A Plea Yet Unknown Warriors

HALE: (alarmed) Tinger… It's a trap. Be careful. The real box is hidden somewhere… And THEY won't let us leave until we kill them, or they kill us.

TACKLER: (grimly) THEY?

[Tackler didn't have a good feeling about it.]

TACKLER: I thought you were gonna get me a sword, not trouble… gulps.

HALE: My bad… I'll make it up to you.

[Suddenly, the door slams shut, the fire torch casts an ominous glow as monsters emerge from the ground]

[Tackler's pulse quickened. He wasn't ready for this—his sword was broken, and he'd never faced so many monsters at once]

TACKLER: HALE… let me tell you something… there's a chance I could die here. I'm not that strong.

[But as the monsters advanced, Tackler summoned every ounce of his resolve. Despite his fear, he fought fiercely, using one hand and devastating kicks to hold them off. He was determined not to reveal his lightning powers—until a monster attacked from his blind spot.]

HALE: (shouting) Tackler, behind you!

[Forced to act, Tackler unleashed his lightning speed to dodge the attack and counter with a crushing kick, obliterating the monster. Hale's calm reaction unnerved him, but he pushed the thought aside and went all out. Electricity crackled around him as he used his swift movements to tear through the horde.]

[The room became a battlefield, with blood splattered on the walls and Tackler's shirt stained red. As the last monster fell, Tackler collapsed to one knee, breathing heavily.]

HALE: I think that's all of them…

[But Tackler suddenly screamed in agony, clutching his head as a hellish pain surged through him. His pupils glowed with a mix of blue and purple, and he shook violently, As TACKLER was huffing for breath, Hale froze, fear creeping into his voice.]

HALE: Hey… Are you okay?

[A guttural roar shattered the moment—a new, monstrous presence was approaching. TACKLER could see over behind the wall that an ominous monster with a malicious weapon was approaching them, on the other hand, he could also see a long box, hidden along the wall of Stairs from which they treaded down, he was feeling fear & at the same time, a hope to get out of there alive. The wall cracked and caved, revealing a creature that defied imagination. With long, dark hair, enormous black eyes, a grotesque smile, and a machete in hand, it towered over them like a twisted fusion of dog and horse, the very appearance of that monster sent chills down TACKLER's spine, & looked at HALE, who was also lost in confusion]

TACKLER in mind: Did I just see through a wall?

[As he was thinking about that, a message flickered in front of his eyes, stating:

"New ability acquired: See-Through"

[But, TACKLER paid no attention to it, leaving no time for being surprised or curiousity, he reached out to HALE to get out of the place alive, he could feel his death was nearing as the moment he was thinking, sweats dropping down from his face, he asks HALE trembling:

TACKLER: trembling H-H-Hale… D-do you know h-how to—

[The monster's ear-piercing shriek paralyzed him with fear.]

TACKLER in mind: THERE MUST BE A WAY OUT!

[He scanned the room desperately, but the exit was sealed. Memories of his family and friends flooded his mind, fueling his terror.]

TACKLER in mind: I DON'T WANNA DIE!! NO!

[Electricity surged wildly around him as his emotions reached a breaking point. The memory of Steller's death sharpened into sense of vengeance]

TACKLER aggressively: I CAN'T DIE!

[A thunderous explosion rocked the room, shattering walls and collapsing the ceiling. Sunlight streamed through the rubble as Tackler dodged falling debris with electrified speed.]

[The big monster emerged from the rubble, roaring with renewed fury. Tackler spotted a long box amidst the chaos and made a desperate walk for it, but the monster charged, upon instinct summoning a massive surge of electricity, Tackler unleashed a devastating attack just from a flick from his hand in air, that split the creature in two, leaving its grotesque remains sprawled across the floor. Blood and electricity crackled in the air as Tackler finally reached the box. Inside were seven exquisitely forged swords.]

[With a mixture of relief and determination, he grabbed one of the swords and turned to face the monster's remains. He could see that monster was desperately making a run for his life, but, TACKLER didn't give it a chance, & walked towards it, each of his step was filled with dread, the very sound of sword clanking on ground as he was dragging it along with him, was filling the surrounding with nothing, but pure fear, as the monster fearfully turned back to see his nemesis approaching him, he found no one, but then, to his utter horror, the nemesis of the monster, TACKLER, was standing in front of him, his sword resonating with his element, he slashed the throat of the monster, & thus, it lied in oblivion. Right after that, a sharp pain in TACKLER's gut brought him to his knees. He called out for Hale, having no response in return]

TACKLER in mind: Is... is he in the rubbles?

[Healing energy coursed through Tackler, mending his wounds unnaturally fast. As he recovered his slight bruises & slashes, he began to reflect on his past actions.]

TACKLER: I've been so rude to Hale... I better apologize to him if I found him...

[As TACKLER said that, a lingering feeling of being weak roamed in his mind, he had realized that he can't fight OP USER alone, because the recent situation just showed how reckless & hopeless, he gets, & the element oversurge saved his neck, there was nothing to take pride in, for him.]

TACKLER in mind: I can't fight OP USER alone... Should I.... return to them?

[He packed the swords into Hale's bag and weakly searched the rubble. To his relief, he spotted Hale in the distance, under the shade—talking to someone.]

TACKLER: Hale! I've got the swords. It's all clear now!

[But as he approached, unease set in. The figure Hale spoke with vanished into thin air, and when Hale turned to face him, one of his eyes glowed ominously.]

TACKLER: Hale? What's going on?

[Hale smirked, his demeanor shifting.]

HALE: Well, Tackler, I think you've underestimated me.

TACKLER *scoffs*: What? What are you talking about? C'mon, We gotta go get back to find OP USER---

[As TACKLER tried to take HALE along with him by grabbing his hand, Hale forces his hand back, away from TACKLER]

TACKLER: Hey...

[As TACKLER was casually talking with HALE, he had soon realized that the HALE was acting different, it seemed like he was a different person at that time, his doubt turns to reality as he saw one of the eye of HALE glowing.]

TACKLER: Hale... No... Who are you?!

HALE: "Someone you shouldn't have troubled talking to... He is a vessel of Mine. Through his eyes, I see this world. Of course, I am here as well, though tethered by this boy's life. His devotion to me is absolute... He begged me to let him lure you here."

[Hale's tone drips with mockery as he tilts his head, his eyes cold and piercing. He shifts his gaze sharply to Tackler, a twisted smile curling his lips, but his expression carries a strange sorrow. The faint shimmer of tears glints in the dim light, TACKLER had realized that Hale was being controlled by someone, but, HALE himself was voluntarily involved with him.]

HALE:

"What a foolish name they picked for me, OP USER... he stares at TACKLER You, Electro User, my real name is—"

[He pauses, leaning in slightly, his voice lowering to a sinister murmur before snapping back to sarcasm.]

"Wait. Are you that desperate to know?"

[Tackler's breathes clenches for a bit, & he didn't wait. Pain surges through his battered body, muscles screaming in protest, but the sense of danger overrides his limits. He stumbles back, dragging himself toward his discarded sword, his breath ragged, heart pounding in his ears, he had realized that he was facing none other than, OP USER himself.]

TACKLER (shouting):

"Hale... No... OP User!"

[Hale's smirk widens into a cruel grin, but tears continue to streak down his cheeks—a haunting contradiction. Tackler's trembling hands close around the hilt of his sword. A bolt of realization strikes through his mind like his own electricity.]

[This is the one... The one who killed Steller...]

[Tackler's grip tightens as anger wells up, raw and uncontainable. Without hesitation, he hurls the sword skyward, its blade glinting faintly in the fractured light of the collapsing structure. Electricity crackles in his palm, his body surging with energy as he charges forward.]

TACKLER:

"You... I'll end this—now!"

[The ground beneath him trembles as his power intensifies. The walls around them crumble under the weight of his energy, sending debris cascading down. Dust engulfs the scene in a suffocating cloud, obscuring everything. The sharp tang of ozone fills the air.]

TACKLER:

"Where are you?! Show yourself!"

HALE (voice echoing):

"Woah… You'll kill me if you do that…"

[The dust begins to settle, revealing Hale standing calmly amidst the destruction. The air seems to shimmer around him, untouched by the chaos. Tackler's sword, still spinning in its descent, hurtles downward—but Hale raises a single hand. The blade ricochets off an unseen barrier, clanging against the ground. Tackler stares, wide-eyed.]

HALE:

"Let me tell you something… This kid—Hale—he knew about the big monster that resides here. Of course he did; he's been around since long before The Huge Incident."

TACKLER:

"The Huge Incident?"

[Hale's expression darkens, his voice growing more fervent.]

HALE:

"He also knew how to escape this place. But did he tell you? No. When you caused the explosion, he hid himself, ensuring he wouldn't die. And yet—"

[Hale leans closer, his voice dripping with disdain.]

"Here you are, risking everything for him. How does it feel to be betrayed?"

[Tackler stumbles back, his mind reeling. His breath catches as the weight of Hale's words crashes over him like a wave. Betrayal slices deeper than any blade, and his legs tremble as tears sting his eyes.]

TACKLER (crying):

"Why…? Why would you do that?!"

[Hale waves dismissively, his smile unyielding.]

HALE:

"Don't cry. The story's not over yet. Let me show you what happens next."

[Suddenly, deep-blackened, shadowy hands erupt from the ground, their cold and suffocating grip could be felt as they seize Tackler's arms, legs, and torso. He thrashes violently against it, but the more he resists, the tighter their hold becomes.]

TACKLER (panicking):

"What—What are you doing?! Let me go!"

HALE: hm.... his gaze gets more darker  I can use you to put an end to other users...

[Tackler shouts back grudgingly:

TACKLER: DON'T YOU DARE DO ANYTHING TO MY COUSIN--

[Hale steps closer, his eyes glinting with malevolence. His voice rises, sharp and thunderous, interefering TACKLER's words.]

HALE:

"SO?! WHAT IF I DON'T!? WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO, HUH!? HAVE YOU EVEN LOOKED AT YOURSELF!? DO YOU REALLY THINK THAT SOMEONE LIKE YOU CAN ACTUALLY STOP ME!?"

mockingly, he adds: OH WAIT! I WAS TOLD THAT ELECTRO USER IS SUPPOSED TO BE THE STRONGEST AMONG THEM... IF HE'S LIKE THIS, THEN OTHERS SHOULD BE A PIECE OF CAKE, RIGHT!?

[Electricity crackles around Tackler's body, wild and chaotic. His purple eyes glow with raw energy, and the sword, still lying nearby, resonates with his surge. The ground trembles as one of the shadowy hands gripping his leg is struck by the blade, shattering into dark mist.]

[Tackler roars, channeling his remaining strength into one final burst. The surge intensifies, shattering the remaining hands. Freed, he rushes desperately at Hale (OP USER), electricity coursing through his fist. But Hale moves with inhuman speed, sidestepping effortlessly. As Tackler's strike misses, he disappears into thin air, leaving traces of electricity behind, he attacks from blind spot of Hale, causing him to fall down & bleed from his nose, slowly, Hale gets back up, only to see that TACKLER was standing right in front of him, with his sword in his hand, he was bleeding from his head, he had bruises from the grips of dark-hands, yet, he was standing, focused only on HALE]

HALE relaxingly: Well, there's no need to go out of the way, is there?

[Giving no time to breathe, TACKLER rushes in for another move, he attacks Hale on his legs, to slow down his movement, but, this time, TACKLER couldn't slash a single thing, because, an invisible barrier had formed around HALE, leaving no room for being hit, but, for TACKLER, he could see an opening by his new ability, it wasn't as if the barrier had completely surrounded him, HALE was casting barrier from where TACKLER was about to attack, so, TACKLER, without wasting his breath & energy, countlessly tried to attack him from many sides, at electrified speed, his sword keeping up with his pace, allowed him to strike Hale many times]

HALE mockingly: Woah Woah! No need to that out of way, I sure triggered you...

[At last, TACKLER finally saw an opening where he could slash HALE completely, but, he had realized that it was a bait to kill him, so, he aimed at HALE's head, & aggressively slashes his head off, HALE was surprised to see that TACKLER could think like that, He stands on ground, huffing to recover his breathe, sighes in relief as he believed that he had put an end to this journey & now, they can return, but...]

[Suddenly, the headless figure of HALE grabs TACKLER's head, giving TACKLER a sense of fear he had never felt before]

TACKLER (screaming):

"Stop! What are you doing?! Let go!"

[As TACKLER looked at Hale's body, he saw that Hale's head was wildly regenerating, making it seem like as if it wasn't cut, Hale looks at TACKLER & says in disappointment:

HALE serious: If it was that easy, many people would still be alive...

[Agonizing pain tears through Tackler's body as Hale tries to suck energy out of his body, he writhes, helpless against Hale's overwhelming power, as he was about to take one more thing away from him, Hale's smirk fades into contemplation, & rejected the idea he had in his mind]

HALE: "No... Not yet. That would be too easy. No fun at all."

[He withdraws his hand. Tackler collapses, his body trembling uncontrollably. His electricity fizzles out, leaving him powerless. He gasps for air, unable to move.]

HALE:

"I didn't take your will, Electro User. Let's see how long you can last without your element."

[Hale steps back, his form shimmering unnaturally. Before Tackler's horrified eyes, Hale's body twists and morphs, taking on Tackler's exact appearance. His voice, now identical to Tackler's, echoes in mockery, Tackler lost his element & was now possessed by Hale.]

HALE (as Tackler):

"Such a good body you have... No wonder outlanders are so different."

[A deep, otherworldly voice booms from above. It's the OP User, commanding Hale.]

OP USER:

"You know what to do."

[Hale nods, and the OP User's presence vanishes from his body. Hale stumbles momentarily, coughing violently as if expelling something dark. He looks at the fallen Tackler, his expression flickering with guilt, TACKLER weakly reaches out to HALE]

TACKLER: Hale...

HALE (softly):

"Sorry... Electro User."

[Hale turns, now fully disguised as Tackler, leaves the real Tackler behind in the rubble, weak and defeated. Electricity crackles faintly in the air, & TACKLER lies unconscious at the site.]