CLANK

“Ugh!!!” Takuya grunted as he held his arms in pain. Over and over again he ran his newly empowered blades through his colossal target yet,

“Not a single mark or dent?” He exclaimed trying to calm his shaking hands. His knives that no longer broke immediately upon impact, every contact made brought extreme feedback of vibrations that spread violently from his connected weapon to his entire body causing his arms to go numb. It was like hitting solid metal, but what he could not understand was how it was possible. The creature’s skin, blacken and giving off a pungent scent of burning flesh that could easily turn a person’s stomach inside out, was no different from the multitude of monsters he had ran his blades through before.

From physical contact made he was able to confirm it was pure flesh yet the same weapons that ripped through the others like so much silk skin tofu had no reaction. Every sense and all his experiences told to him such a thing just shouldn’t be but no matter his attempts, his attacks were thoroughly resisted and he could not inflict any damage.

“What the hell is this thing made of?!” He grasped the black blades in his hands so tightly they were leaving deep impressions onto his palms. Anger and frustration, overtaking him as he glared at the monster towering over them that had not given a single glance to his direction this entire time. As if there has not been even a lick acknowledgement of his attacks nor his existence, that he was so insignificant in this struggles he was not even worth the distraction.

WHAM

The impact of the President’s fist colliding with Armadat’s body sent it sliding back, but only slightly as it quickly reposition for another coming attack.

SLASH

And from the air came another destructive sound as Ryuuko’s mighty blade made contact with the creature’s equally mighty shield, the screeching howls of heavy metal scrapping together that sent waves of devastation blowing across the entire land. The aftermath of connection from the young girl’s blade slid past her massive target and tore apart the grounds where they stood.

“HAAAAAAH!!!” She screamed, the engines on her weapon roared again. Doubling her efforts she further forced her blade down, the thrusters letting out an explosive burst as she attempted to break through her opponent’s defenses but no matter the amount of force she applied to her attack, the shield blocking her did not falter. Still standing firm, with her attack held as easily as one might still a flying sword, she was unable to pierce Armadat’s defenses.

“TAKATORA WATCH OUT!!”

The warning broke her fixated clash. From the corner of her eyes, she saw the speeding flash of the spear and her weapon reversed its blast, pushing her out of the way from the incoming thrust. Ryuuko barely avoided the attack but even when she was thrown back, the cackling flames that clung to the weapon still was able to touch her her and in a blink of an eye spread throughout her entire body, covering her in a giant ball of white blaze.

“AAAAHHHHH!!!!” She shrieked as she felt the searing flames engulf her body. Immediately responding to her peril her weapon exhausted itself, the thrusters releasing a large burst of air and quickly blew away the flames before it could penetrate deeper into her skin. However the moment the fire was extinguished came another, as the enemy’s shield she had tried to push down rebounded and smashed back into her, slamming her from the air back to the ground like an insect being swatted down.

BAM

“Ahh...!”

Trying her best to endure the pain even as she crashed, her struggle to control her disorientation caused her to stumble. Knowing a followup is coming she forced herself back up as fast as she could and, as she predicted, her opponent was readying for a third attack. But before it could be launched, her clubmates sprung to her rescue. The flashing of sharp blades and screeching of metal from Takuya as he flew across the giant body, his knives still unable to inflict any real damage, but his extreme movements were enough to disrupted its concentration long enough for the President to also make his move, shooting his fist directly at its skull. The shattering blow forced Armadat back, leaping away from them and once again from the bolts of electricity that flew towards where it landed, keeping back as they let lose a rupturing battle cry.

“Ryuuko! Are you alright?!” Juntaro’s phone flew to where the heavily breathing girl was, scanning her for damage. Although the fire was extinguished almost immediately, Ryuuko was still covered in various first and second degree burns throughout her body. “Hold on! I should be able to force my system to a lower temperature, enough to cool off the worst of the burns.”

“T-thank you, senpai.” Ryuuko coughed, trying to catch her breath as her upperclassmen’s phone circled around her, letting out cooling jets that stinged but assisted in alleviating her pains.

“Even with the four of us, is it not enough?” Takuya panted as he and the president appeared to her, both of them sweating profusely and also struggling for breaths.

“Yes, it’s durable. Unbelievable so. I do not believe we are harming her.” Kenjirou cursed underneath his breath as he too looked down to see his shaking hands before clenching his fists. “How is she this powerful? Or are we still just too weak?”

A look of downcast spread to the boys’ face as the hopeless thoughts invaded their mind. Even after all that has happened, they were unable to make a turnaround in their long struggle against the daunting being before them.

“Don’t give up! A little more. Just a little more!” Ryuuko encouraged as she stood back up. The wounds of her body were slowly healing with each deep breath she took. The engine of her giant blade hummed as she carefully drove it to the ground and look towards the two boys with a face full of confidence. “If we continue to work together, I’m sure we will win. I know we can!”

“Hmph, indeed. We’ve already come this far, stopping now is not an option.” Kenjirou grunted as he adjusted his glasses. He cracked his knuckles before getting back to a fighting stance. “If it really is just a little more, as you say Takatora, then let’s give the last push.”

“Is this really all it’s coming down to? A test of endurance between us and that damn thing?! Dammit, dammit! Fine! I’ll keep going until I rip her apart!” Takuya gritted his teeth as he also took back a stance, forcing his trembling arms back to normalcy.

Everyone stared toward Armadat, eyes unblinking as they watched it effortlessly stood back up. Then, came something baffling that broke their composure as they watched it reached out its shielded limb and did an unexpected gesture; the movements resembling a beckoning towards them.

“Hey…Hey! You’ve got to be kidding me. That thing…did she really just…?!” Rage flared within Takuya when he saw what can be taken without mistake to be a taunt. “I will destroy her!!”

“Mindless, huh? Annoying.” The president growled, baring his teeth as he clutched his fist so hard blood poured from his nails ripping into his skin, his face turning into a look of murderous scowl.

“Ah! W-wait! Don’t fall for her provocation!” Ryuuko pleaded but her words went unheard by the two boys who were already set to move.

“Nothing like smashing your head on to a brick wall until either you or it break, eh? But even if you keep smashing as hard as you can, you won’t force a change I’ll tell you that right now.” Juntaro said as he floated in front of everyone just as they were to charge, his appearance stopping them in their tracks. “Why don’t we all just take a quick second to re-evaluate our plan of attack, hmm?”

“Senpai, why the hell are you so calm?!“ Takuya spat. “Get out of my way!”

“I am? Huh, guess I am. Ha ha ha, looks I’m the cool-headed one right now, aren’t I?” He laughed in response. “Or could it be that I’m just the same and it is you guys who are losing your heads right now? Again, how about we take a quick second to re-think running in and getting butchered?”

SNAP

From his floating phone came a flash of bright light, that of a simple shutter from its camera. The two boys recoiled from the sudden light, it surprising them and breaking their concentrated movements, dumbfounding them as they shook themselves from the sudden flash.

“Huh? Wha-?” Takuya said as he placed his hand on his throbbing head.

“Fascinating. So, like a double edge it does intensifying the more primal emotions. The longer one stays like this…hmm…I’m going to have to make a note of this for further studies later.” Juntaro mumbled as he scratched his chin curiously.

“Mitsuhide, what are you talking about? Ugh…” The president asked as he shook to clear his head. There was a strange feeling, as if he had been in a daze moment earlier even as he was standing with awareness of everything he was doing.

“Feeling better? Ready to use your heads again?”

“Senpai, t-thank you.” Ryuuko said with a breath of relief.

“We’re going to have a discussion about this later when we get the chance but for now, here!” He pulled out multiple screens from his device filled with information for the group to see.

“While you were all madly hitting that thing, I took the opportunity to gather as much data as I could. As you might know she is able to go invisible, somehow hiding from my scanners and only when being struck does she actually show up. Of course, I’ve also been trying to attack as well, for all the good it would’ve done but...tsk.” He said, clicking his tongue in frustration. “Thanks to my newly upgraded system, I was able to compile all of this within the small amount of time we’ve been fooling around with her. Amazing, isn’t it?”

“Senpai, unless this is going to help me to shove a knife into her and split her in half, this is a waste of time. Just cut to the chase and tell if you found any weakness or not and spare us your nonsense. We don’t have time for this!” Takuya said angrily as he waved the screens away from his face.

“Tch, damn kid. Are you stupid or just stupid? Take a look at my data first at the very least will you?!”

“What the hell are you even...huh?!” He suddenly went quiet as he took a closer look and realized what his senior meant. “This is...”

“And you’re supposed to be the observant one. This is what happen when bravado and plain idiocy overtakes your reasoning, dummy.”

“Y-you…! S-shut up!!!” Takuya sputtered, his face red with both anger and embarrassment.

“Anyway, forgetting about him. Kenjirou, you got this don’t ya?”

“Yes. That thing, her body. It’s similar to Takatora’s from before when she lost control.” The president answered as he carefully looked over the information given to him. “A swarming mass of constantly shifting cells.”

“Eh?!” Ryuuko let out an utterance of surprise from the revelation.

“Bingo. Although, there is a slight difference. While Ryuuko’s before was more along the lines of a chaotic mess struggling to stay together and if we hadn’t stopped her, she would’ve eventually broken down, this on the other hand is the opposite. It’s…astounding.” He said with awe. “What we’re seeing is an organism that has the ability to control every cell in her body in such a way that defies the very basis of biology. I’ve ran a bunch of scans and can confirm that every part of her body can freely move from one part to another, easily reallocating and shifting away any damage inflicted upon itself in a truly spectacular fashion.”

“In other words, no matter how much we try we can not harm her.” Kenjirou said with a grimace.

“She also has no internal structures. While not hollow, her body is purely muscle tissues and condensed cells so even if you do tear into her, she won’t suffer any lasting effects. Plus, her cellular movements is so extreme she can regenerate near endlessly and almost instantly from any sort of anomalies. I’m just going to tell you now, even if there was a thousand of us attack her all at the same time it still won’t be enough. And that’s not taking into account another thing.”

“She’s…she’s just muscle tissue and pure flesh? Then, why? Why is it that every time I make contact with her there is a feeling of metal?” Takuya questioned.

“So, you’ve noticed? Yes, her entire body is flesh except for one part. There; on her left arm where her shield is. From there I am detecting traces of metal elements. I’ve tried scanning for what type of metal it is, but nothing is coming up from my database for any known discoveries. However, it is metal of a sort or at least have the same properties as one. It doesn’t seem natural to her body but at the same time it, along with her weapons, are a part of her which means that she is able to manipulate it all the same.” He answered. “So just like the rest of her cells she is able to shift it to any part of her body at any moment, turning it into a nigh impregnable carapace that none of our tools we brought in from Artificial have any hope to pierce.”

“That’s impossible.” Takuya uttered as he looked down at his own weapons. With Juntaro’s explanation he finally understood as he stared at the black blades attached to his hands, matching the beat to his heart and keeping to every pulse from him as if alive. “Then what are we supposed to do?! Are we to just give up?!”

We can’t! If we give up now, we’re all dead. And then...all the people in Artificial will be next.” Ryuuko protested. “We can’t...we mustn’t lose here. Everyone’s lives, they’re all at stake. There has to be something we can do!”

Once again, a grim outlook spread to the group as they arrived at such another impasse. Each turning to the other, hoping that one another would have a solution but there was only silence as they could only grit their teeth with frustration to the idea of both their futility and helplessness.

“Uhh…there is one other thing. If you don’t mind me breaking the mood.” Juntaro suddenly said, raising his hand to the tense moment. Everyone turned back him with impatience.

“Mitsuhide! Do you have a plan?!”

“Huh?! K-kind of. Yeah!”

“Then what are you waiting for?! This is no time to be shy, senpai! Ours and everyone else's lives are on the line right here!” Takuya scolded.

“Okay! Okay! While yes, trying to fight against that thing is impossible by all conventional and logical sense, there are some points of interest I have found. Not so much weakness; her defensive capability is flawless and any attempt to face her head on is a fool’s errand, I have found some disparities among her biological functions.”

“Disparities? What do you mean Mitsuhide-senpai?” Ryuuko asked.

“As I said about the metal element not being a natural part of her body it means to defend, she has to shift the metal from her shield to that specific part of her body. However, when that happens it isn’t a permanent merge of her cells and the metal. Instead, it is closer to a momentary shift where she gains temporary armoring to ward off the coming attack and afterwards the metal will return to its original position, the shield, always. Because of this it is much more unstable and, compared to when it is condensed at its original position, it is not as strong. I mean, it is still really damn strong, but unlike her shield, there is a higher possibility to break through her armor with a powerful enough attack.”

“A momentary shift. Senpai, how fast does she react? If one is fast enough, could we not also break through?” Takuya asked, scratching his head.

“If you’re thinking of suppressing her with speed, I’d say forget it. Not unless you can move near light speed, because that’s how fast her cellular movement is. It is near instantaneous and can reach any and every part of her body at any moment. The reaction itself is practically autonomous from my scans, the moment any contact is made it forms and then reforms. It’s why I said that even if there were a thousand of us attacking her, it wouldn’t work.”

“Near light speed, huh? …I wonder can that be done?” Takuya was silent for a moment before seriously pondering the possibility.

“Ugh. Stop holding on to the idea that you’re the fastest. Human-wise perhaps, but you should’ve all known that I’m the one who’s the fastest among us. Me! I’m a being of energy. Did you all forget that huge fact?!” Juntaro exclaimed in annoyance.

“Ah! That’s right senpai! You said before that you can travel through electronic waves at a speed faster than even a blink of an eye! But didn’t you say that it’s dangerous, even for you?” Ryuuko said, remembering what she was told before.

“Don’t tell me you’re building up to say you’re the only one with the power to defeat her?” The president said with a concern tone in his voice. “Mitsuhide, I glad to know that you’ve gain the ability to fight, as well as supporting us, but don’t do anything stupid.”

“Whoa there, big guy. L-let’s not get crazy. I’m glad to be considered and being able to do something other than watch is great and all, but there is no way I’m a match for that thing.” He chuckled in response. “None of us are. Well except for one person. You, Ryuuko!”

“Huh?! Me?”

“More specifically, it’s that weapon of yours. I wish I had more time to analyze and speak about it, but in short that weapon of yours is the only thing capable of having lasting effects on her. While you were fighting her earlier, I was able to pick up the moments you landed direct hits on her and confirmed that your weapon, and yours alone, is the only thing that could exceed her cellular manipulations.” He said while pointing at her through his screen, brimming with excitement. “It’s amazing and frightening how sharp the edge of your blade is. It is moving at such a high frequency that I believe if any of us touch it, we’d be ripped to shreds in an instant. Down to our very atoms. Your blade, if it to make contact with her exposed body even if she tries to armor herself with the metal elements, will tear through her defenses like nothing, separating the two elements and is why you’re the only one to ever be able to wound her and why she has to put her shield up towards you. If you have a clean shot, you can definitely take her out”

“She must also know this. To expect a clean shot would be impossible since if none of us are strong enough to do damage to her, she would only have to focus on Takatora alone while ignoring the rest of us.” Kenjirou growled. “Our plan of attack we must find a way to have her lower her guards, then have Takatora rush in for the finishing blow. If we can pin her down, even if just her left arm, that should be enough.”

“Easier said than done, Prez. She’s the size of a building and there being only 4 of us, 3 of us actually able to even do anything remotely possible like physically holding on to her, and if Takatora is to only focus on taking her down, then it’s just you and me. Even as just meat shields we won’t be enough.” Takuya sighed “The situation just keeps getting better.”

“Meat shields.., p-please don’t say that! There’s no way I will allow such a thing!” Ryuuko nervously protested.

“Ah, sorry. But it still stands that there is nothing the rest of us can do, even as distractions.”

“Mitsuhide, you mentioned you had a plan. What is it? Will it work?”

“Well, that would depend. Are you willing to listen?”

“Senpai, this isn’t the time to suddenly be modest or self-conscious, even if about damn time. If you got anything at all, we’re open to it regardless of it’s absurdity. It’s not as if all of this can get any more weird or more dangerous than it already is. We’ve long passed that point. If you have something, anything, then just spit it out!” Takuya said, his voice in a growing tone of impatience. “Every single moment we spend yapping, we’re wasting what little is left of our precious time and we’re further running out of options.”

“So, I’m guessing I can take your words as a preemptive agreement then. I’m not going to let you back out, just so you know.” Juntaro said. He spoke with a devious smile yet Takuya as he read his lips, he was easily able to see the seriousness of his words.

“Y-yeah, yeah. Stop being so overdramatic and just let us in on your fantastic plan.” He responded in agreement yet moments after he spoke those words he immediately regretted it as he felt a sudden chill.

“Goodie. Then hold still.” The wires from the floating cellphone extended and sparked violently as he got close to Takuya who strongly recoiled back.

“W-w-what the hell are you doing?!”

“I’m going to administer to you a minor voltage. Not enough to kill you, I hope, but just enough to electrically charge you. Don’t worry, it’ll just tingle a little...probably.”

“You’re doing what?!” Not able to get away, the wires grabbed him and released a powerful shock onto him that was distributed throughout entire body.

BZZZT

“Mitsuhide!!”

“Senpai! What are you doing?!

“Might want to stay back! The electric field is highly unstable and any slight friction from any of you can set it off.” He warned, stopping the other two from getting any closer. “Takuya, you’re the only one fast enough on foot to deliver this along with the rest of your attacks to that thing. As your arms are connected to those metal knives of yours right now it’ll act as a conductor allowing the charged flow from you to another upon contact, especially if they’re also a combine of metal and flesh. You’re a smart kid, you know exactly where I’m going with this don’t you?”

“YOU...YOU...ASSHOL-GAAAH!” Falling to his knees, he struggled to catch his breath. His body twitched uncontrollably to the twinge of electrical currents that was running through him.

“Whoa, your hair is still staying the same. That’s awesome!”

“J...jerk! I’m not g-g-going to forget this, you h-h-hear me!!”

“Oh, save it. Ryuuko, do you still have my coilgun? Please tell me you do.”

“Huh? Y-yes! I have it right here.” She answered as she pulled the out the makeshift weapon that was still strapped to her leg despite the rough struggles.

“Nice! I was right to entrust you with my precious invention. I’m going to need you to break it apart and remove the main frame. The back part basically, where I had installed.

“Umm...okay?” Ryuuko tried to follow his instructions but was lost as she fumbled with the small firearm in her left hand before the president finally took it from her and easily broke it apart.

“Give it here.”

CRACK

“Take it easy Kenjirou, don’t smash the entire thing. I still need the electromagnetic circuits to be functional. Ah, but what a terrible sight. To see all my hard-work and effort broken away like so. I’ll just have to fix and improve on it later once I get the chance.”

“An electromagnet? What do you hope to do with this?” Kenjirou asked as he carefully held the removed parts in his hands, curious with what his friend had in mind.

“That thing serves as a terminal for me, even taken apart like that. The gun is simple but its firing mechanism is due to me operating it from the inside. The electromagnet...we don’t really have time to for a full-on lecture about all its functionalities but I’ll be entrusting the task of handling it to you. Please don’t crush it.”

“Ah, I see.”

“And finally, the most important part of all this.” He said as he turned to Ryuuko with a look of utmost seriousness. “Ryuuko, do you trust me?”

“H-huh?!” The sudden question from her senior club member took her by surprise but with full honesty she quickly replied. “Of course I do, senpai. We’re clubmates. I trust you with my life, as you have trusted me before.”

“Thank you, Ryuuko. I’m very happy to hear you say that. It means a lot to me, heh heh.” He blushed while nervously scratching his head. As he laughed, she could almost see something sparkling in his eyes through his screen. “Since with your weapon you can fly, I’m going to have to ask you to fly as far away as you can from here.”

“W-wha?! But-“ She started to protested but stopped herself. “Okay. But tell me why first.”

“I’m not asking you to run away but instead more of…uhh…going on standby.” He answered, scratching his head in the best way to explain to her. “I got a hypothesis, regarding how that monster function and her thoughts process. All my analysis tells me that she isn’t as mindless as we were told, although it isn’t something that can be considered conscious thought cycles. Instead, I believe it is a combination of instinct like a wild animal, and assessments akin to that of a machine. She moves herself according to danger levels, hence why in our fights her focus has always been on you since you are the most dangerous one here, Ryuuko.”

“As long as you are here, she will continue to focus solely on you while the rest of us will be ignored. And once you are gone, she will then move on to secondary danger which in this case will be Kenjirou.”

“Me?” The president raised his eyebrows.

“It’s either you or me. I’m 90% sure it will be you since you’re also the only other person to have her react. I know the theory is shaky but, call it a gut feeling if you will.” He shrugged. “So if Ryuuko is to move away, enough that she’s out of her field of danger we can call it, then we will be able to force her to reassess and change targets. The only problem is how far it would have to be and the conclusions I’ve come to is that it has to be upwards in the air since no matter how far the distance as long as it’s on the ground she would still be to chase you down, assuming what we were told about her able to connect to this world is also true.”

“I see…” Ryuuko said, tilting her head as she tried to understand.

“What do we got to lose, right? At worst we try again if it doesn’t work out. Or die, but let’s keep up some optimism, yeah?” Juntaro laughed.

“Senpai! This is no time for jokes! Please be serious about your lives!!”

“Sorry. Anyway, how long are you going stay like that Takuya? You’re the one who keep yammering about how we don’t have much time so stop acting like a big baby and get up already!” He circled around the twitching young man who slowly and begrudgingly got to his feet.

“G-g-god damn y-y-you.” The younger member of the club stuttered as he looked to the floating phone with anger. The air around him was sparking violently from the statics that ran across his highly charged body. Struggling, he was taking small meticulous intervals of breaths as if trying to minimize his movements. “I-I-I can’t b-b-believe you would d-d-do this to m-m-me again, you metadata b-b-bastard.”

“Oh save it will ya? Don’t want the charge to run out before we even get to the main event.”

Takuya bit his lips as he understood the situation, but still he had a look to kill across his face. Instead he turned back to where Armadat stood and carefully yet meticulous rubbed his knives together, the electricity crackled between the edges, flying from the black blades, and fizzling in the air.

“Let’s get this started then. I doubt the charge will last long and I’m sure Takuya won’t be willing to take another shot.” Juntaro said as he looked to Ryuuko, who nodded to him in response. The sound of the engine in her blade revved up as she prepared herself to take flight.

“You will give me a signal when the time comes, won’t you senpai?” She asked as her feet pulled away from the grounds.

“Of course. You’ll know it when you see it.”

“Understood. Everyone, I’ll be counting on you. Please be careful.” The thrusters from her weapon roared out as she blasted off into the air.

FWOOOM

“Please be careful she says...” Juntaro chuckled as he watched her fly away before turning back to their target. As he had predicted, the giant creature was watching closely, its singular eye on its chest that was locked to the rapid ascent of the young girl and its body moved as if in preparation to give chase.

“HEY! OVER HERE!”

PEW

Firing out a shot from his phone, the blast exploded at Armadat’s head and broke its concentration, breaking its sight on Ryuuko who disappeared to the cloudless skies as it instead turned its deathly gaze to the three remaining boys on the ground.

“Yeah, that’s right. Over here you monster!” Juntaro taunted as the eerie haunting of laughter came from its looming body, sending chills down to the bones, towards their direction.

“Ooooh, spooky. Takuya, you ready? Make sure you hit every centimeter of her body! Don’t miss any spots. Go go go!” He cheered as his younger club member flew from his position towards their target. His movements become a blur with the only notable sign of his body in motion was the flashing of lights that reflected from his blades and the loud crackling sound of electrical energy that trailed with him as he raced across the fields like a bolt of lightning.

But just as he was getting close, the blazing spear on the hands of his enemy was positioned right in front of him. Moving too fast to dodge or even change course, the sudden retaliation that appeared before him took him by complete surprised. As if his actions have already been anticipated and in response, the pointed edge of searing white flames was what awaited him the moment he came within range.

“I GOT YOU, TAKUYA!”

PEW

A large blast of condensed electricity collided with the burning spear, intercepting the attack at just the right moment as it narrowly grazed Takuya but still singeing his hair and clothes.

“Whoa!”

The sudden redirection of the speeding weapon brought about a big gust of wind that nearly knocked him off his feet but quickly recovering he continued his dash towards the towering figure, the blades in his hands extended, flashing, and sparking with energy the moment he brought it towards the massive body.

CLANG CLANG CLANG

The ear-splitting noise of metal slashing across metal, worse than nails being teared through a blackboard, along with the increasing sparks of electricity that came with each strike, as Takuya blew across the Savior of Mercy’s body like a deadly whirlwind. He was too close and too fast for it to respond as he unleashed his flurry of attacks that held it in position. Every strike sent terrible vibrations that shook him down to his core and he could feel the heat generated from the combination of the electricity and the friction of his violent movements.

If he had been a regular human being he would’ve ignited and burned up, even melting away to nothing from the intense heat and friction, yet his body that was beyond that of a normal person withstood it in an ironically cruel twist of fate. Even amiss the terrible pain and the screaming of his entire body that was rebelling against his furious actions, his limbs increasing became numb with every passing moment, Takuya did not let up and continued his assault.

CLANG CLANG CLANG CLANG

Kenjirou stood where he was and watched. His heart drumming so loud he could hear it even through the heavy clattering of metal as he waited for the right moment.

“Whoa, Takuya’s really going all out. As expected, the kid does know his stuff!” Juntaro exclaimed. “Kenjirou, you ready? As soon as he’s done, you’re needed and if you screw up then we might as well all just lay down and die. No pressure, right?”

“Hmph...no pressure indeed.” The president let out a dry chuckled, surprising even himself that he could laugh at a moment like this as he tried to hide away his anxiety. “But Mitsuhide, what are you up to? You really are not acting like yourself, being so proactive. What are you actually planning?”

“Haa? What are you talking about? I’m the same as always, aren’t I?” He laughed before going quiet as he saw the look of the president who was staring at him intensely. He was not mad but at the same time the big man’s face was a scowl that was piercing into his own, the look of trying to drag out his ulterior motives. “I just…I just want to be able to do something. Rather than only sitting back and watch as the rest of you race forward, to places where I can’t reach, and unable to do anything about. Right now, I’ve finally got the power to contribute but still…still it is not enough.”

“Mitsuhide…”

“I’m angry, Kenjirou. Completely pissed that only now I can finally do something. If I...no if only we had this back then…then…none of it would have happen. But look at what we have to deal with and once again, even with these new power, we are still unable to do anything. It’s infuriating! To be so…so damn useless!”

“You’re not useless.” The president retorted sternly. But his words came out so hollow, that although he had hope to console his friends, those words that came out felt so hypocritical. He understood his pain of not being able to do anything all too well. The feeling of helplessness that ate at him like a disease. Yet even so, he forced those words from his mouth in the hopes that just maybe, it will sway at least one of them.

“Thanks, club president.” Juntaro said, a big smile on his face even as small droplets of water formed in his eyes that he quickly wiped away. “But there is no use crying over what has happened. Right now, I can do something and I intend to do it. I will protect all of you. You, Takuya and Ryuuko. Ha ha, did you see it? When I asked her to trust me, she replied with barely any hesitation. It made me so happy...”

“Hmph, is that so?” Kenjirou smirked. “But don’t get carried away. I don’t know what you’re planning, but if you do anything stupid that would involve risking yourself I won’t forgive you for it.”

“Pssh, then that will make us even won’t it?” He retorted but when he saw the serious look on the president’s face he got quiet. “Unlike the two of you, I’m not a moron so don’t worry. I would never risk my life for something utterly stupid, at least not without a back-up plan. I have…something too important I must do.”

Kenjirou raised his eyebrow but remained quiet. His friend’s statement intrigued him, but he did not follow up to probe him on it.

“Kenjirou, please just believe in me as well.”

“…Hmph.”

Taking his low grunt as an agreement, Juntaro let out a sigh. From the club president’s gruff response his heart felt at eased.

“Looks like he’s almost done. I’ve got to hand it to Mr. Perfection. When he’s set out to do something, he really does it well. You good to go?”

“Yes. However I still don’t get what is your plan in all this.” He said, looking down at the small circuit in his large hand.

“Pretty simple really. Since she can so easily manipulates her body and uses the metal element to reinforce herself, the thought occurred to me that if applied enough electric conductivity it would mean that it’s possible to magnetize her entire body. I’ve ran some tests on it and confirmed that even though the metal will shift back into place, it still leaves behind trails of electrical charges along with her cells. It eventually dissipates when it gets shifted out of her body like any other outside elements but not as quickly as it would the rest of her bodily functions.” He explained.

“I see, but what are you hoping to do?”

“That electromagnetic circuit, I told you it earlier, it allows me to take residence inside an electronic space. If applied to something on scale to a super conductor, heh. Let’s just say that I’m going to bring that big bastard to her knees.” He grinned. “By the way, it would be best if it does happen that you take Takuya and run away as fast and far as you can.”

“What?”

“Now!! We have to go now!! Kenjirou go!!!”

As soon as they were done talking the grating sound of clashing metal finally came to a stop as Takuya reappeared again and collapsed to the ground. Struggling for air, his lungs felt like they were lit on fire and his entire head was spinning so violently he could not see straight. Despite the furious barrage on his target there was still not a single scratch that appeared on its hard body, instead only faint sparks of electricity.

“Haha...so it worked?” Takuya let out a satisfied chuckle as he struggle to his shaking legs only to be met with a hard blow.

“GAAAH!!” Taking advantage of his momentary pause, Armadat’s leg flew at him and sent him flying back. His body that was still numbed was able to mitigate the pain even as a sickening crack came the moment he crashed back to the ground. The numbness, however, did not completely shield him from the feeling of his shattered bones and the back of his throat choked with the sudden flood of blood that rushed out from his mouth. Struggling to get up, the moment he raised his head his eyes came into focus the pointed tip of a familiar white blaze. Like Déjà vu, it flew at him at such speed he could barely even gather his thought to respond. It was so close, the smell of flames and searing flesh whiffed even his blood clotted nostrils as it aimed straight for his head with no way for him to avoid it.

“URAAAH!!”

WHAM

A heavy sound of hard metal colliding, followed by another strong wind of motion from the deathly attack that was suddenly interrupted, allowing Takuya to narrowly dart away. He bit his lips, trying his best to endure the still excruciating sensation that came with his every little movement but when he felt the splintering of his snaps of his bones as he collapsed to the ground, he screamed out loud in pain.

“Aaaaagh!!!”

Taking Armadat by surprise, the club president finally attacked and with all his strength punched it in the face. The sudden impact of his steeled fist to the metal-like flesh of his target not only brought about an incredible force that blew back the both of them but also caused the giant monster to suddenly fall into a lapse of momentary daze. Taking immediate advantage of the pause Kenjirou quickly scrambled for a chance to launch another strike as he rolled back to his feet and once again threw himself against it, his fist clench tightly and ready.

But as quick as the break of its composure, Armadat regained itself once again and the eye on its chest shifted, its stance changed. Like a powerful machine that immediately analyzed and understood the situation, it instantly reacted as the shield on its arm was raised in response to the president’s movements, readying to counter the coming blow. However as the giant shield flew out to meet with him, Kenjirou’s movement also changed. Instead of his right, his left arm came out not in a clutched fist but an open palm that carefully touched the surface of the daunting weapon.

TAP

The small electronic object that was in his hand stuck to the shield as a light flashed between them and Kenjirou was thrown back.

C-CRACK

“Kuh!” Kenjirou’s grunted he crashed to the ground; his body tumbled like a ragdoll to where Takuya was.

“P-Prez! Are you alright?!”

The president heavily shook himself, the sound of Takuya’s muffled voice called to him with the loud ringing in his ear.

“I’m...I’m fine!” He said as he looked down to see his left arm flopping limply to his sides. His entire arm has been shattered from the inside with only the cracking of broken bones to its unresponsiveness. “Ugh…! Hideyoshi, can you move?!”

“Prez...I...I can’t feel my legs. My entire body...it’s...” Takuya responded, tightly clutching his chest and gritting his teeth in pain before falling to his back again and screaming in pain.

Not even enough time to shake off their damages, the air blew apart from a powerful roar and an immense pressure fell over the two boy’s damaged bodies. Crushed to the ground, both were immobilizing with a large shadow casted over them. Armadat stood above, its massive shield raised high to the skies, aiming directly at them and in a single swift movement brought it downward to their paralyzed bodies.

The shield rippling and tearing apart even the surrounding area as it caught ablaze, rupturing their ears drums and even before making contact with them was exerting enough force to smash every bone in their smaller bodies. With no mean to escape, both boys laid there like insects amiss a dropping meteorite.

DOOOM

The premonition of death swept over them like a thick blanket. The two boys who couldn’t even blink on the coming blow only watched with wide eyes and in the moment where even an instant felt like an eternity; everything stopped. The giant shield that was to crush them hovered above, as the two could only blankly stare at it. Both Kenjirou and Takuya were too afraid to blink, that this entire moment might have been just an illusion, but when their eyelids closed and opened again to the same sight;

“Ha…ha ha ha HA!” Kenjirou burst out in laughing fit. A strange mixed of amusement, utter confusion, and fear; all coming together in a few single notes of released breath. Such a moment, it felt like the only natural thing he could do. To laugh. Laugh, laugh, and laugh as he gazed upon the completely stationary being that stood so high it bloated out the entire sky.

It was so close; the black sheen of the monster’s shield easily reflecting the terrified faces of the two boys who could only weakly move their eyes to the paused weapon mere centimeters from their face.

“M-move, Kenjirou!! Go!!” Came a struggling voice that broke through the president’s ruptured ears.

“Wha…” Takuya, who also stared awestruck on the other hand, did not laugh. Instead his mind was still blank, unable to even comprehend the situation. The scent of burning carcass so close to him, the heavy pressure still squeezing down on his stilled body, and taste of rotten blood, burnt and vile, that stuck to his senses like gum on the backside of a shoe. Before he could even utter another word, he felt himself being lifted off the ground and was moving away at a breakneck speed.

“P-prez?! What are you-?!”

The club president did not respond, instead he only held on to his younger clubmate and ran. He who felt no pain and no sensory, with only a single thought in his mind as he finally came back to his senses and remember what his friend told to him; he ran as fast and as far as he could with no other matter in mind. As far and fast as his legs can take him, as hard as he could with the crunching of his big foot stomping to the grounds, understanding why Juntaro before gave him such a warning.

“What’s happening?! Answer me you big bastard! What the hell is going on?!”

“Shut it! We have to go! Now!!”

“Wait! But what about senpai?!”

Not even wasting time to answer anymore he only kept running, ignoring the protesting and the rustling of struggle from his clubmate under his right arm. Even without feeling the air passing through his lungs he could tell he was taking only raspy gasps; his vision was getting blurry and his oxygen intake was lower compared to his outtake as he moved. But no matter if his body was doing everything it can otherwise to tell him to slow down, to warn him of his physical danger, his mind on the other hand overrode everything else with the sole realization that if he was to stop or slow down even for a mere moment; they’re dead.

“SENPAI!!!”

=

Back where they were, the struggle between Armadat and Juntaro continued. Still having a tight hold on the giant creature, Juntaro fought desperately not only with it but also his own systems that was on the verge of exploding, his screens heavily lit up with warning of the malfunctions that sprung all around him, unable to allow him even a single moment of respite as he tried desperately to keep everything together. Armadat’s powerful body was halted yet every opportunity it could find, it jolted violently, breaking from the young man’s control for just mere moment before being immediately being restrained but the breakout also sent violent waves of unimaginable pain directly to his own body. Pieces of himself starting to crack, with every moment not only his system but his entire being was breaking apart. Yet, even so, he gave everything he got in their ongoing constricting battle.

“Ha...ha ha ha! I bet you’re wondering how I’m doing this aren’t you? Are you surprised? Are you shocked that somehow, I was able to take control of your body?!” He said, before coughing out blood that splattered across his control panels. “Putting aside that you’re dealing with a freakin’ genius right here, it was not as difficult as it might seem. A conductor, a circuit, and a direct flow of electricity spread out like a series of web that form into a small electronic network. If you were a normal living being, such a thing would’ve been impossible but you’re not, are you?”

As he spoke he felt acracking sensation from his arms. It was twisting to a weird shape with every resistant movement from the creature and he could feel every painful moment of change. It hurt like mad, nothing like he had experience before, but he continuously held on.

“Ugh...from the beginning, when you were able to hide from my scanner I had an inkling of how your body functions. You can not only control your entire body down to the very cells but also your surroundings, isn’t that right? No, more precisely you can also convert it to a part of yourself just as you do with the metal in your body. My scanner, whenever I tried to analyze something it sends out a frequency that once it reaches where I directed it to, immediately relays to me back the given information. The frequency itself while can’t be seen with sight alone, doesn’t mean it can’t be felt as waves.” He gritted his teeth, holding himself back from screaming. “The moment it “touched” you, rather than allowing the same frequency to be sent back you instead manipulate it in a way that it becomes a part of you, taking it into your body and therefore completely neutralizing it, thus going “invisible” and blinding even me! Ha...ha ha ha, that’s amazing. Really amazing. You’re amazing! But I wonder, were you doing that manually or was it something akin to a reflex? The fact that I’m here right now, already gives me all the answers I need.”

BOOM

“Argh!! Dammit!” A screen exploded from behind him and scorched his back. It was too much; he did not know how much long he could hold on. “Not yet…I’m not done yet. Everything about your body; it’s all autonomous, isn’t it? Your spear that’s alit, the fire that burns on it is not spontaneous but instead an expulsion of the atmosphere around you that gets pulled into your shifting body. Not only the air, but also the ground beneath where you stand. That’s why you are constantly surrounded by such a dense particle of phytoncide! And through the phytoncide was also how you were able to infiltrate our bodies, to somehow weaken us by suppressing the virus inside us, as well as even create an explosion of such magnitude that reached so far when your shield connected to the land! To convert even the most basics of functions into something of an unfathomable power as natural as it is blinking or breathing, it truly is unbelievable that such a creature like you exist.”

As if finally annoyed by his speech, Armadat let out a maddening roar and thrashed about. It flung itself around like a bucking bronco attempt to shake off a rider.

“Ha ha ha. Nice try, asshole.” With a flick of his hand, its entire body stopped. And with another flick, he brought it to its knees with a tremendous thud.

BAM

“But I don’t know what you really are. An alien? A genuine monster? Or perhaps some evolved being that was once an animal or human? Regardless, you are something I wish I could study in detail if given the chance but whatever you really are, I’m really glad that you’re not just a normal living being. If you were, I really would be powerless to do anything to you but here we are. I think it’s time we end this. This should be enough, for them to get away right? Probably, heh heh. I wonder, do you know what happens when an unstable reaction, connected through a series network of electrical current, when overcharged, is given even a slight push?”

The moment he asked, as if in response it once again tried to thrash about but no matter how it struggle to break away, it was unable to escape.

“Sorry, but I’m already one step ahead of you. Even if you try to expel the electrical charge in your body it is already too late. When I sent Takuya at you with the attempt to magnetize your body, it was a gamble. As someone who dislike proceeding without knowing all the calculated risk and possibilities, it was not something I could easily stomach but now I have an understanding of people’s enjoyment of taking risky chances.”

Armadats’ cries became wails, growing even louder and became more frantic to the point that despite the tremendous effort Juntaro was applying, he was reaching his limit. Gritting his teeth and smiling even as his vision became blinded by red and he could barely breath due to the clogging of blood that choked him intensely.

“If-if I could classify you; you’re a perfect being. Such a classification is indeed unscientific, but it is the only way I could describe what you are. In strength, natural defense, and everything else down to your cellular structure. However, perfection…isn’t a blessing. She...once, told me; the more perfect an attempt something is, the more prone it is to exploits...and the more fun it is to watch it destroyed. Ha ha...oh, Kirika...And although I doubt this can kill you…, it should be more than enough…to…hurt you…” Everything went dark as he felt his body finally giving up. With the last of his strength, he reached out his finger to activate the final phase of his masterplan.

“Go to hell.”

CLICK