Tides Of Protomis XIX

A turn for the Worst

As he had just before, the Apostle stood with his blade outstretched. The blue light continued to move across the surface of his skin. As his eyes stayed trained on his opponents. All the while, they did the same. Especially as they took notice of him bending his knees... The window they had to eliminate him was quickly closing, and that much was something they all realized. Though, more than that, it was the fact that one move could easily end in their deaths. The tension in the air began to thicken. Arctaius’ fists tightened as he put his hands in front of his chin.

“As if he wasn’t enough of a problem already. We were barely keeping him suppressed even then… Not to mention how it was before Lafeyah pulled what he did.”

Alarick nodded.

“Those Soldiers weren't bluffing when talking about the 4 Apostles' power… Who knows what the other three are like.”

Alarick stamped his feet onto the ground, which soon gave rise to dagger-shaped stones rising from the ground once more. He soon reached down, grasping the two blades, in a reverse grip. Just beside him, Kazimir’s gaze flew around, as large chunks of earth began to break off of the ground around them.

“I don’t think it's a good time to worry about them. We’ve got one right in front of us…”

Zhao stood in silence as the rest conversated, his hand settled on his chin. All things considered, nothing he could think of off the top of his head would help. Straight fight? Definite no. Retreat? Like that would work… Eventually he closed his eyes as he began to wreck his memories, back to his past training.

Guo Monastery, Tibet

Nestled within the harsh climate of the peaks of the Himalayas, in an isolated clearing, there sat a collection of white earthen buildings. That, though maintained, clearly had some signs of age littered on the exterior. Whether it be the minimal effects of weathering, or the traditional architecture that used to be common in the region, it was clear that it had been there for some time.

Though the building was of less note then the people inside, within, were a collection of men, their heads shiny, or bald. All wearing the same Zhi Fu, the traditional light robes used generations beforehand. Though there were some specific differences between them, what one took note of, was the three circular markings on their foreheads, arranged into something resembling a triangle. Within this monastery, was one of many children with a shaved head, a low cut remaining where a head of hair used to be. The one known as Zhao Lei. Much like any other day, he stood there, his hands moving across a dummy, striking with power, ferocity. All the while watching, was a rather large man, his head shaved like the others there. His robe is much like those of the others. Though he didn’t stick out, those who lived there knew who he was, Grandmaster Guan Hi.

“Lei. That will be enough”

And, now, the striking stopped, as the young Zhao turned on his heel.

“I must say… You’re doing quite good for someone of your age. Most of your peers haven’t gotten anywhere near that level.”

The youth put his gaze on the ground, as he began to turn away.

“I… Can’t say I believe that.”

As he began to recall his attempts to challenge the other, older students, and the fact that they’d stopped him without any effort. That wasn’t something he forgot, but, even so, the man’s vote of confidence did not leave... And from then on, he began his attempts to teach him a new Technique…

A new technique that...

Zhao opened his eyes, bringing his focus back into the present, he began to glance around, taking note of the fact that he hadn’t made a move just yet, good for him.

“I have an idea-- there was one final technique I learned from my teachers before the monastery was destroyed.. But I have to align my Funellways. And keep a constant flow of Qi through my body… Could you all hold him off until then?”

Arctaius glanced at him.

“No guarantees but- We can sure as hell try. Half-Pint, Rhuskov- Let’s do this.”

Kazimir nodded.

“Right.”

“Yes- Let- Wait a minute What did you j-”

Alaricks’ statement was cut off, as a giant burst of wind flew at them, and, though they were unaffected, the ground around them, ripped apart by the pressure, was not. Minrou tightened his grip on his blade. And, not ready to let him attack, Arctaius and Alarick charged forward, trying to get into his melee range. As Minoru took note of this, he didn’t even take the time to move away. Rather, he shifted his left foot forward, as he lifted his blade above his head, as he put his gaze on the approaching two. Something that left the two surprised as they took note, their eyes widening like saucers. The top of their spines began to tingle, a clear sign of what was about to take place. Even moreso, as the blue light around the swordsman began to grow.

“Zaisen, Kazimir Out of the way!”

Alarick’s gaze shot to the dark-skinned youth.

“It’s VON zaisen dammit!”

As Arctaius dashed to the right, Alarick dashed to the left, while Kazimir leaped away as well, and, as he swiped his blade upward, his blade held in a reverse grip, the force of the swing flew outward, cutting all in it’s path, buildings, armor, whatever little people remained, and even the earth below itself. A scar that lay miles deep, now went across much of the city. The tides gazed at the aftereffects, and then, they began to focus on the source once more.

“The hell?” Mumbled Arctaius.

Alarick frowned at this development, as he prepared to launch himself forward.

“There's no question here - we need to start fighting at full force - or he WILL kill us here!”

As he finished his speech, Minoru appeared in front of him, as if he’d teleported. But, what worried Alarick the most, was, what he took note of as his eyes darted toward Minoru. His blade was coming right at him at blinding speeds, ready to finish him off. Though, he took note of this just quick enough, to weave out of the way of the strike. Getting off with only a section of his armor falling away from him, splitting into two pieces. Soon enough, Minrou raised his blade again, prepared to strike his opponent down.

“I need to thicken my armor… It’ll be fatal if I'm hit dead on.”

And now, the blonde began to pull back, flying backward to get away from his opponent. Though, at the same time, he kept his gaze on him as well. Until he landed on the ground, about to stomp onto the ground, interrupted, as Minoru flashed forward, appearing in front of him once more. Though, as he took note of this, he began to move out of the way. After all, He wouldn’t need to dodge if he wasn’t there in the first place, right?

…

Wrong, soon, he felt blood leak from his torso, as… He took note of the fact that Minoru had cleaved through his chestplate. Cutting it away, and leaving a gash in its place. Alarick gritted his teeth as he jumped back, quickly stomping his feet onto the earth, launching debris, and dust alike from the ground below him. Much of which found its way onto his armor. Until, he came out of the clouds, with a much bulkier stone shell around him. Regardless, Minoru leaped forward.

Causing Alarick to put both of his arms up in front of his head, crossing them over one another. Successfully stopping Minrou’s attack, followed by him pushing his arms, shoving his blade away. However, it was only a moment of triumph. Minoru soon began to take more swipes at him, in rapid succession. Alarick blocks these attacks, but, slowly but surely, his armor is chipped off, bit by bit. Elsewhere, Arctaius watched the exchange of strikes take place, looking for just the right moment, an opening, to jump in. Until he saw Alarick duck under Minoru’s blade, sweeping him off his feet. Though this having any effect on its own was debatable, it was less so with him there. He swiftly burst toward Minoru.

Only for the swordsman to swiftly look over his shoulder at the charging mass of muscle. But regardless, a left hook smashed into Minoru’s cheek, his head jolted to the right. And, though it did no damage, that did not keep the youth from trying once more, sending a fist toward his ribs… But even so, it had little effect. Minrou threw his blade up into the air, as he took notice of another fist coming from behind him. Soon followed by him grasping the fists of both fighters. Before, with all his strength, he smashed them into each other. Leaving chips in Alarick’s armor, and causing a crack to emanate from Arctaius’ body. Likely from one of his bone’s.

Soon, Minoru turned his attention to Alarick, pounding his midsection with strike after strike, until the armor that formerly protected it, fell to pieces just moments afterward. Alarick looked down at this with widened eyes, before he was kicked in his chest, sending him flying backward.

Though Arctaius soon attempted to return an attack, sending a fist at the swordsman's back. However, with great speed, he turned, grasping his wrist, and stopping the fist in its tracks, before throwing him away, or, at the least attempting to. Arctaius planted his feet onto the ground, before forcefully pulling his arm out of Minoru’s grasp. And now, he began his own assault. He gripped MInoru’s arm, pulling it away from his body. Afterward he pushed forward, closing the distance between their bodies, before he grasped his other arm as well. Preventing him from using either for an attack, at the least, for now.

“As my father would say… There’s more than one way to skin a cat!” Thought Arctaius.

Soon followed by him slamming his forehead into Minoru’s in a headbutt. Something that left a small bit of blood dripping down Minoru’s face, but not much otherwise. But Minoru was not ready to back off just yet, returning the favor with a headbutt of his own. As he felt the older man’s skull crash into his, Arctaius gritted his teeth, as he sent his knee toward his stomach, which planted itself into the Apostle’s ribs.

“If you think that’ll take me out… You have the wrong idea” Minoru declared, a hint of venom in his tone. Minoru began to move his arms, entrapping Arctaius into a hold, reversing the situation. Minoru’s knee exploded into Arctaius’ stomach. Something that stunned even him. But, he did not stop at one, time and time again, his knee was planted onto the man’s ribs, leaving a bruise that grew and grew as time went on... That was until Alarick appeared behind him, his fist cracking into Minoru’s chin. Something that stunned him. Though it was brief, it was just enough for Arctaius to force his way out of his grip. And, as he did, he jumped away, as did Alarick. Giving Kazimir enough time to launch a hailstorm of debris, glowing with red light, toward Minoru. However, as the apostle regained his movement, he was quick to take notice, jumping out of the path of fire. But, this was not enough, as Kazimir swiftly began to adjust his aim, launching, not to where he was, but, right above him. Something that put the man directly into the line of fire. As he began to be pelted by the objects, constant sonic booms echoed around them as they flew out. And, two more came forth, as Arctaius and Alarick rebounded, making their way toward Minoru. Something the man took note of once more, as he flew upward, leaving the two fighters behind, as he went to grasp his blade once more.

Though it didn’t take long for the three youths to take note of his movement, they began their pursuit of him. Farther away from the battle, Zhao stood with his eyes closed. His dao at his sides, his arms crossed over his chest, and his palms facing him. His mind and body were calm, but the blue light that flowed around him was anything but. Wildly waving around his body, was the flame-like aura, one that had seemingly regained its original size. His hands, at his side, and his dao hilted… Though, after what felt like minutes, his eyelids began to part, as his gaze moved around, until he took in the battle in front of him. His watchful gaze fell upon Minoru.

“I’m Ready!!”

As he observed the battle, he took note of Alarick and Arctaius flung away once more. Then, he sprung forward, a blue light streaking behind him as he did so. Something that Minoru was quick to take notice of, but, as his gaze shot toward him, he was but a few feet away, his fingers straightened, ready to strike.

“ Guo Art: Seventeen Emperor’s Whirlwind Fist!!”

Zhao’s hand began to move across the whole of his opponent’s body, jabbing his fingers all over his his torso, arms and shoulders, eventtually, into his neck, chin, and otherwise, the battering continued, until, Minoru grasped his wrist, stopping him in his track, before and he slammed his fist into his stomach, folding his body over his fist. He stopped, but, only temporarily, to tighten his grip on his blade, before taking a diagonal swipe, up the man’s chest, leaving a gash across it. But, he did not stop there, taking swipe after swipe, and leaving more and more gashes. Until, he kicked him into the ground, the earth underneath buckling under the force. The other three looked at this display with widened eyes.

“Zhao!!” Yelled Alarick.

Part B

It failed… His last resort attack… it failed, just like that? Zhao sighed, as he continued to lay in the

impact crater he found himself in. Though, after some time, he lifted himself to his feet.

“That man... I doubt he’s mid-tier. I shouldn’t be too surprised.” He mumbled.

He wiped the blood that dripped onto his jaw, as he looked down at his uniform. Much of which was torn apart by this point. Especially the tattered remains of his sleeves, which, by this point, hung by a thread. As such, he tore them off, revealing his arms. That, though toned, were not nearly as large as the likes of Arctaius and Kazimir. Though he did not dwell on this. Rather, his confusion on what had taken place.

“What?! How did it not work?”

Minoru himself had gained but a few bruises on his body, in addition to his aura having shrunk a bit. Even so, he continued to look down on Zhao with the very same venom laced expression.

“Looks like they still haven't fully reopened… It wasn’t a good idea for me to get into melee range either. But it seems that I've closed at least one of his off…”

“No matter.”

As the swordsman spoke, he began to glance around, to his left, Toward Alarick, then, to his right, toward Kazimir. The brown-haired man watched intently, as Minoru pointed the edge of his blade to him. It had become quite clear. The time they had was not nearly enough. The poison was not long-lasting. The window had definitly closed by now.

“How unfortunate...you would’ve been useful to us had you not been heretics…Regardless- those who stand in the way of the Kaemerge get no mercy from me. You’ll die here.”

Arctaius squinted his eyes

“ This just keeps getting worse…”

“We can't let it end that easily. We can still mount an attack!!!”

As Alaricked made his proclamation, he flew forward. Soon followed by Arctaius. Minoru turns to face them as he punches Arctaius, sending him into a building, which was destroyed upon impact. Following it up with a kick smashing into Alarick. Sending him flying into another, crashing into it and destroying it. Now, Minoru returned his attention to Kazimir, grasping his blade with both hands, as he tightened his grip.

“I’ll start with the esper… Your abilities seem very similar to the third… And I very much dislike them.”

Minoru raised his blade once more as his eyes narrowed.

“Now then.”

Minoru dropped his left leg, before he bent his right. Ready to strike, he let out but one word.

“Die…”

Minoru burst forward, right toward Kazimir. The ground ripped apart in his previous spot. Kazimir was quick to thrust his arms forward, a crimson shield appearing in front of him, his attempt to stop the man's attack… Though, there was another actor approaching, one that none there were unaware of, until he appeared between the two, just as Minoru was about to enter melee range. A familiar wild haired man, with a scar going down his cheek. Minoru’s eyes widened in surprise, as his spine began to tingle… He took note of something immediately. This man was a cut above the one’s he'd been fighting. The man swiftly removed the cigarette that was in his mouth, saying but a single word.

“Shift”

The cigarette in his hand soon began to morph into light, but it did not stop there, as it’s size increased, and the shape changed as well. Until, appearing in his hand, was a greatsword. Soon, he adjusted his blade. And, as such, Minoru’s blade crashed into the man’s, the loud clang that echoed through the streets, soon followed by sparks, and a shockwave that cascaded outward. Though, the four youths managed to keep themselves in place. And, kept in place as well, was Minoru, who found that the long-haired man in the leather jacket had indeed stopped him. Just beside this clash, Alairck landed, eyeing the man with confusion… But, another one of the fighters landed with his eyes widened in surprise.

“Wait-- Who Is-”

Alarick started, cut off by,

“WATANABE?!”

His gaze fell onto the source, Arctaius. Watanabe’s face, rather than his usual expression of disinterest, had twisted into one of distaste. His angered gaze focused on the one in front of him, having not even acknowledged Arctaius’ arrival. Minoru, regardless, attempted to push forward in an attempt to get past him. Even so, the man did not budge.

“It seems you’ve done a thorough job in roughing up Corde and his boys… I don’t appreciate that…”

Minoru frowned.

“Who are you supposed to be?”

To Be Continued