A/N: Before I begin. I would like to appreciate the help of Grammarly with assisting me in tackling a bunch of grammar issues I fail to look over that would make things difficult otherwise or damage the quality of the words and ideas I try to give around. Now, let the final chapter of the first leg of this story commence!
11 August 2024
1:53 P.M MDT
Glowgen Armory Denver, Denver, United States
Weapons Room, Subfloor 03
"But first," Jaraslav said in response to the two AST agents' question.
Shu locked eyes with him, awaiting what he was going to say. In the meantime, Asami turned her head away from them and looked for any signs the doors were about to break apart, or something unexpected would intrude on the matter.
"What?" Shu said.
"I want to know from the two of you, as former or inactive AST personnel who is still within effectiveness, if I can trust you with information like this?"
Zelislav raised his hands and shook them in the air. Getting the two's attention, which he'd stop then with a smug expression. "Jara-ji forgot to specify what information it's dealing with."
"Thank you for helping me know which areas I have problems with," he said, before clearing his throat to explain, "As you two are members of the AST. I would like to know, personally, if I spout the whereabouts of a Spirit, would you two go after it?"
"Technically, it's our job-" Asami replied.
Jaraslav threw darts with his stare to Asami, "I wasn't finished. As I was getting to it, my opinion of the AST is one of them making blind decisions on a whim when a Spirit is spotted, enthusiastic young girls deciding to go for glory in killing Spirits, and general ineffectiveness."
"Is that a provocation?" Shu tilts his head, shaking his hands.
"No, I'm not trusting you with the whereabouts of Stanislav, if we actually have a Spirit or not, or our connections outside of this. Let alone where I've obtained my credible sources for what the AST about and the Spirits you all are trying to kill just because of some accident at one point in their lives!" Jaraslav firmly plants his foot on the group.
Unlike what Jaraslav was expecting, Shu and Asami shook their heads in disappointment, almost about to give an effective response to justify they would manage. Until another AST-like individual showed up. Being taller than Asami's a hundred and sixty centimeters, but shorter than Shu's slightly lower height of a hundred and seventy-eight. In a blue and white version of their Realizers, their combat units. Which acted similar to FLICs but for a temporary basis and functioned differently on a fundamental scale. Green hair wrapped in a ponytail, green eyes, and holding a similarly colored glave but without any traces of green. Looking towards the four while Jaraslav shook his head.
Her voice had similar inflections to Asami and Shu's, indicating her origin to be Japanese or Korean. But in firm words, "This has gone for too long. Exterminate these intruder Spirits."
Jaraslav growled lowly as he stepped forward. Heading straight for their boss, "We're not Spirits. Can you identify the key traits of a Spirit?"
"You question how much I know about an enemy I've been fighting for years!?" the woman shouts.
Despite her sturdy footing and willingness to carry out the deed herself, the woman turned to Asami and shouted a command in Japanese. Immediately noticing the two, locking Zelislav in an arm lock, which grits his teeth. Turning his head around to the woman and immediately rushing towards her. Delivering a roundhouse kick while she mumbled.
"Deploy territory."
A sphere of energy surrounds her just as Jaraslav's shin almost got to her. Stopping him dead in his tracks. Allowing her to grasp the lance and attempt a thrust. Thrown off the mark when Jaraslav backed away. The distance when he staggered insignificant to produce a clean strike.
"Your stupid little Realiser gadgets aren't substitutes for skill," Jaraslav said, his voice cracking while he held to the middle of his shin. "But I gotta admit, that worse than I thought it would. Perhaps, we should exchange names before I get ser-"
Suddenly, the woman punched Jaraslav in the gut, sending him flying into one of the racks and setting off several guns, and many falling off their places.
His pain transmitted in a heard cry. Temporarily ceasing Asami and Shu's actions as to notice the battle unfolding. Zelislav watching from their perspective as well. Their assumed leader stood high compared to the boy with hands barely avoiding the touch of the floor. Barely any movement from Jaraslav besides the essentials to keep alive like his breath.
The woman approaches Jaraslav's position, "With pleasure, my name goes by Niya."
She flashes a smile in a split moment. Swinging her boot low. Caught when Jaraslav's left foot pressed alongside the base of it. Albeit with some struggle from the Realizer's materials exceeding the durability of typical shoes made from leather and polyester.
However, an opening was what would be needed. Raising both fingers arms, one to a busted light and another, pointed at Niya's chest with two fingers extended.
"The name's Jaraslav. Nice to meet you, Niya."
Suddenly, as the lights went out, the bulb above them short circuits and explode. An electricity arc touched the open-faced hand. Converting into a neon green aura surrounding him. A flash from both fingers of his other hand hit Niya's chest, close to where her heart would've been, within quick moments.
Her body convulsed at the sudden attack and the realization the movements had intent besides being a little silly. But, wouldn't last forever as it wasn't a constant stream or anything lethal enough to negate a Realizer's functions.
Jaraslav's body got up, slightly injured from the confrontation, however able-bodied despite it. "I didn't expect you'd drop your guard in a position of dominance. Your training must've told you to avoid that."
Niya's eyes didn't enjoy what he said, as she'd still held the weapon and tightened its grip.
"It would be best that you step aside and hand over the lance, Fulgur."
"You have no right to it, Jaraslav!" Niya waved her arm when she noticed Asami and Shu slacking.
"We'll see…" Jaraslav replied while he grips ahold of a Beretta ARX160, disabling the safety.
"Coward."
Jaraslav walks towards the other end of the phased rack. Laughing while he'd drop the assault rifle in exchange for the FN Five-seveN pistol closest to him. Arming it with a mag and cocking the slide.
His fit persisted while he stares at her, "You're right. I am a coward to take advantage of the situation and use opportunities at hands, no fair battles on my terms." before a quick shot from the pistol rang through the room.
A hole made in the spot between her legs on the ground caused her to back away. Jaraslav continuing on his pressure, "I'd also not like to believe Glowgen's elite would be former members or lost members of the AST in their ranks. Unfortunately, I can no longer hide from the truth."
"You knew about us all this time…"
"Well, Draho knew about Glowgen and the boss. But the AST and things relating to Spirits, I knew. To be honest, what are you looking for, Niya?"
"That Spirit… Phantom attacked the CTO!"
"Interesting at the very least. You believe we're Spirits still?"
"You still are, lying cunt!"
Jaraslav fired another shot, barely missing her head. Forcing her closer to the wall as everything continued to play out.
"Let's think about this, my buddy Zelislav over there, attempting to keep them busy, his abilities are too much meshed to be qualified for Spirit abilities. Drahoslav, the comrade that destroyed the bridges in Nashville, can't be the Spirit of Flames. Which there is already one, which your two subordinates were apart of the AST response when she arose."
Over towards the other two, Asami and Shu stood there in silence.
"He knew who that Spirit was you fought four years ago?"
"He means Ifrit."
Zelislav shrugs. Unaware of what he means. Although, prays Jaraslav would manage to obtain the weapon to complete their overarching goal.
Meanwhile, Niya finally steps forward. Closing the space between Jaraslav and her. Even by a partial margin. Approaching, to Jaraslav's assumptions, in a combative type of way, which would assume to indicate he would need to actually put up resistance.
Both his fists rise, guarding his face. Watching for signs of the territory that could easily KO him if not careful.
She'd rush forward, deploying her territory around Jaraslav, throwing two knives which honed in one his position. Using both as a necessary distraction to pick up an A-M20 submachine gun. Forcing its respective magazine to fit and unhitching its safety lock. Pointing the weapon while adverting from unleashing a hell of gunfire.
Jaraslav rushed to jump through the walls. Green flowing energy composing his electric aura, alongside the effects, spiking up his hair as it moved with gravity. The knives following almost to his level, bringing him to use an option.
"Activate Command, Zip!" he commands, pointing two of his right fingers towards the wall parallel to her back.
Simultaneously, he brings his left two fingers towards her. Quickly flashing over to an intermediary position between the two. Leaving behind a similar trail like his aura.
Niya followed the motions, throwing off Jaraslav's plans at least a little bit. While the same time, the knives lost control. Becoming dual-bladed whirlwinds in constant rotation. Stuck to the wall when Jaraslav launched a feinting redirection made for them.
Training the sights to him while in the air, he'd use Zip again the moment before she had the room to fire. Leaving behind an electrically enhanced side kick to the side. Sending her a few meters to the relative center of the room.
Both feet touched the ground, both hands grasp his pistol. Niya did the same after she recovered but was more suited to using an SMG. Deliberate waddles from both of them to throw off each other's aim for who'd have the courage to fire the first stop.
Using this period, Jaraslav used it as a time to analyze his methods to obtain Fulgur. Which would either be tricking her into firing and using another command to overwhelm her. Tag Jaraslav into the fray and use his abilities to obtain an advantage. Or utilize some other form of capabilities to force Niya's hand.
Niya had to consider how to take care of Jaraslav. The opponent's intelligence and unpredictability making for one hell of an enemy that only Spirits would manage to rival and/or surpass. Luckily, Jaraslav wasn't that crazy or hella strong like them.
A few circles around an imaginary line approximately at the center of the room, leaving the kicking and punching from two unwilling Glowgen elite members. Screaming from Zelislav prevented an intervention from their backups.
"Maybe if we weren't enemies, we could easily get along with each other," Jaraslav commented.
"Maybe if you weren't so smart about Spirits…" Miyu grumbles.
"Spirits, Spirits, Spirits, Spirits, Spirits, Spirits, Spirits, Spirits, Spirits, Spirits." Jaraslav sang.
She pushed forward, requiring Jaraslav to walk back to maintain distance. Pushing closer to the left fire shield. Separate to its right cousin through a central wall causing an asymmetric aspect to the floor plan.
As he slowly became more aware of what was happening, especially once he passed the invisible line Zelislav was being "brutalized" by Asami and Shu, he slowly shuffles to the left while maintaining his aim down his weapon's sight.
Niya didn't work with the path, instead through when she ran for him. Releasing a barrage of ammo at her foe, which he used another Zip to get out of the way, but in the path of the door. Leading her to stretch her unused arm before a territory enveloped the area. Leading to a controlled way for her to lay holes for heat and flames to penetrate at least that part of the area. Carrying it out via her SMG.
"You're crazy to toast us alive like this."
"If it eliminates you two. You speak so much about Ifrit."
"Your two subordinates did. Not me."
"You did now. Stop blaming others."
"I know, but do you think fire and heat alone is enough to stop me," Jaraslav asked, still staring down the woman. His aura ignited again, but at a heightened state of intensity than before.
Niya completes her stuff, disabling the territory around the fire door. Flaming snakes pop from them. However, fail to directly reach all of the parties, including herself. However, immense thermal energy floods the entire chamber. Slowly pillowing in smoke and embers.
"This is how the final act plays out… cough. I accept cough …"
"Jara…" Zelislav looks up, slowly succumbing to the intensity of what is presumed to be Drahoslav's action.
"He's used Optimize to hold back reinforcements from the other floors. Blasted the generators too. Hopefully, Dvina's safe somehow. Zeli… Send the message. Tell Hamilton and Roosevelt."
Zelislav slowly gets to his phone, secure Asami and Shu weren't that horrific in their duties, despite being told to by Niya a little earlier. Beginning to prepare a message.
Jaraslav looks towards his comrade.
"As we attempt to obtain Fulgur in Denver, we have realised Glowgen was prepared for us. Aurus is in Dvina's hands. Draho, Zeli, Jara, and presumably Dvina were captured in the fighting. We don't know who. But there's a group who would go after our great secret, to destroy it. You must tell Stanislav, Glowgen's afraid of who he is from their looks. His elite are afraid. Stanislav has to do something and act. Only a Spirit can defeat Glowgen's ex-AST elite..."
Miyu puffs air as her hair almost went over her eyes. "This Stanislav person seems like a Spirit too, much like you."
"Maybe he is, maybe he isn't. Even if there are no male Spirits, things are not always out of possibility, according to the very few laws that govern Spirits." Jaraslav replies with a great smug on his face.
Afterward, he drops the Five-seveN, walking away from the edge of the wall containing the barricades. Breathing in while he took off the remainder of his clothing.
"Activate Command, Release Self Preservation Safeguard, Activate Levels Three and Four, Full Authorization Two-Zero-One-One-Two-Three-Eight…"
Niya tilts her head while she dropped her weapon too. Slowly closing in on Jaraslav, with a sphere of electricity surrounding him as his aura intensifies even further.
Then, he shouts, "Optimise Complete, ACTIVATE! "
His sphere shattered, several electric arcs originating from him strike across the room. One directly hitting Asami, disabling her Realizer as his clothing beforehand returned to her in a quick phase-out. Crackling electricity deafening to any who weren't used to it or had protection.
Shu runs towards Asami until Zelislav stopped him with a head shake.
"Jara's using the full extent of his abilities. It's not safe until it's fully stable!"
Jaraslav began his approach towards his enemy. Noticing her main instrument of war was disabled. "What's an AST agent without their Realiser?"
"N-Nothing…"
"Are you sure about that?"
Niya stood up, wearing something a teen would wear. Green short shorts, a t-shirt to a certain anime that Trembling as she slightly crosses her knees to each another. Just as he looked toward her.
Afterward, Jaraslav deactivates his Optimize with a swift word, just as it becomes stable. Closing his eyes.
"Activate Command, Reinitiate Safeguards. Disable Optimisation."
The intensity of his aura soon ended. Leaving Jaraslav in sweat against the growing heat within the room. As well as the three witnesses to the battle. His posture dissipated to one willing to end the situation in a peaceful manner.
Declaring to Niya as he walks closer, stating with a smile while he looks at her with his shocking green eyes. "What were you doing before they called you into work?"
"W-Why should I tell you, a baka!?"
"Calm down, please. I'm not in the mood to fight. Knowing I'm not getting out of this raid unscathed."
Niya looks away, filling her cheeks with air.
"I know it's difficult for a girl your age to train your body and mind to fight Spirits to swallow the pride it brings to being in the AST, but you have to do it."
Asami then approached the two from behind. Keeping her arms to her side as she deactivated her own Realizer, leaving her in simple clothing beforehand.
"You should trust him," Asami suggested.
Exhaling, Niya turns around and explains as quickly as possible, "I was jogging around the area. Until I got an automated call from the CTO himself about a Spirit being detected. I got my knives, Realizer, everything I need..."
Jaraslav closed his eyes while looking towards her still, "Were you conflicted?"
She shook her head, "No doubts. I-I was finally going to do what the AST trained me for."
He looked to Asami for a moment. However, his focus interrupted when she got up and ran towards Zelisalv, who was starting to asphyxiate.
Thanks to Shu, he quickly moved to a small area the smoke hasn't gotten to yet.
Niya ran to his location, noticing the wounds Asami and Shu inflicted because of her, which caused her to look away and shut her eyes firmly.
"I-I'm sorry if this is what happened… Because I said to take you two out..."
Zelislav coughed a little, "Niya… Why are you apologising to me."
"You…" she balls her fists until she calms herself again. "I caused you pain… Your friend t-too..."
"I've seen combat too many times. Jara-Ji too. Actually, I understand the pain or hurting other people when you realise they're not who you think they are."
"She seems to be around your age. How old are you, Zelislav?"
"I'm sixteen years old. My birthday's in a few months."
Jaraslav smuggled his phone back from his friend. Slyly making yet another text as a follow-up to Hamilton and Roosevelt.
Back with Niya, she calmed herself. Looking down while her depressing face arrived. Slowly reducing Zelislav's light smile as he closes his eyes.
"After noticing this side of you, Niya, allowing a soft girl like you. But don't take it that you're physically weak, but emotionally, beyond that strength. I can't allow someone with a weak heart to weep in despair-"
"What Zeli and I had to deal with together for years during our own multi-year crucible." Jaraslav joined in, sitting next to Niya.
His left hand over her upper back, his lip curved further than initially.
Zelislav then pulls Niya closer, arms wrapped around her upper back flimsily yet willing to let go if it made her uncomfortable. "We might've only known each other for a little bit, but I don't want to see you descend down a spiral difficult to get out of. Especially, I could see that's something special about who you are that I feel my friend could see too. All you need to do is abandon Glowgen and Gabriel's will. Then we can help you."
Hesitant, Asami and Shu turn to each other and nod. Just as Niya herself, under her delicate real self when she wasn't in her Realizer, did so too.
However, the moment is interrupted when Shu's reader starts to beep. Forcing his head to the right when he noticed the side of the furthest wall from the suffering from forces unrelated to flames. Immediately pulling it out.
Jaraslav ran towards him, "What's going on?"
"I'm detecting a massive amount of spirit waves!" Shu shouts.
Asami turned to the wall. "The wall.."
"Do you have any numbers."
"There are no numbers. I'm thinking it's infinity."
"No spirit energy values ever reach or exceed three hundred."
"Are you serious?"
"I'm serious right now, Shu."
"Could it be…"
Until a massive explosion rips the wall in a mass of dust and debris. Overtaking Jaraslav before Shu activated his territory to shield himself and the rest from the danger. No sight of what was happening. No sign of what happened or what occurred, however. All four except Zelisalv had a guess as to what it was…
"HOLY FUCK! WE'RE LUCKY TO BE THIS CLOSE TO ONE AND STILL BE ALIVE!"
"Tasuke ga hitsuyō, Shū?" Asami asked.
"Hai! Boku tariru teritorī-ryoku ga motenai!"
Asami nods, following his lead to fuse territories, protecting the entire group except for Zelislav as his pain extends heavily.
While Niya, forced to watch, buries her head in Zelislav to avoid the images it brought her. While he did the best he could while the two adults handled holding off the power.
Eventually, the worse passes, but to a sight, none would've expected… Not even Jaraslav's crazed dreams, imaginations, and what Drahoslav dismisses.
End of Section Two, Project S.A.O: Collision!
To be continued in Section Two, Project S.A.O: Dissension War
A/N: Dissension War has been released! So, if you want to see how this continues, go ahead and find it and read it!
Translations:
Tasuke ga hitsuyō, Shū: Need help Shu?
Hai! Boku tariru teritorī-ryoku ga motenai: Yes! My territory doesn't have enough power