“…!” Claude felt the familiarity of this presence, having gone for an instinctual strike of the torso.

  Avu caught his fist, “It’s finally a pleasure to meet you, Captain Magami.” He struck Claude across the face with his bare fist.

  Claude was sent flying by the force of his fist, smashing into numerous trees. The loud crash alerted the jungle and terraformed that area of the landscape.

  This certainly wasn’t part of Soul-Core’s plan, they didn’t expect the First Follower: Avu Fujimara, to be on this mission as well.

  Everything was sent into haywire.

  It’s evident that no work can really be done, having been already outmatched by Avu Fujimara, Claude was out cold for a bit.

  “SHIT- CAPTAIN NO!” Nanasu ran over only to be intercepted by no other than Satono Eria.

  “Woah- not so fast! HMPH!” Satono vanish-stepped into a punch.

  Nanasu put her guard last second and fended off the attack, only being knocked back.

  Not only was it Aria Fujimara, but Satono Eria and Avu Fujimara as well on the field.

  Both Nanasu and Mikael backed up together.

  “This isn’t good- I think Captain is out cold. These guys seem very tough, especially the tall one.”

  Mikael pointed out, he didn’t seem hopeful about the situation.

  “Obviously, how the hell are we going to get out of this one??”

  Nanasu grew nervous, “I swear, this does not come close to the attack on Testharia… At least in that battle we were supported by The Great Kamisword. Here, it’s just us. Damnit, I’m really in deep shit this time!”

  The conditions that this fight would have are drastically different on the attack of Testharia, Sachiel Eria’s presence in that fight created a huge impact and led to the eventual retaliation against Kaioshun-Rymela.

  It’s clear what this fight will become.

  A stage performance and Avu Fujimara is the head actor.

  “Let’s not be so negative, Nanasu.” Mikael charged up his Soul-Energy, inducing his weapon to amplify its power, “Captain Magami would be disappointed if we just led up. We must prove that we can be effective even without him.”

  “…Against him!?” Nanasu pointed at Avu Fujimara with a sad expression.

  “Yes, him!”

  Nanasu’s eyes widened up but quickly returned back to their normal form. She slapped her cheeks and charged up as well, getting into stance next to Mikael.

  Aria stood up, waving her weapon around in motion, “My bad, brother, that Captain is stronger than I anticipated.”

  “We’ll have these guys crushed and move on with our mission. Heios and Jasper should just about be reaching the capital now.” Avu adjusted his gloves.

  .:. Heios and Jasper..- Wait there are more?? .:. Nanasu’s eyes widened, realizing what was going on.

  “Damnit- we were outdone before we even got here.” Mikael pointed it out, but he didn’t want to give up just like that.

  Uprising of Kytron was far ahead of the game already, Mikael and Nanasu knew this, but would they want to become another name to their charts? Soul-Core will do whatever it takes to protect others and especially against the likes of their enemy:

  Dark Intrinium.

  “Whatever it takes, right, Mikael?”

  “Right.”

  “Satono!” Aria went for Mikael as Satono went for Nanasu, this became a battle of two-on-two.

  Avu stood back and watched, taking the time to observe each of their movements.

  “HHRA!” Mikael clashed with Aria’s weapon.

  “Don’t you think a spear is a little old-timey to be using on a battlefield?” So much goes into war, it is hard to think of what is obsolete and what isn’t, but Aria thought otherwise.

  “I’ve fought many sword-types like you and each of them have proven nothing but arrogance!”

  Mikael broke the clash and went for a turn-over strike.

  Aria’s eyes glistened, having already understood a certain pattern of Mikael and the ability to see his attacks in formation. Her performance on Eukaron varied differently than what she is normally used to, against other weapon-types, she displays exceptional weaponry combat being one of the few who utilizes the constant releasing weapon to her advantage as a means of dispersing a lot of Soul-Energy to amplify her weapon each strike.

  This is what Mikael was faced with, the Second Follower to the Uprising of Kytron, and Sister of Avu Fujimara.

  “Why must you make it easy?” Aria hit a strong parry on Mikael, hacking at his shoulder.

  “Hggg- damn.”

  .:. She is good... .:.

  Mikael fled back for a moment before going in once more.

  The two started to clash away, all while Satono and Nanasu were in deep hand-to-hand.

  “You seem like a new face; I’ve never met you before.” Nanasu noticed that Satono had Testharian-like features and was never described as part of U.O.K before.

  “It could be because this is my first mission! Not that you’ll know much of it anyways because you are an easy piece to get rid of!”

  Satono vanish-stepped behind Nanasu and sweep her off her feet; Nanasu responded quickly by landing on her right palm and kicking up into a flip, she took her momentum and went down for a crashing-kick onto Satono.

  Satono responded with a dashing counter, grabbing Nanasu’s legs and slamming her into the ground.

  “GH-“ Nanasu retched.

  Satono kicked down on Nanasu, “Seriously, are you guys really that weak? I can almost compare you to the common, pathetic soldier.”

  Her words spewed out like venom, continuing to stomp down on her, all to inflict mental and physical pain on her.

  “Easy pickings, the two of you. You can’t possibly have thought that you had the strength to take all of us on? So much for fighting to keep the peace but you can’t promise it with your weakness. We have been through more shit than you which is why this is nothing more than just pestering others with your damn- ARROGANCE!”

  Satono’s next kick was infused with Soul-Energy, having throttle Nanasu right into a tree.

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  Mikael was also seen getting thrown, were they already being outmatched so quickly? Star Gazer Squad never touched down on the idea that U.O.K had undergone rigorous training, they were THE Special Forces of the Milky Way.

  Everyone knew this, even Mikael and Nanasu had that idea in mind so what was the real reason behind this mission?

  Unfortunately, the two were caught by someone’s stupidity of it all.

  “Say there is a next life, I still think I’d still beat the shit out of you.”

  Satono made a finger gun to point at Nanasu, getting ready to execute her, “Goodbye.”

  .:. C-Captain.. .:.

  ..

  .

  Claude Magami vanish-stepped next to Satono, grabbing her wrist and instantly smashing her down onto the ground.

  “WHAT THE HELL-“

  Satono didn’t even sense Claude’s approach.

  His movement was so swift and so clear that even with the right circumstances, he still would have found a way to disable his enemies.

  This was the Captain of the Star Gazer Squad.

  Claude Magami.

  …and his stupidity led them out here so that he could build his fighting experience and combat those greater than him, that was his reason for coming out here.

  “That hit was strong; it inadvertently forced my power to build up that damage. You’re Avu Fujimara right? I remember you.”

  Aria approached Claude from behind, going for an axe-strike to kill him; Claude sensed her attack and used a counterattack to piece her with an instant 3-strike combo and blast her away with Soul-Energy.

  “WAH-“ She slammed through several trees.

  Claude stood before Avu, staring eye-to-eye as they were about the same size.

  “Avu Fujimara, the First Follower to the Uprising of Kytron, promised the role of Prime Berserker of the Army but you failed and had to revert to the special forces. You were trained by ‘Him’, weren’t you?!”

  Claude smirked.

  Avu responded with a smirk as well, “Very perspective, Captain Magami. I expected no less from someone who has gone through many battles, you display the same efforts and fighting style of an Ultimate Enforcer my mentor knew.”

  “Earlier I planned on stopping all of you on my own, but it seems I’ll turn away from given orders just this once because I am so intrigued by you all.”

  Claude’s smirk went away, after hearing Avu talk about Claude’s former ‘mentor’.

  “So are you saying you aren’t going to fight? If you could easily take me on then you wouldn’t say such a thing. Could it be that you are worried for someone like me?”

  Claude tried to rile Avu up but that wouldn’t work.

  “Interesting attempt but if I truly wanted to, Captain, I would show you why I am feared amongst most but that isn’t my objective for today. Senator Mervio is to be assassinated and that’s the mission at hand. Quite frankly I don’t wish to alert them any more than we already have. Do understand that it isn’t because I don’t want to entertain you but rather I have interests of my own to tackle instead of fighting.”

  “Captain- do you know why Souls fight in the first place?”

  Avu looked down at Claude.

  “Souls fight because of morality, one is for the sake of humanitarianism, the other is malice but, in some cases, it is all for the sake of self-preservation. It isn’t rocket-science, Souls are just like us, we are one and they are one.” Claude responded.

  “Most interesting take, I like that. I’ll keep that in mind, Captain.”

  Both Satono and Aria stood up.

  Mikael and Nanasu rushed to Claude’s side.

  “Captain, are you alright?” Nanasu said, worrying about her stupid captain.

  “Yeah- I’ve recovered already.”

  Claude Magami is a special case when it comes to recovering from attacks – it seems that any hits he takes, it can grow strong from it, not an unusual ability but certainly strong when used in the correct circumstance.

  “Mikael, head to Armada Capital.” Claude ordered.

  “But Captain, are we seriously going to let this be a three-on-two?” Mikael grew concerned; did Claude hit his head hard?

  “That Avu guy doesn’t plan on fighting, this is good for us. If you head to the Armada Capital, you can inform Senator Mervio of what is happening, and I trust you can do that.” Claude gave a reasonable explanation that Mikael seemingly couldn’t turn away from.

  “Alright, Captain. Leave it to me.” Mikael vanish-stepped.

  Nanasu and Claude got into stance,

  “You think we can do this?” Nanasu asked.

  “Oh yeah- we can.” Claude smirked.

  “Hey, you Followers have exceptional fighting capabilities from what I seen but do not forget that Soul-Core have evolved in a way as well, and the Star Gazers Squad has advanced so much more, so I declare a battle against the Uprising of Kytron. We will win.”

  …

  ..

  .

  SATONO VS. CLAUDE | ARIA VS. NANASU

  The Battle of Armada begins here.

  The Uprising of Kytron Vs. The Star Gazer Squad.

  The secret war of Soul-Core and Dark Intrinium.

  …

  = = =

  “What a meaningless wasteland, don’t you agree? I would hate to say that life is just as meaningless only if the Soul didn’t bear memories of such a thing.”

  “Even so, you do not know what the Soul is after or it’s end-goal, is it because you embody the Soul or does it embody you? What meaning do you propose if you can’t recognize the Soul.”

  “The Soul has a fulfilling purpose and its to bind all things to together.”

  “It doesn’t bind anything, it creates destruction.”

  “Destruction is made so creation is born.”

  “Creation is temporary, Destruction is ever lasting.”

  “You truly mean nothing to the Soul.”

  “The Soul means everything to you.”

  “What are you without the Soul?”

  “Who are YOU without the Soul?”

  Flynn stood up, he was on a dark, lonely planet desolate of light, the only light being that of red lightning-strikes with violent winds.

  “Who are you?!” Flynn saw a figure standing before him, but he didn’t feel a sense of threat.

  “Flynnigan Shotaro. The future ahead will be riddled with destruction, but do not forget your purpose. You will lose everyone and everything you have been chosen.”

  “I don’t understand?! What is going on??” Flynn did not understand anything this entity was saying.

  “You are not the only one, Flynnigan, there are a few of us but I am the only one who is here to be by your side.”

  “WHO ARE YOU??!” Flynn couldn’t take it anymore.

  “Who am I?.. I am you, Flynnigan Shotaro, I am you.” Five other entities spawned around him.

  “Uhh- you are.. me? Are you what’s giving me this power…? You said the future is in destruction and that I am the chosen. I don’t get any of this!”

  “You must stop Him.”

  “You must stop Him.”

  “You must stop Him.”

  “You must stop Him.”

  “You must stop Him.”

  “You must stop Him.”

  “You must stop Him.”

  “You must stop Him.”

  “WHO IS HIM?!?!!” Flynn grew scared now, not understanding what was going on.

  “You. Must. Stop. Him.”

  A mist with red eyes pierced behind the five entities, having cleared them away it lunged at Flynn.

  “..!!!!”

  Flynn was struck right through the heart, “Wh- who are you?!”

  Flynn was looking right into the eyes of Evil, but he didn’t know.

  “Don’t you agree that Souls are meant to destroy?”

  “Don’t you agree that Souls are meant to conquer?”

  “Don’t you agree that Souls are meant to be superior?”

  “Because I don’t, Souls are a plague. The sins of what the Soul commits must not go unpunished for, don’t you agree?”

  “Tell me, Flynnigan Shotaro, tell me why Souls exist?”

  “Souls… I don’t know anything about Souls- who are you..?” Flynn started to shut off, “What have you done to me…?”

  “This is a nightmare.”

  “Yes, this was a nightmare, a nightmare I needed to wake up from.”

  “But this nightmare already ended because it became so true to me. The reason for that dream was something much bigger in mind, something so grand.”

  “I held every piece onto me and yet could never rebuild the puzzle because every other piece was gone. It was all my fault; it is all my fault.”

  “I am unsure of what else to think anymore because of this.”

  Flynn woke up, hearing the birds chirping and the sun shining down into his sleeping area.

  .:. Another one of those dreams huh? .:.

  He got up from his bed, not being used to living his home any longer, “I guess the trauma is finally catching up to me.” He grabbed a towel, clenching it.

  Tears spewed from his eyes,

  .:. Damnit- grandma, grandpa… I’m so sorry. .:.

  .:. What can I even do? I still feel so powerless like I always have. .:.

  “Hey Flynn.” Jumkou knocked before walking in, “Are you okay? It sounded like you were calling for help.”

  “Oh- I’m fine.” He wiped his tears away quickly, “I just had a nightmare- that’s all.”

  .:. Why am I even thinking like this? I don’t even know this woman. .:.

  Testharia was still as beautiful as ever, even after the attack. Flynn had a nice view of the outside. He smiled for a moment, at least appreciating what he still has now which is his life.

  .:. I wish they could see this. .:.

  .:. I wish they were alive. .:.

  .:. I wish everyone was alive. .:.

  .:. But they all died because of me. .:.

  .:. They were killed because of me. .:.

  .:. Everyone has been dead to me for centuries. .:.

  .:. Why am I thinking like this? Aren’t they alive here? .:.

  .:. No they are not, they never were, they never will be. .:.

  .:. No one here exists- but I exist? Am I the only one?.:.

  .:. No I made myself to be the only one. .:.

  .:. I wish they could see this. .:.

  .:. It is truly my fault, isn’t it? I have brought this down onto everyone because I never knew what I was or what my purpose was at all. This happened because I didn’t have the courage to do something that others were not able to do. .:.

  .:. I destroyed everything, left nothing. Everyone is gone and I am responsible for that. .:.

  .:. Nothing will ever be the same again will it? .:.

  .:. Not unless I had the power to fix it all but this is my punishment, isn’t it? This is the price I pay for my sins through the Soul. .:.

  .:. This is my hell, isn’t it? .:.

  .:. Flynnigan Shotaro is me, but he was killed. So who am I anymore? .:.

  “We should go out Flynn, explore this world, it is your first time actually leaving the solar system so we should take the time to enjoy it!” Jumkou smiled, she too was damaged but wanted to bond with Flynn as he was still young.

  “Alright, sounds good!” Flynn smiled.

  ..

  .

  .:. How unusual for me to think about this anymore. .:.

  .:. That’s because Jumkou Katatoria has been dead to me. .:.

  .:. For centuries. .:.