Other Side of the Raid
Preparations (Part 4)
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Previously on “The Other Side of the Raid”
Chapter 11, Part 3: Preparations
The recruits’ orientation reached its most consequential moment when Aria produced double NDAs carrying interdimensional consequences—up to and including planetary annihilation for violations. The signing ceremony descended into chaos as Marco accidentally merged two dimensions mid-signature, Hina somehow signed in a dimension that only exists on Tuesdays, and Anastasia’s military precision triggered a temporary quantum paradox that left everyone’s hair literally standing on end. After the effects subsided, Aria revealed the true purpose behind all the secrecy: in one month, the recruits would fight Rei “Nightmare” Nekohara, the final boss of the nearby “Midnight Crescendo” S-rank raid.
Rei herself stepped forward—initially shy and reserved—until Thunder dismissed her as a costumed impostor and strode toward her with lightning crackling around him. Her response was immediate and devastating: a single horizontal swing of her metal bat bisected Thunder cleanly, dissolving him like a defeated dungeon enemy and sending him respawning at the entrance in genuine shock and pain. The incident served as a practical demonstration of one of the facility’s key rules—death inside its walls is not permanent, though the pain remains entirely real.
Two more arrivals completed the orientation’s reveals. Professor Rosepetal Quillscribe, a diminutive pixie in academic robes, was introduced as the recruits’ instructor, opening with sharp commentary on Thunder’s tactical impulsiveness. Aria then presented Lady Crystalline, the tenth floor boss from Rei’s raid, who would train the Explorers in individual combat to prepare them for their eventual group encounter with Rei. A preliminary assessment followed—thirty minutes of the Explorers’ most powerful attacks left Crystalline’s massive crystal wall entirely unmarred, while Rei shattered it with a single casual grip.
The session closed with a demonstration that fundamentally reset the recruits’ understanding of their employer. When Thunder’s continued taunting exhausted Aria’s diplomatic patience, she extended adamantine nails and bisected the crystal wall with one fluid motion. The subsequent sparring match between Aria and Crystalline—combining Creation magic, conjured machine guns, fireballs spiraling with ice lances, and cascading grenades—left the Explorers frozen between awe and terror. The Professor dismissed them for the day, noting they would require time for cognitive recalibration before actual training could begin the following morning.
Key Takeaways:
The recruits signed interdimensional NDAs with consequences up to planetary annihilation, and the chaotic signing ceremony produced genuine dimensional side effects
The project’s central objective is revealed: the Explorers must be capable of fighting Rei “Nightmare” Nekohara, the final boss of an S-rank raid, within one month
The training facility prevents permanent death, but all pain inflicted within it is completely real
Dungeon bosses inside the facility can communicate freely, attributed to unspecified “special properties” of the location
Professor Rosepetal Quillscribe, a sharp-tongued pixie scholar, is the recruits’ assigned instructor
Lady Crystalline, the tenth floor boss of Rei’s raid, will serve as the primary sparring partner for individual combat training
Aria revealed her adamantine nails ability and demonstrated Creation magic including conjured firearms, fireballs, ice lances, and grenades
The Explorers’ combined attacks failed to mark a crystal wall that Rei destroyed barehanded and Aria bisected with a single strike, underscoring the enormous gap in power the recruits must close
Preparations (Part 4)
The next morning, the Explorers returned to the facility - all except Thunder.
Hina: “OMG, did anyone else notice the total internet blackout last night?” she asked while setting up her streaming equipment out of habit. “My whole network just went dark!”
Priya: “Fascinating phenomenon,” she adjusted her crystal-enhanced glasses thoughtfully. “Even our quantum-secured corporate networks were completely inaccessible.”
Dusty: “Crikey, same down under,” he added, checking his survival gear’s communication systems. “Landlines worked fine, but everything else? Dead as a dodo.”
Their discussion of the global communications anomaly ceased as Aria arrived with Professor, who adjusted her tiny spectacles with scholarly precision.
Aria: “I see everyone’s here,” she observed diplomatically. “Shall we begin your magical assessment?”
Elena: “Shouldn’t we wait?” her medical training making her naturally concerned about missing team members. “Thunder hasn’t arrived.”
Professor: “Ah yes, regarding that particular individual,” she adjusted her academic robes with distinct lack of sympathy. “He shall not be joining us. In fact, you shall never encounter him again.”
Seeing panic spread across the Explorers’ faces, Aria quickly intervened.
Aria: “Perhaps I should explain,” she said smoothly. “After yesterday’s session, Thunder attempted to share details of this project on a rather popular podcast.”
Anastasia: “Direct violation of established security protocols,” she analyzed with military precision, her expression growing tense. “The NDAs were... quite specific about consequences.”
Aria: “Indeed,” she confirmed. “Handling Thunder himself was relatively straightforward. Cleansing all traces from the global internet infrastructure proved more... challenging. Hence the ongoing network instabilities.”
Hina: “So scary...” she whispered, hugging her recording equipment protectively. “Like, next-level scary...”
Professor: “Do maintain your composure,” she stated, hovering with academic authority. “Simply adhere to your contractual obligations, and all shall proceed without interdimensional incident.” She produced a tiny scroll from her robes. “Now then, demonstrate your magical capabilities so we might begin addressing your numerous deficiencies.”
Aria: “And with that, I’ll leave you in Professor’s capable hands,” she said, moving toward the exit. “My schedule is rather full, but I’ll check on your progress periodically.”
And hopefully won’t have to cleanse any more global communications networks. Aria added mentally as she departed.
For the next two weeks, the Explorers made steady progress. Their most dramatic improvements came in magical ability - each discovering they’d barely scratched the surface of their true potential.
Meanwhile, Aria received another invitation from Lady Kitsune Starweaver - this one feeling less like a formal summons and more like a casual business meeting. Vaeloria once again escorted her to the Pleiades Entertainment Hub, but this time they found Lady Kitsune Starweaver’s office occupied by two unusual beings.
Lady Kitsune Starweaver: “Darling, allow me to introduce your co-commentators for the upcoming event,” her tails arranged themselves in an elegant pattern of amusement. “They’re simply dying to meet you.”
The first being seemed to exist partially as pure sound, his semi-corporeal form rippling with barely contained energy.
Zyx’thor the Thunderous: “HOLY [BLEEP] OF THE SACRED [BLEEP]]! IT’S ACTUALLY HER!” his voice caused several reality distortions despite the room’s quantum dampeners. “THE GREATEST THING TO HIT THE RATINGS SINCE THE QUANTUM LAUNDRY UPRISING OF SECTOR 7!”
Lady Kitsune Starweaver: “That’s Zyx’thor the Thunderous, darling. Do forgive his enthusiasm - and the profanity filter. It’s legally required across seventeen dimensions.”
The second being, a crystalline humanoid whose body seemed composed of living memory crystals, inclined their head with scholarly precision.
Vel’thir the Insightful: “Fascinating to finally meet you,” they observed thoughtfully. “Did you know your recent training methodology bears striking similarities to the educational practices of the Third Epoch of the Rigellian Democracy? Though their students had considerably more tentacles...”
Vaeloria: “These guys are like, totally the best broadcast team in three galaxies!” she bounced excitedly. “And now you’ll be helping them explain Earth Explorer stuff during the event!”
Lady Kitsune Starweaver: “We find audiences simply adore a local perspective,” her tails moved with elegant satisfaction. “And who better to explain Earth’s charming little exploration methods than our rising star?”
Zyx’thor the Thunderous: “IT’S GONNA BE [EXTENDED BLEEP] LEGENDARY! LIKE THAT TIME WITH THE PROBABILITY MICE AND THE QUANTUM CHEESE---”
Vel’thir the Insightful: “Speaking of cheese,” they interrupted smoothly, “did you know that dairy products played a fascinating role in the development of interdimensional broadcasting? It all began during the Great Milk Route Expansion of...”
Lady Kitsune Starweaver: “Perhaps we should discuss the broadcast logistics another time,” she suggested as reality started to warp around Zyx’thor the Thunderous’s growing excitement. “The quantum stabilizers are looking rather strained.”
After finalizing some details and narrowly avoiding three different timeline paradoxes caused by Zyx’thor the Thunderous’s enthusiasm, Aria returned to Earth with a new appreciation for interdimensional broadcasting standards - and a splitting headache from trying to follow Vel’thir the Insightful’s historical tangents.
At least regular sports commentators don’t accidentally create alternate realities when they get excited.
A week before the event, Aria found Captain Whiskers waiting at her home, surrounded by elaborately wrapped packages. Each bore professional branding that somehow merged high-end combat gear aesthetics with subtle feline motifs and cleverly placed Captain Whiskers logos.
Aria: “How? When? Why?” She stared at the impressive array of equipment.
Captain Whiskers: “Fam, your squad needs to look totally epic for the big show!” he adjusted his camera rig professionally. “Plus, a little brand integration never hurt anyone’s metrics!”
Of course - he’s turning this into a sponsorship opportunity. Brilliant.
Aria: “Are you sure it’s safe to give such equipment to people who don’t know about the Galactic Magic Federation?”
Captain Whiskers: “Chill! They look premium but nothing too sus,” he checked his analytics display. “Earth tech won’t be reverse-engineering these bad boys anytime soon.”
After confirming Lady Kitsune Starweaver’s approval, Aria presented the gear to her trainees the next day.
Hina: “OMG, these are literally amazing!” she squealed, examining her streamlined combat suit. “The aesthetic is totally going to break my viewer count records!”
Anastasia: “Superior tactical configuration,” she analyzed her gear with military precision. “Though these feline design elements seem... unconventional for combat equipment.”
Priya: “The crystal resonance patterns are fascinating,” she adjusted her new enhanced glasses. “Almost familiar, yet impossibly advanced.”
Dusty: “Crikey! This stuff makes my best survival gear look like dollar store camping equipment!”
Marco: “The movement flow is perfect!” he demonstrated with a capoeira flourish. “Like dancing with a second skin!”
As the final days approached, the Explorers had progressed to the point where they could - through a combination of skill, teamwork, and what Professor termed “statistically improbable good fortune” - occasionally survive Lady Crystalline’s attacks. With the big event looming, Aria announced a rest day to prepare for what would undoubtedly be the performance of their lives.
Whether they’re ready or not, the show must go on. And what a show it’s going to be...
📡 End of Transmission
Oliver here - That was quite a chapter! Our dimensional frequency is picking up intense emotional resonance from Aria’s world. What did you think of her decision? The comments below are buzzing with theories from other interdimensional travelers...