Karna had found himself standing at a cliff's edge. High noon sunshine illuminated the vast landscape before him. Hearing footsteps, he turned to gaze over his shoulder, seeing an older male slowly approaching from behind. The older man had gray hair atop his head matching the long beard descending from his chin, which waved by the graceful breeze currently blowing. The elder male silently stepped up beside the younger boy. His vision had to peer upwards to meet eyes with the man who shifted his gaze to meet with his own before returning beyond the cliff's edge. In their sights, a large walled village surrounded by vast grasslands. At the village's back was a single large building. In front of it, a group of young teens and children undergoing training exercises, led by another elderly man. In a separate group of sparring individuals, a young girl engaged against several other students surrounding her, being visibly one of the youngest teens there yet her skill depicted she was one of the best present. With an excellent display of her martial arts ability, she defended against and neutralized each of her attackers quickly. Neutralizing them all she let out a deep exhale, bringing her hands together in focus while her classmates lay on the ground around her. With her teacher's nod of approval, she relaxed herself, smirking at her success. She began walking off to the side, being finished with her exercise. Taking a moment to wipe the sweat from her brow the sight of Karna and an elderly male standing at the cliff overlooking the village caught her attention.
It was then the vision-like experience escaped its viewer allowing Karna to view the vision as a spectator, seeing a younger him standing beside the elder male.
"I hear you refuse to train with the others?"
The elderly man questioned.
"We both know I'm stronger and faster than any of them..."
"Given your...genetics, I would think so too. Yet you can still be out-skilled, that's for sure. I also couldn't help but notice you haven't been very social. I guess you've never been quite social since I found you and brought you to the village."
"Sensei...according to the other masters you're pretty good at isolating yourself too."
"That's different. They just want to talk about old people's things! The masters and I joined together to form this village. Training the new generation of slayers from various walks of life and suffering. Half of the students here have come from some tragedy and were brought here for a second chance. We are passing down centuries' worth of Artes from many different traditions and teachings of slayers from across the world. However, I work more efficiently alone. All these years I had refused to take on an apprentice...until I found you of course."
The elderly man said wearing a confident smirk.
"Why choose me as an apprentice? Every master will turn against you if they ever find out what I am."
"We both only discovered your genetics together just a few years ago. If that's how you must consider it, it may be what you are, but only you can decide WHO you are."
The elderly man said, placing a hand on his chest.
"The scar has healed but it's strange. No matter what someone may categorize you as...you are my student...and just as human as the rest of us as far as I'm concerned. You know, minus the glowing eyes."
He ended saying with a smile, prompting Karna to share in the humor himself.
"Yet I think it won't do well for you to be so isolated from the others. This is why I've decided to join the Master's Council of the village and personally select the students who will participate. They've been pursuing me as an official Master in their society for so long, an old man can only be hassled so much before he gives in."
"You're acknowledged as the best of Slayers, you're practically a legend. It doesn't sound strange they would let you pick from their students."
"What? I expected more of a protest from you!"
"Hm? Why would I? I won't be there..."
"Oh yes, you will..."
"What?!"
"You may be naturally more physically gifted but your technique is still flawed. You're still a novice compared to many, but you and the ones I've selected hold greater potential than any of the masters or me."
The elder man said as he spun around and began walking down the hill, away from the cliff's edge
"Plus a new student arrived two weeks ago...We'll see how long you remain the best of my apprentices. Oh! but if I recall someone swore they would be stronger than even myself and kill every demon in our world or something to that effect."
The man stopped for a moment, taking a second to stroke his beard in contemplation before simply shrugging his shoulders.
"Oh well can't remember! Must have been some poor weak chump Ohohoho!"
Karna watched the elder male walk away laughing but his humor brought a smirk to Karna's face.
"Hm. That's right...I will. Sensei, you told me your power comes from protecting those you don't want to lose...but I'm a demon so...I can't have that...if I can't protect someone I may care about, I'll learn how to dominate, and become a Demon King to force demons to stop preying on humans and Deimos. If they refuse, then I'll destroy every last one of them myself."
Present Day...
(No, I'm too weak after all. I'm sorry everybody...I-I couldn't do it. I knew someone like me couldn't force a contract for my pathetic soul!)
The vision of Karna ended, the color and pupils returning to his eyes. His gaze met instantly with Aisellia's whose hand stretched out for him. Immediately her hand retracted to her chest, a growing pain hastily swelling in her heart.
"What? What is this horrible pain?! It feels like something is burning inside me! Ah!"
Spontaneously Aisellia appeared calm. prompting Leiliana to quickly direct her attention to the girl.
"No...I thought it impossible..."
Quickly removing Miyaura from Aisellia's lap and onto the ground. Leiliana watched in silence, seeing Aisellia's own eyes glowing azure blue.
"She's calm? No...her eyes...this is possession, but I don't sense any sin like in the other girl. Is she being possessed by a user of artes? I've never heard of such an arte capable of possession similar to demons."
Something pulsed deep down inside Aisellia's core as she stood, her hand extended towards Karna, a graceful aura of light flowing around her body.
(I can help you...)
A voice within her mind said.
"I am thou, thou art I..."
On the back of her hand, one part of the symbol faded from her skin.
"Wings of my rebellion that shall breaketh thy chains of captivity! Embrace your oath and annihilate all who hinder my path. Spirit and sin by command of your Queen, Exterminate thou evil before me!"
Karna took his final sight of the girls before the demon's beam enveloped his body entirely. Leiliana turned away from Aisellia. Quick enough to catch what final glimpse of Karna she could before the sight of him was overtaken by the beam. Her eyes shifted towards the distant ground where he formerly stood, something immediately shocking her once she took notice.
Below the beam, something lay deeply imprinted, footprints of something far from human, watching the steam rise from the azure-scorched earth. The shock almost caused Leiliana to miss the sudden appearance of another print on the side of the beam. Immediately footprints began appearing rapidly moving towards their demon threat, the source invisible to the naked eye. Yet she proved barely able to keep up with the rate at which the prints appeared and traveled. Soon multiple steps behind as they appeared beside the beam, curving all the way back to the demon itself just as the beam began dissipating. By the time she could tell where the prints were leading, she altered her gaze directly at the demon. Seeing it staring down another demonic creature in front of it. A humanoid creature whose body was engulfed in a deep shroud of darkness. Taking note It lacks facial features save for white lights seemingly peering through, within its darkness-shaping its own eyes. Its mouth is only notable through darkness by the appearance of sharp-jagged teeth. In the second Leiliana laid eyes on them, the creature of darkness swung its hand, the shroud shaped into claws which were used to swipe at the enemy demon. Without hesitation, the superior-classed demon threat disappeared just before the attack landed. Leiliana fell onto her rear next to the other girls at what she saw next.
The swipe of shrouded Karna's dark claws did not go without effect. Slicing not just through the air but also carving four incredibly deep slashes into the earth itself. A result of the being's sheer power alone before it disappeared in chase of the other demon. In this brief second Leiliana took notice that Aisellia suddenly dropped to her knees, panting heavily as if she had lost her breath and struggled to catch it all the same.
"Aisellia?!"
Leiliana called out, shifting onto all fours next to her.
"I...I...I"
Aisellia muttered.
"Shh, just rest. You've exhausted every ounce of stamina in your body...and even that's an understatement. The same happens to those of us who use too many or too powerful Artes. You should be dead using something that far beyond what your body and spirit can create."
Aisellia who appeared drained of all energy fell back from her knees down onto her rear. Her lips quivered fiercely attempting to speak but evidently, she had no energy for words to even be spoken. Leiliana crawled behind her, gently pulling her back against the hunter's chest, allowing Aisellia to rest on her.
"Don't try speaking, even that may be the death of you. You're lucky to be alive right now as we speak. That demon...or man you trust. You two obviously trust him with your lives...it's up to him now..."
With Leiliana's words spoken into her ear, Aisellia's body began relaxing. This allowed her weight to fall completely against Leiliana, almost passing out on the spot, yet she fought to hold her eyes open, looking forward to where the battle commenced.
Scorched footprints rapidly moved around the battlefield paired with their enemy's own steps imprinting and breaking through the surface of the earth. Every other split second they would stop just before an audible boom filled the air and space followed by a shock-wave that even the girls could feel the resulting powerful gusts created from the clash of attacks. Immediately the footprints quickly traveled a moderate distance before such effects occurred again and again. The pace in between rapidly shortened, and although none of the women could visibly see what was happening, they all knew without thought. Each is made by the two demons clashing against one another. By the time the collision created physical damage to the earth, they had already collided in another area.
"I can't keep up..."
Leiliana admitted hesitantly to herself. Her inferiority quickly became relevant. The sounds of Aisellia's growing labored breath became prominent, breathing from her mouth but with each breath, a painful groan escaped her lips.
"Ai-"
Before Leiliana could finish, she caught the sound of something flying through the air towards them. She turned her head to see the oncoming debris from the battle flying towards them. She quickly used her body to cover Aisellia, causing the debris to repeatedly strike and be deterred by the hunter's back. Each rock tore away at her uniform, scratching and bruising her back before a final large one struck the back of the head causing her body to briefly go limp. Her tenacity allowed her to catch herself slipping out of consciousness but through willpower alone, she regained herself back.
"Are you hurt...don't answer that."
She questioned Aisellia before a feeling left her with a curious expression. Reaching her fingers towards her own head Leiliana realized, by the blood on her fingers, that she was bleeding. Looking down into Aisellia's eyes she could see the girl's eyes focused on her own.
"Really, I've survived worse than this."
With her words, she could see Aisellia begin calming down physically. Her eyes sluggishly returned to the direction of the battle. Leiliana quickly got behind Aisellia to let her rest against her once again.
"I see. You want to see it to the end as well-"
A sudden movement in the corner of her eye caught Leiliana's attention. Miyaura struggled, crawling beside them. In one final stretch, she lunged herself as much as she could, successfully grasping onto the sword embedded in the ground. A gratified smile on her face before allowing her head to drop to the ground.
Leiliana felt a surge of terror flow through her body as a horrific screech entered her ears instantly making her turn to the battle, seeing the two standing a great distance apart now stationary in a stalemate. The dark flame-covered humanoid Karna unleashed a horrific demonic shriek before lowering himself onto all fours. All three women could see him clearly now. The shrouded Karna with elongated fingers and toes resembled more of a slender devil than an average monstrous demon abomination. Immediately the beast kicked off the ground. Unleashing a burst of air, it began its full charge towards the demon who in turn calmly flew backward through the air hovering just above the ground. Its eyes locked onto the flaming darkness of a demon charging for it. Extending a hand forward, energy began condensing into an orb within its palm once again unleashing a condensed ray of energy. The blast released his way, and the eyes of the shrouded Karna glanced over, its attention caught by Miyaura slumping to the ground with his weapon in hand. In the glance alone, its sight fixated on Miyaura and Aisellia lying just behind her. Being witness to Miyaura's injuries and soon after Aisellia's who struggled to even breathe triggered something inside of the shrouded demon.
Leiliana stood with her gifted Angelo. She took her weapon in a reverse grip as she lined her sights on the enemy demon. Laying Aisellia gently to the side she quickly stood up getting into stance. she raised her weapon to near eye level, lining up her shot before launching the weapon with what remained of her strength. Flying true, the enemy demon being distracted was the opportunity she needed for her spear to find its way. The demon unleashed its energy-based attack but was swiftly interrupted by the spear piercing clear through its arm, temporarily stunning the creature and even more importantly, throwing off its aim at Karna.
Karna seemingly entranced before looking forward once again, discovering enough time to instinctively attempt to slow himself down yet it proved futile as the ray aimed to overtake his body. With the unleashed rays' path altered only slightly Just before impact, the darkness enveloping Karna flickered. Karna threw his body sideways, mere inches from the unleashed blast. The darkness shrouded substituting where his body would be overtaken by the energy ray. Karna's physical body had returned to normal, shedding his cloak of darkness save for his crimson eyes and slightly elongated fangs. The ray was merely inches away from his body, keeping the momentum from his charge leaving Karna moving forward through the air. When the ray dissipated Karna's eyes caught sight of the demon looking towards the girls. Before it was able to react to Leiliana, Karna unleashed a burst of azure flames from the soles of his feet. His flames propelled him forward and adjusted his body upright placing his feet on the ground. Not ceasing in his rapid dash forward earning the demon's prominent attention over the women and the polearm protruding from its arm. The demon aimed both palms forward, performing its own hardened war cry, and with haste began rapidly charging and firing a volley of condensed orbs at Karna.
Karna fearlessly dashed forward, evading multiple orbs fired at him. Visibly angering the demon more. It majorly increased the rate of creation and firing of the orbs. Karna weaved and acrobatically evaded the orbs, leaving them to explode on the impact on other surfaces surrounding him. With the suddenly increased output from the demon, the destructive orbs became more difficult to dodge the closer Karna became yet it did not stop him from improvising. His body flickered in and out of sight while dashing forward appearing in one spot then the next. Seeing its destructive assault failing, the demon aimed its palm, using the other hand to chop into its arm, severing the arm completely riding the hindrance of the Angelo and almost instantly growing it back from its own flesh resuming it's quickly charging its next blast.
Just as the orb decompressed into the large blast the demon winced in pain, from severing and regrowing its limb so hastily. Slowing its speed yet not well enough for its feet to remain off the ground. Its eyes quickly found the culprit, seeing Leiliana leaning forward from the follow-through of her throw. Her distraction drew the demon's attention away from Karna long enough for him to evade the blast and quickly close the distance, forcing the spewing flames from his feet and launching him forward accessing an unbridled speed. Mid-air, Karna twisted his body, allowing the flames to erupt from his hands as well. Not just pushing him forward but also due to the way he positioned himself while casting the flames caused his body to rapidly rotate. Once within range, he utilized his rotating momentum, leading into an azure-flamed kick, his leg smashing into the demon's torso. The attack connected further pushing the demon back who hardened his stance to resist the kick pushing against him. With a determined outburst from his mouth and a great burst of flames enveloping the entirety of his leg, Karna pushed forward completing his kick and sending the demon soaring backward at even greater speed. Slowly spinning from his kick, he turned slowly in mid-air, rotating and facing towards the demon once again. The instant one of his toes touched the ground Karna instantly disappeared from sight once again.
Karna had moved quickly but not quick enough for the demon to lose track of him. Timing a swing of its own naturally clawed hand, its eyes tracking his movement to right in front of it. Just as its claws began to pierce Karna who suddenly entered everyone's sight again, his body suddenly combusted with azure, being replaced by an azure flame covering the demon's hands, unexpectedly swiping through the body of flames. Its eyes widened, the flames causing a small explosion increasing the speed of its flight path backwards, and quickly began engulfing its demonic body. Visibly causing pain and damage to its body, it attempted to defend against the flames by moving its limbs rapidly was futile. The demon now remained too preoccupied. Oblivious to the man whose entire body was now cloaked by the azure flame Standing a short distance away behind the demon on its incoming flight path. Karna's silhouette remained visible through the flames enveloping his body. A demonic red eye peering through the darkness of its figure.
Before Leiliana had noticed, with the aid of Miyaura, the katana formerly embedded in the ground had transferred and materialized into Karna's possession. His left hand gripping tightly onto his sheathed katana, his thumb pressed underneath the weapon's circular hand-guard.
"...Dark Slayer..."
Karna spoke out, his voice having a demonic affliction behind his normal voice. The enemy demon was too occupied with the explosion of flames on its body to acknowledge its path enclosing Karna's new location. Karna stood focused. In a breath while blinking, a final memory played in his mind. A dark rainy night in his small village. Flames that had engulfed the homes surrounding him persistently survived the rain's downpour. A young Karna stood in the middle of an open area, standing silently in the rain with his head hung low. On his body, he adorned custom light armor built for him specifically. On the ground lay many corpses at his feet and throughout the area piled upon one another. His mentor approached from behind, calmly walking past the small sea of bodies. The corpse's blood mixed into the rain covering more of the ground they stood on. The elderly man could only bring himself a moderate distance away, his eyes looking down to see the young man's bare feet singed by what azure flame resisted being taken out from the rain. The elderly man calmly stroked his beard as Karna continued to stand in silence a few seconds more before lifting his head towards the sky, allowing the rain to fall on his face.
"Whatever you may lose, you will find it again..."
The mentor spoke.
"But what you throw away...you will never get back Xaer..."
His teacher replied. In the present time, the flames surrounding Karna suddenly dispersed into the air. Shedding the flames from his body just as his eyes began opening, already had the incoming demon locked into his sights. Taking a step forward toward the demon who now would be no more than a few meters away.
The instant his foot touched the ground Karna straightened the thumb he held pressed against the hand guard of his katana causing it to extend slightly from its sheathe. Just as the click of the blade being partially freed emitted a sound, time visibly froze around the two beings. Their altered time/space created a blue hue to their darkness-filled isolated dimension. Slowly from the sky fell bright azure feathers shaped from his flame. Their slow descent is graceful in nature being a great source of illumination for their surroundings and the only movement occurring in the zone. Spontaneously traces of azure lights instantly appeared, being riddled across the demon's body, the air, and the space around them both.
"Form...Zero..."
Karna said in a barely audible mumble. Restoring their perspectives of time once more allows for time itself to continue as normal. Karna now stood ahead of the demon, seeming to have instantly switched places with the demon now behind Karna. The demon threat released a vicious roar as it glared at the man's back unsuspectingly from its own perspective. Its body became simultaneously sliced at various angles. Visibly cut apart, letting the azure flame incinerate its body and essence into the air as it briefly continued its flight path from the demon's momentum. The Azure flames extinguished themselves once nothing remained to be burned from existence any further.
Leiliana stared in awe and confusion about what she had witnessed. The two beings appeared to have instantaneously switched positions, seeing the demon now being consumed by the azure flame, and Karna stood with his katana already drawn and rested in hand at his side. She felt a slight heat in the air just before it would begin raining down on them all. Miyaura simply laughs, looking out and gazing happily at Karna who stood victorious on the battleground soaked with rain and blood. Suddenly surprising Miyaura and Leiliana, Aisellia inhaled a very deep breath and on exhaling, she began proving able to gradually begin controlling her breath. Regaining enough energy to push herself onto her rear with Leiliana's assistance. After catching her breath Aisellia lifted her head smiling at the two of them, leading the female trio to smile at one another out of relief. Having the ability to share a peaceful moment pleased them all. Enjoying the moment of ease until Karna managed to stagger his way to them, and appeared standing in front of them.
"Never again...I deserve hazard pay!"
He said, struggling to stand before them all. They had heard his words but their attention was obviously elsewhere, their extremely blushed matching cheeks revealed all the thoughts racing in their minds. Leiliana appeared awe-struck at the sight before their eyes, curiously leaning forward before quickly covering her eyes and leaning away from him.
"W-w-whatever! Just have some decency lust demon and conceal that monster!"
Leiliana blurted out shielding her eyes with her hands. She took a second to peek over her hand to look Karna in the eyes, using her hand to block the rest of him.
"How rude, I'd rather go with being called a demon than a monster. Makes me sound less horrible thank you very much!"
He replied while chuckling, playful crossing his arms and adjusting his standing position. Leiliana subconsciously looked down as he moved, prompting her to once again lean away covering her eyes once more.
"Ah! Stop moving that's dangerous!"
She cried out.
"What?"
He questioned looking very confused. Miyaura however rested on all fours looking directly at his body, saliva dripping from the corner of her mouth having an intensely lustful gaze on her face.
"I like danger...big danger at that hee-hee!"
"What?! Oh Goodness grief woman!"
Miyaura chimed in with her opinion on the matter with Leiliana only able to question what she had heard, seeing this woman openly indulging her enjoyment. The more the girls commented the more he became visibly confused. It was then that Aisellia spoke out, being embarrassed by having to deal with the situation and how close he was to them.
"Shut it and put some clothes on perv!"
Karna was able to lose his look of confusion as he glanced down before breaking into nervous laughter.
"Hm? OH! Haha! Believe it or not, I'm incredibly uncomfortable right now!"
He said with a smirk that portrayed otherwise. Without a hint Karna suddenly lost consciousness, leading his body to fall forward. Leiliana and Aisellia instinctively screamed and reached out to protect themselves while Miyaura reached out all the same except with a lustful smile as Karna fell atop all three of them. His dead weight pinning them all onto the ground, the rain hitting his body causing steam to release from his skin being evidence of his high body temperature.