New Weapons

The war room was filled with a suffocating silence, the air thick with exhaustion and unspoken grief. The dim overhead lights cast long shadows across the table where Angel Squad sat, their bodies battered, their wounds hastily wrapped. The weight of the battle still clung to them, pressing into their bones.

Arnik flexed his fingers, wincing as the bandages around his forearms stretched. Deep cuts lined his arms, a reminder of how close the enemy had come. Rose sat slightly hunched, her ribs aching with every breath. Aika's hands trembled faintly as she held a cup of water, her magic drained nearly to nothing. Kai's burned shoulder was stiff, his uniform still singed from the last wave of attacks.

And Markus—he hadn't spoken since they returned.

He sat at the far end of the table, his posture rigid, his head slightly lowered. His coat was torn, streaked with dried blood—some of it his, some of it not. His gaze was locked on the surface before him, unmoving.

"Markus," Arnik finally broke the silence, his voice rough. "Say something."

Nothing.

Markus didn't flinch, didn't react, didn't acknowledge anyone in the room.

Andrew Handerfall stood at the head of the table, arms crossed. His sharp gaze remained on Markus. He had seen this before—soldiers coming back from battle, drowning in the weight of everything they couldn't save.

"You did everything you could," Andrew said, his voice steady.

Markus's fingers twitched slightly against the table.

"You saved countless lives," Andrew continued. "That wasn't a battle we could have won, but we got out, and that means something."

Still, Markus didn't answer.

Rose, despite the pain in her ribs, crossed her arms. "Markus…" Her voice was quieter than usual. "The kid… that wasn't your fault."

Markus's fingers curled into fists.

If I can't save everyone… what's the point?

The words hung in the air, heavy and suffocating.

Then—

Laughter.

Loud, sharp, cutting through the tension like a knife.

The doors swung open, and Crowne sauntered in, his usual grin stretched wide across his face. His footsteps echoed in the heavy silence as he spread his arms dramatically.

"Exactly!"

Rose sat up, her expression twisting with fury. "You're a seriously sick person."

Crowne turned to her with a smirk, unfazed. "You're acting like I'm wrong."

Everyone turned, their exhaustion momentarily replaced with irritation—or, in Kai's case, pure dread.

"Oh great," Kai muttered, rubbing his temples. "Here we go."

Crowne leaned against the nearest chair, tilting his head toward Markus. "That's the right attitude, kid. What is the point? Why bother saving anyone at all? I mean, they're just gonna die later anyway." His grin widened, something dangerous glinting in his eyes. "That's war, right?"

Markus's grip on the table tightened, his breath slow and controlled.

Arnik shot Crowne a glare. "Not the time."

Crowne ignored him, pacing around the room. "But you did save people, didn't you? A whole lot of them, actually." He made a lazy gesture toward Andrew. "Even the big man here says you did good. But look at you." His gaze locked onto Markus, his grin shifting into something sharper. "Sitting here like a sad little puppy, wondering why you couldn't save one kid."

Markus's jaw tensed.

Crowne leaned in slightly, voice lowering just enough to make it sting. "Tell me, Markus. How many people do you think that kid would've saved if you had died instead?"

Silence.

Markus's breath hitched, his shoulders barely shifting.

Crowne chuckled, straightening up. "The way I see it, you're still breathing. Which means you've got two choices." He flicked up two fingers. "One, you keep crying over the people you couldn't save and drown in it. Or two…" He lowered one finger. "You get stronger. Strong enough that next time, you don't have to lose anyone."

The room was dead still.

Then Crowne's smirk sharpened, his voice dropping lower. "And you must be willing to sacrifice what is necessary—or who is necessary—for the greater good. No matter who they are."

Markus slowly exhaled through his nose. His hands relaxed—just slightly—but the storm in his eyes didn't fade.

"…We need better weapons."

Crowne grinned, clapping his hands together. "Now that's what I like to hear."

Andrew's gaze flickered toward Arnik, his tone unwavering. "Not for you, though."

Arnik blinked. "What? Why!?"

Andrew folded his arms. "Any magic item is only a hindrance when you have a mutation like yours. You'd be fighting against your own abilities."

Arnik grumbled, crossing his arms. "I see your point…" He pouted slightly, kicking at the floor. "Still feels unfair."

Kai smirked, nudging him with his elbow. "Cheer up. You've already got built-in superpowers."

"Not the same," Arnik muttered.

Rose chuckled, shaking her head. "Let's just get moving before Andrew decides to start another lecture."

The team moved through the dimly lit corridors of the base, exhaustion still weighing on their bodies. The only sound was the steady echo of their footsteps against the reinforced steel floors.

The doors hissed open, and the team stepped into the weapons testing facility. The air was thick with the hum of latent energy, experimental weapons lining the walls—each one pulsing with untapped potential.

Andrew stood at the center, arms crossed, his sharp gaze sweeping over the squad. Crowne leaned lazily against a table, his ever-present smirk playing at his lips.

And Takashima was there, standing in front of them, holding a glowing magic orb.

The orb pulsed, its swirling energy eerily similar to the one used for sectioning magic. The faint glow reflected in his glasses as he observed it, his expression unreadable.

Andrew strode in, his expression as sharp as ever. "We need those weapons."

Takashima exhaled sharply, his grip on the glowing orb tightening. "For the last time, they are still in testing!"

"You understand our position," Andrew countered, his voice even but firm.

Takashima's jaw clenched. "I do, but we can't just hand them untested weapons. If they malfunction in combat—"

Markus stepped forward.

His eyes burned with something dark—something deep and unrelenting.

Takashima hesitated.

For the first time, the composed researcher looked… unsettled. There was something in Markus's gaze that struck him—something that made the room feel colder, heavier.

Crowne chuckled from the corner. "Well, they do say the best test is on the battlefield."

Takashima sighed, rolling his shoulders as he held the glowing orb in his hands. Its surface pulsed with faint energy, shimmering like liquid light.

"Please line up and touch the orb," he instructed, his tone clipped with impatience.

Kai groaned, crossing his arms. "This again?"

Takashima shot him a sharp look. "Yes, this again. The orb will determine the best-suited magic weapon for each of you. We're not handing out random blades and calling it a day."

Rose smirked, cracking her knuckles. "Fine by me. Let's see what I get."

Markus stepped forward first, his gaze locked onto the orb. His fingers twitched slightly, the fire in his eyes never dimming.

Takashima watched him carefully. "Whenever you're ready."

Kai stepped forward, rolling his shoulders before reluctantly placing his hand on the orb. The moment his fingers made contact, the room filled with a brilliant light.

Energy pulsed through his arm, heat surging as something began to take shape in his grasp. The others leaned in, eyes widening as the weapon materialized, its glow almost blinding.

"What is it?" Arnik muttered.

The light faded.

Everyone stared.

In Kai's hand was… a metal rod.

With a sword handle.

Silence.

Then—

Rose burst out laughing, clutching her sides. "PFFFT—That's it?! All that glowing and hype for a fancy stick?!"

Kai's eye twitched. "Shut up."

Rose wiped a tear from her eye. "No, seriously—where's the blade? Did the orb mess up?"

Takashima examined the weapon, rubbing his chin. "Hmm… interesting."

Kai sighed, his fingers tightening around the hilt. "Great. I get a glorified baton while everyone else gets actual weapons."

Takashima smirked. "I wouldn't be so quick to judge. This may be more powerful than it appears."

Kai wasn't convinced. "It's a stick."

Arnik patted his shoulder, grinning. "Looks like you'll be beating people up the old-fashioned way."

Kai groaned. "I hate all of you."

Kai's eyes widened as the metal in his hand rippled like liquid, shifting and extending. Within seconds, it solidified into a sleek, perfectly balanced sword.

"Whoa," Arnik muttered.

Rose leaned in, her eyes gleaming with curiosity. "Okay… that's actually pretty cool."

Everyone stared as Kai turned the weapon in his hand, watching how seamlessly it had transformed.

Takashima folded his arms. "This is called the Shapeless Blade."

Kai tested the weight of the sword, his grip tightening. "Shapeless?"

Takashima nodded. "It can become any weapon you want, adapting instantly to your needs."

Kai's smirk returned. "Now that's more like it."

With a flick of his wrist, the sword melted back into its original rod form.

Aika tilted her head. "So, it's not just a sword?"

"No," Takashima confirmed. "It responds to your will. A hammer, a spear, even a whip if you focus hard enough."

Kai's eyes gleamed with excitement. "Oh, I am gonna have fun with this."

Takashima smirked. "Don't get too excited. You still have to master it."

Kai spun the rod between his fingers before resting it on his shoulder. "Yeah, yeah. I'll figure it out."

Andrew crossed his arms. "Good. Now, let's see what weapons the rest of you get."

The others stepped forward, anticipation building.

Takashima crossed his arms. "Alright, Markus. You're up."

Markus stepped forward without a word, placing his hand firmly on the orb. The instant he made contact, the room pulsed with an intense light—far brighter than any before. A deep hum resonated through the space as raw magic crackled in the air.

"This is a big one," Kai muttered, shielding his eyes.

Slowly, the light condensed, taking shape in Markus's grip. A massive weapon materialized before their eyes, its dark metal gleaming under the overhead lights.

Everyone's eyes widened.

"What… is that?" Aika breathed.

The weapon was enormous—a double-edged sword, but its tip was shaped like a trident. The metal pulsed faintly with an eerie glow. But that wasn't all. A thick chain extended from the hilt, coiling slightly before vanishing into thin air.

Markus frowned, his fingers tightening around the grip. "What… do I even make of this?"

Takashima exhaled, rubbing his forehead. "That… was designed by Crowne."

A familiar, theatrical voice echoed from the back of the room.

"GUILTY!!!" Crowne declared, stepping forward with a smug grin.

Markus rolled his eyes. "Of course."

"How do I even use this thing?" he asked, lifting the heavy blade slightly.

Crowne smirked. "Easy. This weapon functions both as a sword and a spear."

Markus inspected the weapon. "This looks like it'd be horrible for throwing."

Takashima shook his head. "The magic imbued in it ensures it will always land true on its target."

Markus turned his gaze to the short chain hanging from the handle. "And what's with this tiny chain?"

"Pull it," Crowne said with a grin.

Arnik stepped forward and grabbed hold of the chain. He gave it a firm tug.

Then another.

Then another.

More chain emerged—endlessly. It just kept coming.

Kai's jaw dropped. "Okay, that's kinda ridiculous."

"That magic chain can stretch infinitely," Takashima explained.

Markus narrowed his eyes. He found a small button embedded in the handle. His thumb hovered over it. "What's this?"

"Press it," Crowne urged.

Markus hesitated before clicking the button. The chain recoiled instantly, whipping back into the weapon with a sharp snap, as if the entire length of it had never unraveled.

A slow smirk spread across Crowne's face. "Deadly, if you master it."

Markus exhaled, lifting the weapon properly for the first time. It was heavy but balanced—foreign but familiar in his grip.

"Interesting," he murmured.

And with that, his weapon was chosen.

Markus tightened his grip on the weapon, feeling the weight of it settle in his hands. The design was strange, impractical even, but something about it felt… right.

I don't care if it doesn't look fancy. His fingers curled tighter around the hilt. If I can butcher those machines, then I don't care what I use.

Rose stepped forward, rolling her shoulders. "Alright, my turn."

She placed her hand on the orb, her tail flicking slightly in anticipation. The glow surged to life, light swirling around her as energy pulsed through her arm.

Then, it took shape.

A long weapon materialized in her grasp—sleek, sharp, deadly. The head of the weapon gleamed under the lights, a razor-sharp spear tip with elegant curve patterns etched into the metal.

"A… Yari?" Arnik muttered, tilting his head.

Rose spun it once in her hand, testing the weight. "Hah! Now this is a weapon."

She smirked, jabbing forward with it, feeling the smooth balance.

Kai crossed his arms. "Of course you'd get something sharp and stabby."

Takashima nodded. "It suits you. The Yari is an incredibly versatile weapon—effective for both long and mid-range combat."

Rose grinned, twirling it effortlessly. "Yeah, yeah. As long as it lets me take down enemies fast, I'm happy."

Takashima smirked, watching her movements closely. "That one's my design."

Rose raised an eyebrow. "Oh? So, what's the special trick?"

Takashima gestured to the Yari. "Its cutting power is directly linked to your speed. The faster you move, the sharper and deadlier it becomes."

Rose's ears perked up, her grin widening. "Ohhh, now that's fun."

She crouched slightly, shifting her stance before vanishing in a blur of motion. In an instant, she reappeared at the far end of the room, the Yari whistling through the air. A reinforced training dummy nearby split in half before it even hit the ground.

Kai let out a low whistle. "That's… concerning."

Rose smirked, flipping the Yari in her hands. "Guess that just means I have to keep moving."

Takashima nodded. "Master it, and you'll be practically untouchable."

Rose spun the weapon behind her back and started swinging it casually—except she wasn't paying attention to just how close it was getting to Kai's face.

He flinched as the blade sliced mere inches from his nose.

"WOAH—WATCH IT!" Kai yelped, jerking back, hands raised in alarm.

Rose just snickered, ears twitching. "Relax, Kai, I know what I'm doing."

Kai shot her a glare, still holding his cheek as if he was making sure it was still attached. "Yeah? Well, my face would like some reassurance."

Rose grinned wider, taking another playful spin of the Yari—this time aiming the twirl a little closer just to mess with him.

Kai nearly tripped backward. "QUIT IT!"

Rose cackled. "Consider it training for your reflexes."

Kai muttered something under his breath but let it go.

Takashima turned toward Aika. "Alright, you're up next."

Aika stepped forward hesitantly, her fingers twitching at her sides. She exhaled sharply before placing her hand on the orb. The glow surged to life, swirling light wrapping around her arm, magic pulsing through her veins.

The energy condensed.

A long staff materialized in her grasp—sleek, polished, and humming with raw power. The deep violet wood gleamed under the dim lights, intricate runes etched into its surface. At its tip, a floating crystalline core pulsed with energy, shifting in color as if reacting to Aika's presence.

Arnik tilted his head. "A staff, huh? Guess that makes sense."

Kai nodded. "She's already strong with magic. Giving her something to boost it further makes her even deadlier."

Rose rested her Yari against her shoulder, smirking. "Yeah, yeah, but what's it do?"

Takashima stepped forward. "This staff was designed to amplify spellcasting efficiency. It allows you to use stronger magic spells within a much faster time."

Aika's eyes widened slightly. "Faster casting?"

Crowne stretched, letting out an exaggerated sigh. "Well, that's boring."

Takashima shot him a sharp glare. "Oh, shut up."

Crowne smirked. "What? I was expecting something a little more… dramatic. Maybe a giant warhammer or a sword that shoots lightning."

Takashima pinched the bridge of his nose. "These weapons are designed to match their wielders. Not everything needs to be flashy."

Kai crossed his arms, studying the staff. "Faster casting time… That means she can chain spells together without cooldowns holding her back."

Andrew nodded. "Exactly. Right now, even the strongest magic user has to wait between high-level spells. With that staff, Aika's biggest weakness—her casting delay—is nearly removed."

Aika stared at the staff in her hands, gripping it tightly. This… this is exactly what I needed.

She exhaled slowly, feeling the hum of energy pulse through her fingertips. The crystalline core glowed brighter, responding to her emotions.

Rose leaned in, smirking. "Try it out."

Aika hesitated, then raised the staff. Magic surged through her body, the air around her thickening as power coiled at her fingertips. She flicked her wrist.

A chain spell—one that should have taken five full seconds—burst forth instantly.

The others took a step back, watching as a gravity field expanded in an instant before dissipating just as fast.

Kai let out a low whistle. "Okay, that's actually terrifying."

Rose grinned. "Well, now we definitely have to spar."

Aika exhaled, lowering her staff. She wasn't used to having an edge like this.

But she wasn't about to waste it.

Andrew cleared his throat, cutting through the noise. "Enough. Now that you all have weapons suited to you, it's time to begin the real training."

The room fell into silence.

They all knew what was coming next.

The real battle was just beginning.

Andrew stepped forward, his expression serious. "Good. Because we don't have time to waste."

The room fell silent.

"We're tasking you with protecting this city," Andrew continued, his voice firm. "Our space force has been weakened after Lionel's last attack… and I fear the worst."

"GO AND TRAIN!!! Get familiar with your weapons!"

"SIR, YES SIR!"