From prisoners in a foreign realm to being the head of the kingdoms military. . .and while being the youngest 'children' of the God-emperor. . . What is the Father of the Shugyō getting at? The siblings have no damn clue.
The siblings were still shell-shocked. What in the actual flying fuck was going on here!? First was the kidnapping, then the forced adoption, then the satanic training, then now, becoming what is essentially the second highest ranking officials of the army?! What's next? Heading out to war for the sole purpose to conquer the lands of the west as it will act as actual training for the real war afterwards?!
They are getting a little out of hand with that one.
'What the hell/What is going on here?!'
Every time. Every time they think they understand him and the situation at hand, something must come about and make them re-evaluate everything. In the time they have been here, they only seen Siegfried in the chamber along with them during their meetings with the emperor. This is the first time that they have others with them.
And judging from their Sonzai-no-atsuryoku, they were more than capable of killing them a disturbing amount of efficiency if they lose the emperor's favor.
Their plan of escape needed them to be in his favor.
Once the newcomers comes were allowed to stand, the emperor motioned to for them to stand in line, just shy of ten centimeters apart from each other.(But this wasn't needed. Ichigo and Satoshi knew them via searching them up on the database). "I'll like to introduce you to, your new subordinates." The emperor was in a jovial mood today as motioned to look at the newcomers– after they also bowed and where granted permission to stand.
Starting of the introductions, was a young lass appearing no longer older than Ichigo, standing at 5'7 ft(173,73 cm) with elf-like ears, long, dark aquamarine color hair that reached her lower back, with a bone-white cartoon bat hair clip on her left ear, hazel brown eye – one was covered by a sapphire-blue eyepatch and cream white skin that had a light tan. She wore a variant version of the order's uniform: consisting of a black trenchcoat that had a pocket-watch inside of the pocket and matching miniskirt that reached her mid-thigh(that according to Ichigo, left a scandalous amount of skin showing), held up by a dark aquamarine belt with a pocket watch-like buckle. On display was a Aikuchi holder on her right thigh.
Ending of her look was a dark aquamarine haroi with a black eight-pointed star on the bottom right; taking a good portion, knee-high pitch-black boots with aquamarine trims, a black military cap that features a aquamarine peak, white trimmings and the eight-pointed star insignia emblazoned on the front and the red armband with the same symbol on it.
"Reinhardt Nia. It's a pleasure to meet you both." She said, slightly pulling up hem with a small bow, her voice hinting that she was of noble descendant. Once her stoic gaze locked on with Satoshi's analytical gaze, Nia threw a seductive wink at Satoshi– making the platinum blonde blush while his silver haired sister squint her eyes.
(Ichigo wasn't going to let just any girl as so much as show interest without her approval.)
Next on the roster, standing at 5'9" ft(179,83 cm), was a light skinned young lad who had his hands in his pockets with short, spiky light-brown hair that reached the base of his neck, and emerald-green eyes that held disinterest and boredom. He also wore the same pitch-black uniform: consisting of a knee-length trenchcoat, a hakama held up by a emerald-green sash, shin-high boots with emerald-green trims, a emerald-green haroi with the nations eight-pointed star proudly displayed on the bottom right in black along with pitch-black and emerald-green balaclava(Shiesty). Ending the look was the armband and his own white armband that had a number 69 on it.
"Shibuya Tatsuya." This was all this guy said, not really a warm, and wasn't earning any points to land on the good books.
Wearing the pitch-black kimono with a belt with deep ocean blue strap and golden buckle(is it strange that the eight-pointed star –the damn insignia – is emblazoned on eveything!), trench boots with deep ocean-blue trims, matching gloves. He also wore a haroi like the others; being a deep ocean-blue and having that (accursed) eight-pointed star on the bottom right.
Standing at 5'10" ft(180 cm), with straight, snow-white hair, styled in a yakuza man-bun and a few strands of hair to frame his forehead, and deep blue eye – like Nia, even he had a eyepatch, only this time that it was hot pink and covering his right eye, The second of four males introduced himself. "Reinhardt Kasumi. I'm pleased to meet your acquaintance." No flirting, no disinterest in his voice. He made himself a chair to sit on in the good books of both siblings( Nia wasn't in Ichigo's good books and Tatsuya. . . Let's not focus on him just yet. . .)
At of all the new people present, he was the second tallest at a height of 6'3"ft(192,02 cm). With a wide grin– a happy one. Not a maniacal one– that seemed to light up this already bright room(the room whos lights gave off the same bright and warm sun set hue)the lad introduced himself. "Friedhold Conrad yo! Welcome to the Kagami no teikoku! Hope your stay has been wonderful."
Conrad was a tall, muscular, mocha skinned lad with short ash-grey hair, wearing a samue with the sleeves shorten till the shoulder of course(seemingly ripped off at the ends), that was the same color like all other uniforms they have seen– pitch-black– along with hakama of the same color, held up with a ruby-red belt, tied just like a Karate practitioner. Ending the look off was a pitch-black boots with ruby-red trims, a ruby-red haroi–like the others, had the armys' insignia. Like his white haired male comrade, he also didn't wear the a military cap, but had ruby-red fingerless gloves and a black blindfold tied bandana style with a red eight-pointed star in the middle of it.
"Sup, Inoue Alban." The man said lazily, yawning after finishing his sentence. Alban was a weird one, he had unkept – so unkept that it looks like he just got out off bed – wavy dark-brown that reached till the base of his neck and parted down the middle in the front and blue-grey eyes and a fading goatee. He wore the pitch-black coat with the collar upturned and left slightly open to expose his bare chest, and hakama that was held up with a teal sash tied matador style, pitch-black boots with teal trimmings and a teal haroi that had the nation's eight-pointed star on the bottom right along with teal gloves.
With a voice dripped with grace and nobility, the next girl introduced herself to the sibling duo. "Aoi Kimiko. And it's great to see more of royal descendant taking charge and doing actual work." Aoi Kimiko, a lass with wavy, waist hot-pink hair with short bangs framing her forehead and jade-green eyes – highlighted immensely by the indigo eyeshadow and liner. She wore the order's pitch-black kimono with a frilled skirt that reached down to her knees, pink leggings underneath pitch-black boots(with pink trims) and frilled gloves. The look ended with reminiscents of a golden crown with pink gemstones placed to the side and shaped to look like generic puppets and the red armband.
"Hajime Flora." She said in monotonous voice–sounding like one of those robots Ichigo saw in one of those movies she watched– bowing before continuing. "I hope we could work together." She had long violet braided and slung over her right shoulder with a green tassle at the end of it, lime-green eyes –that appeared to very much be dull, lifeless, like a robot.
She wore a pitch-black kimono with a wide lime-green obi that cover most of her stomach, and a matching pencil skirt– that again, according to Ichigo, showed a scandalous amount of skin as they only reached till mid-thigh, pitch-black saddles, a lime-green choker around her neck and fingerless armoured gloves and matching haroi that was the same like the others. Out of all the girls presented, she stood at only 5'6"ft(170,688), a single inch shorter than Ichigo but two whole inches taller than Kimiko, being the third tallest.
The last one earned the siblings apologetic look. Reason why? She looked extremely nervous; fidgeting and playing with the sleeves of her haroi and sweating despite Ludachris' private meeting room being cold enough for one's breath to be visible.
Being the tallest of the newcomers, standing at 6'5" ft(198,12 cm), with short, messy argent hair with three small braids–two on the right and one on the left–and grey eyes, one having a tattoo of the caduceus symbol below it. She wore the order's pitch-black thigh length trenchcoat over a argent colored undercoat, hakama held up by a argent obi, knee-high boots with argent trims and argent haroi with black eight-pointed star on the bottom right. "M-M-Matsumoto Satoru! It's a gr-great honor to meet you two! I'm being serious! I really really am!" She shyly declared, being quick to cover her face with her hands.
With the intros out of the way, the emperor turned his head to face the siblings– who looked confused, perplexed, smeckelldoffed even at the unfolding events. With a slight tug at the corner of his lips, the enigma of a man spoke. "They are the Daimyo— the highest ranking members of my army barring the Kami and yourselfs. They are, and will be helping you from not only training, but to political matters."
"HAI!" They all– not Alban. He spoke the least effort into it, even slowly raising his hand to salute the emperor– say passionately.
"You know you don't have to be so loud." Shockingly, the emperor joked, but the siblings didn't care nor were shocked. All they cared about was the fact that they were given a promotion that wasn't needed.
In fact, it made matters worse. Thrusting upon a duty and responsibility makes escaping rather hard. Talk about having a target on your back.
"Your training will resume from tomorrow, with them helping you along with Siegfried." The emperor said as if it was a matter of fact."I hope you will do your best."
And like that, the most curve ball of a meeting had ended.
=====
You end up cursing not only yourself, but your luck and what higher being and your fate because you always find yourself in situations like this.
One moment, you are enjoying a good, uninterrupted gaming session, only to now be looking at a floppy disc and the player at your personal desk in your room at 00:44 am.
You didn't know who sent it, or where is was from. All you knew was that, it always came back to your house, by your phone/laptop/PC a day after you mailed it back. Along with notes telling you to open it.
It was. . . Sus(very much sus). But, seeing that even destroying the damn thing wasn't working out, you decided to open and see what's inside.
Written on the floppy disc with a black marker, where the words "Sonzai-no-enerugī and Sonzai-no-atsuryoku". So after a quick Google search on how to read a damn floppy disc, you start the thing up and watch on as the video, having the 1989 video quality to it.
"[Level 6(Top secret)]" was the first words spoken as the screen slowly transitioned from black to a Peppa pig style goat Avatar pops up.
"Hello there." The goat avatar said in a robotic male voice. "Sorry that I couldn't invite you in person over here, but this is for the best. We don't want you dying or anything of the sort. Let's get started.
"My name is Professor "Exposition", a codename I will be using not only for your safety, but for my own. That is because this file, is not for the general public like yourself, if you couldn't tell by the words "Top secret".
"Sonzai-no-enerugī( Energy of existence) is, in its basic sense, power aligned with one's own life force–technically. It is generated by all sentient beings –due to them all having a body, mind, heart and soul– and is used by more evolved lifeforms into techniques called "Arts"
"Description : The generation of Sonzai-no-enerugī is theorized to a metabolism of the combination of the body, mind, heart and soul; albeit, this is just theory. All living entities– that have a body, mind, heart and soul– possess Sonzai-no-enerugī, and if it is above a certain threshold, it grants that said entity– mostly in the cases humans due to overall biology– the ability to see Supernatural and extraterrestrial entities. Sonzai-no-enerugī leaks out the body in the form Sonzai-no-atsuryoku–for most races.
"While the connection between the brain is still a black box, what is know is that the body responds heavily to strong emotions and desires. Going as far enough to either bless or curse the individual if their desire is strong enough to take physical form.
"Sonzai-no-enerugī is the primary source of power for any race, used in fueling Arts, reinforce/ regenerate the body(soul, mind and heart included) and many other various uses. Phew, that was a mouthful. But we aren't done yet with the basics my friend, so go drink some water, grab a snack or do whatever, just let my catch my breath."
"Whoo, that was much needed. Now, we can continue to the next bit." While the Avatar took to catch his breath, a illustration of the human body, with blue circle in the middle of chest, a red circle right where the ribcage splits apart, and a various network in green popped up on the right side of the screen. "Sonzai-no-enerugī is known to be generated in here in the Dam, highlighted in red, before being channeled to here, the Reservoir, highlighted in red, before being channeled throughout the body via the Sonzai pipe network and reaching the various Sonzai outlets to achieve different results; like using high-speed movement techniques or using Arts. Both the Dam and Reservoir act as vital organs– any damage sustained to any or both of these points will be disastrous.
"Next on the agenda, is Sonzai-no-atsuryoku. Sonzai-no-atsuryoku is the Sonzai-no-enerugī in use; in the sense that it is the pressure that one being exerts onto others. And it what you–if you had the ability to sense– more be sensing. Though, their are races that don't emit Sonzai-no-atsuryoku, a can of worms that won't be opened in today's video.
"Each being as a unique Sonzai-no-atsuryoku and those can who have decent capabilities in sensing can not only tell the very subtle differences in Sonzai-no-atsuryoku(caused by a multitude of factors like race, personality, living or dead/reanimated, if they are a summon etc etc)– being able to find their closest friends, family and even acquaintances in crowded environments –but can also tell the mental and physical State of them, regardless of the distance–although, the more better your ability to sense, the large range you'll be able to cover.
"Sonzai-no-atsuryoku can– and is– primarily used for intimidation tactics; being able to force weaker beings on their knees or lying face down on the ground, being unable to breathe and/or cause psychological effects like cuts(which don't exist) to appear. It can be used to unleash Bursts(something that's going to be explained later)." The Avatar stops talking, leaving you to try understand what the hell just happened. Before long, the Avatar began to speak as the human illustration disappeared. "Hmm, is there anything else that I am missing. . ."
"A way to scale?" You say absent-mindly
"Ah yes! A way to scale!" The Avatar said, almost as if it heard your "question"."There are many ways to scale power–due to each race thinking their way is better than the rest–but, for your sake, we'll use the universal one created by UAF(Universal Anomaly Foundation):
•Class-5
•Class-4
•Class-3
•Class-2
•Class-1
•Class-0
•Special-Class
"All you need to know for now, is that Special-Class is the highest and Class 5 is the lowest and that their are classes in between, like semi-Class 0 etc etc. This tanking system created by the UAF is for the sole purpose of their potential threat to the world and omniverse at large. I think that warps it up for today's info dum- I mean, clever way of getting much needed info to the best readers! Yeah! I totally mean that! I am by no means being held at gun point by the author."
"Well, see you next time. And do remember. . ." It said with creepy levels of seriousness."That all of this information is strictly classified, and it only for your eyes, ears and brain only. Play fool if any of the UAF members– men and woman who wear clothes in shaders of grey and only grey, come around. Admitting will only worsened the outcome. Bye for now!"
And like that, the screen went black.
And a heartbeat later, you fell unconscious.
=====
A day right after being introduced to their supposed underlings, Satoshi and Ichigo are taken on a much needed tour of military headquarters located here in the city of Kaiserslautern.
And from what they have seen, God damn. Escaping from this place now went from being a hard task, to becoming a God forsaken pipe dream.
While yes, the army is only at 68.99 million strong– making it one of the smallest armys they have known, the fact that they train day and night, like becoming strong enough to be the emperor's spears and horses is there only purpose in life.
It's honestly frightening.
An army like this, even with the numbers playing against them, would be able to destroy those with even more than double their own number of men if they strike well, strike hard, and strike smart.
At that point, it goes from war to one-side massacre.
"You're overthinking." Nia whispered into Satoshi's ear, causing him to yelp in surprise – thankfully, he was far behind the group(and quiet enough) not be heard.
"W-what?"
"It's written clearly on your face that something is troubling you."
"We-well, it's not everyday that one gets a tour of a military base. . ." His excuse was terrible – trash at best – but it was something that should at least he wouldn't be suspicious.
He failed.
Rising a slender eyebrow that that piss poor attempt that had Satoshi internally shivering in fear, Nia shrugged her shoulders. "I guess that statement would be right." Nia said, seemingly accepting that shity attempt at lying. "Getting a tour person tour from a hot lady such as myself isn't an everyday occurrence~"
Ah, how could he forget. How could he forget that this woman–who's only the same age as Ichigo– is known by her friends to have, what Ichigo could describe as the tounge of a succubus.
And no you gutter minded people. It wasn't meant like that.
Seeing that her superior(prey) had a blush that made him look like a strawberry, Nia continued on."Ah~ You're so easy to tease~ I hav—"
"Nia-chan, please refrain from improper acts when on duty." From the front of the group, and quite possibly the only one doing their job as tour guide, Flora Hajime chastised.
"You're no fun." If it was God's grace, or something else, Satoshi thanked it for pulling him out of that scenario. That woman knew what buttons to get him slipping.
Right. Back to trying to form a plan to get out of here. Judging from the size of the army, they could cover a large area–but what the plan is missing is the location of the gateway. He knows that this place has a way out, a way to
Right after, Satoshi felt a heavy hand fell on his shoulder. Cocking his head, the found that the hand belongs to Conrad, if memory serves.
"Don't worry brother. You'll get your chance."
"Uh, thanks?"
"You don't have to thank me. That is what a brother is for. So, what's your type?"
"Huh?"
"I asked what's your type." He repeated with all too serious face."I jugde people by how they are able to give an answer to that personal question. And of course! I can't ask without giving. I love woman who are tall, muscular, and have a fat ass!"
He. . . He may have a few nuts and bolts missing. . .
"Did you really have to say that?" A new voice chimed in, this one belonging to Kimiko if memory serves. "The whole gimmick with first introductions is to paint a good picture about yourself— to your friends/superiors in this case."
"I think you forgot to substitute friends/superiors for brothers."
"No matter. Despite what word you would like to use—
"Brother."
— you still need to make yourself appear in a pleasant light. "
"Bah. You just saying that you have no chance to ever get Toshi to hit that." Conrad taunted, somehow being able to look so fucking smug even though eyes where covered. "Not that he ever would."
"And you wonder why you don't get to take any ladies home." Conrad was vivid. Like how dare she insult him in from of Satoshi–his brother!. Leaning over whisper in Satoshi ear, Kimiko made it a mission to try and clear up eveything. "Don't listen to this muscle-head cow over here. Not only would you be lucky to date me, I'd make a great hit~"
"The lie detector conformed that to be a lie." Conrad said with immense relish, earning a scowling Kimiko and a even more confused Satoshi.
"Tsk."
"Hey, Kimi-chan. Stop flirting during working hours." Nia mockingly chastised as she walked side-by-side Flora and Ichigo – with the ladder throwing a "really" look at the aquamarine haired woman.
"Why are you acting like you weren't doing the same!"
"But, at least I was able to keep it somewhat hidden." The aquamarine haired lass glanced over Flora with a look of faux irritation."Till a rat came along and ruined it."
Still looking forward and not phased by her glaring friend, Flora responsed, sounding as robotic as ever."You know it's against the regulations for sexual interactions to take place."
"That's for those not in a relationship, Flora-chan."
"What!?"
"Really?" Alban spoke up, finally gaining enough interest to wake himself up to join the conversation. "Aren't you already married?"
"She herself said, "look for a right guy for the both of us"." Nia said, glancing at Satoshi who now was in a conversation with Conrad."And I did just that."
"You both are weird."
"Tsk. He's weaker than you both. You can see that." And the only one who didn't talk or properly introduced himself to any of the sibling duo– Tatsuya– spoke, walking with like He currently hated the job he had to do.
"That's a lot coming from a guy who looks like he wears fake Jordans." Ichigo said absent-mindly, causing the Daimyo to laugh–well. . . Flora was the only to kept a straight face on the outside.
"Fufufufu. That's quite true~"
"Why you—"
"Please! You know you can't hurt Her Grace!" Satoru pleaded, moving in front Ichigo.
"Whatever, come join us for the party once you are done here." And like that, the doche bag turned the hallway on his right and began walking away. Before going futher, he came to a stopped."And oh yeah, by the way, we didn't make reservations for any plus two."
"Huh? But I. . ." Nia paused, realizing what Tatsuya implied.
"Erh. . ." Seeing that the situation had gone so far south, that they ended back up north, Conrad went ahead of the group, before deciding to follow Tatsuya. "I'll go and see what has him by the balls. Later brother."
"I'll go as well." Alban added, as he went to follow Conrad.
Sighing to herself, Flora motioned to continue walking. Though, that didn't stop her from muttering under her breath. "This was supposed to be a simple task of induction."
The walk was awful awkward since Tatsuya stormed off, making what was supposed to be an fun time(no. Like seriously, they had whole song and dance number, planed, and it all went down the drain.
Well, at least they know that not everyone will be friendly friendly with them.
=====
Now, that they have shown they have made contact with the beings that supposedly reside within the Accursed Artifacts, the first order of business is that they make progress on trying to obtain their level-1(or whatever in the hell that is). So, just before the clock could strike 05:00(because saying before the sun rose was impossible, since this place has no damn sun), they were fetched by Siegfried and taken back to the reserved area deep underground Mt Fuji to train.
"Since you both have learnt the names of your Accursed Artifacts, it's time for you to learn the awakening chant to use the Daiichidanki of your Accursed Artifacts." Satoshi and Ichigo is still at a loss for what this "Daiichidanki" term that Siegfried –along with the Daimyo– throw around like it's common knowledge.
(When are going to learn that they have no fucking clue of what they are speaking about, the siblings have no clue.)
Realizing(Miracles do happen) that being in the dark won't get Satoshi and Ichigo anywhere, Siegfried offers a bit of explanation to them. (Something else that the siblings noticed was the hostility and apathy that Siegfried emitted when around them disappeared when Ludachris grew closer with them– showering them with more affection each day. It seems now that he's trying to take the position of uncle.
Not that they mind anyway.) "Daiichidanki is the one of four levels one with a either Accursed Artifacts or Accursed Abilities can use; granting one access to the first layers of abilities. Normally, one usually achieves by visiting their own mindscape, then, interact with the Accursed Artifact–this applies to only those with Accursed Artifacts– till they learn both name and Awaken chant. You both know the former, but are currently missing the latter, so now, you both work to getting that."
Alright, sounds easy enough. But how do get into the mindscape to begin off with?
"Before you ask "how should I get to my mindscape", you need to meditate to get there."
Thank the Kami that he had mellowed out, otherwise they wouldn't have gotten this kind of much needed information.
["Sit down, close your eyes and clear your mind."] Blue and Conquer say to their respective masters/partners. ["We'll bring you to us."]
They thanked them for the support. The siblings do as instructed, once they find a comfortable place to plop down cross-legged on the floor– this position is a position that took some getting used to– and close their eyes. A moment later, with a pull that draws them in, they find themselves in the world they very much remember.
["Ya can open your eyes chieftain/ Welcome back dearest~"]
With Satoshi, he found himself back in the same temple he fought Raider– the destroyed roof top being a sign that the fight happened– though now, he wasn't sitting on the throne but now standing on one of the temple's sky piercing towers–the main one in fact, mind-bogged at the sight before him.
To the far left, a vast evergreen rain forest brimming with all the jungle life you'd find in both the Amazon and the Congo forest. Bordering that, was basically a ocean of sand and rocks; sorta of like the Sahara desert(with it's natural desert life and the Egyptian pyramids in the horizon), which, funny enough, was bordered by a more colder desert(Gobi desert), which then was bordered by a mountain range that went above the clouds. Bordering that was vast deep blue ocean. High above the partly cloudy skys was a the warm sun–something he hasn't seen in four months– casting its warm light over all the lands.
["Ya done checking other the place Chieftain"]
["Let him enjoy the sun bafoon. He hasn't felt it since forever"]
Snapping out if his transe, Satoshi turned to see the two figures standing behind him, both looking rather content.
Without the helm –and the massive gaping gash– Raider looked just like him, just aged up a lot, clad in the pitch-black western style armor with messy platinum-blonde hair tied to a ponytail and a two prominent bangs framing his head, wine-red eyes and a sword safely within its sheath on his back and the eight-pointed star for a wine-red halo. The maniacal grin pasted on him should disturb him immensely, but thinking of anything else on that would be impossible.
Though, he does need to go out more. Like, he is vampire pale.
Conquer still looked awful lot like Ludachris and touches of Siegfried if he took a better look at him, if Ludachris was slightly more masculine in appearance and now wore. . . A violet visor-like sunglasses( which, to Satoshi honestly thought it suited him), and if Siegfried was in a more, western style of clothing. He wore form fitting clothes; which now looked like they were phasing in and out of reality at the ends and were nearly like the Auroras that hang above the skys of the Mirāwārudo everyday, all day.
They are both Sekai seiha. Satoshi knows that without a shadow of a doubt.
The older, more masculine fusion version of Ludachris and Siegfried is the deep, almost terminator level voice of ruthless, indiscriminate reason, while the two-tone warble that belongs to the Italian mafia godfather copy of himself(albeit older),is the voice that cries out for nothing more than violence, blood, carnage and destruction, with a side of cardinal lust. He knows that the nicknames he gave weren't exactly the best, but they did the job of referring to them individually, and plus, neither of them objected.
While still hanging off the tower's balcony(trying to get in the Spider society), Raider decided to speak up. ["Yo Chieftain! Ya made yer way to yer kingdom!"] The large, toothy grin should be very much off-putting, but it wasn't.
Returning one such grin himself, "It would seem so. And where is my 'kingdom' ?"
["This–your kingdom– is a manifestation of your mind, soul and heart. It's also where we, your Accursed Artifacts reside as being the not only the physical manifestation of your soul, but also guardians of this place, sworn to guard it comes what way."]
"Hmm. Then my mind, soul and heart must be a mess then. Like, how can a desert blend in with a rain forest."
["It's fucked up."]
["I can understand why you would think that. Most mindscapes do tend to follow the physics and natural patterns of the real world."] Conquer concurred. ["But I don't we have the time to discuss how in the various ways your mind, soul and heart differ from the massive."]
"Do you know about this phenomenon?"
Simultaneous nods. ["That we do."] Conquer takes the lead in explaining. And it's for the best; ever since they had that "little" duel, Satoshi learned that Raider isn't one for lengthy explanations. Scratch that, Raider isn't much of a talker at all. He just loves fighting, encouraging a fight, checking out the ladies, napping, and eating. Not particularly in that order.
Should it disturb him? Yes, it's should. But does it disturb him? No, not at all.
["Daiichidanki is the one of four levels of an Accursed Artifact–although, it's not exclusive to them. Normally, to use a Level-1, one has to say the Awakening chant to release the full power of it."] Satoshi nodded. ["While we are at it, a Daiichidanki takes the shape of weapons ranging from the traditional swords, bows and arrows, spears etc etc, to more advanced weapons like mechas to more abstract weapons like celular devices, paint brushes or even puppets. And it doesn't stop there."]
Remembering that he saw a sword on Raider's back and the lance somehow hanging off the side of Conquer, Satoshi took a moment before answering. "You're both traditional weapons, aren't you?"
["Ding-ding! And we have a winner! We are both the good 'ol traditional weapons. But we are different from each other."] Raider crows.["And ya better learn to wield us properly Chieftain! Or I'll take the crown and show ya how it's really done."] Sure, it may sound like a threat on first hearing, but, Satoshi finds that to be more of a promise. Almost as if he were to falter in anyway, then Raider would have his back.
Although, it could have been phrased in a way far less demented way.
"You have my word. I won't dispoint you." Satoshi promises back, earning an ear to ear grin from Raider, and a more pleased turn of the lips from Conquer. "So, now with that out the way, what is the password to this ?"
The duo share a glance, before the voice of reason decides to speak up, with a twisted gleam in his eyes that the visor/glasses can't hide.["Remember it well Satoshi. I'll say this once and only once, so open your ears to listen."]
Coming too in the real world, Satoshi can tell that time has passed, even though there's no sun to show the time of day.
Siegfried has seemingly taken the time to set up a makeshift office, dealing with what seems to be paperwork(something that Ichigo flat out said she doesn't want to deal with anytime soon.) But that begs the question, how does the man see through that blindfold of his?
["Focus."] Conquer chastised, reminding Satoshi he has a task to complete.
'Oh right.'
Before Siegfried had the chance to question him on his progress, Satoshi got up from the ground and holds out the Mold in front of him, both hands holding out tight. None of the two spirts gave him a pose to hold when performing it, but this stance does feel the most natural.
Like he has done this a thousand times before. Then, the begins to recite the long-winded chant that Conquer said.
"Look forward, discard your fear as you march on to take all that you want! Be the one who conquers the world.Sekai seiha!"
The once normally stable Sonzai-no-atsuryoku of his goes on a rampage, blowing away dust and leaves from the trees and floor(and would have blown away the paperwork if it wasn't so close to Siegfried's far more high, denser Sonzai-no-atsuryoku), but he doesn't pay attention to that. His focus is solely on the Accursed Artifact in his hands, the way it single Mold parts into two. If he drops either one while unleashing his Daiichidanki, he knows he won't hear the end of it.
['That's fucking right!']
The whole transformation goes without any problems, even though it was practically instantaneous from an outside view, it felt like an eternity doing so. He could feel it, like he was at the center of the world and it all revolved around him, and him alone.
Is this what obtain some power feels like? Like being drunk on some of the best alcohol? Or experiencing the best high?
Once the dust settles, Satoshi takes a good long look at the two weapons– the two physical manifestations– of Sekai Seiha; the one in his left hand being a lance that matched with his stark white uniform, and a pitch-black spandone– Italian long sword– in his right. Both sides of Sekai Seiha radiate smug satisfaction while Satoshi couldn't help but do the same.
Satoshi is then pulled out of his zone by the only spectator. "A duel Accursed Artifact of different weapons." The man notes with more joy than Satoshi remembers showing."You should be proud of yourself, those are rare by their own right. They imply a rift that the user's psyche may have."
One of the spirts sits on the chaotic good/evil end of the spectrum while the other is lawful good/evil, so yeah, that is a massive rift between the two. And besides, if he is a hybrid between the two races– which he can tell don't mingle well with each other– he expected a clear, define partition between them. All he can say is that, his glad he didn't end up with three like that swordsman from pirate anime Ichigo was binge watching whenever they got "home", otherwise he only has two hands, and his sure that the last spirt wouldn't take the neglect of being benched all too well. Conquer and Raider would most definitely moved heaven and hell if he did that to them.
['Ya fucking right!'] Raider roars in his mind.
"A lance and sword. I'll make changes to include a higher focus on spearmanship from now on." Pinky said, making the makeshift office along with the paperwork disappear. "You can drop down from Daiichidanki. "
Satoshi knows better than to ignore Siegfried, but he can't help but feel a pain of disappointment in his chest at the request. Turning to Sekai Seiha, he asks how the hell does he drop out this form. 'Uh. . . I know that this may not be the best time to ask, but how do I preform that?'
A moment of silence, then two different, but simultaneous replies.
["Not possible."]
["That's the best part; ya don't."]
He blinks, grip tights as he takes a glace at Siegfried, who still stares at him expectantly before going back to deal with the rebel spirits.' What do you mean I don't?'
['You are one of the few people in this world that can maintain their Daiichidanki indefinitely due to you have more Sonzai-no-enerugī than most. And both me and Raider barely require energy to maintain us.'] Raider explained. ['And besides, neither Raider nor I enjoy being sealed and compressed into a single Mold. This will be your base form going forward. Trust me, it won't impact your lessons.']
['And besides, ya still dismiss us if ya don't wasn't to carry us around. And ya still would be able to use our passive skills – once ya unlock or earn 'em.'] Raider added.
Satoshi would have loved to argue a point, but then he decided against it. Because, who else would know the limitations and potential of Sekai Seiha better, than Sekai Seiha themselves? Realizing that he has to pay the piper, Satoshi, although embarrassed, beings to talk. "Uhm. . . Yamato-Sensei? They both say that I can't do that."
"They refuse to drop down of Daiichidanki."
"They refuse?"
"Yes. . . They say it's cramped."
It's honestly fucking embarrassing that he has to talk like a meek and shy Kindergartener! Even though this good behavior does keep them out of any mortal trouble, at the end of the day, no matter how nice these people are to them, they are still their captors.
And they must be treated as such.
(But it's so hard. It's so fucking hard to treat them as such. . . Despite them being their captors, they. . . They have treated them far better than those who they have called ailles.)
"Did they say that you have enough Sonzai-no-enerugī to maintain this form?" Can this guy mind-read!? Or was it some lucky guess or has this kind of phenomenon happened before? Satoshi is inclined to agree with the last theory. "So not only is it a duel type of the different weapon category, but it's also a constant release? That's quite the development."
"So. . . I don't have to drop down?"
"If they say it won't hinder you, then you don't have to." Satoshi sighed in relief in quite possibly, the first time since he got here(Not really. He has relaxed ever since he had gotten here)."Now, let's wait for your sister shall we."
Turning to the area Ichigo sat herself down in, Satoshi was taken aback by how unruly her Sonzai-no-atsuryoku has gotten. Well. . . It was unruly before, but that when it was comparable to a burning cross, like the ones the KKK use to burn(yeah. I know that this is a bad example, but it works), but now, it's more like a out-of-control wildfire, or an erupting volcano.
Meanwhile with Ichigo.
"YOU LITTLE SHIT! STOP MAKING ME CHASE YOU DOWN FUCKING SHITSTAIN!"
["This is fun!"] Orange cried out in joy, twisting and controting her now human body(which, uncannily looked like Lady Brunhilde, if she wore the Shirne maiden attire– which somehow borders the lines of slutly)as she runs away from an angry Ichigo, taking each and every opportunity to throw a snowball at the sliver-haired girl.["And besides, all you have to say to end this is "Orange is the best! And I won't question her glorious and divine wisdom, reasoning and beauty~"."]
"LIKE HELL I'M SAYING THAT!"
['I'm starting to wonder how and why I get caught up in situations like this. . .'] Meanwhile, Blue, who had taken a form similar to Lady Naomi, was piggybacking on Ichigo though to herself as her master/partner made a fool of herself.
["C'mon girl~ all you have to do is say that, and I'll give you the other half of the chant."]
"I SAID I WON'T!"
["Your choice~"] Orange teased, increasing her speed futher, earning a growl from Ichigo.[Let's see if you won't regret it girl~"]
Wanting to put a end to this embarrassing situation, Blue began whispering into Ichigo's ear. ["You know she's making you look like a fool."]
"I know! But I won't rest till that bitch pays!"
Sighing to herself, Blue took on a more verbally abusive way.["I don't know why you do this to yourself. It makes you look so fucking stupid."]
Surprisingly, that did the trick. Coming to a stop, Ichigo looked hesitant. And who can blame her, having to do something this demeaning task is embarrassing.
Thank Kami that there aren't any spectators other than the two spirts. She knows Satoshi can't read minds, so he won't get word of this. But it did beg the question:
And Pinky read minds?
Coming to a stop once she noticed her chaser stopped, Orange quickly turned around.["Huh? Whyda stop? Did ya finally give up this game of hybrid and fox~"] She teased, walking over to her master/partner and her counterpart.
". . .I. . ." The words were caught in her mouth, tasting like bitter oral laxative. Swallowing her pride, she finally managed to croak it out."I'll say it. . ."
Blue sighed in relief at the fact the chase was finally done.["I see you finally realize that chasing that vixen down will only make you more stupid than you are."]
["I CAN HEAR YOU, BLUE HAIRED BITCH!"]
["I didn't even try to hide it."] Blue said, voice so flat and dead that even the dead would have been seen with more life.["And next time, try keeping your voice down. It makes you look like a child throwing a temper tantrum, harlot."]
'Here goes nothing. . .'"Orange is the best! And I won't question her glorious and divine wisdom, reasoning and beauty!" Ichigo tried to proudly declare, even posing at the end after doing a small dance. Oh the indignity.
What is stopping her from killing herself? Like, this is the same kind of embarrassment that would have me hiding somewhere high and remote in the mountains, far from any human or sentient lifeform till the day I well, die.
Her heart was beating fast and hard, like it wanted out of her chest. Closing her eyes, Ichigo prepared for the mocking laugher that was one hundred percent expected. She just knew that Orange was just pull—
She feels something warm and comforting hugging her from her left.
["See~ that wasn't so hard~"] Orange purred, before becoming serious(somewhat).["Now, with that out the way, I have give you the missing half now, don't I?"]
"Phew." Relief 100 has been obtained.
Sitting down Indian style in front of her master/partner, Orange began to speak.["This is where it will get complicated. The first half of what I'm going to say will link with the second part of what that whore said. Then the second half what I say, will link up the first part of hers once again. You following?"]
"Sorta?" Maybe if would have been better if she had the logical side explain. . .
["Just trust yourself, Ichigo. You'll get there."] Blue reassured.
["And we'll have a surprise waiting for you when you get back!"] Ichigo didn't like that word. Surprise and knowing that Orange is very much involved( she may have only met her the yesterday, but she knows her more than enough that this won't be anything good).
Opening her eyes, Ichigo got up and placed her hands on her Mold, lifting it up above her head and pointing it to the heavens as if it was going to spear it down, redirecting her whole focus onto releasing her level-1. This stance is perfect. No doubt about it. Taking a deep breath and exhaling, Ichigo began reciting the stephan King ass chant her spirts told her.
"Lead your men to battle, hold up the mattle of that is the pride of the army. Continue forward and lay ruin to those who dare think they can win a war against you. Send those bastards to reunite with their ancestors! Sensō no kitsune!"
Her wildfire-like Sonzai-no-atsuryoku goes on a rampage, now becoming like a nuke going off. She pays no mind to the minor destruction; she needs this go without a hitch. If she drops any one of the two, she knows they'll abuse her till hell and back.
She can feel it. She can feel how her Sonzai-no-enerugī coursing throughout her body, kicking her adrenaline into high gear, intoxicating her soul with this, euphoric drug.
In one clean motion, the Mold parted into two as she brought her arms down to her sides, revealing two Naginata; a short one, with a cobalt blue pole, flame orange blade and silver tassle right where the pole and blade join, and at the end. And a larger one in her right hand, with the colors(barring the tassles) were swapped around.
With a small smug grin of satisfaction on her face, Ichigo took it upon herself to twirl around, before striking a pose."How'd I look~" She asked the two people present.
'Sigh, she does share traits with her father. . .'
'Was the pose necessary?'
['Of course! The pose is the best part!'] Raider roared, vivid at the outrageous question. ['How come ya didn't pose! Are we not worthy enough for you to pose!']
'I-wait! Uh. . .'
['For once, I'll be inclined to agree with the court jester. Your lack of tact when it came to the picture perfect stance is disheartening, if not depression inducing.] Even the voice of reason is chastising him!
['Yeah! It like ya not trying get us trending on X or IG?'] Jesus. He only learnt of those sites the day before yesterday, its not like he's going to be famous overnight.['Don't ya want some maidens on yer sword?']
['I presume he wants to court that Reinhardt lass.'] Huh!? Is he getting tagged teamed by his own representation of his soul, mind and heart!? ['Am I hitting the bullseye with that assumption?']
Before Satoshi could have his turn in trying to save his name and deny all the accusations against him, Siegfried's voice pulls him out of that.
"A long spear and a short spear. It seems you both are sharing similar traits twins would have."
"Hrm/huh?" Oh? Looks like they were able to intrigue the right-hand man of God.
Seeing the curious looks on their faces(along with the floating question marks), Siegfried offered more of an explanation. "Twins– by extention triplets, quartets, etc ect – would share a similar theme amongst their weapons. In rare cases, they may be able share one Accursed Artifact between them." Interesting. Interesting in deed."His Majesty and Her Majesty are both twins that fall under that latter category; going one step further in being able to share that Accursed Artifact with those trusted by them."
"So, will they be able to have their own?" Satoshi blurred out before covering his mouth.
With a small smile, the pink-haired man nodded. "You're smarter beyond your years Satoshi-kun, I'll give you well due props for that. Yes, they both have their own, along with the one have both share."
Well, it may not be much, but it is something.
"So, must I drop down from this state?" Ichigo asks, tilting her head towards the larger of the two spears.
"Ask your Accursed Artifact. They'll tell you if they wish to drop."
"Right. . ." Skeptical at such a statement, Ichigo did as she was asked of her."So can I—"
["We rather die than be in that sealed state with that whore!/harlot."]
With a sweat drop, Ichigo couldn't help but question such. . . Whatever the hell that was.". . . I think that was excessive. . ."
["But it got the point across didn't it?"] Blue said. ["I'd spare myself the trouble of having to explain my messages by speaking a language the phleains would understand."]
["It seems you make it your mission to attack me with these so call "indirect" attacks!"]Orange barked, which was evident by the orange Naginata glowing brightly. ["If you want to fight, then fight!"]
["I'm surprised you even had the capability to string that theory together. Congratulations, you just evolved from a single cell organism to a two cell organism."] Blue mocked, sounding superior.["I suppose a feast is in order for your latest progression in your attempt of joining the rest of us evolved lifeforms, but if you want to show how your skills are in combat matches your capabilities in theory, then who am I to refuse this fool's request."] And like that, the link was cut, leaving a confused and embarrassed Ichigo.
"Kami damn. . . They can't be representations of my soul. . . Can they?"
"Well they are not." Ichigo's ears perked up at the sound of that. "They are the representations of you as a whole; in body, mind, heart and soul." And like that, her disappointment is now immeasurable and her day is been ruined. All that, by Siegfried's comment.
"I doubt she could ever string comments like that." Satoshi added his two cents in as he was studying his lance.
"I heard that!" Ignoring what her little brother just said(because she can always get revenge later when she feels like it), she went to trying to use both spears, like how that one character in Fate Zero did(she watches a lot of anime okey. Leave her alone) and was failing terribly(because just because the anime characters are able to do it, doesn't mean she can). Stopping herself from futher embarrassing herself, Ichigo took a moment to admire and feel the weapons in her hands."This feels so damn natural, like have weided this weapon before."
"That is expected. Now, the both of you will return to your katas, sword for you, Satoshi-kun, and spear katas for you, Ichigo-chan– use your large spear for till I'm done with adjusting the regiment for dual-wielding." Siegfried said, turning on his heels before manifesting the makeshift office. "And for your lance." He added to get rid of the worry for Satoshi.
"Uh, Yamato-Sensei? My lance can also change to a helbart too?" This, this right here earned a raised eyebrow from Pinky.
"If that is the case, then I'll add those to the regiment." And with a flap of his haroi, he walked over to the desk and began tending to his work.
Sharing a quick glance, the two shrugged it off and went back to training; Satoshi stabbing the lance into the ground while he trained with the sword and Ichigo had the smaller spear on her back, wrapped in a silver cloth that out of nowhere.
This is going to be fun.
=====
"Hello Toshi-kun~" Nia was feeling on top the world today as Satoshi walked into the training grounds reversed for him and Ichigo only.
Most probably because she is going to get the whole morning to tease the life expectantly out of him, as she always done for the past three months they have known each other.
(Even with that information, it felt odd. Odd that she–along with most of the Daimyo– make him–along with Ichigo– feel at home.)
Whoever is in-charge of making the training regiment(either Pinky–This nickname won't die!– or Ludachris) knows what to do with then now.
At first when they came here, they were just being drilled on the bare bone basics. But now, it seems that now they are putting emphases on both the strengths and weaknesses– the middle ground can be done by Ichigo and Satoshi on their own– of them both.
It took a while getting used to, but it beat getting gangbanged(not literally) by dummies with a grudge against them. Though, from time to time, they did active those shits whenever they need to take stress out on them.
Ichigo made sure to do so.
Other than that, Satoshi learned that Ichigo is quite the model example of what a Shugyō is. Being able use of most techniques like it's second nature.
She does rub it in his face from time to time.
Funny enough, they are pushed to the limit, not enough to be life-threatening(they are able to go as far as the medical unit on duty that session can heal.
Which was practically healing fucking almost any injury for most. Heck, some of the Daimyo know how to heal injuries that their slow High-speed regeneration can't heal.
(This. . . This is concerning. This, this race that has been hiding in what seems to be, the world reverse to the human world, has not only great defensive, but great offensive skills. A war with them is most going to end with massive casualties. . . But it won't be on their end)
But right now, Satoshi has to learn the high-speed movement technique of the Shuygō called Kakureta suteppu. A stupidly broken high-speed movement technique at that. Reason being is that its one of the few movement techniques that have an additional effect; being that it allows the practitioner the ability to hide from those who can sense Sonzai-no-atsuryoku entirely when in use.
Like, how on earth to you fight a person you can't even sense half the fucking time!? The only tell-tale sign that it's being used is a slight buzzing sound that sounds like a swarm of pissed off hornets.
And this also goes to show how different the siblings are. While Ichigo was able to grasp the gist of it on the first ten to twenty attempts, and is now able to use it about as effectively as one who had been using it for about, let's say, three to four years or so. While Satoshi on the other hand is using a more. . . Bastardised version of it.
'Why am I even learn it? I already know a high-speed movement technique so why.'
I don't know. I'm just a narrator. But all I can say is, having a high-speed movement technique that makes you basically invisible is something I would love to have. Forget the crime opportunities and potential, you ain't seeing my ass on public transit ever again.
Though, as much as he found it redundant to possess two high-speed movement techniques, it was fun(if he could put it that way) when training. Now, he wasn't addicted to it like a certain alien named after a carrot and his McDonald's walking advertisement boyfriend/prince of a dead race, but. And this is a very big but.
He saw the joy in it, that is something he wouldn't lie about. It was far better than when he was trying to learn under the stern gazes of tutors who really didn't give two fucks about him.
Learning under people who don't hate you on sheer principle really does wonders for your ability to learn.
Who could have guessed?
"Satoshi-chan. Why don't you try reducing the number of "steps"? It should make performing it easier. "
"So going from five to what? One?"
"Maybe you should try thre–"
"Is this the stray that the emperor pick up from the streets!? Oh my, is he failing at a simple technique. "
And like that, all the joy he obtained during this session has gone with the wind, with no chances to ever be reborn or resurreced.
Kiba Hoch is a prime example of being fatherless(and he still has a father in his life). He's the stereotypical rich doche bag of a noble who falutes his status whenever. Satoshi and Ichigo learnt that the hard way when during the gloomy tour(which, they got to hand it to the remaining Daimyo for trying to make it lively), he should up and began trying to falter his power.
Keyword being trying. The Daimyo, made sure he left there looking so red, that even all things red in the world would pale in comparison.
It's clear as day that Nia hated that her private time with her lover(Satoshi just accepted it at this point) was spoiled by Kiba's whole existence. "Hoch-san." Nia says, her voice losing the friendly edge it had, becoming so flat that even a dead man's electrocardiogram has more bumps than that. I'm being serious. "Do you need anything useful from me? And why are you here?"
"Don't mock me with that tone or that stupid question!" Kiba spat. "I just wanted to see the mongrel fail."
"Well, much like how your parents where at your birth, you'll be disappointed as much as them," Nia continues, voice devoid of any positive emotion, or any emotion for that matter. Maybe slight contempt seasoned with a pinch of smugness. "because my Satoshi-kun has already become stronger than you. And to rub salt onto your wound, not only did he do that with only four months of training," here, Nia brought her gloved hand to cover her mouth in fake coyness, hiding a smirk at the same time. "But he has a way bigger penis than you as well. It wasn't really a competition to begin off with. Your 0.5 inch versus his six soft, we both know who'd win."
Do you want to know how she knew about that kind of information? Well, you'd have to wait for the Omakes to start rolling out for that.
Back with Kiba, the man was straight up shocked with how casually she spoke of something like that(something he'd been trying to prove!). The shock soon settles down, but only for fury comes in and evicts it, then doubt did the same before suspension became the new tenant on his face.
"Tsk! As if." Kiba scoffs. "If he his actually that strong, then you don't mind if I take a shot? Because all I need to beat him is a single hit."
He isn't denying the small dick allegations by the way.
Pinching the bridge of her nose, releasing a deep sigh, Nia answers back with a face that's both deadpan and stoic. "You know as well as I, that killing another member of the army is forbidden."
"But you said that he's stronger than me right? Then that means he won't die that easily to me."
This man actually wants to fight. Surprising, or not surprising, Nia didn't agree to the fight without Satoshi's permission, looking at him at a arched eyebrow and a slight tlit of her head.
For the first time in forever(no Frozen), Satoshi finally obtains the opportunity to make his own decision in a long, long, long time. But it just had to be a crossroad. On one hand, he could side with Kiba, and avoid death or potential maiming(with potential to give Kiba material to insult Nia futher down the line). And on the other hand, he could side with Nia,(saving her from futher insults and giving her material to insult Kiba)but run the risk of maiming and potentially death.
While there must be a way to avoid any of the negative scenarios from ever taking place, Satoshi doesn't have the time to figure that one out; being diplomatic is his specialty and making problems yield via ramming and beating them into submission is Ichigo's thing.
Presented with the first conundrum is a long time, Satoshi snaps himself out of his mind before giving his answer.
"Fine by me."
He really needs to dive into the whole gaming world as a whole because his knowledge is rather spotty at best.
Somehow(thanks to Kiba's clouded hubris playing the biggest part), the battle was formated into a turn-base battle. Each person take a turn getting a hit in. But, with twists. The first twist being is that they are in a makeshift sumo ring, and once out the ring, that person loses, the second being that the fight has be over in six battles, once that quota has been met, victory is given to Satoshi(again, Kiba's hubris played a big part in this). The final twist was that, the fight was limited to only hand-to-hand combat.
Though, using moves to increase your attack/ defense stat is legal, provided that you gave up your turn.
"This will be a turn-base battle, one hit from each person. The battle will end once either party is knocked out of the ring or the turn quota is met. Participants ready?" Both fighters nodded, turning to stare each in the eye. "Battle begin."
Without wasting a second longer, Kiba rushes in and lands a powerful right hook to the temple. Opening his eyes, Satoshi was flabbergasted himself. Normally, that hit would have made him stagger. . . But now, it didn't even fase him, nothing even inducing a small headache.
Disbelief is painted clearly on his face. Kiba couldn't believe what happened.
"My turn right?" Satoshi really didn't have a grasp on the whole turn-base mechanic, that was more Ichigo's thing as she was into that kind of stuff. Getting a nod from Nia, Satoshi turned back his focus to the still frozen Kiba.
Seeing that his liver was exposed as it could be, Satoshi drove his knee into it, causing Kiba to buckle forward as the air was taken away from him.
"Ho-how is this possible!?" Trying to shake off the effects of his liver getting beaten, Kiba forced himself to his feet; nope. His legs give up on him. Blood came out of his mouth as he took to a knee, like a knight before their king.
"It's your turn. Aren't you going to attack?" Satoshi knew that this was a prime opportunity took attack, but his knowledge of the whole turn-base mechanic was non-existent. Though, that didn't stop Kiba taking that innocent and ingrorant question personally.
"Toshi-kun!" Nia called out, using a nickname that everyone(with expectation to Tatsuya and Ichigo)–the Daimyo– coined."You're free to attack."
"But, it's his turn right?" Question marks appeared floating around him. "The whole gimmick of this fight is that we have to take turns right?"
"That is right. But, you just caused him to flinch."
"Flinch?"
"A game mechanic that, in turn-base games like Pokémon, forces the opponent or you, to forfeit your turn." A creepy, almost sadistic smile creeps on Nia's lips–making Satoshi slightly backway. "Meaning that you are free to attack now." She says, not trying to hide the sadistic aura around her.
Seeing that Kiba was still taking a knee, Satoshi threw a simple spartan kick to Kiba's head, not stopping till Kiba's head was buried in the ground. Another flinch. Wanting to not drag out this one-side asswhiping, Satoshi picked up Kiba by the collar of all places, before throwing him out the ring–landing with his ass in the air.
That felt good.
"The battle is over. Satoshi wins!" Nia declared like a sport commentator when the team scores a point, clapping her hands as she made her way to Satoshi, hugging him from behind, resting her chin on his shoulder. "Well, didn't I tell you," Nia mocks has she holds in a laugh—poorly. "With only a close to four months of training beats your "generational" talent."
Once the world stopped spinning like a beyblade and the pain lessen just enough that walking wouldn't be a task, Kiba got up, shot a burning glare towards Nia, before limping away without saying a word, cradling and tending too the bruises and sores as he did, causing Nia to guffaw at the sight.
"Oh my, that was much needed comedic relief," Releasing Satoshi from the hug, Nia finally began calming herself down."Now, this would make a good topic to talk about at the party."
"How did you know that I'd win?"
She looks at Satoshi with a look of lazy indulgent amusement."Despite how powerful he boasts to be, he's barely on the level of a Hatamoto. Bottom of bottoms on the totem pole." Nia states with a mocking tone."Even his Accursed Artifact abilities can be countered easily once you get the gist of it. And even if you take in to consideration his Accursed Ability, he's an idiot who can't even use it right. And I wouldn't have let you fight him if I thought you were weak– His Majesty would have executed us both if you were to die." Walking and coming to a stop till the Kiba size, and Kiba deep hole, Nia took out what seemed to be a holographic phone and began taking photos of it.
Now everything thing makes sense. Despite being one of the higher ranking members of the army(who have quite the control over kingdom) or the son of a what's basically a duke in this place, they where as afraid of their God-emperor much the rest. Satoshi calms down a few notches– at the fact that Nia hadn't planned to murder him, even if it was by proxy.
Sighing to himself, Satoshi began searching for any bruises that he may have obtained during this fight, so that he could hide to the best of his abilities from Ichigo(OH THE HEAVENS! Ichigo! This could have gone so damn south that he almost left her alone in this place! How or why did he agree to this suicidal test to begin off with!?),who will immediately start tearing him over it, no matter how small it may be. Apart from some minor pain kicking in after the fight, he'll be fine.
(For as long Ichigo doesn't get wind of it.)
As he finishes checking for any bruises(in total he found four minor ones, in places that would be easy to hide), Satoshi failed to take notice Nia slowly walking behind him– trenchcoat unbuttoned and the juban adjusted so a scandalous amount of cleavage exposed. Once he turned to face Nia, his vision began to swim, before he knew it, he was on his ass with the curvaceous aquamarine lass straddling him with a sultry smile on her face, and lust in her eyes(a look that he became all the to used to).
No matter how many times. No matter how many times she did things like this, it would all be both humiliating, embarrassing, and arousing at the same time! Like how is that possible!?
"Ara Ara~ you make doing this so worthwhile~" Nia purred, snaking her arms around Satoshi's neck, making the younger male blush–even though he has been through this kind of ordeal about. . . One hundred, no, two hundred and foury-six times. Yeah, this guy is a prude to prudes."I'm glad I made the right call. Losing a cute prude like you would have been a waste~"
Satoshi would love to have said something, but keep his mouth shut as he knew Nia was capable of twisting his words like origami. Forget the fact that her presence was so damn intoxicating. He could taste how Nia's Sonzai-no-atsuryoku with how close he is, tasting oddly similar to a mix of red velvet cake, and dark forest cake(two types of cake that he loved to death).
And that's not even the start of it. Taking out the whole lustful thing Nia does, she. . . She actually treated him better than the last girl that he allowed to be so close. . .
He's brought out his thoughts as something warm and soft presses agasit his face. It took him longer than he'd admit due to how many times this has happened to realize that his face had just been buried into Nia's cleavage. From the outside, it was a act very much related to lust, but, Satoshi knew that it was her way of comforting him, and him alone."You're overthinking again." He's gotten used to this. Used to Nia's voice changing from lustful to caring in a heartbeat. "You know, overthinking is one of the worse stressors out there."
Nia's rhythmic and hypnotic heartbeat calms him down in a weird way, acting much like a mother's lullaby if he could put it that way."Thank you." He said honestly, and slightly muffled.
"That's what a real girlfriend is for~"
"You remember that question you asked me two months ago?"
"Huh-hm"
"I think that the emotion you are feeling towards me is lust."
"Lust?" She played with the word, almost as if it was some sort of exotic fruit and she gad tasted it for the first time. "Lust, love, whatever it is, all I know is that," she paused, gently removing Satoshi from his comfortable and warm pillow(something that he curses himself for taking a liking too. Like really, she's one of the damn captors!), before she slowly slide herself down till she was eye level with Satoshi, face painted with a mix of love and lust, then slowly made her way to his ear before continuing in a whisper. "I'm feeling them for you~"
Without warning, she made her way down to his neck, her warm breath making the hairs stand, his breath to become even more eradtic. It's a sensation that he knows he's starting to get addicted too(the last girl he been with certainly didn't make him feel like this) as his body slowly succumbs to this, euphoric drug.
Like she had done many times before, Nia slowly sank her fangs into his neck, having her way with it. It. . . It was honestly one of the best feelings he ever had. The sensation was marvelous without a doubt, unrivaled by a few feelings.
(Slowly, that intoxicating taste of red velvet and dark forest cake envelopes him and drowns him completely.)
Breaking away and kicking away the blood painted around her lips like lipstick, Nia took a moment to admire her work like she had done many times before. The hickey she left was something she took as being one of her greatest pieces of art with the deepest ruby red hue on her face; which, yes, Satoshi found to be both adorable and hot. But mostly hot.
"I'm starting to feel that dubious consent is going to be a occurring thing between us~" Nia purred once more before going back into her head, savoring the tropical ice-cream that was Satoshi's own Sonzai-no-atsuryoku inside her(pause). Once she was done living within the moment, she got up from his crotch before helping him up too."Well, Let's get back to training, or if you want to. . ." For the first time, the aquamarine haired woman picked up her skirt by the hem, flirtatiously allowing Satoshi a better view of her thighs and a small view of her ass if one where to take a longer, more analytical look.
Which Satoshi clearly did.
"Training! Back to training!"
Dropping the hem with a faux disappointment, Nia tidying up her hair, then her skirt before going back to tease. "Aw~ If you keep this up, I might have to forgo all control and make you mine once and for all~"
Brushing that thought aside with a bright blush on his face, Satoshi went back to what he should have been doing to start of with– learning this high-speed movement technique.
As he tried to go off the description(and very much mentally engraved demonstration) that Nia gave, he was soon caught off-guard when Nia spoke.
"So tell me, would you prefer me to hug you so my breasts bury your face, or me sitting on your lap?" She asked nonchalantly, crossing her arms under her chest. That nonchalant questioning caused him to miss up the technique and crash a few feet from where Nia(at least this time, his ass wasn't tooted up) laying on his back as he stared out to the roof of the cave. "And, please relieve yourself once you go back home~ that much stress is unhealthy~ Do you want me to administer treatment~"
How does she kept getting away with this!?
=====
There was a disturbance in the force.
And Ichigo knew that it had to be that female Reinhardt(aka, the Succubus within the confines of Ichigo's psyche) teasing and throwing herself on her younger brother.
Thanks to her not paying attention, Ichigo ended taking a crushing left punch to the collarbone– popping her shoulder out of its socket, sent tumbling back till she crashed deep into a massive boulder. Groaning and moaning in pain as she tried to dig herself out(chastising herself for being distracted even for a moment during training.)
'For a timid person, she knows how to hit. Hard.' Digging herself out with only one arm is hard, but add the fact that you had a broken bone and yeah. . . Not the best experience.
"Oh my!" The Amazon rushed over to where Ichigo had been disgracefull(and prematurely) buried, helping her out."I'msorrysosorrysorrysorry! So sorry for that!" Once Ichigo had been taken out, Satoru immediately began using –a healing Art."I so sorry! I sometimes forget my strength at times. . . It always leads to situations like this. . ."
"It's not your fault." Ichigo was rather shocked, even though she had experienced being healed by felt weird. "That's on me. My dumbass thought it would be fun to focus on something else than the fight. . ."
Putting the pieces together, Satoru noticed that Nia's and Satoshi's Sonzai-no-atsuryoku had started to merge and fold into one. "You mean Nia-chan and Satoshi Taichō? Their Sonzai-no-atsuryoku is merging–" Satoru paused, sensing the hostility from Ichigo.
Merging of Sonzai-no-atsuryoku is a phenomenon that really only occurs when combing two techniques into one and when. . . A little "fun" time is happening or anything of the sort it happening.
And by the way, no, Nia isn't going that far.
Despite that information, Ichigo couldn't help but scowl. Scowl at the fact that her brother was being teased by someone she, herself didn't approve of. Like how could she? Nia had the nerve to go after Satoshi even though –
Overprotective? Yes. That she was. And how could you blame her? Satoshi currently was the only family she had, and having some random girl just come along and try to take the only real worthy thing in her life was cutting it close.
Sense that the mood was souring real fast, Satoru took it upon herself to trying and make Ichigo feel less sour about the whole Nia Satoshi thing. "You know, Nia-chan isn't that bad." She meekly said, earning a eyebrow raise from Ichigo. "She's actually quite lovely once you get to know her. And. . ." She stops, thinking over what next to say that she won't earn Ichigo's ire but still defend her friend/ subordinate."I think Satoshi Taichō would be able to get over that. . ."
Even if it wasn't the best idea to become friendly friendly with her and her brother's captors, she found Satoru to be one of the few(the only one) she could confine in when it came to more private matters. Matters that Ichigo really only speaks with Satoshi. "If you say so. . ."
Allowing one of the best heals among the Daimyo to do her best, Ichigo relaxed, slowly tilting her head to face Satoru. "You can loosen up you know."
"Huh?"
"You don't have to walk on eggshells around me. I'm perfectly fine with you. . . Well, being you."
"Uh, well, it's not like that. . ." The timid amazon trailed off, biting her tounge as the words refused to come out.
"Are. . . You okay?"
"Ye-ye-yes!" The argent haired amazon jumped, before slumping forward. Taking a deep sigh, the amazon spoke."I'm sorry. It's just that. . . I get really really nervous. . . It. . ." She paused. "It's honestly embarrassing, and please, forgive me!"
This. . . This was honestly pitiful and a breath of fresh air. It's also painful to see a trait that you have, amplified and shown to your face like here, look at it. It's been four months, and yet, the amazon has yet to shown some form of being relaxed around her.
Maybe it's because they don't have any common ground? Ichigo brushes that aside. Coming up with theories was something that either Satoshi or Matt Patt(Shout out the legend himself)would do.
"I understand you." This earned the Amazon's attention. "Meeting new people does that to me," she nervously said, pausing before looking Satoru in the eye with a warm smile. "so I guess we are kindred spirits in that way huh?"
Satoru was confused, perplexed and smeckelldoffed. She had only know Ichigo as a person for about four months now, and she found it odd that one of the more extroverted people she had in her friend group. . . Was like her? "Bu-But. . . You don't act shy?"
"Hiding shyness behind a faraced is kinda my thing." Ichigo said, somewhat smug before scowling. "That's what Di- Satoshi says anyway."
"I-I guess so. . ."
Once the green glow of the healing faded away, Ichigo got up and began test to see her shoulder was at one hundred percent, doing a few punches and upper cuts before she gave the seal of approval. "So, back to hand-to-hand training?"
"Back to hand-to-hand training." Satoru replied with a more firmer and more energetic tone. So she was right. All she needed was some common ground to link them.
=====
After the training, Ichigo immediately finds not only the bruises he hid, which, funny enough, she doesn't overreact like how he initially assumed she would be.
She did overreact on the hickey though, much to Nia's delight.
She was even more vivid when Nia had the gall to drag Satoshi, holding hands and everything(at this point. Nia knows what buttons to press.) In front of her. Thankfully, Satoru volunteered to watch over Nia, seeing to the well-being of Satoshi.
She can only hope that the timid argent haired amazon wouldn't fold in on herself like wet paper when Nia tries to get her to leave. . .
=====
She may not know how to cook, but she does know a bit of baking.
And right now, she needs it. Really. The whole Nia flirting and outright leaving her mark on her brother in the form a eye directing hickey, that, was hard to hide, given the fact that her fangs left one of the worse(according to Ichigo) impressions yet.
Since Satoshi was dragged by both Satoru and Nia to deal with some of the more political and technical( which she'd be the first to admit, isn't exactly the best when it comes to deal with such aspects.
Still, that didn't give that Nia a reason to hold her brother's hand like she already married him.) Side to being a Shōgun. She thought about starting to preparing everything for the dark forest cake when Satoshi finally got back "home" to distract her, but heh, she does have to get back to catching up with One Piece so there's that.
With the maids and butlers given the rest of the day off, the sliver-haired lass did what she could do best and prepare the cake for Satoshi.
And some questions. Because as much as she dislikes Nia with her being, she does want the best for her brother.
Yet, once he gets back home, she can tell something is very much wrong. Satoshi has been more on the paler side of the spectrum while she had more of a tan, but currently, Satoshi is putting his white uniform to shame with the lack of color in his face, and that rigid stance isn't helping in slightest.
"Dio? Dio? Dio?" No answer. She's growing even more worried, her mind making up twisted and dark thought about things that could have gone wrong to her brother. "Dio! Dio! DIO! What's wrong!?" She drops the bowl onto the kitchen counter before rushing over and began shaking Satoshi.
"Dia. . ." He managed to croak out. "How much did you know of the events of. . . That day. . ."
Her blood immediately becomes as cold as dry ice. She doesn't need a day to know of what Satoshi is speaking off. She knows of it all too well.
May 2nd. The day when Ichigo's whole world was not just simply flipped, be straight up reduced to nothing a bad memory– a literal nightmare that she occasionally gets.
May 2nd. The day that her father died. . .
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Next chapter; Chapter 3: Divine Selection