Elemental Zodiack

Chapter 17: Percival Dalais

  In the small gap between the Zodiack council and the mission regarding the attack on the Black Cross cult, Yoso chose to hone his fighting abilities under the mentorship of Shiro. If Yoso would attain some of Shiro's techniques, he could become a yet more meaningful presence on the battlefield, so he wanted to train with Shiro in this small gap of time.

 "I understand that you wanted to train with Shiro, Yoso... But why should I be present here?" asks Kein that was also present at the training.

"You never know when you can grasp something new after just seeing it. Maybe you can learn some new techniques with us!" says Yoso

"That's partly true... But you got him here because I told you to bring him..." thinks Shiro while smiling and waving to Kein

"I hope that you can do some Life force training and exercise a bit 'Life Force Channeling', Kein," says Shiro

"I see... I can already see that it was actually your idea to get me there... I told you that I am not a support. I have no intention of changing my style now..." says Kein

"That might be for now, but you might learn something new while looking at our training!" says Shiro

"We'll see..." and like this, Kein went to a corner of the training room and started doing some Life Force training.

"I am sorry that you have to put up with him every day, Yoso..."

"I don't see any problem. I wouldn't even have realized that Kein was a support type when I saw how talented he is at actual fighting..." says Yoso with a troubled expression

"Don't let your guard down against supports... No one said that you can't fight as one, and I hope that Keiny will realize this soon..." says Shiro while creating yet another ice spear

"Here I come, Yoso!:

"Bring it on!"

 And like this, the lively Zodiacks continued their training until late at night, without slowing down their pace... Until the big day has come...

 Looking towards the dead parts of the Kingdom of Dinsfurd... At the very edge of the Kingdom where life succumbed to death, on the top of a hill were eleven commanders in front of their squads.

 Out of the eleven commanders step up in front of them and starts looking at the small army composed of roughly 70 people, then with a loud call he starts speaking to them:

"This is the day we've agreed on, to end the tyranny of the Black Cross cult that had enslaved and kill most of our people in the past years. Remember that by doing this, we are directly opposed to the big Kingdom of Authorania! If you want to leave, being scared of the circumstances, this is the best time you can... But if you want to give a hand to the very kingdom we've all grew in, raise your catalysts and follow my orders!" loudly says Shiro, facing the strongest soldiers of Dinsfurd, that were already determined to fight for the sake of their home.

 Raising their weapons in the air, all the soldiers let out a war shout at once, marking the start of a small-scale war, that had to change the fate of many...

 After a few minutes, at the big tents placed on the top of the hill, nearby the base of the Black Cross, were standing Shiro with Yoso and his newly formed third division, as well as Kein and his right hands from the twelve division. Yoso gathered a few members for his third division, just a day before the fight, his division consisting of Laure: The Stone General of the Army that had moved to the Zodiacks Squadrons, as well as Saki Kurata. From Kein's side, was Shizuo and Shouko from Division Twelve.

"Firstly, we will send our main force to attack their base through the front door... This will bring them out. After making felt our presence, we will give a retreat signal, making their forces follow ours in the open land. This might be risky if they have some fast fighters, so we might even lose people regarding how the opponents will act..." explains Kein while looking at a map inside the tent.

"I see... Well, we can't help it. We have to put our faith in our soldiers since they are some of the strongest from each division," says Laure that looks like he is agreeing with Kein's plan.

"Next, after we've dragged some of their forces out, we'll start with the main plan to exterminate the Black Cross cult... We'll have Yoso use 'Blast Burn' on their base with his own power, and then, we'll have him use 'Blast Burn: Blue', just after using 'Life Force Channeling' on him. I'll start gathering the life force from the upper Zodiacks at the time our main forces start their attack," explains Kein

"I see... You first want to destroy their base since you suspect that someone else, such as their leader or even some acquaintance from Authorania might be there..."

"Yes, after all, if we do it when everyone is there, they might have someone on the battlefield with skills that can withstand fire to some extent, using them to even defend the entire place..." says Kein

"Now that I think of it, my blast burns worked on mister Geoff only after weakening him with vapours, so they might have someone to oppose it with earth or even water magic..."

"Or ice magic like mine..." mutters Shiro

"So you wanted to drag their forces out to possibly avoid the chance that the fire against their base won't be stopped... Good plan, Keiny!" says Shiro

"When will we put this plan into practice?" asks Shouko

"As soon as possible... We don't want the enemy to realize that there is something off," says Kein

"I understand, then I'll give the signal to the troops, and explain them the plan!"

"Thank you Shizuo," says Kein

"But what if there are individuals that can withstand my 'Blast Burn'?" asks Yoso

"We'll have the Zodiacks on standby here, and even you are here. There can't possibly be many people that can actually defend against that skill..." says Laure

"I see, well it might be true..."

 After a few minutes of discussions, inside the tent comes Shizuo, signalling the start of the operation.

"It started..." mutters Shiro

 Looking from the top of the hill, were all the Zodiacks, along with Laure, Saki, Shouko and Shizuo, waiting to use Life Force Channeling for the second phase of the plan.

Following with the plan, after successfully getting most of the enemy forces out of the base, Shiro gave them the signal to retreat, the army getting followed into the open space.

"Go for it, Yoso!"

"Fire Style: Blast Burn!" and so, Yoso attacked their base while the Black Cross members could only watch it burn to ashes.

"Quick! Let's not give them any opening!"

"Life Force Channeling!" and by casting this skill, Kein took half of the life force of all the present people, and sent it to Yoso, making him able to make the best use out of his skill.

"Blast Burn: Blue - Full Power!"

 Everyone in the enemy army was burning in the blue flames of the third Zodiack, leaving behind them only a few people scattered around the place. The ones that actually survived proved to be earth users or water users, but the damage on them was enough to put them at the risk of collapsing any second now.

 No matter how you'd look at this scenery, the results were obvious... This seemed like it was an utter defeat for the Black Cross cult... Or it looked like it was until one unexpected presence came right onto the hill, bringing with him an incredible pressure.

"Good grief... It seems like those small fries couldn't withstand some heat... You've grown a lot, Shiro!" 

 Shiro could only look disgusted at the man that was flying above them together with his underlings... The face of the man that he once idolized... With an angered expression that hardly even seemed to be his, he quietly muttered:

"Percival..."