My muse has apparently taken a break, so I'm not progressing as I would like with further scenes. Still, I soldier on...
“…” – Normal Speech
- Radio communications
… […] - Foreign language [Translation]
… – Device Speech
~ … ~ - Thoughts
… – Spell casting
**25**
A.C. idly wondered just how much the scenario would end up resembling the source materials for the objects appearing. Cynically, it had probably already started so she'd best be on the lookout for hints. As if she didn't have enough to worry about.
Ghosting around a corner (as much as someone wearing brilliant white and red could ghost, which was a surprising amount), the widely-believed Double-O spotted the cautious wave of Phobos and quickly joined her.
“Here Mistress.” The red-clad fairy pointed at a slightly mismatched portion of the wall. Quite frankly, it would have been obvious that something was here if you paid even the slightest bit of attention. Only the fact that she (and through her the two Guardian Senshi) was the challenger actually allowed her to see it, due to the rules of the game.
With a shrug, A.C. pushed around the edges until the top moved inward. Once the bottom lip of the panel cleared the edge of the hole it slid down, allowing the cyberneticist to reach in and pull out the long and heavy cloth covered bundle.
Pulling off the dusty cloth, stuffing it back in the hole and closing the hidden panel, she then looked at the object that had been wrapped in it.
She groaned as she took in the sheathed sword. Both were blue and gold in colour, with the scabbard’s throat being almost as wide as the guard for the sword. Unsheathing it slightly to examine the blade, the gleam of golden light confirmed the raven-haired warrior’s suspicions.
“Mistress!” Phobos’ call snapped the psudo-senshi’s head round to see an array finish drawing itself and flare to light, with an accompanying sting to the back of her right hand.
Through the glare, the two saw a figure rise through the glowing array before the glare faded.
A.C. looked from the sword she’d been examining, to the fading glow of the magical array that had etched itself rapidly into the floor, to the golden-blonde woman in armoured blue dress standing before her looking up into her eyes.
“I ask of you, are you my master?” The severe faced woman asked in a formal tone.
~ Damn, ~ The currently-magical cyborg thought, ~ I never realised just how short she is. ~ However, she put on a slight smile and replied. “That I appear to be. Apologies for disturbing your rest, but it seems circumstances are against me.” With a quick movement she presented the golden sword and its blue-ribboned sheath hilt first to her new companion. “I believe these belong to you Saber.”
The Servant narrowed her eyes as she took the proffered weapon.
“Yes, I know precisely who you are Dear.” A.C. shrugged. “But given the situation, detailed explanations must wait. Are you getting enough Mana from me?”
Saber considered her Master then focused. To her and A.C.’s surprise, she flushed. “Y-yes, Master.” The slightly embarrassed Servant replied. “More than enough.”
“Good.” And to Saber’s puzzlement stepped forward, turning to aim her white gloved palms down both ends of the corridor she’d been summoned in. Triangular arrays, glowing bright purple with power, span into existence.
Just in time to deflect a worrying combination of spells and bullets.
“O.K.” A.C. said in a tone Saber knew well, given she had used it regularly in her life. “Take care of the mages to my left, but watch for other weapons.”
“Understood.” Saber nodded, and sprang to the attack with Invisible Air manifesting around the sword in her hands.
The group was an interesting contradiction in Saber’s eyes. They worked as though they’d been fighting together for a while, or at least had trained together. On the other hand their magic was…inconsistent. It was the work of few moments to cut down the group, allowing her to turn…
…To see her master flick the blood from her own blade, having walked back to her starting point from the bloody slaughter.
“Right then.” A.C. said in a business like tone. “Saber, can you go to spirit form?”
Saber blinked, then blinked again when she couldn’t.
“Figures.” The raven-haired Senshi sighed. She thought for a few moments, then pulled out a card of silver metal with a blue gem set into it. “Laevatein, reset this for a new user.”
Jawohl. The voice caused Saber to start slightly. A.C.’s eyes went distant. Getan. [Ready.]
“Saber.” A.C. held out the object. “You will have to name this for it to take effect. I need to upgrade your capabilities anyway, and this will make a good start.”
“What is it?” The Servant asked, taking the proffered object.
“A Mage Device. It will allow such things as flight and some protection against bullets, as well as secure communication.”
Saber took this in. “Then I name thee Vivian, who granted me my holy sword.”
Name acknowledged My Lord. Stand By. Ready. Set Up. The device said in a female voice.
With a flash, Vivian activated.
A.C. blinked. The transformation hadn’t done much to Saber’s armour except add embellishment to the plain armour plates protecting her skirts. Vivian itself however had transformed completely. A.C. had suspected it simply wouldn’t extend into its staff form. Instead the Device had become an armoured belt wrapping around Saber’s slim waist.
“Huh. Interesting.” A.C. shook herself from considering the meaning and reasons behind THAT. “Right, flight?”
Vivian’s core flashed with a chime where it sat in the centre of the buckle, and Saber looked a bit disconcerted as she levitated.
“Good. Good.” A.C. nodded. She sent telepathically, causing Saber to start in shock. The emerald-eyed beauty rolled said eyes at Saber’s startled look.
Came the uncertain reply.
A.C. sighed over the link. The cyborg senshi of Mars also lifted from the ground.
Saber nodded, and the two of them flew down the corridor.
***
“Oh, as if A.C. didn’t already have enough to be mad about.” Lebia muttered audibly, multitasking the video stream and deep examination on the Forge’s KoFen system.
“…” – Normal Speech
- Radio communications
… […] - Foreign language [Translation]
… – Device Speech
~ … ~ - Thoughts
… – Spell casting
**25**
A.C. idly wondered just how much the scenario would end up resembling the source materials for the objects appearing. Cynically, it had probably already started so she'd best be on the lookout for hints. As if she didn't have enough to worry about.
Ghosting around a corner (as much as someone wearing brilliant white and red could ghost, which was a surprising amount), the widely-believed Double-O spotted the cautious wave of Phobos and quickly joined her.
“Here Mistress.” The red-clad fairy pointed at a slightly mismatched portion of the wall. Quite frankly, it would have been obvious that something was here if you paid even the slightest bit of attention. Only the fact that she (and through her the two Guardian Senshi) was the challenger actually allowed her to see it, due to the rules of the game.
With a shrug, A.C. pushed around the edges until the top moved inward. Once the bottom lip of the panel cleared the edge of the hole it slid down, allowing the cyberneticist to reach in and pull out the long and heavy cloth covered bundle.
Pulling off the dusty cloth, stuffing it back in the hole and closing the hidden panel, she then looked at the object that had been wrapped in it.
She groaned as she took in the sheathed sword. Both were blue and gold in colour, with the scabbard’s throat being almost as wide as the guard for the sword. Unsheathing it slightly to examine the blade, the gleam of golden light confirmed the raven-haired warrior’s suspicions.
“Mistress!” Phobos’ call snapped the psudo-senshi’s head round to see an array finish drawing itself and flare to light, with an accompanying sting to the back of her right hand.
Through the glare, the two saw a figure rise through the glowing array before the glare faded.
A.C. looked from the sword she’d been examining, to the fading glow of the magical array that had etched itself rapidly into the floor, to the golden-blonde woman in armoured blue dress standing before her looking up into her eyes.
“I ask of you, are you my master?” The severe faced woman asked in a formal tone.
~ Damn, ~ The currently-magical cyborg thought, ~ I never realised just how short she is. ~ However, she put on a slight smile and replied. “That I appear to be. Apologies for disturbing your rest, but it seems circumstances are against me.” With a quick movement she presented the golden sword and its blue-ribboned sheath hilt first to her new companion. “I believe these belong to you Saber.”
The Servant narrowed her eyes as she took the proffered weapon.
“Yes, I know precisely who you are Dear.” A.C. shrugged. “But given the situation, detailed explanations must wait. Are you getting enough Mana from me?”
Saber considered her Master then focused. To her and A.C.’s surprise, she flushed. “Y-yes, Master.” The slightly embarrassed Servant replied. “More than enough.”
“Good.” And to Saber’s puzzlement stepped forward, turning to aim her white gloved palms down both ends of the corridor she’d been summoned in. Triangular arrays, glowing bright purple with power, span into existence.
Just in time to deflect a worrying combination of spells and bullets.
“O.K.” A.C. said in a tone Saber knew well, given she had used it regularly in her life. “Take care of the mages to my left, but watch for other weapons.”
“Understood.” Saber nodded, and sprang to the attack with Invisible Air manifesting around the sword in her hands.
The group was an interesting contradiction in Saber’s eyes. They worked as though they’d been fighting together for a while, or at least had trained together. On the other hand their magic was…inconsistent. It was the work of few moments to cut down the group, allowing her to turn…
…To see her master flick the blood from her own blade, having walked back to her starting point from the bloody slaughter.
“Right then.” A.C. said in a business like tone. “Saber, can you go to spirit form?”
Saber blinked, then blinked again when she couldn’t.
“Figures.” The raven-haired Senshi sighed. She thought for a few moments, then pulled out a card of silver metal with a blue gem set into it. “Laevatein, reset this for a new user.”
Jawohl. The voice caused Saber to start slightly. A.C.’s eyes went distant. Getan. [Ready.]
“Saber.” A.C. held out the object. “You will have to name this for it to take effect. I need to upgrade your capabilities anyway, and this will make a good start.”
“What is it?” The Servant asked, taking the proffered object.
“A Mage Device. It will allow such things as flight and some protection against bullets, as well as secure communication.”
Saber took this in. “Then I name thee Vivian, who granted me my holy sword.”
Name acknowledged My Lord. Stand By. Ready. Set Up. The device said in a female voice.
With a flash, Vivian activated.
A.C. blinked. The transformation hadn’t done much to Saber’s armour except add embellishment to the plain armour plates protecting her skirts. Vivian itself however had transformed completely. A.C. had suspected it simply wouldn’t extend into its staff form. Instead the Device had become an armoured belt wrapping around Saber’s slim waist.
“Huh. Interesting.” A.C. shook herself from considering the meaning and reasons behind THAT. “Right, flight?”
Vivian’s core flashed with a chime where it sat in the centre of the buckle, and Saber looked a bit disconcerted as she levitated.
“Good. Good.” A.C. nodded. She sent telepathically, causing Saber to start in shock. The emerald-eyed beauty rolled said eyes at Saber’s startled look.
Came the uncertain reply.
A.C. sighed over the link. The cyborg senshi of Mars also lifted from the ground.
Saber nodded, and the two of them flew down the corridor.
***
“Oh, as if A.C. didn’t already have enough to be mad about.” Lebia muttered audibly, multitasking the video stream and deep examination on the Forge’s KoFen system.