The Greatest Fight [progression cultivation isekai]

The Oligarch's Game

"Who are you?" The boy asked, his head tilting to the side, unsure whether he knew the man from somewhere, or if he was just another enemy in disguise. His eyes were steady, searching the other person as though trying to notice something—something that might bring back some memory.

"The plan worked after all. You made it out," he said with a warm, happy voice, as his eyes pierced Roa's in the dim lit room.

The boy recognized those eyes, though he could not figure out who they belonged to.

"I asked you who you are. You better tell us before we take you out," the boy said firmly, as he tapped his finger on the stranger's chest.

"11:57" Rosso pointed out with a hurried tone. "The fireworks are about to go off."

The waiter smiled with his hands behind his back, as he looked at each of the Jumpers.

"Your friends are no match for me. The only one who could take me on is you, Sunflower—but not in your current state—not yet," he smiled again. "I best not say who I am, for the moment. Think of me as a very old friend, from ages past—and wild adventures long gone and forgotten." He paused again. "You can call me T, in the meantime."

Rosso scoffed as the waiter continued to whisper.

"I'm happy to see that the plan to break you out has worked, and that you are still alive—although, you're not supposed to be anywhere close to here—but many floors up the Palace instead," the waiter said, tilting his head, as a look of confusion appeared on his face. "But I am pleased to see that at least your—rebellious nature has not been extinguished by your very, very long bondage."

"I don't trust this guy. Keep an eye on him at all times," said Theya, lighting up a cigarette, filling the tight space with smoke. Rosso held back a cough. "Sorry—tonight's been really stressful," she said, unapologetically.

"They have my granddaughter. Do you know where she is?" interrupted Vesper.

"Yes, she is with the other women. In the quarters of the one who owns this ship. I will take you there now." T transformed into a short, middle-aged woman in a uniform, leaving the others with their eyebrows raised.

"You know how to change like Nirvana," said Roa in a hopeful tone. "Is it you—are you Nirvana in disguise?"

The shapeshifter shook her head.

"No, but we have worked together before."

"Eralay—my girl. I think that she was taken by someone called Mr. Briteside. Is he here?" asked the boy.

"I'm not sure. But I know someone who might."

Someone then knocked on the door, causing everyone to stiffen, heads snapping towards the noise as Theya quickly put out her cigarette. The shapeshifter cracked the door open just enough for her head to poke out, her voice sharp as she shouted at a crew member to go away, locking the door again.

"It's easier to get around when disguised as the director of the crew—follow me."

Reaching a grand living room filled with large vases, intricate artwork, and vibrant bouquets of sweet-smelling flowers, they were immediately confronted by burly security guards charging at them. With ease, they took them down, however, one managed to scream for help, sending more rushing down the stairs. A strange sensation tingled within Roa's chest, as if his very aura had shifted for a brief moment, reacting to the presence of whoever was coming toward them.

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"Shadows," T alerted the others, transforming into a nimble, martial arts warrior.

Attacking head first, the mysterious Jumper lunged with lightning-fast speed and force, almost disappearing completely. The others joined the fray, as kicks and punches flew in all directions, obliterating everything in the room. The enemies' blows were powerful. The Sunflower blocked several hits using the Scutum, but the force overwhelmed him and he fell back, warping the wall as he smashed against it. He had never felt so much force in a single punch before. He shrugged it off as he stood back up, rejoining the chaos—the fire in his heart burning, itching for payback.

Two more Shadows came down the stairs. T's skills eclipsed everyone else's by at least ten-fold, moving as fast as the Shadows did, if not faster. Rosso took one of the enemies on, but his speed was no match. He was forced to mostly defend himself, until the Shadow's fist glowed bright, releasing a hit of Brute Force onto his chest. His shield broke with a blinding flash, leaving him unconscious on a pile of colorfully ornate pillows. After several minutes, the battle ended, and the enemies were eventually neutralized. The heroes stood there in silence, listening, waiting for more enemies to show up as their eyes darted around—however, none came.

"Wake up," Theya slapped Rosso several times until he opened his eyes.

The Jumpers reached the private chambers of the oligarch, where a large, golden chandelier hung from the ceiling, and expensive, exotic carpets covered the floors. The heads of animals adorned the walls, their glass eyes staring blankly into the distance, as if hypnotized by some evil force that had frozen them in time. The Sunflower's eyes then shot open. Several young women huddled in the corner; their wide eyes filled with fear as they stared silently. One trembled when she noticed them walking in.

"We are here to help," Roa nodded with a friendly smile. "Don't worry—you are safe."

"Where are your families?" asked Madame Waters gently, crouching down to their level.

"They're home," said one of them.

"Where's home?"

"I don't know. Far away."

Rosso glanced around with a suspicious look, pointed at another door that led deeper into the ship, and asked, "is someone in there?"

The women nodded as one responded, shaking, "he's in there."

Upon slowly opening the door, they found a pasty, middle aged man in his underwear, standing next to a bed, his pants laying on the ground in a pile.

"I said not to disturb me when I'm having fun," he shouted in an arrogant tone, without turning around.

When he did not hear a response, his neck jerked. He gasped—and he froze. His shoulders hunched, his arms tightened across his chest, and his wide, darting eyes betrayed the confidence that had now crumbled into fear. When Vesper pushed his way through the group and saw Mattina sitting on a chair crying, he turned blind with rage. He unleashed himself on the man, pummeling him over and over, reducing his face to a bloody mess. The smooth, silk bed sheets were painted red in a matter of seconds.

"Why are these women here?" asked Roa, his voice hesitant, as if he didn't really want to hear the answer.

"To the unjust rulers of our societies, we are all but pawns in a big game of chess," T said, his voice shifting to a serious tone for the first time, "some of us are the pawns that work their hands to the bone to make them rich—others are the pawns that go fight and die in their wars—and others, well," the shapeshifter said, lifting an arm towards the bed, "some pawns are for their—entertainment."

Roa's blood began to boil, his teeth gritted, as his skin began to glow with golden tattoos.

"These are people with lives, with feelings, with families, not—lifeless pawns in a game," said the Sunflower, his eyes burning with anger.

"The masters of the system have lost their humanity long ago for the sake of their privilege, their money, and their power. The rulers of the Old Order do not belong to Humanity anymore, Sunflower—they exist now only as monsters, torturing the masses for their own great benefit," continued T.

"Who the hell is Vesper pummeling?" asked Theya.

"He is one of the oligarchs. He most likely knows what you seek," explained the shapeshifter in a calm tone, this time taking on the oligarch's appearance as he walked out of the room. "I will act as a decoy—in case anyone else comes."

The fireworks blasted in the sky outside, as faint booms reverberated through the chamber. Roa peeked through one of the round portholes, noticing the colorful blasts. The ship suddenly rocked with a powerful force, as huge waves smashed against the vessel. Everyone was sent flying, as immense blasts of light lit up the night sky.

"Those weren't fireworks," warned Roa on the floor, with a worried look in his eyes.

"Nor lightning," added Theya as the shapeshifter came back inside.

"Two—giant auras have shown up—friends of yours?" T said in a rush.

Roa stood up, and noticed two silhouettes hidden among the clouds. He recognized one of the energies from the prison.

"I think I know who's out there—and he's brought a friend this time," the Sunflower grabbed some of the women by the hand and said, "time to go—mission complete. Grab everyone, including the hostage, and let's get the hell out of here."

Mattina wrapped her arms around her grandfather, holding him tightly as he squeezed her too. A tear slid down his cheek, his eyes squeezed shut, and his breath caught in a moment that seemed to stretch on forever.

"Now—we have to go!"