33 Rise, Stand and Fight! (1/2)
”Father!” Iris shouted as she would pivot backward and bring her mallet around which by the way appeared far too large for her petite structure to wield, yet she had swung it around like it was some kind of plastic toy. Riyku would jump back, planting his feet on the flat end of the mallet as if he knew exactly what Iris was going to do, both of them in perfect sync.
'Linked with Iris Von Rosario.'
'Linked with Riyku Von Rosario.'
Two text boxes would appear one before each of them which shortly disappeared. Iris would swing her mallet around and Riyku would kick off just at the apex of the swing to drive home the momentum. His being flying straight towards Team Phantom. ”Your highness!” One of the girls called out which made the male kiss his teeth and lean his body away from the oncoming male to evade the lunge. The following wind pressure would cause him to stumble back a little. A smirk would curve across Riyku's face as the jewel embedded in his glove gave off a bright light. His feet would plant against some kind of barrier and he would launch off of it heading strike back to the guy. ”You gotta be kidding me.” The male would growl as he brought his lance upward to clash with Riyku's Soluna blade. Since the male was unable to deflect the weapon, let alone evade particularly due to the fact to his body placement, in time his only option was to block. The force from the clash of weapons would send the male sliding back and Riyku seemed to drag it out until the two girls came from each of his sides. ”I was told that Team Phantom was quick, but still...” Riyku would pivot backward to evade two bullets and a barrage of arrows. ”that is quite impressive.” Riyku would finish.
Thanks to his teammates, the male was able to steady himself. The two girls would regroup with him. However, during their little exchange. It seemed Team Reaper had Iris on lockdown. Dashing past her in perfect sync while slashing away. Iris would deflect each strike that came here way, waiting for an opening. Her patience was rewarded when she saw the Leader charge straight at her, bringing his sickle from above. Iris would dash straight at him bringing her mallet from below to smash it right against the tip of the curved blade. The force of her strike would send the weapon upward throwing the man off balance. Much like her father, she would not be merciful when it came to these kinds of openings. Twirling the shaft of the mallet in her hand with the motion of her swing, she would jam the butt of the shaft straight into the man. Still using the same momentum, as well as applying more strength she would lift the male off the ground only to heave him overhead and slam him back into the ground on the other side of her. She would twist the shaft of her mallet for good measure which caused the male to cough out whatever air he had left from when his back had slammed into the ground the first time. ”Wha? What's with this chick!?” One of the goons from Team Reaper growled out. ”Forget it, we can't win in a test of strength. I'm using them.” The other stated as she began to shuffle into his pocket for something. ”Idiot! Not without the boss' orders!” The first one exclaimed, which caught Iris' attention. Although, it was already too late. The man had already tossed some kind of small orbs from his pocket which bounced along the ground beside Iris.
”Iris!” One of her teammates called out the moment several explosions would occur. Riyku's eyes shifted from Team Phantom over to Iris who was clouded by smoke which was kicked up from the explosion. ”Idiot! Those were meant for Team Phantom!” The first guy shouted at his teammate who shook his head. ”We wouldn't be able to deal with Team Phantom if we all died here. Now would we!?” The second guy exclaimed. ”Eyes here, abnormal.” A feminine voice caught Riyku's attention, not because it called out to him, but because of how close it sounded. When he set his sights back on Team Phantom one of the girls had been in front of his face. A grime expression would brew on his face as she stepped to the side to avoid a slash attack, which was followed up with another and another and another. ”Gunblades? No... Gun Daggers...” Riyku would growl as he took note of weapons. ”Wow, someone has a keen eye.” The woman replied with a wink. ”Can I have him, your Highness?” The girl called out to her teammate while pushing Riyku back. He was completely on the evasive. He had no opportunity to even bring his weapon around, and using any kind of combustion or barrier would probably not work here either.
”Naomi, what is with you and getting involved with questionable figures!?” The second girl called out, though her voice caused Riyku to look behind him for a split second. ”When the hell did she get there?!” Riyku muttered as he noticed she had been charging up some kind of attack. ”Try to live, hot stuff.” The girl winked at him as she pivoted backward the moment the second girl released whatever charged up attack she had built. Which in truth looked like some kind of power shot. The arrow was massive in size and the immense amount of mana that was pouring from it was nothing to scoff at either. ”Guess I'll have to use... Wait!” Riyku's eyes would widen when he noticed where the trajectory of the arrow was headed. He had been placed right in between the archer and Iris, so if he dodged this attack, Iris would get hit by it. ”Damn it...” The male would grit his teeth, quickly he would spin around and take to a guarded stance. The moment the arrow hit the blunt side of his Soluna Blade he could feel himself being steadily pushed back. His iris shifted to his Shield Point gauge seeing that the extra Shield Points he gained were being put to good use right now.
”Your highness!” One of the girls shouted as if to signal the male to commence something. ”Already on it.” The male replied, the voice seeming to come from directly above him, but nowhere near him. For a moment his eyes would drift skyward only bare witness to a second charge attack which had just been released and was heading his way. This one looked more like a spear than an arrow and unlike the arrow that looked like it was basked in flames, the spear looked like it was basked in lightning. That was the only difference in the two attacks, both were massive in size and immense in power compared to the mana that had leaked from them. ”Damn it.” Riyku would growl as he narrowed his eyes. The jewel embedded in his glove began to glow brightly, and a black aura began to engulf that hand.
'Skill acquired! Elemental Defense Lvl. 8'
Another text box appeared upon his UI which went away after a moment. Removing his hand from the blunt side of his Soluna Blade he would grasp the hilt so he could swap his grip of the blade to hold it like a dagger instead of holding it like an actual sword. Using the forearm of the hand he was holding his Soluna Blade with to press against the blunt side of the weapon. He would use the hand that was engulfed in a black aura to reach out for the spear overhead and caught it. Gritting his teeth from the pain he was not slammed in his place. His feet digging into the ground as he growled out in pain.
”Oi, oi, oi! What kind of combi-attack is that?” One of the men from Team Reaper inquired, having just been watching. ”Not sure, but that guy is taking both attacks head-on.”The second guy would remark. The young man had one knee against the ground, panting heavily while the archer would regroup with him panting heavily. ”Your Highness, are you alright!?” The girl inquired. ”I am fine, I just overexerted myself with that attack.” He replied to his teammate. ”Still... He isn't going down.” The young man narrowed his eyes. ”Naomi, do it.” He looked to his teammate who smirked. ”Alright!” She would dash around behind Riyku and aim both of her Gundaggers at the male. Holding the trigger she would steadily gather mana into her weapons.
”Are you serious!?” Rick exclaimed! ”Riyku...” Mel would mutter softly as she clasped her hands together as if praying for his safety. ”Hey... come on that is a bit overkill. Don't you think?” Jessica seemed to have a worried expression as well. ”This doesn't look good,” Ion added while Nora would narrow her eyes.
”Are they trying to kill him!?” Skylar shouted. ”Skylar...” Mina would mutter as she saw the worry and concern on his face, though even she felt the same as he did. Her eyes would return to the battlefield.
”If you live from this, I'll be sure to go on a date with you, hot stuff.” Naomi would tease as she released the triggers of her weapons which unleashed a massive blast that was heading straight for Riyku's back. Riyku would release a heavy breath as he closed his eyes. ”Heh, so this is it...” He muttered.
[I told you. You were not strong enough to protect anyone. Not with your present power, not in your present state, and not with your present mindset. You do not have enough hatred. You do not loathe them enough. Therefore, you do not have enough power. However, it does not have to be this way. You can come out on top. Accept my deal and I'll remove all your limiters.] Harvester's voice poured forth into his mind.
Riyku's eyes would widen. ”I...” He would grit his teeth. ”I...” He would growl. 'Don't!' ”Don't!” Two voices shouted out to him. One of them being Seraphina's and the other being Iris who had her back against her Father's. ”Iris!, When did you?” Riyku shifted his eyes towards Iris who had her mallet up in a defensive position. ”No! You need to move, get out of the way!” Riyku shouted to Iris who smiled even though her body was bruised up from the excessive explosions earlier. ”Nope. I will protect you this time, Father.” Iris would state as gray aura engulfed her body. ”Rosario Style... Steel Rose.” She muttered, and her feet seemed to sink into the ground. The blast that smashed into her mallet would not push her back but instead be stopped there. However... the damage Iris was receiving seemed to be the price to pay. One could hear steady cracking coming from her body which caused her to wench in pain.
”Do not cry, Father. Do not allow rage to consume you, and do not allow darkness to swallow you. Father, I know you will find me. You promised we would never be apart after all.” Iris stated which caught Riyku's attention. ”Stop....” He muttered weakly. ”It will be okay, Father. So, don't cry.” Iris stated. ”Stop it...” Riyku muttered weakly, his teeth grit firmly. ”Promise me one more thing, that you will one day show me that bright smile of yours,” Iris stated and with the snap of her weapon the blast would engulf her whole. ”No! Iris!” Riyku shouted aloud and that was when everything around him seemed to come to a standstill. ”What!?” His expression suddenly became that of surprise. ”Wait... this is...” His eyes shifted around rapidly, taking note of how everything seemed frozen in place.
'Chess Master Activated. Time will resume a normal pace once you take action.'