44.) Gaia's Recruitment.

Shiishii and Zo'Elgor take the children out to eat after they get a small rest. They leave the training grounds and head for a place, two universes south of the capital. It was within the Sub Capital region, located in the fifth galaxy, third solar system on a planetoid called Centicoid Prime. There was an eatery that circled the planetoid within its atmosphere. The place was known as Drake-A-Shake, and they served the best serpent tail around. It was Shii and Zo'Elgor's treat. 

Waiter: "Hey, how're you guys doing today?"

Morpheus: "Pretty good."

Amera: "Great, actually."

Ju'Mosi: "Great as usual, brah."

Clarence: *Thumbs up*

Malikai: "I'm alright."

Shiishii: "Better than ever!"

Waiter: "That's just awesome to hear! Were any of you ready to order by any chance?"

Zo'Elgor Jr.: "Hmmm… I'll take a well-done Dracko Steak. With a… slither-style, diced up sky serpent on the side. And for my drink… I guess I could go for a Spiked Martini. Little bro?"

Zoshen: "Hmh! *Smirk* You just ordered one of my faves. Let me get the same as my elder brother."

Malikai: "And I'll have a platter of smothered dragon wings. One… smothered dragon tail and a cup draca-jam juice."

Clarence: "Eh… not too hungry right now. I'll just take a well-done Dracko Steak. And some chilled spring water will suffice." 

Shiishii: "I'll take two large slabs of Drago Ribs, baked, of course. Hmmm…. Ooh! A bowl of your- actually, TWO bowls of your steamed rice with your secret sauce on the side."

Zo'Elgor: "Mhm."

Shiishii: "And then two bowls of that good ol' messy macaroni. Piña Colada for the drink, please. *Slap* Kids?"

Morpheus: "Hmmm… (What to get, what to get?) *Glare* "Smoked Dragon Tail w/ Secret sauce + 2 bowls of Famed Red Rice" (Think I'll go with that.)"

Ju'Mosi: "I'll take the Famed, Grilled Dragon tail. A side of red rice and light lettuce. Chilled Spring Water for me, too." 

Morpheus: "Bring me your smoked dragon tail w secret sauce and two bowls of red rice. Fruit punch as well. Amera?"

Amera: "... I'll take the dragon style fillet mignon. As well as a side of steamed white rice. Fruit juice as well."

Waiter: "Alright, it seems like everyone's order is chosen. I will deliver this to the chefs and get your drinks."

Zoshen: "Nice. That sounds good."

Zo'Elgor: "Indeed it does. Take good care of us, Yan."

Yan: "Hmm? How'd you know my- Oh! Lord Zo'Elgor and Zoshen! I'll deliver this to the head chef and get your orders out in a flash. Be right back with your drinks." *Step* * Step * * Step * 

Shiishii: "Hm hmm. *grin* So what has everyone been up to these last few months?"

Amera: "Been training hard to improve my martial arts. And keeping my grades high as can be. Think I'm top 3 in our class right now."

Shiishii: "Ok, ok. I love to hear it, and how about the rest of yall? Lil' Zo?"

Zoshen: "Kinda been on the same thing, honestly. Just want to get stronger and beat Morpheus over there."

Malikai: "Aye, if I'm being honest. I think me, Zoshen AND Amera all want to make sure Morpheus doesn't get ahead of us. But me personally, I've been thinking of a study I'd want to get."

Zo'Elgor: "That's pretty damn awesome, Malikai. What have you been thinking of getting?"

Shiishii: "Interested in this as well."

Ju'Mosi: "Hmm?"

Malikai: "Well, my element is a hybrid one. Mixed with Gravity and the Omni element. I can use all the effects of the base elements in the form of force. Then my birthright is the same as Zoshen's over here."

Zo'Elgor: "Advancement?"

Shiishii: (They have a Birthright with the same tree as Haydes. Theirs will end in evolution if they evolve all the way.)

Malikai: "Yessirr! So I was thinking of getting a study that deals with singularity."

Shiishii: "There's no study out there that deals with that, that ISN'T a legendary study. So not only are the temples harsh to go through, but mastering that study will take a while. Do you still wish to go after it?"

Malikai: "Of course! My father tells me we have a temple that hosts one back in our clan. So I was to hone myself here and go for it afterward. I've done quite the research, so trust me. I know what I'm in for."

Shiishii: "Ah, that's good then, kiddo. Hmm… I was going to ask where you reign from, but that shard there explains it all. You're a blackhole imp and a dragon, too. You're quite the hybrid Malikai."

Zo'Elgor: "Yeah, his mother is our aunt. So we're cousins, as you can see."

Shiishii: "Ah, ok, I see now. Well, you seem to have a great head on your shoulders. Keep it up."

Malikai: "Kekee! Thanks, Lord Shii! (I really got praised by THE Death II just now. This is greatness!)"

Clarence: "We've honestly just been working on our Zenchi and trying to master ourselves. Classes have been easy this year, so I'm great there."

Ju'Mosi: "Yeah, though I do have a goal of adding my own flare to our family's martial arts."

Amera: "You mean our Embodi Fist?"

Ju'Mosi: "Yeah, that one there. I want to change it up."

Shiishii: "You all have such amazing goals, honestly. So then… "What's say you Morpheus?" What's your goal, and how's life been here?"

Morpheus: "Well, my grades have been quite great. Especially my Quantum Studies class, thanks to Amera's help." *grin*

Shiishii: "... Ooooohh? Are you guys… a thing?"

Morpheus: *Blush* "Uh… uuuuhh, c'mon now big bro! Why you puttin' me on the spot -"

Amera: *Blush* "We're workin' on it."

Morpheus: "Woah! A-Alright. Y-Yeah, what she said."

Shiishii: "Heh! Adorable, reminds me of when me and Amiyama first met."

Zo'Elgor: "Ah. Her coronation is coming up pretty soon, isn't it?"

Shiishii: "Yessirrr! It's gonna be a grand festival, my man."

Zo'Elgor: "That's damn great, man. Nice, nice."

Amera: "I need to go shopping soon."

Morpheus: "So do I."

Zoshen: "I think we all do. Haha!"

Malikai: "Kuku! No doubt!"

Shiishii: "Eh, I can take you little gods out before I head back to the castle."

Zo'Elgor: "Guess we're going shopping lil' bro and Malikai."

Malikai: "Nice!".

Zoshen: "Time for new combat gloves!"

Ju'Mosi: "Gotta get a few enchanted fits for the field. We'll be graduating this next school year, so permission is guaranteeeeed brah!'

Clarence: "I'm with that breh!"

Morpheus: *Fist Bump* "You're the greatest big bro!"

Shiishii: "None much at all, lil' bro."

Morpheus: "Tehe! *Grin* Oh yeah! Can you help me make Death-Yu into a Strife version?"

Shiishii: "Oooh? Hell yea!" *Clap* 

Morpheus: "YES!"

Shiishii: "Hmm."

Shiishii immediately gained a stern look on his face. And fell into a quick lapse of deep thoughts.

Zo'Elgor: "Yo Shii, you good man?"

Shiishii: "Yeah… I was just wondering if Gaia is alright."

Morpheus: "Where is big sis?"

Shiishii: "Well, she went to recruit in the Kingdom of Life clan, but that was to go well. That's like a second home."

Zo'Elgor: "Yeah, yeah."

Zoshen: "True."

Morpheus: "Yeah… that's true."

Amera: "So, what's your worry then?"

Shiishii: "She went to the Machinelord clan to recruit Prince Mobiusse."

Zo'Elgor: "Ugh… Prince Mobiusse!?"

Amera: "Ew."

Malikai: "Bruh."

Ju'Mosi: "Boooo. Big thumbs down, brah."

Clarence: … "Uh!" *Shutters* 

Shiishii: "So we all know him then?"

Morpheus & Zoshen: "Naw."

Amera: "Mhm… figures."

Malikai: "Yeah, yeah."

Ju'Mosi: "True brah."

Clarence: "Yeah, true."

Morpheus: "Mhm… who is he, Shii?"

Shiishii: "Prince Mobiusse is a clever yet powerful scumbag that's next in line to rule the clan."

We take a trip to the Machinelord clan where Gaia is being ambushed by guards.

Gaia: "I'm telling you, Prince Mobiusse! This is certainly a mistake!"

Prince Mobiusse: "The only mistake is you treading your filthy feet on my grounds. Tear her apart, men!"

Guards: "RAAAAAAGH!!! *Step* *Step* *Step* * Step **step**step**step*

Gaia: "I warned you. Remember that bastards. Hmph! *PewTING* Presence Zenchi!" 

Prince Mobiusse: "Hmm?"

The guards all get hit directly by her Zenchi wave. Falling to the floor immediately as none were above the level of 25 on the scale. She proceeds to walk towards the prince as he delivers a sinister smile her way.

Prince Mobiusse: "Trash like you can use Zenchi!? What a surprise. Hmm… *Fwip* *PewTING* and your scale level is 40 as well. I think I have just the knight for you. He shall slice you up nicely."

Gaia: "Are you sure about that?"

Prince Mobiusse: "Of course! Now then, Sir Tron!" *Clap* *clap*

A Knight covered in metallic tech armor walked out of the royal corridor, leading to the castle grounds and other corridors. His armor was blood red, silver, and gold. The armor resembled a style of medieval times mixed in with futuristic styling. It had a cap attached to it that was also the color of blood. As if painted by the blood of his victims. His eyes were covered by gold-ish protective goggles. His mouth was exposed, showing a widened jaw line and a french style mustache that looked like two triangles tilted on their side. 

Gaia: "Hmph."

He draws his sword immediately once he takes position directly in front of Prince Mobiusse. The sword was a high-grade tech type shaped to resemble a classic knight's sword.

Sir Tron: "The blatant disrespect you show. Entering this hall without permission and disrupting the young prince. Wenches like you have to be put in their place."

Gaia: "Pshh, oh please. As if you ever could defeat me, boy. Your five hundred thousand years too early for that. *Fwip* *Fwip* Gaia's Root #4. But sure, I'll allow you to entertain me."

Sir Tron: "Tuh!? You dare act so highly? You are not The First. Until you take her place. You have no rights here so long as our future king whims it so. *Grip* *FusSHING* I'll send you off with a warning after your defeat."

Gaia: *Grin* *Shing* "Hm hmh hmmm!"

Prince Mobiusse: "Hmm? (Her blade is about a foot and a half long while the handle appears to be half a foot. It looks like a branch to start, and then the roots stretch out in a floral, spiral pattern as they become green. They form the foundation for what holds and imbues that blade with power. The blade itself is a faded, metallic blood red with a razor-sharp edge that seems to be the color of…) *Gasp* Dying vegetation."

Gaia: "Come!"

Sir Tron: "Bah!" *Fwip* 

Sir Tron flows forward on foot as he puts both hands on the hilt of his sword and brings it slightly above his head. Once within ten feet of Gaia, he brings it down at high speeds. Gaia brings her right arm slightly back with her blade going over her left shoulder. She brings it flashing in and parries Sir Tron evenly. The two struggle to gain dominance over the other in strength.

Sir Tron: "Surprising to see a goddess of life possess such vulgar amounts of physical strength. But it won't be enough."

Gaia: "For your sake, I'll only use sword techniques."

Sir Tron: "Why you -"

Gaia: *TINNNG* "I'll show you it's still bad for you!"

Sir Tron slides back a few feet as Gaia comes flying towards him. She spins rapidly to the left. Sir Tron holds his sword vertically and on the flat side of the dual edged sword. Gaia clashes with it more than 50 times, forcing Sir Tron back ten feet. She brings her spin to a halt with a smashing final swing of the blade. She plants her feet immediately and then kicks the back of Tron's knee. He slightly falls, and Gaia swings her sword outward with her right arm, which forces Sir Tron completely off balance. Before he could fall back, Gaia spins around and kicks him in the jaw with a back spinning, right heel kick. 

Sir Tron: "Augh!"

Gaia moves forward while Tron leaps back after taking the impact of Gaia's kick. Gaia swings her sword inward and over her left shoulder again. Sir Tron does the same as he steps forward into Gaia's swing. 

Gaia: "Daring, aren't we."

Sir Tron: "Hmph! Indeed." *Grin* 

Their swords clash and create a great shockwave that destroys the middle of two of the twenty columns holding the Prince's great hall up. The blades repel each other, and both Gaia and Sir Tron are forced back a bit but keep coming. Gaia swings her blade down diagonally after slightly bringing it above her head. Sir Tron resets his feet and slides his right forward as he swings his blade upward, diagonally. Yet again, two columns are destroyed after their two swords clash. They repel each other and Gaia uses that momentum to cock her sword further back over her left shoulder, while leaning back. Sir Tron lifted his sword above his head then brought it down with FORCE. Gaia swung her arm back outward and created a flash with a gleam of light that bounced off her blade. They clash, but Sir Tron is forced back as Gaia is unfazed by the clash, and leaves a "splinter'' within his blade.  But she was left wide open and Sir Tron jerked himself forward while stepping with his right leg. He brings his sword down, gripping it tightly as he does. Gaia grins and uses her arms momentum to swing herself around, all while perfectly pivoting on her foot. They clash once more, but the force is absorbed by Tron's blade, which begins to slightly transform and shift right after. 

Gaia: "So your sword does transform? That's quite the tricky weapon Sir Trooonn. Hehe!"

Sir Tron: "You do enjoy a good taunt don't… *Grunt* YOU? *Ting* 

Gaia: "Well of course but for good reasons." *Smash* 

Gaia firmly plants her feet into the floor, breaking through with her golden, viking edition heels. Using that new grounding, she forces Tron back two feet with an extra push forward.

Sir Tron: "Tch! W-What might be the reasons wench!?"

Gaia: "Simple… it's the splinter you allowed to get lodged within a shifting plate. It's quite sturdy you know."

Sir Tron: "What!? (When did she-)"

Gaia: "Tough *Smile* Gaia's Splinter, Expand!"

Sir Tron: "Damn-"

*BOOM* Sir Tron is sent flying back towards the Prince's throne. As he's flying back, he brings his torso forward and then smashes his blade into the floor to help stop his flight. He drags for 10 meters before stopping. 

Sir Tron: *Glares Forward* "Preposterous!"

Three bright green slashes of essence come flying at both the Prince and Sir Tron, in the form of waves. Tron parries all three and uses the collected life essence his sword has gained from their clashes, and absorbs what's coming for them. He brings his glowing blade down and bends his knees bringing his weight and center of gravity down. He does a quick charge of his own essence and sends an icy wave at Gaia, upon slashing upwards as he brings his entire body with it.

Gaia: "Oh, what a joke. *Step* *step* *step* Hup!" *Pew* 

Prince Mobiusse: (She's gooood.)

Gaia dashes forward and goes into a flurry of mid air frontflips, as she holds her sword above her head. She slashes straight through the blast on her final flip. Then throws her sword forward as she uncurls her body and lands. 

Sir Tron: "What a nuisance she is, sire!"

Prince Mobiusse: "Oh, I can see that Tron. She's quite the combatant. *TING* She's in front of you Trooon." 

The prince warns Tron in an unamused tone as Gaia flashes forward and grabs her sword, spinning to her left again. Tron attempts to slash downwards on top of her, but she uses her spin to dodge it by a hair as she spins above and around Tron. Flanking him to his right, then transferring her sword to her left hand as she ends her spin. She places a splinter on his chest where her blade touches him, while he was still in his downward swing position. 

Sir Tron: "Huh!?" *Glare* 

Prince Mobiusse: "Mhm, typical."

Sir Tron: "Damn YOUUU-"

Gaia: "Expand!" *BOOM* 

Sir Tron: "GAAAH!"

Sir Tron is blown back yet again. Gaia grabs his foot with her left hand before he's out of reaching range. She swings him around while spinning to the right. She stops as she stares the Prince in his eyes then swings Tron upwards. She brings her arm down harshly as she slams him straight into the floor, smashing through the concrete in the process. 

Sir Tron: "OOF! Tss!" 

Gaia draws her blade with her right hand and attempts to pin Tron to the floor through his chest, after stepping over him. Tron dodges to his left at the last second and goes into a windmill(dance move) while swinging his blade at Gaia. He waits until the second spin to transfer to his head after getting Gaia to do a quick spin hop out of the way. As she turns around he completely transfers the pinpoint for his spin to his head, and swings his right arm out after the first spin. Gaia parries but is slightly forced back while im the air. He then transfers the pinpoint of the spin to his left hand then swings once more, with far more force upon his first spin on his hand. Gaia is sent flying even though she blocked it completely. Tron spins once more then leaps up and off his hand, into the air for a quick spin to his left and lands perfectly ready for combat. 

Gaia: "The bastard is quite good. *Wik* *wik* *wik* How about this then? Gaia's Vines!"

Sir Tron: "A nuisance!" 

The roots and vines on Gaia's hilt and blade began to unravel. She then brings her sword back then whips it forward, causing the vines to stretch out and grow as they proceed. 

Sir Tron: "Mhrrmm! *Fwip* *FWOOSH*  

Gaia: "He just stopped them with a single slash!? Impressive indeed."

Sir Tron: "Hmmph! Now then!" *Smash* 

Tron swings his sword around and over his head with his right arm. He does an elegant spin to his left and as he comes to a complete three sixty spin. He brings his sword up and above his head, with the blade facing downward then smashes it into the floor while taking a knee. The ground begins to frost and…

Sir Tron: "Frosted Slope." *FooSHING* 

A huge mountain of ice instantly shoots out with a jagged tip that aims straight for Gaia's head. Gaia swings her sword downward while imbuing it with her essence and smashing the icy mountain. This creates a mist of ice shards and dust flying about, just then Sir Tron comes flying through dust. 

Gaia: "Oh?"

Sir Tron: (I'm ready for that stupid spin counter this time wench!)

Gaia: *Grin* 

Gaia instantly brings her arm back up, leaving her sword flipping in mid air between her and Tron. She spins to her right then brings her right leg up and uses essence to grip the sword. She grapples with precision as to make sure the blade was facing Tron. Tron tries to bring his sword down before she could spin back around with the blade, but is countered by tripling her speed and opening a wide, horizontal gash in his chest armor.

Tron: "What!?"

Gaia does another backspin and comes around with a diagonal, upward cut to the right side of Tron's lower torso. Then another spin and yet another backward slash kick hits Tron at a diagonal angle going down. Causing Tron to slightly rotate to his right as he releases his sword. Then Gaia slightly lowers her body as she comes around for another kick and sweeps Tron. He only gets to perform half the flip as another kick causes him to spin rapidly to his right, leaving the sword flipping between them again. All this occurs within a second. Gaia spins once more then grabs the blade while leaping off her left foot.

Gaia: "You're through."

She performs a triple frontflip, crashing down on Tron. She opens up when within a five foot range and uses the forward momentum to help release a greater sword slash then…

Gaia: "Fluorescent BURST!"

Sir Tron: "AAAAAAHHHHH!!!"

Tron and his sword are met by a blast with a radius of more than one hundred feet. The blast carries him straight to the ground more than a thousand feet in front of the Prince. It hits the floor and causes a small explosion within itself and breaks his sword.

Gaia: "Hmmph. Bloom."

The blast bursts at full power and sends a tattered Tron sliding through the floor and right to where the Prince sets his feet. *Ting* *Kablink*

Sir Tron: "D-Damn it alll!… She got… me, my Prince. Gaahhh! Damn!"

Prince Mobiusse: "This is… what i expected. But to believe you broke my creation, what a powerful woman you are!" 

Gaia: *Fwoosh* *step* *step* "Foolish children."

Prince Mobiusse: "Hm?"

Gaia: *Step* … *step* *SMASH* "Mhm."

Sir Tron: "GAACK!!!"

Gaia smashes straight through Tron's chest armor with her right heel and slightly caves his chest in. 

Prince Mobiusse: "Oh wow."

Gaia: "Don't worry, he'll be fine, but I'll say this. You're pretty lame for a knight, how about trash like you train a bit more before challenging me. You'll live longer twerp." *Step* *step* 

Prince Mobiusse: "Wow! Wow, oh wow! You're beautiful with a slight masculine flare. You show a mulitverse worth of elegance and class yet you're ruthless nonetheless."

Gaia: "Mhm hmm." *Step* *step*

Prince Mobiusse: "Ah! Someone like you must be my bride. Such power deserves me in their life as I so deserve them-" *Smash* 

Gaia sinks her left heel into the throne near the right side of the Prince's face. Narrowly missing him in the process. 

Prince Mobiusse: "Why does a bitch like you think she can put her filthy cheap heel near my face-"

Gaia: "Hm! *BOOM* Mhm hmm."

Gaia blasts a huge load of essence in the form of an energy bomb and blows a hole through Mobiusse's throne room. It catches the attention of the Kingdom below, but no one seems to care too much. The Prince on the other hand, was left in a startled state and nearly wets himself.

Prince Mobiusse: (Wh-What the hell!? That blast was beyond a 40's capabilities! H-How did she-)

Gaia: "This disrespect will NOT go unpunished. A prick like you could never be a part of STRIFE. Your great Zenchi ability and 40 rating mean nothing. Waste like you should just die but you don't disrupt the balance so you can continue living on. But only as I say and only by my word will you act. But before that… Where… is… your FATHER!? *RUMBLE* 

Gaia has had her temper awakened by the blatant disrespect from Mobiusse. She now intends to make him pay for it while in hopes of reaching his father. Her recruitment phase has turned sour quite quickly! 

Next Chapter: Gaia's recruitment Pt. 2!