The tides of the battle slowly shifted into a stalemate with Tsubaki's transformation. Her metallic body could repel the Warden's light beams, but she couldn't hit him from a distance. His only option to harm her was to move into close combat with his supercharged dagger, but he knew that one clean punch from her could finish the job. Tsubaki smiled to herself as the Warden tried to outlast her, not knowing that was exactly what she wanted.

  ?: That's quite enough.

  Tsubaki: Teus(Tay+is)! Thank goodness.

  Teus: You were able to protect this civilian and track down the fugitive, you've done good work here Tsubaki.

  Tsu: Thank you sir.

  Teus was a tall, muscular man dressed in a sharp military suit. What caught Kagura's eye the most was the utterly massive shield he used. Teus' shield was nearly as tall as he was, and had a weapon sheathed on its inside.

  The Warden recognized the man known as one of the 'Two Pillars' of the military. Even though Teus was a normal man with no supernatural powers, the Warden could feel his control of the situation vanish. He immediately ran off into the woods.

  Tsubaki: No! Should we give chase?

  Teus: No, its fine. You two are injured enough. We need to get him to a hospital.

  Tsubaki: Yes sir!

  Kagura: Hey! I can take care of myself.

  Teus: I'm sure you can son, now come along.

  When Teus grabbed Kagura's wrist, Kagura could feel the power in his grip. Getting a little worked up, Kagura snatched his hand from Teus' control.

  Kagura: I'm not going anywhere! I'm fine!

  Tsubaki: Listen here! We are ordering you to stand down!

  Kagura: Make me!

  Kagura placed his hand on the ground and created a swarm of shadow tendrils to wrap up the military soldiers. Tsubaki used her immense strength to force her way out, but Teus remained bound.

  Kagura: Back off or I'll squeeze the life out of him!

  Teus: Go for it.

  Kagura turned around to see Teus standing right behind him.

  Teus: Sorry kid.

  The last thing Kagura saw was the back end of Teus' shield smacking him in the forehead. The next thing Kagura knew, he was waking up chained to a hospital bed.

  Teus: Hey there! Sorry about the chains but we really needed you to rest up. My name is Teus.

  Kagura: Who the hell are you guys? And what's with the weird looking unicorns?

  Teus: What? . . Oh uniforms. We're with Gaia's Central Military. You must have been held in a tower until recently.

  Kagura: What!? How do you know that?

  Teus: Because its my job to find them and free those trapped inside. When I intercepted a message about Tower 13 being destroyed, I looked into finding any survivors. I traveled with Tsubaki here to capture the Warden of that Tower.

  Kagura: Some military, I was the one who found him first.

  Tsubaki: And you would've been killed if I didn't save your butt.

  Kagura: You wanna go metal chick?! Cause you didn't save anything!

  As Kagura tried to lunge forward, the chains attached to him actually stopped him from moving forward. Recognizing his confused expression, Tsubaki giggled to herself.

  Tsubaki: Sorry, but those aren't typical chains. I made those myself, so you aren't going anywhere.

  Kagura: Is that right?

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  Teus sat back, eagerly enjoying the two bickering. He began to eat Kagura's hospital lunch while watching the show. Kagura put all his might into breaking the chains. Tsubaki laughed as he strained himself. Her laughter however, was silenced when he actually managed to break out.

  Tsubaki: No way!

  Kagura: Now its on!

  Tsubaki: Bring it!

  Before the two could clash, they were separated by Teus' shield. He finished off Kagura's meal as the two stared at him impatiently.

  Teus: The last thing the military needs is a Hospital bill to replace the entire building. Young Kagura, we aren't here for trouble with you. I actually wanted to know if you would like to join the military and serve on my team.

  Kagura and Tsubaki: WHAT?!

  Tsubaki: Sir, please reconsider. He's brash, arrogant, and the most unprofessional person I've ever met!

  Kagura: I'm in.

  Tsubaki: HUH!?

  Kagura: Just knowing it'll piss you off is worth it.

  Teus: That was easy.

  Kagura: Are there strong fighters in the military?

  Teus: Some of the most powerful men and women in the world are allied with the military.

  Kagura: Hmmm. Prove it. I'll join if you fight me.

  Teus: Me?

  Kagura: Yep. The Warden took off just from seeing you, so you must be strong. I wanna see just how far I need to go.

  Tsubaki: No way, out of the question.

  Teus: Its fine Tsubaki. Meet me on the outskirts of town, north side, in about 3 hours.

  Kagura: Ha! Its pronounced 'Outside'.

  Tsubaki and Teus just shook their heads and left Kagura in the hospital for the time being. Kagura remained in the hospital for awhile before heading off to fight against Teus. He arrived to see Teus stretching in preparation. Tsubaki was glaring at him with disdain.

  Tsubaki: Are you really going to challenge Teus? You know he's a master rank right?

  Kagura: I don't know or care what that is. He looks tough so I'll fight him.

  Teus: Alright young man. Whenever you're ready, it's on you.

  Kagura wasted no time and immediately rushed towards Teus. Kagura, confident in his overwhelming might, unleashed a flurry of unrestrained punches. Teus used his shield to guard himself, but Kagura's punches slowly drove him back. Kagura summoned his hammer and knocked Teus off of his feet with a thunderous strike.

  Teus: Woah! That's some power you've got there.

  Kagura: I'm just getting started!

  Teus showed Kagura that he was more skilled in a close quarters fight by deflecting the young warrior's strikes. Kagura coldness figure out how to get around the massive shield Teus wielded. Teus also hit Kagura with a shield charge every time Kagura advanced. Tsubaki stood back, unimpressed.

  Teus: You're extremely powerful young man. If you join us, I'll personally oversee your training.

  Kagura: Why are you talking like this fight is over? If you can stop my next strike, we can stop.

  Tsubaki: *sigh*

  Kagura ran at Teus and reared his hammer back. As Teus braced for the strike, his shield lowered.

  Teus and Tsubaki: What?

  Teus looked down to see that his limbs were bound by shadows. Kagura held nothing back and swung his hammer. The strike cleanly removed Teus' head from his shoulders.

  Kagura: OOOOOOOOOH FUUUUUUUCK! I'm so sorry so sorry sorry sorry sorry!

  Tsubaki stood back, trying her hardest not to break her stoic facade by bursting out in laughter. Kagura lifted Teus' head and noticed the cables dangling from his neck.

  Kagura: Wait a minute.

  Teus: Military War Bot. I'm really surprised that you were able to destroy it. Nice to meet you finally, I am Captain Teus Helix. You've already met my subordinate, First Sergeant Tsubaki Faelin.

  Kagura: What...

  Teus: It was just a robot son, no worries. If Tsubaki and I have assignments that require us to be far from one another, I send my bot to follow her for support. I arrived not too long after the Warden fled.

  Kagura: . . .

  Teus: I can explain it on the way to the military headquarters. Even though I'm sure you'll still want to continue?

  Kagura: I'm still standing aren't I? Plus, I still need to pay you back for knocking me out earlier.

  Teus: I like your guts young man.

  Teus was a completely different monster from his decoy. He utilized the many different types of tactical ordnance that he kept hidden on the inside of his shield. Each one gave him unique advantages on the battlefield. Kagura was hit with flash grenades, stun grenades, standard explosives, and much more. Teus showed Kagura all of his tactical items. Teus even showcased some of the experimental tech he had. One of his advanced items made his sword and shield completely invisible.

  With all of the effects of the multiple bombs and having to fight against a strong opponent with invisible weapons, Kagura was overwhelmed quickly.

  Kagura: Damn, I can't even get near you.

  Teus: A fighter needs to learn to make the most of his tools in battle. I'm not an Eximi like you or Tsubaki, so I make sure not to waste anything I've got.

  Kagura: Wait, you're not an Eximi?

  Teus: Nope.

  Kagura: I was hoping you could show me something... time out!

  Kagura left a dumbfounded Teus in the battlefield as he ran towards Tsubaki.

  Tsubaki: What are you doing?

  Kagura: Your body!

  Tsu: My WHAT?

  Kagura: You turned it into metal earlier remember? How did you do that!?

  Tsubaki: Its called Awakening. Only certain Eximi with great power can use the skill. It's a skill that breaks down the line between human and element.

  Kagura: Tell me how you do it!

  Tsubaki: That isn't something someone could just do just like that. It's a strange feeling for me, letting my body be fully consumed, destroyed, and remade by my Ousia(Oo+see+uh).

  Kagura: What's that?

  Tsubaki: Ousia is the energy of life. Its within everyt-

  Kagura: You're no help!

  After interrupting Tsubaki, Kagura ran back to face Teus.

  Teus: Are you ready now young man?

  Kagura sat still with his eyes closed.

  Teus: I'm going to finish this!

  Teus ran forward and swung his gargantuan shield. To the surprise of Tsubaki and himself, the shield effortlessly went through Kagura's body. Black ooze-like substance wriggled about from Kagura's lower half. The strange material came back together to restore his form.

  Tsubaki: What!? There's no way!

  Kagura: Alright, let's start round two.

  Teus: That is truly remarkable young man. I must have you in my Company.

  Kagura: Only if you win!