Chapter 8: ミッションスタート Mission Start…
Haruka woke up and saw Alex sleeping on top of him. They were both still exposed after having their time together last night.
"You sure rest quite nicely," muttered Haruka as he brushed his hand through the boy's hair.
Alex woke up with a yawn and replied, "M-morning…aah…what a night that was."
"Yeah," answered Haruka as he turned his head to see the sunlight from the window, "I gotta say that the sunrise is looking quite nicely."
Alex got off of Haruka but realized that their clothes weren't in the room. The foreigner used his traveling spell to find the clothes and returned back while Haruka was partly dressed.
"Tomorrow…" muttered Haruka, "Will be that day."
"I just hope my family will be okay for a while longer…" sighed Alex as he brushed his hair. Once they were ready, they held hands together as they sat outside on the porch.
Nitori woke up and saw the sunlight also as he sawed Izawa sleeping peacefully. The girl mumbled in her sleep and said something about onigiri and blood wine and rolls closer to Nitori searching for warmth. Nitori smiled to himself as he cuddled with her.
Izawa finally opened her eyes and muttered, "N-nit-ori…"
"Morning Izawa, did you sleep well?" he asked.
Izawa blushed red as she remembered what happened last night and all of that as she replied, "Y-yes!"
"I'll get some breakfast started," he replied as he got out of bed and quickly dressed himself while Izawa felt embarrassed so she hid bbeneath the sheets.
He walked to the kitchen to start up some eggs, bacon, pancakes and some fresh fruit while Mikoshiba walked in, yawning to hear the commotion.
"I see you're up early," yawned Mikoshiba.
"Oh hey Miko-kun," said Nitori.
Mikoshiba noticed that Nitori's skin was shiny just like how when Rei observed Alex's body when Haruka took him in for the first time. But he shook his head and focused on what was going on now.
"I'm making a ton of breakfast for all of us, so if you want to wait that's fine or…" began Nitori.
"Oh I saw Alex and Haruka outside, they're by the porch," he replied.
"Oh?" asked Nitori.
"I'm guessing they're just watching the sunrise," said Mikoshiba as he sat down at the table and rested his head down for a moment or two.
The aroma slowly woke up everyone as the others made their way to the kitchen.
"I smell food and it has summoned me…" began Rei.
"Us," replied Gou.
"It smells tasty too!" yawned Rin.
"Peep! Peeep!" chirped Sai.
Makoto walked in with Nagisa while the penguin wobbled its way across the room.
"I guess the more food Ni-chan makes, the faster we wake up," said Makoto.
"All of us…" agreed Nagisa.
"But where's Alex and Haru-chan?" asked Makoto.
"Oh they're outside by the porch, just talking around," replied Mikoshiba as he lifted his head up.
"Oh the aroma will get them," smirked Nitori.
They turned to see Izawa in some casual clothes from Nitori's closet as she skipped her way to the kitchen, "Moooorning!"
"Oh hey!" smiled Nitori, "I'm glad you're aright."
Nitori and Mikoshiba placed the food on the table as Nitori explained, "Here we got some hashbrowns, pancakes, fruit, omelets and breakfast burritos."
Alex and Haruka walked in as they were stunned by the food also.
"Wow…this breakfast really smells nice," said Alex.
"Hey there!" replied Nitori, "I'm glad to see you two alright as well."
"I'm glad to see you didn't kill each other after those wild animal noises you were making," muttered Izawa in a barely audible tone.
Haruka and Alex sat down along with Gou, Makoto, and Nagisa while Rin and Rei sat next to each other.
"Yeah! Let's get eating!" smiled Gou.
"Yeeep!" giggled Nagisa.
"PEEEP!" chirped Sai.
After breakfast, some of them sat down at the porch to watch the sunlight while others went to the backyard to clean up the mess. Makoto and Nagisa picked up a few cans and put them in the trash while Makoto looked up at the skies and smiled.
"Nagisa, I feel like that today will be nice…at least for today," he said.
"I think somethings gonna happen though," replied the blonde.
"Peep?" chirped the penguin.
"Well tomorrow for sure…the battle draws closer," sighed Makoto.
"No seriously, anytime now," replied Nagisa, "Something can happen!"
"We can't think like that," answered Makoto as he rested his hand on Nagisa's shoulder, "I mean...I guess whatever happens, happens...but...I just hope..."
"That nothing explodes too bad?" asked Nagisa.
"That…but something else," replied Makoto.
"That we... get married?" asked the blonde.
Makoto looked down at his love and smiled back, saying, "You mean it?"
But the blonde snickered evilly and said, "Sorry, did I make you believe that?"
Makoto held his hand and replied, "Even still…I won't leave you no matter what happens."
Nagisa blushed but answered, "Y-yeah well you better mean that!"
At the front of the house, Rin and Rei lied down on the grass as their neighborhood was quiet as usual. Rin stared at the remaining part of the sunrise before the skies turned blue.
"So then…Rei, what do you think?" asked Rin.
"About what?" replied Rei.
"The whole thing…I mean," began Rin, "We were born as nature…reborn as human, or so we thought and now we are real human…but I'm worried about tomorrow."
"Rin?" asked Rei.
"I'm not worried about the battle but rather the outcome if it," he answered.
"Well, I guess it's safe to say that whatever happens after the fight...we will win and the world will be safe," replied the megane, "So let's just think of it all as the greater good and eat our burritos."
Rin laughed as he split his in half and said, "You want my half? It's different than the one you have."
Rei took a bite out of the burrito while Rin smiled and watched him swallow the food. Once Rei was done, the red-hair moved in for a kiss on the cheek.
The megane blushed and replied, "I- I love you Rin."
"I love you too Rei," said Rin as he moved into the megane's face for a deep kiss on the lips.
The two flirted around as Rei feels happy to be in love with this red-head. It was quite a journey for the two especially how the megane finally got a senpai even though it wasn't Haruka. However, little did they know that something wrong was on its way…
Below the main office of the Tokyo Governor, Kouta walked down through a series of stairs to a massive chamber below. He entered through the side gate and saw the tree standing there just as he planned it out.
This tree, he thought, it has associated with the gods and them…
"Tell me what miracles you've done in the time loop…" said Kouta, "Especially with the Suiei Gods."
"I cannot be permitted to tell you," replied the tree, "You are as foul as the scars of the earth."
"You tell me what you have done…or else I shall drain your powers like how I will to the gods," replied the governor.
The tree remained silent as the villain continued, "I have brought you here in terms of my plan…you are the seed of life that provides the ulitimate miracle that its power can be used only once in eons…a miracle so strong that it can alter the world's timeline."
But the tree refused to answer as Kouta replied, "Then I guess you have left me with no choice…right…Tulisea?"
Tulisea floated her way down as she arrived at the scene.
"Your powers have changed after the boys have destroyed the loop. I assume that those powers you have now can perhaps be useful for…torture?" asked Kouta.
"I cannot predict the outcome of this," she replied, "For once I too, was a servant of Arogean but then now in this world…I became a sapient entity…born for revenge."
"You will do just as fine," he answered, "I have sent the guards to capture ama-chan in order to fulfil the plan."
Tulisea nodded as she turned to the tree. She reached out her hands as she casted a dark magical spell to the tree, causing its roots to scream as the room began to shake.
Rei gasped as he clutched his fist to his heart; something was screaming inside his head as his body was shaking. The megane stood up on his feet and looked out to the skies.
"R-Rei!?" gasped Rin, standing up, "Wh-what's the matter?"
"What... no... I don't... something's wrong..." said Rei as his face teared up a little.
"REI!? REI!?" shouted Rin.
Before the megane could answer, a violent earthquake struck the city, knocking them off of their feet. The tremors could be felt all over.
"W-what's going on!?" shouted Rin.
"E-earthquake!" shouted Makoto as he grabbed onto Nagisa
"I told you!" said Nagisa while Sai peeped loudly and held onto the blonde's leg.
Nearby, Haruka almost feel over until Alex grabbed his hand to safety. The area was shaking pretty badly as cracks formed nearby and the ground shifted a little.
Mikoshiba saw Gou about to fall over as he too grabbed her to safety, asking, "Are you okay!?"
Gou nodded as she felt a bit terrified by the sudden shake of the earth.
After a few more moments, the quake finally stopped as some fires broke out and sirens went off.
"Something bad…" said Rei as tears rolled down his face, "Something bad is happening and it hurts!"
"Matsuoka!" shouted Rin, "I summon thee!"
The Suiei Gods appeared before him while the red-hair asked Rei, "What do you know Rei? Can you feel something?"
"We are here now, young master," said Suiei Matsuoka.
"I…I don't know…it's frustrating…" sighed Rei as he wipes his tears.
Rin turned his head to the others and shouted, "You guys okay!?"
"Yeah we're fine!" replied Mikoshiba.
"Izawa!? You okay?" shouted Nitori.
"I…I don't like this," she replied, "There's nerco and neutral energy everywhere…and those two don't mix."
"Do you sense anything strange out of this?" asked Nitori.
"I…I do…but," began Izawa when she ran off to the front porch and saw Rei and Rin along with Mikoshiba and Gou standing nearby. Alex, Haruka, Makoto and Nagisa followed right behind them as they saw Rei freaking out a little.
"Rei, we'll be okay, I know we will," said Rin.
Izawa stood nearby as she closed her eyes to follow the trace of energy and gasped at the result that she found.
"Rin, this…whatever is going on…it's not a good sign," said Rei as he sniffed to calm down.
"Look," replied Rin, "I don't like it either but…"
"That's it?!" gasped Izawa, "This is just like back home! The energy that is coming from…it's a TREE! A Sakura Tree!"
Haruka, Nagisa, Makoto, and Rin gasped in shocked while Rei's eyes widened as he realized what she was talking about.
"NO!" shouted Rei.
"That tree…" began Makoto.
"The Tree of Sametsuka!" finished Rin, narrowing his eyes, "The Tree back in the time loop! But how? Why did it end up not…"
"I don't even…what?" asked Gou, confused.
Rin turned to his sister and replied, "Do you remember that vial I gave to you? The tree made it with its flowers and its fruits. I was told to hang onto it for you until you got sick again…its purpose was to help you recover."
"I remember now," said Haruka, "it was that night when we tried to infiltrate Sametsuka…and Arogean was there.
"But if it's not at Sametsuka," replied Rin, "Where would it be now? I thought it was the tree back at Iwatobi…but then again…"
"Tree-chan is in trouble, dammit!" growled Rei, "No matter what tree it is…they're all in danger!"
"Oh no way in hell!" gasped Nagisa.
"Nanase," said Haruka, "Go forth to find where that tree is at."
"We will do our best," replied Suiei Nanase, "Brothers, let's go."
"Likewise," agreed Suiei Tachibana.
"Nagisa," said Suiei Hazuki, "We need to talk later when I get back, okay?"
"O-okay?" replied Nagisa, confused while his god replied with a wink of his left eye.
"Let's go then," said Suiei Marotta as he and Nanase vanished into the mists along with Tachibana.
"Well, off to find our old friend," sighed Suiei Ryugazaki as he vanished to the mists also.
Once the gods vanished, Alex asked, "A tree? I…I don't understand how…"
"This tree was a part of the Time Loop that we lived in…it helped me save my sister and it gave us the clues we needed to break that spell," explained Rin.
"Sounds like a living entity," replied Alex, "Alive like a sapient being…"
"Rei," said Haruka, "Can you hear the tree? Did it say anything?"
Rei shook his head and replied, "It's just in pain…it didn't tell me anything…only suffering."
"Just who woud dare to do such a thing…" bgean Makoto when the earthquake struck again, knocking them down.
"SHIT!" growled Alex as he fell on his back.
"Another one," muttered Makoto while holding onto Nagisa.
Rin held onto Rei while the megane was feeling terrified by what he was sensing.
"This world is…" began Haruka.
"Guys what the fuck is happening!?" shouted Izawa.
"YOU GUYS WATCH OUT!" shouted Alex as he unleashed a water shield spell to protect them from some debris. The debris smashed into the shield but dissolved.
"Thanks Alex-kun," said Rin.
"You guys!" gasped Haruka, "Look over there!"
They turned to see one side of the village falling into the sea as a result of the earthquake as the shaking finally stopped but the damage was unfolding.
"Are you okay?" asked Mikoshiba as he held Gou's hand.
Gou nodded in reply while Rei's eyes were terrified and filled with horror and upsetting. Rei had to find where the tree was at.
"It…it hurts," said Rei, "OH WHAT THE HELL! TREE JUST TELL ME! WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON!?"
After a few moments a soft response could be heard from everywhere as the voice answered, "Rei…Haruka…Nagisa…Rin…Makoto…"
"T-tree?!" gasped Rei softly as he could finally hear it calling out.
"The end draws near," said the echoing voice of the tree, "If I do not get re-relocated…to put my soul in…this world…it'll…"
But before it could finish, the tree lashed out another scream as Tulisea blasted another shadow at it, causing several of its branches to fall and break away.
"We have to find him!" cried Rei.
"A tree has a soul?" asked Izawa, "Those are NOT called trees…"
"Matsuoka," said Rin, "Can you hear us?"
"Yes," replied the Suiei God.
"Did you find out where the tree is at?" asked Alex.
"In the heart of the darkness…lies the tree…in a place that the five stars have been to," replied Suiei Marotta.
The other boys gasped as they realized where the tree was at; it was in the same place as the Haus of the Heavens!
"NO!" growled Rin, "Why is the tree even there!?"
"I don't want to even think about this," said Nagisa.
Rei had enough of this as he shook his head and dashed off, heading for the road while being careful to not fall into the cracks or unstable ground. Rin got up to chase after him as the red-hair grabbed the megane.
"REI, STOP!" shouted Rin, "Dammit! It's not even tomorrow!"
"But…I…I can't!" replied the megane.
"We can't get to the tower if the full moon isn't out tonight!" yelled Rin.
Haruka, Makoto, Nagisa and Alex rushed up to them while Rin stared at Rei's eyes carefully.
"He's in pain Rin!" said Rei, "We have to do something!"
"You're right…we know where he is now," replied Rin, "But let us trust our gods to further investigate this."
"Rei come on," agreed Gou, "You need to lay back a while from all of that stress."
"I…I just can't help it, okay?" asked Rei.
Alex sighed and replied, "If we storm off now to that place, they'll kill us. We can't face off until there's a weak point at their base."
"Maybe we should combine our powers," suggested Makoto, "And see to the tree's safety. After all, our powers have been able to do great miracles."
"Yeah," agreed Rin, "Unity is our weapon."
"I guess I can't fight against that one," said Nagisa as he held out his hands.
Together, the six boys formed a circular chain as their necklaces began to glow.
"Back in the BIONICLE story, unity was emphasized because the heroes had their problems with sticking together. It is time that we focus and do what we need to do," said Alex.
"You know a lot of that 'BIONICLE' of yours," sighed Haruka as he closed his eyes.
The others closed their eyes as a glowing aura of light shimmered around them, almost combining them to become one entity but they were six individuals.
"Waters of the time…" chanted Makoto.
"Grant our old friend…" said Rin.
"Enough strength…" added Haruka.
"To hold against the darkness," chanted Alex.
"To fight off the pain," said Rei.
"So that all of this can end," finished Nagisa.
Tulisea noticed a blast of light growing on the tree as she was thrown back by the energies unleashed. Kouta also noticed it as his hissed.
"The work of the gods," muttered Tulisea.
"Why am I not surprised," said Kouta.
"This barrier will last a period of time," she replied, "They know where we are."
"See to that those boys are killed," he ordered, "It is time that they shall be defeated…but…if they get close, I will cast another spell with help from our allies."
The boys opened their eyes as they turned to see Izawa, Mikoshiba, Gou and Nitori arriving at the scene.
"Quite an interesting power you guys had there," said Mikoshiba.
"We did what we could," replied Haruka.
"To buy the tree some time…hopefully," said Makoto.
"We need to save him," added Rei, "The tree."
"And we will," replied Rin.
"Maybe it's time I phone home or something," said Izawa as she walked off to the side.
Mikoshiba and Nitori dashed off to the destroyed village while Gou stayed behind with the others. While Alex wanted to go and see what was happening, they had a battle to prepare for and to practice on their magic again.
As for the village, Mikoshiba and Nitori found at least 2 survivors; both of them were kids with families that were killed during the incident. After they called the emergency to get the kids settled at a center, the two guys returned back home by nightfall.
By the next morning, the Gods reappeared to the boys as the six gathered in the living room.
"Theese Arabian clothes will change and morph around…adapting to your surroundings," said Suiei Tachibana.
"Meaning…?" asked Makoto.
"If the people of that place uses magic to unleash a desert or something hot, your clothes will change into the Arabian style...if you guys encounter a pool...they'll morph into your swim gear," explained Suiei Nanase.
"I guess that sounds useful," muttered Rin.
"Alex, your clothes is a bit different since you are the lost prince…but…your clothes do have its own Arabian form if it needs to. However, by default it is the armor of the warrior," said Suiei Marotta.
"Hey um…Nagisa," said Suiei Hazuki as he walked to the side, beckoning the blonde to follow.
"Hazuki?" asked Nagisa as he walked up to him, "What's the matter? What did you wanted to talk about?"
"Well…firstly, your clothes are magical, but you probably guessed that one already," he replied, "Secondly… can you stay out of this mess?"
"Hazuki, you know that I can't…why? What's the matter?" asked Nagisa.
"I'm…I'm scared of losing you," replied the god.
"W-what?" asked Nagisa.
"Here, take this," said Suiei Hazuki as he handed him a pink gem earing, "I made this a bit ago…it'll protect you when I cannot."
"Suiei, you're not making any sense," replied the blonde.
"Goodnight," he answered as he vanished into the mists.
"He…he's not well," said Nagisa as he dripped a sweat-drop on his face, "This is morning…"
Makoto found him in the hallway and rested his hand on his shoulder, saying, "We can't be scared now. We got our full powers…they'll be within our hearts."
Meanwhile the other four guys checked out the rest of their clothes as they were already in their battle form as a test model.
"DO you guys have swords also?" asked Alex.
"I have a cutlass here," replied Haruka as he withdrew his out.
"I think I got something too," said Rin as he looked at his dagger-like sword.
"OH YOU GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!?" snapped Rei.
"Huh?" asked Nagisa as the blonde and Makoto arrived to hear the commotion.
"What's the matter Rei?" asked Makoto.
"A butterfly patterned EMPTY SHEATH!?" replied Rei.
"OH um…maybe there's something…uh…did you ask your god if he provided it for you?" asked Rin, "I kinda had to ask my god what weapon I had and I uh…"
"IT'S AN EMPTY SHEATH WITH BUTTERFLIES RIN!" snapped the megane.
"Well at least I have a small dagger," said Nagisa.
"Ugh, I was trying ot help," sighed Rin.
Mikoshiba walked into the room with Nitori as they heard the noise.
"Wow….you all look amazing!" said Mikoshiba, "But where's your sister at?"
Before anyone could answer, they heard a soft reply, "Here…"
They turned to see Gou dressed in her Arabian clothes; it was red and pink designed along with several strands of gold with jewelry on her fingers and wrists and even a necklace on her. Mikosbhia blushed at the sight but he smiled.
"My goodness…yo-you look pretty!" blushed Mikoshiba.
"You look very nice Kou," said Haruka.
"Yeah!" replied Rin, "The color suits you well!"
"Pretty!" smiled Nagisa.
"Nice Kou," said Rei.
"T-thanks!" blushed Gou.
"But I don't understand," said Alex, "If she has the clothes also…what does this mean in terms of…"
Before anyone could reply, there was a knock on the door. Mikoshiba walked up to it and saw Nikon standing at the entrance.
"Hello you guys," said Nikon as he walked in.
"Nikon-chan!" replied Nagisa.
"It's been a while indeed since we hung out…" he answered as he saw Alex standing next to Haruka.
"N-Nikon…" began Alex.
"I see you've grown too…Alex-chan," said Nikon, smiling a little.
"So what made you come here?" asked Makoto.
"My role here is done…" he replied, "I waited for this day to come…Acacius and Erastos are waiting for me…"
"What are you talking about?" asked Rin.
"This body that I inhabited…" said Nikon, "I took it over not long after you guys were born…I was instructed to wait until you guys would finally take in the rebellion of the Haus of the Heavens. I didn't know the place either but once we did, I would fulfill the next stage."
"Stage?" asked Gou.
"Yes…I have taken this body here as a vessel for the sake of you Alex and Serah…but she's no longer, here am I correct?" asked Nikon.
"Oi! I heard a thing," said Izawa as she saw the new company, "And she's gone but who the hell are you?"
"Serah met him a month ago…along with Alex…this guy…he's important to us."
"Hello there," said Nikon, "You must be…?"
"Izawa Sora," she replied, "Please to whatever with you."
Nikon nodded as he turned to Gou, saying, "My time here in this vessel is up…once my body collapses, my soul will merge in your mind…using what I know…you must use it for the battle ahead."
"W-what!?" she gasped.
"Ugh that sounds gross!" sighed Izawa.
"I have given you a fragment of my knowledge," he said, "The past…for the sake of helping Rin and the others get together again back when you were kids. Erastos and Acacius were already inside of Nitori and Mikoshiba but witch boy assigned me to be a carrier between the dimensions of conscious and the reality."
"I guess…the hour is drawing closer," said Mikoshiba.
"Right," nodded Nitori.
Nikon smiled as his body turned into ashes as the winds scattered it away while the remaining soul was nothing but a ball of light as it merged inside of Gou's body. She felt a bit light-headed at first but Mikoshiba and Nitori helped her to stay balanced.
"Yeah gross," said Izawa, "I…uh, I"ll just go talk to my friend away from this."
"You okay Kou?" asked Nitori, "It's gonna feel weird for a bit but we were already used to this. They entrust us now."
"It's up to us that we cannot fail this battle," agreed Mikoshiba.
"Right," she nodded.
By 6:30 PM in the evening, they stood outside as they readied themselves for the journey. Haruka chanted the magical spell as they all held hands and teleported to the streets of Tokyo just a few blocks away from their target.
Mikoshiba held up a gun-like device while Nitori looked at his pouch. Gou looked at her staff in the hands that the gods gave to her along with the other gifts.
"We'll support you guys," said Mikoshiba, "We may not have much magic but we'll be standing by."
"Will you three be okay with this?" asked Haruka.
"Yeah!" replied Gou.
"We'll kick ther asses down!" smirked Makoto.
"Hell yeah!" agreed Rin, "This is finally our time to shine!"
"Who should I go with?" asked Izawa when she turned to see Nitori feeling concerned for her.
"Ni…" she said, "I can hear your heartbeats and your thoughts…you want me to stay with you?"
"I-Izawa…" he replied, "I mean…is it alright for you to stay?"
The six boys began to walk off as Haruka said, "we're going now."
"We'll win this Nii," smiled Izawa, "Take care now, okay?"
Nitori nodded as he watched the seven begin their invasion of the Shinjuku Tower X. He and Miko and Gou had specific instructions by Erastos, Nikon, and Acacius and it required them to stay behind.
"This way!" said Haruka as he saw the entrance as they rushed inside.
They entered through a series of hallways almost like a maze until they finally reached at the massive chamber which they didn't expect to see so differently unlike the time loop. Back in the loop, the place was historic and ancient looking…now…it was modern, looking almost futuristic with glass all around.
"Rin?" asked Haruka.
Rin nodded as he threw the small rock across the room. It was silent at first but they heard a faint noise. Suddenly, there were lasers all around as gun shots were fired at the rock.
"Just like the last time," sighed Makoto.
"Shh, you guys," replied Rin, "We can't them hear us."
"How are we going to surprise them?" whispered Alex.
"Um you guys…"began Rei, where's Nagisa?"
They turned to see the blonde already taking action as Nagisa took down several of the corpses before his heel as laser beams were pointed at him.
"Taken care of down in this end," said the blonde as his eyes glowed pink.
"Nagisa!" shouted Haruka.
The lasers turned into bullets as the guards fired towards Nagisa. The blonde unleashed a shield to stop the attacks while the others jumped into battle and unleashed their magical spells against the guards.
"I'll just sit here and watch you guys," said Izawa.
Makoto soared around and splashed the guards with his vase, burning them down with the acidic fluids.
"Waters of the spears…go stab thy enemy!" shouted Rin as he unleashed a blast of water.
Alex jumped his way up to the next floor level as he charged up at some of the gards while slicing them down and kicking them to the side. Haruka dodged several bullets while Rei unleashed several water attacks in reply to the enemy's firing.
"Waters of the stormy sea…" chanted Nagisa, "Please drown them all."
"N-Nagisa...what the?!" asked Rei as he kicked down a few guards.
"Woops?" smirked the blonde.
Haruka turned to see a flood of water crashing into the area as he jumped along with Makoto, Rei and Rin to meet up with Alex.
"Uh yeah," said Izawa, following Nagisa, "moving up."
"They just keep coming…" muttered Alex, before shouting, "WATCH OUT!"
Alex unleashed a blast of water attack before shouting, "DRAGON SEA KING!"
He unleashed a dragon blast of water as the monster ate the guards up but more were on their way to replace the lost ones.
"Is it the magic of this place?" asked Makoto.
"Most likely," said Haruka.
"You guys okay?" asked Alex to the headset.
"Yeah," replied Mikoshiba, "We're standing by…we could hear a lot of fighting."
"Mhmm," agreed Gou.
"Did you guys see anything suspicious outside?" asked Haurka.
"Not really," replied Nitori, "But the full moon is out so it's anytime now that you'll be able to find the Haus of the Heavens."
Rin unleashed his x-ray vision to find the hallway that would lead them to the boss. He saw a clear opening that led to the north tower.
"This way!" shouted Rin as he turned to a corner and fought off more guards.
"Oi Rin!" shouted Rei, "Wait up!"
"Where's Izawa?" asked Haruka.
"She was here a moment ago…" said Makoto.
"Invisible again?" sighed Nagisa.
"Hey you guys!" shouted Rin, "Come over here!"
They finally caught up with Rin as the red-hair saw a giant painting of a tree before them.
"This…this looks familiar…doesn't it?" asked Rin.
"Tree-sama!" said Rei, feeling a bit relieved to be a step closer.
"But in a form of painting?" asked Haruka.
"That painting there from what Acacius told me...it's supposedily the entrance that leds to the where the Tree is at," explained Mikoshiba through the headsets, "However, it seems to be closed... it won't open unless if Kou can fullfill her task."
"I see," replied Haruka.
"Does she know what needs to be done?" asked Rin.
"No I don't? NIkon told me a few things but...I'm not as clear," replied Gou through the headsets.
"Well it sounds cheesy…" said Izawa as she finally arrived, "But do your thing."
"Oh there you are," replied Nagisa.
Back outside…
"I know you can do it…that pole…" said Mikoshiba, "Nikon said that it'll be used to help them."
"Maybe it's time we play our part," agreed Nitori as he opened his pouch and poured out some white fine powder and sprinkled it around Gou in a circle.
"But what am I suppose to do?" she asked, "Nikon…"
"Young lady," echoed Nikon's voice in her mind, "That powder that Erastos/Nitori is using…it'll be transformed into magic that you'll need. The tower is barricaded with dark magic; breaking the outer layer will help the gods get closer to their destination."
"Mikoshiba," echoed Acacius's voice inside Miko's mind, "You must prepare your gun at the ready...aim it at the sphere that is high above the tower...you'll see it. Fire it and it'll begin to neutralize the shield."
Gou blinked her eyes and nodded, "Well…I can only hope this will work."
While the boys analyzed the painting for a minute, Alex turned his head and saw…his brother!?
Sergi giggled and waved out to his brother as the older one gasped, "H-HOW DID YOU?!"
The boy giggled and ran off. Alex rushed to follow him, ignoring the protests of the others.
"ALEX WAIT!" shouted Haruka, "This isn't real! He's not what you think he is!"
"Dammit," sighed Makoto, "He's already off."
"I'll deal with him…you guys go on ahead," said Haruka as he used his traveling spell to chase after Alex.
"I hope it's nothing too serious but I got a bad feeling about this place," said Rin.
Alex rushed through the hallways and saw his brother laughing and giggling before him, prompting him to get through the stair well before him. He climbed up the stairs just as Haruka arrived at the scene and cried out to get him back but it was no use. Alex was already consumed by this magic or something…for he sensed something awfully wrong here.
"OI! Alex! Wait!" shouted Haruka.
Alex got to the top of the stairs as he walked into another hall and saw two massive doorways before him. He sensed something powerful coming from the other side of the room. After a moment, the doors opened as a bright wave of light struck him. The boy kept a grip on his swored as he cautioned himself and walked in.
Haruka tried to reach him but the doors slammed shut before he could even get his shouting to the boy's ears.
Alex walked into a bright chamber and saw a figure standing before him with an evil smirk on his face but before he could react, the world changed around him.
"Rei, can you sense anything in this painting?" asked Rin, "Is it an entrance?"
"It's definitely an entrance alright," said Rei.
"I can sense energy oozing out…something's beyond this," agreed Izawa.
Nagisa chuckled and replied, "You think there's more guards behind there?"
"Whatever it is," muttered Rin, "I do not like this…"
Makoto turned his head as he saw a shadowing figure standing before them as he cried out, "Um…guys!?"
Nagisa turned and chuckled in response, "Please let them be bad guys…"
Makoto's eyes widened in shock as he saw the familiar shape, "It's far worse than that!"
The shadow figured walked into their vision as Miho Amakata stood before them.
"SENSEI!?" gasped Makoto.
"ARE YOU SERIOUS!?" growled Izawa, "I thought this was the worst!?"
"Uh…heya sensei!" said Nagisa as he grinned.
But the teacher stared at them blankly with a dark voice, "Fools…taking out on my cousin…the governor of this city…you…"
"This isn't what it appears to be!" said Makoto, "Just this painting…"
But before he could finish, the false Miho melted away as shadow spikes struck them to the wall, pinning them down.
"Shit!" growled Rin, "This isn't the real ama-chan!"
"SURE…THE TEACHER CAN USE MAGIC TOO!" growled Izawa, "HOW PERFECT!"
But the image of Miho changed as Tulisea walked into the scene with her hatred eyes at the gods, remembering how she was betrayed by Arogen when the villain threw a vial of blood into her eye.
"I have waited for your arrival," she hissed, "Suiei Gods…the foolish ones…taking on the life of five…oh no…six boys…boys that are nothing more than vessels."
Rin growled in response as he said, "We're bonded to them if you must know!"
"Perhaps," she replied, "But the heart of the gods…they lie in your necklaces…"
"Uh…what?" asked Rei.
"But tell me," said Tulisea, "Have you wondered what was inside your necklaces?"
"And why should we?" asked Nagisa, "Something of your interest?"
"Perhaps and more…" she hissed, extending her hands out in preparation for her magic, "But now…it's time for that legend to decay…just like life itself!"
"Kou…" said Nikon, "Repeat my chant."
The girl nodded as the Greek boy continued, "Remember the difference…for one is not the same but yet the same…or we are one and all…and as one we become more…grant us the day of freedom! Ore to omare no sa o oshiete yaru yo!"
Gou breathed in and recited the words as she calmly focused on them with hope and determination to the spell and for her friends and her brother. Mikoshiba fired the gun as the white poweder glowed around Gou and swirled with magical effects.
"It...it's working," said Nitori.
Gou raised her pole and followed the blast where Mikoshiba fired the gun, "Ike!"
The two blasts of energy struck the sphere at the top of the tower as the building glowed dark energy and electrical fields. The barrier collapsed into shards of glass as the trio were stunned.
"THIS WAY!" shouted Mikoshiba as they ran from the collapsing glass. In the nearby neighbors, the people could hear the commotion going on as they saw the strange, bizzare energy unfolding itself.
Back inside, Tulisea stopped her magic and growled, "Those fools…damn you Nikon…Erastos…Acacius!"
She soared off as she broke the spell that pinned the others.
"She's gonna hurt the others!" cried Makoto, "Come on Nagisa! We can't let her hurt them!"
"Right," smirked Nagisa as his eyes glowed dangerous pink, "Waters of the storm night seas…bring her back down here!"
The two rushed off while Rin, Izawa and Rei saw a strange glow on the painting.
"Rei look!" shouted Rin, grabbing Rei's hand, "The painting! It's reaching out to us now!"
Rei smiled with hope as he replied, "Tree-sama…we're on our way!"
Rei and Rin hang onto each other as the painting draws out its colors at the two along with Izawa as they were being teleported to the chamber of the tree while Nagisa and Makoto go after Tulisea on a dangerous chase.
Chapters 9 and Epilogue (END of Book 2) will be out Next Mon. December 30, 2013
SNEAK PREVIEW of "The Last Legend" will be out on December 27, 2013
REMASTERED Release: Free! The Last Race will be out on January 3, 2014!
BOOK 3: The Last Legend begins on January 8, 2014!
