Mekira's army had the LVD headquarters completely surrounded. Boots hammered the pavement in perfect unison, rifles raised, visors down. At the front stood Myu, motionless, his presence cold and imposing.
The building doors burst open. Missak strode out, his comrades at his side. The wind carried dust across their coats, the air tense and sharp.
— I expected nothing less from Nexus, Myu declared, his voice cutting through the silence. You have a choice: deal with them yourselves… or we'll do it for you.
Ikku stepped forward, fists clenched.
— We renounce the mission, he said firmly. But we ask that you reconsider the annexation of Saymar.
Myu tilted his head.
— What did you just say?
— Ikku, what the hell are you doing?! Missak shouted. This isn't your fight! Stay out of it, we can handle this!
Ikku met his gaze.
— You're in the right here, I know that. But before blood is spilled, there's always another way. I once heard a man say, "War happens when negotiations fail… Let's see if we can avoid that." I finally understand what he meant.
Myu gave a chilling smirk.
— You've been deceived by these criminals. Peace only comes through their surrender… or their extermination.
— I…
— Forget it, Ikku, Missak cut him off, stepping forward. I appreciate the effort, but sometimes violence is necessary to bring peace. And look seems like everyone's finally here.
Ikku frowned.
— Everyone?
Seven figures emerged from the shadows and joined their ranks. The air thickened with pressure. Ikku felt it in his bones: every one of them wielded spiritual energy. The clash to come would be monumental.
— The ten are reunited! Missak shouted, grinning. It's been a while, guys. Tonight, everything gets settled. The building is surrounded. I'll take the front with Babar. Nenew, Gamch, and Momo cover the rear. Gangst, Karo, and So left flank. Neuneu and Ninou right. And remember… everyone stays alive!
— YES! they roared in unison.
They scattered instantly, each taking position with precision like chess pieces being slammed into place before the final move.
Missak and Babar faced Myu head-on, both wearing the same cocky smile.
— So, what are our odds? Babar asked mockingly.
— With Sorento absent, a little better, Missak replied with the same amused tone. I'd say… about fifteen percent.
— Damn, you're optimistic these days, Babar chuckled, dropping into stance.
— A cornered beast is always the most dangerous, Missak muttered, mirroring him. Stand back, Ikku. Watch us change the world.
Ikku froze, torn, until a heavy hand landed on his shoulder. He turned Zéno. A single nod. That was all. Ikku understood. This wasn't his fight.
Myu advanced.
— This is your last chance, scum. Surrender… or die.
Missak and Babar just smirked wider.
— You asked for it, Myu snapped. Fire!
Gunfire erupted instantly. The air filled with whistling lead, a storm of steel tearing forward.
Missak stomped the ground. Stone roared upward an immense wall surged out of the earth, shielding them. Bullets ricocheted wildly, sparks showering in every direction.
— Incredible… Ikku gasped.
— Babar! Formation A! Missak shouted.
Babar launched himself skyward. Below, Missak slammed both fists into the ground. A shockwave rippled outward like a raging tide. Soldiers lost their footing and collapsed, all but Myu, who stood his ground without flinching.
Above, Babar unleashed a rain of glowing orbs. Each sphere detonated on impact, blasting soldiers and weapons apart. Explosions rocked the battlefield fire, smoke, and bodies flying through the air. Within seconds, a third of the front lines were wiped out.
Ikku clenched his teeth, his eyes glued to the carnage. Now he understood: he'd never stood a chance against Momo. These fighters were hardened in real combat.
— So that's… their Brand, he whispered, awestruck.
— Talented kids, Zéno replied simply.
But Myu hadn't budged. He raised a hand.
— Fall back. I'll deal with them myself.
He stripped off his upper garments, baring his chest. Under the dim light, metallic plates gleamed muscles fused with steel, synthetic tendons coiled under the skin. His body was a weapon.
— A cyborg? Missak muttered.
— Good eye, Myu sneered. Now I'll show you the price of defying Mekira.
Ikku felt a sudden pull at his wrist. In a blink, the world shifted. Zéno had teleported them onto the rooftop. The night air hit their faces, sharp and cold. From here, Ikku could see everything: the flaming front, soldiers scrambling, all four battlefronts about to erupt.
— Whoa… How did you teleport us here? Ikku asked, wide-eyed.
— I can move to any point within two hundred meters, Zéno replied. With the right conditions.
Left flank.
Gangst, Karo, and So now stood against another wave of soldiers. Though all three were the same height six feet even they couldn't have looked more different.
Gangst, caramel-skinned, a faint beard on his jaw and loose clothes hanging from his frame, rolled his shoulders, restless. Karo, same skin tone and haircut, head shaved in a tight fade, clean-shaven, thicker build he was a wall of muscle. So was paler, long curly hair spilling from under a beanie, a thin goatee framing his chin, his expression permanently bored.
— So, who's doing what? Gangst asked.
— Just ate, Karo said flatly. You take this one, Gangst.
— What?! Why me?!
— Sounds good to me, So yawned. Truth is, I'm tired. You'll handle it.
— Are you insane?! You're helping, whether you like it or not! Gangst barked.
But the soldiers didn't wait. Rifles rose again. The order came: Fire!
— MANTRA! Karo roared, slamming his palms together. ADAMANTI!
He pressed his hands to the ground. A massive shield of green energy erupted before them like a fortress wall. The bullets struck and shattered into sparks, harmless.
— What the hell?! How'd they do that?! shouted one soldier.
— No idea! Just keep firing! another yelled.
But then a soldier collapsed. Then another. And another. Bodies dropped like puppets with their strings cut.
— What's happening?! one panicked voice screamed.
— Think it through, buddy, came a voice right at his ear.
The soldier froze. So was leaning casually against his shoulder, as if they were old friends.
— When did you..? You can… teleport?
— Teleport? So repeated, feigning confusion. Is that a thing? Huh. Anyway… the truth is, you're just too slow.
His fist blurred like lightning, slamming into the soldier's gut. The man crumpled instantly. So straightened, eyes sweeping the rest of them.
— Is that really all you've got? he taunted, smirking.
From the rooftop, Ikku was spellbound, eyes wide with admiration.
"You were right, Missak, he thought, his heart pounding. This really is a spectacle you're showing me."