Kaze no Stigma: The Elementalist

by D.M.Ash

Alkan Simure Hosenkou is one of the few special people to wield the power of all four elements, known as an Elementalist. How will things change when he runs into his old friend Kazuma Yagami in Kazuma's hometown while on a job?

4. Brutality

Chapter 4 – Brutality

Flashback – 3 years ago

On a mountain somewhere in Japan Alkan was training to regain his Fuujutsu abilities. What happened was that when he used the Soul-switch spell during the ritual it caused a horrible backlash due to the magic sealing blade that pinned him to the wall. Due to this, his Elementalist abilities were crippled to the point where he couldn't use them anymore. Now he was training in a place where it is said that there's a high quantity of wind spirits resided.

Alkan was training by himself for two months already with very little progress. All he could do was summon a gentle breeze that was practically useless in combat. He assumed that the magic sealing blade combined with using the Soul-switch spell caused his connection with the elements to be severed really badly, resulting in the loss of his powers. Regardless he wasn't going to give up, he had a few things he needed to do and his powers were necessary for it.

One day he was training as usual and was taking a break when suddenly a woman appeared beside him. Alkan was shocked at the sudden appearance and nearly fell over. The woman laughed at his reaction as he got up and took a look at the woman. She had shoulder length black hair with brown highlights with sky blue eyes that, in his opinion, looked like they glowed. She was wearing a simple short white blouse and was wearing jeans to match. The stranger held out her hand and asked, "Are you alright?"

***

Alkan was watching the confrontation between Misao and her family while still invisible. He had crept up close enough to hear but he was far enough from any dangers, like if something like a battle would occur. It wasn't far from that when suddenly Misao smiled and he picked up traces of the dark aura from the wind and immediately pulled back a bit as it started to build.

Kazuma, who was with Ayano and Ren, noticed the change as well while facing Ayano who was using a pathetic last ditch 'plan' against him. They exchanged words about the situation about Misao and that was when both Alkan and Kazuma counted, "Three…two…one."

At that instant a black inferno suddenly engulfed the Oogamis that surprised everyone, including Alkan. At that instant he summoned the wind and revealed himself, blowing away the dark flames and revealing the now dead bodies of the Oogamis. Misao thought it was Kazuma for a moment but when Alkan appeared she said, "Oh, Hosenkou-sama, what are you doing here?"

Inside the control room Kirika was shocked at the sight of the dead bodies. When Alkan appeared she already knew that the situation just turned ugly and he was the needed backup.

"What do you think?" Alkan asked in a sarcastic tone.

Before Misao could say anything, Kazuma flew in and landed beside Alkan as Ayano and Ren ran up the stairs behind them trying to catch up. They saw the bodies between Alkan and Misao and Kazuma said, "What a horrid mess. Isn't this a bit too much? Weren't they family to you?"

"These people here aren't my family. They're only people who flatter the strong and suppress the weak. The only family I have is-."

"Your dead Onii-sama right? You know, you really got to stop sounding like some broken record Misao." Alkan interrupted with distaste.

Misao's eyes narrowed and said, "You should really stay out of this Hosenkou-sama, or I will really kill you. I will get my revenge no matter what."

Alkan laughed and said, "If you feel so strongly about it then I won't stop you." He jumped back to where Ayano and Ren were standing, "But I pretty much doubt you can kill him anyway!"

Misao looked pretty angry at Alkan's words and she said, "I'll show you. Prepare yourself Kazuma-sama!" Kazuma just stood there with a small smile on his face as Misao summoned her flame.

As they watched Alkan asked, "So, how did the plan go?"

Ayano was about to say something when Ren replied, "Two words: utter failure."

Alkan smirked and said, "I've gotta hear about this sometime." Misao just unleashed a barrage of dark fireballs that did absolutely nothing against Kazuma's barrier. Misao was shocked as she said, "Impossible…"

There was a smirk on Alkan's face as Ayano said, "Misao, if that fire was enough to kill Kazuma then I would have done it a long time ago!" Alkan added, "Your overall power has increased, I admit but the amount of power you're throwing out is still weak!" He thought to himself, 'Gaining power is one thing but learning to control that power is an entirely different story.'

Misao shouted back, "No way! Angel-sama told me that I had enough power to surpass even Hosenkou-sama!"

Alkan thought, 'Who the hell is Angel-sama?' Ayano shouted, "Angel-sama? Who the hell is that pervert anyway?!"

"Pervert? Now that's insulting." A voice said from inside the church. When Michael came out Alkan instantly took in his features and was surprised to see that he looked like a boy in his preteens. This made him suspicious as Misao fell to his feet saying, "Angel-sama!"

Kazuma was silent as he watched and Ayano asked, "You're an angel?" Alkan smirked as he walked up to Kazuma's side and said, "That guy's no angel if he told Misao what to do."

When Michael opened his eyes Alkan's memory kicked in as he remembered Chisato saying, 'What I remember was that I was walking home from school when suddenly a blond-haired boy with green eyes came up to me. We started talking but the things he said were kind of weird. The next thing I knew was that he shoved a green ball at my chest and the next thing I knew I was possessed by Azure.' Alkan thought to himself, 'Is this the guy Chisato met? Then that means…?'

Misao was on her knees and begged, "Angel-sama, please guide me. Tell me the way on how to defeat him!"

As Michael broke it to her that it was impossible Alkan watched with disgust as he told Misao the straight facts. When he said, "Humans are such interesting creatures. If I tell them something they want to believe then they would believe it instantly even if it's impossible." Alkan thought, 'Figured my guess would be correct.'

When Michael said the things he was telling Misao Alkan felt like he wanted to puke. He couldn't believe what this guy was saying, it sounded like some fanatic talking. Alkan was about to summon some wind when Kazuma stopped him. He asked, "What?"

"Let him finish." Kazuma said. As much as Alkan wanted to ignore that request he took a deep breath and let it go. Misao was going frantic and Alkan figured that she was regaining her senses. When Michael pushed her last button she screamed in shock and fainted. Ayano and Ren tried to rescue her but were repelled by a dark aura. Ayano asked, "What the hell is that?!"

Kazuma replied, "It's the life energy that Misao collected. All of it is pouring out of her unconscious body-."

"And that bastard's sucking it up like a leech, right?" Alkan finished.

Kazuma nodded and said, "Was that your plan all along?"

"That's right. Since I needed enough power to defeat both Kazuma Yagami and Alkan Simure Hosenkou, I needed a special medium, like a member of the Kannagi clan." Michael explained.

Both Alkan and Kazuma looked at each other and Kazuma said, "To defeat us?"

Michael nodded and said, "I guess I still haven't introduced myself." He bowed and said, "My name is Michael Harley. To destroy our cursed enemies, Kazuma Yagami and Alkan Simure Hosenkou, in the name of the stars and wisdom, I have collected this power for that purpose."

Alkan instantly felt anger as Kazuma repeated, "In the name of the stars and wisdom?" At that Alkan clenched his fist and it was shaking in pure anger. Michael saw Alkan's look and said, "It seems that Alkan already knows what I'm talking about. If I remember correctly, the two of you have a connection with my great master." He then said, "In the name of the stars and wisdom, I shall pursue only the truth!"

As the memory came back to Kazuma the wind around Alkan erupted as he felt Cui-Ling tremble from inside her crystal. Thankfully he and Kazuma were far apart enough from each other that Kazuma didn't get caught up in Alkan's wind. Not that it mattered anyway since the wind around Kazuma also erupted. He said, "Then I guess we'll send you to hell, where your master is!" Kazuma sent a wind slash at him with Alkan following with his own. Kazuma's was stopped by the aura as well as Alkan's but he combined effort nearly lifted Michael off his feet. He said, "As expected from our enemies, but I told you that the two of you are going to die."

When Michael stepped back Misao's body started to float. Alkan's anger dissipated a bit as he whispered, "The hell is this bastard up to?!"

Then suddenly Misao's body was devoured by the glowing slime and started to grow larger. As it did Ayano and Ren were surprised while Alkan and Kazuma watched as the slime grew larger. Suddenly the slime split in half and they formed two dragons. Alkan spat and said, "Tch, we are in big trouble aren't we?"

The dragon's tails tore apart the church as Michael said, "Aren't they magnificent? I created the dragon Vrtra using Misao as the core, while it's twin Artrv is under my direct control." Michael was talking to them from the top of Artrv's head as he said, "Now, Kazuma Yagami and Alkan Simure Hosenkou, can the two of you defeat the two great dragons Vrtra and Artrv? Oh but Misao might die if you defeat either one though." With that Michael assimilated himself into Artrv.

Ayano asked, "So which one is Misao in?"

"I don't think it matters. We'd probably have to take both of them out at the same time to get her out." Alkan said. The four of them jumped out of the way as the two dragons shot their breaths at where they were standing. As they fell back Alkan said, "You guys come up with a plan while I distract them."

"Wait a minute!" Kazuma shouted but Alkan was already engaging the two dragons. He shook his head and said, "He's being reckless again. But then again, he does think before he acts, unlike a certain someone." They watched him try and use wind slashes to get their attention. Kazuma asked Ayano, "The Kannagi's purifying flame should destroy those dragons without harming Misao right?"

Ayano shouted back, "Sorry to say this but I can't wield the purification flame yet!"

"What?" Kazuma said. Ayano continued, "The only people I know that can do that is my father and Uncle Genma!" They just stood there for a second before Kazuma slumped his shoulders and said, "You're so useless."

"Well sorry about that!" Ayano shouted as they dodged another breath from Vrtra. She shouted, "What about Alkan? Can't he do it?"

"Sorry to burst you're bubble but Alkan's not that skilled with fire. At most he's a bit under your level in skill. He personally admitted that he can't use it." Kazuma told her. The two faced Vrtra and it seems that Alkan has his hands full with Artrv. Normally he would have went all out on it but with the possibility with Misao being in either one of them Alkan was holding back.

When Alkan saw Ayano charge he thought, 'What the heck is that girl doing.' Due to this Artrv nearly got him in the side with one of it's tentacles coming out of it's head. He sliced them off but the started to grow back. Soon he saw Kazuma scoop Ayano out of danger, but he got himself injured in the process. Vrtra tried to go after them but Ren blocked it with his flame. Kazuma said, "Thank you Ren. Can you and Alkan hold them off for a moment?"

"Say what?!" Alkan said as both dragons shot their breaths at them. With Kazuma and Ayano gone for the minute they felt like they were at a severe disadvantage. He called to Ren, "Hey Ren! Could you hold them off for a moment?"

Ren was shocked and asked, "What are you going to do?! I can't hold them off for long!"

"Just give me a minute!" With that Alkan closed his eyes and began to focus. As he did a memory came back to him.

***

Flashback – 3 years ago

Alkan was talking with the black haired woman on the mountain as he took a break from training. He found it interesting that a woman like her was taking a walk around the mountain like this. Alkan was about to as her where she lived when suddenly a youma appeared.

Both of them stood up with Alkan shielding the woman from the youma. He knew that he didn't have enough power to defeat it so he shouted, "I'll distract it while you get away!"

"But what about you?!" The woman shouted.

"I'll be fine!" Alkan assured her. He thought, 'Yeah right! But all I have to do is distract it enough until the woman escapes.' Alkan focuses on what wind he can summon onto his fists and went charging at the youma, which was the form of a wolf. Alkan manages to keep the youma at bay and he even landed a few hits on it. The youma manages to get past it and to his horror; he saw that the woman was still standing there.

Alkan spat in frustration and ran with all his strength and sent a weak wind slash towards it. The slash didn't hurt it but it certainly got it's attention since the youma suddenly turned and pounced onto him. He tried to get it off but his wind was too weak. The youma was about to bite his head off when a very strong gust of wind suddenly came by and sent the youma flying into the air. Then dozens of wind slashes came by and tore the youma to pieces.

Alkan managed to pick himself up and looked for the source of the wind. His eyes fell on the woman but she looked very different, her hair was a pale green and her eyes were a glowing azure blue. Alkan walked up to her and asked, "Who are you?"

The woman replied smiling, "I've been waiting for someone like you. Someone who has the courage to face any obstacle despite the powers they possess."

Alkan said, "That's very nice and all but that still doesn't tell me who you are."

"I am the Wind Spirit Princess, equal to the Wind Spirit King. I ask you, will you make a contract with me?"

***

Present time

Alkan had his eyes closed as he prayed, 'Wind Spirit Princess, I call upon you. Please entrust your power over the wind to me.' With that the wind spirits started to gather around him very rapidly. With his eyes still closed he took off his eyepatch and stowed it into his pocket. He walked forward and shouted, "Ren! Get back!"

Ren felt the wind shift and turned to Alkan as he fell back. Alkan held his hand out and in an instant the two dragons were being pinned down by a massive wind barrier. Ren was surprised at color of Alkan's eyes and said, "Alkan, you're a contractor too?!"

"Surprised?" Alkan said with a smug look on his face, "Well, I don't use this power unless I'm backed into a corner." Ren looked excited and asked, "So you have a contract with the Wind Spirit King too?"

"Well, yes and no. I do have a contract but it's not with the Wind Spirit King. I'll tell you all about it later." Alkan was starting to feel strained since the dragons were bashing against the barrier.

Ayano showed up and when she saw the scene she asked, "What's going on?" Then she saw Alkan and his azure eyes. She said, "No way, Alkan, you're a contractor too?!"

"Yes and I'll tell you the details later, I can't hold them for long!" At that moment the barrier vanished and the two dragons fired their breaths at them. As they dodged Alkan asked, "So what's the plan?"

"We stall for five minutes. I think Kazuma's activating his contract." Ayano said as she took out Enraiha. Alkan sighed and said, "Then let's get to work!" With that Ayano and Ren took on Vrtra while Alkan took Artrv. As they fought Alkan thought, 'I hope that Kazuma has a plan, 'cause I have nothing at the moment.' He sliced off all of Artrv's limbs only for them to grow back.

Five minutes later the three of them regrouped together and they felt Kazuma's presence. Ayano smiled and said, "Well that was fast."

Kazuma smirked and said, "I know." When Alkan looked at him Kazuma said, "You too Alkan?"

"Well, what did you expect? You left the two of us to go have some private time with Ayano!" Ayano blushed at that as Alkan turned and said, "So you have any ideas on how to beat these things while getting Misao out of there in one piece? Burn it down?" He went and erected another wind barrier around the four of them.

"I already said that it's impossible to do that!" Ayano said. Kazuma held out his hand and said, "Let me take care of that." The wind surrounded Enraiha turning it into a blue flame. Ayano and Ren were amazed as Alkan said, "That's the Divine Flame Souen right?"

"Uh huh, this should work." Kazuma said. Alkan had an idea from it and he sent a very powerful wind through the barrier, sending the two dragons crashing to the ground. He said to Ren, "Hey Ren, make a flame!"

Ren wasted no time creating a flame in his hand. Alkan concentrated and he also turned the flame blue. Ren was a bit surprised at it and Kazuma joked, "Ha, it's like my old man's flame."

"Okay, are you two ready?" Alkan asked. Kazuma also asked, "Can you do it Ayano?"

"Of course." Ayano replied. Ren also said, "I'm ready Alkan."

Alkan nodded and said, "Okay Kazuma, let's do this!"

"Right!" Kazuma said. The two of them lifted Ayano and Ren into the air and they were sent flying, with Ayano heading for Vrtra and Ren heading for Artrv. The two dragons shot their breaths at them but the two pierced through them and landed on their head. As they took the dragons out with their flames Alkan said, "What I'm about to do later, don't interfere alright?"

Kazuma was a bit curious by what Alkan meant as the two flew up to go catch them. As Kazuma caught Ayano and Alkan grabbed Ren Michael crawled out of the slime saying, "Why…why do the four of you have such power?! I collected the energy of over a thousand humans! This shouldn't be possible!" Then Michael saw the power within Kazuma's and Alkan's eyes and said, "No…the two of you are contractors! Kazuma Yagami, Alkan Hosenkou, you are the ones who made contracts with the Wind Spirit King?!"

As Alkan got rid of the flames surrounding Michael he corrected him saying, "Actually Kazuma's the only one with the contract with the Wind Spirit King. Mine's with the Wind Spirit Princess."

Ren and Ayano were a bit puzzled while Michael said, "No, you found the Wind Spirit Princess?!" That was when he noticed Alkan walking towards him. He said, "Wait, what are you doing?!" In a flash Alkan kicked him onto his back and to Ayano and Ren's horror, they saw him plunge a knife into Michael's stomach.

He screamed in pain as he tried to remove it but Alkan's grip on it was strong and he was twisting it slowly, making him scream even more. As he did that Alkan had an expressionless look on his face as he said, "You know, this won't really satisfy me. But since your master's dead I guess I'll settle for you." As he continued to twist the knife slowly his contract started to fade, revealing his blood red eye. That was when he had a slight look on his face like he was enjoying it. He continued to say, "Considering the pain you put people through, this should be nothing to you." Alkan gave it another slow twist before he pulled the knife out and as he walked away, he used the wind to fan the flame over his body, incinerating him.

As Alkan sighed he saw that Ayano and Ren were giving him odd looks. He sighed again and said, "I'm very sorry that you two had to see that. You see, the organization that demon belonged to did something to me. I don't want to talk about it so would you please not say anything?"

Both of them looked at Kazuma who gave them a nod and they both said, "Yes." Alkan took out his eyepatch and put back over his left eye. Ayano asked, "Why do you wear that? You're eyesight looked fine to me."

Alkan gave her an odd look and asked, "Didn't you see what color my eye was?" When she nodded he asked, "So, didn't it unnerve you or something?"

Ayano had a hard time answering that until Alkan gave her a piercing look and she said in a quiet voice, "Um, a bit."

"So now you know." Alkan said. He looked over his shoulder and said, "I think the fire's died down. Why don't you go see-." But when he turned they saw Kazuma already heading over to where Misao was. Alkan commented, "Wow, that Kazuma sure works fast doesn't he?"

Ayano couldn't help but feel annoyed at the comment. She really blew up when Kazuma went on about Misao owing him with her body for all the trouble she put him through. As they watched Ayano chase after Kazuma Alkan approached Misao. She noticed his approach and she said, "Hosenkou-sama, I'm so sorry for all the times I've been rude to you."

"Ah, don't worry about it. You were hurting and weren't thinking straight. So there's no problem." When he saw the depressed look on her face he said, "You know, honoring their memory is one way to atone."

"Eh?" Misao said, looking up at him. He continued, "I can't give you much advice on how to atone, since I'm too much of a simpleton but all I can say is to pray for them." He looked at her and he sighed at the sight. He took of his own coat and said, "Here, wrap this around your waist before Kazuma gets any weird ideas."

She took the coat and said, "Okay Hosenkou-sama."

***

A week later Kazuma, Ayano, and Ren visited a convent located in the northern mountains of Japan. They visited Misao and Kazuma wasn't very happy with Jugo's decision to send Misao to a convent. They talked and Misao found out that Kazuma never gave up on her because of what happened when they were kids. When they were about to leave Kazuma remembered something and he took out a letter from his coat pocket and handed it to Misao.

"What's this?" Misao asked as she received the letter.

"It's from Alkan. For some reason he couldn't come with us so he wanted to give you that instead." Kazuma told them.

"I see…" Misao said. After saying goodbye Misao headed back inside the convent. In her room she opened the letter from Alkan. It said:

Dear Misao,

I hope that you're doing fine. I was a bit surprised to find out that you were sent to a convent. I also heard that Kazuma wasn't very happy with the decision, but considering his reasons, it shouldn't matter.

Anyway, I'm writing this since you obviously don't have access to a phone (not sure about this though), not to mention that I'm kind of busy and I can't visit with Kazuma and the others. What I want to say is an addition of what I told you a week ago. I said that you should pray for those that 'died', right? Well, something else I forgot to mention is that in addition to praying for them you should go out and help people. Giving back to the world is also one way to atone you know, there are people that do it.

I don't know what they do in a convent since I've never visited one before, but if they do let you go into town or something, then go around and help people. It's impossible to forget the burden of sin but it is possible to ease the load.

I know I sound a bit high and mighty there but I too have killed people. Some I've even enjoyed doing since I was still in pain in the past, although some of them were actually demons. I won't go into details but I haven't forgotten that I killed them. When we try to repent it shows that we're really human.

Well, I won't try to tell you what to do; all I'm giving you is advice. I'm sure Kazuma would agree with me that leaving a girl hurt and crying is against the law or something. So I hope that you stay well at the convent, and I hope to see you again someday.

Alkan Hosenkou,

P.S. You should really forget about that nonsense about you owing Kazuma, from what I've heard it seems that he owed you and he already paid for it.

Misao smiled at the letter and said, "Thank you very much Alkan-sama." She continued to look out the window looking at the falling snow.

Back in Tokyo Alkan was busy helping Kirika with her paperwork. Somehow she saw what happened a week ago and blackmailed him into helping her with her paperwork. He thought, 'Ugh, I better be careful from now on. Oh this hurts so badly!'

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Note: Sorry if a certain scene seemed gruesome, it's due to his past and that will be explained in time. Oh and thanks to Micha-Guest for answering my question, it's been a while since I saw the anime that I forgot most of the details.