With Ulmand out of the picture, it was down to Ambrose and Nikal.
("...Did Askyros break Ulmand's nose again?") [Adam]
"...Are you not afraid I'll call our Hastatus Cefali, Sitros, for help?" [Nikal]
"Not a problem." [Askyros]
"They'll beat you." [Nikal]
"Only after I beat you first." [Askyros]
The two locked eyes with one another, attempting to read each other's intentions.
"...I'll admit, you're a bold one. But you don't stand a chance." [Nikal]
He extended an open hand towards Ambrose and gestured to him.
("He's going to use "it"?!") [Ambrose]
Reacting to Nikal's command, Ambrose rummaged underneath one of the beds in the room. Moments later, he brought out an object wrapped in cloth and presented it to Nikal.
"..." [Askyros]
("What… is that?") [Adam]
Unveiling the object, Nikal brandished it with pride.
"Bruneal, my family's heirloom. A weapon holding the divine power of his holiness, the Sovereign of Faith himself." [Nikal]
He wielded a sword of peculiar shape. It had an orange coiled handle and a guard that was shaped like a clover, but it's blade was ominously shaped like flaming tongues.
"...That's a good sword you have there." [Askyros]
("This is bad! Askyros is unarmed!") [Adam]
"Nikal, to go to such lengths… Are you trying to kill him?" [Ambrose]
"Of course, I intend on making sure he rests six feet under." [Nikal]
He took a step forward, causing Askyros to reflexively raise his fists.
"Nikal, what about Sitros? You're going to get in trouble for killing a trainee!" [Ambrose]
"It's fine. Do you know how much money my father donates to the military?" [Nikal]
With nothing to fear, Nikal traced the tip of Bruneal across the floor as he inched closer.
"..." [Askyros]
The presence of Bruneal made his hair stand on end, causing his eyes to remain fixated on it. Seizing the opportunity, Nikal whispered to himself as a circle appeared around an open palm.
"Est irk de sal lekem, Sand Whirl." [Nikal]
Throwing his hand forward, a swirl of sand burst forth.
("Magic?!") [Adam]
In response, Askyros raised his arms to guard against the blinding amount of sand. The sand scattered, revealing Nikal with his blade raised.
"Surprise!" [Nikal]
Askyros immediately rolled to the left, hitting his back against the frame of a bed.
"You're swift like a rat!" [Nikal]
He gave chase, swinging left and right as Askyros stumbled around the room. The blade left strange burn marks on the walls when it scratched it, enhancing the sense of danger Askyros felt from it.
("He needs a weapon!") [Adam]
Whilst evading, Askyros scanned the room. His eyes witnessed Ambrose laying low while he dragged the unconscious Ulmand to safety, but that wasn't what he needed. Looking further, a sudden thought gave him a plan of action.
"Stop running!" [Nikal]
"No problem." [Askyros]
He faced Nikal with a smug look and waited for him to come closer.
("Is he stupid?!") [Adam]
Nikal slashed horizontally at him, but Askyros didn't plan on standing still. Slamming his feet into the wooden boards, he sunk down up to his thighs, allowing the sword to pass harmlessly above.
("EH?!") [Adam] [Ambrose] [Nikal]
Without wasting a second, Askyros grabbed Nikal's ankles and forced him to fall as well.
"What are you- Ughk!" [Nikal]
Even after accomplishing the first step of his plan, he never let go of Nikal's ankles.
"Hrmph!" [Askyros]
Straining all of his muscles, Askyros strengthened his grip.
"Ack! S-stop! Do you know who I am?!" [Nikal]
"A cripple." [Askyros]
Nikal's legs let out an unsettling crunch, leaving everything in the room still. After a few moments of deafening silence, a wide eyed Ambrose spoke.
"You… What have you done?!" [Ambrose]
Ambrose trembled in fear, he had no clue if Askyros would come after him next.
"I showed him what a "peasant" could do." [Askyros]
He freed his legs from the wooden floorboards, revealing the first floor below.
"I'm done here." [Askyros]
Walking to the door, he glanced at the doorknob he bent.
"..." [Askyros]
Without a moment's worth of hesitation, he kicked the door down and left. As he walked down the halls, he was confronted by a group of men in black uniforms. Observing their attire, Askyros' eyes were drawn to the familiar batons on their hip.
"Are you Askyros?" [Uniformed Man]
The man in front questioned him, but Askyros waved him off.
"No, never heard of him." [Askyros]
He strolled past him, but the uniformed man grabbed Askyros by the shoulder.
"Wait." [Uniformed Man]
Glancing up and down, the man deemed Askyros as suspicious.
"...What's your name?" [Uniformed Man]
"..." [Askyros]
("Uh oh.") [Adam]
Perplexed by the sudden question, Askyros thought up a name on the spot.
"...Atlas." [Askyros]
"Atlas... Hm? I don't remember seeing that name on the roster…" [Uniformed Man]
A bead of sweat slid down Askyros' neck, but he remained calm.
"I was transferred here recently, the roster might not be up to date yet." [Askyros]
He shrugged off the uniformed man's hand, but the other men blocked his way.
"...What?" [Askyros]
"That's enough lying Askyros." [???]
The men blocking his way stepped back, revealing Sitros standing with his arms crossed.
"I wanted you to stay out of trouble, but I guess it can't be helped." [Sitros]
With a wave of his hand, the men put their hands on the handle of their batons.
"Unfortunately for you, it's punishment time." [Sitros]