A single drop of sweat moved across Metsuhais forehead. He was concentrating hard, his hand reaching out forward, the palm aimed up at the sky. Above it a large yellow energy ball hovered, vibrating from time to time. Its diameter was a bit above the meter.
Roteah appeared from around the corner, walking casually. Metsuhai couldn't believe his eyes, shocked. His energy ball flew away, crushing into Tsukiyamas buildings wall. Smashing it to pieces with a powerful blast.
Metsuhai and Roteah pointed their fingers at each other simultaneously.
"You killed my friend!"
"You killed my only friend!"
Metsuhai and Roteah drew their swords simultaneously, both raging, ready to tear each other to pieces. Tsukiyama materialized out of nowhere standing between them but in a distance, almost like a judge of a martial arts tournament.
"Now now children. No need to get violent."
Raging Metsuhai glanced back and forth at Tsukiyama and Roteah.
"This is Roteah –chan," commented Tsukiyama, "I see you two already met…"
Metsuhai was raging in fury. Clenching his fists hard.
"…Roteah-chan is my latest acquisition. He will be my student and your sparring partner. In time you will learn to coexist. This is not negotiable."
Roteah and Metsuhai drilled each others eyes with unending hate.
"Tsukiyama sensei, are you absolutely sure?" asked Metsuhai, speaking slowly and emphasizing every word. "Enough. My decision is final. Now let's get to the training."
Metsuhai ran up the stairs (a stamina exercise). I won't let that mean fiend become stronger than me. Elsewhere Roteah was hitting an armored steel punching bag fiercely. As he regained his breath he was thinking out-loud. I will not let that bastard Metsuhai stay my senpai for long. I will surpass him. Tsukiyama was sitting comfortably and drinking lemonade. Roteahs chan mere presence alone affects Metsuhai, making them both work harder. Brilliant move Tsukiyama.
Metsuhai fiercely fenced with his sword, practicing his moves in the air. Roteah was wrestling the crusher and surprisingly winning. As Roteah viciously twists the crushers arm radically, threatening to brake it, the crusher spoke "I am Brakanier of the red fist, it's a great honor to fight the barons son, beyond description… and by the way, it seems you win again."
Now Metsuhai was in deep meditation or at least he was supposed to be. Sitting on a rooftop with his eyes closed and legs crossed. Thin layer of gentle looking aura covered his body, giving his features a surrounding glow. It was the middle of the afternoon, and the heat was strong. Tsukiyama chose this time and place deliberately to make concentrating on meditation harder. But there was something else drawing away Metsuhais attention.
While I'm out here, working myself to death that inferno kid is relaxing and having fun, and I still don't know if I could stay ahead, if I ever was… Why did Tsukiyama accept him, I only came to train here in first place so I can kill the bastard.
Down below Roteah just finished watching on a wide-screen TV the Hellboy movie seated into a comfortable couch. It was the part telling "it's not how you start that makes you who you are, but how you end" He was crying from excitement.
"This was the best movie I ever seen," Roteah admitted, his voice reveling the depth of his emotions, "I barely ever got to see movies, but this is something else!"
Tsukiyama however answered calmly. "Let's head to the dining room and continue your philosophy education."
As the two sat together around a circular-shaped table loaded with dusty books Tsukiyama said "Now let's discuss who you are."
Roteah looked down slightly. "I am a monster."
"No!... you are a demon, but… also you are a human. That's what makes you different. Let's say Brakanier is under my control, he is lusting to break free. Given the chance he'll like nothing more than sinking his teeth into my throat. This is as good as he'll ever be… You on the other hand have a choice. This is a gift that demons almost don't ever have."
"What choice is there with two horns on my head?"
"You have incredible natural talent, and the instinct to do battle. What if we divert this into a just cause… The thing is… it's not who you are, it's what you do that counts. So how about this kind of idea. Fighting evil using another kind of evil?!"
Roteah looked confused and almost innocent for a second "fighting evil with another kind of evil?"
"Put some thought into it. This session is over."
Later the same day, Metsuhai was still training on the roof, in this case weight-lifting. While I'm here busting my butt, sweating to death, that murderous fiend is having 'fun-training'. "He has to understand the good in this world" says Tsukiyama, "to know what he is fighting for," my ass! While I'm here working myself to no end, he does this.
Roteah was sitting on a comfortable sofa, eating a large cone of delicious ice cream, listening to Tsukiyama reading to him old childrens stories. Apparently they already went roller coaster riding together and even watched an MMA fight from the front row, right near the ring. And their 'training' plans didn't end there. They had concerts scheduled, horse riding and a water park visit planned. Metsuhai couldn't cheer himself up even with the thought that Roteah wasn't becoming stronger from all of this.
A while later, Roteah and Metsuhai stood in opposite sides of a small (but very sturdy) round ring. They stared at each other with clear hate. Tsukiyama however had a large smile all over his face. "It's important to stay in shape and work on the cardio. So I arranged a sparring session…"
I'm gonna tear him limb from limb! (Roteah)
The fiend is going down! (Metsuhai)
Tsukiyama stepped out of the ring. "Begin!"
Roteah sent his mighty right hook forward but Metsuhai was ready. In an instant he powered up (powerful white energy burning around him like a flame) and kicked Roteah back to a safe distance. Roteah charged again, barely blocking Metsuhais well aimed blow.
I already knew it, thought Metsuhai, but damn his skin is tough.
The two combatants moved like a storm, their arms, fists and kicks collided furiously in the air between them. Each blow sent a gust of wind. Their combination actually made Tsukiyamas kimono move. Finally Metsuhai went around Roteahs defense, sinking his fist into his stomach. Roterah countered with a kick to the body with his hoof. Both getting pushed back hard. Roteah, though felt the blow, regained his composure fast. It was Metsuhai who had to pull himself together after this smashing assault. "Enough!" Tsukiyama put his hand in the middle. I don't know how much more of this I could have taken, Metsuhai wondered, breathing hard, fighting him without using swords or offensive magic puts me at clear disadvantage. "We're done with the warm up. Let's get to our main course."
Tsukiyama turned to Metsuhai. "You are strong from the outside, but you must also be strong from the inside. Otherwise one day, a skilled opponent will use it against you…"
"…Roteah will possess you. You will let him in and then throw him out with your willpower as fast as possible."
"I never possessed anyone before…" Though he said that, Roteah had a mean smile across his face. Tsukiyama turned to Roteah. "Roteah, here's what you got to do. You are not to get thrown out. Also…When possessing, demons can mess up the insides of their victim. It affects the body and even more so the spirit. I forbid you messing him up. If you do, I will punish you with no mercy. You can start." Roteahs smile faded fast. This was the first time Tsukiyama threatened him.
Roteah approached Metsuhai with slow weary steps. Metsuhai made an effort to calm his breathing. The harder part was lowering his defenses (which went against his instincts and training) when Roteah put his hand inside him. It wasn't painful at first. Roteah got sucked in, his whole body disappearing into Metsuhai. A wave of nausea filled Metsuhai from head to toe. His sight changed, as if deemed, as if looking through obscure glass. A moment later, a mental image of his inner self being embraced by Roteah from his right. Roteah was sticking to his right shoulder, putting his claw covered arm around Metsuhais neck. Metsuhai couldn't figure out whether this image was real, whether it was outside or inside. It was confusing and terrifying. Finally Metsuhai remembered what's going on. "Get out of me!!!" Metsuhai put all his might and will into it. At first Roteahs body stretched, trying to keep his grip. Then he started to get dragged away, desperately clinging on. Metsuhai screamed. It felt like Roteah put small hooks inside Metsuhais body, holding on to his inner organs. Eventually, shouting with frustration, Metsuhai threw Roteah out. Both participants breathed hard, but it was clear Metsuhai suffered more. In fact, for Roteah this was somewhat entertaining.
"Good work Metsuhai, I know this isn't easy." Tsukiyama sent a stern look at Roteah. "I thought I was clear about not messing him up."
"I went easy on him!" Roteah justified himself, his voice a bit worried, his hands pointing to the sides. He was sincere.
…
Chizue moved fast, as she always did when on a mission outside the fort-city. She had her full battle uniform on, including the Wakasaki dangling on her belt and the many artifacts on her arms. He better be training hard. Chizue stopped, drawing her power-tracking pendulum. The pendulum stretched, guiding her to the right direction. Of course, calling Metsuhai about his precise location would have been simpler, but she wanted to surprise him, though not without conflicting emotion. You should have come to me in the capital, and not the other way around. Unpleasant doubts plagued Chizues mind and she barely paid attention to where she was heading. Soon enough she was inside a building. Before she managed to properly examine her surroundings, she was face to face with a crusher.
The crusher, just as surprised as Chizue welcomed her with a roar. A crusher?! In an instant Chizue drew her blade, taking her battle stance. "You leave Brakanyer alone!" Called out Metsuhais voice. Then Metsuhai realized "Chizue?!"
Metsuhai stood between Chizue and Brakanyer, spreading his arms to the sides. Chizues sword shook in her hands. "Why are you protecting a demon?!... Don't tell me you summoned him… This is beyond just violating the rules."
"His name is Brakanyer. Tsukiyama sensei summoned him and he is under control. He is my sparring partner."
Tsukiyama stepped out of the shadows. "I am not part of the order so those rules don't apply to me, princess. You are a guest in my house, so please act like one and put away that sword."
Metsuhai and Chizue exchanged a short look and she sheaved her sword. "My apologies," Chizue explained "I was acting on instinct, unaware of the details."
"Good female, nice composure," Brakanyer said with his deep voice, "No wonder you're fighting so fiercely, Metsuhai-sama."
"I'll leave you two alone." Tsukiyama nodded to Brakanyer and they left, going further into Tsukiyamas skyscraper.
"I've missed you." Metsuhai looked into Chizues eyes. Chizue turned her look away, her face a bit red. "Yet you never seem to find the time to visit." Metsuhai remembered vividly his last visit to the capital. For a moment he could almost hear the interrogators and smell the dog-shit. "I have been extremely preoccupied," said Metsuhai softly, "Every day I fight on the battlefield and train under strict discipline with no compromises. Frankly it's hard, but I am progressing in a pace I never thought possible. You of all people understand how important and precious this is."
"I don't know if I like this. You training under an outsider who summons demons."
"Sensei Tsukiyama may be strange, but he is a genius. He did save my life too."
Chizue sighed, changing the subject, "The two of us haven't had a chance to speak alone since you were cured." Now she looked right into Metsuhais eyes.
"I know, things did not work out. But now we have all the time to make up for this. I'm here to stay." Chizue smiled, looking beautiful as ever. "There is another reason I'm here," she explained "I have a mission I want to offer you."
"Well this is unusual."
"Yes… well, have you heard about The Armageddon Championship?"
"Not even close."
"Once every four years, during their celebration of independence, the Freedom Association organizes a grand fighting competition. The honor of their army as well as the Order of Sun and others depends on how their men perform. Or so many think. Many brave fighters lust for the fame and fortune the competition has to offer. The first three places receive impressive financial prizes too. This tournament is what we call The Armageddon Championship. It's time approaches fast. The tournament starts exactly a week from today."
"This sounds amazing. But what does it have to do with me? No way Ando allows me to wonder off."
"On the contrary. It's bigger than Ando. The higher-ups themselves wish for many strong warriors to participate. Usually someone from the Freedom Association wins, but if it were one of us to take first place, that person will probably be promoted to a higher rank. However, since many warriors want to participate, and most are needed here, participation is optional rather than mandatory. So you see, if you want to take part in it, Ando will not hold you back."
This is an amazing opportunity to test my new level of power. But…
"I find it strange to wield my sword against fellow humans when we are deep in war with demons. We may all have red blood in our veins but there is a difference. I don't want to kill anyone, surely not over some competition."
"Think of it as training and worry not. Killing your opponent on purpose is against the rules and will get the offender instantly disqualified. There were occasional deaths during the fights but it is quite rare. So although the fighting is quite real, it's not kill or be killed."
Metsuhai sank into thought.
"Your offer is very tempting. But I think I'm needed here. With the eclipse landing right on top of the competition I can't leave the battlefield just for my fame, even if the order has some interest in it."
"There are some things you don't know," began Chizue, "Let me try to convince you."
Metsuhai nodded and she continued. "Not everyone can participate. To avoid a diplomatic crisis between the order and the association, high officers and people in leadership positions are forbidden to participate. That means many of the competitors will be far below your level. Your official rank is low, yet your power fits a lieutenant if not a captain. You'll be one of the heavy canons, perhaps having a chance for the trophy. Your victory would bring honor to the order in general and specifically to the Arisu. There's more…"
Chizue is not yet aware of how much stronger I've become.
"…Despite the upcoming eclipse, there is actually a decline in demon activity. You haven't felt it yet since they have been sending you to the baddest fronts, but it's true. It is quiet peculiar since the enemy clearly know about the eclipse and the evil it brings. Whatever their inner reason is, I guess we're lucky. Most importantly, the first prize this time is not something that we can ignore. The legendary Stone of Chaos. A mighty artifact, an ancient gemstone from the dawn of history that possesses incredible power. Not studied to the end yet. But we do know it can do great things for good or for evil. Among other things whoever holds it becomes immortal as long as the stone stays in his lap. The Freedom Association foolishly and irresponsibly decided to offer it as prize. This is why I can't stand them… Just imagine what would happen if it falls to the wrong hands. Right now the competition is our first priority."
Chizue finished talking. From her look it was obvious she waited for Metsuhais reply.
"I'll do it. I'll take first place and bring the stone back to you as a gift. Ehh… if master Tsukiyama allows me to go."
…
Tsukiyama was sitting next to his round table, pouring hot boiling tea from his teapot. Metsuhai entered the room and bowed. Tsukiyama raised his gaze. Metsuhai began talking.
"Sensei, I have a big request. I wish to enter The Armageddon Championship. It starts a week from now, and while there I'll have to take a break from my training. It is important for me. Will you allow it?"
Metsuhai already expected a refusal. Tsukiyamas expression was impossible to read, and Metsuhai knew he is asking for a lot. It was bad enough he couldn't devout himself to training fully due to his order duties. Sure these were logical constraints, but Tsukiyama clearly would have wanted Metsuhais full attention.
"I shall agree on one condition…," Tsukiyama drew from his pocket an old red ribbon with a faded lightning on it "…this was the symbol of my teacher now it is my symbol, and yours. Wear it with honor."
"I shall wear it with pride!"