by G L Rathweg
His face went even more pale and his slit like eyes went wide as he stepped back and began to stutter while trying to explain the situation.
“Ah… you see… well, what had happened was…” Sin Seonbi stuttered, while looking around for some good answer to a tough question.
“Why was my disciple next to a Ki sucking unborn Kaiju under your tutelage Sin Seonbi? Where is my disciple now? What have you done?” I roared, standing up and walking slowly towards the Sannin. My voice getting louder and angrier with each question.
“No Dangun that is not what I meant. You see, the boy…” Sin Seonbi said, the words coming out rapidly as he held his hands up placatingly to me.
“What is that?” Mother asked.
I was about to show Sin Seonbi why I was the Celestial Emperor when my mother’s question grabbed my attention. I gave the Sannin one last look that promised this wasn’t over and turned to my mother. She was staring off into the horizon and pointing with one clawed paw, now in her half bear form. Her paw didn’t have fingers really so it took me a moment to find what she was pointing at. But when I did, a grin lit up across my face.
“That is my disciple.” I said, smiling widely as I watched the speck in the distance grow larger and larger as it approached.
“Dangun! Mother!” Hiro called, when he was close enough.
I waved back as I watched him come and saw that not only had he grown in power, but that he was riding a giant Celestial Lion. I turned my attention back to Sin Seonbi.
“We have a lot to talk about.” I said, my tone and glare promising much.
TRACK 18 – STRONGER – KANYE WEST
The journey from the resting place to the mountain top was pretty uneventful. Freak had filled up most of his Ki Soul after eating that doppelganger monster. The mountain itself was humongous and even flying up it took hours.
During our flight I scanned the area below us. Not only was it abound with all sorts of different monsters, there were many different types of dangerous terrain as well.
I saw acid lakes, quicksand traps, spider lairs, and that’s just a few. I had no doubt in my mind that if I had to traverse this mountainside on foot it would have been an exceedingly difficult ordeal. And that’s if I completed it at all. Luckily for me I had Freak, allowing us to fly on by and up to the top of the mountain. Where I saw Dangun, Mother, and the three Sannin. When we were close enough I saw Dangun, Mother, and the three Sannin. I urged Freak onward and began to shout and wave.
“Dangun! Mother!” I called, waving from Freak’s broad back.
A minute later, we landed in the center of the roof of the palace right next to everyone else.
“Welcome, Hiro. You have made it through your training and up the mountain trial. Or, at least, made it here. Well done.” Dangun said, a small smile on his face.
“Yeah, well done boy!” Kumwa cheered.
I smiled a bit embarrassed but prouder than anything.
“Now, tell us about this big guy and everything that happened.” Dangun said, coming to Freak’s side and patting him gently.
“This is Freak and he’s my best friend. He was my cat in the Human Realm and now we’re together here. It all started when you and Mother left me with the three Sannin…” I began, sliding down from Freak and then telling the whole story of everything that happened.
The end of my tale brought us to the present as we stood in front of a giant ovular portal of glowing grey energy. After I told the story Mother and Dangun had some choice words with Ja Cheongbi and Sin Seonbi. Kumwa, Freak, and I went to clean up and get ready to leave. Time was running short.
We needed to get back to the Human Realm and rescue Tiffany and my Grandma. It was crazy because I felt like a lifetime had gone by here, but the reality was it had only been less than a day in the Human Realm. Yet I had grown so much. With all the training I had and the bonding with Freak, I was now a First Stage Four Star White Soul.
My Ki Soul was larger and I had fighting techniques and the Lightning Step, not to mention a bad ass Celestial Lion pet slash best friend. I was totally going to fuck up Nick the Buffy wannabe and whoever else fucked with me or my family when I got back.
“…Hiro, hey boy!” Kumwa snapped, jogging me from my inner dialogue.
“What? Yeah, I’m here.” I replied, looking around a little bewildered.
“It’s time to go. Come give me a hug.” Mother said, giving me a kind look.
I walked over and hugged the big bear woman.
“Now, go destroy those who dare cross our family. You are now part of my family and we do not suffer disrespect. Kill them all.” She said, her voice low and dangerous as she let go of our hug.
I swallowed and nodded to the fierce matron and then turned to the three Sannin.
“Thank you, Ja Cheongbi, without your instruction I never would have learned Extreme Focus or the Tai Chi Chuan.” I said, bowing at the succubus like woman.
“Yes, yes, you are welcome boy. Come see me when you return so we can finish where we left off. I still want your Void energy.” She said, giving me a lascivious and cunning smile.
Mother reached an unbelievably long arm out and smacked the woman on the head, earning a scowl from Ja Cheongbi but that was it. She didn’t dare do more. The beautiful spirit woman just crossed her arms over her ample chest and looked away. I looked over at Gangta and gave her a big smile and wave.
“Bye Gangta you are still awesome!” I called, earning me a blush and a shake of her giant head.
I turned to Kumwa and we shared a brief man hug.
“You are going to go far boy. Come back and we can do some more training. Plus, Jecha took a liking to you.” Kumwa said, nodding to the giant frog.
“Ha! As if I’d like a human, but he’s not bad if you have to be around one.” Jecha said, gruffly.
“Thanks, you big toad, I’m going to miss you too.” I said, playfully.
This earned a laugh from Kumwa and me then I turned to Sin Seonbi and Eopsin.
“I have nothing to say to you boy.” Sin Seonbi hissed.
“I know you didn’t intend for Freak and me to reunite, but if it wasn’t for you it never would have happened. So, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Freak and I owe you a debt of gratitude.” I said, bowing respectfully to them and then turning back to Dangun and Mother.
“We have just enough time if we head back now. Are you ready Hiro?” Dangun asked.
“We’re ready.” I replied, placing a hand on Freak who nodded as well.
“Then let us go. Goodbye Mother.” Dangun said, then motioned to me and we locked hands.
“Goodbye everyone!” I called over my shoulder, and then the three of us leaped into the swirling grey portal.
BACK IN THE HUMAN REALM…
“So, we have a deal right? We never, ever, ever talk about what we saw at Ms. Parker’s right?” Dave said, his voice the shocked tone of a trauma survivor.
“Mmhmm.” Steve replied, his tone the same as Dave’s.
“Turn the water up hotter. I need to burn this feeling off.” Dave said.
Steve complied turning the already scalding hot water even hotter in the shower. The two were in Hiro’s body taking a shower after having completed the training and waiting for Dangun and Hiro to return. A flash of light blinded them in the shower and suddenly they were sitting in Hiro’s Ki Soul along with Hiro, Dangun, and a giant Celestial Lion.
“Hey guys! How’s it going?” I said, with a wave.
“Hiro! Dangun! You’re back!” Dave cried, rushing over and giving me a big hug.
Although Steve didn’t say anything the relief was evident in his smile and tired wave, not to mention the way he fell to his knees. I shared a look with Dangun and Freak who shrugged in return.
“Ok buddy, it’s ok, everything is going to be alright.” I said, patting the Loyalty version of me on the back.
“There is no more time for this. Did the two of you complete the training?” Dangun asked, his tone
serious.
Steve stood up and Dave went to his side, both bowing to Dangun.
“Yes, Celestial Emperor the training is complete. Hiro’s physical body has been improved in both strength, speed, stamina, durability, and agility.” Dave said, his voice serious for once.
Steve just nodded in the positive.
“Good, it is time to move on. Hiro it is time to go back to your body. You two go back to the Spirit Realm.” Dangun commanded.
“Umm, can we stay here? I mean, we have kind of started to like it here.” Dave asked, tentatively.
Steve nodded quickly in agreement.
Dangun raised an eyebrow, giving them a scrutinous look before turning to me.
“It is up to you Hiro. It is your Ki Soul and inner self. Hurry and decide we must move.” He said.
I thought about it for a moment and shrugged. They seemed like good dudes and they did help me out a lot if what they said about my body was true.
“Yeah, it’s fine with me just don’t fuck anything up guys.” I said.
“Thanks Hiro!” Dave said, with a cheer and Steve gave me the thumbs up.
“Now that that is settled, go and prepare yourself Hiro.” Dangun said.
“What about Freak?” I asked
“My gods if it is not one thing it’s another. Take the Celestial Lion with you just know his form will be different in the Human Realm. You have ten minutes before we must leave. I need to prepare a few things. Steve, Dave you come with me.” Dangun said, pointing to the two versions of me and disappearing with a pop.
I looked at Freak shared a shrug then opened my eyes back in my body for what felt like the first time in an eternity. It felt great and I hadn’t realized how much I missed my physical form while I was in the Spirit Realm. That was the first thing I noticed. The second was a mewling Freak, which didn’t sound like him at all. The third realization was that I was currently in a shower that was spraying water that was as hot as liquid fucking lava.
“Fuck!” I screamed, then pain blossomed on top of my head, that wasn’t the burning hot water.
I lost my balance as I flailed around in panicked pain. My antics led me to the exit of the shower, a loosely hung shower curtain. I proceeded to take out the foe with extreme prejudice. I continued my assault all the way to the tile floor where I finally lost the battle. It was there prone, soaking wet, and hurting in dozens of places, some that I won’t mention, that I met my buddy Freak in the Human Realm for the second first time.
The mewling from before had been him and instead of a massive glowing white lion like he was in the Spirit Realm he was a teeny tiny little kittycat sized Freak. I couldn’t help it and began laughing at my soaking wet little friend. This pissed him off and he stopped mewling. Freak gave me a hiss and a smack in the face with his tiny paw, then turned and stalked away, soaking wet tail held high. I couldn’t help it and began another round of laughing before brushing myself and getting up. It was time to get ready.
I grabbed a towel and dried off noticing that my body had taken no damage in my fall and cat scuffle. As a matter of fact, I stared at myself impressed and studied all the changes in my body and Ki Soul. I accessed my character sheet.
HIRO JONES
FOUR STAR FIRST STAGE WHITE SOUL
MARTIAL CULTIVATION STYLE – WAY OF THE VOID
LEVEL – 1 – DISCIPLE
EXPERIENCE – 453/1000
KI BAR – 400/400
ABILITIES – IRON WILL, TAI CHI CHUAN, PUGILISM, KI TRIPS, SUBAK, LIGHTNING STEP, HATHA YOGA PRADIPIKA
STR – 12
DEX – 14
WIS – 12
CON – 13
INT – 10
CHR – 16
LCK – 17
Student of the Ancient Celestial Emperor Dangun and beginner Cultivator of the Way of Void.
Before I left I developed the Iron Body skill. Due to Steve and Dave’s training the hardness factor had more than doubled. On top of that, my total pool of Ki had risen to four hundred now that I was a Four-Star White Soul.
Freak came back over and I toweled him dry, infusing some Ki in order to hurry the process. When I was done he meowed happily and took off to explore his new home, now glowing and burning with his own Ki energy. He was flying only after a few steps. I nodded, impressed at the little guy then turned back to my own task of dressing.
I was taller, more muscular, and just bigger in general now so my clothes weren’t going to cut it anymore. Thankfully, my grandma had saved some of my dad’s old clothes from when he was younger and he had been a big guy back then. I made my way upstairs to the attic and found the trunk she kept all his crap in and opened it up. The familiar anger and sadness welled up at him never being around and abandoning me with my evil stepmom and stepsiblings.
I choked it back and shook the feelings away. I was different now and it didn’t matter anymore. I looked through the different clothing options ignoring them all, until I found the perfect thing. A pure white Puma tracksuit with black etched outlines, circa 1970’s, was the one. I took it out and held the pants and jacket up with a wide grin. It looked like it would be just the right size.
I folded the items up and set them aside. I kept rifling through the chest until I found some knee high socks with four horizontal black stripes, a wife-hugger, and some Chuck Taylor’s. The Chuck D’s were so clean and fresh that my first thought was that these could not have been my dad’s. But they were here, so it showed at least he had good taste. I grabbed all the items and headed back down to my lair and finished dressing.
I was standing in front of my dresser mirror, having put on everything but the track jacket. I set my hair up in a samurai style topknot. I was fingering the dragon pendant that had started this whole thing. With my touch the pendant started to transform right before my eyes. It changed colors to white and then bone white with four black stars equidistant on its face.
“The Moon Jade reflects your current skill level now that you are back in the Human Realm. It must have finally acclimated and assessed your power. Are you ready to go?” Dangun asked, appearing behind me in the mirror.
I resisted the urge to jump, not wanting to give him the satisfaction and tucked the pendant under my shirt. I grabbed my jacket and put it on, then gave Dangun a nod after zipping it up.
“Come on Freak, we’ve got some demons to slay.” I called out.
The tiny lion had been sleeping on the bed. When I called, he perked up and flew over to me, landing deftly on shoulder with a teeny roar.
“Ready.” I said.
Dangun rolled his eyes but didn’t say anything and pointed to the garage.
“Good, you’re driving.” He said, with a grin.
And I immediately deflated.
And so it was. The Celestial Emperor, the small but mighty Ki kitty, and me rolled down I-95 at a safe sixty-five miles an hour in my grandma’s 1984 sky blue wood paneled Dodge Caravan minivan. Dangun was sitting in the passenger seat head hanging out the window with Freak on his shoulder like a dog. Even though he was noncorporeal he still acted like he wasn’t.
“I’ve been wanting to ride in a car for so long.” He said cheerily, bringing his head back inside the minivan.
“Yes, well I’m glad you are having fun. I mean you couldn’t have picked anything less cool for us to go hunting demons in than this.” I growled, feeling super fucking dorky.
“Get off here. Stop being such a baby this is called camouflage boy they won’t suspect us in this baby mobile as you called it.” Dangun said, pointing to an offramp.
I cut the wheel across four lanes of traffic to make the off ramp to a chorus of honking horns and shouts. Once off the exit I realized where we were. Exit 98 was a well-known location on the outskirts of Orlando. The notoriety came from a huge building that was abandoned during construction decades ago, during the housing crash of the 2000’s. Coincidentally, that was where Dangun took us.
“You have got to be shitting me.” I said softly, as
we rolled to a stop a few streets away from the famous landmark.
“Do you know this place?” Dangun asked.
“Yeah, everyone from the area does. It’s kind of infamous in that they have never finished construction and it’s been abandoned for so long. It’s on YouTube and everything.” I said.
“That makes sense. Wiman would have cast a glamour over it so that normal people wouldn’t see it as finished. Hiding in plain sight is an old tactic.” Dangun said, with a knowing nod.
“What do you mean finished, I’m looking at it right now and no one is there and its black as night with no lights on. The construction is clearly unfinished and even I can tell the place has been abandoned forever.” I said, incredulousness in my voice.
“Look with your mind’s eye boy, are you stupid once again now that we’re back in the Human Realm?” Dangun said, his sentiment echoed by my little Freak.
I did so sheepishly and the area lit up before me. One second it was an old abandoned building and the next it was a fully-lit, completely finished compound. With people guarding the front and in all the lit windows.
“Holy shit man that place is a beehive.” I exclaimed, genuinely surprised.
“Yes, there are many more enemies than I anticipated but good thing for us they are mostly weaklings. As is their custom, the further up we go in the building the stronger the demons will get. That is how their structure works.” Dangun explained.
“And let me guess my grandma and Tiffany are up at the top with Wiman.” I said, deadpanned.
After returning from the Spirit Realm my Ki sense had lessened considerably. While I could sense strong Ki in a general location, we needed to rely on Dangun for more precise directions. His superior Ki control and Ki sense had led us here. Now he said that we had to fight our way up to the top of the building. How freaking classic video game was this.
“Well, we never thought it’d be easy. So, what’s the plan? Should we sneak our way up and try to make it stealthily Metal Gear style to the top?” I asked, studying the building as best I could with my limited senses.
