Portals of Psyinen

Oreic crashed onto the wall of a deli shop.

"Ugh," Oreic fell face down, shivering. "That punch felt cold as ice!"

"That all you got, puny fox?" The big robot bellowed, pounding on his huge metal chest. "Come on! Fight me! I, Azuroid Kryperium shall crush you like a bunch of grapes!"

Azuroid? I never heard of him, Master Oreic stood up, shaking his head off the debris.

The brawn machine charged at him like a mad bull, throwing his fist at the Vultau master. Oreic shifted right to dodge the icy fist, smashing a flaming elbow onto the Azuroid's arm. Azuroid chuckled, making the air vibrate with his deep voice. Master Oreic looked at Azuroid, puzzled.

"Weak!" Azuroid slapped Oreic away with a frosty hand.

I can't treat this guy like a normal crusader, Oreic thought, shivering on the ground. My elbow strike didn't seem to damage him much.

"Shien!" Oreic remembered the White Death guard holding Shien.

The droid stood still, looking around as if it was waiting for something. Oreic tried to ignore Azuroid and run for Shien, but Azuroid jumped up high and landed in front of Oreic. The ground cracked as Azuroid slapped the Vultau master away.

"Where do you think you're going, you chicken?" Azuroid drew a peculiar double-barreled pincer rifle from his back, firing freezing bolts at the Vultau master.

"What do you want with Shien?" Oreic jumped off the floor, spinning a flaming saxophone staff to block the frosty projectiles.

Azuroid didn't answer. Oreic dashed towards Azuroid, swiveling his flaming staff through the icy barrage. He swung his staff at Azuroid's head, but the big droid blocked it with his rifle's pincer.

Azuroid pressed a button on his rifle, extending it into a long double-sided rifle with pincers equipped on the gun barrels on both sides. He spun his huge weapon onto Oreic's blazing staff. As the two twirled their staffs against each other, Azuroid's rifle ends were firing ice shots in all directions.

"You think you're tough, you weakling?" Azuroid swung his staff at Oreic. "Come at me!"

Oreic sweated, trying to keep up with Azuroid.

The Vultau master's Vulpi ears twitched, hearing the booming of aircraft thrusters.

A dropship hovered down to the White Death guard, opening its ramp with sounds of grinding metal. The droid hopped in with Shien in its arms.

"Shoot! Another dropship?" Oreic made a quick Fak Sao with his arms to blow Azuroid back with a powerful wind of fire.

Azuroid skidded his knee across the ground, piercing his staff pincer on the ruined street to resist the scorching force. The dropship fired its arm cannons at Oreic. He swiped his saxophone staff across the air to deflect the plasma bolts back at the aircraft. The dropship swerved right to dodge the fireballs before hovering away.

Oreic ran after the aircraft. He heard an irritating ringing behind him. Oreic looked back at a blue disc spinning towards him. The Vultau master swiped the noisy disc with his staff. The disc boomeranged back to Azuroid's left hand.

"Great. He can do that too?" Oreic grumbled.

"You're not so tough!" Azuroid laughed. "Azuroid will pummel you!"

Azuroid charged at Oreic, firing ice rounds from his pincer staff.

I gotta save Shien! Master Oreic blocked the frosty projectiles.

He high-jumped onto the top of an empty hospital, running across the roof towards the dropship. Azuroid pounced sky-high from the street, landing right in front of Oreic. The hospital's roof crumbled. Oreic and Azuroid fell through the building until they landed on the ground floor. Master Oreic groaned, his face and aching body pierced by rocks.

No! No! Oreic breathed heavily. I promised Isrina that I would protect her son! I gave her my word!

He crawled towards the front door with his scraped hands. Oreic then felt an enormous force stomp onto his back on the floor. The Vultau master felt his bones crack the more Azuroid squeezed his foot down. Oreic wailed in pain, at the mercy of Azuroid's metal foot.

"What a pity," Azuroid made the air vibrate with his voice. "Poor little fox that can't take on the foot of Azuroid?"

No… not gonna die yet! Oreic squirmed. You're Sensei Oreic… Your students look up… to you. You got people… relying on you… Isrina, I will protect… your son! Dammit! Why won't… my body move?

Oreic growled, struggling to move his limbs to make an attack. But his quivering body refused to move. Azuroid lifted his pincer staff.

"Such a weak thing," Azuroid boomed. "The weak have no right to live!"

"Dr. Niang… I'm so sorry…" Oreic cried, unable to move his body. "Makiyu… please…"

As Azuroid shoved his staff down, Oreic closed his eyes. However, he didn't feel anything.

"Huh?" The Vultau master glanced up.

A spinning oboe staff hovered above Oreic, blocking Azuroid's weapon. The oboe spiraled into a blue portal, sucking Azuroid inside.

"P… portals…" Oreic closed his eyes. "Master… Ps… Psyinen…"

The portal floated to the front door.

"Hi! Hi!" A blue-haired Vulpi with purple eyes wearing blue robes skipped out of the portal. "Surprise! Out goes the beef boy!"

As Master Psyinen jumped to Oreic, the other side of the portal ejected Azuroid out of the hospital.

"Master Oreic," Psyinen smiled, patting Oreic's head. "Hey, it's going to be okay. Remember what Grandmaster Aian said? Help comes to those who are faithful in the music of the Makiyu!"

Two soldiers with bird-shaped SHRIKE symbols ran up to Oreic, rolling a medical bed out. They carefully placed Oreic onto the bed, rolling him into the portal.

"Grrr!" Azuroid shook his head, pounding on his chest angrily. "Another weak fox wants to challenge Azuroid? I shall crush you!"

He charged into the hospital. An Abrams tank rolled out of the portal, blasting a spinning shell into Azuroid's huge chest. The droid roared as he was sent flying through the walls of a restaurant.

"Like that trick? Hehehe!" Psyinen giggled, hopping onto the street through the portal.

She jumped up high. A fighter jet zoomed out of the dispersing portal. The spinning oboe staff flew back into Master Psyinen's hand. She landed on the aircraft and smiled at the pilot. After giving the cheerful Vultau master a thumbs up, the pilot darted the plane towards the dropship holding Shien captive.

"And!" Psyinen spun her oboe staff. "General Covinski! Master Yanshi! It's showtime!"

The oboe staff's mouthpiece and bell shot out into the air. They extended into spinning staffs that flew across the battlefield.

***

A crusader droid kicked Nashura into the Shuruukos, sending them tumbling out on the streets.

"Ow! Ow! Ow!" Lansen rolled on the ground.

"Ouch…" Nashura shook her head until Rahim was thrown onto her. "Ack!"

Naphthien jumped in front of them, flailing her clawed whips to protect them from the laser fire. Rahim reloaded his shotgun, exchanging plasma bolts with the robots. Niode and Tetsuyin huddled together, holding Mivangeline. A crusader droid rolled outside, firing at them. Nashura jumped in front of the Shuruuko family, spinning her sabers to deflect the projectiles. The two charged at each other. Nashura made a flurry of slashes, cutting the rifle into pieces.

Easy, Nashura swiped her blades at the droid. Don't worry, Mr. and Mrs. Shuruuko. I will protect you all!

The robot grabbed her wrists, squeezing them hard. Nashura winced, dropping her sabers. The crusader pulled her close, ramming its spiked knee onto Nashura's stomach. It released its knee off her wound, grabbing her green hair and shoving a spiked fist at her head that knocked her onto the ground.

"Nashura!" Rahim yelled, throwing a scythe at the back of the crusader's neck.

The sickle pierced into the metal neck, which released sparks of electricity that stunned the droid. Rahim dashed at the robot, plucking the scythe out to slash its head off. The headless body fell onto the floor as the head rolled on the ground with its red eyes fading black.

"Listen to me! You're going to be okay!" Rahim frantically took his coat off, wrapping it around his daughter's wound. "You hear me?"

"Dad…" Nashura felt dizzy.

How did… I lose? Nashura questioned herself. I thought I could fight… like mom and dad. I'm not strong enough?

Rahim looked into his pockets for his spare bandages to cover Nashura's head. Naphthien defended the two from the incoming fire. She swung her claw to catch a crusader, crushing within the grasp of its metal fingers. Naphthien then threw the crushed robot at the other droids.

"This is my fault. I should've kept a closer watch over you," Rahim murmured as he bandaged his daughter's head. "I wish there was a way you didn't have to be involved in this hell Fanghui put us through."

"Um, can... we help in any way?" Niode nervously asked.

"Pressure on the wound! Pressure on the wound!" Lansen waddled to Nashura.

"Niode, make yourself useful! Do what your trash can says!" Rahim reloaded his shotgun, providing cover fire for the group.

Niode did as he was told, pressuring his hands onto Nashura's injury.

No, Mr. Shuruuko. I'm supposed to be the one helping you, Nashura closed her eyes. I'm not… strong like mom and dad are… or like Shien... I couldn't even protect a few people...

A spinning oboe staff flew in the middle of the firefight. As a portal opened, SHRIKE soldiers rolled out in front of the group, throwing grenades at the crusader droids.

"What's happening?" Rahim asked.

"Hi!" A soldier walked to the group. "Don't worry! We are here to help!"

While the soldier ordered the men to carry a medical bed for Nashura, a white-haired, elderly man wearing glasses rolled out, slashing the large laser-edged bayonet of his rifle at the droids.

"Wait, that's…" Rahim recognized the old man. "General Covinski."

"This is certainly a fine mess you got me into, Bladebearer," The General in green stabbed a crusader's head. "Exactly, how is it that I again end up being the UICA's unsung mop-up man that has to save everyone?"

Rahim chuckled.

"I'll scold you all later," Covinski signaled the soldiers and medics to escort the families. "Move it! A chimaera is coming! We got no time to waste!"

What's happening? Nashura opened her eyes.

The SHRIKE rebels gently carried her onto a medical bed.

"Nashura!" Rahim held her hand. "Don't worry! These people are going to help you!"

Dad… I'm so sorry, Nashura felt too tired to think, closing her eyes again. I couldn't… live up to… all you wanted me to be...

***

As the icy fog engulfed the street, Isrina and Kyrinna parried with their endless storm of rolling punches, elbow and palm strikes, and jolting kicks.

Her hands are cold! Isrina thought as she and Kyrinna swiveled their arms and palms onto each other.

Isrina locked Kyrinna's arms to the left, lunging her body to push Kyrinna back. She then spun her body, smashing her elbow onto Kyrinna's face. The Countess winced her head back, shoving her right elbow up to cover her face from another elbow strike from Isrina. Kyrinna recoiled her right hand in a fist, shoving a frosty Ju-Cheung palm strike onto Isrina's waist. She recoiled back to her shivering waist. Isrina regained her balance with her knees bent, extending her palms towards the ground. She faced Kyrinna with her palms up in Wu Sao.

I hope Master Oreic was able to save Shien, Isrina looked at the giant wall of crystals that separated them earlier.

"Tell your forces to let my son go!" She demanded.

Kyrinna didn't reply. She bent her torso, swiveling her left arm clockwise in Snake Creeps Through the Grass. Kyrinna slid her palm up from the ground to Golden Rooster Stands on One Leg, summoning puddles of ice towards Isrina. Giant crystals erupted from the slush. Isrina backflipped to the right just in time before the monstrous quartz could pierce her.

"Why won't you talk to me?" Isrina growled, charging at Kyrinna. "What's wrong with you? I want my little chickadee back! Are you deaf? Do you want me to hurt you?"

Kyrinna still didn't answer. Little did Isrina know that Kyrinna only spoke and understood Japanese. The two swiped their arms onto each other, attacking and blocking with their palms. Beneath their whirlwind of Kung-Fu, they swiped their feet onto each other, trying to knock the other's balance off.

The Countess grabbed Isrina's left arm to drag her up close, shoving a clawed palm at Isrina's rib cage. Isrina felt a numbing cold snake up through her veins, stopping her from moving. Kyrinna's claw closed into a fist that glowed blue with glacial power, charging it onto Isrina's chest. Isrina fell, wailing in pain as a pile of quartz erupted out of her rib.

Kyrinna clawed her hands, forming sharp icicle-nails. Her pupils turned into bright turquoise diamonds. She pounced at Isrina, growling at her with claws ablaze with icy flames and her teeth enlarged into glacial fangs. Kyrinna was using one of Sychrom's signature moves, Ire of Vishnu.

I can't lose! I want my little chickadee back! Isrina gnashed her teeth. I already lost all of my family. Shien is all I have left.

She quickly rolled away from Kyrinna's attack. Isrina stood on her hands, spinning curled legs onto Kyrinna with her Cardinal's Talon Kick.

I won't let anyone hurt my little chickadee, Isrina gave off a nasty grin, ignoring her chest pain. I will kill this daughter of Sychrom Takoizu! Anyone who touches my Shien… I will make them bleed!

She swiped against the Countess's claws with her palms. Isrina pulled Kyrinna's arm to drag her close. Remembering the Vultau Arts, she felt the confidence that she would kill Kyrinna and find Shien, desensitizing her body to her rib pain. She then focused all of her energy into her fist to smash a metal-breaking Vultau fist onto Kyrinna's chest. Isrina could hear the Countess's ribs and sternum crack. She smiled in satisfaction as Kyrinna fell, choking blood.

"If you won't give me my little chickadee back, I will hurt you until you cry!" Isrina laughed.

She grabbed Kyrinna by the hair, shoving her knee onto her face. Isrina threw her on the ground, closing her hands into beak shapes and mercilessly stabbing Kyrinna with a blinding flurry of Woodpecker Beak Strikes.

A spinning oboe staff darted from the sky, shoving in between the two. Isrina was knocked back. The twirling oboe then hovered behind Isrina, forming a blue portal.

"Dr. Niang?" A yellow-orange-haired Vulpi with magenta eyes walked out.

"Who are you?" Isrina growled.

"I'm Master Yanshi of the Vultau Order," The Vulpi replied. "The SHRIKE have helped your friends escape. I'm here to get you to safety as well."

"I'm not done yet!" Isrina cracked her knuckles, stomping towards Kyrinna. "Until she lets my son go, I will make her bleed! Again, again, and all over again!"

"Dr. Niang! Don't let your hatred blind you!" Yanshi grabbed her.

"Let go of me!" Isrina hollered, throwing a Vultau punch at Yanshi.

He focused his energy into his palm, faithful that he could resist Isrina's impulsive attack. With his Vultau palm as strong as a giant boulder, Yanshi endured Isrina's aggression.

"Ouch!" Isrina held onto her aching knuckle.

"Control yourself, Dr. Niang! We Vultau don't use hatred to fuel our powers!" Master Yanshi snapped. "That's what the Omaunukai do!"

"Omaunukai?" Isrina remembered her nightmare.

"Look, we already rescued your son. Are you happy now? For Makiyu's sake, could you please not punch the person that's trying to help you?"

Isrina calmed down, relieved to hear the good news. She then winced to her chest pain.

"It looks like we're going to have to have that wound checked," Yanshi pointed at the crystals stuck on Isrina's body. "If you're done fooling around with hate, we really should get going. And you and I need to have a serious talk about your misuse of the Vultau Arts. As a Niang, you should know better."

Isrina didn't know how to reply to that. Meanwhile, Kyrinna's wrist gear beeped.

"Y… yes?" Kyrinna lay on the ground, answering in Japanese.

"The SHRIKE got in my way and took Shien," Azuroid's deep voice replied in the same language. "I'm sorry, Kyrinna."

Kyrinna turned off her gear. She gnashed her teeth with rage. Using the Vultau Arts Fanghui and Sychrom told her, the Countess felt the confidence that she would find vengeance for her father's death. With her faith, she felt every rib and bone in her body crack back into shape.

"That sound," Isrina heard Kyrinna's body recovering. "She knows Vultau."

"I sense immeasurable anger in that girl as well," Yanshi said. "Who is she?"

"Kyrinna Takoizu."

"Did you say Takoizu? Oh no…"

The Countess clawed her hands, roaring with berserk rage. Giant crystals erupted all across the town. The misty winter howled in Isrina and Yanshi's face. The clouds were spiraling in command to the Countess's frustration.

"Ack!" Isrina felt the crystals on her body thicken, slowly growing larger.

"Time to go!" Yanshi walked Isrina to the portal. "Master Seniel will treat you!"

A large icicle crashed into the spinning oboe from above. The oboe fell as the portal dispersed. A hailstorm of sharp icicles was raining down from the swirling sky. Yanshi drew his bouldered erhu, swiveling it above him and Isrina to deflect the deadly particles.

Hot tears rolled out of Kyrinna's eyes as she glared at the two with her diamond pupils. She roared at the sky. An enormous crystal exploded behind her. The pieces took form into a giant human. With turquoise hair and blue eyes with diamond pupils, the deity roared along with Kyrinna. Isrina and Yanshi could feel the Earth tremble with their roars. They recognized the glacial entity all too well.

"Is that, Sychrom?" Yanshi gasped. "Impossible! I thought Jinhai killed him!"

"He did..." Isrina shuddered. "How did Kyrinna summon her father?"

The ice titan jumped at the two with fangs and claws made of ice.

"With the Earth that teems with musical life, beautifully made by Rhu Makiyu Eta almighty," Yanshi swiped his bow down like a sword. "Let Makiyu's will be done! Let his music of love and forgiveness outshine the darkness! Let the mountains move! Awaken, Macadion Firma!"

His bow slashed an Earth-powered wave onto the ground. The streets shook as a giant golem made of stone erupted in front of Sychrom. With glowing green eyes, Macadion Firma pounded his spiked fists together.

"I could use Psyinen's help by now!" Yanshi grumbled.

"Hello! Did someone ask for my help?" The two heard a voice from the ground. "Surprise! Hehehe!"

A blue portal opened, letting Master Yanshi and Isrina fall into it. As the portal closed, Macadion Firma and Sychrom charged into each other. In bright light, they exploded into ice and rocks.

Kyrinna cried as the crystals wildly grew. They multiplied at an exponential rate. The winter wind fogged the air until nothing but moving white could be seen. Spear-shaped hailstones rained hell onto the town.

The Countess suddenly opened her eyes, feeling Azuroid's huge hand stroke her head. Kyrinna looked at the tall, four-eyed droid she built. The clouds stopped spiraling. The hailstorm ceased. The crystals stopped their commotion. Her pupils changed back to normal. She hugged onto Azuroid's huge chest, sobbing.

"It's okay, Kyrinna," Azuroid said in Japanese, hugging her with his huge arms. "You did what you could. That's good enough."

"I… I failed my mission, Azuroid," Kyrinna replied in the same language, clutching onto her droid companion. "My father can't rest in peace…"