As the sun set, a large truck pulled into the boundary of the incursion sight. The south eastern district of the city which had once been a hive of buildings and life was now reduced to no more than flat earth and the remaining foundations. It was an odd sight compared to the rest of the intricately designed city and a far cry from what anyone would call appealing. The men and women who camped at the edges worked away seriously as they removed the last of the rubble and began to set up their weapons of war. Kyle who saw it all gaped at the difference.
"Welcome to the incursion sight," the Captain said with casual ease as they disembarked the truck.
"What happened? Kyle asked unable to comprehend the vast difference in their surrounds.
"It's simple actually," Reina replied for him. "Fighting demons is hard enough in the open. In a place with tight corners and buildings our artillery and firepower wouldn't even be 20% as effective."
"So you got rid of everything?"
"Yes. That's why we've arrived earlier than usual," Reina began to jot some notes down in her book. "It looks like the area will be clear in time. We should thank the Elmori council for their diligence."
"It is a shame though," Valandus said as he gazed at the flattened city. "There used to be a few fine shops here. Good places to eat and drink."
Kyle firmed himself, "Better to be safe then risk it all."
"My thoughts exactly," Bethial agreed. "We've had trouble before which resulted in more forceful measures but it would seem the people have become more understanding."
A light feminine voice suddenly sounded towards them, "And who do you have to thank for that?" 1st Officer Leela raised her arms in welcome.
"Leela," the Captain dipped his head. "You're here early."
"I arrived last night. Couldn't sit still in my office and the crew were getting antsy as well." She smiled towards Kyle, "Now that our star is here however we can get started."
"Already?" Kyle blinked in surprise.
"Of course. We want you up on that crest with a wide shot of the incursion zone explaining what's going on. Like you said. It's time the people knew what we have to deal with and who better to tell them than you." Her hand gripped against him gently but left no room for refusal.
"I-ugh...," his eyes snapped towards Lillia who was still trying to absorb the situation herself.
"I'm coming too!" she shouted and ran after them.
The Captain watched them leave and smiled softly. He had seen many Heroes come and go but even he had to admit that Lillia was special. The way she carried herself was something he hadn't seen even in normal girls her age. More so than ever he wanted a happier ending and wondered just how far he'd have to go to achieve it.
He straightened his back, "Okay we have work to do."
"Yes sir!" Reina and Valandus both saluted.
*
Etty Hill as it was called, wasn't large, but an open space that was loved by the surrounding districts as a place to relax and watch the city go by. Named after a particularly kind hearted wizard who had recreated many of the magic of old, the hill had a soothing air. It however had been sealed off from the public and now was the sight of a variety of people. A mixed group of armoured knights stood at attention among the surrounding people who fiddled with a selection of tools and cameras.
1st Officer Leela Lin pulled Kyle and consequently Lillia through the mirth of people. Those that saw them widened their eyes, mostly at Kyle. The boy himself was beginning to feel anxious. It was one thing to record lines in the enclosed studio but here on the hill with so many people, a small amount of regret was pouring into his chest.
"Kyle let me officially introduce you to Sir Devro," the 1st Officer brought them before a somewhat tubby man. His bolding head and small eyes gave him a shifty appearance but they were small in comparison to the man's insightful gaze.
"Devro is just fine," the man released a wide smile. "A pleasure to meet you in person Kyle. It feels like I know you quite well despite this being our first conversation."
Kyle shook his hand feeling a strange degree of familiarity with his name, "Nice to meet you."
"Devro is the director who's been working with us to create your material," Leela explained. "He decided to come personally after hearing your plan."
Lillia suddenly gasped, "Wait you're Dilly Devro the director!? I've watched all your movies." Kyle had to keep his expression neutral as he discovered who the man was. Out of all the directors that Tai admired, Mr Devro was his favourite. The sudden thought of Tai caused his heart to lurch uncomfortably especially as he was now in a position that the now gone boy would have loved to be in.
Oblivious to Kyle's internal guilt the man humbly laughed, "Thank you kindly miss. And you are?"
"Special Officer Lillia, I'm here on duty to make sure nothing happens to Petty Officer Barker."
"Ah of course," the director looked around at the other knights and finally rested his eyes on Kyle. "Demons are one thing but I also heard about your rather... personal experience. It was a relief to hear you came back to us in one piece." He smiled warmly.
"R-right...," Kyle could only nod along.
1st Officer Leela who sensed the awkward rift pushed on, "Now that Kyle is here shall we get started?"
"A-already?" Kyle blinked.
"Of course," Devro rubbed his hands. "We've got everything set up just over there. I'll hand you some points we'd like you to say but aside from that, like usual just say what's in your heart. I know this all can be a bit unnerving but please try your best."
"In the meantime put these on," Leela handed him a neatly folded set of clothes. They were very similar to the uniform he was wearing now but the fabric was clearly of better quality and some additional adornments had been added.
Lillia couldn't help giggle at his reluctance, "You bought this on yourself so don't back down now."
Kyle let out a dry laugh. Even with the sun set it looked like he wouldn't be getting to sleep anytime soon.
*
Kyle fell onto his mattress more tired than he thought possible. For what he did and how he felt now, he would never have guessed how much strain it would be. Even comparing it to Maila's training would be fair. Surprisingly however everything had gone well. At first he had trouble getting his words out but as he looked down at the incursion sight and saw the members of the Hero's Guard working their hardest, like Mr Devro had told him, the words poured from his heart. From why they were here and what was happening, to the reasons behind it. They shifted location and shot again and again showing a scarily good capability to move around quickly and in the morning they were going to head to the actual sight and get a close up look. At points he felt like he just wanted to stop and rest only to catch Lillia looking at him in admiration. The thing was she wasn't alone as the filming crew and members of the Hero's Guard did the same. It just went to show how important his job was to everyone.
So when Kyle finally managed to reach his lodging, sleep was the only thing on his mind. Even the thought that Lillia was in the room next door escaped him as he slumped onto the bed. Within seconds his eyes were closed and with it the world began to disappear. The world however didn't fade away completely and instead was replaced. For a small moment Kyle could feel his surroundings and sensations as he stood among the table of twelve. Each with a unique head of hair and one with none. The Mercenaries of the Ever-Garden. Standing beside Estile he reached his hand out feeling as if he could really touch her but no sooner than he did, the sensation fell away and the dream truly took over.
"Is something wrong Estile?" Kyle asked from beside her as she shivered
"No it's nothing," the white haired girl replied. "I just felt something odd."
"Odd how?" Mori asked from the other side of the table bopping up her yellow hair. "Odd like my dreams odd or odd as in eating something that went off odd."
"Umm neither," Estile replied wryly. "Don't mind me. We need to focus."
"Indeed we do," Karen who stood at the tables head sighed. "It's been a month and we still have nothing. The demons are attacking almost every third day. We're all tired." The eyes around the table showed their wear. Even as powerful as they were, being active for so long was taking its toll. "With each attack we lose more and more lives. We've become good at closing the incursions but we can't be everywhere. The military strength of our allies have more than halved. At this rate we won't be able to defend ourselves let alone fight back."
Orpheus nodded grimly, his bold head shining beneath the light, "We need to take more drastic measures. Riften and I have been heading the investigation but we've unfortunately come up short. To be honest we thought this would be over by now."
Riften continued, "Our informants have either nothing or misinformation, but we can all agree that the only beings strong enough to keep up an invasion on this scale for this long are the Archdevils or those supposed gods."
Lav swept back her purple hair, "Hang on. The Archdevils I can understand but are you implying the churches as well? Most of them have been helping us."
"Not all of them," Trent replied stiffly. "We've always suspected that the pro-human nations were behind this and since their declaration of war they've been more of a pain than the demons."
"Exactly," Riften nodded. "While there's been no real evidence of any of their gods existing, it might just be they found them. It's time we take the fight to the offensive. Playing defence is only wearing us out."
"I agree with Riften," Ellen pushed her fists together causing her green hair to bounce. "If those idiots want to declare war, we'll personally show them what that means. We've tolerated their existence long enough."
"Hold it both of you!" Sephie pushed her hands against the table. Her orange hair seemed to flare outwards as she stared at them both. "Isn't that going a bit far? We've always been protectors and I think that's what we need to keep focusing on. If we head out, who's going to close the incursions? There's barely anyone who could replace us."
"Sephie is right," Estile said solemnly. "As much as I want to end this, without our assistance our allies will take far too many casualties." She looked at the map and frowned, "If only we weren't spread so thin."
"About that," Karen folded her arms. "Arvel, Edgar and I came up with a plan. The demons only attack places with large amounts of non-humans. They seem drawn to them. Why not put them all together or at least reduce where they are. In other words," she pointed to the map and the three largest cities of the alliance blinked, "we'll focus the enemy's attack to these locations. Not only can they hold the increase in population but they're also the most defensible."
Kyle frowned, "While that sounds great how are we going to move that amount people? The demons aren't going to stop attacking and if we're caught on the road we'll have nowhere to hide."
Karen smiled with pride as she uttered, "Large scale teleportation arrays."
"You figured it out?" Kyle widened his eyes.
"It'll be expensive and we'll need a few of us to stabilise the array on both sides but within a week we could have everyone in place. I've already sent a call for help."
Lav nodded, "Then we're settled. I can head out immediately and-."
"Hold on," Orpheus interrupted. "This plan, while I agree with it, the demons are one thing but humans are something else. The pro-human nations that have declared war on us won't just sit and wait for us to move. They'll take the opportunity to take the lands we've left and the people left behind will suffer."
"So what are you suggesting?" Lav asked frowning.
"We split into two teams. One offence to distract our enemies and find the cause of all this and the other on defence to carry out the plan." He looked at Karen, "Is that okay?"
She bit her lip, "We'll need to rely on our allies more but we'll get it done one way or another. The question is who will go where? I'll lead the defence team, who's with me?" Five hands raised belonging to Trent, Edgar, Arvel, Lav and Mori. "And the offensive team?" Five more hands raised, Orpheus, Kyle, Riften, Ellen and Sephie's.
Kyle looked to the white haired girl beside him who hadn't raised her hand, "Estile where are you going or do you have another plan?"
For a moment she said nothing and then staring at the others she firmed her gaze, "I'm going after Kalvara."
"What?" Kyle was the first to react. "Estile you can't, not alone!"
"Kyle is right," Lav said concerned. "It's too dangerous. He's already killed you once."
Estile remained unfazed, "That was a long time ago. Besides out of all the Archdevil's we know still exist, Kalvara is the only one who could possibly be strong enough to do this. You need to take care of the pro-human nations and protect our people. I'll go alone." She smiled trying to relieve their anxious expressions, "Don't worry I'm not going to charge in and try to kill him. As much as I'd want to, even if he's not the one behind this he might have the information we need."
Karen placed her hand on her shoulder, "Fine but if it were any other situation I'd never let you. How will you even find him?"
"I have a way, though it'll depend if he wants to be found."
Kyle sighed and shook his head chuckling, "You're still as reckless as ever. Orpheus who's our first target?"
Riften was the one to answer, "We have two goals. One is to slow down the pro-human nations advance and the other is to find any trace of gods behind this. Of the major religions the most likely is the Human God, the God of Rebirth or the Earthen God. We'll strike their churches first."
"And if we actually do find a god?" Ellen asked smirking.
"Pray that they'll die easy," Orpheus replied grimly. "We've fought many things but never a god."
"That's because we never thought they actually existed," Karen laughed. "The fact that we're even considering it goes to show how desperate we are." She shook herself. "We know what we have to do. Split up and carry out your duties. Remember no one dies, we can't risk it this time."
"For the world and our children," Estile said solemnly.
"For our children and the world," with that reply the dream went dark.