7.54 AM, GIICHI'S STORE, ROJU ALLEY, WEST BLOCK, RADALTHRA. "You are on your own from here on out," Giichi said as the elevator dinged, signaling their arrival. The doors didn't slide open though, and Hikaru raised a brow at his former mentor. "What?" "I just thought it over. I don't want anything to do with your Warden investigation, whether you've got something in it for me or not." "It's brilliant what an elevator ride can do to one's resolve, eh?" Hikaru said dryly. "You got ten minutes before I kick your ass out. Try not to attract attention in there before then. A disguise could work. Honestly, it's a miracle they haven't slapped your face on some Wanted poster." "Right. Thanks anyhow." Hikaru pulled a hood over his face with a sigh. "Ten minutes." In the years when the wars were being fought, there were a web of underground networks that had been built below the districts close to Noderyn. Some say their purpose was to transport supplies for soldiers, others s
“...there can be found among their number, upgrades to their equipment. One such example are suits modeled after exoskeletons, worn by a select few...It represents the pinnacle of clandestine innovation. These remarkable attires could boast, to name the least, adaptive camouflage capabilities, enhanced strength and agility augmentation, integrated life support and medical systems, advanced sensors and threat detection.” {I.H EBUKA, THE WARDEN'S COMPENDIUM} 7.42 AM, ROUTE 9, LEADING OUT OF NODERYN. RADALTHRA IS DUE NORTH. The sun was just beginning to rise in the horizon when the screen on Neon's mobike flashed green. The caller ID read 'Norrie.' "Well you look like shit," she said when he connected the call. She was already in her blue coat and her hair, tied back in a prim ponytail, was being whipped about by the wind. "Where are you?" He asked. "Rooftop. It's a bit noisy down there in the office. What you got?" "You were right," he said, "There wasn't an Arkeian."
“Chapter Three: Radalthra: A Record Of Resilience.…..During the Great War, the landmass now known as Radalthra served as a major front for the Aethorian armies, owing to its unique geography and vantage point.….After the War and the Unraveling, the city’s founders, wise to the dangers of Anomaly invasion, divided Radalthra into North, South, East and West blocks to facilitate swift response and decisive defense. The North Block, with its proximity to the Veil, served as the primary hub for Hunter activities…The South Block was dedicated to research and development…the East Block, with its reinforced defenses, serves as a secure residential area for citizens and a retreat area in times of crisis….the West Block is the commercial heart of the city. This, of course, was (and parts of it remain so) the order of things before the sudden ‘colonization’ of Radalthra by the Rogue Hunters.”{THE ATLAS OF AETHORIA: A GEOGRAPHIC COMPENDIUM BY ELLIAN MARKUS}8.06 AM, ROJU ALLEY, WEST BLOCK, RADA
"Could you describe the creature that attacked you?" It was 4.56 PM at a police station in New Hope City. The woman on the other side of the desk lowered her head, thinking. There were small cuts on the arm she cradled, and scratch marks were on her face. "I couldn't see, it was too fast." She said, her voice shaking with recollection. "It's okay, ma'am," said the officer, "Anything you remember could be helpful." She lowered her head again. "Okay, uh...it had...it had red eyes, yeah. And it had a horn, I think." "Alright. That's very helpful, thanks. Now I need you to follow Mr Linn. Your wounds need to be treated." She nodded gratefully as she rose and Linn led her to the sick bay. Another half hour with her wounds untreated would either leave her with a nasty infection that would require amputation or lead to death. The officer released the worried breath he had been holding since the woman brought her report. Hurriedly, he tapped the red button on his desk, sendin
A hundred years ago, the Great War broke out between the world powers, spanning across continents and wreaking untold havoc on the Earth. It was during this period that the Rift occurred, a visible tear in the space between the human world and the Veil of supernatural entities. Some say it was caused by the cataclysms and cosmic shootouts from the war. Others speculate that there were those who wanted to go beyond the physical world for help, and some mishap must have happened. And there are still those who believe curiosity and hidden experiments to harness the Veil's power pushed it through to our world. Either way, the Rift and the emergence of a translucent force field brought significant changes to the world. It granted abilities to humans who had been close to the Veil at the time of its appearance, but it also trapped and mutated others into what they called Anomalies. And when the original creatures or spirits of the Veil possessed those Anomalies, they gave rise to wha
Neon tried hard to mask the disbelief and anger on his face as he stood before the Board of Directors and received instructions for his next mission. He could still hear Mikai's words in his head, and now that these people sitting before him gave him his new assignment, he was sure it wasn't just a rumor anymore. His brother was back. When he left the hall, he let out a harsh swear word, surprising a couple of Workers who were passing by. Mikai was already walking up to him. "Lords, would you look at your face? What went on back there?" Neon blew out air through his lips and headed for the water cooler. "Nothing much," he said, filling a plastic cup, "I turned in my report, and then they debriefed me on my next field mission. Normal procedure." "Okay. Doesn't explain the shit look you're wearing now." Neon swallowed the water in one gulp. "Well, they assigned me a partner. They know I work alone, I made it pretty fucking clear since I joined the Order. But no, they wen
5.27 PM, THE DAY BEFORE, IN NODERYN. In a quiet bar, in the farthest, darkest reaches of the city, Akira Storm sat by the counter with a mug of ale. She did not possess the looks of the average lady, at least not with her hood pulled up over her head as it was now. Other than her slender build and long fingers, there wasn't any other indication that she was a lady. Once in a while, she expanded her senses, taking in the environment without turning or looking. There were just two men at the table behind her, and the bartender was sitting on his perch, reading a book. Otherwise, it was quiet. Just as she liked it. "You are very difficult to find." Akira turned slightly. The intruder was a heavyset woman with dark hair and a stony face. She wore a gray jacket and her jeans looked worn. Her scent was a mixture of spirits and sweat and dried figs, as far as Akira could smell. If there was any malicious intent, she couldn't sense it. At least, not yet. "Don't worry, I'm
10.21 PM, THE PRESENT, NEW HOPE CITY. The twins both sat on the second compartment of a whizzertrain bound for Noderyn. It was a less conspicuous way to travel, and they both blended in with casual cardigans and shades. "How many years has it been? Since we've been there?" Hikaru asked Neon. "I don't know," Neon said. He took off his glasses and eyed his brother sitting opposite him. "You didn't have to wear the same thing as I did." Hikaru stared down at his white cardigan and cream jeans. In opposition, Neon's entire outfit was black. "You have a great fashion sense. I had to indulge you." "You can't see the writing on the wall, can you?" "Oh, I can." Hikaru took off his glasses too. Again, Neon thought he was staring into a mirror, but with longer hair and sharper eyes. "You don't want me anywhere near you, that much is clear." He nodded. "You're not so insensitive after all." "But I am a Hunter, one of the best there is. And I've been tasked with capturing a deathly