The small house stood unassumingly on the quiet street, its front facade weathered to a soft cream. The wooden trim around the windows and door had developed a warm, honey-brown patina. A small porch jutted out from the front door, its wooden slats a soft gray. The door itself was a deep brown, adorned with a brass doorknob that shone dully in the afternoon sun.
As Rose stepped out of the car, she gazed up at the house with curiosity and skepticism. "So, Zen, can you please explain to me what exactly we're doing here?" she asked, her tone firm.
Zen smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "This is our base, Lady Rose. Every member of Squad 0 has their own base, and when news of a Rift Walker threat arises, we'll be informed here."
Rose's expression didn't change, but her eyes narrowed slightly. "You can just call me Rose, right?" she said.
Zen chuckled and walked towards the door. "Whatever you say, Lady Rose." He opened the door and gestured for her to enter.
Rose ignored Zen's teasing and stepped into the house, scanning the interior for a suitable room. "This shall be my room," she declared, yanking open a door and striding inside. "Please, try not to annoy me. Only call me when it's important."
Zen smiled and settled into a nearby chair, stretching out his long legs. "As you wish, Rose," he said, waving a hand in her direction.
At SSD HQ, a man burst into the director's office, out of breath. "Sir, I have urgent news. A rift has opened up in the middle of Springfield Primary School."
The director's expression turned serious. "So what's the problem? Just send a squad immediately. Those children will be in danger."
The man nodded hastily. "Yes, sir. We have already sent out Squad 1 to the scene."
The director's brow furrowed in confusion. "So what is the problem then if you sent Squad 1 already?"
The man's voice dropped to a whisper. "That's the problem, sir. The rift that opened up was an 88% danger level, sir. And, Squad 1 can only handle danger levels of up to 80%. So... I think we should call Squad 0."
The director's face broke into a smile. "Okay, assign Zen and his new guardian to the case too."
The man nodded and swiftly exited the room, already on the move. "Okay, sir. I'll inform them now."
A man in an SSD black and white suit entered Zen's house, standing respectfully. "SSD Squad 0, Zen and Guardian Rose, are to report to Springfield Primary School and assist Squad 1 in defeating an 88% danger level Rift Walker."
Zen's face lit up with a wide smile as he sprinted towards Rose's door. "Ooh, Lady Rose, we now have a new mission!"
Rose burst out of her room, her eyes flashing with irritation. "Can't you just knock?" She looked at Zen, her expression stern. "You're really annoying."
Rose's voice was low and exasperated as she grasped Zen's face. "What a waste of a pretty face."
Zen chuckled, seemingly unfazed by Rose's annoyance. Rose quickly walked out of the room and entered the SSD car outside. Zen followed behind, whispering, "You know I heard that right." Rose ignored him, her expression still irritated.
20 SSD cars quickly arrived at Springfield Primary School. Men in black and white suits with a white kimono on top, emblazoned with "Squad 1" in bold letters, swiftly exited the cars and surrounded the Rift Walker.
The Rift Walker was a towering humanoid figure with massive black wings protruding from its back, and sharp black horns curved menacingly from its forehead. Its presence seemed to darken the air around it.
Reed, the leader of Squad 1, stood tall, his imposing physique evident beneath his fitted SSD uniform. His broad shoulders and chiseled chest stretched the fabric, and his rugged features were accentuated by a thick, well-groomed beard that reached down to his chest. His piercing gaze commanded respect, and his deep voice echoed through the scene as he held two SSD short guns.
"What a drag," he growled, his voice low and commanding. "Can't even enjoy a peaceful day without one of these monsters popping up."
Reed's eyes locked onto the Rift Walker, his expression unyielding. "Okay, Squad 1, let's do this. All of you, go and evacuate those children. Leave this to me and the Squad 1 Elite Unit. The rest of you will just get in the way."
The agents quickly sprang into action, rushing to evacuate the children from the area. However, one agent remained behind, standing motionless near the SSD cars, where there was a large steel gun on the ground, his eyes fixed on the Rift Walker with a mixture of fear and fascination.
The Elite Unit,handpicked by Reed, stood firm behind him, their faces set with determination. Cole held his SSD-marked swords, while Shinji, the vice commander of Squad 1, stood out, holding two SSD-marked short swords.
Reed's gaze never wavered from the Rift Walker. "Let's show this monster what we're made of," he said, his voice deep and commanding.
The elite unit fanned out behind Reed, ready to take on the Rift Walker.
The Rift Walker's wings unfolded from its back, massive and imposing, with a span that cast a dark shadow over the ground below. The wings' membranes glistened with an otherworldly sheen, and their structure seemed to defy natural anatomy. As the Rift Walker flexed its wings, the air rippled with the disturbance.
With a burst of power, the Rift Walker's wings beat fiercely, lifting it into the air. It burst into laughter, the sound booming through the scene. "Do you really think that's a wise move, fighting me with just the three of you?"
Shinji's eyes widened in shock as he turned to the rest of the Squad 1 elite unit. "Am I dreaming? Or did that monster just talk?"
Reed's voice thundered, "This isn't the time to get distracted, Shinji! We'll be shocked later. This Rift Walker is strong l can sense it, but don't forget – we're the Squad 1 elite unit for a reason. Let's take down this monster before that backup unit arrives."
The Rift Walker continued to laugh, still floating in the air. "Be wise and wait for that backup unit. It won't be fun fighting a mere four humans."
As Rift Walker finished it's statement, a sleek black SSD car screeched to a halt at the scene. As the car parked, Zen quickly exited and rushed to the other passenger door, opening it for Rose, who stepped out with poise. The Rift Walker smiled, its gaze fixed on the new arrivals. "Now we're talking. It seems I was right – someone strong has finally shown up."
Reed and the elite unit turned, their eyes landing on Rose. Shinji's voice barely rose above a whisper. "Don't joke with us, monster. That girl is stronger than us?"
The Rift Walker chuckled. "No, not the lady. I mean the man standing behind her, with red and white hair. If I'm not wrong, he might actually be a fair match for me."
Zen stepped forward, his movements fluid. "I wouldn't really call us the same level, Wingy."
The Rift Walker's expression turned amused. "They don't call me Wingy. I am called King."
Rose's eyes met Zen's, and she whispered, "Really, Zen? 'Wingy' is that the best you could come up with?". But Zen just ignored her. Rose leaned in close to Zen, her voice barely audible. "Who's do you think is more powerful, you or this Rift Walker?"
Zen's smile hinted at amusement. "Obviously, I am."
Reed's voice thundered, "Hey, King! Don't you dare ignore us! Elite unit, let's show this Rift Walker and those two backup units why they call us Squad 1 Elite Unit!"
Shinji and Cole gripped their swords, their faces set with determination.
Reed's gaze turned menacing as he glared at Zen and Rose. "You backup unit, don't even think about assisting or disturbing our fight. Or I'll kill you both personally."
Zen's smile grew wider as he jumped up and landed effortlessly on top of the SSD black car. "You're gonna regret that decision," he said, his voice dripping with confidence.
King's expression turned bored. "Okay, let me warn you humans – I will not spare your lives if you attack."
The Elite Unit ignored King's warning, their eyes fixed on Reed. "Okay, Elite Unit, we're going with Formation A," Reed said, his voice firm.
With a fierce battle cry, Reed shouted, "Okay Elite Unit attack!".