(POV - 3RD)

Kiryu found himself groaning as his eyes slowly opened under the intense lights shining down on his face, the Commandant then got up only to find himself in a medical bed.

"I'm back..?" He murmured to no one as he then heard a door open.

"Oh, you're awake." Kiryu heard Asimov's apathetic voice spoke out as he tried to adjust his senses to his surroundings.

"What happened?" Kiryu then asked as the scientist flipped a page on the clipboard in his hand.

"You don't remember? Then I may have to note down a possible memory loss..." Asimov muttered, jutting down the said remark.

"I only remember engaging an Ascendant in a fight and another one appearing..!" Kiryu answered back before realisation hits him.

"Where's Lucia and the rest?! Are they in-!?" He began but Asimov interrupted him.

"They are all in stable conditions requiring only minor treatments, it's only you with the most injuries out of the squadron... ironically." Stated the scientist.

"Then did you get an analysis at whoever attacked us?" Kiryu questioned.

"...Other than the fact that we know for certain that 'Alpha' and 'Masaki' are both Ascendants, there's nothing else we know of, especially for the latter." Asimov said.

"If that's the case, how did we survive?" Asked the Commandant as the scientist narrowed his eyes before noting down something.

"I suppose memory loss is really a side-effect to keep an eye out for..."

"Just tell me." Kiryu sighed as he felt a headache growing.

"Look to your left." Was all Asimov said.

Kiryu complied before his senses immediately flared up as he reached for his Sparklence Blade but only to grab nothing, the Commandant then scrutinised the thing in front of him much to Asimov's exasperated chagrin as he spoke up.

"Calm down, that suit is yours and the Sparklence got damaged in the fight so I'm in the middle of restoring and enhancing it."

The Commandant nodded numbly as he looked at the suit in front of him, its appearance eerily boring a resemblance to the Ascendant that pulled him up into the air except its colouration heavily contrasts Masaki's own suit of grey and black.

Instead, Kiryu's suit was more vibrantly coloured with purple and red schemes along with golden indents on the chest and within a brighter silver tone on the metallic areas.

"...What exactly is this thing? Why does it resemble that Ascendant?" Kiryu demanded.

"It's a testament to your bloodline, your existence." Asimov cryptically said much to the Commandant's ire.

"What do you mean by that? That Ascendant said the same thing about my existence being unnatural and you're the second one to say that so what are you hiding-"

"That is not for me to explain but your father." Interrupted the scientist, walking out before Kiryu could say anything else.

Asimov opened the door leading out of the infirmary ward before he paused at the entrance, seemingly talking to someone who then revealed himself much to Kiryu's surprise.

"Father..." Said the Commandant, his voice unsure of what else to say.

"Kiryu." Daigo Madoka said in return, after so long of not being able to see his own flesh and blood, and only able to see him in an infirmary.

Yet, despite this meeting, neither knew how to start first.

==================================

Meanwhile, on Babylonia's bridge overlooking the whole Earth, the Gray Ravens were receiving a post review of the recent mission that had gone wrong from Hassen personally.

"Well done on the mission, although it came as a surprise, that Nozzle gave us enough description on who to look out for, especially after this incident." He said.

"And with the results, I'm quite glad to see Gray Raven working together with a remarkable Commandant as well, as far as I could see, you've all improved drastically."

"Well, enough of that. I'll begin the debrief." Hassen stated before Lucia spoke up.

"President..." 

"What is it?" 

"How's Commandant's condition..?" Lucia asked, the team wasn't really able to get in touch with Kiryu after that incident down on Earth.

Despite the Construct's concern, Hassen simply waved off confidently.

"Kiryu will be fine, he's just... having a moment with his father so we'll be detailing you the next mission objective after Kiryu recovers and gets his bearings." 

The President said before motioning Celica to come forward.

"We have already analysed the recollection of memories from the Nozzle unit, from what we know of, the Nozzle was influenced by what is known as the 'Sagemachina' instead of the Punishing Virus." She started.

"However, because of this influence, the Nozzle unit came under conflict with another Corrupted unit which we dub as 'Iron Maiden' who is undoubtedly another machine connected to the 'Ascendants' which you've encountered not one but two."

"Alpha and Masaki." Lee interjected as they glanced at him.

"Although we haven't gotten enough details, these two names were the only thing we've discovered from the Ascendants... and Masaki seems to have a personal ire with Commandant just as Alpha does with Lucia." Lee said as Hassen nodded.

"Indeed, which is why you'll be deployed back onto the Earth after Kiryu gets better, to get more intel on the enemies which you may or may not encounter once more."

"Understood." Lucia affirmed.

"President Hassen..." Liv spoke up as the said man gestured her to continue.

"I understand the objective of our next mission but... it doesn't explain why 'Masaki' was so fixated on Kiryu even though they just met... and it also doesn't answer what that suit was that bonded to Commandant." Said the Construct.

"...The only thing I could tell you for now is that Masaki, Kiryu and his father are both connected through an unfortunate fate." Hassen stated.

"Because their powers are... special, unique and out of this world." He added.

==================================

"What do you mean our bloodline is 'special'?" Kiryu asked his father.

"It means what it means, Kiryu. That Ascendant attacking you was not out of coincidence but specifically targeting you because of what we are." Daigo answered.

"..." The son kept silent as he mulled over his father's words, similar things were said by the Ascendant first, then Asimov and now his own father.

What was he? Or why does he possess a strength when he shouldn't have?

"Kiryu Madoka." Daigo suddenly said as the Commandant looked at him.

"As your father, I truly wished you could have been born in a better life and world, but we both have been subjected to a curse and blessing, at least I did fifty years ago."

"A curse... blessing..?" Kiryu repeated, confused.

"Yes... this strength, your strength... is something that shouldn't exist, our powers is something many would covet to and gain themselves but only can do so out of purity."

"Kiryu, when you were born, you as an infant was simply a life born into innocence and purity, thus all that powers that used to be held in my body... transferred into yours." Daigo stated.

"...Alright... assuming I'll just accept everything you've said, father... then what can you tell me about that... suit? And why does it look like the Ascendant's?" Kiryu questioned.

Daigo then glanced at the suit standing in the corner, his eyes laced with what appears to be nostalgia and grief but at the same time, relief and confidence.

"That suit is what makes you and my existence... special."

"...You are the third person to say that, but it still doesn't tell me what it is." Kiryu retorted.

"Do you remember the biggest events that happened fifty years ago?" Daigo asked.

"...The Giant of Light?" The Commandant answered as Daigo nodded.

"Indeed, the Titan or the Giant of Light which all children and adults back then know as 'Ultraman Tiga' vanquished a great darkness encroaching on the planet."

"However, as the Golden Age slowly died out with the Punishing Virus' rise, records soon disappeared and Tiga was never heard of ever again... until now."

Daigo stated before gesturing at the suit.

"That suit, which is designated as the Tiga Suit is a creation made to mimic the powers of the original Giant of Light and to contain our powers."

"Contain our powers? What happens if we don't?" Kiryu inquired.

"That power will be like a flowing stream of water, all wasted without a container to hold and use it up, which is why the suit was created through me and Asimov's cooperation."

"As for why the Ascendant look just like the suit... Masaki and I have a long history... that's all I can tell you for now." Daigo answered.

"...What happened back then..?" Kiryu asked again.

"Do you not remember how the fight went? Then to make the story short, the Tiga Suit responded to your innate desire to survive and it simply broke into the orbit autonomously just as we were about to send it ourselves when we couldn't contact you."

"We feared the worst when the line cut off and the rate of Punishing Virus spiked."

"Tsk... right... I guess that's where my head injury came from..." Kiryu murmured, rubbing his bandaged head before a headache flashed by.

Along with a memory.

==================================

The fist that enclosed itself around Kiryu's neck remained firm as the two flew through the air and across the ruined city, the Commandant attempted to pry the hand off but to no avail which he then opted smashing his free fist into the Ascendant's face.

However, despite the blows sent to his head point blank, the Ascendant was unfazed before he suddenly threw the Commandant down onto the ground, sending Kiryu tumbling several feet across on the concrete which he quickly righted himself up.

Ignoring the scrapes and cuts which he noted didn't hurt much as it looked it would, Kiryu then aimed his GUTS Hyper at the Ascendant.

"Who are you? And what do you know of my father... or me?" He demanded.

"More than you think... but I'd rather nip the buds then wait for them to grow." The being replied before raising his arm and slashing at Kiryu-

The Commandant immediately leapt to the side, shooting his firearm at the figure before glancing back to see a wrecked truck completely sliced cleanly in two.

"Hm... you're faster than I anticipated... oh well." The Ascendant or Masaki spoke before he blitzed towards Kiryu who tried to make space between them.

"Guess it'll make everything more fun when I kill you." Masaki ominously said before slicing down, his attack cleaving deeply into the solid concrete ground as Kiryu dodged again.

"What are you? An Ascendant as well?! And why target me specifically?"" Kiryu questioned, firing more bullets at Masaki.

"I suppose I can be considered one... but for your other question... I said it before. I'd rather nip the buds then wait for them to grow."

Before saying anything else, Masaki charged forward again, this time his speed faster than Kiryu could keep away from which he instantly avoided a hand aimed to pierce his head but only cutting his cheek slightly as the former missed.

Kiryu wasn't idle as he threw his own punch but his fist harmlessly bouncing off the Ascendant's armour with not a single damage on its surface before Masaki socked the Commandant right in the abdomen, cutting off his air briefly.

Masaki then grabbed Kiryu by the neck again before lifting him up and then slamming him back into the ground, by some miracle the Commandant's head wasn't smashed into a paste which the latter then opted to fire the GUTS Hyper point blank at the Ascendant.

Unfortunately, the shots have little to no effects on Masaki who raised his hand again, this time fully intending on stabbing through Kiryu's neck.

Kiryu pulled the trigger again but there was no ammo left in his handgun... which meant he could only watch Masaki's clawed hand shooting right towards his head-

Suddenly, Kiryu briefly saw the clouds above break away for a speck of light to shoot down onto the ground before something smashed into the Ascendant, pushing him away as dust enveloped the area, obscuring him and Masaki.

Kiryu looked at another imposing figure standing protectively in front of him and Masaki, its colours slowly showing themselves in the tone of purple and red and silver laced with gold.

However, what happened next was unexpected as the figure in front of Kiryu slowly opened up with its backside exposing and before anyone or Kiryu could do anything.

The now empty suit automatically fell onto the Commandant.

"Wha-?!" Kiryu could only exclaim as he felt the suit assimilate onto his body, its metallic armour slowly covering him back up before an interface activated.

His vision then lit up as Kiryu looked through the suit's helmet and clenched his fists because... he felt invigorated, stronger like never before.

"Hoh... so instead of coming himself, he lets his son do the work?" Masaki mockingly said as he looked at the Commandant.

Now donned in a similar suit, Kiryu stood in front of Masaki, his own eyes and light shining.

Kiryu took a step forward before he instantly closed in the distance between them, leaping into the air as he reeled back his fist and aiming right at Masaki.

The Ascendant immediately leapt back as Kiryu's fist smashed opened the concrete ground with ease, cracks spreading far and quickly which he then flipped his legs around and landed a brutal kick directly at Masaki's face that pushed him back several metres.

Kiryu dashed towards the Ascendant who righted himself just in time to see the former reeled back a fist and then smashing it once more onto his face, this time, Kiryu had enough strength to effectively rattle Masaki's head who he then proceeded to pummel into.

Despite the Commandant's furious onslaught, the Ascendant did not seem disoriented from the numerous blows smashing into his face, Masaki only retaliated with his own punches which were significantly stronger than Kiryu's own.

Kiryu punched Masaki in the face again which the latter did the same before the two armoured fighters both simultaneously kicked each other right in the chest, pushing them back.

As Masaki balanced himself, an unknown dark purple energy began condensing around his fist which he then fired at the charging Kiryu who raised his arm instinctively.

Out of nowhere, a shield-like apparatus formed around his arm before a beam of bluish light shot out like a blade which effortlessly deflected the purple projectile shot at him.

The deflected energy bolt then flew behind Kiryu and into a ruined building which subsequently erupted into a massive explosion that tore the structure down, bringing up dust everywhere.

"Zepellion Spear? I like it." Kiryu muttered, looking at the shining contraption on his arm before raising his other arm which another spear burst out.

Although Kiryu displayed a pair of luminous and undoubtedly dangerous gear on him, Masaki still remained unfazed as he simply scoffed with his contemptuous mechanical tone.

"Here I thought the end of the Golden Age and the rise of the Punishing Virus would cause humanity to decline in their capabilities to adapt but looks like I was wrong..."

Masaki then shot a stream of dark-purple laser right at Kiryu who raised both arms and began defending against the attack, splitting the stream apart as it made contact with his spears.

Kiryu charged at the Ascendant who continued shooting the laser at him but to no avail did it pierce through the Zepellion Spears before the former closed in the distance between them and slashed at Masaki who leapt into the air.

The Commandant turned to see the Ascendant landing on a building before to his surprise, ripping off a huge chunk off the side and then throwing it right at Kiryu who simply charged at it.

With a slice of light, the huge of concrete was split into two, making way for Kiryu to fly through the debris with not a single scratch on him much to Masaki's growing ire.

"Damn human-!" Was all he could say as Kiryu grabbed hold of his head which he then flipped over in the air and then throwing the Ascendant down.

Masaki smashed into the ground with a brutal impact before Kiryu landed on him, his boots digging into the former's abdomen, earning a grunt from the Ascendant as the Commandant began pummelling his fists into Masaki's face again.

However, before Kiryu could land another punch onto Masaki, the latter grabbed his fists and then kicked the Commandant away, the former's instincts allowing him to flip back without any issues as Kiryu looked to see the Ascendant standing up.

"This is getting ridiculous..." Was all Kiryu said as he saw Masaki reeling back both of his arms and then spread them both to the sides.

Suddenly, Kiryu's senses went into overdrive as his instinct flared again, this time warning him of an incoming danger that came in the form of Masaki bringing his arms together as dark and purple aura surrounded his entire figure.

"What is this..?!" He exclaimed, taking a step back before he saw a component on his right arm open up with a port that briefly glowed.

Whether it was by instincts as well or guesswork, Kiryu didn't question anything more as he reeled back his arms as well and then bringing them forward together in front of him before spreading them to the side just as he saw a line of violet light gather around his chest.

"Oh... TO HELL WITH THIS!!!" Kiryu bellowed as he saw Masaki brought his arms together just as he did in a L-shaped formation.

The next thing he saw was light, pure and bright light that blinded his sight and a dense rumbling noise as Kiryu saw a stream of white energy expel from his right arm and against Masaki's own dark stream of black and purple laser.

An explosion shook the area and Kiryu felt himself getting flung back into wall as he coughed slightly before peering into the dense smokes and dust and flames.

"Did... I get him..?" Kiryu panted.

His question was soon answered as a figure revealed itself, still standing in the flames and dust as Kiryu watched on with disbelief as Masaki's form remained smoking.

"Seriously..?" Kiryu exclaimed, preparing himself for another fight but only to stop as he saw the sheer state that Masaki was in.

There he stood, still alive somehow but his side was completely blown off, revealing the skeletal and mechanical structures within, wired together with flesh and steel as Masaki spoke out from his shattered helmet, revealing his jaws and more wires-

"What the hell are you..?! Who are you?!" Kiryu demanded as the Ascendant surveyed his own injuries with not a single care in the world before turning to him.

"Remember my appearance... Kiryu Madoka." Masaki's garbled and distorted voice said.

"I am the One Who Inherits the Shadows, your shadow, Ultraman Tiga." Was all he announced before he flew off into the sky, disappearing into the clouds.

Kiryu stared at the sky as the clouds slowly parted ways for the sunlight to shine down but the Ascendant was nowhere to be seen before steam and air blew out of his suit's helmet as the Commandant took it off his sweat-covered head.

"One who inherits the shadows..? My shadow..? Wouldn't that make him... Evil... Tiga..?" Kiryu muttered before he tried to get back to the Gray Ravens.

However, his legs then gave away as he fell to the ground, his armour also powering down as he felt the weight bringing him down onto the asphalt as he dropped the helmet.

Kiryu fell just in time to see Lucia sprint around a corner, his breathing getting heavier along with his eyes as he saw the Construct desperately run at him with concern etched on her face.

He then saw Lee signal something in the sky before an aircraft landed onto the ground.

"...At least... they're alright..." Was all the Commandant said as he blacked out before he felt Lucia's hands grabbing onto him.

==================================

Kiryu blinked as he rubbed his head again.

"Looks like you remember now, don't you?" Daigo asked.

"The One Who Inherits the Shadow... his name was Masaki but you knew him... didn't you?" Kiryu asked, turning to his father.

"...That I did, but as I said, that's all I can tell you for now."

"I... I see..." The Commandant wanted to protest but he decided to leave for now, there are more things to be concerned about.

"How's my squad?" Kiryu asked.

"They're fine, it's you who they are more concerned about, considering you took on Masaki by yourself at first." Daigo replied.

"When can I be expected to leave?" 

"A few days but most likely in one if your body is capable of speeding up your healing factor." 

"Healing factor? Another thing that came with... my power?" Kiryu asked as his father simply nodded much to his chagrin.

"If only I never had this strength... maybe I can still be normal..." The Commandant muttered to himself, but only for Daigo to interrupt him.

"Trust me, son. I also had the same reaction when I discovered this power but... I've learn to accept it. Perhaps you should as well, because you are the one Who Inherits the Light, my light and your mother's." He said warmly.

"Your light and mother's..." Kiryu repeated quietly before he felt a hand on his shoulder as Daigo stood up, gently pushing him onto the bed.

"Rest for now, as much as I hate to say it, you have a mission afterwards. Your sword will be sent back by Asimov himself so be patient."

With his last words said, Daigo then left the medical ward, leaving Kiryu by himself.

However, there is much to think of after what had transpired.

==================================