"Everyone wake up," Riften drew the blankets off the group unceremoniously. "We're here."
Estile roused herself stretching her arms, "About time." She looked about the cramped space. Nine of her companions were crowded in the dark vessel. For the sake of their mission they had been confined for several hours now. A thick canvas like material stretched beneath and above them, held in place by steel framing. On the other side the push and pull of underwater currents could be felt.
"I just hope we never do this again," Karen brushed her red hair and crouched awkwardly. "I hate ships and being in this so called submarine is even worse."
Riften laughed, "Well it was you how signed off on the idea. I was all for sneaking in the direct way."
A sock thrown from the other side of the vessel narrowly missed his head. Ellen sneered at him, "Yeah I'd rather not take the risk of fighting an entire army of demons and humans."
"I'm with Ellen," Trent agreed. "Demons are one thing but I'd rather not have to kill soldiers who are just listening to orders."
"Everyone hush and get ready," Arvel stood in the centre of them all. A complex array of magic swept across his laid out hands. "Once we reach the surface we'll be right under the temple. If the information about the Human God was true we'll have to be prepared for a tough fight."
Estile touched the flaxen haired man's shoulder, "And how are you feeling? You've been driving this thing the entire time."
"I'll be okay," Arvel smiled. "I'm not the best at combat so helping like this suits me."
Beside him a brown haired young man laughed, "He says that but he's still one of us. Get him pissed off enough and he'd be more than capable to take on an army."
"Kyle stop it," Estile reprimanded his teasing.
He raised his hands up, "I'm just saying the other day when he was drunk he launched me into that-,"
Arvel clasped his hand around Kyle's mouth, "W-wait Estile doesn't know about that." The submarine shook as Arvel's control fluctuated quickly forcing him to let go and focus.
Estile knocked the two of them lightly on the head and smiled, "As curious as I am, we're on a mission. Though I'd love to hear more about this later." She moved back to her corner of the vessel and began to prepare her armour and weapons. Like the others each piece of their equipment had been finely crafted and were powerful enough to shift the balance between countries. It wasn't every day that they brought them out and showed just how serious they were.
A light tap caused Estile to turn around, "Lav did you need something?" Her eyes focused on the purple haired girl who looked a little sheepish.
"Not really I just had a weird dream," the girl responded innocently enough.
"If Mori were here she'd say that weird dreams usually lead to weird situations."
"No it's nothing that would affect us now," Lav quickly tried to wipe away her concern. "It was strange. I was lying down in a hospital bed with a boy that strangely reminded me of you. Nothing important... just odd."
"Oh?" Estile smirked. "It's been a long time since you were ever interested in anyone. Maybe fate has something in store for you."
"It's not like that," she huffed. "Really it felt like I was looking at the entire thing from afar. The only reason I thought it was me was because of the hair colour. If anything it reminded me of... well you know those dreams we get."
Her words caused Estile to frown, "No one is dying today, especially not you. We've been planning this for days now which for us is pretty amazing. We're ending this and after we're all going to get a nice cold drink."
Lav laughed, "I know. I didn't mean it that way. The dream was actually surprisingly nice."
A sudden bump interrupted them as they hurriedly went back to preparing their equipment. Not even two minutes later all ten on the vessel were ready and waiting as Arvel slowly drew it towards the surface.
Karen stood in the centre and looked at them all proudly, "Okay everyone we'll go over the plan one last time. We'll be infiltrating the Human Church's main Temple from the underground water reserve below it. Once we're in we have one job. To take out the Human God or whoever it is that's controlling the demons. Our information has showed an incredibly powerful mana source within the area. Arvel will be in charge of locating it. Then from there it's as easy as taking down the target. Remember we can't let this thing escape or who knows when the next time we'll get a jump on it will be. Lav, Edgar and I will be in charge of sealing the Temple grounds so don't count on us too much when the fight starts. In case things go sour we'll be breaking out through our separate methods. Remember, no one dies. On the chance we've hit the wrong target we can't afford to lose any manpower. Understood?"
"Yes ma'am," Riften saluted.
"Eugh," she rolled her eyes and laughed, "please don't get formal on me now. It just doesn't suit you. Now are we ready?"
A crowd of heads nodded with differing expressions, some much more serious than others.
"Good. Then let's do this! Arvel open the hole!"
There was silence as nothing happened and Arvel cleared his throat awkwardly, "Sorry Karen but we're not there yet... so unless you want us to get flooded...."
"Oh right," an embarrassed flush spread through her cheeks. "I guess we'll just wait a bit more." Her response had the others smirking and giggling.
"It's good to see some things stay the same," Estile poked her in the side.
"Shut it," the red haired women moped.
A minute later the vessel rocked indicating that it had breached the surface and from there the Mercenaries of the Ever-Garden burst out.
*
The dream didn't end. Once out of the submarine Kyle found himself able to witness the dream from beside them. He followed Estile and the others as they efficiently made their way through the grand Temple taking out any guards on the way all the while remaining undetected. It was amazing to see them in action and compared to even the strongest members of the Hero's Guard he had seen, the Mercenaries were something else entirely. The casual ease in which they acted showed far more than any act of strength did. Soon enough they had reached their target.
Within the centre of the temple in an incredibly large ornate chamber sat a giant gilded in gold and jewellery. Decorated knights lined the edges of the chamber and imposing as they were, it was the man in the centre that drew all attention. More than twice as tall as an ordinary man, his belly extended quite far and he sat lavishly on the throne surrounded by food and several women. What was most eye catching however was the black spherical orb nestled in his chest and the dark reflection to his eyes. Even Kyle who stood far away as an observer felt the over-bearing pressure he exerted. He knew the feeling well now. It was the sensation of a Primarch.
The Mercenaries strode into the room without care or warning and lined themselves before the giant man.
Karen stood at their head and spoke firmly, "I assume you're the supposed Human God?"
The man righted his relaxed posture and stared down at them with an almost callous regard, "Well if it is not the Mercenaries of the Ever-Garden. Congratulations on reaching me."
"Thank you, it was surprisingly easy." Karen stomped her staff on the ground causing lights to spiral and seal the chamber. "Now let me confirm a few things. Are you the one causing all the demons to appear?"
The giant man smirked, "I have been granted the power of Gods and now stand upon a plane that no others have reached before me. What you call demons I call my angels. Servants to impose my will upon the world." He spread his hands loftily. The simple gesture however caused the stone walls to shake and many of the Mercenaries to scowl. "I am the one and only Human God."
Arvel began to sweat coldly, "Yep this is the guy. There's a definite link between him and the demons we've faced so far."
"No kidding," Riftin drew his daggers. "I haven't felt these kind of shivers since Estile tried to kill me."
"Everyone focus," Karen commanded and cut off their muttering. Her resolute gaze hadn't broke and as the Human God looked down at her the strength of their wills was even. "I'll ask you kindly then. Turn your armies away from the Alliance and we can end things here peacefully."
The Human God stood from his chair, "Bow down before me and I shall spare them. I've always wanted to have the Mercenaries of the Ever-Garden to serve my whims." He licked his lips, "To have such grand Heroes would suit my tastes."
Ellen snapped in anger, "Oh you did not just look at me like that! Screw this pig."
Karen held up her hand to placate her, "Then we've come at an impasse." A sudden burst of power spread from her body and quickly following, her companions did the same. Kyle who had been shadowing Estile felt his body begin to lighten as if the immense pressure would wipe away his consciousness.
Undeterred the supposed Human God grinned and clapped his hands before spreading them apart throwing black ooze all across the floor before him. Powerful knights in thick black armour rose from the ground and stood ready to fight.
"With you gone I shall purge the mistake that is the other races from this world. There will only be one God left to rule and it shall be me."
"We'll see about that," Karen gestured forward and the two sides collided against each other.
Estile however remained beside Kyle and for a brief moment their eyes met. A hint of surprise glanced across her expression. It quickly passed and with a wry smile she reached out her hand, "Watch carefully." Like that Kyle felt his consciousness burst apart merging back to the dream world.
"Shit," Kyle came crashing past where Estile stood, his brown hair a mess. "Hey Estile you going to help!?"
"I'm on it," her usual pretty face turned to a frown and drawing her sword she joined the others.