The Duality Wars: The Alien Wars 6

Key: S = Session. Sty = Story. M = Mini. (more may be added with time)

Part I: Ebb and Flow

Arc Two:

5.20.5990 CE
Kumen

Asarar looks through the dossier of a package, soon asking everyone else for thoughts on something: The Macross Corporation is going to unveil something that will, allegedly, change things for Kumen, and calling in a lot of operatives, likely including Tech-Runners. This seems to be a lead she wants to pursue, but she consults the crew on whether they should go in independently or seek Corporate sponsorship.

The team seems a lot happier at the idea of independence, but they all reluctantly seem to give in to the option of backing, as it seems far safer. They look over the offers they've had from Corporations in the past, being from Bio Tech and Net-Ron specifically. Asarar and Otto agree to look into things further for the time being so that they can find a way into the Corporation that's handling the publicity.

Geyze, 5.20.5990 CE

On the mountain near the Magi City Ruins, the Academy team make their ascent, dealing with far less cold than they had in their previous mountain-climbing adventure. They eventually reach a cliff that had been described as the location of the Magi Order's City, and they hunker down while Commodus climbs up, rope in hand.

The team discuss things as Commodus climbs, and about an hour later, he reaches the top, just as Qui notices a curious slanted rock that looks unnatural. After some examination, the others finally climb up after him, getting their first view of the ruins. They walk along the roads deeper in, finding their way to a spire that's still partially intact and heading inside.

Within the spire, they notice many paintings, and they eventually head into a library, full of ancient books, although said books seem as if they could turn to dust at the slightest touch, which is soon proven. There are no signs of stairs in the spire, however, until Commodus pushes on another strange slanted rock, revealing a staircase.

They end up heading downward, nearly having a mishap due to some of the steps being just as brittle as the books above. At the bottom, they find a room with an orb and several tomes, wands, and other relics. The tomes have strange markings, and there is a table with a tome-shaped indentation. The tomes contain animal hairs, and text about summoning a servant in the body of an animal. A Familiar, something thought to be mere legend.

Peering excitedly over the various animals, Alita requests to try the incantation in the tome, with Sasha being far less enthusiastic toward the idea. Sasha asks them to catalog the findings and make note of their locations, and once they're done, she finally relents, saying they can have a cat.

Alita invokes the incantation and light flashes from the table. Soon a young blue-haired girl with pointed ears appears, everything else left as it was other than a crack in the table and the tome having burned up. As the team wonders what they have done, Alita names the girl Talia, and the girl soon shifts into a blue cat form, following her. The team elects to take what they can and then rest up. Sasha bans further experimentation, although Alita seems rather set on finding out more.

Verse 2, M1

Gwen begins to research through the tomes looking for answers through the ancient magic on what caused his and Qui's condition, confiding in Liana on who he is and the events that led to him and Qui and their background. Meanwhile, Alita and Ceila train Talia in many things, except how to dress and play with her, and Sasha begins her sister's training in modeling after having Kito draw her a little nude. Refusing to give up no matter the challenges in #1, 2, and 3 of 7.

Verse 3, S.2: Session 31: Infestation and Magic

5.23.5990 CE

In the Magi City Ruins Spire, Qui continues to work on repairing the Communication Orb and Transplacer the group had found within, having been working on them for several days by now. Soon, however, they achieve communication with the Hapians, who demand answers as to their identity. Liana steps in to talk to them, only to be stopped by Sasha as the Empress begins to speak to them.

Not long after they spoke with Empress Hapian, Lu is in touch with them, and informs them that she has found replacements for Vyvy. After some consideration, it is proposed that they should be sent using the Transplacer.

In the Palace, Lu addresses the new recruits, Nezikim and Mykel, and soon they find the Hapian Transplacer. Instructing them on what to do, Lu sends the new recruits on their way, Mykel having been handed a note by Celes.

The new recruits find themselves in the unfamiliar Spire surrounded by their new team members. Everyone moves to greet them, although it takes a moment for them to get their bearings. Mykel hands the note he received over to Liana, and the crew consider their next move on repairing the Spire. Ultimately, a new upper floor is added, and Sasha leads them down to retake the lower levels.

Down below, however, they find that the walls are now shielded, and largely safe for the time being. Instead, they move to investigate the new floor, finding it full of larger rooms for the team to use. They begin to pick out their new rooms and settle the newcomers in.

Verse 4, M2

As Sasha tackles the challenges of the new recruits, Qui begins to become more confident in herself and practice working on equipment and Gwen learns more about the tomes of magic, working with Liana to try to uncover the truth. Talia slowly learns more and gets used to the new recruits, especially Mykel as Alita enters a relationship rather quickly over the next few days. Liana however continues to fret over what the queen might want with her, plotting with Sasha on how to deal with the possible threat.

Verse 5, S.3: Session 32: The Spire's Secrets

5.25.5990 CE
Sasha brings everyone together for a meeting and goes over what each person can be doing to help establish their holdings. Alita and Ceilia are tasked with making more power orbs and seeing how Alita can better train Talia. Alita is also tasked with checking over a book that seems to cover Gwen's mysterious condition. Commodus is sent with the new boys, Mykel and Nezikim to gather food, while Sasha tasks herself and Liana to investigate and forage around the area.

Alita and Ceilia are able to make a power orb each and the research uncovers several things. Alita gets a better understanding of how to train her familiar but more importantly their research into Gwen finds that he may have been hit with a forbidden spell. After finding that Fire Magik uncovers the enchanted writing they piece together that it will be difficult and probably pretty dark too. Ceilia's extended research turns up a need for a dagger called the Dagger of Dra.

Sasha and Liana explore a secret passage which gives way, the stairs falling out from under them. Sasha lands hard on her leg but Liana recovers. Below they find a lab filled with familiar machines and a rogue Familiar. They are unable to get too much from her as she assumes Sasha to be the Magi Fortress' new Master Magi. They do get the familiar to agree not to end herself just yet, but to wait until she can impart the vocal history of the place. They return to the tower leaving the familiar for later to treat Sasha's leg.

The boys on the other hand find more than roots and vegetables. They run into a Behemoth whom they have to battle. Working together they manage to drive back the Behemoth after wounding it badly. It gets away, however their journey uncovers 5 deer (one of which they battled and Commodus was nearly skewered on), lichen, moss, and winter fruit.

Hearing the others making their return, Alita and Ceilia head up to treat various wounds and help everyone get settled. The team now has food, some knowledge, and someone to consult to learn more about the place in which they stay.

Verse 6, S.4: Session 33: The Life and Times of the Magi

5.28.5990 CE

In a strange turn of events, something made the tentacles go crazy, as if magic were used on the nest and in the ensuring battle, on 5.28, in destroying the tentacles and the nest, all the magi relicts in every bunker was destroyed, including most that they had gathered outside what was moved to the spire itself. Hopefully nothing like the Dagger of Dra was hidden in any of them. The Familiar they had met, enraged at the damage, has so far vanished after the battle. At the end, the twins detected that a powerful Magi likely set off the tentacles - which means it had to be one who knew how to control them. Which points to the Rogue Magi making their move to take the spire back.

Verse 7, S.5: Session 34: Rogue Magi

5.30.5990 CE

In the calm after the storm, the team consider what happened and what is left. Soon, Commodus notices an energy field in the distance and raises the alarm. Informing the Academy, they prepare to evacuate if necessary.

Unfortunately, this is followed by a strong threat from a mysterious figure, telling them that they will die if the energy field, a powerful spell, reaches them. They are told to leave and never return.

The unit move to figure out a plan as quickly as possible, knowing the odds are against them. They consider explosives as a last resort to at least keep the remaining relics from falling into the hands of the Rogue Magi, and Kito proposes an escape plan through the tunnel network.

Sasha decides to use the remaining power orbs to continue rebuilding the tower if possible, and soon, the fourth floor has formed, a mysterious device at its center. Unfortunately, she is stopped soon after by Delgi, who speaks to them incredulously about their use of the Spire as a base.

Accusing them of only being interested in their own, Delgi ultimately allows them to keep all but one of their orbs, which she holds on to closely. Sasha places another orb, leading the final floor to form, a giant orbed room. Its walls are lined with magical weapons, a giant slot in the roof, and a machine with room for a mage to enter it.

They manage to form a cannon using the devices in this room, which Alita manages to load with light magic. They also find a shield device, which cannot be used at the same time as the gun. They form a plan to use them in tandem, firing the cannon at the dark cloud.

With the cloud weakened, they raise the magical shield next. Below, Rogue Magi have appeared and begin their attack, wounding Kito and Neekito. The others join them, launching a counter-attack to decent effect, until the mages begin to keel over. The group flee upstairs.

Another threat is heard, Alita tending to the Kitos as Sasha begins to question Delgi about what she thinks she should do. Sasha eventually requests that Delgi advise her in what lies ahead, to which she agrees.

Verse 8, M3

With Gwen and Qui changing more easily, and Liana dealing with the trouble and problems of the communication orb could pose, pondering what the queen's intentions of. The group continues to grow, with Talia more proper and learning spells with Delgi's aid and insightfulness, as well as watching Alita and Mykel. The group seems to be slowly solidfying.

Verse 9, S.6: Session 35: It Must Be Magic

6.3.5990 CE

With the Spire reclaimed and supplies coming in, the Academy allowed the Magi they had aligned with to begin retaking it proper. Lu contacts the group, informing them that the ball the Empress had been planning is not only fancier than an ordinary one, but it's also tonight.

Some of the team remarking that they don't have appropriate clothes for the occasion, they're informed that it will be provided for them. Liana asks Qui to be her escort, since Gwen isn't present at the time. Sasha allows this, and they are soon on their way via the Transplacer.

As those without proper dress change into the clothes provided to them, Liana notices that her dress is a very beautiful and expensive hand-picked outfit, better than the others provided. Walking along, Lu talks about how important the ball is, explaining that while she doesn't remember the details, it's likely an announcement ball. An important one.

Sasha stops at this, mentioning a wedding announcement, remembering the arrangement between Malfoy and Princess Celes a couple of months prior. Liana reacts with some unhappiness. Before they can talk about this much further, Princess Eve appears to greet them, her eyes red unlike in the past, which alarms the group a bit, particularly Sasha.

Entering the ballrooom, they find it filled with all kinds of food from all over the world, formal waitresses, and people mingling. The group see the Empress and her daughters at her throne, with an empty seat next to Celes, as well as one at the royal family's table in the room. Malfoy is mysteriously absent, however.

Sasha speaks with the Empress, discussing her journey so far and how the events with the Rogue Magi had transpired. The Empress briefly mentions what she feels about the way the Rogue Magi handle things. Soon, the Empress rises to make an announcement.

Empress Hapian announces the ball as the Ball of Ceremony, which has not been held in many years. It appears that it is indeed a wedding announcement, and for Princess Celes as expected. Not long after, she announces Princess Celes' upcoming marriage... to Liana Windrunner.

Shock and confusion fills the room, perhaps especially that of Liana and Celes themselves. Lu nearly drops her food. The Empress welcomes her to the family, and soon she is sitting at the royal family's table as dinner begins. The Empress remarks about Liana most likely being eager to return to her work, and that the wedding will be held until her duties are done. The others discuss the news.

Soon, the dancing begins, and Celes and Liana share their first real moments together in nearly a month, while the others mingle, incuding speaking with Gerald. Celes speaks to Liana about what she feels the Empress' intent is, warning her again to be careful, although they both seem happy to have time, and soon escape to spend time alone.

The next morning, Lu briefs the team on their next mission: investigation of the world's major forests, both of which have been ill recently, starting with the Great Forest to the south of the Spire. They muse on the fact that Vyvy would have been useful here, although hopefully the Ents and Nymphs of the forests will have some hints for them.

Verse 10, M4

6.4 - 6.11.5990 CE

With Celes and Liana together and spending a tender night together, and truly uniting in body and soul, Liana begins to experience a few changes as well as attain a powerful ring from the young princess. Meanwhile, Qui and Gwen begin to have more problems with their memories, especially when Vyvy returns and visits during her quest, the next stop being Undine. When Celisus, the Ice Spirit stops to visit and Vyvy decides to try to convince her to guard Liana after hearing the Empress might be out to get her, she convinces Neekito and Liana to go on a trip with her to Undine's. Gwen takes control of Qui's body before she can go with them, leaving Sasha annoyed at not being in the loop and Kito feeling lonely.

Once at the Amazon Capital, they are taken to a woman that is part of the Amazon Order who asks them who they are and where they are from. Learning they are part of the Academy, specifically Unit 6, she becomes immediately intrigued and allows them to meet with Undine, who seems uninterested with Vyvy's quest. She promises that she will help if Kumen becomes alive, since she cares about the next generation of life, but since Kumen is a dead world, there is nothing there that interests her at this time. The group returns feeling dismayed and once there is punished and fussed at by Sasha, who is upset they left without telling her. Vyvy becomes upset and sends a letter to both Sasha and Celes about Sasha's attitude, while Liana feels depressed about the treatment.

During all this, Neekito has gotten news from Undine and Sylph both that her lifespan might be incredibly short, as well as Kito's, and has become depressed, thinking on what to do for Kito, so she doesn't waste what remains of their life pining it away. Once things are resolved with Sasha, though others on the team like Mykel begin to bust in on Sasha trying to "force their views" on her, making things worse overall, Sasha agrees to let Vyvy, Neekito, and Liana go see Shade in the Dark Forest. Before they leave, they run into Celes, who arrives with several female mages who seem to show disdain toward males and keep to themselves. Celes spends some time with them and chats, but as they leave, they notice the female mages leaving via the transporter with a rug, despite the fact the mages are not allowed to use it. Kito finds it suspicious and goes to report it as the others leave via Celsius to the Dark Forest.

At the Dark Forest, they try to cheer Neekito up but are unable to do so, though she speaks with Shade and learns her answers - that she has a 9 year lifespan and being 5 years old ish she is half-way through it. The other two go back to the Spire, leaving Neekito behind, once Celesius arrives to warn them about something, and learn that Qui has been kidnapped by the Amazons posing as Mages. Sasha and Alita captured two with Mykel's help, and Mykel managed to get Celsius to go ask them to come back.

The group uses Vyvy's spirit transport to arrive in a village in Hapian and they cut them off, Alita, Liana, Mykel, and Vyvy, along with Celes who goes with them manage to take down a group of the Amazons and capture a few, and rescue the sleeping Qui. They return her back to the Spire and the Captain of the group claims she is on Qui's side and if she is sent back, she will be killed. Qui seemingly has no memory, but decides ultimately to trust her.

While Celes spends time with Liana while she is there, Neekito is brought back and thinks on a plan to get Kito to quit crushing on Sasha, since she has not the life left to do so, when Malfoy shows up to take the Kitos back. Sasha ends up, using Celes' gold, to buy them from him and their medicine, and the two go onto the heat medicine, seemingly losing a lot of their personality due to it normalizing their hormones. Qui also finishes the flying carriage so they can do their mission.