A/N: Well, I don't need to say anything about my lateness. It's the same as before. This chapter is shorter than the previous mainly because I was thinking I needed to rush through the story sooner. Still, my side-tracking had caused multiple delays and as such I am unable to produce any writing that meets my bare minimum standards lately. Sigh... I'm going to tire myself out with this.
Anyway, visit my blog since I've updated it with some new drawings! In particular... EIN SHREWERZ, TATSUME KENJI, KINOJI AWASE, HIMURA YUUKO, GOUDATERA TAKAKO AND KUROGANE KOU!
YES! I've drawn out all of the Division leaders (except Jinnai because his existence is so miniscule). I've also drawn out Katsuragi Rei and will be unloading his drawing after I've sketched a down-scaled version. His first sketch is very nice, if I might say so myself, but I miscalculated the sizes and ended up cutting off a bit off his hair and his legs are missing. I need to scale things right first... If I can...
Anyway, big thanks to my readers who contributed your characters. I hope I managed to do some justice to your characters. If not... well... sorry?
Angel Beats!
What We Live For
Operation 49
Sloth
"Would they really be alright?"
Yuri asked as they continued on up the tower once more. By 'they' she meant the three who walked in front of the rest. Just like before, the hall that they fought within disappeared once they left, transforming the place back into its original form. Kei looked at the backs of the three who had just fought their own comrade just a few minutes ago. There was no way they would be alright, but it was something that they chose for themselves. He could not deny their choices and he would rather not. They had made their decision and walked along the path they chose, despite how much pain or hardship it may put them through.
"... They will be."
He simply replied. That is because they are SSS2. They are survivors in this harsh World and they are betting all they had on this War. Betting on their hopes that they will win, that they will conquer the madness that plagued this World and within themselves.
"We would most likely meet another one of those division leaders and we will most likely have another fight on our hands."
Yuri stated but he did not need to be told that. He knew that better than anyone else.
"... We will have to fight all division leaders."
"Including this... Kurogane Kou?"
That sentence brought him to a full stop, making Yuri stop as well. Kurogane Kou. The leader of the sixth division, the reaper. Without realizing it, he had found himself... infatuated with her. He wanted to help her, save her from the madness. He knew that they would have to fight her eventually. But when would that eventuality be? He had hoped that she did not succumb to the madness like the other leaders but he knew that would not be possible. Still, if such a possibility was there... No matter. He had to deal with the SSS2 leaders and what lay ahead of their path. Kurogane Kou including.
"... I'll deal with that... when the time comes."
Yuri did not seemed all too convinced by his answer but she kept her own opinions to herself. Everything has a meaning to it, even if that thing may seem extremely absurd to her for it may very well work. The group continued on up the spiralling stairwell in silence. It was a heavy atmosphere to be in but no one could change it, no one wanted to change it. They had to fight their own leaders, their own comrades, the ones they had placed their trust onto throughout the decades they spent in this hell hole. But it wasn't the same as being betrayed. No, it was the feeling of themselves being the unwilling betrayers. They had to betray their leaders in order to pursue their ideals. Their ideals of being strong enough to overcome their own darkness. They had placed that very same ideal on their leaders and the organization. The SSS2 was the very manifestation of those ideals.
But ideals were vague at best and thus came the great divide. To cling onto their hopeless ideals without compromise, to stubbornly follow the same path despite it leading them further into despair. Or to look towards a brighter future, to make those ideals into something tangible, into something they can grab hold onto. And so they will have to face their own past, their own despairs and suffer pain and agony. Two separate paths from the same starting point. One path is easy path, to follow your own convictions to the letter, making no compromise. The other... threatens to shake your very beliefs. These brave ones had chosen the latter and though the path they now walk is filled with hardships, it will inevitably help them leave this madness.
"Looks like we've reached the next one."
Kyou spoke up, making the group stop. Just as Kyou said, they had reached the next pair of large doors. This door had carvings that depicted people lying on the ground, all reaching out for the sky above them but yet not reaching what the sky had provided.
"Well, that was much faster than the previous two."
Yuri muttered, walking over to the pair of doors. She traced her finger on the carvings on the door before she closed her eyes in thought.
"... This is sloth. Any idea who might be behind this door?"
She opened her eyes once more and turned to the SSS2 members in the group. The SSS2 members all looked to one another before Iris spoke up.
"I might have an idea."
The former vice commander of the intelligence division walked up to the door, studying the carvings a little more before turning to the rest of the group.
"Beyond this door is probably one of the stronger Division leaders. Most likely the third strongest division leader. Kinoji Awase."
Iris said, letting some in the group to question that.
"Kinoji Awase? Is she that strong?"
Hinata asked. Iris crossed her arms as she looked back to the carvings on the door before explaining
"Kinoji Awase's potential is immense. We have no idea what she did or happened in her life but her abilities are probably one of the strongest in our entire organisation."
"You keep talking as though it is only a possibility she might be the strongest. As though you yourself are not certain."
Yuri pointed out. Iris nodded to Yuri's inquiry.
"Exactly. No one is certain of Awase's true abilities as she rarely, if ever, shows them. While she isn't as strong as Kurogane Kou or Taeno Yuki, she is still one of the strongest. Her power peaks out above almost all other leaders but it hardly goes there. In other words, when she goes all out... no one knows what will happen."
"Not to mention, she'll be the first Division Leader we'll face who actually holds onto a SSS ranked weapon."
Rei added, making the entire atmosphere within the group rather dire.
"Is the weapon really that powerful?"
Hinata asked, making Yuri punch him in the face.
"Weren't you listening to anything we talked about just now? Those weapons are dangerous, especially when they are linked to the user's SIN through the program."
"That isn't the only reason why they are dangerous."
Rei added, walking up to the pair of doors.
"... When a person holds onto a conviction so strongly, they become that conviction in itself. The SSS weapons are able to take on the emotions and feelings of its user, amplifying such powers beyond what any one is capable of even comprehending. In other words, the SSS weapons becomes the SIN itself."
The silence that followed Rei's explanation was long and suffocating.
"Well, no point just waiting out here for something to happen. Let's just get inside and face our next opponent."
Yuri suddenly said, pushing the giant doors open. The group looked to one another with slight uncertainty but followed the SSS leader through the giant pair of door. Walking through the door, the group entered darkness and the giant doors closed behind them. While it wasn't anything new, it still made them slightly jumpy and on edge. Lights suddenly flickered to life above their heads, illuminating the darkness that they stood in. And where they were standing in did not please them in the slightest.
It was a giant hall, like others before this one, one that had to walls and no ceilings. The hall went on for miles, as far as the eye could see. The lights above were floating lights, hovering above like being held there by some invisible line. Within this hall were beds. Simply beds that could be found in most infirmaries and hospitals. With the beds lined up in neat rows and columns, this place looked more like a field hospital than an infirmary. The scene was somewhat unsettling for the group, to be surrounded by so many beds, and it was especially uncomfortable for some within the group.
"... Let's just be thankful there aren't any blood stains on them."
Yuri said, breaking the silence and leading the group onwards. While what she said was extremely disturbing, it was a thought that had crossed the minds of each and every single one of them. The giant hall seemed to go on for some time as the group continued to walk through the rows of beds. But soon it became evident that where ever their goal might be, they would be reaching it soon. The beds became more cluttered, unkempt and the air started to get heavy. A strange invisible weight seemed to bear down on the group, their legs became harder to move, their breathing became slowed and hard. The air was thick and smothering. Some in the group felt it was hard to even stay alert at this point.
"Can I... just rest?"
Kyou wondered, collapsing onto one of the beds and promptly dozed off. Tomoyo had to drag her friend to keep up with the group though Tomoyo herself was also feeing the effects of this hall.
"This is quite bad."
Rei muttered, rubbing his eyes to ensure he stayed awake.
"NPCs can get affected as well?"
Yuri asked, trying her best to keep up the appearance of being awake.
"I have... the soul of a human... I can get affected quite... easily."
Rei replied, shaking his head to dispel whatever had gotten over him. But luckily for the group, they did not have to go that much further. They soon reached what they could presume as the centre of the hall. A large mountain of infirmary beds all piled up upon one another in a disorganized manner and sitting on top of all of that was a young woman. With her shoulder length brown hair, she was simply lying on the top of the mountain of beds, staring up to the darkness that covered the ceiling. If there was one. This was the person they were meant to fight next. The next hurdle in their journey The one they had been searching for.
"... Kinoji... Awase."
"That is 'Kinoji Awase'?"
Hinata wondered out loud. The person who lay at the top of the mountain of beds did not seem to notice the group below, or even make any attempts to move for that matter.
"Is she... dead?"
"Awase is one hard person to kill."
A small sized person said, stepping forward.
"Takako."
The small sized second in command of the Guild forces had a nerve snap but she kept her cool. Slightly.
"... Anyway, like I said, Awase is hard to kill. There's a saying that even if you were to kill her ten times over, and remove her head from her body, she would still revive with a new body to the head and a new head to the body."
The group stood there in slight shock and disgust as the image of the saying floated into their minds. Certainly it wasn't a very pleasant image to see.
"Well, even if she is that tough, we must still get through her."
Yuri pointed out, to which Takako nodded in agreement.
"Yes, and that is why I will request that I would fight her."
"You? Fight her? Why?"
Yuri asked but Takako simply turned her head and looked at Rei's direction.
"... Because someone said it is better to get a person who is more understanding and sympathetic towards our opponent in order to make them pass on. I believe that I am suitable to fight Awase as we both share a similar past."
By someone, she really obviously meant Rei.
"And so I will engage in combat with Awase."
Takako concluded, turning back to the mountain of beds with her opponent at the top.
"Can you win? All by yourself?"
Yuri asked.
"... To be honest, I am uncertain of the outcome myself-"
Takako muttered, but her eyes still stayed focused.
"But... It is still something I must do. I have chosen to walk upon this path of carnage and I have to ensure that I see it through towards the end. That... is my conviction."
"... Takako... did you eat something bad? You're speaking in a really weird manner."
[Goudatera Takako used 'Chains of Binding']
[Katsuragi Rei suffers 30 damage]
With Rei out of commission and a new lump on his head from being lifted up into the air and dropped onto his head from a great height, Takako sighed, shaking her head.
"... Those chains. Are they-"
Yuri pointed to the weapons in Takako's hand. Takako shook her head.
"No, these aren't SSS ranked weapons. These are-"
"Grade S rank specialised weapon... the 'Chains that bound the caged bird'..."
A new voice spoke up, making everyone turn. That voice... it came from the top of the mountain of beds.
"Kinoji... Awase..."
Takako turned her attention back to the figure at the top of the beds.
[Boss Fight]
[4th Division Leader: Diversion]
[Kinoji Awase]
[Alignment: Neutral]
[Type: Sloth]
[Level: 150
HP: 50000000
MP: 60000000
Strength: D
Agility: Z
Endurance: Z
Luck: SS]
[Weapons List:
- Rabbit Hole (Rank SSS)
- Rabbit Foot (Rank SSS)]
.
.
.
.
"..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"..."
Silence. Was something suppose to happen? In the first place, those stats were very poor looking.
"... A... Awase?"
Takako asked, hoping to get a response.
.
.
.
.
"... ZZZZ"
.
.
.
"Huh?"
All stood in stunned silence as they tried to make sure that what they just heard was right.
"ZZZZ"
Yup, they weren't dreaming it. Kinoji Awase, the true leader of the Diversion Division, as well as their next opponent, was sleeping.
"... She sure snores loudly."
Hinata pointed out.
"Is that a snot bubble?"
"Gross."
And so the climatic situation had just gone bust. Again. Takako did not seem all too pleased with how it all went.
"... Sigh, Oi! Awase! Wake up!"
Takako shouted.
"ZZZZ"
But to no avail. At this point, a certain nerve snapping could be heard.
"ARGH! WAKE UP!"
Takako screamed, using her chain to grab one of the beds by the leg and with one pull, lifted the bed into the air and sending it soaring towards the sleeping division leader.
BOOM
[Kinoji Awase receives 9999999999 damage]
"Oi, are you sure she can survive that?"
"Don't worry, she's stronger than you think. Besides, she's a division leader."
Kyou answered Yuri's query with confidence.
.
.
.
.
.
.
[Kinoji Awase is dead]
.
.
.
.
.
.
"Erm... that wasn't suppose to happen?"
"... No."
The group stood there in silence.
"... She's not waking up."
Hinata pointed out.
"... Right! Well, that just means we beat her. Let's move on."
Yuri stated, heading off in one direction.
"Oi! That's not how it's suppose to happen!"
Rei snapped at the SSS leader. Certainly, this strange turn of events was too weird even for a group of mismatched people like them. Yuri stopped in her tracks and turned to face the NPC.
"Then what is suppose to happen? We are here to defeat the SSS2 leaders and that is what happened here."
Yuri replied whilst narrowing her eyes at Rei. Rei simply sighed, shaking his head is disbelief.
"Look, you know it as much as I do, Nakamura-san. Even if we managed to defeat a leader this way, it will not end the war, will not end the madness. It would only delay the inevitable. Now isn't the time to take short cuts and be lazy about finishing what we started."
Yuri wanted to argue back but kept her words to herself. She knew that Rei had a point. This method of dealing with the Division leaders was wrong. And in the first place, these sorts of events would only lead to a flag. A flag for a boss battle.
"And a flag you did raise."
A voice muttered. Everyone turned around and saw that the bed that Takako used to slam into Kinoji was slowly being lifted up. Standing up straight above the mountain of beds, holding up that one bed above her head with one hand, Kinoji Awase stood there, her glare menacing.
"... I really wanted to sleep. Did you know it is rude to wake someone up by slamming a bed on them?"
With one hand, she tossed the bed high into the air before it fell back down to the base of the mountain of bed frames. The menacing aura that came from Awase was something not to be taken lightly. It was suffocating, choking and absolutely frightening. It was like facing a giant beast that everyone knew was a threat to their lives.
"Do you not know the meaning... of letting sleeping lions be? Obviously not."
Awase muttered, sitting back down onto the bed she lay down on before. Her eyes narrowed at the group, looking at each and every one of them. Her eyes fell upon the SSS members, in particular Yuri.
"... So, our predecessors have arrived. No doubt to clean up our mess. It would have been wise to follow her advise and just carry on, but that isn't what you all are here for. To be honest, I would let all of you just go by. Don't need to fight, I'm quite tired after all... But you guys won't leave."
Awase muttered, now focusing her attention to Rei.
"... Katsuragi. I had always thought you as my favourite... Personally, I would have taken you into my division but Yuki-chan is very... persuasive. Who knew you would end up being our enemy in disguise? ... Well, every one of the division leaders knew about it so that does not really say anything, but it does not change the fact that you... are not who you were... Even now."
Awase crossed her legs, resting her chin on her hand.
"... Tell me, Katsuragi... Who are you?"
"... Tell me, Katsuragi... Who are you?"
That question hit Rei quite hard. He did not know exactly how to answer it. Who was he? He was an NPC. He was Katsuragi Rei. But... is he still is up till now? He had a human soul within him. Kurogane Kei's soul within him. Does that make him Kurogane Kei? No, of course not. Is he Katsuragi, the SSS2 Wolf fighter? That can't be right. That contradicts the first statement of being an NPC. When A is not equal to B or C and B is not equal to A or C but all statements A B and C hold true... Huh?
"All answers... are wrong... and yet... all answers... are right."
Awase spoke up, as though reading his mind.
"You are an NPC... yet you are also a SSS2 warrior... at the same time you harbour the soul of another human being... You confuse yourself too much Katsuragi... Confuse yourself till you go blind to all that is right in front of you... and then... you lose yourself."
Lose himself. That was a thought that he did not entertain at all. He had always thought himself to be an NPC, therefore unable to turn mad but that train of thought was wrong. His two 'siblings', if you could call them that, went mad from being tainted by the madness of the SSS2. He harbours a human soul as well and humans were prone to madness. Awase studied Rei as he carefully thought about his own situation before closing her eyes with a slight smile.
"... Well, heed it if you want to. It does not concern me."
She said, getting up to her feet.
"What concerns me at this moment is the fact that all of you are here to end the madness, so even if I let you go pass, you wouldn't leave... So what would it take to make all of you to leave me alone? ... A chocolate bar?"
Awase quizzed, reaching into her pocket and fishing out a large wrapped bar of chocolate. She looked at the bar for sometime before looking at the group below.
"... I don't want to give you guys this. It looks too delicious."
With that, Awase ate the chocolate bar.
.
.
.
"... Huh?"
"Mgndgfgndnmdnm"
Awase tried to say something but her words were nothing more than garbage due to the chocolate she was chewing on.
"Awase... how many times must you be told to swallow before talking?"
Kyou asked whilst shaking her head in dismay. The Diversion leader chewed the remaining bits in her mouth before swallowing and licking her fingers and lips of any residue chocolate.
"... Hmm... I was told by Jinnai twice today, three times by Kou, five times by Ein, one time by Yuki and..."
Awase trailed off, before looking at Kyou.
"... Once by you..."
Awase's stare was hard and Kyou was beginning to feel slightly pressured by it. Kinoji Awase was a Division leader, and one of the strongest. It wasn't so much she had the ability to lead, but she exuded a presence that hid a secret. A secret that was so tempting and yet dangerous at the same time. Who would endure longer? Kyou? Or Awase. Kyou knew that she could not stand up to a Division leader on her own. She lacked the strength and power to attempt such a foolish thought. But she had to try.
.
.
.
.
"...ZZZZ"
[Kinoji Awase is asleep]
"OI! NOT THIS PATTERN AGAIN!"
Takako snapped, using her chain once more, this time aiming it straight for the sleeping Awase. But Awase raised her arm and the chain wrapped itself around her arm. Takako felt a huge tug on the chain and struggled to keep it in her hands. Awase opened her eyes once more, narrowing them at Takako.
"... So... you guys won't leave... Well... that's sort of sad... I don't feel like doing this... Too many people."
Awase muttered, looking at the entire SSS group.
"... Time to cut down the spectators."
With that, Awase snapped her fingers. Almost instantaneously, everyone in the group felt a large wave of drowsiness hit them, making them fall to the ground asleep almost immediately.
"... Hmm... Finally... some peace and quiet. Time to sleep again-"
Before Awase wanted to lie back down on her bed but the chain around her arm tugged at her.
"Not so fast... Awase."
Standing firmly with a slight smirk on her face, Goudatera Takako gripped onto her chain tightly.
"... You're... not asleep?"
Awase asked in slight surprise.
"She's not the only one."
Standing up from the floor, the pinked haired guitarist of the SSS band stepped forward.
"The super beauty, Yui-nyan, is here!"
Awase narrowed her eyes at the two who stood defiantly up to her. Against her sleeping power, against her wishes to avoid combat... against her.
"... Then so be it... You will have your combat..."
Awase muttered, getting back up to her feet.
"... But you will regret... not walking away from this... In fact... you won't be walking anywhere... ever... again."
[Boss Fight]
[4th Division Leader: Diversion]
[Kinoji Awase]
[Alignment: Neutral]
[Type: Sloth]
[Level: 150
HP: 50000000
MP: 60000000
Strength: D
Agility: Z
Endurance: Z
Luck: SS]
[Weapons List:
- Rabbit Hole (Rank SSS)
- Rabbit Foot (Rank SSS)]
VS
[3rd Division: Guild; Leader of Builders Squad (Former)
Vice Commander SSS2 Army: Guild
SSS2 Army Guild Division Special Tactical Shield Squad Leader (Concurrent)]
[Goudatera Takako]
[Alignment: Chaotic Evil]
[Level: 80
HP: 60000
MP: 100000
Strength: B
Agility: C
Endurance: A
Luck: B]
[Weapons List:
- Chain of a bound bird (Rank S)]
[SSS Band: Girls Dead Monster second leader singer]
[Yui (Nyan) ]
[Alignment: Chaotic Evil]
[Level: 50
HP: 20000
MP: 60000
Strength: C
Agility: A
Endurance: B
Luck: S]
[Weapons List:
- Guitar (Rank: C)
- Yui-Nyan Power (Rank: ? )]
.
.
.
.
"BE SERIOUS ABOUT THIS!"
Takako snapped, punching Yui straight down on the head, causing the SSS guitarist to have her head bounce around like a bobble head as stars and a dancing cow starting to go around her head.
"Sheesh, and I thought all of our predecessors were much better than this."
Takako muttered, rubbing her fist to soothe away the slight pain. Yui's skull is much thicker than previously thought.
"Guess all sorts of appearances can be deceiving."
Takako said, turning her attention back to Awase. The Division leader stood there, observing the entire event with a stoic expression on her face.
"... ZZZZ"
[Kinoji Awase is asleep]
"... I knew it."
Takako muttered, retracting her chain, before she lashed it out at one of the beds scattered about. Lifting the bed up with her chain, Takako swung it around once before bringing it crashing down on Awase. But the impact was stopped when Awase reached out and grabbed the bed, preventing it from hitting her.
"... You are extremely rude, Goudatera Takako... To disturb me not once... not twice... but three times..."
The growing anger was starting to build up from Awase. The air around Takako was starting to feel thick and heavy. Her breathing was hard and arduous. Her mind was starting to lose focus from lack of oxygen. This was the power of the Diversion Division Leader, the one who embodied the sin of Sloth, Kinoji Awase. But this wasn't even Awase's full potential. As the embodiment of Sloth, she could do almost anything if she had the right motivation. Not to mention she has yet to use her rank SSS weapon. But Takako had to risk it. If Awase used her SSS weapon without the activation of her skill, Takako could have a serious advantage over Awase. However... If Awase were to ever activate her skill, Takako would not know if she could even stand up to the Division leader.
"You hope for me to use my weapon... without using my skill. Aren't you, Goudatera?"
Awase asked, making Takako narrow her eyes at the division leader. Her plan was revealed too quickly. Awase knew all about the one edge Takako would have in this fight and now the fight would not be swung in her favour. Awase merely smirked as she reached into her pocket and pulled out two objects. A cloth ball, and a pocket watch. The 'Rabbit's Hole' and the 'Rabbit's Foot'. The two weapons of Kinoji Awase and the answer to Takako's problem... as well as the very existence of her problems.
"Since this has gone on long enough, let's just cut straight to the climax of this battle... don't you agree, Goudatera?"
Awase smiled at Takako who could not laugh at this situation at all.
"How about you just surrender right now and just pass on?"
Takako replied. Awase tilted her head slightly, rubbing her chin in thought. She was actually giving that idea some thought?
"... Hmmm... that is tempting."
IT IS? !
"It is best idea... isn't it? I don't have to fight... you guys don't need to bother me... I can sleep all day..."
Awase went off on how that idea of pleasing, listing more and more things that would be beneficial to her if she just passed on.
"... No more noise... No more noisy Jinnai to nag... It really is... a tempting idea... but-"
Awase smiled as she looked back to Takako.
"... That is not going to be the case... I'm too lazy to pass on... And if I pass on now... a lot of people would be disappointed... you would not want to disappoint them... would you?"
"I wouldn't mind disappointing a whole lot of people if it were to make my life easier... BUT WHO THE HELL ARE THESE 'A LOT OF PEOPLE'? !"
Takako suddenly snapped.
"Ara ara... Goudatera, doing a nori-tsukkomi now... you are progressing well as a comedian."
"I DON'T WANT TO BE ONE!"
"Ara ara... but it suits you so well... And by a whole lot... I mean the readers of course... They waited so long for a good fight... why disappoint them?"
"DON'T GO RANDOMLY BREAKING DOWN WALLS!"
Takako was really going off the rails. If this keeps up, her mental state would collapse way before the fight even began.
"AND WHOSE BLOODY FAULT DO YOU THINK THAT IS? !"
Right, mine.
"Now now... there isn't any reason to blame the script... After all... it is all simply... a story."
Awase muttered, her tone turning slightly strained. Her eyes closed for the moment before opening them once more, staring down straight at Takako.
"... And every story... no matter how beautiful... or interesting... needs an end."
[Program: Initialized]
[Corruption level: 1000%]
[Engaging DEMON protocol]
"... An end... to a beautiful... dream."
[Belphegor; Activate]
'I am the deepest of all Sins.
I am the dark beauty of life,
the endless sleep of every night.
I am the the temptation at every corner,
The chains of the weary and restless.
I halt all minds and bring Worlds to a stand still.
To overcome me is to resist your life.
You cannot exist without me,
You can deny me,
But you will always carry me within your heart.
I am the challenge all face at every second of their lives,
the great divide at every decision.
I am the darkness that shall devour you,
at every hour,
at every minute,
at every second.
By the waking dawn of the day,
to the waning dusk of the night.
I stand by all, embracing the eternal.
Sleep is my calling,
Laziness is my creed.
I am Belphegor.
I am Acedia.
I am Sloth.'
[Boss Fight]
[Incarnation of Sloth: Belphegor]
[Kinoji Awase]
[ALICE Mode; Activated]
[ALICE Armour equipped]
[Level: 250
HP: 800000000
MP: 1000000000
Strength: B
Agility: C
Endurance: D
Luck: SS]
[Weapons List:
- ALICE Armour (Rank SSS)
- Rabbit Hole (Rank SSS)
- Rabbit Foot (Rank SSS)]
A great explosion of sheer pressure came from Awase, blowing Takako back, forcing the latter to shield her face from the impact. Struggling back to her feet, Takako looked up and saw something she did not know how to describe. Unlike the previous two Division leaders, Awase did not transform into some hideous beast. No contorted joints, no elongated faced, no weird growling and drooling sounds. Awase was... still Awase. The only difference between the Awase that stood before Takako now, and the one from before was what she was wearing.
No longer in her uniform, Awase was wearing some sort of elaborate dress that seemed to come from a Victorian era royal gown party. While not as frilly and thick as those dresses, the frills did seem to fit the image. A white corset top that went down to a tail coat. Frilly white skirt that went half way to her thighs. An overall blue coat that displayed her slim figure. However even despite her graceful figure, there was something about Awase that just did not sit right with Takako. Something ominous and malicious. The overwhelming pressure from before was greater in intensity.
"You seem confused... Goudatera."
Awase smiled slyly, as though mocking Takako.
"That... armour... that isn't the same... as Jinnai or Shrewerz."
Takako spoke, her breath made heavy by the intense pressure. Awase looked at herself, as though it was her first time noticing what she was wearing, before she looked to Takako with a smile.
"Isn't it nice? I designed it myself... Well, as much as I would like to... Looks like you haven't thought things through properly... have you, Goudatera?"
Awase smirked, swaying her head from side to side.
"It is all due to this."
She pulled out her two rank SSS weapons. The ball of cloth and the pocket watch. The moment Takako saw them she realized what was going on.
"The SSS weapons... So those things managed to control and regulate the madness, preventing you from being completely consumed by the madness."
"Yes... and no..."
Awase replied with a slight smile.
"While the weapon does regulate the madness as a by-product of it utilizing the darkness as a power, it does not prevent me from being consumed... rather... I am already part of the madness. The weapon simply prevents me from losing my form... and my humanity."
That was something that Takako did not expect to hear. The weapons did not control the madness, but rather enforces madness in order to boost the power of itself. However within its power, it is capable of keeping its wielder's human form intact, as well as retaining a certain level of humanity in order to maximise its own power. Lose too much humanity and the weapon would not be able to be used to its full potential. Almost like giving a dog a gun. The weapon was like a living creature, using its wielder to maximise its own efficiency by controlling the ratio of madness, power and control. That 'Armour' was a manifestation of that power and madness, its shape formed by the willpower and imagination of the wielder, and by extension by the SIN of the wielder.
"... Even if you still have some shred of humanity... you are now SIN... in complete form, aren't you?"
Takako said. Awase smiled at her question.
"... Yes... in a way. I am SIN... while not complete... I am far more powerful than the previous two you have fought before... Humans have always held immense power within them... within their hearts... within their souls... And with such a form... the madness shall take form."
Awase took out her cloth ball.
"EXEC_ANGELPROGRAM : / / / SYSTEM_LINK WEAPONS_SKILL \ WONDERLAND; ACTIVATE"
Awase threw the cloth ball up into the air and it unravelled itself, revealing its dark hole in the centre. And from the centre came forth a violent torrent of weapons. The black hole spewed forth weapons from every era. Swords, clubs, maces, spears, flails, sabres, cutlasses, axes, rapiers, glaives, halberds, bows, knives, daggers, darts, slings, muskets, flintlocks, clockwork pistols, bayonets, cannons, rifles, machine guns, automatic rifles, semi-automatic pistols, combat knives, mini guns, and it even shot out tanks, howitzers, self-propelled guns and-
"A SHIP? !"
A small size cruiser even came out of the black hole. Anything that was classified as a weapon came out, scattering across the entire infinite hall. This was 'Wonderland', the land of dreams and nightmares. Like its namesake, it was created by Awase's mind, a World of things that defied logic, a World where she ruled over. A World where everyone else would eventually lose their minds within. Awase grabbed onto her first weapon, a long sword, looking down at Takako.
"Well now... shall we dance?"
BOOM
From the explosion Takako flew out, pulled out of the immediate danger by her chain. But out from the smoke Awase flew straight after her.
"Tch!"
Takako yanked her chain out from where it was anchored and let it fly in another direction, anchoring itself around an embedded spear. Once it was locked around the spear it yanked Takako in its new direction, making Awase miss in her swing. However that did not stop Awase as the division leader suddenly flipped her body, landing her feet against the side of a cannon, springing off the cannon and shooting off towards Takako. The small sized Guild builder knew she could not avoid this blow. Her grip on her chain tightened. Her chain yanked the spear it was attached to out of the ground and retracted itself back to its wielder.
Takako grabbed the spear that her chain carried back and brought up just in time to block the blow from Awase. The blow was not powerful but was still quite strong. Using her strength, Takako twisted the spear, pushing Awase to one side, flipping the spear and bringing it's shaft down on Awase, hitting the division leader hard on the back and sending her crashing into the ground. Takako landed back on the ground a few metres away, gripping onto her spear as she readied for Awase's next move. Awase got back to her feet, seemingly unhurt. She looked down at her hand and saw that the sword she carried was broken, its blade somewhere further back. Awase sighed, tossing the hilt away before she walked over to a pair of short swords, pulling them out of the ground and turned back to Takako.
"It's rude to break someone else's things."
Awase said, readying her weapons.
"As if they are your things in the first place."
Takako muttered back, readying her spear. Awase was able to use all weapons her black hole cloth spewed out, as can Kurogane Kou, Amatsu Len and herself, Goudatera Takako. However each of them was different in how they are able to use all sorts of weaponries. Kurogane Kou was able to fully utilize every weapon in existence due to her 'hollow' nature, not having a definite form and from her life of hardships of being someone she wasn't. Amatsu Len was a street fighter, not to mention she was intelligent (even if that aspect is quite hard to see), and thus she would be able to use most weapons to a certain degree.
Goudatera Takako, herself, worked with the Builders and had to test all sorts of weapons. She was one of the few people in Guild whom their leader, Himura Yuuko, trusted the most to test every weapon, thus allowing Takako to have an expansive knowledge base on how to use and operate weapons. Kinoji Awase, on the other hand, was a complete enigma. Her ability to use every weapon was unlike anyone else. Unlike the others, who used the weapons in accordance to how they were designed to, Awase used weapons in accordance to how SHE would use them. In other words, every weapon she picked up would be used in a manner much like how she would use a completely different weapon.
Awase's style was something that wasn't concrete, that lacked a proper structure, much like a lazy person's method to everything. A short cut No matter what weapon she used, it would be degraded, or upgraded to her own level. A level C. A level D weapon would be upgraded to level C in her hands while a SS level weapon would be degraded to level C. Even Kurogane Kou's weapon would be degraded that low, though Takako was sure no one but Kou herself could even touch that weapon. However that did not mean Awase was weak. On the contrary, her ability makes her nearly unpredictable. Though her entire form is similar across the different weapons, her ability to change on the fly was unparalleled.
"Goudatera... don't think so much."
Awase's voice broke Takako's concentration. Awase's figure disappeared in a blur and Takako suddenly felt someone behind her.
"It takes up too much energy."
Takako turned around just in time to parry Awase's blow but the force of the impact made Takako fly off her feet. The down-side to being small in size. Takako flipped in mid-air, throwing the spear in her hand at Awase who simply knocked the weapon away with her twin swords. Takako threw her chain to the side, latching onto a great axe. The chain pulled the giant weapon out of the ground and with one giant swing, sent it flying towards Awase. Without a pause, Awase threw her twin swords at the giant axe. The two swords were pulverized by the axe, disintegrating into strings of ones and zeroes. However that one move made the axe go off target, crashing into the ground right next to her. Awase turned to the axe and grabbed it, pulling it out of the ground with one hand.
"... Thanks."
She smiled, before throwing the axe at Takako. The axe flew at great speeds towards Takako, spinning wildly like a hurricane towards its target. Takako could not evade, nor did she have any weapons with her. She pulled her chain back, coiling it around her two hands multiple times. Using the bundled up chain, she held it up just in time as the axe impacted. The chain, with its multiple overlapping rounds, stopped the axe in its tracks though the force it was enough to blow Takako further back. She threw her chain to the side, anchoring it as it pulled her towards the ground safely. But Takako had no time to rest as looking up, she saw Awase with a belt covered with throwing knives.
"Oh shi-"
Before Takako could finish her sentence, Awase swung the belt like a whip, causing the daggers to fly out of the belt and straight towards Takako.
"Chain that binds!"
Takako whipped out her chain and the weapon snaked itself in the air, catching the daggers in its links though several daggers still managed to get through its maze-like defence, cutting Takako at her cheek, her thigh, her arm, her stomach. But at least she was still alive. She swung the chain once, before bringing it down, forcing the daggers out of her chain links and sent them back towards Awase. The division leader raised her leg up before slamming it down onto the ground, sent a shock wave across the floor. The vibration also forced the weapons in front of Awase to 'jump' up, effectively forming a wall to shield her from the daggers.
The daggers clashed with the wall of weapons that Awase made with her slam and fell harmlessly away. Awase reached out and grabbed a curved blade with her right hand and a rapier with her left hand from the wall of weapons before they fell back down to the ground. Awase had two different kinds of weapons. The curved blade was a slicing weapon whereas the rapier was a stabbing one. However this was the inevitable proof that Awase had the ability to change any weapon to suit her 'style'.
"..."
Awase paused for a moment, looking at the weapons in her hands.
"... I got the wrong weapons."
.
.
.
.
"... Eh?"
"... No, you see, I was trying to grab a dagger and a... what was it again?"
Awase pondered out loud. After a while, Awase just shrugged her shoulders.
"Oh nevermind... It's too troublesome to change now... let's just use these."
Awase said before pulling out something from her pocket. A pocket watch. Her second SSS weapon. Rabbit's foot.
"Oh shi-"
Click
Before Takako could say another word, Awase was right in front of her, her weapons ready to strike down. Takako barely had time to use her chains and block the attacks from above. But this left her side open and Awase sent her foot into Takako's abdomen and sent the small sized Builder of Guild flying. Before Takako could recover in the air, Awase appeared above her with a giant axe swinging above her head.
"Chains-"
"Too slow."
BOOM
Takako was sent flying towards the ground, impacting with such great velocity that a crater was formed. Takako had managed to stave off a large portion of the damage as her chain not only extended out, but it had also wrapped itself around her entire body under her clothes, forming a chain-mail like effect as a protective layer. But still, Awase was no joking matter. Her attacks were like 5 ton trucks ramming at full speed into her one after another. And the other problem was that pocket watch. The Rabbit's foot. Takako struggled out of the hole in the ground, pain wrecking throughout her body. She must have had almost all of her bones crushed. She coughed up blood onto the floor, her vision blurring.
It would be hard for her to continue fighting at this rate but she was the only one who could move. What made her think she could take on a Division leader all on her own? Not to mention a leader who could use a SSS ranked weapon. Even Saya had Rei's Angels to help her during the fight with Jinnai. The best part of this combination? She was fighting Kinoji Awase. THE Kinoji Awase. This crazy overload of a division leader has her stats peaking out at nearly SS each! If she bothers to try in the first place. The only thing that is preventing Awase from going all super-cheat-code is the fact that Awase is... lazy. Like the Sin she represents, Awase is lazy to do almost anything that is required of her. She could even sleep in the middle of battle, which she did earlier, and not care about a single thing that came her way. That was the only reason why Jinnai was assigned to help her and the Diversion division had two leaders in the end.
One who could make the decisions, and the other who holds the power to wield that authority. And with that power came the SSS weapons. Takako had believed that as long as Awase did not use Rabbit's foot, she could win. But even so, without it Awase is still strong. Rabbit's hole had the ability to call up any weapon that Awase so desired, setting the basis for what 'Wonderland' is. Rabbit's foot had to ability to make Awase faster, or in other sense, it could pause time and make Awase seem like she 'teleports'. This weapons is what creates the 'atmosphere' of Wonderland. Both are dangerous and together they form the most dangerous leader to fight against.
Click
"Done already?"
Takako looked up and saw Awase walking over to the edge of the crater, looking down at her. Takako smirked, spitting out some more blood.
"... Not even close."
Sloth. A Sin that represents the tardiness of man. It is the heavy chains that weigh down determination and the deterrence from success and victory. It is the seductive second path that would eventually lead us astray from our goals and engulf us whole. That means that the person who would personify Sloth would be able to do anything if they actually tried. Kinoji Awase is that very personification. Takako would not lie to herself. She does not know Awase's past that well, but only hearing bits and pieces of it. Awase herself did not bother to tell anyone anything and the most people got was if she had accidentally blurted out something.
From what Takako could piece together, Awase was from a rich family. She lived a happy life. But then some illness struck her, forcing her to be bed-ridden. From this point on, Takako had no more leads on Awase's past though something was telling her that she would not need to wait for long to understand the dark life of the person who would become the Diversion Division leader, Kinoji Awase. The sounds of the battle echoed through the hall as the two fighters continued to fight. Awase, using her ability to pick up any weapons and use them as her own, coupled with her Rabbit's foot weapon. Fighting against Takako, the one who uses her chain in addition to her basic knowledge of all the weapons available The two who were similar yet standing on opposite sides of the same path.
Awase slammed her foot on the ground, forcing the pistols on the ground to jump up from the shock wave of impact. Grabbing the pistols, Awase aimed them at Takako and fired in rapid succession. Takako used her chain and grabbed a shield nearby, bringing it before her. The shield managed to deflect the bullets and when Takako had a chance, she threw the shield at Awase. Like a boomerang, the shield flew straight towards Awase who emptied her pistols at the shield at an attempt to stop it. Her attacks did slow it down and she threw her pistols to the side, reaching out and perfecting the timing with the help of her Rabbit's foot to grab the shield when it flew towards her. Using her strength, Awase threw the shield back at Takako. The Guild fighter used her chains to criss-cross in front of her, creating a net that 'caught' the shield, stopping it in its tracks. A gunshot rang out, forcing a part of the chain wall to loosen. Takako pulled her chains back, seeing that Awase had now picked up a shotgun and was rushing towards her.
"Tch! Chains that bind!"
The chains of Takako shot out everywhere, reaching out and grabbing all sorts of weapons that lay scattered about. Using these weapons, Takako threw them at Awase. Swords, knives, spears, maces all flew towards the Diversion Division leader, who 'flickered' in and out of view, disappearing and reappearing somewhere else as she dodged the weapons that were flying towards her. Awase's weapon, Rabbit's foot. Each time she disappears, Awase has to press the timer on her pocket watch and each time she 'reappears', the watch is open, prompting Awase to snap it close and press the timer to stop. That is the key to activating Rabbit's foot. But even knowing this, Takako had no chance to stop Awase from using it as the division leader keeps that watch close to her at all times.
"But there's no meaning to it if I don't try! CHAINS!"
Takako raised her other hand as the other end of her chain shot out of that sleeve, burrowing into the ground. It snaked through the ground and shot out from underneath Awase, attempting to catch her but Awase pressed the timer-
Click
and she flickered out of sight, reappearing a few inches to the side.
"If one is not enough then- CHAINS!"
Takako threw the chain down once more. All over the area that Awase stood, the chains shot out of the ground in the hundreds. But Awase simply flickered in and out of sight like a ghost, dodging the chains with ease.
Click
She reappeared above on of Takako's chain, stepping on the top of the chain lightly and balancing herself at the top.
"Why do you keep trying so hard? ... Even if you know the wall before you... is insurmountable."
Awase asked, shoulder her shotgun whilst twirling her pocket watch.
"... Why do you keep fighting? ... You can see... you're no match for me... so why? Why keep trying? No matter what you do... no matter how much you put in... it amounts to nothing... your efforts... are all in vain."
BANG
A bullet flew past Awase, cutting off a small portion of her bangs. That shot wasn't from Takako. Who? Awase turned and saw to the side was a certain pink-haired girl, holding up a pistol with slightly shaking hands. The SSS member, Yui.
"N-Nothing is meaningless!"
Yui shouted at the Division leader.
"Nothing is meaningless as long you put your whole soul into it! As long as you give it your all then it would no longer be meaningless! If you give up because of something as simple as that then you will only make yourself more miserable! Only then would everything you do be meaningless!"
Yui shouted without a care for her own self. Takako did not know what this girl was doing or whether she was right in the head, but if there is one thing she can be certain of, is that this girl, Yui... is similar. To both Takako and Awase. The same predicament. Three people. Three pathways. Three destinations. Three outcomes. Three decisions. Three choices. Three resolves.
"... Don't you dare... say what... you want... girl."
Awase's voice was turning deeper and more dangerous. Takako knew this was dangerous. She immediately retracted her chains, forcing Awase to jump away from the chains, but she was aiming straight for Yui.
"I won't let you! Chains!"
Takako shouted, throwing both of her hands forward, shooting a whole multitude of chains in-between Awase and Yui, forcing Awase to retreat. Using her chains, Takako grabbed Yui and pulled her towards her.
"Nya!"
Was all Yui could say before she was yanked off her feet and brought over to Takako.
"I've got to hand to you. You're not as worthless as I thought."
Takako smirked, releasing Yui when the latter reached her position. Takako eyed the pistol in Yui's hand. Not exactly safe.
"I'll take that."
Takako said, snatching the pistol from Yui's hands. The gun is more dangerous to them in Yui's hand than it is in Awase's.
"You have your own weapon, don't you? Use it."
Though Takako regretted saying that almost immediately when Yui pulled out her own weapon. Her guitar.
"... IS THAT IT? !"
[Yui suffers 10 damage]
"Ow! B-but you told me to use my own!"
Well, that was true. Takako could not really fault Yui for that. Still... a guitar?
"... Well... it might be good to distract Awase."
Takako muttered. Or it could put Awase to sleep.
"... Sigh, nothing ventured nothing gained. Just... just play something."
Takako sighed, turning her attention back to Awase.
"Sorry to keep you waiting-... Again?"
"ZZZ"
[Awase is asleep]
[Background music]
[Crow Song]
[Singer: Yui]
The chains of Takako flew out towards Awase, who dodged the chains with ease. Twisting her body around before firing her shotgun at Takako, who brought up a bed frame that was lying around to block the shot. Awase landed on the ground, tossing aside her shotgun and kicking the large object next to her, which just so happened to be a howitzer. The large gun fired straight at Takako, who used her chains to pull herself out of danger. Awase spun her body around, kicking the bottom of the cannon to force its angle higher before kicking the lever that fired the gun. Takako dodged the rounds that Awase fired by using her chains to constantly pull her out of danger's way.
"You're not to only one to use weapons in a ridiculous way."
Takako smirked, spreading her arms out as her chains shot out of the sleeves of her blazer in all direction, grabbing different weapons from all over. The chains that held edged and blunt weapons shot forward, whilst the other chains that held projectile and ranged weaponry steadied and aim themselves at the enemy before firing. Awase kicked the howitzer at its edge, sending the giant cannon spinning into position between her and the attacks Takako used, deflecting the bullets from the guns. The swords and spears snaked around the howitzer and chased after Awase, who jumped back and slammed her foot into the ground, sending the array of weaponry in the ground up into the air, creating a wall between her and the attacks from Takako.
"... Hm?"
Takako noticed something whilst she continued to attack. Awase was... dodging. This was weird. Why wasn't she using Rabbit's foot? With that weapon, Awase could easily disappear and reappear somewhere else. But now... Awase wasn't using it. Why? Takako also noticed that Awase kept trying to change the battle towards where Yui was though Takako made sure that Awase did not bring the battle anywhere close to where the SSS guitarist was. But why was Awase trying so hard? There must be something that Yui did that changed Awase. Was it what Yui said? No, it can't be. Takako had angered the division leader at the beginning of this entire fight but that did not stop Awase from using her full power. So what was diff-
"... Music?"
Takako remembered something about the fight before Yui started singing... The sound of Awase's watch. Whenever Awase activated her watch, there was that definite clicking sound from that watch. But how can sound do something like making Awase disappear and reappearing? And even if that were the case, Yui's music would not be enough to drown out that watch's clicking sound. Unless...
"... That watch... Rabbit's foot. It doesn't affect you... does it?"
Takako asked, realizing the 'trick' behind the watch. Awase landed lightly on her feet, pulling out her watch whilst narrowing her eyes at Takako.
"... You figured it out... didn't you?"
Awase asked, her voice slightly strained.
"It took some time, but I finally realized why you stopped using it when Yui started to play her song... that watch... uses sound to distort my perception of time."
Takako deduced with a smile. Awase's face contorted into a face of pure anger for a split second before she calmed down.
"..."
Awase stayed silent. Bingo.
"I've heard of how sound can change the reaction time as well distort perception of time of those listening to it. Much like how music in an elevator makes the passengers think the ride is shorter than it really is. However what your watch is capable of doing is way beyond that. It completely halts my perception of time, and thus by extension, all of the attacks I do to you. Looks like the impossible wall is looking very climbable now."
Takako smirked. However Awase was not looking too pleased.
"... You... what would you know..."
Awase growled.
"... You.. have not faced true despair... true helplessness... WHAT THE HELL DO YOU KNOW ABOUT IMPOSSIBLE WALLS? !"
Awase snapped, grabbing a nearby spear and throwing it at Takako. But this attack lacked the power... lacked the skill. Takako did not even need to step aside as the spear flew harmlessly pass her. Awase was in full rage but something in her had snapped. The power of SIN was waning. Only the human soul, the Diversion leader, Kinoji Awase remained. Was it due to Takako saying something that was close to Awase's painful past? By saying something that really struck a chord with Awase, Takako effectively brought out the human part of Awase, weakening the division leader. But she was still a division leader.
"THE WALLS THAT BECAME SO HIGH THAT IT WOULD BLOCK OUT THE SUN! THOSE LIES! THOSE DISDAINFUL EYES! I HATE THEM! HATE THEM ALL!"
.
.
.
Kinoji Awase. Only daughter and heiress to the Kinoji Conglomerate She had everything she needed. A wealthy lifestyle, the best education, the best clothing, and no difficulties in her daily life. She was rich, sophisticated, pampered and doted on. She wasn't too overly proud of her rich lifestyle, having been educated since young on mannerism and the vast differences between social statuses. But while she wasn't proud of it, she did not seem to be able to connect with the lifestyle of not having anything she wanted. It became a habit that anything she wanted, it would be provided. Maybe even came to the point where she would receive what she wanted before she even voiced it out. Everything was done for her and so she came to expect nothing... and everything. But it wasn't meant to be.
Awase liked ballet. She always did. Admired her aunt who danced professionally, and thus she practised hard. Day in and day out. Hired the most expensive coaches money could buy to train her. She enjoyed doing it. If she could continue doing it. Tragedy struck when she collapsed one day and was rushed to the hospital. Upon waking from her unconsciousness, she was told one devastation news. She had cancer. Leukaemia. Her dreams were shattered and her mind spiralled into despair. No amount of medication, no amount of doctors money could get would be able to cure her. It was terminal and her mind simply gave up.
As her body functions began to shut down, she became bed-ridden, confined to her bed with only servants coming in and out of her room to assist her. Her parents could not bare to see her. Her friends, if she could call them that, did not show up after a few weeks. Everything was simply over for her. And as she stared at the ceiling above, she had to wonder, what did she do wrong? Why was it that she had to suffer this sort of disappointment? To be gifted with a blessed life and when she finally found a goal everything around her collapsed. She hated it. Hated what life threw at her. Hated the burden of despair.
.
.
.
"Helplessness? You simply gave up! You did not even try to do anything about your own predicament!"
Takako snapped, using her chains to throw a cannon at Awase, who punched her way through.
"I HAD NO CHOICE!"
"YOU ALWAYS HAVE A CHOICE!"
.
.
.
Goudatera Takako. A young girl born to a normal family. A father, a mother, an older brother. But unlike the rest of her family, she could not stay at home. She could only stay in the hospital since young. Born with a genetic defect that made her heart rate extremely irregular, she had to be constantly monitored. She lost count how many times her heart went into cardiac arrest after the first month. But she tried to find something else to distract herself with. She played around with anything she could find. Toilet rolls, bed linens, curtains, pens, pencils, bowls and even stalks of flowers.
Her brother, who visited every day, often shared stories of his life in school. He read to her story books and shared elaborate tales of mystery and wonder. She loved those stories and tried to make things that would resemble the characters. Her imagination was her free reign, her kingdom. Even as she grew older, her imagination did not stop. She took an interest in things that were of no value and yet despite such knowledge being deemed useless or pointless in the eyes of others, she still persisted in learning such things.
She took joy in the smallest things in life, never minding how trivial or small that thing may be in the larger scheme of life. But she knew that her life was ending. Her heart, frail and broken, would fail for its last time. She wanted to know more. She loved life too much that she wanted to continue living. To live till she grew old, till she had no more teeth, surrounded by books and the crazy little inventions of hers in a small room. She wanted to live.
.
.
.
"You had freedom! I had lost mine!"
"You had everything! You simply lost yourself in despair because you could not do what you wanted to do any longer!"
"I invested my whole life into it! Do you know what it is like to have everything taken away from you?!"
"I DO."
Yui shot back at Awase's words, strumming her strings hard.
.
.
.
Kitamura Yui. A young girl who was involved in an accident and was paralysed from her waist down. She was a kind girl who constantly worried for what sorts of problems she was causing for others. The burden she was on her mother was too great for her to bear. The loneliness of being at home all day was suffocating. This was not the type of life she wanted to live. She wanted more. And she wanted to thank her mother for being there for her. But things were never so straight forward. Joining the SSS in the previous war, Yui had sought out many different types of experiences, trying to make up for all of the time she lost being confined to her bed. At she found the one thing that she wanted the most. Someone she loved who loved her back. Her boyfriend, Hinata.
Of course he may only be going along with the flow mainly to let her pass on but she was sure that his feelings were real. That his words were true. And so she passed on. Entering the next life, she met him once more. And true enough his words from back then were not false. She regained hope. She had lost everything and the feelings of indebtedness to those who tried to help her was great. But in the end she found someone who was willing to accept it and help her back up.
.
.
.
"The decision of giving up simply because it seems too hard, or because the odds are stacked against you is too ridiculous!"
Takako shouted, throwing more swords and spears at Awase. The division leader twisted and turned her body to dodge the attacks but the barrage of weapons would still slice and cut as no matter how powerful Awase may be, she wasn't invincible.
"I couldn't do anything! I was bed ridden for the rest of my life! What could you expect me to do in that state of misery? !"
Awase snapped, slamming her foot down on the ground, forcing all of the weapons around her to jump up. Moving her hands and legs at incredible speeds, Awase sent the weapons back at Takako, who used her chains to knock them away.
"You weren't miserable! That time you had! That was your own time! You simply lay there wasting your own life away!"
"Time was taken away from me!"
"Time wasn't taken from you! you merely wasted it by drowning in your own sorrows!"
Takako grabbed a nearby machine gun and sprayed the bullets at Awase who kicked a bed up to defend her from the hail of lead.
"My life was a great life! Why did God have to be so unfair and take it all away from me? ! Was he taunting me? ! Giving me everything I needed before snatching it all away? !"
Awase shouted, kicking the bed towards Takako who simply used her chain to grab the bed and fling it away harmlessly.
"Don't blame everything on God you idiot!"
Yui snapped from the side, making Awase flinch.
"God isn't a handyman to help you on every simple whim, he isn't the focus of your problems and he isn't someone you can simply blame in times of trouble! Don't blame others for your own weakness! For your own short-comings and for your own problems! If you are faced with difficulties, FACE THEM HEAD-ON! The moment you lose hope is the moment you will love everything!"
"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU KNOW ABOUT ME? !"
Awase snapped, focusing her anger at Yui now.
"I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT YOU AND I SURE AS WELL DON'T WANT TO! Why should I know anything about a spoilt rich girl who doesn't have to lift a finger to get things done and yet when faced with her own problems she simply runs, cowers in fear and gives in? YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT TRUE DESPAIR IS SO DON'T YOU DARE TALK TO US ABOUT DESPAIR AND HARDSHIPS YOU DAMN SPOILT BRAT!"
[Yui activated skill]
[Power levels in over-drive]
[Yui-Nyan power released]
[SSS Ultimate skill]
"SHIN-GI: Takara no Akashi [Proof of Treasure]"
The sounds from Yui's guitar vibrated throughout the hallways, sending vibrations to Awase that it paralysed her muscles.
"You did good, SSS singer, now it's my turn to end this!"
Takako jumped back and raised her hands out.
[Angel Program: Rei, activated]
[Power levels 400%]
[Full drive; engage]
"Shin-gi: Tori no Kago [Bird Cage]"
From her sleeves, thousands of chains shot out in all directions, grabbing anything and everything around her, including the large cruiser ship.
"Laziness is never the excuse. It is merely a distraction. If you have the capacity to do something, do it beyond your limits. The time you waste is no one's but your own."
Takako muttered before throwing her hands forward, sending everything she had at Awase. Including that cruiser ship. Before the weapons hit Awase, the division leader smiled.
"... Maybe you're right."
[Awase received 80000000 damage]
[Awase is defeated]
With Awase defeated, the sleeping spell on everyone in the group was broken and they started to wake up one by one. Awase sat down on the floor, leaning against the hull of the giant ship that was used to crush her in the finishing blow whilst being surrounded by the Angles of Rei, their weapons all pointing towards her in readied stance if she would dare to do anything suspicious.
"... Heh, I won't do anything. I'm too lazy to do something as troublesome as that."
Awase muttered, waving off that notion.
"We can't be too careful, now can we?"
Rei asked back in reply. Awase merely smiled, leaning back against the hull.
"Well... I guess so... Sigh, what a troublesome thing I've gotten myself into... Well... it doesn't matter now."
"Huh? What did you-"
BOOM
The tower suddenly shook violently, making everyone alert by this sudden explosion.
"W-what was that?"
"... So... it has begun."
Awase muttered.
"What has started?"
Rei asked, to which Awase looked at him with a soft look.
"... The Apocalypse Program."
"WHAT? !"
Rei shouted in surprise.
"I-it can't be! We're in specially made rooms that can alter time and space so how could we feel such a thing happen now?"
"Because of this..."
Awase pointed to her clothes.
"... ALICE Armour... The weapons... when they fuse with us... it triggers a mechanism... that mechanism is the key... to starting the program..."
This news was shocking to everyone. The SSS weapons were the key to starting the end of the World? And because they fought Awase and she activated her weapons, the program had started as well? This was more certainly not in Rei's predictions.
"Is there anyway to stop it remotely?"
Rei asked, to which Awase merely shook her head.
"... No... there isn't... Once it has begun, the timer will start... and it will not stop..."
Awase sighed, closing her eyes.
"... But... if you defeat each holder of a SSS weapon... the timer will slow down... That... is your only hope... So Katsuragi... you know what you have to do."
"... Are you sure?"
Rei asked. Awase merely smiled at his question.
"I'm very sleepy... and I plan to sleep for a long time... Because when I wake... I feel like I would be able to do... anything."
"... I see."
Rei said, nodding in approval before raising his sword.
"... Good night, Kinoji Awase, the sleeping Diversion Leader."
"... And good morning to you, Katsuragi Rei, the unwilling saviour."
[Katsuragi Rei used Blue Gear]
[Access: Insanity Streak]
[Corruption absorption in progress]
[...]
[...]
[...]
[Purge complete]
A/N: Well, that's it for now. I'll be updating my blog with more drawings so if you want, keep looking it up. I don't update regularly as I'm not a professional artist so don't be so hopeful. Maybe once every month?