Wind (Buryoku Book 4)

by Aaron Oster

  “Do you feel like listening to me now?” Geon asked as Roy swiped his hand across his lips, leaving a bloody smear in its wake.

  “Will you give your opinion even if I don’t want it?” he retorted.

  “Yes,” Geon replied.

  Roy just grunted in reply as he continued to cycle Qi through his body, pushing it through his channels in ever greater amounts, until he was able to stand straight once more.

  “As I was saying before you were knocked flat,” Geon continued. “You keep thinking like a Green-Belt. I have no idea what’s going on, but the Belt around your waist is Purple, and judging by how much space I can feel inside myself, you’ve got the capacity to back it up. If I’m right – and I usually am – your capacity could probably rival that of a Supreme’s by now.”

  “You’re joking, right?” Roy said, his tone scathing. “I’m just a Green-Belt who’s gotten way in over his head.”

  “If you keep thinking like that, you’re going to die. And if you die, I die. I don’t want to die. So, stop acting like such a wimp and put some oomph behind your attacks!”

  Roy growled, his eyes flicking to Komura, who was looking at him in confusion. He hadn’t moved from his spot since his attack, which made Roy think the man was beginning to question whether he really was as weak as he’d said before. Roy figured that it might mean that he would be left alone if that was the case.

  “No. It doesn’t,” Geon said — Roy’s thoughts must have been leaking through. “If he finds out that he came all the way here for nothing, he’ll probably destroy you, all the Sovereigns, and likely level the entire Windblight to boot. And, just for reference, both Aika and Ferry are in the Windblight. Not to mention me.”

  Roy felt his heart skip a beat at that. Aika was here?

  Of course, she’s here! he berated himself.

  If Hermit was here, then Aika couldn’t be too far behind, and if both she and Ferry were in danger, he had to do something.

  “It warms me to see how much you care for their safety,” Geon said. “If you’d only care about the two of us a bit more, that would be nice.”

  “How can I use the strength of a Purple-Belt?” Roy asked without preamble. “I have no idea how!”

  “What’s the difference between a Green-Belt and a Purple-Belt?” Geon said, answering his question with a question.

  “How should I know?!” Roy exclaimed.

  “Think,” Geon said. “A Green-Belt can use all the same techniques as a Purple. They have the same Core-Body and can begin using branching techniques. So, what’s the difference?”

  “I don’t know. Experience? A bigger Core? Power?”

  “Exactly!” Geon replied. “It’s a difference in power! You have been limiting yourself to that of a Green-Belt, because that is all you believe yourself to be. Tap into that extra power, the difference in strength that separates a Green from a Purple. Your capacity far outweighs that of a normal Purple-Belt, and I have all the experience. All you need to do is provide the power.”

  “But how?!”

  “It is literally your Path!” Geon said. “Do I need to hand everything to you? Tap into your strength, Roy! You are on the Path of Power, the single most destructive Path there is. The difference between Green and Purple is power, nothing else. Your Belt is Purple, so fight like a Purple would!”

  Roy still had no idea how to do that, but he was now officially out of time.

  “Well, you’re still on your feet,” Komura said. “I guess that means we can keep fighting.”

  The man spread his wings wide, his body glowing with the signs of his Movement technique. Roy could sense an incredible amount of Qi gathering around the man’s body, covering him like a cloak and layering upon itself. The batons began shining again, only much brighter this time, and Roy knew what the man was doing. He was using a full-body technique, and if Roy couldn’t even follow the man’s movements before, there was no way he was going to be able to do so now.

  He cycled his Qi faster, already planning on using his Movement technique the moment he saw so much as a twitch from the man, but he already knew deep down that it wouldn’t be good enough. He could sense not only Geon’s displeasure, but the displeasure of Power. That was nothing new, as both were rarely happy with him.

  What do you want me to do? I am not a Scion! He’d screamed this internally, in the direction of the heavens.

  Roy had not been expecting an answer, so when the girly voice of the Spirit of Power echoed in his mind, he was more than a little surprised.

  “Fight! Stop being such a wimp!”

  That was all she said, and despite knowing that she was a being that was thousands of years old, Roy couldn’t help but think of her as a petulant child. Still, as Komura launched his attack, the man’s knees flexing and his wings spreading wide, Roy concentrated on doing exactly as he’d been instructed.

  Until now, he’d been a Green-Belt, and despite the knowledge that he was still a Green-Belt, he decided to try and act like he wasn’t. Purple-Belts could pull out far more Qi at once, lending them superior strength and fighting prowess, so it stood to reason that he could as well. Roy hadn’t felt his channels strain, even when pumping them full of more Qi than any Green-Belt should have been able to handle. Instead of limiting himself, Roy did the exact opposite.

  Here goes nothing, he thought, reaching deep into the very center of his Core and pulling with all his might.

  Komura shot toward him and Roy darted the other way. There was a massive impact and the wall of the arena shattered. Roy turned, staring across the arena in shock as he watched Komura pull himself from the wall, dusting off his robes and grinning widely.

  “I knew I could get you to take me seriously if I just tried hard enough!” the man boomed, his voice echoing with laughter. “Let’s see what you’ve got!”

  Roy still had no idea what he was doing, nor how he’d managed to avoid the attack, so he did what he’d done last time. Reaching for his Core, he pulled with all his might and activated his Armorer technique. Hexagonal plates raced across his skin, even as he braced himself.

  This time, he saw Komura coming, and to his shock, was able to throw his arms up in a defensive block as the attack came. Roy felt the impact radiate throughout his body – the man was still using a full-body technique, after all – and was driven back through the sand.

  However, his Armorer technique held, despite a few cracks spreading from where the baton had struck, and Roy felt no more pain than he was already in. He blinked in amazement as Komura spun, throwing a powerful kick at his head. Roy pulled on his Core again and used his Shockwave. The technique activated in an instant, giving Roy time to throw up another block.

  Komura twisted again, continuing with his momentum, and threw another kick, this one aimed at Roy’s ribs. Roy moved along with him, softening the blow and throwing a punch of his own. His hand moved faster than he thought, and when his fist slammed into the man’s abdomen, his Exploding Fist blasting the man thirty feet into the air, Roy laughed.

  It wasn’t that he thought this was funny or anything. It was more out of shock than anything else. He could see by the way Komura was righting himself that he hadn’t really managed to hurt the man, but right now, all Roy cared about was the fact that he was keeping up.

  “See? What did I tell you?” Geon said, unable to resist, and for once, Roy didn’t mind.

  47

  Komura rocketed out of the sky, his body all but transforming into a streak of green light. Roy, pulling on his Core once more, threw up his Containment technique. Qi exploded out of him like a tidal wave, making the previous Containment technique look like a joke in comparison. He wasn’t able to fully trap the Scion, but Roy did slow his advance considerably.

  Roy breathed out, then struck, throwing his Void Sphere Qi technique with all the might of a Purple-Belt. A streak of gold blasted from his fist, the displaced air slamming into Komura’s jaw, followed by the actual technique. Roy released his Containment tech
nique an instant before, sending the Scion spinning away, and for the first time, Roy followed.

  He had so much power running through him now that it was hard to believe. His channels were easily handling around six or seven times as much Qi as he’d been using before and only now that he was letting go of his fears and self-doubts, did Roy truly began to realize the true potential of the Martial Arts and what he could accomplish while using them.

  More than that, he felt powerful, not only using his own Qi but that of his surroundings as well to great effect. It felt as though the natural Essence wasn’t the only thing strengthening him, but like he was truly one with another power, one that was familiar and foreign. It sparked a strange feeling within him, one of bloodlust and hunger, but also one of loneliness and sadness.

  It was a confusing mix of emotions and Roy fought to keep it at bay, even as he soared into the air, using the power of his Shockwave to keep himself airborne. Komura regained his equilibrium, just in time for Roy to attack. His fist flashed forward, aided by the power of the Qi he’d blasted from his elbow.

  Fighting in the air was different than fighting on solid ground. Up here, he had to manually provide the torque that his hips and shoulders would, but with the amount of power he had, Roy was more than able to compensate. Komura threw both batons up in a cross-block, catching Roy’s attack, but was driven back through the air with Roy right on top of him.

  He kicked out, the air exploding behind him and resounding in a loud crack as his follow-up struck. He was no longer thinking, no longer worrying. His mind was bent on the task of defeating the opponent before him and nothing else.

  Komura grinned as Roy’s next attack landed, breaking through his defenses and landing squarely on his jaw. Komura turned with the blow, throwing a kick that Roy blocked. The power behind it sent Roy flying, and high up as he was, he landed in the stands, shattering a row of stone benches with his back.

  Despite the force of the impact, Roy felt no pain and subsequently ripped a bench from its moorings, hurling it at the approaching Scion. Komura nimbly dodged, only to catch Roy’s follow-up that he’d aimed where he knew the man would be. The Void Sphere-Pulse slammed into Komura’s left wing and tossed him to the ground.

  Roy’s attack hadn’t had the strength to tear through the constructed appendage, but the wings were as much a detriment as a boon in fights like these.

  Roy leaped back into the arena, his body powered by his Shockwave. The air cracked once more, the sound echoing as Roy closed with the Scion. He used the Unaru Kuma’s sixth form, the Arekuruu Kuma – the Raging Bear. The purpose of this form was to overwhelm the opponent with quick and powerful blows. The old adage that the best defense was a powerful offense definitely came into play here, and Roy used this form to its fullest.

  With the power of a Purple-Belt, he planted his foot, Power Qi spiraling up his arm as he struck, his blow impacting with earth-shattering force. Komura’s eyes bulged as he was driven back and Roy followed, planting his feet in the same motion and striking out with his left. The punches were not only strong, but landed with crushing force. So much so that they were giving even the Scion a hard time.

  The man finally managed to dodge, driving one of his batons into Roy’s stomach and straining his Armorer technique. Roy retaliated by lashing out with a low roundhouse, aiming to shatter the Scion’s shin. Komura took the powerful blow, Roy’s technique doing about as much damage as an ant attacking a stone wall.

  Komura retaliated, both batons flashing out and catching him in the stomach again, and Roy was hurled across the arena, smashing through another wall. His Armorer technique finally shattered, but it had done its job, and when he pulled himself from the rubble, he was no worse than when he’d impacted.

  “Keep him on the back foot,” Geon said as he used his Shockwave, covering the distance in just three steps and unleashing his Exploding Fist-Strike.

  Komura dodged, but Roy’s glancing blow still clipped his shoulder. Lightning-like tendrils of Power Qi exploded outward, shattering pieces of the stone wall and sending the Scion staggering to one side. He quickly spun in place, channeling the same technique through his foot and launching the Scion into the air.

  He followed, kicking powerfully off the ground and dashing higher and higher, each step sending a resounding crack echoing through the relative silence of the now-abandoned arena. Komura regained his balance, his wings flaring wide and a wild grin plastered on his face. His batons shifted suddenly, taking on an almost golden sheen as they condensed to sharp points.

  The Scion lunged, his grin looking almost like a snarl, and Roy kicked to one side, launching himself out of the way. The short spear wasn’t even close to hitting him, but when the streak of gold-tinged wind flashed past, impacting the ground and creating a twenty-foot crater, Roy was glad he hadn’t been there.

  Komura didn’t let up, throwing another attack, and then another. His arms moved faster and faster, his destructive Projected techniques tearing huge chunks from the arena seats, walls, and what remained of the ceiling. Several shots went wide, streaking toward the gathered Sovereigns, who deflected the attacks using Armorer techniques.

  “I have the advantage up here!” Komura yelled. “You can’t keep dodging forever!”

  “Wasn’t planning to,” Roy called back, then activated his Terrain technique. The Constellation formed in an instant, Qi gathering and condensing to seven points right behind the Scion. Komura whirled, just in time to catch the full brunt of all seven beams of Power slamming into him at once.

  The man was driven to the ground, with Roy following close on his heels. Komura’s back slammed into the ground, and Roy hit him like a falling boulder, using the full force of his momentum to drive the man even deeper. He jumped back, using Komura’s body like a springboard, Power Qi exploding from both feet, leaving the man’s robes scorched.

  Roy landed back on his feet, breathing hard and trying to regain his cycling rhythm. His Qi was depleting quickly, as when using more powerful techniques, one inevitably used more power, especially for the capacity of a Purple-Belt, whose techniques could have many times more Qi packed into each attack. Still, the fight was beginning to strain his body and his injuries weren’t helping his cause.

  He needed to finish this.

  Komura leaped out of the cater, and Roy exploded forward, his Shockwave carrying him right into the man. A Void Sphered exploded right in Komura’s face, and Roy’s fist followed a moment later. The Scion was still grinning, a look of pure adulation and semi-madness plastered across his features.

  Komura’s hands flashed out, striking Roy in the chest – his batons all but forgotten. Roy was sent staggering back as a blast of Wind Qi dislodged him, but he turned in place, avoiding Komura’s follow-up and pressing the Scion. Power Qi spiraled around his arms and legs as he used the sixth form of the Unaru Kuma once more.

  Roy began to speed up, throwing quick combinations, each individual blow designed to kill. But he was facing one of the most powerful beings known on this continent, and his winning spree wasn’t going to last. When Roy’s last punch impacted, driving Komura through the arena wall, the man finally lost it.

  Power exploded from the man’s body, hurling Roy back as he moved in for his next attack. Roy managed to catch himself, spinning in the air and landing in a crouch, his feet skidding across the sand and sliding to a stop before the far wall. He could feel pain from where Komura’s attack had hit him, but it was beyond his understanding as to how the attack had gotten through.

  “This is so exciting!” Komura exclaimed, his Purple-Belt burning away to reveal the one made of infinite blackness.

  The walls around him crumbled, the seats of the arena collapsing inward and crashing to the ground behind him.

  “I haven’t had a fight like this in centuries! You’ll need to forgive me, honored Eternal, but I need to see more!”

  Roy felt his body begin to tremble as the man’s power continued climbing higher and higher, his
aura seeming to blanket the very heavens. Wind Essence began gathering overhead, turning in a slow spiral so large that it blocked out the entire sky. Komura wasn’t just going overboard. With an attack that large, he’d wipe out not only the arena, but the entire city! Worse, Roy knew there was absolutely nothing he could do about it.

  ***

  Herald Duncan watched as his son finally began tapping into the true power at his disposal, sending the Scion careening through the air. There was a whistle of appreciation from Ikari, the Itachi clan Sovereign, but he knew his son better than any of them, even the man who’d supposedly been training him over the last few months. Unlike the others, Duncan knew his son’s capabilities and what he could really do, and this was just scratching the surface.

  Still, he couldn’t hold a candle to a Scion, at least not yet. So, they needed to get him out, and do so before Komura would inevitably grow bored of fighting at the level of a Purple-Belt and unleash his true might.

  “So, it’s decided then,” Hermit said, confirming the plan they’d come up with.

  “As long as you can contact him without the Scion’s notice, we have no objections,” Pelata replied.

  “I can,” Hermit confirmed.

  Duncan nodded his agreement with the plan, along with Ikari. It wasn’t a horribly complicated plan, but one that would see Roy far from here. All they needed to do was wait for the opportune moment.

  “I have to say, I’d never suspected that someone so young could fight so well. Especially seeing as he was only an Orange-Belt a month ago,” Ikari said. “I can see why you’re so interested in him.”

  Duncan looked to the two Itachi clan members out of the corner of his eye, keeping the other locked on the fight. It was clear from the way the two Itachi Sovereigns were standing that they were at odds. He could take a few guesses as to why, but the fact that the Sage of Ruin was so close to Black-Belt was probably foremost among them.