On the tenth floor of an abandoned commercial building in Dynami, the three hours proposed by Agent Nahome to Zarek had already passed, and it was time to collect on the ultimatum. Accompanied by the Tower's drone, he ascended the building again via the elevator.
"I've located two bearers within a 5km radius, Nahome," the drone reported, hovering slightly above his left shoulder.
"Besides Zarek, can't you tell me who the other bearer is?" Nahome asked as he lit his cigarette with a lighter.
"It is not possible to determine the exact location of the other bearer," the drone replied.
Nahome exhaled a long puff of smoke, his eyes fixed on the elevator panel displaying the floor count. He reflected on the situation, aware that a confrontation with Zarek was inevitable and potentially lethal.
"This can't end well," Nahome said, his gaze locked on the panel's arrow indicating the elevator's ascent.
When the elevator finally stopped on the tenth floor, the doors opened with a metallic hiss. Nahome stepped out with determined strides, his eyes vigilant for any suspicious movement.
"Stay alert," he murmured, more to himself than to the drone.
The strong wind on the building's vast rooftop made both of their hair whip aggressively.
"You took your time, Nahome. I thought you had forgotten your own deadline," Zarek taunted, arms crossed and a bored expression on his face.
Nahome ignored the provocation, taking one last drag of his cigarette before tossing it to the ground and crushing it underfoot. His eyes locked onto Zarek, assessing every move.
"The three hours are up, Zarek. It's time to follow my orders," Nahome said firmly, his voice steady and his posture upright, exuding confidence.
Zarek laughed, a cold and disdainful sound.
"Do you really think this is necessary? I'm not in the mood for a little fight," he replied, running a hand through his hair. "Why not just forget about it and leave?"
"Leave Dynami, Zarek."
"Tsk-tsk," Zarek chuckled softly. "You Tower people are really idiots."
Like a brave and honorable knight, Nahome drew his revolvers in a fluid motion, firing two bullets at his adversary.
Bam! Bam!
Zarek, a first-class bearer—the highest and most powerful class—smirked with disdain.
"Ah, Nahome… this is foolishness."
Zarek's technique was "General Attacks."
The "General Attacks" technique allowed Zarek to control, shape, create, recreate, and manipulate attacks in various forms. With this ability, the user became a versatile and unpredictable force on the battlefield, able to adapt to any offensive or defensive situation.
The user could control and shape physical and energetic attacks at will. This included altering the trajectory, speed, strength, and form of the attacks, making them more precise and effective.
With this, Zarek had an enormous offensive versatility, almost incalculable. A highly adaptable defense and other qualities made him one of the most powerful bearers in the world, part of the first class.
"Inlos: General Attacks"
He didn't even need to raise his hand, and Nahome's bullets stopped in the air centimeters from his face, falling to the ground with a metallic clink.
The fall of the projectiles to the ground released a bit of acidity, something Zarek quickly noticed. Smiling, he commented.
"Nullite bullets, the anti-bearer chemical element, right, Nahome?" Containing his laughter, he added, "I love these little things you Tower people create."
In the 1920s, the Alliance's research sector—before the Tower existed—discovered an element called "Nullite." Originally unstable, Nullite underwent improvements over the decades, increasing its efficiency and stability.
It wasn't until 1970 that this element began to be used in weapons and combat objects specifically designed to harm bearers, beings immune to any conventional human damage.
Recent improvements ensure that Nullite emits a modified and special radiation capable of breaking through the natural defenses of bearers, making it vital in battles against these entities.
Nahome remained calm despite the pressure of the situation.
"Let me show you something cool," Zarek said.
Alarmingly, Zarek made no movement, no gesture. Yet, a dark hole, seemingly in reality, opened beside him, emanating energy. Zarek laughed, covering his mouth with his hand. Nahome looked at it, perplexed, his eyes revealing his surprise.
"What is that?"
"It's an attack I've been saving for a while, and I think it's time to use it," Zarek stated, looking at the rift.
"Attack?"
From the energy hole, unexpectedly and at high speed, several kitchen knives shot towards Nahome, who jumped to the side, dodging the attack.
Swooish! Swooish! Swooish!
He quickly drew one of his revolvers and fired Nullite shots at Zarek, this time a series of precise shots, each bullet aimed at vital points.
Bam! Bam!
Zarek dodged the projectiles with swift and graceful movements, with extreme ease. The agent didn't notice, but in the blink of an eye, Zarek was already behind him.
"Huh?"
Nahome, still crouched from his previous dodge, quickly stood and turned, firing at the bearer. However, it was futile.
Bam! Bam! Bam!
"Dispel," Zarek said, and instantly, Nahome's fired shots disintegrated, vanished, basically ceased to exist.
"Wha- What?"
Nahome backed away from Zarek, retreating with backward steps as Zarek followed him slowly, speaking.
"It's funny, my old friend. I could have killed you a long time ago... maybe that's the great advantage of being a bearer. You know when a life could have already dissipated. You humans are as fragile as a wet notebook paper, you know?"
Suddenly, the drone hovering a bit away from Zarek and Nahome alerted.
"Nahome, I'm detecting the approach of a bearer to our location."
Nahome looked back at the drone with a worried expression and asked.
"Who is it?"
"Maybe now the game will heat up," Zarek commented, stopping his advance towards Nahome and standing still, a malicious smile on his face, waiting to see who would appear.
Zarek felt an immense amount of internal energy approaching and grinned even wider with excitement.
"The game is really going to heat up."
The approaching bearer was Saik, who had been resting on Central Avenue and hadn't gone to the bases.
Using his internal energy massively and vividly, he created an energy platform that took him directly to the top of the building. Reaching the rooftop without needing the elevator, he landed firmly, prepared for the confrontation.
Tangible and vivid energy is a form of internal energy that the user can manifest concretely and visibly. This energy is not just perceived as an abstract force but also materializes into specific forms that can be seen and touched, allowing direct physical interaction with the environment.
The energy can be shaped into physical forms, such as platforms, shields, weapons, or any other structure the user imagines. This tangibility allows the energy to be used to create solid and functional objects.
Zarek observed Saik's great visible energy and began to laugh, covering his face with his hand and contorting with laughter.
"Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! From the massive amount I felt, I honestly thought it was a respectable bearer, but up close, despite being pronounced, it's so weak. I should have suspected it was a last-class bearer. Ha! Ha!"
"Drone, this is the bearer who helped with the evacuations. Remind me of his name, please," Nahome requested, approaching the small aircraft and observing the scene.
"His name is Saik, Agent Nahome," the drone replied.
At that moment, Saik emerged from his vast internal energy and descended onto the rooftop, standing on the same ground as Nahome and Zarek. However, his face showed calmness, and he seemed very composed in the situation.
"You're the Tower agent, right?" he asked Nahome, scratching his right ear with his pinky finger. "I felt powerful energy and came to help you... okay, agent?"