Arc I: “Apocalypse”
Chapter I: “The Generals”
Episode IX: “‘I’m Working with Who!?’”
[Three Months later…]
Once Akira was fully healed, and the Intelligence Division was able to complete their research, the headmaster summoned him again for a new mission.
Now officially licensed operatives, he and his peers were being entrusted with higher-priority assignments— and their first was simple: hunt down Julie.
Akira nearly exploded.
“WHAT?! I have to work with that guy?!”
“Relax,” Asuka chirped, standing beside him.
“At least you have me. I’ll have you know I’m the best combat medic around! If you ever get hurt, just let me know.” She smiled cheerfully.
Rikito stood at the front of the room, arms crossed as he listened.
“You should be grateful you’re even on this mission. If you were stronger, we wouldn’t need to be here in the first place.”
“Oh yeah? You wanna say that again, tough guy?” Akira stepped toward him, fists clenched.
“Shut it.” Rikito didn’t even look at him. “You don’t even know who you’re messing with.”
“Boys!” Asuka stepped between them, stretching out her arms to grab each of them by the ear.
“Save it for the mission. Julie’s not going to find herself.”
Akira grumbled but stepped back. He still didn’t like it — but orders were orders.
[Elsewhere]
“Heh. So, they’re on the move.” Julie stood on a tree branch, overlooking the dense forest. She could feel their energy signatures as they left the academy grounds.
“Let’s go, Bills,” she said, glancing over her shoulder.
The massive shadow of a figure behind her didn’t reply, but his glowing eyes locked forward as it began to move.
[That afternoon – Giant Forest Island]
“Slow down. We’re close.” Rikito raised a hand, signaling for Akira and Asuka to hold position.
They crouched in the undergrowth, the humid air thick with tension.
“So… she really came back here?” Akira whispered.
“It’s the smartest place to look,” Rikito replied. “This is where Felix was hiding. If she’s regrouping, it’s here.”
“Good,” Julie’s voice echoed through the forest. “I was hoping you’d come, Akira.”
The three tensed as she stepped into view, smirking.
“And you brought friends. Perfect. Why don’t I introduce you to mine?” Julie snapped her fingers.
The trees shook.
“Meet the Third General… Bills.”
From the forest’s shadows emerged a mountain of a man. His frame was massive, his movements unnervingly deliberate — and yet his aether felt muted, as though his true power had yet to surface.
“W-what? The Third General?!” Akira’s heart skipped.
If Julie was already pretty strong… what does that make him?
“…” Bills stood there silently.
“Hmph. The quiet type, huh?” Akira stepped forward. “That’s fine. I prefer talking with my fists.”
“Akira—” Rikito started.
“Nope. He’s mine.” Akira cracked his knuckles.
Let’s not waste any time.
“Let’s go!” He charged straight towards Bills.
“Dragon’s Barrage!”
He unleashed a series of furious attacks in a single instance.
Bills didn’t even flinch.
Akira gritted his teeth. “Fine. Full power!”
His aura flared, and he struck again.
Nothing.
“You’re wasting your energy,” Rikito warned.
“Stay out of this!” Akira shot back. “Hyper Energy Mode… Layer Two!”
His body ignited with orange light as he slammed into Bills again. A single grunt escaped the giant.
“What? What’s that!?” Asuka said, startled.
“Hmph. This fight might just be interesting after all,” Rikito said.
“Ha! Felt that one, didn’t you?” Akira grinned, then charged his next attack.
“Star… Destroyer!”
The beam roared forward, forcing Bills to brace himself with both hands. He slid backward from the impact… but when the smoke cleared, he was unharmed.
“Damn… still nothing?!”
The air grew heavier.
Bills tilted his head slowly. Then —
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“RAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!”
His aether erupted outwards like a detonating bomb, a shockwave tearing through the forest and shaking the forest.
Julie smirked and took a step back. “Looks like he’s warmed up now.”
“This is… bad,” Asuka whispered.
“Not yet,” Rikito muttered. “But it’s getting there.”
Bills fell silent again, his breathing slow and controlled. He didn’t move. He was waiting.
Akira smirked, trying to mask his unease. “Alright then… Hyper Energy Mode… Layer Four!”
“Wow. It looks like Akira might even be stronger than you, big brother.”
“Hmph. Don’t even joke about something so silly. There’s no way Akira could ever match my strength.”
“Okay… here goes nothing—” Akira launched forward.
This time, Bills moved.
The giant blurred — faster than his size should’ve allowed — and appeared behind Akira.
“WATCH OUT!” Rikito barked.
Akira turned too late.
BOOOOOM!
Bills’ strike pummeled Akira, sending him flying a mile through the forest.
“Akira!” Asuka dashed after him.
Rikito rolled his shoulders.
“Guess it’s my turn… Asuka! Go heal that fool. It seems like these guys aren’t pushovers.”
“R-right!” Asuka shouted as she continued running in Akira’s direction.
“Hahaha! Serves him right. And what makes you think you can take on Bills?” Julie chuckled.
“Hmph. I’m nothing like that other fool. You haven’t laid your eyes on true power,” Rikito said confidently.
“Oh yeah… let’s see about that!”
Provoked, Julie rushed at Rikito and tried to hit him from his blind spot – but his hand was already there, catching her wrist.
“Stay out of my way.” He boldly remarked.
“Ohh, someone’s cranky.”
“Pathetic.”
“What—”
His counter sent her tumbling back.
Julie grinned, licking her lip. “Fine. I’ll stop playing. Frozen Demoness Julie!”
Her aura erupted in blue and violet flame, ice forming across her armor as her hair shifted to a deep midnight blue.
Rikito didn’t flinch. “You still don’t get it.”
His black and violet aura roared to life, his hair darkening as his black eyes glowed with a ring of violet.
“This… is Demonic Base Form.”
Julie’s smile faltered. “But that means… Y-you mastered it…?”
[Intermission - Start]
[Yield Levels]:
Akira: 20,000
- Post training: 25,000
- HEML4 (Post Training): 100,000
Bills: 150,000
- Suppressed: 50,000
Asuka: 15,000
Julie: 40,000
- Frozen Demon Julie: 80,000
Rikito: 50,000
- DBF: 100,000
[Intermission - End: “Rikito’s Power”]
“W-what? Demonic base form…? But that means he’s mastered his Demon Form! Not even I or Felix could achieve that.”
“Hmph. If this impresses you… Then you’re not even worth my time.”
“B-Bills! Come over here right now and deal with this guy!”
Despite his huge build, Bills was able to move at high speeds. He instantly appeared between Julie and Rikito.
He’s fast. Now this should be interesting. I get the feeling that I’m not the only one holding back. “What’s taking those two so long…”
[In Akira’s crash site…]
“Ugh… what happened?” Akira groaned as his vision came back.
“You’re lucky I found you,” Asuka said, kneeling over him. “Now hold still. One Thousand Regenerations!”
Warmth spread through his chest as her hands glowed green.
Akira blinked. “This… actually feels kinda nice.”
“Don’t get used to it, tough guy,” she said with a small smile. “Now hurry up and get back in there. Rikito needs you.”
[Back at the battle between Rikito and Bills…]
Rikito dashed at Bills using an assortment of fighting styles to get through Bills’ defenses, but eventually, Bills was able to adapt to each one.
Not to mention the few attacks that managed to connect, but did no damage. The two of them continued to exchange blows evenly.
There’s no way! This guy is an even match for Bills… and it’s like he’s still hiding something! Things aren’t looking good… Maybe I should leave Bills behind and abort the mission.
Julie took a few steps back, cowering in fear as sweat ran down her face.
Just then, Akira returned to the fight— fully healed.
“HEY! We’re back in business, baby!” Akira jumped over.
“Back for more?” Rikito asked.
“Damn right. Thanks to Asuka, I’m as good as new! Now move over, I’ll finish this.”
“Hmph. No way. I’m actually putting up a fight against this guy while you were just wasting time messing around.”
“RAHHHHHHHHH!” Bills powered up even further.
“Damn. Seems I was right. He was still hiding more strength… hey, Akira! Come over here.”
“Huh?”
“Listen up. We’re not beating this thing alone. Combine everything you’ve got with mine. One opening — that’s all I need.”
Akira nodded. “Hyper Energy Mode Layer Five! Then let’s go!”
“Right!”
Rikito and Akira rushed Bills together.
Their attacks had good synergy and carried weight, but still, Bills was able to block their moves. As the same as before, the few attacks that managed to get through did no damage.
“Dammit. Try this on for size! Dragon Flash! Into… STAR DESTROYER… HA!”
Akira blasted Bills from point-blank range.
“Now’s my chance! SUPER DARK DEMOLITION CANNON!” Rikito fired a large energy blast from the opposite direction.
They struck in unison, both yelling at the top of their lungs as they released their power.
Unfortunately, Bills started to push back their attacks with one hand each.
“Damn, this guy is a monster!” Rikito cried out.
They both stopped their beam attacks. Rikito dashed over to Akira’s side.
“I hope you’ve still got more fight in you… cuz’ it looks like things are just getting started…”
Huh? Is that what I think it is?
“Hey! Akira! Look at his right hand!”
Rikito’s attack managed to harm Bills, even though it was only slightly.
“Alright. Now’s the time. We’re going to have to unleash all our power right now.
I’m not sure if we can take this guy in a battle of attrition. Based on what you told us, your muscles are going to hit their limits soon, and this guy hasn’t transformed, so he isn’t draining much energy.
While the form I’m using doesn’t drain much aether either, it’s using up my demon energy, which I have a limited amount of.
So, let’s try and end this as soon as we can!”
“Right!”
Here goes nothing… if this doesn’t work… then I’m not sure I’ll be able to continue fighting.
Akira took a deep breath in and out.
“Hyper Energy Mode Layer Ten!!!”
Akira’s power surged farther than it had ever gone before.
“Heh, that’s more like it. Me too!”
Rikito pushed his power to the limit. His skin darkened into a greyish brown as he transformed.
“Now we end this.”
Their combined assault finally forced Bills to move — recoil — from their onslaught.
“Dragon Flash! Dragon Combination!”
“Deep Crash!”
“Star Destroyer!”
“Dark Demolition Cannon!”
They continued piling on the attacks, not giving Bills a chance to recover.
“Urgh!” Bills staggered.
Their continuous downpour started to slow him down as they racked up damage.
“RAHHHH!” Bill cried out.
“What!? He still had more power? This guy is insane! Okay then, I’m going to have to surpass my limits too!” Akira said, gripping his fist.
By attacking in tandem, Akira and Rikito were able to make up for their lack of strength and match Bills blow for blow.
“I-I can’t believe this is happening. They’re fighting evenly with Bills? No… Bills is being pushed back!? Dammit!”
Julie panicked, throwing her hands into the air like a child throwing a tantrum.
“C’mon, Akira! Don’t stop now, it’s time to finish this!”
“Y-yeah! Haaa!” Akira was about to go in for another attack. “Arrrgh!”
Akira collapsed. His body started cramping and convulsing from the strain of using Hyper Energy Mode.
Damn… he already hit his limit. And on the other hand, Bills still has energy to spare. Sure, we managed to do some damage, but that doesn’t matter if we can’t finish him!
“Asuka! Hurry and heal him!”
“Already on it!”
I’ll just have to manage on my own somehow until Akira can fight again.
“Dammit! Let’s do this!”
But then—
“Stop.”
A calm, commanding voice cut through the chaos.
Everyone froze.
Akira turned — and his heart fluttered in relief.
I-is that? “Master Kai!” Rikito shouted.
Alright! It seems we’ve managed to survive this fight after all.
Julie dropped to one knee. “General… it really is you.”
“General?!” Akira’s voice cracked. “What is she talking about, Master Kai?!” Akira shouted.
Kai sighed, as though he were disappointed in a child. “Tsk. Julie, you couldn’t keep your mouth shut for even one mission.”
“Master Kai…” Rikito’s fists shook. “What are you? A traitor?”
“Hmm. No, I was never truly a part of UFA to begin with. That was just a cover I used to get to the vessel.”
“So… when you found me and my sister all those years ago… why did you save us?”
“…” Master Kai stood there blankly. “Let’s not talk about such boring things… instead, let’s talk about something more interesting. Like, your father, for example.”
“M-my father?”
“You think we didn’t know that you ran off with your sister and tried to take revenge?
You joined the UFA so you could hunt down the generals, didn’t you? To take revenge for what your father did to your mother.
Apocalypse, that is.”
“What? That kid is Apocalypse’s son? He had another kid?” Julie asked.
“Yes, and a daughter too. It wasn’t well-known because their mother wasn’t one of us. She was from a different race. But enough about her.”
“R-Rikito… what does he mean…” Asuka shuddered, the color leaving her face as a single tear worked its way down her cheek.
“…”
“Don’t worry, Young Master. We won’t hurt you. You’re Apocalypse’s offspring after all.
Oh yes, speaking of which. Before I tell you why we’re here, why don’t I introduce myself.
I... am the Fourth General, The Sage, Kai.”
Akira’s blood ran cold.
“You bastard…” Rikito grimaced.
“And we’re here… to take back The Vessel—”
“Stop… talking…” Rikito’s aether flared violently.
“I’M GOING TO KILL YOU WITH MY BARE HANDS!”
“Don’t waste your rage on me, kid.” Kai’s voice sharpened, cutting through the noise like a blade. “If you couldn’t handle Bills, you’ll never reach me.”
Rikito lunged.
Kai didn’t bother to look. He flicked his finger—
BOOOOM.
Rikito flew across the battlefield, cratering into the dirt. He was unconscious in a second.
“Pathetic. I’ll tell Apocalypse you were just… confused.”
Kai turned to Akira, his smile returning.
“Now then. What’s this vessel you might ask?
It’s simple, really. You’re holding something that belongs to Apocalypse. Power beyond comprehension.
With it, he’ll lead us all to the Grand World. That’s why you’re coming with me, Akira.”
“No…” Akira clenched his fists.
“No?”
Akira’s stomach turned. They all leave… he thought. Akira sat on the ground, motionless.
“Why don’t you just stay right there. Now… Julie!”
“Y-yes, General Kai?”
“Do you know how much work you’ve put me through?
I had to set up a large barrier to keep the headmaster from finding out about your little skirmish at the academy. All that just for you to run away.
And now you were about to run away again after dragging Bills into this. The other generals won’t be pleased to hear about this… and Apocalypse? No telling what he’ll do.”
“N-no, please, sir. I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry that I failed you. I’ll do anything, just please anything but that. Please don’t tell the master!”
Kai sighed, exasperated.
“I guess it’s alright since we have the vessel, and we’ve retrieved Apocalypse’s children. So, I’ll let you off the hook just this once.
Oh, and don’t think for a second that I don’t know what you did to Felix.”
Even though I nearly killed him… I had to keep Akira alive.
“Y-yes, sir. Thank you so much!” Julie was shivering with fear.
Akira couldn’t process what he was hearing.
A deafening, blaring sound rang in his head, drowning out Kai’s voice.
His vision tunneled, his eyes wide but unseeing.
Overwhelmed, his battered body gave in— and Akira collapsed into darkness.
He had yet to realize it. That this wasn’t just another mission. This was the start of something much bigger.
[Next Time on Lyte of Utopia]: “The End of The Beginning”
[Yield Levels]:
Akira: 25,000
- HEML2: 50,000
- HEML4: 100,000
- HEML5: 125,000
- HEML10: 250,000
- Dragon Flash: x1.5
- Dragon Combination: x1.5
- Dragon’s Barrage: x1.1
- Star Destroyer: x1.5
Rikito: 50,000
- Demonic Base Form: 100,000
- Demon Form Level One: 250,000
- Demon Form Level One + Rage Boost: 500,000
- Super Dark Demolition Cannon: x3
Bills: 150,000
- Rage Boost: 300,000
Kai: ???
- Suppressed: 500,000
Julie: 40,000
- Frozen Demoness: 80,000
Asuka: 15,000
- One Thousand Regenerations: x1 (Healing / Regeneration)