V - Mivangeline

"According to Saitori's message, all players must meet the commander for more information at Tetrachrome's arena," Phoenicia walked with Shien, Elysia, and Enshiron.

"Isn't Saitori the UICA's founder?" Elysia twitched her fox ears.

"Yeah, she's my mom's boss," Shien held his plush chickadee. "I know she and Mom won't allow this to happen. Maybe Saitori wants to help us escape."

"That would be quite the answer to our prayers, dear Shien," Enshiron nodded. "I wonder how Oreic's doing. Hopefully, our dear families will be safe."

"Me too, Enshiron. I hope Mom is safe, too."

Elysia scrolled through her menu. "Isn't there a way to contact our families from the game?"

"Mom said the UICA was still working on real-life contacts within the game. The closest thing we've got is news so far."

"Oh, that stinks."

Shien scrolled through his menu. "It sure would be nice to check on Mom."

Enshiron tapped Shien's shoulder. "I'm sure the legendary Isrina can defend herself just fine! I know our dear families aren't easy to get rid of!"

"Yeah, I know," Shien elbowed him. "My mom is the best mom ever."

"We've arrived at our destination," Phoenicia guided her friends.

The four friends entered the arena, where android NPCs directed the worried players into the auditorium. They took a seat in the middle row.

"I guess we wait here," Enshiron huffed.

Shien gasped and pointed. "No way! It's her!"

The friends looked at the stage. A brown-haired girl was talking to androids on the stage. She had deep blue eyes and wore a blue blouse and battle skirt.

"Who's that?" Elysia blinked. "She's pretty."

Enshiron laughed. "Shien's crush."

"It's Mivangeline! She's one of the best and prettiest Christian singers!" Shien rolled in his chair, lovestruck. "I'll get her autograph!"

Shien wanted to jump off his chair after Mivangeline, but Enshiron held him down.

"Easy does it, lover boy," Enshiron calmed him with the plush chickadee. "Please wait until after the assembly. Thank you very much."

Elysia blankly stared at Shien, who hugged his plush chickadee. When she turned to Phoenicia, the android rolled her eyes.

"H-hello?" Mivangeline mumbled through the microphone. "M-my name is-"

Everyone covered their ears when the microphone screeched.

"Uh, s-sorry! M-my name is M-Mivangeline. Um, I-I'm the commander Saitori selected. Thank you for coming. I-I have important information."

She sweated with stage fright. Although a Christian singer, she only sang in recording studios, but never on stage.

"A-a virus was planted in the game!" Mivangeline stuttered. "Uh, S-Saitori made an antivirus to help, but we must beat the game!"

The crowd roared with anger.

"You expect us to beat the game?"

"What kind of dumb antiprogram is that?"

"Nobody's ever beaten the three superbosses before," Elysia whispered to her friends.

"P-please! M-may I have your attention?" Mivangeline begged. "I-I will help lead you all to beat the game!"

"Shut up! The UICA's the worst!"

"You trap us first, and now this?"

Everyone received a news notification. It was a live footage of Maika's coronation as Altair's Empress.

"I assure you, we will undo the destruction Cyanic Odyssey caused! We are researching a solution to rescue the players, and the UICA and their Vulpi conspirators shall be hunted down to ensure peace and security for all!"

"Maika said she'll free us all!"

"Yeah, screw this commander."

The people stomped away from the arena, ignoring the androids' pleas to stay.

"Well, that wasn't swell," Enshiron sighed.

"I feel bad for Mivangeline, but she is way too shy," Elysia crossed her arms. "Where did Shien go?"

Phoenicia pointed at Shien jumping onto the stage. "Where else? It's logical to assume Shien would dive headfirst into his infatuation."

Mivangeline cried as the androids comforted her. "Why did Saitori choose me?"

"Maybe she saw potential in you!" Shien bounced in front of her.

Mivangeline flinched. "W-what potential? I-I flunked my mission. I-I failed to gather players."

"So what? It's not how you start, it's how you finish!" Shien then handed a paper and a pen. "May I have your autograph? I'm Shien, by the way."

"Huh? W-why? I-I'm a failure!"

"No, you're not. Don't say that! I've heard your voice in your songs. I'm a big fan! With a voice like that, you'll be a great leader!"

Mivangeline blushed and signed the paper. "N-nice to meet you, Shien. T-thank you."

"Don't worry, we'll help you boost that confidence!" Shien then called his friends up.

"Y-you want to join me in beating the game?"

"Yeah! Mivangeline, this is Phoenicia, Enshiron, and Elysia!"

"Greetings! I'm Phoenicia, a healer droid and personal health companion to all," Phoenicia greeted Mivangeline and the other androids.

"A pleasure to meet you, fair maiden!" Enshiron bowed. "My wind magic and archery skills are at your service, my dear."

"I'm Elysia. I specialize in poison magic," Elysia twitched her fox ears. "You know, Mivangeline, you need confidence to lead. Just saying."

Mivangeline cringed.

"Relax, Mivange. You're going to be great, okay?" Shien grinned. "Haha, can I call you Mivange?"

The commander's face reddened. "S-sure. And what skills do you have?"

"I'm a martial artist with Anti-Heal powers," Shien showed off his dark gloves. "And you?"

"I-I use the katana."

"Cool! So, what's your plan, Commander?"

"U-uh, well," Mivangeline sweated, watching Shien's friends and the androids staring at her. "I-I know who to strike first."

"I believe you're referring to the three superbosses, correct?" Phoenicia clarified.

Mivangeline snapped her finger. "Y-yes! To activate Saitori's antiprogram, we must beat them."

"What were the three factions again?" Elysia asked. "It's not like I've ever tried to beat the game."

"Um, t-there's-" Mivangeline stuttered, accidentally choking on her saliva. "S-sorry!"

"Hey, Mivange! It's okay!" Shien patted her shoulder. "We're all ears."

Elysia covered her face in annoyance until Enshiron elbowed her.

"Come on, dear Elysia, she's learning," Enshiron whispered as Mivangeline coughed. "Let's be patient."

The Vulpi girl huffed. "I'll try, Enshiron."

"Ahem, t-there's the Cubic golems, Dynastiotron samurai, and the DiskGen robots," Mivangeline listed. "I-I think the best bet is to attack the Cubic, since they're the weakest. D-do you all know what I'm saying?"

"It would be a logical approach," Phoenicia agreed. "We would benefit from leveling up by defeating the weaker factions before the stronger ones."

"Sounds like a solid plan," Enshiron wagged his tail. "So, shall we begin our siege, Commander?"

Mivangeline frantically nodded. "Y-yes. W-whenever we're ready!"

***

Isrina landed the cardinal jet beside her home. She dashed into the house to find her son while Saitori prepared the aircraft for its journey to her secret base.

"My Little Chickadee. Thank goodness," She hugged her son's body wearing a VR headset.

"Here, I can carry him for you," Oreic offered. "Anything significant you need?"

Isrina quickly changed her work clothes into her red martial arts robe with a northern cardinal embroidery. "Just wanted to change since I'll be fighting a lot, but I think I'm all set."

She then gazed upon Shien's collection of plush birds and ornithology journal booklets. Isrina then walked into the grassy backyard, where Shien would jump and chase the chickadee family. Isrina noticed the chickadee parents, Naku and Kaku, flying into the blue birdhouse. They were feeding their peeping newborn chicks with insects.

"Isrina, I'm sure the chickadees will be fine," Oreic held Shien in his arms. "We need to escape before Hernamidos and the Reaper Squad find us."

"I know," She followed Oreic.

While Oreic carried Shien into the cardinal jet, Isrina looked at the peeping baby chickadees. They opened their mouths wide from the birdhouse hole, begging Naku and Kaku to feed them. Isrina sniffed.

"I want Shien to have a happy family. I want to find Shien a beautiful and faithful wife. I want to live to see my grandchildren. How can I secure my son's future if Hernamidos continues to be a curse upon my family?"

Isrina, my dear friend, I can help you end this generational curse. Something echoed. We can fulfill Shien's future together!

"Who's there?" Isrina looked across the bushes in the backyard.

Don't fear, I'm an angel of light. Underneath the tree with Naku and Kaku's birdhouse was a shadowy-skinned Vulpi. Remember my name well, dear friend. My name is Iagen.

Isrina saw the black-robed phantom with dark fox ears and tail. Iagen's pale eyes were marked with red pentagrams. His face melted like candle wax, grinning with deformed fangs.

I understand your frustration as a mother. You question why Shien had to live alone with you without a father and other Niangs to play with. A future where Shien is happy with a beautiful wife and children is achievable, dear friend! My magic can strengthen you to be the best mother for Shien's safety!

"Isrina! What are you doing?" Saitori called. "We need to go!"

Think about it, Isrina, my dear friend. Iagen's apparition vanished as Isrina met with Saitori and Oreic at the cardinal jet. We can talk more later.