Tides Of Protomis XCII
The members of the group rushed to Kazumi’s side, putting their gazes on her now-deceased body. As they closed in, Asami’s demeanor began to change visibly so. What was at first a surprise turned to despair. Tears began to drip from her eyes as she dropped to her knees by her side.
“First Tetsuya, and now Kazumi?!” Asami thought.
It wasn’t fair. It simply wasn’t fair. She wanted to yell, and yet she didn’t. The sound did not come from her. In the same way, did Megumi’s eyes tear up as well. They looked down at the body in silence as the beast loomed over them. After all, Kasumi had been her longtime friend as well.
“It’s been eight years since we met, huh…”
As Megumi spoke, they both began to recall their younger days. A younger Kazumi ran down the street, gesturing for Megumi and Asami to follow her. And, though they did so, they instead opted to walk. After all, she always had the most energy out of them all... HAD, That single word only pounded in the reality of their situation. She was gone… Something that did not do them any good. They continued to recall old memories, almost blocking the sense of danger around them until Shinto began walking toward them. He stopped a few feet behind them before placing his hands on both girls' shoulders, snapping them out of their stupor as they turned their gazes toward him. Though this was something he didn’t exactly like saying, he would have to do so regardless. He also knew Kasumi, even if it was for a much shorter time than the latter two. The same could be said for the boys behind them.
“We need to leave…. While this may not be what you want to hear, I will say it, we need to leave, or we WILL end up the same way.”
Megumi was downright enraged by this suggestion… If she had figured out how Shinto thought, she knew what he was going to say next. And she wasn’t going for it.
“What, we’re just gonna leave her here?!”
Shinto trailed off as he heard the rage in her voice. It was a response he was expecting and not exactly an unjustified one.
“If you want the added weight, then go ahead… But I don’t believe you want to be the one carrying a corpse around when that thing finds its way.”
Megumi went silent at this. Before she slowly got to her feet, Asami did the same. Soon enough, they stepped forward and began running on their previous path, with the others doing the very same. But, their path was soon blocked by the very same draconic demon. Fear began to build within them, something akin to what happened with the Jade Fang Triad. Though they’d wished it wasn’t the case, there was nothing any of them could do, at least, not as they were now. Akashi shakily spoke out.
“Damn, we stayed too long!!”
It dashed forward, swiftly closing the distance between itself and its prey. That was, until a sonic boom sounded from above, as what looked like a metal rod pierced its body, shooting right, creating a small crater on the ground. By this point, the demon began to slow down. Its speed decreased by the injury, but not enough to stop it. However, no sooner did three more crash into it, piercing its neck and skull. By that point, ending it right there. The beast finally fell to its death, crashing onto the ground and shaking it with its weight. The members of the group looked above to see a Yamato Gunship, the railgun turret on its bow aimed directly at the rapidly disappearing demon. But while the others kept their gaze on it as it dispersed into red particles, Asami took note of a marking on the side of the ship. One she recognized, no doubt.
“Now you decide to come… Dad.”
The gunship slowly descended to the ground, the jets behind them kicking up winds even as they lowered the power. Eventually, the doors at the back of the ship opened, and, as Asami's speech would suggest- out came Yasushi Hoshi. Donning the Yamato’s army standard infantry armor, aside from his visor, which was opened. Along with a red cloth attached to his shoulder, showing his rank. Along with four other members. They began walking toward them, Yasushi speaking first.
“Are you kids alright?”
Silence… One that Akashi decided to break.
“I’d like to say yes, but.”
The group stepped aside, showing what was left of Kazumi. Yasushi looked around. Seeing the tears on Asami's face, he walked toward his daughter.
“Asami-”
Before he could finish, she clung onto him, bursting into tears… This sight was simply too much for a certain man. Two of his friends were brought to tears, one deceased, and his city torn apart once more. He couldn’t let this pass; he needed to do something. But what COULD he do? His mind began to drift and drift until he remembered a certain detail. Determination became visible on his face as he spoke out.
“I have an idea…”
Shinto glanced at him.
“An Idea?”
Yudei did not respond, instead opting to begin running while Shinto reached out to him. Soon enough, the others took notice as well.
“Hold on!! You’re just gonna run off alone?!” Ketamura questioned.
Yudei ignored the query and focused only on his goal, only on survival.
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“The Raijin. If I take that, I'll have a fighting chance!”
Part B
While the events in Shima took place, the Four Tides found themselves over one of Japan's many urban areas. This one, thankfully, spared of any demonic attacks. Floating in front of them was Miyamoto, who sighed at their description of the situation.
“So things have gotten that bad, huh?”
Arctaius nodded at this question.
“And who knows what else might pop up. These situations somehow always find a way to get worse.” Arctaius noted. Something that nobody responded to, well aware of the truth of the statement. Not too long after, Miyamoto began speaking once more.
“Alright… Listen up. This is important.”
Now, their gazes shot over to her. And she glanced around, making sure she had their attention before she began speaking once more.
“Demon “Ranks” Are given by the amount of demonic energy they have. The ranks go from D to S. As of right now, we’ve only faced the lower levels. The demons that have arrived so far were only D and C-ranked. So they aren’t anything to worry about.” She began, trailing off.
“But that presents a bigger problem, with the barrier broken, demons that were formerly restricted to that realm, B-class and above, are now able to enter our realm. I’m only on the lower end of B class. If you, theoretically, had demonic energy, we’d have the same rank.”
And there it was. The group seems silent at the development, mulling over the information.
“If that’s the case, if we allow them to continue entering our realm, they will go far beyond the Kaemerge as a threat…” Alarick stated.
By this point, things had begun to get out of hand. Niopolis had only just begun to come near its former glory, especially after the devastation of Aegis’ attack. One that nearly demolished the entire city. And yet, now, they were attacked once more. The city burned as civilians rushed through the streets, trying to get away from the invading demons. Then, one group found themselves hit by a strike from a gigantic fist produced by a giant human-like beast which loomed above them. Their attempts at the escape were crushed, as were their bodies, as the giant hand smashed into them, staining the road below with crimson Liquid.
Observing this was the Captain of the Ceron Royal Guard, his body covered in gashes, stab wounds, and blood coming down his chin in a virtual waterfall. But this wasn’t the most notable. Rather, it was the downright gigantic cut going down across his face, leaving his left eye completely shut. Blind in one eye and heavily injured, this battle, as he saw it, was not going well.
“Dammit… What is this creature?!”
Soon enough, the “Creature” came forward, a gray-skinned, human-shaped being, its arms covered in what resembled armored gauntlets. A pair of glowing yellow eyes stared at the human he followed. He plunged a fist into Valiego’s chest, breaking through with a crack and a squelch from the organs behind. Valeigo’s body went limp. A few moments later, the demon, Titheza, removed his fist, watching as the carrion fell from the air, descending to the ground.
“I know not why Maleggan wanted us to take care of these “Proto-humans” First… They do not seem to pose a threat at all. Now then- time for the rest of you.”
With his statement finished, a downright gigantic blade, seemingly formed of red light, appeared in the sky. Its size above that of a skyscraper. Something that proved to further increase the panic on the streets below. But, it didn’t take long for their screams to be silenced, as the blade began spinning like the blade of a rotor, moving across the sky, and breaking apart the buildings, sending debris toward the ground. Something that did not bode well for those below.
Elsewhere, across the world, in a remote forest, a night that would have normally been calm, silent outside of the sounds of the wildlife, was now marked by battle. Ito Hajime had clearly grown since Tsugashuan. His height has increased, his body more toned, auburn hair now reaching down to his back, and some facial hair dotting his chin. The more experienced fighter jumped through the trees, avoiding the swipes of the claw, which sent out cutting force, cutting through the landscape like butter. Even so, his speed was more than enough to move out of the way. The source of the attacks was a woman, seemingly. Blue hair went down to her shoulders, and a full-figured body, scantily clad.
However, the bull-like horns that extended from the sides of her head and bat-like wings on her back made it clear that she was of a different origin. She was a full-blooded demon, even if similar to themselves. While Hajime did find her attractive, something her attempt at deceiving them had hinged on, he pushed these thoughts aside, given what she was trying to do. His hand drifted to the blade on his hip as he bent his knees, quickly drawing his blade as he flashed forward, leaving a cut on the demon’s arm. No sooner did he bounce back.
“Guren-Ryu: Shinku Senko!!!”
He began flashing around the demon, causing her gaze to swiftly move to follow him. His rapid change of angles and positioning continued until he closed in some seconds later. Only to find himself stopped as she put her hand in his blade’s path, as armor grew to cover the skin. Batting the blade away from her, she kicked the man’s chest, sending him flying before rushing to pursue him and press her attack. She did not get far; however, a certain dark-skinned man, Kondo Sibale, snapped his fingers behind her. No sooner did the air in front of her seem to warp. Something she took note of but found herself confused about. What was he trying to do?
Her question was answered as the disruption began to spread, catching the trunks of one of the trees drawn in. Seemingly, imploding, collapsing in on itself. Before concussive, force radiated outward, sending a burst of heat and light as the space in front of her detonated. Followed by her being sent bounding away by the resulting shockwave. Which did not spare the forest around them. But, no sooner did she stop herself midair, attempting to respond to his attack with one of her own, flying back to Kondo. At least, Until she was kicked away by a man of white hair, Zhugal Lavarit. It was then that he bounded back, landing at Hajime’s side, and in the same way, so did Kondo and Dhanis Kumar.
“Had me fooled at first… But we know now that woman definitely isn’t human.”
Dhanis cracked his knuckles as he focused his gaze on the demon… They were in the midst of their training, and something like this had to pop up to interrupt them. It was annoying at best.
“Let’s take care of her quickly.” He stated. This much gained a chuckle from the demon, which shortly changed to a laugh.
“ “Take Care” of me? As if some humans could do anything of the sort. Do not forget that you’re dealing with Syviis The Great!!!”
Hajime looked unaffected by her bluster, tightening his grip on his blade as he shifted his feet once more.
“A self-given title, most likely… Let's see if you live up to it.”
Hajime began to get into a stance similar to his father’s. Orange light glowed around him as he let his Qi flow through. No sooner did he put both of his hands on the blade’s hilt, moving it above his head, before he leaped forward.
Elsewhere, in Shanghai, a certain martial artist faced his battle. The sharp end of the weapon known as the Zhi Nu swung across the battlefield at blinding speeds, nearly invisible to its targets. The demonic entities that found their way into the city swung, and as the revolutions and strikes continued, the mass began to disappear. A result of his relentless attacks. It only took a few more moments for the horde to clear. Or, at the least, that section of it. With his attack complete, Liang’s eyes moved around the scene.
“It’s always something, isn’t it... I need to get to Cuifen and fast. It doesn't look like they’re discriminating on who they attack.”
Now, he began to levitate, increasing his height until he’d cleared the buildings around him. Before he shot off into the sky, ready to protect his sister. Elsewhere, within the rocky plains typical of Tseng, a Kaemerge HAU, colored a dark blue, shot across the sky. And with him were several demons flying around him and attempting to close in. But, he was quick, changing his angle and position rapidly as he fired sigma particle beams from the upscaled rifle in the machine’s hand. The Pilot within looked across his display, shooting anything that came too close. The pilot was a former Kaemerge Member, Langezan Kasiro.
“I didn’t like the idea of getting back into this thing. Thought moving this far out would remove the need… Guess that was wrong. Well, I like the idea of dying even less.”
As the battles continued across the globe, the five continued to float above the city, as they had before, analyzing their situation. They continued in silence for what felt like minutes until Miyamoto’s eyes shot open.
“Danm!”
This caught the tides’ attention.
“What is it?” Kazimir questioned.
“I’m sensing something… Higher-class demons have entered the realm. About 5.”
Arctaius tsked.
“Can you tell us where they are?”
Miyamoto paused, trying to discern their location from the virtual sea of demonic energy that moved across the nation. There was no doubt that this was challenging for her. It would take some time. And yet, she knew that could mean deaths, deaths that were at least somewhat caused by her. So she needed to focus; she needed to push harder.
It took about 5 minutes, but it’d finally come to her. Their locations.
“Kyoto, Sapporo, Kobe, Kitakyushu, and… Tokyo, more specifically-- Shima…”
Arctaius promptly rotated himself, facing the Shima ward. Why he was so quick to go there, well, the reason was obvious.
“I’ll be heading to Shima.”
Zhao nodded. “I’ll take Kyoto.”
“Kobe For me.”
As Alarick spoke, Kazimir made his claim.
“Sapporo.”
As he spoke, Miyamoto began facing southwest.
“Then I'll head to Kitakyushu.”
They broke up without another word, making their way to their agreed targets.
To Be Continued