A bright blue light moved past the capital's walls, the ground erupting afterward leaving behind debris and columns of smoke. The hunched beast growled, fumes escaping from between its razor-sharp teeth. The muscles in its large humanoid body rippled, moving the trees that stood at a quarter of its height. Tilting its head, the four horns; one at the front, back and two sides, stood out along with the single golden eye in the middle of its head, the black diamond pupil focusing on the approaching figures.
Esdeath landed graciously on an ice pillar, holding onto her peaked cap as a strong wind blew her lengthy blue hair back. She stared at the danger beast, narrowing her eyes at its unique appearance while Arata hovered beside her.
It's larger than a colossal danger beast. "That creature, what is it?" the general spared him a glance.
"Unfortunately I have no clue but we need to put it down," he turned to Roland who hopped on the nearby rooftop.
"That much is obvious, Arata-sama," sighing, she sheathed her rapier, "It's battles like this that I have a hard time enjoying."
"Wow, to think such battles exist." Esdeath rolled her eyes at the simpering Arata.
"We'll push first, Arata-sama!" Roland leapt at the beast, his swing obstructed by its muscular forearm, the knight skidding to a stop. A barrage of ice projectiles rained on the beast, its hand instinctively raising to shield its eye, a small portion of the cluster stabbing its forearm. Roland's mallet whacked its leg, the blow toppled the beast and created a powerful shockwave that flattened the surrounding terrain.
The ground cracked open and closed around its trapped limbs, holding them in place. Esdeath made a diamond gesture with her hands and yelled, "Grauhorn!!" Three large pillars rose at the front and both sides of the beast's head, a spike from the center of each rotating and extending at a blinding speed to impale the creature.
"Is it over now?" Looking from the danger beast to Esdeath, he sighed, "Yes I believe."
"That was an embarrassing thing to do, General, shouting the name of your ability I mean," Arata smirked at the general who rolled her eyes lightheartedly, her cheeks a faint red.
An intense light and deafening roar startled the blue-haired duo, the general throwing her hands up almost immediately, large walls of ice appearing before the capital's walls. An earthen column slammed into the beast's jaw, tilting the head up, the destructive heat wave destroying the top portion of the frost walls, barely missing the first city.
The screams threatened to drown out Arata's thoughts, the brief silence vanishing as the light passed over the city. Shit, I was careless! Arata tightened his hold on his weapon's handle, gritting his teeth as he watched a few buildings collapse because of the aftershock. "General," she turned to him, louring, "I need you to keep the monster in place while Roland will assist you and guard the surroundings when I unleash my attack."
Her surprise was brief as she scanned the beast, noting its absence of injuries from her earlier attack. "It seems to be regenerating," Arata spoke her mind, solemnly.
"I do hope your attack eradicates this nuisance once and for all," she leapt off her frost column, charging at the danger beast.
…Hey…
I WARNED YOU BEFORE, DIDN'T I?
That you did, but I wish to use the right amount of power so as to prevent it from re-emerging.
VERY WELL, BUT THAT IS ONLY BECAUSE I SENSED SOMETHING FROM THAT ABOMINATION.
And that is?
THAT THING WAS MODIFIED BY HUMANS. SO TAKE ALL THE POWER YOU NEED, BUT BE PREPARED TO FACE THE CONSEQUENCES.
We have already gone this far so we might as well go all the way. Besides, I am already part dragon, so I need not fear the drawback of your power. Arata tilted his head, managing a small smile.
WE SHALL SEE.
Thunder rumbled in the sky, dark cumulus clouds with a low base spread out in the shape of an anvil extended to great heights, formed above the beast. The darkened cumulonimbus was unlike any that the empire's residents had set their eyes on and it had left them in a state of awe. They were as astonished as they were afraid.
The child emperor peered at the swirling clouds, frightened, "Commander Budo…those clouds, is it because of Arata-sama?" Budo smiled reassuringly at the ruler, "I believe they are, your majesty." The chief commander found the emperor's fear understandable. Aside from the fact that he was a child, considering the attacks they had experienced so far, especially the crimson rain, the cumulus clouds were awe-inspiring. So this is what you're capable of, Arata. Smiling wistfully, he led the emperor into a bunker. His duty was to protect the emperor and failure was not an option.
Arata raised his right hand, the scythe dematerializing from it. His dark blue eyes changed to a bright gold, the firebolts surrounding him, shining intensely. His horns and slit pupils remained unchanged, bluish scales forming by the sides of his neck. The ground gave way, frost stakes impaling its palms, pinning it in the newly created crater. Esdeath leapt back as Roland interlaced his hands, large walls emerging from the ground to surround the creature, metal chains shooting out to bind the beast.
Bandigu: Haha no nigiri!!
Arata's head throbbed, his chest tightened and his eyes ached, every inch of his body screaming out in pain, his jaw clenching instinctively. Noting Esdeath's absence and Roland's walls, he inhaled sharply and swung his hand down, screaming, "MJÖLNIR!!"
...
There was a blinding flash, followed by thunder and finally an ear-splitting explosion. The ground ruptured, the trees caught in the blast becoming nothing but ash. Roland's colossal walls crumbled, the shock produced going unnoticed in the wake of the earth-shaking blast. Heat haze coated the blackened ground, the sunlight from the gaping hole in the clouds occasionally obscured by the rising smoke.
Esdeath lifted her hand from her eyes, the destruction she beheld far more bewildering than her partly melted ice dome. She glimpsed at the approaching Roland who, like her, was satisfied with the result. "I think the problem is handled now, General."
"Yes, I believe we have Arata-sam-" her eyes narrowed at the hovering Arata. He stiffened momentarily before falling from the sky.
"Arata-sama!!" Roland's yell urged the sprinting general onwards, a frost pillar emerging from the ground at a high speed launched her airborne. Relief replaced her concern as Run swooped in and grabbed Arata, Mastema's white wings flapping as he landed. The blonde noted the approaching General and Order of Terra, a reprieved sigh escaping him.
"Thank you, Run," Esdeath nodded, kneeling beside Arata and scanning his body with unease. Arata sat up quickly, covering his face with a pained groan, the three beside him exchanging worried glances. "The capital…is it safe now?" he muttered, his jaw clenched and his eyes remaining shut.
Esdeath turned to Run, "Run, you and the other deployed Yeagers should take charge of the remaining troops and sweep through the attacked districts, we'll handle Arata-sama."
Run nodded in reply, rising and dusting off his trousers, his white wings spreading out behind him.
"Wait…I will come as we-" Arata stumbled, Roland and Esdeath holding him at each side.
"You won't be going anywhere, Arata-san," Esdeath stated sternly. This is the worst state I've seen him in and I don't believe he was attacked enough by the archer to have led to this. She narrowed her eyes at Arata, noting the change in his physique. His power is the only other thing I believe can cause this.
"Worry is not a good look on you-" Arata quivered, hacking violently, blood trickling down his nose and mouth. Still shaking, he touched a damp spot beneath his eye, his blistered fingers stained red by the bloody trail from his eyes. So much for not fearing the drawback… "It seems like I will be fainting now…please catch me, Esdeath…" Arata went unconscious, the General securing him gently, her grip tightening on his shoulder.
…
"Home sweet home," Leone exclaimed while stretching. "So Kanae-san," "Hm," Kanae turned to Tatsumi, "This is the base of Night raid and I could show you around…if that's fine with you?" he held her gaze, expectant.
"Oooo!" Leone held onto Tatsumi and Kanae, wearing a bright grin.
"N-nee-chan?" "Is this a date I hear?"
Flustered, Kanae waved her hands frantically, stuttering, "L-leone-san, you're m-mistaken!!" Leone made a face, "Kanae-chan, I said you can call me big sis, c'mon, big sis." Kanae stared down, her purple hair partly hiding her reddened cheeks, "O…Onee-chan."
"That's my girl!!" The blonde yelled proudly, pulling Kanae into a tight hug.
"Leone, you didn't exactly give Kanae-san a choice to do otherwise," Akame stared deadpan at the grinning Leone.
"Hmmm, could it be that you, Akame-chan are jealous?" she smirked, pushing her face against Akame's. "Big sis has plenty of love to go around."
"Please stand back, Leone," Akame shoved her face, the blonde unrelenting in her bear hug. Leone stepped away from Akame, going silent and flinching when Tatsumi tapped her shoulder. "Nee-chan…?"
"Eh? My bad, I was distracted," she smiled dryly.
Hijiri wiped his sweaty brows, a sharp pang surging through his entire arm. The discomfort had become familiar with its presence in every movement he made since after the fight but that didn't mean Hijiri had gotten used to it. A form he was to use somewhat safely for ten minutes had accompanied him for the past two days.
His breathing had gotten heavy, sweat running down his forehead in an abnormal amount and his sight had gotten so blurred that Hijiri had difficulty observing what was before him. But it was a risk, though a stupid one, that he had to take as guarding them was a role he had to play, after all, he couldn't risk another Haruma case popping up, no matter how slim the chances were.
Hijiri sighed in relief upon seeing the base but alongside his bad sight, his clouded hearing made it hard to tell who the four ahead were talking to. He took another step, his vision swallowed completely by darkness as he fell to the ground with a thud, the vague screams and shadows brought him to a conclusion. Times up? …damn.
"Najenda-san, they're here," Lubbock glimpsed at the disc on his imperial arms; Cross tail.
"I wonder if Hijiri, Akame, and Tatsumi were able to meet with Leone."
Raising the glove to his face, the green-haired assassin stated, "Leone's coming with them, I think…at least that's what the numbers entering the vicinity say. Oh, it seems they found the other supreme order person old man Hijiri was talking about."
Old man? Najenda chuckled, flipping through a notebook in her prosthetic arm. "I'll head in now," Lubbock waved, walking upstairs.
Najenda looked up while the door flew open, her relief vanishing as quickly as it appeared, an unconscious Hijiri the reason. She sprung off her chair, rushing at them to inspect the heavy-breathing Hijiri, "What happened?"
"Boss…right?" A purple-haired girl stepped out from behind, greeting Najenda with a bow. "You're the Order of Abyss?"
"Yes, I am Kanae of the Tani clan." Inhaling sharply, she continued, "Hijiri nii-san overexerted himself, so if you'd be willing, I would like to get started on some medicine to ease his pain."
"Alright," turning to Leone and Tatsumi, she continued, "take him to the room downstairs, I'll ask Susanoo to get started on dinner." The two nodded, hurriedly carrying Hijiri out of the common room. Intercepting Kanae, Najenda stated, "I'm aware that this isn't the best time but could you tell me what exactly happened that Hijiri ended up like that?"
Kanae exhaled, pulling herself together. Talking to a strange eye patch lady wasn't exactly how she wanted to spend her recovery time, but the one-armed lady was who Kanae was going to be working for, so the sooner she rid herself of her shyness and rude thoughts, the better. "We faced a formidable opponent that pushed us all to our limits."
Such a person exists?!
Noting her expression, Kanae continued, "We wouldn't have believed at first, that one man was capable of such, but we are not so ignorant now." Najenda frowned, her thumb and index finger rubbing her chin. "Boss."
"Huh?"
"I would like to get started on Nii-san's medicine now."
STIFF BRAT.
…
"Oh alright, let's head to the store room first."
"Leoneee, Tatsumi, the boss's calling for you two-" Mine paused, stunned by Hijiri's state. "What happened to him?!!"
"He's having a fever."
"Ah gee, my eyes have been opened to a world where I completely understand," Mine pouted as Leone smacked her square in the forehead. "Brat."
Tatsumi laughed nervously at the interaction, "Nii-san fought someone strong, so strong he had to go all out. He remained in that form, to watch over us but pushed himself too far in doing so." Mine glanced at the frowning Leone, concerned.
"Nee-chan, let's go meet up with the boss. Mine,"
"Eh?" Tatsumi handed her a cool towel and gestured to a bowl of water, "could you help me out?" Mine's cheeks reddened slightly, her determined gaze holding his, "Got it."
Tatsumi whispered a 'thank you', leaving behind a slightly flustered Mine.
She inhaled sharply, dipping the cloth in water and squeezing it, dabbing the sweaty areas on Hijiri's body. Mine stared at his scars, lost in her thoughts, seeing Hijiri in that state surprised and scared her.
She knew firsthand that Hijiri was strong, the man met a missle head-on with a fireball and fought a winning battle against Esdeath, so to see him like this, knowing he was the strongest member of Night raid, had her wondering how she and the others would face such an enemy.
Still, rely on us even if it's just a little, you idiot. She crumpled the tray in annoyance, glaring at the slumbering Hijiri.
"Mi…Mi..ne?" he muttered, his vision hazy.
"You idiot, you're-eek!" She yelped as Hijiri pulled her closer to him, his lips a breadth away from her beet red skin. A k-k-kiss?! No, no, no, no, it can't be right… "Hijiri?" she whispered, going still, Hijiri's heated breath on her skin, "...w-wait…" he passed out on the bed, a snore escaping him.
Mine remained unmoving, her embarrassment slowly morphing into frustration. The wet towel hit Hijiri's face with a loud smack, Mine groaning loudly, "Idiot!!"
"Will this be enough?"
"Ah…yes, Susanoo-san," Kanae turned the boiled herbs into a mug, sealing it with a crystalline lid. She turned around to meet her green-haired colleague staring at her. Avoiding his gaze and fidgeting with the mug in, Kanae faltered, "Uhm…L-Lubbock-san?" He jerked up, smiling apologetically while rubbing the back of his head, "My bad, Kanae-san. I was thinking about something."
"Oh, alright," she managed a small smile, walking quickly to the room Hijiri was in, Lubbock right on her heels. A scream from the room made Kanae stiffen briefly. Shoving the mug in Lubbock's hands, Kanae threw the door open and ran between Mine and the aura-covered Hijiri, opening her palms before his body.
Who the hell is she? "Mine! Are you ok?!" Lubbock dragged her back.
"Ah yeah, what's happening?"
A barrier made of gemstone closed in around the two Orders, Kanae's brow furrowed as she observed the crimson mist emerging from Hijiri's inhumane-looking right arm.
Why is the demon acting up now?
ASKING ME FOR ANSWERS NOW ARE WE? It chuckled, continuing, THE BRAT FORCEFULLY EXTENDED THE DURATION OF THE TRANSFORMATION, SO HURRY AND SEAL HIS ARM.
Very well. Shin'en no mon! Placing her palms together, crystallite dust sprayed all over his arm, a gem covering enclosing it immediately.
The mist vanished and Kanae respired in relief, the barrier vanishing along with her some of her worries. "Lubbock-san, I have a satchel in the kitchen. If you could get the bandages there please."
He rose from the bed, his entire body protesting against his action. Clutching his head, he shut his eyes firmly for a few moments, steadying his breathing. Was…was Mine here? His pupils slowly dilated as realization dawned on him, his cheeks getting redder at the moment.
Hijiri froze when he recalled, his hands balling into fists subconsciously. That Haruma bastard, just who was he? And how did he get the big bad's power? …Oi! His questions were met with silence, his surprise and anxiety growing. He glanced at the fitted crystal gauntlet, his brows twitching. A seal? …wait?!
He scanned the room worriedly, his relief disappearing when he set his eyes on a group of slash marks. Did my aura do this? Damn it, what if they got hurt?! He stood suddenly, his knees buckling and his face planting itself on the wooden floorboards. Gritting his teeth and struggling, he rose once more, walking unsteadily out of the room.
Hijiri entered the front room, lurching forward but steadying himself with visible effort, Kanae and Tatsumi springing up to support him. Though it was for an instant, he had seen the grave expression they shared, his frown deepening.
"You should be in bed, Hijiri," Najenda stated, her solemness becoming concern, an expression Hijiri interpreted as pity.
"Tsk. We need to talk about what happened, don't we? And before that," he turned to Kanae while he took a seat, "did anyone get hurt when this happened?" he lifted his bandaged right arm, gesturing at the gauntlet.
Kanae grimaced, muttering, "You still have that nasty habit of blaming yourself for everything, nii-san." Tatsumi glanced from Kanae to Hijiri confused.
"So I didn't." Hijiri held Najenda's gaze stating, "I'm sure you'll need an explanation for what happened so here; Hono Haruma, the bastard I killed, was a member of my clan and for some reason, he could use Armaggeddon's power."
"Armaggeddon?" Lubbock asked the question seemingly on Night raid's half.
"Oh, I never told y'all, hmmm. Armaggeddon's the Supreme class danger beast, a being that all four of us," he gestured at himself and Kanae, "are required to seal, any less and it'd kill us all." Kanae punched Hijiri's shoulder, if his goal was to trouble the others, he had achieved it flawlessly.
He sat back, running his left hand through his hair while exhaling audibly, "...sorry. I was supposed to protect you, yet…" he trailed off, staring at the ceiling.
"You sound just like Tatsumi, y'know," Leone chuckled wistfully.
"Things like this are normal in our line of work, Hijiri." Najenda strode to him, placing the back of her left palm on his forehead, "Just cause things happened before doesn't mean you should keep blaming yourself, you're still human after all." He's still burning up.
He clenched his jaw, gently moving Najenda's palm from his head, avoiding her eyes, "We've gotta prepare. Whatever group that son 'uva bitch belongs to won't sit quiet after this."
"I agree, so Night raid will keep a low profile, for the time being, understood?"
"Yes!" Night raid replied in accord, earning a satisfied nod from Najenda. "And you," Najenda's purple eyes locked with Hijiri's crimson irises, "should eat some dinner and get some rest."
"But I'll need to head to the capital ASAP."
"Huh? Why would you want to do that, Hijiri?" Akame eyed him inquisitively.
" 'cause, I need to get some answers."
Najenda removed her hand from his and stepped back with a sigh. "You're aware that you're in no state to do that?"
"I know but I'll do so after I recover enough." Kanae stared anxiously at Hijiri while he fiddled with his hair.
"So we're scrapping the search for the final member of the Order?" Mine asked, pointedly evading making eye contact with Hijiri. Najenda's brow raised slightly, deciding to ignore it after a short internal debate, she took her seat. "Yes, we will. Searching right now is too risky, so we'll make do with who we have."
"How about we celebrate Kanae-san's membership with a vacation," Lubbock suggested with a shrug.
The group looked between themselves, considering the idea. Leone stretched, giving the final push, "That's exactly what we need, ain't that right Boss?"