Chapter 24: Divine Dividing

Mysterious Place

'Satella.' Subaru said, not even bothering to look as he knew she would be there.

'Sigh...it feels so weird...now that you remember…' Satella sighed. It was evident she's back to normal.

'I still want answers.' Subaru said.

'I told you...I can't tell you…' Satella replied.

'Well...at least I tried. Whatever you say. I just need to revive.' Satella narrowed her eyes.

'For Rem huh?' Subaru crossed his arms, ignoring her.

Satella's mouth twitched. She didn't want Subaru to keep dying for that good-for-nothing Rem.

'What if I don't let you revive?' Satella questioned.

Subaru froze. He then turned his head slowly. On his face was a look that could rival a demon.

'I will-'

'A joke. Just a joke. But even if I meant it, you can't beat me anyways…' Satella chuckled.

'(Not when you haven't mastered Sloth.)' With a wave of her hand, Subaru blacked out.

Subaru opened his eyes. Knowing what would happen, he moved to the side, dodging Ram's book uppercut. He then walked towards Okabe, ignoring the commotion behind him.

'Shit!' Okabe cursed. Subaru smiled as he repeated the process.

However, this time, he did something different.

'Hey, Okabe. Your Reading Steiner, can it stop mind control?' Okabe shrugged.

'I mean...it did allow me to break through illusions…' Subaru nodded.

'You have to aid us in fighting the intruders. One of them can control people's minds.' Okabe looked rather shocked and afraid. However, he steeled himself and nodded.

Like before, Okabe told the others to contact him through the receivers if something went wrong.

They then quickly set up the ambush.

When Kisame got in range, Nepgear activated HDD before using Gehaburn Wave, forcing Kisame to back up.

Rem used El Huma to push Sasuke back, not allowing him to get near. Subaru used the distraction to approach him as he slashed at him.

Sasuke managed to substitute himself with a table, causing Subaru to curse.

Sasuke then tried weaving hand seals but Rem quickly used Al Huma: Chains to grab onto his hands, preventing him from using any of his heavy attacks.

Subaru used the chance to slam his leg into Sasuke's skull. Sasuke coughed as he gritted his teeth.

'Chidori Burst!' Sasuke roared as he channelled Chidori throughout his body and released it as a pulse. It broke Rem's ice chains and threatened to rip through Rem and Okabe.

Subaru ran in front of them and summoned a Unseen Hand to block off the rampaging electricity.

Nepgear used Gehaburn instead to absorb the electricity before lunging at Kisame.

'Starshine: Rend!' With Gehaburn being boosted by Sasuke's Chidori, Nepgear performed a powerful horizontal slash, tearing the entire Hideout into half, revealing the red sky.

'Sasuke! What the hell!' Kisame cursed as he looked at the damage. Nepgear quickly stabbed Kisame in the back.

However, Kisame quickly substituted himself with Sasuke who rolled on the floor before looking into Nepgear's eyes.

'Genjutsu: Sharingan!' Nepgear raised her eyebrow and kicked Sasuke across the room.

Meanwhile, Kisame expertly dodged Rem's attacks before nearing her with a slam from Samehada.

Subaru wasn't having any of that however as he used his second Unseen Hand to smack Kisame away. Then, Sasuke was seen smashing into the ground in front of Subaru.

Subaru was quick to notice Sasuke's Sharingan.

'Okabe!' Okabe nodded as he quickly ran in front of Rem and Subaru, having them hide behind him.

'Genjutsu: Sharingan!' Sasuke stared into Okabe's eyes. Like before with Nepgear, the eyes didn't work.

'What the hell!' Sasuke roared as he created ten clones.

The clones then all attacked Rem whom had to used Al Huma: Chains once again to restrict them.

However, due to the immense amount of clones, the real Sasuke managed to get beside them.

'Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu!' He roared.

As Rem was preoccupied with the clones, Subaru summoned his third Unseen Hand to contain the attack.

However, another attack was coming.

'Chidori!' Subaru cursed. Although he had another Unseen Hand to use, he couldn't simultaneously summon two.

He noted that the attack was headed straight for him.

'(Time to restart.)' Subaru nonchalantly thought.

Something surprising happened, however.

'Time to wake up you fool!' A voice sounded in Okabe's head. Looking around, he was shocked to see that time was halted.

'What...is this…' Okabe questioned.

'This is inside your head. Anyway, in a few seconds, your friend will die.' Okabe swallowed dryly.

'However, you can save him.' The voice said.

'Who are you?' Okabe asked.

'I am the Vanishing Dragon, Albion! I reside within you!' Okabe was shocked.

'What the hell! Is this some kind of prank?' The voice snorted.

'It is by no means, a prank. Why else do you think you can observe worldlines.' Okabe's eyes widened.

'You mean...you're Reading Steiner?!'

'...That name sucks…'

'Shut it!'

'Anyway! Do you want to accept my power and save your friend, or allow him to die?'

Those words reminded Okabe of how Daru died. He wouldn't allow that to happen once again.

'I...I accept your power!'

Suddenly, Okabe felt his left ear go on fire. It then spreaded to his left eye.

'ARGH!'

'Divide!' Albion called out, Okabe's now yellow left eye shone. The left side of his face is cracked.

Sasuke suddenly felt his Chidori diminish in both power and speed, giving Subaru enough time to crush the previous jutsu in his Unseen Hand before punching him into the wall.

Subaru and Rem's attention was now brought unto Okabe.

'Divide!' Okabe's left eye flashed as Albion announced once again.

This time, Sasuke felt his chakra pool halved. Okabe on the other hand, felt his power increase.

Sasuke staggered to his feet only to see Okabe appearing in front of him. Okabe smacked Sasuke through the wall and out of the town.

He glanced at his hands. They were radiating with so much power.

'Okabe?' Subaru muttered. Okabe turned around.

'Are you alright?' He continued.

Okabe nodded.

'I think...this is my power...the true nature of Reading Steiner…'

Nepgear suddenly went sliding into Rem. As she was about to fall, Rem quickly held onto her.

'Okay...I don't know what that is...but if you can fight...I need help.'

Kisame had Samehada over his shoulder as he smirked.

'Come on.' He laughed. Subaru walked beside Nepgear.

'Let's go.'

'Right.' Rem replied.

'This new power...let's test it now, shall we?' Okabe said.

'Ah...what's up with those one-liners…' Nepgear complained as she glowed grey, removing the limits on her power.

West Sky City

Blake sighed in exasperation. Why? Well, the entire shop was a mess.

Cup noodle cups were scattered everywhere. The volumes of 'Plant VS Zombies' were flung all over the place. Rain was laying down on the floor with a magazine covering his face.

'Rain…' Blake growled.

'Five more minutes Mum...I had to catch up on anime yesterday…' Blake had a visible tick mark on her face. She then melted into a smile.

'Mum...huh?' Rain's wandering hands froze. It seemed he had finally woken up enough to realise what he just said.

For the next hour, Blake tried to castrate Rain using Gambol Shroud.

'So why did you change the signboard?' Blake asked when she had finally calmed down.

'Well, the previous board didn't have the 'ompf'!'

'And the name 'ACow' does?' Blake questioned with a raised eyebrow.

'Yep! If you didn't get it, 'ACow' sounds like 'Occult'.' Blake sighed. She knew the reason of course.

Blake began fidgeting with her fingers. She didn't know how to bring it up.

'Something's gnawing at you Blake?' Rain commented.

'Rain...I...I have to-'

'Leave?' Rain finished. Blake was shocked. How did he know?

'How did you know?'

'Well, I kinda saw you practising with the mirror…' Blake's face reddened.

'Anyway,' Blake changed the subject.

'I have to find my friends.' Rain nodded.

'Cool.' Blake was dumbfounded.

'You're letting me go that easily?!'

'Nope! Cause I'm coming with you!' Blake's eyes widened.

'What?! Don't you need to take care of your shop?!' Blake questioned.

'Nah.' Rain then walked to the back of the shop, took a few seconds, before walking out. He held a black suitcase.

'See.' He opened it up and lo and behold, there were fat stacks of cash.

'...' Blake was speechless.

'...Did you steal them?' Blake asked, her hand hovering above the handle of Gambol Shroud.

'What?! No! It's my inheritance!' Blake blushed as she lowered her hand.

'Oh…'

'Anyway, I'm coming with you! I've always wanted to travel round the world anyway!' Rain said with a huge smirk.

'Are you sure? It might be dangerous…' Blake asked worriedly.

'It's nothing!' Rain replied.

Blake let a smile go onto her face.

'So, when are we going?' Rain asked.

'Well...can we go now?' Rain nodded.

'Also, these are the people I'm looking for.' Blake showed Rain a picture. On the picture was Blake, a red-hooded girl, a biker, and a noble.

Rain grinned.

'Alright! Let's head to Central Sky City!' Blake raised an eyebrow.

'Aren't we already in Sky City?'

'This is the West Sky City!' Rain enthusiastically replied.

'We have to head to the Investigation Centre in the Central Sky City. That place can complete your request faster than you can speak!'

Blake chuckled.

'Really?'

'Okay...that may be an exaggeration…' Blake slapped Rain's back playfully.

'Let's go.'

'Sure.' Rain then quickly locked up the shop before putting up a sign that says: 'I'm off travelling. Those who lent me money, you'll get it back a year later. P.S. I will kill you if you ask me to pay a year's worth of interest.'

'Done!' Rain exclaimed as he stretched his body. Blake simply deadpanned.

'...I pity your friends…' Rain turned towards her, looking shocked.

'What do you mean? I have no friends!' Rain said it in such excitement Blake felt pity for him.

June walked along the corridor and approached the room at the end of the corridor.

She knocked on the door, waiting a few seconds before hearing: 'Come in.'

She opened the door and saw Mi looking down on the populace, like usual.

'What's wrong?' June asked.

'I just wanted to tell you that Emperor said that if things goes well, he'll be able to finally kill Okabe and his group.'

'But why couldn't he do it before?' June questioned. It was told that Emperor had immense strength. Against the puny opposition, he should've had no problems killing them.

'You see, Emperor likes to play around with his prey. Furthermore, the group was being extremely careful not to have their locations discovered. However, now that more people have joined up with them, we have finally discovered the location.' Mi snickered.

'Speaking of it, we really do have to thank Kazuma for that, don't we?' Mi began laughing manically.

'(But from what I heard, it was the Akatsuki who discovered the location. And they followed Subaru...I think that was his name?)'

June chose not to say anything however. A well-placed Light of Saber from Mi could easily kill her.

'Anyway, where's Emperor exactly? I heard that he wanted to see me?' June asked.

Mi shrugged.

'No one ever knows where he goes. You just have to wait for him to summon you.' June sighed.

'What a irritating fellow…' Mi looked at her with alarmed eyes.

'Don't say that!'

'Huh...why?' June asked.

'If he hears it, he will kill you. And I'm willing to bet my love for Kazuma that you can't beat him.' Mi replied.

'(Her love for Kazuma...that's serious…)'

However, June simply smiled.

'It's not like he's here!' Mi had a look of grimace however.

'It's too late. Say your prayers.' June was confused. Following Mi's gaze, she looked behind her to see an arrow.

'An arrow...that's…' June didn't know how to describe it. The arrow didn't have any substance. Rather, it looked like it was composed of air. The air however, wiggled and twisted.

'It's…distorted?' June muttered.

Suddenly, before anyone could even react, the arrow pierced June through her heart.

'Hrk! It...broke through my wind aura?!' Mi simply shook her head. June fell to the ground, her head hitting the floor, resulting in an audible crunch.

'Well, he is stronger than me.' Mi muttered.

'But still...another one…' She complained.

The air simply wrote: 'Sorry. I thought it would be funny to let her know that I can hear her. But I guess I shouldn't have done that huh? I lost one test subject...damn!'

Mi rolled her eyes.

'When did you set up this new camera?'

The air wrote: 'When you went to the bathroom after removing the previous one, I came in and placed a new one.'

Mi had a tick mark on her face.

'Can you stop...BEING A FUCKING PARANOID BITCH! WHERE'S MY PRIVACY!' Mi ranted.

The air didn't reply.

'Argh…' Mi then laid down on her end before smiling.

'At least I'm getting closer to being with Kazuma.'

'By the way, clean up my room will you?' Mi asked Emperor.

Soon, distortions appeared around June's lifeless body and it picked her up, bringing her out of the room.

'It's still weird each time I see your power…' Mi muttered.