As the forces of the coalition and the Kamerge clashed in the city below, explosions continued to rock the city, as gunfire sounded on the street, as the troops clashed. But, as there had been before, fresh troops and armaments poured into the city. Soon, four more would arrive. Within a black transport ship, Sat all four of the silver lions. Watanabe looked out of the small slit that served as a window.

Taiki: If only we could've gotten here earlier. Things seem to have taken a turn for the worse…

Coalition and Kaemerge ships flew over the city, as the sky, which had gotten noticeably darker since the forces had entered the city, was lit up as the sigma particle beams flew from ship to ship. With smaller bursts coming from the HAUs that zipped around the ships, with fighters, and corvettes flying closely behind them. Watanabe focused his gaze on the battle on the ground, taking notice of the ground battle, as tanks rolled through the streets, firing in conjunction with ground use HAUs. What he took notice of the most, however, was the dead civilians that lay on the street, likely unfortunate enough to be caught in the crossfire.

Tsumotsu: if that energy release was anything to go by, I'd say that they got here before us. Watanabe, do you know where Naumov is?

Watanabe turned on his heel, as he looked away from the battle, and at his suited ally.

Watanabe: If he were here, we likely would've sensed him already.

Yua brushed her hair back, as she stood up, and began pacing around the room.

Yua: That said, I expect there to be more strong enemies here.. Either they've already been taken down, or there's none outside of the apostles.

Ashikaga soon got up as well.

Ashikaga: Don't forget that emperor of theirs. From what the ones we interrogated said, he has to be really strong to keep people with agendas that different together…

Taiki: Well, that large amount of Protomis is still being released… So I'll be going in the direction of that battle.

The man turned once again, walking down the stairs to the cargo bay as he reached them. Bringing a lighter out of his pocket, he flipped it open, before grasping a cigarette out of the carton that was in his jacket’s breast pocket, lighting it and placing it in his mouth, as he reached the bay door. Soon, Ashikaga and Yua joined him.

Yua: Taiki, You did say you had a grudge against these guys, right? You must be excited to bust some heads.

Taiki: Yeah... But true as that is, who doesn't at this point.

Watanabe cracked his knuckles, as Ashikaga came to his side.

Ashikaga: You aren’t wrong...I’m just as excited as you two.

Sara cracked a smile as did Taiki. The bay doors soon opened as Watanabe hopped off of the ship, followed By Ashikaga, and Yua. The three then began their dash toward Rizian tower, as they took note of its location, doing so seemingly unimpeded. Until, in their path, a Dark-skinned man appeared. Rinmon of the Imperial guard. His eyes went from Yua To Ashikaga, and then, Taiki. He retained his poker face, as he spoke.

Rinmon: More heretics, I see. Proto-humans as well. Regardless, you won’t get past me. It’s about time we clear you out of this holy ground.

Taiki: We’ll just have to see about that.

Rinmon put both of his arms out, as he yelled.

Rinmon: Vacuum!!!

Soon, a wave of air flew outward, With Rinmon’s cornrows, and the hair of the three waving violently. As the three took notice, they began to fly away from each other, attempting to split up, but they all stopped moving moments after. Taiki’s eyes widened in surprise, as he closed his mouth. Yua soon did the same, followed by Ashikaga.

Taiki(thought): What the hell?! I can't breathe…!

Yua(thought): It's as if we're in space - - there's no air here!!!

Rinmon: You may have noticed a change very recently… I am the cause of that. You may be strong indeed - but this is my element… I can go much longer without air then you can…

Rinmon smirked.

Rinmon: Then again, There’s no reason talking… It's not as if you can hear me.

Rinmon soon began flying around the three, As Yua, Taiki, and Ashikaga continued their struggle to keep the air in their lungs. The effort of which was visible, as they clench their jaws.

Taiki(thought): There isn't much I can do here… it looks like I'll have to let those two take care of this.

Yua grunted in frustration.

Yua(thought): My Sound Control is out of the question as well… Ashikaga will have to handle this.

Ashikaga opened her hands, as her eyes opened. An orange glow soon formed around her body, and, as the glow intensified, Rinmon took notice, and stopped as he focused his gaze on her. The light intensified moments after. One could no longer see her body.

Rinmon(thought): What was that?

His gaze stayed focused on the orange sphere of light that remained before what looked like a space fighter came barreling out at him, and out of the range of his vacuum.

Rinmon: What?!

Ashikaga(thought): Your ability probably would’ve killed us if it hadn’t been for this… But it’s not like that matters now!

AS she began to fly closer, Beams of Orange light flew out of the guns on the fighter’s bow, Though they ultimately did no damage, that was not the intention. She soon sped up, crashing into him, and forcing him back. Rinmon soon began to fly forward, pushing against her new form. Stopping any movement between the two. Though her ultimate goal of catching his attention was achieved, the vacuum dispersed. Watanabe stops clenching his jaw, as he once again took his cigarette out of his mouth.

Taiki: Shift!

A light formed around his hand, as his greatsword appeared once again. Yua, taking notice of the air that filled her lungs once again, sighed.

Yua: Whew, that was close.

Yua began to wave her hands, as she took notice of the battle continuing in front of her. Ashikaga withdrew, as she returned to her human form with another flash of light. Though Rinmon prepared to chase after her, he soon stopped, as he looked around in confusion.

Rinmon(thought): My hearing is gone. But, I’m used to that. That won’t be enough to stop me.

Rinmon clenched his fists, as he took notice of Taiki flying at him, his sword aimed at the man. His opponent puts his arms up as he drew closer. As Taiki got within a few feet, he swung his greatsword at him. Rinmon, however, ducked underneath, before reeling his fist back and driving it into his stomach. The hit, however, remained ineffective. Taiki would soon attempt to bring his elbow down on the man’s neck, but he moved out of the way, sending a punch to Taiki’s jaw, which sent his head lurching upward. Attempting to continue the attack, with sending his remaining fist to his side, as he pivoted his body. However, Taiki would move out of the way, backing away, and flying under the man. Before speeding up as he went upward, his arm bent, and fist aimed at the man’s jaw.

The strike was a direct hit, as his body flew upward from the force. Taiki flew to follow him and a barrage of attacks began as he reached him. Taiki alternated between swipes of the blade and strikes. Before he threw his sword out of his hand, Clasping his hands together, as he smashed the man on top of his head, as he barreled toward the ground, sending tremors outward as he made contact. Taiki looked down upon the dead opponent, and then back at his allies.

Taiki: What a drag… Anyway, I'm going after their boss, try to contain things here, if you don't mind…

Yua: No problem!

Taiki soon began flying away, toward Rizian. Ashikaga and Yua floated overhead, watching as he left. Ashikaga crossed her arms, as she looked at the ruined Buildings that remained of the district below them.

Ashikaga: Those two had better be pulling their weight…

Yua:Oh, Junko and Valerie, right?

Ashikaga: Of course, We didn't train them just for them to fail like that.

Yua: Well, from what we saw, they should be fine.

Part B

Elsewhere, floating near the top levels of Rizian, were the four tides, and the apostles. It was dad silent, save for the blowing of the wind. Alarick glanced at his allies, and then, back at his opponents.

Alarick: We all remember what we came for. Let’s split them up…

Arctaius: Yeah.they're too much of a danger to handle all at once, who gets who?

Rhuskov: I'd say we can’t decide that, but I'd be lying if I didn't want to take a Crack at that woman...

Alarick: I have some problems with the one using the cards...

Alarick arched his brows, as he clenched his fists.

AlarickI'll be eliminating you myself, von Blumstein!!!

Berthold: I feel the same!!!

Soon, Rhuskov and Amelia, as well as Blumstein and Alarick flew away from the remaining four, to begin their personal battles. The silence returned for a moment.

Zhao: So that leaves us with half.

A golden light surrounded Arctaius once again, As Zhao tightened his grip on his dao, and Minoru, on his Nodachi. The two flew at one another once again, as with a clang, the two found their blades locked onto one another. The two backed up, as they began swinging their blades at each other. But, as their battle continued, they both found that they simply could not land a hit on the other. Either ending in a miss, or one blocking the other, and attempting to parry. Soon, Minoru brought his blade up, launching a downward strike at Zhao. The youth quickly put the blade over his head, stopping the strike, as he was sent barreling toward the ground. Or, at the least, he would have, if he hadn’t stopped himself Midair. Minoru continued pursuing the man regardless, as he tightened his grip once again, bending his arms.

Minoru: Guren Art- Hayauchi(Rapid Strokes).

A red glow surrounded Minoru's blade, as he charged at Zhao at a higher speed than before. He began to throw 10s upon 10s of slashes, and, though Zhao put up a defense, attempting to parry and dodge the strikes, he had issues getting away from the attempted attacks. to the point where even he is surprised. His mind flowed with possible strategies before he decided on a technique.

Zhao: Guo Art- Counter!!!

With this- Minoru suddenly finds himself unable to move.

Minoru: What just.

Zhao soon bent his leg, as he twisted his body, Roundhousing Minoru, as he went through not one, but multiple buildings. Zhao looked upon this, as he flew once again, to follow his opponent.

Zhao: Now… Doesn't that bring back some memories?

To Be Continued,