The troops could practically feel the tremor in the ground from the impact of AV-130's hit on the alien mothership that was beginning to descend lower. While it was hard to contain the relief they felt after a longtime of hiding for their lives, the troops reminded themselves not to get distracted for the opponent could regain their composure anytime soon.
"It looks like the enemy is down." Someone beside Mr Oshiro commented.
"Let's see what happens next." Another person responded.
Those in the area were scrambling to get the accurate results of Nebulas' acid concentration. Although Nebulas had not reached his next form yet it raised concerns as the system was detecting a rise in a destructive accumulation of concentrated acidic energy.
Next to the big screen was a meter detecting the amounts of acidic reaction from the source. Numbers were constantly dialing which meant there was no fixed record making matters worse.
"Mr Oshiro it appears that Nebulas' next form is some sort of acidic reactor." One of them informed him. "The meter isn't able to detect the levels of reactivity. Something needs to be done at this rate we're going to be dealing with a walking acidic reactor that could go off at any minute now."
"Which means we have to be lighter with our attacks." Mr Oshiro sighed, rubbing his forehead to relieve the tension he was feeling.
"The last time something like this happened was when the Mongolian Deathworm was kicking up a sandstorm in three regions," One of the men commented nervously. "Just like now, the meter couldn't detect the lethality of the sandstorm but at least we got the numbers after a while." The room fell silent after that last statement which was undoubtedly true.
Ryota paused and narrowed his eyes at the motionless body of Nebulas. This should be it. He hoped that was the case there was no way the alien mothership could have survived that direct hit, it was too powerful to withstand.
"Alright Mr Takashi you've done a great job we need you to get the troops back to safety-"
Before Ryota could even react to Mr Oshiro's next instruction, a large pillar emerged from the ground and impaled the mech causing the system to disconnect from Atlas' communication lines.
Mr Oshiro and the others panicked upon seeing the static appearing on the screens. There was no answer from Ryota, the signal was completely lost. Not even an attempt of calling them back was received. There was almost no other way to get a hold of Ryota.
"We lost him!" Mr Oshiro clenched his fist in anger. How did everything go wrong this time? They planned this carefully, and that pillar of all things.
In the control room of AV-130, Ryota's lifeforce was slowly fading away. He couldn't regain his consciousness anymore, the last thought he had was his wife back home who was awaiting his return that was now just a promise that she would remember.
Nebulas flew back from the mech that was stuck at the end of the pillar and disappeared in the sky. The remaining ones at the battlefield were the troops who gathered in dismay. Atlas' brave hero was gone.
Watching the scene from home, Ryota's wife shed a tear. She couldn't face the TV anymore, everything around her was starting to spiral into a calamity. Her husband Ryota wasn't going to return. This was the harsh truth no matter how she tried to escape from it.
"This can't be..." She quietly sobbed to herself.
Everyone back at Atlas was now mourning Ryota's death. They bid their farewells and vowed to find a way to put an end to this nightmare that the world was struggling against. No one had to suffer anymore and Atlas was going to make sure of that.
"Did Nebulas just move off like a flash of lightning?"
"That speed, when was Nebulas that agile?"
Mr Oshiro wasn't surprised anymore, the alien mothership had a prestigious adaptability. Nevertheless, Atlas had to catch up with him before he creates another round of disasters elsewhere. Luckily the acidic fumes left behind by his partial transformation were traceable.
While the troops were waiting for the rescue team to arrive, they spotted two figures heading towards them.
"Who are those two? They can't be the rescue team can they? That's not enough."
"Doesn't seem like it."
"Really? Why are these two all the way out here?"
The two figures finally came into view. After some time, the troops could finally make out their appearance, a man and a woman wearing masks with weapons in their hands. They were running towards them at a high speed.
Before the troops could warn their comrades about the incoming danger, the woman jumped in and slashed her scythe at every single individual in her path, the man following suit. Those who managed to get away on time witnessed their comrades falling to the ground limp in just one slash.
Coincidentally the rescue team arrived with paramedics and personnel getting out of the vehicles only to be met with a sudden intrusion as the pair ambushed them.
"Where do you think Nebulas is heading to? I don't remember Mr Moikawa assigning him any tasks what's so ever." Akira asked Kaito with a tone of malice, embracing the screams in the background. She was swaying her large scythe back and forth continuously with precision.
"Who knows maybe he's taking a break." Kaito replied dully.
Back at the headquarters, Mr Oshiro and the team were panicking hearing the desperate cries of the troops and rescue team. Someone or more than just one person was stirring up trouble but not just an ordinary case, they were going all out to harm innocent people. Who could it be? Atlas only sent the rescue team these intruders were geared and skillful with their weaponry. They definitely weren't from Atlas, someone has been watching Atlas' movements from afar. To make matters worse there was nothing much they could do for those who have fallen, except sent more help and hope the same result doesn't happen again which was inevitable at this rate.
"The troops and rescue team are getting attacked."
"Whoever is behind this probably isn't even from the Atlas, more so a spy."
Mr Oshiro narrowed his eyes at the screen that was now malfunctioning and disfigured. There's someone monitoring Atlas.
Akira stood there proudly with a sinister smile plastered on her face. The headpiece on the side of her head started buzzing to which she answered the call from Mr Moikawa who was eagerly waiting to hear what happened at the battlefield.
"It seems Nebulas has left the area in a hurry, what could that creature be up to this time?" Mr Moikawa said mockingly.
"Oh I don't know let's see I'm guessing another rampage." Akira responded with laughter.
"What else that's his only source of motivation. Keep an eye on him I'll watch his next move from here and send a team, don't get too close he can get really mad if you interfere with his plans." Mr Moikawa instructed both Akira and Kaito who nodded at his response.
"Got it." Akira and Kaito replied as the call ended leaving the both of them in silence.
"This is going to be interesting, given our dear friend has reached his next form." Akira said, looking at the direction Nebulas headed to.
~~~
Both Douma and Shinobu stood in the main hall watching the storm that was stirring up outside again. While that was happening, Reiji was joyfully spending his time in the indoor garden, talking to the fishes in the pond like they were his close friends.
"By the way, Eiko's doing great she's recovering." Shinobu broke the silence. "The doctor did an amazing job, Aunt Mai and the clinic decided to call an ambulance because her condition wasn't getting any better. So once it improved she was discharged and every now and then the doctor would visit to check on her."
"That's great to hear Shinobu," Douma was now recalling the dreams that Atashi and Eiko had, whenever they were close to being reunited again there always has to be an interference. Which wasn't fair for the two siblings.
"She's really upset with Atashi," Shinobu continued. "I can't imagine losing someone like that, your own sibling getting themselves trapped in a spiral of their own confused anger."
Spirals of cold wind started appearing outside the shrine, indicating that the storm was about to occur soon. It seems like this time it was going to be ravaging across various areas, even the sky was turning dark. It was intimidating to witness the event unfolding.
"Once we take down whoever is behind this mess, Atashi and Eiko won't have to worry about a thing. They're inseparable." Douma replied with much confidence in his voice that gave Shinobu the motivation to continue doing what they were determined to do.
"Yeah I guess you're right." Shinobu replied.
This sudden calmness in the atmosphere despite the storm's ongoing formation reminded Douma of something that happened a long time ago, something that has been engraved in the main hall of the shrine.
The shrine leader was sitting in the main hall waiting for his followers and visitors as usual, when a blue butterfly flew into the shrine and landed right in front of him. It's left wing was torn with a section of it at the edge about to break off. The poor creature was struggling to fly, it was lucky that it had landed in the shrine of all places.
"Oh how unfortunate." Slowly, Douma picked up the butterfly and placed his palm on its injured wing. It was in a very fragile state.
Without hesitation, Douma immediately healed the butterfly, a glowing shimmering light brightened the shrine's main hall.
It wasn't long until the butterfly began flapping its wings and soared to the ceiling of the shrine making its way out. Douma watched the butterfly hovering around for a while, a gesture of gratitude before flying away.
"Looks like you're spreading your kindness." A voice said.
Douma glanced at the corner of the shrine's entrance and saw someone standing there. It was his mentor, one of the most skillful and respectable angels.
"We should always lend a helping hand to those in need." Douma replied calmly.
"It appears that your intention has left a positive footprint on humanity, everyone seems a lot more subtle since you got here."
"Honestly, these past few months have been free of trouble. I think I've solved a majority of these villagers' problems." Douma replied, rubbing the back of his head. He wasn't sure if most of the people in the Hasu Mountains were free of any underlining problems but at least they weren't that stressed out compared to before. Resources were easily accessible now without the blockages and treacherous paths.
Most of the time, everyone in the Hasu Mountains was filled with joy and relaxation. Though there were still some problems that needed to be solved at times, the mountains were peaceful.
"Perhaps we could extend this mission to a year. You're doing so well Douma." His mentor added.
Douma thought about that for a while. It's true he really wanted to use his powers to help those who would benefit from them. Having to do this for a year however, it wasn't a tough task he could try.
"Maybe, I don't see why not. It's nice interacting with humans, they're enlightening and always have an interesting story to share." Douma replied, he found the efforts and values embedded in humanity to be admirable. Even though humans didn't have the abilities that angels had, they were still just as respectable in their own way.
"Then Paradise Shrine will be honored to have their leader guide them to the right path for a longer period of time." His mentor was certain that his apprentice could achieve this. "Don't forget the most important task of all."
"I haven't forgotten about that." Douma replied with much sincerity in his voice.