Chapter 3 – Power
Oz, Training Ground
Icarus: For a hunter's organization, with this big building and all the facilities, exactly how many of you live here?
Higura: Aside from Me, Lilly and Mitsuki… three others, the Crux twins are out on a mission and the other guy is well… in detention.
Icarus: Detention?
Higura: When a subordinate solider doesn't follow orders, that's where they go for punishment.
Icarus: So basically, police jail?
Higura: That's a funny way of putting it… Anyhow! Let's get this over with.
Higura jumped on to an oval-shaped platform, powered by tons of electrical wires and circuits.
Higura: Jump on the platform, Let the festivities begin! Here are the rules, if you fall from the out of the oval, you lose. Simple ain't it! You free to use any weapons and Shinju you so wish.
As Higura explained, the platform began to rise up about three or four feet into the sky, Icarus assault began.
Higura: I have no need to use my Shinju-
Icarus touched his two index fingers together creating an electrical surge of lightning that ranged from one hand to another. In a mere five steps, he cleared the five meter distance between him and Higura. Attacking the abdominal area, Icarus lunged inwards towards Higura's body, using his electrical surge like a chain to encompass Higura. The Captain anticipated to guard for such quick paced motions, using one hand, he jumped over Icarus's head, using his left hand to press down on the top of Icarus's head, appearing behind the vigilante hitman in an instant. He then side stepped and deliver a right haymaker that caused Icarus to float in and out of consciousness falling outside of the oval and falling to the floor below.
Higura: It's so rude to attack others while their talking… tsk tsk.
Icarus quickly regained consciousness and used his electrical wires to root his body into the arena swinging from outside of the boundaries.
Higura: Barely safe. If you had let me finish, I would've told you that you have to fall outside the ring for a count of 10 to lose. However, you merely have to get me out of the ring for one second.
Icarus: You're strong. For minute there I thought I was dead, I actually had to use my Shinju to jump-start my heart. I wasn't too keen when I heard you said you weren't using your Shinju but I can tell your raw power far surpasses mine. However power, isn't all it takes to win in life and death situations.
Higura: Win? What do you win in staking your life in battles you know you can't win? You should just forfeit and become one of my soliders.
Icarus stood up straight and gave Higura a cold and emotionless glare.
Icarus: My pride!
The electrical pulses from Icarus body began to fluctuate rapidly around his body. Icarus now clasped his hands together; the electricity now seemed to rush to every vein in his body.
Icarus: I'll show you what all my years of a Vagabond Hunter have taught me.
Icarus: Ignition! Lightning Visage!
An electromagnetic field now formed a medium-sized bubble around Icarus.
Icarus: Do you know why they call me "X" in Jarpen?
Before Higura could even respond, the sheer speed of Icarus movements caught him off guard and defenseless. Icarus delivered a right hook towards Higura's jaw that electrocuted him upon contact. The electric pulses rushed through the Captain's body ripping away his uniform until all that was left on his chiseled army built body was a vest. A charge of electricity fluctuated from his Icarus hand.
Icarus smiled and said:
Icarus: Because, once I'm locked on to my target and you become my enemy, the only future that awaits you is death.
Higura delivered an uppercut to Icarus. Higura was not fazed by the punch; in fact, it looked like he took no damage. The uppercut smashed Icarus's small frame into the ceiling leaving a dent that nearly broke the barriers between the three floors above him.
Higura's eyes became very clear; the nonchalant Captain was now a mere image of three seconds ago.
Higura spat some blood from out of his mouth due to the rip and tear from the force of Icarus's punch. Higura wiped his mouth using one thumb, his erratic matter of speech became very calm and an a slight but present accent flared his words.
Higura: I guess Jarpen is a full of weaklings if you could become so famous. Your punch was weak, I'll show you the true meaning of power.
Icarus's body fell from the ceiling to the ground.
Higura: Get up.
Icarus: (Inner Voice: My vision is blurry, he's strong. I haven't met a person as powerful as him since… that man. Fuck! How am I going to win!? I'm not going to lose to this Boy Scout. I won't die here! I won't serve anyone! That was my goal wasn't it!? )
Higura kicked Icarus in his rib cage as he tried to climb to his feet. The force of the kick caused him to roll near to the edge of the platform to the east.
Lilly: Oh crap… Captain's snapped again.
Mitsuki: He only gets like this when he sees the weak claiming that they are strong. He has a tendency not to hold back then, I'm surprised he hasn't activated his Shinju to christen the poor kid like he did Marshal.
Lilly: Remember, he got in trouble with Megumi for using it last time. She's the only one that can calm him down when he gets like this and she's on a mission in Hirokami.
Icarus flashed back to the abuse of his father.
John Siegfried – Icarus' Father
Dalus Siefried – Icarus' Brother Age 7
Icarus – Age 10
On floors of a very huge mansion, Icarus cried tears of sorrow, weakness and pain.
John: Your mother was a whore. All she wanted from me was my money and status, both of you boys, useless. One a bed wetter and the other a god damn bitch!
John kicked Icarus in his side as he tried to protect his little brother's toy bear.
John: No son of mine has time to play with toys, when I was your age; I was solving advanced arithmetic not playing with fucking teddy bears.
John continued to kick Icarus in his side.
Dalus: Brother… Stop!
Dalus grabbed on to his father's hand and he responded with a back slapped. He stopped assaulting Icarus to beat on his brother.
Icarus stood up and yelled.
Icarus: Stop it! Enough! Stop it!
A surge of electricity filled the room tossing his father into the wall. His father's eyes opened like he had seen an angel descended before him.
John: You… you had a hidden power after all! Just like your loser mother! The one thing that made me love her, her power! Yes, this is it! I'll make so much money selling you off to the triads as a hitman.
Icarus: (Present Voice Reflecting: After that, my brother started to harbor hate towards me. I was now his prized child, a chosen one he said. Ha… I killed so many people for the next six years, while my brother was a scholar; I was learning the family business. I had a shitty life but I always kept thinking ahead. I won't lose here! Even if I have to use that… )
Present time, Higura was about to kick Icarus over the ledge then suddenly, Icarus disappeared to the center of the arena.
Higura: You had enough energy left in you to make those kinds of movements.
Icarus: You've gone and made me remember something unpleasant now, I'm pretty pissed.
Higura: I can tell from your cold demeanor but facts are facts, your weak. Give up and join us.
Icarus punched himself in his forehead until blood trickled into his palm. He placed the blood on his two index fingers on both hands that he often used to trigger his Shinju. Icarus touched the two index fingers together.
Higura: Looks like I have to teach you a little more about your limitations kid.
Higura reached to his belt and revealed twin Beretta M9's and pointed them towards Icarus.
Lilly: We need to stop him! If he uses his Shinju now, he might kill that kid! You don't come by Lightning users often; Megumi will have our heads for letting him go wild like this!
Mitsuki: Just wait a bit more. Higura isn't even fully serious yet… He's trying to see how much farther he can push him.
Higura: I'll ask you one more time. Why do you choose to fight a battle you know you can win? This gone pass being a joke anymore, just give up. Fighting against a powerful force recklessly will get you killed in the future, Force or no Force!
Icarus: He said… the same thing the day, the who captured me, Joker. His power far surpassed, actually now that I think about it, your about as powerful as he was back then. I was given my life out of pity; he couldn't understand either… what being weak is like.
Higura: I understand all too well! It's because I understand-
Icarus: You lost someone dare to you huh?
Higura couldn't even respond.
Icarus: If you can block this, I'll join you. If not I walk!
Higura cocked the top of his Beretta.
Higura: Move and I'll shoot.
Icarus: Crimson Ignition! Red Orb!
Icarus separated his index fingers and began to release a blood-red lighting than cut clean through anything it came into contact with. Higura fired a single shot towards Icarus' shoulder blade. The electrical outburst caused Icarus to fall unconscious and his Shinju went rogue. The red lightning began to destroy the training room. The lights, the platform, even the titanium built doors began to split in contact from the electrical wave being emitted. The charges began stronger and more violent but all came to an end when Higura's bullet hit Icarus' shoulder. The outburst ended, the force of the shot pushed Icarus from the centre over the ledge as he fell to the cold ground from four feet up, Higura counted and began to walk slowly in the direction of the falling warrior.
Higura: eight, nine, ten. Game-
Higura appeared below Icarus and caught his falling body using a pillar of sand to levitate both himself and Icarus safely to the ground.
Higura: Over. Welcome to the HXU, rookie.
Higura said with a smile.
Lilly came charging in the room angry
Lilly: Look at this lab! Come on! Do you know who's stuck fixing this mess, when you guys mess everything in the lab up! Big babies, jeez. My precious lab!
Mitsuki: He fought well. Reminds me of us when we first joined the Force.
Higura: For a minute there, it was almost frightening how much so but this kid is way more powerful and dangerous than me or you.
Mitsuki: Oh please. Mr. Graduated with full honors and became a Captain in under two years. Some soldiers work their whole life to gain the ranks you have in the army and your only 19.
Higura: I seem to recall someone else climbing up and gaining the same honors I did, Setsu-chan.
Mitsuki slapped Higura playfully in his face.
Mitsuki: I told you not to call me that Hi-kun!
Higura: Oi! That's captain, superior officer Hi-kun to you!
Higura sticked out his tongue
Higura: No but this kid is something special, did you see how his Shinju reacted to his blood.
Mimi: Were hoooooo~~~~me!
Asher: What the hell happened to the training room?
Mimi Crux
Status: Thrid Degree Seal
Shinju: Sky Raven
Bounty: 3,000,000 Nola, Tier C
Asher: What's with the kid in your hand? It came back to bite you huh? One of those girls you had an affair with got pregnant and that's your long lost son!
Asher Crux
Status: 4th Degree Lieutenant
Shinju: Frozen Domain
Bounty: 250,000,000 Nola, Tier B
Higura: Oi! Don't joke like that. That's happened enough for the week, I have four test pending.
Mimi: Poor Megumi. Engaged to such a back stabbing-
Higura sulked and fell to the floor. It felt like an arrow fired into his back.
Mimi: Cheating, Flirt Crazy, Drunkard, who runs away to the desert when I want to spend time, poor girl. Arranged marriages are so old school to.
Mitsuki was patting Higura on his back trying to cheer him up.
Asher: You said too much Mimi.
Mimi: Hmph! He deserved it.
Higura: Anyhow!
Lilly/Asher/Mimi/Mitsuki: That was a quick recovery.
Higura: We need to get this new recruit to the infirmary.
Asher: The kid did all of this.
Higura: He's the same age as you Asher, so be nice.
Asher: I don't care anyhow; I'm going to my room call me when dinner is ready.
Asher: (Inner Voice: He's no ordinary kid to cut through these walls like this. Things may have just gotten more interesting.)
Alarm signaled security breach in the detention hold.
Marshal: Foooooood! Feed! Me!
At his feet hundreds of security droids laid burned to a crisp and security guards sent by the Force manhandled.
Marshal: I think two hours of playing nice was enough! Now feed me!
Marshal Izanagi
Status: 2nd Degree Lieutenant
Shinju: Inferno Combustion
Bounty: 200,000,000 Nola, Tier B