CHAPTER 03: Dragon Dominion Tower
By the edge of the Watchtower viewing deck, standing by the large wide windows, a certain silver-haired android stood gazing out towards the stars that dotted the inky space outside. So solid was her focus that she didn't turn around when the steel elevator doors behind her opened with a loud WHOOSH!
"There you are." Cyborg said as he stepped out.
He was feigning surprise, of course. Being a technopath, he was already interfaced with the Watchtower security mainframe and had already located her via the surveillance cameras. In fact, he was the one who informed Superman and Haken about her whereabouts when the two of them noticed that she was missing. When he did, they for some reason requested that he go talk to her.
Frankly, he felt a little miffed by this. Why did they ask him? Was it because he was half machine?
Still, he didn't see any harm in it and besides, he'd be lying if he said he didn't find her intriguing.
"Your three friends said that you wandered off all of a sudden. What are you doing here?" he asked.
KOS-MOS responded in her usual robotic tone.
"I am recalibrating my internal star map data with the available visual reference here. Although it is evident that I am indeed in another universe, I hypothesized that doing so might prove useful in finding my way back to Shion."
"Shion?"
The android finally turned around to address him.
"Shion Uzuki. She is…"
Her face and tone suddenly faltered. When she was created, KOS-MOS would refer to Shion as simply her System Admin but much has happened to make her recompute that assessment.
"Someone very important to me." she finally said.
Cyborg was quite surprised seeing the emotions that were uncharacteristically being expressed by her. She may be a machine but her human-like characteristics were nothing short of astounding. He could already imagine the likes of T.O. Morrow and Professor Ivo being impressed and would be scheming to get their hands on her. Lost in thought, he nearly jumped back when he noticed her suddenly reaching her hand out and touching his dark skin.
"Whoa! What're you doing!?" he yelped.
"Ascertaining if you are Realian or not."
He paused from that statement before speaking again.
"Well, whatever a Realian is, I'm definitely not. I'm a cyborg."
KOS-MOS's red eyes blinked with a slight clicking sound like she was accessing her internal computer.
"A cyborg. My database says that they are an obsolete technology, once popular before the repealment of the Life Recycling Act." she stated.
"Obsolete, huh?" Cyborg actually smirked and chuckled. "Don't think I've been called that before."
Once again, KOS-MOS displayed a rare flash of emotion and clasped the side of her arm awkwardly.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean any offense."
Cyborg smiled and waved his hand in dismissal.
"No biggie. You got me curious about all that stuff about Realians and this 'Life Recycling Act' but that can wait. Right now both our teams have gathered for a meeting and we were hoping you could join us."
"I will." KOS-MOS nodded. "Thank you, Cyborg. Please lead the way."
He did and allowed her to follow him to the elevator.
"You can call me Victor, by the way." he suddenly said when they both got in.
"Very well, Victor." KOS-MOS responded.
After the elevator descended and its doors slid open, Cyborg and KOS-MOS stepped out into a sizable room with the iconic JLA round table at the center. The rest of the League were present and seated in their usual chairs with the exception of two absent members.
One was obviously Batman and the other was Aquaman who had earlier excused himself saying that he had pressing business back in Atlantis. Superman and Wonder Woman found it understandable; it couldn't be easy being a ruler of the largest sovereign nation on the planet and a superhero at the same time.
However, with the absence of two members, three other chairs at the roundtable were currently being occupied. Not by other League members but by their new guests: Reiji, Xiaomu and Haken.
"Finally! What took you?" Xiaomu huffed in exasperation.
But seeing that both Cyborg and KOS-MOS stepped out of the elevator caused the perverted Sage-Fox to flash a mischievous cat-like grin.
"Were two up to something naughty? Doing the freaky robo-nasty maybe?"
Cyborg frowned at her, not being the least bit amused while KOS-MOS only sported a blank incomprehensible expression.
"Xiaomu, pipe down or you're getting another spanking!" Reiji threatened her.
"Uwa! Okay! I'll be good!" she yelped, covering her butt protectively.
Wonder Woman and the Flash wordless observed the whole exchange, with Barry looking amused while Diana only looked on awkwardly.
"Those two have quite the interesting relationship." she commented.
Deciding to get things back on track, Haken turned to Superman.
"So. What next, Mister Blue?"
The room turned quiet and subsequently everyone turned their attention to the Man of Steel.
"We already told you our story, so how about you tell us yours?" asked Haken.
"Or more specifically, tell us about Brainiac." Reiji added.
Superman appeared pensive at first, wondering if he could still trust them even with everything they had told them. But then, he finally nodded. After all, it seemed only fair.
"Alright then. Cyborg?"
On cue, Cyborg mentally commanded the Watchtower to display a holographic image at the center of the roundtable.
"So that's Brainiac, huh?" Haken guessed.
At the center of the image, among various indicative texts, was a tall green humanoid figure with a gridwork of red diodes spread over his bald head. His eyes and visage gave off a cold unfeeling aura.
"What's with the green skin? Is he another android?" asked Xiaomu.
"No. He's Coluan." Green Lantern answered.
The fox girl balked in disgust.
"Ew! You mean he's into anal or something?"
"Xiaomu…" Reiji sternly warned.
"Shutting up now." she got the message and covered her rump again in reflex.
"Actually, he's a powerful alien equipped with advanced technology and a 12th level intellect." Barry explained.
"12th level intellect? What does that mean? That he's really, really smart?" asked Haken.
"Dangerously smart." Superman said as he stood up.
The Kryptonian couldn't help but glare at the image, having a long baneful history with the alien warlord.
"And only wants to get smarter. He's obsessed with possessing all knowledge in existence and goes about it by conquering worlds, collecting their data and then destroying it so that he would be the only source of that data."
"And now he's got his sights set on the Endless Frontier…" Haken sighed.
"He's got his sights set on Earth too." Superman continued to speak. "A couple of days ago, he sent his army of probes using some kind of teleportation technology. Leading them were a trio of unknown robots."
The holographic shifted and then displayed another, this one showing an army of Brainiac probes attacking Metropolis. Haken and company had already battled with them so their appearance was not surprising. However, it was the 3 larger robots that caused Haken to shoot up from his seat in shock.
They all resembled mechas but three meters tall and had each sported a Brainiac symbol on their chests, indicating their enslavement.
One mecha was white with red trimming and distinctively had long 'ear-wings' protruding from the sides of its head and triple flared shoulder pads that resembled a bird's spread wings, the original mecha it was based on was called the 'Weisritter Abend'.
The second one was primarily blue and also long ear-wings but with the addition of a long unicorn-like horn and wide wheel shaped shoulders. It was based on the 'Alteisen Nacht'.
The third and last one was primarily black with gold and red accents. It had long sleek ear-wings, segmented wing-like protrusions from its shoulder and a flat plate with a steel grill-like design over its abdomen resembling a medieval/fantasy scapular. It was called the 'Gespenst' but Haken knows it better as…
"The Phantom! But those two, are…are they the other weapons from the Ten Year War?!"
"Every time we got close to them, they'd warp back to where they came from." Cyborg explained. "So to bring the fight to them, I tracked their tachyon signature using my Mother Box."
"pfft!"
The discussion was suddenly interrupted when Xiaomu loudly repressed a laugh.
"Pu pu pu, he said 'Mother Box'." she snickered.
Her mood quickly sank when she noticed everyone else in the room (minus KOS-MOS) shooting her an annoyed scowl. It seemed that the fox-girl just couldn't keep her mind out of the gutter.
"Oh come on, you were all thinking it!" Xiaomu exclaimed defensively.
"If I may inquire." KOS-MOS thankfully spoke up. "Is this when you used your own teleportation device?"
"That's right." nodded Cyborg. "See, the Mother Box is a living computer that is part of my body. It can also create dimensional portals called 'Boom Tubes' that can transport us anywhere as long as it has an exact location."
"Doesn't that solve our current situation?" Reiji asked. "If you're able to transport you and your friends over there, you can do the same for us."
Victor's expression turned guilty.
"There's just two problems with that."
Cyborg dismissed the holographic as he continued to speak.
"First is that the Box was only able to recover a partial signature which it had to reconstruct, you might say it was guesswork on its part. The second is that the signature it locked on to was that Cross Gate you guys were talking about, which-"
"Is probably destroyed." Haken finished for him morosely.
"Well, that sucks." Xiaomu said.
Haken palmed the top of his hat, moving the brim over his eyes.
"And how. Aschen and the two princesses are out there somewhere…"
"And one of your friends too." Reiji said to Superman and the others. "You said his name was Batman, right?"
The League members were silent with their faces turning tense and worried but none looked as crestfallen as Clark and Diana. Friendship-wise, Bruce was the closest to them; they were aware of his responsibilities in Gotham as well as his family. He has been in life and death situations but this was different, they didn't know if they'd ever see him again.
"Bruce…" Diana thought sadly.
Sensing her unease, Clark laid a hand over her shoulders and gave her a reassuring smile.
"I wouldn't worry too much, Diana. That man is the most tenacious and resourceful person I know."
Suddenly at that moment, the lights blinked red and an alarm sounded off.
"That doesn't sound good." Reiji said.
Cyborg mentally accessed the Watchtower mainframe.
"Intruders detected. And you'll never guess where."
Superman didn't need to, he immediately strode over to the room's window that looked out towards the Earth, where the sun's rays were peeking over from behind the planet as well as its moon. His godly telescopic vision, x-ray vision and super-hearing picking up all the information he needed.
"I see them." he said. "Inside Batman's moon-cave."
"The Bat guy's got a moon-cave?" Xiaomu balked in surprise.
"No way they could've got there by ship without us noticing." said Green Lantern. "Unless…"
"They teleported in there." Haken realized.
This only meant that not only were Brainiac's forces returning for round two but there was a chance for him and his three companions to return to the Endless Frontier. A sense of hope had returned to the Bounty Hunter and he tipped his hat up with a grin.
"Looks like we just got ourselves a lucky break."
"I'm sorry that we keep dragging you into our battles, Haken." Diana told him sympathetically.
"Hey, Brainiac has made this our battle too." Haken then winked and pointed a finger-gun at the beautiful amazon. "Besides, you can drag me anywhere you'd like, Miss Star Pants."
Reiji rolled his eyes and tried to move things along rather than let Haken's horn-dog ways offend their new teammates.
"Let's not waste anymore time. We need to get over there now!"
"I'm opening up a Tube. Stand back!" Cyborg announced as his arm cannon activated a portal with a loud BOOM!
The team of nine wasted no time stepping through and on the other side they found themselves inside a large room with Bat motif structures. The lights were dim but they could see littered on the floor several damaged black metallic debris that sparked from the ruined electronics.
"What are those things?" Xiaomu asked.
"The cave's sentries. Something must've destroyed them. Everyone, be on your guard." Superman told them.
With Green Lantern lighting the way with his ring, the heroes began to venture forth but Xiaomu suddenly stopped when she realized that Reiji didn't budge from where he stood.
"Wassup, Reiji?"
The sound of her voice seemed to have snapped him out of his deep thoughts.
"N-n-nothing. Let's keep going." he hastily recovered.
Xiaomu shrugged and walked ahead and left him to follow her. As he did, the Shinra agent tentatively brushed his fingers up towards the white side of his hair, where a scar ran from the side of his forehead towards his hairline. It had been acting up since arriving here, and that could mean only one thing.
SHE was here.
He had a real bad feeling about this.
"Interesting. So these crystals are called 'Mild Keil' and they've been spreading all across these worlds, this Endless Frontier that you people are from."
It was not long after the newly formed party had embarked when evening had set in the Land of the Waves and the density of the forest trees began to thin out, giving way to a grassy landscape.
During that time, Aschen Brodel was in the midst of getting their latest party member up to speed: the mysterious caped hero who only went by 'Batman'.
The green-haired android was actually glad that she had no trouble explaining things to him; he was very intelligent, patiently listened and was able to gasp concepts pretty quickly.
She had attempted to gleam some information from him but that went nowhere since he didn't have much information in the first place, on a count of no memories and all.
"That's correct." Aschen nodded. "We still don't know much about them other than that they are comprised of an unknown energy and that they're capable of some strange effects."
"Like how it sent me and my people to this world." added Neige, who walked slightly ahead of them.
"Hm. I wonder." Batman narrowed his eyes in thought.
Aschen looked at him curiously.
"What is it?"
"It's just that these Cross Gates you've mentioned earlier,…don't they kinda do the same thing? And considering the crater where one of them was destroyed and left a bunch of crystals around, I can't help but wonder if there is a connection between them."
Her eyes actually widened at his hypothesis, surprised she had never considered this angle throughout her journey with Haken.
"That is an interesting thought." she said.
Batman continued to mull over it with a curled finger at his lips.
"Perhaps it's some kind of quantum-level byproduct from all the spatial distortions. Hm, something to be noted."
Walking behind him was a certain petite Oni princess who eyed him with suspicious half-lidded eyes.
"You act like you know a lot for someone who lost his memories."
The Caped Crusader uncharacteristically blinked and looked back at her while continuing to walk.
"Ah, don't mind me. Honestly, I don't know how I know all these things. It just pops in my head as I talk to you guys. I probably wouldn't know if I knew anything unless somebody asked me if I did."
"Ugh. I'm starting to get a headache from talking to you already." Suzuka groaned while shaking her head wearily.
"So then, Mister Tall, Dark and Mysterious,…"
The busty brown-haired elf spoke up with a playful tone and a lascivious grin before she slowed down her walk to match with Batman's pace.
With her hands coyishly behind her back, she had her shoulder parallel to his and her bare arm along with the side of her bobbing boobs just two inches away from him. It was an action that took Kaguya, who was trailing behind the group, aback.
"What DO you remember after waking up?" Neige asked him.
"Not much." was Batman's reply. "At the time, I just found myself confused in that crater with all the wreckage, then I heard voices from above so I climbed up and snuck towards one of the trees where I could observe the five of you without being seen."
"Now hold on!"
The abrupt outburst came from Suzuka and caused the party to halt as she marched forward and turned towards Batman with a scowl.
"Are you telling us that you were HIDING nearby during that whole time!?" she asked with a point of her folded fan.
"Yeah." Batman nodded.
With a raised brow, Shiki-Oni leaned her body slightly back with the back of her hands to her hips, one of which was still holding her fan.
"And you didn't think to come out and say 'hello' or jump in when that thing attacked us!?"
All Batman could do was shrug.
"It seemed like the most logical thing to do. Though frankly, I have no idea why I was thinking that way."
It wasn't totally the truth as he had a feeling this was part of his "previous self's" MO: gathering info rather than blindly trusting these strangers. And in truth, he still didn't fully trust them.
There was also one thing he chose not to explain to them, although frankly he didn't know how to explain it. A nagging sensation kept hammering at him in the back of his mind that made him feel restless, like there was something he needed to do but he didn't know what it was.
"Anyway, the only reason I decided to intervene was because I couldn't sit by while Princess Nabu's life was in danger." Batman explained.
"Oh."
At the mention of that, Kaguya felt her cheeks heat up and her heart thumped. She then walked up and faced him, putting herself between him and Suzuka and feeling a little bashful as she did.
"I-I, um, never got to thank you for that." she said with her forearm under her breasts as her hand clasped her other arm's elbow.
Seemingly unaware of her feelings, Batman shook his head.
"You don't need to thank me, Your Highness. I just did what I felt was right."
Behind Kaguya, the Oni princess puffed her cheeks in annoyance while looking off to the side, unable to help but feel a bit jealous.
"Couldn't you've at least saved me first?" she thought, unaware of her own reddening face.
"Please, just call me Kaguya." said Kaguya as she smiled towards him.
"And you may call me Neige. There's no need for formalities." the elven woman said as she slid next to Kaguya and bumped her shoulders to hers, almost shoving her aside.
Suzuka on the other hand grinned in haughtiness while raising an unfurled fan to her chin.
"Yoi Yoi. Not for me though. I'd much prefer being addressed with the proper respect!"
"You'll have to excuse our Oni companion, Batman." said Aschen behind them. "She gets on her high horse to compensate for being a shorty."
Obviously being miffed, Suzuka spun around and glared at the android.
"Not making fun of my chest this time, eh? What's wrong? Did your malfunctioning Karakuri brain run out of material?"
Kaguya chuckled.
"Aw, don't mind Aschen, Suzuka-chan. I think you're fine just the way you are."
In an unexpected action, Kaguya suddenly hugs Suzuka from behind hoists her up.
"So kawaii that I could just glomp you!"
"IIIYAAAAH!" Suzuka shrieked as her face went red. "C-cut it out, Kaguya! Need I remind you that I'm way older than you!?"
As the petite Oni-girl futility thrashed her legs, Neige came up next to them while suppressing a giggle with her fingers placed daintily against her lips.
"Fufu. Regardless of her personality, she's quite like a doll, isn't she? Makes me want to give her a couple of head-pats."
"Don't you dare, Elf! Or I'm sic-ing Jyaki-Gun on you!"
"Quite a lively bunch…" Batman thought as he looked on without a change in his expression.
Their antics came to a halt when Aledy cleared his throat to catch their attention.
"Erm. Lady Neige, we really should get going."
"Oh, sorry about that, Aledy." Niege said. "Let's carry on then."
And so with that out of the way, the party pressed on. But as they did, Neige glanced towards Aledy with puzzlement, the young Shura had been acting strange and aloof since they had set off.
It wasn't like him but Neige decided to put it out of her mind, perhaps it was just a Shura-related matter that was on his mind and he'd probably deal with it on his own time.
The group had finally reached a clearing of sand and rock, where adjacent to stone cliff face was a structure that defied gravity. Erected from a base of radiating stone work, the tower stretched 34 stories into the sky in layered conical fashion. Each of those layers were bedecked with statues depicting beasts, monsters and warriors engaged in a perpetual war.
This was Dragon Dominion Tower.
"We're here." Aledy announced.
Batman craned his neck up, taking in the construction.
"Impressive." he remarked.
"It's so BIG and THICK…!" Kaguya gasped in awe with tinged cheeks.
Aschen rolled her eyes and shot her an annoyed look.
"It's just a tower, Kaguya. Please don't talk like that."
Following Aledy's lead, the group entered the compound. Two imposing figures blocked their path: Shura soldiers, their bodies sculpted by years of rigorous training and their hair wild and spiky. They were clad in brown martial arts gis over dark gray undershirts and matching pants with shin guards and sturdy boots at their legs. Both wore smooth metal masks, concealing their faces, with long, thin visors. One mask bore a pair of sharp cat ears, while the other was crowned with a pair of menacing bull horns.
Seeing Aledy at the vanguard caused them to give a firm nod and give way. Batman had this feeling that he just walked into a den of wolves as the Shuras watched them with curious yet bloodthirsty looks.
Eventually they found themselves inside a large hexagonal hall.
The thing that grabbed Batman's attention the most was the humongous asian-styled dragon head at the far end of the room with its gaping maw serving as a doorway. On both sides of the head were two claws and its serpentine body decorated the wall like a bas-relief.
At the center of the room stood a person flanked by two large and intimidating identical statues portraying some kind of armored warriors with long flame-like hair.
That person was a tall woman who seemed to exhibit a calm disciplined demeanor, with short white hair and red tattoos on both her cheeks. She wore a blue sleeveless vest-jacket, large metallic red shoulder-pad and hip pads that were only equipped on only one side of her body while her other hip was draped with a long blue flap of cloth with gold trimmings.
Underneath all that was a black leotard but despite its color, Batman could help but notice her chiseled abdomen, prominently displaying a six-pack. She was clearly a skilled combatant.
Her name is Cindy Bard, Aledy's mentor and Guardian of the Tower.
Aledy dropped to one knee before her, pressing his fist to the ground with practiced reverence.
"Mistress, I have returned. 'Honed Steel' (Goren) Aledy Nasch, at your service."
Neige stepped forward with refined grace, offering a courtly greeting.
"Neige Hausen. Charmed to see you again, Lady Cindy Bard."
Cindy acknowledged them with a measured nod, silently signaling Aledy to rise.
"Welcome back, Aledy. Princess Neige. I see that you brought company with you."
Before anyone else could speak, Aschen suddenly bounded forward and slung her arms over Batman and Kaguya's shoulders, catching them both off guard.
Her eyes were closed with a sunny disposition, having activated her Code DTD function at some point during their entrance, as she enthusiastically waved from over Kaguya's shoulder.
"Heya~s! I'm the lovable and cute Aschen Brodel! Let's have a party! Whoo!" She pumped a fist skyward with a cheer.
"Gegk! Why the hell is she in her bimbo mode again!?" Shizuku balked.
Kaguya quickly extracted herself from Aschen's embrace, attempting to restore some semblance of dignity to the proceedings.
"Greetings. I am Kaguya Nanbu, heir of the Nanbu clan from Kagura Amahara." she gestured towards her companion. "This is Princess Suzuka of the Shiki-Oni. And that's…um,…"
Her introduction trailed off as she noticed Cindy's intense scrutiny of Batman. The Dark Knight held his ground, meeting her analytical gaze with his narrowed white eyes. They remained locked in this silent battle of wills until Batman finally broke the thick tension that had settled over the chamber.
"I'm Batman." he stated simply.
The air hung heavy with unspoken questions as Cindy regarded Batman for another moment before turning to address her student.
"Aledy, I'm sure your report can shed some light on our new guests' arrival."
"Yes Mistress, of course. Allow me to explain…"
Aledy proceeded to relay everything their companions had shared: their journey with Haken Browning to investigate the mysterious Mild Keil crystals appearing throughout their world, their encounter with the Justice League, the separation from their companions and their battle with Brainiac's robot. By this point, Aschen had deactivated her Code DTD function and returned to her usual composed demeanor.
"So the three of you are from Princess Neige's homeland, this…'Endless Frontier' as you call it." Cindy's attention shifted to Batman. "And you have lost your memories."
"That's the long and short of it, yes." Batman replied.
"The robot that attacked you all…that is what concerns me the most. Could you tell me more about it, Aledy?"
"Yes Mistress." Aledy stood in attention. "From what Lady Brodel had told me, they are under the command of something called 'Brainiac'. It was pretty large, about the size of our own Rasetsu-ki."
Batman's cowled head tilted slightly.
"What's a Rasetsu-ki?" he asked
Cindy gestured to the imposing statues that flanked her position.
"These are Rasetsu-ki."
"Those statues?" Kaguya asked, her blue eyes widening with curiosity.
"Not in the literal sense. They only visually represent the Rasetsu-ki. They are our metal warriors, autonomous weapon systems that gain power and self-awareness from their operator's Ha-ki."
Suzuka's fan snapped shut with an irritated flick before being pointed at the Shura commander.
"There's that word again. What is this 'Ha-ki' thing anyway?" she asked curtly.
"Allow me to explain. What we Shuras call 'Ha-ki' is life energy that is present in all nature. Through our martial arts, we can harness and control this energy but it requires years of hard physical training and mental discipline."
Batman noticed the subtle glances both Cindy and Aledy kept casting in his direction, their eyes carrying hints of suspicion. He frowned beneath his cowl.
"What are they looking at me for?" he wondered.
"So In other words, these Rasetsu-ki are like personal trooper mechas. Like the Phantom." Aschen observed, her analytical processes making the connection.
"Phantom?" asked Cindy.
"My friends here have had an encounter with one of the weapons used in the Ten Year War." Neige explained, her usual confident demeanor faltering slightly.
"Ah yes, you did say that you were involved in a war before being brought here."
Neige's expression grew distant, a shadow passing over her features as her arm moved over her breasts to clasp her shoulder.
"A war I'd just as soon forget." she said with a bitter tone.
Cindy's brow furrowed in confusion.
"Why would you want to forget?" she asked.
The elf princess hesitated, her voice carrying the weight of centuries when she finally spoke.
"We elves, we live for a very long time you see. Some memories are fleeting."
As she continued, Kaguya's expression softened with sympathy, while Batman listened intently, his face an unreadable mask.
"Others, particularly the painful ones, stick with us. I've lost so many comrades and friends during those ten years."
Something in Neige's words struck a chord deep within the distant corners of Batman's fragmented memories. For a brief moment, he recalled a flash of sensations: the acrid smell of gunpowder, the sharp sounds of gunshots, and the haunting sound of pearls scattering across wet pavement.
"Neige Nee-san…" Kaguya's voice was thick with concern.
"May I ask something, Princess Neige?" Cindy's question cut through the heavy atmosphere.
Once she had their attention, she continued.
"Why do you view battle as a tragedy? Humanity evolved through a hard struggle for existence. Evolution is the path to godhood. The strong, the survivors, are the ones who tread the true path."
"'The true path'." Batman's scoff carried unmistakable contempt.
"You don't agree then?" Cindy asked him.
"It's not about me agreeing about anything. I just don't like the idea of trivializing the loss of life."
"There's nothing trivial about it." Cindy told him. "Death is simply a part of the natural order of the universe."
"Except we're not talking about natural causes or survival or unavoidable circumstances!" Batman's voice rose sharply, drawing startled looks from his companions. "We're talking about the act of willfully murdering another!"
The sudden surge of emotion in Batman's voice caught everyone off guard. Kaguya's heart ached as she sensed the raw pain and fury beneath his words. Neige's eyes widened in surprise, pieces of understanding falling into place. Even Suzuka found herself taken aback, she had never seen him display such visceral emotion before.
"Where does this 'path to godhood' leave the victim's families and friends? People who'll never see their loved ones again? Children who will have to grow up without the love of a MOTHER or a FATHER!?"
Batman's voice had risen to a snarl, his fists clenched at his sides.
"The only path that murder leads to grief, suffering and MADNESS!"
A heavy silence fell over the chamber. Batman blinked, seeming surprised by his own outburst. He shifted uncomfortably, his posture becoming uncertain.
"I-I mean,…that's the way I feel about it anyway." he said awkwardly.
"What was that all about?" Suzuka wondered, her fan concealing her concerned expression.
Neige, ever the diplomat, cleared her throat and stepped forward to smooth over the tension.
"Ahem. While I understand that you Shura might view the world that way, there are other races who take no pleasure in war. Batman could be considered one of them."
"I see." Cindy's composed demeanor returned as she steered the conversation toward more pressing matters. "In any case, there is something I wish to discuss and I believe it could possibly be related to your situation."
"What is it, Mistress?" asked Aledy
"It concerns Ark-On, one of the Rasetsu-ki I mentioned earlier." Her expression grew grave as she met Aledy's eyes. "It has gone missing."
Aledy recoiled in shock.
"Missing!? But how? Could it be that Ark-On left the tower on its own?!"
"If it did, it did so without a trace. My guards reported that there was no sign of anyone leaving the tower."
"What's so special about Ark-On?" Aschen inquired.
"It is the guardian deity of Dragon-Dominion Tower, the strongest of our Rasetsu-ki. It used to be enshrined at the top floor of the tower until its disappearance." answered Cindy.
"Then,…somebody took it?" Kaguya ventured.
"Don't be ridiculous! Who can just steal a Karakuri?" Suzuka huffed in annoyance.
"Actually, it is possible for someone to take control of Ark-On but the user would require a vast amount of Ha-ki. Not just anyone can pilot Ark-On." Aledy explained.
"Still. If it WAS someone, he would've had to have come and gone without being detected." Batman's eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
"Exactly." Cindy gestured for them to follow. "Now come, take a look at this."
She led them to the corner of the hall next to an ascending staircase. There, jutting from the walls like some alien growth, were sharp crystalline formations, their surfaces as black as obsidian.
"Those are Mild Keil Crystals!" Aschen exclaimed.
"But they're black in colour." noted Kaguya.
"When did they appear?" Batman asked, his detective instincts engaged.
"A few days ago, around the time Ark-On disappeared." said Cindy. "No matter what methods I employ, they cannot be broken. A mysterious substance indeed."
Turning to Aledy, concern evident in her expression, Cindy continued.
"You can feel it too, can't you Aledy? These rocks aren't simple minerals. They are somehow…'alive'."
"Mistress, do you think someone in Agrado Heim might possess enough Haki to activate Ark-On?" he asked.
"I've considered the possibility."
"Even still, we can't disregard the connection to the Cross Gates or Brainiac either." Batman added.
After a brief discussion of the situation, Cindy addressed the group.
"All of you must be weary. Princess Neige, why don't you and your comrades rest? I'll have my men prepare rooms. We even have a hot spring in our lower levels so you may refresh yourselves."
Kaguya's face lit up with delight.
"Oh goody! I love hot springs!"
"Finally, some service!" Suzuka rejoiced in a haughty manner.
"Huhu. Sounds good to me." A mischievous grin spread across Neige's face.
"If it's alright with you, I'd like to take a look around. Maybe I can find more clues about your missing deity." Batman said.
"Of course." Cindy nodded.
Both Kaguya and Neige's expressions fell at Batman's words as they were both holding out hope that he'd be bold enough to join them. While Kaguya was too bashful to press the subject, Neige hid her disappointment and attempted to appeal to him in a subtle manner.
"Oh. B-but I thought that maybe you'd want to…you know…" Neige trailed off, chewing on her lower lip with hinting eyes.
"That I'd want to what?" Batman turned to her, genuinely confused.
The elf woman's cheeks flushed pink as she began to lose her nerve before finally waving dismissively with a put-on laugh.
"Oh-hohoho, nothing. Never mind."
"Mind if I tag along, Batman?" Aschen suddenly asked.
"Not at all." Batman shrugged.
Kaguya and Neige struggled to mask their jealousy, while Suzuka shot a venomous glare at the android.
"That Karakuri better not try anything funny just because we're not around."
However, she then blinked at her own thought in surprise.
"Wait a minute. As long as he's not around Kaguya, what do I care?" she wondered.
As the team dispersed, Aledy and Cindy remained in the chamber alone.
"Did you feel it, Mistress? What do you make of him?" Aledy asked, his voice low.
Cindy's frown deepened as she considered the matter.
"As of right now, I can't say…"
She paced the chamber floor before coming to a decision.
"Aledy, gather our finest warriors. I have an assignment for you."
Though his heart grew heavy with trepidation, Aledy's sense of duty prevailed and he bowed deeply to his mentor.
"As you command, Mistress."
The vast indoor onsen, nestled in the depths of Dragon Dominion Tower, was a testament to both martial tradition and inner peace.
Across the walls were elaborate murals depicting Shura warriors in various states of combat and meditation. Massive red pillars stretched towards the ceiling which was lined with a complex network of brass vents that drew away excess steam while maintaining the perfect temperature.
The centerpiece of the chamber was an imposing stone dragon that curved around the entire pool. From its gaping maw, heated water cascaded in a steady stream. The sound of falling water created a soothing ambient rhythm as steam rose in gentle wisps from the water's surface.
In one corner of the pool, three nude women had settled themselves into the soothing waters.
Kaguya's long black hair, usually flowing with its distinctive red tips, was now neatly arranged in a high bun. Her massive breasts peeked from the water's surface like twin islands.
Beside her, Neige's brown tresses were similarly gathered up, though a few stubborn ringlets had escaped to curl around her neck. Her well endowed chest was also on the verge of breaking the surface.
And last but not least, Suzuka had managed to arrange her light blue hair in an elegant twist to maintain her aristocratic bearing even in such a casual setting. Although having a more petite frame compared to her companions, her supple and toned body almost gleamed from under the water.
"Haaah, this feels good." Kaguya sighed as she leaned back.
"Yoi Yoi, I quite agree." Suzuka hummed in contentment, her usual haughty demeanor softened by the warmth.
Neige stretched luxuriously, causing small ripples to spread across the water's surface.
"If I had known Lady Cindy had a place like this, I would have visited the tower more often."
"How long have you known the Shuras, Neige-neesan?" Kaguya asked, her blue eyes bright with curiosity.
"About three years now, ever since I was transported to this world."
"So, what are they really like?"
Neige shifted to find a more comfortable position against the smooth stone edge.
"Although they come off as being fiercely guarded, Lady Cindy was actually quite welcoming to me and my people. Though I can't tell you much else about the rest of them beyond their dedication to training and fighting."
The elven princess gave a half-chuckle as she idlely splashed some of the water with her hands.
"I find them a bit too rough for my taste, really. In fact, I could imagine them using this hot spring after a long day of training only for them to get right back at it again."
"Urgh!" Suzuka groaned in disgust. "You're spoiling the mood. Last thing I need is the mental image of a bunch of sweaty muscly brutes sharing the same water as me."
A mischievous glint appeared in Neige's eye as she shot Suzuka a provocative smile.
"Don't knock it till you try it." she said.
Oblivious to the suggestive undertones, Kaguya sunk deeper into the water and allowed the heat to seep into her muscles. She found herself smiling, realizing how much she had missed moments like these where she could just unwind with the gals. There weren't many opportunities back when she was traveling with Haken.
"It's too bad that Aschen isn't joining us." Kaguya mused.
"She's an android, Kaguya." Neige reminded her. "Though I'm sure she's waterproof, I think being soaked for too long would probably put her on the fritz."
"Ha! I'd pay money to see that!" Suzuka declared, before adding with a touch of venom, "On the other hand, I can do without her either. Let her and the Bat go about their business for all I care."
At the mention of Batman, Neige's eyes lit up with intrigue and she turned to Kaguya with a sly expression.
"Speaking of which: what do you think about our mysterious caped friend, Kaguya?"
The question caught Kaguya completely off guard. A deep blush spread across her cheeks, making them even pinker in the steam.
"W-why are you asking me that?" Kaguya asked, flustered.
"Well, you are interested in him, aren't you?" Neige pressed, her voice teasing. "I've noticed how you keep staring at him like he's a work of art."
Kaguya turned away, her heart fluttering in her chest. She let out a nervous laugh, her fingers fidgeting with the surface of the water.
"I-I haven't been staring!"
"There's nothing to be embarrassed about." Neige told her, though her own cheeks had taken on a rosy tint. "I mean, he is quite handsome. And smart to boot. A strong silent type."
The elf princess dragged her bottom lip under her teeth and her expression grew dreamy as she continued.
"VERY intense and passionate and I'm sure he could play the dependable older brother type if you're into that sort of thing."
"An older brother type?" Kaguya tilted her head in confusion.
Suzuka clicked her tongue sharply.
"If you ask me Kaguya, you should keep your distance. Guys like him are nothing but trouble." she stated.
"Oh?" Neige's eyebrows rose playfully. "Are you trying to protect her, or is this your way of trying to keep him to yourself?"
The suggestion caught Suzuka completely off-guard, her golden eyes widening as color flooded her face.
"Whaa!? Me?" she balked.
But she quickly composed herself, raising her chin with exaggerated dignity.
"D-Don't be ridiculous! I-I mean, Why would I even want to be with a human? As if he could satisfy me in bed like an Oni could."
"Besides,…" Kaguya added innocently. "Suzuka-chan is already betrothed to Shuten-sama."
"DON'T MENTION THAT DOLT'S NAME!" Suzuka suddenly exploded.
The Oni princess's outburst sent water splashing as she jerked upright, startling both her companions.
"Shuten and I are through! I don't care what his reasons were, I'll never forgive him for what he has done!" her voice trembled with rage.
"I feel that there's a story here." Neige said carefully. "Who is Shuten?"
Kaguya's expression grew serious as she explained.
"Shuten-sama is the Shiki-Oni lord of Megi Castle. During my travels with Haken and Aschen, we discovered that Megi Castle had been overrun by Kusabi-Ishi."
"You mean the Mild Keil crystals!?" Neige gasped.
Kaguya nodded.
"And Shuten,…he apparently had something to do with it?"
Kaguya nodded again.
"Just like with Espina Castle…" Neige whispered, aghast. "Why would he do something like that?"
Suzuka finally crossed her arms and settled down in the water.
"That's why I tagged along on this quest, So I can beat the answers out of him myself!" she declared.
"I see."
Neige studied Suzuka with new eyes, finding herself gaining a reluctant respect for the Shiki-Oni princess's strength of character. Of course, she was never going to admit it out loud. Instead, she smirked and couldn't resist another tease.
"My, my, relationship troubles seem to be quite common among royalty these days…"
"Oh, be quiet!" Suzuka snapped. "What about you and that Shura boy? Don't pretend there's nothing going on between the you two."
"Who? Aledy?" Neige blinked.
The playfulness vanished from Neige's expression, replaced by something more somber.
"What's wrong, Neige-neesan?" Kaguya asked in concern.
"It's just that…" Neige hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "Aledy has been acting strange. I mean, stranger than his usual self. It was ever since Batman joined us."
"He's probably just jealous. You know men and their egos." Suzuka waved dismissively.
"I don't think it's that." Neige's brow furrowed. "Lady Cindy has been acting strange too. It's…almost like the two of them are plotting something."
A thick silence settled over the pool as Kaguya and Suzuka considered this, broken only by the steady sound of falling water from the dragon's mouth.
"You're overthinking it." Suzuka huffed, finally breaking the silence.
Neige hesitantly nodded.
"You're probably right." Neige sighed.
Putting all that behind her, Neige's expression suddenly brightened as she turned to Kaguya with exaggerated enthusiasm,
"Now Kaguya, You must tell me how you're able to keep your skin so soft and milky smooth!"
Before Kaguya could react, Neige had moved closer, her hands reaching under Kaguya's arms underwater and finding her large melons. Suzuka watched with obvious annoyance as Neige's fingers traced appreciatively over Kaguya's breasts and fondled them.
"You don't mind sharing some of your beauty secrets, won't you?" Neige asked playfully.
Kaguya's giggles echoed off the chamber walls.
"Teehee! Cut it out, Neige-neesan. That tickles!"
Their laughter filled the steamy air, momentarily pushing aside darker thoughts of plots and betrayals.
Ascending Dragon Dominion Tower, one could say that the architects had certainly gone all out with the whole dragonic theme.
Reptilian scale patterns adorned the floor tiles, broken occasionally by hexagonal reliefs, while doorways gaped like maws with rows of sharp teeth.
However, the black Mild Keil formations jutting from the walls was a stark reminder of the mysterious threat that had infiltrated the tower's very core.
High up on the 34th floor was the aptly titled Chamber of Conquest.
Four imposing statues dominated the space, each cradling a differently colored glowing orb in their monstrous forms. Two of them flanked a short staircase leading to a raised platform, where their counterparts stood sentinel over a hexagonal altar that was now conspicuously empty. The walls around the platform bore brass panels embossed with vertical lines of alien script, their mysterious messages partially obscured by more black crystal growths.
Crouching by the altar was Batman whose cowl's lenses flickered as he struggled to properly activate their functions. Behind him stood Aschen, waiting patiently and observing his methodical examination of the scene.
After tracing his fingers on the light scuff marks on the floor tiles and noting the subtle disruptions in the settled dust, Batman finally broke the silence.
"Well, as far as I can tell, the only movement in this room came from Ark-On itself." he concluded.
"So it did leave on its own." Aschen spoke before pausing and then asking. "Do you think it could be…sentient?"
The implications carried a lot of weight for her personally and she couldn't help but feel anxious. As part of the W-series, Aschen is part of a rare breed of Androids that possess a certain level of consciousness and emotions. So far, Cardia was the only other of her kind she had encountered. Could there be others?
Batman stood slowly, his shoulders tense.
"I don't know. There are too many things I don't fully understand yet."
The evident frustration in his voice didn't go unnoticed by his companion.
"If Ark-On did leave on its own,…" Aschen ventured. "How did it manage to avoid detection?"
"If it didn't go downstairs." Batman replied, pointing upward. "Then it could've only gone upstairs."
"To the roof?" Aschen raised a brow. "You mean…it jumped off?"
"A four hundred foot drop, I doubt it." Batman turned to face her fully. "Without considering that it's capable of flight, of course."
He paused, as if trying to find his next words.
"There's something I wanted to ask you about."
"What is it?" Aschen asked.
"It's about your…um, your 'Code DTD', as you call it?"
Aschen's expression immediately soured, her posture becoming defensive.
"If you're about to ask for something weird or lewd, forget about it! I don't know why I've been programmed that way but the Captain seemed to-"
"It's not that." Batman quickly interjected, shaking his head. "Back then, when we entered the Tower…you activated it for a reason, didn't you?"
Surprise flickered across Aschen's features.
"You noticed that?" She crossed her arms, considering her words carefully.
"When we approached Dragon Dominion Tower, I detected an energy signature similar to the Mild Keil and the Cross Gates. However, with the sheer size of the tower, pinpointing the exact location was beyond the capabilities of my scanning subprogram."
"So you went into overdrive to boost your scanning capability." he stated. "Smart move."
"It was just a precaution." Aschen said with a slight shrug. "The Captain is the type to rush in, so I usually look out for him and cover our bases."
"By 'Captain', you mean Haken Browning…the man you told me about?"
Aschen nodded, her expression softening.
"He is usually the one who takes the lead."
A shadow passed over her face as she once again began to wonder about where the bounty hunter was right then or if he was alright. She continued to speak.
"After we were separated, I tried to step up and fill his role, but…"
She trailed off as she laid a palm on her chest.
"It feels like something vital is missing. There's this emptiness…"
"You miss him." Batman said simply.
"I'm just thinking about what kind of trouble he's gotten himself into." Aschen huffed, before adding quietly, "But yes, I do miss him."
"How did you two meet?" Batman asked, then quickly added. "Sorry. You don't have to tell me if you don't want to."
"No, it's okay." Aschen said. "I've always been with Haken, since he was a baby. His father found us both in a crashed starship called the 'Mia Tierra'. But my memory banks contain no information about where we came from or why we were sent here."
Her gaze turned distant, almost forlorn.
"Aside from taking care of Haken, I have no idea why I was built or what my purpose is."
"Guess we're both in the same boat here." Batman replied with an uncharacteristic wry smile.
He tapped the side of his head as if to emphasize his point.
"I have no idea why I dress like a bat. But I figure whatever the reason is, it must be something important. Probably just as important as yours."
Aschen returned his smile with a small one of her own, the gesture equally unusual for her typically stoic demeanor. Sure Batman was nothing like Haken, and that was a good thing, and she didn't know him for that long. Still, despite that, she found herself beginning to trust him more.
"Anyway, did you find it?" Batman asked, returning to their earlier discussion. "The source of the energy reading?"
The green haired android furrowed her brow.
"When Cindy showed us the Mild Kiel Crystals, I assumed that was it. But…"
"The reading is actually coming from above the tower." Batman finished for her.
"How did you…?" Aschen's eyes widened in sudden realization. "You don't mean…"
"There's only one way to find out," Batman said, already walking toward the exit.
Aschen silently followed him out of the Chamber of Conquest, eager to confirm if Batman's theory was correct.
However any such revelations would be curtailed. For just as the duo crossed the threshold of the teeth-laden doorway, three figures approached them.
Shura soldiers, they both surmised as much, but much different from the ones they had seen so far.
At the center stood a bald gaunt man with sunken features particularly around the eyes, crowned by pronounced hairless brows and rimmed with shadows, that gave him an almost reptilian appearance. His lanky frame was draped in a short green Shura gi that exposed his midriff, revealing a chiseled six-pack that spoke of deadly discipline. A grotesque frog mask hung from one shoulder, while a traditional samurai sode armor adorned the other. A belt cinched his waist, with pouches on his sides that bore the symbol of a frog's footprint.
To his right loomed a mountain of a man, his presence both comical and threatening. His face was dominated by absurdly large lips, earlobes sagged similar to a caricatured Buddha and a single high ponytail of black hair sprouted from his otherwise bare scalp. The red Shura gi stretched across his large belly, reinforced by an armored girdle. One arm bore the weight of traditional sode armor and kote gauntlets, while the other remained bare, showcasing an intricate tattoo of a beanstalk that coiled around his flesh.
To the left, a woman stood poised like a predator. Her blonde hair, cut at neck length, framed her face like a lion's mane flowing pointedly to the sides while sharp bangs fell over her forehead. A black crop top accentuated her lithe frame while a short blue jacket hung open, its flowing sleeves adding a sort of grace to her otherwise deadly bearing. A white scarf wrapped around her neck, partially obscuring her lips, flowed behind her. Her face remained a mask of stoic indifference, yet her eyes held the cold calculation of a practiced killer.
Batman allowed his cape to flow over his shoulders and conceal his arms, on his guard and readying himself in case the three newcomers turned out to be a threat.
"Can I help you gentlemen?" he inquired.
The man at the center regarded him, a greasy smile spreading across his face.
"So…you are Batman, are you?"
His large fat companion stepped forward, his attention fixated on Aschen.
"And this must be that ill-mannered human machine we were told about." he leered and lingered his eyes on her a moment too long. "So feminine looking, it's a wonder!"
Aschen rolled her eyes, her annoyance evident.
"The wonder here is how a bloated blowfish like you can stand on two legs."
She expected the man to be angry, even blow up in rage. But surprisingly, the fat man hooted in an excitedly aroused manner.
"Ooooh-hoo-hoo! The Robo mommy has a sting! I like it!"
"'Robo Mommy'?" Aschen's face contorted in confusion.
"Jaken,… shut up… you're embarrassing us." the blonde woman said stoically, arms crossed.
Seemingly oblivious to the reprimand, Jakken's cheeks grew rosy as he twiddled his fingers in a faux-bashful manner.
"Aw, don't get jealous, Odette. You can still step on me anytime."
"Great. We have an oversized masochist on our hands." Aschen deadpanned.
Batman, growing increasingly impatient, cut through the bizarre exchange.
"Who are you people?" he demanded.
Their leader bowed in a gentlemanly manner.
"Forgive our manners. My name is Catoire. 'Illusionary Sands' (Gensha) Froad Catoire."
He gestured to his companions in turn.
"This enthusiastic fellow is 'Steadfast Mountain' (Kyozan) Jakken Ald, and the lovely lady is 'Drowning Water' (Dokusui) Odette Mark."
"Weird group." Aschen remarked. "So what is this? Some kind of sick role play for that tub of lard?"
"Ooooh-hoo-hoo! She gets it!" Jakken's excitement mounted again.
"No,…she doesn't." sighed Odette.
Undeterred, Jaken turns to their leader.
"Hey Froad, can I keep her after we're done here?"
"That's enough, Jakken!" Froad hissed before turning to Batman. "Our mistress has ordered us to detain you, Batman."
"Lady Cindy?" Aschen's eyes widened in surprise.
"Indeed." Froad's grin widened. "It would be preferable for you to come quietly."
"And if I don't?" Batman's eyes narrowed beneath his cowl.
Froad's eyes glinted with a malicious spark.
"Then THAT would be most preferable…"
The three Shura Warriors suddenly took up fighting stances.
"For us!"
"Doesn't look like they're in a mood to listen." Aschen said, putting up her fists.
"Fine by me cause I'm in no mood to talk."
In one fluid motion, Batman threw down a smoke bomb, temporarily obscuring the battlefield. Through the billowing clouds, he charged forward, flicking open two Batarangs in each hand before throwing them one by one towards Froad.
The projectiles sliced through their target like something cutting through sand, with Froad not even flinching. Batman skidded to a halt, taken aback by what he'd just witnessed.
"Over here." Froad's voice sounded off, and Batman whirled to see another copy of his opponent walking steadily through the smoke.
"So much Ha-Ki brimming inside you, and yet you resort to toys and tricks." Froad chuckled.
"I have Ha-Ki?"
Batman's mind reeled at the words. He recalled what Cindy had said about the Shuras harnessing it for combat, but the notion that he possessed such power left him genuinely confused.
"Hmph. No matter." Froad said, noting Batman's hesitation. "I have tricks of my own."
Reaching into his frog-print pouches, Froad pulled out two fistfuls of sand and flung them to his sides. The particles seemed to come alive, swirling on the ground before gathering and forming two perfect copies of Froad that moved to surround Batman.
One clone dashed forward, launching into a flying kick, but Batman's combat instincts took over. He intercepted the attack, grabbing both the attacker's foot and the underside of his thigh before throwing him overhead into another copy. Their bodies collided in a momentary explosion of sand before the particles recombined, forming a singular clone that maintained its momentum, charging at Batman with a Wakizashi sword.
Batman jumped back from the slash, and through sheer instinct, sensed another Froad copy attacking from behind. He reacted with a backwards spinning backfist that caught his attacker in the face, causing it to burst into sand particles.
Maintaining his momentum, Batman quickly turned his attention to the sword-wielding clone coming at him with another slash. He caught the blade, locking it between the fins of his gauntlets. While holding the sword-wielder at bay, he managed to kick another charging Froad copy in the abdomen.
Focusing on the sword-wielder, Batman attempted to gain the upper hand by leveraging the blade and grabbing the man's wrist to twist his arm. But Froad's body morphed like living sand, his arm shifting in an impossible way that ended with him securing a grip on Batman's hand, wrenching it behind his back in an arm lock.
As Batman struggled against the hold, another Froad clone appeared before him, brandishing its own Wakizashi blade and charging forward. Thinking fast, Batman drove the back of his head into his captor's face, causing it to burst into sand and loosen its grip.
The moment of freedom was all he needed. Batman surged his legs up to kick the attacking Froad while simultaneously twisting out of the remaining hold, executing a precise wrestling reversal that allowed him to throw his opponent to the ground.
Batman attempted to follow up with a punch to his downed opponent, but his fist met only the floor as Froad's body split apart into two streams of sand that flowed away to rejoin the other clones. The copies had now multiplied, surrounding Batman in greater numbers.
The Dark Knight assumed a fighting stance after rising to his feet, knowing that the real battle was only beginning.
Meanwhile, Aschen found herself engaged in battle with Jakken.
"Come on, Robo-Mommy! Give me the best you got!" The oversized Shura guffawed, delivering a hearty slap to his expansive belly.
Aschen backflipped, putting distance between herself and her opponent. She landed in a predatory crouch, her body's complex mechanics tensing like a coiled spring, eyes narrowing with irritated ire.
"Stop calling me that!" she snarled. "Activating 'Phantasm Phoenix'!"
She launched forward at full speed, the steel armor portions of her body becoming a lethal blur as she unleashed a barrage of kicks and punches against Jakken's massive frame. The green-haired android followed through with a backward somersault kick, a strike normally powerful enough to launch most enemies skyward. Yet Jakken's immense bulk kept him earthbound, his jaw merely knocked upward as he staggered back.
But Aschen wasn't finished. Steam hissed from her body as she activated Code DTD, her head plate retracting while the green fabric of her suit dissolved. Just as before, her personality shifted to its cheerful and sunny counterpart.
"Yay! All my limiters are released!" she cheered with closed eyes and an open smile. "Let's go Genbu Spike!"
Using her 'Genbu Spike' function, Aschen unleashed a rapid volley of long-range punches; her detached forearms connected by long metal wires. Like rotor blades, her assault became a hurricane of lashes and strikes.
Any other opponent facing such ferocity from a W-series android would have been decimated. But Jakken proved to be an individual of extraordinary defense. Not only was the Shura's body absorbing all of Aschen's blows, but he seemed to be reveling in the punishment.
"Ooooh-hoo-hoo! Oh yes! That's what I like!" he hooted, his tongue lolling in arousal. "I've been such a bad boy! Spank me some more!"
Even in her jolly persona, the man's behavior left Aschen deeply unsettled.
"Sh-shut your trap, Fatty! You're seriously freaking me out!" Her face contorted in disgust as she maintained her relentless assault.
Without warning, Aschen found herself encased in a massive bubble of water. The controlled buoyancy within caused her to float and tumble helplessly. She quickly retracted her arms from outside the sphere but found herself unable to swim free, the liquid holding her in place like iron currents.
"Aw, whatcha do that for, Odette? It was just getting good." Jakken's shoulders slumped with a deflated groan.
Behind the trapped android, Odette moved her arms in fluid, dance-like motions, conducting the watery prison with deadly grace. Jakken's mood quickly recovered as he bent his neck sideways with an audible pop.
"Oh well. Guess we'll have to play another game then." He stepped up to the trapped Aschen with a widening grin, cracking his knuckles ominously. "You see, Machine Lady, I'm not just trained in taking hits…I can dish 'em out too."
His tongue slid across his lips with malicious intent, the gesture made all the more disturbing by his evident anticipation.
The battle intensified as Froad's copies multiplied to twelve, surrounding Batman in a deadly circle. Though Batman managed to maintain his offensive initially, bounding and striking efficiently between attackers, the constant pressure began to take its toll.
He gradually shifted to a more defensive strategy, dodging and weaving through the barrage of attacks. Froad's clones took turns taunting him, their voices creating an eerie chorus as each spoke a single word in sequence.
"Honestly, I'm disappointed. Mistress Bard gave me the impression that you were a strong warrior. But you're just a coward in a cape!"
Batman continued his strategic retreat, but there was purpose in his movement. He carefully maneuvered through the gauntlet of sand clones, working his way toward one particular Froad as the taunting continued.
"Struggle all you want but in the end you will only face your inevitable-"
The taunt was cut short as Batman suddenly pivoted, unleashing a vicious punch that connected squarely with the real Froad's jaw. The Shura warrior tumbled backwards, landing ungracefully on his rump as his concentration broke. The sand clones collapsed instantly, returning to lifeless piles around their fallen master.
"I-Impossible! How could you-?" Froad spluttered in disbelief.
"Thermal vision." Batman answered coolly. "Your sand can't copy your own body heat."
Internally, he couldn't help but feel a small surge of satisfaction at having finally figured out how to activate his cowl's sophisticated lenses.
Batman grabbed Froad roughly by his gi's lapels, hoisting him up while raising a threatening fist.
"Now, about Lady Cindy…" he growled.
"Drop him." Odette's cold voice cut through the air. "Or we drop her. In pieces."
Batman turned to find Aschen laying prone on the floor, her green hair disheveled and her body occasionally sparking from the beating she'd endured.
Her detached forearms dangled from their metal wires like macabre puppets in Jakken's massive fists, while his foot pressed against her back. Beside them, Odette stood with casual menace, a sphere of water hovering above her palm.
"Don't worry, we won't destroy her or anything." Jakken's tongue slid across his lips. "Just a little old fashioned ryona, that's all."
Despite her compromised position, Aschen's eyes blazed with defiance.
"Hey, Bat-guy." she called out. "I'm gonna activate my 'Code Empusa' function. When these clowns are down, find Princess Booby-cow and the others and get outta here!"
Batman figured that she referring to Kaguya. But as for what 'Code Empusa' was, he had a feeling it wasn't anything good and he'd be right.
'Code Empusa' is a last resort protocol where Aschen can release energy from her body to incapacitate nearby enemies. However this puts great strain on her body and causes it to temporarily shut down.
The thought of Haken, Aschen's partner, crossed his mind and he imagined how he would react if anything happened to her. Without hesitation, he released Froad and raised his hands in surrender.
"No. You three win. I surrender."
"Are you crazy!?" Aschen's voice cracked with disbelief. "You hit your head or something!?"
"It's alright, Aschen." Batman assured her, his eyes narrowing as he faced their captors. "Besides, I want a word with Cindy myself."
The deafening roar of the spectators was abruptly pierced by the metallic clang of the gate as two Shura soldiers roughly shoved Batman forward before shutting it behind him.
He stumbled but caught himself with practiced grace, his cape settling around him as he straightened. The circular colosseum-like space stretched above him, its stands packed with Shura warriors whipped into a bloodthirsty frenzy.
Batman's eyes narrowed behind his cowl as he scanned the crowd. Aschen was nowhere to be found. The last he'd seen of her was when they'd been separated after the ambush and he figured that she was probably with Froad and the other two. They assured him that she wouldn't be harmed but he couldn't be sure if the cantankerous android wasn't going to put up a fight.
His thoughts were interrupted by a familiar voice cutting through the cacophony.
"Batman-san!"
He turned toward the sound, spotting Kaguya's distinctive red-tipped black hair in the stands near an ornate box seat. Her blue eyes were wide with concern as she attempted to push past the Shura guards blocking her path.
"What happened!? Where is Aschen!?" she asked.
Kaguya, her eyes usually carefree, flashed with indignation. With a sudden surge of defiance, she tried again to push through, but the guard held her back by roughly grabbing her by her shoulders.
"Unhand me at once!" she demanded, her voice ringing with authority.
However they weren't phased by her bravado and with indifference, the guard shoved her back, sending her stumbling against the hard stone of the stands.
Though shaken, Kaguya quickly regained her footing and looked none too pleased. Suzuka at this point stepped forward, her golden eyes blazed with outrage.
"Of all the dirty tricks! Confiscating our weapons while we were bathing! Outrageous!" She jabbed her finger at the nearest guard. "Mark my words: once I get Jyaki-Gun back, you will all pay!"
"Silence, brat!" the guard barked.
"Who are you calling a brat, you piece of-!?"
Before the situation could escalate, Neige stepped in and placed her hands firmly on her companions' shoulders.
"Both of you calm down and let me handle this." Neige said firmly.
Her brown ringlets swaying, the Elven woman she strode toward the box seat.
"Lady Cindy, I demand to know what is the meaning of this." she stated with an imperious stare.
Cindy stood in the box with her arms folded, her short white hair stirred in the arena's draft as she glanced briefly at Neige.
"My apologies, Princess Neige. Rest assured, your weapons will be returned after the proceedings."
"You have a funny way of treating your guests." Batman called up from the ring, his voice carrying easily despite the crowd's murmuring.
"You have my apologies as well, Batman. I wish these circumstances were less unfortunate." Cindy responded, her disciplined demeanor not wavering in the slightest.
"Care to explain what these circumstances are?" Batman's tone was sardonic as he crossed his arms. "I think you owe us that much."
Cindy's eyes hardened slightly.
"Very well. We have reason to believe that you are working for our enemy, Agrado Heim."
The accusation hung in the air like a drawn blade, and Batman could feel the crowd's energy shift from bloodthirsty excitement to focused hostility. In the stands, he noticed Kaguya's face pale with shock.
"What? That's impossible. He-" Kaguya began.
But it would seem that Cindy wasn't hearing any of it.
"In light of these charges, you will face judgment according to our sacred laws: trial by combat!"
The announcement sent the Shura warriors into a frenzy, their thunderous cheers echoing off the stone walls. Kaguya and Neige exchanged worried glances, but Batman remained motionless, his expression carved from stone.
"This is ridiculous." he said, his voice steady and controlled. "I don't know what you hope to achieve, but your accusations are baseless!"
"Call it what you will, but this is our way." Cindy's calm never wavered. "Bring forth the challenger!"
The gate beneath the box seat groaned open. Heavy footsteps approached from the dark, each one building the tension until finally, a figure emerged into the harsh light. The crowd's cheers erupted as a certain Shura warrior with flaming red hair stepped forward, his green eyes shone with determination beneath his facial markings.
"Aledy!?" Neige exclaimed in shock.
Batman's eyes widened briefly before narrowing to dangerous slits.
"So…you're the one who set this all up."
"Aledy, what on earth do you think you're doing!?" Neige called out in anger and disbelief.
Aledy turned toward her, guilt etched across his features.
"Forgive me, Lady Neige." He faced Batman again, his expression serious despite the conflict visible in his eyes. "Batman, I beseech you…"
He raised his fists, settling into a practiced martial arts stance.
"If you are innocent… if you truly have come to help us, then please… put my doubts to rest."
Batman studied his opponent carefully, acutely aware of his confiscated utility belt and the gadgets it contained.
He had witnessed Aledy's impressive combat abilities firsthand during the battle with Brainiac's robot. With his missing memories, Batman couldn't be certain of his own capabilities in a straight fight. More than that, he felt a peculiar reluctance to face the young warrior.
After all, he had considered Aledy as someone he could count on to watch his back, particularly given his connection to Neige. That trust, limited as it was, seem to have been misplaced.
Yet as he considered Aledy's words, Batman recognized the underlying sincerity in the challenge. And so, with a heavy sigh, he raised his own fists and settled into a fighting stance.
"Let's get this over with."
TBC
