Arc 2 – Echoes of Antara's Incident.
MAMI SHALLOW'S RESIDENCE – CENTER CITY.
Dust motes drift through shafts of light cutting across Mami Shallow's training hall.
Mami and Daisy face each other from opposite ends of the dirt arena.
"Come at me, Daisy."
Daisy lunges.
Mami's hand is a blur, her palm snapping shut around Daisy's fist.
The impact echoes against the high ceiling.
"That all? Do better."
Daisy smirks, her breathing steady. "I don't want to hurt you, Mami.."
Mami's eyebrows shoot up. "Really?"
A shadow flickers.
Before Daisy can blink, Mami's fingers are locked around her throat.
Daisy's eyes widen.
That was fast
Mami lets go, stepping back into the center of the ring.
Daisy doesn't waste the opening.
She drives a knee toward Mami's nose.
The air whistles.
Daisy's strikes slice through empty space.
Her punches kiss the air, always a step behind Mami's effortless sways.
Mami appears behind her, wrenching Daisy's arms back.
The grip is iron.
Daisy thrashes, but the hold doesn't budge.
"Come on, Daisy... Use One-biskae on me."
A low, tectonic hum vibrates through the floorboards.
One-biskae materializes out thin air, the heavy blade slicing toward Mami's throat.
The axe carves a lethal arc.
Daisy catches the handle mid-swing and pours her weight into the strike.
The air screams beneath the weight of the steel.
"Come on, Daisy... You can do better."
Daisy plants her feet.
She points a trembling finger forward. "Biskae's execution: Ultimate storm."
Black smoke erupts, a roiling tornado that swallows Mami whole.
The darkness fills the room, cold and suffocating.
Inside the gloom, Mami smiles.
She's using it effortlessly. That's good.
Poof.
A light tap hits Daisy's shoulder from behind.
Daisy spins, her eyes widening as she leaps toward the far wall.
The stones of the arena scrape against her boots.
How did she get out of the storm? Daisy wonders.
One-biskae hums.
Daisy tries to reposition, but Mami is already there, a silent shadow pinned between Daisy and the wall.
"You're not fast enough.."
Daisy pivots to strike, but Mami's palm crashes into her neck.
Daisy hits the dirt hard.
Her breath hitches.
Her eyes shut tight.
Mami leans over her. "You're handling your powers well, Daisy. What you lack now is focus."
Daisy's eyes snap open.
A black aura surges outward, doubling in size.
Mami blurs backward.
Daisy's palm buries into Mami's stomach.
Mami's eyes widen. She followed me without my knowledge of her movement?
Daisy tilts her head, the black smoke swirling around her fingers. "Biskae's execution: –"
Before she can finish the word, A blue veil appears–perception blinder. It Drops over the space where Mami stands.
Daisy's sense of perception snaps.
Her eyes dart wide.
I can't feel her for a second.
Daisy's gaze hooks onto the far stone wall.
She Lunging toward the spot and swings One-biskae with desperate force.
Mami's back is pressed against the cold stone.
She simply raises a single palm.
CLANG.
The iron edge of One-biskae bites into Mami's palm
The shockwave of the collision cracks the plaster.
Daisy's glare hardens.
One-biskae's force surges.
The vibration rattles the windows of the residence.
Mami narrows her eyes.
It can increase its intensity?
The axe smashes into the wall, showering the arena in stone dust.
Daisy spins to follow through, but Mami is already walking up behind her.
One-biskae strikes Mami's side.
There is no sound of cutting flesh—only the dull thud of steel hitting a mountain.
No effect.
Mami slaps the axe aside.
It clatters across the concrete.
A double-punch hammers into Daisy's stomach—fast, deliberate, and bone-deep.
Daisy coughs, her body folding as she hits the ground.
Mami offers a hand.
Daisy takes it, trembling.
"You're good," Mami says. "Now I'm getting to understand One-biskae."
A beat of silence follows.
"Your rhythm isn't complex. One-biskae makes you fast. Your speed can counter most attacks."
"But I noticed something. One-biskae adapts. It immediately heightened its energy level so it could hit me."
Daisy frowns, wiping dirt from her face.
"I don't get it. You blocked One-biskae with your palm. And later I hit your body with no effect."
Mami curls her lips. "Have you forgotten? I'm a multiple legend-class wielder."
They walk out of the arena, the heat of the battle fading.
Daisy collapses onto the cool concrete floor.
Mami stands over her.
"That blue veil," Daisy says. "what was that? I noticed it sized my ability to follow you for a beat."
"Perception Blinder. One of my weapons."
Mami opens her palm.
A glowing scroll materializes.
Daisy squints at the light.
"This is called the scroll of the double.
It instantly studies your weapon and understands its energy level."
Mami folds her hand, and the scroll dissolves.
"Once it understands the weapon, it grants the user temporary endurance against it."
And that was why I was hit by One-biskae and didn't get hurt."
"Wow.."
Mami chuckles. "But it's not very strong... If I'm fighting an old Legend- class or a close observant opponent, they'll notice I'm using it."
Daisy lays back, staring at the ceiling.
"One-biskae noticed it.
Mami continues.
"But it tries to counter, so it increases its frequency. The only problem is that you are not focusing enough to even know what's going on. All you were focusing on was how to hit me."
"But I was also trying to evade..."
"That wasn't enough. Once you're fighting a high-class fighter, always make sure you study their rhythm. Reaction, movements, how they counter and attack. Those are what makes you win against a strong legend- class fighter."
"I'm beat.. need a nap," Daisy grunts. Her eyes flutter shut as she drifts off right there on the floor.
"How did you acquire all these legend- class weapons?"
Johnny stands in the doorway, his silhouette long against the training mats.
"Oh.. Johnny.. you're here."
Johnny walks in and sits beside them. "You're one of the strongest I've met. All these weapons, where did you get them from?"
Mami places a hand on his shoulder.
"I only got these from my master when he passed. He travelled across the world gathering weapons used by the fallen Legends."
"You are able to control all the weapons you hold?"
"Indeed.. I am a receiver so all the years of having them I connected with all of them."
Johnny nods. He stands, his eyes narrowing.
"Teach me. I want to use my ability properly."
Mami stands and immediately smacks him across the head. "Where's that fiancée of yours?"
Johnny frowns. "Why do you ask?" He sighs. "She's at the store with Nathan and Pious."
"Oh, that's good then."
Johnny draws his gun. "I learnt how to use my amplifier ability on this. Watch."
He fires.
A silver bullet streaks across the room.
It hits the far wall and detonates, turning the brick into a crater of smoke.
Mami's punch buries into his gut.
He falls, wheezing. "Why did you do that?"
"Fool... You're ruining my property." She taps his head.
"No worries... You'll pay me by working at the store for a week."
Johnny pushes himself up. "But Nina's there."
"Of course you'll join them. Nathan or Pious will rest. And you'll take over."
Johnny sighs. "You're harsh."
Mami leans in, her hand resting on his shoulder. "And you're so sweet.. that bullet was amplified by your perception." She whispers.
"From what I see.. you're already using your amplifier ability. You're good to go."
Johnny's eyebrows shoot up. "What do you mean? You barely saw the shots for long."
"I don't have to.. one demonstration and it's fine to know what it is." She points to the smoking hole in the wall.
"If you focus even harder, it could explode a tower. The only advice I can give you now is keep connecting to your perception. It will keep growing."
She shoves him toward the exit. "Now go to the store. Your punishment begins."
Johnny smiles calmly. "Okay, okay. I'll go." He blinks, teasing. "When I amplify my gun fully, I'll spare with you. I'll even surpass you."
Mami folds her arms. "I'd love to see you try."
She walks back to Daisy. "Fool.. fallen asleep on a concrete floor."
A gentle smile touches Mami's face as she watches Daisy sleep.
She doesn't let the scar sting. Just like the child she is.. Mami thinks.
She heaves Daisy onto her shoulder and strides away.
CASTLE OF DANIEL DE DIAGO- NORTH.
Princess Catalina sits on her throne while murmurs ripple through the hall of soldiers and nobles.
A man approaches.
"My princess, we searched the entire place. No sign of Captain Hooker or Fury's Edge."
Catalina's palm slams against the arm of the throne.
The crack echoes through the hall like a gunshot.
Another man steps forward. "My princess, my spies have news."
"Bring them."
Two figures in black coats kneel before the dais.
"Tell us. What did you gather?"
"We slipped into the shadows, there was a massive battle in Antara. Involving the powerful Captain Hooker and a woman. She killed him and walked away unharmed."
The room erupts.
Shouted arguments and whispers of disbelief fill the vaulted ceiling.
The spy swallows hard. "When Captain Hooker was leaving for Center City, The King ordered me to watch from the shadows and report back. I couldn't grasp what I saw properly, but it was huge.."
The spy's eyes glaze as the memory returns:
The collapsing buildings and exploding concrete flash behind his lids.
"Captain Fury's Edge, his Elites, Captain Hooker... they were all killed."
The second spy adds, "Their clashes reduced the place to ruins."
Catalina's jaw tightens until it looks like stone.
"I watched the fight that led to Captain Hooker's death." The spy's voice trembles.
His mind returns to Mami Shallow's white eyes and the way the atmosphere shook when she held Heaven's Wrath.
"The woman that fought him was deadlier. Her powers were stronger than those of the God-like powers in the era of Legends."
Catalina stands. "Hooker was the strongest fighter we had."
She grabs the spy by his lapels, pulling him close. "You're telling me.. that a woman defeated him?"
"Yes, my princess."
The noise in the castle reaches a fever pitch.
Catalina sits back, her eyes cold.
She raises a palm, silencing the room.
"This is a problem. The Alligator was not found. And now a woman lives in Center City that is that strong?"
A woman with twin massive blades strapped to her back steps forward.
"My princess. Give us the chance to go there and end this. We have the sheer number. Send us all captains. We'll overpower that woman and gain vital information about the Alligator's location."
Catalina locks eyes with her.
If that woman defeated Hooker like this spy said, then she's no baby fighter. I'm afraid none of these fighters are worthy.
She stands, her cloak swirling around her. "We have to be deliberate and smart. We just lost our strongest fighter to another enemy. That is huge."
She begins to stride toward the exit. "I'm visiting the House of Symbian and other factions. We have to discuss this."
The captains fall in line behind her as she leaves the hall, leaving the rest of the court in a stunned, fearful silence.