Hello fellow masters-in-arms, welcome to another bond ch. Let us see what this servant(s) have in store for Kio. I do not own any property in this Xover beside my OC. I have been thinking of taking request for writing, if you have any suggestions, let me know in the comment section. ENJOY!
In the Throne of Heroes, the rhythmic sound of wooden swords clashing filled the air inside a traditional Japanese dojo. The scent of polished wood and incense wafted through the room, the atmosphere calm yet charged with intensity. Kio, still in the midst of his training, stood face to face with a swordsman with long blue hair tied neatly behind his head.
With a fluid motion, the man deflected Kio's strike, his movements swift and graceful, almost like a dance. The wooden bokkens clacked together again as Kio adjusted his stance, his body tense but determined.
"You're not hitting hard or fast enough," the man commented, his voice calm, almost teasing. "A swordsman should always be ready to commit to the strike."
Kio's brows furrowed, sweat forming on his brow as he caught his breath. "I'm trying," he replied, his grip tightening on the hilt of the wooden sword. "But you're too fast, Sasaki Kojirō - sensei"
Sasaki gave a soft chuckle, a slight smile playing at his lips. "Speed comes from the flow of your energy, not just your body. Relax, and let the sword become an extension of yourself."
With a deep breath, Kio concentrates, allowing the teacher's words to sink in. He could feel the weight of the sword in his hands, but also the air around him, the subtle shifts in the dojo as his mentor moved. His aura shifts, Kio adjusted his stance, taking a more fluid approach.
They clashed again, the sound of wood against wood echoing throughout the dojo. This time, Kio's movements were smoother. Sasaki nodded approvingly, though his expression remained calm and focused.
"Better, but still not enough" Sasaki said, parrying Kio's next strike. "Remember, a true swordsman doesn't just fight with their sword. They fight with their mind, their spirit."
Kio nodded, absorbing every word. This wasn't just about swordplay—it was about honing himself, pushing past his limits, and mastering not just his body but his spirit as well. In the Throne of Heroes, every lesson felt monumental, and this one, under Sasaki Kojirō's guidance, was no different.
The sound of clashing swords continued into the day, each strike bringing Kio closer to mastering the art that would one day define him. As the training intensified, the atmosphere in the dojo shifted. Sasaki stood poised, his expression calm but focused, and the air around him became charged with an overwhelming pressure. Kio, sensing the sudden change, his expression in shock, his body tense with the anticipation of what was coming next.
Sasaki made his move. *NOBLE PHANTASM* "Hidden Sword - Swallow Reversal!" he declared, his voice sharp and precise
In an instant, multiple sword strikes came at Kio from every direction. The sheer speed and precision of Sasaki's technique were too much for Kio to defend against. The strikes hit with devastating accuracy, and before Kio could even react, the force of the final blow sent him flying through the dojo's wall, splintering the wood.
Kio crashed outside, landing hard on the ground, the world spinning around him as he gasped for breath. His body ached from the relentless assault, and he struggled to stand. The sheer force of Sasaki's Noble Phantasm had left him stunned, both mentally and physically.
As Kio struggled to stand, his legs wobbled beneath him, and he felt his balance give way. Just before he could hit the ground, a pair of gentle hands caught him, steadying his fall. A young woman with long brown hair styled with delicate antennas, dressed in a white sleeveless one-piece adorned with a green waist vest, black fishnet stockings, and sleek black high heels.
"Oh, Lady Titania," Kio muttered in surprise and gratitude, recognizing her instantly. "Thanks for the help."
Titania, the Queen of Faeries, smiled down at him, her expression equal parts elegant and teasing. "Thou can sense me to this degree!? Most impressive, but still be more careful, little one. Even the strongest requires rest," she remarked, her voice soft but with a hint of smugness.
Kio gave a small nod, still trying to catch his breath. "I've still got a lot of room for improvement," he admitted.
Titania's gaze softened. "Indeed, but worry not. Thou hast the heart of one who shall endure much and conquer more, and are you doing well, A.R.C?" she said, her tone motherly yet wise. A.R.C materialize besides them, nodding her head "Subject A.R.C: does not feel" she said slightly monotone. With the queen's support, Kio found his footing again, standing beside her despite the bruises of the training.
Sasaki approached them with a serene smile, bowing respectfully toward the fairy queen. "Lady Titania," he greeted her, his voice calm and polite, though his sharp eyes flicked toward Kio with an approving glance.
Titania, still supporting Kio, looked at Sasaki with a small frown. "Was it truly necessary to push the child so far?" she asked, her tone holding a hint of frustration. "Thou dost not need to break him to make him stronger."
Sasaki met her gaze, unfazed by her rebuke. "Strength is forged in fire, my lady," he replied. "If I do not push him to his limits, he will never surpass them. The world outside is far harsher than my strikes."
Kio, still feeling the sting of the training, remained quiet, but he knew Sasaki had a point. Titania, however, remained displeased, her protective side showing through as she narrowed her eyes slightly at the swordsman.
With a sigh, Sasaki turned to Kio. "You've done well for today, Kio. That's enough. Rest and recover. Tomorrow is another day." He gave a final bow and returned to the dojo, leaving Kio and Titania behind.
Titania, watching Sasaki disappear, shook her head slightly before turning her attention back to Kio. "Thou hast endured enough," she said softly, lifting him effortlessly into her arms as her wings unfurled behind her. "Now, let us go somewhere more pleasant."
Without another word, Titania took flight, lifting Kio into the sky. The wind rushed past them, and Kio could feel the soothing presence of the fairy queen as she flew gracefully through the air.
"Where are we going?" Kio asked, curiosity creeping into his voice.
Titania smiled, her mood lightening. "A joyous surprise, a fest for the soul. After all, one must not spend all their time honing one's self. There is more to life than battle, young one." As Titania soared gracefully through the sky, carrying Kio with her, they eventually reached a familiar clearing within her enchanted forest. In the center of the clearing stood a grand table, lavishly adorned with a variety of foods—fruits, pastries, meats, and desserts that seemed to shimmer with magical essence. Surrounding the table were the lively children spirits of the Throne, their laughter filling the air as they eagerly awaited the party's beginning.
The moment Titania touched down; the spirits erupted in excitement, their cheers echoing through the forest. "She returned! The party can begin!" they cried in joy, their exuberance infectious as they swirled around the table, ready to indulge in the feast.
While the others quickly dove into the festivities, Kio found himself staying on the outskirts of the gathering, keeping a quiet distance as the energy of the party swirled around him, overloading his senses.
As he sat there, lost in thought, Kio felt a light sensation on his finger. A delicate white moth, its wings faintly glowing in the evening light. He smiled gently. "Oh, is that you, Blanka?" he whispered softly, recognizing the creature. "If you're here... that means he's not far behind."
Before Kio could finish his words, a figure appeared beside him without warning, settling gracefully into a seat. The man was regal in appearance, wearing a blue royal robe. His butterfly wings extended elegantly behind him, glowing faintly as if absorbing the mysteries of the forest around them. Upon his head floated a bright star crown, proof of his royalty.
As Oberon settled comfortably beside Kio, he began to speak, his voice filled with warmth and admiration. "You know, my wife truly is something extraordinary, isn't she?" he said, his eyes gleaming as he watched Titania play with the children spirits. "She brings such light, even in the darkest places. No matter how much the human world changes, she remains steadfast, radiant... a beacon."
Kio listened quietly, a faint smile on his lips as he listen to the scene unfold. Titania's laughter echoed through the clearing, mingling with the joyful shouts of the children spirits. They played games, danced around the table, and seemed to bask in the enchanting atmosphere she created. For a moment, everything felt peaceful, perfect even.
But slowly, without anyone noticing, the atmosphere around Oberon began to shift. His smile remained, but there was a subtle, unsettling change in the air, as if a chill had crept in. Kio, sensitive to the aura, felt it first—a faint, prickling sensation at the back of his neck.
Then, the transformation began. Oberon's once radiant skin turned sickly pale, the color draining away as if life was being siphoned from him. His pristine white hair grew dirty and matted, hanging down in uneven strands. The elegant blue robe he wore shifted, replaced by a plain white dress shirt and long black pants, the fabrics appearing worn and frayed. His butterfly wings lost their ethereal beauty, morphing into thin, translucent wings resembling those of a dragonfly, buzzing faintly as they extended from his back. An insect-like exoskeleton began to spread across his arms and legs, dark and jagged, and his regal crown twisted, turning a sickly, ominous blue.
The change was almost unnatural, a stark contrast to the elegant form he had moments ago. As the transformation completed, the air around him grew heavy, oppressive, as if the very forest had recoiled from his presence.
A voice, robotic and precise, cutting through the eerie silence. It was A.R.C., providing a clinical analysis of what was unfolding.
"Transformation detected. Subject: Oberon. Current state: True Form. Observations: Skin pallor indicative of necrosis. Hair—discoloration and degradation. Garments—shift from royal attire to civilian wear, heavily deteriorated. Wings—mutated from Lepidoptera to Odonata configuration. Exoskeletal structure—present. Crown—color alteration, sickly blue. Status: Highly anomalous, potential threat detected."
Kio, still sitting next to him, did not move an inch. For he has experience Oberon's true form before.
"But what's truly bizarre to me about her actions," Oberon said, his voice dripping with malice as he stared at Kio, his eyes cold and lifeless, "Is why she allows such an accursed being like you to swarm around her?" The words slithered out, his tone sharp, venomous, and filled with disdain.
Kio didn't flinch, though the tension in the air was palpable. He kept his composure, with a calm, almost mocking smile to Oberon. "Your wife is the one who invites me, and it's kind of nice being around her. Obsessed much?" he retorted, not backing down from the ominous presence before him.
"Affirmative. Obsession creepiness, skyrocketing!" A.R.C. said, adding dry humorous yet unsettling layer to the exchange.
Without warning, Oberon's hand shot out, grabbing Kio by the collar and pulling him closer. His grip was tight, almost suffocating, and his voice shook Kio with an intensity that sent a chill down the boy's spine.
"Fairy King Oberon, suggestion: Fairy Queen Tatiana will not be happy with you being rough with him" A.R.C states. "What she does not know, won't hurt her. I have placed an illusion around us, making us look completely different from others sight. Now listen here, you little shit," Oberon hissed, his voice low and menacing. "There is nothing wrong with me being obsessed with my wife. She is absolutely perfect in every way."
Kio's expression shifted to one of genuine confusion, his earlier bravado momentarily replaced by perplexity. A.R.C, who floated nearby, her tiny digital eyes blinking as if she, too, was trying to process the situation. "I don't get it," Kio finally said, his voice flat and bewildered.
A.R.C. nodded in agreement, chiming in once more. "Analysis: Confusion levels—extremely high. Current logic—does not compute."
Oberon's grip tightened for a moment, his lips curling into a twisted smile. "You wouldn't understand," he whispered, almost as if speaking to himself. "No one can understand how she shines... how she makes everything else fade into insignificance." His eyes flickered with maddening love, like an inferno.
As the tension between Kio and Oberon thickened, a voice cut through the atmosphere—gentle, soothing, and unmistakably familiar. "Oberon, Kio," Titania called, her tone inviting and warm, beckoning them to join her and the children spirits.
Oberon's twisted expression softened immediately, his eyes brightening as he heard his wife's voice. Almost like a switch had been flipped, he reverted back to his royal, charming self. With an eager, almost joyous smile, he released Kio's collar and turned to walk toward Titania, his earlier malice seemingly forgotten.
The illusion Oberon cast around Kio and himself dispelled as he move forward.
But just as he began to move, Kio's voice stopped him. "Oberon," he called, his tone steady but curious. "What is love?"
Oberon paused, turning back to face the boy with a look of genuine confusion, as if the question had caught him completely off guard. "Is that any way to ask someone a question?" he responded, raising an eyebrow.
Kio didn't waver. "Lord Oberon," he reiterated, giving the title more emphasis, making it clear of his mistake.
A slow, smug smile spread across Oberon's lips. "Why not ask that dragon that brought you here?" he replied, his tone playful yet cryptic.
Kio's brows furrowed in confusion. "What dragon? Do you mean Lady Kiyohime? Well she is more of a snake than a dragon." he asked, genuinely puzzled.
Oberon shocked from the situation. "Oh, that's right," he muttered to himself, almost as if he'd almost forgotten something important. "Never mind, ya little shit. You'll understand when you get older."
With that, he turned away, humming softly to himself as he gracefully made his way toward Titania, leaving Kio to contemplate the strange exchange. As Oberon approached his queen, his steps grew lighter, his demeanor radiant once more, as if the dark, twisted version of him had never existed at all.
Kio, meanwhile, stood still for a moment, trying to make sense of Oberon's words. There was something unsettling about the way he spoke, a hidden layer that hinted at things beyond Kio's understanding. But for now, he decided to let it go, following Oberon's path back to the celebration, where Titania awaited with a welcoming smile.
As the party came to an end, Kio and the other children spirits slowly made their way out of the forest, laughter and chatter fading as they left the clearing. The joyous energy that had filled the air began to settle, leaving only Titania and Oberon behind, the silence between them thick with unspoken thoughts.
Oberon, without a word, moved toward Titania and gently embraced her from behind. His arms wrapped around her waist, his head resting against the back her head, almost as if seeking comfort. There was a sadness in the way he held her, his grip tighter than usual, and Titania could feel the heaviness in his touch.
"What's the matter, my King?" she asked softly, her voice carrying a knowing gentleness. "You usually don't get this touchy unless something happened."
Oberon buried his face deeper into her hair, his voice muffled. "I don't want to talk about it," he replied, the words coming out more vulnerable than he intended.
Titania's expression softened, and she closed her eyes, leaning into his embrace. Her intuition told her what was troubling him, and she didn't need to press further. "Was it about Kio?" she asked, her tone light but certain, as if she had already struck the core of his unease.
Oberon stiffened slightly in response, his grip tightening just a bit. He didn't answer at first, but the silence spoke volumes. After a moment, he sighed, still holding her close. "He's... different," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "There's something about him. Something I can't quite place. It unsettles me."
Titania smiled faintly, her hand reaching up to rest on his. "He's young, Oberon. Still figuring out his place in the world. You don't need to worry so much," she reassured him.
But Oberon's unease lingered. "It's more than that," he muttered, pulling her a little closer. "There's something in him... a force. A connection to something greater. I fear what it could mean—for us, for him." His wings twitched slightly, his earlier joy now completely overshadowed by concern.
Titania turned her head slightly, gazing at him over her shoulder, her eyes full of warmth and understanding. "Whatever it is, we will face it together," she said softly. "As we always do."
Oberon remained silent, resting his head against her, finding comfort in her presence. But deep down, the uncertainty surrounding Kio gnawed at him, the unease refusing to fade.
Chapter End