(About a day late, but happy thanksgiving to those who celebrate it.)

Zhao And Liang continued to prepare themselves to strike each other down, Tightening his grip on his blade’s Hilt, Zhao’s eyes began scanning for an opening. All the while, Liang merely continued to swing the Shuriken on the wires around him. For a few moments this staring match continued. Until Liang released his grip, as the Shurikens began darting around into separate directions seemingly at random. Keyword, Seemingly. Before long, they began to bounce off one another, throwing themselves onto different courses, as well as clashing onto the buildings around them, eventually, beginning to close in on Zhao in all directions. A direct result of Liang’s calculations and predictions.

“If I'm hit It’ll be a problem... I’m not too experienced at using this. But I'll have to do what I can... I didn’t learn these techniques for nothing.”

“Guo Art: Cyclone Sanctum!”

As he yelled, Zhao began to spin, sending waves through the air around him. Which, not so long after, began to grow stronger, as, soon, a wave of air pressure flew out, sending some Shurikens away, while some flew forward. And, as Zhao took note of this, he began to make minute changes in his trajectory, trying to alter their course. Something that looked to succeed, as they began bouncing off of one another, and, to Liang's own disadvantage. Many of them begin to come toward him. He shifted to the left, dodging them. Before, he began to draw back. Now, the storm of blades surrounding Zhao had dispersed. But that was simply not enough for him, as he flew forward once more, ready to press the attack. Zhao balled his fists, and, as he came into close range, an exchange of blows began immediately. As Zhao threw a punch, Liang ducked under it and gripped his arm. Zhao would attempt to continue his attack, launching a knee at his stomach. But, Liang throws his own knee, Stopping his attack as their shin’s clashed.

“I’ll say this once-- and only once, Leave the Kaemerge- they clearly don’t have your interests in mind! Would your sister really have wanted this?”

“YOU don’t even know her. Who are you to ask that question?!”

Liang drew his free leg back, before delivering a hard right kick to Zhao’s ribs. He did not stop there, pushing his opponent’s legs out of the way, he used his leg formerly used for defense. Striking him with a right kick. Before, he began a constant stream of the attacks his style was based on. Pounding on Zhao’s sides with these strikes. Again, and again, the strikes continued to fall... While a rib or two wouldn’t put him out of commission, it would be enough of a disadvantage that he was not willing to gain an injury like that. Zhao attempted to get away from his opponent, But Liang took note, moving to follow him. Continuing to launch blows at Zhao, until after what felt like hundreds of strikes, Liang would end it, Launching his fist into Zhao’s stomach. Something that not only folded him over the man’s fist, but caused a red liquid to trickle down his chin. Even so, he used this to his advantage, as he secured his arm and began to launch return strikes all over Liang’s torso. Before, he kicked him away.

Now, the two stood there once more, watching for any movement from their enemy. Though Zhao seemed intent on de-escalation, it became clear to him, that this wasn't what Liang was seatrching for. At the least, not without some convincing... It did not take long for Liang to rush forward, launching a kick at Zhao's side once more. However, Liang sidestepped it, and prepared for his own attack. Drawing his Dao from its Sheath, and thrusting at his shoulder. But Liang was quick, dodging this strike as he stepped out of his attacker's range, launching another wave of Shiruken. The monk proceeded to swing his sword in wide arcs, knocking them off their course. Before, he hilted his blade once more, and ran forth.

It didn't take long for the two to be locked into a one on one brawl. Something looking more like a practiced dance then a battle, using their footwork as they moved in a circle, avoiding their opponent's attacks, as they attempted to return with their own. All the while, the three watched the battle from the sidelines.

"So this is a battle between two martial artists... They're both skilled, No doubt." Thought Arctaius.

Eventually, however, it looked like the dance was over, as Liang made a mistake, Twisting his body back, as he sent a kick toward Zhao... Something the monk managed to dodge, leaving Liang in a less than advantageous situation, unable to defend from a counterattack. Something his opponent noted almost instantly.

"An opening.... I can't let him right himself!"

The monk slid his foot back, as he straightened his fingers. Before quickly jolting it forward, putting his weight into a palm strike poised to slam into Liang's chest, which, accompanied by a pulse of air, did, knocking the wind out of his opponent, and sending him barreling away. Stopping 10 feet away, lain on his back...

Zhao was unsure of what to do at this point. He certainly had no love for the Kaemerge and thier mindless killings. But considering what he'd said earlier, he doubted the man was even involved in the destruction of the monestary... The dates simply didn't add up. He would make one last gamble to extend the olive branch, if that didn't work... He knew what to do. As Liang got to his feet, ZHao finally spoke up.

“It is a fact that I don't know her… But that doesn't change the fact that you do, does it?”

Liang, strangely enough, stopped moving at as he heard the Monk speak... With his words in mind, he thought back to his few interactions with Cuifen since he joined up with the Kaemerge. He could recall it, Images of her expression throughout the years flashed through his head. The frowns, the distinct expressions of sadness, as well as her words…

“Brother”

“You don’t have to do this.”

Liang clenches his fist as he turns away from his opponent… This was no longer something that he could merely ignore.

“Dammit… What have I been doing all this time-Even with her words, I’ve continued to fight for them. Even if I planned to ultimately leave them…”

Liang secured his weapons on his waist.

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“I've stayed for too long. I need to go retrieve my sister…Lafeyah-”

Liang looked over his shoulder as he uttered his name. Lafeyah focused his gaze on the Martial artist.

“I’ve decided… I’m leaving earlier than I expected. I’m going to find Cuifen, and that is all... Once that is done, our fight will resume...What is your name?”

Liang turned forward, his orbs planted onto Zhao’s position.

“Zhao Lei.”

“My name is Yu Liang.. I hope you’ll be prepared when we finish this. You are a worthy opponent… I wouldn’t be satisfied if I won easily."

It was only then, that Liang began flying away. And as he bounded across the sky, he reached into his pocket. Bringing out his Communicator. Taking one last look at it, he began tightening his grip on it, until its form folded within his hand. Crushed into a mangled mass of scrap metal. Now, he began focusing his mind on his goal, looking for his final family member. Leaving the four behind. They caught each other's gazes, before nodding, with three of them landing.

“That could’ve ended a lot worse. “

Zhao flew toward the roof with the others, landing in front of them.

“You sure it was a good idea to let him go, it can quite possibly come back to bite us…”

Zhao nodded, aware of the fact.

“Well, that’s a possibility… If it turns out to be the case, I will handle it. After all, I always plan to keep watch.”

Bijan stepped to the edge of the building, his eyes, looking down at the emptied streets below them.

“I think we’ll be fine for now. The few times I've overheard him talking about it told me, he really is protective of his sister.”

Zhao nodded.

“We’ll just have to see. On another note, Where is Zaisen?”

Arcraius glanced at him.

“ Oh, Half-pint. He decided to stay back at the manor in case somebody else appeared back there.Still need our info sources secured, after all.”

“I suppose that makes sense... Shall we go and aid him?”

Arctaius turned away from him, putting his gaze on the rest of the warzone that had formed around them.

“We could do that… But on another note, we don’t know how our enemies will move. The military can probably take care of their normal assets. But there might be more proto-humans like us running around.”

As he finished, something began to ring through their ears. The distinct sound of a Plasma Jet engine was heard. Which captured the attention of all four of them.

“Well, there are those assets.”

In front of them were three black aircraft, shaped much like a cargo plane. The wings lined with small guns attached. Before long, however, the dropships began to split. With two landing on surrounding roofs, on the left, and on the right. With one landing in front of them. With six men, along with two women coming out of the ships on their sides. All wearing the same uniform as Lafeyah. Not only this, but, they took notice of the humanoid machines shooting across the sky around them.

“HAU's too, Huh? I guess they're really pulling out the stops.” Said Kazimir.

Lafeyah cracked his knuckles.

“Well. looks like we have some cleanup to do.”

While Arctaius balled his fist.

“Alright, Let’s get this over with.”

Part B

Soon, the enemy proto-humans landed on the roof in a line. All the while, Arctaius walked at his opponents nonchalantly, remaining expressionless. One of the proto-humans, the largest out of the group, stepped forward as well. His expression was one of distaste, a frown on his face, with his eyebrows arched.

“How arrogant- whether you're one of the 4 tides or not... Do you truly think that you can defeat us all?”

Arctaius remained undisturbed.

“ “4 tides”? So that’s what you’ve been calling us. Though, I don’t know what that means. I do know one thing…My victory here is assured.”

“Even then, I’m sensing a guy who’s not too weak around here. I’m sure it's not any of them, but we’ll see.”

A proto-human behind the man pulls out a longsword, before charging at Arctaius. Despite this, he didn’t even flinch. The woman wielding the blade began yelling.

“Arrogant Boy- Know your pla-”

Before she finished, however, Arctaius seemingly disappeared, with small sparks of electricity left in his former place. The woman’s eyes widened as, behind her, Arctaius appeared. And, just like that, a feeling of fear began to loom over her. Her instincts took over, and she attempted to move away, but it was much too late. Arctaius’ hand shot toward her neck, as the tall man yelled once more.

“Ikeda!!”

Arctaius grabbed the woman’s neck, hurling her away, as mid-air, her body twisted to face Arctaius. From here, he leapt, driving his elbow into her stomach. An action that both left a large bruise from the impact alone, and sent her body cascading through the city, destroying buildings as she crashed into them. Stopping hundreds of meters away.

“You didn't even let me finish…Let's start with the reasons you won’t defeat me... #1- You have no semblance of a Strategy…”

The tall man clenched his fist.

“Dammit!! Jain, Xique, Now!!He’s just some child. He can’t be that strong!”

He yelled, his voice laced with venom. Following his command, the other three members of the group charged at him, seemingly gliding on the roof’s floor, as they spun around Arctaius, charging forward from three different angles. Strangely enough, he let this take place.

"I'm the arrogant one, and yet you think that's a factor here…"

And, as they launch their attacks, with a burst of blue light, coming toward him, from Jain, a man with short blonde hair. He was thrown back, at the least, until he skidded to a stop a few moments later. Soon, Xique the tall man jumped forward, thrusting a fist into his stomach, and it was a successful attack, his body folding over his fist. Drawn in by his apparent weakness, the other two prepared for their own attacks. All the while the others stood back, observing this display. Zhao put his hand on his chin in thought. Struggling against people like this was a far cry from the strength he would expect from someone with as much protomis as he had. Especially if he fought the man with the flames,who’s name escaped him... Until, it came to him.

“So that's what he's doing…”

Kazimir glanced at him.

“Hm. What do you mean?”

“Sun Tzu always had a saying-- to appear weak when you are strong... and strong when you are weak. It seems that Corde is doing the former.”

Lafeyah nodded.

“Seems that it's working, they're definitely taking the bait.”

Now, about a minute into their assault, Arctaius disappeared once more, showing up outside of the circle that had formed around them. At first, nothing took place, until their bodies began to jerk around like ragdolls, as clear signs of impact appeared all over their bodies. As if it was somehow a delayed reaction. Arctaius looked over his shoulder at the three remaining squad members.

“Reason #2. You lack any reason. Did you not find it suspicious that I'd suddenly gotten weaker out of nowhere?”

Seemingly, ignoring his statement, they all fly at him, launching their attacks, a burst of fire flies at him, a man throws a blade, and yet another with a Katana comes from behind, likely from the other ship, attempting to stab him, even so, he remained calm, as he removes his hands from his side.

“Now this-- is the final reason... You can't cooperate to save your damn lives.”

Within moments, Arctraius appeared elsewhere, as blood spouted from the remaining troops. To them, it may have looked like a blur smacked into them, but his allies saw it all, hundreds of hits within seconds. Just like that, it was over… Or, it would’ve been, if Arctaius hadn’t taken note of the last remaining soldier, who stood unmoving. He raised an eyebrow as he watched this display.

“You may have beaten them-- but I still remain! In the name of Ardam, I shall punish you, Drakon Maxima-- Form Up!!!”

The man soon began forming a pose, as a light, out of nowhere began to surround him, and, soon enough, his clothes seemed to disappear, replaced with said light, until different clothes came to replace them… But, the rather long sequence was cut short, Arctaius kicked him to Zhao. Who jabbed his hand into his neck, finishing him off in one strike.

“Fool, Did he really think we were just gonna let him transform?”

“Looks Like it... What does he think this is- a Manga?”

...

As they all went silent, they began to regroup, before they sensed the approach of yet another proto-human. Coming out of one of the ships, was a certain man with slicked-back hair, to which he smoothed as he stepped out. Kadmos Myron.

“Well-- How nice of you to critique their fighting... Maybe these useless soldiers will learn something from this… If they're still alive, that is. Though, looking at them, I doubt that.”

The group of four glanced toward his new opponent, taking note of how casually he carried himself

“Well, going by the fact that I took them out this easily. I can assume that you were the stronger power I felt.”

“Well, You’d be right… Kadmos Myron, temporary leader of these men, And the middle Myron Brother.”

“Arctaius Corde… But you may already know that.”

Kadmos nodded.

“Of course I do. All your names, in fact. The brown haired one is named Kazimir, The bald one is named Lei, And that traitor you have with you is Bijan. But that's beside the point-- since you've been causing some trouble for them. The boss wants you out of the way. You interest me-- especially after that battle of yours. so I'll be taking you on.”

“Fine with me..” Responded Arctaius.

To Be Continued