Cursed Soul: Ch.18

“Hymn of Hera!” A vibrant gold screen with a crown on it appeared in front of me and blocked Erica's shot, the Captain quickly unloading bullet after bullet to try and break the barrier.

“Hymn of Apollo!” Her eyes widened and she spun around as the symbol on the screen turned to that of a sun before it let off a bright flash, momentarily blinding our spectators as she turned back with her gun aimed at me.

“Hymn of Hermes.” Yet, I was no longer there as I appeared a meter to the side, the screen below me having a winged sandal on it before the golden barrier shone.

“Hymn of Demeter.” The wooden flooring rumbled before cracking open at numerous points, Erica cursing as dozens of small vines slowly grew out and wrapped around her ankles.

“Hymn of Artemis.” I was not done as the screen turned to that of a silver one with a crescent moon on it before a dozen spectral wolves made out of silver ethernano leapt out of it and surrounded her.

“You ready to concede?” I asked as I held a hand up, making sure the vines stayed around her feet as Erica looked at me with a glare before nodding.

“I concede.” She answered and I nodded as I snapped my fingers, dismissing the wolves and pulling the vines back underground before the jutsushiki barrier around us restored the damage to the battlefield we used.

“Can you not use that Apollo one again? I'm still seeing stars.” Liam spoke while shaking his head and I rolled my eyes as Leah walked over with a grin.

“So instead of making normal barriers, you can now activate twelve different effects depending on the screen you use?”

“That's the gist of it.”

“And these effects are based on what you call these…12 Olympian deities, yes? Do they make up the religion where you're from?”

“Uh, kind of, but it's more of a personal one I made up.” I answered with a shrug, chuckling as she raised an eyebrow before shrugging.

“Cool. So, what's the score, Alya?”

“Eric 10- Erica 11. If Erica takes it serious from the start and pressures him continuously, she'll win, but if she doesn't make it quick and give Eric time to recover and think, she loses every single time.”

“So it's the classic case of tactical fighter against ranger.”

“Eh, if we had more area to fight on, I think she'd win more, but then again, I'd use more of my more…powerful spells.”

“Right, you said you had twelve but only five of them. Why not the others?”

“Some are there to help me manipulate the minds of others through the usage of various pheromones while others are far too destructive to use in an enclosed space.”

“Wait, manipulate minds? Like that Hymn of Siren?” Alex asked and I smirked while nodding.

“That, but I've found a way to make it more powerful to the point that people would do everything to make me happy.”

“Hmm, do you have one that heightens the pleasure senses?”

“You asking that for the reason I'm thinking you're asking it?” I asked with a raised eyebrow, shaking my head as Leah just raised an eyebrow with a knowing smirk.

“What do you think?”

“Of course it is. Also, I can, but I'm saving that for another time. Anyway, Alex, Alya, how's the sniping going along?” I asked and they didn't answer as both simply formed their bows and turned to the targets. Pulling their drawstrings back, I watched as both siblings fired at all three targets at the same time.

It was not surprising to see both of them hitting bullseye on all three targets, but I did raise an eyebrow when Alex's arrow spiralled and pierced through to the other side of the final target while Alya's arrow split said target in half.

“Uh, added effects?”

“Nope, just following your advice on making our arrows having more points other than just the standard arrow point. It's pretty fun to be honest.”

“Oh, cool. Just one question, though. Who's fixing that?” I asked while pointing at the two halves of the target and Alex snorted as Alya looked at him.

“Hey, I'm the spiral point guy. You're the one that wanted to make a large arrow head that can cut its targets in half.”

“…Urgh, fine” She grumbled and I smirked as she walked over to the pieces with her brother before turning to Liam who was busy tapping his leg with a hum.

“How's your telepathy training going?”

“Pretty good now that I can do it without even needing to concentrate. Also, Leah, I don't want to hear the things you want Eric to do to you.”

“If you don't want to hear, then stay out of my mind because it's about to become more graphic.” Leah said with a wide grin and Liam quickly deactivated his spell with a disgusted look while I just shook my head.

“That's on you.”

“I know. Have you seen Danny, though? The guy's been a phantom that I've not seen in a while.”

“Oh, then that means Danny's training is working.” I said while pointing to the side, which made Liam blink as he turned to that spot only to raise an eyebrow as the air shimmered.

“Hah, how long was that?” Danny asked as his full Lycan form became visible, his silver hair no longer reflecting the light as he slowly shrunk down and took a human form.

“One hour forty-seven minutes. New record by three minutes.” I answered with a grin, which he mirrored while Liam just scratched his head.

“How the hell did I not hear your thoughts?”

“When I turn invisible, I focus on nothing.”

“…Nothing?”

“Nothing. Keeping my mind empty is how I'm able to stay quiet and invisible to others' senses.”

“I see. Leaning into that ambush angle?”

“In combination with my jutsushiki, yes.” I answered and he hummed before we turned to where Alex and Alya were trying their best to figure out how to put the target back together.

“You know that if you bring it into the confines of the barrier and then break part of the flooring inside the barrier, it will make the barrier repair it along with the floor, right?” Leah asked and both siblings looked at us before I was not surprised to see Alya rushing in with both halves.

“Ignoring the sibling duo here, how's the plan looking for the attack?” I asked and Leah sighed as she shook her head.

“So far, it's a case of us trying our best to figure out just which areas to hit and the Colonel stuck on figuring out just what parts of the city would be the best spots to plan ambushes and get information.”

“I see. Approximately how many people are going to be picked?”

“You are most definitely along with myself, Lt. Arreiks, the Colonel and the General. Erica is a close second after you since we need her sharp eyes and Liam is also a pick because we need his Telepathy to keep track of everyone's activities as well as a secure messaging system.”

“So seven at least and I'm guessing…ten at most?”

“That's the plan. We're probably going to contribute the most in terms of man power since we're the most capable overall out of the Nine Battalions.”

“Hmm…” I didn't say anything as I brought up three different screens, typing at the holographic keyboard in front of me and bringing up a different map on each screen.

“Okay, so the road map shows that we only have eight different roads that we can use as entry. This road here looks like a good one to use since it's near the forest surrounding the Boscoan Capital.” I said as I enlarged the left map.

“Yeah, but that's also the road we want to use as our exit route. The others all lead to a part of the city or outside of its city where the security will be at its highest when we finally attack their borders.”

“Then what about this road?” I asked as I pointed to the bottom left route near the mountains and she frowned before humming.

“It's not a bad route, but it is also the entry route to the military facility we're trying to infiltrate. The same with the routes here and here.” She said as she pointed to the middle left and the top right routes, to which I frowned as the two of us stared at the routes.

“So, the only ones are the ones that lead through the mountains and the ones that go around the river and through the forest?”

“The two through the mountains are wyvern territory so they'll know we're coming and one of the roads around the south river is leading to Vulcan territory. In other words, there's just the one path that's remotely available and that is also not usable because the enemy most likely knows that and has already fortified it.”

“What if we take the one through the Vulcan territory?” I began and she raised an eyebrow before I continued.

“You said it yourself. The routes that's not going to be fortified with personnel are the ones through the Vulcan and wyvern routes so why not use one of those paths to sneak past and take them out from the inside?”

“Huh, the Colonel and the General agreed that doing so would be the best course of action, but they suggested the wyvern routes instead.”

“Why? The Vulcans would be easier.” I said with a frown and she shrugged before pointing to the mountain range that was a bit further away from the capital city.

“Yeah, but if we decide to go with this route, it will be at the time where wyvern mating season begins so a bit of fighting and explosion that close to the city would be seen as normal.”

“Oh, I get it. Wyvern mating season means that the other beasts are going to be more busy hiding than anything so if we go through the Vulcan route, it would be seen as abnormal.”

“Precisely. Unfortunately, the General also doesn't want to pick this route because it is the closest to the entrance gate from that point to the capital and there are no coverage from the mountains to the entry points we have.”

'This is quite the predicament indeed…unless…'

“Hmm, I think I could make a jutsushiki for that part of the plan.” I muttered, drawing her attention as well as that of the others who had been listening in.

“You can?”

“I don't know. That's why I said 'I think'. I could make a more mobile replica of what I did during the initial battle against the armies we've ambushed, but doing so will require me to change some of the patterns that were used.”

“Hey, that sounds like you're trying to make the plan a lot better than what we got and that's all I need.” Leah spoke with a shrug and I chuckled before turning back to the maps.

Time to get to work.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“These are the members of the Scarlet Mantis that were chosen for the infiltration and combat: Corporal Liam Peekwold, Sergeant Alya Hunters, Sergeant Major Danny Lycan, Captain Erica Danvers, Captain Eric Creed, Lieuteant Nioh Arreiks, Lieutenant Khae Danners, Lieutenant Leah Maverick and Colonel Baul Mundus taking up command! I myself, General Sparda Blade, will be heading up the border command of our battalion to make sure we perform to the best of our capabilities! Now those of you that were not chosen, it is time to prove me wrong! Do you understand?!”

“Sir yes sir!”

“Good! For those of you that were chosen, think of Colonel Baul Mudus' orders as orders from my own mouth! Make sure you all perform to the best of your capabilities on the field and make sure that you all come home safe! Am I understood?!”

“Sir yes sir!” I barked out along with the others that were chosen, turning to Alya who looked ecstatic before smiling when I saw Alex frowning while pouting at his grinning sister.

“Come on~ you always get picked for these missions.”

“It's okay, brother. It's just that General Sparda has decided to take the better of us two siblings.”

“Don't say that and then get your ass kicked when we get to the actual fights.” Liam spoke with a grin, snickering as he quickly raced off when Alya glared at him.

“You really love falling for his provocations, don't you?” I asked, smirking as she huffed before turning to see Baul gesturing for us to come over.

“Alya, Liam, team meeting.”

“I'll catch you guys before you leave.” Alex said with a nod, huffing and knocking Alya's hand away as she ruffled his hair before we made our way to the front of the stage where the others were waiting.

“Lieutenant Arreiks, a pleasure to be working with you again, sir.” I spoke with a salute and the tall man nodded back before I turned to the one person of the group I didn't know.

The first thing I noticed was how short he was, even being shorter than Liam who was already the shortest out of the group. His hair was light brown while being curly and his dark brown eyes had this amused look in them as he looked at me.

“So, you're the guy fucking Leah, huh?”

“…How am I supposed to even answer that?” I asked with a look of bewilderment that was shared by both Alya and Liam as the man snickered while Arreiks just shook his head.

“As crude as always, Khae.”

“Hey, I'm a guy that's near death's door constantly as the medic. I have to make you guys remember me in some way.”

“Eric, Alya, Liam, this is Lieutenant Khae Danners, probably one of the best medics in the Rune Knight Battalions but also one of the most crude-tongued guys you'll meet.”

“In other words, keep a good relationship with me and I'll make sure that you'll make it back home for another day.” He clarified and I smirked while holding a hand out.

“Eric Creed, pleased to meet you.”

“A formal one, eh? Leah picked a good one. Khae Danners, boy. Looking forward to working with you.”

“Also, I didn't pick him. I gave him the opportunity to get me. Another thing. We're not fuck-buddies, but in a loving relationship, right Eric?”

“That is true.” I nodded and she grinned smugly as Khae just shrugged.

“Whatever you say. So, what did you need, Baul?” He asked as he turned to our group commander, who just rolled his eyes before looking at us all.

“Listen up. I'm going to need you all to get your bags and tools that you'll need for this mission. Make sure to pack for at least three weeks as the infiltration is going to take a few days to get right. Also, Eric, are you ready for your part of the infiltration?” I just grinned at the Colonel's question before bringing a screen up.

“It took a few simulations to figure out, but I think we'll get through.” I answered and he nodded before looking at the others.

“Good. Remember, this is going to be a mission that decides whether our country makes it through the coming war or not. Failure is not an option, understood?”

“Yes sir.” We all nodded and the man grinned before clapping his hands.

“Good. Go get your tools and meet me at one of the Praying Mantis in five. Dismissed.”

A/N: And the war kicks off with Fiore starting to deal the first blow.

Next chapter: Meeting up with the other Divisions and Infiltration.

As always, read, enjoy, review and until the next one…

Ba-Bye~!!