The battle of Tsugashuan was one of the largest battles in the conflict, possibly more so than the battle of Moscow. That said, there was very little surprise in the world anxiously watching, to see the results of this battle. Whether they be workers in an office, or simply those walking on the street. Within his group as well, were the students of North Shima high. There seemed to be very little attention on what was being taught within the class, by any of the students. The people seemingly having split up into groups, searching for whatever information they could get. Arctaius’ old friends were no different. Asami sat at a desk, resting her cheek on her hand. With an expression of worry on her visage.
“We haven't been able to see him for months… and when we do finally see him, it's like this?”
Sitting around Asami were Akashi, Yudei, and Shinto. The normally jubilant mood that surrounded the three friends hadn't been there, not with the current situation. The first to break the silence was Akashi.
“It's really getting bad-- huh?”
“Yeah…” Yudei mumbled, continuing to watch the patchy video on the holographic display. THough the sigma particles interrupted the feed, but, it was just clear enough for them to catch glimpses of the battle. The warships above the city move above the skyline, with HAUs flying between, and around the battle lines. With a zoom of the camera, one could even see some proto-humans barrelling through the skies, engaging in battles that the surrounding forces seemingly steered clear of. Save for one unlucky destroyer, however, which found itself charged by a proto-human, who ran through it like a speeding round, ripping it in half, and destroying it within seconds. The reactor soon exploded in a ball of fire, sending debris flying out. One particularly large piece of the outer armor barrelling toward the camera getting closer, and closer. Until, it obscured anything within view, and the feed was lost moments later. Asami snapped at this.
“Dammit.” She shouted, in her frustration. Something that caused those in the room to glance at her for a few moments. Though, they refrained from saying anything. Knowing why she was angered.
“This isn’t good, not in the least. As I see it… This fight could really go either way.” Shinto noted. Something that caused his friend’s gazes to shoot toward him. Yudei parted his lips to speak.
“You think they can't handle it?”
“I'm simply saying it's a possibility… We don’t know what sort of adversaries they’ll face. Keep in mind, this is the enemy stronghold..”
Though she’d thought of going off on him, that much kept her from doing so. The man had a point, no doubt. But acknowledging that did very little to calm her nerves. Rather, it mostly did the opposite.
“ I wonder about that Blonde Man Arctaius was fighting, though… I’ve never seen him that angry before. I’ll have to ask him about it when he gets back.”
The conversation was not exclusive to them, however, apparently, much of the student’s had been watching the very same channel, and were cut off from the information too. Chatters erupting, discussions of the sight they saw just before the footage was down, and where they would go to get back into the loop. Aside from the students, there were the heads of state. In New York, Abram Green observed a diagram of the battle taking place, as well as the status of the coalition forces moving through. The same could be said for Emperor Shin.
Even as far off as the Ceron Royal family… Though they’d gotten off on the wrong foot, Valaria of Ceron bore no ill will for the four tides, especially given how much of a help they were. With not much else to do other than tend to her studies, she sat leaned over her desk, looking at her holo-phone.
What was formerly the feed of the battle, had turned into two words, feed lost, blinking repeatedly on the screen. The girl sighed, as she leaned back into her chair.
“Father and Valiego are out fighting off rebellions in the field… And I just lost my way of viewing this battle. How long will I be stuck out of the loop?” She questioned.
The situation had changed very little within Rizian, the tides still found themselves facing Vogel. The strange man licked his lips once more, as he began twisting his left hand. Much to the confusion of the others within. What would that do? The question that was pondered, was answered soon after, with the entire room beginning to change, the walls beginning to blur, and warp.
The change continued with tiles from the floor beneath their feet. Breaking off into chunks, and beginning to freely fly within the space. The walls became a black fluid that had a number of multi-colored lights, spread throughout it. Something accompanied by the expansion of the realm’s size, or , at the least, it seemed that way. As it finished, there they were, floating around within a which had come to resemble the night sky. That had chunks of floor tiles, and debris floating around. Kazimir’s gaze shot around in his confusion.
“The hell is this?!” He yelled, gaining a glance from Alarick.
“Who are you asking? it's not like we've fought him before.”
Arctaius soon began to look at their surroundings as well.
“Not the time, nor the place… We need to figure out what we’re dealing with here-”
Arctaius’ words were interrupted, as he took note of something in the corner of his eye, flashes of energy flashing toward him. Taking their paths in mind, managing to weave around the first to shotts, narrowly hit by the five more that came in rapid succession.
“Particle beams, it looks like. It seems that whatever this space is, isn’t his only technique… “
“Then he has multiple?” Zhao questioned.
Following soon after, were poles of golden light, spearheads formed at the end, appearing above each member of the group. Their eyes shot up as they took note, and began to fly off from the pieces of rubble they found themselves within. An attempt that was soon followed by a smirk from Volker.
“Not so fast. I won’t have you dashing around like flies!” He shouted.
It did not take long for them to find themselves crashing back to the ground. Arctaius put a hand on his chin as he took note of this fact.
“Did he cut off our flight?” He thought.
“If so… What is the extent of him affecting our abilities” Thought Zhao.
Before their questions were answered, the spears promptly began flying at them. Not exactly willing to get hit by the attack, they readied themselves as the attacks got closer. Before beginning their invasion. Arctaius let plasma build under his feet, soon, firing it off into a stream, that allowed him to bound off the rubble. Just in time, given how it was destroyed instantly upon contact.
“If we can’t fly normally, it seems we’ll have to get creative.” Thought Zhao. Who, as arctaius did, came up with a solution. Increasing the pressure of the air below him. Before using it to launch himself through the space, Grasping hold of the Dao at his side, beginning to bound toward Vogel. As both Arctaius and Zhao closed in on him, vogel seemed to turn his focus toward the two, his earlier smirk disappearing. A large change in his demeanor, something to note, no doubt. He created another object to come to his defense, a downright gigantic metal cylinder. A shape that they’d known well, given they’d been on the battlefield.
“It looks like some sort of upsized orbital battery round…” Kazimir noted.
Arctaius squinted his eyes as he watched Vogel’s smirk return to his face
“And he means to hit us with that?”
“Right you are… I wonder what velocity I should choose… I’d say, hm. Perhaps 75% of Light speed?”
With the flick of his wrist, the round began a flight toward the two, crashing into them within moments, and sending them barrelling away. Alarick tsked.
“Creation, cutting off abilities, determining the speed of objects. What else can he do?”
Alarick threw himself off of his platform, slamming his foot into it, and creating a pillar to launch him off as well. While Kazimir simply chose to use his telekinesis to move his platform. As the two began to close in upon Vogel, the other two, had finally gotten out of the round’s path, though that did not stop them from continuing to fall into the depths of the realm. But they were quick to stop themselves, using their plasma and air pressure respectively. Though the two were somewhat worse for the wear, bloody noses, and some bruises, they were mostly fine, that fact leaving them able to consider what they saw. With Zhao the first to speak.
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“So I'm sure we both noted the same thing…”
“Yes. he seemed to turn all his attention to us the moment we closed in on him. Perhaps close combat isn’t his strong suit?” Zhao responded.
“Likely. Let’s regroup with the others, and figure out a plan.”
Zhao and Arctaius launched themselves back toward the group, and observed Kazimir flinging chunks of stone at the man, making use of his telekinesis.. However, he found that the attacks were redirected, sent bounding off into the realms outer regions. In the midst of this, snapping his fingers, something followed by spears of light bounding toward Alarick. At a high enough speed, that he could just barely launch himself off the stone, by the use of a pillar underneath him. But it was enough to get out of their path, or so it seemed.
“Trying to escape, Hm?”
The spears twirled mid-air, as it flew toward his back. Something that was quickly noted by all three of his allies. Arctaius would thrust his hand forward, firing off a burst of plasma, increasing the output at his feet, to keep himself in his current position, an attempt to intercept the attack. But, Vogel was quick to take note, swiping his hands, and re-directing the plasma. Letting it barrel toward Kazimir, knocking him away. As for Alairck himself, however, he was left to try to get rid of the attack. As such, he flipped in the air, facing the spears. He threw his arms forth, as he shouted a single word.
“Void!”
The dark void spread in front of Alarick, swallowing the spears whole, accompanied by a cracking. Something met by a raised eyebrow from Alarick.
“What… was that sound? I felt a dimensional disturbance- much larger than normal…” He thought.
It was strange, no doubt… But could that help them discover what they were dealing with? It’d be something to discuss, A void opened behind Vogel, and the spears began cascading toward his back… Only for them to disappear within seconds. Though they noted this, they instead decided to regroup.
“Alright. Lei and I have a plan. I noted earlier, how quick he was to push us away when we got closer to him.” Arctaius began.
“This much led us to believe he’s not strong physically. That would explain his preference for long-ranged attacks. But… There’s another issue.” Zhao continued. As the two finished speaking, Kazimir nodded, recognizing what it was almost instantly.
“He can cut off abilities, given what he did to our flight, and redirect attacks, given what he did to Arctaius’ attack earlier. The way to go about this is dividing his attention, and going in close. Two of us will attack at the front, advancing as a distraction and two will move slowly for the kill…” With his strategy worked out, he gained nods of agreement from his allies.
“Then let’s get moving.” Arctaius stated. Now, the golden light from his earlier battle returning, flying forward, With Kazimir shooting forward as well, a red light surrounding him, and the rubble surrounding him. As the two advanced, Zhao and Alarick glanced at each other, nodding, as they began to descend further into the realm’s lower areas. Vogel was quick to attack in response, launching the sized up orbital rounds forth, as they flew toward the two, Arctaius increased the amount of plasma under his feet, pushing him farther forward. All the while, Kazimir took a different approach, focusing upon one of the rounds, the red glow around him intensified, and, in the same way, did it grab hold of one of the rounds… However, from his grunts of effort, it was clear that it was a challenge. Which was why he was quick to put it into the path of the second. Letting them slam into each other, and explode into shrapnel.
As this happened. Kazimir was quick to clench his fist, taking control of the remains of the rounds, and swing his arms, sending it toward the Imperial Guard, the chunks of metal as both a form of attack, and protection for Arctaius… While the three continued their melee, Zhao and Alarick continued to move through the space silently. At first they simply flew, until Alarick’s Void Blade appeared on his hand, and, with a swipe, a void opened in front of them. It was at that moment that the two stopped.
“Alright… Time to see what we’re dealing with, let’s go through.” As Alarick spoke, he went through, with Zhao following. No sooner did the two fighters find themselves within a different realm. Something that resembled the room they stood in as they entered.
“Good for us, looks like this must be your area of expertise.” Zhao commented.
another void opened in front of them as they finished speaking, and they found themselves back within the realm. To see Arctaius and Kazimir seemingly sent flying away. And, before they knew it, they found themselves facing the same fate, pushed away by an unseen force, and having spears of light slam into their body, soon followed by the firied orbital rounds… Doing no small amount of damage. Eventually, all of the tides stopped themselves, landing on the tile and rubble.
“I found it strange that you disappeared… I’m guessing you opened that portal to prove a theory.” Arctaius guessed.
“Yes… I knew something wasn't right from the start. Not only did I sense a dimensional disturbance, I found the sound I heard strange, a cracking when I activated my void. At this level- my attacks shouldn't do all that much… The weakness of the space was strange, and it reminded me of when I shift. That trip confirmed something, the portal Lei and I went through, was where we were before… This space is a pocket dimension- created by him!!”
“That's correct… but do you truly think it matters that you figured that out? In this world, my word is law. Right can become left, up can become down, as long as I will it. And I’m aware of what i Want. Perhaps I shall give you a gift from your past… you came here for revenge- did you not?”
The four looked on, staring at the man. Questioning what his words could mean, especially as they took note of the ear-to-ear smile growing on his face. That was, until they saw what, or rather, who appeared around him. One who Bore a certain resemblance to Arctaius, though, with the difference of age. Though they noted this much, the others still didn’t catch the meaning, until Arctaius choked out just one, shaky word….
“D-Dad?”
Standing there was Ajax Corde… The man was not alone, by his side, was another, with short blonde hair, and blue eyes. His clothing, a black coat, with golden trimming. Rather extravagant as one would expect from someone of his status. If that weren’t enough, then the large amount of medals spread across it. There he was, Alarick Von Zaisen the VI…
“What.. The hell?” Alarick questioned.
Soon enough, Kazimir’s eyes widened as well, as he noted someone HE found familiar. A tall man, with long black hair going down to his shoulders, and a small beard at the front of his chin.
His attire being a brown winter coat, and work boots. Vadim Rhuskov, Kazimir’s father himself. At the very end the line wasis one with a shaved head, and 3 markings on the middle of his forehead, organized into a circle, Similar to Zhao’s. Another similarity, being in the clothing, and the blade on his side. The last man being Guan Hui, The master of the Guo style. Their expressions remain blank, as they stand there, unmoving… All the while, the tides simply looked on, as those from their past floated in front of their eyes/
“Ke Ke Ke… What's with that look of yours? It’s a family reunion, isn’t it? Aren't you excited?!”
Part B
It did not take long for the copies to begin flying toward the tides, splitting up, each rushing fighting their own flesh and blood. And, regardless of their thoughts, they were forced to fight them off, even if hesitantly. Arctaius found himself ducking under the close fist strikes his father was famous for, as well as the rapid kicks.
“Damnit! !What are you doing? Father is dead, He's been dead, you know this… So why are you struggling like some fool?!“
Even so, despite the damage he took as the strikes fell, the attempts to counterattack were seemingly blocked, by the memories that flowed through his head. The memories he couldn’t find himself getting rid of, no matter what. Apparently, Zhao had the very same issue. Continually locking blades with the master.
“Guan… It looks exactly like him. They must have recorded their appearances when they razed the monastery…”
Away from them, Kazimir continually launched the remains of the earlier impact, the same chunks of metal at his father. He said nothing, looking on in silence. All the while, the creator of the four illusions, looked down with a smile.
“Vogel: Those looks of despair… The suffering, how entertaining- how delicious, Ke Ke Ke… This is the most fun I've had in a long time…”
Vogel began to think back to his previous encounters… A total of five, sentenced to death just days earlier. They all found themselves moving within a fog, running from some sort of creature. One that let out a deep bellow, rapidly approaching them… As they noted how close it’d gotten, they eventually stopped running. They were bloodied, tired, and, now, despair had finally taken them…Especially as it loomed over them, A grotesque mass of muscle, with eyes covering the entirety of its body. It did not take long for them to have the life be reaped from their bodies, leaving nothing but carrion.
“The last ones died much too quickly, Gave up too easily… And those two lovers I made kill each other, did it much too quickly… If there’s one thing I hate more than anything else, it’s an easily broken plaything. Luckily, I have you all here, Hm?”
This much, put an expression of rage on Alarick’s face… He straightened his fingers, letting the void blade appear on his hand once more.
“Is that all this is… A game to you?!” Eventually, it had grown too much to bear, the man pushed any despair he had to the side, even if for now, and let his rage explode.
“Void Blade-Killing Flash!!”
Quick, Lateral swipes soon began to fall, leaving the copy of his father in pieces. Tears dropped from his eyes, even with the expression of anger. And apparently, this was not limited to him. Arcraius thrust his hand forward, Obliterating his copy with a point blank burst of plasma, before rushing forth. Zhao was quick to eliminate the Guan’s Look-alike, serving the head, and rushing at the man from below. While Kazimir simply launched Vadim at Vogel, along with a hurricane of debris. Something that his opponent took note of immediately. Snapping his fingers, and sending the attack off into different directions
Leaving him unaware of what was to come next.
Some moments later, the man detected motion from his side, Seeing Zhao coming toward him from the lower areas of the realm. Something followed by the man creating the very same creature he’d use before, the fibers and muscles appearing, and coagulating soon after. But, his focus on one, left him vulnerable to another. He soon found a Yellow cloaked fist smashing into his right cheek, scalding it, and knocking him off his balance. His gaze flew to the source of the attack, to see Arctaius, standing right there… In the midst of this, Alarick watched from afar.
“It seems making him lose his focus did it… Whatever is keeping this place together has weakened.”
“This has gone on long enough, Void Blade- Cutting Surge!!!”
Alarick reeled his hand back, pushing more, and more of his energy into the blade he’d forged, before he began swiping it. Progressively larger cracks appeared, until all of those within began to feel some sort of shaking. Something which made Vogel’s smirk turn into an expression of worry. And, soon after, it was clear why… They’d found that the realm around them dissipated, and they were back where they were before. The space had collapsed.
“What?! That's not possible-- nothing should be able to collapse my realm!! Even with those abilities of his…”
His worried ramblings were interrupted within moments, as Arctaius rushed to grab Vogel by the back of his head. Something that resulted in him flinging him across the room, toward the other tides. Who each placed a multitude of strikes upon him, being unrelenting in their barrage. The beating continued for what felt like minutes, until Kazimir kicked him away… Now, arctaius began to walk toward him, lifting him by the collar of his shirt.
“Now then, Manfred Vogel, I'll make this brief. I personally find you to be repulsive, the most repulsive within this organization… I abhor you all, make no mistake. But even the likes of THAT bastard didn’t do things like this for enjoyment.” Arctaius spat.
“I agree wholeheartedly…” Alarick chimed in, gaining a nod from Zhao, and words from Kazimir as well.
“I can't say I disagree… and the fact that they allow you to stay here speaks volumes.”
Arctaius looked down upon the man in disgust. Especially given his downright giddy tone when speaking of the previous deaths, there was no telling how many time he’d done this. He said nothing as he began to pump plasma from his body. Something that was soon followed by the man beginning to squirm… But, as the heat within him increased, this squirming gradually turned into flailing, until his body burst into flames. Yells echoing from his body, as Arctaius threw him upon the ground.
“You enjoy despair, and suffering so much… So do tell me- is that adequate?”
With the issue solved, Arctaius began to walk the other way, with the tides following behind him, almost paying the man no mind.
“How long do you think he'll last?” Alarick questioned. Arctaius looked over his shoulder at the blonde.
“I purposefully turned the heat down, He'll be there for quite some time…”
“But we won't. Let's hurry up. The Apostles are probably gonna hit the field soon.”
No sooner did they begin an ascent, crashing through the floor’s ceiling. As they went up through the tower, continuing to do the same. Plowing through equipment, furniture, people, and anything else that got in their way… At the least, until they found themselves stopped, crashing into one particular room, with the walls cloaked in some sort of golden light. Of course, they were not alone here. In front of them were two of their allies, Liang, and Bijan. Like the tides, Bloodied and bruised from their encounter with their previous opponents.
In front of them, was the silhouette of a proto-human, hidden within a cloud of smoke. of an overbearing size, at that.
“It looks like you've arrived as well…Where were you two at?” Arctaius questioned.
Liang looked above him, seeing the tides above him.
“Lafeyah here had some family business to take care of. That aside, let us handle this one…” Liang answered.
To Be Continued