The Tide of Battle

Rell dressed himself in the outfit Mira had prepared. It was like a version 2.0 of the original outfit she had originally made. It had reinforced leather that covered more parts of his body. His boots were replaced with a pair of well made greaves, with a pair of heavy gauntlets to cover his hands. After getting dressed, he strapped on his sword, exiting Elena's home out to where the rest of Alpha Squad was waiting. 

Everyone else had nervous expressions on their faces. They all looked to Rell with a faint hope, but also a faint bit of doubt. Even Elena with her best smile couldn't hide her anxiety. Rell knew that Sisters deeply feared Overlords. Too many of them had died in hopeless battles to subdue them. 

"Ah!!! I can't take it!" Rin screamed, causing all the Sisters to turn their attention to it. "What are we so scared about? We're Alpha Squad! We've gotten out of tougher binds than this!"

"You just killed us all with that death flag..." Mira sighed. 

"What's that supposed to mean?" Rin yelled in return. 

"Death." Luna raised a fist. 

"This isn't inspiring very much confidence..." Elena responded. 

"What i'm trying to say is!" Rin leapt atop a tree stump, towering over the rest of her squad mates. "We're all coming back alive, no matter what!" She screamed. "I refuse to be like the other squad members. I refuse to walk down that sad path towards the tree. It won't happen, I promise you all that."

"Rin..." Elena gasped in surprise. 

"I know the heroic speech is a bit of a cliche too, but when you're in the moment, you really do want to believe in it." Mira chuckled. 

"I believe in you Sisters." Luna declared. "My sisters."

"Listen here Rell!" Rin pointed at the him. "This trick of yours better work. We're all sticking our necks out for you."

"I'm not making any promises." Rell answered. "But, I get what's it like to want to protect your squad. I'll do what I can to make sure everyone gets back." 

"Even if Rell is useless, i'm sure we'll find a way to win." Elena declared, winking at him. "We're Alpha Squad right?" 

Rell sighed.

"Uh...yeah...we are..." Rin muttered.

"Alpha squad." Luna raised her hand. 

"Yeah! Alpha squad!" Mira joined in. 

"Alpha squad!" Elena cheered. 

"What? Uh, Alpha squad! Alpha squad!" Rin caught on. 

The group huddled together for a few moments, chanting and pumping their fists, an exasperated Rell shaking his head. He felt a tug on his arm. 

"Rell, Rell." Kana said, wrapping around his arm. "You're not allowed to go." She pouted. 

Rell knelt down next to her. 

"I have to. My friends are waiting for me." He said, stroking her head. 

"But...will you be back?" Kana asked. 

"Yeah. I'll make it back." He grinned. 

"You better make it back, subject!" Tia screamed, her squad following closely behind her. "I still have much for you to do." 

"You again?" Kana waved her fist at them. 

"What's with that attitude? Didn't you finally agree to join our squad?" Tia screamed, pointing her finger at Kana. 

"That was just cause you kept annoying me about it." Kana responded, tucking herself up to Rell. 

Rell sighed once more, pulling Kana and placing her in front of him. 

"Yes, Tia. I promise I'll make it back as well. I'm certain there's a lot of work to be done." Rell said. 

"Of course! You're finally starting to get it!" Tia puffed her chest. 

"The subject is learning." Vi noted. 

"There's still hope for him." Hope added. 

"No fair! That promise was for me!" Kana hissed, lunging at Tia. 

"Hey! No fair!" Tia turned and ran, Kana giving chase behind her. 

"The civil war continues!" Vi cried, chasing after them, Hope tailing behind her. 

"Those girls are really fond of you." Elena chuckled as he rejoined the group. 

"I have a way with kids I guess..." Rell scratched his head. 

"Maybe that's why Elena and Rena are glued to you..." Mira let out. 

"Mira!" Elena blushed. "Wait, what's that supposed to mean?" 

"Let's get going." Rin interrupted. "We're meeting up at the HQ to receive our orders. Let's try and not be late." 

The team walked together towards the Headquarters buildings. Every Sister in the Sanctuary was watching them as they made their way up.

"Are they really going to fight the Overlord?" One Sister whispered to another. 

"That human is really going to end the war?" Another Sister said aloud. 

They made it the building. The great tree loomed over them, its imposing branches swaying freely in the breeze. Two Sisters saluted the group as they entered. The massive entrance hall was abuzz with activity. Sisters moved to and fro, carrying weapons, maps, and all other kinds of supplies. Several battle ready Sisters idled about, huddled together in their squads. Rena was there as well. She turned, greeting the group with a nod, before returning and addressing her squad. 

Hina sat at a desk near the center of the chaos, furiously writing away at a outstretched map.  Light Nin orbs buzzing all around her. She would occasionally talk to one or two at a time, before returning to work. 

"So you're the human, huh?" A Sister asked. 

She was pretty tough looking, with dark black hair held in a long braid. A small scar ran down her face, barely missing her dark blue eye. Her outfit was light blue, consisting of a tactical vest and a pair of leggings, several knives strapped to her legs and waist. A white scarf wrapped around her neck, falling behind her and freely flowing as she moved. 

"You don't look that strong." She said, raising one eyebrow. 

"Astra." Rena scolded. "Trust me. He's plenty strong. I saw him kill a humanoid Shadow with my own two eyes." 

"Well, if Rena says so. I'm still skeptical." Astra waved. 

"Astra!" Elena darted forward, hugging the dark haired girl. 

"Oh, big Sis Elena!" She giggled, her personality taking a 180. 

"How are you?" Elena greeted. "You've been gone for so long." 

"The Overlord of Rage's territory was freaken hot." Astra said, waving her hand. "We couldn't even find the bastard, on account of all the sandstorms and the ridiculous number of Behemoth class Shadows." 

"Jeez, I wish we could have gone with you..." Elena sighed. 

"No, you're needed here Big Sis. We need a squad near the Sanctuary at all times." Astra said. "Besides, that sand and sun ain't good for your skin. I gotta get back to my squad. It's so nice to see you again." Astra said, affectionately patting Elena's shoulders. She turned to Rell, who was still standing there with his arms crossed. "We have high expectations." She said, before leaving. 

"That was Astra." Rena said. "She's Foxtrot Squad's leader. They're the most powerful expeditionary squad, specializing in long term endurance within enemy territory. " 

"Rena..." Rin muttered. 

"Uh..." Rena blushed, before turning and walking away. Rin sighed. 

"Don't worry." Mira comforted. "I'm certain she wants to apologize as much as you do. You're just both really awkward people." 

"I don't know if that makes me feel any better." Rin sighed. 

"Squad Leaders! On me!" Hina yelled, standing up from her desk. 

Rin walked forward, joining Rena and Astra, who were already by Hina. The other two squad leaders joined as well. 

One of them was taller than most of the other Sisters. She had long curly silver hair. Her outfit reminded Rell of a priest robe. it flowed out a bit, a mix of whites and golds. She wore a pair of white gloves, with a massive spear in one of them. 

The other squad leader had long purple hair. She wore a dark purple dress that was similar in appearance to a monk's robe. On her hands she wore a pair of reinforced combat gauntlets, with a pair of heavy greaves on her feet. 

Hina addressed each squad leader, briefing each sternly but quietly. By the time she reached Rin, the door that led up to the Commander's office creaked open. Two armed guards walked out, taking positions on either side of the door as the Commander came out. 

She wore a different outfit from usual. It was a cream colored long combat dress, adorned with armor that covered the chest, arms, and legs. She wore a black rose ribbon on her head, her long blonde hair tied in a ponytail flowing behind her. She also wore tall white heels which clicked against the floor as she walked. The whole room became quiet, turning to address her. 

"Sisters." She began, her voice booming with the confidence suited to a commander. "When the war first began, There were several Overlords. The First generation, in tandem with the humans, destroyed most of them. Just as we were about to destroy the Shadows...It appeared." 

Six-Seven walked towards the center of the room, keeping her hands behind her back. 

"The Lord of Thorns, the true force behind the Shadows. A dark entity from the beginning of time who's sole goal was the extermination of all life." She continued. "It killed several First generation Sisters, and thousands of the remaining humans. We were forced to flee as it set out to fulfill its purpose of wiping out humanity." 

Six-Seven walked towards Rell, stopping by him. 

"It seemed to have succeeded, or so we thought." She turned to Rell, a big smile on her face. "This, is Rell." She gestured. "A Holy Knight from before the Sisters. Through some means or another, he was preserved, only re-awakening about a month ago. He possesses a special Nin that no Sister is capable of using; Shadow Nin. This Nin has a peculiar quality; the ability to destroy an Overlord's barrier." 

The room suddenly came to life as all the Sisters began to whisper into each other. 

"Quiet!" Hina yelled, silencing the room. 

"Not since the Second Generation's time have we ever defeated an Overlord. We've been trapped in a stalemate with the remaining three Overlords for more than 100 years. That stalemate breaks in these coming days." Six-Seven walked towards the other side of the room, still keeping her hands behind her back. "Rell will help break that stalemate!" She screamed. 

The room muttered once more, keeping their voices down in order to not invoke Hina's wrath. 

"After our victory of the coming battle, we'll turn our attention to the Overlords of Vanity and Rage. And once they're destroyed, we can finally face the Lord of Thorns. With his destruction, our mission will be complete and all life will be saved!" She bellowed, finally releasing her hands and waving them about as she spoke. "The very purpose of each of your births will be fulfilled. Not only for the Sisters that are lost, but for all the Sisters standing beside you now. Victory is at hand!" She raised her fist. 

The room suddenly erupted in excitement and applause. It made Rell feel very nervous, which was strange. He never got nervous. 

"Quiet!" Hina yelled, stepping forward, her own heels clicking against the ground as she walked. "We'll now discuss the plan. According to our scouts, the Lord of Gluttony' has been very active recently. We've pin pointed his general location at the center of the city. We'll have Wind Nin users capable of Wind Pushing scout the area and lure it out." She continued with her plan to ambush the Overlord. 

The briefing lasted another hour or so. Although Six-Seven started it off on an exciting note, the actual brief by Hina was dry and boring, mostly covering ambush spots, contingencies, and re-supply. 

"Rell." Six-Seven grabbed him by the arm, pulling him away from the squad to a far off corner. 

"What is it?" He asked, clearly annoyed.

"When you fought that humanoid Shadow, you didn't happen to see...someone wearing a skull mask, did you?" She asked.

"No." Rell shook his head. "All I saw was that monster I fought." 

"Oh. Good. If you do happen to see someone like that, don't be fooled. That thing is a powerful Shadow." She said. 

"Got it." Rell said, turning and walking away.

"Hold up one moment!" She cried, grabbing him by the arm.

He turned to look at her. 

"Dreams. Have you been... having any weird dreams?"

"Nothing weirder than usual." He lied. He didn't feel like revealing anything to Six-Seven, particularly since he knew she was hiding things from him. 

"Be careful, all right?" She instructed.

Rell walked away not responding to her. She touched her cheeks. They were red hot. 

"Dammit..." She cursed. 

"Alpha Squad." Hina addressed as Rell rejoined them. 

The whole of Alpha Squad stood in front of Hina, ready to receive instruction. 

"As briefed, you're our ace in the hole. Foxtrot squad will act as vanguard, engaging any resistance and clearing a path to the Overlord. Delta will act as combat support for them, While Bravo and Charlie will take up fire support positions. Once the way is clear and Foxtrot has punched a hole through their defenses..." 

"Then we smash our way in there, and have Rell destroy that barrier." Rin said. 

"Exactly." Hina nodded. "Once that's done, Bravo and Charlie will engage with sniper fire, with Foxtrot dealing the killing blow. You are to pull out immediately after the barrier is destroyed. We can't risk losing Sir Rell." 

"We'll do our best to keep him alive." Rin declared. 

"It wouldn't do any good for the plot if the key player goes down." Mira said. 

"What are you talking about?" Elena tilted her head in confusion. 

"Victory or death!" Luna declared. 

"All right people, this is it!" Rin yelled. 

The group stepped out into the world, the other squads trailing behind them.