In case it wasn’t obvious already, Cradle is massive. It’s uncertain just how large it is, but to be capable of housing so many ‘miniature worlds’ that rotate within the Clockworks, Cradle clearly must be larger than any other terrestrial planet we might know about. As such, it also goes without saying that there are plenty of things happening all across the planet at the same time as Wolver Squad is undertaking its own quests and perilous adventures: Gremlins plotting and scheming, Devilites working hard at promotions, Undead devouring any and everything to sate their forever-empty stomachs, Strangers managing trade and commerce throughout the Clockworks, and, of course, other Spiral Knight squads being sent on missions of their own.

One such squad, dubbed Magma Squad on account of their affinity for all things red and orange or fiery, has proven its worth time and again. Led by the infamous ex-Golden Dragon officer Nether, Magma Squad has accomplished many feats that most other squads would find too daunting to take on. This is partly due to Nether’s unwavering loyalty to the Spiral Knight cause, as well as his unwillingness to back down or reject a call to duty. However, it is also because the rest of Magma Squad, at the urging of Rhendon, has done any and everything in their power to keep up with Nether’s prowess on the battlefield, even when their personal skills may not be up to snuff. 

This comes from the trust that they had built in each other prior to being assigned to Nether’s squad; knowing that each other will be able to fulfill their role properly as long as they support each other, they are able to tackle most any confrontation with confidence. A minor, unexpected turn of events isn’t enough to dissuade Magma Squad from seeing their mission through to the end, but will the sudden arrival of a foe far more dangerous and cutthroat than they’re used to be the final straw that breaks them?

Brenishire:

Role: Frontline, Guardian

Current Rank: Champion

Armor and Shield Loadout: Heavy Plate Helm and Armor, with a Stone Tortoise Shield

Weapon Loadout: Khorovod and Heavy Shard Bombs

Utilities: None

Brenishire is the textbook definition of a Guardian. Tall and hulking, strong and resilient, he knows instinctively to put himself between his squadmates and any harm that may be coming their way. He uses large and normally overbearing armor to minimize the damage that he takes by doing so; and while a little uncomfortable, he is more than strong enough to keep the weight of such equipment from slowing him down. He carries an oversized Konda-style sword called Khorovod, and a self-made shield, crafted out of an adolescent Tortodrone’s hide, with him at all times. He primarily focuses on engaging the frontlines, relying on his squad to support him from the flanks or at range. Occasionally carries some Heavy Shard Bombs with him for when he gets too pressured or outnumbered in a fight, and has to hastily regroup with the rest of the squad. 

He used to concern himself with reapplying coats of red paint on his armor after every mission, but with the rate at which it would become damaged and the paint would wear off, he settled with polishing the armor and only matching the squad’s red attire on parts of his equipment that saw the least damage. Aims to create a name for himself as one of the toughest Guardians in all Spiral Knights history, just like Grantz from Alpha Squad.

Char:

Role: Backline, Demolitionist

Current Rank: Defender Elite

Armor and Shield Loadout: Heavy Demo Helm and Suit, with a Blazebreak Shield

Weapon Loadout: Fiery Pepperbox, Fiery Atomizers, Irontech Bombs, Heavy Shard Bombs, and a short parry blade.

Utilities: Bandolier, Long Range Communicator, and Supply Backpack

A demolitions expert and definitely not a pyromaniac, Char revels in the wake of flames and explosions; the bigger, the more beautiful, the better. He helped design the newest iteration of Demo Helm and Suit, dubbed ‘Heavy’ due not to their weight, but their ability to withstand most explosions that the user themself might cause and get caught up in. He typically carries multiple haze bombs capable of setting fire to an area, and helped design the new Irontech series of bombs he never leaves home without, designed off of the typical Blast Bomb design most Spiral Knights are familiar with. He also shares Heavy Shard Bombs with Brenishire for emergencies, and secretly wishes the guardian would appreciate and use the bombs more often. While not the best marksman, he carries a Fiery Pepperbox for scenarios where the enemy gets too close for bombs, but not close enough to engage with his small parry blade. It can start fires very easily too, which he relishes in. 

Char is also a rather devious tactician, and prefers sitting in the backline directing his squad’s moves to actually engaging the enemy himself. While his squad is more than capable of handling themselves, Char makes the most of their capabilities and is able to efficiently guide the squad to quick victories, so long as no unexpected variables occur…

Ignea:

Role: Frontline, Striker

Current Rank: Defender Elite

Armor and shield Loadout: Wyvern Scale Helm and Suit, with no shield

Weapon Loadout: Fierce Flamberge and a Daring Rigadoon

Utilities: Short Range Communicator

Despite being the youngest and least experienced of Magma Squad, Ignea has managed to take down the second most number of enemies across all of their missions together, right after Nether. A rising star among the dual-wielding Strikers, she’s been trained personally by top ranking Vanguards like Lieutenants Vaelyn and Barrus. She’s fast on her feet and quick with her blades, and is one of the ultra rare Spiral Knights to go without a shield or way of engaging enemies at range in favor of dual wielding swords. She knows she can rely on her squad to make up for this, though, and prioritizes engaging and taking targets down before she is put in any real danger.

Ignea took inspiration to dual wield from seeing Vaelyn fight firsthand, shortly after crashing on Cradle and being surrounded by the local wildlife. Her dedication has seemed to pay off immensely, as she’s made her way from a Squire to Defender Elite in just a couple of years, as opposed to the four that most Spiral Knights take. However, her successes and prowess in battle can go to her head on occasion, and Magma Squad has learned to reel her in when she gets too excited to fight. Conversely, she’s also the most kind hearted and nurturing of the four, until you get on her bad side, of course.

Nether:

Role: No specific role

Current Rank: Champion

Armor and shield Loadout: Volcanic Guardian Helm and Armor, with a Swiftstrike Buckler

Weapon Loadout: Fireburst Brandish, Dark Thorn Blade, and a Blackhawk

Utilities: Short Range Communicator

A monster on the battlefield, and an enigma off of it, Nether is the starring leader of Magma Squad, whether he likes it or not (and he makes it very clear that he, in fact, does not). Harassed by every Company, Division, and Agency head in the Spiral Order, Nether finally agreed to work with Rhendon’s Scarlet Scouts to get the constant badgering off his back. The condition was simple: Nether would be tasked with leading a squad, and if any one of them couldn't keep up, they would all be out and assigned elsewhere, and he would get to work solo instead.

Unfortunately for Nether, the rest of Magma Squad turned out to be a talented and stubborn group of knights with a penchant for chaotic and dangerous missions. As such, they have remained by his side through the thick and thin and thinnest of margins, and on occasion have seemed to have even broken him out of his reclusive shell. Nether knows they’re well intentioned, but wishes Magma Squad would at least keep a more professional distance from him as their Squad Leader. All the same, and the rumors of his past be damned, Brenishire, Char, and Ignea have sworn to stick by their respected Squad Leader through fire and brimstone, lest they let him hog all the fun and glory for himself.

Magma Squad is not the star of this series, unfortunately, but if they get enough love from readers, I’d be more than happy to explore some of their missions and misadventures some day. There’s so much about the world of Cradle and the characters in Spiral Knights, both in the game and of my own creation, that I wish to explore more of. But first, we must return to Wolver Squad, their rescue operation, and confronting the Gremlin known as Warmaster Seerus…