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Through dusk, the stealth jet hovered, above sand, atop darkness solidus sea, cargoed with men of calibre.
Men in their trusted gold armor dimmed by night, save quatro-eyed visors glistening like stars of oblivion.
But not just men, but women also, bravery outstanding, seated alongside their brothers in arms, awaiting the mission to commence, reaching the destination ahead, of which their one Liege so led, this Lead among leads, this man among men, cloaked upon as gold as his visage could ever awe, clad this mighty form of a being in blazed steel fit for majesty, mustering pride of all his brethren and sisterhood, this monument of a figure so stood at the very front of cargo and men, his will the sail, his mind their's also.
" Hearken, my Aurelian Vanguard. "
spaketh the Awesome Lead in Gold, voice humming as the earthen echoes, deep as the ocean canyons,
Assuring as the Sun before dying dusk.
" We land in five. "
Five minutes per clash.
Five minutes foreboding.
No moments for prayers.
As magnanimous as The Lead so assured, fear no less nature to all, especially for those yet to tread their first steps upon the field.
One amongst them, a young one, a girl not passed 25 winters, though cast her faith entirely upon her Golden Liege and the Anti-Nanomic laser weaponry grasped tightly in embrace, her instincts still forced her to a constant tremble she could not resist.
She felt weak,
amongst the heavy-armed squadron around her, yet she dared not show, feigning courage as to honor her Liege, whom she worshiped as the dying World's Savior.
Yet despite hardship, this youngling so forced her trembling arm to cease, to silence each shivering clatter of her robust rifle upon hollow metal flooring, her tears could not lie, verging at the brim of her eyes.
Lo did a sudden shove ensue, as if pulling the mortified girl up as she rose back from despair to breath a gasp in reality, as the ringing of the jet motors reoccupied her hearing, lights redawned and she could see her comrades alongside her in sitting, whilst in all the bustling reality, a voice so spoke, gentle a whisper.
" ...Your safety switch is deactivated, soldier."
The young one looked up to her side, face to face to the one that has just whispered, a fellow comrade, a senior sergeant above her of many ranks, with golden armor of much more shine as well as the scars and tarnish of ample skirmish, an oval helm cast upon the face of the speaker, four eyes upon the visor with runes across the plates, runes that belong to those of high rank and extraordinary prowess in age of grave need.
And the long pole-like apparatus rested upon the shoulder of the whisperer, no doubt a wired lance, A Strike Lance of sheer Gold of Dark Repelling, a weapon held only by the Worthy.
Dazed, the young one was, staring at her comrade, stagnated in a perplexed pause.
A lady's voice it was, a whisper of care and unrelenting strength within, coming from a senior knight of the same gender as her.
Mayhap she was not as alone as she thought.
" … The Switch, Soldier."
The young one heard the gentle voice once more, this time rising more than whisper, as she realized she had been staring without reacting for more than normally should.
In haste, the young girl searched with her fingers, scouring the myriads gadgets and switches as fast as she could, fear diluted by abashment, grasping the one safety switch at the side as she twisted her fingers.
Yet the switch won't budge.
Heart beat racing, unease brewing, still the switch was stuck, to no avail. The more she yanked, the rifle remained armed.
" Oi!! SOLDIER!!"
And of course, constant bustling would surely raise attention.
" What You Up To?! "
And unfortunately, the attention of the Drill Instructor, whose bulky golden silhouette rising ominously, marching with each stomp shaking the jet.
The other rookies sat back to make way as the drill instructor loomed over the young one, The red linings upon the dimmed armor fuming like flames over fields of gold.
" You planning to Blow up this Ship before landing, OSHIMITSU????!!!!!!"
And Lo, such a roar, as the instructor barked out the struggling girl's name, sending a shiver down the new ones' spines.
To the other seniors, however, this was just another Tuesday.
" N...No, Sir…Domyoujii Sir…!"
" THEN WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?!?!"
" The… the safety…"
" The safety switch is stuck. Possibly caused by inner rust."
The woman answered calmly, helping the young one finish.
The instructor turned to the speaker in silent gaze hidden under his also four-eyed visor, then turned back to face the poor girl, this time with a reaching hand and a grunt verily lowered in volume.
" Hand it to me. "
This newbie, by the name of Oshimitsu, could but comply.
After a quick series of sophisticated reloading and checking of the arsenal, the instructor gave out a sighing hum, reaching to his back to grab his own assault Anti-Dark rifle and tossed it to the young one's lap.
" Use this. " The instructor grunted shortly, turning away without further elaboration, surprising the other newcomers and seniors alike who were expecting an outburst from the shortest-tempered being in the whole of the Golden Host.
Stunned by the generosity, Oshimitsu sprang to her feet in haste.
" But...Domyoujii Sir!! Your weapon…!!"
" You better not drop that, Soldier!" The Drill Instructor instructed with a half-bark.
" You'll have to hand it back after all this is done, UNDERSTOOD?!!"
" Sir… Yes, Sir!!"
Honored as well as terrified, the young girl held to her new arsenal with her life, shielding the weapon more than her own life.
With a stern checking glance, the Instructor finally nodded, assured.
" Ah, well... good thing got my trusted Lance packed. See you've brought yours too, sergeant. "
Facing now the calm lady in gold seated to the right, did the drill instructor nod in silent admiration.
" Glad to have you back. All Swell for the Little Sun, I hope?"
" Just a simple cold, Instructor. She will be fine."
The maiden tersely replied, as the man they call Domyoujii, a man with a build of three men combined, chuckled, then sighed in admiration,
" Like the old days now, don't you think?"
The maiden in gold, silent still, nodded back assuringly in answer.
Little did young Oshimitsu know of the Days Before, save the fall of humanity under Nanomic Scourge and the defending of the Golden Host, securing the last Frontline in defense for mankind to thrive through Solar Industries.
Yet from the amount of respect her Drill Instructor poised before this Strike Spear-wielding maiden, she knew immediately that this figure she had first met in her life was a true hero.
All that had stood next to the Golden Liege during the Fall, Drill Instructor Domyoujii and many seniors present, were Heroes, enjoined here today in this critical quest.
With them Heroes around her, and her drill instructor's rifle embraced, young Oshimitsu felt stronger than she had first started.
With a low horn blow of the descending alarm, the jet teetered forth, as its passengers swayed within, adjusting to maintain their stout postures.
The Drill Instructor Domyoujii peered through the lookout glass with his deep, frowned gaze, standing like a still mountain among the havoc and thundering, unmovable was his poise.
" Landing at one. Brace yourselves. "
The Boulder of a man sturdily traversed back to his station, crossing his faithful soldiers with a holler to all.
" The Golden Dawn is calling! !
Nay set the Sun upon our ride! !"
" TO THE DAWN! ! !
TO THE DAWN AND CAST THE DUSK! ! ! "
His men altogether answered in cries as chivalrous as he, and so did young Oshimitsu followed.
" And peaceful returns to y'all folk. "
Drill Instructor of the Golden Host, Domyoujii Arian hollered with a manly sigh, nodding to check on Oshimitsu one last time before departure.
" Thank you...Senpai."
Oshimitsu mustered her newfound courage, leaning to her right as she whispered to her benefactor of before.
"...I have never seen Domyoujii Sir speak to anyone like that. You and Domyoujii sir must go way back, defending the world like heroes… no Actual Heroes...! Sorry... my name is---"
" ...Mako."
Young Oshimitsu was shocked, as she was elated to be known already by a legend.
The maiden too seemed surprised as well to have blurted the name without herself realizing fully.
How did she…...
" I...I am… indeed...Oshimitsu Mako, senpai."
The young girl stammered sheepishly, pride unlimited.
" Then Senpai, you must be…"
Mako tried to guess, but no suitable name came to mind.
" Ayano."
" Ayano…" The junior repeated like it was the gospel.
" Ayano Senpai, that is a beautiful name."
" Yours too." Ayano al' Seraphim, the maiden in gold exchanged shyly.
Twas a genuine smile under that four-eyed visor.
" It's a cute name."
.
.
Seeing his fellow comrades ready and risen in morale, The Golden Liege was pleased, but did not entirely show.
For his Augustusness was like the Sun, that shall seldom waver but remain high and dominant, as a beacon in the void, ever leading and ever watching.
Yet vigorous valor had to be ruined by some slimy folk, in the form of a white robed analyst that did not belong on this path to dread but rather in a laboratory of filth.
" Lord Akastuki, if I may. "
This slimy, skinny, sulky thing of a man in an overlarge lab coat coughed with a hiss daringly in the Golden Liege's presence, uttering his name in such a shaming manner.
" The residue values around this zone of your finding are too minuscule for our collection. This project needs a larger source. I recommend we search for another. "
" Insolence, Lab man!!"
There be no need for the Liege himself to respond, for the golden lordship’s Knight of the Right Hand has spoken, a tout giant of Gold with fanned wide shoulder plates and an obelisk towering helm, looming over the beta analysts to sound some just argument.
For it is secretly known that the self assumed scholarly lab associates despised the righteous earth saving Fighters of Dark due to their jealousy and self pity, while the same can be said of the Golden Host's dislike of the tacticious analysts for their reckless obsession to achieve their scientific goals in exchange for the lives of those battling at the front lines.
" Our Liege's decisions are not for you to mindlessly babble upon! The Golden Host's mission of Extermination comes before any of your wanton collections!"
The Knight of the Right Hand demanded, raising his palm to usher the analyst further from the Golden Liege.
" Stand Back, and stop your speaking. "
" Thank you, Gilderoy."
The Golden Lord, the Captain of the Last Earth Saving Squad, the To Be Leader of the New Rising of Mankind, Lord Akastuki bade his Knight of the Right Hand honorably, addressing with a slight wave for his second to chill.
" Analyst, you may put your worries aside. "
The Golden Lord assured, without facing the slimy, sulky thing of a man directly.
" Though we, The Golden Host, promise to exterminate any possible residue yet existing on this plane of existence, this sight, I assure thee, will bring more than you could ever anticipate. "
And with a precise stern nod to the pilot of his hover jet, Lord Akastuki gave the order.
" Mustang, Land the Jet. "
The pilot, with sophisticated moves, pulled the jet to a swift backwards swerve, descending.
Then to his Men, his trustworthy swords of bright tomorrow, His Golden Host, Lord Akastuki so spaketh.
" To Me, My Golden Host,
My Awesome Wave!"
The wide under platform cranked open with a moan, revealing the blades of dim dawnlight slicing through the rectangular brim as dust and sand poured and washed on deck, dancing across like veils to the breeze, like running streams across the visors that all lit up in unison as the Host so rose.
The Hunt is nigh.
The slits of Light dawned in rectangularly as the vessel exit fell forth in a mechanic moan.
Dark smog of the forbidden realm started bursting hither and thither, as the Golden Host rose, unfazed, weapons embraced, armors intact.
Shivering both to the sudden gust and so too of fear, Oshimitsu Mako rose amongst her comrades, bracing her Instructor's rifle in a grip of trepidation.
This is her first true outing, her rightful chance to prove her worth. She must not fail her instructor, her Liege, her siblings in arms, more so,
Her family awaits her, back at Solar Industries' refuge.
Her service earns her elderly's safe stay as well as their warm meals.
For in a world left but naught and ruin, resources scarce and dwindling, only those who are willing to sacrifice are worthy of salvation, which was distributed by the remaining high powers that rule the sole Industry of the lands lost.
Oshimitsu understood she was never born with many gifts, but with responsibility and duty calling, she had little choice to make.
With the span of the waning and Blooming of the moon, under constant training and pressuring strict sessions of Instructor Domyoujii's admonition, She eventually was prepared, as many others like her, earning a place in this refuge.
Physically strived, without herself realizing, Mako had Memorized tactics and battle formations for all situations urgent and stealth at heart, as well as the basics to harness an Infrasound Pulse Rifle and close combat weaponry of final resorts.
Yet, despite all that crammed within her, deep down, Mako was never ready for all of this.
" Ayano Senpai…" Mako whispered, straining her shudder, as the opening widened, light dawning upon her visor, vaguing her reflection.
" … How can I be like you, so calm, contained? Confident, and without fear against the foe of Humanity's Doom?"
The very front Host had begun their March, exiting with their lead Instructor as Vanguard.
" We all fear. "
The maiden in Gold replied, without sentiment.
" It is what we place in heart and mind that ceases those fears. "
" All I can think of are my parents... my sick papa and my weak mama taking care of him…"
Mako half sobbed, unwilling to take her first step, as more and more of the golden host had marched forth to light.
" I fear never going back, unable to be by their side… But the resources we get by joining cover all our needs…! I have no choice…Yet I can not stop thinking of my parents, and what might be…!"
Those forth of Mako and the Golden maiden had all left the ship.
They two were last standing, before the gateway of light.
" I know I have to be better…" Mako struggled to sniff back her tears poorly.
" To look after myself, and not cause burden to the team… To the Whole Host…
… But I am afraid…
Senpai… what can I do…??"
Paralyzed at first, the maiden in gold responded not, for a wave of what seemed like a familiar swirl dazed her senses, her mind going through the stagnant deja vu, verily confused.
As if seeing her life from the side, vividly happening once before, before whence unknown.
Focusing on stilling the disturbance within, Ayano the golden, thus spake.
" Place not loved ones in heart in this profession, Mako."
Sternly so spake the maiden in gold, Strike lance in hand, closely to her listener.
" For our merits are gravely undone, and the enemy out there still. We are tremendously...unworthy of their smiles."
Stunned, young Oshimitsu failed to respond.
"As long as the dark unrests, as long as the grave foe yet lingers,
My mind shall neglect longing."
Ayano of The Golden set her steps, turning to the light.
Steps below, The Golden Host were rallied promptly, amongst sand and rust, focused and unyielding.
They are waiting to smite.
" You were trained by the best of the Host."
The senior showed the young one, The unstoppable Golden Wave with dazzles rippling of Extermination ardor.
" Let not your fears elude you of your strength.
Do your duty and trust your Host.
When the time comes the vanquishment of our foe,
Then are we worthy of longing. "
Daunted, while also awed by insight she had never collected before, Mako could but force herself to accept, for now, recollecting her senses with a deep breath, following behind her stoic senior towards the outer realms,
a weight slightly lifted from within
those tensed, tangled heart strings loosely untightened.
She was, by a small margin at least,
readier than she was before.
" If it is not longing within, "
Mako curiously inquired as they traversed down the lowered platform to sand sand-rocked basin.
" Then what is it, Ayano Senpai, that you carry onto this battlefield?"
The maiden halted slowly to a momentary pause, before resuming forth in adamant march.
Rage.
.
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To the lead, The Drill Instructor Domyoujii stanced, his Golden Armor of red flamings sparked the morn as his twin golden antler helm dazzled among smog.
His Strike Lance, wired from the cross-bladed tip to the handle controls, he so clenched, pierced to the dull grey skies that glistened with energon heat for his Host to see.
Without words, but powerful, silent-piercing to the skies in all four directions of the parameter, the first troops understood and rushed in array to separate positions, surrounding the dark arena misted among smog.
The First to launch into the field were the cannoneers, the firing squad of the host, providing range support through myriads of Infrasound pulse blasts able to stun the enemy.
For it is known, The Nanomic Enemy fears the Infrasound Pulses, and so do humans. The Golden armor worn by them warriors was not just to defend them from Dark, but also their own hands, indicating the gravity of the weapon.
Seeing the Firing squad Traversing to array amongst sand and rust, Ayano of The golden looked for a spot most suited of her aid, aiming her gaze at the North part of the arena, whence lacking a Vanguard of calibre.
The Golden Maiden immediately knew that was where she was needed most.
" Ayano."
A voice of paramount masculinity, The Deep resounding Call that Belonged to none other than her Liege, Her Host Lead, The Golden Lord Akastuki, had called for her attention, no doubt of grave inquiry.
" You were supposed to rest a week more.
Why are you here? "
Ayano of The Golden, unfazed despite an inquiry from a Sun of a man, replied tersely.
" You are mistaken, My Liege. "
spaketh the maiden Gold, calm as the winter lake at dawn time.
" My rest days are over."
The Liege approached, making an intense move that may either intimidate men of low charisma or confuse the maidens who are head over heels for the Sun God incarnate.
Ayano was neither.
" I do recall myself designating those days of rest upon your schedule myself, Ayano.
I have done so under a personal favor I cannot disclose, but from one who surely cares for you deeply, back at Solar Industries. "
Though strict and stern his voice was, there was no rage nor blame within his magnanimous cadence.
But of earnest and sincere caring, as those of the spring morning sun.
" Why have you come, Ayano?"
Lord Akastuki seeks a reply, with gentle yet serious inspection.
In return, was a determined, yet cold reply.
" It is my duty to Cleanse, My Liege."
Ayano so spaketh, each word unrelenting.
" To cleanse the Darkness that poisons our home.
To rest while the scourge rages onward is a disgrace to my will. "
Hearing so, even Lord Akastuki could not stop her.
" Bring the Dawn, Ayano Sun Striker. "
The Lord of the Sun bade solemnly with pride.
" And Cast The Dusk. "
And so she did, to the North as Vanguard.
While Drill Instructor Domyoujii Arian was supposed to the West as Vanguard, he had other plans.
" Monte Autoneo !! Switch sides with me, I say!"
Monte Autoneo, Man of the Autumn Mount, Second Drill Instructor of the Shadow division of the Golden Host, a quiet Knight of Gold and Black wielding a great Energon Katana the length of a fighter jet on his back, agreed swiftly to Domyoujii's say without opposition.
For the quiet Knight was familiar with Man Arian's plan, and went with it respectfully.
And as all were happening so,
Young Oshimitsu rushed forth along with the rest of the Cannoneers, following the tactics as she was trained by the best on the field, checking her surroundings as she moved forth to the east, scanning the field constantly with her visor to see through the thickening bellowing sand veils.
Within sight, A military factory loomed, lonesome black turrets towered ahead, walls crumbled and uneven, devoid of human intervention, was this once useful establishment.
The target hides within this abandoned facility, hiding behind the dilapidated walls.
Mako switched her visor to search mode as her instructor trained, to sense any Hazardous nanomic residues lingering.
None.
There is nothing here, Mako nearly blurted out what the other cannoneers were thinking.
" Don't be fooled."
Warned her Drill Instructor, Man Domyoujii Arian, standing right behind her, Strike Lance held high, battle pose intact.
" They know how we See them. Hence, they know how to hide. "
Speechless and trembling ever so slightly, Oshimitsu Mako stared harder at the serene Fortress ahead, trying to figure out any abnormalities ensuing before her eyes.
The Golden Host waited in position, silently aiming their weaponry, heeding their Liege's command of Wait.
" What are we waiting for??" The Slime among men, the analyst of the nerdy nuisance science division, inquired impatiently without brains behind Lord Akastuki's back.
" There are no residues here. Your Task is a simple one, Akatsuki, yet you flopped. This shall surely go down into the records."
" Then record your idiocy as well, Lab man!"
The Liege's Second hollered in advent dismay.
" Those who sit in air-conditioned rooms and browse screens at ease will never understand the insights birthed from Strife on the field!
Lord Akastuki could have decapitated you thrice already if it were not for his respect for Prime Solaris' Behalf! Silence, Thee!"
Shamed once again in public, the Analyst slouched grimacely and entered a reluctant silence, vaguely muttering to himself.
" Thank you, Gilderoy. " Lord Akastuki bade his second politely, then turned to face the pitch black military Fortress not far.
" Your Sensors are already Outdated, Analyst, for The Adversary has learned your Schemata and taken advantage of you without your knowledge.
Let me show you. "
And Lord Akastuki addressed his back with a hand rise, and out of the cargo of the shuttle, six monks in Golden robes hooded from head to toe emerged, chanting the Gospel of Lord Akastuki as they marched out to light.
Three on each side, the elusive monks carry upon their shoulders a long monumental casket, indeed of Gold, and present it to their Liege, chanting intently still.
They are the Golden Apostles of the Host, believers of Lord Akastuki's Reign with the sole purpose of carrying the Liege's Supreme Arsenals and spreading stories and parables of Lord Akastuki's Benevolence through esoteric song,
which they accomplish wholesomely as we speak.
Before Their Liege, the Apostles opened the Casket, and within it lies a long spear-type weapon linked across through multiple miraculous gears and gadgets of utmost intricacies, in its center held an orb-like apparatus bearing light blooming and beating as if a being living.
Carefully, Lord Akastuki graced the spear of Light and Power and raised it above his head.
The Golden Host held their breath in unison, awed by the sight.
The Apostles, too, silenced and watched their holy lord wield the holy weapon high, documenting this moment and composing their next song by heart.
The analyst felt as if he had walked onto the wrong set.
And with a pull backwards, the Spear of Light sensed its duty unfold. The Light in its heart glowed and began to burst sunlight uncontrollably, shaking and vibrating from tip to end as its whole length reached thrice initially.
A shooting Star was born in the Golden Liege's hand, a comet of Light, and immense Infrasound burst.
But as imminent as the blow was, Lord Akastuki did not throw.
He Was Waiting.
His Host waited with patiently, though curiously young Oshimitsu was not fully sure of what.
" Lo." Her Drill Instructor sternly whispered at her six, in grave caution.
" Do not miss it."
Miss what…?? Mako could but stare forth through the sand smog, scanning thoroughly across the black towers and crooked turrets until Lo, assuden
One of the turrets moved.
What should have been composed of steel and concrete, did make a slight alienic wiggle, an unsettling trace of movement unexpected from the kinds of establishments of the kind, more so of such scale.
But sure indeed, with her eyes wide and visor recording properly,
Mako saw that one of the turrets wriggled,
Like a black slithering tentacle
of sheer malevolent Dark.
Lord Akastuki's frown lessened as his gaze widened, those Golden pupils dilating.
This was the moment he had been waiting for.
With air ripping force, a toss like none capable by man, winds thrashing and space time apart, The Liege of Gold had flung his Sun Streak Lance forth with epic might unrivaled, soaring the incredible weapon across miles of sky in a marvelous trajectory as the sun rise and set in destined but accelerated bonanza, to fell the grave foe that has woken from feigned slumber.
And Lo, did the Dark answer, ripping its disguise of a Fortress off the face of the earth and propelled its true form under the Sun, a dark liquidus swarm of mass and Wrath, with millions of writhing long arms bursting and grasping, screeching in all chorus of the most obscene and daunting kind.
It was of naught, and it was All.
It consumes and Destroys More.
It is everything, and also None.
It is no doubt bright, and more so naught but Dark.
With all it touches, consumed and devoured into pitch black oblivion.
The Land, Dark.
The Skies, Dark.
The dust and atoms, and mere oxygen particles that came across this unstoppable menace,
Dark.
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Beneath was a formless sea of pitch black coming at the Host without ebb or flow, but tsunami, trillions of fingers crawling and gnawing their way towards Life,
And above was a rain of wrathful flagella and hydra ready to devour its prey.
Spreading, Towering and expanding, all that stood for the colorful world, had all been but a dream amongst dusk, and with each hand, each clandestine appendage, sprouting more and more, small and expanding hands of insatiable avarice, it snatched the world out of Light, and also in defending of the imposing plummeting of the sole weaponry that could hinder its sinister conquest.
But the Sun Streak spear was not alone.
Aside from the gravity of the desperate world, Lord Akastuki, with his tossed hand pointing straight still, palm imposing at whence he let go, he was pushing the spear forth,
With his sheer Golden Might.
The Whole Host could but watch in Awe, even if they had seen it with their own eyes for the umpteenth time.
It was a marvel in the age of the Post Earth Century, where Legends were too scarce when the times needed them the most.
Such a push was like blade through weed, not a dark Scourge could apprehend its dive, and the million hands and clawed appendages could but writh in anger as the weapon plunged deep into the center of the pool of Naught, blasting a nuclear dome of blazing Gold sunlight.
It was the crash of the Solairyza,
a ranged arsenal imbued with light and pulsing Infrasound, two in one, with radioactive and vibrational stunning capable of stunting All Nanomic Scourge's spread.
The Dark Beast knew its rival had brought a cunning poison, and it too would always retaliate.
With unearthly screeches and rattling howls, it imploded upon collision, letting the Sun Spear pierce its full entity.
But with each piece, each smudge, each spec of Dark burst out to the fray, they all transformed into one such Being of beastly ferocity, growing more and more, spreading throughout, swallowing all life into its chasm of infinite silence.
Somewhere within her, Mako thought this would be over as soon as her Liege had unleashed his God Weapon, but it was just the beginning.
The Grave Foe hast just awakened, and its fire colors coming to erase them.
" ALL SQUADRONS, FIRE!!!!!!"
Domyoujii Arian gave the order, and roars of echoing pulse charges blasted the seven atmospheres as the Infrasound Rifles let go in unison, sending back a tremendous stream of unseen destruction at the tide of Darkness, as air and ash clashed.
Like dark waters hitting an elusive cliff, breaking of waves and disintegrating to foam in screams from hell of mechanic destruction.
Oshimitsu Mako held onto dear life upon her Instructor's pulse rifle, pressing the heavy trigger with her arm strength, firing forth without other thoughts but to live.
A skirmish of black and wild wind waves was all she could see, and before she realized, a sharp ringing there was entrapped within her helm, as the top right of her visor screen flashed, a red alarm had been buzzing full volume to her ears.
Nanomic Levels in her surroundings have exceeded safe range.
The Enemy is right in front of her.
After just one blink, Mako's sight was instantly splattered with Dark, as she felt her whole existence suddenly vanish,
As if she were No More.
But a Power instantly pulled her back like vice, and her world was lit up once more with colors.
Sitting on soil, Mako breathed vehemently as if she had not breathed in an hour, and collecting her senses did she realize a great Darkness in the form of a dastardly titanoboa lay ravaged before her, smoking into disintegration and ash.
Between her and the Darkness stood her Drill Instructor, the three-tipped Strike Lance piercing the beast to the ground, vibrating hot steam and power.
" FOCUS, SOLDIER!!!!" The Man roared as he spinned his Lance up like a deviant helicopter, dicing more incoming Dark tentacles, showering their way.
" STAY AT MY SIX, AND KEEP THE PULSES COMING!!!!"
And to all the Valiants on the field, Arian of the proud battle house Domyoujii uttered to the heavens.
" Knights of The Golden Host ! ! ! ! !
CHARGE!!!!!!!"
And from nowhere, out of surprise, ripping the thick veils and waves of black, Golden Warriors burst out alive, whirling their Arsenals with excellent skill and agility, pushing the Nanomic Entities back further than any Infrasound Pulses could achieve.
Before her, Mako fired on with her given rifle, her gaze fixed upon her Drill Instructor, like a red Devil with a scythe, slashing gruesome nano squids left and right.
At the west side of the flanks, Instructor Autoneo of the Battle House Autumn Mount, too, the Shadow of Lord Akastuki, cleaved seas of Dark Matter with his Great Pulse Katana, felling three soccer fields of Scourge with but one powerful attack.
Not far ahead, Mako noticed a sailing stream of light, soaring amongst the waves dark like a Golden needle sewing the machinations of demise upon the enemy. And as the stream returned to its wielder, did Mako realize it was the kind Ayano Senpai harnessing the Strike Spear of Light, letting it sail on its own with a toss while the Sun Spear slay them all upon her master's will, letting no smudge touch her hide.
And many more Knights were there that were equal of honorable mentions of valor and prowess that would be revealed to the eyes of the watcher soon in the near future.
But surely, with her own eyes, Mako has fully witnessed The True Valiance of the Golden Vanguard.
The tactic used in this specific conflict was a simple one.
The Knights of the Host charge as Vanguard, clashing with the enemy in closer combat, While The Firing situated at the back supply ranged support.
This two-waved schemata is commonly used when the enemy is cornered and in a smooth and simple arena. With complicated terrain and differing types of enemies come other forms of techniques,
Which none could our Slime analyst man comprehend.
" Impossible…!!" The vermin in the white trench coat uttered in disbelief, standing on the high ground cowardly behind the golden lord and his second.
" The residue levels are off the charts!! This is the Chance, Akastuki ! Do not terminate this swarm just yet!! I Command---"
" Thou Hast No Room for Commanding in This Host, Lab man!!!!"
Gilderoy the Second barked, slamming his gigantus Hammer cannon to the ground furiously.
" Stand back and let us do our jobs!! While You do Yours!!!"
" Thank you, Gilderoy. " Lord Akastuki nodded, his eyes focused intensely on the Battlefield ensuing below.
" Analyst, your request will be carried out. But unless the enemy is weakened and dying enough, we will not engage in folly of collection.
Wait with me, for the age of victory for mankind is nigh."
Even with much grimace and disdain towards the Golden Host and lesser people of the military, This Lab Rat could not resist his heart's awe for a man such as Lord Akastuki and root for him deep down, though he would never admit.
With the clashing of Light and Dark extending throughout the downward trail of the sun, both sides have slightly waned their strength and now entered the phase of attrition.
Yet, Darkness has adapted quickly enough to its opponents' flow and brewed a plan, a scheme designed around the weakness of the Golden Host,
to Smite them Fully.
Lord Akastuki sensed a disturbance,
lurking in the changing movements of the Dark sea of nanomic smudge.
" Hearken!!" Akastuki called out to his Host through voice and heart.
" The Foe has adapted!! Defense Array!!"
His Host heeded immediately.
All Drill Instructors rallied their troops back vigilantly, while the black midst lingered ominously behind.
" Gilderoy. " Lord Akastuki bade seriously.
" What do your enhanced man eyes see?"
The Liege's Second stared forth, with radar plates opening wide atop his shoulders and an advanced monocular switching out from the back of his tout Golden helm, elongating as he scanned through the telescopic protrusion upon his visor and uttered a gasp of grave urgence.
" It hides its main forces under the soil, ready to muster all its nanomic surge into one high blast to cover us from land and sky. I also picked up coded signals! They are likely calling for reinforcements from across the continent, My Liege!"
As he spake, the earth rumbled and, like a volcano erupting after eons of slumber, black lava sprayed out high and wide, spitting its contaminating pus all over the field.
Domyoujii Arian called for a great fallback, ordering the troops to raise their vibrating Infrasound shields to cover the meteor shower of deletion.
" The sky is not theirs to take. "
Lord Akastuki raised his Commanding hand, and immediately the stealth hover jet reared and soared up high to the clouds, out of all the nano claws' reach.
With sophisticated harnessing and controls, Mustang the seasoned pilot, faced the enemy below with the jet's underbelly, opening the metal layers to reveal three large sets of circular charge emitters placed close together into one Infrasound Pulser, all gears spinning readily for launch.
The Black hands of wrath sensed the coming assault above, and charged up to reclaim the heavens in no time.
" Not in my house!" Mustang muttered in his cabin, switching all the Pulses to activation with one pull of a heavy lever.
Lo, from below the hover jet, a cyclone dived downward, crashing against the formless kraken, grasping in rage as its tentacles burned and wriggled in agony under the invisible waves of shattering.
The firing squad charged again, adding more injury to the wound as their pulse beams struck all at once from all sides.
The Vanguard Heroes charged in front, landing their definite blows of sheer destruction joining the bases of the Nanomic Conqueror, striking it down from its roots.
The Waves of Gold have claimed the upper shores.
" It is Time. "
And before the dumbstruck Analyst could imagine,
Lord Akastuki of the Golden Host,
stepped forth towards the battlefield.
His second Gilderoy by his side.
Each step he took, The Nanomic Entities seemed to hear and shudder.
The sound of his cloak stiffening and transforming from soft fiber into three metallic winged drones splitting out of his back and firing Infrasound pulses seemed to terrify the hands of black savagery,
As the waves of black fingers scurried backwards as The Golden Liege stepped forth.
Pulled slowly out of the black wood sheath,
The Katana burning Golden with sunflame spelled inferno to all its foes, human and nonhuman alike, the heat upon its metal able to disintegrate even the tiniest Nanomic ash that deigns to escape its slash.
Two hands did the Lord wield that fiery blade, that curved exotic sword of the Dawn, imbued with steel honed upon the surface of the Sun and emitting wavelengths both visible and unseen, lethal to all that touches, except its master.
Kagerou was the blade so called.
And even the hivemind of the Nano Demonry knew to fear that baneful name,
and also its master that wields it perfectly.
With one upper slash from afar, the Katana of flames sent a surge of true combustion crashing through the humongous, tall swarm of beastly arms and slithering tentacles, separating and igniting it whole, no nanoparticles spared.
The clawed fingers danced frenziedly, cursing and screeching in high-pitched computerized disturbances, sending chills down Mako's spine as she watched on, firing at the foe still.
To her shock and disbelief, the enemy that she thought was the end of humanity, the doom of mankind,
was now struggling to stay intact, crying as if for mercy under The Golden Liege's Presence.
After a full hour of Extermination, The Darkness has finally started to shrink.
Its sentient atoms either roasted or shattered to oblivion, never to be seen again.
Domyoujii raised his arm to cease fire, as the Host watched their Liege incinerate the last bits of Dark to nothingness.
It was, a successful hunt.
Keeping her guard high in alert still, Ayano of The Golden felt a sudden cold hollowness in this victory, like something was yet to happen that hadn't been dealt with yet.
A faint, blitzing daze of foreboding had been ringing all this time in her ears, ever since she boarded this jet,
but had only become stronger and stronger.
She scoured the field around them, while The Host were all transfixed at Their Liege's last verdict for the enemy.
The Three pulser drones hovered to their master's side as Lord Akastuki stood before the pit of origin, the crater from which this Swarm took control and claimed its territory.
Now, but a puddle of bubbling black goo, its tyrannic senseless reign had finally come to an end.
The Lord raised his blade up high, ready to seal the Fates.
" Not Yet!!!"
Hollered a voice, the slimy utterance of none other than the hindering Analyst that popped out of nowhere, yanking Lord Akastuki's posture back.
" Leave Some Residue for Science, Akastuki!!"
" DO NOT TOUCH THE GOLDEN LORD! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !"
Gilderoy, Second of the Liege shouted in distraught and pure Anger, along with All the Vanguard Heroes leaping into action.
The defining blow was staggered.
Darkness seized its chance.
A sly serpent, as it were, the last puddle of Darkness shot out of its drenched crater, high above all heads, and landed on the rightful spot of its malicious ingenious calculations.
Ayano felt her nauseous sensation pumping her to spring forth to safeguard her Lord,
To Save Akastuki !
But she was wrong.
The Black dart dropped not upon their host Liege, but at the back, at the very very back.
On one of their Host kin.
Not even a final scream was audible.
Ayano immediately knew where the Nano Foe dropped.
And her blood ran cold.
" MAKOOO! ! ! ! !"
Domyoujii Arian sprang to action, pushing his Host aside and charging to the spot, where there were no remains that resembled human, but a pile of fleshy mesh crossed with dark groping matte,r strangling and devouring the poor victim caught within.
The Drill Instructor raised his Strike Lance, only for the black pus to give way and show the man what he could never Strike.
" Do….Do...Myou….jii…….Sir……"
The last remaining face that barely resembles Mako croaked within the mound of melting black mass, her existence distorted and at the same time, fused with the Nanomic techno demonry, mangling and defiling her into a minion of their own.
Trying his all to contain himself, the Drill Instructor tossed his spear afar and raised his pulse rifle, determined to end things quickly.
But the trigger won't budge, and no matter how hard he struck the activation switch again and again, the pulse rifle would not comply.
With a cry of a wounded beast, Domyoujii split the weapon with his bare hands, and fell.
To his knees, this man among men, could but reside. For he was truly defeated.
His future extinguished, his feelings for her denied, forever.
The doctrine of The Golden Host clearly stated how it should be done when encountering a strayed contaminated civilian, and with much refined details demonstrating the protocols whenever they face a contaminated comrade.
They know each paragraph by heart.
But now, all of them could but stand behind their Respected friend and instructor, waiting for him to do what must be done.
Somehow, Someone had to take responsibility and set the poor girl free from torment.
And Lord Akastuki was ready to do the deed, marching solemnly with each thundering step containing his rage, agony, and deepest condolences.
But somehow, someone had to do the wrong thing, TWICE.
" Lord Akastuki !" This time, the analyst dared not touch the Lord, but stood in his way.
" We Must Collect The Residue ---"
SMAAAAACK
And it was surely documented, in later reports of this incident, that Lord Akastuki had punched this certain analyst 8 meters away from starting point.
And remarkably, still sparing the scientist's life.
But before Lord Akastuki could arrive at the scene,
someone was already there before him, finishing his grave duties.
" Wait…!" Drill Instructor Domyoujii begged, raising a hand in all efforts to halt the deed.
" Please… give me some time…!!"
" There is no Time. "
Ayano replied tersely, calm as ever, as if she had seen it coming, which she felt she did. Her Light spear raised high, pointing its blazing tip at what remained of poor Mako.
Heeding not Arian's plea, Ayano faced Mako, alone.
" My Liege…" Gilderoy sought for a better approach, but The Golden Lord quickly accepted it as it is.
He trusts Ayano.
Less than half an arm's reach did the spear maiden stop before her new comrade.
Mako stared at her still.
Though the young one did not beg or shout out in pain,
The terror and torture were evident in those welcoming, teary, bloodshot eyes.
those eyes that contain no more light,
But Darkness.
Ayano closed her eyes.
It was the same.
As she had remembered, as she had seen,
As if she were an unseen watcher seeing all her acts and happenings from the side,
She had been here already.
The Deja vu was irresistible.
She had Killed her Before.
" From now on, "
Ayano whispered faintly, as if in prayer.
" I will carry you, in heart.
For This Is Why I Must Not Stop.
Goodbye. "
And she let her spear go, as her Will so intended.
The blow was fast and with great precision, her spear returning with but a flash of Light.
But The Host will never be the same.
.
.
…
………
.
.
Word of the successful extermination spread soon enough as correspondents and higher-ups of Solar Industries came to the prime hangars to welcome the Golden Host's return.
A rather large group of analysts and men of science gathered at the hangars, also, but their main interest was in something else entirely.
The large rusted gates gaped open, letting in the blood red setting sunlight into its insides, consuming along the golden Hover Jet that slowly descended.
The horde of engineers and science people crowded to the Golden Hover Jet's landing as the gate platforms lowered slowly, outcoming solemn soldiers low with dismal morale.
The crowd instantly knew now is not time for cheer.
Front and center, Lord Akastuki marched with his Host, helmets disarmed, armor deactivated, revealing his fair, charismatic form and chests so broad the ladies witnessing couldn't hold back their gasps.
Planning to head back to rest and brood on the happenings of grim morn, the Host was abruptly stopped at their slow pace, whereas the analysts and science folk there stood in their way, their postures eager for what came of the grave skirmish.
" Lord, Leader of the Golden Host…"
The one analyst at the very front cautiously spake, for the Host's dark expressions spell woeful tidings.
" Can it be… that mayhap you and your host hast gathered... ample residues…? In thy Valiant quest...?"
The Golden Liege had made up his mind to simply ignore and move on, were it not for the sudden boorish call from within the Host as the lowly slouching figure slithered forth to his science kin with disgusting pride.
" Rejoice, me folk!"
It was the Lab man, rather jovial amidst the Host of solemn anguish.
" I here have Good Tidings !"
Lo, as amazed as the analysts were by this fellow Slime lab man's miraculous survival within this arduous venture, they were more captivated by the glass cylindrical Vial the lab man held high, so clenched tight in prideful grasp.
The science folk immediately understood the gravity of said Vial in hand, and their excitement boiled.
The Lab Man had never been this proud in his whole rat life.
" I have reclaimed ample Residues, my sirs!! The Codes of The Nanomis, The Blood Of Siorun!!! It's all in my Grasp!"
And indeed, before their eyes, writhing and dancing violently within the glass Vial, a formless entity was, struggling frantically as if to convey its wrath towards its captors.
Every lab man began excitedly exchanging their scientific hypotheses on the potential of this great finding, and how it could reassure mankind's prosperity, while the Golden Host, The group of arms, could but wish to leave as fast as possibly allowed.
" Brave brother," The leading analysts had to ask curiously aloud.
" How did you collect this lethal specimen and survive this venture? Share your tale, brother, For Science !"
" That I will!" The lab rat snidely chuckled with glee.
" I happen to collect this feisty specimen from one of the young corpses of the Host---"
Before this Slime of a man could utter one more word of disgrace, his throat had been locked in steel-breaking choke hold, from none other than the Liege of the Host of Gold himself.
Anger evident, Rage like flame visibly combusting within those wide pupils, Lord Akastuki held the Lab Rat high at the throat, verily ready to squeeze this ugly head out of his meager body.
The science folk cowered in fear.
The industry guards bustled in to engage,
The Golden Host had their hands upon their arms, ready to unleash their dismay and hatred towards the senseless unthankful bunch of lab mice.
But all that did not stop any conflict, until one being stepped forth into light.
" Hold Your Horses, All Of You!!!"
The associates of the Industry recognized that deep, burly voice instantly from miles away, beckoning and cowering in respect as they bowed to make way for the big man to enter.
Even the industry guards lowered their arms and bowed obediently.
Lord Akastuki did not even flinch a muscle, holding his grip high as the lowly lab man could but sob and whimper, trousers soaked wet.
The Golden Host too recognized well the huge figure coming their way, this big man,
this large individual in a metallic-like customized suit of lazuli and silver,
clean, smooth skin of chocolate brown shimmering bright with well-oiled tan,
fingers runed with emblazoned rings in nearly every finger,
a beard as large as that huge tout head, tidied yet still full of natural curls, hiding lips downward curled in dismay.
With Eyes blue like the ocean, now wide and blazing like raging tides.
This Man,
This Big Man,
This Lead of the Institutes,
This Sole Funder of The Golden Host's entire expanses and many more,
This Founding Father of the Very Solar Industries they so set foot upon,
Is the Man they call Karamshad Solaris.
And his appearances shall deal grave deeds.
" Akastuki, "
Karamshad Solaris of Solar Industries demanded, per his Power and Right as head of the Last Establishment of Earth Saving Schematas,
speaking to our Golden Liege like a principal to a grounded juvenile delinquent.
" Let that man Go. "
Simple words spoken, but with complicated powers pressing hard on the Golden Lord's choke holding arm.
Yet the young Liege did not cease his choking grip.
His rage, hast reached its limit.
Too many brothers and sisters have sacrificed for the institute in vain, without even a glimpse of advancement from the science division.
These Lab men have played them, the defenders of humanity, like disposable chess pieces for too long under the nose of their Sole Funder, who certainly had sided with the analyst, for he too was born as one.
Lord Akastuki heard it said in whisper and from voices that speak within his thoughts, trying hard to ignore and not hear.
Yet his heart truly agrees so.
They are Not Worthy of their Service.
And the Golden Host couldn't agree more.
Seeing a potential mutiny from the last strongest military forces brewing before his eyes, Karamshad Solaris, being the top scholar of management and Schemata, as was born within his blood, calmly assessed the present, past, and future of his reign.
Before the Fall, countless institutes across the globe like his own stood tall against the Nanomic tide of destruction, yet only Solar Industries prevailed.
Why?
Because of the Golden Host, and his betting on the right technologies to invest.
His Industry stood alone, as many others have fallen into darkness, posing him as the last Leading Prime of the continuation of Mankind's survival.
His leadership and striving wisdom did all that.
His mind his sword, and judgement his calibre.
He is as worthy as the Last Prime of Man ought to be.
And that Leading Prime is Karamshad Solaris,
Not this Akastuki !! Not this lowly swordsman born in the stables without even a family name!!
He gave him that armor and Infrasound Tech.
He bought him that sword.
This Young tramp with a sickly obsession with the color Gold,
Must Know His Place!!
Calmly, Karamshad Solaris cleared his throat, at the same time eyeing a sniper perched high up at the back of the hangers, aiming his elusive rifle at Akastuki's Head.
This tramp ends here, Karamshad thought, ready to scratch his face-sized bushy beard to signal for the sniper to strike.
But then, the hangar gates on the left side slid open with a Loud Buzz, stirring all that were present to glance aside, at the figure that stood at the doorway of Light, tall, slim silhouette looming.
A small figure it was cast behind shadow, cloaked in a long trench coat covering his frame, save a bald head of sophistication revealing, exerting esteemed austerity through this simple form.
Many have known of The Left side of the Hangers that seldom opens, for it led to one place, one secluded section of the institute that Belonged to one Specific Individual alone.
The Left Sector, as it was called, a Tower wing that housed the Brain of Solar Industries.
It was also known by many that Karamshad Solaris Lead rose to Omnipotence during the Post Earth Century with 3 formidable assets alongside him.
First was Solar Industries, the place where all Anti-Nanomic Tech was born.
Second was The Golden Host, which equipped said tech with unrivaled mastery.
And Third and foremost, is This One Man with the Mind that forged all to Reality.
A Creator, Visionist, Engineer and Philosopher was he, a master of fields extending through nanophysics to biomedicine.
A Living Sage of Wisdom they called him, an Omniscient Character who the common folk and World leaders all revered and respected indiscriminately, awning him as ' The Oppenheimer of The Post Earth Century'.
A Man that even Akastuki could put his anger aside and speak reason with, for he had been the surrogate son under this Noble Being's tutelage and teachings,
a Man, Lord Akastuki could proudly call Father.
And after months locked in his study, deeply engaged with the birthing of the next step of Earth Saving Schematas, He had finally arrived when the time needed him most.
All present halted in reverence, saluting through spontaneous respect. Even the perched sniper had to disable his rifle and salute in shadow.
Karamshad Solaris did not salute per his status, but bowed his head and stepped one step back, making room for this widened senior even he would not disrespect, for between heaven and earth, save only This Man Karamshad admits is worthier than himself.
Closer as this Revered Senior approached, to the Lord of Gold whom he called Son, the bald old man scaled the present with a dee,p sharp glance.
Warmly, calm and benign, strict and understanding, he so spake
" Akatsuki.
Put the man down."
Akastuki did as he was told.
The lab man gasped and grunted for life like a piglet saved up shore from drowning.
Turning to the Solar Industries Prime, This Old Man bowed slowly his bald head forth with deepest sincerity, no less cordially, expressing his truest apologies.
" Apologies, my friend."
The Elder kept his head low.
" I see that Akastuki's old habits have gotten to him once again. Do forgive, for my lectures might have been obsolete to the ears of the young... "
" No No No, My friend, you bow to no one in this institute!"
Karamshad Solaris quickly helped the elder rise his slim tall posture, accepting the apology immediately with reverence and unease, treating the senior as a high guest,
as should be.
" Akatsuki is strong and rash, but surely there must be a misunderstanding, haha…"
Karamshad Solaris chuckled to feign his disappointment, patting his bushy beard to signal for the sniper to retreat.
" True, true…" The bald senior sighed a long sigh and turned to the Golden Host and Analysts all.
" Tis been a Long day for warriors and pioneers both. Nothing too serious a good rest can't deal, don't you say?"
" Yes yes! Return to your posts, everyone! To Rest!"
Karamshad Solaris addressed hastily, exerting his all to escort the bald old man to wherever the elder pleases.
But the old scholar stood his ground like a mountain.
For he was waiting for the gurgling analyst to rise.
Akastuki and his Host also waited, following close behind the wise elder whom they solely trusted in this shaded industry flagged under the Sun.
" Wait there, young apprentice. " The Elder spaketh, benign as ever to the lab rat, as the slimy individual scrambled up to his feet.
" You hold a very dangerous specimen in your grasp. One that not many could harness without harming their entire civilization.
I recommend you leave it, For The sake of The Institute's Future, and Mankind's also."
But Slime Man resists wisdom. and clinged still to his Dark Vessel of Sinistry.
Karamshad Solaris, however, fell extremely silent.
For it was under his secret orders behind the veils of the science division that this lab rat was to retrieve this specific specimen from the Outer Realms of contamination.
After all, Karamshad has had his eyes on the Nanomic Scourge for long enough, planning to use fire against fire behind everyone's backs.
But surprisingly, after giving it some deep, calculated thought, Karamshad Solaris cleared his throat sternly in reply.
" Nelson."
Karamshad Solaris addressed the Slime Vermin of a man by his actual name, a name that shall surely haunt the far future in many forms unexpected, and ordered thus.
" Hand the Nanomic Vial over, to our respected
Sir Brahmapudra Oriel."
Oriel, was this Sage's name, and he was no doubt a Righteous Man with an intricate Plot.
And this Slimy Lab Rat, has his name registered as Nelson, bore ill to all close and far, for his Plot was sloppy and more so Obscene.
These two names, forever entwined in the song of Dark and Light, antagonized in Tales elusive and waiting to be told.
Reluctantly, Nelson held the Vial forth, his thin malnutritioned arm twitching, with rage, with envy, with contempt? No one knows.
Examining the Vial with a glance, Oriel carefully placed the specimen deep into his trench coat pocket.
" Well then…" Brahmapudra Oriel chuckled with a relieved sigh.
" I'll head back to my studies. Good day to you, friend. "
Karamshad bowed back respectfully, ready to leave the scene also.
" Good day to you too, Oriel Sir."
His Grim expressions of Schemings hid behind graceful Oriel's turning back.
With a wordless whisper, The Prime motioned for the lab man Nelson to follow, whose eyes still could not turn away from his hard-earned vial of Darkness.
The Golden Host was the last to leave.
" Akastuki. "
Oriel called asudden behind them, his voice less warming and more in a rather urgent tone.
" Walk with me. "
Handing the commands to Gilderoy, his Second, Akastuki left with the Wise Elder.
As the others marched onward to rest and calm,
Ayano stayed alone, watching the backs of both Exalted men's silhouettes slowly vanish into the Light,
until the metal gates of the Left Sector slammed shut, did she move on towards her life.
She had another mission ahead, which she was already over an hour too late to accomplish.
.
.
.
Hurrying through the compound maze, did Ayano of The golden find herself nearing the inner sections of the Industry where unlike the bright solar paneled walls of tech and militaries of the main established, this corner was secured within clean white thick marble, colored with crude yet innocent drawings by hand with paint, of creatures and buildings and greens, that have long gone.
Serene was this Fortress for children, purposed to educate the young sprouting generation of knowledge essential for survival in this perilous dark age terrorized under Nanomisms,
But more so, emphasizing Hope for the young and bright.
Especially in the ages of Dark shall we not neglect Hope and discard Humanity.
Children gather not only do they learn from the mistakes of the Past, they interact, they play, they dissolve disparity.
They grow to form a Better Tomorrow.
So was the purpose of each school established in every institute out there, scattered across the vast wastelands.
As Ayano passed the stone gates elaborated with ribbons of many colors handmade by the children of the refuges, expecting to encounter a horde of them engaged in wild play chatter,
she was greeted with silence.
Save one lone silhouette sitting at the window pane,
gazing at the blood orange sun sinking into the barren,
The evening breeze lifted the patched, damp curtains, along danced twin ponytails of brigh,t violent hue.
A girl there was left, waiting for her guardian to finally arrive.
" You are Late. "
The small girl of elementary grade spoke casually, calm and collected was her cadence expressing evident dismay.
" Sorry, Lima. Tough meeting. "
Ayano could but explain to her sister with a sigh, stopping at the low dusty window pane.
Lima, Ohh Somalis Limaria,
Lima of the Sun Light Bright, our prodigy of Gold and Sun Gazer, young and inexperienced, innocent and yet to be challenged by Cold Hard Fate,
turned around, with her twin violet ponytails swiping with indifference, feigned to hide her longing.
" Today was supposed to be a rest day. You forgot?"
Lima inquired with sass and mild hostility, frowning with those straight staring eyes of Gold and irises like sun rays.
" I can rest and Still attend meetings."
Nonchalant to her younger sister's qualms, Ayano replied, carrying the small red backpack behind her back, and headed towards the exit.
“Now, let's get you to the cafeteria before there's no more food in stock."
" I already had dinner. " The younger sister snapped, denying any form of lousy hospitality, for it was evident that the young girl was cross.
" Huh…?"
" I was starving, so I went to the cafeteria and came back. You still haven't shown up. "
Cheeks slightly puffed, pouting as she turned to face away from her sister's glance, Lima was displeased.
Without denying the facts, Ayano made her way towards the cafeteria still, Lima's small palm in tight grasp.
Lima let her sister take her, for it was clear that someone aside from herself was gravely starving.
So they went, on the way with nothing but silence between them.
One was dismayed by the long wait and forsaking of promises,
while the other sought the greater Good for her younger sibling's future, at all costs, justifying her late arrival.
Neither of them will reach a compromise.
To the basement levels of the institute have they had arrived but a short distance away from the foodings, Ayano heard unsettling voices ahead.
From the memorial sector it was, situated at the far corner to the side of the same basement layer, seldom reached and shunned mostly by all, for it was where they kept Memory of those that gave passed by serving the Industry with great pride.
From there, desperate cries of sorrow did ensue, louder and graver as Ayano neared, for she recognized their desperation, and the personnels there stood before the memorial hallway.
Drill Instructor Domyoujii Arian there was, a man with the will of steel and ferocity of a feral beast, was not his usual self, solemnly explaining in deep, respectful manner as an elderly couple wailed in his presence.
The Instructor had just finished his duties on the field, and now had no choice but to face the cries and blames of the passing of a loyal, hardworking comrade.
For his responsibilities and unspoken feelings for the young recruit, he Must face the Oshimitsu Parents face to face.
A palm-sized box the elderly parents of late Oshimitsu Mako so gripped with their shaking sorrow-struck hands, tears upon the steel surfaces.
For it was a box that carried most likely Mako's last certificates, trophies even,
or mayhap her final remains.
Ayano dared not think more, passing through the hallway, hugging the wall as she half pranced as fast as her cold, numb thighs could take her.
She did what she thought was right.
The Nanomis Scourge, if not extinguished thoroughly, may cling onto its human Host, harnessing the forgone victim and perform deeds obscene and daunting that had spelled the instant decline of advanced civilization.
She can't risk it.
She did what must be done.
For the Golden Host,
For Solar Industries,
For the last survivors of The Post Earth Century,
For Lima !
She did what must be done.
" I bought cake."
Before Ayano snapped out of the deep spiral of Dark thoughts, a tin box of what seemed like a military wheat cake meal was dangled before her eyes.
Confused, Ayano looked down at her own huddled self, slumped on the floor, leaning upon the wall before the cafeteria halls.
Her cheeks wet, and her chest hollow with grief.
Ayano took the tin box, opened the lid, and took a bite from the brownish dull substance.
It tastes like dirt.
" I also bought microwaved pasta. "
Lima spoke in her calm, silky voice, holding out the tin box wafting splendid fragrance in this time and age.
" Let's go back, sis. "
Ayano nodded, holding Lima’s hand as they walked back to their dorm, her fingers grasping tightly onto those tiny soft ones.
Through her fingers small, Lima could feel the slight shiver vibrating with unease from her older sister's weak grasp.
Only through clinging harder, firmer, could Lima hope to cease the fear, seal the anguish, douse the guilt.
To no avail.
" You don't have to…"
Lima whispered, for she could not help but blurt out her creeping deepest thoughts.
" You don't have to go… to those meetings of yours… You Really Don't…"
It could be silence,
It could be but a mere nod of recognition,
But her sister chose to speak of her own heart, one that contradicts Lima’s earnest prayers gravely.
" You don't understand…"
Ayano so spaketh.
" ...You don't understand…"
She had to say it again.
But what does young Lima not understand? Of her sister's plight to cleanse the dark behind her back, risking her own life, plunging her into dread solitude? Has their parents' untimely passing meant not a warning? A reluctance to lose more?
Nay, it was Ayano that is unknowing.
She dost not understand.
" No, sister, You don't understand…!"
Lima’s voice was unsteady, those of uncertainty at first hearing, but it was of firm complaint.
She can't stand it anymore.
" There is the Golden Host already… also many other Hosts and Industries out there, fighting…! You don't have to… You Don't Have To Go Out of Your Way…To...To...!"
" Enough. "
Stubborn the sisters both were, as they had this conversation before ere before, again and again, never once a resolution.
For They both had reason to believe their own right.
A Reason for caring for the other,
that fell on deaf ears.
" I Am The Golden Host. And the Golden Host is what is left of the World, of Us.
No one else would protect you, Lima… no one…!"
Silenced, Ayano made her way forth, down the path towards the darkening day.
Lima did not follow, staying in the hallway yet lit by Skylight.
"You are wrong!" Young Lima had lost patience to reason, for her feelings unable to reach,
Her shortage and ineloquence of words failed to convey her true thoughts, her deepest pleas
for her sister to stay.
" I Don't need...I Don't Care…!! I...I…just… I just..."
Yet,
no matter what Lima would say or stammer,
Ayano's will was set.
If she backed down again, she would lose more.
If she had learned earlier,
Their parents might still be with them,
If she put down her spear,
She Might Lose Lima…!
" I just… want you to stay...Onee San…"
Ayano heard her,
But her duties and decisions pushed her onward.
So she went.
Expecting her younger sister to stay behind and pout further on, Ayano turned around.
Lima was gone.
Before her was but a corridor straight ahead, without any crossroads, no place to hide.
" ...Lima…??"
Ayano traced her steps.
She had just turned her glance away for no more than 10 seconds.
The glass window panes stretched throughout leave no cracks, and the ceiling high and intact without signs of secret passage.
Lima was gone.
As her heart beat quickened, Ayano heard faint buzzing of electric wires, as not far ahead the skylights started to flicker, Dark and Light transitioning faster, faster,
Closer, Closer.
Something was terribly wrong.
" Lima?!?!?!"
Ayano yelled at the top of her lungs, rushing through the flickering long path from whence she came, yet met no end.
The corridor stretched on and on, to oblivion merged with dark and light.
She felt her world losing balance, gravity shifting, as yonder felt like a gaping black hole, consuming her, and might have already consumed Lima.
Without second thought, Ayano whistled with her arm reaching forth.
She was summoning her sun spear,
She was Ready to Fight.
Lo, as soon as the notion of combat arose, The force from beyond emerged.
It was an entity Ayano had so expected, someone, something that had been watching her from the side all this time, a being that had been experiencing in the shadows, beneath the walls and merged within the atmospheres, what Ayano was experiencing till now.
Ayano sensed the Being approaching.
The corridors shrank in the speed of Light,
As the hallway stopped flickering and plunged to Dark,
With a whoos,h her Sun Spear had arrived in hand, and with sophisticated battle instincts and years of fierce training on the field,
Ayano pranced, a shooting Leap!
Thrusting forth as the invisible entity was right there before her eyes.
They Clashed.
A Clash against matter and the non-existing, a Flash between Space and Naught,
A Strike across Time and Memory,
Breaking the fabric of the corridor, the institute, the whole Industry into the Void.
All that seemed to be, shattered that instance.
.
.
And as if her eyes reopened from a long slumber,
The maiden of Gold and Sun Spear found herself standing amongst the field of rice beads, the dark starry skies enveloping the glass dome above her.
Sun Spear in hand, striking to a clash standstill against her opponent before her, an armored Starbreaker of Light altered Blue, Shrouded within a visible force field carpeted of dews of Star flakes.
Like Blue Snow,
falling all around them.
Assessing everything before and present, here and then, the Maiden in Golden Armor finally gave a long, slow gasp of realization.
She had returned,
to the stark present.
And it was evident,
She had been under attack, of a Space Time Assault.
A weaponry that reached deep to the depths of her locked Memories, forcing her to again reamember.
She had inadvertently experienced firsthand,
of the Powers of the Herunis Carna.
Tightening her grip upon her Sun Spear,
Ayano had no choice left.
This person, This Entity, This Starbreaker of Powers Beyond Understanding,
Yuri,
Is too dangerous to be kept alive.
" I'll do what I must. "
Ayano whispered, as if in prayer.
For Lima,
This Yuri must be stopped.
.
.
BEFORE LIGHT
THE FINAL RADIANCE
Chapter 20 : Awurreron Veiy
Part 1
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[...to be continued……]
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