Shattering Humanity-Chapter 451: "I May Be Outgunned, Outmanned, and Outnumbered...But You’ve Been Outplayed."
"For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.
He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.
In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.
And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit."-Ephesians 2:14-22
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[Tomodachi Town]
The sound of steady running water hitting the rubber flooring to the beach town workout gym echoes through the establishment.
In a small puddle of water and a drop of blood are two separate 1 gallon jugs, filled while a third is being poured over Katsu’s cloth covered face.
The two accompanying Vinland soldiers watching the torture technique look on as if impressed by how well the Takamagahara Division Leader is reacting to the simulation of being drowned.
Instead of struggling and flailing for air, the captured Captain just lies there motionless, while the newly appointed captain mercilessly tries to get answers.
Side Soldier 1: "Hey, Cap...
Don’t you think 3 minutes is en-"
Cutting him off, the sweating soldier standing above strapped down Katsu stops pouring water on the 18 year olds covered face, but doesn’t remove the waterlogged mask, blocking out oxygen.
Captain Willems: "Let me ask you this, if we don’t succeed in at least finding out where Lieutenant Pontius is being held, doesn’t that mean his sacrifice was all for nothing?!"
Having also seen the giant Icemen belly flop on top of their previous Captain, both lower ranking soldiers don’t give a response back. The new captain then rips the thick, water soaked towel off of Katsu’s face and the cocky captive is smiling with his eyes closed and he takes half a deep breath of relief.
It isn’t until Captain Willems throws a direct hook punch over his prisoner’s right eyebrow that Katsu’s heterospecies eyes open.
He isn’t allowed to finish the second half of his breather before getting the blood stained cloth returned, and the rest of the unfinished water jug is poured on it.
After the last cheap shot, red is soaking through the drenched white towel over Katsu’s right eye.
The water stops and while the last drips hit the floor, the interrogator speaks directly into his victim’s ear.
Captain Willems: "Let me ask you something kid, have you ever felt it absolutely necessary to succeed, after someone else has sacrificed EVERYTHING in order for you to continue moving on?"
His military colleagues off to the side swallow their spit and grip their rifles.
There is nothing but silence for an entire minute. Gritting his teeth the entire time, the questioning officer awaits.
Captain Willems: "Answer me!"
To his surprise, from underneath the cloth, a new substance seeps through, Katsu’s Anjell Eye, Yang Aura.
Not sure how to deal with what only he is seeing, the Seiõr acknowledged soldier takes a step back, but regains his composure.
Once again, he pulls of the wet towel this time, to the floor with a *PLOP!*.
Sending a shiver down the experienced Marine’s spine is the Above Sanpaku stare from Katsu and his left Anjell Eye, its 2nd Stage white aura with an ominous black streak flickering through the center.
Staring directly at his torturer with a bloody faced, smug smirk.
Katsu: "Hehehe...
Okay, it’s been long enough, she’s usually done by now.
So I’ll play along until recess is over here..."
Their prisoner’s sudden cooperation surprises all three soldiers, but rethinking the young PoW’s certain phrasing creates a hint of confusion.
Katsu: "I’ll answer you, but give me one last opportunity to proclaim to you this..."
Taking his eyes off his captor, Katsu turns his head to look straight up at the square foam insert ceiling above.
Katsu: "...In a universe that forces a certain balance, pain and sacrifice have to exist for euphoria and success to exist. Just because you feel like a tragedy in your eyes can’t go without justice, doesn’t mean the universe feels the same way..."
Getting irritated from Katsu’s nihilistic monologue, the Vinland captain prepares to throw a haymaker to shut him up, but...
Katsu: "But you wanna know my eye ability?"
Stopping his fist just centimeters from Katsu’s cut open, bruised, and bloodied up face, Captain Willems slowly pulls his fist back.
Katsu: "My eye ability isn’t beneficial, or interesting.
It’s not a blessing.
Or Fun.
It isn’t a ’comic book and anime fan’s dream come true’.
My eye ability is the greatest sacrifice, and the most hellacious curse existence can think of..."
In the middle of his speech, muffled screams and slashes can be heard through the walls of the gym building.
Gunshots start ringing and medic calls are cut off mid sentence.
Both armed soldiers look at their leader with fear in their eyes, unsure of what is going on.
Katsu: "...But that curse is also the only piece of value to my eye ability. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞
Because over all the recorded durations of whatever we humans call ’time’, we all continue to live, only to not lose, and we plan from past mistakes..."
With the muffled noises of slashing and pleading from men and women after their ammo has been depleted getting closer, the two shivering soldiers aim their shaking rifles at the only door into the gym.
Something triggering their primal flight instincts and telling them to run away.
Katsu: "So I may be outgunned, outmanned, and outnumbered..."
With everything now silent, the clear foot steps of someone outside approaching the metal double doors can be heard, and they are ripped off from their hinges.
Katsu: "...But you’ve been outplayed."
Standing in the doorway, a blood soaked, Mach 3 Shelly. Her all black Seax dripping red, clenched between her excruciatingly loud growling teeth, and twitching lips.
The once sweet blue eyes of Takamagahara’s Ace have a faint matching blue aura coming off her irises.
Tears flowing out of the panicking protector’s eyes.
...
{7½ Minutes Earlier}
[Nantucket, Vinland]
Shelly watches as the new individual carries away her most recently defeated opponent towards the DæMon she has a Holmgang scheduled with in less than 24 hours.
Quickly coping over the events only she knows happened within the newest Seiõr responsible phenomenon, and apparently being thankful to regain her appendage, Shelly confidently uses the floating weapon to push herself up and land her feet back on the flame crackling blade.
Shelly: "That must be another one of Laban’s older sisters.
Why is she taking the Sheriff while she’s knocked out?
Let’s go find out, Madame!"
The cooperative blade also hovers over, completing a triangle convergence of the three parties.
Smirking at her rival hovering over, MamMon talks to the younger DæMon sister, without taking her eyes off Shelly.
MamMon DæMon: "I’m sure Skalmönd is coming over to ask the same thing, but..."
Floating Shelly stops and bobs left to right while standing on Madame Fryer. Keeping her distance while in the air, however she is able to hear MamMon’s question to the Sheriff swiping sister.
MamMon DæMon: "...What do you plan on doing with the current vessel of your imaginary friend?"
Shelly(thinking): *Did MamMon just say ’imaginary friend’?*
Not yet acknowledging the concerned Shelly’s presence above, AgaMeMnon looks at the pink haired sleeper in her arms.
AgaMeMnon DæMon: "If the side effects of allowing an Æther native to control her body are similar to what happened to me, this 2nd Generation will forget everything up to the day she met and adopted Phæstis..."
Inquisitional Shelly is quietly taking in the conversation between the magical women barely hovering above the newly terraformed water/landscape.
After having experienced the puzzling possibilities of Seiõr, the highly intelligent Shelly is able to piece together the reasoning behind Jesse James’ power up, along with the sudden personality shift.
AgaMeMnon DæMon: "I will eventually convince her to abandon the childish nature of Phæstis, and afterwards she will be a vital part in my ’Final, Final Solution’."
AgaMeMnon turns her head towards the floating reincarnate of Skalmönd above.
AgaMeMnon DæMon: "No matter which one of you comes out alive after your Holmgang, I have already started to rebuild a successful populous, military, and a bustling industrial dedicated economy.
Millions of women, the majority of which are mutually acknowledged by Seiõr, trained, and willing to die for the cause."
No longer keeping her mouth shut, the confident Takamagahara Ace can’t help but blurry out...
Shelly: "The cause?"
Already knowing her younger clan sister’s ideology, MamMon rolls her eyes.
Initially ignoring the question, the DæMon with a cyborg eye half smiles at Shelly and instead introduces herself.
AgaMeMnon DæMon: "It’s a privilege to finally meet you again, Skalmönd.
My name is AgaMeMnon DæMon.
I am the fourth wave survivor of the failed Völva and Valkyrie experiment, and I regrettably took part in the embarrassing gang activity over 8 centuries ago that led to your death."
Once again, the expectations of having her Valkyrie grandma’s memories is the reason for Shelly’s discontented expression.
AgaMeMnon DæMon: "If you’re willing to believe my words here, I actually don’t want to quarrel with you.
In fact, I would be more pleased if you and I could, even if just at first, work together to accomplish the visions of a new world order that I have been striving for."
Both Shelly and MamMon are slightly surprised after hearing the strategic woman’s confession.
MamMon DæMon(thinking): *The rest of us knew you weren’t really serious about killing Skalmönd if she returned, you pathological lying, and conniving bitch.*
Having briefly caught Shelly’s willingness to resort to peace, but also knowing there is a catch to the prideful DæMon’s proposition, the only naturally born being of the group narrows her eyes in skepticism.
Shelly: "And if I may ask, what kind of world are you aspiring to create?"
Under her breath, MamMon prepares herself for a monologue.
MamMon DæMon(sighs): "You just had to ask..."
AgaMeMnon DæMon: "The end goal is for world peace, but to achieve that stability and trust in one another, we need to make sure our species contains no ’poisons’."
Already sensing the dark path to where this conversation is heading, Shelly raises an eyebrow.
Shelly: "...’Poisons’?"
However, before there is a response, MamMon avoids having to listen to the interaction.
MamMon DæMon: "I hate to interrupt, but I have a group of Vinland soldiers to capitulate back on Kami Island..."
She looks up at Shelly and smirks.
MamMon DæMon: "...Aaand I don’t want to make you worry, but your boyfriend has been captured while you’ve been gone. He is currently being tortured and waterboarded by our island invaders as we speak."
Shelly’s eyes widen and she has a look of disbelief painted on her face.
Shelly: "Katsu’s... in trouble?"
