And on with the story...
Chapter 10: Training
"Man...That totally sucked...", states Shin in a daze as thoughts of the defeat he suffered to Mei rush through his consciousness.
"The next time you require power...Please call on me, Sir...", echoes a dedicated and strong female voice through his head.
"Call on you?...Who are you?...", replies Shin wearily in question to the mysterious voice's statement.
Suddenly, Shin feels a cool sensation hit his face, and it was refreshing, but then the same feeling hit him again. The third time the sensation hits him, Shin jerks awake when he realizes the sensation he is feeling is water.
"What the hell?!", blurts out Shin in surprise, awakening to find himself drenched from being hit with several cups of water.
Shin opens his eyes after wiping the water from his face to see Arlo and Eldriana staring him back in the face. Shin looks around curiously to see that he is inside the medical station of the training field, and quickly looks back down at his chest, which has been completely healed.
"Even my clothes are fixed?", questions Shin, thinking out loud.
"Yeah bro! Eldriana's healing powers are pretty crazy. They can even repair clothing, and stuff!", replies Arlo, as he abruptly tugs Shin from the cot he was resting on.
"Geez, we thought you were gonna sleep all day, man! You better be ready because Captain Kill-Joy is ready to torture us some more!", chuckles Arlo as he pulls Shin in close in attempt to not let Eldriana hear his voice, but it fails.
"Hey! My brother only wants you two slackers to improve yourselves! Why, I have suffered far more grevious wounds than the ones you two had, and didn't have to sleep all day to recover!", scolds Eldriana when she overhears Arlo's sarcastic comments about Raiku.
"He was only joking, Eldriana. Calm down, ok.", replies Shin, still somewhat weary from just awakening.
"Not really...", states Arlo flatly with a slightly serious look on his face.
Eldriana angrily throws a box of bandages at Arlo, who is off-guard, and succeeds in hitting him dead-center in the face.
"That was unnecessary!", shouts Arlo at Eldriana, who sticks out her tongue, while crossing her arms, and turning her head.
"It sounds like you two have recovered, and are full of energy; so, that must mean you are ready for the next part of your training!", chimes Raiku's voice as he enters the small medical station.
"Don't tell me we have to fight the dragon twins again?", replies Shin with a slightly terrified look his face.
"No, from the test earlier, I was able to deduce that you two have exceptional amounts of divine and spiritual energy.", begins Raiku, explaining the results of the test earlier. "However! Your bodies are not built to handle such large amounts of energy, and to protect you out of instinct, you bodies only allow you to release a portion of your power. For the next ten days, the root of your training will be to increase your physical and mental stamina; along with, your fighting techniques.", continues Raiku as he motions for everyone to follow him outside.
Everyone gathers outside the medical station, where Raiku prepares to elaborate on the training regiment that Shin and Arlo will be following for the next ten days.
"You will begin there!", proclaims Raiku as he points to a small mountain range located miles behind the mansion.
"What's that supposed to mean?", questions Shin hesitantly, unsure if he wants to know the answer to the question.
"You will be doing a fast-paced run to that mountain where you will continue your training regiment. You will do this every-single-day.", states Raiku as he smiles back at Shin and Arlo, whose facial expressions show their little enthusiasm for the training.
"But, that will not be all!", adds Raiku quickly as he motions for Eldriana to move towards Shin and Arlo. "Eldriana, since you and Artemis designed the training garments, will you do the honors of adjusting the gravity arcana on the clothes?", continues Raiku to Eldriana, who simply touches a small rune located on the backs of each of Arlo's and Shin's battle-vests.
Suddenly, Arlo and Shin fall flat on their face, and struggle to regain their stance, but fall back down again. Both of them look at Raiku with a slight amount of discord in their eyes, but he simply smiles back at them as Eldriana moves to his side.
"We will be waiting for you near the top of that mountain; so, do not take too long. Once there, you'll start a regiment of ten-thousand push-ups, sit-ups, and regular sparring at one-hundred times normal gravity; until, you are in top shape! I'll be watching your progress from above!", shouts Raiku before he and Eldriana burst off towards the mountain range, enveloped inside a green lightning bolt.
"Dude...This is pretty weak...", complains Arlo as he and Shin finally regain their stature, and look agonizingly towards the mountain range in the distance.
"You could always fight me again! That was the other option!", shouts Mei from behind the two boys, who immediately look at each other.
Without even saying a word, or looking behind them, Shin and Arlo take off in a frantic dash toward the mountains. As they leave a trail of dust behind them, Shin ponders about how bad the next nine days will be, and sighs in exhaustion all ready. Still, he smiles knowing he would be getting stronger, and would finally be able to stand against his enemies with skill, and not just instinct and blind courage. Arlo waves for Shin as if to signal that he needs to keep up, and Shin picks up his pace to catch up. Little did he know, that the coming days would go by faster than he had anticipated...
The next nine days came and went faster than Shin had expected, and with each day, he and Arlo grew stronger and more skilled. The clothing they were wearing with the gravity enchantments, that they had struggled to overcome at the beginning, became nothing more than regular clothing. They even put on a few pounds of muscle to their surprise, and had to be fitted for new training attire on the ninth day. The tenth day loomed on Shin, and he awoke that day prepared to stand alongside Arlo for their final test.
"Let's do this!", exclaims Shin as he jumps from the sheets of his bed, and quickly gets changed into his training clothes.
Shin hurriedly rushes towards the door, and flings it open to find Rotei awaiting him with breakfast and a smile. Shin grins, and waves as he rushes past him; grabbing the two pieces of toast, and water bottle in the process. As he runs out the back doors to the mansion, he eats his food, and grins from ear to ear with confidence as he thinks about how far he has come in only ten days.
"Hey! Shin!", shouts Arlo, who is ahead of Shin, awaiting him at the gate to the training field, but Shin notices he looks slightly different.
"What's with the new look, Arlo?", asks Shin as he stops to catch his breath, noticing Arlo has gotten rid of his glasses.
"To be honest, I just got tired of replacing them; so, I switched to contacts. Since we started all of this, I've had to replace them three times. Ha, ha, ha!", chuckles Arlo casually as they make their way into the training area, where Raiku is waiting for them.
Shin and Arlo get sight of Raiku, Eldriana, Mei ,and Yang waiting for them at the center of the field, and eager to start their final test, they jog over to them.
"Heya, everyone!", greets Arlo with a smile and wave as he, and Shin arrive in front of their four comrades.
"Good morning, Shin and Arlo! I trust you slept well, and received all the rest you needed?", replies Eldriana in excitement, smiling before giving Shin and Arlo each a hug to their surprise.
"What was that for, Eldriana?", asks Shin, looking at Arlo, who is blushing just as much as he is.
"Oh, I'm sorry! I'm just so excited to see how much stronger you two have become!", exclaims Eldriana, blushing slightly in embarrassment as she spins her hair around her finger.
"Yes, she is right.", interrupts Raiku with a smile as he looks at Shin and Arlo. "You two have come a long way in just ten short days. So much so, that it's almost unbelievable! Shin you have truly become worthy to call yourself a God, and Arlo, you have mastered the ancestral element of the Demon Fox Clan to a point that nearly mirrors your fathers.", continues Raiku with a proud grin to the boys, who look at each other with smiles.
"Thank you, Raiku. For everything, really.", begins Shin with a confident smile. "I know me and Arlo weren't exactly ready for this at the beginning, and I especially was the worst for a time. I nearly gave up a few times to be honest with you, but thanks to all of you, I always found my strength. I owe all of you my thanks, and I promise you that I won't fail you! We will crush the Titans, and together, we'll make them regret ever messing with us! Right?!", continues Shin with confidence and strength in his voice; showing everyone his new resolve.
Everyone smiles back at Shin, who has inspired them to fully believe in him, and Eldriana is so moved that she cannot help shedding a tear of happiness. Even Raiku cannot hide his emotions, and begins to tear up as he puts his hand out to shake Shin's, who returns the gesture in kind. Shin looks Raiku in the eyes, and can see the one-thousand years of worry and frustration leave his face for just a brief moment. As Shin looks around at everyone, he can see the same effect washing over them as well. As Raiku releases Shin's hand, he quickly wipes the tear from his eye; even though, he all ready knows everyone saw him shed his tears of relief, and prepares to speak, but Mei interrupts him.
"I'm really glad for Shin and Arlo too, but enough of this lovey-dovey stuff. Shin your speech has really gotten me fired up! I'm ready to fight!", exclaims Mei with an excited smile on her face as she vigorously cracks her knuckles on each hand.
"Y-Yes, let us proceed with the Final Test!", agrees Raiku, finally succeeding in clearing his throat. "Shin, Arlo! Just like on your first day of training, you two will face Mei and Yang in a two verses two match. However, this time Yang will most definently be participating, and be wary for she is just as powerful as her sister. And remember, they ARE dragons, which are the closest Mythos to Gods in terms of power. They were the first Mythos ever created, and can use Divine Arcana just as we do; even though, their Arcana is sightly limited. You may take your positions over there in the center of the training field.", explains Raiku eagerly as he points to the center of the field.
The four combatants march over to take their positions for the fight, and not a single one of them is showing any doubt of their victory in their facial expressions. The four warriors look to the medical station, where Raiku and Eldriana have taken a spectators role, and they await Raiku's signal to begin. Raiku gives them the nod to begin, and the four warriors look at each other to begin the fight.
"Dragon Arcana: Dragon Shift!, shouts Mei, quickly transforming into the white-scaled dragon form she used in their last battle.
While Shin and Arlo remain motionless, Mei launches her first attack by bolting head on the same way she did in their first fight. She appears directly between them with a flash of speed, and whirls around to backhand both of the boys with extreme force.
"Have you two learned anything! The first strike always dictates the flow of battle!", shouts Mei, slightly disappointed that the fight is as easy as the last time they fought.
Suddenly, Shin and Arlo smile as they effortlessly snatch each of Mei's wrists with only one of their hands. Mei is stunned when she tries to break free, but cannot do so, and grins with battle-lust as she looks at Shin.
"I guess you two HAVE improved...", sneers Mei with a sly grin.
"This won't be as easy as last time, Mei. Didn't you say something like the first hit always dictates the battle flow...", replies Shin with an aggressive tone of voice as he pulls back his free hand, balling it into a fist as he does so.
"Shin, look out! Let her go, quick!", Shouts Arlo to Shin, warning Shin as he points to the now airborne Yang, who is about unleash a technique.
"Dragon Arcana: Smog Breath!", shouts Yang as she takes a deep breath.
Yang fills her lungs with air, and when she exhales, she bellows out a jet stream of thick smog. Shin and Arlo immediately release Mei in time to jump into the air, and out of harms way as the smog envelops Mei. Shin and Arlo land several feet back from where they were standing, and Shin prepares to launch a counter-attack, but Arlo stops his assault by grabbing his shoulder.
"Wait Shin, that's no ordinary smog, man. It's comprised of several very deadly poisons that are strong enough to cripple us. They must be immune to it if Yang was willing to fire it at Mei.", states Arlo as he looks towards the thick cloud of smog that the twin dragons have hidden in.
"How do you know?", replies Shin in question as he summons Hercules to his right hand, ready to defend himself from a sneak attack.
"Well, I AM part-fox, you know. I have quite the sense of smell!", chuckles Arlo as he prepares two spheres of crimson flames in his hands.
"I guess there's only one way to get rid of that smog!", proclaims Shin, charging his buster sword with light-blue energy as he swings it behind his body.
Shin releases a smaller, crescent-shaped beam of energy that is similar to his Climhazzard technique, but does so without using an arcana incantation-command. The beam speeds towards the cloud of smog, and detonates, unleashing a destructive sphere that clears away the cloud with the wind created by the force of the explosion.
"What?! Where'd they go?!", shouts Shin in question when they see no one hidden behind the smoke.
Sensing two energy signatures below them, Shin and Arlo backflip at just the right moment to avoid Mei and Yang, who spring from the ground below them for a surprise attack. After their failed attack, Mei and Yang separate from each other, and attack head-on in an attempt to divide their opponents.
"Let's see how you handle this, fox-boy!", taunts Mei as she becomes infused with purple spirit energy. "Dragon Arcana: Luna Twister!", roars Mei, using one of her Arcana techniques once more, but Arlo is ready for the attack.
After a burst of shimmering energy, Mei becomes a purple-colored tornado that becomes larger and larger as it rapidly spins towards the direction of Arlo, who summons two spheres of crimson energy into his hands. Thinking quickly, Arlo shoots two streams of flames into the ground, and uses the propulsion to ascend high into the sky with just enough speed to dodge the impact of Mei's assault. Mei collides with the bare earth; creating a crater upon impact that sends shards of debree outward like bullets, and Arlo is slashed across the cheek with one of the speeding fragments of earth.
"Your wide open now!", shouts Arlo, ignoring the pain as he descends to the ground, while conjuring several, small, dark-blue spheres of fire into his closed fists.
Arlo unleashes a hailstorm of flaming bullets that shower the defenseless Mei in mini-explosions that keep her pinned down. Arlo lands on the ground, while still firing at Mei, and doesn't let up, but looks behind him to see Shin fighting Yang in a close combat fight.
Shin frowns as he easily blocks every strike that Yang hesitantly throws at him, and quickly grabs her wrists with a sympathetic look on his face.
"Yang, stop holding back. I know you do not like fighting, but I need you to fight me with all you got; so, I can test my skills. Will you please do this for me?", asks Shin with a light smile, trying to sympathize with Yang because he can tell she does not like to fight.
"Mm-hm...", mutters Yang with a small smile, blushing back at Shin shyly before he releases her. "I'll do the best that I can...", states Yang as she takes a combat stance, her hands and feet beginning to glow with black spiritual energy.
"Now that's more like it!", exclaims Shin with a smile, tightly gripping his sword, Hercules, when he senses Yang's energy signature begin to rise in power.
"Dragon Arcana: Eclipse Dragon Talons!", shouts Yang as her hands and feet take the shape of dragons claws formed from black spiritual energy.
Yang makes the first move, and sprints at Shin, who stands ready for her attack, but he is surprised when Yang hits him with a lightning-quick leg sweep. Shin is knocked off his feet, and as he falls, Yang hits him with a powerful, downward kick to the chest that sends him into the ground with enough force to form a body-sized crater. Without losing a beat, and before Shin can even react, Yang hits him with another leg sweep that sends him skidding across the ground like a hocky puck. Shin loses his grip on Hercules during the hit, but is still able to quickly flip himself onto his feet using his right arm to slow himself down as he skids across the ground. However, he is caught off-guard when he sees Yang coming at him again for another attack.
"Damn, she doesn't quit!", shouts Shin as his fists begin to shimmer with white, divine energy. "Weapon Arcana: Arms Forge!", shouts Shin, quickly acting to defend himself from Yang's next attack.
Suddenly, a spark of divine energy from Shin's hands turns into a set of silver twin-swords, and he quickly blocks Yang's slash from her dragon claws. Yang is surprised by Shin's new ability to summon weapons at his disposal, and backs off to create some distance, but Shin quickly throws his two swords at her like daggers. Shin's impulsive attack causes her to further back away from Shin, who takes this opening to hurriedly reclaim Hercules.
"It's over...", states Shin with a confident smile to Yang, who is confused by his statement until she crashes into Mei.
Yang looks behind her, and meets face to face with an equally confused Mei, but suddenly, two massive walls of radiant golden flames form around them. Mei grabs Yang by the collar in an attempt to escape the obvious trap, but she stops dead in her tracks when the walls funnel them directly to Shin, who has Hercules perched behind him with an enormous amount of light-blue energy bursting from the blade.
"M-Maybe we c-can break through the walls, sister?", states Yang to her sister Mei, who wears a solemn smile because she all ready knows the outcome.
"I wouldn't try that if I was you!" interrupts Arlo's voice from behind the wall of golden flames. "Out of all the Demon Fox Clans, the Golden Foxes are the strongest because we specialize in three types of flames. Although the crimson and blue flames are more like regular flames, I can assure you that these flames aren't ordinary by any means. These flames are nearly ten times the temperature of the sun, and can purify anything in their path.", explains Arlo's voice until he appears behind Shin, who is ready to end the fight.
"It's all up to you now, Shin. Fire at will, soldier! Ha, I've always wanted to say that!", chuckles Arlo as he takes a few steps back from Shin.
"Just so you know, all of the blade-beams I was releasing earlier were not my Climhazzard Technique. They were just my divine energy that is amplified when I swing my sword. This however...is my Climhazzard!", explains Shin as he prepares to fire his finisher at Mei and Yang, who have accepted the loss, and wait for it to be over.
"Weapon Arcana: Climhazzard!", bellows Shin as he swings his buster sword forward with all his might.
Shin unleashes a colossal, crescent beam that is twenty-times the size of the original Climmhazzard, and taller than most buildings. The blade-beam rips the ground asunder as it approaches Mei and Yang, and the twins are wide-eyed as they fearfully stare into the blinding light, but are in complete awe of Shin's new-found power. But just when they think the attack will kill them, it narrowly veers to the right, and barrels past them. The massive Climhazzard beam begins to rise from the ground, and soars into the sky; until, reaching a safe distance. The beam explodes forming an enormous sphere of light-blue energy that causes numerous trees to topple over from the wind created by it. The sphere explodes again before finally dissipating, and sending a large shockwave of falling energy fragments raining down on the land.
"Damn...That was crazy...", stammers Arlo in awe as he watches the snow-like energy fragments rain down from the sky.
"Bravo! Bravo, you two! Shin, you and Arlo pass with flying colors!", exclaims Raiku, stopping the fight, and clapping his hands repeatedly as he approaches them with Eldriana at his side. "That was magnificent! All four of you were very impressive!", he continues to applaud as they reach the four warriors.
"Shin, you were great! Your so powerful now, and your Climhazzard was amazing, my love!", compliments Eldriana, running to Shin's side to congratulate him, but Shin is focused on the sky above the city.
"What is it, Shin? Are you injured, or tired?", asks Eldriana in a worried tone as she places her hand on Shin's shoulder.
"What the hell is that?...Look...", states Shin with a fierce look on his face as he points to the sky above the city of Sanctuary.
Seeing Shin's serious expression, everyone quickly looks to the sky above the city, which has a growing cloud of shadows and black lightning forming above it. Suddenly, a giant black portal manifests, and everyone looks at each other in worry when they sense the coming evil.
"No...No, it's them...They can't get in here. How did they...", stutters Eldriana as she wraps her arm around Shin's arm in fear.
"Here they come! Damn, it's the Titans!", shouts Arlo, the first to see the figures falling from the sky.
"That is not possible! How did they find this realm?!", shouts Raiku, stunned by what he is seeing right before his eyes.
Everyone looks on in disbelief as dozens of Titans fall from the portal, and into the city below, where they can all ready hear the sounds of chaos and destruction echoing in the distance. Suddenly, divine energy bursts from Shin as he points his sword to the city, and he surprises everyone when he pulls his sword back in an attack stance.
"No way...No way I'm gonna let this happen! I'll save this realm!", shouts Shin as he prepares to swing Hercules forward. "Take this, you assholes! Weapon Arcana: Climhazzard!", bellows Shin as he releases another massive blade-beam at the portal.
The beam collides with the portal, and explodes with even more force than the last one Shin fired. The massive sphere of exploding energy completely vaporizes the dozens of airborne Titan foot-soldiers, and continues to wipe them out; until, the attack finally comes to and end.
"Don't give up! We haven't lost yet!", proclaims Shin as he thrusts his buster sword into the ground, steaming energy still flowing from the blade.
"Hell yeah, Shin! That was awesome!", exclaims Arlo with a cool grin on his face; fired up by Shin's new attitude.
Shin aggressively points his blade at the portal above the city, and roars, "Get ready, everyone...'cause we're going Titan hunting!"
The Titans are invading, and just when the heroes were starting to feel good about themselves! Even though they have found a new strength within them, how will our heroes hold out against an army of Titans? Find out next chapter!