Episode Nine: Going Against Their Will

"Akane?", Sotokie called out in a desperate tone. She felt her body going numb, while Akane just stared back frozen stiff. The fragment materialized once again and had a mouth with a grin on it. A million thoughts ran through Akane's mind, overthinking the misery and dread that would follow.

[Weapon Ability: Teleportation]

[Passive Ability: Crippling Weight] [Passive Weapon Ability: Apex Sense]

But before this could go on, Oliver crashed between Sotokie and the fragment. Darkness easily broke into the flatpeak, breaking off the tendrils.

[Weapon Ability: Python Creation]

With Libra in the other hand, Oliver aimed the hilt of the blade at the Fragment, releasing multiple Python at it. The Fragment responded with an effortless maneuver through the air, avoiding the Pythons.

While Sotokie's body became relaxed, back into her control, she fell onto the ground. Except a sliver of ether hanging out of Sotokie turned to mist as it seeped into her body without her realizing it.

With each loud crash, Python's head broke into the flatpeak, leaving the manic laughter of the Fragment to ring out through the night. "Dame it, we gotta get rid of the main body," Oliver said quickly. Feeling a little sore in the chest and the back, Sotokie angrily turned to the Fragment. Ready to make a move, when Akane stepped past them.

Blood dripped from her closed palm as she made her way toward the Fragment. "Akane? What are you doing?", Sotokie called out, but Akane didn't respond. Blood droplets begin to seep into the ground.

She couldn't let it happen, it was a nightmare the first time and to imagine seeing Sotokie coming close to suffering the same faith as Maya, snapped her out of the fear and trauma.

The Fragment cackled as multiple Ether spikes extended out of his back, contorted through the air as they moved to attack Akane. She clenched her teeth really tightly and pulled her left foot back.

[Sub Ability Activated] [Blood Creation and Manipulation... Blood Spikes]

Coagulated Spikes broke out of the ground, glistening like shards of glass underneath the moonlight. Impaling the Fragment in the middle of its attack and breaking the ether spikes with the force alone. Then immediately, the Spikes pulled the Fragment down on the ground and pinned him there.

Akane exhaled, letting the tears stream down, as she pulled back her fist in the air, opening her palm and throwing the Blood in the air. "I had it with you!" she screamed.

[Sub Ability Activated] [Blood Creation and Manipulation... Great Blood Gauntlet]

The Blood Multiplied in an instant, accumulating into an enormous congealed, crystalized Gauntlet. "Die!" with another scream, and she brought down the Great Blood Gauntlet onto the pinned-down Fragment. The impact shook the entire mountain, forming multiple cracks all around the Gauntlet.

Akane quickly pulled the Gauntlet back by raising her hand, reviling a mangled yet grinning body of the Fragment, and brought it down again, screaming, "Die!".

The force shot up chunks of granite into the air as she again raised the Gauntlet up and then brought it down. Then again, then again, then again, each time burying the Fragment further into the ground. Each scream became unintelligible until she clenched her teeth in pain.

Sotokie stared, stunned, not knowing what to do, until Oliver quickly pushed her forwards without saying a word, giving her enough courage to get up. Sotokie ran towards Akane, immediately grabbing onto Akane's arm. Akane flinched, and the Blood Gauntlet dissolved, filling the crater with acidic blood. Akane looked at Sotokie, both sobbing at that point. Her knees buckled and she fell onto the floor, broken, with a miserable expression.

"Soto...kie, I am...so...rry," Akane managed to get that out, only making Sotokie tear even more. She quickly wrapped herself around Akane, holding her tightly. "It's not your fault. It's not, okay", Sotokie said as clearly as she could. With her arms shaking, Akane also grabbed hold of Sotokie as both sat quietly in each other's arms.

Oliver stepped up, and seeing both sisters caring for each other gave him some comfort for the foreseeable future, even though this was a bad idea on his part. Next, he brought his attention towards the cater. Oliver's suit had almost healed, with the golden glim soon fading. His shirt was all wrinkled, but he did his best to bring himself in a presentable manner.

Blood began evaporating, reviling one more important component in his plans, the core of the Fragment. The size of a brick, the core had the texture of blackish purple glass with hundreds of small layers going verticals, each slightly protruding outwards.

He picked it up and held it out, "See, I told you I'll do it," Oliver said, whispering. "What are you talking about? I never doubted you", a voice whispered back into his ears. Reality suddenly cracked in front of him. A small 2-dimensional gaping hole broke open in front of the risen core. A brown coat-sleeved arm reached out and grabbed the core. Pulling it in, and then the crack sealed back up.

Oliver sighed, "Okay, I don't want to interrupt you guys, but" he looked at both sisters, who turned to him, all disheveled. "We will appear in front of the council for the proceeding since we broke the King's law. So pull yourself together for a little longer,"

And before they could even question anything, they both felt familiar energy from the Oracle. It instantly consumes them and drops them in the middle of the hall of the Council's office.

[Ability Activated] [Exsto Projection Glass ]

The room lit up with eleven shards of glowing white, and translucent Exsto Glass came into being crackle of lighting. The three [Shifters] prepared on stage, in front of all four remembers of Council. All while, each shard in the circle extended on the edges of the room, Broadcasted the proceeding to all the Lords of the eleven families in the King's Domain through an Exsto Glass shard of their own.

In the chairs were four members of the Council. Nola was wearing a light blue button-up fitting shirt with her sleeves folded above her wrist and dark brown dress pants with black heels. While Allum still had his sunglasses plastered over his eyes, in a deep red polo shirt and jet black cargo shirts and sandals.

On the other hand, Igarashi had a ticked-off look about himself as if disturbed from whatever he was up to before his current appearance, wearing a dark blue and white checker button-up shirt, dark blue jeans, and brown boots. At last, it was Tim, looking unkept for the most part, wearing a white t-shirt with a dirty brown coat, all while yawning excessively.

Igarashi pulled his elbows off the table, " Oliver Battleborne, Akane Bloodborne, and Sotokie Fictor. You three have been dragged over here on the charge of breaking the law, which was put into effect on the sixteenth of April, which dictated that no one under the King's domain would attempt Hunt or Approach the Fragment of the Imperium...".

Sotokie immediately perked up, "But we were forced into it! Akane was taken by an Outcast and...". Igarashi suddenly shot a glare at Sotokie, causing her to flinch. "Not! Only have you three approached the Fragment, but you also eliminated it and now are in possession of its Core. As such, you three have been hereby declared an outcast. You will leave and cut all your ties with the King's Domain and hand over the possession of the Fragment's Core to the Council", Igarashi completed a dialog with a raised voice, exclaiming his authority.

....

"So he is the child that bested you, Joesph? What came of your empty promises?', Lord Fictor said, his eyes glowing sharp purple and mist wafting off of his enraged person, which was best at keeping its composure. He stared at the Projected image on his desk, partially with relief on his face, seeing both of his daughters safe and sound and in each other's arms. Then, on the other hand, was the predicament surrounding them, the child that stood in front of them, and the failure being punished right in front of his lord.

"My Lord. This Child. Has Shown. Me enough to trust him. And his power," Joesph said, barely able to speak. As punishment, his Lord had displaced his body into pieces from inside a pillar extending between his office. His body was in a continual process of phasing in and out of the solid mass. Every second he felt the agony of his body begin to fill with solid mass, then being pulled out in the next second. All accumulated into the collage of the body with being placed randomly across the pillar.

"Trust you say, then I will put your life into his hands, or it is the [Afterlife] for you", Lord Fictor spat out in rage. "As you. Command mine. Lord," Joesph replied, actively bleeding from his eyes, ears, and mouth.

...

"No, I don't think I will," Oliver replied with a cheap smile, tripping on Igarashi's nerves. "Instead, I am going to challenge you and the Council's decision," Oliver replied with his smile getting even wider. "Ho ho ho, look at this one, with bigger balls than you, mate," Allum said out loud as he leaned back in his chair. "I saw this coming," Tim said as he slipped onto the table, not really caring about the mess. An aura of blackness began to escape Igarashi's clothing, "Why in the fucking hell...". "We accept," Nola quickly interjected, causing Allum and Igarashi to turn to her in surprise.

Although they were four, no one was above the other in the Council. In case of disagreement, everything would be left up to vote. But regardless, there was a clear authority reserved only for the head of the Council, the King himself.

"I accept too. Why not humor him a bit" Tim said lazily, raising his hand over his head. "Well then, mate, I guess it is a done deal, and sure you will choose a mighty opponent for this here cheapskate", Allum said, lifting up his feet on the table and relaxing his back further. Igarashi still had his eyes on Nola, seeing him shift her eyes away from his glare with a hit of a smile, enough for him to take a hint of something going on behind the scenes.

"Well then, I guess the popular opinion has been stated," Igarashi said, and immediately Akane and Sotokie felt relief wash over them. Including Lord Fictor, whose surprise was evident on his face. It wasn't common for Council to accept a "Challenge." In the case of many Outcasts, this was never accepted.

Igarashi sighed and stood up. "Okay, alright. I'll select his opponent personally,". He said, now glaring at the smiling bastard, "You have a day to prepare, and if you decide you run away, you will be hunted down like a dog," Igarashi exclaimed, and with that, the proceeding came to an end.

...

[APR 17]

Sun was shining brightly over the horizon as the three left, and the door shut behind them, and the first face to greet them was Gwen. She quickly ran to Akane, embracing her warmly, with tears streaming down, "Thank god, you are alright. You had me worried sick". What little strength she had left, Akane hugged her back. Even a night later, Gwen had not changed out of her yesterday's clothes.

Then she over Akane's shoulder to see Sotokie standing there as well. Quickly she pulled back, "What is she doing here?" Gwen said angrily. "Gwen, she is going to stay with us," Akane said, her voice coming out sore and exhausted. "The hell she is! After what she did, I will not let her get close to you!" Gwen replied.

"Who are you saying that, she is my sister!", Sotokie replied, attempting to walk over to Akane, but then Gwen raised her hand. "No!", She said, her eyes beginning to glow neon blue. "What is your problem?", Sotokie replied. "Gwen, please let her come," Akane quickly inserted, prompting Gwen to look at her with a miserable expression, "No, I said no!".

Suddenly Oliver clapped loudly twice, "Alright, break it up," he said, taking their attention off each other.

[Darkness]

Darkness appeared in his hands, and he placed it down like a cane to support his tired self. "Here is what is going to happen, Sotokie. I want you to go home to your father. I am sure he is worried about you. Meanwhile, I will take care of Council over, and you can also tell him to let you join Hoyaga Academy so that you can move in with your sister", Oliver said, hearing him speak.

Sotokie, although wouldn't have decided to part from Akane. But the proposition and care for her own father caused her agree with Oliver. "Wait, what, move in with her?" Gwen repeated, getting irritated with every sentence. "Clam down, would you? And has Nova returned," Oliver asked. "No, that moron hasn't," Gwen replied. "Okay, I am sure he will soon. Anyway, I am going to go and take a nap. Text me when Mark is in town," Oliver said.

"Wait, why Mark?" Gwen asked, to which Oliver didn't bother responding and teleported to his home. The bright light and heat instantly got replaced with the cold and dim light of his apartment. There, the Darkness finally disappeared from his hand, and he took off his coat and threw it in the laundry basket as he crumbled on his bed. Sotokie gave her final goodbye to Akane with a hug and another heartfelt apology, at which Gwen scoffed. Then Gwen helped Akane and took her home to get some well-deserved rest.

...

"What was that?" Igarashi said, leaning over Nola beside the table. "What do you mean, I was just following the orders of the King himself," Nola replied with a straight back and crossed arms. "Wait, you are in touch with him?" Igarashi asked, surprised.

"Ah...of course, out of all of us, it would be her, wouldn't it," Allum said out loud, getting up from his chair. "Are you Jealous of his favorite step-child?" Nola remarked. "Don't bullshit me. You know it has always been you," Igarashi replied. "So, who will put the kid in his place?" Allum asked, walking past, now sleeping, Tim.

"I am sure Mark can take care of him. I have asked Knight to spy on the Inflammatio family," Igarashi replied, holding Nola gently by the waist and moving along to leave. "Still with the age-old suspicion? Nola asked. "You can never be sure," Igarashi replied.

...

On the other side of the pound at the University of Cambridge, an unsuspecting professor fell into a trap by the hand of a notorious man with a scarf.

[Sub Ability Activated] [Inscect Partial Body Transformation... Elytra]

[Ability Activated] [Polychaete Creation and Manipulation... Giant Platted Bobbit Worm]

[Ability Activated] [Fiber Creation and Manipulation... Full Body Suit]

In the [Otherworld], Mark and Edgar fall into a swamp. While Edgar produces a set of Elytra out of his back, a massive crimson Platted Bobbit Worm burrows out of the ground, speeding towards Mark. Slobbering pincer clacked open while Mark turned to face it.

[Passive Ability Activated] [Creation Negation]

[Sub Ability Activated] [String Creation and Manipulation... Unravelling Shredder]

A white gleam envelops Mark as his mother's bloodline comes into play, the power of one of the last surviving Negator. The string extends from his full-body suit, creating 2 elongated bundles out of compressed strings, which impale the Plats of the massive Bobbit Worm and Unravel. Cutting and tearing the train-sized worm into bits, clearing his way to land on the ground.

Mark splotches on the crystal-clear illuminating swamp, disturbing a school of Sapphire Skullback Fireflies. The luminous incest flew off, their light radiating underneath the gloomed filled dark clouded sky. Cold breeze expended the endless ripples across the swamps.

Many illuminating creatures emerged in the waters, moving away from the disturbance. Lacertae, a peaceful and tightly valuable creature found in the [Otherworld], a snake-like luminescent gelatin body, mirrors amphibians.

[Ability Activated] [Chilopoda Creation and Manipulation...Gaint Centipeds]

4 hulking elongated bodies of Gaint Centipeds emerged from the water and began swirling into a large mass from Edgar to land on. Once he did, they stopped pointing their heads towards Mark, drooling with acidic ooze.

"God, you have no shame interrupting me during my studies, and top it all off, they sent a hogwash bastard to get me?" Edgar said, setting down on top of a Centipede. "The feeling is mutual, it would say. I wouldn't wanna spend another second looking at you if I could," Mark replied, shrugging his shoulder.

Edgar let out a long sigh then a thought crossed his mind. "Since I have your attention, I would like to confirm a rumor I heard about you from a trusted source. The word is that you have lost a piece of your soul", Edgar asked. "What?" Mark replied in a surprised tone.

"Well, actually, there is no point in asking really. Since only one household is capable of doing such, and once they do, you won't remember it happening. But depending on what part they took out of you, the effects can vary. Or you think of this as poking fun at you", Edgar explained and motion his hand forward.

Centipede jolted to live and burst into action, training towards Mark. "Don't bullshit me", Mark replied back.

[Sub Ability Activated] [Fiber Manipulation...Super Speed]

[Sub Ability Activated] [String Creation and Manipulation... Glass Strings]

Mark rushed forwards, bringing both of his hands to his side. The string began to extend outwards from his fingertip, covered in a white gleam. The first Centipede appeared right in front of him, and quickly strings extended from Mark's legs, which launched him upwards, and with a spin, he swiped his hand. Cutting the body of the first Centipede close to the head in segments then landed on the body and continued sprinting.

The second Centipede came from the right, crashing into the body of the previous one. Mark props himself over the incoming Centipede while maneuvering string from his fingertips and into the gullet of the creature. Landing on top of it and pulling back his strings, slicing the creature's face in pieces.

Turning his attention to the last one, he points his hand toward the incoming Centipede.

[Unravelling Shredder]

String burst out, twisting together and pushing into the creature's mouth. Instantly expanding and ripping it into pieces from the inside out.

Edgar sighed. Seeing his beloved fall, he reached down into the pocket of his lab coat. Mass of pricing arm latched onto it, climbed along his wrist. His personal pet, a giant desert Centipede, most importantly, not a creation.

He brought the insect up to his face and smiled. "Alright, Pete. If you want more rats for dinner, I want him in pieces. Okay", Edgar said, and Pete stretched its pincers, swiftly turning around and releasing his grip, falling off his master's hand.

The Cancler ability gives its user a fair advantage in battle, reducing creations to nothing and completely closing off an [Shifter]'s creation abilities if in contact. But by no means are they regarded or feared to be the strongest, although only true for those of the older times.

In fact, the lack of a pure Negatio bloodline or proper house presents as a testament to their single-glearing weakness. A weakness that caused the Negatio to mix in with the other bloodlines to keep themselves strong.

[Sub Ability Activated] [Chilopoda Manipulation...Gigantification]

...