Tides OF Protomis LXXXVI

Volker

Far away from Yamato, there sat a large city by the name of Salzburg, within the central areas of Delmenforde. Though there lied several skyscrapers, they were mostly in the dead center of the city, in its outer limit, the buildings resembled much older buildings, using brick and stone, sturdy nonetheless. Three youths walked on the stone paths, filing in with the small crowd that surrounded them. The one to the front of them, the tallest of them all, wore a black blazer and a tie, with pants of the same color, just like the two behind him, their school uniform. Strands of his spiky orange hair covering one of his eyes. The two behind him continued their chatter, about things he wasn’t exactly paying attention to. Especially as he heard a chime from his pocket, and soon, he stopped, as did the ones behind him. As he reached into his pocket, removing it, the display came up. one of the men stepped forward, a Black-haired man with green orbs. His gaze moved in the direction of the screen, though, he couldn’t tell what was on it.

“Juruguen, Got some new orders?”

The Orange-headed boy glanced over his shoulder at the man. This was the boy known as Jurugen Volker, age Sixteen. Soon, the second, a boy with blue hair stepped forward, attempting to gaze at the screen as well. Though, Volker seemingly ignored it, keeping his gaze on the first.

“I’d appreciate it if you didn’t stare at my screen, Johann…”

Johann put his hands up, stepping back as he took notice of his arched brows.

“Alright, alright…”

It was then that Volker turned his gaze to the other.

“That goes for you too, Moritz.”

And just like that, Mortiz stepped back as well. The three stood in silence for some moments, at the least, until Moritz opened his mouth to speak.

“Been meaning to ask you, You’ve been getting a lot more missions these past few weeks. Any idea what’s going on here?”

Volker turned to face and shook his head.

“More demons are appearing, and they're starting to look stronger. I know that much. But outside of that, info is scarce… This could end up getting pretty dangerous.”

Johan put his hand on his chin as he heard this.

“That’s strange, aren’t the high-level demons supposed to be contained?”

Volker nodded once again.

“Yeah... I know you guys aren’t exactly interested in slaying demons, but, at the least, could you hold the fort here?”

Johann smiled.

“Well, we gained those abilities for a reason. We got things here, don’t worry about it.”

“Alright... Aside from that, Looks like it is a mission. Johhan, Moritz, I’ll see you later. “

The two nodded, as they began to break away onto the left and right paths respectively. Volker, however, stayed in the center, continuing his stroll as he answered the call, and a man came up on his screen. His dark blue hair covering his eyes, at the least, until he pushed them back, Lyle d’Chauvethier.

“Volker, I’m sure you are aware of the situation with the violet devil…”

Volker nodded in response.

“But of course, sir…”

“Good… We have an issue, Genbu and his team were sent to end her, but the violet devil and the four tides intercepted them, and the violet devil executed them.”

Volker stopped his walk as he heard this... There it went again, The Four Tides. Time and time again, they popped up in one discussion or the other. Their power, and their deeds. It was no exaggeration to say he had a strong distaste for them, given how much damage they caused everywhere they fought. This much simply extended his feelings. However, that wasn’t important to the situation, as such, despite these feelings, he simply continued on.

“The tides are working with her? I understand that they are acquaintances, but having been attacked by demons themselves, they’d help the one who’s the cause of all this?”

Lyle leaned back into his chair.

“Precisely my point. We can not lose any more experienced men, I need you to isolate a tide, and take him out yourself… Battling all at once is unwise. We need you to be in Tokyo by dawn tomorrow. Preferably earlier.”

Volker nodded

“Right!!”

Volker tapped the display, ending the call. He stood there in silence for quite a bit, as he began thinking of possible strategies, while what he got was a good baseline, it would do him well to calculate for whoever he ended up fighting, and the counter strategies they could come up with. Though, eventually, he began walking once again. The stone path under him soon turned to asphalt, as he turned the corner. He soon began weaving around the crowds of people who walked there as well, until he came to a two-story brick house, the slanted roof covered with heavy blue tiles. He soon stepped through the gate that surrounded the house, and walked to the wooden door in the front, opening, and entering the home. The room he entered was dark, to the left, the windows covered with curtains, the dining table to his left covered in dirty dishes… Something he wasn’t fond of, but not something he cared that much about. Though, there was something the slayer took notice of, the sound of a TV, coming from his right. In addition to the lights that came from it. It was after this that he stopped moving, taking notice of the fact that he wasn’t alone… This much made him frown.

Sitting on the couch was a fair-skinned woman. The effects of age had made it to their face, though to many, she was attractive nonetheless. The dark red orbs from her narrowed eyes moved over her shoulder. Her shoulder-length blonde hair swayed as she turned her head completely. Until she stood up, revealing her well-endowed figure. Covered with a simple T-shirt and Sweatpants. For some moments, the two remained in silence.

“Mother, the order is sending me on another mission… I’ll be going over to the east.”

The woman, Franziska Volker, pursed her lips in her apparent distaste. As such, the tension continued to build between the two. And, though Volker did not see her, he could no doubt sense what she was thinking if her previous responses were anything to go by.

“Is that so… You’re still involved in this occult foolishness. Fighting demons? Next thing you know, you’ll tell me you're exorcising the ghost of Minoru Ito or something like that… That type of stuff is what got your father killed.”

“It is not “Occult”... There is well-documented proof of the existence of demons… I’ve seen them myself. I know what killed father…”

She scoffed at this.

“He was simply delusional, wrong place, wrong time… There were no “Demons” Involved…”

What was at first just a slight frowned soon turned to a grimace, as his gaze shot to Franziska, and as they met each other's gaze, it began to bore into her. seems to get angry at these words, glaring toward the back of his mother.

“Oh yes… Because YOU’RE one to talk about delusional...Deciding to be ignorant doesn't defend your point.”

“I don’t take too kindly to your disrespect.”

“Like trying to talk to a brick wall.”

Volker began walking past the room, breaking his gaze with her as he ascended the stairs in the center of the house. Pressing a button on a wall panel, and turning the light’s on. He swiftly stepped into his room, grabbing a duffel bag, pressing another Panel to turn things on. The room was relatively empty, after all, he did not tend to stay at the home, it was the bare minimum, a dresser, and a bed. He soon began ruffling through the dresser on the room’s wall, pulling out clothes, and throwing them onto a duffel bag on the floor, with little thought. He soon zipped it closed, as he turned on his heel, opening the aging wardrobe on the room’s wall, revealing white robes with a cape on the back. With the golden circle pin on its chest serving as a mark of distinction. This one, he stared at for some time, as he remembered his father wearing the very same outfit… This one, unlike the others, he folded with care, placing it into a separate bag, before zipping it closed as well. Soon, he pressed the button on the wall panel, turning the room’s lights off. Before he descended down the stairs. Walking past the living room, only giving the woman a passing glance. Though, he would stop as he reached the door, finally responding to her statement.

“And I don't take too kindly to your foolishness. I WILL continue Father’s legacy, Whether you like it or not…”

Franziska’s eyes moved to follow Volker’s disappearing form, as he opened the door, lighting up the darkened room for some moments before he closed the door behind him. Even so, she said nothing... Volker walked out of the gates and began to walk onto the street once again. He soon closed his eyes as he began to recall his past…

2009, it was a mostly normal night in the city. Aside from one corner of the city, at the least. An older man with a beard that extended down to his neck. He bore a striking resemblance to Jurugen, though, with the effects of age impacting him. Much of his face was changed by wrinkles. However, what was most notable was his uniform, rife with holes, which revealed the bloody gashes covering his light skin. That, and the one in front of him, a gray-skinned humanoid being, his body was covered in hardened plates of skin that resembled armor. All that said, it most definitely wasn't a human. Seto Volker frowned as he tightened his grip on the rifle in his hand, the weapon that served as his holy arm.

“To think that a reaver could evolve to the point of Sapience…We all knew they got stronger, but this is something else entirely.”

Volker continued to recall that day as he walked down the street, eventually opening his eyes as he decided not to dwell on it.

“Enough of that...It can wait until after I’m Finished.”

Part B

Elsewhere, within one of the Shima Ward’s many side roads, Arctaius leaned on a brick wall, his eyes closed, and arms crossed. His expression was blank, in stark contrast to the one who stood in front of him. Asami stood in front of Arctaius with a frown on her face. She leaned closer to him as she spoke

“What was so wrong about it?! I was right, wasn’t I?”

Arctaius finally opened his eyes as he focused his gaze on her.

“I’m usually not the one to say this but, No, you weren't… I understand that you hate the Kaemerge, I do as well… But I hardly consider the likes of Miyamoto Kaemerge.”

However, this statement did not do much to appease her anger. Rather, she stepped closer once more, yelling once again.

“Even If you say that it doesn't change her past acti-”

Now he spoke with his voice elevated.

“Let me finish… If she still considered herself kaemerge, we would’ve fought already… Think about this for a minute. We’ve fought their remnants before now, haven’t we?”

“Even so, how do you know she's not just trying to trick us, or her alignments have changed?”

“If that were the case, why would she have waited this long to do so, the opening of the portal was gradual, it didn't happen all at once… If she was in control, would it not make sense to go after then when they least expect it…”

Apparently, this much made Asami go silent... And as she did, so did Arctaius. There was no doubt in her head that she didn’t exactly trust the Violet-Haired girl... But even then, as much as her old friend had rushed into battle, and done things with seemingly no regard for his safety, she had faith in his thought, he was rational, no doubt. She may not have agreed with him, but, perhaps she could put it to the side, at least, for now. Finally, she spoke up once again.

“Alright, fine… I'll tolerate her for now....”

Arctaius began to walk past her, putting his hand on her shoulder.

“That’ll do for now…”

He removed his hand and began to walk away. Asami glanced over her shoulder, watching his disappearing form before she began to walk in the opposite direction. After all, she had other things to do that day.

“Kasumi and Megumi are at the park, don’t wanna keep them waiting.”

As for Arctaius, however not so much… That said, there was really only one thing to do, move around, see what he could get into. Well, that was his plan, until he heard a whoosh fill his ears, at first, he passed it off as the wind...until he took notice of white blurs moving across the rooftops. Though he walked as if nothing happened, his gaze stayed on the men until they came to a stop. It was after this that he took notice of what they were, soldiers wearing white robes… In other words, Enemies…

“Trying to tail me, huh… Did they think I wouldn't notice? I think I should take a trip to southern shima… Nice and untouched. Let’s see who they’ve brought this time around.”

To Be Continued.