~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Chronicle Seven - a village called Green Cloud ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Below the stone gardens and rock precinct of the Temple of Tlazolteotl was the small but very important research facility of Holy Protocol's biotechnological experiments. It had been built just after the former Protocol took over the temple, this being one of the places on earth that contained information and relics from the ancient human civilization born from the Novus Deus. The research station was just over thirty metres underground and had to be reached via a small lift. In one of those padded, purely white rooms, Freeman Ronove sat upon a sole metal chair. His eyes were closed and his head drooped slightly. Cables and wires were hooked certain points of his flesh, connected by small probes entering his veins. Those cables trailed to the white ground and ran through the wall. Which was the point at which those cables connected to a secondary computer in a separate room. That computer had visual screens on it. Each one regulating or monitoring a certain piece of data extracted from Freeman. Heart rate, blood pressure, brainwaves, breathing patterns; etc. But more importantly, they measured Freeman's overall Qi-Level. And it had jumped to a level that the scientists observing him couldn't understand. Three Holy Protocolian men, each of them in white coats, worked on gathering data from Freeman. Scientist #1 sat beside the computer, gathering the information being fed to his terminal from Freeman's room. The other two, Scientists #2 and #3 watched Freeman's reaction through the one-way glass window of lab. Though the readings they were getting were immense, his expression was so calm and conserved. Scientist #3 looked over at the computers from the window. "What's the status on his Qi-Level? Is it stronger than it was at Ix Nos Babel?" "This is amazing," Scientist #1 remarked, "his vital signs are all average. And yet is Qi-Level is simply gigantic. It's ranking in at over 4,900 without synchronization with the Raum Meta Suit. If he were to pilot it now... he'd have Qi-Level of over 31,000 units. At the very least. His symbiosis was completely successful." "The Heart of the Astaroth, huh?" Scientist #2 said, "This boy does seem to capture the image of it. Those big-wigs at the Ochiai Underground Research Facility won't have all the glory now." Scientist #3 nodded. "Maybe. Still. I can't help but wonder why the Heart of the Astaroth is synonymous with this one. He is the Thanatos. Where in the Tablets of Destiny does it say that Eros and Thanatos can achieve that state?" "Maybe there's more we don't know about them," Scientist #1 stated, "don't forget that at least 30% of the Tablets eroded through time. This could be just another one of those mysteries. And since we can no longer continue experimentation on Princess Ashura, what better way to study the properties of the Astaroth's Heart?" Scientist #2 mused the idea. "Oh well. At least we have this data. We can think about the reasons once we've finished the job here. Besides. He has a pretty important mission now, too." The third scientist then spoke into a microphone by the window of the room. It amplified his voice so that it could be heard through both rooms, by Freeman. "Well done, Mister Ronove. We have all the data we need. You should prepare for the attack on the village of Green Cloud now." Freeman slowly opened his eyes and beamed another powerful grin. He grabbed the cables in his arms, legs, skull and chest, then pulled them all out. He dropped them to the floor and stood up, smoothing out his Aztec-like robes. Freeman walked to the far door of the room and tapped a few codes into the keypad. The automatic door then opened for him. Freeman walked out of the laboratory into a separate corridor, then turned to the left towards the Meta Suit hangar. On his way down the corridor, the eyes of the Thanatos narrowed out on a man standing just a short ways ahead of him. A man dressed in a similar white coat to the others. This man pulled a small smile and adjusted his glasses, looking to be no more than 29 years of age. "Excuse me," Said the man, "would you happen to be Freeman Ronove, the 'Thanatos' of this present generation?" Freeman stopped walking. "And you are?" "...I have gone by many names. For now... you can call me... Doctor Geist Fahlem." "So, Doctor Fahlem," Freeman began, "what do you want of me?" Dr. Fahlem smirked. "Now, now. There is no need for that kind of tone. I am not an enemy of yours. Although there is any enemy of yours out there, isn't there? But just who is that enemy, I wonder?" "Are you speaking of Eros?" The Thanatos asked. "Possibly." "What can you know of us?" Freeman questioned, "We are the children of destiny, selected by divine right to lead this planet to its fullest destiny. I am more than a puny human like you could ever hope to contemplate. Just as Eros is." Dr. Fahlem smiled ominously, running a hand through his ponytail. "...Is that so? Those are awfully powerful words from someone with blood that remains tainted by the second of all sins. Do you consider yourself to be God's avatar in this state?" Freeman narrowed his eyes. "...What do you mean...?" "The failure of the last reunion," Geist put forth, "should be proof enough of it. As well as the fact that you, of all people, are able to achieve symbiosis with the Heart of the Astaroth itself. Doesn't that intrigue you? Such a thing proves your impurity, does it not?" A growl escaped Freeman's lips. "...Miserable human. Do you presume to doubt my worthiness in the eyes of God...!?" "In the 'Eyes of God'...? Well, I wouldn't know about that. What I do know is that the word 'dispensability' is as much of a description of your present role as any other. It is a pity then, that you choose to ignore that. Because your power would be a great asset in the new world." Freeman ignored the comments about his 'dispensability' to focus on the last thing that Dr. Fahlem had said. Something about the 'new world'. What did he mean by that? "...New world...?" "In the darkness of the present," Fahlem began, "the Three Wise Men shall install their faith into three stars of providence, smiled upon by fate. One star is the leader. The star of the north. The star that shall guide the new race. The second star is the bringer of death, the one who shall cleave the world in the image of God's true nature. And the final star is the redeemer, the one destined to bring about this planet's ultimate destiny. Fate is already in movement to bring these three stars to their true purpose. Once the Third Offering is given to the spirit of God... they shall be the fulcrum to which our vocations will dance. The one you regard as Eros, Yumi Mishima, happens to be one of those stars. But would it frighten you to know, Mister Freeman Ronove... that you are NOT one of those stars...?" Freeman scowled, swinging his arm to one side. "What are you talking about!? Who are you!? Why do you tell me these things!?" Dr. Fahlem chuckled to himself, wrapping his arms under each other. He then walked forwards, ignoring Freeman's higher tone of voice. Though Freeman had the Qi energy to crush his body like a grape, Dr. Geist Fahlem showed no fear whatsoever. But as he left Freeman's earshot, he whispered quietly, "Go onwards, Thanatos. You still have a duty to fulfil in the present world, regardless. So continue your path. But eventually you will learn... just how worthless you really are..." ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ AWAKEN ********** O YE WHO SHALL SOW DEATH AND DESTRUCTION INTO THE LAND ********** AWAKEN ********** O YE WHO IS THE AVATAR TO THE HEART OF THE ASTAROTH ********** AWAKEN ********** YOUR TIME OF AWAKENING IS AT HAND, O YE WHO IS THE 'CATCHER OF DEATH' ********** "...RAIN HARLAND..." ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ "...Ugh..." Rain groaned tiredly. His body just felt... worn out. Which was probably why he felt so rested. The eyes of the young man fluttered open. He could feel softness around him, under his head and around his torso. Which he knew to be a pillow and blanket. Rain opened his eyes fully and absorbed the sight of himself in bed. He looked to his right and peered out the window with a glance. His Syoga Meta Suit was standing outside of this homestead with its rusty body bathed in moonlight. Behind his Syoga were two other Meta Suits. The Bishamon M-2 and the Oriax. Which was when Rain remembered the events at the beginning of the evening. Green Cloud village had been attacked by sentries from the Holy Empire of Protocol. They were led by General Selena Fol, the new leader of the Divine Blade. Rain had seen off one of them, while two others were taken down by the Bishamon and Oriax Meta Suits. Selena had then fled with her last cohort, and escaped the village. After having a short conversation with the pilots of those two suits, Rain remembered himself passing out. Fighting in the mecha was a taxing process on him. Not because the act itself was difficult, but rather because of the burning sensation that he experienced during piloting. Even in training/practicing sessions, that hot burning wave in his body was present. It was one of the many reasons that Rain hated piloting Syoga. Every time he felt that burning, it seemed as if a tide was about to swallow him up. Like a void was opening beneath his feet and he had to struggle to stop himself from being eaten alive by it. Whatever the reason, Rain hoped that he could avoid that feeling by avoiding piloting in general. While it wasn't a foolish choice... Rain, in his heart, knew that he couldn't ignore the call of the battlefield forever. Not even if he wanted to. Rain slowly rose up, pressing his back against the headboard of the bed he was in. He then looked around. The pink paint of the walls and the plush teddy bears littering the carpeted floor of the room, proved who it belonged to. Edwina. Though she was a tomboy in spirit, she had very feminine tastes when it came to the decoration of her room. It was just one of the odd things about her character. When Rain found himself thinking about that, the door into the room opened. Edwina walked in with a damp cloth in her hand. The moment she saw Rain, she smiled. "Rain! You're awake! Geez, you've been out like a light for practically five hours, you moron! D'you wanna make a habit of scaring me like that?!" "Sorry..." Rain said sheepishly. Edwina pulled a wide smile and plopped down on the bed that was hers. "...What am I gonna do with you, huh? You're a difficult boy, Rain Harland. But at least you're up and about now. Take this." Edwina handed the wet cloth over to Rain. The boy took it into his own hands and blinked. "What am I supposed to do with this?" "Hold it to your forehead, genius. It'll cool down that fever you have." Rain nodded and pressed the cloth against his forehead. It did have a cooling effect. It was then that he remembered how good Edwina was at taking care of this sort of thing. She was always a warm, motherly person at heart, even if she had a masculine temperament to her. If she had been born in a Meta City, she probably would have been absorbed into a nursing job. Such a thing came naturally to Edwina. The brown-haired teen smiled at her friend. "There you go. If you listen to me, Rain, you'll never be steered wrong. Just... do me a favour, alright?" "What is it?" "Don't... push yourself too hard in those Meta Suits. You're not a god, you know. Even someone as good at piloting Meta Suits as you is gonna get overworked at some point. I guess what I'm trying to say is... chill out, a little. I don't want you to, y'know, get hurt or something." Rain pulled another tiny smile. "...Edwina..." "I mean it, you know?" The girl stated, "Now hurry on up. Those two people who helped you fight of those Protocol guys are downstairs. And they have someone else with them, too." "You mean Yumi and Terry?" Asked Rain. Edwina shrugged. "I guess that's them. Do you know them?" "...Not... really. They introduced themselves... after the fight. I suppose I should go down there and thank them for their help... against Protocol." Rain sighed, and then removed the cold cloth he had pressed against his head. He then slid out of the pink blankets of Edwina's bed and stood upright. The silver-haired boy walked over to the door and opened it, with Edwina following closely behind him. The two walked across the landing and down the stairs of the house. Once they got to the ground floor they both turned a right and walked into the dining hall/living area. In the centre of the sparsely decorated room was a thick oak table. Sitting around the table were four people. One of them Rain knew. A middle-aged man by the name of Kurt Saffron, the father of Edwina. The other three was a white-haired Japanese girl, a blonde boy of European/American descent and a young woman with glasses and a non-Protocolian military outfit. Rain had not seen the faces of the two pilots who had saved him, but he guessed that blonde boy was Terry, and one of the two girls was Yumi. Terry spoke first. "You're Rain, right? Nice to meet you in the flesh. I'm Terry. The pilot of that red suit you saw before. This girl sitting beside me is Yumi, the one who was operating the white suit." Yumi nodded to Rain. "Hi." Rain nodded back. "...H-hello." "And this," Terry looked to the other side of the table, "is Major Sophia Mariette. She's one of my superiors, and she just had to come down with us." Sophia smiled at Terry. "You know you want me here, Lieutenant. Who else would clear up your messes, hm? In any case, it's very nice to meet you, Mister Rain Harland. I've been monitoring the events here and... I was extremely impressed by your piloting skills. Not many people could defeat an Amon-type suit with an outdated model like yours." Rain blushed bashfully. "I-it was nothing... r-really..." "Eddie, Rain," Kurt said, "sit down. These people have important business." Edwina and Rain nodded and sat down by the table, drawing chairs for themselves. Once the two were seated, Edwina's mother, Bella Saffron, came out from the side entrance into the kitchen with a tray in hand. On that tray were six mugs of coffee. She placed each one of them before a seated person around the table and then wafted back into the kitchen with the tray. Sophia took a sip from the coffee mug and then placed it down. To say, "Thank you for having us for the time being, Mr. Saffron. I know we must be unconvincing you right now." "Not at all," Kurt replied, "you helped Rain fend off those Protocolian scum. That alone earns you my gratitude. This is the very least I can do to repay you." Yumi let her coffee cool down before she sipped it. "That wasn't the end of it. They will be coming back. I suspect that they deployed that team for scouting purposes. I can't pretend to know why the Divine Blade would send their leader for such a small job, but..." Kurt blinked. "But what could they want with Green Cloud? I know that the Meta Cities are deeply opposed to the existence of outside villages and towns, but, this is just a small locale. We pose no threat to any of the Meta Cities. In fact the only reason we possess Meta Suits is for protection in cases like these." Terry gulped some of his coffee before saying, "Try not to think about it like that. In any way, shape or form, Protocol would have attacked this place. But this time there is a real reason for them to interfere." "Which is?" Edwina prodded. "Your town was built over something rather special," Sophia said, "an underground set of tunnels and caverns that are interconnected with a nearby Protocolian complex. It is called the Northern American Sky Cord. It's basically a means of reaching space. It seems that Holy Protocol wants to take over the NASC to get themselves to orbit." Kurt held a hand to his chin. "Orbit? Why?" "We're not really sure," Terry stated, "but what we do know is that there's one hell of a powerful cannon up there. If the Holy Empire of Protocol gets their hands on that thing then this war's over." "So they're attacking Green Cloud to get to the tunnels that will lead them to this 'Sky Cord' gizmo? With which they can make it into outer space?" Kurt wondered. Yumi nodded. "That's the case. Though we can't be sure just what they plan on doing with the AM-Cannon, we do know that it wouldn't bode well for us. I've dealt with it before, believe me when I say that it will spell doom for the world if it is ever to be put into activation again. So we've got to stop Holy Protocol from getting into space. By securing the Sky Cord, we can do that." Edwina narrowed her eyes. "But wouldn't that drag Green Cloud into your conflicts?" "They aren't just ours," Stated Sophia, "this battle will effect the whole world. And had we come here or not, Green Cloud would have been pulled into the struggle regardless. Though it might be hard for you to accept... this village is in danger." "So why have you come here?" Kurt asked, "to defend the village or stop Protocol?" Terry waved his hand. "...Well, both really. We might seem dangerous, but trust me, us Chrysalis members are more considerate for people than either of the Protocol factions are. Of course... New Protocol will have to get involved too." Edwina rested her cheek on her palm, her elbow propping her up. "So this village is gonna be a war zone soon, is that what you're telling us?" "Not quite," Sophia said, "we're trying very hard to keep the battles out of the range of the village. That you can be sure of. Like Lieutenant Hennig said, we are a lot more considerate for the feelings and needs of the villagers outside of Protocol's influence than most military factions. We will do all we can to keep the battle away from your homes and lives. We just wanted to warn all people concerned in case something in that vein actually did happen." "Understood. I'll warn the elders and the townsfolk about this," Kurt stated, right before he looked over at Rain, "you'll probably need to help these people in the Syoga, Rain. Can you do it?" The silver-haired boy looked downwards, remaining silent. It was obvious to everyone (especially Yumi) that Rain did not enjoy fighting. But he didn't seem to have the strength of will to ignore the suffering of others, either. Edwina gazed at the quiet boy and then looked back at her father with ire. "Daddy! Rain shouldn't be fighting now! He just woke up from that last battle." "...It's okay... Edwina," Rain assured, timidly, "...I know my duty to you and... the village. I have to fight... to protect it. I can't turn my back on that..." Edwina cast her concerned eyes upon her friend. "...But Rain, I..." "Let the boy do as he wishes, Eddie," Ordered Kurt, "this is bigger than all of us. And we can't afford to waste time talking over the minute details. We have to get this message of danger to the people of Green Cloud. Then we must do all we can to stop the Holy Empire of Protocol and defend this village at the same time." "I see that," Yumi stated, "...but one thing still bothers me." Terry turned to her, drinking his coffee. "What's that, Yumi?" "When we were battling against Selena and her troops, one of them said 'anyone who denies the will of 'Princess Ashura' will be destroyed'." Sophia held a fingertip to her chin, curiously. "...Princess Ashura? Who's that?" "That's what I want to know," Yumi said, "I've always believed that there was a higher will than that of either Celaph or the Upper Council when it came to Protocol. And I once remember Celaph stating something about the 'Triad of the Inquisition'. Three prophets who back Protocol from the shadows. I think there might be a connection." Sophia adjusted her glasses. "A higher will than Celaph and the Council? You think that this Ashura person may have taken on that role?" "Yes," Yumi put forth, "it makes sense if you think about it. When Protocol was a whole entity, the Triad of the Inquisition didn't command the organization themselves for some reason. They needed representatives like Celaph to fulfil that purpose. It should be the same now as it ever was. Which means..." Terry filled in the gaps. "...That this 'Princess Ashura' chick is the new figurehead for Holy Protocol? Is that what you're saying Yumi?" "Yeah. I think so." "...I better get this information to Colonel Beatrix," Sophia added, "you two stay here and give Mr. Saffron all the help he needs in convincing the townspeople of the threat that faces them. I'm going back to the Leviathan for now." ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Just three and half miles west of Green Cloud was a small encampment. Well small enough in terms of Meta Suits. It was an encampment under the banner of the Holy Empire of Protocol. But more importantly, it was an outdoor encampment for the Divine Blade militia. Fifteen tents had been set up in the fertile grass fields. Around forty men and women, all of them operatives for the Divine Blade, buzzed in and around those tents. Just a short distance from the tents were the Meta Suits themselves. Around thirty of them. Three being Zagan-types, the other thirty six being Amons. One other was joining them, though. That mecha was the Morax, the suit belonging to the current leader of the Divine Blade, Selena Fol. The troops stationed here were the beef of the attacking forces against the village of Green Cloud. Selena sat on a wooden chair in the main (and therefore the largest) tent. It was a standard set up for a temporary base of action. It had a table, a personal laptop, a folding spring bed, a mini-fridge for the storing of food and a desk to work from. This was where Selena's troops would be spending the night. And though she didn't like the idea of camping out in the wilderness like an animal, she couldn't do much about it. Orders were orders, even for the leader of the most feared military division in the world. Night had fallen. And now everyone was preparing for sleep, aside for those who would be spending the night during a petrol over the area. The only one who didn't concern herself with that was General Selena Fol herself. Dressed only in her elastic black two-piece underwear, Selena strode up to her wooden desk and sat down by it. She crossed one of her long legs over the other and sighed, then reached her fingers out for the keypad of her laptop. Once she opened a few files, a wire diagram of the Oriax came on screen. Selena eyed over the specs for the suit as well as its shape and design. "So this is the one, huh?" Selena remarked, "the Meta Suit that destroyed the Eon and blocked the attacks of the AM-Cannon. Three of them, no less. That Oriax is a work of art... if I had such a Meta Suit in my hands... I know I could start an even greater legacy than that of General Naam... but that damn Yumi Mishima..." On the screen of her computer, something flashed. Selena moved her mouse over it and clicked. The blip then shot up into a small visual window. One that was being beamed to her laptop all the way from Middle America, no less. And Selena knew what that meant. It was from the 'Holy Protocolian Palace'. The girl on the window was proof of that much. That girl happened to be Leena Fol. Selena smiled at the computer screen with a sigh. "Hey there, sis. Miss me?" "As ever," Leena replied, "I can't believe the report we just got from your end. Were your troops really seen off by the Oriax?" "Yup. No doubt about it. If any confusions still remained about that Mishima girl's standing in all of this then they're all done and dusted now. There's no doubt left that she's working with Chrysalis. And if they're in America... then they must be aware of our intentions. That's the way I see it." Leena nodded on screen. "We see that too. That's why there's been a slight change of plans regarding that issue." "A change of plans?" "Yeah," Leena started, "they come directly from Her Highness. You and your section of the Divine Blade forces are not to attack Green Cloud. Do you understand? You have to cancel your attack." Selena blinked. "A-are you kidding me?!" "...Calm down, Selena. You and your team will still be deployed. But not for the village. You will go straight to the underground complex to make it to the Sky Cord. I'm sending the coordinates to you as soon as we can." "But what about Chrysalis?" Argued the General, "we can't just let them roam around as they like while my team are securing the North American Sky Cord. And with the Oriax down here, we can't afford to make any mistakes." Leena nodded. "We realize that. But we have that issue taken care of. You just focus on getting the Sky Cord under control before New Protocolian troops intercede. I'm counting on you, sis." "Leave it to me," Selena said, "though I would have loved to settle things with the ones who killed Master Naam... orders are orders. The Divine Blade have everything under control." Leena smiled warmly at her sister. "My god, you're even starting to sound militaristic. I wonder who you get that from, hm?" "He was a brilliant man," Selena mused, thinking back, "...our Father..." "I can understand your need for revenge. And I promise you, you shall have the chance, Selena. But for now, the main objective is to make it into space. Once we do that, your role is over. And you can seek out the one who killed our father." "Can do." Selena tapped her fingers on the desk, "well, I suppose you gotta get going now. You've got a lot of responsibilities at the Temple now. And I know that it can't be easy having to act as your own girlfriend's second." Even through that hazy visual feed, Selena could see the scarlet red blush rising on Leena's cheeks when she replied to that. "...We still don't get to spend much time together. But I'm seeing Ashura later on to brief her about what happened with your group. I'll tell her you said hello." "Thanks. Take care of yourself, Leena." The older girl said. Leena nodded. "You too. Bye." The visual image went off screen. Leena had signed off. Selena sighed, then leaned back in her chair, thinking about the past. Much had changed since she and Leena had joined Protocol. Selena herself had only wanted to be a pilot in the Divine Blade, to follow in the footsteps of her Father, Captain Harvey Fol. She had even gone so far as to receive Meta Suit training from none other than General Naam. But ever since the appearance of the Oriax and Yumi Mishima, not to mention the traitorous actions of Commander William Ank Celaph, things had gone so wrong. Revenge for the factors that had brought all this about was one of the few things that Selena had left in life. Once she took care of the Sky Cord issue, she would deal with her other 'problem'. "I'll destroy that suit," Selena mumbled acutely, "I'll destroy that suit no matter what the cost to myself." ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ By now it was midnight in Green Cloud, Texas. The full was full and at its highest. The stars were sparkling down on the world from heaven along with it. You always got a good view of the stars from outside the Meta Cities. Green Cloud was no exception to that rule. Rain sat alone on the thatched roof of the Saffron Household. It was an unusual place to relax but he felt fine here. From this point, Rain could see the whole of the expanse of the village. He could see local well, the town square, the market, the museum, the crop fields, the town hall, the elder's mansion residence, and the old Meta Suit storage warehouse; as well as the many residential buildings of the townsfolk. All of the windows were lit by the flames of their candles, and in some cases, the electricity they managed to salvaged from a nearby power plant (long abandoned by the Meta Cities). It was a nice place. And Rain often found himself admiring it. The silver-haired boy sighed, pulling his legs up closer to him. He then wrapped his arms around them, sitting on the elevated roof in a kind of foetal position. The cool wind blew at him from the west, tossing his silvery bangs to one side of his forehead. All the while Rain stared out and marvelled at the town that he called home. Then all of a sudden, the flap-door built into the roof (which led up from the loft) opened. Rain didn't look back, just listened to that person shuffle up from the small compartment and step towards him. That person took a seat next to the pilot of the Syoga and breathed a sigh of relaxation. That person was Yumi. Rain turned to her. "Miss Mishima?" "You don't have to call me that," Yumi said, "...it's just Yumi here." "Okay then. Yumi. Why...?" "Did I come up here? I'm not sure, really. Edwina said that you and she liked to come up to the roof of the house and stare at the town sometimes. I just felt like doing that myself. I guess I was expecting to run into you." The young Rain lowered his head to his kneecaps. "...Edwina and I often do this. Ever since we were children. When my parents died... she was there for me. More than anyone else. She told me to follow her here and... when I did look at the view, I found that it helped to calm me down a little. Edwina has always had the effect on me. She always knows how to handle me. Even when I'm not so sure myself." "...So you grew up without parents?" Yumi asked. Rain nodded. "Uh huh." "Hm. I know how that feels..." The Mishima girl stated. "...Yumi?" "I'm not the only one," She answered, "Terry also grew up without parents. Well, for at least the majority of his life. I think... that's why we understand each other. And why... I think of him as my one true friend. But... I suppose it's a little different for you and Edwina, right?" Rain watched Yumi's docile frown. "How so?" "Because you truly care for each other. I could see it in your eyes. And hers. I know what it's like to care for someone that way. And though my feelings for that person came to nothing, it's wonderful to be able to share such deep emotions with someone." "Why are you telling me this?" Rain questioned. Yumi shrugged. "...I don't know, really. Maybe it's because it's nice to see two people who genuinely care for each other in a world such as this. Maybe it's because seeing you two with each other... reminds me of how I once felt. Or maybe... it's because... when I look in your eyes... I see myself in them." Rain blinked, fluttering his long eyelashes. "Huh?" "You're having doubts about fighting, aren't you?" Yumi prodded, "I can see how your heart aches at the thought of it. I was like that... before... a certain event, six months ago. I remember feeling so frightened at the thought of killing other human beings. And I remember how much the idea of being asked to kill people angered me. It's the same for you, isn't it? You hate fighting, don't you?" "...Yes," Though Rain wasn't the type to just open up to anyone, he responded, "...I hate the battles. I hate the suffering. When I pilot the Syoga... I always feel this burning, rending sensation. Like something inside me is trying to swallow me whole or consume my soul. But I have to keep fighting. If not to protect Green Cloud then, to protect Edwina. As well as the things that are important to her. That is my only wish in life." Yumi smirked in unhappily. "...I guess that's the one thing we don't share." "Huh?" "...I'm talking about a purpose. You find your purpose in defending Edwina and Green Cloud village from harm, even though it brings you pain to do so. But I'm not like that. There are times when I... truly wonder why it is that I fight." Rain continued to look downwards. "...Have you spoken to anyone else... about this?" "...No," Yumi replied, "...I can't... face it. Everyone on the Leviathan has a purpose or a drive. A feeling of momentum or a will that they can call upon to allow them to fight. But what have I got compared to that? These days, I just... struggle to feel even the slightest inclination to an action. I only follow directions aimlessly to find myself and figure out why I do what I do. Is that any way for a person to live? To follow a path only for the knowledge of why I take it?" "I don't know you... well enough... to comment on your life, Yumi. But... I can see that... you think a lot for others. How does the thought of... losing Terry or Sophia sound to you? How... does that make you feel?" Yumi searched her heart. "...Awful." "Then maybe that's the reason," Rain suggested, "I don't remember much about my parents. Not even what they looked like. But I do remember little things that my dad used to tell me, right before I went to sleep. He often said... that people with power forget their place. And then when they lose that place... they search for it. But the bigger picture wouldn't yield as much... as the smaller one. Sometimes... people with power have to settle themselves with what they do have... rather than what they don't have. When my father told me this... I think he was talking about Protocol. But I think that it suits us as well, Yumi. I don't want the power I have. I don't want to be a pilot. But I do want Edwina to be happy. And I can maintain that... by using this power that I have. I guess that that's the reality of it all. The only way to get on with life is make the most of the bad situations... and use to them to... reinforce the good." Yumi smiled gently. "...You're a sweet boy, Rain. I can see why Edwina likes you." Once again, Rain blushed. "...I... don't know about that..." "Well, do you like her, too?" "...Yes... very much," Rain replied, "...more than I've... ever told her..." "I can remember what that feels like," Yumi said, "I once had feelings for someone I couldn't really profess them to." "And what happened?" Asked Rain, inquisitively. "...Nothing. There was no point in telling her anything. She already knew how I felt. But by the time I realized that, it became obvious that it wouldn't matter. She betrayed me to Protocol. And broke my heart." Rain's soft eyes looked down again. "I'm sorry, Yumi." Yumi shook her head in reply. "Don't apologize. I can't criticize her for doing what she did. Especially when I'm doing the same thing to Terry even now." "...Terry?" "...He won't say it, but..." Yumi closed her eyes, "...I know that he's in love with me. I know it. And yet I can't say to him that I don't feel the same way because I'm just too cowardly. I hate the thought that I might lose him as a friend. Even if it means I have to toy with his feelings by ignoring them. When I think about things like that... I just know that I'm unfit to be what I am. I'll keep hurting Terry as long as I fear for my relationship with him. And that alone negates my purpose in life, because... I don't have any right to want to protect him. I'm still so... selfish." ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ The room of Princess Ashura's was the most exquisitely designed of all in the Temple of Tlazolteotl. It had been furnished with expensive items, imported from all over the world. Rugs from Kashmir, wall scrolls from Japan, ornamental masks from Middle Africa, a chandelier from Wales, and tables and chairs from Sweden. This was a representation of Holy Protocol's connections over the world. Very few people had their rooms decorated in such a way in this day and age. Not that Ashura was the type to complain about anything like that. The young woman sat on the large and soft bed of her room. Both of her legs hung of its edge, enswathed in the long materials of her Aztec/Chinese-inspired dress. Ashura sighed, looking out through the window across from her. Night was high in the air. It had been a long day today. First speaking with the Triad of the Inquisition, and then reforming her plans due to the insurgence of Yumi Mishima and the rest of the rebels. Dealing with these issues was always taxing. Maybe more so now than usual. It was important business they were dealing with now. And... more to the point... so many lives would have their fates decided by it. Princess Ashura could feel the weight of all that. But she couldn't say how she felt about it to anyone. Celaph had been branded a traitor for his diversion from the will of the Triad of the Inquisition. She could not allow that same fate for herself. There was no way she could offer her guidance to the will of the Triad if that were to occur. But still... that restrictive thing known as a conscience was playing on Ashura's mind. The heaviness in her wind emerald eyes showed that sentiment well. Suddenly the creaky wooden door to Ashura's right then opened. The sadness welling in the Princess' eyes eased somewhat when she caught sight of the woman who was in the doorway. Leena walked in, and closed the door behind her, locking it from the inside. Though Ashura had asked for her room's door not to have automatic capabilities, she also needed her privacy. Leena understood that better than anyone. But that was because she understood Ashura better than anyone else. The eighteen-year-old woman of lieutenant rank walked from the door over to Ashura's bed with a tiny smile on her face. Emphasized by the new privacy they now had from prying eyes. Leena sat down beside the older Princess, feeling the light springs of the bed compress with the addition of weight. The moment that the two looked at each other, the feelings between them were more than apparent. Leena reached out and touched upon Ashura's soft cheek with her hand. The chestnut-haired woman shut her eyes gently, absorbing the warmth of Leena's touch. And soon afterward their lips met. Both women sighed delicately at their kiss, sharing and enjoying a closeness with each other that would have been denied to them, had it been displayed in public. Ashura placed her hand on Leena's thigh, returning the kiss with equal passion, just until they separated. Leena pulled her lips from Ashura's, then resumed her minute smile. The Princess smiled back. "...Leena..." "...I've wanted to do that all day," The lieutenant claimed, "...I hate that we can only see each other like this. But I just..." "It's okay." Stated Ashura. "...I want to be closer to you, Ashura. I know that I can't have that... the way things are. That's why I want the war to be over soon. Once we make it into space... all this will be behind us. We can change the future ourselves." Ashura's smile fell. "But what of the others?" Though Ashura was over five years older than Leena, it was clear that Leena was the one with more emotional stability between the two of them. And the lieutenant was obviously a lot more sure of herself. "It's too late to have doubts now, Ashura. Freeman Ronove has already left for Green Cloud and my sister will attack the Sky Cord during that time. Things are already in place." "That's not what I meant," Replied the older woman, "...I'm talking about the Elymus Drive. You are aware what it's capable of when linked to Meta Suits, don't you? The Triad of the Inquisition are really planning on using it." Leena closed her eyes, and pressed her forehead against Ashura's. "...My love. It's too late for regrets and doubts now. I know that this is a harsh choice in action, but..." "Harsh? That's hardly the word for-" "I know," Leena affirmed, "but there's nothing we can do about it. Defying them like Celaph did will just make things worse. It's a difficult trade off, I understand that. But to back away from this... would put both you and I in danger. And I can't have that for you. Just try to think about it from the perspective of the earth. We are on the dawn of a new world. One where you and I can be together. One moment of tragedy will be eased with an eternity of happiness to follow it, right? Don't be so hard on yourself, Ashura." Princess Ashura tried to smile. "I know. I know that you are right. But I just can't stop thinking about it..." "I'm here for you. No matter what. Just lean on me. Once the Anti-Jupiter Wave defences go up around the Temple, we'll have all the time we need to ourselves. Just focus on that for now. Okay?" Though this all still bothered her, Ashura nodded in acceptance of that. "...Okay." ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Sophia sighed peacefully as she leaned on the naked arm of her older lover, Cecelia Faye Beatrix. The two of them clung to each other, naked in the white sheets of the colonel's bed. They didn't often get the chance to make love on the Leviathan, but when the opportunity struck, they didn't reject it either. Sophia nuzzled her head into Beatrix's shoulder and ran her hand up and down side of her lover. She listened to her breathing and admired the slow rising and falling of Beatrix's chest when she did so. Everything about Cecelia captivated Sophia. Everything. Beatrix nudged her head back, wiping the sweat from her bangs which darkened them. "Are you okay?" She asked, "It's been hard for you recently." Sophia grinned, relishing this closeness. "It's okay. I don't mind. We needed to get to the village. If the people aren't informed then they could get worried by what may happen here. Even if it meant leaving you for a while... I had to go with Terry and Yumi." "I'm glad you came back," Said Beatrix, "I miss just... being able to make love to you when I want. We don't get the same kind of privacy here as we do on EDEN. And I just feel as though..." The Mariette-girl smiled. "I know. You don't have to say anything. Plus... I don't often get the chance to show this off in front of everyone." Both Sophia and Beatrix looked to the Major's left hand, more specifically the wedding ring finger. Around it was a golden ring band, topped off with a seven and a half carat diamond. It shone in the moonlight that seeped in through the porthole-like window of Beatrix's room. It was Sophia engagement ring. "It's so beautiful, sweetie," Sophia said with love, "...I can't believe that you and I will be married someday. It's almost more than I ever hoped for." It filled Beatrix with pride to hear that. She knew that she loved Sophia more than anything. Her role as commander of Chrysalis and the captain of the Leviathan was the most important role in her life up until now. When she and Sophia had fallen in love, this changed drastically. Now Beatrix's true heart's role was to be Sophia's protector. To be the one that cared for her more than anyone else. That engagement ring was the symbol of that desire, as well as the bond that the two of them would share from now on in. Beatrix and Sophia smiled to one and other as they clung together. Then leaned in to each other and kissed, Beatrix's moans muffling Sophia's giddy giggles. They would have resumed their lovemaking from then, if not for the sudden flash of red on Beatrix's left bedside table. The colonel broke her kiss with Sophia, growling, then turned to the first of her bedside tables. On it was her wrist watch, which acted as a transmitter for urgent messages from the bridge. With it she could communicate with the people on the bridge of the Leviathan from a three miles radius. The green-haired soldier grabbed the wrist watch from the table, while Sophia sighed and reached for her glasses on Beatrix's other side table. An annoyed Beatrix pressed a button on the watch which opened communications with the bridge of the ship. "What is it?" "Forgive me, ma'am!" Said one of the helmswomen through the mini-speakers of the wrist watch, "But this is urgent!" "What's the trouble, then?" "It's Green Cloud! The village is under attack!" Sophia blinked under her newly mounted glasses. "...What?" Far from the sex-induced room of Cecelia Faye Beatrix, and a good distance from the Leviathan itself was the village of Green Cloud. But the peaceful locale was not so peaceful anymore. The people who were living there were now gripped in terror. The western half of the village had been destroyed. The frail oak wooden homes of the villagers had been burned down to the ground. Some had been obliterated entirely. All the fragments of the wooden planks that made those houses up were tossed far across the space of the village. Fires spread from the ruins of those homes. Black clouds of smoke rose up from those fires to choke those who were fortunate enough to be able to flee. Dead bodies littered the streets of the town. Pools of blood surrounded their broken, slaughtered torsos. The stink of their blood mingling with the smell of the smoke and of burning wood. The chill wind that was in the air had now vanished for the murky heat of the flames. And the villagers scrambled in their dozens to get away from the destruction. However the frightening thing about all of this was that it originated from a single source. The Raum. The counterpart Meta Suit to the Oriax. The mecha that was designed along with the Oriax by the head scientists of the legendary Ochiai Underground Research Facility, underneath the precinct of the Shinrai Complex. In terms, of looks, the two suits were almost identical aside from a few differences. The armour of the Raum was painted a very keen black, with traces of gold running along the edges of those plates of armour. The exhaust billowing out from its twin thrusters was coloured a translucent green rather than a transparent blue. And its cockpit was different to that of the Oriax. The alternate dimension that comprised the cockpit was encased in a sphere of flame (as opposed to the sphere of water that enswathed the cockpit of the Oriax). Inside that cockpit was the owner and pilot of the Raum, Freeman Ronove. Freeman smirked with his hands around the control sticks of the panel. "Heh, heh, heh, heh, heh, heh, heh. You poor lambs of tainted breed. Let yourself be purified in the flames of God's anger. Submit yourselves to the blade of the Divine One!" The Raum flew over the small American village and continued its onslaught regardless of the consequences. It opened its palm and a metal-covered compartment slowly separated. The one-barrel Gatling Gun inside that palm extended from it. The Raum then offloaded a huge barrage of bullets towards the village as the suit zoomed over it from above. The screams of the women and children were deafening as those bullets came raining down on anyone in their range. Scores of people were gunned down ruthlessly by that gunfire, killing them instantly. The Raum retracted its Gatling Gun and pulled up its other arm. A 360 cm long blade of flaming green Qi-energy, the Gauntlet Blade, extended from the hand of the suit. It flew downwards and then slashed at one of the taller buildings of the village. The energy blade hacked through the brick and wood of that building, causing it to crumble into itself. Crushing to death anyone who happened to remain inside the confides of that structure. "Die!" Freeman yelled eagerly, "Die! Die! Die! All of you shall die! Allow yourselves to be baptized by my holy fist! The Cup of God's Wrath is upon you, ye who art the vile heathens of impurity!" While the Raum continued its rampage, everyone on the other side of the village tried their best to flee. They packed what little items they could spare and scrambled for the shelters of the eastern section. One of the houses on the eastern section was that of the Saffron Family. Yumi, Terry, Edwina, Kurt, Rain and Bella ran out of the house to see what the commotion was. They could see the rising flames and pillars of smoke in the distance. As well as the Meta Suit that had brought all this about. The dark presence of the Raum. Bella was the one most shocked. "My God... who could... do such a thing...?" "...What the hell?" Terry blinked, "what suit is that? I've never seen it before. But it looks just like the Oriax. Who's piloting it?" Yumi's eyes narrowed with understanding. "...I know." "You know what?" Kurt asked. "I know who it is... that's piloting that suit." She answered. Terry turned to her. "You do? Who is it?" "The one who... raped me in Ix Nos Babel. The one that Protocol regards as this generation's 'Thanatos'. His name is Freeman Ronove. That suit he is in is called the Raum. It's... just as powerful as the Oriax." Terry's face paled. "...You mean... he was the one who... did that to you...?" Yumi just nodded in reply. The expression on the American-European boy then altered itself from stunned silent to furious. He gripped his hands into fists angrily and scowled violently at the distant Raum. "I'll kill that guy! I swear I'll kill him! I gotta get back to the Leviathan! Damn, if only my Bishamon was with me now...!" "You can't fight him," Yumi stated, "he's beyond you now. Only I can stop him." Kurt swept his hand to one side. "Forget those details for now! We must help the other villagers get to safety! If we don't then the people of Green Cloud are doomed!" Though no one other than Edwina noticed it, Rain tightened up inside. And his gaze turned to the Syoga, which was standing just a short ways behind the garden of the Saffron household. He would have to pilot it to get Freeman and the Raum away from Green Cloud, even if he stood little chance against it. But he would never get that chance. Suddenly the head of the Raum swung around and gazed in the direction of the Syoga. It lifted it black metallic arm and aimed its hand at the old model suit. The Gatling Gun compartment in the hand of the mobile machine opened. Then it fired a chain wave of bullets. At such a frequent rate that they moved in the form of a blur. Hundreds of bullets started nailing the Syoga over and over and over again. The frail armour of that old suit couldn't stand up to the vicious power of the Raum. And soon enough, Rain's Meta Suit exploded. Yumi, Terry and the others all jumped to the ground for cover at the subsequent explosion of the suit. A wave of flame, smoke and dust blew outwardly from the point of combustion, eliciting the screams of both Edwina and Bella. The windows of the Saffron house all shattered in unison from the force of the explosion, and the oil started splattering all over the house's roof. Once the impact from the destruction was over, all that could be seen were the charred black scraps of the suit, lying in smoking piles of grey metal. The group all gasped at the result, but were even more shocked when a gigantic shadow was cast upon them. The Raum Meta Suit flew up to their area and hovered in the air with its hand extended to fire more bullets. That hand was pointed at Yumi's group. Freeman yelled out at them from the speakers of his suit. "...I knew that you would be here, my dearest Eros. You and I are connected by fate. It is destiny that brings us together again..." Terry scowled with a grown, lifting himself up from the dusty ground. "...Is this that bastard who abused you, Yumi?" "Yes..." Kurt quickly stepped closer to his wife and daughter protectively and yelled up at the gigantic Meta Suit looming over them. "Please, stop this nonsense! The people of the village want only a peaceful life! If you must fight then do so elsewhere!" "You dare to give me orders, old man?" Freeman remarked, "Do you know who or what I am? I am Freeman Ronove. I am the Thanatos of this era. I am a shepherd, not a member of the flock. My fate is decided by God and I submit only to his will. You are nothing. Therefore your opinion means nothing. None of you are of any importance." Yumi then called out to him. "Freeman! It is me you want, is it not? Leave these people out of it! If you want to kill me then kill me and me alone!" "Eros... as usual your concern is for the people who don't deserve it. Forget not your station. You and I are the future of mankind, you see. Though we failed to produce a Novus Deus... our symbiosis with the Heart of the Astaroth proves that our time is not yet over. No matter what that doctor said... you and I are equally significant. So only one of us may proceed into the next phase." The Japanese girl spread her arms out. "Fine then! Kill me!" "No," Freeman said with a smile, "killing you while you are defenceless is pathetic. I want to decide our fate on an equal playing field. Come to me with in the Oriax. Then we shall settle our differences in the field of combat." "On a cold day in hell!" Terry shouted, "if you wanna fight someone then fight me!" Freeman chuckled at the blonde man. "Stupid human. I care not for your rage. I will waste none of my time on a wretched piece of trash like you." The anger in Terry's eyes was unmistakable, but he looked away from the Raum and then back to Kurt and his family, who were huddled together behind him. "You guys have got to get out of here! Go east until you see a battleship in the sky! That's our ship, the Leviathan! They'll take care of you!" Kurt nodded, then proceeded to run with Bella. However Edwina didn't move. She stayed in place, staring wordlessly at the quiet and confused Rain. She couldn't leave him. She just couldn't. Kurt turned around when he realized that his daughter wasn't following him. "Edwina! Come on!" "...But..." Rain stepped around, looking deeply into his friend's eyes. He wanted nothing more than her safety in all of this. So he nodded to her. To tell her that she should go and to assure her that he would try to make it out of all of this alive. And though Edwina was still hesitant, she backed up and then ran away with her parents. The three of them made the dash down the road towards the edge of the town. Further along was the hills that surrounded Green Cloud, the Leviathan was nestled between them. And that would be their destination. Yumi then yelled up at the Raum. "Freeman! Leave this place now! I will fight you as you wish! But not here and not now! I won't fight you under these conditions!" Freeman smirked again. "Oh, I think you will. Behold the will of God..." The Raum started to move once again. The palm Gatling that was aimed at Yumi's group now moved over to the east. The crosshairs on the video screen of the Raum's cockpit then locked on to Kurt, Edwina and Bella. Yumi and Terry gasped at what he was about to do, and Rain yelled 'stop!' as loudly as his feminine voice possibly could. But Freeman was in no position to be stopped now. He pulled the trigger on the right control stick and his Meta Suit offloaded another hail of bullets. Time then slowed down for Rain Harland as those bullets proceeded to rain down on the fleeing Saffron Family. Their bodies all jerked violently, spewing up globs of blood from their mouths and torsos. Each bullet of the 372 fired at them made their mark. Blood splattered all over the floor and mingled with the scent of smoke. The three dead bodies of Edwina, Kurt and Bella then dropped to the ground lifelessly, their eyes still wide open, glassy with the suddenness of their deaths. Rain's heart fell. "Edwina!" "...Damn you," Terry seethed, looking up at the Raum, "Goddamn you!" Freeman just laughed. "Aha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha! What did you expect? To the Eros and I, you people are nothing more than ants. Just livestock to be shunted across a chess board for amusement and pleasure. That is the fate of all those who carry the filthy and contaminated blood of a sinning race. My breath is the divine judgement. And I simply pander to the will and word of God." Yumi and Terry looked on with disbelief at the actions of Freeman. But Rain's mind was set only on what had happened to the Saffron Family. Most importantly of all, Edwina. That burning sensation he suffered inside of the Syoga came back. But at a far higher degree than normal. He screamed loudly, catching the attention of the two beside him, and then collapsed to the ground. His knees were grazed against the rough stone of the floor. And he held himself furiously, struggling to contain the fiery force that was burning in his body and blood. His breathing became erratic. Then suddenly it happened. His Qi-Force exploded to life. The colour in Rain's eyes went completely blank and the savage flames of his Qi swallowed him completely. Yumi, Terry and even Freeman watched this with perplexity. Rain's body was wholly absorbed into a spherical manifestation of his own Qi, which hovered in the space above the ground. Yumi and Freeman both took note. Because it had happened to them both as well. But only Freeman knew the significance of it. Freeman stared at the Qi sphere from the video screen of his cockpit. "...Divine Hibernation? Impossible. How could a lowly human like THAT ever achieve..." And then it hit him, "...he must be an Ashtar... is this the truth behind this whole thing...?" Then suddenly there was a gigantic bang. A loud and authoritative blast of energy came screaming from the east in the direction of the Raum. The Meta Suit quickly surrounded itself in a large Qi-Barrier. And that large blast of energy rammed into the shield violently. The light from the collision of the two forces flashed around the immediate area. Yumi and Terry huddled together and covered their ears to stop themselves from being deafened by the sonic waves of power that emanated from the blast point. The Raum stood its ground but was forced back by the strength of the beam blast. Terry looked to the east of the village and knew what this was. A blast from the Gamma Cannon of the Leviathan. Then the wrist strap on his wrist began to flash. Terry pulled up his arm and pressed a button on it. Beatrix's voice came up from the mini-speaker. "Lieutenant Hennig! Lieutenant Mishima! You must make your escape now, while we provide cover with the Leviathan's Gamma Cannon! Get out of there!" "You don't have to tell me twice! Let's go, Yumi!" Yumi nodded and the two of them ran in the direction of the ship. They ran past the splattered corpses of the Saffron Family, though Yumi couldn't help but look back at the swirling mass of Qi that Rain was trapped in. She could do nothing to help him while he was inside it, but she knew that he was safe inside it. And the startled Freeman could only watch while Yumi and Terry escaped his presence. Though he was still consumed mostly with Yumi Mishima, the Eros, his mind could not stray from the Qi sphere below. Freeman mused, staring at the image of the Qi ball while his shields held off the Leviathan's Gamma Cannon blast. "...An Ashtar... but why...?"
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