Carlos grit his teeth in frustration. The day had been on a steady decline, and this was the icing on the cake.
To be saved by Takabi, of all people, left a strong sense of helplessness on him, and he loathed feeling unable to control things happening before him.
Yet, he had to at least give credit where it was due. Takabi had something about him, something in him that allowed him to keep standing and pushing his limits. Anyone with eyes can tell that, while he had no physical injuries, he was far from full strength.
His breathing was quick and short, his muscles looked tensed up with pain and he wobbled faintly as he stood straight. For him to boast, to be so confident that he can take down his brother means two things.
Either he has a plan, or he's a fool.
Girston gave extensive knowledge of the Gems and how they should work. If Takabi learned to completely control, just one, he would be able to accomplish anything he set his mind to. To channel that much power, meant discarding anything that limited it.
If he could use all the Gem's power, that meant he had to cast away his body and leave his soul free.
"There's no way he would," Carlos muttered, picking himself up slowly. "I doubt even he knows that much."
The blizzard picked up fast, a chill piercing Takabi's natural heat. He shivered visibly, rubbing his arms. "Damn, it's cold! Why did you guys have to hide in the damn mountains! Why not a beach house! At least nobody would get frostbite then."
The Father glanced at Kairas. The boy was huffing hard, but quietly. His body twitched in anticipation. He was antsy, ready to begin carnage once more.
This evil had left The Father in a happy mood. The idea of witnessing two brothers ripping each other apart was already a spectacular idea. For it to be Takabi and Kairas, the idea was even greater. "You're an odd one, Yamishito. A Fallen Angel, who fights for light and purity alone? Unheard of."
"Not really," Takabi replied. "If you know your history anyway. There's been plenty like me."
"And they all died chasing that foolish ideal. You're meant to be selfish. To kill and take what you want to." He clenched his large hands. "You squander that power."
Hailey watched Takabi's back, getting to her knees and holding her arm. The pain she had was slowly fading away. Her stomach settled, and wiping the vomit from her lips, she got to her feet. Something in her made her reach out to him. She wanted to call him, but her voice was lost.
Shine grabbed her wrist gently, the two locking eyes before Hailey lowered her hand. She wanted to say something. Anything.
"Thank him later," Shine suggested. "Let's get to safe ground."
"I… But… He can't fight on his own. Can he? We should offer support."
"You'd be in the way," He told them both bluntly, looking over his shoulder at the two. "There's no room for you in this fight."
Hailey opened her mouth, but soon closed it as she had no reason to argue. And why should she? Takabi, despite saving her, was an enemy. There was no changing that fact. Helping him would mean treason of some kind, and the punishment for that was severe.
"Be safe, please."
Takabi watched her for a moment, but it wasn't Hailey he saw. Her eyes, they held light. They held worry, care.
They held love.
Love only one girl has ever had for him. It was as if Nana was talking to him through Hailey.
Shine took Hailey's hand, and the two ran back to gain some distance. Carlos remained where he was, mind clouded with an ever growing curiosity and jealousy.
Takabi cracked his neck, hopping in place to warm himself up. His eyes shut and air filled his lungs, although painfully.
Kairas growled low, before erupting in a full blown roar. His Mana burst from his feet, blowing the blizzard away, and a pillar of power rising high into the air to blow away the clouds and reveal a clear, orange sky. Takabi slammed his foot down, sliding it forward and raising his fists. He smiled, licking his lips, before the two charged at one another.
Their knuckles slammed against each other, shockwave blowing any and everyone further back from their spot. Kairas charged forward, Takabi slipping out of his way and leaping into the air.
Mana built is his palms, and he thrust them forward, blasts of magic charging at his twin. Kairas knocked each one away, soaring after Takabi, connecting a fast and heavy punch to his ribs. Takabi flew back through the air, wheezing, but feeling excitement build up inside. He flipped, Mana flowing through him and keeping him elevated. He flew forward, the two dashing and clashing in the air.
Each blow left an impact that shook the silence of the mountains, arguably the world. Each attack was more powerful than the last from Kairas. Takabi yelled out, slamming his knee into his brother's chin, before flipping over and grabbing his hair, throwing him into the ground with enough force to send dirt and snow flying high.
Despite this, Kairas once again flew through the air, fury building even more in his body. The Green Gems markings began to expand on him, eyes glowing so brightly they could light up the darkest voids. Grinning, Takabi flexed his muscles, skin turning pure black and feathered wings ripping out from his back. They stretched wide, hair lengthening to his lower back, a violet and white aura bursting around him.
He met his brother's headbutt, flying back dazed. Takabi growled, launching fire and lightning in quick succession. Kairas dashed around, dodging one after another, before opening his mouth and releasing a roar of magic. Takabi caught the blast, soaring back through the air over the ocean. The cold faded away, replaced by warm air. Bringing his foot back, Takabi kicked the magic into the sky, watching the orange blanket light up with green.
Kairas gave no time to recover, and tackled his brother downward, the two submerging deeper and deeper underwater. Takabi released a burst of mana to gain distance, before throwing a barrage of fists. Kairas took each blow, countering with his own heavy fists. They pummeled each other with furious force, breaking bone after bone in their ribs and knuckles, healing only to damage each other all over again.
The pressure felt tense around them, the two splitting apart and flying further into the dark depths, before soaring back upwards and breaking through the sea. Kairas released his Mana more, much to Takabi's dismay. He charged furiously, roaring loudly. Takabi brought his palm back, Nova forming in his grip. He dodged Kairas, willing fire clones from his body. Each one formed another Nova in their left hand, then crashed both together at their right waist. The spells converged, giving way to a massive sphere with a tiny, flickering white flame in the center.
"Nova: Wave!" They thrust their palms forward, beams of magic power surging through the air, striking Kairas' back and exploding with intense force. The fire clones faded away, Takabi floating still for a moment, watching and waiting for Kairas to burst through the white smoke.
He did just that, coming at Takabi faster than he expected. Kairas thrust his fist into Takabi's stomach, the boy coughing blood, before Kairas' second fist knocked him further away.
He soared through the air uncontrollably, trying to regain his breathing. Kairas flew after him, grabbing his leg, spinning him around and releasing him, aiming him at one of the buildings in Denver. Takabi crashed through the ceiling, landing on someone's desk. She screamed loudly, everyone in the office looking at him.
His eyes fluttered open, pain rushing through what felt like every cell in his body. He looked around at the people, blinking at them. The office already looked worse for wear. The glass was cracked and papers were scattered about. Each person looked frantic and afraid.
Kairas came down through the hole in the roof and landed on Takabi. He cried out in pain before Kairas stepped off him, slowly reaching down and lifting him into the air by his throat. He squeezed, roaring loudly, then tossed him through the window nearby.
Kairas felt his Mana rising more, and he let an explosion loose again. The building erupted in a green light, before the top floors were blown to pieces. Kairas emerged from the smoke unscathed, angry.
So very, very angry.
Takabi extended his wings, floating down to the street, looking at the top of the large building. Kairas roared and charged through the air. Takabi held a stern face, lowering his gaze sadly before his Mana built back up.
He hopped back, bringing his arms crossed together in an X over his chest. The black on his skin, as well as his wings as a whole, disappeared completely. Coco color took its place, white tattoos rushing up his right side. Completing itself with its white feather on his collarbone, Takabi opened his eyes, right one white, and let the White Gem's power flow through him. He pulled his arms back, then thrust his palms forward. Kairas stopped suddenly, just before Takabi's hands, frozen and suspended mid air. White flowed around him, restricting his movement.
"Enough! I was having fun until you killed all those people up there."
He looked around at the crowd gathered, and sighed at the trend.
Every time something happened, people had to look instead of just running away. They're needlessly putting themselves in danger, Takabi thought as he watched his twin.
Kairas struggled against the spell as he had before. He was familiar with it, and knew he could break free if he used enough power. Something about the cage was different though. It felt pure, too pure. The structure of the spell was similar to one from before, but it was a stronger version.
"Stop struggling, Kairas! Let me help you!" Takabi yelled, before his eyes locked on the collar around his neck. "What's that?"
Takabi reached for it slowly. Kairas' eyes widened and he snarled. The cage was cracking, bits of green seeping through.
The Gem's markings on Kairas expanded to his right. A mirrored design from what he already bore on his left. His muscles expanded even more, and body grew. He was taller now, his hair was much more wild, muscle mass engorged with an overflow of evil Mana, and his collarbone sported a complete set of Green wings. Kairas landed on the floor, saliva flowing and Mana increasing even more.
Takabi held his ground against his brother. Kairas leered over him, looking down at his enemy, pressure cracking the cage more and more. The ground under them gave way each time Kairas moved, a deepening crater swallowing them as the seconds passed.
"Fuck! Hey! Calm the hell down!"
Ignoring his pleas, Kairas thrust his palm forward, gripping Takabi's skull and raising him in the air. The cage of light burst, Kairas' Mana now on full display.
--------------------------------
Back in the mountains, all eyes widened. Hailey looked towards Denver, shaking in place. The amount of evil and negative emotions she felt was unbelievable. Shine clutched her hands over her chest, biting her lip. "Come on, Takabi. Make him come to his senses."
Girston stepped out from the cabin then. His mind was clouded, full of his sons' clashing Mana. He tightened his fist, taking heavy breaths. "What is going on?" His eyes locked on The Father. "Why are you here?"
"Sir," The Father replied. "That boy has gone mad!" He thrust his large finger at Carlos. "He's using your son as a weapon against you!"
Carlos snapped his attention to The Father. "What the fuck did you just say?!" He jumped to his feet. "I wouldn't dare! How dare you lie to him about me! If you want to stage a coup, make sure your tools are under your control!"
Girston stepped into the snow, looking at Shine and Hailey. His focus then narrowed on Takabi and Kairas.
"As he is now, his mana is soaring higher and higher than ever. Should this fight continue, he may pose an actual problem."
"So," Carlos began, "On a scale of one to ten, how bad are our chances at winning?"
Girston looked him directly in the eye. "If Kairas unleashes any more power, he'd be capable of erasing Galaxies with ease."
"How!? By himself, hell, when he's in control, he's not capable of such a feat!"
"True. Without the Gems, both would have had a much slower growth in strength. Unfortunately, that isn't the case. In fact," Girston shut his eyes, "Each time they pushed themselves and used those Gems, their power grew considerably. Training day in and out would provide little results without rest. Luckily for them, they are not bound by the same laws such as us, and improve tremendously through rest and conflict. The most notable jump in power was when they encountered the High Breed."
Carlos watched Girston, then looked towards Denver. Tightening his fist in frustration, he hadn't noticed he began gritting his teeth in his rage.
"The High Breed was capable of destroying planets with relative ease. Those two couldn't scratch it at all. Some months later, they rip it apart without so much as breaking a sweat. While I don't believe Kairas will retain all this strength once he calms, IF he calms, he will certainly be vastly beyond what he was before." Girston crossed his arms, holding his strained but calm expression.
Carlos inhaled deeply. His stomach had dropped in fear. They were truly in a bad place right now. Kairas was a problem, a BIG problem. Girston could possibly stop him, but Kairas' improvement right now was ridiculous. The Green Gem was taking control, complete control, and releasing its power through him more and more.
"We need something greater." All eyes fell on Shine. "I, for one, am not going to just stand here while my brothers rip the earth apart. Sorry, not my style." She started walking down the mountain. "I know Takabi can do this, but in case he can't, I'd rather die fighting."
Hailey bit her lip. "She's right. If we do nothing, it's no better. Besides, the Goddess wants the Gems, right? Eventually, we'll have to subdue him."
Shine watched the Kult members. They were in a silent agreement. It sickened her to work with them, and should any try to steal the Gems from the boys, she would stop them cold.
Shine knew she needed the help. Any help, at this point, was welcomed.
--------------------------
Takabi slammed into the window of a coffee shop, sliding across the checkered floor slowly. He picked himself up, breathing hard. Kairas took a step, the ground quake under his foot. Mana flowed around him in a thick aura. His eyes glowed, fangs bared, power soaring.
This… Is so not good. Plan, plan, plan. I had one, but with my body as is, I don't even think I can do it.
Kairas slammed his knuckles in Takabi's face. Blood spewed from the boy's nose, but he held firm. Slowly, his hands reached up, grabbing Kairas' arm and holding it tight.
No. Can't quit.
Pressure built in Kairas' arms.
He took a deep breath. "Right. That plan of mine. Sorry, Kai, but you kinda left me no choice."
Takabi's body began to glow. An intense heat rushed out from his pores. Kairas stepped back, blinking in confusion. Ripping what remained of his shirt, Takabi flexed his muscles and let the Mana inside build. He searched, deeper and deeper, calling to it.
Calling to the evil.
Violet erupted around him, swirling and mixing with the white flames. He began to scream. Not of the pain building in his body, but of the power that followed. The white and violet alternated in the fire like aura. First, the right side was white and left violet, then it alternated and intertwined. Takabi's hair stood wildly on its ends, then dropped back down. His eyes flickered between white and violet rapidly, until his right eye remained white. Violet tattoos rushed up his left, struggling, mirroring, merging with the white. Over his collarbone came the finish.
Violet and White met, a complete set of white and violet wings proudly presented on display.
He snapped up with an inhumane roar overlapping his normal voice, pillar of flames bursting through the shop's ceiling, blowing anything that wasn't Kairas away into nothing.
The dust settled, and there Takabi stood. Breathing heavy. Full of intermingling purity and evil. His eyes, while dark, held light. His body was slightly bulked up from the increased amount of Mana inside, but he would adjust soon. The aura of intermingling white and violet danced around him, signifying the unity.
Both Gems stood active in his body. Both powers fueled his being. Both powers would help him conquer his brother.