Tides Of Protomis LXXXIX

The Impending Threat

It was but a few hours after the battle with general Zeta. It was safe to say that the result of the battle left them unsatisfied. To be defeated that easily, it didn’t exactly fill them with confidence. The tides and their allies found themselves sitting in the abandoned warehouse, which essentially became their home base. For some time, there was silence between them, until Kazimir got up from his seat on one of the couches. Now, he took the initiative, speaking out.

“Well, that could've ended better.”

Arctaius leaned back into his seat, as he nodded in agreement.

“Needless to say, we have an issue…”

“There’s not only that level of strength he had, there's also the fact that there are apparently more of them. In addition to this “Mallegan” He mentioned. We’re in for another battle, and it isn’t going to be an easy one.” Alarick added.

“There’s also another problem..”

The gazes of those in the room flew to the source of the word, Miyamoto.

“There’s only one form of law in the demon realm, as I've learned from Hyperion… And that law is power. With that in mind, these other generals have to be near this guy’s level if they’re that high up the totem pole. This Maleggan guy even more so.” She continued. This certainly didn’t bode well for them. But they knew that wasn’t the only issue, a certain Yakuza began to fidget, interlocking his fingers.

“There’s also the slayers. Though we did work with them back there, there’s no guarantee that the same will happen next time around. And given how much of a problem that Volker guy gave corde, that’s another factor to consider.” Jirou noted. Zhao began to pace around, as he parted his lips to speak.

“That’s true, if knowing the demons were out there somewhere wasn’t enough for them before, I don't see a reason they’d think any differently now- unless that little exchange changed their minds.”

Now, the silence returned. With all of those there considering the ideas they bounced around. Eventually, Miyamoto broke the silence with another question.

“I’m just trying to figure out why they’re attacking us specifically? Maybe our reputation has made its way into the demon realm?”

“It’s possible…” Arctaius responded, trailing off. Now, it’d be best to get a larger sample size, and he knew just who to call. He brought his hand to his pocket, pulling out his holo-phone, which, thankfully, remained intact. He tapped the side, the display projected soon after.

“Miris.” He called, prompting a chime to sound, a microphone appearing on the screen.

“Call Liang Yu.”

“Calling Liang Yu…” Following the rather realistic female voice sounding, the device began to ring, continuing to do so for some time… Elsewhere, halfway across the world, there was a small room, containing nothing but a desk and bed. Though most notable, was the stack of books on the desk. Virology, Protology, Biology alike. Three subjects that remained in the mind of a certain martial artist. The same one that was sat in a wooden chair, in front of one of the books, that lay open. Sheets of paper at the side, Lined with Hanzi. The source being the ballpoint ink pen, in the hand of one Liang Yu. Age had clearly taken some effect on him, his jaw becoming somewhat more defined. His hand continued to move across the paper as he jotted down notes. The room was nearly silent aside from the faint sound of the bustling city around him. He inched toward the screen to read the name, which came up as Arctaius Corde. What was he doing calling him? They’d fought together, yes, but it wasn’t as if they were that close.

He tapped the device, answering the call.

“What is it, Corde?”

I have a question. Have you or Cuifen been attacked by any more strange creatures lately?”

“If you mean the so-called “Demons” they’ve been mentioning on the news, then yes. I didn’t think it was important enough to mention, but more have been showing up lately… Of course, they are indiscriminate in their attacks, so Cuifen is at risk as well. I can’t exactly move too far away.”

Alarick nodded at this, before getting up, and stepping into the camera’s view, appearing on Liang’s screen.

“And what about Lafeyah, we haven’t been able to get in contact with him.”

“Well, after the first attacks happened, he did say something came after him, when he came earthside. But I've heard nothing after that-- He’s focused on his goals as of now, so we don’t converse all that much. He said something about hunting down the loyalists that escaped to the colonies, nothing otherwise.”

“Well, there we are…” Miyamoto mumbled.

“Now, If you don't mind, I’ll be returning to my studies...”

Liang turned his attention back to the book on his desk, while Arctaius sighed.

“Nothing we can do about it now, I suppose we’ll have to wait and see how they move from here on out. Thanks for the info, Yu.”

He gained only a nod in response, as the was ended from the other line. Leaving the group sitting in silence once more. Alarick got up from his chair, drawing glances from all of those around him.

“At this point, we may as well go home. There’s nothing more for us to do here… We’d just be making strategies based on incomplete information.”

Kazimir stood up as well, nodding in agreement.

“Those attacks really did a number on us, but it’s Nothing we can’t handle.” Kazimir added.

“Yeah…” Arctaius began, trailing off.

Now, Arctaius got out of his seat, Zhao got to his feet, while the rest of the group did the same. Now they began making their way out of their base. Though none would say it, the thoughts about their conversation continued, even as they made their way through the streets. There was no doubt about it, the battle with the demon known as Zeta would not leave their minds, not until they were able to get rid of him.

Elsewhere within Tokyo, it would seem that these thoughts spread to the rest of the populace as well. Though they did not know the specifics of what had appeared, and why it did what it did, they didn’t exactly care. A scar left across the nation was not something that they could simply ignore. The mood in the city could only be described as tense, on edge. Much like it was after the Kaemerge did their attacks on Kingston and Shima all that time ago, and in the months after the various sources of their power were discovered, the government had just regained faith in them from Yamato's people.And this would most definitely be a roadblock in their efforts.

With even the A word being thrown around in relation to Emperor Shin, even if that was in small groups. Nobody knew what would happen next, and it was for that reason that they dreaded it. North Shima High was no different in that regard. Asami, Megumi, And Kasumi sat on one of the many benches that lined the school’s soccer field, bento boxes in their hands. The green grass flowed in the wind, as did the hair of all three girls. Much to the annoyance of Kasumi, given her expression.

“Man.. Why is it so windy today? How am I supposed to eat my lunch like this?”

Megumi shrugged her shoulders at this.

“Not like any of us can control the weather… Or, at least, I don’t think so.”

She grasped an onigiri between her chopsticks, chewing it, before swallowing it down.

“That aside, Asami, you did hear about what happened the other day, with Southern Shima, right?”

“Of course I did, especially with what whoever they were fighting pulled.” Asami responded.

Soon enough, Kazumi snapped, remembering what she’d heard not too long ago.

“I think that Corde was involved, some guys said they saw him walking toward there with Zaisen-kun, and those other two.”

“They have names, you know…” Megumi mumbled.

“That’s not the point. But it really makes you wonder, who were they fighting? Those demons they were talking about, someone else? I thought they were supporting them.”

Megumi twirled a few strands of her hair around her finger as she thought.

“Guess it might not be like that. Come to think of it, those guys just came out of nowhere. If you ask me, any group that hides out like that is up to no good.”

Asami sat in silence as she heard this. With the two continuing their conversation, all the while, she went deep into her thoughts. Considering what they’d said here, and what she knew, what had happened before she was still torn on a certain subject, very much so. She closed her eyes as her head drooped to the ground, something that didn’t go unnoticed by either of her friends.

“Asami, is something wrong?” Megumi questioned, making her perk up.

“Yeah, you’ve been kind of quiet.”

She waved her hand dismissively, as she spoke in response.

“Don’t worry about it, I was just in my thoughts.”

“Well, alright…” Megumi responded, before she turned her attention back to Kasumi.

“They don’t seem like the type of people who would be friends with each other, though. When did they meet anyhow?”

“:I’m guessing it might have been when corde disappeared, after what happened back then. I mean, Grayhelm-kun already lived here, but we know they didn’t.”

Kasumi nodded.

“Mm. So the Only way would be to ask them ourselves, don’t think they would--”

She paused, as she sprung up, pointing to the fence at the edge of the school’s property.

“Wait, there they are!”

Asami’s eyes flew to the fence, as did Megumi’s. It was there that they saw the tides, all wearing the school’s uniform, walking with Volker. Who, unlike last time, wore civilian clothing, An open beige jacket over a black shirt. As well as a pair of blue jeans. Among the observers, Megumi focused on him specifically.

“I don’t think I've seen him around before… “ Megumi noted. Now, Asami followed him with her eyes as well, as she mumbled.

“Neither have I.”

Another battle, one she didn’t even have the details of. And now, she found Arctaius walking off with some unknown. Once again, she was out of the loop. Something she wasn’t fond of. After all this, she had but one question ringing through her head.

“What is he getting himself into now…?”

Part B

This didn’t please Volker, not in the least. To come to meet peacefully with the ones who killed the four corners of all people, one of which was the direct cause of their current situation? Either way, he recognized how it would affect both sides if they fought each other, at least, now. As such, he bit his tongue in that regard.

“Let’s hurry up and get this over with. I’d much rather be elsewhere.” Volker stated bluntly. Gaining a glance from Alarick, as he responded.

“Believe me, We agree.”

“I do find it quite strange that this boss of yours sent you here to meet with us, considering how you first approached us.” Arctaius noted.

“We are not fools… we are more than capable of realizing when more important matters are at hand.” These words gained a glare from Kazimir. He had the nerve to say that, after what THEY pulled? There’s no way he’d let that pass, especially after how torn up he’d seen her….

“That’s not what it seemed like when you went after Junko… Do you get the scope of how much your slander camp-”

As Kazimir spoke, Zhao put his hand on his shoulder.

“Kazimir, I understand the sentiment, but I don’t believe that this is the time.”

Kazimir remained silent, as he stepped away from the slayer.

“Fine…”

Volker paid his anger no mind, as he continued speaking.

“We are planning a Termination of hostilities… If what we saw yesterday with that so-called “General” Is anything to go by, we’ll soon be dealing with a large amount of demons, powerful ones, pouring onto earth. And who knows if they’ll stop there... Considering how demons are, we don’t want that.”

Arctaius nodded.

“If that is the case, I agree.”

Alairck nodded as well, before speaking.

“It would be foolish not to.”

“Then I'll be taking my leave.”

With this said, volker walked off. All the while, Kazimir’s eyes bored into his back, something he either did not acknowledge. His anger toward him was none of his business.

To Be Continued