Act: 5
Flipping the light switch.
"Ach"
"Shishou, why are you sitting in the dark?"
"Ahem, I was trying to meditate because It's finally quiet around here."
"Did I perhaps come at a bad time?"
*sigh*
"No, but what brings you here? I haven't seen you since you were in middle school."
"Sorry for randomly disappearing, I ran into some issues back then. I came here today though to ask you if you could train me once more!
"Hmm... I can take a wild guess and say that you recently received your Star Marking? Am I correct?"
"Spot on. It's just that I have an ability that doesn't really help me with combat It's call-"
"Resurrection?"
Shizu's eyes widen as a confused look is left on his face.
"How.. How did you know!"
'I guess that kid's parents were right If he continues to go down the path of being a Ranker. He'll find out soon what fate has in store for him... and what I do can't change his destiny. It'll always rewrite itself.'
"Should I tell you?"
"Yes! I wanna know how!"
"Your parents told me."
"Wait.. What! That can't be! They died a long time ago, it's impossible for them to have told you!"
The room filled with silence as he looked directly into Shizu's eyes with serious intent.
"Follow your Star. Let it be your guide."
"What is that even supposed to mean!"
"When the time comes you will eventually understand and piece it all together. In the meantime, I will have you begin your training, Mastering Gyakuten Wing Chun."
'I don't understand? Just what does he mean by destiny and fate and these so-called pieces and even my parents.. Nothing makes sense!'
Standing up, Shishou closes his eyes and puts both hands behind his back.
"Show me what you still remember."
Throwing his bag on the ground Shizu removes the top layer of his uniform and without hesitation, he dashes towards Shishou.
Shizu throws a series of punches and not a single one of them seems to land. Continuously punching he decides to mix it up by jumping and swinging his right leg just for that to be avoided too.
Regaining his balance from that kick he quickly switches into a horse stance preparing to launch a devastating punch.
"Gyaku-"
*Pow*
Before he could finish Shizu got punched in the face, launching him a foot or two across the floor left a screeching noise. Putting both palms on the ground, flipping himself back up and with a malicious gaze in his eyes, he dashes at Shishou, winding up his fist.
Shishou jolts his head up and opens his eyes after feeling an immense source of energy coming from Shizu's right hand. Looking at his hand he can see the white flow of energy from his Star Resurrection but that wasn't it, it also seemed to have a swirl of purple energy emitting the feeling of "death."
'Can it be? So soon..'
Catching the punch, the sheer force had been enough to tear the clothing on his right arm and push him back a little bit.
"Heh Is that all you got Shishou, don't tell me you're getting rusty."
"Me, rusty? Ha ha ha don't forget who taught you now."
As Shizu got ready to punch with his left hand, he instantly got backhanded, sending his spinning body into the wall.
"Ow! What was that for!"
Standing up, Shizu puts his hand up and starts flicking his wrist indicating defeat.
"Haha, maybe you're the one who's gotten rusty. And that's your fault for leaving yourself open for attack, I taught you better than that. Now that I have a feeling on where you're at I want you to get back into a basic stance and we will start from there."
*sigh*
"Alright, Alright."
While Shizu continues with his practice and working on formation, Shishou walks towards a drawer to grab himself a new uniform. Looking at his hand he notices that his wrist popped out of place, popping it back into place he starts to think to himself.
*Hiya!*
'If I didn't use my ability back there, I could confirm that my wrist would've snapped in two. What devastating power.. that he doesn't even realize.'
*Hii-ya!*
20 minutes passed by casually.
"Enough!"
"huh.."
"I have a secret mission I'd like you to embark on. You'll be heading off to what is known as the forbidden forest. I want you to continue your training there, practice your stance and a new style I have for you."
"The forbidden Forest! You can't be serious. I heard that place? Is dangerous to venture off alone and the fact it's mysterious, anyone who enters doesn't come out... never to be seen again!"
"If you want to get stronger, I suggest you stop complaining. Once you set foot in the forest, I want you to search for the tall ancient rock that should have some carvings on it. When you find it your goal will be to break it with your bare hands, nothing else-"
"Only my fists! That's going to be impossible! No way!"
"Ahem, please let me finish. Once sunset arrives you will stop whatever you're doing and start the second part of your training. Run back into the forest and keep running until night, helping your body with endurance is key."
Shizu's mouth drops leaving a stunned look on his face.
"When you see the stars in the sky you can then find your way back to the rock. Any questions?"
"I- I.. no.."
"Good, I will inform your school that you are going to be absent for a month or more depending on if you can break the rock. Also, I don't want to see you back either if you didn't break that rock. I'll be able to see if you succeed or not."
"Fun.. When do I start...?"
"Now."
"..."
"Huh! What about food or supplies!"
"Figure it out once you get there. That's part of the training, use nature to survive."
"You can't be serious.."
"Oh, I am."
He walks back over to his drawer grabbing a map hidden underneath some clothes and makes his way back to Shizu.
"This map will take you from here to the forest entrance. From there on you will have to use outdoor resources to find the rock. Good luck."
He hands the map over to Shizu and pushes him out of the Dojo, waving his hands goodbye.
Noticing that it's almost sunset, Shizu waves back goodbye with an uncertain smile on his face. Heading towards the main street following the map.
- - - -
When Shishou arrived at Yoko-High he made his way to the principal office. Opening the doors, he sees him sitting in his chair looking directly at him.
"Oh-oh, what brings you here old friend?"
"It's been a while. I've come to let you know that Shizu won't be attending school for some time so please excuse him from his classes, he's currently on a mission to help him get stronger."
"A mission? I can't wait to see how much progress he makes before the tournament. I saw a few of his skills against an Ice user but in the end, he lost."
"An Ice user.. I bet he was able to hold his ground for a bit and plus when he gets back, you'll be surprised. Anyways that's all."
Shishou walks out of the office and heads back to his Dojo.
"Will I now?"
- - - -
Staring at his ceiling Taku ponders a bit before sitting up from his bed.
"I need to get stronger before the tournament. Maybe I can head off to the Quest fields and strengthen my ability. The feeling of almost losing to a 2 Star is eating at me."
Clenching his fist, Taku packs up and informs his mom and dad that he'll be gone for a bit and heads off to the Quest fields.
Once Taku arrived at the guild's office, he proceeded to give out his information to the attendant so that he could become a Ranker. After giving his information he was requested to put his hand on a clear crystallized globe.
Placing his hand on the globe, a bright light began to shine. The stern voice of the man with short rough black hair chuckles a bit.
"First timer! I finished all the preparations for your Ranker Id and you're all set. Now for a short introduction, my name is Hamamura Eadgar, the nickname that goes around here is Boss but feel free to call me whatever. I also have a daughter who runs the place here and there, don't try anything funny or else heh got it."
Taku chuckles a bit, grabbing his Id looking at it for a minute before looking back at Boss.
[ Name: Fujiki Taku ]
Age: 17
Height: 5'6
- Ranker Class: B -Subclass: Mage
- Star (N)4 (A)Ice Creation
- (Wk) Fire
- - - -
"Thank you, sir and I won't!"
Walking into the Guild's lounge, Taku looks around a bit at some party members. After asking around he finally finds a group sitting at a table who looked to be well suited and powerful.
"Um- excuse me? Would you guys happen to be in need of an extra party member..? I'm a B class Ranker and mage."
A soft male voice responds.
"Yea we need a mage, our last one bailed out on us because things got rough towards the end of our previous Quest. The names Lin, I'm the swordsman and to my right is Bruce-"
He responds in a deep tone.
"Hey!"
"He's the Tank of the team also known as our defense and across the table is Tila-"
"She's, our healer. Now that's out of the way we were actually planning on going for a Quest now willing to join us?"
As Tila stands up a raucous tone is heard from her.
"Common Newbie, it'll be fun."
They all grabbed their bags and got ready to head off. Looking around for a minute Taku nods his head and follows them to the board where all the Quests are located.
"We will be accepting this, Quest. Spider woods it's a C-class Quest, this should be an easy one. Let's head on over to the summoning gate so we can begin."
Taking the Quest off the board, they made their way outside to a huge portal tossing the piece of paper inside it, switching the location's realm.
Taku looks at the portal in confusion.
"Wait, why did you throw the paper in there?"
"Ah, whenever you choose a quest, you come to this location and throw the paper inside so it can switch realms to the designated area. By the way, newbie, what's your name?"
"Oh.. right. My name is Fujiki Taku, feel free to just call me Taku."
Lin reaches into his bag pulling out a small black and blue wand and tosses it at Taku.
[ Frozen Pain: (Wand) Increases energy element attacks damage by 30% ]
"Take this, I got it on our last Quest feel free to keep it. Since you're a mage class it'll help you out a lot. Now, are y'all ready?"
Each nodded their heads.
*Yea!*
They all step foot into the portal and begin their Quest.
- - - -
[ Lin: Ranker Class (B) Star: 5 Age: 23 Height: 5'8 Eyes: Red; Hair: All over the place, Red ]
[ Bruce: Ranker Class (C) Star: 3 Age: 28 Height: 6'5 / Eyes: Black; Hair: Short Prickly, blonde]
[ Tila: Ranker Class (C) Star: 4 Age: 19 Height: 4'8 / Eyes: Hazel; Hair: Short, Black ]
- - - -
Meanwhile with Shizu.
"That wasn't too long of a walk. And if I'm not mistaken this should be the right place?"
'A bunch of trees leading into the woods, not even an entryway. Oh well, all I need to do is go straight here on out and continue until I find that rock.'
Shizu shrugs his shoulders walking into the forest.
*Shuffle Shuffle*
"No turning back now, plus it can't be that bad."