Tormentia Re: - Chapter 5

[Finally after hours upon hours of walking walking Locter, Osirusia, and Perseus finally made it to A massive gate, passing through they see hundreds of large buildings with neon lights flickering off some while others look relatively mundane.]

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[Locter slowed to a stop, staring.]

[Locter] 《…This is a city?》

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[Perseus grinned proudly.]

[Perseus] 《It's amazing isn't it.》

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[As they walked, Locter felt a strange pressure lift from her chest, as if the world outside had been holding its breath and finally let go.]

[Locter] 《I... felt something just now. It was like-》

[Osirusia] 《That sensation is the perimeter ward. It filters hostile intent, foreign elements, and angelic/demonic signatures. You’re safe here, dont worry.》

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[Inside, the City unfolded magnificently. Skyways crisscrossed overhead, civilians moved along glowing transit rails, and entire neighborhoods stacked vertically, connected by platforms.]

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[Locter] 《How does anyone even navigate this place? Its like going through a massive maze.》

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[Perseus] 《You don’t, at first. But over time, the routes just… make sense.》

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[They entered a broad plaza where a massive insignia was engraved into the ground. A broken halo entwined with what seemed to be a shattered horn.]

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[Locter pointed.]

[Locter] 《What’s that symbol?》

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[Osirusia stopped.]

[Osirusia] 《That marks the territory of the association we belong to.》

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[Perseus straightened, suddenly serious.]

[Perseus] 《The Aegis Null Association. T.A.N.A for short.》

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[Locter] 《Catchy. What do they do exactly?》

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[Perseus] 《We hunt Angels and Demons that appear outside of the city. Invasions of small villages, cult activity, Angel or Demon sightings. Basically if something non-human is threatening people, Aegis Null handles it.》

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[Osirusia] 《We exist because the City is invulnerable to any attacks. But the people outside aren't.》

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[They passed through reinforced doors into a vast interior hall. Holographic displays tracked movement across the City, red and gold markers flashing intermittently. Armed operatives moved with disciplined urgency.]

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[As the three walked down the hallway Locter noticed how people reacted to Osirusia. Some bowed their heads, others quickly looked away, a few whispered in awe.]

[Locter] 《They all know who you are?》

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[Osirusia shifted uncomfortably.]

[Osirusia] 《Unfortunately. I really don't like attention.》

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[Perseus leaned in, whispering loudly.]

[Perseus] 《You’re literally the strongest Nexarch here. Of course they know you.》

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[Osirusia shot him a look.]

[Osirusia] 《I agreed to help. I did not agree to be gawked at and praised.》

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[They continued deeper, entering a training atrium where agents sparred some using advanced weaponry.]

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[Perseus] 《This is where most recruits train to fight Angels or Demons. Fighting Angels and Demons isn’t about brute strength it’s about knowing what kind of monster you’re facing.》

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[Locter watched as one agent slammed another into a barrier, the impact absorbed by the wall.]

[Locter] 《And do they just… do this every day?》

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[Osirusia] 《 yes. Many times a day for a couple of months.》

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[They eventually emerged onto an elevated overlook. From there, Locter could see entire districts stretching endlessly.]

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[Perseus folded his arms.]

[Perseus] 《This place is humanity’slast bastion. Every wall, every weapon, everyone living here is safe and protected under T.A.N.A.》

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[Osirusia glanced at Locter.]

[Osirusia] 《And now you’ve seen it. The city as a whole.》

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[Locter exhaled slowly, overwhelmed but resolute.]

[Locter] 《Yeah. I think… I’m starting to understand why you fight so hard to protect it.》

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[Perseus smiled.]

[Perseus] 《Good. Because once you’ve seen the City… there’s no really going back. Everything else will look dull In comparison 》

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[Osirusia’s antlers glowed faintly as the City’s lights reflected in their eyes.]

[Osirusia] 《Welcome to the last sanctuary of mankind, Locter.》

[Osirusia began to walk away, Locter and Perseus began to follow]

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[1 hour later]

[Osirusia slowed their pace as they guided Locter and Perseus through a quieter, lesser guarded part of the Aegis building. The air here felt different denser, heavier, like power was being politely contained rather than hidden.]

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[Locter noticed it immediately.]

[Locter] 《Okay… this place feels weird. Like I shouldn’t be here.》

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[Osirusia nodded.]

[Osirusia] 《That’s because you’re approaching the Nexarch Confluence. Only a handful of people ever step foot here willingly.》

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[Perseus straightened.]

[Perseus] 《Oh wait we’re doing that? You’re introducing her already?》

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[Osirusia] 《If she’s going to remain in the City, she should know who truly protects it, other than myself.》

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[They entered a wide, open chamber bathed in soft, shifting light. The floor looked like polished glass, reflecting colors that slowly changed hue.]

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[A figure sat in the center, her head laying on a table while she was humming to herself. She looked no older than 19, wearing robe like Osirusia's but the pink aspects are changed for black.]

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[The girl looked up, frowning.]

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[???] 《Oh. Osi... You’re back already? Tch.》

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[She then plopped her head backonto the table.]

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[Osirusia stiffened for a split second then sighed.]

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[Osirusia] 《Hello, Aurelion. Please stop being so... rude.》

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[Aurelion giggled slightly]

[Aurelion] 《You say that every day Osirusia. But you know better than anyone that I cannot change.》

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[Locter blinked.]

[Locter] 《Who is she?》

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[Perseus nodded.]

[Perseus] 《Thats Aurelion. The Nexarch of Change, don’t let appearances fool you she’s older than the City. Probably older than most things.》

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[Locter walked towards Aurelion. Leaning over her, peering with sparkling curiosity.]

[Aurelion] 《Ooo~ you’re new! I like her more than you Osirusia. She feels unfinished.》

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[Locter] 《I’m not sure if that’s a compliment.》

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[Aurelion] 《It is... Definitely is...》

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[Osirusia relaxed slightly.]

[Osirusia] 《Aurelion helps me sometimes when I go on missions. She's a handful sometimes 》

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[Aurelion puffed her cheeks.]

[Aurelion] 《Me? A handful? I couldn't possibly imagine that.》

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[Before Locter could respond, a chill crawled up her spine.]

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[Footsteps echoed from the far end of the chamber slow, deliberate.]

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[A tall figure emerged from the shadows. Purple hair fell neatly around a calm, unsettling face. Their eyes an unnatural violet seemed to look through everyone at once. They wore a simple purple shirt and white khakis, hands casually tucked into their pockets.]

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[???] 《So… this is the newcomer.》

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[Locter felt her stomach twist.]

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[Osirusia’s posture changed instantly, subtle, but unmistakable.]

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[Osirusia] 《You’re closer to the City than usual, Morvane.》

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[Morvane smiled faintly.]

[Morvane] 《And yet I’m still welcome. Funny how that works.》

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[Perseus swallowed.]

[Perseus] 《Uh… hi. Ma’am. Morvane 》

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[Aurelion immediately looked up as she heard Morvane’s voice.]

[Aurelion] 《You’re making the air gross again.》

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[Morvane chuckled softly.]

[Morvane] 《Corruption tends to do that. It reveals what people try not to think about.》

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[Locter shifted uncomfortably, feeling exposed in a way she couldn’t explain.]

[Locter] 《Why does it feel like you’re… staring inside my head?》

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[Morvane’s gaze flicked to her.]

[Morvane] 《Because I am. Just a little.》

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[Osirusia stepped forward, placing themselves slightly between Morvane and Locter.]

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[Osirusia] 《That’s enough. She’s under my Jurisdiction.》

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[Morvane raised both hands placatingly.]

[Morvane] 《Relax. I haven’t touched her. Yet.》

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[Locter did not like the word *yet*.]

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[Aurelion smirked.]

[Aurelion] 《See? This is why nobody likes you.》

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[Morvane smiled wider.]

[Morvane] 《And yet… I am necessary. Just as much as you are.》

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[Osirusia exhaled slowly, clearly restraining irritation.]

[Osirusia] 《This is Morvane. Nexarch of Corruption. They oversee containment, decay management, and the purging of unwanted influences outside of the city.》

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[Locter looks at Morvane]

[Locter] 《That does not make me feel better.》

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[Morvane tilted their head, amused.]

[Morvane] 《Good. That means my ability is working.》

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[Perseus grabbed Locter’s wrist suddenly.]

[Perseus] 《Okay! You’ve met everyone! That’s enough existential dread for one day!》

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[Osirusia nodded quickly.]

[Osirusia] 《Agreed. We’re leaving.》

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[Morvane watched them go, violet eyes gleaming.]

[Morvane] 《I look forward to seeing how she changes the balance.》

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[Locter didn’t look back.]

[Locter] 《…I really hope we don’t run into that girl again.》

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[Osirusia answered quietly.]

[Osirusia] 《So do I. Her presence corrodes even concepts. Thats why Nexarchs like Aurelion and me can't stand her.》

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[ Perseus released Locter’s hand.]

[Aurelion] 《Don’t worry! As long as Osi’s around, things usually turn out okay. Usually.》

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[That word "usually" did not help Locter’s anxiety.]

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