[hr][center][h3][color=ed1c24][b]World's End Strait[/b][/color][/h3][/center][hr][color=0072bc]"It's an Aquarian folktale, I tell you all about them, if ya wanna know. Right after we are done here!"[/color] Viola replied to Esther, right before all hell broke loose as their plan was set into motion.

In the instant that followed it, both Tzi and Regina managed to down some of the rocs on their own while Clean, Natus and Gradon, joined by Esther and Leblanc, finished the job with any of the other ones caught in the trap. Ires didn't even have time to help take down the birds, given how fast the action unfurled. She jumped from the City Hall but once her feet touched the floor, everything was done.

[color=9966cc]"I guess that I'm unlucky, right?"[/color] Ires joked as the last few rocs who flew overhead dispersed in the distance. [color=9966cc]"Either way, that was a good job, everyone. Let's get done with lunch and move as soon as possible. If we keep following this route, we will likely reach the region where the creature is supposed to rest in by tomorrow's morning."[/color]

[color=9966cc]"There are no politics against claiming spoils, Leblanc. As long as your commanding officer attest that they aren't the product of war crimes, you are free to keep anything you acquire on the battlefield,"[/color] Ires said as she moved in to join the remainder of the group.

[color=0072bc]"Well, now, that was easy, wasn't it?"[/color] Viola commented as she was about to go and join the group as well. That's is, until she noticed the blood running down Regina's back.

[color=0072bc]"Hey, are you ok? Where did you get hurt like this?"[/color] She asked as she moved to help the other girl. [color=0072bc]"Don't worry, I have a few bandages and antiseptic. After we treat these you'll be good in no time,"[/color] Viola added while trying to have Regina come with her, to get those wounds treated.

And so, the battle against the rocs was concluded. Lunch, as well as the rest of the day, would pass by in a breeze, without even the least problem befalling the Cadets. The cause of such unnatural tranquility was obviously the beast that spooked all of the monsters from this region. What could this mysterious creature be?

Tomorrow would certainly bring the answers.
[center][img]http://i.imgur.com/AjDhyIP.png[/img][/center][color=0072bc]"Well now, if that's not a nice day to be alive and kicking,"[/color] Viola said first thing in the morning as she returned from her patrol around the Cadets' camp, which was raised by the edge of a grove, an area that was certainly used for lumbering purposes way back in the past, if the randomly spaced, old tree stumps that dotted the place were any indication.

Said grove was located at the crest of a hill from which it was possible to spot a vast valley with derelict ruins spread here and there. It was likely that the beast the sought was hidden in one such ruin. They just had to find the right one.

[color=0072bc]"Anyone wanna make a bet of how many we will have to go through before we reach our mark? I'd say one, if we go straight for that big, temple-looking one right over there,"[/color] Viola said, pointing to one of the bigger ruins in the region. Certainly, it did look like an old temple, or palace, but was it really the right place. That would be too cliched, would it not?

All of a sudden, Viola stopped and shaded her eyes with her hands, seemingly trying to spot something in the distance. [color=0072bc]"Hey, what's it over there?"[/color] She pointed to a small glint that quickly disappeared in the distance, hidden in a ruin by a hillside, half a mile away from their position.

[color=0072bc]"What do you think is happening over there, guys?"[/color]

[color=9966cc]"I don't know,"[/color] Ires replied as she finished her own morning preparations and looked towards the point Viola signaled to. [color=9966cc]"But we are going to find it very soon."[/color]

[color=9966cc]"Be on your guard, everyone, that might as well be a trap, but we have the advantage since we know they are there. We will keep our route, those ruins are the best from here to the meadow, after all. Once we get there, if we are attacked, we will assess the situation and respond in kind. I hope to count on your cooperation once more."[/color]
[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/i6fLcHF.png[/img][/center]Meanwhile, in said ruins.

A squad of soldiers, belonging to the same group as the ones who first ambushed the Cadets, prepared themselves to ambush them once more. The main difference being that this time they not only had a whole Squad as well as a pair of very handy hostages: Two cadets belonging to the same school as the others they sought to kill/capture.

[color=808080]"Such a pity how weak your kind gets when they are thrown into one of these, ain't it?"[/color] the lookout said as he collapsed his scope and turned around to mock the duo of boys, chained and gagged inside of a special cell capable of neutralizing the power of Vessel Knights, through some complicated techno-magical means, bringing them down to human levels.

[color=808080]"We are sorry for using you as leverage in this situation, especially when you just happened to be caught by 'chance', but our mission comes first. Promise you'll be good boys and we will let you go once all of this is over. It's not like you have to die, after all,"[/color] the man added, signaling for four other riflemen who kept aim straight at the captured boys.

Their fate now seemed to lay on the hands of their Academic peers, unless they had others means of escape, by either luck or skill. What would happen to them?