The great crag was a great barrier for protection, no doubt. Which was among the myriad of regions that the Capital of the Kaeemrge empire was built here. 70 Miles down, within the very depths of the crag, lies a bustling metropolis. Filled to the brim with patches of skyscrapers, and smaller buildings between them. Though, the largest was around the center of the city. And along with the run of the mill buildings, was the tallest in the city. A spire of steel and glass, with bare concrete buildings, much smaller than itself, at its base. This was the large spire that served as the center of the Kaemerge’s administration, the tower of Rizian.

Within one of the many buildings, there lay a dimly lit room filled with terminals, and along with them, were soldiers, dressed in green camouflage, rather than ammo, manning them. At the very back, there was a towering man with long blue hair, sitting in a plush office chair. His uniform differed from theirs, however, much more decorative in design, black, with the outer ridges lined with a gold cloth. If his appearance alone did not denote his status, it was his uniform. One that identified him as Director Koltris Corpi of the kaemerge surveillance force. His gaze moved across the room, checking his subordinates' screens as well, searching for anything that might have gone wrong. After all, with the rumors he was hearing, it couldn’t hurt to-

"Lord Koltris- they’ve arrived!!! The 4 tides, along with the defectors- and the son of Ren Hashimoto...The forces of the coalition have arrived here as well!!!"

His thoughts interrupted, he glanced to his left, placing his gaze on the soldier who alerted him.

“Right on schedule... I’m sure that the Defense Force and Imperial Guard have since been notified… We will continue to watch the enemy’s movement’s through the districts…”

“YES!!!” the troops yelled.

The subjects of the reports flew over the desert sands around Tsugashuan, though well aware of the fact that their approach was known by now, given the fleet behind them, they would continue forth regardless. And in the same way, would the Kaemerge begin to defend their capital. Swarms of HAUS and proto-humans, wearing the standard button-down uniform, began to emerge from the gorge. Though, long before they reached the seven, more weapons came to the surface. With what looked to be boulders and patches of sand strewn across the ground, splitting. Revealing the fact that they were simply well-hidden doors, hiding droves of Rocket launch bays. And the short-range rockets flew out in the Hundreds.

Something that did nothing to stop their advance, nor the forces of the coalition behind them. As the proto-human force advanced, they began to feel a tingle between their shoulders. While most of those there were lo tiers, the same could not be said for their leader, who they recognized as soon as he arrived. With a head of silky dark green locks. As well as a suit of black armor, with the eye of Ardam embedded in the chestplate, as well as a cape that flowed as he flew .This was Duke Viscol Lesuit. His appearance met with surprised, if not worried expressions from those under his command.

“Lord Lesuit, You can’t go directly into battle, you could get killed. This unit can’t operate without your leadership!”

Lesuit smirked at his subordinate statement.

“That’s right, My Leadership... True leadership is going right into battle with your troops, not sitting in some air-conditioned room barking out orders… I’m coming with you all!”

With his piece said, he increased his speed, flying ahead of his troops, ready to spearhead the force. As he did so, however, he found himself stopped by another proto-human who flew into his path, his hands cloaked in flame.

“One of the Heretics’ troops, huh…” Lesuit thought, as he balled his fists. Determination began to build within him as the two came closer to one another, and swiftly entered melee range. Both threw their fists forward at the same time, something that ended in their fists clashing between them, sending a shockwave cascading outward.

While this all took place, Arctaius flew into the wave of missiles, and as he thrust his hand forward, with yellow light beginning to surround his palm. Soon followed by it washing over the area in front of him, spreading across the ground, and sky alike. Soon enough, the missiles began exploding prematurely, lighting up the sky. And it was no different for those on the ground, as the launch bays were torn apart by the resulting explosions. Behind him, one of the many squads under Lesuit’s command observed this.

“Dammit, he’s tearing through our defenses!” Yelled a womanly voice.

As she noted this, another began to charge at him, only to be stopped by a third, who flew into his path.

“If he was able to do that, there’s nothing we can do about him. Leave that to the Imperial Guard!”

With his words acknowledged, they blasted off in the opposite direction, unwilling to get caught in the battle. Though, it looked they would have no luck in that account. As, in front of them, there was a crowd of proto-humans with equal amounts of power wreaking havoc. Proto-humans and HAU’s alike found themselves torn apart by the combined assault. Pieces of debris cloaked in red burst forward, shattering the sound barrier and demolishing their user’s targets. All the while, Liang flashed between the groups of troops, almost looking like he was teleporting to them, swinging his jiang and severing heads, halves of their bodies, etc, before moving to the next group. The bloodshed that took place seemed to be ending no time soon. At the least, until, the group members surprisingly, stopped. Their eyes darting to the east, as they decidedly regrouped. The blonde was the first to speak.

“I’m sensing two proto-humans. I’m thinking high-tier.”

Beside him, Bijan nodded.

“I recognize them. Marco Lombardi, and Dustin King… Both imperial Guard members. Those two have some synergy between them, we’d best be careful handling them...”

No sooner did the two sources of the readings fly out of the gorge. One was a rather tall olive-skinned man, donning a stark white cloak, with a gold eye of Ardam pinned into it’s collar. His bald head shining in the sun. In contrast to the one beside him, a pale-skinned man with a head of blonde hair, that reached his back. Their appearance was soon followed by the two flying on a direct course toward the group.

“There they are!” Yelled Marco, the bald.

“I’ve heard that these guys were a real problem.We just have to pin them down until the other’s arrive, Nothing to-” Dustin began, cut off by a man with wild red hair appearing beside him. Grabbing the back of his head, and throwing him into the ground, which ruptured under him as he fell. Lombardi, soon after, took notice of the attack and prepared to launch a strike at the red-haired man. But was soon knocked away by a kick to the stomach. The source, a woman with blue locks, tied into braids. The two were people the proto-humans had encountered beforehand, having met in one of the strategy meetings they were asked to attend. The red-haired man, Joseph Thompson, and the blue-haired woman, Luna Thompson. The two proto-humans that remained the strongest in Londinium, known as the twin terrors by their opponents. They placed their gazes upon the Youths, though, diverted some of their attention to the opponents.

“Keep moving, We’ll take care of these two. “ Joseph stated.

“Can’t let you do all the work, after all.” Luna added.

They all nodded.

“Good luck.” Kazimir responded.

Soon, the group sped past them, before they came to the edge of the gorge, as they went further, and further down, the areas of the city became clear. Alongside the dense urban areas, and less dense ones, were a small number of fields. What was most noticeable, however, was the explosions that began to ring, as buildings began to smoke, and collapse. The source, the Coalition forces that took the plunge into the Gorge with them. By now, it was clear, this battle was going to happen.

“We should split up, cover more ground.” Arctaius suggested, earning nods from his allies. And just like that, they did so, shooting off into different directions. Arctaius rapidly flew between the spires, changing his angle every few seconds, until he found himself in one of the many commercial districts. A bustling crowd walked along the storefronts, many with bags in their hands. The taller buildings were covered in holographic displays, serving as ads for the various companies that existed within the state. Though it was something he noted, it wasn’t something he particularly cared about.

He began his descent upon the city, landing in the middle of the street, his feet planted upon the Asphalt. Something that didn’t go unnoticed by those around him. And seemingly, as their eyes laid upon him, the entire crowd had gone silent. He glanced to his left, and to his right, taking note of their expressions. Anger and distaste alike, and yet, one could easily see a large amount of fear...

“What are you looking at? Keep it moving…”

This didn't do much to clear the crowd, as, soon enough, words of anger flew from the crowd, many of their words unrecognizable. As the sheer volume of the voices increased.

“That’s one of the villains who stand against Ardam’s divine crusade!!!”

“You’re the Bastard who killed my son!!”

“Get out of our city!”

“Let’s run him out ourselves!”

With this, the angered words of those few spread throughout the mob like wildlife, as they began running at him.

“Idiots.”

He decided to end this quickly, as he threw his arm up, with a yellow light swirling around him soon after. Something followed by the air around him weaving, as the heat around him rapidly began to build. The crowd around him went silent, as they began to inch away from him. He glanced around at the various members, before he spoke.

“Try that if you like. But I wouldn't suggest doing that.”

Apparently, that was the end of it. Though, the resentment they felt was nowhere near gone. But the youth himself thought nothing of it as he levitated, making his way into the sky, as he shot off once more, making his way into another patch of skyscrapers. No sooner, did he stop in his tracks.

“I’m sensing another proto-human, and they seem familiar…”

Arctaius rotated himself, looking behind him. It was then that he saw three transport airships, likely carrying troops to one of the Coalition's landing zones. In front of the ships was a man with Slicked back black hair, and orange orbs. Arctaius ignored the ships, instead choosing to focus his attention on him. This new, or rather, this old enemy. He recognized him soon enough, after all, he hadn’t changed much.

“I may not be one to talk about reputation. But i got to say, the people here really dislike you- Arctaius Corde. Especially after those guys up top had such scathing news stories made for you. So I don't believe they’ll be listening.”

“Kadmos Myron…”

“That’s right, it seems we finally get to finish what we started. I see you’ve gotten a bit stronger, but...” Kadmos paused, balling his fists as he threw his cloak off, revealing his toned body, covered in a sleeveless black shirt.

“You won’t be able to keep up with me.”

“We’ll see about that…” Arctaius responded.

The golden light that swirled around Arctaius earlier returned. Kadmos’ eyes widened in surprise, as he took note of something, a sharp uptick in the Youth’s power! No sooner did Arctaius raise his arm, a ball of light, the same color as the aura around him, coalesced in his palm. One that grew as he shouted out.

“Solis Pulsar!!!”

A beam of golden light flew from his palm, barreling toward Kadmos. It was in that instant that the man snapped out of it, swiftly, flying out of the way. But the same could not be said for the ship’s behind him. As the heat, and force of the blast alike hit them directly, they were vaporized within seconds, ending them all right there. As Kadmos came to a stop, his gaze flew to where the transports used to be, putting two and two together, it was easy to tell what happened.

“Dammit, that’s another dock in our pay!”

Now, he looked back down to his clothing, taking note of the fact that the right side of his shirt was gone. And along with it, was his right arm. Having taken the brunt of the damage, its flesh had become burned and blackened.

“What was that?! He wasn’t able to do that before!!!”

“Did you think that I just spent all those months sitting around?” Arctaius questioned. Soon followed by him appearing in front of Kadmos, smashing a left hook into Kadmos’ cheek, quicker than he was able to react, a crack reverberating afterward. He was sent flying away. Crashing through not one but multiple buildings as he was sent flying back. With the rubble cascading into the street below. The man lay with his head back on the rubble of the last building, his nose, and mouth alike bleeding.

“He’s nowhere near where he was in niopolis… What kind of training did he do while he went off the grid? If he’s anything to go by, we could have an issue if they did the same thing.”

The man lifted his head up, as he got up from the pile of rubble. He noticed his opponent rushing at him, and flew forward as well, in an attempt to meet him. The two both reeled their fists back, right and left respectively, ready to take a strike at the other. Kadmos was the first to throw a punch, Arctaius weaved around this, and gave the man a hit to his stomach, which stopped him in his tracks, as his eyes widened. Soon, Arctaius resumed his attack, throwing a left hook, and a right hook at his opponent’s face, before throwing a flurry of punches at his body. Kadmos, unable to stop them, took these hits again, again, and again. Before Arctaius finally knocked him into the ground with an elbow. As his opponent crashed, the ground gave way, a crater forming, and the shockwave tearing the buildings around them apart.

Part B

Kadmos Myron was one of the three Myron brothers… A group of mercenaries from the Empire Of Gythros… After losing their parents, the three traveled on their own- with Agamemnon- the oldest by 4 years- leading them, Kadmos the middle, and Basil the Youngest ...They began to take missions when the oldest turned 16, and the youngest 12… From the amount of death they caused-they grew infamous in the places they operated… The legend of the Myron brothers spread across the world, and even among the other powerful proto-humans that appeared during the war, they stayed a cut above the rest.

On the ground below, Kadmos clenched his fists... He recalled the sense of pride the three had established through the course of their missions, through their displays of strength. That much made him rise to his feet, and kept his standing.

“I’m not finished yet! One of the Myron brothers won’t fall this pathetically!!!” He yelled.

The ground shakes, as Kadmos flung himself toward Arctaius, throwing a flurry of punches as he got into range. Unlike last time, however, his attacks were not so easily avoided. With Arctaius even struggling to do so. However, Kadmos makes a blunder with his very last strike. As he raised his fist, too far up. Arctaius took notice of his unprotected body and punched the man in the stomach, and once again sent him flying away, crashing into yet another building. Arctaius soon flew to follow him.

“It may not be the case now...But this man would have been a threat to me if we’d fought back then, or we found this place earlier. Even if he isn’t at the level of Yoshio Honda...As much as I dislike that man, Sokol Naumov… I will admit that he has helped quite a bit…”

Arctaius landed in the very same building, as he began to stroll over to Kadmos. Stepping over the rubble that resulted from the man's impact. All the while, Kadmos returned his gaze.

“Now then… I’m sure you understand that I can't allow you to live, Right?” Arctaius questioned.

“But of course… We’re enemies after all.”

The two remained silent before Arctaius moved behind him, jabbing his elbow into his spine, as, with a crack, he went limp. Falling onto the marble floor below them as his eyes went empty. Arctaius simply turned as he began walking through the darkened halls of the building.

“:Alright, it’s about time I get moving. I don’t want to spend too much time here…”

However, the youth abruptly stopped walking, as he began to detect something, another proto-human… His eyes darted behind his left shoulder.

“I sense another proto-human…And, I know this protomis all too well… Enough hiding, that won’t work on me.” However, there was a notable difference. This was not in his standard monotone. Rather, it was a voice that showed a rage simmering under the surface. At that point it wasn’t visible, but that changed soon after. Arctaius’ previously calm expression disappears, as he grimaces, and arches his brows.

The source of the reading slipped out of the darkness behind Arctaius. A youth with wild spiky blonde hair that reached his shoulders, with some of the strands going down his forehead, around his piercing blue orbs. His body, though thin, was well-toned, covered in a black t-shirt. His height around average for his age. He, as well, had the very same expression of anger. The room fell silent, as not one, but both of the two clenched their fists. Though they could not see each other, they knew very well who the fighters they’d found themselves faced with were.

“Unfortunately… It looks like you survived. Sebastian Heinrich the Kyueum…”

“I feel the same… Corde the Agium.”

To Be Continued

Away from the battles that took place, in one of the districts where the nobility resided. Normally, it remained closed off, the lower-classes kept out, it was serene, as they liked it. Though, that could not be said for today. Especially for one manor in particular. A building that resembled the architecture in the region around them. White walls built of sand-stone, various markings engraved within. As well as a large, vegetated courtyard that surrounded the house. But, there was a definite difference from normal, as one could see from the masses of guards that lay dead on the ground, as well as splatters of blood, something that continued through the ornately decorated hallways, where the two sources walked through. Liang And Bijan. At first, it was quiet between them, until they began to hear two voices, belonging to a man and a woman respectively. They continued to walk, finding that the sound got louder, and the words intelligible, as they stopped themselves in front of a large wooden door.

“They can stay here if they want. We need to get out of here.”

Just then, the door opens, and out comes a man that looks reminiscent of an older Bijan. Standing a few inches taller, with a thick mustache on his upper lip. Count Farid Lafeyah. He looks forward to his son, he freezes in place, soon joined by Bijan's mother, A fair-skinned woman with short black hair. countess Safie Lafeyah.

“Father...Mother.”

“Oh, Bijan-- It's good to see you, I didn't expect to see you back. You're, uhm, just in time for-” Farid began, cut off as Liang stepped forward.

“Let's cut the talk… We both heard you.”

Bijan would step forward as well. Followed by the man beginning to pace around, back and forth, making sure to pass his parents each time. Attempting to think of his next words.

“Before you run off. Got some things I have to say… I was helping my friend Yu here take care of some business, we were poking around, and what we found was pretty interesting… You're the ones who orchestrated the Niopolis attacks...”

The two’s eyes widened as they heard this. How did he find out about that?! Those files were buried deep!

“Interesting, Quite Interesting indeed…” Liang commented. The two were silent for quite some time, until Safie spoke out.

“You misunderstand- We, Uhm.”

Bijan frowned

“Come on, Out with it…”

“You see, We simply did what we believed was necessary. The government wanted us to do it, so we did so-”

Bijan clenched his fist at this statement… He'd caught them,and yet…

“Cut the shit, I know that was your handiwork!!!” He yelled. As his words reverberated through the room, the two were silenced, recoiling at his words.

“I don’t want to kill when I don't need to… So I ask that you surrender peacefully, and accept punishment for your crimes.”

Farid stepped forward as Bijan spoke.

“Alright, I’ll do it… I-”

Before Farid finishes, however, he pulls out a gauss pistol firing into Bijan's head. Of course, he stands there unaffected by the shot. As his father stands there, with a fearful expression on his face. His mother as well, as she seemingly holds a gun as well.

“:You know, I was being really generous with that. After what you did, and put me through, I should’ve just killed you... It's a good thing that was on the table from the start.”

As Bijan formed a blade of plant matter, he took swipes at both Farid and Safie, and soon, their heads flew off of their bodies, as they fell. The youth looked down upon the bodies of his deceased parents, his expression unchanged. Liang soon walked to his side, looking down at this as well.

“How unfortunate…” Liang commented.

“Yeah. But there’s nothing I can do about it now. Let’s get moving, the others are probably gonna need us.”

Now, they began to make their exit, ready to rejoin the battle.