101.) Shiishii & Morpheus!! The Grand Preparations!!

Ten months had gone by since the start of the many events that have stirred Colossaverse 1 ugly. The clans all ponder on how to deal with their individual issues as well as how to help their neighbors. All the while… a certain Gahwardian makes preparations for something quite grand indeed.

Haydes was close to finishing the nurturing of his newly created Self-Split half. With them, he had hoped to be able to topple Shiishii. To finally be able to put an end to this feud and to the constraints of death. Forever obsessed with this goal of his. As though it's his true purpose for living. But not everything comes so easily in the life of the gods, Especially those of the Gahwardian, no…. the Senkozen bloodline. Speaking of which… four of its princes are away sparring with their respective teams. Getting stronger just for the sake of getting stronger. Though… we all have a clear idea of why Shiishii is giving it his all.

"HAAAA!!!" Shiishii yells as he performs a strengthening exercise for his Death Essence. Focusing his entire pallet of Essence into a singular point, then releasing it all at once for maximum output. He was hoping to cause instant Death, which in most cases would happen after taking in so many life sucking particles at once… in theory. But there was still a flaw to it that would counter that with much avail.

"Yes, yes… that's indeed impressive. Even I would have a hard time overriding that much in such a short time." Gaia says to Shiishii as she walks over while holding her niece, Shiimiya.

"But there's still a flaw in your approach. A flaw that'll get you killed faster than you could kill your foe or foes." , she glares at Shii intensely as she informs him of his fally. *BOOooOm* A mountain of great magnitude is shattered as Shii lets out another attack.

Shiishii: "So then… What do you think is my problem here?"

Gaia sets down Shiimiya on a blanket a couple hundred feet away from Shiishii. Right next to her mother who was busy napping from Exhaustion.

Amiyama: *SNOOORE*

Gaia continues her walk over towards Shii while raising her fist. She smiles at her younger cousin(Brother) all the while. A green light shows itself with a pattern of flowers and leaves flowing into light. It was her version of Physical Zenchi and it was as potent as ever.

"Now you see my dear boy, what you're missing is Zenchi and its ability to conquer concepts!" , she shouts proudly as she copies Shii and focuses her essence to one point.

"Hmmm?" Shii says as he continues to question what she was actually suggesting.

Gaia: "You see Shiishii, it's due to the fact that there exists concepts that don't succumb to Death and its many accomplices. The gods who harbor those concepts and mastery over them are just as immune. So you use Zenchi to override that immunity and even their very defensive capabilities if you really know your stuff."

Shiishii: "Hmph! Fair enough."

Gaia: "Indeed, so now then…"

Shiishii: "Huh?"

Gaia: "Let me show you how to perfect this through trial and error." *FWIP* *She readies herself with a new stance*

Shiishii: "Ah… so you're going with the new arts, eh? *FWIP* Death-Yu time then!"

Gaia: "I would have it no other way baby boy!" *PEW*

Shiishii: "Hmph!" *PEW*

Shiimiya: "HehyahaHA!!! (Go, go goooo!!)"

Shiishii and Gaia clash for hours as she repeatedly puts him down using her superior use of brass and Zenchi with her martial arts. It completely eclipsed his superior skills in martial arts. They tested different strategies to further progress his use of Zenchi and mastering his new technique. As their training intensifies, we find ourselves viewing in on the other gates, Shiishii's four younger brothers and their regimens.

Just for the sake of organization, we start with the second oldest and twin brother to Shiishii. Kishin Senkozen, and he was busy attempting to increase his use of Zenchi as well as his element's potency. Essentially training his core essence to greater heights. He was trying his best to fuse his core essence to the forefront of the study he'd acquired. The Speed Verse study which was a high scale Unique Level study. It was classified as an Embodiment/Pact & Manipulation class study. His goal is to fuse his plague-ish annihilation to the stream he leaves behind when speeding off.

He was getting assistance from Zenki and Chinlee within the confines of Annihilo Sects' training grounds. Zenki was appointed as the one who'd show him the principles of Zenchi and how to use it to infuse his core essence into his study. Chinlee would be the one using her knowledge of tranquil essence control to show him how to better control his prowess and calm to a more feasible use. The process was a grueling one though as his body had to be repeatedly battered to get to the strength and durability needed to handle this. It was essentially trapping the foreign essence and nature of his study which wasn't very similar to his core essence. Had he had a more speed-like core it'd have come natural. But he was essentially forcing it to occur as opposed to them naturally fusing and resonating.

Zenki: *BLAM* "Good, good. Your body is becoming more dense yet you've leveled up agility beyond what would be needed to move at your normal pace with that new stature… Impressive boy. Now let's go again!"

Kishin: "HAI!! I'm ready whenever Master Zenki!"

Zenki: "Good, here I come then!"

Zenki rushes in on Kishin, Kishin gets himself prepared for an onslaught with the utmost astute timing. But it was all in vain as Zenki faints to both sides almost simultaneously. Showing off the new levels of speed he was reaching thanks to the teachings of Kishin himself. One should note that gods always train one another. It is impossible to simply learn in a one sided nature. Only a way to learn more from one or the other, true equivalent exchange.

*KAPOW* "TAH!!" , yelled out Kishin as a ferocious, heavy palm strike befalls his back. He throws a swift back hand while retreating to keep Zenki off his heels. He then expands a dome of Essence using his Zenchi.

"Presence Zenchi!!!" Kishin yelled out as Zenki approached. Kishin was hoping to get a reading on him since he was restricted from using his control of the Speed concept to perceive Zenki. *VWIMP'LL*

Kishin: (Mhm! From my 6!?) *FWFT*

Zenki: "Where are you looking!?" *FWIP*

Kishin: "Wha-"

*SMASH*

Kishin gets hit head on in the gut from a mean uppercut by Zenki. But Kishin is quite used to his piercing blows by now and withstands the pain. He activates his Mental Zenchi to get a glimpse of the next attack. But his level was at the beginner's level and he could only perceive Zenki's current speed level a sec before it happened. This led to a vicious chop to the neck being dodged. But it wouldn't end there so he improvised a move only a speedster could create.

Zenki: (Ah, what's this now?) *a grin creeps across his face*

Kishin began to rapidly and repeatedly activate his Mental Zenchi for every attack coming from Zenki. Using his natural boosted levels of speed with a mix of his animal instincts. He dodges each strike with minimal movement and waits for an opportunity to "Blitz the King" . Of course this didn't come as easy as Kishin would hope. This was due to the odd strikes delivered by the Zenki's fighting style. Which happens to be a mixture- er, better to say a "Fusion" of Tai-Chi and Shaolin influenced Dragon School Kung-Fu. Each kick came with an aloof faint that kept Kishin guessing. This was only possible due to Zenki already having a grasp of how far Kishin could see into HIS specific future. Kishin's actual limit is 7 seconds worth for anyone on or below his level of speed.

Kishin: *Swift* "Goddamit Zenki, when are you going to leave ya boy an opening!?" *Swish**WOOSH*

Zenki: *Prch* "When Gahwardia becomes a place of pacifists! *SWIFT**swish* GehahahaKaaah!!" *SWOOSH*

Kishin: "Keh! What a cheeky old bastard you are, Unc! *Thud**Swish* Hm!! (There it is!)"

Kishin finally sees the opening he was looking for after Zenki throws a slightly sluggish, toe-led axe kick. Note that even when sluggish, the kick still broke beyond ten times that of light. Kishin blocks the left legged kick by lowering his weight and shifting Zenki's weight to the right side of himself. Opening up quite the open road for a clean blitz.

"Nrgh!" , grunted Zenki as he noticed his predicament. Kishin lowered into a complete runner stance with his butt held high for maximum push power. An eerie cloud of blackened green mist showed itself from beneath Kishin. Red blue and purple particles with red cores could be seen glowing within that same mist as it thickened into a gas. Zenki tried to back up but it was much too late. A series of sparks flutter from beneath Kishin and he thrust outwards as if a huge gust of wind had just blown by. Just then… a flash could be seen just before Zenki was forced back a few meters. He was stuck in a mid-air crouched position.

Chinlee: "I know it isn't mastered just yet. But just seeing someone below myself actually speed off at paces I can't track is amazing. His streak is made of his element, but if the Speed Verse study truly does call from a versetian beast and its concept. Wouldn't his element being fused to said source mean he might've just altered that same beast!?"

Zenki: *WOOSH* "GAAAAH! *pewTOOORGHFF* Hmph! *Pat* *pat* Yes, that would be correct Chinlee. But we can't count that as a feat for him. After all, it was that same Versatian Beast AND the voice of the study that gave us this idea. They're trying to help my nephew become more than he is now."

Chinlee: "Ah, OK that makes some damn good sense. Well then Kishin, were the starting results what you were hoping for?"

Kishin: "Being able to literally just speed off and leave behind a trail of infected, partially annihilated substances of all kinds. It's lovely! I've officially begun my full assimilation to this ability. Time to take it further once we master this technique!" *Clench*

Zenki: "Hmph! It's quite infatuating to breed such results in such a short time by combining what we're best with the others'."

Chinlee: "Couldn't agree more. And with this Spatial Room we're using qe can avoid any real damage and cut loose so long as we coat it in our core essence or Zenchi."

Kishin: "All facts. *Slip* *he removes his battle gauntlets and sets them on a marble table* But now I got a question for the two of you."

Zenki: "Hm?"

Chinlee: "Shoot."

Kishin crosses his arms before speaking of that in which he must ask them. They both raise their eyebrows in interest as he looks them in their eyes.

"How satisfied are you guys with your sudden speed boosts? Satisfied enough to race me using the technique we created?" , Kishin asks with a grin on his face. They both seem to pause and stare at one another before grinning widely. Then they turn to their pupil/ Speed coach and give him an arousing "You're ON!"

Kishin: "Ha! Then let's get this shit!"

As the three set up for their race, we move onto the malicious one of the five. The middle brother, Haydes Senkozen. He was on a far off world within the Gahwardian sector of Quadrant I. It was a planet filled with viscous storms and a size great enough to completely engulf more than 500 planets the same size as our Earth. The eye of these vicious storms is where Haydes and his partners trained. Using the force and ripping nature of the gigantic Hellstorm to increase their stamina and durability. This was perfect considering the planet held an energy supply within itself that, if detonated. Could quite easily decimate 4 whole universes in one go. This was easily the most suitable place to train within a sector that reeks of violence.

*CRASH* *CRACKLE* *SMASH*... *kaBOOM*

Haydes: "This place has been good to us and our cause."

HellBlazer: "And with all our preparations being done already, we're nearly ready to enact It."

Haydes: "Indeed my boy, indeed. We're nearly ready to smash Death and his followers. He may be my brother, but existence doesn't need such fally."

HellBlazer: "I couldn't agree more. But we must make certain we're ready this time. Whether we could get Shiishii alone or not, he'd be able to summon STRIFE II through their tattoo runes. So taking them on will be inevitable."

???: "Right you are my two companions. We must be fully prepared even with the three of us plus the few Generals and Nymphians we received from the TRUTH."

HellBlazer: "Hmph! About time you joined us."

Haydes: "Yeah our numbers don't mean much of an advantage. I failed to secure a concrete number on the amount of members STRIFE II actually has. But good of you to join us finally, Helsephera(Hell•Say•Fur•Ah)."

Helsephera: "Apologies you two, but I had to make up for your slip ups."

HellBlazer: "What do you mean by that?"

Haydes: " …?" *Raised Eyebrow*

Helsephera: "I mean the missing number of people STRIFE II has. They actually have equal numbers to us with slightly better quality. Especially if you think about Gaia stepping in if need be. Don't sweep over the vow she made to ensure NO ONE even you, sir. Will ever get another chance to snuff him out. We'd have to get both and that's impossible with their current teamwork."

HellBlazer: "How the fu-"

Haydes: *He raises his hand to stop HellBlazer* "Easy to see how you got the info on their numbers Helsei. But how in the multiverse would you know how well they work together currently!?"

Helsephera: "Easy, I peeped in on them using their essence as the lens essentially. Though it was very nerve racking. Having Gaia smile at me while making eye contact beyond the rift between us. Urgh! *Shiver* Your elder cousin is scary. She allowed me to do it."

Haydes: "That just means they know I'll be coming. But I was aware they knew since the last time we saw each other. Shiishii just gave up on stopping this in a more civil nature."

Helsephera: "Wait… but isn't.."

HellBlazer: "War and fighting… our way of solving it in a civil manner?"

Haydes: "Er… yeah. I guess you're right."

Helsephera strolls up to Haydes and HellBlazer as they are all ready for another round of training. Take note that they are at the level where idle chit chat within the eye of the storm is not much of a challenge. Only taking small amounts of stamina to withstand it. Though… actually trading blows and expending stamina takes a toll quite quickly. They were on the verge of ridding themselves of such weakness. Which would allow them to take on Shiishii and his Self-Split personas, Diablos and Angelos without tiring so easily. After all, the storm generated the same amount of attack potency Haydes himself could deliver. Coincidentally, he and Shii were on par when it came to that. Haydes was truly ingenious for this route of training.

"Let's start this up again you two. We need to get the results within the next 24 hours if we want to hold true to our plans!" , says Haydes as he gets into his new and improved Hellsin Sin Zinfist style stance. HellBlazer and Helsephera mimic it, but with a twist as to make it their own. The rule for their training in the storm was simple. Attack until either you drop or your opponents drop. Then rinse, lather and repeat as to utilize the evolutionary part of their biological structure. Such is the blessing of the Gahwardian genes.

Haydes: "COMMENCE!" *FWIP*

HellBlazer & Helsephera: "COME ON!" *FW-FWIP*

Their fists clash head on with their boxer-style straight jabs. The storm disperses for an entire five seconds before reforming around the scuttering brawlers. You could hear every moment of contact they made and the splitting of skin, bone crunching and battering they delivered. The brutality of the Gahwardians knows no bounds when it comes to the battle and seeking further strength.

In the meantime, Vashjai and Ebon were busy getting their butts handed to them on a silver platter. For it was a request made to Meenahs as a favor. They wished to get a higher grasp on the arts of silent combat. But learning the swift techniques took a high level of durability and agility. Both of which they were heavily lacking on. A direct consequence to their neglecting Shii and Kishin's final teachings. Which was to learn to allow the body to move on its own based on their already high animal instincts. A teaching not even Haydes chose to brush over. Even now he was honing it in his training. Morpheus as well, just seems as though these two were playing catch up.

Vashjai: *Huff* *Huff* "To believe the art of self movement would be a pinnacle asset to this training. Man… *Huff* we were idiots, Ebon."

Ebon: "Tch! This makes the training twice as hard. Plus lady Meenahs ain't joking around. She's been on it ever since we told her how we neglected Shii's final class."

Vashjai:"She really doesn't like disrespect does she?"

Meenahs: "Not one bit. Now get off your asses and reset. I expect results within the next few hours and we will breed them no matter how long this must go on. And no matter how many times I need to fix or revive you! You will know the way of The Silent Killer and be branded as my disciples."

Vashjai: "Yes ma'am!"

Ebon: "R-Right!"

Meenahs: "Good, if you can meet those expectations then I'll even teach you the infamous Felyne Fist that my father created with the help of your original Martial arts masters. It's the perfect style for the theory of The Silent Killer."

Vashjai: "Keh *paTEW* Better not be pulling our legs." *Fwip*

Ebon: "Now you're talking Master Meenahs!"

Meenahs: "Hmph! *Smirk* Now come on!"

Vashjai and Ebon dash in on Meenahs with not a thought in their mind. They both go for a tandem combo, almost as if they could read the other's mind without the use of Zenchi. Vashjai goes low while Ebon goes high. Meenahs with the utmost precision slightly leaps just as Vashjai makes contact. She uses the momentum caused by his sweep to instantly lay horizontal in mid-air. Causing Ebon to miss his strike as well. She rotates a bit and then performs a perfect vertical, standing split. Stopping both their legs before they could fully follow through.

"NHH!!" , they both grunt as they realize they're stuck. She simply stares at them and smiles just before bringing her legs to a perfect parallel and forcing them off balance. She then blitzes both with simple jabs to scare them off, this was a success. Their instincts kicked in and caused them to leap back into a series of backflips. Just to dash right back in after setting into wolf-ish stances. Vashjai flanks her six while Ebon plays coy and acts as the distraction. Meenahs calms her essence and puts her arms behind her back. Dodging a barrage of jabs and claws thrusts from Ebon. Her body began to tingle in the back and her hair stood up. It was in response to Vashjai's brief moment of killing intent being used. Just then a swift breeze blew by and both her and Ebon duck, dodging the explosive round-house from Vashjai. She stares a surprised Ebon in the eyes as they begin to rise back up.

Vashjai: (Damn she's fast, but we can't let her have her way again.) "Ebon back down and come back!" *FWISH*

Ebon: "Hmph!" *FWIP*

Meenahs: "Hm… Impressive!" *Woosh*

(SHIT!) Vashjai thinks to himself as he reaches the ground. Meenahs turns to face him just as he blitzes her person with a barrage of kicks with his right leg. She dodges each one with the slightest of movements. She then jumps to dodge a sliding kick from Ebon. She uses the moment their bodies need to reset and kicks both heavy toe-taps. A quick one to Vashjai's forehead then another in stomp fashion to Ebon's stomach as he rises.

Meenahs: "I'm really enjoying this, you two. You actually are growing rapidly. Combat truly is the best way to train Gahwardians. *step* *Step* Your dodging is more precise and the only thoughts that process through are ones that protect the other. I guess the only thing left is to raise your bodies' speed."

Ebon: *Step* "Thank-you Madame Meenahs, we truly appreciate your praise."

Vashjai: "Yeah and the battles have been just as fun for us. Who would've known we could progress beyond the power scale level of 22 so rapidly. But I must ask, how do you plan to raise our speed?"

Ebon: "I'd like to know that as well."

Meenhas: "OH do you? Well then, it's actually a really rare way of doing so, and we'll be using my control of Time to do so."

Vashjai: "Your control of…"

Ebon: "Time!?"

Meenahs: "Indeed… *Raise* Now let me heal you as I open the field for us.*Grin* Heh, it'll be hell!" *Vwimp*... *POW*

Vashjai: "Woah…" *SWIP*

Ebon: "Holy… shi-" *SWIP*

Meenahs carries Vashjai and Ebon into her realm for their final teachings. Thus catches us up on four of the five Gates. As for the fifth. Well he was up to his usual antics as far as training went. He and Young Strife II were busy honing their mastery of Zenchi and their martial prowess. Using spars and the unique nature of their powers to assist one another on their quest to greater heights. Ah, it was a whole slew of them within the school's training grounds. Once used to introduce Amera and the others to Zenchi and where Zelibus gained his place amongst the group. Coincidentally, our fifth gate was the lead of this session and the organizer.

"Alrifht, let's get back to it y'all. Another round of allout Presence Zenchi on one another. We gotta get the potency and duration to an all time high!" , shouted Morpheus as he walked down the shores of a lake they stumbled upon while doing environmental sparring matches. There you could see everyone standing on the water with their hands pressed together in prayer form. Their eyes were shut and the tranquil serenity of the artificial wildlife was all they could hear once Morpheus said his peace. He joins everyone at the end of the line so that he too could home his focus. Alongside him was Amera, Malikai, Ju'Mosi, Clarence, Zelibus and even the likes of Kenny, Silvio, Scrâg and Fong. The complete Young STRIFE II was together for the first time EVER.

Morpheus: (Truly bliss to have everyone here. I know no one mentions it but we train this harshly so we can achieve one thing right now. And that's to get Zoshen back!)

Just as the thoughts came to him, it seemed as if everyone could hear them as clear as day. The waters began to dance wildly around them as each spiked in essence focusing. Each wore a face of intensity that showed their determination. Even the nonchalant Kenny was frowning with veins popping out his forehead. Morpheus surely does know his team and how they feel about the situations they all face. With each having advanced during Challenge day, they could leave to chase after their friend once they gained the power to stand up to the one that took him. The dimensional being known as Atomen.

Amera: (We'll bring you back no matter what!)

Malikai: (And crush that bastard as we do so.)

Zelibus: (We owe you that much, Zoshen!)

Silvio: (We'll save you no matter what, Uncle Zo!!!)

Everyone seemed to be on the same page here as they get ready to go on a Presence Zenchi frenzy! Each and every member present opened their eyes, releasing an abundance of Zenchi into the area. Pulsing, sharp waves of Essence spewed about as their Presence Zenchi waves clash. The training grounds shook and crumbled in many areas as this occurred. Even the bodies of water formed gigantic tidal waves that were quickly dispersed by delayed aftershocks. Every member is determined to get the results needed to gain back their friend.

Alright, that should be good! We all got nosebleeds for crying out loud!" , yelled Morpheus as he began lowering his use of Zenchi. Everyone else began to do so as well when they noticed what he spoke of was true. They all leaked out more than a quarter gallon of blood from their noses. Shows just how intense that wave of Zenchi was. The adrenaline died out and everyone fell to the floor, heavily fatigued.

Amera: *Huff* *huff* "This has been good practice. But I honestly wish we had actual tutors here for some of this."

Zelibus: "Hmm, I can't say I disagree with that notion. It'd be quite helpful to our cause."

Ju'Mosi: "Mann, Morpheus brah. You can't ask one of your power-house siblings to give us a haaand brah?"

Clarence: *Eyebrow Raise* "Hmmm??"

Morpheus: "Mhm… I'd love to ask, but they're all busy with their own training."

Kenny: "I knew that was the case."

Morpheus: "But man would it be great to actually train with Shii. He's the only one I haven't trained with yet." *VWIMP*

Kenny: "Huh!?... M-Morpheus!"

Fong: "Woaah! Morpheus look!"

Silvio: "Not gonna regret it man!"

Morpheus: "What're you guys talking about-"

???: "Yeooow! You rang for some help?"

Morpheus turns around to find himself face to face with his eldest brother, Shiishii. The sudden pop-up startled him greatly. Causing him to fall back a few paces with an hysterical face being worn.

"AH, you bastard! I hate when y'all do that!" Morpheus screams out as he tries to regain his composure. The members of Young Strife II all burst out into laughter as they watched their captain behave like a child. Even Shii couldn't help but chuckle a bit before reaching out to help his sibling up.

Shishii: "I heard your thoughts as if you were praying for help. Odd huh?"

Morpheus: "Not really, it was kinda like I was asking for your help to that level. We need it for what we have planned."

Shiishii: "Do you all feel this way?"

Everyone nods their heads in agreement to what was said by Morpheus. Each standing up in the hopes of hearing what it is they needed to hear right now.

Shiishii: "Good."

Gaia: "Cause today will be the day Strife II trains their youngins. So be ready for some harsh regimens. Pretty sure Young Fong over there knows what I mean."

Fong: "Mhm-hm. Shiishii's martial arts practice is brutal, but very fruitful. I'll always appreciate that help."

Shiishii: "Not a problem, but we'll be bringing you guys to Gaia's super planet. There you will get the chance to train with one of the few Captains of Strife we have coming to train. Prepare yourselves and be ready to get those results you were hoping for."

Young Strife: "Right!!"

Gaia: "Also note that you guys are helping us just as much as we're helping you. Now come along." *step* *Step*

Kenny: "Hmph." *step*

They all proceeded through the portal with Gaia and Shiishii. Within an instant they found themselves on a lush planet full of life. From plants to the many off world-ish creatures one could only hope to see in books or in highly rare occurrences. It looks similar to what most think a primal Earth would look like. Without the touch of self centered intellectuals.

Shiishii: "I took the liberty of inviting all of my brothers as well, save for one. Though I will have to apologize ahead of time."

Gaua: "I as well."

Morpheus: "Why is that?"

Shiishii: "This'll probably be cut short due to the growing suspicion that all of our siblings WILL show up!"

Morpheus: "You don't mean!?"

Kenny: "OH… damn."

Gaia: "Yeah… Strife II's training session is nothing more than a trap. We just felt we needed to reward you guys something for once."

Shiishii: "If that does come to pass, we'll make it up to you guys. But for now…"

Everyone: "Hm?"

Gaia & Shiishii: *Clap* "Let's make the most of this!" *They both smile brightly and honestly*

Young Strife: "RIGHT!"

It would seem Haydes isn't the only one who can scheme his way to victory. Gaia and Shiishii use themselves as live bait to lure Haydes into an invasion. As both STRIFEs come together to train. A war casts a dark shadow upon our Gods. The search for Le Destruction ends as war begins!

Next Chapter: Battle of the Four Gates!