Hello fellow readers and fanfiction writers, recently I've been held up by various studies and projects, resulting in a lack of time and effort for my first published work. It is a shame that I could no longer find the drive nor thrill to carry on my story, however, the time I have free have been cultivated into several new stories that have come to me naturally as a result of daydreaming. I have taken the time to learn my mistakes and introduced a new form of writing in my style, potentially I am a heavily emphasised exposition writer, fair warning has been given.
While my story might no appeal to some of the audience since I preferably lean towards the darker theme of things, I hope you enjoy and review. It matters not if you comment negatively,I will accept whatever reviews you have to offer and will learn from my mistakes.
Disclaimer: I own neither Fairy Tail or Naruto. That has already been established.
Consequences
What governs the laws of good and evil?
From birth till death, it is impossible for an individual no matter how vile or pure to not have a glimpse of the others side, one cannot have balance without the other. That is what makes us human. The capability for love and hatred spans eons and still continues to sate the curiosity of researchers, affecting the 'heart and will', metaphorically speaking.
In a world filled with as much adventure and joy, it is likewise filled with destruction and anger, it just so happens that many who do not see or experience this choose not to believe so. In a world where adventure and suspense are in abundance, childish and innocent minds dream to linger within these so-called adventures of heroic tales. To bask in the glory foretold by the accomplishments of great heroes.
Just how many have fallen to such an unforgiving mindset, ignorant of the ways of the world?
In the world of earth land, where an energy source contained within the chosen few are gifted with the capabilities to wield the energy produced by an unknown source in the world, some call it Nature's gift. Other's call it humanity's spirit. Nowadays, it is commonly called Magic. Researchers have cited that humanity in the past has been able to adapt and evolved with the capability to absorb this energy source, thus creating a connection with the spiritual flow of nature, and converting it into the physical embodiment of that energy, creating what is known as Magic.
As a constant to keeping the balance of everything, likewise with the balance of good and evil, the strength bestowed upon the individuals are few in numbers, labelling them superhuman in comparison to the normal civilians. Those gifted are unique in their own respective terms, it is said that Magic is based on the imagination and creativity of the individual, using one's ingenuity to create new ways.
They are called Wizards.
In proportion to the number of wizards, the variety of magic is equal in amount, each possessing a field of their types. Therefore, they are two main classifications of magic, Castor, and Holder magic. Caster Magic is magic that is expelled from within the body itself, using spells that directly affect the body, while Holder Magic utilizes an external source as oppose to using the body.
As everyone and anything is created, rules govern their existence, similarly to how the rules of life and death occur within the universe. Many choose to believe that our fate has been predetermined before our very existence has been confirmed and that our destiny or path has been set for us to follow, but as a testament to humanity's spirit, we desire to be free. We desire to break the rules that cage us. And finally, we desire to understand.
And thus comes to the beginning of our story, starting with a small, honest soul, questioning the meaning of life and death, the possibility of cheating death. The possibility of reviving a loved one.
And breaking the rules governing this territory.
XxX
Within the realm of earth land, there were several countries surrounding the more populated Fiore, due to great conflict consuming the other countries, only a few remained. The Land of Minstrel, once a thriving port hub that centred itself as the primary tourist attraction in earth land, consumed in the flames of war when it became the centre ground for conflicts between countries.
United in their stand to conquer the remaining lands to unify them under one flag, the Land of Desierto and Bellum forged an alliance treaty and attempted to conquer Bosco, Stella, and Joya. Having the harshest weather conditions and the lack of abundant food source, they strive through war to achieve their demands after receiving no aid whatsoever from neighbouring countries.
Their selfish whims drove two countries population to near extinction, the desert sands now play host to the corpses of war victims, consuming their bones, forever scattering them through the sands of time. That was not to say that they weren't successful, the land of Joya was completely overwhelmed and destroyed under the combined effort of both invading countries and being the centre of the conflicts.
Stella had suffered as well an overwhelming defeat and had it not been for their allies, they would have been lost in the final desperate attempt by the invading enemies, meanwhile, Bosco has suffered the least of damages but with 50% of their population killed in the crossfire and attacks, they were getting desperate.
Thus in their last attempt to halt the approaching enemy forces from making their final attempt, they resorted to the power of science as opposed to using the gift of magic. They needed something powerful, something so destructive and fast that it would wipe out the enemy forces clear off the grid, they needed a weapon.
In their futile attempts to create one, a man by the name of Mayuri Kurotsuchi, a worldwide acclaimed scientist specialising in the fields of magic transferring. He had discovered that it was possible for magic to be transferred to inanimate objects and also to humans, with the critical condition that the innate magic was similar to the one transferred. He helped fostered the creation of Lacrima and magic staves with the capabilities to absorb and release magic, a breakthrough of his time.
Yet, only his closest confidents and associates were aware of the fact that Mayuri was a little mad in the head, often muttering to himself and talking to the air as if someone or something, in particular, was listening. The days grew on as his accomplishments soared, and with the recent news of war, the government of Bosco had given the green light for Mayuri to dwell into a forbidden topic.
Human weapons.
Children barely the age of 8 were kidnapped from their already distressed families and placed into containment pods where they were monitored and experimented like rats, the scientists in charge of the experiment, labelled as Project D, lacked the morality found common in modern society. Still, they could not be faulted, their countrymen were dying and they held the responsibility to minimise the casualties at all cost, they were aware of their doings and still carried on with steeled resolve.
In all honesty, people should have praised them for dwelling into the darkness of humanity in order to save a thousand lives, all save for one person. The man who orchestrate the entire project and held no remorse, unlike his colleagues, was bemused rather than ashamed of their acts, instead, he was elated and thrived in his freedom to seek further knowledge.
Project D had begun on X750, 6th of October. The beginning numbers of 'participants' amounted to an horrifying 10,000 children being held captive and experimented on, the war would last for 10 years. 5 long years of seemingly futile attempts at creating the weapon were sacrificed, in the aftermath of their attempts, all but one of the children had died.
Some from the overdose of medicine and experimentation, others chose to take their own lives from the madness enshrouding the facility that went by the name of S.M.I.L.E. An impromptu name designed to lure the children into the seemingly harmless building with promises of candy and sweets, none of them lived to see the light of day after that.
However, they finally succeeded in creating the weapon, a child appearing around the age of 9, floated within the green liquid of the containment pod. Body limp and eyes shut as a gas mask attached itself to his respiratory system, the dog tag on the tank was written in encrypted barcode, with the only the visible feature being the number, nine and the scratched out name 'Nao' beside it.
Subject nine, as the boy was called, had long straight hair painted in the emptiness of light, with a smidge of red colouring the tips, an effect from the experiment. His face was sharp and had a firm structure, a direct contrast to the likely shape of males before hitting puberty. His arms were thin yet had the slightest hints of muscle proportions, his body lean with a healthy portion of muscles in the right areas, and his skin was completely pale from the lack of exposing light.
Dressed in a loose outfit consisting of simple shirt and shorts, he laid floating as a pale white hand with elongated nails painted black palmed and caressed the glass tanks delicately, as if it was the most fragile thing in the world. Through the darkness of the abyss that surrounded the pod, only the bare minimal of light shone outwards and gave a glimpse to the owner of the hand.
With a face painted completely white, save for the black cross like paint mark covering his nose and a small portion of his lower chin, his eyes are a golden amber that hid the mischievousness and insanity of a child. His teeth were constantly bared for the world to see, giving him the appearance of constantly smiles, his ears supposedly replaced with stubbed golden cone attachments, with a similar attachment reminiscent of an Egyptian Pharaoh Beard.
His hair has been styled into 'horns', that slope down from the top of his head and framed his face, which when viewed from the front, looked very much like a Pharaoh's crown. Dressed flamboyantly in a lab coat, stylishly redesigned to incorporate fur and additional accessories such as jewellery, he failed to pull off the scientist look from a first glance.
Yet, it also made him all the more dangerous.
"Tell me Jay, have you seen anything quite like this? Such magnificence and beauty crafted into such an individual? I do suppose that he could be dressed better than this, but that is a mere consequence of his existence, he lives to serve and he lives to be boasted of." Mayuri stated monotonously in the midst of silence sans the various beeping of machines sustaining the delicate life form.
"I'm afraid not sir, I find magnificence and beauty in the field of mystery, the lust for knowledge and the thrill of finding the truth excites me most. However I can understand from your viewpoint, this certainly is a wonderful specimen of our creation. I believe-"Jay responded to his superior but was promptly backhanded across the face and slammed painfully into the now crack filled wall, sliding down it in a broken heap.
"DID I GIVE YOU PERMISSION TO CALL IT YOURS!? NO! THIS IS MY CREATION, THE YEARS OF MY WORK CRAFTED INTO THIS BEING OF ABSOLUTE BEAUTY, I WILL NOT HAVE YOUR DISGUSTING MOUTH SLANDER MY WORK! NOW BE GONE YOU FOOLISH MENACE, YOU ARE POISONING THE AIR AROUND IT WITH YOUR PRESENCE!" Mayuri's voice boomed across the lab, yet none of the scientists flinched nor halted their work in his rant, having obviously gotten used to the man's tantrum.
"Shhh….Shhh…quiet now, everything will be fine, my lovely specimen. You are the key to a whole new path of revolution in the field of science, I will finally show the world of our power, our destruction, and my genius! Those heathens that claim that Zeref is the key to understanding magic are such blasphemous bigots that hold no understanding of science. Yes….Yes…we will show them, using its power, I have finally created the perfect weapon and I do believe we have just the perfect opportunity to test this." Mayuri mused to himself, with delicate fingers tracing along the glass windows as his smile turned into a sly grin upon seeing the incoming message from above the surface.
"Release the specimen!" he barked at his in his opinion pompous subordinates who wish to squander off his credit of work, he would have gotten the whole Project to himself, yet he had to admit that the work would be shortened with extra hands.
"NOW ARISE SUBJECT 9, SHOW THE WORLD THE TRIUMPH OF SCIENCE, REVOLUTIONISE THE WORLD, LET THEM KNOW MY NAME!" he proclaimed with spread arms as the fluids drained from the pod and the body fell limp to the floor, only to stir into consciousness. Propping himself upwards with visible strain, he stood tall and confused before abruptly grasping his head in agony, collapsing on his knees with mouth agape in a silent scream.
"DAMN IT, OPEN THE POD, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE YOU FOOLS!?" Mayuri fumed as he marched towards the slowly opening pod containing the suffering child, before reaching out towards the child with his hand. Grasping the child by the neck in a tight grip that spurred cracked bones, Mayuri proceeded to smash the child neck first against the concrete floor, creating cracks from the crushing force as the child openly bled from the mouth.
"Hold still my child, your creator shall save you!" Mayuri openly remarked with sincere concern in his tone despite his cruel treatment of the child in the first place, crushing the smaller body under the sole of his shoes, removing a syringe filled with ominous red liquid swishing within its confinements. Crudely piercing the skin surrounding the neck, he injected the syringe's contents into the bloodstream of the child, who began flailing about in torment.
Veins popped out from the stress inflicted upon the body, hands reached up and began clawing away at the skin surrounding the neck in an attempt to ease the pain, something Mayuri noticed, much to his frustrations. "Give me vial 24, hurry!" he held out his palm with practised ease, awaiting the object to be placed in grasp.
Feeling the sudden weight, he sucked in the green liquid and tested the syringe, and then proceeded to inch the needle inch by inch into the top of his skull. The boy began struggling, eyes wide and bloodshot from the excruciating pain, with his throat crushed he had no way but flailing as a sign for struggling.
"I said…TO HOLD STILL!" Mayuri roared as he unsheathed his weapon, obscured by the coat of his outfit and plunged it deep into the gut of his specimen. It was a sword to say the least, it resembled a deformed trident with curved serpentine blades, with the middle blade being straighter than the side blades. The guard was shaped akin to a head with a halo over its head, with spiky protrusions sticking out of the head.
Blood pooled from the sudden impalement and to his delight, his specimen finally stopped struggling enough for the entire contents to be injected in. A green glow surrounded the body of the child before finally settled into a glow surrounding the head, where a small blinking implantation could been seen from the skin of the head, most likely planted into the brain.
"Now then, let's observe your first movements, daddy wants you to take your first baby steps." He cooed as he flicked a switch that shocked the boy before standing upright in a flash, body moving robotically towards his master, eyes no longer bright to be considered conscious. The sword was fashionably plucked out in a swift motion, allowing the open wound to leak, yet miraculously it began closing inwards.
"Well done my child, now onto the next test, judging by the synchronisation rate, you should have complete control over it, but better to test it out to get valid data. Now then please, follow daddy's orders and… kill everyone in this room except for me." He spoke in an intrigued tone, finding it amusing to needlessly slaughter his colleagues using the creation they collaborated their minds to.
Without hesitation, the child reared his head back and roared in an animalistic manner and charged towards the first victim, who had tried to flee in fear along with the rest. Alas, their creation was too fast, too powerful and deadly, that his life was ended in a flash with a clawed hand ripping out his heart.
This sparked a mass panic with numerous scientists clambering for the door in a frantic hurry to avoid their demise at the hands of a demented wielder of their weapon, but like the first victim, they fell as well to a quick and precise death. In the aftermath of the massacre, the walls were painted red with claw like marks marring the surface, limbs were torn from bodies and scattered across the floor, and red liquid flooded the area and coated their hunter in a thick veil of blood.
"Excellent, this is most excellent! Such speed, such power, oh you just know how to spoil your daddy don't you. Now then shall we take a walk, the first time as father and child?" he commanded as his specimen walked alongside the creator into the battlefields of war where an event would forever be etched into the hearts of mortal man.
XxX
Damion Cyrus, a name once synonymous with the word 'prodigy' in Bosco, an uprising star when his genius was first recognized amongst the fresh batch of young scholars wishing to ignite change upon the world. His knowledge, superior in every aspect in terms of his specialty, politics. His lust for knowledge, his thirst for the unknown led him to receive numerous invitations to research facilities, yet he declined them all in favour of pursuing his dream.
From birth, he had his eyes opened in the face of the actual reality surrounding him, the harsh reality that oppose everything the story books seem to inspire, having seen his parents murdered before his very eyes had an adverse effect upon the young child's mind. Ever since then, despite his apparent genius, he sought the best thing to counter his childhood nightmares, politics and the arm of the law.
Before long, he had been ceremoniously invited to join the seats of the council of Bosco which housed the brightest and cunning minds birthed from their lands, and he accepted. Initially, his reputation and harsh decisions against the criminals and scum plaguing the land was seen as righteous as it appeased the victims, but soon he found himself falling into the same path of his torturers, he was becoming a monster.
His name now became akin to speaking the word of death, a mutter of his name became a death sentence, and he now held complete control over the council after years of overwhelming the competition through scheming and backstabbing. He desired more power, to completely envelope the world under the word of law, or in his 'self-righteous' terms, his word.
Under his control, the people of Bosco flourished and prospered under a time of peace, seemingly appeasing his state of heart, yet internally he desired more, his unconscious desire to rid the world of scum plaguing it, led him to abruptly declare war against the invading nations. His desire of monopoly was even seen when he manipulated their allies of Stella into receiving the blunt of the initial damage, falsely supplying honeyed words of gifts.
Yet even his intellect failed to understand the desperation of mankind's spirit, he lacked the means to understand warfare and was left at an impasse regarding his current issue. The invading forces, despite being on their last legs, were pushing past their defences and converging on their location, at the heart of Bosco.
5 years ago, when he stood atop to the podium, receiving the royal robes signifying his prestige and status, he had the right to view the darkness surrounding the façade of light displayed towards the citizen. Initially he was appalled at the idea of Project D being implemented, yet even for all his intellect, his experience in the art of politics fared poorly against the clearly superior senior members.
They knew of his condition. His drive. His determination when he first started. And used it against him.
With their influence secured by bribes and promises of power, they managed to reform all knowledge regarding the project and hid the truth in the shadows, providing 'positive' information that all the children captured were children of criminals doomed to follow their parent's paths in the beginning. The project was simply a way to secure the safety of the country and provide a better function of their lives, something Damion's still gullible mind believed. And thus he approved of the project, reigning in supposed criminals and parting them from their children.
Never before seeing the incidents through his own eyes, believing in his allies and the words of paper, he destroyed countless families, all for the sake of an experiment which he felt was retribution. He felt only slight remorse, and some form of guilt regarding the numerous experiments conducted under the very feet of their citizens, preaching to himself that it was all for the good of the country to appease the demons in his heart.
And now 5 years later, it seems that death has come knocking on his doors as he eyed the incoming forces through a telescope, clicking his tongue in annoyance. "Send word for the research development, unleash the weapon and ensure that everything invading this land dies by today, I will put my trust in that despicable man for once." He spoke with authority to the carrier, who immediately began typing encoded messages, word for word to Mayuri.
Mayuri and Damion had never sustained a pleasant relationship, both were opposites in their nature, one wished to rule the country to prosperity to attain a better life, the other wished to use the country to further himself. Yet despite their differences, they had begrudgingly admitted their respect for the others careers and brilliance in their fields, becoming the figureheads of their respective fields, they only managed a business like a relationship in order to attain their respective goals.
"This better work Mayuri, for whatever cruelties that those worthless children face, I wish it upon our enemies a thousand-fold, if it fails, neither of us will leave this country alive, that I swear upon the blood of the fallen." He muttered darkly as he heard a chime coming from the lower decks of the fortress surrounding the main capital of Bosco, housing the remaining population within their secured walls.
"Captain, ensure that the good doctor and his pet project are protected from incoming fire, this is our last chance for victory, do not disappoint me again." With an icy cold glance, he regarded his captain of the remaining forces with animosity. The captain was a middle-aged man, with numerous scars marring his skin, yet he held a solemn look within his gaze, his failure catching up to him during the war.
"Yes sir!" he saluted and marched off, beginning to bark orders to the mass cluster of soldiers patrolling the fortress defences. With a clink, the fortress walls were given an image to the weapon designed to be the ultimate being, the hope of the nation and the spear that will drive a hold through the shield rushing towards them. Loud cheers rang, some hopeful while others reinvigorated by the sur plus of victory they now held, shouting to the heavens of their new found desires to follow their orders to the very end, with hopes to survive the impactful war.
"This is Damion to Mayuri, is it set up?" he questioned with an annoyed tone through the wired connection to his companion in crime, not noticing anything through the obscuring smoke emitted from the flashy entrance. Mayuri always had a flare for dramatics even in the most profound of events.
"Of course, you ignorant swine! Such brilliance cannot be captured without a little flare for our audience, now tell your barbarians to cover us or I will send my 'pet' to claim the lives he truly desires." Mayuri's static voice sounded through the earpiece, igniting an infuriated look from the chairman.
"You will do as I say, or so help me, I will ensure your name goes down in history with the most humiliating outcome." He shouted in unbridled anger.
"I…see, very well then, but be warned Damion, about who truly wields the power. Sending out subject 9, commencing in 3…2…1. Initiate Project D." he counted down through the speaker with a disturbingly calm tone, which would have alerted alarms in Damion's head, had it not been for the roar crashing to the heavens that halted all activity within the vicinity.
All eyes pinpointed the roar that kicked up a sand stream and cracked earth from the shockwaves alone, widening in disbelief at the one responsible. The figure roared once more and settled down in a snarl, crouching down all fours reminiscent of an animal, with ebony flailing hair bellowing in the wind and a slowly forming red miasma enveloping the boy.
"Prepare to witness revolution, Damion, starting with my finest creation!" Mayuri's voice cackled through the speaker, driving a cold sweat upon the receiver as his eyes narrowed further once the red miasma formed a singular swishing form resembling a tail. With a controlled command, the boy leaned forwards, crushing the earth with the imminent pounce.
With a final command from his master, the boy lurched forwards at blinding speeds, causing a backlash shockwave to impact the walls of the fortress, collapsing a portion of it from the damage incurred. What power. A singular thought echoing in the minds of many that witnessed the pounce alone. Many began clambering about for any sight of their supposed weapon, eager to see the effects it had upon their enemy.
They were not disappointed.
With a single leap, the boy had covered the entire distance between the fortress and the approaching enemy forces, crashing in the midst of their march. The initial impact alone created a shockwave that dispersed the entire army, killing many in close proximity, with hypnotized eyes, the boy followed his instructions and became an instrument of death.
Many were dazed from the initial attack but they did not survive the war for nothing, they immediately took up arms and retaliated against the lone individual daring enough to halt their last efforts. Weapons of varying designs were flung, spells were cast as they rain down upon the young boy, and seal alignments littered the floor and ensnared him, ensuring their attacks effectiveness.
All fell in the face of its roar.
Once more its roar prove useful as it dispersed whatever spells or weapons being flung at it, some even sailed back to their owners, killing them in their stupor. With bleeding red eyes, he snarled and swung a single claw, sending another shockwave outwards that killed hundreds more. Panic erupted and many tried futilely to escape the horrifying being that was a 9 year old, but alas they fell, blown to bits or their body destroyed beyond repair.
It was only until their last general, General Budo, their reigning champion and the strongest of their empire came forth to stop the menace plaguing his men. Assaulting the perpetrator with a large bolt of lightning that erupted in a dome of fire, he waited patiently to survey the remains of the enemy, buying his men the time to escape, towering over them as a shield. His muscular body outfitted with an armour of different variants, spiky yellow hair combed backwards, he gave out a menacing aura.
The cloud of smoke was dispersed when the boy emerged, nothing worth a scratch was visible on his body, this time, he crouched once more, and growling insanely as a second tail began to form. Not allowing his opponent time to form any attack, he clasped his palms together, summoning forth a giant current of electricity cackling from his hands as a magic seal appeared.
Driving them into the earth, the lightning arched forwards and formed into shapes resembling wolfs that imitated lifeforms as they howled and charged at the seemingly still opponent. Until he disappeared, leaving a fading image as the first wolf pounced, dispersing in an explosion on par with the first lightning bolt.
Budo tensed as his senses picked up an incoming attack from his back, bending forward to avoid the initial impalement with a clawed hand, spinning to form an axe kick, he struck downwards right into the spine of the boy with a lightning-enhanced kick. Skidding back from the impact, Budo directed his wolfs mentally, as the cloud of smoke dispersed once more, revealing the boy with now a singed shirt, with a third tail slowly forming.
Budo wasn't a general for nothing and analysed every aspect of the boy at the next glance, decided to stop holding back in order to deal with the threat. Lightning began sparking across his body until it erupted into an armour of lightning that surrounded his body, muscles rippled and his armour broke from the sudden expansion.
Instead of allowing his enemy to make the first move, he struck first, moving faster than the boy did, flashing right behind the boy with an arm cocked back arched with lightning, before delivering it right into an awaiting tail that anticipated the attack. Avoiding the lashing tail, he provided a sweeping kick that sent the boy upwards, allowing Budo to grab his waist upside down, before pile-driving his entire body into the earth, creating an immense explosion that would have killed any man.
Seemingly satisfied with his work, Budo deactivated his shroud of lightning armour and walked away from the battlefield to regroup with his man, until the earth stirred. His armour came back in full force as he put up a hasty cross guard to block the bone-crushing punch that sent him flying backwards despite his enhanced state.
The lightning wolfs, having remained on the battlefield pounced on the individual all at once, directing an enormous amount of damage towards the single target. That was until a red projectile shot into the sky, dispersing the dust as the boy once again emerged relatively unharmed. A red glow shone upon the boy as he screamed in agony, his skin began tearing off from whatever process was proceeding, his hair started transforming into a glowing red, resulting in a monstrosity of man as completely pupils blank eyes regarded Budo in a snarl.
His tails grew longer and more physical, now with four tails.
Budo stood firm and rigid against the opposing force of nature, both disappeared in a flash and collided in a clash with their fists that created shockwaves that cracked the earth, the field that was once lush was now a cavern of craters. Blow for blow, Budo matched the creature's tenacity with his own overwhelming strength, yet even Budo was human and he began to slow down.
In a bout of surprising intellect, the creature dug a tunnel through the earth with his tail and erupted from behind Budo as he avoided a claw slash, with his body no longer listening to his command, he felt the tail pierce through his weakened armour and sprayed blood across the creatures face. In a final act of persistence, he lurched forward and struck the creature with a steel rod, smirking in response.
"I am General Budo, the strongest and mightiest of the Bellum Empire, you would do well to remember that name, monster." He spoke through gritted teeth as the clouds rumbled in acknowledgement, a giant bolt of lightning flashed down and conducted right into Budo's rod, sending a sure-kill strike against the creature as a last attempt.
The sky grew dim as the lightning struck its target, Budo peered through lidded eyes as he choked against the lithe arm grasping his neck, crushing it with the force applied. This time, the creature did not appear unfazed, he had a crack like fissure along the waistline where the rod struck, its movements were stiff from the occasional spark emitting from his body.
Budo put on a final show of defiance as he smirked grimly at the thought that he had at least damaged the creature that wasted him with ease, he would go down in history as the lone individual having done the most damage to the beast. Eyes flickered to dullness as Budo's final breath was taken and he collapsed on the floor, similarly sprawled out like the rest of his soldiers.
XxX
"By the gods, he took down Budo…SIGNAL THE ALARM, THE GREAT GENERAL BUDO HAS BEEN DEFEATED, BOMBARD THE AREA AND CLEAR AWAY THE REMAINING FORCES, AND SHOW THEM NO MERCY!" the captains voice echoed with hope anew by the sight he witnessed, Budo had been a thorn in their side ever since the war began, now that their shining beacon was snuffed out, they finally had the chance to win this war.
"Wait! You fool! Our weapon is still there, do you want it to think of us as the enemy!? I gave you an order soldier, he is not to be harmed!" Damion clutched the gruff of the captain's neck, snarling at the audacity of defying his orders until his arm was removed in a forceful grip.
"Sir, I mean no disrespect, and I take full responsibility for my men's actions, but that thing is neither child nor weapon anymore, it is a beast, with its leash released, it will seek out the people who harmed it in the first place. There is no other outcome, it will turn on us, and I am doing us all a favour and getting our asses out of here alive!" the captain nodded and the soldiers took aim and fired at the chaotic mess of their enemy, more than half the bombardment directed their shots at the creature.
"DAMION! WHAT IN GOD'S NAME ARE YOUR BARBARIANS DOING!? TELL THEM TO STAND DOWN NOW OR THEY'LL GET US ALL KILLED! I HAVE IT ON A LEASH AND IF SO HELP ME, THAT LEASH IS BROKEN, YOU"LL BE THE FIRST TO DIE! BY MY HANDS!" Mayuri's voice burst from the speaker, announcing his speech to all the soldiers with how angered he was.
"YOU HEARD THE MAN CAPTAIN, STAND DOWN NOW!" Damion commanded, yet it fell on false ears, as the captain simply looked on with a faraway look, determined to defy his superior at the cost of his career. More shots echoed and whistled through the wind as the enemy forces dwindled down to mere stains across the battlefield, cheers were sung as victory was ensured.
"DON'T CELEBRATE YET! CONCENTRATE FIRE ON THAT MONSTER! KILL THE DAMN THING BEFORE IT GETS TO US!" more shots were fired, all concentrating towards the single standing individual amidst the sea of limbs. The creature simply stood and shrugged off any damage done to it, its posture confused, showcasing its intellect despite its animalistic instincts.
"I WILL NOT BY DEFIED!" Damion proclaimed as he unsheathed a hidden blade and stabbed into the chest of the unfaithful captain, dyeing his white robes crimson as the soldiers could only look on in disbelief. Heavy footsteps could be heard trudging up the stairs as all eyes turned to see an absolutely livid Mayuri giving every one of them an icy glare.
He marched towards Damion, unsheathing his sword and stabbed forwards into a guarded sword, his face grew even more infuriated. "I TOLD YOU TO CALL OF YOUR IMBECILES, WHAT IS THERE NOT TO UNDERSTAND, ALL OF YOU STOP YOUR ACTIONS OR I WILL PERSONALLY TORTURE YOU TO HELL!" his demand caused an immediate cease-fire, Mayuri chucked his sword away and pulled out his personal machine, hardwired to control the creature through the chip implanted into his brain.
"Don't worry dear, nobody is going to hurt you anymore, all the bad man will be gone, so come home now." He spoke with glee despite the situation, his thirst for more absolutely rapacious. He pressed a button and a green glow connected with the creature, signalling a connection. Slowly controlling for fear of losing it, he controlled its movements gently until he heard the cocking of a gun.
Too late to manoeuvre out of the way, the shot impacted against the fragile machine and shattered it into a thousand pieces, shocking everyone with the bold act. Mayuri followed the trajectory in a daze, seeing the smoke emitting from the barrel held by a certain bleeding captain giving them a wry smile, his eyes conveying the greatest of pities.
"You…you…do you realise what you have done…the control….the power it has…the intellectual being…AND YOU JUST SET IT FREE! YOU! I WILL SEND YOU TO OBLIVION! YOU WILL SUFFER FOR ALL ETERNITY FOR THIS! STARTING NOW!" grabbing his thrown sword in a crushing grip that the sword groaned in protest, he plunged it deep into the heart of the already fallen captain, purple smoke emitting from the handle as his body began convulsing.
"MAYURI, WE HAVE A PROBLEM!"
"WHAT IN BLOODY HELL IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN PUNISHING THIS HEATHEN! I-oh" Mayuri swords slackened from his grip as he witnessed the ominous black orb beginning to form around the mouth of the creature, its power evident by how the earth was crushed simply by its presence. Mayuri's hand flickered towards the usual pocket that held the machine but gasped when he recalled the now broken machine.
In a frantic hurry, he jumped off the wall and landed, full on sprinting towards the creature with open arms. "IT's OKAY MY DEAR, EVERYTHING IS GOING TO BE FINE, DADDY TOOK CARE OF THE BAD GUYS, YOU CAN PUT DOWN YOUR TOY NOW!" the creature simply regarded Mayuri with an impassive gaze, to the others overlooking the scene, the orb seem to grow larger.
Then it swallowed the orb and whined in sorrow, something Mayuri was internally grateful for. "That's it, calm down now, we can even go get those green liquid you love so much, just like always, right?" Lifting his pale hand towards the creature's hand, caressing it lovingly until he was forced back from the sudden expansion of the creature, smoke emitting from the mouth.
"W-what!? What are you doing, my child?" uncertainty in his voice, only to pale further if he could as a collection of particles centred around the mouth, and with a rear of its head, it unleased the deadly blast.
"How magnificent, my beautiful creation." Last words uttered by the famous doctor as he dissipated in white.
"Evacuate now! Hurry!" Damion cried as he fled from the incoming projectile, hoping to make it to the underground tunnels of the city to protect himself. However, the projectile was too quick, too deadly and inevitably too powerful.
Colliding against the fortress walls, it exploded in a sea of white, amidst the crowds of panicked individuals, a sole being sought refuge in the light. "Finally… you are free." His voice spoke with relief, as the dog tag representing his rank of captain against his uniform jingled for the last time, a laughter so carefree echoed in the mass panic, as the good soldier finally died with a peaceful heart.
XxX
In the aftermath of the event, Project D was investigated by neighbouring countries having felt the shockwaves alone from the attacks, investigations concluded that a massive beast attacked the fort and killed every single being within the vicinity. The entire city was obliterated without a trace, leaving behind a gaping crater where the city once stood.
Further investigations led many to believe that the beast had continued rampaging despite its apparent lack of prey, till an undisclosed location where it was assumed to be its final resting place, within that location a massive scar of three claw-like markings was carved into the landscape, mountains crumbled and earth fissured, forever changing the geographical image of the country.
The creature was named the Red Beast for its lasting impression of blood upon the soil of the fallen stronghold while others named it Trihexa, the beast of the Apocalypse, the number of the beast. And after scholars have concluded the event, disclosing any further information regarding the beast and its potential whereabouts, have decided to name the event that shook the world.
The Mark of Trihexa.
So I hope you enjoyed the first chapter, there would be several OC's within the story to kickstart some arcs that I would like to introduce, so do be prepared for those. I also enjoy some coupling to add a some spice into the story, which also serves a major involvement in the main character's emotional scope, which would be explained later in the story.
Cover Art by Linnyxito. Awesome work and all right's go to him/her.
Thank you once again.