Character: Name Pre Reinc: Kurohane/Kuro Tsubasa Post Reinc: Kyoushi Aoyama
Age 27 at death, (pre death appearance) long dark hair, eyebrow piercing, ears industrial'd and gauged, 5'9 slender build, wants to help others, cant control his emotions well, very protective of others, willing to sacrifice, heavy battle junkie
Pre Reinc: Killed at the end/during a concert, floating in a white void Kurohane thinks about where he is and what exactly just happened, suddenly a platform boot slams down shaking, the nothingness next to the , though not awake Kurohane seems to still react to the sudden jolt. and the god bends,
"hellloooooo??? are you awake? no way you died a second time!"
Kurohane continues to lay there longer, eyes flickering,
"who is that? i don't recognize the voice, i was at a show right?"
the god steps back and just stares
"yeah i was at a show on stage.... it got quiet all of a sudden... then really dark.... that voice said something about dying a second time?"
Kurohane then opens his eyes slowly and sits himself up holding his head
"man it's so bright, are you the stage owner? im sorry if the drummer got drunk and pissed in a trash can again...."
slowly raising his head and being confronted by the god standing in front of him, who is very shocked to see him, appear greets him
"oh cool youre not dead again! you scared me man! anyways hi! I'm Kazuko, a god!"
Kurohane sits there staring at him
"for a god you dont really look like one you know? most people would shit themselves knowing a god dressed like that hahaha!"
the god starts to laugh
"haha well funny you say that, you were the one who inspired me to dress like this!"
Kurohane quickly goes silent and dead stares right at the god
"I what?" (cartoonized dumbfounded)
Kazuko smiles nervously and looks at Kurohane
"yeah, you see the music that you make it's awesome and something completely different from the music my worlds hold."
Kurohane will question the his worlds part
"so basically someone*gave* you this world? like how some studios just *give* other give each other artists?"
where the god will explain that this world was actually given by another god. Kurohane asks how gods just give away worlds and the god explains as they are watching over sectors of a facility in a way, Kurohane doesnt totally understand but continues.
"ahh ok how about this then"
the god snaps and paper and a pencil drops in, the god draws three large circles and then small circles for each large circle
"these large circles are us, the gods, these small circles are our worlds. with me so far?"
Kurohane scans the paper
"yeah i think i got it so far, but why are there not the same amount of small circles? are all gods not equal?"
kazuko smiles and continues
"good rocker boy, and yes and no, all gods are not equal because we are all gods of different worlds and different types of gods. the reason for the different amounts of worlds, is like i said before, we are gods of certain times, once those worlds move past those times, and or forget the god entirely, that world is now lost to the god, if a god loses all worlds, in other words if no one believes in this god anymore....."
Kazuko goes quiet so Kurohane speaks up
"they cease to exist? i dont know if gods really "die" so to speak"
Kazuko then nods to confirm,
"Now then! enough of all that mopey stuff lets get to the good stuff!"
Kazuko starts apologizing about his untimely death and he asks if Kuro would like to be reincarnated to a world of his creation. to which Kuro accepts and asks for a couple of things, he wishes to retain his abilities with music, rather than remembering the music he played.the god accepts and jokes that he will make him the most powerful being, to which Kuro has a small freak out and pleads he doesnt. the god asks why he wouldnt, as most people would love that, Kuro will say
"frankly if i had power like that i'm terrified of the person I would become, my moral compass would no longer exist,
*"i've thought about this before, violent actions would become first instinct, even if i saw someone i knew from my old life it'd mean nothing, if they're in my way, im tearing them down"*(monologue)
nothing would hold me back from letting the darker side take control."
the god smiles smugly and teases Kuro
"wow that's so metal to say"
Kuro will yell
"shut up! im not joking! ill kick your ass first!"
the god starts to laugh and accepts his conditions
"we shall see though"
the god smirks and Kuro gets a worried look on his face, he then asks if there is anything else he would like to which Kuro says no. after their discussion the god thanks him sincerely for his work as a musician and he is again deeply sorry for his death, he hands him a paper that is in a language unknown to Kuro, the god tells him to play that whenever he needs to talk to the god. after a confused glance a beam of light is seen and he is in the body of a very young child, 2 or 3 years old.
Post Reinc.: opening his eyes with a grogginess Kuro is very familiar with, when opening his mouth though he notices his surroundings are massive but his yawn is very high pitched, off screen you hear Emiko say
"oh! my babies awake!"
he has his mental state of when he died, so he realizes that he his in a bed of a sort and cant move well, soon realizing that he is actually a baby, he gets pretty confused about why he's there and why hes a baby, he hears this voice calling out to him from time to time and he questions it at first but eventually stops altogether, he starts crawling/walking around to find a lute to which the voice calling him is now louder and clearer. he crawls over to it and places his hand on the lute, like a shock he feels like he knows what it is and what you use it for, ends up knocking it over, causing Emiko to come and find him, and continuing to show him the lute. as she plays the strings glow with magic and also love in physical form an aura surrounds them, Kyoushi looking up at Emiko smiles with absolute wonder in his eyes
"this feeling..... mother thank you"
(monologue, cut to a pre death version of kyoushi crying) she starts to sing and he starts to laugh and smile. she smiles and promises to teach him when he gets older. a time skip to him 4 or 5 years old and his mom and showing him the lute and letting him try playing it, both Emiko and father not expecting much to happen, he starts to play really well regardless of his age which take both his parents by quite the shock as his playing is almost flawless, with the occasional mess up because of his hand size, as soon as the strings start to glow almost naturally, his parents are shocked and then start smiling and crying in pure joy and excitement,
"the magic radiating from that lute last night enhanced the feelings of his parents happiness by tenfold, what a beautiful sight" (Kazuko)
First Practice: show some scenes of Kyoushi playing the lute and practicing his magic as time is going by, the strings get brighter, aura gets brighter/bigger, specific effects, playing ability, physical changes as well, Kyoushi gets slightly larger and hair is longer as he is aging (time skip 5-6 years)
First Hunt: Kyoushi, peacefully asleep in his bed with the dawn's rays shining through the window, the door creaks open, soft footsteps pad quietly across the room. Haruto crouches beside him and gives his back a gentle shake
"Hey Kyoushi, it's time to get up. You want to go hunting right?"
Kyoushi groans, half conscious, eyes barely open, incomprehensible Haruto chuckle, smirking devilishly as he walks out of the room. a beat of silence
SLAM
"UP AND AT 'EM, KYOUSHI SON, THERES PREY TO BE HUNTED! HAHAHA!"
Kyoushi jolts upright, clutching his chest like Kazuko struck him down. At the breakfast table, Haruto wears an ear to ear grin, Kyoushi looks like he aged an extra 15 years
"you couldn't have just woken me up, *normally*??"
Emiko and Haruto both burst into laughter
"Kyoushi I *tried*! I promise!"
In between his little chuckles
"you were *so* out of it, I feared you weren't come back! I was desperate!"
Kyoushi clicks his tongue but cracks a grin, then bursting into full laugh. Emiko watches the two with warm eyes, at the door, dressed and ready. Haruto carries his bow. Kyoushi, his lute.
"See you later honey! we'll be back with a feast!"
Haruto bellowing,
"hahaha! ok dear just come back in *one piece* ok?"
Emiko waves them off, with a smile and closed eyes. the forest now surrounding them. They've crossed the western edge of the village and continue north into the woods. Haruto raises a hand for. Dropping into a bush.
"if we had a bow your size I'd show you how to shoot,"
keeping quiet and whispering
"But having your lute's just as nice though."
Ruffling Kyoushi's hair with a smile, moving slowly, Haruto scanning the terrain with sharp eyes, snap, barely audible but they hear it, our eyes darting northeast, 30 feet away, a small Horned Rabbit, its horn glistening in the sun
"They're not usually violent creatures but that horn is no joke, gutting people and animals alike"(monologue)
they creep forward, slow as a shadow.
"Ok Kyoushi, where would you aim?"
"in the chest? behind the front legs?"
Haruto paused, impressed
"yeah.... exactly. Bigger target, quicker and a cleaner kill. But you don't *have* to aim there"
Kyoushi very puzzled,
"if you use a blunt arrow, or even a straight stick..."
Haruto pulls a straight branch from his quiver, notching the end with his knife, The stick begins to glow a vibrant orange as he draws the bow.
"add a little reinforcement magic"
FWOOM
PASH
the glowing stick slams into the rabbit's skull. No blood. Just impact. The rabbit drops instantly
"harder to hit, sure"
Haruto says, lowering the bow,
"but the skull stays mostly intact. Good for knives, darts, arrowheads. The meat's is still clean. Just cook it well."
Kyoushi absolutely amazed
"I've never seen anyone hunt like that!"(monologue)
SNAP
FWOOSH
"KYOUSHI GET DOWN!"
Kyoushi is slammed to the ground, some wind leaving his lungs "ow dad what was th-" he looks up, Haruto is locked in the jaws of a Shade Hound it's fangs buried deep in his arm
"FATHER!"
Kyoushi screams with eyes wide
"YOU GOD DAMN MUTT"
as Haruto's body glows orange, he *lifts* the beast above his head and *slams* it into the ground, it holds on snarling, Haruto draws his knife, grits his teeth and with a primal roar KWISH Kyoushi hears the cry tear from his fathers throat, something *snaps*, A memory: a man on a platform, long wild hair, holding a round device, screaming with a face full of pleading. Haruto's blade plunges into the beasts throat, it goes limp it's light fades. Haruto drops to his knees, panting. Kyoushi stares in horror, the attack and the memories that just flashed in his head, rushing to Haruto's side,
"I'll be fine Kyoushi, are *you* ok though? not hurt?"
Kyoushi nods, biting his lip, hands trembling as he pulls out his lute. a soft melody fills the air, a green light glows and envelops Haruto's arm healing but the scar remains.
"thanks kiddo, I feel better than ever!"
Haruto pats Kyoushi's head, give him a lopsided grin
"let's go get our dinner now, hehehe"
they walk to the fallen rabbit together. Kyoushi's heart still pounding from fear.
"thanks for showing me hunting..... im sorry you got hurt"
"what do you mean? getting hurt is a *part* of hunting. Besides I had my little lute player to patch me up,"
pausing with a smirk
"though I probably didn't look as cool as I was hoping"
"you totally did"
Kyoushi says, eyes wide
"You slammed him down all cool and strong like!"
Haruto laughs and looks at Kyoushi "all strong like huh?" he throws an arm over Kyoushi's shoulder as the reach the house. Emiko in the kitchen,
"Flareo"
she whispers, a spark shoots from her hand igniting the wood in the fire pit, she turns and smiles. She then sees the scar. her smile vanishes.
"did i not say *come back in one piece*?"
Haruto stiffens then chuckles nervously dropping the shade hound and rabbit on the floor.
"Well.... the neighbors of the forest had other ideas, I suppose"
First Self Training: some scenes will show Kyoushi in his room playing and things around him are being lifted up and vibrating, later scenes will show items are physically manipulated by the music to where he can control the items themselves, his parents are watching through a cracked door in pure awe, a later scene shows him enhancing the air itself, causing his hair to take specific shapes or hold visible air "objects", Kyoushi has a thought to themself as they play with these air objects
"I can use this to help"
A morning where Kyoushi wakes up and goes on a hunting lesson with his father, while out they don't find as much as they would like so Haruto tells him they will come back in the morning and will try again as they are heading back Kyoushi hears a heavy branch snapping though Haruto doesn't seem to hear. as they are home Kyoushi plans on taking his lute with him after hearing that branch snap, knowing it was too loud for it to be their prey, when they awake and they start leaving Haruto questions why he brought the lute, though a change of mood is nice. Kyoushi tells him that's one reason and laughs but he actually had something to show him, Haruto laughs and says ok and they make their way into the forest outside of their village, as they are out hunting Haruto kills and starts skinning one of his prey, then a Shadehound jumps out towards Haruto, Kyoushi yells
"father!"
and strums a few chords and a barrage shockwaves blasts past Haruto blowing his hair as they impact and sends the predator flying back, leaving three large dents in the predators body. Kyoushi runs up to Haruto to see if he was ok and Haruto responds with yes but is very confused on what just happened there, Kyoushi returns with
"lifting the mood"
Arc 1: (Age 10-11) Kyoushi using his abilities to fight monsters, using a small lute and using some heavy riffs to deal physical damage and defeat them. On his way back he encounters a group of bandits trying to steal a cart delivering goods, the bandits look at the boy and start to laugh because they think he wont do anything, telling him to run off and play, go to mommy and daddy, other taunts, Kyoshi pulls his lute out and strikes a flurry of chords sending out multiple shockwaves at the bandits leaving visible hits on one of them and making him step back a few steps, out of anger the bandit calls Kyoushi a little shit and throws a magically enhanced dagger right at him, Kyoushi raises his lute to protect his face, resulting the lute taking the hit and breaking, Kyoushi falls back from the impact of the knife and looks at the broken lute at his feet, we hear him wishing he had an instrument or something to play, where he then hears a faint
"Bass"
and he repeats the words very confused Kyoushi looks at his leg starting to glow red and physically throb with power
"what is the pulsing in my leg?"
he realizes what must've happened after realizing his leg change in both look and feeling, he stood up and he gives the ground a massive stomp and a loud bass plays, loud enough to shake the ground, causing cracks and even a decently sized indent in the dirt road he placed his foot, cracks spreading across and causing heavy shaking and rumbling, strong enough for the nearby village to both hear and feel. Kyoushi thinks
"music magic....without an instrument? what exactly did I do"
A couple bandits fall down but a the others stay standing, Kyoushi then smiles and yells
"Bass"
while throwing his arm out to the side clenching his fist. Kyoushi thinks while charging up
"this doesn't feel like normal music magic, this is something different...."
a large smile spreads across Kyoushi's face as his arm glows red and throbs with the same wild escaping pressure he had in his leg and he throws a punch in the direction of the bandits, sending multiple invisible shockwaves (ripples for viewers reference) at them,
"the shockwaves sent by this punch feel much like a solid club being driven by pure hatred and malice, in other words this will hurt"(Kazuko)
the first guy was caught with three hits to the chest and stomach, literally caving them and sending him flying backwards, the other two guys were caught with strays and hit in the leg and shoulder, throwing them back with a spin as well as a pain so intense it sends them into shock. the ones that were still awake barely alive were bloodied, and dirty, those few are confused and terrified how a kid could do something like this and finally run off claiming its not what they get paid for. the cart driver sits there absolutely baffled by what he just witnessed, Kyoushi exhales loudly and the cart driver jumps to his feet, nearly sprinting to Kyoushi with a voice filled with terror and asks if they are ok to which Kyoushi will respond that they are but following right after they pass out on the ground. the cart driver freaks out and while very hesitant to take him on his cart because of the destruction he just saw he takes him to the town along with his belongings anyway.
Awakening: Kyoushi awakens in his bedroom where his parents are waiting and hug him thanking that he's safe. he sits up and winces in pain and grabs his arm
"is this from using *that*?"
they ask what happened, they only got a rough idea from the cart driver that brought him into town. Kyoushi tells them about what happened to the lute and the robbery that happened. theyre both upset that the lute is broken, but happy Kyoushi is safe none the less, and more interested in this ability he managed to awaken. as they acknowledge it with,
"so thats what that was"
and Haruto tells him he thinks it was overexertion of Kyoshi magic that caused him to pass out, Haruto telling Kyoushi
"you really need to be careful with that though. mana exertion is no joke, you passing out was only a failsafe your body has set. if you manage to stay standing and try to use more mana, you might start using your life force instead."
Kyoushi gets a very cold look from the realization. Emiko follows "hes not saying this to scare you its just a precaution, so please be careful for us." Kyosuhi replies " i will, dont worry guys" flashing a wide smile. the parents embrace everyone and to break the silence Haruto asks
"so how were you able to do that cool trick without a lute anyway?"
Kyoushi says they don't know how they were capable of doing it they just heard the voice and repeated it and thats when it started. Kyoushi then asks about music magic and why it's "dead", they explain why music magic was considered dead, because of it's lack of use, it has been around for ages but it was a magic only fit for entertainment, the only people who use music magic anymore are entertainers or storytellers of the sort, it was seen as something that could only help people on a small level, because of it's lack of military use it's not seen as a useful magic. Kyoushi understands what was said and takes it well understanding the reasoning. the parents are surprised someone so young was taking it so easily. they tell them they are just happy that they are safe and that they need to be much more careful when using their abilities and helping people because what if Kyoushi didnt have the ability to help. Kyoushi asks about the lute before they leave, to which their parents suggest seeing one of the villagers, they used to be a lute maker so they might be able to fix it. Kyoushi thanks his parents for the information and says he will go and meet them, his parents close his door and he picks up his lute.
"man, stinks this broke"
while looking over the lute he realizes there was a piece of paper inside the body of the lute, he pulls it out, getting a similar shock of nostalgia like the lute while looking at the paper Kyoushi whispers
"i feel like i've seen this before"
unfolds it to see its a piece of paper with different symbols, instrument notes of this world. Kyoushi recognizes these are notes
"well i can't play this with a broken lute now can i? maybe when i get the lute fixed that maker will have a spare."
Lute Maker: the next morning Kyoushi gets up and grabs his broken lute, putting the paper in his pocket before leaving his room, he has breakfast with his parents and asks
"where is this lute maker anyway?"
Haruto responds
"head down the road a bit and turn into the stone fenced area, its the house over there."
Kyoushi finishes his food and gets up
"ok thanks dad ill be back soon, i love you guys"
Emiko responds
"ok be safe dear!"
and Haruto
"don't have too much fun, no more craters please! haha!"
Kyoushi walks down this dirt road hes been down hundreds of times.
"My village, named Nyokamura, isn't very large it only houses about 100-150 people, so basically if someone knew you, everyone knew you. but its a nice little town and we all get along and love it here almost no trouble ever. (Kyoushi monologue)
as Kyoushi finishes the monologue he arrives to the lute maker and knocks on the door, a young
"come in!"
comes from behind the door. Kyoushi enters and sees a very beautiful brunette girl behind the counter, not being good with women the Kyoushi looks around the shop and says
"uhh hi hello!"
the girl laughs and asks
"are you here purchasing a lute?"
Kyoushi looks at the girl finally and walks up to the counter, placing his lute on the counter.
"unfortunately not, mine broke during a little fight yesterday with some bandits."
the girls eyes light up immediately and she starts jumping up and down
"oh my god youre *that* guy! dad! get out here!"
Kyoushi stands there extremely confused and looks around very worried, coming out is a short stocky man with a grey dwarven like beard and short hair on the sides of his head,
"what is it now?"
the girl whips to him and says
"this is the boy that fought off those bandits, he sure helped mr cart man right? right?"
the man looks at the boy up and down with a very skeptical look
"yeah! and I'm the queen of the world!"
he turns around and the girl just clicks her tongue loudly and snaps towards Kyoushi
"prove it! right now prove you did it!"
Kyoushi looks even more shocked
"You what? how do you expect me to do that?"
the girl returns
"well i dont know you figure it out!"
Kyoushi stands there absolutely astonished at this woman
"Who in the hell is this chick?" (Kyoushi monologue)
the man is still checking the both of them out to see what happens, Kyoushi asks
"if you really insist may i see a lute?"
the man erupts with laughter
"Hahaha! see! he needs a lute! you know that lutes can't hurt anyone physically!"
after hearing that Kyoushi then clicks his tongue after hearing the blatant disrespect to his skill. Kyoushi then speaks right to the man
"fine geezer throw me a target then if youre so confident"
the old man looks back at Kyoushi at the mention of geezer with a pure hatred in his eyes
"is that so boy! take this then you little shit!"
the old man picks up and throws an apple that he planned on eating, Kyoushi freaks out for a second then raises the lute and swiftly strums a chord and cuts the apple in two, splitting and flying to the sides of him.
".....what the hell is wrong with you, you decrepit geezer!?"
the old man just sits there and chuckles
"haha aint that something, alright I'll help ya!"
Kyoushi and both the girl are absolutely shocked and drop to the ground from the shock of the man letting it go. Kyoushi hesitantly gets to his feet and tells him
"i broke my lute could you fix it please?"
the man takes his lute and looks it over, scanning almost analyzing every fiber of wood.
"well sure kid, I can fix this but it'll be a little bit, is that ok?"
Kyoushi shrugs and agrees
"yeah sure that's fine, could I wait here"
the man swipes the pieces onto a tray then carries the large pieces back,
"yeah that will be no problem, it shouldn't take all day, couple hours maybe"
Kiyoshi takes a seat on a nearby barrel thats by the counter and sighs
"ok thats fine with me"
the woman at the counter is wiping the counter down when she is called to the back by the man
"(insert name) come here and help me with this wood!"
the girl spins and runs back
"yup yup!"
Kyoushi is then left in the front of the lute store when they pick up the one they used earlier and starts playing with it and allowing the magic to freely flow, suddenly remembering he has the paper in his pocket he yanks it out and reads it over again
"ok i wonder, if i do it like this"
Kyoushi starts to play the notes on the page and they glow one by one
"whoah that's new, really weird, but new"
Kyoushi continues playing the notes and after the final note, a large flash of light shines. the lute sits on the barrel where Kyoushi once was, the girl comes back out and looks over the floor
"huh, i guess he decided to leave"
and walks back to the back room.
1st Meeting: Kyoushi then opens his eyes is met with the Kazukos room. the god looks over and notices Kyoushi has come
"hey! youre here! wow, ill be honest i didn't think you would come this quickly!"
Kyoushi sits there quietly and on edge not recognizing Kazuko
"uh huh...who are you"
Kazuko drops a very surprised face and then taking a second to think.
"ahhhh i see what i did now"
Kazuko then snaps his fingers and Kyoushi gets a pulsing heat in their head they yell out
"ahh dammit what the hell are you doing??"
Kazuko sits there and responds
"im sorry i realize its a little painful please bear through for a second, i guess i took a little too much when i sent you down."
Kyoushi wincing trying to look at Kazuko
"sent.. me... do-"
cut mid sentence he gets a look of realization
"oh i get it now, but man that really hurts, a warning next time? please?"
Kazuko chuckles and holds the back of his head
"haha yes i will, again my deepest apologies. none the less it seems i took your memories of us meeting, i didn't want you too suspicious of me."
Kyoushi sits there and nods
"ok i see, it's no problem, but what's up is there a reason you gave me the paper, or was it only to chit chat?"
Kazuko laughs and looks at Kyoushi
" youre really amusing, you know? no, it's not just for us to chit chat, im open to giving you advice and or guidance to my abilities."
Kyoushi gets a confused look
"your abilities? i do remember you saying something about a god "gave" you this world. what did you mean?"
Kazuko takes a deep breath and snaps his fingers again to bring in some tea.
"Ok there are many gods, for which I am one. The gods exist through periods, much like people and places, through the course of time they are remembered, changed, and even forgotten. While I am a god, I am not a god of your period. I was gifted your world by a fellow god as a change of pace. This is when I discovered you and your music. As I said before your music is nothing I have heard before, the periods I watch over don't have that kind of music."
Kazuko picks up his cup and takes a very deep drink as does Kyoushi as they process the information given them.
"I think i have a pinch on whats happening, and im guessing there is only so much that you can help me and or tell me."
Kazuko looks down kind of depressed
"yes indeed, there have been times where i wished i could inform someone but I couldn't as a god there are lines in human problems we can not include ourselves with, even if it is merely advice, speaking of which. you might want to get going."
Kyoushi looks at him confused
"I'm sorry? what do you mean"
Kazuko then brings a orb of magic right in their hand where they show Kyoushi a group of men approaching his home. Kyoushi jumps up with a dread on his face
"i must go now! how do i go back!?"
Kazuko stands and places his hand on Kyoushi shoulder
"dont worry, good luck! and please hurry"
in a flash Kyoushi is back in the shop, after looking around and grasping his surroundings he rips the paper off the counter, a small shock hits Kyoushi again, not nostalgia but a different feeling he then hears Kazukos voice
"Your song has begun, I'm sorry for what may happen"
Kyoushi listens to those worse as he barges out the door in a hurry.
The Intruders: Kyoushi stomping the ground with more and more dread and worry than last, each step is caving in the dirt path matching the dread he is feeling, a slight bass beat is pounding to his footsteps, some people take notice and watch the boy run down the dirt path, clearing the first inch of a hill he sees the dark men enter his house,
"BASS"
is screamed while the earth itself screams for release of this pressure, a softball sized dent is broken into the ground and Kyoushi is launched with lightning speeds to his house, stumbling to the door he rips the door open, the wooden door hanging open, Kyoushi sees his Emiko and Haruto as well as the 4 dark clothed men.
"get the hell out kid"
came out from the man who had the Haruto on the floor under his foot
"get your damn foot off him!"
Kyoushi screams, Emiko yells back
"please go hun it's ok we'll be fine"
Kyoushi stands there clenching his fists,
"you love your pop dont you boy so leave"
the man said that was holding Kyoushi's mother against the wall. Kyoushi hands start to bleed from clenching his hands and his eyes start to fill with a deep crimson
"i said get your hands off of them dammit!"
The boy takes a step and without consciously activating, bass was on, as the floor caved in all around the boy, the men and parents are shocked at what is seen, the man with his foot on Haruto
"i told you to get the hell out you wont like what happens"
Haruto pleads again
"Kyoushi! Just leave its ok! dont you worry! we'll go hunting again!"
Kyoushi bites his lip and walks out without releasing his fists, or the red leaving his eyes.
"that was a stupid thing to say you know, you should know something like that cant happen easily"
Kyoushi is still outside listening in,
"what do you guys want from us we havent done anything!"
Emiko yells, the man holding her up tightening his grip, growing a larger smile
"youre right you havent done anything but 'we've heard about someone that has a pretty special sound based magic, so interesting we thought we'd come see for ourselves."
the parents both realize whats they are talking about and immediately try to steel themselves.
"ahhhhh, so thats how that is.... HAHAHAHAHAHA!"
BAM
SQUISH
, Kyoushi runs around the corner to see Harutos head is no more, the memories of training on the lute, playing the music for him, him playing it for Kyoushi, those days he was teaching Kyoushi about hunting, going out on all those hunts, the day Kyoushi saved their father, all flashes before the Kyoushi's eyes,
"why is this happening? he was just here this morning right? of course he was here. so how is he dead?How?HOw?HOW?HOW?HOW?HOW?"
"that smile, though wasn't joy. It was something much deeper some will say, the boy enjoyed what came next"(Kazuko)
"You're taking again huh? you took everything last time.... well... NOW.. ITS TIME FOR ME TO TAKE FROM YOU GOD DAMMIT!!"(monologue)
It was as if the crimson wrath itself filled his body and eyes. As the scream tore from his throat, blood red tendrils of raging mana churned around Kyoushi, shredding everything in his immediate vicinity, some of the intruders collapsed, overwhelmed by the shock of the scream and sudden shift in power, Emiko now freed, sat frozen, absolute terror tearing into here eyes.
"whats happening to you?... whats going to my baby?"
her eyes begin to tear up as she watches the transformation consume her son, Kyoushi's eyes go full crimson red and release a scream so intense it leaves everybody outside of the house unconscious, his eyes and ears start to bleed as the red glows hotter.
full black page
"the....time....has....COME!"
Kyoushi's own hand plunges into his own chest "he searched inside himself not for salvation, but to birth a beast born from malice and bloodlust to deliver the ultimate judgment." pulling the guitar out each scene a side view with tendons snapping the further the guitar is pulled , the bull skull on the end glows with a rage that cant be held, a laughter rings out of the head maddening to the ears, the strings shoot and attach themselves to Kyoushi yanking pieces of flesh off and creating the neck itself, the distorted voice returns.
"With every string a memory, with every note a promise, with every chord a connection, with every break THERES A SCREAM!"
as another surge of power erupted from the boy, with the body finishing and contorting into something between a battle axe and an instrument. Kyoushi sends out a chilling wave over everybody in the house, for a second the air stands absolutely still as a faint breath is made before...
"PUPPET MASTERS AXE"
the voice is not his own, nor one of this world. the conscious intruders are too shocked and scared to move.
"GODS SYMPHONY: FORCED PENANCE"
Kyoushi's hands begin to move blindingly fast, a riff of pure animosity and bloodlust, made to call the hands of the targets themselves to tear apart their own bodies with no discrimination or lack of violence, limbs ripped off, skulls split open, organs spilt. Kyoushi stands there motionless in a daze, gripping the guitar with all his strength, tendrils of mana still ripping around him, the form he has taken is barely recognizable. regaining partial consciousness hearing his Emikos footsteps.
"Kyoushi.... this isn't like you..... this isn't.....your magic"
Kyoushi raises his head to Emiko a tear falling down one cheek
"mother help me..... please...i don't know whats happening"
the torrent around Kyoushi is still spinning while Emiko hesitantly steps towards him, Kyoushi takes a step back
"i don't want to hurt you mom...."
Emiko hesitantly raises a hand
"I know dear, it'll be ok"
"The weight of the power Kyoushi possessed and the fear it brought, nearly buckled the boy"(kazuko)
seeing this, Kyoushi's knees start to get weak, as his mother inches towards him
"It's ok Kyoushi, mothers right here.... just please calm down hun"
hearing those words memories of the lute, Emiko playing the lute for the first time, her smile, he buckles and Emiko catches him, as the tendrils and the form he took on dissipates away, both Emiko and Kyoushi cry,
"on this day there were two losses for the Aoyama family" (Kazuko)
Aftermath: Kyoushi now bandaged lays in his bed with a blank dull look in his eyes
"what was that? that couldn't have been me right? mom said it's not my power....right, it couldn't have been. she even said so... but what was *that*?.... what the hell..... am i....?"
In the kitchen Emiko hasn't moved from the table, her head rests in her hands, silent tears falling. Kyoushi sits on the edge of his bed, wincing as he pushes himself up. Opening the door, Emiko gasps softly glancing over
"Hi.... Kyoushi.... how are you feeling?"
Kyoushi looks away
"I'm ok mom.... just sore"
catching sight of the still shredded door and floorboards, a memory hits like a punch, slapping a hand to his mouth he collapses, Emiko stares blankly then snapping from her daze
"Kyoushi! are you ok!"
she rushes over and reaches out to him.
"Wait!"
Kyoushi backing away with panic, Emiko looks shocked and closes her hand back
"It's..... ok please just.... take your time"
she stands up and saunters back to the table.
"I'm sorry mom, i- i didn't mean it like that"(monologue)
his throat catching his words. he barely gets up and stumbles back.
"im sorry mother"
Emiko's eyes widen, the tears flood again
"its ok..."
she continues to quietly sob.
The Walk: The next morning Kyoushi slowly steps into the dining room, head down, the same clouded look. Kyoushi walks towards the door with his head down and the same dull look in his eyes.
"morning Kyoushi"
Emiko with a half strength smile, Kyoushi raises his head
"good morning.... I'll be out for a bit"
he heads towards where the door once was,
"ok be safe Kyoushi"
Emiko says, Kyoushi slightly looks over his shoulder
"I will"
then continues to head out. Walking slowly down the roads of his village
"can I even control this power anymore?"(monologue)
staring blankly at the ground, he comes up to the familiar path that leads to the lute makers house
"what the hell... i might as well check"
Kyoushi approaches the door, opening before he can knock.
"Hey, your lute's finished. My grandfather wishes you the best. please visit again.... and be careful ok? for both our sakes"
it's the girl from the lute makers house, there was a different tone from her, a much softer and more personal energy than the first meeting. Kyoushi's eyes widen hearing the be careful.
"Ah... thanks, can you let him know I really appreciate it and ill definitely come back"
Kyoushi silently turns around and heads back up the path, turning to go down the path towards one of the entrances. Kyoushi starts walking the edge of the town and stares at his newly repaired lute,
"now what? do I even use my magic anymore? what if *that* happens again?"(monologue)
kyoushi grips the lute's neck tighter and continues to walk. He walks down the wall looking into the woods surrounding one side of the village, noticing a necessarily bright area through the trees,
"what is that?"
Kyoushi jumps the waist high wall and starts walking through the woods. a feeling of electricity starts filling the air, Kyoushi gets closer and his hair starts standing up, instinctively held his lute at the ready. Kyoushi walks through the electric hum growing stronger, find a wide clearing, Kyoushi steps in and silence, a warmth envelopes Kyoushi. Kyoushi takes a deep breath
"wow this is a really nice spot"
cracking a slight smirk, Kyoushi lays on the ground and closes his eyes
. "what should I do from here?"(monologue)
a shift in the air is felt by Kyoushi, he sits up and sees Kazuko bowing with his forehead to the ground
"I deeply apologize Kurohane. I never knew something like that would have ever happened. If you have negative feelings toward me I can understand."
Kyoushi, the words bouncing his chest,
"it was my fault Kazuko, I used my powers when I shouldn't have and got the attention of other people. that put my-"
Kyoushi gets a sudden flashback of what happened to his father
"put them both in danger, even with this little power I still brought suffering"
Kyoushi sits there staring at the lute he once played. Kazuko lifts his head
"Kuro, that wasn't little in the slightest. I didn't think you'd be tapping into that kind of power this early."
Kyoushi blinks and frowns
"what do you mean by that? did you make me stronger than you meant to or something?"
Kazuko takes a deep breath
"you asked me to give you your musical ability, but not the music you made."
Kyoushi nods
"right i did"
Kazuko continues
"so I figured you'd pick up memories, so to speak, as you lived in this world. Each one you unlocked would bring you more strength. I just didn't realize how skilled you already were, but what you did before, that wasn't from me, I don't know what it is or where it came from. I couldn't even pull to me. The mana you released was wild, animalistic even. It tore apart the very will of my magic"
they sit there taking in the weight on the air, Kazuko breaks the silence
"in short.... i've never seen anything, magic, machine, or even people do that. That includes the other races more proficient than humans. whatever you have is wicked, and it sure as hell not from me or this world.."
Kyoushi looking down at the ground
"It's not something he gave me, not something of this world..... then what is it?"(monologue)
Kyoushi looks back at Kazuko
"what do i do if it happens again? it's not like i can shut my feelings off, i wasnt good at controlling them in the first place."
Kyoushi smiles and stands up
"that's ok rocker boy, you don't have to be"
Kazuko walks over and crouches in front of Kyoushi
"i'm sure you will find a way to counter this. if not ill, how did you say it? have to come down and kick. your. ass."
flashing a smug grin before chuckling. Kyoushi moves his face back but starts to laugh anyway. they laugh and then falls silent
"But seriously, let's see if you can control what you've got so far. I've seen how you fight and, full offense, you're damn reckless."
Kyoushi rolls his eyes
"yeah it did the job though"
Kyoushi stands up and goes to reach for his lute and suddenly sees the Puppet Masters Axe, his hand reflexes back and he jumps.
"Don't be afraid Kuro, that instrument was different, besides, this zone? it's a special nature mana zone, it cuts off outside interference, also allows me to visit when I want to."
Kozuka flashes a grin and a thumbs up
"You'll be ok Kuro, I'll be sure of it!"
First Lesson: Kazuko and Kyoushi both stand up and dust themselves off . spinning around and crossing his arms, Kazuko smirks
"alright, rocker boy! time for training then!"
Kyoushi bursts into a hysterical laughter
"hahaha yeah ok! you're gonna train me? thats a real good one!"
Kazuko growing pissed
"I'll send you to hell myself! I know more about mana here than you could ever read up on!"
Kyoushi clicks his tongue and crosses his arms
"well if you'll put it that way, ok teacher whats first?"
Kyoushi stepping closer with each word
"huh? huh? huh?"
Kazuko stepping back with Kyoushi
"first get back, and second simple mana basics."
Kazuko starts stretching his body out
"mana is the fundamental source of magic, everyone has it, but in different amounts and natural proficiency. mana is required to use magic, you know this much. Pool and proficiency can be improved with training. Unknown to many, which explains the disgusting hierarchies."
Kyoushi sits nodding and listening, Kazuko continues
"but in your case it's quite different. sure, you can use your mana in the normal manner, but your emotions, they're tied to your magic in a way I've never seen. It amplifies your mana use and the power. Not even talking about *that*"
Mana Lesson: Kazuko motions for Kyoushi to come to him,
"go ahead and pick up the lute"
Kyoushi walks over with a flicker of worry in his eyes
"you're fine"
Kazuko patting Kyoushi's shoulder
"like I said, I'll make sure"
Kyoushi picks up the lute with no reaction at all.
"good, just pluck a string, focus only on your mana, no song, or emotion."
Kyoushi nods and adjusts his grip, he closes his eyes and visualizes a thread of mana forming from his hand to the string glowing faintly,
SNAP!
the string snaps and Kyoushi's eyes shoot open
"huh? what the hell?"
Kyoushi closes his eyes and clenches his jaw starts focusing he feels the sensation from his hand again, this time more tense
SNAP!
another break. Kyoushi stands there staring at the lute growing more irritated.
"I don't get it, why is it snapping!"
Kioushi closes his eyes a third time
"clear your mind and let it be calm"
Kazuko says in a gentle voice
"yes I know, I'm trying.."
the string forms its far too tight
SNAP
"DAMMIT!"
Kyoushi throws the lute with blinding speed and crushing a tree with enough force the shake the immediate area. Kazuko chuckles a little and looks at Kyoushi
"it's ok Kuro, take a seat and take a break."
Kazuko walks inspects the large soccer ball dent in the tree, the lute is unscathed
"well damn kid...."
Kazuko whispers impressed, he turns and starts walking back to Kyoushi
"I think I get your deal."
He sits in front of the still simmering Kyoushi and places the lute in his own lap.
"every time you've used magic, it was through song or emotion, right?"
Kyoushi grabs his chin and looks thinks
"through song or emotion huh? now that you say that"
he recalls each time he, including the takeover. Kazuko readies the lute
"I am not as good as you but I do know a few songs, I hope this well help you get your footing."
a green glow surrounds Kyoushi, warm and tender like his own mothers hug, suddenly kyoushi loses all trace of despair, sadness, anger, guilt, replaced only with lightness and warmth, Kyoushi's eyes now gleaming,
"What exactly did you do?"
Kazuko chuckles and looks at Kyoushi,
"Nothing much, just a tune to help ease your mind"
Kyoushi gives a slight disbelieving chuckles.
"Alright, let's give this another try then"
Kyoushi picks up the lute again, closes his eyes, and focuses. the string this time has a warm steady green glow, his hand itself is relaxed and completely loose, he then plucks the string, instead of breaking a beautiful sound plays out and the wind picks up blowing past them. Kazuko sits there and smiles in admiration of what has just happened
"Go on kid give us a show!"
Mana Control: Kyoushi grinning pleasantly, the sound of the recently plucked note still ringing out with a warm, lingering, richness, he breathes in and out, steady and controlled, the wind following his rhythm in sync, opening his eyes, he catches Kazuko standing proudly, a smile carved across his face,
"See? once you get the feel, you have a lot more control than you think. but remember...'"
he walks to the center of the mana zone,
"That was a single string, now..."
he inscribes a rune into the air with his finger, precise and perfect, the rune glows an electric purple that glows and floats around him.
"Im thinking this should help."
"105"
He muttered, the rune pulses with a light and clicks rhythmically, 105 bpm. Kyoushi tilting his head, brows furrowing
"What is that thing?"
Kazuko chuckles, sporting a smug smile
"Why, id say YOURE the person who should know the most"
Kyoushi gaining a deep scowl
"Oh I'm sorry but WHO has MY memories?"
Kazuko looks off dramatically,
"Huh? memories? don't know what you mean"
he sticks his tongue out and closes his eyes in a childish manner, Kyoushi groaning loudly.
"Enough playing around, what am I even doing with this thing?"
"you're going to play the lute again this time in rhythm with the rune, you're going to use it to sync your mana. don't ask why I, just feel like rhythm will help you"
Kyoushi readies his lute and takes a breath with more focus than before,
"Alright, lets do this!"
closing his eyes, taking a breath, mana faintly swirls around his hand and fingers
"Wait!"
Kazuko yells almost making Kyoushi drop the lute
"What! What now? I was about to do it!"
Kazuko yelled back,
"Oh, nothing. just wanted to say, don't rip your soul apart again"
He burst into an almost maniacal laughter, Kyoushi dropping his head smirking
"Asshole"
Kyoushi closing his eyes regaining focus
"I've used this to fight already..... who will be the next one I must face?..... Where does a power like this take me?..... battlefields? royalty?"(monologue)
Kazuko taps his shoulder
"Stop thinking, mana travels *through* your memories, not *with* them. leave the memories, mana's left. it moves on your intention and emotion, not the past..."
Kyoushi nods slowly, clearing his mind, his hands relax on instinct, the mana begins to swirl faster, more controlled. two strings now glow with the warm green, Kyoushi's fingers move on their own, keeping time with the runes tempo, forming a simple yet beautiful two-string serenade, the wind stirs, swirling around the mana zone like a protective veil. Kazuko stands in awe.
"See what I meant? if you keep this up you'll control your mana in your sleep, literally!"
Kyoushi opening his eyes, muting the strings. the wind follows fading gently.
"Yeah.... it almost felt natural once the mana started to flow freely."
He glances at the sky, the sun now dipping behind the distant hills,
"Looks like I should get going. mom's probably freaking out...."
"She definitely doesn't need that right now"(monologue)
Kazuko smiles and walks over.
"Yeah rocker boy, get going and hey, come back here, ok?"
Kyoushi looks with genuine joy at Kazuko, the brightest they've been.
"Thank you, Kazuko for everything"
Kazuko laughs and pats his back, guiding him out of the zone,
"Don't mention it, I'll see you again so don't go making this a tearjerker goodbye."
He waves as he dissipates away, Kyoushi still smiling, he breaks into a full sprint home, never letting the smile fade. He arrives, the front doorway still wrecked, but walks as if nothing ever happened, stepping past the ruined frame and floor.
"Hey mom, I'm home. And the lute is fixed."
Speaking casually, standing behind Emiko, who sits quietly in the chair, turning slowly, she offers the same half strength smile as before.
"I'm glad you're ok dear... how was your time out?"
Kyoushi walks around to her side of the table.
"It was great mom, I had a lot of time to think...."
A flash, screams, Forced Penance plays, chaos incarnate
"Should I even try to play a song?"
"No i *have* to"(monologues)
"...Can- can I play a song?"
Emiko's eyes widen and her hands tremble, gripping the armrests,
"Y-yes Kyoushi, of course you can"
His face and eyes light up with hope, he gently lifts the lute, adjusting his hands. deep breath in. deep breath out, all eyes are shut, his with desperation, hers with fear and hesitation. The strings are plucked. a soft green glow fills the room, the gentle sound catches Emiko by surprise and she lowers her hands and her gaze meets her son, Kyoushi is bathed in green, smiling, playing effortlessly. The broken pieces of the door and floorboards piece themselves together, and Emiko's heart mends in tandem. Playing effortlessly, the vibrating strings speak unspoken words.
"Hey dad? I hope you can hear this too...."(monologue)
Tears well up in Emikos eyes,
"It really is you Kiyoushi, it's my baby again...."
slowly she rises and moves behind him, shaky arms wrap around his shoulders,
"I'm sorry mother,"
a soft whisper with no beat missed.
"For scaring you, I've always been here... just behind a curtain."
Lute Maker Visit: the next morning comes around, rather than the guilt or clouded eyes Kyoushi was usually greeted with, he got out of bed, practically jumping, and walked out to the newly repaired door way, seeing Emiko at the fire with a kettle and a pan with eggs and bacon sizzling on it.
"Morning mom, smells great!"
Emiko glances to Kyoushi, not with empty cold eyes but eyes filled with renewed warmth.
"Morning Kyoushi, breakfast will be ready in a few ok?"
Kyoushi nods and sits at the table waiting.
"I'll be out again is that ok?"
Emiko rises her gaze
"Of course, just be safe and don't be out too long."
"Sure thing mom"
With breakfast finished and his lute in hand, Kyoushi set off for the mana zone. Running down the path, he looks over to the Lute makers house, without hesitation he runs over and knocks on the door. a familiar voice rings out from inside,
"Come in!"
Kyoushi steps in to the counter girls surprise.
"Oh hey it's you! welcome back"
Kyoushi waves at the girl at the counter and walks up.
"is the geezer in today?"
"yup yup! let me call him"
Heading to the back,
"HEY GRANDDAD THE CART BOY IS BACK!"
innocently walking back through the door.
"he'll be here in just a second"
Kyoushi with a look of slight terror,
"ah.. ok thanks"
flashing an awkward smile. Quick to change the subject.
"I'm sorry but I didn't get your names when I was here last."
"Oh I'm Yume and my granddad is Raikou"
"It's a pleasure to meet you both, I am Kyoushi, but judging from the recognition you already knew that."
Yume says nothing just smiles with a mischievous grin. Then out comes Raikou
"Ah could you not yell like that? Anyways whaddaya want kid? don't tell me you broke your lute again."
With a smile holding back a remark.
"No... that's *not* why I'm here. I wanted to properly thank you for fixing my lute, as well as apologizing for how abruptly I left."
They both look at him softening their looks.
"It's no problem kid, we appreciate you just coming in. We don't get much company anymore, a new face has been nice. You're always welcome."
Kyoushi now showing a more genuine smile,
"Thank you sir"
bowing his head.
"I must be off now, I will be sure to come visit you guys more often."
Yume chuckles and waving him off.
"Thanks for coming, be safe!"
Kyoushi leaving slightly warmer in the face than when he arrived.
"Ok that's done let's get to the real business now"(monologue)
Training Pt. 2: With that in mind Kyoushi storms to the mana zone, wasting no time to reach his destination, he climbs through the branches and breaks the barrier of the mana zone to, again silence.
"Huh Kazuko's not here yet, I wonder if he's busy."
Wandering around the mana field strumming the strings, and practicing his chords, he picks up and slows down the speed of the wind to warm up his fingers.
"Still nothing? I wonder if I can call him or something"
Like divine intervention Kyoushi remembers the paper
"Right! so if I play that..."
Kyoushi closes his eyes and starts to play the song from the paper by memory. Strings glowing, wind picking up in speed, then a tap on the shoulder
"Good job rocker boy, you did it."
Kazuko wraps his arm around Kyoushi's neck, coming to his side smiling.
"Oh a pop quiz, thaaaanks" Kyoushi basically groans.
"Hey to be honest, I knew you would connect the dots eventually. With that being done, you now know how to request me from down here."
Kyoushi grows a slight smug smirk,
"Good I was getting tired going up there anyway"
Kazuko's jaw practically hit the floor
"Tiring for *you*??? this is the only place i can be without my mana being drained"
Kyoushi grows a more serious look
"Oh, seriously?"
Kazuko now smiling,
"Yeah, as long as I go back my mana replenishes, but if stay outside too long i also suffer from mana exertion."
Kyoushi looking in the sky.
"Wow, I didn't think you guys had a caveat like that."
"Yes, the joys of being a higher being"
Deflating out of Kazuko's mouth with a half grin. Kyoushi stands up to his feet and begins to stretch
"Ok, so what did you have planned for training today?"
Kazuko shooting to his feet with a wide grin, Kyoushi growing more anxious at the sight of it
"I think you'll like this one actually"
Kyoushi doesn't drop his face.
"That "Bass" ability you use. We are going to train using that, I can only assume launching something like that had a drawback, or two in your case."
Kyoushi nodding, though he doesnt want to.
"It's a powerful ability alright, but if you can't regulate it you're just gonna hurt yourself or people you don't intend to. You saw the power it held the first time you used it."
Kyoushi looking down at his hand and leg, remembering the recovery afterwards. He gives a firm nod and looks right at Kazuko.
"You're ready I see. Let's start, do you remember how you activated it"
"Yeah for the most part, I say Bass when focusing on part of me."
Kazuko raising an eyebrow
"Bass huh? Well regardless.... what does it usually feel like when it's activated"
Kyoushi thinks
"How do you describe this? If I had to describe it, like an animal trying to break out of a cage too small for it?"
Kazuko bursts with laughter
"Ok I see what you mean, interesting image though. Sounds like you're unconsciously overloading that part with more mana than necessary, especially with your already small body."
Kyoushi covers his body while gasping
"Oh my! pervert!"
BASH
"I'm sorry it was just a joke"
Kyoushi squatted down now holding his head. Kazuko starts to laugh
"Ok let's actually start now, huh?"
Kyoushi nods and stands back up
"What should I do then?"
Kazuko looks him up and down then closes his eyes and thinks.
"You said it feels like an animal wanting to break out of a too small cage. So instead of stuffing the whole animal into the cage, restrict the flow. Focus on just how much of it you *actually* want caged."
Kyoushi sits and thinks for a second and closes his eyes focusing "Restrict how much I want caged ok let's try this"
Taking a deep breath
"Bass"
His leg starts to glow with a red aura, it builds past his ankle and up his leg. The aura grows hotter and brighter, Kyoushi twitches from the sudden pressure shift
BAP
Kazuco kicks his leg, the magic bursting out like a broken pipe.
"Huh? what happened?"
Kyoushi looks at Kazuko with confusion brewing
"You felt the difference in pressure right? Too much magic was being sent, the magic on your leg was starting to leak. Try it again"
Kyoushi nods and closes his eyes again, focusing deeper on his legs.
"Bass"
The same warming almost electrifying sensation spreads up his legs, continuing to focus the mana spreads to his knee.
"Good, good, you're almost there"
Kyoushi lexhales hard, and the gathered mana scatters.
"Man this is harder than I thought"
Now sitting on the ground.
"if only there was I could keep track of the rhythm, but I cant have a Metrorune with me all the time, nor can I change it as easily as Kazuco."
Groaning and covering his eyes, he hears a faint tapping. Gazing over to see Kazuco tapping his feet on the ground. Kyoushi stares at his feet, decrypting the answer, like a good scare, his eyes shoot open,
"Thats it!"
Kazuco jumps from the sudden yell,
"What did you get? Besides a reason for another hit?!"
"I know how to control it...."
Kazuco gets a smirk on his face.
"Well do it then, unless you cant"
Now pushed by that final stab from Kazuco, Kyoushi stands up and closes his eyes focusing on his legs again, this time hopping from foot to foot, with each bounce an audible boom can be heard, one deeper than the other,
BOOM-boom-BOOM-boom-BOOM-boom
"I see what you're doing now"
Kyoushi still hopping starts slowly bouncing higher, opening his eyes and stops himself looking at the ground. Two small dents where his feet were hitting. Taking a deep breath,
"Bass"
he charges his leg again, this time stepping on the ground, with just one foot.
"If I focus some more about here..."
Kyoushi's foot starts to have a bounce back after hitting the ground, seeing this brings a devilish smile to his face. He begins bouncing with both feet again, this time focusing on the pads of his feet more, causing him to start bouncing with more force.
"Whoah look at you Kuro youre getting pretty-"
When Kyoushi comes down he drops his head and,
BOOM
blasts forward with his newly attained ability, blazing past Kazuco,
"....high"
unable to catch what happened he whips around to find nothing, and then,
BOOM
Kyoushi flies in at break neck speed leaving a mana streak and slamming right into a tree.
"ahhh hahaha..... ow"
Kazuco now dumbfounded bursts into uncontrollable laughter.
"Yeah nice job there Kuro!"
Kyoushi brushing himself off
"Yeah I got a little cocky i guess"
Picking himself up and out of the tree's crater, Kyoushi dusts himself. Kazuko still laughing and running to him
"That was great, just next time. Don't be a mana missile again, anytime soon"
Kyoushi stretching his arms out over his head, looking down at his legs, now free of mana
"The legs are making sense, something tells me the arms aren't as simple."
"You would be correct."
Kazuko holds an arm out and charges with reinforcement magic, his arm glowing a vivid orange with the upper arm shining much brighter.
"Too much mana in your upper arm..."
Swinging with his mana blasting out his back with force
"You'll blow your shoulder out"
Recharging his arm, this time his lower arm is the brighter charge
"Too much mana in your lower arm"
Swinging again, this time scooting back a couple inches
"You'll launch yourself instead of the punch. Though in your case, you might actually make a pretty great cannonball too!"
Bursting into a laughter, Kyoushi shooting an annoyed look.
"Shut up about that already."
Regaining his composure.
"Alright, I see what you're saying though. It's like caging two animals instead of the one?"
Kazuko grins.
"Man, you catch on quick. Exactly. With your leg, you were only charging your lower legs. Your arms on the other hand.."
He chuckles to himself. Kyoushi rolls his eyes
"You need to charge your whole arm, therefore you're not *just* charging your body. You're charging the *punch* itself, your case is different because of your magic."
"Ahhh i'm seeing the process now, so it's more fun, is what youre saying?"
Kazuko groaning.
"If that's really what you want to take from this..."
Kyoushi stepping up and rolling his shoulders.
"two parts instead of one right?"
Nothing but a nod from Kazuko, Kyoushi starts to close his eyes and focus his mana
"Bass"
His right arm starting to grow red from his hand, to the wrist, and up the arm. A calm steady red fills his arm, hitting the elbow it staggers. Mana starts spitting and sparking, Kyoushi grows a furrowed brow, starting to clench his fist a shock of pain is shot through his arm, the mana bursts out
"Ah! damn!"
"Whoah you ok?"
Kazuko pulling him up by the other arm.
"Yeah, it just stopped and I couldn't get it to budge"
"Yeah when you were charging the flow stopped at your elbow."
Thinking to himself.
"Did you feel in sync with your breathing?"
"Well no, i wasn't paying much attention to my breathing."
"That may be it, since the mana is stopping at the shoulder and connecting to the main body, think of everything in sync, your breathing, heartbeat, your mana flow, everything. Think of filling the cage, but your channeling *into* the cage rather than trying to restrict the hold."
Kyoushi nods and readies himself again,
"in sync with everything? how do I do that"(monologue)
his focus growing stronger on his heartbeat,
"no, that can't work. My heart is too constant, i can't purposely change it on the fly."
swapping the focus to his mana.
"No, I'm trying to control it now. It has no rhythm to offer either, it just sounds like a light rushing."
Frustration grows inside Kyoushi and he sighs then quickly breathes back in. Like a zap of intuition, Kyoushi empties his lungs and taking a half full breath.
Hoo Hah Hoo Hah Hoo Hah
Breathing at a constant rate, his arm begins to glow again. The slow build starts, he nears the elbow.
HooHooHah HooHooHah HooHah HooHahHah
Now breathing in an odd rhythm, Kazuko raises an eyebrow,
"Now what is he doing?"
muttered under his breath. As Kyoushi's breathing rhythm speeds up and changes rhythm, so does the mana on his arm. Building up and past the elbow, it's sporadic yet controlled. It continues to build up his arm and glow more and more furious.
HooHah HooHah HooHah HOOHAH!
the final breath, launches a devastating punch that shakes the very air, sending a shockwave into a nearby tree, eviscerating the tree into nothingness. Kazuko stands there wide eyed and speechless, Kyoushi looks up at the progress he just made and starts cheering like he got 1st place.
Training Compilation: A few months have passed, Kyoushi is standing in the mana zone with Kazuko, his legs charged and his face focused. dropping his foot he sends a calculated shockwave to a tree, splitting in half like lightning struck. Now charging both legs he starts a rapid foot dance of bass work, sending ripples through the earth. Each stomp grows stronger, brighter, louder.
BOOM
FWOOSH
Kyoushi hovers above the forest, then drops, landing in a quiet crater.
"You're leg control is getting impressive Kuro."
"Thanks teach."
More months pass. Kyoushi stands again in the mana zone, older and steadier.
"One of your issues is you're not conserving your mana. Until recently, you used all the mana stored in your body, while very strong it's very draining."
Kazuko gets up and starts to charge with wind magic throwing out swift punches he send multiple, blade like wind slashes and cuts branches off of a tree. Kyoushi goes wide eyed and stands up.
"Pretty cool trick, but controlling my legs is easy. You said it yourself, I'm loading my whole arm, not just the lower part."
"You're right I did say that, get up and give it a shot."
Kyoushi hesitantly gets up,
"Bass"
and starts charging his arms begin to glow and he starts to go into his breathing rhythm Hoo Hah Hoo Hah Hoo Hah his arms glow and he readies himself locking his eyes forward he sends multiple punches through the air.
FWISH
FWISH
FWISH
A barrage of shockwaves speed towards the tree ahead, only to swerve and turn in other directions. Kazuko watching Kyoushi's punches, he walks up and places a hand on his shoulder
"You're body is releasing the mana, you must tell it not to. Don't let your body control *your* mana. You wont last long mana wise or health. I can't imagine full power all the time is good for your body."
Kyoushi gives a firm nod and continues his training.
Kyoushi now standing inside the mana field, targets made of Kazuko's mana are facing him,
"Bass"
He builds his mana it's a controlled calm build, no longer sporadic and fidgety. Readying his hands he begins a barrage of punches.
FWIP
FWIP
FWIPFWIPFWIP
Each one sends a shockwave zipping through the air and braking off precise pieces of the targets. Clipping the shoulder,
CRACK
Taking out the knee,
CRACK
Blowing a hand off,
CRACK
His accuracy and control has improved tremendously.
"Better. Much better."
A satisfied smile is spread on Kazuko's face. Kyoushi panting and wiping his brow
"How was that Kazuko?"
Coming back to reality.
"Uhh I think you could use more work. honestly you're pretty sloppy."
He shrugs in a sarcastic manner.
"Sloppy my ass!"
Kyoushi fires back. Kazuko's laugh could be heard miles away.
Kyoushi now stands in an open field,
"Bass"
He begins to charge his legs, no longer needing the tapping his legs charge to the knee. Taking a deep breath, he clenches his fists,
"Bass Second Charge"
Kyoushi's arms start to glow, but fading in and out, his legs now spitting and sparking mana, trying to control his breath, he takes a deep breath in and
BAM
His legs mana give and his arms lose charge. He bends over completely out of breath.
"Hey, don't push it your body's not quite ready for it."
"No, I got it, I can figure this out."
Kazuco reluctantly allows him to continue. After catching his breath he takes a few deep breaths and stills his mind.
"Bass"
His legs charge, his breathing begins,
"Bass Second Charge"
His arms creep and stagger. A frustration brewing,
"Come on do it already...."(Fragment Monologue)
"What if *that* happens...."(Fragment Monologue)
Kyoushi's eyes flare open, his breath hitches
"Ahhhhhhhh!"
Kazuco steps back almost ready for defense. An aura of mana surrounds Kyoushi as his scream is carried to the sky.
SNAP
The mana shoots pasts his wrists in a surge of burning power, breaks the barrier of the elbow and rockets to the shoulder. His mana bursts and a cloud is created.
"Kuro!"
Kazuco readies wind magic to clear the cloud.
"Hey Kazuco...."
Inside the cloud a faint glow can be seen, out of the haze, Kyoushi steps forward. Limbs now clad in crimson, like a warrior forged in fire and fury. Kazuco in disbelief,
"Well shit, Kuro.... you pulled another miracle didn't you?"
Duel with Kazuco: Kyoushi wakes up from bed and looks out the window, staring at the border of town, anticipating his next training session.
"I'll see you there teach."
Coming out to a table of food for two people, where Emiko is sitting waiting for Kyoushi.
"Morning dear! How'd you sleep?"
"Pretty well, thanks mom. I'll be heading out again alright?"
"Oh? still practicing your magic? Haha ok, just be careful. Don't exert yourself *again*"
Smiling at Kyoushi with motherly warmth.
"I promise I'm not, I'm taking it easy!"
"Lying to mom sucks..... but it's better this way" (monologue)
He walks around the table after finishing his breakfast, giving his mom a hug before leaving.
"Thanks again for breakfast, I'll be back later!"
She sends nothing but a smile that says more than needed.
"Bass"
at almost breakneck speeds, Kyoushi launches from his doorstep out to the northeastern part of the village. Landing with a calculated bass, he makes his way into the mana zone.
"Oh, feels like Kazuko's there already. Since training my feeling to vibrations have been really precise."(monologue)
Kyoushi enters the mana zone and there Kazuco stands.
"Hey Kuro! Ready for todays lesson?"
"Totally! What's the plan today? New move? Full Bassification!?"
He gasps dramatically.
"Wait are you gonna tea-"
Coldly cut off.
"Show. Me. Your. Skills."
Kazuco says very dully with a smile on his face.
"you mean like a fight?"
"No, not a fight! We aren't thugs! A duel rather, just to see how much you've learned. with that being said,"
Snap!
His attire shifts from his sleek, kurohane inspired armor, to loose breathable pants and a sleeveless shirt. Ready for combat.
"Ok I'm ready now"
Kyoushi lets out a nervous chuckle and gets ready himself.
"Don't worry about hurting me..... Well not saying you *can't*.... but maybe dont."
Sticking his tongue out at Kyoushi.
The two stand facing each other, Kazuco calm with wind magic ready, Kyoushi nervous about his now opponent. Kazuco clenches his fist, shattering the wind magic in his hand.
FOOSH
Right there, right in Kyoushi's face ready to strike him down
"BASS"
FYOOM
Only barely making it out Kyoushi tries to catch his breath.
"Why are you still taking this as a joke? Don't you want to win? Show him what you're capable of"(Fragment Monologue)
"So that's how we're doing this? Fine I'll play!"
Smashing his hands together,
"CRIMSON CLAD!"
A wave of energy bursts from Kyoushi and his arms and legs are now covered in his crimson, Bass magic.
"Let's go God boy!"
BOOM
FYOOM
Speeding on Kazuco he throws hooks
FWOOSH
Jabs
FWIP
Straights
FWIP
Everything he has, while kazuco continues to dodge,
BOOM
Kyoushi flies back to gain distance, reeling his fist back,
"Bass Blast"
throwing a powered punch at Kazuco, he puts his guard up,
BOOM
is pushed back a few inches. His hand now trembling he readies wind magic in both hands
"Natures Razor"
He whips his hands out in front of him, each sending a blade of wind right at Kyoushi. Being able to punch the first few slashes
FWIP
FWIP
FWIP
Kyoushi takes a few cuts.
"Gotta move, he'll shred me here"(monologue)
BOOM
He shoots off to the side.
BOOM
And again right towards him.
"Bass Blast!"
Sending another punch from much closer, Kazuco sending a slash to collide the blast
BAM
An explosion of mana.
"Kuro, what are you going to do? You need strategy."
Now preparing earth magic, boulders are formed and sent flying at Kyoushi.
BAM
BAM
FWISH
BAM
FWISH
FWISH
BAM
"Now this I can work with, much easier when you see the projectile."
Kyoushi breaks and dodges the rock that hurtle his way. Dropping to dodge another rock, Kyoushi sends a kick at Kazuco, dodging just in time, the sent blast flies right under his feet.
"Ooooh good one, Kuro used my rocks as a distraction, but..."
He readies his hands with fire magic next.
"What if you cant hit the projectile at all?!"
A semi sinister grin grows as he cocks an arm back.
"Wyrm Shot!"
A blazing ball of magma is sent flying at Kyoushi.
"Come on boy, if you don't dodge you're gonna die"(Fragment Monologue)
"Shut up!"
Kyoushi screams not at Kazuco, but the voice he hears.
BOOM
Dodging at the last second.
"What can I do? If only I had a way to get a jump on him"
Remembering when he was walking here, he felt Kazuco before entering.
"Yeah, that just might work, won't hurt to try"
BOOM
He shoots off outside of the mana zone,
"I'll hit where he can't see me"
BOOM
BOOM
BOOM
BOOM
BOOM
Kyoushi continues to fly above the mana zone, he catches a vibration.
"There!"
BOOM
One more sends him flying into the mana zone,
"Bass Blast!"
A punch is thrown on entry of the mana zone, Kazuco turning in time he catches Kyoushi, and throws him on the ground, holding him down.
"Kyoushi, that was a great idea. Anyone else would've been taken out."
Kyoushi starts to squirm trying to get up.
"Stop, you've lost"
That word echo's in Kyoushi's head.
"What did I tell you. You took it as a joke and you were beaten. Lucky this was training"(Fragment Monologue)
Kyoushi's eyes water, a rage boils in him.
"No, I was so close."(monologue)
"Let em' hear it then!"(Other Voice Monologue)
"Rebel Roar"
the words slip out of his mouth, his throat now glowing orange. Kazuco feels the mana shift, then a subtle crack in his calm demeanor then,
"RAAAAAHHHHHHHHH"
A scream erupts from the very soul of Kyoushi, It was primal, a battlecry of survival. It's a force that rattles Kazuco to the bone. Stumbling back holding his ears, trying to shield himself. The scream continues to howl then..... silence. Not just from Kyoushi, even the wind held it's breath. His body goes limp, his eyes staring blankly ahead, the mana leaves his throat as quickly as it came. Kazuco stands, lowering his hands from his ears. He watches the motionless Kyoushi. The haze begins to clear from Kyoushi's head.
"Whoah, what was that about?" Kyoushi mutters.
He tries to move but his body refuses.
"Something different"
He approaches Kyoushi.
"You almost got me..."
He takes a seat beside Kyoushi his voice even gentler.
"You alright Kuro?"
Kyoushi nods, just barely. Kazuco's expression softens.
"I'm sorry I pushed you that far. Still... try not to lose yourself in the heat of battle."
He averts his gaze.
"You could lose your life, or *yourself.*"
A zap of memories crashes through Kyoushi's mind.
"I know exactly what he means...."(monologue)
He remembers *that* day. Tears well in his eyes.
"I'm sorry Kazuco," he says quietly "I didn't mean to lose it. I just... wanted to prove myself I guess..."
Kazuco smirks
"It's ok kid, don't take it too seriously. I'm actually really impressed with how far you've come... much further than I anticipated."
A small smile grows on Kyoushi's face as he pushes himself up.
"Yeah? Well I'll get you next time, though."
He chuckles, walking off. Kazuco leans back with a grin.
"Yeah, we'll see about that."