Kame and Shizuko are up early training. Both of them going all out with neither of them allowing the other to gain the upper hand for too long.
Shiro "Can I join?"
Kame "Sure, step in for me real quick. I need to go use the bathroom."
Shiro "Alright."
Kame walks away, but not before looking at Shizuko and nodding. Shizuko folds his arms and then nods back. Kame leaves to use the bathroom as Shizuko and Shiro begin training. Kame finishes and then almost runs into Jaken.
Jaken "Careful."
Kame "Sorry!"
Jaken "What's the rush?"
Kame "Just trying to hurry back to training."
Jaken "Yeah, I can see that."
Kame "Where is Kenshi?"
Jaken "Taking care of the baby, I was going to make breakfast. You and your friends are working up an appetite right?"
Kame "Definitely!"
Jaken "Good, breakfast will be ready in 30."
Kame "Yes!"
When Kame gets back outside he sees Shiro on the ground grimacing in pain.
Kame "What happened? What did you do? You were supposed to go light on him!"
Shizuko "I did."
Shiro "It's fine, He caught me off guard and I fell way harder because of it."
Kame "Shiro I."
Shiro "It's cool, I know I'm not as strong as you two. Why do you think I want to train so bad. Yeah I got stronger since you were gone, but so did you guys. So that gap only got slightly narrower."
Shizuko "I think it got wider."
Kame "No."
Shiro "It's fine, I respect him for it. He's hard on me and I feel like it makes me better. It's what I need you know?"
Kame "You think so?"
Shiro "Yeah, it's not like he's just an asshole. He's trying to get the absolute best out of me. He can see more of me than I see in myself."
Kame just smiles and Shizuko laughs.
Shizuko "Let's continue."
Asuna "Good, you guys are already up."
Kame "Asuna? Why are you here?"
Asuna "I wish it was just a catching up visit, but I need you two to come with me."
Shizuko "Why?"
Asuna "I hate to do this Kame, especially since you just came back."
Kame "It is fine, what is going on?"
Asuna "I sent Ziku on a mission to deliver intel. I need you two along with your other classmates to help fight. Zayn is planning something and we don't know what or when."
Kame "I will fight."
Shizuko "Me too."
Shiro "I want to as well!"
Kame smiles and Shizuko smirks.
Asuna "Great, the more the better. Meet me at the estate."
Mireko "So uhh are you done?"
Mikoto "Does it look like I am?"
Mireko "I just wanna go do something else. Im bored."
Mikoto "I don't care about you being bored."
Asuna "You two meet me at the estate."
Mireko "Oh my god Asuna! No hi or anything huh! Just gonna come out of nowhere?!"
Asuna "Sorry, but its urgent. I will catch you up on everything there."
Omoi "How are you doing today mom?"
Omoi's mom just lies there without uttering a word. Omoi's tears start to flow. He doesn't know what is wrong with her. He then hears a knock at the door. It's Asuna.
Asuna "Can you meet me at the estate?"
Omoi "No, my mom is still not ok."
Asuna "Take her in Omoi, the doctors can help."
Omoi "No! They can't! No one can."
Asuna "I can take her for you."
Omoi "You won't touch her!"
Asuna "It's not good to keep her like this!"
Omoi "The doctors will do the same! We don't have the resources anymore to treat her! And she wouldn't be a priority! They would neglect her until she passes, then act like they tried everything and in the end it was nothing they can do!"
Asuna "I'm sorry you feel this way, but I can really help her."
Omoi "Just leave, we don't need you. We don't need this village."
Asuna doesn't know how to respond, he just walks away. When Omoi closes the door, Asuna signals with his hand and makes a gesture. Jey comes over and lands in front of him.
Asuna "I need you to watch over them."
Jey "Got it."
Asuna "Report back to me at the end of the day."
Jey "Ok."
Zayn "Wait! I can use you first."
Mettanica "What are you talking about?!"
Zayn "You can brainwash people right?"
Mettanica "So what if I can?"
Zayn "Brainwash some people for me, that way I add strength to my group. It feels like we are too few, I will need more depth to my group if I want to accomplish anything."
Mettanica "Why?! You're already stronger than most!"
Zayn "True, but it just feels like I need more. Perhaps you're right, maybe I don't need anyone else. That just means I don't need you two and I kill you both here and now!"
Zayn grabs Obnimi ny the throat and begins squeezing.
Zayn "Starting with you!"
Mettanica "Ok stop! Who do you want me to brainwash?!"
Zayn just smiles.
Asuna "Glad you are all here. I understand that it has been quite some time. I feel bad, I don't want to make it habit to call upon all of you whenever I need something. It's more so the village needing you more than me."
Kanju "It's cool, just tell us what's going on."
Asuna "I'm sorry Kame, I understand you just came back."
Kame "Oh I am more than happy to help. This is what we train for! Right Shizuko?!"
Shizuko "Yeah."
Mikoto "So what is it?"
Asuna "I sent Ziku away already. I need to send two more. I have a plan to place the Core members on the perimeter of the village. Then I need the rest of you to pair up and guard strongpoints in the village."
Kanju "Sounds good to me."
Kotai "Me and Bokutso will pair up."
Kanju "I'll take Isamu."
Bezune "Shizuko?"
Shizuko "No, I'm going with Kame."
Bezune "Alright then, umm Shiro?"
Shiro "Yeah, we can pair up."
Mikoto "Me and my sister will pair up."
Kireina "Me and Haruna are good together."
Shizuko "Anybody seen that bastard Kisaiju?"
Asuna "I couldn't find him."
Shizuko "Tch damnit! He's actually pretty strong. This is what he should be using that shit for."
Yumi "Aiko, do you want to go with me?"
Aiko "Yeah sure."
Limbo "Hey, Poku how about me and you pair up."
Poku "If I have to.
Limbo "What does that mean?"
Senpu "Guess that just leaves you and me."
Chiori " Damnit."
Senpu "I promise to be on my best behavior."
Chiori "I'll believe it when I see it?"
Kanju "What about Omoi? Hiroyuki?"
Asuna "Omoi's not fit for this right now. As for Hiroyuki he is with Ava. They have a different mission considering Him and Shizuko can't be close."
Kanju "Right, forgot about that."
Asuna "As for the two I want to send I'm picking Mikoto and Mireko."
Mikoto "Hell yeah!"
Asuna "You two are to meet with Ziku at Cherry Island. He already knows you're coming. Im sending you in that direction because it is a straight path that connects three small villages. Your job is to check in with them, catch them up to speed and then on to the next."
Mikoto "Got it."
Asuna " As for everyone else spread out and protect the strongpoints."
Kanju "What about you?"
Asuna "I'm the person they are after. If they want me they can come get me. I'm not hidden away, I'll be at the front."
Kanju "Hell yeah!"
Mettanica "Which one?"
Zayn "Omoi."
Mettanica "Why him? As of now he's one of the weakest."
Zayn "His mind is shattered, his emotions are broken. "
Mettanica "I see, so you do know."
Zayn "Duhhhhhh! Now go on ahead and get him for me."
Mettanica appears in front of Omoi grabbing his head, opening her eyes and then turning him into a mindless zombie. Before she takes him back to Zayn, she tells him that he only bends to her will. Even though he may only answer to her, she wants him to do whatever Zayn says. At the end of it all, her commands out weighs his.
Zayn "Ah my prodigy."
Mettanica "You can't hold a conversation with him. It's only commands. Whatever you tell him to do, he will execute."
Zayn "I see, kill Mettanica!"
Mettanica "What?!"
Omoi goes over to her and tries to stab her...
Zayn "Stop!"
In the same instant he stops.
Zayn "Oh so it's like having a pet."
Mettanica is confused, wondering if Omoi was actually going to kill her. She thinks to herself, wondering if Zayn's commands exceed her own.
Zayn "Perfect now we can go."
Jey "Hey!"
Zayn "Still alive?"
Jey "Let him go!"
Zayn "This village is amazing! Truly astonishing!"
Jey "What are you?"
Zayn "I am annihilation."
Jey coughs up blood.
Zayn "I can save you. Join me."
Jey "No! Never! Bring him back!"
Zayn "You think they care about you? They put you on a team where you are to have no empathy. You were assigned to this by yourself! They wanted you dead! I can give you a second chance. Join me and all your pain will go away!"
Jey "I said no!"
Zayn "Ah, I hate doing things the hard way."
Just like before Mettanica appears in front Jey grabbing his head, her eyes opening and starting to glow. Just like before Jey is turned into a mindless Zombie.
Kisaiju "Stop."
Zayn "What now?"
Kisaiju "Who are you? What are you doing with them?"
Zayn "Ah I see. So it's you?"
Kisaiju "What are you talking about?"
Zayn "You are the one that had Origins unlocked? I can sense it."
Kisaiju "What?! How?!"
Zayn "They didn't tell you the risks?"
Kisaiju "They did, but this is my path to power! This is how I become the strongest!"
Zayn "So they told you it shortens your life span? They informed you that with every Origin your heart grows darker? Were you aware that the more power you gain the more you lose a sense of who you are?"
Kisaiju "I don't care!"
Zayn "You don't? Then join me."
As Zayn sticks his hand out Kisaiju just stares.
Kisaiju "Why?! No! Why am I asking?! I won't!"
Zayn "This path to power, I can help you. No more Origins!"
Kisaiju starts to consider it, but then shakes his head wondering why he would even think of joining. All of it sounds good to him. The power he can obtain gives him excitement, but he questions why it's so easy for him want it.
Zayn "I knos what you're thinking. You are asking yourself why you actually like the sound of my offer. You are wondering why it's hard to say no. It's like I said, your heart is darker now. You are losing pieces of yourself every day and the power you could obtain is truly what you want no matter how you get it."
Mettanica " No!"
Zayn "Shutup bitch!"
Kisaiju "I want this power! I do not care for this village anymore."
Zayn "That's it, come with us."
Kisaiju drops all of his stuff and takes a breath.
Kisaiju "This marks a new beginning."
Zayn "Indeed."
Zayn smiles. He knows just how much his group has grown. He tries not to get too excited because they are all just kids, but at the same time that means they will be easier to control. As they depart, Omoi's house gets eerie. His mom who was sick, starts shaking and vibrating. After some time his mom goes from looking human to a straight up demon.
Alistair "Well this is a sudden change."
Asuna "Something isn't right! They would have been here by now! Wait! I can't sense their presence! The demons can conceal themselves! Oh no! What have I done?!"
Before Asuna can move a chain of explosions are let off destroying the perimeter of the village and a huge one destroying the center.
Zayn is just smiling ear to ear as he watches the smoke.
Mettanica "Did it kill Asuna?!"
Zayn "Not a chance. Knowing him it probably just left a scratch. As for everyone else they might need the Gods."
As the smoke settles Asuna is standing there with his arms out and crossed. He blocked the explosion, all he has is a scratch and his clothes are a little ripped.
Asuna "Tora?!"
Shiro "Ahhhhhhhhhh my leg! My leg!"
Bezune "Shiro! Calm down!"
Shiro "I can't! My leg is gone! Ahhhhhhh! It hurts! It hurts!"
Bezune "I don't know what to do!"
Shiro "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!"
Bezune thinks fast and then places his hand on Shiro's leg. He uses the heat from his hand to brun the wound and stop the bleeding. He then picks up Shiro and heads towards the hospital.
Kotai "What the hell was that?!"
Bokutso "I have no clue, let's go!"
Isamu "Kanju! Kanju! Wake up! Kanju you have to wake up! Damnit!"
Isamu picks up Kanju, as he struggles to walk and keeps falling.
Isamu "Im sorry Kanju! I'm too weak!"
Kame "What happened?!"
Isamu "The explosion! It knocked him back and he hit his head."
Kame "I will take him come on!"
Isamu "Thank you!"
Kireina and Haruna are both spotted by Shizuko.
Shizuko "Look!"
Kame "Kireina! Kireina!"
Shizuko "It's no use both of them are unconscious because of the blast. They're fine, just out."
Kame "Isamu can you carry her?"
Isamu "I don't know."
Isamu tries to pick up Kireina, but again he can't and then he drops her on the floor accidentally.
Isamu "I - im sorry."
Kame "It is fine, it was my own fault."
Isamu "What do you mean?"
Kame grabs Kireina and tosses her over his shoulder with ease. Shizuko picks up Haruna and they continue moving.
Limbo "Poku are you alright?!"
Poku "Yes, i'm fine."
Poku starts coughing, she coughs into her hands and then seese blood. Her eyes get fuzzy and she passes out.
Limbo "Poku!"
Chiori "Senpu?! Are you ok?!"
Senpu slowly opens his eyes. He sees Chiori hovering him and starts blushing.
Senpu "Are you my guardian angel?"
He tries to hug her but she just stands up and starts to walk away and Senpu misses.
Chiroi "This isn't the time, come on!"
Senpu "Alright, i'm right behind you."
Almost everyone arrives back at the center of the village. Everything destroyed, only thing left standing is the hospital. Asuna chose to put the barrier around the hospital instead of his office and estate.
Asuna "No!"
Asuna starts digging under the rubble looking for Tora, Ava, and Hiroyuki. They were the only ones there. He removes most of it, to reveal an iced shell with Hiroyuki and Ava inside.
Asuna "They're ok."
Bokutso "Asuna? What happened? What was that?"
Asuna "That was the attack I was talking about. Turns out it wasn't for me, but for everyone else!"
Asuna looks around and sees Limbo carrying Poku, Chiori and Senpu walking up, Kame carrying Kanju and Kireina, Shizuko holding Haruna, and then Bezune rushing towards them with Shiro.
Asuna "What happened?!"
Bezune "His leg was blown off. I stopped the bleeding, but shortly after he went into shock!"
Kame "Shiro?!"
Kame places Kireina and Kanju down and then runs over to Shiro. Shizuko throws Haruna causing her to hit her head on rubble.
Limbo "Shizuko what the hell is wrong with you why would you just-."
Shizuko slowly walks over the iced shell and starts burning it. As it starts to melt Limbo, Bokutso, and Kotai go after him. He created a fire wall that none of them can go through.
Limbo "No! He's trying to kill Hiroyuki! Ava will be killed too!"
Asuna stands to his feet.
Asuna "We don't have time for this!"
Asuna claps and all of the fire vanishes. When Shizuko turns around everyone sees his eyes. They are closed, but he emits a dark aura. Asuna dashes towards him and then chops his neck. When Shizuko falls asleep Asuna tells Limbo to take him somewhere far.
Kame "Shiro please!"
Asuna "He will be fine, take him inside now."
Kame rushes Shiro inside the hospital.
Asuna "Bokutso, Chiori, Bezune! Take the others inside they need medical attention and hurry! Kotai, Senpu, help me out here!"
As they work to move the rubble Asuna finally finds Tora. Her body also cased in ice. Hers with a few cracks in it.
Asuna "Thank you Hiroyuki."
Asuna takes her inside.
Asuna "Thank you both."
Kotai "No problem."
Senpu "Yeah, anything for you man."
Kotai "Hey what's Isamu doing over there alone?"
Senpu "I don't know go ask him."
Kotai "Come on!"
Kotai pulls Senpu with him.
Kotai "Yo Isamu! What's going on?"
Isamu frantically wipes his tears and tries to smile at them.
Senpu "Were you just crying? Dude it's gonna be ok. Everyone is fine."
Isamu "I'm glad to hear it, but thats not why I was crying."
Kotai "Then why?"
Isamu "I'm still too weak!"
Kotai "Isamu, you have to understand these things take time. I understand how you feel-"
Isamu "You don't! You have the strength already! Kanju needed me and I let him down! Kame believed in me and I let him down! I'm not even talking about fighting, I couldn't save Kanju when he needed it! I couldn't help Kame and Kireina when they needed it! I failed both times! I asked myself why am I still fighting when I didn't see any improvement, but it's because if and when it comes I want to be able to save you guys!"
Kotai "This sounds like you need to work harder in training than you ever have! I want 1% everyday!"
Isamu "You want me to give 1% everyday? Doesn't that kind lf defeat the purpose?"
Kotai "No! I want you to be 1% better than what you were the previous day. That's where it starts, be better! Give me that 1% and you will see how far you can go!"
Senpu "I like that! Let me train with you guys?!"
Kotai "Fine, just no weird shit!"
Senpu "I am only promising to try."
Yumi "That explosion! I hope everyone is ok!"
Aiko "Look!"
Both of them are stunned at the sight. Limbs everywhere. Villagers didn't make it. Aiko and Yumi just walk through pools of blood and body parts. Yumi falls to her knees and throws up. Aiko picks her up and they continue on. Aiko also notices that there are some body parts with the Core tattoo. This meant the perimeter was occupied by members of the Core. Both Aiko and Yumi fall to their knees when they figure out what this means.
Zayn "Hello gorgeous."
Yumi "Who are you?!"
Zayn "Don't worry about that. It has come to my attention that you lost something yes?"
Yumi "My book?! How did you know?!"
Zayn "Trust me, I know a lot. And I mean a lot."
After those words he looks at Aiko, who gets behind Yumi.
Zayn "Ah, don't worry beautiful, i'm not after you. I want her."
Yumi "Me? Why?"
Zayn "I can get you your book back."
Yumi "How?!"
Aiko "Yumi no! He's lying!"
Zayn "Ruki took it!"
Yumi "How does that help me? I don't know who that is."
Zayn "You can sense where the book is yes?"
Yumi "Yeah."
Zayn "That's all I need. You locate the book, I find Ruki."
Yumi "I see, and if I help you. Will you leave this village alone?"
Zayn "Unfortunately not, But I promise to not kill either of you. You have my word."
Yumi looks at Aiko and just starts crying.
Aiko "Yumi!"
Yumi "Aiko I'm sorry but if he can get my book back I have to go."
Aiko "But why?! It's just a book!"
Yumi "To you it's just a book, but to me it's more than that. When I lost it, it's like I lost a part of myself. My mother told me to keep it safe no matter what. Now that it's gone and I have a chance to find it I have to take it!"
Aiko "But Yumi i'm scared! Please don't leave me!"
Zayn "She doesn't have to, you can come along. I promise to have you home before curfew."
Aiko "I will not! This is my home and this is where I belong! Yumi please! This is where you belong!"
Yumi "Aiko, please let go of me. I have to go."
Aiko "You are my best friend, I can't just-."
Yumi "It will be alright, I will come back. I just need to get my book. I promise I will come back."
Aiko slowly lets go of Yumi and starts to cry. As Yumi walks away she starys talking to Aiko telepathically.
Yumi "I've always thought you were so pretty when you cried. I will come back Aiko I promise."
As she smiles and walks off with Zayn.
Aiko falls back down to her knees crying.