[Argent Steele]

I know you got hate in you. Most do.
Trick is to use it, 'stead of it usin' you.

But you know this. Vengeance is a motivator, not the motive.
Don't hunt 'em 'cause you been wronged.
Hunt 'em 'cause what they did was wrong.
There's a world of difference there, kid.
One makes you selfish. The other makes you a hero.

And I see a hero in you.

❝

Argent had never really considered himself a leader. Even in Rochdale, when he'd supposedly been put into the position for the group that was reinforcing the eastern area, it was more to prevent hostilities from breaking out between Nasrin and Kishka than out of any skill at leading or the desire and ambition to take control. Colton had done that for the group as a whole, and even if his personality hadn't been the most personable, no one could deny the man's skills at making sure everything got done and making sure people did what they needed to.

But here and now, it seemed like he and Carmim were the most senior students here - and from what he knew of her, she was neither the most emotionally stable nor the most tactically minded person present. He wouldn't go so far as to say that he was the best person for the job present, especially considering that there were quite a number of new faces whom he hadn't gotten to know yet, but at the very least he wanted to do his part in preventing any mishaps from happening again.

They couldn't afford another Rochdale.

So the snake Faunus called everyone who'd signed up for the mission together, waiting by the side of the train with a map of the area spread out on a nearby wooden crate so that everyone could see, nodding to each person in greeting as they wandered in. When a decent number had gathered, he stepped away from the Dust crate he'd been leaning against and motioned for everyone to gather around.

"This is Kersche," he said without preamble, gesturing at the paper spread out in front of all of them. The sun was low in the sky now, reaching out to cast long shadows over the edge of the map.

"Our area of operations today. We don't have exact numbers on anything, and no recent information has come in, so everyone needs to be careful. Go in pairs or more numbers if you can afford it, and make sure you cover your partner or partners as necessary. Engage only when necessary and retreat if you have to. We have no backup teams to relieve us if things go south, and the professors are tied up with other situations on the field, so we're on our own. Better to fight another day than to lose your life here."

He put a lot of emphasis on being careful, and knew it wasn't going to be enough. There was always someone who overestimated their own abilities and got into a fight they couldn't win, but he hoped that at least they would recognize when the fight was lost and retreat. Hammering the notion that death was a very real possibility before the mission started into their heads would hopefully remind them of that fact when the time came.

"We know they have at least one warship, and that it's been hitting the city constantly since they got there, which means there's at least some resistance going on. We also know their numbers at at least a few hundred strong, and that they're wearing military uniforms and seem to be armed well, so don't underestimate your enemy. Staying too long in a fight will bring them collapsing in on you, so try to hit and run if you can. If there's no other option, find somewhere defensible to hole up and use the short ranged comms to call the rest of us for backup. I'm going into the inner city via Whiterock, see if I can't gather some intel and pick off some of the officers while I'm at it. Anyone who wants in, let me know later."

Pausing, the snake Faunus looked around the circle for a moment before nodding at a familiar face and blonde hair tied in a ponytail behind it.

"Rose. You know how raiders think. Your thoughts on this whole situation?"

WHISPER OF THE WYRM (SEMBLANCE): [RANK C]

SERPENT'S BENEDICTION: SPEED OF THE SCYLLA (SPEED) [RANK E]
SERPENT'S BENEDICTION: DANCE OF THE DRAGON (AGILITY) [RANK C]
SERPENT'S BENEDICTION: GLARE OF THE GORGON (MARKSMANSHIP) [RANK E]
SERPENT’S BENEDICTION: WINGS OF THE WYVERN (ACROBATICS) [RANK F]
SERPENT’S BENEDICTION: TALONS OF THE TARASQUE (MARTIAL ARTS)[RANK F]

OUROBOROS (WEAPON): [RANK E]

@ ● 657 words ● 657 total words

MADE BY MIZO