《Eternal Parsing》


 The Parsing Begins

    Three centuries had passed since the world plunged into chaos, a turbulent era sparked by the discovery of an enigmatic power born from raw human emotion. The very essence of these newfound abilities was a catalyst for rebellion, an insatiable desire for independence that fanned the flames of discontent among the masses. The people had grown weary of submitting to authority figures, of blindly following orders imposed upon them from the upper echelons of society. This collective unrest soon erupted into an all-encompassing outbreak, the fuse that ignited a prolonged and devastating war.


    Years stretched into decades as the conflict raged on, and the world descended further into anarchy and despair. The dream of a structured society with laws and order had been shattered beyond repair. Survival became the only rule that mattered. It was a cruel world where one had to kill or be killed.


    Amidst this unforgiving landscape, a man was born. His name was lost to history, for in this lawless existence, names held little meaning. He walked the barren earth, driven by an insatiable thirst for knowledge. But his quest was not for personal gain; it was a mission driven by love and devotion to his younger brother. The man collected every fragment of information he could find, learning every skill, and mastering every art, all with the intention of imparting this knowledge to his sibling when the time was right. He dreamed of making his brother''s life easier, of giving him a chance at a world less merciless.


    However, fate, as cruel as the world it had shaped, had different plans. It was on one fateful night, amidst the eerie silence of a snow-covered forest, that tragedy struck. As the man trudged through the woods, a sudden ambush from an unseen foe cut short his noble mission, extinguishing the hope that had burned so brightly within him.


    (February 16th, 1810)


    The cold breeze hits the face of a tired man holding Double on his back.


    "Big brother! Big brother, it''s so cold...When can we find shelter again?" Double says, riding on the back of his older brother.


    The man takes a small pause; he tries to keep a smile on his face as his hands begin to shake rapidly.


    "Double, that''s the fifth time you''ve asked me that so far. We are nearly there, little guy, and I promise there will be good food to eat, okay?" The big brother of Double says, annoyed at the voice of Double.


    The man continues walking until he finds a small little home that seems abandoned. The man smiles as he holds Double tight, and begins to approach it.


    "Wow! This is the biggest home I''ve seen so far, it''s unbelievable. Double, it''s cold, but I want you to stay here as I explore this home." The big brother of Double says, a smile forming on his face.


    Double sits there on the ground, his entire body is freezing, but he smiles. Double doesn''t lose faith, because his brother has always found a way to make things happen.


    Suddenly, a large explosion can be heard coming from the house, as the man quickly appears in front of Double holding him.


    ''That day, even if it was for a second, the smallest second. I believed that everything was going to be alright. That me and my brother didn''t have to suffer anymore, but I couldn''t have been more wrong. Because on that day, I realized how much my brother had been suffering, and just how much he had done to try to keep me safe.'' Double thinks to himself.


    "Instead of protecting yourself, you chose to jump in front of that measly child. You could have lost your life just now, doing something so foolish." The man says to Double''s big brother, a cocky expression etched across his face.


    The man tries to get up, but he can''t, as he uses up the rest of the energy he had trying to escape from that attack.


    Double starts to tug on his brother''s jacket, he notices tears hitting the cold ground as his brother attempts to grip his sword once more.


    A beaten down man, clinging onto life to finish what looks to him to be the final task. A task that involved bringing his long life to an end.


    "Double...listen to me right now, no matter what happens from here, you must run as far as you possibly can." The big brother of Double says, struggling to breathe, his voice trembling.


    "But brother! You have to get up...our promise, the promise you made." Double says, crying, shaking his head in an attempt to deny the actions unfolding.Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    Double had touched his brother''s hand, and his face instantly got covered in tears. His brother''s skin had begun to crack, Double''s brother had slowly been turning into a lifeless corpse.


    When temperatures are too low, the dry air can result in moisture being taken away from the skin. Double''s brother had sacrificed his warmth, and all the things keeping him warm to make sure Double could be warm, but the effects of the cold had taken place.


    Even while in a desperate situation, Double''s brother still gave him his coat to assure Double was even more warm on his efforts to escape.


    "I can''t take this! You need this more than anything. Brother...let''s run away okay, we still have time to get away." Double says, pulling on his brother as hard as he can, trying to convince him to leave alongside himself.


    "I''m running out of time, my strength is draining with each passing moment. But hear me, I swear on every fiber of my being that he won''t come close to you. I won''t let that wretched man lay even a single finger upon you. Take this coat, hold onto its warmth, and seek shelter immediately. Find not just one, but two layers of protection. I understand how much this must be for a child like you, but I implore you, please, for the sake of everything we hold dear." Double''s brother says, every word making him lose his energy even more.


    "Okay...fine!" Double yells, taking one final look at the man, an angry look at him before giving his brother one last hug.


    As Double begins to run off into the distance, his mind racing with thoughts, but still holding even a slither of hope that his brother will be okay.


    Though, he suddenly heard a sword clash with another, followed up with the sound of a sword cutting another''s flesh.


    Time freezes for Double, and he stops for a second, but remembers what he said to his brother, and continues to run screaming to himself.


    "No! No! It can''t be true, it can''t be real." Double shouts, denial evident in his words.


    Double''s emotions had been pushed to the limit, at such a young age, Double had experienced loss to a new degree. In that moment, Double had felt as if he lost everything, and had nothing left.


    Though, with every passing second, Double slowly realized that had been the truth, and once that truth finally set in, his eyes had begin to turn yellow, and tears continue to falling down.


    Double notices a group of people in the distance, and runs toward them crying even louder.


    "Help! Please! My brother...he''s in danger, I need help." Double asks, trying to stop his crying to make sense of his words.


    The group of people stare at Double, but rather than staring at him with a face of remorse. They stare at Double with an evil grin.


    "You guys! He mentioned he has a brother, you think if we kill him, and take his coat, his brother will probably come out with some good shit?" One of the people in the group asks, looking at Double with a malevolent stare.


    CRACK


    One of the men in the group attempted to grab Double, but as Double fights back, he begins to struggle and eventually grabs the hand of one of the men, and breaks it in an instant.


    Fear had set in all of the men''s eyes as they realize they weren''t just dealing with any ordinary child, but a child who had the strength of an adult who had trained his body for years. Alongside the fact they had caught a glimpse of Double''s eyes, and quickly took a step back.


    "What the hell did we just get ourselves into, it''s not worth it, lets get the hell out of here." One of the people in the group say, leading the rest of them away from Double.


    As Double stands there, frozen, scared, and confused more than anything. One thought continues to flow through his mind, the thought that if he was to give up, his brother''s death would be in vain, with that resolve in mind he continued to move forward, and killed any man who decided to stop him in his path.


    ''When you''re in a state of panic, your body can either freeze up, or it can do things you never knew you were capable of. I learned that day...that I froze up when I should have fought back. Never...never again.'' Double thinks to himself.


    (10 Years Later...June 12th, 1820)


    "You''re finally awake, it seems." A random man says, standing over Double.


    Double wakes up outside of the rain in a puddle with no knowledge of what''s going on, he looks toward the man who spoke to him.


    "You''re the bastard who knocked me out when we fought, well seeing how long it lasted, you must be pretty strong." Double says, a nonchalant look on his face, not acknowledging the man in front of him at all.


    The man looks towards Double with a smile. He takes off his white hoodie and lets his hair loose.


    "Yeah, I get that a lot, it seems. But with that being said, I''m happy you''re not complaining or making excuses for why you lost." The man declared with a confident grin on his face.


    Double Smirks, he looks at his surroundings and then realizes his jacket is nowhere to be seen, and at that point he begins to panic.


    "The jacket I was wearing, did you happen to see it? It''s important to me." Double asks, a frustrated expression beginning to etch itself onto Double.


    The Man looks very concerned and also starts to giggle at Double,


    "Why is some dumb ass jacket so important to you, It''s not important anyways, you can find a new one."


    Hearing this, Double had realized the type of person he was dealing with. A person who hadn''t cared for anything he had to say. With that knowledge, Double''s eyes change to a full yellow, and he goes into a fighting position.


    "Treat it as my trophy, something I wanna wear even when I change this ruined world." Double says, anger evident in his voice.


    SWOOSH


    Double running through the mud charges a fist with no aura coated on it. The man still standing in the same position starts smiling once again and looks at Double and utters the words.


    "I guess...I''ll give you the time of day and entertain your strange power." Joki says, preparing himself to go into a defensive position.

 A Rush For Power

    Double''s eyes glow yellow whilst charging at the man; this catches the man''s attention as his eyes widen, but too focused on the battle, he ignores it and continues to stay on guard.


    Like a predatory beast locking onto its prey, Double rushes in with the full extent to kill. No emotions, no feelings behind his attack, but the sole purpose to take the life of the person in front of him.


    "This guy...he''s oddly powerful. His aura is unlike anything I''ve ever felt before. It doesn''t matter though; there shouldn''t be anything that he can do that''ll overpower me," Double says, feeling the tension from the man''s presence alone.


    Double tries to strike the man, but he dodges with ease and suddenly appears behind Double. The man makes an exhausted face as he brings his sword close to Double''s neck.


    For the first time, Double had fully realized what it felt like to be overwhelmed by another person. The chilling feeling made a rush of emotions run through his mind; would he win? Even the idea of trying to escape flooded his brain.


    "Let''s not take too long on this, alright? Fighting can be tiring...wouldn''t you agree?" The man says to Double, a cocky expression on his face, his face exuding confidence, devoid of any trace of fear or apprehension about the prospect of losing.


    WHOOSH


    A drip of sweat falls down Double''s face instantly. He quickly tries to turn around and strike the man, but the man is already gone.


    As the fight continued, Double had tried to change his mindset. In a desperate attempt, he tried to fight more calmly, realizing rushing in could cost him his life.


    "You''re pretty good at defending, and your speed isn''t all that bad, but when it comes to being offensive, you''re pretty garbage..." Double says, but gets cut off.


    SLICE


    The man suddenly speeds past Double and slices him in the chest with a clear cut.


    The rain starts to pour slower now, and the silence starts to creep through. Double had convincingly lost, and the man stood over him victorious.


    "Listen kid, I''m not trying to break your confidence nor am I trying to make you feel like you''re not good enough; truth to be told, I used to be just like you, but I train to make myself even stronger every day because I too have a goal," the man says to Double, standing up from the ground.


    The man puts his hoodie back on and puts his sword on the ground. Double, battling in-between consciousness, continues to try and move from the position he was in. As Double continues to struggle, the expression on the man''s face changes to one of empathy.


    "You don''t blame others for your failure; that''s one of your strongest traits that I''ve seen so far. Keep that, remember that life won''t settle for excuses; if the dream you cling to is to change this world, then I believe in you, I''ll support your little goal," the man says to Double, standing up from the ground.


    The man picks Double up and puts him on his shoulder, and begins to take him somewhere. He picks his sword back up and puts it in his scabbard.


    "Oh yeah, my name, you can call me Joki. Yeah, Joki sensei would work too," the man now known as Joki says, walking off into the distance with a smile forming on his face.


    (One day later...June 13th, 1820)


    "Where am I, for a second...I thought I was going to die, now I feel completely fine," Double says, constantly touching where his wound used to be.


    Double looks around and is inside of a cabin-like area.


    Feeling stranded, he looks around and tries to figure out where he is. The cabin had been well polished and filled with materials that could feed a small family. As Double looks around, he notices his jacket in the doorway.


    "There it is...I thought I lost it," Double sighed in relief, a tangible exhale of tension dissipating into the air.


    "Ahh, you''re awake it seems; for a second, I thought I accidentally killed you," Joki says, fixing a penetrating gaze on Double.


    Joki stands in the doorway laughing while holding a cup of coffee. Confused, Double widens his eyes at Joki while fixing his jacket.


    "You dumb ass, nothing about this is funny. If anything, you still should die for what you did to me," Double says, a frustrated expression on his face, balling his fist.


    Joki continues to look down at Double, and realizes that he isn''t staring at someone who had been intelligent or had common sense. Because of his previous circumstances, Double only knew to fight, and because of that, he never knew how to show appreciation, and even the basic things in life.


    "How old are you?" Joki asks, kneeling down in front of Double, his expression serious and contemplative.


    Hearing this question put a spark in the body of Double, not fully understanding the purpose or reasoning of it.


    "...Sixteen? Why?" Double answers, a nervous expression on his face, Joki''s serious expression made Double realize that he had been no match for him.


    "Sixteen, and this whole time you''ve managed to make it through by only killing and eating whenever you get food from random people, right?" Joki''s face wore a curious expression as he asked, his eyes filled with intrigue.


    Double looks up at Joki, and his eyes widened, it had been ten years since someone had a genuine conversation with him. Double had been frustrated on the outside, but on the inside, he had been grateful.


    "No...I never go for the kill, really. I''ll convince myself, and I''ll tell myself I will, but I never really can bring myself to finish my opponent off when I get the chance. Something about taking the life of another person who''s struggling...it eats me up inside," Double says, a disappointed expression on his face.


    The eyes of Joki widen, hearing Double''s words made him realize that the person in front of him, while lacking in all areas, was someone who still had a bigger heart than even himself.


    "So you weren''t gonna kill me back there? That''s hilarious; you have to have the resolve to kill your opponent when it matters the most," Joki laughs as he says this, smiling in the face of Double.


    "I know, but if I kill...won''t that mean I''ll just fit the stereotype. Telling yourself that you''ll take the life of another, and being prepared to do it is another," Double looks down as he says this, thinking about the many times he couldn''t bring himself to kill others.


    Joki''s face goes from laughter to dumbfounded, Joki''s mindset was different. For someone like him, it wasn''t hard to flip the switch inside his brain. Becoming a killer wasn''t a hard task for the man.


    "Then...it looks like that''s one of the things I''m gonna have to teach you. When harder tasks come your way, you won''t be able to handle them unless you''re able to make that change," Joki says, as he gets up and walks to the door of the cabin.


    "It won''t happen; I can''t take a life and just feel no way about it. The most I can do is become stronger, so that I won''t have to kill people," Double responded to Joki''s question with a grave expression, conveying a sense of seriousness in their demeanor.


    As Joki processes Double''s words, he stands motionless. Double gets up, and attempts to leave the cabin. Believing Joki wouldn''t go along with Double''s way of living.


    Suddenly, Joki grabs the shoulder of Double softly, and as he does, Double stops from leaving the cabin. Throughout the conversation, Joki was trying to understand Double, how could a kid with no influence, and growing up in a world that breeds nothing but violence and merciless death have such high moral values.


    As the realization kicked in, Joki felt inspired and realized that it would be in his best interest to have Double stay.


    "If that''s the way you feel, then we''ll work around it. Just try not to fall too far behind, and get ready for what''s ahead. I want to be able to grow with you as well; we could both learn something from this," Joki says, smiling as he walks ahead of Double.


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    "Yeah..." Double hesitantly responds.


    As time goes by, Double and Joki find themselves outside of the cabin. Walking outside together, trying not to go too far away from their home.


    "So...how do you feel comfortable just roaming like this? Don''t you have to always wanna be on the alert just in case someone comes for a fight?" A curious Double asks, staring at Joki with a blank expression.


    "When you''re strong and confident in your strength, you don''t necessarily have to worry about those things. I''m not the strongest, but I believe I''m very capable of stopping most people. To put it in simpler terms, I''ve honed my fighting skills so much being alert just becomes automatic for me," Joki says looking up into the sky, smiling, as if he was thinking back to previous times.


    "I wish I could relate..." Double says, looking annoyed at the smug face of Joki.


    The two finish their walk, and make their way back to the cabin. The walk was a way for the two to become more acquainted with each other, and get more comfortable with each other as well.


    A connection formed between them quickly, and they realized that as they walk alone together, they are two lost souls who are now just finding a purpose.


    Joki hands Double a cup of water as they enter the cabin once again.


    "So...how long exactly do you want to train for, realistically? I think a week of two of learning some of what you know would do right?" Double asks with a curious expression, continuing to drink the water from his cup.


    "A week or two, no no no; considering what you know, we are going to need way longer than that," Joki says, grabbing his mug, and drinking the leftover coffee inside.


    The eyes of Double widen, confusion on his face from the words of Joki. Joki takes a deep breath, and puts his mug down as Double continues to stare in confusion.


    "We''ll do two months of nonstop training!" Joki yells ecstatically, extremely happy thinking about the many things he wants to teach Double.


    Double''s jaw dropped upon hearing the words emanate from Joki. Spending extended periods of time with another person was a novel experience for him. Two months of training alongside Joki felt akin to an antisocial child acclimating to a new school.


    "Two months, is it really gonna take that long?!" A curious Double yells, nervous thinking about everything.


    Double''s lack of knowledge made him anxious, he believed in his heart that he would be incapable of doing a majority of the things Joki asks.


    "There''s nothing to worry about, you''re in good hands, plus seeing your strength level...this is most certainly needed," Joki says, stroking his chin.


    "I don''t think it''s fair for someone with exceptional strength to judge, considering that to others I''m very strong," Double states, his mind racing thinking about the next two months.


    Double does a sigh and now has a face of acceptance; he realizes what needs to be done to get stronger. Getting adjusted to being uncomfortable is a task that Double would have to overcome.


    "We build up...and we become stronger, that''s how you make it man. At least...until we get strong enough to have more influence over the world. Guess this means were friends now then," Joki says this with an infectious grin, his eyes sparkled with warmth as he looked at Double.


    Joki attempts to walk away, but Double sits there processing what Joki has just said. He tries to think, but can''t come to understand.


    "Friend...what''s a friend?" Double stared blankly, his face a canvas of confusion, as he asked once more, uncertainty etched across his features.


    Once again, Double''s words had made Joki''s eyes widen, and as he hears this, he stays silent. He walks through the door without answering Double''s question.


    ''The kid is clueless...this is gonna be more of a babysitting job rather than training for two months,'' Joki thinks to himself, failing to hold back his laughter.


    Days continue to pass, and as they do, Double begins to learn the aspects of aura from Joki.


    Joki was no veteran, he lacked complete knowledge of aura as well, the many mysteries about this power, and above all, the abilities people manifest and how it comes to be, this was all unknown to Joki. Though, even with that little knowledge, he felt confident he could prepare Double for future events.


    (One Month Later, July 13th, 1820)


    "So! I would like to know how you ended up here in Southern Virginia. Also where did you come up with a name like Jyu-oh-sei? It''s all so random to me," Joki says, drinking his water, and preparing a meal for Double.


    Both Joki and Double had finished a training session, Double''s gas tank hadn''t been emptied, and he continues to try to fight, but Joki ignores him, continuing to prepare food for him.


    "While I was traveling, I continued to fight more and more and eventually, I ended up learning a little bit about my strength. After fighting you, and going through some of the books you showed me, I decided Jyu-oh-sei sounded the coolest to me!" An excited Double shouts, a gleeful expression on his face.


    A smile comes across the face of Joki, and he gives Double his meal and takes a seat. Double hadn''t eaten in two days, forgetting to eat as he continuously challenged Joki, and inevitably failed.


    "So Joki...you do a lot of research, I''ve been wanting to ask for a while, but could you tell me about history a little more? How everything ended up this way?" Double asks, continuing to eat the bowl of soup prepared by Joki.


    "Over time, the aura inside of our bodies began to become more discovered, people were slowly but surely realizing that they could make themselves even stronger just by learning how to hone it. As a result, people went crazy, destroying buildings, murdering people, and some would do even crazier things than that. It''s hard to believe; eventually, the government got overthrown by the civilians, and we ended up here. Now only the strong survive, and the weak...well they pray for safety," Joki states, putting down his plate giving Double his full attention.


    Joki stands up, prompting Double to do the same as they begin to stand in front of each other. The cabin had been reinforced, and had just enough room for the two to battle it out as much as possible.


    Double began to charge his aura, and as he does, Joki notices something off. For the last month, Double hadn''t been able to control his aura, Joki realized that Double had seasonal veteran levels of strength, and rookie levels of aura control.


    "Aura has to do with controlling your emotions during the battle; if you are not calm then you cannot fight to your fullest. Even then...you literally can''t control it, that''s...odd," Joki says, staring at Double with a perplexed expression.


    The words from Joki lit a fire in the mind of Double, and as he tried to control his aura in a desperate attempt to do better, Double''s aura only expanded a little, not even nearing his full potential.


    "Currently, I can''t fully control it, but...as long as I rely on my physical strength, and my will. I think I can hold out!" Double says, cocking his arm back, and preparing to lunge forward at Joki.


    Joki does a sigh, and cracks his knuckles while looking at Double with a bored expression. Joki had fought Double over one hundred times at this point, and the result never changed, but Double never lost hope at the same time.


    "The world itself is vast, you should take time to learn more about history, instead of trying to fight me all day," A bored Joki says, pulling his sword out of his sheath.


    Double and Joki clash with each other, and for a month, Joki had continued to teach Double everything he possibly could, while at the same time dealing with Double''s obsession with battle.

 Double Departs

    (Two Months Have Passed, August 13th, 1820)


    After two months, Double had finally felt alive, and gained a new sense of self. Being enclosed to a new environment, and being educated by Joki.


    "Man...it doesn''t even feel like two months, time flies by doesn''t it!" Double says, smiling as he walks outside of the cabin.


    Alongside Double, was Joki who had looked significantly more muscular, and his hair that had grown as well. They both leave the cabin, and as they do, Joki hands a device to Double.


    "Check this out, it''s called the Jogen Torakka, I crafted it a while ago." Joki states, sticking his hand out to Double, handing him the unknown device.


    Confused, Double waves it around in the air, and as he does, he notices the device start to blink rapidly.


    "It''s like a checkpoint in a video game, following it will tell you exactly where you need to go, that''s right! I''m sending you on a little mission." A happy Joki says, staring into the distance, pointing to where Double should move to.


    "This place, where exactly are you bringing me too. This thing is annoying as well, it''s the beeping is getting on my nerves." Double says.


    As Double finishes his words, Joki pats Double on the back.


    Double''s confidence over the months had lowered, understanding that there were threats stronger than him made him fear what lies ahead, but overtime, Double realized that fear is something natural, and the only way to deal with it is to face it head on.


    ''Whatever this mission is, I will do my best on it. Though, I hope it isn''t anything too complicated.'' Double thinks to himself, leaping into the distance.


    The area pinpointed on the Jogen Torakka had been close by, and Double''s immense speeds made it simple to track it down.


    As Double disappeared into the distance, Joki remained rooted in place, A palpable sense of nervousness etched across his face, and the shadow of uncertainty gradually enveloped him.


    ''He looked scared...throwing him out there with no knowledge of anything will only make him more fearful...but this was the only way he''d be convinced to go out there.'' Joki''s contemplative thoughts echoed in the recesses of his mind.


    In the state of Virginia, there had been a deserted area, void of anyone or anything, but in that empty and wide space, there was someone who had made camp there.


    Cities had been torn apart, and completely destroyed with no sight of them, all to make room for a singular small house.


    "Well...this is a very splendid surprise, someone was able to find me after all. Speak your name boy." The man says to Double.


    The tone in the man''s voice told Double that he had been very cocky, that cockiness made Double feel uneasy. Remembering his fight with Joki, and understanding that this overconfidence could spell the end for him.


    "My name''s Double, this device says that you are what I''m after, I assume that means..." Double says, continuing to stand on guard.


    The man begins to stand from where he was sitting, he walks ahead and notices Double''s aura for himself. A smile begins to form on the man''s face as he begins to notice Double''s low amount of aura.


    "You decided to come to me knowing your aura lacked control, and above all you don''t have much of it either. You are so obviously unprepared." The man says.


    The man opens his eyes, and in a shocking turn of events, his eyes had been red. Different eye colors tend to mean that they possess more than one ability, and those with only one ability have a extremely powerful ability at their disposal.


    The name of these eyes had been referred to as Sakusei, and can only be awakened when the user feels completely hopeless.


    "So you have them too, you have the Sakusei. Did you end up with no ability just like me." Double says, an annoyed expression on his face.


    Double''s words had confused the man, but at the same time made him hysterical. Finally, the man had decided to take steps towards Double.


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    The air around them had begun to intensify, and as the man takes steps towards Double, Double followed along and did the same.


    "It''s been awhile since I was able to get my hands dirty, but before anything...I gave you a name and I''d like for you to tell me yours?" Double asks.


    "Hmph, the name Is Kashikoi, though, it is rude for a fucking peasant to ask questions out of line." Kashikoi says, pulling his hand out as it begins forming sparks.


    As the two get closer, and are now in reach of each other, Double wastes no time, and quickly throws a punch at Kashikoi. The punch missed, but the punch itself made Kashikoi jump for a moment.


    Double''s physical ability had increased over the two months, and with that, so did the speed of his attacks. Double does a spinning backhand, and Kashikoi quickly ducks under it, and kicks Double back.


    ''He''s easily able to react to my attacks, and above everything else...I got the feeling he''s holding something serious back. I have to come at him with a different approach.'' Double thinks to himself, sweat pouring down his forehead.


    Double jumps above of Kashikoi, and feint''s a punch, as he does this he drops to the ground and throws a kick. Double had zero experience of fighting with actual martial arts, no style to go off of.


    The sole strategy at his disposal was the repeated experience of clashing with Joki, during which he had honed the art of feinting attacks numerous times to disrupt his opponent''s anticipation.


    ''He''s trying to feint his attacks over and over again so that I can''t see him coming. It looks like he wants to catch me once, does this brat think he can end the fight with only one punch?'' Kashikoi thinks to himself, smiling while watching Double''s actions.


    Eventually, Double appears below Kashikoi, and finally sweeps his legs, Kashikoi believing Double was going to go for a finishing shot, had now been falling in confusion.


    Double smiles, and quickly gets up after the sweep. Prepared to end things, he had already charged all of his aura into his fist ready to strike with the perfect opportunity.


    "Maybe standing on your own two feet, you can defend against me effortlessly, but...if I was to take you off your balance, then you couldn''t dodge this one could you?" Double says, standing above a Kashikoi stunned in mid-air.


    "Jyu-Oh-Sei, Junzuki!." Double yells out.


    Double throws the punch, but suddenly, right before Double could land the attack, he gets hit in the back by a huge lightning strike stopping his attack.


    Kashikoi lands on the ground, and begins to dust himself off ready to get back up. Confused, stunned, Double didn''t know what to think. Like a student being called unexpectedly to answer a difficult question in front of a class, Double was completely frozen.


    In a desperate attempt, Double swings his arms with full force out of panic, but is quickly gut punched by Kashikoi. The force of the punch made Double cough up blood, and drop to his knee.


    "Look at you...you''re so pathetic, did you come into this fight thinking you weren''t gonna get hit, and did you also just think a simple sweep was gonna be enough to take me out." Kashikoi says, a smirk on his face.


    Double tries to stand once again, but that attempt would be made futile as he''s kicked in his mouth by Kashikoi. The kick took a tooth out of the mouth of Double, and broke his nose simultaneously.


    Suddenly, Kashikoi raises his hand in the sky, and looks down at a defenseless Double, who had been laid out on the ground.


    "Jigoku no kuts¨±, kurai raimei!" Kashikoi says softly.


    A huge lightning strike hits Double in the stomach, silence can be heard, Double had been struggling to breathe, in this fight, Double had only been hit four times, but to him it felt like he had been hit over one hundred times.


    "I have to...I have to get up, not like this, I can''t go back. I have to keep fighting.'' Double thinks to himself, holding back a tear coming from his eyes.


    Kashikoi delivers a powerful stomp to Double''s stomach, causing him to cough up even more blood. At this critical juncture, Double clung to life with nothing but sheer tenacity and an unyielding will to survive.


    "You surprise me, you should have died on that lightning strike earlier. What''s keeping you fighting? You can''t do anything...you''re an idiot for making your own death more painful." Kashikoi says to Double, laughing at him.


    In an instant, Kashikoi''s eyes widened with a sudden realization. Double, undeterred, swiftly moved his arms, determined to rise again. However, before he could fully regain his footing, Kashikoi delivered a forceful stomp to Double''s stomach once more.


    "Damn it! Please! Let me get up, not like this...I don''t wanna die here, let me live, and let me challenge you again another time. Please!" Double begins pleading for his life to Kashikoi, his words, tinged with fear and vulnerability


    A disturbing smile begins to form on Kashikoi''s face, and at the same time, Double stares with a horrified expression. it is said that when a person realizes they are about to lose their life, a rapid mental review of significant events and emotions occurs, often accompanied by heightened awareness and physiological responses.


    In this moment, Double began rapidly going through all the moments from the last two months, and realized that''s all he could remember. The moments from when Double was younger, and other events as well had been gone. For a brief moment, time had slowed down for Double, and during that time, aside from the two months, Double hadn''t remembered any of his experiences in life.


    "You look pathetic right now, begging me for your life! That''s priceless, weaklings like you don''t deserve the right to die fast." Kashikoi says, standing over Double.


    ''Man...have I been moving like this my entire life? I didn''t even realize that my entire life, I hadn''t experienced anything. I''m really gonna die, and I haven''t been able to do anything with my life. I...want...I want a second chance, please, give me a second chance.'' The words begin to echo in Double''s mind, to bruised and beaten to speak.

 Doubles Promise To Kashikoi

    Clinging onto life, realizing the end was near, Double had not stopped fighting to get on his two feet. Struggling to breathe, and the attacks from Kashikoi causing Intestinal damage


    "Leaving you alive, and walking off would be dangerous. I don''t know who might come to your aid, even if just a little...your aura is still able to be traced." Kashikoi says.


    Double''s aura had still been at a decent amount even with the injuries, and his failed attempts to keep his breathing under control.


    Whether it had been instinctively, or something inside of Double keeping him going, It would all be futile as Double still can not muster the energy to return to his feet.


    "Don''t feel ashamed you lost, I am not someone who can lose, I''m someone who''s destined to reach perfection." Kashikoi says, holding his hand in the sky.


    "Butsuri H¨­soku, fall." A voice can be heard in the distance.


    Suddenly, as if gravity had been slamming onto Kashikoi, he falls onto the ground, looking around, Kashikoi had been starstruck.


    ''Gravity based attacks? I knew this kid had help, but who?'' Kashikoi contemplates to himself.


    "I knew it was a good idea to follow behind you Double...and I knew it was a bad idea to let you fight just on your own against him." Joki says.


    Kashikoi had looked up, and his eyes widened as he noticed that Joki was standing over him. The two fix gazes on each other, as if they had been completely familiar with each other.


    "What the hell are you doing here, it''s been a long time hasn''t it? I suppose that you are here to talk after a long time away from each other." Kashikoi says, a smile forming on his face.


    Kashikoi had begun trying to get his footing, and as he does, Double looked on in disbelief. Not knowing what to believe, his mind couldn''t come up with anything, his mind resembled an empty canvas, devoid of coherent thoughts or explanations.


    "Kashikoi...do you feel bad for any of the things you''ve done in this life. We''ve all sinned, and we''ve all done wrong due to the world were born in, but do you at least feel sympathy for the things you could have controlled, for the deaths you didn''t have to cause?" Joki asks.


    Joki''s expression showed that of someone with sadness they had kept back, yet beneath the surface, a tempest of anger raged within him. It wasn''t merely the persistence of Kashikoi''s existence that fueled his fury; it was the frustration of feeling incapable of confronting a predicament he feels he set in motion.


    However, the words from Joki stun Kashikoi, not having a response, he loses his smile and begins to try and process his thoughts. Kashikoi feared he wouldn''t be able to take on Joki at the moment, and that fear turned into creative resilience as a idea sparked in his head.


    "Well...since you''re here, that boy over there, he tried to kill me, and ended up wounding me as you can see." Kashikoi says, pointing at his arm with zero wounds.


    In the moment, Kashikoi''s words may have made no sense, but his ability and what it''s capable of made it make sense completely. Kashikoi possessed the ability of creating purple lightning using his ability he had learned through unknown methods, and an ability that had to do with manipulating the thoughts of another person, seamlessly implanting fabricated notions into their minds, thereby compelling them to believe whatever narratives he sought to craft.


    "Cut the shit Kashikoi, we aren''t little kids anymore. Do you seriously think I''d fall for that again?" Joki asks, a furious expression etched across his face.


    During the face off, and the words shared between Joki and Kashikoi, Double''s body still refused to let him get up. Frustration boiled within him, escalating into a seething rage as his eyes begin to twitch as he thinks of the worst possible scenario.A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.


    "What...the hell is going on! Joki!" Double yells.


    Joki turns to Double in disbelief, Joki''s thought process entering the deserted battlefield was that Double would eventually fall unconscious due to injuries. However, Double''s resolve and fear of death alone would be enough to keep him conscious and pushing.


    "So you two...are familiar with each other, asking him all these questions, talking to him like normal. What the fuck are you thinking Joki!" Double yells, coughing up blood with each word.


    Quickly, Kashikoi puts his hand in the air, preparing another attack after hearing Double''s voice, however, before he could execute his move, Joki intervened with quick speeds, seizing Kashikoi''s outstretched hand.


    "What? Are you gonna attack me, kill me? We know you can''t do that. You''ve never been able to get the job done." Kashikoi says.


    Joki pushes Kashikoi back, and quickly proceeds to check on Double. He puts his hand on Double''s back, and a weird spark, accompanied by Joki''s aura spreads around it. Kashikoi stares on, not wanting to take the risk of launching an attack on Joki.


    "Double...calm down, take it easy. I wanna explain everything when we get back, but for now, let me just make sure you''re okay." Joki says.


    "Take it easy, with me laid out on the ground, and that bastard standing over us. Do you seriously think I''m gonna calm down!" Double yells, slapping Joki''s hand off him.


    The healing process for Double had not yet completed, but Double proceeds to stand up anyways. Double glances over at Kashikoi, and puts his fist up as if preparing to launch a big strike. Kashikoi prepares himself as well, but Joki quickly puts his hand in front of Joki.


    "Double...you don''t get it, and that''s fine, but no one is fighting here. The moment I stepped onto the battlefield, meant this battle for now was done, you lost." Joki calmly says, staring at a enraged Double.


    Joki''s words hit Double hard, the moment he heard those words declaring his defeat. He lost all motivation in his body, however, Kashikoi continued to laugh in the distance. Double felt hopeless, looking at Joki and Kashikoi as two brick walls who he could never get past.


    "So...why don''t you tell the kid what is really going on here. Thinking about it, he said some words back there that caught me off. A device that told him that I''m what he''s after is that right? You sent this kid here on a suicide mission!" Kashikoi yells.


    "What the hell is he saying Joki! That''s a lie...tell me it is!" Double yells, gripping Joki''s jacket tight with frustration and disbelief.


    Joki shoves Double to the side, and walks begins to walk towards Kashikoi with an emotionless expression. Joki pulls his sword out, and walks towards Kashikoi, his face fearful as Kashikoi quickly realized that Joki had enough.


    "Fine...then I''ll just beat you unconscious, I''ll do what I can if I can''t bring myself to kill you." Joki says.


    Suddenly, Double begins to have a mild headache, As the throbbing ache in Double''s head intensified, he instinctively clutched his temples, desperately seeking some sort of relief. In the middle of this discomfort, whispers, faint and elusive, infiltrated his consciousness. Like a distant radio transmission, the voices echoed with indistinct clarity, teasing comprehension just beyond his reach.


    ''Allowing him to end things wouldn''t be fair to you, end the one who wronged you, make him fall at your feet.'' The voice inside Double''s mind says.


    Double''s eyes widened as the weight of the words sank in, a sudden realization dawning upon him. The voice echoing through the air had an unmistakable effect on him. Swiftly turning his gaze, he spotted Joki, moving with deliberate intent towards a Kashikoi frozen in fear.


    "Stop Joki, it won''t be you..." Double says.


    Joki and Kashikoi both turned their attention towards Double, who wore a twisted expression on his face, his fist clenched tightly. His gaze remained fixated on Kashikoi, his contorted features creating an illusion that, to an outsider entering the scene without any context, Double might be the source of the prevailing chaos.


    "You''ve decided to make this my problem, and I don''t really know your reasoning. I don''t really care, and I don''t think I want to as well. I want him dead...dead at my feet, so how about this, you stay here Kashikoi...don''t leave...don''t hide, I want you to stay here and wait for me to take your life." Double says softly.


    Kashikoi''s face turned from that of fear, to that of a smile as he proceeds to also lock eyes with Double. Joki''s expression is that of shock, but understanding that he had placed this burden on Double, he kept his mouth shut.


    However, those words Double spoke would end up being his final as he collapsed onto the floor. Joki picks Double up, and puts him on his back, and proceeds to walk into the distance as Kashikoi stays in place.


    "Then that settles it, it''s his choice after all. Let''s see if that boy manages to come back and dethrone me." Kashikoi says.


    "He can''t dethrone someone who was never a king to begin with." Joki says.

 Enter Kazu Michikazu

    As Joki and Double leave, completely out of sight from Kashikoi. Kashikoi sits down and does a sigh of relief, it begins raining outside, and Kashikoi looks up in the sky, catching raindrops in his hand.


    ''He looks at me like a coward, turns his back to me. Just like before...he treats me as an inferior, but that won''t last long. No man or woman in the world can boast of knowing a diviner mind than mine.'' Kashikoi thinks to himself.


    Two hours later, inside of the cabin.


    Double wakes up inside of the cabin, as he leans forward he feels a sharp pain in his stomach. He looks forward and notices Joki sitting in front of him.


    Joki had noticed a burn mark on Double''s stomach. Double had only sustained damage to the back and abdomen, breaking his ribs and posing a risk of internal injuries, because of that, Joki had decided to keep a close eye on him while he was sleeping, making sure nothing happened to him.


    "Don''t move...you''re still badly hurt, it''ll be best for you to rest here and try to clear your mind. I''ll explain everything later." Joki says.


    "I can''t stay put, I''ve had enough rest...I''m gonna go fight him again, and do what I should have done the first time." Double says, attempting to stand up.


    Joki quickly stands up in front of Double, blocking his way. Double tries to move past Joki, but quickly jumps back in pain.


    "Look at yourself, you can''t even muster the energy to take a step forward, yet you wanna have a death battle. I will bring you water and food to eat, just rest here for now Double." Joki says.


    Double hears everything Joki tells him, but his mind is still fixated on Kashikoi. The thought of him nearly losing his life to him, and Joki having some strange connection with him enraged him, making him act irrationally.


    "I don''t want your damn food, I want answers, who is Kashikoi to you. Were supposed to be friends, but you saw me at death''s door, and you decided to let him live! Why?" Double asks.


    Joki stands there frozen, not able to muster any words to come up with a response for Double. Double begins to think back to the words he heard from Joki.


    "When you said...we aren''t little kids anymore in front of Kashikoi, that''s when I knew that something was wrong. Tell me the damn truth Joki!" Double yells, staring into the eyes of Joki.


    Joki''s expression begins to show that of frustration, he begins to try and speak, but suddenly Joki notices something strange in the corner of the room.


    A man standing in the corner in plain sight, but hiding his aura as to not be detected by Double and Joki. The man had to have moved there recently, and had been so quiet, listening in to everything that was going on.


    ''Who the hell is he...and how did he slip past me so easily, I understand I had been watching Double, but for him to get past me so easily would take a hell of a lot of control of his aura.'' Joki thinks to himself, unsheathing his sword.


    Without a second thought, Joki begins to approach the man in the corner of the room, but the man comes out of the corner with his hands in the air, signaling that he''s harmless.


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    Joki had been thrown off, and begin let go of his sword, and had now been face to face with the strange man.


    "You two were in a huge rush, you''re lucky I''m the only one who noticed the amount of aura being given off here. Seriously...I don''t know how the hell you guys live in a cabin anyways, people try to break in don''t they?" The man says.


    "All these questions, and still no explanation of who you are. I forgot to reinforce the cabin, therefore it made it easy for someone to detect us in here. I assume that''s how you got in?" Joki asks.


    "It''s more complicated than that." The man says.


    The man laughs a little under his breath, and as he does, he pulls out his sword and hands it to Joki. Joki holding the sword notices something peculiar about it, the feeling, how light it is, and how basic the sword looked felt off to him.


    "Why are you giving this to me?" Joki asks.


    "Long story short, that''s how I got into your cabin. My ability happens to revolve around that sword, it''s pretty lame but I''ve trained upon it a lot. I trust you to hold it though, from what I know you are trustworthy." The man says, a smile on his face.


    "From what you know? What the hell is your name?" Joki asks


    "My name is Kazu Michikazu, a swordsman that was born in Illinois. I traveled here not too long ago, just because here in Virginia is actually where most of everyone is apparently. For some reason, everyone is attracted to this place." Kazu says.


    Double looks ahead, and gets flashbacks from Joki conversating with Kashikoi, unable to move, all Double could do is sit back and look at the two, feeling nothing but anger.


    "Hey! Kazu right? who the hell are you?" Double asks


    "I...just explained who I am, have you been listening?" Kazu asks.


    Joki starts laughing, and quickly goes to the kitchen to grab the food and water that he had prepared for Double.


    While Joki goes to the kitchen, Kazu proceeds to go and sit next to an annoyed Double. As Kazu sits, he looks over, and notices Double''s injuries.


    "So...what about you, tell me about yourself. I see you got into a pretty rough situation, I''m surprised you can get hurt with someone like him around." Kazu says.


    "I don''t know what to think anymore...I feel like I''m going crazy. My name is Double, sorry for the awkward introduction." Double says, beginning to calm down.


    "It''s fine, I know you guys have been through a lot." Kazu says.


    "What do you mean you know? You keep going on and on about things that you know about." Double says, looking at Kazu with a curious expression.


    Before Kazu could speak, Joki comes back into the room with the food and water he had made for Double. Kazu looks over, and ignores it understanding the food hadn''t been for him.


    "You''re here now right, you might as well eat too kid. Maybe that''ll help you start telling us when you got here and why the hell have you been watching us." Joki says


    "How...did you know I was watching you?" Kazu asks, taking a bite from the food.


    "No normal person would just know that much about someone unless they had prior knowledge, and you look like you''ve been wanting to make yourself known for a while now." Joki says.


    Kazu had been watching over Joki for a while, scared to come into his presence, not knowing the type of person Joki had been. The entire time, Kazu had been afraid, not afraid of death, but afraid Joki would shut him out, and he would have no one to rely on.


    In this world, you need people to rely on, Kazu had become aware of that, being alone poses greater risks of death.


    "I see...also, what''s your actual name Double?" Kazu asks


    Double looks at Kazu with a confused expression, the only name Double had known to this point was Double, and nothing else.


    "That''s my actual name from what I know, Double is the only name I know of." Double says.


    "That''s odd, but who am I to judge." Kazu says.


    Joki knelt down, his gaze piercing as he locked eyes with Kazu, who stared back in wide-eyed astonishment.


    "Alright! Enough side tracking, what more do you know about us, and tell us a little more about you Kazu." Joki says.

 The God Of Technicality

    "The presence of you two together is enough to set a lot of people off, but Joki reinforcing this place brings a lot of the danger down." Kazu says.


    "What exactly do you mean the presence of us two, Double''s not that strong, he wouldn''t exactly give off a aura that would make you fear for your life." Joki says, staring in confusion.


    "Well...it''s kind of hard to explain, but before I tell you any of that, Joki...you of all people shouldn''t be surprised that I found you. Wherever you go, tons of people should follow you, but are naturally scared because of the aura you let off. You may not be the strongest in the world, but you are pretty damn close." Kazu says


    Whenever Joki would go for supplies, and even when he would simply do things such as when he went to help Double in his fight against Kashikoi. His aura, even while trying to suppress it always let others know of his location, but many were too scared to compromise.


    "How I found you? Well it was a while ago, a couple of months back...I got into a incident, but eventually I managed to find Joki. You let off a huge aura, and most people wouldn''t go near you, but because of my silent movement, and my ability to suppress my aura I always stayed near. I thought that if it''s too risky to try and join you, I might as well stay around for a while, but after what happened recently I found the confidence to let myself in." Kazu says.


    "How come I never noticed this!" Double yells.


    "...Can you not sense aura Double?" Kazu asks.


    Double''s control over aura had been lacking to the point where he couldn''t even do all of the basics. The only thing Double truly had mastered was the ability to imbue his aura into his fist, but everything else wasn''t clear to him.


    Though, he instinctively was able to sense aura even for a second in the fight with Kashikoi, the basics of aura only came to him when he felt his life was threatened.


    "No...I''ve never been able to, even learning how to imbue aura, I only learned that after my first altercation with Joki." Double says


    Joki''s eyes widen at what Double had just said, not even Double realized how unbelievable that sounded, aura is something that only increases in amount, and the basics you''d only learn from studying or maybe even practicing.


    "Are you serious, I thought you knew how to imbue your aura into your fist before I had found you?" Joki asks.


    "No...once we had ran into each other, on instinct I was able to imbue my fists with aura. It''s like my body had reacted to the threat on it''s own, giving me more power." Double says.


    "If Double was that inexperienced, why would you allow him to fight a threat like that Joki?" Kazu asks.


    Double and Joki look over at Kazu in disbelief, even to this point, Double and Joki had been unaware of exactly how much Kazu know about their adventures so far, but everything was beginning to make sense.


    Even still, Kazu''s knowledge of the fight, and knowing the strength and how much of a threat Kashikoi was threw both Double and Joki off.


    "Do you...know who Kashikoi is by any chance Kazu?" Double asks.


    Kazu yawns, and begins to think back to when he was traveling, even before he had figured out the existence of Joki.


    "Yeah...I ran into Kashikoi a while back, but I never engaged with him. I made sure to stay out of sight once I saw what he had done, he quickly murdered too people who''s strength were higher than anything I had ever seen. I quickly got away from him, but never kept my eye off him, what his abilities are and what he''s capable of...he''s someone that shouldn''t exist, a anomaly." Kazu says.


    "Couldn''t have said it better myself..." Joki says.


    Joki begins to expand the room, confusing Double and Kazu, Double was never aware that Joki had the ability to manipulate the cabin itself.


    ''Damn...using this ability really has an effect on me, but more importantly...if this kid knows so much it''ll be good to keep him around.'' Joki thinks to himself.


    Joki walks towards Kazu, and hands him back his sword, and then immediately after, he checks Double and notices that his wounds had been healing nicely, and that he would make a full recovery.


    "Honestly Kazu, you aren''t too weak yourself, your aura is unique, and the way this sword is, I can only imagine that your fighting style would be unique as well. You should join Double in fighting Kashikoi." Joki says.This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.


    "Against...Kashikoi, that sounds like a suicide mission. You''re gonna join him too right? knowing your title, and what you''re capable of it''ll be easy." Kazu says.


    "Title?" Double asks.


    Double looks over to Joki confusion, Double had never heard of any title that Joki might have claimed, and Kazu looked more aware of it than anything.


    "You don''t know? Joki here is known by a special name that he''s been called by many people who have crossed paths with him." Kazu says.


    "Seriously! You have to be a stalker or something, how much do you know about me?" Joki asks.


    Double begins laughing out loud, something about Kazu being in the room, and telling him about Joki made all the stress of what happened at the battlefield go away.


    Double hadn''t forgotten, but he became comfortable with Joki knowing that someone had been watching and keeping a eye on Joki.


    "That sounds so cool, what is the title that he holds?" Double asks.


    "He holds the title of being the god of technicality, someone that in hand to hand combat is feared amongst everyone. Joki is capable of some very cool things, but he never uses his abilities, and I''ve never seen him actually use his awakened Sakusei abilities to their full extent." Kazu says.


    "What''s an awakened Sakusei?" Double asks.


    Kazu looked over in disbelief at Double''s words, even though he had already figured out that Double was clueless to the world of aura, and abilities that others possessed.


    Double had already known of the Sakusei''s existence, but never that there was an awakening to it.


    "Seriously! Have you taught Double anything since he''s been here Joki?. Kazu asks.


    "Well it''s hard to teach a guy who thinks he can learn everything just by picking a fight every five minutes...so no I haven''t taught him much, honestly in the time you''ve been here you''ve been able to teach him more than me when it comes to analyzing his power." Joki says.


    Double looks over watching them talk, and feels like a child being left out of a group. His cluelessness made him feel that any word he would have said would''ve just made look even more dense then he already was.


    "Double...The awakened Sakusei comes from honing your Sakusei that you already possess to an even greater level. Coming to understand it, and training your body, eventually doing these things will grant you your awakening. Treat it like leveling up in a game, you''ll go from being a novice, to a intermediate, to eventually an expert kind of like Joki." Kazu says.


    "What...is a game?" Double asks.


    "...you really haven''t taught him much have you?" Kazu asks.


    Joki face palms himself and begins to laugh, and is quickly accompanied by Kazu who laughs as well. Double sits annoyed, and begins to become frustrated with his lack of knowledge.


    "I may not understand the whole game reference you made, but I do understand that you have to improve upon your Sakusei, only problem is...I don''t have any abilities, I just punch really hard, and one of the things Joki did teach me was imbuing your fist, and becoming naturally stronger due to the Sakusei just happens." Double says.


    "That''s completely true, I wish I could tell you more, but I don''t have a Sakusei myself. my strength comes from training, and just carrying around my sword. It''s always just been my sword and me." Kazu says.


    Double yawns, and stands up, he begins to stretch his arms and his legs trying to get a good feel if he was okay or not. Once he realized that he fully recovered, he looked at Kazu.


    "Hey...I loved being able to talk to you Kazu, but i was only able to have this talk because I didn''t know I recovered. I have to take Kashikoi out...but Joki does make a good point, it''ll be a little hard on my own, and something tells me Joki won''t...or can''t do it." Double says.


    "I already get the memo, you want me to join you and help you fight that monster. I owe it to Joki to try and help since this whole time...I''ve been watching him without him knowing, but you understand the risks that come with this, we could die Double." Kazu says.


    "Yep...that''s enough to convince me to fight, I remember that feeling, I got so much stronger just feeling the aura of Joki, imagine if I get another chance to fight Kashikoi again...all of the mysteries behind Joki and Kashikoi''s relationship...while it does bother me, I''m more interested in seeing just how much stronger I can become if i beat him!" Double yells.


    "Then that settles it! Looks like you two are in agreeance, and I am very appreciative Kazu, but we need to get you two accustomed first. You two can fight me, and learn how each other fights. Once you do that...you''ll be ready to head out." Joki says, walking out of the room, leaving Double and Kazu alone.


    Kazu looks back at Double, and their eyes begin to lock once again.


    "Two days...that''s all we''ll give ourselves to learn as much as we can. I told Kashikoi something that''ll make him stay for sure. All we got to do is prepare." Double says.


    "Sounds like a plan to me. Since Joki couldn''t do it, I''ll teach you as much as I can in the short time, but your aura is already similar to mines in terms of how much you can put out. I wanna be able to grow stronger with you Double." Kazu says


    Double and Kazu''s minds had intertwined, and they both had the same goal in mind. Eliminating the anomaly that had been Kashikoi from this world.


    "We''ll take that bastard out for good!" Double and Kazu both say together.

 Double and Kazu vs Kashikoi

    (Two days later, August 15th, 1820)


    Two days have now passed since Double and Kazu had formed their alliance, the two had continuously fought each other, learned each others strengths and weaknesses, and became more accustomed to using coordinated attacks.


    "You''re physically strong, in a fight getting hit by you even once will leave me sincerely injured." Kazu says, gripping his sword.


    Kazu had been exerting a lot of energy trying to get away from Double''s attacks. Double''s attacks were extremely threatening, and one singular hit from Double would be enough to wound Kazu heavily.


    Though Kazu promoted it, he felt that knowing the harm Double''s blows caused would make him instinctively react better, making his timing in battles even greater.


    "Your fighting style is a nuisance, what''s the point in having strong attacks if i can''t even get close enough to attack you?" Double asks.


    "Well...seeing as you don''t exactly possess a ability that can be used with variety, you''d have to find ways to make your style unique. You are a brawler, Double, your strength is your greatest ally. I believe you''ll be able to find something that works for you." Kazu says, smiling.


    Both Kazu and Double nod at each other, calm themselves, and take a seat on the floor trying to recover their energy from the spar they had just taken part in.


    "You know, we are very close in power. I see why you are so excited to fight Kashikoi. You are special in the fact that when put up against a stronger foe, you skyrocket in ability." Kazu says.


    "I wouldn''t say it''s excitement, for the first time in my life, I was scared of death...I begged for my life, and I hated it. I was pathetic, and I was...I actually regretted taking him on. It''s a feeling I don''t ever wanna have to feel again." Double says, tightening his fist.


    "Then I ask...why do you urge to try and fight him again so bad?" Joki asks, opening the door.


    As Joki enters the room, breathing heavily after finishing a training session, he overhears Double''s words, and concern comes over him like a sudden shadow, casting doubt and worry across his face.


    "Why do you wanna fight something that made you feel that way? Wouldn''t you want to leave it alone? I won''t sit here and say that I''m the happiest about this. I made the mistake of sending you out there the first time. I don''t want to make the mistake again, and this time...something terrible happens." Joki says.


    Joki begins to think back, he thinks back to a younger Kashikoi, full of exuberance and innocence. The image of the past played like a cherished memory, with Kashikoi waving and smiling warmly at a youthful Joki. A tear comes out of his eye, but Joki doesn''t cry, it was as if he had resisted the urge to cry, having a silent battle within himself.


    Joki takes a deep breath, and takes a knee to Double and Kazu who had been sitting down, and puts his hand on both of their shoulders.


    "You two understand the risks you are taking, and I want you to also understand that it''s not too late to turn back. We can leave Kashikoi alone, and venture off to do something else, handle something more...easier." Joki hesitantly says.


    "No...it''s as simple as that, Joki...you entrusted me to take on this battle. You may not want to admit it, but you asked me to do this because you didn''t have the strength to do it yourself. You had a pretty damn messed up way of throwing me out there with him, but still...I owe you one after you brought me in, and taught me everything I know now. I thank you." Double says.


    Joki takes a deep breath, and a frown comes across his face. Joki''s look said it all, that he knew the decision Double made was far from what he expected.


    Kazu''s silence told Joki that he was in agreement as well.


    "Then I wish you two the best of luck, you have my blessings. Do your best, and remember that you can also run back here if the task is too hard. I won''t shame you for it." Joki says.


    Joki sits down as he watches Double and Kazu both quickly dash out into the distance, like before, the deserted area hadn''t been far from the cabin, and Double and Kazu''s quick movements made it easier to get there.


    ''This feeling in my chest, and I''m already sweating before we even get there. If Kashikoi made a guy like Double beg for his life, then...'' Kazu thinks to himself.


    "Kazu...from what I can recall from what Joki told me, his abilities, he has more than one, and a Sakusei like mine, the ability to manipulate lightning, and the ability to implant fabricated notions into people''s minds." Double says.


    Kazu''s eyes widen, this had been the first time Kazu heard any of this, and in his mind. A huge sense of fear came over him, he wondered how this was going to be possible, if he had it in him to even fight anymore.


    "Why are you just now telling me this? Is it even possible to beat this guy? What are the limits on these abilities you just mentioned?" Kazu asks.


    "Well...to be honest with you, I don''t know much about his lightning abilities, but when it comes to that second ability, we have to be able to sense when he''ll do it and stop him. In my previous fight, for even a slight moment, I was able to see how much aura he possessed. Joki told me that when sensing him, you''ll hear a sound like a clock ticking down, and when that happens immediately attack him, that''s how we know." Double says, turning back to look at Kazu.


    As Double and Kazu got closer to the deserted area, Double''s face had turned more serious than ever before, on the face of Double was a genuine expression of hatred, an extreme desire to hurt Kashikoi as much as possible.


    ''He''s serious...all those feelings that Double had, right now I can tell they don''t matter. All that matters in his head is handling Kashikoi.'' Kazu thinks to himself.


    Double and Kazu both finally arrive in the deserted area, and as they do, Kazu''s eyes widen at the sight he had seen. cities torn apart, and homes that once held multiple people destroyed.


    What caught Kazu off the most though was that now, there had been bodies, fresh bodies that show Kashikoi had murdered innocents recently.


    "Bodies...dead, and they all look the same too. People had been taken out left and right. He truly has no mercy for innocent lives!" Kazu yells.


    Double puts his hand on Kazu''s shoulder, signaling for Kazu to lower his voice. Out of shock, Kazu had lost his composure, and quickly got it back once Double helped him.


    "In a world like this, killing just becomes normal, seeing bodies just becomes normal. What bothers me is...what did any of these people do to him? Walk on this shitty ass land that he claimed for himself?" Double asks.


    Suddenly, out of nowhere, a lightning strike collides with the ground. As the lightning fades, they can see a beautiful white robe flowing as a man lifts his head up.


    Kashikoi had arrived, and coming with him was a sinister aura. A man that looked like he lost all of his humanity.


    "You actually came, but you didn''t come alone. Wasn''t it you who wanted to defeat me, to think you came with help is well, pathetic." Kashikoi says.


    Kazu and Double both stare down Kashikoi, and as they do, Double''s aura begins to charge up. Double takes an attempt to sense Kashikoi''s aura, but he can''t.


    "Idiots like you don''t get to call us pathetic, and you should watch those words, they''ll be embarrassing once you lose." Kazu says.


    Kashikoi smiles as he sees Kazu, and notices his sword. The sword Kazu had was basic, but Kashikoi knew Kazu was more than just basic. Kazu''s aura, and the confidence he boasted, intrigued him.


    "So, you would use such a tone wielding such a basic sword in front of me. Now I''m curious, is it because you are strong and you wouldn''t need a more advanced sword, maybe you''re weak, but even I know that isn''t true, what is it boy?" Kashikoi asks.


    "How about you take some steps forward and try to find out." Kazu says.


    Double continues to try and sense Kashikoi''s aura, and throughout all the failed attempts, Double succeeded once, for even a second he noticed Kashikoi''s aura, as it flashed for him.


    Double was different from everyone else, even possessing an aura that was higher than most people. It was extremely difficult for him to sense aura.


    "Double, what is that you are doing, you look pathetic. Planning something in front of me is a foolish move, particularly considering that you are aware of the gap in power between us." Kashikoi says.


    ''This is bad, I could only sense him for a small second. That''s not enough to be able to tell when he''ll use his second ability.'' Double thinks to himself.


    Suddenly, as Double begins to panic at the realization that he couldn''t completely sense Kashikoi''s aura. Kazu swiftly manages to clash with Kashikoi, beginning the fight.


    Double, and even Kashikoi, had been shocked by the speed in which Kazu appeared in front of Kashikoi, but Double was not so shocked, as he had already knew how Kazu was able to pull this off.


    "He moves quickly, but...at the same time, I didn''t see him move at all, it''s like he completely vanished alongside his aura." Kashikoi says.


    Kazu quickly throws his sword up in the air, and turns his back. Kashikoi sits there confused, not understanding Kazu''s plan.


    Suddenly, Kazu vanished, and Kashikoi looked both ways, and then eventually looked up and noticed Kazu was completely gone. Though, in that moment he had taken his eyes off Double, Double takes advantage and lands a punch to the gut of Kashikoi.


    "That boy, he doesn''t possess a Sakusei, but he can teleport freely like that? What is he?" Kashikoi asks, coughing blood from Double''s attack.


    Kazu finally appears above Kashikoi, and as Kashikoi looks up, it had already been too late. Kazu kicks Kashikoi in the face, sending him back.


    "Double, I can sense his aura, for now...I can let you know whenever he''ll try and activate his ability, but...what I can''t do is do it forever. You have to learn it and learn it fast." Kazu says.


    Kashikoi swiftly jumps in to attack Kazu, but Kazu quickly teleports. Kashikoi looks where Kazu''s sword had been thrown, and laughs.


    "Fascinating, you can teleport to wherever you throw your sword. In all my research, I hadn''t seen anything like this. You''ve truly grabbed my attention boy." Kashikoi says.


    Kashikoi quickly kicks Double back, and leaps up to grab Kazu''s sword, forcing Kazu to reappear and become vulnerable.


    Kashikoi grabs Kazu''s leg and slams him down, but Kazu''s quickly caught by Double, who tosses Kazu and goes in for a strike.


    "Jyu-Oh-Sei, Dragon shock!" Double yells.


    Kashikoi promptly stands on guard, but to his surprise, Double had actually aimed his punch at the ground, creating a crater beneath him.


    ''They keep disrupting my ability, this isn''t a coincidence. Joki...you told these brats about me, didn''t you? Now this is interesting.'' Kashikoi thinks to himself.


    In the midst of the destruction Double had caused, Kazu manages to throw his sword out of sight from Kazu, and as he does this, Kashikoi turns around and notices Kazu''s sword is missing, forcing him to look around.


    Double quickly goes for a kick, but the kick is caught. The moment Double''s kick gets caught, Kazu teleports behind Double, leaps over his head, and lands a kick, the same kick he had landed before.


    Kashikoi gets sent back once again, and realizes that it''s impossible for him to defend against Double while Kazu is around. Kashikoi quickly puts his hand on the ground, and smiles.Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!


    "Jigoku no kuts¨±, Zeus''s Fury!"


    Kashikoi slams the ground beneath him and creates a pillar of lightning. The pillar of lightning makes Double jump back, and as Kazu attempts to throw his sword in order to teleport away.


    Kashikoi''s plan all along was to get Kazu to throw his sword, he quickly blitzes over to Kazu, and punches him multiple times in the stomach, sending him flying back.


    "Kazu! Damn it." Double yells


    Kazu had been wounded, but not out, though, for the moment he would be out of commission. Leaving Double to fight Kashikoi by himself.


    "Seriously...he interested me at first, but now he''s just a nuisance. Each time he tries to throw that sword, I''ll beat him even worse. You on the other hand, we have unfinished business." Kashikoi says.


    Double stomps the ground, creating another crater, and looks Kashikoi in his eyes. Double''s strength had increased as he continued to fight Kashikoi, and as he realizes this, his confidence increases as well.


    "Jyu-Oh-Sei, Lion Tenkou."


    Double does a barrage with his fist and kicks. All the attacks would be quickly dodged by Kashikoi as he palms Double in the stomach.


    Double gets sent flying back, but he lands on his feet and flies in. Kashikoi begins to laugh, and as he does he begins parrying Double''s punches as his smile becomes wider.


    "Where is that smile Double! You should be happy, and bask in the glory of this fight. You have gotten stronger, you don''t care for anyone but yourself currently in this fight. You can''t lie to me either, your aura growing is proof of that!" Kashikoi yells.


    Kashikoi kicks Double in the chest, sending him flying once again, but Double still lands on his feet. Double resolves wouldn''t allow him to fall to the ground, each time he nearly did, he gets reminded of how he begged for his life, and that motivates him to keep going.


    "You''re wrong, my aura is growing, because right now, you are the only person I wanna kill. I want nothing but you dead!" Double yells, flying back in at Kashikoi.


    Double attempts to punch Kashikoi, but Kashikoi slowly notices Double slow down. It''s as if Double had been losing speed due to fatigue, or Double purposely slowed himself down.


    "His movements, is he crazy? Is he trying to throw me off like he did in our first fight? Quite the boring move." Kashikoi says.


    Suddenly, Kazu teleports in front of Double, and slices Kashikoi in his chest. Double had slowed down to give Kazu an opportunity to strike, and once he did, Kazu followed through successfully.


    Kashikoi stood there stunned, and Kazu and Double did the same, not knowing what to think after successfully landing the strike.


    "I''ve been doing some thinking...I initially found that Boy''s ability amusing, but...now you have pissed me off. I also neglected one fact." Kashikoi says.


    Kashikoi swiftly rushes in, ignoring the strike Kazu had landed, and kicks Kazu right in the chest. Double wasn''t able to perceive Kashikoi moving, and because of that, he couldn''t protect Kazu from the attack.


    Kazu gets sent back, and all that''s left is his sword. Double stands frozen, and looks back for a moment, noticing Kazu is completely out of sight again.


    "The fact that you don''t belong here, this is a fight that has to do with us." Kashikoi says.


    Kashikoi begins laughing out loud, but Double quickly charges his aura to the max. Double had told the truth earlier, the only person he wanted to kill was Kashikoi, but Double had also worried about Kazu, now that Kazu had been taken out of the fight, Double could let loose as much as he wanted.


    "Yeah...this is a death match between just you and me. Nobody else!" Double yells.


    The two quickly clash fist, and as they do Double continuously whales on Kashikoi. Kashikoi had completely given up on trying to activate his second ability, and focused solely on his lightning manipulation.


    Kashikoi guarded himself, and Double lands a blow so strong it sends Kashikoi flying outside of the deserted area, and into multiple other cities.


    As Kashikoi flies through multiple buildings, he proceeds to put his hand in the air, and shoots out lightning strikes where Double was, but Double had already swiftly jumped to where Kashikoi was, and easily evaded the lightning strikes.


    "Stop using your lightning! You''ll kill multiple innocent people if you do that!" Double yells.


    "You lecturing me to stop using my ability, that punch alone, the impact of your punch sending me through multiple buildings. You did that with no regard of these people, you are just like me Double!" Kashikoi yells.


    Double throws a punch, but it''s parried, and Kashikoi punches Double in the face. Double takes the punch and spits out a tooth. Kashikoi smiles, genuinely impressed in Double''s durability that had increased so quickly.


    "I see now...your potential up close! It''s higher than mine! And at the rate you''re going, it could be even higher than Joki''s. It''s only been two days, but you are a completely new fighter." Kashikoi says.


    Double jumps back, and jumping from building to building. Cautiously avoiding any abrupt landings on the structures, not wanting to destroy any structures in his way.


    ''He wants to attack me, but now...I can perceive him, all I have to do is wait for him to come to me, and hit him with a huge blow, wait...what is that?'' Double thinks to himself, watching the lightning strikes Kashikoi let off begin to redirect back at himself.


    "Jigoku no kuts¨±, Kurai''s Divine Thunder." Kashikoi says.


    Kashikoi''s body gets struck by lightning with no impact. He gets Clad in a magnificent robe reminiscent of ancient Greek attire, the fabric itself takes on a regal shade of deep violet, interlaced with shimmering golden threads. The robe billows majestically, flowing with the crackling electricity that dances along its surface.


    Kashikoi quickly runs up, and punches Double in his gut, but as he does he had also coughed up blood. Kashikoi had exerted himself way beyond what he thought, and using Kurai''s Divine Thunder, he had caused harm to himself in order to give himself a huge power up.


    Double noticing this smiles, and punches Kashikoi in the face. Both fighters had been hurt, but Double stands where he is while Kashikoi jumps back, and as he does, his smile turns into a disturbing one.


    "From a kid! A kid! Alright then Double! I didn''t think it''d be possible for someone to grow this strong at such a rapid rate, but you''ve surprised me." Kashikoi says.


    Kashikoi appears in front of Double, but Double being able to see Kashikoi''s movements kicks him in the face, sending Kashikoi back.


    Kashikoi begins to laugh as he''s sent through even more buildings, and as he does Double continues to keep distance from Kashikoi.


    "Before when I took out your friend, you couldn''t see me coming, your eyes couldn''t follow my movements before. I didn''t think it was possible! You can perceive my movements Double! You can keep up with me, can''t you!" Kashikoi yells in the distance.


    Meanwhile, at the deserted area, Kazu begins to get up slowly, and as he does, he notices that Double and Kashikoi had taken their fight to the middle of the city.


    Kazu began checking his arm, but every time he tried to move it, he screamed out in pain. Kazu had landed badly on his left arm.


    "You know, it''s not like I can''t sense you...Joki!" Kazu yells.


    Suddenly, Joki teleports next to Kazu, and takes a look at his wounds, but Kazu instantly waves Joki to move as he gets up.


    "Double is holding his own, I don''t know what it is, but he''s able to grow so much stronger when faced with a stronger opponent. He''s able to keep up now, it seems like." Kazu says.


    "No...not even close, Kashikoi still has one ace up his sleeve, he could end this fight whenever he wants too. Kashikoi is way stronger than you think." Joki hesitantly says, his hand shaking out of fear for Double.


    "You wanted to fight me, and you are giving it your all right! Then I might as well do the same, but...I had an idea. I want that bastard Joki to experience the same pain I felt, he turned his back on me so many times, and treated me like an inferior. Double, you don''t know how that feels, you don''t understand what isolation is, so I don''t expect you to understand this, but maybe in the next life you will." Kashikoi says.


    Kashikoi begins jumping to the sky, and putting his hands in the sky, he creates a platform below him and stands like a god, looking down on his children.


    Double stops, and looks up, Kashikoi''s aura had charged to an unbelievable amount. Kashikoi begins shooting, lightning strikes onto himself even more, and as he does this, he begins to form clouds around not only the entirety of southern Virginia, but the entire world itself.


    "I would have lost...without a doubt in my mind, you two pushed me to a point where I lost it for a second. I will give you that much credit, and to make up for that mistake, I''ll destroy this entire world, and rebuild it in my vision!" Kashikoi yells.


    "Have you lost your damn mind, the entire world! You understand just how much chaos you are causing, and for one person. This is not even a battle anymore, you''re committing genocide!" Double yells.


    Kazu and Joki''s eyes widened in tandem, the unexpected turn of events leaving them momentarily stunned. However, Joki found himself locked in a state of paralysis, unable to formulate a response or discern the appropriate course of action. Kazu, on the other hand, swiftly redirected his gaze towards Joki, his features contorting into a visage of infuriation.


    Kazu gets up and slaps Joki in the mouth, and as he does, Joki begins to snap back into reality.


    "Don''t you see what''s happening? Double, and me, and the rest of this entire planet, are about to lose their lives. I don''t know if it''s possible, but you are the only one here that has the most strength. Are you really just going to stand there and risk the lives of billions over your fucking childhood friend?" Kazu yells.


    "I...I''ve never been in this position, listen, I need a moment." Joki says.


    "We don''t have that dumb ass! Look up, look at the clouds, the lightning forming in them. You can sense them, the entire planet is going to be doomed."


    As Kazu says this, Joki begins to think back, he remembers how Double yelled at him for not being able to act when Kashikoi had hurt him.


    Joki had only now realized that the role he plays in Double''s life was more than just a mentor or a friend. Joki was the only father figure Double had in his life.


    Meanwhile, Kashikoi''s lightning strikes began raining down, spreading throughout Virginia, people began running, some people even rejoiced in the chaos, believing that the tarnished world had finally come to an end.


    "What''s happening...is this the work of someone above? Is it finally our time to leave? This...is a gift." A random man says in the distance.


    Double quickly leaps towards Kashikoi, but instantly gets hit by a lightning strike, sending him to the ground. Double began running up the walls, attempting to stop Kashikoi, but each time he did, the lightning strikes continued to hit him.


    "I have to keep going...I can''t stop now, I''ll stop him, I''ll do whatever it takes!" Double yells.


    "Give up Double, this is it, there''s nothing that can stop an attack of this scale, it''s slowly spreading to other states, other countries, and soon it''ll be the damn world!"


    Double begins losing consciousness after taking multiple hits from Kashikoi''s lightning strikes, and as he does, Double looks up, and doesn''t have any regrets.


    "I tried...I tried my best, I got so much stronger too, but I couldn''t save everyone. I hope that this mess can be cleaned up eventually, I''m sorry..."


    Kashikoi begins to laugh manically as the entire area around him hears this in their final moments, and a lightning strike had been forming on top of Double specifically.


    "Goodbye Double! You gained my attention, and my interest! That''s honestly all I''d give you." Kashikoi says


    The lightning strike strikes Double, but right before the lightning strike had any impact, it vanished, and alongside the lightning strike was all of the lightning in the area. Kashikoi''s attack had been cancelled completely.


    "What...?" Kashikoi asks.


    Joki begins breathing heavily, and as he does he drops to one knee. Kazu looks over, his face showing that of astonishment. Joki single handedly stopped Kashikoi''s world destroying attack.


    "It''s all up to him, I''ve done the best I can from here. Leave it all...to Double." Joki says, trying to catch his breath.


    "My ability, it just vanished, but I had enough energy left to finish it completely, that brat was on the ground, completely at my mercy. Who could have..." Kashikoi says.


    Kashikoi begins to remember, he had forgotten about the one person, the one person he had been trying to prove wrong, the one person who had the power to stop him.


    "This had to be Joki...Joki, damn it, even in my last moments, you had to interfere in what I had fucking planned. You can never let me have my own moment." Kashikoi says.


    Suddenly, below Kashikoi, had been Double who had used the rest of his energy to climb up the building, and had now been face to face with Kashikoi


    Double cocks back his arm, and his eyes begin to constantly fade from yellow to normal as Double was at his limit, but channels all the aura he had left into his fist, and lets off a final attack.


    "Jyu-oh-sei, Dragon shock!" Double yells.


    Double punches Kashikoi in the face, sending shock waves throughout the entire city. Double sends Kashikoi flying into the ground, behind the building he had once floated above.


    Kashikoi, still conscious, attempts to stand up, but his foot is quickly stomped on, as Double stands over Kashikoi.


    "Damn it...I guess I lost, get it over with, finish this." Kashikoi says.


    Double with no hesitation, puts his foot in the air, preparing to put his foot through Kashikoi''s face, but he''s quickly stopped by Joki. Joki had teleported to Double, and was quick enough to intercept Double''s actions, but this alongside stopping Kashikoi''s wide scale attack had taken everything out of him.


    "Double, he''s already about to die, his skull was fractured, and that attack he let off left his body beyond repair. Let me talk to him."


    The last person Kashikoi saw standing over him was Joki, who had a look of disappointment on his face.


    "What! You''re here to ridicule me, tell me I was wrong, and that I could have done better. Fuck off!" Kashikoi yells.


    "No, and even if I was, you saying that tells me that you''re already aware, you know that''s the truth of this situation. It''s no one''s fault that you''re in this situation other than yourself." Joki says.


    "You talk as if I had a choice, even when we were kids...you would always treat me as an inferior, that''s why I hate Double so much, that''s why I hate you so much! I hate to work my ass off to get where I am. I wasn''t born with that much potential, I had to work for it. you had been given a preordained blueprint, you were fated to be greater than me, so how could you judge me?" Kashikoi asks.


    "Listen to yourself? Judging you, I have not judged you at all. I simply stood back and watched you. Ever since what happened to us when we were kids, I only ever watched. I knew there was no changing you, and I wish I could have killed you sooner when I realized that, but I was too damn weak to do it myself." Joki says.


    Kashikoi hears this, and his eyes widen, he looks up and all he can see is a younger Joki. He began thinking back to memories of himself and Joki, remembering them fighting for fun, and walking together, knowing that no one could touch them as long as they stuck together.


    Kashikoi didn''t think Joki had been judging him, he believed in his heart that the moment Joki got the chance to confront him, that Joki would judge him, but all Joki can come forth with are regrets, and sadness seeing Kashikoi in the position he''s in.


    "I''m sorry, and I''m uncertain of my fate...and where our paths lead, but I''ve walked a meaningless journey thus far. Listen, I wanna say more, but I can''t talk any further. I''ve been a fool this entire time, I believed I had been hated by you, and that''s a reality I didn''t wanna accept. My only wishes are that you keep that boy safe. His potential Joki, that boy needs to be protected." Kashikoi says.


    "I know...I''ll make sure to keep him as safe as possible." Joki says.


    Kashikoi begins to lose his vision. Before losing conscious, he says his final words to Joki


    "I''m sorry...for not sticking behind you...Joki" Kashikoi says.

 Discarding Your Memories

    August 15th, 1820, the date that Kashikoi had lost his life, and standing over his dead body, was Joki, while Double watched from behind him.


    "Joki, that was my fight, I was going to finish this!" Double yells.


    Joki quickly walks up and punches Double in the head. Double jumps back in pain, and when he opened his eyes he saw Joki in tears.


    Double seeing this had only just now realized how much this had affected Joki. Double may have been unaware of what Joki had been feeling, but inside, he knew Joki was hurting.


    "Leave, Kazu is where he last was, he is fine...just an injured arm. I need a moment by myself Double, that''s all I ask..." Joki says, using the last bit of his energy to teleport Double near the deserted area.


    Double walks slowly, his body still in pain, he notices Kazu in the distance and waves his hand to get his attention.


    Kazu stands up, and waves back as they both smile at each other.


    "Is it really over?...you actually did it. I was really doubting our survival rates on this one." Kazu says.


    "You? You mean we? I couldn''t have done this without you, you helped me a lot Kazu...I thank you." Double says.


    Double nearly falls over before Kazu picks him up with his good arm, they begin to share a laugh as they make their way out of the deserted area.


    The entire area of state Virginia wouldn''t be the same, nor would the lives of Double, Joki, and Kazu.


    Following that high-stakes battle, Double''s strength soared to unprecedented levels. However, the aftermath left the surrounding area fraught with danger. The danger of that world scaling attack had spread far and wide, leaving the atmosphere charged with an energy that even distant onlookers could sense. Double''s aura had reached an all-time high during the fight, and with that, countless people would recognize Double and treat him as the one who put everyone''s lives in danger. The repercussions of the battle were destined to influence their future travels significantly.


    The safety of the area Joki, Double, and now Kazu had stayed in diminished. The residue of the fierce clash lingered, casting a shadow over the once serene environment. Those who had not witnessed the battle directly were still impacted, feeling the residual waves of power echoing through the air.


    Joki, despite successfully thwarting the planet-threatening attack. The exertion required to neutralize such a cataclysmic threat took a toll on his body. However, the toll on Joki extended beyond mere physical fatigue. The mental strain was palpable, leaving an indelible mark on his psyche. In his mind, he carried the weight of guilt, believing that his actions had led to the tragic demise of his best friend.


    "Hey...I can see him from here, he''s still standing there. Joki? Is everything alright?" Double says.


    Double and Kazu stare over, and in the mind of Joki, he feels angry, wanting to blame Double and Kazu for everything. He looks at them with an angry look, but he quickly thinks back to what he said to Kashikoi, and his angry expression turns into a smile.


    "Yeah! I just needed a moment, I''m ready to go home." Joki says.


    "Are you actually ready to go home? Joki, Double over here isn''t too experienced in these things from what I know. He''s still learning, but I''ve dealt with loss, it doesn''t go away quick." Kazu says.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    Joki hears this, but his smile does not fade. He walks over to both Double and Kazu and puts his hand on both of their shoulders.


    "Regardless of what I''m feeling, we''re a team, and people die everyday. I will not allow the death of a friend to throw me off my path." Joki says.


    Double nods his head, and Kazu does the same, they begin to walk off into the distance, but Joki stops for a moment.


    "Double... I''m sorry for making you handle that," Joki says, his voice quivering.


    "Mistakes like that happen between friends, it''s how we get better." Double says.


    Joki smiles, and continues striding into the distance, heading home to the cabin. The damage caused by Kashikoi''s attack was evident.


    Multiple other buildings were destroyed, but the cabin that Joki lived in was untouched. They all walk inside of the cabin, and Kazu quickly places his sword down and lays down to rest his arm.


    "All this damage, I can imagine that everyone feels that aura. The bigger the attack, the more aura it leaves off, but...considering Kashikoi''s dead, people in Virginia. They won''t know who to blame but you Double." Kazu says.


    "Let them...one day they''ll know the truth. I wanna change this world into a better place, no matter how the world sees me, at the end of all of this, they will know my name." Double says.


    Kazu hears Double''s words, and his curiosity lights up. Everybody had come to accept the world as it is, not believing there''s any way to change it, it was unheard of for a singular person to try and change that.


    "What motivates you?" Kazu asks.


    "What do you mean?" Double asks.


    "What motivates you to want to change the world? There''s so much you don''t know about, and so much basic knowledge you don''t have. You can''t change the world with strength alone, and Double...to change the world, you have to take on the burden of the world as well." Kazu says.


    Double sits down, and thinks back to his past, remembering all the people he fought, all the fighting he had to do, and then he looks up and as he lays his eyes on Joki and Kazu. He smiles.


    "That''s fine with me, this right here, the feeling of working hard to accomplish something, and sitting down with people you care about. I want everyone to feel that! There are people dying right now, and more than half of the world is fighting or doing something violent to achieve what they want, by the time I''m finished...it''ll be different." Double says.


    Joki looks over to Double, and when he does, he sees a younger Kashikoi in Double. Someone who was able to smile when faced with the problems of the world, someone who could walk into an empty, and dark room, and fill it up with light when no one else could.


    "Well...that settles it, Double and Kazu were a team now, but there''s one thing that needs to be known. Whatever happens, even if we are alone, union gives us strength! At the end of any adventure, we go on, we all must be together. Kazu, I must ask, what is your goal, what''s your ambition?" Joki asks.


    "I wanna learn about the world, train and seek strength, and on my trip of becoming stronger, I wanna help Double. Even though the risk is high, Double gave me hope today, that there''s always a chance to win. That''s what I want at the end of this rainy road. I wanna have that same hope, the hope that makes me take on any task, once I have that, I can be pleased. Joki...what''s your task, whatever it is, you''re more than capable of achieving it." Kazu says.


    Joki tries to speak, but the words of Kashikoi echo throughout his mind, he remembers the words Kashikoi said with his dying breath.


    "My only wishes are that you keep that boy safe." Kashikoi said.


    Joki stops himself from speaking, and just smiles, thinking about the words Kashikoi said nearly brings him to tears, but this time, he keeps his composure.


    "My goal was different, but now...my goal has actually changed." Joki says.


    "Really? What brought about that change, and what is it now?" Kazu says.


    Joki looks up, and takes his hoodie off.


    "I heard some words that motivated me and changed my mind, and also, my goal now is to make sure that you guys achieve everything you want in this short life. I mean that wholeheartedly." Joki says.

 Kashikois Story Comes To An End

    "Where am I...everything...feels so warm?" Kashikoi asks.


    Suddenly, a voice of a woman speaks to Kashikoi. She is a far distance away, and her words and her soft and soothing tone could be heard as if she was right in front of him.


    "You''re dead Kashikoi, you lived a great life and you became very powerful in the end. No matter what path you chose, I am proud of you." The woman says in the distance.


    Even though the woman had been far away, Kashikoi could hear her soft, quiet voice from all the way where he was.


    Kashikoi turns around and his eyes widen. He sees a beautiful woman with black hair that touches her back. A pink and white kimono and hazel eyes, he looks at her with an annoyed face, and begins to respond to the woman.


    "What the hell is this? If this is hell, if this is my punishment for all the things I''ve done, then let''s get this over with, stop tormenting me." Kashikoi says.


    The woman begins to walk towards him, and her face reeks of sadness. She puts her hand on her chest and now makes eye contact with Kashikoi. Once again, repeating the same line.


    As she got closer, Kashikoi proceeded to walk back. In this moment, Kashikoi felt powerless, not able to access his aura, and felt as if his suffering in the afterlife was about to begin.


    "You''re dead Kashikoi, you lived a great life and you became very powerful. In the end, no matter what path you chose, I am proud of you."


    Kashikoi''s look of fear turns into one of anger, this had not been the afterlife he imagined, he didn''t see himself as powerful, he saw himself as weak at the end of his life.


    Knowing this, he believed that the woman standing in front of him was none other than a devil, but at the same time, he was unsure, he didn''t know what to believe.


    "Listen to me, I don''t need some woman trying to mock me here. I just want to step into the flames, and be gone for good." Kashikoi says.


    The woman stops walking, and a tear comes down her face. Hearing Kashikoi tell her that he wanted to walk into the flames hurt her beyond belief.


    She quickly goes up to Kashikoi and slaps him in the face, and covers his mouth immediately after.


    "Step into the flames? Mock you!? You''re so far gone you don''t even realize it! I''m your mother Kashikoi." The woman says.


    (March 18th, 1810, Kashikoi and Joki''s eleventh birthday.)


    "So mom, what will we be doing today? I need to do some training, but I think I''ve fatigued from all the fighting I''ve done." Kashikoi says.


    Kashikoi''s mother turns around, and has a bright smile on her face as she takes one knee in front of Kashikoi.


    "Well...I''ve been waiting for you to ask that, but you were a little late. Your birthday was today Kashikoi." Akurai says.


    "Oh it is...that''s...actually great! I didn''t know because of how much had been going on. So...what should we do today, how should we celebrate?" Kashikoi asks.


    Akurai freezes for a moment, in Akurai''s eyes there was nothing but fear, as she dreaded having to be asked the question by Kashikoi.


    "Well...Kashikoi, it''s the same as all events, your birthday no less, Joki had already come over and celebrated in your place. You two share the same birthday after all, but you were gone training, and he just had more free time, but don''t worry, we can always plan something tomorrow." Akurai says.


    Kashikoi freezes, the smile still on his face, but an emotionless stare. He begins to look in the eyes of his mother, and he prepares words in his mind, but he holds them in, and the emotionless stare that was once on his face leaves.


    "Mhm! That sounds great, just let me know, tomorrow sounds great!" Kashikoi says.


    (March 19th, 1810, the day after Joki and Kashikoi''s birthday.)


    Kashikoi had woken up late once again, he decided to leave his home early to go see Joki. Kashikoi always wanted to train with Joki, it was the only way he felt comfortable.


    His mind was still racked up on his birthday. Kashikoi had always had his birthday overshadowed, as Joki celebrated with his own mother instead of him. Kashikoi would always be too fatigued from training to do anything, but he would always try and make it for his birthdays, even though he would fail.


    Kashikoi eventually notices Joki, sitting next to a tree that had been secluded from everything, trying to take a nap.


    "Here you are again, in the open where everyone can see you? That''s a bad look, you know?" Kashikoi says.


    "Like anyone would actually bother me, I''m...well I''m not that strong, but I got guts! That''s all I need." Joki says.


    Joki and Kashikoi both freeze before having a laugh, they laugh because they had this conversation multiple times.


    "Anyways, you look happy, what did you do today?" Kashikoi asks.


    "Oh! Your mom had invited me over, and she had prepared a meal for me to eat, it was amazing, and then we just had a really nice and long talk. She mentioned that she planned it for me." Joki says.


    Kashikoi stops, a micro expression of disbelief flitted across his face, he remembers his mother had planned something for him, and to hear his mother had instead planned something with Joki made him feel hurt, but nonetheless he kept a smile on his face.


    "That''s good! I''m glad you enjoyed it, anyways, we should probably begin our training. Right?" Kashikoi asks.


    "Yeah! Thank you for reminding me I almost forgot." Joki says.


    As the two began their training, they would spar and train doing various activities until the night came, and when it did, Kashikoi made his way back home, while Joki slept in the tree, he had slept in every night.


    Kashikoi walked into the home, and his smile had begun to fade slowly, he went to lay down, but Akurai quickly noticed that his smile was always on his face and had begun to fade.


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    "Son? Is everything alright?"


    "Yeah, just...I had a long day...but I''m glad to see you again mom!" Kashikoi says.


    Akurai smiles hearing Kashikoi''s upbeat voice, and she goes to sleep happy instead of worried.


    (March 20th, 1810, the day of the tragedy)


    Today, Kashikoi went to sleep on time, the fatigue hadn''t been bad on his body, as he purposely trained lighter than he normally did. He didn''t wanna mention anything to his mom, but his happiness was slowly fading.


    Kashikoi goes outside to the river water, and pours river water on his face to wake himself up, and as he looks up, he notices footsteps that had come recently. Kashikoi was curious, but he also didn''t know what to think, he walked back inside the house, and only now noticed his mom was gone


    ''Mom...where did you go?'' Kashikoi thinks to himself.


    Kashikoi begins to walk around looking for his mom, but after some hours, he can''t find her, he had already looked everywhere, and cried on his way, but he just could not find his mother.


    He keeps quiet though, making too much noise at night can attract unnecessary people to the area. Threats had not been a problem for Kashikoi, as he had been strong enough to fight for himself, but the issue lied in losing the home that his mother worked so hard to get.


    Eventually, Kashikoi gave up, and decided to go to the tree that Joki slept, and relaxed himself at. As he got there, he noticed his mother sitting next to Joki, and a smile came across his face. He tries to speak, but before he does, he hears something that catches his attention.


    "To be honest Joki...I wish you were my son. I appreciate you." Akurai says.


    That day, those words alone were able to finally make the joyous, the happy Kashikoi, stop smiling. He began crying, but covering his mouth as to not let anyone hear him, he started punching the ground beneath him, and as he thought about all of the times, his mother would neglect spending time with him, and would lie to him, his eyes turned red.


    The phenomenon of awakening your Sakusei only occurs once the user feels like there''s no hope left, the feeling of having no one, and having nothing. Kashikoi sits there, blank, and the entire time, Joki and his mother had been laughing and having a great time.


    Eventually, Akurai went away from the tree, and quickly noticed Kashikoi just sitting there.


    "Oh...Kashikoi? You woke up earlier than I expected you too. What are you doing out here?" Akurai says.


    Kashikoi turns to the side, and a sick, disorientating smile came across his face, his eyes bloodshot red from crying, and his hands bloodied up from punching the ground.


    "If I''m not the son you wanted, if my efforts weren''t enough for you. If I wasn''t the perfect child you had envisioned, maybe...maybe you should just die!" Kashikoi yells.


    Suddenly, a bolt of lightning comes down and strikes Akurai, killing her instantly. Joki notices all of this, and comes over. He begins going over to Akurai, and begging her to wake up.


    "Akurai! Akurai! Please...please wake up!" Joki yells, checking Akurai''s pulse.


    Joki begins to cry, but his brain can''t process the events that had transpired, all he saw standing over him was a bloodied up Kashikoi, who had a disturbing smile on his face.


    "It was you...you did this, didn''t you?" Joki asks.


    Kashikoi nods his head yes, and begins to laugh out loud at the body of Akurai. Joki looks up and down, up at Kashikoi, and down at the body of Akurai as his mind races.


    "Why...I don''t understand, she loved you, she did everything for you. We were planning to give you a gift too, why would you do this?" Joki asks.


    As Joki finishes his question, Kashikoi''s face goes from a creepy, laughter filled face to that of a shocked, and regretful one.


    "That...that has to be a lie! I heard everything, I witnessed everything! Every birthday I have, every damn day, my mother has lied to me, and treated you like you were her son, and I wasn''t! The day after my birthday, that plan to spend time with her, she planned it with me, but she lied to me then like she always does. I just always smiled, and I tried to stay positive, but I can''t anymore."


    Joki''s eyes widen, and he''s frozen while holding Kashikoi''s mother in his arms. Kashikoi watches this, looks around him, and notices all the people rushing towards the area, the lightning strike Kashikoi let off attracted many people to the area.


    Joki goes in and punches Kashikoi. Kashikoi takes the punch, and coughs up blood. Joki tries to go for another one, but he notices the group of people getting closer.


    "Go...like you always have, you always treated me like an inferior. Let me die like one too." Kashikoi says.


    "Kashikoi...why?" Joki says, running off into the distance away from the crowd.


    "You are all...too weak to be in my presence." Kashikoi says.


    Kashikoi puts his hand up, and multiple lightning strikes hit all of the people in the crowd. they all die, and Akurai''s dead body gets lost in all of them.


    "Why... why like this? Why, Kashikoi? You were my world, my everything, you...and your mother became the very essence of my existence. How can it be that the ones I loved with every fiber of my being, the one I held closest to my heart, could inflict such unbearable pain upon me?! I hate all of you so much!" Joki yells, continuing to run into the distance.


    (Present day)


    Kashikoi''s eyes widen, he begins to feel weak inside, as if he had been poisoned. He backs away out of fear and begins to remember his mother, and the terrible events that had transpired in the past.


    "You stand in front of me, and I don''t know what I am supposed to say. Why are you here at my end? You shouldn''t care about someone like me." Kashikoi says.


    Tears begin to flow out of Kashikoi''s eyes. He looks down, not being able to bare the expression that his mother Akurai might have. Akurai tries to put her hand on his shoulder, but he shrugs it off.


    Kashikoi''s emotions had been mixed, he wanted to believe his mother was shaming him, pitying him, but at the same time, he believes it''s love.


    "There you go again, pushing me off like usual. You know it''s a mother''s job to keep their son safe, right? No matter what happens, you can feel comfortable around me. We''re a team...you and me. We always have been." Akurai says.


    Kashikoi looks up and begins to cry even more as he drops to the ground, his mother gets on one knee and puts her hand on his head.


    "Why do you even want to speak to me...after everything that I did? I killed you, I completely misunderstood everything, the talk you had with Joki at the tree, the lies. I believed you had lied because you wanted to keep me out of everything, when the entire time you were just trying to make Joki feel loved, I was greedy, I didn''t deserve any of that, and I wanted more. I''m sorry mother." Kashikoi says.


    "Stand up Kashikoi." Akurai says.


    Kashikoi begins to slowly stand up, and as he does, Akurai takes his hand, and his hand slowly begins to glow white. Kashikoi''s body had begun glowing white alongside his mother''s body.


    "It''s a mother''s duty to protect their son. I know the pain of what you did ten years ago still eats at you Kashikoi. But I forgive you, no matter what...you are my son and I love you so much. No matter what happens now...I want you to know that I will always be with you, and Joki. I saw the promise you and Joki had to keep that boy safe, it made me smile, I''m so proud of you Kashikoi."


    Kashikoi and Akurai both begin to fade away, Kashikoi smiles.


    "Thank you...mom" Kashikoi says.

 The Tarnished World

    Meanwhile, in a rusty Shipping Container in the outskirts of Virginia.


    "Honey...did you feel that? It seemed like there was an earthquake just now, but it quickly got stopped?" The mother says, holding a baby in her hands.


    "Things like that always scare me, it happens too often, but it looks like we''re still safe." The father says, sitting next to her with a can of beans in his hands.


    The man and the woman who go by Lopa, and Selene. seemed to be a couple, and the effects of Kashikoi''s attack hadn''t reached them, they truly were blessed and could continue caring for their newborn child. The two had been living in a rusty shipping container, where no one had looked.


    Suddenly, the cargo doors on the shipping container began to shake. Selena''s eyes widen, she notices this and quickly tries to lower her aura, but it had been too late as the two men quickly burst through the cargo doors.


    One of the men had been wearing gloves on their hands, raggedy pants, and a muscle t-shirt, while the other had been completely shirtless, and wearing raggedy pants as well with no gloves.


    "Honestly, I don''t know where the hell all that lightning came from, but we need some new loot now." One of the men says, gloves on their hands, raggedy pants, and a muscle t-shirt.


    Lopa, who had worn a torn black shirt and oversized shorts, decided to intervene, charging his aura as a visible display of determination.


    "Look...I don''t know who the hell you two are, and what you are doing here, but you need to leave. We claimed this shipping container as our home, this is where we take care of our child." Lopa says.


    "Who are you talking to? You think we give a damn who you are or what you think you claimed. We''re here to rob you, and if you keep acting out of line, then we''ll end this little family of yours." The shirtless man says.


    The two men burst into laughter, but their mirth was short-lived as Lopa swiftly closed the gap. His fist connected with the shirtless man''s face, interrupting the laughter. As he poised to strike the other one.


    He would be too slow, though, as the man with the gloves kicked Lopa in his leg with enough force to break it. Selene quickly ran over to her partner, trying to help him, but this would quickly be short lived, as the man with the gloves would quickly snatch Selene''s baby, tossing her outside of the shipping container, and closing it, leaving only the two men, Selene, and Lopa inside.


    "No! Please! Not our baby! Listen...you can have everything, anything you''d want, but our baby is only two years old. We need our baby." Lopa says.


    "Oh? Where''s all that bravado tough guy? A few seconds ago, you had the balls to punch my friend over there, honestly, you knocked the hell out of him. You say that''s your baby, and I can understand that, but let''s be real...that baby would have eventually slowed you down and gotten you killed." The man with the gloves says.


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    "Listen...please...have some compassion, my boyfriend, he was just trying to defend us, even if she would have slowed us down, it''s our job to take care of the baby we brought into this world...so please, take all our stuff, and just let us have our baby back...please!" Selene says.


    The shirtless man gets up and looks over to the woman, noticing the tears in her eyes. His eyes widen, but he then smiles, and begins to laugh. The man with the gloves begins to laugh as well.


    "Compassion! Your job! Your job lady is to survive, that''s all of our jobs in this sad world. If you would have caught us the last thirty five times we did this, maybe...just maybe you would have gotten the slightest ounce of compassion out of us, but that won''t happen...you both are about to lose everything. Sorry." The shirtless man says.


    Both of the men stomp on Lopa''s leg, making him scream out for help, before eventually stomping on his face, killing him instantly. Selene screams out her boyfriend''s name, knowing the inevitable fact that he had been killed.


    The shirtless man walks up, and kicks the lady in the face, sending her flying to the back of the shipping container. Both of the men slowly walk up to Selene, she tries to speak, but the kick had caused her words to become disorganized.


    "Love...child...sorry." Selene says, her face bleeding from the brain injuring kick.


    "Aww look at her, those are your last words? How pathetic." The shirtless man says.


    The man with the gloves kicks her in the face this time, she raises her hand in a last ditch effort, reaching her hand out to her boyfriend. Even though the woman''s head had been nearly shattered, her last final instinct was to reach her hand out to the one she loved the most.


    Noticing this, the shirtless man had begun tearing up, but he quickly wipes his tear, shoves the man with the gloves out of the way, and kicks her again, this time killing her.


    The events of this happened only two minutes after Kashikoi left off his attack, the world as everyone knew it had been changed, there is no such thing as sympathy anymore, no such thing as love. As long as you decide to continue walking this earth in the condition that the world had taken, then you will abide by the fact that family, love, morality, is no longer something that exists.


    The baby died seconds after, the man with the gloves tossed her with too much force, causing her head to bounce off the solid ground. The death of many others happened as well, chaos only brings more chaos, and no one cared to find a solution anymore, everyone treated this destroyed world as normal, basking in its madness.


    (Back at the cabin that Joki, Double and Kazu had lived in)


    Outside of the cabin was Double, who had leaped on top of the roof. He takes a deep breath, and clenches his fist. Double looks up at the sky, and the first person he thinks about is Kashikoi.


    "Neglect, unfairness, I understand Kashikoi, you may not want me to say that, but I do...Joki told me everything, and I forgive you. Whatever awaits you in the next life, I hope they forgive you too. I hope you can find peace with yourself..." Double says, smiling.

 The Dead Silence Before The Chaos

    (One Month Passes, September 15th, 1820)


    The wind blows over the corpse of Kashikoi. The area is quiet, peaceful, and even calming all around, as no one can be seen in the area.


    In the tranquil silence surrounding Kashikoi''s lifeless form, faint footsteps draw closer. With a glass of wine in hand, a man kneels, his face a curious blend of sorrow and unsettling intrigue.


    "Kashikoi, I never thought anyone of your strength and high intelligence would be put down. It truly is such a shame, but I''m not surprised either," the man says, standing over Kashikoi, slurring his words while under the influence.


    The man''s hand rose to pick up the delicate wine glass, but his expression betrayed his exasperation as he pressed his palm against his forehead.


    A mixture of amusement and disbelief danced in his eyes as a laugh escaped his lips; the laugh echoed throughout the deserted land.


    "Those three individuals, from the looks of it, are strong...especially the one with the teleport ability. Keeping an eye on them was worth it, it''s not hard to pick up information on those who don''t hide it," the man says, continuing to drink from his wine glass.


    (Meanwhile at the cabin.)


    Concern filled the room, Joki keeps his eye on Kazu, Double''s expression turning into one of pure confusion. Kazu sits confused and looks over to Double and Joki with a face showing his discomfort.


    "Kazu...for the past month, you''ve constantly been switching between this uplifting, full of light aura, and this dark one alongside it. What the hell''s wrong with you?" Double asks, keeping his distance from Kazu.


    Joki walks up and stares at Kazu, Kazu still silent, not understanding the situation or what to say back.


    "You guys act like I can just tell what the hell is wrong, you''ve been saying the same thing for the past month as well. You expect me to just understand?" Kazu says, an annoyed expression etched itself on his face.


    Kazu''s aura underwent a noticeable transformation, oscillating between an ominous, malevolent presence and a radiant, peaceful energy that conveyed no harm to others.


    Joki slowly turns around, and his expression becomes a mixture of frustration and curiosity as he looks outside.


    "Let''s postpone that though, does anyone else feel that? A powerful aura in the distance, it feels like it''s coming from the middle of southern Virginia. So...that means we''re right next to it basically," Joki remarks, a smile on his face.


    As Joki finishes his remark, Double also feels the aura in the distance. Over time, Double had become better at sensing others'' auras.


    The lack of knowledge Double, Joki, and Kazu share in terms of what their power is has been evident, but Double had become even more frustrated with himself because training wouldn''t help him improve in any other category.


    "It doesn''t feel like anything dangerous, but it would probably be in our best bet to check it out. Maybe we can head there and meet new people, and maybe make friends," Double says.


    "Hey...you guys are awfully okay with going to a place that could easily be a trap, and what if things go bad, who''s responsible then?" Kazu asks.


    "Kazu...listen...everything will be fine, plus...it''s not like we can just stay here and make a plan. Everywhere is dangerous, but what matters is that we explore and try to do the best we can together. If something happens, I need to know you two will trust me and go along with it," Joki states, putting his fist out, awaiting Double and Kazu to do the same.Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.


    Kazu hesitates, but Double quickly puts his fist out in front of Joki. Joki and Double both look at Kazu, and signal for him to put his fist out as well.


    Kazu''s mind races with possibilities, but eventually, he puts his fist out in the middle, and with that, everyone is now in agreement.


    With that, the three had agreed and made the promise to go along with Joki in whatever happens, but Kazu''s nerves would still be bad.


    "Alright, it seems you both are committed now ¨C no turning back. Let''s have fun and be mindful not to overdo it. Kazu is correct about the importance of exercising caution," Joki says.


    Joki''s eyes begin to glow gray as he activates his Sakusei. He puts his finger up, as it begins glowing. Joki''s finger starts to twitch; Joki looks at it with visible concern but ignores it and proceeds to get ready to move.


    Double begins to stand close to Joki, staying in range so they can also be in the teleportation. Kazu raises his arm, but not too high because of the injuries he had sustained in the past month.


    "Next time...I''m gonna need way longer than a month, this seems like hell having to go back and fight constantly," Kazu says.


    "That seems like a plan then, when everything is finished, let''s take a big break. We''ll come back here, and eat food and enjoy ourselves. Too much fighting, and too much stress, will only weaken us," Double states.


    Double had thought back to the month of training, and time he spent talking to Kazu and Joki. No lack of confidence showed in his face, he smiles and prepares to leave.


    "Butsuri H¨­soku, Kite," Joki says, teleporting, taking Double and Kazu with him.


    When the group arrives at some sort of festival, they are immediately engulfed by a sea of thousands of people.


    Confused, Kazu and Double take a step forward, but are abruptly halted by a woman, adorned in an all-white hood with striking purple hair and captivating pink eyes, who leans in with a wide smile, bringing her face within inches of Double and Kazu''s.


    "Hi! You three managed to get here quickly, didn''t you? I''m gonna assume...that one of you has the power of teleportation. Would that be you with the hoodie?" The woman asks, staring at Joki with an interested expression.


    The woman walks straight past Double and Kazu, bumping into them. Double and Kazu instantly sense something wrong by the aura she gives off.


    The woman gives off an aura of concern, as if something had been breathing down her neck this entire time, a constant anxiety that the woman could not hide.


    ''What the hell was that...? I''ve never felt something so odd, it''s like she didn''t have a spec of aura or anything until just then,'' Kazu says.


    The woman walks in front of Joki, they are both face to face, and immediately after becoming face to face with the woman, Joki begins to feel uneasy.


    Joki''s head begins to hurt, but it was unrelated to the woman. Joki had been exerting himself physically over the month, training himself to become stronger, but even then, it seemed like more than just that.


    ''Why do I feel like this...it''s like the feeling you get when you''ve eaten too much, or when you''re high. Was it...my ability?'' Joki asks.


    Confusion had been evident in Joki''s face, his mind racing with thoughts, curious on why his body had been feeling this way.


    Suddenly, the woman softly grasps Joki''s hand, and as she does this, Joki snaps back into his senses.


    "Sticking together is advisable; the festival can get quite hectic. I assume you all came prepared. Are you the leader of this group? Ensure you don''t leave those two unattended," the woman says, a smile appearing forced on her face as she looks at Joki.


    Double walks forward, shocked at what he''s seeing, the sight in front of him he had not been able to fully process yet.


    Double had felt an overwhelming sense of comfort and happiness seeing the sight in front of him, the shining lights, the sounds of cheer and kids playing.


    "Wow, it''s amazing. It''s what I want¡ªa place where people can walk and be free, somewhere they can be themselves and enjoy their lives without the fear of losing it at any second," Double says, reflecting on his own personal goals.


    The woman walks next to Double, Double''s attention had been thrown off trying to analyze the festival, but she taps his shoulder and the two lock gazes.


    "Apologies for accidentally bumping into you and your friend earlier. My name is Reima, and I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself. Typically, you can find me outside the festival near the entrance. If you ever need assistance, feel free to look for me there," Reima says, releasing her grip on Double''s shoulder.


    Reima walks away into the distance until she can no longer be seen. Everyone else turns to observe the festival and begins to walk closer to it. Faces twist in disbelief as Kazu and Joki get a chance to see just how large the festival is.


    The crowd seemed endless, and being outside the festival itself felt remarkably peaceful. Double walked ahead of Joki and Kazu, his eyes widening as he began to smile.


    ''I''m concerned that Double might get caught up, but that won''t matter as long as I keep an eye on him. Joki will be fine; he''s a one-man army on his own. I''m curious about how all of this is possible, but for now, I think it''s safe to say everything is fine,'' Kazu contemplates, keeping his eyes on an astonished Double.

 The Havoc Of The Festival Begins

    Double begins walking into the entrance of the festival, and with each step he takes, excitement grows within him.


    As he starts to approach it, the doors to the festival suddenly begin to close shut. He forcefully pulls on the doors, causing his hand to start burning.


    Noticing this, Kazu walks up to the door and gently places his hand on it.


    "The doors are closed tight? I wonder why that is... I heard festivals were public events where people can enter freely," Kazu says, his expression contorted in confusion.


    Suddenly, Double coats his fist in aura and begins to cock his arm back in front of the door. Kazu looks over, his eyes widened by Double''s actions, but Joki ignores it, pretending to pay no attention to Double or Kazu.


    "Jyu-Oh-Sei, Dragon shock!" Double yells.


    Double punches the door with all his strength, and the door bursts open. Kazu looks confused, not believing the door could be opened by brute strength.


    Joki laughs, and begins to walk inside the festival. Double and Kazu quickly follow behind inside and hear beautiful music playing all around.


    The musical composition evokes the sensation of stepping into an unfamiliar realm for the first time. Its lively tempo and spirited melody create an upbeat atmosphere, yet beneath this, there is an underlying sense of tranquility that permeates the auditory landscape.


    "So aggravating, this music is so annoying," Joki says, continuing to walk forward, a frustrated expression on his face.


    "What''s wrong? For me, it''s akin to entering a new home for the first time. Don''t you feel happy being away from all the wrong in the world?" Double asks.


    As the three continue to walk through the festival, Double notices a man standing, looking at them from afar.


    Suddenly, Double experiences a strange sensation down his spine¡ªan unsettling prickling feeling coursing through him.


    ''Who...the hell is that? His aura, it gives me a weird feeling,'' Double contemplates.


    Double silently observes the man''s gradual approach, thoughts swirling within the recesses of his mind.


    As the man steps in front of the three, they experience a feeling they have never felt before. A man who gives off the aura of a spider, the unsettling venomous nature just by being in his mere presence.


    "Hello. You made quite an entrance, didn''t you?" the man says, his hands in his pockets, his trench coat covering most of his body.


    "Yeah...sorry, I''m just not accustomed to these types of situations," Double states, executing a nervous gulp.


    The man engages in a thorough, lingering gaze at Kazu. The reciprocal exchange of stares between Kazu and the man induces a sense of stasis, enveloping Kazu in a palpable aura of apprehension.


    "A name would be great sir; you''re making everything awkward," Joki remarks.


    Staring intently at the man, Joki observes an exceedingly eerie aura emanating from him. Despite being unable to decipher its nature, Joki remains undeterred by the disconcerting vibe the man exudes.


    The man looks away from Kazu and begins to turn his back to the three. He walks forward and uses his finger to signal everyone to come with him.


    Kazu sighs in relief, while Double stands frozen. His expression conveys not fear but shock at what he had just witnessed. Double had yet to fully experience any aura with a peculiar feel to it.


    "I should introduce the three of you to everything. Come on, and I apologize¡ªI''m not really one for words. Also, my name is Craig," the man says, waiting for the three of them to follow behind.


    After hearing his name, Joki takes the first step, walking ahead of Double and Kazu. The three follow behind the man now known as Craig, continuing to look around. They notice many people having fun and exploring the festival, just like them.


    "I apologize if it comes off as rude, but something like this doesn''t just normally happen. A festival holding this many people, and considering how easy we got in, it''s like it''s free game. Does that not make you nervous?" Kazu says.


    Following behind Craig, Kazu''s brow furrows in evident confusion as he observes him intently.


    The peculiar man chuckles faintly, still avoiding eye contact with Kazu. Craig''s walk, along with his manner of speech, emits an unsettling vibe that couldn''t be dismissed. Typically, Kazu might have opted to withdraw, but he had promised Joki that he would place trust in him, necessitating his compliance with Craig''s lead as well.


    Alongside that, Kazu couldn''t help but feel a sense of comfort as he observed everyone dancing and enjoying themselves.


    "It makes me happy; I feel completely at ease knowing everyone around me is enjoying themselves. Also, you asked if it makes me nervous...doesn''t everything make you nervous, the idea your child or even someone close to you could catch a deadly disease, and even worse honestly. So...maybe I am nervous; who cares?" Craig says, a blank expression on his face, his words turning the rest of the three completely silent.


    Because of the way the world currently is, there is no cure for medicine unless you had an ability that could deal with sickness; you were going to die unless you had help.


    However, this world, that had been drenched in mercilessness, doesn''t follow the principles of earned merit or fair compensation. Instead, it follows a stark and grim pattern where things are not acquired through honest toil but pilfered from the vulnerable.


    From the tone of his voice, Double and Kazu could make out that Craig had been someone who experienced it, and because of that realization, Double and Kazu began to not judge him with their stares, but Joki continued to give him a judgmental stare, not believing the words that came out of his mouth.Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.


    The festival had not been approached with any type of violence, and the reasoning was because of the overflow of people and the mystery behind it.


    "I believe it''s acceptable to feel concerned about something even while acknowledging the challenges imposed by the world. However, that doesn''t imply that you should..." Joki''s words were abruptly interrupted by a distant noise.


    "What the hell was that? We should check it out," Double says.


    Preparing to run in the direction of the noise, Double tries to dash in the direction of the noise but is quickly stopped by Joki, who had a smile on his face.


    "Let me handle it. You two stick together and don''t go too far ahead without me. I''ll be back," Joki remarks, heading in the direction of the noise.


    As Joki walks away, Kazu stops and looks at Craig, who has finally turned around, revealing his face to Kazu and Double.


    Previously, Craig would conceal his face, revealing only fragments of it. However, as he gradually unveils himself, it becomes apparent that he is an older man. The telltale signs of aging are evident ¨C his hair, once dark, now carries streaks of white at the front, and his arms exhibit a delicate fragility that speaks of the passage of time.


    "Now that I think about it, I couldn''t see you all that well before. Are you okay, sir?" Double asks.


    Worry creeps across Double''s face as Craig''s venomous and intimidating aura starts to intensify. Double finds himself stunned; the abrupt escalation of Craig''s aura leaves him unable to process the situation.


    Suddenly, as Double instinctively charges his aura, sensing Craig as a threat, Craig swiftly takes his hand and swipes Double away. Kazu, noticing this, grips his sword tightly, concerned for his friend.


    "You...where the hell did you send Double?!" Kazu asks.


    Anger had been evident in Kazu''s voice, but he remembered to stay calm. Kazu couldn''t fully keep his composure, as Craig''s aura keeps his body shivering.


    "He''s in holding; I''ll keep him somewhere and deal with him with my own hands later. Now...as for you..." Craig says.


    A disturbing and unsettling smile etches itself on Craig''s face. Kazu feels stranded; Joki had been too far away to call upon, and Double had been taken somewhere unknown.


    Kazu always took the easy way out, avoiding full-fledged battles unless absolutely necessary or when he believed there was a viable chance of winning. However, he now finds himself in an unprecedented situation.


    Meanwhile, Joki finds himself in front of a restaurant. As he looks, he notices that there is noise coming from inside.


    The noise can be made out to be three men and a woman inside the restaurant, although the woman''s voice sounded familiar to Joki.


    "No way... it''s that woman from the entrance. I guess I should help; she seems like the only normal one in this place," Joki remarks, entering the restaurant.


    Joki''s eyes widen as he notices that his suspicions were right, and Reima had been being beaten, spat on, and kicked around by the three men.


    Without any time to think, Joki quickly rushes to Reima''s aid and slices all three of them in the stomach.


    "You three will live, but you won''t be in just one shape. Maybe that''ll teach you not to bother a lady... and for no reason at that," Joki remarks.


    Joki''s expression turns serious as he sheathes his sword. He then picks up Reima, who is struggling to get off the ground.


    "Why are you here?" Reima asks.


    Reima begins wiping the dirt from the men''s shoes off of her, breathing heavily while holding her chest. Anxiety had begun to rise, and it was evident in her face.


    Confused, Joki looks at Reima. Before he could say anything, shock crossed his face as he noticed that she had been badly beaten. Her arms, though not broken, bore scars; her legs were in immense pain, and her eye was badly damaged.


    "Before you say anything, try not to speak too much. I hate doing this because I can only do it so rarely, and it drains the hell out of my energy," Joki says, placing his hand on Reima''s chest.


    The injuries Reima had sustained disappear, and the pain slowly fades away. Joki had performed some sort of healing technique or rewind to tend to Reima.


    In disbelief, Reima looks at herself and then around, realizing that Joki had come alone.


    "You came alone... didn''t you?" Reima remarks, looking down with a frustrated expression on her face.


    Confused, Joki looks around, wondering if he had fallen into some kind of trap, Reima''s words not registering in his brain.


    "If you came here alone, then that only means that the two you were with are alone. Don''t you remember when I told you not to leave them unattended?" Reima asked.


    Reima begins staring into the eyes of Joki, as a concerned expression came across her face. Joki''s eyes widen in response.


    The realization slowly kicks in, and Joki stands frozen. In his mind, the man seemed suspicious, and although he had no idea who the man was, the idea that he could be a possible threat to Double and Kazu never sinks in.


    "If it''s Double and Kazu, I don''t think the situation could be terrible. I trust those two, but it''ll probably be safe to go check on them. Besides, I don''t think he would cause a mess with all these people around," Joki remarked, closing the doors to the restaurant.


    "About that...this festival, these people..." Reima exclaimed.


    Clutching her arm anxiously, a bead of perspiration trickling down Reima''s forehead. She realized she had to reveal a truth she had been horrified to disclose.


    Meanwhile, Kazu and Craig stared off with each other; the feeling of being trapped enveloped Kazu. Even though he was unfazed by Craig himself, the aura Craig presented was like no other he had seen before, causing Kazu to feel an inescapable anxiety.


    "Everyone around right now, including myself, it would be too much of a hassle to attack me head-on with all of those factors in mind. I''ll use that to get away from this guy and find Joki," Kazu said, pulling out his sword.


    Wasting no time, Kazu throws his sword. As he does, Craig grabs Kazu''s arm, but he realizes he''s too late as Kazu has already teleported away.


    Kazu begins running into the crowd, attempting to shake off Craig. When multiple people are close together, discerning individual identities solely through sensing someone''s aura becomes nearly impossible. It requires a gamble, and given the density of people, locating the desired individual will most likely fail.


    However, Kazu didn''t take into account what Craig had been planning all along.


    Suddenly, the crowd of people completely disappears. The auras that Kazu felt are all gone, and everyone vanishes without a trace, leaving only Kazu and Craig.


    "What type of sick game are you playing? Where did all these people go? Would you really go about harming these people just to catch one person?" Kazu asks.


    Kazu''s face twists in confusion, a perplexed expression etched across his features. His hand trembles with fear as he awaits an answer to his question, still being enveloped in the unsettling aura Craig possesses.


    Suddenly, Craig appears in front of Kazu. The two had been face to face, and Craig''s smile had widened.


    "All this planning, and all this talking, but by just looking at you, I can tell that you are nothing more than a fucking coward," Craig remarks.


    A subtle laugh escapes from Craig''s mouth. Kazu notices this and hesitantly takes steps back as Craig continues to laugh.


    Kazu quickly grabs his sword and attempts to swing at Craig. Craig quickly dodges it and jumps out of the way. Kazu''s arm, still not fully recovered, makes his attack weaker and more predictable.


    "Your aura interests me, though. There''s something I need from you," Craig says, hovering above the air and staring down at Kazu.


    ''Damn it Joki, this is on you. I tried to warn you guys to be cautious!'' Kazu thinks to himself.


    "I knew you''d be here, and the aura you give off is exactly how I thought it would be. With that little group you''ve found, you''ve evolved. If I take your body, your father would most certainly..." Craig says.


    "My father?" Kazu asks.


    Kazu stands frozen, his entire demeanor shifting as the weight of the man''s words settles upon him. The air around him seems to thicken, suffocating him with a chilling intensity. His eyes widen, capturing the raw shock that courses through his veins, and his previously animated features now contort into a mask of disbelief.


    Laughter, the only thing Kazu could hear currently is laughter. Not even a moment to process the fact he had just been compared to his absent father.


    "To put it simply, I need a vessel. Finding someone with an aura like you and your father would be... well, it would be impossible. You caught my eye the second you were walking with those other two. You are what I need to get close to that bastard, and I guess since you''re completely trapped, my name isn''t Craig; it''s Kairoji," the man now known as Kairoji says, showing a wicked smile on his face.

 Power That Breaks Boundaries

    "Joki hears Reima and immediately runs outside to try and look for Kazu and Double. The moment he exits the restaurant, he''s immediately greeted by the man now known as Kairoji. Joki stops, and Kairoji and Joki begin to have a face-off with each other.


    "Hey, I don''t have time to talk right now...wait a minute." Joki says.


    As Joki takes a closer look, he realizes that the man standing before them was the same individual they had encountered at the festival entrance.


    Not seeing his face before, Joki had been disgusted to see the man''s disturbing smile and his creepy smile.


    Kairoji''s grin widened, casting a gleam of amusement that seemed to irk Joki to no end. Despite the irritation bubbling within him, Joki recognized the importance of maintaining his composure in the current situation. Allowing emotions to override reason could prove detrimental, so he masked his annoyance behind a facade of calm indifference. The air between them crackled with unspoken tension, but Joki remained steadfast.


    "Craig right? What brings you here, shouldn''t you be with Double and Kazu?" Joki inquired.


    Joki''s countenance had been marked by an insatiable curiosity, still processing the situation.


    Kairoji couldn''t help but laugh under his breath in response to Joki''s inquiry. Slowly unveiling his eyes, an unexpected spectacle has happened, and a combination of vivid pink and intense red hues.


    "A long story, but Craig was a name I gave myself just in case you had recognized me. My name''s Kairoji, and right now... I need to get rid of you. You are the most dangerous one out of those two. As I did my research, I figured out that Kashikoi, one of your friends, was a Sakusei user, right? That''s complete power rivaled only by you," Kairoji asks, charging his aura, looking at Joki with a sinister smile.


    Joki''s disgusted expression turns to one of anger upon noticing that the man had known of Kashikoi. Doubt filled Joki''s mind, not willing to believe what he had been witnessing.


    "Stealing one''s Sakusei? No, I doubt those are the real ones from Kashikoi himself," Joki says, yawning, an uninterested expression etched across his face.


    While Joki, behind the expression was conflicted seeing his old friends Sakusei in use, he stood in front of Kairoji and showed no fear in front of him.


    Kairoji, shocked to see his expression, begins to form lightning in his hand and pulls out a dagger out of his pocket.


    "The self-proclaimed god of technicality, a mighty warrior feared not because of his abilities, but because of his skills alone. Not many would dare to try and threaten you." Kairoji says.


    "Someone has done their research. If you know that much, then you should drop all of this shit and tell me where my friends are." Joki confidently says.


    Kairoji continues to charge his aura, letting Joki know that he had no intention of backing down. Joki lets out a yawn and pulls out his sword.


    "Reima! I don''t expect you to be able to do much here, but just get away from here so I don''t accidentally hit you." Joki says.


    Joki turns back to see Kairoji, filled with anger to see Joki taking his eyes off him to communicate with Reima. In Kairoji''s eyes, he knew Joki hadn''t been taking this seriously even in the slightest.


    Kairoji takes advantage and rushes in, pulling daggers out from his side. Kairoji coats the daggers with lightning, strengthening the damage of his strikes.


    Kairoji rushes in and goes for a strike, but Joki quickly evades the strike and sweeps Kairoji''s leg, then elbows him in the chest, causing Kairoji to have difficulty breathing.


    ''I haven''t finished reading ''The Book of Five Rings.'' It is the perfect book to complement my fighting style. Miyamoto Musashi, a fighter heavily known for easily predicting his opponents, possesses unmatched strategies and knowledge. Combining that with my own fighting knowledge and natural skill will make this much easier.'' Joki thinks to himself, a cocky smile etched on his face.


    Kairoji and Joki begin hand-to-hand combat with each other. Joki is quickly able to shut down all of Kairoji''s offensive options effortlessly.


    While Miyamoto Musashi was famous for using more than one sword in battle, Joki found it easier to perform with one hand. Over the years, Joki tried to apply two swords to his style, but it never worked for him. However, one benefit he gained from staying true to his style of using one sword was that he could easily and swiftly maneuver between offense and defense.This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    "He''s fast, and in hand-to-hand combat, I don''t stand a chance against him, but..." Kairoji smirked confidently, his expression oozing with smugness as he raises his hand.


    Suddenly, a bolt of lightning stops Joki in his tracks. Normally, Joki could easily evade such an attack, but the attack brought memories of Kashikoi, making him freeze up. The attack lands point-blank on Joki, but there is no injury from the attack.


    ''I felt... I felt as if I had just seen a ghost, Kashikoi. The power to hone purple lightning ¨C you truly were something special, weren''t you? Even in death, your powers are wanted by others around the world.'' Joki thinks to himself.


    "The bolt of lightning just now, your friend''s attack. I had believed that it was in the realm of things I was capable of. Looks like I was right, and now what will you do." Kairoji says.


    Raising his hand, preparing himself for the next attack.


    Joki notices this and quickly blitzes towards Kairoji, slashing his arm off. Kairoji''s arm grows back, and Joki jumps back after making a realization.


    "Realm of things you''re capable of¡ªthe ability to use Kashikoi''s Sakusei ability. I could assume that the reason you are able to do these things is because we are in your festival, right? That''s the only way to explain that arm growing back just now." Joki says.


    Kairoji had been shocked after Joki caught on so quickly. Joki had also felt the aura of all the citizens disappear, making him realize that the festival isn''t normal.


    "I could ask you a couple of things too. If you had been aware of all the aura in the festival disappearing, why didn''t you quickly head to Double and Kazu''s location? I realize at any point you could have killed me. So why?" Kairoji asks.


    Joki begins to put his sword back in its sheathe, and as he does he begins to make his finger glow.


    "I won''t head to Double and Kazu''s location because that means you''ll still be around, and that woman could possibly get hurt. Also, killing you would be pointless. The fact that you can calmly speak of your death in that manner makes me believe you have a backup plan, don''t you?" Joki remarks.


    Kairoji smiles and runs in at Joki. In this instance, he had proven Joki''s words true. Being in this festival and manipulating it to his liking, Kairoji''s death was never in the equation since the moment this fight had started.


    Joki stands there and fluently puts his two hands out. Kairoji goes for the attack, and Joki calmly grabs both daggers, pulls Kairoji in, and kicks him in the chest.


    ''I don''t need this; I never even wanted this. It''s a damn curse. This potential only drives people away from me. I just wanna be different. I want to know I can work hard like you...Kashikoi.'' Joki thinks to himself.


    Kairoji, after getting hit, doesn''t let off, quickly closing the distance and trying to go in for an attack on Joki. Joki slices Kairoji, but the attack is stiff and doesn''t fully cut through Kairoji as anticipated.


    Joki''s body felt like it was tearing apart. Using his Sakusei in recent times made his mind rattle, and his emotions deteriorate. Not knowing what to think, his head felt as if it was going to explode.


    ''I only got one more in me...After that, if I use it again...I''m beyond fucked.'' Joki thinks to himself.


    Kairoji notices that Joki''s sword attack was weak, and gains the confidence to attack once again. Joki quickly blitzes behind Kairoji, slashes him in the back, and, like before, the attack is stiff.


    Kairoji takes the attack head-on and continues with the assault. Right before he is able to land an attack on Joki, he drops to the ground.


    "It actually worked." Joki murmurs to himself, looking down at Kairoji with a shocked expression.


    Kairoji attempts to rise, but is suddenly seized by the sensation of his body undergoing a peculiar transformation, as though rapidly aging, before swiftly regressing into infancy.


    "Defying logic...that''s what my power is, my attacks went stiff, and it shocked me...how is it possible for my Sakusei to make my attacks weaker? I decided to take a gamble, and try something completely random and out of the ordinary." Joki says.


    Kairoji tries to speak, but Joki quickly puts his foot on his chest, staring at Kairoji with a menacing and evil look.


    The look on Kairoji''s face was one of pure shock. Helpless, he lay there and accepted the fact that he had lost.


    ''My mind feels scrambled, but it didn''t take as much of a toll as I thought it would. Managing this stuff is so annoying.'' Joki thinks to himself.


    Joki takes his foot off Kairoji''s chest and proceeds to walk forward, leaving Kairoji in his immobilized state.


    "If I did it right, eventually, you''ll end up exploding or some shit. But if not, then it doesn''t really matter. What matters is making sure you don''t interfere with the battles to come." Joki says.


    The ability that Joki possessed is only limited because of his own knowledge, at its most basic level. It would allow the user to manipulate the laws of logic themselves. They could create paradoxes or nullify contradictions, making seemingly impossible outcomes possible.


    The downside is Joki''s own fear and emotional limits: a fear of the consequences that come behind manipulating the laws of logic themselves, alongside the limits on someone''s emotional state that comes with an individual using an exceptionally powerful ability.


    In this case, Joki''s Sakusei ability has been beyond exceptional¡ªa power that breaks boundaries, essentially letting Joki do whatever he wants at the cost of his own health.


    ''This guy...another thing that creeps me out is that it feels like his power is split, right before he appeared, I felt his same aura three times over. Could it be...that the reason he didn''t fear death, was because of that being a clone...'' Joki thinks to himself.


    Joki sits down on the floor, his expression shifting into one of deep concern. The weight of worry seemed to settle on his features, casting a shadow over his usual demeanor.


    Joki not being able to sense the aura of Double and Kazu takes a moment to try and think, but feels a disconcerting ebb and flow in his memory, and his mind and thoughts racing.


    "I seriously need to get my act together and fast. If I don''t, I''ll be useless at the end of all this." Joki says.

 The Brother Of Double: Kyomu

    ''It''s pitch black in here, where am I?'' Double asks.


    A shiver runs down his spine, reminding him that he''s completely stranded.


    Double walks around, but can''t find anything at all. As he''s walking furthermore into the darkness, he makes out the silhouette of a man in the distance.


    "Who the hell are you? Make yourself known or else!" Double yells.


    Double continues to stare at the silhouette, his foot placement exuding an authoritative air.


    The silhouette reveals itself to be none other than Kairoji. Kairoji doesn''t look okay though, as he has bruises on his arms.


    "Welcome to the void I''ve created. I was able to take all of that festival, and enclose it to this circular void. It was a measure I had to hurry and do after my experience with Joki," Kairoji says.


    The void that had been created was from Kairoji''s ability; he possessed two abilities, the first a very strong power, allowing him to siphon the body and aura of another by a mere touch, though, the process takes a minimum of 10 seconds. The second, equally as formidable if not more, Kairoji can craft any conceivable structure or environment. Stepping into these created spaces allows him access to an unlimited arsenal of abilities, limited only by what he believes is possible for himself.


    Double flashes a cocky smile, his lips curling upward with a mischievous glimmer in his eyes. The confident smirk he wore on his face catches the attention of Kairoji.


    "So...Joki fought you, and then you ended up running with your tail between your legs because you couldn''t handle it. How hilarious is that?" Double asks, laughing under his breath, mocking Kairoji.


    "You should watch your mouth, after all...you will soon turn into corpses, just like all of those people in this festival. This festival can be whatever I want, and I thought a perfect way to fool you all into a sense of comfort was to use the corpses of the people who have walked into this festival and make them come alive. Though, you ruined the festival and made me destroy it, it works in my favor because now I only have to worry about this void I''ve created, and because it''s an empty one...there isn''t too much to manage," Kairoji states.


    A horrifying smile comes across Kairoji''s face, as Double''s smile disappears.


    Double''s eyes widen in disbelief, and his entire body begins to tremble, quickly overcome by a flood of emotions.


    "What''s wrong, kid? Where did all the bravado go? Don''t tell me you''re feeling bad for these people; have you ever noticed what times we''re living in...they were going to die sooner or later," Kairoji says.


    Amusement is evident in Kairoji''s eyes. Kairoji is momentarily entertained by Double''s frozen state, a mix of surprise etched onto his features. However, as Kairoji''s laughter continues, an unexpected change ripples through Double, catching Kairoji''s attention and stopping his laughter.


    "Of course, I know the times we are living in, and I understand that yeah, they may have died sooner or later, but what gives you the right to kill them...did they do anything to you?" Double states.


    "They did nothing, but over time, more and more people came rushing through. What interests me is when I decided to siphon off their bodies and aura, I realized that their memories, the precious things they love, got annoying. It was hard to manage all of those pathetic ass values they have, but you remind me of a certain face that I was informed about by someone else."


    Double ignores his talk though; he rushes in coating his arm with aura. Kairoji dodges and puts his hand on the ground as if he were trying to summon something or someone.


    "Let me just see if my theory is correct." Kairoji proclaimed while raising his hand into the air.


    With each ascending movement, a distinct figure gradually materializes, revealing a man unknown to Double.


    Double looks in confusion. A man appears, and he instantly locks his eyes onto Double.


    ''So, his ability revolves around summoning things to do his bidding? Just like with my fight with Kashikoi, going in without feeling my opponent out is dumb,'' Double thinks to himself.


    Double continues standing at a distance, refusing to get closer until he understands the whole situation.


    The man doesn''t move at all though, and he continues looking down as if he''s lifeless. Kairoji smirks; he begins to put his hand on the chest of the man next to him, and his hand begins to glow white.


    "I wonder...if I can take the ability from someone I bring back from the dead. It''s been ten years since this guy has been dead, but even in my mind, the realm of possibilities for myself is short, but with enough testing...just maybe..." Kairoji says, looking into the eyes of the lifeless man.


    "Ten...years ago?" Double asks, squinting his eyes, trying to figure out just who the man is.


    Suddenly, the man''s eyes widen, and he grabs Kairoji''s hand and shoves him away; he walks toward Double who stands on guard, not wanting to get close to the man.This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    Kairoji notices this, but the man''s walk and the aura he gives off leave Kairoji frozen in shock. To think that one of his creations could take life was never even a thought in his mind.


    "Who the hell are you?! You would turn your back on a guy like that in the middle of a fight. That''s stupid!" Double yells.


    A confused expression stuck onto the face of Double, not knowing whether to run or fight. Not able to gauge the strength, and if the person in front of him is a threat or not.


    "Middle of a fight? This isn''t my fight at all, but since I''m here, there''s one question I wanna ask before I leave. I don''t belong here." The man says, continuing to walk forward until he was in handshake distance of Double.


    The man finally gets in the face of Double, and Double''s eyes widen as his mind begins to flood with memories from when he was younger.


    Double begins to remember his brother, and the time they spent together when he was younger. The image of his brother starts to become clear, and he notices that the man in front of him is his older brother.


    "Actually...I have two questions, one...do you even remember my name?"


    Double''s expression showed that of starstruck, words not being able to be formed, his body not being able to move. Everything hit him at the same time, as he stood in front of the person who died ten years ago.


    "Kyomu...your name is Kyomu." Double hesitantly says.


    Double''s face continued to be frozen, as he realized who had stood in front of him. His mind couldn''t fully process it.


    Kyomu smiles, he looks at Double, and puts his hand on his head, and proceeds to put two fingers up.


    ''Wait...why is he doing that with his fingers? Does he think I''m dumb or something?'' Double thinks to himself, but he suddenly begins to remember events from when he was younger.


    (Eleven Years Ago, November 13th, 1809)


    "Double! Pay attention. This is going to be our little drill for whenever I want to make sure you remember the important stuff. You might be young, but I need you to grasp this." Kyomu stated, a grin playing on his lips as he raised a finger for emphasis.


    Double smiles, and claps his hands, excited to see his brother smiling. Double and Kyomu shared a bond that most brothers fail to share.


    No matter how young Double was, he always got excited to see his older brother happy, because even at a young age, all he saw was death around him and violence, but to see his brother alive and happy meant the world to him.


    "One! If I lose my life...what is it that I want you to do?" Kyomu says.


    The smile on Double''s face begins to fade, and he begins to tear up and cry. Kyomu reaches his hand out to Double, but Double slaps it away.


    "I don''t have an answer to that! Because you won''t die, big brother! You are strong... you won''t let anyone break our bond and ruin the family we have now, right?" Double exclaimed.


    Double runs up and hugs Kyomu''s knee. A look of deep sadness was etched across Kyomu''s face as he gently placed a hand on Double''s head, offering a bittersweet smile.


    "Alright, maybe that was a bit heavy, but the second question, Double...do you think our connection will cease with death?" Kyomu asked, his hand firmly gripping Double''s shoulder, a gravity-laden expression etched across his face.


    Double tries to cry, but the expression on Kyomu''s face prevents him too. Double in his mind wants to uplift Kyomu, and make sure he''s in good spirits, so he lies.


    "No...the bond we share won''t end when we die, it''ll go on forever and ever!" Double says.


    "Correct! Sorry, I just needed to be honest with you before we move forward. Now, let''s continue our journey." Kyomu says, smiling back at his little brother, grabbing his hand and proceeding to walk into the distance.


    (Present day, September 15th, 1820)


    "In light of the fact that our paths have diverged, and I find myself no longer a part of your life, I ponder my second question: regardless of the memories retained or the moments forgotten, do you think our connection has truly come to an end?" Kyomu says.


    Kyomu''s voice trembles as he speaks, his two fingers quivering as he struggles to hold back tears. He places a hand gently on Double''s shoulder, offering silent comfort.


    The question Double as a child couldn''t answer honestly because of what he believed had changed. Double, wearing a smile reminiscent of his childhood, now meets Kyomu''s gaze and locks eyes with sincerity.


    "Nah, it''ll go on forever, the bond between brothers is unbreakable." Double spoke with a contented weariness, his expression comfortably etched with the lines of happiness.


    Kyomu''s face lights up with pure happiness. In their younger days, Kyomu had detected Double''s dishonesty through forced mannerisms and expressions. When questioned about it back then, Double''s lack of genuine belief was apparent, leading Kyomu to wisely drop the subject.


    However, when asked this question, Double''s face shows nothing but pure honesty, and confidence in his own words.


    "Then...that''s all I needed to hear. I wish I could express more, I want to say more so badly, and I''m sorry." Kyomu apologizes, lowering his head, overwhelmed with nothing but disappointment in himself.


    "Wait...why can''t you say more? We''re here together, and we have all the time we need..." Double says.


    Suddenly, Double looks behind Kyomu and notices Kairoji''s hand turning white. Kairoji takes his hand and quickly points it at Kyomu, who had already known his fate.


    "Goodbye Double, my only regret was dying too early." Kyomu says, showing one last smile on his face to a confused Double.


    Kairoji swipes his hand, erasing Kyomu from the void, nothing but particles in the face of a frozen Double.


    "What an irksome sentiment¡ªlet the dead rest in peace. I''ve learned my lesson; that experience will be my last time trying something like that," Kairoji says.


    The telltale lines of exasperation etched across Kairoji''s face, as Double stands across from him in complete awe.


    "What...what the hell, you aren''t a real person, twisted, unremorseful¡ªhow can anyone possess these habits? Where is your sympathy?" Double asks.


    "I parted ways with that long ago, my friend, and sooner or later, when the weight becomes too burdensome, you''ll find yourself doing the same," Kairoji says.


    Suddenly, Double aggressively takes a traditional boxing stance, positioning his feet shoulder-width apart and his knees slightly bent,


    "Don''t call me friend, and become like you? I''d rather die!" Double says.


    Double''s aura spiraled out of control, yet with the limited mastery he possessed, he managed to channel it into the clenched fist before him.


    Kairoji burst into laughter, thoroughly astonished by Double''s audacious attempt to land a punch from such a ludicrous angle.


    "What the hell are you doing?! Taking a boxing stance from a distance? Do you plan on somehow catching me from over there? I''ll see you coming effortlessly," Kairoji says, laughing hysterically, taking his focus off Double completely.


    "Jyu-Oh-Sei, Thunder Jab!" Double yells.


    Double unleashed a ferocious punch, and a colossal shockwave rippled through the air with formidable intensity. The force of the impact surged towards Kairoji, an unstoppable wave of power. As the shockwave collided with Kairoji, it targeted his stomach with pinpoint accuracy. The impact was so devastating that Kairoji couldn''t withstand it, coughing up torrents of blood in an instant.


    "You wanna act mercilessly? Fine then, I''ll fight you like a murderer, a killer, someone who''s unremorseful. I will be the one to take your life!" Double says, going back into his boxing stance, preparing himself.

 The Lethal Power Of Shockwaves

    Kairoji starts breathing heavily, wiping blood from his mouth and reaching for his stomach. The blow from Double nearly putting a hole in his stomach forces Kairoji to stay on the defensive.


    "Physical strength? That''s all you can provide? Where''s the uniqueness in your style, the flare?" Kairoji says.


    Double squats down and leaps far up into the endless void.


    ''The void is all around us, pure darkness, but it looks like there is a glow constantly over us. He really treated this place as the perfect place for a fight,'' Double thinks to himself.


    Double leaps from the sky at Kairoji with a determined look on his face. Anticipating the incoming strike, Kairoji swiftly pulls out his daggers. But before he could fully draw them forth, Double seizes Kairoji''s left hand. Kairoji manages to draw forth his dagger and slice Double''s face slightly on the left cheek.


    Double flips back and puts both of his feet on Kairoji''s chest, generating a shockwave that blows Double back. He flies back so far that he''s no longer in sight of Kairoji.


    ''Shockwave manipulation? No, this goes beyond that. He''s not merely manipulating shockwaves; he''s actually generating them!'' Kairoji realizes.


    As Kairoji completes his thought, Double swiftly flies back in, moving faster than Kairoji''s eyes can track. He cocks back his right hand and delivers a powerful punch to Kairoji''s face. Reacting quickly, Kairoji seizes Double by his jacket, gripping him tightly as he draws his dagger with his free hand.


    Double notices this, struggling to break free from Kairoji''s grip. Eventually, he sheds his jacket, releasing himself. Generating a shockwave beneath his feet, Double leaps high into the sky. However, he feels his leg go numb for two seconds during the ascent.


    ''What the hell was that?'' Double thinks to himself.


    With no time to process what had just happened, Double looks down and proceeds to cock his right arm back in mid-air. He throws a punch, generating a shockwave, but it''s easily blocked by Kairoji.


    "Your shockwaves, you''re afraid to put too much effort into them, aren''t you? Because the previous leap to the sky taxed your body, didn''t it? You''re terrible at hiding your fear!" Kairoji yells.


    Suddenly, Double appears behind Kairoji and cocks his right arm back once again. Double takes a boxing stance.


    "You jump to conclusions too quickly. That shockwave I threw at you just now was only to make you think I was getting weak," Double says.


    "Damn you!" Kairoji yells.


    Kairoji attempts to get his guard up, but Double had been too fast for him, forcing Kairoji to suffer the full force of this next attack.


    "Jyu-Oh-Sei, Thunder Jab!" Double yells.


    Double once again uses the same attack that he wounded Kairoji''s stomach with, but even though he had targeted Kairoji''s stomach, he was only able to get Kairoji''s chest as Kairoji moved his body just enough.


    Double continues standing on his feet, his legs trembling, but his unwavering resolve keeps him up, continuing to hold his stance.


    "Lucky you, if that punch would''ve landed where it was supposed to, this fight would have already been over," Double declares, trying to control his breathing.


    Suddenly, Double hears a voice from outside of the circular void. Joki had managed to make his voice heard from outside of the void using his ability.


    "Double!" Joki yells.


    "Joki, how the hell?" Double asks, confusion etched across his face.


    "No time to talk right now. It looks like you''ve caught on to what this bastard is doing. Kazu''s location is unknown. You''re doing well, but you have to hurry and finish him off. I''m afraid I can''t join you. His ability restricts anyone from entering unless permission from him had been granted," Joki says.


    "Yeah, don''t worry. I''m doing my best over here," Double says.


    (September 12, 1820, Three Days Ago)


    "Come on...you''re faltering more and more with this. I didn''t anticipate it would be so challenging for you, Double. Kazu has already mastered it," Joki says, standing in front of Double and Kazu, his sword unsheathed.


    Rising shakily to his feet, Double grits his teeth against the pain coursing through him, his muscles trembling with effort. With a glare of annoyed frustration, he locks eyes with Joki.


    Double looks over to Kazu, who had been completely calm, and tries to mimic his behavior, his stance, but as he tries to do this, he''s kicked in the stomach by Joki, knocking Double to his feet.


    "Stop doing that. That''s exactly why you''ll never be able to catch up to Kazu. Be original. Everyone has their own style of fighting. Do you not believe in yourself that much?" Joki says.


    Double gets up once again, showing his resolve and endurance after taking an aura-imbued kick from Joki. As Double gets up, he notices Joki looking at him with a disappointed expression.


    "There you go, that same look as always. You think showing how disappointed you are is gonna help me improve? Help me work harder, Joki! You two trained how to fight. I got where I am by mauling my enemies with pure strength alone. Combining that with actually knowing how to fight is an entirely new realm for me," Double yells.


    Joki sighs, his expression softening into a smile. He approaches Double, extending his hand toward him. Double reciprocates, clasping Joki''s hand firmly. With a gentle tug, Joki leads Double toward one of the shelves in the room, his fingers deftly selecting a book from among the collection.


    Skimming through it, Joki eventually finds a page about a boxer by the name of James Figg and gives it to Double.If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    "You mainly fight with your fists, and that made me think about this fighter from the 1700s. A brave bare-knuckle boxer, known as one of the fathers of modern boxing. He may have fought with weapons from time to time, but this book does its best to explain how he fought from the eyes of those who witnessed him. Stylewise, he was impeccable, and with learning a style like that, you''ll be sure to stay on pace during our training. Today''s training session ends!" Joki says.


    Joki reveals that he had been using the amulet that Reima wore to allow himself to communicate. The amulet was a device crafted by Kairoji, a device made for emergencies if one of Kairoji''s creations got out of control.


    Joki notices the amulet losing its color, alongside Reima slowly losing consciousness. Before ending the communication, he says one last thing to Double.


    "The girl is losing her consciousness! It looks like that amulet is too much power for her. It''s goodbye for now, Double. My only advice is to stay alive," Joki declares.


    Joki begins waving his right hand, while reaching his head in as much as the empty void would allow him too. A smile comes across Joki''s face, which makes Double''s eyes light up.


    "Of course you would say that!" Double yells, forcing a smile back at Joki.


    The communication ends, and Double and Kairoji stand face to face once more. Double observes that Kairoji had been given just enough time to gather his wits and be ready for the fight again.


    ''The instant my body began to react adversely to my production of shockwaves, I knew I couldn''t keep this up for long. I need to finish him now,'' Double thinks to himself.


    Suddenly, Kairoji begins putting his hand in the air, generating a vortex of lightning and fire that crackles in the air. Without a second passing, Double instantly knows that the lightning Kairoji produces is the same as Kashikoi''s.


    "Familiar, isn''t it? As long as we are both inside of this empty void, I can do as much as I want. I waited till we were both nearly at the end of our gas tanks for this. You can lie, you can hide it, but you can''t deny that you''re almost finished!"


    Flames flicker around Kairoji''s hand as Double swiftly generates a shockwave beneath his right foot. Leaping into the air, he delivers a forceful kick toward Kairoji, who deftly evades while maintaining his grip on the vortex.


    "Inferno Cyclone!"


    Kairoji hurls a swirling vortex of flames toward Double, the crackling heat stinging Double''s hands as the fiery onslaught approaches. Double attempts to swiftly evade the vortex, but realizes that the more he runs from it, the bigger it gets.


    "What! How!" Double yells.


    "Talk about idiotic. I see there are still some things you don''t know. Don''t worry, I could tell your friends didn''t either," Kairoji says.


    Double decides to put his guard up as the vortex swallows him. It explodes, and Double is left on one knee, breathing heavily. The burns on Double''s chest look fatal, but he gets up and continues facing Kairoji.


    Kairoji notices this and quickly flies in at Double. He cuts him in the stomach, sending him falling down. Double still gets up, holding his stomach while his right arm is still on guard.


    "What are you fighting for? Most people would have realized they lost and dropped dead. The afterlife is better than here, you know. The pain you feel will go away," Kairoji says.


    "Yeah, that''s true, but that''s such a lame way of dying. I''d rather change the world back into a better place, where people don''t have to kill each other senselessly just to live their lives," Double says.


    The attack Kairoji had let off earlier was the second awakening of his ability. The second awakening of one''s ability gives them the opportunity to land a fatal blow that is almost impossible to avoid by normal means. Normally, this would be impossible without a Sakusei, but Kairoji had been using multiple reserves from people he had siphoned aura from.


    "Do you know what the emotional quota is, Double?" Kairoji asks.


    "What the hell is that? Emotional quota? Stop spouting bullshit," Double says.


    "I''m afraid that even someone like you should know this. I refuse to believe someone with power like you, and that much resolve just doesn''t have an ability. Your downfall will be your mental limits. The emotional quota has three stages to it, Double. The first being emotional dissonance. You''ll begin to experience conflicting emotions, causing mental and emotional turmoil. The second, psychic feedback. This has a profound impact on your mental state, and your aura will begin to show it. The third one, essence burnout, which not even I know of myself because I''ve never experienced it," Kairoji says.


    "Why are you telling me all this? What is the point?" Double says.


    Kairoji walks toward Double, who tries to move, but he notices that his legs won''t go forward. Kairoji reaches his right hand out and pushes Double, who falls over. Kairoji walks over and stomps Double on the stomach, where the slash wound had been.


    "Because you''ve already reached stage two. Your aura at this point looks like TV static¡ªit''s incredibly unsettling. You''re no exception to this rule. You keep fighting, not realizing that the more you push yourself beyond your limits, the more it drains you mentally. That emotional quota your friends failed to teach you about? That''s what''s going to cost you this fight," Kairoji says.


    Double grabs Kairoji''s leg with his right hand, prompting Kairoji to swiftly move his leg. Double gets back up, refusing to even see how bad his stomach wound is. He quickly gets back into his boxing stance.


    Double''s fighting style remained a work in progress, yet he persisted in drawing from the teachings of James Figg. His greatest strength was adaptability, honing his skills to exploit his opponents'' vulnerabilities. Throughout the fight with Kairoji, Double underwent a transformation, intricately analyzing Kairoji''s movements, predicting his attacks, and delving into the depths of his psyche. With each attack, Double''s mastery over Kairoji''s nuances grew, enabling him to seamlessly anticipate and counter Kairoji''s every move.


    ''Even if he has been giving me a beating this entire time, I know everything he''s gonna do, nothing he can do will get past me. I need to land one more attack on him,'' Double thinks to himself.


    Double fully extends his right arm and rotates the torso to generate maximum force. Double''s aura had still been unsettling. Kairoji''s comment about it looking like TV static was correct, but nonetheless, Double launched the strongest attack he could.


    "Jyu-Oh-Sei, Makunouchi Dragon Lance!"


    Double throws his fist like a haymaker, sending a huge shockwave that covers almost the entirety of the void. Kairoji had nowhere to run, all he could do was defend. The previous shockwave attacks from Double had been overwhelming in strength, and Kairoji knew he couldn''t simply defend from them.


    Kairoji holds his guard up and begins blocking the shockwave, his arms were in extreme amounts of pain, but he continued to block knowing his fate if he stopped.


    ''This fight is over. I landed it, emotional quota, all these other things that come with this power. I''ll learn it all, I only need my friends and that''s it!'' Double thinks to himself.


    ''That''s it!'' An enraged voice erupted, its tone laced with fury and frustration, a cacophony of anger and bewilderment intertwining in every word.


    Suddenly, a voice appears from within the head of Double. The same voice he heard after the fight with Kashikoi.


    ''Why are you saying that, you act as if I haven''t been here this whole time! Where is my praise, where is my credit?'' The voice presses on, its confusing words causing Double''s mind to wander during the fight.


    Double begins to feel fear as his arms start to lose strength, but it wasn''t just from his attack. Double felt as if his aura had been drained from his body completely.


    ''What in the world? Who are you... you''re seriously throwing me off right now. And why does it feel like my strength is fading so rapidly?'' Double asks.


    Double''s vision begins to feel blurry, his body feeling weary as he begins to lose consciousness. Trying to hang on, trying to pour out aura that he no longer had.


    ''Because I''m draining the amount of aura you have, it might be yours, but we''re in the same body, meaning I can take it from you!'' An intense yell with a thunderous tone comes from the voice inside of Double''s mind.


    Before Double can process what he had heard, his attack cancels. He starts to breathe heavily before he drops to the ground.


    "No...not like this! Just when I was about to win as well? Everything''s getting blurry...This isn''t fair, none...of this is fair," Double utters weakly, succumbing to unconsciousness and collapsing onto the floor.

 Kazu Loses Himself

    (Thirty minutes ago, just before the battle between Double and Kashikoi commenced.)


    "What are you saying, vessel? My father? Just what the hell are you saying!" Kazu yells.


    The two stand face to face, Kairoji''s once laughter-filled visage now etched with questions, taken aback by Kazu''s confusion yet maintaining a stoic countenance.


    "Are you that clueless when it comes to your father? You never took the time to learn who he is?" Kairoji asks.


    "No... because I thought he was dead," Kazu says.


    Kairoji''s eyes widened as Kazu''s words sank in, causing him to realize that Kazu had been abandoned. The mess created by Joki, Double, and Kazu was nearly impossible to overlook. The fact that Kazu''s father had never searched for him underscored the true nature of the man he was reminded of.


    "I won''t sit here and try to make you wait for an answer. I''ll tell you straight up, your father is alive, but his whereabouts are unknown," Kairoji says.


    "How do you know this? What relation do you have to my father?" Kazu says.


    The rain poured even louder over Kairoji and Kazu, a look of fear etched on Kazu''s face, while Kairoji displayed one of sympathy, as if he could understand and relate to everything Kazu was feeling.


    "I met him a long time ago, and we did business together. Your father did a lot of bad things to me though, things I will not name," Kairoji says.


    Kairoji had been under the assumption that Kazu was in cahoots with his father, fueling the rage he felt for Kazu, but as he looked at Kazu, he saw nothing but a scared and confused boy.


    Kairoji takes his right arm and points at Kazu''s sword. Kazu looks down and notices his sword going from a full of light aura to a dark and gloomy one, just like he saw when he was inside the cabin.


    "Sakusei''s aren''t what''s unique. What''s unique are the abilities people possess that come strictly from either inheritance or are crafted from the user''s own means. The ability to teleport is only possible because of the aura you possess. It''s special, just like your father''s, which is the sole reason I brought you here," Kairoji says.


    "Then you can help me! I have nothing to do with my father. Surely that has to mean something, right? Allow me to know more about my father so that I can understand what he''s done," Kazu says, tears running down his face.


    "Yeah, you''re right. I''ll help you, kid," Kairoji says.


    Kazu smiled, a look of relief washing over his face. But as quickly as the smile appeared, Kairoji began to stride towards him. Extending his hand, he sought a handshake.


    Kazu puts out his hand, looking to shake hands with Kairoji and join him, but suddenly, Kairoji palms Kazu in the chest as his hands begin to glow white.


    "Why? I have nothing to do with my father. Why are you..." Kazu says.


    "I''ll honor my word, I''ll assist you, but that doesn''t mean my objective has ceased. I still need a vessel with an aura like yours, for what it''s worth. I''m sorry," Kairoji says.


    Kairoji''s body starts to glow white, and Kazu''s body follows suit, albeit more gradually. The sensation of drowning overwhelms Kazu, rendering it difficult for him to speak.


    "Listen, kid, in your final moments, I''ll bestow this onto you," Kairoji says.


    (5 Years In The Past, April 19th, 1815, Louisville, Kentucky.)


    A field of smoke had erupted, and through that smoke came a man named Valor, who had been holding a picture in his hand.


    Valor picks up a radio and begins signaling to someone.


    "Eleven years old, correct? The child is still alive? Don''t search for him. Leaving him alone is the safest option. He''s my son, so he''s likely to do a lot of damage if you push him over the edge. He could be dangerous," Valor says, dropping the communication device on the ground.


    "Not that I''d be scared of your kid, but that''s your flesh and blood. Shouldn''t you..." Before the man he signaled to could finish his words, the communication disconnected.Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    Valor ends the connection and proceeds to walk into the destroyed city of Louisville. As he walks for two hours, he notices a group of people coming out of an abandoned warehouse with huge bags in their hands.


    ''I don''t think I''m fit to do it anymore ¡ª to take care of a kid and risk everything. It''s scary, but that''s all I am, after all. I''ve accepted that I''m a coward, but I don''t care.'' Valor reflects inwardly.


    "Hey!" One of the men yelled.


    Valor had widened his eyes, as he had now noticed the people in front of him. Valor had been so deep in thought that he completely zoned out everything around him.


    The man leading the group of people was Kairoji, who had stood there with an angry expression.


    "You know, deadbeats like you get killed for much less. Leaving your kid behind? You must have a death wish," Kairoji says.


    "Leaving my kid behind? Ahh I see now, you or one of these men had taken my friend hostage. Oh well, no friend of mine would be taken out by a bunch of weak men," Valor says.


    Kairoji''s face contorted with even more anger as he swiftly charged at Valor, accompanied by all of his men. Valor deftly drew his sword with his right hand, and in a flash dispatched every single one of Kairoji''s men, leaving only Kairoji himself alive.


    "Let that be a lesson to you, rebuild your men, and come back to face me one day. Don''t you ever think to face me without your ability either?" Valor says.


    "You haven''t even touched me, I haven''t even shown you what I''m capable of, but you''re already talking to me like this fight is over?" Kairoji asks.


    "Considering you couldn''t even save a single one of your men, and you''re in perfect range for me to cut your head off, yes," Valor says.


    Valor walks off into the distance, his back facing Kairoji, but too scared to make a move. Kairoji sits on the ground, and screams out of frustration.


    As Valor continued to move forward, he noticed a woman in the doorway of the warehouse he was heading towards. He tries to walk past her, ignoring her presence, but she laughs, catching his attention.


    "You don''t even pay me any mind. I''m going to guess this is your territory, right? Yet you didn''t cut me down the moment you saw me?" The woman said.


    "I see no reason to cut down weak people, but make yourself comfortable if you want. It doesn''t matter to me," Valor says.


    As Valor takes a seat, the woman begins to walk forward, lighting a cigarette as Valor closes his eyes.


    "You know, I didn''t go out because of those men. They were ruthless, but since you cut them down, I guess I''m in your debt," The woman says.


    "I don''t like owing people, and I don''t like people being in debt to me, so don''t worry about it," Valor says.


    The woman takes a picture, and puts her hand out to Valor. Valor reacts and quickly snatches the photo. The photo had been of him holding his son, with a smile on his face.


    "Is that your son?" The woman asks.


    "Listen, I appreciate you handing this back to me, but you''d best mind your damn business," Valor says.


    "Alright, alright, I won''t ask any further. It just seems to me that you care a lot about him, he''s rather young in that photo though," The woman says.


    Valor, now sitting up, begins to think about his son, times where he used to smile and feel genuine joy.


    "He''s dead to me now, I don''t even wanna think about him," Valor says.


    (Present Day)


    "That''s all I can tell you, your father was a ruthless swordsman. Killing anyone who stepped in his way, I practically fought and clawed my way into getting this information. Once I did, I made it my personal mission to find him, but you ended up being... different than he was," Kairoji says.


    Kazu''s face turns pale, and sorrow is the only emotion evident on his face. Kairoji takes on a serious expression, and holds his hand out.


    "Thank you for telling me. I wish I could return the favor by allowing you to use me as a vessel. But things have changed," Kazu says.


    Kazu kicks Kairoji in the chest and pulls out his sword. Kairoji''s hand glowing white had been due to the activation of his ability. Once the white in his hand completely goes away, Kazu will become the vessel for Kairoji.


    "You called me a coward earlier, but looking at you right now. It looks like you were planning to take the coward''s way out, and end this fast. I won''t allow that. I may not be Double or Joki, but I am still a threat," Kazu says.


    Kazu grabs his sword with his right hand and swings it at Kairoji''s legs. The slash only hitting Kairoji''s right leg, but Kairoji quickly jumps out of the way after taking the damage.


    "This is the thanks I get for telling you about your father? Why won''t you just shut the hell up and die?" Kairoji says, pulling out a dagger from his scabbard.


    "Because I realize that dying wouldn''t be fair, I wanna do to that scumbag what he did to me. Leaving me out, and then being too much of a coward to even acknowledge that I was a child that could have died on my own. I''m lucky to be here, so no, I won''t just die, and if you get in my way, I will end your life," Kazu says.


    Kairoji stands there and begins laughing. His laughter is loud but can only be heard by the two of them as they stand off in front of each other.


    "Just like earlier, you trusted me. But in the blink of an eye, I betrayed you. They will do the same, and you won''t be strong enough to defend yourself once they do. What will you do then?" Kairoji asks.


    Kazu started charging his aura, his thoughts already painting a grim picture of potential defeat in the impending battle. Kazu never confronted an opponent with such overwhelming odds against him, without any allies by his side. Yet, despite the encroaching fear, a smile crept onto his face. It was a small gesture, an attempt to muster confidence amidst the uncertainty of the situation. With every surge of power, he drew upon that smile as a source of inner strength, determined to win against Kairoji.


    "Who knows, I just know that we refuse to follow behind the evil people who feel what''s happening in the world is right. Double, along with Joki, will emerge victorious in this battle. And me? I''ll do the best I can to take you down as well," Kazu says.


    Anticipating Kazu''s teleportation, Kairoji swiftly shifts his dagger into his right hand, poised for the imminent clash. True to his anticipation, Kazu materializes and swiftly swings his sword with his left hand, meeting Kairoji''s blade in a resounding clash. With this dramatic clash, the battle between Kazu and Kairoji begins.

 Elemental Unity Stage One: Aeromotional Confluence

    Double lies on the floor. The attack he had put his all into is canceled out at the last second. Kairoji looks down in disbelief, a mix of pity and excitement crossing his face.


    "I guess there was no need to worry...he exhausted himself out," Kairoji reflects inwardly, releasing a sigh of relief.


    Joki sits frozen, the worst-case scenario playing out in his mind as he realizes Double has lost. The once vibrant aura surrounding Double dissipates into nothingness, leaving behind an ominous emptiness.


    "I''m okay with going way past my limit, but I can''t get in there. Even if I were to try and find an alternative way to enter, he''d definitely finish Double off quickly. Damn it! What the hell do I do?" Joki thinks to himself.


    Reima observes Joki sweating, his hands shaking with fear. She, too, understands the dire situation unfolding. Though she wants to offer words of comfort, she refrains, fearing that anything she says might exacerbate Joki''s anguish. Nonetheless, she walks up and places a comforting hand on his shoulder.


    "Don''t give up on him. If there is even the slightest chance Double can do something, we have to sit here and wait for him, along with your other friend. I feel the same way for him too. You have to trust them," Reima says.


    Joki takes a long breath, quickly calming himself as his trembling hands steady. Though his mind races with worry, Reima''s words remind him to have faith in his friends.


    "Yeah...I believe in them. All I can do now is believe in them. Though, I can''t stop thinking of the worst-case scenario. What if I''m just sitting here watching my friends die? Kazu''s whereabouts are unknown. Even if Double lives, what about him?" Joki asks.


    "The same for them. Because things are out of your control. You have to sit here. I know it''s painful, Joki," Reima says.


    Meanwhile, Kairoji pulls out his dagger and presses his foot against Double''s face, shoving him down. The circular void held up by Kairoji''s aura slowly begins to lose form.


    "I won''t disrespect you. You fought well. For a kid, that was one of the greatest fights I''ve ever had," Kairoji thinks to himself.


    Suddenly, an unconscious Double begins to wake up in an unknown place. It''s a gloomy area, with a gate leading into a house. Dead plants surround them, and rain pours down relentlessly.


    "Where am I? What is this?" Double thinks to himself, analyzing the area.


    "Ungrateful," a depressing voice echoes, coming from the same voice Double heard before falling unconscious.


    Double turns around and notices a green orb next to a boy. The boy has loose curls, a raggedy outfit, and eyes that convey weariness but also curiosity and innocence.


    "What do you mean ungrateful?" Double asks.


    "You''re ungrateful! To not even pay attention to me, even after all the help I''ve given you," the boy says.


    Double tries to recall, but he can''t remember the child at all. Confusion clouds Double''s mind, leaving him at a loss for words.


    "Listen, I don''t have any recollection of who you are. I want to, but I''d be lying if I said I did. Could you tell me who you are so that I can at least try to understand you?" Double says.


    "My name is Sylphs. I''m the child living inside your mind. This is my first real time speaking to you. The entire time, I''ve been whispering to you through the ether, but you never heard," Sylphs says.


    "Thank you, and I apologize truthfully. You have to believe me; I could have never expected there to be someone in my mind trying to speak to me. Joki never explained to me that this was one of the things that came with having a Sakusei," Double says.This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    Sylphs stands confused. Double''s words make Sylphs ponder all the training he''s witnessed from Double and Joki. Despite this intimate knowledge, Sylph finds himself at a loss.


    "Maybe I missed something. How can Joki not know that I exist? How can you not tell what Joki''s abilities are? Isn''t it obvious?" Sylphs says.


    "What do you mean? Joki can''t just see into my head, you know. Not even Kazu knows of your existence," Double says.


    Sylphs has a sudden realization but keeps it to himself. A wave of apprehension washes over him as he contemplates the potential fallout of revealing his discovery.


    "Never mind, let''s focus on what''s happening in the real world right now," Sylphs says.


    "But...what about you?" Double asks.


    Sylphs is taken aback by Double''s concern, a wave of heavy emotion washing over him, yet he struggles to understand why.


    "Why do you care about me so much? You just met me. For all you know, I could be lying to you," Sylphs says.


    "True, but I refuse to believe an innocent kid would lie to me like that. You''ve watched events in my life play out, but there are a couple of chapters in my life you''ve missed as well. So, in retrospect, you''re like my little brother, whom I can teach as I go. Also, that look in your eyes...you''re a smart kid, but you''re also a scared one. It''s okay to be afraid, you know?" Double says.


    Sylphs stands frozen, understanding Double''s words and unable to utter a word.


    "Sylphs was it? Why don''t we work together, you know? It''s so cool to have someone to talk to at all times. It''s like an imaginary friend; it''s great," Double says.


    "Friend...what''s a friend?" Sylphs asks.


    Double hears this, and he has a look of shock on his face. The words Sylphs had spoken were the same words Double had asked Joki.


    "I...uh, a good friend once told me that a friend has multiple definitions. So it''s impossible to define a friend, but to me, a friend is someone who walks behind you to make sure no one sneaks up on you, someone who isn''t afraid to jump into a pit of lava if it meant they could save their friend," Double says.


    Sylphs doesn''t fully grasp Double''s words, yet he smiles, recognizing the sincerity behind them. Sincerity he has never heard, as Sylphs has been alone this whole time, watching Double from inside this unknown place.


    "Double, we can''t waste time any longer in here. Do you want your power back?" Sylphs asks.


    Double glances around, his gaze sweeping over the desolate surroundings, before settling back on Sylphs. Though his initial inclination is to agree, a sense of melancholy washes over him as he takes in the somber atmosphere surrounding them.


    "What about you? Will you be okay?" Double asks, a concerned look on his face.


    "I''ll be fine. But the question is: why are you still not using your full potential? Even in the fight with Kashikoi, you''ve neglected using your Sakusei''s true nature," Sylphs says.


    "But...I don''t have an ability. That''s what Joki told me," Double says.


    Sylphs walks up to Double and grabs his right arm.


    "He''s right and wrong. You don''t have an ability, but you are still extremely unique. Charge your aura into your arms quickly," Sylphs says.


    Double wastes no time and charges all his aura into his arms, the impact rippling through the area.


    "Now, focus, calm yourself, and imagine a gust of wind running through your head. Create a potent synergy between your emotional state and the power of wind," Sylphs says.


    Double begins harnessing the force of wind and channeling it through his emotions.


    He can feel his emotions corresponding to the wind around his body. Double''s yellow eyes begin to flicker white every second.


    "How... did you know about this before I did?" Double asks.


    "When you find yourself alone in a world like this, it offers ample time for introspection and experimentation. I may not inherently contribute to your strength; honestly, I am pretty useless to you. However, we exist as separate entities. During my presence here, I''ve discovered a fascinating ability we share: the capability to manipulate the essence of our aura, enabling you to harness the power of the wind," Sylphs says.


    "Useless? No, not at all. Without you, I would never have figured this out. Though it is pretty sad, you can''t give me any power, and you can''t fight alongside me, it''s pretty sad honestly, but don''t let it get you down. Being here, and working with me through situations like this is what makes you useful; remember that, Sylphs," Double says.


    "Yeah! And by the way, what will we call this?" Sylphs asks.


    "I...um...how about...the wind...no, wait...maybe...?" Double asks.


    Sylphs emits a sigh of annoyance, thoroughly exasperated by the amount of time Double is squandering.


    "How about this, tough guy: Elemental Unity: Aeromotional Confluence. You see how easy that was," Sylphs says.


    "Yeah, that sounds great!" Double yells.


    Double begins closing his eyes, and Sylphs slowly goes into the house, waving his hand with his back turned towards Double. A look of excitement forms across Double''s face.


    "More importantly, I can''t let that bastard get away from me. I said it once before, and I''ll say it again. I will end your life, Kairoji," Double yells, an uncontrollable smile spreading across his face.

 The Conclusion Of Double Vs Kairoji

    Kairoji attempts to stab Double, but Double, still with his face in the floor, grabs Kairoji''s dagger with his right hand. Kairoji tries to pull the dagger away, but Double grips it tightly as his hands begin to bleed.


    Double quickly jumps up, and uses his left hand to uppercut Kairoji. The uppercut sends Kairoji off balance, but he quickly moves out of the way before Double can follow up.


    Smoke begins to form around Double''s body, and within the smoke is a bright white light. The smoke instantly vanishes, and before Kairoji''s eyes is Double, with his eyes still yellow, but blinking white every second.


    "He can still stand...was him laying on the ground a trap for me to get close? But something seems different about him. His eyes...why are they blinking white?" Kairoji remarked, a sense of concern coursing through his body.


    As Double''s jacket sleeves gradually lengthened, an ethereal glow of pure white emanated from them, casting an eerie luminescence in the void around. With each passing moment, the air thickened, as if laden with an invisible tension, and Double''s countenance twisted into a visage of unmistakable fury. As Kairoji peered ahead, a sense of d¨¦j¨¤ vu washed over him, a sensation tinged with an uncanny familiarity.


    ''He reminds me of Valor, that bastard. So composed now, but I sense within him nothing but a want for violence. At any moment, he could unleash hell upon me. This sensation... it''s deeply unsettling.'' Kairoji expressed.


    Double began to stride forward, his arm outstretched, pulsating with an overwhelming surge of aura. Despite the torrents of energy emanating from him, the TV static-like appearance of his aura remained unchanged. It was evident from his demeanor that Double was emotionally detached, devoid of any contemplation, his sole focus fixated on the annihilation of Kairoji.


    "Before...I wasn''t able to fight you to my heart''s content. Using shock waves took a huge toll on my body, but reinforcing my arms and legs with wind should allow me to kick your ass much easier." Double stated, his face bearing an emotionless, deranged look.


    "You understand that you''re skating on the edge, right? Continuing this fight will only bring you closer to stage three. You understand what that means right, if that happens, you''ll not only be out of this fight, but you won''t be the same. It seems you''ve developed your ability too, so this definitely will take you out quickly." Kairoji says.


    The Sakusei bestows diverse abilities upon its bearers, with each ability represented by a distinct color. However, not all Sakusei eyes grant awakening or power augmentation capabilities. Some compensate for this by endowing their bearers with inherently potent abilities. This nuanced system strikes a balance between raw potential and specialized prowess, offering a varied landscape of strategic choices and intricate interactions among those possessing Sakusei eyes.


    Kairoji is indeed correct in noting that a Sakusei ability would only accelerate essence burnout. However, what Kairoji fails to realize is that Double still isn''t using an ability. With the assistance of Sylphs, Double possesses the remarkable capability to alter the essence of his aura from its standard state to that of wind. This grants him the extraordinary power to actively manipulate the wind to further boost what his shock waves are capable of.


    ''There has been no shift in power; he''s exactly as strong as he was previously. What the hell is going on here?!'' Kairoji pondered, beads of sweat streaming down his face.


    As Kairoji is speaking, Double suddenly takes the wind from his arms and reinforces them into his legs. He flies forward towards Kairoji, leaving a gust of wind behind him.


    Double swung at Kairoji with precision, his right hand a blur in the air, yet Kairoji, nimble and alert, evaded each blow effortlessly. Seizing the moment, Kairoji lunged forward, aiming a swift stab with his dagger, but Double''s reflexes were keen. With a swift movement, Double seized Kairoji''s hand, halting the dagger''s advance. In a seamless motion, Double pulled Kairoji off balance, using his momentum to propel himself forward. In a fluid leap, Double vaulted atop Kairoji, delivering a decisive blow with his foot to the crown of Kairoji''s head.


    Kairoji''s head gets planted into the ground, and as he lifts his head up to look at Double. Double is already gone, and what''s left is a gust of wind. Double had already been out of sight, but Kairoji stays calm, believing that Double isn''t fast enough to catch him off guard.


    ''It''ll take a lot more practice, switching the reinforcement of wind between my arms and my legs is something I''d have to get used to." Double thinks to himself, his gaze unwaveringly fixed on Kairoji, a solemn expression etched across his face.


    As Double''s feet make contact with the ground, a confident grin creeps across Kairoji''s face, accompanied by the satisfying crack of his neck. With a surge of adrenaline, Kairoji charges towards Double, initiating a lightning-fast exchange of blows. He extends his right hand in an attempt to land a punch, but Double anticipates the move, skillfully weaving to the side. In a split second, Double retaliates with a swift left hook, striking Kairoji''s body with precision and force.


    Kairoji tries to turn his back and dash away from Double, but Double quickly does a haymaker with his right hand, shooting out four shock waves instantaneously. Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.


    ''Why hasn''t he hit essence burnout yet? This boy isn''t doing anything to even try and calm down his emotional quota. He''s truly just fighting and hoping he can last long enough, but even still..'' Kairoji thinks to himself.


    Kairoji realizes that trying to use long-range abilities won''t work against the speed of Double. Kairoji quickly tries to rush at Double again. Double quickly jumps to the sky, and does a simple flurry of jabs at Kairoji, raining shockwaves at him.


    "Jyu-Oh-Sei, Cyclone''s Wrath" Double says.


    Kairoji quickly out of fear for his life attempts to outrun the shock waves, but can only get so far as two of the shock waves land on his back. Kairoji gets up, and notices his vertebrae and ribs broken after facing such an attack.


    The void had been breaking more and more, but Kairoji knew that if he wanted to do any sort of damage, he''d have to gamble. Kairoji puts his right hand in the sky just like before, and his hands begin to flicker as he begins to generate a vortex made of lightning and fire again.


    ''If I manage to throw this, he''ll be compelled to evade it, granting me greater distance. This brat isn''t difficult to predict; all he possesses is speed and strength. By circumventing those attributes, victory is within reach.'' Kairoji thinks to himself.


    Kairoji unleashed the swirling vortex, a tempest of lightning and fire hurtling toward Double with a ferocity that seemed unmatched. Yet, despite the onslaught, Double''s expression remained stoic, betraying no hint of concern. As the vortex bore down upon him, Double seemed to vanish from Kairoji''s sight, leaving him momentarily bewildered.


    The cacophony of fury ebbed away, leaving behind an eerie silence broken only by Kairoji''s racing thoughts, consumed by the uncertainty of Double''s whereabouts.


    Then, without warning, Double materialized behind Kairoji in a flash, striking with blinding speed. A flurry of punches rained down upon Kairoji''s unprotected back, each blow exacting a toll in blood and agony. The wound, already severe from a previous assault, now seeped crimson more profusely, amplifying Kairoji''s pain to new depths.


    ''This is only the second clone, I can''t let this brat defeat me. If I lose here, it''ll only set me at more of a disadvantage. In terms of speed, the gap is too huge. He''s moving so fast that he''s completely invisible to me. I have to keep my eyes on him, if I don''t, then he''ll...'' Kairoji thinks to himself.


    Double wastes no time, before Kairoji can finish his thoughts. Double leaps up into the sky and begins placing a shockwave beneath his feet, keeping him in the sky.


    He gracefully balances on his left leg, while the other extends slightly forward, arms outstretched with fingers splayed like the swirling winds.


    Double begins to spin rapidly in mid-air, creating a whirlwind of motion around himself. Kairoji looks up, sweat pouring off of him, not knowing what to expect.


    "Jyu-Oh-Sei, Sonic Fist Blitz!" Double says.


    Double sends multiple shock waves made of wind surrounding Kairoji. Kairoji looks around himself, confused on why Double didn''t go for an attack.


    "What the hell? The shock waves he''s generated aren''t going away. He''s completely gone again, where is he?" Kairoji says.


    In a final, desperate bid to create some distance, Kairoji attempts to leap backward, only to be swiftly intercepted by Double, who emerges from one of the shock waves with a swift punch to the back of his head. Before Kairoji can even comprehend what has transpired, Double vaults into another shock wave, leaving him reeling in confusion.


    Kairoji rises to his feet, a sharp pang of pain slicing through his consciousness as he becomes aware of the blood trickling down the back of his head from Double''s vicious attack. Despite his efforts to fortify his aura and bolster specific regions of his body, it''s evident that his resilience could only mitigate Double''s onslaught to a limited extent. In truth, his body has endured a relentless barrage, and now, it''s only the sheer tenacity of his will that propels him forward, keeping his battered form in motion.


    "You''re about to die very soon, but Joki was right when he said that I caught on to what''s happening. This is a clone, and I''m only fighting half of your power. You''d be better off telling me where Kazu is, do something with your life before you die alone and weak." Double says.


    Kairoji''s eyes widen out of anger, and he attempts to attack Double, but he falls to the ground. The damage from Double had already taken its toll, Kairoji could keep moving, but the more he did, the worse the pain would get.


    "Listen to me, you''ve lost this fight. It doesn''t matter what you pull out, I bet you haven''t even realized how much the tables have turned have you?" Double says.


    "What are you..." Kairoji says.


    Double''s words prompted Kairoji to pause and reflect. As he did, he came to a stark realization¡ªhe had already reached stage three of essence burnout. So engrossed was he in the heat of battle that he hadn''t even taken a moment to acknowledge that he had pushed himself to the brink.


    "I see...those visions I saw of Valor in you. They weren''t just because of you, but I had been going well past my limit. Once again, I have fallen to my knees, and I am being looked down on by someone superior to me." Kairoji says.


    Double begins to reinforce only his left arm with wind, and he stares at Kairoji. The rapid blinking in his eyes begins to slow down.


    "You fought well, I really wonder who this Valor guy you keep speaking of is, but it''s too late to ask. You know, if I had to take a guess, maybe it''s a wild guess at that. I''d say that essence burnout is when you truly lose yourself. I fought a guy recently, and before he lost the fight, I noticed that he had slowly turned into a lunatic, burning himself out, and eventually his life was taken." Double muttered, his balance faltering, and a sense of weakness trembling through his knees.


    Without hesitation, Joki rushes in from outside the void to catch Double before he falls, as the void collapses completely.


    "About time, now then..." Joki says.


    Joki quickly pulls out his sword and attempts to cut Kairoji''s head off, but Double quickly stops him.


    "Joki...just let him live, there''s no point in killing him." Double says.


    "Are you crazy, why would I..." Joki says.


    "We don''t know where Kazu is! For all we know, killing him now will possibly only strengthen the original. He can''t even walk anymore, he''s reached his limit. We need to leave him, and quickly look for Kazu." Double says.


    "Damn, you got a good point for once. Alright, leave him here. Kazu''s most likely fighting the original as we speak, we have to act fast." Joki says.


    As the intense confrontation between Double and Kairoji draws to a close, the urgent matter of Kazu''s disappearance looms large. With tensions high, Double and Joki swiftly gather Reima and embark on a frantic search throughout the festival grounds, their determination driving them to scour every corner in hopes of locating Kazu.

 A Perilous Situation

    "Can you walk Double?" Joki asks.


    Double''s body had reached its limit, if he had continued fighting for even a minute longer, he would have reached essence burnout, just like Kairoji.


    "Somewhat, but I don''t know for how much longer. Still, I''m not resting until I find Kazu." Double says.


    Walking behind them, Reima felt her anxiety mounting with each step. Guilt weighed heavily on her heart, the nagging feeling that things could have been different had she spoken up sooner.


    "You guys...I know we''re looking for your friend, but would you like me to leave? I am of no use to you, and I in a way caused this." Reima offered tentatively.


    Double came to an abrupt stop, executing a swift pivot to face Reima. Joki''s attention shifted, a flicker of confusion crossing his features as he watched Double''s sudden turn.


    "Do you stand by the actions he committed? Can you honestly say that everything he did was truly evil in your eyes?" Double''s voice was firm, his gaze piercing.


    "...Yes, yes it was, but please, before you say any more, let me explain." Reima pleaded.


    Double swiftly seizes Reima''s arm, yanking her forward, his breath coming in rapid gasps, a testament to his depleted energy.


    "There''s nothing to explain. No one is angry at you, and no one is blaming you for anything. You have a good heart, so you can come with us. I know you don''t want to stay here." Double reassured her.


    Reima''s eyes widened, tears welling up as she followed behind Double and Joki.


    After what felt like an eternity of relentless trudging, they finally reached a standstill. The trio stood frozen in shock as they beheld the grim scene unfolding before them. In the distance, Kazu was hunched over, a glint of metal protruding from his abdomen, while Kairoji mirrored his agony, a sword buried deep within him.


    The clash between Kazu and Kairoji had concluded in a bitter stalemate, leaving both combatants ravaged and broken, their bodies bearing the brutal scars of their confrontation. Despite their fierce resolve, neither could muster the strength to continue the fight.


    "Kazu! Damn it! Joki, grab him quickly!" Double yells.


    Joki carefully removed the dagger, trying to prevent further harm to Kazu. Kazu was conscious but barely.


    "He''s still conscious. The blow didn''t hit any vital organs, but he''s in bad shape. He''s losing blood fast." Joki says.


    "It''s fine, you can heal him. You''re in better shape than all of us, right?" Double inquired.


    As Joki''s fingers brushed against Kazu''s stomach, an unexpected surge rippled through him. In an instant, his aura veered out of control, spiraling wildly. It was a consequence of neglect, a result of Joki''s relentless dedication to his work. Throughout the month spent with Double and Kazu, he had scarcely allowed himself a moment of respite. While others rested, he persisted, tirelessly refining and perfecting. And now, in that fleeting touch, the strain of his unyielding efforts revealed itself, sending shock waves through his very being.


    Alongside that, the reckless use of his abilities against Kairoji had led Joki to reach stage three of essence burnout.


    ''Everything around me, this...is this hell?'' Joki thinks to himself.


    Joki found himself utterly entranced, drifting away from the fabric of reality itself, his countenance twisted into a visage of pure terror. Before him, a phantasmagoria of his deepest fears unfolded, each haunting vision a manifestation of every conceivable misfortune that could have befallen him. Meanwhile, Double remained immobilized, his gaze oscillating anxiously between Kazu and the tormented figure of Joki.


    "Joki! Kazu! Damn it, this is the worst-case scenario. Everyone is in bad shape. We''re so far from home, and Joki can''t use his abilities anymore. I had no idea he had nothing left in the tank." Double says.


    Reima stepped forward, noticing Kairoji lying unattended. She scanned the surroundings, spotting the still-standing festival.


    "Father, you''re still conscious. These people need your help." Reima implored.


    "Father?" Double asks.


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    Kairoji tries to get up, but he can''t, as the worst case scenario for him had happened. The essence burnout his clone had suffered had transferred over to his original body, all he can do is open his eyes and look over at his daughter.


    "My child, I am sorry. I can''t help them, I can''t even help myself." Kairoji admitted.


    "Cut the shit! This festival is still standing. You still control what happens here. You can siphon off my aura and help these people..." Reima insisted.


    "Hey! You alone won''t be enough to save Joki here. I can give what aura I have left to help." Double offered.


    Kairoji extends his hand, which begins to emit a radiant white glow. In an instant, the energies of both Double and Reima are siphoned, causing them to immediately lose consciousness.


    (Five minutes pass)


    Joki snapped back into reality, observing his hands. He scanned the scene, realizing everyone else was unconscious, except Kairoji, who had succumbed to his injuries.


    Though Kazu''s bleeding was stopped, Kairoji''s wounds never ceased. The remaining aura he used in an attempt to rectify the situation only hastened his demise.


    ''Damn, that old man must have done something to take me out of whatever hell that was. He can truly do whatever he wants, as long as he''s in this festival.'' Joki thinks to himself.


    With a purposeful stride, Joki approached and lifted Double onto his right shoulder, Kazu onto his left, and cradled Reima with his remaining arms. As he moved forward, his gaze fell upon the lifeless form of Kairoji, prompting a moment of perplexity.


    "Why did you save us? You had the fight won; we made the wrong decision. I''ll never receive an answer now, but perhaps in the next life, one day you''ll reveal it to me. Maybe I''ll comprehend before then, but I suppose we''ll never truly know." Joki states.


    "Touching sentiments, Joki! I''d shed a tear if I could." a voice echoed from afar.


    The voice halted Joki in his tracks, causing a momentary tremor to course through him. Instinctively, he released his hold on Double, Kazu, and Reima, his fingers closing around the hilt of his sword as he turned his gaze towards the source.


    There stood a man, a serene smile gracing his features. There was an air of tranquility about him, a countenance that seemed incapable of inflicting harm. Yet, something about him stirred a primal reaction within Joki. His grip tightened on the sword, determination flashing in his eyes, as if he were prepared to gamble everything to eliminate the man before him.


    "Whoa, whoa! What''s with all the aggression? That glare, it''s downright evil, Joki. And look, you''ve left your injured comrades lying on the ground." The man says.


    "What the hell are you doing here, give me one reason I shouldn''t..." Joki says.


    "Why you shouldn''t what? End me? Because you can''t, Joki. That''s the beauty of this situation. Right now, you''re in a bind. But address me by my name, and I''ll lend a hand," the man interrupted.


    Joki stood rooted in place, his mind swirling with tumultuous thoughts. The sheer injustice of his predicament ignited a fierce anger within him. He couldn''t bring himself to meet the man''s gaze, the very sight of him churning his stomach with revulsion.


    The man maintained his unwavering smile, coupled with an air of serene composure. It was unsettling, leaving one unable to discern his thoughts, intentions, or true nature.


    "Seikatsu, how the hell did you find me?" Joki asks.


    "Ah, you remember! And how? Well, it''s no secret. You can''t stir up trouble and expect me not to track you down eventually, right? I see you''ve also brought some friends along with you." Seikatsu says.


    "Listen...I am not here to have small talk with you. What is it that you want?" Joki asks.


    Seikatsu pointed at Double, Kazu, and Reima. Joki glanced at them, realizing time was slipping away.


    "Perhaps you''ll manage to lead the boy in the jacket and the girl to safety, but the one with the stomach wound and myriad cuts...he won''t survive unless you can get there quickly. You understand I''m the only one who can assist with that right now." Seikatsu insists.


    "Bullshit! I don''t need..." Joki says.


    Joki halted, feeling Kazu''s blood seeping onto him. With a resigned sigh, he gathered them up and approached Seikatsu.


    "So, I know you way too well. You wouldn''t just help me, what comes with this?" Joki asks.


    "I''m glad you see reason. All I want is a deal. We''ll discuss terms on the way. Agreed?" Seikatsu proposed.


    As the air thickened around them, Joki''s gaze remained fixed on Seikatsu. Despite his churning stomach, Joki knew what he had to do.


    "You''ll save them? You''ll get them back to full health when we get where we''re going?" Joki asks.


    "You have my word Joki." Seikatsu says.


    Joki glanced back at the empty festival grounds, Kairoji''s lifeless form. After a moment''s contemplation, he met Seikatsu''s gaze and moved past him.


    "Deal," Joki conceded.

 The Monark Regius

    ''Do you...seriously wanna keep going'' Sylphs says, the words echoing in the mind of Double.


    Double suddenly opens his eyes. He wakes up inside of the gloomy area once again, everything had remained the same, the dead plants, and the rain pouring on both of them.


    "What do you mean? Why am I here..." Double asks.


    "We could...not wake up, we could die right here. They would think that maybe you died due to injuries they hadn''t suspected, maybe anything else." Sylphs says.


    "Sounds like a fun concept, but I''d rather live my life to see my goal finished. What makes you..." Double says.


    Suddenly, a tear begins to fall down Sylphs left eye, Double''s eyes widen as he had made a daunting realization.


    "You''re scared..." Double says.


    "Rightfully so, maybe the realization hasn''t hit for you, but it damn sure has hit for me. We don''t have any special talent, we weren''t born with exceptional talent. That Sakusei you have, it may have blessed you with power that guarantees you a destiny, but what if that destiny isn''t what you think it is." Sylphs says.


    The words from Sylphs make Double''s astonished expression go to an angry one.


    "Then I''ll reform it, it''s that simple. Look, I know why you''re scared. I forget you''re a little kid sometimes. Remember, I''m gonna protect you, I will keep you safe, I promise Sylphs." Double says.


    Double smiles, and begins to head towards the house in the gloomy area, as Double begins to turn around, and walk away from Sylphs into the home. Sylphs takes a deep breath, and begins to walk forward towards Double.


    "What if it isn''t you! What if...you aren''t the one who''ll fix the mess that the world is, and what if you die along the way. In your last moments, then what''ll you say to me." Sylphs says.


    Double stops.


    The words Sylphs had shared triggered his deepest fears. The fear of confronting Death had haunted Double''s mind for so long, and now, with Sylphs'' words, that fear crept into his thoughts once more.


    "What''s wrong with trying? Sorry, I can''t help but be optimistic. But...you don''t have a choice, you''re stuck here with me anyways. Speaking of which, let''s enjoy our time here...we''ll be knocked out for a little while longer." Double says.


    Meanwhile, Joki continues walking, Seikatsu walks in front of them, as they get closer to their destination.


    "So...what gives, I can''t imagine that everything has been good over there. The world has bred even stronger people that I know you''ve had trouble dealing with. How the hell can you keep that kingdom standing?" Joki says.


    "It''s rude to assume that weaklings could get the better of me, Joki. Besides, strength isn''t just physical; it''s in here too." Seikatsu says, tapping his temple.


    As the chill settled in, Joki''s hands trembled, burdened with the weight of Reima, Double, and Kazu. Each step grew heavier, his breaths turning labored with every passing moment.


    Suddenly, a child runs by, he holds his hand out attempting to charge some sort of beam from his hand.


    "Hey! I...I don''t wanna do this, but our food has gone low. Please, my mom and dad are in a run-down building. They are both starving, I...I''ve never done something like this before, my dad is usually the one protecting us, but I snuck out because I wanted them to eat, just this one time." The child says, tears running down his eyes.


    Joki looks over at him, and his eyes widen as he sees the kids pockets. The boy had a necklace, but the necklace had two feathers on it, that would be worth nothing.


    "Hey kid, listen...my hands are tied here. I won''t hurt ya, but I will tell you that you need to get back home to your mom and dad. They may be starving, but I just know they have a plan for you." Joki says.


    Seikatsu smiles, and walks in front of the child. Seikatsu slowly takes the boys'' hand, and gently drags it down.


    "Young man, are you scared?" Seikatsu says.


    "Y-yes...I wanna see my mom and dad, I just want them to be okay." the child says.


    Joki stares helpless, sweat begins to pour down his face. He feels concern for the child, but remembers the deal he made, and he thinks about Double, Kazu, and Reima


    "I see...Baku will be pleased to hear that." Seikatsu says, a wicked smile forming across his face.


    Joki''s eyes widened, a surge of realization flooding his senses. Panting frantically, sweat cascading down his brow, he grappled with the impending inevitability of what was about to unfold.


    "Kid run! Seikatsu stop this!" Joki says.


    The wind blows, the yelling stops, and the area becomes once again, quiet as a mouse. The kid had been completely gone, not even a trace of him to be found.


    Two hours drifted by in a haze of tension and uncertainty, each passing minute weighted with the ominous anticipation of what was to come.


    "Joki! Were finally here, what do you think!" Seikatsu says.


    Joki looked defeated, a dreadful, empty look in his eyes. Joki walks forward, and completely ignores Seikatsu.


    "How rude! Did you not learn manners while you were growing up. Well, I can''t blame you, my father was never around either." Seikatsu says.


    Joki''s eyes widened in a burst of outrage, his lips pressing together so forcefully that they began to bleed. Yet, despite the rush of emotions surging through him, he stood perfectly still, his composure unwavering as he contained himself.


    "Let''s keep moving, Kazu''s wounds are not getting worse just yet, but they will." Joki says.


    Joki walks past Seikatsu, and in front of him is the place they had been trying to get too. Joki''s jaw drops, as if he had seen this place before.


    "It''s huge...it''s way bigger than it was before." Joki says.


    "Well, of course, allies come a long way, and people helped us rebuild this place better than ever. It''s truly beautiful, isn''t it?" Seikatsu says.


    Without wasting any time, Seikatsu and Joki enter the kingdom. In the heart of the kingdom, colorful banners fluttered in the breeze, heralding the arrival of a festive celebration. Amidst the bustling streets, adorned with intricately carved stone buildings and flower-filled balconies, the joyful chatter of locals mingled with the lively strains of music, creating an atmosphere of vibrant merriment that enveloped the entire realm.This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    "This many people, and you invited them in just like that. I know you well enough to know this isn''t just some facade, but how did you manage to get all these people together?" Joki whispers.


    Seikatsu leans forward to Joki.


    "...Influence." Seikatsu says, as he begins to laugh under his breath.


    "Sir! do they need medical assistance, we have doctors in the area at the moment. We can be of assistance," a civilian says, bowing his head down to Seikatsu.


    "You have such great timing, heal these children up to full health, and my man right here Joki will also take some healing." Seikatsu says.


    Joki looks over with a look of surprise all over his face.


    "No, I''m fine, I don''t need it as much as they do. I''ll manage." Joki says.


    "No, no, we have more than enough equipment, go get yourself healed, and we''ll discuss everything when you get back." Seikatsu says.


    Joki tries to respond, but the civilian grabs his shoulder gently, and guides him over to the doctors who had been close by.


    Seikatsu continues walking into the distance, Joki turns around and looks at him with sadness in his eyes, but quickly turns back in the direction of the hospital.


    ''The same hell everyone continues to try and live through, the same cycle, it''s been happening for years. Sympathy is something that anyone his age should be rid of, it''s not possible to have a heart in a world like this.'' Seikatsu thinks to himself.


    Seikatsu begins to spread his arms out, and takes in the breeze that''s flowing through the air. He takes a deep breath, as all the thoughts in his head clear.


    "I know what is in each person''s heart, no one needs to tell me about human nature. I know what is good for this world, and the people who inhabit it. I''ll prove it." Seikatsu says.


    Meanwhile, Kazu is being rushed in by multiple people, his breathing dulled, and his face looking slightly pale from blood loss, but nonetheless he is still alive.


    Double, and Reima had already been in a room secluded from everyone, while Joki sits alone to himself. Too overwhelmed, Joki had chosen to be away from everyone, to clear his mind.


    "Are you awake?" Reima gently nudged Double, who had been in a slumber for what felt like ages, coaxing him back to consciousness with a gentle sway.


    Double wakes up, and looks around, noticing he''s in a hospital room. Trying to get up, his hand is quickly grabbed by Reima.


    "Hey, before you leave, I feel we should at least talk just a little. Would that be okay?" Reima asks.


    "What is there to talk about! Kazu''s in the other room badly hurt, I need to check on him." Double says.


    As Double stormed off into the distance, Reima followed closely, her face etched with concern. She noticed Double''s expression, a mix of anger and frustration, impossible to miss. Determined, she trailed after him, her thoughts now consumed with finding Kazu.


    "Why are you following me?" Double asks.


    "Because I don''t wanna be by myself." Reima says.


    Double stops, and turns around to face her with an infuriated expression on his face, the look makes Reima jump back in fear.


    "Listen...I have known Kazu for a long time, and no offense, but your father hurt my friend, and It makes me wanna hurt you as well. So move." Double says.


    Reima stood frozen in place, her features locked in a mask of utter astonishment. Meanwhile, Double pivoted on his heels and strode purposefully toward Kazu''s whereabouts.


    Finally, Double arrives at the room Kazu is being held in, and as he opens the door. His eyes widen in shock as Kazu''s body had been completely fine. Not a scratch on him at all, but Kazu''s eyes are blank, with fear written in them.


    "Kazu! You''re in way better shape than I thought you would be. Let''s look around this place, and see what''s going..." Double says, but immediately gets cut off by Kazu grabbing his arm.


    "Something isn''t right with this place, those weren''t doctors...they were monsters, all of them were monsters." Kazu says.


    Meanwhile, in a far off world, completely different from the one known to everyone else.


    ''I don''t think he can find me here...I''ve traveled so far out, it wouldn''t make sense...'' The weary traveler''s words faltered as sparks crackled around his trembling hand.


    Water splashing from footsteps can be heard in the distance, as if someone had been walking through a puddle. A man with a hood, a dark black shirt, and red markings around his eyes, had arrived to step in front of the man who had traveled far out to escape him.


    "Have you ever thought about what would happen if you died in hell? The concept of what would happen if you were erased, it wouldn''t feel like a deep sleep, you''d just be gone. If you know what''s good for you, then you''ll tell me the location of the ruler." the enigmatic figure demanded, closing in on the traveler.


    "I told you! I don''t know anything, now please, will you..." The traveler says, but his words are cut short as a hole opens up in his chest, and blood becomes to come out of his mouth.


    "See, you would have been alive right now had you told me the truth. Everyone knows his location, but no one has the balls to actually tell me." The enigmatic figure says.


    This world is called Parseon, in other words, the hell one goes too after death. Only those with malice, or those who would dare choose to go, can stay.


    Similar to the actual world, nothing good happens in Parseon, but there happens to be someone who entered Parseon. A person so overwhelmingly strong that the attention of everyone in Parseon shifted to him.


    "That''s another man you''ve killed, you are already aware what happens to those who die here. With no remorse at all, how could you?" The man trailing the cloaked figure spoke with a mixture of accusation and incredulity.


    "Those who decide to protect a false king deserve death, besides, he should have faced me like a man instead of running away after seeing me, like a bitch." The cloaked figure says, wiping blood off his hands.


    The man next to the cloaked figure laughs, as he does, he begins to walk forward alongside him.


    "This is hell, but you treat it like it''s some paradise. You''re nonchalantness could be the reason you die, can you seriously just go on spouting this bullshit." The man''s words rang out as he maintained pace beside the cloaked figure.


    "How about you stop running that mouth of yours, and bring me to who I''m looking for. Unless, you''d like to fight me and end up just like him." The cloaked figure says.


    Walking through Parseon had been a man so overwhelmed by his beliefs, that no person dead or alive could convince him otherwise. The second candidate to be the ruler of hell has arrived.


    As the scene transitioned from the world of Parseon, Double, Kazu, and Reima had been outside. Kazu''s face filled with anger, alongside Double, who had been frustrated.


    "Truth to be told, I don''t fully understand what Joki was thinking bringing us here. Did he just forget what happened the last time we trusted some random guy?" Double says, balling his fist.


    "...he knows." Kazu says.


    Double and Reima both turn to face Kazu, whose face continued to show nothing, but anger, and a slight sense of betrayal.


    "When I was being taken to the hospital, I may have been badly hurt, but I gained consciousness and overheard Joki''s words about this place. Double, I wasn''t kidding when I said these people were monsters, but we have to keep a low profile. It doesn''t matter what happens, if you want us all to live, then you have to go along with everything." Kazu says.


    "Why can''t you tell us what you heard now?" Double asks.


    Kazu stands frozen, and with a face that shows he was completely unwilling to answer Double''s question.


    "If I tell any of you, it puts your lives at jeopardy, it''s not time yet. The only thing I can tell you is that this place is called...the Monark Regius." Kazu says.