Chapter 11: Getting Into the Swing of Things.

  Lyra walked through the strange room close behind Selene. She couldn’t get the image of Jeison out of her head and the look that Taiyo and Fiamma had on their faces as they fought. The sight of Taiyo’s crippled body or the blood he vomited. All of these grotesque images filled her mind so much to the point she didn’t even notice when Selene had stopped and she ran straight into her.

  “S-Sorry,” she apologized, raising her hands in guilt. “I have a lot on my mind right now I guess…”

  “Are you sure we can help her? She doesn’t seem very attentive,” a voice said.

  “We don’t have a choice. It’s our duty to train her since our plans have changed. I’m willing to dedicate my life to her for the next month so she won’t slow down the young master,” another said.

  “Don’t worry. All of our squad members are unconscious because of Taiyo so I think we can believe in his strength and the people he’s surrounded himself with,” Selene smiled.

  She turned her attention back to the disheveled girl and extended her hand.

  “Lyra, was it? It’s nice to meet you! So, listen up,” she started quietly. “We’re here to train you and make you strong so you can support Taiyo.”

  “S-Sure. Whatever you say. Just don’t give up on me halfway,” she met Selene’s hand and shook it.

  “I promise I won’t,” she laughed. “Now, let me introduce you to the captains that will be working with us.”

  Selene looked up and the two other captains stepped forward.

  “The woman is the 2nd squad captain, Takara Saya. She’s in charge of the stealth corps and information gathering. She’s often too serious for her own good so you’ll have to get used to it.”

  “It’s nice to make your acquaintance,” Takara said. She had her light gray hair cut short in a bob and was wearing a matte-black tactical jumpsuit, streamlined for movement with reinforced panels at the elbows and knees. A utility belt carried compact tools—throwing knives, a multi-tool, and a smoke emitter—while a sleek short blade rested flat against her back. Over it, a lightweight, hooded tech-jacket added anonymity without drawing attention. Her boots were urban-climb ready, with soft soles for grip and silence. She even wore a black half mask that looked like it was made of silver crystals under her obsidian colored eyes, covering her mouth.

  “And next we have Edward Renner. He’s the captain of the first squad. He’s also the scientist of our organization and he’s in charge of teaching every captain and squad member that’s a student here..”

  “A friend of Tai's is always welcome here! I usually hold lectures to teach the captains and everyone else but since you, that boy, and Taiyo are here, I’ll treat you as I would an equal,” he said. Ed was a man in his forties. He had long white hair that was slicked back into a ponytail. He had a scruffy black goatee and silver eyes. On his face sat circular black glasses with thick lenses.

  So this guy is the monster of the underworld… He doesn’t look too dangerous… Lyra thought to herself.

  “Ed. Are you the strongest captain?” Lyra asked.

  Edward’s eyes widened as he let out a small chuckle. He sat down on the floor and crossed his arms.

  “Haha, no. I might be somewhere around the fourth strongest here. Maybe third but that’s pushing it hard. I don’t know where I got my nickname but it’s really Takeoshi who’s the strongest out of us eleven. The guy’s the real monster. He shows no mercy and his magic is dangerous. I feel bad for the young master who got stuck with him. Of course, he’s no Head Captain but that wouldn’t even be fair to compare him to her. She’s in a league of her own.”

  At the same time, almost coincidentally, the air got ten times heavier and even the captains were pushed to the ground suddenly, caught off guard..

  “The little brat isn’t holding back at all,” Selene said.

  “W-What’s happening?” Lyra asked.

  “Takeoshi is a Chikarai capable of manipulating gravity. When he was first starting to use his powers he could only increase the gravity on an object like a feather to make it fall faster. But now, if he really wanted to, he could increase the gravity of an entire state by five times. The smaller the area of effect, the more he can amp it up. So right now he must be amplifying this entire building’s gravity,” Edward said.

  “We can cancel his magic with this talisman,” Takara said.

  Takara placed multiple pieces of paper on the floor and held up two fingers in front of her. She closed her eyes and started to focus the magic energy within herself.

  “Majutsu technique: Five Walled Barrier.”

  Ancient writings spiraled from the talismans on the floor. The writing climbed up the walls and made a star pattern on the room's roof. The writing glowed as golden walls expanded outwards around them. Soon, all of the walls around Lyra shone a deep gold as she was able to stand up again.

  “That captain sure is powerful… You guys want me to get on his level in a month? That’s insane…” Lyra said.

  “Not on his level. We want you to just be able to hold your own. He’s in his own league and he is far better than any of us can imagine. We must not fail the young master and train you so you can carry your own weight in future endeavors,” Takara said.

  “Wow you are serious… Maybe we can try to loosen up, you know, as girls hanging out,” Lyra said.

  “I can try…” she said.

  All three girls looked over at Ed expectantly and he took a step back.

  “I got the message! You guys do your ‘girl things’ and I’ll focus on enhancing her,” Ed said. “What kind of weapon do you prefer? I can try getting one for you.”

  “I like using a submachine gun. My family always taught me to use those,” Lyra smiled.

  “That can be arranged… Okay! Let’s get the ball rolling shall we?”

  ***

  “Put your back into it little boy or I’ll cut you up!” Aria, captain of squad four shouted. Aria wore a tight nurse’s shirt/dress that fell to the middle of her thighs. She had white bandages tied around her arms and legs and wore a nurse cap with a red cross on it. Her hair was long and messy, its dark color complimenting her rose-gold eyes.

  “Jeez, how did things escalate so quickly? All I said is that I like to use swords!” Kendall said as he blocked her giant scalpel.

  “Oh I forgot to warn you, Aria doesn’t like male sword users. She thinks it’s unfair that they’re born with bodies that are made for the blades. She’s usually really sweet though so just put up with her for now,” Caelum said as he blew a bubble from his gum and played games on his hand-held console.

  “Aren’t you an adult? Do something about her!” Kendall yelled, parrying the incoming attacks with the sword he was given. His arms screamed in pain as each blow felt like a truck ramming into his torso.

  The swordswoman nurse reeled back her blade once more and delivered another strike. Kendall knew she was holding back considerably but even then, just one blow made him want to sit things out for the next week.

  “Pfft. That’s hilarious!” Caelum chuckled. “Your personality sure does one-eighty when you’re about to die. Also, I’m only twenty-three. Still young.”

  “That’s not the point! Also, who said I changed? I’m still having fun. I would be having a lot more fun if I could get rid of the thought that I’m literally defending for my life right now!”

  “Yo. Tip numero uno from your teacher. Keep your focus on your opponent before she slices you in half,” Caelum pointed towards his opponent.

  Kendall tilted his blade at his side to guard against the relentless onslaught of attacks. He pivoted on his foot and kicked her in her chest. She was sent skidding backwards as she had just managed to guard at the last second.

  “Wow, you’re surprisingly light,” Kendall pointed out as he reset his sword stance.

  “I’m trying to gain weight right now. Don’t point out the obvious to someone who has to live with it!” she shouted angrily. “Rio! Why’d you have to grab this insensitive jerk as our disciple!?”

  “If you didn’t want him, you could’ve gone with Drachen or Selene. No one is asking you to be here when you’re all emotional like this. Lose the attitude and we can look at this rationally,” Caelum said.

  “Agreed,” Rio said.

  “Hey Kendall! How are things going over there?”Caelum called out.

  “Sh-She’s gonna slice my arm off!” he shouted.

  “That’s great buddy… Keep it up…” Caelum said, returning his focus back to his console.

  Rio sighed and held out his hand towards Aria and used his power, black light erupted from his palms and went into her head. Aria yawned and her eyes rolled into her head as she fell over and collapsed. Kendall dropped his sword and caught her in his grasp.

  “What did you do to her? Is she dead?” Kendall asked.

  “No,” he said as he checked the unconscious Aria’s pulse.

  “Then what did you do?” Kendall asked.

  “Magic.”

  “Rio Wayne, captain of squad nine. His power is time manipulation. He just probably sped up the speed her body produces melatonin and made her pass out from the sudden wave of hormones. She’ll wake up tomorrow,” Caelum said as he closed his console and walked over to them.

  Rio didn’t say anything and took Aria out of Kendall’s arms and carried her on his back.

  “Food,” he said.

  “Food?” Kendall asked.

  “It’s time to eat, dummy. We’ve been at it for hours. Let’s go meet up with everyone,” Caelum said.

  “Sure, but you didn’t really do anything, Captain Caelum,” Kendall groaned.

  ***

  Kendall and Lyra exited their respective rooms around the same time, the captains they were with following close behind. Selene looked back and saw Caelum on his phone again and walked over to him. She grabbed his cheek and pulled it as hard as she could.

  “Ow what are you doing Selene!” he shouted.

  “Were you helping this poor boy train at all or were you ignoring your duties again? Well? Which is it, little Cael?”

  “Selene let go! Also, don’t call me that in front of my student!” he yelled.

  “Aria’s student,” Rio corrected.

  “He’s right,” Kendall said as he sat next to Ed and Takara. “You guys are captains too?”

  “Who’s side are you on, you crappy swordsman!?” Caelum shouted.

  “Captain Takara of the second squad. Nice to meet you,” she shook Kendall’s hand firmly.

  The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

  “I’m Edward. It’s a pleasure,” he smiled.

  “Hey, aren’t we missing Taiyo and his group? What happened to him?” Lyra asked, sitting next to Kendall.

  Almost at that moment, four captains walked out of one of the rooms.

  “Speak of the devil,” Ed said with a grin.

  The five captains walked out of the room together but something was off. Captains Mila and Mash looked sickly and sad while Drachen had a grimace on his face. This was also the first time many had seen Jeison not smiling or with some sort of pleasurable expression on his face. Their arrival immediately changed the atmosphere of the room. Yet, Captain Takeoshi remained monotone and emotionless as he leaned against the wall.

  “H-Hey Captain Drachen… Where’s Taiyo?” Lyra asked. Kendall stood up, his expression grim.

  The young Mash didn’t say anything and ran over to Selene. She looked up at her teary-eyed. Every captain turned their head slightly towards her but didn’t move a muscle.

  “Please stop Takeoshi!” she begged, her tiny voice echoing throughout the still room.

  It was as if the air itself had turned cold. Despite no one moving, everyone’attention was trained on him alone. Even though no one would turn to look at him directly, everyone was on high alert. Caelum put on two wool gloves as Rio took out a small black pistol.

  “Rio,” Caelum said without looking at him. His voice seemed deeper as he spit out the gum in his mouth.

  “Right,” Rio replied. “Do you plan on using Resurrection after your Shine?”

  “Ha. Like I could beat Takeoshi without using both of them.”

  “Shine,” Caelum said.

  Caelum’s gloves turned into a cold silver metal as his brown hair flushed to blood red.

  “That form sure does bring back some memories…” Selene said as she swiftly drew her katana from its sheath.

  “This isn’t enough to beat him. Final Awakening, Resurrection.”

  Bright halos erupted from his wrist and placed themselves upon his head, floating gently above him. His eyes turned yellow as golden wings sprouted from his back. His metal gloves extended further into full-on gauntlets as intricate details spiraled through them. A silver cross formed on his back. The fingers of the gauntlets turned sharp and pointed like the claws of a wild beast as the spherical gems on the back of the metallic weapons set ablaze.

  “Resurrection,” Rio said as his pistol extended into a long shotgun with a scope. Multiple clocks formed and floated behind him, each one spinning furiously as he loaded his black gun.

  The other captains looked at them in shock as they walked towards Takeoshi.

  “Takeoshi. What does Mash mean by stopping you,” Caelum asked. His voice was distorted as if multiple different men and women of varying shapes and sizes spoke all at once.

  “I simply followed orders and trained him. It’s not my fault if he breaks during it,” he said as he took out a cigarette and started to light it.

  With just that sentence all of the other captains drew their weapons and pointed them towards him, their faces collectively enraged. Lyra and Kendall quietly stood up and drew their weapons of choice too.

  “Thanks for confirming that for me. Now I can explain to the Head Captain why I had to kill you,” Caelum said.

  He disappeared. Dashing at a high speed towards Takeoshi, his movement’s unfollowable as his movements easily surpassed the speed of sound. Before anyone could blink, Caelum was already in front of Takeoshi, his arm cocked-back and ready to deliver a fatal blow to all of his organs in quick succession. Takeoshi glanced over at Caelum with his one good eye and malice unconsciously leaked out of it. Caelum’s eyes widened as he seemingly instantly lept backwards and out of reach, all while Takeoshi hadn’t moved from his spot on the wall where he leaned with his foot up.

  Caelum was sweating heavily. He dropped to his knees and breathed to calm himself down.

  “Captain Caelum! What happened?” Kendall yelled as he ran towards him.

  Caelum stood up slowly and held out his arm, signaling for Kendall to stand back.

  “I don’t know what’s up with this guy. If I had gone through with that attack, he would have killed me,” Caelum said.

  “Caelum…” Selene said, tightening her grip on her blade.

  Rio lifted his gun and aimed the barrel of the shotgun down at Takeoshi. At this, for some reason, Takeoshi looked up and actively took a more defensive stance.

  The two didn’t have to exchange any words. They both knew each other’s capabilities and Takeoshi was just as aware that as powerful as he was, Rio was - for all intents and purposes - one of his few natural counters when he was in his Final Awakening.

  “Surrender,” Rio said simply. The clocks around him seemed to start to slow down to where it was hard to tell if they were even moving or not.

  The two were at a stand still, he knew he couldn’t act rashly because all it took was one shot from Rio and no amount of strength would stop it.

  At that moment, white and orange flames erupted from the room behind him. Breaking down the door and the walls with it.

  “TAAKEEOSHIIII!!!” Taiyo’s voice resounded from the dust, it reverberated through the large open hall like a megaphone.

  Everyone froze as they looked towards the direction of the call. Their gaze wandered back to Takeoshi in confusion as they quietly lowered their weapons. Rio was the last to untrain his sights but with a sigh, he deactivated his Resurrection and put the small black pistol to a holster at his side.

  “Hmph. Took him long enough,” Takeoshi grinned as he pulled out his rapier he had sheathed to his side.

  ‘He smiled? What’s going on…’ Caelum thought to himself.

  “The key word was ‘if’. No one said he broke during the training,” Takeoshi said, knowing what Caelum was thinking.

  Taiyo staggered out of the dust and aftermath of the explosion. He was heavily bleeding, his previous injuries seemed to have reopened and were accompanied with all new wounds. His breath was heavy and slow. His clothes were ripped up as his rust-colored hair fell over one of his eyes. Those same midnight-blue eyes seemed to glisten with anger and intense bloodlust as he limped out of the room. He coughed as he fell to his knees.

  “I'm going to kill you Takeoshi,” he panted. His hand flew over his mouth in fear of vomiting but he managed to keep his composure.

  “Good. And it’s Captain Takeoshi to you,” Takeoshi said as he readied his rapier.

  “Holy Fire: Sun Goddesses’s Commandment!” Taiyo shouted as he lifted one hand into the air.

  Fire erupted from the palms of his hands as it gathered into a ball above him. The temperature in the room skyrocketed as the captains and Taiyo’s friends struggled to shield their eyes from the blinding light.

  Takeoshi started walking towards Taiyo with his rapier in one hand, his presence menacing to everyone else in the room. Around the same time, all of the squad members from before that Taiyo had knocked out were slowly waking up and trembling with fear at the scene unfolding before them.

  “When did the kid get to Lieutenant level?” Drachen asked, his face shifting into one of utter shock.

  “Lieutenant?” Kendall asked. “Yall have ranks beneath Captain?”

  “Just two. There’s Captain as the highest, then Vice-Captain as second-in-command, then Lieutenant as the third strongest in the squad.” Caelum had deactivated his Resurrection and Shine and now stood right next to the curious boy.

  “Takeoshi! Just die already you annoying gravity loving freak!” Taiyo yelled. He tightened his fist, tensing his muscles as he reeled back his arm.

  He punched the air with all of his might, a heatwave of air extending in front of him. The giant sphere of fire that was following wherever his fist was pointed was launched towards the captain at max speed, burning the floor as it flew. Within a moment the ball seemed to morph into the shape of a flaming wolf’s head, its mouth agape as hundreds of burning fangs bared their full might at the captain.

  Takeoshi seemed to gauge and calculate many different factors of the attack flying towards him in a split-second. His face dropped from slight excitement, to amusement, and then finally disappointment. He extended his arm and the tip of his rapier towards the fire wolf head. His blade pierced the sphere for only a second and the ball dropped to the floor like a dense rock before fully dispersing. Before Taiyo could even blink, Takeoshi was already crouching down in front of him, moving across the room in less than a second.

  “You aren’t worth my time. From now on someone else can train you,” Takeoshi sheathed his blade and Taiyo crashed down to the floor, the immense gravity was impossible to fight against with his already injured body.

  He held out a finger and pointed to a random girl in the room.

  “You, what squad are you in?” He asked.

  The girl gasped and stood at attention, she lifted her shaking hand to her head, she tried making eye contact with him but the instinct of fear overwhelmed her.

  “I-I’m Fourth Seat May Ashley of squad three! I w-work under C-Captain Mash.”

  “I see. How good is your lightning stride?”

  The girl disappeared from sight. Mash couldn’t help but smile with her loveable child grin she reappeared behind Takeoshi, taking him by surprise as she kneeled down in a form of respect.

  “Captain level, sir,” she said as Takeoshi turned around slowly to look at her.

  “Good. I want you to teach these three the lightning stride,” Takeoshi started to walk away until May responded.

  “I-I’m sorry sir but I am not under your jurisdiction. I’m afraid I’ll have to decli-”

  “May! It’s okay. Just do as he says,” Mash said as she ran up to her.

  “Wha-... O-Okay. Yes ma’am,” May responded with a confused nod.

  Everyone who wasn’t on captain level seemed to notice a bit late that Takeoshi had been grabbing at his rapier the moment May had said no.

  “Not a good look now is it, Captain? No means no remember?” a voice called out as she gently lowered his hand from the blade’s hilt. Takeoshi looked down at the just awakened Aria as she smiled.

  Takeoshi used a lightning stride and with absolute silence, appeared on the far side of the stage they were on. Taiyo looked over in shock as Aria sat next to Takeoshi, her legs swinging off the side of the stage.

  “My lightning stride is the second best here. Only outclassed by Captain Takara. We’re the only two capable of following you to the ends of the earth; you can’t escape us.”

  “Fine. Then follow me until you die,” Takeoshi spat before he disappeared in a blur. Aria followed suit.

  Captain Mila rushed over to Taiyo and helped him up. He coughed blood onto her dress and immediately felt bad.

  “It’s fine, don’t worry. A dress or two isn’t worth as much as your life,” She smiled, reading him easily.

  “Too bad the Vice-Captains aren’t here. We could’ve had them train Taiyo with us. Especially the Four-Horsemen,” Caelum said.

  “Shall I fetch them? I can do it as fast as possible if it will be of assistance,” Takara said.

  “T-That’s not necessary. You can relax a bit, Takara,” Edward laughed nervously.

  “Not possible. If I let down my guard, an enemy family will take advantage of my lapse in judgement,” she said.

  “How about we go on an evening patrol? You always like that, right?” Ed said.

  “Sure. We will be back before dinner,” she nodded. Takara used lightning stride and moved outside at a high-speed. She looked back at Ed and nodded for him to hurry as she disappeared.

  Ed sighed and did some lower leg stretches.

  “I’m getting too old for this. She should know by now that no one can keep up with her speed…” he sighed as he lightning strided to the door. He slowly opened it and looked back at everyone. “We’ll be back in time. It’s important to keep that one busy or she’ll overwhelm herself with her own paranoia.”

  “Take care, Ed!” Selene waved with a laugh.

  “Hang in there, Eddy!” Mash shouted.

  He smiled back and vanished in a fast blur.

  “Rio, can you come with me and some members of my squad to prepare dinner? I’d really appreciate it!” Mila smiled as she sat Taiyo down in a seat.

  “Alright,” Rio said.

  Mila looked over at her twenty squad members and walked over to them.

  “Good morning everyone! I apologize for the sudden surprise and asking things of you as you are just waking up but it’s dinner time! Our special guests will be living with us for the next month and one of them may be here permanently! Half of you will help with cooking duties and the other half will tend to the young master! I know the Lieutenant and Vice-Captain are out at the moment but let’s try our best out there and leave a good first impression! Squad five, move out!”

  “YES MA’AM!” The twenty members yelled in unison. A group of seven maids and three butlers ran over to Taiyo and tried their best to assist him.

  The other six maids ran into the kitchen as the four butlers ran shortly after. Mila smiled and followed after them, Rio tailing close behind.

  “Captain Drachen! There’s been a huge problem!” A voice yelled as a guy ran out of a far off room.

  The remaining individuals all looked over at him as he approached out of breath. He was a smaller guy who was probably only five-foot-seven, his long blonde hair framing his serious and slanted gray eyes.

  “Lieutenant Liam Bennet…” Drachen said. He was still in a daze and in a lost state after the whole incident of thinking he had indirectly killed Taiyo. He was still confused as he walked over to him.

  “Sir, the Cage clan is demanding to see the Head Captain. We are currently in the midst of a territorial dispute and they are threatening war against our clan if we don’t hand over our land.”

  “The Head Captain is out on a mission and we each sent our Vice-Captains to assist her so we’re short on military power… The captains don’t need all of this stress at once and the Head Captain did put squad seven in control over this dispute…”

  “Woah there little lizard! I’m gonna stop you there before you blow a fuse,” Jeison smiled as he approached.

  “Captain Jeison…” Liam said nervously.

  “How about squad seven hands over the control of this case to squad six, and I can deal with them for you?” Jeison said.

  “W-What are you going to do?” Drachen asked.

  “Well the big dogs over at the Cage should know by now that we aren’t a bunch of pushovers,” he smiled. “They can only test me so much until I get a thirst for blood. Squad six will subdue them ourselves and all of the other squads can relax.”

  “Excuse my free speech, but what’s the catch, sir?” Liam asked.

  “No catch at all! You let me cut some weeds down and quench my thirst, and our angry little lizard will get a brain break. We can’t have a traumatized captain now can we?” Jeison said.

  “Don’t call me a lizard!” Drachen yelled.

  “Ah! He still has some spark in him I see. Well what is it then, Draco? Can you give me this?” Jeison asked.

  Drachen hesitated and looked over at his Lieutenant with a look of worry. Liam nodded and looked back at Jeison.

  “I... guess squad six can have this one,” Drachen said. “Do not mess this up. You’re to engage but keep the damage that gets back to us at a minimum.”

  “Thank you so much, oh ever so generous, Captain Drachen!” Jeison cheered, practically jumping up and down. “I won’t let you down!”

  Jeison started to walk away, he was a good distance out of reach before he stopped in his tracks. “Oh, and more thing,” he didn’t turn around just yet. Jeison peered over his shoulder, his eyes glowing once more that demonic yellow. “Don’t tell me how to do my job, you damn lizard.”

  A huge gust of wind blew through the massive cafe, bloodlust enveloped the room. Immediately, every single person in that room went on high alert out of instinct. Weapons were drawn. Twenty-four figures now stood behind Jeison in an instant, each one looking rabid and hungry. The moment Drachen had given the okay, the entirety of squad six - minus the Vice-Captain - had appeared, their matching ocean blue cloaks flowing gently in the breeze they created.

  “Thank you Mr. Seven. We won’t disappoint,” Jeison smirked. He took out a balled up cloth from his pocket and threw it into the air. It released a red light that blinded the room.

  Then, they all disappeared, as quickly as they came, they lightning strided away in an instant.