Azure EdgeA Story by Altursy On Yuka's 16th birthday, a dormant,catastrophic power awakens within him, thrusting the teenager into the heart of a brutal clan war Yuka must learn to control himself and to uncover why he was chosen Azure Edge All writing in this script is subject to change (and most likely will) Text in gray is highly subject to change in the future THIS IS SCRIPT FOR A COMIC any missing details will be filled in through illustration, and all
writing are to be viewed under the lens of being in comic format. this is not a professional script, only a guise to show the plan
for the story- if possible a rewrite of majority dialogue will occur with an
outside editor Prologue KENSHI KUSHIKABE sits on a velvet bench in the middle of this
carnage. He’s wearing a
high-ranking military coat, scorched and torn. He is cradling the baby with
hands that are stained crimson to the elbows. His expression is exhausted. A wide shot of a "Fancy
Hallway." It looks like a government palace�"marble
floors, gold trim. But the marble is painted with thick, dark streaks of blood.
A massive national flag has been torn down and used as a shroud for a pile of
bodies in the background. Kenshi is
sitting slightly deeper in the hallway. NAGORO (Off-panel, echoing): “So, is that the plan, then, Kenshi?” Kenshi looks up. His eyes are hollow. NAGORO (Off-panel): “Kill every government man and woman in the
building... and then just leave to go play Daddy?” EXT. CITY STREET -
MORNING (FLASH-FORWARD/CUT) The "camera" pulls back. We are no longer
in the palace. We are in a street that looks like a warzone. The sun is a
blinding, oppressive white disk in the sky. Kenshi stands alone, no longer
holding the baby. Opposite him stands NAGORO. He’s
a mountain of a man, wearing heavy, reinforced plating. He holds a massive,
industrial-looking hammer that’s
still dripping with something dark. NAGORO: “You know you can’t
do that. Men like us? We don’t
get to 'change.' You’re a
killer, Kenshi. “We both
know you’re not here to
lecture me, Nagoro, you just want an excuse to fight me.” Nagoro grinned. “Caught me,
huh? Well, atleast I don’t
have to pretend to be doing this for some philosophy or whatever.” He drew his hammer from his back, slamming it to the ground. “Lets do
this, Kenshi, right now.” Kenshi paused, before smirking right back. Wide shot of the city, one of the tall buildings has continual
explosions and slices going through it as the two fight in the interior. Shot inside the building, Camera is behind Kenshi as Kenshi
dashes towards Nagoro, slashing forwards with his blade. Nagoro blocks the blade, sliding backwards as sparks eject, he
spun, swinging forwards at the approaching Kenshi, but kenshi ducked the
attack, holding his palm out as he stopped his momentum, his hand around Nagoro’s torso, Kenshi summons a rune
symbol on Nagoro’s chest,
before lifting his hand back and slamming against it, the room lit up. Wide shot of the city, one of the tall buildings explodes from
one of the sides. Kenshi and Nagoro are soaring through the air, they came out
from the building and are falling, grinning ear to ear. Kenshi. “Come on,
is that all you have? I expect more from the Great Warlord!” The two land in a parking lot complex on the middle floor, Kenshi
catches himself midroll, Nagoro appears from the upper level, flying down and
slamming his hammer into the ground, sending Kenshi flying backwards. Kenshi rolls backwards, stopping his momentum as he held out a ‘gun’ like handsign. Kenshi points at a sprinkler above Nagoro, shooting out a
raygun like laser out at the sprinkler, causing it to shoot out water, blinding
Nagoro temporarily. Kenshi dashed through the water, appearing infront of Nagoro as
he swung forwards. Nagoro blocked the impact with the metal handle of the sword,
being pushed backwards from the momentum. Kenshi keeps up the pace, dashing forwards again, Nagoro
catches his footing, swinging the hammer hard towards Kenshi’s sword hand, cutting him out of
the fight immediately. Kenshi crouched, the momentum from the dash lead to him sliding
underneath the hammer, he twisted around, spinning and slashing Nagoro’s gut. Nagoro turned around as Kenshi spun around, standing back up,
still sliding backwards. Nagoro looked down at his gut, blood gushing out onto the
floor, he looked up. Beam of energy flew towards Nagoro, his eyes widened as he
slammed the ground with his hammer, sending him falling a level lower. Kenshi looked at the smoke from the plasma beams, as it
dissipated he saw the hole in the floor Kenshi dashed forwards, jumping down the hole. Nagoro was waiting just out of sight, slamming the hammer into
Kenshi midair, sending him flying across the ground. Nagoro’s
Hammer has one out of three lights on the side of his hammer light up. (Nagoro’s
hammer has to hit an enemy three times in order to activate the gravity element.) Kenshi slammed into a wall, coughing as he caught his bearings
after the impact. He looked up, seeing Nagoro swinging the hammer towards Kenshi’s head, he stepped to the side, gut
checking Nagoro as Nagoro yelled in pain, swinging the hammer horizontally as
Kenshi ducked, palming Nagoro’s
chest as light glowed, illuminating the surroundings before a burst of energy
slammed into Nagoro’s
chest, sending him flying out of the parking lot through the wall Kenshi panted, turning around as he limped over to his sword,
picking it up. Nagoro burst through a wall, swinging his hammer into Kenshi,
another Light pops up. Kenshi lifted his blade, now blocking Nagoro’s strikes as he uses his sword
to divert Nagoro’s momentum
out of the way. Nagoro swung the hammer forwards, and Kenshi jumped onto the
top of the hammer, hopping off it and delivering two quick kits to Nagoro’s face, before Nagoro grabbed
Kenshi’s ankle and slammed
him into a parking lot pillar. Kenshi groaned, as Nagoro suddenly gripped Kenshi’s skull with his metal arm. Nagoro. “You’re a GENERAL, Kenshi, you’re not meant to die as some old father,
you’re supposed to die as a
WARRIOR!” They pull their weapons back as sparks fly. The two go blow for blow, battling in the complex as lights
flash and the ground cracks, (the combat is way faster paced then the usual
fights in the story) Nagoro slams his Hammer into Kenshi, sending him flying
upwards, theres a purple light emitting from the hammer, as Kenshi’s momentum upwards slows down,
leaving his almost floating. Nagoro grabbed Kenshi by the throat, slamming him into the
ground. “We are
KILLERS, that is all you can be!” Kenshi grit his teeth, electricity crackling. Outside shot of the parking lot, the building explodes in a red
plasmic light. Nagoro laughed maniacally as he fell through the air, debris
scattered around him. “That’s it, you feel that, don’t you kenshi? The THRILL OF THE
FIGHT!” Kenshi jumped off falling debris, soaring towards Nagoro, his
blade igniting in energy, Nagoro soared towards Kenshi, raising his hammer as they flew
towards eachother. End. Chapter 1: Happy Birthday A man is in his living room in the morning, hes looking down at
a sword, sheathing it and sighing, before placing it on the frame atop the
fireplace. In school. Student 1. “What am I
gonna do after we graduate? Probably work with my father at his business.” Three students are sitting alone in a classroom, sitting in
chairs beside eachother. Student 2. “Yeah,
same, I’ll probably spend a
few years at the amusement park first, though, then I’ll work with my dad. Get some free cotton candy or
sum.” “What about
you, Yuka?” Yuka was sitting, staring out the window “Huh? Oh, I
don’t know, I haven’t decided yet.” “You haven’t decided yet?” Yuka. “Not
really, should I?” Student 2. “Yeah dude,
you got to have something to do with your life.” Yuka. “Ehh, if I HAD
to say, I wanna do something that’ll
give my life meaning.” Shot of city buildings at nighttime, majority of frame is the
sky. Zoom in of a birthday cake, the text “Happy 16th
birthday Yuka Kushikabe!” Is present in writing on the cake. A wide shot of the party, people are crowded around the living
room, with Yuka sitting on the couch. Cut to a shot of Yuka from the front, his father standing
beside him with one hand on his shoulder Yukas Father “Go ahead, make a wish.” The candle is blown out and the people cheer and clap. Shots of people hanging around and chatting. Side angle of An older lady clasping onto Yukas hands, smiling. “Awh, Yuka,
you’ve gotten so big!
Congratulations on your birthday sweetie!” “Aha, thank
you so much!” (..Should I know her?) “Of course
sweetie, its such a big day, you have a lot of responsibility now!” Yuka paused, looking at the woman in confusion. “Responsibility?” The woman’s
smile lowered. “Oh, of..
growing up!” She coughed, patting Yukas head, before standing up. “Ah, w-well,
happy birthday again, Ill let you be now!” Yuka stares at her as she walks away. (What was that about..?) A shot of the night sky. Yuka is standing at the front door, waving. “Goodnight,
get home safe!” Yuka sighed, relief etched on his face. (They were here for so long..) He shut the door, turning and walking inside. (Parties are so
exhausting.) “Yuka!” Yuka pauses, turning to the living room where his name is being
called. Yuka stands at the corner of the hallway “Yeah, dad?” His father is standing in the middle of the living room,
staring at the fireplace. Yuka stares before speaking Satoshi: “Sit down.” Yuka sits on the edge of the couch. The party noise from
earlier still feels like it's ringing in his ears. Yuka: “Did I do something wrong? Was I being too loud?” Satoshi: “No. Nothing like that.” Satoshi looks at the sword on the fireplace. He doesn't look
proud; he looks like he’s
looking at a ghost. Satoshi: “You know how this city is. The 'bad neighborhoods'
we tell you to avoid. The streets where the police don't like to go.” Yuka: “Yeah. Everyone knows that. It’s just how things are.” Satoshi : “It
wasn't always like this. Thirty-eight years ago, there was a revolution. A
dictatorship called the Unified Council held everything. They were monsters,
Yuka. But four men rose up and broke them. Four brothers.” Satoshi finally sits down across from Yuka, leaning forward. Satoshi: “But once the war was over, they couldn't agree on
how to run things. They split the city up. They took the men who fought for
them and turned them into... well, families. That’s
why there are lines in the street you aren't supposed to cross.” “The
Shikizaki Clan, The Okikawa clan, the Hillow clan, and the Kushikabe Clan.” Yuka: “What does
that have to do with us? We’re
just... we’re just normal.” Satoshi: “We aren't. One of those brothers was Kenshi
Kushikabe. My father.” Satoshi gestures to the sword. Satoshi: “Your grandfather.” (End Chapter 1) Chapter 2: Choice Yuka stared for a moment, before bursting into laughter. “Good one,
good one, you actually had me thinking something was wrong.” He stood up. “If you’re done, I’m going to bed,” Satoshi (Yuka’s
Dad.) “Sit back
down.” Yuka looked at him. “Sit down.” Yuka sat back down, staring awkwardly. “I’m serious, Yuka, this isn’t a joke.” He stood up, walking over to a bookshelf against a wall, grabbing
a book and placing it down on the coffee table infront of Yuka. “This book
contains the history of the city, the real history.” Yuka paused, before leaning back. “Are you
seriously still doing this?” He raised an eyebrow, smiling. Satoshi opened it up. “This is
the map of the city, you’ve
seen it in school, right.” “Yeah?” He flipped the page, the city was split into four sections, the
names set up on top of the quarters. “This is
what the city looks like in reality, the four clans hold control over the
entire city.” Yuka. “Uh huh, righttt…” Satoshi flipped the page to the middle of the book, there was a
report of a murder case paperclipped inside. “Do you
remember the ramen shop near our house when you were a kid?” Yuka. “Yeah, it
shut down cause the owners wife got sick or whatever.” Satoshi. “That’s what they said, in reality… He’s dead.” Yuka looked at the paper, it was the ramen shop owners photo,
next to a detailed log of the man, and the crime scene. “Hillow Clan
members caught him at the territory border and dragged him inside, killing him.” Yuka looked up at him. “You
remember Uncle Jino?” He flipped the page to another death report. “Died in
combat fighting Okikawa members in a stealth operation.” Yuka was looking down. “Even you,
are in here.” He flipped to one of the later pages, Yuka’s birth report was in there. Yuka stared at it, before looking up at him. “Why are
you saying all of this?” Satoshi stood up, reached for the sword on the mantle, and set
it on the coffee table between them. The metal clinked against the wood. Satoshi: "I’m
giving you a choice, Yuka. One I never really felt like I had." Yuka: "A choice for what?
To supposedly die in some fantasy war?” Satoshi: "To decide who you
are. You can stay here. You can graduate, get a job at a desk, and live a life
where no one knows your last name. You can die an old man in a bed, peaceful
and bored." Satoshi leaned in, his voice dropping. Satoshi: "Or you can step
into the fold. You’ll be
taught to fight. You’ll be
protected by the Kushikabe name, but you’ll
also be a target for it. You’d
be joining the clan to protect what’s
ours. But I’m telling you
now... if you pick up that blade, I can’t
guarantee you’ll ever be
able to put it down." Yuka looked at the sword. The hilt was worn, shaped by hands
that had clearly used it for years. Satoshi hooked the blade on his belt. Yuka: "I... I’m going to go for a walk." Yuka stood up so fast he nearly knocked the table over. He
grabbed his coat, ignored his father’s
voice calling his name, and slammed the front door behind him. The night air was cold, but it didn't help. He started walking,
his heart hammering against his ribs. Yuka’s
Thoughts: (A clan? My entire
life, he let me think we were just... normal. Every time he told me to stay
away from the North side, every time he checked the locks twice... it wasn't
because of 'crime.' It was because of him. Because of his father.) He turned a corner, his boots scuffing against the pavement. He
didn't notice the change in the atmosphere. He didn't see the spray-painted
emblem on the brick wall�"a
jagged circle that wasn't Kushikabe. Yuka’s
Thoughts: (I’m not doing it. I’m not joining some secret war. I’m going to go to sleep, wake up
tomorrow, and forget he ever said anything.) Yuka: "There’s no way I’m accepting this." Two men walk down a dimly lit street, the Okikawa Clan emblem
prominent on their dark jackets. Guy 1 (Annoyed, kicking a
stray can) “Agh... why’d we get stuck doing border
patrol?” Guy 2 “Shut up. We’re
lucky Kaiko didn't feed us to a Vex after that stunt you pulled.” Guy 1 “You
told me to take those glasses!” Guy 2 (Glaring) “Yeah, but I didn’t tell you to fall on your a*s
in front of the damn Chief!” Guy 1 (Stopping suddenly) “Oh, great. We have a real one...” They turn toward an alleyway. Yuka is standing there, looking
lost, his hand gripping the sheath of the sword on his belt. Guy 1 (Aggressive stance) “Hey! The hell you doing out
here? You’re in Okikawa
territory.” Guy 2 (Squinting) “Wait... look at the hilt. That’s Kushikabe gear.” Guy 1 “We warned you idiots to stay back from the border!” Yuka (Backing away, hands raised slightly) “No�"I
didn’t mean to. I’m not a clan... uh, anything.” Guy 1 (Walking toward him) “Yeah, right. Then where’d you get the blade, kid?” Yuka “It...
it was my grandfather’s.” Guy 2 “Bull.
Who’s your grandpa?” Yuka “Kenshi
Kushikabe.” The two men freeze. They trade a wide-eyed look. Guy 1 (Whispering) “Holy s**t. He’s the old man’s grandson.” Guy 2 (A slow, malicious grin
spreads across his face) “Hey...
you know what? I bet if we kill this kid right now, Kaiko lets us off the hook.
We might even get promoted.” Guy 1 (Cracking his knuckles) “Yeah...
you’re right.” Yuka (Eyes wide, trembling) “Wait�"” The two rush him. Yuka steps back, raising his fists awkwardly. Guy 1 lands a heavy hook to Yuka’s
jaw, sending him spinning backward. Guy 2 catches him by the collar, slamming
him against the brick wall and burying a fist into his nose. Blood spatters the wall. They continue to pummel him, Yuka’s body limp under the assault. (Yuka’s
Inner Dialogue) (There’s
nothing I can do... they’re
way stronger than me.) Guy 1 kicks him in the ribs. Yuka collapses to his knees. (Yuka’s
Inner Dialogue) (What did I do to deserve this? I never wanted any of this!
They’re going to
kill me... over a street? over a name?) Blood drips from Yuka’s
face onto the pavement. His vision blurs as another kick lands. (Yuka’s
Inner Dialogue) (I’m going to die. I don’t want to die . I don’t
want to die...) Guy 1 draws a serrated knife, grinning. (Yuka’s
Inner Dialogue) (I DON'T WANT TO DIE!) The alleyway erupts into a violent, white-hot explosion of
flames. BLACK. Yuka opens his eyes slowly, he’s
laying on his side in the alley. Small bits of fire are still crackling in the alleyway,
fizzling out. The two men are burnt. Yuka looked at the bodies infront of him, leaning over and
vomiting. He gasped for air, his eyes wide. After a moment, he slowly caught his breath Kansei. “You poor
thing, are you hurt?” Yuka lurched backward, looking at her “Who- who
are you-“ A woman was crouched beside him. “My name is
Kansei.” She looked at his sword. “You’re Kushikabe’s son, aren’t you?” Yuka gulped, nodding. Kansei smiled softly “What
happened here, Yuka?” Yuka looked at the bodies, confusion and horror on his face. “I don’t know.. they were pummeling me
and then there was..” Kansei tilts her head as she speaks “There was?” Yuka. “There was
fire, and then I passed out.” Kansei nodded, turning around and inspecting the two men There were sword shaped wounds in both of their skulls. Kanseis thoughts. (Stab wounds?) She turned to Yuka “Yuka, did
you ever pull out your weapon on these two?” Yuka was snapped out of his trance “Wh-uh, no,
I didn’t.” Kansei nodded, before standing up. “Well, I
should say I know your father, I’m
actually chief of the kushikabe clan, I assume your parents told you about
them?” Yuka nodded “Not much
about it.” Kansei looked at the bodies “And did
you decide to join?” Yuka shook his head “I don’t think I want to, with all due
respect.” Kansei sighed. “Of course.” She raised her hand out, “You must
be freezing, you’ve been
out here for hours.” Yuka nodded Kansei. “We’re going to have to head to the
base unfortunately, write a report on what happened tonight.” “A member
of a clan being murdered is for sure going to immediately get investigated, its
rare you see, especially a murder like this.” Yuka glanced at the bodies. “Right.” End of Chapter 2 Chapter 3. Mr. Bigshot. Kansei and Yuka are driving through the night town. Yuka is wrapped in a big fur coat, holding a mug in his hands. Kansei and Yuka are driving through the night. Yuka is wrapped
in a thick fur coat, hunched over a steaming mug. He is shivering. Yuka “Thank
you again, Miss Kansei.” Kansei. “Of course, Yuka. Anytime.” Yuka looks down into his mug, his brow furrowing. Yuka “Miss Kansei... how did you know my name?” Kansei (Still looking at the
road, her expression remains pleasant) “Hm?” Yuka “I never
told it to you. You said it back in the alley.” Kansei glances at him. Kansei “I thought I told you. I know your father. I’ve seen enough photos of you to
recognize you anywhere.” Yuka “Oh. Right.” Yuka “What
do you think happened... to those two men?” Kansei (She takes a slow, calm
sip from her mug) “Does it
matter?” Yuka looks at her, startled. Kansei’s expression softens instantly into a gentle,
reassuring look. Kansei Yuka “Still, what happened to them?” Kansei looks back at the road. The passing streetlights cast a
rhythmic shadow over her face. Kansei “Well, right now, the only answer I have is that you
killed them.”” Yuka leans his head back against the seat, closing his eyes in
exhaustion. (Yuka's Inner Dialogue) (..Well, that’s reassuring. Crap.) Kansei watches him out of the corner of her eye. He leaned his head back. The car pulled off the road in front of a large building,
fences surrounding it. Kansei pulled up to the gate, two men walk to the window,
leaning in. Guard 1. “Chief
Kansei.” The man gave a slight bow. “Good to
see you, this is Yuka, Satoshi Kushikabe’s
son, we have to speak with the leader.” Guard 1 nods, the gate opens and the car drives inside. Kansei and Yuka walk into the base, entering a wide room with
an entry desk at the front, people are lounging around on couches and talking,
people turn their heads to look at the two. Timeskip. Yuka was sitting in a chair outside a door that was labeled
*LEADERS OFFICE* “Yuka, come
in.” came a voice from
inside. Yuka stood up and walked inside the office, sitting down. The leader sat in the chair across from him. Yuka’s
thoughts. (He’s the
leader of the clan?) Leader. “Yuka, My
name is Yamamato, Chief Kansei gave me the report of what happened.” “Two men
from another clan attacked you, and they were burnt to a crisp.” Yuka. “I didn’t do that! I don’t know what happened to them!” Yamamato. “Stop
talking.” Yuka goes silent Yamamato. “How much
did your father tell you?” “About the
clans?” Yamamato nodded. “He told
me.. there were four clans, that compete for territory in this city, and that
my grandfather was the founder of this clan.” Yamamato. Yamamoto leans back in his chair, a weary but kind smile on his
face. He reaches into a desk drawer and pulls out a small bag of hard candies,
sliding one toward Yuka. “Relax,
kid. You look like you’re
waiting for a death sentence. I’m
not gonna bite your head off.” Yuka blinks, his hand hovering over the candy before he
tentatively takes it. “I just...
I thought I was in trouble for what happened in the alley.” “Trouble?
Kid, you’re alive. In this
city, that’s a win.” Yamamoto unwraps a candy for himself. “Kansei
says you don’t remember the
fight. Just fire, and then... lights out.” Yuka nods quickly, looking down at the candy. “Yeah. It
was like everything just turned white. When I woke up, they were just... like
that. I didn't even draw the sword, I swear.” Yamamoto’s
expression softens, but his eyes remain sharp. He glances over at Kansei, who
is leaning against the doorframe with her arms crossed. He looks back at Yuka. “Yuka, have
you ever heard of a Vex?” Yuka shakes his head. “Is that...
a clan thing?” “It’s an everything thing,” Yamamoto leans forward into the light of the desk lamp. “They’re entities born from the world
itself. Fire, ice, shadows�"nature
has a way of creating its own monsters. Most are just animals, things that hunt
in the dark. But the strong ones? The humanoid ones? They’re smart. And they’re hungry.” Yamamoto taps his temple with a finger. “We make
deals with them. We get their power, and in exchange, they eat our sanity. Bit
by bit. Everytime you use their power, piece of your self is gone. That’s why we have doctors�"MITs�"to keep our heads from snapping. No deal is free.” Yuka looks down at his hands. They are trembling slightly. “What does
that have to do with me? I didn't make a deal with anyone. I was just at my
birthday party two hours ago.” The room goes quiet. Yamamoto doesn't answer immediately. He
watches the steam rise from Yuka’s
mug in a steady swirl. “That’s the problem, Yuka,” Kansei speaks up from the shadows of the doorway, her voice
unusually low. “To get a
Vex, you have to find one. You have to negotiate. You have to give up a piece
of yourself to let it in.” Yamamoto leans further over the desk. The light catches the
deep lines in his face, making him look troubled. “The fire
in that alley? That was a Fire Vex. One of the Great Ones. It hasn't been seen
since your grandfather died. But here’s
the thing, kid... we’ve
checked the records. There was no ritual tonight. No contract signed. No deal
made.” Yuka’s brow
furrows in confusion. “Then how
did it�"?” “We don’t know,” Yamamoto cuts him off, his voice gentle. “It’s impossible. A Vex shouldn't be
able to just... exist inside someone without a contract. It’s like a parasite that found a
home without being invited. We have no clue how it got in there, or what it’s actually doing to your head
right now.” Yuka stands up abruptly, his chair screeching loudly against
the floor. “You’re saying I’m a monster? And you don’t even know why?” “I’m saying you’re a Kushikabe.” Yamamoto stands up and walks around the desk. He places a
heavy, warm hand on Yuka's shoulder. “And right
now, you’re a mystery that
could either save this clan or burn it to the ground. But we don’t leave our own out in the cold.
You’re safe here until we
figure this out.” Yuka looks at the hand on his shoulder, then down at the sword
at his hip. “My dad...
does he have one too?” Yamamoto sighs, looking away for a brief moment. “Satoshi?
No. He’s as human as they
come. Whatever happened to you... it’s
unique. It’s unsettling, I’ll give you that. But we’ll find the answer.” Yamamato turns to look at Yuka. “Unfortunately,
Yuka, this incident means you no longer have a choice on whether or not to join
the clan.” Yuka stared in horror “What..?” Yamamoto heads toward the door, gesturing for Yuka to follow. “I’m sorry. Let’s get you to the dorms.” Yuka follows him out into the hallway. End Chapter 3. Chapter 4. Mousetrap Yuka is laying in a bed, its midnight and he stares up at the
ceiling solemnly. (...I killed those people.) (those two guys in the alleyway, if the leader is right, I
killed them.) Yuka looked at his hands (Now I don’t
even have a choice on whether or not I get to fight.) He turned, glancing at the door that lead outside (Should I run away?) He shook his head (No, I wouldn’t
get far without a car.) (Where would I even go anyway?) The morning sun peeked in. “Yuka!” Yuka wakes up, sitting up quickly. “AH, uh,
what-?” He looked up at the person who woke him up “Dad?” Yuka looked up at his father, processing what he was seeing. His father leaned down, hugging Yuka tightly. “We were
worried about you, son.” “When you
didn’t come back we
contacted the clan leader and he told us everything.” He pulled back “Your
mother wants to talk to you later.” Yuka nodded His father stood up, holding out a hand. “The leader
is hosting a clan meeting to discuss what to do with you.” “A clan
meeting?” “That’s right, you see, a couple years
back the Fire Vex destroyed part of the city, leaving it in burnt rubble.” Yuka’s eyes
widened “A lot of
clan members homes were destroyed, burnt to a crisp, and the vex hasn’t been seen since, there are a
lot of people who think you’re
the reincarnation of it or some sort of bad omen at least.” He pulled Yuka up. “Come on.” They went into the main hall, it was a large open space packed
with people, there were tables lined across in rows with people sitting at
them, in the very back was a stage with the Leader Yamamoto and Kansei, along
with a man in a suit with brown hair (Lawyer J) Yukas thoughts (This place is packed) He walked through the middle of the hall towards the stage,
people glare at him as he looks around nervously. Yamamoto: The main hall was packed. As Yuka walked toward the stage, the
room went quiet, then filled with a low, heavy murmur. He stopped at the foot of the stage. Yamamoto was staring at
the front row. Yamamoto: “Get up here.” Yuka climbed the wooden steps and stood under the lights. Yamamoto: “Eight years ago, the South District was our heart.
In one night, a Fire Vex reduced four city blocks to ash. We lost seventy-four
people. Not to a rival clan, but to a monster we couldn't even touch.” Yamamoto turned to look at Yuka. Yamamoto: “Now, Yuka Kushikabe stands here. The grandson of
our founder, carrying the same fire that burned our people. He didn't ask for
it. He didn't sign for it. But he has it.” A man in the front row slammed his fist on the table and stood
up. Man: “My brother’s
lungs were scorched shut in that district! You’re
gonna let the thing that killed him sit at our dinner tables?” Voice from crowd: “He’s
a curse!” Voice from crowd: “Okikawa is gonna use this as an excuse for war!
Hand him over!” Lawyer J stepped forward, adjusting his tie. Lawyer J: “Legally and tactically, the boy is a liability. If
he blacks out again, we aren't looking at two dead border patrols, we’re looking at a leveled headquarters. The safest
path for the Kushikabe Clan is to neutralize the vessel before the Vex matures.” Kansei: “Safe?” Kansei stepped out from the side of the stage. Kansei: “Since when has this clan ever been about being safe?” She walked to the edge of the stage, looking down at the people
in the front row. Kansei: “You’re
scared. I get it. But look at him. He’s
shaking. He doesn't even know how to hold a blade correctly yet. He isn't the
monster that burned the South�"he’s a kid who survived it. If we
kill him, we’re killing
Kenshi’s blood because we’re too cowardly to try and
control the power he left us.” Lawyer J: “There
is no contract, Kansei. There is no leverage. How do you control a fire you
can't even see?” Kansei: “By teaching the person behind the fire. If we cast
him out, he either dies or another clan picks him up and turns him back on us.” “Yuka is
the first case we know of where a person has possessed the abilities of a vex
with no prior deal with it, it’s
innate, if we get rid of him, we would be throwing away something that
may never ever happen again.” The room went silent. Yamamoto let the quiet hang for a long
moment. Yamamoto: “We aren't
murderers. And we aren't cowards. Yuka stays. But he doesn't stay as a guest.” He scanned the crowd. Yamamoto: “He needs a handler. Someone who isn't afraid to get
burned. Someone who can put him down if the fire gets too hzaigh.” A chair scraped against the floor in the back of the hall.
Hiroshi stood up, rubbing the side of his torso. Hiroshi: “I’ll
do it. I was there when the South burned. I know what that fire feels like. If
anyone’s gonna keep an eye
on the kid, it should be someone who knows exactly what we're risking.” End Chapter 4. Chapter 5. Pupil Hiroshi walks up the stage, standing infront of Yuka. The two stand infront of eachother, looking into one anothers
eyes, before eventually Hiroshi raised his hand out. Yuka shakes his hand. Leader Yamamoto. “Good, now,
meeting has been dismissed.” “Best of luck to
you, Yuka.” The crowd starts to leave, Hiroshi sighed, turning to Yuka. “Come on,
let me introduce you to your pupil partners.” The two walk out. Yuka. “Sir, uh,
Master Hiroshi?” “Why’d you volunteer to teach me?” Hiroshi glanced at Yuka, before lifting his shirt with one
hand. Theres a long burn mark stretched across the side of his torso. Yuka’s
thoughts. (Burn marks?) Hiroshi let go of his shirt, letting it fall back down. “I was in
the battle against the Fire Vex in the south district 8 years ago, got this
burn mark.” “Relax, I’m not doing this out of some
plan to get revenge or that I think you’re
gonna try to do something to us.” “Truth is I
believe you when you say you didn’t
mean to do anything to those two border patrols.” “Problem is
you’re going to get found
out, and people are going to want your head, and that’s an issue because we can’t have you going all out mayhem like you did on
those two guys before.” Yuka. “Right,
makes sense I guess, so you’re
gonna teach me how to use my fire powers?” Hiroshi. “You could
say that.” Yuka smiled. “Alright,
well I look forward to working with you, sir!” Hiroshi nodded. “Of course,
if you end up do entering that state again, I’ll
have to kill you myself.” Yuka looks at him in horror. “…Right..” They stopped in front of the pupil quarters. Hiroshi slid the heavy door of the Pupil Quarters open. The
room was large, filled with the scent of gun oil, medicinal herbs, and old
wood. Four sets of eyes immediately snapped to the doorway. “Listen up,” “This is
Yuka. He’s enrolling as an Pupil.
Effective immediately, he’s
part of this unit.” He scanned the faces in the room, his eyes lingering on the
frowns. “I don't need to explain what he is. I saw all of
you whispering in the hall during the trial. You know him.” “Are you
kidding me?” A boy with
jagged, dyed hair stood up, sparks literally dancing between his fingertips. “We’re
supposed to sleep next to a�"” “Shut up,
Naoki,” “The Leader made his decision. You have a problem
with it, take it up with Yamamoto’s
blade. Otherwise, sit down.” Hiroshi gestured toward the seething boy. “That one
is Naoki Hito. He made a deal with the Spark Vex. He’s fast, he’s
loud, and he’s currently
testing my patience.” Next, Hiroshi pointed to a girl sitting perfectly still on her
bunk. Her skin was unnaturally pale, and a faint mist trailed from her breath. “Akemi
Shibata. She’s bound to the
Ice Vex. If the room gets too cold, tell her to put a lid on it.” “Over there
is Akihiko.” Hiroshi nodded
toward a boy sitting in the shadows, meticulously sharpening a katana. He
didn't look up, but the intensity of his focus was suffocating. “He hasn’t made a deal. He doesn’t plan to. He’s
got... personal issues with Vex-kind. Try not to get in his way.” “And
finally, Jiro.” Jiro was perched on a stool, surrounded by a mountain of gears
and gunpowder. He gave Yuka a frantic, caffeinated wave with a hand that was
missing a fingernail. “Firearm
division. No deal there either�"he
prefers tools he can fix with a wrench.” Hiroshi turned to the door. “Yuka’s bunk is the empty one by the
window. You’re on South
Border patrol at 0400. If any of you kill each other before sunrise, I’m going to be very annoyed by
the paperwork.” The door slammed shut, leaving Yuka standing in the center of
the room. The silence was heavy. Naoki spat on the floor. Only Jiro looked happy, already
reaching for a notepad. “Soo.. Yukaa,” Jiro leaned forward,
grabbing Yuka’s hand and
shaking it fiercely, “I’m Jiro, I know the big guy
already said that but I think it helps WAY more to say it yourself you know?” Yuka. “Right, of-“ Jiro. “So what
happened in the alleyway? How hot was the fire, did it hurt you? Do you feel
like you’re going insane?” Yuka’s
thoughts (I think I just might..) Yuka. “Not
really? I mean, I passed out before anything really happened so-“ Naoki walked over, shoving Jiro out of the way. “Out of the
way, listen here you piece of s**t.” He pinned Yuka against the wall with his elbow against his
neck. “My house
was burnt to ash because of that fire vex, my family was lucky enough to be out
of home when it occurred, you can call yourself whatever you’d like but you’re still some messed up vessel
for that thing.” “If I
could, I would kill you myself.” Yuka’s
thoughts (This is getting too common.) “Get off
me.” Naoki spit on him. “Or what
you gon’ do bout it?” Akemi pulled him off, “What the
hell, man? Let him breath.” Naoki. “You know
what the fire vex did to my family! He deserves way worse then what I’m doing.” Akemi. “You’re not the one who gets to
decide that, and he’s not the
reason what happened did, just drop it.” Yuka sighed. (I almost got into a fight with him, he would have definitely
beat me though, guess I should be grateful for her stepping in.) Later. Yuka is sitting alone in a room, its nighttime and light casts
out from the window inside. “Yo!” Yuka looks over at where the voice comes from. Akemi walks into the room. “You
alright? You’ve been in
here for a couple hours I think.” Yuka gives a slight smile “Yeah, I’m fine, just don’t feel like dealing with Naoki.” Akemi nods. “Makes
sense, he’s..” She sighs “He’s a lot, sometimes, I was gonna
try to defend him, but, you know.” Yuka laughed slightly “Yeah,” She reached into her bag, pulling out a can and handing it to
him. “Got you
something.” Yuka took it “Thanks,
Akemi” He looked at the can “KUSHIKABE ENERGY DXX” Yuka: “That’s weird..” Akemi: “What is? The taste? Yeah, it’s basically battery acid and sugar.” Yuka: “No. Seeing
my own name on the can. It’s… weird.” Akemi let out a short laugh, leaning back on her hands. Akemi: “Your name's Kushikabe? Seriously?” Yuka: “Last name. My dad’s
name is Satoshi.” Akemi froze Akemi: “Wait. For real? You’re
the Kushikabe? As in, Kenshi’s
bloodline?” Yuka: “Yeah..
why? Is it that big of a deal?” Akemi: “Is it�"?
Yuka, I was raised on stories about your grandfather, man-“ Yuka. “Your
family told you? Like, you know about the clans as a kid?” Akemi. Akemi: “Mhm.
Ever since I was a kid, they’ve
been teaching me about the clan history. I’ve
been destined to be a clan member since I was born.” Yuka looked down, his expression unreadable. Akemi: “You know, when I was younger, they wanted to assign
me to the Water Vex. Fairly agreeable, doesn’t
take too much in exchange for using it. Reliable. That’s what ended up getting me these hair streaks.” She points to her hair, the blue stands catching the dim light
of the room. Akemi: “I thought that was boring as hell, though. So when
they told me, I demanded something cooler.” She laughed. Akemi: “Couldn’t
get many options for Vexes since they already streaked my hair blue, so they
settled on the Ice Vex..” She opened her palm, and the moisture in the room crystallized
with a sharp crack. A small, jagged dagger of ice formed in her hand Yuka smiled up at her. She yawned, closing her
hand and shattering the dagger into harmless frost. Akemi: “Anyway, it’s
late. I’m going to head to
bed. You should too. We have to go out tomorrow with Hiroshi.” Yuka: “Alright.
Sounds good.” He paused as she turned to walk toward the door. Yuka: “Oh, Akemi.” Akemi: “Yeah?” He hesitated Yuka: “..Thanks for the drink.” She grinned. Akemi: “No problem, man.” She closed the door behind her. Yuka sat in the silence, the
"Kushikabe" energy can still cold in his hand. He sighed. Yuka(I wanted to say something else.) Chapter 6. Alarm is ringing loudly. It’s
morning and Yuka’s in a bed
in the pupil quarters. He turns the alarm off, getting up Shots of him getting dressed and brushing his teeth etc. Yuka’s in a
garden, he’s holding his
hand over his head to block the bright sun Yuka. “I didn’t know this place had a garden.” Hiroshi is with him, walking just a bit ahead. “It’s mostly for scenery, we keep it
just incase we couldn’t get
any food if there were a war to break out.” “Huh? Why
are we here? Just to look at the plants?” “No, we
have to get you trained, we have a special room for that but Akihiko put a hole
in the floor fight Naoki last night” “Seriously?” (Isn’t that
the guy without a vex??) “Mhm, Chief
Kansei caught them though and they’re
on cleaning duty right now.” Yuka laughed slightly, before stopping himself Yuka “Oh, by the
way, Master Hiroshi?” Hiroshi. “What is it?” “I know
Kansei is the chief, and Yamamot’s
the leader, but, what does that even mean?” Hiroshi pulled out a cigarette and lighter. “Nobody
told you the rankings? Well, in simple terms” (panel for the comic) Leader ^ Chief ^ Master ^ Swordsman/Gunsman ^ Pupil ^ Civilians “Basically,
civilians choose to become a pupil at 16, then the pupil is assigned a master
that personally teaches them, gives them knowledge about how the clans work,
how to fight, basic gist.” “Then the
Pupil becomes a Swordsman or Gunsman, there they take higher risk missions
based on their skill.” “When a
swordsman has spent over 6 months or has achieved something considered
exceptional by clan standards, the leader assigns a pupil to them, and they
become a master.” Yuka. “So the
chief is like, right hand man for the leader?” Hiroshi. “Basically,
they also take over as leader if the current leader would die.” Yuka. “Ooh, I see,
so how d-“ “Enough,
your first mission’s in a
couple hours, I have to teach you what I can ‘fore
we go.” Yuka sighed. “Yeah,
tough s**t, remember you’re
still a threat, we have to make sure you can wrangle yourself.” Hiroshi got into a fighting stance. “Hit me one
time.” Yuka looked at him in confusion “One time?” “In the
next 6 hours, hit me once.” Yuka paused, before grinning “Okay then,
sure, I’ll hit you.” He paced around Hiroshi. They circled around eachother Yuka rushes forwards quickly, swinging a right hook Hiroshi strikes Yuka in the nose as Yuka rushed him, sending
him backwards as he stumbles’
catching his footing. Yuka. (He’s fast,
I barely even saw him lift his arm before he struck me..) Hiroshi. “Did you
ever fight before, Yuka?” Yuka goes in for another swing, he gets struck again, stumbling
backwards. “Guess not.” “You’re too open, when you rush at
someone like that without a plan, you’re
going to get punished.” Hiroshi uppercuts Yuka, sending him rolling back. (He’s
right, I’m too predictable..) Hiroshi is in a fighting position. (He thinks I’m
gonna try to hit him the same way. I can
use that.) Yuka rushed forwards, going for a right hook When Hiroshi swings towards Yuka’s
face once more, Yuka ducked under the punch. Hiroshi’s
eyes widen (He dodged it?) Yuka swung hard at Hiroshi, and Hiroshi raised his hand,
blocking it. (That hit had way more power then I expected, and he doesn’t even have any real technique
or form yet?) Yuka let out a grin. “Figured
you out.” Hiroshi stepped back, Yuka swung again, Hiroshi grabbed Yuka by
his wrist. Hiroshi pulled Yuka in, swinging a foot out and tripping Yuka,
before slamming him into the ground. “You knew I
expected you to try the same thing and changed how you approached fighting me
to counter that, good.” He pulled out a cigarette. “That punch
had good power in it too, not sure how you’re
so strong but I won’t
complain.” He lit it. “Problem
with your plan is after I blocked your swing, you went for a reckless attack on
me, which got punished easily.” “Not bad
for someone who just started out, you’ll
learn fast.” Yuka grinned up at Hiroshi, sitting up. Chapter 6.5 �"
Confederacy. Hiroshi was sitting on the porch to the garden, it’s night time. A man walks out onto the porch (Master Ito.) “Hiroshi,
how are you?” Hiroshi glanced up at him. “Tired.” Ito smiled, sitting down on the bench beside Hiroshi, he handed
him a bottle of whiskey. “Can’t imagine, it must be a lot of
pressure on you, being the master of that thing.” Hiroshi. “He’s a good kid, or, at the very
least he seems like it.” Ito. “Yeah.” Hiroshi. “How are
you doing with Akemi?” Ito. “She’s a good girl, she has a bit of
a tongue on her though.” Hiroshi. “You did
too when you were her age.” Ito laughed. “I guess I
did, huh…” He leaned back. “Back when
we were both Pupils, how fun was that?” Hiroshi. “Yeah, I
miss it sometimes.” Ito. “Back when
the world made sense, before what happened in the south district…” Ito took a swig of whiskey. “I want
Akemi to have that chance, to-…
feel how we did back then, you know?” Hiroshi. “All of
those kids deserve that chance.” Ito. “By the
way, I wanted to ask…” Hiroshi looked at him Ito. “I want to
come with you and the pupils on the border patrol tomorrow.” Hiroshi. “You do?
Why?” Ito smiled. “Me and you
don’t get the chance to do missions
anymore, we’re both stuck
with our own pupils, you know?” Hiroshi looked down at his hands. “Yeah…” Chapter 7. Border Bully Akihiko, Yuka, and Akemi are sitting side by side. They’re in
a diner, Hiroshi and another man sits at the other side of the table. Akemi grabbed food from Yuka’s
plate and pulled it over to her plate. Yuka “What are
you doing?” Akemi “Man, I
gave you a drink last night, you owe me this, calm down.” “I never
asked for a drink!” Hiroshi cleared his throat, and they froze, Akihiko had his arm
crossed. Hiroshi. “You three
have been split up into a group of three, which means you’ll be working together as a
squad from here on out until you’re
swordsman.” Akihiko. “You’re partnering me up with Yuka,
sir?” He’s
clearly upset, despite the stoic tone. Hiroshi. “Not my
decision, Chief Kansei decided it was best, ask her if it really bothers you
that much.” “But sir.” “Not my
decision.” Akihiko sighed in annoyance. Yuka. “What about
the other pupils?” Ito. “They’re going to be split up into two
separate groups aswell.” Yuka. “Oh, thanks
mister..uh” “Master
Ito, Akemi’s my pupil, I’m supervising her at the moment.” “I see..” Hiroshi. “Eat
faster, we have to head out soon.” “Oh, right,
sorry sir.” Later. They’re
walking in an empty street, it’s
a gray sky, Akemi Yuka and Akihiko are in a row and the two masters are walking
up ahead. Yuka. (Whispered to Akemi) “Akihiko
really hates me I guess.” Akemi. (Whisper) “Don’t take it too personally, he has
some problems with Vex’s,
he’ll warm up, don’t worry.” Yuka. “You think
so?” Hiroshi. “Stop here.” The group stops and looks ahead, Hiroshi points to a purple
spraypainted line across a brick wall, the street looks completely normal “This is
the Okikawa border, eventually, you’ll
have memorized the borders of all the territories, but for now, look for these
marks in infrastructure or symbols that’ll
show you’re entering the
territory of another clan.” Yuka remembers the symbol on the wall in the alleyway he was
walking through. (So that’s
what it was? The “bad
neighborhoods?”) Hiroshi snapped his finger. “Come on,
let’s go.” The group turn, walking down the street the other way now. Akemi looked at Yuka. Akemi. “You good
man?” Yuka. “Yeah, I’m fine, don’t worry.” They continued to walk in silence. “How come
Akihiko’s master isn’t supervising him if all three
should be?” Akemi. “They
shouldn’t, Hiroshi was the
only one that’s supposed to
take us, but Master Ito insisted he’d
come to protect me.” Yuka. “Huh? How
come?” Akemi. “Dunno,
maybe he’s worried about
Okikawa, we are going pretty close to their border.” Yuka nodded. The group stopped, infront of them were the ruins of
civilization, for a couple blocks buildings were burnt to a crisp, debris
everywhere. Yuka stared in horror, his eyes wide. (The fire vex did this..? Vex’s
are capable of that?) Akihiko shifted uneasily, staring at the ruins. “Master
Hiroshi, I do not wish to head any further, if you will excuse me.” Hiroshi sighed. “Fine, you
can go, we’ll talk later.” Akihiko turned and left. “Rest of
you have to stay, the ruins are horrible to look at, but it’s necessary to maintain control
here incase an opposing clan were to sneak through here.” “Someone
would do that?” “It’s happened before.” Chapter 8. �"
Dive, Dive, Dive The group is walking through the ruin’s, Yuka coughs as ash and dust is kicked up. Yuka. “This goes
on for even farther then it looked..” Akemi. “Have you
never seen this place before?” Yuka shook his head. “When I was
a kid I saw the fire from my house, but the news said it was just a freak
accident, I never saw the actual destruction.” Akemi. “I still
don’t get how your parents
never told you.” Yuka. “That I was
part of a clan?” Akemi. “Yeah, I
don’t get what they were
thinking, I mean, you barely know anything, no offense.” Yuka sighed. “When my
dad told me, he looked.. scared, I think they wanted to keep me innocent or
something, I don’t know.” Master Ito. “It’s getting late, isn’t it Hiroshi? We should split up
in order to cover more ground.” Hiroshi. “Think that’s a good idea?” Master Ito. “Just for a
minute, I’ll take Yuka, you
can take Akemi and we’ll
split apart for 5 minutes, call it clan bonding.” Master Hiroshi hesitated for a moment. “You’re probably right, Yuka, head
with him, I’ll take Akemi.” Yuka. “What? Why
am I stuck with him??” Master Hiroshi was already walking away with Akemi. “Are you
even LISTENING?” Yuka sighed. Master Ito patted Yuka’s
back. “Let’s go, come on.” Yuka nodded, following him as they walked deeper into the
ruins. (Hiroshi and Akemi’s
POV) Akemi and Hiroshi were walking the other way, Hiroshi stops. “Lets turn
around.” Akemi looked at him “Already?” Hiroshi turned around, walking back. “They’re going to hit a wall, I’m not sure why he’s even taking Yuka there. Akemi nodded, following him. They were far away from the other group at this point. Yuka. “I was
wondering, why do the clans even compete?” Master Ito looked at him. “For
survival, nobody enjoys what they have to do, but if you don’t act, it’s only a matter of time before the people you
refused to stop come back to punish you for your pacifisim.” Yuka. “That’s not what I mean, I mean,
couldn’t the clans reform?
Join together or something? What’s
the point?” Master Ito. “It’s not that simple, the clans
have been at war for decades, children are taught to be soldiers since the day
they were born, it’s how we
live.” Yuka. He stopped, looking ahead, the area ahead is a deadend, the
ruins stop. Yuka. “Why’d we come here? There’s a huge wall blocking access
through here, there’s no
reason to patrol here..” “We’re here for survival.” Yuka turned around, Ito raised a polehammer in the air. Yuka’s eyes
widened as he dived to the side, Ito’s
hammer slamming into the ground. “What the
hell are you doing!?” “What I
have to! Your life means risking the lives of the entire clan, I CANT let you
live.” Ito pulled the hammer out of the ground, swinging it upwards into
Yuka’s chin, sending him
rolling backwards. He caught himself, as he tried to stand up, he saw the
Polehammer crashing down and he rolled to the side, he put his hand to his
mouth. (That must have broke something in my jaw, s**t, if this keeps
up, he’s gonna kill me.) Ito continues to swing at him, and Yuka desperately avoids the
hammer. “Stand
still! If you really know what’s
best for everyone, you’ll
let this happen!” He swung it into Yuka again, sending him rolling, dust kicking
up. Yuka coughed, blood coming from his mouth. (This is just like last time..) He thought back to the Okikawa alleyway. (I’m not
letting that happen again.) Ito stepped forwards, swinging the polehammer towards Yuka. Yuka slipped under the Polehammer by an inch, nearly slipping
before catching himself. (I’m not
letting that happen again!) Yuka yelled, slamming his fist forward, flames flying out from
his knuckle, and it struck straight into Ito’s
cheek. Ito slid backwards, spinning around as he caught himself from
the blow. “You.. I’ll make sure that YOU-“ Hiroshi. “ITO!” Ito froze, turning to look at Hiroshi. Hiroshi yelled. “What the
hell are you doing?” Ito looked at Yuka nervously before shaking his head and
yelling back. “This is
what I have to do, Hiroshi!” Hiroshi. “Killing a
kid?” Ito. “When that
THING burnt down the south district, my friends, YOUR friends, and their
families were burnt to a crisp, I’m
doing this because if I don’t,
we’ll never get that chance
to go back, you know I’m
right!” Hiroshi. “This isn’t the way, Ito! and what happens
to Yuka isn’t your decision
to make!” Hiroshi grabbed his polehammer off the ground, raising it at Hiroshi. “Don’t make me do this Hiroshi, please…” Hiroshi pulled out his staff. “I can’t let you hurt him.” (Fire?) His vision blurs, and he slowly starts to hyperventilate (I can control fire?) Transition of his hand looking at the ground to a shot of his
hands looking at the corpses in the alleyway. (That means..) He blacked out, unconscious. “Yuka!” End of chapter 9. Chapter 10 �"
Survivors Hilt. Yuka opens his eyes weakly. He’s in a
hospital room, his jaw is wrapped in bandages, Akemi is sitting next to him,
looking upset. “Yuka!” Her eyes widened, she forms a smile “Are you
alright? What happened?” She leaned forward. (Why am I in a hospital?) Blurry shot of the ruins. (Oh, right.) Yuka looked down, akemi’s
smile faded. “You okay?” Yuka paused. “When I was
fighting Master Ito, I was so, so scared, I didn’t
want to die, and I punched him, and…
All I saw was fire, I know I saw it.” Akemi listened closely. “I’ve been trying to tell myself
this whole time that those people that died in the alleyway weren’t dead because of me, I tried to
separate myself from that vex, but..” He looked at his hands. “Now, I
know they’re dead… because of me.” He paused, before tears slowly started to form, and he leaned
his head down. “Yuka..” Akemi looked at him, reaching a hand on his shoulder awkwardly. Yuka let out a choked sob. Ito was locked in a cell, sitting against the wall. The metal door swung open, Kansei was standing there, smiling. “Hello,
Ito.” Ito looked up, his eyes low. “You
attempted to kill Yuka Kushikabe this evening, against the wishes of the
leader.” She leaned down, her smile still wide. “Why was
that?” Ito grit his teeth, “You b***h,
you know exactly why! Why the hell are you even here, huh? Yamamoto’s supposed to talk to me, not
you!” She leaned back, giving a pout. “So loud,
you really should be kinder.” Her smile returned “As for why
I’m here, I know Yamamoto
is gonna keep you imprisoned, let you out, and you’ll go back out and try to kill Yuka out of some
misguided virtuous mission.” She crouched down, bringing a small black object to his neck. “I can’t have that, you understand.” “You don’t get it, Yuka NEEDS to be
killed, that’s the vow of
respon-“ Kansei clicked a button, a blade flying out of the handle in
her hand into his neck. His eyes widened as he gagged. “You said
it yourself, right? if you don’t
act, it’s only a matter of
time before the people you refused to stop come back to punish you for your
weakness.” Yuka is sitting alone in the hospital bed, exhausted as he
looks at the roof, the door opens. “Oh, Yuka-“ His mother stood at the doorway, looking at him with mixed
emotions of happiness and sorrow, she slowly walked over, sitting down and
moving his hair out of his face. “You’re okay.. I was so worried.” Yuka gave a weak smile. “I was so
scared, I haven’t seen you
in so long my son, how are you feeling?” She put flowers down on the counter Yuka. “I’m okay.. just tired, I missed
you mom.” She sighed, leaning down and hugging him. “Oh Yuka,
my poor poor boy..” She rubbed his hair softly, before moving back. “I’m not allowed to stay, I chose
to be a civilian a long time ago, and we’re
not allowed long visits.” She put her hand on his arm. “I love
you, okay? Come back home sometime.” A beep came and she stood up, kissing his forehead before
turning. “I love you
too mom.” She paused, hesitating before walking out, the door shutting
behind her. Chapter 11 �"
Soldier Boy. It’s dark,
Yuka is sitting in the hospital bed, the only light is coming from the blue
tech of the hospital monitors. Yuka is flicking the flames in his finger like a lighter, on
and off, he looks tired, weak. He thought back to what Ito said. (flashback of Ito yelling at Yuka) “…Is he
right?” He reached over to the counter, grabbing his knife, he sat back
down, looking at it in his hand. The door opened up, Hiroshi stepped inside. “Thought you
wouldn’t wake up.” Hiroshi walked over, sitting down besides Yuka. “How do you
feel?” Yuka. “…Better
then before.” Hiroshi nodded. Yuka. “What
happened after I passed out?” Hiroshi. “We took
Ito back to the base, he’s
supposedly going to be exiled for treason.” Yuka. “I see…” Yuka. “Master Hiroshi,
were you close to Ito?” Hiroshi looked at him. “Yeah, I
was, I knew him since I was a pupil.” Yuka. “I’m sorry” Hiroshi shook his head. “Not your
fault, it was his decision.” Yuka. “…” Hiroshi. “What is
it?” Yuka. “…Do you
think he was right?” Hiroshi took a swig of whiskey, it was Ito’s. “Can’t tell you, he could have been
right, he could have not.” “The truth
is, Yuka, nobody knows what’s
right, all a person can do is to act on what they believe is best, he believed
his actions were what was best for the clan, and I did what I did because I
thought it was best to let you live.” Yuka nodded. “Don’t blame yourself for what he
believed in, just do what you think is best, that’s
the only thing you really can do.” Yuka looked tired, but relieved aswell “Thank you.” Hiroshi stood up, turning. “Don’t forget that.” The door shut. Yuka looked at the knife in his hands, he put it on the table. Month later Hiroshi stood in the garden, its morning time. The door behind him slid open, Yuka walked out into the sun,
his bandages are gone, it’s
been atleast a month since he was put in the medbay. Hiroshi. “You
finally recovered then?” Yuka. “Yeah.” Hiroshi nodded. “When you
visited me in the medbay, you said I should do what I think is best, right?” Hiroshi. “What did you
decide?” “I want to
keep on training so… so I
can control the power I have.” Hiroshi. “You think
that’s the best choice?” Yuka. “I do…” “Alright,
tomorrow morning.” He paused. Yuka. “Thank you,
Master.” Hiroshi. “Go see your
friends, they probably missed you.” Yuka. (Oh right! how did I forget about that?) Hiroshi. “Actually,
wait, ‘fore you go see
them. “forget to mention, Chief wants you in her office.” Yuka. “She does?” (I haven’t
seen her in a while, now that I think about it..) “Yep, you
should get going, I’m
actually telling you this late.” Yuka looked in horror “you WHAT?” He turned, rushing inside. Hiroshi turned to look at the gate of the garden, looking back before
walking towards the gate. Chapter 12 �"
Illumination Yuka stopped running infront of the door. “CHIEF’S OFFICE” He opened it, walking inside. Kansei is filling out paperwork. “Yuka,
there you are, I was waiting for you.” Yuka bowed. “I’m sorry for not coming sooner
Miss Kansei.” Yuka sat down Kansei smiled warmly “No worries,
Yuka, you’ve had a long day
I’m sure.” He smiled awkwardly. “Uhm, so, what
did you need ma’am?” Kansei. “As you
know, the four clans are at constant tension with one another, but once every 3
months, the clans meet together in a single location to discuss with one
another.” Yuka leaned forwards “Like a
multiclan meeting?” Kansei nodded. “That’s right. All the Clan leaders gather on the stage to confer
about how their clan has been doing, aswell as to discuss politics with one
another, or any other drama.” Yuka looked in slight awe. “In every
clan meeting, each clan brings three Pupils, 15 Swordsman, and three masters. Yamamoto
and I decided to bring you, Akihiko, and Akemi with us as the three pupils.” “Wait,
really?” “That’s right.” Yuka leaned back, a slight smile on his face. “Thank you,
Miss Kansei.” “Of course.” She paused before her eyes widened “Oh, and
Yuka, I forgot to ask you.” Yuka shook his head “Yeah?” Kansei leaned forwards. “When you
were fighting Master Ito…
did you summon fire?” Yuka froze, hesitating. “…I did.” She stared at him for a moment. “I see.” She smiled “Alright,
thank you for coming Yuka, I look forward to seeing you three pupils at the
meeting next week. Chapter 13. Burning Cold Yuka and Hiroshi were fighting in the garden. Hiroshi swung a jab at Yuka, and yuka stepped back, dodging it. Hiroshi stayed on the offensive, forcing Yuka to block and
dodge. Yuka slipped a punch from Hiroshi, swinging forwards and
getting his wrist caught in trying to counter Hiroshi. “You’ve been getting faster, Yuka.” Yuka grabbed hiroshi’s
arm, pulling him forward as he headbutt Hiroshi. Hiroshi winced in pained, stepping forward and swinging at
Yuka. Yuka blocked, sliding backwards. “That was a
good blow, I’ll admit.” Yuka dropped his stance, grinning “For real?” Hiroshi nodded. “That’s right, tell me, Yuka. Do you think you’re
ready to learn to use the vex?” Yuka hesitated. “Yes sir.” “Hold your
arm out.” Yuka. “What? Why?” Hiroshi. “Just
entertain me.” Yuka outstretched his arm. Hiroshi walked over, tapping on Yuka’s bicep. “Since you
were supposedly born with this vex in you, I’m
not sure exactly how it works with you, but typically, the power from that vex
comes from your arms, to summon and control it.” Hiroshi trailed his finger down, tapping onto Yuka’s wrist. “Down to
your veins in your wrist, that’s
what you ‘aim’ with, think of it like throwing
a baseball.” He tapped Yuka’s
palm. “And
finally it emits from your hands, of course, elements can be summoned without
directly coming from the persons hands or even body. Think of Akemi for example, she can summon
ice from practically anywhere, but that takes more skill.” Yuka. “Right.” Hiroshi. “Think of
power coming from your arm, flowing through your veins and bursting out of your
hand, guide it.” Yuka focused, flexing his arm. Slowly heat waves formed around his palm, before fire formed
slowly. Hiroshi. “That was
fast… Can you move it
around?” Yuka furrowed his eyesbrows, focusing on his hand. (Just keeping it summoned like this is straining me, I can’t move it at all…) Hiroshi sighed. “Nevermind,
we can learn that later on, for now, summoning it on its own is fine, since you
can’t summon it farther
away, it might help you to get a base to transfer it to.” Yuka. “A base?” Hiroshi pulled out Yuka’s
sword, handing it to him. “Transferring
the heat from your palm into the blade is comparatively simple, long as you can
keep that fire sustained in that blade, you can hold your own in most fights.” Yuka nodded, closing his eyes. Fire formed from his palm, wrapping around the hilt and
climbing up to the blade, the blade was covered in flames crackling. Yuka’s eyes
widened. “Holy…” He laughed in awe, swinging it back and forth, Hiroshi jumped
back, getting out of the way of the flaming child. “Easy,
easy, you got that pretty nailed down, we can be done for today.” Yuka sighed, breathing
heavily as he dropped his arm, the fire fading. Hiroshi raised an eyebrow “That
exhausted you?” Yuka nodded. Hiroshi stared at him. Yuka. “Is that not
normal?” Hiroshi shook his head. “No,
summoning elements shouldn’t
be physically taxing, the only effect usually is sanity being drained…” Yuka. “What does
that mean?” Hiroshi. “I don’t know, we should take you to
the MIT, just in case.” Chapter 14. Fire Yuka was sitting in the MIT room, swinging his legs back and
forth. The door opened, a woman in a lab coat walked in. Doctor Rima. “Good
evening, Yuka, sorry for the wait.” Yuka. “No worries.” Doctor Rima. “Lay down,
we’re going to check your
psyche.” Yuka nodded. Yuka layed back, Doctor Rima grabbed a bowl like object
connected to the ceiling, wrapping it around Yuka’s
head. She looked at the monitor. “Interesting…” Yuka looked at her, “What is
it?” Doctor Rima. “There’s nothing here, no signs that
you used an element, usually there’s
signs from brain pattern that would signify you did so, but here, nothing.” Yuka. “…is that
good?” Doctor Rima sighed “Unfortunately,
I haven’t dealt with
someone who’s had a vex’s power actually born inside of
them.” Yuka looked down, before his eyes widened. “Oh! I
remember, when I was using the vex, my body felt like… exhausted? As if I was working out or something.” Doctor Rima. “Seriously?” Yuka. “Yeah, it
was the same after I used it fighting Ito.” Doctor Rima put a finger to her chin. “In that
case, I have a theory.” Yuka. “What is
it?” Doctor Rima. “Since you
were born with the Fire Vex in you, using it’s
powers come naturally rather then being summoned because the fire is actually
coming from you.” Yuka. “Wait, I’m made of fire?” Doctor Dima. “No, the
vex is-… What? How would
that even work? Nevermind.” “If you
want to get better at using your power, you’d
need to work it out, like a muscle.” Yuka nodded. “One thing
though.” Yuka. “What is
it?” She paused. “If you
overuse your powers, your body won’t
be able to take it, chances are, you’ll
die.” Chapter 15. �"
Dojo. Yuka and Hiroshi are in the garden. Yuka slammed his fist forwards, bashing it into the a straw
dummy’s head, fire erupted
from his hand as a trail of flame, punching the dummies head off. Yuka breathed heavily, leaning down. Hiroshi. “Your
control’s better, but right
now you still have horrendous stamina.” Yuka. “Horrendous!?” Hiroshi. “Right now,
if you used your power in a real confrontation, you’d burn out all of your stamina in only a couple of
bursts.” Yuka stared at his steaming hand. Hiroshi. “If you
ever do get into a real fight, only use your fire as a very last resort.” Yuka nodded. Hiroshi lit a cigarette. “Listen, I
need you to deliver a message to Yamamoto.” Yuka turned to him. “Uh, sure,
what is it?” Hiroshi whispered in Yuka’s
ear, Yuka’s eyes widened,
before turning around and running into the base. Yuka walked to Yamamoto’s
office. “Okay… just tell him, and be done with
it.” Yuka’s
thoughts. Imaginary Hiroshi to Imaginary Yuka (Chibi illustrations for
the scene) “Yuka!
Blablablalalal!” Imaginary Yuka turns to Imaginary Yamamoto “Yamamoto,
blablablabla!” Imaginary Yamamoto. “What?!
Blalbalalbla! Grr!” Yuka. “…What if
he gets mad at ME for what Hiroshi said?” Yuka swallowed, opening the door. “Leader
Yama… Uh…” The office was empty. “Yamamoto?” He searched around the office. “Not here.” He left, running around and searching the base. “Yamamotoooo??” He went in the MIT office. “Yamamoto???” A man was screaming in pain as the doctors crowded around him Yuka stared in horror. “Wrong door…” He closed the door. “Yamamoto!!” He continued searching. “Yammamoto!!” Kansei approached Yuka. “Yuka? What’s
the issue?” Yuka turned around. “I have to
give a message to Leader Yamamoto!” Kansei tilted her head. “He’s not here today.” Yuka stared at her. “…He’s not here today.” Kansei. “Mhm.” “Where is
he.” “At the
mayor’s office.” “…Right.” He turned around. “…Thaaankss
Miss Kansei.” He said, exhausted. Yuka, Akihiko, Akemi, Jira, Naoki and Hiroshi were in the Dojo
of the clan. Hiroshi. “Listen up,
you’re going to be doing 1
on 1 matches today.” “You will
not be able to use your vex in this combat, the only tools you have are the
wooden weapons or your bare hands, in order to eliminate the opponent you must
get them to the floor and hit a ‘killing’ blow on their neck.” The group. “Right!” Akihiko and Naoki were fighting first, they both were using
wooden swords, going blow for blow and they fought. Akemi and Yuka were sitting on the sidelines, Akemi was eating
a sandwich. Akemi. “They’re going pretty rough, huh?” Yuka. “Yeah, I
don’t think I’ve ever seen them fight before.” Akemi. “Really?
Makes sense I guess, you’ve
been in the recovery center for a couple weeks, maybe more.” Yuka. “Yeah…” Akemi bumped his shoulder with her elbow. “Good to
have you back, man.” She grinned. Akihiko grabbed Naokis arm, planting his feet on the ground as
he twisted around, throwing Jiro backwards and sending him rolling. Yuka. “Akihiko’s probably the best here, he’s been keeping Naoki away the
whole time.” Akemi. “Yep, he’s the only one here besides Rui
who doesn’t have a vex, so
he has to learn to keep up with only his skill.” Yuka. “Who’s Rui?” Akemi. “Oh… She’s another pupil, went on an investigation mission
on Hillow clan for intel two months ago, little bit before you joined.” Yuka. “Seriously?
That takes that long?” Akemi shook her head. “Not
usually, but she hasn’t
come back for a while.” Akihiko wrapped his arm around Naoki’s neck, spinning around and pinning him. Akihiko stood up, keeping his foot planted on naokis chest
before pulling out his sword, jabbing Naoki’s
neck. Hiroshi. “Done,
Akihiko hit the killing blow, next up, Akemi and Yuka.” Akemi stood up, holding out her hand. “Come on,
let’s go.” Yuka grabbed her hand, and the two walked up, grabbing the
wooden blades as they stood infront of eachother. Hiroshi. “On go, you
will begin.” Akemi. “Goodluck.” Hiroshi. “3,2,1, Go!” Yuka stepped forwards, swinging the wooden sword at Akemi. Akemi raised the blade, blocking the strike and pushing Yuka’s sword above his head, before
pulling her sword back and trying to swing at Yuka’s chest. Yuka stepped backwards, weaving the sword by an inch before
swinging his blade downwards. Akemi blocked the impact, kneeling down as the force of the
impact sending her wobbling. “How are
you that strong? I thought you said you don’t
work out?” Yuka. “I don’t! Just natural, I guess?” Akemi stepped to the side, letting Yuka’s force on his blade send it slamming into the
floor. She swung, smacking Yuka in the cheek with her sword. Jira in the background. “Stop
swinging at her like an idiot!” Yuka paused, looking over at her. Yuka. “What?” Jira. “You’re just running at her and
swinging man!” Yuka. “I mean, I’m not-“ Akemi smacked him in the face again, Yuka reeled back. Jiro squeaked. “Ah! Sorry!” Yuka. “I was
talking!” Akemi stepped forwards, spinning around before swinging the
sword, Yuka ducked under, jabbing Akemi’s
gut and making her cough. Akemi stepped back, swinging the blade at Yuka before Yuka
caught the sword, pulling Akemi in and wrapping his arms around her. He turned around, pinning her to the floor and grabbing her
sword out of her hands, jabbing her neck. Yuka panted. “I did it…” Yuka was still laying over Akemi. Akemi. “Get off me
you idiot!” She socked him in the face, pushing him off her before fixing
her hair. Hiroshi. “Yuka has
won the match, well done.” Yuka laughed, breathing heavily as he looked to the ceiling. Hiroshi. “Keep in
mind, in a real fight, these wouldn’t
be made out of wood, grabbing a blade might just have you lose a finger, well
done regardless.” Hiroshi cleared his throat. “Naoki
Versus Akemi.” Yuka sat back down, sighing as he grabbed a water bottle
sitting on a table against the wall. Jira scooted over. “Sorry
about distracting you, I didn’t
mean to.” Yuka sighed. “No
worries, actually you helped.” Jira’s eyes
widened “I did?” Yuka nodded. “You gave
me the idea to drop the sword and to go in for grappling, otherwise I would of
lost for sure.” Jira smirked cockily, putting a hand on her chest. “Well, I’ve always been one of a high
intellect, so this is nothing new.” Yuka laughed slightly, watching Akemi and Naoki fight. Naoki was keeping the tension on Akemi, forcing her to play
defensive, blocking his blows. Jira. “Listen,
Yuka.” Yuka. “Yeah?” Jira. “Well, I
heard your powers don’t
affect your mental state, right..?” Yuka nodded. “Right?” Jira. “Well, I’ve been thinking of ideas I
could use with that, and I was hoping if you could maybe possibly come to the
MIT lab tomorrow night?” Yuka. “Is that
allowed?” Jira paused. “..In a
way? Don’t worry about it, either
way, will you?” Yuka looked up, putting a finger on his chin. “I guess
so, it wouldn’t hurt,
right?” Jira smiled wide eyed. “Thank you
so much, you won’t regret
it! Probably…” Yuka, horrified, “Probably!?” Hiroshi. “Match is
over, Akemi has hit the killing blow!” Yuka looked ahead, Akemi was walking over, breathing heavily. Yuka raised a fist out. “Not bad,
man!” She smiled, bumping his fist. Hiroshi. “The next
match will be Akihiko Vs Yuka.” Chapter 16. Personal Griefs Yuka walked up to the center, Akihiko doing the same. They both held the swords in their hands. Hiroshi. “Three,
Two, One, Begin.” Yuka dashed forwards, swinging his blade towards Akihiko’s gut. Akihiko stepped forward, swinging his own sword out and bashing
it against Yuka’s face,
sending Yuka reeling backwards. Akihiko closed the distance between Yuka and himself, slamming
his sword against Yuka’s
gut, forcing Yuka to lean forward in pain. (He’s way
faster than Akemi, more precise too..) Akihiko swapped his sword hand, uppercutting Yuka’s chin, sending him rolling
backwards. (I can’t
keep up with him, how the hell is he this good?) Yuka caught himself mid roll, holding his sword up as he
blocked Akihiko’s next
strike. (Is it because he doesn’t
use a vex?) Akihiko grabbed Yuka’s
sword arm, holding his arm up as he kicked Yuka’s
gut, knocking the breath out of Yuka, before pulling Yuka in and stepping
aside, moving himself behind Yuka, kicking Yuka’s
knee in and pushing him to the ground. Yuka coughed, crawling forward. Akihiko raised his sword, slamming it down. Yuka rolled back to the ground, holding his sword up and
blocking Akihiko’s next
slash. Akihiko stepped forwards, kneeling down and grabbing Yuka’s sword by the blade, pulling it
out of the way and socking Yuka in the nose. Hiroshi. “That’s enough, Akihiko, that’s an overuse of force, step
back!” Akihiko stopped, standing up, Akemi ran over, kneeling down. Akemi. “Yuka? Are
you okay?” Yuka coughed, Akemi glared up at Akihiko. Akemi. “What the
hell, man? That was way too much!” Akihiko glared down at Yuka, before turning around. Hiroshi. “If you act
out like that, I’ll have to
talk to the leader.” Akihiko turned, leaving. “Whatever.” Akemi looked down at Yuka. “You okay?” Yuka coughed, sitting up. “I’m alright…” He watched Akihiko walk away. “He didn’t even break a sweat beating me,
I’m still so weak.” Akemi. “No! well,
yes, kind of, but he wasn’t
supposed to go all rampage mode on you! you were still trying to spar him, I’ll go talk to him…” Akemi stood up, walking away to go follow Akihiko. Hiroshi sighed. “You did
alright kid, Akihiko’s been
with us since he was a kid, so he has more training then you and Akemi
combined.” Yuka. “I know, I’m not upset, if anything, I find
him amazing.” Hiroshi grabbed a cigarette box, lighting one as he crouched
besides Yuka. “You want
one?” Yuka looked at him “I’m a minor?” Hiroshi. “So?” Pause. “…Suit
yourself, kid.” Akihiko was walking across the hallways, Akemi called out from
behind him. Akemi. “Wait!” Akihiko kept walking. “Don’t lecture me, Akemi.” Akemi. “I’m not going to, it’s just… why are you so hard on him?” Akihiko. “You
already know the answer to that.” Akemi. “He’s not the Fire vex, Akihiko, he’s just a kid, like us.” Akihiko. “He’s killed people, the first thing
he ever did was kill someone.” Akemi. “He’s been trying to cope with that
fact ever since he’s got in
this clan, he’s a good
person, Aki.” Akihiko stopped, turning around. “Call him
whatever you want, but I will never be that thing’s
friend.” Akemi. “Thing? Are
you seri-?” Hiroshi. “Listen,
you two have to come with me, somebodies in the Clan base.” Akemi. “Eh?” Chapter 17. Ambush Yuka was walking through the hallways, holding the sword
shakily, he noticed one of the rooms, SECURITY DIVISION, was open slightly. He hesitated, slowly walking inside, opening the door and
making his way through the dark office. A knife is sheathed from behind him, and he turns around, weaving
the slash at his neck with half a second to spare. The person in the room was another clan member, holding a
dagger, they slashed forwards again, Yuka grabbed their wrist as he fell
backwards against the desk in the center of the room, holding the mans wrist
tightly as the blade pushed mere inches away from his eye. The man swung his knife hand to Yuka’s sword hand, stabbing Yuka in the palm, making him
drop his sword. Yuka yelled in pain, wincing as he grabbed onto a stapler that
was sitting on the desk, bashing it against his assailant’s face, sending the man
stumbling backwards. Yuka stood up, looking at his hand, the blade was still stuck
inside, he ripped it out of his palm, wincing. The two stand there, fists up. Yuka dashed forwards, sending a jab at the mans nose. The man blocks it, and Yuka goes for a hook, leading the man to
duck it, punching Yuka in the gut, Yuka coughed, grabbing the mans hand before
he can pull back, socking him in the jaw. Yuka steps forward and going for a hook. When the man ducked under the attack, Yuka uppercut his chin,
sending him stumbling back. Yuka ran forwards, slamming into the man and pushing him
against the shelf, there were wine glasses across the shelf. Yuka wrapped his hands around the mans neck, slamming him
against the shelf again, the man coughed, grabbing onto one of the wine glasses
and smashing it against the shelf, when the glass fractured into pieces, he
shanked the piece of glass he was holding into Yuka’s side. Yuka let go, grabbing onto where he was stabbed. The man lifted his hand, a powerful shot of wind sent Yuka
flying and rolling over the desk, landing behind it. The man walked over to where his original knife was on the
floor, picking it up. Yuka was sitting against the desk, hiding as he looked over at
the chair. The man walked around the desk slowly. Yuka kicked the desk chair towards the man, sending it rolling
into him and pushing him against the wall. The man grabbed the chair, pushing it to the side as he ran
forwards. Yuka tried standing up, backing away as he raised his fists. The man tackled Yuka, slamming him into the floor, the man
raised his knife, preparing to stab Yuka. Yuka kicked the man back, turning around and crawling away as
he bled on the floor. The man walked over, pinning yuka on the floor by grabbing his
head. Yuka coughed. “Goodbye.” Yuka yelled, twisting around as fire coursed through his hand,
slamming it into the mans cheek, sending him against the desk, hitting his
head. The man fell unconscious, falling onto yuka. Yuka coughed, breathing heavily as he bled. Akihiko, Hiroshi and Akemi were running down the halls. Akihiko. “Do we know
anything about the person?” Hiroshi. “No, all we
know is someone entered the building without a report by the gate patrol.” Akemi. “Can’t that mean it’s a false alarm?” Hiroshi. “There’s never a missed report, someone’s definitely in here.” Hiroshi stopped, the others following behind as they look at
the door ahead of them. “They were
in there.” The Security Office door was open, blood pooled from the
doorway. Hiroshi pulled out his staff, walking forwards slowly. Hiroshi kicked the door open, light shined into the room,
illuminating everything so he and the kids couldn’t
get ambushed in the dark. Hiroshi walked inside, looking around, the room was wrecked. “There was
a fight here, No, an ambush.” Akemi. “Who was
here though?” Hiroshi. “Usually,
Security Manager Singh, but right now, he’s
working out of base…” They followed a trail of blood, leading behind the desk. Hiroshi. “It’s Yuka.” Akemi pushed Hiroshi out of the way, running over and crouching
down, Yuka was gasping for air, his eyes looked up at Akemi. “Yuka!” Akemi held Yuka up, putting a hand on his chest. Akemi sighed. “He’s breathing…” Akihiko was looking around the room. Hiroshi stood there, looking at the destruction. “Looks like
Yuka won.” Akemi. “Seriously?” Akihiko picked up Yuka, wrapping his around around Yuka’s shoulder Akihiko. “I’m going to take him to an MIT.” Akemi smiled, giving a thumbs up. Akihiko glared at Akemi, before turning around, leaving. Akemi. “This guy’s a swordsman easily, 20 years
old maybe?” Hiroshi. “Probably,
how Yuka didn’t get killed
in seconds is beyond me.” Hiroshi picked up the man unconscious on the floor, putting him
over his shoulder. “Either
way, we’ll find out what he’s doing here later.” Akihiko was carrying Yuka, Yuka opened his eyes slowly,
coughing. Yuka. “Akihiko…?” Akihiko. “Don’t stop moving, I’m bringing you to an MIT.” Yuka. “What
happened?” Akihiko. “Looked
like you knocked the intruder out, from what I saw.” Yuka. “I see…” They kept walking down the hallway. “Akihiko.” Akihiko. “What now?” Yuka. “You’re a way better fighter then me,
earlier you beat the crap out of me, to be honest…” Akihiko. “I know.” He paused. “Why are
you bringing this up?” Yuka. “It’s because… I want you to teach me.” Akihiko stopped. “No, never.” He shoved Yuka forwards slightly, still walking, they made it
to the the MIT office, Akihiko opened the door. Doctor Dima saw the two, her eyes widening. “What
happened to him?! Get him on the bed!” Yuka walked into the room. “Yuka.” Yuka turned around, Akihiko stared at him. “Don’t get the wrong idea about us, I
will never ever be your friend.” Yuka stared at him. “The truth
is, the Fire Vex killed my family.” Yuka looked at Akihiko in horror as the door shut, the doctor
dragged Yuka hurriedly to the MIT bed, laying him down. “Yuki, Ayumo,
get over here, now!” Two younger MIT pupils ran over. “He’s been stabbed in the chest and
his hand has been punctured.” The two MIT gasp, quickly raising their hands over the wounds. Doctor Dima put a hand on Yuka’s
mouth. “This is
going to hurt, I’m really,
really sorry.” Yuki held her hand close to the wound in his chest, the bone
pushing itself back together as Yuka screamed in pain, muffled by her hand. Ayumo held her hand over the chest wound, the flesh
regenerated, the tissues reconnecting as steam arose in the air from the
regenerating wound. Dima held out her hand, skin formed over the wound, it looked
undamaged completely where he was stabbed. They repeated the process on his hand, after it was done Dima
removed her hand from Yuka’s
mouth. Yuka sighed in relief, breathing heavily as he sat up, he
looked at where he was stabbed. “There’s nothing there anymore, how did
you do that…?” Dima. “Deals with
Vex’s let you manipulate the
natural matter the Vex is born from, Yuki has a deal with the Bone vex, Ayumo
the Flesh Vex, and I, the skin vex.” Yuka. “Seriously?” “The Vex’s we use aren’t good for combat, but for
healing, they actually can help a lot.” Yuka closed his hand and opened it. “Unbelievable…” Hiroshi and Akemi were in the interrogation office, they
dropped the man in the seat. Hiroshi. “When he
wakes up, we can question him on what he was doing in our base.” Akemi. “I still
can’t believe Yuka beat
him, do you really think that’s
possible?” Hiroshi put a finger on his chin. “From what
I’ve seen from Yuka, I don’t doubt it, I would never call
him an honorable swordsman, but his natural talent for fighting and tactics can’t be ignored, he’s a dirty fighter that uses
anything he can to get an advantage.” Akemi smiled slightly “I realized
that in the dojo, he completely overpowered me earlier.” Akemi paused. “Master
Hiroshi, if I were to have gone in that room instead of Yuka, do you think I’d have won too?” Hiroshi turned, looking at her. “No, you’d die, I’m sure of it.” The room door slammed open, it’s
Akihiko. “There’s another person in the base!” Hiroshi turned. “What?” Akihiko. “We found a
swordsman with a long slash wound on their shoulder way too long to be from a
knife, we have to go!” Akemi. “Wait, are
you for real?” Hiroshi walked forwards. “Akemi,
stay here with the captive, let’s
go Akihiko.” Akihiko. “Yes sir!” Chapter 18. Lightning Akihiko and Hiroshi ran, there was a split in the hallway. Hiroshi. “Akihiko,
go find your master, I’ll
go right, you go left.” Akihiko. “Understood!” The two split up, Akihiko ran to the left hallway, Hiroshi the
right. Hiroshi ran down the hallway. “Hiroshi! Over
here!” Hiroshi stopped, there was a swordsman standing over another
man, the man was injured, with electricity spazzing him. “The
intruder has the lightning vex!” “Are you
serious…?” The man looked scared. “He’s already injured 4 swordsman
and one gunsman, he’s looking
for something I think.” Hiroshi grit his teeth. “Find Chief
Kansei! We need to gather swordsman for a counterattack!” The man saluted, running. Hiroshi didn’t
move, he stared at the collapsed man. “Damn it…” Akihiko continued running through the hallway, he ran through
an indoor garden, it was dark in the room with pillars raised in a circle around
the room, there was a bright light coming from the top of the ceiling, he heard
a crackle of lightning above him and stopped running, standing in the garden,
ahead of him the hallway continued. Akihiko. (The intruder is in here, Lightning Vex user definitely…) He looked at the hallway. (If I go in that hallway, I’ll
be helpless to a striking attack with that Vex’s
power, that’s probably what
he’s waiting for, if I go back
where I came from the same thing happens.) There was a small fountain against one of the pillars, he
leaned over it, looking in the reflection in the water, sure enough, there was
a man perched on one of the pillars behind him. (I should bait him into dropping down here, I’ll have a better chance of
fighting him here then anywhere else.) He grabbed a coin, holding it out as he glanced at the
reflection, looking at the man above him with it. “Maybe it’s my lucky day, I think I’ll just hide till those
intruders leave.” Akihiko talked loudly to himself. He dropped the coin inside, looking at the reflection, the man shifted
in the water reflection. Akihiko turned around, pulling his sword out as he parried the
intruder’s blade, the man
had slammed into him faster then he could see, electricity crackling from his
sword, Akihiko pushed the man’s
blade to the side, backing up. The man swung his blade towards Akihiko’s neck, Akihiko leaned backwards, dodging it
narrowly, wind swept up from the force of the impact. (He’s way
faster then I predicted, crap…) He parried an incoming swing coming from the man, he continued
to block and dodge the slashes. The man kicked Akihiko backwards, sending him into a Pillar. Akihiko coughed, opening his eyes as he caught his bearings. He looked up to see the man flying towards him like a bolt of
lightning. Akihiko rolled to the side, the pillar exploded into a dust
cloud. The man swung his blade out, clearing the cloud of dust, he looked
left and right, Akihiko was nowhere to be seen. Akihiko was hiding behind a wall, looking at his sword to see
the man in the reflection of the blade. (The only way I can beat him is if I get in close, I have to
sneak behind him…) The man saw the glint of the sword, grinning before bolting towards
the pillar, Akihiko dropped down, avoiding the incoming sword that slammed
through the pillar. Akihiko ran through the smoke. The man saw a black shape in the dust. “Got you.” He lunged forwards to the black shape, lightning crackling as
he slammed into it. His sword was stuck in the wall, he’d pin Akihiko’s
black coat to the wall. (He used his coat as a diversion?!) Akihiko appeared from the smoke, blade raised. The man yelled, twisting around and swinging his blade forwards
in a burst of lightning, slicing across Akihiko’s
unguarded chest. Akihiko flew backwards, rolling. Akihiko coughed, touching his chest. The lightning vex user lunged forwards, swinging to kill him. Yuka appeared, blocking the attack as sparks and the two vex’s energies clash, lightning and fire
crackled in the air as the wind flew in all directions. The man’s eyes
widened. “You’re…” Akihiko watched the two clash, Yuka dug his feet into the
ground as he grit his teeth. “You’re the vessel of the Fire Vex!” The man exclaimed. Chapter 19. Hiroshi noticed a group of swordsman coming through the hallway,
Kansei among them. “Chief
Kansei.” Kansei walked over to him, smiling. “Hello, has
there been any updates?” Hiroshi. “There are
two intruders, Yuka beat one, but the other is in the base right now.” Kansei nodded. “They waited
until Leader Yamamoto was here.” Hiroshi. “How can
you be sure?” Kansei walked past Hiroshi. “The
Kushikabe clan has always been the weakest of the four clans, but the one thing
that’s stopped us from being
overrun all these years is one factor.” She turned to him. “Leader
Yamamoto is the strongest Vex user alive.” Hiroshi nodded, following her as she walked. “You know
what this means, too, right, Master Hiroshi?” Hiroshi shook his head. “I do not.” Kansei. “Yamamoto’s meeting with the Mayor is
something only the Kushikabe clan is aware of, which means there’s a spy in the clan.” “Are you
serious?” Kansei nodded. Yuka grit his teeth as he swung his blade up, throwing the Vex
user off balance. “Akihiko! Go
get Master Hiroshi!” Akihiko. (He’s
already recovered from the fight against the other intruder?) Yuka ducked under a swing, clashing again and again, the man
clearly had the edge skill wise. (No, Yuka’s
still injured, he just decided to fight either way.) He stood up, turning. “I’ll go get others, hold him off,
Yuka!” Akihiko turned around and ran. The two traded blow after blow, sparks flying. “You’re supposed to be better then
this! Where’s your power
at?” The two go in for a clash, their swords grinding against
eachother. Yuka grabbed the man’s
arm mid clash, pulling his sword up and hooking the man in the nose. The man used the momentum from being hit to spin, kicking Yuka
in the chin. The man caught himself, twisting around and dashing towards
Yuka, Yuka raised his sword last second, getting slammed backwards by the man
into the wall. “Try
harder!” Yuka coughed, the man grabbed him by his collar, throwing Yuka
tumbling. Yuka raised his sword, blocking the next attack, fire and lightning
crackled, The two continued clashing over and over, Yuka backing up, The man disarmed Yuka, kicking him to the floor. The swordsmen and Kansei appeared on scene. “There he
is!” The man looked at the group, scoffing before turning to Yuka, a
grin forming “Next time
we met, I pray you’re more
of a challenge than THIS, Vessel of fire.” He departed, lightning bolts flew through the other hallway as
he blitzed out of the clan base, lights flickered. Akihiko stared at Yuka. Yuka was on his knees, taking deep, slow heavy breaths as steam
rose from his body. The crowd circled around Yuka, Akihiko stayed back, his eyes
wide. “I was
saved by Yuka Kushikabe…” Chapter 20. Yuka opened the door, walking out of the MIT office, he waved
away. “Goodbye!
Thank you again!” He winced. “Ow… It still hurts slightly.” He walked down the hallway. “I guess it’s my fault for jumping away and
getting in another fight while it was still healing…” He sighed. “Yuka!” He turned around. Akemi was there, she looked nervous. “You’re okay…” Yuka. “…Yeah?” Akemi shook her head. “Hiroshi wants
us to go to the interrogation with the guy you fought.” Yuka. “He’s alive?” Akemi. “Yeah, he was
just unconscious when you passed out.” Yuka sighed in relief. Akemi turned, walking in the hallway, Yuka followed behind. “I can’t believe you survived.” Yuka. “What do
you mean?” Akemi. “You joined
us only two months ago, yet you fought two swordsmen on your own yesterday, and
you beat one of them, I don’t
think I could have won in your situation even right now.” Yuka’s thoughts. (Now that she mentions it, I guess I did do pretty well in that
fight…) Yuka grinned. “Guess I’m just that good, huh?” Akemi gave him a feigned angry expression. “Shut up” Yuka. “So where’s he being kept at? Akemi. “…You’re not going to like it.” Yuka. “Doubt it,
long as it’s not close to
our room.” Right next to the Pupil quarters was the cell. Yuka stared at it. “seriously?” The two opened the door, stepping inside. Akemi. “Master Hiroshi!
We’re here..!” There was a small room with one way glass looking into the
interrogation room, there was a bed in it, and a table with two chairs, Hiroshi
was sitting infront of the prisoner, talking. Akemi opened the door to the interrogation room. Hiroshi stopped, turning. “Akemi, Yuka.” Akemi bowed, Yuka walked in, locking eyes with the man. The man’s
eyes widened. “You… You LITTLE B*****D!” Yuka scoffed, grinning. “Don’t hate me ‘cause you lost.” The man glared “What did
you just say?!” Hiroshi. “Quiet, or
we can go back to doing this the hard way, the man gave a tsk, looking away.” Hiroshi. “Who sent
you here? What was the plan?” The man laughed. “Like I’d tell you, Kushikabe trash.” Hiroshi stood up while the man laughed, He socked the man in
the jaw, making him go quiet. “If you don’t talk, I’ll just kill you and we’ll ask the other one we locked up what you two were
doing.” The man’s
eyes widened. “…Other
one?” Hiroshi glared, grabbing the man by the collar, lifting him. “Don’t bullshit me, you and Seiji Azizomo
both snuck into the base last night, now tell me why god damn it!” The man shook his head. “I already
told you, I never met the guy, get your hands off me!” Hiroshi dropped him, putting his hand to his temple. “I’ll be back." © 2026 Altursy |
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Added on February 11, 2026 Last Updated on February 20, 2026 Previous Versions |
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