For the Humanity Within

Disclaimer: Megaman is owned by Capcom but the names used here are meant for fictional purposes. If real names appear here, this is out of coincidence.

Note: Some characters, antagonist, minor sides, are owned by yours truly.

This chapter is dedicated to MegaAuthor and Rising Dragon

And now, chapter 6

VI. Awakening in Twilight

From the shadows hidden by the twilight was a silhouette of a massive being with a stature of 7 feet. Kojiro stood watch at a distance as the figure sauntered slowly. He grimaced as he felt his hand clasp the handle of his saber. He could feel Ciel's arms clinging to him as she shuddered with the image of the being. Her breathing increased as she felt fear take over. Kojiro tightened the grip of the object upon his hand as he backed off a little.

Criel was rushing through the streets, partly empty due to the number of vehicles passing through the path. He turned on one corner smoothly while he went on with his motorbike.

"This isn't good. They can't handle it by themselves." Criel whispered to himself as he rode swiftly on his motorbike. He twisted the throttle of the vehicle as it accelerated. "I must hurry."

Akira took Pai's hand as he brought her to come closer behind him. Kaze remained at his stance while Mayu stood beside him as a group of Blood Flaw came forth from the distortion. Kamui stepped forward as he felt the ring materialize upon his wrist. It was beginning to gather energy as his body slightly glowed. Alia stepped back as he noticed his action.

"Akira, Kojiro. We have a different problem. We have to protect them from these freaks." Kamui said with a firm tone.

"I was aware of that. It'll be hard but we have to take them elsewhere." Kojiro replied, noticing this premise. "But where should we go to now…?"

Kamui said nothing as he stretched his hand and fired a massive charge shot, clearing their path of the minions. "Guys, this way,"

The group ran on that direction as Kamui led them in their escape. Ciel stumbled as the others ran. Kojiro turned back and found her a prey to the attack of these foes. She was in shock as she raised her hand to her head, letting out a scream. But she turned and found Kojiro standing with the saber revealing its blade while they were slashed into pieces as they were thrown aside with one stroke. Kojiro took her hand and helped her stand. Another Blood Flaw pounced but was slashed down with a rising vertical slash.

"We have to run." Kojiro said to her as he held her hand and ran. Ciel followed while being tugged along with him through the avenue.

On the other hand, Criel rushed through the street and found a group of Blood Flaw blocking his path. He turned and stopped his bike sideways, quickly whisking his hand as he hurled a crescent blade upon them. It took flight as it whirled and struck them down as it curved and returned to his grasp.

"Almost there. They should be here somehow." Criel smirked as he hurled three of these crescent blades upon another wave of foes. "This just feels like the old days."

Kamui and Alia stopped at a dead end around the alley. The Blood Flaw came in groups as they were cornered, showing no path of escape that is to be done. Kamui clenched his fist as the energy gathered upon his arm, the ring revolving around his wrist as it gathered energy. But on that same moment, Alia felt her head throb in pain as it drove her down on her knees. Kamui turned his sight to her as she was clinging on his leg.

"Alia, are you alright?" Kamui called out to her. "Hey, Alia…"

She never answered as her grasp tightened upon his trousers. There was not much time left as they pounced at the pair. Kamui sensed them as they were about to strike. The claws came and struck the motionless form. A torn piece of cloth fell on the pavement. Kamui raised his hand at the pouncing foe as its claw shred only the sleeve of his uniform. Strangely, it didn't wound him as the ring that circled his hand brought in protrusions that blocked the attack while a field of energy circled around his form like a barrier. Alia was shocked at what she saw. Kamui summon his strength as he pushed them back with his arms with much force that hurled them to the ground. He stretched his hand as the protruding bars unleashed themselves as they spread in a hexagonal formation. The energy field that circled his body came to move as they gathered upon the ring and unto his palm. Half of the bars made of unnatural material folded back as they touched the arm while the rest bent slightly in a triangular alignment. Kamui held his outstretched hand as he heard the voice within.

"It's time to awaken…"

Kamui released the shot as it was unleashed upon his foes. The energy blasted out three shots as they coiled around like serpents. As it made its impact upon the enemy, it destroyed those who blocked their path. Alia was astonished upon such sight, shocked at what just happened. But it was taken over by relief. The formation upon Kamui's hand began to vanish, reverting back to its former form.

"W-what just happened there…?" Alia muttered. It was too much for her to see. But she felt a prompting within her as she sensed the enemy. "Kamui, it's still there."

Heeding her words, Kamui stretched his hand and began a barrage of charged energy shots upon that direction. The battalion that came had no chance to counter or run with this action.

Kojiro and Ciel were still running as they are being pursued. The Blood Flaw were gaining as one pounced to strike Ciel. Kojiro pulled her close to him, putting her to safety while the assailant missed. Ciel went behind him as Kojiro slashed the being with a vertical stroke, cutting it in half. There came three more upon their direction. As one of them lunged forth with its claws thrusting towards him, the other launched up in the air with a descending attack as they targeted to kill both of them.

"Ciel, stay back," Kojiro warned her as he clasped the saber with both hands. He parried the incoming thrust as he angled his blade diagonally, deflecting the enemy towards the side. Then, he turned as he caught the limb of the assailant with his right hand while he flipped his grip with the saber with the left hand and gave a rising slash dividing the enemy cleanly in half. He then held the saber with both hands as he let the blade stroke down with force like a hammer. With the force exerted, it sent a blast of energy that blew the incoming attacker into pieces. Kojiro was surprised with the effect of the attack.

"You must grow more in strength."

A shrill scream was heard behind him. Kojiro turned, finding a Blood Flaw stalking and readying itself to pounce. Ciel was down on the ground in fear as she was crawling away. Kojiro felt the voice again, calling the shots.

:"Now I shall give you another gift…Aim as you would hold a gun."

Kojiro followed as light gathered upon his palm, crafting a weapon. As the light settled, it gave shape to a firearm resembling a pistol. He pulled the trigger as it fired a shot upon the chest of the enemy. It was pushed back but still standing. Then again, Kojiro shot it once more as it brought the enemy down. Without any thought bothering him, he rushed to Ciel's side.

"Are you alright?" Kojiro inquired with concern, kneeling next to her.

She only nodded with a sign of relief. Kojiro reached his hand to her as the buster gun vanished upon the flash of light.

"Can you stand?" he held her hand as she tried to stand on her two feet. Then slowly they sauntered away.

Akira and Pai were walking, searching for the rest of the group. Akira was cautious as Pai walked a bit closer to him. The shadows lurking upon the corners startled her, letting out a muffled cry. She clung on to Akira, shuddering in fear.

"…what was that…?" she whispered.

"Stay close to me, Pai. We don't know what's going to show up." Akira replied to her as he kept himself alert and continued walking. Pai kept close as both of them walked through the dark street.

Akira felt the air in its tense state, a presence is being evident. Then from the shadows the Blood Flaw came forth and charged forward. Pai held Akira close as she stood behind him in fear. As if out of reflex, Akira stretched his hand and light gathered upon his palm, revealing the pistol upon his hand as the light dissipated. He began shooting them one by one without hesitation. And at every shot made, one by one they collapsed. But a Blood Flaw lunged out of the group. Akira found the rushing being and pulled the trigger, pushing the enemy back with the impact of the energy shot made.

"Tch, we have to find them. Mayu and Kaze are in danger." Akira grimaced as they kept on searching.

Kaze and Mayu ran, being pursued by the Blood Flaw as they came in a pack. Before them, another pack came to being as they blocked the path. They were encased in between without escape. Kaze felt his heart pound as he could do nothing. Mayu felt the same thing as she stood behind him. The silence took over as something began to unveil within them.

If this is the end, this sucks. This is a nightmare...Mayu thought to herself as she watched them approach slowly. Someone, please help.

If only I could fight. Kaze wished in his thoughts when he clasped his card deck. Then he felt a shock within his body. A purple glow enveloped his body on that moment. Mayu saw him, unable to shout due to the terror felt.

"You are not alone Kaze, now draw those cards and use your skill in such games." the voice whispered within Kaze's mind. He drew a hand of five cards and with one hand he revealed his hand to himself. He smirked as he glared at their assailants. "Now, throw the cards at them. I will show its power."

Kaze followed as he hurled the cards in the air. The light revealed the hand of three aces and two kings. The cards gathered and circled whilst light amassed. From the encased light was a barrage of cards rushing quickly upon their foes, dealing their destruction as they were struck down by razor sharp projectiles.

"Death House…" said a familiar voice from afar. Kaze heard it clearly along with the sound of an engine revving, resounding louder. From above came a figure of a man on a motorbike. The vehicle landed before Kaze and Mayu and stretched his hand and sent out azure spheres. It froze one Blood Flaw as it hit while sending shards of ice unto others, impaling them with the frozen pieces. He gazed at the other side as he saw the fallen gray beings, noting the impaled cards upon their bodies. Kaze and Mayu stood unknowing of the stranger's identity.

"So you have awakened. There could be more of you." he said calmly. "Here, ride on. I'll take you to a safe place."

Unable to respond with words, Kaze and Mayu hitched a ride on the stranger's motorcycle. Securely placed on their seats, the biker rode and went through the Blood Flaw without effort. Little by little, they lost sight of the violent beings as they stopped on a bus stop near the park.

"Here we are." he said as he stopped before the shed. Mayu and Kaze disembarked from their ride. "Now I should go and find the rest."

Kaze felt a sense of familiar identity upon hearing the stranger's voice. He gazed at the person and whispered. "I think I have heard that voice from somewhere. Excuse me sir, but have we met before?"

The stranger left no answer as he turned with his bike and said his parting words. "I'll be back and we'll talk about this later. Stay there." Without any delay, he sped off as he went on with his searching.

Akira and Pai continued walking in a dark alley. The sun has already gone and the darkness took over. The street lamps were the only thing that gave light to their path. It was quiet, only breathing and footsteps echoed.

"Do you think they're gone?" Pai asked Akira with a soft voice.

"I hope they are." Akira replied as he let out a sigh. "The truth is that if felt like I was reliving a certain memory, repeating an experience that I have faced but it even intensified. It's strange."

Pai smiled at him as she heard Akira's words. "It sounds strange but it is like that."

"Yeah, I guess."

A piece of metal fell unto a ground with a ping breaking the still silence. Akira and Pai turned and searched where it came from. By reflex, Akira raised his pistol and aimed at a dark corner. Tension arose from his form as he waited.

"Hey, put it down. It's just us." said Kamui's voice as from the shadows revealed Kamui and Alia walking towards their direction.

"Don't scare us like that." Akira replied, lowering the gun.

"Like you're gonna have a heart attack." Alia snickered.

"Ok, that's it." Akira reacted with temper.

"Alright, now to find the others…" Kamui said to them as he walked along with Alia. Akira and Pai followed the pair as they searched for Kojiro and Ciel.

Kojiro held Ciel's hand as they sauntered. The moonlight showed its first sign of its smile. The crescent serenity gave little comfort to Ciel as she limped. Kojiro stopped as he turned to her with concern.

"Don't worry about me. I'm alright." she said to him but she twitched in pain.

"Don't force yourself." Kojiro replied as he helped her down, laying her on a nearby light post. Soon after, he brought his form beside her as his form touched the pavement of the sidewalk. "Rest for a while. It'll be alright."

"Will it be alright?" Ciel asked softly, exhausted by the pain and the fear. "Kojiro, do you think everything…will be alright?"

Kojiro gazed at her face as she leaned on his shoulder as she rested. He closed his eyes and took a breath. Then he calmly answered. "Yes, it will be alright. I promise."

The silence parted from them, broken by a sudden noise. A tremor shook the pair as a huge figure came before them. Its eyes filled with malice glared at the two as its hands sparked and flickered. The being clad in golden armor snapped its fingers as it sent a shot of electricity to her. Kojiro threw his form aside as he grasped Ciel's body and rolled aside. Shaken, Ciel felt dazed while she rested within Kojiro's arms.

"Ciel, wake up… Ciel," Kojiro called her name as he tried to wake her up but no answer came to be heard. He laid her upon the tree to rest, in him came an ardent urge.

Kojiro turned to the being clad in golden armor. He rose as he clenched his fist and gripped the saber's handle as its blade materialized. Clasping it with both hands, he angled his weapon and stood his ground before this massive being. The gold one snickered with malice as his hand flickered with energy.

"You will now die…"

Kojiro felt something within him gather upon the blade. He felt a fervent will come forth within him as an aura of crimson eminence came to being, veiling his body. The gold one gathered his power as he hurled a ball of charged energy. Kojiro dashed forward, feeling his senses sharpen at that moment and with a swing of his blade, he parried and deflected the shot back to the enemy. The gold being deflected the shot with its palm, whisking it aside. But as the flash of plasma was deflected, the being turned a blind eye upon Kojiro's form as a slash struck his chest and arm as it went through. The adversary groaned with pain as it sent its fist to strike Kojiro, sending his body to the side rolling upon the pavement. He quickly recovered from the fall as he stood and grasped his blade firmly.

"I will not forgive you for what you did." Kojiro said with a cold tone, his tone ran harsh as he glared at the enemy with his gray eyes.

Yet it was unnoticed. The being was taking ample steps on where Ciel was. Kojiro was about to make an attack when an array of energy came rushing towards the adversary. Three energy beams that coiled about in helixes made its collision upon the enemy, damaging its arm. The being halted and made its turn upon where Kojiro stood but soon after, a barrage of shots were made as it hit the body and arms and a few on the head. Kojiro only stood there wondering where it came from when…

"Guess you need help for this one." Akira said to him.

Kojiro turned to his back and found Kamui and Akira, along with Pai and Alia. Bewildered upon seeing the latter pair, he looked at Akira and Kamui with a questioning gaze.

"We'll talk about this later. Right now, we have to finish this guy up." Kamui rashly said to Kojiro.

The being roared as it began to flicker and gather plasma. The electricity was conjured into a charged sphere affront its form, readying itself to attack. But as it was going to initiate its attack, a sphere of ice came with great velocity. It struck the being and froze its body as it canceled the charging. A noise of a motorbike was heard soon after as a dark figure came skidding affront the trio. The black motorcycle and the rider faced them and gave his hint.

"Now's your chance," said the stranger. "Use your powers together. Kamui, focus your energy and use the Dragon Shot. Akira, shoot a barrage on the creature for cover fire while Kamui initiates his shot. Kojiro, focus your energy on the blade for this single blow. Do it now."

The trio did what the stranger said. Akira dashed on the right side, unleashing a barrage with his pistols. Kamui remained on where he stood as he stretched his hand, summoning the ring and the bars that surrounded his hand in a delta formation as it began to amass energy. Kojiro clasped his saber as he concentrated his will upon the weapon. He then dashed towards the enemy. Akira halted his barrage when Kojiro jumped and slashed with all his strength.

"Ganzanha!" Kojiro shouted as a disembodied voice mingled with his as he stroked the saber with power. The saber flashed and sent a geyser of energy upon the being. Then, he sidestepped and dashed aside upon sensing Kamui's attack coming into place.

Kamui held his hand as he recoiled upon releasing the shot. The barrier of energy gathered into his hand and released three 'dragons' as they rushed upon the enemy with force. It broke the frost as it collided upon impact, destroying their foe through that last attack.

"Whew, it's over." Kamui sighed as he turned to Alia.

Alia smiled as she approached Kamui. Akira and Pai went to Kamui as soon as the battle was over.

"Yeah, what a nightmare," Akira said with exhaustion as they went to Kojiro.

Kojiro ran from the group on that moment. Akira wondered what made him do so.

"Hey what just came to him? He rushed off all of a sudden?" Akira asked.

Kamui only watched Kojiro fade through the shadows, reappearing soon after with Ciel in his arms as he approached the group. "There's your answer Akira."

"There are others waiting for you at the waiting shed." the stranger said to them. "It's nearby."

The group followed the stranger as they went to the shed a few blocks away. Kaze and Mayu caught a glimpse of the group coming to where they were. An expression of relief passed upon them but Kojiro was quiet while holding Ciel in his arms. Kaze then turned to the stranger and remembered his query earlier.

"That reminds me, who are you?" Kaze asked suddenly.

"Yeah, how did you know our names?" Akira added his question.

The stranger made no comment. He placed his hands upon his helmet and removed it in front of them. As the head gear was off, long platinum hair flowed through as it danced through the wind, revealing his face in the process. The group was in shock upon seeing him.

"Mr. Delacroix?" the group came with a startled look.

Criel smiled at them as he expressed his concern on that night. Questions rained down on him on that evening that he had a hard time answering them. Instead of giving them answers, he raised his hand and demanded silence.

"Aren't you glad you're still alive and well?" Criel contradicted their questions with this thought. "Reserve the questions tomorrow. First things first, you have to go home. Your parents are worried about you."

"But how do we go home?" Mayu asked.

"I got that settled." Criel answered with a clap of his hands. A white van arrived shortly on the location. The group stared at the van as the door opened. As someone stepped out of the van, Kamui noticed the person that drove the vehicle. The shoes, the jeans, the white t-shirt and the black vest, it matched with her shoulder length hair of blue and red highlights.

"Whoa, she's cute…" Akira and Kaze said in unison. Kamui was aghast.

"Mana…?" Kamui said upon seeing the lady. "What are you doing here, sis?"

The two turned to Kamui upon his statement. "That's your sister?"

"Oh, so looks like I'll be escorting them home." Mana said with her cheerful tone. "Looks like you'll be helping me Kamui."

Kamui sighed upon her sister's comment. Kojiro on the other hand sat on the steps of the shed with Ciel in his arms. Criel noticed this as he approached the young man.

"So, is she alright Kojiro?" Criel asked him with calm.

"I promised her that it'll be alright…but…" Kojiro said with gloom, feeling the burden and failure in upholding his promise.

"Don't worry about it. She's alright." Criel answered. "You see, I've been taking care of her since I came here. She's alright, and I trust you for it. You protected her."

Kojiro gave a puzzled look. He never understood what he meant. Criel smiled at him warmly as he tapped his shoulder. His crimson eyes glanced at Ciel and Kojiro as he told him a truth that he alone will understand.

"Kojiro, I took care of Ciel since she was little. I protected her and raised her. Her mother…she was not heard of ever since. So as a promise, I watched over her."

"So, you're her father?" Kojiro calmly raised inquiry.

"Yeah…"

"But what about her clothes…and where will she stay?"

"I trust you to take care of her. Mana took care of the clothes that she'll need. Let her spend the night at your house. Will that be fine?"

Kojiro felt a crimson flush upon his face. But he also felt warmth from Criel's words. He smiled and gazed at Ciel's face. She was peaceful and serene in her unconscious form.

"How I watch you sleep…peacefully within the arms of serenity…"

(End of Chapter 6)

Author's tête-à-tête

How will this fare to their destiny? Will the truth be revealed? Will hearts ever come intertwined in this cycle? Only fate knows the answer.

The new characters (I guess you saw someone here):

Mana – (this would sound easy)

The whole truth behind the mystery of characters will be revealed in the following chapters. A character will return in the next chapter. Please review and give your comments and guesses. Hope you hang on and enjoy…

Sydney Grise