by Aaron Oster
The Guardian let out a scream as the twin halves of its body flew to opposite sides of the room, leaving its Core floating in place. Roy’s hand flashed out, and with a single flex of his fingers, the golem fell apart, tinkling back to the ground in the thousands of myriad crystals that made up its overall form.
Roy fell to his knees, screaming as the power began to build. Blood vessels burst in his eyes, flooding the sclera and painting them red. His body was too weak to handle this level of power. It had forced the advancement all the way to the peak of what it could on its own.
“What’s happening?” Aika asked, running over and dropping to her knees.
Roy had the sudden urge to rip her apart, to violently remove her limbs, scatter her entrails across the room and paint it a lovely shade of crimson. Geon quashed that instinct a moment later, though it was clear by the growing lines of light spreading across his Core that it would not last much longer.
“Dying,” Roy said through clenched teeth. “Too much power…Can’t handle it.”
Aika looked up, finally noticing the Red Torii gate standing on the opposite side of the room.
“Come on,” she said, grabbing one of his arms and hauling him off his feet.
Roy didn’t even have the strength to walk anymore, so Aika had to half-carry, half-drag him over to the gate.
She allowed him to sag as they neared, grabbing him by the sides of his face and making sure to meet his eyes.
As soon as they made eye-contact, Aika leaned in and kissed him hard. Roy tasted blood as she did, a byproduct of the injuries she’d accumulated over the course of their fight. In that moment, frozen in time, all of his pain seemed to vanish, and the warmth of her embrace overshadowed everything.
She pulled back, slightly breathless, still holding the sides of his face.
“I’ll be right here when you get back,” she said, running one of her thumbs over his cheek. “Don’t keep me waiting for too long.”
Roy nodded.
“I’ll be back, and when I return, I’ll be stable and stronger than ever. I promise.”
Aika kissed him again, then released him with a shove, pushing him back through the Red Torii gate and the test that awaited within.
50
The air before Herald Duncan shimmered, then split, and a moment later, Itachi Hermit stepped through. He was followed a moment later by Tonde Kaeru, Itachi Violet, Sanshoo Kumo, Itami Ha, Makura Amber, and his daughter, Herald Marrie.
It had been hard to stay focused on his task after his advancement, but by keeping his family fixed squarely in his mind, he had been able to succeed in his goals.
“Has a meeting been called?” Hermit asked as the portal closed.
“Yes,” Duncan replied, eyeing the walls of silver as they began to fade.
Hermit, it seemed, noticed them as well, because he reigned in the immense power radiating from his body, reducing his Core back to that of a Sovereign.
Duncan gave him a nod, as he too pulled his power back, the Black-Belt vanishing and his previous 11th Dan Gray appearing in its place.
“This feels strange,” Duncan said, looking down to the Belt.
“I know what you mean,” Hermit said, looking down to his own.
“Do you think this is an ego thing?” Duncan wondered.
The very idea that he would hide his Black-Belt was appalling. Even now, he wanted to allow his true strength to shine forth, to show everyone the might that he could now summon with only the smallest force of will.
“I don’t know,” Hermit replied, clearly having a hard time as well.
“We don’t need to hide them for long,” Duncan said. “Only until we’ve gathered all of the Sovereigns in the same place and can assure that they won’t try and run. Having to gather them all up separately will take too much time and effort.”
It was the reason that Duncan had wanted Hermit along for this mission. Having two Scions would assure that the others wouldn’t even think of trying to resist. They might be deluded enough in their power to think that one might not be a threat, but there were now two, and even they would give up without a fight. At least, that was the hope.
The rationale of lesser beings was flawed at best.
Duncan shook that thought away, refocusing on what was important. Although he could see Marrie standing before him, it was the vision of his long-lost son, Leroy, fighting for all he was worth, that kept him focused. His family would survive, and his clan would grow stronger because of it.
“We have two minutes until the meeting is set to officially start,” Duncan said as the barrier flickered again. “I want everyone else to suppress their Cores fully. The barrier goes down in half a minute, and we can’t be discovered this close to the end.”
“You’re all going to stay here and await instruction,” Hermit said, addressing the room at large. “And before you object, allow me to say that none of you will want to be near us when we subjugate the others.”
“We cannot afford the distraction either,” Duncan said, as both of the Sovereigns stepped forward to argue. “We need to keep our group together. I cannot order anyone who isn’t a part of my clan to stay, but I will ask that you remain here.”
“Why bring us along then?” Makura Amber asked.
“Why ask a question you already know the answer to?” Duncan retorted. “We’ve promised you all something in return for your loyalty and for what we’re about to do. Stay here and wait for the signal to join us. Understood?”
The others nodded in agreement, and both he and Hermit turned to face the door as the barrier flickered one last time before vanishing.
Duncan was prepared for what they would have to do, but he wondered as to what the others were planning. He’d sensed them all gathering some ten minutes beforehand, and the number of fighters in the room seemed disproportionate to what should be expected.
“We’re walking right into a trap,” Hermit said as they began striding through the halls. “They believe you’re too much of a threat to their power, so they’ve set an ambush.”
“It makes sense when you look at it from their point of view,” Duncan replied as the pieces began clicking into place. “If there’s someone who can upset the balance at any time and you have the opportunity to take them out, why wouldn’t you?”
“It’s the stubbornness of these mortals and their need to cling to imagined power, despite the overwhelming force coming their way that disgusts me,” Hermit said. “This world would be better off with them gone.”
Duncan found himself opening his mouth to agree, then stopped himself.
“That’s your Core Ideal talking,” Duncan said. “Not you.”
Many things were required to advance from Gray to Black, and especially to become a Scion. One of them was an understanding of their one true Ideal, something that was tied to the very Core of their being. It was what gave them their immense power and what finally brought the wild strength of the Gray-Belt into perfect control. But, on the flip side, the Core Ideal had a way of warping their thoughts to see things on a much grander scale.
After all, what was the life of a few million people when compared to the eruption of the giant volcano in the boiling sea or the falling of space debris over the Black Ocean? This world was so much larger than just the continent of Safaia, and even if it were destroyed, civilization would recover within the next millennium or three.
“We need them, weak and petty as they are,” Duncan continued. “You can feel the power slowly creeping across the Windblight as well as I can. Strong as we are, do you really think that either of us can defeat that monster?”
“No,” Hermit admitted. “Though I also fail to see as to how a few Sovereigns could make much of a difference. They might be strong enough to handle the foot soldiers and perhaps a few of the Supremes and Sages, but when it comes to their Sovereigns, I think we both know who has the advantage.”
Duncan didn’t reply to that statement, as he knew Hermit’s words to be true. A
dvancing to Black-Belt and attaining the title of Scion had opened his eyes in a way that he’d never even imagined to be possible.
He could listen to conversations happening entire continents away, and he could see the very fabric of space and time, and manipulate both to a certain degree. He could also see the true scope of the threat they faced in challenging Furea, the Bringer of Fire. That Beast was no Scion. It was far more powerful.
Worse were the number of powerful fighters he had under his command. He had some twenty Gray-Belts, many of them Sovereigns, and three Scions. Whether the Scions would participate or not remained to be seen, but he had a feeling that just as they were focusing on the fight ahead, so were they.
The Dreadpit was all but teeming with lesser Beasts as well, all in the Blue and Purple range, ready to spring into action at a moment’s notice. And those were all there in addition to the thousands upon thousands of constructs roaming the Burning Hills and pushing into the Windblight.
This fight would be a hard-fought one and impossible without the aid of the continent’s most powerful fighters. Since they didn’t have the support of the other Scions, the Sovereigns were the best they could hope for.
“Are you ready for this?” Hermit asked as they stopped before the set of double doors. “There will undoubtedly be at least a few deaths over this.”
“I will do what I must,” Duncan said, then shoved the doors open.
The two of them strode in, finding themselves facing Itachi Ikari, Inu Pelata, and Sora Ame. The doors slammed shut behind them, and Mizumi Tokei and Kuren Nami moved to block off their escape.
“Little brother, what a surprise to see you here,” Ikari said, her lips twisting up in a smirk. “We weren’t expecting the pleasure of your company, but I’m glad you decided to come back.”
Duncan’s eyes flicked around the room as the most powerful fighters of the Inu clan moved to flank the perimeter of the room. He recognized Pearl, the Sovereign’s daughter, as well as the Sage of Dust. Other powerful fighters were present as well, though in all truth, they wouldn’t be able to do much against a pair of Sovereigns at the peak of their power.
“What’s the meaning of this?” Duncan asked, playing along.
“We’ve all decided that you’ve gotten too strong for your own good,” Sora Ame said. “Nothing personal, but we can’t have the constant threat of you advancing and messing up the balance. We’re sure someone appropriate will take your place.”
“Wait. Hermit wasn’t supposed to be here,” Inu Pelata said, hesitantly.
“So? Do you see his Belt?” Ikari said. “He’s a clear threat, just like the Herald. We kill them both and we keep the balance of power.”
“Is this really what you want?” Duncan asked, looking around the room and making sure to make eye contact with every one of the Sovereigns.
“You can still back down,” Hermit said, just as calmly.
If any of the gathered fighters had even taken a second to think, to wonder as to why Hermit was back or why they seemed to calm, things might have turned out differently. But the Sovereigns were so desperate to maintain the status quo that they attacked without a second’s hesitation.
Five attacks struck the two of them at once, blowing out the walls and ceiling. The entire building shook as it began to crumble, but even as Duncan felt the power wash over him, he felt no need to defend himself. Power that might once have required he put up even a token defense did absolutely nothing to him now.
He could feel the power he’d gained as a Scion bleeding back, burning away at his Gray-Belt. Next to him, through the chaotic storm of Reiki, he could see Hermit doing the same. With a small flex of his power, Duncan dispersed the attacks, driving them back to their respective owners and causing some serious backlash.
The few Martial Artists who’d remained dove in as soon as the attacks vanished, thinking that this was the opening left by the Sovereigns to pounce. However, as they neared, they realized that something was very wrong. In the split-second before the Sage of Dust and Inu Pearl attacked, they realized the truth.
Hermit’s hand flashed out, catching the Sage by the throat and turning his body into a bonfire. The man didn’t even have the chance to scream, crumbling to ash between Hermit’s fingers. Inu Pearl’s body simply fell apart at the seams, liquid Weakness Reiki pooling on the ground along with her blood. The gathered Sovereigns rose to their feet, all clutching wounds they’d suffered as a result of the recoil and staring at the gruesome scene with a mix of horror, rage, and terror.
“You! How did you…?” Ikari said, seeming at a loss for words.
Hermit didn’t deign to answer her, eyeing the other Sovereigns as though daring them to try and attack again.
“We warned you,” Duncan said, his voice booming so loud that the entire city heard him.
He did not reign in his power, nor did Hermit, both of them allowing the full might of their Cores to blaze forth. In the presence of a single Scion, they might have been able to stand, but with the weight of two pressing down on their spirits, all of the Sovereigns were driven to their knees.
“The Seven Great Clans are no more,” Duncan continued. “And you will retain your seats of power over the factions of my clan, only as long as I permit it. Itachi Hermit has no wish to lead, but he will stand by my side, as we assure the safety and survival of our people. Each and every one of you will swear on your Ideals to serve me. Do that, and you get to live. Refuse, and die where you are.”
Suffice it to say that none of the Sovereigns refused his request this time. And, when he and Hermit left the wreckage of the building, it was as a single, unified clan, instead of seven separate ones.
The era of the Great Herald Clan had begun, and Duncan would ensure that no matter what happened, they would all survive to see his son inherit that throne.
Epilogue
Hana, the Scion of Tales, drifted through space, her eyes closed and listening to the sounds of the universe. It had taken her over a year to reach this meditative state, but it was well worth it, considering what it would soon mean. Her deep meditation was broken, however, as a flare of power rippled through the universe.
In an instant, Hana was back on Buryoku, her senses trained on the Windblight, where two new Scions now stood. It had been centuries since a new Scion had been born, and she would know, since she had been the last one.
Something else caught her attention, though, vast and all-encompassing. There was a presence that loomed over the Windblight, threatening to swallow it in its shadow. Hana’s brows came down as she realized what it was.
She cast her Spirit outward, searching for the others, and was surprised to find them all heading for the same place. Curious, she reached for the seams binding reality and pulled open a portal. Stepping through, she found herself standing high atop a mountain, half shrouded in darkness.
Komura the Winged sat in the light, looking disgruntled, while the other two were cloaked in darkness.
“What is the meaning of this?” Hana asked, her melodic voice containing a hint of agitation.
“We all sensed the birth of the new Scions,” Komura muttered. “For some reason, everyone just decided to come here.”
“We all know why we’re here,” the Scion of Quaking Skies said, his voice sounding old and wizened. “And it has less to do with the birth of new Scions and more to do with the invasion of Furea and the Scions he brings in his wake.”
“This is undoubtedly a problem,” the Scion of Warping Silver said, her voice sounding distinctly childlike. “We cannot allow other Scions to invade our lands. Not when we do not know their agendas and goals.”
“What of the new ones?” Komura asked.
“The rules are clear,” Hana said. “They are natives, just as we were. Therefore, they have as much right to remain here as we do. But it’s not the Scions I worry about.”
“The Ancient one,” Quaking Skies said. “He poses a serious problem. One that I did not foresee.”
&nbs
p; “A normal Cavern Beast is bad enough. But an Ancient one is a creature far beyond any of our current capabilities,” Komura said.
“You seem oddly out of sorts,” Hana noted.
“So would you if you’d gotten to battle an Eternal, only to have him shame you and call you weak.”
That proclamation got everyone’s undivided attention.
“You fought an Eternal?” Warping Silver asked. “How did we not hear of this?”
Komura shrugged.
“It wasn’t really much of a fight, to be honest. He had restrained himself to the level of a Purple and left for parts unknown when I failed to impress.”
“An Eternal would have been helpful right about now,” Hana muttered. “But I think we can safely assume that regardless of if he’d been here or not, he would have done nothing.”
The others nodded in agreement. When they’d advanced to the ranks of the Scions, their entire viewpoints had shifted. For an Eternal, a being who would unlock a new, more powerful form of energy, the change must have been even more drastic.
“Back to the matter at hand,” Warping Silver said. “How do we proceed?”
Hana looked out, sweeping her gaze over the vast swathes of land separating them from the Windblight.
“The new Scions have yet to leave, which means they believe it to be an important enough problem to stick around for,” she finally said. “One of us should go speak with them to find out more.”
“Which one of us will it be then?” Komura asked, looking like he wanted to do nothing less than be the one to volunteer.
“I’ll go,” Hana said, surprising everyone there. “I have met one of these new Scions before, back when he was a different man. I should like to see how he’s changed and to know what he has to say about these invaders.”
The other three nodded their agreement, making it official.