Solo Cultivation in The Apocalypse

Hitori leaned back from Kakash's unconscious body. He pulled his legs under his butt, dropped his head back, and sat there staring at the ceiling.

Kyoryu was looming over Kakashi's body. He touched his wrist, then touched the side of his neck. He pulled his wand and summoned a mana spell which he forced down Kakashi's throat.

While Kyo was dealing with Kakashi's situation, he was saying, "What were you two doing? What this your plan, Hitori? Why did you even– how did you even brew something like this? See what has happened to him because of you! Oh, for god's sake, stick to the plan for once!"

But Hitori could not hear it. The world went mute for him– or he went deaf for everything that is worth. Slowly, but surely, Kyo's voice faded in his mind. And after a second, he could not even hear the screaming outside.

Akira was still sitting under the table, throwing worried glances at Kakashi, but he knew he could not leave his position.

Their attack had turned better than they had expected. The thundering clouds, the fire glazing everywhere mixed with the smoke, and the effect of Kyo's spell… it was above everything.

The spell sent a  necromantic wave at the enemy. Those who were weak-hearted (everyone was a killer, but the one with the weakest cold-hearted became the prey) were taken by the wave.

They lost their senses the first minute, then they collapsed on the ground the next. Halfway through the second minute, they rose from the ground and started attacking their people.

They were like zombies with normal, sleeping faces. But since they had no logic whatsoever, they could not use their martial arts techniques, the rifle, or their blades. They were doing it the 'zombie' way. Biting, punching, scratching, and kicking.

That gave Eya another chance to open the shield. It shone again and moved to the side. Akira turned and pointed his wand at the darkness in front of him.

He sent another blast of fire. He was not even sure if his fire was going to help since the storm was charging and it would rain acid anytime.

The shield got back together and Akira bent down when he caught something. He jumped back to his knees, the shine was in front of him now, and he saw someone cutting through the fire and smoke.

"Shit," he muttered and sat down. Then his eyes fell on Hitori and he wondered, "What the hell is he doing now?"

Nothing, actually. He was just staring at the ceiling with a blank expression, but boiling anger inside.

Hitori clenched his fist and mumbled. "This is not working… no way this is going to work…"

Kyo clicked his tongue as he sprang to his feet. "Of course, it is not going to work. We needed Kakashi for the long term, yet you two… oh, god!"

Hitori ignored him and shook his head. "Why are they overpowering us? Because we are not taking action. Why did they still win after we cast the spells? Because our actions were not right."

Kyoryu glanced down at him. "What are you talking about?" His voice had a hint of uncertainty and doubt.

Hitori again ignored him and continued talking to himself. "Why is on my mind right now? Because I am not taking the RIGHT action."

He tensed his calves and jumped off the ground. He cracked his neck on both sides, then turned around. Akira flashed under his eyes as he raised them at the storm.

"Good job, Kakashi…" he muttered, but loud enough for Kyo to hear.

"Good job? Are you still out of your mind? See, Hitori, I need you—"

"Shut up," he said in a low voice.

Kyo frowned. "Huh? W-What?"

"Shut up." Hitori spun and dared to look into Kyo's eyes. "YOU listen to me. This is not working, so I am out. Now I need YOU to listen to ME."

Akira's mouth dropped open, then twisted imagining Kyo's anger. "H-Hitori, you should—"

He pointed his finger at Akira. "Shut up, Akira. Just listen." He was still staring into Kyo's eyes. "I am going to do it MY way. So you two, hold the ground this side, and we will attack from the other side."

"The other side? What side?" Kyo asked, but Hitori held his poker face. "And 'we'? Who is 'we'?"

Hitori maintained eye contact for another moment before moving his eyes away. As he turned to the staircase, a smile tried to unfold on his face, he suppressed that urge though.

"Answer me…" Kyo turned too, "what are you—" Kyoryu was startled by the sudden firing. He glanced outside the barrier, Tengoku had gained control of the situation.

Akira called, "What do we do now? W-What happens to the cloud now?"

Kyo stood steady. He glanced between Hitori and Tengoku and Akira, but could not decide what to do, who to take under control, and how.

The firing disturbed Hitori from his focus and now his focus was shifted to Tengoku's army who was gaining their position back in the battle.

Tengoku swung his katana and cut the cloud of smoke. The plants were stepping back due to the fire, although it was decreasing now due to the rain.

And the remaining men had finished more than half of the undead. With the undead gone, the smoke being blown away, and the trees stepping back, Tengoku and his men had no obstacle in their way– or so they thought.

Kakashi was lying unconscious and so was his control over the storm. When it was time, the storm descended with six bolts of lightning with spine-chilling thunder.

The men at the front lines got their shit together, cocked their guns, and opened fire. Tengoku was not worried about getting shot. He took the lead and was approaching the veranda.

Akira was troubled by the change. "Tengoku is…" His voice faded.

Hitori looked back at the long staircase, cupped his hands around his mouth, and took a deep breath.

He let his breath go as he shouted, "Reon!" He extended the first syllable. "I NEED YOU!"