Kagrasia looked on at the cut in his armor in shock, his eyes trembling and twitching in pain and fear, I was guessing he must've been wondering how I was still able to cut him despite the major damage he dealt to me. Enraged, Kagrasia sent a wave of shadow energy towards me with a violent slash of his axe, I ran at the torrent of shadows and created a barrier of demonic energy, my shield rammed through it, I felt parts of the side of my body get pierced as I ran through it, though I ignored the pain, continuing to go forward. When I made it close enough, I ripped through the wave with my own blades, cross slashing Kagrasia against the chest at the same time. An x shaped cut opened itself onto his chest. This only made him even more brimming with rage and he smashed the brunt of his axe into me.
I was sent flying, but landed on the ground on my feet again, covering myself in flames and rocketing for him. He blocked the strike with both axes as I came at him, blocking the explosion of flames that came next with energy covering his body. Kagrasia remained unmoving for a few seconds before slashing at me, knocking me back with one of his axes "Why…?" he thought as he ran at me and continued sending swift, powerful strikes at me, but I mostly either dodged or blocked easily.
I suddenly made a large leap toward Kagrasia and spun my body in the air while engulfing it in jade hellfire, cutting through it as even more hot blood gushed upwards from his body. The A class was now comparable to rage incarnate, holding out his hand and very powerful, pitch black dark energy generated a sphere in front of his hand "WHY!?!?" he screamed. A vast array of dark energy spheres were sent right for me while a cloud of darkness was gathered around them.
I threw my Muramasa katana into the air and grabbed each with amazing precision and speed, by the time he was finished. He was breathing heavily after having expended so much energy. Kagrasia's eyes widened as he saw each energy sphere had become a large number of shurikens and kunai, shurikens in my left, kunai in my right.
I let them disappear out of my hands and held both out, the muramasa dropping back into my right hand, and green hellfire bursting and forming the one made out of flames in my left. Kagrasia couldn't take it anymore "Why… Why…? WHY!?!?!? Why are you so powerful!?" he roared as his black energy exploded all around his body, turning it entirely pitch black, hollow white eyes remaining before charging toward me with extreme speed.
I covered my own body in demonic energy as well and rushed towards him, both of us roaring out as we sped toward each other before finally clashing, the ground constantly cracking underneath us as we did. I grit my teeth as I felt the torrent of his energy get larger and larger, pushing me back more and more gradually. My eyes turned to very wide slits as I felt my power spike and instantly, the torrent of energy and flames around my body became even bigger.
In a burst of incredible power, I tore right through Kagrasia's energy and body, an entire pillar of green flames covering the entire top of the platform, careening into the sky destructively. The energy began to dissipate, the pillar of flames slowly becoming smaller until finally revealing me still in the air while Kagrasia lay flat on the ground. All of his strength was sapped from his body.
I landed lightly on the ground near him "How…. is this possible…?" Kagrasia asked, apparently still in denial about the fact that I had beat him. I sheathed my katana into its scabbard as I looked at him "That should be simple… I just wanted to win more than you… your downfall was when you let your overconfidence takeover." I lectured. Kagrasia looked at me, I assumed he was scowling, however, he let out a weak, bitter laugh instead as his body suddenly began fading away "I see, then I suppose I have no choice… I will allow you to wield my power… officially that is." said Kagrasia with respect in his voice.
I nodded as he changed back into the battleaxe from when I first beat him, I looked around, wondering what I should do now. The ground suddenly cracked more and more under me, unable to handle the scars of the battle between I and the demons, breaking apart violently. I screamed loudly as I fell with the debris, down into the empty darkness…
Night
At Kagura Village
I was asleep, the only notable things that I could notice was that my demonic energy was under control, and wherever I was, I wasn't lying down, much less sitting. I felt a breeze blow through the wind, waking me up and making me shiver, when I had finally opened my eyes, I found myself in a dark room, making whatever that could be in it unidentifiable. I sighed, I had no idea where I was, and no idea if I could even trust whoever resided here.
I tried to get up to see if there may have been a light switch in this place, however, for some reason, I couldn't, it was then that I had heard a jingling from behind me. I turned around and was able to see that there were chains that had pretty much had me tied to the wall, I pulled on them, trying to break them with whatever strength I had left, however, it was a failed attempt, as it seemed they were unbreakable.
After a while, I had given up, whatever these chains were made out of, it was clear that they would not break, and I would only end up hurting myself if I tried any further. I sighed and tried falling asleep in the best position I could, awaiting the events that would befall me tomorrow…
I was still crouched onto my knees, somehow managing to sleep despite my uncomfortable position, I was snoring pretty loudly, however, I was immediately woken up when I heard a door slam. My eyes shot open, immediately turning to slits as I whirled my head around, trying to spot whatever or whoever had just entered the house just now. Suddenly, the lights turned on, allowing me to see everything clearly in the house this time.
Despite the lights now on, I didn't even have the time to examine everything as I suddenly saw a black boot about to slam into my face. A painful reminder of the demon slayer who attacked me triggered me the minute I saw it and I roared out angrily, hellfire blasting out of my mouth as like the flames of a raging dragon. The figure covered themselves more with the black robe they were wearing, the flames somehow being negated as they plowed into the figure.
My eyes widened, I was pretty sure they would be incinerated, and pretty sure that the hellfire I just shot out would be stronger than the one I had just already sent, however, that's when I noticed. My demonic power felt more suppressed than it had last night, no doubt the work of the person in front of me right now.
They suddenly kicked straight into my face, slamming it into the wall and holding me down there "You might as well forget about using any power you may have left, it would be a wasted effort on your part." the voice said disdainfully as they held a scarlet red katana to my neck, the tip touching and slightly cutting my neck, making a trickle of emerald blood slide down. I grit my teeth in anger as I tried turning my head, only for them to press their blade to my neck a tad harder "Don't move, if you even think about escaping, I'll lop off your head faster than you can think." the voice scolded.
While I would've loved nothing more than to really teach whoever this person was a very painful lesson, at the moment however, I had no choice but to be obedient. The figure walked behind me and undid the chains, but only enough so that my hands were still bound together tightly enough. I stood up carefully before the figure finally kicked me, sending me through the door.
I was just about ready to try attack the figure again, however, I took a look in the area and noticed houses everywhere similar to the ones that used to be in my own village. People walking everywhere throughout town, quite the number of shops and more. My eyes widened as my eyes surveyed over the entire area "This is… Kagura village…" I say as I began standing, hope reentering my eyes, I had actually made it.
This happiness was short lived when I felt another kick to my back "Keep moving." scolded the cloaked figure again, I scowled at them, but complied and began to walk. I noticed many of the villagers and merchants began to glare at me as I walked past, each glare more scornful than the last. I gave a confused look at each villager, that was before I suddenly remembered, I was a cambion, no doubt news had spread of my rampage in Kumara village.
Dark memories of that day flashed in my mind, me seeing the village in flames, all the people murdered by that group, my fight against them, and worse, that demon slayer. My mind was filled with rage in an instant upon thinking about him, making a green hue of demonic energy make an outline around my entire body. The wind slightly began to stir around me and causing some of the villages fear, making them step back.
The cloaked figure payed no mind to my little outburst as we walked, after a while, we had made it in front of one of the very large houses in the village. I was quite surprised, the house was made out of many very exquisite materials, as if it were meant for a noble, and it was as big as a mansion, right now, we were in front of the gates. I wondered just how rich the person here was to own an establishment like this.
There was a voice intercom right by the stone pillars holding the gates the figure walked to it and leaned into it. They spoke some kind of strange language into it, then stood back up "What the hell kind of gibberish did she just speak into that thing?" I wondered in my head. A voice from the intercom suddenly spoke "Access granted." and the opened, we walked through them and walked down the path to the mansion.
The doors opened as we walked down the path, and I saw someone walk out, one was a man wearing what seemed to be white robe with black stripes lacing all over it. I didn't notice, but in the center of the back of his robe, there seemed to be a symbol of a black sun. The man seemed quite elderly, as old as Chief Kaira so I figured he might be the village chief, if not someone working under him.
The man walked toward us, his face covered by his striped hood "Ah, you've made it back from your scout my dear, welcome back." said the old man, wait a minute, my dear… the person whose ass I was ready to royally kick was a girl!? The cloaked girl took off her hood, revealing her true face, she had deep, crimson red eyes, stern and almost angry looking, like my own. She had flowing, scarlet red hair going down to her waist, and she wore another red, crystal earring on her left ear, my eyes widened as I examined it, the glow it had… it was a soul gem.
She didn't even take so much as a second to go back at glaring at me, giving a bow to the old man "Yes, I was just traversing the forest when I had spotted this intruder, so I tranquilized him sir." explained the girl. They didn't mention not one thing about me being a half-demon, I sighed in relief, thankful that information had not spread yet. The old man suddenly released his hood, I was surprised, for an old man, he looked like he wasn't that far from his prime.
He had a non-overly wrinkled face with tanned skin, crimson red eyes like the girl and hair a deeper shade of red than her with a few streaks of grey, he also had his hair tied in a long ponytail. He gave the girl a stern look "Saniki, how many times have I told you already? We take no prisoners." scolded the old man to the girl known as Saniki. Saniki seemed a bit drawn back from the comment "But Elder… this man… he has very high power… he could've been trying to attack us to steal our equipment." said the girl as an excuse.
While I liked a few weapons once in awhile, I was no thief, hell, I was dumbfounded that she could come up with such a ridiculous excuse. From what I knew, you would need an army to even manage to steal a shipment of supplies from Kagura village. Due to its record of having relatively powerful citizens, it was basically it's own army.
The old man facepalmed, shaking his head at Saniki "Then you doubt the strength of your village?" asked the old chief. Saniki's eyes widened even more and was about to make another excuse until being cut off. "Saniki, we have fended off enemies from our village many times before, we possess might few villages can possess, that is why no one has dared even tried stealing from our village. What else do we prove other than that we're tyrants when we take in prisoners like this? Release him of his bindings." ordered the old man.
Saniki tried to make some kind of attempt to argue further, but soon gave up and sighed, slicing away at the bindings with her sword, they broke upon impact and she sheathed her weapon. After that, she walked away, however, the seals on my power were still there "You forgot my other 'bindings'!!! Release those already!!" I yelled out to her angrily, she just waved her hand out as she walked away. Saniki called out "Figure it out yourself, Baka Gaijin." she said, I snarled angrily at her "That damn woman…" I hissed out spitefully.
Suddenly, I noticed the old robed man walking toward me and tried looking as respectful as I could "Forgive me for Saniki's actions,despite her lack of respect for gaijin, she was only trying to defend our old village." said the old man politely. I smirked a bit at the elder"There's no need to apologize, I can understand, being a protector Kumara village." I said, even if I didn't like the girl, I could understand her reasons behind capturing me.
The old man smirked and let out a hearty laugh comparable to Santa claus "Well that is excellent, I am glad to see we haven't made ourselves enemies of yours, if I may ask however, why were you in that forest? Not many who go there come out alive, much less simply injured." questioned the old man, I stiffened at that question. Even if this village chief did seem trustworthy, I couldn't just blurt out that my village was destroyed, there would be too many questions to answer, and eventually lead up to me having to answer what exactly I am.
I decided to just take a risk and give him the answer that came to my mind the fastest "I-I was just hunting sir." I said, I knew it was a bad one, but I didn't exactly have the time to contemplate what kind of answer I would give, and which I would not. The old man raised an eyebrow for a bit, most likely wondering how I could be powerful enough to survive in the forest, to be honest, I wasn't exactly lying. My mother before she died had used to take me there to train, and sometimes I would even take trips in there on my own.
However, despite my answer, the old man just laughed again, "Ahh, I see, it seems Saniki wasn't lying about you being powerful then. Come, I would like to welcome you into my home." offered the old man, walking. I didn't want to waste his time or privacy, but seeing no other ways I would survive without a home, so I walked with him. When we were inside, my eyes went wide, I thought the outside of the chief's house was huge… well the inside was much more vast compared to that, the materials of the walls looked even more beautiful than the outside of the mansion.
Vast types of antiques, paintings and weapons decorated the walls, I was in awe at every single artifact my eyes had set upon, imagining the uses of them, what I could do with them, the endless possibilities excited me to no end. The old man noticed my awestruck expression and let out another laugh "I see my collection here impresses you." stated the old man, I nodded slowly in response, too amazed at the vast majority of weapons to give a straight answer.
The old man suddenly smiled, looking as if he was remembering something "I'd gained every single one of these weapons in my boyhood, from nearly all the battles I had faced, down to every last grueling struggle, the life of a warrior is a glorious one indeed." reminisced the old man. He suddenly displayed a bit of a surprised look before smiling and looking back at me "Oh, where is my manners? I haven't even introduced myself. My name is Daigen Karasaki, Chief and Elder of this village, as you've already figured out, would you tell me yours young man?" asked Daigen kindly.
I put on stern, but still respectful enough expression "The name's Kurou Kurosawa, nice to meet you Elder Daigen." I said, Daigen smirked "Kurou Kurosawa… that's good, you have a strong name." he said, I gave a short bow, thanking him. Daigen motioned for me to follow, and so I did, as he gave me his own little tour of his expansive home…
Elsewhere…
Yamari's POV
It had been three days since our mission to go to Kumara Village, three days since the village itself was turned to ash by that strange organization. Three days since we had discovered the very person we were assigned to recruit into Hellzone Corps, was a cambion, that cambion was none other than Kurou Kurosawa the former protector of Kumara Village. only to lose control completely of his demonic power, and in doing so, destroyed the village by his own hands.
My only question was just why? Of all times, why did his demon blood awaken at that very moment? Most cambions already have their powers already awakened at the very beginning of their lives, but for some reason, Kurou's demonic power didn't even feel awakened, it was still dormant… suppressed almost, I took a moment to remember the eyepatch he always wore, it had the kanji of the word Destiny on it.
Then I remembered that man similar in appearance to Kurou, only this man had palatinate purple hair and clothes, not only that, but he'd also had an eyepatch. The kanji on that one seemed to be in contrast compared to Kurou's, being the fact that the word for it was… Fate, I had a feeling that in one way or another, Kurou was somehow connected to that man, but however he was connected, that meaning escaped me to no end.
Immersed in my thoughts, I didn't even notice the fact that Aisu was right in front of me, tapping me a numerous amount of times however, I was only brought of my thoughts when he suddenly shook me very hard. I was brought out of my inner monologue, scowling slightly at Aisu "Could you shake me any harder?" I asked sarcastically in an annoyed tone. Aisu just shrugged "Leader told me to get you." he said with an annoyed scowl, I was guessing he was still annoyed that he didn't kill Kurou, however, hearing that, I simply nodded and began walking with Aisu.
I just simply looked straight forward, I already knew what the leader had wanted, we were all to be stationed outside for a speech in Marandan City, to address the existence of a cambion, Kurou that is. Normally, a cambion wouldn't be that much of a problem for us, we slayed cambions just as we would any other demonic scum. However, the fact is, Kurou was more powerful than any other cambion we've faced, even when unawakened, and that kind of power was certain to raise some hell.
Anyone in the city who was willing to capture Kurou, who was stronger than him, in short, we needed anyone who had either of these things, however, the Leader for some reason, strictly ordered us not to kill him upon finding him and coming from him. For someone who would slay Satan himself if he got the chance, that was quite the odd order if you asked me, still, without him, then Hellzone Corps would've been doomed from the very second it was made. Aisu had suddenly began speaking "It isn't fair… If only I killed that bastard cambion… I should be calling the shots on hunting him! Who the hell else fought him!?" hissed out Aisu.
As I suspected, it looked like he was still pissed about not getting to kill Kurou. I sighed at him "One, I fought him with you, two, you would've gotten crushed if not for that and three, stop being obnoxious. It's not like the mission was only for you Aisu, it's the Leader's orders, you don't decide whether he lives or dies." I told him in a stern voice.
Aisu just scoffed at me exasperatedly as he began clenching his fisis angrily "Whatever, I already know I don't, the High Council decides, but the next time we see him again, he's dead, consequences be damned! What are you going to do when you find him?" asked Aisu. That was another thing I had contemplated, what would I do exactly, it was obvious that I couldn't just walk up to him and just say hello, he saw me with Aisu, meaning whatever aggression he had toward him, he might direct at me as well.
I was hoping to possibly become a friend of his, hell, maybe I could even get a blood sample from him. The only problem would be possibly explaining to him the whole situation of the Leader sending whoever he could, even us, to capture him. Hell, bounties were even being offered to capture him, any trust he might gain for us the minute he sees this, or anyone trying to capture him, would revert all the way back down to zero. As for Aisu's question, I gave him my trademark grin "Well, if we see him again, I'm hoping to get a blood sample off of him, it'd definitely be useful for a lot of my inventions if I was able to replicate the DNA inside it." I said with a mischievous expression.
I meant every word, if I could get even a drop of blood from Kurou, I might end up becoming capable of improving my tech exceedingly faster and more efficiently. Aisu simply sweatdropped at me, he knew my reputation as a world-class inventor, considering we've known each other for so long. He wasn't exactly an inventor like I was, but even so, his intelligence definitely matched mine, sometimes exceeded it. Aisu assisted me in making a few of my inventions once, like Magarin if I had to offer up an example.
Despite Magarin's reputation as a deemed "Weapon of Mass Destruction" which they had so foolishly classified it as, it was not only meant to be simply an advancement in weapons, it was also a personal weapon. A while back, Magarin was just my spirit weapon, however, to my distaste, I wasn't compatible enough to make it the actual, real incarnation of a true soul weapon, forced to create an artificial one instead. While it was a good weapon, it wasn't exactly something I could call perfect, and I hated that, so I decided to give it an "enhancement", something Magarin would always enter whenever I activated it.
The device was shaped like a white scabbard with blue veins and draconic designs running all across it, whenever Magarin was activated, I would have it transport itself into the scabbard, and it would transform into its weapon form.
It was a way to power Magarin up, and it had done so, greatly, Aisu was the one who helped me to create its schematics, honestly, it wouldn't end up as good as I had wanted it to be, had I created it alone, I watched as we finally made it to the door to outside, into the stage that was set upon Marandan City. The Leader himself was announcing the existence of the cambion, Kurou Kurosawa, and how he was to be brought back alive to our organization, wherever that cambion was, I was starting to feel sorry for him.