22/01/4014 AD – 18:01 – Warturf – Skies over the Continental Lands – Carazstar – Meeting Room
"How bad is it?" Staruthia asked painfully. Teams A and B were having a regularly scheduled meeting in order to discuss their next actions. The meeting was taking place in the same format as the previous one; each Team's Elites were present and connected via video call; all Wyperians were in Human form. Staruthia's question was the first line of dialogue spoken; she didn't need to be told that the mission ended in failure, that was obvious from the moody expressions of Team A.
"Well... the mission failed", Millenicel sighed. 'As if that wasn't obvious'.
"What's up with Anmarina?" asked Jonathan; normally, Staruthia would have resumed her distasteful attitude towards the Human leader, but she was also curious.
Anmarina was in fresh clothing, but her skin was covered in burn marks. "I'm trying to hone my angelic abilities", she explained. "Rather than using the typical healing chambers, I'm trying to cloak my skin in a thin layer of cooling water. I'll be able to sooth the pain and hopefully create a counter-measure to deal with the scorching heat that Elimiphlaren emits off".
"Oh I get it now", Staruthia commented. "You had your health drained, and then your Human form received additional damage?" Anmarina didn't respond.
"Well that sucks, any other good news to report? Like maybe you-" Jonathan's mocking tone was cut short.
"Stop rubbing it in!" Staruthia snapped. "You know, every time I tell myself that I should forgive you for your constant insubordination, you do something like this!"
"All joking aside", Millenicel tried to move the meeting along. "We do have some significant, bad news: Elimiphlaren has evolved into an Angel-Quadria".
Sollikarr jumped up from his seated position, "WHAT?! What is his new title?!"
"... We don't know", Millenicel admitted.
"But you have a-" Sollikarr was stopped short.
"We know; I have a Scan Visor. Unfortunately, I didn't get a single chance to activate the thing", Olicleaver responded.
"We have got an idea of how his ability works", Millenicel said proudly. "His Ria Ability is called 'Flames of Revenge'. It dealt massive damage to Olicleaver's Mylialta but couldn't even be used against Alexis".
"What about the Psykhodarks?" Relical asked.
"That's a tough one..." Millenicel's tone faded.
"No it's not?" Dracolast piped in. "Those PDs have a new Elite, one as skilled in Psyka as you brothers. It also appears to be Veilure's son".
"She has a son?" Crystrx finally started to pay attention.
"Yes, a guy named 'Shadowata'", Olicleaver sent over the relevant data and footage. "His Shadow Ability appears to allow him a greater control over a P.C.U. that resembles a Black Huntress. Only this one has a humanoid configuration".
Relical looked over to his visibly upset sibling, "What's wrong? I hope you aren't jealous; after all, you rejected Veilure's advances so many times-"
"It's not that!" Millenicel shouted before quickly calming down. "I just realised that I missed a significant portion of my Guardian's life. She found a partner, had a child, and raised him to be a powerful combatant. All of this within what only felt like three years to me, despite the plethora of evidence that it has actually been twenty-five years. Crystrx, Staruthia and Sollikarr waited for their Ayratulia whilst Flaymaclaze and Skyswipe betrayed theirs. Veilure rose above all and moved on with her life".
When Anmarina heard Crystrx's name, she shot her an angry glance her expression turned to one of confusion as Crystrx refused to look her in the eyes; she didn't look sad, didn't look angry, she just refused to even look.
"Wait, that only adds up to six Guardians", Dracolast calculated. "We are missing two. Which side will they take?"
"They won't betray us, or perhaps it would be more accurate to say they couldn't betray us", Relical replied.
"How do you know that?"
"Mine and Millenicel's second Guardians were Wyperian A.I. They are known as 'Millenyice' and 'Relicalibur'; no points at all for guessing who's belonged to who".
"And where are they?"
"Most likely at the Psykhodark H.Q."
"Ah, so that just adds to the importance of getting to Psykhodark's base".
"Exactly! That's why we need to think of a way to counter Veilure, Shadowata and Elimiphlaren", concluded Millenicel.
"I don't know if you've noticed, but we aren't in the best condition to retaliate", Alexis pointed out, sarcastically.
"Completely true, I'll send you guys some reinforcements", Staruthia said as she pulled out a small computer tablet and began issuing new orders.
Jonathon looked at Alexis, "You know, maybe I could head there with-"
"No", Staruthia stated bluntly.
"Why not?!" Jonathon sounded irritated.
"Because we don't need an entire base wiped off the face of the planet purely because you want to show off and bang a hot chick", Millenicel sighed. Alexis seemed to enjoy all the attention before a memory flashed before her eyes.
'You will be hunted down your entire life'.
"AHH!" Alexis panicked. 'Surely this isn't what he meant?!'
"What's wrong with you?" Millenicel asked.
"N-n-nothing!" Alexis quickly replied.
"... anyway", Sollikarr ignored the entire event. "Team B will reach Spirock Village in a few moments, although we will wait until morning until we act on any plans we may have".
"Roger that, is that everything?" Millenicel asked.
Staruthia looked around, "Yes, I believe so! Good luck, Team A".
"You too, Team B", Millenicel said before the call disconnected.
Anmarina was deep in thought, she had been since her interaction with Crystrx... or lack of interaction. The Angel of Water pulled out her phone and sent Crystrx a text message.
'Is everything okay? :('
Crystrx looked at her phone after it vibrated, 'Who the hell uses emojis in this day and age?!' She paused and her rage died down. Here Anmarina was, genuinely concerned for her fellow Guardian, and all she could do was spit in her virtual face. Crystrx replied. 'I'm fine, thank you for asking'.
'I'm not stupid, just tell me what's wrong?'
'I said that I'm fine. Thank You'.
'Like hell you are! Tell me what the matter is right pissing now, damn it! >:('
'What did you say to me?!'
'You can read! Now obey or I'll Angel your ass!'
'There is nothing wrong, you stupid moron!'
'THAT INSULT WAS WEAK! STEP UP YOUR GAME! THAT'S AN ORDER!'
'YOU CAN'T ORDER ME AROUND JUST BECAUSE YOU'RE AN ANGEL!'
'THAT ORDER CAME FROM HYPERZIO! 'INSULT EVERYONE AS OFTEN AS YOU CAN' THAT MIGHT AS WELL HAVE BEEN HIS MOTTO!'
'WHAT THE HELL IS YOUR PROBLEM?! ARE YOU TRYING TO PISS ME OFF?!'
'YES!'
'WHY?!'
'Are you feeling better now? :)'
Crystrx looked up from her phone, her eyes twitching as she glared at everything and anything. 'You know what? I suddenly don't feel as bad about wanting to kill that woman'. Crystrx stowed her phone away. She quickly took it back out again.
'... Thank you'.
Anmarina smiled as she read Crystrx's last text.