The dim glow of the lanterns cast flickering shadows on the walls of Night Raid's hideout, illuminating the tension in the room. Najenda leaned back in her chair, fingers steepled before her, her single eye sharp with focus. "We've received reports of an unknown force attacking Imperial troops," she stated in a measured tone, her words cutting through the still air. "We need more information on who they are and what their goals might be. We can't afford any surprises."
Mine, standing with her arms crossed, let out a sharp sigh, clearly unimpressed. "So, you want us to go on a wild goose chase for some nobodies?" She glanced at Sheele, hoping for an ally in her frustration, but the older woman merely adjusted her glasses and offered a calm, knowing smile.
"It could be useful to know whether they're enemies or potential allies," Sheele reasoned, her voice as gentle as ever, yet carrying an undeniable logic. "If they oppose the Empire, they might even be on our side. Besides, gathering intelligence is just as important as fighting."
Najenda nodded approvingly. "Precisely. The last thing we need is another unpredictable factor in this war. I want the two of you to head toward the outskirts of the capital. There have been sightings of unusual fighters near an abandoned village. Some claim they wear unfamiliar attire and wield strange weapons. Your mission is reconnaissance—gather what information you can, observe their movements, and report back. Do not engage unless necessary."
Mine groaned, dramatically throwing her hands up. "Ugh, fine! But if this turns out to be a waste of time, I'm blaming you, Sheele." Her tone was laced with exasperation, but there was an undertone of reluctant acceptance. She knew better than to argue too much with Najenda's orders.
Sheele merely chuckled, unphased by Mine's attitude. "I'm sure it won't be a waste," she said simply, tightening the straps on her weapon case.
With their orders given, the two assassins gathered their supplies and departed into the cool night air, their footsteps quiet against the damp earth. The stars above twinkled in silent witness to their journey, their pale light offering little comfort as they set off into the unknown. The wind carried the distant echoes of the Empire's rule, but somewhere in the shadows, new players had already begun to shift the balance of power. Whatever awaited them beyond the capital's reach, they would soon find out.
Mine and Sheele moved cautiously through the abandoned streets of the ruined village. The air was thick with the scent of old blood and burning wood, remnants of past conflicts that had turned this place into a desolate graveyard. Their mission was simple—gather intel on the mysterious force that had been wreaking havoc on the Empire's soldiers. However, an uneasy feeling settled in Mine's stomach. Something about this place felt wrong, as if unseen eyes were watching their every move.
They stepped carefully over debris, their boots crunching softly against broken tiles and splintered wood. The silence was oppressive, only broken by the occasional whisper of the wind through the hollowed-out buildings. Mine glanced at Sheele, who seemed as calm as ever, her usual vacant expression making it difficult to tell what she was thinking.
"I still don't get why we have to do this," Mine muttered, clutching Pumpkin tightly, her fingers tense against the cold metal. "Why not just wait for them to show themselves?"
Sheele turned her head slightly, her violet eyes reflecting the dim moonlight. "Najenda wants answers. If these people are enemies, we need to be ready."
Mine huffed, adjusting her stance as she scanned the shadows warily. Every broken doorway and collapsed structure felt like a potential ambush site. "I still think it's a waste of time," she grumbled, though she kept her weapon raised just in case. The oppressive quiet did nothing to calm her nerves.
Just as they turned the corner of a collapsed building, a sharp, venom-laced voice rang out, shattering the stillness.
"There you are, you vile murderers!"
Mine's breath hitched, her grip on Pumpkin tightening as she and Sheele instinctively snapped their heads towards the source. Standing atop a pile of rubble, silhouetted against the pale moonlight, was a familiar figure—Seryu Ubiquitous. The mad grin on her face stretched wide, her eyes alight with twisted glee. Beside her, Koro growled low and deep, its jagged teeth gleaming with an unnatural sheen, saliva dripping onto the ruined ground beneath it.
Mine immediately took a defensive stance, her heart hammering in her chest. "Tch. Just our luck."
Seryu pointed a trembling, accusing finger at them, her entire body vibrating with barely contained rage. "Justice has found you at last! You are the ones responsible for Captain Ogre's death!"
Sheele tilted her head slightly, her calm demeanor unwavering. "We didn't kill him."
"LIES!" Seryu shrieked, her voice cracking under the sheer force of her fury. "His death was the work of evil, and you are the ones who must be punished!"
Mine took a slow, measured breath, her mind racing through potential escape routes. She had dealt with Empire dogs before, but Seryu was different. She wasn't just another soldier—she was a fanatical force of nature, fueled by blind devotion to her twisted sense of justice. Negotiation was useless. Mine knew that the moment they locked eyes.
Koro let out a guttural snarl, its muscles tensing like a spring coiled to strike. The beast's deep red eyes locked onto Sheele, its massive claws scraping against the ground in anticipation.
Seryu took a deep breath and stood tall, pressing a fist over her heart. "I am Seryu Ubiquitous! A proud enforcer of justice, sworn to purge all evildoers who threaten our glorious Empire! You stand accused of treason, murder, and unspeakable crimes against order and peace! In the name of true justice, I shall deliver your rightful punishment!"
Mine scowled, tightening her grip on Pumpkin. "She's not gonna listen, is she?"
Sheele sighed, adjusting her grip on Extase. The massive pair of scissors gleamed under the moonlight, its edge reflecting the eerie glow. "No."
Seryu's grin widened, her teeth bared like a rabid animal. "Then your execution begins NOW!"
Before they could react, Seryu charged, her speed unnatural, her sheer intensity overwhelming. Koro followed close behind, a monstrous blur of red and black, tearing through the debris like it was nothing. The sheer force of their approach sent dust and rubble flying, making it even harder for Mine and Sheele to track their movements.
Mine raised Pumpkin and fired the moment Seryu came into range, but the enforcer twisted her body with inhuman reflexes, dodging the shot with ease. She was already upon them before Mine could reload, her fist flying straight for her face. Mine barely had time to duck, feeling the air shift violently above her head as the punch grazed past.
Sheele took the opportunity to swing Extase, aiming for Seryu's exposed side. But Koro lunged in, intercepting the attack with its powerful jaws. The beast's fangs clamped down on the blade, the force sending vibrations up Sheele's arms. She gritted her teeth and pushed back, trying to dislodge the creature, but Koro refused to yield, its monstrous strength keeping her locked in place.
"Pathetic," Seryu sneered, spinning on her heel and lashing out with a powerful kick. The strike caught Mine in the stomach, sending her skidding backward across the dirt. She coughed violently, struggling to catch her breath as pain flared in her ribs.
Sheele grimaced, freeing Extase with a sudden jerk and managing to slash Koro across its face. The beast let out an enraged snarl but backed away slightly, blood dripping from its snout.
"You'll regret that," Seryu hissed, her face twisting into something even more manic. "Koro, tear them apart!"
The monstrous Teigu roared and lunged once more, and the battle truly began.
Meanwhile, Medic and Spy prowled through the outskirts of the abandoned village. Their mission had been simple—scout for resources and map out potential hideouts for RED Team's expansion—but the distant echoes of battle quickly drew their attention.
Spy signaled for silence, his sharp gaze flickering toward the treetops where the sounds of gunfire and metal clashing reverberated. They moved with practiced stealth, maneuvering through the underbrush until they found a vantage point overlooking the commotion. From the shadows, they peered into the moonlit clearing where three figures engaged in a deadly dance of steel and fury.
"Ah… familiar faces," Spy murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. He recognized the two women—Mine, the pink-haired sniper, and Sheele, the unassuming yet deadly assassin. Their previous skirmish had ended in a stalemate, but now they were locked in combat with a new adversary. His eyes gleamed with curiosity. "This promises to be… entertaining."
Medic, ever the enthusiast of battle's intricacies, leaned forward, observing the third combatant with keen interest. A woman clad in military attire stood opposite the assassins, her unsettling grin framed by golden locks. More striking than her appearance, however, was her monstrous companion—a grotesque beast of metal and flesh, moving with terrifying agility.
"Mein Gott," Medic muttered, adjusting his glasses. His fascination piqued as he watched the woman command the beast with an almost fanatical fervor. She fought with reckless abandon, her movements erratic yet precise, as if she reveled in the carnage. "Zis von… she is ein marvel of madness."
Spy smirked at his companion's intrigue but did not disagree. He, too, was captivated by the sheer ferocity of their newfound opponent. The way she attacked with such conviction, as if executing divine judgment, was unlike anything he had witnessed. There was no hesitation, no semblance of doubt—only righteous wrath given form.
"A zealot," Spy mused. "Dangerous. But predictable."
Medic chuckled, adjusting his gloves. "Perhaps. But unpredictable in her endurance, non? She fights as if ze pain does not exist… as if death itself is but a minor inconvenience."
The fight escalated, the battlefield becoming a whirlwind of clashing metal and desperate gunfire. Mine, gritting her teeth, fired shot after shot, but her opponent's unnatural speed and the monstrous beast at her command turned every attempt into a futile effort. Sheele darted in with her Teigu, but her swings, swift and calculated, barely forced the enemy to backpedal. Seryu's laughter rang through the night, shrill and unnerving, each cackle dripping with delight at their struggle.
"Zhis is… intriguing," Medic mused, his mind already racing with possibilities. Could this woman's resilience be studied? Could her unnatural endurance be harnessed? He had seen combat fanatics before, but this was something else entirely. Her wounds barely seemed to register, and even when Mine's bullet clipped her shoulder, she only grinned wider, as if pain was merely a concept, not a reality.
Spy's gaze flickered between Seryu and her opponents, a calculating glint in his eye. "Shall we intervene?"
"Not yet," Medic replied, watching with rapt attention. His mind was already dissecting Seryu's combat style. The way she moved, the way she fought—it was too precise, too unwavering. "I vish to see how much punishment she can withstand."
Spy exhaled, letting the ember of his cigarette glow softly in the dark. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?"
Medic only chuckled, his grin widening as he adjusted his coat. "Oh, mein friend… zis is ze best entertainment I've had in months."
Their eyes remained locked on the battlefield, waiting, watching, calculating. They would not intervene—at least, not yet. First, they would let the storm rage on, eager to see who would emerge victorious… or if Seryu would finally reveal the limits of her madness.
Sheele's body ached, her breath coming in ragged gasps as she held her ground. Mine lay behind her, battered but alive. That was all that mattered. If she could buy even a few more seconds, Mine might escape. The pain that lanced through her limbs no longer mattered. This was her duty—her final act to protect the friend who had given her a place to belong.
Her grip tightened on Extase, the familiar weight of the scissors in her hands grounding her resolve. She had already come to terms with it—this was the end for her. Seryu's laughter rang in her ears, gleeful and unhinged, as the monstrous Koro loomed above her, its maw wide open, ready to consume her whole. The scent of blood and burned flesh hung thick in the air, mixing with the acrid stench of gunpowder.
"Mine… you have to live," Sheele whispered, her voice steady despite the searing pain in her body. She turned her gaze back to Seryu, who grinned maniacally at the spectacle before her. The Justice-obsessed girl's eyes were wild with twisted glee, her voice dripping with sadistic satisfaction.
"Sheele!" Mine's desperate voice cut through the chaos, but Sheele didn't waver.
Sheele inhaled sharply, forcing her body to move despite the agony. "Even someone like me… has something they can do."
Her fingers curled around Extase's handle, ready to strike one last time, to carve out a path for Mine's survival. She lunged forward, ignoring the warning flares of pain in her body. In that moment, Seryu's gun clicked into place. A deafening shot rang out. Sheele felt the impact before she even processed what had happened. A sharp, searing pain blossomed in her side as the bullet tore through her flesh. Her legs buckled, but she forced herself to stay upright, gripping Extase with the last of her strength.
Blood trickled from the corner of her mouth, but she still managed a soft smile. "I guess this is it for me… but at least I was useful," she murmured to herself.
Despite the growing numbness, Sheele swung Extase one last time, severing Koro's claw just before it could reach Mine. The monstrous beast recoiled with a howl, giving Mine a chance to scramble back. Sheele turned her gaze toward her friend one final time. "Run, Mine!" she shouted, her voice fierce even in her fading moments.
A monstrous roar echoed through the battlefield. From the shadows, a hulking figure lunged forward—a beast of grotesque proportions, covered in thick, matted fur. Its long arms stretched out, massive hands catching Koro mid-air. The impact sent shockwaves through the dirt, knocking Sheele backward. The force of the gust whipped her hair around her face as she collapsed onto her knees, barely able to hold herself up.
"What?!" Seryu's expression twisted from joy to confusion as Koro thrashed violently in the creature's grasp. The beast, resembling a giant ape with unnatural musculature, squeezed tighter, letting out another guttural roar. Koro yelped, its hardened skin cracking under the pressure. A sickening snap followed, and the monstrous Teigu let out a shriek of pain, its body twitching as it fought to break free.
Sheele, barely conscious, could only watch in disbelief. Was this… salvation? Or another nightmare?
Heavy footsteps approached her weakened form, and through her hazy vision, she saw a figure clad in a white coat kneel beside her. A peculiar device hummed in his hands, glowing with an eerie red light. The man adjusted his round spectacles, his eyes gleaming with excitement as he took in her injuries.
"Ah, ah… do not die just yet, fraulein," the man murmured, pressing the device against her wounds. Warmth, followed by an almost unnatural relief, spread through her battered body.
Sheele's breaths were shallow, her body slack in the dirt, but she was alive. The Medigun's eerie red glow pulsed over her, knitting torn flesh back together, sealing wounds that should have been fatal. Medic worked swiftly, eyes gleaming with a mix of fascination and grim determination as he adjusted the dial on his device. Each pass of the beam over Sheele's wounds brought more color back to her pale skin, more life to her fading form. It was a delicate balance—keeping her stable without overloading her body—but he had mastered the art of saving lives long before arriving in this world.
"Ja, zhis vill do nicely," he muttered to himself, his gloved fingers steady as he directed the healing beam with precision. His eyes flickered briefly toward Sheele's face, noting the twitch of her eyelids, the slight hitch in her breathing. "Zat's it, fraulein, stay vit me."
The battlefield was still alive with chaos around them. Koro let out a distorted, guttural snarl, its body twitching violently on the ground. The beast, usually an unstoppable force, now lay whimpering after the brutal assault from Medic's pet Danger Beast. Seryu's face twisted in unrestrained fury, her hands clenched into tight fists as she took in the scene before her—her beloved Koro crippled, the so-called 'evil' she sought to eradicate slipping from her grasp.
"No! Evil must be eradicated!" she shrieked, her voice raw with rage. She reached for her weapons, but the moment her fingers twitched, she felt it—a presence behind her, silent and deadly.
Spy materialized as if he had always been there, his movements fluid, effortless. Before Seryu could react, a sleek, modified device pressed against the back of her armor. A faint electric hum filled the air before a sharp jolt of energy surged through her body. Her limbs went rigid, her breath caught in her throat, and for a fleeting moment, all she could do was tremble in place.
"Pardonnez-moi, mademoiselle," Spy whispered mockingly in her ear before stepping back. He observed her with a casual air, adjusting the cuff of his suit. He knew the paralysis wouldn't hold her for long—Seryu was resilient, and her warped sense of justice made her even more dangerous. But they didn't need long. Just enough time to finish their work.
Mine's pulse pounded as she took in the scene. Her head was spinning, her wounds stinging, but none of that mattered. The two figures before her—the white-coated man with the unnatural healing device, the smooth-talking shadow who had blindsided them before—she knew them. The REDs. The same people who had ambushed them not long ago. And now they were here again, stealing Sheele right in front of her eyes.
"No… you again?!" Mine's voice was hoarse, her throat raw from exhaustion and panic. She pushed herself up despite the pain lancing through her body, gripping Pumpkin with trembling hands. Her knuckles went white around the trigger as she aimed, fury overtaking her exhaustion. "Stay away from her!"
Spy's sharp gaze flicked toward her, his expression unreadable beneath his mask. "Ah, petite fille. You are persistent, I give you zat."
Medic barely glanced at her, still focused on stabilizing Sheele. He chuckled, an amused edge to his voice. "Ach, you are in no condition to play hero, fraulein. Best sit zhis one out."
Mine's grip on Pumpkin tightened, but her arms trembled. She tried to steady herself, tried to ignore the spinning in her head, the sharp throb in her ribs. But she could feel it—she was too slow. Too weak. Even if she fired, she knew Spy would disappear before the bullet reached him. Knew Medic would keep that infernal healing beam locked onto Sheele. Knew they would take her, and she was powerless to stop it.
The realization settled in her gut like a heavy stone. Her breath hitched as she watched Spy effortlessly restrain Seryu, watched Medic work with unshakable focus. They weren't just interfering. They were taking Sheele. And there was nothing she could do about it.
Mine gasped as Spy's hand clamped over her wrist, twisting it behind her back with practiced ease. Her knees buckled, but she bit back a cry, refusing to show weakness. The sharp edge of a knife ghosted against her side, pressing just enough to remind her who was in control. The smell of sweat, blood, and gunpowder hung heavy in the air, mingling with the iron tang of fear clawing at the back of her throat.
"Shhh, mon chéri," Spy murmured, his voice smooth as silk, yet dripping with menace. "Let's not do anything foolish, hm?" His grip was unyielding, his fingers like a vice around her wrist.
Mine struggled against his hold, her breath ragged, but she was already drained from the battle. The weight of her injuries bore down on her, her limbs sluggish, her vision swimming. Every muscle screamed in protest, but she knew she couldn't overpower him. Not like this. Not now. She clenched her teeth, willing herself to push past the pain, to find some angle, some opening, but her body refused to obey.
"Damn it," she hissed through gritted teeth. "What do you bastards want?!"
Spy exhaled in amusement, though there was no warmth to it. It was the sound of a predator humoring its prey. "Ah, zat is simple. We take ze girl. You say nothing." His voice dipped lower, a whisper against her ear, like the cold caress of steel. "Or next time, we make sure she doesn't get another miracle."
Mine froze, her breath hitching. Her mind raced, the weight of his words sinking deep into her gut like a stone. Sheele... They had taken Sheele. And somehow, they had healed her. But they could just as easily undo that mercy.
Her grip on Pumpkin slackened, her fingers trembling. She wanted to fight. She wanted to scream. To tear them apart for what they had done. But she had seen their speed, their efficiency. Even now, with Spy's knife at her side, with Medic cradling Sheele's unconscious form like some prized experiment, she understood the reality of her situation.
She had lost.
Spy pulled back just enough to tilt his head, observing her reaction with a detached curiosity. "Good girl," he murmured, his tone sickeningly sweet, mocking her helplessness. "We understand each other, non?"
Mine glared at him with all the hatred she could muster, her blood boiling. But the bastard just smirked and melted into the night, his silhouette vanishing like smoke in the wind. She could do nothing but watch as the REDs slipped away, Sheele in their grasp, their figures swallowed by the darkness.
A low, agonized growl broke through the stillness.
Seryu twitched on the ground, her body finally responding after the paralysis wore off. She pushed herself up with trembling arms, her breath uneven, ragged with fury. Her gaze darted around, first to the blood-streaked dirt where her enemies had stood, then to the empty space where Sheele had once been. And finally—to Mine.
Seryu's eyes burned with unhinged rage, her pupils dilated with bloodlust. Her body shook as a strangled scream ripped from her throat, raw with venom and grief.
"EVIL! I'LL KILL YOU ALL!"
Her voice cracked with rage, but it was too late. The fight was over, and her vengeance would have to wait.
Mine collapsed to her knees, her body spent, her mind reeling. Her hands dug into the dirt, fingernails biting into the cold earth as she tried to suppress the whirlwind of emotions surging within her. She wanted to believe this was just a nightmare, that Sheele was still with her, still smiling that gentle, clueless smile, telling her everything would be okay.
But she wasn't.
And Mine couldn't even tell anyone the truth.
Tears blurred her vision, but she refused to let them fall. Because now, she was trapped in a battle she never anticipated. A battle not just against the Empire, but against the silence forced upon her. And she hated them for it. Hated them with every ounce of her being.
But for now, she could do nothing but grit her teeth and endure.