Tides Of Protomis LXI
While the four apostles and four tides clashed, the battle did not end elsewhere within the city. Tremors from bombs crashed ships, and machinery continued to rock the city. While the troops of both sides continued to roll through the streets. As the squads rushed to outmaneuver each other in the depths of Tsugashuan, Fresh troops and armaments continued to pour into the city, with the invading force eager to keep up the pressure. And now, a prestigious squad seemed to be making their way within. The Soryu, the transport ship belonging to the Silver Lions, descended from the top edges of the gorge. As one expected, its members were within. Taiki sat near the wall, looking out the small slit that served as the window.
“If only we could’ve gotten here earlier. Things seem to have taken a turn for the worse…”
The coalition and Kaemerge fleets continued their engagements in the sky, which had gotten notably darker in the time since the battle had begun. The sky was lit up by beams of Sigma Particles that flew from the turrets on the ships. Even more so as the cruisers and Dreadnoughts fired their main guns. Intent on taking out chunks of the enemy fleet. HAUs zipped across the sky as well, doing whatever damage they could to each other and the ships. Followed closely by fighters and corvettes alike. Eventually, Watanabe focused his gaze on the battle on the ground. With tanks rolled through the streets, firing in conjunction with ground use HAUs, firing their Sigma Particle Rifles and railguns at the enemy. Balls of fire appeared on the road as they did so.
But, above all else, what he took notice of was the dead civilians that lay on the street. As he saw it, they were likely unfortunate enough to be caught in the crossfire. Being a soldier himself, it was a sight he’d seen many times before. Though desensitized, he could very well realize it wasn’t a good or trivial thing. Regardless, he pushed these thoughts away, rotating his body to face his two teammates, Yua and Sara. Who looked nearly unchanged.
“If that energy release was anything to go by, I’d say that they got here before us. Watanabe, do you know where Naumov is?” Sara questioned, gaining a shake of the head in response.
“If he were here, we likely would’ve sensed him already.”
Yua brushed her hair back as she stood up and began pacing around the room.
“That said, I expect there to be more strong enemies here.. Either they’ve already been taken down, or there’s none outside of the apostles.”
Ashikaga soon got up as well.
“Let’s not say that. It’s probable that some are left. And don’t forget that emperor of theirs. From what the ones we interrogated said, he has to be really strong to keep people with agendas that different together…”
They’d certainly heard about that… Apparently, two of them had a short conflict between their two noble houses. Which was, needless to say, destructive. After all, these were two high-tiers they were discussing.
“Well, that large amount of Protomis is still being released… So I’ll be going in the direction of that battle.”
The man turned once again, going toward the cargo bay door. Soon enough, joining him were Ashikaga and Yua. The man reached into his jean’s pockets, pulling out a lighter. As he flipped it open, he went into his jacket’s breast pocket, pulling out a blue carton and removing a cigarette from it. Shortly after, lighting it and placing it in his mouth as he reached the bay door. Now, the three stood in front.
“Taiki, You did say you had a grudge against these guys, right? So you must be excited to bust some heads.”
“Yeah... But true as that is, who doesn’t at this point.”
The man began to recall something… The reason his abilities as a proto-human were even active. To think that it’d been over 20 years since then. When Rentei base was destroyed and his parents were killed. When he tried to investigate and went off solo, and that ISA guy came to kill him. And when he met this group of his in the Hasegawa Academy… While he had no doubt that the man responsible for his parent’s death could be long gone by now, that wasn’t enough to deter him. Destroying this organization was more than enough, especially given what they were responsible for.
Watanabe cracked his knuckles as Ashikaga came to his side.
“You aren’t wrong... I’m just as excited as you two.”
Sara cracked a smile, as did Taiki. The bay doors soon opened as Watanabe hopped off the ship, followed By Ashikaga and Yua. The three then began their dash toward Rizian tower as they took note of its location, doing so seemingly unimpeded. Until, in their path, a dark-skinned man appeared. Rinmon of the Imperial guard. His eyes went from Yua To Ashikaga and then Taiki. However, he retained his poker face as he spoke.
“More heretics, I see Proto-humans as well. Regardless, you won’t get past me. It’s about time we clear you out of this holy ground.”
Taiki seemed unimpressed by the bluster, simply beginning to reach for his cigarette as he spoke.
“Holy ground, huh… I will not respect the so-called “Holy Grounds” of the group that encouraged Sokol Naumov to get back into politics… And caused the war we still feel the effects of.”
Rinmon frowned at this.
“So be it…”
The guard put both of his arms out as he yelled.
“Vacuum Blade!”
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
With the words invoked, the air around the three was soon saturated in waves of vacuum blades. The absurdly sharp attack leaves cuts upon them almost immediately. Watanabe tsked as he rushed to get out of the attack’s range, with Sara and Ashikaga doing the same. However, the blades seemed to follow them, forcing them to stay on the defensive. Though, being the tacticians they were, the squad members already began to plan.
“Cut off the attacks from the source, and remove the pressure on us… Then, we can turn this around and swarm him from there.”
Apparently, Yua was not the only one to think this. With Watanabe flying out of the blades’ range and almost immediately rushing toward Rinmon. However, the man was quick to take note of this.
“Vacuum Sphere.”
No sooner did a wave of air flow outwards, the resulting wind making Rinmon’s cornrows and the hair of the three waved violently. As the three took notice, they began to fly away from each other, attempting to split up, but they all stopped moving moments after. Taiki’s eyes widened in surprise as he closed his mouth. Yua soon did the same, followed by Ashikaga.
“What the hell?! I can’t breathe…!” Taiki Thought.
“It’s as if we’re in space - - there’s no air here!!!” Thought Yua.
“You may have noticed a change very recently. I am the cause of that. You may be strong indeed… But this is my element. I can go much longer without air than you can…”
Rinmon smirked.
“Then again, There’s no reason to talk… It’s not as if you can hear me.”
Now the guard began weaving through the air around him in a white-brown blur. All the while, As Yua, Taiki, and Ashikaga continued their struggle to keep the air in their lungs. The effort of which was visible as they clenched their jaws, knowing very well what the consequences would be if they lost said air. Watanabe tsked in his head, knowing very well what he’d have to do.
“There isn’t much I can do here… it looks like I’ll have to let those two take care of this.”
Yua grunted in frustration.
“My control over sound wouldn’t do anything, not here… Ashikaga will have to handle this.” She thought.
The mentioned woman closed her eyes as she began to let her protomis flow through her. Something accompanied by an orange glow coming from her body. Rinmon took note of this as he began to direct his focus upon here… Morso as she opened her eyes, and the light intensified. Rinmon stopped to observe her, but before he knew it, he could no longer see his body.
“What was that?”
His gaze stayed focused on the orange sphere of light that remained before what looked like a space fighter came barreling out at him… Only for it to pass and exit the range of his vacuum.
“What?!”
“Your ability probably would’ve killed us if it hadn’t been for this… But it’s not like that matters now!” Thought Ashikaga.
As she began to fly closer, Beams of orange light flew out of the guns on the fighter’s bow. Though they ultimately did no damage, that was not the intention. She soon sped up, crashing into him and forcing him back. Rinmon began to fly forward, pushing against her new form. Stopping any movement between the two. Though her ultimate goal of catching his attention was achieved, the vacuum dispersed. Taiki finally stopped clenching his jaw as he once again took his cigarette out of his mouth.
“Shift!”
His hand was surrounded by a familiar glow that was quick to take the shape of his greatsword once more. Yua, taking notice of the air that filled her lungs once again, sighed.
“Whew, that was close.”
Yua began to wave her hands as she took notice of the battle continuing in front of her. Ashikaga withdrew as she returned to her human form with another flash of light. Though Rinmon prepared to chase after her, he soon stopped as he looked around in confusion.
“My hearing is gone. But I’m used to that. So that won’t be enough to stop me.”
Rinmon clenched his fists as he took notice of Taiki flying at him, his sword aimed at the man. Rinmon put his arms up as he drew closer. Then, as Taiki got within a few feet, he swung his greatsword at him. Rinmon ducked underneath before reeling his fist back and driving it into his stomach. The hit, however, remained ineffective. The Silver Lion would soon attempt to bring his elbow down on the man’s neck. But he moved out of the way, smashing an uppercut into Taiki’s jaw, which sent his head lurching upward, before following up with another fist, barrelling toward the man’s liver, as he pivoted his body. But, unwilling to get hit by another strike, Taiki weaved around it, decreasing his height and going under Rinmon. Before speeding up as he went upward, his arms bent and his fist aimed at the man’s jaw.
The strike was a direct hit as his body flew upward from the force. But the man stopped himself, Punching downward in a blow that smashed into the back of Taiki’s skull. No sooner, firing off a sharpened burst of air once more, as he opened his palm. Leaving cuts across his opponent’s shoulder and Torso. The man tsked as he took note of how deep they were. Yet, the attack was not nearly enough to stop him. As such, he returned with a barrage of attacks. Taiki alternated between swipes of the blade and strikes. Before he threw his sword out of his hand, Clasping his hands together, he smashed the man on top of his head as he barreled toward the ground, sending tremors outward as he made contact. Taiki looked down upon the dead opponent and then back at his allies.
“He was good, no doubt. But, we gotta get moving. I’m going after their boss. So, try to contain things here, if you don’t mind…”
Yua nodded at this.
“No problem!”
Taiki soon began flying away toward Rizian. Ashikaga and Yua floated overhead, watching as he left. Ashikaga crossed her arms as she looked at the ruined Buildings, what little remained of the district below them.
“Those two had better be pulling their weight…” Ashikaga mumbled.
“Oh, Junko and Valerie, right?” Yua questioned.
“Of course, We didn’t train them just for them to fail like that.”
They’d devoted much of the time they could’ve spent on operations to train those two, after all. The training they experienced was no less arduous than those who went to Yatahari. She hadn’t even planned to accept them. If Corde hadn’t personally asked them to help that Valerie girl. Though Yua didn’t feel the same way.
“Have some faith in them, Sara. From what we saw, they should be fine.”
Part B
Elsewhere, floating near the top levels of Rizian, were the four tides and the apostles. It was dead silent, save for the blowing of the warm winds. Apparently, neither side feeling much will to talk to the members of the other. The silence was only broken as Alarick glanced at his allies.
“We all remember what we came for. Let’s split them up…”
Arctaius nodded.
“They’re too much of a danger to handle all at once. Who gets who?”
“I’d say we can’t decide that, but I’d be lying if I didn’t want to take a crack at the third.” Kazimir responded.
“I have some problems with the one using the cards…” Alarick answered, making his claim clear… Staring the man in the face, he couldn’t help but clench his fists and arch his brows. He had no intention of containing his rage, not toward the one that stood in his path.
“I’ll be eliminating you myself, Van Blumstein!!!”
“I feel the same, Von Zaisen!!!” The man shouted in response.
It did not take much longer For Alarick to fly off with Blumstein, the two ready to begin their battle. In the same way, so did Kazimir and Amelia. The silence returned for a moment as the four remaining stared at one another.
“So that leaves us with half.” Zhao noted.
With nothing more to be said, A golden light surrounded Arctaius. Followed by Zhao tightening his grip on his dao. With Minoru tightening his grip on his Nodachi. Within moments, The two flashed across the sky, metal clanging, sparks flying, and a shockwave flying out as their blades locked. But, this was only for a movement, as Zhao backed up, letting out a lateral swing, only for his opponent to weave around it, returning with a strike of his own. Something that began a deadlock. As their battle continued, they both found that they simply could not land a hit on the other. Either ending in a miss, or one blocking the other and attempting to parry.
Minoru brought his blade above his head, launching a downward strike at Zhao. But the monk was quick to face the point of his sword horizontally as he raised it above his head, stopping the strike. And though it prevented the cut, the force still echoed through his guard, sending him barreling toward the ground. At the least, until he stopped himself mid-air. Minoru continued pursuing the man regardless as he tightened his grip again, bending his arms and arcing his blade above his shoulder.
“It would seem that I need to take this one more seriously now…Perhaps, it is time to show the Guren Ryu’s true form.”
“Guren Ryu- Hayauchi” (Rapid Strokes).
Wisps of crimson light began to surround Minoru’s blade and hands alike. The intense, flame-like radiance only brightened as he charged at Zhao, his speed magnitudes higher than before. And before Zhao could even react, the man began to take 10s upon 10s of slashes. Though Zhao put up a defense, attempting to parry and dodge the strikes, the attempted attacks hit regardless. How had his power increased that much in a few seconds?! His mind flowed with possible strategies before he decided on a technique.
“Guo Art- Counter!!!”
Suddenly, the apostle’s dominance in battle and the stream of attacks halted as the man found himself unable to move.
“What just- “Minoru began, cut off by Zhao appearing in front of him, Twisting his body away before launching his foot forward, smashing a roundhouse into his opponent’s side. No sooner did the man begin to fly away, crashing through not one but multiple buildings. Zhao looked upon this as he flew to follow his opponent…
“Now… Doesn’t that bring back some memories?” He thought.
To Be Continued