…..
After a horrendous fight against very powerful raptures.
Varakiel: *pant* *pant* Is everyone okay?
Anis: *pant* *pant* yes commander.
Neon: *pant* i am tireddddd master….
Rapi: *pant* I am fine commander.
Papillon: I didn't knew counters squad was this powerful.
Varakiel: heheh, we've been training a lot.
*Pew*
A laser is shot to varakiel.
*cling*
But a scythe blocks it.
Varakiel: hm? Wait, you are? Harran was it?
Harran: hehe, sorry for this, but you were rough back there. I know we've met before, but allow me to introduce myself properly. My name is harran. I'm a pilgrim serving eden, a sort of sanctuary up on the surface.
Varakiel: I see, so, why did you protect me just now?
Harran: no real reason. Just felt like it, I suppose. Gotta entertain myself somehow.
Varakiel: So in short you're bored…..but didn't your commander want me dead?
Harran: That he did, but I wanted to save you, so that's that. We try not to get too involved in other people's affairs. So long as we're willing to face the consequences, we're free to do as we wish. That's our rule.
Varakiel: good to know, better than the ark.
Harran: very much so. But then again, if the rules were the same as the ark, how could we call this place paradise?
Varakiel: So a paradise, on the surface, hehe it seems someone beat me to it.
Harran: That's right. It's a sacred place on the surface where nikkes and humans coexist peacefully. If you think a nikke defying her commander due to her changing her mind is wild, then just wait till you get to eden. You'll see stuff way crazier than that.
Varakiel: like a pig flying!?
Harran:....*chuckle* hahaha, *smile* you don't really sound like a commander from the ark.
Varakiel: Well, me and the ark don't get "along" to say the least.
Harran: I can see that on the way those girls look at you.
Harran takes a look at rapi, anis, neon and papillon who were just watching her and varakiel.
Harran: So what do you think? Would you like me to take you there?
Varakiel: It would be an honor.
Harran: Very well, follow me, then. And try to keep up.
Varakiel: *nod* counters, papillon let's go.
Rapi: roger, commander.
Anis: eden uh? I wonder what kind of place it is that.
Neon: she said humans and nikkes live there peacefully.
Papillon: such a place really exists?
….
*caw caw*
Harran: That's much better. And I have to admit, I didn't expect for you to evade all of that by yourself.
Varakiel: I can handle myself well on the surface, and I have experienced a lot of battles since I was young. And you're quite strong
Harran: as I should be. Only the strong survive up here. You won't get to the top of the food chain by being weak, that's for sure.
Varakiel: Yeah, I can agree with that, in this world only the strong can survive now. Also by any chance did Johan get mechanical enchantments?
Harran: So you noticed, yes, he's as strong as me, so it is really surprising you defeated him in a single movement.
Varakiel: It's his fault for trying to get physical when I had a gun at hand, despite his enchantments his brain is still human isn't?
Harran: indeed, it seems you're very strong yourself, no wonder those people in the ark gave such a strong squad.
Varakiel: Yeah, besides some particular groups they are the strongest in the ark.
Neon: Of course, only matis can match our power.
Anis: exactly, we are one the best.
Rapi: don't look down on unlimited you two, they are strong as well.
Neon: sorry.
Anis: hmph, i would never admit that.
Rapi: *sigh*.
Harran: Before I met him, I thought all humans were doomed to be prey for all eternity. Thanks to him, i 've come around slightly on that, but yet again I was proved wrong, there's another human capable of fighting for his survival.
Varakiel: Haha, I'll take that as a compliment. So what made him do that to himself?
Harran: he's obsessed with reclaiming the surface. The thought of it has consumed him entirely, more than anyone else I've seen. For him, reclaiming the surface will never come to pass if left to bureaucrats pontificating ever it during their lunch meetings. The sunshine. The smell of the grass. The flow of the water, and the windswept valleys on a breezy day. He intends for all of it to come to pass by his hand alone. Achieving this is his entire purpose in life. He's willing to do anything to make his dream a reality….now let me ask you something.
Varakiel: hit me then.
Harran: are you not a commander, sent from the ark, to recapture the surface as well? Yet, even with vapaus within your grapes, you claimed you'd use it instead to liberate the nikkes. What if, as a result, a heretic survives, and threatens your precious homestead and its people? What would you do then?
Varakiel: I create more.
Harran:....create? How can you do that if….
Varakiel: blood Rh X right? Well, I have that on me.
Harran: oh? You found preserved blood by yourself? Impressiv-
Varakiel: *shake*
Rapi: commander are you sure about this?
Varakiel: 100% I trust in her.
Anis: *nod* ok.
Neon: *nod*
Papillon: what? What are you talking about?
Varakiel: is up to you if you want to tell this to burningum or not papillon, i hope you do the right decision, so blood Rh x i have it, here.
Varakiel points at his chest or more specifically his heart.
Harran:...you have it in your veins!? Unbelievable, I thought the only one who had it was the legendary commander from....
Varakiel: goddess squad is it? Yeah i heard about him, i have met some members of his squad too, snow white, rapunzel and scarlet. And they know about it too, actually they're the one who talked to us about the institute.
Harran:.....so they trusted you with this information...*smile* it seems you're some kind of VIP.
Varakiel: Something like that, but still even if everyone gives me their help I'll put myself in the front.
Harran: And risk your life for them?
Varakiel: to the death.
Harran:....tsk. Is so sad your objective is completely different, you would be someone of great value.
Varakiel: Well, at least my final objective is what everyone wants to, reclaim the surface, but for the way I am doing it might take a lot of time, but I am sure…
Harran: Sure of what?
Varakiel: than i will succeed
….
Harran: we're here.
Neon: this is….eden?
Anis: my expectations were low….but not his low.
Rapi:...
Varakiel: Well, it's something.
Harran: Of course it's not paradise. I'm going to put you through a little test.
Varakiel: a test?
Harran: That's right. During our chat on the way here, I was trying to figure you out. But words alone won't suffice. For example, giving one's life to a cause….is something that cannot be proven using words alone. So i, Harran, as a watcher of paradise. Will conduct a trial that will be a true test of your resolve.
Varakiel: I see, I like tests, I was the best in the academy.
Harran: Do you think this is a joke?
Rapi: I am sorry if the commander is rude but…
Neon: there's nothing master can't defeat.
Anis: can't you take this seriously commander?
Papillon:.....what?
Harran: humans reveal who they truly are, when faced with death. I will help set the stage for you.
*Krrrrraaaaahhhh!*
Harran: before that, however, we must first ensure the monster you're going up against is somewhat doc-
Varakiel: hahahaha
*KRRRRRAAAAHHH!*
Varakiel: if we are going to play we are going to play my kind of game muahahahah!
Harran: !!
Rapi: *sigh* and there he goes again.
Neon: I knew something like this was going to happen.
Anis: told you, you shouldn't provoke our commander...he's kind of crazy.
Varakiel: want me to prove myself, very well! BRING THEM ON!
Varakiel unsheathe the sword in his back and charges at the upcoming raptures by himself.
Harran:.....
Rapi: *sigh* commander….
Neon: And away he goes….
Anis: how long do you think he's going to take those were two lures after all….
Harran: aren't you worried about your commander?
Neon: ah well….i am allowed to talk about it?
Rapi: the commander said it's okay before.
Anis: you remember he mentioned we defeated 2 heretics right?
Harran: Of course, what about it, the three of you are pretty strong.
Neon: Well, the thing is...the commander defeated one by himself, no help from anyone, just him.
Papillon:.....what!? He defeated heretic modernia at that time!?
Rapi: yes.
Harran:...a human killing a heretic all by himself? Impossible.
Anis: That's what I said the first time…..you get used to it really.
Neon: yeah, you get used to it really fast.
Rapi:.....*sigh* we are supposed to protect him, not the other way…
Neon: well, you know the commander by now rapi….
Anis: I wonder if we should take him to a psychologist.
Harran: but…the first step was his ability as a commander…
Rapi:.....i see.
Anis: didn't he already proved that when your commander lured all those raptures back there?
Harran:....tsk, i don't like when things don't go the way i want.
Neon: Well, that would be hard with our commander around.
….
*BOOM*
The leader of the raptures falls to the ground in an explosion while varakiel walks back to everyone.
Harran:....
Varakiel: So was that enough? *smile*
Harran:.....*cof* well done. Your bravery is admirable. You have passed the test.
Anis: didn't you say there was more steps?
Harran: seeing how well he performed doing the last steps would be a waste of time.
Varakiel: oh, I see, glad my performance overcame your expectations.
Harran:...continue following this path, and it'll lead you straight to paradise. From here on, you'll be on your own.
Varakiel: Alright, thanks for your help Harran, I appreciate it.
Harran: Of course, off you go. There will be someone waiting for you. I'm sure they'll be there to greet you the moment you arrive.
Varakiel: hm? Who are we talking about?
Harran:...
Varakiel: Oh I see, it is a surprise then, let's go girls.
...
Everyone traverses the seemingly endless wasteland.
*thump,thump,thump,thump*
Anis: *sigh* How much longer do we have to walk?
Neon: Are we there yet?
Rapi: not yet.
Papillon:....*sigh* Is this some kind of camp trip to be this relaxed?
*FWOOOSH*
Isabel suddenly comes down from the sky and stops in front of rapi…
Isabel:....
Varakiel: you came to test her isn't?
Isabel: *nod*
Rapi: *nod*
Then the squad passes through a tundra with groups of wandering raptures.
Neon: Are we there yet?
Rapi: not yet.
Noah: hey, you, the dumbass!
Varakiel:...
*caw caw*
They climb the steep hills with crows circling overhead.
Neon and anis: Are we there yet?
Rapi: for the last time…
Varakiel: We arrived.
Papillon:....wow…there's really a paradise.
There was an oasis. A lush, verdant shangri-la, resembling something straight out of a painting.
Someone approaches the squad.
???: Welcome to paradise, but before that...one last test.
Varakiel: *nod*
Anis: oh, is my turn? Bring it!
???: not only you, but that other nikke as well.
Papillon: me too? Very well.
….
Meanwhile inside Eden research center.
Johan: cecil.
Cecil: i'm listening
A white long haired woman talks to johan.
Johan: We have secured unchained.
Cecil:...!! About time. I expected someone as skilled as you to be somewhat more expedient. Bring it over here.
Johan hands the vapaus sample to cecil.
Cecil:...this is vapaus, I'm sure of it.
Johan: Is it enough to take down Nihilister?
Cecil: That all depends on you. If you can tag her with one shot, then yes. It's enough.
Johan: One shot…I almost wasted it all for nothing.
Cecil: hm? What do you mean?
Johan: I ran into a commander from the ark at the research center. Some greenhorn with four nikkes in tow. Said they were going to use vapaus to liberate the nikkes.
Cecil: so, what did you do?
Johan: I left them to the raptures to help them, shall we say, come to their senses.
Cecil: heh. Sounds like something you'd do. I wonder what's gotten into that commander's head. If they ever got one good look at the nikkes here, they'd know what a blessing NIMPH can be. Not least of all dorothy. She's the bane of my existence. She's always up to no good. Worst of all, she has the ear of all the other nikkes. Have you heard of her latest escapade? She brought outsiders to eden without so much as a word to me.
Johan: outsiders?
Cecil: yes, and not even one or two. Five in total. I'm willing to bet that one of them is the commander you intended to turn into rapture food.
Johan:....
Cecil:....i know what you're thinking. It's a bit too coincidental, don't you think? Let's hold off for now and see how far Dorothy goes with her little antics.
...
Dorothy: welcome. You're now in paradise. Official codename: Eden. consider me your guide. You can call me dorothy, varakiel.
Anis: Wait, how do you know the commander's name?
Dorothy: Anyone who can pass Harran's test is an extraordinary individual, capable of bringing forth great change to the surface. I always pay close attention to whoever passes.
Varakiel: I see, so she might have told you why we are here right?
Dorothy: yes.
Varakiel: And that we don't plan to stay in the long-term right?
Dorothy: relax, no one will force you into accept any major missions without your consent. Now, come over here.
Dorothy reaches out for varakiel.
Rapi:....
Anis:.....
Neon:.....
The counters' eyes scream anger….
Papillon:...(what the hell is going on here)
Dorothy: Considering this fine weather we're having. Let's take a stroll in the gardens first.
Varakiel: *nod*
…..
Dorothy: doesn't the sunshine feel lovely? This garden contains 93 types of trees, 13 different species of livestock, and all manner of edible foodstuffs. Although eden is built in the middle of a wasteland, we've created a near-perfect replica of how things were prior to the rapture invasion, all thanks to genetic modification and certain cultivation methods.
Dorothy picks a golden apple from a tree and hands it over to varakiel.
Dorothy: care to try some?
Varakiel:.....*munch*...the sweet…..the texture *nod* Yes, this is a good apple.
Dorothy: So what do you think?
Varakiel: tastes almost like a natural apple.
Dorothy: Almost you say?
Varakiel: *nod* I have my own apple tree back in the ark.
Dorothy: I see, so you're a farmer as well?
Varakiel: *nod* but still, this kind of flavor, you wouldn't find this in the ark or naturally, what a good thing is genetic modification.
Dorothy: *giggle* help yourself to as many as you like.
Anis: oh? Can we?
Neon: great!
Rapi: don't abuse you two, just take one.
Anis: hmph, party pooper.
Neon: yeah!
Varakiel: heheh.
Papillon:....*munch*...is…delicious.
….
Dorothy: This is the central research facility. You remember the nikkes you ran into? I mean the ones that were with johan.
Varakiel: Yeah, noah, Isabel and Harran, is it?
Dorothy: *nod* I'm not sure if you noticed, but they are pilgrims, manufactured using advanced technology. Cecil created them with her own hands, in this very room.
Varakiel: sounds like she's very awesome.
Dorothy: her intellect is a constant source of amazement to me. Apparently, the ark is still 50 years away from achieving this kind of technology. She even designed the optical camouflage that envelops this entire base.
Anis: wait for real!? Hey commander, is she perhaps related to your family?
Varakiel: *shake* every gadget i have was created by a very important member of my family, she didn't interact with anyone outside our family.
Neon: awww, I thought we finally found a clue to who the commander's family is.
Varakiel: haha, keep trying.
Dorothy: oh?
…..
Dorothy: Last but not least, we have the lobby. You can see the entire base from here…..ah, it seems Isabel and Noah are training in the incubator.
Varakiel: incubator?
Dorothy: It works rather like the ark's simulation room, but it's possible to make even finer adjustments, and create slightly more powerful enemies there. Actually, that's not entirely correct. When I say "slightly more powerful", we're talking about the difference between run-of-the-mill raptures and tyran class.
Anis: I'd say that's more than a slight difference.
Rapi: yeah, the ark can only simulate some lord classes.
Neon: as expected from the surface survivors.
Dorothy: Very true. Such difficulty spikes are necessary for us. Everyone who resides in eden must be able to fend for themselves. This even applies to humans like Cecil and johan. In doing this, we avoid becoming like your ark, where the few are being exploited by the many.
Varakiel: yeah but such change is impossible to be done in the ark for now, there's still a lot to be done before i can do that.
Dorothy: So you are trying to change the ark? Seems like Harran said, you're not your average commander.
Papillon:.....
Varakiel: i don't care if you report all of this to burningum papillon, just don't reveal anything about eden, you should know we can't handle any other opponent more than raptures.
Papillon: i know,
Dorothy: To me, paradise is a place where there is an even balance of power, where humans and nikkes can live in perfect harmony. Of course, everyone has their own definition of what is just…
….
Dorothy: so, what do you think? Did paradise live up to what you envisioned in your mind? I'm curious to hear how you think it compares.
Varakiel: an oasis in the middle of a wasteland, where harmony prospers, yeah just like I imagined by the name of eden.
Dorothy: Is that so? So it is better than being in the ark, is it not?
Varakiel: Yeah, nothing can deny that.
Dorothy: Well then, I suppose we can move on to more important topics….i don't know if you heard from Harran, but I have been waiting a long time for your arrival.
Varakiel: really? Why is that?
Dorothy: I believe you are the key to overcoming the crisis that befalls eden.
Rapi: the….
Anis: key?
Neon: what does that even mean?
Varakiel: Come again?
Dorothy: the heretics. Harran said you went up against 2 of them and won, have you not?
Varakiel: I mean yeah, if you could call it that.
Dorothy: don't belittle you, i, and many others, consider it a victory. Anyway, this heretic that is calling itself modernia…..i suppose i should be straight with you. There is another heretic, a member of the queen's elite forces. Hatred for humanity burns deep within her, and she has set her sights on eden. Codename: Nihilister. We have had five previous engagements with her, and every confrontation has ended in a stalemate. Now that the vapaus has been secured, we have a greater chance than before. But we cannot allow Eden's entire destiny to rest solely on a single bullet. According to one of my old friends, you're something of a miracle worker. Someone who's achieved the impossible several times over. My hope is that you can lend us some of that expertise.
Varakiel: really?.....
Dorothy: In return, we can promise anything. Harran tells me that you want the vapaus?
Varakiel: *shake* I never wanted the vapaus.
Dorothy: Then why did you come here?
Varakiel: I came to find out how to create vapaus bullets.
Dorothy:...i see, but for that you need two important ingredients.
Varakiel: Rh x blood and a tyrant class core isn't?
Dorothy: It seems you know about it already.
Varakiel: yeah, i have the materials, but the way to create them is unknown to me, after all i can't just approach a heretic and throw some into it isn't?
Dorothy: Indeed you'll run out of blood before you can even land some on them.
Varakiel: So that's what I want, how I create vapaus bullets to fight the heretics in the future.
Dorothy:....so you plan to liberate the nikkes with the Rh x blood you have, you believe it would be enough for all the nikkes in the ark?
Varakiel: hm? Wait, Harran didn't tell you?
Dorothy: Tell me what?
Varakiel: Rh x blood runs in my veins.
Dorothy:....
Dorothy goes into a trance…..
Varakiel: hm? Dorothy? Hey Dorothy, are you okay?
Varakiel shakes her up.
Dorothy:.....ah….i am sorry…..is just that...you reminded me of someone.
Varakiel: *phew* as long you're okay *smile*
Dorothy:.....(it's like he was him...my commander…) So you want to know how to make vapaus bullets? We can do that.
Varakiel: *nod* then we'll help.
Papillon: really? Just like that?
Varakiel: Yeah, that's the only reason I came here after all….but i have to ask, does johan and cecil agree to this?
Dorothy: no, they don't know anything about this yet. But don't worry. I'll be able to persuade them. So, what do you want to do?
Varakiel: If that's the case, Count with us, but first we need to take a rest, and recover, the stunt of johan left us tired.
Dorothy: very well.
….