Seated at the top of the steps beneath the Monster Association's base, towering over the fiery lava lake below, Orochi peered upward.
He hadn't expected two intruders to tear through the Monster Association so effortlessly. His plan had been simple — let the battle weaken both heroes and Executives, then consume them all.
But this outcome was far from a loss. If anything, it was an opportunity. These two had crushed the Association's forces with ease, proving themselves superior feasts than the Executives.
With one intruder evanescing, he would settle for the one who remained.
That is, if they survived what came next.
Orochi sensed Psykos moving toward the intruder, followed by Black Sperm and Homeless Emperor. The intruder would also cross paths with Evil Natural Water unless they altered their course. As for Overgrown Rover... the beast rampaged through the base's halls, reducing everything in its path to rubble. What had enraged the Executive?"
"The time is nigh…"
¤ ¤ ¤
Caspian grinned down from the sky, proud of his successful matchmaking attempt. The sour mood from Wavygyaza's rightful outburst melted away, replaced by a brighter outlook.
With all the benefits he gained from Blast, there was no reason for him not to be happy.
There is no room for third wheels.
He pointed at the messy-haired voyeur's feet and summoned a hyperspace gate. "'Gravity Tethers.'" With a flick of his wrist; two fingers raised in a sharp peace sign; the gate flared. Charanko screamed as he plunged through the rift… then jerked to a halt midair. The tethers coiled around his arms, suspending him in a silent, weightless hover.
A single Gravity Tether could be charged with either ultra-light or crushingly dense gravity, reshaping the mass of anything it touched—on command, with a thought.
Larger targets demanded more energy. Most would collapse under the strain.
But limits?
Those didn't apply to him.
Charanko stared, eyes wide.
"Just tell him I sent you."
"Who ar—"
Caspian sent the voyeur through another gate before shutting his eyes. He then activated 'Sense,' spun in the air, and swept the depths below through the star-lit void of his mind's eye. Every motion allowed him to get a better read on the current situation.
"My plans keep falling apart. Maybe I should stop making them altogether.
No big deal.
I've got more important things to focus on today — like getting an answer on why my relationships progress with such ease and haste."
¤ ¤ ¤
The emergency alarms had ceased their blaring throughout C-City some time ago.
Shadow Ring stood midway down the fractured road, eyes fixed on Genos. Who lied face-down in a pool of amber goo, pinned and twitching, every movement feeble against the syrupy trap's hold.
Nearby, the only trace of his opponent was a scorched outline on the concrete; its ashes long since scattered by the wind.
"He's really stuck," commented Lin Lin, standing beside her.
A smirk formed beneath Shadow Ring's mask. "Why didn't your attack burn away the adhesive?" she asked, tone mocking. "Pretty poor planning on your part."
"The three of you can go," Genos said. "I'll be picked up soon enough. And you, ninja, don't believe I haven't uncovered your real identity."
Shadow Ring concealed her escalating killing intent.
I was right. He has ties to the 'Ninja Village.'
Suiryu stepped forward from the other side of Lin Lin and crouched just outside the puddle's edge. "If you tell me more about this brother-in-law of mine, I can help you out. What do you say?"
"No need. My master isn't accepting new disciples at the moment."
"What? Disciple? Are you screwing with me?"
"You haven't proved yourself worthy."
"And you have? Look at you lying there."
"Look at the way you're scrutinizing my body. I see martial arts have turned your tastes on their head."
"No! Is that true?!" Lin Lin's heartbroken cry resounded.
The cyborg's master must be culled as well. If not, more like Genos will surface in the future.
Shadow Ring began mapping out her next moves for the week ahead. She had much to uncover and more to plan if she wished to eliminate an S-Class Hero without leaving behind even a sliver of evidence.
Erelong, I'll feel you under me.
¤ ¤ ¤
Boros strode at a steady pace through the near identical hallways of the Monster Association's base. This one featured torches mounted along gray brick walls and luminescent orbs affixed to the smooth stone ceiling.
Raptora's voice broke the quietude. "A-Aren't we heading to the surface?" Her eyes dashed side to side at the faintest noise, her fingers clenched tight around her machete's hilt.
"Little sister, you also watched him slaughter Gums, Baquma, Devil Long Hair, Bug God, Sword Devil Executioner, and G5 in quick succession? Did you not? Why have you grown more fearful?"
"Well, yes… but I'm scared the remaining Executives might attack all at once."
Boros placed a gauntleted hand on her shoulder. "I see. My strength still has not eased your fears."
"That's not it…" Raptora shook her head. "…I'm fearful we'll cause you trouble during the fight."
Before he could respond, a ring of white light materialized ahead of him. White bolts lashed out from its edges, encircling a patch of utter darkness — out of which a familiar ninja emerged.
"Caspian, you have returned."
"You knew I left?"
Boros waited in silence for Caspian to speak further.
"I see you made a couple new frien—"
"Mates."
"Okay…"
"Are you friends with a human? Who is this Boros?" asked Reptera.
Boros' eye wandered to his right. "Yes, he passed through from above earlier. Have you forgotten?"
For reasons unknown to him, Raptora shook.
"I can send them to a safe spot if you'd like. Reptera and Raptora — you two wouldn't mind that, right? It's a place with both humans and monsters. You'll be safe."
Raptora's voice trembled as she asked, "H-How do you know our names?"
Boros realized the issue. "You both can trust him. Send them off. I will pick them up later."
"Wait! I—"
"Just tell him I sent you." Caspian silenced Reptera's protest by spawning a gate beneath her feet, doing the same with Raptora. Both disappearing in a beat.
"You!" a female voice screeched from behind, filled with outrage.
He turned to see a woman with wavy turquoise hair levitating above the chipped rock floor.
"Boros, she is my—"
"Mate."
"Correct."