The park was shrouded in an eerie silence as Hoshizora and the Border agents faced each other, each with their own questions, motives, and the weight of responsibility pressing upon them. In the aftermath of the standoff, the city held its collective breath, unaware of the pivotal moment that had just unfolded.
Hoshizora maintained his guarded stance. Instead of launching an attack, he chose to wait, using his Side Effect to focus on the priority targets among the Border agents. His eyes scanned the group, searching for clues in their Trion signatures. As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows over the park, Hoshizora's eyes remained locked onto the Border agents. The priority targets now emerged: Yuma, Tanaka, and Osamu.
As he assessed Yuma, his thoughts echoed within his mind. "A Neighbor, like me," he mused. "But unlike any Neighbor I've encountered before. His Side Effect... How much does he know?"
Next was the leader of the group of agents, Tanaka. "The key to their intentions lies behind Border HQ orders" He thought. "If we can establish some understanding, perhaps this standoff can be resolved without a battle."
Finally, his attention turned to Osamu. "The strategist," he acknowledged. "His Trion signature is low, but it carries an air of calculation and resourcefulness. What role does he play in all of this?" Having assessed the situation and realizing the potential threats posed by the Border agents, decided to escalate the standoff. He couldn't afford to be captured or reveal too much about himself, but he also understood that a direct confrontation was more likely.
Hoshizora broke the tense silence, his voice calm but firm. "I understand your suspicions, but I assure you, I pose no threat to Mikado City or its residents. My intentions are solely to uncover the truth behind recent events."
Agent Tanaka regarded him with a skeptical expression. "Your words ring hollow, Brimstone Shogun. We have reason to believe otherwise." Hoshizora met Tanaka's gaze evenly. "I seek answers just as you do, wondering why Neighbors invade your world more often."
Yuma interjected, his voice tinged with caution. "Cooperation requires transparency, Hoshizora. If you expect us to trust you, you must be willing to share information." Hoshizora nodded in agreement. "I understand. But certain matters are best kept confidential for now. Trust is earned, not freely given."
Osamu stepped forward, his expression thoughtful. "Perhaps there's a middle ground here. Hoshizora, if you're truly seeking answers, why not work with us? We can share information and resources, pooling our efforts to uncover the truth." Hoshizora considered Osamu's proposal, weighing the risks and benefits. "It's a possibility," he conceded. "But I cannot fully commit until I know more about your organization's intentions."
As Osamu proposed the idea of cooperation, Agent Tanaka's earpiece crackled to life with orders from Border HQ. His expression hardened as he listened intently, then turned to Hoshizora with a determined glare.
"Brimstone Shogun, Hoshizora Kurenai," Tanaka declared, his voice commanding. "Our orders are clear. We are to take you into custody immediately, you have attacked an agent and stolen their trigger. Such actions are warranted by death, but since you are a Neighbor with information, your sentences will be reduced if you cooperate."
Osamu interjected, his voice urgent. "Wait, Tanaka! We don't have all the information yet. We need to tread carefully" Before Osamu could finish his plea, Tanaka moved with swift decisiveness. With a determined shout, he lunged forward, his Kogetsu drawn and poised for attack.
Hoshizora's instincts kicked in as he swiftly re-ignited his Kogetsu, its eerie red glow illuminating the park once more. With practiced precision, he intercepted Tanaka's strike, the clash of Trion blades ringing out into the night air.
The sudden eruption of violence shattered the fragile peace that had momentarily settled over the park. As Hoshizora and Tanaka engaged in a fierce duel, the other Border agents moved to surround them, their weapons at the ready.
As Hoshizora faced off against Tanaka, the other Border agents launched their own attacks, closing in on him from all sides. Their weapons shimmered in the darkness as they aimed to subdue him by force.
"We've got you surrounded, Brimstone Shogun!" one of the agents shouted, his voice filled with conviction. "You can't escape us now!" Hoshizora deftly dodged and parried their strikes, his movements fluid and precise despite the onslaught. "You'll have to do better than that!" he retorted, his voice a mix of defiance and determination.
Osamu watched with a heavy heart as the confrontation escalated into violence, his earlier hopes of a peaceful resolution dashed by the chaos unfolding before him. With a resigned shake of his head, he knew there was no turning back now.
"Listen up," he called out to his fellow agents, his voice cutting through the chaos of battle. "We've studied his patterns, we know his weaknesses. Focus on his blind spots and exploit them!"
Drawing from the extensive battle logs and analysis Border had compiled on Hoshizora, Osamu directed his fellow agents to target specific vulnerabilities and capitalize on any openings in Hoshizora's defense.
As the agents adjusted their tactics based on Osamu's guidance, the tide of battle began to shift, their coordinated efforts gradually wearing down Hoshizora's defenses. Despite his skill, Hoshizora found himself increasingly outnumbered and outmaneuvered by the relentless assault of the Border agents. Instead of being deterred by his disadvantage he fought with a burning determination, relying on his ingenuity and sheer willpower to hold his own.
Osamu, backed off the battle and observed from a distance. He noticed a pattern in Hoshizora's fighting style that could give them a better edge in capturing him. "He's vulnerable at a distance," Osamu remarked to his fellow agents, his voice tinged with a note of urgency. "We need to keep him on the defensive and exploit that weakness."
Hoshizora, catching wind of Osamu's analysis, couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. "Is that so?" he muttered to himself, a grin spreading across his face. "Perfect. Let them come at me. I'll show them what happens when they underestimate me."
He hadn't anticipated that Osamu would identify his weakness so accurately. He knew he had to adapt to turn this disadvantage into an opportunity. In the midst of the intense battle, Hoshizora had identified an opportunity, a chink in the Border agents' defense, and he seized his opportunity. "Now's my chance," he thought, his focus razor-sharp as he leaped into action. With swift and fluid movements, he closed the distance between himself and the two agents, his Kogetsu flashing in the dim light of the park.
"Here goes nothing," Hoshizora muttered under his breath, his determination fueling each strike. With practiced precision, he targeted the agents' weak points, aiming to disable rather than inflict serious harm. As his blade met theirs, the clash of metal rang out, echoing through the tense atmosphere.
In a matter of moments, Hoshizora's training and instincts took over, guiding him through the intricate dance of combat. With each strike, he assessed his opponents' movements, searching for any opening to exploit. As he took down the first agent, a surge of adrenaline surged through him, propelling him forward with renewed vigor. "Torion Kyōkyū Kikan Hanson, Bail-Out(Trion Supply System Destroyed, Bail-Out)". In a puff of smoke, the first agent was sent back to HQ.
With a swift twist and turn, Hoshizora incapacitated the second agent, his movements fluid and decisive. As the two agents were sent back to HQ, Hoshizora stood tall, his breathing steady despite the adrenaline coursing through his veins.
"That's two down," he thought, a sense of satisfaction washing over him. But even as he celebrated his small victory, he remained acutely aware of the battle raging around him. With the Border agents regrouping and new challenges emerging, Hoshizora knew that the fight was far from over.
Osamu watched with a mixture of surprise and admiration as Hoshizora turned the tables in the midst of battle. "Impressive," he murmured, acknowledging Hoshizora's tactical prowess. "He's adapting faster than I anticipated."
The impact of his attack sent ripples of shock through the remaining Border agents. The sudden loss of their comrades disrupted their coordination and emboldened his resolve. As the dust settled and the red glow of brimstone energy dissipated, the battlefield had shifted. The Border agents, now down in number and shaken by the loss, found themselves on the defensive. He had broken their formation, creating an opportunity to change the course of the battle.
Sensing the shifting dynamics of the battlefield, Hoshizora knew that staying to fight would only lead to further escalation and potentially being overwhelmed by the remaining Border agents. With a quick assessment of the situation, he made a split-second decision.
"Time to make a strategic retreat," he thought, his mind racing with possibilities. With a swift motion, he disengaged from the melee, weaving through the chaos with calculated agility. As the Border agents scrambled to regroup, Hoshizora seized the opportunity to slip away, blending into the shadows of the surrounding park.
Osamu's eyes widened as he watched Hoshizora's retreat, a mixture of surprise and admiration crossing his features. "He's getting away," he called out, his voice tinged with urgency. Yuma, too, recognized the significance of Hoshizora's escape, his expression tense with anticipation.
As Hoshizora swiftly slipped away from the battlefield, his senses hyper-alert to any signs of pursuit, he sensed a persistent presence on his tail. Glancing over his shoulder, he caught sight of Yuma, determinedly giving chase, his form a blur as he navigated through the obstacles of the park.
Yuma's experience with battles guided him with unerring accuracy, his steps purposeful as he closed the distance between himself and Hoshizora. Despite the darkness and the chaos of their surroundings, Yuma remained focused, his determination unwavering.
"We can't let him get away," Yuma thought, his mind racing with the implications of Hoshizora's escape. With each stride, he pushed himself harder, driven by a sense of duty and a desire to apprehend the elusive figure before him.
Hoshizora's heart quickened as he felt Yuma's pursuit intensify, the sound of footsteps echoing in his ears. He knew that evading Yuma would be no easy feat, but he was determined to try. With a renewed sense of urgency, he pushed himself to move faster, his every movement calculated to stay one step ahead.
The chase led them deeper into the heart of the park, the darkness enveloping them as they darted between trees and shrubbery. With each passing moment, the gap between them narrowed, the tension mounting with each breath.
As Hoshizora weaved through the paths of the park, he knew that he couldn't keep up this pace indefinitely. His only hope was to find a way to lose Yuma in the maze of shadows and foliage that surrounded them.
Meanwhile, Yuma remained relentless in his pursuit, his focus unwavering as he kept his eyes trained on Hoshizora's fleeting form. With each twist and turn of the park's winding pathways, he closed the distance, his determination driving him ever onward.
The chase reached a fever pitch as Hoshizora darted around a corner, his breath coming in ragged gasps as he fought to maintain his lead. With Yuma hot on his heels, he knew that he was running out of options.
Suddenly, Hoshizora spotted a narrow alleyway branching off from the main path, hidden in the shadows of the surrounding trees. Without hesitation, he veered off course, ducking into the darkness in a desperate bid to shake off his pursuer.
With a quick glance around to ensure he wasn't being followed too closely, Hoshizora's eyes fell upon a small stone lying on the ground nearby. Without a moment's hesitation, he snatched it up and swiftly wrapped it in his cloak, creating a makeshift decoy.
Yuma, hot on his heels, saw the movement and immediately tensed, anticipating a trap. As Hoshizora hurled the cloaked stone into the shadows, Yuma reacted instinctively, darting after the phantom figure without pausing to consider the possibility of deception.
Hoshizora watched from his hiding spot as Yuma took the bait, disappearing into the darkness in pursuit of the decoy. With a sense of relief washing over him, he seized the opportunity to slip away, his footsteps silent as he melted into the shadows, leaving Yuma none the wiser.
As he fled deeper into the labyrinthine maze of the park, Hoshizora knew that he had bought himself precious moments of respite. With Yuma momentarily diverted, he had a chance to regroup and plan his next move, determined to stay one step ahead of his relentless pursuer.
Osamu caught up to Yuma, his eyes scanning the dimly lit area, searching for any sign of their elusive quarry. "Did you get him?" he asked, his voice tense with anticipation. Yuma emerged from the shadows, his expression grim. "No," he admitted, frustration evident in his voice. "He tricked me with a decoy. I lost him."
Osamu's jaw tightened with disappointment, but he quickly composed himself. "It's alright, Yuma," he reassured, placing a hand on his colleague's shoulder. "You did your best. Let's regroup and head back to the park." Yuma nodded, accepting Osamu's words with a nod of gratitude. "Understood," he replied, his determination undiminished.
As they turned to leave, Osamu's earpiece crackled to life, signaling an incoming transmission from Border HQ. He listened intently as the orders came through, his brow furrowing with concern.
"Yuma, we have new orders from Border HQ," he announced, his voice serious. "They want us to fall back and return to HQ for a full review of the battle." Yuma nodded in acknowledgment, understanding the gravity of the situation. "Understood," he replied, his voice steady. "Let's head back and report in. We need to make sure they have all the information they need."
As they walked, Osamu couldn't shake the feeling of missed opportunity regarding Hoshizora. "You know," he began, his voice thoughtful, "despite the circumstances, Hoshizora could be a valuable asset to Border." Yuma glanced at Osamu, his curiosity piqued. "How so?" he asked, prompting Osamu to elaborate.
"Well," Osamu explained, "he's clearly skilled in combat, and him getting to gates before our system goes off could provide us with valuable insights. Plus, he seems to have his own agenda that aligns with keeping the city safe." Yuma nodded in understanding, considering Osamu's words. "You might be right," he conceded. "But capturing him won't be easy, especially if he's determined to stay hidden. I just hope we can find common ground with him," he admitted, his expression thoughtful. "If Hoshizora is willing to work with us, we could achieve a lot together."
Osamu sighed, acknowledging the challenge ahead. "True," he agreed, "but it's worth pursuing. With his abilities and knowledge, Hoshizora could make a significant difference in our efforts to protect the city. But we would have a big challenge ahead. Convincing Border to take in another Neighbor as an agent won't be easy."
Yuma nodded, understanding the complexities involved. "I know it's not a simple matter," he continued, "but if we can show Border that he is committed to protecting this world, just as we are, maybe they'll reconsider." Osamu nodded his head in agreement, "we need to present a compelling case for bringing him into Border," Osamu said, his tone determined. "It won't be easy, but it's worth the effort."
"Agreed," Yuma replied, his voice reflecting their shared resolve. "We'll need to gather as much information as we can about Hoshizora and his intentions. The more we know, the stronger our case will be." As they entered Border HQ, Osamu and Yuma quickly regrouped with the other agents who had been involved in the encounter at the park. With a sense of urgency, they made their way to a secluded area within the headquarters, where they could communicate privately with the directors.
Once they were in the secure location, Osamu activated the communication device and established a connection with the directors. The holographic images of the directors materialized before them, their expressions stern and focused as they awaited the agents' report.
"Agents," Commander in Chief Kido's voice echoed through the room, his tone commanding attention. "Report on the recent encounter at the park. What transpired?" Osamu stepped forward, his voice steady as he began to recount the events that had unfolded. He detailed Hoshizora's presence, the suspicions surrounding his identity as the Brimstone Shogun, and the subsequent confrontation with the Border agents.
Yuma supplemented Osamu's account with additional insights, providing context and analysis of the situation. Together, they painted a comprehensive picture of the events that had transpired and the challenges they had faced.
"I must say, the appearance of this 'Brimstone Shogun' has taken us by surprise," Commander in Chief Kido stated firmly. "His capabilities are formidable, and his motivations remain unclear. He somehow has our technology, which means he had to have killed one of our own. We cannot afford to be complacent when it comes to Neighbors killing our own."