EIGHT MAN THE DARK RIDER
[12th May – Monday]
[ARC Classroom B]
"Hikigaya-Kun!" Mary-Sensei's voice snapped me out of my reverie "Haaah come on~ here I am putting my heart and soul, not to mention the tight schedule we have, to teach you and here you are spacing out! Oh woe is me~" She said holding her temple in mock-sadness.
"Sorry Mary-Sensei" I apologized curtly to which she nodded albeit with a raised brow.
The vision I saw this morning was definitely the absolute future Alternis talked about so I wrote it down and tried to accompany it with drawings as accurately and descriptively as possible on a blank book and put it in my desk drawers.
Putting the paranoia at the back of my head I returned to writing down notes.
[ARC Cafeteria]
"Hey, are you okay?" Tomatsu asked as she sat beside me with her lunch "You've been kinda out of it since this morning"
"Yeah, I've just been thinking" I answered honestly.
"Penny for your mind?" She smiled.
"No you don't need to listen to my ramblings" I evaded, making her frown as the rest got here.
"Hikigaya! Do you have any plans for later?" Rose asked happily as her Division and mine setup the tables.
"We were wondering if we all could watch a movie together" Nakamachi suggested with a smile.
"I'll be busy later" I need to recollect and catalog the information I have so far, even if I finish that I need to figure out what I need to do next to find out the said information "You guys can go ahead without me"
"Tsk tsk Dancho-Kun" Sune began "If you keep busying yourself, your body's going to give up on you"
"…I don't get it" Yajuno and Inami commented.
"Of course you two muscle freaks wouldn't get it" He retorted resulting into him receiving a beat down from the two.
"What if we help you, Hikigaya-Kun?" Orimoto questioned slinging an arm over Tomatsu "Tom-San here is really worried about you!" She grinned, using the nickname Tomatsu had received from Sune, much to her chagrin.
"N-No I'm not!" She exclaimed.
"That's alright" I declined.
"Hikigaya-Senpai" Nigate this time called for me "C-Can we talk in private later?" She asked with a quiet tone and nervous expression, I nodded in return and finished my lunch.
"I'll see you guys later" I said curtly and walked away.
"…Quite a fast eater aren't you Hikigaya?" Rose asked with a crooked smile as she walked alongside me "See you later?" She asked hopefully "Although we have become more acquainted I feel that we have become more distant at the same time" She forlornly said.
"I guess" I responded.
"You guess? That's it?" She repeated almost infuriatingly.
"…Haaaah fine if I have the time I'll go watch a movie with you or something" I reluctantly suggested as I put the tray away.
"Hmmm that's enough for me" She said with a smile "I'll see you soon then" She said and walked back to the table with the others, meanwhile I walked to the Training Grounds.
[ARC Training Grounds]
"Hmph!" I grunted punching through Zaimokuza's defense.
"Guh!" He groaned, skidding a kilometer away "Your punch…" He made his weapons disappear and created a crescent axe staff "Is there a burden that only you could carry…Hachiman Hikigaya?" He asked seriously and giving out a vibe as if he knows something but I know he doesn't, it's just his Chuuniness talking.
"No" I answered and dashed forward, avoiding the plummeting crescent blade and grabbed the staff. Contracting my leg muscles, I raised the right one and aimed a kick to his chest, however, he let go of his weapon and nimbly rolled away despite his build. After that he quickly spawned spiked knuckles and jumped, I stayed on the ground and used his weapon before it vaporized, aiming it on his incoming left hook.
"Stop" Higurashi-Sensei ordered, making us stop with each respective blade an each away from each other "Zaimokuza you did well as always, dismissed" He nodded and the Chuuni walked away "Hikigaya…What were you doing?"
"Excuse me?" I managed to voice out as I ended the transformation.
"You rushed your fight" He said matter-a-factly "Everybody knows Zaimokuza is an equivalent of a rushing tank yet you still tried to immobilize him head on" He flicked my head "Your mind wasn't clear, he was going to evaporate that weapon and you would've got a spiked knuckle on your face" I didn't say anything at the explanation and simply kept quiet "…Haaah you're dismissed" He ordered.
"Yes sir" I responded neutrally.
[ARC Faculty Office]
"HUH?!" Mary-Sensei exclaimed after hearing my request "You want to go on a LAU Arrest mission?!" She asked shockingly.
"Yeah" I nodded "Most of the Riders have not yet done any missions or any real battles and I think if we just keep preparing with battle simulations and training there might be a chance for us to fail horribly" I explained.
"Not a chance Hikigaya-Kun" She rejected, softly bumping me on the head with a file "I might consider it if you requested this at an earlier time but now" She shrug with a sigh.
"I understand" I nodded and went to exit the faculty.
"Have a good day~" She cheered.
[ARC Training Grounds]
"Hikigaya-Senpai um are you okay?" My Alternis Informer asked as I tried catching my breath.
"Yeah…Phew…Just stayed in the Suit too long" I answered with reassurance.
So this is what I've got so far from the top;
Time is something or someone who has an authority of sorts over Alternis, the Universal Barrier, and maybe Faith who's probably something or someone hostile or neutral possibly a bit more powerful than Alternis.
The current factions or groups that are definitely hostile are the Orange Robes and the Nil Apostles. Whether they are one of the same is unknown but what's certain is the Orange Robes are more powerful than the average LAUs.
Next, there's us in the equation, ARC. Alternis Resistance Crowds, a group of teenagers with abilities beyond human capabilities who are fighting monsters coming out of portals and Lesser Alternis Users supervised by the JSDF.
…Wow that totally didn't make me think I'm crazy…
"So what did you want to talk about?" I asked as we rested against the walls.
"A…A-Alternis wants you to know there's no Nil Apostles in the ARC" She started, making me wide eyed as well as relived but a bit anxious too as Nigate looked at me with a quizzical expression "Hikigaya-Senpai…What's a Nil Apostle?"
"…If Alternis says there's no Nil Apostles then…" I mumbled to myself then turned to the petite Informant "Don't tell anyone about this alright? I want this to stay in the unknown as long as possible" She nodded at the request "Nil Apostles are our enemy, just like the LAUs but they are much more powerful, remember Rose-San's mission?" Her eyes widen "They might have something to do with it"
"How do you know this? From how you explained it, it feels like it's classified information" An uncomfortable silence fell on us "…Y-You weren't eavesdropping…Were you?"
"I actually did" I answered feeling uncomfortable under her vacant stare "Don't tell anyone okay? So far only Yukinoshita, you and I know"
"O-Okay…" She gulped and by the end of that a notification started in our tablets "Looks like Tomatsu-Senpai is going out on a LAU Arrest mission"
"…I need to see her" I said quickly and rushed to Tomatsu followed by Nigate. As we reach ARC's rarely used back courtyard we saw Tomatsu, as well as Nigate, getting ready for her mission with a helicopter standing by "Tomatsu! Wait!"
"Dancho-Kun? / Hikigaya?" The both of them uttered in confusion "What are you doing here? Wanna see your beautiful Tom-San off?" Sune asked getting a punch on the shoulder.
"Tomatsu, switch with me" Hearing my request surprised them "I need to find out some things" I explained calmly.
"Are you crazy?! What would you do if the teachers find out?!" She yelled in anger "And you don't even have experience fighting LAUs!"
"Then this is a good enough time isn't it?" Yajuno asked as she came to the discussion all of a sudden from behind us "Tomatsu he needs this" She said with an uncharacteristically serious tone "I know you're worried but he'll be fine" She directed a reassuring smile at me.
"….Ugh! Alright sheesh if we didn't had a limited amount of time I would've thought this through a lot more" She said materializing a gun "This only has 20 C. so be careful alright?" I grabbed the gun with a nod.
"Welp! Since Dancho-Kun is going looks like you're going to wear my latest Fusion Set! Wouldn't want any ranged weapons to go through you right? It's a bank robbery so there's probably going to be innocent bystanders" Sune cheered as he pulled out a set of knight-designed light armor "It's not as impressive and durable as the Royalty Lady's armor but it'll do" He shrugged "Wear your suit in case the LAUs are tougher than you think though" I nodded at the suggestion and wore the armor.
"H-Hikigaya-Senpai be careful!" Nigate said as I walk towards the helicopter until a motorcycle drove in front of me.
"You really think I'm going to let you do this?" Professor Haans asked as he rode off the bike, I felt disappointment growing in my heart until he patted my shoulder "Without riding the bike?!" He grinned giving me a thumb up.
[On The Empty Road - After The Robbery]
Haaaaaah how the heck did I get into this?
That thought as well as several others muddled my mind as I rode my motorcycle to ARC.
The LAUs that I fought had very little influence of Alternis, I guess they were tough enough to not get killed by one C.A.A bullet, thank god I didn't panicked…Well I uncharacteristically did but at least not armed.
"HIKIGAYA-KUN!" Mary-Sensei's loud voice over the ear transmitter surprised me, almost making me lose balance of the motorcycle "You better get your ass back here this instant young man" She said angrily- I can even hear her teeth grinding.
"You almost got me in a damn accident" I retorted as I slowed down a little.
"Oh~ sorry…Get back here before I make you get involved in a romcom!" She exclaimed making my ears hurt.
"What a terrible and specific nightmare you made me imagined" I shiver at the prospect of having to confront said situation and then went back to reality to give a report "The LAUs I fought weren't any problem but some civilians made contact with me before I could leave, I made sure to change my voice"
"How many were there?"
"About four"
"Then…It looks like this mission is an easy one…Haaah you're lucky Hikigaya-Kun. Next time you're doing this I'll make sure Raeyana-Sensei'll be the one to reprimand you"
"Roger that" I said but when in fact I was going to do this again, the reason I did this was to get some information the teachers wouldn't give us through the LAUs, the ones like Rose-San fought.
I could just go and ask them upfront but the fact that they're withholding information as well as discussing the Nil Apostle problem secretly at the rooftop just doesn't reassure me that I will not receive a backlash "…Where the heck am I? Sensei, we better get a GPS system installed" While I was busy mulling over things I had made a wrong turn or maybe even several actually considering how long I was thinking.
"Hello? Sorry but Mary-Sensei is not here so I will take over" Sugimoto-Sensei's voice responded this time "What seems to be the problem?"
"I'm kinda lost right now" I said, stopping at a stop sign "I'm in the middle of an abandoned factory site" I described as I looked around.
"Ah you must be at the old Keiyo Coastal Industrial Site" He said as the sound of fast keyboard typing occurred "After driving through seven stop signs make a left turn and head straight again, that should get you back" He ordered softly.
"Got it" I nodded and followed the direction he gave.
After the fifth stop sign I heard someone shouting "IN THE NAME OF FATE" I slowed down to a stop "IN THE NAME OF HER EVIL PLAY" Drove into a nearby alleyway where the voice was "I SUMMON" I speeded my way towards it as soon as I heard those words "THEE…" An orange silhouette came into sight and I full throttled all the way to it "ALT-" I jumped off of the bike and let it crash onto the Orange Robed person, interrupting the portal summoning.
"Phew just in time" I sighed as the portal in the sky couldn't get to its full size and minimized before disappearing. I looked towards the unconscious Orange Robed person and inspected him; the robe fitted the description Rose-San described and under it was a grayed bearded old man who didn't look Japanese.
"Hikigaya-Kun!" Sugimoto-Sensei's voice transferred over the transmitter.
"Don't worry, I interrupted the summoning before it could be completed" I said before he says anything else.
"Oh thank god, what does the summoner look like?" He asked.
"An orange robe with several runes in a circle on the chest" I answered mock-confusedly.
"…Bring that person back right now" He ordered almost angrily.
"Yes sir" I replied, not intending to do that before doing something else, before taking off the transmitter and dragged the old man as well as the bike, not a scratch on it by the way, into an abandoned building.
While tying up the old man to a pillar and taking away a strange looking blade from him, I notice a thin yellow aura around him; I tried grabbing the robe but a force repelled my Alternis armored hand "Tch" Looks like an automatic defense system of sorts "But how come I could carry him a while ago…?"
"That is because I was knocked out, boy"The old man's voice made me dash backwards and raised my arms"Heh so this is the secret weapon of the Japs? Pathetic" He chuckled.
A…Russian?
"You are clearly not just an old man" I responded lowering my guard as he didn't do anything "Who are you? And what group are you from?" The man chuckled for a few seconds before answering.
"Hehehehehe…I am Titov Lazar Grigorievich, I am from the Fate Rebellion. Call me Grig"
The old man shook off the hood revealing an appearance befitting of a typical senior citizen, gray hair and beard with wrinkles.
"As expected of the Japs, not fully trusting their very own comrades but who am I to judge that aspect? My country is full of mutiny and spies" He vaguely said, almost in a typical Russian movie kind of way, which I ignored and proceeded to ask.
"Who are the Fate Rebellion and Nil Apostles?" I asked sitting down on a crater and inspected the Short Orange Bladed Sword – Nothing unusual hmmm…
"Ah…So you know of the Nil Apostles but do not know of the Fate Rebellion? You must have been spying" He smiled a smile equal to that of a grandfather "I did not knew the Japs are training spies at an older age unlike my homeland"
"Answer the question" I replied pointing the barrel of the gun Tomatsu gave me at him, if he was scared he didn't have any indication of it and just answered calmly.
"Fate Rebellion…Consists of people who, after being shown their fate, are defying it"
"Fate? You mean your future?" I asked lowering the gun.
"I mean our end" He answered neutrally "Fate herself showed me what I would become if I stay at Russia…However after receiving the Blessings Of Fate, I have took it upon myself to gather all those who has the same goal as I and defy our fate" Wait…He's the leader? Shit I better be extra careful.
"Who is this Fate and what is your goal?" I continued the interrogation.
"Fate is a cosmic deity of sorts who sees the fate of all" He answered and began to frown "However she is more likely a devil, after receiving the vision of my fate and after she acknowledges my hatred and goal, she wholeheartedly supported me by giving me her blessing with a mocking smirk; She is looking down on us, the very people she is already abandoning and our goal" He looked up at me with a hardened expression filled with anger "To kill Fate and be freed from our shackles"
"…And what of the Nil Apostles?"
"Ah yes those…Individuals, they are our comrades but they are serving an entity called Nil" Taking note of my silence he continued "We do not know who Nil is, in fact even I, the leader of the Fate Rebellion, do not know what their goal is"
"Then…Do you know what Time is?" I asked remembering the moment Alternis gave me the Clairvoyance ability.
"…It is clearly night time, you fool. Are you blind?" His question and expression gave me enough understanding that even he does not know who Time is.
"Haaaah…Why are you here specifically, alone?" I asked in realization, anxiousness rising, he only smirked and answered.
"To see the governments' secret weapon of course. This is not a monster VS humankind war anymore young one, we are at the peak of a higher form of war" The building started shaking "There is so much your government is still hiding"
The whole building fell down but not on us, rubble all around us and dust flying everywhere "As soon as I heard a blond-rose haired child putting up a fight against my men I decided to see what they have against us" Throughout all of this Grig was still tied up to the pillar while I rose my guard "I am quite disappointed" He uttered.
"Grig, are you done playing around?" A feminine voice started, I looked forward to see two robe wearers. One orange and the other…Black with a diagonally slashed circle on the hood.
"A Nil Apostle?!" I grabbed the Orange Sword and gun, getting ready for battle "Beginning!" The two Fate Rebel obviously raised their heads in surprise while the Nil Apostle just stood there in silence as the Suit automatically overlapped the armor.
"Hmm…This is quite unprecedented, I have never seen this before" Grig stated as the other Fate Rebel untied him "Enzenauer, analyze him will you?"
"Doch Herr" She said in a foreign language I suspect is German and dashed forward with a similar weapon of Grig's in hand and thrust it forward, I rolled out of the way at the last second when the tip was just several inches from me.
"What…?!" I touched my sides and saw blood on the floor "Tch!" I clicked my tongue and avoided another stab from above, I skidded to a halt, aimed and fired at the female Fate Rebel on the head, however, the C. halt to a stop in midair and was repelled back to me "Shit!" I phased through the wall and made myself scarce for a few seconds before reemerging and slashing her.
"Useless" She uttered as she just stood there, an unknown force or barrier protecting her "The blessings of Fate, as much as I hate it, is very beneficial" I continued to slash and did a combo of punches and kicks before jumping away from a slash her short weapon made. The weapon was short, yes, but what made the attack longer was a thin yellow aura extending from it.
"Hah…Hah…Hah" I found myself breathing sharply as I stood there and waited for an attack, I don't know how but somehow, even wearing the Alternis Suit, it's taking a lot of energy to fight them, not to mention their weapon won't phase through the Suit.
"da~n~CHO~!" I looked up to see a something or more accurately some ones falling down from a helicopter towards us, the ground broke as they came in contact with it making the three robed people take a huge step back "4th Division assemble!" Yajuno exclaimed as she held up a metal shield fused with Alternis and an Alternis Bastard sword. The whole team wore the same armor that Sune made.
"Everyone…Wha-" I was about to ask a question until I felt a hand on my chest.
"Enough" I looked down to see the Nil Apostle, a boyish voice beneath a blank white mask. The Nil Apostle was fast, faster than anyone could've expected. I saw my whole life flash before me, I looked at the others who just stood there in shock silence including the two Fate Rebel.
I felt every particle of my being vibrating before I couldn't feel my legs and the sensation went up and as it did, I saw my Division members running towards me but was stopped by both the Fate Rebel. The last thing I saw was the Nil Apostle mouthing the words 'Kneel before Nill'
…Darkness…
That's all I could see…
Am I even seeing…?
Is this even my consciousness…?
Do these thoughts even exist…?
Do I even exist…?
I can't remember anything…
What should I do…?
…Who am I….?
…Where…?
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
(When there is Time) A golden light suddenly lit up (There is everything) A round metallic device enshrouded with said golden light floated in the distance, I, whoever I am, felt myself existing. Attracted to the warm light, I felt it near my being and with the metallic device, a pocket watch now that I can see it, just anarms length away; I reached for it and hugged it.
I couldn't put into words how or what I felt as I floated down to the ground still in the Alternis Suit. Millions of things I could say and done but I have to hold back because right now my friends are in danger.
"Ugh…Tsui-Chan, call for backup" Sune grunted as he picked up his dual swords, confronting Grig while the two other hostiles were distracting the other two. I ran as fast as my legs could carry me towards the Nil Apostle.
"Transmitters jam- HIKIGAYA!" Nigate yelled making my presence known, both to everyone's delight and chagrin.
"What?! How is this possible?!" The Nil Apostle exclaimed uncharacteristically "Nil should have taken care of you! You should have become nothing!" He extended his hands towards me and now do I notice black orbs in his hands, I avoided the skill, that definitely made me cease existing, matrix style while sliding on the ground and made a high kick, making him fly up high "GAH!" The mouth part of his mask turned bloody red.
"You" I stopped moving as I felt two blades on my neck "Exceeded my expectation" I moved my head, as much as it can, to glance at the two. They were injured, not heavily but still injured; from bruises to cuts. I ignored all of that and took note of one thing; their injuries and what the woman said.
"Grig the protection" The woman rebel said hurriedly "We must go"
"I know" Grig nodded before the bastard I kicked fell onto the concrete "Nil Apostle let's go"
"Ugh…" The bastard grunted as he looked at me, behind the mask I can tell his very angry and I made sure he knows I am too by raising my middle finger at him "…Fine" He replied before charging something up; My Division Members took the chance and was about to pounce on him but after taking a look at my hostage situation they held back.
"You have very good teammates young man" Grig whispered to me "At first I was quite disappointed but now" The black orb the bastard held suddenly lit up, causing us to be blinded "Now I have high expectations for you" For exactly one second we were blinded and in that short span of a second the three hostiles disappeared.
Another second went by and it took that little for me to realize the 'what if's' that could've happen, how worse things could've gone, how it felt like being nonexistent, how everyone almost got compromise because of my actions and most of all…Knowing how grateful I am to be able to just stand here.
"Senpai!" Nigate, the most timid member of the team, was the first to hug me after taking off her helmet "I was so worried!" She exclaimed looking up at me with tears flowing from her bruised eye to her cut cheeks and dripped from her bloody chin.
"Jeez Dancho-Kun don't scare us like that we almost got a heart attack" Sune said with a grin taking off his helmet, showing bruises caused from holding back Grig.
"I shouldn't have let you go" Tomatsu uttered as she turned away from us with her own helmet on the ground "You all…Almost…Died…" She sniffed.
"It was part of the job" Yajuno grabbed her shoulder tenderly comforting her "If we don't do it; who will?" She asked looking at me with a serious expression "…The transmitter picked up your interrogation, Sugimoto-Sensei deployed us and we came here as fast as we could…" She furrowed her brows and her frown deepened "Please don't do this again, Hikigaya" She said, using my name for the first time.
"I don't plan to" I replied "Because I'm going to make sure ARC themselves spit out what they're hiding from us"
[ARC Research Facility]
The floor was empty tonight, a round table large enough to fit my Division and the rest of the teachers was placed "What were you thinking, Hikigaya-Kun?" Raeyana-Sensei asked with an ice cold tone "Sugimoto-Sensei ordered you to bring back the LAU and you disobeyed. Solitary Confinement for three weeks"
"Now wait just a second!" Yajuno did her trademark 'slammed the table' "There's no way you can ground him for three weeks! According to the school of conduct, the highest you could give is only for 1 week!" She pointed out surprising most of us considering her…Lack of discipline.
"Y-Yajuno-San, please understand that this is for Hikigaya-Kun's sake" Sugimoto weakly replied.
"Solitary Confinement and voluntary work for 1 week, all of you excluding Hikigaya" Officer Sakaki said this time "I'll keep a watchful eye on you"
"Whoa~ Sir, we were told to do as we told why are we getting punishments too? Ah…Don't tell me…" The Informant smirked making some of the Teachers uneasy "You are keeping us in our rooms on purpose and keeping watch so tonight's incident won't spread around, is that right, Dancho-Kun?" He nodded towards me.
"Hikigaya-Kun…" Mary-Sensei began "You must not tell anyone else what you know, it's for their safety including all of you"
"What?!" Tomatsu exclaimed with seethe "Aren't you all here to train us?! Weren't we the ones who took arms and decided to fight?! Why are we the ones being protected here huh?!"
"This is quite the debate we're having ehehehe" Kuripi-Sensei suddenly cackled and then looked at me "You managed to gain information the old traditional way, something I would've done in my prime but look at me now, all bones and wrinkles"
"…Aren't you like 30 or something?" Professor Haans asked, rising a brow "Haaaah either way, we can't just put them in a room and under surveillance 24/7. Eventually they will tell the others and that's a fact"
"Hikigaya-Kun, can I tell you why we keep this classified?" Higurashi-Sensei took the silence as a yes "If this gets out not only will everyone panic but they could also become even more vulnerable due to the heightened difficulty, resulting to many of them giving up and when word will get out that the world will have a higher form of war, everything will be thrown into chaos…People say we are all built differently and that is our downfall. Some might become more impervious but some might not"
"…Can I tell you why we shouldn't keep this classified?" I took the silence as a yes "Humans are weak, yes, but when an inevitable condition is placed upon them…They will walk on even if their legs break. The last five weeks have been gruesome for everybody, if not more or less than that for some. Whatever bad news comes upon them I'm confident they'll take it head on"
"You think we don't know that?"He asked crossing his arms "We all have military break grounds, we have watched, more than we wanted, children taking arms and fighting wars that are not theirs"
"But this war we can't fight Higurashi" Kuripi-Sensei retorted "We do not have the ability to defend nor attack the many otherworldly beings that will come, not to mention the Nil Apostles and Fate Rebels"
"That's why we will slowly but surely train the Alternis Users as fast and as much as we can" Officer Sakaki replied "We stick to the plan and cease this useless debate"
"Now~ now~ Sakaki-Kun, I think I agree with Mister Creepy here" Professor Haans interrupted "What if one day some of the kids got curious?"
"Yukinoshita knows about the Nil Apostle" I decided to add a convincing factor "I didn't tell her, she discovered about it herself"
"See?" He snapped his fingers "We're lucky it's just Yukinoshita, she's a quite girl but not Sune, Yajuno and Tomatsu-OW!" He yelled in pain due to Mary-Sensei punching him on the arm.
"This wouldn't happen if you stopped Hikigaya-Kun…Is what I would say but that wouldn't be the truth" She grinned crookedly.
"Then why the heck did you hit me?!"
"I think we should vote; whether to tell everyone or not" She continued "4th Division, your vote will not be included this is between the teachers" She stood up and crossed her arms "Those who are 'Against' raise your hand"
Three hands were raised. Raeyana-Sensei, Officer Sakaki and Sugimoto-Sensei
"Those who are 'For' raise your hand"
An equal number were raised. Professor Haans, Kuripi-Sensei and surprisingly Higurashi-Sensei.
"That leaves me…" She looked down in thought for a second "…I'm up for it" She voiced out, making us the 4th Division sigh in relief.
"The higher ups will not be pleased with this" Raeyana-Sensei said "They are also the reason we withheld the information" She closed her eyes and sighed through her nose exasperatedly "We may lose our positions and be replaced, considering our investment so far with the students, this maybe a bad move for us"
"Come on Raeyana-Tan~ we'll just make sure they don't find out!" Professor Haans cheered.
"And if word gets out that we are training these young children to fight monsters as well as super humans?" Officer Sakaki questioned with a slightly angered tone.
"We were already at risk regarding that from the very beginning" Kuripi-Sensei retorted "Surely telling them another enemy has appeared won't change anything right? And even if they did compromise this institute will anyone believe them? The most monstrous incident that happened was when James Ale Rose confronted some Fate Rebel and I think that serves as a reality slap"
"Can I also make a request?" I stood up from my chair "I want the Alternis Users family members or legal guardians to be also included in our secrecy"
"…Why?" Raeyana-Sensei asked, permeating the silence.
"Because I almost went out of existence" I seethed getting surprised gasps from the teachers "I don't care if you were planning to tell my family I died in a car accident or any other normal accidental death inducing situations once I possibly die from fighting the monsters or get killed by a Fate Rebel but!" I slammed the table with clenched fists "I almost went nonexistent damn it!" I chock out, barely keeping my patience "There won't even be a body for them to cry to!"
"That's…" Mary-Sensei uttered as she slumped down on the chair "That's why I forgot you…" That sentence sent shivers on my spine.
"Heh…Great…I was almost less than a fleeting memory…" I scoffed incredulously, feeling a lot of stares on me "…Anyway not only that, people will eventually find out about ARC and monsters so at the very least we should tell our family or guardians" I ended.
"…We make them sign a contract and take a national vow to keep ARC and everything a secret, we might as well go quit our jobs if we are going to do this. Of course everything will be fake; as long as the higher ups do not hear of this we will be fine" Sakaki-Sensei explained "I never liked keeping all of this a secret anyway, it's an illogical move for the government to make"
"It is risky" Raeyana-Sensei hummed "But effective, Sugimoto-Sensei we shall discuss the terms of the contract and it's punishments"
"Yes ma'am" He replied "But can we really trust that this will be effective? If we notify the relatives about this then what if they would pull out their child from ARC?"
"Then we will keep an eye on them and request a transfer student from ARC Tokyo" Higurashi-Sensei answered "Any other questions?" I raise my hand.
"Can I report some things I analyzed from fighting the hostiles?" I asked, feeling a lot better now that they won't withhold the information.
"Hmmm…No" He answered "Instead you will present your report in front of the whole school body"
I don't feel much better now.
[ARC Cafeteria]
"You all must be wondering why we held a late night assembly" Higurashi-Sensei spoke through the mic from the podium "Due to a very recent incident, changes will occur and whatever is being said here will not be revealed to anyone outside of this room, that's why we have the whole staff with us tonight"
After arranging the tables and what not, we all including the staffs were called to the 2nd floor where the big reveal will happen. I kept to myself and catalogued one last time what I was going to present.
"First of all there has been a full-out fight between the 4th Division and 3 members of separate groups, 1 from the Nil Apostles and 2 from the Fate Rebellion" Murmurs started to grow from that "We don't know for certain who these groups are but what's definitely a fact is that they are hostiles and are dangerous"
The room started to dim and the projector turned on, showing us two pictures "The Nil Apostles can be indentified wearing the black robe while the Fate Rebel with the orange, they have supernatural powers rivaling that of Alternis" Shocked silence went throughout the floor "For further accurate explanation, Hachiman Hikigaya the Rider of the 4th Division, who fought directly against the three hostiles will present a summary regarding the enemies"
"Again?!" The voice of Yoom exclaimed.
"Yoom-Kun!" Yukinoshita chided raising her hand and shutting his mouth, I thank her with a nod as I went to the podium. Several set of eyes followed me as I went to my destination, making me a bit nervous but nevertheless I reached the podium with no problem with my small notes. I cleared my throat, notice Rose holding up a banner that says 'Go Hikigaya' with her brother- How the heck did she set that up so fast?!- And calmed down before speaking.
"…Thank you Higurashi-Sensei" I started and clicked to the next image showing a sketch of Grig in his robe "The Fate Rebellion is lead by a Russian man called Titov Lazar Grigorievich who refers to be called Grig with the help of a woman of German ethnicity called Enzenauer" Next image showed the German woman who helped him "The group consists of people who are shown a vision of their…Fate…" I stopped when I felt the inquisitive and unbelieving vibe "I know it sounds crazy but consider what happened to us"
A chorus of 'Oh's and 'that makes sense' occurred.
"Now that that's out of the way…The one who showed them this vision was Fate herself, a cosmic deity who sees the fate of everything. Whether she is an enemy or not, that remains debatable. The same could also be said whether she is more powerful than Alternis" I clicked and showed a short video of the battle I described to and animated by Kuripi-Sensei "The power they have is called 'The Blessings Of Fate', though it seems they aren't very…Fond of it they are utilizing it very well; The weapons they have are short but the aura extending from it can be lethal, even the Suit of Alternis couldn't protect me"
"HAH!"
"Sush Yoom-Kun!"
"…Anyway…The protection they receive repels Alternis's attacks, maybe even anything for that matter, however, and this is just an inkling, they have a limited time of the protection" The next image I showed is the black robe of the person who almost utterly killed every particle of my body and soul "This is a member of the Nil Apostles, I couldn't extract any information regarding them because apparently even Grig doesn't know anything, as for their powers" I showed them a blank dark image "They can erase anything from existence"
An eerie silence fell upon us.
"I experienced it myself, I miraculously returned though I don't remember how. Not only will you disappear but memories of other people that involve you will vanish too" I explained as several gasps and murmurs occur "They seem to have no protection at all though at least when they are attacking; So when you fight the Nil Apostles avoid anything similar to an attack and counter, as for the Fate Rebellion, drag out the fight as long as you can and when their protection is weaken, that's your cue to go on the offense…That will be all" I sent an SOS look to Mary-Sensei and she nodded, taking over the podium.
"And that is it for the new enemies, from how Hachiman Hikigaya described it to us previously, these groups may have started their activities recently and so we will intensify the training from now on" Many people groaned at this "Another matter we would like to announce is something that the higher ups should not know, if they catch wind of this we may lose our jobs or even worse for you all"
Nice way to make them shut up Sensei.
"We, the JSDF members, have made the decision to confide in your parents or legal guardians into our secrecy; that is ARC, Alternis and everything" Shocked gasps were made "Calm down now, several reasons convinced us to make this decision and so we plan to make a fake contract and a national vow to swear that this will never be heard from anyone else's ears, otherwise the incentives will be revoked and the relatives shall be thrown in jail for 5 years, of course this is all fake to fool them" She explained "The procedures will be made at your respective homes accompanied by us officials, you all are going to partake in it too. Make sure you brush up your acting skills" She grinned "You all are dismissed, got a long day tomorrow so make sure you all have a good night's sleep"
With that we all dispersed to our rooms silently, no conversations, no whispers, no murmurs- Nothing, not a single word was uttered from the 20 people as we walked, they're probably muddled in their own thoughts at how more life-changing things are going to be. I was busy thinking too, though probably a different subject since I'm way ahead in the situation, I went back into reality though as I felt someone grabbing my shoulder.
"Hikigaya…Can we talk?" Yajuno asked, using my name for the second time and I nodded as we conveniently reached my room at that exact moment.
"What is it Yajuno?" I asked as we sat down on the floor pillows in front of the short table.
"…When you disappeared…I forgot everything about you" She began with a frown.
"…Ah." So not only do I become nonexistent I also become less than a fleeting memory "You too huh…? Did the others forget me too?" She shook her head "So for the moment I was gone memories of me won't be gone instantly" So that means from my family to my 'friends' to Yajuno, how many years of my presence was erased…? "Thanks for telling me" I nodded and expected her to nod back and say her goodbye…But she didn't and had an almost infuriated and saddened expression.
"Hikigaya!" She exclaimed holding her chest "Is that all you have to say?! Aren't you scared or angry?! I'm worried about you- Everyone's worried about you! Even Tomatsu! How can you be so…So…So strong?!" She stood up, walked to my side and reached for my collar "You knew all about this before tonight and yet you kept it to yourself and carried that burden, aren't we a team just like you said?!" She cried at the last sentence and sobbed into my chest.
"…Who…" I stroked her head and looked up at the ceiling "Who says I'm not afraid or infuriated? When I reappeared, I wanted to kill them. Not only because they made me disappeared but also because they hurt you guys and I'm far from strong if I can't defeat a single one of them" She looked up at me at this point "I didn't want to share any of this with you guys because, at the time, I thought there was a traitor and when Alternis told me there wasn't I just rushed out" She let go of me and rubbed her eyes while I just looked down and rubbed my neck "I'm sorry about that, I should've told you guys but I couldn't risk it, you all could still get in trouble if you knew"
"…Promise me" She raised her pinky finger towards me "Promise me that even if there's something we definitely shouldn't know, you'll at least confide in us and let us help you with your burdens" I considered it shortly before accepting the promise "Say it" She solemnly said.
"I promise" We stared at each other for a few seconds before she broke it first.
"Good" She sighed with red cheeks "Sorry about yelling like that"
"I know, you were just worried" I replied and stood up "I'll see you tomorrow" I escorted her to the doorway.
"Yeah see you tomorrow" She nodded and then grinned "Once Tomatsu gets her hands on you she's going to be really mad"
"Haaah no doubt about that" I sighed and then closed the door after she walked away, I went to the air-conditioner and took the book I hid "…Haha…" As I looked at the description of the absolute future I realized what tonight's event mean's, I laughed "Haha…hahahahahahahaha"
The absolute future is where and when I'll die and if Fate doesn't mess with that… "Hahahahahahahahaha….This means I won't die!" Receiving such armor plot definitely was a very welcoming aspect "Kuhahahahaha" I couldn't exactly know what to feel right now so laugh I did, it wasn't an exasperated laugh or a cheerful laugh either. I just laughed and cried myself to sleep.
[Yaseko Yajuno – Prison]
"Hey there Yacchan what's up?" My mother asked as she sat down on the sofa.
Today according to the plan ARC had made up, we were to meet up with our parents or legal guardian, my mother is the only family I have now so I as well as a man in a black suit and tie, bringing the presumed fake contract and national vow lines, went to the prison she was in.
"Not bad, Ekoda-San's doing a great job with the boxing ring by the way" Man I sure miss being a kid, mom would always beat someone up in the ring.
"He better does otherwise I might have to beat his ass once we get in the ring" She grinned.
If it weren't for my shitty dad, mom wouldn't be here…Her grins are getting less…uplifting every time I visit.
"Come on mom! He's a very flamboyant dude but pretty strong too! He might even be your level" I grinned back to which she just responded with a scoff.
"Nah~ I doubt it…Is CYTI treating you good? Made any friends? Boy do I have a lot to ask and tell you" She excitedly said brushing back her short blonde hair and winked at me while shadowboxing.
Heh good thing ARC showed up, otherwise our home would've turned into a strip club.
"Some of the men- or should I say boys here can put up a fight, they almost made me go serious" She laughed.
"Mom, please don't kill them" I laughed "Sorry but I won't be here for long" I frowned and nodded towards the man in suit.
"Oh…That's too bad…" She said with pursed lips "What's this?" She asked once she received the contract and then narrowed her eyes "I knew something was up"
"Ma'am please sign the contract and take the national vow of secrecy" The man said mechanically.
"Haaaah fine" She sighed after noticing my pleading look and did everything the man ordered to albeit with annoyance "Can you tell me what is going on now?" I tapped the man's shoulder and stopped him.
"Let me tell her" He nodded and stepped back "Mom…What I'm going to tell you is really…Unbelievable" She didn't say anything to that so I continued "CYTI is just a front for ARC, Alternis Resistance Crowds, a group that recruits people who can use abilities beyond human power can do to defend people from monsters that comes out of portals that can bring the world into total destruction"
"…Please" She took a step forward and hugged me "Be careful"
"You believe me?!" I asked in disbelief.
"You're my daughter after all!" She grinned with tears flowing from her eyes "I know when you lie and that's when you do a lot of disgusting gestures like picking your nose or-"
"A-Alright that's enough" I stuttered, hearing the man behind me suppressing a laugh "Mom…You're the greatest"
"I know" She grinned "Make sure you kick a lot of butt…So do you have a boyfriend yet?"
"N-No I don't!" I exclaimed and then felt my cheeks rising up, thinking about a certain boy.
[Alice Tomatsu – Tomatsu Residents]
"Please come back, I can't let you fight" My father pleaded sitting across me at the living room "We both lost your mother and you lost your eye" After finishing the procedures and explaining everything, Raeyana-Sensei left us in private.
"Even if I come back I would still be at a risk from your business" I replied neutrally- Tch here he goes again "You signed the contract and took the vow already too so it's too late" After mom died he still went on being a Yakuza and has the guts to worry about me? Damn it dad.
"But I can still take you out of ARC, please Alice" He had been the cause of my mother's death and he still continues doing business, though from an office but I still hated him for that.
"Didn't you hear me? I said I would still be in danger either way" I still remember vividly when the fire took her away…
"Let me try talking to Raeyana-Sensei" It was preventable too if it weren't for his cruelty, brutality and inhumanity.
"Stop it will you?!" Only when mom died did he become a better person…
"Can you at least tell me why…?" He asked, shakily holding his hands together.
"…I have my own family to take care of now" I answered with furrowed brows, thinking about the incident last night "I won't let them die just because you're worried about me"
"…Do you love them?" He asked with regret in his eyes.
"I do" I answered determinedly "More than myself" He stood up and picked up the family holstered katana "Dad!" I exclaimed as he put it into my hands.
"Alice" He said gently as he held my shoulder "I can't protect you anymore" He cried "But I hope with this sword, you'll be able to protect yourself and your family"
"…I will" I said gripping the katana strongly and then looked up at him "I still hate you by the way"
"I know"
"But.." I hugged him "Thank you"
"I'll see you next Sunday" He hugged back.
[Tsui Nigate – Nigate Residents]
I sat there on the sofa, nervous as well as the official standing behind me who just gave my auntie a contract "…So…What does all of this mean?" She asked pushing back her glasses and raised her penetrating eyes towards the official who soundly gulped.
Ah looks like he knows about auntie…I'm not surprised after all she's the CEO of the Keiyo Industry, a rival of the Yukinoshita Company. I wish she would be a bit friendlier to everyone though…
"I-In order to make sure we can confide in you our secrecy, we need your signature and a national vow" He explained taking out a recorder "It is important that you keep this from everyone"
She didn't say anything at first but then she sighed "…Let's get this over with, I'm quite busy" After signing the contract and taking the vow, the official explained everything to her from ARC to Alternis to everything that was supposed to be told "…Is that all?" I can't help but sigh in relief at that as well as feeling a pang of guilt in my heart as she looked at me.
"H-Huh?"
"M-Mister" Uuuuuu I don't know what to call him… "Y-You c-can wait at the car n-now" He seemed mad for a second while looking at auntie but he exited the house. Phew now that he's out "Auntie…I'm sorry for keeping this from you…" I started feeling guilty, I can't imagine what she's feeling right now…
"It's understandable" She replied neutrally "It must be hard…Training, fighting and being with strangers…However you seemed very happy last Sunday" I smiled fondly at the memory where auntie visited me and we talked a lot- Well I mostly did the talking but I still had fun with her.
"Yes I was"
"How are your friends? Something must've occurred for me to sign a contract and take a 'national' vow of silence"
"A…Hahaha so you knew…As expected of auntie…Well I can't really tell you what specifically happened but we're all okay, Nigate-Senpai still teases everyone, Tomatsu-Senpai worries over every little thing involving us, Yajuno-Senpai has been working hard improving herself and Hikigaya-Senpai…"
"Still worried about the fish eyed boy?" She asked to which I nodded.
"Yeah…Something really bad happened last night, that's all I could say" She nodded and went somewhere else, probably to get some tea.
That's all I could say…That frustrates me…The only person I could talk to freely and I'm not allowed to- "Haaaaah~" I sighed deciding to not think about it and looked up to see auntie holding up an amulet necklace, I felt a brow raised by itself.
"It's your parents" My eyes widen at that "And it was before them too, you see, this amulet's been in the possession of the Keiyo family for generations. It's been bringing us good fortune ever since it's made by the first shamans of the Keiyos'…Since this Alternis thing is real, I have no doubt that this will guide you in your mission"
"…Thankyou auntie, I'll take care of it" I smiled.
[Kosui Sune – On The Road]
Man~ last night was a real bummer but I guess getting out alive is better than dying "Is there any particular reason you asked me specifically to be the one accompanying you?" Sakaki-Sensei asked as he drove according to the directions I written down.
"So I can feel like I'm making you paying me back for all that time you trained me" I snickered as I brought my feet up to the dashboard.
"I see" He commented with a poker face.
"Ah! We're here!" I cheered as we turned left and stopped "…No comment?" I turned to the uniform guy who was silent "…Meh, let's go" He nodded and took the suitcase. We walked pass the cemetery's gate and stopped at a tombstone.
'Shino Sune'
"Hey there sis~" I greeted grabbing the incense and did a small prayer "Got some papers here you need to sign as well as taking a vow, I'll do it on your behalf of course" I smiled as I approached the still unexpressive uniform "So…Can you like take out the contract?"
"…You're an orphan" He said unemotionally yet again- boy oh boy how did I get used to this guy's nonexistent facial expression? I only gave him a smirk in response.
"Yep! Abandoned as a baby"
"I apologize, here it is" He nodded, taking out the contract "On behalf of Shino Sune, you are now a representative for Shino Sune who is hereby a member of our secrecy, ARC"
"Pffft how unexpectedly nice of you" I laughed as I signed the contract "Can we skip the vow? She doesn't like making promises" He nodded in response "You can wait at the car; I need a couple of minutes"
"Understood" He nodded, slightly lowering his hat.
"…Sorry for not visiting these days, I've been really busy" I gave my sorry excuse as I sat down on the pavement with crossed legs facing my sister "Boy do I have a lot to tell you in a limited amount of time" Am I comforting myself right now? This blows… "So~ to sum it up, portals are opening throughout the world, I was recruited to join ARC, Alternis Resistance Crowds, and Alternis is the reason these portals are opening by the way. We are trained by JSDF members to fight monsters that are coming out of the portals and that~ wraps it up~"
I decided to pull off some leaves and clean the surrounding area near her tombstone.
"This must be all super confusing at first but don't worry you'll get it, I got my informant skills from you after all. There are some things I still can't tell you, too bad huh…? I made some friends by the way" I let the palm of my hands touch the top of her tombstone "They're pretty weird…A muscle freak, a mini-version of you, a stuttering mess and a fish eyed guy…It's been so long since I've had family like you…"
I gripped my eyes, try not to cry but end up doing that anyway and fell on my knees.
"You don't need to worry anymoreSis" I said smiling through the tears "I won't follow you anymore…Heh I won't forget you either dummy…" I felt a heavy burden disappear from my shoulders as I said that "But I'll definitely find your killer…Even if it's the last thing I'll do" I seethed glaring down the floor "AH sorry didn't mean to glare at you" I quickly apologized before standing up "I'll see you soon Sis, when this is all over I'll try to find a way to revive you or maybe save you" I nonchalantly said and waved after giving another prayer.
[Hachiman Hikigaya – Hikigaya Residents]
Despite everything going the way I wanted I feel…Unsatisfied maybe? I think so, like after all that trouble there's still even more troubling experiences to come.
"Well that's life I guess…" I uttered.
"Hey stop talking to yourself and keep moving those hands firmly" Mary-Sensei ordered as she turned another page and shifting her leg to the other one on my lap.
"…Why am I doing this again?" I asked disbelievingly as I massaged her legs "This isn't a really appropriate behavior for a guest you know?"
"Well I'm gonna do whatever I wanna do when we're alone" She answered putting the magazine on the table and put her hands behind her head, sighing in relaxation "You're doing this because you've been getting a lot of trouble; Nil Apostle, Fate Rebellion, Grig, Enzenauer and several other things. So~ approximately 10 massages!" She held up both her hands cheerfully.
"You already completed the list by Enzenauer so I should've just own you 5 massages" I complained.
"Ah! So that means you owe me?" She asked excitedly.
"Heck no" I answered as I slapped her legs away and went to make some more coffee.
"Ouch! Be gentle will you?" She mumbled rubbing the part where I slapped her.
"Haaah~ MAX Coffee…How I miss you" I said to myself as I grabbed the can while making a homemade one for Mary-Sensei "Here"
"Thanks" She thanked and drank the beverage "…Phua! That hit the spot…Say why did you pick me to initiate the procedures?" She asked twirling her short bangs.
"Please don't ask me questions like that" I deadpanned before answering "I picked you because you and Professor Haans are the only officials I…Kinda feel comfortable with, Professor Haans got booked by Zaimokuza so I picked you"
"You sure you don't have any ulterior motives?" She smirked, nudging my sides with a wink.
"I will never have any sort of motives with you or anyone for that matter" I deadpanned.
"Way to ruin the mood Hikigaya-Kun" She commented jokingly but I ignored it and started pacing around the room "…Worried about your family?"
"…About everything" I corrected.
"…Maybe you and your division should take a break after this, after all you guys were in direct contact with not just one but three powerful enemies and managed to escape without casualties" Her tone took a dark turn "Casualties that we could never recover"
"No" I declined standing in front of the TV and looking up at the clock "One Fate Rebel kept two Alternis Users at bay and one Nil Apostle could've erased my teammates if he wanted to, we've got to get stronger…" I determinedly said.
"…Alright but promise me if your body gives up on you, you've got to get some rest"
"Of course I'm not that stupid" I said with a smile directed at her who responded with an equal smile, realizing what I'm doing I ended eye contact abruptly and went pacing around again. Mary-Sensei only chuckled at this.
"We're home~" The voice of my family came from the entrance, I breathed in and out to prepare myself for what's going to occur "Ah! Onii-Chan! Oh and…Mary-San, was it?" Komachi first appeared who greeted Mary-Sensei unsurely.
"Nice of you to remember me Komachi-Chan" She replied with a grin as mom and dad appeared, each holding briefcases and in business suits.
"So what was it we needed to discuss to involve the whole family, Mary-Sensei?" My mother asked nervously as they all settled down "My sons' not causing trouble is he?"
"Don't worry Misses Hikigaya" Mary-Sensei recommended, not specifically implying whether it was worse or better than what my mom thought "I just need a signature here" She gave them the contract "And a national vow of silence" Then she gave them the lines for the assumed 'vow'.
"Son…What the heck did you do?" Dad asked incredulously with a disbelieved expression as well as the others, I only gave them a deadpanned look that says 'Just do the freaking things' and they did just that albeit nervously.
"Um can you tell us Onii-Chans war crimes now?" Komachi asked- Why is it in plural dear little sister of mine?
"Well-"
"Let me tell them" I cut her off and she nodded.
"Alright, I trust you. I'll be at the car" She grabbed my shoulder tenderly "Take your time" She smiled worriedly to which I nodded "Thank you for your time" She bowed towards the others, they bowed back and with that she left.
"Now where to start…" They looked at me warily as I catalogue all the information I've summarized in my head and whether to go slow or fast…Slow it is "The CYTI Program is actually a front for ARC" Their faces still confused I continued "ARC stands for Alternis Resistance Crowds"
Now what is Alternis? Is what their face is asking.
"Alternis is classified for now but some people are using its power to open up portals and summoning monsters and other similar beings"
"…Is this a prank?" Komachi asked sharing a look with mom and dad "Did you made bet or something? A dare maybe?" I ignored those questions and continued.
"To fight these monsters we, the Alternis Users, were recruited into ARC and were given abilities…Beginning" Three set of eyes widen every second Alternis's aura materialized and became the suit I wore "This is one of the abilities" My voice mixed with the many voices said as I stood up, my family's gaze never leaving me.
"…..WHA-" They went hysteric after this, I couldn't even understand what they were saying due to them speaking at the same time; the only words I could comprehend were 'How', 'What' and every other words that involve inquiries but never a full sentence attached to them.
"Ending" Deciding that their hysterics weren't going to end anytime soon I ended the transformation, the three Hikigayas watch as the Alternis Suit evaporated into nothingness as if it was the first time they- oh wait right "Due to recent developments and unforeseen circumstances, the government decided to come clean with ARC or at least with the Alternis Users family or legal guardian"
"Hachiman!" Mom grabbed my shoulders forcefully and shook me "Alternis?! Monsters?! ARC?! Why are you still in…in…in this situation?!"
"That's right son, if we knew sooner we would've pulled you out" My father added, holding his temple.
"Onii-Chan…" I turned to Komachi who looked extremely worried "I-I…Is that why I almost didn't remember you…?" This statement confirmed my suspicions from last night "W-When I-I said to protect me…" Her eyes started watering "I-I d-didn't mean like this!" She exclaimed rubbing her eyes with the cuff of her sleeves.
Looking at the family members that have been with me throughout all the years, I remembered every single memory I made with them and then the remembrance went to the time I went nonexistent… "I'm sorry guys" I felt my eyes wavering "I need to do this" I dragged them all into a hug "I have a lot of people I need to protect now"
I want to remember this; the sensation, the smell, the atmosphere, their faces, their warmth…I want to remember every single moment with everyone forever.
"I have friends now" I managed dry my eyes and continued "I'm not alone anymore; I have twenty other people to help me protect you all. Dubious as they are, they also have their own family to protect"
"Why you?" My mother asked chokingly "Why not someone else….?"
"I don't know but…I think its fate" I answered, remembering the absolute future to come "But either way" I let them go from the hug "I've come so far and I'm not going to live a life where I'm only protecting you guys" I explained ending with "ARC is where everything I need to do can guarantee everyones lives and future, sorry but I won't leave" I said determinedly.
"…Hachiman" My father permeated the silence and stood in front of me, eyeing me with pride "…You've grown to be a fine man" He waved over mom who was holding several tissues by now.
"Hachiman…" She looked at me tenderly and spoke gently "From now on we'll visit you every Sunday" She declared "Every one of us, even Kamakura" The fat cat showed up on cue with a small 'Nya' from the closet full of cat food to the brim "I just hope you find a girl during or after all of this" She mumbled as she adjusted my collar.
I very much doubt that mom…
"Don't worry mom! We've always got Mary-Sensei!" Komachi exclaimed as she hugged my arm, her exclamation also made a banging sound near the entrance… "Hehehe…To be honest Onii-Chan, I'm still scared- I mean we all are obviously including you but…I trust you to come back in one piece after fighting who knows what out there" She smiled and I smiled back.
"Of course I will"
[ARC – Training Grounds]
Higurashi-Sensei stood in front of all of us, the 1st to the 4th Division lined up, standing at attention, he glanced from one end to the other, using a glare that would've sent untrained personnel to run but it didn't made us do that instead it made our resolute standings even more stronger.
He smirked when all of us kept a neutral expression "Alternis Resistance Crowds of the Chiba Branch!" His voice echoed in the large stadium sized white room "Are you ready for a higher tier of training?!"
"YES!" We all shouted as one.
"Once we began, you all will be on your own! Understood?!"
"UNDERSTOOD!"
"Then…Let's get started" He pulled out the Sword Of Alternis as planned "I SUMMON THEE-"
Riders began to transform into the starry suit.
Creators generated several weapons of all kind.
Fusionists merged the aura within everything and their respective teammates
Locaters and Informants readied themselves with the equipment they received.
"ALTERNIS!"
The portal opened, the room trembled tremendously and a few seconds later out came a gigantic rock monster, no one made a sound as the creature looked down on us with red lights that could be considered as eyes, however, I refuse to believe that this is the largest obstacle in our path.
"LET'S GO!" I screamed as I lead my division and automatically everyone to fight.
CHAPTER 4
UNBREAKABLE RESOLVE
1ST ARC
FIN
TO BE CONTINUED