Tokita staggered, struggling to maintain his balance. His thoughts raced as he surveyed the destruction surrounding him. "What the hell was that?" he wondered, his mind reeling from the shock of the blast. "Nolan was strong before, but that was stronger than anything he used in the initiation," he muttered under his breath, his hand instinctively going to his chest where he felt the searing pain from the wound Nolan had inflicted upon him.
As he surveyed the destruction around him, Tokita's eyes widened in horror. The explosion had leveled several buildings and left behind a trail of devastation that stretched as far as he could see. He could feel the heat of the flames licking at his skin, and the acrid smell of smoke filled his nostrils, making it hard to breathe. Despite the chaos and destruction, Tokita gritted his teeth and forced himself to stand, unwilling to give up the fight.
The pain was almost unbearable, but Tokita refused to let it defeat him. He took a deep breath and focused his mind, drawing on his inner reserves of strength and determination. Slowly, he began to regain his balance and his senses, his body slowly adapting to the trauma it had suffered. With each passing moment, his resolve grew stronger, his will to survive burning like a bright flame within him.
As Tokita frantically searched for his sword amidst the rubble, he realized with a sinking feeling that it was nowhere to be found. The force of the explosion must have sent it flying, he thought. Desperate for a weapon, he scanned his surroundings until his eyes fell upon two twisted steel chains lying amidst the debris.
He uncautiously approached them, gingerly testing their temperature to make sure it wasn't still hot from the explosion. Satisfied that it was safe to handle, he wrapped them tightly around his fists, feeling the rough metal links dig into his skin. It was a crude and unfamiliar weapon, but it was better than nothing.
With a renewed sense of determination, Tokita staggered to his feet, wincing in pain as he felt his injuries protest. He took a deep breath, gritting his teeth against the pain, and turned to face Nolan. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest as he braced himself for the next attack.
"Really? A rusty chain is what you pick for a weapon?" Nolan manically chuckled, his eyes glaring with malice. "It won't save you." He stated as he blasted himself at Tokita.
Tokita unwrapped the chain from his left arm, feeling the weight of the steel links as he swung it forward with all his might. The chain whistled through the air, making a sharp hissing sound as it sliced through the air, and landed with a loud thud against the side of Nolan's jaw.
The force of the blow caused Nolan to stagger backwards, his head snapping to the side with a sickening crack. For a moment, he stood there swaying, as if struggling to keep his balance. His eyes, filled with rage and hate, bore into Tokita's, before he let out a roar of fury and charged forward.
Tokita tightened his grip on the chain, readying himself for Nolan's attack. As the other man approached, Tokita swung the chain in a wide arc, striking Nolan across the chest and causing him to stumble. Without hesitation, Tokita followed up with a flurry of quick jabs, landing several blows on Nolan's face and neck.
Undeterred, Nolan pressed forward, his spear whistling through the air. But Tokita was like a cobra, his movements fluid and graceful as he evaded the deadly weapon. With each swing of the chain, he landed blow after blow on Nolan's body, each strike more punishing than the last.
Tokita's body moved with a blur of motion as he twisted, dodged, and weaved around Nolan's spear strikes. His reaction time was almost precognitive, allowing him to anticipate each thrust and step out of the way with superhuman reflexes. After his training with Leo, his body had become a machine, honed through countless hours of constant training.
Nolan prepared to do an overhead slice, but Tokita was ready. With a quick flick of the wrist, he wrapped the chain around the spear and yanked it out of Nolan's hands. As Nolan stumbled backwards, Tokita seized the opportunity and delivered a powerful kick to his opponent's chest, sending him crashing to the ground.
Tokita didn't relent, he brought his arm back, before throwing it forward, the chain cutting through the air as it was brought down on Nolan. As it rained down on Nolan, the chains stopped midair, to Tokita's surprise.
Nolan extended his hand, and a pale white aura enveloped the chain, pulsing with a mysterious energy. Tokita's eyes widened in shock and confusion. "Levitate? Without even touching it?" he thought to himself, his mind racing to keep up. The aura grew stronger, spreading along the length of the chain and surrounding it completely.
Tokita realized he had to act fast. He ripped the chain from his arm, causing the white aura to flicker and dim. But it was too late; the aura had already taken hold, and the chain began to lift off the ground, hovering in the air like a deadly serpent poised to strike. The hairs on Tokita's neck stood on end as he watched, transfixed by the eerie glow emanating from the levitating chain.
Nolan sneered, his eyes fixed on Tokita as he raised his hand higher, commanding the chain to move. It darted forward like a lightning bolt, whistling through the air with terrifying speed. Tokita's reflexes kicked in, and he dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding the lethal strike. But Nolan was not done yet; with a flick of his wrist, he sent the chain hurtling towards Tokita once again.
"This...isn't the same Catalyst Nolan showed in the initiation!" Tokita thought to himself. He began to think, what could've happened for his Catalyst to have evolved like this?
The chain moved with blinding speed, leaving a trail of sonic booms in its wake as it changed direction in a blur of motion. Tokita's reflexes were pushed to their limit as he darted and weaved to avoid its deadly strikes. The air was alive with the crackling of energy, the chain glowing with a white-hot intensity as it sliced through the air.
Tokita's heart raced as he watched Nolan snatch his spear out of thin air, his eyes now glinting with a crazed fervor. With the chain still whistling through the air, Tokita mumbled a quick 'fuck' as he realized what Nolan's plan was.
Tokita was a blur of motion, his lithe and agile form darting and weaving with a fluidity that belied the danger he was in. Nolan's spear thrusts came with a vicious speed and ferocity, but Tokita was like a dancer, gracefully dodging and parrying each strike with precise movements that seemed almost supernatural.
The air crackled with tension as the two combatants clashed, their weapons meeting with a resounding clang each time. Tokita's chain whipped through the air, striking with the force of a hammer, but Nolan was undeterred, his spear dancing and weaving as he sought to land a telling blow.
Tokita found himself on the defensive, his mind racing as he tried to anticipate Nolan's next move. The chain snapped and crackled through the air as he swung it in wide arcs, using it to keep Nolan at bay. But it was a losing battle, and Tokita knew it.
With a sudden burst of speed, Nolan closed the distance between them, his spear flashing through the air in a deadly arc. Tokita barely had time to react, his body moving on pure instinct as he sidestepped the attack by a hair's breadth. The force of the blow sent him stumbling backwards, his feet slipping on the debris-strewn ground.
Tokita staggered backwards, his eyes widened in agony as the chain came hurtling towards him at a blinding speed. The metallic links glinted menacingly in the dim light as it collided with his liver, the impact sending a searing pain coursing through his body like a wildfire.
He felt as if he had been struck by a bolt of lightning, his breath coming in ragged gasps as he fought to stay conscious. The world around him blurred and spun, the air thick with the metallic tang of blood as he fell to his knees, his body shaking with convulsions.
Through the haze of pain, Tokita could see Nolan's mad grin, his eyes burning with a fierce intensity as he prepared to launch another attack. Despite the agony wracking his body, Tokita forced himself to stand, his muscles screaming in protest as he raised his fists in a low guard.
The levitating chain darted towards him once again, its movements fluid and deadly as it sliced through the air like a razor-sharp whip. Tokita tensed as it approached, parrying it with his the chain around his right arm, slamming it to the ground. The chain whistled through the air, leaving a trail of sparks in its wake as it slammed into the ground, sending up a cloud of dust and debris.
As the dust settled around him, Tokita coughed and wiped his eyes, trying to clear the debris. His mind raced as he tried to piece together what had just happened. It was as if Nolan's rage had manifested into something tangible, something that now posed a deadly threat to Tokita.
The knowledge that Leo had shared with him about Catalysts awakening flooded back to him. The idea that deep emotions could trigger a sudden evolution in a Catalyst was something that he had heard before. Had Nolan's desire for revenge sparked a sort of pseudo-evolution, causing his Catalyst to become something far more dangerous than it was previously?
As he searched for answers, Nolan charged forward, his eyes filled with a mad determination. Tokita could see the spear in his hand glowing with a fierce red light, and he knew that he had to act fast if he wanted to survive.
The chain that Tokita had knocked to the ground had lost its shimmering glow, suggesting that the Catalyst had worn off. Ordinarily, this would have been a relief, as it meant that Tokita only had to face Nolan without the added challenge of a levitating weapon. But any sense of relief quickly dissipated as Tokita's body began to rebel against him.
The liver strike from earlier was far more debilitating than Tokita had initially realized. The pain surged through his body like an electric shock, and he could feel his organs starting to shut down. He tried to push through the agony, but it was overwhelming. Every breath was a struggle, every movement felt like a battle. Tokita was fighting not only Nolan but also his own failing body.
"Shit!" He exclaimed as he struggled to step forward. Tokita's breaths came out in short gasps as he tried to steady himself. He could feel the pain pulsing through his body, threatening to engulf him completely. But he couldn't afford to give up, not now, not when Nolan was closing in on him with the intent to kill.
Nolan's eyes glimmered with madness as he lunged forward, his spear glowing with an otherworldly light. The air hummed with energy as the weapon sliced through the air, aimed directly at Tokita's heart.
Tokita summoned all the strength he had left, his eyes fixed on the glowing spear. He knew he had to act fast, or it would be the end for him. With a sudden burst of energy, he lunged forward, wrapping the chain around the base of the spear and yanking it upward just as the spear was about to strike him.
For a moment, time seemed to slow as the spear was redirected towards the sky, its bright glow illuminating the battlefield like a beacon. A red orb shot off into the sky, before exploding like a firework.
As the explosion roared into existence, a massive ball of fire erupted into the sky, casting a sickly orange glow over everything it touched. The heat radiating from the blast was intense, burning everything in its path and causing the air to shimmer with waves of heat. The ground shook violently, throwing debris and chunks of concrete high into the air. Tokita struggled to keep his balance, his body buffeted by the force of the explosion. For a moment, he thought he might be thrown clear off his feet and hurled into the sky.
The sound of the explosion was like nothing Tokita had ever heard before. It was a deep, rumbling roar that seemed to shake the very foundations of the earth. It echoed and reverberated through the air, bouncing off the buildings and creating a cacophony of noise that was almost unbearable. It was a sound that seemed to go on forever, never fading, never diminishing. Tokita covered his ears, but it was no use. The sound was too powerful, too overwhelming.
As the smoke cleared, Tokita lay there panting, his body battered and bruised. He looked over at Nolan, who was slowly rising to his feet, his eyes filled with a mix of fury and confusion.
"What the hell did you do?" Nolan growled, his voice trembling with anger.
Tokita just chuckled weakly, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "I did what I had to do," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "And now it's over."
Nolan sneered at Tokita, his voice dripping with contempt. "What have you accomplished?" he spat. "All you've done is delay the inevitable. This fight isn't over yet, not by a long shot."
He raised his spear, the glowing tip pulsating with energy. The air around them seemed to tremble with anticipation, as if it were being sucked into the weapon's deadly grasp.
Yet fate had other plans. The sound of steel meeting flesh was not what Nolan expected. Instead, a powerful shockwave shot out from the point of impact, the force of which sent debris flying in all directions. It was as if the earth itself was rebelling against the violence being inflicted upon it.
Amidst the chaos, Nolan's hair whipped back from the force of the blast. His spear remained lodged in the ground, the tip having been redirected by some unknown force. A growl of frustration rumbled through his chest as he struggled to regain his footing, glaring at the fallen Tokita with a mix of rage and confusion. "What the hell are you doing here?" he grumbled, his voice laced with hostility. "Ian Hawkwalker!" Nolan screamed out.
In front of Nolan, Ian had appeared, stopping Nolan's strike with his foot nonchalantly. His blue eyes met Nolan's silver ones, as Ian's expression contorted to one of anger. "You want to fight? I'll give you a fight." He stated, his fist blasting forward and impacting Nolan's nose, knocking him a few feet away.
"Y-you fucker!" Nolan stated, his nose beginning to bleed once again.
Ian looked down at the unconscious Tokita. "Thanks for the 'message'. I'll take it from here." He stated, looking forward at Nolan, his eyes beginning to glow.
Nolan spun his spear, his hand cloaking itself in a white aura. "Fine, I'll crush you as well!"
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Shu was angry. Perpetually angry, even. His footsteps echoed through the deserted halls, the sound of his boots slamming against the polished marble floors. Every step he took was punctuated with a seething anger, a simmering rage that threatened to spill out at any moment. He clenched his fists tightly, feeling the weight of his emotions bearing down on him like a heavy burden.
The corridors were silent, save for the occasional gust of wind that howled through the open windows, carrying with it the scent of the sea. The walls were adorned with portraits of previous Royals, their stern faces staring with a look that angered Shu even more.
For the entire week, Akane had been incessantly trying to make him one of her white-powdered followers. Ever since her meeting with the King, she practically had more control than he did.
Everyone knew about Akane, with nearly every single soul in the entirety of Saint Levara, whether that be the maids, the butlers, the soldiers, and even one of the Royals, they all had an infatuation with Akane from her near impossible to resist attraction.
The worst part was the way everyone else seemed to worship Akane. Shu couldn't understand it - sure, she was beautiful, but her manipulative tactics and thirst for power were plain to see. He couldn't fathom why so many people were willing to give up their free will just to be near her.
As he sauntered past a pair of bustling maids, he shoved his hands deep into his pockets, feeling the weight of his hands against his legs. His eyes locked onto the towering door at the end of the hall, the exit that led to the outside world. He could almost taste the sweet air of freedom that awaited him on the other side. It was so close, he could practically reach out and touch it.
A wave of relief washed over him as he took a few steps closer to the door. He had been stuck within the confines of Saint Levara for far too long. Sure, it was majestic and practically a paradise, but Shu couldn't stand everything that had happened in the last week. He needed something to take the edge off.
His momentary relief was shattered by the sound of high-pitched screams coming from behind him. As he turned his head, dread washed over him like a tidal wave. There, approaching him with a seductive sway in her hips, was the last person he wanted to see: Akane.
To his surprise, she was unaccompanied by her usual entourage of Lars and Genichiro. He briefly wondered what they could be up to, but quickly pushed the thought aside.
Akane's eyelids lowered seductively as she turned to the maids, her voice dripping with honey. "Hello~," she purred, sending the maids into a frenzy of blushing and squealing before they scampered away like startled mice.
Akane straightened her back as she approached Shu. Soon she stopped, just a few feet away from him. "Where are you going?" She asked as she tilted her head, her bright red eyes staring into his soul.
"Why would I need to tell you?" Shu stated coldly, his eyes staring daggers back.
Akane took a step closer, her delicate features twisted into a frown. "Oh, come on, Shu," she cooed, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "You know I'm just curious."
Shu's eyes narrowed. He knew better than to trust Akane's sweet words. He could feel the power emanating from her, the same power that had convinced so many others to follow her blindly. He took a step back, ready to leave.
"I don't care about your curiosity," Shu snapped, his eyes cold and unyielding as he turned to the door. The thought of being under her control, like so many others in Saint Levara, sent a shiver down his spine. "I've had enough of all you clowns for one week."
Akane stepped closer, her eyes gleaming with an unsettling intensity. He could feel her presence like a shadow looming over him. "Well, if you want to leave so badly, I suppose I can't stop you," she said, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Just be careful out there."
Shu could sense the fake care in her words. "I'll be fine," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm as he pushed open the massive doors of Saint Levara and stepped out into the sunlight. The fresh air felt good on his face, and he took a deep breath, trying to clear his mind of Akane's presence.
Suddenly, a boom entered his ears, followed by a large gust of wind. As he looked to his right, thirty miles away at the lower part of the city, he saw a small explosion. The ground beneath Shu's feet rumbled, as he turned his gaze to the right, squinting against the glare of the sun, and saw a plume of smoke rising in the distance.
A large, demonic grin twisted Shu's features as he let out a deep, menacing chuckle. The mere thought of the explosion in the distance seemed to excite him, sending a thrill of anticipation through his body. His eyes glittered with an almost maniacal gleam as he relished the chaos that was sure to follow.
"Finally, something to get the edge off," he muttered to himself, his voice low and husky with barely suppressed excitement. He couldn't remember the last time he had felt so alive, so electrified with the promise of destruction and mayhem.
He launched himself towards the explosion, ready to cease his boredom.