I first went to visit Leona and Gaidel, due to my many visits there, people knew me and liked me, they were good after all, but once I arrived I was immediately surrounded and people asked me what happened to me, why was I wounded?
I was a bit overwhelmed until Leona arrived, once she saw me, she got close and asked with only one word
-Explain
So I told her of the irregular gate that appeared near a friend's house, the monsters that attacked and how I rushed in to help and I was able to delay the boss long enough for reinforcement to arrive, making the boss flee, I survived and so did my friend and her family
-…Need more training, come
She then dragged me as everyone watched us go with a soft smile, and well, we trained, hard, she didn't take it easy on me at all but I was able to keep up, after hours though, I fell on my ass
-Ugh…you are too strong Leona!
-Not bad…
Suddenly, I heard some shouting
-I ALREADY SAID NO! LEAVE ALREADY!
We looked and I saw a concerning sight…Goenitz, the Hakkesshu found them…then…tch, guess I am staying the night…and I am not even healed
Goenitz…the Heavenly king of the Orochi Hakkesshu, a middle age man, a priest if you can believe it, he is wearing a blue priest robe with a black small cape, an overzised belt and black boots, he is blond with a buzz cut and has blue eyes…tch, this jackass is a problem
-You know him?
-…No
Goenitz left but not before looking at us, getting close and patting both our heads
-Remain safe ok kids?
He then walked away, I was left enraged, he did something to Leona, she looked uncomfortable now…the Blood Riot, I have an idea on how to stop it but…I hope it works
She excused herself to go to her room as Gaidel came and told me
-Are you going home soon Eric?
-…Actually, can I stay? I am a bit too weak after that training…don't think I am making it home after that
-Of course! We have room, come on
So I got to the room and said
-Monica, when the Blood Riot awakens, wake me up
"Understood"
I slept, knowing when I wake up, it's going to be a mess
…
"Wake up master, it's starting"
I opened my eyes and looked out the window of my room, Leona was standing in the middle of the village screaming, her hair was turning red so I jumped out and got close, some villagers also came out to check on her
-Leona? You ok?
She glared at me, her eyes now totally red, engulfed in madness
-RAAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!!
She immediately tried to stab me with her hand, I dodged sideway and she followed up with a brutal kick to my side, sending me flying, I recovered but lost my breath
-LOOK OUT!!
Leona began attacking indiscriminately, some of the fighters tried to stop her but they were powerless, every time she was going for a finisher, I stopped her and distracted her, at the cost of a heavy hit, my bones were breaking, at least 4 ribs were now dust, the pain was obscene, but my will was stronger, Gaidel had come out
-No! No! Why now?! Did- GOENITZ!!
-Uncle Gaidel! What is happening?!
-Run Eric! We can't stop Leona now…
-ANSWER ME DAMMIT!
-! She is undergoing a Blood Riot
-And that is?!
-It is her blood, the blood of Orochi, an ancient evil who claims to be the will of the world that wants to destroy mankind, I separated from them long ago…but our blood still has Orochi's genes in it…and when awoken, the user goes on a frenzy…she might kill everyone before she recovers
-Can't we stop it?! Leona doesn't want to kill anyone!!
-…No…unless we defeat her
-That is not gonna happen! She is too strong!
-And now she is even stronger…thanks for being friends with my daughter Eric, go, save yourself
-What about you?
-…I will stop her
-Don't you dare think about dying! How will she feel once she discovers she killed you?!
-…At least she will live
-No! Dammit!
I pushed him back and rushed at Leona
-ERIC!
I know what to do, I just hope it works
-LEONA!!
She turned to glare at me, her hair red, her eyes lost and frenzied, her expression a frown of madness, I pulled out my ocarina
-Please wake up
I began playing, a song that I have known awakens people when they are lost, a song that made her began shrieking and holding her head in pain, to the shock of Gaidel
-Impossible…
I kept playing as a red energy began emerging from her as she kept screaming, I didn't stop, I would halt her, I would save her, I played with my soul on it, transmitting my desire to stop her with mana
*Song of Healing* the song that could lay the dead to rest and heal their regrets, the song that can heal men who are turning into monsters, the song that leads souls to the afterlife, this should be able to shut off the Orochi blood and calm Leona down
I walked towards her as the song played, she was holding her head now curled up, shrieking in pain
"It's nearly done! Keep it up master!"
I felt a presence rush my way to stop me, but I merely glared at him, Goenitz stopped, fear reflected in his eyes
"Ability learned! Bloodlust!"
Then, I finished the song, Leona's hair returned to blue and she passed out, I released the Ocarina and glared at Goenitz
-If you ever return, I WILL kill you
-Impossible…how could a boy possess such magic?…my powers…
-Leave now Goenitz, before I decide to kill you
-Tch, this is not over yet boy!
He fled, using his powers of wind with difficulty
"Heavenly king of the Orochi Hakkesshu: Goenitz"
"-100 (Threat to our plan)"
So be it, I got close to Leona, my body riddled with injuries and cuts, her hands still bloodied, and I woke her up
-Leona
-…Eric…?
-Yeah
-…What…! You…you are wounded!
-Yup
Her hands got close to touch me when she saw blood on them, then she looked at me and horror reflected on her face
-Did…did I…
-…Yeah
-No…I…I…
-It's the Blood Riot Leona
She looked at her father
-I am sorry for never telling you…but it's a condition of your blood
He told her everything, and hearing how volatile it was, she was terrified, it got worse when the villagers began demanding her to leave since she was a danger, she was crying, a poor little girl shouldn't have to endure this…
I got upset but I understood what they meant, however, seeing as not even her father did, I got close and hugged her, much to everyone's shock
-It's ok…none of this was your fault
-!!
-It's Orochi's, that wasn't you
-B-But…I hurt you…
I smiled softly
-It's nothing, this much is nothing
-But…I could hurt you again…
-I will stop you
-…Every time?
-Every time, no matter how often this happens, I will stop you each time, no matter what, I won't abandon you
-!!!
She finally hugged me back and began to wail, I glared at the villagers but they all looked away, unable to meet my gaze
"Leona"
"150 (+75) (Hope embodied)"
Gaidel seemingly made a decision and spoke up
-Eric…Leona, please listen to me
We both did
-Listen…Eric…You are incredible, more than I ever could hope to be…you subdued the Blood Riot without laying a hand on her, you got hurt to protect everyone and you don't even complain despite how painful it is
-It's for Leona, I don't mind
"Leona"
"151 (+1)"
[Isn't this easy all of a sudden?]
"Huh…"
-Truly…I know that despite your age, you can take care of yourself…so please forgive me, but I beg of you…take care of Leona
-Huh?
-Father…?
-I am sorry baby…but I have to go
-Can you at least explain?! Don't make her think you are abandoning her you fool!!
"Leona"
"152 (+1)"
-Sorry…let me explain
He explained about the Hakkesshu, the blood and Goenitz, his desire to revive him how his clan was a part of it, the Hakkesshu is likely to pursue him to find and get Leona, so if he leaves on his own and Leona stays with me, he can lead them away from her
-…Father…
-Please Eric…please…take care of her…
-…Tch, understood
-Thank you…
-BUT!
They both looked at me
-Stay alive, give me some time, I WILL destroy Orochi himself so that Leona can have a father in her life! You 2 will meet again, understood?!
-…I promise
Leona got close and hugged her father one last time
-Listen to Eric…he will take care of you…try not to cause him troubles ok?
-…Promise…
-Ok…take care Leona…one day…I promise to come back one day…
He got up, gave one last look and walked away, lord knows where
-…
-…Eric…
-It's ok, no matter what, I promise, once Orochi is dead, you will meet again
She hugged me, I reciprocated and after a bit, we both left, no one said anything, we got her clothes and stored them in a suitcase, she didn't have toys or anything really, so we went home during night, it was a dark road in the countryside, I was carrying her suitcase despite her insistence, but I was firm, on the way, she never let go of my free hand
We arrived home at dawn and I allowed her inside, I would have to apologize to Rhoam but I really don't want to train today
I used "Heal" on the way to restore my ribs and all cuts, Leona was looking down the whole way through, not that I blame her, she is just a little girl, 10 years old, but I can help her, we already are way better than originally, dunno if Heidern will find her now but at least her hands are not stained with blood
In order to cheer her up, I took the console to the living room where she was sulking, she looked surprised when she saw me covered in cables
-Let's play!
-…?
-Let me show you how this works
Unfortunately, there were no classics from my world, which makes sense since now those characters are alive, but fortunately, there were similar games, so I showed her a game that was like Mario 64 called Crow 46, honestly main difference was that Mario was now a crow and Bowser was now an Ant, a giant Ant but an ant nonetheless
Still, it is still the same masterpiece so Leona's eyes quickly gained a glint to them and we played for the day, helping her stop thinking about her situation
So, from that day onwards, Leona began to live with me
…
The Hyrule siblings were quite happy to welcome Leona and despite her taciturn nature and awkwardness, she still befriended them, however, she mostly stuck to me so, one step at a time I guess…
Well, that aside, Leona sleeps on my parents bedroom, since that room is free but she asked me to sleep with her since she didn't like sleeping alone on such a huge bed, I had no issues with it, she will get used to it in the future, if by 14 she still can't, we might have problems
Either way, as of now, she is 10, I am 9, it's no problem whatsoever
I often cook and clean the place up with my magic and Leona absolutely adores my cooking, so overall, at least she is not so sad, I also call Samus as promised and even told her of what happened, she freaked out when I told her how dangerous it was but regained her wits since she knew I am strong
One day, after breakfast, the siblings were not available so I took the chance to go explore again, I told Leona I would go and be back by night, she asked if she could come too so I said why not? She doesn't like being left alone, likely afraid that she might lose control if I am not around
It hasn't happened again but she is still scared, so often I also have to play music for her to sleep well, I have yet to play the song of healing though
As we left the apartment and headed downstairs, I told her we were going shopping to the nearby mall, she didn't really understand but I told her it would be fun
As we got there, she was amazed at the sheer size of the building, I guided her as best I could as we explored, she eventually started to have fun shopping around lesser things that interested her, since we have inventory on our side, it's ok no matter how much she buys, our money situation is also good, again, thanks Erizabeth!
But as we were going to a food court so I could teach her about junk food and how good it was, she suddenly seemed scared and began grabbing her head
-?! Leona?!
-Eric…it's happening…
I looked around and saw 2 men with 2 young girls, the men were seemingly cornering them, and I recognized one of them in an instant
"First sacred treasure, Chizuru Kagura"
A beautiful young girl with black long hair and a white headband on it, hazel eyes, she is currently wearing her iconic outfit of a white coat with red buttons, a red sash on her waist, black pants and black high heels…dunno how the hell you fight in those though…
And her sister
"Maki Kagura, original priestess of the Kagura clan"
Maki and Chizuru are twins so they look nearly the exact same, only difference is that Maki is wearing blue, the same outfit just…blue instead of white, same with the headband, and the most telling one is that her hair is actually short but in the rest, it's like a mirror
She is alive so Goenitz has been unable to kill Maki or perhaps he has yet to meet her, either way, this is another good chance for me!
Suddenly both sisters looked my way and with a solemn look, ran past the men as Leona's hair was turning red
-Stay away from her!
-Run boy!!
I yelled at them
-STAY BACK!!
The reaction surprised them and they stopped on reflex, I placed my hand on Leona's shoulder, she looked at me in terror
-I am here Leona, it's ok
-…Eric…
-Let me deal with this ok?
-…Hm…
I pulled out the Ocarina
-She is one of us it seems!
-Give in little girl! This power is something else!!
-Dammit, please move!
-We have to seal her!
I ignored everyone and began playing once again the Song of Healing, that suddenly made the 2 Hakkesshu members kneel down in pain
As the hauntingly beautiful melody played Leona's hair turned blue again, the Kagura sisters couldn't believe what they were seeing, the Riot of the Blood was being contained with a song, a beautiful song
By the time the song ended, everyone could only look in shock as Leona recovered, one of the Hakkeshu screamed out in horror
-WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU?!
I glared at them
-I am the one who will kill Orochi
-?!
-?!
-!!
-!!
-Leave my sight unless you wish to go ahead of him
-Tch
-FREAK!!
They ran away…pathetic cowards, I ignored the sisters for a second and got to Leona
-You ok?
She hugged me, trembling, I smiled and said
-I told you didn't I? You will be ok, as long as I am with you, you will be ok
After calming her down, both sisters approached me, Maki, the eldest spoke
-What…did you do?
-You know of this?
-Yes…our family is one of the 3 that sealed Orochi…and that girl has his blood running through her veins…by all means she should have gone out of control yet you…
-I don't care about Orochi, Leona is my friend, if the blood of that fucker hurts her, then I WILL kill him, simple isn't it?
"Leona"
"160 (+8)"
"Future Priestess of the Yata clan Chizuru Kagura"
"30 (+20) (Wild card)"
"Current Priestess of the Yata Clan, Maki Kagura"
"40 (+40) (A new hope)"
-…You can control that transformation?
-I can seal it, the only one who can control it is Leona herself, but it is still too early
-…Can I?
-I believe you can, no matter how strong that Orochi is, it's your blood, it's your mind, he can't control you, I won't let him
-…Hm…
"Leona"
"165 (+5)"
[…I am getting concerned over the gains here Monica]
"So am I master…"
-…I know this may seem sudden young man…
-Call me Eric please, I am Eric, this is Leona, you are…?
-Ah, sorry, I am Maki Kagura, and this is my younger sister Chizuru Kagura
-It's a pleasure
-Same, what can we do for you?
-…How old are you?
-I will be 10 soon
-Where are your parents?
-…With the angels
-!…Sorry…
-It's ok, I am ok now, what do you need?
-Could you come with us? Our clan has fought to keep Orochi sealed for so long, with your power, we can finally put an end to him, please, lend us your aid
-Isn't he too young sis?
-You also took to training at 9 Chizuru, besides, I don't think he is weak
I analyzed both sisters
"Maki"
"Rank: C+"
"Age: 15"
"Strength: C+"
"Agility: C"
"Magic: D+"
"Endurance: C+"
"Charisma: B+"
"Luck: D"
"Perception: B-"
"Chizuru"
"Rank: D+"
"Age: 13"
"Strength: D+"
"Agility: C-"
"Magic: D"
"Endurance: C"
"Charisma: B+"
"Luck: B"
"Perception: B-"
High Charisma, I guess because both are already beautiful, I estimate when they reach adulthood, they will be easily SS+
-I am flattered by the praise, I can help you, when will it be?
-You will? Wonderful! We will need to prepare but, in around a month or so, I would appreciate if you can stay in the clan for that time
-I don't see a problem
Normally I would go stranger danger but I know these characters, I know they are good people, so there is no fear
-Aren't you too trusting?
Chizuru asked and I smiled
-Anyone who is against Orochi is my friend!
She smiled softly and patted my head
-Be more careful ok?
-Hm! Leona?
-…With you…
-Ok! Let's go!
I followed both sisters to a bloody limo, seems like I forgot but the Kagura/Yata clan is stacked with money!
We got on and on the way, I asked the sisters as much as I could about Orochi, it's plan, it's powers, and what it could do to Leona, I merely got the info I was already well aware of, the Kusanagi Clan, the Yagami Clan, the hatred between the 2, etc. Etc.
They in turn, also asked about me, I told them my story, how my parents died, how i have been taking care of myself since I was 6, how I met Leona, my magical powers and Ocarina, my other friends, my fight with Ridley, they were rather shocked that one so young was so heroic, I merely blushed and laughed awkwardly at the compliment
"Maki"
"70 (+30) (Young Hope)"
"Chizuru"
"60 (+30) (Fascinating young man)"
Hah! Perfect!
"Would you like to visit the Yagami and Kusanagi clan?"
[Absolutely! I want Iori and Kyo on my corner!]
"You should get a good chance once the King of Fighters tournament comes"
[There will be one after all huh?]
"Indeed, in 6 more years, KoF 2035"
[So that's the current year…]
"Were you not aware?"
[Nope]
"Master…"
[Sorry Monica]