Chapter 313: Tag Team!
"You know, having me kneel on the ground is quite upsetting."
"Hmph."
"Like, if I have the wondrous opportunity be of assistance to Miss Perina, I would much rather be treated with a bit more respect."
"You talk a lot more than the others."
"Would you rather I stay quiet?"
"Yes."
"How mean, I'm suppose to sit here in silence for half an hour? What do you want me to do? Wallow in regret of being captured? Cry woeful tears of joy? Be intimidated by you?"
"…"
Wrock sighed, "Can I at least sit in a more comfortable position?"
"…Fine."
"Ah, you do have a heart!"
Wrock adjusted his position before continuing, "So, how strong are you? What was it… Second Star? Maybe Third Star?"
"…"
"Oh come on, loosen up a bit! You told me I'm not going anywhere, might as well pass the time with some small talk."
"Small talk for half an hour?"
"That's exactly how I'm feeling. Who prepares to kidnap someone and then needs thirty minutes to prepare after they kidnap them!? What poor management! Honestly I could give you guys some pointers."
"…"
~~~
"There it is, Perina resides in that large castle. She's usually inside the room with the biggest window."
Akiol quickly memorized the outside castle layout. Spotting the window Nimin was referring to he began to form a mental map.
"Thank you for sending me here, you can go back now."
Akiol slid off the Wyvern. As he fell a red Aura surrounded him, swirling ambient mana to form a placement around his foot he launched forward at high speeds.
As he was descending towards the castle like a meteor Akiol read the group chat.
Wrock: Five minutes left, should I start making a scene?
Akiol: If you're confident, should give me a general idea on your location as well.
Wrock: Watch for the explosions then.
Akiol landed at the entrance, a crater forming from the impact. Several guards rushed forward, pointing their weapons at him, "Surrender immediately! You are trespassing onto Miss Perina's territory! If you do not comply within five seconds we are authorized to use lethal force!"
Akiol's Aura flickered from red to yellow, without stopping for a chat he took off. Several afterimages forming behind him.
~~~
Wrock sighed, "Alright, bored waiting now."
Standing up he tugged slightly at the rope that bound him. The man standing next to him commanded, "Sit."
"I just don't feel like sitting around and waiting, that's all."
A blue flame crackling with electricity extended from his hands. Additionally a blue aura surrounded him. With a pull he snapped the rope easily, "So I'll be taking my leave."
"Hmph, you should already be aware of what's going to happen."
"Well, unlike last time, I'm not going to be caught unaware."
Bzzt-
Wrock's eyes snapped to the side and his body rotated rapidly. With his elbow he struck the man's side, causing them to grunt in surprise.
[Spinning Reversal]!
The damage wasn't actually that much to the man, but that was expected. What was more important was that Wrock wasn't completely outmatched this time.
A shockwave shot forward and smashed into the man, the force made the room shake violently. Wrock back-stepped and asked, "So, never caught your name. Mind telling me?"
Dusting off their clothes they spoke, "Grimwald, not that you'll remember that for much longer."
"Grimwald? Let's not be grim, instead, make a grin!"
Grimwald's eye twitched and they sent a swift blow towards Wrock.
[Intense Speed]!
Kicking the back of Grimwald the sound of a thunderclap was heard. Grimwald was sent crashing into the wall, dust arising.
[Thunderclap Cannon]!
"I never believed that the distance between Stage… Stars was that large. With a some effort any gap can be crossed.", Wrock joked.
The rubble shifted and Grimwald stood up, "The gap is not something you can cross with some mere powerup."
"I beg to differ."
Tilting to the side Wrock dodged a surprise attack. Yet before he could launch a counter, Grimwald kneed his stomach.
Wrock resisted the urge to vomit as he was sent crashing into the ceiling. The blow was severe, Wrock hadn't actually ever felt a blow that powerful in the game before. It seemed to set his thoughts straight, on just how serious his opponent was. Even the mission he had convinced the party to join hadn't hit him this hard.
Grimwald slowly placed his leg back onto the ground, "I thought I would entertain your little fiasco, considering it was the last time you would be able to put up a fight like that. However your words annoyed me, therefor I shall end playtime."
"Let me guess… it's naptime now?"
Wrock stood on his two feet, his breathing taking a strange pattern. Mana swirled around him and a flickering silhouette of a blue Phoenix floated behind him.
Raising his hands Wrock made one final quip, "Sorry, but I like to maintain a strict sleeping schedule."
~~~
Akiol could hear explosive sounds coming from a certain part of the castle. Changing direction he headed towards the source of the sounds.
Guards rushed from every side, "Kill him!"
Ranged projectiles of various kinds were fired, despite them being indoors. Akiol watched them calmly, as time seemed to slow in his eyes only.
The trajectory, speed, and size of each projectile became as clear as glass. Within just a few moments he was able to deduce each path for every projectile, and the safest route to escape it all.
Akiol adjusted himself slightly and jumped diagonally, as he flew through the air his body rotated through the projectiles. Once reaching a wall he place his feet onto it and leaped into a different direction. He soared above the soldiers before landing onto the ground with a roll. Certainly not going to wait for a response, he ran forward. Leaving several afterimages behind.
The guards were momentarily dumbfounded, "Did this guy…"
A captain shouted, "You buffoons! Get moving!"
Snapping out of their daze they moved to capture the intruder, but as they turned they couldn't even see a lingering afterimage. They had lost the intruder.
"Scour the castle! Find that intruder!"
Akiol ran through several halls, they all seemed the same. Following a pattern of some sort, but that always seemed to be the case of large buildings.
Turning a corner he came across a strange individual, their face was covered from the shadow of their hat. They seemed unperturbed by everything occurring, not even sparing Akiol a glance.
An interesting character, however Akiol did not have the time to chat with them. Deducing after a split second that they were not a threat he continued down the halls.
Hearing sounds of combat Akiol activated Stars' Berserk Skill. Rapidly changing the catalyst for his Aura to the Skill he entered the fight.
Grimwald stepped back after noticing an additional enemy, "You're new…"
Akiol slid next to Wrock, "You holding up just fine?"
Wrock took a breath, "Yeah, glad you're here though. Was not positive in holding on any longer."
"Let's do this then."
Grimwald narrowed his eyes, "So you're with him, no matter. You're an expendable, I can kill you just fine."
Leaning far to the side Akiol dodged a kick from Grimwald. Wrock responded quickly and punched the enemy's gut.
Grimwald grit his teeth and punched towards Wrock. This too was dodged and Akiol instead attacked. Leaving a gash on Grimwalds leg.
The two pushed on, rapidly attacking in sync. Grimwald found himself unable to respond, and was being pushed back, 'This teamwork is flawless! I can't believe these mere First Stars are actually pressuring me!'
Akiol jumped a little above Grimwald with a roll, as he spun he swung his sword to create a gash across Grimwald's shoulder.
Landing behind him, Akiol aimed a stab towards his heart. Meanwhile Wrock threw a powerful punch towards his face.
Grimwald leaned back, using his elbow to attack Akiol behind him, and kicking towards Wrock.
This… was something they predicted.
Akiol suddenly jumped again, curling his legs inward. Wrock crouched down, also curling his legs. Using his arm for balance Wrock kicked with both his legs towards Grimwald's one leg on the ground. Akiol followed in sync with his own drop kick towards Grimwald's head.
With a surprising amount of strength Grimwald used his leg to barrel roll midair. Both Akiol and Wrock's kicks missed as Grimwald turned his body parallel to theirs.
Grimwald beat them to the recovery, slamming his foot down he landed onto Wrock. Pushing him into the ground as he grabbed Akiol's legs. As he moved to throw Akiol he found the two suddenly vanished.
They both had teleported behind him, a miniature black hole formed at the tip of Stars, and Wrock tossed forward a punch.
Skill Link!
[Repulse]
+
[Mastered Basic Punch]
Synced Skill-!
[[Mastered Punch of Repulsion]]!
A powerful force slammed into the back of Grimwald and he was sent crashing through several walls. Quickly standing back onto his feet he couldn't help but think.
'This wasn't in the info!'
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
UnableToOpenDoor
UnableToOpenDoor Double release tomorrow, chance for three.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
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