The Echowood Retreat spy, known as Rattle, earned his nickname from his weapon of choice—a Chain Knife. Similar to a rope dart, this weapon, with its high damage and versatility, was deadly at mid to long range and effective in close combat. One end of the chain held a knife shaped like a rattlesnake's tail, while the other end featured a metallic sphere adorned with metallic thorns. Rattle's proficiency with this weapon allowed him to take on numerous opponents simultaneously, earning him his fearsome reputation.
At 6:30 PM on the day of the major event, members of Starfall Reach were relaxing and jesting.
"I'm dead serious, his blade resembled Klause's, only that he didn't use it the way Klause does." One narrated.
"One of them had bionic arms, he was insanely strong. The most frightening one I witnessed was the power of the black shard possessed by Aurora Bluff's leader.
"He threw the black ring on the ground among Dean and the others and it immediately enlarged and engulfed them. The only thing I could feel and hear from there on was the vibrations and their screams."
"The Athena raid… was bad." One of them shivered.
"I still dream about it." The narrator replied, his eyes heavy.
Suddenly, one of them noticed something in his peripheral vision. He looked up to see a figure standing on the fence, rotating something in his hands.
"What the—CHUCK!" Before he could finish, a knife pierced through his mouth and out the other side, blood splattering. The knife was attached to a chain—it was Rattle.
The student next to him tried to raise the alarm, but Rattle swiftly swung the chain knife, slashing the student's mouth. He screamed in agony, alerting about 50 other students.
They saw the chain and immediately recognized Rattle. They sprang from their seats and rushed toward him. Six archers aimed at Rattle.
"Beware! He might not be alone!" one of them shouted.
This caused the students to look around, distracted. Seizing the moment, Rattle leaped from the fence into the midst of the distracted group. As he landed, he swung the chain knife in a circular motion below his feet, cutting anyone within range.
The wounded fell back, pushing those behind them and causing a mass fall. Rattle began his deadly dance, cutting down everyone with both ends of the chain knife. His movements were so unpredictable and fluid that the archers couldn't get a clear shot.
Cries and screams filled the air as Rattle's relentless assault left them no time to defend or counterattack. The archers missed their shots, some hitting their comrades instead. In the chaos, Rattle took down 50 members of Starfall Reach.
Hakera ran to alert Klause about the ambush. Klause quickly looked through his window but couldn't spot the enemy boss. He immediately ordered the remaining 100 members of his faction to take defensive positions and avoid Rattle.
"Don't worry, I'm on my way," Klause said, frowning as he opened a black cuboid box with a gold ribbon containing his weapon—a black Iaido katana. He checked its sharpness, sheathed it, and donned his iconic dark blue tactical hoodie for protection.
"Veda, stay behind and issue tactical orders as needed. Fortis, you come with me to the front line. It's time," Klause commanded, leaving the room with Fortis following.
After dispatching the 50 members, Rattle began to walk slowly and majestically toward the main entrance of the Starfall Reach building, twirling his chain knife. He positioned himself where the archers couldn't shoot at him and called out with a menacing smile, "Come on out, Sleavetry, I'll take you on."
He leaped onto the side of the fence near the archers, but a taller dividing wall obscured their view, preventing them from attacking him. Squatting on the fence, Rattle waited for Klause to emerge. After two minutes, a hidden member of his faction informed him via radio comm that someone was exiting the building. Thinking it was Klause, Rattle grinned and aimed his chain knife at the entrance.
Rattle's anticipation grew as the automated sliding door opened. However, it wasn't Klause who emerged, but Fortis, carrying a pump that sprayed broken glass and metal scraps within the fence perimeter.
"Huh? What's he doing? What's that he's spraying?" Rattle wondered, leaning forward to get a better look at Fortis.
Out of the corner of his eye, Rattle noticed someone standing on the rooftop of the building. He shifted his focus and saw Klause standing at the edge, one leg on the protruding part of the ledge, looking down at him.
Seeing Klause, Rattle laughed and taunted, "Come!" his gaze filled with excitement.
Klause leaped from the top of the building toward Rattle. As he neared, he unsheathed his Iaido katana, aiming to slice Rattle from shoulder to chest. Rattle blocked with his chain, resulting in only a minor cut to his shoulder. The two fell heavily behind the fence, a cloud of dust and debris rising from their impact.