The streams of verdant light, and the rubble continued to streak through the sky, the number of explosions between them growing by the second. However, the explosions were not limited to the zones between them, few stray moving streams began to move out of control, widely flowing through the sky. Destroying Buildings, and creating craters in the ground. But outside of the landscape itself, were the citizens who’d failed to evacuate. Crushed by falling rubble, being crushed into a bloody mess, staining the formerly pristine streets. Or being directly caught in the explosions that continued to spread. Either way, there was nearly no traces of them left, other than small remnants of their bodies, or, perhaps their outfits.

The damage continued to pile on as the city was demolished bit by bit... Elsewhere, a group of people watched this all take place. Alarick stood on the walls of the Manor. Beside him were many of the Ceron’s royal guards. He watched the night sky light with the streams, and the explosions that came as a result, and so did they. While he was calm in the face of all this, the same could not be said for the guards, regardless of how much they tried to hide it. After all, many of them lived in this city, had family there. It would only make sense that they were worried. For a few more seconds, continuing to watch,before he cracked his knuckles, beginning to levitate. Catching the attention of the guard members.

“Well, would you look at that… It seems like the situation has somehow gotten worse out there… I should’ve expected as much. Looks like I'll have to go help them out. I’m sure you all can handle things here.”

Alarick began his dash forward, rushing over the castle’s outer areas, the river that lies outside of it, and then, he made it into the city, beginning to weave through skyscrapers, hoping not to do any more damage. Within the battlezone, it seemed that the Tides and the civilians were not the only ones hit by the attack, Many of the Kaemerge warships faced the same fate, detonating in balls of fire, with their wrecks descending upon the city. As all this happened, a squad of the Kaemerge’s soldiers walked down the streets, their rifles in hand, as they witnessed one of the ships go down.

“This right here is the R&D’s fault.”

As the voice came out, another member stepped forward, stopping beside his comrade.

“Why anyone would approve of that thing’s creation is a mystery to me… We’d be better off getting out of here…”

“Yeah. Let’s get to the n-”

However, his words came to a stop, as a familiar hum began to ring through their ears. Which seemed to get louder, and louder, and louder. Until they took note of a bright light above them, that obstructed the cameras within their helmets. Their gaze went up, and, coming down at them was the same light that took down their ships!

“Shit!!”

Though they began their attempts to run away, it was much too late. As it made contact with one of the men. The explosion that radiated outward killed all 4. Leaving nothing but fragments of armor where they formerly were. Though, unaware of the deaths, Aegis continued his attacks. Though one could question if he even cared in the first place? Though, this was not something his enemies pondered. Rather, how to stop him. Bijan floated to Kazimir’s side. Soon joined by Zhao.

“This could be bad-- we need to stop that attack of his…”

“Getting closer isn’t going to be easy, especially if he keeps doing that..”

“Sorry to cut this short- But I need to focus!”

The group went silent for a moment before they began to draw back away from Kazimir. Soon, joined by Arctaius. They grouped up, as the battle began in the background.

“His offense is on another level. But, I'm guessing he has some sort of weakness.”

As Bijan spoke, Arctaius placed his hand on his chin.

“Alright, Here’s my strategy...Despite his level of power- he seems to just be attacking on impulse. Given that he’s just firing out attacks like that. So it’s likely that he could simply just be tracking us. That said, he will likely attack the moment he does see us…I can likely outspeed his attacks. this’ll give you a moment to try to attack him- Rhuskov.”

Zhao nodded in agreement.

“In that case-- I’ll help as well.”

“Right-- then..”

They stopped their conversation, as their head shot in the direction of the, as of yet, unknown voice. Until they took note of who was there, A certain noble. Floating behind them, was Alarick Arctaius smirked as he floated toward him.

“Ah, Look who decided to join us, Half-Pint.”

“Oh-- Shut Up!! I'm average height.”

However, his statement left him unphased.

“Yeah...For a girl, Maybe.”

Arctaius pivoted, turning his attention toward Aegis. Before, he streaked across the sky, circumventing Kazimir’s Orbital belt, as he dashed directly toward Aegis… Elsewhere, Tsumetai grunted in frustration as she noticed Alarick floating there.

“Another one of them... Of course.” She muttered.

She stepped to the edge of the roof.

“Aegis, We have a new target, attack the blonde-haired one as well!”

There was no response, he simply continued to saturate the area with his light. At the least, until Alarick and Zhao began to bound across the sky, shattering the sound barrier, and quickly beginning to change direction, taking sharp turns within moments. Something that caught Aegis’ attention. His head turned as he attempted to track them. Before a loud yell came from him once more, as he began to direct fire at them. Eventually, leaving the stream of explosions to begin to calm, letting the smoke clear. While a benefit for the fighters, for a certain Protologist, it was not. Tsumetai growled in frustration, before she quickly put her hand out, pointing at Aegis.

“AEGIS!! DO NOT TURN YOUR ATTENTION FROM RHUSKOV!”

Aegis gave her no acknowledgment, he simply continued to fire at the enemies in front of him, who weaved around his shots. Tsumetai frowned at the insubordination. How dare he ignore her!

“LISTEN TO ME!! YOU ARE MY CREATION-- MY PUPPET, AND YOU WI-”

Tsumetai was cut off. Violently cut off, in fact. Aegis's gaze shot toward her, as with a grunt, a stream of green light shot at her. Her eyes widened as the light began to obstruct her view of anything otherwise. Until it came in contact with the building, the resulting explosion turned the building into rubble, sending her flying away. And, unlike the proto-humans there, it would not end well for her. As the force of the blast pulverized her body ripping off one of her limbs in a bloody mess. Her formerly clean coat was stained by the dust and ripped apart by the pressure as well. Eventually, she did come to a stop, spinning through the air, until she crashed onto the roof of one of the buildings that remained, onto her stomach. Though she survived, it was by a hair. A severed arm, and broken bones, never a good situation. She slowly attempted to push herself up... But she found that the pain was too much to suppress, enough that her thoughts had come to a near halt.

“W- What... He-?”

Part B

The Empire of Gyhtros. A state that had ruled for over 500 years. Within its lands were the region formerly known as Sparta. The region, however, had become one of little notice. It had since been eclipsed by the other cities in the area. What was left was a mostly undeveloped, rural region. Something that made it a prime target for the Kaemerge to begin their operations. Though, not much happened in sparti regardless. Until 16 years ago, where, for the first time in centuries, something took place. At the entrance of the Kaemerge’s Sparti outpost, on the outskirts of the city… An unknown infant appeared at their doorstep.

Within the confines of the base, in a well-lit room, stands a group of armored men. Some of which, with their helmets removed. One of these men unraveled the covers on a baby carriage in the center of this circle. There sat a Brown-Haired infant. And, soon, coming to join them, is a younger Tsumetai.

After studying this child-- large amounts of protomis were discovered within his body, detected by other proto-humans. The Kaemerge took him in. A traveling Dr. Tsumetai, one of the Kaemerge’s most decorated Protologists, had the idea of using him as a human weapon to spread the Kaemerge influence. Although many of the noble houses and apostles disagreed with letting this happen and refused to endorse her. She did have the support of the research department... And Minoru Ito.”

Within this green liquid is the very same infant, a mask covering his face.

“From then on. Aegis’s conditioning into the “Perfect Warrior” Continued… His mental capacity was forcefully limited, as to only respond to orders, and his power increased by a large degree.”

Tsumetai snapped out of her past thoughts, before focusing her gaze on Aegis. Going between groaning in pain, and huffing. Aegis, however, only turned his attention back to the three and began firing at them once again. With Tsumetai herself, however, a face that was once smug had turned into one of rage, and then, fear. She debated trying to get him under control, but after seeing what took place, she wasn’t willing to risk it. In fact, she began to grow panicked as she thought of such a thing happening again.

Her eyes widened, and beads of sweat dripped down her face. Something that went unnoticed by the fighters, who were occupied by the human weapon in front of them. Aside from one, at the least. Bijan Lafeyah placed his gaze on the injured scientist, watching as she was thrown off her previous building, and left mangled on the other. Soon after, he would break off, taking flight toward the rooftop, and landing beside her not too long after. Soon, landing beside her, was Bijan Lafeyah. Reaching down, he grabbed the tattered remains of her shirt, pulling her up one-handedly, and placing her in his direct path of vision, and himself in hers.

“Well, ain’t this quite the twist, scum doctor...Since you flaunted about him being Your “Creation” You must know something about his weaknesses…. So let’s make this quick, start talking…”

Start talking?! How dare he! She glared at him defiantly, ready to retort.

“Just why would I tell you that, traito-”

However, within a second, thick vines coiled around Bijan’s hand. Extending past his wrist, and, forming a curved blade, which he soon grasped, putting it to Tsumetai’s neck, and, as a result, silencing her.

“I'm no traitor… I was never with you all in the first place. Don't think that I won't end you if you refuse to tell me.”

“I- I won't, My cr-”

“He clearly attacked you on purpose... Do you think you have a choice here?”

Tsumetai went silent once more, after all, as much as she wanted to deny that fact, she could not. She averted her gaze.

“Dammit-- damn it all. Fine, I'll tell you… His defense is quite weak, in exchange for all of that power of his… The armor is there to counteract that fact… It’s protomis forged.”

“Is that so…”

Bijan turned his head, putting his gaze on the group, where the battle raged on. Though, the damage had seemed to spread even farther.

“Poke a hole in his armor! We’ll be able to get rid of him without it!”

He yelled, catching their attention.

“You got that Rhuskov??”

As Arctaius yelled, Kazimir stayed silent, nodding in acknowledgment. With this fact known, Alarick split away from Zhao, while the latter continued to fly forward. Alarick promptly landed on the roof on one of the remaining buildings, stamping his foot and breaking the roof underneath him.

“I got this-- Multi Earth Cutter!!”

With his words, dozens of knives, shaped out of sharpened stone, appeared, Alarick began to run across the roof, grasping the blades, before flinging them at Kazimir.

"Take them, Rhuskov!!"

As the mentioned youth took notice of his words, a red glow surrounded the blades, and they came toward Kazimir, joining his orbital belt. He was not the only one to notice Alarick, However. Aegis’ head swiveled, as he focused on Alarick. Though watching for any movement, he kept on firing pulses toward rhuskov.

“It seems he has some sort of autonomy... These attacks aren't just random attempts to kill us.. he must be trying to keep the battle from getting close… Well, I can't stay here, time to go.”

Bijan nonchalantly released his grip on the fabrics of the woman’s clothes, before turning his back on her.

“Wait--What about me?!”

“What ABOUT you? I have no sympathy for you- scum. Looking at what you've created here… He’s just following the directives you gave him. I’d end it here, but, got bigger fish to fry. On top of that, who knows what else you’d cook up if we let you run free.”

And, just like that, panicked thoughts began to race through her mind. The fear of death was becoming all more and more evident.

“Please, just pull me up!”

The youth looked at her over his shoulder.

“I don’t think I will… Shouldn't the "Greatest Mind '' of the Kaemerge be able to save herself?”

Bijan soon flew away into battle, as Tsumetai reached out for him with her remaining arm.

“No-No... No! Come back!!!”

However, her desperate pleas fell on deaf ears. As he began to get closer to the fray, focusing his attention on Aegis. Though, he stopped his advance, as a tingle went down his spine. His eyes narrowed, as he took note of something. This was not unique to him, however, as one by one, the same thing happened to the others. Arctaius and Zhao stopped their flight, Alarick stopped the formation of his blades, the revolutions of Kazimir’s belt began to slow. The streams of light had stopped flying...But, as they all knew, something else would happen soon. Arctaius put his hand on his chin in his confusion.

“His protomis...It’s getting higher by the second. What’s going on here?”

Aegis soon leaped into the air, as, he yelled out once more, as an explosive bubble, ravaging everything in its path, went outward, the building directly below him, gone, those surrounding, gone. The asphalt and vegetation on the ground ripped apart once more, leaving bare earth in the explosion’s wake. But, the explosion itself began to expand, moving to encompass areas that previously remained untouched. The rapidly expanding fireball began to cover much of the city of Niopolis. So much so that it could be seen from hundreds of kilometers away. What people hadn’t been evacuated, simply disappeared in the expanding light, as well as the warships that failed to get clear. Trying to get clear as well, were Arctaius, Alarick, Bijan, And Zhao, looking down on the expanding wave of destruction. Soon followed by the Kaemerge Warships, much of which quickly began to break into orbit… Though they were enemies, they did not see them as a priority. As they saw it, there was more pressing matters to attend to.

“What is he doing?” Alarick Mumbled

Arctaius crossed his arms over his chest.

“Seems like he’s looking to end this... Looks like most of us got clear. But where is Rhuskov?”

Kazimir floated on the very edge of the blast. Seeing the destruction it caused, he stood there regardless, unmoving. He began to wave his hands around until a crimson, comb-like field surrounded the blades Alarick had thrown at him. Unaware of this plan, they all watched from above.

“Tch, He’ll get caught in that.”

The monk was indeed correct, as the explosion grew to swallow him as well, he grunts in pain, but he continued to push forward, the blades shooting into the light of the explosion, covered by his shield. It was a race against time, there was only so much his body could withstand, even with his strength. Even as the force pushed against the blades, they continued to go farther and farther in. Until they pierced right through Aegis’ armor… For a few moments, nothing took place, as the expansion of the wave stopped. Until, the light swiftly retracted to its origin, dispersing. Regardless, Aegis stood. But, there was no movement or even one of his famous explosions. Just like that, the human war machine met his end. A few moments later, the fighters began to descend back upon the city, soon levitating by Kazimir’s side. Arctaius was the first to speak.

“Unfortunate that he met his end that way. they really are serious about their goals… If they went as far as human experimentation”

“Yeah… after this is all over I plan to give him a proper grave, at the least…” Replied Kazimir.

Soon after, they took a better look at Kazimir, his rather bulky body was covered in bruises, and cuts. As well as some blood coming from his nose.

“Those injuries don’t look too good… We should take refuge in that building over there. Least until we can figure out our plans.”Arctaius continued.

“Yeah. Just need to heal up real quick, we should be good to go.” Bijan chimed in.

Kazimir nodded in agreement, Soon, they descended, landing within the remains of a skyscraper. Its previous purpose, unknown. within was what was likely a room with a high ceiling, something you couldn’t tell with the roof torn off. The grand pillars on either side and the floor below them were constructed with marble. Though, now, what likely was pristine before, was covered in soot, dust, and rubble. Bijan stood up, beginning to pace around the room.

“Now then, about the Kaemerge. If we're going to fight them- I have some useful inform-”

His speech came to a sudden halt, as he grunted. Just like that, all their eyes swiftly darted in the same direction to their right.

“T-that power! the amount of Protomis I'm sensing is-” Arctaius started.

“None of the fighters we handled just now were anywhere near that.” Alarick mumbled.

“I- Recognize that power-- It's Minoru Ito!! One of the 4 Apostles!” Bijan yelled.

Kazimir’s eyes widened.

“One of the apostles. After all that?!"

Arctaius' eyes flew around, as he attempted to pinpoint the Apostle's location.

“We can’t stay here, we need to g-”

As they spoke, flying over the city, his stern gaze focused upon the building he’d taken notice of, was the man himself. His hand drifted to his Nodachi, his hand placed on the hilt. Moving quick enough, before Bijan even managed to get the last word out, Right behind him was Minoru Ito. Drawing his blade at lightning speeds, Bijan soon found a blade going through his lower torso, caked in his blood. Minoru pointed the tip of his blade at the sky. The youth remained skewered on it. Minoru looked up at him with apparent distaste. Rather it be his scowl or his clenched fist. He swiped his hand, throwing Bijan off of his blade as if he were a piece of trash. The youth rolled away with the momentum coming to a stop a few moments later, and, laying on the ground, his eyes closed, laid on his stomach. Ito looked down upon the traitor, and then, looked at the tides.

“This here...Is quite the situation.”

To be Continued

Map Of Santa Maria's Districts.

ED 2- Evergreen| Hitomi Takahashi

Extra Info

Districts Of Niopolis

Barrio Noble- Literally menajng Noble Quarter, formerly serving as a home for nobility on the nation's early history

Cynebaldia- District named after one of Penzenheim's Kings, Cynebald Gerstleg.

Ciudad Baja- Literally translated to low town. On the very outskirts of the city.

Alturas de Villaseca- Or, Villaseca heights. Name given based on a formerly major noble family. Holds a large population and amount of industry.

Mpenda- Named after a General originating from the Kongo River states, who's family established themselves as a noble family. Instrumental to securing Santa Maria's independence. Today, Essentially serving the function Barrio Noble used to.

Of these districts, only Mpenda remains mostly undamaged by the fighting.