Chapter 4:

Chapter 4:

"We're definitely not on Genesis anymore." Jiahao absent mindedly said out loud. What Jiahao saw before him, across the scatter glass window was not the dark void that he had become so accustomed to seeing. This view was live, pure blue skies covered the ceilings of the module 666; this was no illusion pic image display but a genuine planet's blue sky.

The clouds shifted and was moving, an array of pure white-water vapor decorated the air. Flying creatures flew through the sea of clouds the sun rays preicsed through shining bright high above. It would have made for the perfect view, if not for the raging battle happening underneath. "Where-where are we?" came a shaken voice behind Jiahao. Turning around to find the limping form of Johnny. Who stood with assistance of another whose face held the same expression as Johnny's. not just the duo every soul that stepped out to stand beside Jiahao.

"Holy Shit~."

"This is unreal~."

Were the multitude of soft exclamation of disbelief.

Jiahao moved closer to the window. surveying the area around the academy grounds. The school grounds could only be described, as a scene from a total chaos. Fire pits and debris caked pockets of space, over the once prestige grounds of the academy. Worst of all were the silhouettes on the ground. Though he could clearly make out what they were, but he knew well enough. Bodies, of course they were bodies but of whose he didn't know. In truth he didn't want to know. Other silhouettes stilled lingered in small pockets here and there, there were rather large, concentrated pack near the front of the building.

"We need to get to the armory asap!" Jiahao cried out to his brothers. Before processing to rush down the hall. "What about our wounded?" one of the able bodies boys asked. Causing Jiahao some pause looking back towards his wounded comrades, quickly making his decision. "We'll carry them with us we can't leave them here, it will be safer for them in the armory."

"Well, the armory does have reinforced bunker wall of rockcrete and 14-inch layer of neosteel. One of them concluded.

"Exactly, where else on this campus is the safest place other than the bunkers. Now go help who ever needs help I'll take point." With that the surviving members went along their way. The trip to the armory was mostly uneventful, though the group was on high alert. Passing through each crossway and corner with extreme caution. Mindful if other enemies were present within the building waiting to strike. They finally came upon the pathway leading into the outer courtyard.

"Hold fast." Jiahao signaled to his group. Before he slowly but surely made his way into the open. Armed with the rapier sword of his slain foe, held at the ready. His own blade sheath hanging off his waist. Along ground there were bodies, many were of whom were fellow students. Though among the piles, there stood out the few of the supposed foe that they were facing. Such a minuscule number compared to his brother in arms. This filled Jiahao instantly with burning rage. His body felt hot, filling him with greater portentous.

His senses became sharper, his hearing became more acute, his muscles tensed. His knuckled clenched so tightly around his killing tool, his palm was turning pale in anticipation. His heartbeat doubled in his chest, as he slowly surveyed the devastation. He didn't see any signs of life. He waited for a couple more seconds before he gave the signal. Then his party went on their way. Keeping their eyes and head up from looking down on the ground. Afraid of noticing a face they might recognize.

It was after the miracle mark to the armory that they encountered some resistance. Some stragglers seemed to have gotten to the arms room before their group. Much like the ones they've encounter before, they were scantily clad in ornaments. Wielding swords and little less, however there were a few among them that had staffs with odd looking ornament heads. Littered with unknown rune-like writing, carved along the edges. With gems that seemed to shine with an unnatural light.

Though he didn't give it any more thought to it. He eyes moved past over the staff and other just like it. As he counted and assisted the situation at hand. 'Ok-ok there's about…. twelve no fourteen of them in front of the armory. How are we going to tackle this?' Jiahao wondered to himself, still surveying the area ahead of him.

"There's too many of them for us to take on and we're carrying wounded." A young man named Chen spoke up behind Jiahao. He was among the handful of souls that were still functional. Jiahao didn't respond. He didn't remove his gazed form the sight before him. After a few more seconds of waiting, he finally turned his head. Addressing his comrades beside him.

"We're going to rush them." He said much to their shock, upon hearing what was said. This causes an immediate response. "Are you crazy? There's more of them than there are of us." One of the boys named Chen, spoke in hush tone. Not trying to alert their enemies. Though it was difficult with what he had just heard. Emotions running high. "And that's why we've got to jump them now, now while they still distracted. Get the fire () we'll take away their sight when we rush them. Now-now hurry I'll take point go."

At Jiahao's urging his group did as they were told. Gathering the nearby (), not numbering much. Only four but, that will have to do. Then with further instructions from Jiahao at his behest, the group got into position. As quietly as possible to not alert their foe. So, he waited. He waited for his teammates to get into their positions. Once they gave the signal, of their readiness. He gave his own, signaling the attack. As one they moved.

One holding the canister, another holding their blade up high. Before bringing them down upon the tops of the cylinders. Releasing the compress air within. Bathing them with gust of particles clouds of white smoke. The expelled pressure generating such force, that flung the canister out of Jiahao's teammates hands. And towards the end of the corridor. Filling the open space with heavy particles clouds. Even if blinded, one could still hear the canister still airborne recohing off the walls. Even the bone cracking blows of the canister hitting upon flesh.

"Now!" Without acknowledgement of a reply Jiahao rushed forward. Holding his standard issue sword in his right hand. While his left held the rapier sword of the downed champion he felled earlier. As he rushed forward bolt flashes of blue light shot past him. Scything through the particle cloud, due to the flash Jiahao could make out the figures and positions of his adversary. This he took advantage of and rushed towards the nearest silitotuce. Jabbing the tips of his blade into his chosen prey. As luck would have it, his strike connected.

Feeling the sharp metal piercing through the soft tissues of flesh. He didn't linger long to relish on the sensation. Extracting his instruments from the now dead corpse. Not before swiping at the neck sending sprays of crimson over himself. Jiahao paid no heed to this as he moved on. Onto his next prey, by the time he had reach his second target. His brother in arms had joined in on the kill. Clash of metal on metal, and cries joined together for one unholy unity. Then another note came abruptly. A jolt of lighting shot forward followed by a haunting scream.

Not in the metaphorical sense but literally. As a stream of bright electricity shot forth from the mist. Brightly illuminating the area, cleaving away the particle mist, striking an unfortunate soul at the end of it path. Whose form shone like a lightbulb, for the briefest of seconds, disappearing as quickly as it had appeared. Jiahao didn't even think, he just reacted. Dashing without even realizing what he was doing, Jiahao dashed towards the point of origin. Clearly through the parted clouds, which had disappeared due to the phenomenon he wasn't the only one.

To his right came George, raising his bloodied fireman axe high above his head. Ready to bear it down on the prey they sought after. Behind him was a boy Jiahao remembered to be Matthew. He too had his blade ready, posed to strike. They didn't get one more step closer to the target after clearing the smoke, as another bright flash appeared. This time however instead of the crackling sounds of popping particles, a burst of searing heat came upon them.

"Get down!" Jiahao cried out bending his back, sliding on his knee on the smooth tile panel floor. Letting the motion of his run carry him through. Just as a fireball, shot past where his head would have been just mere seconds ago. Though he avoided direct contact with the flame, the searing heat projected from the projectile, instantly dried the sweat from his face. His hair originally moist, had felt fresh like had been blown with a hair dryer. Due to his position, he could follow the trajectory of the flame. Seeing George having to avoid the flame by the hair. That was all before Jiahao fixed back his posture upright. Just as the scream came behind him.

He didn't look back, he couldn't at this time. He swung his blade at rapid successions at the hated foe. The cuts however didn't connect. As a familiar sheen of energy repelled his strikes. Jiahao groaned at this. That damn barrier again! But didn't cease his movement and continued to swipe at the enemy. In response however, his opponent seemed intent on defense instead of taking the offensive. Wielding his staff as a shield as best as he could. Though blocking one strike with his staff, left him vulnerable to others blows. For each one stroke he blocks, three others would have struck true. Would it not for the invisible shield still present. This didn't deter Jiahao however, as his strikes quickened in frustration. The impact force of his sword clashing against the shield, still seemed to have a kinetic reaction. Knocking his opponent back a step or two each time he connected.

It was due to this aggression, that Jiahao failed to notice the pulse of energy gathering at the base of the staff. To which his foe then slammed down upon the ground. Sending a pulsing force that knocked Jiahao back. Becoming airborne for mere seconds before landing on his back against the metal tile floor. Knocking the wind out of his lungs as he desperately gasped for air. He barely had any time to reacted when his assailant came upon with a knife. Jiahao retaliated but, all he could do was hold the blade back enough from reaching his throat. He wanted to strike back but found his hands occupied. Even then his hand was bare of his weapons, ripped from his grasp by the shockwave that sweep him away.

Jiahao pushed with all his might but found his situation waning. His strength was failing, he couldn't hold back the touch of death. Inching every closer and closer till the tip was upon his skin. At that moment Jiahao almost resigned to his fate. The fact that he was going to die here, in this new world, without being able to be buried in his ancestorial home. To see his mother again, as her clam gentle demeanor appeared in his mind's eye. Along with another face, this one he didn't recognize. He didn't have time to recall who it was, as he prepared his mind for the end. But not before giving one last act of defiance.

That was his intention. Before a pulse of blue light stroke the staff wielding foe. Causing the invisible field to flicker, and the person to stagger. More flashes of light burst forth, colliding with that shield before finally it seemed to have faltered. The last shot connected, and the man's body went rigid. Sparks of electric coursed through the man's body freezing him in place. But Jiahao knew the truth, that state wouldn't last for long. "Get him~!" Came Johnny's voice behind him. Then at that moment came George, swinging his fireman axe knocking the foe back. Roaring with all his might, Jiahao pushed himself off his back. Putting himself into a lunge, tackling down his opponent. Still grabbling for the knife all the while.

He didn't even try to pry the weapon out. Instead opting to shove the direction of the blade inward toward the man's own exposed chest. The knife buried itself into the man's muscular chest, as easily as cutting through butter. Right where the heart should be, if they were human. However, he resembled a human enough and that was what Jiahao went by. Twisting the knife opening the wound cavity, to ensure death. The foe had the look of shock and hatred on his face, glaring at Jiahao, his eyes never left his own even as the light faded from his eyes.

Moe flashes were still happening around him. As it appeared that the wounded whom Jiahao and the others had left a few meters away from the battle. Haven taken up their Dao Pistol, due to the cloud mist dissipating. Allowing them to join the fight through supporting fire for their battle brothers. This greatly aided their fellow military cadets. Thus, their foe fell slowly one by one. It was only when the last body fell to the ground still, did they have moment of peace.

"I thought I told you guys to hang back." Jiahao said to Johnny who came up to him with the support of another wounded. To which his friend simply shrugged. "Looks to me like you needed the help." At that Jiahao had nothing to retort. He didn't even want to continue. Still breathing heavily trying to replenish the air lost to his lungs. All the while others went about several went to get the vault open, some check on the newly deceased members of their group. "We lost Albert." George notified looking over to the charred body next to him, his axe to his side. "And Dio as well." Came the voice of another, drawing Jiahao's attention to another body. Charred but not as well done, not as much as Albert's body had been. Clear indications that Dio was the poor soul struck by the lighting blast in the beginning.

No time to mourn them now, but like the other they will be avenged. This Jiahao sworn to himself.

"Alright we've bypassed the seal. We're good." Simon who was working on the controls declared out to the team. This drew a confused look from Jiahao before realization hit him. Of course, it was locked why wouldn't it. "Open it up." At that command Simon tapped at the controls. The hiss of released seals and dormant machines awoke. The doors sild open, at the whine of punished gears. The moment a gap was formed came the familiar sounds of gun fire swarming out of the vault. Streams of orange flashes passed through the seal, causing the group to shatter about in panic.

"Whoa friendly, friendlies! Check your fire!" Jiahao screamed among the torrent of weapons discharge. Taken shelter to the walls hugging it tight. Johnny and the several others by his side. "Hey~!" he called out again as the assault hasn't ceased. "Check your fire~, green, green! We're green!" after few seconds at those words did it stop. The tapping of boots came, as a figure from the other side.

"Jiahao? Johnny?" Came the familiar voice of another soul he thought he wouldn't see again. "Alan?" A dark skin young male holding a rifle in his hands stood at the entrance. Once he saw Jiahao and Johnny he rushed towards. The trio embraced, other within stepped out and greet their comrades with open arms. The reunion was short lived as they ushered back into the arms vault. Jiahao and Alan at the front with Johnny held between their shoulders. Once the group was inside, they were greeted with the sight of the mass assortment death instruments neatly packed in the holding racks.

"Well now we're cooking." Johhny groaned out as Jiahao and Alan gently placed him down on a crate. "Alright gather up only what you can carry every able body gear up. The wounded will stay here till we get some help, or something as to what the hell is going on." Jiahao said as he walked to the nearest weapons rack. "Like hell we're, we aren't helpless toddlers just patch me up and give me a few minutes. Then I'll be ready to kick ass and take names." Johnny spoke up behind him, some of the other wounded said their intentions as well. Not that Jiahao was going to entertain their opinions. "My decision is final; you guys wouldn't be able to keep up anyway -."

His words were cut short due to the commotion near the entrance portal of the arms vault. The frantic shrieking of foreign alien language and the marching footsteps echoing through the portal. "Seems like we're getting some more customers." Alan spoke hefting his weapon, in turn, "And we're open for business." Jiahao responded after finally choosing his weapon of choice, retrieving it from the rack. Before clocking his weapon, now primed and ready.