6:00 AT, Day Thirteen | Fort Arbor / Hot Spring
Guess what! It turns out for a low low price of 5 Ti, we were able to get a hot spring installed into all of our forts. The game masters are geniuses for such a feature.
Ray and I are currently lounging about in said hot spring. Naturally, we are being hyper-productive and talking strategy and such. We have definitely been doing that, and nothing else.
Ever since the Achilles legend raid, a lot has been happening. I may have glossed over too much and forgotten to write it down. I was quite excited for the feast and I wanted to make sure I captured the energy properly.
In summary, there were five main things that have happened since the raid.
Firstly, we of course got a look at the Achilles commendation. There is a passive effect that slightly increases strength, though we are unsure by how much exactly.
It also has two skills. One of which is a defensive vortex that blocks projectiles in a small area for a few seconds, aptly named {Vortex Shield}. The other skill is an offensive skill that can be activated to heal yourself when you deal damage to enemies, named {Ravenous Blade}. It only lasts for a few minutes and has a long cooldown, so it's very important to use it wisely.
Apparently the whole commendation is classified as an ‘attack’ one, similar to how Vesir’s is suited for defense. Naturally, Ray chose to take on the Achilles commendation and has had quite a bit of fun while slaying with it. Though, I worry it can make her a bit more reckless than she already was.
Also along with the commendation, we got equipment drops. Since I have ditched my shield entirely in favor of mobility, I choose a fancy plasma pistol. I really should've thought about a ranged weapon as a secondary, but it never really occurred to me. Initae always drilled me in melee. Something about ranged weapons being inferior in inae-based combat.
Well, this isn't inae-based combat, this is real, actual ground combat. So, I should probably have some form of ranged weapon, right?
On to the second note, we have massively bolstered the size of our army and administration structure. We now have around 2000 combat capable soldiers, as well as 3000 logistics and backline personnel. Of course, we have done our best to equip them however needed. We also managed to recruit 5 more great-level warriors, though they don't have quite as fancy weapons as Yuin does. Accordingly, we have placed them as battalion/company commanders for battlefield operations.
Our command structure is a bit weird, since our military is quite small and we have so many soldiers that have far more experience than us. But we somewhat based it off of the command structure of the former United States of America (1776-2026 CE) system of command. They may have fallen into rapid decline due to socioeconomic issues and the advent of hyperglobalism. But I think their military system was solid, even compared to modern standards.
Thirdly, some time on the tenth day, something curious happened. All of a sudden, large mounds of various minerals appeared scattered through the grassland and forest. We also gained access to purchase of manufacturing equipment that can synthesize equipment from raw materials.
So naturally, we immediately started to harvest these minerals, which seem to be nearly infinite so long as we can spare the manpower to harvest them. Which has greatly helped reduce our reliance on Ti for equipment. Supposedly we can also manufacture vessels eventually, though it requires a few resources that we guess are located further towards the center of the arena.
Speaking of the center of the arena, that is the fourth point. As our scouts approached the supposed biome-border that should be to the north, they encountered a solid barrier. When they tried to pass through, they received a message. It read ‘The second and third zones shall unlock either on day twenty, or when one contestant faction has been eliminated.’ They were still able to see that the next biome seems to be a rocky mesa of some sort.
This is interesting, it appears they want to encourage fighting, or at the very least, prolong the trial a bit longer. It makes you wonder what could be hiding in the inner rings. I will see if I can find a way to include a current map of the arena.
The fifth thing is a truly bizarre one. For some reason, whenever we try to send expedition parties into the jungle (to the west, towards Luna) or beyond, they disappear. No communication. No distress signals. They just vanish.
Whenever we try to place their beings in new vessels, it does not go well. They awaken screaming, writhing in some form of pain. Their eyes are wide and they look to be in a complete state of panic.
The jungle has since been deemed the ‘jungle of horrors’ and the name even changed to reflect that on our maps. Formerly being the jungle of isolation.
We have decided to retire these beings back to Earth and take them out of the system. Hopefully they can get proper treatment or memory procedures there. Unfortunately, we have been unable to determine the cause. So far, we have lost nearly seventy soldiers. Accordingly, we have suspended expeditions to the west. Instead opting for a strong defensive line along the biome border.
In summary, we have done some exploration. Discovered a way to gather resources for equipment. Expanded our armies, and questioned what untold horrors may be contained in this arena. We have seen no movement or mention from Luna or her associates, which is highly bizarre. Oh well, I'm sure we will encounter them soon enough.
Thus brings us back to the present, day thirteen, six hours before the truce with the Quartet ends.
Naturally, we are planning to attack them. As one does, it is a war game after all. A joint raid and a feast won't change the fact that we must turn their army into smoldering corpses to win.
I am currently resting, nestled into Ray’s super cozy arms as we sit in the hot spring. Set at a nice, brisk, 65 degrees celsius.
“Koooo, you've got that look again. Whatcha thinking about?”
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“Normal things, like how absolutely cute my girlfriend is. How we are sitting in a hot spring amidst a war game. How tomorrow we will likely be surrounded by battlefields. Oh, and how pleasant my general back area is feeling right now.”
“Hmm, you should be thinking of me more. Less war think, more doting on your super cute darling that is oh so graciously spending time with you.”
“Graciously? You practically dragged me in here and threw me in. Then you entrapped me in a deadly hug that threatens to remove all sense of sanity that I might have left.”
“Oh shush, you know you enjoy it.” she says, hugging me even tighter.
“I never said I didn't, after all, how could I dislike something done by my super cute girlfriend?”
She rests her head on my shoulder and whispers into my ear, “You're such a jerk, you know. A real, worthless jerk. Why must you be so damn cute though.”
“Im not sure either. In a way, it almost feels like we have been guided into this scenario by something.”
“Like, some sort of fate, or divine being?” She asks, which is a good point. Religion has never really been a thing that I've considered. But given what we now know, perhaps it's not all false. Perhaps at some point some being like Initae passed by, and casually influenced all of humanity.
Wait, I am sure that happened. Initae’s brother, who is technically my father genomically. He stole the person who raised me and invited him to do various experiences. Resulting in me. In exchange, my father’s Neural technology research was advanced. I wonder how much that one event influenced humanity, and how many similar events may have occurred in the past.
“Im not sure. I don't want to ascribe to any crazy religious beliefs, but we have seen people and heard stories of entities that are basically divine beings.”
“Yeah, your aunt is one of them. Hah, that is crazy, you basically have like, a goddess as an aunt. I bet your family reunions would go crazy.”
“Yeah, I can't imagine what the Vikean empire must have been like. I get that Initae and her brother are clearly royals and stronger. But an entire civilization of people possessing even a fraction of their power would be something out of a story book.”
“Well darling. I guess we've got a goal then.”
“What could that possibly be?” I ask, though I already know the answer.
“Why, to make an empire that surpasses that of the Vikea. Really show them up. That is what we do after all, right, no.1?”
“Of course, no.2. We will build an empire together that makes the Vikeans look like apes in comparison.” I say, completely confident in my statement. We are the Moonlight duo, after all.
“With our combined power, no one shall stand in our way. So, let's rock this trial and all the rest. Really show the universe just who we are.”
“The IEC is going to regret selecting us as contestants.”
“Vi lunae lucis, omnia mutabimus.” [By the power of moonlight, we will change everything.] She proclaims.
11:00 AT, Day Thirteen | Fort Arbor | Eastern Battlements
“Today marks a grand day in the history of the Moonlight Alliance.” Ray proclaims, to the crowd of two thousand or so soldiers that are part of our front line forces. She speaks with such conviction, and a hint of violence. All with one of her brilliant smiles plastered on her face.
“Not only shall it be our first series of battles, but also the first victory of many.
Victory is what we shall achieve.
Not just against our foe, the Quartet Confederation. But in our mission.
Our victory here will show that we are a force to be considered. Not just a bunch of foolish humans who say big things and do nothing.
One day, children will hear of today. Not as the time when we participated in a fun war game. But on the day that the Moonlight Alliance gained its first victory.
But make no mistake. Our enemy is not weak.
It will not be easy, do not get arrogant. Fight to the best of your ability.
With all of your combined powers, we shall grind this federation into a fine pulp.
Their structures will become rubble. Their flag, held in our hands.
We shall rain fire down upon their encampments. Blasting them into smoldering husks unrecognizable to all save their own mothers.
You are not soldiers. You are a force, the force of the moonlight.
Vi lunae lucis, omnia mutabimus!” she proclaims.
The crowd responds in unison, “Vi lunae lucis, omnia mutabimus!” Every single soldier, from the weakest low-level, to our great-level commanders. They give their salutes to us.
A girl, and a boy.
But, not just any girl and boy.
After all, we are Rayleigh Inan and Kovon Ducker.
Together, we will reshape not just this arena, but the entire universe.
After all, we are the Moonlight Duo, and vi lunae lucis, omnia mutabimus.
So dear universe, bring it on.
End of Chapter 98
Next: Chapter 99 | Blazing Moonlight
Here is a map that I have drawn, mimicking our current knowledge of the Arena. Do note: it is not to scale, and not wholly accurate. I'm no cartographer or artist. I'm just a humble, worthless NEET after all. - Kovon Ducker
A/N: I'm not a cartographer. Yes, this map is bad. But it should give you an idea. Each starting area is supposed to be the same size, with the second area (like redwoods) being about half the size. I'm bad at drawing lines. I hope it makes sense. If not, just completely ignore it and pretend I never tried a foray into cartography.
Achilles Commendation
Passive: By reinforcing muscle tissue, strength and effective hitting power of melee attacks is boosted slightly.
{Vortex Shield}: Create a barrier of wind around the caster and any allies within 5m for thirty seconds. It will deflect all anti-personnel projectiles, anti-tank and above may pass through or their courses be slightly altered. Cooldown: 15 minutes.
{Ravenous Blade}: The caster’s attacks accelerate their regenerative capabilities proportional to the amount of damage dealt. Counter to the name, this does apply to ranged attacks as well. The effect shall last for 5 minutes, or until the caster is fully healed. Cooldown: 30 minutes.
