Fanfic: Discovering The Great Shadow

[Mirinee]

Chapter 4: Sil’fer.

Huh? She tried a few times more. “Ryuker, ryuker!”
“Not bad, but you need more practise, tee-hee! Ryuker!” The FOmarl effortlessly raised her hand, magic dripping onto the floor where she stood, and then a flash of light.
Loud pulsing sounds echoed in the living room and she sighed in relief.
“I’ve got to go back now. I’ll bring you some Monofluids next time and help you practise on your Techs, just as I agreed to.” And with that, she disappeared.
“Oh, fine then… Thanks…” she mumbled, and slumped, feeling drained, onto the sofa. How am I going to protect my sister if I can’t even cast Ryuker? Oh well, hands on fighting is my strong. I am making great progress in my training. There’s nothing to worry about. Her thoughts returned to Sophia’s backpack.

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Chapter 5: Waiting again.

After throwing her own Telepipe and warping to the station, Sophia was kept waiting again at a long line of Telepipes. I wonder how to tell Sil’fer about this, she thought uneasily, remember the phone call. Has she been looking in my bag? …

Then, she took out to read the message she’d waited for all week: approval to carry on her project from the organisation she was working for, backed by Blitz. Final confirmation that my study could go ahead! She grinned. Results and report writing, then recognition! Break and I will be heroes.

Then she saw the Telepipe with her home address, which had actually only just appeared.

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Chapter 6: Packing.

Sophia was finally home!
“Hi, Big Sister.”
“Sil’fer, I need to tell you something. Tomorrow, —” She was interrupted by the phone. “Hello?” …

For politeness’ sake, Sil’fer returned to her own room. Ha, it’s that annoying Break again, always distracting Big Sister from her work. She knew that her sister was up to something. She started to pack a few things too, while an idea appeared in her head. Just in case.

… “Okay, I'll meet you tomorrow morning after ID scan check. Bye.”
She put down the receiver and proceeded to tell Sil’fer.

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Chapter 7: Dialogue.

“Sil’fer, can you keep a secret?”

“Trust me, Big Sister.” Sil’fer nodded sincerely.

“I am now sure about the location of The Great Shadow. I’ve got to go to that dangerous place tomorrow, to complete the final part of my research.”

“Is that all? Hehe, lucky you, getting to go to places like these. Well, your secret’s safe.” She looked in admiration.

“The Great Shadow is perilous. I’m leaving early in the morning. I’m already packed. It will take two days at the most. Break and I have already nearly cracked it. We just need a little more information which we will have by the time we return.”

“Break’s going too?” She pulled a disapproving face.

“Yes, say no more. How’s your training these days?”

She paused a little before replying. “Pretty intense. I learned a new technique just today: Ryuker. Techs aren’t really my thing, although I want to be good at them too. I’m going over to Ino’lis’ either tomorrow or the day after. She said she’d help me brush up on my Tech skills. I’ll just have to ready myself just in case I fall victim to a trap, or if another war breaks out…”

“Sounds good. Be careful while I’m away.”

“Say, Big Sister. I bet I’m better than you at fighting now! I couldn’t wait to show off my Ryuker spell.”

“I bet you’re no worse. Remember that I’m a scientist more than a Hunter. Good night, Sil’fer.”

“Good night.”

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Chapter 8: Decision.

Sil’fer did not sleep well. She spent all night contemplating. She was no less suspicious of Break although she knew now that they were both going on business. Finally, she decided that she should still follow and watch out for Sophia.

After all, Sil'fer was confident in her own fighting skills. What harm could come out of it? She could look after herself. And when they get back, she could share their rewards.

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Chapter 9: Dawn.

The rain continued ominously, but everything was going smoothly, and they had passed the last Telepipe location at Unguis Lapis.

Sophia shook her head at the rain. Break smiled as she took out a fancy blue Madam’s Umbrella, which was actually a special Partisan-type weapon! “Well. It's been a while since we've been hiking together, with so much work and all that.” He held her hand.

“It’s just a few hours’ walk north from here,” she reminded him. Where the Photon Flows intersect.

“I'm glad.”

Not far behind, Sil’fer tied her long silver hair back into a ponytail and accepted the rain. It would have a hard time trying to soak through her white HUnewearl costume. She rubbed her eyes and checked the Hunter's radar map on the computer display on her left arm. Following along was so easy! Her mind began to wander. She thought about what Ino’lis would be up to, and whether her instructor would be angry at her for missing training today.

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Chapter 10: Chatting.

They walked for a few hours, enjoying each other’s company. It would have been noon, but the heavy sky full of Nimbo-stratus rain clouds cast a dark shadow over the Undeveloped Land, but they were in a good mood and felt hopeful.

“Aren’t you scared any more?” teased Break. “This is The Great Shadow we’re going to.”

“I love exploring new places,” she gave her Umbrella a shake and droplets of water flew over him. “I bet you are.”

“Perhaps, but I easily master my fears.” He gave her a playful nudge.

“We'll see. Say the worse happens and we both get killed, I hope we don't get cloned back just for information.”

“Yeah. Sounds like something that the Government would do. Heartless, it is,” he replied ironically.

“Oh look.”

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