I've already decided how many chapters I plan to make for this story, it's 20. The better question is how long I plan to take on posting them.

Light vs Dark

A new day has arisen, Alisa and Soma had met up with Dr. Sakaki in the hallway outside of their rooms. Their quarters were comfortable, but Soma had a restless night. He kept tossing and turning all night in vexation at the thought that Umiko was sleeping in the same room as another boy. It sickened him inside, it felt like he was losing her.

"Well, I hope you guys had an interesting time yesterday." Dr. Sakaki greeted to them.

"How was dinner with One Eye?" Soma asked, he tried to sound mockingly but he was so tired he lacked the sass.

"Informative." Dr. Sakaki simply answered. "We had a lot to talk about. But it looks like you've had a rough night Soma."

"I just... was having a hard time getting to sleep."

"Something on your mind?" Alisa pondered. Usually for her, she would have a hard time sleeping if something was troubling her. Just like how she barely got any sleep last night after seeing the state Umiko was in.

"Of sorts..." Was all Soma gave in response as they headed to the elevator to meet up with Garland at the Entrance.

Soma hated that grin on Garland's face as he greeted them from the couches by the elevators. Even though Soma hid most of his face under his hood, Garland could still detect the stress coming off of Soma.

"Good morning everyone. Looks like you all had a good night's rest." Garland chuckled as Soma's face scrunched up in irritation.

"Tst," Soma couldn't stand that man's arrogant attitude, it reminded him of his old man's. But at least his old man had good intentions behind his actions, Garland actions were... just a mystery.

"Anyway, we mustn't dawdle." Garland said, getting up from his seat on the couch. "The day is already continuing without us. Let's go retrieve No. 1 and No. 2, I think it's about time for them to wake up."

"!" Even though they had already seen her yesterday, they were still nervous about meeting up with her again. Something inside them hoped that today would be different, that yesterday would all be just a big joke and she be back the way that she was. But they already knew that it was just wishful thinking.

Garland had lead them back into the giant mission elevator, down to the basement laboratory. Pass the God Arc Soldiers Dock and beyond the other closed laboratory doors to the one at the far end of the Floor. He opened the door to reveal to the others not just one full tank with Sora floating inside, but another... with Umiko.

They both looked so peaceful as they floated in their slumber. Their hair floating around them as they would slightly ascend and descend in their tanks, Umiko's hair moved around her like raven seaweed as light danced off her. She wore a white pajama dress, that didn't become transparent even though it was soaked. The dress floated around her making her seem like a ghost. Before Soma knew it, he had made his way to her tank and pressed a hand to it as he watched her float.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Garland said, knocking Soma out of his submerged thoughts. "With each passing day in the tube she becomes stronger and discovers something new about her powers. It's like looking at a gold mine of possibilities. With her as our weapon, the fears of Aragami will be a thing of the past."

"Don't talk about her as if she's some kind of tool." Soma growled back at his uncle, turning his head to give him a good look at his hatred filled eyes.

"Ah, but that's what she is Soma." Garland simply answered, paying no mind to the savage glow in his nephew's eyes. "Merely a small piece of Fenrir used to serve and protect without question or objection."

"You dirty-" But Soma was unable to finish his insult as Umiko's eyes slowly began to open. She had that tired glaze in her eyes, but Soma couldn't find the will to look away from those crimson eyes. He gasped as her eyes made contact with his, but instead of the usual blank stare she had been giving him yesterday... her eyes softened. She looked into his spring blue eyes with affection and endearment as her hand gently made its way to touching the glass were he stood, close to his hand. Soma was taken aback, that look in her eyes... it was almost as if she recognized him.

But as soon as it came, it was gone. Her eyes open as realization kicked in, she was wide awake. Backing away from the glass, her eyes dulled into that detached shell. Soma had to look away from them, it was like looking into her soul that was once vibrant and being pushed out and while you try to break through again you find nothing there.

In the Test tube beside her, Sora's eyes had opened as he had awoken from the tension in the room. The Test tubes automatically began to drain from the bottom as the hosts inside had awoken. Once the Test tubes were emptied the glass in the from unsealed and slid open. Soma backed away toward the others as her tank emptied, he didn't see it but Umiko was unable to look him in the eyes as well. They stirred something in her that she couldn't put her finger on, all she knew was that all at once she liked it and she hated it. Sora and Umiko walked out with a tall stance, paying no mind to the others in the room. They walked up to their Director and gave him the usual salute.

"Good morning, Director." They both greeted to him.

"Suit up, there are things to do." Garland simply ordered. Obeying his command Sora and Umiko began to walk over to their Terminals. To the others disturbance they began to undress.

"Whoa! What the hell are you doing?!" Soma shouted at Umiko with a giant blush splattered on his face as he stopped her in mid action from lifting her dress pajama passed her thighs. Sora stopped in mid action from removing his black white-beater in confusion at Soma's antics, along with Umiko. True, Soma was embarrassed about seeing Umiko's body. But he was also infuriated that she would display herself nonchalantly with other guys in the room, especially that 'Sora' fellow. Soma was livid at the idea that this guy most like got a great view of her morning rituals for the past six months. "Have you no respect?! There are men in the room! Are you some kind of exhibitionist, or perhaps you have turned into a pervert?"

"Soma!" Alisa hissed at him. She may have turned into a robot, but she was still their former Leader... somewhere in that body of stone.

"..." She stared at him blankly as if he had grown a second head. "Frankly, it is you that is the pervert."

"What?!" Soma's blushed grew into a brighter shade.

"This is our room, we're suppose to dress and change in here." Umiko said in matter-of-fact. "If anything, you're the ones looking in on us. Like a Peeping Tom looking in from the window as your hot breath fogs up the glass."

"W-what the?! That's not what I'm doing!" Garland started to laugh as his nephew's face began to burn pink at being told off by an impassive shell of his former... friend. "Quick your infernal laughing."

"Heh, she speaks the truth, dear nephew." Garland teased, ceasing his shakes of laughter. "We are the ones intruding on their privacy. We will be waiting for you outside, do not delay us for long."

"Yes sir!" They both said to him with a fists to the heart salute. While the others awkwardly walked out of the room, the two of them gathered their usual uniform for the day.

Once the door shut, they leaned on the wall across from it as they waited. Soma's eyes burned through the door as he thought about how Sora was getting the opportunity to see Umiko's barely clothed body. Sure the guy may act like a stiff, but who was to say that he still didn't behave like a man. The silence from the room across from them only made Soma more tense. He could barely contain himself from busting through the door by the time Sora and Umiko came out, fully clothed and God Arcs in hand.

"To the Training Room, your pupils await." Garland simply said to them.

"Yes sir." They responded back to him as they lead the way toward the elevator.

"?" The three from the Far East Branch looked questionably at Garland. What could the man possibly have in store of them today? It couldn't be worse than what he had already done to their former Leader.

"Today I'm going to show you all the capabilities of the God Eaters given a small dosage of liquidated Aragami Core." Garland explained to them before directing his one eye to Dr. Sakaki. "I thought you'd like to see the results of various dosage, Doctor."

"Indeed, I am curious." Dr. Sakaki said with his usual fox grin. "I hope the results are as good as you said they were at dinner yesterday."

"Rest assured Doctor. I don't bluff." Garland chuckled at Dr. Sakaki as his eye filled with that predatory pride.

Sora and Umiko stood on each side of the elevator door as they awaited for the others to enter. Once all were in, they entered themselves and pressed the button to the training Room Floor. At the entrance of the Training Room, all of the God Eaters in the white and black First Unit colored clothes were waiting by the door. As they turned around at the sound of someone approaching, they saluted their Director the same way their Leaders did.

"Good morning, Sir!" They all said together.

"At ease," Garland said with a raise of his hand. "Let's just have the usual Game and be done with it so we can all go to breakfast."

"Sir!" They said as they all single filed into the Training Room. Garland then turned to his Super Two.

"You both know what to do."

"Sir." They saluted one last time before they followed behind their pupils. Garland grinned at them as they disappeared behind the closing door. Once the doors slammed shut, he turned back to the others.

"We should head to the Observing Room." Garland said, gesturing like a gentleman for them to go on ahead up the stairs first. "I can assure you it'll be quite the show."

Not really believing his assurance, they moved up the stairs with apprehension. As they entered the upper observing area of the Training Room they took their previous seats while Garland went to the training Room's control monitors to use the Speaker.

"Good morning everyone." He said, getting everyone's attention. Most of them were stretching their bodies awake while Sora and Umiko simple sat on the tallest platform. The platform went up like a thin Aztec temple that went as high as the observing window. Sora and Umiko sat back-to-back at the very top and their God Arcs were implanted on the block where their feet rested. The piercing holes where their God Arc were implanted implied that they had done this more then once. They sat on top of that platform like indifferent rulers as they awaited for their Director to give the signal for the Games to begin. "Before we get started, I would like to explain the rules to this exercise to our guest."

"..." Sora and Umko remained silent, but their pupils moaned out a sigh of complaint.

"The rules of the Game are simple. Capture the opposing teams flag and bring it over to your side while protecting your own flags." Garland continued on with a grin at his First Units' upset looks about not immediately starting the Game. "Violence against the other team will be allowed. However, initiating fatal attacks on any participants will lead to immediate disqualification and the stop of the Game. As you all can see, your Leaders will be present through out the whole exercise to watch and observe you while not actually participating."

Umiko and Sora waved down to their pupils as they all waved up at them.

"However, as usual, you can summon your Leader for a five second assistance when you acquire a color sphere representing your team which will be random released and place through out the Training Room. Usage of the opposites team's sphere will not be allowed, and neither will the usage of God Arcs."

On that note, the three in the observing area saw that none of the God Eaters in the Training Room had their God Arcs. They just sported wooden swords representing the same traits as their God Arcs, whether they were Piercing, Long Blade, or Buster Bladers. Some had wooden swords with just a two part shield attached to their arms, while others had wooden God Arc guns that would shot out balloons filled with water paint the color of their team. The size of the balloons varied from whether the Gods Eater Gunners were a Sniper, Rifle, or Cannon. Then there were the hand full few that were New Types, like Iida and Abel, that had wooden swords that could flip into guns. The whole thing seemed pointless to Soma and a waste of time. What good did it do to have the teams face off against each other? It wasn't like they were going to fight other God Eaters out there.

"This exercise is to help build up your endurance, team work, and evasive ability. The Aragami you will be facing outside these walls will be more strategic than the ones of the past. You must be prepared for whatever is thrown at you." Garland continued. "On that note, random cybernetic Ogertails will be placed all around the Training Room. Check every nook-and-cranny and watch out for each others back. Your Leaders will not help you by shouting if there's an Aragami behind you. If you get bitten by an Ogretail, you are dead. If an opposing team member gets or figuratively hits a vital spot, you are dead. Once you are 'Incapacitated' you have 15 seconds for a teammate to get to you and Link-Aid. If not, no second chance will be given, head over to the Leaders' platform and wait for the Game to end. Your armlets shall keep track of the suppose amount of health you have left and the time remaining once Incapacitated. With that said, is there anything else you would like to say to your students?"

Sora and Umiko merely looked down to the side were their team was based. With a swift wave of their hand, they gave their Unit one final command.

"Show no mercy." Sora commanded.

"Crush them." Umiko ordered.

"Yes Dark King!" "Yes White Queen!" Their teams saluted to them.

"Right." Garland smirked before readying his hand over a button on the monitor. "Then let the games... Begin."

With the push of button, the loud roar of cybernetic Ogretails gave the signal that the Game had started. Gunners crouched down on higher grounds to get a good snipe at the rival team trying to get a hold of their flag. Bladers moved from wall to wall, taking cover as they proceeded forward. While the bolder ones rushed on through, dodging water paint shots along the way. Some stayed in a group, while others went solo. The whole thing felt like an online match of Modern Warfare.

Umiko and Sora commented among themselves as they watched their teams progress. But the bolder ones tended to get careless, they sometimes failed to check their 360s.

"Whoa!" One of Umiko's male pupils shouted as an Ogretail leaped at him from the open corner and took a bite. He was a tan old-Type Buster Blader with brunette hair and brown eyes from the Australia Branch. And he was Incapacitated.

"Roy!" Roisin shouted as she took a shot at the Ogretail, making it back away from him. Each shot and slash was registered as the equivalence of their God Arcs, so in two shots of her cannon the Ogretail was dead. With the area secured, she got down on her knees and Link-Aid with Roy. "Hang in there."

"Sorry, I was careless." Roy apologized. But just as he was getting up a Buster Blader from the opposing team came crashing down from the platform above them and charged toward them. "Look out!"

"Ah!" Roisin squeaked in startle and began firing at the blue eyed raven from Spain.

A shot to the chest, he was down. The Buster Blader went to the floor as the timer on his armlet began to count down. He began to get frustrated, Incapacitated and not a teammate in sight. There was no getting around it, he was going to lose. But he was shocked when Roisin knelled down beside him with five seconds on the clock to Link-Aid with him.

"What are you doing, Roisin?!" Roy shouted in disbelief. "He's on the other team!"

"Our objective is to obtain their flag, not the most amount of kills. If that weren't the case the rules would state that Link-Aiding with the opponents team would not be allowed."

"True, but he also posses a threat to our object." Roy countered.

"Still... it just doesn't seem right. None of his team members are around to help him, we can't just leave him here. We're suppose to look out for each other."

"Roisin, (sigh) you're being too kind. Such behavior is dangerous on the battlefield."

"But-" she was cut off in mid sentence as the Gods Eater she was Link-Aiding with got up and wrapped an arm around her neck. "!"

"Sorry Roisin..." He said before slicing his God Arc across her stomach, she was now Incapacitated. Roisin laid down on the ground as her timer went off.

"Oh, you dick!" Roy shouted at him. He was going to Link-Aid with her, but the Buster Blader cut him off. "The hell Rafael?!"

"Sorry, Roy. Just following orders." Rafael answered as he met Roy head on with his God Arc. "Show no mercy."

"Go to hell!" Roy shouted back at him as Roy tried to force him back. But the beeper went off, Roisin's time was out. "Crap!"

"Aw man, I guess that's it for me." Roisin pouted as she got back on her feet.

"No hard feelings, Roisin?" Rafael asked.

"Nay, you got me good. Fair and Square. But I'll pay you back next Game." She grinned back to him as she walked over to their Leaders' platform.

"Heh, counting on that." He smirked back at her, almost forgetting that he was still facing another opposition. He ducked as Roy went for a horizontal swing. "Yikes!"

Taking advantage of Rafael's opening, Roy kicked him in the stomach. Knocking him back onto a platform, Roy went for the finishing blow at his middle.

"Damn! Did you have to hit so rough, Roy?!"

"Heh, just following my orders." Roy sarcastically smirked at him. "Crush them."

"Hmph, tushay." Rafael smirked back. "I take it you won't be Link-Aiding me back?"

"No... see you at breakfast Rafael." Roy said walking off as he lifted a hand to wave at him from behind.

"Later, Roy." Rafael said as he waited for his timer to go out.

"Your student is too kind, Umiko." Sora commented to Umiko as he slightly turned his head to face her. "I fear she might display the same handicap to the Aragami."

"Rest assured Sora. My Roisin knows the difference when kindness and mercy should be applied and when it should not. And she was right about Link-Aiding with the other team not being against the rules." Umiko countered.

"True but that's unproductive. What good is to bring back your enemy only to have to fight them again?"

"Because no matter what, both sides share a common enemy... the Aragami. Sides can be cast aside when a need to fight a common adversary comes into play."

"Yes, however, at the moment that would be a shaking alliance. Ready to crumble at the moment the threat has been neutralized." Sora blatantly stated the facts. "Rafael took the appropriate course of action."

"Your student is an excellent example of following orders. However, he acts alone and leaves himself in a more vulnerable state when faced with adversaries."

"Solo groups are sometimes necessary to infiltrate the enemy's lines. He handled himself pretty well."

"Need I remind you, Sora, that he was Incapacitated the moment he charged into action. The only reason he took out Roisin is because she Link-Aid with him. True solo action can be beneficial in the long run, but rash action and easy distraction can cause more damage than good."

"Fair enough, I believe we have come to the same conclusion."

"Yes, there is still much for them to learn." Umiko stated. "We'll have to take note of this and add it to their training regiments later."

"Hm, agreed." Sora nodded in agreement as Roisin and Rafael made their way to the Leaders' platform, getting high enough to see how the game was going.

Most of the teams had strayed off to take care of the scattered few Ogretails in their territory, while the gunners stayed to guard their flag and a selected few made their way to their opponents side. Things got pretty intense once the last Ogretail was eliminated. With the Aragami gone, that left nothing but for to the opposing teams to clash with each other. They were on the border line of brutal, taking the fights in mid air as they jumped to height regular God Eaters only dream of. One of the female black team members went so far as whacking a male white team member into the observing window. Alisa slightly jumped in her seat at the contact. A blush went onto the God Eaters face as he slowly slid off the glass and down to the floor.

Things got intense when Abel broke through the black team's line. Refusing to give up their flag, Abel dodged through shots that coated the platforms in black water paint. To his luck a white sphere materialized into existence by a platform not too far from him. Making a run for it, he dived out of the way of a shot at the last second and smashed the sphere into the ground.

"Help me out here, White Queen." Abel pleaded, for the rules of the game were a gamble. Although your team Leader could help change the course of the Game with merely five seconds, their actions were random. And their attacks couldn't do any permanent or severe damage to the opposing team, so they weren't as officiant.

"Finally, some action." Umiko impassively cheered as she went into an unstimulated Blood Rage. Her legs change into tentacles as her uniform sank into her now Aragami thick porcelain skin. The tentacles acted more like a Victorian strapless dress, with her arms exposed and wings sprouted from her back. Along with her hands and wrists growing and expanding. She shined as she rushed into the playing field, Umiko truly looked like an angelic queen as she flew in the air.

"Blind!" Umiko shouted as she released a blinding light that Stunned everyone other than her team that where ready for something like this to happen. Once she was done she went to sit back at her platform, but a block lower as her arm rested where she once sat and her tentacles hung below on the lower blocks. Abel use this opportunity to grab the black team's flag. Some took advantage of the other team's stunned moment to finish them off while others retreated to their lines for their armlets to slowly recuperated their health. But the ones that they left alive started to Link-Aid with as many teammates as they could before their time went out.

"Damn you, two can play at that game." One of the girls on Sora's team shouted as she pulled out a dark sphere that she had been saving for the right moment. "Have a piece of the Dark King."

"Hmph, show time." Sora grinned as he went into his Blood Rage as well. The lack of Aragami boost kept both of their eyes from glowing and didn't give them the normal amount of a Blood Rage power boost. His clothes sunk into his body as his skin turned into a gray tone and Borg Camlann armor covered his body. At his back was a Borg Camlann tail that hung low that he didn't really use last time the others saw it.

"Perish in the darkness." Sora declared as her covered the field in a fog of darkness that he created from his body. While the room was covered in darkness, Sora ran through figuratively slicing through the white team, to the point of one bar health, with the five seconds given to him. Then he flew over to Umiko, taking a seat one block lower than he originally sat. Resting his arms on his back on the opposite side of Umiko.

"Don't you think you over did it?"

"Hn, complain all you want Umiko. I did what was permitted of me in the time given." Sora countered. "Don't be upset that I gave my team more of an advantage than you did."

"You didn't give them an advantage, you handicapped them." Umiko blankly retorted. "What I did was the equivalent of a Stun Grenade. What you did was something no item the Merchant could give them. I make them rely on their own abilities, you make them dependent on you."

"Hm, you have a point there."

"We won't always be there for them. They have to trust in their own power."

"Yes... they do."

While the chaos of darkness shrouded the room, Iida was able to sneak over to the white team's side and snatch their flag. She ran into Abel with her team's flag as they met in the middle where their sides met.

"Where do you think you're going with my flag?" Iida said to him with slanted eyes.

"Same goes for you." They remained unmoving as they had a stare down with each other.

"Give her hell, Abel!" One of the God Eaters from Umiko's team shouted. He was a New-Type from one South America's Branches. His skin was tanner than Roy's, and his short onyx hair was wavy. There was a sparkle in his brown eyes.

"Zip it, Duarte." Said the female from Sora's team he was facing. But the noise was enough for the two to finally take action as they charged at each other.

They clashed at each other and then pushed back as they changed into gun-mode. Rolling toward cover as they fired at each other, neither one of them allowing the other to cross back to their side.

"Give it up Abel! You can't bet me!"

"Ha, says you! I'll get pass you sooner or later."

"Hmph, in your dreams." Iida said mockingly back at him. "Alik! Now!"

"!" Abel panic as he saw a shadow growing larger over his head. Looking up, he saw that it was the female Old-Type Long Blader from Russia falling down at him from above.

"Do svidaniya, Abel." She said to him in her deep tone voice as her hazel eyes burned into him and her deep brunette hair haloed over her as she rained down on him.

"Not today, Alik." Abeba came in, saving the day as she tackled Alik from the sides before she could even close in on Abel.

"It's not over yet." Iida grunted as she threw down a black sphere.

"Not if I can help it." Abeba said as she threw down a white sphere she had found earlier while she kept Alik down.

Sora and Umiko came into the arena at the same time and clashed with each other. They forced each other back while keeping the other away from their team.

"Hmph, draw." They both said to each other as their time ran out and they retreated back to their platform, where the other God Eaters that were out stayed.

"No." Iida hissed before she felt a wooden Pierce Blade at her throat. "!"

"Rule Number One of Combat: Never spend too long behind enemy lines." Came the cocky gloat of on of the white team's male Old-Types. He was a transfer from one of the North America's Branches, his slick light brown hair flowed down his face to nearly cover vibrant green eyes.

"I hate you so much, Mike." Iida grumbled at him, making him smile.

"I know." Mike grinned at her as Abel ran over to his side with the other teams flag while no one opposed him. "The game is ours, good show everyone."

The white team cheered and shook hands with the black team who were taking their defeat almost in good sports. Both teams would win some and they would lose some, that was just how the Games worked.

"The victory is ours." Umiko said in her hollow way of gloating before looking back at Sora. "Your team did a pretty good job, you almost had us this time."

"Hn, there's always next time."

"Indeed."

"Well done, everyone. I'm quite impressed with your progress." Garland said down to them from the Speaker.

"Yes, but they still have a long way to go." Sora and Umiko said up to him.

"Hn, and I'm looking forward to their improvement." Garland grinned. "Everyone dismissed, enjoy your breakfast."

They all cheered and rushed out toward the Mesh Hall to get some grub. As they all filed out, Umiko and Sora changed back to normal, grabbed their God Arcs, and made their way up to the observing area to join the others.

"So what did you think, Dr. Sakaki?" Garland asked back to him.

"Hm, I saw how the dosage enhanced the ability of your First Units. But I failed to see the value of them losing a piece of their memories so that they can jump higher or hit harder?"

"That is but a taste of what my Unit is capable of doing. With the decrease of dilution, the positives should become more obvious. Our line of defense is evolving along with the Aragami."

"More like turning them into the Aragami." Soma grunted back.

"You shouldn't judge, Soma." Garland retorted. "In a way, I'm making God Eaters just like you. Maybe even slightly more Aragami."

"Go to hell." Soma growled at him.

"Hmph, criticize me all you want Soma." Garland huffed off Soma's display of aggression. "Anyway, we'd best head out for breakfast. No. 1, No. 2, escort our Gods Eater guest to the Mesh Hall."

"Why didn't you wait to do this until after breakfast?" Alisa question.

"The last thing I want is for them to start throwing up all over the Training Room." Garland answered, leaving them to wonder if he was joking or being completely honest. "It's bad enough we have to keep up with the constant maintenance, we don't need to add mop up to the janitor's list."

"..." They just stared at him, while Umiko and Sora gave Garland a salute before addressing Alisa and Soma.

"This way please." Umiko gestured to them to exit the room first after Sora took the lead.

Soma found it unsettling having Umiko walking behind him. With his advanced abilities, he could hear the sounds of her breath. He could even hear her heart beating... and it disturbed him. Soma was use the constant 52-54 beats of her heart every minute or the steady breaths she would calmly breathe out. But now... she barely had her heart beat 10-12 times per minute and she only breathed on occasion. Soma almost mistaken her for dead during that first silent pause, it took everything in his being not to turn back and check if she was okay when he heard that beautiful beat again. Garland had done something to her, she was slowly losing her humanity... for that matter, the things that made her alive.

"Your heart skipped a beat and went frantic for a moment." Umiko commented to Soma, nearly making him jump out of his thoughts. So her senses have become just as enhanced as his. "Do you require the Sick Bay?"

"No... no, I'm fine." Soma said, slightly crestfallen by the detachment in her voice. She wasn't concerned for him 'for him,' she was concerned that her Director's guest might be experiencing an ailment.

"Well, we're at the Mesh Hall now." Umiko pointed out. "Please inform one of us if you are experiencing any... discomforts."

"..." Soma couldn't even look at her. This was no longer the Umiko he knew, this was a shell.

It was a quiet breakfast for the four as the others at the table bragged and gossiped about the day's Game. Some gloated while others defied and denied. It was silent, and slightly gloomy for Soma and Alisa, when an alarm went off. The whole Den flashed red as automatic alarm went off explaining that it was an emergency.

"Emergency! Colossal Aragamis spotted closing in on the Branch from the North and Southwest wastelands! All God Arc Soldiers prepare for action! Repeat, all God Arc Soldiers prepare for action!"

"Abel!" Umiko barked as she shot up from her seat.

"Right!" Abel followed suit as they both ran out of the Mesh Hall.

"Where is she going?!" Soma reluctantly talked to Sora, demanding an answer.

"Follow." Sora simply answered as he got up and ran after them.

"Hey wait!" Alisa shouted at him as her and Soma followed after him. Soma eventually took the lead as he spotted Umiko rushing into the Floor's elevator along with her pupil, Abel.

They were able to catch up with the two of them before they closed the elevator doors. Soma grabbed onto the doors and forced them to open as the others made their way inside.

"And where are you two heading to?" Soma questioned in a tone that demanded an answer. Abel slightly flinched at the look in Soma's eyes, but Umiko remained unmoved.

"Empty Eyes." "Unholy Requiem?" They both answered, Abel like more of a question, as if that was enough of an answer.

"What?" Alisa asked in confusion.

"Their God Arc Soldiers." Sora answered for her. "Personally assigned to them for their ability to Resonate with each others Oracle Cells."

"Wait, they can mentally connect with those things?" Soma retorted in disbelief.

"Yes, and apparently they only respond to them and them alone." Sora replied. "It actually gets hard handling them when they're not around."

"..."

"Why did you follow us?" Umiko questioned Sora and the others.

"The Director wanted us to look after our guest God Eaters and he didn't give us the okay to separate." Sora explained.

"Very well, but we part at the God Arc Soldier Docks."

"Fair enough."

"Teacher, we're here." Abel informed as the elevators opened up to the lowest Floor of the Branch's basements.

"Right, let's load up." They both ran over to the docking area as the others followed behind.

"You two responded pretty quick." The three of them stopped in their tracks as they saluted their Director as he stood above them on the loading dock railings, along with Dr. Sakaki.

"Sir!" All three responded, but only the two of them continued. "Permission to board and take action along with the other God Arc Soldiers?!"

"Granted." Garland instantly granted as he swiftly waved his hand. "Exterminate them all."

"Sir!" They saluted again before heading to their God Arc Soldiers.

Their respective God Arc Soldiers recognized their presence and immediately began to walk out of line with the other God Arc Soldiers to come up to them. One of the God Arc Soldiers felt different than the others. It wasn't the fact that it's red eyes shined brighter than the others, or the fact it gently knelled down in front of Umiko and offered its palm to her. There was something about this giant Soldier that felt... familiar, somehow to Soma. He couldn't put his finger on it, but he could feel it in his heart. Umiko was about to run up to her Empty Eyes, when Sora grabbed her from behind for a hug. It was an awkward embrace that held no emotion to it, but still it made Soma absolutely livid.

"Good luck..." Sora said to her.

"Thank you." She replied back, breaking away from him, impaled her God arc into the Docks Floor away from the roaming feet of the God Arc Soldiers, and tossing her custom-made Sweeper coat onto the floor as she ran into her Empty Eyes' palm. "Let's go... Empty Eyes."

It slowly lifted her to its chests area. Its chests opened to reveal its core, a blue jello-like sphere that glowed like it was radioactive. Without hesitation, Umiko submerged herself into its core and made her way to its center as its chests closed again. Not too far off, Abel was doing the same thing with his God Arc Soldier.

"Sora, Soma, Alisa, get up here." Garland called down to them. "We can observe them from the Control Room."

Garland took the railing along with Dr. Sakaki to a room connected to them. The others took the stairway leading up the railings to join them. Inside the Control Room with a lot of Engineers monitoring the bio conditions, battery level, and tracking location of the God Arc Soldiers as a giant screen in the back of the room, where they all were facing, showed the march of multiple Aragami that appeared to be part of the Ouroboros family making their way toward the Branch. The two screens on the side remained inoperative, until they slowly came on to life. A lining image of Umiko and Abel appeared on each side screen as charts and data bars appeared around their screens. They seemed to be floating toward the screen.

"God Arc Soldiers at 100%." One of the Engineers informed aloud to the rest of the room, as the others buzzed around with activity. "Initiating Resonance in T minus 30 seconds."

"Is it safe for them to be in there?" Dr. Sakaki questioned as Umiko and Abel began to still on screen. "The cores of those Soldiers must be scorching to fulfill the needs of energizing their mass."

"No need to worry, Doctor." Garland dismissed his worries. "The God Arc Soldiers are only charged to last five hours away from their chargers at the Branch. Their cores don't get higher than 76 degrees Celsius."

"Resonance at 20%..." One of the Engineers informed as Umiko and Abel got in the same position as their God Arc Soldiers. "30%... 45%... 70%... 85%... 90%... 95... 100%."

"The Resonance was a success. Both God Eaters are unharmed and no signs of neural damage."

"Good. Activate the communication modules." Garland command.

"Empty Eyes, rise." Umiko said to her God Arc Soldier as they both raised to their feet at the same time. Umiko's eyes had hollowed out onto the screen as her and her God Arc Soldier's movements became one.

"Amazing, isn't it?" Garland commented aloud in wonder. "She's now seeing things through the Soldier's eyes, but their actions and minds are of one choice and being."

Umiko motion to rest Empty Eyes' giant Buster blade on its shoulder as she began to march out of the Docks.

"Abel, let's move out." She order back to him as he rested his Long blade on his shoulder as well.

"Right behind you, Sensei."

They slowly marched out long with the other God Arc Soldiers, however they had the most life in them as their free arms swung with each step. The sight was epic as they made their way toward the hoards of giant Aragami, and would have been a priceless moment if they were walking through fire and explosions or the rain. Stopping halfway they scouted through the targets. Umiko crouched down to her knees as she got a good looker at the upcoming gorilla unit.

"Looks like we're going to have our hands full." Then she turned to looked at Abel. "Abel, you and Unholy Requiem and a hand full of Soldiers take the Southwest invasion. Me and Empty Eyes will handle the North end with the rest. Be weary of their eyes, that's where most of their attacks will come from. And mind the tentacles, they are considered their weakest points but they also can be unpredictable at times."

"Yes ma'am."

"Remember, our orders are absolute." Umiko said, getting back on her feet. "None of them will be allowed to get passed us."

"Yes ma'am!" Abel said before he signaled for some of the other Soldiers to followed him toward the Southwest approaching enemies. You can see the animalistic look in his face as he ran toward his targets with a battle cry. The same look came on Umiko's face, it was the most amount of expression she had shown since the time the others had came to this Branch.

"Fly, Empty Eyes!" She shouted as she ran into a sprint toward the approaching threat.

They roared at them as she and the other Soldiers rushed in at the Aragami. A few shot some of their Divine Laser Cannons, which Umiko and the other Soldiers did a leap jump out of their way. A teeth-like grin came over Umiko's face, showing off her morphed fangs as she grabbed one of the Aragami's face.

"Give me your face!" She growled at it as she slammed it down into the ground and severed its head from the body. "Off with your head!"

"Ha hahaha!" She laughed hysterically as she rushed through another one that continued to fire at her. Jumping into the air she came down on it, placing her feet on its head and gripping it while she continuously stabbed into its eyes until it fell down dead. Another one came at her from behind and wrapped its tentacles around her wrist and waist to try and pull her in. But her feet dug into the ground and her knees bent as she remained unmoving. She pulled on its tentacles, showing the Aragami that it was no match for her. "You're going to have to try a lot harder then that, Cretin."

Umiko yanked harder on the tentacles sending the Aragami flying toward her, which she simply pointed out her Bluster blade and let it impale itself on it. The crash knocked her back a couple of feet, but she still remained up to stand her ground. While the other God Arc Soldiers finished off their targets, one last lone Aragami made its final stand and charged at her.

"Come on! I'm right here, show me what you've got!" She gestured at it with curl in and uncurling her fingers on both hands, as if to say bring it on. Enraged, the Aragami began to charge up a Divine attack as it continued to rush at her. Battle crying at the Aragami, Umiko speared her Buster Blade at the Aragami. It impaled into the skull of the Aragami knocking its head back as its eyes widened in shock. Attack still charging as Umiko jumped up to kick her God Arc deeper into its skulls. It released its attack as Umiko's foot made contact with the pummel of her God Arc. A Divine explosion engulfed them as their silhouette faded in its bright light.

"Umiko has received 5% damage, target is no longer active. All Aragami invading from the Northern region have been eliminated." The Engineered informed as the small body lining in the corner of Umiko's screen, representing her condition, temporarily glow off-and-on red.

The light from the explosion started to dim, and the dust began to clear out. The area hadn't seem to have taken much damage. There Empty Eyes stood, just like Umiko did on the screen, with its upper half bending down and its arms hung low. Its God Arc implanted in the ground at an angle where the Aragami use to be. It began to shake along with Umiko. It was... she was... laughing. She shot upward as she began to laugh out loud, face to the sky. The cover over Empty Eyes' face made its jaw unable to open, but Umiko's mouth was wide open on the screen as she laugh and shook in the shoulders.

"Heh hahaha! Yes, this is the feeling! Oh, it's good to be moving so in sync with Empty Eyes!" She still had that crazed look on her face as she spoke with glee.

"You seem to be having fun, Teacher." Abel commented on the God Arc Soldiers' mutual communicator.

"Are you kidding?" She then looked down at her hands as she continued to curl and uncurl her fingers. "I can feel Empty Eyes' emotions flowing inside of me. It's the closest I've ever come to feeling and it all shoots in me at once!"

She then embraced herself as she continued on. "I can feel it all: love, hate, sadness, joy, jealousy, worry, curiosity, pride, embarrassment, craving, lust, peace. I can feel it all! And I love these feelings, I can never get enough of them! It is when I'm in here with Empty Eyes that I feel the most alive, it makes me happy to be live! And there's no end to it, no matter how many times I crave for more."

"That's great for you, Sensei." Abel commented as he shook Umiko out of her ecstasy. "But would you mind coming over here and helping me? We've still got a couple more of them on our side. Whoa!"

Abel was caught off guard as one of the Aragami managed to wrap one of its tentacles around his leg.

"Hey, get off of me!" Abel shouted at it as he started to continuously stabbed into the tentacle, but the Aragami refused to release him. It continued to squeeze and put pressure on the leg. "Ah!"

"It's just in your mind, Abel! Your leg is fine, you need to pull yourself together!" One of the Engineers shouted into his communicator. But it went to deaf ears as he continued to grabbed onto his leg to try and relieve the pressure as the Aragami continued to squeeze harder. His monitor was going off the chart as it blinked red.

Then it happen, that sickening crack sound. The Aragami had broken Abel's Soldier's leg. His eyes bulged as he let out a pain shrieking scream.

"AHHH!"

"Abel, calm down! Your leg isn't broken!" One of the Engineers tried to reassure him.

"Abel's Soldier has received 40% damage in the lower region." Another Engineer informed. "Right leg is now unable to function."

The Aragami wrapped another tentacle around his skull and began to squeeze there as he screamed in pain.

"His Soldier is taking damage to the head! It won't be able to hold much longer under the pressure!" An Engineer shrieked in concern.

"What will happen to the Gods Eater's mental state?" Dr. Sakaki jumped in, as the scientist inside him was concern what the Resonance was doing to the Gods Eater.

"Just as they have become one, they can now feel each others pain." A scientist explained to him. "If anything, Abel will go into shock and possible coma at the destruction of his Soldier."

"AHH!" Abel screamed as he tried to pull the tentacles off of his head while ignoring the shooting pain coming from his leg. But it was a losing battle, the Aragami continued to add pressure. To the point that he dropped his God Arc.

"Back off!" Came out a shout from Umiko as she ran into the scene, cutting off the Aragami's tentacles as it stretched out toward Abel. Both Abel and the Aragami shot back, apart from each other at the sudden release of tension from their struggle. Abel sighed in relief while the Aragami roared in pain. "That's my student you're messing with, Monstrosity!"

Abel slowly got back up on his feet as he ripped the severed tentacle off of his head.

"Thanks, Sensei... you're a life savior."

"Pick up your God Arc." Umiko ordered. "Never let it go. It may be the difference of whether you survive or not."

The Aragami was furious, not only did its meal get away but another supposed dinner had just cut off one of its parts. It began charging up a Divine attack while Umiko placed an arm over Abel's shoulder to help support him.

"Let's finish it off!" Umiko barked as she made them both jump in the air.

"I couldn't agree more." Abel responded back as they readied their God Arcs to stabbed into the Aragami's spine as they came down.

"Vanish!" They both shouted at the same time as their God Arcs impaled it into the ground. It fell dead while the other God Arc Soldiers finished off the last few of the Aragami.

"Our shinning blades have triumphant." Umiko commented.

"But my Requiem has been damage." Abel grieved. "And I disgraced you today, Teacher. I failed to keep my guard and winded up needing you to save me."

"Everybody drops the ball sooner or later. That's why it's good to have someone there to watch your back. I hope that someday you'll do the same thing for me."

"I don't think that day will ever come, Teacher. You're practically a Wonder Twin."

"Hmph, say what you will. Either way, the damages Unholy Requiem received are not unfix-able. They should have you two both running again by the end of the day." Umiko commented as she started to help carry Abel back to the Branch, following along with the other God Arc Soldiers.

It was the strangest thing the three of them had ever seen and also... one of the cruelest. It was like a false hope, something to hold on to that could easily be ripped out of their hands. Even if it was for the briefest moment, and even if it was a little... malfunctioned and chaotic than usual. They had seen a brief moment of Umiko, the way she use to be. But the thing was... was it a fluke? Could it have come and gone as it had came? What was happening to their former First Unit Leader? And what has this Branch done to her, or to itself for that matter?

*** Author's Notes ***

Okay so I didn't really take into account that I'm using someone else's laptop. But at least I'll still be able to post up chapters quicker than I have. I just want to finish this book before it actually starts fading away in my head. I think you'll be surprised where the story is actually going.