Tides Of Protomis LXIV

The True Power of an apostle

Zhao once again stared Minoru down. Unlike before, he was less than composed. By now, it was as if a pattern had emerged. Whatever he would try, his opponent would once again come up with something to counter it. Truth be told... He was running out of trump cards, Techniques that he hadn't already seen. But he could not very easily say the same for the Apostle. The man experienced, and though he'd been fighting for most of his life, so had this man…

"What I see here is nothing good. If I let him launch that attack, it won't end well for me…"

Zhao rushed forward as he prepared to continue his attack. But, as he made his way over the asphalt, he found that his swift advance came to a screeching halt. Long before the monk reached Minoru. It was then that he took note of how much the green light had expanded.

"This Qi barrier, it's that dense?! I can't even move through it… The most I can do is reach a hand in. In that case, I'll have to minimize the damage as best as I can, but even then…"

Zhao soon reversed, flying away as Minoru opened his eyes. As the Apostle brought his blade behind him once again, he got into his stance, holding one hand near the end of the hilt, and another near the guard, as he placed it back into its scabbard. Zhao swiftly put his blade in front of him to prepare for Minoru's attack. It wouldn't be easy. That much was guaranteed.

"It's time that you know the true power of an apostle… Kyuyoku Guren Art: Ten No Shinpan Rasen!" (Ultimate Crimson Art: Heavenly Judgment Spiral).

Soon, Minoru began his ascent into the sky, breaking the clouds as he flew above, at high speeds at that. By the time he had stopped, he found himself surrounded by what resembles a night sky, given the number of lights that saturated it. However, it'd only been dusk in the city of Tsugashuan. Though, with his height, that much didn't matter. After all, he had nearly reached outer space.

The air was thinner and the air much cooler. Truly, almost inhospitable, luckily, his body was a hardy one. Hardy enough that this following technique wouldn't mission wouldn't destroy him before he even got to his target. He put his blade in front of him as he began descending toward his opponent. No sooner did a bubble of burning heat begin to follow as he picked up speed, dropping like a human orbital shell. Even more so as he began to spin like a drill, and his acceleration increased. In under 10 seconds, the man had traveled from space to the ground… Zhao looked upon the oncoming opponent as he prepared to move out of his way.

"Dammit-- He's picking up speed!!!"

Minoru continued his advance forth, with the speed of his revolutions increasing. As the Apostle honed in on his opponent, his gaze became more intense.

"You'll see the true power of an apostle… You shall not defeat me!!!"

Zhao would swiftly begin an attempt to elude him. Only to his surprise, he finds his opponent changing his angle to follow him. Soon the blade was driven into his shoulder as the revolutions continued. More and more, tearing apart the muscles within. As Minoru's descent continued, he simply dragged Zhao along with him. As the two impacted, a crater was created with the force, and another shockwave was sent outward. The sector they stood in was reduced to exposed rock within a moment. The roads could not bear the force, as they were ripped from the ground, and the buildings could not either, sending rubble cascading to what little remained of the streets… As this battle took place, looming above was a youth wearing the same clothing as Minoru and a blade of the same length placed on the scabbard on his hip. Taking note of how easily his father's opponent was being pushed back, he was content to turn away.

"It looks like my worry was misplaced. I may as well head back to the manor."

Now, he blasted off in the other direction, decidedly letting the two duke it out. Elsewhere Minoru's advance did not stop, even as the two crashed into the ground. Instead, Minoru simply drove the man through the ground as if he were mining through it. Zhao gritted his teeth as he looked at the steel driving through his shoulder. He suppressed what little plain panged through him as he began to reach for it.

"I need to stop this- otherwise, this arm of mine will be useless. Possibly even worse. That much would be a fatal disadvantage."

"Guo Art-Redirection!"

Zhao swiftly reached to grab both the blade's hilt and the Apostle's wrist. Then, tightening his grip to further increase his leverage and moving the edge out of the depths of his shoulder. Though the wounds remained, he had at the least given himself the chance to escape.

"That's not much - but I'll take it!"

Now, Zhao had finally been able to move out of his path. Moving below him, before hopping behind, landing on one of the walls of the tunnel they'd formed, before doubling back, straightening his fingers as he did so.

"I've finally learned what the difference is between his regular attacks and those techniques... At the moment of activation, he pushes a large amount of qi forward to increase his speed, as well as the amount of protomis flowing through his body… I need to stop that. "Zhao reasoned.

"Guo Art: Seventeen Emperor’s Whirlwind fists!"

With his strategy decided, he quickly began to act on it. Spearing the man's right shoulder, one point closed. His left elbow was next, leading to another closed. He only continued from there, moving across the man's torso and extremities, His speed only increasing as time went on, as he remembered just what he was fighting for.

"This is it. Once I get rid of his Qi points…"

The rather dense barrier around him began to weaken, the light growing fainter and fainter as each hit fell. Moreso, as Zhao was finally able to get more attacks in. Eventually, this culminated in the revolutions stopping.

"This means nothing... I'm not done yet!"

Minoru's sandal-clad feet landed on the end of the tunnel below him before rebounding toward Zhao, taking a swing at him as he closed the distance. But Zhao eluded him once more, ducking under a swipe. A smirk tugged at the monk's lips as his feet touched the ground. Then, ready to enact the next stage, he leaped, raising his leg above his head. Something which resulted in the heel of his foot smashing into Minoru's chin. Which sent the man flying up, going out of the tunnel he had created and into the sky above. This was, no doubt, not the result he'd expected.

"That took a lot more out of me than I thought it would…Dammit."

Stolen story; please report.

Though he was drained, there was no doubt that his opponent was as well. With the length of their battle as well as the injuries they'd both gained. Meaning he was still very capable of winning this battle. But it would all come down to who acted quicker. His thought was soon interrupted as he noted the speeding blur that was Zhao, flying to the surface with his Dao in his hand. No sooner than he revealed himself did he shout his declaration.

"I'll end this here. You, and the Kaemerge, Ito Minoru!"

Minoru tightened his grasp on his blade once again as he prepared for the man's attack, putting it in front of him.

"We'll see about that!!"

Zhao continued his charge, extending the point of his blade outward as he attempted to send a thrust at Minoru's chest. However, he sidestepped before returning a strike, thrusting at his neck. But the monk moved out of the way, bending backward. Now, Minoru drew back, preparing himself to launch a lateral swipe once more. But, it was at that moment that Zhao saw an opening and concurrently made his move. Zhao returned to his upright position as he threw his dao into his right hand. Before attempting to spear the man's chest with his steel. Something that, to his surprise, was a success. There was no parry; there was no dodge. The only thing that followed was the blood-stained blade emerging from his back. And just like that, the relative silence of the district returned.

Zhao floated there as the man went limp, weighing down his blade. He stared down upon the carrion for some time before he pointed his sword downward. Something that let the corpse of the Apostle slide off, plummeting to the ground below. Of course, the knowledge of the battle's results was quick to spread. The soldiers surrounding them, who'd paid attention to their struggle since the start, stared at it. While expressions of dread, of confusion, came from the Kaemerge. Among the troops of the coalition, there was excitement. After all, one of the enemy's 4 strongest had just been killed.

Aside from them, however, there were the nation's civilians. For a particular brown-haired youth, this was especially harrowing. Within an ornately decorated room, most resembling that of a traditional Japanese home, was Ito Hajime. Watching a screen that displayed the footage, though patchy as it was, sigma particles certainly had that effect. As he watched his father prepare to swing, he was smiling. After all, as far as he knew, it was his father's victory. But his demeanor changed as the blade plunged through his chest. His expression was blank in nature, and he'd since gone silent. Though it was not due to a lack of caring, more due to surprise, Confusion… Soon, the image disappeared as a woman with short violet locks came to report it. She was quiet for a moment. The atmosphere within the studio was dreary, to say the least.

"In a great national tragedy… The 1st Apostle, Lord Minoru Ito, has died to one of the heretics, Codenamed the Four tides."

Hajime slammed his fist on the wall in frustration, the force of the strike shaking the building around him. His despair slowly began to turn to pure rage, moreso as he thought about the very circumstances that now led to his death. His body even began to shake, and he tightly clenched his fists as a grimace came to his visage. By now, he was ready to explode.

"Father… damn you, Four Tides, and most of all, Damn you, Selenium Ignatius. How many will die for this cult, this foolish Dogma, until you recognize that it's false? All-seeing god? Don't make me laugh. These soldiers that blindly died for you, the civilians that have been killed here. You haven't spared them a single thought, have you… I'll make them pay. I'll make you pay as well…"

With no more words, he reached for the Nodachi in his scabbard, beginning to draw it, fully prepared to go into combat, to take his revenge. This outcome was something that he couldn't allow… But he would stop soon after. Standing as if he were debating with himself. Before he placed the blade back within and let go of the hilt, shaking his head.

"Keep your composure... That's what father would've told you. The last thing I need is to charge in unprepared. I need to get out of this city."

As he finished speaking, the paper walls at his back parted. Something followed by three Youths of a similar age entering. One, the tallest to enter, was a dark-skinned man wearing red silk robes, with the leg portion being exceptionally baggy. The sides of his head faded, while the top remained uncut, though comed, Kondo Sibale. To his right stood a light-skinned man, just an inch or two shorter than the man to his left. He had straight white hair that extended down past his shoulders. His yellow orbs soon focused on Hajime, Zhugal Lavarit. Then, there was the man to his right, who was dressed rather casually. A simple black T-shirt and blue jeans. His skin appeared to be tan, and his curly hair was black, Dhanis Kumar. As Hajime took notice of the men who entered, his gaze fell upon them.

"In that case, count us in, Hajime…" The man of white hair declared.

Kondo walked as he looked out the window at the darkened sky, continually lit time and time again by bursts of beam fire… This, in addition to the battles between the troops he saw on the way, certainly didn't bode well. And if what he learned was correct, it was doubtful any reinforcements were coming. If they were, he wasn't too eager to jump in to help those fanatics. An opinion he shared with his old friend. With all that considered, he came to a conclusion.

"As I see it, this nation will likely fall… So we need to leave soon, and we need to do so discreetly. They won't take proto-humans from their enemy lightly."

Dhanis nodded in agreement.

"Yeah. We can jump in and out from what's left of the guns on the gorge's walls." Dhanis reasoned.

It wasn't an uncommon thing, what they did here. After all, they'd done operations beforehand. Though they did so independently. There was no way in hell they'd help the Ardamites.

"Well... It's a good thing I have you guys then… They won't stop the four of us together. Let's move. "

Now, Hajime began a slow, drawn-out walk to Kondo's side. Stopping there and opening the window. Dhanis and Zhugal soon came to join them. With a nod, Kondo was the first to exit, and it did not take long for Dhanis and Zhugal to do the same… Now, only Hajime remained. As he lingered, he looked around his childhood home. His memories of time with his now-deceased parents and with the group that stayed behind him. From when they were all children, barely understanding the world's truths, the country they'd lived in. To how they were now… As the others noted that he had not exited, they soon peaked in. Finally, Hajime snapped out of his stupor as he took flight as well, coming out of the window. In silence, they landed on a nearby roof, and once more, they observed the battle from above.

"One day, we will return… And on that day, vengeance will be ours. Let's move." With that much said, the four all blasted off to the east, leaving the citadel behind.

Elsewhere, in the epi-center of the destroyed city, Zhao floated overhead, Holding his shoulder. As one would expect, his damages had begun to take some effect as the adrenaline wore off. His third eye closed, and his breathing soon became labored. He looked down at the tattered, once proud uniform he had entered with. Though he would not dwell on that, he was not one to do so, after all.

"That's one down, but… That just proves something- those apostles are still a powerful enemy, despite our training. That raises another question, A major one. How strong is that Emperor of theirs?"

Part B

Though their battle was finished, the same could not be said elsewhere. Three Tides, Three Apostles, and Three concurrent battles. Within the tower of Rizian, Arctaius Corde and Najeem Al-Moussa stood in a large, high-ceilinged room, lacking in anything besides the internal supports beams. A good space for the battle, no doubt. Najeem was soon to begin his attack, with scythe-like blades emerging from his wrists. No sooner did he advance, prepared to slice him into pieces, given a chance. But, of course, his target would not make that easy. Arctaius clenched his fists, accepting his challenge as he charged forward as well. Najeem ducked under a jab as he took a swipe at his opponent's legs. Arctaius leaped over the strike, landing behind him and throwing a kick at the side of his head. However, what looked to be an explosion of bone came out of his shoulder, the spears coming toward the youth. Only for him to sidestep, The bones soon retracted. As the Apostle swiveled and attempted to sweep his opponent off his feet, Arctaius hopped over the attack.

But Najeem would not end his assault there, jumping to his feet, yet another blade extended from his ankle. Followed by sending a high kick aimed at his face. Arctaius, though he drew back, found that the attack had left a cut on his cheek, though trivial at best. Najeem resumed his attack as he became upright once more, launching strike after strike with the blades on his hands. Arctaius managed to catch both of them, but the action left his palms bloodied. Regardless, he lifted the man, Flinging him away. However, his opponent skidded backward, stopping himself. Regardless, Arctaius reeled back moments before giving the man a right hook. The man recoiled, Staggering a bit.

"I can't have you getting in the way...Not with that one up there."

This boy, He couldn't certainly mean…

"His Excellency? Even if you did get past me, you wouldn't stand a chance against him, boy… You may be somewhat strong, but that man has been fighting longer than you've been alive, as have I…"

The two entered a staring match that was soon interrupted by their spine's tingling, a sign of proto-humans approaching. What was more notable, however, was the familiarity Arctaius noted. It did not take long for debris to begin falling from the roof, as well as the sound of rushing winds. The two looked up at this in surprise, looking up to see who'd approach. And there they were, two men. The silver lion's Taiki Watanabe. And yet another, whose appearance was especially a surprise. A giant of a man, Donning the traditional stark white medal-lined raiment of the Tsar. As well as the metal pin in the shape of an eagle on his chest. And a blade on his side. Here he was, the Tsar of the former 2nd Russian Empire, Sokol Naumov. Arctaius' eyes darted between the two as their feet landed on the ground.

"Watanabe, Naumov? What are you two doing here?" He questioned.

"Isn't it obvious? I couldn't just sit back with everything happening here… Since this Apostle is right in front of us- I say we take care of him."

Sokol cracked his knuckles as he parted his lips to speak.

"I agree…"

Najeem frowned at the appearance of the two. This became more pronounced as he focused his gaze on Naumov.

"Sokol Naumov...We give you a hideout near our base, and you come with THEM?!"

"I've recognized a fact, one that I should've recognized 24 years ago… That working with you all is a fool's errand. Besides- this would've come to be, one way or another…"

Watanabe turned his gaze over to Arctaius.

"Corde-- Take care of that "Ignatius" Character. We'll handle him."

Arctaius stood there in silence as he turned on his heel… It seemed that despite the years, many things remained the same about their relationship hm. Perhaps there was more caring between them than either would admit. Though, rather than that, Arctaius was focused on his upcoming battle. As such, he decided on a simple response.

"You truly annoy me, Watanabe, Always intervening in my battles… However, I'll entertain your request. You'd better not lose."

Watanabe turned back to the Third Apostle.

"Of course, I won't… Not easily, at the least."

With this, Arctaius rammed through the wall, destroying it as he began his ascent upwards.

"You've sent that one to his death. He stands no chance. Although, it's not as if I care. I'll finish you two off and stop him myself."

To Be Continued