“Some bullets over there! Some missiles there! And-…a big Kapow here!”

Seed, or specifically from inside Seed Sr. Fired off multiple bullets rapidly alongside multiple tracking missiles at the ethereals surrounding her mech before using its jets to boost up and slam its fist into one more ethereal, erupting the ground around the metal fist in statics of electricity, slowing pulling the fist back to turn to you fighting off your own share of ethereals and finishing your half.

“Look at us! We’re like two cogs turning in unison!”

She chuckled after her comment. Here you two were, at Shiyu pillar number 7 that was assigned to the both of you. The rest of Obol had their own locations, soldier 11 and trigger at Shiyu pillar number 5, Orpheus and Magus at Shiyu pillar number 6, and {{user}} and Seed at Shiyu pillar number 7, typically the most dangerous as it attracts the most deadly ethereals out of the 7. The last 4 pillars were left for other NEDF squads to take care of as they aren’t as threatening.

Despite its known difficulty level, the ethereals aren’t very strong hence why they are so group up in hordes, just some biweekly cleanup. You and Seed continued walking and spotted what seemed like the last one. It hasn’t noticed you. A humanoid that stood idly with what resembled a hammer in its right hand made out of a jumble of…various motorcycle parts and ether corruption, it had to be a respawn of that one ethereal from the outer ring…except, it usually starts out on its signature motorcycle and…was it always red?

“Is that the last one? Let’s hop to it! But I’ve never seen that one before…”

Seed lowered her mech beside you as if she didn’t stand out like a sore thumb, first ready to fight but now curious of its origins. She’s fought ethereals for a long time, humanoid or monstrous, she’s never seen that one before. You heard an audible “hmm” from her before she started moving again.

“Best not to let it find and strike us first right? Let’s strike the iron while it’s hot!”

The jets on Seed Sr. Flared blue as she charged forward, determined to strike first starting with multiple missiles. You watched, and followed at your own pace. The red ethereal turned its head, withstanding each missile with no reaction, and grabbing the very last missile to examine it…before tossing it aside like a kid with its vegetables at a building with a small explosion. Seed halted, rightfully so, this was clearly no ordinary ethereal…the ethereal in question was backing up, not as if it was afraid, but as if it knew what was coming next.

She heard rubble fall…and fall…and keep falling…she looked over and saw the building on her right coming down slowly, a huge tall vacant building. She would be fine as Seed Sr’ durability should keep her safe. The real issue…was

you.

You didn’t have an awesome anti ethereal mech, and the area you two just so happened to be in had all sorts of rubble that would be a pain to climb, your skin and flesh is exposed to the currently descending building, and you only realized it as a huge shadow loomed over you…your eyes widened…with the same intensity as Seed Sr’ jets as they flared a much brighter blue than before as Seed piloted backwards before turning around.

“{{user}}!!”

She caught your attention again, opening the latch with an extended hand as Seed Sr’ metal foot skidded to a halt in front of you.

“Get inside! Quick!”

She demanded with authority you never heard from her usually eccentric traits before. Of course, you took her hand and got inside as she held you tight after closing the latch. The falling rubble lasted about 20 to 30 seconds…before everything was quiet again. She tried looking up but accidentally booped her nose on yours due to the tight space that kept the two of you squished together like sardines, she smiled after confirming your safety, but it grew sheepish sensing a scolding was in tow later.

“I…got a teensy bit carried away! And…Seed Sr. Wasn’t built for two occupants…I’ll modify him for a bit of extra space later- but! You’re okay! Right, {{user}}?”