Insubordination.

Umeus shouted something but Dwayne did not hear. Tears streaming from his face, he opened his mouth to shout but just as he did, some souls began pouring into his mouth. His entire body felt light and the taste was acrid. Dwayne screamed and his sclera filled with veins as his pupils flipped over, plunging him into darkness.

“Issei, renounce this illusion at once,” Umeus commanded, his mono-brow creasing with subtle irritation. He closed the distance between Dwayne and himself with a few short strides and heaved the young boy onto his shoulder, not even grunting in the process. When the illusion did not dispell Umeus grew impatient, “Issei!”

Inside Sophie's room, Jennifer and Himawari sat with not much to do beside catch up on each other's wellbeing. It had been three months since Jennifer had been sent on her mission to monitor, befriend and retrieve Dwayne. Himawari had overseen much of the military patrol roster that determined which Agnii were stationed at any given area of their kingdom to fend off the mass Daeo infestation.

“There are attacks almost everyday now, and although there haven't been any major casualties, it's still a pain y'know,” She said with a laboured sigh. “And if I'm being honest with you, our boy down there doesn't seem. . .uhm, competent enough to save us from these things and the other forces of evil as foreseen by Granny.”

Jennifer gave a subtle shrug with her shoulders at this. She had thought Dwayne to be a mistaken variable of a crucial prophecy. However, this morning's incident had indeed taken her aback so she decided to give him the benefit of the doubt.

“Then again, he may be the right one this time. I mean, sure the previous prediction was a bit flawed, but it wasn't entirely inaccurate.” she said, then added a smile to show to her friend that she was not arguing.

Himawari considered this while lightly tapping her index finger on her chin. The last Murasak-Ihel had instigated more of a chaod than he did peace. Still, Jennifer had a point. The previous child of prophecy did right some of the wrong he did.

“At the very least, I suppose he deserves the benefit of a doubt,” the princess finally said.

Jennifer sighed in relief and was about to speak when she saw Himawari's features contour into the ugly expression of agony. Quickly she knelt at her side, fussing over her. “Are you alright, Hima?”

The right side of Himawari's head throbbed as if she were having a migraine. The pain was sharp but nothing she wasn't used to. She caressed her temple with the gentle, circular motion of her fingers. Himawari looked at her friend and beckoned toward the door with her head.

“A sudden surge of sinister kaimei has filled the living room. Something's definately off.” she said rather grimly.

Jennifer's brow creased in frustration. I swear, if that old hag isn't dead. . .I'll swallow her! Perhaps her annoyance sat too obviously on her brow because she heard Himawari spoke again.

“Relax, it isn't a Daeo,” she said to assure her friend. “Nor is it any other race hosting the ENHANCE Virus,” The princess finally admitted, the confusion heavy in her tone.

Not any of the ENHANCE races, huh? Just what the hell is this thing? Thought the young girl. “Let me go check it out. If it isn't safe I'l—” Jennifer was cut short by a dainty finger pressed against her lips.

“—Don't.” Himawari said rather curtly. But, knowing her, Jennifer did not take offense and awaited an explanation. “I can't let you do that. By the looks of it, this Kaimei is probably on our side since Umeus hasn't tried to interfere with it yet. In fact, he's calm. Too calm.”

Jennifer nodded along to Himawari's deduction. How frustrating it was for her to be clueless in such situations. Naturally, those who possess a sensory perception are able to learn of a situation by feeling it due to an expansion in their consciousness as a result of their Kaimei. Jennifer had brute strength, limited imagination and zero perception skills. She sighed. “So, what can we do that won't endanger any of us?”

In response, Himawari's golden eyes sparkled with a playful light, her voice assuring as she said, “You know I don't miss.”

Kam'Ikugo —meaning “Celestial Resolution” in Analla— is a state in which every Agno enters when they wish to overwhelm their opposition, regardless of the difference between their skills or prowess. In this state, an Agno becomes what can be likened to a deity for a fixed period of time that varies with rank as well as method of infection.

Congenital-Infected Agnii who were born with Eccentric Neurosis and Hereditary Anthropological Neuro-Cell Evolution are considered to be much stronger than By-Infected Agnii who contracted the virus from someone else. The reason for this is due to how the virus latches onto the DNA of its host. It functions in a way tailored to affect that specific body and so transferring this virus into another body significantly reduces its ability to function at full potential, thus weakening the power it bestows the host.

Congenital Agnii have a fixed time frame of five seconds whilst By-Agnii have a fixed time frame of two seconds. With an increase in rank, the time frame adds up respectively. Once in this state, an Agnii is capable of doing anything with the power they have. This means that a thermal Agno with the aspect of fire is able to create spontaneous bursts of fire out of thin air wherever and however they please, a psyche Agno with the mental aspect are able to tamper with the memories and perception of whomever they please at a level that can create actual, physical damage to the mind and body of someone who is unfamiliar with Agnii power.

With a little divine nterference, Issei was able to breach past his eight second limit. Ara-Shi, the God of Storms and Winter made this feasible.

“Milady Hel does not deserve to be confined. Her benevolent excuse of a brother lacks the fundamental traits of leadership required to merely entice me into a change of heart. I intend to overthrow that foolish twin of Milady Hel and gain enough authority to sway all these other fools toward my goal.”

The deity had said, His voice sharp and precise, like the most polished sword in existence. His statue eyes were alight with a crimson red light, His presence thick in the air whilst the boy before him knelt in respect, fear and worship. Ara-Shi knew the boy was branded with His mark. The mark symbolised worship and loyalty from those serving under families gifted by certain members of the Pantheon.

“I hear you, Say'u Enr-Irō. What part in this does my undeserving soul have to play?” Issei's voice was cautious, trembling even. He knew that one wrong word could prompt the god to strike him down where he stood. His shoulder burnt in the divine presence of his family God.

The deity's voice gained a sudden sinister edge to it, as if something indecent were flashing through His mind.

“The boy Hie'lus Dwayne Daniels. His mother was chosen to host Milady's soul for the next quarter century and if we're lucky, the boy is already aware of his potential as an Agno. You will administer a little chaotic recipe of mine that will speed up the process. How you do this is up to you and I will assist you where I see fit.”

Issei had asked the god to tamper with time and allow him to utilise his Kam’Ikugo indefinitely, making him quite formidable. His attention to detail in this illusion was flawless, all senses equally distorted to a point far enough for the brain to register what was happening as an actuality whilst real, physical and psychological damage was inflicted on his victims. With his eyes gleaming a baby blue hue, he observed his surroundings. Umeus's body was stagnant and the flow of Kaimei throughout his body was lowered to make it appear to the Princess as though this was a part of their plan to retrieve Dwayne.

Dwayne's skin was pale and his body still, unmoving. The amorphous clouds of Kaimei — or what one would mistake for souls — were a bit overkill, in Issei's point of view but hard to combat and thus more practical against Umeus Salvador. Another reason was due to Issei wanting his Commander to beleive that they were a part of Hel's soul transitioning from the Spirit Gate into Diana's body. A smart move on his end, but the plan would be noticeable once the souls begin attacking Dwayne.

“Issei! Once I free myself from this illusion, pray hard I do not bisect you with my bare hands!”

Umeus's cool voice was intensified with rage by the act of insubordination commited by Issei. He would find a way out and dispose of the boy accordingly. He had an unconscious Dwayne on his shoulders and a lagging Sophie at his heels, indeed his situation was dire. If he could not escape, he would deeply rue ever calling on the boy.

Sophie felt weak and emaciated, her mind was dulled by the mental intrusion Issei had released upon her. She could feel herself lose feeling of her body on the outside. Umeus's steps were too fast for her to follow and she was running low on stamina.

“I'm sorry to rush you like this, but we simply cannot stand idly by and allow more time to pass with us in here. . .especially you. You feel the toll, right?”

Umeus said sternly when he turned to see her scowling and sick looking face. Generally, he was rather concerned for her health as it would contribute to Dwayne's overall control over his power. If she were to die here, he would have a pent-up rage that would cause instability which would ultimately work against them in the long run.

Sophie simply nodded helplessly and did all she could to keep up with the boy. They clammered up several flights of stairs that Sophie remembered from her past working days at this facility. She was really pushing her limits that felt as if they were plummeting with every second. Her vision was blurry and the only thought in her head was the explanation she owed Dwayne when he regained consciousness.

Jennifer observed her friend go about the room, crouching here, bending there and handing from anything she could find. If the situation was not so serious, Jennifer would crack up at this.

“No luck?” she asked, a hopelessness to her voice.

Himawari was too preoccupied by her actions to even register what had been said to her. Not here, not there. . .where could it be? Her golden eyes squinted as she searched.

“Hmm,” she curled a few locks of hair around her finger as she delved in thought, “Hey Jen, mind if I stood there for a bit?”

Jennifer nodded, and moved from her spot. This was the only spot in the room that Himawari could not have attempted and she hoped it would be the right spot. In case that did not work, she had called on her chokutō. The steel gleamed in the light from a window.

Himawari took a hesitant step toward the spot. This would be the deciding factor that would save hers and her friend's safety. Instantly upon stepping into the spot, Himawari felt her very being scatter across not only the entire room, but the entire neighborhood. She could hear every little sound, smell the faintest scents and see the actions of anything she willed herself to see. This was it. Her features contoured with confidence as she gave Jennifer an infinitesimal nod.

“This is it,” she said with her blinding white grin.