After selecting the six members who would form his team, Uriel decided to explore the complete set that had been delivered for deployment in Antarctica.
The equipment covered all the basics, from thermo-regulating clothing to invaluable medical kits with enchantment technology and more. Of course, he would enchant these suits using his practice in runic sorcery to see the results of his studies in the Ivory Tower.
He also focused on the central piece, which was undoubtedly a large, armored all-terrain vehicle that would allow them to move from one place to another on the missions assigned to them.
The vehicle looked like a mix between a turtle and a rhinoceros. Despite its size, armor, and weight, it possessed great engine power, allowing it to reach enormous speeds on many types of terrain, as long as the driver knew what they were doing.
Uriel also saw the interface for parts to improve the Rhino's performance. For the moment, he would focus on the technology capable of resisting the interference of nightmare gates.
He would first get to know his team and then begin equipping and training them. He also started converting credits into contribution points to have a larger budget. He would spare no expense.
After all, it was a leader's duty to provide all his subordinates with the best of the best, and maybe he could feed his darkness creatures with simple Memories—it had been a long time since he last fed them.
Whistling a simple tune, Uriel began converting his credits into army contribution points.
...
After a few days, Uriel was finally walking with a relaxed expression, humming a soft song that only he understood. He was heading to a training room where his cohort was waiting for him, and he was intentionally arriving late.
He already had a cool phrase prepared in advance.
Uriel merged into the darkness, moving through it until he reached a room where he stayed in the shadows, watching his team. They seemed to be talking. Everyone was equipped with the same tight black jumpsuit.
"I heard that our future captain personally led the attack towards the portal in the Forgotten Shore," said Asher, his voice serene and his gaze lost somewhere in the middle distance, as if he could see through the walls.
Uriel observed the young man with the bland expression, the one whose very existence seemed to blur into the background of the world.
"I heard some rumors," said Lucien with an energetic, wild smile, making the other five look at him. Even at rest, his body radiated contained violence.
"Really?" asked Miranda, moving her hand away from the clasp at her neck, her most precious Memory.
"Well, it's not much. I just found out that he's someone terrifying, but not because of his appearance or personality, but because of something else," expressed Lucien. "Also that the Soul Reaper herself personally recruited him."
"I heard he was someone crazy, and he always makes things appear out of nowhere without anyone knowing where he got them from," intervened Lily, her slender, graceful body tense like a spring. "Also that he holds the record for the most abominations of all ranks killed by him. Even as a Sleeper. There are rumors he discovered two new Death Zones in the Dream Realm."
"That's impossible," said Abel, his arms crossed over his chest like a bulwark. "No one has that many achievements."
Tiffany, who had been silent in the dimness of a corner, finally joined the conversation with a voice that seemed to come from very far away:
"My information is slightly different. It says that from time to time he appears out of nowhere, saving the lives of several Awakened from dangerous abominations, before simply disappearing. And that he's called the Human Monster."
Asher listened attentively, a slight smile playing on his lips as the rumors about their future captain became increasingly fantastic. Finally, he spoke, his serene voice silencing the speculations.
"What's interesting," he began, "isn't the exaggerations, but the choice he made. I've reviewed the public records of his squadron formation."
He paused, making sure everyone was looking at him. Miranda tilted her head, curious; Lucien raised an eyebrow; Lily seemed skeptical; Abel kept his arms crossed; Tiffany watched him with her empty but penetrating gaze.
"He didn't choose a group of pure brute force, nor a wall of immovable defenses. His team is an amalgam. He has an expanded consciousness scout," Asher pointed to himself with a nod, "a growing-power combatant," Lucien nodded, "a healer," Miranda straightened her back, "a lethal speed assassin," Lily smiled, "a specter who attacks souls," Tiffany blinked, "and an impenetrable bulwark," Abel snorted. "Versatile scouts, support with field control, siege specialists, and a solid but not overwhelming offensive core."
Uriel, in the shadows, nodded slowly.
"He focuses on practicality and malleability," Asher continued. "He prefers a battlefield where his pieces can adapt, change roles according to the threat."
"That sounds scattered," objected Abel, frowning. "Without a decisive blow, a group like that can find itself going in circles against a truly powerful enemy. And with my Flaw, we'll be the target of everything."
"That's the detail," Asher countered. "That configuration suggests two things. First, that he himself must be a tremendously powerful offensive piece, capable of being that decisive hammer."
The room fell silent.
"And second," Asher added, "his true vision of combat isn't about hitting harder, but about control. Controlling the rhythm, the terrain, the enemy's options. Shaping the battlefield until he has the precise tool to dismantle any threat."
He leaned back in his chair.
"The rumors speak of a monster, a madman, a savior. But his choice speaks of a tactician. An architect. And that," he concluded, "is much more terrifying than mere overwhelming power."
Tiffany held his gaze.
"That's a good way to put it."
Everyone nodded before freezing as they didn't see who had said those words.
"Who said that?" asked Lucien, going on guard.
Darkness completely enveloped the room.
The six tensed their bodies. Asher expanded his consciousness and found nothing. Lily calculated impossible escape routes. Tiffany felt that her own intangibility was being observed. Miranda instinctively searched for her brooch. Abel hardened his will like a shield. Lucien smiled, anticipating battle.
A pair of sinister red eyes appeared in the darkness.
They felt their souls being evaluated, slowly dissected.
They only saw a smile, a clap.
An instant later, the darkness disappeared.
In front of the group appeared a seventh figure. Black hair like night, red eyes like rubies. Young, attractive, looking more like a model than a fighter.
"Who are you?" asked Miranda.
"Oh, good morning everyone. I'm Uriel, Ascended, Lord of the Darkness, the Human Monster, and all that. You can call me Captain Uriel, or just Captain. Oh yes, I'll be your commander," said Uriel, looking at his subordinates. An amused and arrogant smile appeared on his face. "And Asher... excellent analysis. You hit the nail on the head."
Asher blinked, his impassive expression unchanged.
"Yes," continued Uriel, "I did lead the siege of the Forgotten Shore. I killed abominations of every rank. I killed thousands of Corrupted creatures, from Awakened to Terrors. I'm also a little crazy."
Uriel let out a slight laugh, seeing the incredulous faces of his team.
"Oh, and I have a nice Echo. It's a cute butterfly. I can't summon it since there's not much space," he said, pointing at the room. "Anyway, I hope we get along."
Uriel gave a bright smile with a thumbs up.
Lucien was the first to react.
"Captain," he said with respect. "Is it true about the two Death Zones?"
Uriel looked at him, his red eyes shining.
"Three," he corrected. "But the third isn't officially confirmed yet."
Tiffany stepped forward.
"How did you survive?"
"Carefully," he replied. "And with a good team. Something I hope you all also learn to be."
Abel didn't seem convinced.
"And how do we know you won't use us as cannon fodder?"
"If I wanted cannon fodder," Uriel replied, his voice losing its amusement, "I would have chosen others. I chose each of you for a reason. Asher, for his mind. Lucien, for his endurance. Miranda, for her heart. Lily, for her speed. Tiffany, for her determination not to lose herself. And you, Abel," his red eyes fixed on the bulwark, "because when everything else fails, I need someone who can stand their ground and say 'they shall not pass'."
Abel fell silent.
Miranda spoke, concerned:
"Captain... what about our abilities?"
"I know all about them," Uriel replied. "And I know that together you can compensate for each other's weaknesses. Lily's speed protects Miranda. Miranda's healing keeps Lucien alive. Tiffany's intangibility can rescue Abel. Asher's awareness will give us an advantage. And Lucien's strength will always be useful."
Lucien smiled widely.
Lily asked:
"Captain, what do you expect from us?"
Uriel looked at her, his arrogant expression softening.
"I expect you to trust each other. To learn to fight as a single organism. That when one falls, the others are there to lift them up."
He paused, and his smile returned.
"And I also expect you to put up with my jokes. Because I'm going to be late on purpose many times, just to hear you talk about me."
A couple of nervous laughs broke the tension.
Uriel clapped his hands.
"Alright! In one hour, we meet in the training hangar. Bring your gear and your will to survive. This won't be easy."
He began to walk towards the door but stopped at the threshold.
"Oh, and one more thing. What you said, Asher, about me being a tactician, an architect... it's true. But I'm also the Human Monster. And when things get ugly, when the plan fails and only violence remains... I'll be there, on the front lines, fighting alongside you. Not because I have to, but because you're my team now. And I take care of what's mine."
He disappeared into the darkness.
The six looked at each other.
"Well," said Lucien. "I think we're going to do alright."
"Or we're going to die horribly," added Lily.
"Probably both," concluded Asher.
[Note: Yes, this is a short chapter, but the next one will be longer.]