Earth, wind, water, and fire.
The world was divided into four hemispheres—each ruled by its own element. Four flags, each bearing a color, representing the majority of gifted individuals who inhabited those lands.
These gifts, once symbols of joy and entertainment, soon became tools of war... and of evil.
With them came the Seele—black, gooish, mindless creatures. They could only be slain by an element they were weak against:
Fire to wind. Wind to earth. Earth to water. Water to fire.
For nearly two centuries, the United World Defense Society spearheaded the war against these beasts.
Behind them stood their long-time rival—
the World Elemental Special Control Unit.
"The creatures have finally shown themselves! Or... I mean—one of them..."
the same staff reported, voice slightly trembling.
"Element?"
Silhouette 7 asked, arms crossed on his throne.
"Flame, sir."
"Perfect timing!"
Bao-Shi barked.
"It's the worst timing!"
Lakmia shot back.
"It's called sarcasm, you fool!"
Bao-Shi snapped.
"At this point,"
Silhouette 3 muttered,
"There's no way Itoshi will make it in time. Kirashi has to hold them off alone."
"The question is,"
Silhouette 2 added,
"How far can he go? Ten against one?"
"Hm..."
Silhouette 7's eyes narrowed.
"Have you identified the source of the barrier magic around the island?"
"Yes, sir,"
the staff replied.
"The closest possible maker of the magic is the late Class D demon Ashura faced."
~~~Kaba Island~~~
"Is departing an island really that hard?!"
Kirashi shouted, frustration bleeding through his voice.
The fragile child clung to Kara, nestled in the warmth of her embrace, untouched by the chaos that raged beyond. The gentle rise and fall of her chest was a lullaby—a haven where fear could not reach.
The crimson Seele quivered, its molten gaze locked on Kirashi.
Yet he stood still, breath steady, resisting the urge to strike too soon. He could feel them—unseen threats prowling in the brush, waiting for the perfect moment to pounce.
"Come on... there's more of you, right?"
"There's more!?"
Aldrin blurted, standing beside him. He knew he probably wouldn't be able to do much—but he still stood there, willing to help those who needed him.
"If things inside the barrier can't go in... can things inside go out?"
Kirashi thought, glancing around.
"Aldrin-san?"
he called out.
Aldrin turned to him, hands trembling, breath uneven. Nervousness etched every line of his face—but in his eyes burned a quiet fire. Fear and determination clashed within him, but neither won.
Kirashi's lips curved into a faint smile. That spirit—uncertain but unbroken—was something he couldn't help but admire.
"Do you know a way we can make those things fly?"
"Eh...?"
[Ryujin, Itoshi, And Ayro]
"WAAAH! Dang it!"
Itoshi shouted in frustration, his eyes darting wildly for a way to move Ryujin and Ayro's motionless bodies.
"How do I...? Hmm..."
He racked his brain, then imagined moving them by raft.
A thought bubble formed in his mind, cartoonish and clear.
"Hmm... By sea, you say... No, no, no!" He waved the thought away. "They could get washed off somewhere else! Besides... I don't have time to make a raft!"
He grabbed his cheeks, tugging them in stress.
"What do I dooooo?!"
Then, an idea struck him. His eyes lit up.
"Hoh! That's right! What am I doing?!"
He sprinted back toward the makeshift resting place they'd found in one of the abandoned houses. He remembered the large piece of fabric he'd left draped over a table made of stacked cardboard boxes—right where their lamp had been.
When he reached the house, there it was, lying crumpled on the floor.
"There it is!"
He scooped it up and stretched it wide, checking if it was big enough.
"This is good enough!"
He bolted back to where Ryujin and Ayro lay.
"Should I make it comfortable... or just drag them on the ground?" he thought as he ran.
Reaching them, he spread the fabric flat on the dirt and dragged Ryujin by the underarms onto it, then gently moved Ayro beside him. He tugged and adjusted the fabric, tucking them in as "comfortably" as he could before tightening his grip.
"That looks about right... Now... let's go... One... two... HIAHH!"
With a fierce pull, he started dragging the two across the forest floor. Every muscle in his body screamed in protest, his breath coming out ragged and sharp—but he didn't stop.
Because no matter how heavy they were, leaving them behind wasn't an option.
~~~UWDS Africa Headquarters~~~
[Kenya]
"The South African front doesn't look good, huh..."
Bao-Shi muttered, his voice echoing through the chamber of The Room That Observes All.
"Within just one year... it fell to those damn Seele,"
Silhouette 2 grumbled.
"Their numbers are far greater than we anticipated. We need to act—and fast,"
Lakmia added.
"The citizens are starting to doubt our authority. If we don't move soon, we'll lose their trust completely,"
Silhouette 3 said grimly.
"I understand your concern, Ubuvila,"
Silhouette 7 replied, his tone calm yet firm.
"But sending more men will only feed the war. We can't risk it."
"Risk it?!" Ubuvila shot to his feet, anger flaring.
"That's my continent—my people down there! We must do something!"
"He's right," Bao-Shi said.
"If this spreads, it'll tear through the global economy."
"And what do you suggest we use?"
Silhouette 7 countered.
"Our army's not as good as the old Aegis!"
"Still! We must keep our promise to the people!"
Ubuvila's voice trembled with conviction.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk..."
The Seven Skulls turned toward the doorway where faint light spilled through. A lone silhouette stood framed in the glow.
"You again... Joonas,"
Ubuvila hissed.
"We really need to upgrade our security..."
Silhouette 7 muttered under his breath.
Joonas stepped forward—a tall Estonian with dark hair and tired eyes, once a member of the old Aegis.
"You mentioned Aegis," he said.
"Why not bring the old members back?"
"You're underestimating us, Joonas!" Lakmia barked.
"We thought of that. We're not on good terms with those relics."
"Tsk, tsk... Lakmia," Joonas smirked.
"The Aegis were wolves—hungry, disciplined, united. You could use a few of those right now."
"And that's exactly why it's a bad idea," Silhouette 7 shot back.
"They'll kill Seele and civilians alike."
"Hoh? Is that—"
A sharp thwack cut him off. Joonas winced, clutching his neck.
"That's enough, Joonas-kun."
"Oww..."
"Franz!" Lakmia called out.
Franz stepped into view, hands in pockets, wearing her trademark smirk.
"His idea isn't that bad—if done right. If you want them to fight, go find them yourselves."
"WHAT?!"
The Seven Skulls shouted in unison.
"Ehh? Scared of the light?" Franz teased.
"Heh, kidding. You were their top commanders once. Surely someone still remembers your faces."
"Not all of them are friendly," Silhouette 2 warned.
"If we resurrect Aegis, others will rise too."
"Exiled Reckoning Order Syndicate.,"
Silhouette 5 muttered darkly.
"This is a gamble," Silhouette 7 reminded them.
"It could spark another war—not just against these monsters. We can't risk everything we've built."
"Heh. Prideful, as always,"
Joonas smirked.
"Tsk,"
Silhouette 7 clicked his tongue.
"Oh well. Just a suggestion."
Joonas turned toward the light.
Franz silently stepped aside, letting him pass.
"I think I'll go with him," Franz said, and followed.
The door slid shut behind them with a metallic hum.
"What are they thinking?! That's insane!"
Ubuvila burst out.
"What else can we do?"
Silhouette 4 asked quietly.
The chamber fell silent once more.
The Room That Observes All sank back into its familiar darkness, the Seven Skulls lost in grim contemplation over the South African front—while far away, their soldiers fought on, exhausted but unbroken, against the unending tide of Seele.
~~~To be Continued~~~