"Kaelan."
"Huh?"
"You saw what just happened, right?"
The duo stands side to side atop Alan's rusty van, darting their gazes towards Levi.
"Are you going to be okay alone with this guy?" Kaelan asked.
Gerald nodded. "I'll try my best."
Kaelan rushed off the bridge and plunged into the flowing water below.
"A Team ENTITY member…" Levi mumbled. "So Alan was trying to get you to Uraview."
Orange flames bloomed across Gerald's legs, strengthening the glow in his dark eyes. "One of the top 10 hunters in Nahata stands right before me… my odds are rather slim, but stalling is essential for Alan."
Levi's arms form an army of pointy needles. "The power flow explained in the newspapers is extremely different from your current - however, that doesn't excuse your current status as our province's enemy."
The roaring of Gerald's fire amplified. He rushed off the bridge into the open skies, swinging his leg towards Levi. "We aren't enemies of the province - we're going to make sure Fire Moon can't use the princess as a vessel!"
"You've made enough excuses!" His needles raced above the shining lake, striking Gerald's flaming leg.
Gerald's legs trembled uncontrollably. "He struck my legs!?" His flame flickered on and off, clashing against Levi's merciless attack for dominance.
The sound of his heartbeat fastened. "Normal flames won't help me push these out. Using Flamulia or Emberatalia will do the tri-"
"You really think I give opponents time to think!?" shouted Levi. A large mega needle soared through the air, exposing the bandages tied around Gerald's chest with a large rip. "They can compress too!?"
Gerald's firepower evenly distributed between his legs. His constant grunts began as he extracted Levi's metal needles from his flesh. "Push… them… out!"
A moment of absolute silence washed over the battlefield. The needles popped from Gerald's leg and descended into the lake below. "I see," Levi observed. "Concentrating the firepower in your legs to extract objects lodged within your body - a rather smart move, but irrelevant to your advantage."
Gerald's eyes shifted downward. Levi's mega needle soared across the ocean's surface and slingshotted into the air towards Gerald. "Unlike you and Alan, I can reinforce my attacks without a singular WORRY!" The flames of Blue Fire arose from Gerald's body, and his leg drove into the needle's sharp tip. The force created a large crackling sound replacing the constant whipping of Gerald's exposed bandages.
Gerald's leg pushed against the needle. "By using my firepower, I can bring a halt to the needles' route completely! Don't fail me now, Flamulia!"
A grim smile stretched across Levi's face. "While you're occupied, I can also deal with your little friend!" His resurrecting hand aimed towards the exact location where Kaelan had plunged into the ocean.
"You really think I don't trust my friend, huh!? I have to believe in his strength; if I don't, I'll be holding him back from growth!"
Levi's arm redirected the metal needles into the water.
---
Kaelan swims further from the ocean's flowing surface and approaches the ominous darkness below. A light-blue glow from his legs illuminates the darkness and reveals Alan's plummeting body. "There he is!"
His arms extend and grab onto Alan's arms. He pulls himself under, forcing his palms against Alan's back.
The speed of Levi's needles slows as they fight against the lake's force. Kaelan darts his eyes upward. "Using his energy to move the needles through the water!?" He unties an orange cloth tied to his arm, lifting it over Alan's unconscious body. The needles succumb to the cloth's force, scattering throughout the water. His legs push off the lake's floor, and his body races towards the surface.
Volume 13, Chapter 61 - Rescue
<<< Levi
There was once a time where the government struggled to create a name for this bridge. Every evening eight years ago, Reza and I shared countless heartwarming moments atop its large pillars. Our hysterical laughter blended with the moving traffic… was ultimately bound to cease.
8 years ago, Unnamed Bridge, Grand Province
Reza's hands lift towards the province's evening skies. "The view is beautiful!" she delightfully exclaims. Against the bridge's pillar lie a smirking Levi. "The sky above this bridge never fails…" His glowing gray pupils descend to a small picture in Reza's hands.
The warm sun creates a glimmer on Reza's brunette hair. She releases a delightful chuckle, and her crystal-blue eyes turn towards Levi. "The Grand Province's sunsets easily surpass the ones back in Crystal City."
Her arm raises, shielding the picture from the sun's light. "Have I ever told you about my baby sister?"
Levi's pupils lit up. "I'm guessing your sister is shown in that picture. You've mentioned her briefly before; Samantha, was it?"
Reza's body slouches onto the warm metal. "Correct, you are! Even if we fight sometimes, she's still extremely dear to me - I'm excited to see what she'll do in the future."
Her finger glides across the picture's ink and halts near Samantha's young face. "Even if we're separated, I'll still root for her. That goes for you too, Levi." Levi blushes. "Don't you worry, Reza! I'll be just fine!"
That exact statement made by Levi would turn out to be false.
Present
Kaelan's head shot from the Grand Lake with a loud splash. "Almost… lost… air…" Alan's unconscious body lifted above his arms and faced the open blue skies above. Kaelan chuckled. "Not every day I use my power for swimming while training…"
A loud, sudden clang burst into the air. Gerald's flaming leg collided with Levi's sharp, metallic arm. "Our fight is completely one-sided! I want to train for my next encounter with Songnote, but not like this!"
The large needle across Levi's hand reshaped. "You're out of breath, boy."
A water droplet slid down Gerald's shorts and hissed against his blue flames. "We've successfully rescued Alan…" His eyes focus on Levi's bland expression. "However, there's still a large problem on our hands."
Kaelan released a large exhale. "Levi's current control over the skies easily outmatches Gerald's. Relying on myself to get back on the bridge is key…"
The glowing energy within his submerged legs awakens. With Alan slung across his back, he pushes into the air with a mighty burst. "Operation Rescue Alan has been cleared!" his voice echoes through the air. "WHATEVER YOU DO, MAKE IT BACK TO THE TRUCK ALIVE!"
Gerald's fire strengthens, and a large grin dominates his face. "Don't worry - I'll buy us more time!"