Tides Of Protomis LXXII

The Battle Continues.

As Ignatius appeared behind him, Arctaius began to pivot his body, not willing to let the man attack him once again… However, as he did so, the Emperor's fist shot into his cheek, sending him flying away, going through about five buildings in his path, and demolishing them all within a second. However, he would stop himself, and as he did, his gaze went to the sky above as he looked at the opponent who flew at him, ready to press the advantage he'd made for himself.

"This isn't good. Not in the least… if I'm to win, I need to think of something quickly…"

Ignatius stopped his flight toward him, instead opting to land on the ground… As he honed into Arctaius' location through the building that lay in front of him, he charged through it, demolishing it and making it to the road on the other side, where Arctaius stood. Within a second, Arctaius arched his brows, taking the initiative and launching a punch at Ignatius. However, this simply prompted him to put his hand up, catching his fist. He soon released it, only to redirect his arm and pull the youth toward him before shifting his body and smashing a right hook into his jaw. Arctaius grunted as he quickly regained his balance, jumping out of Ignatius' range before swiftly jumping back in moments after, throwing yet another punch at his stomach. However, the man began to move to stop him once again, his arm drawing closer to stop the punch… Arctaius smirked as he quickly pulled back. And sent a kick at the occupied arm, hitting it directly.

"A feint… How did I fall for that?"

Ignatius soon continued his assault, his fist shooting into Arctaius' stomach. Only for a fist to land onto his liver, or, at the least, it would have, had he not intercepted it.

"Allow me to make this known… Tsugashuan will not fall as long as I remain here… I don't know what made you believe otherwise, but the likes of you can not defeat me, Boy!!"

Ignatius soon sent a kick at his opponent's left side, which once again sent him flying away to his right. Ignatius once again began following him. As the two continued to rush through the city, the Emperor continued to batter Arctaius, and the damages that were beginning to pile up were becoming more evident. To both Arctaius' opponent and himself.

"I won't let it end that easily!"

Arctaius finally found his chance. As Ignatius prepared to slug his jaw, it was slower… Enough to allow him some reprieve if he timed it right. As the fist moved within an inch of his jaw, he reversed himself, moving out of Ignatius' range. The Emperor's eyes followed the retreating opponent as his feet skidded on the ground. The lack of attacks was short-lived. The Emperor soon appeared in front of Arctaius once again before he Ax-kicked his opponent's head into the ground… And though he managed to stop himself before his head touched it, the force still went outward, devastating the area around them… Rather than continue his close-range attacks, Ignatius made the decision to withdraw, reverse thrusting until he stopped at the opposite end of the former block before rays of plasma began barreling at Arctaius once again. Unlike last time, however, the ones he sent at his opponent were much larger than before… Arctaius did not move as if uncaring about the attacks heading toward him. A golden light began swirling around him again, and as the beams drew closer, the aura expanded. As the attack finally reached it, the beams simply seemed to disappear. Ignatius placed his prosthetic hand onto his chin as he attempted to make heads and tails of what happened before his eyes.

"That's strange…I was perfectly capable of making contact with him beforehand. He must have something I don't know about up his sleeves… I'd best end this before he gets to show it… I'll have to do this the old-fashioned way."

Ignatius stopped firing his beams as he bent his elbow, bringing his fist back once again before he charged at his opponent. Arctaius' muscles tightened as his opponent drew closer to him, as he swiftly put both of his arms up in his defense. As the man stopped in front of him and began to shift his body back and forth as he peppered Arctaius with strikes of the fist. However, he soon found that, even if slightly, the Emperor's strikes were less effective. Even so, he continued his assault, decidedly sending his fist into Arctaius' chin. The youth soon put both of his hands between the man's fist, and his chin, stopping the punch in his tracks.

"Tch."

Though he was displeased by this, he was not worried. He quickly shifted his hips back and bent his legs. This did not go unnoticed, as Arctaius' pupils flew to the man's legs, as they exploded, and his body shifted forward, breaking through Arctaius' guard! Arctaius attempted to throw a quick jab to stave his opponent off, but Ignatius took advantage of this, grasping his arm and forcing the man's body toward his before shifting his torso back and clenching his fist. As he shifted his body forward, his fist shot into Arctaius' stomach. Something that made the youths head lurch forward from the force of the strike… But that was not the only effect present, as blood began to drip from his mouth. A trail followed him across the road as he was sent flying backward… Arctaius gritted his teeth as he looked over at his opponent.

"Just throwing hits isn't going to work...And my plan of keeping his arms restrained won't work if I just let him keep attacking me... I'll need to go for grappling."

While Arctaius bent his knees, stopping himself with a skid, Ignatius did nothing, simply keeping his eyes trained on his opponent… One could tell by his gaze alone that he was unimpressed... Even downright dismissive of the displays of strength he'd seen. Or rather, to him, the lack thereof. Even if he hadn't said it outright. This apparent display of arrogance angered Arctaius. The two once again remained at a standoff.

"Why do you continue to fight? It should be clear to you at this point… There is no chance of your victory. Accept your fate, death…"

Arctaius decidedly ignored his last statement, responding to Ignatius.

"You're well aware of why I'm fighting… That said, I could ask you the same thing."

Ignatius clenched his fist, raising it by his side… Soon, coming from it was a holographic display, black, with green spheres of various sizes, all centered around a yellow one at the center.

"It is simple… Anyone with any knowledge will tell you, this planet, the solar system… It is chaotic. Filled to the brim with instability. Such instability has allowed for Great Viet and the Siamese Empire to continue on and off wars for hundreds of years. Allowed for the Sons of Neptune, and the many factions that roam the belt and beyond…"

Ignatius stepped forward.

"It has become more than clear to me...No, to us, that humanity shall destroy itself without a guiding hand. That guiding hand will be Ardam. And the one who invokes his will, his goals, will be I. By any means necessary, we will survive. And it is for that reason that I will unite the chaotic earth sphere. All opponents of Ardam's will shall be crushed. Whether they be on Earth, Luna, Or beyond the belt… For our survival and prosperity, the Kaemerge will rule."

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

As Arctaius listened to the speech, he looked upon the man disapprovingly... It was apparent that his speech did not do much in terms of changing his opinion of him. Nor did it eliminate his will to continue. In fact, it seemed to do the opposite, given how he clenched his fists.

"The one who I've wanted to kill for years is in front of me… And I shan't run under any circumstances… I do not fear death. It comes to all…regardless of if you fear it. And ensure Humanity's survival? Don't make me laugh. Your actions will do the exact opposite. Over a billion died in the war you orchestrated as Sokol Naumov took power. So many more in this short period, only three years after the last one you ended came to a close. With all the people you've killed… My family, and nearly my friends. All in the name of your so-called god, you expect me to change my view because you try to preach to me? No… I will destroy this future you speak of… Ramble on all you want, but you can take that idealistic bullshit to someone else."

The two, now, once again, stood in silence.

Part B

February 7th of 1924… There was a child born in the city of Naples. Within the country currently known as Kingdom of Vitedonia, which would later be Castellarano. Though, as many could see, the name was seemingly a Misnomer. The power was not held by the king but rather by the criminal enterprises in the country's urban areas. A precarious situation that arose as king Ridolfo of Fonte, who was formerly the last in line for the throne, used these groups as he wrestled power from his brothers in the wake of his father's death. The city of Naples was no exception, ruled by the Mafia bosses, who had since become warlords by the time World War 1 had ended… With the royal government being able to do very little to control them. The family in control of Naples was the Lombardi. Their patriarch, a man known as Domenico Lombardi. One who brutally suppressed any resistance from the inhabitants of Naples and the surrounding area. Two of those who resisted were Luciana and Mariano Morelli… The parents of a certain boy, Augusto Morelli… He was left at an orphanage owned by a man known as Michele Bassano, who formerly worked for the Lombardi family. Despite his situation, the man lived a mostly enjoyable childhood. Until, at the age of 14, tragedy struck.

1938

Despite the rapidly changing technology and the materials they now had access to, Naples had kept its traditional architecture outside of a few buildings. Within the stone-laden streets, there was a young man with a head of black hair sitting near the smoking, burning wreckage of a car… Tears streamed down his face as he looked down upon a bald man, notably larger than him. What was most noticeable, however, was the blood that stained what was previously a crisp white suit. For quite a while, he was at a loss for words, but he was eventually able to squeeze two out.

"Bassano… Dammit.."

To the young Morelli, it was clear who was responsible. Especially considering Bassano wasn't on the best of terms with the Lombardi. After the man was killed, the boys already boiling anger at the syndicate grew… at 14, he began a long fight against the syndicate, with many of those he knew betraying him along the way. But despite all this, he would make it to Lombardi's manor after waging war on the family for two years. As he and his allies arrived, he would find himself locked in battle with proto-human "Iceman" Vincente Marino, the strongest member of the Lombardi guard. Though hard fought, he would kill him in battle, and make it to Domenico himself, and end his life on that same day. Following this, Augusto was known as the hero of Naples, but that did not stop the royal government from drafting him.

He was thrust into conflict once again as the second world war began. A result of the Pact of New York, and the Solar Entente, battling over control of lucrative qun'mi technologies. The Vitedonian had these very same interests and joined with the SE. Something that did not help the already abysmal living conditions for most of the country. Agusto was one of many sent to the middle eastern nation of Sanaib to land an invasion force. However, sanaib and their allies destroyed this assault, In a single maneuver…" Agusto, however, escaped to shore. And begin traveling through the near east until arriving at the Great Crag, where the ancient city of Babylon is thought to lie…

Within the desert sands outside of the great crag, the faint sound of boots moving through the sand was heard. Though only by the one who caused it. A well-built youth with black hair that just touched his shoulders. His body was covered by a white cloak, leaving whatever he'd worn under it non-visible. The man continued his stroll until he reached the end of a cliff. He soon looked down into the jagged edges that lined the walls that descended into the gorge and what little vegetation he could see at the very bottom. In addition, the ruined stone structures that lined it. He put his hand on his chin as he pondered his next actions. Separated from the force he came here with, the only thing he could do was keep moving. At this point, he would simply have to take his chances with this.

"I should be able to hold out here for a while… I doubt they'll be wasting time chasing me down here…"

He leaped off the ledge, bounding down into the gorge's depths. As Augusto did so, he took note of the lack of any structures, or rather, recognizable ones, relatively large amounts of water, within rivers at the very bottom. Eventually, he would land at the bottom of the gorge, and it was then that he saw something in the distance, the sole standing structure. The walls, built from crude mud-brick, had a number of pilasters and recesses lining the building's rectangular shape. As Augusto stared at it, it seemed to draw him in. Even moreso as he detected something.

"Protomis… Is there someone else here?"

The young man began to walk forward once more, coming to a large stone door that served as the entrance. And, with a single push, the doors swung open, something that resulted in dust flying outward. That, and the cobwebs that saturated the room, hinted at its old age. He down upon the red markings that lay on the ground, lighting the otherwise pitch-black room. Augusto began to inch closer to it.

"Something isn't right here, this building...So well preserved, despite how old it is and the state of everything around it. In addition to whatever this symbol is… There's something else at work here."

Soon, a deep, booming voice resounded through his ears.

"You are indeed correct."

This took the young man by surprise. His eyes darted around the room as he attempted to find the source. He could hear somebody talking, but even though he tried, he couldn't find the direction the sound came from.

"Who said that? Show yourself!"

Soon, the room went dead silent. Until, in the very center of the room, the space there seemed to warp. Something Augusto took notice of as his gaze moved to the center. Soon, an eye began to open in the space above the markings, green, with a thin, slit black pupil in the center… Soon, the voice resounded once again.

"That would be I… God, Ardam, I have been waiting for you to arrive… I will be frank, humanity has committed many sins in its past… It continues to battle itself, kill itself, and I plan to stop that with the divine power vested in myself."

Agusto wasn't impressed by the man's, or rather, the creature's words... Who was he to claim that he was god? That kind of insolence...

"Divine?! As if you're nothing but a heretic, no, not even that… you're likely some sort of creature, trying to get into my head! "

Ardam went quiet for some moments, almost as if he began pondering his words.

"Incorrect… I am sinmply a being, with the supreme power... As I watched mankind grow, I knew what needed to be done. It needed to be cleansed of its sins. However, I was stopped before my work was finished. I've seen what has happened to you as a result of the many conflicts and all others. You could very easily be the one to continue my work. If you open your mind…"

Though it took much convincing on ardam's side. The man would accept his offer, that day, Agusto Morelli died, And Selenium Ignatius, the first follower of Ardam in millennia, was born… along with the beginnings of Tsugashuan, in the very same location… as the place of Ardam's sealing. The beginning of the Kaemerge Empire.

Augusto snapped out of his stupor. This was not a very good time to go through his memories. He would soon tighten his fists as he shifted his left foot forward, putting both of his arms up. As his opponent took notice, he got into a stance as he did. Before he charged at his opponent once again. Augusto's muscles tensed as he did so, preparing to defend against Arctaius' strikes. As he drew closer, Arctaius threw a punch at his chin. But Augusto promptly caught it, stopping his attack. But he was not finished there. He soon sent a kick to the side of Augusto's leg, hitting the gap at the back of his knees.

Causing Augusto to lose his balance for a moment. Though it was a temporary lapse in movement, it proved to be what he needed. He maneuvered past his opponent's extremities and wrapped his arms around his torso before moving to suplex him! As his head crashed into the ground, it broke under him. But Arctaius did not stop there. He soon released the man, throwing him over his shoulder. The Emperor backflipped, landing on his feet. And as he did, Arctaius pivoted, and now, facing him.

He dashed toward him, reeling his left fist back once again. He watched this happen as he prepared to jump out of the way… But he soon found that it was too late. Arctaius' fist shot into his torso. His head lurched forward as his body curved, pushed back by the impact. The man's eyes widened in his surprise at this… But, as he flew back, gliding over the road, he soon regained his composure. His eyes returned to their normal size as he returned to his poker face. He flew forward once again, appearing in front of Arctaius, before striking him around his body with surgical precision, afterward, shoving him away with one last strike of the fist. As he looked upon the boy's disappearing figure, his muscles tightened once again as he spoke quietly.

"Don't think you've won just yet, boy… that hit was a fluke, nothing more."

To Be Continued