for his cue.

  “They want the matriarch.” The interpreter hushed, his tail curling on itself while his ears fell flat against his skull.“ And are not saying which clan they are from.” He added. Quickly, the ambassador glanced at Wood and gave him a nod.

  They set the emergency plan into action. The sergeant nodded towards Arizona, with the grenadier slowly aiming his rifle at the new threat.

  “< Young Warrior. >” Galth chirps, slowly turning to face Skavit before approaching him. The older rodent took the interpreter’s hands, staring deep into those dark orbs with his own scarlet ones. “< Take my daughter with the Angels. It’s an absurd request, but one I will pay handsomely, else I’ll pay it with my life. >”

  Both the Matriarch and Skavit’s eyes go wide, with the young male taking quick glances between the two. His heart rammed against his chest, whiskers rapidly twitching. Once more shoved into a position not fit for him. Not that he had much time to think, the rodent could already see that under-barrel grenade launcher being pointed at the unidentified rodents.

  Then, in a split second, everything happened at once.

  Nila closed her ears and began turning to the armored vehicle, Arizona’s finger pressed against the trigger, and Skavit? His hands immediately reached for the Grand Matriarch’s ears, something that would have been enough to execute him on the spot in any other context. He covered them, and shortly after, a soft thump echoed through the air.

  Galth began turning and ran towards where he left his spear while the interpreter dragged the confused matriarch towards the armored vehicle.

  All eyes turn to Arizona as the stun grenade slices the air. Vermin warriors positioned their spears, but it was already too late. The explosive echoed with a loud thunk as it hit some poor rodent’s bucket helmet.

  For those who had their eyes toward the enemy, a bright flash greeted them as the grenade exploded. Those among the bannerless have their first meeting with a light almost as bright as the sun for a split second. Right after, a sharp and loud bang rang in all ears in the area. It stung the rodent’s sensitive ears, even for Skavit who was further away from it, like a thousand little bells singing right against them.

  Confusion immediately set in, with many of the unknown warriors immediately falling onto the ground, some onto their knees before abruptly disposing of all contents from their stomachs. Galth got caught off-guard, falling onto the ground while grasping his ears before getting up and taking his spear. Thankfully, Skavit’s ears were already battle hardened against these, but the nausea almost made him fall as well. He’d use his tail to grasp the pistol he left on the ground while continuing his escape.

  Squeaks, chirps and hisses echoed in the air, a cacophony of sounds that were just as overwhelming as the stun grenade. The vehicle’s closing doors would soon muffle and fade away all of this chaos, and then the machine’s soft hum would echo around them.

  Skavit took deep breaths while still holding the Grand Matriarch in his hands before slowly letting go of her. Litha was trembling, eyes wide and ears flat against the sides of her head where the interpreter held them. Her breath gradually slowed down until finally becoming more stable, with the rodent snapping out of the state of shock.

  As the metal beast drove away, all eyes slowly turned to the elephant in the room, something that wasn’t in the emergency plan they made.

  In the distance, the muffled sounds of metal hitting metal and hisses echo while the one responsible for it sits among them.

  The end of the first arc!