(Author's note: Sorry, I forgot to add this information in the previous chapter, so I'll add it now. The Zydonians' Realm is a 6D dimension, typically a higher plane of existence. It transcends the conventional four dimensions of spacetime (three spatial dimensions plus time), offering characters who can access it superior perception, power, and control over reality. The Zydonians' Realm is also infinite in size, meaning it has no limits.)
The corrupted metal of D16 groaned and buckled under the relentless assault. Brian moved with impossible speed, a blur of motion that D16 couldn't track. Each strike was perfectly placed, targeting weak points in the corrupted armour.
"N-no... what's happening to me?!" Absalom stammered, his voice laced with fear and confusion. "I... I can feel the corruption fading!"
Brian smirked, his eyes burning with a fierce intensity. "That's what happens when you rely on cheap tricks," he taunted. "The Nexus Core's corruption is powerful, yes, but it's also a crutch. You've become so dependent on it that you've forgotten how to fight on your own."
D16 roared again, a mixture of pain and rage. The black goo pulsed violently, and the corrupted Energon Sword glowed with an even more intense light. He swung the massive blade with all his might, but Brian simply sidestepped the attack, the wind from the blade barely ruffling his hair.
With a swift movement, Brian leapt onto D16's arm, running along the corrupted metal. He reached the shoulder and launched himself into the air, spinning toward D16's head.
"Time to end this little charade," Brian said, his voice cold. He channelled his energy into his fist, a blinding light engulfing his hand. He struck D16's head with all his might, the force of the blow sending shockwaves rippling through the air.
The corrupted metal shattered, and D16's head went flying, the black goo sputtering and dissipating. The rest of the body slumped to the ground, the corrupted Energon Sword clattering beside it. The remaining Zydonian undead halted their advance, their corrupted eyes dimming.
Absalom roared in defiance, but his movements were slow and clumsy. He swung his massive claws, but Brian effortlessly dodged them, his movements fluid and graceful. The black goo continued to recede, revealing more and more of Absalom's original metallic frame.
"I... I will not be defeated!" Absalom cried out, his voice filled with desperation. "I am the protector of Zydon! I will not let you destroy my home!"
Brian smirked, chuckling mockingly. "Oh, I don't want you to surrender. I want you to fight to the death so I can kill you."
Absalom roared in defiance and anger. With a final surge of corrupted energy, Absalom unleashed a desperate attack, his claws glowing with a malevolent red light. Brian, however, simply stood his ground, his eyes fixed on his opponent.
"It's over, Absalom," Brian said, his voice calm and resolute. "Your struggle is futile. You've lost, and you know it," he said in a mocking tone, folding his arms.
With a swift motion, Brian unleashed his final attack, a technique that combined speed, precision, and raw power.
"NINJA ART: FIRE EXPLOSION RAGING FIST!" Brian roared, his voice echoing through the battlefield. His hands moved with the fluidity of fire as he dashed forward with killer intent and blinding speed, his fist a blur of motion. He struck Absalom with incredible force, targeting the core of his corrupted form. FIRE EXPLOSION RAGING FIST is not only for defence but also offence. It's a technique that can parry every attack and attack.
Brian's hands moved at blinding speed as he assaulted Absalom with a barrage of powerful blows to every part of his body. His flaming hands were a blur, each attack brutal and vicious, sending Absalom's goo and metallic parts flying. The effect was immediate and devastating. The black goo erupted in a burst of dark energy, dissipating into nothingness.
The corrupted metal of Absalom's body crumbled and shattered, revealing the original, uncorrupted metal beneath. The monstrous form shrunk, the jagged protrusions retracting, the grotesque claws shortening. The eerie red light in his eyes flickered and died, replaced by a dim, blue glow.
With a final, agonizing groan, Absalom was about to fall to the ground, his body twitching weakly. The black goo had vanished completely, leaving behind only a broken, metallic husk. But Brian didn't stop; he wasn't there to free D16 from the Nexus Core's corruption. He was there to kill D16 and destroy the entire realm. He didn't care if D16 could be saved; he was there to finish him off without mercy.
Brian dashed at D16's almost fallen body and delivered a barrage of powerful attacks. He delivered a lightning-fast, powerful right jab to D16's face, followed by a lightning-fast, powerful left hook, also to D16's face. Then Brian delivered another lightning-fast, powerful right uppercut to D16's stomach, followed by a lightning-fast, powerful left knee to his face. Then Brian spun and delivered a lightning-fast, powerful right elbow to D16's face.
D16's body convulsed with each strike, the uncorrupted metal groaning under the force of Brian's relentless assault. Sparks flew, and pieces of armour chipped away, revealing the intricate circuitry beneath. Brian's face was a mask of cold determination, his eyes burning with fierce intensity as he continued his brutal barrage.
Brian wasn't fighting a corrupted monster anymore; he was dismantling a machine, piece by piece. A machine that had once been a protector now lay broken and defenceless. But Brian felt no pity, no remorse. His mission was clear: eliminate the threat, no matter the cost.
Then Brian delivered a powerful right jab towards D16's chest, sending him flying. Brian didn't stop. He put his index and middle finger to his forehead and performed his teleportation technique called Chrono Shift, then teleported in front of D16 and delivered a brutal Double Axe Handle "Ruuuraaahhh!!!" Brian roared, cupping his hands together and reeling back, then slamming his fists on D16's chest, sending him hurtling into the air to smash him into the ground, inflicting further damage. "Uaawwwaaa!!!" D16 roared from the impact, crashing to the ground and creating a crater.
(This teleportation technique is called "Chrono Shift." Like Dimensional Travel, Chrono Shift is a space-time ability developed by the Hunter Blades Shinobi. The user can teleport to any location they can visualize or by simply looking at it. It can also swap places with objects and people; the user needs to visualize the target or look at the target to swap positions, like Dimensional Travel. Brian had learned this technique at the academy. This teleportation ability is the Hunter Blades Shinobi's teleportation version of the Forsaken Monks' Dimensional Travel. (Like Dimensional Travel, this teleportation ability is inspired by Son Goku's Instant Transmission and Sasuke Uchiha's Amenotejikara.)
Dust and debris rained down as D16 lay embedded in the crater, his body a mangled mess of twisted metal and sparking wires. The blue glow in his eyes flickered erratically, struggling to maintain itself against the overwhelming damage. He was barely functioning, clinging to what little life remained.
Brian, seeing this, didn't stop his attacks. He descended with immense speed and delivered a double knee drop onto D16's fallen body, not yet done demolishing him. As his double knee drop landed on the ground where D16's body lay, it created a cloud of smoke. As the smoke lessened, Brian was kneeling on D16, pressing his right knee hard into D16's stomach and continuing to beat the shit out of him. He didn't stop, punching D16's face left and right with both hands, his hands stained with D16's black and brown ink and D16's blood. Brian's eyes were pure hatred and anger.
Sana slowly lowered the barrier she created, finally revealing what had happened outside. The fauna also stopped trying to find the corruption, as D16 was already dead. Brian then kneeled over D16's body and delivered a powerful left punch to his right cheek, followed by another powerful right punch to D16's left cheek. He continued to throw brutal punches at D16's face relentlessly.
The Council was terrified by Brian's ruthlessness, seeing him beat D16's already dead body, as if he had taken something from him. All of them had different reactions to Brian's brutality. But Brian remained deaf to their pleas, his rage a roaring inferno that consumed his senses. Each punch, each strike, was a testament to the years of pent-up anger, the countless battles fought, the sacrifices made. He was a weapon, honed by the Hunters Blades Shinobi, and now that he had found his target, he couldn't stop. Not yet. His entire body was now covered in D16's blood, yet he still didn't stop beating the shit out of him.
Brian's fists continued their relentless assault, a brutal rhythm of fury against metal. D16's form, once imposing and powerful, was now a mangled wreck beneath him. The blue glow in his eyes had long since faded, leaving only the dull gleam of broken machinery. Yet, Brian couldn't stop. Each blow was a release, a channelling of the darkness that had clawed at him for so long.
The Council gasped in shock at Brian's brutality, and Sana decided to stop Brian's ruthlessness. "Brian, please stop..." she begged, but Brian didn't listen as he continued to beat the shit out of D16.
Mumei also added her voice, pleading with Brian to stop. "Brian! That's enough! He's gone! You're not a monster!" she said, while Brian ignored her completely and continued.
Kronii's expression hardened. "Oh no, I don't think he plans to stop anytime soon... we better stop him from what he's doing now."
Hakos, being a chaos incarnate herself, was terrified by Brian's brutality. Her voice trembling, she pleaded again, "Brian, please... that's enough! You're going to destroy what's left of him!"
Brian's response was a guttural snarl, a sound devoid of humanity. His fists continued their relentless descent, each impact echoing with sickening finality. The once-formidable D16 was now unrecognizable, a mangled heap of twisted metal and shattered circuits.
Kronii, her face set in a grim line, stepped forward. "Okay, that's it," she stated, her voice brooking no argument. "He's not listening to us. We need to physically restrain him."
Sana nodded in agreement. "I'll use my gravitational powers to make him stop," she said, raising her arms and creating two gravitational rings. But before Sana could use her powers,
Fauna ran towards Brian and gently held his left arm, making it touch her breast before Brian could throw another punch. Brian immediately stopped and looked at Fauna with a murderous expression, speaking in a threatening tone.
"Let me go, Mother Nature!" he roared, his voice filled with a primal fury. "I'm not finished dismantling this motherfucker!"
Fauna, tears streaming down her face, approached him cautiously. "Brian, it's over," she said softly, her voice laced with pain. "He's gone. You have to stop."
Mumei, her eyes wide with concern, added, "You're scaring us, Brian. This isn't you. Please, come back to us." While Sana, Kronii, and Baelz watched.
Brian, still enraged, instantly removed his arm from Fauna's chest and stood up, but before he left, he pointed his right hand at D16's dead body and blasted him with a chakra blast, completely disintegrating his whole body, making the girls gasp in shock.
The air crackled with the residue of Brian's chakra blast, the lingering scent of ozone mixing with the coppery tang of blood. A fine dust, all that remained of D16, swirled in the slight breeze. The Council members stood frozen, a mixture of fear and disbelief etched on their faces.
Sana's gravitational rings dissipated, the threat neutralized, but the tension in the air remained thick and suffocating. Kronii lowered her head, running a hand through her hair in exasperation. Hakos was trembling, her usually vibrant eyes wide with a fear that mirrored the chaos she embodied. Brian looked at the crater where D16's body had been disintegrated, his anger still evident on his face.
Brian spun around, his eyes, still blazing with furious intensity, locked onto the Council. They flinched, a collective intake of breath echoing in the suddenly silent chamber. He radiated a raw, untamed energy that made them instinctively recoil, even the normally unflappable Kronii.
"Don't," Brian growled, his voice a low, dangerous rumble. "Don't any of you... ever... try to stop me again when I'm dealing with scum like that. You understand?"
His gaze swept over them, lingering on each face. Sana, her energy fractured by a visible tremor. Mumei, her wide eyes reflecting a deep, unsettling fear. Hakos, her chaotic energy momentarily suppressed by a palpable terror. Even Kronii, the Warden of Time, seemed to hold her breath under the weight of his furious stare.
"He was corrupted," Sana managed to say, her voice barely a whisper. "We understand that he was a threat, Brian, but... that was too much. You went too far."
Brian scoffed, a harsh, bitter sound. "Too far? He was a walking plague, a puppet of that Nexus Core filth. He would have spread that corruption, turned this entire realm into a festering wound. I did what needed to be done."
"But... the way you did it..." Mumei stammered, her voice trembling. "It was like... you enjoyed it."
Brian grinned devilishly, making the Council see his grin. "Maybe I did," he admitted, his voice barely audible. "Maybe a part of me did enjoy dismantling him pieces by pieces. After everything I've seen, everything I've gone through, squashing a bag like that feels satisfying..." He said, with no remorse in his voice.
He turned back to them, his eyes still filled with anger and hatred, and spoke coldly. "Stay out of my way." he said, his voice flat and devoid of emotion. "I have a job to do. And I'm going to finish it, no matter what it takes." His expression turned serious. Even, if I have to commit a mass genocide to the entire universe... He said towards the Council making them feelings unease.
"Let's finish this mission when I'm not completely mad..." Brian said to the Council. Brian turned his hand and said, "I will destroy this entire realm now, so I want you all to come close to me so you thay all of you will not be killed while I blow up this entire corrupted realm..." he said to them.
The Council members exchanged uneasy glances, a silent conversation passing between them. The request was alarming, but the palpable danger radiating from Brian left them little room for argument.
Kronii, ever the pragmatist, spoke first. "He's serious. We need to trust him, for now." She took a step forward, her gaze unwavering as she met Brian's intense stare. "We'll stay close, but you need to promise you won't lose control again."
Brian didn't respond verbally, but the slightest of nods indicated his agreement. He turned his back to them, focusing his energy, and the air around him crackled with power. The ground trembled beneath their feet, and the sky above swirled with an ominous darkness.
Sana, despite her lingering fear, understood the gravity of the situation. The destruction of the realm was the only way to ensure the corruption didn't spread further. She stepped closer to Brian, followed hesitantly by Mumei and Hakos.
As they gathered near him, Brian pointed both arms in opposite directions. His right hand pointed to his right side and his left hand pointed to his left side, and he created a yellow barrier that covered all of them, including Brian. The girls looked around at the barrier, surprised. Then, Brian instantly punched the ground with his right hand, the energy around him intensified. The ground rumbled as cracks formed, a power that seemed to shake the very foundations of the realm.
The yellow barrier shimmered, a fragile haven against the impending cataclysm. Inside, the Council members braced themselves, their expressions a mixture of fear and grim determination, while Brian stood within the barrier, in front of the Council. His eyes were closed, his arms folded, his expression serious. The air outside grew thick with energy, pressing against them like a physical weight, as the entire realm exploded into nothingness. The impact hit the barrier, causing it to shake slightly, and smoke enveloped the entire structure.
The Council held their breath, each lost in their own thoughts as they faced oblivion. Tsukumo Sana, the Keeper Of Space, felt the very fabric of reality around them unravelling. Nanashi Mumei, the Guardian Of Civilization, feared that they would all be lost forever, their existence erased from the annals of time. Hakos Baelz, the Harbinger Of Chaos, found herself strangely subdued, the magnitude of the destruction sobering even her. Ouro Kronii, the Warden of Time, focused her will on maintaining the integrity of the barrier, knowing that if it failed, they would be consumed by the void.
Ceres Fauna, the Keeper of Nature, and also the Avatar of Mother Nature, prayed that the barrier would not break and kill them, her expression worried and concerned. And Brian Bautista, the Destroyer of Worlds, stood within the barrier in front of the Council. His arms folded, his expression serious, he wielded this entire barrier, and he was strong enough to keep the barrier from breaking. His eyes were closed, his face serene, yet the power emanating from him was anything but peaceful. It was a force of pure destruction, harnessed and focused.
Minutes stretched into an eternity as the barrier withstood the onslaught. The shaking intensified, the yellow light flickering as the energy outside threatened to overwhelm it. The smoke thickened, obscuring their vision, and the air grew heavy with the scent of ozone and burnt metal.
Then, as suddenly as it had begun, the shaking stopped. The energy dissipated, the smoke cleared, and a profound silence descended upon them. The Council members slowly opened their eyes, their gazes sweeping over their surroundings.
The realm was gone, and in its place was nothing but an endless expanse of white, a void where light and sound ceased to exist. The only thing that remained was the yellow barrier, a small pocket of reality amidst the all-consuming nothingness. Brian snapped his fingers, making the yellow barrier disappear, leaving the six of them to float in the white void, as the Council looked around.
Sana gasped, her voice filled with awe and fear. "What... what is this? It's like an endless white void?" She looked around at her surroundings.
Kronii, also looking around, spoke. "It's an endless white void of nothingness... where space and time don't exist anymore..." Her expression turned serious.
A chill, despite the absence of temperature, ran down Sana's spine. The sheer emptiness of the void was unnerving, a blank canvas that threatened to swallow them whole. "How... how is this possible?"
Brian finally opened his eyes, the furious intensity that had burned within them now replaced by a cold, detached indifference. He surveyed the void with a clinical gaze, as if analyzing a specimen under a microscope. "This is what happens when you erase something completely. You're left with the base reality, the nothingness from which everything originated."
Mumei, her V-shaped owl feathers twitching, looked around in a panic. "But... where do we go from here? Is this... is this the end?"
Brian shrugged, a gesture that spoke volumes about his lack of concern. "Our mission here is done. We will go back to The Realm of The Gods (The Collective Unconsciousness) and report the success of our mission to Omega Alpha, that we destroyed the Zydonian Realm and its Nexus Core corruption." He said this with a serious expression, folding his arms, as he and the five girls floated in the endless white void.
Kronii frowned, her brow furrowed in thought. "Wait, just like that? We simply return? What about all the lives lost? What about the potential consequences of this... obliteration?"
Brian's gaze flickered toward her, a spark of anger and annoyance momentarily piercing his detached facade. "And what? You're going to find a way to bring everyone back and worry about the consequences?" He said coldly towards Kronii. "There would have been far greater consequences had we allowed the corruption to spread. As for the lives lost... they were already lost the moment the Nexus Core took hold. At least this way, the suffering is over."
Hakos, always one to stir the pot, chimed in with a nervous giggle. "Well, this is certainly a chaotic way to end things, isn't it? I mean, we literally erased a whole reality! That's gotta be worth some chaos points, right?"
Sana shot her a look of disapproval. "Hakos, this isn't a game. This is real life... or rather, what's left of it."
Fauna, ever the gentle soul, spoke softly, her voice tinged with sadness. "I understand that it was necessary, Brian, but... was there truly no other way? Could we not have found a way to heal the corruption, to restore balance?"
Brian's jaw tightened, his expression hardening once more. "Strength is the only thing that matters in this world; anything else is nothing but a delusion for the weak-minded..." He said towards the girls. "Power dominates all. The strong survive, and the weak die. This is what happened to this realm, and the Zydonians. They let corruption control them, and instead of finding a way to be freed, they embraced the corruption. If they were strong, they would have prevented the destruction of their realm, but no. They were weak, and reality slapped them away like insects..." He said, his expression unchanged, his voice cold and brutal.
A heavy silence descended upon the group, broken only by the faint, almost imperceptible hum of their own existence in the void. Brian's words hung in the air, stark and unforgiving. The Council members were shaken, not just by the obliteration of the realm, but by Brian's chilling detachment, his ruthless pragmatism that seemed to disregard the value of life itself.
Mumei, her voice barely above a whisper, asked, "But... isn't there always hope? Isn't civilization about striving for something better, even in the face of overwhelming darkness?"
Brian scoffed. "Hope is a concept that weak-minded people can't afford. It breeds complacency; it clouds judgment. Civilization is built on power, on the ability to defend ourselves from those who would exploit and destroy us. The Zydonians were too weak to defend themselves, and they paid the price."
Kronii, her eyes narrowed, stepped forward. "You talk about power, Brian, but what good is power without responsibility? Without compassion? You destroyed an entire realm, and now you act as if it's nothing more than a strategic victory. Don't you feel anything?"
Brian grinned devilishly at Kronii and spoke. "You have the audacity to say that..." He said, floating in front of her face. "Didn't you forget that you and the rest also massacred these metallic insects?" He said, his devious expression unchanged.
Kronii flew in front of Brian as she looked up to his eyes. "That's because it's our duty as council to strike order and balance to the universe... we kill because it's part of our duty as council, we didn't kill because of pleasure and entertainment. Unlike you, you might be part of the Council, but you kill not because it's your job as a council, but because you love the violence..." she said, pointing her index finger at Brian's muscular torso, her expression serious.
Brian looked down at her, his devious expression still on his face, and chuckled. "Oh really? That's noble of you to lecture me, Warden... but I don't take orders from you, nor Baelz, and not even Omega Alpha. I'm a Destroyer of Worlds; I do what I am tasked to do..." he said, looking Kronii in the eyes, his devilish grin unchanged. Kronii looked up at his face with a serious expression, as the two looked each other in the eyes, but as Kronii looked Brian in the eyes, her cheeks started to turn pink, as she began to get flustered by Brian's handsome appearance.
Kronii quickly averted her gaze, a blush creeping up her neck. "That's... that's not the point," she stammered, trying to regain her composure. "The point is, your methods are dangerous, Brian. You need to learn to control your bloodlust, or you'll become a threat to everything we stand for."
Before Kronii could retort, Baelz, being the leader of the Council, stepped between them, her hands raised in a placating gesture. "Enough, both of you; this bickering isn't getting us anywhere," she said, her voice carrying a surprising amount of authority. "We're in the middle of nowhere, and arguing isn't going to get us back to the Realm of the Gods any faster." She turned to Brian, her expression more serious. "Brian, I understand that you have your own way of doing things, and we understand why Omega Alpha gave you that title, Destroyer of Worlds. But you need to understand that the Council operates as a team. We need to be able to trust each other, and that means respecting each other's boundaries, even if we don't always agree."
Brian scoffed and said, "Hmph... whatever..." He said, not caring what Hakos Baelz said, as he turned around, folding his arms, his angry expression didn't disappear. Baelz sighed at Brian's response to her, then she turned to Sana, her expression more serious. "Sana, can you create a portal for us out of here, to the Realm of the Gods?"
Sana tilted her head and spoke. "I can, but it will take a lot of time for me to create a hyperspace portal since there is no mana in this empty white void..." She said to Baelz.
Despair began to creep into the edges of the Council's hope. The endless white void pressed in on them, a suffocating reminder of their isolation.
Hakos Baelz, ever the pragmatist, clapped her hands together, breaking the mounting tension. "Alright, alright, enough moping," she announced, forcing a cheerfulness that didn't quite reach her eyes. "We're the Council! We've faced worse than a little… nothingness." She shot a pointed glance at Brian, who remained impassive, arms still folded. "We just need to think outside the box. What haven't we tried yet?"
Kronii, still bristling from her earlier exchange with Brian, spoke up, her voice clipped. "We've tried drawing on external energy and tapping into the collective unconscious. What else is there? We're stranded in a void where the fundamental laws of reality don't apply."
Sana, ever the pragmatist, spoke. "So... we're stuck here?" she asked, her voice barely audible.
Fauna spoke, disagreeing with Sana. "No, don't say that. There might be some other way to leave this void."
"But how... we did everything we could, but to no avail, Fauna," Mumei said to Fauna.
Despair again began to creep into the Council. Brian remained silent, his back turned to the group, his expression unreadable. The tension in the air was palpable, thick with frustration and uncertainty.
Suddenly, Brian spoke, his voice cutting through the silence like a knife. "There is a way," he said, his tone flat and devoid of emotion.
The Council members turned to him, their expressions a mixture of surprise and hope. "What is it?" Baelz asked, her voice cautious.
Brian finally turned to face them, his eyes narrowed, his angry expression unchanged. "I can teleport us all out of this fucking hellhole, back to the Realm of the Gods," he said in a serious expression.
The Council was surprised by what he said; they all can't use their power because this endless white void is devoid of mana, but it seemed it didn't affect Brian at all.
Baelz, still in shock, spoke. "But how? How can you use your powers when there is no mana here?" She said, her tone full of confusion.
Brian turned slightly toward them, his arms folded, his angry expression unchanged. "Simply because I don't use mana, like any of you girls do... I use chakra..." He said in a serious expression.
The word "chakra" hung in the air, a foreign concept in the ethereal realm of the Council. Confusion rippled across their faces, their understanding of the fundamental forces of the universe seemingly incomplete. The girls were surprised about Brian mentioning chakra. Then they remembered when Brian used his power earlier; they didn't sense any magical energy in him when he blew a fire tsunami that melted the Zydonian soldiers earlier, and when he was flying. It makes sense now because his power source is chakra, not mana.
Sana, ever the most inquisitive, frowned. "Chakra? What is that? We've never encountered such a power source."
Fauna, remembering Brian mentioning chakra earlier, said, "Yeah, you did mention chakra earlier..." Fauna said in a gentle tone.
Brian's serious expression didn't change, and he spoke. "That's because it's unique to the Hunter Blades Shinobi." He said, making the five girls understand him. "Chakra is a life force that every living creature has in them. Chakra, or what we call Yin Release, is the vital energy every living being possesses—humans, animals, plants. With proper training, one can harness or master their Chakra, gaining the basic ability to sense energy, fly, and shoot chakra blasts... We Hunter Blades Shinobi trained since childhood to awaken our chakras and make it flow through our bodies, the energy of our warrior spirit."
Kronii's analytical mind whirred, trying to reconcile this new information with everything she thought she knew about the universe. "So, you're saying that you can use this 'chakra' to bypass the lack of mana in this void and teleport us back to the Realm of the Gods?" she asked, her voice tinged with skepticism.
Brian simply nodded, his gaze unwavering. "That is correct. I have the power, and the will, to do so."
Kronii, ever the skeptic, narrowed her eyes. "If that's true, why didn't you say something sooner? We wasted precious time trying to use our own powers."
Brian smirked mockingly. "You didn't ask," he said simply, the words dripping with a hint of disdain. "Besides, I like seeing people struggling to do their best."
Baelz, ever the pragmatic leader, cut through the intellectual debate. "Alright, enough with the explanations. Let's just get out of here. Brian, can you do it now?"
"Yes," Brian replied, his voice resolute. "But I need you all to hold on to me. This technique requires precise control so that I can teleport us all in one go..." He said, his expression serious.
The Council members exchanged nervous glances. Trusting Brian was always a risky proposition, but they were out of options. One by one, they reached out and placed their hands on Brian's shoulders, their fingers digging into his firm muscles. They blushed heavily as their womanly instincts kicked in when their hands felt the touch of Brian's muscles.
Baelz held onto Brian's right biceps since she is the smallest in the team. Kronii, despite their earlier argument and being the second tallest in the team, also held onto Brian's muscular left shoulder. Sana, being the tallest in the team, held onto Brian's muscular right shoulder. Fauna, the third tallest in the team, also held onto Brian's muscular left biceps. And Mumei, being the second smallest in the team, also held onto Brian's muscular left arm.
This is the first time they managed to make physical contact with Brian, and as they touched his muscles, their neurons activated, and they had different reactions. Some of them slowly lowered their hands to feel Brian's muscles completely, while Brian, who was the tallest among all of them, towered over them with his height.
Brian could feel the weight of their hands on his body, the nervous energy thrumming through their fingertips. He ignored the heat rising from their own hands, focusing solely on the task at hand. He wasn't interested in their admiration or their burgeoning desires. He had a mission to complete, and personal feelings were a distraction he couldn't afford.
"So, all of you are ready..." Brian said, his expression serious. A chorus of nervous affirmatives rippled through the group.
"Good, I will teleport us out of here, using my Chrono Shift technique..." He said as he raised his right arm, and puts his index and middle fingers to his forehead.
The girls were surprised hearing Brian's teleportation technique, especially Kronii, who is the Warden of Time. Chrono Shift, it is a type of name that is associated with her. "Chrono Shift, that's a unique name for a teleportation technique; how does that work?" She said curiously.
Brian, while his index and middle finger were on his forehead, turned his eyes to look at Kronii, his expression serious. "Chrono Shift is a space-time ability developed by the Hunter Blades Shinobi. I can teleport to any location that I can visualize or by simply looking at it. It can also swap places with objects and people as well. I need to visualize the target or look at the target to swap positions. I learned this technique at the academy..." He said, his serious expression unchanged.
All of the girls were surprised at Brian's Chrono Shift's abilities. Sana's eyes widened, a flicker of genuine fascination momentarily overriding her skepticism. "So, you can literally shift through time and space to teleport? That's… incredible. The precision required must be immense."
Kronii nodded, agreeing with Sana. "Yeah, I didn't know you had an ability that can manipulate space and time."
Brian merely shrugged, his stoic facade firmly in place. "It requires focus and a deep understanding of the flow of chakra. Now, shut the fuck up and let me concentrate..." He said, closing his eyes.
A tense silence descended upon the group as Brian focused his mind, the air around him shimmering with barely contained energy. The Council members held their breath, acutely aware of the immense power surging through Brian's body. They could feel the subtle vibrations of his chakra, a tangible force that both intrigued and intimidated them.
Moments stretched into an eternity as Brian delved deeper into his consciousness, visualizing the familiar landscape of the Realm of the Gods. He pictured the towering crystal spires, the shimmering golden platforms, and the radiant energy that permeated the very air. Expecially the Round Table Hall were the Council meetings happened, and he thought perhaps Omega Alpha is in the Round Table Hall if he teleported their along side the Council. He locked onto that image, anchoring his mind to the destination that would lead them back to safety.
Suddenly, Brian's body erupted with blinding light, the raw power of his chakra unleashed in a spectacular display. The white void around them fractured and distorted, the fabric of reality itself seemingly tearing apart at the seams. The Council members gasped, their senses overwhelmed by the sheer intensity of the energy.
A wave of dizziness washed over them as space and time twisted and contorted, blurring the line between here and there, now and then. The familiar feeling of being pulled through a vortex engulfed them, a sensation both exhilarating and terrifying. Then, just as abruptly as it began, it was over.
The blinding light faded, the distorted reality snapped back into focus, and the Council members found themselves standing on the familiar room of Round Table Hall, rhe massive circular chamber was bathed in ethereal light, the walls adorned with intricate carvings and shimmering tapestries. Brian lowered his index and middle fingers and opened his eyes, while the girls finally get go their hold in Brian. Brian and the girls looked around the Round Table Hall, as they see that their is no lights on.
Baelz, ever the first to regain her composure, took a deep breath and surveyed their surroundings. "We're back," she announced, her voice filled with relief. "Brian, you actually did it."
Brian only hum in response, his expression unchanged. He folded his arms, and close his eyes.
Kronii rolled her eyes, but couldn't help but admit, "I'll admit, I was skeptical. But you proved me wrong."
Sana, still slightly dazed from the teleportation, gazed at Brian with a newfound respect. "That was… incredible, Brian. Thank you."
Fauna and Mumei echoed Sana's sentiments, expressing their gratitude for his intervention. For the first time, the Council members seemed to truly appreciate Brian's unique abilities, recognizing him not just as a volatile outsider, but as a valuable asset.
Then suddenly one single light hit them. Then in a corner of a pitch black darkness a voice spoke. "Welcome back," Omega Alpha boomed, its voice carrying a hint of amusement. "It seems you have managed to return unscathed, despite the… unconventional methods employed on your mission." She said, seating in a judge's table called bench.
The Council members turned towards Omega Alpha, their expressions a mixture of relief and apprehension. They had faced many trials during their mission, but they knew that returning to the Realm of the Gods did not guarantee a warm welcome. Omega Alpha was a stern and enigmatic figure, and her judgment was not to be taken lightly. The girls all kneeled, except Brian, who only stood with arms folded, as he looked at Omega Alpha with a serious expression. The girls' one leg was on the ground, the other bent with the foot planted. The arms were bent, with hands supporting the torso, which was tilted forward. The head was looking down, doing the one-knee-down pose.
"Omega Alpha," Baelz said, her voice respectful but full of energy. "We have returned from our mission, successful in destroying the Nexus Core and stopping the corruption." She said as she raised her head, looking at Omega Alpha.
"Indeed you have," Omega Alpha replied, her eyes gleaming in the dim light. "And I must say, I am… intrigued by the manner in which you accomplished your task. Tell me, Council, what did you discover in the realm of the Zydonians."
Baelz, ever the quick-witted one, began to recount their experiences, carefully omitting any details that might reflect poorly on the Council or, more specifically, Brian. She spoke of the Zydonians' twisted society, their reliance on the Nexus Core, and the challenges they faced in navigating the treacherous landscape.
Kronii, ever the detail-oriented one, chimed in with precise descriptions of the Zydonian technology and the nature of the corruption that plagued the land. Sana, despite her initial weariness, added her insightful observations about the Zydonians' connection to the cosmos and the underlying forces that drove their actions.
Fauna, with her gentle spirit, focused on the suffering of the Zydonian people and the hope for a better future that they had inadvertently ignited. And Mumei, in her own understated way, contributed valuable information about the Nexus Core's defense mechanisms and the strategies they employed to overcome them.
As the Council members spoke, Omega Alpha listened intently, her eyes narrowing slightly as she processed their words. She seemed particularly interested in the role that Brian played in their mission, occasionally glancing in his direction, her expression unreadable.
Finally, after the Council had finished their report, Omega Alpha spoke, her voice echoing through the silent chamber. "You have accomplished a great service to the Realm of the Gods," she said, her tone more approving than they had expected. "The corruption has been contained, and the Zydonians are free to chart their own destiny."
The Council members breathed a collective sigh of relief, grateful for Omega Alpha's acceptance. But their relief was short-lived.
"Especially you, Brian Bautista. You impressed me with your performance as a Destroyer of Worlds..." Omega Alpha said, her lips forming a smile. "You really made a perfect example of your first time mission with the Council."
Brian remained impassive, his arms still folded, his serious expression unchanged. "I was following what you ordered me to do..." He said directly. "You ordered us to burn those metallic insects to the ground if they resist, remember? So we did exactly that..."
Omega Alpha chuckled, and she covered her mouth with her right hand. "I know, and I'm impressed, Destroyer of Worlds. You really showed how ruthless you are and how you murderously slaughtered them."
Brian raised his eyebrows and spoke, his position still the same. "So you're not gonna punish me for how ruthless I am?" He said in a serious expression.
"Why would I? You did prove that you are the Destroyer of Worlds... you destroy anyone who stood in your wake. You are a Destroyer, and you only did what your titles are meant to be doing," Omega Alpha said to Brian.
Brian shrugged and spoke. "Fair enough..." He said in a casual expression.
Omega Alpha's gaze swept back to the kneeling Council, her smile fading into a more serious expression. "However," she continued, her voice echoing with authority, "the methods employed by the Destroyer of Worlds are... concerning. Such unrestrained power, wielded without discretion, could easily become a threat to the very balance you are sworn to protect."
The Council members exchanged nervous glances, their relief replaced by a renewed sense of unease. They knew that Omega Alpha's words held weight and that Brian's actions had not gone unnoticed.
"Therefore," Omega Alpha declared, "I am placing the Destroyer of Worlds under the Council's supervision. You will be responsible for guiding him, tempering his destructive tendencies, and ensuring that his power is used only as a last resort."
The Council members were taken aback by this unexpected decree. Supervising Brian, the volatile and unpredictable Destroyer of Worlds, was a daunting task, one that could easily lead to conflict and disaster.
Brian's frown darkened, and he spoke. "Are you fucking kidding me? What the fuck is this piece of shit..." He said in an angry tone. "You told us to destroy the Nexus Core, so as a Destroyer, I did what I was told. I don't need these five women to fucking babysit me..."
"Yes, I did tell you all to destroy the Nexus Core and to burn to the ground anyone who resisted. But I didn't tell you to destroy the entire realm itself, Brian..." Omega Alpha said with a sigh. "I know you have a liking for violence, that you kill people without remorse. I know you carried that mentality when you were still a mercenary for hire... You're part of the Council now, Brian. You don't work as a mercenary for hire anymore, okay?"
Brian scoffed, his arms still crossed. "So what? You think I can just flip a fucking switch and stop being who I am? I'm a weapon, Omega Alpha, a tool for destruction. That's what I'm good at."
Omega Alpha sighed again, a hint of weariness in her voice. "I know, Brian. But you're more than just a weapon. You have the potential to be a force for good, a protector of the innocent. But you need guidance, you need to learn to control your power, to channel your rage."
Brian remained unconvinced, his expression stubborn. "And you think these five can teach me that? They're soft, Omega Alpha, naive. They wouldn't last a day in the world I come from."
Omega Alpha's gaze hardened, her voice taking on a sharp edge. "That may be true, Brian. But they have qualities that you lack: compassion, empathy, understanding. The Council kills and destroys to give order to the cosmos, while you kill for fun and to make others suffer..." She said, her expression stoic. "You felt entertained by the suffering of others that you mercilessly kill..."
Brian scoffed, his expression serious and unchanged. He didn't deny what Omega Alpha said because he did enjoy killing everyone in cold blood, and he loves the suffering of others. He didn't kill because he wanted to protect the innocent; heck, he doesn't care about innocent lives. As long as it entertained him, he would commit mass murder, and he will never stop doing it even if Omega Alpha asked him to stop. "Fine, I will tone it down... But don't expect me to obey these five women directly, okay..." He said, his angry expression unchanged.
Omega Alpha regarded Brian with a knowing look, a hint of amusement flickering in her eyes. "I am not asking you to become a docile sheep, Brian. I am merely asking you to consider the consequences of your actions, and to learn to control your impulses. The Council's role is not to command you, but to guide you. Whether you choose to heed their guidance is ultimately up to you."
She turned her attention to the kneeling Council members, her expression softening slightly. "You must be patient with Brian," she said, her voice gentle but firm. "He is not accustomed to working as part of a team, and he has a deeply ingrained sense of independence. But he is also a powerful force for good, if his power can be harnessed correctly."
The Council members nodded in understanding, their determination renewed. They knew that the road ahead would be challenging, but they were willing to persevere, to help Brian find his place within the Council and to guide him towards a more balanced and responsible path.
"Now," Omega Alpha said, her voice regaining its authoritative tone, "you are dismissed. Now go, and rest in your rooms. The fate of the Realm of the Gods may very well depend on your success."
With a final bow, the Council members rose from their kneeling positions and turned to leave the Round Table Hall. Brian followed, his steps measured, his expression thoughtful. As they walked through the familiar corridors of the Realm of the Gods, a heavy silence hung in the air, broken only by the soft sound of their footsteps.
Finally, as they approached the junction that led to their individual quarters, Baelz spoke, her voice breaking the silence. "Well, that was… eventful," she said, a hint of nervousness in her tone.
The other Council members murmured in agreement, their faces reflecting a mixture of relief, trepidation, and determination. They knew that the real work was just beginning and that they had a long and difficult road ahead of them.
"So," Baelz continued, "how do we even start with this… This whole situation? Any of you girls have an idea, because I don't."
Kronii, ever the pragmatist, spoke up next. "We need to establish some ground rules, some boundaries. Brian needs to understand that he can't just do whatever he wants, whenever he wants. He needs to learn to respect our authority and to listen to our guidance."
Sana, with her insightful nature, added her thoughts. "We also need to understand Brian's perspective. He's been a lone wolf for so long; he's not used to working as part of a team. We need to be patient with him and to try to understand his motivations."
Fauna, with her gentle spirit, spoke of the importance of empathy and compassion. "We need to show Brian that we care about him, that we want to help him. We need to build a relationship of trust so that he feels comfortable opening up to us."
Mumei, in her understated way, suggested a more practical approach. "We need to start small. Maybe we can assign Brian some simple tasks and gradually increase the difficulty as he gains more experience. We can also provide him with positive reinforcement when he does well and constructive criticism when he makes mistakes."
The Council members continued to discuss their plans, brainstorming ideas and strategies for how to approach the Brian situation. They knew that there was no easy solution and that they would need to be flexible, adaptable, and willing to compromise.
As they talked, Brian looked down at the ground, his hands in his pockets. He remained silent, his expression unreadable. He was a distance ahead of the girls, as they walked behind the Council members, not paying attention to what the girls were talking about. He didn't believe that these five women could change him or that they could truly understand him. But he was willing to give them a chance to see if they could prove him wrong.
Finally, as they reached the junction that led to their individual quarters, Baelz turned to Brian, her expression serious. "Brian," she said, "we're going to try our best to help you, but we can't do it alone. We need your cooperation, your trust, and your willingness to work with us."
Brian met Baelz's gaze, his expression unreadable. "Fine," he said, his voice grudging. "I'll cooperate, but don't expect me to change overnight. I'm still the Destroyer of Worlds, and that's never going to change."
Baelz nodded, her expression softening slightly. "We understand, Brian. We're not asking you to change who you are. We're just asking you to be a little more… responsible."
Brian shrugged, his expression noncommittal. "Hmph... Whatever," he said, not caring what they said.
And with that, Brian turned and headed towards his respective room, leaving the Council members standing alone in the hallway. They watched him enter his room, his mind filled with a mixture of doubt, curiosity, and a faint glimmer of hope. He knew that the future was uncertain, but he was willing to face it head-on, alongside these five unlikely allies. And as they turned and walked towards their own rooms, they couldn't help but wonder what the future held for him, the Destroyer of Worlds, and they had been tasked with guiding him.
To be continued.