"and the Sky... Is Limitless"

A Week Ago…

20th May 595 UY, Tokyo, Japan, Mirainr

“This is the second time this week.” (Una)

“He didn’t wake up so I decided to go to his room and then…” (Yuki)

“Nice job. You must have some raw beef in you to drag him all the way to school from your house.” Lars said with a wide grin.

Yuki bashed him on the head, “He’s way more light weighted than I thougt.”

“It can’t be helped. He’s always been like this since I can remember.” (Aya)

“But what led to this situation?” (Chini)

“We don’t know but he’s senses doesn’t always start up when he wakes up.” (Aya)

“Could you be more specific?” Lars said while rubbing his head.

“If you compare it with a computer, he’s boot up time is slower than others. Though he’s awake he can’t see, feel or have any taste. But his brain is working. Sometimes it takes 15 minutes; sometimes hours. One time, he was consciously senseless for about 12 hours.” (Aya)

“Hey, hey he’s moving, look at his eyes.” (Yuki)

“Only 1 eye Miki.” (Chini)

I tried to open my eyes but I only opened my left one. It seems like, I don’t have any sense on my right side. The eyelid on the right felt heavy as a rock, I tried to open but in vain. When I looked, I realized am in the office. I found myself sitting on the couch. Yuki and Chini is beside me, standing. Lars is siting in front of me on an arm chair. Aya is in the desk. Una was behind me.

"G'morning.” Chini welcomed me.

“You were half awake... again.” Yuki informed me.

“Again? Strange... though before this time I could say that I am in Oblivion. But this time I couldn't tell that I was half awake. I think I was dreaming; can't remember what though.” I just can't remember what was happening. Whenever I am in this situation, I am aware of it but just can't do anything physically. It's basically being physically paralyzed while the mind is alright; though this time was exceptional. I had totally lost it.

“This time you didn’t even open an eye. We thought you were dead.” Chini informed. But I'm not sure if she was worried about me or just being sarcastic.

“Are you alright?” Yuki asked me.

“I'm fine. But, I still haven’t regained senses on my right.” I replied.

“You should rest then.” Yuki suggested me.

“N-no I’m f-fine. I’ll be going to class now.” I said standing up from the couch.

“Here.” Yuki handed me a bag which contained my uniform.

I entered a room and wore my uniform. I feel sleepy. It is as if the two sides of my body are battling each other. And I'm just the bone in the middle.

I struggled a bit to get the uniform on but in the end, I succeeded. I came out of the room. Only Lars and Chini is present. I guess the rest went to class, don't know about ma'am though. I didn't say anything to anyone. I took my file case containing books and started heading out.

“I’m right behind you.” Lars joined me.

We started to go to class. I can’t flail my right hand much. My right ear isn’t much adequate like the left one. My leg’s fine though. Maybe, maybe not. I don't want to check if it's fine or not. It's still working and that's all I care about.

“Here.” Lars handed over my corrective lenses.

I wore it.

“You’re looking like a pirate with an eye closed.” Lars commented.

I hate pirates.

We entered the class room. I took my seat.

“Good morning.” A sudden announcement came out from behind. It was Michelle.

I got a bit spooked, "G-good morning."

She was as bright as ever; the cheerful smile, the cute blush; all the Michelle stuff.

"What happened to your eye?" She noticed.

"Oh, this, uhm-uh, nothing much. I kinda have a situation." I told her

Now I’ve began to feel much weaker. I’m rapidly losing my grip on the right side. My leg is sore. I think I’m going to fall on my right side because of the dead-weight. The teacher came in and the class started and Michelle couldn’t converse with me any more.

Everybody stood up at her arrival. I almost fell on the ground.

“Are you alright?” Mrs. Kirisaki noticed me.

“I’m wine.” Now the right side of my lip isn’t working.

Miya looked at me; confused.

“He’s a bit tired from the studies he did on yesterday night. He’ll be fine.” Lars assured the teacher. Excuse of the year I guess. He's not the best person in town to come up with an escape plan but is reliable if things need to cool down.

“Hey look, it’s the pirate Binkan-kun.” A boy in the class cried out.

And everyone fell on laughter over it. Screaming like animals. Is this some sort of riot?

The class ended and we went out of the room. My body still didn’t come back to normal. My lips and legs are a bit improved than before. Lars headed out to take another subject while I and Michelle decided to go to the nurse to get an eyepatch. We are walking on the corridor. I am feeling a little light weighted.

"Are you alright?" Michelle asked me.

"No, not really." I replied. I lifted my right arm. My hand was shaking as if it saw a ghost. I couldn't keep it hung up for long.

"So, now can I ask what about your condition?" (Michelle)

"Uh, sure." I started, "This condition of mine started 4 years ago. You see, sometimes, after I wake up. I enter in some sort of stasis, an awake coma; senses separated from my body. I know that something’s happening but can’t react to it. Like as if you’re seeing from someone else’s body; only seeing. The doctors and scientists couldn't get much knowledge regarding this situation. They dubbed it 'Oblivion'."

She tried to sound cheerful and replied to me, "I just hope you'll get well soon enough." But I can say she was worried deep down. She always is.

"There's no way out for me from this." I faced the truth.

She looked at me with worrying eyes.

I told her, "There's no cure. This problem grows and succumb me even further. It's a mental-psychological problem. They say my neural framework might be malfunctioned beyond understanding of the technology at this time. Some even call this a curse rather than a physical or even realistic issue. Because of this, my eye sight is impaired, permanently."

"Succumb you even further?" (Michelle)

"Something worse," I stopped walking. I started again, "I'm bound to die early, maybe in a few years."

She also stopped; feet away from me. Her eyes locked onto mine.

I looked away and continued, "Slowly my brain will stop working. I'll be taken away from my own body. Then I'll be lying flat, helpless; alive but dead to move. Who knows? Maybe, in the end I'll be buried alive. And no one will know when I died or even did die in the first place."

She was shaking a bit, "Doesn't it bother you?" She asked while looking down.

Now that she asked it, does it? Do I have any desire to live on? I don’t even know why I’m working for the military in first place. What made me accept her? What’s keeping me to still to move forward?

I replied slowly, “No.”

"How can you talk like that?!" Her eyes, ready to burst into rain. She was angry with it.

Is it something wrong? I don't bother living nor dying.

"HOW CAN YOU THROW YOUR LIFE AWAY LIKE THIS? AS IF IT IS NOTHING?!" (Michelle)

"But-" I tried to talk.

"YOU WEREN'T GIVEN LIFE SO YOU COULD JOY RIDE IT. YOU'RE HERE BECAUSE OF A PURPOSE. AND IT'S YOUR JOB TO FIND IT. IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW MUCH TIME YOU HAVE LEFT, DON'T RUN AWAY FROM YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES." She screamed on me.

I walked up to her. She was crying, why not? Facing down. Her moping was very cute, as ever. I placed a hand on her shoulder, "Don't worry." She looked up. I looked in her eye. I can't see my reflection. They were so deep. "I'm okay with it. Besides, It’s not like even if I try, I'll be saved, Right?"

"BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT YOU'LL GIVE UP HOPE AND WAIT TO DIE! YOUR SOUL AND BODY IS NOT ONLY LIMITED TO YOUR DISPOSAL, OTHERS ALSO HAVE THEIR RIGHT OVER IT!" She harangued and ran away.

What's wrong with her? I hope she'll come around quick. I spun around and saw Alridge and Yuki. His back against wall, legs crossed. Yuki was standing beside him. I think they saw it all that happened just now.

"Yo!" Alridge greeted me.

"Don't you have classes?" I asked him.

"Yeah, I have. I was about to go with Yuki." Alridge replied.

"You know she cares about you." Yuki told me while walking up to me.

"Who? Michelle? She's always like that with everyone." I said.

"Of course, she cares about everyone but," (Yuki)

"She's persistent only with you." (Alridge)

Persistent? I think they're right. Sure she is caring but, she's only persuasive towards me.

"You should pay a price for her generosity." (Yuki)

"But I do care for her." I told them.

"Oh, really?" Yuki crossed her arms.

"Yes. I'm always worried that she might dehydrate due to lack of body fluid. That's why I always keep an extra bottle of water with me." I pulled a water bottle out of my bag.

Alridge laughed out.

Yuki giggled, "You really are cute Rai-kun. The way you talk, the way you work and the way you think. I can't believe someone as cute and shy as you will live a life like you do."

What's cute about it?

"You could do another favour, for all of us." Alridge suggested me.

"Huh? What?" I asked Alridge.

"Try to keep eye contact more often while talking. It's annoying." (Alridge)

"Oh, yes. It really feels like you don't have any respect for the other person." Yuki told me.

"I don't know. It kinda feels awkward." I said.

"Then start practicing. Autistic people don't keep an eye contact while talking." Alridge told me and both of them walked away.

Eye contact? I find it disturbing and absurd. And for the record, I have a lot of signs of autism.

I started to go to the nurse. After getting an eye-patch, my phone rang; a message. It was Chini. She told me to come over. I wonder what it could be. A doctor, perhaps?

I entered the office. A new voice caught my ears. I looked at the right. Someone was talking to Aya. He seemed tensed. Guess she’s again giving someone a hard time.

I walked towards them.

He saw me and asked, “What’s wrong with your eye, boy?” He is in his 30s. Foreigner; Pendragon perhaps?

“I have a-“I started to answer but,

“He lost his eye in an accident few days ago.” Aya answered him a lie before I could finish my sentence.

“Ohh…” The man replied.

“He’s an orphan. He lost his parents a few days ago. They were a very close acquaintance of mine. So I took the responsibility to look over him.” She again answered with a tampered truth this time.

He looked at me, “Poor little soul.” He turned to Aya and said, “Well, sorry to take your precious time. I’ll be going now.”

She stood up, “We could spend a bit more time and resolve your issues… right now.” NOT GOOD, TOTALLY NOT GOOD. SHE HAS THE LOOK AGAIN. Guess the guy’s officially on her shit list. Poor soul me? You should look over yourself. I pity you.

“No, I’m already pretty late and… I have… issues to attend.” He seemed more tensed than before. He was trying really hard to keep a straight face. But his loud heartbeat gave out. He walked out as fast as he could.

I looked as he walked out. I turned my face around and before I could even utter a noise Aya stated, “That was Edward Grimmson.”

“Ohh... So-" I tried to talk.

“It’s time I handed you your first assignment.” She walked towards me and gave me a file. I opened it. It had a photo. I pulled it out, it was Grimmson's.

“This is…” I tried to start... again.

“Your first job; assassinate Colonel Edward Grimmson; Charged for treason. He was connected with the information breach 6 years ago and many more crimes. Actually, a big group inside the army is working with the opposition. I had to make up the false story of you so he could care less about you." She said walking towards the glass wall behind her.

She walked towards me and passed another file. It had photos of contacts of different military officers and many other information inside it, "Few weeks ago we had sent an officer to check out his house. We didn’t hear anything of him since then. But he sent some photos from the house. It turns out that he has private information only for the eyes of the Führer and higher-ups like me. And to further ensure it, I called him over here. What do you think he was sweating over for?” She asked.

She’s right. Mind games are her thing. Plus, he was tensed. His words were also ignorant of the current situation.

“So, it's your job to go and execute him." (Aya)

“Yes, ma’am.” I replied.

“And be on your guard, he knows that he’s finished. He’ll have countermeasures. He’s not a fool. He knows why he was summoned here. Though I’m not sure he found out. He has doubts. That’s why he’ll prepare defenses. Of course he has the chance to escape but, if it turns out for him that he wasn’t targeted, fleeing without reason would make him more suspicious to others.”

“I see, he can’t escape, if he does, he’ll die. If he doesn’t, he’ll die. The best bet is to take a stand.” I guess we got our target cornered.

Someone opened the door. “Just about time.” Ma'am commented.

A guy came in. He had a big slender bag on his back. He had unkempt curly and sort of spiky red hair with an ear ring on one ear. Not Japanese. He has a svelte figure. Big square glasses and… pajamas?

“Meet Masamune, Our quartermaster.” Chini informed me.

He walked up on us, “I brought what you ordered.” He said.

“Yes, give it to him.” Aya pointed at me.

The guy turned to me and handed over the bag. I put it on the table and opened it. It was an uchigatana. The hilt was scarlet red wrapped with yellowish gold grip thread. The scabbard was jade black with a designated spot to place my hand. I took the blade out of the sheath. A black blade, the edge was red, maybe painted, with gray designing.

“I’ve never seen anything of such quality.” I commented.

Masamune smirked a bit, “You’re a man of culture too I presume?”

“A bit enthusiastic.” I replied. I ran my finger on the blade an continued, “Just a bit.”

I took a closer look on the blade. The metal was a special alloy. Something more ceremonial. It was three and a three quarter to four feet. The blade has a shallow curve. Really shallow but just my thing for draws.

“Behold Project C-4 998, Sonnennähe.” Masamune announced.

“The Katana is programmed for fire elemental attacks.” He replied.

“Are you sure you picked it up for the right person?” I asked

“That’s where this comes in.” He reached his pockets, pulled something then handed over to me. It is a pouch.

I opened it. There is something inside, shining. I picked it up, a pendent.

“Let me present you Prototype J-6 367, Blitzkrieg.” Masamune announced again.

“And…?” I asked.

“It’s a Color stronghold. It can produce Color like a rechargable battery but at the cost of your energy and stamina.” He informed me.

“So, it’s meant for handicaps like me?” I asked.

“Not the word I’d prefer but, you’re correct.” He replied.

“So something to give an extra edge; quite ingenious.” I commented.

“But it has its fair share of disturbances. It’s still at prototype phase, so the output of Color might not be same as the input. Use it too much and get crippled or worse, you’ll die.” He informed me.

“It doesn’t matter much. It’s just an extra in my arsenal." I said.

“Ok, now you may leave for your classes. After school, you'll be sent with Masamune.” Ma’am ordered me.

“Yes, ma’am.” I put my weapons back in the bag and handed them over to Masamune.

I followed Masamune. He took his leave and I headed to attend a class. I am walking on the second floor. I turned left and saw Michelle. She was standing on the corridor, looking through the window with a gloomy face. I kept looking at her, didn't utter a word. She tilted her head a bit then noticed me. She stepped away from the window and looked at me and gave her warm smile. Then she frowned a bit.

“Sorry about earlier.” She apologized to me while keeping her head down.

“I should be the one apologizing.” I said while walking close to her.

“I said without proper consideration. I should apologize.” She replied.

“No, I've realized it, you were right. I am dragging my past for no reason.” I said.

She faced up and looked at me, "I'm glad that you understand." She said while making a smile.

"Well then, I was heading to class. Want to join?" She asked.

I nodded my head.

After the school ended I went to the gate. Masamune was leaning onto a car. He saw me and stood up; waving at me. I walked towards him.

We sat in the car. I asked him, “So who is this guy, Grimmson?”

“Colonel, he was away from the front line for the past 8 years for reasons unknown. Turns out he was laying-low just to toy with us. We were suspicious about his choice but we never knew his motives. It ended up backstabbing us.” He replied.

He continued, “Stay on your guard, he’s won’t give in easily."

“So what’s with the chain of traitors in our ranks?” I asked.

“The only thing I can say is, it’s quite big. We have leads but, it might not turn out what we expected. We never thought that our own men will turn against us. Actually the traitors didn't switch sides. They were with the enemy from the very beginning. We just didn’t realize that." He said and stopped at the end with a sudden force.

He continued, "I can’t give you any more info regarding this subject for confidential reasons; my apologies.”

“No, that’s okay. I just asked you out of curiosity.” I replied.

"He has a house inside the city. But our intelligence informed us that he's not there at the moment. They are currently determining his position. Until then you will stay in the lab. Once we have the info regarding his whereabouts, we'll dispatch you." (Masamune)

He didn’t say anything any further. I looked through the window, it was quite dark though it’s just barely 4 pm.

Afternoon, HardStone Academy, HQ

“So, after all the argument, after all the discussion, you sent Raye to hush up Ed.” Chini told Aya.

“Yes.” She replied.

“Don’t you think that it’s too hard for a first timer?” Chini complained.

“He should be adequate enough to at least pull this much load of work.” Aya said.

“I don’t know, I think you’re giving him a lot at the same time.” Chini still protested

“After what he did, this should be another round for a cup of tea for him.” (Aya)

“He’s performance isn’t that much out of the ordinary.” Chini told her.

“Do you really think I was talking about his performance in Stuttgart?” Aya asked.

After being confused for a second, Chini realized, with a wide grin across her face, sniggering, “Oh, now I get it. But after all, it’s just a speculation.”

“If he dies, that’s fine. It’s not like he’s important or something. If it turns out the way we thought it would, that’ll just give us an extra edge. He was never meant to be an alternative key.” Aya replied.

“Still…” (Chini)

“And don't you think we're making a huge fuss over it? If he was just gone, Nothing would change drastically.” (Aya)

Chini smirked, “You really are sinister. First you drag him in and now you want to cut him off?”

“I’m just checking out whether we’re just being dumb over it.” Aya replied.

Few Hours Later

Evening

City Outskirts

I was in the lab for about 2 hours. After that, now I and Masamune are headed towards Grimmson's location.

"We found out the location, it's an old mansion, outside the city." Masamune informed me.

"Possible threats?" I asked.

"Don't think so. After all, he's out of the military for quite a long a time. I don't think he has contacts who'll help him out. So, no highly trained military combatants armed with guns I presume. Unless, a third party is involved."

I didn't ask anything else.

We arrived at the mansion 5 minutes later. The weather was dark but no sign of raining. I got out from the car. Masamune was inside. I stood still in front of the gate. I took a look at the mansion; A fortress type mansion. Not a single window. The yard was filled with overgrown grass and unnecessary weeds. No windows so no sniper. Masamune did mention that Edward was away from military. So ranged armoury and man power would be hard to get hold of. That means, his only means of defence is mêlée weapons and this run down mansion. It looked dreadful. But I have my doubts. The gate was locked, chained. I climbed over it. I started to close into the mansion. The yard was quite big. The area is totally isolated from the city. Not a single house available within five kilometres of this place. I think I get it why Edward would choose a place like this. A guard was patrolling on the right. I stood beside the mansion wall so that he can’t see me. He was walking on the opposite direction. I sneaked up to him. He had a FN P90 submachine gun in his hand. I steadily walked up to him, took a leap and kneed on his back on the neck. That must have hit a nerve. He fell down the very second. A knife was strapped on his thigh. I pulled it and stabbed him where I had just kneed him recently. I checked his body, no ID. I don’t think he’s connected with the military. Just a goon hired for guard duty for today. I dragged him to the wall. While doing it I saw someone coming this way. I picked the gun from the dead guard and, fake; a plastic replica. The other guard was closing in. I think I should play along. The other guard closed in. he saw me and the dead guard. I stood up with the gun. He pulled his submachine gun out, the same model.

Well then I should play the bluff, “This is the real one. I took it from one of your friend.” I said.

He seemed a bit concerned. But he didn't let go of his gun. I started to close on him. Just as I thought, he's starting to walk backward. I was a feet or two away then I acted as if I pulled the trigger. He closed his eyes and tried to cover himself with his hands. I took the opportunity and threw the gun at his face and charged towards him. I kicked him in the stomach and he bent down on his knee clutching his stomach with his hand, mourning a painful scream. I didn't waste any second and kneed his face, breaking his nose. He lied down on his back; blood rushing out from teeth and nose. I took the knife out and stabbed him in the chest. He tried to struggle. I grinded the blade inside his guts. No use, he still didn't give up. I used my other arm and pressed hard against his neck then took knife off and stabbed him repeatedly. He struggled more, trying cover my both hands. I can see his anguish. After stabbing a few time he let loose of his body. Woah, he was a tough one. I dragged him and made him rest beside the other guard. I did a parameter check. No one else was out of the mansion. As I was entering I thought, so my hunch was right. There are real guns mixed and probably no one knows which one of them has the real one. Talk about lack of planning. I stood at the main hall; sturdy old building; totally designed as a fortress; Old and unusable defence mechanisms. I wonder how old it is. Not to mention a Pendragon style structure in Japan; must have been in the Settlement era. So 5 to 6 centuries old I presume. Settlement era? And Pendragon structure? I think I have a plan.

I heard footsteps; loud and clear. I hid in the shadows to stay out of their presence. 2 men came running down at the main hall.

“They aren't responding.” one of them said.

“Are they slacking off at a time like this?” another one of them said.

Then they head out of the mansion. I think they are implying to the 2 whom I killed. I walked out and started to observe again. It is a fortress; windowless and tightly secured. One way in and no way out. I locked the front gate. That was enough for stopping people to come from the outside. There’s another trick to stop people going out from the inside. So, this makes 4 men out of action. If what Masamune said was true, maybe there aren't many left. I walked around the mansion for the next 20 minutes, figuring out it's architecture. Poorly made out I must say. While doing so, I did some ARRANGEMENTS to capture the rat.

I took the stairs. It was darker in here. The air was more thin and smelled of nothingness. It was dark but not enough to disturb my vision. I checked out every room I came across. All of them were totally silent, for centuries. Suddenly, I heard some noise. It came from a room on my right. I took a peek inside. 2 men, they were talking to someone. I can't see who it is. I tried hard to catch on their conversation. I recognized the voice. It was my target. I tried and kept hearing, can't understand what they are talking yet. Suddenly they stopped talking. The 2 men looked at each other for a few seconds. They were heavily focused on each other. Trying to telepath maybe? With a sudden burst of energy, one of them charged at the door where I was standing. It caught me a bit off-guard. He landed a kick. I strafed to my right to dodge. But the wooden metal door broke into 2. So, a Demon.

“So, you've finally come, Show Yourself!” It was Grimmson. He sounded worried.

I walked in the room. Grimmson’s horridly scared faced boomed into tranquil after he saw me.

He laughed a bit,” So they sent you. Are they running low on men lately? Just as I thought, you really are the human recruited six years ago.”

I didn't give any attention to him. I performed a roundhouse kick on the man on my left who broke the door. The other man ran at us with a butterfly knife. He swung at me desperately. If only he had put a little focus on his slashes he might have got me. He tried to stab me with it but I caught his arm and broke it with my legs. He let go off the knife and screamed in agony. The other man tried to punch but I ducked and impaled him in the stomach with the knife in my hand. I quickly pulled it out and stabbed the other man on his neck. He was bound to die. But the man who was stabbed in the stomach wouldn't die this easily. He tried to get up. I performed another roundhouse kick then stabbed him in the neck.

Edward fled while we were at it. I came out of the room. He was standing on the corridor. He saw me, he tried to stay calm. He was hiding something behind his back.

He started to walk towards me, "You came here at your own discretion, don't make any reg-"

I pulled my Sonnennähe out of the scabbard and performed a quick draw. But he blocked it with the sword he was hiding behind his back.

“You filthy wretch! How dare you strike without honour? Where’s your dignity?” Really? And striking while sweet talking is honour?

He started again, "A duel must be carried out on even circum-" I striked again before he finished, luckily he blocked it again.

"Don't want your lessons, I'll pass thank you." I said to him.

”HOW DARE YOU CALL YOURSELF A SAMURAI?” I striked again right after he finished his sentence. He dodged it and moved to his right. I swinged my momentum and strike him again while spinning from the opposite side. He strafed backwards right after blocking that strike.

He continued, "How can you be a knight protecting his kingdom with generosity when you have no mercy for your opponent?" He swinged his sword from the side way. I placed my katana straight to absorb the shock. But it was strong enough to faze me.

He kept on saying, "A soldier doesn't pick up the gun to rain the blood of his enemy. He does so to protect the ones he love." He kicked me in the middle. I was off balance. He caught my collar and threw me forward. I slid on my chin along the floor.

He walked up to me. Kicking me on the back, "Fools like you are narrow minded, can't see what's ahead of you and act on your huffs. You can't walk on the earth for long with a cloudy mind like that." He stomped hard, raining one after another.

He walked away and started to breathe heavy, recovering that is. The pain on my back didn't want to fade away. I coughed a few times. Though it's hurting I'm fine now. After all that happened to me in all these years, this is just a scratch in the maximum. I placed my hand on the ground, pushing against it to get up. I started, ”Sorry to ruin your expectations but, I am no goddamn samurai who lives by some lousy code.”I told him.

He looked at me, breathing heavy, "What?"

With a swift reaction I picked my katana and jumped up. I leaped towards the wall of the narrow hallway, kicked against it to get a boost, I striked him from a side. He somewhat blocked it, but my katana scratched a bit on his arm.

I landed on the floor, bent myself and rose up with a long slash. After few consecutive slashes, I kicked him on the knee plate and bent down while screaming in pain.

I said, “I am not a knight for the king, not a warrior in the battlefield and definitely not a soldier for the country.”

He got and started to run away with his broken leg. I ran up in front of him. We are near the staircase railing. I pointed my katana like an arrow. He tried to slash me but I ran away to his back and tried to slice him from behind. But he read my moves and blocked it. I dashed in front him and took a small boost, crashing down with a downward slash. He tried to parry it. But the force made him bent his knees. Our swords locked together. He was breathing frantically, fidgeting his hands, eyes that are scared to look forward.

My eyes staring dead at him with a dead spell I said,”I am just a player in this goddamn game who takes advantages accordingly.”

He made an sudden boost and got up, just what I wanted. His hands are in the air, totally off guard. I moved left and sliced open his abdomen. It took a moment for the blood to start spilling. He put one of his hand on his stomach and the other one on the railing, coughing up blood. I sweep his leg and he fell off the railing on to the hard ground beneath.

I didn't move. I kept staring as he crawled to the gate, leaving a blood trail behind, "I didn't know you were that dumb." I commented.

He tried to spin the knob hectically. But the door didn't budge. He began to curse me, "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO THIS DOOR YOU SON OF A BITCH!?"

"Just answer me one thing, why would you pick a place that is beyond your understanding?" I asked him.

He didn't answer. He crawled to the right, trying to enter another room. Same case, the door didn't budge.

I said, "Really? Shall I spill the beans then?"

He looked at me. I've never seen anyone that angry in my whole life.

I started, "I'm sure you're aware of the settlement era, right? The war between Mirainr and Pendragon that led to the current relation between the 4 SNs? At that time, these kind of fortress were made by Pendragon, a make shift mansion to a battle station. Or shall I say, a trick or scare house found in one of the carnivals or amusement park. But this time, it isn't made for enjoyment. But for the real deal, to kill that is. The entire defence mechanism of this mansion is connected to a single control panel. Though it's sturdy now that it is few centuries old, I made a good use out of it. In short, there's no way out and no way in until someone switches it off back in the control room. Oh, and so you know, the control room is in the basement, wanna check out there?"

I don't think he heard to what I just said; still trying to open the door. I came down the stairs and stood behind him. I placed the Sonnennähe in front and used the pendulum. The katana became a hot rod in a few moments.

"You know, sometimes heeding to other might save your life." I said that while impaling him in the chest with my katana.

I felt change of energy in my body. I felt a lot weaker. Not endangering though. Guess I have to learn to control the limit of input and definitely use it when REALLY needed.

I unlocked the mechanisms and walked out of the mansion. There were still 2 of them left. I wonder what they were up to. Right outside the mansion, I saw Masamune outside with a gun in his hand; smoke coming out. 2 men were lying on the ground next to him. The 2 of us were looking at each other like a thief caught by a guard. I wonder who's the thief and who's the guard. He shook his head, motioning as if asking a question. I nodded yes. He reached his pockets and pulled a phone out.

“Nice work, Akdteruß.” He praised me while making a call.

*RING*

“Hello?” The person on the receiver's end asked.

“General GrandHel? This is Masamune. Colorless completed the assignment."

"Very well." The other person replied.

"Colonel Edward Grimmson's body was found in an abandoned mansion along with 4 more bodies. It seems like a common kidnap attempt. The other bodies are speculated as the kidnappers themselves.” Masamune stated.

Aya disconnected the phone.

“That hard punk succeeded after all.” Chini teased Aya.

“Well, he lives to die another day.” Aya commented

I looked at Masamune,"Colorless?"

"Yes, your codename." He replied.

"Don't know... it sounds more like an insult to you." I said.

"I myself decided the name." He replied.

"So, you're insulting yourself." I said.

"Let's just say, rather than staying on a place, I wish to move as far as I can even if that means branding my past accolades as nothing." (Masamune)

"So, insulting yourself on your own conscent while despising your own accomplishments just to get better." Well, he isn't the person to give damn about pride, just wants to get the job done.

I started again, “And kidnap? Was that the best excuse you guys could come up with to ditch a man?”

He shook his head bit,”Anything that works I suppose.”

“And there were 6, not 4. Who knows? It might turn out to be more.”

“Don't worry, there is still room for correction in the final report.” He said.

I looked at his gun; still pointing at the 2 lying on the ground. I asked, "Did you even use it?"

"Yes." He replied.

"Then, am I deaf?" I asked.

"Control over physics is my specialty in Color." He informed me.

"I didn't even hear a click of the noise." I said.

"I made a thin vacuum space exterior of the bullet's path. That ought the sound to be dispelled and also on the gun's hammer." He said.

He brought his hand out and said, "Because, it was only for a second, that's why only my sweat and other fluids on my finger and palm evaporated, making no serious wounds."

We stood for few seconds. The sky above went back to normal, maybe because, it's already evening.

"So, shall we leave?" He asked.

"Yes, we shall." I replied.

Masamune motioned to follow me. The car was standing at the gate. We got in and took off. I wonder what crossed Grimmson's mind to put up a fort on this forsaken fortress. And what did he think when he planned defence? It's like, either he wanted to die or he didn't take it seriously or, something else. Planning made by a selfish man to save his life would be the most hardworking job he has ever done, but this was lacking. It's not shortage of wits and idea but just being lazy or, something more deep.

2 Days Later

I just arrived at the gathering with my fellow militants, to discuss and plan the future. I couldn't even sit properly in one of the chairs and someone came running in the door, as if he is running for his life.

He didn't even take a breath. He announced in one shot, “Edward Grimmson died.” (???)

“It's been 2 days of that incident and now you're telling us.” (???)

"He died?" (???)

"Wait, you didn't know that?" (???)

"Of course not." (???)

"Wait, even i didn't know that." (???)

I made a little face palm thinking how short handed we are when coming to these topics.

I saw a photo lying on the table, I picked it up. What I saw, who I saw in the picture made me spawn anger beyond imagination. I jumped up from the chair in an alarming manner. Everyone around noticed me.

"High Commander Agnvik sir, is everything alright?" (???)

I looked at him and replied, "Yes."

I continued, "Say, who is this boy?"

"Grimmson's assassin." (???)

"Don't worry sir, we've already hatched a plan to put a stop on him." (???)

"I think you have to abandon it because, now he is my target." I said.

"You needn't worry sir, we will take care of trash like him." (???)

"That’s an order." I said.

He didn't protest anymore, "Yes sir, as you wish." (???)

"So, what do you have about him?" I asked.

"We're still gathering intel on him. We'll post them to you as soon as we get hold of it." (???)

"He is a human, right?" I asked.

Everyone was a bit concerned. Someone asked, "How'd you know sir?"

I got a momentary shock. Then said,"Intuition."

"Yes he's also the first human to know about the war." (???)

I looked at him, with a face to show that he's wrong. I said, "You're all mistaken. He's not the first; the second to know."

To Be Continued

Name(s), Character(s) & other element(s) are subject to change without notice. Many element(s) of this franchise might be taken over to another resulting a ban to this franchise.

26th July 2017

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