[color=DC143C]“We’re almost there!”[/color] With the sea of lightning gone, Vermilla and Mark had managed to tear their way through the ashen demons that filled the cities. It terrified her, knowing that it was made of people who were unfortunate enough to get caught by the lightning. It also motivated her to try harder to survive in the midst of chaos. [b]“Over there! Get in NOW!”[/b] A Koran soldier yelled as one of the PSI barriers was brought down quickly for the two. Several of the men behind the barrier seemed to be equipping oddly designed firearms that seemed like they were intended to combat anything but humans. [color=DC143C][i]ARK Soldiers,[/i][/color] Vermilla recognized them instantly. They were much more heavily armored and carried around heavy weapons, whether it be rifles or great swords. She had only seen the Kora ARK Soldiers once when she had been stationed for surveillance duty in the city. Very rarely did they ever show up for combat. But if word about them was true, they were much less in number, but far greater in power compared to the rest of Kora’s military. As the two approached the shield’s vicinity, the sound of another wave of lightning approached from the distance. [color=DC143C]“Another one?!”[/color] Vermilla seethed as she grit her teeth. Both Vermilla and Mark let their feet kick harder against the ground. But while she headed towards the shield, she felt no presence next to her. Two of the ARK Soldiers took a step forward, ensuring that they’ll pull them in if the lightning suddenly sped up. As she entered the barrier’s range, she whirled around, only to find Mark running towards where they had just come from. The two ARK Soldiers turned to each other in apparent confusion. [color=DC143C]“What the- where are you going?!”[/color] Vermilla shouted, baffled at his sudden turn of direction. [color=DC143C]“That thunder is going to kill you!”[/color] Without responding, Mark smiled as he glanced over his shoulder, forming a finger gun as he gave a careless salute to her direction, before making a turn around a corner. [color=DC143C][i]Who is that guy?[/i][/color] Vermilla wondered. Sure, she may have known his name, and she had seen his capability as a fighter… But she had no idea as to who the guy actually was. [hr] Plasma ripped through the ashen skins of demons as Ryuu swung wildly. His attacks were brazen and seemingly uncoordinated- but they were deliberately used in a way to provoke his enemies. It was a weakness he had overcome quite a while ago, but decided to use as an advantage once he understood how to coordinate his attacks better. Athalia taught him well. But evidently, it did nothing to make him feel better about his current dilemma. [color=f26522]“Holy SHIT these guys come in swarms!”[/color] He growled. In a fit of rage, the sword’s plasma erupted magnificently as he slashed upwards at several demons that leapt to him, flaying their bodies as they disintegrated. He had no idea where to go, though. And no doubt would that damn lightning come back again. As soon as that thought came to mind, however, fate seemed to taunt him as a recently familiar sound came by. [color=f26522]“You gotta be shitting me!”[/color] Ryuu shouted out loud as his eyes widened, red lightning sent towards his way once more. He needed to make a run for it, but he had no idea as to where to go to. Deciding that thinking fast would help him, he started making a run for it. As soon as he did, however, he felt something smash against the side of his waist. [color=f26522][i]Eh?[/i][/color] He did not turn around fast enough to see the blond man kicking him sky high. [color=f26522]"OW, what the helll[b][i]LLLLLLLLLLLL AGHHHHHHWEHFSDIUFH-[/i][/b]"[/color] Ryuu flew like an angel. And fell like a meteorite. It was high and loud enough for practically anybody with a decent vision or sense of hearing to see or hear. Mark Noxus grinned mischievously as he dusted his hands before leaping towards one of the buildings. As he propelled himself high in the air, he lashed out his whip and latched onto one of the light posts. He then swung towards the lightning’s direction, pulling on the whip to make sure it was just enough for him to prevent himself from grazing the lightning beneath him. [hr] A pulse spiked within Duatos’ mind as he sensed the presence of an unknown demon. [h3][color=ed1c24][i]Unfamiliar.[/i] [right][i]Unrecognizable.[/i][/right] [center][i]Unknown.[/i][/center][/color][/h3] It was not of his own creations, but one who existed far longer than the spawns in the city. One who had sentience- and power. It was clear that the power had been culminated for centuries, and he himself had yet to reclaim his divided strength. Not even a fraction of it. This demon will not kill him. It can, but it cannot. He would not allow it. Retreat was an option, but timing it was crucial in squeezing the most out of taking advantage of the city under chaos. He had not taken as much as he wanted to… but it would come in due time, in different ways. Death was not the only way to reclaim what was once his. But it was certainly an easy way. His ashes floated towards the demon he sensed as the chunks of asphalt and concrete whizzed past him. And the ashes soon faded as his physical manifestation formed before the demon. Her power and appearance was unrecognizable to him. He had yet to speak in Earth’s language. It was an unintelligible thing to him… but something that would eventually become a necessity. Instead, whispers of many voices- young, old, and forgotten- left his body, all of them speaking in unison in an ancient language directed towards the demon. [center][color=ed1c24]Duatos demands Eris to explain who she is.[/color][/center] [sub][@Animelover_princess][@Nevix][@Driving Park][/sub]