The King Integrates (2)

Bazzard and Denva stood a distance away in a hidden location, looking at the vehicles that were strewn about the scene. The thick dark shades were even more prevalent while the catastrophic level of destruction was more devastating to see.

The broken chunks of tall buildings were still here and one could see that cost of removing all this to erect new structures would be astronomical. No one had bothered to clear this scene.

The charred pieces of land that made it look like a bomb had flattened the entire place were intense.

Yet...

Denva didn't care.

He didn't look the least bit concerned or curious, which baffled Bazzard.

He had expected a remark to come out of Denva's mouth when he saw the scene up close, but.... young man had his eyes on the prize with eyes that looked on with yearning.

'What exactly does he want to do? The goodwill paid to this kid is way too much. That hag better know what she's doing,' Bazzard thought as he stole a glance at Denva.

The young boy was already donning the jumpsuit he had been given.

Before them were several men and women donning armour-like suits with less glaring parts. They were slimmer and form-fitting with a dark blue shade.

They exuded powerful auras as they patrolled, looking to and fro with faces that displayed their unwillingness.

The general trend, as Bazzard had explained to Denva along the way, was that most of the work; the study of the remnants of World Titans, was done during the day, while certain equipment was left inside the pit at the centre with the patrol to watch over it.

The only time anyone ventured into that pit was when they operated the machinery to inspect the findings, after all, it had been a long time since the World Titan attacked and less was being discovered with each passing day.

No one enjoyed spending time within that place anyway, especially in the dark.

The new World Titan which had appeared in ID4 a week ago was also a reason why this site was being neglected and even though there were patrols left, they looked as dejected as could be.

However, that did not mean they would slack on their work.

Denva narrowed his eyes.

These guys were definitely Integrators. He just couldn't tell what level they were because of how he wasn't an Integrator himself, but his soul which was more than experienced with energies could tell at a base level that their mastery exceeded the basic.

There were roughly fifteen of these individuals. They had coloured badges on their chests, and though it was difficult to see from the position and distance Bazzard and Denva were, they could see glimpses of the colours white, green and blue because of the several lights set up around the massive pit at the very centre.

"How do you plan to get me in?" asked Denva as he turned to Bazzard.

"Any moment now," said Bazzard as he looked in different directions.

At that moment, several vehicles sped through, appearing from the periphery of the site. They didn't continue to go forward, several individuals that donned obscure masks jumping down instead and bolting over towards the individuals who were patrolling.

The reaction from these people was instantaneous. They didn't look flustered, taking action immediately as if they had long expected this.

They split up and attacked the twenty-some masked figures in coordinated formations.

To their surprise, the masked figures didn't attack immediately, they first threw a large number of fist-sized capsules all around the site.

The moment these capsules hit the ground, they exploded, releasing bursts of multicoloured gases that covered sizable portions of the site!

The gases spread, encasing the armoured individuals while the masked figures then made follow-ups with their attacks!

"Go! Now! Just be sure not to bump into any of those guys. Also, they will probably call for reinforcements since they think we're after their equipment so don't forget to do what you do with urgency in mind. One hour! Go!," said Bazzard.

Denva nodded and sped forward. He had been told about the jump suit's unique property that masked the wearer's presence, which would make it easier for him. He also needed to avoid making contact with people as it would dispel its effects for short intervals.

Frankly, Denva was quite cautious of Bazzard. He believed that the Double Underground would have some sort of integrity but he couldn't help but think about the possibility that Bazzard might actually ditch him before the allotted time was up.

He also wondered how they would defend for an entire hour.

Well, it was too late to back out now.

Denva weaved through the figures that he could see, making sure to stay low while running at full speed until he reached the massive pit.

The clashes he had heard had stirred memories within him. The booming sounds of the powerful bodies of the individuals rocking the earth making him sigh in longing.

He had brought both his swords that were smothered in the wrap he had been using.

As he overlooked the situation deep within, he saw a few contraptions that seemed to be measuring something, perched on the walls of the pit.

A few lights were erected on the side to give light, but it didn't travel far as the inky darkness that was deeper within didn't back down.

The powerful force of Realm Essence assaulted Denva even from where he stood. He trembled.

'Must have been a powerful one to still have such strong traces even now,' he thought.

Fortunately for Denva, the pit had an easier slope to travel on, and all he had to do was make sure he didn't snowball down and injure himself.

He went down the pit, cautiously looking around at the metallic machinery which showed assortments of numbers and calculations.

'Most of the equipment must have been removed,' he thought as he looked at the six remaining tools.

He continued to go down, the Realm Essence he felt from the depths blasting against his face with a powerful force that made his body and soul yearn for it.

When he felt this, Denva grinned. He had chosen the safer approach but the results were quite good. His body and soul were ready, responding as he wanted.

He quickly passed the point where the last bits of orange light from the bulbed led-like lights ended.

From there on, it was a deep darkness that consumed him along with the fullness of the energy that remained.

It weighed heavily on him, feeling almost corrosive as he felt an irritating sensation travel through the jumpsuit and tough his skin.

This was merely the remnants of a World Titan.

After a full five minutes of walking in the darkness, Denva finally reached the bottom of the pit.

He could see nothing and even the light that he knew was above couldn't be seen from where he was.

Yet...

He was not afraid.

He was actually excited.

He was about to be reborn.

To set himself on the path he had chosen when he marked himself with the Oath of the Amandra Cycle.

He would start from scratch and ascend...