Origins (Chapter 46)
[After the recent defeat of Watts, Tank and Viper decide to notify One at the top of the tower].
Viper: Hey Boss, Watts was just beaten.
One: Typical. Have him ready for extraction.
Viper: Yes, sir.
One: Tank, I want you to stay.
Tank: Sure thing.
[Tank walks to one's side]
[Because Viper has left a recording device within the wall, she listens in on their conversation as soon as she exits the room.]
Tank: So what did you need me for?
One: Don't you feel ecstatic, Tank? Just think, with all this power at our fingertips, we can finally bring our ideals to fruition.
Tank: You can say that again.
[One places her arm behind his back and sighs].
One: Did I ever tell you how I joined Roundtable? Or how I managed to get my hands on this Sigma ability?
[Tank looks forward]
Tank: I don't think you have.
[A person looks up]
One: Centuries after the great war, my body and memory were reincarnated into a human orphan. That child or I was forced to feast on scraps and fight for my life. But fighting the trash of the human realm was nothing compared to my everyday life as a Zodiac.
[A man examines his hand]
One: I was then founded by Project Roundtable and was made into the ultimate weapon. For years, I was one of the strongest among my team. As Lancelot, I continued to fight and kill till the point it became a pleasure.
[He clenches the hand he is looking at]
But all that changed the moment I laid my eyes upon the Diamond of Reconstruction. The idea of being able to extract its abilities and powers gave me more of a reason to fight. With the Conqueror Eye, I became the most powerful man in all of Chorus. And that was only the tip of the iceberg.
[One remembers meeting the man who worked for the Shadows].
One: A man that worked for my father came to me and said that they were waiting for me. They were going to use all the people that also had their own abilities to raise an army. and force them to become my agents.
[He then grits his teeth.]
One: But sadly, the only thorns in my skin were the two that ruined the true purpose of Roundtable. Arthur and West Hercules. I don't know how they learned our true intentions, but they knew, of course. So I needed to make sure they were eliminated.
[Entering the final mission with Percival and Gawain]
One: On what was meant to be the last mission. It turns out that all the members of the Roundtable were planning an assassination attempt with two more of their strongest. Percival, the daughter of West Hercule, and Gawain, the hand-to-hand combat specialist, Both of them did whatever they could to distract me. They even almost had me defeated. But they were cocky, and knew that a being such as myself could not be taken down that easily. So, traitor, I did what any man would do.I killed them with my bare hands.
[One kills both of them and throws their bodies off the cliff].
One: But Percival never gave up, and made sure I went down with them.
[Percival uses one final attack and blows him off the cliff].
One: We were said to be killed in action. My body was found in the wreckage and revived. I also learned that Roundtable disbanded. And all my so-called allies learned of the true intentions. I decided to start from scratch. And that's when I met you again. Tank.
[One finds Tank's carcass on an old battlefield, and with Watts' help, he uses his Spirit Power to put his body back together and revive him.]
One: And with the three of us, we started to gain more allies.
[One finds a street girl trying to pickpocket them]
One: A street rat that could deceive almost anybody.
[He then frees a beastman from a military transport].
One: A human experiment that is loyal to anyone more powerful than he is.
[He meets with an ex-military officer and offers him a suit that could assist him]
One: A military officer who knew the ways of combat.
[Lastly, he frees a little girl who is in prison].
One: And a prisoner who wished only to kill!And with all seven of us, we became unstoppable!
[One and Meta travel the world and kill the ex-Roundtable agents].
One: And in order to prove we showed dominance, we killed my former friends and stole their fragments. With being notified of the heart of Rey being taken to a new area, it was our time to strike. Thus, leading us to this day.
[Tank chuckles]
and once we bring the armor back together.
One: I'll return to my true form, bring back the love of my life, and destroy every realm within the multiverse that doesn't fit the ideals of our Shadow Empire. Starting with this one.
[Viper listens in on their plans]
Viper: So that's what they are up to. Well, shitboss, I hope you got all of that.
[Almost within range of the tower is Ronin's group].
Ronin: Loud and clear. Great work, Viper. Just keep me posted.
So, all this time, one was going to make us his workers?That sounds like a load of bullcrap if you think about it.
Arthur: Language, Derek. It's inappropriate to say such words in front of a child.
[She refers to Otur]
Arthur: So you never actually told me what exactly happened to you and Gawain after the last mission.
[Ronin continues with her story].
Our bodies were found not by Chorus or Roundtable; they made sure that no one ever found our bodies. We were taken to a different group in Oasis, a land where all worlds connect. Our bodies and souls were revived, but with a catch. The man who leads Oasis performed the same ceremony he did with you, Serpent and Otur.
Arthur: The celestial ceremony
Ronin: Yes, and we were only the first two. I was then given the name Ronin, and Gawain was given the name Warlord. Our group became bigger, and then our first real assignment was to take down One and Meta, thus leading to our little serpent infiltrating their ranks. And now here we are. But you already know this story.
Arthur: I do, but I like it when you describe it in full detail. Connie,
[Ronin's face flushes]
Ronin: Shut up. What are our coordinates?
Arthur: We should be ten meters closer. It should be enough to get us there with your ability.
Ronin: Then let's do so.
By the way, why did you send the Warlord to the Tower? Why did you stay there?
[Ronin smiles]
Ronin: Because Warlord is the only member who knows how to perform the celestial ceremony.
Arthur: Are you saying that someone in that tower is going to become one?
Ronin: And by the right time, join our ranks.
Arthur: I don't know if I can approve this idea.
Ronin: It's not what I wanted to happen, but remember the celestial chooses its vessel. And it wanted one of the children.
Arthur: Who?
[Ronin looks up].
Ronin was the strongest child among the group. I believe you know who I'm talking about.
[Luz, Willow, King, and Gus continue to make their way up the steps.]
Luz: Guys I think I see the end!
Willow: Then let's keep moving!
Gus: You know, every time we enter a room, one of us has to stay behind while the rest continue on upward. If that's the case, I call dibs on the next one!
[Willow frowns]
Willow: That sounds about right.
[Viper enters the room to notify one of the recent intruders]
Viper: Hey Boss, the rest of them are about to enter the third floor! Should I say hi?
One looks back.
[The gang enters the third floor and, upon entering, they see absolutely nothing.]
Willow: I'm guessing one of their members is hiding somewhere!
Luz: Then keep an eye out!
[Willow employs her earth sense and discovers three figures ahead of them]
Willow: Guys, wait! They're here!
[Through the door]A giant man, a woman with claws and an eyepatch, and finally their leader.
One is Luz Noceda.I was wondering when you were finally going to show up.
[Luz growls]
Luz: One! Guess the final boss is making an early appearance?
One: I guess you can say that. Did you bring me what I asked for?
Luz: If you want it, Then you'll have to take it!
One: "Very well then!"
[One snaps his fingers and the bag of armor pieces appears in his hands.]
Gus: What?! What?!
Willow: How did he do that?
One: Oh, and if you're curious about your friend, she's safe, for now. Anyway, we'll be leaving!
[Luz throws an ice dagger at him, and one of them tilts his head to avoid it]
Luz: Hey! WE'RE NOT LEAVING WITHOUT HER!
One: Hehe, I thought you'd say that. So I'll make a deal with you.
[One snaps his finger; Tank and Viper stand in front of him]
One: One of you will stay behind and fight Viper on this floor, and another one will fight Tank on the fourth. That leaves you and me at the top.
[Luz tightens the grip on her staff].
One: You beat all three of us, then I'll let you all go. If you lose, then you'll be dead anyway. Who's that for a deal? You can ask for outside help, but I doubt anyone will be coming up during the duration of our fights.
[Luz looks back at Willow, King, and Gus]
Luz: Guys, you don't have to do this.
Willow: Hey, we're with you till the end. So let's keep fighting on!
Gus: Besides, this is probably the worst we've been through, but it could change.
[Luz turns to face King]
Luz: King?
King: I'm frightened, but if it's for you! I'll take them down with no sweat!
[Luz sighs]
Luz: We accept your challenge!
One: Very well, so who's going to fight Tank? Who will fight Viper?
[With Gus and the King looking nervous, Willow decides to step up].
Willow: Hand it over to me!
Gus: Willow?!
Willow: Don't worry about me, Gus; I've been wanting to put my strength to the test against something so massive!So take on Viper and be careful!
King: And I'll stay with Gus!
Luz: Good luck to you guys! Come back alive, okay?
Willow: You can count on us!
Gus: Let's kick some ass!
King: Hell to the yes!
[Tank, One, Luz, and Willow are teleported to their appropriate floors.]
Viper: I'm guessing it's just you and me, little men?
Gus: What's wrong, Viper?
King: Are you scared?
[Viper scoffs]
Viper: Absolutely not!
[Gus and King use their abilities to charge at their opponents]
End