Into the Rift: Dark Emissaries

Zero Dark Thirty

Hi, this is my first chapter, and there's a special surprise in the first Euralian POV if you can recognize the writing. :)

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Location: Tartarus

Year: April 2, 2070

My team had just taken out a pair of Euralian guards that were on patrol; it seems like we aren't the only ones in Tartarus. It's the dead of night, so I ordered the team to switch to their suit's built-in night vision, and we began to start clearing the nearby buildings of hostiles. We start by clearing the old Tartarus command center in front of us.

"Cormack set up the drone." I ordered, and with practiced ease, Cormack fished the drone out of his backpack. Being merely the size of his palm, he gently set it on the ground and watched as the drone immediately powered to life and lifted itself into the air as it scanned the surrounding area for hostiles. "Buildings clear, nothin' else except up north where I'm picking up some heat signatures," he said with a slight tinge of relief. 

sigh 'Maybe this won't be so hard,' I thought.

"Cygnus Command, this is Alpha Team; do you copy?" I asked into the microphone. Static immediately filled my ears before clearing out. "BZZZ—this is Cygnus Command; we read you loud and clear, Alpha Team. What's the situation?" One of the radio operators replied. "The immediate vicinity around the Rift is clear, but we've got heat signatures up north where the Vale is; it seems like the Euralians have set up camp here." He replied. "Copy Alpha Team, Proceed with caution and eliminate any hostiles you encounter. Cygnus Command over and out."

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Location: Euralian Outpost, Ruins of Tartarus

"Trespassers, wake up." The sudden touch pulls me away from the realm of slumber. Footsteps drummed hazily as I rose, reaching for my bow and quiver.

Fjera stood before me, her scowl demanding and honed. The accomplished highlander offers a hand, and I take it gladly. She orders Mirria to prepare one of the steeds: "Mirria, prepare one of the steeds; you are to ride to the nearest village if we do not return by sunrise; I fear we may have intruders."

Mirria nods and walks to the small stable of the encampment as Erune and I step outside into the chilly evening air, with the ruins of the "Human" settlement looming in the distance. Now a reminder to those who dare defy the glorious kingdom of Euralia: Erune leads me through the ruined pathways, her eyes scanning for any signs of danger. As we make our way deeper into the ruins, I can't help but feel a sense of unease. The air is thick with an ominous energy, and I cannot help but feel that we are being watched...

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"Cygnus Command, are you getting this?" I asked into the microphone, my voice clear and firm. I had ordered the team to advance in a wide semicircle while Cormack had the drone scout ahead for hostiles. So far, we've only encountered the two patrolling Euralian guards, but Cormack thinks their absence has alerted the rest of the Euralian guards since we've got two more possible hostiles coming in from the Vale. Static fills my ears once again before clearing out, "BZZZZ-eceived Alpha Team, proceed with extreme caution." "Wilco,"