603 A Troubling Find

Cr-twang~!

A bladed arm slid past Akiol's blade as he redirected it. Dashing forward Akiol cleaved a leg off the suit, once again proving they weren't controlled by humans. Despite his injuries Akiol was able to disable a number of suits, although the constant movement didn't stop the bleeding.

It became clear that these suits were designed to enhance humans, and weren't meant to be standalone robots. Excluding their robotic movements, their strength didn't reach the same level as the first suit Akiol fought. It was empty, and allowed Akiol to deal with the approaching enemy easier.

As the final suit fell Akiol let out a heave, his wounds had made his breath become labored. Right now he needed some first aid. Hank assisted with patching a few of the wounds while speaking, "Must've called a retreat, there's a chance they wiped the data."

"I doubt it.", Akiol replied.

"Why?"

"Confidence. Brand new tech suit unheard of, one being worth a hundred men. If anything they probably think whoever dares to enter here are idiots, and only had the members evacuate in order to prevent word from spreading."

"That's still a bold claim. We can't be sure."

"It doesn't matter to me anyway, you're the only ones here after the data."

"Fair enough."

Akiol stood back up and moved his body about, the quick bandage job would only slow the bleeding. For now it allowed Akiol to keep moving. Returning to his feet he moved towards the unmarked room. The suits hadn't arrived, it seems they were now unwilling to burn through them.

Turning the corner Akiol took a single step before an alarm blared loudly.

~~~

"They've gone through the available EXOs sir."

"What?! Do you have any idea how much those cost?! Each one has the power of a hundred men! Do you mean to tell me a mere two people went through that?!"

"I'm sorry sir. We're still in the process of gathering data on them. However it seems they're heading towards-"

"Damn it! I can't let them get their hands on any available info we have left. Moreover I don't want to deal with 'them'. . . Fine, let loose Subject."

"Sir?"

"We have a better chance of catching Subject, what's important right now is that those two are dead!"

"But sir, 'they' won't be happy-"

"I will deal with 'them'! Just do it!"

"Yes sir. . ."

~~~

< . . . >

< Order Confirmed >

< Releasing Subject Otherworld >

< Removing subzero fluid >

Krrr-

< Opening Capsule. . . >

< Complete >

Thud-

"Hmm? They let me go. . ."

A figure with dull grey hair and eyes looked about. Several tubes stuck out of their body, but only for a moment for the figure ripped them free. Standing up they rolled their shoulders, "Big mistake. I'm not gonna get caught again~"

Bwom~

The alarm rang, making the figure wince. Pulling a spare set of clothing they slipped them on with ease and walked through the hallways. Glancing about they questioned, "No one home?"

Turning a corner they paused, "Oh."

Two figures stood at the other end of the hall. One holding a sword, the other a series of firearms. Glancing at the weapons they asked, "Who are you?"

"On the ground.", the one holding firearms commanded.

"I'm not going to get captured again."

"On the ground last warning!"

"I don't think so~"

Bang~!

A bullet whizzed past, the figure moved slightly to escape with only a scratch. Feeling the low amount of blood on their face they let out a joyful laugh. One that would be pleasing to hear, but in the current situation only put others on edge.

The ground cracked beneath their feet as they leapt forward. Clearing the distance in the hall in no time. Extending a hand forward a strange grey energy crackled from their palm and across their hand.

Boom-!

A blast of grey and silver energy burst. The one wielding the sword blocked the outstretched hand, the force making them slide back. Immediately they took a stance and shouted, "Hank go!"

"What?"

"No questions, just go!"

The one called Hank glanced both at the figure and the sword wielder. With a frown he lowered his weapons and retreated another way.

"Odd, why did you come here to run?", asked the figure.

"You're not supposed to be here. But it makes sense now, how they figured out those beasts, and the suits."

"Hmm?"

A sword flickered forward the figure caught the blade and grey energy struck against it. An impressed expression formed on their face as they saw the silver energy blocked their attempt to break the blade, "I haven't seen that before."

Wham-!

The sword was let go and instead a fist slammed against the figure's face. Receiving the full force they almost fell backwards with how far they leaned. A murmur leaked from their lips, "A willingness to abandon their weapon to gain an edge. . ."

A flash of silver let loose as a swing was performed. Dodging the blade the figure leapt forward with crackling grey energy. Slamming a palm into the sword wielder's chest they pushed them back with an incredible amount of force.

The next moment the figure was forced to lean back to dodge another swing, "With a swiftness to end the fight at the start."

Spinning at an almost impossible angle the figure performed a back kick. This was dodged and the sword swung down towards the extended leg, as if to chop it off. Grey energy snapped and the figure retracted their leg incredibly quickly. Flipping away the figure just barely managed to have the sword wielder back in sight before a flashing blade aimed for their neck.

"Seizing any opportunity. . .", the figure caught the blade with their hand, grey energy arcing furiously.

The sweet laugh rang out again, "It's you! I thought I was alone! You look so different Akiol!"

Akiol eyes narrowed, "You haven't changed at all Rue."

"What's the Hero doing here?"

"I could say the same for a Demon Lord."

Two emotions clashed between the two. One of pure joy, and the other of ferocity.