Tides Of Protomis LIV-

Tsugashuan was a large city, and, as one would expect of this society, the entirety of it did not look the same. On the outskirts of Tsugashuan, far from the pristine districts in which the nobility lived, were those of the lower classes. Jirou Hashimoto,flew above, looking down upon the decrepit structures that lined its streets. Eventually, he landed, shoving his hands into his pockets. Now, his eyes begin moving around as he checks for any ongoing battles. There was no sign of the coalition, nor the Kaemerge. To him, it looked as if both sides had overlooked the settlement. Perhaps, not without reason. He decidedly landed on one of the many footpaths. He knew nothing of the capital. The same could be said for much of the coalition, save for Bijan, perhaps… But he hadn’t been in the city since he was a child. So, he took it upon himself to gain info. Where the enemy might hide and dig in, armories, things of that nature.

But aside from the strategic prospects, there were also his personal views on what he saw. Not being one to mince his words, he spoke plainly.

“The City looks good from above...But looking at this, it’s clearly not like that all over… Most of this tech ain't been used since the 80s.”

His eyes moved around at the citizens who looked strangely calm, considering who he was. Simply going on about their days. In their hands, he spotted phones from before the advent of holographs, computers too. Decrepit, ancient looking AC/s that likely didn’t serve their purpose anymore. Which certainly couldn’t be good given the climate they found themselves in.

“Even in the face of this poverty… How do these people remain loyal to their so-called divine, and nobility… Not that it matters- we’ll be destroying this regime soon enough…” Jirou mumbled.

As Jirou strolled around the city, he took more looks around to get a better look at the area. ANd, as he did, he promptly took note of a group of men in full armor. Though he was in plain sight, they seemingly ignored him, as if nothing happened. Something that he questioned.

“Their armor is covered from head to toe in Red Streaks. Certainly different from what you’d normally see on the Kaemerge… That partly depends on what lord they’re under, though.”

Though, that much raised the question of who these men were. Though, he didn’t have time to ponder these questions. AS he heard a rapidly approaching screech from his right… And, as such, that was where his eyes went. He almost immediately took note of Maglev tracks on the ground. This reaction was not limited to him, however. Chatters erupted from both the civilians, and the troops alike.

“Is that them?” A man oi white hair questioned, his voice shaky.

“Let’s hope not…” Another responded.

Them? Who were they all talking about, what warranted the change in tone? Jirou began to inch toward the track, and took notice of a bulky, armored Maglev rolling across the tracks. With armored men lying on top. It did not take long for them to begin leaping off of the roof. Rolling to break their fall as they landed, before taking their gauss rifles out of their holsters. Something soon followed by the doors on the side of the cars opening, revealing artillery level railguns, that promptly began firing across the settlement. Easily destroying the building upon impact, as if the concrete and stone was naught but paper mache.

Which certainly didn't bode well for those within, who were either crushed by the blast of pressure, explosion of heat, or the force of the rubble coming down on them. It did not take long for other weapons to make themselves known on the top of the Maglev’s cars, machine guns firing right into the crimson-streak’s ranks. As one would expect, the rounds make short work of those unfortunate enough to get caught in their range. The others would swiftly begin a retreat to the inner parts of the district, where buildings still remained standing, though, how long that would be for was unknown.

They did not have an easy time, however, as their opponents swifty ran through the streets, changing their paths of movement, and formation, as rounds fired from their gauss rifles with a boom, light filling the barrels. The red-streaked men returned fire as they retreated. Soon following this, single barreled railguns, coming from the side of the train fired their shells, As guns coming out of the side fire shells, buildings are destroyed within seconds. This much left Jirou to ask one thing.

“The hell is going on here?”

Something that was met with a response, given by one of the soldiers running past him. “The Sentinels! They’re tearing us apart!”

Jirou, wanting to know more about the situation, decidedly stopped in the path of the rounds, letting them crash into him, deforming, as they rebounded away. No sooner did he close his hand, crushing the squad of Sentinels, and the ground below them, under the force of gravity. With the battle having calmed, if, only for a moment, it was about time that he got some answers. He looked over his shoulder, at a squad of troops that had seemingly gathered around him.

“The Sentinels?” He questioned.

Soon, another one of the troops stepped forward, who, strangely, had her helmet removed. Showing a young woman with a long head of darkened green hair, and a sharp pair of orange eyes.

“The Empire’s anti-insurgency force… They’re free to act as they see fit, extrajudicially, and answering only to the Emperor himself. Not even the apostles have the authority to stop one of their operations…Once we started protesting the imperial government’s actions, it didn’t take long for us to attract the wrong attention. We've been fighting them off for a long time.”

“Is that so? I wouldn't expect that.”

“Yes… some of us want to worship our one true lord Ardam without the Kaemerge looking over our shoulders… Others simply want to get rid of the aristocracy once and for all… I am one of the latter- While some may be fine with sitting under the nobles- begging for the scraps that fall below like loyal mutts… I am not.” The woman continued.

“We all have our own reasons, we've made that clear but we can do what the coalition will not, we know this city.” Another added.

Jirou nodded, his eyes moving across the troops. He supposed it wasn’t too much of a surprise that all of the capital’s inhabitants weren’t fond of their government. That was the case in any country. They’d seen examples specific to the Kamerge themself with people like Bijan, even. Eventually, he decided to speak once more. Though it was never something he’d thought about before, he certainly liked how the woman thought, perhaps it wouldn’t be too bad of an idea.

“Tell me, what are your names? Of this group, and Yours.” He gestured toward the woman.

“I am Uelma, Uelma Lavarit.” She responded. Jirou raised an eyebrow at this statement.

“Lavarit? That’s one of the Kaemerge’s noble houses, is it not? What would you be doing here of all places?”

“I understand why one would ask that. My father was considered a “Lowborn” You see. I am not a true member in their eyes.” She answered.

That was how things went here, huh… That shouldn’t have come as a surprise either. However, he decidedly brushed past this. After all, he was here for battle.

“My name is Jirou, Hashimoto Jirou. Future chairman of the Hashimoto-Kai…”

She nodded, deciding to commit that to memory.

“Well met, Hashimoto. The organization I'm part of, is known as the Crimson Legion. I hope that you survive, so we may meet again.” With this said, she began running off with her troops, presumably, to take action somewhere else in the city. As they left, more of the Legion’s troops ran up to Jirou.

“If you don’t mind helping, we need to take out that Maglev, it’d take too long to get our explosives on the track set up.”

Jirou stood there for a few moments, considering his choices. After about a minute, speaking once more.

“If that’s the case-- fine th---”

Before his conversation finished, however, Jirou felt a tingle between his shoulders. A hallmark sign of an approaching proto-human. No sooner did a red light wash over the area within seconds. Something shortly followed by screams echoing on the streets from the troops around him, before they were reduced into dust. They were not the only ones affected by this, as Jirou’s eyes moved in the direction of the chain, he took note of the screeching increasing in both volume, and pitch. Something followed by the train seemingly flipping over, as it flew off the tracks, buildings crumbling under the force of the locomotive. Jirou stood there with a confused expression.

“Another proto-human, and with what I'm sensing- they’re no joke!!! Is this one of the “Imperial Guards” That Bijan and Liang kept talking about?”

Jirou began to look for the source of the attack, his gaze moving to the sky. It was then that he saw a mountain of muscle, with a scowl, and a head of red hair. With a white robe draped over his shoulders, a black shirt underneath. It did not take long for him to take note of Jirou as well. He’d noticed the man almost immediately, having been briefed on him before the battle began. One of the targets he was to eliminate. Though he did not move as he landed, save for moving his eyes across the Yakuza’s body, as if sizing him up, it was clear to the latter that he was prepared for battle. But, with the lack of information, he needed to ascertain who this was.

“Another proto-human, huh… Who are you?” Jirou questioned.

“Agamemnon Myron, the oldest of the Myron Brothers. We’ve been tasked with assisting the Imperial guard in killing you lot ...You've caused quite a bit of chaos in the short time since you’ve arrived, Hashimoto Jirou.” Agamemnon responded.

Jirou cracked his knuckles as he began to levitate some feet off the ground.

“Of course we have, That’s part of our intent… And I believe that you have done worse, Considering your reputation, and the fact that even those “Sentinels” died from that attack of yours… I do question how you plan to explain that.”

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

A smirk came onto Agamemnon’s face, as he spoke once more.

“If it wasn’t I-- It would’ve been you. That will be my cover "When the target was discovered… he helped a rebellious faction destroy the sentinel force…" Once I finally take care of you, those allies of yours are next. This is a big payout, after all.”

As the very same red light envelops Myron, He flies forward- Jirou prepares himself accordingly, opening his hands. Before he was able to close them, however, a white blur seemingly intercepted the Myron brother, much to the latter’s surprise. It did not take long for him to be launched away by a kick to his chest, courtesy of the interloper… The man who Jirou saw was one of olive skin, a white cloak covering a large body. One could say he hadn’t changed much from his previous showing.

“Another proto-human… Who are you?” Jirou questioned. The man in front of him turned to face him, revealing his face to the Yakuza.

“An ally. My name is Ittur-Sul Caean. I came for the purpose of supporting Arctaius… If you don’t mind, I’d like to join…”

Agamemnon put his hand on his chin, trying to think of where he’d heard the name beforehand, before, he remembered whispers he’d heard of a traitor, a rogue former member of the ISA… One with a large bounty on his head.

“An interloper, hm. A valuable one at that. No harm in more money… I’ll simply eliminate you both.”

“We’ll see about that.” Jioru responded. The Yakuza leaped forward, entering into the man’s melee range, before he launched a left hook, only for his opponent to dive out of the way, returning with a jab to his stomach, pushing Jirou back a bit, before following up with a hook. And, before he was able to make a move, the youth was pummeled by a barrage of punches to his body. Something that didn’t bode well with the amount of strength the man had. Jirou was quick to put his elbow in the fist’s path, stopping one fist, and grasping the other with his hand. Before he lifted the oldest Myron off his feet, flinging him away. Only for the man to skid to a stop not too long afterward. As Ittur observed this, he began strolling toward one of the destroyed buildings.

“Alright… It’s about time that I interfere.”

No sooner did he begin to arrange large pieces of debris, most somewhat larger than his body. Something both fighters apparently didn't take note of, both focused on their melee. This much was soon followed by a dark green glow cloaking his hands, as he placed them onto the mass of metal and concrete and invoked one word.

“Create!”

No sooner did the object begin to change shape. Going from a mass of debris, to what looked like a four legged creature. The legs began to resemble something more muscular, as both a tail, and what vaguely resembled the head of a big cat were sprouted from the construct. All the while, the flow of protomis from Ittur continued, as the details became more clear. Until, out came a panther, constructed of earth, its size about that of a car.

“Alright. Grayed Panther, Let’s move!”

The panther shot forth, the sound barrier shattering behind it as it burst forth. Apparently, something that was noted by both fighters. Angenmon was quick to let out another wave of kinetic force, stopping the beast in its tracks… For a few moments, at the least, taking advantage, Jirou Jumped into the fray, kicking Angenmon’s side. And, while it didn’t do all that much damage, it distracted the man for just long enough. The grayed panther landed on its paws. Before it leaped back to Agamemnon. Claws extended from its paws, as it took a swipe, leaving a gash across his back.

The oldest Myron tsked, as he slammed his palm into the construct, sending it flying back, before, shortly after, doing the same with Jirou. Only for the latter to stop himself soon afterward. From here, it looked as if this would be somewhat troublesome, Essentially a three on one. Odds he’d dealt with before, even worse, much of the time. He would simply have to adapt. As Jirou leaped toward him, so did the grayed panther, as did its creator, Ittur.

“I’ll take care of the panther first…Intercept the Lord of the Dusk’s son, and launch him toward the traitor. I’ll create some distance between us afterward… I don’t know what his range on controlling that thing is, but I’d best find it out quickly.”

Just like that, he began putting his plan into action. A red glow surrounded his hand, as he dashed toward the grayed panther, slamming his palm into its head as he got within a few feet, and sending it flying back. Something that was soon followed by Jirou flying toward him, with a piece of debris, significantly larger than his body at his side. Something followed by him launching it forward, pressing gravity behind it to increase the speed and force further. However, ittur was quick to send out yet another burst of kinetic energy, the signature red light washing over the space in front of him. Until the rubble came to a stop. Before, he took it for himself, grabbing it within his hand, and, in the same vein as Jirou, flinging it forward and using his abilities to increase its speed. Ittur was not quick enough to avoid it, and found himself launched back.

“Good.. The plan looks to be working for now-” Angenmon’s words were cut off by the panther seemingly flashing through the sky, appearing right beside him, silent as ever. The creature opened its maw, before promptly biting the man’s left shoulder, the sharp earthen “Teeth” piercing right through. The man gritted his teeth, as a red light coiled around his free hand.

“Down!!” He yelled, slamming his hand into the construct, to little effect, the force of the fist only proving to shake its body. Infact, it seemed to have the opposite effect, the vice-like jaws only clamping down further. But, the man did not stop there, shouting to accompany another shockwave sent flying out. In short order, flattening the area around him, and finally forcing the panther to release his limb, as it flew back with a trail of blood accompanying it.

Angenmon looked down to his hole ridden shoulder, as he moved his fingers, and moved it around. Taking note of the slightly slowed movements, but not much else in terms of effects.

“That could’ve done more damage had I not been quick in removing it… I’ll make sure to be careful of that thing.”

As this happened, Jirou and Ittur watched from afar, seemingly, planning their own strategies within their heads. But the time for which seemed to be over, as both felt something. Not only Angenmon closing in, but yet another proto-human. One unfamiliar to Jirou, but, given his widened eyes, that was not the case for Ittur. Something Jirou took note of.

“Ittur Sul-Caen, Stop where you are!”

The womanly voice that sounded began a rapid approach, something followed by a dark-skinned woman, with a head of braided black hair, and piercing red eyes dropping from a ship.. Her body was draped in a black, two piece suit. Angenmon seemingly stopped in his tracks as well, as he witnessed them.

“It would seem as if the ISA has arrived…” He mumbled.

“Abosede…” Ittur Mumbled.

Soon enough, Jumping as well, a parachute on his back, was an olive skinned man, with a head of red hair, wearing the very same suit. And a pair of sunglasses over his eyes… Though he hadn’t seen him for years, he recognized this man as well.

“Ubayda.”

The last to jump was a brown-skinned woman with silky brown hair, that reached her shoulders, bangs going down across her face. Her body covered by a suit as well…

“Ramira.”

Now, within a few more moments, they landed on the ground, all of them, placing their gazes onto a single man, Ittur-Sul. They’d arrived , Abosede Kumuyi ,Ubayda Abdalla, and Ramira Aros.

Part B

Jirou looked between Ittur and the three new arrivals, a confused expression on his face.

“Mind explaining what’s going on here?” He questioned. Ittur-Sul glanced at him, as he spoke once more.

“These three are my former team, from my time within the Kaemerge.”

“That so…”

“If you do not mind. I want to handle them myself. Can I leave the eldest Myron to you?” Ittur questioned.

It wasn’t as if Jirou had any personal vendetta against them, so he gave the man a curt nod, and took flight, dashing toward Agamemnon, flying right past the three ISA members, as he clenched his fist, launching a strike as he got close, However, the Myron was ready to receive him. His elbow shot forth, lighting quick, stopping the fist. Jirou reeled back, firing off another, only to be stopped once more, and hit with a counterattack, a punch to his chin.

Something that knocked the Yakuza off balance, long enough for him to begin pelting the man with strike’s, each one shaking his targets frame, and leaving high amounts of damage, especially as his hands were cloaked in a red glow, and miniaturized shockwaves echoed within Jirou’s body. As Jirou gritted his teeth, he promptly jumped away, only for the man to follow, leaping at him. At the least, until Jirou’s hand shot out, as he increased gravity around the man. The ground under him pulverized as he crashed down, facefirst. And, he did not move. To Jirou, it seemed as if he had some time to recover.

“ This guy’s good… I need to control his movement, and keep him from attacking me. Gravity Well is my best way of achieving that, as I see it.”

However, much to his surprise, Agamemnon began to rise! Rising to his hands and knees, before going upright, and only being on his knees. Before, he promptly rose to his feet once more,

“What?!” Jirou’s expression became one of surprise, as Agamemnon began to rush him, both fists cloaked in the kinetic manipulating red light, and ready to strike Jirou. And, promptly, Jirou regained his poker face, as he readied himself to combat the oldest Myron once more.

A left hook was driven into the Yakuza’s cheek, as he reeled to his right. Before a right sent him reeling to the left. And a punch to the stomach that left a mark, as the first implanted itself onto Jirou’s torso. And yet another fist driven into his liver, knocking the wind out of him. Just like that, What was first a few strong punches, turned into a volley.

The youth found himself battered by, not only the man’s physical power, but by the enhancement he put into each punch. Which certainly wasn’t anything good. Jirou attempted a counterattack, driving a fist’s into Agamemnon’s chest. Which did naught, as a Red Aura flashed from the Myron brother, as he launched Jirou back. Not letting his opponent even get a movement in, he followed, Hitting Jirou with another left hook, and planting his knee into his stomach, launching him into the sky with an uppercut. Angenmon flew up to follow him, stopping just above him, and clasping his hands together. Before slamming his fists on top of the Yakuza’s head, and sending him crashing into the ground, kicking up dust and debris as he did so… The man looked down upon his target, his expression unchanged.

“Is this all you have? I expected better from the intel i’ve read!” He taunted.

A certain feeling of anger boiled up within Jirou… But he decidedly suppressed it, instead, continuing to strategize.

“I’m not doing anything-- this explains how the Myron brothers have this reputation of theirs...If I can’t beat him physically…. I’ll have to lure him in, to do THAT… It’s a surefire way to end him. “

Jirou got to his feet, closing his eyes as the dust began to clear. As it did, Agamemnon

Kept his gaze on him as he did, and cautiously began a descent, ready to move in any direction. Intent on keeping his options opened. Until he finally landed, a fair distance away from Jirou. Then, he stood there unmoving. Until his opponent’s eyes shot open, as the ground around him began to buckle, imploding it on itself. seemingly implode on itself, as gravity was further piled on. Agamemnon looked upon with a look of suspicion etched onto his face, as the Yakuza glared back at him. The man began to bend his knees, as he balled both fists.

“He’s planning something… That just means that I'll have to take him out before he’s able to act on it!”

Myron leaped forward and, unknowingly, crossed into the boundaries of Jirou’s gravity field. Within seconds, he was brought to his knees by the gravity, and found himself unable to get up.

“Gravity Well- Formula 50!!!!” Jirou shouted.

With the words invoked, the force of gradually pressing onto the brother began to increase. The myron found it harder to breathe, the rapid change in gravity around him seemingly making the blood rush to his head… But, he pushed through it, as he began to shakily lift himself, getting to his feet in about 20 seconds.

“Did you think that would be enough?!” He yelled.

“Tch… Formula 60!!!”

With this- Agamemnon fell once more- and this time-- Even struggled to stand up.

“It’s taking all of my focus to do this much alone. If another enemy arrived- It would be over for me- I need to end this quickly!!!”

“Formula 80!!!”

Now… The rapid change was simply too much to bear, Angenmon’s vision promptly went black, as the force changed to 80x that of earth’s surface… His opponent is simply crushed under the weight of his attack, With this- Despite his continued struggling- Agamemnon Myron is killed, reduced to paste.

“Dammit...He was no joke… If there are more guys like that running around, we’re in trouble…”

Jirou began to huff, the effects of the attack he’d produced clear. After all, it wasn’t every day that he concetrated that much gravity at one time. Eventually, his eyes went back to the four ISA members, as he took note of the sounds of combat. Staying there for a few moments, as he observed the grayed panther leap around Abosede, who sent jets of pressurized blood forth, to very little effect, from what he saw.

“Looks like he has this handled.. And as for me, I don’t have time to rest. I’d let corde outpace me if I did that… If that explosion up in the sky and the heat sensed was anything to go by… He’s begun moving.”

Now, Jirou began running on the roads leading toward the tower, leaving Ittur to his own devices.

“Abosede… We don’t have to do this. Listen to me-”

“Yes we do!” The woman shouted, cutting him off. Eventually, Ubayda stepped forward, speaking as well.

“The order for your capture or elimination has been sent out ever since your betrayal… And regardless of our former connections. We will carry our mission out.”

“Well said, Ubayda..” Ramira responded.

With nothing else to say, the grayed panther ran across all three, slitting their throats with its sharpened claws, and ending them almost instantly.…

So this was the result of his actions. Even if he eclipsed them in power some time ago, even if he begged them to, they weren’t going to listen to a thing he said. Had they truly come to dislike him that much? Well, in a way, it only made sense, they were raised in the capital, and the indoctrination of its inhabitants was standard… And he left their side. To come back to his old home and have to end three of his old friends wasn’t something he enjoyed, but, to him, it was ultimately a result of his own mistakes. Even so, he wished it could’ve gone better…

“From Ajax to Abosede… I've had two groups of old friends killed by my actions and failures alike. I can let this continue no longer."

Now, he was left to ponder where his future actions would take him. There was still the question of Arctaius, after all…

ED 5- Center Of The World

To Be Continued

Unknown to both parties involved in the city’s conflict, a different group had been sneaking around. Within the vents coiled around Rizian, the man who appeared to Jirou in Shishigai, Lucius Clark, successfully dropped off the map. His body draped in an ornately decorated black cloak, along with him, were three others, wearing the very same thing. Between the gaps in the vent covering, they saw an ornately decorated throne room. Cloths running through the various marble columns lining the room. All leading toward a large painted mural of the Eye of Ardam on the roof. Lucius cautiously scanned the room, as did his allies. After all, considering who they’d have to face if they made a mistake, no observation could be spared. Though he may have been elsewhere in the building, the downright oppressive nature of his Protomis still Eventually, they determined the coast to be clear.

“We need not alert him to us being here, We aren’t dealing with some riff-raff here… Proto-human supremacy will be established!”

“Yes Sir!!!” The members of the Clarke faction responded. Something followed by their leader kicking the cover out of the way, as they landed on the floor, ready to make a dash toward the window overlooking the city… At the least, until they felt something. Almost as if death loomed above them. And, just like that, a Baritone, regal toned voice spoke behind them.

“It’s a bit too late for that…”

Soon enough, the men around Clarke collapsed within pools of blood… And yet, he didn’t even see anyone move! His heart began pumping, as fearful thoughts began to run through his head. The worst case scenario had become the true one. Lucius slowly looked over his shoulder, and saw a pair of eyes giving him a sharp, cold glare. Belonging to a man with a head of brown hair, that reached his shoulder. draped in a regal black silk cloak, lined with gold. Folded cloth around his shoulder and neck held together by a pendant, resembling the eye of Ardam. He was well built, one arm being rather toned. The other, however, being mechanical. With a crystalline object between his eyes. Lucius, visually shaken, turned tail, and attempted to escape… But, before he could even react, he found the man’s prosthetic running through his chest… No sooner did he fall limp, landing facedown, as the man removed his hand.

“Foolishness… Did you truly think the Emperor of this nation wouldn’t note some amateurs trying to sneak out?”

There he was, the Herald of Ardam, and the Emperor of the Kaemerge Empire, its supreme authority, Selenium Ignatius.