Reviews:
Tigracho: It's sad how there are only 4 FIS siblings left. 5 if we count Terunosuke. There used to be 9 of them in total and due to life circumstances, only these few remain. Kirika is afraid Hamaguchi is in danger too. And with good reason. At least Raiden is out of combat for now, so Hamaguchi is the one on the front lines. Speaking of combat, Bragi and Carol...to be honest, this was a wholesome moment I wanted to write for a while. Just them getting to know each other better. At the end of the day, Bragi is still a child. And as such, he seeks comfort from Carol. A comfort that Elfnein can't give him, even though she wants to. I agree with what you said. For Carol, Bragi is probably the only good thing she thinks she's done in her life. Albeit indirectly. He was created for nefarious purposes, but he turned out to be a great hero because of those around him, sparing him from ending up like his parents. That's why Carol said she doesn't want him making the same mistakes she did. And don't worry about Garie. Also, you're making it sound like I just kill off everyone lol. Which...I can't deny...but I shouldn't confirm.
Hamaguchi just does what he does. It's so easy for him to change the atmosphere around him by saying something weird. But he also notes that he also does this as a way of coping. Hajime and him are the only Riders that can fight right now. So he's also feeling the pressure. That's why Hajime isn't just breaking down because of Setsuna's abduction. He's learned to control his emotions better, and he knows that there are people who need him since Tsubasa and Yosuke aren't there. They need some level of support. And freaking out won't help anyone. If you notice, there's a level of maturity from Hajime and Bragi. Hajime keeps his mind occupied and focused on others. He's freaking out, but he knows others are suffering too, like Shirabe and company. Bragi, on the other hand, is more brash. If you remember a few chapters ago, when Miku and the others were kidnapped, he jumped out of bed with half of his head missing, a foot in the grave, and barely any energy to go and save them. It worked out, yes, but it could have easily backfired, resulting in his death.
Yeah, Hibiki here is a bit different as well. Hibiki herself is pretty simple, but her struggles are what makes her compelling to write. She understands pain since she felt it herself. But this is mostly pain she felt herself. So that's why she was lost when Hajime broke down in AXZ. He lost everyone around him except his sister. But in the end, they reunited again. And now, they're stronger because they've endured that pain together. Hibiki is the anchor keeping Hajime from sinking after Setsuna was kidnapped. She and Setsuna are the most important things in his life right now. But like Kirika, she is scared. Since Hajime is also in direct danger of death due to being a Rider. And after so many of them died, she knows it's unavoidable for him to be in danger. But like you said, this doesn't just mean Hajime. It means everyone around them. Since the DDV aims to kill the whole planet. And Yomi shows us this by bombarding the school with no remorse.
Speaking of this recent chapter, I think of Chris as being fed up with everything. As she is a direct victim of the DDV. For her, anyone siding with Hazuki, and anyone bearing the brand of the snake on their hand is an enemy. Since that's everything Allister represents. So when she saw Despia with her brand, she went in for the kill. The thing is, for you to have the brand of the snake and have divine power, you have to willingly take it. So Wei, Despia, and Yomi all accepted this.
Yeah, the Liangs are all in a bad spot, if you ask me. Maybe Yomi's words hold some truth and the whole clan is just destined to ruin. Also, I never played that game. But I played the fighting game mixed with other animes like Persona and RWBY.
Ryugen: Now things are heating up, and Hajime is facing probably the worst enemy he's fought so far. A family member from a clan that was eradicated, and it turns out, Yomi/Narfi was also involved in the history of his clan. I agree. Hajime has infinite room for improvement. He's versatile and quick on his feet, but he always manages to come up with new stuff. Unlike some of his friends, he's less constricted in that area. You're on the right track. The whole fusion thing has something to do with what I have planned for the remaining 4 Riders in SONG. Bragi will get something else, so don't worry about him.
FlameFireZero: Right. Yomi, at least at this point, is far too much of a threat and way too unpredictable. The last thing anyone expected was for him to just bombard the school while fighting Hajime. No, the teacher is alive. I don't really like her, but why not.
Akira: In short, Yomi is a complete monster. And Despia is too blind to see that. Even though Yomi is abusive towards her, she still loves her brother. To be honest, I like this form Yomi has with the 3 eyes. It gives him a unique and monstrous appearance, which is what I wanted to go for.
501awezome: It's fine. Don't worry about it. And yeah, like I said, I have depression for everyone! Yay! Well, to be fair for Hajime, this happened so fast, that he couldn't even process it in time. When Yomi punched him and knocked him out, he gave him the time he needed to "set the stage". I mean...Wei could be redeemed. He hasn't killed anyone. He's just a scared and confused boy.
Lord Ri The Husbu King: Huh. Yeah, you're right. It is weird. But to be fair to Wei, his mind is messed up with all this pressure suddenly on him. He feels like he has no choice. You're the first person ever who said he likes Yomi. Everyone else wants him dead. Which is refreshing. I wasn't expecting that. To be honest, I doubt Shem-Ha really cares about him. Or Loki. They both had him just to mess with humanity, not out of love. And he doesn't care bout them either just as long as he can have his fun. I feel like Gods just don't have the same concept of "love" as humans do. Also, I hate to say this, but the whole Narfi and Vali thing is not real. Apparently, Vali is a child of Odin. Narfi and Vali being siblings was a mistranslation, according to the sources I looked into. As for Setsuna...we'll see what happens with her.
nickseverino8: Despia dug her own grave when she sided with Yomi and Hazuki. But maybe she has her reasons. And I'm not sure what type of ending there will be. But it will be a good ending, don't worry.
Anthony Galupo: "I am you, Hajime." In this case, it's quite literal. Since Yomi's character is meant to be what Hajime could have been if he didn't meet Hibiki.
Tenzulucard123: Wei is so messed up that he confesses his love but immediately goes in to attack. He doesn't know what to believe anymore. All he knows is that he wants his family back again. Overboard? I don't know what you're talking about. We don't do that here.
Chapter 130
The Origin of All Evil
"Commander! Abyss has entered the battle, but Nightmare also joined in as well!" Sakuya informed the red-haired man as they watched the fight through the school's CCTV cameras.
Genjuro furrowed his brow."They are distracting the others. Their goal is to let Yomi fight Hajime-kun alone. But why? How's the process of lifting Hibiki-kun's probation?"
"We're still waiting." Aoi shook her head."I contacted Kirika-chan and she's on her way. Furthermore, we received word from the officers who are fighting off the cult members! It seems they are killing themselves via biting onto poison-filled pills!"
"What?! They're killing themselves?!" Sakuya gasped in shock."But...why?!"
"It seems they are no longer needed once they've completed their mission..." Genjuro clenched his fists, watching his people fight against the Disasters.
"Yomi...What are you...?"
Yomi chuckled."Same as you I suppose. Just another stain on the world that wants to have fun. We're pretty much the same. You are a Messiah, but I am also special. You see, I am the reincarnation of a mix of God and Custodian."
"A mixed...Then that explains why you felt so similar to Shem-Ha..." Hajime then gasped, Yomi's words finally registering his brain."What do you mean you just killed everyone...?"
"It's just as it sounds." Yomi cackled."You see, you can detect people's presence with your Chi sensing ability. But me? I have my third eye to thank for that. I can see absolutely everything. Including x-ray vision. All I had to do was fire at the energy signatures inside. Except for your friends and my friends, of course. I don't like interrupting other fights."
"No...that...that can't be..." Ryuki shook his head, tears forming in his eyes."Did I...Did I fail to...?"
An image of Amber's face flashed in his mind, bringing him back to his senses.
'No...I can't break down. Back then, Endou-san told me that I could still save people...No matter how hopeless it seemed. I can still stop him right now and prevent any more casualties!'
Ryuki clenched his fists, an aura of fire surrounding him."BUT I WILL FUCKING BEAT THE SHIT OUT OF YOU FOR WHAT YOU DID TO THEM!"
"Oh? Your power is swelling up. Very nice!" Yomi beckoned Hajime to come at him.
And he did just that, igniting his boosters and shooting himself toward the young Custodian. But in the blink of an eye, Yomi sidestepped and Hajime struck at the air."Huh?"
"Too slow, Hajime." Yomi wagged his finger. Ryuki growled, going for a swing of his Dragsaberzwei, but once more, Yomi seemingly teleported away."Come on, try to keep up. I'll lead off nice and easy."
Ryuki continued chasing after Yomi, attempting to attack him but Yomi was too fast.
'I see it so clearly now...' Yomi grinned internally. He could see Hajime's movements before he even made them. His brain was constantly being electrified, enhancing his reaction speed and perception to such a level he had achieved a level of precognition. He knew when to block and when to counter. As well as the vital areas in which to strike.'I can see everything now. I never knew I could reach this level of power.'
Yomi arched his back, dodging Ryuki's horizontal kick. Using his electricity, he created an extra arm behind his head and shot an electric blast at Ryuki's back. Knocking him to the ground.
He jumped back on his feet, aiming his visor at Yomi, and fired several beams of energy toward him. Yomi folded his arms, dodging them with insane speeds, appearing all over the place.
"Damn it! I can't hit him anymore!"
"What's wrong?!" Yomi appeared in front of him, grabbing his wrists and pulling him up. He formed two extra electric arms and punched Ryuki on his sides, causing him to groan in pain."You're starting to lag behind!"
The Custodian threw Hajime high into the sky, creating two sharp crescent blades of electricity before swinging them toward Ryuki."Flytrap!"
Ryuki narrowly avoided being sliced in two, but his enemy wasn't even giving him room to breathe as he landed a kick on Ryuki's back, sending him crashing through one of the school buildings. Ryuki ignited his boosters, trying to gain some distance, only to have Yomi slam his fist down on his helmet and launch him to the ground. Ryuki grumbled, sliding a card into his Deck, and watching Yomi fly down toward him.
Red Vent: Chaos Gate
Ryuki chucked his sword at Yomi, who easily evaded it. However, Ryuki swapped places with the sword, attempting to blindside Yomi as he did Bragard. But the young Custodian grabbed his fist without even looking."W-what?!"
"I told you that I can see through you like an open book!" Yomi fired a thunderbolt, but Ryuki teleported away.
"That was close!" Ryuki was now several meters away, but somehow, he had lost sight of Yomi."Where did he-"
"So, you can teleport. Interesting."
A punch to the gut caused Ryuki to gasp in pain. Yomi held him by the head, making sure he could see his eyes."Sure, it's instant teleportation. But that alone won't help you close the gap in speed."
Hajime gritted his teeth, attempting to attack Yomi, but he grabbed him by the mask and flew down to the ground, slamming him and creating a crater. He raised his foot before stomping on the dragon-themed Rider's chest, causing him to go underground. Yomi landed on the ground, placing his hands in front of the hole."Guiding Thunder!"
The battle lover started to shoot an endless volley of thunderbolts inside of the hole, causing lightning pillars to rise from the ground. He abruptly stopped, using his X-ray vision to try to find Hajime underground. Inside, he could see a dome of fire that Ryuki had formed to protect himself. He deactivated it, falling on his back since he had taken some of the damage.
"You activated a Guard Vent, huh? You're fast on your feet." Yomi chuckled, floating down to the underground area they had created."Come on, get up. You're a Liang, aren't you? A Messiah at that. You're the strongest Rider, aren't you? You're not giving me that impression."
"I'm..not done yet..." Ryuki forced himself to stand up, reaching for his Deck."No matter how much you knock me down, I'll continue to get up...!"
"And I'll knock you down. You're not that special. I suppose the Messiah thing is nothing more than a stupid myth. I'm starting to question what's so special about you, anyway. You're wasting your potential."
"What do you mean...?" Ryuki scowled.
"You're playing to be a hero. You could be doing so much more, you know? But you settle with being a government lapdog. You guys have endless possibilities and so much you can do and you choose to limit yourselves by working under a group wielding political power."
"And what about you? We at least put our powers to good use instead of...whatever this is!"
"You say this like you don't enjoy what you do. Sure, your family died and whatever. But that's just part of the thrill, isn't it? Like I told you before, I would kill to switch positions with you."
"You have no idea what any of us have been through!" Ryuki snapped."You have no idea of the pain we felt! So stop talking like you have any idea what you're saying!"
"Sure, you all suffered. But in the end, that's just how human life is. We choose to suffer, no? Life is so fragile. We must leave it to the maximum!"
"You're fucking insane...!" Ryuki drew a card from his Deck."Wait...this card is..."
Not thinking twice, Ryuki closed his visor.
Strange Vent
His visor opened again, revealing a new card, and he closed it once more.
Accel Vent
Ryuki dashed toward Yomi, taking him by surprise with his newfound speed. He reacted to it, jumping out of the way, but noticed Hajime had sliced his arm."Oh?"
Nasty Vent: Howl of Chaos
The dragon-themed Rider released a powerful roar, sending Yomi crashing into a wall. He rushed toward him, throwing his blade at him, forcing Yomi to shoot a thunderbolt to deflect it. He noticed several boulders coming his way, so he blasted them away. However, some of the dust got in his eyes, forcing him to close them.
'I'm going to regret this, but I have to use this, even if it burns through my energy reserves!' Ryuki activated a card with determination, his body glowing in red flames.
Blaze Vent
Ryuki formed a giant fist of fire, lunging at Yomi and slamming it against him, shooting him through the ceiling and into the outside.
"There you go! I felt that just now! Hahahaha!" Yomi did a backflip in the air, noticing several fireballs shooting from the ground in different directions."What else you got?!"
On cue, the fireballs homed in on him, prompting him to start flying around to avoid them. He cackled in utter bliss, maneuvering around the fireballs or countering by using his thunderbolts. Ryuki rushed in from above, bringing his leg down to deliver a powerful axe kick on Yomi, who blocked it with his forearm.
"You're faster and stronger! Yes! Keep it coming!" Yomi's mouth morphed into a circle, shooting a beam of lightning from it. Ryuki was shot away, shaking his head and trying to recuperate from the attack. However, his back hit something, sending a cold shiver down his spine.
"So this is supposed to be the legendary Messiah...a being created by the Divine Beast Ventara itself." Yomi sighed."What a laugh. You think that you can beat me just because you've made it this far!"
Ryuki swung his arm, but Yomi punched his back, halting his movements. He placed both of his hands on his back."Lightning Burst!"
An explosion of lightning was created from his hands, sending Ryuki rocketing away."Poor Hajime, thrown into the world with a purpose much bigger than himself!" He formed guns with his fingers, firing several hundred of small lightning bolts at Ryuki, who could only try to dodge or block.
"So sad! So hopeless! He found comfort in his little friends! Because his family was mercilessly killed by Bragard!" Yomi zipped around in the air, punching Ryuki from all directions."Let Hajime have his fun! Let him play be the hero and fight Fine, Dr. Ver, Bragard, Carol, Adam, and Hazuki!"
Ignite Vent
Forming two giant blades of fire, Ryuki swing them toward Yomi, who created an electromagnetic forcefield, dispersing the flames. Hajime crossed his arms in front of him in the form of an X, blocking the punch from Yomi, but the shockwave went through him, electrocuting him.
"So easy to manipulate too! The strongest is nothing but a big fucking baby who doesn't know what the world really is like!"
Ryuki bent back to avoid Yomi's punch, grabbing his arm and throwing him down. However, the young Custodian had wrapped a lightning wire around his ankle and used it to pull Hajime down with him. He chucked Ryuki down to the ground and detonated the lightning wire, creating an explosion of lightning.
"Fuck..." Ryuki gasped when Yomi landed on top of him, sitting on his chest as he started to pummel him. All he could do was block the punches with his arms, his bracers slowly being chipped away after every blow.
"You're not done yet, are you? Come on, get up." Yomi continued throwing lightning-fast punches at Ryuki, who could only throw his arms up but wasn't able to block them anymore."Because there's so, so, SO much more before I'm done with you!"
"Why are you doing this...?! Why hurt so many people for this...?!" Ryuki spat out."What could you possibly even gain from this...?! What is your goal?! What the fuck are you doing this for?! Yomi, why?! What's your reason for all this bloodshed?!"
"Huh?" Yomi stopped in his tracks, allowing Hajime the chance to finally get a breather."What the hell are you talking about? Reasons? Oh! I get it now!"
"What...?"
"Want me to be honest with you?" Yomi sat up, squatting in front of Hajime."You're asking for reasons and shit like that, but to be honest, I have no reasons. Other than the fact I want to do it. Is that a good reason for you?"
Ryuki gawked at him in complete bewilderment."You...you're not serious...are you?"
"Is it too difficult to comprehend that people don't need reasons to do the things they want?" Yomi scoffed."Let me guess. You probably think I'm a poor bastard who was traumatized at some point in my life. That I'm venting my frustration at the world and in reality, I'm just in desperate need of love and affection. Is that what you think?"
Hajime watched as Yomi stood up, tilting his head."Well, you're wrong. I'd had a pretty good life, all things considered. Sure, our Mother died during the Liang massacre, and we lost our father. But we had a good life at the circus. We made tons of people laugh and had plenty of people around us taking care of us. All things considered, I'd say we lived a pretty good life until now."
"So then...why are you-"
"You're such a little kid, it's actually hilarious. Do you really believe people need to be traumatized to do stuff like this?" Yomi chuckled."Sorry, but that's not how life works. I'm not someone who feels abandoned by their loved one and is trying to reach them again. I'm not a person with delusions of grandeur wanting to save the world from a self-fulfilling prophecy. I'm not someone who wants to get back at the world because I misunderstood what my Father was trying to tell me before he died. I'm not a scared little puppet who wants to prove himself after being discarded. I'm none of that. People don't need reasons, Hajime."
Yomi took a deep breath. "In fact, reasons are just an excuse we make for the things we do. In reality, we're just masking our true intentions with a lame pretext that suits the narrative we're trying to make. We are humans. And yet, we're so limited by self-imposed limiters. Laws, morals, you name it. Humanity is shackled from ever reaching their true potential."
"So what are you saying...Is that why you joined Hazuki...?"
"Nah. None of that." Yomi guffawed, rubbing his nape."See, the thing is, Hajime, we lost our true purpose. Humans are meant to take. To do what they want. For me, life is nothing but a play in which every person has a role given to them. A place to have fun and enjoy to the fullest. Because we only get one chance at life, right? That's what it means to live. I want to fight strong opponents. Not for the sake of winning. Just for the fun of it. That's it. I have no message to spread, no people to revive, no nothing. All I do I do it because I want to do it. Do you not find it satisfying when you do things you want to do?"
Yomi paced around Hajime, while he listened intently as he tried to recuperate after using Blaze Vent."We're so limited, that even our bodies don't function as we would wish. We eat when we have to eat. We eat when we're thirsty. We sleep when we're tired. But doesn't it feel great when you eat when you want to eat? When you drink when you want to drink and sleep when you want to sleep? Doesn't it feel amazing when you do the things you want to do when you want to do them? With no one telling you what's right or wrong? I bet you still think I'm a bad guy, huh?"
"You murdered...so many people..."
"Wrong, Hajime. Those people died as collateral." Yomi wagged his finger."This is how life should be. We should be able to do what we want to do. That's the nature of humanity. Right or wrong...those are mere labels created by different philosophies. What I'm doing is wrong to you, but to me, it's right. It's a matter of perspective."
"KILLING PEOPLE IS WRONG! NO MATTER HOW YOU OR HAZUKI TRY TO JUSTIFY IT!" Ryuki screamed.
"But that's just what you think. But in the ideal world...no...The world should be like this. We should be able to kill whenever we want!" Yomi splayed his arms."A world of total anarchy where the strongest survive! Do you think people want peace?! Wrong again! No one wants peace! Humanity doesn't want stability!"
Yomi turned around, kicking Ryuki away as he tried to sneak attack him.
"All these major wars have been caused by internal reasons. Land, resources, religion, money, politics, among other things. It's never for peace." Yomi continued his rambling."Humanity is driven by war. By conflict. Peace will never last because we get bored. A world of anarchy...is just what humanity needs. I mean, you should understand that feeling, right? You and I are Liangs. We're driven by the wish to fight strong opponents. By conflict. By Chaos."
"I'm nothing like you!" Ryuki stood up in defiance."The Liangs...are not blood-thirsty people or barbarians are you make them sound to be!"
"Is that so? I see. Then Chao-Xing never told you, did she?"
"Told me what...?"
"Ah, got it." Yomi grinned from ear to ear, though due to how his face looked, it wasn't visible. Just then, the rain finally started to pour down, distant thunders cracking in the distance. "Back when we met in the Liang Compound...I was mainly there for a fight. But I had other intentions to be there as well. Hajime...have you ever wondered why the Liangs came to Japan from China?"
Abyss crashed against a wall, quickly jumping out of the way before a dark matter blade could stab him. Nightmare conjured several dark matter projectiles, shooting them in unison toward the shark-themed Rider. He leaped out of the way but noticed Nightmare heading toward him at great speeds. However, a familiar blonde girl rammed into Nightmare, sending him flying away.
"Kirika!" Abyss beamed in joy upon seeing his girlfriend."My princess! The princess came to save the prince-"
Kirika punched him in the stomach, knocking the wind out of him before throwing her arms around his neck."Idiot! Reckless idiot-desu! You left me all alone! Andreas woke me up because no one took him outside! And when I woke up, you weren't in the bed-desu! You said you wouldn't leave me alone!"
"I'm sorry, Little Reaper..." Abyss gently grabbed her shoulders as she trembled in his arms."I'm sorry...I came to take a test and...everything went to shit when I got to the gates. I...didn't want you in danger. This shit hit the fan in no time. I can't lose you-"
"And how do you think I feel?!" Kirika wailed."I lost my brother! Someone I would even call a father-desu! And my little brother! And Mom! I don't want to lose you too! I don't want you to fight anymore! I don't!"
"I want to protect you too! You're everything to me! I want to make you happy and love you for the rest of my life!" Abyss took off his helmet, revealing his own tears."I'm sorry...I just...I love you..."
"I love you too, Baby Shark. I love you too..." Kirika stood on her tippy toes, kissing him on the lips.
"Then let's fight together, okay? We'll protect each other." Abyss nodded. Just then, Nightmare returned, facing both the Igalima wielder and the Abyss wielder.
"Together-desu!" Kirika grabbed his hand, the couple ready to fight the masked man.
"Wei-kun! Stop!" Shirabe pleaded, using her armored twin tails to block Wei's kicks with his skates. His skates were generating so much pressure to the point that he could kick the air and lash out wind slashes, enhanced by his Divine Power. Shirabe was struggling to stop these attacks, trying to divert them to other places where she wouldn't continue destroying the school.
"I'm sorry. This is for the good of the world." Wei shook his head."You'll understand! All you guys have to do is die quietly!"
"Who decided that?!"
"I did!" He shouted, showing her his brand."I decided to put an end to all my doubts! To finally be set free! I'm not afraid anymore!"
"But...it's genocide...You're siding with genocide, Wei-kun..." Shirabe placed a hand over her chest."Do you realize what you're even saying...? Your sister wouldn't want this from you!"
"My sister is dead! You should understand how I feel!" Wei cried out, rushing toward Shirabe once more."As much as this hurts me, I have to take you guys down!"
Meanwhile, Despia and Chris were jumping up the staircase that led to the rooftop, as the lavender-haired girl continued bombarding the magician with her Gatling guns. Despia touched a wall, conjuring several crystals that blocked the explosion's blunt. She covered herself with her cape and swung her arm to reveal a fire extinguisher, throwing it toward Chris.
Instinctively, she shot at it, causing it to explode in white dust. Despia lunged toward Chris, tackling her through a wall as both girls landed on another rooftop.
"This is your last chance." Chris sneered."I know you're Hajime's relative is whatever. And I don't know what you've been through. So I'll give you one last chance to stand down and surrender."
"Surrender? No. I can't do that."
"And why not?"
"Because I love my brother. More than I could even put into words." Despia countered."I know this is wrong. I know all of these people dying is...wrong and unfortunate. But that being said, we have a mission. A mission that can help us save humanity. A mission that, if fulfilled, will lead us to a new world where our fantasies can become a reality. I can see my brother again."
"Huh? What do you mean? Your fucking psycho brother is the one who killed all of these people! My friends!"
"He's not that way. I promise you that. You don't know him like I do. He's a sweet and gentle boy, who made everyone smile because of his infectious smile. I want to return to the days when we were happy in the circus. So stop pretending like you know anything about us. You wouldn't understand anything."
"So that's your answer." Chris narrowed her gaze, ready to continue fighting."Then I'll apologize to Hajime after I blow your brains out and-"
However, Despia lunged at her, grabbing her arms as both girls began to struggle against each other."H-hey! Let me go!"
"You can't do much if we're close like this, right?" Despia smirked."Then I'll just have to prevent you from shooting!"
"You fucking bitch. You're dead as soon as I get a clear shot on you!" Chris hissed."You form part of the group that not only killed a lot of my friends, but they've also killed my fucking husband! There is a certain amount of people I can give a shit about, and I promise you, you're not one of those people. Whether you're Hajime's cousin or not!"
"This story starts about 100 years ago after the Great War ended. China was in a very odd position when it came to political power. It is often overlooked as one of the many countries involved in that war. They realized that another war was possible. After all, 2 had happened in between merely 30 years or so from each other. So they pondered on what they could do to boost their political position, in case another war broke in the future. What could they do? The answer was simple. Relics."
"Relics?" Hajime parroted.
"That's right. As you know, most of the Relics that your friends have come from various countries. Hell, Tsubasa Kazanari's is Japan's most precious jewel. And Relics had tremendous potential. The potential that they needed to get back in the political game. But they weren't in any position to make demands, and no matter how hard they searched, they could never find a Relic in the homeland. So they thought of a new way to take a Relic and also become a superpower. The idea came from Huijuan Liang. The head of the Liang clan."
"What?! The patriach?!"
"That's right. You probably never even heard of him. He was fairly old when the war ended. He was the patriarch of the family before his son, Shaoruo, took control of it until the annihilation of the clan. Anyway, the idea involved making use of the prestige of the family and using it to infiltrate Japan. They excused this as a mere migration. They did this via various bills and enactments. You see, Fudo Kazanari was heavily against the Liangs coming to Japan. Mostly because China helped the Alles during the Great War battle against Japan and Germany. He feared that there they had an ulterior motive to suddenly move to a place they helped bombard. And he was right. Do you want to know why? Why would the Liang clan even come here in the first place?"
"Just get to the point!"
"I'll get to that." Yomi snickered, enjoying Hajime's frustration."But alas, since they weren't in a good position either, Japan eventually agreed to let China in their country. Of course, there was a price to be paid for this. For one, they were limited in what they could do. They couldn't vote, had no health insurance, were put at the low totem of employment, and couldn't become politicians or run for House Representatives. For at least 2 regenerations. The last one was especially for the Liangs, courtesy of Fudo."
"But why was Fudo so paranoid about them?" Hajime inquired.
"Fudo didn't want a repeat of World War 2. He didn't want Japan to be so vulnerable again and for his precious country to be at risk. Allowing immigrants from a former enemy country, and allowing a prestigious family to move, spelled for danger. However, the Japanese Government opted for this to be limited only to the current Liangs. Meaning that any Liang born in Japan could legally be a Japanese citizen and be able to run for politics. As such, the old Liangs settled here and began their plan."
"Plan for what...?"
"I'll get to that. Calm down. It's coming." Yomi reassured him."But yeah. The Liangs wasted no time. However, their plan had a little problem. Only a maximum amount of Chinese migrated with them. Meaning they had to look for Chinese people outside of their group since they didn't want to do any in-breeding. When a Liang has offspring with a Chinese person, the baby inherits all of the Liang characteristics. Pink eyes and black hair. They wanted to keep the blood as pure as possible. The years went by. Our grandfathers had children, and those children had more liberty than the old generation. Your Dad, my Mom, Wei's parents, the former patriarch, Shaoruo, and more. All of these people are the second generation of Japanese Liangs. And then, came the third generation. Us. Fudo was running out of time. It wasn't long before the Liangs would finally be able to make their move. But there was one problem."
"Problem?"
"Hybrids. Or half-breeds, if you will. The Liang tradition had been so washed down that the new generation didn't see a reason for keeping it. So some people married to others who weren't Chinese but were branded as traitors to the clan. Your Father and my Mother, for instance. Forever staining the honor of the Liang clan. It brought the clan to shame. The once pure-blooded Liangs now subjugated to mixing up with Japanese people. Eventually, the new generation of Liangs seemed to have lost their original purpose. Only a handful of them, mainly the higher-ups, were still invested in the plan. But then, a star showed up. Someone who was appointed to become head of the clan by mere fighting prowess and skill."
"Chao-Xing..." Hajime muttered."She said she was going to become the next heir..."
"Yeah. You see, Chao-Xing was the embodiment of what a Liang was supposed to be. She was indoctrinated by Shaoruo because he saw great potential in her. And so she trained rigorously and had the dream to be the head of the clean. All of that wasn't enough. Sure, she would be the future head and carry a lot of weight behind her words. So they thought...what if they used the half-breeds?"
"Use us?" Hajime frowned."What do you mean?"
"There were so many halfbreeds that one of them was bound to become a politician. So they kept close tabs on us, for the most part. Whoever decided to do that could be...shall we say persuaded to help the clan internally. The Liangs wanted to have their people inside the Japanese government, and they were ready to coerce the families of the vanished halfbreeds if they needed to, while Chao-Xing would be taught to pull the strings. Based on everything I've said, I think I don't need to spell out what the Liangs were planning to do."
Hajime gritted his teeth, lowering his head. He didn't want to say it. He didn't want to accept it, but all that he just heard led him to one single conclusion."They were trying to take over Japan...by infiltration the government and taking it apart from the inside...Is that right?"
"You're a smart boy, aren't you?" Yomi cackled, holding his belly."You got it! The Liang clan was to infiltrate Japan, and then join the government to make it collapse. Taking over their resources, land, and most importantly, their Relics. All of that to wipe Japan out and take their spot in the world as a Super Power."
"You're lying! There's no way that's true!"
"Oh, but it is. It was all in the documents I found in the Liang Compound. But I'm not finished with the story just yet. The Liangs were missing something else. A big thing. Money and power. But more importantly, someone who had no sides. Someone completely neutral. And they found it. Though they thought it to be a blessing it, it ended up being their demise."
"You...You mean Bragard?"
"That's right. Nightmare. Bragard. Same thing. Perhaps it was luck. Perhaps it was a curse. But Bragard happened to find your Dad's resume and he knew he could use him. He needed an archeologist who could help him find the Advent Stones. But at some point, Bragard's heart softened, and he thought of your Dad as the Dad his original self lost. You know the rest. He confessed his plan to your Dad hoping he would understand, your Dad betrayed him, became one with Odin, weakened Bragard, and started the Rider War. While all of this happened, Fudo had grown desperate. He knew it was a matter of time before the Liangs came into power, and he could do nothing about it. He had no proof or evidence. But he knew that once they started their little rebellion to overtake the country, other nations wouldn't hesitate to invade. Look what America did with their Nuke. But of course, then Fudo's blessing came. In the form of the Liang Massacre."
Yomi glanced at the dark cloud above them."It seemed as though Bragard was deeply infatuated with your Father, to the point where he took his betrayal to heart. So he tracked down all the Liangs in China, killing them all before making his way to Japan and exterminating the clan but leaving a few strays alive. He came into contact with Fudo, and Fudo offered information regarding other places with Liangs. Naturally, he kept the fact of the many hybrids being alive a secret, because Fudo thought he could make use of them. There's a reason why Chiaki Nakahara went to Okinawa back then. Because he ordered it. You were branded rogue and as such, were no longer needed. In a way, it could be said that Fudo and Bragard saved Japan from the evil that are the Liangs. Like I told you before...we are a clan made of evil. We conquer, we take, we steal and we win. So what I did today is to be expected, right? After all, I am...No. We ARE Liangs. No matter how many good deeds you do, in the end, your soul is corrupted as well. Because both you and I are descendants of Shem-Ha and Loki. The evil Gods. Do you understand?"
"Lying...you're lying..." Ryuki shook his head, taking a step back."You...You can't be..."
Yomi suddenly lunged at Ryuki, uppercutting him in the face, launching him in the air."You don't understand, do you?! We're evil, Hajime! But that's the nature of humans, ultimately! We want something, then we take it! We live according to our own desires!"
He zipped past him, delivering a bicycle kick to Ryuki's stomach, sending him to the ground.
He stomped on Ryuki's head before kicking him into a wall."You think life is about heroes and villains?! That you can come here and preach to me about peace and love?! Wake up!"
Grabbing his ankle, the reincarnation of Narfi hurled Ryuki into another wall before appearing in front of him, slamming him on the ground."Humans are the very definition of chaos! Of conflict! We live to fight and we fight to live! Justice?! Righteousness?! Those are just excuses you and your little gang of kids made up to feel better about yourselves!"
Ryuki could only cover his face as Yomi started to deliver kicks against his body."But in reality, you all wanted this to happen! You were blessed with the chance to fight! The chance to take what you want and live to your will! But what do you do with it?! You let others control you! The moment you do something because you must and not because you want to is the moment you die as a human! AND THE LIANGS ARE THE WORSE! WE ARE DESTINED TO RUIN!"
He emphasized his point by grabbing Ryuki's face and slamming it on the ground."WE ARE THE ORIGIN OF ALL EVIL! PEOPLE LIKE US DESERVE TO DIE, RIGHT?! THAT'S WHAT YOU GUYS FIGUT FOR RIGHT?! TO STOP THE BAD GUYS?! YOU NAIVE PIECES OF SHIT! FIGHT BECAUSE YOU WANT TO FIGHT! WE DO NOT NEED REASONS TO DO WHAT WE DO!"
Yomi charged up a kick, sending Ryuki rolling across the area, his body body in electricity. He took a deep breath, coming down from his high.
"The fact of the matter is...I was the one who began this whole thing. You see, Shem-Ha and Loki had a child together and sent him to Earth before their respective deaths. The reason? Because they wanted to mess with a certain Custodian that was in Shem-Ha's way. But said child didn't care about his mission to ruin humanity. No. Instead, he relished the opportunity to spread chaos. Spread hate and malice. Because humans are meant to conflict with one another. That's what the Curses of Balal is. That child...was me, Narfi."
The three-eyed Custodian glanced down at Hajime, who was wheezing for air, lying on his stomach."However, that's not necessarily correct. Narfi died a long time ago. All that's left is his essence that's passed down every couple of centuries. Yomi Kugisaki happens to be one of Narif's reincarnations. The most powerful one. I am the amalgamation of Narfi and Yomi. So in a way, it was me who set this play. You guys performed admirably. Humanity truly is capable of the greatest of evils. It's fucking fantastic. And you...me, Setsuna, Despia, Wei, and Hazuki. We are the last remaining Liangs in all of existence. We are what remains of humanity's greatest evil. And as such, no happiness awaits any of us. We are destined to die."
Ryuki coughed up blood, watching as Yomi squatted in front of him."If you call me evil, then that applies to you as well. If you are so insistent on using childish labels such as good or evil...then you don't have any hope of understanding humanity's nature. And therefore, you will never be able to find your so-called peace. Ultimately, that's what this is, right? You and Hazuki are fighting to determine who gets to have their ideal peace. But the way you're going...it's just not going to happen. So, what do you have to say? Are you finally understanding how shitty the family you were so willing to fight for is? Whether Hazuki wins or not, the fact is, there are only 6 remaining Liangs. The Liangs are trash. Good riddance all of them are dead. And now, so we will."
"You and your Dad taught me what true Liang pride is." He recalled Chao's words."Liangs protect each other until the very end. That's what it means to be a Liang."
Hajime thought of his Dad, and how he gave up his own life for the sake of the world and him. How Chao-Xing died trying to save them. And all the Liangs who died that fateful day, trying to protect their families until their dying breath.
"You're wrong..."
"Huh?"
"The Liangs...are not the barbarians you make them out to be...They're people who were faithful and full of love..." Ryuki's helmet fell off his head, revealing his beat-up face but his eyes were full of hate toward Yomi."You don't even know anything about the Liangs...other than that fucking document you found regarding the conservatives that are long dead...But you never once talked to them. I did. And trust me, those people have the biggest of hearts. I'm here because...one of them fought for me until the very end...And I have the responsibility to fight for her. But you wouldn't understand anything about loyalty, would you? Because someone like you...has no place in the world...because in the end, all you have is your desire for pleasure...and no one else."
"Is that so?" Yomi scrunched up his face in annoyance."Even though I'm beating the shit out of you? I already killed all the people here."
"Even so..." Hajime clenched his fists with determination, thinking of Hibiki's words."Even so! I am not going to let you get away with this! No matter what, I will stop you!" He cried out, activating two abilities at once.
Strike Vent: Soul Burner
Blaze Vent
Two gauntlets with the faces of dragons at the end were now equipped to Ryuki's arms as crimson flames surrounded his body.
'Divine Power in those weapons...I shouldn't get hit with them too much.' Yomi noted, analyzing Hajime's body with his third eye.''Not that it can affect me. I don't have Divine Power of that degree like my Mother or Father yet. And his fire has become darker and his power has surged. I suppose that card augments his strength, but his energy is decreasing by the second. This is the final assault.'
"Bring it." Yomi beckoned him to come.
Ryuki dashed toward Yomi, throwing a right jab which he had foreseen with his precognition, maneuvering around him and elbowing him behind the head. He grimaced, but he grabbed Yomi's hand and threw him over his head, lying on the ground.
"Yes! That's the way! Punch me harder it, goddamn you!"
Ryuki obliged, pummeling him repeatedly, but all he could hear was Yomi's laugh.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAA!"
The Rider threw Yomi into the sky, shooting several fireballs at him. With a cackle, he blocked them all, watching in delight as Hajime went in for a barrage of punches. To mock him, Yomi put a hand behind his back, choosing to block all of the attacks with just one. Frustrated, Ryuki went for a kick, but Yomi appeared behind him, twisting his arm.
"It's a pity."
"What is?!"
"You can't do it either, can you?" Yomi hummed."You can't kill me. This fight is over."
"Like hell it is!" Ryuki's fire flared up, but Yomi's lightning had adapted to that and was protecting him from the intense flames.
"You put up a good fight, but you're not the strongest. Maybe I should have fought Odin or something. Oh well. Thank you for trying." Yomi leaned closer to his face."Now after I kill you, I will take my time with your little friends. I'll save your woman for last. Maybe she can be...my special price."
Ryuki roared, headbutting Yomi and causing him to kick him away."I'LL FUCKING KILL YOU!"
"You had your chance. But your power is pretty much gone." Yomi aimed his hand at Ryuki, forcing him to fly out of the way, but noticed a wire of lightning had tangled around his ankle, preventing him from going further."Atomic Blast!"
The attack went through Ryuki cleanly, before he even noticed it had gone off. He fell to the ground, grabbing at his stomach, and noticing the blood gushed out of him. He vomited blood, falling on his knees as his transformation vanished.
"Ohohoho! Right in the kidney!" Yomi cackled but suddenly turned serious."Damn...I was hoping for more, honestly. A fight to the death where I finally met my end. You want to know my worst fear? It's not death. It's not defeat. My real fear...is to be the strongest. That there is no further opponent for me to fight. Once you reach the end, there is nothing more. The ultimate game over. You tried...but like I said, I am more special than you could ever be."
Hajime coughed up more blood, trying to cover his wound, but he could only do it from one side.
"I bet you're regretting training with Chao-Xing." Yomi tilted his head, leveling his fingers and aiming at Hajime, charging up an attack."Right now, you're probably still controlling your anger. The training to control your emotions and avoid being a loose cannon really didn't do you any good. Are you afraid you'll lose control and kill your little friends? But then again, if you don't kill them while on a rampage, I'll just kill them myself-"
Suddenly, Yomi's head was struck with a bat, knocking him to the ground, his attack firing and hitting a random tree. Hajime gasped upon seeing Yumi wielding a baseball bat, breathing hard."Hajime!"
The girl rushed to his side, kneeling beside him. Her face was drained of all color when she saw the amount of blood around Hajime."H-Hajime! You're hurt!"
"Why are you here...?!" Hajime groaned."You should have just...just..."
"And leave you here?! The school is in chaos but..." She managed a weak smile."Don't worry. I managed to save-"
Suddenly, Yumi was hit by a lightning bolt, shooting her away.
"YUMI!"
"Huh. I was wondering where you were." Yomi addressed the girl on the ground as he approached her.'I didn't see her coming. I should have been able to detect her with my third eye. So why? My vision should be absolute. Was I too focused on Hajime?'
"You monster...How could you do all of this?!" Yumi glared defiantly at the lightning Custodian.
"Already had that talk. All you have to know is that I did it because it was fun." Yomi formed a lightning blade with one hand as he made his way closer to Yumi.
"Stop...! Yomi, this is between you and-"
"You're done." Yomi cut him off."It's a pity too. Your sister was so eager to see you again!"
"Setsuna...?" Hajime's eyes widened.
"Yeah. All she does is cry out for you. "Haji will come to save me! I know he will! I believe in my big brother!" " Yomi mocked before laughing."Yeah...If only she were to see you in this state. You are pathetic, Hajime. I expected more but it seems you were not my real opponent after all. Guess...I'll just have to make do with killing all of your friends after this."
The young Custodian lifted Yumi up with a sinister look."So? This is the moment where you start flailing in fear."
"Fear? Of you? Please..." Yumi glared back in defiance, not showing any fear in her face."After what you did to my friends? My classmates? You're not getting what you want from me."
"Tch. What's up with all of you acting brave now?"
"It's okay...Hajime! I'm just glad I could help..." Yumi shifted her gaze to the fallen Rider, tears streaming down her face."It's fine...I don't blame you. Back when the original Lydian was first attacked, I was so cared, that I panicked. But now...I'm just glad I was able to make a difference..."
"You're not fun. Oh, well. Hajime, here's another person to add to your consciousness. Another person you could have saved."
'FUCK! FUCK! FUCK FUCK!' Hajime screamed internally, feeling about to pass out due to the blood loss. Memories of his fight against Bragard flashed in his mind, and how he saw everyone die in front of him, unable to do anything.'Is this it? I can't save anyone, after all?'
He glanced down at his Deck.'Please...One more time...Even if I lose myself, just one more time...!'
"Any last words?" Yomi asked.
Yumi thought back to her deceased friends and came to terms that she was the only one left."You won't get away with this."
"Hah! Now that's a cliche line if I've ever heard one-"
A loud scream caught their attention, and Yomi looked back to see Hajime back on his feet despite having a hole in his stomach.
Hajime leveled his face with Yomi, his eyes turning completely crimson as the wound began to heal up.
"What is this place?" Hajime was suddenly in some weird place. It was nothing but an empty wasteland with golden clouds. He noticed his companion lying on the ground next to him."Dragreder? You're here too?"
Dragreder grumbled, releasing a soft growl. Hajime walked up to him, gently petting his head.
"Sorry..."
The dragon licked his face once before shifting his attention to the sky. Hajime followed with his gaze and noticed a white figure descending from the golden sky. It looked like one of those figures in stop signs. It had no descriptive characteristics. It was just a white being.
"Interesting. I believe this is the third time you have done this." The voice of the being sounded like many different voices speaking at once in perfect unison."I'm surprised. You did it willing this time."
"Who are you?" Hajime asked."Where are we? What is this place?"
"This place is your mind manifested as a landscape. You came here because the fusion is about to happen again." The being explained."I shall be honest. The fusion between human and Advent Beast was something I never even saw coming. It was possible, yes, but there were great risks. But I suppose, knowing who you are, Messiah, this shouldn't be that surprising."
"Is that what's going on right now? So then-"
"Time does not flow in this place." The being elaborated."It's merely been a nanosecond in real it is true that you have come out of the fusion twice before, there is no guarantee you will be able to do the same now. So I ask: Knowing the risks and knowing you could potentially harm your friends, will you still do it?"
"Of course." Hajime nodded without a second thought."I know that...we lose control when that happens. I'm aware. I've heard. But if we don't do it...everyone is going to die. We have to stop Yomi...and this is a risk I'm willing to take. Right, partner?"
Dragreder grumbled in return as if agreeing with Hajime.
"Very well, Messiah. I wish you the best of luck. Unfortunately, in my current state, I am not able to know anything that happens beyond this point. But I can say something for certain...you have managed to do the unthinkable. You changed destiny."
"Changed it? What do you mean? Also, you never told me who you were."
"All will be cleared in due time. Now...wake up."
An explosion of fire went off around Hajime, alerting Yomi and Yumi, who were the closest. A golden dust covered the flames before being absorbed into them as a figure emerged from within. A monster version of Ryuki, the same form he had adopted back when facing Bragard upon fusing with Dragranzer.
"Hajime-kun...?" Yumi whispered, taken aback. Yomi tossed her aside, a wide grin forming on his face.
"Finally!" Yomi felt his blood boil in excitement."It sure took a while, but finally!"
Dragranzer raised his head, wielding his sword in his right hand and his dragon gauntlet in the other. He suddenly raised his blade in the sky, cladding it with fire before swinging it to the left, shooting off a slash of crimson flames toward the school building.
Chris and Despia continued to struggle trying to push each other off, but the incoming attack alerted them. Chris barely managed to jump out of the way as the attack collided with Despia, sending her flying to the ground and knocking her out. The attack was powerful enough that it cut through her crystal armor, leaving a cut on her skin as she returned to normal.
Wei and Shirabe halted their fight as did Kirika, Hamaguchi, and Nightmare to watch what was going on. Nightmare flew out of the area, leaving the couple confused.
"What's going on?" Kirika instinctively reached Abyss' hand.
"I'm not sure..." Abyss frowned."Let's regroup with Shirabe-chan. Something big is happening."
"That was some firepower..." Yomi whistled upon seeing the magnitude of the attack. His third eye alerted him of the impending danger behind him. Yomi created a blast to counter, but the punch to his face was faster, sending him through the school building. Dragranzer appeared in front of him, grabbing him by the head and slamming it on the ground. Yomi released a powerful scream, knocking the beast back before lunging at it and swinging his claws. Dragranzer parried his attacks before slamming his foot against his belly, launching Yomi away.
"Yes! Yes! Finally! You're stronger than ever before! I finally woke up the dragon!" Yomi cackled in delight, the wheel appearing behind him before spinning.
Clink
Yumi watched on, completely bewildered at what was happening before her eyes. Shirabe skated over to her, picked her up in her arms, and took her away.
"W-what's going on with Hajime-kun?!"
"I...do not know..." Shirabe grimaced, startled by her friend's appearance."But that's...not Hajime-san right now."
"After all these years, I am finally getting the challenge I have desired!" Yomi splayed his arms."Come then, Hajime! Let's make this a fight to remember-"
Suddenly, Yomi noticed his right hand was missing. And not only that, but Dragranzer was now behind him, his blade covered in blood."What-"
"So, you think your plan is going to work out?" Hazuki had asked Yomi before heading for Lydian that day.
"Yeah. If everything works out, I should be able to get the dragon out of his cave to slay him." Yomi smirked confidently."I can't wait! I'm so excited."
"Well, do remember this. Hajime is...more explosive when he's cornered. So be careful and try not to poke the dragon too much. You might get burnt."
"This...is Hajime Adachi?!" Yomi quickly reconstructed his arm via electricity. He shot a blast of lightning that split into four, homing in on Dragranzer. However, the beast merely swung his blade, slashing the attacks with ease.
"Very well! Let's see how you do with this!" Yomi created several thunderbolts around him and conjured two blades of lightning. He fired the thunderbolts, rushing alongside them and leaping in the air. Dragranzer growled blocking the two blades with his sword and pushing Yomi off. He grabbed one of the thunderbolts, crushing it in his hands and blasting another one with his gauntlet. Yomi dashed from the side, going for a roundhouse kick, but he blocked it with his knee, countering by elbowing Yomi in the chest. He gasped in pain and Dragranzer grabbed him by the face, forcing him to serve as a shield to block his own attacks. To follow up, Dragranzer punched Yomi in the stomach, forcing his eyes wide open as he was launched away.
"Fuck! What was that?!" He skidded across the ground, coming to a halt as he rubbed his stomach."What's with those punches...?!"
Yomi saw Dragranzer in front of him, and before he could react, he kicked him in the chin, sending him flying into the sky. Yomi recuperated, flying away as the beast followed him.
"He's running away!" Kirika beamed."Blacky-kun is making him run away!"
"Alright!" Abyss cheered."Kick his ass, Hajime! Show him who is boss!"
"We shouldn't celebrate just yet..." Chris said from afar.
"Chris-chan!" Hamaguchi smiled."You're okay!"
"But what do you mean we shouldn't celebrate yet-desu?"
Chris turned around, revealing the blood pouring down from a gash on her right arm.
"Y-your arm!" Both of them exclaimed.
"It was when Hajime sent that slash. It hit that girl, but it also grazed me." Chris grabbed her bleeding arm."I've seen this before once. And we're in danger if we stay out here. We should find some cover. Because right now...to Hajime, everyone is an enemy."
"No...I know Hajime is still in there." Abyss shook his head."Haven't you noticed, Chris-chan?"
"Notice what?"
Abyss pointed at the sky."He's taken the fight into the sky. Even if it's unconsciously, he's avoiding involving us and the people around."
Meanwhile, a loud thundering sound echoed in the sky as Yomi received a direct punch to the face from Dragranzer, nearly knocking him out. He aimed both of his hands, shooting beams of lightning toward his foe. Dragranzer opened his mouth, shooting a volley of fireballs that chased after Yomi while he blocked the incoming attacks. To Yomi's shock, he began to devour his lightning.
'He's eating my attacks?!' Yomi flew around the fireballs, trying to block one but found himself unable to. The attack pushed him toward several more, finding himself cornered. He used an electromagnetic forcefield, bouncing the attacks off into the distance.
Clink
Dragranzer swung his blade, unleashing another slash of fire toward Yomi. He flew around it, blasting himself toward the beast, charging two lightning attacks in his hands. He fired one of them but Dragranzed redirected it away by swatting his arm away. Determine, he went for a second attack, but the beast grabbed his arms and held him up. Yomi opened his mouth, charging a mouth cannon, but his opponent conjured two extra arms of fire, punching him in the torso as he had done to Hajime earlier. The punches caused him to vomit blood. The dragon tapped his cheek, challenging Yomi to punch him. More than glad to oblige, he struck him across the face but was shocked when he brushed off his attack. He returned the favor by slamming his fist against his chest stunning him, and allowing Dragranzer to punch him to the ground.
'Yomi is losing?' Wei pondered, carrying Despia in his arms and Nightmare next to him.
"What is going on?! I have adapted twice already but I still can't even react to any of his movements! I can see it with my third eye, but every time I try to counter, he switches up!" Yomi landed on the ground, falling on one knee as he tried to catch his breath.'It should be an even fight. We should be fighting back and forth. It shouldn't be a one-sided slaughter..."
Dragranzer was floating in the sky, glaring down at Yomi as if challenging him to attack him.
"Now this is a fight! This is great! The greatest of them all!" Yomi charged up his arms, shooting countless thunderbolts at the sky."Greedy Crackling Storm!"
The countless thunderbolts were shot toward the sky as if there was a meteor shower happening on the planet. Dragranzer shot himself, heading to the ground, forming several fire blades around him as he began to cut away the attacks. Dragranzer weaved around the attacks, closing in on Yomi, and causing him to panic. He stopped his attacks, and instead, clasped his hands together."Try dodging this! Atomic Blast! Plasma!"
Firing a stronger Atomic Blast than he's ever shot, Yomi unleashed his attack toward Dragranzer, who continued flying toward him. A mere few centimeters before the attack hit him, he dodged it and continued on his relentless fly.
'He dodged my Atomic Blast point-blank?! Impossible!'
Dragranzer grabbed Yomi by the head, slamming him on the ground, creating a larger crater. Yomi released a mighty hypersonic screech, launching Dragranzed away from him.
"I'm so happy I could die! This is the way it should be, Hajime! No one else matters now except you and me!" Yomi took off into the sky as the dark clouds began to gather together."This is how a fight like this should be! I agree! Right now, only we matter! To hell with everyone else! The city itself is our battlefield!"
The thunderclouds dissipated as their electricity went to Yomi, who extended his arms out and began forming a purple-colored attack."I'M GOING TO USE THE ELECTRICITY OF THE CLOUDS IN THE ATMOSPHERE TO UNLEASH MY MOST DEVASTATING ATTACK! COME, HAJIME! LET'S FIGHT TO OUR HEART'S CONTENT! NOTHING ELSE WILL HOLD US BACK!"
"He's fucking crazy!" Chris cried out, shifting her gaze to Wei."Hey, you! Stop him! That attack is way stronger than anything we can do to stop it! It'll hit all of us!"
"YOMI! DON'T DO IT!" Wei screamed from below."YOU'RE GOING TO KILL ALL OF US!"
'I'm so happy. When was the last I felt such joy?' Yomi pondered back to his life. The image of a black-haired girl flashed in his mind, but he shook his head.'Of course, the emotions of the previous owner of this body still linger. The day the reincarnation happened was when the circus caught on fire and that girl died trying to protect him. But that's all meaningless. This is true happiness! A worthy opponent to take town! Go on!'
Dragranzer started to charge up his dragon gauntlet, aiming it toward the sky.
Narfi began compressing the attack until it was as big as a soccer ball. His blue eyes turned purple with glowing red rings on the inner edge of the iris, much like Shem-Ha's eyes were. His heart beat so fast. Everything was just right."YOU ARE NOT MY EQUAL! AND YOUR WILL IS FORFEIT!"
"GAMMA BURST FLASH!"
Narfi unleashed his attack to the ground, a massive beam of purple lightning tainting the now dark skies purple.
Abyss hugged Kirika, bracing for the worst. Chris kept her eyes glued to the attack, silently praying.
Dragranzer shot a massive fireball from his gauntlet, connecting against the attack and immediately bouncing it away toward the sky. Narfi flew back, avoiding being blasted away by his attack as it was shot toward outer space, exploding in the atmosphere.
"No way...He couldn't...he just can't have more energy than I do..." Narfi clenched his fists, whipping his head back to Dragranzer."That's impossible-"
An arm of fire grabbed him by the face, stretching all the way to the stratosphere before it brought Yomi shooting down at insane speeds, slamming him to the ground and creating an earthquake.
In the middle of the large crater, Yomi crawled on all fours, baffled at what had just happened. He had no time to even gather his bearings as Dragranzer grabbed him by the ankle, slicing off one of his legs, and causing Yomi to scream. He tried to crawl away, but he stepped on his back, slicing off the other leg. Kicking him to flip him on his back, Dragranzer grabbed him by the arms, pulling hard, and completely severing them away from his body, followed by a howl of agony. With his arms, gone, his runes were destroyed, causing his transformation to dissipate and making him return to his human form.
"Y-you can't be doing this! This is supposed to be a fight! I can't even-"
Dragranzer sat on his chest, charging up a fireball in his mouth. The heat of it was so immense, it began to burn away Yomi's hair and skin. He couldn't even scream as his body was being burnt away by the attack that was to come and end his life.
However, a pair of slender arms wrapped themselves around Dragranzer.
"Stop! Don't do it!" Hibiki yelled, clad in her Amalgam form to be able to even approach her boyfriend."You're not like this, Hajime! You can't kill him! You're not a murderer!"
Dragranzer did not attempt to stop, continuing charging up his attack.
"Please, Hajime! Stop! You're not like this! Dragreder, I'm begging you! Please don't make him do anything he'll regret later!" Hibiki screamed, her voice finally reaching him. The attack dissipated, as his body glowed momentarily before reverting to Hajime.
"I...I..." Hajime mumbled, covering his mouth."Did I...Did I...?!"
"It's okay..." Hibiiki gently pulled him away, sitting on the floor with him in her arms."It's okay...I'm here, Sunny...Everything will be fine..."
"I did it again, Hibiki..." Hajime broke into tears."I lost control again...I'm so sorry...I broke my promise..."
"It's okay, Sunny." Hibiki gently kissed his cheek, rubbing his body gently, tightening her embrace."What matters is that you're okay. Just focus on me, okay, my love? Everything will be fine."
"But...I couldn't save anyone, Hibiki..." Hajime cried as Hibiki wiped the tears from his eyes."I let everyone down again..."
"That's not true, Hajime-kun!"
The young couple turned to see Yumi with Shirabe.
"You saved me! And you saved everyone from Yomi! But...more importantly, you helped me save all of those people who were still in the school!"
"What?" Hajime asked. "What do you mean?"
"While you were fighting Yomi, I gathered as many people as I could and took them to the underground bunker!" Yumi explained."Unfortunately, I couldn't get all of them... some teachers went out to rescue students that were still in..."
"But for the most part, they're all okay." Hibiki chimed in."It's true a lot of them died, and our school was destroyed. But...you at least saved some of them. It wasn't all for nothing."
"So...there are people who are alive..." Hajime felt a sense of relief wash over him.
"We're okay too!" Hamaguchi hollered from afar.
"I got a little cut." Chris lied, deciding not to put more worries on Hajime."But I'm okay too."
"I'm sorry, Hajime-kun..." Shirabe muttered, tears glistening in her eyes."I couldn't stop Wei-kun..."
"Shirabe..." Hajime beckoned the girl over. She knelt in front of him, and he brought her in for a hug."I'm sorry...I didn't know Wei was with Hazuki. I'm sorry you had to go through something like this right after what happened with Jades..."
"It'll be fine, Shirabe-chan." Hibiki wrapped her arms around them, returning to her regular Symphogear form."We'll be fine. We'll figure this out."
"What do we do with him?" Hamaguchi pointed at Yomi's unconscious body. Out of nowhere, a black arm wrapped around Yomi's limp body, pulling him toward where the others were.
"YOMI!" Despia wailed upon seeing her brother's battered body."You bastards! How dare you do this to my brother?!"
"You are the ones who started attacking! You destroyed our fucking school!" Chris bellowed.
"And you killed so many innocent people!" Hajime added, furiously glaring at Wei."Wei! Do you think this is what your sister wanted?! Do you think she'd want to see you this way?!"
"There's no other choice..." Wei grumbled, hugging himself."This is the only way that I can see my family again..."
"By siding with a group of senseless murderers?" Hajime asked in a cold tone, his pupils dilated."You're telling me you'd rather side with a bunch of killers who form part of a doomsday cult because you think that by killing all of humanity you'll see your family again?"
"DON'T YOU THINK I'M AWARE OF THAT FACT?!" Wei fired back."I don't need you shoving it down my throat!"
"THEN STOP ACTING LIKE YOU GOT ANY RIGHT TO FEEL SORRY FOR YOURSELF! IN CASE YOU HAVEN'T NOTICED, WE'RE LIVING IN A HELL THOSE MONSTERS CREATED! THE ONE WHO MURDERED YOUR SISTER IS RIGHT NEXT TO YOU! WE TRIED TO HELP YOU! TO SHOW YOU COMPASSION! SO WHY DID YOU TURN TO HAZUKI? SHIRABE LOVES YOU! YOU'RE MY COUSIN! LOOK AT THAT BRAND ON YOUR HAND! YOU'RE NOT EVEN HUMAN ANYMORE!"
"AND WHAT WAS I SUPPOSED TO DO?! SIT AROUND THE REST OF MY LIFE, PRETENDING EVERYTHING IS OKAY?!" Wei responded with equal volume."MY SISTER DIED! MY FATHER DIED! MY WHOLE FAMILY WAS KILLED AND WE SPENT YEARS LIVING IN FEAR! DO YOU KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO ONE DAY SEE YOUR RELATIVES, AND THE NEXT DAY THEY'RE GONE?! YOU SHOULD UNDERSTAND HOW I FEEL THE MOST! DID YOU WANT ME TO JUST BE PART OF YOU GUYS, PRETENDING NOTHING HAPPENED, AND THAT I WASN'T ALONE! YOU HAVE SETSUNA! I HAD NOTHING FOR LONG TIME! SO WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO?! WANT ME TO NOD AND SMILE?! TO JUST MOVE ON WITHOUT MY FAMILY?! THE ONE YOU FAILED TO SAVE! WHO ARE YOU TALKING TO?! THE PEOPLE YOU THOUGHT YOU KNEW DON'T EXIST! THEY'RE DEAD! BUT HEY, SCREAMING DOES IT FOR YOU. SO GO AHEAD AND SCREAM YOUR GODDAMN HEAD OFF!"
Wei fell to his knees, panting for air after his rant. Hajime was stunned as Hibiki held him in her arms, refusing to leave him alone."You're right...If only I had reached out to you sooner...I'm sorry...if only I had been able to stop Bragard, I-"
"Hajime..." She muttered to him, trying to calm him down."Look at me, Sunny. Just concentrate on me for a little bit, okay? Can you do that for me?"
Hajime weakly nodded."I'm sorry, Hibiki...I just..."
"It's okay. I'm here with you." Hibiki kissed him on his cheek lovingly.
"So..." Hamaguchi eyed Kirika and then to the other group."One of you can't fight. It's a 3 of 6. I think it's best if you just give up."
Without warning, Chris displayed her full arsenal, shooting every rocket, bullet, missile, and arrow she had.
"C-CHRIS-CHAN!" Hibiki cried out."What are you doing?!"
"I'm ending this right here! Right now! Everything ends when the Disasters die! SO THE NIGHTMARE ENDS HERE!"
Nightmare got in front of them, forming a barrier of dark matter. However, a black portal opened up and absorbed the attacks.
"Odin's Vault."
"What?! My attack just-"
"Well, well, well. The gang is all here."
A new portal opened up, and from within in, Kamen Rider Ryuga emerged."Hello, everyone."
Terunosuke sighed, closing the door of his room, a bag hoisted over his shoulder. The penthouse was empty and dark since there was no one in the house. So he didn't bother not making any noise as he walked down the empty corridors of their base. Until he bumped into a familiar assassin standing by the door.
"Leaving without a goodbye?" Allister smiled, leaning against the doorframe.
"Albedo-kun." Terunosuke curtly greeted.
"Should you be walking around with those wounds?"
"What do you want?" Terunosuke narrowed his gaze."Are you here to stop me from leaving?"
"Of course." Allister unfolded his arms, revealing his Deck."You didn't think I'd let you walk away from this like nothing, right?"
Terunosuke clicked his tongue, taking out his Deck."Of course. I should have known."
Both Disasters stared each other down, ready to transform. Until Allister began laughing aloud.
"Haha! You actually fell for it! Ha!" Allister pocketed his Deck.
"What? Don't you want to stop me?" Terunosuke asked, puzzled.
"I should. But I don't want to." Allister shrugged nonchalantly."You probably don't believe me or maybe you don't care. But I consider you a friend. And this past year...it's been fun with you and Chiaki. It's...sad to see it come to this. So yeah. I'm letting you go. Besides...I wasn't ordered to stop you. And you know I only follow orders."
Terunosuke sighed, putting his Deck away.
"Ironic. You were the one telling me to leave not too long ago, saying that you had nothing else to lose. But...it turns out you did." Allister said, folded his arms once more."I know what you're going through. After the second person, your brain starts wondering what's yours or not. As you know, every time we make a contract with another monster, some of the essence of the previous Rider goes into us. So it's not like I don't understand what you're going through."
The dark-haired man said nothing, his head hanging.
"What will you do now? SONG is looking for you. And once Hazuki finds out you left, he'll go after you. We may be pawns at the end of the day, but we're still useful to him. He won't just let you go. Not as long as that mark is on your hand."
"I know. And with Ragnarok less than a month away...there is no place I can go. But for now, I think I'll spread my wings and see where fate takes me." Terunosuke closed his eyes, his mind immediately picturing Serena."I'm aware I'll die. And that's fine with me. But one thing is clear...I won't die by Hazuki's hand. So he can go fuck off for all I care. I'm done."
"I see. Well, I respect your decision. I have some stuff to do and I still need to track down Elsa and her friends. Once I get her, I'll need to figure out what to do...Things are...escalating too quickly."
"Protect her and that little girl you have." Terunosuke said in a serious tone."What I said still stands. You haven't lost them. Cherish them. While you can."
"Of course. I plan to do that." Allister walked up to Terunosuke, lightly punching his chest."Good luck, comrade."
"Same to you, friend." Terunosuke smiled, catching Allister by surprise. With that, Terunosuke went through the door, leaving the assassin alone in the penthouse.
"Now..." Allister pulled out his phone."To settle things with an old acquaintance."
The next chapter is the end of this mini arc and we're moving on to the raid on the Kazanari mansion.