In a tense scene, Satsujin is enveloped by a purple energy that manifests as swords and bladed weapons. Fumiko observes Satsujin with a cold demeanor while Kodak urgently guides Kohaku and the others out of the diner, shouting for them to leave to protect them from the unpredictable situation.
Kodak then attempts to confront Satsujin, aiming for a peaceful resolution. He pleads, "Please, Jin-san. Don't succumb to Jashi. Just talk to me." This plea triggers a noticeable shift in Satsujin, as his anger begins to fade and his expression softens in response to Kodak's appeal.
Kodak continues his emotional appeal, acknowledging Satsujin's profound grief over the deaths of Atsuo and Nao. His voice is tinged with vulnerability, and he struggles to maintain composure as he witnesses Satsujin's inner turmoil. He urges, "Don't do something you'll regret!"
As Satsujin contemplates Kodak's words, the bloodlust in his gaze diminishes slightly, revealing his internal conflict. He grapples with the uncertainty of whether his feelings are genuine or manipulated by Jashi. His head then begins to pound in pain, memories flood into his mind. But ones that didn't make any sense, ones that didn't appear to be from his.
When Satsujin eventually speaks, his voice is heavy with lingering sorrow and pain, embodying the father figure that Kodak has come to rely on during their time together. He expresses his desire for resolution, stating, "I don't want this… I want things to be right," His voice breaking further, showcasing the depth of his emotional struggle.
Fumiko doesn't let up, though. She locks her piercing gaze onto Satsujin, her eyes filled with unwavering determination. With her hands raised high, she expertly commands the revenant blades that hover menacingly in the air before him, each one reflecting the tension of the moment. The air is thick with anticipation as she stands ready, unyielding in her focus and resolve.
Ashiro's empty eyes stared emotionless at his father. The cold and unwavering look stared at Satsujin, reminding him of what he had done and what had caused the situation to become this tense.
Satsujin began to walk over to Ashiro, his gaze softened towards his son, showing that he still cared for the only son he had left.
Fumiko, however, didn't notice this; she did not know what Satsujin was like. The air became even tenser than before. The blades made of revenant shifted towards Satsujin, and Fumiko yelled out at Satsujin, "DON'T GO ANY CLOSER!" The blades lunged at him.
Satsujin puts up his hands ready to deflect the blades, but he doesn't even know if he could protect himself from this onslaught of weapons lunging at him so aggressively. He waited anxiously for the blades to make their mark. He stared at the oncoming danger, but it never came. Instead, the blades shattered instantaneously, as a gust of wind and sparks of dark blue energy followed shortly after. His mind wondered how the blades didn't get him.
Satsujin then saw someone before him, and he felt relieved at the mere sight of this figure as Kodak stood there with his body shrouded in revenant. Fumiko gritted her teeth and yelled at him. "Move Kodak!" Her voice echoed through the now-empty halls of the diner, with the atmosphere becoming increasingly more tense.
Kodak just stood there, not moving even a single muscle. His resolve reflected how much he wanted to end this pointless conflict.
Fumiko stared at Kodak, angry at his stubbornness. Causing her to yell at him once more, "Don't do this. We were just getting back to rekindling our fallen relationship! You better back off and let me handle this bastard!"
Her words lashed out at Kodak, they felt harsh and aggressive. He felt a pain in his chest, but not one of physical pain; it was more emotional. His heart pulled in ways that seemed painfully agonizing.
He opened his mouth, ready to respond. Kodak's heart lingered for a moment, and he couldn't decide why he was so hesitant about either side. "Fumiko, don't."
Kodak only spoke a simple response towards Fumiko, but his words felt more powerful compared to her own. She knew what his words meant and what they would bring about if she so dared to even blink wrongly towards him.
Fumiko then lets out a breath of disbelief and shakes her head. The blades then begin to spin around her, seemingly coming closer and closer until they stop. "You've given me no choice!" The blades start to glow purple and start to combine. The gust of wind coming off the energy emanating from the room makes the air dense.
The two of them glared at each other in anticipation, waiting and seeing their next moves. Kodak kept his guard up, ready for the oncoming fight he sensed ahead. He thought to himself, "(Why did I have to make this difficult for us both?)"
Kodak tightened his fist, feeling the surge of revenant aura and adrenaline pulse through him as he assumed a fighting stance. His eyes darted to Fumiko's blades, their edges shimmering with an intense glow that intensified with each passing moment. The air around them crackled with energy, and he knew that a fierce battle was imminent.
A message from the system then appeared in front of Fumiko.
[Skill: Combined Blades activated!]
[Combination Successful!]
[New Skill forged: United Blade!]
Fumiko glared at Kodak, her expression a tumultuous blend of anger and uncertainty. The tension in the air was palpable as she took a deep breath, steadying herself before speaking. "Just remember," she said, her voice firm yet edged with a hint of vulnerability, "we started this with reasoning. Don't let your reckless decisions blame me for what follows." Her words hung between them, a warning filled with urgency. But Kodak, seemingly unfazed, shrugged off her concerns, his indifference cutting through the moment like a knife. He continued on his path, leaving Fumiko feeling a mix of frustration and disbelief.
Fumiko clenched her jaw tightly, the muscles in her face tensing as veins throbbed beneath her skin. She was consumed by a fierce anger directed at both Kodak and Satsujin. It was infuriating to witness Kodak's unwavering determination to protect someone who seemed all too eager to cast blame on others, refusing to take responsibility for their actions. As her emotions churned within her, she wondered how he could be so blind to the manipulation at play, and it only fueled her frustration even more.
A brilliant blade materialized around her hand, elegantly transforming into the shape of a katana. The blade shimmered with an otherworldly energy, casting reflections of vibrant colors on the ground. With a determined stance, Fumiko firmly planted her feet, her muscles coiling like a spring. In an instant, she dashed towards Kodak, her heart racing with focus and purpose.
[Skill: Martial Aura Activated!]
Kodak's body radiated a palpable dark energy, an almost tangible force that enveloped him like a shadowy cloak. The moment Fumiko stood in his presence, an icy chill crept down her spine. It was a visceral reminder of his immense strength, a power that both intrigued and terrified her. She couldn't help but wonder about the depths of that energy and the secrets it concealed.
Kodak looked back at Satsujin and nodded his head. He walks past Kodak, going towards Ashiro.
Fumiko pointed her united blade at him, warning him. "Don't touch Ashiro!" Her voice was furious at him.
Kodak then rushed towards the two of them, knocking the blade out of Fumiko's hands and into a wall. He got in between Fumiko and Satsujin, warning her once more. "Don't."
His revenant surged throughout the building, causing the diner to shake violently. Fumiko looked behind Kodak and saw Satsujin leaving the building while carrying Ashiro in his arms.
As she rushed him, the ground cracked beneath her, shattering the tile floors that they stood on. Fumiko grabbed her blade and rushed back over to Satsujin, yelling at him. "LET GO OF ASHIRO!" Her mind raced as she saw Satsujin holding Ashiro. She remembered all the times that she was abused and carried by the bastard of a father, and she wouldn't let Ashiro turn out the same.
She ran even faster, wanting to cut Satsujin down and end him. But as her blade swung down, she felt something, or rather someone, behind her. Kodak felt the kinetic charge emanating throughout his body, enhancing his speed even further and further.
[Kinetic Charge is at 25 percent!]
Kodak unleashed the partial charge of kinetic energy, propelling himself forward between the blade that Fumiko rushed over with at Satsujin.
As Kodak flew through the air at blinding speeds, he planted his feet last second and put his hands up, ready to face Fumiko's blade head-on. The momentum had carried energy over to Fumiko's blade, and the ground beneath them exploded, destroying the building completely.
Debris scatters across the block as Kodak and Fumiko emerge from the destruction caused by their clash. Satsujin and Ashiro fly back from the shockwave created by the clash between Fumiko and Kodak. Kohaku and the others watched as the building was torn apart by the attack. It felt terrifying to even know that someone was capable of this much power.
Himari and Kohaku watched in fear of the collateral damage about to fall upon not only the city, but also the emotional damage concerning Kodak and Fumiko's scuffle.
Kodak then suddenly emerges from the rubble of the destroyed building as bystanders watch him seemingly fly up into the air. "(Dammit, there are too many people around me. Including Kyoka and the others. I need to use my flight as a diversion to take this fight somewhere else.)" Kodak flies further into the sky, making the right more distant from the civilians down below.
Fumiko then appears, flying into the sky and throwing the sword at Kodak. He smirks at the blade flying at him and catches it with little difficulty. "If we're gonna fight, then make it a challenge-"
Kodak's cocky bragging was then interrupted by Fumiko as she flew faster at him, jumping off what seemed to be invisible platforms in midair and trying to strike him with a fierce punch aimed at his face.
Kodak was knocked back a little bit from the punch, but he shrugged it off and wiped the little amount of blood from his chin.
As Fumiko soared through the air with incredible speed, her graceful movements made it difficult for Kodak to anticipate her next move. He furrowed his brow, curiosity mingling with wariness, as he tried to decipher her intentions. Just then, he sensed a surge of energy coursing through the air, and his heart raced. The blade Fumiko had hurled towards him began to glow with a fierce, pulsating light, illuminating the surrounding darkness and signaling that it was no ordinary weapon.
At first, the blade felt like a mere light bulb, flickering with a faint energy that barely registered in his consciousness. However, as he held it, the sensation transformed; the power it radiated surged dramatically, sending a massive wave of energy rippling through the air and pulsating against his skin. It was as if the blade had awakened, and with each passing moment, its intensity grew stronger.
Desperate to rid himself of this overwhelming force, he tried to throw the blade aside, to escape its grasp. But just then, Fumiko appeared before him, her presence both commanding and unyielding. With a determined look in her eyes, she reached out and seized his hand, forcing his fingers to wrap tightly around the hilt. Her grip was firm as if she knew the significance of the weapon and the extraordinary power it contained.
He shouted in desperation, his voice echoing through the tense air, "YOU'LL GET CAUGHT IN THE RADIUS OF THE BLAST AS WELL!" His eyes were wide with fear, reflecting the urgency of the moment. But she stood resolute, a fierce determination etched on her face. Ignoring his warning, she lifted her arm, channeling her energy as she intoned a single, powerful word. "Release." With that declaration, the atmosphere crackled with intensity, as if the very fabric of the blade responded to her command.
She stood gazing at the explosion that erupted in the distance, its brilliant light painting the night sky in shades of orange and red. The sheer force of the blast resonated through the air, and she felt a rush of adrenaline as the battle raged around her. At that moment, she was struck by the magnitude of her strength and power, realizing just how far she had come. The chaotic scene unfolded before her, and she embraced the surge of energy that coursed through her veins, ready to fight with all she had.
The sword began to glow brighter and erupted with a blinding light before unleashing a massive explosion that engulfed both Kodak and Fumiko. The shockwave from the explosion rippled through the sky as the crowd below recorded the event, screaming in disbelief as the explosion illuminated the sky, showcasing the immense destruction that could have been unleashed upon the city.
Amidst the sea of excited faces in the crowd, one person suddenly broke the murmur, raising his voice high above the rest. With fervent enthusiasm, he shouted, "Hell yeah! God is giving us a show tonight!" His energy was infectious, and it sparked a wave of applause and cheers as onlookers turned to join in the thrilling anticipation of the evening's spectacle. The atmosphere crackled with excitement, underscoring the sense of wonder that filled the air.
Suddenly, the wailing sirens of multiple police cars pierced through the air, their lights flashing urgently against the twilight. The chief stepped out of his vehicle, his heart racing, and instinctively looked up at the sky. There, he witnessed a massive explosion erupting in the distance, a fiery ball of orange and red that illuminated the darkening horizon. Panic gripped him as he thought, "That could have wiped out the entire city if it had been aimed directly at us!" The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on his mind, forcing him to contemplate the potential devastation and loss of life that could have resulted from such a catastrophic event.
He turned to his fellow officers, his expression a mix of urgency and determination. "Get the civilians away from here!" he instructed, urgency in his voice as he pointed toward the chaos unfolding in the sky. The officers nodded, springing into action to guide several onlookers away from the potential danger.
As he lifted his hat from his bald head, revealing a sheen of sweat that glistened under the bright sunlight, he felt the weight of responsibility pressing down on him. The air was thick with tension as he scanned the sky, aware that the safety of those around him depended on swift and decisive action.
As the thick smoke from the explosion slowly dissipated, Kodak flew forward through the air, squinting against the haze. Panic surged through him as he called out for Fumiko, his voice echoing in the eerie silence. The chaos of the moment faded into the background as his mind raced with worry. He needed to find her—needed to know if she was okay and if she had made it through the blast alive. His heart pounded in his chest, longing for a sign of her presence in the thick, acrid air.
"Fumiko!" His voice rang out into the quiet of the night, slicing through the stillness as stars twinkled above like distant diamonds. Kodak then extended his hands toward himself, trying to sense Fumiko's presence.
[Skill: Revenant Radar Activated-]
However, before he could activate the technique, multiple blades swarmed around him. A swarm of glinting blades hovered ominously in the air around him, their edges reflecting the dim light. From above, Fumiko descended gracefully, her presence radiating confidence. "If you believe I would fall that easily," she declared with a smirk, "then you're more of an idiot than I ever imagined." Kodak remained silent, a storm brewing in his eyes. In a sudden burst of anger, he lunged forward, his fist connecting sharply with her jaw, the impact echoing in the tense silence of the moment. Fumiko flew back from the impact before stopping instantly.
She spat blood from her mouth, her eyes fierce and determined as she glared at Kodak. "So, are you finally taking this seriously?" she challenged, breathless yet resolute. Kodak met her gaze with an expression of calm understanding as if he had been anticipating this moment. "Yes," he replied with a firm and steady tone.
Fumiko smirked at his response before her expression turned stone cold, and she rushed at Kodak. The two of them clashed with each other, Fumiko using her blades to aid her while Kodak relied on his Kinetic Charge technique to aid him for most of this battle.
Fumiko stood resolutely, her arms crossed tightly over her chest, a gesture that radiated both defiance and focus. With a swift, graceful motion, she released her arms, allowing them to swing down to her sides. At that moment, an electrifying energy surged from her body, and hundreds of gleaming blades materialized in the air around her, each one reflecting a glimmer of light. The atmosphere crackled with tension as the blades hovered ominously, ready to obey her command.
Kodak felt a wave of nervousness wash over him, tightening his stomach as he stood on the edge of confrontation. The weight of his family's legacy pressed heavily on his shoulders; the Kawanari family had a long-standing reputation for never backing down from a fight, no matter the odds. Taking a deep breath, he reminded himself that honor and loyalty to his family's name were paramount. This fight wasn't just about him—it was about upholding the courage and strength that his ancestors had instilled in him. With determination replacing his fear, he steeled himself for what lay ahead.
He then soared through the air, his movements a blur as he propelled himself with incredible speed, leaving Fumiko struggling to track his path. She then unleashed an army of blades toward Kodak, attacking him without hesitation. Amidst the chaos of battle, a relentless barrage of weapons whistled through the air, each one aimed to strike. Yet, with an uncanny grace and agility, Kodak maneuvered through the onslaught, evading every attack as if he had foreseen them. His movements were a blend of precision and instinct, allowing him to slip away from danger time and again, leaving Fumiko in shock from his precise movements in the air.
A sense of imminent danger suddenly gripped her, sending a chilling shiver down Fumiko's spine. In an instant, Kodak closed the distance between them, expertly positioning himself before launching into a powerful dropkick. The impact struck her squarely in the chest, knocking the breath from her lungs and causing her to stumble back in the air, momentarily dazed by the force of his attack.
Fumiko gasped, clutching her chest as a sharp wave of pain surged through her. Before she could catch her breath, Kodak lunged toward her with fierce determination. The electric charge of his Kinetic Charge technique crackled in the air, intensifying with each passing moment, filling the space between them with a palpable energy. As he closed the distance, she realized that he was unleashing his strength in this moment.
A message then appeared from the system from Kodak's eyes.
[Skill: Bodily Shockwave and Kinetic Charge are resonating!]
Kodak's eyes widen in surprise as he reads the message, the words sinking in like a rush of exhilarating news. A confident smirk spreads across his face, a reflection of the surge of self-assurance that courses through him, igniting a sense of triumph and determination.
As he soared through the tense night sky, the wind whipping past him, Kodak focused all his energy into a powerful kick aimed directly at Fumiko's head. The air around his leg crackled with the intensified force of Kinetic Charge, amplifying his attack with explosive energy. The impact connected with a sharp thud, causing Fumiko to stagger backward, her eyes widening in surprise as she struggled to regain her balance amidst the swirling darkness.
[Proficiency for Kinetic Charge has increased!]
[Kinetic Charge has evolved into Kinetic Energy!]
Kodak looks at the message before barely dodging a barrage of blades thrown at him. He then hears an angry voice through the tense air of the night sky.
"Pay attention!" Fumiko's voice rang out, cutting through the air with an edge that slightly annoyed Kodak. As the words hung in the atmosphere, a palpable tension filled the space around them. Kodak's aura flared brightly in response to her command, surging upward and casting a deep blue energy across the sky. This ethereal light painted the clouds in shades of indigo, transforming the ordinary scene into something otherworldly, as if the very atmosphere responded to his presence.
Kodak then tightened his fist, looking at the message from the system that appeared.
[Skill: Kinetic Energy]
[Description: An evolved usage from kinetic charge, which allows the user to manipulate kinetic energy in more advanced ways.]
His hand crackled with dark blue energy, the vibrant hues flickering like bolts of lightning. This energy radiated outward, enveloping his entire body in a shimmering aura that pulsed ominously with each heartbeat. The air around him felt charged as if the very atmosphere was responding to the force he was unleashing.
[Skill: Kinetic energy activated!]
The energy flows through Kodak's entire body, enveloping him in a vibrant glow that enhances his already formidable presence. This dynamic force intensifies, boosting his martial aura technique.
Fumiko gradually descended toward the concrete street below, her body shimmering faintly as she floated. The once effortless grace of her flight technique was faltering, each passing moment intensifying the sharp pain coursing through her from Kodak's earlier assaults. She felt the weight of her injuries pulling her down, and her heart raced with the urgent need to regain control before she hit the ground. As the cool breeze whipped around her, she struggled to focus, aware that she needed to reach safety before Kodak could strike again.
She gazed around the desolate streets, her heart pounding as she searched the vast sky for any sign of Kodak. The air was thick with anticipation, and Fumiko's mind raced with a flurry of thoughts and emotions as she anxiously waited for him to make his move. She yelled into the night sky, "JUST FACE ME!"
A sudden gust of wind swirled around her, kicking up leaves and carrying the scent of the forest. In an instant, Kodak materialized before her, his figure emerging from the whirlwind like a phantom, eyes bright with otherworldly energy. She felt a rush of excitement and anticipation as their gazes locked, the moment filled with an unspoken understanding.
His voice reached out to her softly, carrying an air of reassurance that matched the calm and composed expression he wore on his face. The warmth in his tone seemed to envelop her, creating a moment of stillness amidst the chaos around them. "It's over, Fumiko. We've been at this for too long—let's put an end to this pointless struggle. Deep down, you know there's no way you can defeat me."
Fumiko gritted her teeth in anger, wanting to strike him, but deep down she knew it was futile. "(If I continued fighting, I would lose rather miserably. I should know that better than anyone else how strong Kodak truly is.)"
Kodak crouched low, his muscles tensing as he dug his feet into the concrete beneath him, and it began to crack. With a powerful thrust, he propelled himself upward, soaring into the air like a rocket, his heart racing with the thrill of the leap.
Fumiko lifted her arm, shielding herself from the blustery wind that whipped around her. As Kodak soared into the air with a powerful leap, a cloud of dust erupted from the ground, swirling around her.
As Kodak ascended into the depths of the velvety night sky, piercing through the swirling shadows of ominous clouds, a luminous message from the system suddenly flickered into view.
[New Skill Acquired: Aura Applications!]
With a furrowed brow, Kodak leaned closer to the glowing screen, his curiosity piqued by the unexpected message. He couldn't help but marvel at the newfound skill he had just unlocked, pondering the vast possibilities it presented. Excitement bubbled within him as he imagined the versatility that this new power could hold for him.
Another message then appeared from the system.
[Description of a new skill is loading...]
Kodak sat quietly, his eyes fixed on the screen as he anxiously awaited the familiar sound. The soft hum of the system surrounded him, and he could feel the tension in the air, a mix of anticipation and hope. Finally, the serene atmosphere was broken by a clear, melodic ring, signaling that the loading process was complete. A sense of relief washed over him as he recognized the sound—the moment he had been waiting for had arrived.
[Description of Aura Applications: By manipulating the revenant aura that surrounds your body, you can now use aura applications to create physical items and even physical enhancements. Keep in mind that some aura applications tend to combine well with one another, leading to multiple skills.]
He grinned at the message flashing on the screen, igniting a spark of excitement. Without a moment's hesitation, he swiftly activated the skill, eager to see what it could do. Kodak then saw a message pop up, asking him a rather intriguing question.
[What type of fighter would you describe yourself as?]
[Brawler, Swordsman, Marksman, or ???]
Kodak stared at the message for a moment, still floating up in the sky, in a deep thought process. "(I assume this is like a class selection in a video game. What was it called again? It began with Elden I think?)"
"Choose the fourth one."
Kodak jumped at the sudden voice that spoke into his mind. "Ah! Don't scare me like that, Kuroi!"
He ignored Kodak's bickering and whining, telling him he needed to be more aware of their deep connection with each other.
Kodak stared at him weirdly, "I don't swing that way, bro, but everyone has their preferences, so who am I to judge?"
Kuroi exited the mindscape, appearing before Kodak with Kiko close by his side. "Shut the fuck up."
He then slammed his fist on top of Kodak's head, causing him to hold it in pain from Kuroi's immature outburst.
"What the hell was that for?!" He yelled, angry at the strike that Kuroi landed upon his head. "I oughta kick your ass!" Kodak got in his face, testing him to try something against him. Kuroi responded with a serious expression in his tone and face. "I'm ready when you are."
Kodak cracked his knuckles and spoke with confidence against Kuroi's cocky attitude. "You'll regret underestimating me!"
Kuroi released Kiko from his side, protecting her from a barrier of revenge. The energy shimmered with a dark purple color, as Kiko yelled at the two knuckleheads fighting, "Cease this shameless brawl at once, you idiots!"
However, Kiko's voice didn't seem to reach Kodak and Kuroi. It seemed like her voice couldn't reach outside the revenant barrier she resided in.
Kuroi waved his hand dismissively, a confident smirk playing on his lips. "I heard you finally unlocked the aura application skill; it's about damn time! That clumsy imitation you're using to fly drains way too much energy." His eyes mocked Kodak as if challenging him to embrace the true potential of his abilities.
Kodak clenched his jaw tightly, a surge of anger simmering beneath the surface. The fire in his eyes was tempered by a deep breath as he fought to regain his composure. He forced himself to block out everything else and concentrate solely on his opponent, determined not to let his emotions take control.
Kuroi regarded Kodak with a sly smirk, a glimmer of approval in his eyes. "Well done," he said, his voice laced with a teasing tone. "It seems you've finally tamed that double-edged personality of yours and kept your carelessness in check." Kuroi's smile highlighted his amusement at Kodak's progress.
He turned a deaf ear to the applause resonating from Kuroi, focusing instead on the same message that lay still before his very eyes.
[Brawler, Swordsman, Marksman, or ???]
With certainty, he contemplated the options presented before him. After a brief pause, he confidently spoke his response to the system's message, his voice steady and clear: "The fourth one."
[Secret mode discovered!]
[Martial Adapter selected!]
[This selection of aura applications allows the user to enhance their exceptional abilities up close while using additional techniques to address specific weaknesses.]
[Skills unlocked!]
[Partially unlocked Destructive battle arts!]
Kodak's eyes sparkled with excitement as he read the message, a wide grin spreading across his face. The sudden burst of energy drew Kuroi's gaze. "What has you so excited?" he asked, curiosity piqued by Kodak's enthusiastic reaction.
"I partially unlocked the secrets of destructive battle arts!" Kodak shouted, his eyes sparkling with exhilaration as he threw a powerful punch into the air. Beside him, Kuroi stood frozen in disbelief, his jaw dropping as he struggled to comprehend the incredible news.
Kuroi's face of astonishment then went serious as his face frowned with many questions echoing in his very mind. "(What does the system mean by partial completion?! Does the spark of a new destructive ruler mean that he's now the target of the current revenant killers of this world!?)"
Kodak suddenly experiences a powerful surge of dark energy coursing through his body, as if the sky trembles in response to his newfound strength. His body then shakes in pain, and multiple notifications pop up from the system.
[Multiple skills are leveling up immensely!]
[Kinetic Energy LVL1 --> LVL3]
[Martial Aura LVL2 --> LVL3]
[Radial Aura LVL1 --> LVL2]
[Wingless Flight LVL0 --> LVL2]
Kodak feels his body twisting and shifting in unsettling ways, as an intense wave of pain washes over him, engulfing him from head to toe. "Guh!" He begins to descend slowly, losing control of his flight technique. Despite his efforts to maintain it, he ultimately loses control completely.
As Kodak spirals downward, his body hurtling through the air, Kuroi swoops down with urgency. With wings bursting from his back and adrenaline surging, he races against time to reach Kodak before he reaches the ground, determined to catch him and break his fall. The wind whips around them, heightening the tension as Kuroi focuses on the fast-approaching ground, knowing that every second counts in this critical moment. His mind raced as he flew faster and faster. "Dammit, kid don't die on me!"
Kodak's vision grew increasingly hazy as he plummeted through the vast expanse of the sky. Above him, Kuroi's enormous black wings spread wide, slicing through the air with graceful power. The sunlight gleamed off the dark feathers, creating a mesmerizing display of shadows as Kuroi soared effortlessly, gliding through the clouds like a fallen angel.
Kuroi reached out his hand to catch the descending Kodak, but as he flew through the sky, he sensed the astral form he had taken earlier fading. Strength was fleeting as fast as Kodak's body continued falling. "(Dammit not now!)"
As Kuroi's form began to fade away, Kodak's eyes suddenly opened, and he felt the rapid descent occurring. "Kuroi, what's happening!?"
"YOU'RE FUCKING FALLING, WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?!" Kuroi yelled, his astral form beginning to shimmer and fade like a distant star about to be snuffed out. Panic gripped him intensely.
Kiko looked at the two descending, and panic echoed in her mind, fueling her determination. Revenant then surrounded her body, and without hesitation, she began to punch the barrier. The first lands directly on the wall but bounces right off. Anger ensues in her mind as she begins punching even harder and more violently. "COME ON, JUST BREAK ALREADY!" Her fist continued bashing into the walls of the barrier, getting more bloody as skin from her knuckles ripped off. "COME ON!" Suddenly, a crack appeared in the wall she kept punching, slowly becoming more cracked as Kiko punched vigorously.
She punched once more, her fist shattering the barrier as a loud shockwave echoed from the impact. Finally, breaking through the shimmering revenant barrier, she was sealed behind. Fumiko looked down at the vast expanse below, where they were plummeting towards the earth, a dizzying spiral of twilight and shadows. Suddenly, ethereal white wings erupted from her back, unfurling with a grace that contrasted sharply with the chaos around them. With a fierce determination, she propelled herself into the night sky, slicing through the cool air. "(I'm not gonna make it in time!)" A desperate thought echoed in her mind as she rushed up to try and catch the descending Kodak.
Kuroi extended his hand skyward, his fingers splayed wide as he shouted into the vast darkness above, a mix of frustration and despair echoing in his voice. The night air was still, punctuated only by the rustle of leaves, as if even the world around him paused to listen to his outcry.
Kuroi's form gradually faded, dissolving into the air like morning mist under the sun, as Kodak's voice rang out in desperation. "KUROI!!!" he shouted, panic gripping his heart. He feared that losing one's astral projection meant more than just a separation from the physical realm; it felt like a death sentence for the very soul of the user. The empty space where Kuroi once stood seemed to hang heavy with unfulfilled promise, amplifying Kodak's growing dread.
Kodak's thoughts echoed through his mind with negativity. "(It's my fault, my fault that I could handle the backlash from multiple skills leveling up so quickly at once. Does that mean I was too weak?!)"
Kodak then crashed into the ground, and a loud crash could be heard around the town. Rubble and debris were scattered through the crash landing. Kiko's eyes widened at the sight of the crash. People exited their houses, trying to see what had just crashed into the street.
Kiko swiftly spotted the approaching figures and, without hesitation, seized Kodak's hand, darting into a shadowy alleyway that offered a momentary refuge. The air was thick with tension as they pressed against the cool, damp brick walls, the faint echo of footsteps fading behind them. Once they were safely tucked away in the dimly lit passage, the once bustling street transformed into an eerie silence, punctuated only by the distant sound of doors creaking shut. As the last of the onlookers realized their search was futile, they retreated into their homes like startled shadows, leaving the alleyway in a heavy stillness.
Deep within Kodak's being, something felt different. Not in a way that something was wrong, but rather that something was awakening. A final thought crept into his mind like a shadow: self-hatred. He felt a tight knot of frustration in his chest as he whispered to himself, "Why can't I be stronger?" The question hung heavy in the air, laden with disappointment and longing for resilience he believed he lacked.
A system message flashed, but Kodak brushed it aside in frustration. With a fierce growl, he slammed his fist into the ground, the impact resonating like thunder as a small crater formed beneath him, scattering dirt and debris in every direction.
[Destructive Martial Arts Unlocked!]
Kiko grasped Kodak's arms tightly, her fingers digging into his skin as she attempted to rein in his escalating anger and rage. "Do you want them to find us!?" she pleaded, her voice laced with urgency. But Kodak, consumed by a torrent of self-loathing, ignored her desperate warning. Instead, he unleashed a stream of bitter words, each one a reflection of the deep, dark thoughts swirling within him, saturating the air with a heavy tension. "Is it my fault that Kuroi lost his astral form and now he's dead?"
Kiko looked at Kodak with an expression of confusion. "What, no Kuroi's just fine. But he'll be out of it for a while, I'd say, like a few weeks or so."
She looks back at Kodak to see his response, but Kiko quickly realizes that he was in a state mixed with his trauma, reflecting on Kuroi.
A message from the system then appeared once more.
[Destructive Battle Arts Progression: 35%]
A powerful surge radiates from Kodak's body, a torrent of energy so intense that it envelops the air like a thick fog. In an instant, Kiko is propelled backward, smashing through the solid wall behind her and into the abandoned house next to the alleyway.
The force of the revenant swirling around Kodak is palpable, crackling with an otherworldly intensity, as if the very essence of his being is bursting forth, overwhelming everything in its vicinity.
Kiko stands up weakly from the hit she just took from the violent revenant emanating from Kodak. As she exited the building through the wall, she was just smashed through. Kiko watches a familiar dark energy swirl around Kodak like a violent storm.
Her eyes watched in shock, and then she saw a message that shook her very soul.
[Your disciple has awakened Destructive Martial Formations!]
Fumiko looked at the message, her mind scrambled as she began to think and weigh her options on what she could do. "(There are three options in this critical situation. Seal off Kodak's awakening, help him through this painful awakening, or bring Kodak back to the Tensai household and allow him to master this newfound opportunity through meditation.)"
Kodak's eyes then shifted from the blank eyes, changing back to his dark blue colored eyes. "Wait, Kuroi is alive?"
The destructive energy began to fall in terms of output, and Kodak tried suppressing the energy, but it was only temporary. His eyes darted to Kiko as he warned her to teleport him back to the Tensai household. After all, he couldn't keep this high level of suppression for too long. "What are you waiting for, Kiko? Just carry me back to the house?"
Kiko smirked at put her hand on Kodak's shoulder, "I have a faster way."
Kodak and Kiko then suddenly saw their world shift; a message from the system appeared in front of them both.
[Welcome To The Realm of Revenant And Agony.]
They looked around the realm, while Kodak had no idea what this place was and just wondered how Kiko was able to access it. Could he travel this realm as well? While he could feel the ground and the air around himself, The was nothing similar to the real world.
Just a sky filled with galaxies that twinkled like stars in the vast sky. Kodak then looked behind himself, seeing a sun and moon made up of the galaxies.
He then looked at Kiko, who seemed to have a great familiarity with this realm written all over her face. Had she been here before?
But before Kodak could get his answer, he heard screams. They were loud and agonizing to listen to. He covered his ears, trying not to let his suppression of the destructive energy housed in his body be released.
He struggled to string together the words, but regardless of what Kodak thought, he had to do it. "Kiko, where are we?!" This new realm sent chills down his spine, and the realm itself felt like torture to even be in.
Kodak's hands tightened around his head, painful memories entered his mind. Memories of his family, the pain they had been inflicted with. The pain of losing his sister and mother. The pain of killing someone for the first time.
Suddenly, a hand could be felt on his shoulder, and a feeling of warmth rushed over Kodak's body. He turned his head towards Kiko. Her hand on his shoulder was glowing with a white energy surrounding not just her hand, but her entire body. "This should help fight against this shitty realm."
Kodak could feel the painful memories subsiding, he then asked Kiko a couple of questions. "What is this place? And what was that technique you just used?"
"This is the realm of Revenant and Agony. It's a dimension of pain and suffering, filled with the most vile people and creatures known to humanity."
Kodak nodded in response, listening closely to Kiko's explanation. Trying to grasp the current situation. "(This place only gets more complex.)"
Kiko continues her explanation, "The power you saw me use was a completed version of agony. It's a type of power source that heals you, but only temporarily; however, the version you saw me use was a completed version called Repaired Will. REpaired Will is a power source that can not only heal most wounds, but typically has a reversal of your innate revenant technique."
Kodak listened closely to Kiko, but a curious thought popped into his head. Thus, making him question Kiko once more. "Why do I feel this intense stress of mental pain, and why is it amplified to such a large degree?!"
Kiko quickly responded to his question, trying to answer it with no question left unanswered. "The reason you feel the immense mental pain is cause of a power source hidden from the revenant system, it's called Mania. Mania is a more unhinged and unstable version of both agony and revenant. While not able to have its own variation of techniques, Mania can make the user more aggressive. Essentially giving them a power boost from the negative emotions, making them more unpredictable. But if you power through that unstable mindset and make it your own, you have a new power source that combines Mania, Repaired Will, and Revenant all together, creating a power system that only 5 people ever even achieved in the history of Revenant. Those people are Kuroi, Kenji, Jashi, Me, and the fallen one."
Kodak's eyes widened at the newfound information he was just told. Thoughts entered his head about those certain power sources and what abilities would follow after he'd awakened them.
Suddenly, a roar of a creature echoed through the realm. An intense ringing sound could be heard through Kodak's ears. He then felt himself gag and throw up.
Kodak then fell to the ground, kneeling near the vomit that covered the rough terrain. He sprang up, wiping the vomit from his lips and flicking his hand to rid it of the gross substance on it.
He then looks over at Kiko, "What the fuck is that!?" The monster jumped across the realm, landing in front of them. The beast was crimson red with black fur, it seemed like an amalgamation of a bear or whatever it was.
Kiko stared at the creature, looking into its nine ugly eyes scattered across its face. "It's a creature that rules this realm, their called revenant spirits. They tend to vary instrength, but this one is that of an S-Rank or above. The only reason you, Kodak, can even tolerate it's bloodlustis cause it likes you."
The bear-like creature then rubbed against Kodak, ruffling the black fur on his face. Kodak spat out a couple of black hairs from his mouth, rubbing his tongue from the contact it just made. "Blegh."
It then began to purr like a cat, only the sound was more like a roar from a lion. The sound echoed through the realm, shaking it ever so violently.
Kodak just stared in confusion at the creature. Was this big old softie the ruler of this wasteland? That's what he thought, but they quickly vanished as another roar could be heard from not too far away.
Kiko then strikes hand sign, Kodak then feels the realm disappearing, before briefly appearing in the basement below his room in the Tensai household.