Ghost of Svarga

Preface

The capital of the Anuran empire "Svarga" is plagued by heretics. A Devout commander is tasked with eradicating them but, there are beings lurking in the shadows that he must face. Will he succeed? Let's find out.

Chaos in the Capital

11 bodies, all murdered horrendously. I could still smell the scent of blood in the air. Their faces twisted in horror made my stomach turn. Techno-forensic bots were hovering around looking for clues and taking DNA samples to identify the victims.

"This is bad Grimm, to say the least" Darnia, my lieutenant, said and she was right. This wasn't some backwater district where you could sweep horror like this under the rug without alerting the order masters. This was Svarga "The capital" every Techno-Lord, and even lowly peasants within a mile will hear of this incident before noon.

As the JOSF (Joint Operations Special Forces) commander in charge of the central district I'd be summoned to face the council before long. "I know, I believe Taka has taken a look around right?".

"Yes I have," Taka replied, coming up behind me. He moved like most shapers, with a certain haughty attitude that told everyone they were better than them. Beside him hovered his ever present sentient drone, the hallmark of his Order.

Taka was one of the brightest minds in the Svargan JOSF branch, his track record was impeccable. It didn’t matter to me that he believed he was better than everyone else, as long as he did his job well.

"It's the same as the last two sites in Castellum, BZ-RK serum caused this." I frowned, this serum was created to replicate the effects of Anura's blessing that was bestowed upon the Divine Priestesses. It was thought to be lost after the leader of a heretic group disappeared a few years ago.

"Bzzt…Grimm this is Command Hq,"High priestess Delena has requested to meet you at the Grand Temple…Over" the voice floated from my earpiece implant.

"Damn it!. How in Anura's name does she already know?"

"She's a High priestess" Darnia replied "She just knows. Don't think about it too much, at least it wasn't the Septet. How would you have explained this mess".

"True" Taka pitched in from beside his sentient drone. He was hardly ever wrong, "high intelligence" and all that.

"Request received command, ETA 12 mins. Any news from the Divine Septet?" The Septet were the formally ordained ecumenical council composed of the highest ranking Divine in the realm. They spoke on behalf of Anura and their word was accepted as holy truth.

"Negative Sir" the voice replied.

"Darnia you're in charge, wrap this up and send a detailed report asap. I'm heading out".

"Roger" she replied before moving towards a Techn-forensic bot examining what appeared to be brain matter stuck on the ceiling. At least I think it was brain matter.

I moved out of the building and entered my HOP-R hover car and zoomed towards the Grand Temple. Svarga was beautiful this time of day. The city pulsed with electricity and the bustle of 30 million souls moving about their day; the ever marching technical progress of the realm’s capital was a marvel to behold. Fortunately the skyway wasn't too busy since this was still the early hours so I got to the Grand Temple on time.

My hover car powered down automatically, activating its security system as I walked into the temple.

The Temple was massive, with blue sleek walls and huge glass windows. I passed by the famous Holo images depicting the ancient first 5 and our goddess Anura from the age of cataclysm.

The Age of Cataclysm was a dark time for the Anuran empire. The Leviathan had threatened to destroy everything we held dear until Anura’s five ordained champions, blessed may they be, descended from the stars and drove the beast back into the depths of the sea.

The champions later went on to establish the 5 orders known today as the Devout, Shapers, Fury, Shadows and the Divine.

These orders paved the way for the Anurans to become the dominant species on our planet, or so we chose to believe…. As I passed by the images I noticed a scribe walking towards me. Probably sent by the high priestess.

"Commander, Her eminence is expecting you. Please follow me" then she moved towards a door on the right passing a few other scribes who were praying.

I followed the scribe and after a series of turns, passing several other rooms, I arrived at a massive chamber and there she stood. The high priestess wore a white flowing robe with a hood that covered her face, I could feel her gaze on me, stripping the defenses of my mind and peering into my true essence. I bowed when we entered, a sign of respect.

"Thank you Amora, you may leave us" the scribe bowed again and left. "You seem troubled, Captain" She said, turning to me.

I've always known that the Priestesses in the Divine order were powerful but standing before a High priestess of the order I could feel it in my bones she possessed power I could never comprehend.

"I am your eminence, the BZ-RK serum has found its way into the Anuran capital. We only just received a report of trouble at Castellum a few days ago and now it's here. If we don't get to the root of this, Svarga will descend into chaos"

"I know, it's why I sent for you. The serum was created by heretics to imitate Anura's blessing, but all it does is bring death" She replied. "Anura, in her omniscient wisdom, has revealed something to me that may be of help to you. There are heretics in the capital. They meet at the central district regularly, somehow they are connected to governor Melen''

"Wait, Melen? How is he involved in this?" I asked, puzzled. Melen was someone viewed as a saint. He's done a lot of good for the capital and for JOSF from huge donations to helping Anurans in the outer district.

For him to be connected to the serum would be ridiculous, but this was coming from the high priestess so there must be truth to it.

"Why tell me this? Why not send one of your inquisitors to deal with this?" I asked.

"Because Devout, you are honorable and Anura has, as yet, unknown plans for you. I'm also certain 'The ghost of Svarga' is involved and you're the only one that has faced her and lived."

My face paled when hearing those words. The ghost of Svarga was an excommunicated Shadow that terrorized the central district for years, murdering over 150 Anurans before disappearing over a year ago.

"The Septat requests you to ‘deal’ with this situation with severe prejudice, you have the Septet’s leave to use all means at your disposal.”

Now go, one of my priestesses will meet you at the Temple doors. She will assist you with this task" with that I knew the conversation was over and bowed before leaving the priestess’ chamber, filled with apprehension: The Ghost of Svarga had returned..

The Squadron

Sure enough as I left the Temple a priestess was waiting by my hover car. She was dressed in a light blue robe with a hood that covered her face and she held the signature staff of the Divine in her right hand.

"Greetings your grace, I believe you're to aid me" I said as I reached her "Yes, her eminence has requested I join you. I'm Siria and you're the famous Devout Captain, Grimm"

I laughed "indeed I am, we'll be heading to command HQ, we’ll need to meet up with my JSOF unit and deal with governor Melen" I unlocked the car and stepped in, she did the same.

“We already have a Devout, Divine, Shaper, and a Fury all i need is a Shadow crazy enough to join us on this mission; and I know just the one"

Joint order units are squads consisting of a member of each of the 5 orders. Siria as the Priestess, Taka as the shaper, Me as the Devout that leaves two more familiar faces. Although, I wasn't looking forward to meeting one of them….

Upon arriving at command HQ the first frog I looked for was Bron, a Fury. I've known him ever since we were froglings and I trust him with my life.

I took the elevator to the JOSF's Tactical Response Unit floor. The 'TRU' are the people you call when you need bigger guns and Bron, like all Furies, was well…big to say the least.

As we got off the elevator I spotted a giant down the hall talking to a friend who moved as he took notice of me, Bron walked towards me with a huge grin on his face. "Brother! What brings you up here, did you get bored patrolling the city?"

"Very funny" I laughed as we embraced each other. Bron noticed Siria behind me and gave a bow. "Greetings your grace"

"Greetings warrior" Siria responded. "Your grace this is Bron, my brother" Siria nodded

"So Bron, did you get my message?" "Yeh I'm in, taking down heretics will spice up my day, who's our shadow?"

"You know her well enough," I replied, frowning slightly. Bron looked at me then his eyes widened in realization "Wait, you're recruiting her?" "I am, I need someone I really trust and I trust her" I replied

"Sure, let's hope she wants to work with us and not kill you before the job is done"

"I feel like I am the odd frog, who’s our Shadow?" Siria asked, confused. I sighed "Lyra, a skilled shadow and also my former lover".

I'll give you the short version. Lyra and I met at the JOSF academy and worked in the same training squadron. Somewhere along the line we fell in love but it didn't last. As it turns out, mixing love with work wasn't a great idea. So we parted ways 2 years ago and I haven't seen her since.

“Not much more to it than that…” clearly it was apparent there was a lot more to it “than that.”

As we left the building I turned to Bron " You and Siria head over to Cedric's place, Taka will meet you there. I'll get Lyra and join you"

"Understood, try not to get skewered by a Shadow's blade!" Bron said as he chuckled. I rolled my eyes and walked over to my HOP-R and zoomed off into the skyway.

Lyra's place wasn't hard to find, she never moved. She liked being at the edge of the central district, closer to the common folks at the outer district and as far as possible from the Technocrats, and 'Rich Snubs' as she liked to put it.

After about 20 minutes of flying I pulled up beside a dark blue building. It was tall like a regular skyscraper but made of metal and glass. I took a deep breath and was about to open the door when I heard Taka's voice through my cybernetically implanted brain device or, mind-piece

"Grimm! Taka here, Bron and the Priestess just arrived. You're bringing a Shadow right?"

"Yes, while you're waiting, run a background check on Melen and let me know all properties he owns directly or indirectly. We'll start from there." I replied

"Roger Boss" then silence. I stepped out of the HOP-R and headed towards the glass door which slid open as I approached.

Behind the door stood a security bot, standard AI meant for residential defense. All buildings in Svarga have them.

Lyra lived on the 20th floor so after showing the receptionist at the lobby my Holo- badge, I entered the elevators and tapped on 20.

One of the perks of being part of the JOSF is that no one asks you too many questions.

I got off at the 20th floor and walked down the long corridor passing by other habitats until I reached her room.

There was a digi panel beside the door to scan your Bio data and unlock the door or to notify the owner that a guest is at the door.

I looked at the bio scanner and I could hear the chime that was triggered inside the living space. No response, but I wasn’t buying it. I stood there staring at the bio screen for over 10 minutes and as I finally turned to leave, the door slid open but there was no one behind it, only darkness.

I stepped in, conscious that I was stepping into a Shadow's domain 'the dark'.

Sure enough after taking 3 steps into the room I felt something cold on the back of my neck.

"You're either very brave or really stupid for coming here" a voice said from behind me.

"Hello to you too Lyra. How long has it been?"

"Why are you here?"

"I need your help Lyra, someone is smuggling BZ-RK serum into the city and they're working with The Ghost".

"The Ghost of Svarga? I thought she was dead" she replied.

"JOSF never confirmed her death. She went underground as far as we know"

"Why me?"

"You're the only Shadow I trust for this mission." I said, slowly turning my head to face her.

She removed the knife on my throat and turned on the lights with a thought from her mind-comm. She was wearing a hooded black cloak, her cyber-mail armor, its techno-organic enhancements and circuitry gently glowing underneath.

Her kinetec Patas were strapped to her arms and she moved light on her feet like all shadows.

"I'm guessing you're putting together a special order unit and you want me to join right? So we are finally cleaning up the mess we left behind with the Ghost?"

"Not just the Ghost, heretics... A group of them are in the city somehow connected to governor Melen. I've already asked Taka to…"

"Wait Melen? How is he involved?" She asked, cutting me off. "I don't know, but information came directly from Delena so it’s best not to question it."

"Hmmm, alright I'm in"

"Uh… that's it?" I asked.

"Are we going or not?" She replied, frowning slightly.

"Yeh of course, I just didn't expect you to agree that fast." I said.

She ignored me, picked up 2 bags and went out the door. I stood there for a minute, sighed and followed her out. The door slid shut.

The Undercity

The five of us were gathered in a private room owned by Cedric, an independent weapons dealer. Cedric was a retired shaper that worked mainly with the JOSF, providing new prototypes and machinations to destroy the enemies of Anura.

I’ve saved his life on more than one occasion, so to say thanks, he provides an air gapped, magnetically shielded room where nothing goes in or out; a space I can conduct meetings in private. "Alright, Melen is a mogul, his real estate holdings in Svarga may be vast but only 3 have a network of tunnels under them that could serve as a base for a heretic group hiding in the city" Taka activated the Holo table as he spoke.

The Holo-table showed the detailed design of the buildings in Svarga with the Grand Temple at the center. Taka tapped his gauntlet a few times and a building came into view.

"Based on my calculations, considering all available parameters, this is the one we should check out first. The Svarga museum."

"Why this one?" Bron asked.

"Because it's the only one with a tunnel network that reaches the outer district." These tunnels have been there for a long time, maybe even pre cataclysm. But exploring them was not wise. Many have entered the tunnels and few have returned, accordingly they've been off limits to the public.

"Stealth is of the essence here, at worst we return with proof or at best wipe the heretics out. But it all falls apart if they see us coming." I continued rubbing my chin.

"So what's the best way in?" I asked

"The Sewers!" We all turned towards Lyra who was sitting at the back nearly hidden by the shadows.

She looked up. "The Sewers lead to almost anywhere, if you know where to go."

Taka tapped his gauntlet again to bring up svarga's sewer network. "She's right, this doesn't show exactly where we need to go but it's possible to reach the tunnels under the museum from the Sewers."

"Then it's settled, we move out in 10 minutes. Taka and Lyra plan the route and link everyone, let's move"

"Hell yeah, finally some action!" Bron bellowed, the dull glow of his powerfist responding to his excitement.

"LFG!" He exclaimed.

Even Taka chuckled at that as he exchanged terrain information with Lyra.

Siria didn't speak throughout the briefing. "What's on your mind priestess?"

She turned to look at me "I’m not sure… I feel an unfamiliar dread." Bad sign Priestesses are known for their sense of premonition.

“Let’s keep this between us”

Siria quietly nodded in response.

Cedric lead us to his garage where he had prepared a few Hop-R hover bikes for us.

“Nice” Bron said as he walked up to one of them checking out the design. “Thanks Cedric, I owe you one” I said turning to him. He just nodded in reply and tapped a button on his wrist that opened the large doors.

“Let's roll” I called out as I powered my bike. My team did the same and we zoomed out of the garage moving towards the nearest sewer entrance 10 minutes from our location.

It was already getting dark so a lot of Svargans were outside trying to get home or heading to other events. The city is usually more alive at night with the Holo ads becoming more vibrant and buildings shining brighter.

We passed by a JOSF ad on a tall building inspiring young Svargans to join the recruitment program coming up in 2 weeks. That brought back memories.

“We're going left” Taka said on the public channel and everyone took the next left turn into a quieter part of the city passing a few Svargans selling wares in shops.

The exchange with Siria a few minutes ago was still on my mind. This mission didn't look too complicated but it could go wrong really fast.

Keep it together Grimm, nothing will go wrong!.... Probably.

“That's the pipe” Taka called out as we approached a massive metal pipe that seemed to stretch on forever. We slowed to a halt and the hover bikes powered down activating its security system.

I got down and started walking towards the circular latch on the right with a digi panel beside it. My teammates followed.

“Taka you're up” I said without looking at him and Taka stepped forward with his drone and activated his cybernetic bracelet.

In less than 3 minutes the light on the digi panel turned green and the hatch hissed open then we dropped into slimy water heading towards cleaning plants. The smell was, ugh! You get the point.

Taka's drone hovered in front to lead the way with Taka himself not far behind. Lyra moved a few places behind him while Siria, Bron and I were at the back. The deeper we went, the harder it was to not gag from the smell.

We moved in silence, Taka occasionally changing course accordingly with Lyra not far behind. I haven't actually figured out how she knew the sewers will get us to the tunnels. Hopefully I'll get a chance to ask later.

"We're here" Lyra called out from the front.

We had entered another tunnel with less water. This one didn't seem to be originally part of the sewer system. Lyra walked forward and opened a hatch on the left that led into a smaller metal tunnel. Taka turned to me "This tunnel isn't mapped in Svarga's database. So from this point on we're using our eyes"

"Alright proceed. Everyone stay sharp, stay together, be ready for anything" with that I stepped into the dark tunnel.

The air was different, the foul stench of the sewers no longer present. After some distance the tunnel walls transitioned from metal to stone.

"It seems this is where the new age began," Taka said, fascinated. His drone hovering at his side, scanning and cataloging the stone's internal structure.

There were more tunnels connected to this one. But Lyra just pointed at the one we should take and we all followed. How did she know which tunnel was the right one? I have no idea but I came to the conclusion that as a Shadow she might have used theses tunnels a few times.

“We’ll keep going straight” Lyra called out from the front. “In a few minutes we'll be directly below the museum”.

“Noted” Taka responded. He's been mapping out our route and adding the tunnel network to his database. “I'll take over from here” he said walking past Lyra, his drone flying ahead of him to scout the way.

At some point Siria had moved to be beside Taka in front and Lyra was now beside me with Bron still remaining behind.

"So… how have you been?" I asked, trying to make the atmosphere less awkward. She didn't reply.

I felt stupid, but I tried again.

"How's the JOSF intelligence unit?" Most shadows in the JOSF help out by gathering information through infiltration and espionage.

She stopped walking and glared at me. Bron awkwardly strolled past us avoiding eye contact. When he was far enough she finally spoke.

"What do you want? You leave for 2 years and expect us to be best friends now?" "I'm sorry" and I meant it.

This was the truth, I left. After the ghost slaughtered my entire team, leaving just me, broken. I spent months in rehab plagued by nightmares and ptsd but she was there everyday. She tried to help me, but…”

I woke up one morning and walked out and never came back until 3 months later. By then she had moved on and I was lost in my own head to even try to explain my actions.

"I'm really sorry Lyra, if I could go back I would. I never should have…"

My words died as a piercing scream rang through the tunnel. I quickly activated my plasma sword and ran towards the sound. "What happened!, Taka, Bron status report"

"......."

No reply.

I kept running, Lyra by my side and I could hear sounds of fighting. I turned right and entered the middle of a battle between Bron and a figure shrouded in a hood and cloak. Whoever this person was, they were well trained. I could already tell it was a Shadow from her weapons, she moved with frightening speed, swinging her blades with deadly efficiency. Bron seemed to be doing okay, he was parrying and blocking her blades.

But this was a bad match up. Furies are bigger and stronger than shadows but also slower and his current opponent moved like a pro so one wrong move might mean he'll never see daylight again.

“Taka!, stay with me” Siria's voice called out from my left. I ran towards her and stopped as I saw Taka lying in a pool of blood.

"Shit!"

Siria was kneeling beside a wounded Taka trying her best to heal him. Her blue gown was now stained with bright red. The wound on his abdomen looked deep and he was struggling to breathe while coughing blood.

The sounds of battle drew my attention back to Bron who was still holding out but he seemed to have slowed down a bit. She was beginning to overpower him.

Before I could move, Lyra bellowed in anger and rushed into the fight. It became a two on one, plasma axe and daggers clashed. "Keep him alive!" I yelled to Siria as I dashed to assist.

But that's when it happened. All I heard was a large ‘boom’ and Bron flew a few paces backward narrowly missing me as something hit him from behind the hooded figure.

He hit the stone wall with a loud crash.

Lyra glanced towards Bron who was now lying motionless on the floor. Big mistake. The enemy shadow charged her as she was distracted and buried her dagger into her thigh.

Lyra screamed and dropped to one knee. I quickly activated my plasma shield and blocked a fatal slash that would have taken her head off.

The figure jumped back and regarded me.

She turned her head to the side, walking around me and Lyra like a predator sizing up her prey, “I know you" she spoke in a soft scratchy voice. At the sound of that voice I was filled with immense fear.

My ears started ringing, I was beginning to sweat and breathing became difficult. I could feel my hands shaking slightly and my instincts were screaming at me to run away. I knew this voice, I heard it in my dreams almost every night, laughing, as my comrades died around me.

"Riza, stop playing around and kill them already." Another husky voice said from behind her.

I turned my gaze to the Fury that stepped forward holding a kinetic hammer whip.

He was huge, bigger than Bron and that's saying something since Bron was nearly 3 meters tall and 350 kg of muscle and cybernetics.

"I'm not playing Striga, these are not your average Svargans," Riza replied as she smiled at me. Lyra struggled to get up but failed.

"Don't Lyra, get to Bron and see if he's fine" I said, calming myself and taking a stance.

She looked at me, nodded then started crawling towards Bron.

"Kill her." She said from behind me.

"Easier said than done" I replied as I faced Riza and her companion. I knew I couldn’t take them both down, but I knew I was skilled enough to at least buy time for Siria to heal Taka and get back into the fight.

As a Devout it was my duty to risk my life for my comrades. Was I scared? Of course I was, fighting a Shadow was difficult enough but fighting this Shadow that stood before me will be the toughest battle I've ever fought in my life.

Not just because she’s strong but because she's the one that has haunted my dreams for years. The one who murdered my previous teammates. The shadow I hate the most. The ghost of Svarga.

Riza smiled, as she raised her daggers and charged towards me.

The fight of my, no, for my life, had begun…