Author's note
Welcome back, thanks for taking the time to read and I hope you enjoy it.
I figure I may as well set the timetable for the story now. Chapters 1-4 are completely OC back story with main characters tied in. Chapter 5 is part Hargeon Port part flashback of the time skip. And after that, the main storyline begins. Just wanted to put that out there so you can know what to expect in the future.
"Speech"
"Thoughts"
"Internal conversations/ messages"
"Spells or Important Items"
The Greyhound Chapter 3.
X778
2 years had flown by, and with time came meaningful bonds. He'd apologized to Lyon, and while the two still didn't particularly like each other, a kind of mutual respect for the other's abilities had formed.
"Alright Kinzo, this time you're gonna eat the snow! Ice-Make: Tower!" An 8-foot tall frozen platform emerged from under the boy's feet raising him high above his opponent. "Ice-Make: Cannon!" and on the platform, he made a British-style 1700s cannon packed to the brim with a massive snowball, and a pull string connected to the back.
After finally being able to utilize Metal Make Magic, he and Gray had really hit it off. Being able to spare regularly led him to really appreciate the extra experience the younger boy had, though the additional time together also gave him an unwanted front row seat to Gray's stripping habit.
"How did you manage to lose all your clothes in the 3 seconds it took to get up there?" The older boy asked in amusement. At hearing the jibe Gray immediately started panicking. The thought of what Ur might do to him if he lost ANOTHER set of clothes scared him.
Apparently, it was something he'd picked up from Ur's training, which Kinzo had been subjected to as well. She would make the three of them stay outside all day with minimal clothing to grow used to the cold. After that Gray would always complain about how hot it was, and soon enough he'd lose his shirt and pants without realizing it. Yes, he knew all about the boy's quirks, his fighting style, and even how he'd come to know Ur.
"Where are they, where are they!?" Gray cried scrambling around on top of the tower, desperately searching; until he stopped, realizing something. "Wait, I'm still wearing all my clothes!" At that moment he felt a harsh tugging on the back of his shirt, which he was indeed still wearing, and in the next moment his feet were no longer on the tower "What the hell!" He was falling, someone had pulled him off.
Hearing Gray's retelling of the demon Deliora's rampage was eye-opening, and knowing that Gray had been the only survivor was a sobering thought. While he managed to cope well, sometimes the memories got to him. The images of his hometown being destroyed; his friend's, and family's lives being snuffed out. Much like with Ur he didn't really know how to help, but on those days he always made sure to stay close by. Acting almost like an older brother.
As Gray hit the snow, completely burying himself in it, Kinzo couldn't help but laugh. That little trick had worked perfectly. While the Ice mage was distracted, he used his Telekinesis to pull him off the little perch and down to the cold ground. "What was that about me eating snow?" the 13-year-old asked, coming to stand next to where his friend had disappeared beneath the thick frost.
"That was a dirty trick, and you know it!" An outraged cry came from underneath the snow. A few seconds later Gray's head finally popped out from beneath the drift, a sour expression on his face.
"Oh, come on now don't be mad." Kinzo chuckled as he put a hand on his friend's head and started ruffling his hair. "You know I never fight fair, 'little brother'."
The boy's expression only worsened as he pulled his arms free and started swatting at Kinzo's hand. "Whatever," he said with a sigh. "Let's just go see if Ur and Lyon are done, they'll want to say goodbye after all" finally pulling himself free and getting to his feet, with a bit of help from his sparring partner.
Speaking of Ur, his relationship with the woman had grown quite strong, to the point where he respected her as much as his own mother. Victoria had taught him how to fight, to be strong, and reserved. But Ur, she emphasized emotion, and let him act like a normal kid. She'd given him the push he needed to really use his magic and even trusted him with some of her own tragedy.
There had been three other nights where he found her alone, grieving. Each time he woke up for seemingly no reason, but every time he did, she was there. Alone.
He still didn't know the little girl's name, but he knew her stories. The incident with the wolf pup being his favorite, but there were others that stuck out as well.
The time she poured out three bags of flour on the kitchen tile thinking it was snow, or when she had accidentally frozen an entire bathtub full of water while she was still in it came to mind.
This girl was truly precious, and after spending 2 years with Ur he only felt her pain more.
He cared for them, perhaps he even loved them, and he enjoyed every moment they spent together as this little family of misfits. But all good things must come to an end.
It had been 2 years since his mother had sent him up this mountain, and now she was calling him down. They'd gotten her message 3 days ago. Left for them in the town they frequented for supplies. He was supposed to meet her at the mountain's base later today, exactly where his little journey began.
When they got the news, he wasn't sure how to feel. He missed his mother, he really did, but that didn't mean he wanted to leave the pseudo-family he had now. Nevertheless, he would go, and they would likely continue the endless process of moving around the country hiding from whoever was after them.
Gray was none too pleased about the idea of losing him. Even going so far as to throw a small tantrum, at the idea of him leaving. Ur put a stop to that.
Lyon was seemingly indifferent, neither happy nor sad about the revelation.
Ur's reaction was the most difficult to piece together. Facial expression never changing, yet her attitude after seeing the letter was noticeably more subdued. It seemed like she would miss him. But that was hours ago and now he stood before them preparing to say goodbye.
Gray was the first to speak, stepping forward and punching him in the shoulder "You better not get lazy while you're gone, or the next time we fight you'll regret it!" It seemed acting out was the only way he knew how to express what was going on inside his head.
Humoring him a response came "Oh please, I could never train another day in my life and still beat you." Placing his hand on Gray's head and messing up his hair once more. Predictably the 11-year-old reacted with irritation trying in vain to force the limb away. Yet despite the 'annoyance' he could tell Gray enjoyed their little 'fights'.
After the boy backed away, the next person he turned to was Lyon. The farewell was nothing to write home about, a simple nod was all he received. Recognition of his strength and the time they'd trained together but nothing else, and that was enough.
Finally, he turned to Ur. The woman who'd acted as a stand-in mother and shared more of herself with him than his own mother had.
He wanted to say something, but the words just wouldn't come out. Thankfully, they didn't need to. She pulled him into a warm hug, and in that moment, he was confident. Wherever he went, whatever life threw at him, he knew he would always have somewhere to come back to. "Be careful, and don't forget about us, alright?" Her words were soft and exactly what he was hoping for.
"I won't forget, how could I?" He needed to go, at this point, he'd be late.
Separating from the hug he took in the sight of his little family and for the first time in 2 years prepared to meet his mother.
While going up had been a borderline suicide mission, going down was a joke. Having fully functional magic only made it easier.
"Metal Make: War-Door." At his command, a massive rectangular shield formed beneath his feet, and with one push he was flying down the mountain 'snowboard' underneath him.
As his speed increased so did the roughness of the terrain. Soon what were otherwise insignificant piles of snow became ramps that would launch him dozens of feet into the air.
Not able to slow down or else risk being late he chose to deal with the jumps as they came, enjoying the airtime while he did. That is until the mountain disappeared out from under him.
He'd forgotten about the cliff… crap "CRAP!"
Quickly gathering himself again he used Telekinesis on the shield gluing it to his feet. From there it was just a matter of waiting to land, and land he did.
A cloud of snow bloomed out after his initial collision, but unfortunately for him, his speed only continued to increase as he raced toward the base. At this rate he would end up as paste against the side of a tree if he didn't stop soon, and he had just the spell to help him out.
Forming a familiar orange seal several feet in front of him he kicked the 'board' up and dove through, feet first "Kinetic Decay!" he cried. And just as his waist passed through the magic circle, he found himself stuck. Seemingly paused in time, hovering several feet in the air, his back facing the ground.
This was a new spell he'd been working on. Based on Conversion Leap but meant to have the opposite effect. Instead of building up potential energy, this circle absorbs kinetic energy causing it to act as a fuel source to continue powering the spell. any physical movement was impossible while inside it. In some situations, the ring could actually act as a prison, continuously turning the captives' attempts to escape into endless fuel for their cage.
He'd even managed to trap Ur for while after he figured that out. But he also discovered that while the spell absorbed all physical attempts to move, it didn't stop a person from using magic. Man, he was cold after that.
That explanation was nice and all, but Kinzo just cast the spell on himself so how do you get out of it? A great question and the answer is pretty simple. You could either 1 force so much magic into the circle that it overloads and then releases you (though Kinzo doesn't have the magic capacity to do that, plus overloading a spell normally results in a rather large and painful explosion) or 2 just stop moving and the spell will rather quickly run out of juice.
Picking the second option he felt himself begin to fall. Plopping gracelessly into the snow he began to breathe a sigh of relief, which immediately caught in his throat at the voice he heard.
"Well, you haven't gotten any smarter, that's for sure."
Tilting his head, he saw her. His mother, stoic as always, staring down at him. She seemed unimpressed, but he could tell. The way her eyebrows just barely raised, and her lips curved ever so slightly; she was happy to see him.
After cleaning up, and getting out of the snow, she asked for an update on his progress. His response was exactly what she'd hoped for. Complete mastery of Telekinesis, an original Conversion spell, and most importantly the ability to use Metal Make magic. His proficiency was actually quite good from her perspective, being able to make most any basic object. And considering where he was when they parted, she had to send a silent thank you to Ur.
Honestly, the reunion hadn't been what he was hoping for. After giving her a pretty thorough description of what he was capable of, she just nodded, and they started moving again. Just like they had before, business as usual. As though two whole years hadn't passed. It irked him and he wanted to push the issue, no he would push the issue.
"Hey, mo-"
"We need to get to Dawn City, to the west."
Having been cut off he decided to temporarily hold off on asking his previous question. Instead, asking about their destination "What's in Dawn City?"
Not bothering to make eye contact she responded, "You have a good grasp on forging basic objects with Magic, but you need to learn how to make more mobile constructs as well."
Considering her words, he tried to answer "I've already tried doing stuff like that. One of Ur's disciples was able to use Ice-Make magic that moved, but I can't get my metal to do the same thing."
He had spent nearly 4 months trying to copy Lyon's magic after seeing how useful his moving sculptures were, but in the end, nothing came of it. Lyon had held that over his head for the longest time.
"I'm not surprised, the basic metal you're making is pretty rigid." Basic metal, what did that mean? He was ready to voice his confusion, but she beat him to it.
"Among all of the different types of Molding Magic there are a few that can be altered, metal is one of them. There are thousands of different kinds of metal, and if you can understand them, then you can use them."
He could use different types of metal?
"Wait do you mean like, I could make a sword out of iron or steel if I wanted to?"
She nodded "Exactly, and by using a different kind of material different things become possible. When I said your constructs should be mobile what I meant was they should be able to move independently. By the time we're done, you should be able to form tools that require motors to function."
Ok, now that sounded awesome. Being able to make something like a chainsaw would be interesting and add yet another layer to his combat abilities. But how did he make his metal different to begin with?
After presenting the question the answer surprised him with its simplicity.
"You have to understand how that metal works on a basic level, I guess you could say you need a chemistry lesson. Understanding why one type is more flexible, dense, or a better conductor than another. If you can get that then forging your weapons, in the same way, should come naturally."
Ok now he was really getting into this… but she still hadn't answered his first question.
"Wait so why are we going to Dawn City?"
Finally, she turned to him as they marched "They have one of the largest armories in the country, and a smithy filled to the brim with raw materials close by." After hearing that his excitement grew as did his eagerness.
The market was bustling, people traveling between tents and shops. Most of them from out of town, but all of them there for the same thing. Weapons. Though there were two notable exceptions a black-haired woman talking to a blacksmith and her son bouncing on the balls of his toes impatiently.
"You really just want the ingots? Nothing forged, just the metal itself?" asked the confused smith.
"Yes, several of every metal variant you have."
The man gave her a look but nevertheless presented the pieces, "That'll be 7,400 jewels."
After providing payment and exiting the building Kinzo couldn't wait any longer.
"What am I gonna learn how to make first!?"
Unamused she told her son to control himself, and not to be so excitable. His response was unexpected.
"At least I actually get excited about things."
His face went blank, and eyes widened, did he just?
Seeing his mother's surprise and barely concealed agitation he knew the answer. Yes, yes he had.
"Did this brat just talk back to me?"
Almost as if he knew she was about to tell him off and enact some kind of discipline he immediately started apologizing "Sorry ma'am I don't know what came over me."
Head down berating himself for forgetting he was with his mother and not Ur, talking like that wouldn't fly here.
Deciding to let it go Victoria started walking again, though she wondered what other bad habits Ur had instilled in her son.
"Maybe 2 years was too long, to leave him with her."
...
After they reached camp, the previous awkwardness having left, they immediately started working. Kinzo picking up a piece of metal and his mother explaining the basics of its chemical structure. Learning the differences between them. Even the changes that occurred after being heated and quenched. He would learn it all.
Tungsten was dense, more so than Iron. Compressed aluminum was a lightweight alternative to heavier metals, and copper was among the best conductors. He knew it all now and it had only taken him a week. After that, it was putting knowledge into practice, and practice he did.
Another week and he was able to form objects using the metals he'd studied, three days after that he could blend them as he pleased. The only thing left to do was make the more 'mobile' items his mother had talked about.
His current project was creating a motor for a weapon he was designing. It started off as a sword and shield, nothing too special. Until he decided that he wanted something with more reach. So, his 13-year-old brain came up with something insane.
Altering the shield to double as a massive double-edged ax head. From there he installed a hollow slot where the blade could be sheathed at the top.
The idea from here was to have additional metal extensions that would surround the sheath and elongate at the user's command pushing the ax head/shield out as the main weapon edge. This would allow him to jump back and forth between a sword & shield, and a long, two-sided ax. Of course, for the extensions to push out, a tiny motor needed to be made. That motor was exactly what he was about to finish.
Holding the sword in his right hand, and shield in his left the test run began. Inserting the blade in its proper place at the shield's peak, he twisted the object in his hand. Now holding the shield upside down by the blade's hilt. From there a tiny flash of its maker's magic was all it took before the metal beams started pushing up, fully extending. And just like that, a fully functional battle-ax was held perfectly stable in his hands. This thing was amazing, it was easily the same size as him, only being wieldable due to his enhanced strength. And the shield was large enough that he could cover almost all his body while kneeling.
Finally, after weeks of perfecting, his own unique weapon was ready. The Shifting Blade he'd named it.
"YES, it works it actually works!"
To celebrate he started testing it out continuously switching between the two forms. Chopping down trees with the large ax and practicing quick jabs and slashes with the sword. Finally ending his little routine by throwing the rounded shield as hard as he could. Watching with glee as the sharpened edges sunk into a particularly thick oak tree.
"I'm amazing! Suck it Lyon I'd like to see your stupid birds do something like that!"
"Kinzo, bring it here."
His boastful thoughts were brought to an end as his mother called him over. Reaching out with an open palm she requested to see what he'd made. Handing it over without complaint she held it close testing the weight and balance of both the shield and sword with a few practice swings.
Seeming satisfied she sheathed the blade and triggered the ax to extend. Swinging it in a much more advanced pattern than Kinzo himself had, again testing for balance and durability. Coming to a halt mid-swing she prompted the ax to fold back in, being left with a sword resting inside its shield.
After a brief pause, she nodded. Handing the shield back, and pulling something from her pocket. A silver-ring.
Handing it to him she began to speak.
"I've taught you all there is to know about my magic. From here on out it's your own creativity and willingness to practice the basics that will push you forward."
Keeping all his focus on her he listened as intently as he could. "That ring is just like the one I have. My father gave it to me when he thought I was ready. It acted as a sign that I was worthy of claiming the Haka name as my own. And now I'm giving you the same right."
Staring down at the ring he heard her say, "Channel your magic into it."
Doing just that the ring started to, melt? Panic surfaced at the thought of destroying the gift his mother had just given him until he heard her next instruction "Now mold it."
Getting a basic idea of what was happening he thought of his first-ever construct. That little dagger he'd buried in Ur's coffee table, and like magic, the liquid silver shaped itself into the very same object.
"It's a useful tool one you shouldn't forget about." Taking in the lesson, he willed the blade in his hands to return to the ring it was prior, and placed it on his right index finger. The same as his mother's.
"Only one thing left."
Hearing her again he looked up but seeing her form a large number of paper-thin metal scraps left him without a response.
She instructed him to sit, and taking a seat right behind him she started weaving the steel bits into his hair. After some time had passed, while she continued to work, he asked her "What does this one mean?"
Remaining silent a moment longer than was comfortable, she replied "It's a failsafe."
"If you ever find yourself in a situation with too little magic to forge anything, use whatever you have left to send these fragments into your opponent. That's the main reason I taught you Telekinesis."
As time passed the silence was excruciating. He wouldn't say the lack of sound itself was the problem just that… there was so much he still wanted to say. He just didn't know how. He needed a bond with his mother that was about more than training. Even so where to start escaped him so they continued to sit in silence.
…
Until his mother voiced her own thoughts.
"Kinzo, you have to stay alive. It doesn't matter what you do, what underhanded tricks you use, or who gets caught in the crossfire. You have to survive, you can't lose. I know you don't like moving so often, and I know the way we live is hard on you. But, this world is too dangerous too unforgiving, and to pretend otherwise would be the same as throwing you to the wolves. If you resent me I can live with that, just as long as you're alive. "
Saying her piece and weaving in the last of the metal.
"… I'm finished."
Pulling her hands away from her son and attempting to stand she was unprepared for the strong (for a 13-year-old) embrace that gripped her.
Kinzo was holding his mother as though his life depended on it "'Stay alive.' That's your way of saying I love you right?"
Silence was his response, but then a soft chuckle more easily felt than heard filled his scenes.
"I suppose it is, yes."
"Then I love you too."
Present Day
That seemed so long ago, but in reality, it had only been a few years. "Man, things sure can change fast."
A year ago, he was still living with Ur, but now he was lying in the middle of his packed-up campsite, on the opposite side of the country. His mother still in town, and a bag full of some strange material resting on his side.
"I wonder if I'll be able to do anything with these? I mean if they just absorb magic will I really be able to make anything using them at all? Wouldn't they just absorb my magic?"
Choosing to push the thoughts from his mind, at least until his mother came back, he shifted slightly trying to get comfortable again, and settled in for a quick nap.
"Augggh, I'm sure she'll wake me when she gets back," he said with a yawn, before letting sleep take him.
90 Miles South
A young girl perhaps 15 walked through a rather bleak-looking hallway. Long dark purple hair separated into pigtails fell at her sides, held in place by two red ribbons. Her pail skin providing a notable contrast to the striking red eyes shining in the poorly lit space.
Coming to a door at the end of the enclosure she knocked before entering. "Master Hades?" she called out.
"Speak" her reply coming from a chair turned in the opposite direction.
"Our scouts have just reported back, they found her."
That seemed to get his attention as the chair spun around rather quickly. In it sat a very aged man. Long solid white hair falling down his back with an equally long and similarly colored beard resting against his front. Dressed in brown pants, and a red shirt, overlayed by a large black and gray cape. He had many prevalent features but perhaps most noticeable was the presence of a patch over his right eye.
"Where?" the demand clear in his voice.
"A small village North of our position, we should arrive within the hour." The girl replied.
"Good" Closing his only visible eye and leaning back into the chair he contemplated what orders to give her.
"Alert Zancrow, he and some of the fodder will be joining us." Taking a half step back and bowing deeply she departed.
"Yes, Master Hades." Exiting the same way she'd entered.
...
"Oh Victoria, you've managed to hide yourself well, but now. Now you pay for your betrayal."
Turning the seat back to its previous position, he once again began to stare out at the world below. Seated atop his massive airship glancing through thick glass. Pondering just how strong the Illusory Magic cast on the iron blimp was to hide its presence from the people beneath them.
"You won't escape, I won't give you a second chance."
Author's note
Another one down. I really enjoyed writing the beginning of this chapter (Gray and Kinzo's little 'fight' in the snow) but I am a little worried that the jumping back and forth between exposition and dialogue might make it hard to read hope that wasn't the case.
Another thing to say is that the "Shifting Blade" is based on a weapon from one of my favorite game series Monster Hunter called the Charge Blade. so if my description sucked that may help give you an idea of what he's holding.
Alright, that's it for now see you again in a few days.