OKAAAAAY IT'S TIME!
Well, I have some news. In a literally unanimous decision, Helios was voted over RoPS. While that doesn't mean I'm going to stop RoPS, this project will have a little more priority in updating. Don't worry, I think I'm almost over my block for Rebuild, it's just been really rough trying to get where I want to go with it.
As usual, REVIEW REPLY TIME, GOOOOO!
Krelongsj Evert Orlejov: Haha, no problem. And yes, that was a theme we wanted to include: distance! So far we have Irivasel to Yuki and his friends, but at the same time, Irivasel to everyone at IS Academy. We also did take some enjoyment at making him old fashioned (by IS world standards) since we found it hard to believe everyone would just go along with the new social order.
DGKSilver: Yeah, I'm almost over my block for Rebuild as said before, but I do agree that this is a breath of fresh air. Writing a protag who doesn't have to deal with harem moments is pretty nice. As for him being OP, hmm… I'm not quite sure if the battle here will make him OP in your eyes, but we did have concerns for the power level Irivasel has after this chapter.
theoneandonlylon: Haha, Yuki does have a high IS sync rate, though. She notes it at the end of Chapter 1, but she purposely failed the written exam portion, thus barring her out of IS Academy. Ohhhh, delicious irony .w.
Kosuke-Dono: I'm glad you managed to feel that way! Irivasel is probably one of the less stoic characters I've ever written by comparative standards, so trying to really get his emotions across was something I wasn't sure I had done well. Hopefully I can keep that up as I keep novelizing our RP XD As for Irivasel walking out of the room, that was a fun scene to write. Hopefully today's chapter is just as good!
dicarten-ice: Haha, I hope it turns out good as well!
hfdt123: HERE YOU AAAARE :D
Well, that's all for the reviews. Oh yeah, another thing! Tell me what you guys think of the cover. I wasn't sure if it was good for the story so far or if it would turn people off from the story. Other than that, here we goooooo!
=Helios=
-Volume One: Rising Son
Chapter 3: Standing Tall
=(==)=
"Bonds of people are the true power."
Persona 4 The Animation
=(==)=
"My emotions overflow with unstoppable speed. I do not want to lose, I want to shine brighter than anyone else!"
Partial translation of "Straight Jet"
"…You are sure?"
"Yes."
"Your stance is foolishness. Power is what you need, not a bond."
"You are wrong."
"Such immaturity. But if you are so sure, then go ahead. You will see that even if you find that bond, you will be no stronger. Even if I give you my blade, it will make no difference."
"Again, you are wrong."
"Then here, take the data and blade and go. From there, you will see the truth."
Helios
"I can see why you decided not to go with the armor." Houki notes as our wooden swords remain locked. "You need a lot more maneuverability than if you had put on the bogu."
"Indeed." I say with a smile. "Like I told you, I've forgotten a lot of the kendo you taught me, but I practiced my family's arts and a friend's style as well."
"It's a definite mix between Western and some style of katana arts." She says, stepping back as I disengage the lock, immediately taking a defensive stance. Those snap cuts of yours are really annoying, but you'd never see that in kendo. How you'd even manage to incorporate that into your style with a katana?"
"Trade secret. Shall we have Round Six, or are you confident enough in my combative ability now?"
"The only problem is that she most likely has flight. Your best weapon is a sword. Unless your unit also has flight, there will be a problem, and that's assuming you'll even have a sword."
"Yes…" I mutter, looking at my sword. "I only wonder what the unit I will receive is capable of. Your sister has been very secretive after saying that she will be giving me a unit."
The two of us sheath our swords, returning them to our sides before bowing to each other with a cry of "thank you".
"That's just like her." Houki says as I put the wooden blade back on the practice rack. "In the end, all you can hope for is that you will have a good enough unit."
"Unfortunately. I guess this is as prepared as I can be. I'll at least familiarize myself with some basic systems so I can be in the best shape possible."
"Oh. You're here." Ah, it seems one of the third years who I can't even be bothered to remember the name of is here. I refer to her as Snide Redhead, since she doesn't want me here. "This is a dojo, not some place to play with the shinai."
"All sword arts are welcome here." Houki argues, stepping in front of me since she's the best one for defusing this kind of situation. "Irivasel may practice as he wishes. He is not playing around, as you might believe. While it's not a school you are familiar with, it has structure nonetheless."
Unfortunately, Houki has to be the one talking for me since in this type of situation, me backtalking might lead to something ugly.
"And if you call this place a dojo, then I would kindly ask you to not step over your shinai as you are right now." Houki adds on with a half-feral growl. "You would dare accuse him of playing around when you forget one of the most basic parts of etiquette for kendo."
"Ghk…!"
"…Irivasel, let us go elsewhere. It is clear that this is not a serious practice, so we should find somewhere else if we wish to practice again."
Ooooh, cold. Damn Houki, that's just pressing it right there.
"Very well."
The two of us finish up our customs, because even if it's not kendo for me, I still follow the basic rules. We bow, first towards shomen (I think that's how it's pronounced…?) and then as if to a sensei. And, before we leave the premises, we bow once again.
"Well, I guess we should just get to class… Not exactly in the mood for practicing now."
"Hm. Maybe you just didn't want to lose." Houki snipes, which I laugh to.
"Right, right. Let's go and take a shower, then hit class."
Class later though, was at least somewhat interesting. The IS… well, it bears something similar to a human consciousness within it. The pilot and IS interact, slowly optimizing which results in a First Shift, the first major jump in getting the pilot and IS in sync.
So a bond, huh…? And in return for developing that bond, you gain power. Power tailored just for you. Power that is in your hands, with which to do as you will.
I wonder how the IS that is going to be given to me will be. I wonder, perhaps, if we will be friends.
After school, I get changed into my hakama and grab the Irivasel blade, heading out to a rather empty field area. This… feels incredibly fitting.
I let myself go, unsheathing my sword and beginning almost what looks like a dance. I imagine the enemies around me, coming all at once. With a single stroke, I cut down anything that comes close to me. I can hear the cloth I'm wearing rustling with every small movement.
Losing myself in the art of a blade, I glide.
Helios
Houki watched from a distance, seeing the blade dance. It was beautiful, yet also saddening. She, who had trained long with a sword and almost dedicated her life to it after he had left, understood the emotions behind each step.
A distinct loneliness. A longing for someone else.
Even if he did not notice it, Houki did.
The movements of Lione's footsteps, the way his slices were angled… they were clearly defending someone.
Circling around someone, all the cuts going outside. Someone was in the middle. Someone that Lione cared for.
Meanwhile, another unknown soul watched Lione's dance with a sword. She bore a wistful smile, remembering the way he used to look before a series of misunderstandings, all through her fault.
Perhaps she could guide him, as she already had by giving him that sword.
You will not become your father…
Helios
"Hya!"
With that, I clear the simulation again. Not that it's anything hard, I've just been trying to get the basics down.
I'm fairly sure I'm going to be outgunned, after all. From what I've heard, Cecilia's unit already went through First Shift, so she's already got specialized weaponry. That also means superior equipment.
Essentially, there's only one way to beat her: wits.
I have to take advantage of the fact she's going to underestimate me and use that to gain the upper hand. And for that to work, I need to know at least the basics.
"Shouldn't you practice something other than the basic simulations over and over again? You've been at this for a few hours." Houki asks from the side. "Something more advanced might help."
"Advanced techniques are nothing more than applications of the basics." I explain. "Besides, I need to get the basics down. If anything, they'll be what I need to fight Cecilia."
The basics… well, are just that. How to move out of the way of an attack. How to move into range without provoking an attack of opportunity. How to exit range without that either. That's all I ever really needed to know, I suppose.
I'll just be stringing all of these things together, depending on how the fight goes…
"Alright, here we go… simulation start."
And just like that, it was the day of the battle.
Of course, I end up wearing this odd latex uniform that doesn't even cover up my midriff. It's supposed to well, apparently aid my synchronization.
"Do I have to wear latex?" I ask, half-whining, half-actually-hoping-so. "I feel like I'm about to be in a weird-ass porno or at the very least, one hell of an eroge."
"It's either that or go completely naked. Watch your mouth, as well." Chifuyu replies on speaker from up in the operator's booth. "Regardless, the suit is better than regular clothing in the event you'd have to deploy like that."
"…How much does direct skin contact aid my synchronization?"
"Keep the latex on, Irivasel."
"Damn."
"Shouldn't you take off that flower pendant of yours?" Oh thanks, Houki. Changing the subject, I see.
"No, I'm okay. Besides, it's from Yuki. I'll carry it proudly."
"Irivasel-kun, it's here."
Yamada-sensei calls out, waving me over. I walk towards her, finding a massive crate. And… it rolls away, revealing the IS underneath.
Unlike Cecilia's, which looks more like armor plating with some additional pieces, or perhaps to say every single other IS, this is a much more humanoid shape. Oddly enough, it's a full set of armor, which is an anomaly for the IS, because with the energy shields you don't need an entire casing for metal for protection.
Because of this, it's a massive being of steel. Shining silver in the hangar lights, with massive red shoulderpads. Green glows at the joints. It reminds me slightly of Demonbane.
I walk up to it, looking right into its eyes. Or at least, where there should be eyes. A dark grey helmet with a blood red visor is where its head should be. The visor is shaped almost like a very horizontally stretched V, but with an additional line extending down the middle. Yet… as if it had eyes behind that visor, I can feel a blaze of light that carves the way through the darkness, to tomorrow, as if recognizing me as a presence intruding upon its own.
What immediately catches my eye is that on the chest area there is a small engraving that you'd barely see.
HELIOS.
So that… is the name of this unit? Named after the personification of the sun… will you guide us to a new day, or will you burn us all to pitiful ashes?
"...It is up to you, Helios. Whether you accept me as your pilot or not… that is your choice. Please let me know." I say as along every surface, light emerges. As if this machine with a human-like AI has truly come to life.
It stares at me. Despite the fact that behind that visor, assuming it has eyes, should be only machines, I cannot help but feel a human longing in them. It is as if they are begging me to complete this sort of 'contract', at first contact.
With that, I touch the middle of the chest area.
Like the roar and shine of a thousand suns, a brilliant light pours forth in my sight. I hear Houki, Yamada-sensei, and even Chifuyu cry out from the brightness. A deep, resounding, confident and idealistic voice echoes out.
"Pilot Lione Irivasel, recognized."
When the light subsides in my eyes, I'm… piloting Helios. No, partnered with… him? I guess.
The dark grey text then runs across the holographic interface in front of me that's on the inside of the helmet.
"Running through new pilot routines…
"…External microphone and receiver detected. Would you like to sync with this unit?"
"Sure, go ahead."
"Connected. Initial preparations set. Bringing up weapons list."
Helios
Chifuyu was confused. Helios? That wasn't supposed to be the unit Tabane sent in. Byakushiki was supposed to be sent in.
"Yamada-sensei, do you read me?"
"Mhm! I read you loud and clear, Irivasel-kun."
"Good. Helios, do you have a calibration setting for this battle so we can keep track of our positioning? Oh, you do. Alright, uh… Hm, there we go, I have an idea.
"Helios, please designate the center of the area as x-y coordinate zero-zero. We'll keep the z-plane zero as the ground. Let's just go with the usual x-y-z coordinate plane, it'll be easier that way to keep track, with one meter serving as our standard unit. Ah, and set the grid transparency to… ninety percent. Also let's go with position, velocity, and acceleration vector of both you and Alcott-san's unit. Oh…? Oh, I can just think that instead of narrating it out loud? Okay, got it.
"Wow… your calculation abilities are certainly not to be scoffed at. Alright, I think we're good to go.
"I am the innocent rage. I am the innocent hatred. I am the innocent blade. In me, ride their hopes."
A-amazing… Houki thought as she saw the sheer calm on Lione's face before the helmet slammed on, covering him.
The last four sentences sent shivers down Houki's, Maya's, and surprisingly, Chifuyu's spines. For someone so young to be speaking them with such conviction… even if it was just a reference to a favorite series of his, the fact the words were said with a subdued reverence rather than an excited shout was reason enough to be frightened.
The innocent rage. He, who fought with anger, yet unconsumed by it.
The innocent hatred. He, who despised the ways of today, yet found love in it.
The innocent blade. He, who had never stained his hands with blood, yet cut the way to tomorrow.
The carrier of hope. Or perhaps it would be said, a returner of hope. Their hopes. Just who was it for, the hope he carried? Was it his? Was it his friends as well? Or was it the hope of man, to show they still could fight when told otherwise?
With his mind emptied of outside distractions, as he had been taught to do going into a battle, Lione looked towards the end of the tunnel.
"…It is time to do battle."
Helios
I decide to ignore the launching platform and instead walk out into the sunlight. I cross my arms and give the best death glare I can to Cecilia, who readies her gun.
…Alright, let's go. Unknown Variable… to my side.
The text appears on the helmet display. "Initiating Combat Mode. Retrieving Unknown Variable."
A blast of white light erupts from my right hand.
The blade comes to my side. It looks like a multi-piece katana, with parts that seem to almost split down the middle. I wonder if I fiddled with this blade, if I could make it slide apart to fit another sliding blade in here. Like Helios, it glows with the same silver as him. Along every edge of the metal plates is dark crimson, making it look like some bastard child of Kanshou and Bakuya.
"Eh? Helios, is something wrong?" I ask as the holograms floating around me fizzle for a second while I take the blade in both hands. "Also, I see that the rifle she has looks like a sniper rifle. Since we're going to need to see around, can we remove the helmet?"
The helmet goes away, replaced by a clear band that goes over my eyes, enough that the wind probably won't be a problem for me, as text appears in the air in front of me. "All systems green."
Hm, okay. Flight packs, engage.
The flight systems kick off, defying gravity as I shoot forward. According to the weapons report I got, Helios is equipped with the usual flight units that IS units have, allowing them full omnidirectional movement. However, he is also equipped with additional thruster packs that allow for extra speed, but they require a lot of energy and have some pretty severe cooldown.
Unknown Variable… there's a lot of missing data.
I have an arm cannon as well called Azrad, but it's mainly for just a small bit of covering fire. I'll really have to get in close. And lastly, there is a solar charger, which gets power as we fight in the sun, which might mean I can overclock some stuff with enough power.
"Helios." I mutter as we fly closer to Cecilia, to our designated starting points roughly twenty meters from each other. "…Keep track of that sniper rifle. It doesn't appear to have a loading cartridge, so we can assume energy based weapon."
"Noted." The text sprawls on screen. "Will keep track of heat signature and energy buildup, alongside angle of the gun. Will attempt to simulate her own firing solution."
"Got it. Prepare for battle, Helios."
"I'll give you one last chance!" Cecilia yells, holding her rifle in her right hand with it pointed to the side while she points her left hand at me.
"You should watch where you're aiming that thing. Didn't anyone ever teach you gun safety?" I ask back, getting into what I can only hope for as a combat stance seeing that being in the air doesn't really give me an option for footing. "And no, I will not back down, if that's what you are offering."
"Then I'll crush you." She states with such confidence that it's obvious she believes that with one hundred percent certainty it will happen.
"Like hell I'm going to let you." I spit out, trying to cover the fact that I'm almost guaranteed to lose with bravado.
In these dark times of uncertainty and doubt, there is one soul that I can always rely on. Forgive my weakness…!
I cast my sword up to the sky with only my right hand. "YUKI! BELIEVE IN ME!"
Helios
Across the globe, Yuki heard his call. It seemed to come directly from around her heart. If she had dared to wax poetic about it any further, she might say that the words came from her very soul. Rather though, it came from the pendant around her neck that was a dead ringer for the one around Lione's at this very moment.
But if one were to go with the poetic aspect, that it came from her soul—that is to say, that they were already one soul, ever since long ago. That is how closely entwined Yuki Celladon and Lione Irivasel were—no, are. Their minds, save for their personalities, were almost the same. Their souls, each having risen from the corruption of despair and facing the sun with the pride of the living, were identical in all aspects but the person to whom it belonged to. Both a flame that would never be extinguished, for even in the face of absolute despair, they would sing the song of hope!
He was calling for her. In his time of trouble, in the period of peril, she was the first one that he reached his hand out to.
She would not fail him!
She, attached to him by the very soul, linked to him so close mentally, and forever reaching out to him physically! She would not allow his faith in her to be in vain! If he called for her, then she would answer! She would sing the song of hope for whatever adversity he faced!
"Lione...! I believe in you!"
Helios
I swear I heard Yuki's voice. Even if I shouldn't have, even if she was halfway across the globe, where surely no matter how loud she shouted, I wouldn't hear her…
I heard her voice loud and clear, as if she were right next to me!
She…!
"Lione…! I believe in you!"
I will not allow her faith in me to be in vain!
"Warning: Enemy IS is attempting to achieve a lock. Estimated firing vector will cross our position vector."
Let's move…!
An IS moves by thought, right? That's what I felt and was taught. I'll just trust you, Helios…! I'll put my faith in you! Just to look at the grid… okay, I see it! Move to seventeen, negative four, fifteen, curving just like an x-squared graph!
We dodge the first shot. A red line marked ENEMY FIRE suddenly appears in front of me, which I try to roll around.
Tch… even with this anti-vertigo function, I really feel like I'm in one of those godforsaken tumbling machine things. I've got to return fire…!
Helios! Can we bring out Azrad?
A ball of light consumes my left arm. When it dissipates, what looks like a six-barreled chaingun with my arm at the center of the six barrels is now around my arm.
On the display in front of me, I see the words appear: Azrad – Heat Meter. It's completely empty right now. Hm, looks like it'll overheat, huh? Okay, let's do it.
Avoiding another shot barely (it managed to nick my foot, with only a bit of the armor being chipped off), I shoot a few shots back, the barrel spinning faster as we go. Unfortunately, her weapon is a sniper rifle. It's incredibly high powered, or so say the scans I'm getting as we're flying around. Even a scrape will leave a pretty big dent unless I take enough shield damage.
I have to get in close somehow…!
Okay, Helios! We're going to have to use it.
"Chain Severing Systems, Timaeus and Critias, Active."
Dammit, Tabane was definitely in a Demonbane mood. Helios, let's line up the shot. We're probably going to take a direct hit though.
"Upon charge, the shields that work towards the bottom can be redirected to the frontal assault."
Oh, really? Okay, we can work with that.
Angling myself properly, I imagine myself surging forward.
All I can see in my peripherals is a blue-green-white mix as I blast through the air, Unknown Variable in hand. I see my shields take damage twice as we do so, but considerably less as those shields are now reinforced by taking away power supply from the bottom shields. I see, so the shields, given more power, are better able to dissipate energy from any strike, thus allowing a pilot to direct their shields tactically. An interesting set up.
Regardless… let's make this strike count!
I go for a bisecting uppercut, leaving Cecilia screaming as she apparently takes a massive hit. Ugh…! I can't really turn too much with those thrusters active! Helios, cut thrusters, we're going to resume our usual turning.
Hm, okay I see how those work. Timaeus and Critias allow me to go at insane speeds, however I can really only go forward and adjust that line slightly with some strafing. I can't turn or at least, do many quick motions.
I doubt we're going to be able to do that again, though. She's going to recognize it when it happens.
"You…! I can't believe I actually have to use these!"
What.
"Warning, motion sensor is detecting four additional movers."
Ugh…! She's got remote drones?! Helios, compute simulated firing solutions on those things while I try my best to dodge! Just look to see where they're aiming and set the firing lines to be parallel passing through them!
"Understood, Pilot Irivasel."
Four additional red lines pop up on the display as I move around. Huh? It doesn't seem that Cecilia is rotating while I'm trying to—! Aha! I get it…!
You can't move while using those… So this is when you're most vulnerable! Helios, can you also compute Alcott's blind spots? Where can't she see me based on her rotational positioning?
"Without access to medical records, I cannot compute effectively."
Just do the calculations with averages of a fifteen year old girl, British records too if you can pull them somehow from the internet!
"Understood, Pilot Irivasel."
It takes approximately two minutes for the data to come in, and from there, an additional minute to compute the solution. Okay, green field is her sight. Let's stay just out of there… here we go!
"Chain Severing Systems, Timaeus and Critias Active."
In another explosion of energy, I close the distance and leave her with a nasty two slice attack. I immediately disable the Chain Severing Systems after getting a fair amount of distance, once again dodging the remote drone fire.
…Helios, can you compute something?
"What is it you require, Pilot Irivasel?"
I need a flight solution. With the Chain Severing Systems, we can get in close. However, we can't stay for too l—dodge another barrage!—long, so if you can compute a solution where we use it, then slow ourselves down at a certain point to allow ourselves some speed so we can rattle her with a lot of hits, then head out, we'll be in good shape to deal a finishing blow.
"Understood. Will begin calculation immediately."
Okay, I'll just survive until then!
Tch…! I'm taking quite a bit of damage though…! Even with all these firing solution lines, it's easier said than done, dodging them all. Helios has taken quite a bit of physical damage too, in an attempt to reduce the amount of shield damage taken.
Just gotta… hold on!
"Pilot Irivasel, if you need an additional weapon, we do possess multiple swords."
We what?
"While we lack any advanced capabilities, the four swords on your back can at least be transferred to your hands."
I see. I'll take another one, then!
One of the swords that I thought were for decoration on my back shoots out and lands in my left hand as I move Unknown Variable to my right. There we go, now I can slice a little better!
Alright, Helios! Compute that flight solution, I'll handle the rest!
"My apologies for having taken so long."
Damn… finally, huh?
"You've lasted thirty two minutes. You're really stubborn, I'll give you credit for that."
"Buzz off." I grumble, readying my sword and mind to respond to whatever she's going to throw at me.
Okay, three hundred-ish shield points. Can we do it now, Helios?
"We can."
Let's go. Usual all-out frontal assault shield formation!
"Shielding formation, set. Chain Severing System: Timaues and Critias, Active."
"Again?!" Cecilia yells out. Knowing I'm too fast for her to try to avoid my reach, she shoots the BITs (as they're apparently called, as Cecilia being ever so smart informed me), except we're slowing down! Yes! Exactly what I needed! All of shots miss, leaving her open!
Alright, we're in! Set normal shield formation!
"Understood!"
I can't help but indulge myself as I begin slicing. "Irivasel Art – Cross Combination!"
"Tch…! Take this!"
Oh those things around her skirt aren't just—
BOOM
I find myself immediately launched back. I don't even think I had time to blink as I slam into the ground, shield points having taken a massive hit to prevent physical damage from a point blank rocket… make that two, actually.
Peeling ourselves from the ground, I try to dodge another hail of BIT shots, but it seems that our thrusters took a pretty big hit as well, alongside the omni-directional flight unit.
"My apologies, Pilot Irivasel." The text reads. "But I had to shift the shield strength to protect your vitals. Flight effectiveness reduced to eighty-eight percent."
Agh… I see. Thank you.
"…Hmph. That almost worked. You got so close." Cecilia says very smugly, despite the fact I was just about to kick her ass and actually made close range work. "…It's over!"
Everything goes into slow motion. The rockets and BITs and sniper rifle fire all at once. She really intends to make sure this is a strike I won't survive.
But…
Yuki…! Yuki…! I won't… stop fighting…!
I prepare my sword to deflect and cut through what I can…!
Come what may… I will never let anyone triumph over our bond! Yuki, please hear me now! You, who saved my life as I saved yours, please, believe in me! We're fellow Returners of Hope… Even in the face of absolute despair, we will sing the song of hope!
There's… text on Helios' display.
"Do bonds give you power?"
…Well of course. If it wasn't for my bond with her, then I'd never have tomorrow. If our struggles together are the price, then of course the price of tomorrow isn't cheap. And yet, the bonds give us the power to overcome those struggles.
Isn't it obvious with my life as well? A bond, something purely theoretical, intangible… it saved two lives, two humans that exist today, without fear in their hearts… yes… bonds truly give you power.
"Do we have a bond?"
Heh, like you have to ask. Of course we do… we've been partnered for almost the past hour or so. That's more than enough to say we have a bond.
—White consumes everything—
I can hear the sounds of explosions, of gunfire. Yet, there are no reports of damage. Ah… it seems that I've barely got enough shield points…
Wait, what?
When the white subsides, I find myself in almost the same exact suit, except the four swords on the back have now extended out, looking almost like small wings as the one in my hand has vanished. The arms and legs look much thicker and are seemingly repaired.
"First Shift Achieved. Congratulations, Pilot Irivasel." A voice… Helios?
"Yes. This is Unit Helios. Upon First Shift, it appears that my vocal functions have been unlocked. Vocal communication is now possible. Would you like a review of our new armaments?" He answers in a rather deep and resounding voice, one that would comfort the damned and repair the broken.
Let's just take care of it later.
"Is… is that… First Shift?! This means… this means you've been fighting with the initial settings from the very start?!" Cecilia shrieks in extreme doubt.
"…I guess so."
"Also, our shield points have been restored. [Solar Recharge] is one of my abilities, but it seems with First Shift I was able to activate it despite having the data for it. After spending quite a bit of time fighting outside, I have taken in enough solar power to charge the shields, not to full, but enough. For a full charge, I would require roughly sixty minutes on an optimal day."
Neat. Do the swords on my back have any additional abilities now?
"Well, I have the data and was able to compute the solution in the chaos. Warning, motion sensor is detecting BITs inbound."
Tch.
"Let us utilize my new weaponry. Call upon [The Four Swords – Index], they have new abilities. And with my new upgrades, our cooldown regarding Timaues and Critias is no more."
…Helios, I'm imagining something. Do you think we can simulate it?
"It's a very simple calculation. Seeing that you can control the swords like movement of this unit, that will be easy."
Got it.
Either way… let's end this!
"You guess so?! I… I'll finish this!"
"I won't let you!" I yell, dodging her barrage of attacks. It seems that First Shift has also repaired our equipment…? Hm. That's pretty neat. "I've got too much riding on this!
"Because somewhere, I know she's watching! I know she's waiting! I know she's praying! I know that she's keeping her faith in me! And I won't let that faith be in vain! YUKI! BELIEVE IN MEEEE!"
I bring out all four swords just like Helios said I could to block the shots of the BITs. All four swords, each looking almost like Excalibur from a certain series, come together to form two massive 'L' shapes in my hands.
"FINISHING MOVE!"
With that battle cry, I hurl the swords, which cut through the two of the BITs and another set of rockets before smacking Cecilia a few times, which afterwards they pin her for me, leaving her unable to move. Even if she tried to move, I could just try to move my own swords in the opposite direction to keep her still.
I exhale.
In my hands comes Unknown Variable. I need something powerful to end this, not just a regular strike. She's still got a lot of shield points left…
"There is one option. I possess an extremely high powered energy blade."
…Okay, let's go with that. Though, I recall one such blade that is like that, which means you have some questions to answer.
"I will answer how I can, Pilot Irivasel. Now, prepare Unknown Variable."
As I grip the sword tightly, it splits off in the middle. A light blade of energy, colored a mix of white and green, comes out, making the blade roughly one-point-seven meters in length. The blade reminds me of a katana… heh, almost like my sword.
"[Void Returner – Origin], Active."
"Limit Break!" I scream, rushing towards Cecilia who manages to fire off another set of rockets and has her BITs shoot right for me despite being pinned. "CREATION OF TOMORROW!"
"Chain Severing Systems, Timaues and Critias, Active!"
I explode in speed, rushing towards my target. In two clean swipes, I knock out both the rockets and BITs. My momentum keeps me going, rushing ever closer to Cecilia as I go into a series of aileron rolls.
HAAAAAAAA!
The blade just barely makes contact with her machine's side as my midsection cut is interrupted by the buzzer sounding off. What…? Surely, the blade wasn't that high powered? That would be the only explanation as to why I—
"Lost? Dammit." I growl, punching the wall next to me with my right hand. "…Dammit. I let everyone home down."
"What is that sword called?" Chifuyu asks, looking right at me.
"…Helios called it Void Returner, Origin."
"Spelled [Void Returner – Origin], with brackets and a hyphen between Returner and Origin." Helios announces, surprising the others.
"Oh yeah, Helios talks. Uh Helios, do you think you can make it so that way you're not on speaker?" I ask the gauntlet on my right hand.
"Oh. If you would as so kind as to obtain as earpiece, I could utilize that. Unless you'd like to wear my helmet all the time."
"Got it, will do. Anyways, that's what it was called."
"It has the same readouts and properties, or at least from observation, as Yukihara Nigata. It's extremely high powered, but consumes energy from your shield points because of its consumption."
"…My apologies, Pilot Irivasel. I did not inform you of this. It appears I got lost in the moment."
"Ah, don't consider it your fault. I was the one who chose not to go over the new weaponry and was looking straight for the solution. It's my fault." I nod. "Anyways Orimura-sensei, Yamada-sensei, I'm pretty well versed in the basic law of the Infinite Stratos and its activation. I won't be bringing out Helios into full form unless told to do so."
"Good." Chifuyu fires back. "Then head back and rest. You have a lot of work starting tomorrow."
"Don't I ever…"
"I will set myself to standby mode, Pilot Irivasel, so my voice is not evident until such time you obtain an earpiece."
Thanks, Helios. I'll get one soon enough, don't worry.
After that, I go to the locker room, change out, and meet with Houki. The sun's already setting, huh?
"Not wearing your uniform?" she asks as she walks in tandem with me.
"Don't feel like it. Anyways, thanks for helping out earlier. I mean, I know it wasn't much help in the end, but the fact you're actually talking to me and not laughing at my sorry ass is pretty comforting. Plus the sword training was nice." I say, putting on my trench coat with a flourish, the extended cloth rippling in the wind like a cape.
"…You're an old friend. It's nothing."
"Hm, regardless, I don't like debts being unpaid. Thank you. I'll make it up to you sometime."
"You didn't really need my help with piloting though. Are you sure you haven't done so before?"
"Ah well… I mean, I kinda just used what I knew. If the Infinite Stratos moves just as you think, then I just have to put myself in a place I can think well. That's why I had Helios construct the flight grid for me."
"Hm, I see."
"…You look like you have something on your mind, Houki."
"Are you in love with that Yuki girl?"
"In love…" I mutter, stopping in my tracks. I look up at the sky and give probably a really stupid grin. "…Yeah, I guess you could say that. I don't know, I've never really had the thought of romance in my head, but I guess if someone asked me what my feelings are for her, I could say that and not be lying."
…Haha, not thinking of romance. Well, more like a full romance. I think my feelings are mainly one sided…
"Most people are probably thinking that too, after today." Houki snarks, going right for the snipe.
"It was the whole 'Believe in me' thing, wasn't it?"
"You weren't exactly subtle."
Heh.
"Though I have to ask, why are you asking?" I shoot back. "…I'm not going to beat around the bush with it because I know you pretty well, but Houki, if you ever consider me romantically, I will shoot you down."
"Hmph." She huffs, crossing her arms. "I don't, and I doubt I will. Besides, it would leave a bad taste in my mouth now that you've admitted you love her, since I would be destroying that. Although…"
"Although…"
"I know you've called Ichika before, so do you think you c—"
"Oh my God, you like Ich—"
"SH-SHUT UP, YOU BIG IDIOT!" Houki shouts as her entire face goes red, attempting to punch me while I dodge, laughing the whole time. "I NEVER S-SAID THAT! I j-just want to yell at him because he rarely returns my calls and the two of you had that two hour long talk over the phone and—!"
I can't help but smile at Houki. "You've changed, you know. You became a lot more snarky since we were kids, and a lot more violent."
She calms down, huffing. "Same goes to you, except maybe not so much the violence and more of stupidity."
"Ooh, nice burn…But in the end, thanks old friend. Your help really helped me. You know, if you don't mind, it would be nice having you as an instructor. Better than any of those other girls who are trying to romance me up."
"I see… well, leave some time after school then."
"Alright."
Both of us immediately seize up upon meeting someone at one of the crossroads of the pathways. Mother…
"…Irivasel."
I grit my teeth. "Katsugari-sensei."
"…Not bad." She states evenly.
With that, she walks by us.
"…Good job." The whisper comes.
…I'm not hallucinating, am I? She did not just say that to me.
"Lione?"
"Nothing, Houki-san. Let's boogey. Dibs on the shower first though, because I am soooooo sweaty after that. You know how much that damn latex smells after you—"
Helios
"Tabane, are you sure you sent the right unit?"
"Of course, of course~ Byakushiki was pretty cool, right?"
She clearly didn't watch the battle. "That's what I'm calling about. Helios entered the field."
"…Helios? Um… Chi-chan, Helios is a defective IS. He's not—oh no. Oh nonononono, no! I was sure I packed in Byakushiki… yes! There's no record of Pod 2 being opened… dammit, did they wipe it from the logs…?!"
"Exactly."
"W-well, you have to get him out of it right now! Helios isn't properly set up!"
"Define that."
"I haven't programmed all of his usual routines. Like you teach there, IS cores are like a consciousness of their own. I have limits in there that prevent certain actions except under extreme circumstances, such as an IS activating itself or attacking someone without the pilot's consent."
"Why is Helios defective, then? Surely you put that in all the other units."
"I did, but Helios is different. His core awoke to being conscious a long time ago, so it was harder to work around with his supposed new arisen 'humanity'. You have to take them apart now!"
"I can't. Helios just underwent First Shift with Irivasel earlier today."
"Helios WHAT?!"
"I said, Helios underwent First Shift with Irivasel."
"…This is troubling. If he's already customized and adapted, there's little I can do. Helios has changed, so default programming won't work anymore. Keep Irivasel disciplined then, while I work on a solution."
"...Very well then. Oh, it would also be pertinent to note that Helios possesses a copy of Yukihara Nigata that is known as Void Returner, Origin in its energy blade form and Unknown Variable when in regular blade form."
"Chiiiiiiii-chaaaaaan, you're not helping."
"I thought it would be good for you to know, as you clearly weren't watching the match earlier."
"…This is very strange, though. He shouldn't… I never equipped Helios with anything more than the arm cannon, swords on his back, thrusters, chest laser, and solar charging unit… Did he display a One-Off Ability?"
A chest laser? "He was able to recharge his shields."
"That is most likely due to the solar charging units. But if it copied your own move…"
"Is his One-Off Ability the same?"
"I'll look at the readouts and tell you if it is. I highly doubt it… maybe he hasn't even shown what his One-Off Ability is. I'll get back to you on it."
And hidden in her little base, Tabane shivered in fear. Helios shouldn't have been able to achieve First Shift, because of his incompleteness, because that one section of code that she did know that limited an IS was the very same section that gave rise to First Shift. Because in that code was where the IS learned to like and support its pilot, and make that jump to First Shift, because First Shift was like a commitment.
It was one such 'extreme circumstance' that Tabane programmed. In the extreme circumstance that an IS' AI willingly chose a pilot, willingly wanted to be with that pilot, it would transform and become something different.
It should have been impossible.
Yet… he had done it all the same.
But how had he copied Chi-chan's signature move? Every IS had a unique One-Off Ability and Helios wasn't in any way related to the core of Byakushiki.
Tabane winced, realizing she was quaking at her desk. Perhaps… perhaps Helios' One-Off Ability… was to replicate any other ability.
Immediately going through the logs that were fed to her from the battle, she realized the power was even more inefficient than Yukihara Nigata. He had to consume even more power than Chifuyu had… meaning it wasn't the true thing. It was just a replica.
Yes, Helios had overclocked the energy blade, drawing power from the shields so Timaeus and Critias wouldn't lose power. It wasn't using Yukihara Nigata, just faking it. But how did he have the data to be able to replicate it?
Of course… then what was Helios' One-Off Ability?
Today…
The memory replayed in her head. She kept trying to figure out why Irivasel's shield points dropped to zero, just like that. He was just on the cusp of victory as well, right there with his blade almost in her side.
She, who thought her victory was guaranteed, made to guess up until the last second when the buzzer had rang who would emerge triumphant, was shaken to the core.
I won…
And yet, it felt so hollow.
Irivasel Lione…
She remembered the look he had given her, stepping into the sunlight. A glare, defiant, unbreaking to the very end. If he was going to go down, he was going to do so kicking and screaming into the night.
And he had done just that. Amidst the explosions of blue, green, and white he had come barreling forth, delivering hits that no one else should have been able to. Every time their eyes would cross, he'd have grit teeth and eyes that demanded she back down, but nothing more.
A strength that was tempered. He had wanted nothing but for her to accept him as a human. Nothing more, nothing less. That was the only reason he even kept fighting.
"Because somewhere, I know she's watching! I know she's waiting! I know she's praying! I know that she's keeping her faith in me! And I won't let that faith be in vain! YUKI! BELIEVE IN MEEEE!"
Those words, they rang in her head over and over again.
Who was this 'Yuki'? Who was she, to give him such defiance against such a superior force? And how did she have so much faith in him? And how did he have so much faith in her?
She wanted to know. She wanted so dearly to know what was behind the thumping in her heart, and why she trembled at the thought of facing him again. She wanted to know why someone could have so much faith in a person and why this belief seemed to make him stronger and why…
…and why Irivasel Lione was a damn puzzle to her.
Illogical, immature, ridiculous. Those were all words that described him. He thought he could beat her, when he admitted he was outstripped in all aspects (clearly not the case in today's battle, or so she thought). Immature, when he had devolved into a fist fight, but he probably would have won. Ridiculous, for facing her all the same with that defiant gaze in his eyes.
And yet… he was amazing in the end…
Aaaaahahaha.
And now you see why we were worried about Irivasel's power level. Helios is an extremely overpowered unit. A copy of Yukinara Nigata, energy gun (considerably short ranged, though), swords that move like the BITs, extreme dodging akin to something like Ignition Boost with unlimited usage, SHIELD RECHARGE, and that's only what's been revealed so far (not much more, but you'll see). Irivasel's inexperience is probably the most crippling factor to him at the moment, but you can see that once he got the basics, he was able to actually put up a fight against Cecilia. But at the same time, Cecilia high underestimating that Irivasel might be able to actually pull something together was aanother factor.
Helios' design was of course, based off of Demonbane, but his overall design (I might decide to draw him and post it somewhere) also has influence from Gurren Lagann and Mazinger.
But yeah, we were worried about him being overpowered. Of course, if you took away Yukihara Nigata's copy/replica, Helios would still be a fairly solid unit, just without an instant-kill-ish ability. Also, three guesses where Helios got Unknown Variable from, and the first two don't count. Though remember... this story isn't about the powerful unit. It's about distance, so hmhmhmmm, just because Helios is very powerful, is it going to help Irivasel all that much?
Now, we (RP group) understand that transferring weapons like that is pushing the boundaries of the IS and its limitations as given in-universe. There's an explanation for it, you just don't know it yet. Helios' One-Off Ability will make an appearance soon as well, trust me on that one. It's… certainly unique, to say the least. At first we considered making [Solar Recharge] his OOA in the RP, but then decided against it since it's not like you need a special ability if you already have a solar unit put into you.
That's also why we eventually decided to give it that extremely crippling factor. Helios, for a full recharge, requires sixty minutes on an optimal day. So like if it was raining… he can't rely on that.
Irivasel's shout was also hilarious. Especially when we went back through the audio logs of the RP over Skype. Like… it was pretty much shonen manga material with how cheesy it was. But it sounded AWESOME, so I decided to keep the cheese. BELIEVE IN MEEEEEE! XD
As for the post battle, that was amusing. When we first did the RP, it was pretty funny sinking the Irivasel/Houki ship like that out of nowhere. But of course, Houki takes it in good stride. To be fair, they've also been apart without contact for years. While they might've had some chemistry early on, it had nothing to develop on and obviously, it would seem silly for Houki to start suddenly having romantic interest in him. Houki also seems like (comparatively speaking to the other characters) one of the most sane and well-adjusted characters, so making her attempt to just reignite some possible romance off a childhood memory seems… stupid and unlike her. So eventually after we took that path, when I wrote it up, I tried to make Houki seem more like that just old friend that's there for you. Though I did want some amusement between the two, so you'll see that they're kind of hypocrites for making fun of each other for not being able to spit it out.
And then we meet IRIVASEL'S MOM AGAIN. That "…not bad" scene wasn't in the RP, but I threw it in since it felt like it was important for later stuffs that I can't talk about.
Cecilia's post-battle scene is fairly similar to the original. Of course, you'll probably note that it's nothing but infatuation at this point and well… you know how Irivasel is. You can probably figure out how it's going to end.
Anyways, let me know what you guys think of the Helios unit. I understand that he's ridiculously overpowered as he is right now and while that isn't exactly going to change too much (since his state now is important later on), it would be nice to know what your impressions of him are.