PS This chapter was written at two completely different times. Before the month started and after the month started so there definitely differences between the two.
Hello, everyone. I am back once again. Sorry updates have been slow and that my SE fic hasn't received a lot of updates. I've been majorly distracted with homework and stuff you guys don't care about. Another reason is I've been doing a little music experimenting. Like I'll listen to a song and a cover version at the same time to see what lyrics are different and what are the same or what do they sound like at the same time. I've only done that with three songs (two were Japanese while the third one was Finnish , I think) and only the Japanese ones sounded cool being played at the same time (I was bored during the four day weekend so this what I did for a few minutes before going off to do who knows what). Moving away from my life, here's this chapter's co-host OCs.
Azami: Hi, everyone!
-cricket noises follow soon after along with some arrows pointing to the spot next to Azami-
Me: '-' Uhhh… where's Tadaaki?
Azami: -faces turns red a little- He said that he was going to be a little late…
Me: -_- -facepalm- I knew this would happen but I didn't think it would happen so soon. Let's just move on with the chapter before something happens.
Azami: Please… I don't want to start with Tadaaki!
Me: Because you don't want to find out if he's on a date with Lu-
Azami: -covers my mouth while blushing madly- SH-SHUT UP! THOSE TWO ARE NOT A COUPLE!
Me: -mumbles: You're so jealous~-
Azami: JUST START THE CHAPTER!
Journey of the Scarred Light
Chapter 13: The Countdown Begins
Light slowly returned Hikari's eyes but everything was blurry. But the blurriness slowly went away and Hikari saw he was in a room with light brown walls and two windows. He was on a bed and really, REALLY sore. Hikari tried to sit up but winced at the sudden pain and lied back down. "I must really be messed up…" The brunette slowly looked around to see if anyone else was around but the room was empty. The only sound that accompanied him was the wind blowing outside. Hikari once again attempted to sit but cringed and fell back down. The young mage stared at the ceiling, anger welling up inside him. "I finally got to see Maru again and he tries to kill me… but then… why did he try warning me about some guy named Terra? Then again… that could have been a dream." A knock came from the door and Mynh walked in with a small, white box and a glass of water.
"I'm glad to see you're awake, Hikari. You've been out for a few hours now." Mynh slowly helped Hikari up into a sitting position and handed him the glass, thanking her.
"So where is everyone? Are they still taking care of the dark guilds?" Hikari asked before taking a sip of the water. The Take Over mage nodded as Hikari quickly spitted out the water, making a disgusted face. "What's IN this water? Spinach?"
"Herbs. You need to drink it. Your injuries were pretty serious. If the four of us hadn't found you when we did, you would have gone into a serious state of shock or maybe even died," Mynh answered as she slowly took Hikari's shirt off. Hikari looked down, ashamed he had asked. Mynh continued to replace the bandages and applied some medicine to the injuries, causing him to flinch.
"I-I'm sorry… I forgot that you were a part of Beast Spirit. You were my brother's partner, right?" Mynh gave Hikari a somewhat surprised look. But it soon disappeared along with the pain from Hikari's injuries. He gave her a curious yet sympathetic look.
"Yeah… he told I had potential. For someone who grew up with very little, that meant a lot even though he was younger than me. Although, he was the guild ace." Hikari smiled, remembering his brother's announcement as the guild's ace. He was still a part of the guild when Yakumo made the announcement of their new guild ace. Hikari had felt jealous of his brother but happy too. But the feeling was empty… gone. Long gone. The door creaked, grabbing the attention of the two mages. The door slowly opened to reveal Tsukaru, Hudson, and Ryuu. "Glad to see you guys are back." Hikari grinned at his nakama but the grin was empty and meaningless. It was just a cover up to hid the misery. "So how many guilds are left?"
"There's only one and they're the head of the other guilds. They're like the Oracion Seis, though. They only have a few members, only recently did they actually get a fifth member," Tsukaru explained. Hikari's smile faded quickly and was replaced by dread. If Maru was here then... he HAD to be the last member.
"We have to get rid of them now before they cause any trouble," Hudson said, making Hikari flinch. The water mage gave the younger member a suspicious glance. "We're going to have to take them on as soon as possible but the problem is that we can't find the guild itself. So as much as I don't want to do this... Hikari, you are to lead us to the guild." Hikari flinched again. He couldn't... he couldn't do that. If he did then... Maru would surely be killed them. But if he didn't then they would know something was up.
"Hudson, are you sure? Hikari's still recovering and-" Mynh stopped talking as the said mage climbed out of the bed and stood up. He wasn't in the best shape but he had to do what was right.
"I'm fine... give me minute or two and I might be able to find them. I'm not the best at scenting things out at a distance but we're about to find out if I can or not." The risks were high but this had to be done. They had to stop them.
? ? ?
"It's almost time. Everyone, go head to your posts. As for you, Maru... it's time for you to fulfill your purpose." Terra turned around to Maru who was sitting on the floor with several chains wrapped around his arms and legs. Several runes covered his bare limbs and his neck and face. The runes glowed faintly as he just sat there, motionlessly. "Thank you for your services, Midori." A short giggle echoed in the empty guild before vanishing completely.
"Y-You won't… get… away with… this, Terra…" Maru coughed. A dark liquid dripped down his chin. Terra stared blankly at the mage before extending his hand. The former guild ace fell to the ground, screaming out in pain. Several cracks appeared in the ground before Maru ceased his screaming. "Causing… me pain… won't do anything… they will… stop you…"
"I'd like to see them try." Terra bent down to his knees and grabbed Maru's dark hair. Maru futilely struggled to get out of his grip but he soon met Terra's eye level. "You want to reunite with your little brother, don't you? And the only way to do that is by letting your Beast Shift's spirit desire run free. Let him kill all those who want to keep your brother away from you. Remember… Fairy Tail took him away."* Light drained itself from Maru's eyes making them bleak once again. The chains slowly undid themselves, allowing the former guild ace to stand. Maru slowly walked away, leaving Terra all alone in the room. "Everything's going according to plan. And now it's time to start the countdown to destruction." Numbers appeared in the center of them room, counting down from ten minutes.
References:
*Let me explain what this is about. Terra is controlling Maru through his magic, Thirst. Thirst is a magic that allows the user to control others by promising the controlees that their desires will be fulfilled if they listen. Maru's desire is to have Hikari back since he left out of rejection. However, Maru's magic makes this complicated. Maru's magic allows a spirit or two to dwell within him which allows Maru to use their abilities and forms. Although, the spirit or spirits have a mind of their own so Terra has to control both the spirit(s) and Maru with his magic. But Maru and the spirit(s) have a strong will and have completely different desires. The spirit's is to run free and have body of its own while Maru's is stated above. That is why Maru has been able to contact Hikari before since there were times where Thirst was more focused on the spirit(s) rather than Maru. I know I'm giving it away, but I never said how Maru was controlled in the first place and whether or not if he's really alive.
As stated before, I gave away what Maru's desire was but I haven't explained everything yet now have I? This will most likely be the last update of the week or even the month but I have two reasons why. One, as stated before, this is my busiest month right now with presentations, science fair, research papers, ect. Two, I had a bad fall today (literally) so I'm not in a good mood right now and I have no clue when I'll feel better. I'm sorry it sounds like I'm just trying to avoid writing but I would DIE if I EVER gave up writing. But all of this stuff is just making it hard to come up with ideas so yeah…
Azami: And there is a new SE poll (your favorite Weapon form Blaze's story) so please vote if you read the fic.
Tadaaki: And the story had changed from The Soul of a Virgin Weapon and a Swordsman Meister to The Choice of the Soul.
Me: It's referring to how the characters have choices to make in their lives. Cheesy, huh? Well, it's better than the original title, in my opinion (one reason would be because it's shorter). Well, I'm exhausted (two updates, the injury, and a new paper to write all in one day but not in that order) so until ne- wait. –looks at Tadaaki- When did you get here?
Tadaaki: Just now.
Azami: -looks at Tadaaki and blushes- T-Tadaaki…
Tadaaki: Hey, Azami!
Me: I thought you would be jealous right now, Azami. Especially, since there was a one-shot between Tadaaki and Lucia.
Tadaaki: O_O What? When did y-
Azami: THEY AREN'T A COUPLE!
Me & Tadaaki: -covering ears and uncovers them after she's finished screaming-
Me: Well, until next time…
Me & Tadaaki: Bye for now!
Azami: -mumbles bye-