Thomas: Form a contract? With your katana? Is this another riddle I'm supposed to figure out?
The massive azure dragon—shifted slightly. Its glowing eyes remained locked on Thomas. Despite its towering frame, the presence wasn't hostile. Kazuki's voice rang out again.
Kazuki: I mean exactly what I say, bocchan. Tengoku holds the Astral of The Soul. It needs a successor. I need you to become my successor.
Thomas groaned, dragging his hands down his face. His voice cracked with frustration.
Thomas: Every time you explain something, it just leads to more questions. Why me? Why now? What do you need a successor for?
The dragon's form shifted slightly, its glowing eyes narrowing. Kazuki's tone turned resolute.
Kazuki: Astrals don't flow freely. Their power depends on their wielder. The mind, body, and soul must work in tandem, or the Astral's power remains dormant.
The azure dragon coiled closer.
Kazuki: Your soul is compatible with Tengoku. I saw it the moment we met. Your willpower, your ability to endure—today you've proved without a shadow of a doubt that you have the mental willpower to wield Tengoku.
Thomas opened his mouth, but the words stuck. He stared at the dragon, his thoughts racing. Finally, he managed to speak.
Thomas: But it's your katana. You've used it for years. Why would you just… give it up?
Kazuki: Every generation has its time, and mine is coming to an end.
The dragon's tail flicked, sending ripples through the air.
Kazuki: Your generation, on the other hand, is just starting. Tengoku needs someone who can carry it's will forward.
Thomas tried to argue, but Kazuki cut him off.
Kazuki: And this isn't up for debate. You're taking it. You know that don't you?
The bluntness left Thomas stunned.
Thomas: You can't just decide that!
Kazuki's laughter rumbled again.
Kazuki: This isn't about my decision. Inside this space, I see your soul. I see your memories, your struggles, and your desires. Whether you know it or not, you've already decided. In order to get what you want, this is what you need.
Thomas opened his mouth to argue, but Kazuki pressed on, his voice steady but firm.
Kazuki: You've felt it, haven't you? That wall. That limit. It isn't enough. Not as you are now.
Thomas froze.
Cromley. Margarett. Kazuki.
Every step so far had been a series of failures.
His goals, his idealism, his thoughts towards saving others without sacrifice, it was as Claire said, hoping to accomplish something like that was naive.
He hated how much truth Claire's words carried.
He didn't want to believe them, but he had only proved her right this entire time. A person like Thomas, a person who didn't wield any substantial strength, couldn't hope to save others without giving up anything.
But what if it didn't have to be that way?
What if he could go further?
His fists clenched at his sides, his nails biting into his palms. The thought burned inside him.
Kazuki's voice broke through his thoughts, softer this time but no less commanding.
Kazuki: You see the path forward too, don't you?
Thomas raised his head, meeting the dragon's gaze. For the first time, he didn't flinch. The two stared at each other in silence.
And then Kazuki's laughter echoed, breaking the tension.
Kazuki: Kakakaka! That's the look I was waiting for.
Thomas: What do I have to do?
The dragon tilted its head slightly, the glow of its eyes softening.
Kazuki: You must open your soul to Tengoku. Touch my soul, and the negotiations will begin.
Thomas nodded slowly.
He took a step forward, towards the dragon, which Thomas understood to be Kazuki's soul.
His hand hovered over its head for a moment, trembling slightly. Then, with a deep breath, he pressed his palm against the azure scales.
The moment his hand made contact, warmth surged through him.
And the world shifted.
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Everything spun. The palace, the dragon, the ground beneath his feet—it all dissolved into a whirl of light and motion. Thomas felt himself being pulled, tossed in every direction like a leaf caught in a storm. He couldn't tell if he was falling or floating, if he was moving forward or backward.
Then, just as suddenly, it stopped.
Thomas blinked, his vision clearing. He was standing in an endless white expanse. The space was blindingly bright, with no walls, no floor, no ceiling. It stretched infinitely in every direction, a vast, empty nothingness.
He glanced around, trying to make sense of his surroundings. The space offered no features to anchor him. It was disorienting, like floating in a dream.
Then he saw it.
A few feet away, something shimmered against the empty space. It wasn't a shape he recognized—not a person, not an object. It was a mass of orange light, shifting and pulsing like a living being.
Its edges blurred and rippled, refusing to settle into a fixed form. It was neither fully solid nor fully intangible.
Thomas stared, his breath hitching. His instincts told him to be cautious, but the light didn't feel threatening. If anything, it felt… aware.
It was watching him.
He hesitated for a moment, his instincts urging caution, but he shook his head.
No time to waste.
Taking a breath, he stepped closer to the entity. The closer he got, the more he felt its awareness pressing against him.
When he stopped a few feet away, he raised his voice, cold sweat dripping down his neck.
Thomas: Tengoku?
The orange light stilled, its shifting body halting abruptly. Then, it began to rise, its form stretching until it towered over him. Thomas took an instinctive step back as the entity seemed to lean forward, peering down at him.
A voice, unlike any he had heard before, filled his mind. It was not loud, but it resonated deeply, as though it were speaking directly to his soul.
???: No.
Thomas blinked, his mind scrambling for a response. He smacked his forehead with a groan, realizing his mistake.
Thomas: Right. Of course. Tengoku's the katana, not you. Sorry about that.
He lowered his hand, looking up at the entity with a sheepish grin that quickly faded.
Thomas: So, if you're not Tengoku, then you must be… the Astral of The Soul, right?
The entity didn't respond. Thomas waited a moment before clearing his throat and pressing on.
Thomas: I was sent here by Kazuki, I think. I've come to form a contract with you. I'm not—strong—not on my own. My performance against Orion pretty much proves that. I'm not enough to save Mason Heartson.
Thomas looked down at his feet.
Thomas: The human, Thomas Martin is… inadequate. I'm not enough to achieve the things I want. So, If I could change that. If I could become more than just, Thomas Martin…
He paused, letting the words hang in the empty space.
Still, the Astral said nothing. Its silence was deafening, and Thomas began to wonder if he had said something wrong.
But the silence broke as the voice returned.
Astral: And what would you give up to achieve that selfish goal of yours?
Thomas froze. He felt his pulse quicken, but he clenched his fists, forcing himself to meet the entity's unwavering presence.
Thomas: Everything.
The orange mass shimmered, its edges rippling like water. The sound wasn't audible, but Thomas felt it—a deep amusement that made his skin prickle. He opened his mouth to speak again, but the voice cut him off.
Astral: Then it's fine. If you pour all of your will into me, then it is fine indeed. But…
The orange light pulsed, leaning closer.
Astral: The connection between will and power demands honesty. If you are not truthful about your purpose, this contract will mean nothing. You know exactly what I'm talking about do you not?
Thomas scowled, his fists tightening at his sides. The Astral could see his soul, his memories.
It knew, better than anyone, the selfish purpose Thomas hung so dearly to.
Thomas nodded, expressing his understanding to The Astral's words, and The Astral seemed satisfied as well, it's form shimmering and shrinking until it was on the same height as Thomas.
Astral: One last agreement must be made before the contract is sealed. A promise.
Thomas raised an eyebrow but said nothing, waiting for the Astral to continue.
Astral: In less than a minute, you will return to the physical world. When you do so, Kazuki Matsushita will die from his wound.
Thomas's scowl deepened. He clenched his fists, his voice sharp.
Thomas: Even with your power, there's nothing I can do to save him?
The Astral pulsed faintly.
Astral: Nothing.
Thomas's breath hitched, but he didn't let his voice waver.
Astral: When Kazuki dies, you will take up the Astral of The Soul in its entirety, becoming its successor. In doing so, you will fulfill one final request—Kazuki's wish. You will protect Grace Matsushita from all harm, no matter the cost, even if it means sacrificing your own life.
Thomas opened his mouth, but the Astral continued.
Astral: Understand this: this request is Kazuki's, not mine. It will not be bound by our contract, but it is to be fulfilled nonetheless. That is Kazuki's wish. A wish that requires your promise—
Before the Astral could finish, Thomas shook his head, cutting it off.
Thomas: That dumbass.
He smiled, crossing his arms and smiling, staring straight at the orange blob who shimmered wildly now.
Thomas: That old bastard should know, he doesn't need to make senseless requests like that. I'll protect Grace anyway. That's a promise I've already made.
The Astral was silent for a moment, as if considering his words. Then, a shape began to form within the orange mass—a hand, human-like but glowing with the same energy as the rest of its body. It extended the hand toward Thomas.
Astral: Then the contract is sealed.
Thomas stepped forward, his heart pounding in his chest. He raised his hand, gripping the Astral's hand firmly. The moment their hands met, the white expanse around him began to shimmer and dissolve.
A surge of energy rushed through him, filling every corner of his being. He felt his soul expand, stretching to accommodate the weight of the power he had accepted.
The power to save everyone.
The power to achieve his purpose.
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Grace grunted as Orion's katana slammed against her wooden sword, knocking her off balance.
She wasn't an expert swordsman, not by any means, and Orion's superior speed, power and skill were enough to knock her around.
She stumbled back, her grip slipping as the vibrations traveled up her arms.
Orion didn't relent. His katana came down, forcing her to dive and roll out of the way. The blade struck the rooftop with a crack, splitting the surface as if it were paper.
Panting, Grace scrambled to her feet, her green eyes burning fiercely.
Grace: ALPHA REVERSION!
Her weapon shifted in her hands, the wooden sword expanding and reshaping into a massive hammer. With all her strength, she swung the hammer at Orion's massive frame.
Orion's reaction was swift. He sidestepped the attack, his katana swinging upward. Shadows writhed around the blade as it clashed with the hammer, sending Grace flying back. She hit the ground hard, skidding across the rooftop. The shadows lashed out, snaking toward her like tendrils.
Gritting her teeth, she raised her hammer and blew the shadows away with a swing. Her legs wobbled as she stood, breathing heavily with the large expenditure of energy. Her gaze locked on Orion, her eyes blazing.
Orion tilted his head, his lips curling into a cruel grin.
Orion: A gal with such feminine charm shouldn' be gettin' this worked up. If it's about the old man, why not save us both the trouble? Just die and meet 'im in hell—or wherever folks like ya end up. That kind of thing would save us both a load of hassle is what I think.
The tone in his voice made Grace's blood boil. She clenched her fists around the hammer's handle, her knuckles whitening. Her lips parted, and she let out a scream of pure rage.
Grace: ORION!
She charged at him, her feet pounding against the cracked rooftop. But Orion didn't move. He stood his ground, his katana held horizontally. The air around him began to shift, the shadows thickening as his gray eyes burned and blazed.
Grace's heart pounded as the space between them distorted, the sheer buildup of energy rippling outward. She tightened her grip, trying to calculate her next move.
Reversion… I need to use Reversion.
But there was nowhere to go. No point in time that would save her from the strike Orion was about to unleash.
Shadows coiled around Orion's blade.
He brought the katana down, the blade slamming into the rooftop. The force of the strike shattered the building, sending a shockwave in every direction. Shadows erupted, engulfing everything in their path. The ground beneath Grace crumbled, and she felt the air shift violently around her.
She closed her eyes, the world fading into darkness. Her thoughts slowed, her body loosening as she let herself fall.
At least… at least I'll see him again.
And for a moment, everything was quiet. Everything was okay.
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Her eyes flung open. The first thing she noticed was the rooftop—the wrong rooftop. She wasn't where she had been before. The building beneath her feet was intact, standing parallel to the one Orion had just obliterated.
She blinked in confusion, realizing she wasn't standing at all. Strong arms cradled her, holding her close. Slowly, she was lowered to the ground.
Her head tilted up, her vision still blurry, but the silhouette above her was unmistakable. Her lips parted as she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Grace: Kazuki…?
She shook her head, blinking rapidly to clear her vision. Her heart skipped at what stood above her.
His security guard uniform was torn, blood staining the fabric. One leg was broken, twisted slightly, and a hole tore straight through his palm.
His head was covered in cuts and bruises, his lips stained a terrible crimson red.
Wisps of smoke curled off his body, as if his form might combust at any second.
And in his hand, clenched firmly, was Tengoku.
The sword of the very heavens, held under his control.