Toruri sat on a jagged rock beneath the ocean, the cool weight of the water pressing gently all around him. Poseidon stood before him, the god's posture casual yet imposing, his trident glowing faintly in the dim underwater light.
Toruri, leaning forward slightly, asked, "You said something about giving me the ability to breathe underwater. How exactly are you going to do that?"
Poseidon glanced down at him with a half-smirk. "I'm not exactly the 'explain everything' guy, so I hope you're already familiar with the concept—"
Toruri interrupted, his curiosity bubbling over. "And while you're at it, explain how you can talk underwater and I can hear you."
Poseidon's expression didn't change, but there was a flicker of amusement in his eyes. "That goes hand in hand with what I'm about to teach you. Shut up."
Toruri raised his hands in mock surrender, the bubble wobbling slightly around him. "Alright, alright."
Poseidon's tone shifted to something more serious, his voice resonating through the watery depths. "You know about chi, right?"
Toruri shrugged. "Heard of it. That stuff real?"
Poseidon nodded, his eyes narrowing with a hint of pride. "It's the main trait of all Atlanteans. Atlantis is the home of many proficient chi users. But we use it mainly for two things."
Toruri grinned, throwing out a guess. "Fighting and religion!"
Poseidon shook his head, but there was a glint of amusement. "No, but close. Chi can be used in nearly infinite ways. We use it primarily for instantly curing sickness, disease, and injuries."
Toruri raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. "Why not just use healing magic for those things?"
Poseidon's expression turned thoughtful, as if explaining a truth most had forgotten. "Healing magic is way too complicated to use proficiently on that scale. Most of its benefits are locked behind decades of dedicated mastery and a high mana level. Even though healing magic, if mastered, can be superior in some ways, chi healing is just universally more practical and accessible."
Toruri wasn't quite satisfied. "Prove it."
Poseidon nodded, but first wanted to ensure Toruri grasped the basics. "First, you need to understand what chi is. Do you know what it is?"
Toruri scratched his head, his expression blank. "Uh... actually, no."
Poseidon smiled slightly, as though he had expected this answer. "Chi is life energy. It's your life force, and through it, you can tap into the surrounding life energy as well. Using chi means harnessing that energy in various ways."
Toruri tilted his head, a bemused smile on his face. "Kind of like magic, but with extra steps."
Poseidon shook his head, chuckling. "No, no, bro. Chi is way easier to use. As long as you have a life force or even a soul, you can tap into chi."
Toruri's brow furrowed in thought. "So, like—"
Poseidon raised a hand, cutting him off as he delved into his explanation. "Chi manifests in five forms: Kaua, Kokua, Pono, Uhane, and Hoikeike. Kaua chi is all about fighting, battle techniques, and mastery over the chi impact. It's the most commonly used form of chi because it's the easiest to learn. But even if you know Kaua, it doesn't necessarily mean you understand chi."
Toruri scratched his head, looking confused. "But if you're using chi, how don't you know how to use chi?"
Poseidon's expression grew more serious. "Because true mastery of chi lies in Pono chi. If you know even a little about Pono chi, you know more about chi than someone who's mastered Kaua chi. And you need Pono chi to truly master Kaua chi."
Toruri groaned, running a hand through his hair. "This is all like learning magic all over again..."
Poseidon laughed lightly. "It's a lot of explaining, sure, but it's much simpler. Pono chi involves using your chi to enhance yourself and grant abilities. Mastering Pono chi awakens your chi aura."
Toruri stood up, his excitement returning. "So, I'm learning that first, I assume!"
Poseidon nodded. "Yup."
Toruri's eyes gleamed with anticipation. "So, how do we do that?"
Poseidon smirked. "It's easier than you think. I just need to get you aware of chi."
Toruri opened his mouth to ask how, but before he could finish, Poseidon reached out and gripped Toruri's chest firmly. Toruri's eyes widened as a faint yellow aura flared to life around his body. He looked at Poseidon and saw a powerful blue aura radiating from him like the crashing waves of a tempest. All around them, glowing auras of various colors shimmered, drifting through the water like distant stars.
Toruri's breath hitched, his voice tinged with awe and confusion. "What am I seeing?!"
Poseidon released him, stepping back with a satisfied nod. "I've awakened your Pono chi abilities."
Toruri stared at him, still processing the sensation. "What did you do to me?"
Poseidon explained, his tone calm and instructive. "Normally, people have to focus and meditate to unleash something called a chi engine within their bodies. To get the chi engine running, they need to awaken at least 1% of their life energy to fully realize the chi inside them. What I did was forcefully activate all the chi in your body."
Toruri looked down at his hands, flexing his fingers as he felt the newfound energy coursing through him. His aura pulsed faintly, resonating with the energy around him. The world seemed brighter, more alive, as if he could sense the heartbeat of the ocean itself. It was overwhelming, yet exhilarating.
Toruri's voice was quiet, almost reverent. "So, this is chi..."
Poseidon grinned, the god's eyes sparkling with pride. "Yes. And now that you're aware of it, we can start honing it."
Toruri shifted eagerly on the rock, his excitement palpable. "Alright, I'm ready!"
Poseidon chuckled. "Of course you are. If you weren't, I don't think I'd be teaching you right now. Chi is all about using your life force to accomplish different things. Pono chi unlocks a few of those things. You're already experiencing it now, but one of the primary abilities you get with Pono chi is the power to sense the life force of anything around you."
Toruri glanced around, taking in the vibrant auras surrounding them. "So that aura around you is your life force?"
Poseidon nodded. "Yes, and I'm actually suppressing it. The strength of your life force, or chi, depends on two factors: life strength and life output. Life strength is the resilience of your life force—how tough you are to kill. For example, a baby's life strength would be much weaker than an adult's, because it's easier to harm a baby than an adult. Life output, on the other hand, is the amount of life force you have, which depends on your lifespan. A human baby would have a much higher life output than an old man because it has more potential years ahead."
Toruri pondered that for a moment. "So, your life power is strong because you're hard to kill, and you're immortal?"
Poseidon grinned. "Exactly. My life output is infinite because of my immortality, and my life strength is pretty high."
Toruri raised an eyebrow. "Isn't that a little overpowered? Infinite life output?"
Poseidon shrugged. "Life output alone doesn't make you invincible. If your life strength is low, you can still be killed, even if it's just temporarily. Output determines how much chi you can release, while strength dictates how potent that chi is and how it matches up against others."
Toruri's eyes lit up with understanding. "So, how would mine stack up?"
Poseidon looked Toruri over thoughtfully. "Given your mixed hybrid DNA, your output should be above average—you're capable of living hundreds of years. And your chi strength? That will continue to evolve as long as you have the potential to grow."
Toruri jumped up, fists clenched with determination. "Yeah! Teach me how to breathe underwater!"
Poseidon smiled. "That's exactly where we're starting. We've got a lot to cover, Toruri. If you can keep from falling asleep, it'll be a lot easier on both of us."
Toruri laughed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, I'm barely staying awake right now."
Poseidon smirked. "Explaining chi is boring, I know."
Toruri nodded. "But hey, I went through it with Fuyu; I'll go through it with you."
Poseidon gave an appreciative nod. "How generous of you. Alright, so, chi isn't so different from magic and mana. If your chi is stronger than your opponent's, you can overpower theirs—it's as simple as that."
Poseidon's aura vanished in an instant, leaving Toruri momentarily stunned by the sudden shift.
"You can also control your output, just like with magic," Poseidon continued.
Poseidon stood in the depths of the ocean, his voice resonating through the water as if it carried a weight of ancient wisdom. "To be able to breathe underwater," he began, eyes fixed on Toruri with an intensity that seemed to pierce through the ocean's depths, "you need to learn the main ability of pono chi: environment alignment."
Toruri furrowed his brow, the unfamiliar term hanging in the water between them like a mystery begging to be solved. "What's that?"
Poseidon's expression remained stoic, but there was a flicker of patience in his gaze. "Your life force exists to mainly support your body," he explained, his tone deliberate and steady. "By exerting chi to surround your body, you can force reality to treat your body as if it's in its natural environment. If you're primarily an air breather, activating your environment alignment underwater lets you exist underwater the same way you'd exist above water."
Toruri's eyes widened with a mixture of amazement and skepticism. "So you're saying I can breathe underwater that way? Does gravity also apply to this? Because if so, wouldn't I just sink in water?"
Poseidon nodded slightly, acknowledging Toruri's logical leap. "Yes, for now. But after some time, you can start to include and exclude certain traits."
Toruri clenched his fists, determination tightening his features. "I can do this by exerting my chi, right?"
"Yes," Poseidon affirmed, his voice steady. "Just try to push it out."
Toruri inhaled deeply, his chest expanding as his muscles tensed. His aura flared around him, a visible manifestation of his inner power. His face contorted in concentration, veins bulging as if his very essence were being wrung from him. It was as if his eyes might pop out of his skull from the sheer effort.
Poseidon watched, a hint of approval ghosting across his typically impassive face. I'm impressed, he thought, his inner voice tinged with unexpected pride. He's going to learn pono chi in the first go—
But just as quickly as the thought formed, Toruri let out a loud, unexpected fart. His aura flickered like a candle in the wind, then snuffed out entirely, leaving him standing there in awkward silence. He relaxed, the tension draining from his body.
Toruri sighed, a wry smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "We're going to be here for a while..."
Meanwhile, in the bustling heart of Atlantis, the vibrant city teemed with life. October, encased in a protective bubble, was being led through the streets by an Atlantean with a distinctly swordfish-like appearance. Unlike the typical denizens of the ocean, this Atlantean lacked the elongated sword nose of his kin; instead, his sword nose was fused into his right arm, and his overall form was more humanoid, complete with jet-black hair and human-like eyes.
The swordfish-like Atlantean, Nilala, glanced at October, unease flickering in his eyes as he guided the visitor through the vibrant, chaotic city. Deity Poseidon, he mused internally, why are these people here? Is something going to happen?
A flashback played in Nilala's mind, recalling the moment Poseidon, Toruri, and October descended into the ocean's embrace.
"Toruri," Poseidon had begun, casting a curious glance toward October, "your friend... he's a little..."
Toruri, unfazed, shrugged. "Weird, yeah. He's a robot."
Poseidon's brows knit together slightly, a rare sign of perplexity. "So that's why I couldn't sense him. I don't think it's the smartest idea to bring a robot underwater."
Toruri scratched his head, considering Poseidon's caution. "I think he's waterproof enough. Though I'm not sure if he can handle being entirely encased by water."
Poseidon nodded thoughtfully. "It's a good thing he's a robot. Anyone else would die from the pressure alone."
"Speaking of," Toruri interjected, concern edging his voice, "where are you taking him if we're training alone?"
Poseidon's gaze shifted to October, calculating and distant. "He can wait at the water gate. It leads directly to Javarahoo and is full of air. I'll have a guard take him." Poseidon's eyes glowed a brilliant blue, summoning Nilala with a speed that rivaled lightning. The Atlantean shot up from the depths, coming to a sudden halt before Poseidon.
"Deity Poseidon," Nilala inquired, his voice respectful but edged with uncertainty, "are these intruders?"
"No, Nilala," Poseidon responded calmly, his tone authoritative. "I've brought the son of Waketo."
Nilala's eyes widened, and he quickly bowed his head in deference. "The son of Deity Waketo? What's happening?"
Poseidon's expression darkened, his gaze unwavering. "I must keep that private. But my duty for you is to take his companion to the water gate."
Nilala straightened, determination in his eyes. "Yes, sir."
The memory faded, and Nilala continued guiding October through the lively streets of Atlantis, still pondering the significance of Poseidon's mysterious mission.
Nilala walked alongside October, his eyes drifting occasionally to the strange figure encased in the bubble. Despite the commotion of Atlantis all around, Nilala's mind remained sharply focused, his thoughts like a steady current beneath the chaotic waves of the city. I thank the deity for not pairing me with some rowdy human, he mused, glancing at October. This... fellow... is a lot more straightforward, and isn't some tourist.
Nilala, hoping to break the silence, turned his attention fully to the robot. "Hey, robot," he called, his voice carrying a casual command.
October remained silent, unresponsive as if the words were swept away by the current.
Nilala furrowed his brows, a hint of irritation creeping in. "Robot?" he tried again, louder this time, but still, October didn't so much as twitch.
What is this? Nilala wondered, his patience thinning. "Don't tell me you don't react to anything that isn't said by your master."
October's silence continued, as unyielding as the depths around them.
Nilala shrugged, a smirk playing at his lips. "That's even better."
Suddenly, a flash of movement caught Nilala's attention. A piranha Atlantean, shackles clinking wildly against his scaled skin, bolted past him with a frantic speed that sent bubbles swirling in his wake. Close behind, Atlantean guards pursued, their expressions strained with urgency.
"Captain Nilala!" one of the guards shouted as he raced past. "We don't know how, but a prisoner managed to escape!"
Nilala's eyes narrowed, recognizing the familiar, frenzied figure of the fugitive. "Quick Tooth got out."
He spun around, addressing October with hurried authority. "Ok, robot, stay put!"
October's mechanical voice buzzed in response, calm and precise. "Affirmative."
Meanwhile, Quick Tooth began to ascend rapidly, his taunting laughter bubbling through the water. "I'm the fastest criminal in the ocean! Nobody's catching me!" He surged forward, his speed dizzying, a blur of scales and chains.
Nilala's jaw set in determination. "You're not getting away, Quick Tooth!" His sword hand shimmered ominously as it became shrouded in a dark purple aura, pulsating like a living shadow.
Quick Tooth's bravado wavered, his voice hitching with sudden fear. "Oh no! Nilala!!!"
Nilala rocketed forward, breaking the sound barrier in a deafening boom that rippled through the water, his figure slicing through the depths like a spear.
Quick Tooth's eyes darted back in panic. "Why are you out here?!"
Nilala's voice cut through the water with the precision of his blade. "Why are you?!"
Quick Tooth stammered, words catching in his throat. "I—"
Nilala didn't let him finish. "Sword Technique: Spirit Point!" With a swift, merciless thrust, Nilala drove the tip of his sword into Quick Tooth's back. The fugitive gasped, his eyes rolling back as his body went limp. Nilala seized him firmly, pulling him back down with a sense of grim satisfaction.
Nilala shook Quick Tooth awake, his expression stern and unyielding. "Wake up, criminal. How'd you break out?" As the guards gathered around, Nilala's grip tightened, demanding answers.
Quick Tooth groaned, disoriented but compliant. "A Saraoka freed me..."
Nilala's gaze sharpened. "Saraoka? What kind?"
Quick Tooth's voice wavered, a tremor of fear running through his words. "He was a crocodile one."
One of the guards, his eyes wide with concern, stepped forward. "Captain, could it be possible that the Saraoka is also an escaped prisoner?"
Nilala considered this, his expression thoughtful but unconvinced. "Unlikely. Gaia and her forces are far more strict with their security than ours. Keep it in mind, they keep Erusuna in their prison—he himself has not escaped since he got there 17 years ago."
Another guard shifted uneasily. "This is weird..."
Nilala nodded, a resolute glint in his eye. "Take him back. After I escort this robot to the water gate, I'll start an investigation on this."
"Ok, Captain!" the guards responded in unison, taking Quick Tooth into custody and marching away, their figures soon lost in the bustling currents of the city.
As Nilala resumed his task, his thoughts churned like the restless tides. Could this be why the son and the robot came? Is something strange going on that even the gods are sensing? His grip tightened on his sword hand, the weight of his duty pressing ever heavier.
Toruri sat cross-legged on the ocean floor, his face twisted in frustration. Despite his earlier attempts, his efforts to control pono chi had gone nowhere. Poseidon, towering beside him, shook his head, his expression a mixture of amusement and mild disappointment.
"Little cuz," Poseidon said with a smirk, "you really suck at concentrating."
Toruri glared up at him, defiance blazing in his eyes. "Concentrating is pointless," he snapped, the annoyance clear in his voice. He stood up abruptly, his posture brimming with fiery determination. "When you can go... EVEN FURTHER BEYOND!!!"
Without warning, Toruri's aura erupted around him, a vivid and forceful display of his untamed energy. It surged outward, shimmering like a blazing beacon in the murky depths.
Poseidon watched, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully. He's really good at exerting his aura though, he mused, a hint of admiration creeping into his thoughts.
Toruri's voice boomed, a fierce declaration that echoed through the water. "I WON'T SIT HERE AND TAKE THIS ANYMORE!!!" His aura swelled even more, pulsating with raw power that stirred the surrounding water into turbulent eddies.
"RAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!" Toruri roared, his voice rippling through the ocean, his chi shaking the water with a violent tremor that radiated from his core.
Poseidon's eyebrows lifted slightly, intrigued by the spectacle before him. Is he going to force his way into a pono chi awakening? Poseidon thought, the hint of a smile tugging at his lips. Impressive—
But before Poseidon could finish his thought, Toruri's eyes rolled back, his expression shifting from fierce to vacant. Foam bubbled at the corners of his mouth, and with a sudden collapse, he fell onto his back, his once-mighty aura dwindling to a faint glow around his body.
Poseidon sighed, his initial surprise giving way to resignation. "I half expected that." He leaned down slightly, inspecting Toruri's limp form. "Toruri, are you..."
Before Poseidon could finish, the sound of light snoring reached his ears. Toruri was fast asleep, his chest rising and falling peacefully, utterly oblivious to his failed attempt and the tumult around him.
Poseidon straightened, crossing his arms as he glanced down at his snoozing cousin. "He's asleep. I guess I'll push this off until tomorrow," Poseidon muttered, a wry smile crossing his face as he turned away, leaving Toruri to rest on the ocean floor.