Tides of Protomis XLVI

Once again, the party of two walked through the wilderness. However, unlike the days before the WFF, the landscape they found themselves in was not a decrepit forest path. Rather, it lacked any signs of human habitation at all. The scattered trees were replaced by rolling plains covered in Grasses and shrubs. Though to the two, the landscape wasn't their focus. Instead, one of the beasts that lived there was. It was familiar to Liang, with the beast living in most of China, outside of the urban areas, at least.

In front of the two, a reptilian beast stood on four legs. Its giant, bat-like wings began to flap as it took to the skies, moving away from them, before firing electric arcs from the thick, twisted horns extended on the sides of its head. Liang sidestepped the bolts, something followed by the beast letting out an ear-piercing screech before firing once more. Liang dived out of the way. Beginning a counterattack by leaping toward the beast, his Jian in his hand.

In a moment, he was in front of the beast, jabbing his blade into its' flesh. Before he began moving along it, going across the length of its body repeatedly, before it fell to the ground in chunks. And, strangely enough, as they finished, they simply resumed their walk. Liang shoved his hands into his pocket while Bijan pulled out his holo-phone, tapping the side and bringing up the display, tapping through it, until he brought up a map. His eyes began to move across it as they walked. Eventually, he would glance at Liang.

"Looking at the map… we're much closer to Lhasa now…About 75 more miles… I don't get why we couldn't have just taken a Maglev."

"Two reasons, one- we'd need credits for tickets, which, may I remind you, we don't have. And, two, do you think they'll let two shifty teenagers with no ID on- after everything that's been going on lately?"

Bijan went silent for a moment…. He couldn't deny what he said, but, at the same time.

"Come on man… we could at least stop at a restaurant or something. All we've eaten is whatever's running around here. Not to mention the Dragons and Algorians coming after us every five seconds…"

Liang closed his eyes as he returned his gaze forward.

"Once again, No credits… and it's not as if they're a threat."

"As true as that is, they're annoying…Damn that Lifeweaver for creating these creatures."

"Stop complaining… We are running through their territory after all."

Liang opened his eyes once more as his thoughts began to drift elsewhere; the way they got here didn't matter to him.

"But we'll have other problems to worry about soon. We're close. And we don't know how strong their forces are there, and they can use Cuifen as a hostage if need be." Liang noted a tinge of anger in his words.

Lafeyah nodded in acknowledgment.

"If they kill Cuifen, then this would've all been for nothing."

"Precisely, we'll do a sneak entry… We need to find out who the leaders of their forces are and take them out before the others. It's a simple strategy, but it works."

"I suppose I can't disagree with that…"

The silence between them returned. Bijan seemed to drift away as another thought came to his head, one entirely separate from Cuifen and Liang. But one that constantly stayed in his head nonetheless.

"The more we advance, the closer we get to the capital, which means- I'll likely see my parents… No- rather-- those two who disowned me. I will speak with them one final time…"

In the midst of their advance, Agni calmly sat on his throne, with his highest ranking subordinates around him. The room was quiet, as there was not much for them all to talk about. All things considered, aside from a few hiccups, their plan had gone quite well. However, the silence was soon broken by the sound of footsteps. Strolling in was one Henrik Lundgren. Agni turned his gaze toward the entering ace pilot. Something that the entire room did soon after. Noting that he gained their attention, he saluted.

"There you are, Lundgren. Give us your report."

"Lord Agni… it seems that Liang Yu and Bijan Lafeyah have broken through Ardamite forces near Chongqing… "

Agni smirked.

"So one of our objectives has been taken care of. and we didn't even need to lift a finger…"

Agni trailed =off as he leaned back into his chair.

"If that's the case, they may very well be coming for the bait we've set…"

"Like moths to a flame…" Kabir Commented.

"Very much so…Lundgren- you may leave. We need somebody to continue observing the capital… Vunzer has gone quiet lately."

"Yes!!!"

Now, Lundgren turned on his heel, running off back into the hallway. as he exited the throne room. As he did, Agni got up from his seat. For a moment, he remained silent, thinking about the implications of the situation. Had the Sentinels caught wind of their operation, did they have a mole in their midst? As he saw it, there was any number of possibilities. It seemed they would need to size up operations, dependent upon what response he got from his second in command.

"We need to be prepared- Lung, how is your investigation of the Ardamites proceeding?"

Lung glanced back at his leader.

"Quite well… we've rounded them up with support from the Enigma unit…"

"Good… I will eliminate them myself. Take me to them, Kabir."

Kabir nodded, and Agni began to stroll out of the room. He glanced at Lung as he did so, catching the man's attention.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

"Lung, Handle those two." Agni commanded.

Lung was silent as Kabir moved from his place on the left side of the room, following Agni as he left the room. Now, Lung was left with a few soldiers that remained in the room. Something he didn't acknowledge, taking out his communicator. A pale green display came up as he tapped the side. What came up soon after was a camera feed. Showing Liang, Bijan, and the verdant plains around them.

"Now then, about you two…"

The feed closed as he swiped down and began tapping through the device, which brought up a list of contacts. The name he selected was Li Fang. The one who bore the name was a woman, seemingly in her teens. Wavy brown hair that went down to the black cloak over her body. Her soft, fair-skinned face had a neutral expression, with large pupils of dark green. Sitting in her room within the fortress's barracks. As those who knew her would expect, it was one mostly lacking in any decoration. She lay on her cot, staring at the ceiling, until she took note of her communicator coming on, displaying Lung. Li promptly turned her attention to him.

"What is it, sir?" She questioned.

"Li Fang… Liang Yu and Bijan Lafeyah have crossed into our territory."

"You mean those two who broke away from the Ardamites in Niopolis?"

Lung nodded.

"Right… They would become a nuisance if we let them run around freely. Move through the trees we've planted and intercept them. I wish you luck."

Li nodded in acknowledgment. And just like that, the feed was cut from the other side. She swung her legs over the edge of the bed before getting onto her feet. She strolled over to a desk that held a sheathed blade attached to a leather strap. She slung it over her back, wrapping the strap around her torso. She stood there in silence, thinking of the rumors about their power. It wouldn't be an easy battle, not by any means… However, she chose the path of being on the Marquis' warriors. That much alone sealed that fate quickly. As such, she would remain steadfast… She would not run. With her self pep talk finished, she began speaking once more.

"Alright, Let's get moving."

Now, Li made her way out of the room before beginning to exit the barracks.

Part B

Elsewhere, Liang and Lafeyah continued their advance. Unlike before, they now hopped through the trees from branch to branch. As usual, their gazes flew across the area around them time and time again. Scanning it for enemies or any sign of them.

"These trees… If a fight were to start here, they'd likely provide a good amount of cover… considering where we are right now. But given that these are usually spread out around here, or not here at all." Liang began.

"It could be possible that they were planted here to hide weapons or something of the like, perhaps to stop any attack. But, given we know who's around here, it's gotta be them." Lafeyah responded.

"Then we're close."

However, the two soon stopped, landing on branches of the trees parallel to the others. The two kept their gazes forward for some time before glancing at one another.

"A proto-human has entered the area… Could it be a coincidence?" Bijan questioned.

"Not Likely… You don't see many people this far out. Either they're living in isolation, or they're working with the Kaemerge… Either way- stay on your guard- they're coming right at us- What?!"

"The protomis in front of us has weakened… And identical Proto-humans are appearing elsewhere, spreading out as well…"

Bijan's hands inched toward the sack on his belt loop as he took note of a change in their behavior.

"They're approaching faster now…"

Within moments, 10s of black-cloaked opponents appeared, hopping on the tree branches all around them. However, one thing the two took note of especially was the fact that they all had the same face. Their gazes moved to continue following them, tracking the motion, until they all came to a stop around them. A single one stopped on a branch in front of them. The two focused their attention on her.

"Yu Liang, Lafeyah Bijan- You shall not stand in the way of the rise of his Holiness Agni's Empire… Although you only fight against the Ardamites- if we allowed you to pass through, it would certainly undermine the sense of security we have the main forces in…"

"A faction, then… This further shows the weakness of the Kaemerge...Regardless, stand out of my way- I will not let you keep me from my family…"

Fang shook her head at this response.

"So- you do know… and yet you came here regardless-- how foolish...Knowing that we have your final family member in our hands."

Liang frowned at her taunts as his hand inched to his side.

"Did you think that I would simply follow you because of that…? I've already done that for too long- I will not allow myself to continue that… not for the Kaemerge- or your little club…"

Fang scoffed at the words.

"You can attack if you want, but just know that Agni will be informed, and your sister will be eliminated!"

Now, rage began to burn within Liang at the simple mention of such a thing taking place.

"It's funny that you think you'll survive long enough to do that."

Liang reached for the Jian on his side, pulling it out of its hilt. As he leaped forward, One of them removed a Miaodao from their back. Following her lead, the others did the very same. It was only then that Bijan reached for seeds on the ground, throwing them onto the soil. Something soon followed by his signature plants sprouting, vines growing to cover the earth, seemingly connecting them.

As the two prepared to begin their assault, the clones began theirs. A virtual black typhoon began flowing around Liang as they bounced around the forest canopy, attempting to rush him with their blades. However, the man remained calm, dodging a swipe from one who tried to slice him from behind, before returning the attack, taking off her arm. Her eyes darted to this as she attempted to jump away, But Liang was quicker, cutting her down the middle. Now, two more came, attacking from his left and right. His eyes darted in their directions as he took note. He leaned back, moving out of the way of the blade one attempted to jab into his head. Then, he rotated his body while raising his leg, slamming it into the clone's stomach. Her torso folded over the leg as she was stunned, her mouth forced open.

No sooner did the second come, attempting to bisect Liang. He promptly shifted his position, shoving the other clone into his previous place at just the right moment, to the point where it was too late for the second to change her direction. She promptly cut her in half, if accidentally. And before she got the chance to react to this fact, she found her head sliding off of her body, with Liang standing behind her back. More of them had begun to go into the meat grinder, with the pattern of trying to attack him continually failing, time and time again. As he watched this, Bijan looked around, noticing the ones that slowly but surely made their way toward him as well.

"Let's hope there isn't any more of them…" Bijan mumbled.

Elsewhere, Liang continued to swipe the clones away. His brows became arched as his frown became more pronounced. This was getting annoying, without a doubt. But, he wouldn't let them get in his way any longer.

"Out of my way- Small Fry!!!!" Liang yelled.

A familiar blue light grew around Liang. Rapidly weaving in the air as if it were a flame. At the least, until the shape changed into what resembled a dragon's head.

"Chuojiao Art: Azure Dragon Rush!"

The draconic cloak began to revolve around him before, within seconds, it rushed around with a boom reverberating through the forest. The trees in its paths ripped off of their roots, leaves blowing in the gale-force winds that came afterward. And just like these trees, the clones faced the same fate. Bodies were torn apart left and right as they were caught in its path. This prompted the little who remained mostly unscathed to begin jumping backward and gathering deeper into the denser vegetation. While Liang didn't take note, Bijan did and started hopping on the branches as well, making chase. As they all re-grouped, they stood on their respective branches, apparently unaware of this fact.

"He's too strong, even if we attack him all at once!"

A second clone crossed her arms as she spoke.

"We won't beat him with brute strength…"

The origin of the clones themselves stood looking at the ground, her hand placed on her chin… This didn't look good, not in the least.

"Alright, if we want to survive, we need to get into formati- "

"Thorn Maelstrom!!!"

Fang's eyes widened as she was cut off. Long sharp thorns went through Fang's body and those of her clones. They soon fell to the ground, as did she. They disappeared, but she was left kneeling on the ground. Her breathing was labored and slow. A direct result of the blade-like plant matter that flew into her. She held her stomach as she looked down at her bloodstained outfit and then up at her attacker. Who looked down upon her.

"What?! They've broken through my Qi barrier?! Not only this… But my flow of Protomis has been broken. Dammit, I took too much damage. I need to g-"

Before she was able to finish her thought, Liang appeared in front of her, with his Jian aimed at her. Her eyes widened as her feet began to spring up in an attempt to jump away, but it was too late. He thrust his blade through her chest, coming out of the other side. He quickly retracted the edge as the body fell limp. Swinging it to remove the red liquid from his blade, leading to it staining the grasses. He sheathed it as he turned on his heel, looking up at Bijan.

"Well, we know we're in the right direction. Now then… shall we continue?"

"Yeah…"

Lafeyah jumped off of the branch. Then, as the two looked at each other and nodded, they began sprinting through the trees.

To be continued

Elsewhere, in a high-ceiling-ed room, lit by the large, harsh lights on the ceiling. There sat a number of men wearing the standard Kaemerge armor. All tightly packed into a pit. But there was something one could take note of, the fact that all of them were unarmed. Several soldiers stood on an elevated walkway consisting of steel panels connected by wire, several soldiers, their weaponry aimed at them. It did not take long for a certain two to enter the room. Strolling in from the eastern door, Were Agni and Kabir. As they all took notice of this, enraged words flew from the soldiers that sat below. One with armor slightly different from the others, a cloth on his shoulder, was the first to be heard.

"You traitors!!! Ardam shall punish you for your transgressions!"

However, Agni looked down upon them, his expression unchanged. Unaffected by the threat made.

"You'd say that- even now, with the situation, you're in? You can preach about how he'll smite me, how he'll smite us, all you want… But it's become more than clear that your so-called God Ardam has failed you…"

Something that was met with another one of the men clenching his fists. He had a head of wild, crimson-colored hair. He wore no armor. Instead, the tattered remains of the Kaemerge Proto-human uniform. ON the exposed parts of his tanned skin were a number of gashes and bruises. Blood dripped down his torso and chin alike. Regardless, he stood up with a defiant look in his eyes as he yelled out.

"Quiet yourself!!! I won't allow you to continue speaking about the one true lord like that!!!"

His words prompted no response from Agni, aside from a slight smirk. This apparently only angered him more as he clenched his teeth. Such arrogance, How dare he!! He leaped, beginning a direct flight toward Agni, as he reeled back his right hand. Something soon followed by the air around him chilling as ice crystals appeared around him.

"Blizzard-" He was cut off, Agni let out but one word.

"Burn…"

Soon, Blue- White flames appeared around the man, as his skin seemingly disappeared nearly instantly, with the bones shortly following, leaving him gone, without a trace. The same happened to the other Aradmites in the room. In the end, there was little trace left, outside of a small amount of ash… This was Agni's true power. He looked down upon his handiwork before he began walking toward the door he entered.

"Now then… I'm sure that they'll be coming soon. Let's give them a warm welcome, shall we?"