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A Hero Tale {Complete}

"Right.. First step, I need to check your arcane system," Mike said, stepping in front of Jeff and pushing his thumbs into his collarbones. "You don't really gotta do much for this part.. Ah, just as I thought. Your energy flow is uh.. It's fast," Mikey stated, releasing Jeff. "Can you manifest a spherical mass of magic? Wind, sheer arcane energy, fire, whatever.." He instructed.

A Hero Tale {Complete}

Mikey's eyes widened for a second and he chuckled. "Aha, yeah, of course! Basically, I need to gauge your abilities. Arcane, Ki, and Arki, everything basically," Mikey explained, "First up, I'd prefer if you removed your gear. This is strictly based on your abilities. We already have data on your enhancements in the uplink, and I'm sure you know what your secret projects can do. If you would.."

A Hero Tale {Complete}

~ Chapter 135 ~

_{Mikey's Observations}

Mikey welcomed Jeff into the training area with a confident smile. "Hey, Jeff," He said, making his way into the fighting stage, "I've set the terrain to basic, if that's alright with you. This is more about pure observation, gauging, all that technical stuff.." Mikey paused and chuckled. "Man, I really have changed since you gave me this title.."

A Hero Tale {Complete}

"That might be best," Geode sighed, "Fate was not meant to be unravelled by magic. Time is a delicate obstacle. That sword itself threatens to shatter the universe if misused. Consider yourself fortunate that it lies in our possession, and not in the order's."

"On that matter," Mikey stepped in, "Jenso has told me of a prophecy that he and Bruce came across in the temples of the old sages-"

"Pay that no mind," Geode grunted, "Vale was rather fatalistic in his earlier years, even more-so than now. He created that prophecy to maintain his position as ruler of the first mages. It also gained him the favour of my golems, who assumed the man in red to be a future incarnation of me. It is merely one of the likely fates."

"I see... Never-the-less, I think we should avoid having Jenso face off against Yzeira. Remember, we will have plenty of time to prepare for this fight, and won't need to rush for that red bastard right away. He'll be busy channelling that rip in the sky, I reckon. Geode has mentioned it may take quite a long time for him to finish, as well..." Mikey looked over the group. It seemed that everyone had a chance to speak. "I think that just about does it for this meeting."

"I will now announce tonight's schedule, and give a brief overview of today's meeting..."

"For training, I must first discern each and every one of your strengths and weaknesses. Meet me in the training arena, one after the other, starting from 4 PM. Jeff, you'll be first. I will call the rest of you in sequence. This will allow me to plan a proper training regimen for the rest of the week. Once I'm finished with you, Jeff, begin the first test assault on the tower. Then relay the data to me, we will review the result at tomorrow's meeting. Luke, I would like you to come with me while I observe our Trumps. I will also help you train, later in the night. Geode.. You'll be giving lectures, starting tomorrow, in 1-on-1 sessions with each trump. Ross, as much as I appreciate your participation, you can do as you please as long as it doesn't interfere with my schedule. For now, please, focus on yourself."

"Gotchya kiddo," Ross grunted.

"Today, we've gone over possible strategies. Tomorrow we will be reviewing the results of our first wave of robots, and the capabilities of our fighters in depth. I will also release Monday's schedule. From here, Sunday, our meeting is finished." Mikey smiled and pumped his fist into the air. "Good luck everyone! I look forward to working with you!"

---

~ End Of Chapter 134 ~

A Hero Tale {Complete}

Luke looked in Oz's direction and nodded. "We'll see how things go, chumbo!" He said cheerfully.

A Hero Tale {Complete}

"If you keep mucking around with that sword you're going to kill us all," Geode spat angrily, "Not only was Vale the only being capable of using the sword, but seeing one of perhaps an infinite number of outcomes is absolutely useless. Vale's ability to see fewer than 100 outcomes with the highest likelihood had already driven him to madness. You silly little computer couldn't even begin to fathom specifics. But there is no way he will join your cause, even if he does escape the grasp of the infinite ocean before this week is up."

A Hero Tale {Complete}

"Good. How is the chief, anyways?" Mikey asked, "Based on the stories you've told me, it might be a good idea to pay him a visit. If he can unlock everyone's inner potential.." Mikey thought, nodding to himself. He turned back to Jeff. "Oh, Jeff. When you're speaking with Geode, be sure to look for opportunities to develop countermeasures to the void."

A Hero Tale {Complete}

"No. We can't risk losing you on your own. Doing so would be completely foolish. If we face them, we face them with everything we've got. Trying to trick them will end badly for everyone involved," Mikey butted in. "When it comes to psychology, we're completely outmatched. These beings are likely hundreds, if not thousands of years old. With Ada around, trying to ambush them while Jenso's in the tower will end poorly. Jenso, you would be killed immediately, and the rest of us would be out of reach to help you." Mikey clenched his fist. "I know you want to do this, but if you face him on your own, you won't win. I hate to admit it, but it's a fact."

"He's right you know," Geode grunted. Mikey sighed and shook his head.

"The last thing we want to do is split up, unless we can assure a series of 1-on-1 encounters. In that case, it could be feasible. Jeff, order some of your robots to attack the tower. They'll likely know that it's a scouting method, and not show us anything they haven't already, but it's worth a shot. We'll get a live feed tomorrow afternoon."

"If what Jenso and Alvios say is true, we should focus on eliminating Yzeira's allies first. If we can somehow upset his focus, we might stand a better chance at defeating him."

"As far as training goes, I've actually made up a plan for this myself!" Mikey announced proudly. "Jenso, as much as I respect you and your fighting style... You kind of, uh..." Mikey paused and scratched his head. "How do I put this delicately.. You uh.. You aren't very.."

"You suck at combat," Geode spat. Mikey looked his way and narrowed his eyes. Geode looked back, rose his hands and shook his head quizzically. "What? It's true!"

"As far as I know, you've won all your battles thus far with a combination of brute force, and the assistance of your allies. If you do end up in any 1-on-1 situations, and there isn't anyone around to point your energy in the right direction- Well, the point is, I'm going to be scheduling a strict training regimen for you over the next week. The same goes for all of you!" Mikey announced, looking across the room. He scratched his head and smiled. "I've spoken with Geode, and convinced him to help as well. He's surprisingly reasonable, once you get to know him," Mikey said, looking to Geode with high expectations. Geode grunted and glared in Oz's direction.

"For the sake of the universe, and only for this battle," Geode insisted, "I will be giving each and every one of you new ways to use your magic, if you are willing to learn."

"I'll be handling Arki control," Mikey announced, "Specifically Arki, it's strengths, and its weaknesses. Anyone who cannot use Arki, or prefers not to, will not be meeting with me. To my knowledge, Bruce, Alvios, and Oswald prefer to use different means in combat. Jenso, Jeff, you'll be with me."

"Oi, Bruce!" Ross shouted, "I hear yer an earth sage or whatever, yeh?" Rose waved towards him and smiled wide. "I'm the best earth Gaian around! I may not have access to my OWN form, but when it comes to earth magic, I may be able to teach you a thing or two!"

"I uh.." Luke started, pausing for a bit. He didn't really have much to offer, but he was experienced. "I... Er.. Fuck."

"Luke will be handling team building exercises," Mikey intruded, "with his experience running Diver's paradise, I think he's more qualified to organise us. After all, as much as we've fought together, we've never truly fought as a team."

"Oh, yeah.. Yeah..! Yeah!" Luke shouted, excitedly, "I'll make sure you guys work together the right way!"

"Right. I'll also be helping you access your Ki, Luke," Mikey said.

A Hero Tale {Complete}

Mikey nodded. "Jenso has spoken of the times he's died... Twice apparently. Nexus, of the order, the one who I've not mentioned, is an apparent ally of ours. We actually... Don't have any information on him at all. He does actually have the ability to create dimensions, and bring people back from... The dead. That's how Jenso was saved. But it can be assumed he will be our enemy if he is under Yzeira's control," Mikey explained briefly.

A Hero Tale {Complete}

~ Chapter 134 ~

_{The Wartable}

The crew made their way back to Tech-Mo as quickly as they could. With the help of Jeff's newest airship, it was child's play. They made it back to Tech-Mo is less than an hour, and met up with Bruce back at Jeff's hero guild. With everyone together, the preperations could go underway.

Before the final stages of planning were set into motion, Jenso made contact with Luke and the diver's paradise, giving Luke a spot at the war-table for the battle at hand. He arrived quickly, with his repaired lightning rifle at the ready, along with a selection of artefacts for use in the future. To Jenso's surprise, another face showed up at the war-table meeting. Ross! He was eager to join in on the fight, even if his energy was only a fraction of what it was before the tournament. He would do what he could.

When everything was prepared, the war-table was complete. At the front, sat Jeff, overlooking the massive oval-table with Jenso on the opposite side. In the middle, a massive hologram of the beach where the tower of chaos was located popped up. Thanks to Jeff's robotic scouts, they were able to get a detailed layout of the battlefield...

Thanks to a discussion between Mikey and Jeff, it became clear that Mikey's knowledge of strategy was to be respected. As the meeting began, Mikey took the podium, as co-owner of the hero guild, and prepared his announcement.

"Thank you for coming, everyone..." Mikey started. He looked down at everyone that was present.

Jenso, the golden hero. Their most powerful asset they had, and the reason they were all sitting together, against the order of chaos.

Jeff, the wind sage guardian. Head of the tech-mo science and robotics division, and the hero guild's leader.

Bruce, the wandering earth sage, a resolute force against the evils in the world that seek to enact wretched destinies.

Alvios, scion of light. The shining hero of Corona who's morals and power fight for justice and righteousness.

Oswald, the fist of Kario. A man who's strength seeks to crush darkness and pave a way for peace.

Luke, Paradise's paragon. A man who seeks to do whatever it takes for the greater good, the leader of Diver's paradise, and Jenso's father.

Geode, Golem Origins Deity. The creator of all mankind, trapped in the body of the servant who betrayed him, with knowledge of the void that greatly benefits their efforts.

And Ross, of course, with knowledge on Gaians, and their abilities.

And of course, Mikey, their official strategist.

"Before we discuss anything, let me review what we already know." Mikey pointed forwards to the hologram in the center of the table, which dipped down into an overhead view. "As you can see, the tower of chaos is positioned on the top of this large patch of lang that stretches off the edge of this beach, into a chasm. It's the high ground, literally, and overlooked the surrounding area. The tower itself is..." He paused and gulped. "It's at least 100 stories high, and nearly a kilometre thick. From what our scouts could discern, the walls are made of some... Alien stone. We don't know how strong it is, or what its properties are. Long range attacks might be effective, but there's no way of actually knowing."

"Next up, the terrain surrounding the tower," Mikey pointed against, moving his finger across the field. "There is a large, open field with several patches of trees scattered across it. The field seemed war-torn, and it meets the edge of the forest, here. From here, there is plenty of cover. It's likely that if we strike, it will be from the forest itself. Overall, we'll be at a disadvantage if they choose to fight outside of the, as well as if we fight inside of their tower, which we have no information on. Their homefield advantage is, to be frank, overwhelming as it stand."

"Next up, let's review our resources. First off, we have the new and improve Tech-Mo castle. Jeff has been uh.. Pretty cryptic on its capabilities, but it's mobile, and has several weapons lining its ramparts. As far as weapons go, it's our fortress. The city also has thousands of guard robots, as well as the hero guild members that number in the 100's. They are all perfectly willing to fight for us. We'll be able to scout with them as well, since everyone will be equipped with one of these." Mikey lifted his communicator, and showed it to everyone. "These communicators can be used to speak with everyone in the hero guild. They can also be used to leave messages, scan your surroundings for Arcane energy, among other things. Review them with Jeff if needed."

"In terms of trump cards, our most powerful members are Jeff, Jenso, Alvios, Bruce, and Oswald. Their abilities will improve in the coming week, but as it stands now, they will be assaulting the tower once a path is clear. If possible, they will be the only ones fighting, seeing how the rest of our men can't compare to their power levels." Mikey looked down and sighed.

"Luke has brought Jeff this, a book of artefacts researched by Bobba. Turns out, they were all arcane productions, and could easily be re-created with science! The only thing we're pulling from this for our trump cards however, are these." Mikey pulled a small pill out of his pocket and showed it to everyone. "Jeff has named it... The pilletainne. I prefer to refer to them as power pills, or PP for short. They can restore a person's Ki and Arcane energy in an instant. However, creating these is unexpectedly costly. We were only able to make 6. I will be keeping this one, and the rest will be distributed among the trumps. They are an extra life, as far as I'm concerned. In the case anyone screws up, this will heal you completely. The rest of the artefacts are being made as we speak by our head scientists. They will be equipped to the guard robots as they come out of production. To my knowledge, they are all equally, if not more powerful than Luke's Lightning rifle."

"Lastly, let us review what we've compiled on the enemy... As little as it may be."

"It turns out, our trumps have all had run ins with the order, many times in the past. Aside from Prisma, who was defeated and killed earlier this month, there are 6 members in the order. Shadra, Ada, Nexus, Rajaka, Zelriane, and of course, Yzeira."

"Shadra is a wraith-like creature, who's darkness seems to corrupt human beings. Geode has asserted that this is likely sheer void energy sickness. Void energy overpowers weak Ki sources quickly, and cannot be cured. However, unless you are plagued with a severe amount, it will not affect more powerful beings. Regardless, she is dangerous, as she can disappear, reappear, and phase through attacks with ease. Alvios has asserted that she may have to see things to phase through them, but this cannot be confirmed. Needless to say, she is possibly the most mysterious figure on their team, since we've never witnessed her do anything... Significant."

"Ada is a matter-manipulator that conjures purple Goo. Her perception appears to be phenomenal, and she can speak through some kind of magic, directly into the heads of people, from very far away. From Jenso's reports, she is a trickster, a master manipulator, and does not seem to take combat seriously. Never-the-less, she is powerful, and can take control of people's minds by... Kissing them. In doing so, she creates a candle to keep them linked permanently, but must stay within a certain range of these candles to maintain control. Perhaps the most dangerous part of her arsenal is the newly accrued Gaian, Dacer. He, on his own, is comparable to our trumps, if not even more powerful. Without his one with nature form, he shrugged off both me and Jeff while attacking Tech-Mo. With his OWN form... WE have no idea of strong he might become. Freeing him is one of our top priorities. Ada isn't likely to allow this, however. We need to find that candle, and destroy it, as soon as possible."

"Rajaka is a big, muscle-bound titan. He's huge, arrogant, stupid, and... Strong. Stronger than anyone in this room, by miles, from the sound of it. He effortlessly lifted our own Oswald's most powerful technique without breaking a sweat, and it's imagined that his strength has no limits. Taking a direct punch from him, even once, will spell your doom. But from reports, he is relatively slow. He can use ranged attacks with stunning properties, and has Ki mastery that makes my own Ki control look like child's play. We don't know much about him. Proceed with caution and take advantage of his stupidity."

"Zelriane is the smaller, faster physical fighter on their team. He can break the sound barrier, and possibly, even break the speed of light. His magic allows him to inflict severe pain that outright kills weaker individuals, and can incapacitate strong fighters. His punches are not all that strong, but they are fast, incredibly difficult to dodge, and inflict this magical poison with every strike. Not much else is known about him. He seems like the most intelligent fighter in their group, however."

"Lastly.. There's Yzeira. We don't know anything about him, aside from the fact that his magic is very deadly. He wiped out the entirety of Alvios' village, and was able to kill Jenso outright, without breaking a sweat. His limits are unknown, his capabilities are unknown, and he appears to be... Incredibly intelligent. Defeating him is out main goal, but I've gotta be honest with you... I have absolutely nothing to go on here. It's something we can't really plan for, as far as I know.."

"With all that in mind, this meeting is for the sole purpose of planning our offensive. We will be attacking their base in one week's time, and have these meetings every afternoon at 12 sharp. Today, we're looking for ways to improve, ideas, brainstorming, anything at all... Everyone has an equal voice here. Take advantage of our resources, combined intelligence, and power. That being said, does uh..." Mikey paused and scratched his head. "Does anyone have any ideas??"