Through the halls of the hotel, the quick, continuous clicking of shoes on the floor echoed through the hallways. There looked to be no sign of the sound stopping anytime soon. Which was only fitting, considering the amount of will the one producing them had.

“I need to find Arctaius- One way or another…I can't let his injuries get worse than they were before.”

Her dash through the halls continued, not slowing down for even a second. Though she began to huff, and beads of sweat dripped down her head, she continued regardless.

Though unaware of this, was the one mentioned, and a group of proto-humans, flying over the verdant, untamed wilderness of the outskirts, kicking up winds, and sending debris flying into the air, a direct result of their speed. The trees and smaller vegetation in the brush was all they could see under them. Save for a few ruined cabins, likely hundreds of years old by that point, there was nothing of notice. Though, one could make the point that, even if there were, it wasn’t something that they would’ve acknowledged. Especially given the laser-focused gazes that they all kept. For some time, it was silent aside from the sound of the rushing wind around them. At the least, until a voice came to break the monotony.

“Alright, what can you tell me about the enemy base?” Arctaius questioned.

Kazimir turned his gaze from the land in front of him, toward Arctaius. “From what I sensed, there weren't any strong proto-humans there. This shouldn’t be too hard.”

Alarick began eyeing Arctaius.

“Even so, we should remain cautious... They could just have their stronger members hiding out.”

Beside them, the weapon master's hands went across his belt, a final check for all of his arms. After all, his style was based heavily upon them, after all. Now, with his check complete, he decided to join in.

“While I doubt it… I suppose we'll have to see…” he commented.

As they continued their flight, the foliage began to become more and more dense, to the point where even the occasional structures no longer appeared. They continued their flight, unaware of what was happening just nearby. On the very top of one very large tree, five stories tall at the least, there was a camera lens, connected to a thin wire, that went down across the length of the trunk. And, though it was hidden by the earth placed upon it, ran underground to a clearing within the forest… But, the land itself wasn’t of importance, rather, what was under it. Within this underground fortress, were many rooms. The one at the very base of it, the command room, was filled with its soldiers, it was darkened, save for the light of the display projected onto the studded metal walls. One soldier, larger than the rest, stood with eyes widened, as he eyed the rapidly disappearing forms of their enemies. Hushed chatters continued throughout the room, as many others did the very same.

“They're coming right this way? All seven of them?!”

The one beside him shook his head.

“Not good, I heard those guys survived Lord Ito!!” Another yelled.

“Lord Ito?!” A third questioned loudly.

Now, the panic began. The chatters then exploded into a frantic conversation that soon spread like wildfire around the base. The men previously engaged in their duties, now questioned how they were going to make their escape, how they were going to defend against them, anything that would allow them to reach victory. Though, one of them stayed outside the panicking group, sitting calm, and collected throughout all the chaos. Wearing the black uniform, lined in gold, consistent with the standard for the Kaemerge army’s officers, having a golden pin, in the shape of an eye on their left shoulder.

The wearer sat on a plush red chair at the very top of the command room, with a terminal in front of his body, with his eyes closed. Said eyes covered in wrinkles, that went across the length of his face. A sign of his age, along with a head of thinning white hair on his head, and the thick beard going across his chin, the very same color. At first, he continued his attempt at silence, until the sound of the chatter began to annoy him. Eventually, his eyes shot open, revealing his yellow orbs to the world. It was only then that he stood up, yanking the microphone from his desk, and putting it to his mouth.

“Quiet!!”

As his coarse, stern voice reverberated through the fortress, the conversations began to drop off with that single word. He sat in wait, until, no longer could he near anything else. Many had recognized that tone of voice, especially with how famous of a figure he was throughout the nation. Commander Wu Bo… He sat in silence for a bit longer, until he deeply inhaled, before exhaling… Yelling that loud certainly did hurt his throat by this point.

“We don't have time to panic, if enemies like that are coming towards us, there's nothing we can do but prepare for their Arrival. Engage Level One battle stations… HAUs and fighters, stay on standby. We can not show fear, or we are guaranteed to lose.”

The soldiers within the room sprung into action, saluting, putting their hands over their chests.

“Yes Sir!!” The crowd yelled

Now, they began to move out, while some stayed, sitting in the terminals, others began flowing into the other areas in the base. Within the hangars, the mechanics prepped the large humanoid machines in the hangar for combat. And, in the same way, were the ground troops suiting up, preparing for battle.

...

Continuing the approach, unaware of their enemy's knowledge, the six continued their flight over the forest, with no words uttered between them. All things considered, they were quiet. Especially given that they were attempting a direct attack on a fortress, something that none of them had done before.

“The base should be nearby. Let's get this over w--” Bijan started, cut off by a tingling between his shoulders. Something that was soon followed by the widening of his eyes.

“What?!”

The same happened to the others, as their eyes all darted in one direction, the west. What they felt, it was overbearing, to say the least. The amount of pressure on them that it emitted, it certainly reminded them of a certain opponent. Though, the first to comment on it was Liang.

“Just our luck… That amount of Protomis, it's Apostle class…”

“No strong proto-humans, Huh?” Arctaius deadpanned, as he slowly looked over at Kazimir with his trademark blank look, something that made the Russian avert his gaze.

“Hey, don't look at me like that- that power wasn't there before!!” He exclaimed, in his defense.

Alarick glanced over at Kazimir as well, letting out a low sigh, before he looked back into the direction of the protomis. He stayed suspended in the air, soon followed by the rest of them doing the same. The silence returned, as Alarick put his hand on his chin, tapping it with his fingers, as the gears began turning in his head... He didn’t know why, but something didn’t strike right with him. Finally, he removed his hand, as he spoke.

“Regardless of that… I find it strange that whoever it is isn't moving. If they were Kaemerge, wouldn't they be coming after us?”

Zhao hummed in acknowledgment.

“A good question… Should we investigate?”

“I'd say yes. If not now- we're likely to encounter this person sooner or later… But proceed with caution- this number advantage may not help us all that much. But be careful, it may be a trap.”

Kazimir rotated, looking at Bijan. Given what he’d done earlier, it only made sense to ask…

“Lafeyah- couldn't you use that poison of yours?”

Bijan shook his head.

“I don't have anything potent enough to use on them… And it’s gonna take at least three days before I can make more.”

“Then it looks like we’ll have to make do,” Liang commented, as he began flying to the west. Soon followed by Alarick, Arctaius, Rhuskov, Zhao, and Bijan. The conversation abruptly ended there. Until they finally found it, a clearing in the woods, and, within it, a small log cabin. Whoever was in it, was clearly isolated, given the lack of any wiring, electrical or otherwise, around the land. Simply what looked to be a smokehouse, constructed of mud bricks, and fallen logs, lain across the grass.

One by one, the group members landed in front of the cabin. Glancing around at the rather modest dwelling, and what little surrounded it. It was no military base, that was for sure. The group members glanced between each other in silence, before Kazimir, the best sensor out of them all, gestured at the cabin, that apparently being where the unknown was located. The quiet was soon broken, as they heard the creak of an opening door, and the heavy footsteps on the ground that followed. The origin of the sounds stepped out of the building. There stood a broad-shouldered man. He was tall, more so than anyone in that group, much higher than average in fact. He was seven feet tall at the very least. He wore a simple outfit, a pair of basketball shorts, and a white t-shirt.

At first, he was unrecognizable, which was strange given his extreme size… Until they looked closer. Piercing, slanted brown eyes that focused on them, and a thick Auburn beard that covered his chin, and sideburns that covered most of his angular jawline. Arctaius’ eyes widened as he finally took note of who he was, as just beside him... A certain Russian began to do the same, unconsciously clenching his fist.

“Hold on a minute… I know that face.” Arctaius Muttered.

“No- We know that face… Sokol Naumov- Tsar of the 2nd Russian Empire…” Kazimir stated, the seething evident in his voice. Zhao’s eyes widened.

“What?!”

Liang stepped back, as his hands began inching toward his weapons… Though, he ultimately stopped.

“ That’s Impossible, he died years ago!! How did he get here?!”

“That was a theory. Nobody knew of what truly happened to him… But it looks like we do now.” Alarick responded.

Just like the others, Jirou looked upon this with surprise.

“To think that somebody like that is here.”

As he took note of their expressions, Naumov simply closed his eyes, shutting the door to his cabin behind him.

“I knew that the peace I made for myself was only temporary. I suppose that this is how it ends. “

Part B

"During the Russian Revolution- as the Mensheviks took over the nation, they failed to stamp out the White Russians. Their ideals and Armies survived the attempted purges. They would later form an alliance of all the rebellious groups of different ideologies, that came to be known as the A.S.F.T, The Anti Soviet Freedom Alliance. They remained a thorn in the side of the Soviet Union- until its eventual collapse… Afterward, the differences between the group that made up the ASFT became more pronounced. A period of chaos followed until the Constitutionalists took power forging the Constitutional republic of Muscovy. But their weakness as a government was shown quite early. And they were soon thrown into civil war once again by the cunning Sokol Naumov of the tsarist party 4 years later, in 1993, in what was known as operation Guillotine. A brutal, yet effective attack, which led to them buckling under pressure in only 2 years...Sokol would declare himself Tsar, And the Second Russian Empire was born.

A certain picture began circulating afterward, of his celebration of the restoration of the Tsar’s power. On the snowy streets of Moscow, the sides of the street were lined by HAUS, separated by columns of soldiers, with tanks at the very center of the street. The cheering crowds and loud music, all leading to a building. A rather grand one, built tall, with white-colored sandstone, the pillars that held up the front of the building, constructed of marble. This was Naumov's Imperial palace. A very obvious show of force, and yet, it was an effective one.

This picture, the recording of the event, was burned into the minds of many of the Russians alive during the time, but for one of them, along with it, was something else entirely.

Battle Of Moscow AD 2013.

A young, brown-haired youth, his body covered by a brown cloak, looked down upon a man who had since gone pale. One who clearly bore a resemblance to him. He didn’t think, he didn’t speak, he didn’t even move… Even with the sounds of combat happening around him. Rather, his mind was focused on one thing, and one thing only…

“He’s… He’s gone…”

Now, just three years later, here he was, in front of him… Now, with the memories flowing through, any restraint he had began to leave him. He gritted his teeth, as he clenched his fist, even harder than he had before.

“You…” He muttered, Trailing off.

“YOU!!!”

As he yelled, Kazimir dashed forward, readying himself to smash a fist into Sokol. Strangely enough, the man didn’t even move to avoid it. Letting Kazimir’s right hook smash into his cheek. Even as a burst of wind flew out ripping up the earth around them, and sending a storm of dust and debris out, he stood there unfazed. Liang stepped forward.

“Oi! What the hell are you doing? Control your emotions!”

Kazimi’s gaze shot over his shoulder… The normally happy-go-lucky guy changed, especially given his sharp glare, this grimace that found its way onto his visage. With the look in his eyes, it was plain to see what he was saying.

“Shut up!!” He roared.

Apparently, this was not something Liang liked very much, given him beginning to step forward. Though, as he did, one Bijan Lafeyah put his hand onto his shoulder. Causing the weapon master to glance back at him… Bijan shook his head as if predicting what he’d try to do. And, just like that, he stepped back. Letting Kazimir turn his attention back to Sokol.

“Because of you ... because of you. My family- dead, the Russian people… Split. The world, Shattered!!, THE KAEMERGE? POWERFUL!!”

As he spat out the venom laced works, he began to strike Naumov, punching his torso, again, again, and again. For what felt like hours, it was strike, after strike. And with each one, came the outward burst of force. Ripping apart the ground once more. Even so, Naumov did not move. He simply allowed for this to continue. Just what was he thinking?

“Blowing all that hot air about creating a stronger Russia...When all you did was weaken it!! With the amount of people you killed- Why are you alive… Why are you still alive dammit!! Why couldn't you have just died in Moscow!! WHAT GIVES YOU DO THE RIGHT TO LIVE AFTER ALL THAT YOU'VE DONE, ALL THE DEATHS YOU'VE CAUSED!”

With his rage growing by the second, the crimson light that came with his abilities began to revolve around him once again. By this point, his knuckles had gone white, at the least, the ones that were not caked with blood, a result of the repeated strikes that fell upon Naumov. However, before he could start again, stepping forward, was Zhao.

“We understand your anger- but, there are more important things to take care of.”

Even so, Kazimir continued to grip Naumov’s collar, glaring into his eyes. His intense stare continued to bore into the Tsar, and, all the while, he stood with no response. At the least, until he stepped away.

“I’m well aware of my sins… If you must- go ahead and attempt to pay me back, I won't stop you.” Sokol stated, in a hushed tone.

To say that it was tempting would be an understatement… Whether he could actually kill him off was a question, and yet, he was prepared to do so regardless. At the least, until he began to think about the knowledge he’d gained. The fact that the war that’d killed his father, was orchestrated by THEM, and, did that perhaps include this one’s rise to power? This wasn’t the time… Not while they were still active. Kazimir begrudgingly let go of the fabric of Soko’s shirt, as he turned around.

“ I’ll let this pass... But make no mistake- I will be back.”

Now, he silently walked past his allies, before he levitated into the air, shooting off into their previous direction. Arctaius looked up, watching as he got further and further from them.

“I suppose even someone like Rhuskov is capable of being enraged.”

Alarick nodded.

“Though, it's not as if we don't understand why.”

Elsewhere, Jirou scratched the back of his head.

“I'd say he has the right to be angry. But I've not had the hardships you all have. So I suppose that isn’t my business.” He responded.

Though, the conversation was abruptly cut off, as Liang began a swift ascent into the sky. Slowing it as he began to speak.

“This is no time for chit-chat. Let's move before he does something rash that we'll ALL Regret.”

Now, he flew off as well. Acknowledging his point, they all glanced at each other, and then, gave the former Tsar one last look, before they left as well. Now, they could only hope they weren’t sidetracked again.

Elsewhere in the city, such concerns did not reach the inhabitants. In one of Kinston’s many city streets, there stood Asami, hunched over, beads of sweat rolling down her face, her hands placed on her knees, to brace herself. Breathing heavily, unable to get any words out. Though she caught the passing glance, she mostly went unnoticed. Though, it wouldn’t be anything she’d take note of either way, as a single thought echoed in her head.

“Why did I start off by sprinting again… I know why I left. But it's not like I know where he went…”

To be Continued