I'm pretty proud about this one.
My body feels…odd. It feels like it's dropping, yet it's suspended in mid-air. I'm slowly regaining consciousness. I'm dangling from something. There's a cold metal surface against my wrists. Each time I move them, a clanging sound rings.
I open my eyes and find myself in a dark, sinister-looking room. A shady chandelier hangs from the ceiling, bearing a set of candles with undying flames. Other than that, though, this place is empty. Shackles are clipped around my wrists and pin me against a stone wall. I see my sword beneath my feet, as if it were placed down there for a purpose. To mock me, to reiterate to me how helpless I currently am. I've been taught that one's self is the perfect weapon. But even then, even with this in mind, already, things are not boding well for me.
Someone else is here. I turn to my left and see Yang, knocked out. Head drooping, eyes closed. Unaware of what can come.
"Yang. No," I mutter, shocked. "Damn. I have to get him out of here."
The last thing I can remember is our battle against Makai and his hoodlums. We were close to coming out victorious. But when it came down to him and us, he took all of us down effortlessly. Yang and I tried again, and everything turned to pitch black. We can't stand up to the Infernal Beast, not in this present state.
I feel so inadequate. So pitiful. All the things I've taught Yang up to now. Those same things that I've learned, that my friends and I have learned. They can't all be for naught. This struggle isn't a lost purpose. The Beast was defeated before, and it can be done again. It's only a matter of figuring how and the time it'll take us, much of which we don't have a lot of.
A laughter fills the air. The familiar voice speaks and taunts me.
"Look who's finally awake. Did you sleep well, Lupin?" Speak of the devil. There he is, in front of us. Wearing his jeering mask. "Y'know, your friend over here really gave the Night Master one hell of a beatdown. You should keep a closer eye on him. You know how kids' tempers can be, right? Always ready to go boom like a dynamite. And you'll never know when they do blow up."
"Where are we?" I ask him, my rage contained by my clenched fists.
"Why, you're in my humble home, of course. Where else? Sorry if this room doesn't quite meet your standards. Refurbishing can be such a pain, especially if you're trying to think of ways to instill fear into your prisoners."
"Your—"
"Yeah-huh," he interrupts me with some form of twisted cheer. "You're in my realm, baby. This is my territory. Everything I say goes around here, so no funny business until I'm done doing what I need to."
"And what would that be?"
Makai paces around as he explains. "Why, I'm going to take back what's rightfully mine. Like I said, Yang over here has done an excellent job gathering Fog for me. Don't be glum, Lupin. You were a great help too; you were the first one I chose. Without you, I wouldn't be here right now." He's careful with his wording. He wants to carve away at me, use my sins to pierce through my soul. "He got his cut of the deal and now he's got pieces of me inside of him. But that Woo Foo Aura of his kept the Fog at bay. And since he's not using it anymore, I want it back. That way I'll be one step closer to being whole." He turns his back at me and flashes a toothed smirk. "And to burn this world to ashes."
Persistent as always, I struggle some more. I tell myself that the chains will break eventually if I keep going. Even if it seemed useless, and it probably is, I budge at them restlessly. They rattled with each movement, each pull. For the love of… Come on, break! Break apart already‼
"You're only gonna hurt yourself, y'know?" Makai taunts once more.
"Shut up!" I barked at him.
"Now now, no need to get in a tizzy. Oh! Seems your friend's about to wake up, too."
After hearing that, I pause and turn to Yang, whom I see groaning and peeking his eyes. He catches sight of his shackles, his present helplessness and this whole room. His impulses get to him and he jerks around, hoping to break free.
"Yang, calm yourself," I urge him.
"Wha-? Lupin? What's going on?" He faced me upon hearing my voice.
Behind those eyes was a frightened child. I saw through Yang's bravado. He was afraid, and as was I. I was scared not for myself. I was scared at all the possible things that Makai was going to do to him. Silence befell me as this all dawned in my mind.
"You'll find out soon, kid. By the way, I hope those shackles aren't too tight on you." He approached, grinning and both hands behind his back.
"You‼ Son of a…" Yang exclaimed once he locked eyes with him. "Just you wait. Lupin and I are gonna get out of these chains and when we do, we're gonna tear your head off your shoulders!"
"How tenacious of you, Yang. Y'know, that actually reminds me of someone else. Her spirit, actually. An old enemy of mine. She's dead now, but I digress. That's in the past, and I'm all about the now." Who was he referring to? 'An old enemy of his'? "And what I'm going to do now is take back the Fog that's in both your bodies. You guys don't need it anymore, so no reason for you to still have it. Make it easy for all of us and fork it over."
A drastic decision comes to me. If preventing the Infernal Beast from regaining its true form meant to keep a part of it in me, to keep a portion of Fog in me, then so be it. Better for me to corrode with it than to let it fall into his hands.
"Over my dead body!" I change tactics immediately.
He chuckles at my answer. "I figured you'd say that. Oh well, guess I'll have to force it out of you. I tried to keep it simple and painless, but now I'm going to make it hurt."
"Not while I'm alive, so don't hold your breath, you stupid mutt!" A stubborn Yang lashed out, keeping that face of bravery on.
Makai makes his approach, cracking his knuckles. His fangs bared in a cold smile.
I struggled again, fearing for Yang's safety. He wasn't going to get hurt, no. Not on my watch. My blood boiled restlessly and erupted once Makai was at close proximity.
"If you lay a finger on him," I threaten.
"Oh, put a sock in it. This is gonna be quick." He places one of his paws on my student, eliciting my ire. "Relax, Yang. Think of it as one of those immunization shots from the doctor. Y'know, like a teeny little injection."
"DON'T TOUCH HIM‼"
My words pass through him, leaving no effect. He flexes his fingers and retains his grin.
"Alright, I'm all set. Let's get this over with before Lupin over there throws a tantrum." Without warning, Makai thrusts his arm and reaches into Yang's body. The four walls contained Yang's screams of agony, keeping them in for us to hear.
There was no wound inflicted, there was no blood dripping out. But it hurt, regardless.
"YANG‼" I called for him. "STOP‼ STOP IT‼ Enough!" My yelling continued.
My eyes were wet, but I ignored them. I've hardly felt this useless at all. Watching Makai hurt my student, being chained against a stone wall forced to watch the Infernal Beast inflict pain on one of my loved ones.
I never knew how badly helplessness felt. Once I found out, it was horrible. Though I'm perfectly fine, I'm also watching someone else suffer. Makai was exploiting this.
A few seconds clock in and he pulls his arm out. My dear student's head falls down, exhausted. Unconscious. In Makai's possession, a visible ball of Fog. The Fog that has been residing in Yang for a long while.
"Yang," I whispered the name, witnessing the unconscious body.
This meant nothing to Makai. He stood there, placing his hand on his chest. Reclaiming the Fog he has taken, neverminding the damage he is capable of. It didn't matter who he hurt, so long as he got what he wanted. Blood, suffering, death, he is not swayed by any of them. He is motivated by them.
I'll get you out of here, Yang. It'll be okay. You'll see the light of day again, even though I might not.
"Ah, that's much better. You're next, Lupin." Makai sets his sights on me next and heads my way, about to extract the Fog inside my body.
"You crossed the line, Makai," I barked.
"I've crossed the line many times before. Old news, Lupin." He flicks his fingers at me with utter disregard.
The more I was fighting to break my shackles, the looser they were becoming. I could feel the stone wall giving way. He was right there, and I came to a stop. I braced myself for what was to come, wincing in anticipation. My heart darted at high speed as he thrusted his claw.
I don't feel anything coarse, though. Makai must have stopped. All I hear is a chiming sound. There's a warm glow coming from nearby. A bright, cleansing light that penetrates the darkness encompassing.
Opening my eyes, the first thing I notice is my necklace. The magatama bead on it, rather. It's causing this sudden surge of light, and it's hurting Makai. He's trying to block it off, shield his eyes with his arm, screaming in pain at the same time. It was overwhelming. As bright as a supernova.
The glow fades, allowing me a clear view of my necklace.
"That's the third time," I indicate, curious about this bead's qualities. Thankful for it. "Why is it doing that?"
I've had this necklace ever since I was a child. All I know about it though is that Yo gave this to me as a present.
I can still recall clearly how it was just him and I in the dojo celebrating my fourth birthday.
The whole place was empty and untouched. I had just finished blowing out the candles on my cake. I didn't mind the obvious lack of presents, so long as I had someone to share the day with. So long as Yo was there.
And then he neared me with something in his hand. He smiled at me and went no further than that, preferring to get straight to the point. Crouching down to me, he instructed me to close my eyes. His arms were around me, doing something. I opened my eyes again, as he had said, and I saw it laced around my neck. A cream-colored stone dangling down and on my chest. I fell in love with it immediately.
Rarely do I part with it. No. I don't part with it at all. It's my one tie to my previous life. A relic to my days under Yo's guidance. Whatever mystery this piece of jewelry holds, I'm glad I have it with me. I'm equally glad that I never considered dispensing of it.
Makai recovers from the bright blast and, in a fit of rage, rushes to me to yank my necklace off me. Turning around and mumbling at it like a maniac.
"Makai, you bastard! Give that back! Do you hear me? Give my necklace back‼" I explode, acting like a spoiled child.
From the distance, I hear his crazed muttering. Like the thing holds some meaning to him as well. I take it that the meaning isn't pleasant to him.
"You think this is funny, Maria? You think this is funny? Because you don't see me laughing. And do you really think you can stop me from getting my way? Well you're wrong! You are dead wrong, bitch!"
Over one hundred years ago. On that day, on the highest peak of a neighboring mountain range. St. Brooke Peak.
Four young Woo Foo warriors stood on that peak, facing the greatest challenge they would experience in their lives. Maria the wolf, Miriam the fox, Selene the rabbit and Yo the panda. Their entire beings, their very fiber, they have shaped them for that one encounter. Prepared for the fight that would determine the future of the world they vowed to serve and protect. The battle against the Infernal Beast.
With hearts true and in a valiant air, they have endured the full force of the Beast's wrath. The scars on their bodies, their tattered garments, a testament of a trying conflict. Likewise, the Beast itself withstood the combined efforts of the four companions. The tide had shifted back and forth, leaning to one side before being abruptly pulled towards the other. Until finally, the battle is won. Until the world has been reclaimed from the hands of malevolence.
"Your time on this world is over, Makai!" Maria declared with her sword pointed out, rightfully claiming victory.
The remaining three added, holding out their own weapons and approaching a battered and beaten Makai.
"We warned you not to underestimate us."
"But you did so anyway."
"Not a clever move on your part."
Spewing blood onto the ground, Makai lifted himself up on one knee, inching back just near the peak's edge. Still managing to wear that mask of a grin.
"Alright. You win this time. But be warned, Woo Foo warriors," he warned, taking the role of a prophet. Intent on leaving his adversaries with a premonition and a sense of worry and doubt. "The Infernal Beast does not end here. It is more than just a creature. It is also a tradition, a legacy that will undoubtedly carry on. Though I may disappear, another shall take my place. There will be another monster that will cause ruin and destruction. So long as the pieces of me, the Fog around you, continues to exist, the possibility of a new Beast to come will also continue to exist. It may not happen soon. Heck, it might even happen after a few years. But it will happen! It's a guarantee!"
"Stop your babbling‼" Maria threatened, gripping her hilt with both hands.
"Come on, Okami. Don't deny it. You are among one of many! You are a wolf and possess the blood of the wolf. You and I…are no different. I am a monster, and you are too."
"Shut up!"
Yo halted her, aware of Makai's trickery. "Maria, don't. He's trying to get into your head."
"And it's working. Deny it all you want, it is! Your relentlessness, your yearnings for battle, your hunger for flesh, your thirst for blood, your inability to contain your feelings. Do you not see it, Okami? Those are the marks of the Infernal Beast. And you've taken a dose of Fog already. That means you're one step closer. Even if you don't become the new Beast, you are trapped to pass this down! Your children, your children's children, they too will become my successors, whether you like it or not."
Maria's fist shook, her wrath provoked and miraculously still confined.
"You don't decide how I live my life, Makai," she retaliated. "I'm not chained to fate. I shape my own. And I swear it on my grave, whatever destiny I forge, it won't be what you described. I'm going to make damn sure. I'll make sure I don't end up a pitiful worm like you. Until the very end, I'm going to make sure that I make my decisions as myself!"
"Exactly what I wanted to hear," he chuckled, glad for Maria's response. Knowing that he had done what he needed to do, Makai stood on his feet. Clutching his arm, he leapt from the edge and down a great height.
The four friends watched as his body plummeted and eventually disintegrated into streaks of Fog, the last detail dispersing being his fanged smile.
For these brave knights, this outcome was momentous. Not only for the world, but for themselves. As friends, as renowned fighters. Through their heroism, they have obtained their new title, wearing them proudly. Proclaimed as the four Woo Foo Pioneers. Generations would tell of their tale, their struggles immortalized. Their lives chronicled for new, young and aspiring warriors to draw upon.
Maria moved on with the course of the world as per normal, leading the life she had always dreamed. With a family of her own: her husband, Yo, and her son, Lupin. And with her friends to lean on to. While she cannot completely cast aside what Makai had told her, she refused to let it become a bother and a hindrance.
The stone surface behind me wiggles. I'm almost about to break free.
Three more pulls and I undo my shackles. Partially, though; the chains are still attached to the stone slabs. Landing on the ground, I bear my claws out and pounce on Makai, throwing out a hefty slash at him. Knocking him very far to the opposite side of the room and down momentarily and grabbing my necklace.
"Touch this again and I'll fillet you," I spit at him.
My necklace is back where it belongs, on my person. I take the opportunity and grab my iaidou sword, unsheating it and cutting myself loose of my chains. Both my eyes are then set on Yang, and I command my blade to shine.
I aim for his shackles and swing the weapon, sending a blast of energy to cut him free. His body falls limp into my arms. The face was still as water, his limbs also motionless.
"Yang," I call out to him, slapping his face in hopes that he'll wake up. "Yang, come on. Wake up. Wake up! Hurry!"
He woke up too late. Makai was back on his feet and rushing at us ferociously.
"Lupin?" Yang asks weakly.
Right ahead of me, two large doors stand. Presumably a gateway to the other side. I have to get Yang out of here. He will not survive at this rate. I've already taught him everything he needs to know. There's no reason for him to die here. That would mean many months of training down the drain.
Yang. Must. Live. Even if it means I myself have to die. Even if it means I have to be alone again. I know there'll be a way, but that's not my concern at the moment.
Two voices echo in me, right before my decision is made.
"Hey, Lupin. Watch this!" It's Kitsune, giggling. As if she's showing me a trick she's recently learned.
"Come on, dog boy! Show me your bite!" Noah spoke, too. Issuing a challenge to me.
I'd have to leave them behind again. That promise will have to be broken one more time. I know there'll be a way, but I don't want to think about them getting hurt over me. This is just me doing what I have to.
Realizing what must be done, I energize my sword again and give it another slash, cutting the doors in two.
"Go, Yang! Go‼" I ordered.
"No!" He returned.
"That's an order, young man! Go! You have to survive!"
"What about you?" He asks solemnly, almost in tears.
"I'll catch up with you later. Trust me! Now go! Get out of here‼"
His strength recovered, Yang bolts towards the entrance and leaps into the void. He should be safe. Now I have two issues at hand: to follow through on what I had said before my student left, and the Infernal Beast.
…
I'm back in my world. Out of that terrible realm. Lupin isn't with me, however. He's still there, struggling against Makai. Struggling against himself. I've lost him yet again. We've lost him yet again.
Clutching my chest, I pledge to myself, hardening my resolve. "I'll get you out of there, Lupin. If it's the last thing I do, I'll get you back."
Many voices start calling out to me from afar. I pick up on this and recognize them.
"Yang‼"
"Over here, kiddo!"
"Woo Foo Knight Yang!"
I ran up to them and greeted them, explaining what had happened. Leaving no detail, met with their saddened faces. We're going to save him. We will save Lupin. We will. We will…
Got him back, and then lost him again. Our heroes aren't exactly having the best of luck here.
*goes off to Equestria doing God knows what* See you guys in a few weeks time. ;) Don't forget to click on that friendly looking speech bubble that says reviews. teehee