Welcome to Gaia! ::

Hey guys, hope you still all plan on reading my book because I've just written the prequel short story to it. There are no real hints or spoilers to what will happen in the book, but it gives more explanations and ideas about the world. Let alone it has the second main villian I had in mind and decided to instead make him short story villian about three weeks ago. I hope you all read and comment on it because I am very proud of it.

*

In an nearly becoming everyday life, the daemon prince Bakuryu sat with one arm over his standing knee with his other leg hanging from it over the cliff edge, observing looking over the daily scene of his this barren wasteland.

The bizarre colourful dank atmosphere that drifted over the millennium old ruin buildings continuing to crumble and disappear and the land that had been long dried up and wasted, was the dreaded home that he had to put up with. The only thing worse than this was its populace, the people who lived in this forsaken kingdom, forever hating, spiting, stealing, vandalising and killing one another. Though Bakuryu wouldn’t exactly call them killing one another, merely deactivating each other for a few seconds.

Daemons had long lost the hope of ever dying long ago in their paradise ages, when their people sought out pleasures and luxury. An advanced people that in order to continuing seeking out pleasures and ensure their luxury instead of passing off into another realm, discovered the former desired secrets of immortality.

Bakuryu still remembered how things became dark back then. Thinking now that him and his kin had all the time in the world to pursue what they thought limitless pleasures without worry or concern, they thought everything would be great now, but they were wrong. It didn’t take long for his kind to run out of pleasures and things they thought that would forever appease them, it wasn’t long before daemons started growing tired of each other and turning on friends and it wasn’t long until they realised they couldn’t escape.

Their once great society had crumbled on itself, fights and wars broke out that were just pointless, outbreak of crimes where there was no form of punishment that meant a big deal and daemons forever tried to find ways to end it.

Bakuryu was different though. Once his title meant nothing to his fellow kin, he had done nothing but simply sit somewhere high above looking down. Then again today was going to be different.
He continued to drift on, until from behind him a rock had darted and pinged at the back his head, making him gently nudge forward. There was little reaction from Bakuryu, other than the blood that sleeked out of his head for a while before being sucked back into his skull and the cut stitched close again.

“You called me?” Questioned someone behind him in a mocking tone, holding another rock in his hand. “Your majesty.

Doing such a thing to him was a great defiance and the man would have collapsed to his knees to plead forgiveness whether he had done it on by accident or intentional, Bakuryu was to be feared by all his people, but now it meant nothing. Getting up anyhow onto two feet with his back still facing the other daemon, the daemon prince answered. “Yes Basheet, there is some questions I’d like to ask.”

“Take your time then.” Groaned Basheet agitated that his annoyance still didn’t affect the daemon prince anymore. “It’s the only interesting thing I’ve had in two centuries so I’d like to savour it?”

“Actually that thing that did interest you two hundred years ago is what I want to talk about.” Answered Bakuryu calmly, making Basheet give him a puzzled look. “That hole that leads to another world you found back then, I want you to show me?”

*

Out in the breeze of a nice cool day on the grass plains, or what use to be the grass plains had been replaced with dozens of dug-up holes with mounds of dirt among them. These holes had been dug up all across stretching up to a mile radius and had pretty much destroyed the once beautiful plains.

The cause of all this was two black robed warriors, one had more stealth garments on and a hood, with dark long spiky hair that stretched down, was lanky built and pale. One watching him dig the hole more wore his black robes in a combat fashion, was short and stout with brunette and solid shaped that kept going. “Come on Merlick dig faster.”

“You know when I agreed to this, I didn’t think I’d be treasure hunter with you, Ruisus and your brother Burendan.” Grouched Merlick having to obey his whip lashing. “And I thought you would’ve had a more idea of where accurately to dig?”

“Hey our clan leader told us some treasure chest would be somewhere here.” Assured Ruisus.

“You do know he probably only said that some treasure would be here so he could get you two off his back.” Snarled Merlick betting he was really doing this for nothing.

“Enough theories!” Snapped Ruisus. “Keep digging!”

“Fine!” Yelled Merlick dropping his shovel and squeezing his fists. “You want me to dig all this soil up!” And then concentrating a field of chi around the landscape. “Then I’ll dig!” And only giving Ruisus enough time to jump back, Merlick used his psychic powers to scoop a wide stretch of land, exploding piles of dirt and grass into the air.

Having managed to get metres out of the way, Ruisus watched somewhat slightly amused, but started looking about before the torn up grass and dirt collapsed back over the ground. Once Ruisus had a good look at the uncovered landscape, he gave a stressed look and then called over to Merlick who had been gasped for breath out of rage and using such a large amount of chi. “Hey Merlick, could you do that again, I don’t think you went deep enough!”

“Forget it!” Snarled Merlick kicking the shovel that had been broken by his chi technique, then stomping off. “I’m tired of this pointless chest hunt!”

Figuring out what Merlick just said, Ruisus gave an unpleasant look after the psychic elemental and went. “You sticking up to me now!” And then rushing up after him. “We’ll see about that after I kick your a**-raagh!” Followed by the sounds of punching and kicking.

*

Sitting legs folded over the large river edge, a scarred warrior, with a cape over his back and standing short with dark brunette hair, was trying to keep his eye out for something. Getting impatient as he was awaiting something, he hollered out into the water. “Hey you found anything yet?”

In response, the river spat out gallons of water that nearly hit the warrior. The poured out water then begun to shift into a form, become solid and coloured and shift into a human being. The human being stood tall, with black jagged hair and long pointy ears, wearing a leather outfit with chainmail underneath and once he the last water drop of him became fresh, he turned around to the scarred person saying. “Sorry Burendan I really did find nothing.”

“Ugh, I’m blaming the map Ossuka gave us, it’s pretty lousy and unclear.” Grumbled the scarred warrior.

“How about I take a look at it?” The person that had came out of the river offered, holding out his hand.

“Fine Chitso, but just don’t damage it.” Warned Burendan.

“I won’t.” He chuckled taking the map and looking over it, but as he did Chitso gave a sort of funny look going. “Um Burendan you do realised this here is a crudely drawn map?”

“Yes.” Shruggered Burendan.

“With Ossuka’s signature at the bottom.” Pointed Chitso lowering for him to see it.

“What!” And disbelieving what he had just heard, Burendan pulled on the map and looked at it. Cringing into a form of anger, wondering why he never noticed that there and that it had been hoax by their clan leader, sneering. “Why that wise guy!” And socking Chitso in the face with his fist, imagining him as Ossuka right now, knocking the water person off his feet. “We’re going to have to get Ruisus and then go and kick the bandaged freak’s head in!” Ignoring that fact he had just knocked Chitso out.

*

Back in the daemon realm as things went on, Basheet and Bakuryu had travelled the plane for what would’ve been a fourty-two days worth in Earth time, but for them had only been an hour as such in their realm in a different universe sense. It was then they finally came to a mountain-height of rock rubble that had reached up to the sky.

Walking over to the foot of this rubble, Basheet dragged aside a few bits of rock that allowed Bakuryu to walk on up and look down to see what this mountain concealed. It was only a part of what it hid, but he could clearly see it was the rim of what would be a gigantic hole in the realm’s universe. Observing the portal with his unamused daemon eyes, Bakuryu asked. “So this is the portal, do you have any idea where it will take me?”

“Not really.” Confessed Basheet. “But the guy who went in years ago said he was brought to another physical realm, were he appeared as somewhat else in a different realm, were things like death and pleasure was possible again- but when he died he was brought back here.”

“And you said he died of old age?” Questioned Bakuryu continuing to look down on the portal.

“Yeah, so it’s kind of a bummer.” Admitted Basheet. “So you’re going to come back here eventually if you do go in there... And your Father will punish once you do.”

“Ah yes, my Father.” Responded Bakuryu in an amused tone, known as the tyrant king. A once beloved and worshipped king had grown into a benevolent and outright tyrant once their society had collapsed. With its fall, so had his sanity, denying that everything had gone to pot and that he was still a king, it only amused Bakuryu at how mature he was in comparison even after thousands of years and hadn’t seen him after a few centuries since that conclusion. “It won’t matter.”

“What do you mean?” Said Basheet being stupid.

“What can he do to me if I return?” Hissed Bakuryu despising his Father. “That is if?”

“If, but I said when you die you re-.” Stuttered Basheet.

“I know what you said.” Stopped Bakuryu. “We found a way to be immortal here, so once I assert my power in this realm, I’m going to find a way to be immortal there as well, I may end up desiring death as we do here, but atleast I’ll have an all new life experience, with things to amuse me and finally have a throne that my stupid Father won’t get in the way of.” Finding the most repulsive thing since the immortality was gained here, was that he’d never succeed his Father, in fact Bakuryu had tried to hinder the path of immortality until his Father’s death, but as it was seen it didn’t come true.

“Well do what you like then.” Submitted Basheet to Bakuryu’s ambition. “I ain’t stopping or joining you.”

“Then stay and enjoy your miserable existence then.” Spat Bakuryu before stepping into the rim of the portal.

*

Regrouped and on the move again, the four companions Chitso, Burendan, Ruisus and Merlick walked until they arrived into a remote village settlement. There they made book reservations for one of the places inns and went up to one of the rooms were they settled.

“Argh, I can’t believe Ossuka deceived me like that!” Yelled Burendan going around in circles in the centre of the room with Ruisus, with Chitso and Merlick sitting on their beds watching them. “And what’s worse you paid for these cabins Chitso, what’s with you, could’ve said we’d pay after we left and sneaked out instead without paying!”

“Sorry Burendan, but the reception was very nice to us and I couldn’t do something like that?” Explained Chitso.

“Ugh can’t be bothered with you at the moment!” Snarled Burendan to frustrated to argue. “But what are we going to do, I was going to use the loot we’d find to pay the fine for the shovel I stole and probably a few other fines if I did end up getting caught!”

“Me too!” Panicked Ruisus. “I’m going to kill Ossuka!”

“So am I?” Burendan agreed.

“I can’t believe you guys serve a clan leader like that?” Complained Merlick. “He does stuff like this to you guys all the time really and he’s a pain in the a**.”

“Oh shut up Merlick!” Snapped Burendan not in the mood for him either, but atleast willing to go on at him and stabbing his finger out at him. “You aren’t exactly the best clan leader yourself, should’ve taken a few Rock clan members with us to do some digging!”

“I was going to but you were like no, we’ll have to give them a cut!” Shouted Merlick angry.

“No we wouldn’t!” Argued Burendan.

“What?” Spun Merlick suddenly confused. “You were the one who said we’d have to give them a cut, no me!”

“Guys chill!” Interrupted Chitso before things got too intense. “How about we go up into the mountains tomorrow?”

“The mountains?” Stammered Ruisus puzzle.

“Yeah, they’ve never been excavated before so we might be able to find something up there?” Suggested Chitso.

“The reason they’ve never been excavated before is because there’s most likely nothing up there.” Pointed out Merlick.

“If Merlick thinks it’s a bad idea, I think it’s a good idea!” Declared Burendan raising his fist. “We shall take off tomorrow morning!”

“I don’t know why I’m with you guys.” Groaned Merlick shaking his head.

“Don’t worry Merlick.” Smiled Chitso. “It’ll be fun even if we don’t find anything.”

“We’ll kick in Merlick and probably you to Chitso if we don’t find anything!” Threatened Ruisus.

*

It had been a painful journeyed through the vortex links Bakuryu travelled in. He had felt as though his body and mind had been dissembled as he went through this ancestral river that connected the world he was travelling from and the world he was travelling to. But as he felt he was near the end of it all, he could also feel his body like it was being reassembled and reshaped so that it could make sense and be acknowledged to the world he was entering. Then as he could see the end of a white hole in this mystical place he was being drifted to, that flashed and blinded Bakuryu.

Wondering why everything was dark now and felt so different, he tried to figure out was going on. Feeling himself getting to what felt like his knees, images began to flicker into vision as he realised there was something covering his eyes that he could open with his mind, something that were like lids attached to him. Once he learnt the ability of opening them infront of his eyes he was astonished to what he saw.

Everything around him was completely different, the land, the night sky and his body. His body didn’t take much effort move it, but it amazed how unusual it was to him. It fleshy and lean, but toned muscular and strong as well, not as strong as it was back in the daemon realm, though somehow he could tell it was strong here. Other than that he realised he had hair as well, long black hay stacked hair, a slim smooth young face and long rectangle brown eyes.

Not only was his body different though, but his clothes that somehow the universe had changed it to still fit over him and be used of the material that existed in this world. He wore sheen leather boats, baggy cloth trousers and vest, with a ragged cloak hanging from his neck and shoulders. It somehow perplexed Bakuryu even that he was questioned why it almost didn’t make sense that the universe had corrected his clothes outfit, let alone his body.

Cutting into his pondering though was a frolicking voice shouting. “Hey- hey there’s someone over here!” And it amazed Bakuryu that he understood this language that he had never heard in his life before.

Rotating his head, Bakuryu saw emerging from the darkness was a white bearded man wearing an oddfit and approaching him hastily asking. “Hey you alright?” Rushing over to him and dropping to his side. “We saw this white flash over here and wondered what happened.”

Following the white-bearded man, came to other strangers that were both different to Bakuryu and the odd comparison was a bewilderment to him, especially when one asked. “Can he speak?”

The man then rested his hand on Bakuryu’s shoulder on him and the feeling of touches here was so unusual to him. As he thought about how odd it was, he was still able to hear the bearded man ask. “Can you speak?”

Nodding first, Bakuryu acted like he was nearly about to choke on something as he had never used a tongue before and didn’t know he had one until now, but answered in a cold tone. “Yes- I- can speak.” He went slowly.

“Are you alright?” Worried the bearded man. “You’re speaking kind of slowly do you remember who you are and where you came from.”

The odd words were working smoothly as an wheel rolling across a flat road to Bakuryu and the way he answered back was just the same as he went. “Y-yes, I am Baku-kuryu and where I come from- I you may never find out?” And the way he answered caused the group around him to be befuddled.

“Bakuryu, what an odd name?” One of the group members noted.

“Can you get up Bakuryu?” Asked the bearded man.

“Yes.” He nodded. “But- do you have anything sharp?”

“Sharp, are you tangled to the ground or something?” Stuttered the bearded man.

“Do you have anything sharp?” Insisted Bakuryu.

Giving a look to one of his comrades behind him, the bearded man saw no objections and went back to him and pulled out a knife and handed the hilt of it into Bakuryu’s hand.

Observing the fine blade against him, the group watched tensely to see what he would do with it. Then suddenly pressing the edge of it against his own arm, Bakuryu cut himself and caused panic and uproar amongst the group, with the bearded man snatching the knife off, shouting. “Are you crazy?”

But Bakuryu was too intent on watching the blood that erupted from his cut fall to the ground. “I am bleeding?”

“He must be a stupid Kiton with amnesia or something.” Snorted one of the men.

“Hold on.” Grumbled the bearded man holding out Bakuryu’s arm and then holding the tip of his finger that blew out a gust of chilling ice that froze of the slice over his arm. In sheer fascination, Bakuryu’s jaw dropped and his eyes stared at such magic.

“Don’t use your elemental powers!” One of his comrades snapped. “It’s a waste of chi, could’ve used a bandage instead!”

“I know what I’m doing.” Retorted the bearded man only thinking about a bandage now. “I was just trying to act fast.”

“Elemental powers, chi?” Copied Bakuryu two of the pick out words he chose.

“Yes we’re elementals.” Stuttered the bearded man back to him and when he noticed Bakuryu’s expression on his face that he was still confused. “You know people who are born with an extraordinary amount of energy called chi that can be harnessed into a specific physical form techniques like lightening or shadows?”

“How do you do that?” Questioned Bakuryu interested.

“Well I’m not sure if your an elemental suffering from amnesia or something, but.” And then recollecting his thoughts. “It’s just matter of focusing your imagination into something, so that your chi can copy it in its own form.”

“We don’t have time for this, let’s just get him up and go.” Whinned one of his comrades.

“Oh for sam sakes, I know what I’m doing!” Yelled the bearded man getting patient.

But before the two could complain to another, there was a burst of light amongst them that startled everyone, but Bakuryu who held a ball of fire over his open palmed hand. Everyone watched in amazement as they could see on the fireball wielders face he had learnt to harness this technique just now and was knew to such things.

“By joe, he’s a fire elemental.” Gawked one of the others.

“Aye he’s fire elemental so let’s go.” Hurried the impatient one.

Getting to his feet but still holding up the fireball, Bakuryu moved his attention to the one that had been rude. As they could see something strange was going on with him, the bearded man, still hutched down smoothly went. “Now Bakuryu be careful, such pow-.”

But without listening, the fireball merged with Bakuryu’s hand and crafting his fine motor limb into a spray of fire that gushed over the rude one and consumed him into a heat of blaze screaming and crying before he was completely incinerated. It was sheer shock to the remaining two as they step back, not just because Bakuryu was now turning on him, but they were also shocked at how easily he had sent one of them to a crisp.
Then before the two could get their heads together Bakuryu moved his flaming hand aiming over to the man that had been at his level talking to him and incinerated him just the same.

“What the-!” Screamed the remaining man horrified at what just happened. “Wh-Why!”

Ignoring his question, the daemon moved his hand infront him and watched as the flames dissipated and his hand changed back to normal.

In sheer disgust at how he could act so calmly after killing them two, the man screamed rushing up to Bakuryu with his fist thrown at him. But watching the fist move so slow, just as the rest of this realm was to him, Bakuryu simply moved his head aside, letting the punch fly beside his head. He then could see the movements in the man’s upperbody that made Bakuryu tell earlier that he was going to do a low kick to him, which he simply just leapt up in the air after the leg had been thrown out.

Peering down, Bakuryu could then tell that the man was simply breath-taken by how far he leapt. But jumping back down to his feet, the daemon this time waited and allowed the man to make another swift punch and hit against Bakuryu’s face. It was a surprise to both that the fire-elemental’s head was only nudged backwards.

It was just as much a shock to the man though as he realised Bakuryu was waiting for him to recover to try something else. Enraged by how helpless he was to him and was just being toyed with, he leapt back and begun to build up his chi around him.

Watching now very eager, this was what Bakuryu had wanted to see and when the man noticed this he became twice as enraged and was giving in all his effort into this, that he quickly begun to build infront of him with white frosting chi a giant ball of ice that was beginning to grow as big as him. It just continued to make Bakuryu more intrigued and eager.

Finally finishing conjuring his attack, the man launched the ball of ice shooting forward at an incredible speed that was amazing that Bakuryu had made a sudden counter attack of fire that appeared out infront of him and hit back against the ball.

The two forces of chi hit against one another, pushing against one another by their wielders. As the two attacks seemed deadlocked, the man screamed out with both hands aimed at the collision, focusing a final outburst of chi effort into the battle, causing the ice ball to ram its way through the torrent of flames. However keeping his arms idly by his side, Bakuryu simply pulsed another ounce of his own chi and in an instant the ice ball melted and shattered, with the flames consuming what remained and pushed onwards and like that the man had given up flopping down his arms with his eyes staring empty as his chi technique was destroyed and allowed himself to be swallowed up by the fires.

*

Making an early start to the morning, Chitso was slumped sitting outside with his back against the Inn already up and early. Though the same couldn’t be said for the others or that’s what he hoped, it was possible that Burendan and Ruisus were probably having another start in the morning by attacking Merlick. It was never understood why the two picked on Merlick, it was that they just did.

Either way Chitso had just been staring blankly forward, just gazing. He recalled it wasn’t long ago since he got back from the Sostaki war, problem was that he never saw any action. When his clan had the call for war, he didn’t expect them to be used in reserve and let alone for it to be a bloodless war.

It was the problem for Chitso at the moment he never got enough excitement he moaned at times. The Ossuka clan was meant to be a half combat orientated clan and half domestic clan and Chitso mainly had to do things like domestic tasks for the clan. It was due the fact he wasn’t as skilled fighters as some of the other members and his own skills were just as useful for domestic purposes, plus whenever they did get some action, Burendan and Ruisus would do just as much as him.

While Chitso thought about this, he was interrupted by someone calling. “Hallo mr.” Making him take his attention way to see a group of kids watching him. “Are you an elemental?”

“Oh yeah, yeah I’m an elemental.” Replied Chitso a bit embarrassed now.

“Does that mean you’ve been in fights?” One asked.

“Um well a few, not that many life or death situation fights, but I have had experience.” He admitted.

“Mr.” Went the child.

“Please call me Chitso.” Chitso lauged.

“Chitso, what does it take to be an elemental?” He asked.

Hearing that usual question a few times, Chitso gave his usual answer saying. “Well you don’t become an elemental on your own.” Chitso corrected. “It’s more by chance you become an elemental due to the birth of a large quantity of chi, which eventually blends in with your surroundings or what your personality relates to or family history, sometimes just shift into an element.”

Before Chitso could continue on explaining though, he they were interrupted by a foot crashing through the door sending splinters and chunks of wood to fly out and for the water elemental to shift into his liquid form.

“Darn it!” Cursed Burendan shouting from inside the house and pulling his foot back out of the door. “The door was suppose to swing open!” And then probably open the door to get out.

Reshaping back into his solid form on two feet, Chitso could hear the kids gawking at him after using his speciality technique. It made him proud that one of the techniques he was best at, turning his physical form into water was suppose to be a very difficult thing to control for other water elementals.

Noticing what was going on, Burendan yelled. “Hey Chitso quit showing off, we have some looting to do!” And following up behind Burendan through the door was Ruisus and behind him was Merlick with a few bruises.

Relieved that they were finally off now, Chitso waved to the other kids. “I have to go now, being seeing you guys?”

“Are you off to do some fighting?” Wondered one of the kids.

“Depends if there’s anyone who doesn’t like us up in the mountains.” Said Chitso hastily as the group marched away. “But like I said being seeing you guys.”

“Okay see you Chitso!” Waved the kids back seeing the group go off.

*

Out in the open fields, farmers were hard at work with the wheat being collected at the right time of season in order to keep up with stockpile for the village. But as one of the farmers was stretch his back, he saw someone walking out from over the plains, with black cloak garbed around him like a wanderer which he perhaps was.

Placing his hand over his mouth he hollered. “Hey hallo, you lost or something, there’s village settlement over that way yonder!” He then expected for the person to respond, but only saw him continue to walk on towards him. Turning to his work mates behind him the farmer asked. “Hey do any of you lads know that guy?”

When he expected them to unless say no, they instead dropped their jaws and looked up behind him. Trying to see why, the farmer was immediately spooked when he saw that the person had just appeared behind him from such a distance.

“You.” He went, staring coldly at the farmer. “Where is this village of yours?”

“Now hold on who are you?” The farmer demanded.

But soon as the farmer raised that kind of tone the strange grabbed his throats sending everyone on edge and worried now as they saw him simply lift their friend off his feet. The strange then repeated. “Where is this village of yours?” But tightened his grip on the farmer’s throat after getting irritated at him grabbing at his arms. “I will ask again, where is this village of yours?”

“What is it that you want to argh!” Chocked the farmer before suddenly being ignited into flames that sprayed all over him magically in the stranger’s grasps.

Accepting the fact he was dead now, the stranger dropped his corpse and looked at the other farmers who raised their scythes and sickles, quivering in fear and outrage at him. Only gazing at them with cool expression though, the stranger asked again. “Now I will ask again to one of you- where is your village?”

*

Out still making their way to the mountains for some digging, the four of them walked on foot with their backpacks and satchels and were making usual conversation with Ruisus going. “I am not giving you that much of a cut Merlick!”

“Why not I’m did the most the work last time!” Complained Merlick. “And by what you’re telling me I’m going to have to do most the work again!”

“Only because you were slacking with all that work!” Countered Ruisus.

“How was I slacking, I dug up atleast fifty-six holes!” Argued Merlick.

While the two argued, Burendan noticed how silent Chitso was deep in thought and decided to ask. “Hey Chitso, something up?”

Jerking on the spot, Chitso had caused to get his friends attention who were looking at him funny now, that he stammered. “What no, nothings up?”

“Something’s up Chitso, after about three years with you I can tell when somethings up.” Sneered Burendan.

Knowing that was true and he had been wanting to say it, Chitos gripped one of his legs as they moved on and tensely said. “Well I hear in about six months time that Kiwizoe will be coming back to our island?”

“What you mean that Kiton who cursed you?” Asked Burendan.

“Um yeah.” Nodded Chitso. “But I think because she’s coming here, I’ll have a chance to fix things and lift the curse.”

“Sure she won’t have moved on?” Suspected Burendan. “It’s been four years since.”

There was silence now as Chitso considered, not about the question but how to answer. “I hope not.” He gave a bit of doubt it his voice. “She’s a kiton after all, people are afraid to go out with her.”

“Only some people man.” Jumped in Merlick. “Kitons still get a lot of guys going for them, even if they are afraid of the curse.”

Knowing that was also true, Chitso decided to quickly change the subject by saying. “Anyways, do you think next time we see Ossuka, we should ask for more exciting missions, like taking down renegade elementals?”

“Only thing I’m thinking about when I see Ossuka next time is just plain kicking his a**.” Growled Burendan still angry with him.

“Honestly dude, if you want some more action and excitement you should join my clan and get all the excitement you want?” Persuaded Merlick.

“For lord sakes Merlick, your frickin’ rock clan does nothing, for a popular clan, it’s nothing more than a lazy, do nothing clan.” Grumbled Ruisus. “And stop trying to get Chitso to join your clan or I’ll really hurt you!”

“We’re more of a laid back clan.” Putted Merlick. “We do as we want and I’m just reminding him though that he can leave the Ossuka Empire clan for mine.”

“Well stop it!” Ordered Ruisus.

“Sorry Merlick, but I do feel more comfortable being in the Ossuka Empire clan.” Smiled Chitso not trying to be ungrateful for the invite.

“Anyways Chitso, I thought you weren’t the violent type anyhow?” Thought Burendan.

“Just when it comes to bar brawls Burendan, never been for the senseless violence type.” Shuddered Chitso. “I want it in a more adventure way where we’re doing it for justice and survival.”

“Heck there’s enough doing it for survival and justice when you come across those dirty knife fighter types.” Grumbled Burendan. “Like who brings a knife to a bar brawl?”

“Obviously the ones who feel threatened after you punch them in the face for no apparent reason?” Joked Chitso.

“Hey don’t go anywhere to get a drink unless you’re prepared to have a proper bar fight.” Stated Burendan.

“By the way Chitso why does your backpack look so light?” Noticed Ruisus.

“What do you mean?” Asked Chitso Befuddled.

“You’re supposed to be carrying the shovels and pickaxes.” Recalled Ruisus.

The entire group halted as Chitso paused to remember and went with a low embarrassed tone. “Oh yeah- I think I forgot them!”

“What!” Cried Burendan slamming his fist into the water elemental’s face knocking him into the ground. “You forget them, this means we have to go back?”

“Chill we might as well use our elemental powers to dig up underneath the mountain.” Suggested Merlick, but then received his own punch by Burendan knocking him into the ground as well.

“Are you crazy!” Burendan demanded. “Do you know how much chi that would use up and how exhausted we’d be!”

“Looks like we’ll have to walk back then and get the tools.” Moaned Ruisus.

“Ugh I hope you’re happy Chitso.” Gritted Burendan. “Because I’m not, I hate walking back and forth for your mistakes!”

*

After the four did begrudgingly arrive back at the village, they came into quite a commotion going around. They spotted people shouting and debating amongst each other, others scrambling with luggage and grabbing families and while there were just those huddled on the floor and in total dismay.

Looking at the scene with more of a stupid look. “Okay- we just left for about ten minutes and this happens?” Said Merlick breaking the silence among them.

“Hah shows how long people can’t be without the almighty Burendan!” Cackled the scarred warrior flexing himself to try and look mighty, having his ego go for him again.

“I really dislike being near you at times.” Grouched Merlick.

“Hey!” Called a small voice, making the group turn their heads to see some of the children Chitso met earlier running to them. “You’re elementals right?” And when they all nodded for yes, the kids started all speaking at once shouting over one another’s voices and waving and jumping to get attention.

“Hold it!” Stopped Ruisus none this could go on all day for them to try and be heard, that he pointed to one of the kids snapping. “You what’s going on here!”

“There’s a big scary elemental that uses fire coming to our village!” Screamed the child. “He hurt the people at the farms to tell where we were and we don’t know what he wants from us, but we need someone to stick up for us!”

“Wait what, don’t you have I don’t know people here to stick up for you or just overwhelm him with all the people here when he comes?” Assumed Merlick.

“No, the most we had to stick up for us were the people at the farms, but they couldn’t take him!” Snivelled the child looking desperate. “He’s coming this way and we need you guys to take him on because you’re all elementals that can challenge him!”

“Look if this elemental is attacking non-elementals and threatening the village he’s breaking the law which means you can inform the government to intervene it’s more their thing.” Highlighted Ruisus. “Plus you can even higher out some nearby bounty hunters and mercenaries?”

“We don’t have access to either of those choices!” Barked one of the adult males coming into the conversation. “This is a remote village, most elementals don’t attack us because they have no interest and know the consequences for defying their contract against the government, though this one does seem to have an interest in our village and probably does know the consequence but is not caring, without those the village is helpless unless you four try to protect us?”

Before any of the other three elementals could say something, Chitso popped up. “We’ll do it then- we’ll protect your village!”

“You crazy.” Hissed Ruisus. “We have no idea of the full situation of-?”

“We’ve got a rampant fire elemental that’s attacking a village that he hurt others to find.” Said Chitso in a surprising excited tone. “This is the sort of thing that I’d like Ossuka to be getting us to be doing?”

“Yes, but we’re getting ourselves involved in something that we may not want to be a part of?” Argued Ruisus.

“And what if we do?” Countered Chitso. “You heard them, their defenceless against this elemental and we’re the only ones who can protect them, if he’s doing attacking them for a unrighteous reason?”

Giving his friend a funny look, Ruisus only responded saying. “What is with you today?”

“Be it so you’re not afraid of going up against a fire elemental?” Chuckled Chitso.

Taking that as both an insult and a challenge, Burendan knocked his fist into the water elemental’s face, hitting him into the ground, yelling. “I am afraid of nothing!” Then turning back to the crowd with his fist still raise, he then yelled to them. “Alright, I’ll beat the wisecrack out of this fire elemental, for I am Burendan and I can kick anyone’s a**!”

There was a cheer from the audience with thankyous and praises that made the decision whether to go and confront the fire elemental settled now.

“I take it I might as well come as well.” Guessed Merlick.

“Yeah might as well!” Seconded Burendan just before smashing his fist into him next.

*

Going in the direction the daemon was said to have come from, the four made an easy pace with their backpacks trusted with the good will of the people for what they were doing with them. They had been a little silent this time as there was a mixture of feelings among them, from things like tense to just plain excited. Breaking it now out of sight of the village Ruisus grumbled to Chitso with his face giving him a hard look. “Honestly Chitso what is with you?”

“Huh?” Stammered Chitso repeating a similar scene that happened less than an hour ago.

“You really are just acting odd today aren’t you?” Claimed Ruisus. “Like you really just jumped us into this, you’re normally not too caring?”

“Well it’s just that there’s this guy torching things and has to be stop.” Quivered Chitso lying.

“Yes, but back there I would’ve imagined you thinking more logically like to contact Ossuka or wondering what help we could get?” Stated Ruisus. “But here you’re getting us to charge headfirst into a situation we don’t fully know?”

“I’d have to agree Chitso, you aren’t acting like yourself?” Doubled Merlick.

Feeling cornered now, Chitso always treated Ruisus’ speciality of analysing situations and that more of a bad thing then a good thing. Either way he was forced to come out and say. “Alright it’s to do with Kiwizoe again?” Moaned the water elemental hating to admit it. “I just want to be able to impress her with actually when I tell her what I’ve been doing and that, it’s one reason why I honed my combat skills and hoped to be able to take down the injustice?”

Everyone kept their silence for a moment, until Burendan decided to say with his fist rose smirking. “When you go on a glory rant you remember to keep us in some of the details?” Warned Burendan. “Though I guess if you let me have all the fun, you can say whatever you want about her?”

Giving a smile back to his best friend, Chitso gave a kind rejection. “No thanyou friend, but I believe I’m doing this for some of the fun as well.”

“Suit yourself.” Grinned Burendan turning his face back on course. “I just feel sorry for the guy going up against all of us.”

“You have to remember that we’re classed as common elementals and aren’t considered strong, chi-wise.” Putted Merlick not to receive a punch from either of two brothers, Ruisus and Burendan. “Therefore I think it would be wise to come up with a plan or tactic when we come up against this guy encase he’s anything higher class, the gap between us can be a big deal?”

“For once Merlick has a point.” Nodded Ruisus trying to resist punching him for making him say that. “Do anyone have any suggestions?”

“Yeah, me first!” Declared Burendan.

“Well that’s one tactic when we have to fight.” Said Merlick sarcastically. “But how about before we dive into things?”

“Would you be able to get a rough chi level from mind reading him Merlick?” Enquired Ruisus. “After all, mind reading is your psychic specialty?”

“Yes, I’ll be able to tell what class he is and probably find out his intentions to reason with him easier?” Admitted Merlick.

“Now we also should consider what if he’s stronger than us?” Advised Ruisus.

“Well this here’s a plain field, there’s nowhere some of us could hide and ambush him from.” Pointed out Chitso.

“Aye but there’s a river nearby, so what I suggest we try and keep near the river.” Smirked Ruisus. “That way you can merge your chi with the water, saving it having to shift some of your own to form elemental techniques, to reserve chi.”

“Well that saves us with an environmental advantage.” Sighed Merlick not finding it particularly useful. “Anything else?”

“I don’t think we have much more time to come up with a battle plan?” Believed Chitso gazing up ahead. “I think that’s him?”

Seeing ahead, the group saw quietly pacing through the open fields a shrouded in a blacken cloak around him, a person with streaked back black hair and with a stone hardened person who patiently came on them.

Welcoming with a grin and punching his left palm, Burendan grinned. “Finally.”

Without saying, Merlick closed his eyes and focused his mind. It was more easier to use his elemental powers by touching the target, so that he could easily guide his mind to the other to read it. But either way as he stood still for some time, concentrating his thoughts to and chi to find the person to build a chi connection, a bridge to relay thoughts, once Merlick did though something happened. Falling into a gasp and shutter, the mind reader collapsed his knees to the ground grasping his head, with the Chitso holding onto him to keep him up.

“Merlick what happened!” Panicked Chitso concerned.

“His mind- it’s not normal.” Gulped Merlick.

“Wh-what do you mean not normal?” Befuddled Ruisus listening in.

“For one it’s huge with lots of memory as though he’s lived for centuries on end and its mechanism is different.” And then taking a moment to think maybe why, Merlick came up with a whole different answer saying. “Like he comes from a whole different world- a whole different universe were things work differently?”

“How can that be?” Wondered Chitso.

“Well I doubt this here is the only dimension and it’s probably possible to cross them- I don’t know.” Shocked Merlick. “But either way he isn’t a normal living being and shouldn’t probably exist in this universe.”

“Well in that case let me un-exist him then!” Growled Burendan about to stomp over to the mysterious man. “I’ll pummel him outside this universe if I have to!”

“Wait Burendan!” Halted Ruisus. “We still don’t know what his intentions or how powerful he is, we should confront him first then pummel him if we have to!”

“Fine.” Sneered Burendan, knowing his brother had good points when it came to these things.

They waited until the shrouded man had walked into speech distance of them, which then he halted, giving them a solemn glare at all of them, unsure of who they were. But as Merlick got up again, he spoke up for him. “Hey there, the names Merlick, clan leader of the rock clan.” In an indifferent tone.

Taking a moment to respond back, the person said. “I am Bakuryu.” In a brimming tone. “Mind telling me what you are all doing in my way?”

There was tension amongst the four as they noticed Bakuryu’s introduction wasn’t as formal as Merlicks, but stepping forward to continue the conversation. “We heard that there was a fire elemental that had been attacking a farm in the direction you came from and was on this way to the village behind us, are you that fire elemental?”

“What if I was?” Bakuryu responded.

“Nice one bro?” Congrated Burendan limping back up, after the explosions had ended.

“What can I say?” Said Ruisus being modest. “Bakuryu here is just starting to get real predictable, that I knew getting him to unleash one of his big fire elemental attacks, I used a highly sensitive and unstable chemical element for him to end up bring it too it’s unnatural temperature and blow it up point black in his own face.”

The way they phrased that showed they knew Bakuryu was alive in his ash of smoke and rain of dirt around him and even though the two knew all that, they just wanted to rub it in the daemon’s face.

While the smoke was clearing, fire lit up inside of it as something was getting really angry. Keeping his voice to a more quiet level, Merlick lurched over on his sword as though it were a cane and hushed. “Nice indeed, but are any of you noticed that Bakuryu’s chi is getting stronger and it’s not because he’s using better chi attacks?”

Able to tell that the flames inside the smoke were coming closer, Ruisus replied. “Yeah, I doubt he was able to summon fire attacks like that before, but at the same time I think Bakuryu’s reaction and timing of things are becoming slower?”

“Are you getting at something Ruisus?” Sensed Burendan.

“Actually I’m coming up with a theory?” Said Ruisus holding his fringe with his right hand. “The longer this daemon stays in our universe, he begins to adapt more here and adapt less to his own home, meaning that he’s losing the advantage of seeing and hearing things slower to increase his reaction, but at the same time, because he’s became a living being in this world, he’s only begun to be fused with chi, meaning the longer he stays in as well, the whole lot more chi he gains, which means this battles becoming more pointless by the minute considering he’s only getting stronger at an incredible pace.”

“This battle isn’t getting pointless?” Groaned Chitso and the rest turned to saw him, as he gripped his arm after it had been entirely pushed to fend off Bakuryu’s attack. “You say he’s getting stronger at a rapid pace, we have to defeat him before he does get too strong for anyone to beat?”

“Yes but I don’t think we’re the ones to do it?” Argued Merlick. “I don’t think any of us know how much strong he’ll get if things keep up like this?”

“The more reason why we have to beat this guy down and now?” Persisted Chitso. “At the moment he’s beatable?”

“Not really.” Disagreed Ruisus. “He just survived an explosion like and seems to be walking out of it fine, while half of us are limping from trying to do that.”

“But how strong do you think he’s going to get if we just leave him?” Pointed out Chitso.

“Hopefully not as much as we are fighting him now.” Countered Ruisus. “He does seem to be accelerating his chi at a very fast rate because of the experience he’s gaining throughout this.”

“Still, I don’t want to run away.” Complained Chitso. “Not when he’s going to be as weak as he’s going to get?”

Before either Merlick or Ruisus could argue, Burendan came up saying. “Well I’m not running away either, especially from someone’s a** I can still kick.” Grinned the scar-faced warrior. “Come on, I’m Burendan here I can beat anyone here and I can certainly beat that guy into the ground!”

“Okay if you’re all going to stay I might as well stay as well.” Gave in Ruisus. “And you’re staying as well Merlick so don’t think of chickening out!”

“Hey I’m the same story as you as well!” Bellowed Merlick.

“I do hope you all have finished considering if you want to die now or later.” Growled Bakuryu presence emerging from the smoke blowing aside with dots of flames around him standing in a circle of fire. “Because it doesn’t matter where you go, this world was mine the minute I stepped into it and the moment you crossed me and all aggravated me was the moment you should’ve known your lives had been drastically shortened.”

“Honestly do you know how much I’m going to hurt you if you keep talking to me like that!” Warned Burendan shaking his fist at him.

“You though are going to die now!” Roared Bakuryu just about had it. The spots of flames around him ignited into beams of fires that shot towards Burendan.

The attack was that fast and an incredible that there was no way for Burendan to react then bring up his arms in time. As a result the number of powerful inferno alignments that struck against him and only for a moment was Burendan able to hold his ground before the being hurled back with the fire blast ramming into him across the field, until it faded away and allowed scarred warrior to fumble against the ashen battlefield.

“Burendan!” Screamed Ruisus upset by the scene.

“Now your next.” Signalled Bakuryu.

Without making any other movement, the daemon fired out another barrage of fire blasts that targeted on the warrior. Able to forsee it though, Ruisus pressed his left hand against the surface and caused the earth from underneath to tear and spit up into the air with him on it. This had gotten Ruisus to successfully leap over the fire attack, but then moving his feets, he tilted the torn up earth he was standing on and aimed at Bakuryu and next kicked it out at him. Reacting to the piece of dirt topped with grass thrown at him, the daemon stood as he was, but shifted one of the specks of fire on him into a tendril of flame and lashed it out at the flying object and crushed it.

Intending for that to happen, Ruisus had dropped back down onto his feet and led a charge with Merlick and Chitso behind him. Even though his reactions were slower now to this realm, Bakuryu didn’t precisely care, he still had the upper hand in this battle and could see the attack coming. The fire ring around him begun to levitate itself from the ground and begun to rapidly spin about in place around its master, following that were fire balls that spat out from the rim of the ring at its attackers.

Unprepared for this next new technique, Ruisus had still acted on reflexes to dodge and jump over a couple of the fireballs, but was eventually skidded across the arm by one of the fire attacks that put him off balance enough to fall directly infront of another ball that boomed into his chest and caused himself to flip back into the ground.

Continuing the assault, Chitso and Merlick at a more far back distance to have more time to respond to the situation, the water elemental reverted into his water form, while the psychic brought up another barrier that deflected the chi attacks. The fireballs crashing against the force field and being swept aside as Merlick rushed onto confront the daemon head on.

Moving suddenly though, Bakuryu pounced forward, smashing through his own ring harmlessly and appearing right up in front of Merlick, whispering “I still haven’t forgot what you did to my arms.” And blasting point blank from the centre of his eyes and blaze of fire that swam over the psychic before he could properly react to the situation. Unable to hold up his barrier with the amount of chi this fire attack used, Merlick’s defence broke and was fully overwhelmed by the attack and then thrown back where he went hitting against the ground and landed completely slumped.

Satisfied that that was him, Bakuryu turned about just in time and turned his head aside to allow a fist to flying pass his head. “Now.” The daemon mused to the water elemental facing him. “to take care of you and start eliminating your kind.” And kneeing him in the gut doubling over the water elemental for him to receive another knee that smashed into his chin causing Chitso to stand up again. About to unleash another torrent of flames, Chitso evaporated into water before Bakuryu could fire it point blank on him.

Using his liquid form to hurl himself back a distance and then shift himself solid again a distance away from Bakuryu, Chitso opened up both his hands spread open to conjure up two solid water bubbles. Aiming them, Chitso tossed the one water liquid first and then catapulted the other behind it. Yet again reacting very little, Bakuryu this time relied upon the atmosphere that had become so hot around him as he increasingly used fire attacks and had made the water bubbles explode before they could actually reach the daemon who marched on the water elemental.

Leaping back again to continue to try and keep a distance, Chitso aimed both hands and yelled out. “Mizu Bakufuu!” and shot from his palm a large water blast that rushed on forward and collided against Bakuryu. Knowing it had hit, but something was wrong, all Chitso could was to now give it his all and double the power and strength of his attack, enlarging the water attack and speed.

Showing it had been no use though, a flare darted out from his technique and pierced against Chitso’s chest, sizzling him. Trying not to stop even with his chainmail burnt through into his chest, Chitso kept up his attack keeping both hands out and concentrating the mind resuming up this raging whirlpool.

Continuing to show it wasn’t working, a few more flares hissed out of the water technique and tortured against Chitso. Not giving in, Chitso screamed out and maxed out all he had, though after a few brief seconds that was when the he had finally popped his limit and the water elemental’s attack was halted. As the water elemental dropped to all fours panting and trying to stay up, throwing aside what was left of the attack was thrown aside by wing-like flames opening up with Bakuryu among them looking down unimpressed at Chitso.

“You done?” Questioned Bakuryu walking up to him again and as Chitso was unable to answer, the daemon booted against his chin and somehow caused the water elemental to flip on over and fall to his back cringing in pain from that. Stepping up closer over the water elemental “Pathetic.” Criticized the fiend just before slamming his foot on top of Chitso making him cry out. “Honestly won’t kind of garbage are you.” Bakuryu went on continuing to stomp his foot on him. “Your weak, cowardly and really just pathetic on how you just rely on your friends, me and I’m strong and you should learn to know that.” And then hovering a bead of fire over Chitso’s face was twisted in pain and curled his body together from all the stomps across it. “Too bad you never will.” Sighed the daemon before the bead jetted into a flame of fire over the water elemental.

*

Unsure to what happened in that last moment, he couldn’t tell what happened afterwards. He could feel as though his body was light and was being carried through by a gentle current, that travelled him across what appeared to be either darkness or merely his eyes shut an unable to open. It made him question if he was alive or dead or somewhere in between.

But then calling out his name was the gentle whisper. “Chitso.” Had triggered him to reopen his eyes and he was totally breathtaking by what he saw. All around him was this weird void, full of darkness that contained bright lights that continually rained all over so beautifully. Dazzled by such a beauty, Chitso gawked. “Where am I?”

“Let’s call it an invented place for where you and me to discuss things Chitso?” Drifting down from where the lights were falling from until she was only just above the water elemental. Chitso was then startled at how radiant this girl shown out with angel like wings, dark hair, a long wise but very nice face, firm body and such beauty. “And I have also came in a form into a desired form to also discuss things?”

For who exactly thought Chitso, but it wasn’t the most important question, the real question he wanted to ask was. “What am I doing here, what’s going on, who are you?”

“I am a representative of beings, from another universe like Bakuryu, the daemon prince you are fighting, but we have more to do with your world that you can imagine.” She said in a soft voice. “We oversee and watch destinies and fates unravel in your realm and ensure its balance, but now that balance is under threat.”

“Huh?” Worried Chitso.

“We know of Bakuryu, the world he came from use to be a paradise where people lived in harmony and prosperity, however they sought no morality or satisfaction that they soon uncovered the secrets of immorality and that is when everything begun to change for them, they became far more corrupt and everything became so meaningless until the end of their existence or as it was meant to be.” Told the angel being. “That is until Bakuryu, who was never satisfied and already fully corrupt before gaining immortality, had done what we had not foreseen and defied this fate and even further beyond our sight he has manifested into your world and holds the threat of defying even more things and causing other things that were not meant to be, that it holds a danger to far many other things.”

“So what am I expected of this?” Chilled Chitso.

“He cannot be allowed to destroy you Chitso, you hold a destiny that is far great that is tied to so many other things, for that destiny to go would cause a collapse in far more many things to come.” Predicted the angel. “Furthermore you are facing Bakuryu’s while he is most vulnerable, as you said back in your realm is powers will continue to grow to an unpredictable rate, therefore I am asking you defeat him here and now before his strength goes on any further.”

“I will.” Nodded Chitso with his fist raised, “After all I was already doing that wasn’t I?” with a grin.

Giving a nod back, the angel’s face remained neutral speaking “Your realm and the many other realms are counting on you” and suddenly Chitso was levitated and his form to fade from this place.

“Wait?” Wobbled Chitso trying to get his footing. “May I ask why is it that you and these other overseers can’t take care of Bakuryu yourselves?”

This time the angel smirked finding that a funny question. “For one if we were to walk into your realm we would cause far more damages to the destinies and futures yet to come and not only to your own realm.” She answered. “And two it is not our place, this is your realm that must be defended and by you.”

“Okay, but any idea on how I can defeat him?” Asked Chitso quickly as he tried to stop himself from fading for now.

“When you left off, you had completely used up all your chi, we will rejuvenate a fragment of it.” Informed the angel. “You must ignore what Bakuryu has been saying, by that I mean rely upon your friends, combine the power of your chi with theirs, it is what makes you strong.”

“Yes.” Stuttered Chitos, but finding it hard to be enough he went. “But how’s that going to be enough, he has that much chi to counter us?”

“Listen?” Requested the angel. “Even though Bakuryu uses chi like you do in your realm, he uses it completely differently to any other elemental due to the way he does things and that he is able to, he forces and breaks the will of chi, making it not as resilient or dominate as other chi, while your chi grew up with you and bonded with yours, making it far more determined and able to assist in making you stand.”

“Okay, but?” Blurted Chitso wanting to ask something else, but his body finally began to rapidly fade as he was no longer insisted in staying.

“Farewell Chitso.” Ended the Angel watching Chitso go. “Once you presume your destiny, it will bring many rewards and many pains.”

Unable to ask what she meant, Chitso felt as though his throat was being strangled as he was being brought back to his body.

*

Waking up again Chitso could feel his chest being pressed on again and again. He coiled up his head to see Ruisus doing SPR on him groaning. “Come on Chitso, there’s no way I’m going to do mouth-to-mouth with you.”

“Good thing I woke back up again?” Wheezed Chitso knowing Ruisus probably would force himself to have to.

Then before Ruisus could respond to that, Chitso quickly received a kick to the head with Burendan yelling. “Do you have any idea how much you worried us Chitso, almost thought you were dead!”

“I think I was for a moment.” Admitted Chitso recovering his breath.

“I hope it’s brought you to your senses anyhows and realised we can’t beat this guy?” Concerned Ruisus.

“No, I had a dream- or something a moment ago where we have to beat this guy here and now.” Denied Chitso.

“Chitso, I’m fine with you wanting to stay here and fight.” Confessed Ruisus. “But you don’t need to go on about dreams and garbage.”

“Wait but there was an angel that told me what I needed to do-“ Talked Chitso.

“Chitso, you know how I feel about messiahs and preachers don’t you?” Reminded Burendan. “And if you’re going to start being like one I will kick your a**!”

“Would you guys just listen?” Demanded the water elemental. “Wait where’s Merlick and weren’t you guys down when I last saw and shouldn’t I be toasted?” Wondering if it was some divine intervention.

“We were down, but not out.” Explained Ruisus. “Before you passed out and Bakuryu was about to toast you, I got in there and dragged your good for nothing weight out of there, where Burendan got up and held him off, but when he couldn’t and I was still needing you to get out of distance from another attack of his, Merlick luckily came along and held him off.”

It explained why Chitso could hear the slicing of wind and battle cries. Over from where they were, the water elemental could see the daemon casually making sport of Merlick by dodging and side-stepping all his blade attacks. However the psychic was letting Bakuryu be entertained enough until the team reorganised itself.

“I’m really grateful you guys saved me?” Smiled Chitso. “But anyways, what I got was that were suppose to use all the chi we have together to form one attack in order to beat Bakuryu.”

“What, Chitso I’m sorry, I am willing to keep on fighting, but I think we should take more advantage of his slowing down reaction and lowering senses?” Suggested Ruisus. “His chi’s gotten to a state where it’s far too powerful, that he’ll just throw an elemental attack that’ll just wipe out ours.”

“Yes in a more infinite way, but not a strength way?” Contradicted Chitso. “If we form out chi together, it should grow twice as strong.”

“Chitso, I know plenty about the science of chi and I’d have to stay merging our chi would be very difficult, even if me and Burendan used a water elemental technique and would be hard to focus it.” Explained Ruisus. “We’d have to act like our minds are one so that our chi combined together and formed one attack.”

“Yes but we’ve known one another for years.” Stated Chitso.

“Two years about actually.” Corrected Ruisus.

“Still doesn’t it feel like years since we’ve known one another?” Persuaded Chitso. “We know what each of us is like that we can almost think alike if we tried, I think if we tried now we’d be able to push ourselves we might just do it.”

And just as Bakuryu got tired of Merlick, he leapt up into the air just as Merlick sliced his swords underneath his feet and then the daemon slammed both feet into his face, sending the psychic flinging across the field. Dropping smoothly back onto both feet, Bakuryu then begun to walk up and over to the trio in order to finish what had been started.

Believing that the time for discussion was over now, Ruisus sighed and agreed. “Okay, fine let’s do it then.” And then getting up.

“Heck fine with me as well.” Shuddered Burendan.

“Thanks guys.” Heaved Chitso getting up and then as the daemon approached, he shouted out. “Hey Bakuryu, you wouldn’t have happened to have been a prince back in your lands did you?”

Giving the water elemental a bizarre look, the daemon decided it didn’t really matter and answered. “Yes.”

“So it was real.” Whispered Chitso to himself and then shouted out again. “Alright guys, let’s do this thing!” And begun to conjure up his chi.

Following up after him, Burendan and Ruisus placed their crunched arms by their side and begun to work up chi also. Winds of energy blew around them as their chi became physical at how concentrated and tamed it was becoming to form a technique.

Questioning if they were serious or if this was an illusion, it took time for Bakuryu to figure out what they were doing. Seeing that he was in rear range, Chitso called out to him. “Hey Bakuryu, you wouldn’t happened to have been a prince back in your realm?”

Giving the water elemental another befuddled look, it took time for Bakuryu to go. “Why do you ask that?”

“Does it really matter?” Shouted Chitso.

Taking a moment to think, the daemon decided it didn’t and answered. “Yes, in a matter of fact I am/”

“Then I know I’m right.” Chitso whispered amongst his friends.

Deciding not to ask what that was about, the two brothers continued to channel up their chi. All three of them were now trying to get an identical chi focus with one another, not wanting to use too little or too much compared to each other, it had to exactly match and as well as that they were having to time they’re attack and have it in a acceptable position.

It took just a minute until they all shouted out as three at once. “Now!” And threw their right-hands forward in an similar rythem and unleash from the palm of them “Mizu Bakufuu!” a blast of water that raged out. All three water blasts that emerged soared across the ground and the calamity of it’s chi level was tearing up the ground as well, throwing aside piles of dirt or crashing it deeper into the earth. The attacks themselves were just of immense quantity all together as they shot forward directly at Bakuryu.

Keeping an unimpressed expression on him, the most the daemon did was light up a smoulder of fire hovering before him. Just as the coalition of attack of torrents had just about reached him, Bakuryu channelled his chi to cause the fire to become a titanic blast of its own that rippled throughout the atmosphere until it clashed against the water blasts.

The two physical form sides of energy began to shove and compress together, water evaporated and fire steamed, but the energies were quickly being reformed by the energy users. As the two energies battled, earth and dirt thrown aside by the level and scattered chi thrown and the surface itself shock under such magnitude. Steadily though, the fire blast was pushing the water blasts back underneath its mighty weight, even though the water blasts were remaining solid.

Staying cool though, the trio tried to make sure their techniques held just for them to focus and channel their energies. Then as they pulled their left hand back, the friends cried out at once. “Double Mizu Bakufuu!” and pushed their other hand forward that called forth for the water attack to grow twice as big, big enough for the water attacks to merge together. Then as the three aligned the blasts and kept at a delicate pace, they had fused the water attacks into one big attack, that torpedoed against the fire technique and begun to ram back against it.

Remaining cool as his fire attack was being pushed back, Bakuryu just fixed things by concentrating channelling his chi across the candles of fire around him and igniting the fire to beam out forward and adding to his chi attack. It was then the build up of forced carried across the fire attack until it bumped into the end were it pushed back against the coalition chi attack and slowly the water blast was being grinded back again.

“Darn.” Ached Ruisus as he could feel his arms being turn out of his sockets. “He’s winning this thing no bother!”

“Why isn’t this working?” Trembled Chitso.

And as the fire attack was encroaching on all three of them, jumping amongst the three appeared Merlick. “Maybe because you don’t got me in this little thing you’re doing?”

“That’s because you can’t form water elemental attacks like we can!” Shouted Ruisus over the sound of the two elemental techniques rumbling against one another.

“That still doesn’t mean I can’t try to fuse my chi with yours.” Denied Merlick. “Psychic elements have an easier time blending with other elements?”

“We might as well give it a shot?” Admitted Chitso becoming desperate.

The two brothers could then see the fire attack was almost upon them, meaning time was running short before the water attack was scattered. “Alright fine!” Gave in Ruisus.

“Okay.” Nodded Merlick and then clasping his wrists together. Quickly summoning his chi, the psychic elemental aligned and matched with the element chi attack and then poured his vorpal chi into it.

It wasn’t long before the water technique had a purple edge all around it and began to equal with the fire attack again and gently pushed back at it. Noticing things weren’t going right again, Bakuryu snarled out. “Where are they getting all this power from!” And enlarged the strength of his own chi again power boasting his attack again. It was then the two attacks had gotten to the peak of their height and were in the peak of their deadlock.

The ground was definitely getting thrown apart now, sounds could hardly be heard over the titanic clash, the earth shook violently, the river was raging and others from enormous distances could feel the chi battle.

*

Taking up her satchel and placing it around her, a girl with short blonde hair, blue eyes and a marvellous face gave her room one last look. It was completely empty now as she was moving to another place to pursue her role of joining an elemental clan and becoming a great elemental.

Interrupting in her thoughts though, the girl then felt a strange pressure of chi. It was hard to recognise it, that she went about took a peek out the window trying to find out what it was.

“Kiwizoe!” Called a mature voice. “Have you backed your things ready yet?”

“Sister?” She cried. “Do you feel that?”

“Feel what?” Snapped the mature voice concerned.

Finding this feeling sort of obvious like she was familiar with it, Kiwizoe decided that there’d be no way her sister could miss it if she know that she just went. “Nevermind, my stuffs ready?”

“You sure?” Inquired the sibling.

“Yes.”

“Okay let’s go, there’s a man named Fergus that I’d like you to meet when we get there.” Informed the sister.

Whatever that energy was, it gave Kiwizoe the feeling that someone that she cared about was in the battle of his life. Either way she got her satchel up and left the room.

*

Sitting amongst the forest, a strong man sat on a log cuddled with a girl with black long hair and large wings like butterflies that fluttered cuddled up against him, snuggling against his chest. The man showed to be getting tired of this, but the girl was firmly against him not wanting to let go.

“Kuddan?” Hummed the girl. “Do you always think we’ll be together?”

“You’ve asked that the fourth time Genevieve?” Sighed Kuddan.

“Yes, but I’m just wanting you to say it in a more romantic way?” Giggled the girl, but she was startled by some weird energy coursing through her body that she sat up startled. “Kuddan do you feel that?”

“Hm, yeah I do?” Agreed Kuddan.

“It feels weird?” Stated Genevieve. “Like two weird things are fighting against one another, one good and one evil?”

“Yeah it does?” Admitted Kuddan.

“Do you think it has anything to do with us?” Questioned Genevieve.

Getting rather agitated with her, Kuddan grabbed Genevieve and compressed her against his chest again. “Why don’t you just relax again?”

“Alright, but you do promise we’ll always be together?” Inquired Genevieve, but this time Kuddan didn’t reply and it began to worry her but was unsure of what to ask. But was also on her mind was the weird energy.

*

Sat up on top of a tree quite comfortable like, a man wearing fancy big blue suit with white gloves and black boots and covered in bandages like an Egyptian mummy, by the name Ossuka watched over the horizon to where three of his clan members, along with an ally battled against what he had found out to be a daemon.

Zipping back out from the forest, a loose bandage that had stretched out from his body and winded back in, until it was able to heave up itself like a rearing snake to Ossuka’s ears. Appearing to the listening, the bandage man told back to his bandage. “It looks like the world’s fate really does now rest upon their shoulders.” He said in an amused tone, then listening to what is bandage had to say again, Ossuka replied. “I cannot help, it is not my fight, plus if Chitso cannot over this event he will not be able to tackle the challenges that I firmly believe will happen to him, everything does now rely upon just them.”

*

Throughout the world, others whose fate would tie into the four fighting against the daemon, from the entire contingent, to great oceans and to even other worlds, could sense their struggle to defend their futures and destiny and what was right to them. But none could actually understand what was going on.

*

The battle had raged on, the plain entirely stripped or covered in dust had still managed to hold together for the combatants to reach the brink of their struggle. Bakuryu continued to stand assertively as the flames he commanded flowed from around his body and pressed into the attack.

The four on the other had were stretching their arms out as they tried to keep up the coalition attack, Burendan and Ruisus had dropped to either one or two knees, while Merlick had dropped to one knee and hand, still keeping his last hand out. Standing defiant though Chitso stood firmly on both feet and tried to withstand the stand of the attack.

“Guys!” He screamed. “This attack as to be hear and now, we need to give it our all now!”

“Alright!” His friends shouted and slumping back onto their feet.

Then from there they gave everything they had, the blue torrent gave one last might slam forward that finally imploded through its larger fire counterpart. It then began to tear through it, eating through the defeated elemental technique and on its way to its actual target.

Witnessing his attack actually overpowered, Bakuryu gaped. “No.” Before being struck by the water attack that swallowed up the daemon. Then as Bakuryu was being crushed and tore inside the pressure of the devastating attack, he roared out in denial. “WAAAY!” Before every cells of his water dissolved.

As the water finally began to drop and hit against the ground spreading out into a huge splash, its conjurers had as well dropped and fell back against the ground. They were entirely drained of chi, but all could smile that they actually won.

“We did it you guys?” Gawked Chitso.

“Yeah and now you have something to gloat about to your girlfriend.” Wheezed Ruisus.

“Yeah I do don’t I?” Laughed Chitso.

“Just remember to include us in all the details?” Snapped Burendan.

“Will do.” Confirmed Chitso.

“How about we get some sleep now?” Offered Merlick.

“Sure thing.” Everyone agreed and then knocking out of it.

As the four rested easy, with the world unknown that it had been saved by them, Bakuryu drifted back to his realm in complete denial he had been defeated. As he drifted back through time, he had passed through another realm with a being that was yet to try what he could not.