AND WE'RE BACK! I'm officially on Winter Break, with first semester of college done! Wooohooo! Happy holidays, everyone!
Alright as always, REVIEW REPLY TIME, GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
TrustyChester: Thanks! And personally, I think an Armored Core would win, depending on the type. I think an IS would have an advantage over a four-leg or tank AC by maneuverability, but against a biped AC, they'd be disadvantaged. An biped AC is pretty much a much bigger IS capable of bigger and badder weapons, let alone a sword that's easily bigger than an IS, capable of smashing an energy with high energy, thus draining shields quickly. Anyways, I hope you enjoy today's chapter!
DGKSilver: 5-cheese pizza, coming right up :D And hahaha, I suppose inside I'm a little bit of a softie. I actually didn't design Irivasel's character. Technically that was Yuki (remember, we just used our names because we are laaaazy as fuck XD) as she was the original creator of the project, so we left the design of the main character to her. But, it was really easy to roleplay him, which says quite a bit. Anyways, I hope you like today's update!
Kerlongsj Evert Orlejov: Yeah, no problem. And mhm, that chapter was more of a breather, which is why there were more humorous moments, but not today considering it's battle time :D Thanks for reviewing!
Deni. H. kurniawan. 3 (because FFNet doesn't like it when I have a bunch of dots so I put spaces XD): Yeah, I thought it was a little bit of a cheesy way to put Ichika in the rep position (which I called too, originally watching the anime), but I suppose it got the job done. And with Lione's dad… ahahahahahahaha… that's all I have to say XD That's quite a sensitive topic for me to talk about, so I'll shut up now .w. Have fun with today's chapter!
Okay, got everyone! LET'S GET THIS SHOW ON THE ROAD!
=Helios=
-Volume 2: High Noon-
Chapter 5: Determined Overflow
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"If thou wouldst obey this mind and this reason, obey me! Then I shall entrust my fate to your sword!"
Rin Tohsaka, Fate/Stay Night
=(==)=
"LET'S SEE YOU GRIT! THOSE! TEETH!"
Kamina, Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann
"Hey."
"Oh." Houki looked up from her meal to see Rin. "Seat's open."
"Thanks."
Rin took her seat before looking around the room. "Lione's not here?"
"He's taking a nap. He ate his lunch really quickly too." Houki answered. "Unfortunately for him, he's been working absolutely nonstop in order to defeat you. I imagine that because he knows that Yuki-chan will be watching him he wants to be at his absolute peak."
"I think it wouldn't matter if she was watching, Lione would just try to do his absolute best anyways." Rin shrugged, beginning to eat her noodles. "That's how he's always been, hasn't he?"
"A responsibility of being an Irivasel, he might say."
The two of them had a slight laugh at them, remembering the times Lione had done some pretty ridiculous things, always justifying it with that he had to. As an Irivasel, of course.
"He was, well I should say still is, an interesting person." Houki chuckled. "…You know, I think with the amount of work he's put in, he might actually be able to beat you."
"I was thinking that too. I'm pretty confident in my ability though, but hearing about the sheer work he puts in makes me think twice about facing him. Even if he didn't train, I'm sure he'd find a way. How long did you say he's been training?"
"Hours a day. From what I've heard from the senpai, he's almost a miniature legend of sorts now. They've never seen a person so willingly throw themselves into the grinder like this all the time."
Of course, it was just how Irivasel was raised. If it was worth doing, might as well go as far as you could. And because this time, many things including his pride and perhaps most of all, Yuki, were on the line, limits weren't considered for him.
The price of tomorrow wasn't cheap. If Lione wanted to have his tomorrow, he'd willingly pay the price for it, no matter the hell he had to put himself through.
"Hey, Rin."
"Houki?"
"Did Lione ever say something about… what was it again that he said… The Innocent Blade?"
"Oh. That…" Rin searched through her memories. "I remember one time he said that. He said he didn't know where it was from and his dad told him maybe when he was older, but there was one time that Lione, before a fight with some of the roughhouser kids in school he calmly said "I am the innocent rage. I am the innocent hatred. I am the innocent blade." He looked scarily calm, too. Why are you asking?"
"He said those same words right before the first fight with Cecilia. It just crossed my mind now, actually. I was just wondering how long he had known those words."
"Mhm. Those words are pretty fitting for him, I suppose. Anyways, let's not talk about Lione all the time. I mean, we have other things on our mind other than guys, right?"
"Haha, I suppose. How was the last test, by the way?"
"Uwaaah, don't even remind me about that. I'm pretty sure I bombed the essay segment."
"Oh. That hurts."
"I think I did fairly well on the multiple-choice, though. I'm just happy there wasn't a short answer this time around."
"You really should study more."
"Hmph. What about you, then?"
"I thought the essay wasn't that bad. A little tricky when talking about the functions of energy shield systems, but nothing too complicated as long as you went through and showed what you knew."
"Guhhh… mind if we study together some time, then?"
"Not at all."
Meanwhile, the rising lion son of a legend slept at his desk, waiting for the next class period to start as his new partner kept watch for him.
Outside the door was another figure, one that wished she had watched over him personally all this time, feeling a mother's pride. Making sure no one was watching, she silently, with all the skill of a trained special operative, slid open the door and walked up to him.
Checking once again, she patted him on the head before leaving a sealed box on his desk and leaving the room, making it look like she was never the—
"Excuse me."
Katsugari nearly leapt into the air despite her collected self, forgetting one such person that could have been aware of her presence.
"I will not tell him what is here but…"
"But?"
"Please do not cause too much distress to Pilot Irivasel. He is my friend and if you attempt to close this distance between you two and it causes him negative consequences…"
"I understand."
"Though, he already has doubts about you. So please… if you intend to rebuild this bridge, do not draw it out."
"…I see."
"As you were."
Katsugari let out a low chuckle as she left the room, closing the door behind her.
As people filtered back into the room, Lione stirred, finding the box.
"Transcend Impossibility."
…Is it you again, mother…? Why? He wondered, opening it and trying one of the cookies. How… how did you get father's recipe for those cookies?
Helios, not having heard the full story or at least from Lione's side, quickly put the pieces together with his logical mind. However, he judged that telling his logically deduced and objective truth might be too hard on his new found friend and pilot, so he decided not to tell him just yet.
"Pilot Irivasel, I suggest you should eat those cookies now or store them back in that box and put it away. Orimura-sensei will be here soon and she does not take to eating in class very well."
Oh, right. Thanks Helios. A very distracted Lione answered mentally, putting them back into his small backpack he brought to class. But just… why?
Helios
Not an empty seat in the stands, huh…? And I bet everyone who's out there not in a seat is watching on the broadcast screens. Not that I really care about them.
…There's only four people I care about who are watching. Well, more like one that I really care about watching, three that I do care about. I wonder if…
…whatever, there's no point thinking about it.
Hey Helios, do you think you can scan her unit from here? The floating parts, especially.
"I'm detecting some sort of hydraulics. However it doesn't appear to be capable of launching a projectile with its shape and lack of a barrel."
Hm.
Either way, it's called Shenlong, as Yamada-sensei who's functioning as my Operator—essentially Mission Control—told me. While I appreciate the help, Helios' sheer computation ability makes it almost unnecessary.
But yeah, the kanji's a bit weird, so I was tempted to call it Kouryuu but out of respect, I guess I'll stick with Shenlong.
Well, it's time to make my entrance, I suppose.
I've been reading newspapers and perusing blogs and all that… and I know a few things now. Like for one, a lot more people are riding on me than I thought. While I couldn't care less about millions of strangers, I do care about that I've been effectively designated the final hope for men.
The lone male who can pilot an IS. The one person who can represent men on the battlefield in the machine of women. It only drives me even more, knowing that every fight is one that'll go down in history. I can't afford to not care.
Which is why I'm going with my flashy ways for these battles. I need to make an entrance, show the world they've got a guy who knows what they want and is gonna fight hard to give it to them. You want hope? I'm a Returner of Hope… regardless of who you are, I will do my best to return it to you.
Let's ride.
The sound begins to blare, with the opening of a song that gives a lot of people hope, the beat of the drums blasting through the air. A quite obscure song today, but hey, whoever said I was a mainstream guy?
"Kimi ha kikoeru? Boku no kono koe ga yami ni munashiku suikomareta."
Haha, Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann. Hell yeah.
As the words play, I walk out towards the opening of the hangar, clenching my right fist. My tightsuit's been changed, now bearing an emblem of a rising sun on a shield on its black chest.
"Moshimo sekai ga imi wo motsu no nara konna kimochi mo muda de ha nai."
Looking up at Rin as I step out on the outdoor parts of the hangar, where apparently it's now a running gag for me not to use the launch pad, I narrow my eyes and give the best "bring it" glare I can muster.
"Akogare ni oshitsubusarete akirametetanda…"
I move my hand and grip the pendant around my neck and breathe out. Yuki, here we go…!
"…Hateshinai sora no iro mo shiranaide."
Yuki, believe in me…!
"Hashiridashita omoi ga ima demo!"
With that first part of the refrain, Helios' gauntlet shines forth with light. First comes the chest plate. The arms smash on next in a flurry of red light. The legs crash on after in another burst of dazzling yellow.
Lastly, just like the opening sequence, the helmet shoots off into the air, landing on top of my head!
"Kono mune wo tashika ni tataiteru kara!"
I show off the shoulderplates and then stand proud, crossarmed and back straight.
"Kyou no boku ga sono saki ni tsudzuku," I punch one with each hand, the armored sections appearing on. Meanwhile up above, an animation that I secretly commissioned of me punching out Cecilia's BITs plays all over the screens. "Bokura nari no asu wo kizuite yuku!"
"Kotae ha sou, itsumo koko ni aru…"
As the song continues to play, I take off.
Helios, flight packs engage.
"Flight packs, engaged. Activating Combat Mode."
This battle's going to be different. Rin's not going to underestimate me and she's got two massive swords and unknown projectile weapons. She's going to use all her skill and not hold back, even if it's me.
As for Void Returner, Origin—
"Ahem, [Void Returner – Origin]."
There's literally no difference in the pronunciation!
"My apologies. I simply felt as if it wasn't getting its proper credit. If that makes sense."
…Fine.
As for [Void Returner – Origin], it seems to bear similarity to Yukihara Nigata. That is to say… use shield points to absolutely crush through any energy shield, thus forcing the enemy to activate Absolute Barrier. With such a high powered blade and the need to stop it, the sheer energy consumption would almost immediately drain a unit's power, which is why fights end when your shield points hit zero, since you're pretty much screwed from there.
A weapon to end the fight almost instantaneously. But it's costly, essentially using my HP to fuel it. Or Helios' HP, not really mine.
The only way to really win is to use it. But that implies getting close. And until we know what those projectiles she has our, blindly rushing in even with Timaeus and Critias is dangerous.
Helios, standard formation in terms of dimensional grid setup.
"Understood, Pilot Irivasel."
Twin scimitars… massive, too, from what we heard from her classmates. Helios, those weapons, according to how big they were, assuming some sort of extreme steel alloy that surely has a decent mass considering how huge those weapons are…
"They'll be able to inflict direct damage should she gather enough speed into the hit to transfer a massive amount of energy."
Flying over to the battle ready position now… Helios, can you get a better scan?
"The most I can assume right now is an air compression cannon of sorts, made to blast you with extreme shockwaves of air or fire some other projectile but I fail to see a loading mechanism so it may be contained within the unit."
Damn. That's going to be enough to alter our flight path if we get a big enough blast, right?
"If we go with the shockwaves, they might be enough if she targets our thruster packs. While we might be protected from damage, the shields will not necessarily protect us from the after effects such as air currents and pushing factors."
Shit, there goes a straight line blast.
"Any last words before you eat dirt?" Rin asks as she gets into a combat ready stance, the music starting to dissipate.
"I could give some insults, but nah." I see the timer start from five seconds and lower my voice to a respectful whisper. "Even in the face of absolute despair, I'll sing the song of hope."
Three.
"YUKI!" I cry out to the skies above.
Two.
Hoisting my hand up to the heavens, I call. "BELIEVE IN ME!"
One.
—And just like last time—
"Lione, I believe in you!"
BHUAAAAAAAAAA!
"Initiating Combat!" Helios cries out.
The buzzer sound rings throughout the entire arena With my hand already reaching for the blue dominion above, I summon Unknown Variable as I throw myself into a backflip. Helios, let's go!
"Chain Severing Systems, Timaeus and Critias: Active."
In a blur of white, blue, and green I shoot forward, attempting to go for a decisive hit. Four Swords, Index, fly!
CLANG!
Rin blocked with her twin scimitars, crossing them together before shifting around to try to throw me off. "I thought you'd—"
Before she can move fully to push me away, all four swords immediately go for her back.
PHOOMP! PHOOMP!
Two of them are blasted into the dirt, point first. The other two still smash into her, delivering two cuts before she twists around, breaking lock with me and batting them away. Index, return!
The four swords immediately sprint back, circling around Rin to get back to me as I bring out Azrad and start firing away.
Helios, confirm ranged weapon!
"A specific type of air compression cannon, known as Impact Cannons. They compress the air and the shockwave fires it out like a cannon. There are three other instances of personal IS users possessing them but this one has the highest output according to my data."
Tch!
"However it is a far slower projectile than Pilot Alcott's BIT units. Be warned the air has a larger area of impact and the shockwave is the far more dangerous part as it can momentarily stun us."
Damn…!
"Judging by the design and my calculations… I see. The lack of the barrel, she can fire anywhere. There is no blind spot with them."
Do they have limitations?
"At most, their speed. However, it is impossible to tell where is aiming for now. Numbers would be your best defense."
Four Swords, Index.
All of them assume my stance.
My mental command is to return to formation if broken. Helios, let's go!
"Of course!"
The first two shots connect with my swords. However, Helios is able to analyze the shockwave that hits them this time, getting more data. Not to mention that now there's a viable weakness in Rin's attacks. There appears to be a pretty significant cooldown. Not exactly a high one, but enough that there's a constant rate she's firing at.
…wait…
…Heat! A compressor, right! If she overcranked the helical inlet flutes, it'd build way too much heat that couldn't be dissipated by oil! That, and she'd risk an overheat if the oil couldn't dissipate it fast enough!
…Aha! Oil gets filtered out, right… most of it does…
Helios! I need you to do a residual scan! Look for oil-based liquid traces right before she fires and on the surface of those shoulder pods! It doesn't matter how much, as long as it's near the surface of her firing unit!
"Pilot Irivasel… that just might work! I'll begin a residual scan immediately and look for any liquids!"
Got it! But first, I'd rather get the data on how to angle the swords so when hit by the shockwave, they won't fly as far. We'll link that to a subroutine that allows the swords to automatically respond to any sort of detection of compressed air coming towards them. We'll use the detection systems to find where the pressure of air suddenly spikes and use the system's velocity to calculate which sword will hit!
"Calculating!"
For now, I'll just keep her occupied. Azrad!
My left hand once again dons the arm cannon. Wait, I know!
I head down to the ground, touching down before Rin can get below me. I've limited where you can hit me now, haven't I?
"Clever move." She mutters over the communicator.
Hm, what else can I do to disrupt her pressurized air…? Not much, since her energy shields protect against my laser shots, so I can't hope to induce heat in order to mess with the pressure.
Wait.
Shockwaves… essentially, she's launching directed energy in the form of a shockwave. A shockwave… dammit, I don't have water on me, or I could attempt to neutralize her attacks by having water absorb it.
A sonic boom. It's effectively what cancels out the shockwave, but I don't think we can continually produce those. Damn, there's nothing I can really do against that weapon. If she was launching compressed air at me, that'd be easy to cancel out.
Wait, wait…
The shockwave is most likely a moving shock. It's probably not caused by a detonation, considering she's just using air. It's not exactly a chemically unstable material. However, a shock is related to the original pressure ratio between the two bodies in gas, which in this case would be her small sphere and outside air here
However, there is Amonton's Law. Pressure over temperature of a fixed mass of gas kept at constantly volume… is equal. Does it even apply here, though? We're in an open air facility. But maybe…
…maybe I can try it out? But dammit, I don't know the exact calculations and Helios, do you have anything that can calculate and read shockwaves?
I don't possess that equipment. That is very specialized equipment, Pilot Irivasel. I see what you are trying to do, though.
Tch, that bites. We could've tried to reduce the effectiveness of her shots by continuously hitting her energy shields there and trying to ramp up the temperature, thus roughly changing the pressure, but there's too many variables at work here that we can't determine and I don't even know if Amonton's law would hold.
Whatever, I guess we'll just go with the data we have so far.
Move back, I command my swords, each of them folding them back into my back like wings closing up. Now there's only one target. Which means less guessing where she's going to shoot.
I try to keep up with her movements, firing Azrad. Now that I'm the only target, I have a better thought of where her shots are placed.
"Come on Rin, do you really think you can just shoot me to win?" I taunt. "Don't you think you're insulting me as a swordsman?"
"I think it's better that way, if you lose without even getting a single hit."
"Oh buzz off."
"Pilot Irivasel, I have finished the calculation! I'll now include the lines that show where she's going to attack with those compression cannons. There's a small area that has a very, very small amount of oil. I can't tell the exact mechanism, but I imagine it's a contained rotating system that allows for her zero blind spot firing."
I see. I'll avoid the lines and now, let's get back to attacking.
Four Swords, Index! Spread out, attack formation. Prepare for a full frontal charge!
All four swords spread out once again. Now we're talking. Let's angle the swords and prepare for her shots at us.
Moving up towards Rin, I lock eyes with her as the red lines that denote where she's going to shoot. Two of them line up with my swords. Let's not tip her off.
All four swords, prepare for impact! All of them rotate, as I slightly twist my sword to match them. Can't let her know that I know how to prepare for her cannons.
"W-what the?!" I can hear Rin yell without the communicator as she hits the swords, but they are able to recover faster than before.
"Oh, that's a pleasant surprise." I lie. "But you really should save yourself from being distracted."
Helios, let's go.
"Chain Severing Systems Timaeus and Critias, Active!"
Before Rin can manage a counter to my statement, I deliver a smashing blow with an uppercut. Dammit, should've used [Void Returner – Origin]! Agh, dammit! I doubt we're going to get a second chance at that.
"Why you…!"
And now… here they come.
Rin forgets for a second that the four swords aren't connected on my back. Each one manages to nick her in the back before returning around me. Man, these things are like Mu-13's weapons. They're amazing. Hehheh.
"Don't underestimate me." I say evenly, getting into a defensive stance as best I can.
"Heh." Rin grins, spinning around her twin scimitars. "Then I'll really go all out."
Even though she's a good fighter, Rin still isn't a swordswoman. While she has skill with her weapon, it's more of just chance that's the weapon she has rather than her training with those weapons for her whole life.
Because of the skill level between our blades, because Rin isn't utilizing anything advanced. I see… so she's focusing either on the swords or the cannons. She relies on mixing the two up to cover all distances, but hasn't quite combined them all together just yet.
Then again, with the size of that shockwave, using them at close range would prove to be dangerous to herself. It could interrupt her own attacks.
Let's do it!
The technique I just learned a few days ago…!
I block the first hit and then make the first slice. I score a hit.
The thrust comes next. That one is easily pushed away but—!
—The angular momentum that Rin gives me from pushing me lets me go for the spin to go for the neck slice!
I get the advantage, almost driving my sword right into her throat, but Rin manages to block with crossed blades. Four Swords, Index!
"Tch!"
She breaks lock to dodge, but I don't allow her to get away so easily.
"Not so fast!"
"Gah!"
Hmph, so she knows now that sticking to just the cannons won't let her do shit! Hehheh, she's not even taking advantage of the distance between us to try to take a potshot or two!
Sparks fly as our multiple blades clash, but behind the helmet's visor, it's nothing. Rin on the other hand, has to take a slight moment to equip her suit's visor and darken it so she won't damage her eyes or at least, so she can see past all the sparks.
But that single moment costs her another three hits. Because human eyes are attracted to motion and light for the most part, as her visor unfolds and is being put on, I was able to make use of her small distraction in order to get in.
"Ugh, that's not fair!" she grumbles.
"All's fair in love and war!" I yell out, delivering a crashing one handed blow that forces her to cross her blades to block it. She attempts to draw me but since I'm the one in the air, letting gravity do its work to pull me down just doesn't work and thusly her kick completely whiffs, leaving her vulnerable to some quick Azrad shots and a near miss with Index.
Yep, that's what all those simulations were for. Sword fighting in the air and without gravity is a lot different than if you were on the ground! It took a while to get used to it and still keep balanced with actually using a sword without an IS, but that's what all the kendo was for.
Because man, fuck crippling overspecialization!
Helios, prepare Unbreaking Hand!
"I always preferred it to be called Illusion Shattering Fist!" he replies as a knuckle-duster-fist that looks almost like the one Junk Warrior uses appears on my right hand, replacing my sword. It's not a complicated weapon, but it does help deal with some extra damage with fists plus it's one of my weapons made more for dealing physical damage. Essentially, like Rin's swords but in fist form. Probably not as effective, but it gets the job done.
Shooting backwards with a quick thruster boost, I launch The Four Swords, Index once again at Rin, trying to create an opening… THERE! Helios, let's use it! One Off Ability, active on Timaeus and Critias! Set to fifty percent!
"Determined Overflow – Destruction of Destiny, active! Spotting a miniscule chance of victory in the sea of defeat fills you with determination!"
This ability in particular allows for one thing: To overcharge any one of our abilities, whether that's Timaeus and Critias, our chest laser, Azrad, it's essentially a "one shot" upgrade. That means only using that ability once with this ability active.
It has a pretty significant cooldown and since we pump up a weapon or piece of equipment to critical levels, it means it's off the table for a good while. It really depends on how much we overclock it. It even works on the shields to some extent, but overclocking the shields to withstand a powerful attack more or less drains power from everything else, mainly Timaeus and Critias and Helios' computational potential. As for Azrad, due to its chaingun property, Determined Overflow – Destruction of Destiny gives it a bit of a sniper rifle shot, which is pretty useful.
Anyways, IS units don't normally have that ability, to drain from other systems. It's a safety thing just in case a pilot tries to overcrank something beyond all hell.
However, Determined Overflow – Destruction of Destiny allows for a temporary reprieve and if there's anything that the outputs have told me, we break the conservation of energy because the numbers do not add up. So YEAH, add that to the list of things Helios can do. Helios literally has no explanation for it other than 'Determination allows for breaking limits'.
Chain Severing Systems!
"Chain Severing Systems, Timaeus and Critias, Overflow Active!"
I'm pretty sure Cecilia's pissed herself now at seeing how fast that was, seeing she went up against Timaeus and Critias before and this time it is even faster.
The impact from the punch has apparently put a dent into her armor that she used to block, but at the same time, still sent her flying several meters. Haha, that was a lot of energy going in, after all. Probably should've used [Void Returner – Origin] there, but I at least did some damage one of her cannons. It seems less effective now, but the shockwave is still something I'd rather not get hit by.
The fifty percent from before meant that we went at 150% of the speed we normally do. Helios, give me a cooldown timer! Aw damn, ten minutes before I can use Timaeus and Critias again? Shit, that's pretty rough. Man, that cooldown timer is exponential, dammit!
"Remember Pilot Irivasel, One Off Abilities tend to be more tactical and cannot just be used willy nilly. Unfortunately, we simply didn't have enough data to figure out the real pattern."
Yeah, I know. Doesn't mean it isn't disappointing.
"Ha, of course."
"What the hell was that?!" Rin shouts as I continue to attack her with Index. "And you... are you serious?! My cannon...!"
Heh, do you think I'd explain my ability to an enemy? What is this, anime?
"Pilot Irivasel, you're piloting me, a sentient machine controlled by an AI, currently defying gravity by engineering that even the creator has no idea what went into it, possess an energy cannon, energy blade, throw swords like Gurren Lagann's sunglasses, if you had just angled your sword properly against Alcott would have executed a Giga Drill Break, and have an ability that defies the laws of nature."
…Aw, dammit.
"Come on, I thought you knew I was smarter than that."
"Smug idiot." She growls, dashing at me with her swords again. I swap out Unbreaking Hand for Unknown Variable, meeting her in the air once again.
The sparks fly once again as our blades cross. This time though, we've crossed swords enough times for me to understand how to counter them. While Rin is working off combat instinct from an IS standpoint… I'm working from that, but mainly just sheer skill and instinct from having honed my skill with a sword over and over and over for years and years and years.
Of course, Rin has noticed my one weakness while fighting in the air.
I attempt to keep a constant z-coordinate. In other words, stay on the same vertical level as if I was on the ground. Rin quickly takes to trying to circle around me, attacking me from a full sphere. Going to the ground isn't an option either, since that would let her get more momentum for every swing standing up in the air. It's better that I avoid a crash down attack and then let her have to recover for an upward attack, if I remember physics correctly.
…I'll trust this sword. As I always have.
Lessons upon lessons upon lessons flow through my bones. The mornings and afternoons and evenings and nights and days and weeks and months and years of teachings scream and whisper and comfort and cheer me on. My feelings hit an emotional high, overflowing with unstoppable speed.
Everything seems to get slower, or I'm moving faster, maybe. Somewhere along the line, Helios reminds me Timaeus and Critias have recharged. Rin's attacks get easier to predict. I'm barely even thinking now, running off pure, utter instinct. Despite the fact she has the advantage of years of piloting…
…I have the edge in combat.
But this stalemate can't last forever.
Helios, that energy blade… it's extremely high temperature, correct?
"Oh… a daring strategy, I see."
Let's do it!
Rin prepares to attack once again, but my blade splits out and once again, the glow of [Void Returner – Origin] lights up the arena. It digs slightly into her blade—
KABHAAOOOOOOOM!
Helios, break engagement!
Before I can deal anymore damage to her blade, we immediately shoot back and return to Unknown Variable. Helios, shield report!
"Minimal shield drain. We still have plenty left."
Helmet, off.
The helmet disappears with a glow as I scan the area with my eyes through the clear visor. There's some burning wreckage down below, the smoke still hasn't cleared.
Helios, private channel, link us to Rin and the base. As much encryption as we can do. Helmet back on, let's keep a camera focus on that smoke pile.
"Understood."
"Rin." I say, moving with my back towards her in a defensive position. "Can you hear me?"
"I hear you."
"What's the situation?"
"That's what I'm trying to find out."
"Orimura-sensei?"
"Hold position, but be cautious. The enemy has sent us into lockdown, level 4 shields and locking the doors. Thus, we can't get any additional support to you."
"So no one is able to evacuate?" I mutter, clenching my fist. "…What about the ventilation systems? No emergency physical openings? Because if not, someone really should talk to someone about that. OSHA standards, or something like that."
The smoke clears just after I finish saying this.
"Pilot Irivasel—"
Before Helios can even vocally warn me, I've already commanded us to move since the textual warning was on the screen. A purple colored laser tears through the air where I would've been. Damn!
"Shit!" I grumble, realizing the enemy hasn't fired again. "…So that was an introduction, huh? Heh, let's go."
I look at our opponent again. Its arms are massive, going all the way below the waist. There's no visible head, shoulders, neck… and like Helios, it's a full set of armor.
Normally one doesn't need a full set of armor. Helios is an anomaly in that, but that's okay. Either way, it's strange. Helios, full scan.
Our opponent is hunched over, but if they were fully stretched would be over two meters. Heat sensors reveal it is using some sort of nozzle propulsions that set it into position.
And…?
"Thermal scan does not indicate a pilot."
I see.
"Orimura-sensei, how long will it take to get the evacuation doors open and anyone into deal with this?"
"…It could take ten minutes, but more."
"Then it appears we'll have to hold it off." I mutter, spinning the sword around a few times. "…Yuki, believe in me. Rin, let's get to work."
Helios, let's go.
"Combat Mode, Revised. New Target designated."
Helios, monitor our target's movements. We'll attempt a few pass runs before developing a strategy.
"Rin, keep communications to a low. We don't know if our enemy can intercept communications. If anything from now, utilize text communications. Also… Orimura-sensei, Helios does not detect a heat signature that denotes a human pilot."
"I see."
"Do we engage as an automated unit?"
"Yes."
"Prioritize capture or destruction?"
"Destruction, but attempt to keep the core intact."
"Rin, there are our orders. Let's go."
Yuki, keep me safe. May your faith in me shine.
The text comes up on my screen in Japanese, easy for me to read. "Let's try a simple pincer maneuver. You left, me right."
I flash the acknowledgement signal to let her know that I've got the message before sending my own. "Let's split down the middle and part only to execute maneuver or dodge."
She flashes her own acknowledgement signal and we blaze straight for it, Rin on top as I keep lower to the ground. It fires once with both arms, but we easily dodge it. It's huge and takes time to aim and in that time frame, it's child's play for Helios to simulate its firing solution.
When we go for our pincer, it prioritizes shooting me first, even though Rin came in to attack before I did due to her longer sword. We break off and get some distance, but the bot doesn't move.
"Pilot Irivasel, I have now seen and calculated the extent of its laser. I will now place on our display the region the laser will hit. Also, if you did not see it earlier, Timaeus and Critias are available again, so we can fight at full capacity."
Ah, I see. So as long as we stay out of that red cylinder, we're good. Forward the information to Rin with an explanation so she can have the data as well.
"Understood."
I send a text message to Rin: "Let's try another one. Delayed hit. You attack, I'll delay two seconds. I think I have something."
"Got it." The text message says back.
Let's try this.
"What's on your mind, Pilot Irivasel?"
I think there might be something.
As our attacks go, even though I'm two full seconds behind, it ignores Rin and takes multiple hits if only to try to destroy me… no, it's not attacking us in a way to destroy us!
"It's attempting to capture us!"
Helios, SEVER CHAINS! BACK US THE HELL AWAY!
"Understood!"
Green, blue, and white explode all around us, catapulting us away. The beast of a machine does not attempt to pursue…?!
Helios, keep logging its behavior and forward it to Rin! Assume the enemy's objective is to capture us!
"Got it. Should we not attempt to keep our distance?"
We don't know if it will attack the students without a distraction as it hasn't moved to actively capture us and we have a responsibility as the technical first responders to keep this at bay until further help arrives and keep the students safe.
"I understand."
Good. But… we can probably try to defeat it as well. Let's send a message to Rin, and Helios, prepare to overclock Timaeus and Critias.
"To what level?"
Not One-Off Ability levels, just below that. We're probably about to border on the level where we'd need it.
Ah, there's a slight difference between overclock and our One Off. Overclock means we're actively risking damage to the unit by putting it up a little over max capacity without draining our other systems. The One Off apparently and somehow negates this risk and drains other systems, but the results are much, much higher than an overclock.
"Understood."
My message reads: "Rin, let's go for an all-out blitz. However, you will need to attack where I am going to attack as the enemy is going to capture me. We need to mix it up."
"I see." Her reply is.
We repeat several hit and run attacks like this, taking advantage of its apparently programming to capture me. Every time I get in close, it ignores Rin, which pretty much… makes it really easy, provided that I dodge.
…I have an idea.
"Rin, how good are you at Chinese?"
"Ha, like you should even have to ask."
"My instructions will be basic, but the text should be enough to decipher. If our opponent isn't a pilot but an automated system, it will have difficulty deciphering in the event of communication interception."
"Hm, okay. Clever."
"Alright, let's go."
Helios, prepare to decimate our enemy!
I send the message in Mandarin Chinese this time. "Behind. Down. Above. Pass through."
With that, I shoot straight for the monstrosity of metal in front of us. It readies for the strike to grab me—
—But Rin crashes down on top of it as she was readying for being right behind me, having shot ahead at the last second! Twin swords break through its thin shields, dealing some physical damage to this thing. Not yet over though, since I've still got an attack!
After two quick slices, I immediately shift out, moving around while not staying still, thinking of another attack.
Hmm, I'd like to finish this quickly with our energy blade, but it's too risky. The enemy's attempting to capture us, so it would be safe to assume it's aware of our capabilities. Thusly, we need to get it into a position where we can safely use [Void Returner – Origin].
Okay, let's keep weakening it for now.
Helios, send message to Rin. "Nozzles. Target."
"Understood."
Helios, highlight left side nozzles and forward to Rin.
"I understand, Pilot Irivasel."
We go in for the kill. I move in first, allowing it to focus on me while preparing to utilize Timaeus and Critias in the event it tries to pounce on us. Rin smashes into its nozzles and since there's so many, she's able to hit the key ones I wanted along with any around it. Heh, those huge swords are good for something, huh? She'd be a good partner to have if I really wanted to deal some damage.
"I would just like to say that this unit is pairable with any other unit, Pilot Irivasel. With our large arsenal of weaponry that few other units are able to boast, we can take any role."
Heh, sounds about right.
Okay good, the enemy's off balance now. Let's not take out the other thrusters and let it regain some of that balance.
…I think I have a plan to go for the kill. Helios, mind running this situation…?
"I give it a fairly good chance of working. Please do take theoretical calculations with a grain of salt, however."
I understand. Either way, it's out only shot of winning. If we destroy it now, the evacuation can take place without as much panic.
"Understood, Pilot Irivasel. At your command."
I need another message to Rin.
"Weapon. Pass?"
"Moment." Two seconds later. "Cleared."
Heh.
"Lift air."
"Bold plan."
"If done, extreme damage. Get me close."
Helios… prepare Solarius.
"Understood." He says as I see the meter begin to rise. Charging… alright.
"I-Irivasel!"
"Alcott?" I ask, backflipping to avoid a laser blast. "What's up?"
"We managed to blast a door open with my IS, I'm going in to support!"
I look around the arena, finding we're actually pretty close to a launch pad. The hangar door is still closed, but I guess they blew a hole in it with concentrated laser fire. "Alcott, prepare for a sniper shot for the enemy near my position. Sorry if it sounds demeaning, but do not open fire unless told to."
"…O-okay."
"Keep the shot ready, but do not enter combat and stay out of sight."
Azrad, let's go!
Pointing up, I shoot the energy chain gun at the beast, watching the heat meter shoot up in nearly an instant with how fast we're shooting.
I zoom in, knowing this will be the pivoting point in this battle. Either this works, or it doesn't…!
Almost there—! It's coming down on top of me to capture me… crouch down and angle myself right…!
HELIOS! BLAST HIM! ONE OFF ABILITY, ACTIVE! SET TO FULL!
"Determined Overflow – Destruction of Destiny, activated! The chance to destroy our enemy completely fills you with determination!"
"SOLARIUS, FULL POWER, OVERFLOW ACTIVE!" Both of us scream.
A while blinding light shines out from Helios' chest. The armor at about heart level opens up, revealing a white, crystalline structure that has a green glow at the center. Light continues to overflow out, forming into the shape of a beam that smashes into the golem in front of us.
There's a massive explosion and the sheer blast launches the golem into the air. And now—
"CHAIN SEVERING SYSTEMS, TIMAEUS AND CRITIAS, ACTIVE!" Helios shouts as I take out Unbreaking Fist and shoot straight up, further attacking it with one hell of an uppercut.
As I hit the peak and round back down, Rin follows up and attacks with sweeping arms, leaving one blade spinning in the air.
I grab it on the way down, going for twin bisecting cuts. As I recoil back from the shields being hit, I whip myself around and toss the sword back, Rin catching it. Helios, how's its shields going?!
"It seems to be weakening, Pilot Huang's swords seemingly left more physical damage on it."
Then let's try it!
"Chain Severing Systems, Timaeus and Critias, Overclock Active!"
While that doesn't actually mean much as we're technically unable to execute an Overclock since we just used our One Off ability at max capacity, it sounds nice as we hurtle forward. This is the same attack we used before on Houki… but this time in three dimensions! Unknown Variable, to my side!
Alright here goes! Classic Serpentine Maneuver, Overclock, Three Dimensional Tornado Variant!
UP WE GO!
Shoot up, delivering the first uppercut.
Shoot down, with a devastating diagonal slice.
Shoot left, shoot right, whipping around for a blitz of a backhand!
We're not as fast as when we used it against Houki, but we're definitely fast enough!
…Even with all of this pain, as the movement causes my bones to ache and my stomach feels like it's being twisted into a thousand knots in this blue and green and white inferno as I whip around at impossible angles… why do I feel… good?
This… this feeling within me…!
Yes, I remember this now… it's been so long since I had a true fight! One where my life was on the line!
Training, training, training. Yes, all of it's good, but in the end, something was lacking in all of those battles!
This time… because this fight… has real consequences! Not just because my life is at risk! Rather, if I lose here, people I care for will die or be hurt! And most of all, if I die here, which is an actual possibility, Yuki will be saddened! I will not allow that to HAPPEN! NO MATTER WHAT, I CAN'T DIE HERE! I'LL DESTROY YOU BEFORE YOU EVEN GET THE CHANCE!
"Wh-what is this…?! Our One Off Ability activated…?! Pilot Irivasel, there's been an anomaly! Solarius' cooldown just instantly—"
Shooting off into the air after another three hits, I prepare Solarius, whose cooldown timer has become zero!
EAT THIS! FIRING SOLARIUS!
The laser tears right into the beast, with me pursuing after it. I use Timaeus and Critias to get down below before it can hit the ground. Come on, here we go!
Helios, prepare Unbreaking Hand!
"U-understood, Pilot Irivasel!"
Sever Chains!
"C-chain Severing Systems, Timaeus and Critias, Active!"
As it descends, I meet the mechanical beast with the force of a powerful uppercut, sending it back into the air. Let's keep this combo rolling!
Another sixteen hits and then we shoot into the air…!
Four Swords, Index!
The four swords disconnect off my back and fly down, trapping the dented golem of metal in the air. Void Returner, Origin, activate!
The display in the helmet fizzles for a second before the energy blade solidifies as we plunge down. A cut right through the middle!
I look back afterwards, finding a red, pulsating object in the middle that I barely missed!
"Alcott, fire at the glow! Everything you got!"
—A blue beam slices through the air. With pinpoint accuracy, it rips through the glow, leaving a hole. Helios!
"Moving!"
With one last blast, we're thrown out of the way from the debris. It crashes lifelessly to the ground. Helios… open helmet…
"Got it."
Haaa… the… adrenaline… is wearing off…
BLEEEEEGH!
I blow chunks onto the dirt before sinking down onto the ground. Pheeeww… that made me… really nauseous…
"I'll turn us on the side so we don't choke… Also, opening chest compartment… Solarius needs to cool down."
I see a pile of smoke pour out of my chest armor that opens up along with a hiss. Ah…
Right… now… I think I'm just gonna pass out. I feel realllly sick…
Helios
As soon as she was able to, Rin had answered the phone buzzing in Irivsael's belongings, telling Houki to go to their room in order to pick up the charger for his phone.
"Waaaaa! Lione?! Lione is that you?!"
"No, it's Rin." The Chinese girl answered, fiddling around with the phone until she found how to turn on the video feed. "Lione's still out cold, he really pushed himself today."
She set the phone down, finding a small stack of pens to use as a stand, before positioning the phone so Yuki could see her sleeping prince. He was still wearing his latex from before and while he didn't have any noticeable physical injuries, the sheer force exerted on him from those crazy maneuvers with Timaeus and Critias probably had some effect on him.
"I-is he okay?!"
Rin grabbed the clipboard and moved it in front of the phone. "They couldn't find anything and I think they're still processing some of the x-rays. He should be fine though."
"G-good…"
"Hehehe, you really care for and love him, don't you?"
"Yes! W-w-wai-wait! You tricked me!"
"So you don't love him? I heard Lione admitted to the school he loved you in this really roundabout way that I'd expect from him."
"Hawawawa…" Rin looked over and found the purple haired girl covering her now extremely red face, Houki rolling her eyes as she tossed the charger to Rin to plug in. "H-he did?!"
"Well, everyone was pressuring him to tell the newspaper club how he felt about you." Houki said with a shrug. "I think he just wanted to say the truth to your face first directly. Those certain three words, if you know what I mean."
If this were a cartoon, Yuki's ears would have been billowing so much smoke the EPA would've already sent a containment unit. "B-but… I-I don't think… he…"
"You don't think he feels that way?" Rin asked with a raised eyebrow. "Yuki-chan, in every single battle he's fought, he always calls for you."
"And in our exam two days ago, he didn't scream it out loud, but I could see him mouthing it." Houki added, further weakening Yuki's lack of self-confidence. "I don't think you can really say that Lione isn't madly in love with you."
"Ha… hahaha, that's a nice thought…" Yuki shyly giggled. "B-but I don't think that's the case… hahaha… it… it would be so nice if L-lione l…l…l-loved m-me…"
"Honestly, the way he does things, I think he's more afraid that you don't love him." Houki continued. "…that night, actually. And the day after the battle with Cecilia. I asked him how he felt about you and there was this… look on his face."
"A look?"
"Well, he did also say he hadn't thought of romance, but the way he said it made me think that it was more that you wouldn't accept him if he tried to become someone like your boyfriend."
"O-o-oh… where is it…"
"Hm?" Rin and Houki asked as Yuki fished around the papers on her desk. "What is it?"
"Oh, here it is. Umm… Lione's advice on what to say if the girls ever keep bugging you about me… Um… Y-you shouldn't tell me these things until you admit your own feelings to the guys you like. Um… H-houki, I don't like the grimace you have…"
Houki, at this very moment, realized one, that she wanted to immediately strangle Lione in his sleep right now, and two, that he was very good at getting his vengeance, even if it wasn't through him. Smart bastard.
"H-hmph. Well, little does he know that it doesn't apply to me anymore!" she lied.
"Ooooh, so you told Ichika?" Rin asked, eyes a little wide. "Wow, I should call him and congratulate him!"
And Houki's immediate reaction to lunge for Rin's phone gave her away.
Still though, Yuki's heart was racing at a million beats per second. To think that Lione would be scared of rejection from her… she would never do that! She'd… she'd definitely accept him right away! She knew in her heart if she admitted it, things would go much faster, but the very thought of even admitting such feelings, even to the one that she so loved dearly, terrified her.
I-I'd like to say… and hear those words… she thought, a smile breaking out on her lips and in her heart as she thought of such a scene. She had planned to tell him on their group's usual summer vacation, but then he was ripped away so suddenly…
"Hm?" Rin looked at Lione's phone as it beeped. "Reconstruction complete? What's this?"
"Hey, isn't it rude to poke around?"
"But Houki, this video is dated to Lione's childhood." She said, looking at the file. "Heh, it's a notification thing too, so let's see if I… heh, yep. Bypassed the security lock."
"Mama, mama!" A young Lione yelled out, running over and leaping up to hug… Katsugari-sensei?
She looks… so beautiful. Houki whispered in her mind. They used to be close?
"Come on, Li-kun. Hyaaa~" A much younger version of Katsugari lifted her son into the air and spun her around. "Hehehe!"
"Hahahaha!"
"Now, you must get serious."
"O-okay, mama!"
The two of them engaged in some sword training. Techniques that Lione claimed were taught to him by his father… but yet here, they were doing them all the same.
They paused the video as they heard someone stirring.
"Ngh…"
"He's waking up." Rin said, standing up. "Hey Houki-san, we should get going."
"We should." She replied without any further words, leaving Yuki behind with Lione.
"Huh…?" Lione muttered, hearing only the door closing. "What's going on?"
"Y-you're awake?!"
"Oh… hey Yuki." Lione smiled, sitting up straight and grabbing the phone. "Huh, I guess Rin and Houki set this up? I'll have to thank them later. How are you doing?"
"I'm fine! What about you? I… they haven't told us anything!"
"I don't know if I'm allowed to tell you, but let's just say I got into a pretty real fight." He replied with a chuckle, shaking, shaking his head. "…Though, thanks for looking out for me."
"B-but I didn't…"
"You did. After all, your faith in me is what kept me going." He grinned, flashing a thumbs up. "…I mean… it's why I do ask you to believe in me."
"L-lione…"
"You heard me calling for you again, right?"
"Mhm! I… it made me really, really glad!"
"D'aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaw!" A new voice cried out from the side.
"S-shut up, Melanie." Lione immediately snapped, turning his head away as he put the phone in front of him. "Though… are you guys doing okay?"
"Yes… but um…"
"Oh you should know, Yuki made a Lione hugging pillow~"
"I-I-I DID NOT!"
"I'll go get iiiiiit!"
"S-SIIIIIIIS!"
Lione paused, looking at the blushing girl in front of him who was covering her face with her tiny hands, trying to conceal a face blazing red like a sunset.
"D-do you really have one…?"
"I… I… I really miss you, Lione."
"Um…"
"P-please don't think—"
"C-could you make one for me… of you…?"
"W-w-wha-wha-whaaaa…?! L-lione?!"
"Ehehehe, forget I asked."
"N-no! It's okay! I… I think…"
"I mean because… I… I really miss you two as well." He admitted, sinking his head down. "And um… if you're okay with that, that's fine with me…"
"I'll… I'll get started right away!" Yuki shouted. "I'll definitely make it the best it could possibly be! A-ah… i-it won't be like um… other body pillows though…"
"I'll be fine with whatever you give me."
And thus the comedy between two people who were so deeply in love with each other yet were too scared to admit it continued…
Katsugari looked over the battle data and the core which had unfortunately been too damaged. Then again, the objective was not to capture, but destroy. Not to mention that her son was apparently the target, or at least was said by his report.
"…Yes." Katsugari said into the phone of a special design that no one else down here knew she had. "I was unable to determine the design. I don't think there's a link to Phantom Task. Yes, there's nothing to indicate it was them. Shinonono? Hm, I'd suspect her. Keep tabs on her, even if it's difficult.
"…Understood. I'll keep observing. Talk to you later. Irivasel, out."
Today, Irivasel had almost got caught by that new machine designated as a Golem. She would train him… yes, train him so he'd be better. Both as one who would possibly continue the fight for tomorrow… but also as her son. She wanted to make sure he received the entirety of the training an Irivasel deserved.
Nodding to herself, she walked the empty halls.
Meusel… I wonder if you're behind this. I highly doubt it, as it isn't in your method of doing things, but nonetheless…
She took a look at the folder in her hands, which was a complaint from Pilot Irivasel, who had noted that during the evacuation, he was told additional support was not coming for a while because they couldn't get the door open due to the emergency situation. His exact words had been, in quite the informal fashion "What the hell do you mean 'The enemy IS locked the doors'? What kind of doors do we have that lock and can't be opened from the inside in an emergency situation, especially in rooms pertinent to IS operations?! I understand setting the barriers to level 4 so IS units can't through, but seriously…"
Hehehe.
So, did you figure out what Lione's One Off Ability does? Like I said in my previous hint, it was "What does determination allow you to break?" The answer of course, break limits. Lione breaks the limits on his equipment by sacrificing other parts of himself in order to accomplish a task. Oooof course, if you caught it, you can find the second effect of his ability.
Anyways, you can see the influences on First Shift Helios. The chest laser was inspired from Shin Mazinger Z (from its Breast Fire move), Unbreaking Hand is a reference to TTGL (Kamina's Giga Drill Break scene has a part where he catches the beam, saying "It can't break this hand!") though Helios' name for it, Illusion Shattering Fist is a shoutout to To Aru, and Timaeus and Critias are fairly obvious XD
Alright, quick summary time. Houki and Rin have a talk, a certain mother comes in and starts changing things up, and then THE RIN BATTLE. Irivasel's small science spiel in the middle was a little tricky. We originally thought that Rin fired "air rockets" but upon further review found it was just shockwaves, so unfortunately Irivasel didn't have an easy counter, but it was fun all the while. Also, since the weapons themselves aren't shielded and well, Irivasel has a fucking laser blade (i.e. extremely hot, considering it's a fucking energy weapon) we thought it'd be able to cut through Rin's steel sword. Seriously, it's a laser blade. That thing is HEATED UP, if I remember my basics correctly.
Anyways, golem battle. Pretty standard, though we used it for Helios' One-Off once again. Guess who sent the Golem :D Then, post battle, more Yuki/Irivasel fluff along with some of Irivasel's backstory being revealed. And theeen we get to where things start diverging a bit with Katsugari. And no, before you ask, her referring to herself as Irivasel in the phone call is not a typo.
As for Lione's argument, I thought that was a little silly in the novel. The doors locked because of the Golem… so… there's no way to open any of the emergency exits out of the room? You'd figure a place like the operator room, which is so close to the IS Arena, would have a way OUT OF THE ROOM, along with a way to manually open up the hangars in the event of an emergency. Or at least, that's how we interpreted the text, which again, we thought was a little silly.
Well, I think that's all I have to say about the novelization and our thoughts! Seeya all next year! Happy Holidays, readers!