As the intense clash between Hoshizora and the humanoid Neighbor continued, Usami's attention was drawn to an unexpected anomaly. Frowning at her monitor, she furrowed her brow in concern as she analyzed the data. "Something's not right," she murmured to herself, her fingers flying across the keyboard to verify her findings.
With a sense of urgency, Usami directed her message to Osamu. "Osamu, I've detected a discrepancy in the surrounding temperature readings. It doesn't match up with the reported data for today."
Osamu quickly acknowledged the message. "Understood," he replied, his voice tinged with concern. As he spoke, he couldn't help but notice the increasing heat in the area. The trio began to sweat heavily, their discomfort growing with each passing moment. It was then that Hyuse noticed something peculiar. "I'm detecting superheated trion emissions," he remarked, his tone wary. "It's as if there's a leak somewhere nearby."
His words sparked a realization in Osamu, "Usami, scan the battle area for any traces of leaking trion," he instructed, his voice urgent. "It might be coming from there." Usami immediately complied, her fingers flying across the keyboard as she initiated the scan.
As Osamu's urgent directive hung in the air, Yuma's brows furrowed with concern. "What do you think could be causing it?" Yuma asked, his voice reflecting his discomfort. Hyuse offered his analysis, "I think it could be Hoshizora's trigger. Isn't it self-modified?" he suggested, his tone measured.
Osamu's expression tightened as the pieces of the puzzle started to fall into place in his mind. "That could explain it," he mused, his voice laden with realization. "Border's been tracking Hoshizora based on his trigger signature, but his Kogetsu is different from any we've seen before. Maybe that's why they perceive him as a threat." Hyuse's gaze sharpened as he considered the implications. "So you're saying he might have acquired Border technology by... less conventional means," he remarked, his tone grave.
Osamu nodded, a sense of unease settling over him. "It's possible," he replied, his voice solemn. "He could have eliminated a Border agent to obtain our technology, all under the guise of protecting the city. But that doesn't add up. All those people that testify for him, the battle logs on him, they all point to him not being hostile to Border at all."
"I've completed the scan," Usami announced. "There are indeed traces of leaking trion in the battle area, and it's coming from Hoshizora's trigger. Its energy parameters are nowhere close to ours. It's profusely leaking his trion, creating the superheated area around you guys. Any longer exposure and it will start to damage your trion bod-"
Usami's warning was abruptly cut off by Osamu, Yuma and Hyuse's triggers. "Warning! Extreme heat detected, please evacuate the area immediately. Extreme heat detected, temperatures rising at abnormal levels."
As the trio's triggers sounded the alarm, Osamu's mind raced with urgency. "We need to evacuate further away, now," he commanded. Yuma and Hyuse nodded in agreement as the agents wasted no time in springing into action. Osamu took the lead, gesturing for Yuma and Hyuse to follow as they quickly made their way towards safety.
As the battle raged on, Hoshizora's calm rage and tactics forced Ainfai onto the defensive, struggling to keep up with his ferocity and use Jallad's range to her advantage. He was determined to protect the city, and he knew that defeating this formidable adversary was the only way to secure its safety temporarily.
Hoshizora lunged forward, his Kogetsu slicing through the air with precision as he pressed the attack. "Tell me, Ainfai," he demanded, his voice laced with determination, "how many countries have you felled with your reign of terror?"
Ainfai staggered backward, caught off guard by Hoshizora's relentless assault. She regained her footing, a smirk playing on her lips as she deflected his blows with Jallad. "Oh, Brimstone Shogun," she taunted, her voice dripping with malice, "I've lost count of the nations that have crumbled beneath my scythe. But each one was a symphony of chaos and despair, orchestrated by yours truly."
A bead of sweat trickled down her temple, her smirk faltering slightly. Sensing the rising temperature, she glanced around warily, a flicker of unease crossing her features. "This heat..." she muttered to herself, her voice tinged with concern. "I noticed it earlier but put it off. Now, it's hotter than usual. What's going on?" Her trigger hummed with an ominous warning, its voice echoing in her mind.
"Warning: Extreme heat detected, damage to Trion body will occur if problem left unattended. Evacuate the premises," it cautioned, its tone urgent. Ainfai's eyes narrowed as she processed the warning, her mind racing to assess the situation. The realization dawned on her that the intense heat wasn't just a natural occurrence but a direct result of Hoshizora's Trion leakage from his blade.
"So, he's not just a brute," she thought grimly, her gaze flickering back to Hoshizora with renewed determination. "He's using his Trion in ways I didn't anticipate. This changes things."
As Hoshizora attempted to land a decisive blow, Ainfai sidestepped his blow and jumped back, her eyes gleaming with sadistic delight. With a swift movement, she drove Jallad into the ground, using the momentum to propel herself onto the handle, her stance poised and confident.
"Every scream, every cry for mercy," she continued, her tone filled with perverse pleasure, "they all fuel my hunger for destruction. And now, Mikado City will become my latest masterpiece of devastation."
With a fierce roar, Hoshizora channeled his rage into his Trion, his crimson eyes blazing with intensity. "You dare revel in the suffering you've caused?" he bellowed, his voice echoing with fury. "You're nothing but a coward hiding behind your twisted desires!"
As his Trion surged into his Kogetsu, the blade transformed into a massive claymore, crackling with raw energy. With a swift motion, he swung the weapon towards Ainfai, the force of his attack sending shockwaves rippling through the air, turning some of it into brimstone dust.
"I'll put an end to your reign of terror right here, right now!" he declared, his words infused with determination. Ainfai's grin faltered for a moment, her eyes widening in surprise at Hoshizora's sudden display of power. She wasn't expecting a trigger to transform during a battle, especially one that Aftokrator has research on.
"What...?" she muttered to herself, her voice barely above a whisper. "How could he...? Does he possess a side effect I'm unaware of?" Her mind raced with questions, her previous confidence shaken by Hoshizora's unexpected transformation.
As Ainfai muttered to herself, her voice barely audible over the din of battle, a wave of searing heat washed over her, causing her Trion body to slowly start spewing out Trion. "Warning: Trion body integrity compromised. Extreme heat levels exceeding tolerance. Immediate evacuation advised."
Despite the warning signals blaring from her trigger, she gritted her teeth and ignored the dire message. "My Trion body... it's taking damage," she acknowledged grimly, a bead of sweat trickling down her brow. Ainfai quickly regained her composure, her grin returning with renewed vigor. "Come then, Brimstone Shogun," she taunted, her voice dripping with malicious amusement.
"Let's see if your rage can match the fury of my Jallad!" With a defiant glare, she readied herself for the continuation of the fierce battle, her confidence undeterred by the escalating heat.
Meanwhile as Osamu, Yuma and Hyuse moved away to safety, the oppressive heat seemed to intensify, pressing down on them like a suffocating blanket. Usami's frantic voice crackled over their communicators, "Osamu, Yuma, Hyuse, the heat levels are rising rapidly. I wasn't expecting Hoshizora to be able to leak superheated Trion."
As Osamu, Yuma, and Hyuse hurried away from the battlefield, the oppressive heat weighed heavier upon them, causing beads of sweat to form on their brows. Suddenly, Osamu's Trion body began to react, emitting wisps of Trion as his trigger warning resonated within his mind.
"Warning: Trion body integrity compromised. Extreme heat levels exceeding tolerance. Immediate evacuation advised," echoed his trigger's urgent message. Osamu's heart raced as he realized the severity of the situation. "Guys, we need to move faster," he urged, his voice tinged with urgency. "The heat is damaging our Trion bodies."
As the warning blared in his mind, Usami's concern for Osamu surged. "Osamu, are you okay? Your Trion levels are dropping rapidly," she fretted over the communicator.
Osamu, his voice strained with urgency, replied, "Don't worry about me, Usami. We'll handle it. Just focus on keeping track of the situation." Meanwhile, Hyuse and Yuma's Trion bodies began to exhibit similar signs of compromise, leaking Trion as the intense heat took its toll.
As the heat intensified, Hyuse's voice cut through the tension. "I'm going ahead," he declared firmly, his eyes focused on the danger ahead. Hyuse placed his hand on the ground, channeling his Trion as he uttered, "Escudo." A physical shield materialized beneath him, propelling him upward and out of harm's way.
Meanwhile, Yuma sprang into action, creating a Grasshopper square beneath Osamu's feet. "Jump on, Osamu," he called out, his voice steady despite the urgency of the situation. "We'll get out of here together." Without hesitation, Osamu leaped onto the Grasshopper platform, trusting in Yuma's ability to guide them to safety. As they soared through the air, leaving the blistering heat behind them, a sense of relief washed over them, knowing they had escaped the immediate danger.
After safely escaping the immediate danger, Osamu, Yuma, and Hyuse gathered together and moment to assess their condition. Osamu glanced at his teammates, his expression serious. "How are your Trion levels holding up?" he asked, concern evident in his voice.
Yuma checked his Trion levels, frowning slightly. "They're lower than usual," he admitted, a hint of worry creeping into his tone.
Hyuse nodded in agreement. "Mine too," he confirmed, his gaze focused on the task ahead. "The prolonged exposure to the heat must have drained our reserves faster than anticipated."
Just then, Kitora from Arashiyama Squad approached, her sharp eyes scanning the trio with a mixture of curiosity and concern. "You three seem to have gotten yourselves into quite a situation," she remarked, her tone laced with skepticism. "What's going on?"
Osamu exchanged a brief glance with Yuma and Hyuse before turning his attention to Kitora. "It's a long story," he began, his voice measured.
Before Kitora could respond, Jun Arashiyama, her leader, arrived with the rest of his squad, his expression etched with worry. "Hey Osamu, we heard about the situation and rushed here as soon as we could," he said, his voice filled with concern. "Kitora was extremely worried about you, Osamu."
Kitora's cheeks flushed slightly as she quickly interjected, "I wasn't worried about him. I just wanted to gather intel on the situation," she insisted, her tone defensive. "It's my duty as a border agent."
Jun raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced by Kitora's response, but he chose not to press the matter further for now. Instead, he turned his attention to Osamu, his expression serious. "What's going on here, Osamu? We just received reports from Usami that there is extreme heat and abnormal Trion levels in this area."
Osamu cleared his throat, addressing Jun Arashiyama and his squad. "We were given a direct order from Chief Kido to examine the gate that opened up in this area after we evacuated the citizens. When we got to the scene, there was an-" Jun interrupts Osamu, "An unregistered Bander and humanoid Neighbor that came out of the gate right?"
Osamu nodded in confirmation, impressed by Jun's astuteness. "Yes, that's correct," he replied, acknowledging Jun's interruption. "The humanoid Neighbor emerged from the gate first and tried to talk about peace, but we didn't buy it. She saw our skepticism and opened another gate, that's where the unregistered Bander came in."
Jun's expression grew more serious as he absorbed the information. "I see," he muttered, his gaze flickering with concern. "This complicates things."
Osamu shook his head, "We haven't gotten to the real complicated stuff. Before the Bander was able to do anything, Hoshizora came down from a building and cleaved it in two with his modified Kogetsu. Brimstone remnants were left in the body of the Bander."
Jun Arashiyama's eyes widened in surprise, a mixture of shock and admiration crossing his features. "The Brimstone Shogun did that?" he exclaimed, his voice filled with incredulity. "That's quite the feat, especially against a Unregistered Bander." Kitora nodded in agreement, her expression reflecting her astonishment.
"I've heard rumors about his combat prowess, but I didn't expect him to take down an unregistered Bander so effortlessly," she remarked, her tone tinged with respect.
Osamu nodded solemnly, acknowledging their reactions. "It was unexpected, to say the least, but that doesn't explain what's happening now. Right now, he's fighting the humanoid neighbor. We were in the area awaiting reinforcements, but Hyuse noticed that something was heating up the area."
Hyuse nodded his head, "Usami scanned the area and found out Hoshizora was emitting superheated Trion from his Kogetsu, causing extreme heat in the area," he explained, keeping his explanation concise. Jun's brow furrowed with concern as he processed the information. "Superheated Trion? That's unusual," he remarked, his voice reflecting his apprehension.
Usami chimed in, providing additional details. "Yes, the temperature levels in that area have spiked significantly, far beyond normal parameters," she elaborated. "His Trion leakage is creating these extreme conditions." Kitora's gaze narrowed as she listened intently, her expression serious. "What's his objective?" she inquired, her tone sharp.
"We're not sure," Osamu admitted, shaking his head slightly. " One thing is for sure, this battle is personal for him." Hyuse stated as a distant clash of metal and crumbling building is heard a distance away.
Back on the battlefield, the temperature continued to rise, and the fierce clash between Ainfai and Hoshizora showed no signs of subsiding.
As Ainfai battled against Hoshizora, her annoyance grew with each passing moment. "Damn this infernal heat," she muttered through gritted teeth, her frustration evident in her voice. "How dare he unleash such power against me?" Her trigger's urgent warning echoed in her mind, adding to her mounting frustration.
"Warning: Trion body integrity compromised. Extreme heat levels exceeding tolerance. Trion body reaching minimum levels," it cautioned, its tone urgent and insistent.
Ainfai's brow furrowed with irritation as she struggled to maintain her composure. "I won't be defeated by a mere display of brute force," she vowed, her voice tinged with defiance.
With a growl, she swung Jallad with all her might, aiming to strike Hoshizora down. However, the searing heat and the strain on her Trion body caused her aim to falter, and her swing missed its mark. Hoshizora seized the opportunity, swiftly countering her misthrown swing with a powerful strike from his transformed claymore.
The force of his blow sent shockwaves rippling through the air, catching Ainfai off guard. As the impact reverberated through her, she felt her Trion body crack and splinter. "Sentō-tai Katsudō Genkai (Combat Body Limit Exceeded)." As the extreme heat finally broke through her Trion body, Ainfai's physical body was exposed, vulnerable and defenseless.
Hoshizora's voice thundered with conviction as he unleashed all of his Trion on his claymore. "Say hi to my people, Ainfai…" he says as he swings his blade. The attack obliterated the humanoid Neighbor, reducing her to a torrent of Trion particles and destroying her black trigger.
He stood triumphant but exhausted, his claymore transforming back into his Kogetsu as he caught his breath. The battle had been intense, and it had pushed him to his limits. "I've finally avenged you, Azafure..." he says weakly. "Sentō-tai Katsudō Genkai (Combat Body Limit Exceeded)."
His tremendous effort took a toll on him as his vision blurred and his strength waned. Overwhelmed by trion exhaustion, he staggered and finally collapsed to the ground, unconscious.