In the heart of her cha, Hyshana took a deep breath as a surge of aether engulfed the military hangar. Kazuki hadn't lied about the aether density in Elysium.
Automated turrets and an entire battalion of hoplites surrounded the portal. A class-four railgun had even been built to contain any potential breach. Ishaka took the security of their new capital seriously, and Hyshana approved.
The rift began to stabilize, and the general's training kicked in as she assessed the situation. The passage created by [Hearthstone] led to a clearing with ticulously maintained blue grass. This worried Hyshana, as Kazuki wasn't the gardening type.
In the background, a towering tree dominated the space. That was the first word that ca to the Champion's mind. Her instincts sensed a potential threat, and she tensed. As the rift stabilized, she identified the oak tree illuminated by three suns.
[Multi-Analysis]
[Log-a-rhythm - Tier 0 - ?] - The Guardian of the Forest.
Hyshana frowned. Her skill, an enhanced version of [Identification], should have provided more information. [Multi-Analysis] assessed the target using various sensors and her onboard AI. Typically, Hyshana would glean at least so weaknesses of the opponent.
A shield against probes could explain the modest response from her skill. Another possibility existed: the tree was far more powerful than her. Hyshana had a way to determine which option was correct.
[Survival Instinct] - Code orange.
I have a chance to flee, but not to defeat it. At least, not with my own skills. The news was harsh, but Kazuki had warned them. In Elysium, the hoplites wouldn't be the masters.
The rift stopped expanding and stabilized as a portal. In a secure communication channel, Hyshana heard Ishaka's voice.
"Proudly bear the glory of our race, Champion."
"I will, Supre General."
Hyshana didn't like Ishaka, and the feeling was mutual. However, this mission surpassed their personal quarrel. Without further delay, Hyshana ordered her phalanx to advance. The formation included nine hoplites at the top of the Titan class, ten with her. One by one, the warriors crossed.
A second later, Hyshana passed through the portal, which imploded behind her. There would be no return until the next Reunion.
The hoplite troops took up position, forming a circle with their leader at the center. None were too close to each other to limit casualties in case of a zone attack.
"Suspect individual at three, General."
Allowing her AI to monitor Log-a-rhythm's movents, Hyshana turned in the direction indicated by her subordinate.
Near the river, a young biped seated in a fire observed the hoplites. Without clothing or weapons, he could have passed for a savage if not for a certain aura surrounding him. An aura of steel, fire, and conquest. A warrior.
His relaxed deanor and presence in a place that should have been secured by Kazuki shook Hyshana. Her husband would never let a stranger welco her. Either he was a friend, or Kazuki was...
Refusing to entertain the worst possibility, Hyshana commanded her cha to approach the young stranger. If he was a threat, she needed to deal with it promptly.
[Multi-Analysis]
[Priam Azura - Tier 0 - Earl] - Kazukis rival. Deaths obsession.
[Survival Instinct] - Code BLACK.
Kazuki's rival...
The second Title was even more terrifying. Who could be powerful enough to obsess Death? Hyshana trembled for a mont before pressing on.
"Code Black," she announced to her team. The hoplites slowly began to change position. The grand tree was no longer the priority. Hyshana's heart beat rapidly as she concentrated on keeping her team alive.
Facing a Code Black, escape was impossible. Even the nuclear bombs embedded in the chas wouldn't be enough to defeat this monster. Nevertheless, Hyshana refused to surrender without a fight. The hoplites faced death head-on.
After stretching, the stranger stood up and took a step forward. Simultaneously, the flas vanished, and a cloak of mist covered his nudity. Hyshana's sensors detected no use of aether, a sign that he had just employed two different Concepts. The casual display of power tightened the general's heart.
Was she going to die here, vanquished by the one who might have already killed her husband? The monster gave her a smile, and Hyshana had to invoke Micro to keep her anger low. Priam Azura, surrounded by a dozen of the world's finest hoplites, didn't seem worried.
"Priam, Champion and Spear of the Humans," he introduced himself in the Hoplite language. He stopped about fifteen ters away from her and inclined his head slightly. The greeting mirrored Kazuki's, confirming that the two rivals had interacted. "Pleased to et you."
His charismatic aura enveloped Hyshana, manipulating her emotions to accept his words. In a feat of willpower, the Champion activated Micro to clear her mind. The re presence of the individual influenced her feelings, making her angry at herself and Priam.
"Hyshana, Champion and Will of the Hoplites," she responded coldly. "I am looking for Kazuki, one of your rivals. Do you know where he is?"
Priam's misty eyes smiled as he pointed to a hole behind him. "Kazuki went down there almost two days ago. Hes facing his Tribulations. All I know is that he's alive."
"I see..."
One of the hoplites approached the hole, taking a detour to avoid Priam, who kept smiling.
"Theres two bone staircases going down. My sensors go haywire when I try to scan the depths," reported the scout.
Hyshana gritted her teeth upon hearing the report. They were at an impasse. Priam's attitude was friendly, but it might be a facade. She needed more information, but if the stairs were a trap, she'd be sending one of her n to death before the actual battle began. On the other hand, if he was telling the truth, she didn't want to compromise the pact Kazuki had made.
"Oh, you think it's a trap," chuckled Priam after a few monts of silence. "I assure you, we are allies. Kazuki and I were rivals, but we made a pact to survive here. He'll tell you more when he returns."
"Which could be in a second or never," replied Hyshana.
"Well, thats Elysium for you. But, you know that Kazuki is a tough guy."
Hyshana stared at her opponent, scrutinizing his words in search of a clue. Priam sighed.
"I understand your suspicion, but let's logically analyze the situation: what would I gain from making all this up?"
The implication was clear: Priam didn't feel threatened, and Hyshana's group wasn't worthy of him setting a trap. It was terrible, but it was the truth.
"Perhaps you have a weakness you want to protect? You'd win a frontal fight, but each of our chas is equipped with a hydrogen bomb. If one of them explodes here..."
Priam's gaze flickered briefly to Log-a-rhythm before hardening. The hoplite strategist smiled: she had found a vulnerability.
"I reckon I can give you the benefit of the doubt for now."
Priam almost rolled his eyes. After more than a quarter of an hour in conversation with Sphinx, Hyshana had finally decided to believe him.
"That's mighty kind of you," replied Priam. He couldn't contain all his sarcasm.
"Indeed. Sphinx told you're Kazuki's training partner."
"That's right. Want a demonstration?" Priam asked. An ordinary human might have taken this as a threat, but it was perfectly normal to ask for it in hoplite terms.
Hyshana drew her sword. "That's exactly what I want."
Yeah, thats Kazuki's wife.
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