Tides Of Protomis CLXIII

Kyuem Vs Agium - Second Match

Two great forces continued to push against another, yet, they made no progress, their continued effort only continuing to produce force downward, pushing them deeper, and deeper into the ground, as they attempted to push themselves forth.

“Explain…” With no more words, Arctaius fired forth,a pint blank Solis Pulsar, sending his opponent flying back, and scalding his skin… And yet, the blackened surface of his skin seemed to rapidly return to its previous state. With no more words, Sebastian forged a curved blade in his hand, and launched himself toward Arctaius. The Agium acted quickly in sidestepping his attack, and ducking under another, before slamming a fist into his Nemesis’ stomach in return. Leaping up, and slamming his heel into his neck, once forth sending him flying. Though, this time, the man only took advantage of the created distance. The demonic energy held within him began to condense at his palms. Two red lamps gave way to streams of energy slithering through the sky.

“Höllenhund-Ansturm! - (Hellhound Rush)” Before long, Arctaisu found himself weaving through the sky as well, keeping these strikes from hitting him, from the time being… And yet, it wasn’t lost on him that he was still being followed… And yet, his opponent seemed to place no focus on keeping this attack up. Could they continue independently of him? What tracking method was being used? He’d likely have accounted for his own presence…

Another issue had come forth in the form of the blade which carved into his blade as he ducked under a stream of demonic energy moving past him. And it was then that the blade’s properties were made clear to him.

“The blade’s edge is extremely refined, something like a monomolecular blade, a weapon that exists only in theory…. Add in that oscillation I’m hearing, and this could be an issue, more so than a normal blade…” If that were the case, then perhaps it was time to put some distance between them.

“Solis: Ardens Acre!” In a short time, the golden light which surrounded Arctaius grew stronger, the plasma even proving to knock away the streams of demonic energy Sebastian sent forth, but even so, there was a lack of change in Sebastian’s expression, as he launched himself forward once more. The burn of the Plasma his opponent used, he certainly remembered it well. But things would not be the same, not in the least.

“Schutzwall Des Zorns!” In a short time, the light which formerly surrounded Arctaius dissipated. The youth was surprised, without a doubt, but said nothing, only re-entering his opponent's range, and sending a fist, his middle knuckle slightly extended, into his throat. Sebastian was left stunned, for just a moment, but was ultimately able to return this with a strike of his own, a kick which almost slammed into Arctaius’ side, prevented by the man launching his own kick, stopping it in its tracks. As his leg retracted, he spun his body, his left fist slamming against Sebastian’s cheek in a left hook, yet even so, the man returned with a strike to the stomach…

It did not take long for a flurry of punches, and kicks, flying from both sides to continue, the parts of their strikes, where they defended, changed by the observance of how the other’s muscle twitches, giving them the information they needed. The two moved like water, rushing rapids crashing against each other, with no one force overpowering the other.

“I ask you this again, Kyuem… Just why in the hell are you alive?” Arctaius asked, a deadly edge in his tone. So that was what he wanted to know, Hm… He began to recall that day once more, how his father was torn apart, left for dead, how the one responsible, who now stood before him, looked down upon it with the same callousness he acted with, even to this day.

“``"Why Am I still alive, You ask? It is simple, Agium. I am not an enemy due to ideology, or affiliation... Unlike them, I will not die so easily, so quickly.I will return, and continue to return again, and again, until you've drawn your last breath...That was decided when you made me an enemy…” the man paused, as the visions, once more, replayed within his mind.

“That was decided when you killed my father!” Sebastian Yelled

“He knew what the risks were when he joined the Amerikanisches Reich! Have you forgotten just what they did?!” As this query was yelled, Sebastain drew back from their exchange of fists, firing off the Hollenhunds once more.

“Must I speak of the Federation Government’s Actions, Are they some innocent victims, Are YOU for that matter?! Simply for being Penzen, many of us were threatened, many called for us to be shipped there, effective immediately!” Arctaius pushed his aura out once more, forcing energy diffraction. Before leaping forth.

“So you decided to take up arms, and Slaughter millions?! Many of which stood with you, against such actions?! I’m supposed to forget what happened over that, and let you run off scot free. And you speak of others seeing themselves as victims?! Hypocrisy of the highest order! SOLIS BATTERY!” Streams of burning-hot plasma flew through the air around them, meeting the fired bursts of demonic energy. While the rest made their way toward Sebastian as well. But they did not get far, as the activated EM field deconstructed them.

“Mark my words, I will strike true, and I will send you to meet the rest of your family in the Depths of Hell! ÄTHERGEWITTER! (Aether Tempest)” The air surrounding Arctaius began to change, small particles of metal appeared, and these particles began to coagulate, with blade-like needles, small enough to be invisible to most, beginning to saturate the space around them. In a short time, they’d already begun flying toward Arctaius at blinding speeds, the many objects piercing through his skin, and embedding themselves into his body, and yet, this did not pain him enough to stop him, something Sebastian already realized was the case.

Before Arctaius made another move, a sphere of antimatter had already manifested by his head, and the collapse of the EM field resulted in a burst of light which rapidly spread through the space surrounding them. The sheer amount of mass and density the sphere had, was shown in how large the explosive bubble had expanded, and how strong the shockwaves had destroyed the area around them. The formerly flat land now covered in a number of peaks, created by the displaced earth… Though Arctiaus thought to prepare to receive the Gamma rays the reaction would produce, to absorb them, he found that such a thing did not happen, he couldn’t detect the rays, and he surely couldn’t feel himself taking them in…

As he found himself nearly on the receiving end of an uppercut to his jaw, Arctaius moved back, and to his opponent’s left, elbowing the side of Sebastian’s torso. He did not end it there, connecting once more with an uppercut of his own. One which forced the man’s gaze to the sky and yet, a smirk only came to the Kyuem’s face as he looked down once more.

“Did you think I would make the same mistake of allowing you to empower yourself? Think Again, Agium…” The two began exchanging a tide of strikes once more, trying their best to overwhelm the other, and yet, it seemed that their knowledge of the other's attack strategies proved to be a double edged sword. Especially when their opponent knew quite well how they would act in response. Arctaius retreated from this exchange of fists, and began to shift his stance, his hips driven back and forth as he striked, further increasing their power, and it was only then that they began to find purchase. A strike to the nose bloodied his opponents, and one aimed at his side resulted in a crack sounding from within. But an incision was made across his arm in response. Arctaius took this in stride, as he moved toward him, locking his opponent into an armbar, specifically, his left arm… Before Sebastian had the time to react, the joint itself was already broken out of place, and as a result, it fell limp. And in no short time, the man found himself launched into the ground once more, as Arctaius utilized his leverage in a different way, deciding to fling him. Before, he let his protomis flow once more.

“If that EM field is going to stop my Solis arts, then I have other ways of acting… But that Regeneration will be an issue too. I need to keep the pressure up, no matter what!”

“Grand Cascade!” The tide of water that followed only served to make his opponent fall faster, as the kinetic force damaged him as well.. But as Sebastian soon learned, that was not the only part of his attack. As he found electricity coursing into his body, his muscles seized up as a result, with dark marks spreading across his skin.

“He hid it within his waters?! Regardless, You’ll need more than that to stop me! Father, I shan’t fail you!”

Demonic energy radiated from Sebastain once more, as his working arm was shoved forward. If he thought his own plasma was hot, then it was time to show him what he’d developed…

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“Dämonen Flammensturm!”( Demon Firestorm)” In a short time, the area around them was cloaked in black flames, ones which whirled around Arctaius,and even proved to part the wave he created. As the steams continued to close upon him, the similarity in the heat his opponent forged, and his own, were not unnoticed. Despite the height which they fought at, the ground below them continued to me;t with each passing moment. And yet, Arctaius did not let this much stop him, Knowing very well what would happen if he let his opponent have time to himself. Arctaius forced his way through the wall of flame, his palm coming in contact with Sebastian’s face as he did so, which, to no surprise, caused the man to be carried with him, as he flew over the landscape, the moon sized objects in the sky, that formerly casted their shadow over the landscape, were cracked, and broke apart, upon the two fighters slamming into it.

But eventually, the one-sided push would stop, As Sebastian slammed his knee into Arctaius’ stomach, and sent him to the ground as he interlocked his fingers, slamming his fists atop his head… And now, with the control of the battle achieved, he appeared on the ground below as Arctaius’ feet touched the ground, poised to strike once more. But his attempt to follow up, a left punch, was caught, and the same could be said for his next, a right… The two attempted to push against the other, to get them off balance, and get the advantage that just may win them this battle. Never give an inch, and always stay in control. If your opponent was too overwhelmed to attack, not able to create a viable strategy, because you were able to freely adapt and destroy them, that meant you would win. If nothing else, then Arctaius Corde and Sebastian Heinrich at least shared that line of thinking. But it was becoming increasingly clear to them, this attempt to push the other was going nowhere fast, only resulting in their aura’s flaring up as more of their strength was pushed in, Gold and Crimson flared up as far as the eye could see. Drawing the attention of both the demons who inhabited this era, those fighting in Zylsis, as well as the rest of the Terran 8. In the medical tent, which lay in one of the most protected parts of the Holy order’s camp, they made their recovery. Alarick’s body was wrapped in bandages, and had no shortage of damages, even now, but he was conscious, at the very least, and he could sense what was happening as well as the others, who weren’t exactly in much better shape.

“... I thought I sensed someone familiar… That must be him - Sebastian Heinrich.” Alarick noted.

“They’re evenly matched, and who knows how long that battle will last… Not to mention those other fights I sense. That Volker guy is fighting someone powerful, and who I only assume are the supreme council of the holy order are as well… Things are getting more chaotic by the second.” Junko stated, as she laid back onto her bed.

“I guess the question is what we could do from here… Even the apostles didn’t do us this bad.” Kazimir reminisced.

When this battle would end was not exactly known to the two participating either. The only thoughts running through their heads were tactics, strategies, and a simple question…

“Why… Won’t you die?!” The two shouted in unison, the deadlock between them was broken, as they both attempted to headbut eachother, something which only ended in their foreheads slamming together, as they backed up, breaking up their exchange, but in an instant, they’d already returned, throwing punches, blocking, weaving, counterattacking, the attacks doing more and more damage as time went on, eventually, beginning to draw blood, and leave marks. Sebastian forged a blade once more, and began attempting to carve into his opponent once more, but it seemed that he was prepared for this to happen, and acted immediately, as an intense flash emanated from him.

“Solis: Radiantia Lumina!” The light blinded his opponent in short order and he took advantage, backstepping, and making the tides flow once more.

“Now then, Tidal Surge!” The water around Sebastian began to whirl, and close in upon him, the whirlpool itself filled with beams of pressurized water, which bit pieces of the Kyuem’s body off. And yet, he did not falter, not in the least. There was too much at stake here… He could not maintain the independence of the state his father fought for, that he wished to create, then there was at least this, slaying the one responsible, ending his life…

“Metallischer Tsunami der Verdammnis!(Metallic Tsunami of Damnation)” The blades which flew forward differed, a crimson glow surrounded them, resulting in 100s of crimson flashes barrelling toward Arctaius. But, to no surprise, he did not stay there to allow himself to be hit. While many of the blades caught him as he leaped upward, he was not down, not in the least. In a short time, his own stream of attacks went outward, water burst from the earth below Sebastian,as snakes of plasma slithered through the sky. The Kyuem responded in turn with streams of demonic energy, and spheres of anti-matter now flowing through the sky, detonating as the fields which kept them together collapsed. Yet another light show had begun, with the rapidly moving attacks, and the explosions to which they caused, dazzling those who’d happened to observe it.

All the while, the two pushed away the noise, the Booms which filled their ears, focusing entirely on each other, the one who they’d found to eliminate. Before they shot off to clash once more, they rapidly shifted their positions, dodging whatever was thrown at them, Whether it be gleaming blades, or jets of water pressure, the demonic energy, or streams of lightning. By now, Arctaius had begun to recall those moments from his past… The battle of Albany, where he’d very nearly stopped an offensive that could have made the war end quicker, made the AR’s war end quicker… HE was there to stop him. When he was close to finding out just what Frost’s strategies were for his offensive into the southern districts, once more, once more, he was thwarted… And of course, that fateful day, the one which saw his beloved cousin, the last one he had on earth…

The sadness, and fear on his expression alike, as he drew his last breath, and said but one thing.

“Arctaius… Please… You- have to live… I may not have been supportive of this fight, but… I see that… You can’t let them win…”

Can’t let them win… That was right, He COULDN’T let them win… And all this one in front of him was, Sebastian Heinrich, was the last remnant of that same group. The two clashed once more, letting the most damaging strikes they could strike each other, a symphony of cracks and squelches, as their bodies became more bloodied, marked time and time again, and yet, no amount of damage would keep them back. If they were being damaged to that extent, their opponent simply needed to be damaged more. The two draw back for yet another power- infused strike, their fists cloaked in demonic energy, and plasma respectively, but as the two dipped out of the way of the other’s attacks once more, they only found each other caught in a cross counter, the force of their respective strikes forcing them to break up their fistfight. But before long, their gazes snapped forward once more, and they were ready to continue.

Arctaius’ will reinforced, he summoned all of the power within himself, and extended his hands outward, his own hands nearly seared by the increased heat he produced.

“It’s time for you to die here, Kyuem!”

The expression on his opponent’s face was no less filled with will, killing intent. And even without saying it, he clearly believed the same…. The demonic energy, and Antimatter melded in his palms, as he extended his repaired arm, though it seemed to be only partly so. Sphere’s of red, and black appeared on his left, and right hand respectively…. The two continued to glare into each other's eyes, scowls on their expressions, as they charged, and charged these techniques time and time again.

“SOLIS…” Arctaius began

“Lösch…!(Erasing)”

The ground continued to rumble around them, as the simple force of the charged attacks began to affect anything in their presence. But this, to them, was nothing to be concerned about, only… The other’s death.

“MAXIMA!”

“WELLE!(Wave)”

With the shouted techniques, rays flew from their hands, and to some extent, even pushed them back, the size of these beams produced, out-sized even their wielders, and by no small margin. The violent crackles which emitted from the clash of techniques, paled in comparison from the violent shockwaves that ravaged the land, the ever growing booms, the ever-brightening luminance, made clear the power to which they held. And yet, it did not seem to be enough, they could not push each other back, hard as they may have tried. Even as they pushed more and more of their energy within, it seemed the clash was going nowhere, something else had to be done, and quick…

With as much energy as was being consumed, it seemed they would have to go with the very same abilities they’d first learned to use. A lance of steel appeared behind Sebastian’s shoulder, and was very quickly launched forward. The molecules of the blade vibrated as they did so. While, from behind Arctaius, An arc of lightning shot forward with a crackle… Something reminiscent of that very same battle, that day which Mars died, the last of their respective energies consumed, a single lance, and an electric arc all they could produce.. On that day, the only thing which happened was the thunder splitting the spear, and none of their attacks hitting, before they fell unconscious. Indeed, the same result came, even after all these years. A split spear, and an arc that had dissipated.

But even so, Arctius thought but one thing..

“I HAVE YOU!”

A second arc flashed toward the spear, using it as a conductor to carry both his own arc, and the residual electricity! Before Sebastian could express much surprise, the thunder had already hit him, breaking his focus for just long enough, for the beam he utilized to be forced back, just a bit… It seemed the bastard’s attempt at a hail mary failed… Until, bit, by bit, he found the pressure upon him building, and the attack he forged being pushed back!

“No… NO, THIS CAN’T BE! After all that training?!” The rate of change only increased, as the overpowering continued, time and time again..

“IT’S OVER! NOW STAY DEAD! HAAA!” Once more, another burst of his effort was placed into the blast, and it seemed that the struggle was over, As sebastian found himself swallowed within the remnant of his own attack, and then, the burning sensation he knew all too well had taken over, as he was launched into the ground, which more resembled magma by the time the attack had hit, creating a crater, and subsequent tunnel, as he was driven farther and farther underground, howls of pain, anger, lamentation, came from his maw… But in the end, the Kyuem had been reduced to a burnt husk, hundreds of miles underground.

All the while, Arctaius looked down upon this, huffing, and wiping the blood from his injuries off of his visage.

“Father, Mother, Everyone… With that, the last of the ones responsible is gone.” Though this was hardly the time to remember how safe he used to feel, as his father used to place a hand on his head. How loved he felt, when his mother held him until, and whilst he slept. Those thoughts came to mind regardless. Arctaius closed his eyes, as he reminisced, deciding upon floating there, and catching his breath, at least, for a bit. Though, while he was jubilant, some, including the very same demon who’d helped to rebuild his body, were not so… Azel watched from a faraway outcrop, as his ally, whom he could seemingly no longer sense, met his end. With the empire being in the state it was, most of the generals dead, and the city of Zylsis being torn asunder, what place would his research have in the future of this realm, he wondered? Would he simply have to go into hiding once more?

More than that, he even found himself… Lamenting? his now lost companion. But what was there to do, to say, from here….

“Heinrich… An unfortunate end… But regardless, You were strong.”

That was as much as he could offer the now deceased human…

To Be Continued

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