Jade used her leg to pin Joster's other arm down. Joster pushed back as the blade was starting to pierce through his skin.
Xavier jumped on Jade and pulled her off. "Are you two crazy?!" Xavier yelled as Noster jumped up and charged at Jade.
"I'll kill you!" Joster yelled as he leaped towards her. Jade's forcefield stopped him from touching her.
"Always hiding behind that shield! Come out and face me, sister!"
The two swooped past Xavier and engaged in clashing their aura's together. Xavier flashed his lighting aura. Joster and Jade both were unable to move. (My-my body! What's happening to my body?!)
Jade and Joster focused all of their attention towards Xavier. "Stop…fighting." Xavier said in a serious tone. "We're gonna help Alayah and we're gonna work together. This is getting even more serious! All the Akie and even humans…must come together and stop the beast! The king has killed Udo. So, unless there's someone else entertaining him…we and our world are finished." Xavier yelled as he jumped off of the building and flew away from the two.
Jade and Joster stared at each other for a few seconds before smiling and laughing at each other. They released their techniques and slapped their arms against each other before following Xavier.
******
Alayah and Frank were about to land huts on Crystal. "Infinity…counter!"
Alayah's hand was sliced off and Frank's arm was sliced. Alayah screamed as she almost fell from the pain.
(Don't stop!)
Alayah leaned foward and opened her mouth.
Crystal was shocked. (Is she…trying to bite? Idiot! My counter will activate…before you can even-)
Crystal could feel a burning sensation on her right shoulder. Crystal jumped into the air. While in the air she could see a bite mark.
"I have a counter to taking damage too! I can't spam it like you, but I can use it once every hour. Hope you like being turned into a zombie." Alayah laughed.
Crystal's right arm went from pale to a light green. (The infection is spreading! She…she outplayed me!)
"Lapis, we have to switch out, now! If you don't…the infection will make me lose control and kill us both!" Crystal yelled out.
Alayah caught on to what Crystal was doing. "FRANK!!"
Frank leaped into the air. Crystal watched as his giant fist was getting closer and closer to her face.
Suddenly, Crystal disappeared right as Frank threw a hook. Lapis fell from the air and began to fly away.
Alayah could see a small,green, slimy, and creepy creature flying away. "DONT RUN AWAY!! FIGHT FOR YOUR KING, COWARD!!" Alayah yelled out. Alayah was so angry, a vein popped on the side of her face. Multiple veins began to appear.
Lapis froze and turned around with with in his eyes. (What are you talking about, girl?! I'm not running! I've already done my part! Thanks to Crystal, we're in the lead! Being that Udo is dead…all of the points will even give my king more strength! If I die…the expansion and rules will end. The king needs this energy to activate the portals, idiot! Victory is already on our side! We've won!!)
Lapis flew away and out of view.
"No! This ends now! Frank…kill Lapis!" Alayah commanded.
"I forbid you to let him kill Lapis." Aten said.
Alayah slowly turned her head. "What…do you mean? Don't you know what he's capable of? It could be the end of our world if Lapis-"
"Do you really think I care about the world? Seriously…you need to open your eyes, child".
Alayah smacked her lips. She reached behind her and pulled out her sword and a small blade that she bit down on to hold in her mouth.
Frank stopped and turned to face Aten. "I'll force you to switch. Bring Adisa back!"
Aten smiled, showing his teeth. "I refuse to summon that weakling. Like it or not…this body…is all but mine, now."
Alayah flared her aura. "Oh?" Aten chuckled. "Attacking me will lead to your death. You really gonna die for him?"
Alayah took a fighting stance. "Of course. I'm…in love with him." She said with the small blade muffling her voice.
"Love?…heh, you…don't even know the true meaning of it, Alayah. Don't worry. I'm sorry to say this, but it's time for you to die. I don't have much longer. You saved my energy since you managed to make Crystal retreat."
"Don't you care about your own people?! We all we die! Perish! And you don't even care?!" Alayah yelled.
"I do not. You don't know what's happening. Planned it for years, now." Aten laughed.
"Planned it? What…do you mean?"
Aten ignored Alayah and cracked his neck. "My power keeps jumping between percentages. Anyway, shall we begin?" Aten asked while crossing his arms.
Alayah clapped her arms. "Expansion: Zombia!"
The large army of zombies emerged underneath Aten. Aten used his aura to erase multiple zombies around him. Aten took a deep breath and flew directly at her.
Alayah spat out the blade.
(That…isn't bad.) Aten said as he used his hand and swiped it away.
Before Aten could touch Alayah, Frank pulled her back by her shirt and took the punch head-on.
(The shield…she is the offense. Defense in a battle is more important than offense. I'll take out her defense…then the fun can really begin.)
Aten landed two powerful kicks on Frank. Frank was sent into a nearby building. (This creature is a vow creature. Whatever she says to do…it will do it no matter what.)
Aten pursued the creature. Frank tried to roll and stop. Aten teleported onto the massive creature and tapped his foot on it to slam it into the ground.
Aten raised his hand in the air. Alayah swooped in and kicked Aten out of the building.
Aten forced his body to stop. He could hear screaming from below. He looked down to see Obsidian's creatures causing havoc.
As Aten floated in the air, behind him was a massive explosion from a building.
Alayah snapped her fingers. She used her zombies to fight off Obsidian's creatures and keep people safe.
Aten flew at her. Frank appeared and landed a powerful uppercut, sending Aten crashing through multiple buildings.
Aten forced his body to stop and was attacked from behind by Alayah.
Aten spun and caught her blade with his hand. "Brat."
Aten shot a ball of energy into her stomach. Alayah puked blood as she was hit into a crowd of people.
Blood and guts shot from everywhere from the impact. "Oh my god!!" A woman screamed.
Alayah lifted her head to see Aten flying towards her. "Remain calm! Everything will be-"
Obsidian's creatures crashed from above and landed on top of a little girl in the crowd. The micro-beast smashed her head in and continued to attack others.
Hundreds of micro-beast started to fall from the roof. Each consumed and attcked humans.
It was like the world was spinning. Alayah's heart was racing. "It's…just like back then."
Alayah thought about the man in red shoes and her sister.
(I…can't save…everyone.)
******
"In this line of work…you won't safe everyone, Alayah. You're strong but also a living being. You'll make mistakes." Adisa said.
The two were walking in the forest in the beautiful morning sun. "Isn't that bad? I want to save everyone I can." She expressed.
"Yeah, I understand. But you are a Akie. Not a perfect being." Adisa stoped in his tracks and turned around. "In this world, you'll need to be selfish,greedy, and ready for anything. If you don't..you'll be betrayed and get weaker. Like I did."
******
Alayah opened her eyes. She focused only on Aten. (I'm sorry…everyone. I am not capable of saving everyone. I have…I have to let Frank deal with Aten. I cannot waste time protecting people I can't save. I'm so sorry.)
Alayah flew out of the building and swooped past Aten. "Where do you think you're going, Alayah?!" Aten was about to pull her in with his powers, but Frank grabbed Aten and threw him to the ground. The impact made a wide crater.
"Going after Lapis, huh?" Aten chuckled. He clapped his hands together and used his aura to push Frank back.
Frank slammed his hands into the ground. Aten felt a powerful vibration beneath him. "An aura user?!"
The ground erupted with lava-like energy. Aten flew back and studied Frank's ability.
(I see.this…really will be interesting!)
Aten pulled out Adisa's sword. "Dark…slash!"
Aten phased past Frank and sliced him in half. It happened so fast that Frank couldn't react. Aten chuckled and turned around to see Frank slowly putting himself together.
Aten closed his eyes and put his hands together. (Only few have seen this ability.) "Flummy!!"
******
Alayah tricked Aten. She wasn't flying away to go look for Lapis. She was flying away to counter-attack and suprise Aten.
Alayah allowed one zombie to follow her. She ran on the ground; near Frank and Aten.
(It's a risk, but I have no choice! I'll sacrifice everything for Adisa!) "This is it! While he's cocky! I have to do it now!"
Alayah darted across the opening and ran towards Aten. Aten stopped his "Flummy" attack and tossed Frank at her.
"I thought you'd be better, Alayah." Aten scuffed. Alayah bursted through the smoke with her sword and zombie army sprinting behind her.
"Oh?" Aten stood his ground and pulled out the sword. "Come at me!!" Aten began to slice each zombie down one-by-one.
(Right now, my power is beyond low. Probably jumped to 2% right now. No matter! This girl is no threat. The only thing to worry about is Frank. With Frank gone, I'll be able to-)
Aten caught a glimpse of Alayah in army of zombies. Her eyes were closed and her aura was calm.
Frank and all of the zombies were sucked into a ball-like object. Aten put away his sword and studied what he was seeing.
Alayah opened her eyes and laughed uncontrollably. "You…you're finished!" Alayah laughed. "I've only seen one person do this once and managed to copy it within a day! Not the move itself but the ability!"
Aten ignored her and show a powerful energy wave.
"Hidden troop technique: Zombie all-father!"
Aten stopped in his tracks. "She…managed to copy something not given?! What an unbelievable woman!" Aten laughed.
Aten could see a 12foot creature forming behind her. A cold breeze took over the air as the creature finally formed. It let out a powerful roar that shaked the city to its core.
Alayah lifted her head and showed a twisted smile. (What's this?) Aten thought to himself as he took a stance.
Alayah snapped her fingers. (All-father…he can make zombies at will. All with weaker life-forms. I'm sorry. I have to be selfish to get what I want. I…have to sacrifice all the humans in the area.)
Aten could see Obsidian's monsters and the humans all slowly turning into zombies. Aten quietly laughed. "NOW YOU'VE DONE IT, ALAYAH!! THAT…IS THE TRUE PEAK OF AN AKIE AURA USER!!"
All-father screeched. Aten could feel all of the thousands of zombies aura-levels matching his current level.
Aten's eyes grew in surprise. (What…?)
"All-father…can also match the aura of his target…and spread that power throughout his underlings." Alayah explained while raising her aura levels.
Aten had a more serious look on his face. (So…a thousand of me versus me pretty much. Good, Alayah. What a wonder technique.)
"There's more!" Alayah laughed. "I…can absolutely feel my energy rising through the roof!" She laughed with a crazy look in her eyes. "All-father can also…fully adapt to all of the abilities of my opponent. Now…where did that cocky little smile go, Aten?!" Alayah laughed.
(This…is her limit-breaker mode. That with her troop ability. How…in the world could she have copied that ability? It's only for troops? She…managed to copy the aura-levels required to pull that off. She created her own version! Insane!)
Alayah took a deep breath and raised her sword into the air. She pointed it at Aten. "Now, it's time…to raise hell."
Aten clapped his hands and cheered for her. "Not only have you managed to make this somewhat even…it was all for nothing, girl. You…are still going to die an agonizing death. That power…it's not natural. It'll overpower you before long. Your own power will kill you, Alayah."
"That's fine. As long as he comes back."
All-father was a very pale being. He had on only a white robe that showed only his pale face,crooked teeth, and twisted smile.
All-father slammed his hands into the ground and began to chant. "Okoluma tank tarnish okulu maharaja."
Aten didn't waste anytime. He flew and quikcly sliced off All-father's head. (That settles-)
Hundreds of zombies jumped at Aten. Aten jumped back and stood his ground in the middle of the large crowd.
All-father put his head back on and raised both his hands into the air.
"Lighting…palm strike."
All-father held out his hand. Lighting struck near Aten. Aten quikcly leaped onto a skyscraper and was suprised by how quick All-father got to him.
Alayah jumped off of All-father's back and began to chant. All-father reached behind his back and pulled out a purple blade.
"Blade of torture!" All-father said in a deep voice.
(What's this?) Aten thought as he flipped to dodge the attack. Alayah pushed off of All-father's back and landed a kick on Aten's face. Aten was forced through the air of the city. He past hundreds of building in the air. He opened his eyes to see All-father's massive fist.
Aten covered his front with his arms. Alayah waited for Aten below. She jabbed her sword through his stomach.
(I landed!) she thought. Aten disappeared. "What?! An afterimage! Where could he have-"
Aten sprinted behind her. He slashed Alayah on her back. She fell over from the impact. (Behind me?!)
Before Aten could finish her off, more zombies emerged from underneath him. Aten looked around and fended them off once again.
One zombie landed a punch to his rib. Another to his legs. (I'm…starting to be overwhelmed?! From what? This girl and her abilities?!)
Aten jumped through the crowd of zombies and sliced their heads off. He was still getting hit and bruised. (Me?! I've perfected…everything!)
Aten took a deep breath. He used his aura and swung the sword. His black aura spreaded across the area and cut everything within it.
All-father jumped from the crowd and punched Aten in the chin. He was sent flying into a nearby tower.
Aten landed on his feet and spun around to face the horde that was climbing up the tower to reach him.
"My power…is dropping?!"
Aten could hear running footsteps behind him. He turned around to see a mouth full of sharp teeth.
He used his sword to create separate himself from the creature.
Alayah bursted through the roof of the tower, with her sword pointed at Aten. "Mighty….thrust!" She used her aura and put everything into the sword.
All-father bursted from underneath Aten's feet. His large mouth opened as Aten could feel himself falling in.
The zombies climbing the tower had began to reach the top and head towards Aten.
He found himself cornered,surrounded and outsmarted by Alayah.
(She planned it. Fine….no more games. This is the end…Alayah.)
Aten smiled and said the words: "Cancel. Copy."
******
Alayah was chained to the floor. She had just woken up. "Where…am I?" She asked while looking around in the darkness.
A bright light shined on her as Aten appeared. "You've been defeated and caught." Aten said as he slowly paced around the chained up woman.
"Let me go!" She yelled as she tried to break free from the chains. " Can't do that. As of now, I'm hauling my aura to keep us on the low. I don't want your little brats to interfere."
Aten began to walk towards Alayah. "No! Get away from me! You're nothing…but evil! Don't touch me!" Alayah screamed as she closed her eyes and flinched.
Aten placed his on softly on her head and chuckled. "How…did you do it, girl?"
"Huh? Do what?"
Aten slapped Alayah across the face. She began to bleed from the nose. "Don't play dumb. How…could someone from this era possibly catch me off guard like that? Maybe it's because I'm low on energy."
"You…just aren't smart-"
Aten kicked her in the stomach and watched her puke blood. "Disgusting." Aten sighed.
Alayah gasped for air as she looked around.(…this darkness is his aura. No one is coming to save me. Is this where I'll die?)
Aten grabbed her by her hair and forced her head to look straight. "All that talent for nothing. You'll die without ever seeing the boy you loved. You didn't have what it took to win. You were so worried about him…that you didn't even care for yourself. Why…do that?"
"It's…called love. It's called love." Alayah whispered. Aten stared at Alayah. "Love, huh? You'd do anything for him?"
"Yes."
"Even without having anything in return?!"
"Yes."
"Even due for the brat?!"
"Yes."
"I commend you, Alayah. I loved my brother. I killed him when he tried to kill me. Love is useless. It makes you weaker. Don't fall for it. The people you love can betray you. You should've been selfish and gone with fear. Now, you're screwed." Aten said with disappointment. He rubbed his hands through his hair and held out his hand.
"Remember when I said your own power would kill you, Alayah? Take a good look at what's coming."
Alayah could see one of her zombies coming from the shadows. Alayah's heat dropped as her dead sister was limping towards her. Lavish was one of hers.
"S-sister?….there's…no way. I…I never-"
"Never what? Killed her?! You're cursed, girl! Now, I'll watch as she turns you into a little freak."
******
Xavier,Jade,and Joster soared through the air, trying to locate Alayah. "Where else can they be?! We don't have time!"
Jade could sense dark energy coming from a nearby tower. "Over there!" She yelled while speeding up.
******
Lavish approached Alayah slowly. She tried to free herself from her chains. They wouldn't budge. Aten sat back and laughed at her struggle.
(Adisa…I tried. Hopefully…my plan can work! Aten thinks he's gotten me…but I've prepared myself for you. I know my voice isn't enough…but if you really do care for me…seeing me perish will set you free!)
Alayah stared Aten directly in the eyes. Lavish kneeled down and opened her mouth.
"THE LEGENDS ARE TRUE AFTER ALL, ATEN!! YOU REALLY ARE A COWARD!!" Alayah yelled.
******
Jade pulled out her sword. "RIGHT HERE!!" Jade pulled back and thrusted towards the roof of th tower.
Xavier and Joster went on the sides and did the same attack.
(WE'LL BUST IT OPEN!!) they all thought.
A burning sensation was behind Xavier. He turned around to see Amber and Frost headed towards the three.
Obsidian jumped up and cocked his fist back behind Jade's head. "Doomsday…punch!"
******
Aten's smile disappeared. "How dare you!" He said as Lavish but Alayah on her shoulder.
Deep within Aten, Adisa could see Alayah. Adisa's lips quivered as his aura skyrocketed.
In that moment, Aten felt something was wrong. "Brat?!"
As Lavish was biting Alayah's face, Alayah shouted: "Adisa, listen to me! More than ever…we need you to wake up! Udo is gone and so will more of us! Put Aten away! Do it, PLEASEE!!!" She yelled.
Just then, Aten fell to his knees from the pain. (D-damn it! This woman…really was special!)
"It's a shame! You'll die here and now, Alayah!!"
"As long as it gives them a shot to win!" Alayah said with a cold look in her eyes.
Aten smirked. "See you in hell." He chuckled as he went to sleep.
The roof of the tower was busted open. Jade,Frost,Obsidian,Joster,Amber,Xavier, and Obsidian's aura beast all were falling into the tower.
Jade could see Alayah chained to the floor. "ALAYAH!!" Jade screamed as she raised her sword over her head.
Obsidian threw the punch. Xavier used his lighting-speed to go behind Jade and parry the punch.
"Aauuugghhhh!!!" Xavier braced himself.
There was a moment of nothing. Then, green and black aura covered the area like a tsunami wave. The tower was blown away, along with everyone else getting separated.
Alayah landed a few miles away and broke her back from the impact. She could feel herself slipping away from the bite.
(I'm turning. Anyone…please listen to what I…have to say.) Alayah could hear footsteps coming from ahead.
She tried to lift her head but couldn't. "Just…kill me." She managed to gasp while choking on her blood.
Adisa stood over Alayah with blank eyes. As if he saw a ghost. "A…disa. Thank…thank goodness it worked." Alayah said as tears began to fall down her face.
Adisa couldn't get anything out. He just stood there in shock. "Adisa…we're all counting…on you. Be…who you were always meant to be." She said with a smile.
Adsia kneeled down. A large explosion went off in the distance. (Once again…my heart has been shattered. I've failed to protect them…all of them. I wish…I hadn't been born at all.)
Adisa gripped his shirt. He carefully lifted Alayah up and hugged her in his arms. "This…is nice." Alayah chuckled . She coughed up lots of blood when doing so.
"Everything will be okay." Adisa whispered in her ear. Alayah smile and shrugged her shoulders. "Nah. I've been bitten. I…I don't want to go, Adisa." Alayah began to cry. "Damn, I'm scared. Please, hold me until it's time for you to kill me…please."
Adisa hugged her tighter and put his face in her hair. "Thank you…for everything." Adsia whispered. His long hair covered his eyes.
"It…was…my…pleasure. I…loved…every second with you all. My perfect family…I….."
Alayah closed her eyes and took her last breath. "Love you too." Adsia replied. He sat her down and backed away slowly. He pulled out his sword. "I'm a failure. Not again."
******
Adisa walked down the street. Covered in her blood. He had a cold,scary, and determined look in his eyes. He put his sword away and put his hands together.
"I'll kill them all." His aura began to build up. A sinister feeling spreaded the surrounding area. "All of them…will perish. Dark Coffin….OPEN!!!"
******
Next Chapter: The Ten Dark Knights