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The Dawn of the Apostles - Chapter One Hundred Fourteen
Smoke overfilled into the air as Victoria stared on with her brown eyes flashing in fright while her master stood seething before the deactivated gateway.
Andromeda stood watching the emperor with cold gray eyes while a fleet of soldiers gathered behind her.
The mighty emperor stood with her back turned to her subordinates as she gazed down with greatly angered blue eyes.
And then she slammed her mighty fist into the wall of the cavern as her soldiers visibly flinched behind her when the wall began to shake under the force of her strength.
"It's been rendered inert! I was so close! Damn that Nero!" Reiko snarled with her fist buried in the wall of the sunken cave.
She glared down at the inactive gateway with her blue eyes just brimming with rage.
'This wouldn't have happened…if I had not been so gentle with that girl!' Reiko thought with her blue eyes narrowing in fury as she exhaled a cold breath from her pursed lips.
But what other choice had she had?
She couldn't just savage the daughter of Lana Turner.
But even so…
She will not make the same error twice.
The next time that she sees the Fire Princess and her subordinates she will not hesitate to shatter them all into crystals of ice if need be!
"This wouldn't have occurred if you actually taken the initiative to ensure that Nero was truly dead or at the very least down for the count. A lot of good your 'divine' might did you." Andromeda remarked in a blunt voice with her arms folded over her breasts while Reiko visibly stiffened in wrath.
Victoria's facial expression broke out into one of fear as she stood fearfully waiting for their leader's fury to be turned on them.
As the foot soldiers stared on with a justified terror in their eyes as the emperor turned around to glare back their way.
"I strongly advise that you choose your next words carefully Andromeda." Reiko commented in a hardened voice with her blue eyes glaring back at the younger woman's face.
"It's the truth and you know it! If I was emperor, I would have placed that girl in chains the moment I first laid eyes on her!" Andromeda insisted with a defiant gleam in her eyes while the soldiers took fearful steps backwards.
And not a second later the emperor's fist connected with the younger woman's cheek.
As the army stood deathly silent as the outspoken airbender was sent soaring to the ground on her ice crying out in pain.
The older woman now towered high above the younger women with her blue eyes glaring frigidly down at her.
"You are not emperor Andromeda. I am. Never forget that one constant in your life." Reiko stated in an imperious voice while she stared ruthlessly down at her bruised subordinate's now frightfully nodding face.
Victoria and the other soldiers stood still as their ruler turned to glare back at the deactivated gateway.
As the anticipation in the air only continued to rise as the statuesque older woman closed her eyes as she exhaled ominously.
Every soldier present audibly swallowed as the titanic chi on woman's muscular body seeped dangerously into the air before their fearful eyes.
"To think that this is what I get for being charitable." Reiko spoke in a livid voice while she smashed her fist at her womanly hip as her aura overflowed into the frozen air.
As the army was as silent as a mouse as they waited for their leader to vent her rage.
And not a moment later a suffocating aura exploded forth from the older woman's body!
Victoria held her arms over her awestruck face as she was blown back on her feet by the release of her leader's power.
As Andromeda stared on with widened gray eyes as she held her arm over her bruised face.
The infantry gaped on with astonishment in their eyes in awe of their emperor's superhuman might.
And not even seconds later all of the subordinates cried out in fear as they were all sent soaring out of the mouth of the collapsed cavern!
Until not even moments later…
The only person remaining standing before the site of the inert gateway was Reiko herself.
The emperor now stood silent with her blue eyes having taking on a much colder gaze.
Only for her lips to begin to curve back into the barest hint of a smirk as her fists remained at her hips.
It wasn't a complete loss.
After all.
She still has him.
Sometime after that.
An agonizing scream resounded calamitously over the frigid arctic air in the same moment that the researcher's body hit the ice.
Nero now knelt panting on his knees with his crimson eyes gazing up in shock at Reiko's looming face.
As the emperor now stood imposingly above her fallen enemy with her mighty arms folded authoritatively over her chest.
While an unfathomably powerful chi still radiated from her mighty muscles as she stared down at her stunned opponent with domineering blue eyes.
As the researcher now stared up at the woman with his eyes agape in disbelief over the difference in their strengths.
Even though he had managed to obstruct her goals there was no way that he could stand against her.
Not yet.
And with that his lips creased back into his usual smile as he stared up into the woman's domineering blue eyes.
As Victoria and Andromeda watched from the sidelines with wary expressions in their eyes.
"I have decided…that I would like to join the Apostles." Nero announced with a smirk on his lips while Reiko's tyrannical blue eyes now bore through his skull.
The other two women stared on in shock over the man's gall!
"Preposterous! You have some nerve! To conspire against us and then after doing so express a desire to join our ranks!" Victoria exclaimed in a passionate voice with her brown eyes staring furiously back at the man's smiling face.
"And why would I allow that Nero? After all of the trouble that you just caused me?" Reiko pondered in a courtly voice with her blue eyes watching the man carefully as he stood up.
All the while as the researcher began to dust the snow off his uniform as he smiled back up at her.
"Because I am the only one who can repair the World Gateway. Dispose of me…and you will never find that which you seek." Nero stated as he now stalked towards the woman while monstrous blue eyes stared coldly back at him.
The two subordinates kept their mouths shut as they waited for their leader to speak while Reiko closed her eyes in apparent consideration.
"So be it. He can join." Reiko spoke in a sophisticated voice with her blue eyes opening to gaze back at Nero's smiling visage.
Victoria's jaw dropped in disbelief as she stared at the researcher's back with stunned brown eyes.
And even Andromeda was gazing on with a bewildered look in her sharp gray eyes.
"You…you can't be serious! He clearly intends to kill us when our guard is down." Victoria protested with shock in her voice while the emperor stared frigidly back at the smirking researcher.
"I am serious Victoria. All the more reason to keep him close where we can see him instead of slinking around in the shadows." Reiko commented with her ruthless eyes studying the inhuman man closely while he smiled back at her.
"Emperor! I beg you to reconsider." Victoria sputtered with a shake of her head from where she stood behind her master.
"My decision is final Victoria. A wise ruler tolerates that which she hates in order to obtain what she wants. Besides…he understands that he understands that he cannot have his way as long as I am around." Reiko remarked with her arms folded over her breasts while Victoria numbly nodded her head.
"Yes, Your Imperial Majesty. As you bid." Victoria agreed with her firm eyes still staring in distrust back at the demented man's smirking countenance.
"I understand perfectly. And worry not…I am confident that I will be more than useful to the Apostle cause." Nero purred with a smile on his lips while the others glared back at him.
His crimson eyes glanced about at their faces like a spider stalking his prey.
As of now he cannot move forward with his plans.
Reiko was a much bigger obstacle than he had realized.
"One more thing Nero. All of your research is now under my supervision. From this moment forward all of your work is to be reported directly back to me." Reiko ordered in a supremely commanding voice as she gazed tauntingly at the man through the corner of her ruthless eye.
Her blue eyes gleamed with a spark of delight as she took in the momentary flash of rage in the scientist's eyes.
And not even a second later the researcher held out an arm over his chest as he bent over to bow at the waist.
"As you command…Emperor Reiko." Nero replied with his crimson eyes observing the woman's callous face closely.
And then he arose from his bow as he turned to stalk away with his narrowed eyes conveying his fury.
The two subordinates watched their new comrade walk off with distrusting expressions in their eyes.
As the older woman never once took her ruthless blue eyes off researcher's departing back.
And soon after that the man was gone.
Before she turned to gaze over her shoulder in the direction of the destroyed Porta Base in the distance.
Now just one more thing remained.
It was time to secure her apprentice.
A short time later…
The mercenary crew sat in what little remained of the ravaged northern base.
Katsu slept with her head against the wall as the flames burned overhead.
As Kane relaxed against the rubble beside her.
And the rest of the crew relaxed against the rubble alongside them.
Naoki sat with her hands folded in her lap with her scarf wrapped around her neck once more.
She gazed down at her booted feet as she listened to someone come to a stop behind her.
The emperor now stood with her arms crossed over her breasts as she quietly assessed her would be pupil.
"Have you reconsidered my offer?" Reiko questioned with her blue eyes gazing down at the girl in interest.
Before Naoki turned to glance over her shoulder with her strikingly emotionless brown eyes now peering up into the older woman's keenly astute blue eyes.
"Meet me in seven days' time for a duel at a location of your choosing. I will let you know my answer then depending on the outcome of our duel." Naoki spoke in a calm voice with her brown eyes gazing up at the emperor's now puzzled face.
"A duel in seven days? Do you really think that you can defeat me as you are now?" Reiko pondered in a curious voice with a tilt of her head while Naoki stared coldly back up at her.
If she had to give this girl credit for one thing.
It was the fact that she never flinched under her stare.
And that was just one of several reasons why this girl had gained her attention.
"I will not agree to anything unless you fight me personally. I want to see your power first hand for myself. Just as I did with Azula and Zoi both." Naoki responded in an aloof voice while the older woman held her gloved fingers under her chin.
"I see. Why in seven days though?" Reiko inquired with a sliver of something akin to fondness in her voice while she watched the girl closely.
"First…I must regenerate my stamina." Naoki answered in a tired voice as she fought to keep her eyes from closing.
As the older woman now found herself unable to resist allowing her lips to pull into an amused smirk.
"In other words, sleep." Reiko spoke with a knowing smirk while she gazed down at her potential student with an entertained gleam in her eyes.
"Yes…I must recover my efficiency. If I do not…I will not know where I stand in strength in comparison to you." Naoki yawned as she started to slump forward with her eyes closing shut while she heard the woman chuckle over her.
"Have it your way…Naoki. Seven days it is then." Reiko remarked in a sophisticated voice as she unfolded her arms from her breasts while she eyed the seated girl from where she stood.
Seven days later in the valley of an Asian mountain range.
Two great auras of chi flooded forth into the air as Katsu, Kane and the rest of the crew stood watching with entranced looks in their eyes.
Just as their young leader threw her scarf and sash over her shoulder.
As the weighted clothing hit the ground with a heavy thud.
Naoki's emotionless brown eyes now gazed back into the emperor's marginally surprised blue eyes.
Just as the older woman's lips curved into a keen smirk of approval while her hair blew in the winds behind her.
"If I win this battle, you'll abide by my terms. Which means that we won't waste time on meaningless military expansion. The first thing we're doing once the gateway is reactivated is retrieving Elle." Naoki spoke up in a stony voice as she slid her feet back in the grass while Reiko's smirk grew even larger.
As Katsu, Kane and the others listened with their eyes agape in astonishment over their young leader's gall.
"If I win this battle…when I win this battle. You will become my apprentice and follow my command however I see fit. I don't want to hear any complaints out of you…is that understood?" Reiko stated with her blue eyes gazing back at her young opponent's strikingly emotionless face.
She watched with a curious gleam in her eye as the girl sunk into a crouch with her gloved hand hovering over the hilt of her sword.
As the energy from their auras soared out before the eyes of their captivated audience.
And then the two warriors gazed back into one another's eyes.
And not a moment later…
A mighty storm of chi erupted into the sky while Naoki vanished with a blinding blur.
Reiko now turned to gaze all around her with her blue eyes widening in a truly rare demonstration of surprise.
She listened to the sound of the crackling of the earth bursting beneath Naoki's feet.
And shortly after the girl's footwork became deathly silent.
'What unbelievable speed! She's…actually faster than I am! This girl…she will make for the perfect apprentice!' Reiko thought with her lips curving into a gratified smirk while her ruthless blue eyes gazed about in search of her young opponent.
And then she entrenched her combat boots into the earth while numerous after images flickered before her impressed eyes.
And just like that she lunged into battle towards the barest hint of a crimson blur.
Ten minutes later…
The clang of swords clashing resounded throughout the air of the valley battlefield.
Naoki fell backwards with her machinelike brown eyes widening in disbelief when the emperor's sword grazed the skin of her left arm.
And not even seconds later she fell down onto the grass on her ass while she gazed up at Reiko's sanguinely smiling face in shock.
Katsu, Kane and the rest of the crew stared on in astoundment from where they stood safely off to the sidelines.
'I know that I am faster than her….and yet she evades every swing that I make so effortlessly…. how?' Naoki wondered as she stared up in astonishment at the older woman's flawlessly composed face.
She began to push herself to her feet while she clutched her wakizashi in her grip as authoritative blue eyes stared back down at her.
'She…is good. No…she is much better than that. She is unlike anyone that I have ever fought before. Even Azula and Zoi…for all their might as I saw them…can't even begin to compare to her. She truly is in a league of her own!' Naoki thought with her icy brown eyes gazing back at Reiko's confidently smirking countenance while the woman held herself with an aura of unrivaled authority.
"We could always put this off for another week if you need more time to recover from your wounds if that is what you prefer." Reiko remarked in an exceedingly arrogant voice as she gazed back at the young girl's aloof face in amusement.
And for the briefest of moments Naoki's brown eyes almost seemed to narrow in offense as she stared coldly back at her older opponent before she pushed her feet back in the grass.
And not an instant after that Naoki took off towards Reiko in another burst of superhuman speed.
The spectators watched with fascination in their eyes as the two once again began to lock blades.
As Naoki stared back at Reiko in an almost mechanized manner as the two super powered warriors danced rapidly through the grass.
Only for Naoki to stumble back mere seconds later in shock when the emperor's sword drew blood from both her arms and legs.
Her disbelieving eyes gazed back at Reiko's conceited smirking lips as imperious blue eyes gazed piercingly back at her.
And throughout it all Katsu, Kane and the others could only stare on with their jaws dropping in shock over witnessing their mighty young leader get bested with such ease!
Just before Naoki swiftly recovered as she glared back at Reiko's smug face while she slid one foot through the grass.
Mere seconds after that an explosion of dirt was launched up from the ground and into Reiko's surprised face.
And then Reiko quickly closed her eyes while she shielded her face with her elbow as Naoki broke out into another dash towards her.
'I've got you!' Naoki thought as she sprang at the older woman while the emperor's platinum blonde hair blew before her closed eyes.
Only for Naoki to be completely taken by surprise once again when the swing of her sword was caught by Reiko's gloved fist.
Her near emotionless brown eyes gazed down at her neck in disbelief to see that the older woman's sword was now pointing against her neck.
As the gawking audience of Naoki's crew watched with their eyes wide expressing their awe over the emperor's might.
"Wow!" Katsu cried out in captivation from beside the mutually shocked Kane.
Reiko now stared down at Naoki's shorter form as she smiled down at the young girl's stunned face.
"I approve of the way you fight Naoki…you'll go to any lengths to achieve victory. But it would seem that I have you beat. Now, I ask you. Will you admit defeat and become my student?" Reiko commented in a tone of natural dominance as she gazed down at the girl's recovering face.
Naoki's lips still adorned her signature perpetual smile as she peered back up at the much taller woman's looming face.
"You talk too much when you fight Reiko. I am not defeated yet." Naoki retorted in a stunningly determined voice before she swiftly bit down on the tip of the emperor's sword while drops of blood began to drip down her lips.
Reiko stared down with her blue eyes expressing her shock as the girl defiantly gazed back up at her with her teeth wrenching her sword away from her neck.
The others stared on with awestruck looks in their eyes over the depths of their young leader's sheer determination.
And then a pillar of earth suddenly sprang up from the earth and slammed directly into the emperor's sword.
As Reiko watched through the corner of her impressed blue eyes as it flew into the air over her head.
Her lips began to curve into a pleased smirk once more just as she dislodged the girl's sword from her grip with a stream of ice and sent it flying over her shoulder.
Just as both swords now soared through the air before they imbedded themselves in the dirt of the mountain valley.
And Naoki now stood with her lips forming the barest hint of a smirk as she stared proudly back at the older woman with blood dripping down her lip.
As the two warriors now stared each other down once more while everyone else watched in a speechless silence.
"Impressively done Naoki. Shall we continue our duel? Or are you ready to submit to my leadership?" Reiko questioned in a voice of ever-present confidence as her harsh blue eyes observed in approval as the girl smirked back at her.
"Hn. Make me." Naoki replied in a voice of trained composure as blood dripped from her arms and legs while she fearlessly met the older woman's domineering gaze.
"With pleasure." Reiko purred in a delighted voice as she slid her boots back in the grass while her huge aura began to emanate from her mighty body once more.
Naoki's bloodied lip still adorned her usual smile as her own aura began to yet again glow from her blow.
She sunk down into a crouch in a combat stance with her brown eyes beginning to express a rare flicker of excitement.
As Reiko gazed back with her unspeakably powerful aura overflowing into the air before the eyes of their shocked audience.
And then the two superhuman warriors took off running towards one another as their battle raged on.
About fifty minutes later…
Ice and snow now covered the landscape for as far as the eye could see while huge clouds of smoke rose up into the clouds above.
The sound of Katsu and Kane shouting in alarm resonated over the devastated battleground as they now pulled their defeated leader from the rubble.
"Naoki!" Katsu exclaimed in a concerned voice with her golden eyes now gazing down at Naoki's bloodied face in shock.
Naoki's head fell back into her comrade's arms with her brown eyes still widened in disbelief over her defeat.
As Kane knelt on his knees with his hazel eyes staring down at the battered face of his leader.
'I…can't believe that Naoki managed to last an entire hour in battle against the emperor!' Kane thought as he gazed up at the face of Reiko from where the older woman stood above them on a pile of rubble in her battle-damaged uniform.
"You have finally been defeated Naoki. I have done what Princess Azula and her captain were unable to do. And now I will ask you one more time. Will you accept my terms and become my apprentice?" Reiko questioned with her arms folded over her breasts while she stared down at the stunned faces of the trio.
As Naoki gazed back up with a look of acceptance in her emotionless brown eyes.
"I accept." Naoki answered in a stoic voice while the older woman's pale lips now pulled into a smile as the emperor leaped down on the ground before her.
She began to gaze back at unspeakably powerful woman as she watched her walk towards them with the barest of hint of a look of fixation in her stony eyes.
She was even more certain of it than she was before she fought the woman.
The only one who could train her was Emperor Reiko.
"Good. Then I take it that settles any arguments of who is in charge around here. As for the retrieval of Elle Turner…that will have to wait. There are other affairs that we must settle first." Reiko declared with a vastly pleased smile on her lips as came to a stop before the group while she gazed down at Naoki's nodding face.
Just as the wounded redhead pushed herself off her comrades as she sat on her knees with her expressionless eyes peering back up at the face of her new teacher.
"Fine. Just don't expect me to shower you with Your Majesties or call you anything absurd like God. I will just call you Reiko." Naoki commented with her arms hanging at her sides while her two companions nearly fell over behind her.
"Naoki!" Kane chastised in a worried voice as Naoki ignored his warnings.
Only for an expression of relief to come over his eyes when it seemed as if the woman was amused rather than angered.
"You're no coward Naoki. I like that and I like you. I think you and I are going to get along just fine." Reiko stated with a smirk on her lips as she stepped past the girl's comrades while she gazed down at her new student.
Naoki gazed up with her usual smile as her crimson red hair blew before her haunting brown eyes.
And then the emperor suddenly knelt down before the kneeling teenager while the girl still peered back up at her.
And then before Naoki could react, she found herself gazing up with her icy brown eyes expressing uncharacteristic bewilderment.
When two large gloved hands took hold of both sides of her face as she felt an unnatural chill on her skin from the woman's mighty touch.
She stared back up in confusion into the older woman's commanding blue eyes.
As the others stared back at the two with puzzled expressions in their eyes.
"And now you belong to me Naoki." Reiko spoke in a strikingly charismatic voice with a smile on her lips as she held onto Naoki's cheeks while she stared down at the young girl's taken aback face.
"I…belong to no one. My will is my own." Naoki protested in an exhausted voice as she gazed back up at the older woman's face only for Reiko to just smile down at her.
And then the emperor's hands fell from the girl's face before she stood back up to her full statuesque height.
Her authoritative blue eyes never once ceased in gazing down at Naoki's face as the girl took on an emotionless expression once more.
'She's just one stop on the road and nothing more. Once she has served her purpose and I surpass her…I will do away with her.' Naoki thought with her brown eyes taking on a mechanical gleam as she stared up at her new leader's smiling face.
Or at least…that was what she tried to tell herself.
Many hours later.
The newly joined master and apprentice now walked alone together to the older woman's personal military vehicle as it began to rain lightly down overhead.
Katsu, Kane and the other mercenaries had went on ahead when the woman had dismissed them.
"Reiko…" Naoki began in a quiet voice as she stared ahead with calm brown eyes while bandages now covered her wounds as the older woman turned to glance down at her.
"What's on your mind Naoki?" Reiko pondered with a tilt of her head as she stared down at the girl with interested blue eyes.
"Do you really think that I can become stronger?" Naoki asked in a composed voice as she gazed up at the older woman's smiling face.
"I do Naoki. Perhaps someday even strong enough to rival me. But only if you follow me." Reiko remarked in a knowledgeable voice as she gazed down at Naoki's numbly nodding face.
As a momentary expression of eagerness took over Naoki's gaze.
Just before the prodigy said nothing when she felt a strong hand lower onto her shoulder.
"Come on kid. Let's get out of this rain and get back to the truck." Reiko spoke in a commanding voice as she held up her black military cap with a gloved thumb while Naoki nodded her head.
And with that the new pupil began to walk beside her master while a light spray of rain pattered down at them from the clouds above.
While raindrops made their way down Naoki's exhausted face as she gazed up at the older woman through the corner of her eye.
Several days later.
At the Apostle Mansion.
Numerous individuals sat a long table gazing up at a balcony that loomed overhead while Reiko stood gazing back down at them.
In attendance Andromeda now sat scowling with her face propped up against her bored fist.
And Nero also sat while he gazed about with his usual predatory smile as he held a tea cup on his hand.
Another was a man that wore a metal mask that completely obscured his face with a gray cloak that hung over his shoulders.
And a specialty sniper rifle rested propped up against the back of his chair.
And yet another was a woman in her mid-twenties who was gazing around her with a look of upmost graveness in her green eyes.
While neck length blonde hair with two slightly longer golden braids that hung down framing each side of her humorless face.
Her name was none other than Sierra Meadows.
Otherwise, none as the emperor's most devout fanatic.
And the next was a Japanese woman dressed in more fashionable nonmilitary attire than her comrades.
She was now staring on with a less serious expression than that of her fellows.
Her name was Murai Kira .
And she was known as the head of the emperor's medical staff and the Apostle doctor.
Standing off to the side by the door was none other than Victoria.
Just as everyone gathered heard the set of doors being pushed open behind them.
As the Apostles turned to gaze at the opening doors to find themselves gazing back at Katsu.
Katsu glanced around the room with her wild golden eyes staring back at the researcher's face.
Nero's crimson eyes widened in unmistakable interest as his experiment glared him down.
And not a second later Reiko's charismatic voice resonated authoritatively from overhead.
"I now give to you our newest Apostle recruit, fire aberrant Bakudan Katsu." Reiko stated with a wave of her gloved hand while she stood gazing down at the girl from above.
The other Apostles stared back at Katsu with curiosity in their gazes as the girl pulled out a chair.
And soon after that the combustionbender seated herself while she still glared back at the scientist's smirking face.
Just as the Apostles glanced back up at the balcony when they heard the sound of soft footsteps approaching from behind their leader.
Before Reiko turned to glance over her tall shoulder with a smirk already forming on her lips.
As Naoki now stood beside her with her glacial brown eyes staring questioningly back at the scientist.
Nero's crimson eyes widened as he set down his tea cup with an expression of rage in his eyes.
The emperor smiled back down at him with the shorter girl's emotionless eyes staring back down at him.
"And it is with great pleasure that I introduce to my apprentice Garnet Naoki." Reiko announced with her hand falling onto Naoki's shoulder while the Apostles gazed up in fascination.
Victoria smiled from where she stood at the door.
As Nero still stared up with his crimson eyes agape with scientific delight as he smiled up at the emotionless girl.
"Naoki." Nero repeated with a sinister smile as he clenched his gloved fists over the tabletop while Naoki stared coldly down at him.
"Apprentice…" The masked Apostle trailed off in a surprised voice while he studied the girl in interest.
"So, you finally recruited her." Sierra stated in a businesslike voice with her green eyes gazing up at the girl in curiosity.
Her apathetic gaze shifted from the girl to her leader as she noted the unmistakable expression of keen interest in her emperor's eyes.
'This is odd….in all the time that I have known her. I have never seen her show such interest in another person…not to me…not to Victoria or any of the other Apostles…not to anyone.' Sierra thought with a reflective look in her eyes as she surveyed the girl and her leader from below.
"Reiko…why is he here? He experimented on us." Naoki whispered with her brown eyes turning to gaze up at her new mentor for an explanation while the older woman's hand lingered on her shoulder.
Her emotionless brown eyes conveyed a reflective gleam as she stared down at Nero through the corner of her eye.
And not only that.
He played a part in the death of her friend.
Yuji.
As she had to push down the sense of internal remorse that she had for how her own friend died by her hand.
"I know. However, as it stands, he is the only one who can repair the gate. Be patient Naoki…wait until he has served his purpose and then…we will dispose of him." Reiko assured in a quiet voice that only Naoki could hear while the girl still gazed back down at the smiling man.
Only for a chilling smile to form on the prodigy's lips as she nodded her head in understanding.
She continued to eye the scientist like a cat sizing up her dinner.
Just as all eyes gazed back up at the emperor when she held a mighty gloved fist over her head.
Naoki stared up at her with newfound gaze of intuitiveness her aloof brown eyes.
"Each, and every one of you stands among the strongest aberrants and the most ingenious minds that this world has to offer! And I have defeated every single one of you! This moment represents a consolation of war powers under one rule!" Reiko called out with her blue eyes staring imperiously down below at the gathered faces of her group of elites.
As the Apostles gazed back up with varying reactions of emotions in their eyes.
For some such as Andromeda it was open resentment.
And for others such as Nero it was both anger and intrigue.
And for Sierra it was apathy.
And yet not a single one of them dared to dispute the emperor's boast.
And then before any of them could say so much as a single word a monitor was suddenly turned on at the back of the room.
"Behind you is a list of our twelve most dangerous known targets. Some of which we know more about than others. The first is Prime Minister Arius." Reiko commented while all eyes turned to gaze back at the monitor in curiosity.
Only for all of the Apostles to find themselves staring back at the face of an older bearded man with amber eyes.
And just as it quickly as the face of the Prime Minister appeared it switched to that of another.
To that of a face that made Naoki's brown eyes widen with a narrowed gleam in her eyes.
Katsu's vibrant golden eyes also widened with similar fire in her stare.
Nero's crimson eyes flickered with sadistic entertainment as he gazed up at the stoic face of the rogue killer known as Strados.
"The next is Strados the Slaughterer." Reiko spoke in a voice of absolute poise as she gazed down at her apprentice's eager face through the corner of her eye.
Naoki's fingers gripped the hilt of her blade as she continued to smile back at the image of the man.
And then it changed once more.
To the image of a woman whose face and features were concealed by a white mask that was made of bones.
The only features that they were able to make out were mad dark green eyes that shone with malice.
"After that is a woman that Naoki tells me is called Silah the Pale, a puppeteer of the dead and a hunter of the living. Naoki has informed me that she is unspeakably dangerous." Reiko informed as she thoughtfully studied the puppeteer's bone covered face before her subordinates watched the image change yet again.
It changed into that of a vastly elderly woman with glazed over golden eyes holding onto a wooden staff.
Many of the Apostles aside from Naoki and Nero gazed on in bewilderment that such an elderly woman was being listed as one of their twelve most dangerous known targets.
"And now we have Mava the Sage. While she may appear geriatric. Naoki tells me that despite her age that she is in possession of tremendous power that is comparable to the one called Silah." Reiko stated in a boundlessly imperial voice while her blue eyes gazed at the face of the old sage in contemplation.
And then she changed the image on the monitor again.
Only for the Apostles to gaze on in confusion when it switched to that of a blank white image with a question mark.
"Our next two targets we have no known photograph for. But I have been able to gauge their potential threat level based on the information that I have gleamed." Reiko spoke in an astute voice while her subordinates listened attentively as they gazed back at the question mark.
And through it all Reiko stood beside Naoki gazing on with an expression of unparalleled authority that consumed the entire room.
"The first of the two is a being known as the Avatar. It is a vastly powerful being that has reincarnated in the form of an Avatar for nearly ten thousand years. For obvious reasons, it is only logical that such a being is capable of serving as a dangerous threat to us." Reiko explained with her body held high while her subordinates listened in fascination.
As she momentarily glanced down at Naoki only to find herself pleased to see that her new student was diligently absorbing every detail.
She glanced back ahead at the projection of the question mark before she moved on to the next target.
"And our following target is the one that we know the least about. All we know about her is that her name is Vega. And that she is rumored to be the herald of a certain…malevolent primordial entity. However, given that alone. It is only natural that we would include her in our list of our most dangerous targets." Reiko commented in an astonishingly meticulous voice while her followers stared on in captivation.
Nero's eyes briefly reflected a knowing gleam that Reiko's perceptive eyes never failed to catch.
And then the emperor changed the image on the monitor once again.
This time to the face of an older woman with wavy red hair and brown eyes.
"And the next is Commander Calla Embers of the Separation. She is a non-aberrant. But make no mistake, Calla Embers is one of the most dangerous strategic minds in the world." Reiko continued in a methodical voice with her apprentice staring on in growing interest beside her.
The Apostles then observed in interest when the image once again changed on the monitor.
This time to that of an old man wearing glasses with a beard and long disheveled gray hair.
Nero's eyes immediately gleamed in recognition after he watched the man appear on the screen.
And he was now gazing intently the image with the most interest of all of the Apostles.
"Following that, we have the renowned physicist, Giovanni Enzo. He is a known associate of Calla Embers and a non-aberrant, and he is also one of the most brilliant scientists in the world." Reiko spoke in a calculating voice while she switched the image on the monitor once more.
And then the Apostles watched while the face of their next target appeared on the monitor.
It was that of a middle-aged man in military uniform with black hair and a trimmed beard.
"And now we have General Marcus Magnum, of the Separation. He is one of the greatest military leaders in the Separation, and one of the greatest generals in the world, and he is a great obstacle that we must overcome to crush the Separation once and for all." Reiko said with a determined expression on her ruthless face.
After that all of the Apostles watched with growing intrigue in their eyes when the monitor switched to that of the face of the next target.
It was that of none other than Captain Zoi Song.
Both Naoki and Katsu's eyes flashed with a desire to battle the mighty warrior once again.
Nero smiled back at the image of the battle-hardened captain.
"Captain Zoi Song of the Fire Nation." Reiko said in a lordly voice while she changed the image on the monitor once again.
After that an image of the beautifully imposing princess was generated for all to see.
"And next we have none other than Princess Azula of the Fire Nation." Reiko remarked with a sanguine smile on her lips
The two young supersoldiers gazed up at the face of the dignified scowling woman with a spark of excitement in their eyes.
The Apostles who had not met the Fire Nation group began to murmur amongst themselves.
"And lastly…the famed champion of the Separation herself. Saito Sayomi." Reiko declared with her gloved hand gesturing to the face of a young Eurasian woman as it appeared on the screen.
And just like that Naoki spun around with her brown eyes widening in realization as she stared back at the woman's face.
It was the face of a young woman with her blonde hair hanging in a pony tail behind her while her dedicated blue eyes seemed to gaze back at them.
The combustionbender now stared up with her golden eyes wide in familiarity.
As all of the Apostles stared up with fascination in their eyes.
"Predecessor." Naoki stated in a low voice with her eyes never leaving the champion's face.
She began to subconsciously walk forward with her fingers sliding over the hilt of her blade.
The emperor stared down in approval through the corner of her eye.
As the researcher's lips curved into yet another cruel smirk.
And then the monitor changed to a different image.
Just as all eyes widened in recognition when an image of Elle standing before Team Azula appeared on the monitor.
"And our goal…is Elle Turner. This young woman…Princess Azula is currently in possession of her. And if she refuses to cooperate…we're going to take her from her." Reiko purred with a smirk coming onto her lips while Naoki gazed on without emotion beside her.
Katsu's golden eyes briefly conveyed a hint of hesitation.
As the researcher momentarily glared at the emperor through the corner of his eye.
The rest of the Apostles still gazed back at the innocent girl's face from where she stood beside the princess.
As the princess's callous amber golden eyes almost seemed to glare back through the projection as if she were there in the flesh.
"Each of the twelve targets is to be taken in either living or dead…but under no circumstances are you to kill Elle Turner." Reiko said with a warning undertone to her dictatorial voice while her merciless blue eyes swept about the faces gathered below.
Naoki and Katsu exchanged a quick glance with one another before they turned back to the monitor.
Only for all of the Apostles to hear another set of footsteps approaching from the adjacent balcony opposite of the emperor and her apprentice.
All eyes turned to the direction of the other balcony while the emperor still smiled coldly.
"I am certain that somewhere out there Azula is smirking…no doubt pleased with herself…feeling as if she came out on top. But our dear princess will find out soon enough that such notions couldn't be further from the truth." Reiko stated with her arms folded over her breasts while her Apostles listened in rising curiosity.
And that was all it took for a scream to resonate into the air of the mansion.
While all but the emperor watched in surprise as a man suddenly fell from the balcony above.
Only for the man to plunge through a chandelier and straight down to the table below.
The shocked Apostles now gazed back to find a brutalized Russian general now laying lifeless in a puddle of spilled drinks.
While a joyfully mad laughter now rang out into the air as the elites gazed up at the opposite balcony.
As Felix now stood in his trench coat with an unabashed grin on his wicked lips.
All who were familiar with the young man widened their eyes in comprehension.
Naoki's unfeeling eyes widened ever so slightly as she stared back at the man across from their balcony.
Katsu angrily leaped to her feet with her golden eyes sparking with a desire to spill the man's blood in revenge for what he did to her friend.
"For it is I who has the 'other' half." Reiko concluded with her blue eyes staring ruthlessly back at the young man's gleefully howling face.
Victoria widened her brown eyes with her lips pursing into a scowl.
And Sierra simply gazed up with compassionless green eyes that already flared with distaste of the discourteous man.
"I told you that I would throw a little chaos into the mix Reiko! Am I good or am I fantastic!" Felix bellowed with his gloved hands straddling the railing while his laughter flowed in the ears of the stunned Apostles.
The air force commander now stared up with her gray eyes faintly widened in understanding.
'He has the…but how is that possible!' Andromeda thought while she gazed at the man's laughing face in disbelief.
Nero's crimson eyes widened in recognition as he gazed back at the young man's unrepentant sadistic face.
'It's just as I suspected! He possesses it!' Nero thought with his red eyes gazing up in astonishment.
Only for a cruelly entertained smile to begin to form on his lips not even a moment later.
"Mr. Turner. I see that you are still a brusque creature. That chandelier was circa from the Victorian Era." Reiko remarked in a remarkably restrained voice while her blue eyes glared back at the young man's laughing visage.
Naoki still stared back at the man with an utterly cold look in her eyes as she clenched a gloved fist at her hip.
Sierra and Victoria stared harshly back at their rude guest with outrage in their eyes for how he dared to outright disrespect their emperor.
"Then I'll bring you back twenty more enemy generals to make up for it!" The young man yelled out in an insidious voice as he threw his gloved hands out before his wickedly grinning face.
The Apostles gazed between the man and their emperor to see that the older woman was now smiling ruthlessly.
As the scientist observed the young man from below with an intense spark of interest in his equally cruel eyes.
"I like him." Nero chuckled with a menacing smile on his lips as he relined in his seat while Felix grinned savagely back down at him.
The other Apostles gazed between the two with a wary expression in their eyes.
"How cute. It seems as if Nero has found a kindred spirit." Andromeda commented wryly with her gray eyes gazing up at the young man with mild interest.
Only for a suffocating chi to sweep through the air as all of the Apostles and even Felix turned to gaze back at the matriarch standing above them.
As the emperor's aura began to casually flare as she gazed all about the room with a tyrannical gleam in her blue eyes.
Just as she raised both of her gloved hands in the air above her head while her apprentice gazed up at her through the corner of her eye.
And for a fleeting moment the mentor and the student gazed back into one another's eyes.
The meaning of the stare clearly conveyed 'you are not allowed to kill him'.
Naoki and Katsu relented as they still stared icily back at Felix's smirking face as he unflinchingly gazed back into their eyes.
"Know this my dear Apostles! While our enemies are undoubtedly dangerous in their own right…they are no match for us! We are the greatest fighting force that this world has ever seen! And we are going to break them all on the battlements!" Reiko shouted with her fists held out before her tyrannical face while her subordinates listened in captivation from all around the room.
Her hair began to sway behind her as her body became consumed in an unimaginably powerful glow.
"For I am the God Emperor and I cannot be defeated! Not by anyone in this world or anyone in the next! And as long as you stand with your god then you are also beyond defeat!" Reiko called out while she extended her arms out before her smirking face.
As the Apostles exchanged speechless looks with one another from their positions in the room.
While the image of Elle and Team Azula still flickered before the wall as Felix's lips cracked into a simply wicked grin.
And with that an unspeakable sense of awe overtook the entire room.
And not an instant after that the young man's amber eyes widened when a terrible chill swept over his body.
As the almighty emperor stood on the other balcony with her blue eyes staring piercingly back into his widening eyes.
The stunned Apostles watched from below as Felix dropped to his knees with a gloved hand clutching his chest.
As Reiko stared imperiously back at him with a sadistic gleam in her blue eyes.
"Long may the Apostles reign!" Reiko roared with a monstrous smirk on her lips as she gazed down at her captivated subjects.
Naoki stood quiet with a chilling smile on her lips once more.
While she mused that was even more certain than ever before than she made the correct choice.
And then soon after that the Apostles shouted out in response to their leader's war cry.
All the while as the emperor smirked down at them with her pupil standing smiling beside her.
Just as Naoki glanced up with a surprised look in her eyes once more when she felt the older woman place her hand on her shoulder yet again.
"Stick with me Naoki and I'll show you the way to wage war." Reiko spoke with a twinge of a twisted fondness in her imperious voice.
Naoki slowly nodded her head with her lips still forming a poised smile.
After the Apostle meeting…
Naoki walked through the courtyard of the Apostle mansion with her stoic brown eyes gazing calmly ahead.
As the sound of footsteps began to approach behind her.
She glanced through the corner of her brown eye to see Nero grinning savagely back at her from over her shoulder.
As the inhuman researcher stalked with his insidious lips forming a cruel smile.
Just as the man began to lick his lips as a dark chi began to emanate from his body.
And not a moment later…
A pained scream echoed throughout the courtyard just after Naoki rapidly drew her wakizashi.
Reiko watched with a pleased smile on her lips from where she stood on a high-rise balcony.
As Nero now sunk to his knees furiously clutching his bleeding hand.
A syringe needle rolled to a stop at Naoki's feet as he stared back with widened crimson eyes.
And now laying on the ground beside it was a severed finger!
"What magnificent speed! You truly have grown into a splendid war machine!" Nero exclaimed as he pulled himself to his feet while Naoki gazed calmly back at him.
"I was once your lab experiment. But that day has long since passed us. That was then and this is now. I suppose I ought to thank you for helping to bring me to where I stand today…but all the same. I have since grown beyond you and your research." Naoki stated in a soft voice as she strode closer with her lips forming a taunting smile.
"You are painfully misguided…if you truly believe that you have grown beyond my research." Nero spoke with his lips pulling into a sinister smile as he stared intently back at his former experiment's emotionless face.
"You came for me because your other subjects of interest were too strong for you to acquire. However, I am no longer a child…and never again will you be able to reach me. I now stand at a height that you cannot even begin to fathom." Naoki remarked in an at ease voice with a smile still on her lips while she sheathed her wakizashi.
As Nero stood taken aback by his former research subject's boast.
While he gazed back at her with a curiously expression in his eyes while his mouth hung open ever so slight.
He knew it now more than ever before!
He had to continue studying her!
The girl has grown more than he could have ever hoped and with that…he was on the verge of fulfilling his greatest desires.
Only for his eyes to widen once more when the girl vanished in a blinding flicker.
Just before he soon felt a series of brutal blows connecting with his body.
As the agile redhead smiled as she hopped on her feet in a boxing stance.
And not a moment after that the spit flew out of the scientist's mouth just as it had with the acrobat before.
Nero now staggered backwards with his widened eyes gazing back at Naoki's smiling face.
The emperor still observed from above with an approving smirk on her lips.
"All you can do is despair Nero. Gaze up at me… and know that no matter what horrors you commit to augment your body. You will never again be able to overcome this body of mine." Naoki informed in a stunningly confident voice as she turned to walk away with a perpetual smile on her lips.
The scientist stood gazing after her with his crimson eyes still agape with disbelief.
Only to find himself turning to scowl over his shoulder when he heard Reiko's voice cut into the air.
"Superbly done Naoki." Reiko commented with a smile of recognition on her lips while Naoki quietly glanced up at her.
Only for the student to continue to walk on her way while Nero scowled as he turned to glare down at his feet.
"I suggest you remember that you are not in control around here Nero. I am." Reiko declared from above as she stared smugly down at the man's glaring face before she turned to walk inside.
The following day.
"You requested that Her Imperial Majesty give you the most difficult training that she has to offer and so that is what she will do." Victoria spoke with a smile on her lips while she gazed back at Naoki's stony face.
And then she closed her eyes as she continued to speak while the girl listened silently.
"Starting tomorrow we are going to send you out into the uncharted Red Zone for the next thirty days which is where we will try to kill you from start until end. You will face everything from road bandits, to ravenous seekers and even assassins. Know that there is no stopping it once it has been begun and that this is your one and only chance to back out." Victoria commented with her brown eyes gazing back at the younger girl's hard-hearted face.
Kane and Katsu listened in a state of shock as they gazed back at their group leader in disbelief.
"Naoki…this…this is insane. There are ample other ways to train." Kane advised with fear in his voice while Naoki raised her eyes to meet Victoria's gaze.
"I already told you my answer Victoria." Naoki spoke in an undaunted voice as she sat with her scarf wrapped around her neckline.
Her companions stared at her with unhidden concern in their fearful eyes.
"Very well. I simply thought compelled to try to talk some sense into you. But…as you wish. Be ready for departure at six am sharp." Victoria instructed as she turned to walk away with her boots cladding on the floor while Naoki stared quietly after her back.
As Katsu and Kane still gazed at their friend with disbelieving eyes.
"Do…do you want us to go with you?" Katsu questioned in a loyal voice as she watched Naoki closely.
"No. This is something that I must do alone Katsu. Focus on your own training while I am gone." Naoki answered in a resolute voice as she stood up from her seat while the two gazed at her in an unsettled silence.
And then she turned to walk away with her sword sheathed at her hip.
The two companions exchanged a worried glance as they silently hoped that their friend would survive.
Elsewhere somewhere deep underground.
A series of artificial lights lip up the inner chamber of the laboratory.
Its lone occupant stood before his observation screen with a sinister smile adorning his lips.
Nero watched as numerous images appeared on his monitor from all sides of the coming war.
His fellow Apostles and their dear leader.
And soon after that an image of a global map of the New World.
It was a designation that had two meanings.
It was a term that was first used by Reiko to describe the 'New World' that she was now creating.
And it has since become a globally used term by those that believe in the 'New World' that Reiko was creating.
And it was also a term that was used to describe the drastically altered world map as a whole as a result of the near global destruction of World War Three.
Following that, the continent of Eurasia, which comprised of all of the countries that survived the end of the cataclysmic war.
Which was the very heartland of the United World Empire, which encompassed most of Asia, parts of Russia and parts of eastern Europe.
Which was ruled by none other than Reiko herself.
And then that of the leaders of the United Nations which consisted of mostly of Europe, Russia, North America and the rest of the countries that were actively resisting Reiko's conquest.
And the leaders of a great many other countries that were scattered around the globe.
And the Fire Nation team as well.
And even that of the tomb of his former master.
And then the feed finally settled on the image of the inert World Gateway.
"This will make for an excellent hidden laboratory for the war to come. I dare say that I could even call this abyss home." Nero stated with a demented smile pulling onto his lips while his crimson eyes flashed in delight.
And then just like that the entire subterranean lair was illuminated by bright overhead lights.
As an inhumanly savage smirk grew onto his lips as he surveyed his unsuspecting enemies in unhidden delight.
Most specifically Azula and Elle.
"There is much more to warfare than brute force! I may not be the strongest but I will come out of this coming war as the sole victor!" Nero exclaimed as he erupted into a fit of mad laughter the tubes from his advanced underground piping began to fill up with liquid.
His monstrous laughter resounded calamitously off the walls of his subterranean lair and into the nearly endless depths of the Earth.
Meanwhile back on the surface of the Earth.
Naoki walked into the Red Zone with a white cloak wrapped around her shoulders while her emotionless brown eyes gazed fearlessly ahead.
As the birds flew high into the air above her head as she gazed up with a calm gleam in her eyes.
"Only the fittest survive in this world and I will survive." Naoki spoke to herself with her hair flowing lightly in the breeze behind her.
And then she leaped into the air onto a tree branch.
She stood on it gazing with a flicker of wonder in her eyes as she took in the expansive sea of land that humanity used to rule.
That now stood as but a haunting reminder of what once was and what would never come back.
And then she gracefully sprang from the tree branch with her feet beginning to blur as soared through the trees.
Her brown eyes shimmered with a hint of an emotion unknown.
And then without hesitation she leaped high above the trees and into the depths of the land left abandoned by the great war.
AN:
I submitted another round of edits recently and I wanted to inform everyone that after going over the matter with several other readers. I came to the conclusion that Zoi sounds more like a Fire Nation Nation name in writing than Zoe, so I decided to switch her name to the alternative version of Zoi.
In reality, both are pronounced the name way, so it isn't a huge change.
However, I confess that my eyes were trained to look at Zoe, so I had to write with Zoi for a few weeks to get used to it.
In the end though, while both Zoi and Zoe were generated in a Fire Nation name generator among female names. I decided to change it to Zoi because I felt it fit better in the context of the story. Anyhow, I hope it doesn't throw anyone off.
As for the afterword.
So, the World Gateway has been rendered inert on both ends.
This means that next time that Rieko will be much more ruthless to Team Azula the next time they meet.
We also saw that Nero joined the Apostles, in a way this was his way of sticking it to Rieko by impeding her and then stating he wishes to join her afterward. However, since Rieko needs Nero she allowed it to slide for now.
Also, the revelation that Nero can repair the gateway shows us that it could be said that he was in control of it before claimed the Greenland territory. But we know that Rieko was spying on Nero so it could be stated that she was in control all along.
And so Rieko has defeated Naoki in one on one combat. It happened off screen largely because I don't want to show too much of Rieko's power in book one and we just saw Naoki fight numerous times.
This of course means that Rieko is stronger than Azula, Zoi, and Naoki who are all about even. She is something that they will have to work to reach, and likewise in time, Rieko may find that they may be able to stand against her as equals.
Also, Naoki is now Rieko's apprentice. I have been foreshadowing Naoki joining Rieko ever since they met when Naoki was a child. We are also seeing that Rieko is seemingly more fond of Naoki than the others.
And so since Naoki and Katsu joined the Apostles, this means that Team Azula will face them again in the future if they clash with Rieko again.
Furthermore, the Apostles are beginning to form as a group but the roster is not complete yet. In fact, it will likely grow between now and book two.
As for Rieko's targets, if anyone is wondering why Aang, Ozai, the rest of Team Avatar, and the Order of the White Lotus were not listed, that is because Rieko ONLY listed people of power that she saw with her own eyes or that Naoki saw.
Also, Felix has something that Rieko wants. We'll get to to what that something is soon enough.
While Rieko does detest Felix, she has shown that she is willing to tolerate him if it gets her what she wants. At the same time, this shows that Rieko can be a hypocrite.
She judged and killed Reynolds, yet is allowing Nero and Felix in, who are just as horrible. The difference is that they both have use, and Reynolds did not.
Also, Naoki and Katsu's reaction to Felix's presence is proof that they both see Elle as a friend. Elle got through to Naoki when she risked her life to help them, and Naoki is showing that she acknowledges that by expressing a desire to stand up for Elle's name against Felix.
As for Rieko addressing herself as god, in the post WW3 landscape she is widely regarded as the coming of a deity in the flesh. Whether or not Rieko truly believes that she is a god remains to be seen.
We know that some of her followers like Victoria seem to truly believe it. While others like Andromeda are less than convinced.
Even so, Rieko is aware that she is the most powerful person in the world, and she is quick to take advantage of people desiring to worship her. Rieko desires to go down in history as the god emperor that saved humanity and brought them back from the verge of extinction.
Also, we saw Naoki get the best of Nero with her speed. Which shows that Nero's two prized lab subjects are now stronger than him and they don't have to take his abuse anymore.
Another thing that I want to mention is the term the 'New World'. This term is used to refer to the heavily altered world map as a whole post WW3. It has nothing to do with how the Americas used be called something similar by early explorers.
Rieko rules an empire that comprises most of the countries that are still standing in Asia, what remains of the middle east, parts of Russia and some outer eastern parts of Europe.
The Federation is a term for the conglomeration of the rest of Europe as one allied whole as they resist the conquest of the New World Empire. As of right now in book one, Rieko's unified empire is advancing into Europe and Russia.
As for the Blue Zones and Red Zone. Blue Zones are 'safe' lands still controlled by humanity, Red Zones are uncontrollable by any government, basically nations and lands where people did not survive the war.
Rieko aims to bring humanity back to a new dawn of glory and reclaim what has been lost as her world empire.
And the ending scene of Nero is his underground lair, shows us that he is highly adept with technology. It also shows that while he is not the strongest, that he is still a major player in the conflicts to come.
And finally, Naoki is departing into the abandoned land to train for thirty days. We'll see how that training goes, when we see Rieko and Naoki again in their next chapter. We'll follow them off and on throughout book one.
And next chapter, we will return to Team Azula so that they can finish up with Mava.
That will be all for now.
Stay tuned for next time.
For chapter one hundred fifteen! The Last of the Mystics!