CHAPTER 42: VOID CITY

Zeph and Mausho are chasing after Rinka who is hitting random people while running away from them. People are knocked over, running away, and crying out loud.

Mausho: This guy.

Mausho helps the people who were hit back up. Rinka grabs a teenager by his neck and throws him at a building then he kicks a woman in the stomach.

Zeph: Let's fucking kill this guy.

Mausho: We can't, remember?

Zeph: I forgot, you just ruined my mood.

Rinka smacks the ground, the shockwave slams people into each other and walls.

Rinka: This is so fun! I forgot about this thrill!

Zeph summons his monster, it pushes cars out of its way. Rinka hops onto a car and then onto the monster, he stabs it with a void knife which he erases right after.

It dies and Rinka lands, he stares at Mausho and Zeph.

Rinka: This is far from where the piece is! I'm gonna destroy both of you now!

Zeph and Mausho look at each other. The street is empty now, cars have been abandoned.

Zeph: He could be lying, I say we beat him up just in case.

Mausho: I agree.

Zeph re-summons his monster, Rinka slams the ground as Zeph and Mausho get close. The monster catches them with its mouth before they're blown back.

The monster swings its head robustly and Zeph flies out of it. He kicks Rinka away, Mausho steps out of the monster's mouth and leaps over Rinka, coming down on him with his fist electrified.

Rinka blocks with one arm, he ignores the electricity and pushes Mausho back. Then attempts to strike him, Mausho blocks and uses his other hand to send out fire.

Rinka dashes back, Zeph shows up next to him and goes for a punch. Rinka blocks it and throws his own punch that Zeph blocks as well.

Mausho electrifies both of his fists and throws fast attacks at Rinka. Rinka jumps back, and the monster shows up behind him and bites down.

As the monster's mouth is about to close, Rinka punches the roof causing it to spring open. He dashes out of it and towards Zeph and Mausho.

Mausho puts both of his palms out and sends a big wave of fire to Rinka, blocking his view of the area up ahead.

…

Mausho: It's been a while since it was just us fighting together.

Zeph: … It has.

Zeph smirks.

Zeph: Can you still keep up with me?

Mausho: Of course I can, I've only gotten stronger!

Zeph cracks his fingers.

…

Out of the fire rushes the monster, Rinka gets into a stance ready to strike, its mouth opens and Zeph jumps out. He uppercuts Rinka in the neck launching him up, Rinka's eyes move around and he detects Mausho running up a building, fist charged.

Mausho lunges off the wall and hits Rinka, bringing him down. Zeph's monster jumps up prepared to eat Rinka, his armor is summoned.

The monster chews on him, no damage is inflicted, it spits Rinka out. He lands, the armor disappears. Mausho creates another view blocking fire, and Rinka concentrates on it.

Zeph suddenly zooms out of the fire, and Rinka blocks a kick from him. Not noticing Mausho had also been thrown out of it, Mausho strikes him in the eye. Rinka is blasted back into a building.

Material hits his head, he gets up and the monster is coming up to him, his expression reflects being annoyed.

Rinka jumps onto the monster, he whips out his void knife, and impales it. It departs, and Zeph, who was within the monster, is revealed.

"Sneaky little bastard.

Zeph slams his fist into Rinka's back, Rinka is pushed away. He stops in front of Mausho who kicks him, Rinka avoids the hit and slams the ground. The shockwave sends Zeph and Mausho away.

Rinka: Would you guys say you're the strongest guardians?

Zeph gets up.

Zeph: I could be.

Mausho: I don't think so.

Rinka focuses on Mausho.

Rinka: I figured you weren't.

Mausho: The hell? Just you wait, I'm not even fighting seriously right now! Back then I wasn't either!

Rinka points to Zeph.

Rinka: You are my number one enemy now.

Zeph stares blankly.

Rinka: If I kill the strongest guardian, then the rest shall fall right after!

Zeph laughs under his breath.

Zeph: I hate to inform you, but there's no way a pathetic sack of shit like you is ending my life.

Rinka's arms flare with the void.

Rinka: My chances are higher now that there aren't a bunch of people desperately trying to stop me!

Zeph laughs.

Zeph: Bring it on, dumbass!

Rinka dashes behind Mausho.

Mausho: I thought you were going after him?

Rinka: Quiet.

Mausho swiftly turns and blocks a punch from Rinka, the impact pushes him away. Rinka grabs his arm and heaves him up to a building.

Mausho hits it and slides off as Rinka makes his way to Zeph. Rinka throws a punch at him, Zeph catches it, and uppercuts as a counter.

Rinka grabs his arm before it lands and throws him. Mausho reaches the floor, and Zeph's monster is summoned near him as Zeph crashes into a structure.

Rinka brings out a void knife, he notices Mausho climb into the monster's mouth. He prepares for a surprise attack but is immediately surprised by Zeph who manifestes behind him.

Zeph grabs Rinka's head and slams him into the ground.

Zeph: Dumbass! Dumbaaaasss!

Rinka: You think you're so much better than me!

Zeph: Cuz I am!

Zeph throws Rinka into the air, and Mausho is sent out of the monster with his feet on fire. He stomps on Rinka, engulfing him in flames, Rinka's void armor is brought out, which rids him of the fire as he hits the ground.

Mausho lands on the monster, Rinka stands and moves away, Zeph emerges in front of him and throws a punch. Rinka blocks it, getting pushed elsewhere.

Zeph continues striking, pushing Rinka towards the monster until he's really close to it. Rinka lunges down to slam the ground but Zeph speedily grabs his fist and brings it back up.

Rinka is bewildered.

The fist crashes into his eye and he stumbles away, the monster bites down on him. It chews and chews then swings its head, Rinka flies out of its mouth, void armor on him.

He crashes into an office, destroying desks, small objects, little barriers, computers, and more. Mausho jumps up and off walls to reach the hole made by Rinka, then steps inside.

Rinka rises. A few people are hiding within the area trying their best not to make noise. The armor dissipates.

Mausho sets a leg on fire and the other sparks, he bolts over to Rinka. The building rumbles, Rinka stands still. Mausho grabs a chair and throws it at Rinka, he catches it and throws it back. Mausho ducks under it, Rinka dashes to him, Mausho turns and puts his feet up.

He pedal kicks, Rinka blocks but the electricity produced this time is much stronger and he's shocked, falling to the ground.

Mausho spins and strikes him, he goes flying into stuff. The building rumbles harder and it's due to Zeph's monster. It is climbing up to Rinka, going through all the floors, crushing whatever is in its path.

Rinka moves, the monster crashes out of the floor under him and goes for a bite. He jumps up to avoid it but Zeph peeks out from within the mouth of the monster and quickly yanks him back down.

…

Rinka falls into the mouth and it closes. He stands and stares at Zeph, saliva coats their shoes. Rinka begins to slam the ground repeatedly while also bringing out his void knife.

Shockwave after shockwave hits Zeph, Rinka glances back because the monster's mouth opens. It had opened so that Mausho could release a huge wave of fire into it and afterward it closed. Rinka goes for a stab into the tongue but Zeph rams into him and they both head into the fire.

…

The monster shakes its head violently and looks up, it spits out Rinka, void armor on, and Zeph with small burns. Rinka crashes through several floors, Zeph behind him not taking any damage until they both fly out of the building and into the sky.

They fall out of the same holes they made, Mausho flies out entirely submerged in flames and coated in electricity. He grabs Rinka by the neck.

Mausho: You can't do anything when you're in the sky!

Zeph grabs onto Mausho's foot and the fire and electricity there disappear. Mausho brings Rinka down, he's set on fire, and electricity surges through his body frequently. Rinka stabs Mausho's arm with the void knife repeatedly but he's undaunted.

Zeph lets go before they land, Rinka hits the roof, his head is over the edge. Mausho starts pummeling him with thunder. The void on Rinka's arms rises past the edge, it's long now. He slowly rises ignoring the pummeling then attacks Mausho. He blocks but is pushed to the other side of the roof, Zeph rushes in.

"1000 percent may be too much for this body to handle, I'll do 500. I've been very hesitant. But things are getting real now."

Rinka takes a deep breath.

"Void Form, 500%"

Rinka's arms and legs turn into the void, it flows off his body like fire. He punches the air, huge void fists manifest that rush to his enemies. Zeph is smacked back and Mausho is hit off the roof.

Zeph sends his monster out, Rinka punches, and a huge fist slams into it, launching it back. Zeph ducks under it as it flies off the roof.

Rinka: The void is awesome isn't it? I just continue growing. I can be the strongest alive.

Rinka slams the floor, the fists emerge and do the same, an enormous shockwave is sent out. It obscures the area, Zeph is launched off and the building crumbles to the ground.

A few seconds of crumbling go by.

Rinka walks off the pile of rubble, he stumbles around a little.

"That wasn't a good idea. This body-"

He interrupts himself when he spots someone's hand sticking out of the pile. They're asking for help, Rinka smirks.

He grabs the hand and attempts to break it, but it won't budge. Zeph's monster rises from under the pile and so does Zeph, firmly grasping onto Rinka's hand.

Zeph: Get as strong as you want, I'll always be there to bring you down.

The void and the armor on Rinka fade away. Zeph lets go, the monster bites down on Rinka, chews him up, and coughs him out.

Rinka hits the floor covered in blood and bites, he lays still.

"This damn kid's body wasn't honed enough for 500 percent void! I've thrown all my energy away."

Rinka attempts to get up but Zeph and Mausho reach him and release a barrage of strikes at the same time. Rinka is pushed down, he tries his best to retaliate but cannot.

He's violently hit until fainting, Mausho and Zeph look at each other once they stop, the monster beside them.

Mausho: We did it, bro.

Zeph: Our opponent was a pushover so of course we did.

Zeph grabs Rinka and places him inside the monster's mouth, it closes. Then he jumps onto its back, Mausho hears muffled yelling.

He focuses on the pile and spots some people attempting to escape it, so he goes over to help.

…

In the void, Rinka and Imma-ite are sitting down, arm wrestling. A dormant Nunda is standing next to them when his eyes suddenly spring open.

Rinka and Imma-Ite glance at him, he's angry.

Nunda: Fuck!

He detects Rinka and Imma-Ite as they stand.

Nunda: Surprise! I'm here again, I made a minor miscalculation and it screwed me over… Your body's free for the pickin right now, but you'll never win against me.

Rinka gawks at a now smirking Nunda, anger boiling within him.

Nunda lays down.

Nunda: I'll wait here, till I get my body back again.

Rinka and Imma-Ite walk away from him.

Rinka: Hey, I've been wondering, you're down here helping me fight, you think there's anyone else we can find down here? To help us? Extra help would be amazing.

Imma-Ite scratches a spot near his eye.

Imma- Ite: I mean, we could probably find someone… Who do we know, that died or could be dead?

Rinka takes a deep breath.

"Maya."

He peers around frequently. Searching for a sign of their death.

"Doa."

"Bukkaru."

His heart beats faster.

"Minaro."

"Sumairu."

Rinka senses a presence, his eyes broaden and he stares at the darkness.

"Iwo."

Another presence is sensed.

"Ashi."

Another one.

Rinka: Follow me, Sumairu is dead. We can find him.

Imma-ite: Damn, they got him?

Rinka runs off, Imma-Ite right behind him.

…

Sumairu is asleep when Rinka and Imma-Ite stumble upon him.

Imma-Ite: This dude died down here too.

Rinka: Sumairu?

His eyes shoot open.

Sumairu: Oh!

Sumairu perks up.

Sumairu: Rinka!? The good one!? And Imma-Ite!? Hi!

Rinka: You died.

Sumairu: Yeah, you killed me actually.

Rinka looks away, and Sumairu stands.

Rinka: It wasn't me… Someone took over my body and I've been stuck down here.

Sumairu: Oh.

Rinka: That person also killed Imma-Ite, we've been trying to get My body back… I need your help.

Sumairu is silent for a moment.

Sumairu: Wow… I'll help!

Rinka: Okay, follow me. I'll explain more of what's happening to you as we run.

…

Iwo is squatting down, leering at the floor when they find him.

Rinka: Iwo.

He turns his head.

Iwo: Oh, Rinka? You died?

Iwo stands, his expression is curious.

Rinka: No, not really, a lot has happened and I need your help.

Iwo: … What's happened?

Rinka begins to explain all that has occurred, Iwo nodding along.

Rinka: That's why I need your help.

Iwo: Damn, I'll help. I owe you.

Rinka: Okay, follow me.

…

Ashi is laying on her stomach, resting her head on her arms. Everyone walks up to her.

Rinka: Ashi.

She rapidly peers up and then eyeballs Rinka, she's perplexed.

Ashi: You're kidding me.

Silence fills the area, Ashi stands and puts her hands on her hips.

Ashi: Why the hell are you here?

Rinka: I need your help.

Ashi: Eh? You need my help? You killed me! Plus I hate you. I hate myself.

Rinka: I was hypnotized! Please, I need your help.

Ashi: With what? What could you need me for?

Rinka explains the situation to her.

Ashi scoffs.

Ashi: I'm not helping you. I hope things get worse for you actually.

Rinka: … Alright.

Rinka walks away from her, Imma-Ite stomps over to her.

Imma-Ite: Help us, bitch!

Ashi: Excuse me?

Iwo steps up.

Iwo: Ashi, help.

She looks at him.

Ashi: … Iwo, I didn't see you… I don't need to listen to you, considering you're a lower rank than me.

Iwo: Lower rank? There isn't a Skiller hierarchy here, idiot.

Sumairu steps up now.

Sumairu: We saved your life, you know?

Ashi laughs.

Ashi: You didn't save me! I was absolutely fine. You should be happy my boss told me not to kill you! I could have eradicated you then and there!

Rinka: Let's just go guys, we can't waste time.

They all turn and walk over to him, Imma-Ite shows his middle finger to Ashi.

Ashi: I hope you never get your body back!

…

Rinka and the others are walking, he halts and is suddenly nervous.

"Mom, Dad, Naratia… They're all down here, I could go and see them."

Imma-Ite: You good, man?

"I can't, I need to focus on myself right now… I don't, I can't confront them right now."

Rinka: I'm good. I thought I saw someone.

…

Nunda hears speaking, he lifts his head and snickers. Everyone approaches.

Nunda: So that's what you went to do… I was gonna follow you but ended up deciding not to. I expected nothing but boredom.

Nunda stands, and he clasps his hands together.

Nunda: Do you think a couple of extras will be able to beat me?

Rinka: We'll get my body back from you!

Imma-Ite: Killing me in my sleep was rude, man!

Nunda: How? That's the best way to die!

Sumairu: You'll regret killing me.

Nunda: I don't think I will.

Iwo: You used to be Rank 20, I'm Rank 7, but down here we're the same.

Nunda: Down here, I'm still supreme!

…

As Mausho finishes helping the last person out of the pile, a voice can be heard.

"Hey, I'm gonna need you to give me that guy, in the creature's mouth, not the dude you're helping."

Zeph and Mausho turn around and spot Yutsu, hands in his pockets, walking towards them.

TO BE CONTINUED…