Chains Of Pride

Year 3031

"What the hell?! What do you mean not be an asshole?" Xiao Yu the one in front and the apparent 'leader' here, had his face reddened in anger when he heard this and chose to speak out as a result, obviously not pleased with the earlier comment.

"Well I see you guys apparently trying to stop us from making it in time for a very important event, that to me seems very asshole-ish, and me being the good person that I am, was simply trying to use this opportunity of limited time, to show you how not to do that."

Kia decided to lay it on thick as putting on a false front would take too long, and he certainly had no time as it is.

Xiao Yu was a B-Class Digium within Cendo Academy, who was part of one of the many teams responsible for the technology that created the artificial expansion of Anctum. This made him highly respected within Cendo Academy, enough to form the small following that stood with him now.

Still, regardless of the fact that he was prominent among B-Class digiums, he is after all, within B-Class, and the mere fact that he sought out an A-Class for trouble means that his backing must have grown considerably. Kia being as smart as he was, immediately knew who was behind this.

"Hahaha, that guy is desperate, willing to put even his team's victory at risk simply to get back at me." Gero looked at Kia when he heard what he said and stared even more so when Kia continued, "Alright, so what's the plan? You're gonna do what? Beat the living shit out of my accomplice and I, and hope the Academy looks the other way?"

"You don't need to worry about us, or rather, you won't have time to worry about anyone else. You offended someone you shouldn't have, let's check the results of that." He looked at Kia with apparent disgust as he spoke, feeling untouchable as he did so. It was understandable why he did, he was being spurred on by one of the members of the Engage team.

The position one obtained for being in a novare institution's Engage Team is one of utmost honour. Separated from the typical hierarchy, yet still be seen as an elevated position in and of itself, such that they would feel no qualm in speaking with even the noblest S-Class Digiums.

The Classes within Cendo had always been shrouded in mystery, most people didn't even know who all the members who were in the S-Class were. Those people always kept themselves out of asinine matters for the most part.

Some digiums even believed there was a higher class than the S-Class; however, this was never proven. Also, the Shepherd who was asked about this, never denied or confirmed this claim, adding a mysterious air to the lore.

Gero's eyes slid over to Xiao Yu when he heard the disgust within his.

"Oh, did we suddenly become hard to look at? Do you feel the need to vomit when you see us?... Well, do you? Do your stomachs turn and twist from the inside, inducing limb crippling pain when it hits you?"

"What? Ah no, Uh I mean, we nev-" Xiao Yu' widened eyes and the failure of a response he was trying to send back was cut short by Gero as he continued his tirade.

"Well then my LiEgE, we humbly apologise for the disrespect we rendered thee." The sarcasm practically dripping from each word was painfully apparent. But it paled in comparison to what he did; next, Gero took one of the tools available from the hangar behind him and Kia, and with nary a change in his expression, he stabbed himself in the arm with it.

Blood splattered from the fresh release and proceeded to run down his arm, trickling from his fingers to form a puddle underneath.

Gero looked at them once more when he had done this which made Xiao Yu, and his cronies blanch, even Kia was shocked at his aggressive handling of the situation, but he tried his best not to show it.

"Now, since I have made the necessary atonement I believe we shall move forward with this, no?"

Gero showed an innocent expression, but somehow the uneasy feeling within Xiao Yu grew, he even forgot the fact that he was given a particular item by Pelerion to help forcefully keep them here should they feel the need to get violent. He never once thought the violence shown, would be like this, then again, who would?

"Uhm yes, we uh, we'll just be leaving then."

The need to stay here was as far away as it could possibly be. Even though it was shameful, Xiao Yu turned around to leave with his group, the farther, the better. I mean the man just stabbed himself in the arm, to be so ruthless to oneself, what would he do to his enemies.

"Wait! And just where do you think you're going?" Gero wasn't about to let them leave as they wanted so easily.

"W-What, what do y-you want?" That feeling of unease seems to have rung true. After all, a man that would inflict such harm to himself, he knew crazy people were never easy to deal with.

When Gero heard the right question asked, his expression significantly lightened, "Well, my acquaintance and I seem to have disgusted you, so I took the appropriate action to appease you."

When he said up to here, his expression significantly darkened, and subconsciously the same aura that prompted them to learn the truth was being released in waves from him.

It bombarded the weak wills of Xiao Yu and his followers, compelling them to tremble, wondering to themselves what monster have they provoked.

"So what do you think you should do to appease me hmm?! I know for a fact that the level of disgust you felt towards us, fades in comparison to the amount I feel towards you right now." He paused at this point and spat to the side, adding to how he felt in truth.

"You brainless, insipid excuse of a troglodyte! Sickening in your actions, you all wallow in ignorance born from the discrimination of the crass class system within this Academy! Where the damn digiums here all believe themselves to be the better of their others. Then you really seek out of the few who do not adhere to the cheap joys that could be garnered from this, quite foolish!

Gero seemed to be letting loose his feelings in full on these unlucky fellows, all while his aura immobilised them, something he did not even appear to realise was happening.

Far away on a building was Shepherd Hide, taking in the whole situation, with Vizio standing beside him, who was seemingly interested before taking a look around "Why do we always have to be on top of some building, like seriously what are we?"

"Mngh."

Shepherd Hide simply grunted in response, showing that he had no interest in continuing this conversation.

She didn't give up because of this, knowing that he was always like this, even back then, during their days in the Organization.

"Well you found some gems this time around, I mean it's crude in its release and all, but that's our aura alright, and they haven't even returned to the origin yet, incredible!!"

"Doesn't even seem like he knows how to release it, he's simply getting worked up. But these boys are gonna create huge waves in this world, and I'm gonna have front row seats to all of it hehe. Anyways, don't you think we should intervene, I mean, can they even defend themselves?".

"No, we'll simply observe, I want to see how that one handles this situation. Since that idiot saw fit to not only stick his nose in Kia's business but to even take it over."

Takeshi initially showed more interest in Kia in all honesty since when he felt his aura out of the three, Kia's own felt the purest. It didn't seem, however, that he would be getting his wish, but for his consolation, he ended up watching a somewhat exciting show.

So shit muffins, let's get the punishment underway shall we?" Gero started to walk forward with the same tool that he used to stab himself with. The blood still dripping from it in irregular intervals.

"Shit muffins? Wait, punishment? What punishment?" This was the thought running through everyone's heads.

When the group saw this, they all took one step back, Xiao Yu even forgot the device he received from Pelerion that he was supposed to use to suppress Kia. Fear did funny things to a man, plus he was only supposed to deal with Kia. Why was Gero here, and why the hell was he so hard to deal with?

Kia, to be honest, wanted to intervene several times but was stopped by Gero through small nearly indiscernible signals, so he simply held back and watched the proceedings. "Well, he really does have a way with people." Kia thought to himself while stealing glances at the new Armis to make sure everything was still in order.

He started to hear the cries from Xiao Yu and his cronies but paid no heed to it. Instead, he began to appreciate the scenery around him. 'Sighs.' "Today is really beautiful, and the breeze feels particularly lovely."