6th CARD › “Reap A King”
Despite the battles involving Giotto and Rose being in the slums there was little stopping the news from spreading throughout New Eden. The news that both the Wild Card and the King of Hearts were present at an illegal underground arena where all hell broke loose, where the King of Hearts was, true or not, completely and utterly defeated.
The rumor mill also wasn’t quite so kind as to say who defeated the King.
To everyone in New Eden that heard the rumors, it was thought that the Wild Card was in fact the one to defeat the King of Hearts.
So within just a short time many had come to see that the Wild Card had not only matched the Kings – the Wild Card surpassed them.
Obviously this way of thinking was dangerous.
Not only did it completely undermine the Houses and their power, but it called into question the foundation of New Eden’s society. For someone, the Wild Card, to be so powerful as to surpass even the Kings… perhaps it was possible there were more out there. More Wild Cards or beings of equal strength.
If that were true, then perhaps New Eden itself was bound to crumble. These beings of power could potentially destroy all that this paradise had become. The Houses could fall.
It seemed farfetched to go that extreme route but at the same time it was possible. At least in the minds of those who let their thoughts momentarily wander.
The Wild Card was quickly becoming both the biggest celebrity and biggest target in the city.
What remained now was to see the response of the Houses. How would the Kings themselves handle the situation? Or, better yet, how would the Aces act?
Things were just getting worse by the day.
Hopefully they would calm down for a while, right?
« — »
“Move those feet, soldier! You’re slacking more than a slug in salt!” Sera was pushing Gio from behind down the busy New Eden street. He wasn’t budging too well, though.
Hangovers were a real pain.
“This… might go better if you stopped shaking me about… everything is already shaking you know…” Gio stumbled, catching himself on a traffic light pole just before he face-planted off a street corner and towards an oncoming vehicle.
The overpriced sports car flying down the street stopped inches from running him down.
Close, very close.
“Oi, you’re impossible, you know that? You’re fine helping to make the coin but can’t get it in gear when we actually have to buy things! You expect ME to do all the shopping?” Sera smacked the back of his head and Gio nearly went head first into a trashcan this time. “.. Actually, wait. You’re pretty bad at helping to make it, too. Useless.”
He wasn’t really amused but didn’t have much strength to fight back. His head was pounding and not even his sunglasses could keep out what seemed like a supernova shining overhead. His vision was blurry and his breath wreaked of day old booze.
“.. You know, mosquito… If I could stop seeing three of you I’d probably roast you…” His defiance was lost as the crossing light signaled and Sera pushed him into the crosswalk.
This time without the fear of being mowed down by traffic.
The pair had been laying mostly low for a couple weeks, but now they were running low on supplies. It wasn’t something they could really get in the Thirteenth District, either. Food, medical supplies, new clothes, toiletries, they were all something needed from a number of different stores.
So on this day their target was the one and only Eleventh District Super-Mall known as ‘Clover Mall,’ or simply ‘Clover.’ The district itself came under the reign of the House of Clubs and their somewhat eccentric King; Kenny ‘Ken’ Blume.
“Listen up, Mr. Hero. When we get in here you’re going to be carrying most of the bags since you’re obviously too broken to pick out anything. You get to be a pack mule, so don’t mess it up, alright?” Sera seemed pretty snarky when shopping.
Well, she was dealing with Gio.
His response was mustering a weak wave while sipping on a water bottle. Sera did a double take, wondering where he suddenly had that from, but she passed it off as nothing.
The confused man crossing the street behind them was wondering what happened to his freshly bought bottle of water, though.
It wasn’t long before the dynamic duo was staring up at the massive pearl colored complex that was the Clover Mall. Named as such for a four leaf clover, a sign of luck, and a similar symbol to the typical Clubs insignia relating to clovers.
The name had been somewhat bland for many years, simply being the ‘D-Eleven Mall,’ but it was changed after Kenny Blume became King.
Though even with the name change the building continued to be simple and sleek. It was predominately made of a pearl-colored stone with the mark of Clubs scattered about here and there. The mall was then divided into multiple sections, each hosting different shops.
In one section were the clothing stores, in another the grocery stores, in another a movie theater, and so on. As you might expect from your typical mall.
The lone difference in this mall and others, however, was the increased fortification and security.
Being in a district closer to the edge of New Eden meant that the possibility for a Chaotic to attack was higher than in most other districts. Espers from Clubs frequently patrolled Clover Mall, given the fact so many citizens frequented it. Not only that but the building itself was reinforced with a powerful security system able to create powerful electric fences around the perimeter, shielding the building from Chaotics if need be.
Clover had the ability to serve as an emergency shelter as well, housing both above ground protection and secure bunkers underground.
Luckily the last Chaotic attack at Clover was practically forgotten, as it had only occurred once in the last ten years.
“First things first! Toiletries, Gio, toiletries! They are, after all, the lightest of the bunch and thus easiest to carry. I’m not unreasonable to my pack mules.” Sera’s accompanying laugh was so pompous that Gio nearly chucked his water at her head.
Especially when her head seemed to grow nearly three sizes with that laugh.
He was enjoying the hydration a bit too much to go through with it.
“Right, sure, hurry it up… I can barely get what you’re saying but whatever makes this all go away…” Gio was completely and utterly defeated.
“Onwards!” She grabbed Gio by the back of his collar, dragging him along like a sack of bricks while he casually sipped his water.
The doors parted before them and they both passed into what appeared to practically be another world. Sera’s eyes lit up as she witnessed the thousands of patrons walking casually throughout Clover without a true care in the world. Fountains and various sculptures littered the center of walkways. The glistening water and sunlight sneaking in from the windows above created a spectacle that so many simply passed by without a single glance.
Sera, however, was mesmerized.
She had been raised here in the city when she was younger, but after her parents divorced she spent a majority of her life in Estrella Village, a small mountain town far from New Eden. Due to that fact she was always astounded by much of the beauty in New Eden.
For most citizens, these things were nothing more than some fancy scenery, but to Sera it was so much more than that. She found it hard to put the beauty into words at times.
A loud belch from Gio brought her crashing back down to the reality of it being a mall.
“.. Oi, you slob! Trash! Have some respect for the moment why don’t ya?!” Sera swung at Gio’s head, though he just happened to stumble to the side at the same time, luckily avoiding. “Geez! Fine! Let’s just go, then.”
Sera continued dragging Gio across the marble floor, taking a hard right seconds later to begin a long trek down what seemed an endless corridor. Shops littered the walkway on both sides. Some shops were flooded with lines stretching into the distance to get in. Others were small, simple, but with a sense of comfort.
Even though Sera had been shopping here multiple times in the past year, she was always amazed by the sight. Perhaps it was childish, but there’s no reason not to find the joy and beauty even in things as simple as a mall. The wonder that a child sees in the world is quite a wonderful thing.
Conversely, the cries of a child were a terrible, terrible thing.
As Sera continued to drag Gio along like a disobedient puppy, the shade wearer just happen to catch sight of a small figure tucked away beside some vending machines as the walkway took another angle. It was brief and others probably wouldn’t have noticed, but even with those shades he had seen it.
Or rather, her.
Short, blonde hair tied into tiny twin tails. A salmon colored dress accessorized with an emerald crystal pendent, attached to the small frame of a little girl by a silver chain.
She was crying, sniffling, standing in a corner that no passerby paid any mind to.
Sera then felt the force of Gio halting her without warning, nearly jerking her arm clear off.
“What do you think you’re doing, idi—” Sera’s voice trailed as she turned and watched Gio, previously rather incapacitated, walking over to the vending machines.
She was about to continue her rant as well, but she noticed a small figure just ahead of him.
Gio, rather calmly, made his way over the poor girl and kneeled down. He reached out, left hand now holding a small piece of candy.
Much like the water, one had to wonder where he got that candy. A confused young boy was probably wondering where his bad of treats went just down the walkway.
“G-G-Gio?! What do you think you’re doin—” Sera was shouting once more, sprinting to the situation that seemed straight out of a to catch a predator special.
She froze just behind the two when she saw the young girl attempting to stop her tears.
“Now, now… What are you doing lost in here of all places, Clare?” Gio spoke softly and Sera could see that somehow he knew the young girl.
The small frame of Clare, having been shaking just seconds before, suddenly sprang forward and latched onto Gio as more tears began to flow.
“U-Uncle Giooo!” Her voice squeaked in the excitement, but Gio simply gave a comforting smile, gently rubbing her head.
“Well, happy to see you too, Clare… though you have to tell me, where’s that doting father of yours? I can’t believe he’s not here with you.” He spoke as if the hangover and exhaustion that plagued him were simply memories of the past, despite his still throbbing headache. “.. and if not your dad, that stone faced woman would surely be watching out for you, yeah?”
Clare’s face was buried in Gio’s shirt, but she looked up to him as more tears began to fall. Her face contorted a bit as she smelled traces of alcohol.
“Eww, Uncle Gio you’re all smelly!”
Gio couldn’t help but cringe as he slipped a piece of candy into his mouth to help hide the aroma.
“Sorry about that… But more importantly, why are you here alone?”
“I-I saw… I saw something pretty! It was, it was–” She was struggling to get the words out with her sniffles, but Gio continued to comfort her.
“It’s okay, just tell me.”
“It-It was… glittering! All over!” She waved her hands in the air, trying to emphasize the amount of glittering she could see.
“Glittering…?” Sera was a bit confused. Not only at the young girl’s statement, but the relationship that Gio seemed to already have with her.
“So you wanted to investigate, eh? Well, aren’t you just a detective in-training. Don’t you try to go taking my job, okay?” Gio laughed, smiling down as Clare quickly threw up a salute.
“Sir!” She was calming down bit by bit.
“Alrighty, then. By chance, though… where was it you saw the glittering?” Gio’s comforting voice added just a spice of worry, as if he knew something he wasn’t talking about.
Clare dropped her salute and looked up, seemingly trying to remember with pinpoint accuracy, but such a thing wasn’t needed. While she looked up she pointed up to the ceiling and window panes high above the walkway. Gio couldn’t help but notice how her eyes were glowing ever so slightly as she looked.
“It’s there! It’s there!”
She gleefully pointed out the glittering light that rested just above the crowds, seemingly floating in the air like a cloud. Clare even managed a giggle.
Gio turned his head and looked upwards as well – and as he did so that comforting look of his faded to a far more serious one. Sera was further confused, looking up, but she didn’t see a thing.
In truth neither did Gio.
“.. Clare, you sure it’s there?” Gio spoke slowly, quietly.
“Yep! Yep! It’s allll over the place!” She giggled further, feeling as if she just won a game of ‘I spy.’
Those weren’t the words he wanted to hear.
A slight glow began around Gio’s right hand. That mark of the jester hat appeared, catching Sera’s attention, but before she could say anything Gio was already motioning for her to come close.
Sera was curious, stepping towards him, and she noticed how his eyes suddenly had a white glow which covered his normally brown irises.
He could see the glittering now as well.
“Gio? Those eyes, what is it—”
“–Sera, you need to stand back here with Clare… and make your way back towards the entrance with her ever so quickly… just not too quickly. It hasn’t quite noticed that we noticed it.”
The strawberry blonde, pink haired firecracker, was further confused.
“It? Are you telling me that there’s a Chao—”
“–A Chaotic resting just above us and this entire crowd, that’s right.”
Sera was shocked, a rare sight. She was right to be. For a Chaotic to not only get close to an area like this but actually sneak in? That was unheard of. This mall was designed as a shelter with advanced security features and even posted guards from Clubs.
No Chaotic she ever heard of had the ability to get so close, let alone inside, without being detected by anyone. Even if she had limited experience with the beasts her thought process was spot on. This was unheard of. Not a single Esper in this place noticed anything was off.
Though, it seemed Clare noticed it, despite not realizing what it was.
“U-Uncle Gio? What’s wrong?” Clare was a bit startled by the sudden change in atmosphere, nearly reverting back to her tears.
Gio turned back, forcing a friendly look to comfort Clare, and pointed to Sera now beside him.
“Nothing’s wrong, Clare! But listen, Uncle Gio’s friend here – well kind-of-friend-aka-torturer – is going to walk with you to the exit, okay? That way you can meet back with your Dad, alright?”
Clare gave a slow nod, of course trusting her ‘uncle,’ but it didn’t change the fact she was getting confused.
Her confusion gave way to a look of amazement as she pointed back to the glittering cloud above them.
“Oh! Oh! Look Uncle Gio, the glittering stars are coming down here!”
Clare’s amazement was trumped by the sudden rush of emotion that ran from Gio’s face and welled up inside his chest.
Looking back, the glittering cloud began to drop towards them and Gio’s fingers snapped – calling forth a burst of flames, mere inches above the tallest patrons in the area, forming a thin layer of protection from what was the Chaotic’s sudden sneak attack.
Apparently the beast had indeed noticed them noticing it.
Crowds began to scream in horror as flames burst forth from nothing just above them, sending them fleeing in various directions. The screams and panic that erupted were caused solely by the flames, not in fact by the Chaotic, which no others were then aware of.
“Sera!! Take Clare and get the hell out of here, now!!” Gio dashed forward as the crowds around them let loose a stampede like a scared herd of gazelle.
Sera acted on instinct, grabbing Clare’s hand, and the two were merging into the fleeing civilians in a flash. Clare didn’t quite realize what was happening as tears began to fall once more, but she kept moving, pushed forward by Gio’s sudden change in attitude that showed this was serious. She was young and not sure what was wrong, but she was smart for her age. She caught on and continued to flee.
“That blockhead! Just what is he thinking doing that in a place like this?! No time!” She was infuriated by Gio acting so rashly, but she wouldn’t let Clare go.
Sera was going to make sure that this young child made it to safety.
The flames began to disperse, forced away and dispelled by what looked like an invisible force. To Gio, however, it appeared as a glittering mass of light.
“The hell is your power, buddy… Those flames aren’t child’s play, you know!”
Gio rushed forward, dodging civilians left and right, and raised his hand to meet the sudden burst of light slashing down towards the crowd.
Air exploded outwards from the force of the attack, knocking over a number of people, but Gio kept the attack at bay.
The citizens around him didn’t know what to think. It looked like he was causing this, after all, as they saw nothing but him and his flames.
“Will you all stop staring?! Get the hell out of here—”
His attention to the citizens was the opening the invisible Chaotic needed to smack him with another mass of light, launching him backwards and slamming him into the vending machines. Sodas and chips went flying as his body crushed the machines like tinfoil.
Citizens, frightened and confused, began to flee in multiple directions – but a swift swipe of this invisible Chaotic’s apparent limb cut down ten, twenty people where they stood.
In an instant their bodies had been ripped in two. It was a quick, rough cut, with obvious jagged edges. The pain of being split in two with such a blade was nearly unfathomable. The only good thing came from the fact they wouldn’t be alive long enough to feel it anymore.
A gruesome and unforgiving death.
Spewing blood painted the corridor in a terrifying shade of red, but that wasn’t enough for the Chaotic. It rampaged, crashing through the wall of one store and into another. Supports for the structure began to give way. The ceiling itself was beginning to crumble just above.
“.. Bastard!”
Gio rose, his own blood dripping down his forehead. He wasn’t prepared for an attack of that level. It was surprising even to him. He still questioned what the ability of this Chaotic was, though he seemed to be piecing it together slowly but surely.
The beast was invisible to the naked eye, even now as it fought wildly. The only one who could even catch a glimpse of him was Clare, a young girl who was only nine years old… but she was the daughter of a great and powerful Esper.
The daughter of the King of Clubs, Kenny Blume.
Clare didn’t seem to realize it but her own Esper ability had awakened. She could see things. Things that others couldn’t. Her power was that of sight, one which could see through illusion, one which could see the aura of others, and one which would surely evolve to dispel much of the mystery in the world.
Taking into account this Chaotic’s inability to be seen by normal means, its high defensive capabilities, and increased offensive power… Gio seemed to grasp the idea of the ability.
It was using a type of shield, generated by powerful light energy, which gave it the ability to refract light in such a way as it was invisible. In addition, this powerful shield of light energy would make quick work of something like Gio’s flames.
“.. Alrighty then, beasty. We’re going to try something a little different.”
Gio removed his shades, now covered in his own blood, and placed them inside his jacket pocket. He then held out his right hand as the glow of white and black, around both him and his body, radiated further out.
“.. Explosion!”
Flames erupted from above the Chaotic, forcing it downwards with its force, but little to no damage was sustained.
“Again!”
This time the powerful explosion came from beneath the beast which was now fully on the ground. The marble floor was melted away entirely, and this time the force of blast launched the Chaotic upwards – and with enough velocity to slam into the glass ceiling above, shattering it, and forcing it into the outside world.
Fire blazed from beneath Gio as he leapt to the sky, following after the beast with his flames propelling him like a rocket.
He had at least wanted to get the Chaotic away from the fleeing civilians, but there was the risk of letting this invisible beast escape. It was a risk he had to take to save those below.
Gio landed safely on the roof of the building, away from the glass panes, and watched as the glittering mass before him grew taller. It seemed this beast was finally standing tall, showing it wasn’t as small as other beasts that have been faced in the past.
“.. You’re one big s.o.b…”
That big s.o.b. was on the move with speeds a being that large rarely demonstrated. Gio leapt back, dodging a swipe, but his arms had to be raised over his head to block another simultaneous attack.
The Wild Card felt like his arms were nearly broken by the force of the attack.
“Shit, shit, shit!!” His voice was strained.
Even with his power and those flames of his, it seemed impossible to break through the Chaotic’s shield. It was a good trump. Gio needed piercing power, slicing power. His flames were best at smashing and blowing through. He needed the pinpoint power of a blade or something similar.
The Fiery ability – his main fighting skill – could potentially be used like that. He had to figure out the best way to do it, though, and fast.
The Chaotic pulled back, giving Gio a moment of ease, before slamming down another forceful attack. The Wild Card was then beaten again and again with alternating attacks as if being a nail getting hammered into submission.
His mind was racing, trying to think of the best solution. He could concentrate his flames, trying to creating that piercing power he needed with a pinpoint explosion, but it didn’t seem good enough. He could pour his everything into an attack and attempt to obliterate the Chaotic in one go, but not even Gio could contain that power.
It would likely wipe out half the mall in the process.
Whatever was to be done needed to be done now. Gio’s arms and body were giving way. Without a way to break through the shields of the Chaotic, though, it was looking grim. Gio’s arms were getting closer and closer to cracking and then breaking.
The war of attrition was about to end.
“Rise and Reap!”
A thundering roar erupted from behind Gio, but it wasn’t just some attack. The voice that came was like a freight train smashing its way past his very soul.
A flash of green light shined overhead and before being drowned out just as quickly by a mass of black energy. This black energy, wildly bouncing all over the place, condensed itself and formed a massive weapon stretching high into the sky. A weapon shaped like a reaper’s weapon of choice; a scythe.
The Chaotic’s attack slowed then stopped completely. The arrival of such a strange sight overhead was enough to catch its attention in full – but it was a bit too late.
The massive black scythe was already slicing through the air before the creature even realized it was there. The speed of the attack and the size of the attack were both so unbelievably overwhelming that not even this highly talented Chaotic could hope to avoid it.
This would be the slicing and piercing power Gio had wanted.
The scythe cut through the glittering light in an instant and in turn the Chaotic itself as a monstrous roar cried out in pain.
As the barrier of light was cut it shattered completely, falling away to nothingness, and Gio could finally see what the beast looked like. It was jet black, much like the scythe which just cut through it so nonchalantly. Its shape was clearly that of a praying mantis, with an almost metallic-like skin.
Now, however, it was simply a headless beast cut down entirely in one single blow.
Landing just a few feet from Gio, clad in a skin tight black and green shirt nearly giving way to the muscles beneath it, was the man whom was responsible for such an attack.
Kenny D. Blume, standing at six foot six inches, with bulging muscles equating to a body builder’s or perhaps professional wrestler’s physique. This bear of a man, with his short and messy brown hair, was none other than one of the four Kings of New Eden – The King of Clubs.
Kenny stared calmly at Gio, but his bluish eyes were piercing. He was a King, which meant that relations between him and the Wild Card were sure to be stressful. Perhaps another confrontation was brewing.
Though, before either man could utter a word, their attention returned to the massive mantis-shaped Chaotic before them. It was moving once again – its head and upper body regenerating – and it was pissed.
That black scythe of Ken’s manifested, formed by strange shadow-like energy, and Gio’s own flames began to flare up.
Neither got a chance to move.
Silver flashes of light, formed by something moving at high speeds, crossed between the two Espers and their Chaotic enemy. These silver flashes of light appeared to be attacks, each slicing at the Chaotic and each finding their mark without fail.
A few seconds later the beast which had been regenerating was now crumbling into dust. It was completely and utterly torn asunder by the silver flashes of light.
Now, standing before both Gio and Ken, was a third. A female clad in silver armor wielding two long silver blades. Long blonde hair, tied back into a ponytail, trailing down the back of the mystical-looking armor. It was like armor ripped form the middle ages but given a modern sleekness, made for both strength and agility. Oval shaped glasses rested upon her face, while dark green oculars stared coldly towards the two men.
“.. Sir, you must remember to finish your foe before letting down your guard. I won’t always be here to help.” The woman spoke almost like a robot, stoic and straight to the point.
Her silver armor and twin swords, a sight to behold, slowly began to fade away. In its place was a black skirt suit atop a long white undershirt, sporting a green pin on her collar with the Mark of Clubs – a symbol seen on her glowing left hand as well, combined with a ‘Q.’
This woman was the Queen of Clubs, the stone faced woman as Gio called her; Lenna Vermillion.
Both Ken’s scythe and Gio’s flame faded. The fight was over as quickly as it began.
The three were then faced with a somewhat awkward situation. Staring back and forth at each other, it seemed obvious something was bound to happen. Giotto Jaeger was standing before both a King and Queen. Their duty to their House and city called for them to capture the rogue known as the Wild Card.
But that wouldn’t be the case today.
“.. G-Gio!!” Kenny suddenly blurted out, and the serious expression that once accompanied his intimidating frame had disappeared.
The giant was now rushing Gio and with no warning, was squeezing him into a hug.
“It’s horrible, Gio! Clare, my Clare-bear, s-she’s—!!” Ken was completely out of it, tears streaming down his face, and the now suffocating Gio didn’t exactly have the ability to respond.
Kenny was way too strong for his own good.
“—Ke-Ken, le-let go, breat—”
Lenna then walked up behind her King, grabbing him by the ear, which caused him to release Gio in turn. She seemed to have her King trained quite well.
“Sir, I believe this wanted fugitive was attempting to tell you something about your missing daughter.” Lenna’s voice was about as monotone as you could get. Practically rehearsed.
“What?!” Ken grabbed Gio, shaking him wildly. “Giotto! Buddy! Pal! Criminal-at-large! You know where my Clare-bear is?!”
The hangover which plagued Gio before the fight was creeping its way back in. The more he shook, the more his world began to spin without a moment of mercy. Though even with the obviously ill Gio right before his eyes, Ken was blind to all but news of his—
A door across the rooftop suddenly sprang open, with two figures walking out into the light of day.
“CLARE-BEAR!” Ken screeched, tossing Gio behind him like a deflated chew toy as he rushed along the roof. He was darting straight to the lone door of the roof access that had opened to reveal his pride and joy; Clarissa ‘Clare’ Blume.
Oh, and Sera was there too, but Ken surely never noticed.
“Papa!” Clare sprinted along the rooftop without a care, never seeming to even notice the destruction or signs of battle.
Like father, like daughter, the two both appeared to be in their own little world.
Both leapt, as if long jumping into a cool lake on a hot summer day, and right into each other’s loving arms. Cheek to cheek they nuzzled, hugging as if they would never let go, all the while laughing their worries away.
Clearly this was a King a bit different from the rest.
“.. I still don’t know… what’s going on…” Sera was a bit out of her element, stepping onto the roof and casually walking past both Clare and Kenny.
She was on her way to Gio, whom had yet to recover from the shaking, but she was suddenly stopped by the approaching Lenna.
The two women each gave a look to the other, as if sizing each other up, but truthfully Sera still had no idea what was going on exactly. So, the firecracker tried to walk past the Queen of Clubs – only to be stopped with two hands resting comfortably on her face.
Lenna had taken hold of Sera’s cheeks and was staring deeply into her blue eyes.
“He-Hey! What are you—”
“C-Cute…” Lenna’s once robotic voice went about as bubbly as you could get.
“W-What?!”
“.. Cute.”
Sera’s face had turned bright as a cherry. Whatever was going on, at least it wasn’t happening in front of more people… but, what exactly was going on again?
Standing up, albeit struggling to do so, Gio dusted himself off and began a slow walk towards the mass hysteria atop Clover Mall.
“Don’t mind her, mosquito… That stone-face just has a bit of a girly side when it comes to certain things… she should ease up soo—” Gio was cut off by the sudden death-glare emanating from Lenna.
Despite this, Lenna released Sera and managed a smile. The Queen of Clubs then made her way past her and off to reunite with her King and Clare.
Sera continued to feel incredibly lost and out of place. This seemed more like some long running joke or a play than real life. Surely she was just missing the punch line.
“.. Like I was saying, don’t mind her. Or any of them, really. They are pretty eccentric.” Gio finally made his way back to his own partner. “.. The King and Queen of Clubs, considered the most powerful duo in all of the Houses.”
Gio couldn’t help but look back on their attacks from before.
Kenny Blume, affectionately called Ken by most, was known as the most powerful in terms of attack power in New Eden. His ability, Reaper, allowed him to control powerful shadow energy. Unmatched in offensive capabilities.
His trademark attack tended to involve a scythe of shadow energy, but Ken was capable of even more masterful manipulation and creation of powerful weapons. He could even tap into the natural shadows of the world and create gateways over long distances. The only downsides to Ken would have been his physical combat and perhaps his defensive power, but even then he was highly talented.
That skill was why many believed if Ken went all out, not even the other Kings could best him in attack power.
Right there with Ken was his Queen, Lenna Vermillion, whom sported the ability Vorpal Knight.
Her ability, when active, produced an immensely powerful suit of armor and dual swords. Not only were the items themselves powerful, but the boost they gave to Lenna’s already freakish ability made her a King-level Esper. In fact, Lenna was the popular candidate for replacing Gio years ago as King of Hearts… but Lenna wanted to remain with Clubs.
It was thanks to her typically monotonous personality that few knew what to think of her, calling her cold, but she found her own warmth in remaining with her House.
Watching the two of them show off their abilities, even if only for an instant, was still thrilling even for a former King like Gio.
“Let’s get going, mosquito… I don’t think hanging around here is the best idea.” Gio was already moving as he spoke, Sera instinctively following behind.
“D-Don’t think you can go saying things like that just because you got a few bruises, you ingrate!” She wasn’t going to lose that edge, no matter the situation.
The two were as casual as could be, considering the battle that just happened. Now was the time to make haste, given that soon other Espers would be arriving. The two making their way back to the roof access and leaving the premises was all but a foregone conclusion.
If not for Clare.
“Uncle Gio, Aunty Sera! Thank you!” With no warning, Clare had smashed into them with force that rivaled even her father.
“A-Aunty?!” Sera was losing it, but she didn’t have the heart to turn away the kid.
“.. She’s not wrong. Thanks you two.” Ken spoke, that squeal of his from before being back to a calm yet strong tone. “I’d say I owe you, but, well…”
Gio patted Clare lightly on the head, smiling, and waved off Ken.
“You don’t have to worry, Kenny. Just do me a favor and admire the sight of New Eden for a couple minutes. Plenty of time for us to take our leave, hm?” Gio’s sly smirk sparked one form Ken as well.
“.. Sure thing, old friend.” Ken took hold of his daughter, picking her up and placing her atop his shoulder.
“One thing before I go, Ken.” The King looked back as Gio motioned him. “.. It seems like she’s already on her way. If not for her, a lot more people would have died. Good luck.”
Gio turned, lightly tapping Sera on the back to motion their departure.
Sera was still shocked at Clare’s declaration, but she realized then that this wasn’t the first time Ken and Gio ran into each other. The two of them were friends. Despite Gio’s status as a Rogue, publically said to have been Killed In Action, Ken still trusted him.
That was good news for Sera, as it made getting home and out of the sitcom that much easier.
As both Ken and Lenna took a few steps, glancing out at the city, Clare enthusiastically waved back at the departing duo. Ken kept his smile going, even letting out a light chuckle, which Lenna couldn’t help but inquire to.
“.. Sir? What’s so funny? After what just happened…” She trailed off.
Ken then decided to place a hand atop Lenna’s shoulder, causing her to jolt at the sudden sensation.
“You see, Lenna, let’s just say… it’s good to see that kid back on his feet.”
Her eyebrow raised ever so slightly.
“.. You mean after his fall from grace?”
Ken’s laugh subsided as he looked up for a moment before glancing towards his own daughter and then back to Lenna.
“In part, yes… but there were quite a few other things. The fact that’s he’s up and around, the world needs that. New Eden needs that. It’s just a shame we don’t realize it just yet. And… that partner of his, Sera? She’s done quite the job.”
Lenna couldn’t help but be skeptical. Giotto Jaeger was a fugitive. Though she had to admit he wasn’t a typical fugitive and his situation was different. To the public he died four years ago, but to the higher ranking Espers he was a Rogue who caused the death of hundreds – including his own Queen and Jack of Hearts.
Many didn’t realize that the freelancer for hire running around New Eden saving the day was a former King long thought dead.
Even with what Gio may have done to help the city she believed in upholding the law of the Houses and the stability of New Eden. Despite her own conflicted feelings on the matter she would continue to do what she felt was right, in accordance with the regulations.
Perhaps, much like her King, she believed that the Wild Card was necessary. Under that cold exterior was a warm soul.
“Sir, what should we do about the news on the attack? Surely they will mention something about the mysterious Esper who initially fought the Chaotic. One without a House who wore the mark of Wild Card.”
Ken cleared his throat, watching Clare frolic back and forth on the rooftop. His attention was then turned back to where Gio and Sera once stood.
He couldn’t help but sound a bit worried.
“There’s not much we can do at this point… Old Man Victor and that kid of his— No, that’s not right. She is a King, after all. Rose and Victor will probably be raising hell pretty soon. It’s only a matter of time before he makes his move.”
He then looked back down towards where the battle began in the mall below. While his daughter was luckily too distracted to notice, he knew that lives were lost down there despite their precautions. Something like this hadn’t happened before. Not in this way.
“The Chaotic that attacked… It was another strong one. Practically King-class, A-Rank for sure. That’s only the latest. We sometimes went a year with maybe just one… now we’ve had several in a couple months. A shadow is creeping closer. Or, well, something like that.” He seemed a bit exhausted. “I’m sure us Kings will be getting a call to Central sooner rather than later.”
He looked back to the city, far into the distance where the tallest building around for thousands of miles seemed like a beacon. From out here at Clover it didn’t quite look like the most important location in all of New Eden. From out here, you could never tell that it housed the Four Aces; supreme authorities in all things.
Never before had such an explosive situation been on the horizon. One that would see the Kings involved in what could become a civil war. He wondered what the founders of New Eden would end up doing.
Ken’s own face had a bit of a sour expression. He dreaded what was coming, but knew it was only a matter of time.
“.. Seems that we can’t turn a blind eye anymore, Lenna. Things are finally coming to a head.”
~ END 6TH CARD ~