[Chapter 5] - He Who Inherits the Shadows
(POV - 3RD)
A flash and a glint of the blade was all Kiryu saw before he immediately raised his sword just as the Unknown Construct's weapon sparked off its surface, narrowly saving his neck as the impact of the clash forced the Commandant off his feet.
Lee wasn't faring any better as he managed to just avoid the edge of the red blade as he attempted to blast the enemy Construct with a hail of blue bullets, only for the latter to masterfully deflect and block them all with her sword.
However, despite the assault laid against her, the Unknown Construct only continued forward, aiming straight for the Gray Ravens' flank that is the struggling Lucia being nursed by Liv.
"Why is she so fixated on Lucia?" Kiryu thought as he dashed forward with Lee following closely on the side while shooting at his target, making sure to avoid his teammates.
"Tch, what a nuisance..." The Unknown Construct muttered as she quickly deflected the bullets with ease and irritation.
Unfortunately, the enemy had already reached her target just as she avoided more bullets from both Kiryu and Lee, raising her blade as it rushed straight at Lucia's head-
The Unknown Construct leapt back just as a stream of pink beams impacted the spot where she stood, quickly avoiding Liv's blasts as her cannons hovered by her side while she stood in front of Lucia protectively.
Thankfully, Kiryu and Lee caught up before flanking both sides of the enemy Construct with the former slashing first at his target who avoided the attack just to intercept Lee's bullets with Liv shooting from the front which slowly forced the Unknown Construct back.
With the repetitive attacks targeting her constantly, the lone swordswoman could only back away again and again before getting injured, it was clear to all three of the standing Gray Ravens that the Unknown Construct was specifically targeting Lucia for unseen reasons.
"The errors and faults must end..?" Kiryu whispered the words spoken by the Construct in front of them, the only indication on why she targeted Lucia.
However, it wasn't concrete enough to discern her true motives... but that isn't the problem right now-
The Unknown Construct took a stance which Kiryu recognized as one similar to Iaijutsu before it died out with the Golden Age, but the form can only be utilized in close combat, not that far-
"?!" By instinct, Kiryu raised his blade as an invisible force clashed straight onto it, forcing him backward as Lee and Liv looked alarmed by the sudden predicament.
The sword of the Unknown Construct shone a crimson red as an energy can be felt thrumming around it before the wielder sheathed it again in the same stance as earlier, her blood red eye focusing solely on Kiryu-
He immediately raised his guard, his sword out in front as he leapt side to side, avoiding waves of invisible force slashing straight at him with himself unable to do anything.
"Commandant!" Lee and Liv called out before they both began hailing the Unknown Construct with their projectiles, forcing her to stop her attacks and dodge.
The said Construct growled with a growing irritation as she instantly closed in the distance between her and Lee, the latter not expecting the sudden speed before he was immediately slashed right in the chest and then kicked away.
"Shit-! Lee!" Kiryu shouted in alarm, seeing the Unknown Construct ready to finish him off.
Without hesitation, the Commandant took out the GUTS Hyper Gun before rapidly firing at her which she quickly deflected again and continuously as Kiryu ran at her.
Just as the Unknown Construct batted away the last of the bullets, Kiryu swung his blade straight at the former's neck who instantly intercepted the attack.
However, Kiryu's goal wasn't to injure her, right now Lee is in an almost critical condition, seeing as the Commandant can literally see the metallic frame underneath his synthetic flesh.
Sparks erupted as the Sparklence Blade clashed with the crimson katana, Kiryu's eyes meeting that of the Unknown Construct's cold ones as their swords did the talking, only without words.
"Human... you would go this far just to protect them?" She asked with morbid curiosity.
"They are my team, and my responsibility." Was all Kiryu replied in return before forcing apart the blades and kicking the Construct back.
The Unknown Construct stumbled backwards a few steps before looking inquisitively at Kiryu only to hear a beeping sound from her blade as she looked to see a small circular object flashing red repetitively with the former's mind slowly realising what it is.
She turned to see Kiryu pressing something down just as the object exploded, engulfing the area in smoke and dust as the latter grabbed Lee and rushed towards Liv.
Fortunately, despite being composed and modified with metallic frames and body parts, a Construct's body isn't that heavy as he expected as he almost reached the medic of the team.
"BEHIND YOU, KIRYU!" Liv screamed out as the Commandant turned to see the blazing red katana slashing straight at his head-
A blur leapt past Kiryu as the red katana was stopped by Lotus Berserker, Lucia gritted her teeth as she stood her ground, preventing the Unknown Construct from hurting her Commandant.
"Lucia?! Your Sea of Consciousness is still fluctuating! You won't be able to fight properly!" Kiryu stated, pushing Lee towards Liv as he quickly returned to the fight.
"I can still fight-!" Lucia rebuked stubbornly but she was then cut off.
"At times like this, shouldn't you worry about yourself?" A cold voice spoke out as the Unknown Construct easily pushed back Lucia.
Kiryu quickly pushed himself behind Lucia as he caught her before she fell, proceeding to shove the latter behind himself protectively despite the odds in front of them.
"Commandant, I can still function-!" She began but Kiryu instantly rebuked her protest.
"Your consciousness is still spiking up and down, at this rate you won't be able to do anything!"
"I rather fight than just stand back and do nothing! It's not right for a Construct to watch their Commandant fight!" Lucia rebutted his concerns.
"You... very well... together?" Kiryu asked, raising his sword.
"Together." Lucia answered, Lotus Berserker ready as the Unknown Construct stood in front of them, eyes seemingly gazing at them both, now even more inquisitively.
Several seconds passed by before the duo kicked off towards the nameless Construct, splitting apart from their initial spots as they attempted a pincer attack against their target whose hand simply rested on her blade's handle, ready and waiting.
The Unknown Construct quickly unsheathed her katana, intercepting Lucia's blade before she leaned backwards whilst dodging several bullets shot from Kiryu's handgun which she immediately resumed deflecting and blocking.
However, Lucia took this chance and closed in the distance between them and quickly began slashing at the ashen Construct who retaliated through parrying and blocking the attacks with incredible ease, seeing as Lucia's state of mind appeared to be still fluctuating.
Kiryu wasn't idle as he ran towards the exposed back of the Unknown Construct, swinging the Sparklence Blade right towards her, but the latter expected that to which she kicked Lucia away before they began clashing their swords together.
The nameless Construct then quickly turned around again to deflect an attack from Lucia before doing the same to Kiryu's attempt as the three began exchanging blows after blows, causing sparks and flashes of light to erupt from the continuous clashes.
Seeing that the Unknown Construct wasn't even budging from her spot despite the combined efforts of Lucia and Kiryu, the Commandant then clashed his blade onto the red katana again before forcing it downwards into the ground as he then stepped onto it.
Kiryu instantly raised his sword, ready and attempting to plunge the blade into the Construct's body but his target was more than ready as she immediately leapt back several feet, only to see Lucia charging at her albeit stumbling a few times.
Lotus Berserker slammed right into the blood red katana as their owners clashed for dominance over each other with the Unknown Construct noticeably taking the lead as she slowly forced Lucia back feet by feet.
The ashen Construct then saw Kiryu reloading his handgun and then taking aim at her whereas the former quickly pushed Lucia to the spot which forced her to stand in front of her, causing Kiryu to stop himself from accidentally firing at Lucia.
Unfortunately, at that moment, the said Construct's mind shook even more violently, causing her to grasp her head tightly as she attempted to back away from the enemy but she was too slow as the Unknown Construct quickly closed in the distance, ripping Lotus Berserker from Lucia's hand before piercing it through her arm which nailed her to the wall.
"LUCIA!" Kiryu exclaimed, concerned before he sprinted at the Unknown Construct.
The Commandant then smashed his blade right back onto his target, his momentum temporarily pushing them both away from the injured Lucia as Kiryu gazed into the Unknown Construct's freezing eyes.
"You... 'Commandant', you would stand by her side and be prepared to die for her?" The nameless Construct questioned, locking their blades together as sparks erupted.
"I told you once and I'll tell you again; they are my team, my Constructs, they are my responsibility and I'll make sure of that." Kiryu retorted firmly, breaking off the lock before kicking the nameless Construct away from him.
"..." Silently, the ashen figure simply rebalanced herself as she watched Kiryu stand in front of Lucia, blade raised and guarded against her.
"Our consciousness is always connected, close or far, we can feel each actions we take." Lucia interjected resolutely, attempting to rip her blade out from her arm.
"...Really now?" The Unknown Construct said quietly, hand still resting on her blade's handle.
"I don't know why exactly you're targeting Lucia or what answers you want from us, but as a Commandant, I trust her and the whole of Gray Ravens with my life." Kiryu stated.
"Even if we don't know each other that much as now, I will put my trust in Kiryu to watch my back." Lucia declared to the nameless Construct, finally freeing herself before retaking her spot right next to her Commandant.
Silence was all that permeated the church hall as a few seconds passed in between.
"Trust, huh... it's a shame..." The Unknown Construct began as she unclicked her blade from the sheath again, causing Kiryu and Lucia to raise their guards.
A blink, and she's gone from their sight.
"That you would blindly put your trust in these humans who would just easily toss you aside when they're done with you."
Time seemingly slowed down as each Gray Ravens' heads turned to see the Unknown Construct in front of Kiryu without any indication that she moved from her prior spot, her red katana unsheathed in such a slow yet fast speed.
There was nothing they could do.
Kiryu turned down to see a thin line of red tracing diagonally across his chest, he felt nothing but pain that soon erupted as blood shot out from the wound that he had failed to dodge.
"KIRYU!!" They screamed yet there was nothing they could do as the ashen Construct kicked him right in the chest, sending him flying into the church wall.
The Commandant slammed painfully into the wall, enough to crack it as he then fell onto the ground with his blood slowly spilling onto the ground, painting it red as Liv rushed to his side immediately and began treating him frantically.
"Dammit!" Lee growled before doing the illogical and cutting off his pain receptors.
Thankfully, Liv treated enough of his wound which allows him to stand up again and rejoin Lucia at the front who shook with anger as she glared at the Unknown Construct.
"Lee, your wounds-!" She started but the gunner interrupted her.
"I'll survive, right now we need to stall her for reinforcements." Lee bluntly stated, readying his pistols as Lucia nodded.
"Reinforcements? What makes you think you'll live through this?" The Unknown Construct said as a twisted smile formed on her face.
Not one of insanity, not one of delusions, but one of cruel sadism.
"!?!" Lucia raised the Lotus Berserker before she felt herself getting pushed back several steps as the ashen Construct instantly closed in the distance between them.
Sparks erupting still as the blades clashed together along with their wielders' opposition to each other, one wishing to fight for her team, and one desiring their deaths.
"Kuh..!" Lucia couldn't help but let out a strained grunt as she tried to push the Construct back, only to receive more force upon her blade.
The deranged smile on the ashen Construct's face never left as her heterochromia eyes stared right back at Lucia's red ones as if taunting and boasting the power difference between them.
"If you know I'm a Construct like you, what will you think of humanity when I was betrayed by them? When I was just like you, a simple tool who only knew how to fight?"
The ashen Construct spoke out each words which grated into Lucia's mind, but the latter only firmly ignored her words before slowly pushing the former back step by step.
"Open your eyes, Lucia. What makes you think you can even trust the humans when they only care for themselves?"
However, the Unknown Construct simply pushed forward again, causing Lucia to stumble back several more steps in vain as she simply cannot break of the stalemate.
Lee sprinted around the duo, aiming straight for the nameless Construct's back before he barraged her with a hail of blue bullets which came into contact with the latter's back but to no avail did it even make her flinch.
Meanwhile as the two were engaged in combat, Liv hurriedly applied several medical treatments to Kiryu's still bleeding wound, the injury cutting not too deeply into his body but enough for him to stay out of combat as he tried to get up only to fall back down.
"Commandant, please don't move! You're not fit to fight in this state at all!" Liv stated, holding the gauze on Kiryu tightly as she applied more healing to his wound.
"They won't survive by themselves-!" Kiryu strained out, but evidently his wound simply prevented him from moving drastically.
Liv continued pumping a steady stream of healing energy into Kiryu's chest yet a troubled expression appeared on her face as she gazed at the bleeding wound.
"I can heal both human and Constructs but... treating a human would take more time due to our different body structures... then how..." Liv thought to herself.
"How is Kiryu's injury healing faster than it should be?"
Back to the fight, Lee continuously shot at the Unknown Construct who simultaneously duelled Lucia in a swordfight whilst deflecting and dodging the bullets with ease and forcing the former to keep on reposition himself as to not accidentally hit Lucia.
"Why is it that every time we clash, my consciousness is drifting even further..?" Lucia thought as she frantically parried and dodged the Unknown Construct's blade.
The difference in their abilities is clear as day, while Lucia was an exceptional fighter who've only continuously grew stronger under Kiryu's directions, the Unknown Construct was completely engulfed with the Punishing Virus yet it's obvious she wasn't using it as a power source.
Meaning, the enemy Construct's strength is of her own's, not from the virus.
If they keep this up, Lucia's consciousness will eventually drift and spike even more dangerously low and will soon lose an edge against the Unknown Construct and as for Lee, should Lucia fall in this fight then as a ranged attacker, Lee will undoubtedly fall as well.
By no means are they both weak but the enemy Construct was simply stronger.
The continuous metallic clashing seemingly roused Kiryu from his subconscious coma as he began stirring and looking at the fight, his helmet flickering every now and then, alerting him of his precarious situation and endangered health.
"How did I..?" Was all he could think off, the loss of blood somewhat dimming his mind.
All he remembered was briefly clashing with the Unknown Construct, shortly exchanging words before... she closed in the distance in a second and easily neutralised him with a cut to the chest.
"So that means... Lucia and Lee..! Damn it, they'll die if they keep this up!" Kiryu's mind slowly began regaining its thoughts as he started moving.
Through his helmet, Kiryu's eyes darted throughout each of the fighters' state and so far; both Lucia and Lee are progressively becoming more haggard. Constructs, although aren't exactly human, they still retain several aspects of one, that being mental state and identity.
If either of them die, Kiryu knows the consequences would be detrimental.
As Kiryu watched the fight, his wound unknowingly sealing up quicker much to Liv's confusion and shock and realisation that he's conscious which she tried to stop him from straining himself. The Commandant only started to notice a change.
Lucia's blade and the crimson katana seemingly slowing down along with Lee's flaming bullets, he can almost see and tell when the Constructs entered the Matrix system as they sped up for a brief moment in time and space.
By now, Kiryu didn't feel any pain, in fact, he slowly felt more invigorated as a distant memory suddenly resurfaced into his mind for no apparent reasons as he held the Sparklence Blade.
"Remember, Kiryu. You and I both possess something within our bodies that are considered 'unnatural' or even 'supernatural'. Therefore, it is imperative that you hold back your strength until the right time comes."
His father's voice echoed solemnly as Kiryu remembered the day Daigo came to see him off at the very grounds of F.O.S Academy, holding a small box for him.
"That strength of yours... it could either bring ruin or salvation but always remember-"
"With great power comes with great responsibility." Kiryu murmured, gripping the Sparklence Blade even more tightly as he stood up.
"Commandant! You shouldn't get up with that wound-!" Liv exclaimed, but Kiryu gently squeezed a hand on her shoulder.
"It's fine, trust me." He replied softly.
"But-" Liv made to retort.
"Please." Was the word that made her stop even though logically, she should be joining the fight instead of standing in the back albeit supporting the team via healing.
"What makes you think humans, Babylonia can be trusted? After what they did to me? Even now, perhaps that 'Commandant' of yours may be plotting your betrayal."
At that moment in time, something within Kiryu just snapped and he charged, fast-
"!!" The Unknown Construct tensed up before she raised her crimson blade, blocking a strike from Kiryu as he kicked her back several steps much to the Gray Ravens' shock.
"Commandant, what are you doing-?!" Lee exclaimed.
"You shouldn't be-!!" Lucia began but she stopped herself, feeling the incensed atmosphere surrounding Kiryu as he gazed at the Unknown Construct, hard.
"Betray? Listen here and listen well; out of everything I hate from politicians to Corrupted and the Punishing Virus, what I despise most are traitors."
"Cowards that stabs others in the back without hesitation just for their own gains are scum, those who would betray and leave them to die are the lowest of all trashes..."
"So you would DARE to suggest I will betray my team?" Kiryu's voice reached an equally if not, freezing tone with venom laced upon it as he pointed his sword at the Construct.
"You surely talk big for a human... but I'm willing to see if you can keep them." The Ascendant then said, unsheathing her katana.
At once and silently, both the Commandant and Unknown Construct started walking towards each other but the former stopped as Lucia grabbed Kiryu by the sleeve. Words were not needed to convey just how worried she was at this suicidal prospect of fighting an opponent that overpowered both her and Lee.
However, Kiryu simply gripped Lucia's hand softly before letting go and continuing walking. For just once again, let her trust him in winning this fight even if it's nigh impossible or suicidal.
"Before we begin, what is your designation?" Kiryu demanded, taking off his helmet since it felt more restricting than helpful now.
"...I discarded my original name a long time ago, but you can refer to me as 'Alpha', an 'Ascendant' as you would call me." The Construct stated as she took another step-
Before she and Kiryu both blitzed into each other, blades raised and instantly clashing with one and another as they rooted up dust and debris, obscuring the area from the latter's squad until they slammed their swords together, the shockwave dissipating the dust cloud.
"Hoh? I expected you to falter after the third strike." Alpha remarked disdainfully as sparks creaked from between the blades.
"...I am not that weak, even as a human." Kiryu retorted before scrapping their blades over their heads and into the ground.
Suddenly, the Commandant whipped out his GUTS Hyper Gun and shot several rounds point blank and straight into the Ascendant's chest who only gasped in response to the attack.
The white-haired Construct kicked Kiryu away from her before dashing to the sides as the latter continued firing bullets at her, prompting the former to then deflect the shots until Kiryu ran out of ammo in the magazine.
'Alpha' managed to cut another bullet into two before noticing Kiryu's briefly jumping back as his gun smoked, indicating he ran out of shots, causing her to rocket straight at him with her crimson katana raised and prepared to pierce through the Commandant.
For a brief second, had Kiryu faltered then he would have been stabbed through the chest, yet something within his body allowed him to keep up with the Ascendant's speed and power.
Something... inhumane.
However,
"Commandant! We need to help-!" Lucia spluttered out, voice straining evidently from all the accumulated injuries on her frame as she shakily tried to get up.
"[Stand down, Gray Ravens.]"
"Wha-! Vice-President?!" Lucia exclaimed, holding a finger on the comms as a voice suddenly interrupted her, a call from the Vice-President of Babylonia.
"What do you mean 'stand down'?! Commandant is fighting an Ascendant!" She said heatedly, watching the duel with distress.
"[I can see that... but clearly all of you are now ill-equipped to deal with her.]" Daigo stated despite the dangers to Kiryu.
"We can't just do nothing." Lee replied back, tensed just like the rest of the team, fluids leaking out as his frame also suffered damages.
"[Indeed, but now that fight is for Kiryu only, and only him.]"
"W-what are you talking about?! What you're saying is equivalent to sending Kiryu on a suicide mission!" Liv stated from the side, clearly more anxious out of them all.
"[That, I understand but tell me, what do you see right now?]" Daigo suddenly asked.
"Sir, with all due respect, why are you asking this question right now?!" Lucia demanded as Lee simply took one look at the duel along with Liv.
"[So you'll all understand the reason of why I am telling you stand down. So tell me now, what can you see?]" Daigo asked again with Lee answering instead of Lucia.
"Kiryu's speed is matching up with the Ascendant's... even though it should be impossible, a Construct's body is drastically different from a human's, so Kiryu... should have gotten killed several times already." Lee bluntly stated.
"Lee!" Liv exclaimed, shocked at the said prospect, especially when they're speaking to their Commandant's father no less.
"However, that does not explain why we should stand down and watch out Commandant get himself killed." Lee then added, much to their agreement.
"[Lee was it..? I appreciate that you're looking out for my son but your firearms are broken, useless in a fight. Lucia, you Sea of Consciousness is spiking dangerously high and low at the same time and making your combative abilities weaker. Liv, your cannons may be enough to clear out several Corrupted but against an Ascendant, it is nothing.]"
"Then what do you suggest we do?!" Lucia called out angrily.
"[Wait for reinforcements. Even if you did interfere, you'll die.]" Daigo answered calmly, unintentionally infuriating the squad.
"What sort of father sends his son to die?!" Liv shrieked, but only to stop herself after realising what she said as Lucia and Lee looked worried on the older Madoka's reaction.
However, what they heard in return was a tired, dejected sigh.
"[...No father should ever send his son to die... but I haven't been a good father for a while and I'm certainly not one right now.]" Daigo agreed and admitted.
The sudden confession had undoubtedly took them all off-guard but another shrill clash of metal brought their attentions back to the fight as Kiryu blocked a strike from Alpha.
Kiryu then proceeded to push back the Ascendant who quickly returned for another slash, spinning around before slicing at the Commandant who blocked the crimson katana and then redirecting his own sword onto the red blade which he scrapped towards Alpha's head.
The Sparklence Blade swiped just a mere centimetre away from Alpha's face before she blocked another slash aiming down at her head, locking her crimson katana Sakura together with Kiryu's longsword as the Ascendant's red eye bored into the Commandant's own silver ones.
"I must admit, I did not expect you to hold on for so long..." Alpha began as she slowly pushed back Kiryu's blade and himself, causing him to grunt before pushing back as well.
Volleys of sparks erupted from the clash as both Kiryu and Alpha attempted to overpower each other through their blades, each sides forced to step backwards or forward again as they relentlessly strained against each other.
"Kuh..!" Alpha couldn't help but let out a grunt of exertion, surprised that the human even had the strength to push her back briefly.
"What's the matter? Can't keep up?" Kiryu snarked.
"The one who can't keep up... is you!" Alpha rebuked before she plunged her free hand right into Kiryu's chest wound, ripping into the recently healed flesh.
"—!!?" The Commandant held back a shout of pain before he swiped off the blade lock, prompting both of them to jump back.
"COMMANDANT!" Liv cried out but Kiryu only help up a hand, preventing any of them from getting up and joining the duel.
As Kiryu took several deep breathes to reorient himself, Alpha only gazed at the blood smeared onto her mechanical hand as she looked at the former's limping body.
"What's wrong? Did you get injured?" Alpha sneered, flicking off Kiryu's blood from her hand before she realised something.
Her hand was cut open.
"What's wrong? Did you get injured?" Kiryu mimicked the Ascendant's earlier taunt with the exact tone and sneer on his face.
"...Haha... interesting..!" Was all Alpha said as she charged towards Kiryu, face not of rage nor hate from the prospect of getting harmed but something more simple.
Curiosity.
Simple and maddening curiosity at how long would the Commandant survive in this fight and so far, he managed to somehow wound her much more than the Constructs in his little squadron. That was enough reason for Alpha to exert more strength into their swordfight.
The Sparklence Blade and Sakura both blitzed into a blurred outline as Kiryu and Alpha resumed their clash, sparks blew as both of them dodged and weaved away from each other's attacks which only ended after Alpha managed to briefly thrust forward and forcing Kiryu back several steps towards a wall before he got nicked right in the shoulder.
"Commandant... he's getting hurt but... he's also getting faster as well..." Lee observed before Daigo spoke up again, bringing their attention to him once more.
"[What defines my son is not his cold and efficient militaristic nature you all haven't seen yet but the kindness underneath it, whatever responsibilities given to him, Kiryu will keep it and shoulder it on his own.]"
Kiryu ducked underneath the crimson blade before it could take his head and then retaliated with several consecutive swings towards Alpha who responded by parrying and deflecting the majority of Kiryu's attacks.
The Ascendant immediately swatted away the last attack before raising her katana and slicing down at Kiryu, the latter's reflexes instantly went into overdrive as he threw himself out of the way, allowing Alpha to swing down at nothing but the walls.
"[I'm certain you've all have seen that kindness in Kiryu but...]" Daigo continued as each of the Gray Ravens remembered one particular memory when they met their Commandant.
For Lucia, Kiryu immediately trusted her despite meeting each other for the first time, he watched her back and she his, he made sure to upgrade her to the maximum potential while asking for nothing in return except for her further partnership.
For Liv, Kiryu treated her far better than her previous commandant, patient and kind with the young Construct's meek and timid demeanour, Kiryu never lashed out at her nor treated her like an object but instead an individual that belonged.
For Lee, Kiryu accepted and understood Lee's distrust towards Kurono Corps and himself, though that didn't stop the latter from asking the Construct for advices on engineering which eventually resulted in the whole of Gray Ravens coming together as a complete team.
If that was Kiryu's kindness, then they were more than glad to have seen it.
"[Kindness alone won't be enough for him to survive in this world, which is why I'm asking you not as the Vice-President... but as a father...]"
To be personally requested by the said individual over the comms, the Gray Ravens couldn't help but feel just slightly overwhelmed since it's something they cannot possibly refuse.
However, whatever Daigo words was about say got cut off as a loud clash brought their attention back to the fight that they were restricted from joining, the Ascendant just managed to deflect another strike from Kiryu which left him briefly open.
"COMMANDANT! CATCH!" Lucia suddenly shouted, hurling Lotus Berserker towards him as Alpha dashed at him with her own blade raised.
Kiryu fluidly caught Lucia's sword before he briefly dual-wielded it with the Sparklence Blade against the Unknown Construct, clashing and slashing their swords altogether as sparks erupted and the winds sliced apart into gusts.
Kiryu slashed parried another attack before swiping at the Ascendant who responded by leaping into the air whereas the Commandant turned around and slammed both his weapons onto the incoming crimson katana, causing a mild burst of shockwave.
As Lucia was just prepared to leap into the fight despite the odds, Lee and Liv then heard Daigo's words, as if he couldn't hear or see the ongoing fight that his own son is participating in.
"[Look after my son even when I'm not there for him, look after him in my stead and he will certainly look after all of you.]"
"You are... awfully trusting towards us, to make a request like that." Lee bluntly remarked.
"[Kiryu trusts you all and I will trust his judgement, this is not an order nor should it be perceived as one, but a request from an old man who's unable to see his son as often as he should have.]" Daigo answered back.
"How could we? When we can't even join the fight for him?" Liv demanded, gesturing at the duel which she so desperately wanted to assist in.
However, her cannon's maximum output wasn't even strong enough to fully disintegrate the Ascendant's clothes or burn her frame so what else could she do besides provide support?
Even if she did join the fight and heal whatever wounds Kiryu got from the enemy Construct, she would immediately become the next target for the Ascendant, and she didn't want to be more of a burden to Kiryu should he decide to both fight and protect her at the same time.
"[Trust me to ask you to put your faith in Kiryu's skills, he won't die, not here nor now.]"
That was all Daigo said before another clash once more, brought their attentions back to the fight as Alpha managed to knock Lotus Berserker out of Kiryu's hand before she leapt over another slash and then spun around violently to strike the Commandant.
Kiryu instantly brought his guard up as he parried the blade aimed to take his neck, the Ascendant in return simply retaliated with more strikes, each one faster than the last but the Commandant managed to deflect and block each moves, reacting faster and faster as well.
"Again and again, he keeps on parrying my strikes... how?" Alpha's expression was becoming more and more curious albeit slightly irritated as well.
Kiryu blocked another slash as his eyes zeroed in on the Ascendant's stance, her form and movements, everything he saw, his mind seemingly reacting faster for him as he dodged and avoided each cuts aimed at his vitals.
"Blade incoming on the right... now the left, and now towards my head! Lean back, counter, strike now, dodge!" Kiryu repeatedly told himself as he continued countering the attacks.
"How... is Commandant- Kiryu, doing all this?" Lucia asked, watching the swordplay in wonder as Lee and Liv too, watched on.
"[Kiryu... always had a gift in combat, but what he couldn't do is control his own strength. Which is why I sent him to F.O.S, so he could hold himself back until the right time.]"
Daigo stated just as Kiryu and Alpha clashed their blades together with sparks erupting out as they gazed into each other's eyes, neither one backing down or giving up.
"Are we to assume that 'time' is now?" Lee questioned.
"[...Indeed, the time has come and so has Kiryu's.]" Daigo affirmed.
Kiryu raised the Sparklence Blade which the crimson katana slammed onto, slightly pushing him aside as he shoved the sword off before striking forward repeatedly at Alpha which quickly and almost effortlessly parried the attacks.
Alpha deflected another slash and then proceeded to lock Sakura right onto the Sparklence Blade once more before she sweep the Commandant across the church grounds, dust gathering from the friction of Kiryu's boots resisting the act.
The Commandant immediately charged forward at Alpha who did the same before slicing across and towards Kiryu which countered by jumping over the attack and slashing at the Ascendant whilst he's still in the air, but Alpha managed to parry the strike once again.
As they locked blades again and again, they simply began fighting faster and faster as both the Commandant and Ascendant began ignoring everything but their duel against each other.
"[Perhaps it's Kiryu's innate ability to fight so well, or perhaps it's because holding back caused his skills to fall dormant, but now? His body is waking up.]"
Daigo remarked as Kiryu arm became a blur along with Alpha's the Sparklence Blade vanishing into an outline of white and Sakura an outline of red as both fighters relentlessly tore at each other while seemingly dancing across the battlefield.
Kiryu countered another strike and then proceeded to just dodge several more cuts before an unfortunate timing allowed Alpha to slice right onto Kiryu's cheek, which he retaliated by striking back quicker than the Ascendant could pick on, cutting her cheek as well.
"How are you still alive?!" Alpha finally couldn't help but demand as she knocked the Commandant back a few steps.
"I have no idea!" Kiryu replied back, as if he didn't just survive several what would be fatal strikes aimed at him.
"WHY WON'T YOU DIE?!" Alpha demanded again, slashing at the Commandant.
"I WANT TO SAY NANOMACHINES BUT WE'RE HARDLY ONTO THAT CHAPTER YET!!" Kiryu shouted back over the cacophony of metallic clashes.
Suddenly, Kiryu then broke the contest of speed as he knocked the crimson katana upwards and then landing a brutal kick right into Alpha's abdomen, sending her into a wall.
"Tch-!" Alpha only grunted, an irritated expression on her face instead of a pained one as she pushed herself out before Kiryu's voice caught her attention.
"Since you enjoy sending those shockwaves to me, so here's one of my own." Kiryu exclaimed as he raised the Sparklence Blade up high into the air-
Before swinging down with all his might as the accumulated energy from within was released towards the Unknown Construct, in the form of a golden shockwave that tore through the entirety of the church, ripping the building walls into shreds.
"-!!!" The Ascendant's eyes widened before she immediately leapt to the side as the wave of pure force surged past her, almost sending her into the air.
Dust and debris gathered as the area is completely obscured from both side, rendering them blind as Alpha tried to peer through the clouds but only to find a glint of a blade closing in.
Before the Ascendant could raise her katana, the Sparklence Blade managed to pierce past her guard and right into her own chest as Kiryu pinned her right into the remaining wall.
Alpha gasped in pain for the first time in this fight as she attempted to pry off the sword embedded within her but only for Kiryu to hold it in, hard as he held up the GUTS Hyper gun, with one last bullet remaining in the magazine.
"He did it." Was all Lee could say, shocked by the sight of a human besting a Construct, an Ascendant no less.
"[...]" Eerily, on Daigo's end, everything was silent despite Kiryu's victory but the Gray Ravens were more concerned on what the Commandant would do next.
"Am I to assume you won't talk about whatever the 'Ascendants' are?" Kiryu said, slightly panting for breath as he leveled the gun to Alpha's head.
"After all of that, this is the question you decide to ask?" Alpha snarked despite the precarious situation she is in.
"I am a Commandant, it's only part of my duty to report everything back to Babylonia..." Kiryu retorted as he watched for any suspicious movements from the Construct.
"Then you should be wondering who the real enemy is, me? the Ascendants? Perhaps those afflicted by the Punishing Virus, or Babylonia itself?" Was all Alpha said.
"...Do not play mind games with me." The Commandant rebuked, frowning.
"I never did play any games with your mind, you were the one who assumed so." Alpha retorted, hand still gripping the Sparklence Blade tightly.
Kiryu then scowled before he walked back several steps but still keeping his gun trained on Alpha in case she does anything, the Commandant then stood in front of the Gray Ravens.
"What... should we proceed with?" Kiryu murmured, unsure for the first time.
"Logically, we should eliminate the Ascendant here and now, but seeing Babylonia has yet to obtain much data on their kind... we may have to go for a live capture." Lee answered slowly.
"And risk the virus infecting everything on Babylonia? Unlikely..." Kiryu replied.
"What are our options then..?" Lucia interjected, keeping her eyes on Alpha, though her senses fluctuated constantly, with glitches surrounding her vision.
"We could perhaps send in a report now to Babylonia..." Liv added, worriedly checking Kiryu's body for any wounds.
"Perhaps..." Kiryu all but said as he connected his comms to Babylonia.
"[-------------------]" However, all he received was white noises.
"...I can't connect to Babylonia..." Said the Commandant, levelling his gun still.
"Asides from the virus originating from the Ascendant, it shouldn't be enough to disrupt a connection from here to Babylonia..." Lee frowned as he tried to contact the other side as well.
"Do we still need to move to another location?" Lucia asked.
"Considering we WERE trying to move to another location in the first place, very likely... then we're going to have to deal with the Ascendant over there." Kiryu stated.
They looked over to the said Construct who appeared to be ignoring her and instead, looking up at something through the cracks in the church ceiling before she scowled, hard.
"Tch, can't believe he's coming..." Alpha growled.
"Who's coming?" Kiryu demanded, his ears somehow picking up her whisper.
"...Someone who knows you... and your father." Answered the Ascendant.
"Knows father and... me?" Kiryu repeated, apprehensive before his ears also picked up something in the distant.
Whatever it is, it's quickly approaching at a rapid speed and it wasn't until Kiryu became more alarmed as Liv suddenly exclaimed in horror.
"The virus levels are spiking hard! It's increasing further than the Ascendant!"
Kiryu's instincts flared up and went into overdrive as he heard something getting shot towards the roof of the church, not whatever the thing was that's approaching fast but something smaller and faster and... destructive.
"GET DOWN!!" Kiryu screamed as the ceiling practically exploded into chunks of concrete and debris as smoke covered the area immediately.
Liv saw several concrete debris falling onto where they stood before immediately standing up and aiming her cannons at the chunks, blasting them into tiny pieces until none remained all the while Kiryu felt something hit him, HARD as he was flung back towards his squadron.
"Commandant!" Lucia exclaimed as Kiryu slammed right into her whereas she quickly steadied him before he could get hurt.
Lee then saw something getting thrown towards them, his sharp eyes instantly catching the Sparklence Blade that was ripped out from Alpha and hurled at them, Kiryu especially.
It wasn't long until the dust cleared out and a figure walked into their sight, the Gray Ravens could only widen their eyes as a new adversary introduced itself in the form of a mechanical humanoid suit with grey and black accents.
However, what struck their attention is the figure's blue eyes and the core that's located in their chest which shone above what appears to be red and yellow protectors that twist around the figure's breastplate and back.
What alarmed them further was the fact that the newcomer helped the formerly pinned Ascendant, evidently from the missing sword that pinned her to the wall.
"I did not need your help, Masaki." Alpha grounded out, holding the wound in her chest.
"Never intended to give it anyway." The mysterious figure retorted before his sight zeroed in on Kiryu's limping form.
"What are you?" Kiryu demanded, raising his blade.
"...The One Who Inherits the Shadows." The mechanical figure introduced himself in a garbled but distinctive masculine voice.
"One who inherits the shadows..?" Lucia muttered.
"After all these years, all those times, Daigo didn't die as I thought he did but instead, he conceived a child." Said the figure.
"What the hell do you know about my father?" Kiryu questioned, GUTS Hyper aimed at him.
"More than you would have known in all these years, who he was and what he was."
"What..?" Was all Kiryu could say in confusion.
"No matter, we all have much more important matters to attend to..." The suited individual stated before vanishing into a blur of dark-red lightning-
And then reappearing right in front of Kiryu, in the middle of the dumbstruck team.
"But first, let's go for a ride."
Was all Kiryu heard before he felt his head getting clamped on by a metallic hand which he then felt lightness in his body and nothing more but the winds.
The Commandant then realised, they were flying through the air.
================================
Lucia and the rest as well as Alpha might have been a bit too OOC in my opinion, and Evil Tiga's appearance is only for this chapter for now, the next chapter will reveal the MC's own suit and I'm more than certain you all know what it's going to be so stay tuned! Also thank you for the patience for those still waiting for a chapter on this story.
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