The day was July 19th.

In mere moments most schools in Academy City would break for their summer recess. It would have hardly been fifteen minutes until classes were released.

The heat of the midsummer day was pounding upon the city, the temperature reaching easily 37 degrees Celsius outside, or around the high 90s of Fahrenheit. No one would wish to be caught outside in this heat; the comfort of the conditioned air of the schools or one’s apartment. Not only this, but the humidity in the air was almost unbearable, the moisture in the air sticking to one’s skin in a rather gross, unsightly fashion.

Even with those impossibly gross weather conditions two groups of people formed in the streets of Academy City’s commercial district.

Two groups, known only as SEED and REPORT, had recently skirmished in the region, often to the detriment of commerce and other such actions. While it was not unheard of for those who had fallen into the cracks of the dark side of academy city to often eliminate those who stood in the way of their success, it was unheard of to act during the broadness of day without the interference of Anti-Skill members.

Those within the dark side understood at a fundamental level that they were criminals and that their only recourse would be to act as a criminal does. To skulk in the shadows away from regular society.

While higher ranked Espers perhaps are able to handwave this more easily, considered something “more important” than the riff-raff, they were not immune to the ire of Academy City and those who enforced its rules. Even a level 5, the most important of ranked Espers, might eventually find themselves against the entirety of the city. After all, if the city was able to produce Espers, surely there would be a means to contain them in the event they became rowdy.

These men, however, were not level 5s. They came from various drops of life, though consistent within their composition was the lack-there-of higher ranking Espers. Perhaps there was a level 2 or 3 in the crowd, but the majority, if only due to the way they were combatting one another, appeared to be level 0. At least, given the way they were fighting with things one might find on the street rather than any application of their abilities, from two-by-fours to pipes and everything in between.

Appearing as soon as they could arrive to stop this madness was the police force and personal army of Academy City, those known as Anti-Skill, and the Disciplinary Force known as Judgement. There was a zero percent chance that this brawl amounted to anything more than the quick dissolution of hostilities and the arrest of the persons involved. Regardless of the reasoning for the start of this fight, there was no reason to continue it once it reached a certain point. All that remained was the disciplinary action that would precede from the armed-to-the-teeth police force that seemed too well-armed to deal with simple rioters.

… But as soon as the Anti-Skill members began to close in on the position of the battle, something happened.

“Scatter!” One of the delinquent students shouted at the top of his lungs, smashing a glass bottle against the ground as everyone began to run away from the encroaching Anti-Skill officers.

Normally, this would not interfere with the policing actions of Anti-Skill, however, from within the bottle, there appeared a plume of smoke that engulfed the entire area in a white haze before dissipating shortly after it appeared, allowing for the escape of the entire sizable group, or at last the vast majority of them.

.Just as soon as it began it had stopped. Anti-skill, in their efforts to contain the conflict as much as possible, seemed to have failed in taking down a vast majority of the thugs in question. Perhaps it was simply an inefficiency in their line, but it seemed that the large group of quarreling Espers were able to slip through the cracks of the Anti Skill line, only the remaining stragglers were captured and processed, awaiting their judgment at the hand of Academy City.

And it was as if by some sort of intentional design, the last bell of ”spring” had rung, and summer vacation had begun. Not with a whimper, but with a bang that would ring around the world.

Inugami Himiko
Shrine

---

"Ah... It's hot..."

Finished with her chores, she sat down on the veranda, wiping herself with the small tower around her neck. The garden at least, wasn't in any danger of drying out and wilting, but she had heard there had been more conflicts lately. Whether Skill Outs or ESPers were to blame, she had no idea, but from her time in the city, both seemed likely to up and blow up the city for some perceived, imagined or real slight. Perhaps a byproduct of so many young minds in one place.

At least summer vacation would be beginning soon; there should be much less commotion then.

Glancing at the clock inside the room behind her, Himiko stood up again, sighing, as she prepared to go out to get groceries. There were still her duties as a shrine maiden in here, but in this city of science, there were very few who would actually visit the shrine. Perhaps that was what the elders in her family was hoping for, so the 'shame' of their family would not be too well known.

Bunch of old coons, the lot of them.

Now wearing an old pair of jeans and a shirt, she walked out of the shrine, heading towards a grocery store. Those old mummies back home can bicker all they like, Himiko wasn't about to start being what she wasn't just to please their sense of sensibility.

In the aftermath of the thugs’ collective flight, an accomplishment which had baffled Judgement and Anti-Skill alike, a lone man had emerged to make sense of the chaos. A brilliant madman. A terrifying genius. Tiresias, the blind leading the sighted. It is here that, after laying in wait, standing behind the veil of such mundanities as ‘making friends’ and ‘getting lunch with his sister’, that he made his appearance.

Rise up, hero.

Even if your strength is but a pale shadow of His, it surely cannot be naught.

...

“...no, no, that’s incorrect. Gahaha! Is it not clear?! The truth that my eyes pierce through has already cut through the veil of deception!”

Where there had once been a throng of concerningly organized thugs, there were now members of Anti-Skill searching the premises, picking up what scraps of information and evidence they could. Among them stood a figure who certainly ‘did not belong’.

Yes, in the first place, this was a man of the Magic Side, a being of occult fancy who had no place in the monument to science that was Academy City. Were the eyeless gaze of the sealed tower open, it would no doubt be fixed towards beings such as himself. Were his true nature known, he would not be able to stand in public so brazenly. However, he stood there nonetheless, side-by-side with a member of Anti-Skill. A member whose request had called him to this place, and among the first true friends he had met in this sprawling cityscape. His name was Liam Napoce, but the being of magic had chosen to instead assign him a nickname. Simply, ‘A’.

The figure himself was the very picture of absurdity. A young adult whose attire was a horrid mismatch of different eras of history, sunglasses far too small to be of use veiling his eyes, he appeared.

The hero. The transcendent. The protagonist.

This. Is. Claudius.

“Listen closely, my dear friend! This is no mere bottle! This was a glass container used to hold approximately forty fluid ounces of an alcoholic substance!”

A hand swept down, a spear of light thrust down from the Kingdom Above to sear away the black ignorance below. The site of indication was clear, the shards of glass that had once been a bottle thrown haphazardly down by one of the thugs, their apparent ringleader of sorts.

“What does tha-...wait, you couldn’t mean...”

At the words of Claudius, confusion splayed itself across Liam’s face, before being written over with something else. Incredulity. Self-derision. Abject fear. Color drained out of his face as he looked from the shards of glass to Claudius himself, a visible shudder tracing along the arch of his spine.

“...I am afraid so. If that is the nature of the opposition, it is only logical that they were able to escape.”

“That bastard! Does he want to get arrested?! I’ll arrest him, you know!”

“Calm yourself, A! We must keep a level head. Remember, a being such as that is bound to ‘rules’; just as espers are bound to laws of science, they are bound to ‘stories’. In order to defeat them, then...”

“...create something that cages their narrative. And if we need to stop something from running wild, then-“

“-Don’t speak it aloud. He may have ears still present. But yes, that is what must be done. The others would decry such methods, but one such as you...I have faith, A. Do not hesitate to call upon my strength, if aid is needed.”

“Heh, got it. I’ll...no, we’ll arrest him.”

Nodding solemnly before going separate ways, the two took to their own next steps.

For Liam, it was investigation.

For Claudius, though?

For Claudius, it was food.

He had skipped breakfast.

@Breo

A long yawn escaped Hayden as the final bell rang and he, along with his fellow classmates, gave a large sigh of relief as summer vacation had officially begun. Many of the others students quickly made their way out of the class, all discussing their plans for summer or simply beginning to form a plan with friends, all of them eager for the freedom from school. Hayden however took his time, leaning back in his seat and stretching his limps with no real rush to leave. A small smile rested on his face as everyone seemed geared up for the break, though his mind drifted off to other concerns. He was brought out of his thoughts though as someone slapped him on the back. He glanced back and was met with a familiar face of his fellow classmate, and few close friends, Daiki. He was a slim guy with dirty blond hair and set the perfect image for a delinquent, though the most delinquent deed he's committed was being late to class a few times.

"So Hay, do you perhaps have any plans other than work for this summer?" he asked with his usual grin before he wrapped his arm around Hayden's shoulder and brining him in closer for him to whisper into his ear. "Or maybe you can be my wing man at the beach and we can catch us some beauties in bikinis?" he proposed with a glint of determination in his green eyes. Hayden couldn't help but chuckle as he peeled his friends arm from his shoulders and rose from his seat.

"Daiki, the only thing you'll catch is a foot to the ass by an angry boyfriend," he said with a smirk before walking out of class ahead of his friend. Daiki rolled his eyes and frowned slightly.

"Come on, that girl was totally into me. If I had a few more minutes I could have sealed the deal," he defended before letting out a small sigh. "Anyway, lets try and do something this summer. Last summer you completely disappeared and left the group a man short," he said as the both of them exited the school. Hayden frowned a bit and rubbed the back of his head with slight guilt.

"Sorry about that, I had a bit of an... emergency," he said as his last summer vacation returned to his memories. "Anyway I should have a less clustered schedule," he said before they came to a stop as he felt his phone buzzing. He gave it a quick glance and frowned even more before looking to his friend who already knew all to well.

"Work?" he asked and was answered with a firm nod. He let out a sigh and gave a small smile. "Well don't work yourself to death man. Call me up when you free and I'll get the guys together," he said before the two finally said their goodbyes and parted ways. With a sigh he answered his phone and was met with a familiar rough voice.

"There's been an issue today in district 15 so jobs canceled. Ya got a new one in district 10. Pick up some 'evidence' at the usual drop off point and dispose of it in the usual methods. It'll be in the white van and the keys will be in ready for you. Make sure to be discreet," without any other instructions the voice hung up and left Hayden with a new job. It was alaways a bit annoying when a jobs been canceled the last second, but there was nothing he could do. He sighed as he knew exactly what that 'evidence' was gonna be and knew he'd be making a trip to the incinerators. He'd prefer to just burn it himself since it'll only take the flick of his wrist, but last time he did that he got chewed out for not following instructions. As he finally had gotten a fair distance away from the school his usual cheerful face melted away and was replaced with a tired and stoic expression. He knew this summer was going to be a long one.

The smell of bleach always left his head feeling slightly fuzzy. Something about it’s smell made the room spin, though he was use to its effects these days. He was sure in this heat that most people would be spending their time in any place with air conditioner, less people on the streets trying to escape summer at the beach, at the shopping mall. There was a brief swell of nostalgia going over the activities he liked to watch others do and pretend he was a part of their group doing so as well, back then as a child. Now he had a mess to deal with.

Brushing a bang out of his eyes, he steps down to the Genkan, it’s an old house. Forgotten. It’s falling apart and weeds have declared to retake it. Staring at a black bag, he really did struggle a lot didn’t he? Luckily he’s nowhere that anyone could call Anti-Skill. Ant-Skill, tch, what a bunch of chumps anyway. He’s heard of the complications in town between Ant-Skill and several groups, it doesn’t really concern him considering he tries to avoid that kind of unwanted attention. What does concern him though is how much longer he can continue to operate off the grid? With all these events beginning to rise, where is the tipping point? How long will it take for him to be discovered? He’s done well enough to cover his tracks, but he can’t shake this unnerving paranoia.

Guess that time will come when it comes. Running his hands through his hair, strands of blonde hair remain suspended in the air before they are briefly formed into the shape of a common house dog. Ren points to one of the bags, though he really doesn’t have to.

Heading out into the heat he wished he had an umbrella, something about having a lot of hair and heat didn’t mix. Yet, he wondered cracked, forgotten buildings. It feels like a ghost town around here, though people would scurry from alleyway to alleyway like impoverished rats. He’s found somewhere away from sight last line, it’s always better to have a plan beforehand than do things frantically. He’d come back tonight and dissolve the parts, for now it’s best to simply dump him in a discarded and unused dumpster, standing slightly sadly and very unproudly tucked and wedge away in the back of two unused buildings.

It was an unfortunate reality that the young child walking down the run-down streets of Academy City's own District 19 was not an uncommon sight. Children abandoned by their parents or guardians for whatever reasons were not an unfamiliar one, even in the city that was said to be 30 years ahead of the outside world.

While equipped with facilities meant to provide the [Child Errors], not all were made with pure intentions in mind. Indeed, many of these destitute orphans are often subject to the cruel whims of scientists in the pursuit of science. An unfortunate manifestation of the Dark Side of the most advanced city on Earth.

So no one batted an eye as the young Park merrily skipped across the rough streets of District 19, carrying a large backpack that was comically near bursting at the seams. More astute observers would perhaps notice the quality of his clothing being out of place within the confines of the district or the slight foreign accent that his merry tune had, but the human mind is as always quick to rationalize.

It was not uncommon for foreigners to come to the city of the future, and here in the declining district, most were preoccupied with their own troubles.

So when he had suddenly stopped his little song and jaunt, and instead contemplatively turned his head towards the dark alleyways of the city with a slight frown upon his face, no one bothered to stop him as he cautiously stepped into the cramped alley.

This was the city where miracles had their mystical darkness stripped by the power of science. Where every person had within them the potential to become something straight out of fiction.

And as Park stepped through the invisible threshold that separated the ominous atmosphere of the alleyways and the relative safety of the open streets, he closed his eyes tight, as if he were in prayer.

God, answer my calls.

When he had opened them once again, there was a slight, imperceptible change in his eyes. Where there was caution, now there was no fear, where a neutral expression had rested beforehand, now a small upilt of his mouth. He dug his feet into the Earth, and with a mighty push, he ran with all the speed of a ten-year-old boy.

There was another element to his mad dashing, however, as if he were a man possessed. And indeed there was a purpose to his reckless rush. It was his purpose, in fact, his very calling to resolve the misdeeds he could hear calling out to him ethereally.

His pounding footsteps ceased as he finally caught sight of his target. A man with long, flowing, blonde hair.

Heart pounding in his ears, adrenaline lashing throughout his body, rushing through his already excitable body, his hot blood urged his body to act, to release the surging excitement contained within his 146 cm frame. With an audible breath, he then released his tenuous hold on his poor impulse and cheered aloud.

"Aww yeah! Finally!"

In a single, deft motion, he slammed his beaten bag in front of him. Miraculously, it still held even under the abuse its master had inflicted upon it. With a deft flick of his wrist, he opened the bulging top and shrugged off his heavy coat, rummaging through the multitude of items crammed in the small space.

One could see a variety of outfits, a collection of masks, two sticks vaguely shaped like swords, and numerous other miscellaneous items, some falling off, others being callously thrown away as Park searched through his mountain of madness.

@DostHou



He might seem cold to others now that he thinks about it considering that he’s put pieces in a dumpster, as a way to store it and dissolve the pieces in lye tonight, about going to the library after this. He’d prefer to relax anyway somewhere cool, the dilapidated building of his has no way of cooling oneself during the day, beside a small broken and bent bladed fan he found. Someone had dumped it out. He’s gotten use to living in odd places considering his past.

“Sleep tight for now,” he says tapping the lid. Doesn’t feel weird that this is all he has to talk to. As he turns around he takes a moment as a boy comes running full speed down the alleyway. Kids, playing? Here? Another moment pauses, as the kid yells something out and slams his backpacked down in front of him.

Ren stares at the kid bewildered as clothes are being dug out of his full backpack. How is he supposed to react in this moment? How is he supposed to respond? Walk away he supposes. It doesn’t really concern him, now does it? Odd kid presenting articles of clothing to him. Though there is a tinge of anxiety, what if he looks in the dumpster? Of all the things in his life, he killing children was not one he wanted to consider. So, then what?

“Excuse me, but I don’t think unpacking your things is something appropriately done in an alleyway,” Ren says, “Perhaps, at your house instead?”

What is he supposed to say? Or how he supposed to react in this case?

“Haah. . .”

The sigh escaped her lips as she moved down the street, ducking into an alleyway as a shortcut. Seemingly unaffected by the blistering heat, she seemed to have far more important things in her mind, brow furrowed in thought as she contemplated recent events.

“. . .It’s getting close. It’s getting waaay too close.” She mumbled, exiting to a different street and turning on her heel as though it were second nature, steps filled with a sense of purpose. It shouldn’t be a problem just yet, thankfully, but it seemed to be right on track to become one.

Really, those delinquents. If they were going to kill each other, couldn’t they do it without inconveniencing everyone else? Common courtesy and all that, or so she thought as she opened the door to her establishment.



She took in the sight that greeted her, the parlor cleaned to a mirror shine and different employees running around, finishing the menial tasks nonetheless required for a proper establishment. Pausing to nod in greeting — as well as grumble about having to crane her neck so much so often — she made her way to the counter.

Another one was there, obviously, but he had apparently finished up with his chores and set out to wait at his post, and in terms of sheer size one of the largest men in the room by a wide margin.

“Hey, boss, how’s it going?” His voice was about as deep as you’d expect from a giant, but she had grown used to it, so she just shrugged and waved her hand a bit.

“So-so. Idiots started a big fight nearby and then ran when Anti-Skill showed up — not unusual, but it has me worried,” She puffed her cheeks, resting her head on the counter. “What if people get too afraid to come here because they can run into them? Seriously. . .”

The tall man placed a hand on her back — that quite honestly might have been enough to just outright grab her — and gave her a few pats.

“I’m sure it’ll be fine — just gotta stay cool and bear with it.”

The more he spoke, the more clear it was that his accent was that of a foreigner.

That was far from uncommon in her little parlor, though. Furthermore, she had read that having foreigners working for you was the mark of a successful business, so she took pride in having plenty — why, their most recent addition was even a genuine Italian, and he approved of her cooking.

If that was not a sign that she was doing something right, what was?

“S’pose you’re right,” She muttered, watching one of the employees flip the sign on the entrance to “OPEN” before walking toward the kitchen. “First day of summer, too, so we’re sure to have plenty of customers today. . .”

She nodded, pushing her worries away for later. If it became a problem, she would just deal with it, like she had everything that came her way.

“Alright! Time to get to work. Pass me whatever orders come, I.C.!” She called out as she entered the kitchen. “Best pizzeria this side of Kanto is open for business!”

The door to the kitchen slammed closed behind her, and there was a lull in conversation.

“. . .I wonder how she manages to delude herself like that sometimes.”

“Must be a high-level thing.”

---

Finally, that glorious time of day had come! Oh even amidst the sweltering heat of the summer sun, beating down upon herself and others like the constant tests and in-class assignments had done for so long! How sweet this opportunity was, how great this craving of hers could be fulfilled after she had slipped out of the school building early to make her way over here! Judgement duties for the day could wait, if only briefly, for her to come to this place of saucy worship and enjoy the crown achievement that none of all else in Academy City could match! Truly, she was in awe of the splendor, gratitude streaming down her face....

...oh wait, that was just drool coming down onto her chin from her agape mouth. Drool that was now dripping down the glass of the Zero Degrees Lounge front door. Because...Hanako actually had her face was pressed against the glass front door like a small child trying to look into an aquarium at the pretty fish.

What the hell was wrong with the espers in this city?!

And then she saw the sign moved to show this place of perfect proper polar pizza purveying palace was "OPEN". She pulled her face back, wiping it with a sleeve of her school uniform and cleaning up her mess a bit before hurriedly grabbing at the front door's handle. Despite her haste, however, as she walked in she tried to neaten herself up as if the prior thing she'd been doing hadn't happened at all. Clearly she wanted to make herself more presentable as she came about her wits once more. After all, she'd been waiting all school year for this treat for herself, and she would not be denied!!!

"...Do you have any specials today, my good man?" the judgement member asked as she approached the front counter, a confidence in her voice somewhat hiding a childish glee tucked away behind it.

Just like any other school the bell rang, but not just any sort of bell. It was the last school bell before summer vacation. At last they could stop stressing about all the teats and homework and enjoy the free life.

One of the people that was gonna enjoy that life was Kaede. She was a petite girl with beautiful blonde locks and a gentle attitude. She was on her way too the shopping district to finda nice place to eat. You had to start the vacation off by doing something fun and her choice of fun was going to this zero degrees pizza place. Supposedly it was chill there and it should have decent food.

She dabbed small sweat from her forehead as she made her way down the street. Kaede surely could feel the summer. It was way too hot, even when her she wore her summer uniform with her hair tied up high it was outstandingly hot. Her choice of restaurant was well made today. She continued walking.

It was a long and tiring trip to the place but at least she eventually made it out alive. The store didn't seem out of the ordinary special in any place it just looked good. Except for the drooling girl outside of the window. She was completely driven by hunger it seemed as she had hear mouth agape against the window. Kaede smartly decided not to comment about any of it towarda the girl.

Only seconds later the shop had already opened leading the drool lady and Kaede inside as the drool lady immediatly began speaking to the employee. The store gave a refreshing chill as they were inside the air conditioned room now. Kaede patiently waited as she got herself hold a food menu to browse through.

From what she saw you could order ice pizza and some side dishes. But off course the shop was mostly foccused on pizza off course. When the woman was done talking Kaede promptly looked up towards the man and gave a small nod.



A crystal clear voice came from her mouth, it wasn't her owm but one from a famous celebrity. Anyone could have noticed. She used it to talk to others when needed and this was a very much needed situation. Kaede blinked a few times before thinking to herself.

What is "wrong"?

If you ask a human this question, you will get a variety of answers. Wrong is incorrect, wrong is impossible, wrong is disgusting or disturbing or foolish.

At its core, wrong is wrong. It is one of the few concepts that is perfectly essentialist. Wrong is wrong. Right is not wrong because wrong is not right.

And so, the doors to the place that Claudius had designated as his 'lunchtime spot for today' swung open, a feeling that could not be expressed in words flowed outwards with it at the center. A sense beyond sight spoke to nothing, informing it of a truth both "of" the world and "beyond" the world.

This pizzeria, this space, this thing is wrong.

There are many different senses of fear.

The fear of a stronger human.

Of something which is perfectly understood, but which cannot be killed by your ability. You understand man, you understand what would have been needed to accomplish to defeat it, and you understand that you lack that much. This is the weakest fear. Predictable, simple, trite. A meaningless illusion that can hardly be called fear.

The fear of a hurricane or an earthquake.

Of a process beyond your "control". Something which you understand, but which you cannot know in totality and infinity. It has no mind, it is merely a process, a result of predetermined actions and ends, and yet you know that it is greater than yourself. A process, there is always a process, and yet this fear barely stands above the fear of another human.

The fear of a monster.

Of something that you are not, that you do not understand and yet you know you will die. If God is all-knowing and all-powerful, the monster is a being of human knowledge and powerlessness. It is the reachable but utterly incomprehensible abyss. It is an end.

The fear of a god.

Of abject inferiority, of acknowledgement that you are nothing. A cosmic speck in the hand of the Bodhisattva. That which creates, that which destroys, that which acts in a transcendent form with the scream of "naught" roaring in their mind, barely able to pay you attention as you are done away with.

This was none of those.

This was all of those.

Plot. Scheme. Make your preparations. Cast your spells. Perform your calculations. Create. Destroy. Ask why. Slit your throat. None of it will do you any good.

Not the fear of man or process or god or devil. It is all useless because this is the most primal fear.

This is the fear of wrong.

Heavy steps strode forth. Each pound of his blasted heart sent surges of fire through his limbs.

The reek of tomato sauce and strawberry ice cream, of oregano and mint chip, of wrong wrong wrong wrong WrONg-

He could not bend. He could not break.

Yes, because after all, after all...

It takes a concept to defeat another concept.

"...one black coffee."

Declaration.

Sentence.

The world starts.

The world ends.

Jun Sakuma

---

"I swear, man, these guys are making us look like chumps." That was the whining voice of Kazuko, who was one of Jun's self proclaimed friends within Judgement. Jun, frankly, did not feel the title was appropriate, as it was a largely one sided relationship of Kazuko talking at him and going on about whatever trivial nothings made up his day. In this case, he was complaining about a much more serious event; Kazuko had managed to be among the first respondents to the battle of sorts that had erupted near Shopping Mall Phi. Only, like everyone else that had arrived on the scene, he had little chance to accomplish anything before the perpetrators created a distraction that allowed them to escape. Jun had arrived shortly after, having meant to take part in the response. It was his misfortune that he had been unable to link up with the others before they began, although it appeared it mattered little, given the hoodlums had wriggled free of their grasp regardless.

"It's a crying shame." Kazuko's whinging continued. "We're supposed to be the people that protect this city against nutcase Espers, and now dudes swinging pipes are getting the best of us? This city is going to hell in a hand-basket." He looked up at Jun, seemingly searching for a look of sympathy on his face. He was only met with Jun's typically stony exterior, and the knowledge that Jun was barely paying attention to him. "Come on, dude, aren't you worried?"

"No." Was the terse response he received.

"How about you articulate yourself for once in your life?" Kazuko replied, the frustration with Jun's apparent apathy plain in the tone of his voice.

"They may have gotten the best of us today, but they are still nothing but ill-disciplined thugs at heart. All we need is a solid crackdown on their activities and they'll cave in like the weak-hearted creatures they are." Jun's frank response did little to convince Kazuko, who merely scoffed in response. "Whatever. I'm going to head home, maybe grab a pizza on the way." Kazuko began to leave, readying his bicycle. "You know, you should give the Zero Degrees Lounge a try. They've got good stuff there."

"I'm not interested." Jun rarely indulged in junk food.

"Oh come on, you can't be 'on duty' all your damn life. Just give a damn try. You might find it fun to loosen up a notch."

"I'll consider it." Jun told him, if only in hopes that Kazuko would give up on pestering him into meaningless social activities. Fortunately it worked, and with a wave, Kazuko was off on his way. Jun for one intended to remain vigilant in the area, conscious of the fact that more opportunistic vandals might appear before the day was through. However, if only for the sake of keeping Kazuko from whining at him yet again, he wondered if he shouldn't pay this lounge a visit.

Authority exceeding the heavens.

Strength beyond that of 100,000 men.

At the trumpets call, he triumphantly returns. Such was the cry Park silently let out towards the object of his worship. One year ago, on that fateful day, he was enthralled by the tales told of his god, of the wise proverbs spoken by the once man, of the liberator of his country.

That day, he pledged himself to these three things: Duty, Honor, and Country.

For that, he carried within him an oath to accumulate strength, to fulfill his duty, to bring harmony to both physical and spiritual realms. Such was the duty of a shaman, and he proudly carried his mission out.

He would not ignore any injustice, from both the living and the dead, such an act would be an unwashable taint towards his honor. Such a thing would be the dereliction of his own God-given duty.

With pride he will carry on the rites and traditions of his homeland, even in this foreign land, he would advertise the strength of his nation.

So in the face of such an adversary, one who seemed to be drowning in sin, he would not, could not ignore the suffering souls that seemed chained to this realm by the blonde haired man. Such a disturbance must pay, and Park's duty, passed on for generations was always to appease the spirits, to bring peace to both worlds by doing so.

In any other circumstance, a fight between an adolescent young boy and an adult would seem hardly fair. Even in Academy City, where the impossible seems to pervade every corner of this city, there are simply too many things that stack the advantage towards the adults. Experience, height, development, and more make such a fight obvious in the eyes of many.

However, magic was created so the untalented could do the same as those with talent.

Park suddenly ceased his rummaging about, having finally found what he was looking for. Donning a military cap and a pair of aviators, he looked up in response to his object of ire.

And behind that inscrutable pair of aviators, one could see his eyes widen in surprise.

His mouth dropped open in surprise before morphing into an expression of indignation.

"Hey! That's cheating!"

Frown creasing his young face as he stuck a homemade corn cob pipe into his mouth.

"You're supposed to talk for a really long time about how you're a bad guy and stuff when the hero comes in," Park whined "now you ruined everything!"

Seemingly irate and satisfied with his preparations, Park quickly stuffed any item that may have flown out back into his bag before quickly striking multiple poses before settling into a simple stance. Arms crossed and feet at shoulder length, he smirked as he tried to emit from himself an aura of smug superiority.

"My name is Facies 163, Through Discord I bring Harmony"

Once again flashing through a series of childish poses straight out of a sentai show, he ground his feet into the ground, what little muscles he had bulging from the sheer pressure and strength he was pumping into his childish frame.

"Evildoer! The spirits call to me, they wail in agony about your wretched sins, their cries echo through the hallowed streets of this city, screaming of the great injustice done by you!"

Eyes flare up with determination, a fire raging behind the aviators, promising justice for all those wronged souls.

"In the name of Dangun, Sungmo, and Douglas MacArthur, I will punish you!"

The pavement underneath his feet cracked as he launched himself towards the blonde, fist raised to strike.

Within this young child, the very essence of his god lit up. Having consumed his fetish, having gained the essence of Macarthur and placed it within his body, having become a living idol of his god, he gained the 'authority' of his object of worship. For his god, who stood even beyond the Emporer of Japan, the symbol of the unity of this country, and stood at the top of the heavens, MacArthur could be said to be even beyond that of 'God'.

By using the 'authority' given to him, by using the 'strength' of all the men underneath the flag of MacArthur, the weak punch that Park threw, could be compared to the output of a nuclear bomb.

"Take this! Little Boy Smash! 15 Kiloton Punch (500%)!"

Even with such an attack, no serious harm shall come to his opponent. His duty was the bring harmony to both mortal and spiritual realms, not to expand the latter.

Such an act, even with all the sincerity Park could muster, would not deny the comical nature of such an encounter. In effect, it was a replication of the Pyol'sin Gut. Only retribution and pain shall befall the unfortunate blonde as Park appeased the spirits.

@AngelofOctober

@DostHou

The child seems distracted by somethings. He moves around a lot and continues to rummage through his bag. Finally he takes out a military cap and continues doing some other odd motions. At this point he’s just becoming annoyed. Kid could have just been accepting and went home. Of all the things Ren hadn’t considered to do, but if it is the difference between getting caught and not. This boy was an obstacle now. Unfortunately. Sometimes he wished that events wouldn’t drive him to these desperate acts, but as the child came rushing at him, his footwork all wrong, his fist barely tightened, he grabbed the boy by the wrist.

“It is true, I don’t do nice things,” Ren tells him quietly he also looks a bit remorseful. His chest is tightening, He can’t let this child get away, he can’t let them find him. He feels the creeping sensation of paranoid what if scenarios. What will happen if he is caught. Quickly taking out a knife he hides under his jacket he stabs the kid in the abdomen. He’s use to the feeling of blood on his hands, it’s warm, not comforting, “Unfortunately you are an obstacle, but I am not inclined in killing children either. As you’re not my target nor my end goal.”

Kid won’t go far with an injury like that. Does he still have a soft heart after the years of what he has done? Running his knife through his hair, he’ll just tie the kid up then and keep him imprisoned. Is that worse than death,he’s not sure.

@liferusher



Footsteps receded below him as the maiden who cared for the shrine finished their various chores, unaware of their guest resting comfortably in the baking hot sun atop their roof. Adrian was often a visitor to the place as it was a ways away from anyone he knew. Family rarely visited any place with religious roots and thus was perfect to take his ease at.

At the moment he was little taller than a toddler, stubby arms and legs sporting a reptilian skin matching the roofs colors. The great wings of an insect, a moth, were bundled tight below him acting as a blanket to lay on. His usual headwear, a horned skull decorated with a few nicknacks he had borrowed from hisnsister for a bit of color, danged from tight knots on the horns. From time to time they made a soft jingling noise as he shifted.
School hours were nearing a close but he had skipped on the last few classes before summer break had begun, getting a headstart on his relaxation.

The low buzzing in his pocket woke him from his quiet comtemplation, signaling an hour left before Kaede was off school as well. Personally he felt his younger sister did not care for his presence, his overprotectiveness, but Adrian was determined to hover over her even if she didnt want it.
It was a brothers job to protect his sibling.

Rising up with a groan and a stretch, the massive wings on his back unfurled as he grew in length and his skin shifted back to human flesh, pale but unblemished.

"Good nap.." mumbling quietly to himself, readjusting his clothes to fit properly after his shift. Now closer to 5'8". His weight and height, everything about him, was capable of alteration thanks to his powers. "I bet that girls gonna bail and head somewhere before coming home again."

Whether or not that was true, meant Adrian would have to investigate.
With a great leap he rose high into the air with flaps of his moth wings and took off in a gentle glide. If he needed speed he could take on the wings of larger animals but there was no reason for haste.
Off into the distance he flew, the strange patterns on his wings drawing a few eyes.

---

Gliding high in the sky, his eyes roamed the crowd for Kaede but couldn't locate her by sight alone. It only took a few seconds for his nose to reconstruct into a canines and replicating their sense of smell.
The various odors of the city came alive but his practice with the senses was keen and soon found her scent wandering away from the path home.

Pizza place?

The trip took a great deal of time. Several times Adrian had to land and continue on foot, the heat adding to his exhaustion along with the energy of flying, but eventually caught up to Kaede as she sat down at, of course, a pizza spot.

Nestled at a seat near the wall, Adrian swooped in and..

-THWACK-

Flew right into the tempered glass window right at the front of the store so hard it rattled the others next to it, Adrians foot was still on the frame while his body lay in a crumpled heap, wings spread out across the ground as he groaned.

"Uuurgh". Was the only thing he could say, the world spinning around him. Yet another graceful landing..

With a small sigh Hayden rubbed the back of his head and dreaded the night that awaited him. Whenever he's told to dispose of any thing it's always a pain in the ass that leaves a bad smell in his nose. Walking through District 15 and trying to make his way to the bus station, Hayden found it to be a bit of a hassle as some of the streets had been blocked off, forcing him to take the long way. No doubt it had something to do with the commotion from earlier. Even though they weren't gunning for him Hayden couldn't help but feel uneasy around them. There were a few times when he nearly fell into their sights after a few more than destructive jobs, but luckily he's been able to squeeze his was out of it.

As he crossed the street Hayden's phone began to vibrate. With an arched brow he took out his phone and was surprised to see that it was his handler. It wasn't odd that he'd get more than one call from him, but it was never this fast. Stopping on the outside of a convenience store he leaned against the wall and answered. "Change of plans, someone else will take care of the disposal," as he delivered the news Hayden couldn't help but close his eyes and exhale through his nose, frustration clear as he furrowed his brows.

"Then what the hell am I doing?" he questioned with annoyance in his voice.

"Watch it kid, I'm as annoyed as you are right now," he said before giving a heavy sigh and continuing. "Consider yourself free for the night, but get ready to hop back to work at any moment. Word is the Boss has something big planned. It's why he's putting all of his top men, including you believe it or not, on stand by. He rarely does things like this so you know it's bigger than usual," he stated before abruptly hanging up like usual. Hayden was even more curious of what the hell was going on, but knew he had no control over it. So silently he accepted the fact another one of his jobs were canceled today and found the small comforting fact that he actually had a night off, something that had become extremely rare ever since his decent into the underground world of crime.

Putting away his phone and giving small sigh he laid his head against the convenience stores wall. A whole night off? It had been so long that he's not entirely sure what to do. After taking a moment to think he came to the realization that it had been awhile since he had his favorite pizza. After looking around he knew he was close and decided to head there instead of ordering. Might as well since he had plenty of time to kill now. With his new goal he moved on from the convenience store and navigated his way through the cities streets before finally arriving. Zero Degrees Lounge. Hayden never was a fan of the name, but he had to admit the pizza was unique. With a pleasant sigh he began to make his way towards the front doors, ready to enjoy his food.

That is until a blur slams into window of the pizza place and caused Hayden to jump in shock, even letting out a shout of surprise that was a bit to high pitched for his liking. After he quickly got over the complete shock of whatever the hell hit the window he looked to the object in question and arched a brow in confusion. Laying on the ground with what looked like wings spread out was an odd looking guy. Not sure what to say he slowly knelt down next to him and cocked his head. "Hey, uh, you okay?" he asked before looking to the window and back to him. "You have a score to settle with that window or something?" he asked with a small smirk.

@Zelosse

Just when Kaede had placed her order something peculiar happened. The doors of the pizza palor swung open. Kaede turned her head in surprise at the door revealing an older boy in the doorway. He wore mismatching clothes, small glasses out of the 80's, the colar of his jacket was way to wide and a neck choker at that? Who wore that these days!? In kaede her eyes he was super cool though, she was completely sparkling and amazed when she stared at the man.

He came up to the counter and spoke like it was nothing! Way too cool. Even the drink he ordered spoke the words 'too cool'. Kaede felt like she was just a simple low life compared to him. She had to step it up as well if she ever wanted to grow into someone special and just as cool as him!



Kaede never liked the stuff but with enough sugar she would be able to drink it without pulling any bitter faces. You have to hurt yourself to become someone greater. This was all for her own development after all!

Kaede slowly settled down and sat alone at the table for a bit as her hands got hold of some tissue papers that were boxed on the table. She fiddled with the tissues a little while waiting for her order to get ready, she was trying to make a rose from the paper but was interupted halfway through.

A hard tud next to her made the young girl shriek quite loudly as she held her heart tight. She particularly jumped in her seat from the sudden smash only knowing it came from the window. Another loud shout was heard comming from outside. It was way too loud to be something normal so it must have been an object that hit the window. Kaede went on investigation.

After leaving the zero degree lounge again she stood outside quite dumfounded of her older brother lying on the ground. It was clear he had come here to stalk her. Why couldn't he just call her or message her instead... Dummy brother.

Kaede stepped up and towered over Adrian. It didn't appear that she was too happy. She gave him a mad pout while she kept quite for a while. It wasn't the first time he had done it. He could get on her nerves from time to time even though she respected his protectiveness of her. She gave a deep sigh and turned her eyes the other way for a moment trying to decided if she forgave hik or not.

She couldn't stay mad forever right. Kaede bended over and gave him a short gentle smile as she grabbed his hand and helped him get back on his feet again.



Kaede didn't speak much to her brother except for outside, normally she would use other means of communication but sincd they were on the streets she allowed herself to talk to him. It was clear to him it wasn't her real voice but she had been in this situation for at least a year now.

Kaede sat down at her previous spot and continued to wait for her order for now while trying to finish the rose she had begun.

@liferusher@Jacky

The only logical response to his own self loathing and shame, albeit one he was too disorientated to recognize at the moment to recognize, was to manage another groan. Unfortunately in his current frame of mind it was impossible to do even that much as the world spun around him. Recognizing he had been spoken to elicited only the barest amount of cognizance, staring dumbly from beneath the bone helmet at the funny newcomer. It took a few moments for him to speak as Adrian put his hand to his head.

"Window. Family. Revenge.." Weakly spoken and slurred but a response at least.

When Kaede came to angrily pout, the world came back into crystal clear view for what felt like the first time in hours despite only having been a few minutes at best. Adrians only response to her scornful gaze was another weak croak. At least the moth thing had sense enough to know when he should apologize.

"Sorry, sis.."

It took a bit of time for him to be peeled off the pavement, the monstrously oversized moth wings shrinking into his back as he struggled to rise. With the added mass returning to his body it was redistributed as muscle mass. Now less than a lanky brat he was at least, hopefully, a tad more intimidating. Though there was always the question of whether or not the jingling ornaments worked counter to that end. One of which had fallen off the right horn and lay on the ground.
Scooping it up and retying it, he turned to the newcomer.

"S-sorry for startling you, I'm sure. Probably not every day you see a bug splatter on a window so amazingly." Adrian flashed a smile, unaware of the massive cut stretching from his chin right up and under the mask. It bled only slightly but not enough to be all that painful. The sensation of its presence would arrive soon enough.
When Kaede went back into the store, it was all the shapechanger could do but shrug. Of course she hated his constant watching, as a blossoming young woman it was clear the girl wanted her privacy. All the time.

Adrian couldn't stomach the thought of her getting hurt and felt responsible for at least making sure she got to and from a destination unbothered. Or at the very least only meaningly bothered by his overzealous and overprotective nature.

"It isn't my place but would you like to step in and have a slice? As an apology for.. y'know."

Perhaps his footwork wasn't the best. So what?

It did not matter.

Maybe his form was poor, his punch sloppily executed.

It did not matter.

If either was insufficient, then he would blow past them with borrowed strength.

The outcome was determined. By now there was no way for this punch to miss. Perhaps, if the long-haired man had attempted to dodge earlier, or even protected himself with his faux-canine companion, then this hit would not have gone through.

Yet, he frivolously wasted his time instead of taking out a knife.

There was no way for him to know, but there was no way a simple knife would be able to pierce this child's skin. From a young age, he was groomed to succeed his mother as a vessel for spirits. For that, every inch of his body was trained and scoured in holy rites.

As a recognized mudang, it was obvious to any who knew of the traditions of those who follow the way of Mu that a regular knife could not pierce him.

For him to even have reached the noble title of shaman, he would have had to be proficient in the Dance on the Blade. No matter how much he would jump, no matter how much he would ecstatically dance, no blood would be drawn.

It was a critical mistake made on the blonde's part, but an understandable one.

His other mistake, however, was not so easily forgiven.

The moment he attempted to halt the clenched hand that rocketed towards him, was the moment he spelled his doom.

Living up to its name, the [Five Kiloton Punch (500%)], did indeed impart a large amount of force the very moment it made an impact. If it weren't for the preparations made beforehand, then there was no way Ren would have lived through it. Instead, he went flying through the air, mostly unharmed, but not without pain.

Staring in awe of his strength, Park looked down to his right hand, still clenched into a fist.

With a gleeful cry and a victorious pump in the air, he proceeded to pull out of his pocket a cell phone. Though it was out of range from his usual provider, all phones nowadays carried with them the capability to make a call to emergency services.

Quickly dialing 119, the moment the dispatcher answered the phone, they would be greeted with a shrill screech, not one made in pain or distress, but of sheer joy before being regaled by the tales of Park's most victorious conquest over evil.

“. . .Well, of course.” The man behind the counter answered Claudius’ request, gesturing at another one to start up the coffee machine behind the counter. Despite the look on the client’s face, the dispassionate one in the other man’s made it seem as though it was an absolutely every day occurrence. At the same time, he left his position and approached to take orders.

“Okay,” He nodded to himself — coca-cola, coffee and pizza, normal pizza. His boss was not one to cook those, but that is why he picked up the slack at the kitchen — the brave few that asked for a pizza at this establishment always tried to dodge her more adventurous recipes, and while she derided them as “weak-willed” and “tasteless”, there was certainly a need to appease such clients.

At least in order to make any returns for the amount of money they spent on the ingredients, if nothing else. I.C.’s employer, bless her soul, had little to no idea on how to actually run a business, sequestering herself in the kitchen and thinking things would work themselves out.

So.

They had to take care of “everything else”, actual job descriptions be damned.

He turned to the last one — pencil and notebook still in hand — and started to scrawl some quick notes before what he had heard actually registered. His pencil’s point broke — as did its body when it snapped between his fingers, leaving behind only an ugly scratch on the otherwise perfectly fine notebook.

Its sacrifice was needless, but perhaps fitting.

Rather, it had been as though he had heard an invocation instead of a simple order. The other employees, that had been working almost lethargically, had frozen in place, and they all side-eyed a particular location with something approaching dread.

“. . .Today’s special, you say.”

He could feel something roaring in his ears — his own heartbeat, thundering in strength, as he glanced toward the door leading to the kitchen in abject horror. As if on cue, perhaps anyone positioned close to it would be able to feel two things coming from it — intense heat, followed by freezing cold. The pattern repeated, repeated, repeated — I.C. approached the door, beads of sweat forming and then freezing over, reaching to the handle.

Turns out, he needn’t have bothered.

The door slammed open — quite literally, into his face, sending him sprawling against one of the still empty tables. There, at the entrance, a figure holding a tray, surrounded by smoke that flowed into the parlor from her side, leg high.

One must assume, then, that she was responsible of one of her employees having a concussion. But, trivialities!

“I have heard your tasteful wishes!” She boomed, or so she would like to think. In reality, it was closer to a squeak filled with excitement. “And, through my “Yukiyama Pizza Cooking Method 36: Rapid-Fire Mozzarella”, I will now grant them, honored client!”

She approached the table with quick strides, setting down the tray and revealing its contents.

The crust looked delightfully crunchy, and as she cut and separated the sides, it was easy to see that at the very least, the cheese was also cooked to perfection — stretchy but looking like it would melt the moment someone put it in their mouth. Pepperoni and ham finished the dish —

Ah, if only it had ended at the ham.

There it was — truly, the vilest of heresies, thought the employees as they served the other clients and avoided more than one glance, lest they fall to madness. The balls of coldness rested atop the pizza, slowly spreading their contents as Yukiyama Yukiru started to allow the heat transfer once the dish had been properly cut.

Perfectly served, artfully placed and looking deceptively tantalizing as they began to melt ever-so-slowly. Vanilla, chocolate and hazelnut — wonderful flavors that did not deserve this fate, sacrificed for one girl’s eccentricities.

—Look upon my works, ye mighty, and despair.

“I still do not have a name for it,” She was chipper as she spoke. “But I think that the hazelnut is key, you see — it really brings all the flavors together.”