Standard Mission: Terror from the Skies

On the way back to Chaldea
- Vayu -

Vayu’s eyes followed the Toufei as it glided over to his shoulder. The conversation shed some light on the relationship between the Toufei.

How peculiar.

Vayu nodded in response to the demands. “I always protect my allies,” he replied quietly. “And I will try my best to not lose track of you or the weapon,” he added. He wasn’t willing to extend any more favors. Especially not towards something that sentimental.

He raised his gauntlet covered hand, reaching up to the Toufei. Channelling his maga, the Toufei disappeared inside the gauntlet once their contract was established.

When everyone had sorted through the demons, they rode off to rejoin the caravan train.

Catequil was keeping pace with the horse easily.

“What are you gonna do with the demon?” he asked curiously.

“Fuse it with my Zhen,” Vayu replied. He didn’t really have a use for two flying type demons and at least the Zhen could carry him. The Toufei’s abilities, however, should make a good addition to his team.

“You’re cold,” Catequil chuckled, but only earned a shrug in response.

“I’m not here to babysit every demon we come across. Usefulness is generally a job requirement.”

Arrival to Chaldea - Amira, Fane

Amira's eyes open slightly as she could hear someone's voice. She attempted to move her body... and it was relatively easy to do so. She wasn't sore as she expected to be.

Chaldea's Headquarters. Safe now.

She heard the words entering her mind. Haita filling her up on where she was and what happened. I see, so the demon was defeated. Thank god she was of use for once. Although even then she ended up being a burden.

"I was really inspired on how you took out Dantes... I want to become a vanguard but my family is pretty adamant about staying with them..."

Amira's eyes catch Fane's figure. Her mind racing as she tried to understand what was said.

"You're inspired by me?"

Amira felt a great deal of pride when hearing that. Ah, having other look up to you was... amazing! But...

"Why do you want to become a vanguard?"

Arrival to Chaldea - Amira, Fane

Fane's face appeared to wrinkle for a second, as she lost the usual gleam in her eyes. She appeared to be looking around at the other people in the room, scanning each one for no reason like someone who was lost trying to find an answer in their surroundings.

"I've seen how much those demons effect my parent's business, they worked so hard to create it telling me stories of what they went through...." Fane muttered, as she looked to Amira now with slightly more conviction in her eyes, as she continued to say with more resolve now "I want to protect that life they have. I'm not as good as a merchant and I know it'd be easier, but I just feel like.... I wouldn't be fulfilled taking the easy road."

Fane looked at Amira, as she let out a slight whistle, causing the imp they found from the caravan landing on her shoulder, as lightly scratched behind the demon's ears.

After all, my parent's built something great taking the hard road and I want to do the same! Having this demon join me was one of the most fulfilling things I've done in a long time, like I finally felt useful!" Fane stated, now clutching her hand into the fist as the imps glanced between the two of them with a bewildered look on its face.

"I just like how she feeds me well and gives me stuff!" the imp stated proudly, as he pulled another vial out of the sack it was holding and began to shake it in front of Amira like it was the most valuable thing in the world.

Scarlet - Chaldea

A) Accept

As the caravan neared Chaldea, Scarlet's chest began to cause her discomfort. By the time the caravan arrived at Chaldea and she had disembarked, the twinges had escalated to an almost debilitating pain. Scarlet staggered off towards her room, clutching a hand at her chest and gasping as the pain took her breath.

Icarus had mentioned that the spirit had latched on to one of them... could it be it had chosen her as its target? Perhaps her Maga-drained state had made her an easy target.

Belatedly, she remembered the water she had collected from Icarus' well. With a shaking hand, she took out her canteen, opening it and raising it to her lips, but was interrupted by an imp. It was carrying a vial containing the substance that Scarlet had seen Aesop making earlier.

Scarlet was torn. She didn't know what the vial did, and to be honest, the imp gave off the vibe that it could not be trusted. But on the other hand, the thought that Dantes could come back, using her to sow havoc inside Chaldea...

Scarlet took the vial from the imp's hands. "You can suppress Dantes with this? Then please do that... that should buy me enough time to find a healer, or someone else who can help..."

Chaldea - The Devil's Cocktail

- Nena -

Nena shook her head at Aesop and Allison's bickering. Every time they came in here, it was the same old dance. What kept them together all this time anyway?

The succubus sighed as Allison knocked over her drink. More clean up...

"Ugh!  Sorry Nena, another shot please.  We just finished a run so we're generous tonight!"  Allison called out raising a glass in the air, as Aesop's eyes widened in surprise.

Nena's own eyes widened before she quickly broke into a smile. "That's the spirit! Another round of shots coming up!"

Let them keep arguing, and let the money keep on flowing.

Nena poured out more drinks, then set to cleaning up the spill as Aesop and Allison discussed their completed mission. When some familiar names were dropped, she looked up.

"Oh? So those are the Vanguard who escorted you," she said, leaning on the bar. "What did you two think of them?"

Aesop and Allison did have a daughter. Hopefully, Cleo didn't go and hit on her. That would be typical...

Arrival to Chaldea - Amira, Fane

Amira stared silently. She didn't know what to say... No, it would be more accurate to say that she didn't even know why she asked that question.

She wasn't in the position to question someone's motive nor in a situation to judge if their reason is the right reason. What even is the right reason to become a vanguard? Had she said that she was joining because it would be fun, would Amira be right to berate her?

To begin with, Amira did not know why she asked. So now that she got an answer she didn't know what to say...

Humans, to begin with, are creatures without purpose, their greatest feature is also their biggest curse. Their free will allows them to step out of the established method, but in return leaves them aimless and lost in the vast world. So small, yet so determined. Whichever path she takes, it cannot be wrong if it was her decision to make. Wouldn't you agree, Amira?

... Amira's heart sank. She couldn't understand... She couldn't understand...

"If it's what you want to do, then I don't see a problem with chasing that dream." Amira smiled, but why was she smiling? She did not believe her own words... But at least she understands that others don't have to witness the world she has. So she smiled, a polite smile hoping that someone else can find what she can't.

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Nihility|Shoggoth|Tyrian|Minke
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Tyrian huffed at the little imp blocking their path. The Chaos filled breath clouded over the tiny creature. But the imp stood firm. The longing to belong and to be of use was strongly projected in its eyes. Nihility chewed on her lower lip, a bit confounded at the offer. On one hand this little thing was offering up to be a happy meal, but on the other, her use alive and in the world, would also be quite beneficial.

It really wanted to be productive. In that case, Nihility will try her out for the time being. There's plenty of other dishes in the world.

"Okay. We accept your sacrifice. From henceforth, you shall be called Minke. You will follow us through thick and thin, through whatever path the future has in store for us. May it be to slay a dragon or swim inside a demonic tummy. Rejoice Imp for now, you are a part of the Void-Star Tribe."

The Vanguard tapped her gauntlet twice to indicate her willingness of finalizing a contract with the Imp and send her into the subspace.

- Cleo -

"Well, if you ask so nicely, how can I refuse?" Cleo responded, reaching up to run a finger along the soft feathers that made up the side of the Toufei's face. "The culture of my ancestors believed that giving your weapons a name also gave them a soul, and walking into battle with a staunch ally at your side is far better than fighting alone."

"So, rest assured, my feathered ally. Every weapon I forge is given a name, and this will not be the last time that you spread your wings over a battlefield." Smiling, he cupped the Toufei's chin, and she faded away, pulled into his gauntlet.

Arrival to Chaldea - Amira, Fane

"Great!  Wish me luck then!  Maybe I'll join you on a mission someday!"  Fane gleefully responded, as she glanced over to the imp on her shoulder.  The imp shiftily looked between Amira and Fane like he wanted to say something.

"We're not fighting another Dantes.  I told that scary chick I'd keep you safe."  The imp quickly stuttered out his mouth, as he hid his head behind Fane like saying Dantes name would invoke his presence.

Fane lightly nodded in response, gently patting the startled imp on its shaking head as she handed it a piece of meat that it quickly gobbled up in a second.

"I'll let my parents know!  Get well soon Amira."  Fane joyful stated, as she walked out of the medical ward leaving Amira behind.

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Chaldea - The Devil's Cocktail

"I was impressed, for new vanguards they covered the shipment well!  I liked Cleo especially, kid has a good head on his shoulders."  Aesop stated downing another shot, as he turned to Allison who now appeared to have a more concerned look on her face like something was on her mind.

"Allison?"  Aesop muttered quickly quietly, waving his hand in front of her to get her attention as she jumped in surprise.

"Sorry!  Guess I'm not used to drinking so much!"  Allison played off laughing, as she turned to Nena with a ponderous look, as she continued to say her face now looking more annoyed "Yea, everyone seemed to play their part.  That Vayu fellow... a bit of a mouth on him.  Though, I can't argue with his results."

A awkward silence was generated between the two, as they stared at each other for what seemed like a long moment.  The two eyes meeting for a second, before a sudden and familiar voice called out from behind them.

"You're going to miss Nihility though!  She's been with us for so long, it'll be weird without her and Amira was so cool with how she handled the demons."  Fane stated grabbing her two parents by their shoulders, as the two smiled that soon faded when they saw the vanguard registration form signed and in her hand.

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Abandoned Church (Chaldea)

"I knew the path of salvation was hard... but this....  All I want to be is pure."  Icarus stated, as he persistently washed his hands in a holy well glanced back up at them only to push them back in the water with a more ferociously as the well began to turn a light red as his cracked hands began to bleed inside of it.

Icarus slowly turned around to glance at the abandoned church, a relic of the humans days in the past when they used to worship the angels so much more... now nothing more then a forgotten relic.  A figure appeared behind him as Icarus slowly turned around to reveal a strange looking Toufei standing behind him.

Spoiler:

"Calm yourself Icarus, you have our kind at your disposal.  When the vanguards realize what's to come, they'll beg for the lord's salvation and you'll be saved."  The toufei muttered with a solemn nod.

The Toufei held out his hand and a golden soothing light came out causing the wound to heal before Icarus' eyes.  The angel smiling slightly at the sight, as he turned to look out the church window with his body easing very slightly.

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Aligment Check

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