Chapter 9: Tides of Destruction

Aoroi shifted uncomfortably in the hard wooden chair, eyes downcast as he avoided the stern gaze of Miss Sasha Drugo. The office felt smaller for some reason, the air heavy with tension as Aoroi, Mirrai and the third-year student waited silently.

Miss Drugo's expression was stone-cold, her posture rigid behind the large oak desk. Aoroi risked a quick glance at her face, immediately regretting it when her steely eyes pierced into his. He looked away again, fidgeting with a loose thread on his uniform.

Mirrai sat perfectly still beside him, back straight, face betraying no emotion. But Aoroi noticed her hands clenched tightly in her lap, knuckles white.

The third-year student slouched low in his chair on Aoroi's other side, jaw set defiantly. His nose was still swollen from the fight in the cafeteria, mottled purple and red.

Aoroi swallowed hard, willing his heart to stop pounding against his ribs. He tried to think of something, anything to say, some way to explain it all. But his mind was blank, throat dry.

This was bad. As bad as it could get. And he had no idea how they would get out of it this situation without a punishment.

The heavy silence was shattered by a sudden knock at the door. Aoroi's head jerked up in surprise as Captain Ghost strode into the office, boots thudding dully on the carpet.

"Apologies for the interruption, Miss Drugo," he rumbled, dipping his head respectfully. Though he spoke to a high ranking teacher at the academy, his glowing blue eyes rested on the three students for a moment.

Miss Drugo's mouth thinned. "Yes, Captain Ghost?"

"There is an emergency staff meeting being called in the Blue Room. Your presence has been requested immediately."

Miss Drugo's eyebrows shot up, the first break in her composure. She glanced at the students, as if considering sending them away.

Aoroi felt the knot in his stomach loosen slightly. A reprieve. Their punishment would be delayed, at least for now.

Miss Drugo stood swiftly, adjusting her robes. "Very well. We will continue this later." She swept toward the door, Captain Ghost stepping back to allow her exit. 

Relief flooded Aoroi's body. The tightness in his chest dissipated as Miss Drugo's footsteps faded down the hall. He let out a shaky breath, shoulders sagging. A glance told him Mirrai had relaxed too, some color returning to her face. The academy had strict rules again unsanctioned fights among students in the school premise and stiff punishment was given to perpetrators.

For now, they were safe. But Aoroi knew they weren't out of the woods yet.

Miss Sasha Drugo made her way to the staffroom, her heels clicking sharply against the polished marble floors. She paused before the towering carved doors, taking a steadying breath.

With a push, the doors swung inward. The cavernous staffroom soared above her, twenty meters to the vaulted ceiling. Morning light streamed through the towering glass windows, illuminating the rare dark wood table that dominated the space. Six carved chairs lined each side, all facing the high-backed seat at the head reserved for the headmaster.

Her gaze settled on Ryoichi Hideaki, the only other captain present. His stern expression gave no indication of his power and might.

Sasha strode slowly to the table, the click of her heels drawing eyes. She claimed her usual seat, posture rigid, face impassive as a marble statue. 

Frost entered next, his footsteps sending wisps of icy vapor across the floor. Though the youngest teacher at only 21, none dared underestimate the God of Chills. An icy power radiated from him, misting the air around his blue skin. His slender build belied his mastery of ice magic and combat skills that were respected even among the teachers. 

He took his seat with a polite nod to Sasha, frost spreading in swirls along the tabletop around him. Sasha nodded back gently.

Seconds later, the doors burst open and Zeraf the Beast Master lumbered in, his hulking frame seeming to fill the entire doorway. The Beast Master lived up to his name, with the imposing physique of an alpha lion. At 40, he was older than most teachers, but his cheerfully eccentric personality and love of fighting made him popular among the students. 

Zeraf's bellowing laugh echoed off the vaulted ceiling as he collapsed into a chair with enough force to make the floor tremble. The wood groaned under his weight. He leaned his massive chained sword with eight eyes against the table, chains clinking. 

Though lacking any elemental abilities, Zeraf's incredible strength and speed made him a force to be reckoned with. Sasha had witnessed him reduce buildings to rubble with his bare hands. If convinced to fight for the academy's cause, he could turn the tide of any battle.

Miss Sasha eyed Zeraf thoughtfully as she sat back, energy thrumming through her body. The pieces were assembling; soon the real battle would begin. She was ready to fight with everything she had.The staffroom contained enough potential allies and comreds.

Sasha tensed as the staffroom door creaked open. She relaxed slightly when she saw it was only Demonoid, his signature wide-zippered mouth visible beneath his veil of white and black hair, with numbers 1-6 beneath it, which symbolized his six seals of terror, each with the power to wreak havoc

At 33, Demonoid was younger than most of the veteran teachers, but his mastery of the five seals of terror made him someone to be wary of. Miss Sasha vividly remembered hearing of the devastation when he'd unleashed his third seal at age nine, reducing an entire town to rubble. She'd never heard of mysterious power like that before or since.

Demonoid moved silently to his seat. Though he rarely spoke, his presence was imposing. Sasha pondered at the thought that his seals could decimate armies if properly aimed. She would need to tread carefully, and be cautious of his imposing figure.

Sasha's thoughts were interrupted by another loud bang as the door was flung open violently. Flames licked around the frame and a wave of heat washed over the room. Frayer stalked in, her crimson hair flickering like a living fire.

At 31, Frayer was the youngest female teacher. She was also the most volatile, with a dangerous love of combat. The scars that marked her body attested to her many bloody battles. Sasha tensed, ready to defend herself should Frayer lose her temper.

But the fire goddess simply glared around the room before throwing herself into a chair. The wood smoked and charred where she touched it. Sasha noticed Frayer's hands opening and closing compulsively, as if aching for her blades.

The door creaked open once more and a hush fell over the room. Sasha didn't need to look to know who it was. She could smell the blood from across the room.

Dracula glided in, chains clinking softly with each step. He moved to stand behind the headmaster's chair, a feral grin exposing his fangs…

Dracula's presence always unsettled Sasha. At over a thousand years old, the vampire was an ancient evil – ruthless, bloodthirsty, and extremely dangerous. His abilities were unmatched and his thirst for violence insatiable.

Sasha watched warily as Dracula ran a pale finger over the headmaster's chair, his grin widening. A drop of saliva dripped from one fang. Dracula lived for chaos and suffering. He would not hesitate to turn on them if given the chance.

At the door, the butler announced each teacher, though they needed no introduction. The staffroom felt on edge, power crackling dangerously between its occupants. They took their seats quietly, ready for the headmaster's arrival. What urgent matter could bring together such deadly forces?

The teachers waited in tense silence, the weight of their combined power pressing down on the room. Though comrades, they were each dangerous in their own right – and quick to anger.

Just then, the door opened and Headmaster Sanjuro strode in. The teachers quickly stood, saluting respectfully. Sasha bowed her head, hiding her contempt. She had no respect for this man who hoarded power while her people suffered.

"Everyone. Take your seats," he commanded, his voice like an explosion in the quiet room. The teachers sat. With a push of a button, the headmaster brought up a hologram.

It showed the final moments of their fellow teacher, Detective Mostsumatu. He spoke urgently of a great threat coming, stronger than any they'd faced before. 

"They come! A void that swallows all, twisting what it touches into mockeries of life!" His image jittered violently. "I have failed. The viruses…no, more than that! Abominations wearing flesh like masks! They consume…corrupt…an all-devouring plague!" The transmission dissolved into static before winking out entirely. A heavy pall hung over the room. Mostsumatu was no alarmist – if he feared this enemy, it must be grave indeed.

Miss Sasha Drugo was the first to break the silence. "If what he says is true, we haven't a moment to lose! We must find the source of this corruption and excise it before it spreads further!" Her voice was urgent.

Shocked silence filled the room. Then rage – these were proud, deadly beings not used to loss. The teachers reacted viscerally, slamming fists on the table, shattering wood with their grip, baring fangs.

Rage boiled within Sasha. Mostsumatu had been a good man, wise and just. He did not deserve such a fate. She glanced around at the others. Frayer cracked her knuckles, flames in her eyes. Dracula licked his lips, as if savoring the taste of vengeance. The battle was coming, one way or another. She would be ready.

Miss Sasha studied the reactions of her fellow teachers carefully. Shock and anger rippled through the room at the news of Mostsumatu's demise.

Frayer slammed a fiery fist on the table. "I'll roast those monsters for what they've done!" she declared hotly.

Zeraf flexed his massive arms, blood dripping from his clenched fists. "We must avenge Mostsumatu's death at once!" he roared.

The other teachers murmured, a mix of fear and anger in their voices. But Dracula only laughed, a mocking sound. "Go ahead, send your rabble. I look forward to seeing what remains." His words sent a chill through the room…

Dracula's laughter died as suddenly as it began. He leaned forward, chains clinking, red eyes gleaming.

"You forget, I have witnessed such plagues before. Mortals meddling with powers beyond their control, never realizing the doom they court." His voice was grim. 

"If Mostsumatu speaks true, your spells and armies will scarcely slow it, much less stop it. This is an evil that spreads with each victory, transforming all it conquers into reflections of itself."

He steepled his fingers, gazing around the room. "It will come for this academy in time. And when it does, your only hope is to contain it long enough for me to end it." A cruel smile curled his lips, revealing the points of fangs.

"Unleash me when the time comes, and I will drown your enemy in rivers of blood. But know this." His smile vanished. "Do not set me loose until the need is dire. For once freed, I may not stop until all before me lies in ruin."

His words weighed heavy in the ensuing silence. The teachers glanced at each other uneasily, realization dawning – when the plague came, they would face a terrible choice. Stop it and risk untold destruction…or watch their world die.

The silence stretched on as each contemplated Dracula's warning. Frost gazed pensively at the table, brows furrowed. Despite his youth, the gravity of their situation was not lost on him. 

"Dracula's right," he finally said. "If this threat is as great as Mostsumatu claims, we can't afford rash action. We must plan carefully." Murmurs of assent followed his words.

Frayer slammed a flaming fist down. "Bah! You speak as if we should cower and wait for it to come to us!" She glowered around the table. "I say we hunt this scourge down now and end it!"

"And how do you propose we fight an enemy we know nothing about?" Zeraf rumbled. "We charge blindly into the unknown, and we risk disaster."

The others voiced their rage and desire for vengeance as well. But Sasha remained silent, her expression neutral. Inside, her mind spun with calculations.

Mostsumatu's warning of unfathomable monsters could not be ignored. A powerful new enemy threatened them all. 

While the others focused on revenge, she would analyze the situation rationally and find the enemy's weaknesses. When the monsters arrived, she would be ready.

Sasha's thoughts were interrupted as Sanjuro's voice cut through the din. 

"Enough!" he commanded, his eyes boring into each of them in turn. "Mostsumatu was one of the finest. But revenge cannot guide us now."

The room fell silent under his piercing gaze. 

"A great threat looms," Sanjuro continued. "One that endangers us all. We must look forward, not back. Prepare, not dwell on revenge."

His words were met with reluctant nods. None dared defy the headmaster openly. 

Miss Sasha kept her face neutral and glanced at Zeraf and Frayer. Sanjuro's speech seemed to have calmed their hot fury. For now. But embers still glowed beneath. 

"The Council of Four has asked me to brief them on our plans," Sanjuro said. "We must be strategic and prudent in our response... we will prepare as best we can. But our first priority is maintaining order and preventing panic. Am I clear?" he declared.

There were solemn nods around the table. His message was obvious – the teachers must control the populace during the crisis to come. Dissent would not be tolerated. 

"Mostsumatu's death is a dark day, but retribution comes later. First, we must know what we face." His voice brooked no argument. "United, we can weather any storm. Divided, we invite only ruin."

A solemn silence followed his words. United or divided – the choice was clear.

"Will you stand with me, my friends?" The Sanjuro asked as a chorus of assent rose around the table. Sanjuro nodded, a faint smile touching his lips.

"Then let us begin."