The group runs across some catwalks with guardrails underneath the city.

  “This place is cool! Machinery and pipes all across the ceiling!”, Raiden says.

  A scared Atsume adds: “And you can also fall out of the force field down to Theia if you slip.”

  Raiden tries calming her down: “Oh but I’m sure you could fly back up. No need to worry.”

  “But I don’t have a shift that can fly!”, she replies.

  Raiden says: “Still, you’re strong and nimble. You won’t fall off. Even if, Shurui-chan has enough energy to carry at least two people before needing to charge again.”

  He turns to Erika and asks: “I’m super curious though. Why are there so many stalactite-like spikes on the bottom of this city?”

  Erika explains: “Those things are filled with observatories, other kinds of labs, control rooms and a bunch of measuring instruments on the outside. Down here work a bunch of scientists which make sure this experimental city stays up in the air. Although that biggest spike in the middle of this underside is a freight port.”

  Shurui complains: “You’re stealing my job, you meanie!”

  Erika then mentions: “We’re arriving at the central energy control room!”

  She thinks: “Seems like sneaking around this place and annoying the scientists for the past two years actually pays off for once.”

  They break down a door and find only a big arrow on a whiteboard pointing toward an open door.

  “Dammit! He found out!”, Raiden says and Erika explains: “Outside that door is a big catwalk area.”

  They rush there and as they exit the central energy control room, Garuphu shouts: “Stop right there!”

  He stands there with his back turned to them and mumbles with a confident smile: “Erika and two randoms… we’ve always had an eye on you, young lady, since you’re different than the average person living in the slums. You’re a genius and I had always hoped one day, you’d decide to join my side but now I’m disappointed.”

  Erika says as she gets her hammer ready: “Thanks for the compliment! But your thinking I would join your side just shows how na?ve you are.”

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  Atsume shifts into the form of an Azeoprian and just as they want to attack, Garuphu turns around and reveals that he is holding a certain mechanic hostage. Erika is shocked while Raiden is surprised and Atsume is more confused than surprised.

  Garuphu explains: “One step closer and I’ll throw him into certain death. 300km is a fall that no person can survive.”

  “Don’t bother with me Eri-chan!”, Svalin shouts but Erika replies, “You think I’d let you die?!”

  Garuphu says: “Don’t worry, Eri-chan… You can save his life if you just let me do what I want. I swear to you I’ll release him once I’m done.”

  “Like I’d trust anything you say!”, Erika shouts and Raiden needs to hold her back.

  Garuphu smiles and Erika looks at Shurui. She then rushes in and raises her hammer but Garuphu doesn’t hesitate and throws Svalin off the catwalk.

  She shouts: “Jet Hammer!”, as she swings with the jet engine turned on but Garuphu can push against it with one hand and punches Erika right in her face.

  She gets flung back to the others while Shurui lifts Svalin back up to them.

  Shurui lays down on the floor and says, beathing heavily: “That was… it… I need some time… my battery’s empty…”

  Erika is surprised: “What?! But Raiden said you could carry two people!”

  Raiden comments: “Yeah but you already used a lot of battery for that EMP.”

  Garuphu punches forward and creates a water stream out of thin air. It curves and hits Atsume, sweeping her into the guardrails. Raiden decides to shock the water and a lightning hits Garuphu. He shouts in pain as Erika asks if Atsume is okay. Raiden rushes in and trades blows with Garuphu. Garuphu hits way harder though because he covers his fists in rock. Raiden tumbles a little after a particular punch to the face and Garuphu breathes in deeply. Atsume realizes his next move and rushes in front of Raiden.

  She shifts into a smaller humanoid made from stone and shouts: “Morph: Diamedic!”

  Garuphu breathes fire at her and Shurui is amazed: “Wow! She’s got a Diamedic Morph too?”

  Erika is confused: “What’s a Diamedic?”

  Shurui explains: “It’s a species made of sentient rock from Diamedica. They are a liquid magma core with a crystal heart surrounded by rocky layers increasing in resilience the farther out you go.”

  Atsume tanks the fire breath and Raiden jumps over her while charging up his arm.

  The charge looks like a see-through gorilla arm surrounding his actual arm and he shouts: “Overcharged Monkey Punch!”, as he hits Garuphu’s stomach.

  Garuphu tumbles backward and Atsume shifts back into her Azeoprian form.

  Garuphu gets a little annoyed and orders loudly: “Boscooooo!! Come out! You need to buy me some time! I know three versus one isn’t really fair but I have utmost faith in you.”

  Raiden provocatively asks: “You scared you’re gonna lose to us?”

  Garuphu replies unimpressed: “I was holding back so far, bitch. Don’t get your hopes up. It’s just that you’re annoying and I wanna get through with my plan already.”

  He gets impatient: “Boscooooo!! I called for you!”

  A few more seconds pass and Garuphu asks: “Bosco!? Did you not hear me?”

  “He did not.”

  A young man with brown hair and red eyes suddenly walks up to them. He walks on the ceiling, attaching himself with threads that come out of his fingertips. He also carries a defeated person with him and nonchalantly throws them onto the catwalk.

  Garuphu realizes: “Bosco! You alone defeated him?”

  The man replies: “Don’t hype him up like that. He might’ve been your strongest bodyguard but even that lightning curl guy could’ve defeated him.”

  He has a stern look on his face: “Now it’s four versus one.”