Chapter 12: ECLIPSE
SEVERAL HOURS AGO•••
***
The winds of the Torn mountain were relentless at night, especially when hovering several metres over the frozen scape. The winds here could kill a mundane man, but thankfully neither the pilot nor the men aboard the NMG chopper were of that class of humans.
Each of them was a trained specialist, and despite most of them possessing just two cores, their skill set was still above your average Retainer. The government had poured a lot of effort into this batch of knights. Their Captain being a legendary combatant of high renown.
He was shrouded in his usual black cloak, with a straw hat shielding his eyes. Sebastian's obsidian eyes glimmered as he stared at his Captain from behind his thick glasses.
"Haaa Strange things always happen on a full moon."
Captain Faux said, staring out the side of the chopper with a stoic expression.
"...But captain it isn't a full moon yet."
Sebas chimed in as he adjusted the frame of his black spectacles. Just then the moon revealed itself reflecting off the surface of his glass.
"Are you sure, Sebas?"
"Yes, quite sure."
Sebas answered with a valiant nod directed towards his captain. Captain Faux simply turned, revealing his sharp canines with a crooked smile.
"Well, I disagree lil' Sebas. Maybe if I throw you out the door, you'll be able to get a better look at it, no?"
Immediately Sebas sunk into his leather seat as Captain Faux chuckled lightly.
The Torn Mountain was massive, spanning over a couple dozen kilometres. It had once served as a base of operations for the government and then as a battlefield soon after.
From here Sebas could see chilling metal structures that reached out of the snow like titanic headstones. The scale of the war was unknown but the government had lost, only returning to claim part of the lost mountain decades later.
Soon they were flying into a thick mist and when it parted, a massive manor revealed itself. It was styled after ancient Victorian mansions with dark wooden panels and marble pillars.
Sebas could easily tell, because of how much time he spent researching ancient structures and the like. As he stared at the magnificent manor his mind had begun to flip through the mission report and every information that would come in handy.
The young boy soon turned to Faux and said;
"So… it'– he's here?"
Faux held onto his straw hat as the winds grew more fierce. He had a calm expression as he peered at the manor. His straw hat fluttered in the air and when it rose slightly, Sebas caught a glimpse of his Captain's eyes and the scars that ran across them.
"...Yes. Yes, he is here."
Sebas gulped at that. The chopper landed in the manor's court not long after.
Before leaving they all brought out a black wooden mask and placed it on their faces. As instructed by the government their identities were to be classified.
Currently, they were being deployed to the Orphanage atop the Torn Mountain to investigate the happenstance of 30 missing children, and amongst these children was the ill-born Calamity Cas.
"Our major objective is to acquire the Calamity; every other thing is secondary."
Faux said as they disembarked the NMG chopper. Waiting to greet them were four people.
The man dressed in a brown suit, with grey hair and dark eyes, had to be the Dean and he was accompanied by a middle-aged lady in formal wear. She had light brown hair neatly tied in a bun with a clipboard in her hand and an all too professional scowl.
"Captain Faux and your Doves, I presume."
The Dean said as he offered his hand. The Captain took it promptly as his eyes fell on the man at the back.
He was clad in steel armour on his chest, with chestnut hair and emerald green eyes.
"Never knew the Orphanage had such capable men," Faux said.
"Cardinal Julian Debro at your service."
Julian said with a warm smile as he received the Captain's hand.
'He's sort of…handsome.'
Sebas muttered an inaudible compliment as he glanced at the knight and then at the stunning lady who stood beside him. She had blonde hair and was dressed in a white uniform— a nurse perhaps.
The knight— Julian soon glanced over at Sebas and the five men that stood behind him, and with the same smile he asked;
"Would your men suffice?"
Faux turned to look at his men. His eyes were hidden but his smirk was broad and visible.
"To be honest I might have over-packed."
"Okay then let's head to my office to discuss the specifics."
The Dean stated as he cleared his throat.
Captain Faux nodded to that but not before dispersing his men with signed orders. Sebas remained with him as usual. It made the conversations less of a bore.
The hosts led the way while Captain Faux and Sebas lingered behind.
"Who's the pretty boy?"
Faux signed at his companion, speaking silently through his finger gestures.
It took Sebas some time but he finally replied.
"A knight from the House Tyrell."
Sebastian could recall his surprise when he saw Sir Julian's impressive file in the applications for service at the Orphanage. He had thought it strange at first but discovered that the handsome knight had once been an orphan in that very orphanage before his Knighthood and assimilation into the House of Tyrell.
"Quite the individual."
He added.
"Yeah, and with a punchable face."
After walking down the long hallways for a while, they all ended up in a massive office space equipped with lounge chairs and dispensable water.
"Looks like losing over 30 children pays well."
Faux signed at Sebas with a dark chuckle. The young knight only palmed his forehead in response.
The Dean occupied his seat before a wide window that oversaw the courtyard, while the lady with the clipboard stood beside him.
"I believe you know most of the details already and have already formulated a plan. I only request that you involve Sir Julian here in your activities. I am sure he would be of great help."
The Dean said with his knuckles in a knot.
"As long as he can throw his weight around I h—"
Just then the room darkened. Almost in perfect harmony, they all turned to the Dean or more accurately the wide window that lay behind him. Their faces suddenly turned grim and pale as they watched a bulky alloy-plated NMG chopper speed towards them.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone