Chapter 37: Chapter Thirty-Seven: Divided
A couple months passed as China finally led a full scale attack against Japan. In their moment of need, Zia agreed to allow the crew to split up. Zia, Demetri, Benjie, Ali and the kids stayed in Pilloa to watch over Siran and aid in the defense against America. Alex, Vivi and Ying went to Germany after they launched an attack on Great Britain. As much as it seemed good for them to attack the enemy of the crew, their intentions were unknown and it may also be the crew's in on getting to the bottom of the British Secret Service's recent accusations of indiscriminate violence. As well as Ireland joined the conflict with a temporary joint in arms with Germany, and that was more concerning to the crew as the world seemed prepared for a new world war. Rose, Finn and Shelby moved to Egypt to help prepare their improvised militia to assist in Israel. Mikoto, Satomi and Haru returned to Japan with heavy hearts and fear of their homeland rejecting them, but desperate to help in attacks that are still underway. Holly, Tanya, Robin and Blake started in Russia and moved country to country to further inspect the streams that have opened there. It was nothing short of a miracle, but due to Ireland and their belief that The Six Guns are innocent, Germany agreed to allow them to help. Due to Egypt's persuasion, Israel accepted the crew as a joint militia. Just as, due to Haru's old squad and Suzuki's intel they gathered on the once in question Yamamoto, Japan admitted their mistake and commissioned the help of the crew. Although things seemed to be going well with Zia's plan, there was one thing she didn't see coming. Only days after everyone split up and spread around the world, agent Thomas Holland and a group of Ares's hunters approached the Pilloa Castle. Knocking, in the form of demolishing the front doors with a massive fire spell, they demanded Siran. "Still asleep, are ya? Come out, wanker!" Thomas yells in a voice that barely resembled that of a human. "We know you're in there! You didn't let old man Zeus do you in, did you!?"
Zia came through the debris that was once their front doors, walking slowly. A glow in her eyes, clairvoyance magic armed, and filled with a rage that would only befit a wild beast. "Leave" was was only thing that could escape her mouth before she choked with rage and saliva from the lack of being able to control her body from the sheer focus of this one man among many in front of her.
"Inari" Thomas says in an echoing voice, his eyes turned purely blackened with endo from Ares. Thomas takes out a naval sword and points it at Zia. "Bring me that man".
Zia takes out her two pistols and aims them to the drones on the sides of Thomas. "Over my dead body" she says as she fires a strong blast that takes out two of the drones.
As Zia's hands were suffering the force of the recoil from her blasts, Thomas moved at a near instantaneous speed, with his sword nearly to Zia's neck. "That can be arranged" he says as he tried to cut off Zia's head.
Zia raised her foot to kick, but Thomas jumped back to dodge. Fire then surrounded his sword as he prepares for a slash. However, Zia continued kicking the air. She kicked in an upwards motion with elegance, and then performed a perfect straight kick directly outwards even though Thomas wasn't even near her. However, the air around Thomas appeared as if it were mimicking Zia's kicks, as he was lifted into the air and then sent flying backwards with a powerful blast of wind. The blast of wind sent Thomas flying as well as knocked down most of the drones by his side. As Thomas was coming down, Zia shoulder tackled Thomas with a distortion spell, sending him flying and skidding across the ground at an even faster speed. Thomas tumbled rapidly across the field outside of the forest, and tried to dig his hands into the dirt to stop his flight. As Thomas finally found his footing, he was met with a flying kick from Zia. He tried to block with his wrists as well as several buff spells. However, the distortion spell paired with Zia's kick was much too powerful. It sent Thomas flying much much further.
Thomas couldn't use his hands to stop his tumbling this time. After he was sent quite a long distance away from the castle, and far enough away from the forest, Thomas stumbled back to his feet. A fire look in his eyes as he seemed unfazed by the pain, but unpleased by the surprise of Zia's strength. After getting up, Thomas realized he could no longer use his arms, as well as his sword was now long since gone. Zia ran after Thomas and stopped when she came face to face with him. "I'm ending your little chase with my husband" Zia says.
"You're mistaken if you think you'll make it out of here alive" Thomas says. "I hope you like the battlefield you picked. Because this place will be your grave".
"Your arms are shattered" Zia says. "How will you plan to fight?".
"You underestimate what the god of war can do when in control of a human body" Thomas says. "This man is my puppet" he says as black hands grow out of his back. Zia couldn't see it at first because of the constant darkness from the black skies. The amount of light able to pass through the clouds was still minimal. Though, she felt an atmosphere she hasn't ever felt before. Zia jumps back and uses a spell to throw a flare-like source of light in the sky. When the light shines down and she can see full well, she can see demonic arms made of endo growing out of his back. Six hands to be exact, and each of them ending with spiked fingers as if each hand having claws. "The physical composure of the puppet doesn't matter" Thomas says. "What matters is his talent for endo and his will to serve his purpose that he so desperately longs to fulfill. My mind control works by emphasizing the emotion they feel behind a desire. If they accept this sense of revenge or anger as their own that I try to plant in their minds, then it allows me to control how strongly they feel about said goal. Of course, some of the drones goals is something simple, like being a better father. Ooh, the adorable little things. But when they drive themselves insane over such a small concept, they naturally seek a source of power to overcome dangers and obstacles. That brings them to my endo. Drink too much wine, and end up drunk".
"So you control people with your endo" Zia replies. "But how?".
"I wasn't able to at first" Thomas says. "But, after I got my hands on a couple shards alongside Zeus, I decided this was an ability worth keeping and pocketed this without his knowing".
"Then why did you choose the British Secret Service in particular?" Zia asks as she clenched her hands tightly.
"War" Thomas says. "Having the sway of the voice of a nation, and pitting them against another nation. It's fantastic. Though, this puppet, Thomas, made it especially easy. You see, he was cautious, so it took a while. But unlike most of my drones, he actually has had it out for your crew for many many years".
"What makes you say that?" Zia asks as her surprise from this causes her to lose focus.
"He had a brother" Thomas says. "A half brother. A half American brother whom was a leader of a pack of Hunters. Went by the name of Kirk Holland, of the Killshot Hunters".
"Killshot... Hunters..." Zia says to herself as she tried to recall. "Killshot... wait. From that time when we were attacked by that Naris possessed Predator bot? That man was related to an MI-6 agent!?".
"And that bred enough hate towards you guys for me to come in" Thomas says. "Once we got acquainted, it was simple and a key part of making a good about half of Europe mine to command".
"Half of Europe!?" Zia panics.
"Oh, the allied nations" Thomas says in an amused tone. "How beautiful they are... when they march into war".
"But, Germany..." Zia says.
"Yes..." Thomas replies.
"And... Alex, Vivi and Ying" Zia adds.
"YES" Thomas says as he grows more excited.
"If they assist Germany..." Zia continues.
"YES" Thomas chants as his amusement grows.
"It'll be a world war!" Zia finishes.
"Ha ha ha! Wonderful, isn't it!?" Thomas shouts as all of his ethereal hands are stretched outwards in happiness. "And here you are, separated from your crew, and outnumbered". Zia froze for a moment as she came to the realization. She slowly looked over her shoulder as she reactivated her clairvoyance magic and saw the army of hunter drones that came alongside Thomas. All of them looking like they were also from MI-6 as well. "You should've kept your head low and given me Ishmael. Maybe you would've lived a little longer" Thomas says.
"I don't even remember killing Kirk" Zia says as she holsters her guns and creates two reactive endo daggers. "He got caught up in the crossfire between Siran and that Predator thing. He probably died to Naris. But at this point, I don't care". Zia prepares her daggers and gets into a fighting stance. "I'll make sure to make this quick so I can warn the team in time".
"Why are you trying to gather all the pieces of mom!?" Naris asks Ishmael back in ancient Foloi Oak forest.
"To restore her!" Ishmael shouts back.
"I knew it" Naris growls as he gets I a fighting stance. "As soon as Chronos told me you're gathering her shards, I had a feeling".
"Chronos!? What did he tell you!?" Ishmasl demands.
"Enough, Ishmael" Naris replies. "Don't you know what will happen when she's back? If she's back, she'll no longer need us to get revenge on those gods. If she's back, she will unmake us!".
"Absurd!" Ishmael replies. "What gives you that idea!?".
"Think about it!" Naris beckons. "All of the gods are greedy like this. You think she's any different!?".
Suddenly, Inari's face flashes before Ishmael's eyes. "No two people are the same" Ishmael recalls Inari saying to him.
"Take that back" Ishmael says as he prepares to fight.
"If you want the last of the shards" Naris growls, "you'll have to take them from me".
The two fought, but Naris was outdone due to Ishmael being the only of the two to be able to weird reactive endo. Ishmael knocked his brother to the ground but he couldn't finish him off. He still loved his brother and was heartbroken by this exchange. He reached inside of Naris's smoke-like body and pulled out the last of the shards. However, Naris didn't give up so easily. He stood back up and grew until his head pierced the clouds. He roared and the ground shook, the seas rattled and calamity broke out. Naris took his anger out on the humans. But as the shards came together, Gaia reappeared in a near complete form. She appeared in full, the the exception of her arms. Where her arms should be, her body simply faded out of existence. "Naris!" Gaia called out. Immediately, the calamity stopped. The shaking ceased and the seas slowly calmed.
"Where is the rest of you?" Ishmael asks.
Gaia simply smiled and then reached an arm up towards Naris. She was only the size of a human, but somehow her voice would still reach Naris's ears without fail. "Come to me, my son" she called lovingly. "I understand your fears. I won't be as selfish as I was when I gave birth to you. I'm sorry for the heavy burden I've given you".
As if being called back, Naris shrinks to the size and shape of a large snake and coiled around Gaia where her left arm should be. As he did this, his body became solid and no longer ephemeral. As well as, Gaia's left arm seemed to reappear as Naris returned to Gaia's body. "I promise I won't unmake you. You can stay here with me if you're worried. Free to come out as you like". After a while, Gaia looked up at Ishmael and asks "Didn't you have something to ask me?".
"U-uh, yeah" Ishmael replies.
"It's alright" Gaia says. "I already know what it is".
"Is it because... we're a part of you? Is that why your arms are gone? Ishmael asks.
"Correct" Gaia says. "But, you don't have to return to me. I know it's not what you wish".
"R-right, because..." Ishmael says, "there's this girl... this goddess, and... and".
"I understand, Ishmael" Gaia says. "I'm sorry I built you incompatible for having a family. I can fix it for you though. You understand the risks of losing your immortality though, right?".
"Right, yeah, no... oblivion. I get it" Ishmael replies.
Gaia smiles and says cheerfully "I can't believe one of my boys are in love".
After a couple weeks, Ishmael finally arrives back in Japan and finds Inari waiting for him. He now had a mortal body, but he was much happier. It took Inari a while to notice, but when she finally noticed Ishmael, she ran up and hugged him. "I missed you!" She says. "Where have you been? I was so worried! What kept you for so long?".
Without answering, Ishmael hugged her back. Inari's face grew more and more red as she came to the realization that not only did she impulsively jump on and hug Ishmael, but he hugged her back for the first time ever. "I missed you too" he replies after a while.
Inari shoved Ishmael off of her as her face was practically glowing red. "What happened?" She asked. Ishmael told her the story of what happened in his homeland. Inari was shocked and amazed. With her hand over her mouth in shock, she mumbles "You gave up your immortality? Even fought your own brother for it?".
"I'm sorry" Ishmael says. "As it was, I just... I wouldn't be able to... I just...".
"Ishmael..." Inari says.
"Look" Ishmael says as he grabs Inari's hands. He shifted into a human form to see eye to eye with Inari. His eyes still purple, with black sclera. "I love you, Inari". Inari's eyes shoot wide open. "I did it because... I wanted to be with you. Because as I was, I couldn't provide you with the love that you deserve".
"But, Ishmael..." Inari says.
"I wanted to tell you before I left" Ishmael says, "but I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to leave your side if I had already told you. But I wanted to give you a love that was worth having".
"Ishmael..." Inari replies. "All I wanted was you. You didn't have to give up anything to be with me. What about getting to live together forever?".
Ishmael recalls what his mother said after she used her magic to fix Ishmael's body. "Your body won't age, but you can still be killed by any normal means now. Be careful out there, Ishmael". But then he remembers what Atropos said to him. "Your fate is stranger than others. Your thread splits into many other fates. Unfortunately, they all end short".
"It'll be okay" Ishmael says. "My body won't age anyways".
"I guess we can also ask Gaia to change it if you change your mind as well..." Inari says with her finger tapping on her chin.
"My mother is not a body customization market" Ishmael says.
"Sure, sure" Inari says playfully. "But if the means arise...".
"Inari..." Ishmael says.
"I'm kidding" Inari says as she hugs Ishmael again. "I love you too".
Zia fought hard against Thomas and the other drones. She eventually took everyone down except for Thomas. She was exhausted and out of energy. But Thomas still stood. Zia kept removing his endo arms but cutting them with her reactive daggers. But he just kept growing them back and attacking her with blasts of elemental spells. Eventually, the fatigue had its affect on Zia. But not on Thomas. The battle drew near to its end, but Thomas had the advantage. Thomas used one massive wind spell to blast Zia against a large oak tree. Zia used her remaining energy on a stability buff to keep herself alive. She slammed against the tree with a hard thud. Her head starting to leak plenty of blood from the scalp breaking against the tree. Thomas stood over her as Zia laid on the ground, barely able to overcome her concussion. She grabbed her last reactive dagger with two fingers and tried to fling it up as best as she could with her remaining strength buff spells from their fight. The knife flew at near sonic speeds right at Thomas's face. However, Thomas was able to dodge it.
"You're strong" Thomas says. "Stronger than Siran, even. Who knew he was hiding a weapon such as yourself behind his cowardly demeanor? But I told you, this will be your grave". Thomas raises his right fist and prepares a distortion spell with his fist to punch Zia. "One less obstacle to get in my way" he says. He throws his punch just as Zia uses two finger and swipes down on the air as if directing something. Thomas successfully punches Zia in the face and the air between them cracks. Zia's eyes go blank and seem lifeless just as Zia's reactive endo dagger comes back down with a lightning bolt. The knife pierces Thomas and makes a giant hole in his torso, as the lightning shocks, paralyzes and finally kills him.
The two of the lay in the grass, motionless. However, after the sounds of battle could no longer her be heard, Ryan Fokker of the Pilloa Castle came out with a squad of security to look for Zia. When they approached the tree she was pinned against, they found Thomas's dead body. However, Zia was missing. "Inform The Six Guns immediately" Ryan says. "Zia is M.I.A.".
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone