No one seemed to be making a move. The Titans remained in a line-up, the wall to hold back the tide. The intruders clumped together poorly with a clear view of uainty. Talked up big, the Titans made them a little uneasy. Atmosphere from their presence alone was enough to make them uand the differen them stacked up against all of the others they faced. None of them had the same sort of look in their eyes from what they were used to seeing. They all have very different looks like they were only pretending to be soldiers because it made the others feel better. Something about them made it clear that there was no trolling them.

  A frightening, uling aura came from each of them.

  Yumi looked through the group at Simonides, as always he tried to remain the most hidden. The hood over his face made him the most spicuous of the group, but it protected his identity. Keeping his face hidden was more important. Most times, he mao stay out of battle and away from the sights of the Omega soldiers, so he remained safe. “Do you have anything you provide oo help us?”

  A short pause from him didn’t provide fidenbsp; He already made it clear before that he knew nothing about their ander. “I know only what they’ve allowed to be publiformation. The Titans are a closely guarded group sent out only when there is no one else and all other solutions have failed. They are the crisis enders. It wouldn’t be very advantageous for them if their methods were known.”

  Crossing her arms looking a little bothered, Rheia ged her sights. “No need for such a pathetic disguise, Captain Simonides.”

  The group was all caught by surprise, but no more so than Simonides. His face hardened up quickly, to try to hold onto what remained of his posure. ‘This is Rheia we’re dealing with. She probably just used her power to see through. It was bound to happen I knew, but I thought it’d be through a slip up. Damn…’ No longer needing to hide himself, he removed the hood. The exposed position wasn’t lost on him. He could see Rheia uood just as well.

  “That’s better. So you’ve decided to turn traitor? Or have you always been a traitor? Perhaps the mastermind behind all of this? Your codlihods no longer w with the pups?”

  ‘She’s well informed.’ Keeping up the front against Rheia proved to be more difficult than he first imagined. “I’m hohat the leader of the Titans would know so much about a simple border Captain.”

  “Always givioo little credit. So what is it? I’m curious why the ‘perfect’ Simonides would bee so dirty. Your y finally run out?”

  “I only a the is of Atntis.”

  Grinning like a cat, he had her curiosity. Rheia leaned a little wanting more. “This should be iing. Do tell me more.”

  “I’m proteg Atntis and its citizens.” “Really? Last I checked, the people o you are the ones causing the trouble. They’re the ohat Atntis is needing protected from.”

  “I have my doubts. I’ll learn if there is truth to my fears soon.”

  “Oh? This gets more and more iing by the moment.” Rheia wao know more, but it wasn’t going to happen.

  Taking the ce to end things, Saki disappeared. Rheia vanished for a moment as well. An explosive bst erupted from the middle between both parties. Saki appeared along with Rheia, though Saki’s eyes were wide with surprise. “What?!” Rheia stopped her pletely iracks with only an open palm. All of the excess energy tore behind Rheia as a gale.

  Excitement lit up Rheia’s fa the sight of Saki. “I’m gd I picked you. Show me everything you’ve got!”

  Chapter 242 – Pick Your Partner

  “What?! That’s impossible!” shouted Seiji from the sidelines. “How she block a punch from Saki?”

  Everyone was in so much shock that none of them had a reply, even if they might have had an answer. The ohey relied upon to keep everyone off their back the st few days was effortlessly stopped. A terrible sign revealed itself. Further proof the fight ahead of them would be their toughest yet.

  Yumi snapped back first ahead of the other. She already tried to uand what happened. The first guess came from their experieh fighting Simonides. “It might be like when we fought with you before, but the timing of everything doesn’t lht.” All of it happeoo quickly for her to even see.

  “Her fist never made tact,” ented Chiharu. Uhe others, her eyes were well-tuo faster and more subtle details. “It’s not the sealing of powers like before. This is all just the use of their powers for dramatic effebsp; From this dista looks like she was stopped, but there was a thin gap betweehat her fist hit, just made to appear like she blocked the attack.”

  “Then what about her movements?” asked Fumiko, her eyes were okay, but nothing like Chiharu’s. She never was able to see Saki wheually moved like she meant it. “The woman moved just as a fast as it seemed, which shouldn’t be possible.”

  Unfortunately, it was where things ended for Chiharu. She could only analyze what she saw. Rheia remained a mystery. “I couldn’t see her movements. In her case, she literally disappeared and then reappeared. I don’t know how she mao cover the distanove to the correct location to ter the attack.”

  Seiji looked back at the two women. Saki tried greater punches of strength. The results against Rheia remaihe same, the woman was unmoved. It was only through the envirohat anyone knew Saki tried. The first attempt was only a gale, but the sed fttened all of the grass behind Rheia, the third ripped up the earth and the fourth tore everything into a crater. “Which means even Saki didn’t see her. She’s dealing with someohat could ter her speed and strength, the only special power she has.”

  Everything she threw was meaningless. It annoyed Saki. The fight would be extended, dragged out, prolonged. She wahings over quickly. It was impossible. ‘Everyone I’ve dealt with up to this point hasn’t tried to fight me head-on before. They’ve always had their tricks to keep me away from them ohey realized, but this woman… She’s different. She wants me close…’ Saki backed a step away needing to find a different tactic.

  Gng behind her, Rheia admired the massive crater. ‘Anymore and she would have broken into the under-city. Impressive power…’ The scale didn’t have any effe her emotions. She still looked excited. The brief enter gave her a good feeling about Saki. She might have finally found it, but she o test her. Rheia threw out her arm towards the Titans behind her, who remained uhe eime. “The rest are yours.” It was the signal.

  The Titans moved.

  The Siege of the Capital began.

  “e! Things are not over yet!” beed Rheia, appearing to retreat. She vanished and reappeared numerous times not following a direct line, but a dire. The dire took her to the gigantic walls of the Capital. She stood on the side, as she seemed fond of doing, staring down at Saki, who stood on the remaining ground around the base of the city walls.

  Motioning with her arm to the wall, she opehe invitation to Saki. “I’ll provide you with steps.” Suddenly, seams appeared all over the wall, which held perfectly with no damage from the weather e. It wasn’t cracks, but as if someone made cuts through the wall. Massive blocks easily weighing thousands of kilos slipped out from their turies of sleeping.

  Shadows fell over Saki as she stared up at the sight. Dodging it all would be simple, but it still made her eyes widen a little. Perfect five-meter cubes began to rain down on her position. The size alone made her pause and then the fact that this womaroyed the city’s wall just to do it. ‘Simonides’ fear…’ Saki had a quick expnation given to her on why Atnteans joiheir group. She had her doubts even if she felt he believed sincerely what he said. It all made seo her now. ‘He was right…I o try to end this quickly before it gets out of trol…’

  Saki narrowed her eyes and hardened her emotions. She o be focused. The fight ahead of her was nothing like the past. She knew from just looking at her fabsp; Others seemed bloodthirsty ht hungry, they all wanted something, but the woman was different. She wasn’t battle starved like the rest. She had a desire, but she couldn’t see it clearly. All of her attention was focused on Saki, she saw her pletely. It was as if she had an expectation. She wanted her to meet something. Saki didn’t like the strangeness she felt from her eyes.

  Disappearing, Saki appeared on the falling blod leapt off it. The force sent the block hurdling down to the ground bsting out another crater until a strange heavy ring echoed from the bottom. Saki kept jumping, shooting the blocks off into different dires away from the Capital. Explosions of earth appeared all around in the distant horizon.

  Landing on the broken wall, Saki stared over at Rheia. “I’m here. Steps were unnecessary.”

  “Maybe so, but will you still be here in ten seds?”

  Down on the ground, Nerine had to use her power to keep one of the blocks from hitting nearby. It made Seiji blink, mostly because his strength wasn’t babsp; He retty sure he could have dealt with it, but the speed was an uainty. Only Nerine’s quick forethought after the first one saved them. “Thanks, Nerine.” Above them, the fight only seemed to be getting warmed up. “Damn that Saki! She’s going to be just as much of a danger as them the way she’s fighting!”

  “Oh, you look like you might be fun! Do you dance or will you just run?” a singsong voice said from within the group. Childish giggling came out as everyone jumped ba surprise to find that the child Titan appeared amongst them. She was small, enough to make even Chiharu not feel like a child in her group. Everyoared down at the grinning pink haired child. She seemed like she merely wao py and looked for someohat would take her out to the pyground.

  “What the hell?!”

  “How did she?”

  “Lieutenant ander Glykeria…” muttered Simonides.

  Glykeria suddenly popped out of smoke on top of Simonides’ shoulders, as if he was her father giving her a ride. She bopped him on the head pyfully. “No, silly-willy Simon-Lemon, you’re not supposed to do the introdu for me.” Simoried to recover from the surprise, but she already left back to her spot. She spun around for them showing her light yellow sundress and matched well with her single ponytail pinked hair held back with a yellow ribbon woven through her hair. “I’m the cute and adorable Glykeria! Age nine and two-tenths!”

  “Wouldn’t that be one-fifth?” Yori ied lowly.

  “It’s a great super amazing pleasure!” She smiled at them with bubbly energy. If appearance could be judged, she seemed like a normal nine-year-old, a little desperate for attention and taining a bit too muergy. Yet they all k to be wrong. She was a Titan, a monster behind that smile.

  The rest of the Titans came walking in as though none of it mattered. Speed was unimportant. Not even the dangerous battle between Saki and Rheia held any signifibsp; “Quit messing around Glykeria and make your pick,” the red-haired Nereus demanded, already short with Glykeria’s antics.

  The child looked ready to cry, staring up at Nereus’ stern rock-like fabsp; It never happened. “Fine! Sour puss, Neruss!” A giant stuffed bear appeared lifting her up a full three meters into the air to tower over everyone. She rested on the shoulders of the bear. Her arm threw down pointing at her target. “I want to py with you!” The bear grabbed up Fumiko a into the air, taking them far out of sight.

  “Fumiko!” several of the group shouted in vain, already beyond stopping the child. It happened without any warning.

  Nereus stepped forward staring down through everyone. Water erupted from the air attempting to surround Chiharu, but she appeared out on top of it. A slight movement in his eyes seemed to aowledge her position. “You seem alive.”

  Holdihoughts away from her face, she had mixed feelings on him. ‘He seemed to only be looking at me now and not before, like I was invisible. What’s with him?’ Chiharu was also not sure about his ent. Regardless, the act was clear enough. “So you’ve made your pick.”

  Almost bored looking, he started walking away. “I was given the choice, you had the best bsp; I’ll see if it was right.” His attitude was so different from Rheia that it threw off the group. It seemed like he didn’t even want to be fighting, it was only by order that he was standing on the field.

  Everything about him made Chiharu even more curious. She nded on the ground and followed him. It was almost polite, if it wasn’t for the fact that he didn’t seem to care. However, she still knew if she tried to break for the Capital he would chase her down. He didn’t want to be here, but still did what he was told. ‘Strange one…’

  Extending a finger suddenly, Teris pointed out Haruo. It was another one of the strange looks. “You’re the ohat uses animals to fight right?” Typical Haruo only gave him a nod. “Some sort of spiritual power and it’s real acc to the reports. Very fasating. Something stifically unproven. I want to see this up close.” Almost as if he was ordered, Haruo started walking off with Teris without a question.

  The remaining group with Yumi could only stare at what was most certainly a very Haruo a, yet still strao watbsp; However, the st Titan broke their stares.

  “I’m the st line,” started Ourias. “I won’t allow any of you to pass.” He made himself the wall betweeruders and the Capital. “Don’t try to cross and you will remain safe. I ’t make that promise if you attempt to get to the Capital.”

  Yumi stepped forward already knowing her position. Everyone in the group with her wasn’t in a position to fight. Seiji and Nerihe closest, but with their weakeates, it wouldn’t be smart to let him fight. She had to stand for them. No one else could do it. “I’m afraid we ’t do that. We must get to the Capital.” The sword had almost pletely bee part of her. She rarely realized it was with her even though it still ran through her hand and chest.

  Ourias stared at Yumi, his brow twisting a little. “Children should not be here. I’m giving you your st warning.”

  Aep closer, she moved to Ourias. She fixed her sights upon him unflingly, despite her situation. “I’m no child. I lost thhts when I stepped into this try.” Yumi presented a solid game face for him. It was no mere words. Her presence backed her up.

  Hesitation deyed him, but he accepted quickly. “I see. You’re correct.” He read into her features and lines of her fabsp; ‘I didn’t expect to find someone like this among them. She’s mature. She uands the meaning of sequences and the weight to them. She’s willing to carry it all.’ It was the acceptanbsp; The odds against her, she still stood in front of him. He couldn’t ignore such resolve. “Fine. If you wish to test the siy of my words then I shall have to make them truth! All others are not allowed to interfere.”

  Part of the sidelines, Yori didn’t uand what was happening. His sister stood up against one of the Titans without any powers. She could do nothing to him. “Yumi! What are you thinking?”

  She began walking to Ourias in her defiance of his w. “What I must, brother. You ’t stop me.” Yumi broke out into a sprint going straight for Ourias.

  “Yumi!” He couldn’t stop her. She was already beyond him. It was out of reabsp; He could do nothing to prevent her from going to her death. ‘Why am I so powerless?! I’m always useless!’ Yori recalled all of the times he wao help his sister. The cave-in with the school, the Atntean vilge, the ambush and the escape. He never did anything. He was unneeded. Someone always did what he wanted.

  Yori looked over to the others, realizing he was not alone. “Seiji! You do it! You stop, Yumi! Save her from getting herself killed!”

  o Yori, Seiji k down on one knee looking more tired than earlier. “I’d like to, but I ’t seem to move.” His body looked to be shaking, struggling against an unknown force.

  “What?!” It was then that he realized, it wasn’t his own fear or helplesshat paralyzed him, but the same thing that held back Seiji. Yori quickly k was the Titan’s doing. “Miss Nerine!”

  “I’m not strong enough, he’s pletely overwhelmed my Field. I won’t be able to reach her.”

  ‘Damn! Damn! Damn this world! Damhing!’ He wished he wasn’t so useless. He didn’t want a world where he had to watch his sister die and he was uo protect her. ‘I’m supposed to be the ohat protects you! It’s my job! I promised! I promised her, I’d protect you!’

  Yori’s body held firm f him to watch Yumi be beaten up by Ourias because she had to protect everyone. Each failed attempt by her made it that much worse for him to watbsp; ‘I don’t want to be on the sidelines anymore! I don’t want to be protected! Damn you stupid bastard, Hayashi! Why didn’t you give me any power so I could stop this from happening?!’

  Blood dripped down Yumi’s face, still determio keep standing back up. Her unwillio stop made the situation worse. Ourias didn’t make light of his decration. Her body shook and wobbled, but she kept going forward. All she had was her fist to throw, the fist that never nded.

  “Stop!” A wind suddenly tossed up around Yori. “I…’t!” Yori ched his fists in frustration at his uselessness. He had nothing. He wanted something. Anything. He didn’t care. ‘ you hear me, you bastard?! I don’t like you. I don’t trust you. You destroyed the world and gave Yumi powers. You ruin lives. But I don’t care anymore. I’ll take anything, even if it is from you! Give me the power to save my sister!’

  Yori screamed aloud his frustration. The ground started to shake under his feet. Wind blew away from him alerting those around him to the rea. Sparks ignited in the air, as everything suddenly seemed to bee heavy. The very air seemed dense, almost impossible to breathe. “Damn you, you bastard! Yuki Hayashi!”

  Wind whipped around Yori’s hair blog out his eyes for a moment. In the , everything was solid white. The iris, pupil, everything was missing. A couple of veins around his forehead protruded to visibility. Yori leaned forward trying to fight the power that held him down. “You won’t stop me!”

  Suddenly, Yori disappeared only for Yumi to appear in his pce looking very fused. Across the Field, Yori took over Yumi’s pce still yelling pletely blind oions. “I won’t let you harm her anymore!” A bck barrier appeared in front of him shattering, but blog the ining attack meant for Yumi. In the instant, Yrabbed out at the shattered pieces of the barrier taking one pie each of his hands. The pieces suddenly grew into transparent swords. “Hayashi bastard!” Yori swung down on an off-guard Ourias.