*An overweight woman with long flowing pink hair and red eyes wearing a black dress with blue mascara and red lipstick was whipping a young boy who was chained to the wall. The young boy had seaweed green hair and yellow eyes. As the boy had his back whipped repeatedly he screamed out in pain from each lash with tears in his eyes*
(Garcia): Mama! I’m sorry! Please forgive me!
(Mama): How could you get such false information from the Vikingo Family? You idiot! You embarrassed me in front of the Noetia Syndicate. This was my chance to prove my worth to them and you failed me!
*Mama cracked the whip repeatedly on Garcia’s back seven more times in quick secession before Garcia fell to his knees and Mama unchained him from the wall. After pouring a bucket of cold water on him, Mama embraces Garcia with tears in her eyes*
(Mama): I’m so sorry Garcia. Please forgive your mama. I only hurt you because I love you. I want the best life for you, but in order to do that you must do everything mama tells you to do correctly. Without failure. Understood?
(Garcia): Yes. I understand mama. I love you.
(Mama): I love you too, Garcia.
***
*Present*
*Outside of the Bludwood palace, Ryuuji was fighting against knights of Bludwood who had mistaken him for a member of the Syndicate*
(Ryuuji): Please wait!
*Ryuuji dodged an axe attack that was swung at him*
(Ryuuji): I’m not with the Syndicate!
*Ryuuji sensed someone getting ready to attack him from behind and delivered a flaming back fist to knock them out. When Ryuuji realized what he did he winced*
(Bludhaven Knight): Oh yeah, you’re totally not with the Syndicate.
(Ryuuji): I’m sorry! I moved on instinct!
*Ryuuji soon realized he was surrounded by five knights each getting ready to attack him. As Ryuuji was getting ready to dodge, the sound of a Gatling gun went off as the knights were shot multiple times by metal marbles that incapacitated them. Ryuuji was shocked by this and looked behind himself to see Jin standing off in the distance with his umbrella weapon that had turned into a Gatling gun. Three knights near the gate witnessed this and were quick to call for backup before Alita blasted them with her plasma shot made out of light magic*
(Ryuuji): Noo~! I’m trying to show them I’m on their side.
*Ryuuji let out a defeated sigh*
(Jin): Sir Ryuuji! Are you okay?
(Ryuuji): Yes, I’m fine. I’m glad to see you’re all right as well. What about Chief and the others?
(Jin): They’re safe. I also got some big news that’s going to change everything.
(Alita): Incoming!
*Alita’s shout got the attention of Ryuuji and Jin who saw more knights heading their way prepared to fight*
(Ryuuji): Tell me later. Right now, we need to get inside that palace. Take them out, but do your best not to harm them too badly.
(Jin): Right.
*Ryuuji and Jin charged forward to fight the knights with Alita providing support from the sky*
***
*Back in the palace, Lloyd and the Syndicate were making their way to The Golem killing anyone who got in their way thanks in large part to Garcia who slashed through the knights like a knife through hot butter. The remaining eight grunts of the Syndicate were both impressed and afraid at how easily Garcia was able to slay the knights. Lloyd on the other hand wasn’t surprised. He had known about Garcia’s skills for quite some time and knew the Syndicate could benefit from them. Sure, his mind was twisted but Lloyd saw the value in him. He knew that if he directed that twisted nature in the right direction he would have nothing to worry about. That’s why he brought him and his mother into the Syndicate as informants. Lloyd didn’t trust Garcia’s mom all that much and was fully aware of her wicked ways on the young Garcia. In order to get Garcia’s full loyalty, his mom had to go, so Lloyd befriended the then-young Garcia. Slowly manipulated him and then had him kill his mom as a way to express what he believed to be an act of love. To Garcia, pain is an expression of love. The more agony someone is in the more love they will feel. Throughout most of his life Garcia has experienced agony and whenever someone harms him he sees it as an act of love that he must return by bringing them pain. If they should die, that just proves how great his love for them was. Lloyd, Garcia, and the Syndicate grunts soon arrived at the greenhouse*
(Lloyd): Excellent. Once we pass through here we’ll reach the secret passage that will lead us to The Golem.
(Garcia): Get down!
*Garcia tackles Lloyd to the ground and uses his body as a shield to protect Lloyd from the incoming danger. Without warning, a blade disc came flying through the air where it bounced off the head of one of the grunts to knock them out and then ricocheted off a tree to hit another grunt in the head. The disc continued to bounce and ricochet around the greenhouse knocking out all the grunts before it returned to Amarti who caught it in his hand under a tree. He came out into the open to make his presence known as Lloyd and Garcia returned to their feet*
(Amarti): Damn. Two are still standing. I thought I calculated that perfectly.
*Garcia glared daggers at Amarti*
(Lloyd): Are you a mercenary like the other elf we saw?
(Amarti): Is that the story we’re going with? Well, it wouldn’t be the first time. *Clears throat* Turn back now or-
*Before Amarti couldn’t finish his sentence Garcia charged and thrust his katar at him. Amarti quickly jumped out of the way to avoid getting slashed. Sparks of electricity could be seen coming from the katar and a small cut appeared on Amarti’s cheek. As soon as Amarti landed, Garcia thrust his katar at him again. This time Amarti blocked the attack with his blade disc*
(Amarti): Couldn’t you at least let me finish first? I waited a pretty good time in this greenhouse for you.
(Garcia): Hmph. Save your monologue for after you win.
*Amarti jumped back and summoned his trident just as Garcia charged at him again. Using the trident, Amarti blocked all of Garcia’s attacks. Amarti twirled and spun the trident in his arms to block the attacks before going on the offensive and thrusting his trident forward at Garcia who easily dodged the attacks with his impressive footwork. However, Amarti anticipated this and aimed low where his trident slashed the right shin of Garcia. At first, Garcia felt nothing, but then his leg started going numb and he couldn’t move the way he wanted to move. Amarti quickly took advantage of this distraction and attacked. First, he delivered a backhand fist to Garcia’s face to daze him, then used his trident to slash the left shin of Garcia to bring him down to his knees. Finally, Amarti grabbed Garcia’s head and drove his face directly into Amarti’s jumping knees. Garcia soon fell backward with a bloody nose as Amarti looked around to see that Lloyd had vanished*
(Amarti): *Sigh* Of course.
*As Amarti was about to go after Lloyd, his foot got grabbed by Garcia who was smiling and laughing while looking up at Amarti*
(Garcia): That was very nice. I could feel the weight of your love.
*Garcia let go of Amarti’s foot and ran electricity through his legs to remove the numbness and return to his feet. Amarti was shocked to see someone shake off the effects of his trident so quickly*
(Garcia): Now allow me to return the favor.
*Garcia thrust his left hand forward to strike Amarti with his katar, but Amarti quickly summoned his blade discs to protect him. The blade discs soon formed a wall in front of Amarti to protect him from Garcia’s attacks. Garcia attacked the wall of discs hoping to break through it with his strikes but had no luck. Using his speed, Garcia attempted to strike Amarti from behind only for the discs to move to Amarti’s back and protect him. Garcia continued to use his speed to move around Amarti hoping to strike him, but each time Amarti’s discs would block his attacks. However, Garcia noticed that as he kept picking up speed Amarti’s discs would just reach him in the nick of time. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that the discs were responding to Amarti’s eyes tracking his movements. All Garcia had to do was keep moving fast and beat Amarti’s eyes. Garcia began picking up speed until finally he was able to scrape Amarti’s shoulder with his katar. Amarti felt pain but continued to focus on Garcia hoping to block his attacks. Amarti got cut a couple more times by Garcia, but he was able to block a majority of his attacks. With his cloak completely tattered, Amarti tore it off and tossed it to the side. Garcia saw multiple cuts and bloodstains across Amarti’s body from the damage he had done*
(Garcia): Why do you block my attacks? Do you not accept my love?
(Amarti): I don’t share the same view of love as you do. From my perspective, everything you do is nothing but pain.
(Garcia): And yet they’re one and the same. You shower others with affection because you love them. You inflict pain on others because you love them. I’m sure your father showed his love whenever he punished you.
*Within an instant, three blade discs fly through the air toward Garcia who blocked them with his katars and sliced through them. However, they instantly reformed and cut his cheek, arm, and shoulder flying by him before they returned to Amarti. Garcia looked over at Amarti and could visibly see an orange aura surrounding his body as he stared angrily at Garcia before smiling sinisterly*
(Amarti): My dad? Love?
*Amarti laughs*
(Amarti): That might just be the funniest thing I’ve heard in a long time. The mere idea that love and my dad would be used in the same sentence. There’s only one thing I’ve experienced from that man. Pain suffering, and disappointment.
*Speaking Elfan, Amarti converted his trident into nine blade discs*
(Amarti): Would you like to experience a piece of it?
*Garcia stood there not only amazed at the magic aura Amarti was giving off but also because he couldn’t move. His legs were shaking in fear. For the first time ever, Garcia was afraid of getting hurt and feeling pain. That fear took control of his mind and he quickly ran away. Using his lightning magic to make himself faster, Garcia made his way to the entrance of the greenhouse. He smiled when he saw himself closing in on the doors. In his mind, he formulated the plan to retreat, regroup, and then attack again. Sadly, he would never get that chance. Just when he was only a few steps away from reaching the door he stopped in his tracks feeling a sharp pain in his back. Garcia could feel the blood pouring down his back and looked over his right shoulder to see Amarti’s blade disc embedded within his back*
(Garcia): GA. . .GAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH! IT HURTS!
*Garcia falls to his knees screaming out in pain with tears in his eyes as Amarti appeared and approached Garcia*
(Garcia): Please! Pull it out! I beg of you~!
(Amarti): What’s wrong? I thought you enjoyed pain. After all, this is the same pain you inflicted on so many others in the past.
*All of a sudden flashbacks of Garcia torturing others began to play in his mind. Their cries of agony and regret could be heard clearly in his mind and he came to the realization that pain wasn’t the same as love*
(Amarti): You think pain and love are one in the same? Allow me to show you what true pain is like.
*Amarti grabbed the handle of the blade disc and pulled it out of Garcia’s back quickly. As Garcia screamed in pain, the twelve blade discs began slashing away at Garcia’s body as they flew around him. Garcia’s screams filled up the greenhouse. In between his screams he begged Amarti to stop with bloodstained tears in his eyes but Amarti wouldn’t stop. Eventually, Garcia passed out from the pain inflicted on him and Amarti’s blades returned to his side. He examined Garcia’s body and saw how bloody and lifeless he was*
(Amarti): What you just experienced was only a fraction of the pain I felt from my dad. I didn’t have to stop. I could have kept going. A few more slashes and cuts and you would have been dead. But I don’t want you to die. I want you to remember this day and this moment. The moment when you finally understood what real pain is and what happens to people who get on my bad side.
*As Amarti made his blades disappear, the doors to the greenhouse opened and in comes Zia, Ryuuji, Jin, and Alita. Zia quickly ran over to Amarti and embraced him in a hug where his face nestled nicely between Zia’s breasts*
(Zia): Master Amarti~!
(Amarti): Zia! Can’t breathe!
(Zia): Oh right!
*Zia quickly moved Amarti away just as Ryuuji got done examining the body of Garcia. He had seen his share of mangled bodies, but this was one of the worst he had ever seen and didn’t want to look at it. Jin was also disgusted and did his best not to look at Garcia’s body. Alita seemed unfazed by the state of Garcia’s body. Ryuuji couldn’t help but wonder what Garcia did to rile up Amarti. Usually, Amarti was very calm and collected with his opponents, but here, it looked as if Amarti was seriously trying to kill his opponent but managed to stop himself before taking it too far*
(Zia): Master! Are you all right?
(Amarti): I’m fine. Just a few scratches but I’ll live.
(Alita): Shall I apply medical aid?
(Amarti): I appreciate it but there’s no time for that. Lloyd snuck past me and is headed toward The Golem. We’ve got to catch up to him.
(Jin): Actually, I have some news about The Golem you guys might find interesting.
***
*In another part of the palace, Gambit was walking the halls slowly and cautiously before coming to a door. Taking a deep breath, he kicked open the door to see he was about to step foot into the palace ballroom*
(Gambit): I know you’re here, Dust. Show yourself!
*Gambit enters the dark room with the only light coming from the windows. The doors close behind him and the lights come on revealing a dance floor, chandeliers on the ceiling lighting the place up, folded tables and chairs leaning against the walls, and a stage. He hears a piano being played in a funky upbeat tune. Gambit turns his attention to the stage where he sees Dust playing the piano and he starts to sing*
(Dust): You can easily find fake tough guys from here~ all the way to there~. The real ones are the ones you always laugh at. Without a second thought. They can’t be drawn in shows or depicted in movies. They make an effort to be steady and have days with ups and downs. Getting ready for the day~ they go by this name. Super! Super Star Maro! Even in the moonlit night! Super! Super Star Maro! Sometimes it’s a miracle if they wake up. Super! Super Star Maro! Even on a winter day. Super! Super Star Maro. Always believing that they will be seen by all.
*Dust continues to play the piano having a good time. Just as he’s finishing up the chorus and about to sing again, Gambit comes flying through the sky and elbows drops through the piano destroying it. Dust sensed Gambit’s attack coming and pushed himself away in the chair just before Gambit makes contact with the piano*
(Dust): Not a fan of Jaharaman I see. That’s okay. I know other songs. You look like an Eve guy. How about one of his songs?
*Gambit returned to his feet where Dust could see his arm was wrapped in dark magic that was blue and looked like a crab’s arm. Gambit lunged at Dust all jumped out of the chair to dodge Gambit’s attack. Gambit smashed the chair to pieces with his crab arm*
(Dust): The Shadow Beast technique. Been awhile since I’ve seen someone not an elf use this.
(Gambit): Fucking traitor! I knew we couldn’t trust you!
(Dust): Now. Now. Don’t get too upset. If it’s any consolation I really wasn’t trying to stop you guys from getting The Golem. I was here for something else. Unfortunately I had to get inside your mansion to retrieve it.
(Gambit): What were you after? Tell me now!
(Dust): Sorry. That’s classified. I’m sure I already got what I wanted so I’ll be on my way.
(Gambit): You really think I’m going to just let you walk away after making a fool out of the Syndicate?
(Dust): Please and thank you. That’s what happened the last time we interacted all those years ago. The difference being is that I don’t have to fight my way through an army of grunts to get what I want.
(Gambit): Oh don’t worry. I won’t need an army to take you down. Let’s go. You and me. Right now!
(Dust): You sure you want to do this? You know who I am, right? What makes you think you have what it takes to bring me down?
(Gambit): Ruthless tenacity!
*Gambit charged at Dust who smiled as he remembered that was the exact same line he used when he fought the Syndicate all those years ago*
Author’s Notes
Another down and another fight won. This fight was pretty short and sweet, but I wanted to show a darker side to Amarti. He’s usually this guy who’s in control and thinks things through without losing his temper or getting mad. Here, we see for the first time he loses that in-control personality and allows his anger and hatred to take over all because he remembers his dad. We get a brief glimpse into Amarti and how he feels about his dad. A person you would think he would look up to but instead he has the most disdain for him out of everyone. After Amarti’s fight our next round is Dust vs Gambit. The legend of the underworld going up against the unknown kid. One has everything to lose while the other has everything to gain from this encounter. Thanks for reading and I’ll see you next time on Project Nitsuj.