Chereads / Strength of Heart / Chapter 41 - It never ends!

Chapter 41 - It never ends!

The sky turns black all over, not only in one place, but the entire world is covered with this darkness. What could it mean? What is happening? What is coming? How do they stop it?

Toko "You don't want this fight."

Hirishoja "Don't act all high and mighty because you won once! I'm twice as strong this time, meanwhile you are fading, I can sense it!"

Toko "Only twice as strong? That sucks."

Hirishoja "Tch! I won't be satisfied with just you dead, after this it's the rest of the world!"

Toko places his hand on Khuyo's chest and ushers for him to stand back and go on inside.

Khuyo "No! I'm not leaving!"

Toko "Khuyo!"

Khuyo's entire body twitches at the sound of Toko's scream. He falls down and then rushes back to his feet running inside the house. When he slams the door shut he starts to hyperventilate behind the door before finally gaining enough strength to open the folds and watch outside as the fight begins.

Hirishoja "Smart, but when I'm done with you, he's next!"

Toko closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. After that breath, he takes off his shirt and gets into his fighting stance. Before Hirishoja can get into his he notices the markings all over Toko's torso as he gets a little confused.

Hirishoja "Those marks all over your body, what do they mean?"

Toko "Why would I tell you anything about me. You are my enemy and I don't see you living through this fight."

Hirishoja eyes widen as he slowly starts to remember what Mettanica said to him so long ago before he became as powerful as he is.

Mettanica "No matter how strong you get, your power will remain limited. You will become my most fearsome hybrid. And yet you may still never be a match for him."

Hirishoja "Him? Who are you talking about?"

Mettanica "The one known as the God on Earth. His powers of light and the 100 hands technique make him formidable. The markings all over his body signify his years of training and gruesome battles. He is the only one who rivals the power of the gods as a mortal. You are to never battle him, unless I give the say so."

Hirishoja "But I am powerful."

Mettanica "At this point in time, your power is nothing compared to his. Maybe the young Namikayo's, but this man is to remain left alone. Do you understand!"

Hirishoja "Yes."

Hirishoja comes back to reality thinking to himself. He thinks about his past, how he lost everything due to war and Toko was nowhere to be found. How he despised the world for all its fighting, anger, and hatred. Letting himself be turned into a hybrid for one sole purpose. To get rid of the world of all its people so no one has to fight again. Or deep down he does it so no one has to lose again.

Hirishoja "I know you, I know you have done nothing. For that you die, along with everyone else."

Toko's body markings start to glow along with his eyes. Hirishoja takes notice and releases his own dark aura. Both of them making the earth shake.

Both of them moving fast towards each other and locking hands. Both of their auras piercing the clouds revealing the light of day. Toko's eyes glowing as he looks up and then looks at Hirishoja. His eyes widen and he uses light from his body to push Hirishoja back. Toko looks at his hands and then into the sky. He notices the pierce from their aura and then looks over at Hirishoja who is walking slowly over to him with his aura growing.

Toko "I see what is going on, the reason the sky is dark is because whoever is controlling it, is sapping the chi from the earth. Making you all stronger while we are being drained after every attack."

Hirishoja "I must say I am very impressed you realized so fast. Truly formidable indeed, but no matter how fast you realized; there is nothing you can do to change the outcome of this fight."

Toko "Tch! We'll just have to see about that!"

He rushes Hirishoja as they both trade blows. For the majority of this fight it is one sided, as Toko is completely in a league of his own as it would seem. Hirishoja begins to smile as Toko has to keep taking a look at his hands and arms. His marks that were once glowing are beginning to flicker. As if time was running out for him and his power. His marks glowing, his eye straining, and body becoming tense.

Toko "You know what, I think it's time to finish this."

Hirishoja "Oh?!"

Desir "The boy, give him to me."

Mest doesn't waste any time, he just punches Desir and knocks him out.

Mest "That was it? Hmph!"

The impact was so strong and loud, that it created a shockwave and a hole in the ground. Kame ends up waking up and then instantly tries to hit Mest. Mest catches his fist and then tells him to calm down everything is fine.

Mest "I don't know what's going on; and I feel bad for what I'm about to do, but there's somewhere else we have to go. We have to hurry!"

Kame "Alright, ready when you are."

Shizuko was just training and then out of nowhere Ganju hits him and he gets smacked into trees and rocks. He finally regains himself and slides across the ground looking up at Ganju.

Ganju "Weak."

Shizuko "Shit!"

Ganju and Shizuko clash into each other as they grab each others hands and start pushing each other back. At first Ganju is just playing him, and then when Shizuko thinks he can push him back, Ganju breaks his hands, pulls him in close and then punches him away. When Shizuko gets up he realizes that his hands and jaw is broken.

Shizuko "Well damn."

Ganju punches Shizuko in the stomach making him cough up blood and then knocking him unconscious. As soon as Shizuko's body falls Ganju walks away. Before he can get too far, Kotai and Bokutso both attack him. Ganju flies back and then looks up to see both of them in their stance. Ganju smiles.

Ganju "Strong."

Kotai and Bokutso look at each other, nod their head and then charge Ganju. Ganju ends up becoming overwhelmed by the two of them. Kotai continues to attack, while Bokutso looks at his hands and feels his chi slowly draining. He looks up and wonders if it has something to do with the sky. Bokutso goes in to help Kotai and as they are attacking Ganju he catches both of their fists and just towers them.

Ganju "Weak, what happened?"

Both Kotai and Bokutso's eyes widen as they look at each other and then Ganju pulls them in makes them collide and then tosses them. They both get up and then look at each other again. Bokutso looks at his hands again and then tries to tell Kotai what he thinks is happening. Before he can get a word out Ganju punches him and causes him to go flying. Kotai starts to sweat and when he looks over at Bokutso he sees how hurt he is, but still standing. Ganju looks over at Kotai and then walks slowly towards him. It doesn't take long for him to start running, but at the same time Kotai charges his chi and increases his muscle mass like in the tournament. Kotai and Ganju both throw a punch that clash creating a shockwave.

When Kame feels the shockwave he suddenly comes to a stop. He clinches his fist and then makes a beeline in the direction.

Mest "Kame! Wait where are you going?!"

Kame doesn't say anything, instead he just continues to go. Mest could easily stop him, but this is a first for Kame. Mest feels that inside Kame he doesn't want to go fight just cause, he wants to go help his friends. He may not say it, but that was his main intention.

Ziku "Why are you here?"

Kenchiko "To kill you of course!"

He raises his hand and then a huge explosion hits. Ziku looks at the explosion and realizes that it barely missed his house. He looks up at Kenchiko to see him about to do it again, but before he can Ziku grabs his arm and gives him the most sinister look.

Ziku "You try that again and I'm going to break your arm."

Kenchiko lifts his other arm-

Ziku "No wait!"-

A huge explosion hits but this one again barely misses the house. Ziku slightly hit Kenchiko's arm hoping the explosion would be off target. After the explosion Ziku punches Kenchiko, hits him with his elbow and then kicks him making him hit a tree. Kenchiko gets mad and then Ziku just runs away. Moving so fast all you see is an afterimage left.

Kenchiko "You're not faster than me!"

Kenchiko chases after Ziku catching up, but Ziku dodges him every time he catches up because he knows how to maneuver through the trees better. Kenchiko gets even more angry not being able to catch Ziku. So he goes back into the air and then lifts both hands causing the entire forest to just get disintegrated. Ziku out runs the blast and then turns around to see Kenchiko smiling. Kenchiko dashes towards Ziku and gets his attack blocked, they exchange blows, but Ziku counters by moving to his side grabbing Kenchiko's arm and flipping him. After flipping him Ziku just runs away again. Kenchiko even more angry goes after him once more. Ziku runs all the way to Kotai and Bokutso as he leg sweeps Ganju.

Bokutso "Ziku?"

Ziku "Get down!"

Ziku pushes Bokutso on the ground as he jumps up and kicks Kenchiko in the same direction as Ganju, with both of them colliding. When they both get up they just stare at Ziku only. Ziku gets into his stance and is ready to fight. Before they can fight, Ziku feels another strong but family chi heading in their direction. Ziku smiles as both Ganju and Kenchiko charge at him. Ziku stands there as Kame catches Kenchiko's fist.

Ziku "Kame!"

Kame "For me this is personal!"

Kame slams Kenchiko to the ground and then catches Ganju's fist struggling with it. As Kame tries to punch Ganju, Kenchiko lifts his hand and creates an explosion separating everyone. When they all get up it's Bokutso and Ziku fighting Ganju , while Kotai and Kame fight Kenchiko. Bokutso looks at Ziku and then doesn't hesitate to use his released form. They both get into their stance and charge Ganju. When they attack Ganju, only Bokutso's attacks hurt Ganju. As Ziku doesn't even make him flinch. Ziku looks at his fist wondering why he's so weak, but then has to dodge Ganju's attack. When Kame and Kotai fight Kenchiko, they try their best but just can't seem to touch him. It starts to make them mad because he just starts mocking them. And creating explosions that they have to block because they can't escape them. Both Kotai and Kame have damaged clothes and burns because of Kenchiko. They try again to attack him, but he just moves to fast for them and makes them look like complete idiots. Kenchiko just toys with them, while Ganju is nearly breaking every bone in Bokutso's body because of how strong his attacks are. Ziku not being any help, feeling more like an insect than anything else. Both Ziku and Kame look at each other, they nod and then switch places. Kame punches Ganju I'm the ribs, cracking them while Ziku elbows Kenchiko in the face. Both Kame and Ziku smile as the fight takes a turn. Both Kame and Ziku are seemingly wining their respective fights, Ganju and Kenchiko are having trouble. Kame punches Ganju and then throws him into the air, when Ganju gets really high Shizuko walks up and then blasts a huge wave of fire towards him. Before it can touch him Ganju's body disappears along with Kenchiko's, leaving no trace. Everyone is just looking all confused, while Ziku stares at Shizuko.

Shizuko "What?! The hell you looking at?!"

Ziku "You were going to kill him."

Shizuko "I was going to reduce that asshole to ashes!"

Ziku "There was no need."

Shizuko "He would have killed me! Oh, but you weren't here for that huh?! You just see me as the bad guy! Tch!"

Ziku can't come to any words as he just looks away from Shizuko.

Shizuko "Exactly, everyone wants to be righteous until this world shows them that it's impossible."

Bokutso "Shizuko calm down."

Shizuko "Tch! Just leave me alone."

Shizuko walks away holding his stomach. Bokutso looks over Ziku who is still just looking down.

Bokutso "Ziku-"

Ziku "It's fine, deep down I agree with him."

Hiroyuki "Who are you?"

Obnimi "No point in answering that if you will be dead soon."

Hiroyuki "Asuna, what's our next move?"

Obnimi "You are Asuna?"

Asuna "I am."

Obnimi in his head "Do not engage Asuna or Toko! Do not engage Asuna or Toko! Do not engage Asuna or Toko!"

The same wave of darkness Obnimi came out of is the same one he uses to escape.

Asuna "It would appear they have strict orders. Fighting me must be prohibited."

Hiroyuki "What a title to hold."

Asuna "Title?"

Hiroyuki "Asuna, the man who scares demons."

Omoi "And you are?"

Cyro just looks at Omoi and then puts his hand out. A purple glow starts to emit from Cyro's hand along with purple electricity. Omoi tries to move, but it's like his body won't listen to his mind. He then starts to move closer to Cyro against his own free will.

Omoi "What is this?! What are you doing to me?!"

Cyro "Taking your life."

Omoi gets close to Cyro as the glow emitting from his hand comes in contact with Omoi, engulfing his entire body with the purple electricity and light. Omoi begins to scream in agonizing pain as his life starts to flash before his eyes. He sees his childhood, him outside playing with his dad and Ziku. With the last thing he sees his Ziku's smile. Before it can go on Ziku hits Cyro making him drop Omoi and smack into the ground. As Omoi is falling to the ground unconscious Ziku catches him and places him down. He starts to tear up as he stands up and just looks at Cyro.

Ziku "You touch him again, you won't be getting up anymore!"

Cyro gets up and starts smiling while dusting himself off.

Cyro "Are you trying to say that you kill me? I know you Nakamura. You wouldn't even kill a fly. Oh wait, but that's what the sky is for."

Ziku "What?!"

Cyro "Oh you don't know? The sky has that darkness because not only is it draining you all of your full power, but it is acting as a force that is fueling all of your hearts with Malice. The more you fight the darker your hearts become."

Ziku "That can't be possible! You're lying!"

Cyro "Whether you believe me or not makes no difference to me. My only job was to lure you to this very spot. Because this is where the primary source of the darkness's power lies!"

Ziku looks around as the ground is glowing and the sky becomes even darker. Ziku falls to his knees as his head starts to hurt.

Cyro "You already have a darkness inside of you. Don't worry I'll get it out."

Ziku starts to scream as Omoi regains consciousness and opens his eyes to see Ziku going through immense pain. He tries to help but he is stunned by what he sees emitted from Ziku's body. As Ziku is screaming his eyes turn purple and his aura alone creates a demonic feeling and essence. A silhouette begins to appear behind him as if it is taking over. Omoi can barely move as he is frightened but finds just enough strength to push through and crawl towards Ziku. The aura and silhouette start to waver as some light shines through sky.

Cyro "The hell is happening? No! Obnimi you idiot!"

Asuna's eyes are glowing and his aura is piercing the sky creating openings of light. Bezune is doing the same. His eyes glow and his aura pierces the sky creating an opening that reveals the sun.

Asuna "Now!"

Both Asuna and Bezune both place their hand out as their aura shines through the sky cutting it and wiping all of the darkness away. When the sky is rid of all the darkness, Asuna falls to one knee and Bezune falls completely unconscious.

Meanwhile Ziku is just on his knees hyperventilating. Before he can do anything Cyro tries to stab him but Ziku looks up with his eyes glowing that forces Cyro to come to a halt. Ziku stands up and just begins to twitch, but it's enough for Cyro to leave the same way Obnimi did. After Cyro is gone Ziku falls to ground right next to Omoi as they both just look at each other and then fist bump. When Habi sees the sky go back to normal, she puts her fight with Kireina on pause. Kireina being the only one still standing as she just watches Habi smile and disappear.

Kireina "I'm still so weak."

Ava "You're not, if it wasn't for you I don't think we would be alive. You did your best and I'm grateful."

Aiko "Yeah thank you so much!"

Kireina "It's not just about fighting. Because you don't understand. When I was fighting her, I can tell she was holding back. She was just toying with me, having fun!"

Ava "You have pride like someone I know. Or well someone I used to know. It's weird, first time I seen that from a girl."

Kireina "I just want to be strong! There's someone who I admire for his strength, but when I see him fighting alone it makes me feel so useless! I hate that feeling! I want to be able to protect those close to me and not always be the one being saved!"

Ava "You're amazing Kireina and I admire you. You and Aiko are special and I can sense that. Way cooler than me for sure."

Kireina "Thanks, I kind of needed that."

Aiko places her hand on Kireina's and then looks into her eyes.

Aiko "We will get stronger together."

When Kireina looks up to see Aiko's smile, she gets happy and then Ava's hand gets placed on theirs. When they both look over they see Ava smiling and just happy to be included.

Hiroyuki "You did it! Amazing!"

Asuna "Bezune is something special, he cut the villages sky on his own."

Hiroyuki "Yeah, but didn't you do everywhere else?"

Asuna "With help from my siblings, Bezune is at a level well beyond my own at that age."

Hiroyuki "He's that strong huh."

Asuna "His potential is great."

Mest "Hurry Kame, time is not on your side."

Kame "I am back!"

Mest "Next time when I say stay, stay!"

Kame "Sorry, just felt like they needed my help."

Mest "I understand you want to help, but our presence is not to be shown here right now."

Kame looks over at the hole Mest made by punching Desir. Mest looks over as well and then just starts laughing. Both of them not noticing that Desir's body is gone.

Mest "That was different."

Kame "How?"

Mest " Never-mind, let's just go."

Kame " Where is it that we are going?"

Mest "The next part of your training, where we go next is apart of your awakening."

Kame "Awakening?"

Mest "Let's go."

Toko and Hirishoja are the only ones still battling. As their fight becomes increasingly intense. Toko being drained, and Hirishoja getting stronger. The stronger Hirishoja gets doesn't seem to matter as much though, Toko is still seemingly winning the battle.

Toko "I can't let this fight go on any longer, it's time to finish this!"

Hirishoja " Do you think you can beat me that easily? With just one attack? Your arrogance pisses me off!"

Toko charges up all of his aura into his hands as they begin to glow. Hirishoja charges him and then throws a punch. Toko just stands there and is unfazed. Hirishoja backs away and then does it again. His eyes widen as he just starting the king a barrage of punches all doing nothing to Toko.

Hirishoja "Why won't you die! Just die!"

Toko's eyes glow again and a bunch of elements start to glow rising from his hands.

Toko "Heaven or Hell, all evil will perish the same."

Once he says this a bright light relaxes from his body and hit Hirishoja, as Hirishoja's body gets hit; it starts to deteriorate, but before it can completely fade, his body disappears. When the light clears, and everything gets settled Toko just looks into the sky and frowns.

Khuyo " You did it?!"

Toko "The battle is won, but the war is not over. Fact of the matter is this war just got a whole lot more brutal."

Khuyo "War?! Wait what do you mean?! What happened to you?!"

Toko "I've lost half my power."

Khuyo "Half?!"

Toko "That attack drains so much of my chi it also syphons my life force. It was all I could think to do. His power was increasing and that was the only attack in my arsenal that could defeat him."

Khuyo "Ok so what if you only have half your power, he's gone. We don't have much to worry about right?"

Toko "It didn't kill him."

Khuyo "What?!"

Toko "I sensed his body being transported. He's not dead, and he will be back."

Khuyo "So what is left to do?"

Toko "The only thing we can do, prepare for battle."

Khuyo "How much time?"

Toko "Not enough."

Before anything else, Toko writes a letter and then ties it to his bird's foot. His messaging bird is sent out to Asuna and his siblings. Telling them what's coming, how to prepare, and what's at stake. When Asuna gets the messenger bird he realizes that Toko sent out his fastest birds in order to ensure everyone gets the message in a timely manner. When Asuna reads it he looks over at Hiroyuki who just nods and then Asuna looks out at the village.

Asuna " We'll be ready."