594 Something Extremely Familiar

Akiol knelt and poked an armored man, "How long do you think they'll be out?"

"Not very, we'll have to act fast. Considering the guards haven't come here, something must've happened above ground."

"Do you think they'll have ballistic weaponry? My confidence against those dwindles quite a bit."

"If they haven't used it down here I can assume we're fine. I'm not completely confident however."

"I see. So we take the fight to them?"

"Help me tie up these guys."

"Okay."

Swiftly tying up the unconscious armored men Akiol dusted off his palms, "What's the plan?"

"You're staying down here. I'll go up and coordinate with the forces upstairs."

Akiol's eyebrow raised as he questioned, "I'm staying down here? What for?"

"I'm not having you get involved with all of this."

"Safe to say I'm already involved. Additionally aren't you suspicious of me? Are you that confident I won't do anything whilst you're away?"

Hank's eyes narrowed at the thought. Akiol saw the expression and made a simple smile, "Then we are agreed. Let's go!"

Ascending upwards the two rapidly made their way into the Manor. Several armored men were patrolling the area, much to Hank's surprise and displeasure, "It's already this bad-"

Boom-!

The wall Hank used as cover blasted apart, an armored individual in some sort of high tech suit charged forward. Gripping Hank by his head they dragged him across the room only to smash him into a wooden shelf. An indent formed as the wood splintered and Hank struggled to free himself.

Raising his legs he kicked the stomach of the tech suit individual, but they didn't flinch. No matter how hard he struggled he couldn't free himself from the strength of the technologically enhanced suit.

A slow clap could be heard from a doorway, "Your stealth is as impressive as ever. Even our latest project struggled to narrow down on your presence. If it wasn't for this other individual here, we probably wouldn't have been able to find you."

Hank's eyes turned with a violent glare, "Harrell."

An old gentleman dressed in a fine suit expressed his admission with a tilt of his head, "The one."

"What's your goal here?"

"I wonder indeed? Data to steal? Perhaps a field test for this new product?"

"You're the reason why this raid was so quick. Quite the toy you have."

"A work of art isn't it? You've been a thorn to our progress, yet this one suit is capable of subduing you with ease."

Harrell turned to Akiol, "I'm glad you're someone of a mind. If you had made a move. . . well I think you can imagine."

Akiol was wary. From the start he was aware of the limits of a mortal body. Without mana refinement his feats remained in the realm of human. Compared to this tech that smashed through a brick wall with almost ease. . . Akiol knew he didn't stand a chance. The speed it moved across the room wasn't something he could compete with either.

However he wasn't going to remain silent, "So why the non-lethal raid?"

Harrell raised an eyebrow, "I'm sorry?"

"You raided this place with stun batons. Yet you brought this tech suit? Two very different ends."

"I couldn't risk damaging what I was after. I can assure you I didn't come here unarmed. This does raise a pressing question. Who exactly are you?"

"A guest."

Harrell frowned, "A guest? Who are you affiliated with?"

Akiol smiled at the question.

Snapping his fingers he spoke, "Johnson!"

The tech suit moved its head and looked at Akiol. Taking a strange design, the suit almost looked cyberpunk. Taking clear inspiration from a medieval armor set, the armor plating made a clear sign to match. Various vents letting out a green steam emanated a yellow light. What stood out most was the helmet. It was smooth on all ends, not a single flat end in sight. Like a fishbowl was place on top, but clearly held a carbon black color that prevented any look at what was inside.

Johnson replied with an altered voice, "No affiliation known."

"No affiliation? Terwin accepted someone random as a guest?"

Bluff! This was a chance! Akiol continued his smile, "Perhaps."

This answer unnerved Harrell. Noticing Akiol's strange calm for the whole situation, he only grew more unsure. Just as he was about to speak again Johnson reported, "Average citizen, no worthwhile connections."

Akiol maintained a pokerface, but was disappointed to see the confidence returned to Harrell, "Yeah I figured. Although that doesn't explain why Terwin has you here. No matter, you won't be sticking around."

Hank interrupted, "He has nothing to do with this! Do you really want to involve some civ?"

"Oh on the contrary, what are you all doing bringing some civilian into a place like this? Now he has eyes on the latest of our products, something I can't let word get out."

"You think we won't spread it?!"

"There's a difference. If a reputable organization such as yourselves were to spread word, then that would only boost our sales. However if word got out that it was sourced from some civilian? Our reputation is at stake."

Akiol felt his eye twitch, "That's such a lame reason. Who would believe me?"

"Indeed, who would believe you?"

Lifting his suit jacket slightly Harrell pulled out a standard handgun. Pointing at Akiol he fired it without second thought. Akiol's body moved and he fell to the ground. Harrell narrowed his eyes, "Don't worry dear Hank. You're next. Johnson, if you would please. It's about time this whole organization becomes ash."

Hank struggled as the hand on his head tightened. No matter how hard he fought he wasn't able to loosen the hand even a bit. Just as his head was about to crack, a movement caught the corner of his eye.

Akiol bolted, charging towards Harrell he reached for the handgun, aiming to first disarm the man. Harrell lacked the experience to full comprehend what was occurring. By the time he noticed Akiol, it was already too late for him to act.

A high pitched whirring sound could be heard as Johnson sped across the room. Before Akiol could grasp anything, Johnson grabbed his arm. Spinning around he flung Akiol across the room with ease. Helplessly spinning Akiol's flight wasn't cushioned by anything but the wall. A shame a Manor as grand as this couldn't cheap out on the walls, it was like hitting the floor. Akiol's lungs struggled to manage as the air was knocked free from their control. Several bones fractured from the impact, and he slid to the ground.

At this moment however, Hank was free to move. Moving to the side he pressed a palm against a wall. It suddenly lit up and spun, revealing a knife and an earpiece. Slipping the earpiece on he brandished the knife, a white energy faintly arcing from its surface.

A voice spoke through the earpiece, "Hank, that suit isn't something you can take on. Even if that knife is able to pierce through it the strength won't be affected."

"What do you suggest?"

"Retreat."

"Sorry, can't do that one. That kid saved my life."

"You'll be wasting that opportunity. Those two are distracted, if you don't move now it'll be helpless!"

"I just have to stop the one in the suit, I can do that much."

"Hank!!"

"Sorry Young Miss. I can't follow these orders."

Harrell turned and shouted, "Johnson! The real threat is Hank! Don't let him escape!"

Another high pitched whir as the advanced suit moved at speeds humans were incapable of alone. Hank swung his knife and managed to create a small cut into the suit. Yet that was about it. Hank received a powerful blow that nearly shattered his ribs to pieces.

Johnson gripped Hank's head with both hands, but before he could do anything else Hank stabbed forward. The knife passed through the advanced suit with surprising ease, however this did take all of Hank's strength.

Johnson spoke in surprise, "What?"

Harrell frowned, "It cut through? High frequency vibration? I knew you all were making something. However it was obvious that something would eventually pierce this suit, we were prepared ahead of time."

Stepping back Johnson freed the knife from his body. A green gel expanded and filled the wound, stopping any bleeding. Hank was unable to keep a hold of the knife and fell to his knees. A voice shouting in his ear constantly.

Johnson lifted the knife and turned towards Harrell. The old man raised an eyebrow, "Keep it, might be worth studying. In the meantime get rid of these two. I have a meeting with Terwin."

Akiol heaved. Finally regaining his bearings he turned towards Johnson. It just wasn't possible. Facing that strength like this was outside his capabilities. If only he had the strength he once had. . .

Clank-

A decorative item fell from the wall. Finally falling loose. An old sword, one slightly longer than what Stars was. When it hit the ground it slid free from its scabbard slightly. As if inviting Akiol to pick it up. Like something was telling him to fight.

"An old blade like this. . .", Akiol was going to comment but found himself reaching for it. His palm aching terribly.

Grasping the sword he pulled it free. It was surprisingly well made from its weight, and in good condition. However an old blade like this would snap easily under the force from the high tech suit. This thought was prominent in Akiol's mind.

Stepping up he felt his body ache. Yet his hand remained still when holding the sword. Johnson moved his head, as if notified by something. Stepping forward his suit whirred, "You think that old thing is going to help?"

Bang-!

Speeding across Johnson's arm reached out. Akiol raised the sword and swung it. It slid harmlessly off the smooth helmet, failing to even scratch it by a hair. Akiol considered removing his body's limiter again. However that would only allow him a single move before destroying his body. Considering his current condition, he very well may die from that.

Time slowed as Johnson's arm reached his throat. Akiol was incredibly unwilling, there was still so much more to do! Perhaps it was due to this desperation that he noticed something. Something so incredibly familiar.

A strand, one of which color would occasionally pass through.