Opening File: Seven Chakras of Aura
According to the teachings of Jade Academy chakras are a series of points throughout the body where chi energy, the Chinese term for Aura is heavily concentrated. There are seven chakras in total, all located on a central vertical axis. Each chakra has a specific purpose and deals with a different type of emotion. As such, each one can be opened and closed depending on the individual's state of mind.
When a chakra is open, energy is free to flow about the body, whereas a sealed chakra restricts this flow of energy. The chakras must be opened in a specific order, or the energy will not be able to flow properly. It is said when one manages to open all seven chakra points they attain the purest form of Aura, virtually unlimited in its potential. When one unlocks all their chakras, it is like awakening their Aura all over again, only seven more times and each time becomes more powerful.
There have only been five humans known in recent history to have unlocked their chakras:
The four members of the Ninja Tribunal in Japan: Kon-Shisho, Juto-Shisho, Chikara-Shisho, and Hisomi-Shisho.
And Grandmaster Tam Sung of Jade Academy.
Among the many powers bestowed on them the most notable aspect would be immortality. Tam Sung became one with nature, receiving energy and nourishment from the Earth itself. As for the Ninja Tribunal they reside in the Lap of the Gods, a monastery mystically hidden in Japan. They have been known to seek out and train acolytes for various reasons, including ensuring the Pool of Darkness in Mt. Fuji remains sealed.
It is rumored they were involved in the creation of SAM-R-I through their vast powers, creating the spirit in SAM-R-I's helmet named Raiden.
Close File
Xxx
"I thought it would take us back to Avalon. Why are we in GrimmFall?"
After finding Rory Eliza wanted to hurry back to Avalon to help Goliath and the other Gargoyles. Instead of arriving in Avalon Eliza found herself looking at the docks of GrimmFall with the city itself appearing to be evacuated or with most of the people being directed into the emergency shelters.
Why would Avalon send them here?
"To find those who are chosen." Rory said, stepping off the boat.
The detective immediately followed after him. "I'm still a little iffy on the details."
"Basically, the person who defeated Crom was a Shepard but not an ordinary one. He was a Shepard blessed by the goddess Yeshmiyek and the Tuatha De'Danann."
"The who?" Eliza cut in.
"Irish Fae. The very few who do not serve Oberon but are considered the Children of Danu for she is their leader. She could also be considered the mother of Banshee." Rory said as the two were now walking the streets.
"I thought all Fae served Oberon." Eliza pointed out.
"Most do but there are some exceptions such as your friend Puck." Rory replied. "The Tuatha De'Danann serve Danu who at best maintains a respectable relationship with Oberon but dwell in the Otherworld instead of Avalon. It was they who enchanted and gave Cu Chullain his spear to use against those who would harm Ireland, such as Crom. As for the goddess Yeshmiyek she enchanted this cane," Rory held up the cane. "And gave it to a Shepard to help seal Crom away. The Shepard proved himself to be of noble heart and was blessed with this cane which contained the magic to seal away Crom, making him powerful enough to face that demon, even in the end it cost him his life."
"Then who can use it now?"
"He lived long enough to have children. The families that came after them all became Shepherds in their own way. His final instructions were that this cane be left hidden in the very cave Crom was sealed in so if he ever broke free they would know where to find it." Rory explained and sighed. "Unfortunately there's only a handful of survivors from that family after their village was destroyed by the Grimm and their masters. The survivors migrated here."
"And so only they can use the cane." Eliza caught on.
"And twelve disciples." Rory nodded. "The Shepard must have twelve allies, friends to aid him in sealing Crom."
"Any idea where we can find these friends?" Eliza asked as they turned a corner.
"I believe I have an idea." Rory said as the cane emitted a small glow as he pointed it at the building up ahead.
The Hall of Heroes.
Xxx
"It is highly advised that everyone remains in their homes or goes to the nearest emergency shelter for the time being."
"Can you believe all of this?" Zak Saturday asked, flipping through the news channels. "The whole world's gone crazy."
"That's what happens when an evil god tries to take over." Drew Saturday said as she went through the numerous ancient books and tomes from her desk.
"Alleged evil god." Doc said, ever being the scientist and the so-called rational one of the family. "While he is a threat I am not ready to believe this is an actual god."
"Doc, the facts are right in front of you. Crom Cruach is a mythical figure, mostly in Ireland. He was propitiated with human sacrifice before his worship was ended by a Shepard named Patrick and the legendary warrior Cu Chullain." Drew read from one of her books. "The festival for Crom Cruach is called Domhnach Chrom Dubh, Crom Dubh Sunday. The references in the dinsenchas poem in the 12th century to sacrifice in exchange for milk and grain suggest that Crom is also a fertility god. The description of his image as a gold figure surrounded by twelve stone or bronze figures has been interpreted by some as representing the sun surrounded by the signs of the zodiac, suggesting also a function as a solar deity. This fits what has been happening all over the world."
"I am not doubting his powers or his existence as a higher life form. But energy is energy, no matter what form it appears in and there is always a scientific way to explain it all." Doc replied, setting up the defense system for the Saturday compound.
Zak rolled his eyes as his parents entered their famous science vs. magic debate. Even Fiskerton and Komodo rolled their eyes, having long since grown used to these fights but there were times they could be really taxing.
"Guys come on. Is this really the time for-"
BOOM!
CRASH!
SMASH!
The Saturdays all jumped to their feet as the front gates of the Saturday compound exploded followed by the sound of something crashing through the doors and then smashing through the walls until it reached the living room.
Drew pulled out her fire sword while Doc activated his gauntlet. "Zak, stay behind us!"
Zak picked up his claw, ready to fight despite his mother's orders as the smoke cleared, revealing man wearing golden armor that covered him from head to toe with only his mouth exposed. He carried a giant golden axe that glittered with energy as he smiled.
"Who are you?" Doc demanded to know the identity of the intruder.
The man chose to answer by swinging his axe, releasing a golden energy blast at Doc who quickly used his gauntlet to project an energy shield that protected him. Drew held up her sword as it took in light from the red sun before pointing it at the Harvester of Riches, releasing a fiery blast. The Harvester raised his axe and blocked the fiery attack, sliding only a few feet back. Once the attack was over the Harvester of Riches was on the move.
He shot forward with a speed that would been seen as impossible because of the golden armor he wore. Swinging his axe like a fan, the Harvester fought with a brutal and yet deliberated fighting style that prevented any move from being wasted. The armor was sturdy, taking a direct punch from Doc's gauntlet and shrugging it off like a mosquito bite. He swung his axe with such strength that Drew was surprised her sword didn't shatter when blocking.
Shattered blade or not however, it prove to be a bad idea to contest him in a battle of strength.
Her arms were almost completely numb when she blocked a single hit so now she was dodging every slash aimed her way.
"Hang on!" Zak fired his Claw at the Harvester.
"Zak, no!" Drew shouted.
The Harvester of Riches grabbed the Claw and pulled, hard. Zak was pulled off his feet, flying at the Harvester who seemed ready to swing his axe.
"NO!" Drew shouted, swinging her sword as she jumped in between.
Just as the Harvester of Riches had planned.
He cancelled his attack, allowing Zak to slam into his mother's back and with a single swing of his axe knocked Drew's sword out of her hand.
"Tha thu gu bhith air do làimhseachadh leis an lorg arc-eòlach as fheàrr de do bheatha, Drew.(Translation: You are about to be treated to the best archaeological find of your life, Drew.)" The man whispered in Drew's ear.
The woman's eyes widened, recognizing the voice. "Leonidas…"
He swiftly knocked her out with a blow to the back of her head and picked her up.
"Drew!" Doc shouted, charging at the Harvester.
"Sireadh i aig Avalon.(Translation: Seek her at Avalon.)" The Harvester said before vanished in a flash of golden light….
Leaving the father and son to stare in horror at where the man had been with their beloved matriarch.
Xxx
"How did this happen? We were ready for a plan alongside the Fallen and Satyra, and then out of nowhere this bigshot of a god he claims has the world at his mercy!"
Dr. Ivo Robotnik, better known Dr. Eggman slammed his fist onto the table and he wasn't the only one frustrated about it. "How are we supposed to build our empires if a god somehow rules the entire world?"
"More importantly how did he appear and why now?" Hector Con Carne also wanted answers about this Crom.
So far he was concerned how this opponent managed to have his forces invade Scotland and also GrimmFall. Their officers were on the clock finding out and tracking him down with their all of their equipment.
Snively approached the villains who were in the middle of a talk. "Pardon the intrusion, but we found something interesting that might shed light on our newest competitor."
The brain turned to him for answers. "Well? Speak up."
"We traced the energy of his aura and tracked it down to the first couple of days upon his arrival. Right when Billiam was gathering all the gold across the planet, our orbital satellites picked up an unknown energy spike until we matched it with his." Snively said, showing them an image of some gold seal that was flying away from Ireland. "I believe this could've been the cause of his release if the legends we found are true."
It made perfect sense now and all of them were not so happy or thrilled that a greedy fanatic was the cause of all this.
"So, this was all his fault then?" Robotnik wanted to be clear as he folded his arms and let out a humph. "Then perhaps I should thank him."
This amazed the others upon hearing this from him of all people.
"Thank him? For what?" Hector wanted to know his reason.
"BECAUSE NOW I KNOW WHO TO BE ANGRY WITH! IF I EVER SEE THAT GOLD HEADED FREAK I'LL STICK HIS HEAD WHERE THE LIGHT WON'T SHINE!" Along with that he silently made a promise to ensure no one ruins his dream of a Robotnik Empire, not Sonic, heroes, huntsmen or even a god!
And he wasn't the only who shared and understand his anger.
"Billiam is irrelevant. He's locked in the maximum security prison underneath the North Pole and as far as I am concerned that's where he belongs." This came from one of the other villains and leaders of the League of Super Criminals known as Black Hat. "What's important is how we deal with this Crom here and now."
"Indeed." Came the British voice of Red-Eye. "An evil god out to control the world? We cannot allow for such competition."
The man known as Red Eye was a tall, balding muscular man who wore a white business suit with an eyepatch over his right eye and a red implant in his left eye.
"So how do we take out this Crom? Can we even trust the so-called heroes to do it?" Yellow Pinkie asked.
Yellow Pinkie was a balding heavy weight man who wore a white shirt and pants with a yellow jacket.
"Has there been any word from the Satyra or even…the Fallen?" The other member of the council, Dr. Greenthumb asked.
Like Yellow Pinkie he was an overweight man with brown hair and wore a white lab coat.
"None. The Satyra have gone completely silent and the Grimm are oddly quiet…As if the Fallen, specifically…Him are keeping them back." Eggman said slowly.
They all knew who he was talking about.
"Why hold the Grimm back? It's an opportunity to wreak havoc and destruction across the entire planet." Hector Con Carne wondered.
"Exactly." Black Hat replied. "He doesn't want anyone making things easy for him. Not when the destruction benefits the competition."
"So he's probably got a plan of his own in action." Eggman mused. "I suppose we'll have to contact him and find out."
"Must we? Sure, we're open working alongside him and the other Fallen…But I don't like how he makes us feel as if we're working for him." Yellow Pinkie said sourly.
"Duly noted." Red-Eye replied dryly. "But still, if he has a plan and we meddle without knowing he might decide to turn his eyes on us next. He has enough knowledge of us he could simply forward them to Sebben and Global Justice and we'd spend the next several years trying to protect our assets."
"Agreed…I'll speak with him." Eggman volunteered. "If there is a plan…Maybe he'll let us in on it."
Xxx
"We'll hold up here for now."
Once the Gargoyles had made to the Cave of the Sleeping King they immediately barricaded the entrance with anything they could use. Goliath was under no allusion that it would hold out against anything Crom would send after them. Star, Raven and Danielle were laid down on the ground with a fire immediately lit to help warm them up.
"Goliath, this girl." Hudson said, gesturing to Danielle who groaned as she regained consciousness. "She was at the Golden Castle. She helped defeated Billiam."
"Yes, I remember her." Goliath said, looking at the other two girls. "I do not recognize the other two."
"They are both magical, I know that." King Arthur said as he helped with making the fire. "Crom wanted to sacrifice them both."
"For what reason?"
"To bring forth Morgana's plan." Arthur said darkly. "An Eternal Night. Morgana planned to engulf the world in darkness and rule over it by having the trolls under her command devour humanity. I have no doubt Crom has a similar plan."
"An Eternal Night?" Brooklyn questioned.
"Doesn't sound so bad. At we wouldn't turn to stone." Broadway pointed out.
"Yes but the rest of the world would slowly die. Humans, Faunus, Mobians, even animals and plant life. We need the sun to live, for without the plant life would die, the world would grow so cold almost nothing could survive…Not even Gargoyles." Arthur replied darkly.
"And we have many friends who are Humans or otherwise. We cannot allow Crom to go through with this plan." Goliath stated.
"So how do we stop him?" Lexington asked.
"First we get these children off the island. Hopefully Avalon will send us to Eliza and by then she'll have found Cu Chullain. Then we-" Goliath was cut off as suddenly him and all the Gargoyles turned to stone.
"They have turned to stone!" Tom exclaimed in shock.
"What?!" Arthur jumped to his feet, alarmed by the fact that the Gargoyles turned to stone even though sunrise was still hours away.
Unless…
"How is this possible?" Tom whispered, staring at the prettified forms of his Gargoyle friends.
"Crom!" Arthur looked outside and the sun.
A red sun.
Xxx
"Better. Much better."
Kim Possible had no clue what was going. The last thing she remembered was being attacked by Shego who wore black and blur armor instead of her usual black and green and used a scythe of all things before she blacked out. When she came to she found herself encased in a block of ice up to her neck, making it extremely cold for her as she was presented to a man…
At least she first thought he was a man.
It looked like a man.
It talked like a man.
But its presence…
Its sinister eyes…
It emitted an aura that felt anything but human.
It was like looking into the eyes of a demon.
"Lock her up in the dungeon and keep her frozen…But make sure she is still alive long enough." Crom ordered.
"Al-Alive?!" Kim managed to say through chattering teeth even as the Bodach dragged her frozen form away.
"And this one." Crom looked at the woman his Harvester of Riches brought him. "A beautiful specimen, my Harvester of Riches."
The Harvester of Riches bowed while Drew glared at the evil god. "What did you to him?"
"Crom has made him Crom's Harvester of Riches. The power to have all the wealth in the world now rest in his hands…As long as he serves Crom." Crom answered grandly.
"You mean you brainwashed him." Drew accused. "Van Rook is many things but he'd never carry out mass murder no matter how much wealth you'd give him."
"Crom is very persuasive." Crom said dismissively. "See to it she is locked in her room with barriers placed to keep her from causing trouble."
Drew grunted as the Bodach dragged her away, throwing one look at what used to be Van Rook as he continued to bow to Crom.
"Now then, onto the matter of the other three." Crom mused, sitting on Oberon's throne. "The hour nearly ends here and a day will have passed in the mortal realm. Crom promised destruction if the mortals refused to worship Crom and Cron can feel nothing…They refuse."
Crom's orange eyes flashed, emitting a fiery glow to convey his anger. "Crom has been patient…Crom has been generous…Crom offered a lifetime of order, peace and harmony…And they spat in Crom's face."
Crom stood up from the throne. "Find the other three maidens but Crom will not wait. We will move on their giant villages, we will slay their armies of heathen heroes, we will take their precious lands and riches and leave them to shiver in the dark! The Age of the Mortals is over! Now begins the Age of Crom!"
The three Harvesters bowed to him just as a fourth one appeared.
The new Harvester of Blood in all her dark glory as she bowed and proclaimed with the other three. "Hail Crom!"
"Ah, the new Harvester of Blood." Crom grinned as she stood up, allowing him to look her over. "A Gargoyle…How appropriate. You will be the one to sacrifice the four maidens once they are all together and even slay those other meddlesome Gargoyles. Crom will not sacrifice one at a time, no, no, no. It must be done all at once. Crom will not wait past the deadline."
As Crom spoke the sky above Avalon became dark red with a fiery sun blazing in the background...
"We move onto the land of the mortals, starting with the city of their greatest warriors!" Crom declared, summoning a pitchfork and slamming it into the ground.
A blast of fiery light shot out of the pitchfork, through the ceiling and into the sky.
Crom was now ready.
Xxx
What happened to the sun over Avalon did not go unnoticed.
The red sun could be seen by everyone, everywhere on the planet.
Xxx
Major Glory along with the gathered heroes watched the pillar of light rising in the distance. There was a flash of light and Avalon appeared in water near GrimmFall for all to see.
"It's started." The Major said, knowing what was about to happen.
From Avalon came an army of Bodach, wearing battle armor instead of cloaks with swords, spears, shields and any other weapon imaginable. At the front, leading the army were the four Harvesters with the Harvester of Night forming a path made of ice to the mainland.
Xxx
When he opened his eyes, for a brief second he thought he finally ended his long life. All he could see were the long green branches of a giant tree with ethereal glow around it.
"I am sorry to say you are still among the living."
Groaning slightly he sat up, just realizing he had been lying down on a soft grassy ground. His body felt…
A blazing sun…
Gasping slightly he brought a hand to his head. "I can't believe I did that…"
"You did. Not many would have been brave enough to do that even if they were immortal."
Looking up he saw a very elderly looking man, sitting in a lotus position in front of the large tree with vines and branches wrapping around him.
"Where am I?" He asked, slowly standing up.
"You are in the Jade Temple." The man answered without moving his mouth. "I am Grandmaster Tan Zang. You were brought here to answer to a dangerous threat."
"Crom." Macbeth said, looking down at himself and was glad to see he was wearing a simple robe and was not completely naked.
"Yes."
"But how can I stop him? He is a god and I was only useful as cannon fodder." Macbeth said, closing his eyes as he remembered confronting Crom.
"You can become what the world needs to help stop him." Tan Zang said as Macbeth looked back at him. "Crom is powerful but he was defeated once. Against him your weapons will not be enough."
"Then what will be?"
"Your spirit. Your Aura is awakened, yes?"
"It is." Macbeth nodded, having lived for thousands of years and during that time had his Aura awakened.
"Then I will show you a secret power that only a handful have gained. It was awakened in times when the Earth was threatened by beings as evil and powerful as Crom. I gained it, the Ninja Tribunal in Japan gained it and now you, the king of Scotland will gain it."
"What is this power?" Macbeth asked.
"The Seven Chakras of Aura."
Xxx
"They are near the docks."
Chief Fizz glared at the image of the approaching demon army. "Then we will make them bleed. All airships, lock onto the enemy and their ice bridge."
From above the city came a dozen jets, bombers and airships, led by a giant flying wing that served as the mobile headquarters for GrimmFall's police and military in emergency situation. It had a sleek triangular shape and large jet engines mounted aft-ward. Chief Fizz was standing in the large control, overlooking the four main pilots as the attack was signaled.
This airship was called the USS Ricardo.
"Locking onto enemy targets." The main gunner called out. "Targets locked."
"Fire!"
Xxx
"The Seven Chakras of Aura?"
"Yes." Tan Zang likely would have nodded if he could. "Aura has been a great power that was discovered thousands of years ago to be used against the Grimm. Aura can increase the strength and speed of the body and with a Semblance you manifest a unique power but what makes you think that is the end. Have you wondered there might be more to it? More levels to unlock?"
"And you have discovered them?" Macbeth questioned skeptically.
"And you can as well. You are like me and the Tribunal. You have walked this Earth for thousands of years and you never had to go through the training we did to become what we are." Tan Zang stated.
"My immortality is the result of a curse I asked for to ensure the safety of my people without fully understanding the price I would pay." Macbeth sadly said, remembering his wife and son.
"But you have made it count in recent years. Such as defending the Gargoyles for their right to exist." Tan Zang said. "You went to Avalon because you recognize the danger the world is in and sacrificed yourself, enduring the pain of being burned alive by a sun to save your comrades. If anyone has proven themselves worthy to gain this power it is you."
"And…What must I do to gain it?" Macbeth asked, considering everything he had just learned.
"First, sit down. Clear your mind and focus on what I say."
Seeing he had nothing to lose Macbeth sat down, crossing his legs. He watched as small green vines moved across the ground around him.
"First, focus your Aura."
Macbeth closed his eyes and his silver grey Aura flared around his body.
"First we begin with the Earth Chakra, located at the base of the spine. It represents survival and is blocked by fear."
Xxx
The people in the GrimmFall shelters watched in silent fear as the demon army approached the land. The GrimmFall police force attacked from above, peppering the enemy with missiles, bullets and fire and electro blasts made from Fire and Lightning Dust. Dozens of Bodach were killed or disintegrated but the four Harvesters continued marching and leading the army to the mainland. Finally the Harvester of Night waved her scythe, releasing a powerful icy gust that slammed into the airships, sending them spinning and flying away.
The Ricardo managed to survive due to being bigger and heavily armored.
"Continue firing!" Fizz shouted.
Xxx
Macbeth suddenly opened his eyes, seeing himself back in Scotland…
And it had become a winter wasteland.
As far as he could see there was snow and ice and that was not all.
He saw people, men, women and children all frozen with looks of sheer terror in their eyes.
"No." Macbeth fell to his knees. "No…NO!"
"This is what you fear." Tan Zang's voice whispered to him. "Calm yourself. Clear your mind. The fear exists but it is not yet real. Focus on that, focus on how you will do everything in your power to prevent this from happening."
Taking his advice, Macbeth took several deep breaths to calm himself and primal fear coursing through him. He stood up and looked over the wasteland, knowing that it was not yet real.
Scotland was still thriving with life and its people would fight to keep it that way.
He had to have faith…
Like he had faith in his son in ruling Scotland and defeating Canmore.
Slowly the frozen wasteland before him vanished, revealing Scotland as he remembered it with endless fields of green and its people alive and well.
Macbeth gasped as a bright light emitted from the base of his spine while his Aura flared.
"Congratulations. You have unlocked the fist chakra." Tan Zang said, withdrawing the vine from the base of Macbeth's spine.
"I feel…" Macbeth looked down at his hands, feeling a surge of power unlike anything he had ever felt before. "No words can properly express what I feel."
"We must continue." Tan Zang said, bringing the vine to the sacrum now. "The next chakra is the chakra of water. It represents pleasure and is blocked by guilt."
Xxx
"They took her?"
SAM-R-I was in a dark room, accepting a private call from Genki Sanban who nodded. "Yes. I think that monster was after our daughter…Danielle let herself be taken so it wouldn't take Kuki. She needs your help."
Eyes narrowed underneath the helmet. "…I understand."
Genki nodded, showing a very worried look in her eyes as the call ended.
As both Kani Sanban and SAM-R-I he would not let this stand.
Invading his homeland.
Attacking the town he was born in.
And now attacking his family.
This would not stand.
He could not help his family when they were locked up in the Golden Castle.
It was Danielle who saved them that time.
Now she was in danger, sacrificing herself for them again…
He told her that he owed a debt which he could never repay for saving his family.
Yet he would try none the less, and he would start by saving her this time.
Xxx
Macbeth saw himself leaving Scotland after having been killed by Canmore and betrayed by Demona.
"I…wanted to stay." Macbeth closed his eyes as a tear slipped out. "My wife…My son…They needed me and I had to leave."
It was for the best.
If he stayed his own people would believe him to be an imposter or a demon disguised as their dead king.
But his wife…His son…
Long gone.
But he was still here, without them.
"You must accept there was nothing you could do for them. You placed your trust in them, in your son as any true father would. Do not allow this guilt to cloud your judgement or poison your soul." Tan Zang said softly.
Macbeth listened to these words, remembering what he had to do for his family's sake.
The true guilt came from outliving his family.
He spent centuries tracking Demona down to kill her so he could finally die and be with this family again.
But then the Gargoyles, people he had once quarreled with in his quest of vengeance showed him that even though he was still cursed, he still had the capacity to love and Goliath encouraged him to continue seeking it. He found a new purpose in life, trying to foster peace between Human, Faunus, Mobian and Gargoyle.
Macbeth opened his eyes again, feeling another wave of warmth and power wash over him. He felt so…light as if all his pain had been liberated.
No, it was still there but he felt so relieved now it almost as if his soul had been healed.
"Congratulations, you have unlocked the second chakra." Tan Zang said, withdrawing the vine.
"To be capable of all this…How is it that a man can live so long and yet take as long to learn this?" Macbeth pondered, once again looking at his hand.
"Sometimes it takes centuries to learn it does not have to take centuries to learn." Tan Zang said as a vine now touched Macbeth's stomach. "The next is the chakra of fire. It represents willpower and is blocked by shame."
Xxx
"Are you can do this?"
Scotty Blake held up his sword, staring at the reflections of his team in the blade. "I ain't stopping now. This Croker marches into my land, attacks my castle and my family and worst of all kidnaps someone I have sworn to help? He is going down!"
Scotty's wife came up to him, placing her hand on his shoulder before pulling him around and hugging him. "You are not responsible for the lass's kidnaping, dear. Those…mongrels are."
Scotty smiled as he hugged his wife back. "Aye."
"So…Find the lass." The wife backed away, smiling at first and then looked angry. "And tear those dingly worms apart for taking her!"
"AYE!" Scotty laughed. "For you, muffin, anything!"
"Now hurry up and go!" His wife barked, pointing to the door. "Get moving and find that Crock Crooker!" She then looked to the rest of Team SEKR. "And you lot get moving too!"
"Yes, ma'am!" The three saluted and quickly gathered around Scotty as he held up his sword, summoning the Celtic magic in the magical runs as he slashed through the air and created a portal…
Xxx
Macbeth saw himself attacking the Gargoyles, using them as bait to find and kill Demona, an action of the past which he deeply regretted.
"They were not allies of Demona. I let my grudge cloud my judgement." Macbeth said shamefully.
"You had spent years alone, wishing to die. One day your curse will end but until then you have much work to do, including atoning if that is your wish." Tan Zang whispered.
Yes…
He wished to atone for his mistake.
That was why he took a job as a professor.
To teach young minds how to be better than their elders.
Macbeth gasped as a glow emitted from his stomach, flaring with his spine and sacrum.
"Congratulations. You have unlocked the third chakra." Tan Zang praised.
Macbeth brought a hand to his stomach, feeling even lighter now if that was even possible.
A vine reached out to his chest, touching where the heart would be. "Next, we have the chakra of air. It represents love and is blocked by grief."
Xxx
Jim Lake Jr. and Claire watched as the demon army approached despite the military's best attempts to slow them down.
"And I thought everything we saw in Arcadia was crazy." Claire whispered, slipping her hand into Jim's.
"Goes to show you that every place has its own brand of crazy." Jim smiled, clenching her hand. "Too bad Tobes isn't here with us this time."
"I am sure he feels the same." Claire replied, smiling back as she stood on her toes and placed a kiss on Jim's lips.
Troll or not he was still the same Jim Lake Jr. she fell in love with.
Xxx
Solomon Saturday readied the airship with Zak behind him. "The island of Avalon has been sighted near GrimmFall."
"Hang on, Mom." Zak whispered, his eyes flashing orange for a second. "We're coming."
Xxx
"Gruoch…"
His beloved wife.
She was as beautiful as the day he first met her and the day he had to leave her. Gruoch was forced to marry Gillecomgain by order of King Duncan. Gruoch wanted to run away with Macbeth, but Macbeth couldn't live with forcing that life on his love. Shortly after their wedding, Gillecomgain was slain by the vengeful Demona, thus allowing Macbeth and Gruoch to marry.
Soon after their marriage, Gruoch gave birth to her son, Luach. Gruoch became Queen of Scotland after her husband's coronation on Michaelmas of 1040, reigning over Scotland until Macbeth's 'murder' in 1057. Unable to abandon her son during his campaign against Canmore, Gruoch had to bid her husband goodbye forever, so his people would believe him truly dead.
"Luach…"
His son.
When Macbeth was 'killed' his body was approached by Luach and Bodhe who took up the crown stating 'The king is dead... long live the king.' and placed it onto Luach's head.
Macbeth thought by leaving he was saving his son.
He was wrong.
"Even after all this time, your love for them remains." Tan Zang said.
"And it always will." Macbeth vowed.
"Remember what Goliath told you." Tan Zang whispered.
Macbeth remembered what Goliath had told him.
"You may have been a victim of Demona's treachery and deceit, but in a strange way she's done you a favor. At least now you know that you are capable of love, the kind of love that makes life worthwhile. Search for that love, Macbeth. She's out there. Just make sure that next time, you get a good look at her at night."
Even after all this time Macbeth could not help but smile and laugh.
Goliath was right.
Though Macbeth had yet to find someone new he still believed she was out there.
She could never replace Gruoch and he would never ask for that.
But he still hoped there was someone out there.
"Your love for them will always exist and can be reborn into someone new." Tan Zang said as the images of Gruach and Luach vanished, leaving behind someone else.
Macbeth couldn't see them or make out their gender but he still felt a deep connection to them.
Macbeth's heart glowed along with the other three chakra points, turning his Aura from silver grey to almost white with silver streaks.
"Congratulations. You have unlocked the fourth chakra." Tan Zang said, withdrawing the vine from Macbeth's heart and then placed it on his throat. "Next we have the chakra of sound. It represents truth and is blocked by lies."
Xxx
"Everyone, the hour is upon us." Major Glory said, addressing the assembled heroes and hunters in the room. "Crom Cruach wants to rule this world, promising a life of peace…That is a lie."
As he spoke, the various heroes and hunters prepared themselves. E-Male inspected a blue colored ring blade while Down Unda Mate checked his boomerangs.
"He will demand you to sacrifice your children to him, destroy those who do not bow and if necessary leave us all in a world of complete darkness and cold until anyone is either dead or serving him."
Agunimon sheathed his Tri-Knife after making sure it was in perfect condition. He shared a look with his fellow Digimon, nodding to them which they returned with their own.
"We are gathered here to tell him, in one united voice that we reject his offer, we reject his threats, and we reject him."
Krunk flexed his muscles while Valhallen played a few notes on his Mighty Axe, making sure it was working perfectly.
"Yes, our world is not perfect but we cannot expect someone to come along and fix it for us just by getting on our knees and praying that all of ours problems go away."
Meanwhile the androids that were part of Project: YoRHa were setting up defensive positions all around the city of GrimmFall. It was projected that Crom would likely attack again to try and break the strength and will of his enemies by sacking the most well-known city in the world, the heart of the Huntsmen community across an entire continent and one of the truly safe bastions where no threat could emerge victorious.
A victory for Crom here would tell the entire world that he could not be stopped.
"You all are here because you know this in your hearts as well. We do not exist to simply bow down and cower to monsters. We proved that with the Grimm and we will prove it with Crom! We will unite and tell this Crom in one voice…That we will stand to the end!" Major Glory took one deep breath. "And so with that said…Justice Friends…Assemble!"
Xxx
Macbeth remembered hiding himself from the world for centuries. He hid his identity, interacting only with hired guns and mercenaries when he needed them for a special job.
He had no one to bond with at the times and thus saw no reason to share the truth of who he was.
The only time he came close to confessing on his own instead of someone finding out was the night he married Dominque and wanted to tell her everything…
Until he found out Dominque had been Demona all along.
"I have waited so long…Perhaps I could find that special someone…I could trust them with absolutely everything." Macbeth whispered.
"You took the first path with King Arthur." Tan Zang said. "Did you not remember the promise you made him?"
Macbeth remembered.
King Arthur offered to make him his knight the night when he retrieved Excalibur but Macbeth had been a king too long to follow someone else.
Still, if Arthur had ever needed his help he would be there when that happened.
He did not lie.
Macbeth's throat was emitting a glow now.
"Congratulations. You have unlocked the fifth chakra." Tam Zang praised, withdrawing the vine. "It would take years without proper guidance but you learn rather quickly even if me showing you."
"Perhaps I have just been waiting for someone to put me back on the right path." Macbeth admitted with a small smile as the vine was now touching his forehead.
"The sixth chakra, the light chakra. It is the chakra of insight and is blocked by illusion." Tan Zang continued.
Xxx
Just as the demon army reached the harbor suddenly they found themselves under attack. Major Glory, Valhallen, Krunk, SAM-R-I, Capital G, White Tiger, Living Bullet and Tiki Torch all appeared and went on the offensive. The Bodach tried to swarm them but against the members of the Justice Friends they were mere cannon fodder.
Needless to say things got very messy very fast.
Krunk roared out as he proceeded to smash his way through dozens of Bodach, their weapons utterly useless against him. He smashed his way through the Bodach, becoming a purple whirlwind of fury as he brutally smashed any Bodach close to him. It was explained to him that the Bodach were like the Grimm and thus it was okay to smash them to bits. They wanted to hurt people so Krunk would hurt them back!
Valhallen was the same, playing multiple strings on his Mighty Axe, slashing and blasting his way through the hoard of enemy demons easily. From the tip of his instrument came blasts of lightning that scorched any demon, turning them into little more than ashes. With string he played came a sonic blast that knocked the surrounding Bodach back, keeping them from getting close to the Viking God of Rock. He destroyed many Bodach, keeping them from spreading out into the city.
SAM-R-I shot through the incoming demons, slashing, kicking and punching anything in his way. No matter how hard the demons tried he was too fast and too strong to be stopped. With a single slash he beheaded one Bodach that tried to sneak up on him and blasted two more with a lightning attack. He then proceeded to cut off the legs of a charging Bodach before finishing it off.
Capital G became a giant and immediately started stomping down on the Bodach, keeping them from escaping into the city. White Tiger slashed, punched and kicked much like SAM-R-I, let out a loud roar that blasted over a dozen Bodach away. Living Bullet easily took down perhaps a hundred Bodach in a matter of seconds while Tiki Torch burned away just as many.
But for every Bodach slain a hundred took its place.
Xxx
"The greatest illusion of the world is separation. Countries, states, cities, people. They are all believed to be separate and different when they are in fact…one and the same." Tan Zang said.
"One and the same." Macbeth repeated quietly. "Yes…"
Humans
Faunus
Mobians
Gargoyles
Fae
They were all considered different but that was the illusion.
They lived in the same world.
They breathed the same air.
They lived and died.
"We are all individual but we are all part of the one single world." Macbeth said in realization.
"Everyone is different and yet we are all connected, thus making the divisions we see in the world meaningless." Tan Zang explained. "We are all one."
The center of Macbeth's forehead released a light, resembling a third eye.
"Congratulations. You have unlocked the sixth chakra." Tan Zang praised.
Macbeth's Aura had changed again, becoming almost completely white with yellow golden streaks.
"Only one more left." Tan Zang said, directing placing a vine on the crown of Macbeth's head. "The thought chakra, pure cosmic energy. This kind of power when released grants unending power to those who understand it. I unlocked it at a very old age and learned how to receive nourishment from the Earth itself. You on the other hand will not need it because of your curse."
"And what blocks it?" Macbeth questioned.
"…What attachments do you have?"
"Attachments?"
"Yes. What attaches you to this world?" Tan Zang said.
"I…I am not sure." Macbeth admitted. "I have lived for so long, hunted for so long that I am not sure…"
"Are you sure?"
Before Macbeth appeared the image of a Gargoyle, a very familiar female Gargoyle.
"The one thing attaching me is my literal bond with Demona. I have tried to sever it over the years but it can only be done if one of us kills the other." Macbeth admitted. "This is...has been my obsession for so long."
"Bonds come in many forms. For some there are bonds of love and others there are bonds of hate." Tan Zang stated. "You must learn to let go."
"If I let go wouldn't that I mean I have chosen to simply give up one day finally passing on to be with my family?" Macbeth questioned.
"Some believe that letting go of the ones they love is giving up on love but that is not true. Love does not mean attachment. Attachment can lead to obsession, obsession can lead to fear of losing what you love and allow resentment to fester from that loss and give rise to hatred. Love is the greatest gift of all and it can also be the greatest burden but love itself can save you, not condemn you." Tan Zang explained.
"Yes…" Macbeth whispered, listening to man's words and realizing he was right. "For so long my only earthly attachment was ironically to the very one I have hunted for so long. She betrayed me, she betrayed her people and forced me to flee my home and so I sought vengeance against her…But that is not who I am any longer."
Macbeth looked to the image of Demona. "You and I will have our final dance one day…But from this point forward, I sever the bond of hatred between us!"
And just like that, it was done.
Macbeth thought he heard the sound of a cord snapping as he let go of his bond of hatred to Demona.
"It is done." Tan Zang whispered, withdrawing the vines.
An Aura of pure white surrounded Macbeth as he opened his eyes, revealing a white glow from them. He held out his hand and in a flash of light a Scottish claymore appeared before him which he immediately grabbed.
This was no ordinary sword.
It was the very sword he had wielded when he was king.
It had been passed down to his son who sadly fell in battle but Canmore's actions were what condemned him.
This sword was the same as the sword of every king and clan leader in Scotland, imbued with Celtic magic.
It could not be wielded by hearts stained with evil.
And now, after a thousand years it was back in the hands of its true owner.
The man that was formerly the King of Scotland, an adversary to the Gargoyles of Manhattan who later became an ally was reborn. From the man's eyes came a pillar of light that engulfed him, growing in size and brightness until it was like looking into a newborn sun.
And an instant later it was gone from the Jade Academy, having shot up into the sky.
Xxx
Sammael's eyes shot open as he felt a great power. "So…someone has managed to open all seven chakras…" He smirked. "This could be what tips the balance of power against Crom."
Xxx
Rolf looked out at the city, seeing the battle in distance despite it being so far away from the Hall of Heroes.
He should be out there with them.
The evil Crom Cruach was the enemy of his people.
As the Son of a Shepard it was his responsibility.
"Excuse me."
"Gah!" Rolf spun around, seeing something in the dark corner of the room. "Who is there?!"
"Are you Rolf Vorlik?" The person asked.
"Yes. Who are you?" Rolf clenched his fists, ready to fight. "Reveal yourself, he-who-hides-shadows-for-dramatic-effect!"
The person chuckled as they stepped out of the shadows, revealing themselves to be Rory and held out the Shepard's staff to Rolf who gasped upon seeing it.
"That staff…" Rolf trailed off.
"Would you like the chance to stop Crom?" Rory asked as the staff emitted a golden glow.