Volume 2 Chapter 11: Connect to Reconnect
Lala...
To say that Shiro was a enigma to her was understatement. He was a boy that held an air of mystery around him, he didn't even bat an eyelash when they first met. Instead scolded her like a regular parent would to their child, to say the least that hurt her pride just a little.
Say what you will about her lack of common sense, but she was not ignorant to her own beauty, men from all over the universe wanted her just to get the throne. But still, Shiro risked his own life to stand beside her, not even understanding the situation at the time, he called her a friend.
'Do I need a reason to help a friend?'
Despite his initially cold demeanor, he was a kind person at heart. And that why it was so hard to understand stand him at times. He always took the time to help her adjust to earths culture, but that same time kept his distance away from her, away from everyone she noted. Besides Yuuki Rito, she noticed he never interacted with anyone unless he had to.
While she never had any friends of her own, outside of Ren of course, she noted how plain and empty his apartment was. No family photo, No pictures on the wall, there were stacks of DVD's and Games that he bought, and bookshelf case full of books he loved to read in his down time.
I wasn't much, but it home to Shiro and so it her home as well! Her cheeks flushed pink. Peke spoke up breaking her out of her train of thoughts
"Lala-Sama, is everything okay? Your hearts beat is increasing drastically all of a sudden." He asked.
"I-I'm fine!" She stuttered a replayed, she mentally cursed as she almost flew into tree, she was on a far away planet looking for a certain gift to give for Shiro.
While she wasn't intuitive when comes to understanding people, much less so a human, she could tell something was definitely bothering Shiro all week long. It was considering for her, she had never seen him so stressed out before. She hoped her gift would put his mind at ease.
"I hope he'll be okay, we did leave all of a sudden." She mumbled.
"I'm sure he's fine, he resourceful enough to get out any situation, I suppose he's not that bad...for human anyway."
Peke always had a low opinion of Shiro, why wouldn't he? Shiro was a brute in his eyes, he couldn't understand why the princess would like such a person. Although, he was impressed that Shiro managed to convince Zastin to let them stay, without having to resort to violence. But, he doubted Shiro genuinely cares enough for Lala's well being. For now, he would watch and observe him, Peke would always support what decisions his creator makes.
[...]
Xyaqom...
Shiro was a peculiar young man when they first met. His Aura threw him off completely, or rather the lack there of. Had they not cross paths the way they did he would've just assume he just a regular human.
That's what he originally thought anyway. What he did not expect was the Lord of Calamity, the most dangerous person in the known universe to be so...patheticly weak. Of course he was very disappointed.
'This man is dangerous not only to your sister, but to the entire universe."
Leon had warned an advanced Xyaqom only scoffed at such clams, the guy couldn't even hurt a fly, let alone himself. Still it was a situation he couldn't entirely ignore it ether. The Lord of Calamity, Xyaqom remembered old stories from his father, that he was the sole cause of the Galaxy Unification War the mastermind behind it all. But a valiant hero sacrificed his life's saving everyone in the process in order defeat him. Cleary that wasn't the case as he was still alive after all these years. But, doesn't add up here, and was Shiro's Aura.
Aura wasn't something someone could just achieve threw normal training over night, it had to be awakened naturally over period of time. In realty everybody possessed an Aura it our source of Life Energy. Most go threw life blissfully unaware of its existence. Shiro didn't just awakened his Aura like instinct as Leon believes it to be. No, he had to have already awakened it once before. Had it been asleep this whole time? Ridiculous!
He needed answers there was only one person that could give to him.
...
..
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"T-this can't be, Prince Xyaqom!?"
"Yo, Zastin! How've you been?" We sat in table in a Bar dinner table the far corner of the room so we wouldn't be disturbed. Although we do kinda stick out from crowd like sore thumb.
Keeping his hood raised to cover his face, Xyaqom offered Zastin a seet. "Please sit, we have a lot to talk about."
"I still can't believe this," Zastin harshly whispered. "Where have you been your highness? You were presumed to be dead! Oh how your parents would be overjoyed to have back home."
"Yeah~ That's not happening, Zastin I'm not going home." Xyaqom said, causing Zastin let out deep sigh.
"Oh for the love of-, not you to! I swear you kids are getting more rebellious by the year!"
"If make you feel any better, I'm treating you out tonight..."
"Waiter give me your strongest alcohol beverage!"
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"And so the king had me notified, all of her suitors about the potential candidate. I been busting my butt off to making sure there all aware of him." Zastin spoke with a sober tone, Xyaqom was pointing his finger and laughing Zastin misfortune. "All because lost to game of Rock-Paper-Scissors, that's hilarious!"
"It is not~" Zastin whined. "That boy is more cunning and resourceful then I previously gave him credit for do not underestimate him your highness."
Xyaqom leaned back evaluating everything he learned so for. Zastin wasn't a slouch when it came to fighting, he wasn't called the best swordsmen for nothing, he good man, but his ignorance of other cultures outside of deviluke was his own downfall. Shiro real source wasn't his actual strength, but his ingenuity. He took advantage of Zastin lack of knowledge on earth's culture. That made a very a very dangerous player against Lala's other suitor, who many prefer flaunt their status around. Maybe it would be best to entrust Lala's Safety to Shiro, but there still the concerning issue.
"Zastin, You were there during that time tell me, the real story behind the Galaxy Unification War?"
[...]
Yuuki Rito...
(Three years ago,)
Shiro was someone, despite are close friendship now, He didn't get along with him at first. His father brought him home one day, and announced that he would be staying with us for the time being.
Rito nervously mustered up the courage to talk to Shiro, only to be brushed of an instant. Shiro randomly pick a book from the bookshelf and sat in the couch and began silently reading.
Mikan and Rito glanced at each other and agreed, this was gonna be a tough one to crack. The next few days Rito was introducing Shiro to various source of entertainment, video games, anime, sports.
We competed in these activities, we argued, debated, laughed, before Rito realized it, he was having full blown conversations with Shiro, like they been talking for years.
Rito never what his problem was, but decided to let Shiro sort it out himself. Once he was ready to talk about he would be there to listen. He never did of course, Shiro didn't just buried the problem, it was more like he tossed to the side and ignored it.
That was one decision Rito regretted that day.
(Three years later,)
The strangely attractive pink haired girl named Lala showed up and introduced herself as Shiro's fiancé. Nobody believed her, why would they? Shiro the schools most cynical and loner student, wouldn't be caught dead talking to someone unless he had to.
There was a spark in Shiro's eyes, something that Rito notices that day, he was just glaring at Lala, there a deep longing look in his eyes. He did it! Shiro found someone that truly accepted him.
Rito couldn't help but feel envious of him.
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..
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(Time skip, Present day: 24 hours after the previous chapter...)
Yuuki Rito was now worried for his friends, both Lala and Shiro were absent today, Ren hadn't been seen since yesterday. Just what in the world was going on? He mentally noted to stop by there apartment to check up on them. But for now he was a man on a mission! Ever since the Summer school field trip, he finally became friends with Haruna Sairenji his first crush. The battle wasn't over yet, he had yet to win her affection, but one day surly his feeling will eventually reach her. they were just taking things slowly.
So why was he hiding behind the corner wall being his usual stalker self. No, no, no, he shook his head. He wasn't stalking anybody, at least not intentionally, around the corner was his crush, Haruna. All he had do was walk up and say hi to her, easy peasy right? Except his legs were petrified, cheeks lit up watching her dazy off to the clouds. She was an angle!
She let out a deep sigh, "Shiro, I wish things could go back to the way they use to be, just the two of us." She muttered.
...Eh!? His mind was playing tricks on him right? No way Shiro and Haruna could've been a thing, right!? His heart beated faster, it started aching, his vision blurred a bit, was he crying? Tears streamed down his face as wiped them away, was that why he avoided him during middle school?
He felt frustrated, and betrayed, was it all an act to push Huruna towards him as a shoulder to cry on? He needed to talk to someone about this.
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..
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"Eh, Shiro and Huruna seriously!?" Kenichi Saruyama was bewildered, of all the years that they were friends, Shiro was never interested dating anyone. So to hear that Shiro had a thing for Haruna of all all people!...Was actually was starting to make more sense now that he thought about.
In the beginning of school year, Shiro knew Huruna wasn't seeing anyone special. He avoided her every chance he got, he was first one to support Rito discussion into pursue a relationship with her. Although Kenichi would just pass it off as him being supportive, but he was strangely persistent about it. "This is great!"
"Yeah, I know right! I can't believe he didn't- wait what!?"
"This just means that Shiro doesn't hold any feelings for her, you still have a chance to be her!" Saruyama exclaimed.
"Are we just gonna ignore the fact that Shiro and Huruna were a thing!" Rito hissed.
"Are they together now?"
"Well- no not really."
"Then what's the problem?" Saruyama sighed.
Rito fidgeted trying to find the right words. "Ha-Ha-haruna, might still like Shiro." He spoke dejectedly.
"Oh!"
Well shit! It a classic case of a love triangle...that might be a problem.
[...]
Leon...
(Rewind: The previous day, now following the events of the previous chapter)
The place we're going is called the Dream World it's place that's various for different people often build on one wish, to escape from reality. There are two beings in particular that can grant such a wish, Spirits and Nightmares.
"I'm sure you've already met them." Leon spoke to the person of interest, his target Shiro. Otherwise known as Mashiro Yuuma the current Lord of Calamity.
Shiro sat across the table dressed in his casual attire. Which was a plain white shirt, with black long sleeves and a regular pair of jeans. With his arms crossed, his blue eyes narrowed judging wither or not to believe the info I gave him.
"So what's the differences between the two?" Shiro asked.
"Spirits and Nightmare are born from wishes. Have you ever dreamed about something wishing it were real. How do you 'feel' when making that wish? Do you feel happy, warm, and content. Spirits are born from positive emotional wish. While Nightmare are-"
"The opposite." Shiro whispered conclude his statement.
"Bingo! Your catching on!" Leon waved of Shiro's annoyance look on his face. "Loneliness, depression, resentment. Nightmare cumulate all sorts of negativity overtime and such the stronger the wish, the stronger the Nightmare is born." Shiro leaned back, contemplating on his next course of action. Which Leon loathe that look. It reminded him of the mission he was currently on to bring the real Shiro his old friend back. "Of course weather or not you can see these beings, all depends on your ability to 'resonate' with your Aura."
"Huh, Aura? What's that?" Shiro blinked in confusion.
"...Eh?"
"Did I say something strange?"
Leon slammed his fist on the table and roared. "You don't even know the importance of Aura, and your trying to enter the the Dream World, are mad, you'll die before even stepping foot inside!"
"I just figured you'd fill me in," Shiro shrugged. "After all didn't say 'Someone gotta make sure, I come back alive' those your words weren't they~" He spoke with a smug tone in voice. Leon ticked off gritted teeth, that bastard!
"He-He-He, this all sounds so crazy, some far-fetched fantasy bullshit, and yet-" Shiro gazed off looking at the passing clouds. "I'm inclined to believing in it. There so much I don't know about myself. I've always believed in the laws of Reality."
"Oh~" Leon couldn't help but asked. "And what changed?"
"Lala." Shiro spoke with a genuine smile, something that threw Leon off, he assumed that was something he was incapable of doing, Shiro always had a grumpy attitude. "That idiot opened a whole new world of possibility, I never would thought existed had stayed in my shell." Shiro leaned his head on his open palm. "She probably got herself in to trouble again." He muttered.
...Leon blankly stared at him, was Shiro complimenting her or insulting her, honestly he couldn't tell. He sighed leaning back in chair rubbing his temple.
This was gonna take awhile.
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Everything in life uses Aura, from the trees to plants, even other forms of life from other planets, Spirits and Nightmares alike, there even more dangerous in the Dream World, were they have a near infinite amount of Aura to draw from.
"Yep, there diffantly a dive zone here!" Leon nodded, Shiro had taken him to back alleyway were he was found near the park. "This perfect time to teach you the Dream Dive technique!" Leon seemed unusually chirpy the usual. Shiro took a step back.
"Dream Dive? What does that got to do with Aura?"
"Everything!" Leon had gleam to eyes, a grin was threatening to split his face. "Now close and remember the last time you dove into the Dream World, the key to this visualisation. When you believe something is real, don't be afraid to just Dive- Haaaa!"
As soon Shiro lowered his guard and closed his eyes, Leon roundhoused kicked him him knocking him rendering unconscious.
"Man that felt good! What was that saying again, 'payback a bitch!" Leon grinned.
Don't read to much into it, a story for another day.
[...]
Shiro...
(Dream World)
"OOOWWWHHAAA!"
CRASH!
Ow,ow, ow! Again with this free falling crap! "Oh, this place again." I muttered slowly crawled from the creator, This was the same cavern like area that held the gravity blade, speaking of which that large building was still carved clean from the last time. I reached the edge of a cliff for a clear view. My eyes widened and ducked as a large black beast like creature flew pass me.
Wwwwhhhhooossshhh!
A large gust wind followed passed it nearly knocking me away from the edge. Now I was trembling, "The fuck was that thing!"
"That was a Nightmare."
"Bwah~ when did you, how did you!? That was a dick move, you prick!" I exclaimed, to which Leon shrugged of nonchalantly.
"There wasn't enough time to teach everything, you know were on a time clock mission right. Besides you totally would've done the same if you were in my shoes."
He's right I would've done the same, in fact I felt a strange sense of pride for Leon, weird I wasn't really that mad him. I shook my head and glanced over the cliff.
The carvern like area was bigger then I imagined last time. I knew there was a lake towards the bottom of the now destroyed building, that's were we landed. However, behind the building was a large waterfall. Given this place a sense in its sheer sizes, if that wasn't enough that was the least of my problem.
"Wait are all those-"
"Yep, Nightmares...and your first task is defeat all of them." Leon concluded my fears. There was easily hundreds of them, maybe even thousands of Nightmare all ranging in different shapes and sizes. I paled a bit...
"Wait all of them? With what!?"
Leon tossed a small double edge blade, there wasn't anything unique about, except it looked more like a decorative piece ment for showing off then anything. Was even a real sword?
"You wanna get stronger and master Aura right? Start by mastering what you already have first-" Before I realize what happened was pushed of the edge by Leon.
"OH, COME ON!"
"I'LL GIVE YOU A HINT, ALL IT TAKES IS A STRONG 'DESIRE', AND DON'T COME BACK TILL BEAT EM ALL!"
Was the last thing I heard, How did get into to this mess, falling in to the pit of Nightmares. Master what I already have? The heck does even mean?
"Wwwwwhhhhaaaa!"
A huge Nightmare, one of many I had face charged straight towards me, I ready my blade, and performed a barrel rolll. Nearly missing its jaw, I stabbed its side, riding the momentum all the way down, the cavern floor, breaking my fall. The Nightmare burst into blue flames. I glanced down at my sword, it had traces of the blue flames, putting two and two together.
"I did that? What was that?" And thus the blue flame vanishes returning the sword back to its normal state. I waved around pleading it to come back. "No wait don't go! Damn it, How do I bring it out again?"
A distance roar broke me out my thoughts, oh right, I was in a pit of Nightmares! The was only one thing I could do a time like this... I ran!
Nightmare Kill Count: 1
Wow, two updates in month! Getting slightly better, And so were nearly halfway done with Volume 2, Hurray!
Shiro's tale officially got it's first cover page. Thanks to a close friend of mine, it looks amazing!
Also the second half of this story arc will now be known as Reconnect, the hence The title for this chapter.
Oh man the drama continues to swirl around Shiro's life, even though he's got his own problems to deal with at the moment, there more waiting for him when he gets back.
The name of Shiro's ability is Dream Dive, it was hinted back in chapter 1, making its grand return in this chapter, albeit Shiro still lacks control over it.
Welp this the first challenge in the Dream World, like I'd make it easy for Shiro, he's still got a lot to learn, before he can take the mental as the new Lord of Calamity