Away from the battle between Arctaius and the emperor, two girls flew over the decrepit downtown areas of Tsugashuan. The taller of the two, with red-orange locks, was the first to speak.

“This area looks a lot worse off than I'd remember.”

The shorter of the two, one with purple hair that reached her shoulders, glanced over at her.

“Riiight, not like they were fighting here or something…”

The stressing of her words made her sarcasm clear.

“What? it’s not like I’m wrong. Anyway, we should be near them soon.”

The two continued to fly over the city, until they looked down, and found a clump of men standing on yet another spire, looking down at the battle between the Emperor and their ally. As they continued their approach, Alarick was the first to glance back. He’d noted the familiarity, as had the rest. He turned on his heel as they landed in front of him.

“There you two are. What happened on your side?”

Miyamoto stepped forward as she sighed.

“There was a fight going on between the Coalition and the locals… Needless to say, many of them aren't too friendly. It could've easily heated up, so we had to diffuse that.”

Valerie soon began walking as well, stepping past Alarick, and the rest, who came to look at her as well, as she went to the edge of the roof to watch the battle that took place, with strikes continuing to fly between the two, and the shockwaves continuing to fly out as well.

“It looks like while we were gone, things got worse around here… Taius ain't doing too well, as I see it.”

Zhao stepped forward as well, his eyes going between the two fighters as if trying to analyze their movements. Though he ultimately did not come up with a strategy, or if he did, he didn’t give them out, out of respect for Arctaius’ wishes. Instead opting to say one thing.

“I'm sure that he can handle this…”

Elsewhere, Kazimir did not talk about the battle, but instead, the state of the sky above them, which, though slightly, had gotten a bit lighter. He gazed up at the sky for a few seconds, before his gaze fell back down upon his allies.

“It really has gotten late, or, early… You get the point, it’s what, 4, 5 AM?”

Zhao went silent for a moment, glancing up at the sky as well.

“I suppose with how focused we were… We haven't noticed that. Then again. It would be pointless for us to do so.”

Valerie’s turned back to the rest of those there as a slight smile covered her visage.

“I don't know about you guys, but I'm gonna have a good night's sleep when I get home.”

Alarick closed his eyes, as he walked away from them, opting to lean on an old AC unit that remained on the roof.

“That's if any of us get home… though, it looks like our chances of survival have increased. I sense a familiar proto-human in the area.”

As Bijan heard Alarick’s words, he turned away from the battle as well, now looking into the direction Valerie and Miyamoto came from.

“Looks like Hashimoto is here.”

And right he was. Bounding over the city, was Jirou Hashimoto, his gaze falling upon Augusto as he closed in… His target was discovered, and he was ready to make his attack. He stopped above the two and reeled his arm back before he began his quick descent upon Augusto. Though his target noticed, he did not move quickly enough to stop him. His fist smashing into the Emperor’s cheek. Though this threw him off balance, it did not stop him. He countered with a punch to the man’s stomach. Arctaius frowned at this but opted to take advantage regardless. He flew at the two with his fist behind his body, but Augusto’s gaze shot over to him… And soon, he disappeared once again, now in front of Arctaius’ and behind Jirou, the two were soon sent flying away from him, Though Arctaius and Jirou managed to skid, stopping themselves. Jirou soon turned to look at Augusto following gaining his footing. Though he kept his eyes on Augusto, he spoke to the new arrival.

“Hashimoto… what are you doing here?”

Jirou glanced at him.

“A stupid question… I'm here to fight that one, of course.”

This statement lead to Arctaius now directing some of his attention toward him, giving him a glare that looked as if it’d burn through someone.

“Like hell you are… this one is MY target… I won't have anyone interfere.”

However, Jirou was undeterred, even with his Allie’s gaze.

“That man is a high tier, we knew that much... But I'm thinking he may even be an ultima-Human. If that’s the case, none of us can win this solo... I didn't spend that time making sure I didn't fall behind just so you could die before I get to kick your ass myself…”

Arctaius’ eyes continued to bore into the man as he spoke... He wasn’t pleased by his words, and he wasn’t afraid to make that known, but as he began to think of the possible outcome... It became more than clear that he’d get no revenge at all if this fight kept going as it did. Though he didn’t feel them, there was an undoubtedly large amount of injuries he had taken, moreso than he gave his opponent, no doubt. He moved his gaze away from Hashimoto, focusing on Augusto once more. As his expression returned to a more neutral one.

“Fine then… if it will cement my chance of Victory, but I will only allow you.”

Arctaius turned his gaze to those standing on the roof as he grew louder.

“The rest of you stay over there!”

He turned his gaze forward, As Jirou opened his hands, before bending his knees.

“That's fine with me. Let's finish this one off…”

As they spoke to one another, Augusto’s eyes went between Arctaius and the new arrival. Even with the hit he’d given him, he had but one thing to say.

“Trash and garbage, even when combined, both equal naught… Even with this ally of yours here, I will slay you both all the same…”

Wordlessly, both Arctaius and Jirou shoot forward, undeterred by the man’s taunts. Augusto soon burst forward to meet them. As the three fighters moved closer to one another, Augusto’s fist shot out toward Arctaius. The man’s eyes darted over as he moved to grasp it, but it proved to be a feint. As Augusto shifted back, and moved his feet, stepping toward Jirou, he threw a punch. Jirou moved out of the way but soon found the other hand smashing into his chest. He began barreling backward from the force but stopped himself a few feet out. While Arctaius moved to continue his assault on the emperor. However, instead of punching him as the man had expected, he instead began to slide, extending his leg out, before sweeping the man off his feet. As Ignatius fell forward, Arctaius prepared to launch his fist into the man’s stomach once again, but Augusto stuck his arm of steel out, his palm now directly into Arctaius’ face. His eyes widened as he took notice.

“Shit!”

As the burst of blue plasma flew toward him, the golden light swirled around Arctaius once again. Though his aura limited the effects of the blast, he did not come out unscathed. Patches of his skin began to blacken as the blue light washed over him. It was only when the swirling of the light around him intensified, that the burst was rendered ineffective. That was not ideal, but that wouldn’t stop him. Arctaius soon jumped up at the man that moved above him, grabbing hold of his torso once again. As he was grabbed, the emperor looked down at his opponent, tightening his fist.

“Not this time”

Augusto not one, but a volley of strikes at Arctaius. But he soon found that though his body shook, and his head seemed to turn with each strike, he would not release him so easily... The man could simply not use all of his power effectively with his movement restricted.

“Even so, that won’t be enough to stop me...I still have this, after all”

Soon, Augusto’s hand began to crackle, as a blue glow surrounded it. He began to open his hand once again, but Arctaius had already released his grip, jumping away from him. Though it wasn’t as if that mattered, he could always jus-

Arctaius’ fist soon smashed into Augusto’s left cheek, his body trembled as a result of the force. The surprise had even stopped his attack. Where did power in that attack come from? Though he did not have time to ponder these questions, As Jirou soon jumped forward, arriving in front of him, and throwing a punch at his other cheek, his head now facing the other direction. Jirou soon began throwing a volley of strike’s around Augusto’s body, for what felt like minutes… Only as he finished, did the emperor have a moment to think.

“What?!”

The brief solace ended as Jirou stuck his arms out in front of him, opening his palms.

Jirou: Gravity Well!!!

Soon, the ground under Ignatius began to break as it was pressed downward. Soon joined by the man as well, brought to his knees by the force exacted upon his body… Before he was unimpressed, then, he was surprised, if not a bit annoyed… However, a different emotion began to bubble up, one he had not felt in decades. Regardless of that, it mattered not to the current situation, he was surrounded by two opponents, who began to prove themselves. Wait...Two, what was the other one doing?!

“Solis Pulsar!”

A yellow beam barreled toward Augusto, courtesy of Arctaius. He clicked his tongue as he glanced over his shoulder as the energy flew forward. Though he may have been caught this once… That wouldn’t happen again. Soon a strange feeling went through all of those there, as the man disappeared from his spot, appearing behind Arctaius… The youth soon sensed him, stopping his attack as he prepared to rear on him, but the emperor was quicker. He soon jabbed his elbow into Arctaius’ back. And before he even had the time to react, he was in front of him, punching him in the stomach.

“It seems that I may very well have to take you seriously…”

Part B

The rest of those that came to Tsugashuan continued to observe the battle below them. It was silent between them, what little sound did reach their ears was from the fight that happened below them. Though even if they had, they likely would have ignored it, all their minds focused on a single course of action, strategizing… However, regardless of how much experience they had, how good they’d gotten, they acknowledged one glaring flaw in all of their plans, they didn’t factor in one thing. Miyamoto tapped her feet as she glanced at those standing beside her, the strange feeling ran through her, and the man disappeared and reappeared once again.

“That teleporting, or, whatever it is, is going to be an issue…”

Kazimir nodded in agreement as he heard her speak, glancing over at Zhao.

“Lei, can't you use that technique to tell them where he'll be?”

“Normally, yes, but something is strange… Around the time where he appears in another location, and when things seem to return to their previous place. My precognition begins to mess up… However, as I learned from Guan when he was still alive. This technique is based upon time…”

Liang’s eyes widened as he heard the explanation behind the technique. He knew the one in front of them was on another level, but.

“If that’s the case, it shouldn’t be possible for him to go unnoticed by you.”

Valerie turned her head, looking at Liang as well.

“That’s right, but in that case, what’s going on here?”

“Given what Zhao said, as far-fetched as this may sound. That means... that this man is controlling time within itself.

Alarick’s eyes widened, soon followed by those of the rest of the group. A quiet gasp elicited from Miyamoto as she heard this. However, they soon regained their composure. And began to go back into their attempts at strategies once again, but even with the nugget of knowledge they gained, they still didn’t know how it worked… In the end, not all that useful. Alarick turned away from the battle, now facing the rest of those behind him.

“Think back… is there any distinguishing features from when he prepared to affect time.”

The group stood in silence, once again left to the dilemma of not being able to find a weakness in their enemies' plan. Though there was some talk, it was only limited to a few mutters. Kazimir closed his eyes, and Alarick’s gaze simply followed the Emperor as he moved, even with his perceptive eyes.

“Damn...I’ve got nothing.”

Valerie began to turn her gaze back to the three’s battle, as Arctaius and Jirou continued their attempts to hit the emperor, only to strike air, despite how they tried.

“If we don’t think of something that’ll turn the tides...I’ll just jump in myself. I don’t plan on letting you die, Taius. Not after we survived this long.”

As the silence continued. Valerie began to grow more and more restless. The lack of words between them had begun to take its toll. Feeding into her fears that Arctaius and Jirou wouldn’t be able to handle this. She began to raise her palm, though slowly… As she began to debate in her mind, accept his wishes, or let this happen? Thankfully enough, however, Kazimir opened his eyes, walking past all of those there, before yelling out over the ledge.

“Corde, Jirou!!! This one has been controlling time this whole time. His Protomis became much more chaotic when he activates that ability, and it's almost always his Right Arm that triggers it!!!”

Arctaius and Jirou’s eyes shot toward Kazimir for a second… A mistake on their part, as Ignatius’ fist smashed into Arctaius’ chest, sending him barreling backward. He did not stop there, twisting his body, and sending and as he sent a kick at Jirou’s side. The man recoiled, as he flew to the left, smashing through yet another building. This one, however, was the one the group was standing on. Though it was little cause for concern, as they soon leaped off. Opting to land on another. Ignatius looked up at those there.

“I should’ve taken them out at the start…That would’ve saved me a lot of trouble”

Elsewhere, Jirou bounded over yet another building, landing on the street beside Arctaius, who looked at him as he did.

“Time itself, huh… it seems like this one will be a problem, we need a strategy…You've learned to miniaturize your gravity well, right?”

“You were there when we trained, weren’t you? What’s the point of asking that?”

“Hm. point taken. In that case, I have a plan that just may work. I'll enter melee range, and hit him as hard as possible… You can use your gravity well when he moves to counter, or defend.”

“There's still the issue of his time-reversal… if we aren't careful, he will simply use that, and his time stop to his advantage… But with us now knowing the signs, we have a better chance… don't get too close to my target. Or it'll weigh you down as well.”

“Understood… Our chance of success is much higher… now then, let's get moving!!!”

Arctaius bent his knees, as Jirou outstretched his arms once again.

“Right!”

Arctaius soon shot forward, destroying the ground behind him as he bounded toward Augusto. Who simply put both of his arms up in his defense, in preparation for the oncoming assault. Even so, Arctaius continued his charge forward. Throwing another strike at his opponent as he got into range. Augusto took notice, shifting his body back, and forth as his fist shot out… However, as the two closed in on one another, he soon found that Arctaius stopped in his tracks, jumping back. He arched his brows.

“You aren’t getting away that easily!”

Unbeknownst to the emperor, however, that wasn’t his intent. Soon, Augusto found the arm he’d outstretched weighed down, as his body began to tip over to the right. He looked down at this in confusion but got no explanation, only a slight smirk from the opponent in front of him. Arctaius quickly jumped on the opportunity, shifting his feet as he dashed around his opponent’s body, as if he were a tornado, peppering him with hits, whether it be a kick, punch, or the occasional elbow and knee. Unlike the rest of his hits, the effects were much more noticeable. Had they begun winning? If so… That means they’d made the right choice.

“Don't you dare underestimate my power, Selenium Ignatius!!!”

With his declaration, Arctaius clamped his hands together, raising them above his head, before bringing it down upon his opponent’s head. Unable to withstand the force, his body soon buckled under the pressure, falling, and ripping apart the ground as he did so. As he began his descent further into the crater, that began to form around him, dust and debris began to fill the air around them, perhaps obstructing the sight of a normal human, but, that was not the case for them… Arctaius looked down upon the crater that formed, about a mile deep at the least. Arctaius looked down at Augusto in silence...

To Be Continued