The Originals

Legacy and Defiance

As Hiro, Taka, and Yumida moved toward the door Jayeon had gone through, they froze, stopped dead in their tracks by four chilling words that boomed through the house.

"What are you doing?"

The voice echoed, reverberating through their skulls with a power that left no question of authority. They turned, and Hiro's eyes widened at the sight of a man standing in the doorway. Clad in imposing silver armor streaked with gold, his entire presence radiated an unnerving calm. Dark brown hair framed his face, but it was his eyes—vibrant with a deep purple intensity—that sent a chill through Hiro's veins.

"Who the hell?" Hiro's fists clenched as he stepped forward, his eyes beginning to burn with purple flame. His anger surged, but a slight pressure on his shoulder stopped him. Taka and Yumida held him back, their faces shadowed with apprehension.

"Hirito, wait," Taka murmured, his voice low and tense.

"No." Yumida's usual smirk was gone, replaced by an expression of quiet defeat. "Hirito, don't."

Hiro turned on them, frustration building. "What's gotten into you two? Where's that bravado we had for taking on Jayeon, for finding out what happened to Claire and Yeon?" He shook Yumida's hand off his shoulder and fixed his gaze back on the stranger.

"Who the fuck are you? How dare you interrupt our business!" His voice was a controlled rage, his aura flickering as he glared at the armored man.

The stranger's expression was unmoved. If anything, a trace of a smirk ghosted across his face as he took a single step forward. The sound of his heavy armor echoed, metal clanging in the silent room. "Calm yourself, Hirito Wu," he said, voice like steel. "You may have been an Original once, but you no longer have authority here."

Hiro's heart pounded, anger blurring his judgment. Why were Yumida and Taka standing back, almost cowering? He shot them a look, trying to understand their fear.

The man continued, bowing slightly. "Imperial Guard Commander Lucius, at your service. You are trespassing on Citadel property." His voice was calm, almost bored, as if he were reciting a well-practiced line.

"That's bullshit," Yumida muttered under his breath.

"Wait...you two know this guy?" Hiro asked, glancing back at his usually fearless allies. He could see Taka's eyes darting to the ground, avoiding his gaze.

"Yeah. He's the Commander of the Imperial Guard," Yumida replied, his voice unusually subdued.

"I think he got that from the introduction," Taka added with a nervous glance toward Lucius. "Lucius is one of the Citadel's...experiments. He's a successful Fluid." His voice trailed off, as though that single word—Fluid—carried an unspeakable weight.

"Fluid?" Hiro's voice rose, thick with disbelief. "Look, I don't care what you call yourself. We created the Citadel. We're Originals! The pinnacle of power! All of it came from us!"

     "Are you sure about this, Yeon?" Hirito asks. All the Originals stand on an empty island full of beautiful trees with bright green leaves. 

"Yes. Hertofyrd could use from someone being in charge and making rules. The One was right about that. I believe this is what is best for the world." Yeon responds, his voice as calm and commanding as ever. There is a man with a long grey beard approaching them. He is hunched over walking with a cane. 

"Hello, everyone." The man says, his voice shaky and sweet. 

"This will be the Emperor. Emperor Clatius. He will be the first." Yeon says, resting a hand on Clatius's shoulder.

"This land shall be known as The Citadel. It rests in the middle of all Colonies, and will resemble the peace we are fighting so hard to keep. Upon the war ending, it will symbolize our victory." Yeon's voice booms throughout the trees and sky. The entire Island could hear the words. Claire grabs Hirito's hand and smiles.

"This will be the hope for the people after we are gone." Her voice soft and gentle as she lays her head on Hirito's arm.

"Yeah, it'll be good."

Lucius's smirk grew, and he tilted his head, watching Hiro's anger with mild amusement. "Yes, you created the Citadel... but that was fifty years ago, friend. Things have changed. And you know well that power itself did not come from you but from The One. Since your so-called 'retirement,' the Citadel has moved on."

He gave Hiro a slight, mocking bow. "So please—leave this property. Your era has passed." His eyes held a glint of something almost predatory, as though he enjoyed seeing the Originals' power challenged.

Hiro's fury rose to a boiling point, and he took a step toward Lucius, purple flame licking around his fists. "I don't know who you think you are, but you're going to regret talking to us like that."

"Hirito," Taka's voice was strained as he stepped closer, eyes wary. "Lucius is right. The Citadel has changed. We're no longer..." He hesitated, and Hiro could hear the struggle in his friend's voice. "Look, let's just leave. We can regroup. We can't take on Jayeon and Lucius together, especially not here. Who knows how many of his men he has hidden?"

Hiro's eyes burned as he clenched his fists tighter, blood dripping from his hands. "You think I'm just going to walk away?" He laughed bitterly, looking between his allies who seemed to have already surrendered. His gaze returned to Lucius, fury clear in his expression. "We may have left, but that doesn't mean we've become obsolete."

Lucius straightened, his face hardening as he met Hiro's gaze, unwavering. "Perhaps not yet. But the Originals are relics of the past." He raised his voice, calm and unshakeable. "We are the Citadel now, and you have no place in it. This is your last warning."

Hiro's heart pounded in his chest as his allies' silence weighed on him. For the first time, he felt an unfamiliar sense of doubt.

Taka, eyes fixed on the floor, whispered, "Hirito...let's go."

Lucius's smirk returned, his posture relaxed as though the matter was settled. But Hiro, his spirit and pride still smoldering, held Lucius's gaze, refusing to be dismissed so easily.

After about a two minute stare off, Hirito makes a *tch* sound with his teeth clenched, and walks past Lucius.

"That's the correct choice, Mr. Wu. After all, you're nothing but an insignificant teacher now, right?" Lucius mocking tone and slight chuckle force Hiro's muscles to clench, but he brushes it off and continues walking. Yumida and Taka following silently.