RAIJIN VS. KATO

The wind blew aggressively and snow had accumulated before them creating a blizzard and extinguishing the flames. Mitsuka and Raijin held on for dear life—pulling themselves with energy to not be caught up by the snowstorm.

"Half cooked guy are you an idiot?! We'll die just before they get to kill us!" Mitsuka shouted, her hair flowing aggressively with the cold wind. She summoned her briars from the ground, gripping into it.

"You're amazing Hiro!" Raijin remarked.

Bits of snow accumulated around their whole and the cold left them shivering. The smell of earth and lingering grass danced with it. The area around from where they stood facing Kato was the only one affected by the white storm.

"Sorry, I still can't control it very well," Hiro said. Blood started dripping on his mouth as the result of releasing vast energy. He had slipped into his feet, kneeling on the ground. The longer the blizzard is cast the faster his body weakens—slowly draining his energy and his aura wavering in sensation.

"Hey! Hiro!" said Raijin, coming to his aid to help him stand.

"We can't waste any time here. You go! We can take care of this" Mitsuka said. Even if she struggled to stand, she had managed to create several thorns of briars to serve as an offensive mechanism. She approached the two boys—taking Hiro by the arm to usher Raijin off.

"I can't do that," Raijin said firmly.

"You can. Because you need to settle something with him, right? Then do it fast so we can rescue the Generals" Hiro spoke. He did not put his entire weight on Mitsuka who helped him in standing and whose face is on the verge of speaking curses. "If he isn't defeated, he would continue pursuing us. And worst, we might not be able to survive before we get to the Generals. Defeat him. If there's someone, who can do it right now, it's you" To break the command of the generals was like pulling a dull knife to a giant monster. Laws are to be followed and orders are to be executed. Since then, that was taught to Hiro. Caught up with the righteousness of the rules—not being able to break free from its grasp. For he is noble, and he needed to adhere; to fit the expectations. It was only this time that he had to alter his principles. And the Kazahana heir had wished it to be the last.

Raijin didn't speak another word to his friend's judgment. He knew that whatever decision they make, their lives would still be at stake. And holding onto the silver hope of the Anshiantiae was either securing a precious treasure everyone was eager to get or crashing into the chasm of the abyss.

This wasn't the thing Raijin had longed for. Even if he had known that the path of a soldier wasn't simple. But he continued to hold onto his resolve—walking down the path of thorns that may lead to something or nothing at all. Their lives were in the palm of his hands and that made him want to step back. Yet, he had an answer and he knew that he needed to reach his hands to stop the tormenting misery of the people. He would protect them. Save them from the Nemiendlich.

He faced Hiro and Mitsuka as the cold gushing of the wind remained. His face was pale and intense. "I'll win. And save everybody"

With a final glance and smile between Hiro, Raijin got off on his feet charging after Kato.

---

The Riagi headquarters that was once occupied by the honored soldiers was now a home for corpses and a chaotic field of gore and cries. It all began when...

"On the second trial stage. You will be divided into groups consisting of five members. After confirming your group, please proceed to your fellow members and-"

Purple smoke covered the room where the administrators and Generals stayed while watching the undergoing selection. The intruder was covered in a hooded cloth as he raised his hands; chanting words that were far from their understanding that sounded like a rabble of random phrases. It was still a wonder how he entered the premises without them being alarmed.

People inside began to lose their consciousness falling to the ground one by one as the smoke completely engulfed the area.

"Lucien!" The 6th General exclaimed.

"Yeah! No need to tell me" Putting his hands together, wire threads were summoned and had started to pursue the intruder, trapping him inside the room.

While the 7th general created gales, blowing up the miasma inside. "Nova, get him" he demanded to the woman beside—known as the 8th General Corvinus.

General Corvinus charged onto the mysterious man in a firm stance and swift kick. The two hits were all it took for him to quickly pass out.

It made them wonder: a person this weak had invaded the area without our notice? Even if the man before them had fallen, they remained on their guard.

"This is bad" Hermes Nephus, the 7th General, said.

"Is there something on your mind, Seventh General?" Kazahana Fuyumi (4th general) inquired, remaining in her formal composure.

"Maybe the reason why Second and Third did not attend the selection is that they had expected something like this..." The 7th General replied. Hands were placed on his chin. "And, we will not be able to..."

Their conversation was interrupted when the sound of a small creak echoed inside as the area was filled with shaking. The walls turned into a translucent barricade and something had lifted them on the skies. The room that served as an area for the administrators of Riagi was now formed into what seems like a translucent box prison—floating at a high distance from the ground.

"What's going on?" General Kazahana said. Confusion was plastered on her face as she glanced below. She saw the chaotic atmosphere that surrounds the land. Everything was a mess. The screams of their soldiers and pleads echoed throughout. Corps are laying on the ground as blood continues to drop.

The barrier had taken several hits from the 6th general. But it didn't break nor had created a small crack or dent. It nullified their abilities, igniting their coursing rage. Administrators who had been affected by the miasma were left in the building and inside the prison were only the Generals.

"Glacial" Fuyumi chanted, releasing an amount of her energy. Yet, nothing happened.

"Hermes! Hey! Can't you do something about this?!" Algard shouted impatiently.

"I can't. My brain isn't working right now" Hermes replied, his tone was monotonous.

"You're the General of the research and investigation team, right? Then why?!-" Algard pursued, watching their soldiers in torment without being able to do anything.

General Hermes Nephus glanced outside the translucent walls. "If there's anything we can do, that is to wait for them," He said, as the other Generals looked at each other—feeling the bits of assurance that they would come—to settle this mess.

---

After executing different techniques that drained almost all of their energy, they had finally defeated the Nemiendlich warriors who surrounded them in the ambush.

Hiro ran the back of his hand through the corner of his mouth as he dispels the blizzard he had created. "Now we all have to do is to defeat the remaining-" he had nearly fallen off on his feet but Mitsuka held on his arm helping him to stand as her plant vines crawled towards him, glowing green light.

"My healing is not that efficient, it could only close small wounds," Mitsuka said.

Hiro showed her a small smile of appreciation. Placing his right arm on her shoulder, she served as a guide to help him walk as they began to move.

They faced each other again just like deJa Vu. Or if there was someone who had altered the time into replaying these events. Silence surrounded them both. The intense gazes that they give to each other represent the wall of distance and contempt.

Raijin had always seen Kato as someone who's continuously longing for something. His eyes might've been cold and distant, yet his soul reaches out to him differently. That day he saw how his expression had changed before his betrayal and it convinced him—that Kato might be a person who also wanted the same thing as him, which is to protect someone.

But those thoughts had never lingered on him once again. Since the time he had seen their bloodlust of eradicating the Anshiantiae, there is nothing that matters to him right now but to fight for the sake of the Anshiantiae and his word as an Ikazuchi.

"Ikazuchi Raijin" Kato was the first one to break the silence. "What is your true purpose in fighting?"

Even if how many times people would ask the young man this question, his answer would remain unchanged. "I want to protect-"

"Don't give me that piece of crap," Kato said. "Maybe you haven't known this because you're an idiot but the thing that pushes you in defeating me is just your urge to fight someone"

Taken aback by Kato's words, his eyebrows creased as he spoke. "Yeah, you're right. Maybe it was my urge to fight because I needed to be there for them"

Still, Kato's expressions were blank—not having the slightest care on what Raijin had responded. "I see. You're an absolute shithead" The flame sword took shape in his hands—blazing in the light of the fire engulfing it. He pointed the blade at Raijin, "That's not a goal or purpose. That's a pure instinct as a soldier, Ikazuchi Raijin!"

Kato charged his way through him. While the latter activated his alvarynieus just as before the blade could pierce his body. Kato continued to maneuver his sword, looking for an opening to strike a critical hit at the young man.

Raijin was forced to defend himself while his opponent continued his heavy slashes creating massive impacts to the ground as they clashed with one another. Flames and lightning were released as the dark clouds formed under the growing heat of the battle and thunder resounded through the entire land.

To create a counterattack, Raijin had created a false opening to his left side as Kato fell into the trap losing his momentum. He had remembered it; this is one of General Algard Yozou's teachings. In a split second, Kato's whole created a loud crash to the ground when Raijin gained his chance to shoot him with an enormous ball of lightning.

Raijin remained on his feet watching his opponent struggling to stand from the previous attack. If it wasn't for the 6th general who had taught him—he wouldn't be able to perform that kind of strategy. "Stand up" he demanded; his cold storm gaze competed with Kato's.

It happens every time, even he wasn't sure if he's still the person that he was whenever he would activate his technique (alvarynieus). As if his body would be taken over by someone yet a piece of his consciousness was still with him.

Kato clicked his tongue and annoyance washed over him. He held onto his sword preparing to launch an attack. But as before he could utter his chants, his eyes widened—for he felt the sudden tingling sensation of lightning passing on his side.

It was Raijin. Thunder clapped and in a flash his hands were wrapped on Kato's neck, strangling him. His opponent's feet were inches away from the ground as his strength captured him remorselessly.

It was too sudden that he didn't have the time to react. "Argh" Kato cried in pain. He was struggling to maintain his breaths trying to free from Raijin's grasp. Their eyes met but this time it terrified him. Kato had not felt this kind of fear from something before—even if he had stood before the gods. This is different as if he was staring at the storming call of death. This wasn't the Raijin he had fought the first time. This was another him. Or was is it not?

The young man's strangle continued to tighten through Kato as his eyes shone a bright bluish light—covering his once gray stormy ones. It glowed violently brighter—brighter than the one he had when the technique is activated. And so, he saw someone yet it was blurry. A vague figure of an unfamiliar man had appeared reaching out his hands. Just as before he tried reaching for the hand, he was pulled into reality. This is the same sensation he had felt when he had first used alvarynieus. The sudden drifting into unconsciousness for a second, whether it was a dream or just an illusion, Raijin had no idea.

The small cries of Kato rang into his ears. He glanced at him; his hands surrounding his neck. His eyes widened—coming back to his senses. Realizing what he had done, he had immediately freed Kato who dropped on his knees gasping for breath. Raijin created a distance between the two of them—still struggling to comprehend what just took place.

"Why did you stop?" Kato muttered, in between coughs. The distress he had felt a while back was still haunting him.

Raijin did not speak. His thoughts still wandered somewhere.

"Why are you surprised? Didn't you know?" Kato started, facing him. "You're not human"

At the moment, Raijin doesn't know how to respond. His mind had become a mixture of bewilderment and confusion that made him think of Kato's regard as a joke. And more than that, he couldn't think straight anymore—as if his soul had left him into an empty shell.

'What was that? What did I do? Who was that person?' these questions had completely occupied his mind. Since the person had appeared before him, he had suddenly felt the breakdown of his emotions—loneliness, longing, delight, and grief. But who is he?

"Ikazuchi Raijin!" Kato exclaimed, calling his attention.

Raijin glanced at him lost at the moment.

"You're confused right now because they have kept everything from you! You're not human. You're just a tool created to kill us Nemiendlich for the sake of the Anshian-"

It was not the first that he had felt a mix of emotions. But right now, it gave him clearance. He's pissed and frustrated about everything. Cutting him off, he immediately charged to Kato—landing his fist to his face.

"Kato. Don't say things right now. I don't want to hear anything from you!"

Spitting the blood through his mouth, Kato brushed his hair upwards looking at him intensely. His ethereal features were now far from it and his movements were slowing in blocking Raijin. "Your whole life is a lie, Raijin Ikazuchi! That so-called grandfather of yours lied to you as well!"

The remorse that he had felt when he had almost strangled Kato to death faded in an instant. His decision of fighting him till the end or even taking his life had clouded his thoughts. "You don't have a right to insult him!" he screamed. Crashing another blow to him repeatedly. "If he lied to me then so be it! But you people who killed him are just unforgivable! You even dragged innocent people into this! Now tell me who's the worst!?"

As Raijin continued to hit Kato constantly, his overflowing emotion made him shed tears. He didn't know what to do right now nor what to believe in. His grandfather—if there is someone who can help him, he knew that he would be him.

"He's the only one I have! Then why...why would you..." Raijin muttered in between sobs and anger, gripping Kato's collar as he let out his cries.

Hideo had always been there for him. Even if Raijin wouldn't speak his heart out—he would know right away. For he had taught the young man the real definition of home and for what is it like to be held by the warm hands of a parent. A word of appreciation would mean nothing to his love for Hideo.

"Turn them into ashes! Foinix!" The skies turned into a dark shade of amber. An enormous bird descended into the skies—engulfed in the blazing flames. The land was surrounded by intense heat as the creature flapped its wings creating a rain of fire followed by the sound of a cry.

Raijin remained on his feet, feeling the immense energy and aura of the being. The atmosphere of its power had shaken him into focus—pulling himself onto the situation. His tattered clothes started to become ashes as the ground slowly turned into an inferno. The smell of burning wood, structures, and even flesh lingered around.

Generals and soldiers watched in terror at the firebird; more than a fifteen-foot in size. They watched how the creature condemned its dominance towards them. Its eyes peered, reflecting the end of their race. With a loud cry, the bird accumulated tremendous energy creating a huge ball of fire—bigger than the whole land itself.

"We're all gonna die!"

"Run!!" Everyone retreated to the battlefield; screaming in agony and fear. Soldiers had turned their backs in the hopes of guiding themselves into survival. And yet, the Nemiendlich chased after them, taking it as a chance to continue their merciless spree. The Generals did everything to unseal themselves. But nothing had created success.

"In this case, we're gonna get caught up with that thing" the 7th General muttered. The tone of his voice had not changed even in the current circumstances.

"Damn it! Where are they!?" Yozou exclaimed. "If only, there's someone..." He stopped mid-way to his sentence. He and the other Generals immediately stood on their feet, staring from far away.

"Did you feel that?" Lucien (5th General) asked.

"Yeah" Algard Yozou replied, sensing the bits of hope coming back into their hands. "Ikazuchi boy..." he muttered, as the amber skies fought with the loud echoing of thunder.

---

"You asked me what was my goal. I've now decided, Kato—it is to end the war between the Nemiendlich and Anshiantiae. To achieve a world where we don't have to fight and kill each other." he let out a deep breath. "I don't like your kind, and I want to erase every Nemiendlich with my hands! But if I did that, I would be no different from you. And it won't make pops happy"

He let out every energy that he had remaining. The lightning oozing out from his whole formed into the shape of a gigantic spear created in electrifying shocks. It shone a bright bluish light complementing the thundering bolts striking on the skies. In a single wave of Raijin's hands—its blade aimed at the phoenix above.

He made a last glance at Kato who was prepared to discharge the phoenix's flames to burn everything on the land. But Raijin had trusted the chushin—he had no idea, but he had the affirmation that it wouldn't fail its bearer.

"I hate to admit it Ikazuchi Raijin. But we're the same, I also wanted to...stop" Kato stumbled on his feet completely falling onto the ground. "This war," he whispered, falling into unconsciousness.

Lightning flashed and the forceful thunders roared.

At a rapid pace, the spear flew into the skies piercing the creature who let out a deafening cry. It caused a loud explosion through the heavens. The phoenix, along with the lightning spear had disappeared. As the bright rays of the sun had slipped past the fading amber of the skies.

"I... won," Raijin said, his voice was hoarse and tired. He fell to the ground, feeling his insensibility drift to him.

The soldiers cried in joy at the miracle.

Showing a smile, Mitsuka and Hiro continued to walk forward. The trust that they had given to their friend was not broken. And that brought them a sense of courage.

"Everyone. It's not over yet" Hermes Nephus, the 7th general uttered. His monotonous tone now bears a serious and distinct one.

"What do you mean?" General Kazahana said. Something isn't right, and she could feel it. Even if the phoenix had been defeated, something was telling her that they needed to be prepared for something—something more of a disaster.

"He's coming," said Hermes.

---

Kato lay unconscious to the ground as Raijin was slowly feeling his body getting heavier by second in tiredness and fatigue.

"Ahh, ~ is it over?"

Raijin tried opening his eyes, glancing at the man who stood before him. "W-who are you?" he spoke, struggling to let his voice out. It may be vague, but he can sense it—an enemy. Yet, he is in no condition to fight even if he still wishes to.

The figure took a glance at the boy laying down—just an inch away from his feet. He spoke, "Are you the one who defeated that pathetic boy?" he said.

Raijin tried to take a short gaze at Kato, but he can hardly move even a muscle.

"Hey, I'm asking you" The man reached his hands onto him.

Raijin cried in pain as the stranger took a grasp of his hair pulling it to face him.

"If a god is asking you, speak. You brat!" The stranger forced his face onto the ground. Stretching his hands to strike a hit at the young man.

Just as before it could hit Raijin, a blade had struck between them—slicing the man's hand—It fell onto the ground, reeking of blood. The enemy immediately made a distance to Raijin. "How dare you..." he muttered as blood continued to flow on his left arm.

Raijin raised his head, trying to catch a glimpse of what stood in front of him.

A woman. Her long dark hair was dancing gracefully with the wind and a sword's scabbard was resting on her side. She wore a General's uniform, tinted of crimson and black.

"Who are you Anshiantiae?" The man asked shooting the woman a glare.

"Third General, Noguchi"