With a solemn exchange, Kira traded the lives of six destitute minions of Warhammer, breathing life into the inert bodies of his five creations. Each of these projects had their memories painstakingly altered to satiate the insatiable desires of Warhammer. However, apart from Project2 and Project5, the others possessed the lingering ability to recall their names.
In the grip of Warhammer's power, Kira had languished for countless years, unable to resist, for he harbored a paralyzing fear of losing his own life should he dare to defy the demon's commands. As time wore on, Kira's resentment toward Nobu swelled, the anticipation of their inevitable confrontation fueling the fire within him. He longed for the moment when he could unleash his pent-up emotions upon the very embodiment of paradise's annihilator, the creator of the dust village.
And now, after an interminable passage of time, Kira stands face to face with Nobu, his heart pounding, the seconds slipping away like sand through an hourglass. It has not been an easy journey for Nobu either, as he beholds the visage of his long-lost friend with Kira's countenance etched with murderous intent. Yet, the boy refuses to falter, summoning a fragile smile upon his lips, his honest orange eyes shimmering with unshed tears. Slowly, deliberately, he approaches Kira, determined to maintain his composure.
"Thorn Whip!" In a desperate bid to end Nobu's life, Kira conjures forth the forces of plant magic, weaving an incantation that births a whip-like vine adorned with menacing thorns. Gripping the serpentine tendril tightly in his right hand, he swings it with reckless abandon, seeking to inflict harm upon his long-awaited adversary. But Nobu, steadfast and resolute, has other plans in mind. With an unwavering smile gracing his lips, he surges forward, evading each overwhelming sweep of the verdant whip.
Keenly aware of the whip's sluggishness compared to Nobu's agility, Kira leaps back, his feet meeting the ground with a resounding thud. In a display of mastery over his magic, he waves his command into the soil, birthing roots that reach out hungrily toward Nobu. Yet, to Kira's astonishment, his dear friend refuses to engage in the battle. Though the radiant smile upon Nobu's face begins to wane, he steadfastly evades the onslaught of attacks, employing neither technique nor defensive maneuvers. Not a switch, not an absorption. Even his Soul Edge, the embodiment of his power, remains untouched upon his bracer. It is clear that he holds no interest in causing harm to the one he cherishes most.
"Kira, why don't we put an end to this?" Nobu's voice resonates with the timeless warmth of ages past, carrying the weight of countless shared memories. He seeks to pierce through the tumult within Kira's mind, to ignite a spark of reason amidst the chaos. "What is it that you truly seek?"
A flicker of frustration dances in Kira's eyes as he continues to manipulate the relentless roots, relentlessly pursuing Nobu, their dance a symphony of desperation. "I seek vengeance!" Kira declares, his voice filled with anguish and torment. "I yearn to avenge the agony I have endured!"
"Why, by taking my life?" Nobu inquires, his tone tinged with sorrow, his heart heavy with emotions that span centuries. "What purpose does my death serve? I am not your enemy..."
"Indeed, by taking your life!" Kira's voice cracks with fervor, his rooted perch ascending higher, extending a hand to his dearest companion. "I devoted my very existence to you, sacrificing everything to shield you, believing that you would safeguard our cherished Paradise. I hoped you would remember the bond we shared when we dwelled together. And yet, here you stand, abandoning me without a second thought!"
"Plant Magic: Seed Of Enervation," In a surge of enchantment, Kira manifests a multitude of seeds within his palms. With a flick of his wrists, the seeds launch forth, propelled by unseen energy, piercing through the very flesh of Nobu. Implanted within his body, they quiver with a sinister purpose.
Kira's mind races as he muses to himself, "Nobu doesn't have any magical energy, to begin with. So those seeds are made to suck someone's chi instead of magic. I need to slow him down somehow, I can't really keep up with his ridiculous speed."
As Nobu examines the foreign intruders, his voice trembles with disbelief, "Are these seeds draining my chi?" he whispers, his left hand rising to face his own body. In a display of sheer willpower, the seeds are drawn inexorably toward his outstretched palm, as if caught in a powerful vacuum. One by one, they vanish into oblivion, erased from existence by a simple yet unfathomably potent gesture.
"Enough, Kira!" Nobu protests once more, nimbly evading the onslaught of roots that threaten to ensnare him. "How did you manage to survive all these years? What sustains your existence?"
A wistful smile plays upon Kira's lips as he stands atop a towering root, momentarily ceasing his assault. Slowly, deliberately, he removes his cloak, baring his chest to reveal a haunting sight—a purplish orb of malevolence engraved upon his flesh. Nobu is captivated, struck silent by the revelation.
"It was my Master," Kira discloses, his voice tinged with both reverence and bitterness. The cloak finds its place once more, shrouding his enigmatic form. "He discovered me, abandoned, in the very dust-laden village you had wrought. Without hesitation, he granted me power, granting me the chance to settle the score with you."
"Warhammer..." Nobu's voice quivers with a mixture of shock and disbelief, the weight of Kira's revelation settling upon him like a heavy shroud. "You can't be speaking of Warhammer, can you?"
"Plant Magic: Nature's Wrath," Ignoring his friend's plea for confirmation, Kira unleashes another assault, the force of Nature's Wrath cascading upon Nobu with relentless fury. The roots and plants surged from his former spells now intertwine and transform into a sinister tapestry of spikes that threaten to impale the young warrior. Nobu leaps into the air, a desperate attempt to evade the deadly onslaught.
Yet, just as Nobu believes he had evaded the imminent danger, a cunningly placed root snares his feet, wrenching his body in a violent rotation before propelling him forcefully toward the bed of menacing spikes. With a sickening thud, his body collides with the cruel tips, agony surging through his being.
"Why won't you fight back?" Kira's voice reverberates with venomous anger, each word dripping with the weight of years of bitterness. He approaches the fallen boy, his footsteps deliberate and laden with purpose. "Aren't you interested in preserving your own life? So that you may destroy the rest of the kingdom as you desire?"
A feeble whisper escapes Nobu's lips, his voice strained by pain. "Well, I'm not that interested in living my own life, to say the least..." he mutters, his upper body barely rising from the ground. "But I am certain that I cannot harm a friend."
The words hang in the air, their weight penetrating Kira's hardened heart. A brief silence envelops them before Kira's lips curl into a twisted smile, eerie laughter erupting from his chest. He doubles over, clutching his stomach with both hands, his laughter a haunting chorus of derision, "You never cease to amaze me," he sneers, "Always twisting things to fit your narrative, don't you?"
Without hesitation, Kira surges toward Nobu, a barrage of roots converging upon him. But this time, Nobu stands unwavering, a massive spike etched upon his left hand, his palm outstretched to face the onslaught. With an effortless display of power, he draws the roots toward him, absorbing them with ease. And in a swift motion, he switches his body, reappearing meters behind Kira, his purple eyes burning with a newfound resolve.
"You said we were family," Kira's voice trembles with a mix of longing and accusation as he turns slowly to face Nobu, his eyes searching for answers amidst the chaos. "You vowed that we would stand together, forever united to protect our homeland. So why? Why did you forget about me all these years?"
Nobu's expression softens, a flicker of sorrow dancing in his eyes as his hand finds solace in the necklace he wears, delicately clasping its shard as if it holds the weight of the world. "Who said I forgot about you?" he counters, his voice carrying a gentle melancholy. "Do you remember this necklace? Have you ever wondered why I still wear it, knowing it may draw those soldiers back into our lives?"
Kira pauses, his eyes narrowing as he absorbs Nobu's words. The necklace, a symbol of Nobu's mother, is the sole relic connecting him to his mysterious past, "The answer is apparent, Nobu," Kira retorts, launching himself towards his friend, his hand pulsating with potent magical energy. "It reminds you of your family, of the mother you know nothing about."
A serene resolve settles upon Nobu's countenance, his movements fluid as he gracefully evades Kira's assault. "You're mistaken," he clarifies, his voice laced with a quiet determination. "As you said, I don't even know my mother. How can something remind me of someone I cannot recall?"
In a moment that felt suspended in time, Nobu unleashes a punch imbued with all for one, connecting with Kira's face. The impact resonates through the air, shattering the ground upon Kira's descent. It's as if the blow hurt Nobu more than his fallen friend, for he continues to walk slowly toward Kira, his head bowed under the weight of profound sorrow. "It reminds me of us, Kira," Nobu whispers, his voice laden with a poignant sadness. "Doesn't it make sense if it reminds me of what we once shared?"
"Kira... I understand if you hate me. I truly do." Nobu's voice carries a heavy burden, his eyes shifting back to their dark blue hue as the remnants of the demon's power fade from his body. "I brought nothing but misfortune into your life, and I was responsible for the destruction of Paradise City, despite my intentions to protect it."
A soft smile graces Nobu's lips as he continues, his gaze unwavering upon Kira. The boy can't help but be taken aback, his heart echoing with the weight of Nobu's self-condemnation, "I hate myself, you know," Nobu confesses, his voice filled with a bittersweet honesty, "I know that my existence will only bring harm to those around me. If I hadn't made a promise to protect the dreams of my comrades, I would have willingly let you end my life on your first attempt."
"You can hate me as much as you want, Kira! It doesn't matter to me," Nobu's tone suddenly sharpens, his form now kneeling before Kira, his eyes filled with unwavering determination. "I don't care about myself anymore."
"But what I find unforgivable is that you are still clinging to the idea of protecting the Fire Kingdom while simultaneously contributing to its destruction," sadness etches deep lines upon Nobu's brow as he firmly clasps Kira's cloak, pulling him closer. "You're playing a detrimental role against the very kingdom you claim to defend. You need to wake up, for the sake of everything you hold dear! Snap out of it!"
As Nobu bears into Kira's eyes, his voice lowers, his words laden with finality. "So, instead of getting caught up in this cycle of revenge or whatever it is you seek, why don't you prioritize your own dreams and ambitions? Only then can you free yourself from the shackles of my pitiful existence."
The tears flow freely from Nobu's dark eyes as he slowly stands upright, his grip on Kira loosening. The weight of his emotions lifts, replaced by a profound sense of relief and gratitude. "You are my freaking salvation, man," Nobu whispers, his voice filled with reverence. "It was your absence that drove me to the edge, and it was your memory that led me to wreak havoc upon Paradise. So, allow me to repay you by awakening you to reality."
"Come back to us, Kira!" Nobu's outstretched hand trembles as he implores his friend. Tears still stain his face, a testament to the deep pain he had endured. "Return and protect the Fire Kingdom, just as you always desired."
Kira's mind swirls with confusion, his own voice sounding distant as he utters fragmented thoughts. "What was I trying to achieve?" He whispers, his eyes in a never-ending shaking, "Why did I remain with Warhammer when my true intentions lay with safeguarding the Fire Kingdom?"
A realization flickers within him, kindling a growing flame of guilt. "And why did I harbor such resentment towards Nobu?" Kira's eyes tremble, mirroring the turmoil within his soul. "Ah, yes... It was the insidious whispers of Warhammer that poisoned my thoughts as well," he laments, the weight of regret settling upon him. He regrets his treatment of Nobu and the actions he had taken. And as he reaches out, his trembling hand finding solace in Nobu's grasp, he is pulled closer, embraced tightly in a welcome he never expected.
"It was way too hard for me," Nobu confesses, his voice choked with emotion. "All these years, I yearned for the embrace of my elder brother, longing for your presence. The pain was unbearable."
Kira's heart swells with a mixture of remorse and gratitude, his own tears mingling with Nobu's. He rests his head upon Nobu's shoulder, his left hand finding solace on his friend's back, as he tries to stifle his sobs. "I'm sorry, Nobu," Kira whispers, his voice heavy with contrition. "For attempting to take your life... and for all the chaos I caused. I deeply apologize."
At that moment, as their tears merge and their embraces tighten, Kira knows he has returned. He has awakened from the abyss that had consumed him, for his eyes finally blossom with the purity that longed to exist within him. And in the embrace of his brotherly friend, he finds the strength to begin mending the shattered pieces of their bond.
After their emotional reunion, Nobu and Kira find solace in each other's presence, exchanging stories of their lives and experiences during their time apart. Kira holds nothing back, divulging all the information he possesses about Warhammer's sinister projects and the malevolent force that has consumed their lives.
As they run together through the dimly lit tunnel, Nobu's curiosity burns brighter than ever. He can't help but question Kira about the purpose behind Warhammer's projects.
"So, these projects, including Project5, were created to protect Warhammer?" Nobu inquires, his voice laced with a mixture of intrigue and concern.
Kira nods affirmatively, a somber expression on his face. "That's what I believe. Warhammer intends to use them not only as his guardians but also as weapons to launch an assault on the Fire Kingdom."
Nobu's brows furrow, his mind racing to comprehend the depths of Warhammer's twisted schemes. "But why? If he wants them to protect him, why would he send them to us, knowing that we would try to eliminate them?"
Kira lets out a contemplative sigh, his eyes focused intently on the path that stretches ahead. The weight of his revelation hangs heavy in the air, causing Nobu's heartbeat to quicken even further. "He wants to assault our kingdom as a way to buy time, it's definitely not his main goal! I think Warhammer's ultimate goal..." Kira begins, his voice steady yet filled with a sense of urgency, "is to harness the immense arcane energy possessed by Reina."
Nobu's breath catches in his throat as he processes Kira's words. The realization washes over him like a wave, threatening to engulf his thoughts. The notion that their enemy seeks to wield such formidable power strikes deep within his core. "But there's something quite absurd in what you told me. Using arcane energy won't help to destroy the seal on his body," Kira continues, his gaze unwavering, "but it's undoubtedly the best way to break the spell of the dimension where his body is if I'm not mistaken. And maybe he doesn't need that arcane energy for only breaking the spell, who knows."
"Not to mention," Kira adds, his voice tinged with a growing sense of unease, "that the Fire Kingdom is the only location where he can break the seal on his body. And it does hold the very key to breaking the seal as well. I mean, I was eavesdropping his plans all these years so I can tell this much." And a shiver runs down Nobu's spine as he absorbs the gravity of the situation. The Fire Kingdom, their home, holds a crucial role in Warhammer's twisted machinations.
The atmosphere thickens, suffocating them with a foreboding sense of imminent danger. Warhammer's cunning and manipulation become all too apparent, orchestrating events to sow chaos and divert attention from his true intentions. Nobu feels a surge of anger mixed with fear, knowing that their enemy's web of deceit entangles them all. Their kingdom, their people, were in peril.
"He wants to get his full power back so he could fully break the barrier between the human realm and the demon realm, he can do so if he restores 100% of his destruction magic. Warhammer has a whole army of 50000 demons in the demon realm waiting for his arrival. If he reigns on our realm along with his army, I'm afraid the planet won't be able to handle the outcome. And, Nobu," Kira's voice lowers, carrying a weight of grim revelation, "I fear he has a personal vendetta against you—one that seeks to end your life."
Nobu's steps quicken, his mind whirling with a whirlwind of determination and apprehension. The weight of responsibility settles upon his shoulders, pressing down on him with each passing moment. The realization of the imminent danger demands action, demands their unwavering resolve.
"We have to stop him," Nobu declares, his voice resonating with unwavering conviction, cutting through the suffocating air, "We cannot allow Warhammer to succeed in his malevolent plans. The Fire Kingdom and its people must be protected."