One Character (21)

Chapter 21 - Crimson Intervention

Purple flames rained down like balls of snow. The Kuro Ant-Dragon laid waste to the ruins of Deserek Outpost as it systematically tried to obliterate the trapped Harmonics. Explosions tore through crumbling structures.

Amidst the violet inferno, Rackell’s own fierce orange glow kicked up a defiant storm, a lone beacon against the overwhelming darkness. She dodged another stream of corrosive fire, however, her movements were growing sluggish with fatigue.

This intense commotion did not go unnoticed far above. Inside the lead Ackuline 360, Elizabeth Pellesh stood before multiple hovering holographic screens. Each displayed the face of a Crimson Star captain reporting from their designated vessels.

“Area Blue clear, Commander. All assigned civilians extracted.” Tanker Joe reported gruffly. His image flickered slightly.

“Area Gold secure. Minimal resistance encountered. Evacuees inbound,” another captain confirmed.

Similar reports followed. All objectives met, all survivors accounted for within their assigned zones.

Duvalo Brando stood beside Elizabeth. He offered a smooth smile. “A flawless operation, Commander. Your presence on the front lines neutralized the primary threats efficiently. Mission success.”

On Elizabeth’s other side, a shorter, more energetic girl with vibrant pink hair bounced lightly on her feet. This was Mili Mee, another core member known for her speed and support abilities.

“Totally awesome, Commander Eliza! You were magnificent! This success will boost Crimson Star’s reputation even higher!”

Elizabeth gave a subtle nod, though her expression remained thoughtful. “We succeeded in our objective, but I wish we could have done more. The Unus outbreak continues.”

Mili Mee blinked energetically. “Maybe the GRDF will finally send one of the Top 10 Harmonics! Someone super strong could probably squash this whole outbreak quick!”

“Guild Operations Command did mention mobilizing a significant asset soon,” Elizabeth shared. “Someone intended to target the presumed leader Unus deep within the Scar Zone.”

Mili Mee leaned forward eagerly. “Ooh! Ooh! Who is it? Do you know?”

“That information was not included in my briefing,” Elizabeth replied calmly.

Duvalo interrupted their exchange. “Commander, the other transports are well ahead. Perhaps we should increase our speed.”

“Hmm.”

Just as the screens began to shift, the Ackuline 360 vibrated slightly from a distant shockwave. Elizabeth glanced out the main viewport towards the burning outpost below. Her sharp eyes caught the tell-tale flashes of a fierce battle still raging – intense orange and violet energy clashing amidst the ruins.

“Report. What is that disturbance?” she asked curtly.

Mili Mee quickly manipulated a console. A dedicated screen zoomed in on the conflict zone far below. The image resolved, showing the desperate Harmonics battling the monstrous, twin-headed Kuro Ant-Dragon.

“Whoa! That’s a Kuro Ant-Dragon!” Mili Mee exclaimed. “Category 3 Burrower variant. Extremely tough hide, potent regenerative abilities, and those purple flames melt standard armor plating like wax. Nasty piece of work. No Provisional team should be able to handle that alone.”

Elizabeth’s brow furrowed with concern. “Identify the Harmonics engaged.”

Mili Mee adjusted the focus again. “Looks like… remnants of several Provisional guilds. Hmm, recognize that fiery one…”

“That’s Rackell Beeth,” Duvalo interjected with a hint of disdain. He recognized her from the incident at the Resonance Exchange. “Leader of that pathetic crew Callahan runs with.”

Elizabeth looked closer at the desperate figures on the screen. She scanned their faces, confirming Duvalo’s identification. “I do not see Wes Callahan among them. Could he have fallen already?” The thought passed through her mind with unexpected weight.

Duvalo noticed her focus. “Commander, surely you aren’t considering diverting for such… trash? They are insignificant. Let them perish.”

Elizabeth’s gaze hardened. “Our mission was rescue, Duvalo, not abandonment. No Harmonic under GRDF sanction gets left behind if we have the means to intervene.” She reached for the hilt of the elegant sword sheathed at her waist. “Pilot! Prepare to open the main hatch! I am deploying–”

“Commander, wait!”

Duvalo placed a hand gently on hers, stopping her movement. He sighed with a rare hint of reluctance in his voice. “You pushed yourself holding the line earlier. You haven’t fully recovered Resonance. Allow me.” He stepped back. “I will handle this… refuse.”

Elizabeth studied him for a moment, then slowly withdrew her hand from her sword. She nodded once. “Very well. Mili Mee, you will assist him.”

Mili Mee beamed. “Yes, Commander!” She secretly disliked Duvalo’s arrogance but jumped at any chance to follow Elizabeth’s orders.

“Pilot! Open the hatch!” Duvalo commanded. He was already striding towards the opening ramp.

…

Down below, the battle reached its nadir. A powerful blast of purple flame sent Rackell tumbling through the air.

“KYAAAH!”

“Boss!”

Dodo caught her just before she hit a jagged piece of metal. Both landed hard. Blood trickled from cuts on their faces. Their armor was scorched and cracked.

The other Harmonics fared no better. Sheldon slumped against a wall. His guild mates frantically tried to apply field dressing to the ragged stump where his left arm used to be.

Krell fought on fumes. The energy reserve of his pulse rifle was nearly depleted. Anya and Bort were covered in burns. Diago’s protective water bubble had popped minutes ago; he crawled desperately behind cover while firing his sidearm weakly.

They were all battered, bleeding, and running on empty.

“GRAAAH!”

The Kuro Ant-Dragon hovered menacingly. Its twin maws opened again to gather the swirling violet energy for another attack. This one looked larger, more potent. It would be the end.

“No way!”

“Is this it…?”

The exhausted Harmonics looked up, too injured, too drained to even attempt a final, futile defense.

Whoosh! CRACK!

Just as the deadly fire began to coalesce, something unseen slammed into the Ant-Dragon’s side with incredible force. The impact sent the massive Unus tumbling sideways into a burning building.

SCREEEEECH!

It roared in pain and confusion as it stumbled upright, shaking debris from its slimy hide. Before it could identify its attacker, another invisible blow struck from the opposite direction.

BOOM!

This time the creature crashed into the wall of purple fire it had created. It screeched loudly and quickly patted out the flames clinging to its body.

Rackell and the others stared in stunned disbelief. What possessed such power?

Thud!

A lone figure landed gracefully on the scorched earth between them and the bewildered Unus. Long, dark hair flowed slightly in the heated wind. Even from the back, the confident posture was unmistakable.

It was Duvalo Brando.

He flicked a stray lock of hair back over his shoulder with theatrical flair and glared daggers at the Kuro Ant-Dragon.

“Interrupting my departure? And forcing me to get my hands dirty with this level of filth?” He spat on the ground. “Truly irritating.”

His right arm bulged and reformed into the massive, menacing bear claw Character. He pointed one lethal claw at the Unus without glancing back at the stunned Harmonics.

“This will be over quickly.”

“GRAAAAAAH!”

Taking offense, the Ant-Dragon coiled and lashed its powerful tail towards Duvalo in a vicious arc.

“Is that the best you can do?”

Duvalo scoffed. He leaped effortlessly over the sweeping tail. While airborne, his Resonance Signature flared dramatically.

“Oso Demonio! Full Characterization!”

BOOM!

A wave of dark energy exploded outwards, intertwined with steam. Duvalo’s form swelled and distorted violently. Black fur sprouted, bones cracked and reformed. He grew rapidly into a monstrous, demonic bear nearly the size of the Ant-Dragon itself. This form was terrifying, with razor-sharp teeth, glowing purple eyes, and three massive arms – two on the right, one on the left, all ending in grotesque claws.

“Woah! Is that…”

The rescued Harmonics gasped. For a terrifying moment, they thought another Category 3 monster had arrived.

The Kuro Ant-Dragon was shocked by the transformation. It roared with renewed fury and charged the demonic bear.

“COME DIE!”

Duvalo met the charge with equal ferocity. He caught both of the Ant-Dragon’s heads in his powerful grip, slammed them brutally into the ground, then ripped the creature's lower jaws clean off with a sickening tear. Before the Unus could fully react, Duvalo plunged his left arm deep into its chest cavity. With another roar, he ripped out a large, pulsating core – the Kuro Ant-Dragon’s Resonance Bulb.

It spun through the air, trailing black ichor, before landing softly in the dust directly before Rackell and her stunned companions. They stared at the potent, Category 3 Bulb.

The Ant-Dragon convulsed once, then collapsed, before rapidly dissolving into dust and dissipating energy.

Steam rose from Duvalo’s monstrous form as it rapidly shrank back down. He stood panting amidst the dissipating Unus remains, now back in his human shape.

His expensive uniform was ripped across the chest, exposing well-defined muscles, but his hair was disheveled, sticking up in odd angles. He scowled at his reflection in a shard of broken glass.

“Tch. Annoying. This is why I detest Full Characterization. Utterly ruins my aesthetic.”

Pop!

Mili Mee appeared suddenly behind him with a mischievous grin. She playfully poked his muscular back.

“My, my, Duvalo. So toned! I see why the ladies swoon.” Her voice turned syrupy sweet. “Too bad none of it works on Commander Eliza, hmm?”

Duvalo stiffened with anger. He looked ready to throttle her, but Mili Mee giggled and flipped backwards acrobatically until she landed lightly near the wounded Harmonics.

“Fuhuhu. Don’t be such a big meanie.”

“Tch.” Duvalo composed himself. He smoothed his ruined hair as best he could. He strode towards the rescued group with an air of magnanimity.

“You are safe now. Crimson Star always aids fellow Harmonics in need. It is our creed.”

Mili Mee snickered softly behind him, knowing his words were pure performance.

“Thank you.”

“Thank you so much.”

“You saved our asses.”

Sheldon, Krell, and the others began stammering their thanks, but Duvalo waved them off impatiently.

“Save your gratitude. Mili Mee, extract them. Now. Before more pests arrive.” He clearly meant more Unus, but his tone suggested he wouldn’t mind leaving any other hidden survivors behind either.

Mili Mee curtsied mockingly. “As you command, Lord Duvalo.” She turned to the group.

“Heed my call, Ojo String!”

Swish!

Thin, almost invisible strings of glowing pink energy materialized and looped gently around each Harmonic, including the unconscious and injured.

“Hold on tight, everyone!”

Mili Mee chirped. She tossed a portion of a string towards Duvalo. He caught it with ill-disguised reluctance.

“Return to checkpoint!” Mili Mee shouted.

Instantly, the strings tightened and yanked them upwards with dizzying speed. The ruined outpost blurred below. In seconds, they were pulled through the open hatch of the Ackuline 360 and landed in a heap on the transport’s deck.

Standing over them were Mili Mee and Duvalo.

Duvalo stumbled slightly upon landing. His face immediately took on a greenish hue. “Ugh… Must you be so… abrupt, Mili?” he mumbled and pressed a hand firmly over his mouth. He offered no further comment and stalked quickly towards the transport’s fresher unit.

Mili Mee giggled as she watched him retreat. “Someone’s got a weak stomach for teleportation! Guess he’s not perfect after all.” She winked at the bewildered Harmonics on the floor.

Elizabeth Pellesh approached them then. Her boots made quiet, measured sounds on the deck plating. Her calm gaze moved deliberately over each battered Harmonic. She assessed injuries with professional detachment. Her eyes lingered for a fraction of a second longer on Rackell, perhaps a flicker of unreadable recognition, before moving on. Internally, she noted Wes Callahan was still not among the rescued group, but filed the observation away without comment.

Sheldon, despite the searing pain from his missing arm, pushed himself into a sitting position with his remaining limb.

“Lady Pellesh… We… we owe you our lives. Crimson Star… thank you.”

Krell and the other rescued Provisionals murmured their heartfelt agreement and looked up at her with a mixture of awe and profound relief.

A small, professional smile touched Elizabeth’s lips. It softened her composed features slightly.

“Rest easy, Harvesters. Crimson Star fulfills its duties to those who serve alongside us.”

She gestured towards the rear of the transport. Several figures in white medical uniforms were already approaching purposefully with anti-gravity stretchers and advanced med-kits.

“Our medics will see to your injuries immediately. You are safe now. Welcome aboard.”

Relief, profound and overwhelming, washed over the Provisional Harvesters like a physical wave. Snatched from the very jaws of death, they finally allowed themselves to slump fully onto the deck plating. The tension drained from their bruised bodies. Safe at last. Their gratitude towards Crimson Star, towards Elizabeth Pellesh, felt absolute, a debt imprinted deep within them.