So little has been done. While we continue to plan, more will suffer.

How long until we strike?

I've come and gone to our secret lab underneath New Vegas for some time, awaiting news from Chates. As usual, he's late. Most likely overreacting with his rhime powers, no doubt. One of these days, he will need to learn restraint.

On the other side of the corridor, oblivious to my presence, a little girl holding a brown piece of cloth in her hands walks into the lab. Seems he's finally back. I slowly walk in behind him. In the lab, it seems the giant crystal composed of large quantities of varying rhime is increasing in size at the desired pace. Too much time has passed on the wind, but our time to teach the oppressors of this once great city is finally coming.

Inside the lab, as usual, is Dodge, the tall and lean electric tone who, unfortunately, is my boss for this mission. We only work together because of a common goal. His laidback methods are far from what I consider desirable. Judging by the position of his head, he's looking downwards, his short silver hair as untamed as ever. Must have skipped showering again.

"Big brother," Chates, still in his girl form, states. "I have news."

"One moment," Dodge says emotionlessly. "Just let me save."

Dodge spins around the chair he is sitting in. Guess I was wrong - he's all cleaned up and wearing his usual red and brown kimono. But he could at least comb his hair. He really needs to be taught some etiquette. He's the leader, after all, so he should be a role model. I look down at his hands. Seems he's playing that red cartridge game on his...what are those called...Game Boy Advance? Sadly, he's been doing this for days, while I've been doing nothing. Looking satisfied with whatever he achieved, he turns off the contraption and looks towards Chates.

"You in a sudden mood to play the little sister or something?"

Chates surrounds himself with his blue water tone rhime. His body turns completely blue, his height and structure begin to change until, when the rhime disperses, he looks exactly like Dodge.

"Beats being the emotionless older brother," Chates says emotionlessly. The perfect actor, as usual.

"Anyway," Dodge continues. "Have we reached our next checkpoint?"

Again with the video game terminology...

Now, Chates turns into a fat police officer.

"I was out there being a douche and, being the fat imbecile that I am, tried to show off my superiority to the public. I took the liberty of using my channeler, and it caused me to lose control, making me look bad as I attacked more people than I should have. No doubt my fat ass will make the rich assholes look bad as well. Anyway, before I lost all my rhime, as I attempted to show off and losing myself..."

"Get on with it please," Dodge says.

Chates then turns into a random teenage girl. "You're no fun, you know that," he says pouting. I think this girl was in some light novel adaptation in the First Age. Toradora, was it?

Chates performs another transformation. This time, in the form of a boy in a brown full-body cloak.

"This boy was able to fend off the police officer until he collapsed."

The way he says it seems rather out of character for this figure. Guess he just saw him today.

"But what makes him really interesting..."

"Is the symbol." Dodge interrupts.

"Hm? How did you?"

Dodge pulls out what looks like a remote. He presses it, and laptops descend from the ceiling to show the event, fully recorded.

"Don't think I haven't taken precautions of my own, little brother."

Chates chuckles, still in this unknown boy's form. "Seems you really are taking this seriously."

"Trust me, we have to. And for reasons like this. I don't know too much, but I have a hunch."

He clicks another button on the remote, causing the screen to change to a scene where the cloaked fellow and another teenager have reached the front of the hospital with the comatose policeman in tow.

"Me llamo Oren Tsurai."

"It would seem...Hunter failed to fully achieve their goal."

Chates turns into the muscular man from the previous scene.

"OH SHIT!!" he yells in First Age English.

Chates, again reverting to this "Oren" figure's form, then states, "But didn't Hunter say Oren was supposed to have died? He was given the hydra's poison and everything."

"It would seem," Dodge replies, "that the monster that fainted from being badly poisoned has been restored to full health in the nearest city."

"Take this seriously, big bro!"

"I am actually well aware of the situation. First, the man who was supposed to fake Selot's death is alive. Not only does he know the truth, there's a risk of locals learning the truth as well, thus hindering our ability to utilize our newfound stealth. Secondly, this kid has survived a terrible fate and still looks fairly strong, making him an enemy to be wary of. After all, he survived Hunter's poison, the legendary hydra's poison. Also, judging by the footage of his last bout with our 'testee', he's remarkably strong, even without the use of rhime. And last, but certainly the most important...if what I see in this footage is accurate, he has allied himself with our enemies. Like it or not, he's now an unforeseen obstacle that must be dealt with."

Chates turns into the other policeman in the footage.

"Understood!" he shouts, turning around and heading for the door. "I will handle th...OOF!"

GOCHIN!!!!

Chates collides with me and falls back. I remain standing, unfazed.

"How...how long have you been there!?"

"He's been here for this entire discussion," says Dodge. "It's convenient, actually. Saves the trouble of another tutorial."

"I would like to be the one to handle this," I proclaim.

"Refrain from killing him."

"Your hesitation will be our downfall."

"You always have to be productive, don't you? Well, think about it. He may be an enigma, and he could be strong, but he's still in a weakened state and could be the key to knowing what our opponents are planning. To win the game, you must know how to play it. Reckless speed means nothing in a game of strategy."

Best I should leave before I get another gaming lecture. I cannot wait. Those who abuse their power must pay. The rich must pay. I may live longer than most humans, but I refuse to let my time be wasted. I must teach the world what is right. I must have my words carry across Angelia on the wind.

Who am I?

My nickname...is Selot. Selot is me.

I...am Lancelot Balin.