crazychessgurl: Definitely! :D
Kalos-rei: Yes the fairy was Tinkerbell, lol! And yeah same here! I can't stand it. xD
Toreh: Of course! I love Reisi and Akira as much as you guys and I don't want to see them end either! I want to keep them going for as long as possible lmao. I definitely am going to write a marriage series and write about their life after the Green Arc. I already have plans for their marriage life! Though, I'm trying to decide if I should make it a separate story or just keep adding on to this one?
Guest: There is one more big battle after this one, and I love your thoughts! ;D Thanks for sharing them, because you just gave me some new ideas, haha! c:
hisuiryuu: Thank you! And yeah, Enomoto is cute! I felt I had to include some of Shiro's thoughts, and writing Neko and Akira scenes is so fun because their personalities crash so easily as they aren't very fond of each other. :D
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There will for sure be a sequel to this about Akira and Reisi's life after the Green Arc is over! I promise! :)
I'm obsessed with writing this story and I've never felt so attached to one of my writings or OC characters before. ❤
Thank you everyone for reading, reviewing, favoriting, and following this story because seriously, it means a lot!
You all helped me get this far. ❤
This chapter is really long and action packed, so I hope you enjoy and I apologize for any errors.
I wanted to upload this tonight before I start babysitting tomorrow, I know I'm going to be tired after that, lol.
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Chapter 50
The air of the dark hours is frigid and nibbles at my cheeks. Raiden's speed is shocking. It's clear he was holding back a whole lot before. My widened eyes stare at his smug face in front of me. The open expression of surprise I'm wearing seems to gratify him. My teeth grit together as I fleetly hoist my saber in front of me.
His voltaic green spear makes contact with my luminous blue sword. The conspicuous strength in his swing is enough to make my sword jerk to the side. That's one advantage he has against me. His Aura is able to boost his strength above the normal human being.
I name all the techniques one can pull off with the Green Aura in my mind to refresh myself. Electricity inducement, physics manipulation, and strength boost. The Blue Aura is able to attack in rapid succession and can freeze substances. It also provides great defense in my opinion. Alright. Speed is the key to success here, and if I need to block, an Aura barrier is my most reliable thing to use. Reisi said my Aura is very strong, so I am confident it'll help me big time in this fight.
My breath catches for a short moment when I see another blade moving towards my side. His spear is now two separate ones. I have to make my body go limp so I can drop out of the way from his assault on time. I somersault across the concrete and hop back onto my feet. Raiden comes charging towards me immediately.
Warily, my eyes dart between both of his spears to try to figure out which one he will attack with first. For a short moment, I focus on the coloring of his spears even more warily. One of them is of course covered in his Green Aura, while the other is covered in a gray haze. What is that…? It almost reminds me of the time when me and Haruki got caught up in that gray fog. Is that another Strain ability he has or…? Wait.
Reisi said the fog I described that was in the hallway leading to the jailhouse sounded like the fog sanctum that the Gray Clan possessed. Could that be what that is? Gray Aura? If it is, on top of Raiden being a Strain, he also has two Auras. Is that even possible? I doubt it for a moment. The Gray Clan was entirely wiped out in the Kagutsu Crater. But for some reason, I'm leaning towards the thought that this actually is Gray Aura.
Since he is my big brother, that means he is a survivor of the tragic event like I am, right? It's possible other people survived like I did, him being one of them. It's also possible he was part of the Gray Clan and was the only one who survived from that clan, and after that incident, he went and joined the Green Clan because his Clan was executed. I don't know for sure. There are so many blank spaces and possibilities of what actually happened I can't come up with a right answer.
My eyes shift to Raiden's face for a split second as my heart drops. I can't help but to wonder why we're like this, enemies. I know we are on different clans but why does he consider me dead? Is it because he thought I was dead for the past fifteen years from the Crater and seeing me in a different clan as him upsets him? Did I do something to him before the Crater?
I kick these thoughts aside. I shouldn't be thinking about that right now at all. Right now I need to focus on defeating him. If I fail I will be failing Reisi and everyone. I don't plan on losing. Right now, it's all or nothing. I, Akira Yukimura, will defeat him.
His left foot slides forward, giving off that he is going to strike with the electric spear in his right hand. I raise my sword, getting ready to block until I notice his hold tighten on his spear. He stops it mid swing and attacks with his other one. I won't fall for a trick like that, considering I used a feint attack like that multiple times and Reisi used something similar against me a couple times as well.
Quickly, I parry it and move to strike him. However, his other spear prevents me from getting close. My eyes narrow. He's keeping me out of his range again. I duck under his swing and flip backwards. More Blue Aura wraps around my sword and flickers like a flame. I slash my sword multiple times and create numerous Aura strikes, my body a complete blur at my supernatural speed. I focus on the efficacy of my Aura as I land, strengthening it as much as I can.
Raiden attempts to cut through one of my crescent and dynamic Aura attacks. I smirk when his spear comes in contact with it. My Aura bursts upon contact with his spear, but it doesn't burst into nothing. It explodes into a huge and spiky ice ball, the coldness making frost form on his weapon. It's like hitting a solid rock. He just evades my other strikes while sending waves of electricity at me. I slash through them all easily, purposely putting a smug expression on my face.
"You definitely aren't holding back." Raiden smirks, twirling both of his spears in both of his hands. He reattaches them so it's one long spear and he leans forward on it. "Order from your dying King?"
"No." I answer, anger starting to boil inside me at his words. "I decided myself that I would go all out against you, but my King did encourage it."
"That makes sense." Raiden straightens up. "Honestly you surprise me though. The strength of your Aura is strong, a little too strong, don't you think?"
"Too strong…?" I murmur to myself then speak louder. "My King strengthens me." I reply lowly, tightening my grip on my sword. "Maybe your Aura is a little too weak if you can't match it."
"Nice comeback." He shrugs boredly. "But no, that's not it. The more damaged it becomes, the stronger it gets."
My brows furrow in confusion. Just what exactly is he talking about? He's trying to get me distracted I bet.
"Up until now I was only testing you. Now that I have an idea of how strong you really are, I won't hold back anymore."
"Then let's get to it," I reply in a tone just as bored as his. "Big brother."
"Big brother…" He chuckles. "He's dead."
"Actually," I ridicule. "He's right in front of me. Only he's acting like he's someone else."
"You should stop talking like you know me." He rumbles angrily.
"Why are you getting so angry with a 'dead person?' I'm dead to you, aren't I?" Talking to him right now and face to face feels so natural, like I've done it before. I have done it before, I just don't remember it.
"Keep talking!" He roars, massive amounts of green electricity now around his spear.
I stare at him thoughtfully. The fact that he's getting so worked up about this, I can't help but to think he cares, even if it is just a bit. I wish I knew exactly what happened back then… when the Kagutsu Crater happened. My eyes shut briefly and I shake my head. That doesn't matter right now. I'm getting side tracked again.
"The past is unchangeable and it's not happening right now. Don't let it divert you from the present time."
I recall Reisi's words and nod to myself. Right now in the present, my goal is to defeat Raiden. I need to hurry up and do that so I can get back to my Pirate Crew. I'm worried about them. Are they alright?
"Go all out against him. Use whatever means necessary. Don't hesitate for a second."
My free hand goes over my necklace for a moment and I whisper Reisi's name. Okay, this is for you. I'm going to show Raiden and the whole Green Clan just how powerful the Blue Queen is. I'm going to show them how strong you make me, Reisi. Here goes nothing.
I focus back on Raiden who now looks heated, and tense. Tense from anger. He's the type of person who let's their anger get the better of them like Eito… and me occasionally I guess. I'll use that to my advantage. I pull a Fushimi on him.
"Big… Bro… ther~" I click my tongue with a smirk, tilting my head back a bit mockingly. That does it.
He shoots lightning in my direction, riding it towards me extremely fast and with murder in his eyes. The way the point of his spear is aimed at where the organ pumping blood through my body resides gives away that he wants to annihilate me. My eyes narrow dangerously. People who can harm others so easily… I hate it.
The tip of his spear is within centimeters of my chest before I dip backwards and fade out of sight. Last time he played dirty against me with his physics tricks, so now it's my turn. I hear him curse as he can no longer so me. I duck behind him, swinging my sword and sending him a combined Aura and wind strike.
My attack sends him slamming into the side Mihashira Tower, cracks appearing in the glass behind him. He pushes off the glass and starts running up the Tower. Oh no you don't. I run after him, using the air to help propel myself up the tall building. As I chase him, I send numerous Aura strikes at him. He dodges, so I pick up my pace and move as fast as I can.
Not even a few seconds later, I'm on the top of the Tower where the rooftop garden is. I'm not sure why he's running up here. Is it to get closer to Reisi? He won't. And he won't mess up Taishi's pruning. Raiden suddenly uses his physics manipulation to go into the building. I take a sharp intake of breath at that. No!
I look around rapidly, trying to see if he came up from somewhere. My hand moves over my ear and I inwardly scream. I don't have an earpiece. Nobody has an earpiece. They are all using Anna's red marbles and I don't have one. Crap. What do I do? I can hear my pulse thudding in my ears nervously. If he escaped...
Suddenly, the air becomes thick. I turn around and gasp. Instantly, I move my sword into a defensive position. The entire rooftop is covered in fog. It's extremely dense, making visibility definitely near zero. I take a couple cautious steps forward, my eyes carefully looking for any movement. It's very quiet. I let out a startled yelp when my foot comes in contact with uneven flooring. My misstep causes me to fall onto my hands and knees, my invisible sword clanging against the ground. The sound mysteriously echoes.
I can hardly see the ground below me. He's no doubt using the fog as a cover. My teeth grit as I stand up. I can't see him, but he also can't see me. The hand not gripping my sword raises in front of me to try to shift the fog. Just like before, it fights back. My eyes narrow. Since we're outside and not in an enclosed space, I can win this battle against the fog. I close my eyes and focus deeply, the fog beginning to lose it's denseness.
"Boo." Raiden's voice whispers in my ear and interrupts my task. I nearly leap out of my skin. Quickly, I run forward and turn in the direction his voice was in. All my eyes are met with is dense and cold fog. The fog isn't cold temperature wise, but if I had to describe it in one word I would say… empty. But that's the least of my concerns. He was close to me, which means…
"He can see me?" I whisper gravely. That's impossible though. A glimmer of green catches my eyes from the right. My teeth grit together as I barely block his spear. He's coming at me with a series of expeditious cuts and slashes with his heightened speed. All I can see is the tip of his weapon. After I parry one of his attacks, I hop backwards and send a large Aura strike in his direction. I hear my attack come in contact with something, then something rams into my back.
My body is sent forward roughly. I plummet onto the ground, rolling across the woodwork and falling into the pond. I unintentionally swallow some water. Wasting no time, I sit up as coughs sounds from my mouth. With angry eyes, I stand up and look around rapidly while raising my sword above my head and getting ready to get rid of this annoying fog.
"Nope." Raiden's voice echoes, the blade of his long spear entering my vision. My jaw locks and I swing at it. Before my sword makes contact, the fog becomes thick around it and it seems to disappear. I can feel my anger spiking. His spear reappears at my side and knocks me down again. I feel a sudden stinging pain. It's like he's teleporting in this.
"How can you see me?!" I yell out, pushing myself up. Barely I can see blood trickling onto the ground. It's coming from my arm. I dispel the invisible air around me, finding it pointless right now. With the invisible air gone I can focus more on increasing my speed. I feel the cut on my arm with a wince. It's not as deep as last time, but the fact that he wounded me yet again makes me outrageous.
"I can see everything in this fog." He answers. I can hear the obvious smirk in his voice. "Feeling fearful yet?"
"You wish…" I grumble, focusing on the air hovering around my open wound. My eyes gradually widen. I barely sense the air molecules. I can feel some but there isn't as much as what their would normally be. Fog is tiny liquid water droplets suspended in the air. I can't heal this right now. This fog is eating away at my resources. I try to surround myself in pressurized air again for my invisible trick but it only works halfway.
"Really? Because I can literally see the fear rolling off of you…" He whispers. He sounds close. I turn my head and see a faint dark shadow. It's moving. It's him. As fast as I can, I run towards it while boosting my speed as much as I can in this fog. It takes more focus and a little longer for my speed to reach it's max. I deflect the swift attacks of his spear. When I reach him, I channel as much Aura as I can into my sword and thrust it forward. A painful and agonizing sound penetrates my ears.
I feel my sword jab through the shadow, through him. I feel the cracking of what I assume to be bones. I hold back a cringe at my actions. Slowly, the fog starts to clear. My eyes can now make out more detail.
Blood is coating my sword, dripping off of it like a ceiling leak during a rainstorm. The sight makes me sick. My stomach twists wretchedly as my eyes follow my sword from the hilt and up until the remainder of it disappears into—
"Akira…" Reisi's pain-laced voice speaks weakly. My head jerks up and I stop breathing. Reisi. Blood is seeping from his mouth, his eyes are pale and looking at me in betrayal. My sword has ruptured through him. Bitter and harsh wetness pools up in my eyes and my fingers uncurl from my sword in horror. I feel completely numb. I feel sick, nauseous. My heart burns painfully and I forget to breathe. I can't breathe or speak. I'm suffocating. Everything hurts. His body falls forward into mine and I collapse under his weight.
When my bottom comes in contact with the ground, the sight of him fades. I gasp for air. My watery eyes look at where Reisi was. In place of him is a tree. My sword is in the tree. That was the cracking noise I heard. Raiden is leaning against the tree, looking at my tear stained face in immense amusement.
"Oh man." He bursts out laughing. "Now that was hilarious. Why are you so attached to that guy?"
"Y-you…" My head lowers as I speak quietly. A shadow is cast over my face. That was an illusion created by him? He really can sense my fears. I'm completely terrified of Reisi dying… and he made me think I… My insides constrict.
"You looked like you may as well have killed yourself. How did you like that scene?" He smirks at my quivering form. "You got to see a preview before it actually happens. It won't happen like that though unfortunately. His Sword of Damocles will fall and crush him until there is nothing left. It'll be like he never existed. It'll happen like that or my King will electrocute him so intensely… he'll be rendered into a charred corpse. The Red Clan along with yours don't stand a chance. The Red King is nothing but a weak newborn, your King is nothing but a fool who can't even control his own power anymore, while my King stands tall above them."
"Shut up!" I yell at him, my head jerking up to meet his entertained eyes. "Reisi can control his powers! He can—!"
"Can't." Raiden corrects me, the tip of his spear now centimeters away from my face. "You always were delusional."
"Bastard!" I scream, my vision tinted an resentful blue as Aura floods around me. Using my hand, I grip his spear and send it aside while ignoring the sharp blade digging into my palm. He stumbles as I use my Aura to launch myself at him. I ravingly tackle him without my sword. He grunts as he falls backwards with my weight landing on top of him.
"You don't know anything!" I growl and grip the collar of his shirt. "Why should I believe you? A coward who is constantly running from his past! An idiot who is trying to be someone else…!" My voice cracks in my intense anger while equally angry tears roll down my eyes. "A jerk who…!" I breathe deeply and raise my flaming blue fist.
Before my fist makes contact with his jaw, his crackling green hand grabs my wrist. He looks just as angry as me. With his superior strength, pushes me off of him. Hastily, I stand up and yank my sword out of the tree. Taking advantage of the lack of fog, I draw multiple layers of air around me and attack with all the strength I can muster. He's back on his feet with two spears in his hands.
We're both are coming at each other with everything we got. Sparks are flying at every contact our weapons make and Aura is flashing brightly. My breathing is growing labored, the cut in my arm stinging with every movement. I feel myself draining as we been at this for a while. But I have the upper-hand.
I'm on the offensive and he's barely able to keep up. His speed will never be a match for mine. Gradually he begins to grow slower. I swipe him off his feet multiple times but he bounces back up just as quickly as he falls.
I block the slashes and thrusts of both of his blades, sidestepping his moves. My mind is void of everything but to defeat him. I'm tired of him. I hate him. All the words that came out of his mouth are going to be shoved back down his throat by me. I'm going to finish him off here and now and regroup with my Pirate Crew. More than anything though, I want to be with Reisi. I think about how Raiden made me think I hurt my Pirate King. That awakens something in me.
I leap, flipping through the air and raising my glowing sword. Air spirals around my saber, pulsating with nothing but dominating power. I let out a determined cry as I grow closer to the ground, closer to my target. With all my strength, I slam my sword downwards. I curse as he moves out the way, however the tip of my sword does tear into his skin. Now we're both wounded.
When my attack hits the ground. It hits it so hard I can swear the whole Tower quivers as cracks sprout against the ground. Dense fog suddenly clouds my vision and I straighten up.
My shoulders rise and fall dramatically at my quickened breathing. The muscles in my legs quiver. That attack was meant to take him out, but now it only served as a waste of energy. I strain my ears, listening for any movements. Green Aura suddenly rams into my front. I gasp in pain. I didn't even see it coming. In this fog I may as well be blind.
The Aura sends me backwards, my back bashing painfully against the pillar of the Tower. The impact shakes my insides brutally and the air is knocked out of me. I cough and I look up weakly just in time to see his shadow in front of me. Barely I block his spear. I stumble to the side in the process.
"Getting tired?" Raiden asks mockingly. "Are the injuries I gave you contributing to your quick energy loss?" Duh. I think sarcastically, looking over at my arm. It's coated in blood. "Don't worry, I'll put you out of your misery soon."
He's making it seem like I'm the only tired one, but really so is he. I noticed the sweat clinging to his skin, I hear the strain in his voice, his fog isn't as thick anymore. He's losing just as much if not more blood as me.
I straighten my posture and hold my sword in front of me. I'm running out of time. With this bleeding I won't hold out much longer. I need to hurry up and finish him so I can heal myself. But how can I fight someone I can't see? This fog needs to go.
Focusing Aura into the soles of my feet, I launch myself skyward. I slash my sword as gravity starts to bring me down. A huge gust of wind comes forth from my sword and drives the fog away. My eyes lock with Raiden's wide ones. I turn invisible before I touch the ground.
I approach him in not even a second. My grip tightens on my sword as I land behind him and slash at the back of his legs. I land the hit. He hisses in pain and drops onto his knee. My leg is then covered in an potent air barrier when I slam the bottom of my foot down onto his back like a hammer. He face-plants onto the ground and blood spills from his nose. He sinks into the floor and away from me.
Like a flash, he reappears behind me and sends a large wave of Green Aura in my direction. He only knows my location from the blood dripping onto the ground below me. I counter his Aura with my own.
Our Auras clash and try to overpower one another's. My teeth gnash together as I force more of my Aura outwards. The Green Aura is definitely strong, but my Aura is stronger. I thrust my sword forward, my blue swallowing his green whole while smoke bursts. A shock wave results from the attack, making me slide backwards a good few feet while dust kicks up. Somehow, I'm able to stay upright.
My eyes narrow and I don't let my guard down. He commented on the strength of my Aura earlier, and I have a feeling he wouldn't do something reckless like relying on his Aura against me. It was a diversion. I'm not that gullible, and especially not at a time like this. My legs bend slightly and I shift my weight on the heels of my feet.
My eyes shut as I block out all my senses and focus on the air. Now that the fog is gone, I have a better grasp on the element. I can feel the movements in it much easier. The air is slowly starting to become thicker, and I feel something rising out of the ground behind me. I draw in a breath. One last attack. One more attack and I'll win. This is it and I won't fail.
Snapping my eyes open, I turn and really push my powers limits. Raiden lets out a startled sound at my form almost magically appearing in front of his. I feel paralyzing fear trying to freeze and strangle me, but I push through and ignore it. You would need to physically stop me at the speed I'm traveling. His fear inducement is useless right now, because right now, I have a stronger emotion inside of me. I'm determined to get back to the people I love, to the man I love.
My blue fist rams into his gut, sending him stumbling backwards. Disgustingly, I can feel the cracking of his ribs underneath my knuckles. He growls dangerously and glares intensely with his glowing green eyes.
"Damn you!" He yells, angry that I was still able to move. Electricity pools out in all directions from beneath him and spirals around me across the ground. I can feel the density growing in the air at this huge attack he's about to perform. "I'll send you straight to hell!"
His form is suddenly leaking thick and blinding fog. I don't let him finish summoning his fog or finish powering up his attack. I bolt forward, my sword twirling in my grasp. I swing my vibrant blue blade as hard as I can. He counters with his two spears and suddenly jumps highly into the air. Lightning shoots from his spears at a blinding speed. I run quickly, feeling the lightning following me and leaving dents and cracks in the ground at it's power.
I dash up the pillar sticking out the top of the Tower and push my feet against the ground. I send myself flying in his direction in a blur, my sword raised and ready to strike him down. He summons more lightning currents and maneuvers around me. My eyes widen as I sense him behind me. The length of his spear whacks into my back, sending me barreling straight towards Earth at an alarming rate.
At the rapid speed and acceleration gravity is pulling me down at, it feels like my insides are just going to float right out of my mouth. The cold air is blasting at me. My teeth gnash together as I look up and see Raiden above me. His spear is now one long one and he's using his Aura to speed up his own downfall as he approaches me. The tip of his spear is aiming between my eyes.
"Idiot." I spit out, raising my sword so it's touching his spear. My Blue Aura trickles up my sword and coils around his weapon like a snake. My Aura constricts tightly as air surrounds it, attaching his spear to my sword like glue. The Aura travels up his arm and he pales. I ensnared him. He's caught in my trap and can't get out. He thought he could defeat me in the air, the air I been manipulating for a long time.
With a strong-willed yell, I use every ounce of my strength to pull him down with me. I surround myself in an Aura barrier before we both come in rough contact with the Earth's surface. My hands grip the hilt of my sword tightly as I bring it downwards, slamming him forcefully onto the ground.
The barrier surrounding me cracks upon contact with the ground. It took the whole impact of the over one-hundred story fall, so it doesn't surprise me. When my feet touch the ground I fall onto my knees, breathing heavily.
Everything feels sore and every muscle is twinging. My fingers are trembling at the exhausted sensation I'm feeling. The amount of strain on my body right now is almost equivalent to how I felt on the school island. I'm thankful for all of the hard work I put in with my training and even after that. I wouldn't be holding out as long as I am without it. But even so, this is where I normally draw the line with my Strain powers.
I stab my sword into the ground, shakily pushing myself upright. My vision swirls. When it begins to settle down, I stare down at Raiden. His body is quivering in pain and blood seeps from his mouth. His eyes glare tiredly into mine when I yank my sword out of the ground and point it as his throat.
"Finish me." He coughs angrily and painfully. "Go ahead and kill your own brother."
I stare at his sweat drenched face and into his eyes, my eyes. If I focus on them enough, I can see the reflection of my own drained face. He finally admitted who he was. I step away from him and lower my sword so the tip of it rests against the ground.
"I'm not going to kill you." I whisper, his face showing shock. I'm not murderous like he is. "I'm going to leave you here and when your Robot King comes across you he'll know what he's getting himself into. If he or any of your fellow Robot Ninjas lay a hand on my King or friends, they'll be looking like you by the hands of me."
"That's arrogant of you to say." He bites out. "How will you do that as you are now? You're exhausted. Though I failed my original mission to defeat you… I've left you drained and useless. You can't take on anybody! I may as well have won!"
"You're in for a surprise." I narrow my eyes at him and point my sword at Mihashira Tower. I may be close to my limit, but I'm not there yet. If I have to I'll go beyond it. "Say that again after I send those two other J-Ranks in there overboard."
I turn away from him and begin walking towards the Tower. I start taking in deep breaths as I walk, leveling out my breathing and focusing on all the aches in my body and the stinging cuts and bruises on the outside. A cold and sizzling feeling consumes me until I feel everything heal fully. I let out a heavy and exhausted breath. Healing has left me even more drained. I ignore it as best as I can. Focusing on that will only make it worse.
I stare up at the Tower. I'm at the back of it. My eyes carefully stare upwards to see if I can figure out what floor my Pirate Crew is on. I frown. The only way to find them is to look on each floor. I draw in a deep breath, surrounding myself in low resistant air and getting ready to run up the building until something grabs my ankle. I look down, seeing Raiden's hand. He crawled over here.
"Touch them… and I will kill you." He threatens severely. His tone and expression gives away that he deeply cares about them. Like I care about my Pirate Crew. How ignorant. He tells me not to lay a hand on his fellow Robot Ninjas but they try to harm my Pirates. Whoever dares threatens my Pirate Ship will walk the plank.
"You better get back to your laboratory first to recharge your battery before you try carrying out that task." I jerk my foot out of his grasp and run up the Tower, blocking out the aches and cramps in my legs.
"Sorry… Nagare." Raiden's weak voice is barely picked up by my ears. I don't glance back at him. If I do, I have this feeling I will feel unnecessary regret. That annoys me. I shouldn't regret.
I don't use my powers the entire time moving up the side of the tower, I don't want to burn myself up right here and now in case I have to take on those other J-Ranks. My hands grips the indents in the windows that separate each floor. I closely look inside each window on every floor to see if my Pirate Crew is there. I don't see anyone. They are probably on one of the highest floors. With a shaky breath, I pull myself up and sit on the ledge of the Tower which forms when it grows more narrow higher up.
My palms are covered in liquid droplets, sweat. I raise my quivering hand towards my forehead, using the back of it to wipe sweat from my brow. It's as cold as can be outside and I'm sweating. I look down, seeing Raiden still laying there. He's moving, and by moving I mean punching the ground angrily.
I beat him.
Slowly, my lips curve upwards as I smile boastfully. I've broke the losing streak that I had going with him. All the energy I used and cuts and bruises I received during that brawl was worth it. I stare at the large blood stain in my coat that takes up most of my sleeve. The cut wasn't really deep when I got it, but I bet all the moving around afterward stretched it wider.
I bring my hand over where the cut was, wincing a bit. It still hurts. Did I not heal it all the way? The skin is sealed on the outside, but maybe not so sealed on the inside. I was focused on healing multiple things I didn't focus on this one as much as I should have. I close my eyes, about to heal it some more but decide against it. As long as it's not still bleeding, I shouldn't worry about it. Any more healing and I'll be feeling major fatigue for sure, then I would definitely pass out.
Extra carefully, I stand up. My head pounds and my legs quiver. I let out a breath, turning and beginning my climb again while peeking in each window. The elevators in the Tower aren't functioning right now and I rather climb like this than go up all those stairs. My eyes glance at the very top floor as I continue upward.
Reisi's in the top floor right now, the Chamber of Slates he ordered me not to go to. Still, I wish I can go to him. It's so tempting to go in there, but he'll get mad if I do. I have to trust my Pirate King. The bright moon high above the Tower shines onto my face, making me look down as my necklace glimmers. I stare at it for a moment, replaying when he first put it around my neck and claimed now I have my own sword. I unconsciously smile to myself, but it slowly fades as I think this Sword of no longer identical to his.
His frustration the other day while we were in the office together replays in my mind. For what reason is this happening? Why are things going the way they are? This whole situation isn't fair.
He told me he wished he was able to do more, and that was the second time he mentioned children to me. He must really like kids. My heart tightens. I wish I was able to do more too and fulfill what he wants. There are 7 billion people in this world and he wants me like I want him. What he wants is what I want. I want to stay with him forever, to hold his hand and never let it go.
The Alien King's face flashes across my vision and I growl to myself. Yashiro Isana. This is all your fault. If you only would of just—
The building suddenly quivers, making me nearly lose my grip on the window and fall downwards. Instantly, my grip tightens greatly to the point my knuckles grow white. When look down, the whiteness in my knuckles match my face. I've climbed higher than I thought, but that's not really what makes me jittery.
Windows are bursting and shattering near the bottom floors before the higher ones follow. I can see a large and bright green light moving upwards one floor at a time, circling the building from within. Where that bright green light travels, the windows in it's path blowout. That's Green Aura.
The King Computer.
Even from up here I can sense the overwhelming power from it. I'm sure anyone could. That green electricity is more vibrant than what Raiden's was. I mentally feel the air surrounding the building where the windows break, my eyes widening at the power radiating in those spots. A power like that… easily surpasses Reisi's.
Alien, if your plan to stop him fails and he get's to Reisi...
I swallow thickly, climbing up to the next floor cautiously as the Tower shakes again. I keep peeking downwards, growing nervous as how fast the King Computer is moving. His speed most likely surpasses my own… and I don't like that. How can we slow him down if we can't even catch him? I come to a stop and stare downwards.
I can wait here and jump him if he reaches this far up. I don't care how strong he is. Anyone who wants to hurt my Pirate King has to go through me first. If what the Alien said is true and he can't sustain that kind of power for long, kind of like how I can't sustain my enhanced speed for long, slowing him down for even a few seconds will for sure eat away at his strength. But...
Reisi said he doesn't want me anywhere near him. Honestly, I don't want to be near him either. He's been keeping a close eye on me for a while for some reason. My orders are to regroup with everyone else and the last thing I want to do is go against Reisi's orders, no matter how much I don't like them. He'll get mad at me if I do and obviously I'm no match for the King Computer, especially in my current condition.
That thought makes my pounding headache more noticeable along with the aches and cramps in my body. My arms pull myself up to the next window. They're growing sore and shaky like how one's arms would feel when they've done too many push ups. Where my cut was is stinging badly. I glance at it, seeing blood dripping again. You're kidding. My eyes catch movement from within the window.
My Pirate Crew and the Firefighters!
Reisi's anxious. At one point he actually found himself pacing around the Chamber. From all the loud bangs and the occasional tremble of the ceiling high above his head, he assumed Akira and Raiden moved their battle to the rooftop. Now it's silent and it's been this way for a while.
He hasn't heard anything from Awashima yet. She is supposed to inform him when Akira regroups with her. He wishes he had access the the rooftop cameras right now, but Fushimi is the only one who currently has access to all of the cameras since he's in total control of Mihashira Tower's security. He let's out a breath, trying to calm himself. Being overly worried isn't going to do any good. She'll be fine.
His violet eyes stare down at the Slates below him. He's silent as he stares at it. Suddenly he begins worrying about Akira again. Reaching in his pocket, he pulls out the red marble. Before he can speak into it, loud booms catch his attention.
"Captain," Awashima's voice speaks to him through the marble. Reisi perks up at her contacting him, eager to here if Akira is with them. "We are moving on to Phase 3."
"Phase 3?" He repeats, his eyes narrowing.
Phase 3 is happening earlier than supposed to. So those loud bangs were the sound of hundreds of thick metal trap doors lowering, which means the Green King is in the building. It is then he becomes aware of the huge power signature on the lower floors. This whole Tower is on lock-down and has been turned into a dark and metal prison for the Green King. His worry skyrockets for Akira. What if she's on the lower floors and trying to reach Ms. Awashima? Is she trapped?
"And Akira?" He questions with a crease in his brow.
"...I haven't heard from or seen her." Awashima answers, voice laced with concern. "Yukari Mishakuji has escaped from us, and according to the Silver King, Sukuna Gojo has also retreated. Judging from the fact that the Silver King contacted Kusanagi a few moments ago asking about Akira and Raiden… He hasn't seen them either. However he also said he is going to check into the situation."
Reisi's quiet. His stomach shifts uneasily and the pulse in his temples becomes apparent. The red marble in his hand is no longer in his sight as he forms a fist around it. His head is buzzing. Where is she? Does she need help? She has been fighting for a while. She's probably exhausted.
Him not knowing where she is or if she's okay petrifies him. Suddenly, her voice calling his name when Raiden had her pinned painfully against the wall echoes in his mind. The thought of her needing help makes him get the sudden urge to go to her. He wants to go to her. Although he ordered her to regroup with Ms. Awashima for her safety, he wishes she was standing right at his side.
"A-Akira!" Awashima's voice meets his ears. She sounds overly relieved and frantic. Her tone makes him frantic.
"Is she okay?" He hurriedly asks. He hears a grunt. Akira's grunt.
"There is blood dripping down her arm and she has fell! She's soaked and—! What?"
The next words spoken make Reisi sigh in relief while his lips curve upwards into a slight smile.
"Y-you're… b-boobs are in my face!" Akira speaks in a high pitched voice, obviously flustered and uncomfortable. Despite that hilarious sentence, he can hear pain in her voice. His Queen is hurting. "And I didn't fall… Dōmyōji dragged me in. Ow! Ow! Ow!"
"And Dōmyōji just jumped on her…" Awashima informs. Reisi's eyes shut. He should expect as much from Dōmyōji. Now that Akira is with everyone else, he feels so much more at ease. However…
"You said she was bleeding?" He questions quietly, trying not to let noticeable displeasure show in his voice. Why hasn't she healed herself? Does she not have enough energy? "How bad is her condition?"
"...I'd say she's done for the night." Awashima replies, leaving out the part that Akira looked like she was crying at one point for his sake. "Don't worry, Captain. We'll tend to her." Just then, the building shakes violently as the Green King nears the top floors.
"Thank you, Ms. Awashima. Please be careful along with everyone else." He replies.
"Will do."
I stare at my Pirate Crew through the window. Seeing that I finally found them makes me let out an alleviated breath. They don't notice me as their backs are to me, and they appear to be staring at a hole in the ground. Suddenly, the lights cut off and loud booms echo. Those are the sounds of the thick and metal security trap doors. I know I spaced out during some the the meeting earlier, but I know this is Phase 3 of the Alien's plan. I'm glad I decided to climb the outside of the building or else I would of been trapped in there with the King Computer.
The sweat coating my hands along with the thin coat of blood on one of them from my arm makes my grip gradually start to fail. I make my fingers curl around the window ledge even tighter to the point it's kind of painful. The cut in my arm stings and I grit my teeth together. I try to pull myself up but my arms begin quivering in their exhausted state. Come on, I mentally urge myself. I can't hold on for much longer. Them being startled by my next actions doesn't surprise me one bit.
I channel Blue Aura around my fist along with a thick and multiple layered air barrier. Quickly, feeling sweat drip down my face and off my chin as my whole body begins to quiver, I slam my fist into the window and make it shatter. I hastily move my fist so it rejoins my other hand on the rail. Everyone's alarmed and startled voices reach my ears.
"The hell?! Is that pansy back?!" Yata's voice yells. I yelp, ducking my head when Red Aura comes soaring in my direction. That Aura is burning hot! It scarcely singes my fingers.
"Stop trying to burn me and—!" I let out a panicked sound as I really begin to slip at a fast rate. "H-help me!"
"Akira!" Seri is the first one to notice me and run in my direction for aid. Hurriedly, she crouches down and grabs my hand before I can fall. The rest of my Pirate Crew runs over to help pull my form through the window and inside, HOMRA following after them. Immediately, I collapse onto the ground.
My eyelids drape over my eyes languidly and I make no signs of getting up. Just how drained I really am dawns on me, and being reunited with my Pirate Crew is the best feeling I've felt all day. After I let out a fulfilled breath, I open my eyes and am immediately greeted with… Seri's… Oh my…!
"There is blood dripping down her arm and she has fell! She's soaked and—!" Seri's form is over mine as she holds a red marble near her lips.
"S-Seri…" I start.
"What?"
"Y-you're… b-boobs are in my face!" I reply in complete embarrassment. Seri leans back at that. "And I didn't fall… Dōmyōji dragged me in. Ow! Ow! Ow!" Dōmyōji's body comes crashing down on me. He hugs me tightly to his chest.
"Typhoon!" He cries out. Daiki runs over and grips my shoulders.
"Are you okay?!" He shakes me a bit.
"Akira!" Hidaka crouches down by me and brings his hand over my forehead. "Say something!"
"She looks pale!" Dōmyōji peers closely at my face as he pulls back to gaze at me deeply, looking frantic. "H-her arm! Hold on Typhoon!"
"Does someone have something to stop the bleeding?" Kamo asks quickly as he reaches my side. His usual serious face showing concern.
"Here's a handkerchief!" Gotō hurriedly hands one to Kamo who then begins wrapping my arm with it.
"Wrap it tightly." Worried Akiyama moves closer to me along with an equally worried Benzai.
"Not too tight." Benzai adds on.
"Quit smiling and say something!" Hidaka frowns at my smiling face.
"I never seen you guys so distraught before." I laugh tiredly.
"Well if you seen yourself you would understand why!" Hidaka retorts. "You're okay though? You don't look so good."
Before I answer, I let my eyes take in everyone's faces. They all look exhausted, even HOMRA. Yata is currently biting his nails in horror about how he "almost hurt a girl." I conclude he is the one who threw Red Aura in my direction. They're exhausted state is beginning to show in their features. I can only imagine how terrible I look if they are this worried about me. But, I have a pretty good idea of what I look like. I turn my gaze back over to Hidaka's brown eyes.
"I'm burned out." I admit with a small smile. "I may have pushed myself further than I thought but, I'm okay. After some sleep I'll be as good as new."
"And Raiden?" Akiyama asks a little hesitantly. "Did he retreat like the other J-Ranks?"
"I beat him." I answer quite proudly. The building suddenly seems to sway as the King Computer grows closer. With a frown, I look at the thick metal door the King Computer is sure to reach.
Although I beat Raiden, I can't help but to feel something seems off. So, Yukari and Sukuna both retreated? I guess that explains the giant hole in the floor. Whoever my Pirate Crew and the Firefighters were surrounding must of escaped through it.
Yukari and Sukuna had to have retreated when the Green King arrived. Their goal was to clear a path and how it looks to me at least, they cleared perhaps 70% of the building. Was that all they needed to clear? Was Raiden's task to keep me busy then? My brows furrow. Raiden didn't seem like he wanted to aid his clansmen at all.
"Good job, Typhoon Queen." Dōmyōji smiles and Hidaka pats my shoulder at my victory. Everyone else either smiles or nods their heads in congrats. Daiki helps me onto my feet, steadying me as I waver a bit. I look over at HOMRA. I may be wrong but, I seem to sense a little tension in the room between them and us.
"HOMRA's vanguard has been being annoying." Hidaka informs me quietly so Yata won't hear.
"More than that." Banzai crosses his arms.
"He thinks he can boss us around." Gotō glares. "Says we act like cowards."
"Cowards?" I repeat, narrowing my eyes at Yata who is oblivious.
"We just need to put up with them for a little longer. Stay sharp." Seri says and we all nod.
"This'll be hard." Kamo admits surprisingly with an irked sigh.
"Even though you disrespect anko, I'm glad you're here and safe. Take it easy, alright? I won't stop you from helping due to the fact we need all the help we can get, but don't push yourself. You've already fulfilled your role and now we'll fulfill ours." Seri places her hand on my shoulder with a tired smile.
"I will. Thank you Lieutenant." I return that equally tired smile, watching as she walks towards where Anna is.
Mr. Kusanagi walks to the center of the room, waving us all over. Dōmyōji walks close by my side just in case I stumble again. Actually, everyone is kind of close to me. I can't stop a smile. They're so worried about me. I'm glad to have friends who care as much as they do. I smile at them all in silent thanks.
"Welcome back, Akira." Mr. Kusanagi smiles at me and I nod my head with a grin. Anna smiles at me softly. I find myself comparing her to a doll again. Sometimes she looks at me in a way that I cannot determine, like she's reading me.
"I swear every time I see you you're injured." Chitose says, his cigarette hanging out of his mouth as he smirks teasingly. I merely give him a sheepish shrug.
"Alright," Mr. Kusanagi begins. "Remember, Anna will be the key player to this mission. There's not much we can do during the fight between Kings. We'll only get in her way. Soon, the Silver King Yashiro Isana will join us. Mr. Shiro will defend and Anna will attack. The rest of us are all there for diversion and support."
"Okay?" Yata looks over his shoulder and at the rest of HOMRA. "You got that?"
"Yeah!" They all reply with determined nods.
"What about you, Yata? You got it?" Mr. Kusanagi smiles.
"I'm not supposed to get carried away and jump into battle, right?" He asks to which Mr. Kusanagi's smile softens at.
"Even at a time like this, you HOMRA are full of energy." Seri sighs, crossing her arms. I can tell she's overly drained at those words. She then notices Anna and Kamamoto staring at her and closes her eyes in apology. "I beg your pardon, Red King."
"We're connected." Anna speaks softly as she looks away from Seri.
"Huh?" Seri questions.
"We're all connected deep down. That's why…" She holds up her hand, revealing the glowing red marble in her palm. "Our fire will never go out."
Her words ring true and they make me smile. It's true, even for us Pirates, for anyone really. As long as you love someone, you're connected to them in some way. Unconsciously, my hand moves over my necklace as I close my eyes and think about Reisi. He's always with me. I can't wait to see him. I miss him so much already.
"What I don't get is that Blue King…" Yata speaks, making my eyes open so I can look at him. "He's making Anna, HOMRA's King, risk her life, while he gets to kick back and chill up there!" He points upwards. "Who the hell does he think he is?"
Like a pot of water over fire, I can feel myself coming to a boil as scorching heat builds up in me. My jaw is locked tightly and my eyes are perilous. There is a sting in my hands as my nails burrow into my palms at how tenacious my fists are. Each word he spoke has filled me with ferocious poison and it's spreading wildly.
Reisi isn't making Anna or anyone do anything. This is the Alien King's plan that we all agreed to. My Pirate King is only carrying out his assigned task like everyone else. If he wants to blame someone it should be Yashiro.
I can feel the nervous glances my Pirate Crew is giving me. Hidaka wraps his arm around my shoulders, his hand rubbing against my upper arm to calm me down quietly.
"Yata, we went over this at the meeting." Mr. Kusanagi reminds him. "We can't afford to draw the Green King into the Chamber of the Slates. It'll be worse if all of us are here and he still manages to break through. Which is why Anna and Mr. Shiro's job is to force the enemy to use up his power. So in the event he gets past us, the Blue King will be ready to stop him for sure. That's the plan."
Mr. Kusanagi's back is to me, so he can't see my fuming form. My fuming form does dwindle slightly at his words however. Yata is oblivious to me due to the fact his eyes are closed in annoyance. The other HOMRA people are too busy observing Yata and Mr. Kusanagi's exchange. However, Akagi becomes aware of me and then looks a little nervous.
"Uh…" Akagi begins in warning. Unfortunately, Yata and no one else hears him.
"No, I'm not complaining about the strategy itself. I'm talking about his attitude, and you know… honor. I just don't get why anyone would follow him. The guy's a dishonest bastard." Yata grumbles angrily.
Mr. Kusanagi walks over to him and whacks him across the head. "Dumb ass! Stop making such a huge fuss over other people's business. Sorry, Seri." He looks over at Seri's dismal face then his eyes moves to me. He then looks extremely vigilant.
I've boiled over. Yata's words have fueled this sweltering rage inside me and the poison has spread throughout my body. My vision is tinted blue. I find myself lost in my anger. I'm consumed by it.
"Dishonest bastard?" I spit out, taking slow and threatening steps in Yata's direction. Hidaka trying to hold me back startlingly doesn't work. Blue Aura is rolling off of me like turbulent ocean waves. My sword is drawn and surrounded in a blue and narrow twister. I slash it intimidatingly in front of me. "How the hell is he dishonest?!"
"I-I didn't mean you guys!" Yata takes a step back at my aggressive approach.
"See, you can't even answer my question! You said 'you don't get why anyone would follow him.' We all follow him so you did mean us!" I yell, stomping my foot on the ground as I come to a stop in front of his nervous form. I glare up into his eyes. He looks torn between arguing back with me and just cowering away from me being so close to him. "And I don't give a crap if you were talking about us at all! Don't. You. Ever, insult my King like that!"
"Akira! Stand down now!" Seri orders me. I may as well haven't of heard her.
"His honor is his duty as King! It's who he is!" I growl. "Reisi puts the life of others before him, you know that right? He saved me. He even saved that blondie over there on the island who then stabbed him! He even tried to save Mikoto! Everyday he goes out to save and help people who need it. Why do you think he's dedicating practically all his time to manage those Slates up there? Just because he can? No! He's doing it to protect people, even boisterous ones like you! Because he cares about this world and keeping order! We follow him because we believe in him and have the same desires as he does! If you don't understand his 'honor,' then you're stupid and ignorant! Why do you follow the Red King?! Just to flaunt around your skateboard and get mixed up in illegal gang activities—?!"
"Akira that's enough!" Seri steps in front of me when Mr. Kusanagi pulls Yata's wide-eyed form away from me. "Calm down!"
It's then I become aware I'm panting from my outburst. I lower my sword, the tip of it touching the ground as I get a hold of myself. My anger starts to dissipate but the raving Aura around me remains. My azure eyes glide over everybody.
Most of HOMRA is giving me a hostile look, no doubt because of my last couple sentences and the names I called Yata, and probably because I mentioned their former King. I don't care. I advert my eyes to the ground and away from them.
Every word that came out of my mouth was the truth and Yata started the whole thing. He was dumb to insult Reisi in front of blue clansmen, me especially. He had it coming. If they want to be angry at me for defending my King so be it. It doesn't bother me at all.
"Everyone, get back." Anna suddenly speaks and faces the metal wall. She walks towards it and ahead of us all. My eye's widen when I feel the air ripple violently, which is followed by a close explosion. The King Computer… "He's coming…"
Red, fiery, and hot Aura surrounds Anna. The dress she wears flutters around her at the power coming from her. She holds her arms out as her Aura manifests into a large pair of wings behind her back. Her wings enables her to hover a few feet above the ground.
Multiple large dents appear in the metal wall as I face it with narrowed eyes. The Green King is just on the other side of this wall. I draw in a breath, raising my sword in front of me offensively. The metal wall bursts, revealing the Green King Nagare Hisui.
He's dressed in flowing white clothes that are loosely sewn. His hair is pure white, his left eye green while his other is blue. There is a white glow around his whole body as deadly green electricity dances and crackles around him. He wears a wicked grin on his face as he peers at us all. My eyes are drawn to the bright Aura on his chest where his heart would be. Is that where his battery goes? He really is a robot.
He hurls lightning at Anna who uses her wings to block the attack and renders it to nothing. My eyes quickly glance at everybody. Everyone around me looks ready to battle. Mr. Kusanagi said we are to distract him and create a diversion so Anna and Yashiro can defeat him quickly. My brows furrow. Isn't the Alien King supposed to be here already and helping Anna? Where is he?
Nagare charges forward with blinding and rapid speed. Speed that easily surpasses my own. It's obvious to me that he can go much faster if he wanted to. He appears in front of Anna. Damn it. Where the heck is Yashiro?
He attacks rapidly and with power I've never witnessed before. Anna brings her red wings in front of her for defense, but Nagare effortlessly knocks her back. He then uses his amazing speed to move in zig-zags across the room, knocking over each person.
I gasp as he appears in front of me. Our eyes lock and everything seems to move in slow motion. He looks almost surprised to see me, but that surprise is quickly replaced by fascination. His lips are curved into a cat-like and mischievous smile. Rapid movement catches my eyes. His electrified fist is coming straight towards me to knock me back like he did to everyone else.
Since my Aura is already surrounding my body from my earlier outburst, I forge it into a thick barrier in front of me me. Keeping in mind that I clearly stand no chance against him, I also add a wind barrier around my Aura to strengthen it and hold it in place. My eyes shut as I activate my enhanced speed again. The muscles in my body instantly protest.
Easily, he breaks through my barrier. His fist doesn't come in contact with me though because I'm no longer behind it. I'm in front of the doorway that leads to the next floors, the top floor where Reisi is. Nagare is already coming in my direction.
I slash my sword, sending him the strongest Aura strike I can. Just like my Aura did with Raiden when he came in contact with it, it bursts into a spiky ice ball. Of course though that doesn't stop Nagare. He just barrels right through it and into me. He's moving so fast I can hardly comprehend his movements. I can't dodge in time.
His all-powerful and supreme Aura knocks into me, sending me backwards and into the wall. My body bashes painfully against it and my vision goes black for a moment, making my eyelids squeeze together tightly. All the air in my body is knocked out at the impact. My sword clatters onto the floor and I drop onto the ground, my back against the wall as I gasp for air.
My eyes crack open in time to see Nagare bolt past me and up the stairs. Closer to Reisi. Anna's form sudden flies past my own and after Nagare as I shakily reach for my sword. My vision blurs when I stand up and I sway. I press my hand against the wall to steady myself before looking in the direction the two Kings went.
"Akira!" Dōmyōji runs towards me, the rest of my Pirate Crew following.
"I'm fine." I lie.
I'm not okay at all. I'm angry and hurting all over. At this rate, Nagare will get to Reisi. Anna may be going after him right now but she doesn't stand a chance against the Green King. Where is that Alien King?! I move away from the wall.
"Come on!" Yata skates past us, the rest of HOMRA running after him. "Anna's in danger! Show some guts you bastards!"
"I'll show you some guts." I gnarl, running after him.
"Akira, take it easy!" Seri runs after me with everyone else.
"I'll take it easy once we stop that King Computer!" I reply. I don't care how completely exhausted I am. As long as I can still move, I'll keep fighting.
I can't let him get to Reisi.
I pick up my speed, slowly moving past everybody so I'm ahead of them. Since I'm still angry at Yata, glare as I move past him. I'm activating my Strain powers slowly and not all at once so I won't add too much to the strain my body is already feeling. Deep down, I'm surprised I can even stand.
The whole time I'm running, I'm focusing on my legs. Their sore beyond words can say, also stiff and overdue for a stretch. I wipe sweat from my face with my sleeve. Then, the hallway we are occupying feels cold and eerie. It feels heavy. I come to a sudden stop which makes my knees buckle beneath me.
My teeth clamp down on my tongue when my knees make painful contact with the ground. With a grunt, I turn to look behind me. My breath hitches when I see everyone being consumed by thick fog, making them vanish from my sight. Fog. Quickly and with trembling limbs, I push myself up and turn to them with my sword raised. The fog suddenly shoots in my direction, consuming me as well. I'm forced to raise my hand in front of my face to shield my eyes.
"...Raiden." I growl lowly, seeing a shadow walking in my direction. "What did I say about touching my friends?!" I yell out and charge towards him with my sword glowing and ready. I swing my sword, my eyes growing impossibly wide when his wrist grabs my own and keeps my blade from making contact with him.
Instead of moving to attack me, he slowly releases my wrist. I'm dazed and shocked for a moment at his actions. His shadow stays still in front of me before he continues onward, disappearing into the depths of this fog. I blink a couple times, snapping out of it. My eyes narrow. Is he trying to throw me off or something? Or… is that even Raiden? I rotate my sword in my grasp so the tip is behind me.
I don't care who that is. He's not going anywhere near my King. He's an enemy and not even supposed to be in this building. Aura shoots out the tip of my sword, launching me forward. I press my feet against the ground with as much force as I can, jumping highly when I can distinguish his shadow again. I twirl through the foggy air, raising my sword above me and slamming it downwards as I near him.
"How was it, Nagare?" Reisi asks the Green King who is lying on the ground lifelessly in front of him with a smirk. The tip of his sword is pointed at his throat. Yashiro watches from the side. "Did you enjoy your rampage? There was no intelligence or order in your behavior. You may as well have been just… an animal."
"Oh, it was so much fun, Reisi Munakata." Nagare smiles monotonously up at him as Anna walks into the room. "By the way, humans are all animals. We are just individual living creatures that happen to be different from one another." He turns his head, looking at Neko on one of the platforms above the Slates. "Isn't that right? Miyabi Ameno?"
"Huh… me?" Neko points at herself, growing nervous. She moves behind Kuroh. "I'm Neko!"
"Miyabi Ameno?" Reisi repeats, glancing at Neko. "Even with Scepter 4's resources, we could not deduce that girl's identity. So that's her real name? However, isn't she a bit too unique to use as an example of ordinary humans?"
"You believe that because you are a fool." Nagare starts. "She and I are the same… like Akira Yukimura and I are the same. I have to admit, I'm impressed she managed to defeat one of my most powerful players. Most impressive indeed." Reisi's eyes narrow dangerously at the mention of his Queen. Inwardly though, he's proud of hearing of her success. "Akira Yukimura, Miyabi Ameno and I, we define ourselves without being bound by the human qualities that are forced upon us. The state of the free spirit governs the possibilities that humans possess. And now, I, the one nearest to that ideal, have come to receive the Slates."
"Are you going to imply that you are the most suitable one to manage the Slates? Such arrogance." Reisi speaks, bringing his fingers to the bridge of his glasses.
He's growing annoyed with Nagare, especially with how he keeps saying he and Akira are the same. He doesn't like how her name sounds coming out of his mouth. Akira is nothing like this man in front of him.
"Don't misunderstand, Reisi Munakata. It's impossible for anyone to be "suitable" to manage the Dresden Slates. That is the wellspring of possibilities, and to think one can arbitrarily control it shows a total lack of understanding of its true nature. It's absurd." Nagare replies.
"I see. Don't manage power, just release it… Inviting chaos is the meaning of the Slates existence. Is that what you want to say?" Reisi inquires.
"There is no meaning. Those with power shall be able to use it in any way they want. That's all." Nagare answers with a smile.
"Yet look at you now… your power is exhausted. How do you view the situation you're in?" Reisi brings the tip of his now glowing blue sword closer to Nagare's throat while activating his sanctum. His blue Sword of Damocles appears above the Tower. "Nagare Hisui, you are already a dead man. According to the Silver King's data, you lost your heart during the Kagutsu Incident. Your power is what's barely sustaining your existence. It also explains how you're able to manipulate your physical capabilities to such extremes. However, once your power is used up, you're like a toy with a dead battery… or rather, your original self… nothing but a corpse. I hardly think you are qualified to battle me for the right to possess the Slates."
Nagare closes his eyes as he smiles further. He compares Reisi's words to Akira's just after she defeated Raiden. According to Iwafune, he believes she said something along the lines, "you better go back to your laboratory to recharge your battery first before you try to kill me." Yukari and Sukuna have found Raiden by now.
Akira's strength, although it isn't a match for his, is no joke. It took him just a second or two longer to break through her Aura than it took to break through the Red King's. Perhaps keeping her in this game of his will be more interesting. He's actually curious to how she'll fare in this new world he plans to create.
"You're right." Nagare says to Reisi, reopening his eyes. "But I'm not the one you'll be fighting. 'He' will be coming through the path I have cleared. 'He' is my trump card."
At Nagare's words, Reisi visibly becomes cautious and wary. Someone else is planning on fighting him? Nobody is a match for a King, unless… that person is also a King. Reisi looks ahead at the doors the Green King busted upon his entry in the Chamber of Slates. Fog is slowly creeping in, becoming more thick as each second passes. The fog… Suddenly, it clicks.
Anna looks around warily at the fog while Yashiro's eyes widen at it. Yashiro now knows just who exactly it belongs to. He turns to Reisi quickly.
"Mr. Munakata…!" He warns.
"I see…" Reisi smirks, thoroughly surprised. "Nagare Hisui's reckless actions and inexplicable confidence are explained by the very fact you were behind this all along…" Reisi turns and slashes his sword through the fog and dispels it, revealing the man behind it all. "The one who was said to have died in during the Kagutsu Incident… The Sixth King… The Gray King!"
The tall and lightly tanned man with wavy, chin length, dark brown hair raises his hand in a "hold on" gesture. He's dressed in long dark coat with gray trimming, a priest like attire.
"Whoa, wait a sec, Munakata." Iwafune smiles almost sheepishly. Reisi narrows his eyes. "The beginning is crucial in human relationships. So I just have one thing to say first. If you're going to address me…" He points his thumb at himself with a wink. "Then just call me Mr. Iwa!"
Before Reisi says anything, Iwafune side steps to dodge a fuming blonde's fury. He didn't even glance behind him. Reisi's eyes widen when Akira's form comes stumbling forward. She's here. In the Chamber of the Slates.
Akira's face is somewhat pale, the sleeve of her coat stained with her own blood. Her breathing is labored and there are droplets of sweat visible on her face. Her whole form is trembling in fatigue. That doesn't stop her next actions. She turns, pointing her sword at Iwafune angrily.
"You better leave now or…!" She breathes out heavily, her words slowly dying.
"Akira." Reisi says her name sternly. "Get away from him!" Akira's back is still to Reisi and she's still. The only movements she is displaying is the rise and fall of her shoulders and the lowering of her sword. Why isn't she listening to him? His violet orbs quickly scan the area.
Nagare has used up all his power, so he's no longer a threat. However, with the arrival of the Gray King, there are two enemy Kings present. His jaw locks tightly as his eyes narrow dangerously. This is a hazardous situation. And now Akira's here. Akira's in danger.
He holds back a heavy and sullen breath. She's not supposed to be in here. This is exactly why he didn't want her here. His eyes move back to the Gray King to see him staring at Akira intently. That angers Reisi. He glares at the Gray King before looking at Akira again.
"Akira, go to Yashiro Isana now." He orders seriously, his tone strict. Reisi doesn't like the Silver King, but he knows she'll be at least a little safer by him. If he were to tell her to leave the room, she would have to walk past the Gray King and he doesn't want that. Slowly, Akira looks over her shoulder at him and he's caught off guard.
Why is there thick tears streaming down her face?
