The Battle Over An Animal

Iki walked forward in front of all of them like a leader should, putting his sword on his shoulder and staring at Isamu.

The room was dead quiet.

They did not know the strength of the man in front of them, but they were all prepared to put their lives on the line.

He spoke in a calm and collective tone.

Iki: “I could care less about your intentions, so don’t blame me for whatever comes next..Golden Hour. Gordon’s Light. Aegis of the Seraphim!”

Iki was known strongly for his fighting skills at such a young age, but the amount of mana he had was unknown to others. He never talked about it with anyone, so nobody knew how he became so strong, especially as a leader of a major organization overseeing multiple lands. His body carried thin gold mana lines, much like a beginner of using mana, which was very odd to many people.

In using these abilities, Golden Hour shrouded all of them in a thick gold mana that resembled aura to add to their defense. Gordon’s Light blinded Isamu momentarily, giving his swordsmen time to dash forward and attack. Aegis of the Seraphim formed yellow glowing defensive orb-like barriers around them, adding onto his previous ability. One thing that he was proud of was his defensive powers. He did not care if he died, but if he protected the people that he loved, then it was worth it in his eyes. Natsuki had reassured this in him over the years that he knew him.

Wally, Yahiko, and Natsuki dashed forward in sync at Isamu. Gordon’s Light did not stop him from countering though.

Although they moved swiftly and thoroughly, they could not deal much damage. They coordinated their attacks well through the years of training they had together, but this man was no simple task. Blades crossed back and forth, sending everyone back one by one, while they continued pursuing Isamu.

Natsuki: “Cupid’s Winding Arrow!”

Wally: “Crimson Severance!”

Yahiko: “Haunting Mind!”

Haunting Mind was a specialty of Yahiko.

He was able to enter the mind of the enemy at that moment and stall him. It varied for each person depending on their mindset, but it was almost like cheating, and considering this, Yahiko was not fond of cheating, but he didn’t see it like this.

Their attacks landed, but when the smoke cleared, it wasn’t what they thought they had hit. A single shadowy figure with two white eyes floated midair and tanked every attack they flung at him.

Yahiko couldn’t hang on any longer to Isamu and let him go. Iki dashed forward, slicing the ghost in half with a rage of anger wiped across his face. The red horns over his pink hair glowed red and the building began to shake. He targeted Isamu, swinging endlessly, but Isamu did not break a sweat while maneuvering around. He spoke in an extremely serious tone.

Isamu: “Lifeless Integration.”

It was not like Isamu had expected when he used this ability. Usually, the beings in front of him would turn to dust immediately, but only the first barrier that Iki provided shattered, while the other remained.

Iki: “You think you can just waltz in here and dominate over some of the top powers in the world? Think again. You can’t hold a candle to lots of people. You may have dominated wherever you came from and however you infected that boy’s body, but right now, you are nothing but a wisp in the wind.”

Isamu was not angered at all by this comment, but he did realize that his skills have grown soft. In the eyes of Iki and his group, they had the situation under control–that is, until Isamu began to get serious, which forced their hand.

Isamu: “Whisperfangs, come out.”

The 100 shadows that Isamu controlled came out behind him, and immediately, the room became so dark that Iki’s light extinguished, but the barriers remained. They darted at all of them, swiping at them with pure physical strength, each having the strength of an S tier monster.

Wally: “Protect the young master!”

Yahiko: “I can’t get there! Natsuki! Go!”

Before Isamu darted at Iki, Natsuki dashed in front of him and deflected his blade.

Natsuki: “I’ve made my choice. You still have love left in you, but I cannot let you advance any further!”

The shard on his blade lit up in an extreme amount of golden mana and merged with Autumn’s mana lines across the blade and handle, as well as Natsuki’s own mana lines. The red flames on the tips burst open and flung Isamu back outside of the building through the doors.

Iki cast another barrier across all of them instantly, while he helped Wally and Yahiko deal with shadows. Natsuki bolted outside, flying through the air and casting a wind so powerful that it sent Isamu flying underneath the ground for miles.

The rest of them met him outside and cast more of their abilities into the human hole shape in the ground. Different colors sparked across the ground and Iki jumped into the air, loaded up his sword in a heavy, yet dense golden mana and threw it down the hole at a rapid speed.

Iki: “That oughta teach you not to do whatever the hell you want.”

The four of them could not sense mana coming from him from the start, so they figured that he had died, but as they walked back up the steps, he rose from the hole in the ground, more pissed off than ever.

Despite his anger, mana lines still did not appear on his body. “Shadow Teleportation,” he called out. Without seeing him, they could not track him. However, Yahiko had been inside his mind, so he could now use Switcher’s Code to see where he was. He became immobile for the time being, but they protected him. “Behind you, Wally!” he called out, but he was too late. Isamu appeared behind him, thrusting his sword through both barriers Iki had formed.

Wally bled from his torso and mouth, while Yahiko and Natsuki bolted at Isamu, distracting him for the meantime for Iki to transition over to him. He healed his wound swiftly, and they both rejoined Yahiko and Natsuki, aiming to chop off the man’s head. Their blades reached, but barely. They drew blood, but not enough to do any significant damage. They were extremely surprised throughout this entire battle that they were not strong enough to kill this one man. It was unbelievable that 3 of the top Greatest Swordsman and the leader of The Association could not deal with this man in a timely manner.

Outside, they had an advantage.

Wally used Threads Basket of Fate to turn the sky completely red with red strands that fell from the sky. They were unavoidable and fell quickly, but they would not affect Wally, Iki, Natsuki, and Yahiko. Each of them sat in a cage of blood besides Natsuki who kept Isamu busy so he could not escape.

Isamu: “Is this really the extent of your power? Let me show you where true strength lies…Martyr King’s Resolve. Shadows Realm.”

This ability was unlike anything any of them had ever seen before. Much like a Smile Chaplet, a large barrier formed over them, but was it a mix of icy and black shadows that encircled the entire area. A black ring of fire lit around the edges on the ground and new buildings formed, completely replacing whatever was already there. They did not know if this was a simple hallucination, or if this was real. Large pillars of ice emerged from the ground, hurling at them endlessly until all of a sudden, they were sunken into the ground as white shadows.

They panicked, not understanding what was going on.

They adjusted, but not enough to do much about it. They ran along the ground and walls, trying to avoid attacks. Iki had to think on his feet, and used a Wight Chaplet that turned him into a ghost that released him from the shadow.. He was utterly flustered at the events unrolling.

Yahiko grasped Isamu’s mind once more, but only had 10 seconds before it went away. Natsuki’s blade lit up from the shadows, lifting them all back up to their original forms, keeping them that way until Iki’s chaplet wore off.

Wally: “What the hell was that?”

Iki: “I-I don’t…What did he do?”

Yahiko: “I can’t hold him!”

Natsuki: “Let him go. Young master, I need you to use Gordon’s Light once more. We can’t activate our moons here, but I have a plan. Everyone, coordinate our attacks like before. Hold off for 15 seconds and don’t get yourself killed. Use whatever chaplets you think will work against him, although I don’t think many will.”

Natsuki dropped a Rose Chaplet on the ground that formed a cage around him. He broke through it on purpose, disregarding the barrier to protect him and swing Autumn across the ground. He ran through it and blew ash towards Isamu, while they all pestered him with endless attacks.

Each of them threw an Enhancer Chaplet and Swiss Chaplet down that shot lasers from all different directions at the man, who was moving around so fast that the lasers couldn’t even keep up with him.

The shard on Natsuki’s sword lit up.

When he banged his sword with Isamu’s, a shock rang throughout the air, affecting both of them, but they continued on. 10 seconds had passed and Iki kept Gordon’s Light active, which wasn’t really affecting Isamu, but he did what his soldier had commanded of him.

5 more seconds passed, which is when Natsuki’s speed increased rapidly, far outweighing Wally’s and Yahiko’s. Isamu kept up with him, but only Iki could now see how fast they were going. Natsuki miraculously was able to cut off Isamu’s left hand that did not hold the sword, but in exchange, Isamu swung down hard and fast with his sword, leaving a wide open space to cut Natsuki. Natsuki had trusted that help would arrive and in this moment, and…it did.

Yasuhiro: “Titan’s Grove!”

Trees shot out of the ground, lifting Isamu into the air. A large hole appeared in the barrier. ‘That’s why he had me blind him. He didn’t want him to see Yasuhiro coming through the ice and shadow mix. That Rose Chaplet called Yasuhiro. Tch! Smart bastard, Natsuki. Even I can’t ever get Yasuhiro to do anything for us,’ Iki thought.

Wally and Yahiko threw down Verdant Chaplets to help keep up now that Yasuhiro was helping. This was the only thing they could do to match the intense speed that Natsuki already had without chaplets. They both wondered how far his power could go.

Yasuhiro’s body glowed with green mana lines.

Because of his connection to the Sacred Tree, he wasn’t affected by Isamu’s abilities in the area as much as the others. As he ran, flowers bloomed in his path behind him.

Yasuhiro: “You didn’t have to throw that. I told you I would be watching the whole time. He can suppress his mana completely. Think this was the guy that came over to us?”

Natsuki: “Good to see you too haha. Watching the whole time, is that right? When did the love inside you decide to come down and help? We could’ve used you a lot sooner.”

Yasuhiro: “Oh come on Natsuki. Four of you can’t take down this one guy? Let me at him. I’ll take him on myself. There was no reason for a risk reward situation where you had to call me. Besides, this is the only time you can call me. My debt is repaid.”

Iki: “Good that you are here. Care to reconsider joining The Association, Yasuhiro?”

Yasuhiro: “Nah, screw off, all of you. I do my own thing with Kouki. We got our own things to protect.”

Iki: “Yeah, I know. That’s why I don’t argue with you cause I understand that. Although, we need to have a little chat later about what you did a couple weeks ago to that town.”

Yasuhiro: “Ha! Gladly. I’ll tell you all about how justified I was.”

Yasuhiro pulled down the trees where Isamu was nowhere to be found. Yahiko yelled out, “He went under again! Watch the ground!”

Iki: “Layers Shred of Light!”

The ground became covered in gold mana lines that stretched throughout the ground to try and pierce Isamu as he went through. However, he was in an astral form and could not be touched. He jumped out of the ground and cut off Yahiko and Wally’s right arm. They winced in pain as he went back under.

Iki: “Natsuki! Yasuhiro! Track him!”

Yasuhiro: “Man, is it that serious? The Great Swordsmen sure have fallen. Can’t even beat one single man. Alright, let me get serious…Roots of Decay.”

Tree roots rained down from the sky, obliterating the ground entirely. He forced Isamu to come up and even though they could see him, they could not touch him. His ability was similar to a Wight Chaplet.

Iki: “God damn coward! Get down here!”

Isamu: “This was a good test. Allow me some rest and I will take you all seriously next time. Think of this as a warning. Kill another animal and I won’t take you so lightly anymore. It seems my vessel is not strong enough. Don’t worry. With time, I can make it stronger.”

Isamu entered a portal formed by him and disappeared without a trace.

Iki rushed over to heal Wally and Yahiko’s wounds.

Iki: “Are you both okay?”

They both shook their heads as Iki grew back their arms with the help of Healing Chaplets. Natsuki walked over with Yasuhiro to check on all of them. Yasuhiro laughed at the patheticness of all of them.

Yasuhiro: “Kouki and I could’ve easily defeated him. You all are ridiculous. This is why the structure of the Great Swordsmen was changed. Where is Michiaki? Couldn’t you have called him in here?”

Natsuki: “He hung up his sword. He’s done. He no longer seeks reckless violence. I don’t know why he wanted an audience with us at the Temple of Time, but I feel as if that is a lie. I wouldn’t even bother showing up. Although, who spread that rumor then?”

Yasuhiro: “Oh screw him. I don’t admit when someone is strong, but he is stronger than all of us combined and yet he won’t help? Some people are too entitled.”

Yahiko: “H-He’s not entitled. He’s smart. He chose a peaceful path. One that he could walk and be proud of. Not one of destruction like you. Although, I agree that he should fight.”

Yasuhiro: “Oh, the big shot wants to talk now? 4th reverend isn’t that right? Look at you. You did nothing in that fight. You let him escape and dealt barely any damage. This is why you all don’t ever deal with any problems that arise. Hell, you can’t even invade Deceased Paradise where thousands of people have died throughout the years. You can’t even conquer the Land of the Witches who pose a massive threat to all humanity. And you sure as hell won’t even go near the Tombs of Bramblebind because you know that you would die.”

Iki: “Don’t come in here and bash my men about what we do. We have a job unlike you. We weren’t trying to kill him, we were trying to capture him. You choose to isolate yourself in a deserted area centered around a stupid giant log with leaves. Wait till that thing gets chopped down one day, then you will have nothing. Nothing! Natsuki, there was no reason to bring him here. He hasn’t changed and he never will.”

Natsuki: “Yes, young master. I apologize to the both of you and I thank you Yasuhiro for coming to help. I banked my life on the assumption that you would prevail, and you did. I am further in your debt.”

Yasuhiro: “You’re the only one I actually like Natsuki. Don’t ever change. As for all of you, I can’t wait until immense powers come and wipe you out. If I remember correctly, an invasion is coming soon over here. I need to get back to protect my people. The rumors stretched all the way to my town. Killing Lorenzo Cain’s only two sons? What a stupid bunch you are. Even if you win, the people of these lands will hate you and fear you forever. He knows exactly what he’s doing even if he perishes with his men. At least I’m justified with what I do.”

Wally: “Yeah right. Destroying a whole city is justified when they didn’t do anything?”

Yasuhiro: “Oh please. Your arrogance will not further your life. I can’t wait to see how this plays out. See ya losers.”

He spun in a circle until a mini tornado formed around him and he vanished in front of them. “God Dammit! Iki yelled out.

He was extremely frustrated.

Many of his men came back from where they were hiding. “Johan!” he called out. “Get me a report immediately on the invasion of Lorenzo Cain’s land!” Johan sped off at the sound of Iki’s words. Everyone checked on the 4 of them who were not in tip top shape at the moment, covered in dirt, dust, and blood.

Some cried for them and others panicked to ensure they were okay.

Iki returned back into the palace and onto his throne.

He sat and thought.