Astral Sea
Time Immoral
"In the short time we've been here, you've already acquired 3 links," Skuld was standing on the ocean's surface with her arms crossed.
"Yeah. Anby and Billy I can understand, but Qingyi? That was...weird," the Player crossed one arm over to support the other as he pressed his fist against his mouth. "Connecting with her was unlike anything I've felt before. It was like she forced the link between us."
"Hmm... Now I'm wondering whether the connection between you and Qingyi is unique, or whether it's part of something bigger."
"Knowing our luck? Perhaps."
"You also mentioned that strange sensation you felt with Wise and Belle. Was that another impromptu link?"
"...Nah. That was something else entirely. With those two, I saw this strange vision. They were standing by this giant Hollow and I couldn't hear what they were saying, but there was another voice. It said 'Rewind' and 'In the End.' Whatever that's supposed to mean."
No matter how Skuld tried to approach the problem, she always came up short and dropped her arms to her side. "None of this makes sense," she sighed. "I know we keep saying it's best to go with the flow until something happens, but this mystery is working my brain. And I still can't remember anything before the Hollow event."
"I hear you. Hey, at least we made some friends here. We're not alone."
Skuld gave the Player a disinterested look. "You made friends," she corrected. "I don't coalesce with humans."
"...We're not all bad. You do pretty well with me, right?"
"You're different. You know you're different," Skuld said with a comical yet piercing half-lidded gaze.
"Are you flirting?" The Player teased, knowing full well she wasn't.
Skuld raised her hand and poked the Player's head with her index finger, sending him flying across the infinite sea until he blinked out in the distance.
Wise's Room, Random Play
July 7th, 10:10am
The Player had been meditating on the couch when Skuld interfered in the Astral Sea.
"GAH!"
He jumped out of his meditation with a gasp. He nearly lost his balance and fell onto the floor from the sudden jolt. After he caught his breath and surveyed his surroundings, he sighed in relief.
"Oh, right, back in waking. Sheesh, why do celestial beings always have to be bratty toward humans?"
Skuld: I can hear you.
"...Goddamn symbiosis."
Belle poked her head in the door and knocked. "Hey," she waved once she'd gotten the Player's attention. "Are you okay? I heard you yell."
"Hey, Belle. Yeah, I'm good. I was meditating and almost fell off the couch. It just surprised me as all."
"Oh... Be careful. You don't want to hit your head on the table. If you'd like, I can spare my yoga mat so you can sit on the floor."
"You're into yoga?"
"Naah. I tried it before, but it never resonated with me. It was just boring, y'know? I gave up after just a week, so now all the equipment is gathering dust."
"Aah, gotcha. Well, if that's the case, I'll take you up on that. Thanks, Belle."
"No problem! I'll leave the mat in the room once we get done with work. Speaking of, Nicole and the others will be here soon. Are you ready?"
The Player got up and secured his weapon in the steel case around his hip. He was dressed in his tactical clothes and smiled confidently. "I'm ready," he confirmed.
"Great! Wanna head downstairs then?"
"After you."
Belle led the Player downstairs, and the pair entered the staff room, where Wise was prepping the HDD.
"How's everything looking, bro?"
"Everything's good. The HDD's online and ready for use," Wise pulled up an overview of the Cretan Hollow to check the data.
Belle came forward to look over the information.
The Hollow was currently ranked at a low 8/65 threat level, and the advised countermeasure for Ethereals were Ice and Ether-based sources.
"It looks promising so far," said Belle. She turned to the Player with a smile, adding, "We have a consistent trail of the Ethereal that has the strongbox. All we have to do is track the Ether to the source and the strongbox should be there."
"This should be a fairly simple commission," Wise added.
"That's great," the Player smiled. "I have complete faith in Anby and Billy to have my back in there, but this will be my first time working with Nicole. Can she handle herself?"
"I'd say so," Belle replied.
"She's gotten this far without falling victim to Ethereals, so she must be doing something right," Wise added.
"Good to know," the Player snickered at Wise, feeling assured. "Here's hoping I don't embarrass myself in front of the Cunning Hares leader. Making a good first impression is important."
"I...I wouldn't worry about that," Wise nearly chuckled. "At all," he emphasized.
"Yeeaaah," Belle lightly grits her teeth, sheepishly rubbing the back of her neck. "I don't know if you noticed, but they're not exactly the most professional bunch in the business. You should see their tab. Nicole owes us a lot of money."
"Oh," the Player's voice was flat on the revelation. "Well, I'll still do my best to ensure we make it out alive."
"There ya go!" Belle snapped a finger gun at him.
The sound of a car pulling into the parking lot got the group's attention.
"That must be the Cunning Hares now," Belle said before turning to the boys. "All right, guys! Time to get to work!"
"Let's get to it," the Player said.
Wise took the flash drive from the laptop's USB port and put the fang cap on it. "Let me grab Eous and then we can get started."
"All right! Go Team Phaethon!" The Player rallied, reaching his hand out for a huddle.
When Wise and Belle looked at him, confused, he paced his eyes between the siblings in awkward silence.
"No? We're not... We're not doing a huddle? Did I read that wrong?"
"Uuum... I'm not sure," Wise says, flashing a hesitant smile. "We've never done that before, so it's kind of a first."
The Player clenched his hand into a fist and put his fist against his mouth. "Okay, yeah, I read that wrong. Well, that was embarrassing," he distracted himself by looking away from them.
"Pfft! Heh, heh," Belle failed to stifle her laughter, but she was nevertheless entertained by the gesture. "Go Team Phaethon!" She cheered in between her persistent giggling and outreached her hand for a reattempt.
When the Player saw Belle initiate the huddle, he didn't hesitate to put his hand over hers. The pair then turned to Wise as a signal to join them.
"Come on, bro! Don't leave us hanging."
Wise chuckled before placing his hand on the Player's. "Go Team Phaethon," he played along, lacking enthusiasm but still sporting a forced smile.
The Player and Belle raised their hands into the air as a team salute, but Wise dropped his arm to his side — he barely played into it beyond the huddle, but he couldn't stop himself from smiling at Belle and the Player's team spirit.
...
Random Play Parking Lot
10:35am
Outside, the Cunning Hares were patiently waiting for their Proxy and Agent.
While Nicole was leaning against the car and checking Inter-Knot on her phone, Anby and Billy were discussing other matters amongst themselves.
As Wise, Belle, the Player, and Eous left Random Play, they were met with a cheery wave from Nicole.
"Nicole looks so confident," Belle muttered to the boys as she waved back.
"That's a good thing, right?" The Player asked, keeping his voice low.
"It's another first for us," Wise replied. "I don't think I've ever seen Nicole smile that wide. To be honest, I'm not sure what to make of it."
"Could she actually be reliable this time?" Belle wondered.
"Morning, friends!" Nicole greeted the trio.
"Morning, Nicole," Wise smiled.
When Billy and Anby saw the others, they joined the group.
"Heya, Manager! Hope you slept well," Billy said. "And a good morning to our star player as well!"
The Player humbly dismissed Billy's praise with a bashful hand flag. "I'm just an assistant. You guys are the real stars of this operation," he chuckled. "It's good to see you again, Billy. Morning, Anby."
"Good morning," Anby smiled.
"How'd you sleep?"
"I slept well. And you?"
"Pretty good. I can't tell you how much of a relief it is knowing that I'll be working with you two again. This mission is in the bag."
"The feeling's mutual. I'm also looking forward to working with you."
"Heck yeah!" Billy delightfully fist-pumped. "That Dullahan won't know what hit 'em!"
Greeting the employees before the boss? Nicole was standing on the side waiting to see if the Player would correct his oversight, but it was apparent he was too invested in his conversation with Billy and Anby to acknowledge her.
"Ahem!" Nicole cleared her throat, getting the Player's attention.
When the Player noticed Nicole's impatient gaze, he realized she was waiting for him to greet her. "Oh! And, of course, a special good morning to the one who made this all possible!" He forced a smile to cover his mistake.
Nicole's face was flat, her mouth angled to the side as though she weren't impressed.
"...Sorry," the Player deflated with a tender smile. "In all seriousness, though, it's good to see you, Nicole," he offered his hand.
Nicole wasn't sour for long and smiled. "Likewise," she shook the Player's hand, showing there was no harm done.
In the middle of their greeting, there was a colorful gleam coming from Nicole's hand that got the Player's attention — Nicole's nails were manicured and stylishly polished with a variety of colors.
"Your nails look great by the way. I love the colors."
"Oh?" Nicole was genuinely surprised by the compliment and flashed her hand. "Thanks! My nail artist said this color attracts money," she suddenly gasped as a thought crossed her mind. "I'm not going to go bankrupt if I break a nail, am I?" She turned her concern to Wise and Belle who gave her questioning glances.
"You'll be fine, Nicole," Wise answered, almost flat in tone. "Shouldn't we be handling matters with the strongbox?"
"Agreed," Belle nods. "We recovered the data from the flash drive, and you guessed right, Nicole. It contains the password for the strongbox."
"Great!" Nicole cheered. "Okay, everyone! Thanks to the Proxies' help, preparations are complete. It's time for the next step! Anby! Explain the plan!"
"Okay. Everyone, please take a look at this map of New Eridu," Anby stepped forward and unrolled a map of New Eridu for everyone to see. "Our plan is: Enter the Cretan Hollow and defeat the superior Ethereal Dullahan, then recover the strongbox."
As silence fell, Anby re-rolled the map.
Anby's explanation left the Player, Wise, Belle, and even Billy staring at her as though they were expecting more.
"...That's the mission, but what's the plan?" The Player asked.
"That is the plan," Anby clarified.
Confused, Belle scratched her cheek with her finger. "Sooo... What's with the map?"
"Nicole says we have to show some professionalism. We can't let our partners look down on us. Otherwise, it'll be hard to bargain with th-"
In a panic, Nicole put her hand over Anby's mouth to silence her.
As Anby muffled her words, Wise, Belle, and the Player collectively gave the pair an incredulous look.
"Saying too much again?!" Nicole mumbled. "Billy, why weren't you paying attention?"
The blame came as a surprise to Billy who just pointed at himself in disbelief. "It's not my fault!" He argued. "How was I supposed to know this was Anby's idea of a 'professional' meeting?"
The Random Play crew were in the background growing more suspicious of the Cunning Hares.
"Oh!" Billy hammered his fist into his palm. "That's why she watched all those crime investigation movies before the meeting!"
The Player, bewildered, turned to Belle and questioned, "...Movies?"
"Yeah, Anby's a total movie buff. Most of her logic comes from movies she rents from us."
"...Ah."
Wise shook his head at the Cunning Hares' outburst. "Um... We can still hear you guys," he smiled.
Nicole bashfully cleared her throat. "Anyway, as Anby said, the goal is simple: find and retrieve the strongbox! Since there's no way to monitor the real-time situation from the outside, we'll need your support and guidance inside the Hollow!" she said, addressing Phaethon.
"Of course. We're on it," Belle replied.
Wise returned the flash drive to Nicole and turned to the Player afterward. "If you need anything, just give us a call or text."
"I will."
"And be careful," Belle added. "Don't do anything too reckless."
"I won't," the Player chuckled.
Wise and Belle gave their last farewell to the Cunning Hares and returned to the store.
"You've got a phone now?" Nicole asked the Player.
"Yep," he took out the phone to show Nicole. "Wise gave me his old phone, so now I can stay in touch with him and Belle."
"Perfect! That means you can add us too!" Nicole swiped the phone out of the Player's hand and registered the Cunning Hares business number and her number in his contacts.
Before the Player could fully react to Nicole's swift hand, Billy pitched in. "Don't forget to add me and Anby, boss!"
"I'm already registered," Anby answered.
"You are?" Billy was surprised.
Nicole saw Anby's name at the top of the contacts the moment she mentioned it. "Oh, she is. When'd you have time to do that?" She was genuinely surprised to see it.
"The Player and I crossed paths at the convenience store the other day. When he told me the Manager gave him a phone, I suggested we exchange contact information."
"Aaah, I see," Nicole added Billy's number and returned the phone to the Player. "Okay! Now that you're officially connected with the Cunning Hares, we can head to the Hollow! Do you have everything?" She asked the Player.
"I'm all set. Eous, you ready for this?"
"Ehn-nah!" Eous emoted confidence at the Player.
"That's what I like to hear," he clenched his hand into a confident fist at Eous before turning to the Cunning Hares. "We're good, Nicole. Ready when you are."
"Alright, everyone! Let's get moving."
The Player froze when he saw Nicole taking the car key from her pocket.
As the sound of screeching tires and blaring horns echoed in his head, reminding him that they barely survived with Nicole at the wheel, panic began to set in.
"Billy, you mind driving?" Nicole asked. "My legs are a little stiff from all the running I did yesterday. I could use a quick break before we enter the Hollow."
"Sure thing, boss."
Nicole tossed the key in Billy's direction and he snatched it out of the air.
When the Player realized Billy was going to be the designated driver, he was overwhelmed with relief. "Thank you, lord!" He grinned at the sky with his hands smacked together.
"Hmm? What'd you say?" Nicole asked.
"Oh, nothing. Nothing at all."
"Your face says otherwise," Nicole gave him a suspicious look.
The Player smirked, leaving the reason for his elated outburst ambiguous.
As Nicole challenged the Player's silence with an unamused pout, Billy opened the passenger door for her.
"Shall we?" He asked.
"Oh! What a gentleman!" Nicole giggled delightfully and took her seat.
"S'what I do," Billy gave her a sly look.
Once everyone was in the car, Billy drove out of the parking lot and onto the main road.
...
Random Play — Staff Room
Wise sat down at the HDD as Belle passed on some business instructions for Bangboo 18 to follow if they got any customers during the commission.
After she was done, she joined Wise in the staff room.
"Okay, Wise. 18 is going watch over the store while we handle Proxy work."
"Sounds good. I'll moderate the commission and pilot Eous in the Hollow since you took care of the last one."
"Thanks, bro. I appreciate it. And, uh, since we have time... Shouldn't we start thinking about Hollow Zero?" Belle asked, prompting Wise to pause his typing on the HDD and glance at her. "Now that the Player is adjusting to life in New Eridu, it seems like the perfect opportunity."
"Normally I would agree, but we have to keep in mind the New Eridu Defense Force has a tight grasp on Hollow Zero right now. I doubt Phaethon would be able to get close since investigations are being handled by the elites at H.A.N.D. It may be a few months before they open routine investigations again. For now, let's wait until we hear something from the HIA or the White Star Institute."
Belle pouts. "You're right. I guess I got a bit carried away, but I can't help it! After years of trying to understand our teacher's research, we finally have one of the key insights from her vision."
"Right, but in the meantime, we still have a lot to unravel with what we have. A lot of her documents are so cryptic I think she took most of the answers with her to the grave."
"I bet we'll find more if we get into Hollow Zero," Belle teased.
Wise rolled his eyes and chuckled to himself at Belle's enthusiasm. "Let's just enjoy the calm before the storm. Right now, I'm more interested in this commission since Nicole promised to pay," he said as he returned his focus to the HDD.
"True. Oh! We should go out and treat ourselves to a fancy meal to celebrate!"
"Let's focus on bills first."
"Aaaw."
"And with what we have left, you can be fancy and order extra dipping sauce for your nuggets."
"C'mon, Wise! Think positive! I'm thinking seafood."
"Too expensive."
"Ugh! You're just saying that. We can't survive off of fast food and noodles."
"...We've been doing pretty well so far."
"And that's why we're out of shape!"
"Oh, you can finally admit that now?"
"The problem was when you made it sound like I was fat."
All Wise could do was maintain a silent smile. He dared not continue the conversation.
The silence wasn't doing Wise any favors, Belle felt the implication in the air and squinted her eyes at him, but that quickly subsided when curiosity got the better of her again.
"...Hey, bro?"
"Yeah?"
"Should we tell him about any of this? I mean... It's only fair. If he's going to be putting his life on the line with the Hollows, it's probably best for him to know what this is all leading to."
Wise paused for a moment, taking some time to think. "I don't think our teacher would've wanted the Lynchpin to know," he continued typing.
Belle took a moment to consider what sharing the truth would mean. It felt selfish not to be honest with their new partner, yet revealing the truth seemed to pose the biggest threat to the larger picture.
"...You're right," she concurred.
...
Back on the road, the Cunning Hares were just a few blocks away from Fourteenth Street.
Nicole spent most of the drive chastising Billy for his excessive use of ammunition during the last mission. Meanwhile, the Player passed the time by taking in the sights, and Anby was busy checking Inter-Knot for future commissions.
After running the numbers on her calculator, Nicole threw her head back into the seat and groaned. "Buying more armor-piercing rounds this early in the month is going to put us in the red. Billy! What were you thinking?!" She glared at him.
"I-It was a desperate situation, boss!" Billy nearly squealed.
Nicole sighed and put the calculator away.
"And besides, once we finish this commission, we're going to see a hefty payday!" Billy continued. "It'll be like we didn't lose any money at all!"
"Most of the check is going toward Phaethon so we can clear the debt."
"Oh. Right," Billy sank into himself, but perked up not a second after. "It's cool, boss. I'll pick up some extra hours and pay the difference."
Nicole flagged her hand. "Don't worry about it, Billy. I'll handle it. Just be mindful of the company's budget next time," she sat back in her seat and sent a text to the Cunning Hares supplier to place an order for ammunition.
After sending the text, Nicole slid her seat back before remembering the Player was behind her.
"Oh! Sorry. I forgot you were back there. Did I hit you?"
"You're good," the Player assured, but he fixed his posture to be more upright so Nicole could adjust the seat however she wanted.
"You sure?"
"Absolutely. There's plenty of room back here."
"Okay, great," Nicole adjusted the seat to her liking and got comfortable. "I'm not used to having a fourth member tag along on commissions. I'm expecting good things from you, Mr. Secret Agent."
"The Player or TP is fine," he corrected with a smile.
"...Can I just say, Mr. Secret Agent sounds cool too," Billy joined. "You're like a Secret Agent Man. Hey, that's got a nice ring to it. Someone could make a song out of that. "
The Player chuckled at Billy's comment with a knowing smile. "Y'know, from the scrapes of memory I have about my life before the Cretan Hollow, I had another codename I went by when on missions: Agent Six."
Anby eyed the Player with intrigue without drawing attention to herself.
"Agent Six? That's pretty badass too!" Billy said. "Was it because you were the sixth deadliest fighter in the world?!"
"...No. It... It was just because I was sixth member of the squad I was on"
"Oh," Billy deflated. "Well, hey, that's cool too."
"It's nothing grandeur, sure, but I'd say it works here. With you guys, plus Wise and Belle, I would be the sixth member in this party, right?"
"Huh," Nicole was puzzled by the comment. "How about that? You're right. But now I'm curious, what exactly did you do before you found yourself in the Hollow? You honestly don't remember anything?"
"All I know is that I was spec ops agent assigned to protect a royal family."
"Spec ops agent?" Anby questioned, unable to keep herself silent. "That explains your combat proficiency."
"Back to badass!" Billy squealed.
"Royalty?" Nicole's interest piqued. "As in...riches? You're rich?!" She looked back with increasing hype.
"Rich?" The Player questioned.
Nicole unbuckled her seatbelt and climbed to the backseat while Billy was in the middle of driving, causing him to lose a bit of control and swerve a little.
"B-Boss!" Billy regained control once Nicole squeezed through.
"Eyes on the road, Billy!" Nicole demanded as she climbed over the center console to sit in the middle seat.
Anby put Eous on her lap to save him from being squished under Nicole as she forced herself between the two Agents.
"You never told us you were rich!" Nicole focused her shimmering eyes on the Player.
Billy squinted one eye in confusion. "Boss, he never said-"
"Why are we even doing this commission? We have you!" Nicole clasped her hands together as she was overcome with hope and joy.
"Nicole? The Player isn't-" Anby tried to interject.
"Hey, could I ask a favor?" Nicole continued. "Could you give us a loan with 0% interest? That way we can pay back Phaethon and have some spending money left over to move into a luxury apartment!"
"I'm not rich" the Player corrected in a dull tone.
"Not rich? But... But you said-"
"I said I worked to protect a royal family. I never said I was a part of a royal family."
Nicole paused and marinated in disappointment for a moment. "Oh. Why didn't you just say that?" She reached for the passenger seat to climb back to the front, much to Billy and the Player's concern.
"No, no, no!" The Player grabbed Nicole's hand to prevent her from being reckless. "You're going to sit back here with us. Billy's driving."
"Ugh, fine," Nicole pouts but sat back in the seat.
"If it's any consolation, I wasn't rich, but I did well for myself. The pay was good."
Nicole's interest slowly resurfaced as she gave a side glance that the Player immediately picked up on.
"But it's no good while I'm in New Eridu," he specified to shoot down whatever advances she may have had for him. "With no access to my bank account, I'm starting fresh. Hopefully opportunities won't be shy around me."
"As an experienced Agent, you should be fine," Anby said.
"Yeah, there's always business opportunity for Hollow Raiders," Billy added.
"And under my leadership, you'll see nothing but profits," Nicole confidently smirked.
The Player raised an eyebrow at Nicole's comment. "Aren't you in debt?"
Nicole's smirk immediately dropped to a deadpan glare. She didn't need words to insist he correct his question.
"...What I meant to say was, aren't I only here to pay off my debt?"
"For now. But who knows? If you impress me, I may consider offering you a full time position as a member of the Cunning Hares."
'...Yeeeah. I think I'd prefer to stay with Phaethon.' | "Oh yeah?"
"If you impress me," Nicole emphasized. "I'll be keeping a close eye on you, and I have an eye for detail."
The Player awkwardly smiled at Nicole's invitation since he had no intention of joining.
...
Once the team got close enough to the Cretan Hollow, Billy found a safe and secluded area to park the car. After gathering their equipment, the Cunning Hares exit the vehicle and face the towering Hollow.
"Okay! It's go time," Nicole stood at the forefront with a determined smile. "Billy, you set the timer?"
"All set boss!" Billy flashed the small timer to Nicole.
"Anby, do you have the anti-corruption supplies?"
Anby held up a small pouch containing their emergency supplies. "All accounted for," she answered. "There should be enough to last us a few hours if it gets dicey."
Nicole turned to the Player one last time before starting the mission. "And you're sure you're going to be okay?" She asked in a serious tone. "We usually only stock enough anti-corruption serum for three, so, unfortunately, that means we won't have any to accommodate you."
"Yeah," the Player nodded to confirm his status. "I'll be okay."
Nicole felt as though she needed to put her trust in him to the test. It was important for her to know that she could trust him under any circumstances. She stared at him with a look of scrutiny.
She watched him, waiting for some sign that his confidence might waver. Yet no matter what look she gave him, he looked back at her with the same, unshakeable confidence. He didn't falter or show a moment's hesitation in his answer. Nicole saw no evidence that his confidence was anything but rock solid, and with that realization, she knew she could trust him.
Anby, Billy, and Eous watched in suspense as they waited for Nicole's response.
Eventually, she smiled to show the Player earned her respect. "Perfect. Well then, let's get moving!" Nicole then lead the team into the Hollow.
Billy followed Nicole but not before gesturing good will to the Player for Nicole's approval. He entered the Hollow with Eous shortly after Nicole.
The Player exhaled from his nose and received a pat on the back from Anby.
Anby walked past him with a supportive smile, following Billy's example of showing goodwill toward the Player in hopes of boosting morale.
The Player snickered at Anby's gesture and watched her entire the Hollow.
Before following the Cunning Hares into the Hollow, he took out his phone to text the Phaethon siblings.
Belle
Hey, Belle. We're here.
I'm about to enter the Hollow.
Belle
Okay.
Wise is syncing with
Eous now.
Perfect. Wish us luck.
Belle
Good luck!
You better come home safe!
No worries. I will XD
With a smile, the Player put the phone in his pocket and proceeded.
Old Rail Yard, Cretan Hollow
Just as the Player joined the Cunning Hares, Phaethon successfully connected with Eous.
"Was everything okay?" Anby asked the Player after he emerged.
"Yeah. Sorry for that wait. I was letting Wise and Belle know we were ready to start the mission."
"Hey, you two!" Nicole waved the Player and Anby down. "Join up!"
The Player and Anby didn't waste time and joined Nicole and Billy.
"Alright, we made it into the Hollow!" Nicole turned to the desolate cityscape. "Now let's find my strongbox."
"Speaking of which, Boss — who told you about the location of the strongbox?" Billy asked.
"Hah! That's a trade secret! You thought I'd just spill the beans like that?" She crossed her arms while giving Billy a cocky side glance, but she eased into a smile. "But, since we're on the same side, I guess I can let you in on a little secret."
"This outta be good," the Player playfully mumbled.
"Pardon?" Nicole squinted at him.
"Hmm? I didn't say anything."
That was the second time he gave her that response, prompting Nicole to don a humorously annoyed look. "You can't keep playing that 'I didn't say anything' card with me! What'd you say?!" She put one hand on her hip to enhance her sass.
Belle: Heh. Careful, TP. Nicole's pretty thin-skinned.
Hearing the follow up comment from Phaethon made Nicole blush before turning to the small Bangboo with an offended look. "What... What are you suggesting?" Before she could make it obvious she was flustered, she cleared her throat. "Actually, it was really easy! I have a few contacts at the Association who just happened to have the records of routine observation missions and Ether resources for this Hollow."
"Hmm... She sounds well connected," the Player whispered to Anby who confidently nodded knowing Nicole was resourceful.
"I gave them an offer they couldn't refuse, and asked them to help compare the data from the last two mutations. Locating the strongbox was as simple as circling up the difference!"
Although he wasn't fully following along because of New Eridu's lingo, the Player was nevertheless impressed with Nicole's confidence and know-how.
Even Phaethon was pleasantly surprised.
"Sheesh, Nicole, you're good!" Billy admired.
"-I gAve THeM AN oFfEr thEy cOULdn'T RERfuSe, aND ASked ThEm to HELP cOMpaRe thE DAtA FROm tHe LAst tWo MUtaTioNs. LOCaTINg thE sTRongBOx WAs as SIMPLE aS CiRcLiNg Up ThE dIfFeReNCE!"
Phaethon squinted one eye at Nicole as she spoke.
"Sheesh, Nicole, you're good!" Billy admired.
"Huh? Why'd you say that again?" Phaethon asked, perplexed.
Nicole noticed Phaethon's puzzled expression and kneeled down to him. "Proxy? Are you daydreaming?" She poked Eous' visor to get a reaction from them. "Isn't it time to go? I may know the approximate location of the strongbox inside the Hollow, but it's up to you to get us there!"
Phaethon swats Nicole's finger from his face with a dull glance. "Yeah, I know. I just misheard you for a second."
"You sure you're okay?" The Player asked, looking from over Nicole.
"Yeah. Everything's fine. Sorry about that. Let me just check the route for a second... Got it. Let's start heading down the tracks."
Phaethon pointed west and walked ahead of the four Agents.
Nicole grabbed her metal briefcase and followed Phaethon's lead. Anby was the first to follow Nicole and Billy after her. The Player made sure he was the last to follow, serving as the team's anchor to watch their rear.
The Cunning Hares continued westbound toward the Old Metro's central district.
Belle: The Superior Ethereal's signal is getting close.
"Really? Great! We're making good time," Billy cheered while briefly checking the timer.
"And no Ethereals in sight," the Player added. "Anby, have you picked up on anything suspicious?"
"Nothing out of the ordinary," she answered.
"Hopefully it stays that way," Billy put the timer back in his jacket pocket. "It's not every day we get to be on easy street."
"If only that were the case for our finances," Nicole humorously lamented.
"...Yeah. If only," Phaethon mumbled flatly before lifting his arm to halt the team.
Suddenly, a small tear in space manifested as a multicolored spiral of passive distortion just ahead of them.
"Whoa!" The Player hovered his hand over his weapon's handle.
"It's okay, it's just a fissure," Phaethon explained.
"Fissure?"
"It's another one of the Hollow's spacial anomalies," Anby explained. "Don't worry, they're common. Less disorienting than the spontaneous spacial shifts you're used to."
"But still...very random," Billy added.
The Player gave the fissure a conflicted look, he wasn't all too confident in trusting anything the Hollow had to offer, but if the experts say it wasn't anything to worry about, he had to take their word for it — he eased up and dropped his hand.
Belle: Go here first, then we can re-navigate. There are enemies on the path ahead. Be careful, everyone.
"There goes easy street," Billy hung his head and dropped his arms like deadweights.
"Let's get moving," Phaethon marched into the fissure.
"You heard 'em. C'mon, Billy," Nicole followed.
"Right behind you, boss," Billy walked into the fissure with his head and arms still hanging.
The Player couldn't keep the smile off his face as he watched them go. "Billy is hilarious," he said with his hands tucked in his pockets before looking over to Anby. "I got your back if you got mine."
"Always," she assured, brightening the Player's smile.
"So, this fissure: I just walk right into it and everything will be fine?"
"Yes. Phaethon said this is the way to go, so we have to take it. Nothing bad will happen."
"That's reassuring to kn-"
"Unless the fissure is leading to the edge of a skyscraper. If that's the case, we'll have to act accordingly on the other side so we don't fall to a horrifyingly gruesome and extraordinarily painful death."
"...I'm sorry, the edge of a what?"
Anby turned to the Player and gave him a neutral look. There was a moment of silence between them.
"Oh my god, you're not kidding."
Anby's flat expression turned to an entertained smile from his reaction.
"...No way, Anby!"
"Way," she grabbed the Player's arm and sprints into the fissure.
"Wait! Anby, we should-!"
Before he could finish his sentence, Anby pulled them through the fissure.
...
On the other side of the fissure, the Player and Anby came flying out as though the Hollow spat them out from leaving a bad taste its mouth.
Anby, anticipating the spontaneous spatial shift, came flipping out of the portal with her signature stylishly nonchalant flair, successfully landing on her feet.
As the rookie Hollow Raider, the Player was sent flying out of the fissure via helplessly flailing. Although it was a bit disorienting, he managed to assess the drop and avoided an imminent faceplant by performing a shoulder roll to break his fall.
"Holy shit," the Player mumbled to himself.
"Nice recovery," Anby complimented.
"T-Thanks. Sheesh... That was close."
A gun shot got the pair's attention and they turn in the direction it came from.
Nicole and Billy were in the middle of combating a pack of Faun: Ethereals that closely resembled Tyrfings, but with a more humanoid form — having arms instead of bladed appendages.
They wielded traffic signs as makeshift weapons and used them to fight Hollow Raiders.
Nicole spotted the pair from the corner of her eye and briefly turned to them, but she quickly focused on the incoming attack and threw up her steel brief case to guard against the overhead attack.
"Took your time?!" Nicole called out.
Anby wasted no time brandishing her weapon and sprinting to assist her team.
Nicole pushed back against the attacking Faun to get some distance between them so that Anby could come in with a spinning heel to its core, cracking it and following up with a slash to take it out.
Billy fired a few shots at the Faun closest to him, but it managed to block the bullets using the traffic sign end of its weapon.
"Heh! You think that'll keep you safe forever?" Billy taunted.
While focusing on the defending Faun(2), Billy didn't account for the surprise attack coming from behind; a third Faun was on the approach, ready to strike while Billy was distracted.
Before the Faun(3) could get close, a wave of dark energy blew by and completely consumed the Faun, destroying it in one sweep, prompting Billy to stop firing and look over his shoulder.
"Only left one for me?" The Player asked with his back against Billy's and his weapon in hand.
"I thought you lost your nerve and went home," Billy teased.
The remaining Faun(2) lowered its sign when he saw the boys weren't paying it any mind. Another distraction? It was time to capitalize! The Faun tightened its hand on the hilt of its weapon and took one step forward to attack: BANG! It was sent off its feet from a single shot Billy fired without taking his eye off the Player.
"As if I'd miss this," the Player continued the conversation with a smile.
Billy spun the recently fired revolver around his finger and stood upright with a chuckle at the Player's response as the smoke from the chamber dissipated.
"You're late," Nicole said as she approached the boys alongside Anby.
"Sorry about that," the Player chuckled. "I was just uncertain about the fissure. I took some time with Anby to get my thoughts together."
"You think I'd lead you into danger?"
Billy was on the side expressing doubt in comical silence. They were Hollow Raiders after all, danger was in the job description.
"...Nah," the Player answered in a somewhat unreadable tone.
"Exactly!" Nicole didn't seem to pick up on his delivery. "There's no need to worry as long as I'm here. Trust my judgement and you'll make it out of the Hollow alive."
"Except it's my judgment and planning that ensures you get out alive," Phaethon said, approaching casually with a flat expression after Nicole exaggerated her credibility. "What? You don't trust me as your Proxy?" He playfully teased the Player.
"You're the only Proxy I trust," the Player assured. "Mostly because you're the only Proxy I know," he teased back.
Belle: You better not cheat on us! We're the only Proxy you'll need.
"I wouldn't dream of it."
"Why would you, right?" Billy nudged the Player with his elbow. "Phaethon's the best in the business."
"Where to next, Phaethon?" Nicole inquired, getting back to business.
"We're still on the right path. We just need to continue following the trail that goes through this sector. Let's get moving."
The Cunning Hares continued their search through the Old Metro. After walking down the mainline, they reached 63rd Street Station and followed Phaethon to the transportation center.
"We're getting closer to the strongbox's signal!" Phaethon updated the group.
There was a menacing roar in the distance that halted the party.
"It certainly sounds that way," the Player said as he tightened his grip on his weapon.
Anby's sharp eye surveyed their surroundings without moving an inch. "There are two Ethereals with a height advantage," she informed the group.
"Where?" Nicole asked.
"11'oclock," Billy mumbled.
"I see the other on our six," the Player added. "Were they following us?"
"Unlikely," Anby replied. "I didn't sense their presence until now. We entered their territory. It's only natural that they want to defend it."
"Yo, TP," Billy called.
"What's up?"
"Watch these guys. They're Alpecas. They won't attack you head on, they'll provide cover fire from the backline."
"Cover fire?"
"Liquid Ether," Anby specified. "It hardens when exposed to air."
"Good to know," the Player said.
"They're not alone," Phaethon warned.
Another Ethereal came out from behind one of the nearby passenger cars to confront the party. It appeared similar to a Metro Goblin, if not a tad shorter but still around Billy's height. It was wielding two stone clubs reinforced by Ether corruption.
"Oh, a Goblin? Looks like they're bringing out the big guns," Nicole smirked.
The Player looked over his shoulder and saw Nicole standing her ground before the approaching brute. "Nicole, stay back," he called out in a concerned tone.
"Huh? Why?"
The Player gestured for Billy to watch the team's rear while he volunteered himself to take point alongside Anby — standing defensively before Nicole.
"Sorry, we can't let the boss lead the charge."
He meant well, but he didn't understand how the Cunning Hares operated, which was evident from Nicole's flat expression. "That's very sweet and all, but I think you're forgetting I'm still the boss," she put her hand on his shoulder and eased him back.
Before the Player could speak, Nicole revealed her 'briefcase' was actually a high-tech weapon, containing an illegal Ether cannon at its core.
"They've got big guns, but mine is bigger," Nicole teased.
"Y-Yeah...It is." | 'Nicole's supposed to be broke. How the did she afford this?'
The Goblin let out another hefty roar, it was ready to fight.
"Billy and I have ranged weapons, so we'll handle the Alpeca. Don't worry, it won't take long. I want the Player and Anby to focus on the big guy while we keep the snipers busy. We'll back you up once we're done."
Player: Got it. | Anby: Roger. | Billy: Let's do it.
"Billy, we'll move when you fire the first shot."
"Good luck, everyone!" Phaethon wished them the best before sprinting off to the side.
The roaring Goblin was a signal for combat to the neighboring Alpeca. The one behind them was the first to move, its body motioning as if it were on the verge of upchucking something sinister.
The frill around its neck closed just enough to form a small opening that allowed it to spite out a sharp purple projectile that glistened through the air.
Billy fired at the incoming Ether loogie and the bullet clashed with the hardened projectile, producing a glimmering mist on impact.
The moment the gun was fired, the Player and Anby rushed for the Goblin.
The second Alpeca mirrored the first and fired a jagged blast of Ether at Nicole. With quick reflexes, she dodged the shot just in time and sprinted toward the nearest stalagmite. Using it as a springboard, she jumped onto the roof of a nearby train car.
She dashed across the train car, dodging multiple Ether shots. Eventually, Nicole managed to leap onto the terminal's rooftop and sprinted towards the Alpeca.
As it was charging up another shot, Nicole swung her briefcase around and struck the Alpeca's frill just as it closed around its core. The attack knocked the Ethereal off the terminal's roof.
On the ground, the Player ran at the Goblin — coming in with a descending diagonal slash that the Goblin dodged by pivoting to the side, only to have the Player's swinging hand trace its movement just as it got behind him, slashing the core and having its head jerk back.
Fresh off the successful attack, the Player brought all the momentum from the slash to swing out a right hook kick that the Goblin managed to dodge with a lean, however it failed to anticipate the improvised follow-up from the whiff; a left high kick that caught its core once the Goblin came forward.
The Player's kick forced the Goblin into a 180 that led to its core receiving a rising slash from Anby's sword that sent it reeling back.
While its back was arched from Anby's attack, it raised its leg over her head and threw it down in an attempt to hammer her to the ground, but Anby managed to throw her weapon up and block the attempted axe kick.
While keeping Anby pressed, a gunshot went off and struck the Goblin's core; Billy was providing cover from afar with one gun while firing the other at the Alpeca(1) that he had pinned to the ground with one foot, executing it with a single shot to its core.
"Billy! Head's up!" Nicole called out, pointing at the Alpeca that she got from the roof.
Billy's eye locked onto the Alpeca(2) and fired another round just as it sat upright, making a clean headshot that put it on its back for good.
With the small Ethereals dealt with, the Player and Anby were still focusing on the primary threat; the Player was in the middle of performing a cartwheel that narrowly dodged the Goblin's heavy overhead attack that smashed its club into the ground.
The Player managed to slip by and land behind the Goblin, attacking once his feet touched the ground by charging in with a wide arching reverse grip slash that the Goblin dodged by taking a step back, the missing attack caused the Player to spin 180 degrees.
As the Player's attack missed, Anby came from behind him after anticipating that his attack would miss, and slides in — her back against the Player's — and sending a spinning back kick at the Goblin torso that it managed to block by throwing up its two clubs from Anby's surprise assist.
The Player danced around Anby, completing a full 360 from his missed attack, and delivered an enhanced backhanded punch from his freehand armored by a veil of darkness from his synergy with Skuld.
The force behind the backhand was enough to briefly breach the Goblin's defense, sending it a step back and repelling its arms away from its chest.
Anby capitalized quickly and pointed her index and middle fingers like a gun at the Goblin, firing a bolt of lightning that struck its core that did enough damage to stun their foe.
"Get down!" Nicole shouted.
The Player and Anby looked back and saw Nicole holding her briefcase in its cannon form generating a large ball of Ether.
"Move!" Anby suggested as she zipped away in a flash.
"Huh?" The Player looked in her direction only to see no one there.
With the cannon at maximum capacity, Nicole had no choice but to fire the Ether at the Goblin.
The Player heard the booming launch and turned back to Nicole. Once he saw the approaching ball of doom, he immediately snapped out of his initial confusion. "Oh shit!" He performed a dodge roll and successfully avoided the worst of what was to come.
Nicole's Ether bomb struck the Goblin and formed a miniature black hole that produced a dome of oppressive Ether around it that rapidly damaged the enemy and kept it in place.
The Player rolled onto one knee and witnessed the Etheric blackhole tear the Goblin to shreds and eventually shattered its core, breaking up its body and swallowing it into the dark abyss of nothingness before completely blipping out.
The Cunning Hares were victorious.
"...Goddamn," the Player mumbled.
Phaethon emerged from his hiding spot and checked on the Player when it was safe. "Are you alright?"
"Ah, Wise. Yeah, I'm good. I just wasn't expecting that. Damn," he got up but he couldn't take his eyes off of the nuke site.
"Looks like we win, huh?" Nicole smirked as she retired the cannon.
"Yeah. Thanks to you," the Player sheathed the weapon back into its metal case with a smile.
"And you were trying to bench me? Ha!"
"Right... I apologize for that. I shouldn't have underestimated you."
"I'll let it slide. Just this once," she playfully teased before coughing.
Billy approached Nicole, wearing a satisfied expression. "Whew! Boss, I can never get enough of that," he said, but he stopped short as his vision briefly became hazy.
"Hmm... The air around here seems to have grown thicker," Anby said.
"Yeah," Billy said with concerned tone. "The resolution on my video sensors just dropped, too."
The Player looked between Anby and Billy. "Thicker?" He questioned. "It doesn't feel any different."
His comment was immediately of interest to Phaethon.
"That makes sense. After all, you are the Player," Anby stated plainly.
Nicole struggled to focus as she cleared her throat, only partially acknowledging the Player's comment and Anby's observation. "If the air is getting thicker, that means we've- ArRiVEd aT thE DESigNATED LOCAtion. Right, Proxy?"
Nicole's words were suddenly drowning in static for Phaethon.
"...Sorry, I didn't catch that. What were you saying, Nicole?" Phaethon asked.
Phaethon's question got an immediate frown from Nicole. "Don't drift off while guiding us!" She stomped her foot before the Bangboo as a call to attention. "I paid top Denny to hire the best Proxy around, Phaethon!"
Now she was coming through loud and clear, but her words got a flat look from Phaethon.
"Watch out or you might just get a negative rating on Inter-Knot!" She threatened. | WATcH Out or Yo- iGHT UsT g-T a NeGATive RAtING oN intEr-KnOT!"
"That better be a joke," Phaethon said sternly, but the ongoing issues with the live feed were becoming serious enough for him to overlook the threat. "Though... I think there really might be a problem."
Belle: It's not "might," Wise, there really is something wrong with the HDD, it's reporting an error. Wait a sec, I'll sync and try a debug.
The Player was showing increasing concern for Phaethon's absent mindedness, but he kept quiet along with Anby in hopes that this was a minor setback.
The timer in Billy's pocket rang, prompting him to check the time. They had been in the Hollow for nearly an hour, which meant it was almost time for them to take their anti-corruption serum. "Manager, do we want to keep going?" he asked, hoping to receive a response from the Proxy.
Belle: Listen up guys, the Ether activity has impacted our HDD signal. Be careful.
"So... What does that mean?" The Player asked.
Belle: It means we have to be extra cautious on how we go about traveling in the Hollow. If the HDD is acting up, we're going to have difficulties relaying the information to you.
HDD Assistant: Data connection un-un-un-unstable. Attempting to reconnect.
Belle: Hang on — the target location seems to have changed.
Nicole sighed, growing impatient. "You can't expect monsters to stay in one place," she tapped her foot while Phaethon tried getting things under control.
Eous' visor was glitching out between eyes, a loading icon, and static.
Belle: Weird. Is this...a glitch in the system? Could the display be faulty?
"This is starting to sound bad," the Player mumbled.
Belle: Hang on. I'll adjust the HDD.
At least it sounded like Phaethon was working on a hotfix... Still, time was of the essence and concern was on a steady rise.
Belle: Switching to the back-up display. Resizing... That'll do.
Phaethon began moving again, so that was a good development. The Cunning Hares followed behind the Bangboo, taking a new route, but in the direction they already came from before so it felt like backtracking.
"Billy how are we doing on time?" Nicole asked.
"Now that we're moving again, we should still be in the green, boss. We still have another 25 minutes before needing some serum."
"Good. Now that Phaethon's back on the move, we should get this done soon."
"That's a relief," the Player sighed to himself.
Anby noticed the Player's troubled behavior and caught up to him so they could walk together. "Are you okay?"
"Huh?"
"I noticed you seemed a bit distracted. I wanted to make sure you were alright."
"Oh. Yeah... I'm just, uh... I dunno. It just seemed like something was wrong. I wasn't planning on getting stuck here again."
"You don't have to worry. You won't fall to Ether Corruption."
"Sure... But what about you three? That's what I'm worried about. I wasn't bothered before because I was alone, but I don't want you guys getting stuck. If you do then there's a chance you'll turn into one of those things."
"I see. I wouldn't worry too much if I were you. We're experienced Hollow Raiders, so we're prepared for emergencies like that. That's what the serum is for. It'll last us a few hours before needing to be concerned about corruption."
"Right," he still didn't seem convinced.
Belle: Nicole, how are you guys doing?
Despite her question, the Player and Anby continued their conversation while Nicole and Billy were discussing matters of their own. Nobody seemed to acknowledge Phaethon trying to communicate with them and yet they were still following.
Belle: What's going on? TP, can you hear me? No answer... Nicole? Anby? Billy?
Anby has left the squad
Billy has left the squad
Nicole has left the squad
Player Disconnected
Belle: Why did everyone just go offline?
...
...
While it seemed that Belle was trying to communicate with the team, from the latter's perspective, Phaethon was utterly silent and it was starting to feel a bit unsettling for Nicole, but she trusted her Proxy and made sure the team followed the Bangboo's route.
"It feels like we're retracing our steps," Billy observed, noticing that they had passed several familiar buildings. "Are we meant to be looking for a fissure or something?"
Phaethon didn't respond and kept walking.
Something felt off, and the Player couldn't resist asking, "Wise, Belle, what's up? Can you update us on the plan?"
No answer.
"Is the route safe? Nicole and the others can't afford to wander for too long. Are there enemies along the route?" The result was the same, however, a sharp Ether needle struck the ground at the Player's feet, making him flinch. "Whoa!"
"Ambush!" Anby immediately drew her sword as a horde of Tyrfings and Alpecas came out from hiding to rush the team.
The Player, Nicole, and Billy drew their weapons and were ready to defend themselves.
"Damnit, there's a lot of them!" Nicole grits her teeth as she watched Billy wipe out two only for three more to come after. "We shouldn't waste too much time with them! Proxy! Which way?!"
Phaethon ignored Nicole and the Ethereals around him as he continued walking.
"Wise!" The Player called out after slaying one of the Tyrfings.
While the Player was distracted, an Alpeca tackled him from the side and crashed through the nearby train car's door.
"Billy! Help the Player!" Nicole ordered.
"I have too many on me!" Billy exclaimed, already handling four Tyrfings.
Nicole looked over her shoulder and saw Anby dodging a flurry of slashes from an aggressive Tyrfing herself. "I'll get hi-!" Before she could finish her sentence, a Tyrfing swung its bladed appendage at her and she blocked with her briefcase. "Nngh!"
Before the threat could get the better of her, Nicole kneed the Tyrfing in its non-existent groin and sent it back a few steps. While it was staggered, she swung the weapon around and gave the core a good smack, cracking it.
"Get out of the way!" Nicole snarled.
After besting the three Ethereals, Billy spotted a few more Ethereals from their blind spot, firing at the approaching numbers. "Whoa, more enemies behind, too!"
"Watch the side!" Anby zipped in and parried a surprise attack from Billy's side.
Meanwhile, the Player was still wrestling with the Alpeca in the train car. Eventually, he overpowered the Ethereal and, with his sword in hand, sheathed the blade into the Alpeca's core.
After dealing with the situation, he looked up and saw a horde of Ethereals breaching the train. They entered the car and ran down the narrow aisle like a pack of rabid zombies.
The Player got up and ran, sprinting toward the next train car.
He got through the gangway and shut the railcar's door. BANG! The Ethereal horde smashed into the door not a second after he closed it, nearly breaking the door down in one tackle.
The Player found a fractured handrail nearby and used it to reinforce the door.
BANG! BANG! The Ethereal horde tried breaking their way in, but the handrail proved sturdy to keep the door in place.
"Christ," the Player backed away before going to check on the others. He looked out the window and saw the Cunning Hares were still holding it down outside. "Good... They're safe. But what the hell is going on with Wise and Belle?"
A green blade pierced the railcar's door and the Player saw the Ethereals stabbing their way through the door.
"Oh, give me a break!"
A heavy thud came from above followed by frantic steps along the metal roof. The Ethereals were above and looking for another way in.
"It's our lucky day," the Player remarked sarcastically.
Outside, Nicole and the others were able to keep each other safe and bring the numbers down, but they still had to be on their toes.
"Hey — what's going on with the Manager?" Billy asked as he fired into an Alpeca before it had the chance to fire its liquid Ether. "Walking around all like absentmindedly and ignoring the fight..."
After hammering her briefcase down on one of the Ethereals, shattering its core, Nicole looked over to the ever quiet Phaethon. "Proxy?" She called out, her breath coming in short gasps.
Anby eased herself over to her teammates while remaining vigilant. "Angry, perhaps?" She suggested. "Because Nicole haggled on the deposit?"
"Really? Is that it?" Billy pondered, considering it for a moment.
"Of course not!" Nicole humorously denied.
A dark light flashed from the window of the nearby train and a wave of darkness blasts the entire train from the last railcar, destroying the train from the blast zone.
"Whoa!" Billy jumped.
As the destruction from the blast lingered, a humanoid shape formed from the smoke, and the Cunning Hares prepared themselves for whatever was behind the smokescreen.
The Player walked out from the smoke with a light cough and saw the others brandishing their weapons before they realized it was him. "...It's just me, guys," he raised his hand as a friendly gesture.
Billy pulled the trigger and fired.
The Player's eyes widened as he felt the wind from the bullet brush by his head. He looked over his shoulder and saw a battered Tyrfing with its sword raised and a hole in its core.
Just as he realized Billy saved him, the Tyrfing faded away.
Exhaustion finally caught up and the Player grimaced, falling onto one knee from using so much energy to synchronize with Skuld.
The Cunning Hares rush to his aid.
"You okay, TP?!" Billy got down onto one knee and placed his hand on the Player's back for support.
"I'm fine, Billy... Thanks," the Player assured after a few breathes.
"That explosion... What was that?" Nicole asked.
"That was from me. Sorry, I had to deal with those Ethereals. I hope I didn't-"
"Don't apologize. You did good and-" Nicole noticed the destruction left after the smoke cleared. "...And almost nuked the Hollow," she said, exaggerating but nonetheless impressed with what the wreckage indicated about the Player's potential.
"Pfft," the Player dismissed it with a smile before returning to a neutral expression. "What's going on with Phaethon? Has anyone heard from them yet?"
"No," Billy regretfully answered. "They're still ignoring us."
The Cunning Hares noticed that Phaethon was observing the group from afar. Once the Ethereals were dealt with, he turned around and continued walking as if on autopilot.
"Well that was creepy," Billy muttered.
"Strange," Nicole narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "Ever since we entered the Hollow, it's like the Proxy hasn't been leading us. Are they in some kind of trouble on the outside?"
The Player, Billy, and Anby looked amongst each other.
Nicole jogged over to Phaethon to finally get things straight. She ran in front of the Bangboo to impede his progress. "Hey! Is everything alrigh-" She stopped short with an unsettled look.
The Bangboo halted and gazed up at Nicole with a vacant stare from its ominous red eyes. As Nicole looked into her reflection on Eous' visor, she squinted to make out the faint indication of Ethereals.
"BOSS!" Billy yelled.
SHIIIING! The Player, Billy, and Anby parried the three Tyrfing's sneak attack on Nicole.
Anby overpowered the Tyrfing(1) and managed to destroy its core when repelling it. Billy broke his X formation guard with his guns and fired a double shot into the Tyrfing (2) core, shattering it instantly.
The Player was at a standstill with the final Tyrfing, his blade against the Ethereals. He held his defensive position, but he was still winded from his earlier attack which gave the Ethereal began to exploit by applying force that started to overpower him.
Nicole turned just in time to see the party protect her and Phaethon.
The Tyrfing's(3) advantage against the Player didn't last long, Anby's sword came piercing through its core from behind.
The sudden kill made the Player flinch and he stumbled back until he fell on his behind.
"Are you okay?" Nicole got one on knee to help him.
Their Bangboo still wasn't paying attention to the chaos and began walking toward the next wave of Ethereals.
"Don't go over there!" Nicole warned as the Ethereals approached.
"Uuuugh!" The Player groaned from the endless fighting. He tried getting up, but his legs gave out, and he collapsed. "Nnngh!"
"Don't push yourself."
Billy shot at as many Ethereals as possible while Anby charged into the horde, slashing at those Billy couldn't hit to collect the Bangboo.
With their Bangboo in possession, Anby and Billy regroup with Nicole and the Player.
"What do we do, boss?" Billy asked in a mildly frantic tone as the Ethereals approached.
"We have to retreat for now!" Nicole ordered. "The Player needs to rest and we'll just be wasting our resources if we keep going without a Proxy."
"Sounds good to me."
"Billy, can you stay with him?"
"Of course. TP, you good to lean on me for a while?" Billy asked while holstering his guns.
"...Yeah. No problem."
Nicole grabbed her suitcase, Billy supported the Player, and Anby kept the inanimate Bangboo at her waist for their escape.
The Cunning Hares made a tactical retreat, but the Ethereals were hot on their tail.