I leaned against a tree and used my binoculars to scout the area we were in. Amunet walked next to me and stood next to me. I lowered my binoculars then closed my eyes.
"So this Eco Aegis person? Who are they?" I asked.
Amunet stared out into the city we were going to raid. "She is the strongest Knight in North Emerald. She the daughter of one of the four Legendary Heroes of Exzodiac. Her name is Edea."
"Hm...These Fallen members have her captured in this city huh? Where exactly are we anyway?" I asked.
"We are all the way in the Taurus Country. We are near a city named Fluer Union." Amunet answered.
I looked at Amunet and read her body language. She seemed to only be focused on the mission, barely paying me any mind.
[Current Compatibility with Amunet/Ishara: 10%]
'That explains a lot...' I thought to myself.
My Zodiac Crystal began shining and I noticed Nagini was calling me. I answered her then crossed my arms. "Still no phone?"
Nagini smirked and closed her eyes. "Ignoring your comment. Everyone's in their positions. I got intel from Nina. Edea is being held in Fluer Prison. It's gonna be a prison break."
"A quick in and out?" Amunet asked.
"It won't be. That prison is heavily guarded by guards. You may need masks to hide your identities. If you're caught it's over." Nagini said.
"Right." I said then noticed my crystal shining brightly then noticed my attire change. I was now wearing a black coat and had a mask over my face.
"There. I've given you an outfit that hides your true presence. You need a codename. Tell it to me and we'll set off." Nagini said.
I crossed my arms and closed my eyed. I thought codenames were cheesy, but this was to keep my identity secret. I opened my eyes and looked at Nagini. "Codename: Cipher."
"Cipher huh...A person without power. A Zero. A Nobody." Nagini said then chuckled. "All set. You're free to move out. Rendezvous with the others at the casino rooftop. We'll start there." Nagini said.
"On it." I said then Nagini hung up. "Let's get going."
"Roger that." Amunet said.
----------------------------------------------
Amunet and I walked around the crowded areas of the city to blend in and not attract any attention. As I watched Amunet move around the crowd, I could tell how experienced she was at slithering her way through the crowd. It was almost like she was intangible...I suddenly lost track of her then grunted as someone grabbed me, pulling me into an alleyway.
I looked at Amunet then watched her walk off. I followed behind and stared at her, curious about her. I decided to strike up a conversation to break the ice. "Amunet, can I ask you something?"
Amunet was silent, but her slight head movement let me know she was listening.
"How long have you been a knight for?" I asked.
Amunet stopped walking then looked at me. "I've been a knight since I was a little girl. I became a knight the day after my home was ambushed by Blue Topaz. I trained day and night without rest to get where I am now. Because of what I do, I've earned my title of the Toxic Assassin."
"I can only imagine how life has treated you up to now. I only asked because you're just so quiet. I guess I'm used to people talking my ear off.." I said.
"You can concentrate like that?" Amunet asked.
I shrugged and smiled. "Hearing their voices let's me know they are still alive. Knowing they are with me gives me more than enough strength as cheesy as that sounds..."
Amunet tilted her head a bit. "Huh. I am used to having no allies so the silence is all I am used to. I guess I could try to be more... talkative on missions."
I smiled at Amunet then walked forward. "Come on let's take a little detour~ The others haven't made it to the casino yet."
"Are you sure?" Amunet asked.
"Trust me, a little fun in the shadows won't hurt anyone..~" I said then took Amunet's hand.
Amunet followed me quickly then gently grunted as the city lights hit her eyes. She looked around and noticed VI and Mina with the Royal Guard. I chuckled and noticed April running forward.
"Catch up slowpoke~" April said then dashed forward.
"Yeah~ Don't wanna you too miss us~" Nina teased as she flew by me.
I smirked and looked at Amunet. "Let's go."
Amunet nodded then watched me run forward. She followed after me then went into her Stealth Mode and quickly scaled a building. I watched her then chuckled softly.
"Use your Predator Instincts! It comes equipped with a Stealth Mode as well and increases your speed!" Leona said to me.
I nodded and tapped into my Predator Instincts then rushed forward. I began to pass right by people without them even noticing me. I looked to the side and noticed Heifer charging ahead. She was keeping up with me and I took it as a challenge.
"Try and keep up." I said then rushed ahead then slipped into an alleyway.
Heifer watched me then smirked. She jumped up then landed on then top of a phonebooth then leaped on a rooftop. She began to race me rooftop from rooftop toward the casino. She looked down and noticed my aura trail ahead.
'How is he so fast now..?' Heifer wondered to herself.
"He's using Stealth Mode. While in this mode all of his stats are lowered by 50%, but his speed increases nearly 200%. It's one of Leos' and Scorpios' best traits. The only difference is their critical Ambush Attack." Taurus explained.
'Really? He's really coming in tune with Leona isn't he?' Heifer asked Taurus and smiled.
"He is. Not once has Leona left his side for anything other than at the academy." Taurus answered.
As the race continued, we soon made it to the casino rooftop where Nagini was located. She looked at us then looked back at the prison. We looked at the prison as well.
"Those black clouds.." Lily said.
"Darkness has taken over this prison. It's all guarded by Darkness's Forces. Dark Knights and Dark Ninjas all equipped with rare equipment called the Mist's Cloak." Nagini said.
"Those cloaks that allow them to mimic the same properties as the black clouds? How do we deal with them?" April asked.
I closed my eyes and remembered my fight with one of the Dark Ninjas from earlier. "If I'm correct, when they turned into that mist, they become intangible like Stealth Mode right?"
"Correct." Nagini said.
"Then the way to bypass their technique is to wait for them to attack as well. Just like Stealth Mode the moment we attack, we become in risk of being attacked as a result as well." I said.
"Bingo~" Nagini said and chuckled. "And they say you can't teach a class while on a battlefield. Listen up...our goal is to save Edea and retreat with a 0% Alert. Understood?"
"Yes ma'am!" We said in unison.
It was time. It was time for us to to rush in and save Edea from her cell. We all rushed toward the prison to start our mission.
I landed on the ground and dashed forward. I used my flames to construct a dagger then went into Stealth Mode. 'Amunet.'
'Hmph...' Amunet replied.
Our eyes shined then we began to move at high speeds, assassinating as many guards as we could then went back to back. I noticed Amunet was leaving behind poisonous threads then smirked. Amunet raised her scarf then vanished. I took a deep breath then used my Burning Assault on the thread setting it ablaze, burning all the guards caught in the thread.
[Bond with Amunet has increased...]
"Lady Bloodshed! Let's go!" Heifer called out and dashed forward.
April dashed forward as well and laughed. "Lead the way!"
Heifer charged toward a Dark Knight, attempting to ram him, but the Dark Knight's body turned into mist and reformed behind Heifer. He unsheathed his sword and went for a slash. April charged forward then kicked the Dark Knight away then appeared above him, axe kicking him to the ground.
Heifer charged forward and bellowed, ramming into the Dark Knight and blowing him away upon impact. She stomped her foot down then bellowed charging forward and delivering a powerful gut punch to the Dark Knight, staggering him.
"Lady Bloodshed!" Heifer called out.
"Coming through!" April bellowed and vanished at invisible speeds. "War Arts, First Stage!"
The Dark Knight grunted at April's speed then sensed her attack then turned into mist, dodging her first strike then groaned as he was blown away by April's next attack. April chuckled then vanished, striking the Dark Knight from all directions at high speeds, leaving behind afterimages.
April flipped backwards off one hand then got into a crouching start. Black lightning crackled around her body then her Crest of War shined brightly on her hand. Everything around April began to move slowly as she charged forward. "Harbinger..."
April delivered a critical blow against the Dark Knight then a large flash of black lightning appeared upon impact. The Dark Knight coughed blood then groaned as he was blown away through multiple trees then crashed through a wall.
"Watch your back!" Lily called out then tossed a dagger past April, striking a Dark Ninja's head.
April looked behind herself then grunted as she was ambushed by Dark Ninjas. She dodged the first Ninja's attack then kicked her away before vanished at high speeds, evading the second Dark Ninja.
"Vacuum Burst!" Nina bellowed.
She fired two orbs of energy at the Dark Ninja then them exploded, causing two tornados to form. The tornados formed together then Nina's eyes shined brightly.
"Forbidden Technique...Dead Man's March..." Nina said then bellowed as a large wind entity formed from the tornados.
"Burst Skill!" Lily bellowed and her angelic aura surged powerfully around her body. She raised her Cross to the sky then a magic circle appeared above the wind entity. "Heaven's Gift!"
The wind entity roared as it began to be blessed by a Divine Light. Angelic wings formed behind the entity and a bright light shined.
"Angel!" Nina called out.
"Let's do this!" Lily replied.
"Dual Burst Skill: Breath of Heaven!" Lily and Nina bellowed then the wind entity blew out a powerful force of divine wind at the Dark Ninjas, wiping them all out at once.
Nagini watched from a distance then chuckled. "My subjects...My pupils..~ Showcase your strengths..~ Show The Fallen who they are dealing with..~"
I ran down the hall with April, Nina, and Lily while Amunet and Heifer stayed outside with VI and Mina to protect the Royal Guard. I came to a stop when I noticed black clouds blocking the other pathways. The others noticed and stopped as well.
Darkness walked out the clouds and looked at us, adjusting his mask. "I have no idea who you all are, but to easily make it past my security like that...you all have to be high tiers."
I looked at Darkness then adjusted my mask. "We're just a couple of Vigilantes inspecting a possible crime scene dealing with The Fallen.."
Darkness chuckled and walked around. "You vigilantes thinking you are what normal heroes aren't. You all want to be Legendary Heroes, yet can not stand the test of time. What makes you lot different..?"
I walked around as well then stared at Darkness then a memory from four years ago flashed in my head. "I'm certain that I can defeat you..! Lady Justice, do it!"
'Zodiac Arts: Equalization!' Nina muttered then clapped her hands together.
An energy field projected around the arena then all of our power levels and conditions were equalized. Darkness looked around and was genuinely surprised.
"Well now...It seems that you may have Zodiac Power.." Darkness chuckled and looked at us.
'The secret's revealed, but he doesn't know our identities. With this the field is even...I'll use this time to get some answers from him!' I thought to myself.
"Let's get this started.." Darkness said then slowly summoned his sword.
I braced myself then dashed forward. I went for the first strike, but he turned into black clouds then reformed beside me, striking me with his knee then knocked me upwards. I groaned and tried to recover, but, within a blink of an eye, he was gone. I groaned loudly in pain as a flurry of delayed slashes struck me, launching me into a wall.
April began to sweat nervously, in awe of Darkness's skill even though everyone was equal. "This guy's kinda nuts..."
"Even though you can equal our power level and condition, you can't equal out our skill and abilities. However, black clouds...nullified your effect field." Darkness said and chuckled.
"That won't stop me from trying to beat you!" Lily bellowed then dashed toward Darkness.
Darkness watched Lily then dodged her slash and parried her next slash then kicked her upwards then trapped her in the air with his aura. He looked at me then adjusted his mask. "After years of searching...The Child of Prophecy has appeared. August."
I grunted and my eyes widened as I looked at Darkness. "How—"
"Your Fluorite gave you away. It shines the closer you are to someone called a Fallen Legend." Darkness explained then pointed his sword at Lily then cloaked knights grappled onto April and Nina.
"Lily! April! Nina!" I called out and grunted as I felt the black clouds grapple onto me.
"I could kill you now, but it wouldn't be fun to kill the Prince of Eyica at his weakest. I will cut you a deal. Hand over the Rainbow Fluorite...or I'll make you watch me torture your allies until they beg for death." Darkness said..
I growled at Darkness and tried to break out of the bind of the black clouds. "You won't be getting shit!"
"Do it." Darkness ordered.
April noticed the knight holding her unsheathed a dagger then groaned loudly in pain as he stabbed her. Nina groaned and struggled to break out of the Knight's hold.
"Stop it!" Lily screamed.
"This isn't your little school life anymore, Prince Eyica. This is real life...and in real life your choices actually matter!" Darkness said then slashed at Lily, leaving a black line on her arm.
Lily groaned loudly in pain as a wound appeared on her arm. My eyes widened and my heart thumped. The sight of seeing the three of them getting hurt began to boil my blood beyond anything before.
"Just as I've done to your people back in Utalia...I know you remember my face. Prince Balor, Emperor of Arcania! I slaughtered your entire bloodline, forced your parents to send you away. You hold a power that belongs to me." Darkness said.
I lowered my head then the memories began to rush in my head. My hair covered my eyes then steam began to rise from my body.
"Prince Ascea. Ruler of Eyica. It's time for you to give up. Your time is up." Darkness said.
"August!" April screamed out.
I roared loudly in pure rage then my aura surged powerfully around my body. I growled and roared loudly, breaking out of Darkness's clouds and transforming into my Drive Form. I dashed toward him and went for a wild claw swipe.
"What the—" Darkness said the dodged my attack.
I rushed toward him and roared, landing a Lion's Fist against him and knocking him away. He grunted and turned his body into smoke then reformed behind me, slashing down. I sensed his attack then evaded him and kicked him back. Darkness jumped back and grunted softly.
I roared and my eyes shined a bright red as I was in a Bloodlusted State. I began breathing fire wildly and glared at Darkness.
'He's in a Feral State...His attacks are too unpredictable for me to land a quick attack. I need him to tire himself out...' Darkness thought to himself.
"You'll pay for hurting them!" I roared then dashed toward Darkness.
I created a smoke screen around myself by breathing fire at the ground then went into Stealth Mode. Darkness looked around for me then sensed my attack, dodging me then groaned as he was scratched from behind by Leona. I appeared in front of him then landed a decisive Lion's Fist on his chest, launching him through a wall. I roared loudly and used my soundwaves to blow away the Dark Knights holding April and the others hostage.
I summoned my Rainbow Fluorite then held it up and it shined brightly. I awakened the Crystal and obtained my Ophiuchus Abilities then healed Lily, April, and Nina.
"August...I means Cipher...Thank you..." April said then hugged me tightly.
I looked at April then held her close to me. "The battle isn't over yet...Darkness hasn't been defeated yet."
Darkness chuckled as he walked out of the smoke then dusted himself off. "You caught me off guard there, Cipher. I guess I underestimated you."
"As I am now, you don't stand a chance!" I bellowed then my Solar Peridot and Rainbow Fluorite shined and transformed into gauntlets.
April grunted softly as she felt a shine in her chest. 'Rama..?'
"April...Charge forward and use my power to defeat Darkness!" Rama said to April.
April bellowed and awakened her Zodiac Power and the Aries Symbol shined brightly on her chest. "Alright! Let's go!"
"Lily... It's time! Show Darkness your full strength!" Imogen said to Lily.
Lily bellowed and a halo formed above her head. "Let's finish this!"
"Nina!" Harmony called out.
"It's over for you Darkness!" Nina said then put her gloves on.
"Show me your power, Heroes!" Darkness laughed.
We charged toward Darkness and engaged battle with him. He dodged and evaded our attacks swiftly, but we were managing to keep up.
"April!" I called out.
"Right behind you, my love!~" April replied.
I rushed ahead and roared, propelling myself toward Darkness. He made his body into black clouds evading me then smirked. April dashed forward then performed a round off, landing into a charging stance then chuckled.
"Ready...Go!" April said then vanished at invisible speeds.
Darkness detected April then tried to dodge her but she was already too fast then groaned as he was knocked upward. April rapidly struck Darkness from all directions, leaving trails of black lightning behind. She appear above Darkness then knocked him to the ground. Darkness quickly recovered then sensed another attack.
A dagger phased through Darkness's body then Lily warped to the dagger and slashed at Darkness, landing the attack. She kicked him away then Nina rushed forward.
"As if I'll let some teenagers defeat me!" Darkness bellowed then caused his black clouds to rush toward us.
Nina began dodging the clouds then landed a swift kick against Darkness then appeared in front of him at high speeds then grappled him. She spun him around then threw him to the center.
"Everyone!" I roared then dashed toward Darkness.
I landed my staggering chop then Nina leaped over me, landing her chop attack. She kicked him upwards then Lily warped toward him and knocked him to the ground. April laughed as she landed on Darkness with a powerful stomp. She knocked him back then landed with us.
"Together!" I roared then we all launched our strongest blasts at Darkness.
Nagini watched the battlefield then noticed a massive explosion happen in the prison. "What the hell..?"
Amunet looked at the prison then heard the sirens going off. She looked at Heifer then hurried toward the prison. Heifer followed behind to make sure we were okay.
I panted and reverted to my normal state due to overuse of my energy. I looked up and noticed the smoke hadn't cleared yet. I watched as a silhouette formed and out came Darkness.
"Even after all of that..." April said then grunted as she fell to her knees, exhausted.
Darkness stopped walking then looked down at me. He noticed the Rainbow Fluorite on the ground then turned around. "Hmph...I am pleased. I have all the data I need. We shall meet again, Prince."
I watched Darkness disappear into the void of black clouds then grunted softly as my body began to hurt.
The four of us were extremely tried, but luckily Amunet and Heifer found us on time. They took us to safety and Nagini walked in to cover the rest. She looked around at all of the destruction then smirked. She watched as the black clouds cleared.
"Whoever they fought...definitely was strong, but this damage...the flames...the light...the lightning, the air currents...they definitely used a team attack." Nagini chuckled then used her tracking abilities to find Edea. She warped her toward herself then caught her in her arms, noticing she was out cold. "Hmph...Mission complete..."