1218 AD, at the height of Mongol expansion into the Middle East. Atop a hill overlooking the city of Kabul, Genghis Khan slowly approached Famine who observed the horizon with a smug grin on his face.
[Genghis] - "My master, are you satisfied with my work? "
[Famine] - "Hmm, perhaps... However, you failed to demonstrate to me the true definition of power. "
Genghis Khan was in total shock as he turned toward Famine, anger boiling inside his chest.
[Genghis] - "I conquered the Song dynasty, the Arabian world and most of the land under the sun, yet you call me weak? Such a claim is outrageous and intolerable, even if these words originated from your mouth. "
Said Genghis, outraged.
[Famine] - "You do not need to disguise your intentions behind a mask of petty claims and empty threats. I have lived for millennia, and I understand what each great man who ever lived desired; Immortality! You stayed loyal to me not because you had faith in my beliefs but because you wished to acquire a place above mortals. "
Said Famine while taking great pleasure in taunting his disciple.
[Genghis] - "Thanks to your teaching, I have conquered the world as we know. How is it that I am not deserving of my rightful place amongst the Gods? "
Famine let out a wicked laughter.
[Famine] - "Very well then, if you can defeat a God, then I shall view you as a God. "
Said Famine as he extended his arms and exposed his chest.
At first, Genghis hesitated but after seeing that Famine was sincere in his challenge, he drew his sword and stabbed forward. The weapon pierced through Famine's arm before losing its momentum at his ribcage. Satisfied with his taunt, Famine simply pulled forward and easily ripped the sword out of Genghis' hands. With a single hand, Famine grabbed Genghis before slamming him onto the ground.
[Famine] - "You see, no matter how big of an army you lead, no matter how much land you conquer, no matter how many women you sleep with and no matter how much wealth you pillage, you remain a human. With your army, you are nothing but a feeble man at the mercy of Gods like me. "
Said Famine in a mocking tone.
[Genshis] - "Please, master, have mercy! "
Pleaded Genghis as Famine compressed his gut.
[Famine] - "I allowed you to deal a deadly blow at me, yet you failed. You know why? Because your human instincts forced you to fear me, fear what is beyond your control. That's why you'll never be a God. You and the civilians you massacred are the same bags of flesh, no more, no less. "
Said Famine as he drew pleasure from Genghis' terror.
Ever since that encounter, although Genghis Khan's ambition remained, he never dared to directly challenge Famine again. With the use of his ability, Genghis Khan arrived all the way to Europe before being finally stopped by crystal users trained by Famine's brother. He went down as one of the greatest conquerors in history, yet no matter what he did, he never received Famine's approval. Thus one of the greatest conquerors in history died thinking he didn't do enough to prove himself. Even as Genghis Khan breathed his last breath, Famine simply watched him, mocking his mortality up until the moment he finally closed his eyes.
In the present day, as Kadyn's thermal vision showed a field of white light below her feet, Famine smiled mockingly just as he did when he watched millions die during the disasters he created throughout history.
[Famine] - "Humans believe they could challenge me, yet for thousands of years, I remained. "
[CT] - "Kadyn, look out! "
Yelled CT as she reached her hands forward.
Using her ability, CT was able to create enough friction between rocks on the ground to stop the attack from reaching Kadyn and her teammates. However, this distraction allowed Famine to temporarily break from his restraints and move his head a few degrees to his left. Although CT quickly redirected her attention back to Famine, the slight shift in position was enough to allow Famine a clear view of CT in his peripheral vision.
[CK] - "Watch out, comrade! "
Yelled CK as he pushed CT out of Famine's sight.
In an instant, CK lost his right leg and arm as the limbs were consumed by heat so intense that even the part of his armour where he was untouched melted away to cause him a secondary third-degree burn.
[CT] - "CK! Nooo! "
[McCree] - "Focus on keeping the bastard still! Don't get distracted or we'll all die! "
Yelled McCree as he rushed out of danger with Senju on his back.
"I wasn't expecting a second user with this guy... now how are we even going to win this fight? The speed of that attack was so aggressive that even my acceleration struggled to keep pace with it. "
Thought Kadyn as he eyed Famine with contempt.
Suddenly, Famine whistled with his mouth as a signal for his horse.
[Kadyn] - "An attack... where is he going to strike next? The next probable target... "
Whispered Kadyn as her glowing red irises reflected Famine's image.
[Kadyn] - "...CT! "
Said Kadyn as her face grew pale.
It would be a race against time as the ground below CT began to emit a white glow. In an instant, Kadyn entered acceleration and rushed toward CT with all of her strength. In the last second, as lava spilled upward, pushing the ground below CT apart, Kadyn grabbed her teammate by the chest and dragged her out of the splash radius. Without losing a second microsecond, Kadyn carried CT behind the cover of a series of rock formations.
[Kadyn] - "Don't think about your situation right now and don't ask any questions. Focus on keeping that fucker still. "
Said Kadyn immediately as CT began to realize the sudden change in her location.
An intense pain seared inside Kadyn's calves as the intensity of her action damaged her muscle fibres. Normally, under acceleration, Kadyn's muscles were already pushed several times beyond the limit of human biology. However, even with her modified genes, her flesh could only endure so much before also reaching its limit.
[Kadyn] - "Stay hidden here. Your job is to keep an eye on our enemy and keep him immobilized. Don't get distracted by anything or we might all perish in a single instant. "
Said Kadyn through pained breaths.
[CT] - "We need to help CK, he is severely injured. "
Said CT with a worried look in her eyes.
[Kadyn] - "Stay focused on your task! We'll handle the rest. "
Whispered Kadyn before entering acceleration once more.
As Kadyn took a first step, the intense pain almost caused her to collapse to the ground. However, with clenched teeth, Kadyn pushed forward by giving herself a boost using a rock pillar for support. After arriving at CK's location, she quickly inspected his injuries and breathed a sigh of relief as the intense heat also stopped any blood from leaving his body through his wounds.
Just as Kadyn wondered about what to do with CK's massive body, a splashing sound suddenly broke the silence as Famine's horse jumped up from a pool of lava. Acting quickly, Kadyn slipped behind a bolder and held her breath to stay quiet. As moments passed, Kadyn discreetly peeked through the side of the bolder and saw the horse standing watch beside Famine. As she looked toward CK, she realized that he was still conscious and looking in her direction.
In a panic, Kadyn quickly told CK through hand signs to pretend to be dead and to remain as quiet as possible. CK quickly obeyed while Kadyn scanned around for McCree and Senju. Not long after a scan, she noticed McCree giving her a discreet wave while crouched in a small well-hidden cavern. Through hand signs, Kadyn also signalled for McCree to remain quiet and to remain hidden for the moment.
In truth, Famine's horse was providing Famine with heat, so the air molecules around him would become agitated and become more volatile. This, in turn, will make it harder for CT to hold Famine using air adhesion. Soon, CT's mind began to show exhaustion as her hold on Famine became more and more difficult. Suddenly, CT slipped forward and caused a few of the loose pebbles on the ground to collide and make a sound.
Like a predator, the horse's head suddenly turned toward CT's location before a lightning-fast pillar of lava struck where it suspected the sound originated from. Luckily for CT, the attack destroyed the wrong pillar behind which she was hiding. However, the sheer stress of the situation caused her to let out a few drops of tears. Despite all, she remembered her mission and held her ability against Famine's attempt to break free.
[Famine] - "Don't bother with random noises. Focus on getting me free. "
Said Famine with clear irritation in his voice.
"I don't know what he is doing but CT is probably struggling judging from that slip-up. Think... think of something, Kadyn. "
Thought Kadyn as she eyed Famine and his horse.
Thinking back on the fight earlier, Kadyn analyzed everything that happened so far before suddenly having an idea light up in her head. Earlier, as demonstrated by the horse's repetitive and unchanging attack pattern, its intelligence is probably limited and it often requires a whistle order from Famine to perform complex actions.
"If we can isolate the horse from its master, then its limited intellect would give us a chance to outsmart it. However, I'm not even certain if we can even kill that damn thing... The way it swam inside lava as if it's just water. "
Thought Kadyn as she tried to formulate a plan inside her head.
A look at the ground below Famine suddenly allowed Kadyn to discover another one of the horse's weaknesses.
"The lava! The ground in front of that fucker is constantly melting and fueling his horse's ability. The horse can't make heat on his own it seems, judging from how a stream of lava is constantly fed toward the horse's body. The beast needs its master's ability to attack. "
Thought Kadyn as she brought the intercom to her face.
[Kadyn] - "McCree, the horse is dependant on its master for orders and fuel. I'm going to find a way to separate them and deal with them separately. "
Whispered Kadyn at the intercom.
[McCree] - "What can we do to help? "
[Kadyn] - "Stay put for now... I should do this alone. I'm still not familiar with your abilities, so statistically, it's better for me to plan and execute this alone. "
[McCree] - "Have ya lost yer mind? You can't fight him alone! "
[Kadyn] - "I'm a bloody assassin designed for this kind of thing. Besides, Mike fought alone all the time. If he can win by himself, so can I. "
[McCree] - "Don't do this! It's suicide! We can figure something out together! "
[Kadyn] - "It's an order, McCree! CT is losing her grip, so we don't have the luxury of time! "
As McCree continued to protest over the intercom, he suddenly realized to his horror that Kadyn was already jumping into action.
[McCree] - "For fuck's sake, this girl... You ain't got the same power as Mike I hope ya realize! "
Cursed McCree as he brought a binocular to his eyes and aimed it at Kadyn.
[Senju] - "What's going on? "
[McCree] - "The missy's going solo. "
Said McCree as he followed Kadyn with his binoculars.
[Senju] - "What? We gotta go help her! "
[McCree] - "She told us to remain put and let her handle the damn situation. "
[Senju] - "I'm not sitting here and watching her getting killed! We need to go and help! "
[McCree] - "How are we supposed to help? I don't even know the fuck is her plan. "
Cursed McCree as his face grew tense.
Meanwhile, Kadyn used her acrobatic skills to quietly jump over obstacles while remaining silent and hidden. With a simple command, Kadyn activated a special pain inhibition gland inside her body and the pain in her legs quickly dissipated. Just behind the rock formation is the ocean. If Kadyn can force the horse away from its master and lead it into the water, its connection will be severed.
With lightning-quick speed, Kadyn dashed to the water before splashing the beast with it. Just as she had expected, the horse showed signs of irritation as it turned its attention toward her. In an instant, a pillar of lava shot in her direction but she was prepared as she immediately dodged to the side and avoided the attack. As the horse launched strike after strike in her direction, Kadyn also fought back using the water. Eventually, the horse became frustrated enough to begin dashing toward Kadyn with fury burning inside its eyes.
"Come now! You'll fall right into my trap! "
Thought Kadyn as she prepared to dodge its charge.
Suddenly, a loud whistle broke through the air before the horse abruptly halted its charge.
[Famine] - "I said focus on me, you dumb animal! These primitives can't harm us! "
The horse reluctantly obeyed its master and returned to his side. Meanwhile, the effort pushed CT beyond her breaking point as she collapsed against the stone pillar in exhaustion. As soon as the spell is broken, Famine immediately turned his sight toward Kadyn. Without losing a second, Kadyn quickly began to accelerate her way out of Famine's view. As she ran, she could feel the weakness in her legs growing despite the effects of the anesthetic.
Finally, as she reached for a blind spot behind a rock formation, her legs abruptly gave up. No matter how hard she tried, both of her legs remained unresponsive to her commands. She turned her head and saw that Famine was already beginning to turn her way.
[Kadyn] - "Shit! Not now! "
Whispered Kadyn in frustration as she began to slowly crawl forward.
At the last moment, a pair of hands suddenly reached forward and pulled her out of Famine's sight. With a grin, Famine began to move toward Kadyn's location but just as he walked his first step, his body froze up once more.
[Famine] - "ARGH! These fucking pests are starting to piss me off! "
Cursed Famine with clenched teeth.
Behind the stone pillar, CT managed to regain her consciousness a few moments ago. Although she was feeling weaker than ever, she pushed herself to hold Famine in place with every single last ounce of energy she had left. Meanwhile, behind the rock formation, Kadyn breathed a sigh of relief before being met by Senju and McCree.
[McCree] - "Still needs help after all, don't we? "
Said McCree with a smirk.
[Kadyn] - "Bloody hell, I think I busted both my fucking legs. "
[Senju] - "Don't worry, we'll handle it for you. You just rest easy and think of a plan we can execute. "
Kadyn shot a confused look at Senju.
[Kadyn] - "What's with the sudden change in attitude? I thought you bloody hated me. "
Said Kadyn as she held her legs.
[McCree] - "Heck, I noticed that too. It even was his idea to come after ya. "
[Senju] - "I had seen the wrongs of my way. I could've been dead now if it wasn't for your actions. Despite all the grudge I displayed toward you, you still decided to value my life above your own. I apologize for everything I have done to you. "
Said Senju as he bowed at a 90-degree angle toward Kadyn.
[Senju] - "On top of this, your bravery and combat prowess are aspects I seek to model myself after. Kadyn-sama, I, Senju Akito, am forever indebted to you. Please, use your brilliance to guide us to victory! "
Said Senju as he kneeled and pressed his hands together.
[McCree] - "Did the lava hit ya in the brain or what? This ain't like ya at all, man. "
Said McCree with a concerned look on his face.
For the first time, Kadyn was able to see Senju's true face as half of it was exposed through the broken helmet. There was an air of sincerity and determination behind his stare.
[Kadyn] - "Ehh... Yeah, of course... Tell me about your abilities again? "
Said Kadyn with an awkward smile.
[Senju] - "My ability allows me to deliver a cut from a distance. As long as I strike with my sword, the attack will be replicated by my ability to where I desire. "
Kadyn thought for a second before turning toward McCree.
[Kadyn] - "McCree, you said your ability could complete the missing part of an object. Tell me, how resilient is your ability to damage? "
[McCree] - "Resilient to damage? Eh, I ain't sure of that at all. I suppose it's enough to resemble metal or something of that kind. "
Said McCree while scratching his head.
[Kadyn] - "Good, it's still better than nothing. I would need you to fill in some massive gaps, could you do that? "
[McCree] - "I probably could... I hope. "
[Kadyn] - "Ugh... Whatever it is, I need you to do your utmost. CT won't hold forever, she's already beginning to slip. Come closer you two, I have a new plan. "
To be continued...
*EXTRA
- Profile: Devil's Dragon (Famine's horse)
- Trivia: "The horse was acquired by Famine as a gift from the Qin emperor during his campaign to reunify China under the Qin dynasty. After being Famine's loyal ride for more than a thousand years, the horse formed a strong bond with its master to the point where it unlocked a part of Famine's ability as his own despite it not being crystal sensitive. Call it a hive-mind link between two strongly bounded individuals.
- Ability: [Three fleet typhoon]: "Although the ability is controlled by the horse's mind, the source of its ability still remains in the hands of Famine. As a side note, Famine could not use the horse's ability as it didn't belong to him. The horse basically has control over the movement of any fluids with an intense temperature as long as it is in contact with the fluid. However, the ability itself requires the presence of fluids with intense temperatures to function. If anyone is wondering, the horse is still flesh and blood under its armour of lava and fire. "
- Ability Stats:
Power - D to B (depending on the amount of fluid accessible)
Speed of the ability - B
Speed granted by the ability - E
Range - A
Durability of the ability - A
Durability granted by the ability - D
Precision - B
Potential - E