Tempted Strength

Seiji forced himself back to his feet with the help of the staff. His hand tightened around the shaft of the staff. It seemed to respond to his desire glowing brighter than before. “If you think a wall’s going to stop me…” He slammed the end of the staff into the earth. A ringing issued from the epicenter outward.

Several waves of force immediately blew out from staff. The first rank of soldiers fell over from the impact with the second unintentionally trying to keep them from going prone. Symbols appeared in the air carved in light. A white light blasted out tearing up the earth into fine particles. When the force slammed into the wall the earth seemed to jump from the surprising amount of energy unleashed upon it.

Everything disappeared in a blinding light followed by a cloud of smoke. No one knew what happened. They all just stood around waiting. Even the soldiers, orders came through to them, but they couldn’t move. Uncertainty and a little curiosity held them in place. Everyone wanted to know what happened.

Helping Nerine, Yumi stared intently into the smoke as though trying to tear away the layers. ‘Come on, Seiji.’

Chapter 214 – Tempted Strength

The only one that seemed unaffected by the whole thing was Simonides. He stood watching the same as always from his binoculars wishing his men would act rather than stand around. It was the perfect chance to make a move.

As the smoke over the entire area began to clear, parts began to surface in shadows. Shadows turned to physical shapes. The wall still stood once the veil lifted completely . It appeared unaffected by the attack. “I came prepared for this outcome. The wall was built to be completely indestructible. The benefit of the powers of the MP is that the impossible is possible. Indestructible is achievable and not just hubris.”

Such a state was never used in normal circumstances because it was a pointless effort. Against a normal human, something that was sufficiently resistant would be all that was necessary. While against another MP user it only meant anything if the individual was mentally stronger than the other. If they were weaker it wouldn’t matter if it was indestructible or made of paper, the effect was the same. However, it had a practical application against humans like the intruders that worked off a different reality. That reality could be overwritten.

When the smoke cleared away and Seiji saw his effort, he swung the staff at the wall. An arc went out from the headpiece clashing with the wall.

Nothing.

“Damn!” He looked around the wall and saw it ended. Seiji ran towards the edge, but just when approached it he fell over. Another wall rose out of the earth extending further the blockade. His hand tightened around the shaft. “Bastard!” He understood.

“You won’t escape. I made sure of that.”

Seiji stared at the wall, sizing it up for a moment. He considered climbing, but it was a completely smooth surface with no seams. It was even angled in a little so if he managed to get up a little he would fall back down eventually.

Escape was impossible.

The reality settled in for Seiji. He turned away from the wall and marched back. Any of the soldiers that got in his way were tossed aside. He still had the power in his arm. When he reached Yumi and the others, he tried to keep his annoyance down. “Sorry, guys.”

“It’s fine, Seiji,” reassured Yumi. “Our opponent is well prepared for us.” She looked around at everyone. They looked tired. All of the fighting without their vitality made it difficult. “I only see three options remaining for us.”

Everyone already seemed to know those options. Seiji asked anyway, “What are those options?”

“Defeat everyone here, stalemate or surrender.”

“I don’t like the last one.”

“None of us do,” piped up Chiharu.

Yumi stepped back up to the center. “Since we know what their strategy is, we should stick closer together.” She knew the answer everyone had already. A decision didn’t need to be taken. They all agreed with her by the looks of their eyes. “It’ll be easier to protect each other and help if we stay close.”

The two remaining with the strength to fight, Seiji and Chiharu, took up sides around the rest. Yumi stood still supporting Nerine as though her sword didn’t exist. Yori held on to Fumiko, still processing everything.

Yori watched the two charge back into the fighting without a second thought. Seiji had more of the advantage with his new power, but even Chiharu seemed to hold her own. ‘How are we supposed to get out of this?’ He stared down at his hand. All he did was stand on the sidelines, again. ‘I can’t do anything. I’m worthless. Why did I even bother coming with them?’ His eyes glanced over at Yumi. The determined look on her face made her seem so far away from him. They stood together, but he could not even reach her. ‘Even Yumi can do something in such a condition…’

A bit of a mutual feeling rested on Nerine. However, confusion filled more of her than helplessness. ‘They’re continuing to fight even in such hopeless odds. The Captain will win in the end, but they’ll keep fighting.’ She saw their eyes. There was no doubt about what they were doing. “Why…are you doing this?”

“Hmm?” At first, the voice sounded out of place. She still wasn’t familiar with hearing Nerine speak. Yumi glanced over at her. “It might seem a little pointless, all of this fighting. I’m a little inclined to agree, though I doubt Seiji would agree.” Laughter popped up from her response. “We probably seem stupid, don’t we?”

“I-I…”

“It’s fine. One thing I’ve learned from Seiji is there’s nothing wrong with being stupid sometimes.” She watched him fighting with the staff. “It’s okay if it is for someone important. We’re just intruders here, but it’s important to Yuki and not just because he’s under attack. He needs this and I want to make sure he can reach the end. We might be the enemy of everyone, but I believe when it is all settled things will be better.”

It was hard to follow. What she said made sense to Nerine. However, what the Captain said made sense to her as well. ‘Who’s right here? They aren’t monsters, they’re just humans wanting to protect something…like us.’ Nerine tilted her head in the direction of Simonides. ‘You seem to know something, you’re planning something. Why don’t you just…’

Simonides lowered the binoculars. A grim expression dug into this face. The last attempt failed. “Abeiron seal all energy types. A general course is going to be the only solution, we don’t have time to figure him out.”

“Understood!” The Commander shouted out orders to the men. The only thing keeping the battle moving was the communication. It would have been over a long time ago had it not being for the Captain’s strategy. Abeiron felt assured the fighting would end soon. ‘They are truly dangerous.’ The damage they sustained so far was staggering.

Idle conversation came in from one of the men. It seemed like just annoyed chatter, but Abeiron targeted it. “What was that, Sergeant?”

“Nothing, sir! I’ll tell them to keep communication to pertinent information only.”

“Anything little detail might be important, what was it?”

“Sir, one of the men was saying the little girl was like a ninja.”

Simonides tilted his head back, picking up the conversation. His eyes narrowed to almost thin lines. It spurred new ideas for him. ‘Damn me, why didn’t I see it sooner! It makes sense!’ He turned around towards them. “Commander! Have squads 4 and 96 remove all shadows.”

“Yes, sir!”

He slid a foot back towards the battle. ‘This will be the final push.’

Seiji fell backwards, caught off guard by one of the soldiers. His staff no longer functioned and his arm returned to normal. Nothing seemed to work anymore. He only had the staff left as a means to block the swords.

It only took Chiharu a moment to notice the change. Her realization introduced a moment of weakness. They figured it out finally. The wall of soldiers seemed endless suddenly with her options shrinking. “They figured out my power,” she reported to Yumi.

Things seemed to be getting worse by the minute. Yumi tried to figure out something else, but their only course was to fight until the end. ‘Seiji’s power is already gone and now Chiharu as well. Fumiko’s no option either. She’s still too disturbed by what happened. She’s barely conscious again.’

The ground filled with the litter of the injured. Atlanteans spread as deep as they could see. Even though it seemed they made an impact it seemed as though more just kept coming. It seemed almost like they were phantoms. The will driving them was as powerful as the one behind Yumi and her friends.

‘There must be a solution,’ thought Nerine.

Yori tightened up his fists in frustration. ‘I can’t do anything! I want to help them!’ They forced him to watch his friends stumble and fall. They struggled against the odds. They were brave and fearless even with no chance to win. Yet he just stood at the side. ‘Damn!’ He slammed his fist into his hand wanting to do something.

He cursed his useless fate. ‘They have fighting experience even without their powers. I couldn’t even protect my sister when I needed to! Damn it! Why didn’t that Hayashi bastard give me power too! Anything to be useful!’ His muscles tensed up. A little sweat built up responding to the heat of his emotions. ‘I don’t want to watch my sister end up in their hands…or worse!’

A new wind spun in around the surrounding teenagers. It wrapped around Yori tearing at his tunic. The wind grew in strength almost becoming a gale. Grass blew outward from his feet pressed down to the earth. The stirring drew up the attention of several cautious eyes in the Atlanteans. The others were too focused on the battle to give it any notice.

‘Yumi!’

Ripples suddenly expanded out from the feet. The grass disappeared with only dirt remaining behind. Suddenly, soldiers disappeared from the line as well. Everything changed.

Nerine stepped out in front of the others. Several of her gauntlets hovered in the air. She turned her gaze over in the direction of the Captain. “Captain Simonides! I’ve returned the powers you’ve sealed! The battle is over!” There was a bit of shaking in her voice. She knew the course she had taken. All she could do was follow it. The end would be discovered one way. “Second Lieutenant Nerine wishes to speak to you, sir!”