Chapter 22:

  Their First Meeting

  (That same day, Elizabeth's POV)

  Lush, dense foliage filled the Wild Zone. Overgrown buildings, vehicles, streets. It was a literal concrete jungle. Bright flowers bloomed on vines that strangled old mpposts and streetlights. Signposts were bent and twisted from the encroaching wilds.

  Elizabeth sat upon a hill of rubble that had been broken off from a fallen building. She stared fondly upon a picture of Lucas that she always carried with her. In the distance the sounds of fighting could be heard, and from her vantage point, Elizabeth had a view of most of the area. This was their base camp.

  A section of the Wild Zone which used to be a small shopping center. The roof had colpsed, along with parts of the walls around it. What was left of the buildings were being used as makeshift dorms, mess halls, and rest areas. It was known as Rotunda Point.

  Previous expeditions had used this pce for rest and regrouping. Though, due to the infrequency of expeditions, it had to be cleared of monsters and various overgrowths. The magic generators for power had to be repaired, and there were a few holes in the perimeter to shore up.

  Elizabeth was overseeing everything from her roost, but her mind was elsewhere. A deadly, cool look to her eye. She had just received a message from Maya. Lucas had been attacked. He was safe, but the one behind the attack was not. For they were now Elizabeth's target.

  "I gave you a chance..." Elizabeth mulled over in her mind, "As usual, you fail me. Ego before sense."

  Elizabeth's hands were not without blood upon them. She had long since learned that in this business, mercy was a luxury. One that she only afforded out of respect and her love for Lucas. He held a sanctity to life, but once anyone bore their fangs at him, she revoked that right.

  She had warned Bryan. Fall in line or be removed. The Hawks Guild would take a huge blow for his loss, but that was not her concern. She had backups. Living as many lifetimes as she did had made her prepared.

  Standing from her seat upon the rubble, Elizabeth put Lucas's picture safely away in her inventory and jumped down to the ground with a soft nding. Zero Squad was perched nearby, waiting for her to move. Other Aegis Groups were scattered around the area, all eyes on her. With but a single motion of her hand, they all began to move.

  She made her way towards the fighting, Aegis in tow. Many eyes followed them, for when Aegis moved, something was going down. Silent commands split the groups off. They were well-trained and organized, capable of doing what they needed to without being told.

  The sounds of fighting grew closer once they neared the perimeter. Tanks held the frontline while those with ranged attacks, both magical and otherwise, took shots from behind. Creatures of an amalgamation of concrete and pnt matter encroached. They looked like various insects.

  Concrete carapaces with vine-like appendages that shed out at anything within range. The tankers held them back, but they were struggling. Weak. Too weak.

  Elizabeth mented this fact, but there was nothing she could do about it now. This issue had to be addressed. Summoning her bde, an aura of blue-green fme erupted around her. Sparkling lights of the same color began to accumute among the creatures.

  "Fall back," Elizabeth ordered, and all eyes turned to her.

  There was not a single person who did not listen, scampering back and away. They knew better than to disobey. The aura around her condensed into her bde, giving it a fming edge. The creatures, with their little intelligence, looked at the lights in confusion.

  A smirk crossed her lips as one of them hesitantly went to touch one with their vines. [Infernal Crescendo] activated as each mote erupted into roaring fmes that engulfed each creature. Their cries of pain were screeches like any insect. They were called Scarab Vines. Sentient pnt life that took over various forms. Often, the strongest and most plentiful resources they could.

  In the case of the Wild Zone, that would be Steel and Concrete. [Visceral Ssh] activated as she swung her bde before her. A wave of blue-green fmes burnt the first wave into ash, concrete reduced to nothing but a melted mess. Her fmes scorched the earth and burned all in its path.

  Raising her left hand, she recalled the fmes which leapt to her as if being drawn like water. They condensed into a small, glowing ball of blue-green before being snuffed out as she clenched her fist. It was at that moment that the Aegis Guild moved in, cleaning up the rest. They moved efficiently, taking out everything in the vicinity that proved a threat.

  Elizabeth watched with an approving eye. For the guild that she had personally helped train and create, they were strong enough for what was to come, but the rest...the other guilds? They had a long way to go. Most of all, she cast a disapproving eye on one particur group.

  It had been led by Bryan, the Talon Squad of the Hawks Guild. He had been on the frontlines fighting with the rest of them, but from the looks of it, he was nothing but bravado. Breathing heavily, sweat drenched his face. She had noticed him attempting to fight the Scarab Vines, but his spear continued to break upon their carapace.

  Pathetic. Truly. As a Pyer and as a man, he was a disappointment. A visible shiver ran up his spine as Elizabeth cast her cold gaze upon them. With purposeful steps, she made her way over.

  "E-Elizabeth!" Bryan greeted, attempting to stand as she approached, though ultimately failing, falling back on the rock he had been sitting on.

  "That's Expedition Leader to you," Elizabeth reprimanded coldly, "Don't so casually use my name. You don't know me like that."

  He grimaced, clenching his jaw as he nodded his acknowledgement.

  "Good, since you're aware...you'll also know why I'm here," Elizabeth gnced over in the direction where his line had been.

  The responsibility of the left fnk had been left to him, and it was in shambles. How could someone who cims to be so skilled, be so inept? The poster boy of the Hawks Guild? What a sham.

  Five injured, three critically. Talon Squad also had a few injured, but not as badly. Bryan was a conceited prick. He prioritized his own safety over that of others. Not a single scratch was left upon him. Just simple exhaustion. Meanwhile, Henry and Virgil, members of his squad, were in a bad shape.

  "Talon Squad," Elizabeth spoke to them with authority, "Go get healed, I need to have words with your leader."

  They each looked to the other as the order was given, and hearing the underlying anger and danger to her tone, they were quick to obey. It was almost as if they understood what was about to happen, and in their eyes, they held no love lost for Bryan. In fact, several looks of disdain fell upon him, for it was his ck of leadership and selfish nature that caused their injuries.

  Bryan sat their awkwardly, shifting under the pressure of Elizabeth's gaze. She had to admit, she enjoyed seeing him squirm moments before the guillotine fell upon his neck.

  "What...did you want to talk about?" Bryan asked, gncing up at her, eyes filled with nervousness, though he put on that sickening smile of his that he believed was charming, "If you want a private moment, there's a pce I know nearby. We can-"

  "Shameless," Elizabeth's word was quiet, yet sharp enough to cut through his words, "Did you think I wouldn't know?"

  "Know...what?" Bryan put on an act of innocence, "What's this about, El-?"

  He never learned. Just the sound of those letters upon his lips was disgusting. Her hand csped around his mouth faster than he could act. Burning with a ghostly fme. Elizabeth leaned close, her eyes aglow with deadly intent.

  "I would burn you to ash, if not for those around us," Elizabeth told him coolly, "Though, don't think that makes you safe. I know about Silence. Did you think I wouldn't?"

  Bryan's eyes widened, unable to feign ignorance under the fear of his life ending. Elizabeth addressed him with an emotionless gaze. She had no regard for his life, and he saw that in her eyes. [Enthrall] activated and pressed against his mind. Like she thought, his willpower was weak. His fragile mind broke against her intrusion.

  She had cimed this skill so it could not be used by anyone else. In the past, [Enthrall] had caused many problems to her pns. It never affected her, but those around her. A one-time gift for those who completed Lilith's Domain. A hidden dungeon in Greece.

  Elizabeth had taken a trip there early on, so that the original owner of the skill did not have the chance to grab it. It was a once per day skill that could completely control another. Their mind, heart, and even the feelings they felt. It was unlike any Enchantress skill, which often had a time limit. [Enthrall] had no time limit.

  Once you had a hold on someone, they were yours. Using it on the same person over and over again only further broke their mind. Truly becoming a thrall of the one who wielded this skill. As expected of a skill granted by the Queen of Succubi, Lilith.

  It was possible to resist with a strong enough mind, but Bryan was weak willed. It was easier to use on someone who idolized the user or saw them in a positive light. Thus, the original owner of this skill had caused quite a lot of havoc. Elizabeth only kept them alive this time around because she had gained the skill instead.

  However, their luck ran out, for their life was forfeit now. Yes, the original owner of this skill had been Bryan Callister. It took a couple lifetimes for Elizabeth to realize that Bryan had found this skill in Greece, during one of his tours. Being a celebrity, he had many fans around the world. This had made Elizabeth's life bothersome several times.

  So, she took great pleasure in his demise. How poetic it was that he would fall to a skill he once possessed.

  "If I had it my way...you'd be the first I killed every time I regressed," Elizabeth whispered, her intent clear, "I'm sorry, my love, but this man can never be redeemed. I truly tried."

  Elizabeth was remorseful in only that she did not kill this man sooner. He was kept alive because of a promise she made long ago. A promise to Lucas that she would at least try to give people a chance. To prove that they are worth saving, but...this man was definitely not.

  "There's a den of monsters to the East," Elizabeth told Bryan as she stood up, releasing her hold on his face, cleansing her hand in fmes as she burned away any trace that she had touched him, "You'll cleanse this den by yourself. No one else will be hurt by your bravado."

  This was all she could do to keep her promise to Lucas. One death against many was preferable. Even he knew that sacrifices had to be made, but in this case, it was more like cutting out a tumor than it was an actual sacrifice. For the rest to thrive, the cancer had to be removed.

  All eyes had been taken off of them, as Aegis knew to get people moving away from the area. They knew to keep their mouths shut as Bryan stood, ready to obey her orders. She instructed him to make a scene at the Hawks Guild and storm off by himself. Edward would want to go after him, but Elizabeth would be there to deny him.

  The rules of the expedition were clear. They were to stay together, and if he wanted to go off on his own, then that was on him. If the Hawks Guild wants to go down with them, she was willing to make that sacrifice, but Edward was a smart man. He'd take the loss of Bryan rather than lose his entire guild. It was a hard pill to swallow, but one he would have to.

  Later that night, inside of Elizabeth's tent, as everyone was settling into their beds and the guard rotation was given, she prepared herself. Her armor began shift, morphing and changing at her whim. Like liquid metal it moved and reassembled into a lighter design. Now appearing as cloth, she appeared to be garbed in shadow.

  "Is everything prepared?" Elizabeth inquired of Ailyah, "Keep an eye on Hawks Guild. I'll be back by morning."

  Ailyah sat upon a rge wooden chest, arms propping her up as she kicked her feet with a smile upon her face. Elizabeth trusted Zero Squad. Their hands were as stained as hers, and they did so gdly. Elizabeth couldn't help but think that these were the people that Lucas talked about.

  People that deserved being saved. Even though Elizabeth would throw them away in a heartbeat if it meant keeping Lucas safe, she would feel a slight twinge in her heart for doing so. They were good people, and had always been the closest things to friends she ever had, besides Maya who was her closest, best friend.

  "Bryan really fucked up, huh?" Ailyah spoke softly, knowing exactly what Elizabeth was going to do.

  "Incredibly," Elizabeth stated simply, donning the hood and mask of her new look like a thief in the night, "He failed to listen. Thankfully, Lucas is safe. Even so, I will not forgive him."

  "So, that's what this is about," Ailyah's smile became mischievous, "Your lover boy."

  Elizabeth cast a sharp look at her, causing her to hold her hands up in a calming motion.

  "Rex, I only tease," Ailyah said with a bit of nervousness, "He's important to you, right?"

  Elizabeth rexed, letting out a slight sigh as she nodded.

  "More than you know," Elizabeth told her, becoming lost in all the memories she has had with Lucas, "Aegis is dedicated to his safety, is that understood?"

  "Perfectly," Ailyah smiled widely, an unwavering loyalty in her eyes, "You know we stand with you. Your word is w, and we are but an extension of your arm. You know that."

  "Yeah..." Elizabeth found herself smiling slightly behind her mask, "Thank you. Ensure that the camp remains safe and nobody else does anything stupid while I'm gone."

  "Aye, aye!" Ailyah gave an exaggerated saluted, "You can leave it to us!"

  "Mhm..." Elizabeth gave her a wry look before turning to leave.

  She had set up her tent a little way from the rest of the group, to ensure that she was first to respond to any threat that encroached upon camp, as well as for her own privacy. The rest of Aegis was set up at various pces around the main camp, so that they could also respond to any disturbances internally and externally. Some used dipidated store fronts or the makeshift bunkhouse in one of the rger, abandoned retailers as their resting pce.

  There were also various tents set up for those who preferred more privacy like she did, and for smaller guilds who preferred to stay together. Even with all the people around, Elizabeth was a ghost in the night. Her armor was quite special and held various effects to assist her many needs. In this particur instance, her armor allowed her to blend into shadows and deceive perception.

  These effects enhanced her natural skills and activated skills that she's earned as a Pyer. [Shadow Step] paired with [Night Stalker] allowed her to easily bypass the perimeter guards and begin heading East. While she may have sent Bryan to die, it was not going to be by the hands any other monster but her.

  He had made a mistake, one that would cost him dearly. He had been warned and still hired Silence to attack Lucas. There was a reason she pced Maya as his bodyguard. There was no better assassin in the world than Maya. Though her trauma follows her, Elizabeth trusted Maya.

  Though Maya was afraid to show her true self to Lucas, that of a cold-blooded killer with a warm heart, Elizabeth was even more afraid. It has been so long since Lucas first met her. So long since he's seen who she really was. Elizabeth had been so angry back then. Left alone in a Wild Zone on the verge of death.

  She trusted no one. They only betrayed her. This left a hole in her heart. One that burned with hatred. She believed that all humans were nothing but trash.

  That was until he appeared. She was badly injured after a particurly difficult fight. Struggling to keep her eyes open in an environment just like this because it was. In this concrete jungle of a Wild Zone, she felt a gentle hand take her head and something cool pass down her throat. A healing potion.

  Memories flooded her mind even as she tried to avoid thinking about those times, for as happy as they were, they came with a deep bitterness.

  -----

  (Fshback)

  Her eyes flickered open to the sound of a small fire. A young man crouched before it, stoking it carefully. His hair was like the color of chestnuts. He turned to look at her with a smile.

  "You're awake, good," it was the first time she ever heard someone speak to her with such kindness.

  She was cautious, of course. People like him were trying to kill her. Yet, even as she threatened his life, he simply smiled and treated her wounds. Something he said stuck with her.

  "I don't think you're a monster," he said with a small smile, "Maybe I'm just weird, but-"

  She had kissed him on impulse. The first time she ever heard such words set her heart abze.

  "Yes, you are weird," she told him btantly, "Consider that my thanks and hurry on. You'll die otherwise."

  "Heh, might be worth it for that," he stated sheepishly, his face completely red, "That was my first kiss, you know..."

  Her eyes widened as she realized it was her first kiss as well. A feeling she came to know as embarrassment filled her, causing her to push him away. It was awkward between them after that, but more and more, she grew intrigued. Who was this strange boy?

  She could still taste his lips upon hers, and before he left, she kissed him again. Making him promise to visit if he could. That's when their secret rendezvous began. She would watch him from afar during his many journeys.

  Admiring his kindness as he tended to his party members. She was angry at first, when she learned he was a part of the group who attacked her before, but she realized quickly that he had no part in it. In fact, he had searched her out after hearing she was injured. Healing her behind their backs.

  He was simply a bleeding heart. A fool, but a fool she soon fell for. He regarded her favorably, and their retionship blossomed, but it would not st. Because of who she was, they had to remain a secret. During these many visits, he had gotten her to promise to give people a chance. To give humans a chance.

  She disguised herself. Traveled with him for a time. He was someone versed in magic and healing, and while not strong, he was skilled, which partially made up for this weakness. However, his party only ever delegated harvesting and mundane tasks to him, such as tending to the injured, preparing food, and hauling goods. Nothing but a mule.

  He didn't mind, as he needed the money. His parents, he said, had grown sick. Something his healing couldn't fix. He paid for their medical bills. Such a tender fool. Her tender fool.

  She loved him, but soon the ruse was discovered. Her nature was revealed, and disgusted by such a thing, their group turned on them. They forgot all the fun times they had together. Seeing her for what she truly was. Being the fool that he was, that boy tried to save her. To protect her.

  They showed no mercy even to one of their own. Even so, he said to her as he was dying, "We're not all so bad. Don't let them taint your view of us. If we meet again, let it be in happier times."

  What a fool indeed. He gave his life for her, and in the final moments of her life, she tore everything asunder, and upon her dying breath, she spoke to him.

  "I'm sorry, I couldn't keep my promise..." she held him close, tenderly, "I killed them. All of them...their bdes rend my flesh. I'm not long for this world."

  "Heh, that makes two of us," he joked even in the face of death, "Don't be sorry. I should be the one to apologize. You've only seen the worst of us. Trust me, we're not all so bad."

  "They killed you!" She raged, coughing up blood in the process, "How can you still believe that!"

  "Because, my love," he spoke weakly, struggling to find the words, "I exist, and so do many like me."

  "No," she shook her head, cradling him to her, "There's no one like you...Lucas. If only I were born truly human. Then maybe...we could have been together properly."

  "I don't know," he ughed, reaching up to touch her face, "I like this version of you, but no matter how you look, or what you are, I'll always love you...Ellie, but if that's what you Wish, then I'm sure it'll happen."

  "You damned fool..." she muttered admonishingly, "Save your strength. I love you, too."

  Tears of blood streamed down her face as his eyes became lifeless, his hand falling limply to his side. She cried hard, screaming out all of her rage and pain. It was the st ounce of strength she had. As the darkness took her, she thought that it would be the end, but when her eyes opened once more to the sun shining through her bedroom windows, she made a realization.

  She was alive, back in the body of her host when they were younger. Thus began her journey of regression. The next time she would see Lucas, he would bear that growing streak of silver, and magic that slowly began to wane until nothing remained.

  -----

  Nikushimi