KATO VS. RAIJIN

The assaults of forces caused chaos throughout the land. Deployed troops of the enemy continued to outnumber them. Several reinforcements from the Anshiantiaes were defeated as the bloodlust of the Nemiendlich pursued on, brutal and relentless. The once hailed Riagi was now stained with gore from the battlefield.

"Where are the Generals?!" Spoke one of the soldiers, immediately firing an attack on the enemy that caused her to rush in cover from avoiding a counter fire to the other side.

"A signal was already sent to them! But they're still not here!" The discomfort was seen with the other soldier. His hands were putting pressure to stop the blood from flowing onto his wound.

The casualties through the battle had almost risen to their peak. Even numerous participants from the selection were found lifeless. A soldier's duty was to protect the land and the people. But in this case, will they have the proficiency to conquer their greatest enemy?

Piles of debris from the administration building had scattered throughout the area—hindering an immediate evacuation of the people.

Hiro and Mitsuka stood unmoving, frozen from the sharp and forceful outburst of Raijin's energy and aura. His power oozed on every corner of the room creating small shocks of lighting lingering around. Kato and his men were left baffled and overwhelmed by the dominant energy suddenly ceasing their attacks as they diverted their attention on the young man standing before them.

Raijin's body was submerged in lightning. His once unkempt crimson hair now shone into a bright bluish light of the lightning. As if, it was not the young man they had known. The exchanging of blows outside created a short silence as the loud clap of the thunder roared.

"Tomato head..." Mitsuka uttered, her voice trembled staring at the boy. She fought the urge of unease consuming her.

"What are you doing Mitsuka? This is now our chance" Hiro said, slowly gathering his composure. He was the first one to snap out of the sudden shock.

Mitsuka glanced at Hiro, feeling the short shivers from the frost of his power that created visible fogs around. She was still bewildered by her surroundings. Yet, she had steeled herself, eyeing the two boys she met during the selection who had skillfully executed their abilities. She discarded her thoughts at the back of her mind knowing that she must not let the two get beyond her. And that, she wouldn't let chaos lead on.

"I don't need you asking me that!" Mitsuka said followed by the subtle shaking of the ground as vines and briars of plants were exceedingly growing through the area.

They positioned themselves for an attack as they heard the voice of Raijin. "I'm counting on you" He spoke. They had not almost recognized the deep of his tone, serious and unwavering and away from how he would casually have.

"What do you mean count on us?! Stop acting cool and-" Mitsuka stopped midway when Raijin's gaze cut deep into Kato that seemed to throw the enemy onto the depths of nothingness. Raijin charged, dragging Kato by the arm in mid-air as he was forced outside at the speed of light.

It was too sudden that Mitsuka and Hiro did not have the time to respond.

"You heard him, let's not-" Hiro was cut off as a sudden ring of the communication chant was heard between them. This time, the echoes were immediate and quite stinging to the ears to signal for an emergency.

"This is an urgent announcement from the Generals. Currently, five of the eight Generals were sealed on a barrier and they won't be able to attend the frontlines. All remaining divisions should not engage in a fight with a Divine Guardian and only deal with the troops of the Nemiendlich until the upper Generals arrive. I repeat, do not engage in a fight with a Guardian." The announcer's voice was struggling between pants. "And the assistance of the remaining participants on the selection is ordered. Please proceed to the location I would tell you. That's all! -"

A splatter of blood was heard along with the call's end.

Hiro and Mitsuka glanced at each other. They had wanted to avenge the lives of the people who share the same ambition as them and yet at the end of their contemplation—even if it broke the trust Raijin has given them. They fled into the battlefield without breaking word to follow the assigned command.

---

Kato was pushed to the ground as Raijin released him by the arm. His impact caused waves of soil to crash onto the air turning the ground into cracks and pieces. Kato felt it—the piercing pain running all over his body, he had always thought that the boy in front of him was inferior to his powers.

"Kato," Raijin said, bitterness and discernment were heard through his words.

Kato didn't respond, though he could feel the anger wielding up inside Raijin.

"If you have business with me then so be it! You don't have to involve others!" Raijin's voice roared between them. "Kato! Why are you doing this?!" He had seen Kato's sorrowed expression—filled with the void of sadness back then and since that day, he had wanted to reach out to him and to save him from what was chaining him on the outskirts of that void. And yet, his hatred for the Nemiendlich had reached its peak—them who had killed his grandfather, and them who ran havoc through the land.

Clicking his tongue, Kato wiped the smeared blood on the corner of his lips. Their eyes locked in an intense gaze. "I don't want to hear an Anshiantiae asking that. We are the Nemiendlich and you sinners shall be executed at all costs"

Raijin's teeth were gritted. His fists were formed; holding in the urge of his anger. Even for a second, he did not hesitate to release his power from stopping everything to fall apart. The aspirations and dreams of everyone who was killed, have now crumbled to dust and that pains him the most. Raijin had experienced the grief of losing someone and he had not wanted to make others feel the same misery.

"Kato!" He shouted as his energy once again created an outburst of shocks.

"Ignis Schwert, burst through" Flames began to engulf the area trying to suppress Raijin's lightning.

With a final lock of their gazes, their powers began to collide. Sparks flew everywhere as they charged towards one another reaching for the fulfillment of their aim.

Lightning and fire might be one of the worst matches. It generated overloading sparks and shocks everywhere; causing the area to be immersed in heat. The scent of burning wood and metal lingered throughout, igniting the debris. Several pieces of rocks came flying as they crashed with their powerful forces. It was difficult to determine whether one holds the ends of victory because of how rapid their movements are.

Clashes and explosions echoed throughout their battle; almost eradicating the area.

Kato had never expected Raijin to equal his abilities in just a short amount of time. As if, it was not the young man he had met through the woods—the same young man on whom he had betrayed. Raising his blade in an attempt to cut the boy in front of him, Raijin immediately crossed his arms blocking the sword's slash. It ended up in a clang as the lightning that engulfs Raijin's body served as an armor to defend and attack the enemy of his own will—the power of Alvarynieus.

"Ignite!" Chanted Kato followed by a strong release of energy. His sword summoned waves of violent flame slashes delivering a large-scale attack in a close distance towards Raijin.

Raijin's eyes widened as the fire reflected before his eyes. With the lightning that covers his whole, he could still feel the intensity of the heat coming. He did not have enough time to evade the charge, leaving him no choice but to execute a counter.

Channeling the energy and power of the chushin, a flash of great lightning was unleashed as the sound of thunder echoed. Its energy covered the area as the release of lightning and fire began to collide engulfing their zone in the blaze of light.

The collision resulted in a loud explosion. The rumble reached every corner of the land leaving everyone in fear and shock while Mitsuka and Hiro continued to move, knowing who had caused the sudden discharge.

As soon as the crash ended, Kato and Raijin had once again stood before one another. Their clothes were dirtied and tattered to pieces. The deep scratches that envelop their body drip in blood but they do not seem to care much. The two boys were breathing heavily in exhaustion they had taken after releasing a powerful attack. Though this is nothing, for the thought of defeating the person who stands before them stays much as powerful.

They were about to launch at each other again and yet, two figures came standing between them.

"Why are you here?" Raijin said. His expression was still solemn despite seeing the two.

Mitsuka glanced at him, creating a wall of briars between him and Kato—even if she had argued to Kazahana Fujihiro not to go out of her way just for a rampaging young man. Though being left surrounded by the Nemiendlich warriors and thinking about ways to flee without being caught up with them leaves her no choice.

Hiro held both of Raijin's arms on the back, freezing them with ice. The lightning that engulfed Raijin's body was slowly fading for his focus had been interrupted.

"What are you-"

"Rai, don't speak any further," Hiro said. His tone was full of authority that it had finally shaken Raijin out of his senses.

Mitsuka and Hiro took him back, immediately leaving the battle. And Kato stood in silence watching them flee—It had disrespected his pride and he disliked any of it.

Refusal and complaints were all Raijin could say as his two friends continued to drag him out of his battle. Hiro's ice was too firm for it to break; resulting in his protests as they go. Mitsuka had also restrained his upper body—vines of plants crawled on them to paralyze his movements.

"At least tell me what's going on!" said Raijin. Just like how a child would throw a tantrum.

"You're an idiot! Haven't you heard the orders!?" Mitsuka blurted out as she tightens the bind of her vines on him.

"Mitsuka it hurts! At this rate, I'm going to die!" Raijin said struggling for breath, Mitsuka hearing this loosened the ties a little and Raijin was grateful that he didn't meet his grandfather too soon. Though his eyes still wandered at Hiro after—the gentle and polite smile of Hiro now carries a solemn expression. "I'm sorry. You guys might be worried about me—for you to get me all the way there. This might be something very important right?" said Raijin.

"Who said we're worried about you? If it's you we don't have to worry about anything. And don't act as if we've known each other for decades!" Mitsuka spoke as they continued to run.

"You really are-"

"Rai, you must've not heard the orders because your whole attention was focused on defeating that Guardian" Finally speaking, Hiro glanced at him still wearing the same expression.

The young man lowered his head, unable to return his glance.

"We are ordered not to engage in a fight with a Guardian. And the remaining participants shall head to where the Generals were sealed" Hiro continued. "That's why we forced you to come with us"

Stopping with their tracks and letting Raijin down, they faced him—waiting for his answer.

"Sealed? The Generals are..." he paused for a moment. "How is that even possible!?" he had longed to picture the strength of a General from his grandfather's tales. They have a chance to stand in a battle between divine beings, as to what Hideo had told him.

"The Generals warned us not to engage with a Divine Guardian. Meaning that they consider them as powerful as them or even greater and-" Hiro said.

Cutting him off, Raijin spoke. "You go ahead. I can deal with Kato"

Mitsuka felt the urge of annoyance and irritation from his words causing her to kick him on his leg receiving a cry of pain on the latter. At first, she had wanted to kick him somewhere—right there, on the soft spot, and yet she had disregarded the thought. "You're an absolute idiot!"

"Rai, we need to release the Generals first and prioritize the citizens. Don't be selfish" Hiro responded, he was still as calm as he could be.

"You're the selfish one, you're just saying that because you're worried about your sister!"

Hiro looked at him with a cold gaze. His calm and collected demeanor began to wash away. "I won't even get into the shame of worrying about someone like her" To him, he had understood the strength and capabilities of his sister through the years, and fretting over something about her safety would only bring humiliation to himself.

"You both stop it," Mitsuka said, standing between the both of them. She wasn't experienced when it comes to lessening the tension. Hence, she had hated to use herself to interfere with people's businesses (the 3rd General is quite an exception). But she needed to do it for the real enemy is not among themselves.

Even if Hiro had turned his face away from him. Raijin could still feel his regret in suddenly saying those words. Hiro was right—they needed to take the people's lives in priority. Was that his goal in the first place? To protect them. And yet, he was thrown into the pits of a personal grudge. He knew that an apology would not heal the scratch he had left in his friend's pride. But even so, he apologized—for he had feared that he might lose him as a friend and he had not desired to lose someone anymore. "I'm sorry, Hiro. I... just got carried away by my emotions"

Letting out a deep breath Hiro faced him, placing his hands on his shoulders. "I understand. Thank you" he uttered. Now, showing him a reassuring smile.

"Thank you? For what?" Raijin said.

"Nothing. I just wanted to say it" Hiro answered, followed by a faint laugh.

Mitsuka felt a warm sensation witnessing the two. It was strange since she had only met them for a short time. But the feeling of having someone you could run to; was as if a dream. All this time, she had not realized it until now—that she was searching for a place she could belong to. And maybe, just maybe it might be here all along.

"Eh? Why are you crying Mitsuka?" Raijin said.

Perplexed, Mitsuka immediately ran her fingers through her cheeks but she didn't feel the tingle of a wet substance.

"Just kidding," said Raijin, showing her the grin of revenge.

Embarrassment filled her when the young man's giggle was heard. She had fallen into his dirty trap. Unable to find a response, Mitsuka darted a glare at him.

Stepping back, Raijin ushered them to release him. Hiro abided—but Mitsuka was hesitant at first. He stretched his arms feeling the strain the ice cuffs had caused. "Then, let's now go and save the Generals-"

"Rai! Mitsuka! Don't move!" Hiro shouted. "Inalgesco" he chanted. A shield made of ice blocked sharp daggers sent by the enemy. The daggers dashed through mid-air at a speed of light, piercing on the ice. As the attack was blocked through the shield, icicles were sent back to the enemy in a counter.

"That's amazing Hiro, how did you do that?" Raijin said, eyeing at the crystallized sphere engulfing them.

"It's a technique that allows me to incorporate both defense and offense. Once the shield had been hit, as a result: it will shoot icicles in the direction where the attack came from. A scrape from the icicles will cause short paralyzation" Hiro responded in a low voice.

Raijin and Mitsuka nodded in amusement. And yet, the young man had to admit to himself that he had only understood a percent of what Hiro had said. Nevertheless, they stood alert waiting for the next attacks.

"But I can only use it three times," Hiro uttered, continuing to analyze their current situation. The means of escape and where the opponent might appear remained on his thought process—he had always been like this, studying the battlefield before him as if it was an open textbook.

There was a tremendous aura that created unease for them. But Raijin knew that familiarity. It's him. It was Kato. The ice shield that created protection to them, had instantly melted as flames ignited the surroundings. Its heat grew in intensity—showing the caster's eagerness to finish the enemy.

Mitsuka's briars were useless either, they burned to crisps when she tried to create a blockage to prevent the fire from crawling over them.

"It's no use" Kato muttered, appearing before them. His tattered clothes remained and the blank expression on his face had never wavered.

What stood before them is the real Kato. Far from the person who had given Raijin his façade of kindness.

"Rai, Mitsuka" Hiro called. "Be sure not to catch a cold" Confused by his words, Raijin and Mitsuka glanced at each other while Hiro had turned at Kato, curving the side of his lips. "Third zone, Schneestrum" he chanted, as the frosty breeze of the air had picked up.