"It's a great day to be alive!"
They all looked at ████.
Or, what everyone who respectfully calls them, ███ ██████████.
The rain of fire surrounded the smoking crater with commands given to those handling artillery.
"By the way, where's the AC-13– Kalta. Yes. totally."
Their mumbling, as usual, was incomprehensible.
"Wait what did we call it again? Uhhhhhhhhhhh. The Valkyrie!"
That was not, in fact, it's name.
████ with Their distinctive outfit, waved Their military cap that shoddily ruined any semblance of style.
"RRRRrrraaaage on!"
The cacophony of shrieks pierced the air.
"I looked cool didn't I?"
Immediately afterwards, They lost themselves to Their daydreaming of "cool" scenes.
"Fuck no."
Quickly They lost their happiness.
████ turned Their head to look at the intruder.
"What do you want?"
The intruder just merely looked at them. Their face undeniably holding back something.
But merely letting it go with a small sigh.
—Boom Boom!
"So what's with the last stand?"
"Guess." Suddenly ████ looked at them as if asking how they knew that.
The intruder, not really caring, just blinked normally.
"For fun again?"
"Stop doing that." ████ said flatly.
In response, the intruder smiled cheekily.
"How can I control it? It's not like it's that grand."
"Grand my pou tooting cracked mackerel! This always haaaaaaaaaaapppens!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
At Their foaming, the intruder's smile became uncontrollable.
"Im losing my sanity."
"Do you never?"
████'s face just distorts in recognition.
"Hey hey no need to get angry." The intruder waved their gloved hand.
"My choice."
"Mhm."
████ lost expression on Their face.
The friend stole a glance at Them.
They just watched.
Since walking with Them, so too did they.
The cold jacket and the dark red cape fluttering.
— — — —
The scenery Val saw was not the studio.
"Aish couldn't a heads up be great?"
"A soldier walking into a minefield…"
"What kinda analogy are you saying." Zanert's face scrunched.
"Oh. Too complicated for you?"
With those two fighting, Val examined the scenery.
The hill was without a speck of not being trampled.
"Yeesh. Must've struck a chord in em if this is the place."
Oh and everyone else was here too.
Laid in a half circle with a large camp surrounding the city with multiple walls.
Or just a fortress.
"Ah, el aficionado conrado."
"What the fuck are you saying man?"
The lizard's face darkened to the horned man laying on the ground.
"Guess who's gonna be legitimate pulp."
Both their eyes sharpened at the same time.
Instantly both grabbed–
Both grab–
Grabbed..
Air.
"Shet."
Everyone had nothing.
[The Ring of fire announces it's determination to drink the marrow of those left. But they refuse to yield! Those folks must think their hot water eh? Unacceptable! As your fuh– As this clean streak achieved, neutralize all of them. Or. Wipe em out.]
"Ah, the wonderful meatgrinder."
Cantalupa.
A city of ruin as blood.
"Come to think of it… didn't we test out planes?" Pulch said.
"That makes it sound… Nevermind…"
Val pointed towards the airstrip. Well, after tapping on the 'demon's shoulder.
AKA the guy named Pulch who got up after Gisk was mocked.
"Oh? Oh it actually is right there."
"What."
But first they had to cross a bit of land.
[Ride the valkyrie! Show them the might of our world!]
"GS-2."
[...The Valkrie boasts a cutting edge! Uh. Something!]
"Sometimes I wonder…" Salder muttered.
With the totally unexpected Salder next to Val, the mission is clear!
Now walk.
With the group of nameless nobodies and one Val walking the consistent ringing of "Fire!" and "Reload!" alongside the shelling with a tinge of smoke, most would find it unpleasant.
"Man, I want some smoked steak."
"Stop saying shit that makes me hungry."
…Best soldiers. Sure.
Val just watched the process while walking.
Because most of her time during this battle was the relentless crushingness of urban warfare, she didn't really get to see what the guys here were doing.
Hardened soldiers of one single battle.
Despite it being one, when pushed far, they can hold out extremely well.
With no way out, they fought with the souls of the dead waiting.
Val remembers these young people who managed to get some equipment from them, and use it. Albeit amateurishly.
Civilians, soldiers, children, elderly, high rank or not it was the same.
Are they in the right?
Are they right for killing everyone?
Desperation on a varying colour of faces.
Small, young, mature, old.
How sad must it be?
But.
Why stay then.
Surrender and give up.
Raise your hands, and walk away.
Nothing you can do.
Do they do anything to those that accepted defeat?
No.
If there is no interference then there is no need for anything but standard treatment.
A distant, studying look.
Her heart shakes.
What can be said has already been done.
From the day of recollection, she can never go back.
'It's why you're called Val. Not Val███.'
Though they said it, the back is now different.
The same but different.
No need to feel sad.
They chose this path.
What can you do?
And with a wavering emptiness Val spots Them.
A green military cap from an unknown country watching the fortress city slowly being strangled.
Next to them stood the figure who held control.
A silent dusk made from the echoes of struggle.
A swaying curtain made from the sins of Their only reason to keep moving forward.
Had They just thought of that only for each miniscule step They took?
Then what of the person she saw?
It was so hard to accept.
The same but different.
With embers unleashing their destruction the two watch.
Observe.
The hand of the being that wears skin.
That is neither mortal nor god.
Behold.
Behold the trickery They listed upon you.
Haven't you seen it?
Can't you see it?
Through the eyes of colour, the sky gazes at you.
Designated as the main–
"Haha."
"Really?"
"Whaaaaaaaaaaat?"
"Why do you do this."
Both barely turned their heads.
The darkened sky had no bright eyes in them.
Only a snickering coldness ready to deceive.
And the other an apathetic hollowness staring down.
Val now remembered.
Though clearly different in certain areas.
Both were the same.
The smile.
An opposite to the end.
"...y."
Doesn't that seem like an intertwined fate?
"Because I can."
"Haaah…" they sighed with a tired face.
"Besides, I wanna show it. Everything!"
"What it means is for yourself."
"Goooo– eh well I can do somethin else."
"..?"
"I'll include! You!"
A spark faintly ignited in the eyes. Focusing solely on the others' eyes.
"What?"
"There's no plan but like. It's a journey. A journey for everything."
They raised their arms high.
"...ey?"
A matter Val could not understand.
As if words were exchanged merely by association.
How far does it go?
"So like before."
"Exaaaaactly. But like, more freedom? Uh… when was the last time…?"
"Since your memory library."
"Hm. Still got your stuff?"
"Out of left field… but if dust counts then sure."
"Hehe. Then the next country we're gonna do somethin fun!"
"Pfft. That makes me sound like I'm gonna…"
"Hey? Are you alright?"
Salder looked at Val worriedly.
Val blinked. Then blinked again after being drawn to the words spoken.
Slowly Val turned her head back.
There they stood still chatting.
She even pointed to which Salder silently looked. A disguised emotion flickered above before it was swallowed by his usual look.
Onward.
Well more like Val was dragged while barely walking. Still trying to see.
To the last moment, she wondered.
Was that conversation what started it?
But no one really knows what ███ ██████████ is thinking.
But she knows.
Not Val specifically but the one that isn't the same as ███ ██████████. But her.
Everyone has power.
So what does she have?
Val doesn't really know.
She isn't even from where she was born.
That person, born on earth, would not have such powers that those where Val was born.
Yet she stands on the same edge.
Enigmatic, mysterious. So thought Val had she been not forced to look forward. Of course, that was completely wordplay.
What the true thought was a mere 'oh'.
Nevertheless! She continues on.
"How long did it take? Ah yes, the world! The world!!!!!!!"
The eye scarred man smirked.
"A fool's rambling." the dark ram softly sighed.
"That fool is gonna show the might of the mighty empire!"
Said fool lived in a theocracy that exists no longer.
"Aight, bays open!"
"Is this supposed to be…?"
[With the newly acquired shippy, set forth and rain the fire I– We so crave! Give your soul, give your life, give your mind, give your heart! With everything show them!]
"This looks like a transport plane like I see in those stories."
"Well, it does have armaments…"
Val thought of it as a chunkier passenger plane. But with.
Dispelling the obvious thought, the colour scheme was very clearly a semblance to the normal uniform.
Val looked down.
It's the same outfit she wore when she randomly chose one. Unlike the more darker one she had when fighting.
Downcasted and just noticing, a noticeable heat rose to her face.
Such, an indescribable expression was noted.
Ah of course, the description.
A brown or lightly brown officers scheme for both parts, with pockets above the chest. Well it would be in line but…
A belt with equipment pockets. There's also a messenger bag. Though unlike when she first had it, there were no pamphlets of 'Valorie Division Summarized! (VDS!)' ...Turns out there was some mercy in The Host.
What's in it is unknown.
The hat with Valorie Division's symbol of a wing partially singed and charred.
Lastly, knee high boots.
Aptly named, the 1940's outfit.
By who?
…Someone with too much free time.
Observing.
Anyways she looks like a military dictator. If you ignore the face currently made.
"Now get in!"
The inside of the plane was all metal.
"Nice nice." eye scarred man said.
[Gunship!]
"This is more like a general war time plane." Salder spoke.
[Yeah that's gonna happen. Why? Uh yes.]
[..Noooooooo. That wouldn't– Y… aish. Fine. Shall it be changed?]
[Ah to be nice.]
As they got closer to the head, the chatter respectively slowly fizzled as they got into positions they liked.
Val had a first time. In flying! Now a degree in excitement.
"Haha!! That's mine!"
"Sigh." the ram followed.
"I guess. Should we see the front?" Salder, with his timely request, gave urgency.
Val nodded in response firmly and quickly.
The path to the front was a quiet duet with light noise around.
"Lets see…" who.
The cockpit with two pilots.
"Yeah I dunno how to make this fly."
"Can't understand."
"You fucking bastards."
Both had languid expressions while looking at the lizard.
Suddenly, Val felt like a deflating balloon.
In many more ways.
— — — —
[Hello passengers, my name is Gisk and today I'll be your captain. Joining me in my cruising is the co-pilot, the masochistic perverted bitch of a whore that–]
[You son of a ha–]
Certainly the most friendly conversation here.
Putting aside hatred and cursing, the plane now joyfully heads to it's destination.
[ETA: 5 min]
Short journey it was.
The pilots, Gisk, a "lizard" like Lecarnic sub-variant, and Yulon, a white haired "promiscuous" lady with horns between 'demon king' and 'draconic'.
Said "promiscuous" lady is an Arcanic and a sub-variant.
…If you can even call them that.
Val remembers their… "Relationship".
Two people who utterly abhor each other.
Two people who are piloting a hunk of metal somewhat high in the sky.
How did these two become the drivers of the taco truck?
Bad luck and qualification.
Out of everyone here, they drove vehicles.
Well, Val did that too, but the type of vehicles…. Were far simpler.
So, while extremely unqualified for this, they have a semblance compared to everyone else.
[ETA: 2 min]
That and the utter mess of plane control.
[Uhhh, this is your captain speaking, I suggest positions to be manned, but! If you don't! Actually where's my gun…]
A rather normal coercion.
"Boom Boom."
"...Best get on it then."
Fortunately, Val is an idiot who's a cosplayer and was exempt from such duties.
…For now.
Ignoring such terrible glances to the face of the department, this seemed rather easy.
[ETA: 30 sec]
[Face the judgement of God! Command the war with anger, with vengeance! Heathens with no solace! Heed my CALL!!!!!!!!!]
The laughter of the thousand faces boisterously echoed.
–Ding.
[Arrival]
"Light em up!"
Such an organization with madness.
"Put it in!"
The loud thunder of discharges and sightless whispering smokes, calls with fervor, immediate attention with runners.
It was quite a sight for ground troops of all things to be doing this.
[Woah woah woah! Friendly fire! Friendly fire! Dammit I said– FRIENDLY FIRE YOU BLIND FUCK!!!!!!!]
The roar below could be heard faintly.
To be honest this is relaxing.
It felt that way to Val. But it was also uncomfortable because she wasn't doing anything.
With Salder to the left working on something she doesn't understand, Val was left alone.
"Get a lock on from below!"
"On it!"
Val feels…
Behind, with the gliding curve, the cockpit had the two pilots.
"Damn! This high up and they can still reach?"
"Senile lizard. Can't you remember they stole some of our equipment."
"Tch."
The pointed finger pressed the button which released yellow bursts of light.
"Must've upped the ante compared to then."
While turning, Yulon saw a person standing on the roof with an outfit that didn't exactly fit the situation.
A sense of foreboding from remembering.
"Kid me not, that fanatic reliever is here."
"What?"
"Just look!"
"Ah. World fuck I say."
"Where's a god to reel in their disgusting offspring."
"Hah. Pray! Might get you something!"
"Fuck you!"
Val feels…
As if electrocuted, a shock appeared on Vals face.
Like ripped paper, a huge chunk of the metal stripped off. Grabbing a few with it.
[Uhhh this your captain speaking, mind I say the ground is getting closer? By the way, did I say to put on seatbelts?]
Compared to the leisurely captain, those in the main body held on against the force.
–KRRRRKKKK!!!
[Oh and there goes the wing. While we spin to our doom might I enlighten you in–]
With the wing gone and the now the left (right) side of the plane just hanging by threads, most there were now specks in the air.
Val held meekly on a bar.
It was disorienting.
Still she preserved and–
Ah of course she looked for Salder.
"Shit."
While holding on, metal became lodged in his abdomen.
A complicated expression littered his face.
Now an added piece struck his arm.
Slipping into the darkening orange sky.
Val stood by as–
A shake of his head before he dropped.
Zanert saw that. Immediately he looked at Val.
"Hey what are y– That's suicide! Don't–!"
Zanert stopped before reaching her.
"...Stupid."
Outreached and slow, she held little to hesitate.
Falling too.
In the cold air she fell, her hat flying off and her hair blocking view.
Up in the blackened eye, the plane spiraled uncontrollably.
Twisting herself to find Salder.
Quickly she found him.
A peaceful limp face as he plummeted.
"....!"
Unused to this little progress was made to reach him.
So.
"...S…alder!"
Drowned out.
Unnerved and fearful.
"S-Salder! Salder!"
An empty heart full of despair and worry.
"Salder!"
Diving with her hand outreached.
"Please! Please!"
He opened his eyes to see her.
Crying and scared.
Surprised.
"W-What? Why are you–"
In return she smiled when she got a response.
"M-My hand! Pl…ease!"
He reached out and tried to.
Missing with so little distance.
The light of burning residue erupted below, becoming closer.
A desecration by invaders with a sanctity in their veins.
Barely touching. And yet.
Both grasped each other.
Val pulled in Salder.
Relief washing over.
"You should have stayed there Val."
"....But."
A light chuckle came out of him.
"Life's important."
"S-Salder's is too." faintly determined and with a flushed face.
"Yes, that's true."
A bright expression returned to Val's face.
"But don't do that next time."
A shocked Val.
"No!" refused.
"Really now."
"I-It's fine… I-I make my choices."
"Right. It is."
A happy smile.
"Thank you."
Val watched the impending with a glance.
"Salder is important."
"So are you Val."
What awaited was silence.
A requiem with many graves.
Grasping each other with a smile.
— — — —
"Whew. You'd think the pilots would be the first to die in a crash."
The late sun rose again.
"That's…" Yulon coughed. "...You're doing that on purpose."
"Uh-huh. Well I found Pulch. Could barely recognize him. He really became pulp…"
"Talk big and gravity makes you a pancake. Sigh… at least get something to alleviate the pain I get for this."
Yulon referenced a large amount of squishy flesh pierced by metal and a missing arm.
"You know how hard it is to breathe!? It's fucking–" she got another coughing fit spitting out blood.
"Hey at least you aren't like these two."
Gisk pointed to a human and an Acarnic out of the gathered corpses.
The human had something vaguely long in his head, and the Acarnic had a severe case of burns and tears with the bonus of added wood and metal.
Yulon coldly looked at Gisk who had a nonchalant expression.
"Wasn't expecting to actually fight either alright?"
"Where's our lovable green marker then." unsubtly she changed the topic.
"Uh somewhere like a few others."
They stared at each other.
"That's greaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat!!!!!!! Wonderful! Make this applause!"
The Host told the audience, which complied with many sick faces at the stage.
Both looked at The Host.
The assistant waved a sign.
{Congrats on fucking up.}
"Let's see…. Out of twenty, two lived."
"..."
"I feel like I'm gonna die any minute."
"Oh yeah can you move so I can see our wonderful highlight?"
They nodded.
"Ooh."
"So the green marker didn't make it. Not even in a good form either."
"I think he barely got separated?"
"What do you mean barely? Aeternos looks like a waffle cut in half."
In a frank sense neither are describing it well.
"Tsk tsk. Can't say it was completed, but not a fail either… what to do… what to do…"
{Just do what you did last time.}
"I didn't do anythin last time."
{Exactly.}
"No, that's too cheap."
{This man is a hypocrite.}
The grasped hand held so dearly to the other.
White hair at the top, a distinct dark green line as if dotted with slightly different sizes in the middle, with the tips of the hair a murky lighter green similar to drying grass.
Hair outgrowing the bob haircut wildly.
"Alright how about this?"
She does not speak. She is a person who stays in a shell. Regressing into it due to previous mistreatment.
Courage takes boldness from the heart.
Within the journey one must walk, only a chapter is completed at a time.
The white-green meshed eye soullessly looks at importance.
"Ask me something I can give within reason."