Preliminary Test Pt. I

"Again!" Liao Ru called out then took a defensive position, her eyes flashing with determination.

With a swift movement, I launched myself toward Liao Ru, launching a swift strike toward her. Liao Ru blocked my attack with ease, pushing me back in the process. I slid backwards then found my footing, standing strong once again.

"They are really going at it...August did grow extremely stronger. I can feel it.." April said softly, watching closely from the sidelines.

"His battle against Blaze awakened more of his innate potential. Though, I don't know if he can awaken The Tyrant at will like you can with The Bloodshed. I can tell Liao Ru wants to awaken The Tyrant within August again. That form of his will be useful in the mission," Rose said, collecting as much data as possible on her laptop.

I wiped the sweat from my forehead, my gaze planted on Liao Ru. My eyes flashed with determination as I summoned my Solar Peridot, the crystal shining brightly in my hands. 'I can't even land a single strike on her...and if I can't even strike her once, how can I trust myself to complete this mission..?'

"Let me hear you roar, August!" Leona roared, standing strong beside me.

I bared my fangs, activating my Helios Force then let out a roar. My aura pulsated around my body, the flames spiralling around my body as I awakened my Zodiac Drive. My hair slowly became a fiery mane and flames surrounded my wrists forming into cuffs.

Liao Ru watched my transformation, feeling its increased output. 'His Zodiac Drive is a lot stronger than before now. His body really adapted and grew stronger...That passive Spirit Ability is something else..'

I exhaled softly, smoke leaving my mouth and I opened my eyes, my gaze landing on Liao Ru once again. I lowered my posture then dashed toward Liao Ru, launching myself in the air then came down with an axe kick which she avoided with ease. Liao Ru moved with precision and calculated steps, all of my strikes meeting the air with every attempt.

I roared and landed a powerful strike to her cheek. Liao Ru tried to resist but couldn't, getting knocked back in the process. She grunted as she rolled backwards then recovered onto her feet, looking up and seeing multiple fireballs rushing toward her. Liao Ru formed a shield of water in front of her, blocking each fireball and evaporating them.

Liao Ru let down her guard and sighed softly. 'Even his Zodiac Arts are way stronger...but this isn't what I want. We need information about The Tyrant but it seems like he doesn't want to come out. What triggered him the last time..? Maybe it was when he ran out of Zodiac Energy..?'

"I've got a question April. When you awaken The Bloodshed, are there any conditions you must meet?" Rose asked as she looked at her computer.

April took a moment to think about her answer. She pondered over the question for a bit before coming up with her answer. "Well...At first, I have to feel Bloodlust to awaken The Bloodshed. I did have to be angry to awaken them also. I've mastered my fury into Tranquil Fury due to my Crest of Tranquility, so it all comes down to if I feel like I have to use my Crest or not."

'She mastered her Crest's power..? Hmm...then I wonder what conditions need to be met for August to awaken The Tyrant..' Rose thought to herself, looking back at the battle.

Liao Ru continued to evaded and parry my attacks before landing a counter of her own, sending me flying backwards. She clapped her hands together. "Wu Xing Earth Style! Terra Rupture!"

I grunted as I noticed the ground around me rupturing then a burst of earth energy struck me, blowing me away once again. I groaned as I slammed into a wall then fell onto one knee. I panted softly, feeling my body growing tired after the blow I just took.

"I think that's enough for right now...I don't know what it will take to awaken him. I've tried everything, but it seems like he's not responding to you at all," Liao Ru said, closing her eyes and resting her hand on her neck. "Seems like he has a mind of his own..."

"It's because he doesn't necessarily have a bond with The Tyrant," Annalise said as she walked into the dojo with Avery and Athena behind her. She stood beside Rose and crossed her arms then looked at April. "It isn't like The Bloodshed where you just need strong emotions and a desire. This is The Tyrant we're talking about here.."

Rose looked at Annalise with a curious gaze. "What do you mean?"

"The Tyrant is a Godly and a Demonic Being. I've done my own digging around and it seems The Tyrant has seven conditions, only six of them needing to be met before he awakens," Annalise said, crossing her arms.

"What are these conditions you speak of?" Nina asked, looking up at Annalise.

"First, August needs to establish that Link with The Tyrant. Second, August needs to awaken his Spirit Form. Third, he needs needs to feel strong Ambition. Fourth, his Fighting Spirit needs to be unbreakable. Fifth, he needs Undying Willpower. Sixth, he needs to have Absolute Diligence. Lastly, and this is the optional condition...he needs to be filled with Indomitable Pride," Annalise explained, her gaze shifting over to me. "So far...August only meets four of these conditions, not enough to awaken The Tyrant.."

Liao Ru listened to Annalise's explanation carefully then looked at me. She crossed her arms and closed her eyes. 'So that was it...It has nothing to do with his Zodiac Energy and everything to do with what makes The Tyrant, The Emperor of Conquest. However, it doesn't seem like he can enter his Spirit Form at will either. This puts my entire plan in a bind really..'

"I see... Alright, August. I'll let you rest up. You're gonna need it for tonight. We set out on the mission once the first light of the street comes on," Liao Ru said then walked off.

I watched Liao Ru walk off, sensing she was a bit disappointed that she couldn't awaken The Tyrant. I let out a soft sigh then reverted back to my normal form. 'Why are there so many conditions..? That fight against Blaze, I definitely met all of them...but I wasn't aware of them at the time. I do need to establish my Link with him, but how..?'

I made my way out the dojo, April and the girls following behind me. Annalise sent Athena and Avery with us so she could talk with Liao Ru and Rose alone.

"So, the mission Nagini gave. You're planning on going with them?" Annalise asked, sitting down on the bench behind her.

"I mean, we have to. North Emerld is still at war with Citrine and getting that base is basically one way of helping them. They have the Eco Aegis now, so their power and morale has increased," Rose answered, sending all of her recorded data to Nagini.

"The North Emerald base is an entire facility on the outskirts of North Emerald itself, one of them anyway. The Pride won't be able to handle it alone, so that's why I've requested Athena and Avery to join them. Their power as the Gemini Knights can surely assist them greatly, but it would be nice to have more of my students helping out with the cause," Annalise said, twirling a strand of her hair around her finger. "But..."

"But?" Rose questioned.

"I don't know how I could deal with myself if I allowed them to get fatally injured on this mission. The Fallen are no joke...but The Fallen Legend that commands them, Darkness...he might be at the base as well. None of my students are strong enough to handle him...not even I can win a one on one against him even with my Personal Domain.." Annalise said softly, letting out a soft sigh.

"Darkness is currently a huge problem for sure...but I have faith in all who join us tonight. However, I don't believe Darkness would be at this base or on the field at all. He knows of the Infinity Council's presence, and he's gonna be extra careful when approaching us, not to mention the Rainbow Fluorite that August possesses," Liao Ru said, looking up at the sky.

"I know we will succeed and without casualties. We just need a proper plan and the proper team.." Liao Ru finished.

Annalise looked at Liao Ru, a soft smile gracing her lips. She stood up, letting out a soft sigh. "I believe in you, Liao. Just make sure everyone makes it back safely alright?"

"Understood," Liao Ru nodded.

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I stood on the rooftop of the academy building, looking out into the distance as I thought of ways of bonding with The Tyrant. 'Hey you...Tyrant, if you can hear me...what am I to you?'

Silence. As expected, he wasn't going to speak to me at all. I didn't know what to do to earn his respect, but I was determined to since his power was much needed for The Fallen.

"Yo, August!"

I looked back once I heard the familiar voice. I noticed Amunet, and Husha and watched as they walked toward me. "Hey, Amunet. Husha. What's up?"

"We heard The Pride was going on a mission to the outskirts North Emerald to reclaim a base that fell into The Fallen's hands. We want to join you since Blaze and Glenn didn't want to plus...it would be nice to go out again and get some more experience," Amunet said, her determination evident in her tone.

"Mhm! Plus, I really want to get stronger too! I want to help out North Emerald as much as I can and stop The Fallen from spreading around into more territory," Husha said, her determination showing on her face.

I smiled at the two then turned back around to look out into the pinkish hue of the sky, watching the sunset. "Is there any reason why Blaze and Glenn didn't want to join?"

Amunet shrugged. "Your guess is as good as mine, but something tells me Blaze doesn't like you at all. And Glenn, he's Blaze's yes man to the core. However, Husha likes you a lot and is genuinely curious about you and so am I. Your battle against Blaze and Sennie was the talk of the academy."

"I see," I said, crossing my arms, my gaze never leaving the sunset. "Has anyone else stepped up to join us?"

"Sennie and Calypso. Nyami and Nyasa...Melody and her crew and of course Athena and Avery. The base is rather large so we will need all the help we can get. With all of us combined, we will have a high chance of success with low casualties...that's what we are hoping for," Amunet said, lowering her head and getting into deep thought. "The main issue we're about to face is if that Fallen Legend will appear or not.."

"Darkness...Ryoya Balor. My main target...if he appears we would all need to focus on him and eliminate him quickly," I said then closed my eyes. "If only it were that easy...he has the ability to nullify most abilities with his Clouds of Nothingness. Only the Clouds of Completeness can cancel out his ability, but currently...she's not strong enough to fully nullify him.."

"Darkness?" Husha asked, looking at Amunet with curiosity.

"Eh..? You've never heard of Darkness?" Amunet asked, a bit surprised.

Husha shook her head. "No...This is my first time actually hearing about him. I've heard of The Fallen, but him specifically is someone I don't know about."

"Let's just say, Darkness is pure evil..." I started, gripping the wire fence in front of me. "A man who needs to die...A man I swore to kill even if I have to use my dying breath to do it."

Husha and Amunet felt sympathy for me as they understood the weight of my words.

"What did he do..?" Husha asked softly, genuinely curious. "Y-You don't have to answer if—"

"Darkness took everything away from me when I was younger. My people...my land...my family.." I started, the events on Utalia playing in my head. "He needs to pay for what he did to me...and I'll make him pay. Tenfold.."

Husha remained silent, feeling the upmost sympathy for me. She walked toward me then gently took my hand. "We will help you stop him.."

I looked back at Husha, giving her a soft smile. "Thank you Husha..."

Husha returned my smile then nodded. "Of course!"

I checked the time on my phone then noticed April had texted me.

{April: It's almost time! Ms. Rose wants to meet up at the auditorium for our team meeting.}

"We should head out. Ms. Rose wants us to meet at the auditorium," I said, relaying April's message to Husha and Amunet.

They nodded then the three of us made our way to the auditorium together.

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We all met up in the auditorium, Liao Ru and Rose standing up on the stage waiting for all of us to take our seats. Once everyone who was joining the mission was seated, Rose walked forward toward the podium.

"Everyone! Thank you for showing up! Tonight is an important night as we will be heading to North Emerald to rendezvous with the Princesses of North Emerald and the Taurus Zodiac Knight, Heifer! This will not be a mission for the faint of heart, so I hope you all are well prepared for what's to come," Rose started, her eyes glossing over everyone of us.

"Our mission was given to us by St. Meishi's own mad scientist, Nagini Noxius. We are to liberate a base in North Emerald from the hold of The Fallen. This is only step one of saving all of North Emerald and possibly driving away The Fallen from our side of Exzodia. Here is the lay out of the area.." Rose said, showing a map on the projector behind her.

The map showed a large forest area with many rivers and ponds in the area. The base was surrounded by the many rivers in the area and watchtowers for extra security. It was being heavily guarded with many Fallen Knights and weaponry on standby.

"This is a Grade Z Mission, and because of that Liao Ru and myself will be joining you all on this mission. We will split into two teams, one team taking down the guards and the other team infiltrating the base itself. You may decide amongst yourself what team you wish to be a part of. Once you're set with your decision, we will move on from there." Rose said, looking back at us.

"You all may discuss amongst yourselves for the best set up." She finished, walking off the podium.

With that, the auditorium was filled with conversations of who should be on what team and setting a plan that would work best of all of us. Once everything was settled, the plan was now underway and Rose began to explain how we should go about the mission.

All of us were nervous, but not frightened away. Once the explanation was completed, we all headed out the auditorium and set our sights on completing our goal of taking back the North Emerald base.