Private Vintergard The Smell Of Oil And Smoke

[Ueno Mizuki]

Mizuki surveyed the ruined city from the hill on which the statue of the hero rested. Several days had passed since the climactic final battle against Szofrit, enough time for everyone who'd taken part to get some rest. Even those with the greatest fortitude couldn't walk away from such a prolonged and intense encounter without some weariness, whether it be physical or mental.

But Mizuki had recovered fairly quickly, and unlike many others the assault on Vintergard had left her motivated. They'd managed to capture Szofrit and take care of the immediate magia threat, something which had been considered unrealistic by many. So far as the luna wolf was concerned now was the time to keep pushing onwards, seizing the momentum.

And part of that was retaking Vintergard proper. Without Szofrit's leadership the magia were left leaderless, but the automatic defences were still functional, as well as those mechanical units which remained hostile even without the Mother of Machines's influence. Too dangerous for civilians to enter, which was why the Adventurers Guild was quickly becoming flooded with requests for adventurers to enter the ruined city, whether it was to thin out the non-sapient machines, collect materials for study by the MIT, or to retrieve items from former inhabitants.

She glanced up at the statue next to her. Despite losing its hand the tall figure was still doing its job of hiding its surroundings from machine lifeforms, a testament to the will of the hero who'd sacrificed herself. Mizuki had made an agreement with the MIT that they'd keep her in the loop regarding Szofrit in exchange for gathering research materials, which was why she was here. But she'd also been told to meet up with a member of the Lions, supposedly for safety's sake. Mizuki mused to herself whether that was just a convenient lie to cover up the fact that the Lions were keeping a close on the MIT right now.

Well, it all depended on who she'd been dealing with. As long as they could carry their own weight and didn't get in the way of her goals Mizuki wasn't going to pick a fight with them. Slowly circling the statue she twitched her ears, watchful for the sound of approaching footsteps. From her current position she could easily notice anyone who tried to climb the hill, and the sooner she could get started the better.

@Hanasakura Okami

 

[Hanasakura Okami]

Okami was designated to escort someone collecting materials for the MIT. That was all she got when she took up the order. What reason could it be for the straightforward nature of the request? Okami wasn't sure herself. She was not however going to bother herself with what reasons could be. Her duty came first. An escort mission, that was all it was. The location however Vintergard, which she did not have the happiest memories of.

As she made her way to the statue of the hero, she looked at the ruins that surrounded the place, taking a moment to soak in the disaster that took place once she reached the top of the hill she was climbing. It was a frankly, familiar sight. Devastated buildings, abandoned structures, the lack of life. It brought back the memories of the disaster that took her hometown. Taking a deep breath, she remembered what her therapist told her. Take the deep breathes, slowly process the emotion. Okami then looks towards the statue and spots @Ueno Mizuki.

Not wanting to waste time, Okami activates a bit of her Dynamism and speeds down towards the statue. With an easy stop, she was about to greet her when something clicked. Why did this person look... familiar? Maybe she was at the battle? Okami blinks, slightly stunned and trying to guess.

 

[Ueno Mizuki]

One of Mizuki's ears twitched, and she quickly turned towards the direction from which she could hear approaching footsteps. A figure was approaching the statue. From this distance Mizuki couldn't make out much, but before she could sharpen her vision the figure suddenly sped up, almost making the luna wolf jump into a defensive stance before she willed herself to relax. Only the automated defences and non-sapient mechanised wildlife were still a threat around Vintergard, so whoever this person was, they shouldn't be an enemy.

Once the distance had been closed Mizuki looked the magia up and down, raising an eyebrow as she realised that the female synth looked familiar. Nobody she knew on a personal level, but hadn't this one also been part of the battle? She couldn't remember her being part of the final attack on Szofrit, but the fight had been about more than just confronting the Mother of Machines.

Well, regardless, this had to be the Lion who was going to accompany her into Vintergard. Straightening up Mizuki raised a hand in greeting.

Greetings. I am Ueno Mizuki, and I assume you are one of the Lion Knights?

It seemed that the pink-haired female also recognised her, given her surprised reaction. Mizuki hoped that she wouldn't have to deal with any commentary on her behaviour during the assault on Vintergard. In hindsight she was feeling very embarrassed about how she'd lost control of herself and spent the latter half of the incident acting like a real jerk.

@Hanasakura Okami

 

[Hanasakura Okami]

Okami's memories regarding what happened during the assault were not very clear. Regardless of whatever it was, Okami doesn't show it. However instead, a different association came together for the magia.

"Yes... and perhaps this is a rude question, but you look like that giant wolf I saw," Okami remembers the large wolf during the initial battle with another magia, the one who could corrupt others into the side of Szofrit. Okami then looks around, seemingly distracted by something. She then spots the hand and quickly gives it a shake.

"Oh right... My name is Okami Hanasakura, many refer to me by Okami," Okami would have greatly preferred Hanasakura, but most of the people she met went for the easier to say surname. The troubles of a language difference. "I'm but a kitten among the Lions, but I hope to serve you well enough." It was hard to communicate with her fellow knights these days too, many grew prejudice against her race and some would attempt to directly assault her. Disciplinary action aside, the hate still festered.

"Please, lead the way. My orders were to follow you after all," Okami gestures with her hand, placing another on the hilt of her blade that rested on her waist. An ornate katana with a blue cloth hilt.

@Ueno Mizuki

 

[Ueno Mizuki]

Mizuki was surprised that the magia would recognise her by her transformed form, rather than the battle against Szofrit. That was, until she remembered that she hadn't actually seen the pink-haired female during the fight against Szofrit, and having a bunch of wolves running through Finweald might make for a more memorable impression than just being another face in the large group rushing Szofrit.

That was me, yes. I hope it wasn't too unsettling, I didn't have the time to waste running around on two legs.

As they shook hands her companion introduced herself, her name making Mizuki blink. She'd been taught some Japanese by her mother, enough that at the very least she could translate Okami's name without any difficulty.

People call you wolf? (The corner of her lips twitched upwards.) I'm guessing that your given name is meant to be shortened to Hana?

It was rather interesting to meet someone by happenstance who shared her mother's nationality... assuming that Okami was a native and not someone who just liked the sound of Japanese names. However, they weren't here to socialise, even if Mizuki didn't mind getting acquainted with more people.

Given that they'd assign you to a mission that would lead you into Vintergard I assume you're capable enough that it shouldn't be a problem. (She turned her head to look towards the devastated city before them.) Truth be told, I don't really need a security detail, but from what I've heard the Lions want to keep an eye on who goes in and out of Vintergard.

Given that Okami had referred to herself as a kitten she probably wasn't fully aware of the politics that the higher-ups were engaged in. The MIT had gained custody of Szofrit, but the Lions didn't trust them. The current situation was the product of Mizuki being employed by the MIT to enter Vintergard, where rogue magia still dwelled.

We'll be retrieving some items that the MIT have identified but haven't been able to get their hands on yet. Szofrit's defeat means that most advanced magia are no longer hostile, but we'll still be facing the automated defences, such as sentries and regulators. Keep a low profile while in the city, and if you think a sentry is about to spot you take it down before it can sound the alarm.

As she instructed Okami the luna wolf began to walk down the hill, leading her companion into the forest that surrounded the city. From there she swerved to the left, circling the city with enough space between them and the wall that they wouldn't immediately be spotted by any sentries. The battle against Szofrit had caused enough damage that there were more openings in the wall than before, and it wouldn't take long before Mizuki motioned for Okami to follow her as they headed for a spot where the wall had sustained enough damage that one could reasonably climb over the rubble within a couple of minutes, as long as they didn't slip up.

Mind your footing. Do you need help getting up?

@Hanasakura Okami

 

[Hanasakura Okami]

Okami wonders if she should make small talk as they walk. A bit of deliberation, Okami took her shot.

"Mizuki, you are one of the rare people who actually well, know how to address me correctly," Okami says she follows the wolf girl through the forest. "It's a funny coincidence huh? Maybe I shouldn't have picked such a cheesy player name heheh..." Okami feels like maybe she shouldn't small talk anymore.

Okami can't help but wonder about the incident. What kind of capacity of power did this Szofrit have that she could take over almost every Magia that's alive? She only knows that it was an almost and not every because, she's walking proof. As she approached the wall, she is offered aid to scale the wall.

"Um... No need," Okami bows before inspecting the rubble. She digs in her heels a bit, she channels a bit of air into her hands. Normally, Aeromancy of her skill level would never let her scale the rubble without more air, but she figured a sort of workaround. Okami twists her hip, as if bracing for a spin, and jumps, releasing the air as well. Using the momentum, she boosts herself with Dynamism and lands gracefully on the top of the rubble. The pink haired samurai would look around as she takes a squat.

"I think... that's a turret... over there?" Okami points towards what looks like a set of blinking lights in the distance, about several kilometers away from their current position, hidden slightly by a broken wall. "What's your call Mizuki?"

@Ueno Mizuki

 

[Ueno Mizuki]

I know a bit of Japanese. I imagine that there's others around who'd also know how to address you.

Mizuki might be pleased that she recognised Okami's name for what it was, but the reality was that Japanese was not very rare these days. As her companion suggested that her name might be a bit cheesy the wildling shook her head.

In this world we have the opportunity to shape ourselves as we want to be, including our names. If other people find your name strange or cheesy that's their issue.

She strongly believed that Terrasphere should be a place where people felt safe to be themselves, rather than having to worry about the expectations of others. Which was part of the reason why she ended up living life like a savage, running around and eating things raw.

Given that there were still sentries flying about they didn't have the luxury of loitering, so even as Okami prepared to jump on top of the rubble Mizuki quickly got to climbing, sharp claws digging into the rubble and finding handholds amidst splintered wood and shattered stone that allowed her to nimble scale the pile until she was on top, remaining crouched on all fours as her mismatched eyes followed Okami's finger towards a blinking light in the distance.

Get down onto the street, quickly.

Following her own advice she climbed down the rubble on the other end, jumping the last bit to land on all fours. Quite some space had been left in between the wall and the buildings, to make it harder for anyone to approach the wall from either side undetected when the city was still inhabited. Now it was a good place to collect themselves before heading deeper into the city, the ruined remnants of the buildings hiding them from what lay deeper into Vintergard.

The parts we're looking for are close to the Dragonship, which is why the MIT hasn't managed to retrieve it yet. Those turrets will put holes in anything they spot, so we'll have to make sure not to get detected.

She motioned for Okami to follow as she left the wall behind and slipped inside one of the buildings, a temporary shelter.

Are you familiar with the defences of Vintergard?

@Hanasakura Okami

 

[Hanasakura Okami]

Okami lays low, ensuring that she moved carefully towards Mizuki, closing the gap between them without compromising their position. The mention of the Dragonship made her wonder what in the world is the actual item in question. The confidence in doing it alone too was a surprising factor as well. However, considering she had seen Mizuki's performance, the pink haired swordswoman felt that maybe she did not need to worry as much as she thought.

She settles into the building, taking a seat on the floor to listen to the wolf girl. Okami rubs her chin, wondering if she is entirely familiar with Vintergard's automated defenses. Now that she thought about it, she only been to Vintergard for the Szofrit incident. Okami looks up and shakes her head, "Frankly, no... I haven't seen this place prior to the incident or been here after... Of course until now." Okami spreads her arms to emphasize the place.

"What I do know is that they are mostly automated defenses and don't discriminate against anything that they register as unknown," Okami adds on, leaning to her side using her sword as a leaning post. "Which is why I agree with stealth first... Going in loud means attracting the attention of the unknown and I don't want to see what could kill me." Okami looks away, thinking about death. The situation can't help but be familiar. Just her, a few people and barely anyone she knows, in the center of post-disaster. Why did she live and not the rest?

@Ueno Mizuki

 

[Ueno Mizuki]

Mizuki had hoped that the Lion would be knowledgeable about the dangers they'd be facing, but it looked like she'd have to provide some of the details she'd picked up herself while getting familiar with Vintergard. This wasn't her first trip into the city, after all, even if every trip before this one had been far from peaceful.

As long as we're careful that shouldn't be an issue. While the automated defences are aggressive they aren't very subtle. (She glanced outside.) In fact, they're very flashy

She could tell that something was bothering the swordswoman, but they didn't have the luxury of talking through the magia's feelings. Not to mention that Mizuki wasn't that great at handling delicate matters. The best she could do was reassure Okami.

While Szofrit was in charge the magia were converting everything they came across into more magia, so there's a host of miscellaneous mechanical lifeforms we might encounter. However, there are four standard threats we should keep in mind. (She held up four fingers.) The Sentries routinely scout Vintergard and its surroundings, and if they encounter anything they'll alert the rest of the defences while peppering us with bullets and lasers. They don't have a lot of firepower, but if we get spotted by one we'll quickly have more enemies at our heels.

What I've noticed myself is that the Sentries won't always call for help immediately. My guess is that they're designed to only call for help when they encounter intruders that exceed a certain threat level. With only the two of us we might be able to eliminate a Sentry before it calls for help if we're fast.

The Regulators appear to be the standard defensive unit which respond to a Sentry's alarm. They're fast, tough, and their main weapon is an energy beam that cuts through stone and metal like thin paper. They appear to stick to the Dragonship itself unless called by a Sentry, so the best way to deal with them is to not let the Sentries sound the alarm.

Third are those big things that hover above the city and salvage debris. They'll only turn hostile when you get close, and since there's not a lot of them staying away should be easy unless they're in the same location as our target. If you do have to fight them make sure to not get beneath them: according to the MIT they can drop molten metal and stone on top of you as a defence mechanism.

Fourth is the Dragonship's own point defences. There's a lot of them, but they shouldn't activate unless we're close to the ship itself and have already engaged the automated defences. If they do activate we'll have to retreat: this isn't one of those bullet hell games where you can just dodge an endless amount of bullets and lasers if you're fast enough.

After the lengthy explanation she walked towards the broken window which allowed her to cautiously peer down the street deeper into Vintergard. The ruins of an entire city were vast, so navigating their way through would take a while.

To summarise, watch out for Sentries and stay away from the bigger things. There are other threats such as local fauna turned into magitech, but we can't really prepare for that other than just being careful. Any questions?

@Hanasakura Okami