Third-person Point Of View
Sa kasagsagan ng pakikipaglaban na ginagawa ni Shannon laban sa Bakunawa, ang nilalang na naninirahan sa kaniyang isipan ay sinubukan na lakbayin ang isipan ni Shannon.
Sa isang section ng isipan ni Shannon, pumasok ang nilalang. Sa kaniyang pagtapak sa teritoryo na ito, nasilayan niya ang isang wasak na lugar na animo'y mayroong matinding labanan ang nangyari dito.
"Sinasabi ko na nga ba...there's another personality that is hidden deep inside her mind. I'm lucky to witness what kind of person this one is..." Nasasabik na sabi ng nilalang.
Naglakad siya sa wasak-wasak na section ng isipan na ito ni Shannon, sa kahabaan ng nilakad niya, nagbunga ang kaniyang ginawa. Nakita niya ang isang nilalang na naka-upo sa isang makinang na transparent na crystal.
"Nakakagulat na mayroong katulad mong nilalang na nakayang pasukin ang isipan ng ibang nilalang..." Sabi ng babae na nakita ng nilalang. "What's your name, Demon?" Tanong agad nito.
"Call me Red." Pagpakilala naman ng nilalang.
"It's not your real name. But it's fine, I'm not interested in you." Tumayo ang babae sa kaniyang kinauupuan. "You're just a consciousness huh? I'm surprised you're still alive Demon...sandali, that idiot woman, she drank a monster blood, worse enough she drank a blood of Demon!!" Hindi nagustuhan ang nangyayari na sabi ng babae kay Red.
Natawa naman si Red. "Hey, hey...stop with that bad acting. Alam kong alam mo ang nangyayari sa paligid. You are sharing the same vision right, with Shannon Petrini."
"Absolute Appraisal." Gumamit ng isang Advance Aura Perception Sub-Technique ang babae. "Leviathan! How come a strong Demon like you fall? Who did it? Is it a human? A Demon? A True Spirit?"
"Marami kang nalalaman. I died in the hands of my own siblings. Those fools let themselves be puppets of that bastard."
"'Demon Conflict' huh? So, what is your purpose of coming over here?"
"I give up on taking over the consciousness of Shannon Petrini. No, I give up on taking over your body, Mary Mchavoc...I'll be useful to you if you want to get back the body you own. You love violence the most, those fools will satisfy you more than enough. In exchange for helping you take over again, put me out of your mind and transfer in a deserving dying body. Give me, this consciousness of mine a soul. You can do that, because you've master up the one Magic Shannon Petrini is afraid of using."
"Mautak ka...dahil matindi na labanan ang haharapin ng babaeng iyon, at konektado sa amin ang kalalabanin...fine by me. Pero kapag napatunayan ko na hindi ka karapatdapat na mabuhay, sa oras na ikaw ay aking inilabas dito, mabubura ka, 'Progenitor of Mchavoc Clan and Grandson of the Great Hero Amira Everleigh and one of 12 Founding Demons, Leviathan. You are Mchavoc Leviathan!"
"Nakakatakot ang Absolute Appraisal mo. Even my own Absolute Appraisal can't do what yours can do."
"Mataas talaga ang tingin ng mga Demon sa sarile nila. Your last name is supposed to be Everleigh but the one written in your soul is Leviathan...bragging your Royal Demon lineage like that..."
"I'm not an exception huh? Well, that's my fate I guess? For being born with a Demon Blood."
*****
Samantala, sa pagpapatuloy ng laban sa pagitan ng tatlong Havoc Gangsters at mga bantay sa karagatan ng Zcaford Region...sa himpapawid kung saan naglalaban sina Mikey at ang muling naibalik na lahi ng halimaw sa mundo ng Elementacia na isang Fishman...
Sa simula ng laban ng dalawa ay nagsubukan sila ng kanilang mga lakas. Sa umpisa pa lang ay nagpakita na ng kalamangan ang Fishman kay Mikey.
*****
Mikey Bajirou Point Of View
Malakas ang kalaban ko. Kahit na katiting na pagkakamali lang na gawin ko o isang segundo na hindi ko maagapan ang maling iyon, kamatayan ang kalalabasan ng aking pakikipaglaban sa halimaw na ito.
Fishune ang kaniyang pangalan. Kahit na hindi ko tinanong ang pangalan niya, mayabang niya itong inanunsyo sa akin sa simula ng aming paglalabanan.
I can't afford to lose a face again, specially now that she's watching, she's witnessing my fight.
"What's the matter kid? Afraid now after few tries?" Tanong sa akin ni Fishune. Kina-career na ang pagiging lamang niya sa laban namin.
Even though he have so many openings on his position right now, even if I will use it for my advantage, he will just force his way to end up making those openings he have useless. His skin is fucking tough as it looks.
I can't imagine the face of the 'Mad Scientist' who experimented him. If all his or her guenie pig are tough, it is a big problem for Havoc Gang.
I can't stop thinking now that this may be an unaware suicide mission we're going to do.
"Nah, I'm not afraid. I'm just trying to picture out what kind of look you will have after I decided the way I'll kill you." Pangaasar ko. I just want to do it, to raise my morale.
"You got the nerve to think that way while having a battle to death going on?"
"Ssh...let's just continue. You are to be blame too anyway right? You didn't attack me while I'm spacing out. Aren't you the one who got the nerve to be arrogant not finishing your enemy while you can easily do it?"
"Haha...busted huh? You're pretty clever for a kid...how old are you?"
"I'm still a growing kid. I just turned 12 afterall." Sumeryoso ang aking mukha. "Ayoko sa mga mayayabang na mga nilalang na pinaglalaruan ang mga biktima nila na parang mga bagot sa buhay na mga nilalang. Ang mga katulad mo, ay dapat talagang mawala."
"Such a young age to die."
"Who said I'll die? By your hands? Funny..." I lift my sword.
Malakas na pwersa ng puting enerhiya ang bumalot dito.
"Partner, we'll use that recently way that we found out." Pagkausap ko sa aking partner na True Spirit na nasa aking espada.
"Okay, Roger!" Masaya na sabi niya naman sa akin.
My partner as time goes by, she's becoming more and more lively, unlike me who was opposite. The longer I stay with her, the often I see her beautiful face, my heart if filled with longing and lonesomeness.
Damn it.
"What method are you planning to do kid?" Tanong ni Fishine sa akin pero hindi ko ito sinagot.
I smiled. "FuMaPoTra, Polished White." I activated FuMaPoTra.
Yes, my partner reached Arcane Stage in the few weeks of training that was available.
It was imposible for her to achieve such ability if she weren't able to go out of the sword.
Even though it's a FuMaPoTra, it doesn't mean that I'm fully going to be affected by it. The sword turn into a much more tinier sword but shining white with the blade having, outline as silver color one.
My arm which holds it was affected too.
Naging purong kulay puti ang kamay ko, at hindi ko din maaaring bitawan ang espada na hawak ko, sa oras na gawin ko iyon, matatapos ang FuMaPoTra ng partner ko. Siyempre, mamamatay din ako sa kamay ng aking kalaban.
"Interesting. Using a FuMaPoTra? I wish I was Arcane Stage so that I can do the same thing."
"Don't just say you're amused. Idiot, I'll not move the same anymore." Angal ko naman agad sa sinabi ni Fishune.
Tineleport ko ang sarile papunta sa likuran niya at hinampas ang hawak kong espada sa kaniyang likod.
Sa pagtama nito, malakas na slash ng puting enerhiya ang kumawala at humati ng may kalaliman sa tubig dagat na dinaanan ng slash panandalian.
Nagdulot din ng pagyanig sa tubig ang ginawa ko.
Aabot sa isang kilometro ang layo ng slash na ginawa ko.
Si Fishune na mayabang kani-kanina lang ay nagalit sa akin. Dumistansya siya agad sa akin.
Nagtamo siya ng sugat sa likuran niya.
"Damn brat!!" Sigaw niya na galit sa aking ginawa sa kaniya.
"Was it weak? I thought I could wipe him out with that slash." Sabi ng partner ko sa akin. Napatawa naman ako ng kaunti sa narinig ko sa kaniya. "Ah? Mikey, you meany, cruel of a little boy..." Halatang nagdadabog na sabi niya sa akin.
"Calm down." Sabi ko naman.
"You damn brat, what are you talking about? No, are there two of you?" Nagtatakang sabi naman ni Fishune. "Damn... emphasizing that I was a test subject. You know you're, a really twisted in the inside."
"I'm really struggling against you. No matter what I do, I will lose. You're stronger than me, but you're not stronger than my partner who's dwelling in my sword. The fact that I use FuMaPoTra, be blessed. I fought you seriously. Gaya ng sinabi ko kanina, ang mga katulad mo na hindi tinatapos ang mga kalaban nila agad kahit na kaya naman nila ay talagang kinamumuhian ko. Say your prayers now, because your monster race is about to be obliterated once again."
"D-Damn it!" Umatake siya sa akin.
Nag-teleport naman ako sa kanan niya imbis na lumapit siya ay ako na lang. Winasiwas ko ang espada ko sa kaniyang ulo.
Sa pagtama ng talim sa mismong may sintido niya ay nahiwa ko ito.
Ang ibabaw ng ulo niya, ang ibabaw ng kaniyang bungo at ang kalahati ng kaniyang utak ay nahiwa ng espada ko.
Sumirit agad ang masangsang nitong dugo.
Dumistansya ako sa kaniya.
Natanggal ang mana na nakabalot sa paa nito at nahulog siyang tuluyan sa ilalim ng tubig.
Matapos kong paslangin ang mayabang na kalaban ko, nag-teleport ako papunta sa barko na sinasakyan ng Havoc Gangsters.
Agad akong nilapitan ng ilan sa mga Unit Captains para ako ay alalayan.
Hindi ko akalain ang biglang paglalaho ng FuMaPoTra na inactivate ko. Puta, talagang hindi pa ako sanay na gamitin ito.
Nakaramdam ako ng matinding pagkasunog sa kamay kong ginamit kong panghawak sa espada ko kanina na nag-FuMaPoTra.
Lumobo pa nga ang mga ugat sa kamay ko at parang itoy bumigat kaya hindi ko ito maigalaw.
Sinamahan ako ni Rum papunta sa isang kwarto. Ito ang kwarto na aking napili na pahingahan sa biyahe naming ito na naantala ng Bakunawa.
Umupo ako sa kama habang si Rum ay nagpadulas sa pader at umupo sa sahig.
"I saw the battle. Pretty much sure that Gemmalyn, Johnbhel, Que and even Zayn might have saw what happened to your battle. You didn't show any mercy at all huh?"
"Your Advance Aura Perception Sub-Technique is great. Plano ko talagang pugutan na lang ng ulo ang kalaban ko pero hindi ko alam kung bakit mas pinili ko na tanggalin ang ibabaw na parte ng ulo niya. Mukhang namana ko sa aking mga magulang ka-brutalan." Paliwanag ko. Sumakit ang aking kamay na hanggang ngayon ay hindi parin nawawala ang epekto ng FuMaPoTra na ginamit ko.
Ni hindi ko nga naibalik sa mismong kaluban nito ang espada ko, tinulungan lang ako ni Tinzel na ibalik sa kaluban ang espada ko.
"Ano nga palang ginagawa mo dito? Hindi ba dapat panoorin mo din ang laban nina boss at Franz?"
"I don't think boss will lose. Even that old man Franz."
"Hey, hey don't call Franz a old man, he's still not that old."
"TSK." Reklamo niya.
Sinuntok niya bigla ang sahig. "I don't like what I'm feeling, Mikey."
I saw a frustrated look on his face.
"Why? What's the matter?"
"Knowing that I'm a Legendary Ace or something, and my power is not Magic, I can't help but feel uneasy. I know I'm weak, hindi na ako magtataka kung mamamatay ako sa laban na magaganap."
"Don't say such a negative thought." Sabi ko sa kaniya.
But, him saying such words reminded of such almost warning by that damn, annoying Venom.
*Flashback*
Hindi ko na maalala kung kailan iyon nangyari. But I do believe it happened not so long ago.
I was sitting in my chair not so long ago, in the rooftop of Nova Chrono Group's hideout.
I was amazed by the shining stars above me so, I even do drink my tea which a servant prepared earlier before I took my seat.
After three sip of the tea from the cup, Venom came into the rooftop.
Umupo siya sa katapat na upuan. Kaya makaharap na kami ngayon. He's wearing his usual annoying serious look.
"Anong ginagawa mo dito?" Iritado na tanong ko sa kaniya.
"Don't be so annoyed. You came here because you lost your Gang right?"
"Anong pake mo?"
"Don't be so stubborn now. I came to ask a favor from you."
"I don't want to do it."
"Wala pa akong sinabi."
"Talk now. Sinisira mo ang mood nang aking panonood sa mga bitwin."
"Alam mo ang pagkatao ko at ng dalawang mga kaibigan ko. For your own sake, no, for everyone's sake...you want to avenge your father too right? It's not Don Nervoz who killed him but Don Farezona right? It's coming soon, Havoc Gang, a gang your mother created will face Don Mori Sette in Zcaford Region...honestly, in all of those timeline me and my friends went to, none of them is fucking successful. Atleast ang timeline na ito na aming huling timeline na napuntahan, slowly but surely, mukhang naiiba ang mga nangyari sa lahat ng timeline na pinanggalingan namin. I want you to go in Palkia City and start a training session with Havoc Gangsters. Because in all of those timelines we came from, everyone in Havoc Gangsters dies. Of course not exactly everything happening in each timeline are the same but still, the events are surely going to the downfall of Mary Mchavoc. So to keep up with this timeline, we are doing our best to atleast prevent the Legendary Aces from dying. Also, a additional mission for you, train Rum Costco, because he is the first Legendary Ace who will die. He is weak as hell to be a Legendary Ace or should I say, he's lacking in motivation and improvement. If someone like you, born with natural outstanding talents and fellow Legendary Ace, you can change him. In those timelines that we came from, some Havoc members survive against the Big Daddy Bandits but none of those survivors are the Legendary Aces who are member of Havoc Gang, of course your mother was killed by Don Mori Sette."
"You're really good at annoying a kid like me..." Binato ko ang tasa sa kaniya.
Gumamit naman siya ng mana para protektahan ang sarile niya na mabasa ng laman na tea ng tasa.
"Mary Mchavoc's son, it's up to you. If you'll do it or not. Because if you do it and fail anyways or if you didn't do it after all, it's your fault that everyone will die."
"It's not my responsibility. Besides, why not you, who will do it? Arcane Stage ka, Stage 0 lang ako."
"Don't be an idiot. We are hiding our presence from the real enemy of Nova Chrono Group. Sa tingin mo ba hindi nila kami tatargetin agad para mapaslang nila? Isa pa, kahit anong paliwanag ang gawin namin kay Mary Mchavoc, hindi siya makikinig sa amin dahil para sa kaniya mga kaaway kami, dahil mga Real Demon kami. Real Demons embodies the 'Seven Deadly Sins'."
"You want to prevent the world's destruction but you're afraid to help out in person, the one who can save it. Pathetic species." I tried to annoy him but it didn't work.
In the end, I was forced to go in Palkia and join Havoc Gangsters. I trained Rum and help him become stronger.
Thinking about what I did, it's not bad after all that I did what Venom instructed me. I'm close to where my mother is. Even if she doesn't know.
*End Of Flashback*
"Rum...you want to get stronger and awaken your power right?"
"Of course, I was really excited fighting a Don's organization but at the same I'm still not good enough."
"We're out of here. We will be gone for 5 minutes. In that five minutes, I'll make you Stage 0."
"Nagbibiro kaba?" Nairita agad siya. "Tarantado ka din kung mangasar ahh?"
"Hindi ako nang-aasar. Seryoso ako sa sinasabi ko. Kaya mayroong kaakibat na panganib ang sinasabi kong pagpapalakas na gagawin mo. Do you still want to do it?"
"Of course." Sinuntok niya ng malakas ang sahig na nasira at lumubog ang kamao niya rito.
That's the spirit.
Itutuloy.