In the midst of the forest, cricket noises all around, the silence was so profound that it seemed to fill the air. The moon's light hid behind the long trees, reflecting on the ground.
The presence of a dojo nearby was felt as a pathway appeared to be beside the area. This night felt quieter; even Kaien seemed to notice the density of the air around.
"..." He sat in a meditative state, while his back leaned on the same pillar he always meditated beside.
On the other side, Kuro and Yoshiru snoozed in deep sleep, unaware of the sudden changes in the air.
That is right, 1 week has passed while they kept training in hard motion. The existence of their sweat was noticeable. Though Normi's trainings were focused on her magic skills, they completely shared the same training vibes.
She sat on one side of the dojo, calmly reading a book Kaien gave her. Normi's hand froze mid-turn of a page. A feeling struck her; it was cold, sharp, and unfamiliar.
Suddenly, a voice passed through her brain.
You thought I wouldn't notice your hesitation, my little puppet? Her blood went cold, and the book fell from her hands.
The voice was pure steel clashing, almost destroying her brain. It continued,
"You've grown fond of them, haven't you? The devil, the dragon, the fool of a mentor."
Her eyes widened, "No..I-"
"Spare your excuses. The punishment for betrayal is simple." The annoying voice replied.
Kaien's eyes opened in a sudden hurry. "?!" Two caped entities appeared before her in an immediate second. Kaien was already standing behind them, "Oh..dare to come to my dojo without permission?"
He raised his finger toward them as black Reikonryoku rushed toward the tip of his finger, creating a black ball.
"Oppo, take care of him, it takes a second to teleport a person from place to place." One of the unknown caped entities who stood before Normi, while chains surrounded her.
"On it!!" The other one raised his right arm toward the sky, as Reikonryoku flashed all over the area, almost making the night into a day. "!" Kaien was blinded, while the Reikonryoku poured around the area, as it consumed the darkness around it, forcing Kuro and Yoshiru awake. The flash faded slowly, although Kaien saw there were no traces of Normi. "Ahh..i should've come the moment i noticed them." Kuro and Yoshiru were running toward the standing Kaien, "Where is Normi!" Yoshiru screamed as soon as he reached Kaien.
-
A kick was on its way toward Normi's face, ".." She immediately blocked the kick with both arms, being sent backward.
The area had completely changed; she was in the middle of an underground base.
"How about you come to your cell without any issues?" One of the caped men lowered his cape, taking off the hat on his head. Her eyes widened, "You..but why?"
They both removed their capes, showing their masks, "Remember us now..?"
The other one spoke, "Thanks to the lord, we can settle our debate now.."
Both of the entities in front seemed human, though their hearts were blinded.
Tai and Uai...the children of demons she thought, observing their eyes.
Tai appeared behind her and then said, "Remember when you made fun of us back then..?"
She turned around, lunging backward. "Why would i care to remember something like that..?"
Another voice was heard behind her, "That's right..but just a warning, we've got more stronger than the last time." A strike was sent at her back, sending her toward Tai.
Upon reaching Tai, he immediately punched her on the jaw, sending her upward. Then, both brothers jumped toward her, each one striking her on a part of her body. Afterward, Uai kicked her in the tip of her head, sending her falling to the ground.
She crawled, ending up on her knees. "Normi..don't tell me these weaklings softened you? Where is the old Human consumer, huh?" He stepped forward as Tai spoke, "If you don't take this seriously, i have to warn you again." They both said at the same time, "We have permission to demolish you from existence!" As those words spilled out, they laughed.
Normi stood up and raised her head toward them, "Then..that cost me to use my real style.."
She had already taken two gloves from her pocket and was wearing them.
"What can a loly lady do against our new powers?" Tai and Uai ran toward her at high speed.
"Let me show you what a lady can do then." She raised her hands upward as a katana appeared in her hand.
-
Back at the dojo. Kaien grabbed a note from the ground, "I see..the guy who kidnapped her is making a dirty move here.."
He then proceeded to read the note, "Location among the Yosha mountains." It had more details: "Returning is prohibited at this point. Consume or be consumed...Child of prophecy"
The paper turned to ashes after the last statement. "What could that mean.." Yoshiru stared at the ashes falling toward the ground.
"I see.." Kuro spoke as Kaien stood back up, "He doesn't want Normi.." Kuro said, being interrupted by Kaien, "He made his first move..? Should've expected it sooner."
"Do you know where its located?" Yoshiru asked Kaien, "Among the Yosha mountains, these mountains cannot be reached or researched by humans. Everyone believed there was a dimension of demons there." Continuing, "Though..i'm not sure who could be that guy..." Kaien thought for a second, "But Kuro, you're the main target here..so if we're going to those mountains, be careful not to be captured."
Suddenly, as they spoke, Roi confronted them. "What is all of this annoyance about?"
"Hey, Roi!" Kaien waved, "Yeah..i see what is happening here." Roi was about to continue while Kaien was trying to silence him, "She finally betrayed you all and showed her true colors..?"
"Betray us..?" Kuro asked.
"Welp, she worked for someone from the beginning..it's a long story, don't worry, she had no intention of evil inside of her. Just didn't follow some orders."
Kuro's head was lowered toward the ground, observing the leaves beneath. What's the deal..why would i be a target? do they see something in me i don't see?
Yoshiru put his hand on Kuro's shoulder, "Don't worry, Normi will be okay until we reach her."
"I'm certain that's not what i'm thinking about.." Kuro spoke, while Yoshiru, Roi, and Kaien already moved, walking toward the path.
"Yeah, thoughts don't matter as of right now, let's go there fast." Yoshiru said while walking, "THEN WAIT FOR ME!" Kuro followed.
-
The two brothers caught out to Normi, being parried by her katana and sent backward. She then burst toward them, and the two brothers landed on the wall behind, launching themselves against her.
A swing with two punches created a clash of steel, "Their hands are made of steel.." Another swing from her was met by the other 2 hands, this time creating a spark of lightened steel.
Normi was losing that clash slowly, being pushed back a little, "Can't you just know your place and bow underneath us?!" Uai spoke, hovering his leg to the right, sending a kick toward her left kidney. "R.." Blood splashed out of her mouth, "My chance!" Tai screamed while pushing her katana away, charging a punch.
"I will destroy this beautiful face!" He struck her jaw with a punch, leading her to be sent toward the ceiling. "Nope, the ceiling will be softer for you!" Uai appeared on the ceiling, taking a rotation forward, "360 Degree Reikon KICK!" Yellow Reikonryoku poured into his right leg as he launched his kick into her head.
As she fell, her mind drowned in pain and memory.
Why... why does it always have to be me?They slaughtered my family... forced a devil into me... and now I'm paying the price for a sin I never committed...
A single tear slipped down her cheek as the ground rushed closer.
She crashed into the ground, shaking the room. Tai and Uai appeared behind, "That was easy.."
As they turned around, a presence was felt behind them. A clash occurred behind. Normi's blade was filled with red mana, while her pupil was vanishing and returning.
"Never turn your back on a magic user.." Their leader, who stood holding Normi off. He then lowered his katana as she fell on her face due to the strikes she got on her head.
"What.." Tai, "I didn't feel her.." Uai.
"Are you two slow? There is no way a Reikonryoku user can sense a Magic user's mana." The shady leader then continued, "We're expecting intruders today. Report the success of the mission to our lord."
"Alright, on it." Both of the brothers disappeared.
-
Roi crossed his arms. "Yosha mountains, huh? That's not exactly a vacation spot."
"Is that the mountains..?" Yoshiru stood astonished by the view of the two Yosha mountains.
"To think about it..am i named after those mountains?" Yoshiru questioned, "No stupid, your name is Yoshiru, not Yosharu." Kuro answered immediately.
"Here, wear this. I'm expecting the base to be above those mountains." He handed them two necklaces. "The temperature tends to be cold above the Yosha mountains."
"Necklaces..? What can a necklace do in low temperatures?" Yoshiru asked Kaien.
"These necklaces are made with Reikonryoku, managing the temperature around the body by 1 stud, to make it something that a person can withstand." Roi answered as Kaien wore the necklace.
"I see... so Reikonryoku can even be used in creating accessories, that's also the same for the cape I'm wearing." Kuro took the necklaces and walked with them.
"I believe your cape is another subject; it has been injected by devil Reikonryoku. It has nothing to do with normal species Reikonryoku." Kaien stared at Kuro's cape.
"Wait..what is the difference between a devil's Reikonryoku and normal species like us?" Yoshiru asked.
"Complicated, actually, they tend to have other powers and skills and multipliers. They absorb dark colors, possess creatures. Born to corrupt and cause destruction, they never had any intentions of living in the first place, but were forced to." He continued, "I certainly don't know what the difference is, but i know there is a mysterious difference between them and other species."
"Anyway, i think we reached the base." A large metal door was seen in front of the group; the door looked like a town's fence.
Roi whistled low. "That's one big door for a bunch of demons trying to stay hidden."
"I think we'll be separated inside. Just be careful, this guy seems to have a strong subordinates" Kaien specified.
-
The two brothers kneeled before the masked man, as his eyes glared. "Notify everyone of the intruders at the door...never hold back against them." He then turned around. This is interesting..i never thought Kaien would help
"Understood, lord.."
-
Chapter End.