The headquarters lounge was a simple but functional room, bathed in subdued light. The walls, decorated with maps and strategic diagrams, bore the traces of the many battles they had been through. Yamero, Daru, Miya, and Suka had settled around the large central table, each lost in their own thoughts. The heavy silence was interrupted only by the steady ticking of the wall clock.
Miya, her gaze fixed on the table, was the first to break the silence. "Everything that happened… it seems unreal. Ha'arm, Oswald, Griselda… and now this impending apocalypse. We're cornered."
Daru, leaning back in his chair, crossed his arms. "That's true, but we've been through worse, right? This is not the time to doubt. If we stick together, we can get through this."
Suka gave a slight sarcastic laugh. "Been through worse? I think you're underestimating our enemies this time. Ha'arm alone is already a living nightmare. And now we have to deal with a potential end of the world. So yes, Daru, excuse me if I don't share your optimism."
Yamero, silent until then, raised his head. His gaze was dark, but determined. "We don't have the luxury of letting ourselves be defeated." The situation is critical, I won't deny it. But we have resources. We have the Sword of Anubis, and we know our enemies have weaknesses. We just have to find them."
Miya nodded, her eyes shining with a glint of determination. "Yamero is right. Ha'arm is powerful, but not invincible. And Oswald… he's arrogant. He underestimates our ability to fight back."
Daru, thinking out loud, added, "But we have to be realistic. Our organization has suffered significant losses. And now that Merphis is nowhere to be found, our forces are even more reduced. We need to recruit allies, or find a way to amplify our powers."
Suka, still skeptical, retorted, "Recruiting allies? Who would want to throw themselves into the lion's den? Everyone knows that Ha'arm and Oswald are untouchable."
A heavy silence fell again.
Yamero, banging his fist on the table, said, "Then we must prove that they are not invincible. Let's find a target. A victory, even a small one, will be enough to rally forces to our cause."
Suka says, "It's better to train together to fill our gaps and know our limits so we can exploit them well before we try anything."
Yamero: "That's a good idea, let's do that."
Miya: "You're right, we've all seen how powerful and dangerous the leaders of the extremist organization are. It's a miracle we're still alive, given their thirst to kill those who dare to challenge them."
Yamero stands up and declares in a firm voice, "First, we will train intensively, and then, we will launch operations to put an end to the approaching apocalypse."
The entire team, motivated by his words, shouts in one voice, "Well said!"
Maki walks towards the group, a slight smile on her lips, while Suka answers enthusiastically:
Suka: "We've been through so much... Seeing you back up and among us is a real relief, Maki."
Maki, placing a hand on her shoulder, retorts softly: "Thank you, Suka. I owe you all a debt. If I'm here today, it's thanks to your perseverance."
Yamero crosses his arms, his gaze serious: "Then show us what you can do. We need all the strength we can muster for what awaits us."
Daru, looking thoughtful, adds: "That's right. Maki, your return could change the game. Your mastery of defense and healing techniques is crucial to strengthening the team."
Miya said: "I'll prepare the training room in the meantime, be ready."
As Miya goes to prepare the training room, the others start to get ready by putting on their training outfits.
Being all native Japanese, they opted for traditional kimonos, symbolizing their culture and discipline. Except for Yamero, who, true to his unique style, showed up shirtless, wearing only kimono pants at the bottom.
Suka, on the other hand, remained more sober with a simple gray t-shirt and sports pants, focusing on the essential: training.
Yamero, still as relaxed, performs a few arm rotations, his muscles perfectly sculpted and his gaze determined, if nonchalant. He glances at the other members of the team, smiling as they put on their kimonos.
"A little variety doesn't hurt," he murmurs in a low voice, but loud enough for Suka to hear.
Suka, in his gray t-shirt and sports pants, adjusts the sleeves of his kimono before answering in a slightly mocking tone: "You really prefer to stay shirtless, huh? It seems like you don't want to miss an opportunity to impress the gallery." Yamero laughs lightly, but his gaze becomes more serious. "Intense training is what we need. We have to be ready for anything."
As Miya, with a hint of teasing in her voice, announces through the microphones built into the room: "So you're coming? The room is ready!" a wave of excitement runs through the group.
Without further ado, everyone gets moving. Yamero, still relaxed, takes a long stride and heads quickly towards the entrance. Suka, calmer but just as determined, follows closely, his thoughts already focused on the techniques to improve. Maki, his gaze focused, adjusts his kimono before running, more than convinced to push his limits. Daru and Miya, already a little ahead, make quick gestures to make sure everything is in place.
They finally arrive in the training room, a huge space, lit by soft lights that highlighted the different equipment and areas dedicated to training. Floor mats, hanging punching bags and clear surfaces for fighting rub shoulders in this space perfectly designed for physical and mental preparation.
Miya, standing in the center of the room, is already waiting, her arms crossed, a slightly mysterious smile on her face. "You're late," she says with a wink. "But since you're here, let's get started."
Everyone gathers around her, the atmosphere now filled with palpable energy. Training begins, but this time, it's different. It's not just a physical test, it's a chance to push their limits, discover new abilities, and strengthen their collective spirit.
"Nothing is left to chance here," Miya says firmly, before pausing. "Pay attention to your movements. This is where you'll see if you're really ready."
They then launch into an intense training session, each with a different goal but the same desire to surpass themselves.
The training begins in a tense and concentrated atmosphere. Suka, standing in front of his team, watches the members line up. His technological watch glows briefly, and with a precise gesture, he activates a system hidden in the room. With a mechanical noise, combat robots appear one by one, deploying at high speed.
Each robot is a sophisticated machine, designed to test the physical and mental capacities of the fighters. All are human-sized, but their metallic silhouette and fluid movements make them formidable opponents. On their torso, a red mark is visible, drawing a perfect target.
Suka looks at his team seriously, then speaks in a firm voice:
"For this training session, we will start by seeing how well you are able to regulate your energy. Each robot you will face has been designed to push you to exploit your reserves of power in a thoughtful and controlled manner. It is not just about hitting harder, but knowing when and how to use your energy to remain effective."
Miya, Yamero, Maki, and Daru, while already familiar with intense combat, know that this test will be different. It will not only be a question of brute force, but of finesse in their energy management—an essential element for surviving against more powerful and better-trained enemies.
Suka, calm and controlled, looks at his attentive team, listening to his words attentively. He feels the importance of transmitting this fundamental lesson, the one that separates impulsive fighters from cautious tacticians.
"It is not always necessary to put all your energy into a fight," he continues in a calm but firm voice. "Some fights require strategy, especially when the opponent is tougher or more powerful. Knowing your limits, knowing when to strike and when to conserve your energy, that is what will make the difference. It is crucial to know how to regulate how much energy to use and how to manage your reserves."
At these words, Suka closes his eyes for a moment, concentrating deeply. He begins to manipulate the alchemy within him with such fluidity that a brilliant white glow envelops him, radiating pure and controlled energy. The phenomenon is almost hypnotic, the white light creating an aura of quiet power around him.
With a simple, fluid gesture of his hand, Suka strikes the robot in front of him. A sharp, almost imperceptible sound resonates, and in an explosion of bright particles, the robot disintegrates completely. Nothing remains of the opponent, just a few pieces of debris floating in the air.
Suka then turns to his team members, his gaze fixed on them. "You see?" he says in a calm but authoritative voice. "I didn't need an explosion of energy to destroy this robot. I simply used what I needed, no more, no less. It's all about precision and efficiency."
He pauses, his voice becoming softer, but just as serious. "It is essential to learn to master the basics. Knowing when to use a small amount of energy to defeat an enemy, and when to unleash all of your power when necessary. Never waste, always be strategic. Every fight is a calculation, and every move must be thought through."
He watches his team members carefully, waiting to see if they understand the importance of the lesson. The training room, now silent, is filled with the heavy anticipation of what is to come.
Yamero, with a defiant smile, strides forward with a confident step, his confidence palpable. "Meh, that's too easy," he says, shrugging his shoulders, as if the exercise were just a game for him.
With a fluid gesture, he concentrates his alchemy, and a blue glow envelops his body, bright and full of power. In the blink of an eye, without even moving a finger, he disintegrates four robots simultaneously with a single, imperceptible blow. The machines disappear in an explosion of sparks, leaving behind a total absence of debris.
The team members, who had been watching attentively, exchange glances, impressed by Yamero's display of strength. However, Suka, a smirk on his face, shakes his head, a hint of mockery in his eyes.
"You didn't have to do the rest, did you, you bigot," he says, looking falsely annoyed.
Yamero, without losing his confident smile, quickly replies, "Don't worry, I left you some crumbs."
Suka rolls his eyes, an exasperated sigh escaping his lips. "Tsss. Come on, go back to your seat," he orders, while crossing his arms, his attitude full of sarcasm but also admiration for Yamero's power.
Miya and Maki step forward at the same time, each displaying a unique aura. Miya, concentrating her energy, is enveloped in a purple glow that shines intensely. With a simple flick of her finger, she neutralizes several robots at once, instantly reducing them to dust. The air around her seems to vibrate slightly after the attack. With a mischievous smile, she turns to Yamero and teasingly says,
"Oops, I didn't do it on purpose," she says casually. Then, with a wink, she adds, "That said, there are a few crumbs left for you, Yamero, for the next round."
Maki, meanwhile, is quick to show her own mastery. She holds out her hand, and a wave of energy is released, sweeping away everything in its path. The robots, unable to withstand the powerful wave, disappear without a trace. The room seems to fill with palpable tension after her attack.
Maki then turns around with a satisfied smile, tossing her hair to one side in a nonchalant gesture. She confidently says, with a knowing wink and a small laugh,
"Power girl," while adding a wink, as if to challenge anyone who would dare to underestimate her.
The team watches, both impressed and amused, seeing that Miya and Maki have truly mastered the art of controlling their energy with remarkable finesse. The two girls don't just destroy; they also add a touch of style and personality to their demonstrations. Yamero, meanwhile, growls in a falsely annoyed but clearly amused air by the situation.
Daru, approaching in turn, concentrates his energy. An intense white-yellow glow envelops him, illuminating the room with a dazzling clarity. With a fluid and precise movement, he strikes the air, and with a single gesture, all the robots in front of him are reduced to ashes, leaving behind only traces of smoke. The training continues without a false note, each having demonstrated their mastery of energy and the management of their power.
The first training session ends, and the atmosphere becomes more tense, the excitement palpable.
Suka, observing the team's performances with an analytical look, nods in approval. A slight smile forms on his lips, before he speaks:
"That's perfect, you've all passed this stage, even if it's only the basics. Now, we're going to move on to the second training session. This time, we're tackling robots designed specifically for combat. You're going to have to adjust your techniques and be ready for anything."
The adrenaline begins to rise in the room. Everyone mentally prepares themselves, knowing that this next stage will be much more demanding. The combat robots, created with special specifications to withstand their attacks, represent a major challenge.