Chapter 6: Rite
Few moments after Thea and Walter, and the correspondent superheroes, Liberty Brilliant Park was immediately surrounded by the Metro Authority and a small dispatched Supernova Committee Task Force. In a matter of minutes, they have put the entire theme park under quarantine and lock down. It would look like that the park won’t be open for the public for a while.
The Metro Authority or the police force secured the perimeter while the SC Task Force apprehended the two supervillains, both unconscious and de-powered, and safely contained them into special containment units made for offending Anomala like them. Some of the area was ravaged, particularly the vicinity of the park’s main attraction, the Liberty Wheel; an aftermath of the earlier clash. Thankfully, no casualties have been recorded and a few injured.
The mother and daughter earlier whom was saved by Thea was taken in for a short questioning, since they were the witness of the scene earlier. They were all praises to Thea and Walter with the little girl even wanted to see Thea again, it would seem that she has gained her first fan.
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Meanwhile at the Pappatore Cafe…
As the live feed ended a few minutes ago, Kurome and Kurszt sat silently upon their seats, contemplating on what they had just saw. Kurome finished her coffee, still has that beaming smile on her face and elation resonated within her as she saw the showcase of both Thea and Walter. While Kurszt hung his head, his palm on his forehead by the table, he was at a complete disbelief.
Kurszt restrained himself from shaking; astonishment, shock and with a little bit of fear inter-mingled and well-up in his heart after witnessing that battle. At that moment, he thought back at their battle, him against Walter in front of the hospital, just the other day. If Walter was really trying that day, he could have dealt a serious damage to him.
Now that he thought about it, Kurome saying Walter could have countered his retaliation in a number of ways now rang true. Kurszt was holding back that time, and in reality, the battle would have been decided from the start. Realizing now that him holding back that day, would have been a fatal mistake; and judging from the live feed earlier, Walter has yet to discover the true nature of his Nexus Trait. Yet even at that state, his powers were at an unmistakably high magnitude, powerful enough to take out two supervillains at the same time.
“...â€
A subtle smirk crept up his face. Eventually, a welling excitement overtook his countenance. A desire to challenge Walter again burned in him like a candle.
Kurome let out a soft giggle as she noticed her colleague in a state. Seeing it as a sign, she empathized with him in silence, elated that this may be the motivation that Kurszt was looking for. There was no hint of malice in his countenance, but only inspiration.
“Sah! I better get going.â€
After putting her cup down, Kurome stood up from her chair and stretched her body a bit, performing some light calisthenics.
“Omoshiroi ne? He’s a pretty good catch, right?â€
She added, directing the seemingly rhetorical question at Kurszt, whom was still like in a waking trance.
Not responding to it, he wrapped up the transponder and put it back in his pocket. He took off his apron and loosened his necktie. He was not sulking or anything, but it would seem that the battle ensued earlier kept replaying on his mind, as if Kurszt just got back from watching a very memorable movie. Kurome then held her hand up pressed her thumb and middle finger together then snapped with a rather loud sound.
“...ah!â€
Kurszt was suddenly knocked back into reality. Lightly rubbing his temple, and shaking his head. The sudden snap must have rang his head quite a bit.
“Mou… You should really pay attention when someone talks to you, Kurszt-kun.â€
Kurome lurched forward with her hands on her hips, while giving him a rather disappointed expression. She then straightened and crossed her arms and raised her brow while puffing one cheek.
“S-sorry. Hmm… But I had to admit--that was really something.â€,
“Kukuku! I know that face. But unfortunately, I won’t allow it.â€,
“Uah!â€
Kurszt was visibly taken by surprise by her consequent response. Scratching the back of his head, he cast a rather resigned expression. He really could not hide his emotions around Kurome, the girl was the sharpest person he knew.
“Ahahaha! Daijobu daijobu! Maybe someday, but right now, like I said earlier, we are fighting an uphill battle from now on.â€
Kurome was basically teasing him at this point, she laughed it off while repeatedly patting his back.
“But, if you do find yourselves at the different sides of the board one day--then you have my permission.â€
She suddenly blurted out, much to Kurszt’s surprise. As he was about to respond, Kurome was already almost out of sight. With her back, she waved Kurszt off as she trail off and disappeared. He could only let out a long sigh of exasperation, she was always like this. With Kurome’s words burned in his mind, Kurszt contemplated a bit looking at his palm, feeling the flow of Nexus Energy in his veins.
“The bigger question would be, if we did, will I able to put up a decent fight? Or will he put up a decent fight?â€
Currently, him and Walter were working side-by-side, with a common goal in mind. But after witnessing the gist of his abilities, he could not help but wishing that he was on the opposing side of the board. A burning desire to fight him, malicious to an extent even, but not to the point of obsession… maybe.
“Someday… If we do find ourselves on the opposing sides of the board--I won’t hesitate.â€
Whispering to himself, he clenched his fist and held it closer to his face. After a few moments, Kurszt eased up and wrapped things up. He grabbed his bag and set off back to his house.
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After a short transit ride and a short walk, Thea and Walter made their way towards their respective homes. Along the way, he insisted that he would walk Thea back to her residence, at her apartment. They would make light conversations here and there, but not as often compared in the morning. Maybe due to exhaustion, but nonetheless, their silent communication was that of contentment.
After almost an hour of walking, the two finally made it in front of the apartment complex, where Thea took residence. It was a pretty big structure, like a grand dormitory, encompassing the entire block in size. The name of the place was written on the entryway arc just above their heads.
Bokujo Residences
The name itself was Japanese in origins, meaning pasture. One of the many places where Japanese immigrants of the Metro Zones live. Originally an apartment complex built to house Japanese refugees during the tragic event of 5 years ago, the Fall of the Rising Sun.
============
The Fall of the Rising Sun was rather depressing and tragic event that refers to the complete and utter fall of Japan. Years after the White Storm event, Japan’s ecosystem was badly contaminated by the harmful mutation side-effect of the White Rays. As a result, it was the country that had the largest Red Zone.
It was manageable at first, then one day, an invisible cloud toxic miasma emerged from the skies of the Red Zone and began slowly consuming the Imperial Metro Zone. At first it was invisible, then as the days goes by, the miasma took form of a black cloud, hanging over the japanese air space. This toxic cloud was dubbed by the Japanese, the Murakumo.
The clawed grip of the miasma began to take hold within days, enveloping the entire Metro Zone and blotting out the sky completely. The harmful effects of the Murakumo were immediate, from suffocation, disease, hallucinations and worse, mutation. People were indiscriminately consumed by this cloud of death.
As the Murakumo contamination became progressively worse with each passing day, the Metro Zone fell into a state of total unrest. Despite the efforts of its government to stave back the Murakumo. Riots in every street, destruction of property, massacres, it drove the Imperial Metro Zone into a state of total ruination.
As the Metro Zone finally fell, its government toppled, the survivors of the Murakumo were forced to evacuate, leave overseas. The United Nations together with the Supernova Committee, joined efforts in evacuating the japanese refugees. Providing shelter for them into different countries and Metro Zones throughout the globe.
And as of the current, the Japanese refugees has integrated into their respective shelter in the Metro Zones, amalgamating their culture and influence to majority. And in turn, the Metro Government has provided them with a district/city of their own. Similar to how some cities all over the world have Chinatowns.
With their land finally succumbed to the monstrous miasma, Murakumo, the land they once knew was now but a fleeting memory. A great tragedy indeed, people who lost their identities and nation. Their once proud nation, now just a uninhabited piece of land of forgotten memories.
Five years have passed, the fallen country itself was but a single Red Zone, unfit to support life, still consumed by the poisonous miasma. It had been speculated that the land was now inhabited by number of Type-4 Anomala, a massive hive of monsters. Still speculation is still speculation, the land itself was closely being monitored by the Supernova Committee via satellite.
But due to the unique nature of the Murakumo, it blocks any means of observation. From ultra-violet, X-ray, infra-red, anything. The cloud itself was a concentrated and stagnant Nexus Energy. As a result, the land itself was under constant observation.
Following the event, the Metro Zone governments and Supernova Committee made an effort to preventing that cataclysmic event from happening to other countries. Forming various contingencies and counter-measures to protect the other Metro Zones from being consumed by an another ‘Murakumo’.
====================
After spending quite a while, staring at the broad side of the complex, Walter glanced at Thea whom seem to be fidgeting in place. It was as if she was waiting for something to break the ice, or finding the appropriate words to say.
“Umm… err… Thea.â€,
“Hm?â€
Thea suddenly stood in attention, as if she was hit with a sudden jolt on her spine. Walter just then, decided to speak up.
“Well I… thanks for today. I really enjoyed our--umm… date.â€
He nearly choked to utter the last word. He grew flustered and could not even meet her eyes. His eyes swimming left and right, like he was checking if they were alone in the vicinity. There were few passers-by but, it seemed that they were too far out of sight to be even noticed.
“Yeah… I… um… yes…â€
Thea could not even form a coherent thought, she was so ruffled that she was basically babbling instead of forming sentences with sense. She was fidgeting and growing listless by the minute.
The two slightly turned around, their gazes averted from each other yet still kept a close distance. It looked like they were about to leave, but could not do it otherwise. Inside their heads, both of them were screaming at themselves to do something, anything of sort.
It was then, unknowingly their hands touched, as if some invisible force controlled them to do so. As they felt their respective warmth, their gazes immediately turned unto each other.
Walter let out a long sigh and held her other hand, instinctively. He squeezed it lightly, feeling the warmth from her small hands flow unto his. A gentle smile drew unto his countenance.
“Walter…â€
Thea returned his smile with hers. It was then, she realized they did not need words to express their utmost gratitude. She squeezed back his hands, it was rough, hard and larger than hers, yet it had a comforting warmth about it.
Unknowingly, and caught up in this moment of bliss, they inched closer. But as they were but a short distance away…
“Ara ara…â€
A voice from behind. The two suddenly let go and turned towards the source. Both flushed and embarrassed.
The voice came from a short and petite old woman. No shorter than 5 feet, roughly in her 70’s and wearing a gray kimono and wooden slippers. She was holding a paper parasol on one hand, a bag of groceries on the other.
“M-m-mrs. Hinokami! G-good evening!â€
Quickly paying respect, Thea stepped forward and greeted the old lady with a rather stiff bow. Walter looked at Thea as he heard the old lady’s name. Hinokami… The name rang a vague familiarity to him.
“Ohoho… I have heard you were discharged from the hospital this morning. I was going to prepare something for you for dinner. And I was wondering that you have not yet returned. Ohoho.â€
The old lady cackled with a bit of a hoarse tone, probably because of age. Yet she exhibited a beaming smile and had that warm presence about her.
“Oh, Mrs. Hinokami… I… I mean you shouldn’t have. And I’m sorry I haven’t the chance--â€,
“Mah, mah… I insist, my grand daughter and her friend were worried sick about you. And do not worry, it is quite not a bother.â€,
“Th-they were…?â€,
“Mhm…â€
The old lady nodded in response. Thea was about to give a long-winded explanation, but Mrs. Hinokami gestured that it wasn’t quite a problem. Thea was surprised that her grand daughter had missed her during her absence, and she was touched by the gesture.
“They were planning to visit you on the hospital but due to circumstances, couldn’t. Gomen, you must’ve felt lonely.â€
The old lady’s expression turned sad as she said that. Seeing her sad expression, both Walter and Thea felt their hearts twinged.
“Ah no, no! Mrs. Hinokami, I understand. It’s okay, actually I’m glad that they thought of visiting me. That alone is enough. Honest!â€
As if trying to console a crying child, Thea hurriedly supplied a statement of reassurance to the old lady. The old lady’s face returned its former warmth and smile.
“Ohoho… I see. I’m glad. Hmm?â€
Just then the old lady noticed the boy whom was standing just a few steps behind Thea. Maybe due to her fading sight that she had completely failed to notice Walter. Walter on the other hand, tilted his head as he tried to recall where did he heard the name, ‘Hinokami’ before.
The warm and welcoming presence, beaming smile and the… odd speech pattern. It was then the old lady had considered Walter.
“Ah.. from the look on your face, you have something on your mind. Do be prompt, I won’t bite, ohoho…â€
The cheery old lady teased him a bit.
“Ah! Sorry. Umm… well… Mrs. Hinokami. Do you--by chance, know someone named Kuro--â€,
“Oba-san!!! Tadaima! I’m back!â€
Speak of the devil, just as Walter was about to ask the question, a familiar voice was heard approaching from the distance. A certain energetic, happy-go-lucky… huh?
“Say it…â€
…
“Say it…â€
You really did add this particular word didn’t you?
“...Maybe~ Tee Hee!â€
You know you are allowed to have that awareness but there should be limits to what you are permitted to do.
“Uu… it’s just one word. Hayaku...â€
Sigh… Alright. Damn those puppy eyes of yours. Alright! But just this once. I should enforce some 4th wall rules next time. Okay back to the stage. Ahem!
“Thanks, Narrator!â€
A certain happy-go-lucky, energetic, beautiful velvet-haired girl, with her pigtails fluttering about trailing behind her while waving about her hand towards the crowd.
“Kurome!â€, “Kurome!â€
Both Thea and Walter uttered that first name in complete unison with differing tones of their own. Walter to surprise while Thea was to gladness. Kurome stopped to bow before her grandmother and then turned her attention to Thea and Walter.
“Ara…? Thea-chan, and oooh~ stud muffin!â€,
“Umm… Walter.â€
He immediately chimed in his voice, as if to drown that last part and correcting her sternly.
“Wait, you knew her?â€,
“--you too?â€
The two exchanged puzzled glances. While the old lady was laughing up a storm in amusement. Thoroughly amused by the turn of events.
“She’s my friend here, in the residence.â€,
“She’s… actually my club president--OURS since you are joining us.â€
Both exchanged statements and then surprised gestures.
“Arara… Kurocchan, Thea, do pray tell who is this fine lad.â€
Cackling a bit, old lady Hinokami tapped both girls’ shoulders. It hit Walter that he completely forgot to properly introduce himself to Mrs. Hinokami.
“Ah! Oh yes, I’m Walter Olven. Umm… Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu? (A pleasure to meet you.)â€
Along with a simple introduction, he thought to add a basic japanese phrase at the end, while bowing his head promptly. Much to the amusement of the old lady and her granddaughter. Though Walter could have managed to pronounced it a bit more better.
“Ohoho! Nice to meet you too, Olven-san. But you can omit saying nihongo if you’re not comfortable. Ohoho…â€
She said with a warm smile and a light giggle, saying that he need not bother putting on airs. Save Walter the embarrassment.
“And to answer your query, yes, Kurocchan is my granddaughter. As I am the landlady of Bokujo, Hinokami Hakume.â€
She bowed slightly, as to show her courtesy to Walter. And out of respect, he bowed back. With the introduction out of the way, old lady Hinokami went off ahead of the teens as she has still have to cook for a special dinner for Thea’s return from the hospital. Seeing them off, she promptly went inside the main building.
“Ehh… so Thea-chan wants to join SA Brigade? Hmm…â€
Kurome pondered for a while. Taking chance of the serendipity, Walter told her that he had extended a recruitment dossier to Thea from their club, the SA Brigade.
“Yosh! Alright, I’ll let her! She’s my good neighbor here and this could solve our beef with the school administration. But--!â€
Both of them were about to breathe a sigh of relief when they were suddenly cut off. A mischievous smile crept up her face as she slid beside the two.
“Arara… Ararara! Futari tomo~ What were you guys doing together, heh~?â€
Eyes sparkling, brow knitting and with a complete mischievous expression about her face. Kurome nudged both of them with her elbows. Walter knew this expression well, Kurome was always making a big fuss over these kind of situations.
“Well… uh… we---â€,
“That’s… well… I-it’s not like---â€
The two stumbled and fumbled about their thoughts. Walter saw this coming yet words failed him. While Thea was babbling again, at her wit’s end, bewildered and flustered.
“Hahahahaha! Jodan da yo, jodan. I’m kidding! We’ll just talk this over by Monday.â€
Laughing up quite a storm, Kurome took bliss of teasing the two. Though not really mean-spirited, both of them cast a sulking expression upon her.
“Sah, toriaezu… anyway, had to help grandma prepare dinner! And homework and all that.â€
She struck her palm with her hand as realization dawned upon her. Kurome waved them off as she hurriedly ran back to the apartment complex. Whimsically fluttering about without the care in the world, she truly is one peculiar girl.
“Hmm… she’s always like that.â€
Thea crossed her arms and puffed her cheeks as she saw her off. While Walter just laughed it off whilst wearing a wry smile.
“Well, I better follow suit.â€,
“Yeah…â€
He responded with a sigh, on a rather sad note. Part of him did not want for this day to end. Time really flies and so much had happened on this day. He could only hope that Thea felt the same way about today too.
“So… Monday?â€,
“Yes.â€
She nodded gleefully, wearing her honest and warm smile. At least, both of them have something to look forward to. With a last exchange of smiles, both of them parted ways.
As Thea reached the door to the main building, she looked back one last time to see Walter as he walked away. She held up her hand as if to catch him, she still has so many things to say to him. Although the day was very eventful, she couldn’t help but wish it was longer.
“Wah!â€
The door behind her opened and two sets of arms pulled Thea inside the door. As the door was locked behind her, she was greeted by two familiar faces, the ones who pulled her in.
“Kurome--ah! Xiu!â€,
“Hee hee…â€
Kurome giggled as both her and Xiu forcibly pushed Thea’s back towards the hallway. Dumbfounded, Thea could not help but gazed both of them from side to side.
“Ehh? What are you guys--â€,
“Hee hee… you lady need to tell me the details. Details!â€,
“Hmm… not fair, you had a date before us. We need details.â€
The two wearing sulky expressions, pushed Thea onto the hot seat. From the looks of it, it was gonna be a long night for Thea. Xiu and Kurome and her has a lot to catch up to.
Thea has always been alone at school ever since she arrived here in the Metro Zone. She brought herself to shut herself out on the world and the people that lived here. But in reality, even though not at school, she was always taken care of the landlady and her two neighbors. Xiu and Kurome were at a upper level so they barely saw each other in school.
Before her enrollment and during her first days here in the Yorktown Metro Zone, Xiu and Kurome would always knock on her door in attempt to mingle with her. At first, Thea was very stubborn, not to be bothered and always shunning them whenever. Even the landlady herself.
But over time, the girls’ persistence would bear fruit as Thea eventually opened and softened up to them. Every after school, they would knock on her door bringing snacks, food, books, game consoles and company of course. Before Walter, the two were the only ones whom she trusted a great deal. Kurome also was the one responsible of Thea’s enrollment on Yorktown State University, acting as her proctor and referral.
The three girls eventually made their way towards Thea’s unit. Moments short after the door closed, a lively atmosphere instantly enveloped inside the room.
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As Walter made his way home, events that had transpired earlier played over and over in his thoughts. Walking through the passing crowd, he suddenly thought of the moments he and Thea spent. It was only for one day, yet it had been so eventful that he wanted to spend more time with her. Thinking of her felt like he was walking on a clear fields of grass, ignoring the passing crowd like he was walking through vast fields of green.
“...â€
As he thought about it, a sense of longing and loneliness pricked his heart like tiny barbs. It was a shame that they did not had the chance to buy and bring home a souvenir from their trip, due to unexpected circumstances. But since they had spent a plenty of time together, maybe asking for a commemorative item might be asking too much.
Eventually, Walter just brushed off the negativity as he thought about Thea joining the SA Brigade on the start of next week. They will be seeing each other much more often from there on. Her smile, her warmth and her tears; as those thoughts crossed his mind, Walter raised his hand and balled it into a fist.
“I will protect her.â€
He asserted to himself, dispelling his doubts and insecurities. If not as a superhero, then as one capable of doing so. Though one thing he would like to know, if he was a human and did not emerged as a Novus, would he still done the same? Would he still has this seemingly impenetrable bravado? He did not know… he did not know…
“...!â€
Walter’s senses suddenly plucked, he heard a very faint sound of a chime from a very far distance. And along with that sound, he felt a rather foreboding presence that just passed him from his blind spot. It moved so fast yet his enhanced senses picked it up.
But that was not the thing that bothered him. It was that soft chime sound, it sounded so far away yet when he heard it, it felt distinct, like a presence. He paused for a bit and looked around him, he scanned his surroundings yet no person or thing of particular interest was found. Brushing it off, he continued to walk at his own pace, arriving in front of a zebra crossing, waiting for the signal to cross.
Scratching his head, he thought back on what he had felt back there. Then as he was about to shrug it off his thoughts he heard it again. This time, the sound was slightly more audible, it was close; and it echoed throughout his surroundings.
“...!?â€
A striking sensation followed afterwards. Walter did not see it but he visualized two orbs of light fluttered passed him moving at unseen speeds. He turned around searching, but there was naught to be found, Walter now grew frantic. From what he had visualized at the back of his head to what were these orbs were, one thing popped up on his mind.
“Butterflies?â€
Walter unknowingly uttered it, but in a soft tone. The question that rang in his mind was where did they came from? Or whom did these things originated from? And it seem that he would find the answers he was looking for… standing before him across the street.
Walter kept calm and fell into composure as he saw group of white butterflies that seem to flutter about at a distance. From the looks of it, they seem to gather on a particular spot. And these butterflies were not your typical ones, each of them were emitting a white radiance as they flutter their wings. Like those Will o’ Wisps of the forest from fantasy stories.
According to what Walter had read, Will o’ Wisps were said to be mischievous elements that lead travelers astray from their path. But there were two reasons he could discard these curious little things. One, Walter was in a urban area, a city, there was no way these things could exist here. And two, the strongest reason, he could feel Nexus Energy emanating in them as they flutter around, so they had to come from someone nearby.
“...!?â€
Walter suddenly felt a massive shift, the passers-by all stopped on their tracks and everything was consumed by a void of white. Similar to Atha or the Woman in Red’s pocket dimension but much different. Everything stopped, only the butterflies and him were left animated.
He clenched his right hand into a fist and primed his Nexus Energy. It was then he spotted a long shadow that seem to suddenly appear where the white butterflies where gathering. A shadow that took the shape of a person, a girl, wearing a long dress and holding a decorated parasol.
“W-Wha…!?â€
Before he could utter his words, he felt his mouth froze, then his entire body paralyzed. Rendered inanimate like the world around him. He could not even make use of his Nexus Energy as his body refused to do so. Although his mind was still fully aware, Walter looked at the shadowy-figure again. The silhouette was now making her way towards him.
As this shadow approached him, Walter could feel the growing malice and killing intent and pressure from a towering scale of Nexus Energy. As she inched closer, he felt like his body was gonna crumple over her mere presence alone. His eyes now drawn to her gaze, being forced to stare upon the eyes of pure malice. He wanted to clench his eyes shut but couldn’t, just gazing directly at hers was like staring into gnawing void.
Finally, the silhouette paused and lifted shroud upon her to give the incapacitated Walter a good look. An unimpressed look colored her expression, casting a distasteful look as if looking at a piece of gutter trash. Circling Walter around like a predator surrounding its cornered prey, she again gazed directly at him, drawing her face closer unto his.
“Hmph… I can see why they are interested in you. Hmhmhm~â€
Still looking at Walter, Lady Nobuki Aoda’s face twisted and contorted into a demonic smile. She was amused to what she saw, to say the least.
“Even dipped with my dominion, you still retained your awareness here in my illusory world. Hehe~ curious indeed.â€
Nobuki giggled like a child who just did a successful prank. A single bead of cold sweat trickled down Walter’s temple, the immense pressure of her towering Nexus Energy was akin to diving into the deepest part of the ocean, slowly crushing your body with immense water pressure.Noticing the sweat trickling down his cheek, she flicked it with her thumb as if caressing his face.
“Ah such a shame… I would have loved to share a tea party with you, Mr. Olven.â€
She continued caressing his face with her delicate touch. Walter would have appreciated this, but her hand had no trace warmth at all. Her touch, though delicate, was ice cold like a corpse’s. Her fingers felt like steel, the cold kiss of steel from a sharp blade that can cut his face off if he does so twitch a muscle.
“Hmhmhm~ But no matter. Since we are on the opposite sides of the board. I think I shall make you my prized fixture when the time comes. Oh…~ I look forward to making every inch of your existence into delicious and delectable suffering.â€
Her words reverberated on his heart, pure terror gripped him like an icy hand. Nobuki was thrown into a fit of a terrifying giggle, certainty rang in her tone along with venom. Her expression twisted into a demonic and psychotic, blissful ecstasy, as she hugged her body to contain her laughter.
In that moment, Walter’s eyes seized to be riddled with panic and terror and just looked at straight unto her whilst still inanimate. In his thoughts, he just sighed, seem to be either tired or unamused by the second. The illusion seemed to have dragged on for too long, that the fear instilled within him by Nobuki seem to diminish at a rapid pace.
“...Ohohohoho! Ah…~ Hmm?â€
Before continuing her fit of laughter, Nobuki suddenly noticed the sudden change in Walter’s mood. His face may be inanimate yet his eyes told a different story. As she did, Nobuki was bewildered, furious.
“Hoh…? What is that look? Hm? Are you mocking--me?â€
Her voice was soft, calm and collected but animosity dripped from her tone and from every pore of her body. She feel her veins on her head throbbing from sheer anger, her face twitching as she kept her face from twisting into a grimace.
Walter couldn’t respond with words nor expressions, he just looked straight at her as if he was glaring daggers at her. Within him, he figured out she was one of the Nova Reform that they had come to express the preceding ‘consequence’ of Walter’s refusal to join them. He thought they would straight up brutalize him, but through this display… it disappointed him to an extent. It was nothing more than theatrics and more threats.
“You think--you--barely a fledgeling to be called a hero, think you’re better than us? Just because you were hand-picked by them that you know better--nobooody?!â€
Nobuki drew her lips closer unto his ear and began whispering sweet and soft venom unto it, baring her fangs as she said it. Her tone ridiculed, mocked every shred of being he had.
“--Know your place!â€
She snapped. In an instant, while still inanimate, Walter felt an invisible blunt force hit the side of his face. The blunt force was so strong that it felt like his face was hit by the full momentum of a speeding freight train. If he was still human, that blow could have completely obliterated his skull to pieces and his brain into unrecognizable chunks of gray matter.
He was still inanimate, the laws of physics were halted in this tangible illusion. Walter would have been sent flying and neck broken in an instant. Thanks to his superhuman durability, he greatly reduced the damage of the impact.
Walter set his eyes back unto Nobuki and realized that what she did was nothing more than a slap. And one hell of a slap it was, with that power, she could have wafted an entire shore off the beach, sending a tidal wave back with a mere wave of her hand.
“Hmph… Hmhmhm~ oh… what a release. I think…. I shall thoroughly indulge myself on making you scrape your forehead to the ground beneath my heel, next time we meet.â€
Nobuki wrapped her arms around the inanimate Walter’s shoulders, followed by a playful giggle. Her aura once again resonated with overwhelming malice. Her countenance now displayed a sadistic smile.
“Until then… my beloved fixture--â€
Nobuki’s tone was seductively soft and soothing. Her cold breath wafted over Walter’s face, she drew closer and closer…
“Mmm..~ *smack*â€
Then his eyes widened as Nobuki’s lips pressed unto his. His heart raced, not from being flustered but from sheer terror. Her lips were cold as ice that he felt his lips dried as it made contact with hers, an overpowering terror gripped his spine as he felt his strength was rapidly being drained. The kiss of death.
“Hmhmhm--hihihihihihihi--HAHAHAHAHAHAHA---!!!â€
As she pulled away slightly, her face contorted into its most vile and most sadistic of smiles. Nobuki’s giggle turned into a cackle then a loud shrill laughter, mocking Walter’s very existence.
“.…GAH-HAGH!!!â€
Walter suddenly let out a loud gasp and hacked, as he was finally let go of the illusion. His knees buckled as he began hyperventilating as if waking up from a nightmare or emerging from the depths of the ocean. Clutching the side of his face, a sharp pain assaulted him. It was then he felt the whole occurrence was real.
Regaining his footing, he looked around his surroundings. He was now already in front of his house. Numerous question began flowing through his head, utterly confused and bewildered.
“Wait… if that was real then how did I--?â€
How indeed, the meeting with Lady Nobuki felt very real and yet he was there in front of his house, when he felt he was inanimate the whole time he was with her. How did he get there when prior to crossing paths with Nobuki, Walter was still 2 blocks away towards his house.
“Ugh… I better sleep this off first. I’ll just deal with it for the latter.â€
He just said to himself, dismissing the problem for now. Although Lady Nobuki’s last words still reverberated within his mind, and he swore he could still hear her laughter ringing in his head. He shook his head and tottered a few steps then went straight to the door.
As Walter got inside his house, behind him unknowingly, three glowing white butterflies fluttered past the door then immediately faded into the shadows.
-------------------------
Yorktown State University, SA Brigade Club Room
Monday, as soon as the class session ended, Thea and Walter immediately met up on the hallway. Since coming to school earlier in the morning, the two would spend their recesses and lunch breaks together. Doing home works, chatting and even eating their lunches together.
People around them would plague the both of them with silent gossips and whispers, it would seem that Thea’s ill reputation of being a former denizen of a Yellow Zone still followed her. She would be occasionally be bothered by it, but every time it did, Walter would just encourage her to ignore them.
Besides, there was nothing she should be insecure about, in fact, she should be proud to what she had accomplished. She had overcame countless obstacles and seemingly impossible odds just to escape her cruel fate. Walter can respect her for that.
As to the question if they had progressed… well the two were still ambiguous about it. They had grown closer after what had transpired last Saturday, but they were still in the dark. Certainty was yet to be found.
As they approached the SA Brigade’s club room, they both noticed right away that a hefty crowd had gathered before it. Thea and Walter looked at each other with knitted brows and then hurriedly made their way towards the club room. Walter hoping that nothing bad had happened.
“Excuse us! We’re club members!â€,
“Please make way… Excuse me.â€
Both of them carefully made their way into the thick crowd and through the doorway. Thankfully the crowd’s limited only beyond the doorway, as it was impossible for them to gather even inside. The club room itself was cramped already. Walter and Thea dusted themselves up as they managed to get in the room.
“Ah! Konichiwa futari tomo! Perfect--â€
“WALTER!!!â€
As they both entered, they were both greeted by the voice of Kurome. But before they could face her, a very familiar voice suddenly yelled, instantly muffling the rest of her sentence.
“Ooh-whoa!â€
Walter was taken by surprise, his eyes wide in shock as a person in front of him suddenly threw herself unto his arms. He didn’t even had the time to process who that person was. An audible state of shock as multiple cacophony of gasps enveloped the room, both from the SA Brigade members and the crowd outside.
Then what followed after was a numerous clicks of the crowd’s cellphone cameras. Kurszt and Max quickly went to the crowd and ward them off the room. Until finally, they both closed the club room doors.
“We have an important club meeting here! Please disperse or you’ll be accounted for your transgressions!â€,
“Ahaha… I’m sorry everyone, but we’re kinda busy here. Sorry!â€
Max was apologetic towards his words, while Kurszt was a bit of a stickler for rules. Regardless, they were still in club session hours. With a major event coming up, it was paramount that they tend to it with the utmost importance.
Meanwhile, Walter finally dawned to him the identity of the girl was. Pink hair, the sweet fragrance, probably her perfume, striking figure with her ample bosoms pressed against him. The girl pulled away and looked up to meet his gaze.
“A-Ailana…? Wh-What’re you--oof!â€
Before Walter could ask, Ailana buried her face again on his chest. As he felt her embrace getting tighter, he felt the environment was getting hostile by the second. Especially behind him, where Thea was just watching the scene, arms crossed, and stomping her foot with a twitching smile about her, as if restraining herself not to snarl.
“Oh… Walter, how I missed you! Ever since that day, you never talked to me and even notice me. So I decided to follow you here… Oh~â€,
“Ah… ahaha… well s-sorry I… I had so much to do--â€,
“--He was busy at the time. Now can--we--help you?â€
Ailana expressed the loneliness she had felt the past few days. But before Walter could give an explanation, Thea abruptly interjected. Although her statement was in proper order, her tone was in contrast with it, there was a certain hostility to it.
“Hmmm…â€
Still locked Walter to her blissful embrace, Ailana slowly tilted her head to the side so she could meet Thea’s gaze. Both of them were now practically like shooting angry lasers each other.
“Mah Mah… Kukuku… I forgot to mention about her. We were meant to recruit Ailana-san originally along with Walter-kun here. Basically, Acchan your joining was most unexpec---mm! Mmm! Mmh!â€,
“Waaa…! No no! How many times do I have to tell you, not to utter that name!â€
Thea hurriedly rushed over to Kurome’s mouth with both her hands. But her effort proved to be futile as Walter had already heard it, and his curiosity piqued. He then shifted his body from Ailana’s still tight embrace so he could face Kurome. Ailana now at his back, still locked Walter to her rather possessive hug.
“Acchan? Who’s that?â€
Walter promptly asked. Thea sighed in resignation, finally loosened her hands on Kurome’s lips. And the latter gasping for air.
“Well you know Thea’s full name right?â€,
“Althea… Oh right, on your handkerchief that I returned to you.â€,
“Mmh! She insisted on Thea… demo, but it’s too bothersome. So we called her Alt, but it felt off, feeling that the name’s taken already by some abstract being from another parallel reality. Toriaezu, but I digress, I just made it to Acchan.â€
Kurome explained with a beaming smile. She seemed to be even proud of it too, Kurome being herself. Every small thing accomplished by her was a noteworthy achievement to her.
“I see… I do like your full name though, Althea. It has a good ring to it.â€,
“Ehehe… stop. Y-You can call me by that, I-if you really insist.â€
Thea bit her lower lip and averted her gaze, hiding her flushed expression about her. Fidgeting her right foot while drawing something on the white board with her fingers, Thea was the type of girl who gets abashed so easily with a compliment. Though maybe because it came from Walter.
“...hrrrghkk!!!â€
Walter suddenly felt the warm embrace, slowly turned into a constricting hold, squeezing his trunk. He forgot that Ailana was a novus, but he did not expect that she has this monstrous strength. Ailana’s smile twisting into a restrained smile, her brows twitching and forehead veins throbbing.
“Ah--kkh… Ailana I give, I give… *cough*â€
He said while he felt being choked, repeatedly tapping Ailana’s arm like a surrendering mixed martial artist locked in a submission hold. Noticing immediately, Ailana let go and took a step back, giggling with a nervous expression on her face.
“Oh! Whatever was I doing, ohoho! Do forgive me, I have never done that before.â€
It was obvious that she was feigning ignorance, but she was quick cover it up. Seizing the opportunity, Kurome laid her wooden sword to the ground like a cane to get their attention.
“Sah! Atashi no subete ni shokai shimasho-ka! Let me introduce you all…â€
Althea Grace Eissen
Ailana Lotton
“Our new members of the SA Brigade! Yaho!â€
Kurome was bursting with cheerfulness as she made her introduction to the two new members. At last, they were now a full-fledged school club. They don’t have to worry about being dissolved by the school administration. Even without an adviser from the faculty, having 7 members was enough to fill them in. They could worry about getting an adviser for the latter, right now, there were more important matters to be taken into action.
“Eheh… It looks like we’re in this together, Walter~!â€,
“Wait! I was invited here first!â€
Not before long, Walter’s both arms were assaulted with warm sensations. Thea and Ailana taking his right and left arm. Walter couldn’t even respond as he gazed left and right.
“Uh… guys?â€
He was at a loss. Drawing a complete blank on how to deal with this situation.
“You only just got here and you’re clinging to him already?â€,
“Hmph, I could say the same for you, Ms. Eissen. What? Are you his girlfriend?â€,
“E-eh? W-well I… I-It’s not like… We’re--we’re umm… allies! Yes Allies!â€
Casting an abashed look, Thea looked to her side while caressing her cheek unto Walter’s arm unknowingly.
“Hmph! I’ll have you know, I was the first to talk to him.â€,
“Oh really…? Th-then we--uh… We went on a date last Saturday!â€,
“â€Grrrrrr…â€â€
Both girls were now practically snarling at each other like angry tigresses, while shooting angry beams at each other. Both were completely showing off over Walter, with him not even being considered by the two. He just sulked where he stood, with an expression of a call for help among his fellow club members.
“Mah mah… Futari tomo… Now now.â€
Finally, Kurome finally stepped forward and approached them. But as she did, Walter noticed that Kurome was not even considering him, he feared the worst.
“We all had an equal share of his affection. Like the time where he carried me in a princess hold, and he promised to carry unto the threshold. Ah~â€,
“Hey wait a mi--!!!â€
Before Walter could call her out by the rather exaggerated statement, he suddenly found Kurome’s wooden sword pointing at his mouth. Her expression was still beaming but her aura was a complete contrast. Oh no…
“<I want to cry…>â€
Walter hung his head and just reluctantly accepted it. Something tells him that messing with Kurome would be the last thing he would ever do.
“Uh… umm…â€
A glimmer of hope, Xiu stepped forth towards them with a calm expression. Walter’s hope re-lit, he might know Xiu Qiang that much yet, but she seemed to have more common sense than Kurome. And maybe the voice of reason within the SA Brigade---
“Mr. Walter and I… W-we lied on top of each other on his first day here at our club.â€
“â€â€Whaaaaat…!?â€â€â€,
“B-but--!!!â€
All three girls voiced a loud reaction that reverberated across the room, a trio of shrill tones. As he was about to protest, Xiu materialized her Nex Arm, a long-barreled hand cannon revolver with a dragon motif, promptly pointed at his face.
Walter forgot that her Nexus Trait was Gun Caster, Xiu can materialize any firearm of her choosing as much as to her imagination allows her to. This stemmed from Xiu’s liking to First Person Shooter games, aside from her being a bookworm.
“<I’m gonna cry…>â€
And with that the last of Walter’s hope of escaping this deadlock. All four of the girls were now shooting angry beams at each other, competing over something so trivial. To Walter, the situation itself was ridiculous. The feeling of being choked in four directions, with no chance of defending himself, even though their claims were exaggerated and downright ridiculous.
Then he suddenly felt a tap on his shoulder, since the four girls were busy competing at each other, they did not noticed Max moved behind them stealthily. As expected from a ninja.
“Pssst… Mr. Olven. Maybe we should go to our intended destination already. I have the form, I’m sure Pres will understand.â€
Max whispered unto his ear, at last a ticket out. Walter nodded silently then, matching Max’s silent steps, the two managed to sneaked past the four-way deadlock then out the door. Max gave Kurszt a small wave as he exited with Walter.
“â€â€â€What do you think Walter---huh???â€â€â€â€
The girls said in unison. Before the girls could turn and put the pressure on Walter, he was already gone from where he originally stood. Kurszt let out a deep sigh and finally stepped forward, scratching his head.
“He just left, while you guys are having your little pow-wow over yonder. Sigh heaven’s sake, shouldn’t we get on with the task at ha--eh??â€
Kurszt was thoroughly lecturing the girls, he thought he could be the voice of reason here and control the situation himself. His sense of responsibility as Vice President of the club. But as soon as he did, an overpowering hostility quickly consumed the atmosphere. All 4 of the girls were glaring at him with snarling glares, like they were a pack of wolves who just surrounded their prey hare.
“Kurszt-kun--~â€
Kurome purred with a menacing gait. With her leading the pack, they slowly approached him with an aura of vehemence. He was forced to step back, his knees buckling and shoulders trembling.
“--wah!â€
Kurszt was forced to sit down by Thea and Xiu, holding him by the shoulders. Kurome’s expression slowly curled into a twisted smile.
“Tell us--â€,
“--Who has--â€,
“--the greater--â€,
“--claim?!â€
All four of them asked in perfect sync, as if stage rehearsed prior to this. All four of their figures loomed over the poor Kurszt on his seat. Their low giggling echoing throughout the room filled the atmosphere with dread.
“AAAAAAAAHHHH….!!!â€
A muffled scream was heard from outside the club room of the SA Brigade. An unspeakable chill ran through Max’s and Walter’s back, as if the scream reverberated within them. They were already outside the building but scream still reached them, somehow.
The two then turned around and bowed before the building as if to acknowledge a sacrifice of a fallen comrade. After bowing, the two trotted off in a hurry. They zoomed out into the massive campus.
---------------
Yorktown State University, Campus Grounds
Upon running a considerable amount of distance, Max and Walter finally slowed down their pace. The entire grandeur of the Yorktown State University laid out before them. Letting out a quiet sigh, Walter seem to admire their school’s atmosphere and environment. He almost seem to forget how big their school actually was.
===============
Yorktown State University was the largest alma matter of the United States of the current era. It was a city within a city, maybe even larger. Much like the former Harvard University of the late era but a few acres larger.
By count, it almost has 800 classrooms with several buildings and facilities to house both college and high school student bodies. They also have Middle School, Elementary and lower levels at their its branch in Pineswood Metro Zone or formerly known as Maine.
=====================
“Sigh… women. I really don’t understand what got them so irked up all of a sudden.â€
Walter rubbed his temples as he walked, still thinking about the recent incident. He was still clueless why the sudden need to be competitive.
“Ah… ahaha… Don’t mind them, Mr. Olven. Well, to be completely honest, that was the first time I’ve ever seen Pres and Xiu get so worked up like that.â€
Max expressed his thoughts, whilst smiling wryly at Walter. Although he was trying to save face for them, he had to admit it took him by surprise too.
“Hehe. I think they’ll get along just fine. Uh… Max, right?â€,
“Yep, that’s me. Mr. Olven.â€
Max happily nodded with a beaming smile about his countenance. Walter scratched his head, thinking that he might utter his name wrong or anything. But Max did not seem to mind reintroducing himself to the new member.
Prior to this, Kurome and Kurszt had shown him the recorded live feed of the Liberty Brilliant Park last Saturday. And just the same reaction as Kurszt at the time, Max was left mouth agape and in complete disbelief, at same time in awe. The footage only showed the the gist of the battle, with static interference on some parts, yet it was enough to amaze him.
You could say that Max has found an admiration and new respect to Walter and Thea. Now he’s more than convinced that he was the one who defeated Richie Marcus, that was evidence enough. Having him in SA Brigade truly felt an honor, and knowing that he shared the same insights as Kurome sets Max at ease.
“Mr. Olven? Heh… come now, you’re making me sound old. Walter’s fine.â€
Walter chuckled as he roughly patted Max’s shoulder, which took the latter by surprise. He thought he show his rowdy side and cut loose since they were both guys. Walter has not had a friend since childhood, but he figured being just himself would be appropriate.
“Uwah! Ah… Ah… Yes, sure. Walter.â€
Max took a glance as his shoulder still gripped by Walter, and unknowingly his face slightly flushed.
“There you go. Nice to meet you, Max. Hehe!â€
Walter just gave him a big smile, it was not the malicious kind, it was genuine one. He felt as if he was meeting a long lost little brother. He then set his gaze ahead of him, seemingly energized that he will not be doing the task ahead alone.
“...â€
Max just returned Walter’s gaze bug-eyed, and blinking rapidly, his mouth with an ‘oh’ expression. And flushing a bit more crimson now. Maybe Walter’s cheerfulness caught to him, or… maybe it was something else. Letting go of his grip on Max’s shoulder, Walter eased up a bit whilst still walking side-by-side with him. Although Max, seemed to be now more tensed than he was before.
“Say, Max--â€,
“Ah! Yes?â€
Max suddenly stiffened his posture, walking a little awkwardly now. He immediately responded with a subtle flustered expression.
“Mind if I ask what’s your Nexus Trait? I mean if you don’t mind of course. It’s perfectly understandable if you don’t want to talk about it.â€
Walter asked with a bit of hesitation, just like the time when he asked Thea her Nexus Trait. It was quite taboo for the Nova to openly reveal their Nexus Trait to one another. As it could risk of being used against them.
“Ah… well… It’s named as Shadow Stroke.â€
Without hesitation, Max said it to Walter straight. He felt like he could trust him since they were colleagues from here on forth. And he was hand-picked by Kurome for a good reason after all.
“Oooh…! That sounds so cool! What are the applications of it? Can you show me?â€
Walter literally just hopped in front of Max, much to the latter’s surprise, held both his hands with eyes sparkling. Max just gulped with the sudden gesture, he was blushing from his ear now. He just glanced sidelong and smiled wryly.
“Eheh… Eheheh… w-well I su-supposed it wouldn’t hurt.â€
As soon as Walter let go of his hands. Max jerked his arm to the ground with his two fingers up as if dipping his fingers in the shadows. Then with a single wave of his arm, he made a shadow stroke like an ink brushstroke in mid-air.
“Uuoohooh!â€
Walter howled as he saw it, he was just in awe. The genuine expression of awe from Walter had flattered Max. The former just poking it with his hand, the stroke felt solid, like a sheet of metal wobbling in its flexibility. The black stroke then dissolved into Max’s shadow shortly after, as they began walking again.
“Basically, with it, I can draw seals and ninjutsu circles to summon my attack and defense. Using shadows as my ink. I can also shape the shadows as I see fit, but I don’t know the extent yet. Errmmm…â€
Max explained, though in the last part he averted his gaze while twiddling his fingers together. Seemingly embarrassed to follow it up, afraid that Walter might laugh at him.
“--well I am like you, Walter. I’m still a newly-emerged Novus. I am still learning how to use my powers.â€
But he said it anyway, almost in a sulking expression.
“Ah really? Glad I’m not the only one! Well, to be honest, I am still yet to find my Nexus Trait. I feel like I just barely scratched the surface--â€
“<B-Barely scratched the surface!? But that power… I saw in on the recorded feed, it was tremendous!>â€
Max screamed in his thoughts as he was taken by surprise to Walter’s statement. Indeed he was still on the dark to clearly see his Nexus Trait, yet the power, speed, and technique Max saw on the feed. Walter was almost comparable to Kurszt in his full Nex Frame form. How powerful is he going to be when he finally realized his Nexus Trait, more so his Nex Frame form.
“--but I’ll just worry about it later. I may not be able to fully use it, but it’s more than enough means to help people and battle villains. And besides, I have you guys to back me up!â€
With a truly humbling statement, Walter once again beamed a smile to Max. His cheerfulness and humility, it mirrors Kurome in a way. Both were powerful in their own ways, yet still has the heart to be humble about it.
“<He’s…. so cool!!!>â€
Max once again screamed in his thoughts as he gazed unto Walter. His eyes sparkling with sheer respect and admiration. If a model superhero exists then Walter would fit the role right in.
“Well getting back to the task at hand, what’s our first stop?â€
Walter eased up and relaxed his pace, putting both his his hands at his nape. He glanced over to his colleague to inquire. As if snapping back to reality, Max then reached in his blazer, a standard piece of the Yorktown State school uniform, and pulled out the memo he was hiding underneath.
“Let’s see here. The first major club we have to go through is the… Delinquent Club.â€,
“...!?â€
The calm and relaxed atmosphere vanished in an instant. Max’s voice trailed off as he uttered the club’s name, and Walter’s reaction was immediate shock. Both of them were taken off-guard by the memo; Max made sure he read it correctly, almost pressing his face on the paper.
==============
The Delinquent Club, even Walter has heard of them before. Basically, the club that had the most members in the entire school it was basically a Fraternity/Sorority of delinquents both nova and humans. The main purpose of the club itself was to take control of the delinquents to keep them in line whether they like it or not.
Often times, they also keep school bullying to a minimal, and only rough up those higher echelon students into getting their act straight. School bullies fear them, and most of the time aim to join them. But some members, mostly the new recruits, abuse the club’s name into bullying helpless kids instead of those who truly deserve it.
The club also does community service during weekends and events, they clean the campus grounds, act as security to school extra-curricular events, and even do majority of the heavy lifting for the former Student Council. But in recent events, none of those activities were practiced since Richie Marcus’ uprising. Their proud achievements ground beneath his heels as he took control almost every member of it to take over the school.
They were reduced into nothing but Richie’s posse. And with his defeat, came the complete dissolution of those numbers. There were at least 250 members maybe even more in totality of its roster, but after the uprising, 200 of them joined Richie’s selfish cause. The true loyal members of less than a hundred had remained on the club. After Richie Marcus’ defeat, those 200 were denied re-admission by the club president herself. Stating that they have soiled and shamed the club’s name.
Ever since then, the Delinquent Club closed its doors to both aspiring members and to outsiders altogether.
==============
“So we get the tough one first, huh?â€
Walter muttered to himself as he hung his head. He had heard that ever since Richie Marcus’ uprising, they have been unusually hostile and seclusive to outsiders, and that means them. Which would mean things might get rather unpleasant. The possibility of physical confrontation was there, Walter was not denying it, but he was still leaning towards a more peaceful solution.
“Our first assignment and we were immediately thrown at the wolves… I’m sorry, Walter.â€
Max sighed exasperatedly. He was more worried that this task might be too daunting for a new recruit such as Walter. He could not help but cast a worried look upon him.
“Oh well. Kurome didn’t say that it’ll be easy either way. Might as well--no, we must give it our all.â€
Walter somehow managed to muster a bit of courage and confidence in his words. Exhaling his doubts and negativity at the moment.
“You’re right… I mean the Nova Reform is already a few steps ahead of us.â€,
“Exactly. Kurome may be goofing off and always beaming, but she’s counting on us.â€,
“Right!â€
Both guys finally mustered their courage and confidence. There was little room for negativity, and right now, this was their best foot forward. The Delinquent Club was one of the major clubs to act opposed on the Nova Reform’s ideas, their original core principles still honorable and solid.
If the SA Brigade can somehow establish a connection, they can work together to oppose the bigger threat. Kurome herself knew, that the Nova Reform itself cannot be opposed on independent terms alone. And she knew that if their aid against the bigger threat would be invaluable.
-----------------------
Yorktown State University, School Warehouse Annex
After more than half an hour of walking, Max and Walter arrived at their intended destination. It was a place where Walter knew very well. An apparent and displeasing nostalgia instantly gripped Walter’s feelings. On one of these warehouses, the previous incident occurred. Richie beating up Thea, him standing up to Richie then promptly getting beat up after.
It was unpleasant replaying those memories; the only thing he was proud of that moment was him finally finding the courage to stand up to Richie Marcus, after having been pushed around for so long. Aside from that, Walter had no recollection what happened afterward. All he knew was he just woke up on Atha, the Woman in Red’s pocket reality.
As they entered the premises, Walter instantly saw the now-ruined warehouse where the incident happened. The feeling of unease instantly washed over him. The warehouse was still under the state of disuse but not exactly abandoned; because the annex itself was the Delinquent Club’s territory.
Dozens of its club members strolling about the abandoned premises, just either lollygagging around or patrolling the area. Immediately, even from a distance, the members of the club spotted the two entering the premises, like a pack of predators spotting unsuspecting prey entering their territory.
Walter and Max, just kept their own pace and just met their hostile gazes head-on. They were not planning on sneaking up on them nor punching through the lot of them, they came here to talk and nothing else. Although, Max, on the contrary, grew more nervous now that they have spotted them.
Seeing that the two were not planning to fall back, a group of members of the Delinquent Club approached to meet the two. They may be a legitimate school club, but its members looked like genuine street thugs. They wore their uniforms in either disheveled or indecent way, it was an affront to the dress code, but they were above that. Sleeves ripped, blazers worn on their shoulders, an overall rugged outlook. They were also carrying bats (wooden and metal ones), pipes, brass knuckles and assorted makeshift blunt weapons.
Walter and Max stopped on their tracks to greet the… welcoming committee of the Delinquent Club. Their fearsome outlook alone almost made Max draw a step back, but Walter gave him a tap on his shoulder to hold his ground.
“Oy… Oy… I thought we already posted a notice that we’re not accepting new blood here.â€
The lead of the group stepped forward and eyed the both of them, uncomfortably close. Like a predator sniffing its prey, it was almost in a mocking manner.
“Uh… Uh… Err--umm… We’re from the SA Brigade--â€,
“Huuuh…? What is thaat…?â€
Max was struggling with the introduction, the delinquent sensed it and promptly craned his neck towards Max up close. Turning his head aside to lend his ear closer to Max’s face. Max leaned back at bit, as it was uncomfortably too close.
“Umm… umm… We’re from the SA Brigade--and uhm… we’d like to talk to your club president. I-If you would.â€
Swallowing his nervousness for a moment and mustering up a bit of confidence, Max pulled through. The delinquent drew back and held his chin with his index finger and thumb, with an exaggerated expression as if in thought.
“Heeh…? Y’want to talk with the Boss lady? Hmmm… Who’re you guys again?â€
Raising his brow, he asked a question again. The lead of the group was intentionally ignoring Walter’s presence. This was a typical conversation to the delinquents when they are talking to a group of outsiders, they would always set their attention to the pushover first. If one of the group interjects in this flow, they would not respond in kind and will lead easily to a disastrous situation.
“Uh… th-the SA Brigade.â€
Max stuttered, he felt like the confidence he has mustered up was being caught up in his throat.
“SA Brigade?â€
The lead of the group turned his head back to his fellow Delinquent Club members. Then gazed back to the two with a mocking smile. Walter furrowed his brows as he saw it, it was the same expression he always saw back when he was still human.
“...Never heard of ya.â€
The delinquent sneered at them, and the group promptly laughed at the lead’s gesture. It would seem that instead of entertaining them, the group met the two be insulted instead. It seemed that Max took it to a personal level and hung his head, sulking. Tears now slowly welling up in his eyes.
“--So is that a yes or no?â€
Walter finally stepped forward, the scene was just unbearable for him. Walter could not stand the sight of tears from a helpless individual. And they came here on an important note and not to waste time playing by their terms, they had to assert that.
“Hey, hey, hey! Look what we have here! Finally someone guts--â€,
“--Save the flattery, we’re here for a reason. Now please, let us speak to your club president.â€
Before the lead of the group could establish his foothold, Walter just abruptly interrupted him. The two glared at each other.
“Heh… Sorry mate, had to disappoint ya. The Boss doesn’t waste her time on nobodies. Now go on, piss off.â€
The delinquent waved them off, deliberately refusing the two. As he was about to turn around and leave Walter and Max alone…
“I don’t think you should be calling the shots here to call it done. Now please, just let us through and talk to your club president and then we’ll be on our way--â€
Before Walter could finish, the lead of the group’s patience finally went off. With a full swing, he swung his metal bat directly at Walter’s cheek. But the delinquent’s eyes widened as soon as the weapon made contact.
“...wh--what!?â€
The delinquent just froze where he stood. Walter took the full brunt of the blow, but the metal bat just bent as soon as it hit his head. Walter did not even flinched nor took considerable damage, not even a scratch. He was thoroughly unscathed and unfazed as if attack itself was but a breeze brushed through his skin. Max then took five steps back, as signaled by him.
“Sigh… look, we have no quarrel with you, so if we could just---oh boy…â€
The next thing Walter knew, the entire welcoming committee of the Delinquent Club were coming right at him, all at once. Their fists and weapons came flying at him. He could dodge it or counter all of them at the same time, but chose not to.
“Walter!â€
Max was about to jump in with his Nexus Energy channeling through, like an engine primed. These were no ordinary delinquents, these are the nova ranks. Even for a novus like Walter, he will be torn apart if does not lift a hand to defend himself.
“--!!!â€
One step forward, two steps back. Max was too late to respond to his aid. But what followed after, just made him step back in disbelief.
Walter took the full force of the simultaneous barrage of beating. And yet none of those even made him move and flinch or even twitch. He was still wearing a rather wearing a rather disappointed and nonchalant expression.
Their blunt weapons laid broken and bent upon contact. Their fists and feet assaulted with an intense sting of pain. As if they hit a solid wall with their bare limbs. Most of them just dropped to the ground with a pained grimace about their countenance, while the rest just backed.
“So, got that out of your system? We really need to talk to your club president.â€
Walter just said it as if nothing happened. While everyone around him just left nothing but disbelief and shock, their mouth agape and beads of cold sweat rolling down their cheeks. Even Max was surprised, Walter did not even used his Nexus Energy to defend himself. Just raw physical durability.
“--wait! I know him--from the live feed, the Boss showed us!â€,
“Y-yeah! He also looks like the guy from the board! The one who completely trashed that d-bag, Richie Marcus!â€,
“I-It’s him! The ‘Black-Armed Ace’!â€
One side comment after another, the group then slowly backed away from Walter. The two then met gazes at each other with puzzled expressions; it was that one who called Walter the “Black-Armed Aceâ€.
“Black-Armed--what?â€
Walter asked, directing his attention to Max. Max just shrugged in response, this was also the first time he heard such a title.
“Were you referring to me?â€
He asked the lead of the group before him, pointing his finger on his face.
“Who else? Word spreads fast here. The Boss was the one who came up with it. We saw the whole thing on the live feed on Boss’ transpon-thingies, just last sah’urday.â€
The lead of the group replied promptly, his hostile aura from moments ago now vanished. He then gestured the rest of his guys and girls to stand down. Realizing who were they up against, and that it was useless to go up against Walter. They may love a good trashing, but they know when to stand down if the odds are just plain impossible, one of the teachings of their club president or Boss.
Instead of gloating of their own power, and stepping on them, Walter and Max approached the group and helped some of them to stand up. Walter reached both his arms, and helped the last two delinquents get back up on their feet. They may be delinquents and nova, but they were still people, boys and girls coping up with school life their own way.
“Like I said before, we have no quarrel with you. We’re just here to talk.â€,
“Yes. Please understand. We are not here to… uh… put you guys in your place--or whatever.â€
Despite the hostility that had ensued a few seconds earlier, Walter and Max maintained their usual demeanor. They were not even planning to fight back, if they did, Walter alone would have made a short work of them. The lead of the group considered them again.
“Well slap me silly. Au’right, you win.â€
The lead sighed in resignation and a bit of relief. He turned back to the group and gestured the half of them to disperse, and the rest to stay.
“Come along, then.â€
He motioned Walter and Max follow him, the two then nodded in response and followed. With the patrol group escorting them, they proceeded further into the annex. It was already 6, by the moment Walter checked his holo-watch.
During club hours in the Yorktown State University, students whom are involved in clubs are required to attend it at least an hour worth of session then go home after. However, the club sessions can also surpass the required 1 hour session of club activities. Hence, sometimes club hours go up until 9 in the evening, or 4-5 hours worth. As the school itself closes at 9, no students are allowed to be on the campus beyond that time.
As they walked through the wide area of the annex, Walter and Max saw several delinquents just hanging around, scattered in different places. Club members who caught sight of them just eyed the two visitors with squinting gazes.
Even though their numbers greatly reduced on the aftermath of Richie Marcus’ defeat, the Delinquent Club still holds the greatest number of members in a club. Just next to the Orchestral Chorus club, they held more than 80 members, it was like almost a small community. Walter could not even imagine what it was like when the club was in its prime. It must have been like a town.
“Y’know--â€
The lead of their escort group spoke finally breaking the ice. The attention of the two immediately drawn to him.
“--You guys have have convinced us, but am not sure ‘bout the Alphas.â€,
“Alphas?â€
Max tilted his head in question.
“Yep. Our captains no less. Keeps us all in line. You want to talk with the Boss-- you get yourselves appointed with the two of them.â€
The lead stated as if conveying a warning. The two then just looked at each other, both exasperated. Both Walter and Max felt like they were about to be thrown into the flames. It looked like it was going to be a long night…
After a brief walk, they arrived at a specific warehouse. It was guarded by at least 3 of the Delinquent Club’s members. The lead of Walter and Max’s escort went ahead to the three guards by the large door. They nodded and opened the large sliding door.
“Well, this is as far as we can go. Beyond here, you guys are on your own.â€
The lead pointed towards the entrance of the warehouse. Walter and Max both nodded to each other and just went inside without the hint of hesitation. Max however felt daunted, as if they were about to be locked up in a cage with a hungry predator. As they stepped in, the club members outside promptly closed the large door; the doors clicked like rail coupling being attached.
Their task begins now.
----------------------
As Walter and Max entered the interior, a series of lined-up vehicles greeted them. All were either broken into disrepair or just dismantled for scrap. It was like a massive garage or workshop or maybe even a chop shop.
Though it was not completely dark, the light sources were dimly lit, some even just flickering on and off. From the far sides of the warehouse were large shelves that housed numerous scrap metal and machinery parts on display. The overall atmosphere gives off a rather lonely feel to it.
As the two walked further in, they heard the sound of odd buzzing. Then from a distance, a bright flickering light, it was a sound of welding metal. As they approached the source, it looked like someone was working on one of the cars.
“Umm… Excuse me?â€
Max went ahead of Walter and greeted the mechanic. The mechanic slid out from under the chassis to respond to the call. He considered the two and lifted his welding mask off his face.
“Ah! Visitors! This is quite unexpected--ah! Hold on!â€
The mechanic said in a smooth English accent. He seemed to be rather hospitable unlike the delinquents outside. Not exactly what they were expecting.
He stood up and put down his welding mask. He wore a loose and dirty white t-shirt, most likely car grease that smudged all over his clothes. Ripped jeans and suspenders that hang loosely from his hip; he also wore a union jack bandana over his pony-tailed blonde hair. He has that laid-back expression about him and looked like a blue-collar worker than a student.
“Oh hi, I’m Axe Rossell. Pleased to meet you, mates!â€
Removing his gloves, Axe vigorously shook both their hands with a cheerful smile about his face. He seemed like a genuine nice person, humble even. But Walter could not shake the feeling of lingering dread about him.
“Now, what brings you lads here in my humble abode, eh?â€,
“Ah! Sorry if we bothered, we came here to talk.â€,
“Talk? Oh yes, sure! And oh don’t worry about it, I’ve been here all day on my lonesome. A company is always nice.â€
Axe proceeded to just laugh it off, they treated his visitors like fellows well-met which seemed to somehow put a relief on Max’s end. But Walter kept a stern face, he really can’t deny this lingering dread no longer, but he just chose to stay quiet for the time being and let Max do the talking.
“Yes, umm… we came here to talk to your club president.â€,
“Oh the Boss, mate? Oh…â€
As Max brought up the subject, he raised his eyebrow and rubbed his chin with his fingers as if in thought. He crossed his arms and considered the two again, this time with a rather concerned look.
“Are you sure, mates? Because that… could be a problem.â€,
“Wh-why? You are one of the Alphas of the Delinquent Club, right?â€
Max pressed further, his eagerness was now apparent. He approached Axe with pleading eyes, which seemed to make the former rather uneasy.
“Aye… sigh… well I’m afraid I can’t let you, mate. That simply won't do. You want to pass, then you get appointed to us first.â€,
“What do you mean?â€
Walter finally spoke up as he stepped forward.
“Well, to put it in plain terms--one of you guys would have to go through the initiation. It’s a rite of passage by the Boss. Frankly, I rather have to let you, mates pass and be done with it. But… let’s just say the Boss doesn’t take it well when things slip up.â€
Basically he was saying that they--or rather one of them would have to take him on first. Walter was expecting a rather hostile aura about him, but Axe seemed so accommodating about it still. Maybe he was a nice guy, and just the thought disobeying that rule by his Boss just chills him to the core.
“Well…â€
Walter and Max just shrugged at each other. They had no choice but to comply, this was the only way through. Although Walter had to commend Axe for in favor of an alternative, though maybe Axe was just lazy.
“Alri--â€,
“I’ll do it. I welcome your challenge.â€
Just when Walter was about to step forward to take up the challenge, Max blocked his path and volunteered instead.
“But Max. Are you sure?â€,
“Ah it’s alright, Walter. We all knew that we all had to fight, and that includes me too. Don’t worry, the pres trained me how to harness my Nexus--basics at least.â€
That last part was a bit silent, not really a reassuring statement. But if Max wants to have a hand in it, then he’s in no position to stop him. Walter then grabbed both his shoulders and faced him, much to Max’s surprise.
“Okay, I leave this to you. But if you can’t pull through, don’t hesitate to throw the towel. Okay?â€,
“...uuh…â€
Max was flushed in bright crimson as his gaze met with his. Walter’s gaze on him sparkled with encouragement and trust, just his way of cheering for his comrade. Axe on the other hand, just smiled at them for the display of camaraderie.
“Go knock ‘em dead.â€
With a tap of Max’s shoulder, Walter stepped back into the sidelines. Max sternly nodded and followed Axe as he lead Max to the center. Max felt both elated and nervous, he felt the burden of a person’s trust on his shoulders.
“<I won’t fail.>â€
He asserted to himself, breathing in to steel himself. Tightening his steel gloves and cracking his knuckles, Max readied himself.
“That’s more like it, mate. Don’t worry, I won’t hold back too. Give it your best alright?â€
Axe displayed a commendable level of sportsmanship even to his adversary, he genuinely was a nice guy and not just feigning a positive attitude. He secured his shoe laces bit and tightened his bandana. Then from behind him, he picked up a stray chain.
“--because I would be disappointed, if you go down without putting much of a fight.â€,
“...!â€
As Axe said that, his laid-back expression instantly vanished. Max’s senses screamed danger as he felt the air became heavy. Then from behind, he heard a rattle coming at his direction in a lightning-fast pace. Out of reflex, Max flipped out of the way and landed crouching.
It was a spear-tipped chain. Axe caught the chain and give it a stern pull. The chain grew shorter on his grasp as he held it. His Nex Arm as a double-ended chain. At the end of the chain was a spear tip, the other was a curved dagger.
“This is my Nexus, the Serpent Chain.â€
Axe finally announced his Nexus Trait to his adversary and began spinning the spear-tipped end on his side. The chain seemed to grow in length as he did, long enough for the spear tip to graze through the floor and finally whipping against the concrete.
Max held both his hands to the shadows and used his Nexus Energy to form on his fingers, like dipping his hand on ink. He focused on his adversary’s movements as Axe approached him. From his analysis, judging from the Nex Arm, Axe would probably go for long-ranged attacks. But he would have to pull back his chain, his best bet would be in close quarter combat.
Max lifted himself up a bit, shifting into a sprinting stance. He does not know how will his opponent fare with that dagger, but he could probably out-maneuver him through speed. Max then launched forward in an instant, dashing towards his opponent with super sonic speeds.
As predicted, Axe threw the spear tip of the chain first straight at him. Max then deflected it with the swing of his arm, drawing a solid shadow stroke that made an audible clink as the chain was blocked. As Max closed the gap, he unleashed a flurry of slash strokes with his hands. Axe met it with his dagger. Even when Max was dealing with high-speed strikes, Axe just seem to match it with the sheer mastery of dagger wielding.
He twirled his dagger then spun to side, aiming his blade unto Max’s side. Max then shifted his elbow and then blocked the strike by hitting his opponent’s wrist. But then Axe just connects it with an elbow to Max’s gut.
“Uoh!â€
The blow was solid, enough to make Max bend down in pain as the strike hit him in the diaphragm area. Axe then twirled around and lifted his leg to perform an ax kick. But as he did, he noticed that Max was still bending down.
“Ghhah…!â€
Axe took the full hit of a rolling feint scorpion kick, square on his face. As he was about to be sent flying, a feint smirk drew on his face. Walter noticed that the spear-tipped end of the end still flying behind Max.
“Max look out!â€
Walter yelled at his comrade. Max heard it, but he was still about to recover his stance from his feint kick. With all his might and with a rather short margin of evasion, Max launched his body sideward performing a rapid corkscrew flip to dodge the incoming spear chain.
“...â€
As he get back on his feet, he felt blood drip from his right cheek. Max smudged it off and took stance. Meanwhile, Axe was already back on his feet, catching the spear with his free hand. Axe then noticed the smudge of blood on the spear.
“Tsk… mm-mm not good, mate. My Nexus is now at full circle.â€,
“...?â€
Max knitted his brow in confusion. Axe then began spinning his chain again, prepping for another long-ranged assault.
“You see, once the spear tip is marked with the opponent’s blood, it will now follow you to the ends of the earth. Its length would be unending until it burrows itself through. my opponent’s flesh. Nothing personal, mate.â€
Axe then launched the spear tip toward Max, flying faster than a bullet. As he dodged the spear, the spear then changed its vector of direction, like a ricocheted bullet, flying back towards its target at the same speed as before.
“...!â€
Max quickly reacted, dipping his hands to the shadows, he formed it as a helix wrapping both his arms like gauntlets. But as he deflected the spear, it kept on ricocheting back and forth in vectors. And to make it worse, the spear’s impact seem to grow stronger each time it fails to hit its target.
Max had no choice but to outrun the speeding spear-tipped chain. As he did, he intently observed that the excess chain being produced were being retracted back. So the plan of having Axe be tangled by his own chain was out the window.
He then zoomed in towards Axe, focusing his Nexus Energy on the shadow helix that wrapped both his arms. Max shaped the shadow he held on his grasped and molded it into a kunai. He produced 6 of them, 3 on each hand. As he outrun the spear, he threw the fan of shadow kunai at his adversary.
“Not gonna happen, mate!â€
Extending the chain on the dagger-end, he spun and twirled the chain dagger like an iron whip. One by one Axe skillfully deflected the shadow kunai with a rapid lash of his chain. Max continued to rain a barrage of kunai as he circled around Axe, while trying to outrun the homing spear.
But as he did, Axe just lashed them off with superhuman speeds. The way he twirled and spun his chain dagger so precise and lightning-fast, he easily formed a maelstrom dome of defense. At this rate, even close quarters would prove very difficult. Max then figured, if he can’t rain a long-ranged attack, or unleash a barrage of blows from up-close.
“<Then I’ll try the esoteric approach! Like a true ninja!> Ha!â€
Max, increasing his speed, dipped his hands into the shadows again. His Nexus potency increased to a significant amount, and using the shadows itself to stride around beyond the speed of sound. In ordinary human eyes, Max was practically blinking in and out from multiple places at once. With his speed, he has already outran the pursuing spear-tipped chain.
Once again from his shadow gloves, he produced a fan of shadow kunai. But these ones were different, they looked more solid in shape, and longer points. Narrowing his eyes and closing his distance a bit, Max focused on his adversary and quickly calculating the probable trajectory. With a rapid swipe of his arms, Max threw his shadow kunai in a wider arc.
“Heh! You really need to learn new tricks, mate! That won’t work on me even up close!â€
Axe scoffed as he just swatted and deflected each kunai with terrifying precision. He wields his chain like an extension of his limb, he wields it in close quarters as effective as is in long-ranged combat; which was humanely impossible to achieve. He was not only using the bladed ends of his weapon, but also its links by twirling it into defensive angles, like a gymnast ribbon.
As he either deflect or block these kunai, the projectiles were instantly dissolve into a shadow residues that scatter on his feet. Max continued his high-speed barrage, unknowing that Axe was coiling the excess chain inside his maelstrom of metal. He waited for the right moment as he calculated the next spot where Max would appear. As Max disappeared in a blur, a slight smirk drew on his face.
“Gotcha!â€
In a split second, Axe grabbed the dagger end of his chain and used it as a grip, as he whipped the chain in a spinning motion. The excess chain on the ground rose up and immediately snared Max’s foot as he appeared behind him.
“Kh…!â€
Max’s rhythm was completely severed, immobilizing his feet completely. Taking advantage of the opportunity, Axe pulled and whipped the other end of the chain. The spear end accelerated like a bullet and was heading straight for Max’s physical frame. Max tried to maneuver his body but the spear seemed to follow his movements.
He had no choice but to block it. He immediately reinforced the layer of solid shadows coiling his arms to be thick enough to repel it. Max cannot move out of the way as the chain snare was thoroughly holding him in place. He did not possess strength like Kurome, Kurszt or even Walter to overpower his adversary. As the spear closed in, Max crossed his arms to block--
“Gh..ah…!!!â€
Max coughed hoarsely, as blood sprayed from his mouth. The spear went right through his arms, its sharp tip burrowed in through his flesh then through his chest. Now devoid of life, Max just flopped down to the ground with a thud.
“Oh well… oops.â€
Axe just scratched his head almost nonchalantly. Treating the incident as a mere child’s accident, oblivious even into overdoing it. He gave a wry smile as he faced the damage he has done. He was expecting Max’s comrade to be walking over to him with an angry expression…
“Huh?â€
Axe twitched in surprise to see Walter still standing by the sidelines, with a calm look about his countenance. What surprised him was that he was not even angry about what happened, just still standing watch as if nothing happened. As their gazes met, Walter crossed his arms and slowly shook his head.
“...!â€
As Axe looked back at Max’s lifeless body, it instantly vanished without the trace, much to his surprise. What he found instead was a tumbleweed, impaled with the spear end of his chain. Which would mean that the one he had taken out was a fake.
“W-What!? But… the spear followed him and I felt it pierce through--- ….!â€
Upon closer inspection, the tumbleweed had a tiny smudge of blood from Max himself. Which would explain why the spear followed the fake instead of the real one.
Western Ninpo: Shadow Tumbleweed Substitution!
“Hehe…!â€
Max then suddenly appeared from his opponent’s blind spot, letting out a slight chuckle, tongue in cheek. He was holding his hands maintaining a hand seal.
“...! What?!â€
As Axe was about to turn to face Max, he felt his feet was glued to the ground. As he looked down, he saw the shadow residue from the kunai he deflected earlier, now forming drawn shadow seal circle. Max performed two more hand seals to reinforce the bind.
“Gh… Don’t get cocky, mate!â€
Axe grunted in frustration. He immediately spun his chain on the dagger end, spinning it in rapid rotations to attack his opponent while facing with his back. He tried to pull the spear end, but the tumbleweed had dissolved into a shadow residue, and was now bound with the same seal on his feet. Frustrated, Axe could only curse under his breath.
“Don’t worry--â€
Max flew over and flipped, landing in front of his adversary. With rapid strokes of his finger on the air, he drew a ninja seal on the very air itself, and at its center, a kanji character for ‘Fire’.
“--I don’t intend to!â€
Ninpo Fire Gate: Kagutsuchi!
Performing five rapid hand seals, Max then pressed his hand through the drawn shadow seal. As he did, the seal expanded, then from the seal, a massive breath of flame with shadow as its outline emerged. The raging torrent of shadow-outlined flame roared and bellowed as it took form of a giant dragon, taking shape in the corporeal world with the raging flames as its body, ready to devour anything in its wake.
Axe immediately gathered his chains and spun it in front of him to form a defensive wall against it. But as the massive fire dragon closed in, he felt the heat slowly scorching his chain. And the sheer Nexus Energy of this magnitude was too much of a tall order for him to counter completely.
“AAAAARRRRGGGGGHHHHH….!!!â€
Like an small rock on a rapid, Axe was instantly swept away by the sheer power of the torrent of flame. He was sent flying at the very end of the warehouse, slamming his body to the wall. Upon impact, the torrent of flame immediately died down, leaving nothing but scorched metal in its after math. Axe had no choice but to use his Nexus Energy at the last second to protect himself from the attack, but the attack of that magnitude took a lot from him.
His Nexus Energy now drained, Axe pulled himself from the dent on the wall and just fell on his knees. He tried to stand up, but he knees immediately buckled, keeping him from even standing up. Max hurriedly ran to his aid, with Walter just a few steps behind him.
“Ah! Mr. Rossell, are you alright?â€
Despite being his adversary, Max immediately offered his hand to help Axe back up on his feet. His knees were still trembling from the shock of the impact. Walter also offered his hand and just help him sit down, since he was too shaken up to stand.
“Argh--ah… That was something, mate. That really was something. Ehehe…â€
Axe managed to let out a rather weak laugh and a wry smile. He did not seem to hold any grudges nor the audacity to bitterly sulk. In fact, he was more amazed with the result rather than angry or bitter. Through and through, he really was a laid-back guy.
“I’m so sorry I overdid it, Mr. Rossell.â€,
“Oh come on, mate. The Boss’ beatings were worse than this, I can manage. Heh…â€
Max was apologetic as always but Axe insisted that it was quite alright, brushing it off. Axe did have to admit, it had been a long time since anyone aside from the Boss has given him the fight of his life.
“I’ll have to be honest here, Axe. I may have silently misjudged you in terms of character. I thought you’re just playing the part of a nice guy, but I was wrong.â€
Walter just blurted it out loud, what he felt. He may have kept it to himself, but he thought it would be appropriate to come clean. Axe just burst in into a fit of chuckle to his honest statement.
“Ah… sorry to disappoint then, mate. But it’s alright, we get that all the time. Part of what comes with being an Alpha of the Delinquent Club. I just joined here so that I could make a difference, I always admired our club’s core values… Breaking the rules to constitute our own and make a difference.â€
===================
That was the number one tenet of the Delinquent Club: “Breaking the rules to constitute our own and make a differenceâ€. Meaning they were not living by their own rules so that they could do what they want, but so they could be a better person to themselves and to others. Hence why the Delinquent Club was a constant eye-sore to people who lives by the dictated status quo or hierarchy, they were the defying medium to topple the elitist way of life.
In Yorktown State University, this was the clear difference between delinquents and bullies. The delinquents, particularly the club members of the said club, lived by their own way of life and rules; they abide by their own code of honor and protect those whom were being oppressed by the elite. While school bullies were just plain jerks who want nothing but make their fellow students’ lives miserable; like Chipper and Brute to Walter in the past.
Although, when it comes to territory, if an uninvited guest is persistent on intruding, they would not hesitate to come at them with unrelenting hostility.
===================
Propping himself up, with the help of Walter, Axe got back up on his feet. He dusted himself up and again considered the two. From look of it, he seemed to have recovered some of his strength.
“Aye… I’m defeated. You guys can proceed. But be warned about the next guy. You’ll find him, not easy on the eyes that one. And he’s raring for a fight, most notably…â€
As he was giving an introduction, Axe’s gaze turned to Walter with a seemingly unusual grim expression. Walter just tilted his head, both curious and confused.
“I know who you are, mate-- Black-Armed Ace. You took out both of those nasties without squinting. Heh, the Boss was eager to meet you. And him…â€,
“But what does he want with me?â€
Walter asked, pressing Axe further for inquiries.
“Well, you know that the lot of us love a good fight right? That Filipino tosser was the textbook example of our characteristic. Heh… He always looks for fights--opponents that would give him a challenge even if its against the impossible. Hell, he was the one who always challenges the Boss into a fight, but always gets his behind handed to him on a silver plate. Maybe you could say it’s his fault that the Boss became too picky with fights.â€
As Axe told the two about him, he would smile and chuckle about it. He was telling them about him as if he was talking about a friend. But the fact that he would not be as kind as Axe, gave Walter a heads up.
“--Ever, since we watched that live feed, he’s been locked up in that warehouse for two days now. Training, I guess. Hehe… Tosser I say, but he’s our tosser. His name is Hernan Magtanggol, or ‘Inggo’ as me and Boss call him.â€
Now recovered enough strength, Axe lead the two to the other end of his warehouse and opened the exit. As the three went outside, another warehouse greeted them immediately as they stepped out. Although this one was quite larger than the last one, and just by looking at it, Walter felt a rather foreboding feeling about it.
“Well then, I guess I’ll be seeing you around, mates! Go right in, and just tell‘im I said ‘Hi!’â€
Axe said with his usual carefree expression, as he opened the large door. The two then just stepped inside, assaulted with a rather ominous atmosphere inside. Axe then closed the door behind them, then gave it two knocks as a way of saying good luck to the two.
-----------------------------------------------
As Walter and Max went inside the warehouse, a very notable feature of it, greeted them. Unlike the last one, this warehouse was completely empty. No shelves, no crates, no clutter were to be found as far as the eye can see.
The only things that were there were the light sources much brighter than the last one, a rather welcome improvement. The place was so empty that each step and breath they make seem to echo off the walls. It was quiet, but the solitude here was an uneasy one rather than a peaceful one. If this was a claustrophobic area, any normal individual would have lost their mind with this unnerving isolation.
As the two walked further in, they noticed someone sitting in the middle of the vast empty space. He was sitting on a cross-legged position, his eyes closed and seemed to be at rest, might be meditating. He sported a long, jet-black and straight hair about chin-length; he wore the standard uniform of the YSU but with a black blazer.
“...â€
The man then opened his eyes as he felt Walter and Max’s presence, especially Walter’s, then stood up. The two then stopped on their tracks, Max was already sweating beads because of the heavy atmosphere, in spite of the empty environment. While Walter still had that calm expression about him.
“You arrived. How unexpected. Here I was meditating upon my choices on finding you myself.â€
He spoke with a rather tranquil tone which surprised the two a little. They thought he would be more straightforward like those from outside.
“Ah, but where are my manners? I am Hernan Magtanggol. You stand here before an Alpha of our brotherhood--that means you seek the Boss’ audience.â€
Hernan spoke with a rather dignified and disciplined manner, although strict to a point.
“Then you must abide by our rite of passage, in order to gain her audience. And at the same time, I very much welcome the chance to challenge you, Black-Armed Ace.â€
He bowed before Walter, much to Walter and Max’s surprise. In his manner of speaking, he spoke like a disciplined martial arts student or maybe even an ascetic. His tone defines the state of peace of mind.
“Sigh… Well okay but-- …!â€
Before Walter could finish his sentence, he sensed an incoming blow flying at him. With a lightning-fast reflex, he caught it with his hand. It was a Nex Arm, a staff. And it aimed right at his forehead. Hernan’s long hair fluttered about as he delivered the blow, gazing at Walter with eyes burning with murderous intent.
The impact of the blow was massive and so sudden, that it gave Max little time to jump out of the way safely. It was so fast, it was like a sudden lightning strike. Max just landed on a crouching stance, grunting at the sudden shock.
“<This guy… Axe wasn’t kidding.>â€
Max just thought to himself. Although Axe already gave them the heads up as to whom and what kind of person they are going to deal with, this was still quite the shock. He said that Hernan would be less desirable than him, but he did not said that he was going to be impulsive. And from the looks of it, there was no room for talking anymore, Hernan was really raring to fight the so called “Black-Armed Aceâ€.
Immediately after that, Hernan rained a barrage of thrusts from his Nex Arm, an octagonal staff. Walter quickly primed his Nexus Energy and raised his invisible redirection armor. Using his lightning reflexes, he parried each thrust and evaded when he can.
“...Kh!â€
As Walter parried each blow, he could feel the weight of each attack as it hit him. Although he was reducing the impact, he felt like Hernan was not using a staff at all. He felt like he was being hit with a concrete pillar. The impact just boomed and echoed throughout the vast empty area.
As Hernan, thrust his staff forward, Walter caught the end with his hand. Immediately, Walter gripped it tight and with a heave, pulled his opponent close, overpowering him. Quickly balling his fist, he lands a clean hit right in the kisser.
“Uugh!â€
An audible grunt was heard as Hernan was sent sliding back by the sheer power of the blow. Before Walter could recover, his opponent spun around as he slid back. The staff then broke into three segments or sections, each was connected by a red luminescent thread, Hernan’s Nexus Energy. The overall length of it increased by two-fold.
“Hmph…!â€,
“Gh…!!!â€
Walter was hit on the thigh area, he was taken by surprise as Hernan jerked his tri-section staff aimed to Walter’s thigh. Then whipping, back and forth, Hernan continued his unrelenting strikes. Walter evading it with the full extent of his maneuverability and mobility.
He spun around and swung his weapon over and over, like a whirlwind. Walter and being pushed back, step by step. Hernan then shifted direction as he swung his tri-section staff overhead which Walter blocked then connecting a rapid corkscrew smash. The impact exploded as Walter blocked it, the weight of it felt like he was being beaten with a battering ram. The corkscrew smash’s impact literally cratered the floor that Walter was standing on.
But his opponent was not done, Hernan conjoined his staff again and used it to vault launch him into the air. Walter was still shaken by the power of that attack, quickly shook his head to focus.
“Haah..!!!â€
Hernan roared as he descended unto his opponent like a lightning strike from above, his staff trailed electricity. The staff’s end crashed directly at Walter’s forehead, planting him down to the ground. Walter then raised his arm and grabbed the staff, tightening his grip. Red hovering line vectors began to outline Walter’s body like an exoskeleton, same as the time when he fought the two supervillains.
Then using his raw strength, Walter lifted the staff with Hernan still holding it, trying to wrestle it out of his grip. Walter stood up and with the staff still in hand, he slammed Hernan to the ground then threw him away with a single heave. His opponent was sent flying at a great distance, almost hitting the other end of the area. Hernan’s body skidding through the pavement, leaving swaths of destruction in his wake.
“Overwhelming your opponent, before he makes his first move. Smart move.â€
Walter cracked his neck and knuckles, now that he’s prepped and primed for his opponent. He had to give his opponent some credit, and acknowledge his fault for letting his guard down at the beginning. Although he just sustained minimal damage, Walter had to admit that some of Hernan’s attacks were devastating enough to punch through his defense; but that won’t happen again, as Walter now had his wall of defense raised and reinforced.
Meanwhile, Max just stood there on the sidelines with an awe-stricken expression plastered on his face. The battle was both furious and just other-worldly, even for Nova like him. What caught his attention was, with Hernan’s attacks looking like they could level 5-story building, as if being hit by a wrecking ball in rapid succession. Walter just took the entire brunt of those attacks and was still standing strong.
“... … …â€
And with Walter’s redirection armor up, Max noticed that he too slid a step back. He saw it on Kurszt’s recorded live feed and was curious about it, but seeing it in person beheld a completely different impression. He could feel it, the resonating Nexus Energy channeling through those red vectors, it was enormous yet perfectly synced.
It was like from the time when Max saw Kurszt’s full Nex Frame, as he assumed his superhero persona, Ironclad. He remembered how much Nexus Energy being channeled through, it was like a torrent. But upon witnessing Walter’s, his was maybe even greater than Kurszt in his Ironclad form.
“Guh…â€
Hernan slowly stood back up and steadied his breathing. It looked like fatigue was almost catching up to him, but he would need to hold out much longer. He really went all out in his primary assault but failed to even deal considerable damage to Walter. He thought he could at least deal a crippling damage or wear him out enough to execute his trump card. But it just ultimately failed, now he would have to do it the hard way.
“...!â€
As he set his eyes forward, Hernan saw his opponent now assuming the form resembling what he saw on the Boss’ live feed. That means, it was time to pull out all the stops. If he recalled it correctly, with this form, Walter could redirect any impact and damage inflicted to its original source.
“Now… Seize the opportunity.â€
Hernan muttered, gazing upon his opponent with a new fire in his eyes. He raised his fist up and channeled his Nexus Energy unto it. A black imprint of a sun-like crest illuminated and drew on his fist. This was it, he was now ready to execute his Nexus Trait. Hernan then held his octagonal staff forward and channeled his Nexus Energy upon it, reinforcing its layer to increase the potency of his attacks.
“Hmph!â€
Bending his knees a bit, Hernan launched himself towards Walter with tremendous momentum. Walter balled his fists and prepared to meet him head-on. Using the built-up momentum, Hernan performed a lightning thrust with his staff but only to be clashed with Walter’s fist. As the fist and staff clashed, the supposed impact of Hernan’s staff exploded through his direction, breaking his sturdy stance.
Taking this opening, Walter slid his foot forward and unleashed a barrage of connecting punches right at his opponent. One, two, three, some of the punches landed on Hernan’s body; the liver, the gut, and the right shoulder. Hernan just gritted his teeth to endure the punches and quickly went on defensive. Breaking his staff into three conjoined segments, twirling it to parry the rest.
A close-quarter brawl, the only advantage Hernan had in this situation was that he was trained in Tai Chi and Wing Chun. But compared to Walter’s monstrous strength, speed and durability, not to mention his Nexus, it would only suffice as defense rather than offense. And those 3 punches were incredibly devastating, it maybe even equal to the Boss’ own.
As Walter was about to connect another punch from his barrage, Hernan seized the opportunity to perform a counter attack. Channeling his force through his footing, he stomped the ground as he moved forward. The force of the stomp was enough to induce and stone-shattering tremor.
“HAAAH!!!â€
With a war cry, Hernan charged and bashed his shoulder unto his opponent. The resulting impact was enough to push Walter back a few steps before his Redirection barrier reflects it back. Hernan saw it coming and quickly shifted his stance. Instead of meeting the redirected impact head-on, he used it to propel himself back. As he did, he reattached the three segments of his staff and channeled his Nexus Energy upon it. But instead of layer reinforcing, he focused it on a single point, on its tip into a sharp cone, turning it into a spear.
“Hmph! ORYAH!â€
Mustering all of his strength, Hernan launched and thrust his staff forward.
“Gh…!â€
Walter felt the weapon hitting squarely on his left thigh, before the redirection barrier completely reflects his back, sending his opponent sliding back. Hernan felt the ricocheted shock to the grip, his hands were shaking and unable to grip his weapon firmly. The redirected impact seemed to have damaged some of his forearm muscles, he really pushed himself hard on that attack.
“Guh…kh!â€
Fatigue finally caught up to Hernan, he could only prop himself up with his staff as he stood up. Even gripping his weapon felt painful, as if his forearm was being repeatedly stabbed by nails. He had to reroute his Nexus energy into healing his damaged forearm muscles but it would take some time. Walter then slowly approached his opponent, seemingly dealt a crippling injury.
“Are you sure you can still keep going? You pushed yourself too hard on that last attack.â€
Walter uttered in a calm manner. While he was concerned about Hernan, he kept his guard up for any surprise attacks he might pull and also kept his Redirection Armor up.
“Hmph… But that allowed me to complete the condition.â€
A slight smirked drew on Hernan’s face as he said it, which made Walter stopped on his tracks. Hernan then took stance, though not yet fully recovered, his pupils now glowing. His Nexus Trait now in effect.
“You see… This is my Nexus Trait--â€
He slammed the tip of his staff to the pavement, unleashing a shock wave of electricity throughout the entire area. Though harmless, it seemed to have illuminated the area slightly.
“--Pain Imprint!â€,
“GHAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRGGGHHH...!!!â€
Walter screamed as both his legs and head was suddenly assaulted with a sensation transcending beyond pain. The shock was so strong that it made him fell on his knees, writhing in sheer agony. He felt like his legs are being ripped apart sinew by sinew, and his head felt like it was going to split open like a coconut husk.
“Walter!!!â€,
“GH….RRRAAAAAAAHHAAAAAARRRGGHH…!!!â€
He again screamed twitching and squirming, as Max yelled his name in concern. The effect also had affected Walter’s Mantra Arm, as it began contorting violently. Its mechanism going haywire, the “Skin†formed by the device began folding into impossible directions like pierced shrapnel.
Hernan stood before him, easing his stance a bit to catch his breath for a few seconds as he watched Walter take the full effect of his Nexus Trait. And now without focus, Walter’s Redirection Armor dispersed and his Nexus Energy awry, leaving him vulnerable.
“This is my trump card for you, Black-Armed Ace.â€
He spun his staff and smashed it upwards, launching his opponent airborne. With a full-body spin, Hernan slammed his staff to his gut like a baseball bat. Walter was sent skidding through the pavement, he was still contorting in pain.
Hernan approached the suffering Walter slowly, taking his time on his assault. Max gritted his teeth as he saw the whole ordeal. He knew he was not supposed to interrupt, but he could not stand a scene like this. He wrestled upon thoughts on jumping in to Walter’s aid, by then he channeled his Nexus Energy from his hand as he dipped it in the shadows.
------------
???,???
Upon an unknown location, walls upon walls of calculations written on a great number of holo-console littered about the vast void of suspended time. They were arranged in a spiraling order, rotating slowly upon an epicenter, like a slow-moving whirlpool of data.
And from the vast shelves of data, a lone figure stood at its heart, the Woman in Red. She was working ever since her and Walter parted ways after the warehouse incident. Hours upon hours gathering, creating, comparing, and testing massive and vast array of data calculations. Computing 500 quadrillion calculations per second.
And all these data gathered were all about the nature of the Mantra, an omni-technology unpredictable enough even to those who embody it, one of those was the Woman in Red. Or as Walter like to call her: Atha.
Since that incident, half of these myriad of data were regarding on the case of Walter’s Mantra Arm. She was formulating and testing probabilities how the Mantra itself chose a mortal soul like Walter. And more importantly, how can it bond and assimilate with him.
“...?â€
Suddenly multiple klaxons buzzed through the holo-monitors. It was from the observation console, Atha was closely monitoring Walter’s Mantra behavior for any unusual change in activity. And it seems now that she has spotted one.
“Th-This is…â€
Atha quickly brought up the observation monitor and enlarged it before her. A series of read-outs began populating the screen, Atha furiously typed through the holo-console and determine the readings.
“The assimilation is moving on accelerated rate!â€
As she brought up the display on the monitor, she just paused typing to what laid out before her.
“The Mantra Particles are assimilating his legs and his brain I must--what?â€
Atha was about to leave to see the situation herself, when she suddenly saw the recent read-outs. The sub-atomic links to the assimilation seemed to be normal and it was establishing a perfect link between the Mantra Particles. In other words, the Mantra was actually acting as an anti-body, evolving into Walter’s own defense mechanism, or the Mantra itself was accepting him.
“...â€
She slumped back and watched the process unfold before her, she was at a disbelief. Eons of existing, and this was the first time she had seen something like this. Atha went back and pulled up a holo-console and typed in a myriad of data. She then integrated the Finite Nullifier unto the assimilation, as means of contingency. After all, the Mantra was still unpredictable to a fault.
Before you know it, she was back to her calculations. And with this new development, it just means now that she has lot of new work to be done.
--------------------------------
One merciless beating after another, Walter continued to writhe and squirmed in pain to the effect of Hernan’s Nexus. He could not think, nor could he retaliate, the pain has rendered him vulnerable in every way possible. He was now practically drooling, muscles violently convulsing and he felt every vector of his vein was filled with scorching hot lead.
“...â€
Hernan approached Walter with a deadpan expression on his face. It seems like he has already spent out the last of fire a few moments ago. The so called “Black-Armed Ace†now reduced to a convulsing and helpless individual. In a way, he may not voice it, Hernan was disappointed with this outcome. In his mind, maybe showing off his trump card was too much.
“Forgive me, but I would have to oppose the Boss’ notion of giving you that title... Black-Armed Ace.â€
He knelt down and grabbed Walter’s face with his entire hand and lifted him up. His feet a few centimeters above ground, as he raised the convulsing and rather fragile frame of Walter. Effortlessly, he spun him around and threw Walter’s body away from him. Then, not even waiting for him to touch the ground, Hernan launched himself towards him and performed a lightning thrust directly to his chest. The impact of the blow sent Walter skidding through the end of the Warehouse.
“You have suffered enough pain… Let me end this as dignified as possible. Nothing less for a worthy opponent.â€
Hernan took stance with his octagonal staff and began channeling massive amount of Nexus Energy upon it. As he did, his staff illuminated, taking shape of a harpoon. It was buzzing huge amount of power, its audible hum reverberated across the area.
“Tch…â€
Max could not simply let this stand any longer. He had to help Walter or else, everything that Kurome and them ever worked hard for will be shattered before their very eyes. From his hands, he produced a fan of Shadow Kunai. He planned that if he performs this last attack, Max would immediately jump in to Walter’s aid.
“...!!â€,
“Huh--!â€
The two suddenly turned both their gazes upon Walter’s seemingly unconscious body. His right arm, the Black Mantra Arm, began reconstituting itself. As its hand balled and clenched into a fist, a shock wave boomed as Walter closed his black fist.
The assimilation now began crawling on both his legs, transforming it into the likeness of his Mantra Arm. The Finite Nullifier began forming on his legs as it assimilated his slacks and shoes into armored plates, turning it into mechanical greaves and landings. While his arm seem to have “evolved†and changed into a rather different form, with an added bio-mechanical bulk into it.
As the assimilation completed, Walter slowly stood up. He seemed to be still under the effect of Hernan’s Nexus Trait. But from what it looked like, the pain seemed to have stopped bothering him. The intense shock induced by the effect, completely nullified and rendered useless.
“Hmm…â€
Walter cracked his neck and looked at his Arm and Leg’s new form. And his prior bruises were completely healed, thanks to the Mantra’s augmentation. And he felt an overflowing power of his Nexus energy rushing unto every vein in his body, Walter smirked as he felt more energetic than before.
“Walter!â€,
“That’s… Impossible!â€
Hernan was left in shock while Max was practically in glee that he could jump in and hug Walter himself. Walter turned his gaze towards Hernan, illuminated by the glint of a new resolve and power. His gaze was so sharp that it could cut a stone like butter, it even made Hernan take two steps back.
“Hmm!â€
Walter flexed his Mantra Arm, and in an instant, he dispelled the effect of Hernan’s Nexus Trait on him. The latter just had his eyes wide in shock, could not even utter a word to express his disbelief. Slowly, Walter approached Hernan with a rather casual pace and yet his eyes sparkling a glint of challenge.
“Tch…! I still have my last card! You may have dispelled my imprint, but it is too late for you to--huh!? …!â€
Hernan readied his staff now primed with Nexus Energy but as Walter approached, he bent his knees a bit and with an instantaneous speed, he appeared in front of Hernan. Hernan immediately thrust his glowing staff, filled to the brim with Nexus Energy. But as he did, Walter disappeared again in an instant.
Walter slid behind his opponent, with his fist now fully winded up. As Hernan noticed, he turned around to see the fist now flying towards his face, he had no time to block or counter it. The shock of his opponent’s speed just froze him in place.
Then as Walter’s fist drew closer, Walter stopped it just 3 inches away from contact. The impact exploded with massive jet stream of kinetic force that instantly toppled half of the entire warehouse. Punching a massive hole through 2 of the neighboring warehouses up to the abandoned construction district, which was over half the half acre of the entire school’s land in distance.
That raw power Walter just exhibited at that moment was truly terrifying. In a blink of an eye, with one fell swoop, he destroyed an area almost half a city block. And that was a pulled punch, what more could he have dealt if that was a full-force punch, Max could not even imagine the potential devastation.
Max and Hernan was left speechless by the power demonstrated by Walter. If he did not stopped that blow, it would have blown Hernan’s head right off, or maybe pop his entire physical body right into a cellular level. Walter just patted his shoulder and smiled, the latter then just slumped and fell on a kneeling position.
“I concede. You have defeated me. You truly are worthy of such title.â€
Receding his Nexus Energy imbued on his staff, Hernan just announced his defeat openly. The clear difference in power was right in front of him. Even though he was known for being stubbornly persistent even to charge into fights with impossible outcomes, seeing how colossal the difference is between him and Walter was a different story. This was the first time that he had to stand down and put aside his warrior pride to acknowledge defeat.
“I have been fighting losing battles and still persist until a clear result is shown before me. That is because most of my opponents never had the gall to fight to their fullest extent. You, Black-Armed Ace, were the only one whom had fought me to an extent far dwarfs mine. I thank you for acknowledging my fighting spirit. Sa iyo ko ipaparaya ang tagumpay.†(I entrust this victory unto you)
He stated as he kept himself knelt down, paying his respects to Walter. The latter was no less flattered by the gesture. Walter bent down and again placed his hand on his shoulder, gesturing him to stand up.
“I can see that. You went as far as to push your body to its limits just so you can perform your trump card. If I was in your shoes, I would have done the same. Raise you head, I’m not really worthy of such respect I have yet to earn. I knew, that you are fighting not for your own, but for everything that your club stood for--â€
Walter reached his hand to Hernan and helped him get up on his feet. The latter grabbed it firmly and stood up; he dispersed his Nex Arm as he did, easing his stance.
“--because like you, we are fighting not just what we stood for, but also to protect everyone from discriminant and unjust ideals.â€
He said with a tempered conviction, emphasizing how similar their objectives were. It was then Hernan realized that they were not here to challenge their club’s integrity but to forge an alliance. Hernan closed his eyes and slightly chuckled at the thought, not in a mocking manner.
“Walter…!!! You did it! You did it! Aha--hahaha!â€,
“Uh--whoa!â€
Max just went right in and threw himself unto Walter’s arms, wrapping his arms over his shoulders. He was overjoyed and ecstatic at the moment, that he did not even realized what he was doing. Max was basically clinging unto Walter’s tall frame.
“Ahaha-- whoa!â€,
“Ah~ you were so awesome~ Hehe…â€,
“Uh-- <what the hell?>â€
Walter was about to laugh it off and tease him, but he quickly noticed Max voice (particularly his tone) seemed to shrink a bit. But what disturbed him was how soft and warm was his embrace. Then seconds later, Max’s eyes sprung wide-open and their gazes met.
“AAAHH!!! S-sorry! I’m sorry! Um… Uh… Umm… Well I got carried away and--and---â€
Max jumped away as quickly as he jumped in prior. His entire face, from his neck was burning and was bright crimson as if little puffs of steam were coming out of his ears, thoroughly flustered. Walter just scratched his head and flashed a wry smile, unsure of what to say in this situation.
“Oy…! Mates!â€,
“Ah! Mr. Rossell! <Thank goodness!>â€
Saving the situation, Axe arrived at the scene waving his hands towards them a-jolly. Max quickly diverted the attention towards him, while Walter now furiously scratching his head on how fast Max changed the subject and his expression. A complete 180 in an instant.
Axe thought he drop in and watch the match, but it seemed to be over already so he just called them from afar. As he approached them, he saw the destruction dealt by the fight. He whistled as he stared at it in awe, he could only guess that Walter did all this.
“Ah! There you are, mates! I guess I don’t need to figure out who won. You alright there, Inggo?â€,
“Yes. I am satisfied.â€,
“Eh…??? Satisfied? Hold on--really? Am I hearing this right or did my eardrums got injured in my battle?â€
Blinking rapidly, and clearing his ears with his pinky finger, Axe was at a loss for words. To hear his colleague say this, the one who loves to fight, satisfied? He felt like he was talking to a different person.
“Yes, you are hearing it right.â€
Hernan responded with a straightforward manner, and Axe just shrugged.
“I think they have surpassed the rite, they are ready to meet the Boss.â€,
“With flying colors! We’ll just dilly-dally along the way. The Boss will need to entertain you. Follow along, mates!â€
Now with the full blessing of the two Alphas of the Delinquent Club, Axe prompted the two to follow them. They exited through the collapsed warehouse and went around it, making their way towards the open area of the annex, where they walked prior to meeting Axe.
Meanwhile along the way, Walter receded his evolved Mantra Arm and legs reverting them back into its dormant state. Though, he was unsure whether to call it Mantra Arm anymore since the assimilation now encompassed even both his legs. It still felt like normal legs, and he even felt lighter as he walked that he felt like he was gonna walk into the air if he kept up with the pace.
He pondered for a bit, how did the fight earlier accelerated the assimilation. Thinking back on it, he figured when the Finite Nullifier on his arm went haywire, it must have loosened its restraints on it. But why the legs and not the torso first?
“<Ah… I wish Atha was here. I wonder what she’s doing now?>â€
Walter’s thoughts suddenly drifted from one thing after another, while still walking with Max along with the Alphas of the Delinquent Club. As they reached the open area, members of the club that came their way began following them from behind. Until it gathered quite a huge crowd following them.
Max noticed and looked back the crowd of delinquents trailing them. Since the Alphas were with them, it must have been paramount for the entire club to follow along. And they were finally meeting their Boss or club president.
The crowd along with Walter and Max followed along as they made their way towards the abandoned construction complex, just beyond the School Warehouse Annex.
--------------------
Pineswood Metro Zone, Route 16 Highway
Along the long-winded road, a lone Metro Transit rode through the quiet night. Upon this transit sat a lone figure from the furthest seat on the back. The lone figure was but a little girl, peering through the window with her head resting atop her hand, watching numerous trees and structures flew past her line of sight.
Here on Pineswood Metro Zone, forests and vegetation were well-preserved by its government. It had been one of the many tourist attractions here. Along with its wild life, nature was preserved and protected. Even with today’s advanced technology ruling all over the world, there were still some areas, such as Pineswood, where nature is still alive and blooming.
“...â€
The little girl pulled her unusually long sleeves and gazed on her watch. She looked at the two large bags sitting beside and across her seat, filled with her personal belongings. She brushed her brunette fringe to the side to the back and then tied it and clipped it with her favorite band and clip.
From inside her coat, she pulled out a folded piece of paper and unfurled it. The paper contained a hand-written complete address, and a label that says: “Olven Residenceâ€. The little girl reached again inside her coat and this time, pulled an old photo.
She sighed as she gazed on the photo. A wave of nostalgia immediately washed over her emotions, feeling warmth in this cold night. It was a picture of two families together, then at the center, stood a very young Walter with a big smile; and beside him, a tyke on diapers sucking on a baby mouth piece.
“I can’t wait… Big Brother.â€
She whispered, a smile slowly curled up on her face as the transit zoomed past a road sign that says: “Yorktown Metro Zone 10kmâ€.
------------------------
Abandoned Construction Complex, Excavation Site
A few minutes worth of walking and hiking, they arrived at a huge excavation site. The site itself was the size of the gymnasium at their school. As they arrived, the following crowd finally split with them and stood by their place around the site. From what it looks like, the site itself looked like a makeshift gladiatorial arena.
Then from the far side of the site, from atop the crane tower, lied the Boss of the delinquent club. The Boss lied at the top of the driver’s cabin just looking at the stars from high up. The Boss was completely on a state of relaxation as if in the midst of meditation. Then as the Boss turned head towards to the left. The Boss saw 4 persons entering the territory.
She quickly got up and stood, her figure still enveloped by the shade of the night. As she observed more intently, she instantly recognized the ones leading, her Alphas. With a scoff, she cracked her neck and prepared to go down from this multi-story height.
“Well mates, here we are. This is as far as we can take you.â€
Axe and Hernan just stopped in the middle of the vast site. Max searched left and right, but saw no one in sight, other than all the club members gathered on the far sidelines.
“But… I don’t see anyone.â€
Max still was searching for this so called “Bossâ€. Axe and Hernan looked at each other and nodded, then promptly backed up a few steps and walked away from each other to make way… for someone. Walter looked up as he felt someone was about to make a grand entrance, Max followed his gaze and was shocked at the display.
BOOM!
“Uwaah…!â€
[The Boss' Theme Song]
Max was blown away, sliding through the dirt; as something or someone just landed a few meters away from them. As this someone landed on their feet, an explosion of shock wave followed and the weight of the impact cratered the ground.
As both Hernan and Axe prepared to make their introduction, the Boss slowly approached the her two guests. As she approached, Max felt a powerful presence resonating on her. This feeling of both dread and vehemence, truly a fearsome figure. He could only know the reason why she called the Boss.
“Alright mates, it has been a long time coming. Let me introduce to you both our Boss.â€,
“She is the core, heart and soul of this club--â€
Both Alphas spoke about her with both fear and respect. Her steps seem to echo a bit as clumps of dust scatter with each of her step. Carrying a large metal bat with what it seemed like nails that dot its end.
Her long jet-black hair fluttered with the chilling breeze, along with her long, makeshift white belted overcoat. She was slim but her body was ripped with muscles; her body was riddled with scars she sustained through countless battles, and her face had two scars that intertwine from her left temple to her chin, then across her cheekbones. Underneath her open overcoat she only wore a bandage covering her chest and revealing her mid-riff. She also wore a loose cargo pants, almost like a hakama secured and fastened by 2 belts on her hip and two on her left thigh.
“She is one of the Three Goddesses, three of the strongest of the female student body, the Goddess of Fury--â€,
“Our Boss--â€,
As both Alphas were about to reveal her name. Walter stepped forward and interrupted the two.
“--Virgilia De Lune. It’s been a long time.â€,
“â€â€â€¦!!!â€â€â€
Walter, greeted her in a rather casual and informal way and waved his two fingers at her. All three of them was taken aback when Walter just casually blurted out her name. The way he said it, the tone and everything felt like Walter had known her for a long time. As a matter of fact.
“W-W-Walty…?â€
Virgilia stuttered, her lips trembling. She just stopped on her tracks, wide-eyed and flustered. The sudden recognition, almost made her drop her metal bat. The Alphas looked at their boss even more shocked with the sudden behavior change like they were seeing her for the first time. Adding to the fact that she called him by his nickname and not his actual name.
“Uh… Walter doe she know you--or do you… know her?â€
Max craned his neck and leaned in to whisper unto Walter’s ear.
“Yeah… she’s…â€
Walter took a deep breath.
“--my childhood friend.â€
To be continued...
Few moments after Thea and Walter, and the correspondent superheroes, Liberty Brilliant Park was immediately surrounded by the Metro Authority and a small dispatched Supernova Committee Task Force. In a matter of minutes, they have put the entire theme park under quarantine and lock down. It would look like that the park won’t be open for the public for a while.
The Metro Authority or the police force secured the perimeter while the SC Task Force apprehended the two supervillains, both unconscious and de-powered, and safely contained them into special containment units made for offending Anomala like them. Some of the area was ravaged, particularly the vicinity of the park’s main attraction, the Liberty Wheel; an aftermath of the earlier clash. Thankfully, no casualties have been recorded and a few injured.
The mother and daughter earlier whom was saved by Thea was taken in for a short questioning, since they were the witness of the scene earlier. They were all praises to Thea and Walter with the little girl even wanted to see Thea again, it would seem that she has gained her first fan.
----------------
Meanwhile at the Pappatore Cafe…
As the live feed ended a few minutes ago, Kurome and Kurszt sat silently upon their seats, contemplating on what they had just saw. Kurome finished her coffee, still has that beaming smile on her face and elation resonated within her as she saw the showcase of both Thea and Walter. While Kurszt hung his head, his palm on his forehead by the table, he was at a complete disbelief.
Kurszt restrained himself from shaking; astonishment, shock and with a little bit of fear inter-mingled and well-up in his heart after witnessing that battle. At that moment, he thought back at their battle, him against Walter in front of the hospital, just the other day. If Walter was really trying that day, he could have dealt a serious damage to him.
Now that he thought about it, Kurome saying Walter could have countered his retaliation in a number of ways now rang true. Kurszt was holding back that time, and in reality, the battle would have been decided from the start. Realizing now that him holding back that day, would have been a fatal mistake; and judging from the live feed earlier, Walter has yet to discover the true nature of his Nexus Trait. Yet even at that state, his powers were at an unmistakably high magnitude, powerful enough to take out two supervillains at the same time.
“...â€
A subtle smirk crept up his face. Eventually, a welling excitement overtook his countenance. A desire to challenge Walter again burned in him like a candle.
Kurome let out a soft giggle as she noticed her colleague in a state. Seeing it as a sign, she empathized with him in silence, elated that this may be the motivation that Kurszt was looking for. There was no hint of malice in his countenance, but only inspiration.
“Sah! I better get going.â€
After putting her cup down, Kurome stood up from her chair and stretched her body a bit, performing some light calisthenics.
“Omoshiroi ne? He’s a pretty good catch, right?â€
She added, directing the seemingly rhetorical question at Kurszt, whom was still like in a waking trance.
Not responding to it, he wrapped up the transponder and put it back in his pocket. He took off his apron and loosened his necktie. He was not sulking or anything, but it would seem that the battle ensued earlier kept replaying on his mind, as if Kurszt just got back from watching a very memorable movie. Kurome then held her hand up pressed her thumb and middle finger together then snapped with a rather loud sound.
“...ah!â€
Kurszt was suddenly knocked back into reality. Lightly rubbing his temple, and shaking his head. The sudden snap must have rang his head quite a bit.
“Mou… You should really pay attention when someone talks to you, Kurszt-kun.â€
Kurome lurched forward with her hands on her hips, while giving him a rather disappointed expression. She then straightened and crossed her arms and raised her brow while puffing one cheek.
“S-sorry. Hmm… But I had to admit--that was really something.â€,
“Kukuku! I know that face. But unfortunately, I won’t allow it.â€,
“Uah!â€
Kurszt was visibly taken by surprise by her consequent response. Scratching the back of his head, he cast a rather resigned expression. He really could not hide his emotions around Kurome, the girl was the sharpest person he knew.
“Ahahaha! Daijobu daijobu! Maybe someday, but right now, like I said earlier, we are fighting an uphill battle from now on.â€
Kurome was basically teasing him at this point, she laughed it off while repeatedly patting his back.
“But, if you do find yourselves at the different sides of the board one day--then you have my permission.â€
She suddenly blurted out, much to Kurszt’s surprise. As he was about to respond, Kurome was already almost out of sight. With her back, she waved Kurszt off as she trail off and disappeared. He could only let out a long sigh of exasperation, she was always like this. With Kurome’s words burned in his mind, Kurszt contemplated a bit looking at his palm, feeling the flow of Nexus Energy in his veins.
“The bigger question would be, if we did, will I able to put up a decent fight? Or will he put up a decent fight?â€
Currently, him and Walter were working side-by-side, with a common goal in mind. But after witnessing the gist of his abilities, he could not help but wishing that he was on the opposing side of the board. A burning desire to fight him, malicious to an extent even, but not to the point of obsession… maybe.
“Someday… If we do find ourselves on the opposing sides of the board--I won’t hesitate.â€
Whispering to himself, he clenched his fist and held it closer to his face. After a few moments, Kurszt eased up and wrapped things up. He grabbed his bag and set off back to his house.
---------------
After a short transit ride and a short walk, Thea and Walter made their way towards their respective homes. Along the way, he insisted that he would walk Thea back to her residence, at her apartment. They would make light conversations here and there, but not as often compared in the morning. Maybe due to exhaustion, but nonetheless, their silent communication was that of contentment.
After almost an hour of walking, the two finally made it in front of the apartment complex, where Thea took residence. It was a pretty big structure, like a grand dormitory, encompassing the entire block in size. The name of the place was written on the entryway arc just above their heads.
Bokujo Residences
The name itself was Japanese in origins, meaning pasture. One of the many places where Japanese immigrants of the Metro Zones live. Originally an apartment complex built to house Japanese refugees during the tragic event of 5 years ago, the Fall of the Rising Sun.
============
The Fall of the Rising Sun was rather depressing and tragic event that refers to the complete and utter fall of Japan. Years after the White Storm event, Japan’s ecosystem was badly contaminated by the harmful mutation side-effect of the White Rays. As a result, it was the country that had the largest Red Zone.
It was manageable at first, then one day, an invisible cloud toxic miasma emerged from the skies of the Red Zone and began slowly consuming the Imperial Metro Zone. At first it was invisible, then as the days goes by, the miasma took form of a black cloud, hanging over the japanese air space. This toxic cloud was dubbed by the Japanese, the Murakumo.
The clawed grip of the miasma began to take hold within days, enveloping the entire Metro Zone and blotting out the sky completely. The harmful effects of the Murakumo were immediate, from suffocation, disease, hallucinations and worse, mutation. People were indiscriminately consumed by this cloud of death.
As the Murakumo contamination became progressively worse with each passing day, the Metro Zone fell into a state of total unrest. Despite the efforts of its government to stave back the Murakumo. Riots in every street, destruction of property, massacres, it drove the Imperial Metro Zone into a state of total ruination.
As the Metro Zone finally fell, its government toppled, the survivors of the Murakumo were forced to evacuate, leave overseas. The United Nations together with the Supernova Committee, joined efforts in evacuating the japanese refugees. Providing shelter for them into different countries and Metro Zones throughout the globe.
And as of the current, the Japanese refugees has integrated into their respective shelter in the Metro Zones, amalgamating their culture and influence to majority. And in turn, the Metro Government has provided them with a district/city of their own. Similar to how some cities all over the world have Chinatowns.
With their land finally succumbed to the monstrous miasma, Murakumo, the land they once knew was now but a fleeting memory. A great tragedy indeed, people who lost their identities and nation. Their once proud nation, now just a uninhabited piece of land of forgotten memories.
Five years have passed, the fallen country itself was but a single Red Zone, unfit to support life, still consumed by the poisonous miasma. It had been speculated that the land was now inhabited by number of Type-4 Anomala, a massive hive of monsters. Still speculation is still speculation, the land itself was closely being monitored by the Supernova Committee via satellite.
But due to the unique nature of the Murakumo, it blocks any means of observation. From ultra-violet, X-ray, infra-red, anything. The cloud itself was a concentrated and stagnant Nexus Energy. As a result, the land itself was under constant observation.
Following the event, the Metro Zone governments and Supernova Committee made an effort to preventing that cataclysmic event from happening to other countries. Forming various contingencies and counter-measures to protect the other Metro Zones from being consumed by an another ‘Murakumo’.
====================
After spending quite a while, staring at the broad side of the complex, Walter glanced at Thea whom seem to be fidgeting in place. It was as if she was waiting for something to break the ice, or finding the appropriate words to say.
“Umm… err… Thea.â€,
“Hm?â€
Thea suddenly stood in attention, as if she was hit with a sudden jolt on her spine. Walter just then, decided to speak up.
“Well I… thanks for today. I really enjoyed our--umm… date.â€
He nearly choked to utter the last word. He grew flustered and could not even meet her eyes. His eyes swimming left and right, like he was checking if they were alone in the vicinity. There were few passers-by but, it seemed that they were too far out of sight to be even noticed.
“Yeah… I… um… yes…â€
Thea could not even form a coherent thought, she was so ruffled that she was basically babbling instead of forming sentences with sense. She was fidgeting and growing listless by the minute.
The two slightly turned around, their gazes averted from each other yet still kept a close distance. It looked like they were about to leave, but could not do it otherwise. Inside their heads, both of them were screaming at themselves to do something, anything of sort.
It was then, unknowingly their hands touched, as if some invisible force controlled them to do so. As they felt their respective warmth, their gazes immediately turned unto each other.
Walter let out a long sigh and held her other hand, instinctively. He squeezed it lightly, feeling the warmth from her small hands flow unto his. A gentle smile drew unto his countenance.
“Walter…â€
Thea returned his smile with hers. It was then, she realized they did not need words to express their utmost gratitude. She squeezed back his hands, it was rough, hard and larger than hers, yet it had a comforting warmth about it.
Unknowingly, and caught up in this moment of bliss, they inched closer. But as they were but a short distance away…
“Ara ara…â€
A voice from behind. The two suddenly let go and turned towards the source. Both flushed and embarrassed.
The voice came from a short and petite old woman. No shorter than 5 feet, roughly in her 70’s and wearing a gray kimono and wooden slippers. She was holding a paper parasol on one hand, a bag of groceries on the other.
“M-m-mrs. Hinokami! G-good evening!â€
Quickly paying respect, Thea stepped forward and greeted the old lady with a rather stiff bow. Walter looked at Thea as he heard the old lady’s name. Hinokami… The name rang a vague familiarity to him.
“Ohoho… I have heard you were discharged from the hospital this morning. I was going to prepare something for you for dinner. And I was wondering that you have not yet returned. Ohoho.â€
The old lady cackled with a bit of a hoarse tone, probably because of age. Yet she exhibited a beaming smile and had that warm presence about her.
“Oh, Mrs. Hinokami… I… I mean you shouldn’t have. And I’m sorry I haven’t the chance--â€,
“Mah, mah… I insist, my grand daughter and her friend were worried sick about you. And do not worry, it is quite not a bother.â€,
“Th-they were…?â€,
“Mhm…â€
The old lady nodded in response. Thea was about to give a long-winded explanation, but Mrs. Hinokami gestured that it wasn’t quite a problem. Thea was surprised that her grand daughter had missed her during her absence, and she was touched by the gesture.
“They were planning to visit you on the hospital but due to circumstances, couldn’t. Gomen, you must’ve felt lonely.â€
The old lady’s expression turned sad as she said that. Seeing her sad expression, both Walter and Thea felt their hearts twinged.
“Ah no, no! Mrs. Hinokami, I understand. It’s okay, actually I’m glad that they thought of visiting me. That alone is enough. Honest!â€
As if trying to console a crying child, Thea hurriedly supplied a statement of reassurance to the old lady. The old lady’s face returned its former warmth and smile.
“Ohoho… I see. I’m glad. Hmm?â€
Just then the old lady noticed the boy whom was standing just a few steps behind Thea. Maybe due to her fading sight that she had completely failed to notice Walter. Walter on the other hand, tilted his head as he tried to recall where did he heard the name, ‘Hinokami’ before.
The warm and welcoming presence, beaming smile and the… odd speech pattern. It was then the old lady had considered Walter.
“Ah.. from the look on your face, you have something on your mind. Do be prompt, I won’t bite, ohoho…â€
The cheery old lady teased him a bit.
“Ah! Sorry. Umm… well… Mrs. Hinokami. Do you--by chance, know someone named Kuro--â€,
“Oba-san!!! Tadaima! I’m back!â€
Speak of the devil, just as Walter was about to ask the question, a familiar voice was heard approaching from the distance. A certain energetic, happy-go-lucky… huh?
“Say it…â€
…
“Say it…â€
You really did add this particular word didn’t you?
“...Maybe~ Tee Hee!â€
You know you are allowed to have that awareness but there should be limits to what you are permitted to do.
“Uu… it’s just one word. Hayaku...â€
Sigh… Alright. Damn those puppy eyes of yours. Alright! But just this once. I should enforce some 4th wall rules next time. Okay back to the stage. Ahem!
“Thanks, Narrator!â€
A certain happy-go-lucky, energetic, beautiful velvet-haired girl, with her pigtails fluttering about trailing behind her while waving about her hand towards the crowd.
“Kurome!â€, “Kurome!â€
Both Thea and Walter uttered that first name in complete unison with differing tones of their own. Walter to surprise while Thea was to gladness. Kurome stopped to bow before her grandmother and then turned her attention to Thea and Walter.
“Ara…? Thea-chan, and oooh~ stud muffin!â€,
“Umm… Walter.â€
He immediately chimed in his voice, as if to drown that last part and correcting her sternly.
“Wait, you knew her?â€,
“--you too?â€
The two exchanged puzzled glances. While the old lady was laughing up a storm in amusement. Thoroughly amused by the turn of events.
“She’s my friend here, in the residence.â€,
“She’s… actually my club president--OURS since you are joining us.â€
Both exchanged statements and then surprised gestures.
“Arara… Kurocchan, Thea, do pray tell who is this fine lad.â€
Cackling a bit, old lady Hinokami tapped both girls’ shoulders. It hit Walter that he completely forgot to properly introduce himself to Mrs. Hinokami.
“Ah! Oh yes, I’m Walter Olven. Umm… Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu? (A pleasure to meet you.)â€
Along with a simple introduction, he thought to add a basic japanese phrase at the end, while bowing his head promptly. Much to the amusement of the old lady and her granddaughter. Though Walter could have managed to pronounced it a bit more better.
“Ohoho! Nice to meet you too, Olven-san. But you can omit saying nihongo if you’re not comfortable. Ohoho…â€
She said with a warm smile and a light giggle, saying that he need not bother putting on airs. Save Walter the embarrassment.
“And to answer your query, yes, Kurocchan is my granddaughter. As I am the landlady of Bokujo, Hinokami Hakume.â€
She bowed slightly, as to show her courtesy to Walter. And out of respect, he bowed back. With the introduction out of the way, old lady Hinokami went off ahead of the teens as she has still have to cook for a special dinner for Thea’s return from the hospital. Seeing them off, she promptly went inside the main building.
“Ehh… so Thea-chan wants to join SA Brigade? Hmm…â€
Kurome pondered for a while. Taking chance of the serendipity, Walter told her that he had extended a recruitment dossier to Thea from their club, the SA Brigade.
“Yosh! Alright, I’ll let her! She’s my good neighbor here and this could solve our beef with the school administration. But--!â€
Both of them were about to breathe a sigh of relief when they were suddenly cut off. A mischievous smile crept up her face as she slid beside the two.
“Arara… Ararara! Futari tomo~ What were you guys doing together, heh~?â€
Eyes sparkling, brow knitting and with a complete mischievous expression about her face. Kurome nudged both of them with her elbows. Walter knew this expression well, Kurome was always making a big fuss over these kind of situations.
“Well… uh… we---â€,
“That’s… well… I-it’s not like---â€
The two stumbled and fumbled about their thoughts. Walter saw this coming yet words failed him. While Thea was babbling again, at her wit’s end, bewildered and flustered.
“Hahahahaha! Jodan da yo, jodan. I’m kidding! We’ll just talk this over by Monday.â€
Laughing up quite a storm, Kurome took bliss of teasing the two. Though not really mean-spirited, both of them cast a sulking expression upon her.
“Sah, toriaezu… anyway, had to help grandma prepare dinner! And homework and all that.â€
She struck her palm with her hand as realization dawned upon her. Kurome waved them off as she hurriedly ran back to the apartment complex. Whimsically fluttering about without the care in the world, she truly is one peculiar girl.
“Hmm… she’s always like that.â€
Thea crossed her arms and puffed her cheeks as she saw her off. While Walter just laughed it off whilst wearing a wry smile.
“Well, I better follow suit.â€,
“Yeah…â€
He responded with a sigh, on a rather sad note. Part of him did not want for this day to end. Time really flies and so much had happened on this day. He could only hope that Thea felt the same way about today too.
“So… Monday?â€,
“Yes.â€
She nodded gleefully, wearing her honest and warm smile. At least, both of them have something to look forward to. With a last exchange of smiles, both of them parted ways.
As Thea reached the door to the main building, she looked back one last time to see Walter as he walked away. She held up her hand as if to catch him, she still has so many things to say to him. Although the day was very eventful, she couldn’t help but wish it was longer.
“Wah!â€
The door behind her opened and two sets of arms pulled Thea inside the door. As the door was locked behind her, she was greeted by two familiar faces, the ones who pulled her in.
“Kurome--ah! Xiu!â€,
“Hee hee…â€
Kurome giggled as both her and Xiu forcibly pushed Thea’s back towards the hallway. Dumbfounded, Thea could not help but gazed both of them from side to side.
“Ehh? What are you guys--â€,
“Hee hee… you lady need to tell me the details. Details!â€,
“Hmm… not fair, you had a date before us. We need details.â€
The two wearing sulky expressions, pushed Thea onto the hot seat. From the looks of it, it was gonna be a long night for Thea. Xiu and Kurome and her has a lot to catch up to.
Thea has always been alone at school ever since she arrived here in the Metro Zone. She brought herself to shut herself out on the world and the people that lived here. But in reality, even though not at school, she was always taken care of the landlady and her two neighbors. Xiu and Kurome were at a upper level so they barely saw each other in school.
Before her enrollment and during her first days here in the Yorktown Metro Zone, Xiu and Kurome would always knock on her door in attempt to mingle with her. At first, Thea was very stubborn, not to be bothered and always shunning them whenever. Even the landlady herself.
But over time, the girls’ persistence would bear fruit as Thea eventually opened and softened up to them. Every after school, they would knock on her door bringing snacks, food, books, game consoles and company of course. Before Walter, the two were the only ones whom she trusted a great deal. Kurome also was the one responsible of Thea’s enrollment on Yorktown State University, acting as her proctor and referral.
The three girls eventually made their way towards Thea’s unit. Moments short after the door closed, a lively atmosphere instantly enveloped inside the room.
---------------
As Walter made his way home, events that had transpired earlier played over and over in his thoughts. Walking through the passing crowd, he suddenly thought of the moments he and Thea spent. It was only for one day, yet it had been so eventful that he wanted to spend more time with her. Thinking of her felt like he was walking on a clear fields of grass, ignoring the passing crowd like he was walking through vast fields of green.
“...â€
As he thought about it, a sense of longing and loneliness pricked his heart like tiny barbs. It was a shame that they did not had the chance to buy and bring home a souvenir from their trip, due to unexpected circumstances. But since they had spent a plenty of time together, maybe asking for a commemorative item might be asking too much.
Eventually, Walter just brushed off the negativity as he thought about Thea joining the SA Brigade on the start of next week. They will be seeing each other much more often from there on. Her smile, her warmth and her tears; as those thoughts crossed his mind, Walter raised his hand and balled it into a fist.
“I will protect her.â€
He asserted to himself, dispelling his doubts and insecurities. If not as a superhero, then as one capable of doing so. Though one thing he would like to know, if he was a human and did not emerged as a Novus, would he still done the same? Would he still has this seemingly impenetrable bravado? He did not know… he did not know…
“...!â€
Walter’s senses suddenly plucked, he heard a very faint sound of a chime from a very far distance. And along with that sound, he felt a rather foreboding presence that just passed him from his blind spot. It moved so fast yet his enhanced senses picked it up.
But that was not the thing that bothered him. It was that soft chime sound, it sounded so far away yet when he heard it, it felt distinct, like a presence. He paused for a bit and looked around him, he scanned his surroundings yet no person or thing of particular interest was found. Brushing it off, he continued to walk at his own pace, arriving in front of a zebra crossing, waiting for the signal to cross.
Scratching his head, he thought back on what he had felt back there. Then as he was about to shrug it off his thoughts he heard it again. This time, the sound was slightly more audible, it was close; and it echoed throughout his surroundings.
“...!?â€
A striking sensation followed afterwards. Walter did not see it but he visualized two orbs of light fluttered passed him moving at unseen speeds. He turned around searching, but there was naught to be found, Walter now grew frantic. From what he had visualized at the back of his head to what were these orbs were, one thing popped up on his mind.
“Butterflies?â€
Walter unknowingly uttered it, but in a soft tone. The question that rang in his mind was where did they came from? Or whom did these things originated from? And it seem that he would find the answers he was looking for… standing before him across the street.
Walter kept calm and fell into composure as he saw group of white butterflies that seem to flutter about at a distance. From the looks of it, they seem to gather on a particular spot. And these butterflies were not your typical ones, each of them were emitting a white radiance as they flutter their wings. Like those Will o’ Wisps of the forest from fantasy stories.
According to what Walter had read, Will o’ Wisps were said to be mischievous elements that lead travelers astray from their path. But there were two reasons he could discard these curious little things. One, Walter was in a urban area, a city, there was no way these things could exist here. And two, the strongest reason, he could feel Nexus Energy emanating in them as they flutter around, so they had to come from someone nearby.
“...!?â€
Walter suddenly felt a massive shift, the passers-by all stopped on their tracks and everything was consumed by a void of white. Similar to Atha or the Woman in Red’s pocket dimension but much different. Everything stopped, only the butterflies and him were left animated.
He clenched his right hand into a fist and primed his Nexus Energy. It was then he spotted a long shadow that seem to suddenly appear where the white butterflies where gathering. A shadow that took the shape of a person, a girl, wearing a long dress and holding a decorated parasol.
“W-Wha…!?â€
Before he could utter his words, he felt his mouth froze, then his entire body paralyzed. Rendered inanimate like the world around him. He could not even make use of his Nexus Energy as his body refused to do so. Although his mind was still fully aware, Walter looked at the shadowy-figure again. The silhouette was now making her way towards him.
As this shadow approached him, Walter could feel the growing malice and killing intent and pressure from a towering scale of Nexus Energy. As she inched closer, he felt like his body was gonna crumple over her mere presence alone. His eyes now drawn to her gaze, being forced to stare upon the eyes of pure malice. He wanted to clench his eyes shut but couldn’t, just gazing directly at hers was like staring into gnawing void.
Finally, the silhouette paused and lifted shroud upon her to give the incapacitated Walter a good look. An unimpressed look colored her expression, casting a distasteful look as if looking at a piece of gutter trash. Circling Walter around like a predator surrounding its cornered prey, she again gazed directly at him, drawing her face closer unto his.
“Hmph… I can see why they are interested in you. Hmhmhm~â€
Still looking at Walter, Lady Nobuki Aoda’s face twisted and contorted into a demonic smile. She was amused to what she saw, to say the least.
“Even dipped with my dominion, you still retained your awareness here in my illusory world. Hehe~ curious indeed.â€
Nobuki giggled like a child who just did a successful prank. A single bead of cold sweat trickled down Walter’s temple, the immense pressure of her towering Nexus Energy was akin to diving into the deepest part of the ocean, slowly crushing your body with immense water pressure.Noticing the sweat trickling down his cheek, she flicked it with her thumb as if caressing his face.
“Ah such a shame… I would have loved to share a tea party with you, Mr. Olven.â€
She continued caressing his face with her delicate touch. Walter would have appreciated this, but her hand had no trace warmth at all. Her touch, though delicate, was ice cold like a corpse’s. Her fingers felt like steel, the cold kiss of steel from a sharp blade that can cut his face off if he does so twitch a muscle.
“Hmhmhm~ But no matter. Since we are on the opposite sides of the board. I think I shall make you my prized fixture when the time comes. Oh…~ I look forward to making every inch of your existence into delicious and delectable suffering.â€
Her words reverberated on his heart, pure terror gripped him like an icy hand. Nobuki was thrown into a fit of a terrifying giggle, certainty rang in her tone along with venom. Her expression twisted into a demonic and psychotic, blissful ecstasy, as she hugged her body to contain her laughter.
In that moment, Walter’s eyes seized to be riddled with panic and terror and just looked at straight unto her whilst still inanimate. In his thoughts, he just sighed, seem to be either tired or unamused by the second. The illusion seemed to have dragged on for too long, that the fear instilled within him by Nobuki seem to diminish at a rapid pace.
“...Ohohohoho! Ah…~ Hmm?â€
Before continuing her fit of laughter, Nobuki suddenly noticed the sudden change in Walter’s mood. His face may be inanimate yet his eyes told a different story. As she did, Nobuki was bewildered, furious.
“Hoh…? What is that look? Hm? Are you mocking--me?â€
Her voice was soft, calm and collected but animosity dripped from her tone and from every pore of her body. She feel her veins on her head throbbing from sheer anger, her face twitching as she kept her face from twisting into a grimace.
Walter couldn’t respond with words nor expressions, he just looked straight at her as if he was glaring daggers at her. Within him, he figured out she was one of the Nova Reform that they had come to express the preceding ‘consequence’ of Walter’s refusal to join them. He thought they would straight up brutalize him, but through this display… it disappointed him to an extent. It was nothing more than theatrics and more threats.
“You think--you--barely a fledgeling to be called a hero, think you’re better than us? Just because you were hand-picked by them that you know better--nobooody?!â€
Nobuki drew her lips closer unto his ear and began whispering sweet and soft venom unto it, baring her fangs as she said it. Her tone ridiculed, mocked every shred of being he had.
“--Know your place!â€
She snapped. In an instant, while still inanimate, Walter felt an invisible blunt force hit the side of his face. The blunt force was so strong that it felt like his face was hit by the full momentum of a speeding freight train. If he was still human, that blow could have completely obliterated his skull to pieces and his brain into unrecognizable chunks of gray matter.
He was still inanimate, the laws of physics were halted in this tangible illusion. Walter would have been sent flying and neck broken in an instant. Thanks to his superhuman durability, he greatly reduced the damage of the impact.
Walter set his eyes back unto Nobuki and realized that what she did was nothing more than a slap. And one hell of a slap it was, with that power, she could have wafted an entire shore off the beach, sending a tidal wave back with a mere wave of her hand.
“Hmph… Hmhmhm~ oh… what a release. I think…. I shall thoroughly indulge myself on making you scrape your forehead to the ground beneath my heel, next time we meet.â€
Nobuki wrapped her arms around the inanimate Walter’s shoulders, followed by a playful giggle. Her aura once again resonated with overwhelming malice. Her countenance now displayed a sadistic smile.
“Until then… my beloved fixture--â€
Nobuki’s tone was seductively soft and soothing. Her cold breath wafted over Walter’s face, she drew closer and closer…
“Mmm..~ *smack*â€
Then his eyes widened as Nobuki’s lips pressed unto his. His heart raced, not from being flustered but from sheer terror. Her lips were cold as ice that he felt his lips dried as it made contact with hers, an overpowering terror gripped his spine as he felt his strength was rapidly being drained. The kiss of death.
“Hmhmhm--hihihihihihihi--HAHAHAHAHAHAHA---!!!â€
As she pulled away slightly, her face contorted into its most vile and most sadistic of smiles. Nobuki’s giggle turned into a cackle then a loud shrill laughter, mocking Walter’s very existence.
“.…GAH-HAGH!!!â€
Walter suddenly let out a loud gasp and hacked, as he was finally let go of the illusion. His knees buckled as he began hyperventilating as if waking up from a nightmare or emerging from the depths of the ocean. Clutching the side of his face, a sharp pain assaulted him. It was then he felt the whole occurrence was real.
Regaining his footing, he looked around his surroundings. He was now already in front of his house. Numerous question began flowing through his head, utterly confused and bewildered.
“Wait… if that was real then how did I--?â€
How indeed, the meeting with Lady Nobuki felt very real and yet he was there in front of his house, when he felt he was inanimate the whole time he was with her. How did he get there when prior to crossing paths with Nobuki, Walter was still 2 blocks away towards his house.
“Ugh… I better sleep this off first. I’ll just deal with it for the latter.â€
He just said to himself, dismissing the problem for now. Although Lady Nobuki’s last words still reverberated within his mind, and he swore he could still hear her laughter ringing in his head. He shook his head and tottered a few steps then went straight to the door.
As Walter got inside his house, behind him unknowingly, three glowing white butterflies fluttered past the door then immediately faded into the shadows.
-------------------------
Yorktown State University, SA Brigade Club Room
Monday, as soon as the class session ended, Thea and Walter immediately met up on the hallway. Since coming to school earlier in the morning, the two would spend their recesses and lunch breaks together. Doing home works, chatting and even eating their lunches together.
People around them would plague the both of them with silent gossips and whispers, it would seem that Thea’s ill reputation of being a former denizen of a Yellow Zone still followed her. She would be occasionally be bothered by it, but every time it did, Walter would just encourage her to ignore them.
Besides, there was nothing she should be insecure about, in fact, she should be proud to what she had accomplished. She had overcame countless obstacles and seemingly impossible odds just to escape her cruel fate. Walter can respect her for that.
As to the question if they had progressed… well the two were still ambiguous about it. They had grown closer after what had transpired last Saturday, but they were still in the dark. Certainty was yet to be found.
As they approached the SA Brigade’s club room, they both noticed right away that a hefty crowd had gathered before it. Thea and Walter looked at each other with knitted brows and then hurriedly made their way towards the club room. Walter hoping that nothing bad had happened.
“Excuse us! We’re club members!â€,
“Please make way… Excuse me.â€
Both of them carefully made their way into the thick crowd and through the doorway. Thankfully the crowd’s limited only beyond the doorway, as it was impossible for them to gather even inside. The club room itself was cramped already. Walter and Thea dusted themselves up as they managed to get in the room.
“Ah! Konichiwa futari tomo! Perfect--â€
“WALTER!!!â€
As they both entered, they were both greeted by the voice of Kurome. But before they could face her, a very familiar voice suddenly yelled, instantly muffling the rest of her sentence.
“Ooh-whoa!â€
Walter was taken by surprise, his eyes wide in shock as a person in front of him suddenly threw herself unto his arms. He didn’t even had the time to process who that person was. An audible state of shock as multiple cacophony of gasps enveloped the room, both from the SA Brigade members and the crowd outside.
Then what followed after was a numerous clicks of the crowd’s cellphone cameras. Kurszt and Max quickly went to the crowd and ward them off the room. Until finally, they both closed the club room doors.
“We have an important club meeting here! Please disperse or you’ll be accounted for your transgressions!â€,
“Ahaha… I’m sorry everyone, but we’re kinda busy here. Sorry!â€
Max was apologetic towards his words, while Kurszt was a bit of a stickler for rules. Regardless, they were still in club session hours. With a major event coming up, it was paramount that they tend to it with the utmost importance.
Meanwhile, Walter finally dawned to him the identity of the girl was. Pink hair, the sweet fragrance, probably her perfume, striking figure with her ample bosoms pressed against him. The girl pulled away and looked up to meet his gaze.
“A-Ailana…? Wh-What’re you--oof!â€
Before Walter could ask, Ailana buried her face again on his chest. As he felt her embrace getting tighter, he felt the environment was getting hostile by the second. Especially behind him, where Thea was just watching the scene, arms crossed, and stomping her foot with a twitching smile about her, as if restraining herself not to snarl.
“Oh… Walter, how I missed you! Ever since that day, you never talked to me and even notice me. So I decided to follow you here… Oh~â€,
“Ah… ahaha… well s-sorry I… I had so much to do--â€,
“--He was busy at the time. Now can--we--help you?â€
Ailana expressed the loneliness she had felt the past few days. But before Walter could give an explanation, Thea abruptly interjected. Although her statement was in proper order, her tone was in contrast with it, there was a certain hostility to it.
“Hmmm…â€
Still locked Walter to her blissful embrace, Ailana slowly tilted her head to the side so she could meet Thea’s gaze. Both of them were now practically like shooting angry lasers each other.
“Mah Mah… Kukuku… I forgot to mention about her. We were meant to recruit Ailana-san originally along with Walter-kun here. Basically, Acchan your joining was most unexpec---mm! Mmm! Mmh!â€,
“Waaa…! No no! How many times do I have to tell you, not to utter that name!â€
Thea hurriedly rushed over to Kurome’s mouth with both her hands. But her effort proved to be futile as Walter had already heard it, and his curiosity piqued. He then shifted his body from Ailana’s still tight embrace so he could face Kurome. Ailana now at his back, still locked Walter to her rather possessive hug.
“Acchan? Who’s that?â€
Walter promptly asked. Thea sighed in resignation, finally loosened her hands on Kurome’s lips. And the latter gasping for air.
“Well you know Thea’s full name right?â€,
“Althea… Oh right, on your handkerchief that I returned to you.â€,
“Mmh! She insisted on Thea… demo, but it’s too bothersome. So we called her Alt, but it felt off, feeling that the name’s taken already by some abstract being from another parallel reality. Toriaezu, but I digress, I just made it to Acchan.â€
Kurome explained with a beaming smile. She seemed to be even proud of it too, Kurome being herself. Every small thing accomplished by her was a noteworthy achievement to her.
“I see… I do like your full name though, Althea. It has a good ring to it.â€,
“Ehehe… stop. Y-You can call me by that, I-if you really insist.â€
Thea bit her lower lip and averted her gaze, hiding her flushed expression about her. Fidgeting her right foot while drawing something on the white board with her fingers, Thea was the type of girl who gets abashed so easily with a compliment. Though maybe because it came from Walter.
“...hrrrghkk!!!â€
Walter suddenly felt the warm embrace, slowly turned into a constricting hold, squeezing his trunk. He forgot that Ailana was a novus, but he did not expect that she has this monstrous strength. Ailana’s smile twisting into a restrained smile, her brows twitching and forehead veins throbbing.
“Ah--kkh… Ailana I give, I give… *cough*â€
He said while he felt being choked, repeatedly tapping Ailana’s arm like a surrendering mixed martial artist locked in a submission hold. Noticing immediately, Ailana let go and took a step back, giggling with a nervous expression on her face.
“Oh! Whatever was I doing, ohoho! Do forgive me, I have never done that before.â€
It was obvious that she was feigning ignorance, but she was quick cover it up. Seizing the opportunity, Kurome laid her wooden sword to the ground like a cane to get their attention.
“Sah! Atashi no subete ni shokai shimasho-ka! Let me introduce you all…â€
Althea Grace Eissen
Ailana Lotton
“Our new members of the SA Brigade! Yaho!â€
Kurome was bursting with cheerfulness as she made her introduction to the two new members. At last, they were now a full-fledged school club. They don’t have to worry about being dissolved by the school administration. Even without an adviser from the faculty, having 7 members was enough to fill them in. They could worry about getting an adviser for the latter, right now, there were more important matters to be taken into action.
“Eheh… It looks like we’re in this together, Walter~!â€,
“Wait! I was invited here first!â€
Not before long, Walter’s both arms were assaulted with warm sensations. Thea and Ailana taking his right and left arm. Walter couldn’t even respond as he gazed left and right.
“Uh… guys?â€
He was at a loss. Drawing a complete blank on how to deal with this situation.
“You only just got here and you’re clinging to him already?â€,
“Hmph, I could say the same for you, Ms. Eissen. What? Are you his girlfriend?â€,
“E-eh? W-well I… I-It’s not like… We’re--we’re umm… allies! Yes Allies!â€
Casting an abashed look, Thea looked to her side while caressing her cheek unto Walter’s arm unknowingly.
“Hmph! I’ll have you know, I was the first to talk to him.â€,
“Oh really…? Th-then we--uh… We went on a date last Saturday!â€,
“â€Grrrrrr…â€â€
Both girls were now practically snarling at each other like angry tigresses, while shooting angry beams at each other. Both were completely showing off over Walter, with him not even being considered by the two. He just sulked where he stood, with an expression of a call for help among his fellow club members.
“Mah mah… Futari tomo… Now now.â€
Finally, Kurome finally stepped forward and approached them. But as she did, Walter noticed that Kurome was not even considering him, he feared the worst.
“We all had an equal share of his affection. Like the time where he carried me in a princess hold, and he promised to carry unto the threshold. Ah~â€,
“Hey wait a mi--!!!â€
Before Walter could call her out by the rather exaggerated statement, he suddenly found Kurome’s wooden sword pointing at his mouth. Her expression was still beaming but her aura was a complete contrast. Oh no…
“<I want to cry…>â€
Walter hung his head and just reluctantly accepted it. Something tells him that messing with Kurome would be the last thing he would ever do.
“Uh… umm…â€
A glimmer of hope, Xiu stepped forth towards them with a calm expression. Walter’s hope re-lit, he might know Xiu Qiang that much yet, but she seemed to have more common sense than Kurome. And maybe the voice of reason within the SA Brigade---
“Mr. Walter and I… W-we lied on top of each other on his first day here at our club.â€
“â€â€Whaaaaat…!?â€â€â€,
“B-but--!!!â€
All three girls voiced a loud reaction that reverberated across the room, a trio of shrill tones. As he was about to protest, Xiu materialized her Nex Arm, a long-barreled hand cannon revolver with a dragon motif, promptly pointed at his face.
Walter forgot that her Nexus Trait was Gun Caster, Xiu can materialize any firearm of her choosing as much as to her imagination allows her to. This stemmed from Xiu’s liking to First Person Shooter games, aside from her being a bookworm.
“<I’m gonna cry…>â€
And with that the last of Walter’s hope of escaping this deadlock. All four of the girls were now shooting angry beams at each other, competing over something so trivial. To Walter, the situation itself was ridiculous. The feeling of being choked in four directions, with no chance of defending himself, even though their claims were exaggerated and downright ridiculous.
Then he suddenly felt a tap on his shoulder, since the four girls were busy competing at each other, they did not noticed Max moved behind them stealthily. As expected from a ninja.
“Pssst… Mr. Olven. Maybe we should go to our intended destination already. I have the form, I’m sure Pres will understand.â€
Max whispered unto his ear, at last a ticket out. Walter nodded silently then, matching Max’s silent steps, the two managed to sneaked past the four-way deadlock then out the door. Max gave Kurszt a small wave as he exited with Walter.
“â€â€â€What do you think Walter---huh???â€â€â€â€
The girls said in unison. Before the girls could turn and put the pressure on Walter, he was already gone from where he originally stood. Kurszt let out a deep sigh and finally stepped forward, scratching his head.
“He just left, while you guys are having your little pow-wow over yonder. Sigh heaven’s sake, shouldn’t we get on with the task at ha--eh??â€
Kurszt was thoroughly lecturing the girls, he thought he could be the voice of reason here and control the situation himself. His sense of responsibility as Vice President of the club. But as soon as he did, an overpowering hostility quickly consumed the atmosphere. All 4 of the girls were glaring at him with snarling glares, like they were a pack of wolves who just surrounded their prey hare.
“Kurszt-kun--~â€
Kurome purred with a menacing gait. With her leading the pack, they slowly approached him with an aura of vehemence. He was forced to step back, his knees buckling and shoulders trembling.
“--wah!â€
Kurszt was forced to sit down by Thea and Xiu, holding him by the shoulders. Kurome’s expression slowly curled into a twisted smile.
“Tell us--â€,
“--Who has--â€,
“--the greater--â€,
“--claim?!â€
All four of them asked in perfect sync, as if stage rehearsed prior to this. All four of their figures loomed over the poor Kurszt on his seat. Their low giggling echoing throughout the room filled the atmosphere with dread.
“AAAAAAAAHHHH….!!!â€
A muffled scream was heard from outside the club room of the SA Brigade. An unspeakable chill ran through Max’s and Walter’s back, as if the scream reverberated within them. They were already outside the building but scream still reached them, somehow.
The two then turned around and bowed before the building as if to acknowledge a sacrifice of a fallen comrade. After bowing, the two trotted off in a hurry. They zoomed out into the massive campus.
---------------
Yorktown State University, Campus Grounds
Upon running a considerable amount of distance, Max and Walter finally slowed down their pace. The entire grandeur of the Yorktown State University laid out before them. Letting out a quiet sigh, Walter seem to admire their school’s atmosphere and environment. He almost seem to forget how big their school actually was.
===============
Yorktown State University was the largest alma matter of the United States of the current era. It was a city within a city, maybe even larger. Much like the former Harvard University of the late era but a few acres larger.
By count, it almost has 800 classrooms with several buildings and facilities to house both college and high school student bodies. They also have Middle School, Elementary and lower levels at their its branch in Pineswood Metro Zone or formerly known as Maine.
=====================
“Sigh… women. I really don’t understand what got them so irked up all of a sudden.â€
Walter rubbed his temples as he walked, still thinking about the recent incident. He was still clueless why the sudden need to be competitive.
“Ah… ahaha… Don’t mind them, Mr. Olven. Well, to be completely honest, that was the first time I’ve ever seen Pres and Xiu get so worked up like that.â€
Max expressed his thoughts, whilst smiling wryly at Walter. Although he was trying to save face for them, he had to admit it took him by surprise too.
“Hehe. I think they’ll get along just fine. Uh… Max, right?â€,
“Yep, that’s me. Mr. Olven.â€
Max happily nodded with a beaming smile about his countenance. Walter scratched his head, thinking that he might utter his name wrong or anything. But Max did not seem to mind reintroducing himself to the new member.
Prior to this, Kurome and Kurszt had shown him the recorded live feed of the Liberty Brilliant Park last Saturday. And just the same reaction as Kurszt at the time, Max was left mouth agape and in complete disbelief, at same time in awe. The footage only showed the the gist of the battle, with static interference on some parts, yet it was enough to amaze him.
You could say that Max has found an admiration and new respect to Walter and Thea. Now he’s more than convinced that he was the one who defeated Richie Marcus, that was evidence enough. Having him in SA Brigade truly felt an honor, and knowing that he shared the same insights as Kurome sets Max at ease.
“Mr. Olven? Heh… come now, you’re making me sound old. Walter’s fine.â€
Walter chuckled as he roughly patted Max’s shoulder, which took the latter by surprise. He thought he show his rowdy side and cut loose since they were both guys. Walter has not had a friend since childhood, but he figured being just himself would be appropriate.
“Uwah! Ah… Ah… Yes, sure. Walter.â€
Max took a glance as his shoulder still gripped by Walter, and unknowingly his face slightly flushed.
“There you go. Nice to meet you, Max. Hehe!â€
Walter just gave him a big smile, it was not the malicious kind, it was genuine one. He felt as if he was meeting a long lost little brother. He then set his gaze ahead of him, seemingly energized that he will not be doing the task ahead alone.
“...â€
Max just returned Walter’s gaze bug-eyed, and blinking rapidly, his mouth with an ‘oh’ expression. And flushing a bit more crimson now. Maybe Walter’s cheerfulness caught to him, or… maybe it was something else. Letting go of his grip on Max’s shoulder, Walter eased up a bit whilst still walking side-by-side with him. Although Max, seemed to be now more tensed than he was before.
“Say, Max--â€,
“Ah! Yes?â€
Max suddenly stiffened his posture, walking a little awkwardly now. He immediately responded with a subtle flustered expression.
“Mind if I ask what’s your Nexus Trait? I mean if you don’t mind of course. It’s perfectly understandable if you don’t want to talk about it.â€
Walter asked with a bit of hesitation, just like the time when he asked Thea her Nexus Trait. It was quite taboo for the Nova to openly reveal their Nexus Trait to one another. As it could risk of being used against them.
“Ah… well… It’s named as Shadow Stroke.â€
Without hesitation, Max said it to Walter straight. He felt like he could trust him since they were colleagues from here on forth. And he was hand-picked by Kurome for a good reason after all.
“Oooh…! That sounds so cool! What are the applications of it? Can you show me?â€
Walter literally just hopped in front of Max, much to the latter’s surprise, held both his hands with eyes sparkling. Max just gulped with the sudden gesture, he was blushing from his ear now. He just glanced sidelong and smiled wryly.
“Eheh… Eheheh… w-well I su-supposed it wouldn’t hurt.â€
As soon as Walter let go of his hands. Max jerked his arm to the ground with his two fingers up as if dipping his fingers in the shadows. Then with a single wave of his arm, he made a shadow stroke like an ink brushstroke in mid-air.
“Uuoohooh!â€
Walter howled as he saw it, he was just in awe. The genuine expression of awe from Walter had flattered Max. The former just poking it with his hand, the stroke felt solid, like a sheet of metal wobbling in its flexibility. The black stroke then dissolved into Max’s shadow shortly after, as they began walking again.
“Basically, with it, I can draw seals and ninjutsu circles to summon my attack and defense. Using shadows as my ink. I can also shape the shadows as I see fit, but I don’t know the extent yet. Errmmm…â€
Max explained, though in the last part he averted his gaze while twiddling his fingers together. Seemingly embarrassed to follow it up, afraid that Walter might laugh at him.
“--well I am like you, Walter. I’m still a newly-emerged Novus. I am still learning how to use my powers.â€
But he said it anyway, almost in a sulking expression.
“Ah really? Glad I’m not the only one! Well, to be honest, I am still yet to find my Nexus Trait. I feel like I just barely scratched the surface--â€
“<B-Barely scratched the surface!? But that power… I saw in on the recorded feed, it was tremendous!>â€
Max screamed in his thoughts as he was taken by surprise to Walter’s statement. Indeed he was still on the dark to clearly see his Nexus Trait, yet the power, speed, and technique Max saw on the feed. Walter was almost comparable to Kurszt in his full Nex Frame form. How powerful is he going to be when he finally realized his Nexus Trait, more so his Nex Frame form.
“--but I’ll just worry about it later. I may not be able to fully use it, but it’s more than enough means to help people and battle villains. And besides, I have you guys to back me up!â€
With a truly humbling statement, Walter once again beamed a smile to Max. His cheerfulness and humility, it mirrors Kurome in a way. Both were powerful in their own ways, yet still has the heart to be humble about it.
“<He’s…. so cool!!!>â€
Max once again screamed in his thoughts as he gazed unto Walter. His eyes sparkling with sheer respect and admiration. If a model superhero exists then Walter would fit the role right in.
“Well getting back to the task at hand, what’s our first stop?â€
Walter eased up and relaxed his pace, putting both his his hands at his nape. He glanced over to his colleague to inquire. As if snapping back to reality, Max then reached in his blazer, a standard piece of the Yorktown State school uniform, and pulled out the memo he was hiding underneath.
“Let’s see here. The first major club we have to go through is the… Delinquent Club.â€,
“...!?â€
The calm and relaxed atmosphere vanished in an instant. Max’s voice trailed off as he uttered the club’s name, and Walter’s reaction was immediate shock. Both of them were taken off-guard by the memo; Max made sure he read it correctly, almost pressing his face on the paper.
==============
The Delinquent Club, even Walter has heard of them before. Basically, the club that had the most members in the entire school it was basically a Fraternity/Sorority of delinquents both nova and humans. The main purpose of the club itself was to take control of the delinquents to keep them in line whether they like it or not.
Often times, they also keep school bullying to a minimal, and only rough up those higher echelon students into getting their act straight. School bullies fear them, and most of the time aim to join them. But some members, mostly the new recruits, abuse the club’s name into bullying helpless kids instead of those who truly deserve it.
The club also does community service during weekends and events, they clean the campus grounds, act as security to school extra-curricular events, and even do majority of the heavy lifting for the former Student Council. But in recent events, none of those activities were practiced since Richie Marcus’ uprising. Their proud achievements ground beneath his heels as he took control almost every member of it to take over the school.
They were reduced into nothing but Richie’s posse. And with his defeat, came the complete dissolution of those numbers. There were at least 250 members maybe even more in totality of its roster, but after the uprising, 200 of them joined Richie’s selfish cause. The true loyal members of less than a hundred had remained on the club. After Richie Marcus’ defeat, those 200 were denied re-admission by the club president herself. Stating that they have soiled and shamed the club’s name.
Ever since then, the Delinquent Club closed its doors to both aspiring members and to outsiders altogether.
==============
“So we get the tough one first, huh?â€
Walter muttered to himself as he hung his head. He had heard that ever since Richie Marcus’ uprising, they have been unusually hostile and seclusive to outsiders, and that means them. Which would mean things might get rather unpleasant. The possibility of physical confrontation was there, Walter was not denying it, but he was still leaning towards a more peaceful solution.
“Our first assignment and we were immediately thrown at the wolves… I’m sorry, Walter.â€
Max sighed exasperatedly. He was more worried that this task might be too daunting for a new recruit such as Walter. He could not help but cast a worried look upon him.
“Oh well. Kurome didn’t say that it’ll be easy either way. Might as well--no, we must give it our all.â€
Walter somehow managed to muster a bit of courage and confidence in his words. Exhaling his doubts and negativity at the moment.
“You’re right… I mean the Nova Reform is already a few steps ahead of us.â€,
“Exactly. Kurome may be goofing off and always beaming, but she’s counting on us.â€,
“Right!â€
Both guys finally mustered their courage and confidence. There was little room for negativity, and right now, this was their best foot forward. The Delinquent Club was one of the major clubs to act opposed on the Nova Reform’s ideas, their original core principles still honorable and solid.
If the SA Brigade can somehow establish a connection, they can work together to oppose the bigger threat. Kurome herself knew, that the Nova Reform itself cannot be opposed on independent terms alone. And she knew that if their aid against the bigger threat would be invaluable.
-----------------------
Yorktown State University, School Warehouse Annex
After more than half an hour of walking, Max and Walter arrived at their intended destination. It was a place where Walter knew very well. An apparent and displeasing nostalgia instantly gripped Walter’s feelings. On one of these warehouses, the previous incident occurred. Richie beating up Thea, him standing up to Richie then promptly getting beat up after.
It was unpleasant replaying those memories; the only thing he was proud of that moment was him finally finding the courage to stand up to Richie Marcus, after having been pushed around for so long. Aside from that, Walter had no recollection what happened afterward. All he knew was he just woke up on Atha, the Woman in Red’s pocket reality.
As they entered the premises, Walter instantly saw the now-ruined warehouse where the incident happened. The feeling of unease instantly washed over him. The warehouse was still under the state of disuse but not exactly abandoned; because the annex itself was the Delinquent Club’s territory.
Dozens of its club members strolling about the abandoned premises, just either lollygagging around or patrolling the area. Immediately, even from a distance, the members of the club spotted the two entering the premises, like a pack of predators spotting unsuspecting prey entering their territory.
Walter and Max, just kept their own pace and just met their hostile gazes head-on. They were not planning on sneaking up on them nor punching through the lot of them, they came here to talk and nothing else. Although, Max, on the contrary, grew more nervous now that they have spotted them.
Seeing that the two were not planning to fall back, a group of members of the Delinquent Club approached to meet the two. They may be a legitimate school club, but its members looked like genuine street thugs. They wore their uniforms in either disheveled or indecent way, it was an affront to the dress code, but they were above that. Sleeves ripped, blazers worn on their shoulders, an overall rugged outlook. They were also carrying bats (wooden and metal ones), pipes, brass knuckles and assorted makeshift blunt weapons.
Walter and Max stopped on their tracks to greet the… welcoming committee of the Delinquent Club. Their fearsome outlook alone almost made Max draw a step back, but Walter gave him a tap on his shoulder to hold his ground.
“Oy… Oy… I thought we already posted a notice that we’re not accepting new blood here.â€
The lead of the group stepped forward and eyed the both of them, uncomfortably close. Like a predator sniffing its prey, it was almost in a mocking manner.
“Uh… Uh… Err--umm… We’re from the SA Brigade--â€,
“Huuuh…? What is thaat…?â€
Max was struggling with the introduction, the delinquent sensed it and promptly craned his neck towards Max up close. Turning his head aside to lend his ear closer to Max’s face. Max leaned back at bit, as it was uncomfortably too close.
“Umm… umm… We’re from the SA Brigade--and uhm… we’d like to talk to your club president. I-If you would.â€
Swallowing his nervousness for a moment and mustering up a bit of confidence, Max pulled through. The delinquent drew back and held his chin with his index finger and thumb, with an exaggerated expression as if in thought.
“Heeh…? Y’want to talk with the Boss lady? Hmmm… Who’re you guys again?â€
Raising his brow, he asked a question again. The lead of the group was intentionally ignoring Walter’s presence. This was a typical conversation to the delinquents when they are talking to a group of outsiders, they would always set their attention to the pushover first. If one of the group interjects in this flow, they would not respond in kind and will lead easily to a disastrous situation.
“Uh… th-the SA Brigade.â€
Max stuttered, he felt like the confidence he has mustered up was being caught up in his throat.
“SA Brigade?â€
The lead of the group turned his head back to his fellow Delinquent Club members. Then gazed back to the two with a mocking smile. Walter furrowed his brows as he saw it, it was the same expression he always saw back when he was still human.
“...Never heard of ya.â€
The delinquent sneered at them, and the group promptly laughed at the lead’s gesture. It would seem that instead of entertaining them, the group met the two be insulted instead. It seemed that Max took it to a personal level and hung his head, sulking. Tears now slowly welling up in his eyes.
“--So is that a yes or no?â€
Walter finally stepped forward, the scene was just unbearable for him. Walter could not stand the sight of tears from a helpless individual. And they came here on an important note and not to waste time playing by their terms, they had to assert that.
“Hey, hey, hey! Look what we have here! Finally someone guts--â€,
“--Save the flattery, we’re here for a reason. Now please, let us speak to your club president.â€
Before the lead of the group could establish his foothold, Walter just abruptly interrupted him. The two glared at each other.
“Heh… Sorry mate, had to disappoint ya. The Boss doesn’t waste her time on nobodies. Now go on, piss off.â€
The delinquent waved them off, deliberately refusing the two. As he was about to turn around and leave Walter and Max alone…
“I don’t think you should be calling the shots here to call it done. Now please, just let us through and talk to your club president and then we’ll be on our way--â€
Before Walter could finish, the lead of the group’s patience finally went off. With a full swing, he swung his metal bat directly at Walter’s cheek. But the delinquent’s eyes widened as soon as the weapon made contact.
“...wh--what!?â€
The delinquent just froze where he stood. Walter took the full brunt of the blow, but the metal bat just bent as soon as it hit his head. Walter did not even flinched nor took considerable damage, not even a scratch. He was thoroughly unscathed and unfazed as if attack itself was but a breeze brushed through his skin. Max then took five steps back, as signaled by him.
“Sigh… look, we have no quarrel with you, so if we could just---oh boy…â€
The next thing Walter knew, the entire welcoming committee of the Delinquent Club were coming right at him, all at once. Their fists and weapons came flying at him. He could dodge it or counter all of them at the same time, but chose not to.
“Walter!â€
Max was about to jump in with his Nexus Energy channeling through, like an engine primed. These were no ordinary delinquents, these are the nova ranks. Even for a novus like Walter, he will be torn apart if does not lift a hand to defend himself.
“--!!!â€
One step forward, two steps back. Max was too late to respond to his aid. But what followed after, just made him step back in disbelief.
Walter took the full force of the simultaneous barrage of beating. And yet none of those even made him move and flinch or even twitch. He was still wearing a rather wearing a rather disappointed and nonchalant expression.
Their blunt weapons laid broken and bent upon contact. Their fists and feet assaulted with an intense sting of pain. As if they hit a solid wall with their bare limbs. Most of them just dropped to the ground with a pained grimace about their countenance, while the rest just backed.
“So, got that out of your system? We really need to talk to your club president.â€
Walter just said it as if nothing happened. While everyone around him just left nothing but disbelief and shock, their mouth agape and beads of cold sweat rolling down their cheeks. Even Max was surprised, Walter did not even used his Nexus Energy to defend himself. Just raw physical durability.
“--wait! I know him--from the live feed, the Boss showed us!â€,
“Y-yeah! He also looks like the guy from the board! The one who completely trashed that d-bag, Richie Marcus!â€,
“I-It’s him! The ‘Black-Armed Ace’!â€
One side comment after another, the group then slowly backed away from Walter. The two then met gazes at each other with puzzled expressions; it was that one who called Walter the “Black-Armed Aceâ€.
“Black-Armed--what?â€
Walter asked, directing his attention to Max. Max just shrugged in response, this was also the first time he heard such a title.
“Were you referring to me?â€
He asked the lead of the group before him, pointing his finger on his face.
“Who else? Word spreads fast here. The Boss was the one who came up with it. We saw the whole thing on the live feed on Boss’ transpon-thingies, just last sah’urday.â€
The lead of the group replied promptly, his hostile aura from moments ago now vanished. He then gestured the rest of his guys and girls to stand down. Realizing who were they up against, and that it was useless to go up against Walter. They may love a good trashing, but they know when to stand down if the odds are just plain impossible, one of the teachings of their club president or Boss.
Instead of gloating of their own power, and stepping on them, Walter and Max approached the group and helped some of them to stand up. Walter reached both his arms, and helped the last two delinquents get back up on their feet. They may be delinquents and nova, but they were still people, boys and girls coping up with school life their own way.
“Like I said before, we have no quarrel with you. We’re just here to talk.â€,
“Yes. Please understand. We are not here to… uh… put you guys in your place--or whatever.â€
Despite the hostility that had ensued a few seconds earlier, Walter and Max maintained their usual demeanor. They were not even planning to fight back, if they did, Walter alone would have made a short work of them. The lead of the group considered them again.
“Well slap me silly. Au’right, you win.â€
The lead sighed in resignation and a bit of relief. He turned back to the group and gestured the half of them to disperse, and the rest to stay.
“Come along, then.â€
He motioned Walter and Max follow him, the two then nodded in response and followed. With the patrol group escorting them, they proceeded further into the annex. It was already 6, by the moment Walter checked his holo-watch.
During club hours in the Yorktown State University, students whom are involved in clubs are required to attend it at least an hour worth of session then go home after. However, the club sessions can also surpass the required 1 hour session of club activities. Hence, sometimes club hours go up until 9 in the evening, or 4-5 hours worth. As the school itself closes at 9, no students are allowed to be on the campus beyond that time.
As they walked through the wide area of the annex, Walter and Max saw several delinquents just hanging around, scattered in different places. Club members who caught sight of them just eyed the two visitors with squinting gazes.
Even though their numbers greatly reduced on the aftermath of Richie Marcus’ defeat, the Delinquent Club still holds the greatest number of members in a club. Just next to the Orchestral Chorus club, they held more than 80 members, it was like almost a small community. Walter could not even imagine what it was like when the club was in its prime. It must have been like a town.
“Y’know--â€
The lead of their escort group spoke finally breaking the ice. The attention of the two immediately drawn to him.
“--You guys have have convinced us, but am not sure ‘bout the Alphas.â€,
“Alphas?â€
Max tilted his head in question.
“Yep. Our captains no less. Keeps us all in line. You want to talk with the Boss-- you get yourselves appointed with the two of them.â€
The lead stated as if conveying a warning. The two then just looked at each other, both exasperated. Both Walter and Max felt like they were about to be thrown into the flames. It looked like it was going to be a long night…
After a brief walk, they arrived at a specific warehouse. It was guarded by at least 3 of the Delinquent Club’s members. The lead of Walter and Max’s escort went ahead to the three guards by the large door. They nodded and opened the large sliding door.
“Well, this is as far as we can go. Beyond here, you guys are on your own.â€
The lead pointed towards the entrance of the warehouse. Walter and Max both nodded to each other and just went inside without the hint of hesitation. Max however felt daunted, as if they were about to be locked up in a cage with a hungry predator. As they stepped in, the club members outside promptly closed the large door; the doors clicked like rail coupling being attached.
Their task begins now.
----------------------
As Walter and Max entered the interior, a series of lined-up vehicles greeted them. All were either broken into disrepair or just dismantled for scrap. It was like a massive garage or workshop or maybe even a chop shop.
Though it was not completely dark, the light sources were dimly lit, some even just flickering on and off. From the far sides of the warehouse were large shelves that housed numerous scrap metal and machinery parts on display. The overall atmosphere gives off a rather lonely feel to it.
As the two walked further in, they heard the sound of odd buzzing. Then from a distance, a bright flickering light, it was a sound of welding metal. As they approached the source, it looked like someone was working on one of the cars.
“Umm… Excuse me?â€
Max went ahead of Walter and greeted the mechanic. The mechanic slid out from under the chassis to respond to the call. He considered the two and lifted his welding mask off his face.
“Ah! Visitors! This is quite unexpected--ah! Hold on!â€
The mechanic said in a smooth English accent. He seemed to be rather hospitable unlike the delinquents outside. Not exactly what they were expecting.
He stood up and put down his welding mask. He wore a loose and dirty white t-shirt, most likely car grease that smudged all over his clothes. Ripped jeans and suspenders that hang loosely from his hip; he also wore a union jack bandana over his pony-tailed blonde hair. He has that laid-back expression about him and looked like a blue-collar worker than a student.
“Oh hi, I’m Axe Rossell. Pleased to meet you, mates!â€
Removing his gloves, Axe vigorously shook both their hands with a cheerful smile about his face. He seemed like a genuine nice person, humble even. But Walter could not shake the feeling of lingering dread about him.
“Now, what brings you lads here in my humble abode, eh?â€,
“Ah! Sorry if we bothered, we came here to talk.â€,
“Talk? Oh yes, sure! And oh don’t worry about it, I’ve been here all day on my lonesome. A company is always nice.â€
Axe proceeded to just laugh it off, they treated his visitors like fellows well-met which seemed to somehow put a relief on Max’s end. But Walter kept a stern face, he really can’t deny this lingering dread no longer, but he just chose to stay quiet for the time being and let Max do the talking.
“Yes, umm… we came here to talk to your club president.â€,
“Oh the Boss, mate? Oh…â€
As Max brought up the subject, he raised his eyebrow and rubbed his chin with his fingers as if in thought. He crossed his arms and considered the two again, this time with a rather concerned look.
“Are you sure, mates? Because that… could be a problem.â€,
“Wh-why? You are one of the Alphas of the Delinquent Club, right?â€
Max pressed further, his eagerness was now apparent. He approached Axe with pleading eyes, which seemed to make the former rather uneasy.
“Aye… sigh… well I’m afraid I can’t let you, mate. That simply won't do. You want to pass, then you get appointed to us first.â€,
“What do you mean?â€
Walter finally spoke up as he stepped forward.
“Well, to put it in plain terms--one of you guys would have to go through the initiation. It’s a rite of passage by the Boss. Frankly, I rather have to let you, mates pass and be done with it. But… let’s just say the Boss doesn’t take it well when things slip up.â€
Basically he was saying that they--or rather one of them would have to take him on first. Walter was expecting a rather hostile aura about him, but Axe seemed so accommodating about it still. Maybe he was a nice guy, and just the thought disobeying that rule by his Boss just chills him to the core.
“Well…â€
Walter and Max just shrugged at each other. They had no choice but to comply, this was the only way through. Although Walter had to commend Axe for in favor of an alternative, though maybe Axe was just lazy.
“Alri--â€,
“I’ll do it. I welcome your challenge.â€
Just when Walter was about to step forward to take up the challenge, Max blocked his path and volunteered instead.
“But Max. Are you sure?â€,
“Ah it’s alright, Walter. We all knew that we all had to fight, and that includes me too. Don’t worry, the pres trained me how to harness my Nexus--basics at least.â€
That last part was a bit silent, not really a reassuring statement. But if Max wants to have a hand in it, then he’s in no position to stop him. Walter then grabbed both his shoulders and faced him, much to Max’s surprise.
“Okay, I leave this to you. But if you can’t pull through, don’t hesitate to throw the towel. Okay?â€,
“...uuh…â€
Max was flushed in bright crimson as his gaze met with his. Walter’s gaze on him sparkled with encouragement and trust, just his way of cheering for his comrade. Axe on the other hand, just smiled at them for the display of camaraderie.
“Go knock ‘em dead.â€
With a tap of Max’s shoulder, Walter stepped back into the sidelines. Max sternly nodded and followed Axe as he lead Max to the center. Max felt both elated and nervous, he felt the burden of a person’s trust on his shoulders.
“<I won’t fail.>â€
He asserted to himself, breathing in to steel himself. Tightening his steel gloves and cracking his knuckles, Max readied himself.
“That’s more like it, mate. Don’t worry, I won’t hold back too. Give it your best alright?â€
Axe displayed a commendable level of sportsmanship even to his adversary, he genuinely was a nice guy and not just feigning a positive attitude. He secured his shoe laces bit and tightened his bandana. Then from behind him, he picked up a stray chain.
“--because I would be disappointed, if you go down without putting much of a fight.â€,
“...!â€
As Axe said that, his laid-back expression instantly vanished. Max’s senses screamed danger as he felt the air became heavy. Then from behind, he heard a rattle coming at his direction in a lightning-fast pace. Out of reflex, Max flipped out of the way and landed crouching.
It was a spear-tipped chain. Axe caught the chain and give it a stern pull. The chain grew shorter on his grasp as he held it. His Nex Arm as a double-ended chain. At the end of the chain was a spear tip, the other was a curved dagger.
“This is my Nexus, the Serpent Chain.â€
Axe finally announced his Nexus Trait to his adversary and began spinning the spear-tipped end on his side. The chain seemed to grow in length as he did, long enough for the spear tip to graze through the floor and finally whipping against the concrete.
Max held both his hands to the shadows and used his Nexus Energy to form on his fingers, like dipping his hand on ink. He focused on his adversary’s movements as Axe approached him. From his analysis, judging from the Nex Arm, Axe would probably go for long-ranged attacks. But he would have to pull back his chain, his best bet would be in close quarter combat.
Max lifted himself up a bit, shifting into a sprinting stance. He does not know how will his opponent fare with that dagger, but he could probably out-maneuver him through speed. Max then launched forward in an instant, dashing towards his opponent with super sonic speeds.
As predicted, Axe threw the spear tip of the chain first straight at him. Max then deflected it with the swing of his arm, drawing a solid shadow stroke that made an audible clink as the chain was blocked. As Max closed the gap, he unleashed a flurry of slash strokes with his hands. Axe met it with his dagger. Even when Max was dealing with high-speed strikes, Axe just seem to match it with the sheer mastery of dagger wielding.
He twirled his dagger then spun to side, aiming his blade unto Max’s side. Max then shifted his elbow and then blocked the strike by hitting his opponent’s wrist. But then Axe just connects it with an elbow to Max’s gut.
“Uoh!â€
The blow was solid, enough to make Max bend down in pain as the strike hit him in the diaphragm area. Axe then twirled around and lifted his leg to perform an ax kick. But as he did, he noticed that Max was still bending down.
“Ghhah…!â€
Axe took the full hit of a rolling feint scorpion kick, square on his face. As he was about to be sent flying, a feint smirk drew on his face. Walter noticed that the spear-tipped end of the end still flying behind Max.
“Max look out!â€
Walter yelled at his comrade. Max heard it, but he was still about to recover his stance from his feint kick. With all his might and with a rather short margin of evasion, Max launched his body sideward performing a rapid corkscrew flip to dodge the incoming spear chain.
“...â€
As he get back on his feet, he felt blood drip from his right cheek. Max smudged it off and took stance. Meanwhile, Axe was already back on his feet, catching the spear with his free hand. Axe then noticed the smudge of blood on the spear.
“Tsk… mm-mm not good, mate. My Nexus is now at full circle.â€,
“...?â€
Max knitted his brow in confusion. Axe then began spinning his chain again, prepping for another long-ranged assault.
“You see, once the spear tip is marked with the opponent’s blood, it will now follow you to the ends of the earth. Its length would be unending until it burrows itself through. my opponent’s flesh. Nothing personal, mate.â€
Axe then launched the spear tip toward Max, flying faster than a bullet. As he dodged the spear, the spear then changed its vector of direction, like a ricocheted bullet, flying back towards its target at the same speed as before.
“...!â€
Max quickly reacted, dipping his hands to the shadows, he formed it as a helix wrapping both his arms like gauntlets. But as he deflected the spear, it kept on ricocheting back and forth in vectors. And to make it worse, the spear’s impact seem to grow stronger each time it fails to hit its target.
Max had no choice but to outrun the speeding spear-tipped chain. As he did, he intently observed that the excess chain being produced were being retracted back. So the plan of having Axe be tangled by his own chain was out the window.
He then zoomed in towards Axe, focusing his Nexus Energy on the shadow helix that wrapped both his arms. Max shaped the shadow he held on his grasped and molded it into a kunai. He produced 6 of them, 3 on each hand. As he outrun the spear, he threw the fan of shadow kunai at his adversary.
“Not gonna happen, mate!â€
Extending the chain on the dagger-end, he spun and twirled the chain dagger like an iron whip. One by one Axe skillfully deflected the shadow kunai with a rapid lash of his chain. Max continued to rain a barrage of kunai as he circled around Axe, while trying to outrun the homing spear.
But as he did, Axe just lashed them off with superhuman speeds. The way he twirled and spun his chain dagger so precise and lightning-fast, he easily formed a maelstrom dome of defense. At this rate, even close quarters would prove very difficult. Max then figured, if he can’t rain a long-ranged attack, or unleash a barrage of blows from up-close.
“<Then I’ll try the esoteric approach! Like a true ninja!> Ha!â€
Max, increasing his speed, dipped his hands into the shadows again. His Nexus potency increased to a significant amount, and using the shadows itself to stride around beyond the speed of sound. In ordinary human eyes, Max was practically blinking in and out from multiple places at once. With his speed, he has already outran the pursuing spear-tipped chain.
Once again from his shadow gloves, he produced a fan of shadow kunai. But these ones were different, they looked more solid in shape, and longer points. Narrowing his eyes and closing his distance a bit, Max focused on his adversary and quickly calculating the probable trajectory. With a rapid swipe of his arms, Max threw his shadow kunai in a wider arc.
“Heh! You really need to learn new tricks, mate! That won’t work on me even up close!â€
Axe scoffed as he just swatted and deflected each kunai with terrifying precision. He wields his chain like an extension of his limb, he wields it in close quarters as effective as is in long-ranged combat; which was humanely impossible to achieve. He was not only using the bladed ends of his weapon, but also its links by twirling it into defensive angles, like a gymnast ribbon.
As he either deflect or block these kunai, the projectiles were instantly dissolve into a shadow residues that scatter on his feet. Max continued his high-speed barrage, unknowing that Axe was coiling the excess chain inside his maelstrom of metal. He waited for the right moment as he calculated the next spot where Max would appear. As Max disappeared in a blur, a slight smirk drew on his face.
“Gotcha!â€
In a split second, Axe grabbed the dagger end of his chain and used it as a grip, as he whipped the chain in a spinning motion. The excess chain on the ground rose up and immediately snared Max’s foot as he appeared behind him.
“Kh…!â€
Max’s rhythm was completely severed, immobilizing his feet completely. Taking advantage of the opportunity, Axe pulled and whipped the other end of the chain. The spear end accelerated like a bullet and was heading straight for Max’s physical frame. Max tried to maneuver his body but the spear seemed to follow his movements.
He had no choice but to block it. He immediately reinforced the layer of solid shadows coiling his arms to be thick enough to repel it. Max cannot move out of the way as the chain snare was thoroughly holding him in place. He did not possess strength like Kurome, Kurszt or even Walter to overpower his adversary. As the spear closed in, Max crossed his arms to block--
“Gh..ah…!!!â€
Max coughed hoarsely, as blood sprayed from his mouth. The spear went right through his arms, its sharp tip burrowed in through his flesh then through his chest. Now devoid of life, Max just flopped down to the ground with a thud.
“Oh well… oops.â€
Axe just scratched his head almost nonchalantly. Treating the incident as a mere child’s accident, oblivious even into overdoing it. He gave a wry smile as he faced the damage he has done. He was expecting Max’s comrade to be walking over to him with an angry expression…
“Huh?â€
Axe twitched in surprise to see Walter still standing by the sidelines, with a calm look about his countenance. What surprised him was that he was not even angry about what happened, just still standing watch as if nothing happened. As their gazes met, Walter crossed his arms and slowly shook his head.
“...!â€
As Axe looked back at Max’s lifeless body, it instantly vanished without the trace, much to his surprise. What he found instead was a tumbleweed, impaled with the spear end of his chain. Which would mean that the one he had taken out was a fake.
“W-What!? But… the spear followed him and I felt it pierce through--- ….!â€
Upon closer inspection, the tumbleweed had a tiny smudge of blood from Max himself. Which would explain why the spear followed the fake instead of the real one.
Western Ninpo: Shadow Tumbleweed Substitution!
“Hehe…!â€
Max then suddenly appeared from his opponent’s blind spot, letting out a slight chuckle, tongue in cheek. He was holding his hands maintaining a hand seal.
“...! What?!â€
As Axe was about to turn to face Max, he felt his feet was glued to the ground. As he looked down, he saw the shadow residue from the kunai he deflected earlier, now forming drawn shadow seal circle. Max performed two more hand seals to reinforce the bind.
“Gh… Don’t get cocky, mate!â€
Axe grunted in frustration. He immediately spun his chain on the dagger end, spinning it in rapid rotations to attack his opponent while facing with his back. He tried to pull the spear end, but the tumbleweed had dissolved into a shadow residue, and was now bound with the same seal on his feet. Frustrated, Axe could only curse under his breath.
“Don’t worry--â€
Max flew over and flipped, landing in front of his adversary. With rapid strokes of his finger on the air, he drew a ninja seal on the very air itself, and at its center, a kanji character for ‘Fire’.
“--I don’t intend to!â€
Ninpo Fire Gate: Kagutsuchi!
Performing five rapid hand seals, Max then pressed his hand through the drawn shadow seal. As he did, the seal expanded, then from the seal, a massive breath of flame with shadow as its outline emerged. The raging torrent of shadow-outlined flame roared and bellowed as it took form of a giant dragon, taking shape in the corporeal world with the raging flames as its body, ready to devour anything in its wake.
Axe immediately gathered his chains and spun it in front of him to form a defensive wall against it. But as the massive fire dragon closed in, he felt the heat slowly scorching his chain. And the sheer Nexus Energy of this magnitude was too much of a tall order for him to counter completely.
“AAAAARRRRGGGGGHHHHH….!!!â€
Like an small rock on a rapid, Axe was instantly swept away by the sheer power of the torrent of flame. He was sent flying at the very end of the warehouse, slamming his body to the wall. Upon impact, the torrent of flame immediately died down, leaving nothing but scorched metal in its after math. Axe had no choice but to use his Nexus Energy at the last second to protect himself from the attack, but the attack of that magnitude took a lot from him.
His Nexus Energy now drained, Axe pulled himself from the dent on the wall and just fell on his knees. He tried to stand up, but he knees immediately buckled, keeping him from even standing up. Max hurriedly ran to his aid, with Walter just a few steps behind him.
“Ah! Mr. Rossell, are you alright?â€
Despite being his adversary, Max immediately offered his hand to help Axe back up on his feet. His knees were still trembling from the shock of the impact. Walter also offered his hand and just help him sit down, since he was too shaken up to stand.
“Argh--ah… That was something, mate. That really was something. Ehehe…â€
Axe managed to let out a rather weak laugh and a wry smile. He did not seem to hold any grudges nor the audacity to bitterly sulk. In fact, he was more amazed with the result rather than angry or bitter. Through and through, he really was a laid-back guy.
“I’m so sorry I overdid it, Mr. Rossell.â€,
“Oh come on, mate. The Boss’ beatings were worse than this, I can manage. Heh…â€
Max was apologetic as always but Axe insisted that it was quite alright, brushing it off. Axe did have to admit, it had been a long time since anyone aside from the Boss has given him the fight of his life.
“I’ll have to be honest here, Axe. I may have silently misjudged you in terms of character. I thought you’re just playing the part of a nice guy, but I was wrong.â€
Walter just blurted it out loud, what he felt. He may have kept it to himself, but he thought it would be appropriate to come clean. Axe just burst in into a fit of chuckle to his honest statement.
“Ah… sorry to disappoint then, mate. But it’s alright, we get that all the time. Part of what comes with being an Alpha of the Delinquent Club. I just joined here so that I could make a difference, I always admired our club’s core values… Breaking the rules to constitute our own and make a difference.â€
===================
That was the number one tenet of the Delinquent Club: “Breaking the rules to constitute our own and make a differenceâ€. Meaning they were not living by their own rules so that they could do what they want, but so they could be a better person to themselves and to others. Hence why the Delinquent Club was a constant eye-sore to people who lives by the dictated status quo or hierarchy, they were the defying medium to topple the elitist way of life.
In Yorktown State University, this was the clear difference between delinquents and bullies. The delinquents, particularly the club members of the said club, lived by their own way of life and rules; they abide by their own code of honor and protect those whom were being oppressed by the elite. While school bullies were just plain jerks who want nothing but make their fellow students’ lives miserable; like Chipper and Brute to Walter in the past.
Although, when it comes to territory, if an uninvited guest is persistent on intruding, they would not hesitate to come at them with unrelenting hostility.
===================
Propping himself up, with the help of Walter, Axe got back up on his feet. He dusted himself up and again considered the two. From look of it, he seemed to have recovered some of his strength.
“Aye… I’m defeated. You guys can proceed. But be warned about the next guy. You’ll find him, not easy on the eyes that one. And he’s raring for a fight, most notably…â€
As he was giving an introduction, Axe’s gaze turned to Walter with a seemingly unusual grim expression. Walter just tilted his head, both curious and confused.
“I know who you are, mate-- Black-Armed Ace. You took out both of those nasties without squinting. Heh, the Boss was eager to meet you. And him…â€,
“But what does he want with me?â€
Walter asked, pressing Axe further for inquiries.
“Well, you know that the lot of us love a good fight right? That Filipino tosser was the textbook example of our characteristic. Heh… He always looks for fights--opponents that would give him a challenge even if its against the impossible. Hell, he was the one who always challenges the Boss into a fight, but always gets his behind handed to him on a silver plate. Maybe you could say it’s his fault that the Boss became too picky with fights.â€
As Axe told the two about him, he would smile and chuckle about it. He was telling them about him as if he was talking about a friend. But the fact that he would not be as kind as Axe, gave Walter a heads up.
“--Ever, since we watched that live feed, he’s been locked up in that warehouse for two days now. Training, I guess. Hehe… Tosser I say, but he’s our tosser. His name is Hernan Magtanggol, or ‘Inggo’ as me and Boss call him.â€
Now recovered enough strength, Axe lead the two to the other end of his warehouse and opened the exit. As the three went outside, another warehouse greeted them immediately as they stepped out. Although this one was quite larger than the last one, and just by looking at it, Walter felt a rather foreboding feeling about it.
“Well then, I guess I’ll be seeing you around, mates! Go right in, and just tell‘im I said ‘Hi!’â€
Axe said with his usual carefree expression, as he opened the large door. The two then just stepped inside, assaulted with a rather ominous atmosphere inside. Axe then closed the door behind them, then gave it two knocks as a way of saying good luck to the two.
-----------------------------------------------
As Walter and Max went inside the warehouse, a very notable feature of it, greeted them. Unlike the last one, this warehouse was completely empty. No shelves, no crates, no clutter were to be found as far as the eye can see.
The only things that were there were the light sources much brighter than the last one, a rather welcome improvement. The place was so empty that each step and breath they make seem to echo off the walls. It was quiet, but the solitude here was an uneasy one rather than a peaceful one. If this was a claustrophobic area, any normal individual would have lost their mind with this unnerving isolation.
As the two walked further in, they noticed someone sitting in the middle of the vast empty space. He was sitting on a cross-legged position, his eyes closed and seemed to be at rest, might be meditating. He sported a long, jet-black and straight hair about chin-length; he wore the standard uniform of the YSU but with a black blazer.
“...â€
The man then opened his eyes as he felt Walter and Max’s presence, especially Walter’s, then stood up. The two then stopped on their tracks, Max was already sweating beads because of the heavy atmosphere, in spite of the empty environment. While Walter still had that calm expression about him.
“You arrived. How unexpected. Here I was meditating upon my choices on finding you myself.â€
He spoke with a rather tranquil tone which surprised the two a little. They thought he would be more straightforward like those from outside.
“Ah, but where are my manners? I am Hernan Magtanggol. You stand here before an Alpha of our brotherhood--that means you seek the Boss’ audience.â€
Hernan spoke with a rather dignified and disciplined manner, although strict to a point.
“Then you must abide by our rite of passage, in order to gain her audience. And at the same time, I very much welcome the chance to challenge you, Black-Armed Ace.â€
He bowed before Walter, much to Walter and Max’s surprise. In his manner of speaking, he spoke like a disciplined martial arts student or maybe even an ascetic. His tone defines the state of peace of mind.
“Sigh… Well okay but-- …!â€
Before Walter could finish his sentence, he sensed an incoming blow flying at him. With a lightning-fast reflex, he caught it with his hand. It was a Nex Arm, a staff. And it aimed right at his forehead. Hernan’s long hair fluttered about as he delivered the blow, gazing at Walter with eyes burning with murderous intent.
The impact of the blow was massive and so sudden, that it gave Max little time to jump out of the way safely. It was so fast, it was like a sudden lightning strike. Max just landed on a crouching stance, grunting at the sudden shock.
“<This guy… Axe wasn’t kidding.>â€
Max just thought to himself. Although Axe already gave them the heads up as to whom and what kind of person they are going to deal with, this was still quite the shock. He said that Hernan would be less desirable than him, but he did not said that he was going to be impulsive. And from the looks of it, there was no room for talking anymore, Hernan was really raring to fight the so called “Black-Armed Aceâ€.
Immediately after that, Hernan rained a barrage of thrusts from his Nex Arm, an octagonal staff. Walter quickly primed his Nexus Energy and raised his invisible redirection armor. Using his lightning reflexes, he parried each thrust and evaded when he can.
“...Kh!â€
As Walter parried each blow, he could feel the weight of each attack as it hit him. Although he was reducing the impact, he felt like Hernan was not using a staff at all. He felt like he was being hit with a concrete pillar. The impact just boomed and echoed throughout the vast empty area.
As Hernan, thrust his staff forward, Walter caught the end with his hand. Immediately, Walter gripped it tight and with a heave, pulled his opponent close, overpowering him. Quickly balling his fist, he lands a clean hit right in the kisser.
“Uugh!â€
An audible grunt was heard as Hernan was sent sliding back by the sheer power of the blow. Before Walter could recover, his opponent spun around as he slid back. The staff then broke into three segments or sections, each was connected by a red luminescent thread, Hernan’s Nexus Energy. The overall length of it increased by two-fold.
“Hmph…!â€,
“Gh…!!!â€
Walter was hit on the thigh area, he was taken by surprise as Hernan jerked his tri-section staff aimed to Walter’s thigh. Then whipping, back and forth, Hernan continued his unrelenting strikes. Walter evading it with the full extent of his maneuverability and mobility.
He spun around and swung his weapon over and over, like a whirlwind. Walter and being pushed back, step by step. Hernan then shifted direction as he swung his tri-section staff overhead which Walter blocked then connecting a rapid corkscrew smash. The impact exploded as Walter blocked it, the weight of it felt like he was being beaten with a battering ram. The corkscrew smash’s impact literally cratered the floor that Walter was standing on.
But his opponent was not done, Hernan conjoined his staff again and used it to vault launch him into the air. Walter was still shaken by the power of that attack, quickly shook his head to focus.
“Haah..!!!â€
Hernan roared as he descended unto his opponent like a lightning strike from above, his staff trailed electricity. The staff’s end crashed directly at Walter’s forehead, planting him down to the ground. Walter then raised his arm and grabbed the staff, tightening his grip. Red hovering line vectors began to outline Walter’s body like an exoskeleton, same as the time when he fought the two supervillains.
Then using his raw strength, Walter lifted the staff with Hernan still holding it, trying to wrestle it out of his grip. Walter stood up and with the staff still in hand, he slammed Hernan to the ground then threw him away with a single heave. His opponent was sent flying at a great distance, almost hitting the other end of the area. Hernan’s body skidding through the pavement, leaving swaths of destruction in his wake.
“Overwhelming your opponent, before he makes his first move. Smart move.â€
Walter cracked his neck and knuckles, now that he’s prepped and primed for his opponent. He had to give his opponent some credit, and acknowledge his fault for letting his guard down at the beginning. Although he just sustained minimal damage, Walter had to admit that some of Hernan’s attacks were devastating enough to punch through his defense; but that won’t happen again, as Walter now had his wall of defense raised and reinforced.
Meanwhile, Max just stood there on the sidelines with an awe-stricken expression plastered on his face. The battle was both furious and just other-worldly, even for Nova like him. What caught his attention was, with Hernan’s attacks looking like they could level 5-story building, as if being hit by a wrecking ball in rapid succession. Walter just took the entire brunt of those attacks and was still standing strong.
“... … …â€
And with Walter’s redirection armor up, Max noticed that he too slid a step back. He saw it on Kurszt’s recorded live feed and was curious about it, but seeing it in person beheld a completely different impression. He could feel it, the resonating Nexus Energy channeling through those red vectors, it was enormous yet perfectly synced.
It was like from the time when Max saw Kurszt’s full Nex Frame, as he assumed his superhero persona, Ironclad. He remembered how much Nexus Energy being channeled through, it was like a torrent. But upon witnessing Walter’s, his was maybe even greater than Kurszt in his Ironclad form.
“Guh…â€
Hernan slowly stood back up and steadied his breathing. It looked like fatigue was almost catching up to him, but he would need to hold out much longer. He really went all out in his primary assault but failed to even deal considerable damage to Walter. He thought he could at least deal a crippling damage or wear him out enough to execute his trump card. But it just ultimately failed, now he would have to do it the hard way.
“...!â€
As he set his eyes forward, Hernan saw his opponent now assuming the form resembling what he saw on the Boss’ live feed. That means, it was time to pull out all the stops. If he recalled it correctly, with this form, Walter could redirect any impact and damage inflicted to its original source.
“Now… Seize the opportunity.â€
Hernan muttered, gazing upon his opponent with a new fire in his eyes. He raised his fist up and channeled his Nexus Energy unto it. A black imprint of a sun-like crest illuminated and drew on his fist. This was it, he was now ready to execute his Nexus Trait. Hernan then held his octagonal staff forward and channeled his Nexus Energy upon it, reinforcing its layer to increase the potency of his attacks.
“Hmph!â€
Bending his knees a bit, Hernan launched himself towards Walter with tremendous momentum. Walter balled his fists and prepared to meet him head-on. Using the built-up momentum, Hernan performed a lightning thrust with his staff but only to be clashed with Walter’s fist. As the fist and staff clashed, the supposed impact of Hernan’s staff exploded through his direction, breaking his sturdy stance.
Taking this opening, Walter slid his foot forward and unleashed a barrage of connecting punches right at his opponent. One, two, three, some of the punches landed on Hernan’s body; the liver, the gut, and the right shoulder. Hernan just gritted his teeth to endure the punches and quickly went on defensive. Breaking his staff into three conjoined segments, twirling it to parry the rest.
A close-quarter brawl, the only advantage Hernan had in this situation was that he was trained in Tai Chi and Wing Chun. But compared to Walter’s monstrous strength, speed and durability, not to mention his Nexus, it would only suffice as defense rather than offense. And those 3 punches were incredibly devastating, it maybe even equal to the Boss’ own.
As Walter was about to connect another punch from his barrage, Hernan seized the opportunity to perform a counter attack. Channeling his force through his footing, he stomped the ground as he moved forward. The force of the stomp was enough to induce and stone-shattering tremor.
“HAAAH!!!â€
With a war cry, Hernan charged and bashed his shoulder unto his opponent. The resulting impact was enough to push Walter back a few steps before his Redirection barrier reflects it back. Hernan saw it coming and quickly shifted his stance. Instead of meeting the redirected impact head-on, he used it to propel himself back. As he did, he reattached the three segments of his staff and channeled his Nexus Energy upon it. But instead of layer reinforcing, he focused it on a single point, on its tip into a sharp cone, turning it into a spear.
“Hmph! ORYAH!â€
Mustering all of his strength, Hernan launched and thrust his staff forward.
“Gh…!â€
Walter felt the weapon hitting squarely on his left thigh, before the redirection barrier completely reflects his back, sending his opponent sliding back. Hernan felt the ricocheted shock to the grip, his hands were shaking and unable to grip his weapon firmly. The redirected impact seemed to have damaged some of his forearm muscles, he really pushed himself hard on that attack.
“Guh…kh!â€
Fatigue finally caught up to Hernan, he could only prop himself up with his staff as he stood up. Even gripping his weapon felt painful, as if his forearm was being repeatedly stabbed by nails. He had to reroute his Nexus energy into healing his damaged forearm muscles but it would take some time. Walter then slowly approached his opponent, seemingly dealt a crippling injury.
“Are you sure you can still keep going? You pushed yourself too hard on that last attack.â€
Walter uttered in a calm manner. While he was concerned about Hernan, he kept his guard up for any surprise attacks he might pull and also kept his Redirection Armor up.
“Hmph… But that allowed me to complete the condition.â€
A slight smirked drew on Hernan’s face as he said it, which made Walter stopped on his tracks. Hernan then took stance, though not yet fully recovered, his pupils now glowing. His Nexus Trait now in effect.
“You see… This is my Nexus Trait--â€
He slammed the tip of his staff to the pavement, unleashing a shock wave of electricity throughout the entire area. Though harmless, it seemed to have illuminated the area slightly.
“--Pain Imprint!â€,
“GHAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRGGGHHH...!!!â€
Walter screamed as both his legs and head was suddenly assaulted with a sensation transcending beyond pain. The shock was so strong that it made him fell on his knees, writhing in sheer agony. He felt like his legs are being ripped apart sinew by sinew, and his head felt like it was going to split open like a coconut husk.
“Walter!!!â€,
“GH….RRRAAAAAAAHHAAAAAARRRGGHH…!!!â€
He again screamed twitching and squirming, as Max yelled his name in concern. The effect also had affected Walter’s Mantra Arm, as it began contorting violently. Its mechanism going haywire, the “Skin†formed by the device began folding into impossible directions like pierced shrapnel.
Hernan stood before him, easing his stance a bit to catch his breath for a few seconds as he watched Walter take the full effect of his Nexus Trait. And now without focus, Walter’s Redirection Armor dispersed and his Nexus Energy awry, leaving him vulnerable.
“This is my trump card for you, Black-Armed Ace.â€
He spun his staff and smashed it upwards, launching his opponent airborne. With a full-body spin, Hernan slammed his staff to his gut like a baseball bat. Walter was sent skidding through the pavement, he was still contorting in pain.
Hernan approached the suffering Walter slowly, taking his time on his assault. Max gritted his teeth as he saw the whole ordeal. He knew he was not supposed to interrupt, but he could not stand a scene like this. He wrestled upon thoughts on jumping in to Walter’s aid, by then he channeled his Nexus Energy from his hand as he dipped it in the shadows.
------------
???,???
Upon an unknown location, walls upon walls of calculations written on a great number of holo-console littered about the vast void of suspended time. They were arranged in a spiraling order, rotating slowly upon an epicenter, like a slow-moving whirlpool of data.
And from the vast shelves of data, a lone figure stood at its heart, the Woman in Red. She was working ever since her and Walter parted ways after the warehouse incident. Hours upon hours gathering, creating, comparing, and testing massive and vast array of data calculations. Computing 500 quadrillion calculations per second.
And all these data gathered were all about the nature of the Mantra, an omni-technology unpredictable enough even to those who embody it, one of those was the Woman in Red. Or as Walter like to call her: Atha.
Since that incident, half of these myriad of data were regarding on the case of Walter’s Mantra Arm. She was formulating and testing probabilities how the Mantra itself chose a mortal soul like Walter. And more importantly, how can it bond and assimilate with him.
“...?â€
Suddenly multiple klaxons buzzed through the holo-monitors. It was from the observation console, Atha was closely monitoring Walter’s Mantra behavior for any unusual change in activity. And it seems now that she has spotted one.
“Th-This is…â€
Atha quickly brought up the observation monitor and enlarged it before her. A series of read-outs began populating the screen, Atha furiously typed through the holo-console and determine the readings.
“The assimilation is moving on accelerated rate!â€
As she brought up the display on the monitor, she just paused typing to what laid out before her.
“The Mantra Particles are assimilating his legs and his brain I must--what?â€
Atha was about to leave to see the situation herself, when she suddenly saw the recent read-outs. The sub-atomic links to the assimilation seemed to be normal and it was establishing a perfect link between the Mantra Particles. In other words, the Mantra was actually acting as an anti-body, evolving into Walter’s own defense mechanism, or the Mantra itself was accepting him.
“...â€
She slumped back and watched the process unfold before her, she was at a disbelief. Eons of existing, and this was the first time she had seen something like this. Atha went back and pulled up a holo-console and typed in a myriad of data. She then integrated the Finite Nullifier unto the assimilation, as means of contingency. After all, the Mantra was still unpredictable to a fault.
Before you know it, she was back to her calculations. And with this new development, it just means now that she has lot of new work to be done.
--------------------------------
One merciless beating after another, Walter continued to writhe and squirmed in pain to the effect of Hernan’s Nexus. He could not think, nor could he retaliate, the pain has rendered him vulnerable in every way possible. He was now practically drooling, muscles violently convulsing and he felt every vector of his vein was filled with scorching hot lead.
“...â€
Hernan approached Walter with a deadpan expression on his face. It seems like he has already spent out the last of fire a few moments ago. The so called “Black-Armed Ace†now reduced to a convulsing and helpless individual. In a way, he may not voice it, Hernan was disappointed with this outcome. In his mind, maybe showing off his trump card was too much.
“Forgive me, but I would have to oppose the Boss’ notion of giving you that title... Black-Armed Ace.â€
He knelt down and grabbed Walter’s face with his entire hand and lifted him up. His feet a few centimeters above ground, as he raised the convulsing and rather fragile frame of Walter. Effortlessly, he spun him around and threw Walter’s body away from him. Then, not even waiting for him to touch the ground, Hernan launched himself towards him and performed a lightning thrust directly to his chest. The impact of the blow sent Walter skidding through the end of the Warehouse.
“You have suffered enough pain… Let me end this as dignified as possible. Nothing less for a worthy opponent.â€
Hernan took stance with his octagonal staff and began channeling massive amount of Nexus Energy upon it. As he did, his staff illuminated, taking shape of a harpoon. It was buzzing huge amount of power, its audible hum reverberated across the area.
“Tch…â€
Max could not simply let this stand any longer. He had to help Walter or else, everything that Kurome and them ever worked hard for will be shattered before their very eyes. From his hands, he produced a fan of Shadow Kunai. He planned that if he performs this last attack, Max would immediately jump in to Walter’s aid.
“...!!â€,
“Huh--!â€
The two suddenly turned both their gazes upon Walter’s seemingly unconscious body. His right arm, the Black Mantra Arm, began reconstituting itself. As its hand balled and clenched into a fist, a shock wave boomed as Walter closed his black fist.
The assimilation now began crawling on both his legs, transforming it into the likeness of his Mantra Arm. The Finite Nullifier began forming on his legs as it assimilated his slacks and shoes into armored plates, turning it into mechanical greaves and landings. While his arm seem to have “evolved†and changed into a rather different form, with an added bio-mechanical bulk into it.
As the assimilation completed, Walter slowly stood up. He seemed to be still under the effect of Hernan’s Nexus Trait. But from what it looked like, the pain seemed to have stopped bothering him. The intense shock induced by the effect, completely nullified and rendered useless.
“Hmm…â€
Walter cracked his neck and looked at his Arm and Leg’s new form. And his prior bruises were completely healed, thanks to the Mantra’s augmentation. And he felt an overflowing power of his Nexus energy rushing unto every vein in his body, Walter smirked as he felt more energetic than before.
“Walter!â€,
“That’s… Impossible!â€
Hernan was left in shock while Max was practically in glee that he could jump in and hug Walter himself. Walter turned his gaze towards Hernan, illuminated by the glint of a new resolve and power. His gaze was so sharp that it could cut a stone like butter, it even made Hernan take two steps back.
“Hmm!â€
Walter flexed his Mantra Arm, and in an instant, he dispelled the effect of Hernan’s Nexus Trait on him. The latter just had his eyes wide in shock, could not even utter a word to express his disbelief. Slowly, Walter approached Hernan with a rather casual pace and yet his eyes sparkling a glint of challenge.
“Tch…! I still have my last card! You may have dispelled my imprint, but it is too late for you to--huh!? …!â€
Hernan readied his staff now primed with Nexus Energy but as Walter approached, he bent his knees a bit and with an instantaneous speed, he appeared in front of Hernan. Hernan immediately thrust his glowing staff, filled to the brim with Nexus Energy. But as he did, Walter disappeared again in an instant.
Walter slid behind his opponent, with his fist now fully winded up. As Hernan noticed, he turned around to see the fist now flying towards his face, he had no time to block or counter it. The shock of his opponent’s speed just froze him in place.
Then as Walter’s fist drew closer, Walter stopped it just 3 inches away from contact. The impact exploded with massive jet stream of kinetic force that instantly toppled half of the entire warehouse. Punching a massive hole through 2 of the neighboring warehouses up to the abandoned construction district, which was over half the half acre of the entire school’s land in distance.
That raw power Walter just exhibited at that moment was truly terrifying. In a blink of an eye, with one fell swoop, he destroyed an area almost half a city block. And that was a pulled punch, what more could he have dealt if that was a full-force punch, Max could not even imagine the potential devastation.
Max and Hernan was left speechless by the power demonstrated by Walter. If he did not stopped that blow, it would have blown Hernan’s head right off, or maybe pop his entire physical body right into a cellular level. Walter just patted his shoulder and smiled, the latter then just slumped and fell on a kneeling position.
“I concede. You have defeated me. You truly are worthy of such title.â€
Receding his Nexus Energy imbued on his staff, Hernan just announced his defeat openly. The clear difference in power was right in front of him. Even though he was known for being stubbornly persistent even to charge into fights with impossible outcomes, seeing how colossal the difference is between him and Walter was a different story. This was the first time that he had to stand down and put aside his warrior pride to acknowledge defeat.
“I have been fighting losing battles and still persist until a clear result is shown before me. That is because most of my opponents never had the gall to fight to their fullest extent. You, Black-Armed Ace, were the only one whom had fought me to an extent far dwarfs mine. I thank you for acknowledging my fighting spirit. Sa iyo ko ipaparaya ang tagumpay.†(I entrust this victory unto you)
He stated as he kept himself knelt down, paying his respects to Walter. The latter was no less flattered by the gesture. Walter bent down and again placed his hand on his shoulder, gesturing him to stand up.
“I can see that. You went as far as to push your body to its limits just so you can perform your trump card. If I was in your shoes, I would have done the same. Raise you head, I’m not really worthy of such respect I have yet to earn. I knew, that you are fighting not for your own, but for everything that your club stood for--â€
Walter reached his hand to Hernan and helped him get up on his feet. The latter grabbed it firmly and stood up; he dispersed his Nex Arm as he did, easing his stance.
“--because like you, we are fighting not just what we stood for, but also to protect everyone from discriminant and unjust ideals.â€
He said with a tempered conviction, emphasizing how similar their objectives were. It was then Hernan realized that they were not here to challenge their club’s integrity but to forge an alliance. Hernan closed his eyes and slightly chuckled at the thought, not in a mocking manner.
“Walter…!!! You did it! You did it! Aha--hahaha!â€,
“Uh--whoa!â€
Max just went right in and threw himself unto Walter’s arms, wrapping his arms over his shoulders. He was overjoyed and ecstatic at the moment, that he did not even realized what he was doing. Max was basically clinging unto Walter’s tall frame.
“Ahaha-- whoa!â€,
“Ah~ you were so awesome~ Hehe…â€,
“Uh-- <what the hell?>â€
Walter was about to laugh it off and tease him, but he quickly noticed Max voice (particularly his tone) seemed to shrink a bit. But what disturbed him was how soft and warm was his embrace. Then seconds later, Max’s eyes sprung wide-open and their gazes met.
“AAAHH!!! S-sorry! I’m sorry! Um… Uh… Umm… Well I got carried away and--and---â€
Max jumped away as quickly as he jumped in prior. His entire face, from his neck was burning and was bright crimson as if little puffs of steam were coming out of his ears, thoroughly flustered. Walter just scratched his head and flashed a wry smile, unsure of what to say in this situation.
“Oy…! Mates!â€,
“Ah! Mr. Rossell! <Thank goodness!>â€
Saving the situation, Axe arrived at the scene waving his hands towards them a-jolly. Max quickly diverted the attention towards him, while Walter now furiously scratching his head on how fast Max changed the subject and his expression. A complete 180 in an instant.
Axe thought he drop in and watch the match, but it seemed to be over already so he just called them from afar. As he approached them, he saw the destruction dealt by the fight. He whistled as he stared at it in awe, he could only guess that Walter did all this.
“Ah! There you are, mates! I guess I don’t need to figure out who won. You alright there, Inggo?â€,
“Yes. I am satisfied.â€,
“Eh…??? Satisfied? Hold on--really? Am I hearing this right or did my eardrums got injured in my battle?â€
Blinking rapidly, and clearing his ears with his pinky finger, Axe was at a loss for words. To hear his colleague say this, the one who loves to fight, satisfied? He felt like he was talking to a different person.
“Yes, you are hearing it right.â€
Hernan responded with a straightforward manner, and Axe just shrugged.
“I think they have surpassed the rite, they are ready to meet the Boss.â€,
“With flying colors! We’ll just dilly-dally along the way. The Boss will need to entertain you. Follow along, mates!â€
Now with the full blessing of the two Alphas of the Delinquent Club, Axe prompted the two to follow them. They exited through the collapsed warehouse and went around it, making their way towards the open area of the annex, where they walked prior to meeting Axe.
Meanwhile along the way, Walter receded his evolved Mantra Arm and legs reverting them back into its dormant state. Though, he was unsure whether to call it Mantra Arm anymore since the assimilation now encompassed even both his legs. It still felt like normal legs, and he even felt lighter as he walked that he felt like he was gonna walk into the air if he kept up with the pace.
He pondered for a bit, how did the fight earlier accelerated the assimilation. Thinking back on it, he figured when the Finite Nullifier on his arm went haywire, it must have loosened its restraints on it. But why the legs and not the torso first?
“<Ah… I wish Atha was here. I wonder what she’s doing now?>â€
Walter’s thoughts suddenly drifted from one thing after another, while still walking with Max along with the Alphas of the Delinquent Club. As they reached the open area, members of the club that came their way began following them from behind. Until it gathered quite a huge crowd following them.
Max noticed and looked back the crowd of delinquents trailing them. Since the Alphas were with them, it must have been paramount for the entire club to follow along. And they were finally meeting their Boss or club president.
The crowd along with Walter and Max followed along as they made their way towards the abandoned construction complex, just beyond the School Warehouse Annex.
--------------------
Pineswood Metro Zone, Route 16 Highway
Along the long-winded road, a lone Metro Transit rode through the quiet night. Upon this transit sat a lone figure from the furthest seat on the back. The lone figure was but a little girl, peering through the window with her head resting atop her hand, watching numerous trees and structures flew past her line of sight.
Here on Pineswood Metro Zone, forests and vegetation were well-preserved by its government. It had been one of the many tourist attractions here. Along with its wild life, nature was preserved and protected. Even with today’s advanced technology ruling all over the world, there were still some areas, such as Pineswood, where nature is still alive and blooming.
“...â€
The little girl pulled her unusually long sleeves and gazed on her watch. She looked at the two large bags sitting beside and across her seat, filled with her personal belongings. She brushed her brunette fringe to the side to the back and then tied it and clipped it with her favorite band and clip.
From inside her coat, she pulled out a folded piece of paper and unfurled it. The paper contained a hand-written complete address, and a label that says: “Olven Residenceâ€. The little girl reached again inside her coat and this time, pulled an old photo.
She sighed as she gazed on the photo. A wave of nostalgia immediately washed over her emotions, feeling warmth in this cold night. It was a picture of two families together, then at the center, stood a very young Walter with a big smile; and beside him, a tyke on diapers sucking on a baby mouth piece.
“I can’t wait… Big Brother.â€
She whispered, a smile slowly curled up on her face as the transit zoomed past a road sign that says: “Yorktown Metro Zone 10kmâ€.
------------------------
Abandoned Construction Complex, Excavation Site
A few minutes worth of walking and hiking, they arrived at a huge excavation site. The site itself was the size of the gymnasium at their school. As they arrived, the following crowd finally split with them and stood by their place around the site. From what it looks like, the site itself looked like a makeshift gladiatorial arena.
Then from the far side of the site, from atop the crane tower, lied the Boss of the delinquent club. The Boss lied at the top of the driver’s cabin just looking at the stars from high up. The Boss was completely on a state of relaxation as if in the midst of meditation. Then as the Boss turned head towards to the left. The Boss saw 4 persons entering the territory.
She quickly got up and stood, her figure still enveloped by the shade of the night. As she observed more intently, she instantly recognized the ones leading, her Alphas. With a scoff, she cracked her neck and prepared to go down from this multi-story height.
“Well mates, here we are. This is as far as we can take you.â€
Axe and Hernan just stopped in the middle of the vast site. Max searched left and right, but saw no one in sight, other than all the club members gathered on the far sidelines.
“But… I don’t see anyone.â€
Max still was searching for this so called “Bossâ€. Axe and Hernan looked at each other and nodded, then promptly backed up a few steps and walked away from each other to make way… for someone. Walter looked up as he felt someone was about to make a grand entrance, Max followed his gaze and was shocked at the display.
BOOM!
“Uwaah…!â€
[The Boss' Theme Song]
Max was blown away, sliding through the dirt; as something or someone just landed a few meters away from them. As this someone landed on their feet, an explosion of shock wave followed and the weight of the impact cratered the ground.
As both Hernan and Axe prepared to make their introduction, the Boss slowly approached the her two guests. As she approached, Max felt a powerful presence resonating on her. This feeling of both dread and vehemence, truly a fearsome figure. He could only know the reason why she called the Boss.
“Alright mates, it has been a long time coming. Let me introduce to you both our Boss.â€,
“She is the core, heart and soul of this club--â€
Both Alphas spoke about her with both fear and respect. Her steps seem to echo a bit as clumps of dust scatter with each of her step. Carrying a large metal bat with what it seemed like nails that dot its end.
Her long jet-black hair fluttered with the chilling breeze, along with her long, makeshift white belted overcoat. She was slim but her body was ripped with muscles; her body was riddled with scars she sustained through countless battles, and her face had two scars that intertwine from her left temple to her chin, then across her cheekbones. Underneath her open overcoat she only wore a bandage covering her chest and revealing her mid-riff. She also wore a loose cargo pants, almost like a hakama secured and fastened by 2 belts on her hip and two on her left thigh.
“She is one of the Three Goddesses, three of the strongest of the female student body, the Goddess of Fury--â€,
“Our Boss--â€,
As both Alphas were about to reveal her name. Walter stepped forward and interrupted the two.
“--Virgilia De Lune. It’s been a long time.â€,
“â€â€â€¦!!!â€â€â€
Walter, greeted her in a rather casual and informal way and waved his two fingers at her. All three of them was taken aback when Walter just casually blurted out her name. The way he said it, the tone and everything felt like Walter had known her for a long time. As a matter of fact.
“W-W-Walty…?â€
Virgilia stuttered, her lips trembling. She just stopped on her tracks, wide-eyed and flustered. The sudden recognition, almost made her drop her metal bat. The Alphas looked at their boss even more shocked with the sudden behavior change like they were seeing her for the first time. Adding to the fact that she called him by his nickname and not his actual name.
“Uh… Walter doe she know you--or do you… know her?â€
Max craned his neck and leaned in to whisper unto Walter’s ear.
“Yeah… she’s…â€
Walter took a deep breath.
“--my childhood friend.â€
To be continued...