"You are Kraken." Akiko instantly recognized the identities of the two men. They were the reason she had been training so hard for.
"Kraken?!"
This was kraken?!
He gave the intruders a second look. One was tall and brawny, covered in a thick Armor from head to toe, only leaving his face visible, which had blue markings.
The short and skinny one with the spectacles was wearing some kind of futuristic light armor, and had a long spiral equipment in his hand. He also had blue markings on his body. No matter what, they did not look anything like the weak henchmen he was expecting to be sent for him.
Upon seeing their reaction, Nerio raised his eyebrows in interest. "Oh?
You two seem to know about us."
Darkness began radiating from Akiko. "I know enough. I have waited 10 years for this. You and your organization… you'll pay for okaa-san and otousan's death."
Theron chuckled. "Oh, we killed your parents too? Sorry, I've killed too many eels to remember."
Axel stopped Akiko from rushing forward. 'We need to stall,' he signaled to her.
He understood her anger, but they were in a precarious situation right now. Every second more helped him recover and get a better grasp of the situation. Blindly rushing in could be fatal.
Nerio glared at Theron. "Eighth, we don't have time for this. Let's just pick up Hunt and go."
Theron rolled his eyes. "Come on, Nerio. Let me play for a bit."
'Pick up Axel?'
Martina knew a bit about Kraken too. This was the Atlantean Organization that supplied the Mikhailovs with the technology to pass through her wards. That alone explained that this Organization was not simple. And now they have declared their intention of kidnapping Axel!
This was a grave predicament. Right now, Axel was extremely weak. The amount of magic he had just used, it should have been impossible for someone his age to do that. Obviously, there was a serious price to pay. There was no way he could defend himself now.
She stepped in front of Axel protectively. "Why do you want to take Axel?"
Theron looked at Martina and grinned. "Oh, of course you don't know. That guy—" he said, pointing at Axel, "—Is the Crown Prince of Atlantis, the rightful Heir to the throne. And he also happens to have something else we desperately need. That reason enough for you?"
"What?!"
Martina, Akiko and Rose, all three of the girls were struck by surprise at that claim. Axel? Prince of Atlantis?
Atlantis had always been an unreachable place in their minds. The strongest nation in the world. The place was impenetrable, completely closed off from the world. Only from time to time, pieces of their technology would show up, which would always be far more advanced than anything the other countries could currently produce.
And now, they are hearing that Axel Hunt is the prince of such a place.
"What are you saying?! How can that be possible?" Asked Martina.
Theron laughed boisterously. "You can't believe it? His father was a thief who stole from us. And his mother, she was the crown Princess who ran away from the Kingdom," he said to the shocked trio.
"Hey, they're spouting nonsense, right?" Asked Rose, turning to look at Axel.
Axel shrugged. "No idea."
His parents were, of course, kind enough to leave him at the muggle orphanage when he was barely a year old. So of course he had no idea. But if what that brawny guy in thick Armor said is true, then he could feel a headache coming.
Rose was baffled. "What?! How can you not know?! Weren't you the son of Andromeda's friends who died in war?"
Axel gave her a 'Really?' look. "You still believe that flimsy lie? Seriously, just how naive are you?"
Nerio checked his screen. "Theron, get the boy."
Martina raised her staff. "We can't let you do that."
Nerio looked at each one of them. "I will acknowledge that all of you are formidable," he said, and he really did think so.
One has a direct connection with the Netherworld, one can destroy four Demogorgons with a single spell, one can use the fearsome Darkness magic, and one can kill within a flash.
"But…" he smirked. "Right now, you all are completely powerless."
'Fuck... he knows.' Thought Axel. He didn't know how, but that guy with the glasses seemed to know about their current state. They had barely escaped with their lives just a few minutes ago. They were in no condition to fight again.
Nerio shook his head regretfully. "Each of you have things I want to research more about. It's really such a pity that except for Axel, we'll have to kill the rest."
Martina did not back down. "Don't be so sure of yourself. Even in this condition, we are strong enough to take on anyone. You should retreat while you still have the chance."
She wasn't wrong. Even an injured dragon is more dangerous than other beasts. The three of them might be exhausted, but if it comes down to a matter of life and death, they won't go down before putting up a hell of a fight.
Theron and Nerio exchanged glances, then they laughed.
Nerio cleared his throat. "Ahem, it seems that we still haven't properly introduced ourselves. I am Nerio, and my partner here is Theron. We are the Relic Wielders, two of the Kraken's Eight Overseers. Usually, you would never even have the opportunity to see us. But we just happened to be in the area due to some… private dealings. That's why we decided to take on this mission." he explained with precision.
"So, unless you suddenly bring out something remotely close to the last destructive attack you survived, yes, we are confident in handling you all."
'...Fuck...fuckfuckfuckfuck… FUCK!' Axel finally realized just how shitty his luck was today. Things were just spiraling out of control at every turn. And now, it had simply crossed all boundaries.
He tried to attract the Organisation's attention. What he had expected?
They'd notice him and think: Oh, that's Tristan's son. 'Hey, minor henchmen, go pick that boy up.'
Axel would have happily kicked those small fries asses, and extracted all the information they had.
But what happened?
They think he is the Prince of Atlantis, the only heir to the throne, and just his luck, their most powerful, the upper echelon members, the final bosses, just happened to be the area, chilling.
And then, they didn't come to him any other time. No. They came just in time to catch him with his pants down, meaning when he is in a completely exhausted state, after almost being crushed like a bug by the most powerful existence in the two worlds.
'Just… which sadist bastard is fucking with me?' He wondered, looking up at the sky. Someone must be fucking with him. Otherwise, just how can he be so damn unlucky every time?!
Theron stepped forward. "Under different circumstances, I would have enjoyed torturing each of you. But right now, we're in a bit of a hurry, so I'll kill you quickly, ok?"
'Fight,' Axel signaled Akiko, who had been raring to go.
Martina began preparing her magic as well, but Axel whispered another order to her.
Akiko drew her sword and rushed straight at Theron, who had come forward to kill them.
Darkness radiated from Akiko's blade. As it made contact with the ground, it instantly made the rocks disintegrate. With that sword, she attacked Theron with all her might.
"Coral Armor: Defence Mode."
Theron didn't move at all, taking Akiko's attacks head on.
*CLANG*
Sounds of metal clashing with metals were heard. But the result… Theron was still standing at the same spot, completely unharmed.
?!
Theron grinned. "Try harder."
Akiko gritted her teeth but she didn't stop, attacking Theron at all points, even his eyes, but every time, his sword would bounce off harmlessly.
'What… is that thing?' Martina couldn't believe her eyes. The armor… it seemed to have a life of its own. It was protecting its owner by adjusting its structure according to the attack.
Theron shook his head mockingly. "Is that it? Maybe that's the reason why your parents died a terrible death. They were just too weak."
Akiko's always calm and emotionless face was nowhere to be seen. Right now, she looked like a demon thirsting to kill.
Suddenly, the surroundings became dark, something that only happened when Voldemort controlled the darkness. Akiko made a single hand seal, one she strictly was forbidden to make.
"FORBIDDEN ARTS: FLAMES OF FURY!"
Theron, his eyes widened upon seeing the power of the Jutsu. His playful expression was gone as he cursed under his breath.
"Coral Armor: Absolute Defense!"
Theron's armor took on a radiant glow. Within moments, he was completely surrounded by the dark flames.
"SHI-NE!" (Go die) with her eyes wide, filled with killing intent, Akiko put all of her hate into the darkness flames, which took a purplish hue.
'What the—' Axel inched back from Akiko due to the sudden feeling of burning. The Jutsu Akiko just used... he had never seen her use it before.
Though more than that, he was shocked by the amount of power the spell had. He couldn't understand how Akiko could still have so much left.
But then he realized it. 'It's emotions.'
Akiko was using the real power of darkness now. It uses her emotions as fuel, rather than her magic.
When the Jutsu ended, Akiko fell to her knees, gasping for breath.
"You killed him," whispered Rose in Horror, looking at the mass of dark flames where Theron was standing. No one could survive from that.
But, Axel was still uneasy. Not because he felt that Akiko's attack was lacking power. No, but because of Nerio.
'He still hasn't moved.' That was the problem. Nerio didn't seem worried about his partner's life. His expression was more of… amazement and pity rather than annoyance.
"You guys… all of you are monsters, aren't you? I have really been a frog under a well," he muttered.
"To be able to bring out such power even in an exhausted state… I am really glad we didn't fight you all at your full strength," he acknowledged. "But… you've made him really mad now," he said, shaking his head.
It was at this moment that the dark flames finally cleared, and they saw the armored figure of Theron still standing there, unharmed. And he looked pissed.
"You…. you bitch! You actually managed to damage my Armor!" He yelled. And sure enough, his armor was indeed a bit damaged.
A relic, a weapon of immeasurable power, was actually damaged by Akiko's flames. It was outside both the Atlantians' wildest expectations.
*Clang*
Theron hit his palm against his fist. "It's my turn now."
"Coral Armor: Counter mode."
*Shin*
Suddenly, sword slashes came at them out of nowhere, which managed to graze Akiko.
Theron clicked his tongue. "My aim is still shitty."
"What?!"
Martina was stunned, looking at the ground where the slashes had landed. The area had completely disintegrated.
Those sword slashes…. They were the same ones that Akiko used!
The counter mode… it could return the attacks with 100% power. And if that was the case…
They all realized it at the same time as they looked at the flames of darkness radiating from Theron's armor.
"I won't miss this time," said Theron.
"Martina, now!" Said Axel, gripping her hand.
Martina quickly grabbed Akiko with her other hand, who quickly grabbed Rose.
Yes, that was what Axel had put Martina up to as soon as he had realized just who it was they were dealing with. Running away was the best choice for now.
Theron was taken by surprise by their unexpected move. But…
"No you don't."
It was at this moment that Nerio finally decided to make a move. He pointed his spiral device in their direction.
*Snap*
At the same time, Martina executed her teleportation.
Martina, Akiko and Rose disappeared from the sight.
'The teleportation was successful… partially,' thought Axel, who was still left standing in his place…. with a bloody stump instead of a hand.
"Ha... Axel Hunt," Said Nerio, stepping forward. "I believe it's best if you surrender peacefully," said, as Theron pointed his fully charged Darkness flames at him.
….
A.N.: POWERSTONES!
Next: ???
Read ahead and support me:
Pàtreon.com/Snollygoster