before dawn || jing yuan fanfiction

Chapter 5: Preservation

- [Y/N]'s POV -

After talking to Serval we learn more about Cocolia, the two used to be close and how she used to work as a part of the Architects which she knew about the Stellaron as it was how she was kicked out. Thankfully she allowed us to hide in her workshop and when Gepard suddenly walked in, she kept our presence a secret.

Serval also told us how the Stellaron is located in the north of Belobog but it was going to be difficult to get past the Silvermane Guard Restricted Zone on the front lines and the Fragmentum.

Arriving at the energy hub in the restricted zone, we realised from a strict guard that we needed a key from Captain Dunn. It seems Serval knew the captain so we followed her to watch her persuade him which turned into a fight.

"Serval... why..."

"I'm sorry Dunn... Time for a little nap."

Dan Heng looked over at Dunn and the unconscious guard lying on the ground. "He's just unconscious. Don't worry."

"Stubborn fool... strong, though. Wildfire lacks people like him," Seele praised Dunn.

"Got it, the encryption key! Quick, before we attract attention, let's—" Serval said before a loud alarm is ringing throughout the restricted zone.

"I think we attracted attention..." March sweated.

"That's the enemy attack alarm... Every Silvermane Guard in the reserve zone just became our enemy."

"If we work together we can break through their ranks!" Caleus tried to lift the mood.

"We've made it up till now... I could lose an arm and a leg for all I care — I have to lay eyes on the Stellaron. Quick, back to the energy supply hub. Anyone that tries to stop us is gonna find out a thing or two," Serval directed as we follow her to the energy hub.

We watch and be on guard as Serval went to fix the Mechanism Energy Hub. After fixing it, we went to go and operate the bridge terminal.

Reaching the restricted zone's frontline, we were surprised to see Gepard already waiting there. It was clear that Gepard was disappointed with Serval.

"Serval... it really is you."

"Wait, Gepard! Listen to me—

"Step away from the intruders, Serval. Walk over slowly and stand behind me. You're different from them," Gepard ordered Serval.

"I'm sorry... we have an understanding. I stand with them."

Serval and Gepard continued to argue with Gepard arguing how the supreme guardian told him that the Stellaron was a treasure from the Architects and we were here to steal it. Which was obviously a lie from Cocolia and it seems Gepard had more trust in her than his sister.

The arguments escalated into a fight against Gepard which he clearly didn't want to admit defeat as he hold his stance.

Serval comforted Gepard. "Gepard... brother. Surely now you can see the need for pragmatism? Even if you don't believe my outsider friends, you should believe me...

Maybe I've wasted your trust... in which case, believe Bronya."

Gepard looked at Serval in confusion "...Lady Bronya?"

We told Gepard everything and showed him Bronya's letter. It seems he trusts our intentions now after realising we were not criminals.

"For the Silvermane Guards, the guardian's orders are paramount and absolute. But there is something of equal importance in the oath we take..." Gepard started.