On Astral Tides: From Humble Freelancer To Astral Emperor

As Treyvon fastened his seatbelt, Manx and Travis occupying the seats beside him, he glanced out of the window at the dreary winter landscape of Britain. Yeah, it isn’t much like home. But then, I suppose an airport isn’t notorious for being scenic. Indeed, London Gatwick, which they were flying from, was rather bleak.

“Still, it’ll be good to get back in the fray.” Treyvon couldn’t help but mutter, and the big, often silent man Manx shot him a confused look, and he waved it away.

“Talking to myself. Forget it.”

“Trey’s gone stir-crazy, not getting a proper run out.” Aliyah, who was seated across the aisle, with Luciana, one of the barest handful of female members of the Black Wolf Company, now renamed Fenrir, seated beside her, snorted sourly. “Can’t say I blame him. Oh well, back in the damn saddle soon, yeah?”

She turned to the third woman in their row of seats, Adelheid, the young-looking German blonde girl, who could easily have passed for a young kid, if one didn’t know better. “Ready to kick some ass? I’m itching for a scrap, and ain’t taking no for an answer.

“Oh, I am quite content not to waste the energy.” Adelheid’s English, powered by the translation device she wore, had the same British cadence and accent as Akio’s, which made sense, considering that was how it worked. “But the sooner we start, the sooner we can finish. Sadly, one swallow does not make a summer. I shall be grateful to drink proper beer again, though. Japanese and British beers taste like brown water, though certainly they were better than nothing.” she allowed.

Yes, it’s always easy to forget that she’s a lot older than she looks, has a rather prickly temper, and drinks beer like a fish does water. Honestly, she’d be a perfect fit for the Company… I mean Fenrir, even if the guys would treat her more like a mascot. Still… Remembering when she had received her new combat armour, Treyvon had to struggle to hold in a laugh, lips twitching. The bitter look on her face was priceless, but what’s worse was, she tried to hide it, but she was grateful getting a gift. Shit, I see why Akio playfully bullies her so, she’s at her most adorable when pouting. Like a kid sister. Like a kid sister who’s not rough and rowdy like mine, anyway…

The safety announcement had started up, but everyone was only feigning attention, and Aliyah couldn’t resist ribbing her companions. “No kidding. Me, I like the hard stuff. But I’ll drink anything when I get the chance. It ain’t often we’ve been able to relax for so long, but… yeah, time to get back in the game, before our fangs and claws get blunt. I daresay you’re raring to show off, our prodigy!” She smirked at Luciana, who returned a flat look, not rising to the bait.

As the plane taxied for take-off, Luciana shook her head, deflecting Aliyah’s grumbling, understanding the reason for it. Cheer up, Aliyah. Akio will find you something suitable soon. Even without it… thanks… thanks to your Lovers’ Link…

A laugh did escape this time, but he muffled it with his hand. It was impossible not to be entertained by how embarrassed his sister was about that, even if the reasons were entirely innocent, and likely down to her own mistakes, leading to the prank she hated talking about in Las Vegas. Yes, for a tiny, frail-looking woman, Shaeula can be a vindictive, teasing terror. But unlike my sister, I’m not fool enough to provoke her.

“Do be tranquila, Aliyah. There is no need to be jealous of me. I can hardly help it if I have great aptitude for los elementos… besides, Akio, he does quite like you, Aliyah. Not in that way…” Luciana, wise as ever, and one of the calmest heads in Fenrir, though when it came to battle she was tempestuous and vicious, ruthlessness personified, headed off that outburst. “…but as a fiery sister. He likes hermanas, yes? He will see you right.”

“Yeah, guess so.” Aliyah looked down for a moment, beads jingling, her Spatial Storage threaded through her hair, impossible to identify unless one was already aware it existed. Treyvon touched his own, marvelling at all the gear and other things difficult to get over a border stored safety within. I don’t envy governments having to deal with this shit. For now, it’s probably just us, maybe a few other forces who’ve made the same breakthroughs. But give it a year, or two, or ten, and this sort of storage will be everywhere. I guess that the Mortal Engineers are probably already working on countermeasures though…

“Fine. Fuck me if I ain’t feeling left out. Which is why I’m going to wreck some bastards, improve my mood.” She cracked her knuckles as the plane took off, soaring up into the sky for the short flight to Berlin. “At least I ain’t alone. Travis, Manx, Red Trevor, Jackson, the rest of you…” She called out names of those sitting closest. A good portion of the passengers on this flight were Fenrir operatives, so if any hijackers, like the bad old days, were on board, they’d be having a really shitty time if they made an attempt.

“…we’ve got to step our game up, and show my brother and Luciana we ain’t useless. Fancy powers are all very well, but shit, we ain’t helpless. Fists, feet, guns, grenades, unless it’s a fucking monster like Akio, we can still take any enemy down.”

Laughter and jeers from the men around them rang out, though they were getting some odd looks from the few ordinary passengers. Seeing that, Aliyah sighed, once more a little ashamed, and fell into silence for a bit, but that was soon broken by the arrival of the refreshments cart, the stewardesses deciding to start a little early, in a move that Treyvon hoped wouldn’t backfire on them.

“Oh, I shall have a Schwarzbier…” Adelheid waved eagerly, and the stewardess, a tired-looking young woman, shook her head.

“Sorry, little lady, but beers are for adults…” She paused as Aliyah guffawed loudly.

“Oh, she is. She just looks like a little kid.” Aliyah added, and Adelheid glowered at her, pouting, which did not help the stewardess’ impression of her. “Seriously, show her your passport, Adelheid.”

“Fine.” It seemed to almost offend her, but the young German did show her documents, and the stewardess seemed shocked, and was about to ask if it was fake, when she realised Adelheid wouldn’t have been able to get on the flight if it was.

“Yeah, she’s a working adult.” Aliyah snorted. “We all are. Got a big job in Berlin. So she could use a beer. Me… whiskey, on the rocks.”

“This isn’t a bar, Aliyah.” Treyvon warned, and she grinned back at him.

“I know. And I’m only having a couple, we’re on the clock.” Adelheid finally recieved her beer and was sipping at it contentedly, while Luciana was having wine. “I ain’t going to cause trouble. But it’s a celebration. Fenrir’s first job, yeah?”

As Aliyah received her plastic tumbler of whiskey, the container rather robbing her drink of any grandeur, Treyvon gave in and asked for his own booze. Soon, the poor, confused waitresses were worked to the bone, giving everyone from Fenrir alcohol, and then Aliyah raised a toast.

“To new beginnings. It ain’t what we were used to, but dog or wolf, we follow master’s orders and bite who he tells us, shit where he orders us. To Fenrir!”

“To Fenrir!” Treyvon and the others echoed, and he downed his drink, as did Aliyah and many of the crew, and the stewardesses were soon handing out more alcohol, their supplies, which they imagined would last them for all the fights today, were bottoming out rapidly…

It’s their bad luck for being on the same flight as a gathering of thirsty, bored contractors. Though this contract is one we’ll never be released from… still… As Treyvon received his fresh drink, a grin spread across his face. …one day in the future, they can look back and say ‘I was there’. The first toast, for Fenrir’s first mission…

***

“Bit of a shithole. No offence.” Aliyah grumbled, as they reached a seedy looking pub at the corner of several streets, the fading yellow paint having flaked away revealing bare stone, and here and there graffiti was daubed on it, as well as the surrounding, dilapidated houses and walls.

“None taken.” Adelheid shook her head. “Luisenstadt is not the… most pleasant… place to live. I should know. Full of perverts.”

“Oh, how tragic. But I expect you made them lo lameto their choices, yes?” Luciana added. She was striding through the rough streets as though she owned the place, and while she’d attracted a few catcalls from the rough men out and about, as had Adelheid and Aliyah, the fact that following them were Treyvon and a crowd of burly, clearly belligerent men and a handful of women, soon the wise shut themselves in their decaying homes, and the unwise…

Well, they soon ran when challenged. Treyvon cracked his knuckles at the memory. My sister and I, we don’t much care about insults. Heard them all, Aliyah worse than me, at least until the bastards realised I was gay. But now… now we don’t have to take shit from anyone. As we’re Fenrir, and an insult to the hound is an insult to the master.

“Yes. It was a… pardon the expression…” Adelheid’s blue eyes gleamed. “…dog-eat-dog world, and this place is a rather horrible kennel. But… the forest echoes back what you shout into it, and this forest… was not always irredeemable. There was kindness here too. Once I’d dealt with the worst of the perverts, anyway. The worst in Germany.” She rolled her eyes, still pouting over Akio’s teasing.

“Hey, I get pissed off with the guy as much as anyone.” Aliyah snorted. “But he ain’t going to go for anyone who don’t like him back. It’s just such a fucking bitter pill that everyone keeps falling for him. Even you, Luciana. You’re deserting me too.”

Luciana was the one rolling her eyes now, her sultry brown ones quite the contrast to Adelheid’s cold blue. Not that they do anything for me. But I hear the guys talking, Luciana is a dream girl for many. My sis… well, she’s not popular with the ladies, or with the guys… needs to curb her temper and be a bit more ladylike, I guess… well, I think she might just be growing up…

“Oh, por favour, Aliyah. Do be silent. I am simply enjoying the opportunities available to me. Where is the harm in that?”

“Enough. Now, the bar is not large enough for us all. We shall enter, and the rest of you… loiter around.” Adelheid commanded, taking charge on the ground, at least in regard to the local information gathering. When it came to combat, Treyvon was the man to take command.

“All right then. Lead on…” he agreed, and as Adelheid opened the door and stepped inside, Aliyah and Luciana followed alongside him, as they shadowed their little charge. Hmm, three, out-of-place in a dive bar like this. Guess they’re the ones we are meeting.

Despite the early hour, most tables were occupied by unshaven, burly men in partially open shirts and jeans or leather trousers, despite the cold, winter weather. Large glasses of beer were in their hands or on the tables, and more were at the bar. As soon as Adelheid entered, all eyes were on her, and whispers in German, barely audible to start with but growing rapidly louder, filled the pub.

Rachsüchtiger Geist? What’s that?

Aliyah, seeing his confusion, and always better at languages than him, snorted. “Some sort of ghost, I think. Guess our little Adelheid was elusive and deadly. I like her. If only she was a bit bigger, and less of a pain.”

Adelheid froze, shuddering, but was perhaps grateful she wasn’t Aliyah’s type. Treyvon could sympathise, but anyway, Adelheid nodded at the patrons staring at her, before walking confidently over to the table where the out-of-place guests were sitting. She plopped herself down on the open stool confidently, though she had to hop to get onto it, and turned to glare at Treyvon and the others, daring them to laugh, which of course, Aliyah, did, snickering.

Puffing out her cheeks and shooting Aliyah an annoyed gaze, which promised retribution later, not that such scared his sister, as Aliyah had quickly worked out Adelheid, to those who meant her no harm, was all bark and no bite, to continue the metaphors. Then, she turned back to the men at the table, and glancing at the one on the right, a small man, wearing tidy, wireframed round glasses and a suit which had seen better days, his eyes wise and his smile kind, Adelheid broke into a grin, speaking in German.

“Karl, it’s been too long.”

“Indeed it has, our little Rachsüchtiger Geist. Or no, a geist no longer, it seems.” The man, surely Karl, their liaison here, smiled ruefully.

“No, now I’m out in the open. As are you.”

“Indeed I am, young lady.” Karl agreed. Seeing the uncomprehending looks on Treyvon’s face, Karl switched to English. “My apologies. I did not mean to exclude you.”

“It’s fine.” Adelheid sighed. “I am capable of English for the moment. It will do. The headaches aren’t so bad now either. But first…” Her gaze went to the bar, and Karl chuckled.

“Of course. Beers for our returning daughter of the Furies and her friends.” He gestured to the barman, and soon large glass mugs of beer were in everyone’s hands.

“I trust a toast to a successful partnership would not be an imposition?” Karl asked, and Treyvon shrugged.

“No, I’m all for local customs.” Ignoring his snickering sister, Treyvon took a swig. Beer wasn’t his favourite drink, but he had to admit German brews tasted richer and more satisfying than American varieties. “So…” Treyvon asked when he’d had a few more sips. “…who are the suits?”

“I can speak for myself, Herr Bauer.” The best-dressed man, or at least Treyvon supposed so, spoke to Karl in perfect English, with a faint accent. “I am Reinhardt Müller, and I have the honour of being Mayor of Berlin.” His smile was pleasant, but Treyvon was naturally wary of politicians. His sister was also unimpressed, though she was occupied with her beer, but was still alert for any dangers, not that such was likely with dozens of Fenrir members outside. Though there was one threat. Game knows game. And I’m not going to claim to be a combat-orientated Chosen, and I’m fresh to the game. Luciana though…

Indeed, the fiery woman was outwardly calm, but she hadn’t touched her beer other than the first polite sip, and she was ready to retrieve and use one of her custom daggers at a moment’s notice. Perhaps also sensing this, the third man at the table, who was the sort of plain, ordinary man one could find anywhere, with a sandy beard and similar short-cropped blond hair, was staring at Luciana combatively. His blue eyes were the same shade as Adelheid’s, and he wore a suit too, newer and better cared for than Karl Bauer’s, but far less classy than the Mayor’s.

Sensing the atmosphere, Mayor Müller chuckled, though it sounded forced, to break the tension. “Herr Wagner, no need to be so alarmed. We are all friends here… or if not, we shall be.” He leaned forward, eyes bright behind his own round, stylish glasses. “Arnold Wagner here is one of the Chosen, I suppose you would say. It is not just Britain and Japan who are gathering those who can be trusted.”

“Bodyguard, huh?” Aliyah asked, and the Mayor nodded.

“As a mark of respect. We have no wish for any sort of battle in the streets of Berlin, even here in Luisenstadt.”

At that rather harsh remark, Karl’s mask slipped for a moment, before his professional mien reasserted itself. Adelheid was not so charitable, as her glower was enough to make Treyvon sweat, and Luciana to step to the side a little. Fuck, one of our roles is to keep her calm. Even Akio respects little Adelheid, apparently her triple abilities are a very rare thing for a Chosen, and each is powerful on its own, and has synergy… she’s almost like three Chosen in one…

“Hey, I’m sure he’ll be eating his words in a few weeks, don’t you think, Tanya?” Aliyah snorted, and while Treyvon froze, that nickname one the young-looking girl seemed to detest, moments later, Adelheid barked a laugh, the tension in the air diminishing.

“Oh, indeed. And my name is Adelheid.”

“Nope, I’ve got my ear to the ground.” Aliyah downed half her beer messily, wiped at her lips, hair beads jingling as she tossed her head, and grinned knowingly. “You were definitely about to go Tanya, ain’t no question of it. So relax. Trey and me, Luciana, all the boys and girls of Fenrir, we know the best way to get revenge is to prove the bastards wrong, that we ain’t losers, but the strong.”

She turned her gaze onto the Chosen, her expression gently challenging. “I’m the least of the opponents here, but I bet I could give you a good scrap. Me and Trey, we’ve killed one of your kind. Fuck me, two schoolgirls killed one back during the attacks, though I ain’t fucking calling Motoko and Natsumi ordinary, but they didn’t have any Favours. So wind in your neck, Arnold. We ain’t here to argue, just to keep our little girl here company while she does her shit. Then, let me tell you, our Mayor here will be just begging to buy land here in this place he thinks is a fucking dump.”

As Treyvon goggled at his sister’s tirade, which while laced with her usual profanity, was actually rather relevant, he was further surprised when she slapped her hand down on the table, causing it to shake. “So yeah, you ain’t going to cause trouble for our little Adelheid here, one of your own, who has an ear to Akio, the man of the fucking hour. You must have already had the documents through, Hinata’s not one to make mistakes there, and the buying and selling is done. So I’m eager to get on with it. I’ve heard that German beer and hospitality is second to none, so we ain’t wasting time that could be spent relaxing.”

“That’s right.” Adelheid nodded fiercely. “Let’s not shed our horns, but… this should be a simple matter. Karl?”

“Yes, all is well. Now all we need to do is survey the site.” He produced the relevant paperwork from the pocket of his suit. “Seventy thousand square metres, between the river and Köpenicker Straße. Paid in full, of course. Permits for a production facility. Preliminary agreement for producing medicine and cosmetics. Though for any to be sold, they would have to pass the stringent testing regime here and be registered under the Narcotic Drugs Act, due to their unusual nature.”

“Exactly.” the Mayor agreed. “Though we are in no way wishing to cause problems, and the red tape will be as minimal as we can make it. We are delighted at any plans to revitalise some lacking areas of the city, and bring employment and wealth to the citizens. After all, hard work is a virtue, isn’t that right, Herr Bauer? Though… we do not approve of corruption.” His words were both knowing and a warning.

“Nor do I. A second chance is indeed a precious thing.” Karl agreed, and Treyvon found himself nodding along.

“To that end… we are here to say that while there are no Chosen in this direct area…” the Mayor fixed Adelheid with a firm stare. “…we have no wish for conflict. Deaths will still be handled under the law, no matter where they occur.”

Oh, that’s why there’s a Chosen here. A warning.

“I am not interested in expansionism. Merely claiming the site Akio has paid for and beginning work.” Adelheid waved her empty glass, and another beer was brought over. She took a hearty gulp, glaring over the top of her glass. “Of course, let me not talk around the hot porridge. We will defend ourselves. If any threaten us, well, the Furies will judge them.”

“Indeed. Adelheid Richter…” Treyvon added smoothly. “…is an official diplomat, with Japanese special passport rights. We aren’t here to cause trouble, but we aren’t here to lie down and take it, either.”

“We understand that.” the Mayor agreed. “Nor would we wish to provoke you all. We just wish to make it plain, we have no wish for violence, be that in this other world or on the streets of Berlin. Oh, and while we do have some concerns regarding your construction plans, after seeing the footage from Britain yesterday…”

“Have no fear, we have the relevant blanket permits. It was quite the conundrum, as technically they will not be resident, so would have to pass immigration control daily, but… an exemption has been applied.” Karl provided yet more documents. “I confess to having to call in a few favours from people I expected would never speak to me again. Akio’s name, and those of his fiancées, open many doors once firmly locked.”

“Yes, that’s certainly true.” Mayor Muller agreed. “Of course, our arrangements will have to be followed.”

“And they shall be.” Karl agreed. “As time passes, the number of foreign workers will decline, and more of the employees will be plucked from Luisenstadt and the other poorer areas of Berlin. In tribute to our geist. Who haunted the streets and brought vengeance for the suffering and the oppressed.”

“Yes, but such will not be tolerated any longer. We do not wish chaos. And we are a country of laws. Now then… we shall be on our way.” The Mayor smiled winningly. “I do wish you good fortune in your endeavours, and look forward to the tax revenues swelling Berlin’s coffers. We can indeed do much good with more money.”

“That’s what Hinata would say.” Aliyah snorted, swigging more beer, and as they left, Karl sighed in relief.

“My apologies. Events are running ahead of us. things change daily. It’s only natural that the powers-that-be are nervous. Yet none wish to refuse Mr Oshiro, or those who work on his behalf.”

“As they shouldn’t. He is a frustrating man…” Adelheid, on her high stool, kicked her legs in desultory fashion. “…but he generally means well. A frustrating man.” she repeated for emphasis. “Now, Karl, we should see the site… I want to get this over with.” She exchanged a glance with Aliyah. “You are not the only one who wishes to relax this evening, free from stress and orders.”

“I knew you’d get it, so…” Aliyah finished her beer, and after exchanging a knowing glance, Treyvon and Luciana did the same. “…yeah, let’s go, we ain’t got all day. Oh, shit, I suppose we do, but the sooner we do this, the sooner we’re done with the first mission.”

Indeed. I’m eager to get a success under our belt too, and… I’m told Berlin has a bustling nightlife scene… if you’re into certain tastes…

***

“As you can see…” Karl had led everyone to the proposed site of the factory, a fairly large area some three hundred and fitty metres in length and two hundred deep, along the river. Most of it was overgrown wasteland and scattered rubbish, with a few derelict, dilapidated buildings. “…the site has seen better days. You would think riverside property would be valuable, but alas, socioeconomic factors and the state of the river here preclude that. There have long been talks of redevelopment, but…”

“…it seems we are the ones to do it. No, not us, but our aliadas, trusted comrades.” Luciana suggested.

“Yeah.” Treyvon agreed, surveying the site. Huts had been set up, thin, corrugated metal sheds for privacy. “I guess that’s where we hunker down and enter?”

“Indeed. It is as specified. Beds and necessary supplies.” Karl checked another list. He’s certainly well-prepared. Looks like Akio’s dug a gem out of the rough… I guess that’s his specialty. Right then…

“All right. Aliyah, Luciana, Red Trevor…” Treyvon rattled off a dozen names. “…you’re in with me. Oh, and of course little Adelheid needs to go, since this will be her Territory now. Travis, Manx, the rest of you, high alert. There should be no problems, but we’re not messing this up. Got it?”

As everyone agreed, positions were taken, cordons set up, and despite Fenrir being smaller than the Black Wolf Company was, due to circumstances, everyone did their parts well, satisfying Treyvon, and soon they were in the Boundary, surveying the site.

“That’s… fuck me, Akio’s a bastard, but I ain’t saying he’s got no taste…” Aliyah was howling with laugher as Adelheid was wearing her new combat gear. It was a green, old-fashioned German miliary uniform, and it even had diamond-like badges, though they weren’t symbolising Adamant affiliation, simply replacing where more… problematic… emblems would have been on the original, Treyvon imagined.

Spoiler

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“I am most offended.” Adelheid pouted, but she sighed. “Yet I have to admit, it is very durable. And… it seems time to test it.” She looked out grimly at the river, which was far wider than on the Material. Blue-skinned, Goblin-like creatures were crawling out, gills flapping as they exited the water, and they opened elongated mouths to show rows of sharklike teeth, and their eyes were black and soulless. Behind them rose actual sharks, or rather, four-to-six metre tall behemoths, walking on grey, clawed legs, flailing stubby arms tipped with metre-long claws.

“Fuck me, It’s like looking at Grulgor. No, these bastards are bigger…” Aliyah spat, withdrawing her own weapons from storage.

“Ah, but not as peligroso, not as threatening, yes?” Luciana chuckled, knives out, wind energies flaring green around her.

“No, I’d say not. Hey, hold on…” Treyvon halted everyone. “…if you and Adelheid go, Luciana, there’ll be no work for the rest of us. and we need to try out our strategies. So, hang back. Okay, then…” Treyvon shouted out orders, and the two-dozen Fenrir members who had entered the Boundary formed up into a loose skirmish formation, guns out.

“All right, firepower first, but don’t waste ammunition, each one uses Etherite powder, which is more expensive than gunpower by a factor of a hundred.” Treyvon warned.

“Yeah, but fuck, Akio’s richer than us by a factor of a million…” Aliyah snorted, but she did listen. “At least we can test the CCQ gear once we’ve thinned them out.” With her trusty assault rifle in hand, or rather, a Mortal Engineering facsimile, the most cutting edge weapons produced so far, ones that Ixitt wanted feedback on from professionals used to automatic weapons, Aliyah smirked boldly. “Right then. I’m going to work off some irritation!”

Muzzle flashes lit up the dark Boundary as Aliyah opened fire, bullets, flashing like tracer rounds, leaving shimmering yellow afterimages, striking home, piercing into the blue-skinned monsters, and as the rest of Fenrir opened up, it was an oddly beautiful sight. Treyvon, Adelheid and Luciana beside him, watched as the bullets punched into the massive bipedal sharks, and while they staggered and bled a fishy, reeking green and silver ooze, they didn’t perish, unlike the smaller, blue-skinned monsters.”

“I suppose that would be far, far too easy.” Treyvon mused, though after another round of rapid-fire shooting, a couple did topple over and start breaking down to ether. One roared forwards, trampling over the dead and dying blue Goblinoids, reducing them to a paste of gore and aether, but it was slowed by more rounds, and then Aliyah retrieved a heavy maul in a spray of purple sparks, her muscles bulging.

The handle elongated, and soon it was taller than her. With a feral grin, she swung it, and as the head struck the charging shark, skin caved in, and the shock, which should have been considerable to Aliyah’s arms, was largely dispersed in a wave of discarded aether. “Boom.” Aliyah laughed, and the elemental lightning within detonated, blowing a metre-wide crater in the shark, and inundating its insides with sparking chartreuse bolts of electricity. As it toppled, she smashed its head in with the hammer, and it broke apart into a spray of ether.

“I do suppose I should save this. Is there naught for me to do?” Adelheid asked, drawing in the scattered ether.

“Not unless things go to shit…” Fenrir were easily repelling the enemies, testing out new toys, like the thunder maul Aliyah was wielding, or RPGs that released a streak of superheated metal element. “…if you go, you’ll get angry and rip them to bits. Best let the others get the data we’ve been asked for.”

As the battle continued, Adelheid nodded. Her gaze took in the river, which she had avoided for her own Territory in the past, precisely because of the constant, annoying incursions for the river. Now of course, that was irrelevant, as the water element closest to the shore was here, which they needed.

“So, I’ve a question.” Luciana spoke up. “Señorita Richter, I do wonder… why has nobody claimed this area, confiscado for themselves? I dare say a capital city such as Berlin would have lotes Chosen, yes?”

As the violence continued, mindless creatures no match for modern military strategies and weapons… at least until you get to the level of someone such as Grulgor, or many of the women Akio surrounds himself with… Treyvon found it a good question, and listened as Adelheid pondered it. As the violence wound down, the enemy routed, the last few slinking back into the water, dyeing the river green, Adelheid shrugged.

“It hurts my feelings to say it, but I don’t have tomatoes on my eyes, I can see the truth. I suspect… since this was near my old haunts, others stayed away. After all… I fought a number of times against other Chosen, and… was always triumphant, until Akio defeated me. It is a hard life, being a young woman with no family, no resources.”

“Yeah, but that’s over now.” Treyvon felt a little sorry for her. She’s like Aliyah and me, like Luciana and most of the guys and gals in Fenrir. Hard upbringings, unlucky breaks. Shit, it’s why we don’t believe in God. Not the Gods, like we know exist now, but some overarching, benevolent figure out there somewhere. Because with the shit we’ve seen and done… and judging by her eyes, the shit Adelheid has done… yeah, ain’t no way, as my sister would say…

“So it seems. And today, I did nothing. How sad. But I shall buy the first beers tonight then.” Adelheid chuckled, clearly trying to change the subject, and as Aliyah swaggered back, armour smeared with some of the stinking blood, until she noticed and used aether to wash it away, she smirked nastily.

“Great. But I want the hard stuff. And Trey will have whatever girly, fluorescent cocktails he thinks makes him a hit with the guys.”

“Oh, shut it.” Treyvon chuckled. “So, that went well.”

“Yeah, I probably gained a Level or two.” Aliyah agreed.

“Then… let’s do an ammo check while we set up the Ring Gate. I’ll do this one, okay?”

“Sure thing, Trey. All right, you mangy wolves…” Aliyah bellowed. “…sound off just how much ammo you went through. I know we can resupply soon, but if you wasted anything, I ain’t going easy on you!

***

“This is harder than it looks.” Treyvon had retrieved the Ring Gate mushrooms from the special storage which could carry and preserve them, and placed them down on the water element, which they’d allowed to flow to shore, by digging a channel in the riverbed and bank with earth element. Such would heal up over time, unless fortified, but once the Gate was opened, workers and resources would be pouring through to settle the site properly.

“Quit bellyaching. We practised enough. And you’ve got the batteries, ain’t ya?” Aliyah was pacing restlessly, as Treyvon worked his Eyes, holding the bluesteel batteries and moving the elemental wood within as best he could. There had been two more incursions, one from river, the other a group of massive, five-metre long millepedes, and the final skirmish had been handled by Adelheid and Luciana, and they’d done more devastation than the entire Fenrir squad combined, which had only made Aliyah jealous.

Hey, it’s not like my power is combat focussed. Anyway, Akio, please, hurry up and find my sister a Favour soon, before her jealousy drives me mad.

“Yes, I’m doing it. Shut up a minute, will you?” Concentrating, Treyvon wiped off his sweat, but it was working, the key mushroom, which apparently Hyacinth had modified with her newfound talents, beginning to shine a vivid purple, space around it twisting and warping.

“That it?” Aliyah asked, and Trevon nodded, stepping back.

“I reckon so. It’s definitely connected.”

“So, if we do not summon some eldritch abomination, we should be fine…” Adelheid lounged around. She’d cleaned the blood off her own uniform, and Trevon had found that oddly amusing. For something she bitches about, she sure did take proper care of it.

“Nah, we’re getting one of those either way, ain’t we…” Aliyah trailed off as the Gate rang once, sparks scattering, and Hyacinth stepped through. It must have been imperfect, as she was bleeding, her face and hands rather wounded, but those injuries soon closed, her Ether Healing and high Fortitude kicking in.

“Yooou were saying, Aliyah?” Hyacinth asked, and Aliyah shrugged.

“Just that we’re glad to see you. If Trey screwed up, it’d just be more work for you, ain’t that right?”

“Of course. But it seems all is well, yes?” Hyacinth poured out a torrent of wood element, and the mushrooms began to grow, expanding, and the water element from the river was drawn in, and soon purple sparks were rising, like fireflies flapping into the sky, and Treyvon found it oddly beautiful. Soon, the Ring Gate was connected to the Hub, and Mortal Engineers and weaselkin soldiers began to pour through, driving Mobile Silos, and soon, Adelheid had created the Territory Anchor, as well as some Emplacements, and a Barracks to have some troops to guard the Gate.

“A Vassal. I suppose it doesn’t matter…” Adelheid grumbled, surveying the start of her new domain. “…I’ll set up the Boundary To Material Connection tomorrow. Rank two will suffice to cover the factory. But before that…”

“I must depart. For the far north. Though from here… I am nooot sure. East, certainly.” Hyacinth tittered, and Adelheid waved at her.

“I wish you luck. I suppose now if I’m needed for anything, Akio or someone else will call me. So until then I can relax. It has been too long.”

“Dooo not get lazy. When we are done with our London trip, training will continue. You shooould attend when you can.” As Hyacinth was lecturing the pouting Adelheid, Treyvon turned to his sister.

“I guess we aced the first mission then, Aliyah?”

“Yeah, guess so.” She stretched, grinning. “So once the crazy maid’s sure everything meets her approval, let’s wake up back in the Material, and take our little blonde soldier here with us and drink the city dry with the rest of the gang. I don’t know about you…” she smirked. “…but I’m feeling lucky tonight. Going to find me a cute and sexy young woman to party with!”

“Good luck with that. But yeah… who knows, there’s a first time for everything…”

“Bastard…” Aliyah laughed, punching Treyvon in the shoulder, and as they bickered playfully, Adelheid continued to grumble to herself as she spent the incoming Ether.

Hey, I’m rooting for you, Aliyah. I just… don’t think you should get your hopes up…