CHAPTER 403 SOUL
<span style="font-weight:400">A Straw Hat worthy party was going on below me. People dancing around huge bonfires, some sort of green goop for alcohol was free flowing around as the demon people celebrated. Even the boys from school were dancing with a few of the female demons. Though some were pretty hot I left them alone as I sat on the roof of the pce watching the city wide celebrations. <span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“What is with you?” Illyana asked as she walked over.
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Just…preparing,” I said. <span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“For what?” <span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“In a minute,” I said. “You never showed me your sword before.” I eyed the ck hilt at her waist. I had seen her waving it around when the fighting started and was more interested as the knowledge I received helped me to recognize it.
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“My Soulsword?” She asked. Pulling out the hilt, she closed her eyes and a shining white de extended out of it. I couldn’t feel what she did, but the knowledge I received told me all I needed to know. <span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“How did you make it?” I asked.
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“How did you know I made it?” She asked, hesitant.
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">I smiled wide. “Good guess,” I said. “Please, you mind?” <span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">She frowned but sat next to me. Holding the glowing sword in her hand she admitted, “I can do anything here in Limbo. I have…a connection to the ce. Magic is everywhere here. And I am attuned to it. Anything I think, I can do.” She smiled at me. “When I was just a girl I made this sword. At first it was simple. A part of me. The hilt fell out of me one day. As I used it, imagined it bing a sword, it became brighter and stronger.”
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Cool,” I admitted. Growing excited to make my own I eyed her. “Are you good?” <span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yes,” she said. “It has been some time since I have been here. I did not realize they were going through such hardships. Thank you.” <span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“For what?” I asked. <span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“You know what.” <span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“I do, but usually when you thank someone, you tell them what exactly you are thankful for. For instance I am thankful you chose such a skimpy suit of armor to fight in.” Her armor was a glorified swimsuit with some metal pieces for re. She blushed and looked down to her body.
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Thank you for helping my people here,” she said. “Without hesitation.” <span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">I nodded. Letting out a sigh I looked out to the festivities. “I know I can be an asshole…but I try to do the right thing when its in front of me.” <span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“You can be such an asshole,” she said. <span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Woah,” Iughed. “You suck at this thanking thing.” She giggled and leaned against me. My hand moved to her back and she rested her head on my chin. “Be careful step-sis. I’d hate to get any ideas.”
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“You never have ideas, too dumb,” she mumbled. Looking up at me she smiled wide. “Are you scared of my brother still?” <span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Ha!” Iughed then locked eyes with her, realizing she was serious. I wasn’t much for that sort of thinking. My hand moved down to her chin and lifted her face up. She froze as I kissed her lips. My hands sending some minor Sparks into her she moaned as the kiss lingered. “I’m not afraid of anything,” I lied as I pulled back. She blushed and pulled away. <span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yes, I see that,” she said, nervous and unsure what to do with what just happened. “Th-thank you.” She got up and moved away.
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“For the kiss this time?” I asked. Her Haki exploded with embarrassment as she stuttered a reply in her retreat. I wasn’t sure what my rtionship was with her, but I considered her a friend at the minimum. Letting out a huff, I felt I had let my Nen build up enough, so I got to work.
<span style="font-weight:400">The schematics that had imprinted into my brain were far beyond anything I could have dreamed of. They were a step by step guide to make a Soulsword. Though Illyana was able to do anything in this world, in the real world I was probably the only person that could make one.
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">A Soulsword was a weapon made out of your lifeforce. I just so happened to be able to utilize my lifeforce, otherwise known as Nen. The power of every cell in my body bing a pool of energy at my beck and call, I focused all I had stored up into both hands. Imagining the shape of the weapon I began to force the Nen into the air at my palms. <span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">It was slow and tedious work. The sword wasn’t able to just magically be made. It had to be built over days, but the most important step was the beginning. The cornerstone of the weapon, I had to focus as I made my Nen into a physical object. Slowly it took shape in front of me. First the hilt, I decided to make it ck. With wide guards along it, and a long handle to hold it two-handed if I wanted. I also carved a Watanabe heart at the end of each guard.
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">After a half hour I was happy with it and began making the de. This of course was what I had been thinking of for a while now. I had considered making it into a massive Buster Sword from Final Fantasy, but I needed something versatile. I made the de more like my Jitte. Straight and to the point. the de was about four inches at the base, and ended up being four feet long. Not too long, but not too short.
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">When the physical sword was in front of me, I hardened it as the schematic had shown me. My body acting on instinct the final touches finished and the weapon glowed white. The physical weapon in my hands it was light as a feather. Waving it around from a sitting position, I knew I finally had my forever weapon.
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">Unlike many I had run into, this was a growth weapon. As I grew stronger, so would it. If my Nen grew, and I continued to pour my lifeforce into it, the de would eventually be indestructible. The perfect addition to my arsenal I couldn’t believe that I had the power all along, I just didn’t know how to do it. Curious what other secrets my powers had I pulled up my Status Screen.
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>
<b>Name</b>
</td>
<td>
<span style="font-weight:400">Weston Walker
</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<b>Current Quest:</b>
</td>
<td>
<span style="font-weight:400">Save Lyra
</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<b>World 1:</b>
</td>
<td>
<span style="font-weight:400">Marvel
</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<b>World 1 Quest:</b>
</td>
<td>
<span style="font-weight:400">Save Lyra
</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<b>World 2:</b>
</td>
<td>
<span style="font-weight:400">Invincible
</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<b>World 2 Quest:</b>
</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<b>Passive Skills:</b>
</td>
<td>
<b>Memory Meld</b>
</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td>
<b>Dead Man Walking</b>
</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td>
<span style="font-weight:400">Handicap
</td>
<td>
<span style="font-weight:400">Dismiss
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td>
<span style="font-weight:400">World Lasting Physique
</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td>
<span style="font-weight:400">Gemini
</td>
<td>
<span style="font-weight:400">Active
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<b>Summon:</b>
</td>
<td>
<b>N/A</b>
</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<b>Pet:</b>
</td>
<td>
<b>Matatabi - Level 7</b>
</td>
<td>
<b>Summon</b>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<b>1 Challenger Slot</b>
</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<b>Forms:</b>
</td>
<td>
<span style="font-weight:400">Viltrumite Physiology
</td>
<td>
<span style="font-weight:400">5.08%
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<b>Usable Abilities:</b>
</td>
<td>
<b>Status Screen</b>
</td>
<td>
<b>Other</b>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<b>4 Challenger Slots</b>
</td>
<td>
<b>World Escape</b>
</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td>
<b>Berserker Mode</b>
</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td>
<b>Nen</b>
</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td>
<span style="font-weight:400">Spark*
</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td>
<span style="font-weight:400">Union
</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td>
<span style="font-weight:400">Fusion
</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td>
<span style="font-weight:400">Timeflow
</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<b>Bonuses</b>
</td>
<td>
<b>Major Psychic Resistance</b>
</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<b>4 Challenger Slots</b>
</td>
<td>
<b>Body Modification Resistance</b>
</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td>
<b>Hardened Organs</b>
</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td>
<span style="font-weight:400">Adaptability
</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td>
<span style="font-weight:400">Minor Radiation Resistance
</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td>
<span style="font-weight:400">4-Leaf Clover
</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td>
<span style="font-weight:400">Venom Resistance
</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td>
<span style="font-weight:400">Poison Resitance
</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td>
<span style="font-weight:400">Illusion Resistance
</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<b>Items</b>
</td>
<td>
<b>Gantz Armor</b>
</td>
<td>
<span style="font-weight:400">Stored (27)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<b>1 Challenger Slots</b>
</td>
<td>
<span style="font-weight:400">Item Choice
</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td>
<span style="font-weight:400">Bonus Copy
</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td>
<span style="font-weight:400">Hero Costume
</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td>
<span style="font-weight:400">Bonus Upgrade
</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<b>Currency:</b>
</td>
<td>
<span style="font-weight:400">USD
</td>
<td>
<span style="font-weight:400">$82,614
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<span style="font-weight:400">I read it and frowned. “You cheap fuckers,” I said. They hadn’t automatically assigned the Soulsword to my Items. Frowning, I was about to make it my Item Choice but then recalled that I didn’t need to. Breathing in slowly the sword glowed white and turned into energy. Entering my body it became my Nen again. <span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">Letting out a sigh, as long as I had Nen I could call the weapon. No longer forced to form it, with a thought it appeared in my hand in the matter of two seconds. Pulling it back instantly, I practiced sheathing it and unsheathing it from my body until someone else came up.
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“What are you doing?” Jean asked.
<span style="font-weight:400">“ying with myself,” I said, looking back at her. “You?”
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">She chewed her lip. “I…don’t know,” she mumbled. Her Haki all over the ce I raised my hand to her. <span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Sit,” I said. She paused, but slowly walked over. Taking my hand the now demure Jean blushed as she sat next to me. We stared down at the party for a bit. Her feelings easy to read, they were harder to understand. First excited, then nervous, shameful, angry, manic, then horny, she didn’t know what to feel.
<span style="font-weight:400">“You alright?” I asked.
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“I don’t know,” she said. “For some reason I thought you would have the answer.” <span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“To what?” <span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“The question,” she said. “The question I have been asking myself since I woke up. What the hell happened to me?” <span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“You fought with us,” I said. <span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Yes, I heard. The girls were saying I was flying and throwing fire. Killing the robots as Iughed. I-I don’t see how-” <span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Ignore it,” I said.
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“What?” She asked, surprised.
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Ignore it,” I said. “For now at least. I think you…might need to get some of your own answers.” <span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“To what?”
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“The question that is Jean Grey,” i said. Looking her up and down she was modest once more. No longer showing me cleavage, I couldn’t help but frown. Forcing myself to realize this wasn’t the same girl. I pushed out the idea of a possibility of Nixing back out. “You became a new person when the demons hit you the first time. At least that’s what I thought. Now…I wonder if distance from Professor X had something to do with it.” <span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“What do you mean?” She asked, knowing the answer.
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“You told me about it at the school. The Professor changed you. He put up psychic blocks to keep your power from going out of control. I wonder if that maybe…changed you a little.” <span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“How so?” <span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Just stop with the questions,” I said, angry at this weaker Jean. I chided myself, reminded that it wasn’t her fault. She quieted though. When I had my train of thought set I spoke again. “I have no fucking idea what it takes to block a mutants powers. Back…a little while ago. I met this…mutant. He was desperate for powers. So desperate that when he didn’t awaken them he was ready to kill himself. He was convinced he was supposed to have one. He was like 8 years old and he was ready to hang himself because he didn’t.” <span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Who-” I red at her, she quieted.
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Then he decides he doesn’t care. Powers or not, he will help people. Everybit a hero that most people aren’t. He was ready to give his life to save one person. Someone noticed that and gifted him their power. He became whole again. He had a power, and he could finally help people.” <span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">I let out a shuddering breath. Sometimes I forgot why Midoriya from MHA had been the protagonist. “Then a while ago, Ie to find out that he really did have a power. It was just ripped away from him, and he was forced to forget about it. But his body remembered. That’s why it was so convinced that it needed a power. Forcing him to almost kill himself because the body didn’t feel whole without one.”
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">Jean was quiet next to me. I knew my backstory in the world was that I was some normal kid, but I didn’t care. I’d gotten out of bigger holes in my stories in these worlds. “So the reason I bring this up is, I have no idea what would happen to someone if their power was suppressed. I assume your body wants to use that full potential. Aches for it. But how does it change you if you can no longer smile orugh? You’ve been living your life without a huge chunk of your strength, Jean. You got to this world and it awoke. I’m not sure why hitting your head caused you to forget, but you have a lot of power inside of you.”
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">Her Spiritual Energy was far more turbulent than it had been before. Instead of the volume turned down, the volume was set on sporadic. First high then low, it was lucky she didn’t use her powers too much or she may have lost control of it.
<span style="font-weight:400">“What should I do?” Jean asked, fear in her voice.
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Let it happen,” I said. “Don’t force it. You…acted like a new person. But I kind of think you acted like the real you. I am really hoping your head will heal more and you’ll remember.” I wanted that sex crazed she-demon in my head again. “Until then, just forget about it. You have a boyfriend, and a life. I’m fairly certain you like who you are now.” <span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">“Of course,” she said, but didn’t sound convinced. <span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">"Good," I said. “Above all things, you should love who you are,” I said. Instead of talking more though I reached out and put my hand on her shoulder. She stiffened slightly, but as I pulled her to me she rxed. Exhaling out her nose she moved to rest her head on my shoulder. We watched the party like that. Jean breathing deeply through her nose on my shoulder until she fell asleep.
<span style="font-weight:400">
<span style="font-weight:400">I wasn’t sure when she was supposed to awaken the whole Phoenix thing. From what I remembered in theic, the version I got was mild inparison. Unsure what the future would bring, I couldn’t help but pray that she woulde back though. She had really been fun.