Kazuki's body hit the rooftop with a thud, his eyes staring skyward. The sound echoed in Grace's ears, louder than the howling wind that whipped around her. Her breath caught, her chest heaving as she stumbled forward, her trembling hands reaching out toward him.
Grace: Kazuki!
Tears blurred her vision, but her gaze snapped upward, locking onto the man standing across the rooftop.
Orion.
The armored giant loomed over her.
Orion turned to her, his lips curling into a wide, cruel smile.
Orion: What a touchin' scene.
He chuckled,before spreading his arms in mock gratitude.
Orion: I should thank ya. You and that boy maggot saved me a trip. If ya hadn't come all the way up here, I'd have had to hunt ya down myself.
His laughter rang out. Grace's fists clenched, her nails digging into her palms as her body quaked with fury. Her teeth ground together, her breath hot as her vision turned red.
Grace: You…
She stumbled back a step, her eyes blazing with a hatred so fierce it seemed to burn the air around her.
Grace: ALPHA REVERSION!
The wooden axe in her grasp warped and shifted, the rough edges smoothing as the blade lengthened into a sharp wooden sword. She gripped its hilt tightly, her fingers trembling. Her voice broke again, louder.
Grace: I'll kill you!
She lunged forward, dragging the blade across the ground as she screamed.
Grace: I'll tear you limb from limb! I'll pierce your heart out! I'll peel back your damn skin until there's nothing left!
Her body moved instinctively, her mind drowning in fury as she plunged into the depths of her soul. She reached inside herself, her hands trembling as she gripped the energy within, pulling it into herself. The strain hit her immediately, a searing pain ripping through her body, but she ignored it.
She converted the energy from her astral into raw, natural energy, feeling it surge through her veins like liquid fire. She shot forward, her feet leaving cracks in the rooftop.
Destroy him. Destroy everything.
Her blade clashed with Orion's katana. The shadows around his weapon surged forward, aiming for her, but her rage outfueled her guilt. She swung her sword with fury, rupturing the black tendrils before they could reach her.
Orion faltered for a split second. Then, he smiled again.
Orion: Interesting.
He swung his katana once more, shadows slashing down toward Grace. She activated Reversion, avoiding his attacks again and again. Her body screamed in protest, her muscles tearing, but she didn't care.
She didn't care about the pain. She didn't care about Obsidian. She didn't care about anything except the towering figure in front of her.
That man who took everything...
She refused to stop, refused to fall. All that mattered was destroying him.
I'll destroy the thief who stole my world. Even if it kills me.
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Thomas blinked, his visionswimming in a fit of red and black. His ears still rang, the high-pitched tone interrupting the chaos around him.
Every part of his body ached, and his thoughts moved sluggishly, as if stuck in quicksand. He barely clung to consciousness, but one sight forced him to stay awake—Kazuki's body crumpling to the ground.
His bloodied hand reached out instinctively, but his legs refused to follow. For a moment, all he could do was stare, his brain lagging behind reality.
What… happened?
The old man had always been so unshakable. To see him fall now, sent a jolt of panic through Thomas' chest. He tried to make sense of it, but his mind refused to cooperate. His gaze shifted, landing on Grace, who was already charging at Orion.
Alone.
His brain raced in two directions at once, each thought pulling him in opposite directions. Should he help Grace? Or should he go to Kazuki?
Thomas slammed his bloodied palm against his forehead, the sting jolting him out of his spiral.
Thomas: Think… damn it! Think!
The words were barely audible, coming out through cracked lips. He cursed his injuries, his weakness, his stupidity. If he wasn't so injured—if he wasn't such a damn fool—he could've made a decision faster, acted faster. Instead, all he could do was hesitate.
I can't fight like this. I'll only slow her down.
Gritting his teeth, he pushed himself up on shaky legs. He staggered toward Kazuki, deciding the only one he could help now was the old man.
Kazuki's face was pale. His azure eyes flickered open, weak but still glinting with an odd light. Thomas collapsed to his knees beside him, his hands hovering uselessly. He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came.
A nasty, deep wound pierced the left side of the warrior, the blade having gone clean through. The sight alone was enough to turn Thomas' stomach.
Kazuki's lips curved into a faint smile, his voice soft as he spoke.
Kazuki: Tell me, boy… you wouldn't happen to be Japanese, would you?
Thomas froze, dumbfounded by the dumb question. He stared at the old man, his confusion evident.
Thomas: Why… why does that matter?
Kazuki chuckled weakly, his chest heaving with the effort. The sound was strained but unmistakable, his amusement entirely unbothered by his condition.
Kazuki: Answer the question bocchan. Are you?
Thomas hesitated, his brow furrowing.
Thomas: My… my parents were. But I… I didn't… grow up there.
Kazuki's chuckles grew louder, turning into an uncontrollable laugh that made his body tremble. It was almost surreal, given the gaping wound in his chest.
Kazuki: Kakaka… how ironic. Of all the people, it had to be you…
Thomas' confusion grew, his hands hovering over Kazuki's wound. He wanted to press, to ask what the old man meant, but Kazuki's expression shifted.
Kazuki: There's no time to waste. Before the caller comes to drag this old man away, you need to act.
Thomas blinked, his breath hitching.
Thomas: What are you—talking about? You're bleeding out! We need to stop the—
Kazuki interrupted.
Kazuki: Forget that! Grab Tengoku. Reach into that soul of yours, and don't question it.
Thomas froze, his body stiffening as his mind tried to process the command.
Tengoku?
His gaze flicked to the dark katana lying at Kazuki's side, its hilt slick with blood.
Thomas: Why would I—I need to—
Kazuki's hand shot out, grabbing Thomas' wrist with surprising strength. His azure eyes locked onto Thomas', blazing with an intensity that left no room for argument.
Kazuki: Do it, bocchan. One last time… help me.
The words hit Thomas, sinking deep into his chest. He stared into Kazuki's eyes, searching for any sign of doubt, but found none.
Slowly, he nodded.
His bloodied hand reached for the katana, his fingers trembling as they wrapped around the hilt. The blade was cold, and the moment he touched it, the space around him shifted.
Thomas' breathing slowed, his heart pounding in his ears as he waited. Then, without warning, a pull yanked at his very being.
His vision blurred, the world around him dissolving into a swirling mass of light and shadow. His body felt weightless as his consciousness slipped from its tether. He tried to cry out, but no sound came.
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Thomas blinked, his eyes adjusting to the dim light of the space around him.
A temple?
The architecture of Thomas' surroundings looked like they might have been inspired by some sort of temple, but the grand designs etched into the walls and the polished furniture shifted his thinking.
His eyes roamed over the sweeping arches, the latticework on the sliding doors, and the golden accents that reflected the light. The more he looked, the more he convinced himself.
A palace. A Japanese palace.
He had spent countless hours in his youth reading through books, documentaries, and anything he could get his hands on about Japanese history, after all, he came from Japanese ancestry.
The architecture, the traditional tatami mats, and the distinctly Japanese patterns carved into the wooden panels all matched what he'd studied.
This has to be a Japanese palace.
He took in the details, but something about the space felt different. His body didn't ache. It didn't even feel tired. He glanced down at his hands and gasped softly. The cuts, bruises, and bullet wound that had been there moments ago were gone. His skin was unmarked, clean, and flawless. Even his broken bones felt whole again.
What the hell?
He flexed his fingers experimentally, as if expecting the pain to return, but nothing happened. For a moment, he was frozen, his thoughts spiraling as he tried to piece together how something like this was even possible. Before he could find an answer, a loud hiss of breath startled him.
Thomas yelped, spinning around. His legs gave out beneath him as he stumbled back, landing hard on the smooth wooden floor.
His heart pounded in his chest as he looked up—straight into the piercing, glowing eyes of the massive azure dragon.
The creature loomed above him, its body coiling elegantly through the air as if gravity meant nothing to it. Its shimmering blue scales glinted like gemstones, each one perfectly shaped and aligned.
Long, curved whiskers flowed from its snout, and its mane, a deeper shade of blue, rippled like water. Its talons were sharp and menacing, its serpentine body stretching endlessly into the shadows above.
It was a beast straight out of mythology.
Thomas scrambled back, breathing heavily.
The dragon's gaze bore into him. Thomas struggled to breathe, his body trembling as he tried to process what he was seeing.
This can't be real. This can't—
Kazuki: Relax, boy. What you're seeing isn't the physical world.
Thomas froze. His eyes darted around, but Kazuki was nowhere to be seen. The dragon didn't move, but its gaze remained locked on him.
Thomas: Old man?! Where are you? What is this?
Kazuki's voice came again, steady and reassuring.
Kazuki: Be calm, this is the power of Tengoku. Your soul has been transported here because you touched my blade.
Thomas blinked, his breath hitching. He stared back at the dragon.
Thomas: T-Tengoku? That doesn't make much sense does it?
Kazuki chuckled softly, the sound echoing in Thomas' head.
Kazuki: It's not supposed to make sense, bocchan. You're in the metaphysical space of my soul, connected to it through Tengoku. What you see around you, is a representation of my soul.
Thomas: This… is your soul?
Kazuki: That's right. I've brought your soul here to communicate.
Thomas' head swam, his breathing uneven as he tried to piece everything together.
Thomas: So, because I touched your katana, my soul… left my body? And now I'm in your soul?
Kazuki: Exactly. Took you long enough to catch on.
Thomas groaned, running a hand through his hair.
Thomas: How the hell could I have caught on any faster you geezer.
The massive azure dragon tilted its colossal head. Its glowing, unblinking eyes bore into him, sending an involuntary shiver down Thomas' spine.
It was unnerving, but he forced himself to his feet. Kazuki didn't respond immediately, leaving the silence to press down on him like the weight of the dragon's gaze.
Thomas huffed, crossing his arms. He inhaled deeply, trying to shove his panic aside. His head was swimming with questions, but he knew better than to let them overwhelm him.
Focus.
If this really was Kazuki's soul or whatever nonsense he was spouting, then he'd have to work with what he had.
Thomas: Alright. Let's start small. I'm gonna need a new and improved rundown of our situation.
Kazuki's voice returned, calm but with an edge of urgency.
Kazuki: We don't have much time, boy. This space will only last five minutes before time in the outside world starts moving again.
Thomas blinked.
Thomas: Time starts moving again? Like… everything outside is just frozen? So Grace and Orion are in time-out while we're having this chat?
Kazuki: More or less.
Thomas nodded, processing it. The pause was comforting, but the ticking clock wasn't.
Kazuki: I can't explain everything. There's too much to cover. But I'll explain what I can.
Thomas: Fine. Let's start with Astrals. Grace gave me the SparkNotes version earlier, but seeing Orion fight... he's something else.
Kazuki's tone grew heavier.
Kazuki: As Grace explained, Astrals embody universal forces—elements, laws, materials, concepts. Each Astral is unique, and its abilities reflect the nature of the force it represents.
Thomas frowned, his brow furrowing in confusion.
Thomas: Yeah, but Orion isn't just some guy throwing fireballs or rearranging furniture. He's a damn monster. What kind of force turns someone into that?
He shuddered, his body remembering the pain of Orion's strength. The force behind each blow had been terrifying, and the speed and endurance Orion displayed were beyond human.
Kazuki: Orion… I've fought him before. A long time ago. In fact, he's the one who hunted me down, forcing the little miss and I to guard Stager.
Kazuki: He holds a unique title in Obsidian, a hunter, no…The Scorpion Hunter he calls himself. He defeated me back then, though I never discovered the true nature of his Astral ability.
Thomas blinked, stunned.
Thomas: You fought him before? And lost?
Kazuki chuckled softly.
Kazuki: I'm not invincible, bocchan. Whatever Orion's Astral is, it amplifies his energy output—strength, speed, endurance. It's why he can continue fighting after mortal wounds and heal so quickly.
Thomas let out a sharp breath, the weight of Kazuki's words sinking in.
Thomas: Great. So he's a raid boss. Love that for us.
Kazuki: It's worse. When I fought him, he didn't have the katana he wields now. That weapon—Yìshí—is stolen. It's a weapon containing the Astral of Guilt.
Thomas froze, his thoughts grinding to a halt.
Thomas: A katana can have an Astral? I thought Grace said Astrals needed a body to interact with the world.
Kazuki's tone remained steady as he explained.
Kazuki: A body doesn't need to be living. An Astral can inhabit a space or object as long as it has a contract with a living soul. That's how Tengoku works. The Astral of The Soul resides within my katana, passed down from generation to generation in my family, each successor forming a new contract.
Thomas groaned, dragging his hands down his face.
Thomas: So an Astral can be stored like… a Pokemon?
Kazuki laughed, the sound filling the space.
Kazuki: Kakakaka! If that helps you remember, sure.
Thomas sighed, his frustration mounting.
Thomas: Alright let's make sense of this then. Orion's got Yìshí, which lets him use the Astral of Guilt. That's part of why he's so bloody unstoppable. Probably something to do with Obsidian, right? They sent him after us because of me and Claire interfering with Stager.
Kazuki didn't interrupt, letting Thomas continue piecing it together.
Thomas: They didn't want me and Claire meeting up with Stager because of his connections to Obsidian, and probably Heartson as well. Obsidian's trying to silence him and anyone connected to him. And if Mason's black flames are tied to an Astral, then Obsidian probably wants that Astral for themselves. That's probably why The Scorpion Hunter, those Astral beasts, and those businessmen were all sent here, to clear out anyone who could come in contact with Stager before he ends up leaking something.
The azure dragon's eyes bore into Thomas once again. The silence that followed made Thomas shift uncomfortably.
Thomas: What? Why are you looking at me like that?
Suddenly, the dragon burst into laughter, booming sound reverberating through the space. Kazuki's voice followed.
Kazuki: Kakakaka! You've got it, boy. Your intuition's sharper than you think. In fact, you've helped me make more sense of this too.
Thomas blinked, caught off guard.
Thomas: I helped you? Isn't that backwards? You're supposed to be the wise old mentor here.
Kazuki's tone shifted, growing resolute.
Kazuki: If that's the case, then the next step is obvious.
Thomas: Next step?
Kazuki: Before these five minutes are up, you're gonna form a contract with Tengoku, becoming the next successor of the Astral of The Soul. That's what I've decided bocchan!