Chapter 11 - How Does It Feel?
After staring at my newly blue eyes for a few moments longer, my previous train of thought continued. I had absolutely no idea how to get out of here. There was no sign of an exit anywhere nearby. I slowly started to panic. I couldn't be trapped in here, right? I had just been released from my shackles binding me to my old destiny. They couldn't just trap me in here instead. I had only just gotten my new magic. My new power. The power that I would use to get my revenge. I looked down to the book in my left hand. The book was speaking to me all this time, right? Therefore, I should be able to talk to it. So, I asked the only logical question in this scenario.
"How exactly do I get out of this place… uhh book? Do you have a name?"
The voice once again sounded in my head.
"Yes, the name's Mazoku! It means Demon."
Mazoku, as he is now called, sounded almost smug as he made this comment. 'Jeez, is this what I will have to get used to, a demon is bad enough. A smug one? This is going to be one hell of a ride.'
"Now to answer your question, that sword of yours. If you mixed your new found power with that sword, the power that it will give off will be strong enough to shatter this dimension, and bring you back to your own. I think. I've never done this before."
Amon's face paled. He could be trapped in here forever. But, what about his mom, Gale, Yui. He couldn't leave them behind. He wouldn't.
I quickly placed Mazoku in my bag, and then zipped it up. Sure, it might be a demon book, but I'm taking no chances. I will not lose this. Afterwards, I closed my azure blue eyes and focused on my powers. Like a raging inferno, it appeared, looking to consume all in it's way, like a hungry animal. And before I knew it, my body, from head to toes, was surrounded by bright blue flames. Images of my old, orange, weak flames sprang to the forefront of my mind. Never again. Never again shall I be that weak. I brought the tip of my index finger up to eye level, and willed the all consuming flames to condense at the tip of my finger. Like a wormhole, the flames were pulled, until a small, yet incredibly powerful; flame rested at my fingertip. With my right hand free, I pulled Apollo out of it's resting place. The flame almost looked hesitant to mix with it. Like it wanted, or needed, to have independence. But this was my flame, my power. I control it. And with that thought, I dragged my finger down the length of the blade, the sword setting alight as I went. The flames danced around the blade, and just from one look, I knew that this was a power unrivaled.
With the new flame empowered sword in hand, my thoughts drifted back to my mom. How would she react. Would she believe me. Would she train me. Would she beat me with this new found power. There was only one way to find out. I placed both my hands on the hilt of Apollo and got into a wide stance, allowing me the biggest swing possible. I controlled my breathing, every breath in, would be accompanied with a deep breath out. I tensed my muscles, getting ready for my strongest swing yet. I spared a quick glance back to the candles. I couldn't help the feeling that I was like them. But now, I was much stronger. 'I've become something much more now. It's your turn to do the same,' I thought to the candles.
Realising that I was wasting time, I readied myself once more. I tensed my arms and put all of my strength into this next attack. I swing with a force that could move mountains, the flames struggling to catch up with the speed of the blade. Roughly half way through the swing, a loud shockwave rang through this dimension, rendering me unable to hear for a short period of time. Before my eyes, a crack formed, distorting the area around it. This crack was my way home. To my family. To my friends. To a new destiny.
I quickly placed Apollo in its sheath, rather clumsily from the excitement of going back home. The flame that danced around the blade returned to surrounding my body, as if protecting it. Calling the flame back into my body, I took a deep breath as I prepared to re-enter my reality. I held my bag tight, and took a step through the crack.
FWOOSH!
The sunlight on the other side blinded me for a few seconds, while my eyes adjusted. Once they had, I took a look at my surroundings. I noticed that the crack had disappeared, but more importantly, I was back home. Right outside my house. "Was it because I was thinking about mom once I stepped through?" I wondered out loud.
None of that mattered right now. I needed to see my mom. A smile, now radiating strength and power, formed on my face. Using my key, I unlocked my gate and pushed it open. I took one last breath to steel my suddenly growing nerves, and closed the gate. I walked towards my front door, excited, yet also nervous to show my new power.
CLICK!
I heard the lock on my door open, and so I hastily opened my door, my previous excitement returning. I shut the door and took my shoes off. Before I could react, my mother jumped me, and gave me a bone crushing hug, all while tears were falling down her cheeks.
"Amon, are you okay, you've been gone for so long. And you weren't happy earlier. I was so worried?" She mumbled, her head buried in my chest, tears staining my shirt. I didn't hesitate to return the hug, my arms wrapping around her shoulders.
Mom, I'm good. Better than good actually."
She looked up at me, confusion clearly written on her face.
"Mom, it's okay. I don't have to be a burden any longer. I can finally forge my own path. My own destiny. I'm done letting people push me around. I'm stronger now. And I'm gonna make sure the whole world knows it."
She didn't say anything, instead choosing to quietly sob against my chest. I slowly peeled her off me. "Look at me mom."
I took a few steps back, putting a relatively large distance between us. I still had barely any idea how these flames worked, the last thing I wanted was for them to hurt her. Taking a deep breath, I commanded the flames to appear in my hand. And, just like before, it did. The flames always followed my command.
My mom stood in a silent awe. She had finally realised that I wasn't lying. That I could be strong. I could tell that she was going to hug me again, so I quickly dispelled the flames and opened my arms. Already bracing for the second bone crushing hug this day.
As she slowly started to look up, her head rising from my head, she stared at me, directly into my eyes. My now blue eyes. She looked confused, and a little anxious, for but a few moments.
"Amon… What happened… To your eyes?"
I spoke in a calm, and neutral voice. I couldn't just tell her that I was now in possession of a devil book that could potentially be the strongest thing on the planet, could I? "It happened right after my magic evolved. Just like my flames, they went from orange, to blue." My mom spoke the next question, and I knew I would feel bad about lying, but I didn't really have a choice at this moment.
"How did it evolve Amon?"
Here goes nothing. "I don't exactly know. It was soon after I woke up in the infirmary after the beating. My magic just.. Evolved, right in front of my eyes."
I looked up as my mom slipped out of our embrace, a wide smile stretched on her lips, as I asked the question she was waiting for.
Mom, can you please teach me how to fight." My magic might have gotten stronger, but I need control. I need practice.
Her eyes glistened, and for a moment, I was truly terrified, my mom's training sessions were always intense. But now, they were going to be on a whole new level.
We spent a few hours in the training room, my control and understanding of my magic slowly increasing with each battle and workout we did.
I ended up going to bed pretty late that night. I needed to get as much sleep as I could. After all, I wouldn't want to be tired on my first day with proper magic.
…
..
.
BEEP!
It was my alarm. For once in my life, I was quite restless this morning. I hit the off button on my alarm, as I quickly got out of bed and rushed straight to the mirror. My still blue eyes being the proof that yesterday was not a dream.
I headed back to my small, wooden closet, grabbing my school uniform and dressing myself rather quickly. Returning to the mirror, I fixed my hair, making sure that my eyes were perfectly visible. I decided that I wouldn't be hindong my new power. I had it, and I was going to use it. I felt confident. Like I did when talking to Yui for the first time yesterday. That caused my eyes to go wide. 'Yui, if I rush, I might be able to see her on the way to school.' With a new found motivation, I rushed to get ready for school.
I rushed past my door, nearly knocking it off its hinges. I bounded down the stairs, while still taking the time to admire my mom's awards. Instead of them reminding them of how weak I was, they now motivated me. I could, no I would, have just as many awards, if not more. I wanted my first award to be the school's national championship. That would be the start of my legacy.
I reached the bottom of the stairs and turned the corner, only to face my mom with a wide grin and nursing a hot cup of coffee. It looked like she had been awake for a while, and was waiting for me.
My mom's words came out with a tiny hint of concern, "Make sure to not stay behind, Amon. You have strength, use it."
I laughed a little, before letting my face adopt a serious look. "I won't mom, I refuse to be left behind. This time, I'll take the lead."
She gave a small smile, "Yeah, I know you will."
Her words filled me with something I thought was long forgotten. Hope. Love. Strength. And these feelings were the best things in the world, and I vowed to treasure them for all eternity.
'Good. I refuse to worry you anymore mom, I'll show you just how strong I really am.'
As my mom gave me my lunch and waved me off, I couldn't help but feel that my magic became stronger when I grabbed my bag.
"This book, it's the source of my power. Of course I'd be stronger with it nearby." I mentally slapped myself.
Then and there, I knew that I would have to protect this book with my life. Without this book, I go back to being weak and powerless. A burden. A slave to my fate. And I would not allow that to happen. This book was mine, and mine alone.
He slipped his feet into his shoes and quickly tied them. Running as fast as he could, he made it to the crossing, hoping to find Yui there. Unfortunately, she wasn't. There were just a few adults on their way to work.
'Maybe I'll see gale at school today. Him being at the top of the class really sucks since I can't meet him as often.'
I carried on my running until I got to school. Seeing no sign of Gale either, I sighed, today was slowly getting worse. The only thought giving me happiness was seeing the looks on people's faces as they saw his power.
I arrived at class with 10 minutes to spare. There was already a small group of my classmates gathered around a table, looking at some videos. However, as soon as someone saw me, they stopped talking and switched their phone off. Paying them no mind, I headed over to my seat in the middle of the class. I pulled my phone out of my pocket and decided to play on it until class started.
After a few minutes flew by, I noticed a few of my classmates entering the classroom. Most of them animatedly chatting about something. Once my teacher cleared his throat to get our attention, I peeled my eyes off my phone and put It in my pocket. Next to my teacher there were new students.
My eyes instinctively widened, whilst my eyebrows shot up my head.
"Class, welcome our new transfer student. Yui Kakahara."
I must've looked so stupid, just staring at her like that. But honestly, who could blame me.
The teacher must have noticed as he caught me off guard with his next comment.
"Since Amon has taken such an interest in you Yui why don't you go and sit next to him."
Yui replied with a bright smile, and a friendly wave my way.
"Will do sir."
She started walking towards me, her skirt swaying almost hypnotically with each stride. 'Damn, this uniform looks good on her.' And with that passing comment, I could feel my cheeks reddening. I quickly turned my face as she looked my way, hoping to hide my blush.
As she sat down next to me, she tapped me on the shoulder so I looked up, to find her wanting to whisper something to me.
She moved her ruby lips close to my ear, "I told you I would always be here for you Amon."
My heart and brain clashed. My heart wanted to be moved by the gesture, but my mind was concerned by the fact that she'd moved schools just for me.
As if reading my thoughts, she hastily added, "They always said that I could come to this school, I just didn't have a reason to. Until now, that is."
I had no reply to that. In the end, my heart won the little war, and I couldn't help but feel warmed by her gesture. Unfortunately, our teacher spoke. "You two stop talking and listen to the lesson. Especially you Amon. You can't afford to be slacking."
I looked forward and rested my face in my hands with a silent groan. This was going to be a long day.
At the end of class, our teacher dismissed us, but asked me to stay behind. Quickly telling Yui "Just wait outside for me, it'll just take a minute."
He shut the door and then turned to me, dropping his act as he looked apologetically to me.
"I truly am sorry Amon, I should have never taken your sword in the first place."
"It's fine, Mr. Hitori, an accident like that will never happen again from today onwards. That, I can promise."
I walked away shortly after that. I didn't want to concern my teacher anymore than I already had. I knew from the puzzled, yet intrigued look in his eye, that he knew something was different about me.
I had only just exited the classroom when Yui started walking with me. We walked to the field where I was beaten yesterday, and I let a smile adorn my features, I would never be weak like that again. Yui, only just noticing, asked me the same question that my mom did, "Amon, what happened to your eyes?"
I replied quickly, figuring that it was only fair to tell her the full story, considering the lengths she was willing to go to stay by my side.
"Well, about my eyes, they changed when…"
I was interrupted when a wind blade hit my back, pushing me forward and leaving a large, deep wound on my back. I hoped that Yui could use some quick recovery magic because that hurt like hell. My hope in her obviously wasn't misplaced as she immediately rushed towards me, placing her hands above the would, and began healing. Once it was healed, I pushed myself back up onto my feet, turning to mace my attacker. It was Hikari. The person I had managed to beat yesterday. And if I managed to beat him when I was weak and had barely any magic. Well, this was going to be a piece of cake. He clicked his fingers, and seemingly out of nowhere, 9 people emerged from behind him. He shouted at me, voice dripping with anger and hatred, as he stared at me with a look of pure loathing.
"JUST BECAUSE YOU SOMEHOW MANAGED TO GET ME KICKED OUT OF LESSONS, DOESN'T MEAN THAT I CAN'T KILL YOU OUT OF THEM!"
He was right, I noticed. That first attack was aiming to kill. I knew he was being serious. Only one of us was walking out of here in one piece. Before, I would've been ready to run away, or try and negotiate with him. Now though, things have changed. A demonic smile appeared on my face as I looked at him, my blue eyes looking like a raging storm, ready and waiting to be released. I barely registered Yui tugging on my sleeve, begging me to run with her. But I wouldn't listen. I was done running. I was going to show everyone that I was strong. That I will not be pushed around.
All my pride and confidence disappeared before my eyes, as Hikari fired a gust of wind at Yui, knocking her into a tree, her head bashing against it.
Right there.
That was the moment any and all mercy was lost.
Hikari was fighting to kill.
Angry blue flames wrapped themselves around my body. Just the power alone that was radiating off of then managed to scare a few of them into submission. But I wouldn't accept. They hurt Yui, so I hurt them. I gave into my rage, and in an instant I was in front of Hikari, my right hand covered in blue flames. I dug my foot into the ground and tensed my arm. I pivoted my body and struck him in the stomach, my flames traveling through his body, causing immense, agonising pain for but a moment, before they exerted the other side, burning his back and even managing to hit a few of his minions, showing them that they weren't safe from his wrath. Hikari dropped to his knees, his consciousness fading, his harms limply holding onto his chest, trying, and failing, to ease the pain. But I wasn't done, those who are with him deserve pain too.
The book in my bag began radiating not just power, but excitement as well, as I formed a large dome of flames in my right hand, before casting it straight at them, feeling no remorse. Only 2 lucky minions managed to escape, the rest were severely burned and unconscious. It could be healed of course. But the worst pain of all would be the humiliation of how easily they were beat by a supposed weakling.
I didn't have any time to care as the 2 that had somehow managed to dodge came charging right at me. They both activated their magic at the same time. The one on the left had the ability to make a sword out of stone. And the one on the right could electrify his hands for a stronger punch.
The one on the left managed to reach me first, and swung the sword with all his strength. However, that didn't even slow me down. I caught the blade with one hand, and then slowly increased the heat, turning the sword into molten rock which slowly fell to a puddle on the floor. I reached out with my free hand and grabbed his head, my palm releasing a blast strong enough to knock him back into the wall, breaking it, causing some of the debris to dig into his back.
"One left it seems." I muttered to myself before calmly walking towards the one rushing towards me. He threw a punch aimed at my head, which I promptly turned, and dodged by a hairs length. I then raised my fist to chest level and hit him with a devastating one inch punch that was imbued with my power, causing him to shoot into a tree. The tree then started to set on fire, blue flames dancing around it.
I purposefully strode back to Hikari. I wasn't done with him yet.
"What you did to my friend. Your life alone wouldn't be enough to atone for that. Remember, you hurt her, I hurt you."
And with that, I grabbed him by the collar, pulling him up to me, when I drove my flame imbued fist into his face repeatedly. He quickly lost consciousness, however, I kept on going.
Mazoku spoke to me again.
"How does it feel. To be strong. To be beating your enemies. To be on top of all of them."
I smirked sinisterly, "It feels good."
I punched him one more time, before I started to reign in my emotions.
I heard something so I whirled around, anger clear in my eyes.
Yui.
Her body was badly burnt form trying to pull me off of Hikari.
Oh god.
I'm no better than him.
I'n no better than Hikari.
I hurt Yui.
I released my fire and dropped to my knees.
"The first time I use my new powers, and I hurt Yui. I hurt my friend."