After a moment of courteous silence, glances passed between the assembled figures like subtle daggers.
The head priestess cleared her throat, her voice carrying the weight of ceremonial tradition as she began the introductions.
The girls in their pristine white armor stood at attention, their battle-worn plates gleaming despite the tears and scratches that spoke of countless conflicts.
Across from them, the black-clad visitors mirrored their formal stance,
their form-fitting black leotards gleaming with a subtle sheen. The sleek garments hugged their curves, complemented by fishnet stockings that caught the temple's filtered light and high-heeled boots that clicked softly against the marble , Their bunny ears twitched with alertness atop their heads, while their fluffy tails swished behind them—a striking contrast of elegant sensuality and covert professionalism that spoke of an organization unafraid to blend beauty with deadly efficiency.
their sleek dark armor absorbing the light like a void. The plates bore the subtle marks of covert operations—scratches from silent infiltrations, dents from unseen conflicts, and the matte finish that spoke of stealth over ceremony.
A stark tableau of white facing black, temple guardians confronting intelligence operatives, two forces forged by entirely different kinds of warfare.
The leader of the shadowed delegation stepped forward, her bunny ears twitching slightly as she moved into the filtered light.
"I am Fabiola Bunny," she announced, her voice carrying the crisp authority of someone accustomed to command.
"I serve with the Scouts, and we require assistance from your Order regarding a matter of grave concern—kidnappings that have plagued the city we've been investigating for some time."
Cathie inclined her head respectfully, her brown hair catching golden highlights from her armor.
"We are servants of Heavenport, and aiding you would be an honor. However, kidnapping falls outside our sacred mandate.
We are forbidden from interfering in Heavenport's daily tribulations—our purpose centers on supernatural threats.
" She paused, her diplomatic training evident in her measured tone. "Perhaps the City Watch would prove more capable in such matters."
Fabiola's eyes narrowed slightly, the first crack in her composed facade. She turned to one of her companions with deliberate precision.
"Show them."
One of the other bunny scouts stepped forward, producing a piece of paper from within her dark robes.
The parchment seemed to whisper against her gloves as she extended it toward the temple warriors.
Cathie accepted the document, her golden gauntlets creating a soft metallic whisper.
As her eyes fell upon its contents, her breath caught audibly. The color drained from her face, leaving her complexion pale as morning mist.
"Cathie, what troubles you?" Malaliel moved closer, her wings rustling with concern as she peered over her leader's shoulder.
When her silver eyes fixed upon the image, they widened with shock. "What... what is this?"
Fabiola's voice dropped to a grim whisper.
"Remains of the victims we discovered,Their blood had been drained from their bodies—every last drop."
Malaliel's jaw tightened, her wings folding closer to her body.
"I didn't inquire about the victims, Who drew this?"
"No one drew it," she replied, her voice carrying a hint of pride beneath the solemnity. "We employed a device to capture the image—an apparatus that collects light mana and transfers it to parchment."
Azrael's golden eyes sharpened, focusing on the speaker like a predator identifying prey. "And you are?"
"Yunuen Bunny," she replied, reclaiming the photograph with careful reverence. "I apologize for not introducing myself earlier."
"This appears extraordinarily realistic," Azrael continued, her voice edged with suspicion. "I wasn't aware intelligence agencies possessed such sophisticated capabilities."
Yunuen's lips curved into a bitter smile.
"We don't. This device is unique—an artifact retrieved from the last rift. Initially non-functional, we've spent considerable time studying and reconstructing its mechanisms. Eventually, we managed to activate it using light magic to recreate the artifact's original effects.
Her voice dropped to barely above a whisper.
"It's a classified artifact, one we've guarded jealously. I trust you understand the gravity of our situation and will provide assistance.
The kidnapping incidents are escalating, and the victims' fates are... horrific. We desperately need your help."
Azrael crossed her arms, the golden armor catching the light as she shifted her weight. "We comprehend the severity, but we have numerous obligations demanding our attention."
"You mean the Stampede," Fabiola interrupted, her words sharp as broken glass. "We're aware of that situation."
The temperature in the room seemed to drop several degrees. Malaliel's wings spread slightly, a defensive posture that spoke of barely contained anger.
"Perhaps we can assist each other," the third visitor interjected, her voice smooth as silk hiding steel. "We possess a list of suspects potentially involved in the waypoint divinity removals."
Malaliel's silver eyes blazed with fury, her voice rising like thunder before a storm. "The safety of Heavenport's citizens is not a bargaining chip! I don't know who you are, but I find your implications deeply disturbing."
The third visitor stepped forward with predatory grace. "I am Enedina Bunny, and I am practical."
Her words carried the weight of uncomfortable truth.
"We know that the Order of Wnea utilizes waypoints to collect spiritual power from Heavenport's citizens. Therefore, the greatest loss from waypoint destabilization would be your Order's."
A bead of sweat traced down Malaliel's temple, her body trembling with barely suppressed rage. She met Enedina's gaze without flinching, the air between them growing thick and suffocating, as if it might shatter should either of them move. A muscle ticked in her jaw, but she refused to look away, her pride and duty warring with the accusations hanging in the air like poisonous smoke.
"Enough," Cathie commanded, her voice cutting through the tension like a blade through silk. She stepped between the two women, her diplomatic instincts taking control before the situation could spiral beyond repair.
"I need to confer with my team about this matter. We'll provide you with our answer shortly."
Fabiola Bunny settled onto a nearby sofa with fluid grace, her fluffy cotton-ball tail, pristine white with subtle silver highlights, flicking once before she tucked it carefully to the side. Her tail created a soft mound against the dark cushions , raising her hand to display another piece of parchment between her fingers like a promise or threat.
"We shall wait here," she said, her tone carrying the weight of inevitability.
"This contains the list we mentioned—names that might prove... illuminating to your current concerns."
The paper rustled softly in the charged air, and every eye in the room focused on it as if it held the power to shift the balance of their carefully ordered world.