Chapter 7: Beast Of Order
Standing at the middle of the hall while holding his Thunderseal in a Holy Order stance, Ky was idle. His mind and dignity both as an IPF officer and a Holy Knight were trembling, due to Heidern's suggestion to combine force between his military pact and the IPF. It wasn't that he didn't appreciate it; it was the fact that he had to decide whether to involve the Holy Order in the alliance or not. Not only that, he was even asked not to involve outsiders, which meant that Rock, Dizzy and Hotaru would be not allowed to help him. He sighed, it couldn't be helped; though Dizzy had insisted to assist him.
But why was he at the hall?
He had the intuition that he would be facing a challenge. Accepting it or not was another issue, because right now he sensed approaching outside. Someone who wouldn't be welcomed at the cathedral.
"You there."
He looked at the direction ad saw a man standing at the main door, wearing sunglasses and radical battle suit. He never saw the man before, not even during the very first installment of GVS.
"Who are you? Why are you at this place?" Ky demanded. The man was staring at him for a while before he took off his sunglasses.
"Call me K'." The newcomer pronounced. "And I bet that you know the reason already."
"If that means to mess with the Holy Order," Ky spoke and opened his battle stance, "I, Ky Kiske, shall not allow it."
"Stupid French." Lazily K' uttered.
Ky had a vein popping on his head when he heard the insult. "Why are you calling me stupid?" angrily he shouted.
"Because the one I want to mess with," K' spoke and ignited flame from his right palm, "is you." Then, in a sudden, he charged toward Ky with the flame fully lie. Ky was caught in surprise and had to jump over the head-on rush.
"If a battle is what you want, then I'll give you ONE!" Ky shouted and fired midair Stun Edge. K' saw the oncoming projectile and counterattacked with an Iron Trigger, followed by a Blackout. He teleported right under Ky and executed a Crow Bite. Ky got hit and crashed to the floor due to the uppercut's follow-up knockdown.
"Get up, French." K' spoke as he landed not far from Ky. The Holy Knight struggled to stand up but he fell back on his knees. K' sighed and shook his head. "I can't believe I found a weakling. I should've looked for him instead."
"I am no WEAKLING!" Ky roared and unleashed his lightning power. He stood up, body fully charged up, and pointed Thunderseal at K'. "I'll show you the price for underestimating the Holy Knight!"
"This is much better." K' uttered and proceeded with his battle stance.
Both Ky and K' faced each other in respective battle poses, waiting for clock to start ticking. Despite the fact that they never met, they knew that each of them was fighter in their own field.
It was time.
"Heaven Or Hell! LET'S ROCK!"
x-x-x-x-x
"Dizzy-chan, what's wrong?" asked Hotaru when she noticed that Dizzy frowned in anxiety. "Worried of Ky, aren't you? Relax, he can deal with it."
"I just don't get it, Hotaru-chan," Dizzy spoke. "Why wouldn't Ky let me help him? I'm his wife, and it's my responsibility to help him."
Slowly Hotaru rubbed Dizzy's back, as to sooth her conflicting inner self. "Calm down, Dizzy-chan. Calm down."
"I tried, but…" she uttered and took a hold on Hotaru's hand. "I don't know whether I'll be able to defend myself or not…"
"What do you mean?" Hotaru asked, holding the Gear's hand in return.
"Necro and Undine are left at Mayship, and… and…" Tears began to well in her eyes and slowly rolled down her supple cheeks. "I'm scared, Hotaru-chan. I'm so scared…"
Hotaru reached Dizzy's face and wiped all her tears. "Don't cry, Dizzy-chan," she spoke in the softest tone she could, staring at her ruby eyes. "Please, don't cry." Dizzy reached the Futaba firefly's hand nuzzled it close, as if trying to feel the warmth beneath.
"Hotaru-chan…" the hybrid half-whispered. Then, with a rose tint staining her face, she frowned. "I'm sorry. I… I shouldn't show my weakness to people. I'm so sorry…"
Hotaru smiled and pulled Dizzy into her arms, embracing Dizzy as softly as she could muster. "It's alright, Dizzy-chan. It's alright."
"Th-thank you…" Dizzy spoke and hugged Hotaru in return.
x-x-x-x-x
South Town.
All the day, Terry stood at the street, not moving anywhere. Having defeated by Zofeah had left a deep effect inside of him, and he was morally affected. Not only his reputation as the Legendary Wolf was challenged, he was even given the opportunity by Zofeah to have a rematch. Never in his life he would encounter opponent with such kind of attitude.
"Heh." He muttered and grinned. If it was true, then Zofeah might be the strongest fighter the world had ever seen, only the stranger did not fully use all his strength during the duel. Terry could feel his wolf spirit raging and howling, demanding him to challenge Zofeah again. He corrected his hair and finally opened his steps, walking down the empty street.
Then he halted.
A man was standing on his way. Terry recognized the man and could only sigh. "It's been a while, Rock. What brings you here? Still not satisfied with our previous battle?"
"Shut up, Terry," Rock demanded. "I don't have time with the likes of you. I have something to talk with you."
"Oh, really?" Terry asked. "Then you're on. Spit it out."
Rock breathed out and stared deeply at Terry. "The tournament. It's started."
Silence. Both Rock and Terry were speechless. "So?" Terry voiced, breaking the silence. "What do you want from me? Joining it or something?"
"Are you afraid of facing challenge, Terry?" Rock shouted. "If you're really a legendary wolf, go and fight those people! If you refuse to, then I shall become your first opponent!"
Terry merely laughed and took off his jacket, holstering it on his shoulder. "Relax, kid. If I want to go, then I'll go. No one should decide it for me, not even you." Then he turned around and walked away from Rock.
"TERRY!" Rock yelled, much to Terry's attention. "What has changed your mind? Why aren't you even bothered to… face me?"
"Listen, Rock," Terry spoke, not facing the son of Geese. "The wolf spirit inside of me has been challenged by someone, and I'm going to find that someone. He isn't the type of person you'd want to know." After saying that, Terry left Rock and began his journey to nowhere.
x-x-x-x-x
Back to the cathedral.
"GREED SEVER!"
"Blackout."
"STUN EDGE!"
"Iron Trigger."
"STUN DIPPER!"
"Heaven's Drive."
Ky was knocked off and got tossed to the air. K' chased the Holy Knight and gave out his airborne combo attacks, in which he ended with a Minute Spike. Ky crashed on a pillar and cried in pain, unable to move out. K' landed back on the floor and held his Heat Drive, ready to unleash the overdrive in one blow.
"This match is too easy," K' uttered as the Heat Drive began to charge up. "I should win it in no time at all. Ky, prepare to be history."
"Who is he…?!" Ky thought. "Is he a human or a Gear? Then, how come he's this strong?" He recklessly tried to get off of the pillar, yet he crashed so deep that he could barely move. Seeing K' with the intensified overdrive, he realized that he must get away before it's too late.
Then in what would show his talent in manipulating the force or lightning, Ky focused electric energy into Thunderseal and, as loudly as he could, emitted a battle cry. The sword glowed brightly in response and suddenly unleashed the energy in a form of dragon ray and enveloped the pillar, pulling him out of it. K' was so surprised when he witnessed the event and quickly rushed toward Ky with the now fully charged up Heat Drive.
"Watashi no Fuuraiken!" Ky declared and blocked the overdrive with Thunderseal. He immediately made an Elegant Ni Kiru and grabbed K' with the throw command. "Take this!" he shouted and slashed K' with Thunderseal, launching him to the open air. The Holy Knight home-jumped toward the replicated human and pummeled him with streams of air combo, each charged up with lightning force. Ky was indeed the best lightning warrior of his time, and K' was experiencing the true terror of the Holy Order.
"RIDE THE LIGHTNING!" he shouted, and Ky got engulfed by the trademark overdrive of his. Again, K' became victim of the lightning master, sustaining serious injury. Yet it didn't stop Ky from extending the duration of Ride The Lightning, taking both of them to the outside. They landed on a nearby graveyard and panted heavily.
"You aren't ordinary person," Ky spoke. "Who are you? And what are you? Are you a Gear, or not?" K' was silent. He frowned and gritted his teeth, occasionally swearing and cursing.
"What am I?" K' finally spoke. Then in a sudden his past memories emerged in his head, knocking and shaking every part of his sub-consciousness.
"You're not a true human."
"I'm not?! Then who am I? What am I? Tell me!"
"K', you are… a REPLICATED HUMAN!"
K' hissed and growled and cursed. The fist he had was engulfed with fire and the element grew bigger and more vicious. Ky quickly made defensive stance, ready to face the worst. Then…
"I AM NOT REPLICATED HUMAN!"
With that declared, K' emitted a very loud battle cry and jumped high to the air. He fired torrents of Air Triggers at Ky, all in rapid salvoes. Immediately Ky executed Fortress Defense in the nick of time before the projectiles hit the ground, scorching and burning every inch of the earth. It ended, yet K' didn't stop there. The ex-NESTS landed on the ground and fired Iron Triggers at Ky, yet they couldn't even touch him as the Holy Knight was still enveloped in the green shield.
"NOBODY'S GOING TO CALL ME A REPLICA ANYMORE!"
K' punched the ground beneath him, creating a fissure which shook the cathedral complex. Ky jumped to the air when a crevasse appeared under his feet and halted midair. K' saw the IPF officer and chased him, shouting another battle cry along the way. Ky shot a midair Stun Edge at the replicated; easily K' deflected it with Crow Bite, yet he was open to counterattack. Again, Ky executed Ride The Lightning and propelled it toward K'. K' was hit and crashed back on the ground and stayed immobile. Ky landed on the ground and took a hold on his cross before looking back at K'.
"By the name of Holy Order, I will end this battle," he uttered and embraced himself in his IK pose.
"Why is he so strong? I cannot be defeated and let my pride to be put in shame!" K' thought and hesitantly stood up. He panted heavily and groaned due to injuries, and could barely stand up straight. He glowered at Ky, who was ready to launch one blow of the IK. "Damn, I've underestimated him. What should I do now?"
x-x-x-x-x
"Sol, I knew you would come here."
"Shut up. I don't know what the hell you're talking about, but we have to talk."
"Yes, yes. We have to talk about something."
"Just get straight to the point. Your philosophical style makes me sick to death."
"Very well, Sol. I will speak out now."
"Sol, it's about the Revolution, am I right?"
"Go figure."
"I knew you would react like that. As you want me to explain right away, I will let you know that something terrible is going to happen in accordance with the Revolution."
"Let me guess. If it's going to be another Crusades, I will keep my ass away from the campaign. I have enough of it already. Okay?"
"It isn't just Crusades, Sol. It's something that I fear will be much more crucial than the Crusades. It's… something that has happened a very long time ago."
"What the hell are you talking about? Explain to me, RIGHT NOW."
"The one who possesses the power of the Four Guardians is the one behind this upcoming event."
"The Four Guardians?"
"The four beasts which protect Japan in the old legend: Seiryuu, Suzaku, Byakku, and Genbu. I fear that… oh, no. This cannot be."
"What is it again?"
"He… he's awakened again. This cannot be happening. I thought he would be sealed off for good. Sol, this is not good. If he and the one are to meet, the world is going to be in grief danger. They must not be allowed to see each other."
"So, what do you expect from me?"
"You're the only one I can rely on for now. Take this Sacred Mirror; it will help you in any case you have to deal with them face to face."
"Sheesh, I don't need this kind of cosmetic item."
"This isn't just an ordinary mirror. This mirror has been used by my tribe, together with the Kusanagi and Yagami tribes to seal the souls of the Serpent Tribes. It's the most effective weapon for such opponents."
"Alright, but I can't guarantee I'll use this stuff against them."
"I highly thank you, Sol Badguy, for helping us, the Chizuru tribe."
"No big deal."
x-x-x-x-x
Two hours had passed. Neither Ky nor K', the latter executed his IK duration as well, reacted. The fire and lightning force inside of them were already raging violently, demanding to be unleashed on one final blow.
They were ready.
NOW!
"HIYARGH!" Ky and K' charged toward each other, leaving trails of fire and lightning behind them. Ky was the first to act; he jumped high to the sky and dived toward K', Thunderseal first. K' looked above, realizing that Ky was about to do it.
"RISING FORCE!"
At faraway…
Dizzy was suddenly startled and looked at the direction of the cathedral. She had sensed a disaster coming to the place, yet she couldn't guess of what would it be. Hotaru noticed that the girl was caught in worry and calmed her down as usual.
"Anything wrong this time, Dizzy-chan?" Hotaru asked.
"I don't know… but I have this feeling that something terrible is going to happen…" the hybrid uttered.
Silence. Everything was put into a dead idleness. Ky was standing on the ground, with Thunderseal plunged into the earth. He panted very heavily as he had used all his energy in using the Destroyer. The ground around him was filled with electric charges coming out from the Thunderseal. The immense power was unbelievable that one single spark could charge up a medium-sized power generator with ease.
Yet he was unhappy.
"It didn't hit…!"
What? Rising Force didn't hit? For a lightning master like Ky, such thing was a very unacceptable error. Then where's K'?
[Flashback]
Ky was above K', ready to finish the battle with Rising Force. He shouted very loudly and thrust Thunderseal right to the ex-NESTS. Then, in a lightning speed, K' teleported with Blackout seconds before the Rising Force hit.
[/flashback]
Ky shrugged. He had failed to use Rising Force; therefore it was his turn to become the victim. He looked around and saw K' standing behind him with his fist engulfed in flame. He could only breath out.
"I've lost. Finish it."
K' just shrugged and took out his sunglasses. He aimed it at Ky before tossed it at the Holy Knight.
"So, da yo…"
The sunglasses hit Ky, and K' charged toward Ky. He gave out hundreds of punches and kicks and uppercuts and projectiles, as he pummeled the Holy Knight with IK of his own: Chain Drive.
"Hora, hora, hora, hora, hora, HORA!"
Ky couldn't react or counterattack; the Chain Drive auto-combo attacks were too fast, and he was not given any space to defend himself at all.
"I should end this."
K' stopped the auto-combo and stepped backward. Then, in an unbelievably fast movement, he charged toward Ky with a very intense Heat Drive. Ky was hit and tossed into the air, before crashed back on the ground. There was a following period of silence, followed by the announcement from the announcer:
"DESTROYED!"
And K' stood idle before he took out a substitute sunglasses from his jacket.
"You're so boring," he told the Holy Knight and tsked. "I expected you to give me everything you've got, but I was wrong. You are nothing but a weakling." He spitted the ground and walked away from Ky, leaving the cathedral complex. Just a few steps later, he halted and looked back at Ky. "I will be back for a rematch, and you'd better be serious this time."
"And one more thing," K' spoke before he turned around. "You're still a stupid French."
Ky looked at the replicated human for a while as he stood up. He did not know what K' was thinking of when he challenged him, why would he tell him to be ready for rematch between them. Yet he knew that the world of fighters and daredevils alike would never be the same again.
"K'…"
x-x-x-x-x
Lone Wolf SIX was sitting under the tree alone. Hibiki and Mina were chattering with each other, while Person WMA occasionally bragged about how cute Mina was when she blushed. Cassandra, on the other hand, was seen having a talk with Millia while the devil cat Sammy was playfully chasing a butterfly. He didn't bother of it much. Besides, he knew he didn't have to think of it.
Yet he could be wrong.
"AAAAAA!"
Everyone looked at the direction of the scream and saw a Brit falling from the sky. He was quickly identified as Axl, and all but Lone Wolf SIX watched as Axl crash-landed near the lake.
"Ouch… that hurts…" he mumbled and tried to get up. He looked around and saw the people looking at him in wonder. "Uhh… hello, guys. Long time no see, no?"
"What had brought you here, Axl?" Person asked.
"Ask the old men. They had PWNed me even before I could explain," Axl spoke. "Ouch! I think I broke my hip."
Lone Wolf SIX just ignored the chain sickles-fighting man and kept on wondering, until Axl saw him. "Hey, YOU! I can't believe I'd meet you here! I shall avenge you for what had you done to me!" Axl exclaimed and withdrew his weapons. Lone Wolf SIX looked at him and sighed.
"Not at this time…"