Azure 0: Rebellion Sequence/A2E5: A Concealed Light/Transcript

Previously: Episode 4: A Perilous Paradise
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Arc 2: Children of Sin
Episode 5: A Concealed Light
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Area: Underneath the 4th Exalted City of Naobi 
Secluded Space - Caverns
Groaning as he shakes the daze from falling into the space, Nex manages to sit up and hold his head.
Nex: ...N-Nozomi?
Nozomi: (Blinks in surprise, taking a step back) Huh? How do you know me?
Nex: It’s me, Nozomi. Nex…
The words are still a bit strained as he regathers himself. However, his comment receives a bewildered stare from the girl. Following a sigh Nex's appearance becomes clear as he drops the cloaking Ars, and simultaneously, her expression changes in a flash of alarm.
Nozomi: N-Nex? You’re...okay?
Nex: I should be asking that. I thought you--
Cerea gets through the alley, finding the hole in the floor which was masked by a magic seal broken by Nex’s Grimoire. She puts her hand through it to see it phases through. With a deep breath she hops inside.
Cerea: Here goes nothing!
The yell echoes as she falls, drawing the other two teenager's attention. Landing on her feet, Cerea groans as the impact causes her to wobble. After regaining her balance, she looks at Nex and the girl next to him who are equally shocked at her sudden appearance.
Cerea: Huh? What's going on here?
Nex: Cerea…? You followed me?
The teal-haired young girl looks at Cerea in surprise while Nex stands up straight and is put at ease by the crystals in the area.
Nozomi: Is this a new friend of yours?
Nex: She’s part of the group who are trying to get me out of Lukain’s Cities.
Nozomi: I see. Well in that case--
With a polite smile, Nozomi approaches Cerea and extends an arm to her with an open hand.
Nozomi: I’m Nozomi, it’s a pleasure to meet you. And thanks for looking out for Nex, he’s a handful.
Nex: (Gives her a dubious stare) Tch, you’re not one to talk... 
Nozomi: (Dismayed, turning to him) Shush, don't make me regret trusting you.
Nex: (Raises his brow) I won't say anything. But I am surprised you're out here...
The two girls exchange a quick handshake in greeting.
Cerea: (Smiles at Nozomi) I'm Cerea, and I'm with the mercenary squad that looks after Nex.
Nozomi: Mercenaries, huh? That must be an interesting experience for you.
Nex: It's... something. But I want to know how you got here. I don't know what happened, remember? The Grimoire took over.
Seeing that Nex is greatly concerned, Nozomi tilts her head down, beginning to recall the events. Sporadic flashes of being on the stained ground while the familiar facilities and buildings were wiped away by Seithr in the midst of the clashes of those in uniform fill her mind. Appearing a bit hesitant and pained, Nozomi folds her arms behind her back, takes a deep breath and finally responds.
Nozomi: I was wounded and trying to find you and the other one... but there was so much going on that I didn't make it very far. I was found by the NOS and brought here... I asked them about you, and they said you were gone.
Nex: So... they took you too, huh? Did they do anything to you?
Nozomi returns a quick shake of her head to the squinting eyes from the silver-haired teenager.
Nozomi: Not really... I was told to stay in these cities. But I dislike it up there... it’s not very pleasant, you know? (Smiles and moves her arms out) So I made myself a little haven. It's taken some of my energy, but it was worth it.
Becoming a bit less tense, Nex unfolds his arms. The soft glinting of the crystallizations on the wall catch his eyes, realizing they were Nozomi's work. Nozomi looks to the gold-eyed girl who appears at a loss with the two's history.
Nozomi: (Looks at Cerea again in apology) Oh, sorry, you're probably confused. I’m one of Nex’s friends from the refuge before he met all of you. Our refuge was a humble place, and was mostly for people who lost their homes during the collapse of the City of Izanagi in a military operation.
Cerea: Oh, that makes some more sense. Our leader, Imyo, is trying to get Nex out of Naobi, so we're kind of in danger right now. The SIA is looking for us.
Nozomi: Mm-hmm. I heard that broadcast from Akuhei... (Rests her hand on her jaw) but I didn’t think you guys were so close by.
Nex: (Eyes widen) Hey, forget you saw us, okay? I don’t want that bastard serpent to kill you. He said that anyone who refused to turn us over would die.
Despite the young rebel's dire tone, Nozomi gives a small nod of enthusiasm and rests her hand on her hip.
Nozomi: Don’t worry, he won’t find out. Besides, I keep this place sealed.
Nex: Can see that... seems like you're keeping the Seithr levels down here low too. Nothing is corroding.
Nozomi: As you can see, I've been taking care of myself just fine. (Frowns nervously) Your Grimoire kind of... broke my seal though.
Nex: Oh (looks up at the magical breach, rubbing his head) Yeah... I was just nervous from seeing him.
Nozomi: It’s okay. I can make a new seal. You should probably get going though, you said the other mercenaries are waiting for you.
Cerea: Yeah, we should. Still, nice to meet you, Nozomi. Stay safe here... and maybe once it all calms down, you can join our squad.
The last bit of her words earns a unimpressed huff from Nex.
Nex: Hey, don't be dragging Nozomi into this recruitment crap... she has enough to deal with.
Nozomi: (Smiles) No no, it's fine, I bet it's a lot of fun travelling all over the place and making a difference to the world. I don't mind the offer at all. More importantly, I'm glad you're doing well, but be careful, okay, Nex?
Nex: You too. I’ll come back sometime once I’m a bit stronger and won’t have to run.
Nozomi: (Nods with understanding) Alright.
After their exchange, the two use the vibrant vines to gradually climb out of the area. The broken seal makes it so the area above is visible, and when they exit to the alleyway, Nex looks back at it with a sense of worry, but Nozomi waves at them in a pleasant send off. Following it, and feeling a bit reassured Nex follows Cerea out willingly, his spirits slightly improved upon seeing his friend alive.
Cerea: (Looks back at Nex) So... you two have known each other for a long time, huh?
Nex activates his cloaking Ars again and follows the girl out of the alleyway.
Nex: Wouldn't say a long time, but she helped me with some things while I was at the refuge, and was one of the only people I felt like I could relate to. I can’t talk about it, but she’s not exactly normal... she was hiding there at the refuge. (Frowns) I thought she died after the refuge got destroyed when I got my Grimoire... considering it killed so many.
Cerea: Good to know that someone is still out there, right? Well, it's like my Grampa back in Iwatsuchi. I can't exactly go to see him, but he knows I'm alright, and vice versa.
Nex: Yeah, I guess… (Looks back for a second thinking to himself) although I feel like I shouldn’t leave her here... don’t know why Lukain has her here but I don’t like it.
The two make a straight walk for the crowds who are still in a fuss over the broadcast. The pair avoid them, but are spotted instead by the last two males they saw at the gates.
Serza: What are you two doing wandering around again? I thought you were being escorted home?
Nex: (To himself) They followed us? I bet Serza knows what happened and why she’s here...but I shouldn’t give myself away now.
Cerea: (Stammers in alarm) I, uh...
Arcius: Tongue-tied, aren't you? Well, it happens to the best of us, doesn't it?
Nex: (Under his breath) Just great...
Cerea: Y-yeah... we were just... y'know, we sneaked off to kiss there. I just wanted to do it before we get back to our houses.
Arcius: Oh, really? I mean, seems like you two are kinda bashful about it.
After hearing this, Nex groans and frowns at a complete loss.
Nex: (To himself) Why does that have to be our excuse every damn time…
His exasperation dissolves when Serza speaks up again.
Serza: Ah... well, I did see you run off toward the alleyway, but you looked quite panicked during that broadcast.
Nex: (Gives him a blank stare) Because it's Akuhei... he scares everyone. (Scowls) And I can’t stand seeing him killing a person like that.
Cerea: I had to comfort him... panic attacks, y'know. He has them occasionally, especially with that... graphic content.
Arcius looks at the girl for a second before shrugging.
Arcius: Yeah, I can see that. Even I have the willies sometimes from that sort of thing.
Peering between the two teenagers, Serza's focuses on the alleyway.
Serza: You disappeared back there, I saw it. Where’d you go off to?
Nex: (Quickly) A place to calm down until the crowd died off. We have a hideout here.
Serza: Oh, that’s interesting. Why not show us? We won’t tell your parents. Despite us being part of the NOS, we're still close to your age, we can keep a secret.
Despite the genuine tone, Nex becomes a bit concerned at this suggestion, trying to divert the focus of the conversation elsewhere.
Nex: Wouldn't mind it, but we really should get back home. If you get caught loafing around that'll be bad for you anyway. So can we get by?
The male’s jade eyes seem to take his words into consideration before they go down to a small wound over his forearm that Nex has sustained during his fall, it isn’t anything major but it does have a small bit of blood on it.
Serza: Well, alright...
With a bit of amusement in his words, Serza steps to the side and motions for Arcius to do the same, allowing Nex and Cerea to finally move away with silent sigh of relief escaping the girl's lips.
Serza: But you should show us sometime. It seems like you get into a lot of exciting situations, a bit of a daredevil who doesn’t listen to others very well. That's a rarity in this City...
Cerea: That's why I love him. He's so... different from the others, not afraid of being himself.
Nex: (Sighs in exasperation, grumbling to himself) You can stop the act now...
Arcius: (Waves his hand dismissively) Yeah, well, you do you. I think you guys should go. Don't go running away from home again, better talk to your parents next time.
Cerea: Understood, sir.
The two quickly leave, but before they get too far, Nex feels the touch of fingers on his arm. This startles him enough to look back to see Serza addressing the wound with a brush of his hand.
Serza: You have an injury, make sure to get it taken care of.
Nex: Huh? (Glances to his arm) Didn't even notice it… I’ll do that.
They resume walking away and Serza puts his hand out, palm up, with small droplets of blood now on it. He then extends an arm to his fellow Destroyer, urging him to do something with the liquid staining the skin of his thin fingers.
Serza: Go on. Might be nothing, but it can’t hurt to check.
Arcius: You seriously think that's gonna give us some results? (Sighs in relent) Alright, might as well.
The Reaver quickly looks at the crimson bracer on his right arm that starts transforming into a sleek metallic gauntlet with sharp talons. He absorbs some droplets through the syringe-like blades on the underside of his arm and notices the gauntlet gains a slight blue tint near the openings. Its owner feels a bit of a jolt, Arcius' voice twists in brief surprise.
Arcius: Oh, this is some good shit. Definitely has something interesting in it.
Seeing his fellow Destroyer have a moment of excitement from the blood, Serza slips a smile and points his attention to the crowds.
Serza: So there is something more to it. Come on.
Nex and Cerea make their way through the crowds, but the young male can’t help but feel they’re being followed, his eyes glance over to see the two other males closely tracing their steps from a distance.
Nex: (Quietly) They’re following us...
Cerea: (Quietly) Shit... we gotta blend in.
Heeding the advice, Nex tries to weave through the crowd and the two vanish into the sea of people wandering the lighted paths of the city.
Nex: What’s their problem? We can’t go back to the others with them following us...
Serza: Don’t lose them, Arcius.
Arcius: I'm following them, just keep calm.
Arcius' eye notices the blood particles gathering in the air and starts following the trail, swaying through the crowd to follow Nex.
Cerea: Yeah... maybe that's because of that wound you have. I bet one of them knows how to track your blood trail.
Nex: My blood…?
He blinks in thought, recalling Serza touching his arm moments ago. Clicking his tongue in annoyance he shakes his head.
Nex: Dammit...that's why he did that.
He glances around and can’t tell if the two males are following anymore, then looks at Cerea.
Nex: Should we just run? If they’re tracking me, I can’t do anything about it. I can regenerate, but that’s only going to make me stand out.
Cerea: I need something to stop your bleeding. Luckily, I've got my stuff with me.
She quickly pulls Nex next to a street light and grabs something out of her bag before applying it to Nex's wound, much to his confusion.
Cerea: This is a coagulate ointment. Will stop the bleeding in a few seconds, but that's all it can do.
After she puts the ointment on the wound, she seals it with an adhesive plaster.
Cerea: There. I think they will throw them off track for a bit.
Nex: (Looks at his wound) It’ll have to do. Should find somewhere to stay out of sight until they move on.
Arcius and Serza continue to walk around the crowd looking for the pair, but the young Blood Reaver notices the trail runs cold with a hint of agitation.
Arcius: Dammit... must've caught on and bandaged the wound. Still, we now know that this kid is the one we're looking for. I'm sending the info to others.
Cerea and Nex hide in a darker corner, watching the two Destroyers discuss the course of action.
Serza: Then I think we have enough to start a proper search.
Arcius sends the information out to Faulhier and Rythrean who receive it from their positions in the city.
Serza: I believe I know what they’re planning to do. Let’s head to a branch facility for our next move.
After a few more seconds, the two Destroyers leave the crowds, and slowly, Nex and Cerea come out of their hiding spot taking a few momentary glances for any sign of them.
Nex: Damn, they know it’s us. That means they’re the Destroyers that bastard was talking about. We have to get out of this City soon or they're gonna pin us down.
Cerea: Yeah, let's get back to Imyo. I think they've already taken care of the transporter stuff.
The pair leaves the streets in a hurry, following the path all the way back to Imyo and the mercenaries.
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Area: Naobi 
Branch Facility - Main Gates
Against a crate, Faulhier leans, half asleep, until the force of Rythrean pushing her palm against his shoulder disturbs him.
Faulhier: (Grumbles) What...? Something happening?
Rythrean: Apparently Serza and Arcius found them shortly after General's broadcast in the residential area.
Faulhier sighs, eyes half open, elongating his first word.
Faulhier: Oooookay... and what does that have to do with us? They're not near us, are they...? Seems a bit late to cut them off...
Grabbing Faulhier's wrist, Rythrean jerks him forward.
Rythrean: We're part of the same team, aren't we? Serza seems to think he knows what they're doing, so we're moving.
Pulling his wrist away with a roll of his eyes, Faulhier shrugs, gesturing for Rythrean to carry on.
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Area: Naobi 
Just before the Main Gate
While Cerea and Nex rejoin the mercenaries, the cat beastkin looks less than pleased with the silver-haired male, his eyes full of disappointment which makes Nex somewhat remorseful.
Imyo: Nex, what the hell was goin’ through your head? You can’t just run off like that... how many times do I need to tell you?
Nex: (Shakes his head) I heard that man...that's all. I can’t help it. I haven’t recovered from the last time...
Imyo: Recovered from what?
Frustration and pain linger in the boy's tone when he responds to his guardian.
Nex: Akuhei was the one who showed up after I got the Grimoire... he made me feel terrible about what happened there. I hate him, and I also fear him... I thought he was going to do something like what he did at the refuge, I thought he was going to--I just panicked.
After Nex lowers his head, Imyo's ears flatten in realization when Nex seems uneasy simply speaking about the General. He runs a paw against his own head in thought.
Imyo: Listen, I can understand that you were afraid. But don’t rush off again. If he was actually there he would have hurt you even more than he did the last time you saw him. And if I’m not around I can’t do anything to protect you from him.
Locke: Yeah, Nex, you had us all worried. Next time, warn us if you want to go somewhere, okay?
Still unsure over it, Nex remembers their situation, dismissing the topic with a squint of urgency.
Nex: Look, we don't have time for this, we have to leave now. The Sequence Destroyers figured out who I am and one of their members can track blood.
Imyo: I've got a key card. Switch already has the transporter ready, so all that's left is to get on and use it.
Looking at the card that Imyo flashes from his sleeve with a smile, Nex looks over to Switch.
Switch: Get in there when you're ready. I'll input the command to get us out of here.
Locke: Alright, everyone get ready. We're leaving at last.
The group heads to the transporter, and Switch prepares to launch the program, but just as he does this something else hacks into it and interferes with his launching sequence and the coding shatters. From a short distance on the upper level of the small branch facility, Rythrean and Faulheir look over to the group. Rythrean’s rose eyes are aglow as a powerful interference field disrupts everything around, leaving the mercenaries in confusion.
Rythrean: Exactly as he believed it'd be...
Faulhier: Count me surprised. Escaping from the inside, that Imyo is a clever cat... pays that we've got a Prime Field like you, Cerise Reaper.
Rythrean: Deploy the Ars forcefield.
Faulhier reaches into his pocket and then casually tosses a device across the floor and a bubble of energy encapsulates the space around the six, trapping them on the transporter.
Faulhier: Now then, none of you are going anywhere. Except straight to Iwasu’s main branch... (Closes his eyes in thought) Or... maybe we could just teleport the nuisances away and take the kid with the Azure?
Rythrean: (Sighs) Decide what you want to do if you could please, Faulhier.
Faulhier: (Shakes his head and puts his arms behind his head) Nah, too much effort. I’m no good with the decision making skills...
Imyo: (Growls) Found us then... how'd you figure it out?
Rythrean: Our allies tipped us off on the child's presence, and he believed you were cunning enough to gain a keycard and utilize this transporter. I would venture to guess Arcius and Serza are also on their way.
Nex: Damn, this just turned into a mess... that answers that Serza has no intention of helping out.
Faulhier: You sound disappointed by that. You guys have some kind of history, right? Well, sorry to tell you, but he's a Sequence Destroyer, like us. He had his hunches about you the second he saw you with these mercs.
Locke: Mierda! This is not how I planned it to go.
Cerea: What are we gonna do now? We're not taking both of them on.
Locke: (Quietly) Let me think... we need to come up with a plan here.
Locke closes his eyes in thought, while Spence and Switch nervously look around, trying to find a solution around them.
Spence: Can we bust through that?
Switch: No, it's a reflective field. Shoot at it, and the projectile will bounce off at you. Don't try attacking it.
Imyo: Two Destroyers are not easily overcome, let alone four is going to be impossible.
Faulhier: Which is why you should just accept you're out of luck.
Nex: You Destroyers are really getting annoying...
Rythrean: It's amusing to hear you saying those words. You are a Destroyer, too. Your whole existence is like the Exitium.
Nex: (Frowns) What…? What does that even mean?
Imyo: (Smacks Nex's back to keep him alert) Don't listen to 'em, Nex. They're just trying to get in your head. They dont understand-- (Puts his paw on his muzzle) Hold on... Nex, the Azure causes interference, doesn't it? It interfered with Lukain.
Their conversation is quiet enough to be kept between the six of them, and Nex listens intently.
Nex: It can, and it also can't be interfered with by much... but why ask?
Imyo: Create an interference field of your own. That'll give Switch time to write a new escape program, and they won't be able to activate the transporter either. At least with that we can ensure that we aren't sent to the main branch in Iwasu.
Nex seems uncertain of the plan, but he notices the mercenaries are currently powerless, while he can still act with his Azure. Running the numbers on his tablet, Switch determines how to craft a new program.
Switch: I just need a few seconds. That would be enough for me to mess with their system.
Locke: Alright, that's a plan. Should we distract them too, jefe?
Imyo: Not while we're still in this forcefield. Nex can get out, it'll strain him too much to take down everything, so he needs to stay focused on the Destroyer wielding Styx. Besides, as long as Nex isn't in here they won't send us away, there's no point in it.
Faulhier: Whatever it is you're whispering about it's just wasted effort... enjoy Marshal and General's hospitality. Rythrean, activate the transport.
She attempts to send the group away, manipulating the device, however suddenly she feels something blocking her attempt.
Rythrean: An...interference?
A focused Nex summons the Azures energy around him, darkness flying around as he breaks out of the force field in a crimson blaze. Rythrean grunts in surprise, finding it difficult to get her own interference field active.
Rythrean: (Strained) Ungh, I cant challenge the Azure, Faulhier... push him back into the field!
Faulhier: Alright, fine, I'll take a stab at it... time to bare our fangs, Cresil.
He jumps down to the ground and summons Cresil to his hold, spinning the fang-shaped blade between his fingers as a vile aura lights a pattern on its body.
Faulhier: Using the Azure as a means to interfere for their sake…? That's no good... no good at all, Azure 0. You're not experienced at this anyway... so you can't hold her back long.
Nex's enhanced reflexes allow him to avoid a incoming dagger that is thrown at him, it touches the floor, pinning itself there before emitting a harsh glow as it morphs into something that buries itself into the earth, turning into a strange snapping maw that extends and barely misses its target when the younger male again dodges it before it can touch him.
Nex: (Glances back) The hell is that thing?
Faulhier: ...Fast, aren't you? No. I suppose it's the Azure helping you here... as for that, it's Cresil's real shape. Exitium alter their forms to suit their users.
He comments before coming in and using one of the fang-shaped blades to hook the young rebel's arm, cutting it as it rips across while Faulhier passes him by. Nex winces and holds his arm, stumbling but stopping himself from falling into the shadowy fanged blob that the second dagger became.
Switch is furiously typing commands in his tablet, making sure that he is changing the coordinates to a different place, but it takes some time, and he wipes sweat from his forehead.
Switch: Just a few seconds more.
Cerea is nervously looking under her feet multiple times as she expects the maw to appear underneath her.
Cerea: Hurry, Switch.
Faulhier summons another dagger in his hold and twirls it before jumping in at the younger male, making a gouging slash at his lower abdomen. Right before it makes contact, Nex summons his sword to his hold pressing it against the smaller weapon’s edge and using it to throw his opponent off. Faulhier is sent backward, flipping over midair transitioning to throwing the dagger ahead while it becomes a maw that snaps on the sword and draws Nex in by surprise. It briefly envelops him before it spews him out down to the earth. The rebel smashes into the floor with a growl, getting up to his feet with a glare, his skin displays crimson streaks on it.
Faulhier: You're so out of it that you can't even fight...? You're not used to any of this, are you? (Looks to the Prime Field) Rythrean, do you have it yet?
Rythrean: I've got it back. Reestablishing connection…
Imyo’s ears flick in alarm when he notices Serza and Arcius join the field of the branch facility.
Imyo: Dammit. We have no more time... It’s now or never. Switch, we need to execute it now, whatever you have in there has to be enough.
Frantically, Switch finishes typing the last command and presses the "Execute" prompt, turning the transporter on.
Arcius: So you've pinned them down, huh? Oh well, may as well use them for sustenance. Belial needs a bit more blood.
After seeing the four Destroyers converging on their position, Nex worriedly looks over at the cat beastkin who gestures for him to come back and he runs toward the forcefield, deactivating his Azure and slumping down from exhaustion.
Rythrean: You’re too late, Arcius. I’m sending them away to Iwasu’s branch. (Spreads her hand) Activate.
Serza: (Squints in thought, noticing Switch touching his tablet) Hold on…
Just as this happens the transporter sends the six away, Switch’s disruption program activates, but Rythrean still maintains some control over the device as well. The result is a splintering effect, the group is thrown into different transporters in Naobi which he watches from a pop up screen displaying their signatures disappearing into different areas. Serza sets his fingers against his forehead and sighs deeply.
Serza: Wonderful... now our targets are lost in the city again.
Arcius: Well, shit. Jumped the gun a bit too early, haven't you? We currently can't track them down.
Faulhier: It took a lot of work to come up with that idea, too...
Faulhier places Cresil away with a long sigh.
Faulhier: And just when I thought I could go back and relax...
Rythrean: Enough complaining. This is part of being a Destroyer, sometimes the target takes more time to bring down. We made an error, yes, but our foe is still at a disadvantage.
Faulhier: Well, this target is already annoying.
Rythrean: We need to find them before they regroup. If they’re split off that weakens them as well. With any fortune on our side, the beastkin will be separated from Azure 0.
Serza: That’s true. It may even make things a bit easier to manage. Picking their smaller groups off seems like a better plan. And we have their cloaking disguises figured out, so they can no longer hide.
Arcius: (Sighs) Guess it's time to split up, gang. (To Serza, pointing to the left) You go that way, I'll go home.
Serza’s jade eyes shut slightly as he gives his partner a doubtful look.
Serza: If you go home while we’re still on a job, Akuhei will skin you alive. But by all means, I don’t particularly need you anyway.
Rythrean: (Shakes her head) No one is leaving. If they do, I will slowly reduce the life force of said person until it’s nearly zero. Honestly, you all are giving me a headache.
The sudden pressure from the two make Faulhier reel away nervously.
Faulhier: (Rubs his neck with a frown) Easy you two, no need to get so intense...it was a joke from a show. ...I think?
Serza: So sorry, I don't have time to rot my brain with television...
Arcius: (Sighs and shakes his head) I'm stuck with humorless people. Oh well, joke didn't land that well. Let's just get to work.
Rythrean: I’ll inform the citizens of our targets' situation, so no matter where they are they won’t be able to hide.
Rythrean walks away from the other three Destroyers, leaving them in the fields of the branch facility, and Serza rests his hand in his pocket while Faulheir sits down on a stone structure.
Faulhier: Turning the whole city against them now, huh? Sucks to be them...
Serza: I wonder if that hideout of theirs is worth looking into…
Faulhier: Hideout…? Already? They haven't been here a night.
Serza: Well, that’s what he called it. Azure 0 might retreat to it if he’s alone or not with his guardian. But that’ll be the last thing to check.
Arcius leans against the stone structure and creates a dagger from blood, tossing it up and down in his hand.
Arcius: So we just have to comb through the rest of the city before going there.
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Area: Naobi 
Disposal Area
A dazed Nex pulls himself off the floor with a groan, he doesn’t recognize his surroundings and tosses away a bunch of junk on top of him.
Nex: Ungh... hey, what happened? Where the hell?
He tries to find anything of some kind of familiarity, but only sees the overwhelming light of the residential district a bit further away. Looking over he sees Cerea on the floor, woozy from the sudden teleportation, and Locke who is on top of a heap of scrap. The young silver-haired male notices a sign nearby, realizing it’s a disposal area by the residential district and military levels.
Cerea gets up from the ground and dusts herself off, while Locke rises from the heap with a grunt, touching his back.
Locke: Everyone alive? Holler if you're dead.
Cerea: Could be better... but at least we're not surrounded anymore.
Nex: (Looks around) Where are the others?
Locke: Must've been sent elsewhere in Naobi. The transportation system is a circle, with only that node being connected to Iwasu and other cities.
Cerea: Basically, they're scattered around the city.
Locke: Yeah, gotta try to contact them.
While Locke tries to get a transmission going to Imyo’s group, Nex begins wandering around, looking for a path out of the disposal facility, kicking away garbage.
Nex: At least they won't bother us now. They can't track us.
Cerea follows Nex to make sure he doesn't stray away too far, while she keeps her sword at the ready to fend off anything that would attack her.
Cerea: Yeah, got lucky that I had those supplies with me. With that gash they would've already found you... but four of them after you? That's overkill.
Nex: No. They’re trying to kill all of you too. Didn’t you hear that Arcius guy? He was gonna drain all of you of blood.
While walking across the poorly-maintained metal floor, Nex frowns in thought over what Rythrean said to him, her words haven’t left his mind.
"Your entire existence is like our weapons."
Nex: (To himself) They don’t know anything about me. But Serza is with them? ...He was always odd but to see him like this… (Outloud) This is like a game to them, hunting us down.
Cerea: A sport... yeah, I did feel that vibe from them. To them we're just obstacles in their way... human life has lost its value.
The lingering tinge of disappointment in her voice draws Nex's attention, returning a look of puzzlement to her.
Nex: Lost its value…? What do you mean? I haven't really been part of this world for long.
He asks in curiosity while they walk around the terribly-maintained establishment noticing a passage they could use to get out, but junk clogs it up. Nex squints at it, taking his blade and readies to make a way through.
Cerea starts incredulously at the young male, shocked by his words.
Cerea: Oh... really? You're not my age? I would've thought...
Nex: No, I mean… I don’t have many memories of anything here. I sort of... woke up here, and I was already at this age when I did. I spent my life with a person somewhere else. Like in a different realm… one completely sealed off from here...
He suddenly realizes what he’s saying probably doesn’t make it any easier for Cerea to understand.
Nex: (Clicks his tongue) Nevermind...it doesn’t matter. You wouldn't get it anyway.
He goes to the pile of junk and starts to hack at it with his blade in strong swings with both hands, its crimson edge dissolves the scrap bit by bit, producing loud and echoing rings.
Cerea: (Shrugs) Fine, whatever you say.
She looks at the junk lying around and kicks a tin can away.
Cerea: What I'm saying is, people get sent into the grinder with almost no concern for their lives... they're expendable. And that's something that just makes worry about what our world would become in ten years or so.
Nex: Guess I can see it. That Lukain guy doesn’t care about people at all, he was using their souls like energy, and he wasn’t even satisfied with the results.
He destroys more of the debris that’s piling up over the passage, and after a few more powerful strikes of his blade, an opening is made.
Cerea: Yeah... see, that's what people like him care about. Souls, not people. What makes 'em move. Everything else can just rot away.
Locke looks at the opening Nex has made and nods while he tries to reach out to others.
Nex: Yeah, I can tell that’s what he thinks. Those Destroyers aren’t much better, something tells me they’d be fine with killing something in front of them... but it’s mostly their weapons I’m getting that vibe from.
Cerea: Yeah, those things... they seem to be out of this world.
After finishing opening a way for the passage, Nex sets his blade against the ground and leans on it, waiting for Locke to finish. The tan man patches a voice channel through to Imyo’s group finally.
Imyo: (Transmission) Locke? Are you alright? Spence and Switch are with me. Are Nex and Cerea with you? They didn’t get caught did they? While being bombarded with urgent questions from his leader, Locke touches his earpiece, stabilizing the connection.
Locke: I'm fine, Imyo. The kids are alright, too. We didn't get caught. Currently we're in some scrapyard, away from the most populated part of the city. Where are you three?
Imyo: (Transmission) We weren’t so fortunate, we’re in the military sectors. It’s gonna be hard to get through it and meet up with you. Locke, keep those kids safe, alright? I’ll meet up with all of you as fast as I can.
Locke: Alright. I got it. We'll try to hide in this sector then. Stay safe.
Imyo: (Transmission) You too, Locke.
Closing the connection after this, Locke sighs in relief. However, overhearing the decision, Nex seems dissatisfied with the plan to stay in one place and wait for the beastkin to return.
Nex: Are we really gonna stay here? Those Destroyers will catch on...
Locke: I don't know if there are other options, Nex. If you have an idea, feel free to share it with us.
Contemplating over the idea of going by himself, Nex sighs and decides to try to share his idea with Locke.
Nex: There is one place. There’s a sealed off entry that normally can’t be broken, but I know how to get inside. The person in there could seal the entry and we would be able to hide there. You can tell Imyo where we are once we’re there.
Locke: You know something that I don't, huh? Alright, if you trust that person, means we could do as you say.
Cerea: But... aren't we putting her in danger by doing so?
Nex: It’s safer than here.
Turning to Cerea, Nex shakes his head.
Nex: They can’t track us, and they don’t know where to look for her. The only reason I was worried last time Serza and Arcius saw us was because I was nearby, and I could break through the seal. I don’t think they can. Those weapons are powerful, but she has her own defense against that kind of energy.
Cerea: (Tilts her head) You certain about that? Four dangerous people against her doesn't sound like a fair fight.
Nex: (Glares) It's not going to be four, because two of them will be following Imyo's group. But they're going to find us no matter where we go, and I'm not going to sit here and wait around for them.
Becoming annoyed with the conversation with the mercenaries, Nex continues with a scowl, beginning to regret saying anything to the two.
Nex: And if that's the case and they think to try to look there for us she's already in goddamn danger. (Guiltily) The least I can do for causing that problem for her is to warn her, or maybe we can bring her with us, or something... but I can't just wait here and do nothing!
Locke: (Calmly) We just don't want to cause more trouble than necessary, Nex.
Nex: Tch, I shouldn’t have even told you, both of you are just pissing me off. You don’t get it at all. Stay here and wait for Imyo, then. I’m not part of this group anyway and I don’t want to be.
Before either of them can respond, the angered Nex goes through the passage on his own, taking his sword and cutting through the junk above so it blocks off the passage once more. Although Cerea tries to follow Nex, the heap of junk falls seconds before she can reach him and blockades her path. Breathing in sharply, she grumbles at his action.
Cerea: Gah... he's insufferable with this attitude! What does he think he is? He's gonna get himself seriously hurt.
Locke approaches the new heap of debris with a weary exhale, shaking his head once.
Locke: Well, he certainly is stubborn.
With his back to them, Nex listens to the conversation from the other wall and sighs, looking at his sword.
Nex: (To himself) This isn’t their problem anyway, so it's better they stay out of it. I won’t let those Destroyers drag her into this, not after the refuge. Besides, they might figure out what she has--and if they get that then-- No, I gotta focus, I can do this.
Following a huff of fury and resolve, he then continues rushing through the scrapyard and toward the light of the residential district, leaving the others behind.
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System unable to determine location 
A complex magic seal twists and turns before it disappears into particles of energy, and the navy-eyed man watches the doorway slide open before walking into a chamber overlooking another room below where a spherical object is hidden away inside a chasm. There's a slight bluish green glow to the room bleeding through the windows. Someone within the same space moves from the shadows, his cloak is like overlapping wings of ravens and peters out into a shadowy haze that brushes the ground.
???: Marshal...I wasn’t aware you were coming here.
Lukain: Shouldn’t your third eye have told you, Kokatsuki?
He walks in without concern to the presence and focuses on the displays on a console that wraps the front of the observation room.
???: I can't observe your actions, Sir.
Lukain: Regardless, has the prototype responded at all?
???: No. There are signs of activity according to what I've seen… but nothing substantial.
Lukain: I didn’t expect any results right away. However Azure 0 did react to it, and I figured since they’re both here…
His voice trails off in his own thoughts, setting his hands on one of the terminals that monitors something below.
Lukain: All in due time then. (Looks over to the individual) Is the Dark Glyph Squadron available?
???: Always. They can all be in Naobi within a day. Though, don’t you have Destroyers on the field already?
Lukain: They’re from two different experimental branches. Testing their mettle wouldn’t hurt them.
???: Understood, Sir. I will notify them of your request immediately.
Following these words, a flash of black feathers scatters through the room and the presence vanishes. Once he does, Lukain puts his focus on the console that shows various data of something submerged into the Boundary.
Lukain: (Offscreen) The NOS and the system awaits the one with the power to ascend above Calamity, the desire that’ll lead to Eternity. Shouldn’t you be thinking about answering it? The Azure is here as well. I’ve left your memories intact, so show the world how to salvage itself.
The spherical shell is seen more clearly, and it beats slowly like a heart, displaying a brief flash of shadowy bluish green veins.
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End of A Concealed Light
Continues in: Obverse Wishes
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Category:EvoBlaze
Category:Rebellion Sequence Transcript