Battle for Croft Part I
Calliope Ariandal has decided to tighten her reign on Croft after the Anti-New Militia Movement has begun to cause troubles to the operations of the Capita. Summoning her power and influence, infernals and soul beasts from all over Croft have begun to leave the slums, and join her ranks. New Militia officers have begun invading the slums, forcing mages and civilians alike to join the New Militia or die. Darkstar must act now before it is too late.
Premise
Sam and Jason slay a pack of soul beasts and infernals that had managed to invade the slums, rescuing several civilians. However, before Sam can finish them off, the creatures suddenly stand upright. Their actions strangely coordinated. The creatures leave, and head to the Capita borders, leaving the two confused.
The two return to the hideout, when something catches Jason's eye. Jason's eyes widen, rushing forward. Reya and Tob try to calm Jason down, but Jason pushes them out of the way. Sam asks what's wrong, and Reya tells Sam that Amana and Trill were suddenly acting really strange, as if they were being possessed. Sam enters the infirmary, where Lazarus is trying his best, but to no avail. Sam becomes horrified. Amana, writhing in her bed, tied down by several straps. Amana's usually orange eyes now glowing red orbs, and her skin, cracked in several areas, glowing red too as if a glowing celestial monster was trying to escape her body, tearing it apart. Amana screams, and Jason tries to calm her down, but Amana headbutts the mage with incredible strength, sending Jason flying an impossible distance. Trill isn't doing any better, the same glowing eyes, and cracks on his skin but blue. His back has sprouted wings, like he did when he was in his Avatar state, but instead of the burning orange, it burned blue.
Jason asks the team what the hell happened. Junon tells Jason that they were acting normal in the morning, but suddenly, they dropped everything they were doing, and started acting like they were being possessed. Sam suddenly tells Jason that the creatures they fought this morning were acting strange too. Amana bolts upright, snapping all the restraints, and turns to Lazarus.
The possessed Amana's voice has also changed, tripled as if three Amana's were talking at the same time. Amana regards Lazarus, and then glares at the team, telling them that they should be happy to know that their exploits and this "Anti-New Militia Movement" has started to get on her nerves. The movement has caused riots and vandalism over the Capita, disrupting her operations. Jason realizes that Calliope is talking through Amana's body. Jason roars in rage, and unsheathes his katana, growling at Calliope asking what she wants. Calliope-Amana looks at Jason, amused, and tells him that he hasn't changed since The Academy. Still reckless. Still foolish. He can attack her all he wants, he will just kill her girlfriend. Lazarus puts his hand over Jason, calming him down. Lazarus tells Calliope to stop. The people of Croft just want a better future, not one ruled by Corruption and Infernals. Not one ruled by Avatars. Calliope asks Lazarus if Jason has rubbed off on him. He doesn't see the big picture. It was Corruption, that ended the war against the Infernals. The Infernals are under their command. Calliope asks Lazarus if he still has feelings for her. Lazarus is quiet, causing Calliope to laugh hysterically. Calliope tells Lazarus he can continue to be weakened by these feelings, and be killed by them. As they speak, New Militia officers have begun to raid the slums, forcing people to join or be held prisoner for slaughter. The people are resisting, but the effort is fruitless. Darkstar has two options, let the people get taken, which will no doubt end the movement, or to fight a hopelessly outnumbered fight, which will also end the team for good, ending the movement. Calliope looks at Jason, telling him that since Amana is a half-infernal, and Trill is a half-avatar, they will soon become her puppets. It is only a matter of time.
Tob tells Calliope that she is insane for thinking that they're going to let her get away with this. Calliope rebukes the young demigod, and tells him that she is in fact getting away with this. It's a shame that their leader and head tactician was basically destined to serve the New Militia, against her will. Calliope looks at Sam, and tells him that he may have inherited Sentry, but he is no Black Jason. Suddenly, Amana goes slack, and falls back in her bed. No longer writhing, but her appearance still very celestial and scary. Trill is in the same state.
Jason yells, and punches the wall. Junon tells Jason that she and Darkstar will do their best to evacuate the people of The New Militia. Lazarus tells Jason that there is still a chance to save Amana and Trill. However, the place he is considering is the last place he will want to go. For Jason's sake, he will do it. Before Lazarus can finish his sentence, Jason brings him into a hug, telling him that he is thankful for everything, leading Darkstar, helping the members, and being by his side so long ago. Lazarus smiles and pats his shoulder, telling him that's what friends do. Ferris hugs Jason too, telling him that just because he's some super samurai badass doesn't mean he can't let the emotions come out once in a while. Ferris tells Jason that he will help evacuate the people.
Sam asks where they are evacuating them to, and Junon asks if he is dumb. They're going to evacuate them to Corinth, more precisely, Kyrael's Inquisition. Tob asks how they are going to evacuate an entire freaking city, when Trill is in this condition. Lazarus tells them that he hasn't been slacking off while everybody has been training. He's mastered spatial magic. However, the evacuation will take some time. In this case, he will need members of Darkstar to draw off the forces while also avoid capture.
Lazarus tasks Junon and Reya with broadcasting the evacuation command to everybody in the slums. Ferris and Jason will take Amana and Trill to the portal too. Dennis, Sam, and Tob will deal with the officers. Lazarus tells the team that this is what they have been training for, and what the team was initially created for. In the dark of the tunnel will be a light. This light will be Darkstar, which is pretty ironic. The members of Darkstar give Lazarus a grim look of approval.
