Strife II and their Young counterparts were busy training for goals well within reach. The members of Young Strife II were all busy being taught the value of a wide horizon and great variety. Some had to be shown their weaknesses the tough way and others kinda already knew before even being told. All the same, they were each working to make up for it and advance even further as Gods. Though, the whole point of this was to simply lure in Haydes and his forces. After coming to the conclusion that he wouldn't show, Shiishii and the others decided to actually pour in all their effort to help Young Strife II.
With that being said, Morpheus was being crushed under the pressure of Shii and Kishin giving him their all. Vashjai was called to join for something Kishin calls "The battle of the Four Gates." A ritual battle used to bring out the greatest potential of a Gahwardian royal. It goes by many different names but this time it was themed around the Princes aka… the Gates of Morzick.
Shiishii: "Alright, while we wait on Vashjai… ima need you to unleash your inner wolf. Let that tail flow free and those ears poke out. Release that hidden bloodlust and the fangs to go with it. And you can't call it a full release without them damn claws, got it?"
Morpheus: "Yeah, I got you big bro."
Shiishii: "Us too Kishin, we gotta make him as comfortable as possible here."
Kishin: "Will do."
Shiishii: "Mhm, Black Wolf Hybrid!" *FLASH*
Kishin: "White Wolf Hybrid!" *FLASH*
Morpheus: "M-Mhm… (Both their essence levels just shot up and are running wild in nature.) You guys are beasts. Grey Wolf Hybrid!"
All three bring out the Wolf within and enter hybrid Wolf forms. Their tails are abnormally huge and easily dwarf their own bodies, being two times as large in size. Their teeth were sharpened to the point and their claws were of no exception there. Their hair stood up a bit and frizzed up from the charge of Essence. Their eyes of golden gleams had also began to glow. Their ears were normal as far as wolf ears went.
Shiishii: "Alright now that we're at this point. Let's go ahead and teach Lil buddy here how the stance changes when using the wolf style."
Kishin: "Sounds about right, let's get to it bruh."
Morhpeus: "Right, I'm ready!"
Shiishii: "Mhm, so first things first, the basis of this stance and style are themed around a lowered center of gravity. Similar to that of a wolf ready to attack. The reason for this lowered stance is for the added slashes and palm strikes we use during combinations."
Kishin: "You'll essentially find yourself on all fours a lot so already having a lowered center will help adjust to that and stop the chance of us breaking the stance. Which is why we couldn't just simply add wolf-like attacks and maneuvers to Death-Yu. The center is much too high on that and needs to have shaolin technique added to make lower fighting strikes work. We skipped all that trouble by making this subclass."
Shiishii: "Yeah, but the last thing to note that makes this all tie together well is this. Death-Yu Tempest is based around Wing Chun with the added fundamentals of Tae Kwon Do, Dragon-Style Kung FU and Tai Chi. Now Death-Yu Wolfic is of the same nature and make up, save for. This version focuses on a mixture of Tae Kwon Do and Dragon style Kung Fu. With the added fundamentals of Wing Chun and Tai Chi. If you have truly mastered the style then you could see why this switch up works the best."
Kishin: "Indeed, now to show you the stance now that you know the reasoning for its creation! *Swish* *WOOSH* HMPH!"
Morpheus: "Hm!? (It's like looking at a traditional mortal wolf using Death-Yu.)"
Morpheus saw exactly what he described. Kishin had kept his feet at the same length apart, but lowered the stance to a near squat. Using the back leg(His left) to push his weight down on. The front leg still held its natural position of having the toes be the only thing to make contact with the floor. One arm(the left) was lowered while being held out in front, fist balled up and all. The remaining arm was held just above the left, to where the elbow area was. His head was being tilted down in mimic form of the wolves natural stance before pouncing.
With Kishin being in the stance,it wasn't long before Shiishii and Morpheus followed suit. Morpheus looked almost at home for someone who was using the stance for the first time. A truly adept fighter even at this young of an age. When it seemed as though he had gotten used to it after practicing basic steps in the stance. It was high time he got exactly what he told Amera he was longing for. A match with…
Morpheus: "YOU, big brother Shiishii!?"
Shiishii: "Yeah, Vashjai still has some things he must assist with, over there with Kenny. So why not have a quick sparring match, one where I must ask you to do something very specific."
Morpheus: "What would that be?"
Kishin: "I think I know what it is, because I'd quite literally ask for the SAME thing."
Shiishii: "Yep, it's exactly that."
Morpheus: "Exactly WHAT!?"
Shiishii: "You must come at me with the intent to kill and nothing short of that. And don't give me that "you don't want to hurt me", crap. You wouldn't be able to even if everyone from your group attacked me at once, while I'm defenseless. The gap is too large now."
Morpheus: "Oof… ghoulish overkill, but it gets the job done. I gotcha big bro."
Shiishii: "Good, then we can begin whenever you commence an attack. And do understand this is so your instincts run rampant. We can only move on once that happens."
Morpheus: "Ah… right. It makes even more sense for me to go full on kill mode then. I won't fail and I won't hide from what I am."
Kishin: "Good, then attack already you pestering fool!"
Morpheus: *Twitch* "Tch! (Prick!) *PEW* BYAAAAAA!!!!"
Shiishii: (A straight on lunging slash? Immediately going into a beast frenzy I see.) *Back Step* "Hm! *Swish* (Another, but from below.) *Side step* Far too slow." *WOOSH*
Kishin: "Hmm… that was… fast."
Shiishii: "No kidding. Alright, let's do this! Come on, BEAST!"
Morpheus: "RAAAURGH!!!"
Morpheus roars loudly as he attempts to come down on Shii with a crushing downward slash. Shii quickly blocks the attack with his left forearm. The ground tears apart beneath them as Shii swipes Morpheus off. But to his surprise, Morpheus uses the momentum of his swing to send himself into a violent twist. It was during this twist that Morpheus repeatedly clawed and slashed at Shii until he hit the floor. Shii blocks each attack using the rapid pacing of Wing Chun.
*SMASH*
Morpheus digs into the ground just as he lands in the Wolf version of Death-Yu. Shiishii settles into the traditional stance for Death-Yu. Morhpeus let's out yet another roar just before charging Shiishii once more. A stiff dragon palm strike comes like a haymaker from Shii's right side. He blocks at the last second and readies for a second strike. Morpheus does just that and follows up with a barrage of the same attack from both sides. He lowers his center of gravity as the barrage continues. Shii uses his elbows and forearms in Wing Chun fashion to block the onslaught. Both of them trying to counter the other with a full open hand jab. Morpheus aims for Shiishii's stomach, but is blocked. Shiishii aims for the center of Morpheus' forehead, but is avoided.
Shiishii: "Damn! (His inner wolf has fucking phenomenal battle sense!) *FWISH* Hm!?"
Morpheus: "GROUUUGH!!!"
Morhpeus uses some swift shin kicks in TaeKwonDo fashion with his left leg. Shiishii blocks the first using the bottom of his left foot. Followed by an extended, lifted leg block with the side of his right calf and thigh. He uses a reverse pedal motion to bring his leg back and reset it into a perfect ninety degree angle. Leading to another successful block against the third kick. They lock as they clash which Shii uses as the perfect opportunity to extend his right leg out and kick Morpheus in his side. Sending him flying back about six yards before he even realized it. He flips and twists to get his feet set to hit the ground while sliding backwards. He digs his claws into the floor for added stoppage and ceases his motion after sliding just a few feet.
Shiishii & Kishin: "Impressive."
Morpheus: *Glare* … *Smirk* "Keh!"
Shiishii: "Even more impressive…"
Kishin: "He's showing some Morpheus traits while in beast state. Don't tell me the brat's about to pull through and control the wolf within."
Shiishii: "Seems so! But if that's the case then he should be able to block his favorite move!"
Kishin: "The Star Entrance combo… which is… technically the real name to the five kick combo. Which we now evolved into the Ten Bell Destroyer."
"That same one." Shii says just before dashing off towards Morpheus. He lowers his shoulders and leading arm(left.) Lifting his right arm until his hand meets his face, he follows up by Lifting the right leg as well. Dropping his left leg, he cocks back his right leg just before entering a spiral. Morpheus could be seen having his pupils returning ever so slightly. He smiles as he watches Shii perform his favorite technique with high elegance and finesse. Morpheus gets into a solid defense stance that focuses on strength found from flexing and stiffened movement just as contact is made.
Morpheus: "Br-Br… BRING IT!"
Shiishii: "HahaHAAA! Consider it brought ya lil brat!" *SWISH*
*Thwack**thwack**thwack**thwack* … *CLAP*
Kishin: "Hohooo… wwHAT!? He blocked it just as you predicted!"
Shiishii: "Yeah… he did. *Glare* (He blocked all five kicks by barely twitching his limbs at the last second. Reducing the impact with the minimal momentum of those twitches.) Clever little beast."
Morpheus lets out a small chuckle just before looking up at Shiishii. Shiishii notices something is off and raises his guard. It was at that precise moment that Morpheus gave a sinister smile to Shii just as his pupils vanished once more. The beast rages out in a flash and releases a burst of essence from its mouth.
Shiishii: "Son of a-" *SWISH*
Kishin: *PEW* "Damn kid's crazy. He willingly gave into the beast just as that blast was built to maximize the output. He lacks control of that strength so he uses it in ways that render that weakness null. I mean… just look at that blast. It could level an entire galaxy if not trapped on this planet!"
The blast had a radius big enough to make Earth look like a pebble. As large as that is, it is still something that can be contained on this super planet of Gaia's. Everyone present had turned their attention to the blast. They locked on to its signature and were flabbergasted as to whom that essence and power belonged to. Those closer to the blast could see events unfolding even further as a spectacle was occurring. Within the blast, a black blur could be seen casually strolling towards Morpheus. It wasted no time in clearing the distance between them. Just as they met, a claw reached from within the blast. Morpheus took notice and grabbed the hand, or so he thought. Just as his right hand gripped what he thought was the claw, a flash occurred and the blast was dispersed.
Morpheus: "GAAAAH!"
Kishin: "That's a textbook Shii move right there."
Vashjai: "Sheesh bruh, all bad."
"Feels bad." Hideaki says while having Kenny in a headlock as punishment for not listening.
Shiishii: "A nice little finger jab to the stomach never hurts. Now… What did Bruce Lee call this shit again? Oh yeah!"
Kishin: "AhehaheHaaa! Sucks to be you!"
Morpheus: "Graagh!" *FWISH*
Shiishii: "Claw Form: Piercing One Inch Punch!" *PEWFFff* *CRASH*
Morpheus: "DUOOOH!!!"
Morpheus is sent flying through the forest at breaking speeds. Generating enough force to level everything in his path as he heads straight for a nearby mountain range. The peak height easily dwarfed mount Everest, being tall enough to need 5 Mt. Everest stacked to match up. That entire mountain was leveled as he crashed into it and plummeted to the bottom. Having more than a million tons of rock and wartanium fall on top of the poor boy.
Vashjai: "OooooWHEE! Yo ass remember when we had to take those shots head on? Man Kishin and Shii did us bad the day we did the dual spar in our wolf forms."
Ebon: "Man, don't remind me bruh-man."
Kishin: *Step* *step* "You don't think you overdid it?"
Shiishii: "Naw, once I saw how fast he was progressing. I knew we wouldn't need the sparring match until later on after he gets his frustration out. Just needed to nudge 'em by showing him nothing but Wolf style Death-Yu. Plus… that boy is strong." *RUMBLE*
Kishin: "Hm?"
Morpheus: "IIIII. Feel… GREAAAAT!
*SMASH* *SMASH* Hmph! (My beast is satisfied and letting me take control. Feels natural now.) Rejecting the Wolf in me, what a fool I was. *Glare* Shiishii." *PEW* *CRASH*
Shiishii: "Step back Kishin."
Kishin: "Yep."
Morpheus: "Death-Yu: Mayhem's Claw!!!" *SWIPE*
Shiishii: "Hmph! Tai Chi Formation: *STOMP* Death Wall!"
Shiishii swirls his arms around to gain some force in his strikes. Then he places his left hand on the top of Morpheus' hand just as it goes down. His right hand presses against his forearm and the swirling force that follows sets in. Morpheus' own weight and force was pushed back against him, the added twist sent Morpheus flying like a corkscrew.
Morpheus: "Nrgh!! *STOMP* Damn!"
Shiishii: "An essence created platform?"
Kishin: "He can do that?"
Morpheus: "Hrngh! *PEW* HYAAAA!!!"
Shiishii: "He's truly at one with the beast now. Good! *FWISH* *SWOOSH* Ready."
Morpheus charges in once more with a flying dragon kick. Shiishii steps to his left side then swipes Morpheus' leg down with a simple hand wave. Morpheus slides across the floor, setting his hand down to hasten his stop. Looking up at Shii, their eyes meet and they give each other an honest smile. Then, *PEW* the two rushed on with Shii stopping a quick jab from Morpheus' left hand using his own left. Morpheus stops a high right knee using a shin block with his left. They push off and Morpheus is the first to leap back in using a right legged round-house kick as his start. Shii steps forward and blocks using a stiffened left forearm. Shii brushes the kick away while stepping back then leaps forward as a follow up.
"Crap!" Morpheus says as he nearly loses balance just before he too, leaps forward. They cross arms, Morpheus being the first to follow up with a series of quick punches. Shii uses a similar style with palms to block the barrage. A sudden kick is thrown just as the barrage ends. It was a toe kick aimed at the shin. Shii blocks using another traditional calf block in Wing Chun fashion. A follow up kick aimed at the knee is used, but Shii is quick to back pedal and repeat his block as well. Using that same leg, Shii forces Morpheus' foot to the floor alongside his own.
"DAMMIT all!" , shouted Morpheus as he attempted to jab Shiishi in the throat with his fingers. Shii leans to the right and grabs the jab with his right hand. Pulling Morpheus in, he kicks him in the side with his right leg.
Morpheus: "Nrgh!"
Shiishii: "Hmph." *Smirk*
Morpheus: "Cheeky- *FWISH* Huh? (He let go of my hand as I was pulling to get free? Shit, I'm wide open!)"
Shiishii: "Take this." *Swish*
Shiishii brings his right leg to his chest and extends his entire body outwards as the kick is released. His leg was loose and shot out like a sling shot. Morpheus' stomach was caved in from the impact and he was sent flying through the trees once more. Just this time, impact was inflicted moreso over the force behind the blow. Morpheus didn't go nearly as far, crashing into one of the bigger trees and leaving an imprint of his body. The damage he took was more than three times as much as the One Inch Punch did. Morpheus was finally down.
Kishin: "Well I'll be damned, man. He sure did put up a fight."
Shiishii: "No kiddin bruh. He's a Senkozen for sure. Now let's go get 'em and patch 'em up. I think he gets it now."
Kishin: "Of course he does, he was using nothing but the Wolfic stance for Death-Yu that entire time."
Shiishii: "Yeah, but I'm pretty sure everyone is getting about this far by now. And yet…"
Kishin: "Still no Haydes? Yeah, it's a bit unsettling but he's coming for sure. Just don't know when."
Shiishii: "That's alright, I'll be ready no matter what!" *FWIP*
Kishin: "You had better be!" *FWIP*
They both dash towards where Morpheus had landed so they could heal him and move onto the next step of training. Morpheus was found plastered to the same tree he crashed into, stuck and unable to move. He was unconscious, but still wore a great, big smile on his face. Showing he was more than satisfied with what was taught thus far. Shiishii and Kishin couldn't help but smile as well as they approached him.
"Let's get the lil dude down man." Shiishii says while looking at Kishin with a smug smile on his face. Kishin nods his head and grips Morpheus' right arm. Shiishii grabs the left and they both pull, splinters fall as his body breaks away from the tree. They place their hands on his chest and float down to the floor. After setting him down on his back, they place their hands on his chest once more for a combined healing technique. Shiishii uses Death on the wounds while Kishin speeds it up to the highest point. Morhpeus was healed in a literal second, but had remained unconscious.
Shiishii: "Tch! Hey, *SMACK* get your ass up."
Morpheus: "Ow! Hey man, not the face ya bastard!"
Shiishii: "Yeah yeah, get the hell up. It's time we move on brotha Morpheus."
Morpheus: "Alright big bro. Help me up already brotha." *Reach*
Kishin: "I gotcha lil bro." *CLAP*
Kishin helps Morpheus up and they continue on with the training. Shiishii and Kishin explain how they'll be incorporating the arts of Zenchi into this as to complete the style. Morpheus was teeming with excitement as he listened to what his brothers had to say.
A few hours passed by and everyone began to show actual results from their training. Strife II couldn't be more excited as they stared at the fruits of their labor. Zelibus' dragonstate had evolved a bit and the emerald scales on his fists, shins, calves and forearms all gained three extra layers of stone. Adding on to their defensive AND offensive capabilities. He continued to work with Thermias on the style while even getting assistance from Alec now that they were on to the next phase.
Clarence and Ju'Mosi learned to control the individual particles found in their elements. Though Force is an invisible concept, Ju'Mosi added a particle effect to it using condensed balls of essence. Now when he uses the different types of force, he can add onto the blows by splitting the particles and blowing them up. Clarence created a similar technique with pure explosions found within his element's. Most of which were potency boosters for effect giving elements. Such as freezing with ice and paralysis from lightning/electricity.
Zeearc: "Now to add Zenchi so it can shield you from weak concepts."
Clarence & Ju'Mosi: "YESSIR!"
We move on and see that Amera was actually able to create a version of Dark Gravity, known as Black Gravity. It was more mild and tame than the Dark Gravity Demetrius uses. But it has natural condensed balls of essence that are as small as a grain of sand. Each had Zenchi fused into it which would help with any attacks that may be of the conceptual level. Now… she needed to learn to control it as she once did her normal Gravity element. Malikai too was gaining ground with his training. He was learning to use Mental Zenchi to break down the make up of elements and suck them in through his black hole. Due to the wide compatibility Black Hole Imps have with elements, Malikai is able to adjust to any element being pulled in. He was now learning to read the make-up of fused elements and rare ones too. This would help widen his resistance and the amount of things that can be swallowed up by his black hole.
Scrâg seems to also be moving along quite well. Scrâg was now able to fuse a portion of his body to plant-life and extend his reach of what he can control. With this limitation, he was capable of controlling the forest for the most part. But the goal was to get him to the reach of a planet at his current level. Gaia was busy drilling the concept of tranquility into his head. Kareezim sat to the side and simply chimed in whenever he deemed it right. Fong on the other hand probably made the most progress out-of everyone. She was successfully keeping up with Amiyama in her suppressed state. Matching her blow for blow as she increased her fluidity with the Phoenix form. Amiyama even began teaching her how to use her traditional hand to hand combat style, The Crystal Talon Fist.
Amiyama: "That's it! Now let's fly!" *PEW*
Fong: "Right Lady Amiyama!" *PEW*
Silvio was no slouch either. After harsh lessons from his uncle, Prince Zo'Elgor Jr. He was able to get a grip on his Dragon form. And could now freely enter it, but not for long before a toll is paid. That being an emergence of Rasho. With each successful entrance into the form, Silvio is able to stay within it longer. They work to get him to at least five minutes before Rasho begins to take hold of him. They were also under the impression that having Demetrius and MorZick redo the seal they placed would help out as well.
Shiishii: "Hmph, these kids are a bit scary, aren't they?"
Kishin: "Yeah… their ability to evolve is uncanny. I almost can't believe it."
Morpheus: "Hrrmn!!! (I have to focus my essence to the tips of my limbs. To bring about the Mayhem-like nature of my Strife element.) Tssss!"
Kishin: "He's doing good brother. He reminds me of you when we were that age."
Shiishii: "Yeah? I was thinking he reminded me of you. Guess he's got a little bit of both of us. Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if we seen some Haydes, Vashjai and Ebon there too. He's learned from all of us."
Kishin: "True, he's everything we could hope for in a baby brother and more."
Shiishii: "Yessirrrr. I think we should call everyone in soon."
Kishin: "Yeah?"
Shiishii: "Yeah, they all have the results they need to begin their new regimens and steadily grow without our help."
Kishin: "Hmm… guess you're right."
Shiishii: (Gaia?)
Gaia: "Hm? (Yo?)"
Shiishii: (Let's call everyone in.)
Gaia: (I was thinking it was about that time as well. Alright.) *Loud Whistle*
Shiishii: "Hm, alright let's move."
Kishin: "For sure, but hey? Where the hell is my niece!?"
Shiishii: "She's within a bunker built within the core of this planet. She's being watched by Diablos and Angelos."
Kishin: "Oh, alright good… good. Ayo Morpheus! Let's go!"
Morpheus: "Hm? Alright big bro, here I come! (I'll have to get back to this when we get back to the school.)" *FWIP*
Everyone began to gather at the meeting point on Gaia's command. It was a wide open field of grass and flowers that stretched for about ten football fields. It was similar to that of a park setting with benches and walk paths to boot. Everyone stood in a miniature crowd speaking on the trainings they had done and the results they were getting thus far. As Young Strife II began to excite one another with their results, Strife II started to speak on the matters of what was originally planned. As well as how what they expected had failed to happen.
Shiishii: "He must be biding his time a bit more before attacking."
Kishin: "That could be a possibility, but there is also the chance that he is waiting for your guard to be down. Watching you from afar and sitting back, waiting."
Gaia: "You both present sound arguments."
Shiishii: "Mhm."
Thermias: "Even so, we have to keep our guard up for the time being. We already know he has the forces, so all that remains is when to attack."
Vashjai: "True."
Ebon: "Hmm…"
Gaia: "What's got ya bothered?"
Ebon: "Well… the thing is. If he wanted to attack when Shii's guard was down. Wouldn't it have been best to do so when we faced the reality that he WASN'T coming when we expected!? If he's watching then he should know this."
Shiishii: "Oh wow… he's right!"
Kishin: "Then…"
ZeeArc: "Where the hell is he!?"
Morpheus: "Where is who?" *Step* *step*
ZeeArc: "Oh, we're referring to-"
???: "Me."
Gaia: "What!?"
ZeeShift: "When did he?"
Kishin: "Son of a-"
Morpheus: "No way… b-big brother…"
Shiishii: "YOU-" *SMASH*
Shii is punched square in the face and sent flying half way across the super planet. The culprit? A sinister smile wearing…"
Everyone: "HAYDES!?"
ZeeArc: "Talk about living up to the hype. He showed up right as we got comfortable."
Haydes: "KeheheheHaaaa! You shall now face your day of reckoning, big brother!!!" *Cseuwwww*
Gaia: "Tch!"
Amera: "This is bad!"
Curti: "Ju'Mosi, protect Amera!"
Ju'Mosi. "Right, yessir!"
ZeeArc: "Get ready little bro. This is where things get tough!"
ZeeShift: "Yeah, let's make sure Shii can focus on Haydes." *Grip*
With a great ball of light within his right hand. Haydes smiles at his adversaries, siblings and all. Then raises his head high as he puffs out his chest. Then…
Haydez: "Haydes Forces, ATTAAAAACK!!!"
Strife II had gotten exactly where they wanted to get with the training. They wrap things and migrate to one another only to be surprised by the expected. Haydes and his forces have invaded just as they planned. A war is about to begin as the battle between Haydes and Shii… COMMENCES!!!
Next Chapter: The Fists of War!!!