by Aaron Oster
This was a fight that was three hundred years in the making, and she wasn’t about to give up now. Not when she was this close!
***
Herald Duncan sped toward the gathering storm, his Core blazing with power as he fought back the dread washing over him. It wasn’t the other Sovereigns, or even the Scion that had him worried. Why would he worry about them when he knew the real danger, the one he’d fought to keep locked away?
He’d thought his son was dead and had long since mourned his passing, along with his wife’s. News that his son was still alive had been both a blessing and a curse, and now, he needed to reach that gathering point before things went too far.
The blood-red sphered thrummed within its silvery prison and Duncan felt just a bit more leak out. How he had missed this happening was beyond him, but all he could really do now was hope that he made it there in time. The Scion’s presence was troubling, and under normal circumstances, Herald Duncan would have waited until he was strong enough to be sure of a victory. However, desperate times called for more immediate action, and he was quite sure that it was a desperate time indeed.
43
Roy stood before the Scion as he unleashed his power, the massive wave of green seeming to wash away those of the Sovereigns’ in an instant. Wind whipped around them, spiraling Essence billowing up into the sky. He then watched as a Belt seemingly made of pure darkness appeared around the man’s waist.
Unlike all the other Belts he’d seen before, this Belt did not shine. It was as though the Belt was a void, pulling in all light. It was only once Roy saw that that he understood the real difference between a Black-Belt and all those that came before.
With other Martial Artists, he got a sense of wild strength, barely suppressed power just waiting to burst free. From this Martial Artist, though, all he got was a sense of dangerous calm. Every aspect of his being was in perfect control. From the way his Essence was tightly wrapped around him, to the astonishing calm of his aura. Even as the power of his Core blazed forth, threatening to crush all those in his presence, he was still in perfect control.
Yet despite the massive amount of power pouring forth from the Scion, as well as the blazing Cores of the other Sovereigns, Roy felt none of the expected pressure. In fact, while he did take note of, and was subsequently terrified of, the powers that were gathering, he found that both his body and spirit were quite steady.
The Scion cocked his head to one side as though trying to understand why Roy wasn’t reacting. The reason was quite simple, really — it was because he had no idea what he should be doing and was simply waiting for the Scion to make his move first.
“What? Nothing to say?” the older man finally asked.
“I don’t really have any idea what to say,” Roy said.
He had no idea what this man wanted from him, or why someone this powerful would take notice of a nobody who could barely be called a Martial Artist. Yet, here he was, facing down a man who felt like a natural disaster made in flesh. A natural disaster – he was sure – with the power to wipe this continent from existence.
“Come now,” the Scion said. “After countless centuries upon this world, surely someone of your power has something to say.”
Roy blinked in confusion, wondering if he’d heard the man correctly. Could he perhaps be talking to Geon? As far as he knew, though, no one had been able to. Well, except for Hermit. Maybe this Scion had that power as well?
“I must apologize, but I don’t think Geon really has much to say,” Roy replied. “Only I can talk to him, and he gets shy around other people.”
“I’m not shy! I just prefer to have you be my interpreter,” Geon said, sounding a little self-conscious.
“Geon?” the Scion asked. “Is that your name?”
“What? No. My name is Roy,” Roy replied, more confused than ever.
What did this Scion want from him, and why was he speaking so respectfully to a Green-Belt? Normally, he’d expect someone of his station to not even take notice, and, for his part, Roy would have been happy to be ignored. Gaining the attention of someone as powerful as a Scion was not something one would wish for.
“I am Komura,” the Scion said, bowing slightly at the waist. “If I may ask, why does someone of such esteem limit himself to a mere Purple?”
Roy’s eyes flicked down to discover that his Belt had once again transformed, now sitting a solid Purple around his waist and not looking like it was going to be changing back anytime soon.
“Geon, what’s going on?” he asked, doing his best not to let the panic show. “What does he want from me? And what in the world is an Eternal?”
“Well, I’d only heard rumors about this…You know, from back when I was a Dungeon. But I’m pretty sure that an Eternal is someone who’s managed to make it to the stage after Black-Belt and learned the nine techniques of the energy that is purer than Reiki.”
“Wait, there’s more? I thought Black was the highest!”
“Come on, Roy, Black isn’t the end. It is merely the beginning of a higher calling.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?!” Roy exclaimed.
He was sick of riddles and half-answers. For once, he just wanted a straight, easy to understand answer that wouldn’t just give him more questions.
“It means exactly what I said. You do realize that I have limits to my knowledge, right? We’re coming up against that as we speak. Grow a little more and my memories will be fully restored.”
Roy resisted the urge to sigh, turning his attention back to the Scion, who’d been patiently waiting while Roy had been conducting his silent conversation. It would probably do him no good to lie to someone of this power, so Roy simply decided to go with the truth.
“I think you may be mistaken,” Roy said. “I’m just a Green-Belt. I’m a nobody, and I was outcasted from the Herald clan as a child. Honestly, I didn’t even have a Core until last year. So, I don’t really have anything I can offer, especially to a Scion.”
Komura’s brows drew together as his eyes flicked first to Roy’s Belt, then back up to his face.
“I do not understand,” Komura said. “Is there some hidden message in your words? You speak the truth, of that much I am sure. Yet, the Belt around your waist is Purple, not Green. Your spirit is invisible, even to me, and you stand firm, despite my presence and that of the four Sovereigns gathered above.”
Roy’s eyes flicked up, taking note of the four figures standing in the air near the central box where the Inu Sovereign had been seated earlier. His attention had been so fixed on the Scion that he hadn’t even noticed their arrival.
Yet, there they stood. Three men and a woman, their expressions inscrutable.
He felt his heart soar at the sight of Hermit, standing there with his arms crossed at the 10th Dan Gray-Belt fluttering at his waist. Roy was astonished that the man had become so much stronger in such a short span, and he was sure his teacher had an incredible story to tell. To his left stood his sister, the Sovereign of the Itachi clan, Ikari. The 5th Dan Gray-Belt sat still upon hers. The woman’s eyes were narrowed, and she was all but glaring down at him as though it were somehow his fault she was here.
To Hermit’s right stood the Sovereign of the Inu clan, his 6th Dan Gray-Belt standing out much like the other others’. Standing on the far right, with an 11th Dan Gray-Belt at his waist and dressed in flowing robes of red and silver, was a man that Roy recognized, despite never having seen him before.
He recognized him because the man’s facial features were so very much like the ones he saw when he stared into the surface of a reflective pool or a looking glass. Of course, there were some differences. The man’s jawline was harder, his skin was a few shades darker, and the outline of his body much broader.
Roy could clearly make out the corded knots of muscle on his forearms and the massive strength that lay within. But more than that, Roy could sense something else. Not from the man himself, but rather, from something he carried along wi
th him. It was both familiar and foreign at the same time. It was comforting and terrifying, but for the first time in his life, Roy was looking upon his father. His real father.
The man simply stared back, his expression as inscrutable as the rest, not giving Roy any signs as to how he might be feeling right now. Truthfully, Roy wasn’t sure how to feel, but at the moment, he had bigger concerns to deal with.
“You do bear a striking resemblance to the Sovereign of the Herald clan,” Komura said. “But the fact that you’re so unfazed by all of this, when all other spirits are being crushed, is proof enough that you’re powerful.”
“None of the Sovereigns are falling,” Roy pointed out.
“That is because they are using Reiki,” Komura said. “But, you already knew that, so I don’t see your point.”
“Would you mind dialing it back a bit then?” Roy asked. “I have a friend back there, and I’d prefer it if she wouldn’t be crushed.”
If Marrie hadn’t been here, he would have simply allowed the others present to be smothered to death. He felt no pity for the people who’d come here to watch him die for sport, especially those who’d been betting on whether he’d live or die. But he’d promised Marrie he’d get her out of here safely, and if she were killed, he wouldn’t exactly be able to keep his word.
Komura’s eyebrows went up a fraction of an inch before understanding finally bloomed.
“Ah. So that is why you’ve been keeping your power suppressed,” he said, nodding to himself in satisfaction. “Very well. I will rein in my power, but only under one condition.”
“And what would that be?” Roy asked, feeling his unease beginning to grow.
“I would like a sparring match with you,” the Scion said. “Nothing serious, mind you. Only enough for me to perhaps glean even a spec of your wisdom.”
Roy did not want to fight a Scion. For one, there was no way he could hope to come close to even scratching the man. But the reality of fighting someone this powerful would likely mean his immediate and very messy end.
“You know, I don’t think a Green-Belt could offer much of a challenge to a Scion…” Roy began.
“Then we’ll stick to Purple,” Komura said.
The massive presence of the Scion vanished suddenly as the solid Black-Belt transformed, a bright, shining Purple spreading across its surface. The entire arena seemed to shudder as the Sovereigns eased off as well, reining in their Cores and allowing the people here to breathe once more. Still, none of them approached, remaining where they were.
“Why is Hermit just standing there?” Roy exclaimed, looking between the Scion and his teacher.
“How am I supposed to know?” Geon replied.
“I don’t care!” Roy snapped. “Just give me your best guess!”
He was terrified right now and just needed some sort of assurance that he’d be okay. Normally, Hermit’s presence would be calming, but with three other Sovereigns – none of whom he really knew – and a Scion here, he wasn’t feeling all that great.
“Well, I’d say that he probably didn’t want to get himself – and you – killed,” Geon replied. “You do remember that Scions are more powerful than Sovereigns, right? And if he, or any of the others, intervene, the Scion may very well just blow everything up. He’s probably just waiting for an opportunity to present itself.
“There. You happy now?”
“Not really,” Roy replied.
That was not to say that he didn’t feel a bit better, though. If Hermit really were waiting for the right opportunity, then maybe, by some miracle, he’d still make it out of this alive.
“Well, then. I have prepared myself,” Komura said. “Whenever you’re ready…”
Roy didn’t think he’d ever be ready, but he knew that if he didn’t make the opening move, the Scion would, and there was no way he’d survive that. So, taking a deep, shaking breath, Roy calmed his churning Qi and began reforming his cycling rhythm. All he needed to do was constantly stay on the attack and not give Komura a chance to even think about striking back.
Of course, that was easier said than done. But Roy knew that his one and only chance of making it out of here alive was giving this fight everything he had and more.
Here goes nothing, he thought, then slammed his fists together and activated his full-area technique.
44
To say that Hermit was shocked when he finally reached the arena and beheld the sight within would have been a gross understatement. He’d had no idea why a Scion would be coming here, but the very last reason he’d considered was that he’d come for Roy, of all people.
The second thing that had completely shocked him was the color of the Belt around Roy’s waist. When he’d last seen him, Roy had been a 1st Dan Orange-Belt. From what Aika had told him, he already knew that Roy had advanced to Green. He’d been expecting to see a Base or maybe 1st Dan Belt around his student’s waist. Roy’s Purple-Belt was so completely beyond unexpected that Hermit didn’t even know what to make of it.
“So, you’ve come to destroy my clan. I’m afraid you’re a bit late.”
Hermit turned as Inu Pelata, the Sovereign of the Inu clan, strode into the air to stand before him.
“I’m afraid you’ve got the wrong idea,” Hermit replied, composing his features and internalizing the shock. “I’m only here to retrieve my student,” he said, pointing to Roy.
Pelata’s brows furrowed as he looked between Hermit and Roy.
“I was unaware that the Sage of Ruin would take on a student,” he replied. “And if you really were coming to retrieve him, I don’t see why your sister would need to be involved.”
“She’s only chasing me because of an imagined grievance,” Hermit said. “And the Sage of Ruin is no longer among the living. My name is Hermit, and I am the Sovereign of Honor.”
Pelata’s eyebrows shot up at this as recognition of the name seemed to dawn in his eyes. Before the man could say anything, Ikari made her entrance.
“Kai, you bastard! How dare you steal from me?!”
“It’s lovely to see you, too,” Hermit said dryly. “I’m sorry to have interrupted the killing spree of your own people.”
“Ha!” retorted his sister. “That’s pretty rich, coming from you!”
“If I recall correctly, it was you who sent all those people after me, not the other way around. You knew full well that they stood no chance of winning, so their deaths are on your hands, not mine.”
Ikari was about to answer when the Scion unleashed his power. Hermit’s knees nearly buckled, the sheer force of his overwhelming might so colossal that it made theirs seem like pale imitations of the real thing.
The other Sovereigns reacted much the same, their faces going pale for an instant before they began reinforcing their limbs with Reiki.
“What interest does the Scion hold with my student?” Hermit asked, turning to face the two but not daring to intervene, lest Roy be killed.
“What do you mean?” Pelata asked. “That boy, as you put him, is an Eternal in disguise. It’s no wonder that a Scion would be interested in that!”
“An Eternal?” Hermit asked, vaguely recalling the term from one of the many books he’d read. “You mean someone who’s made it past Black-Belt?”
“Obviously,” Pelata said. “Just look at him. He isn’t even fazed by the Scion’s presence.”
“I hate to break it to you, but Roy is just a Green-Belt,” Hermit replied, although the Belt around his waist right now told a different story.
Pelata’s argument was also quite sound. Unlike when he and Ikari had faced one another back in Light City, Roy didn’t even seem to be feeling the pressure. He might even go so far as to say that Roy was relaxed. But it made no sense. Hermit knew how strong Roy was and knew that Roy was really was only a Green-Belt. Well, he had been one, as far as he was concerned. But the Belt around his waist and his current demeanor was disturbing. So much so, that even Ikari, with all her pent-up rage, wasn’t making a move
.
“What the hell kind of monster did you bring to our clan?” she demanded, glaring down at Roy.
“Watch your tone, Itachi,” a deep voice snapped. “That’s my son you’re badmouthing.”
All three Sovereigns turned as Herald Duncan, the most powerful Sovereign on the continent, appeared beside Pelata.
“I’d watch your tone, Herald,” Ikari snapped back. “You seem to be forgetting who you’re talking to!”
“No, I don’t think I have,” Herald Duncan replied smoothly.
“No. You can’t be telling the truth!”
Everyone turned to Pelata, who was staring at Roy in wide-eyed shock. The man well-remembered Granite’s report. The boy standing below had claimed to be both the student of a Sovereign named Hermit and the son of Herald Duncan, another Sovereign. He’d dismissed it as part of the Eternal’s story, but what if he’d been telling the truth?
“We’re all done for…” Pelata said, staring in horror at the scene unfolding below.
If the boy wasn’t an Eternal, then the Scion would crush him in an instant. Then, he’d grow angry that his time had been wasted, and who would he have to blame for that? But still, if the boy down below wasn’t an Eternal, then how was he not affected by the massive pressure all five of them were exuding, and why could his Core not be felt?
“Well, on that front, I’d say you’re probably about seventy percent right,” Hermit said.
“No. It can’t be true,” Pelata said, shaking his head. “If he’s really your son, and your student, then he has to be hiding his true power from you both. It would make a lot of sense, after all. I don’t know how someone can reach the rank of Eternal at such a young age, but if he spent his years in secluded training, I could understand why we’ve never heard of him before.”
“You’re grasping at straws here, Inu,” Duncan said. “There is a simple explanation as to why my son’s Core cannot be felt and why his spirit remains strong in the presence of such overwhelming might. I can even tell you, Itachi, why his Belt is Purple instead of the expected Green.”
