Kai and Trixx spent the remainder of the day finding a local Inn and a weapon's shop to buy some weapons. Kai didn't buy anything while Trixx got a set of Dragontooth Daggers.
There was still a few more hours before sundown so as the Two were walking down the street, Kai had something else in mind. "Trixx. Let's go to the King's castle."
"What? Didn't Shardy tell us not to try and steal the shard from the King's personal Guards? Moreover, why are we going to the "KINGS CASTLE!? Haven't you heard of the stories regarding him?" Although Trixx is not one to back down from the concept of a fight, even she knew it's a bad idea to try and steal the Shard.
"We're not going to steal the shard. Just going to pay an old friend a visit. You can tell me the stories you've heard of him next time." Kai reassured her.
"Old friend? Didn't you say you stayed in those caverns most of your life?"
"I met him years before I wound up in that cavern." Kai slowly picked up the pace and moved swiftly through the crowds.
"If we die, I'm not leaving your soul in peace." Trixx quickly followed.
-Castle Gates-
"Hold it right there!" The guards cross their spears together, blocking the path forward.
Kai whips out the wanted poster Trixx had given him. "I'm here to have an audience with you're king. If you stand in my way, then I'll be having that audience with him while your blood is dripping from my hands. It's your choice."
The guards immediately moved their spears out of the way and let them through.
The Guards escorted them to the King's grand throne room. The king's subjects all sat in their respective chairs, seemingly showing distrust towards the unknown female and wanted man. As Kai and Trixx made their way to the king's throne, there he was. The king of The City of Fools.
A man who had a strong intimidating aura. Seven feet tall, a strong bulky build. He wore the skeletal remains of the upper head portion of a Sand Ghoul. His chalk white hair was slightly overgrown with the tips of it ending with a deep shade of orange. His panther-like eyes were also orange and gave off a deep sense of judgment to any of those who were met under their gaze. Once our duo was a fair distance from the king, he finally spoke.
"Bold of you to appear yourself in front of me. Despite being hunted down by the bounty hunters. What do you wish to speak to me about? I do not accept any special requests from those marked for death."
"Asura. Words can hurt, did you already forget about me? Don't go screaming my name by the way, it's not for others to know." Kai took off his cloak with a light smile on his face.
"Is that... I don't believe it! K-Harbinger! AHAA!" The king jumped down from his throne and embraced Kai like two friends meeting each other in a very long time.
Everyone in the throne room was slack-jawed seeing one of the world's powerfullest beings, casually embracing a stranger they had never met before. A stranger with a bounty no less! The king would never interact with those who have a bounty on their head. He would only let them fight each other to the death in his arena and if bounty hunters came in search of any individual, he would never intervene with their work.
Even if he is a man with power, he despises people with a bounty. Only those who have committed serious crimes would manage to get the attention of the bounty hunters. Therefore, they could not believe what they were witnessing before their very eyes. However, they immediately lowered their weapons and kneeled as their king had stood up from his throne.
"Let's talk somewhere in private old friend!" The king known by kai as Asura, placed his arm around Kai's shoulder and took him to his personal study room.
"Trixx, just wait for a moment. I won't take long." Kai spoke as he was taken away by Asura.
Trixx stood there dumbfounded while she was still trying to process what had just occurred and merely gave a weak thumbs up in response.
-The kings study-
"It has been a while, Harbinger! I was beginning to think you were dead!" Asura laughs.
"You call me Kai when we're alone, Asura." He walked to a window and admired the view.
"I see you haven't changed at all these past few years Kai." Asura stood beside him.
"It's different from all those years ago, isn't it. We made this happen. You helped me Kai, I still don't know why you didn't agree to becoming the king of this city." He sighed as Kai remained silent.
"I left centuries ago, looking for a place where I could get drunk and die in peace. I never looked back."
*Flashback - 300 years ago*
A world that was once vibrant with life and filled with technological wonder, was now on the brink of collapse...no, it already has.
More than half of all life on the planet of Diadere has just been snuffed out. A dark mist already on the verge of covering the entire atmosphere, shrouding the whole world into darkness. From space, this would already look terrifying, but it was much worse for those who were beneath the veil of death. To make matters even more nightmarish, a moon from another habitable world nearby had somehow been partially destroyed, which sent meteors towards Diadere and caused frequent but deadly meteor storms.
Where the mist expanded, dark and ghastly demonic creatures followed. These demonic creatures were unfortunately the same animals that had once lived peacefully in their own natural habitats. Now with blood lust filled eyes and deformed bodies of all shapes and sizes, they now hunted anything else that was not infected.
In the midst of all this chaos, was Asura who did his best to protect the weak and innocent from both the demonic beasts and the scum of his own kind. He fought bravely against any foe he met and spent the next few months establishing bases around a general area in the desert plains. A bad plan you might say, the mountains would be easier to defend for sure. However, those mountains are now filled with aggressive demonic beasts which the survivors had named Toxivores.
The survivors had managed to bring with them a Shield dome power generator which protected them through most of the meteor storms. But they were only activated when the meteor storms were imminent due to the generator's high demand for power to put up a strong defensive barrier, leaving them with a handcrafted defensive wall to protect them from the Toxivores. With the way things were progressing, the Toxivores would come out on top. But one fateful day, hope had arrived.
-The ruined city: A few days since the cataclysm arrived-
During one scavenging run, Asura had led a group of 7 people. But the party was caught in an ambush by the Toxivores and everyone else except Asura were killed. He would soon join his comrades as well. He slowly got surrounded and watched the bodies of his former allies ripped to shreds and eaten by the savage beasts dripping blood from their deformed jaws, before they directed their attention towards him.
In a last-ditch effort, Asura grabbed his spear and was ready to make his final stand.
"If I'm dying here, then I die fighting!"
*BOOM*
A sonic boom ripped through the air as another meteor fell from the sky, however, this one was different. It not only scared away the Toxivores, but it had a unique shape and burn pattern from the rest of the meteors. Asura waited a few moments before the impact was heard. He didn't waste another second to get away from the Toxivores but not before he took one last look at his deceased comrades. He bid them farewell and apologized for failing to keep them alive. Something about the meteor caught his attention as he sensed it was different and ran towards the direction of the meteor impact, through the city streets still in flames and crater holes from the meteor impacts, he eventually made it to the crash site.
*THUMP THUMP*
*THUMP THUMP*
*THUMP THUMP*
"A heart beat? W-what is th-!?" Asura barely dodges a massive beam that barely grazes his jaw.
The dust and smoke cleared, in the center of the crater, was no one else, but Kai. As he looked up, he kept mumbling something which Asura couldn't hear. His eyes shed tears. Not of water, but of a black tar like substance while the veins surrounding his eyes pulsed in a bright green color.
Kai screamed in rage and agony as his body was partially engulfed in flames and in fear of hurting more people as he yelled at Asura to get away from him as his eyes slowly got consumed by the darkness.
On seeing that Kai needed help, Asura risked his life and tried to subdue him.
"STOP! You're hurt! Let me help you!" Asura tried to convince him to stand down.
Kai didn't listen as he leaped at Asura, but he dodged just in time before Kai came down and smashed the ground into dust. Asura tried his best to dodge all of Kai's attacks, but they were incredibly fast and precise. The longer the battle went on, the more cuts were forming on Asura's body. He eventually managed to grab and throw Kai through some debris.
Asura bursts through the remaining piece of debris left only to find Kai holding his head with both arms, screaming in pain as flames keep on burning with more intensity all over him.
"I-I Didn't Mean! I-I lost control!....I...I COULDN'T!" Kai wasn't making any sense. Asura clapped his hands with a thunderous force, sending a shock wave which hit Kai and he froze, his powers seemingly vanishing along with his screams of pain. He now stood, with a pained but blank expression.
Just as Asura was about to approach him, a massive power surge burst into the air as Kai screamed his lungs out. Afterwards, the mist that had covered the skies above lightened and looked less deadly as before. But it was still present, it looked more natural. He looked back down to see Kai collapsed on the floor, still breathing, but he didn't have an intimidating aura like before.
"Young man. That power. It's similar to that mist, isn't it." Asura held a soul piercing gaze at the stranger below him.
Kai bliked a few times before looking at the man before him and assessed the environment. "My emotions....they were uncontrollable, and they influenced my powers....I lost control.....I've suppressed them thanks to you. I know You most likely have reasons too many as to why you could kill me right here. But if you want to survive this, let me help. You saved me, so I owe you one."
Asura remained silent, still surprised at the sudden change in character. He knew Kai had some involvement with whatever caused this nightmare to arrive on Diadere, but he saw no deception hidden in Kai's eyes. He pierced his spear onto the ground and reached out his hand towards Kai. "Then help me save them."
-At the desert plains-
Dawn had arrived. It had been a whole day since the survivors had heard from Asura and his party. Fearing the worst, they immediately started fortifying their base even more. This was no easy task since a few hours ago, they had to fight off hoards of waves of Toxivores constantly trying to kill them and those inside.
"We can't survive this." A woman dropped to her knees seeing a near endless wave of Toxivores approaching from the northern end in the direction of the mountains.
"We cannot give up yet!" A man yelled, screaming in fury as he manned a turret and kept them at bay.
A few managed to breach the walls and kill a few people but were taken out. As the battle carried on, their defenses were weakening, and things were getting desperate.
Suddenly, massive explosion occurred on the horizon. Everyone froze on sight and wondered what monstrous creature could wield such destructive power. Dozens of Toxivores were flying in the air. The explosions were getting bigger as did the tremors from the sheer force of it. Whatever it was that was causing it, was getting closer to their base by the second.
One final explosion occurred and everyone was in shock as they see Kai and asura soaring in the air, they slammed down to the ground, sending shockwaves which knocked back the bloodthirsty Toxivores.
Kai was now wielding a sword given to him by Asura after he had retrieved it from one of his dead comrades in his party. Asura used his spear to rip his opponents in half while Kai sliced his way through his opponents. They both watched each other's back and maintained a strong defense. They never faltered nor did they give the enemy a chance to catch them off-guard. On seeing this, the resistance gained courage and started to help them fight back.
The resistance fought hard, many died but the remaining forces kept on fighting. At the front lines Asura used his immense strength, sending shockwaves which sliced anything it hit with each swing of his spear meanwhile Kai suppressed most of his powers but could still use soul seer without losing control and had to keep it on the whole time to enhance his vision and dodge and counter enemy attacks. These two absolute units spent all their energy to fight and protect those who could not protect themselves.
-Four days later-
The Toxivores finally dwindled in number significantly and started to show fatigue and retreated. Our two warriors collapsed to their knees from sheer exhaustion as they had fought without rest, their first thoughts were that of doubt. "Is it really over? Would this be enough."
That line of thought was cutoff as some of the civilians and remaining fighters all rushed out from the safety of their fortress and rushed to heal the two warriors and the other combatants who helped them. It was a bittersweet victory as there were hundreds of dead heroes and the ones who had survived this onslaught had severe injuries or severed limbs.
However, everyone cheered in joy of their small victory over the Toxivores and helped those who needed immediate attention. In the midst of their temporary celebration, Asura saw an opportunity and approached Kai.
"Thank you for your assistance and I know this might be too much to ask. But may I ask that you stay and help me protect everyone, just until we can handle these things ourselves." He reached his hand out with a smile.
"The last thing I should be doing is protecting people Asura but...very well, I'll help you, but afterwards I'll leave." Kai shook his hand but let go immediately and made his way into the fortified base as Asura gave a sympathetic smile before asking "Hey, the names Asura. what's your name?"
Kai stopped and looked over his shoulder with a light smile. "Kai. Just Kai."
Kai and Asura went through hell in the time they worked together to maintain order and protect the people. It was a struggle for the first decade or two, but they handled whatever the new world had to throw at them.
Eventually, after Forty more years, what was once a small survivors base, was now a massive city with walls surrounding it on all corners. A haven. One which Kai left the throne for Asura to take as he had kept his promise and had no interest in the wealth or fame from such a position.
"Are you sure you have to leave? You helped us more than anyone else should have." Asura asked, holding a sad expression on his face.
"I have done things that cannot be easily forgiven Asura, you know this. This isn't enough to make up for my mistakes. If we are to meet again, let fate lead us down that path. If not, this is farewell." Kai carried only a small bag of provisions and set off into the deserted plains.
Asura stood there for a few hours even after Kai had disappeared beyond the horizon, he took one massive breath and smiled. "Farewell, Kai."
*End of Flashback*
Kai and Asura now stood beside the window, not even glancing at one another. They were enjoying the silence and peace the other had brought to them with their presence. It was enough for them. But Asura had questions forming in his mind at his friend's sudden appearance.
"So, why did you return?" Asura asks.
"I came for the White Shard you put up as a prize for your silly gladiator games." He answered.
"White Shard? Guess that confirms it then. A myth brought to reality. But why do you care about a White Shard? From what I saw all those years ago, you certainly didn't need a shard to have such power." Asura asked.
"I don't. I won't. I sealed my powers. Most of it at least. I chose to never use my powers to that extent to fight again, and I haven't broken it since that day. You know why."
Kai grabbed a bottle and drank it all in one swift motion but remained silent, Asura kept an eye on him, knowing he had more to say.
"I made a deal with some scholar to help him retrieve the White Shard that you've placed as a reward for the winner for this week's event at the Dragonsblade Arena. In return, he will give me and Trixx whatever we want." Kai revealed.
"That doesn't sound like you. You don't care about wealth or power. So what could some Scholar possibly have that you want?" Hmmm....Aha! It's that pretty little lady you came with isn't it! She's the reason you took interest!" Asura laughs with pride and takes a celebratory shot.
"She merely reminded me of someone I met long before you, Asura. Don't pry into it too much." Kai took his own shot.
Asura gave out a boisterous laugh. "Kai my friend. It would seem that "Fate" has brought you back to this place. Whatever reason you had to finally get out of that tavern, it's fate that willed it. But now I have to ask. What exactly did you come to me for?"
"I need you to get me that Shard." Kai replied bluntly.
"I had a hunch. I'm sorry Kai, but the item's that have been chosen as a reward for the challenges in the Arena cannot be changed once it's been announced." Asura sighed and gulped down his whole bottle and immediately grabbed another one.
"Aren't you a king?" Kai gives a blank unimpressed stare.
"Yes I am!" Asura replies with a massive grin on his face.
"And you don't have the power to change the prize and give me the Shard?" Kai strains his eyes realizing the direction this was going in.
"I do but I have three reasons why I can't." Asura turns around and points at Kai.
He raises his hand and points out his reasons.
"Firstly. It has been centuries since we have seen each other, and I am interested in knowing whether your skills have rusted as you spent your days away drinking in some tavern or if you still have your skills as a warrior. The same warrior I was and still am ready to fight and die for as you had done all those years ago."
"You sent a spy on me?" Kai asked, slightly surprised that he didn't notice someone watching him this whole time.
"Only after three centuries since you left, and it was only for a few days. I never sent another one again. But it's not hard to tell what you were up to this whole time from what the spy reported back to me." Asura explained before carrying on.
"Secondly. With the intention of knowing whether you are still in peak combat efficiency, I need your help to Kill those who participate in this event. I'll be honest with you Kai; I had a suspicion that it was a shard and that was exactly why I let it become the prize for this week's Arena battle. Because the most ruthless and heartless criminals would show up and partake in this event if they knew something that powerful was the reward. I've seen you tell the truth from lies with those fancy eyes of yours. So, I need you to make sure that none of them make it to the end and are snuffed. You're the perfect man for the job!" Asura exclaims with his hands wide open as he speaks with pride. Like a father learning their kid won their first fist fight. Well, maybe not that scenario specifically but you get the idea."
"And the last reason?" Kai asks as he is now sitting on the edge of the window.
"The last reason!... Well, it's extremely physically taxing on me to suddenly change the prize just on a whim since I have to talk to a lot of supervisors for an event as big as this and without any proper reason to justi-ARGH!" Asura was hit in the face with a glass bottle.
"THAT. IS NOT. A REASON!" Kai slides off the edge of the window and back into the room passing by Asura who was giving him an annoyed expression while holding his nose.
"Just one question. How did those insects know that the reward would be an object of mass power?" Kai knew but just wanted to confirm his answer.
"I spread word in the underworld that the prize was a destructive weapon capable of wiping out this entire city. Which isn't far-fetched but it was enough to stir them up." Asura spoke, still holding his nose in pain.
Kai makes his way to the door and leaves the door halfway open. "Fine. For old time's sake and to kill some bastards, I'll accept your request. But once I win, that shard is mine."
"I knew I could count on you, my boy!" Asura changes moods and boisterously laughs again as Kai slams the door shut and he proceeds to try to drink again.
"Ow. Didn't need to throw the damn bottle on my nose ya bastard." Asura grunts as he rubs his nose again which is now fully red.