Shadowbane

"Hmm... I wonder if his men are trained purely to use guns and nothing else? You were able to pick them off quite easily, so they must not be very good at enhancing themselves."

Greyson stopped short of taking another bite out of his breakfast bar, "No, they were definitely enhanced, but it was only a basic amount to prevent ranged weapons from hurting them. None of them knew I was using a gun created through my ability, which does far more damage than a regular gun. After the first death they probably assumed the guy I shot had forgotten to enhance himself. But after the second death? They're going to be over-enhanced now when they see either of us. Which means I need to get the fuck out of here. All I'm good for at this point is draining their mana. Which would still be great if we were together as a group, but with just us..."

If what he is saying is true, then I can see why he wants to leave. They'll only be able to over-enhance for a small amount of time before they become completely vulnerable, but that's all the time they'll need to take him out.

Greyson finished the rest of his cereal bar and then stood up, "Alright, I'm ready to go. But what about you? How are you going to find the cemetery?"

I walked over to the phone and picked it up from the nightstand before bringing it back to the couch. I sat down and took the phone book out from underneath the coffee table. As I began to flip through it I heard Greyson say 'Ahh, so that's how...'.

"I hope that they are still there. From what I've seen, not everyone left to wherever the emergency shelter is. The apartments we're in are full of people too." Even now we can vaguely hear the people above us arguing about something related to the lockdown.

I eventually found the cemeteries in the white pages, and it turned out there were three of them.

"Greyson, can you find some mail for me? I want to know the address of this place."

Greyson pointed at the phone book I was using, "It's on the back. I saw it before you placed it down."

I lifted the phone book up and sure enough, the address was stamped on the back. 5512 N. Cedar Avenue, Xethra, Apt.#7...

I flipped back to the cemeteries and one immediately stuck out to me. 2316 S. Cedar Avenue, Xethra... I picked the phone up and went to dial the number but I stopped when I heard an emergency report over the phone saying that the phones were down and that people should report to their designated shelter.

... So much for that.

I closed the book and looked at Greyson. "Okay well, we're at North Cedar Avenue, and I need to find South Cedar Avenue. Do you have any idea of which way north is?"

Greyson shrugged, "Sorry Rei, I don't have the spell that tells you where north is. And I have no idea of where we are on Aetheria, so we can't use our visibility of Mother to---Wait, I suppose we could, but... Eh, I'm not smart enough to be able to figure that astronomy and direction shit out."

I know nothing about that either sadly... Where I was in the Xerath realm there were landmarks everywhere I could use to guide myself. And I was almost always with my team when I left Xelba's lands.

"I guess all I can do is wander around and look at mailboxes. Or... Actually, never mind. I have a better idea. Wandering around right now is a bad idea after all."

"Yeah... It feels like we're back on Urza." Greyson said as he gazed outside.

About an hour after the emergency broadcast, the sky turned pitch black. It wasn't a gradual change either, it barely took ten seconds. I did see the very same bone structures pumping out smoke in the distance while we ran through the town, but the sky was completely visible... He must have some way of making the smoke transparent. Why he lets the people here live normal sunny lives while the people in Jericho need to live in darkness is beyond me though. Maybe they're just used to it over there so they said fuck it?

I glanced outside.

There's also a bunch of streetlights and spotlights all over the place too. Just like I expected, he's trying to brighten everything up so I can't stealth through town. The spotlights are moving rapidly all over the place, which is definitely something Viktor had ordered his men to do. They probably think it's a bizarre order, but it's very effective against me. All he has to do is hit me multiple times for a split second with a powerful light and I'll take massive damage. ...God damnit, it really is annoying battling someone who knows all of your weaknesses.

"Do you need help?" Greyson asked.

"I assume you mean with my plan to figure out where the cemetery is? Nah, I'll be fine. If anything, it's probably for the best that you don't see what I'm about to do. It's normally not something I would actually do, but since we're in one of Viktor's nations..." I trailed off as I looked at the door leading to the hallway.

Greyson followed my eyes and immediately understood what I planned on doing. "... I don't approve of hurting civilians, but I know you have your reasons."

I'm about to do far worse than that after I find the cemetery. Besides, while I only have Urza as proof, I already know Viktor is spreading his nation through conquest. And these people are all complicit in that, just as I was back in Xelba. I fully understand and accept why there are people out there who want to hurt or kill me. Cera, for example. So the people of Viktor's nation should also understand that, but if they're selfish to the point that they deny any culpability, then that just means I have one more reason to kill them. Don't harm others if you can't handle someone harming you back, it's really that simple. Plus, we really did just want to leave in peace, so Viktor brought this on both himself and his people.

Greyson walked over to the sliding door and turned around. Instead of leaving, he looked around awkwardly while scratching the back of his head, "Um, I'm not good at this... But thank you for saving me from that cage, Rei. I don't know when, but I hope I'm able to make it up to you one day."

"... You're welcome, Greyson. See you later buddy." I smiled at him, knowing full well that we'd probably never meet again. Then again, I think I said the exact same thing the last time we parted ways.

Greyson smiled and waved at me. He then turned around and opened the sliding door. After closing the door behind himself, he ran off toward the left, where I immediately lost sight of him. I didn't know him for very long, but it's still really sad to see him leave...

I stood up and walked toward the door. I took a brief moment to wipe away the melancholy hitting me before exiting into the hallway. The lights were minimal so I activated my aura and enhanced my vision through the peepholes until I found the one I was looking for. Only one person and he's passed out next to the TV...

I removed my aura and enhanced my right arm. I slowly dug through the wall next to the door, trying my best to make as little noise as possible, and for the most part I had succeeded. However, when I reached the other end of the drywall, something fell off the wall and hit the carpet below, but I heard nothing else on the inside so it must not have woke him up.

After my hand was fully through I grabbed the lock and turned it. With that done, I opened the door and entered the apartment before closing the door behind me. It turned out that the man had indeed been woken up by the sound as I could see him groggily looking in my direction. The second he saw me I could see his brain kick into fight or flight mode. He revved up to yell as he reached for a nearby pistol so I dashed over to him and clamped my hand over his mouth. It was a little too hard though, as I felt some of his teeth shift around. He attempted to scream in pain instead of horror, but it was completely muffled by the palm of my hand.

"Sorry Mister, it looks like you are just really unlucky today."

Right after I said that I heard something outside. I dragged the man toward the blinds and peered through them. There were firetrucks parked in different parts of the city blasting every single building's walls with water.

... It really is annoying dealing with someone who knows everything about you. The fucker is checking to make sure I'm not hiding under my mesh somewhere. Water technically isn't a big deal, but it'll reveal the little camouflaged bulb I'm hiding inside, as people will see water gathering and dropping off a part of the wall that supposedly has nothing on it.

The only saving grace is the fact that I haven't seen a single camera outside of that hotel we stayed at. I assume the hotel was filled with cameras because he didn't have a choice. Since that's where diplomats, VIPs, and possible guests of honor like us stay.

"Mmm!!"

I sighed and dragged the man back to his chair. "I'm going to sit you down now and ask you a few questions. All you have to do is answer them, and then I'll release you. Understand?"

The man was clearly still panicking, but he slowly calmed down to the point where he was able to nod at me.

"Good."

I sat him in the chair and removed my hand. He went into a fit of coughing before breathing heavily for a bit.

"Alright then, Mr...?"

"J-Jones... It's Jones... Ma'am?"

Haven't been called that since I was part of Xelba's military...

I looked around and saw an array of photos showing the man in his military uniform next to several people who looked like him.

"You serve?"

He nodded. "My whole life, but this is my day off..."

"... Question number one. Where are we on Aetheria?"

He was clearly confused that I was asking him such a simple question, but he answered it regardless. "Xethra, Ma'am."

"No, I mean where. As in which continent?"

"Oh, my apologies! We are in Vinya. Near the middle of the continent." The man responded. I could see his eyes constantly shifting toward the door.

Vinya... That's the continent furthest to the south. If you crossed the ocean to the south you'd eventually reach the Elven continent, but I don't think anyone is dumb enough to do that. The waters are filled with unknown Eldritch and you'd have to hike it from wherever you landed to the Elven city, which means there's a one-hundred-percent chance you'd be killed by the machines long before you saw the city.

... Unless you're me? I could probably do it but I don't want to risk the open water. Plus, I need to head north to Termia, that's where Aresa should be.

First things first though...

"There is a cemetery in South Cedar Avenue. Draw me a map."

"Eh...?"

He looked at me dumbfounded. I ignored his confusion and walked to the nearby counter, taking one of his unopened letters and a pen before returning to him. I ripped open the letter and flipped it over, telling him to draw on the back of it.

He reluctantly nodded and began to draw the most basic-looking map possible. Eh, so long as he isn't lying, this should be good enough.

Once he was done I scanned the map and immediately realized I knew where the cemetery was. The line he drew goes past a subway, a mall, a hotel, and an industrial area, until it finally reaches the cemetery which is about a mile past the industrial buildings. So basically, I have to go back the way I came... Hmm, I suppose this might be for the best? At least I know the way.

"One last question. Why did only half of the people in town leave during the emergency broadcast? Shouldn't all of you have left?"

The man shook his head, "We should have, but... I mean, even I didn't expect it to be an actual emergency..."

As soon as he finished speaking I felt a sickly aura encompass my veil, followed by a familiar bolt sound hitting the ground outside of this man's sliding door. Barely a few seconds later the skeletons I fought in Kellog smashed through the glass, and behind them I could see an obelisk firing off more and more red bolts in my direction.

I ran toward the door and opened it just in time to see a skeleton appear in a puff of smoke to my left, but instead of attacking me it smashed into the stove and buckled backward onto the floor. Now I see why they don't appear inside buildings. They aren't good with walls or tight spaces.

I exited into the hallway and closed the door behind me. However, instead of leaving, I ripped out some mesh and sealed the door up the best I could. The skeletons began to attack the door, but their attacks weren't enough to cut straight through the mesh. I ran back into the apartment I was in earlier and straight out the sliding door. I activated my halo and glanced back to see that the skeletons were still struggling to get through the door.

On the outside there were armored vehicles coming down both sides of the street in front of me. And behind me I could hear engines revving hard as they drove in this direction. As I ran for the underpass I looked around and saw obelisks here and there throughout the city, with another one forming far off in the distance. Very clever... They've slowly been building obelisks, starting from the outskirts of the city to prevent us from escaping. I hope Greyson is able to get away, but it looks like he's going to have a hell of a hard time getting through that surveillance net.

The sound of gunshots rang out as I reached the road. In response I blitzed straight through the door on the opposite side of the road, crashing hard into the wall and falling down onto the steps below. The sickly aura left me as I removed the halo and ran down the stairs. I stopped for a moment to check the monitors once I reached the room below. I wondered what purpose these monitors might have when I didn't see a single camera in town... But now I get it. They're all aiming at different entrances into the underground. Not the subway, but deeper into Aetheria. They must have a monster problem? Which is good to know if I need to escape down there, but hopefully I won't need to.

I exited into the tunnel and quickly looked both ways for enemies, but fortunately, there was nobody around. I can hear loud footsteps coming from both directions though... So it's only a matter of time before I see someone.

I ran toward the right and it wasn't long before I saw flashlights, except they weren't just aiming them forward. They were doing the same thing the spotlights were doing, they're flicking them in every direction as they slowly advance. ... Those are some powerful flashlights, but I might be able to stealth through here if I want to. It's risky though... There's no way of knowing how many times I'm going to get hit before they pass. So that really only leaves me with one other option.

I jogged toward the group with my invisibility on until their lights began to harm me, at which point I immediately swapped to my halo and leaped at the man farthest on the right. He had been sweeping the ceiling off to the left when I appeared so he was unable to react, but the man next to him got a few shots off in my direction and even connected a few.

When I reached the man I quickly spun him around toward his team and snapped his neck. He went limp immediately, allowing me to pick him up and hold him behind me while I sprinted through the tunnel. His body and armor blocked most of the shots, but a few still managed to hit me. This is not good... I wanted to form an army and get going the moment I reached the cemetery, but once I remove this halo I think I'm going to be out for the count for a little while.

I arrived at the subway platform and jumped on top of it just as another group of men came running down the stairs. I dashed forward while throwing the dead man in my right hand at them as hard as I could. They had been attempting to fan out when the corpse plowed into three of them sideways, smashing them straight into the wall behind them. One of the men's shotguns discharged, hitting another ally of his right in the face. It looked like his enhancements had protected him, but the impact from a near point-blank blast had knocked him out cold, leaving only three men left. Who, unfortunately for me, had not been phased in the least by the surprise attack. They took aim at me and began firing two rifles and one large caliber handgun. I rolled behind a nearby pillar and put my back against it.

I already miss fighting things like monsters... Dealing with guns is a serious pain in the ass. Truly, I'd prefer battling that armored monster who kept surprise-attacking us from behind over having to deal with this bullshit.

That's when I realized the men weren't spinning their lights all around like the others. This group knows exactly where I am after all. I released my halo and almost collapsed right there and then from the backlash. It wasn't easy, but I managed to activate my veil and climb up the pillar. Once the men were close to my pillar, I leaped off it toward the stairs in the back, landing near all the dead or unconscious soldiers I had hit earlier.

I ran up the stairs until the lights were about to hit me and immediately dropped my veil. Peeking over the stairs, I found a few armored trucks with two men loitering between them. They were talking back and forth while sharing a large cigar. The drivers for the two groups I encountered below I assume. The alarms are blaring out here, so I doubt they heard the gunshots.

Just as I was about to charge them, they both opened one of the side doors and started rifling through the inside of the vehicle.

... I really am way too lucky sometimes.

I ran toward the men, getting hit by several spotlights along the way, but they were moving extremely fast and didn't pan back in my direction so the men controlling them probably didn't even notice that they had found me. Once I reached the two men outside the armored vehicle, I could tell they were discussing a premium cigar box that one of them had bought. It hurt like hell, but I forced the halo back on and before they could turn around I grabbed both of their heads and smashed them into each other. I leaped back a little to avoid the blood and viscera that splashed everywhere.

Once that was done, I opened the driver-side door to one of the trucks, and sure enough, the keys were still in it. I started the vehicle and lodged one of the men's guns in a way that the gas pedal was stuck, making the vehicle peel off down the street toward an apartment building in the distance. Most of the spotlights all turned toward the vehicle and its surroundings, giving me enough darkness to turn invisible.

After that, I began running toward the industrial buildings again just as the men from underground came running up the stairs. They were yelling something into their radios as they watched the vehicle smash into the apartment buildings, but I couldn't hear anything they said over the alarms.

There were a few street lamps lit up here and there, but for the most part, the chemical plant or whatever the hell this place is, was very dark. I ran alongside the plant, heading for what I hoped was the cemetery, when I saw something that made me stop next to the chemical plant's main doors.

They were riddled with bullets and there was a splash of blood on one part of the door. ... If you exclude zombie Seifer, everyone looked fine in the broadcast. So this couldn't have been a lethal hit.

I slipped inside and followed the blood trail upstairs. On the second level it became harder to track thanks to the walkway being full of holes, but I still managed to follow the trail until I reached an office. The door was cracked so I had to push it open a little to get inside, but when I did that, it squeaked just a little, which was just enough to let the person inside know that someone else was there. A girl jumped out from behind the door and when she couldn't see anybody, she sighed with relief.

"Rei... Thank god. About time you got here." Shana said.

I removed my aura, "What do you mean 'About time'? You've been here the whole time waiting for me? Oh, wait a minute... That means one of your clones was captured... That should've been obvious in hindsight."

Shana smiled and went to give me a peace sign, something I hadn't seen her do since Viseux, but she stopped and glared at me. "You didn't come here to find me? I thought you knew I was here?"

"How would I know that?! The last I saw of you was before a hail of bullets ripped into that hotel room."

Shana sighed and sat down. "I was the one who signaled for Markus to run to this building. I had planned on using an ability of mine you haven't seen yet to help us escape from here, but Ishar was wounded and the enemy arrived here much sooner than I thought they would. Plus, you and Greyson weren't here..." Shana looked over my shoulder, "Where is Greyson?"

"He left for good. He wanted to go solo from here on out. Don't hold it against him, he has his reasons."

Shana patted my head, "I'm sure he did~."

"... So what was your plan?"

Shana released me and sat down. "I can create clones of others, but it's very taxing, and they can't fight like mine can. So it was meant as a diversion for us to escape. There are other negatives to them, but it doesn't matter anymore."

I sat down next to her, "Did you see the broadcast?"

Shana pointed at a very small TV on the table near the glass that overlooks the plant. So that's a yes.

"Oh, it wouldn't matter anyway since your clone is there. That was a dumb question."

Shana shrugged, "It doesn't hurt to check. Also, uh, Seifer is weird."

"Is he a fucking zombie? He looked dead on the broadcast."

"He might be transforming into one... He's saying weird things and like you said, he looks like he's dying. But at one point he was lucid long enough to tell us why he's here. He was a spy in the capital near the border to Termia, and as you can see, he was caught."

"A spy? For Euphemia I assume, so she is still in Termia? And in a position where she's sending spies for the country apparently..."

"Sounds like it, but that's all I know." Shana said, then continued, "What are you going to do?"

"Heh, Greyson asked me the same thing. I'll tell you the same thing I told him. I'm going to the cemetery."

Shana looked at me in confusion for a moment, but then I could tell she realized what I planned on doing.

"... Is that even possible? You needed Aresa before. I know you're stronger after absorbing the chimera, but even Aresa was drained after supplying your army for a little while."

"It's always possible if I use the Ether Carriers and keep them safe, but I can't do that this time. As soon as my skeletons make an appearance, Viktor is going to have his men fan out and look for them. There's also the airship to deal with, but I'm not quite sure what to do about that."

Shana leaned against me, resting her head on mine. "What does that leave you with then?"

"The only other option I have, the one I did in Xelba. I don't have a name for it, but it's like an avalanche. It only works when there are plenty of biological materials and souls for the skeletons to feed off of. Otherwise, the army taps out on mana and dies, which will lead to me being useless for a long time."

I'm already in a lot of pain from the halo and the bullets that hit me earlier. I really needed this breather, but we can't stay here for long. It's only a matter of time before an obelisk forms close enough to sense us.

"In other words, you need to use the people here as fodder," Shana said, without a hint of emotion.

"... That's the plan. Does it bother you?"

Shana shook her head, "Not in this place. Just tell me what you need me to do so we can save the four of them."

"The four?"

"Markus, Ishar, Seifer, and the artifact. I count the artifact as a person since everyone needs it to come back to life." Shana said.

True... It seems like Viktor appreciates Arkaios on some level, so he'd most likely have the artifact sent to another temple, but it doesn't hurt to retrieve it just in case.

"Alright, give me a few more minutes to rest, and then we'll head over to the cemetery."

We may have to pick another one though. I wasn't able to kill the man who gave me directions, so he probably told them where I was going. And if he hasn't yet, he will soon enough.

I relaxed and focused inward onto my core. And while I was mostly focusing on stabilizing myself, there was something else in the back of my mind that I couldn't help but think about.

... I can't believe I'm doing this again. You really never know where your life is going to take you.