Icebreaker

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One of the highest ranking Sentinels in the Fortress of Ends. Reports to the inner circle of the Icewarden, who in turn report to Icewarden... Gaoler hierarchy is very strict and complicated...

The word "Deadly" is an understatement. Icebreaker is trained to be the one of best in the Gaoler hierarchy. His ice magic is matched only by few others.

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Subordinate

Subordinate

Subordinate

Boss

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"Icebreaker, we have an extremely pressing emergency we need you to address." Slander ran into the Sentinel's chambers, not even bothering with the formality of knocking first. "Seekers investigated the crash site and-"

"Silence! How dare you enter my quarters without asking!" Icebreaker hissed, puffing up his coat with frustration. "Did you file an incident report?"

"Forgive me, Icebreaker. This is a code black matter. I was informed to come directly to you as soon as possible."

Icebreaker's eyes widened in shock. "I- of course! You should have just said so immediately. Which cell?"

Slander averted her eyes further from the Sentinel. "Special Containment Cell Alpha. This is the real deal."

Icebreaker galloped without haste to the deepest part of the Fortress, not even bothering to ask permission of the Right Claw, which would be standard procedure. Cell Alpha was only used for instances of actual Shade invasion. It has never been used until now.

"Where is it? I wish to view the beast." Icebreaker huffed at Tuath, the head guard for this floor of the Fortress. Tuath turned to face Icebreaker with surprise.

"Did you already get approval from the Claw?" She asked suspiciously.

"We have never had to use this cell for anything until now. I need to confirm that this is actual pure Shade."

"This is going against procedu-"

"And who wrote that procedure in the first place?" Icebreaker interrupted.

Tuath mumbled something to herself under her breath, before nodding to the guards next to her. The door creaked open, chains screeching against the ancient metal.

"What was it's condition?" Icebreaker asked, not even waiting for the door to completely open before pushing past.

"It was in poor health, as far as we could tell. It was wearing armor of some sort, and-"

"Armor?" Icebreaker interrupted again, in disbelief.

"Yes. It was some sort of exosuit. We disarmed it before transport."

The room was full of Gaoler guards, will full attention on the chained monster in the center of the room. The creature was extremely slim, but tall. It was almost completely pitch black, as if instead of a physical creature, it was the absence of anything at all. It was bipedal with long, grotesque limbs. All limbs of the creature were tightly chained down in multiple places, including the ceiling, suspending the creature in the air.

"My word..." Icebreaker whispered, half in fear, half in triumph.

"Please have a look at this, Icebreaker." Tuath murmured, handing the Sentinel a large, sleek, black object. Icebreaker was surprised at how light it felt.

"...What is it?" Icebreaker asked, examining it. Several flashes of white light twinkled in the blackness as he turned it in his claws.

"A projectile weapon of some variety. There is a triggering mechanism on the bottom. Aim it at the wall and pull it."

Icebreaker was skeptical, but did as requested. In a bright flash, a long narrow beam of black substance bolted out of the tip of the weapon. It made a deep crackling sound as it hit the wall, echoing throughout the rest of the cell.

Icebreaker stood in silence for a moment. "... Are we positive that this is Shade?"

Tuath nodded firmly. "We have had multiple specialists from all levels examine it. They all agree that this is Shade energy in its purest possible form."

"This is not what we were taught to look out for."

"I am aware."

Icebreaker handed the rifle back to Tuath, and slowly approached the creature. "Has it been hostile at all?"

"Surprisingly, no. It has not attempted to attack anyone. However, it has tried to break its chains on multiple occasions."

"And?"

"And it has been unsuccessful, not even managing to rattle it loose."

The creature slowly lifted what appeared to be its head and looked at Icebreaker. It's eyes were a dull grey, but stood out tremendously on its pitch black body. It scanned the Gaoler, before dropping its head to its chest again. It made a sound like nothing Icebreaker had ever heard.

"... Was that a language or a distress sound?"

"We don't know."

"That's your next task. I want you to find out how this abomination communicates. Understood?"

"Yes, sir."

Icebreaker stared intently at the Shade. "I think we should take this directly to the Warden."

Tuath's ears perked up with concern. "That would require approval from both the Left and Right Claws, as well as the inner Circle..."

"And? Make it happen."

"Yes, sir," Tuath said, hurrying out of the room.

The Shade rolled its head back up to look at Icebreaker. It made another incomprehensible sound, before raddling its chains again.

"Don't even try it, abomination," Icebreaker growled, slamming his tail on the ground with aggression. The Shade flinched and quickly looked back at the ground. The Sentinel could tell that this was an sign of fear, even for such an alien creature. Icebreaker was surprised at this reaction. He took a step back, and turned to the other guards in the room.

"Keep an eye on this this thing. I have a feeling there's more going on here than what we were prepared for," He demanded, before swiftly leaving the room.

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