As the "REX" implies, this PRAYER is thought to take command over the others,
but its habit of appearing on the front lines has earned it the suffix "CAVALIER".
Its usual form (it is unclear whether PRAYERs possess something that can be called a "body")
is that of a long-distance, high-mobility aerial combat frame, but within the CARDINAL SHAFT
it switches to a humanoid, ground-based frame.
It is unclear whether it uses a humanoid form out of regret for its lost
humanity, or as proof that it once possessed it, or for some other reason.
Of the currently identified PRAYERs, REX CAVALIER is the only one known to employ multiple forms.
QUIET MINSTREL ~ The Voiceless Bird
SEGMENT:1-BEHIND
A large, comparatively weak PRAYER relegated to the outskirts of the island.
It launches long-ranged attacks from low altitude at intruders attempting to reach REX CAVALIER.
EXECUTORs attacking REX CAVALIER must be provided with low-altitude backup.
It is best to neutralize this PRAYER as early in the sortie as possible.
SCARLET QUEEN ~ The Royal Slattern
SEGMENT:2-LEAD
An enormous PRAYER enshrined within a ring of abandoned buildings.
Launches a tyrannical counterattack on the corresponding area
whenever one of its constituent parts is destroyed.
Apparently its name comes from those overblown, hysterical reactions.
When its sensor units are all destroyed it launches missile attacks
and powerful energy beams, and when its arms are destroyed it
launches suppression-immune needles from its sensor units.
It is generally considered to be the most challenging of the PRAYERs in the city outskirts.
GLORIOUS SYMBOL
SEGMENT:2-BEHIND
Thought to be the commander of the PRAYERs in the cold city, down along the coast, and over the water.
Though extremely ungainly and relatively mild in its attacks,
it frequently hovers above its target, and as it is quite large,
those facing it may find themselves succumbing to pressure and combat fatigue.
It is necessary to neutralize this PRAYER in order to disorganize the forces arranged over the water.
SUNKEN BISHOP
SEGMENT:3-BEHIND
An unusually long PRAYER equipped with large, scissor-like arms,
which hides in the clouds about the CARDINAL SHAFT.
It acts like the PRAYER motherships; a sort of aerial fish cage.
When badly damaged it will release its long, scissor-like arms
and attempt to embrace its opponent, clearing the skies of fire.
RUSTED DRAGON
SEGMENT:4
A PRAYER which patrols the subterranean passageways leading to the archives of the PERPETUAL CALENDAR.
"RUST" and "DRAGON" both imply age, but "DRAGON" especially is given as an
honorific title for an aged warrior who nonetheless marches dauntlessly on.
However, its name may also be interpreted to refer to a ruler or hero of old now
fallen from power, and so the intent of the EXECUTOR who christened it remains unclear.
The tail-like object which dangles below the DRAGON is an
inertial control unit, allowing unparalleled acceleration and braking.
Though other PRAYERs possess similar units, and some can even
achieve maneuverability rivaling its own, the RUSTED DRAGON
is thought to be the first to make use of the technology.
The DRAGON is also capable of controlling the velocity and trajectory of spirits
it has already launched into the air, and though other PRAYERs may do similar things,
the DRAGON is the only one to single-handedly produce them on such a large scale.
It has been confirmed to release large numbers of spirits and small PRAYERs (crampons) upon losing a wing.
However, they are released in an unstable state, and may easily be destroyed with ordinary weapons fire.
If it loses both its wings it will release more crampons, which block the EXECUTOR's path.
PERPETUAL CALENDAR
SEGMENT:5
A vast archive built by the PRAYERs to record their dying wishes.
It has been confirmed to align with Heroes lost from GRAVEYARD, which "edit" its contents.
It is capable of rebuilding detroyed PRAYERs from its records.
Though its core bears little resemblance to its full body, with time it is able to revive
itself after having been destroyed.
It fights off intruders by reviving ancient PRAYERs stored within its records.
It also possesses a number of defensive sequences of its own.
It seems to be a copy of the idol held within the CARDINAL SHAFT the PRAYERs
defend, and has some amount of control over it. If its shape is that of a clock,
then the idol--perhaps they worship the sun and the moon, which lead all time forward?
APOSTLES OF THE SEED
SEGMENT:6
PRAYERs with human limbs on lepidopteran bodies.
The red and the blue work in coordination, attacking intruders together.
They make use of large numbers of bullets formed from highly compressed
data and energy, known as SACRAMENTs.
The APOSTLES cling to the side of that which we know as The Key.
The Key opens the one-way passage to the center of the SHAFT, and
perhaps the APOSTLES would be better referred to as GATEKEEPERS.
There are also some who postulate that The Key is itself the
real foe, and the APOSTLES are merely puppets.
They each have a number of weapons at their
disposal, but they are incapable of extended attacks.
However, as they constantly switch out during
the battle, there are few gaps in their assault.
It might be said that we can only attack while they can attack.
They are also surrounded at most times by halos which repulse
weaker attacks, but when the halos disappear, their defense is much weaker.
It will serve you well to be mindful of the halo, and attack when it fades.
When they have both been badly damaged they will switch to a coordinated
siege mode, and then attempt a suicide attack with the weaker one assisting the stronger.
REX CAVALIER
SEGMENT:7
REX CAVALIER's humanoid true form.
Equipped with four arms, two spears, and restorative powers
effective across its entire body.
Like the PERPETUAL CALENDAR, REX's true power comes
not from size but from endurance.
It does not make use of its restorative powers
while aerial, and thus is a relatively easy foe,
but when waiting in its base it is formidable indeed.
Or perhaps it for a duel to the finish at its base from the start...
Alas, there is no way to plumb its thoughts outside of conjecture.
It is not the severity of its attacks which impresses so much
as the quiet majesty with which it seems to test its opponent.
SEGMENT:8
That which comes to us, served and protected by the PRAYERs,
from a place far away.
That which we left behind--abandoned.
That which lies sleeping within the CARDINAL SHAFT.
