Chapter 6: Forgotten Bloodline
Due to Yin's injury, Yang had to notify Naofumi that they had to stay behind a little and to pick them up later. After a day of rest, Yin was at full health again as he sat upon his bed looking out the window. As Yang walked into their room, he found his brother awake in which he sighed in relief and closed the door behind him with a tray of food in hand.
"And here I thought I knocked you hella hard bro. You really went loose on that pretty boy," Yang joked with a loud laugh as he walked up to his brother and placed the tray on his table before sitting on his own bed.
"...do you think I overdid it against the spear hero?" Yin asked looking down at the ground outside.
"Pffft! I doubt it. If anything I am surprised, you didn't holy smite his ass. cause lets be real. he kind of deserves something like that bro," Yang answered before snickering. "Also don't call him a hero...he has one of the weapons of the heroes but that does not make him a hero. If anything that makes him a boy trying to play hero...and you already know what they are called right?"
"...fakes?" Yin asked looking at his brother with his head tilted in which Yang smiled and nodded in agreement.
"Yup. Big fat fakes. And the spear boy is the biggest fake I have ever seen," Yang added before laughing loudly once more.
"It is funny seeing you talk bad about someone for so long," Yin said lightning up a little as he laughed softly.
"How can't I talk bad about this guy? He calls himself a hero but places his own gains over the needs of others," Yang asked laying on his bed while closing his eyes.
"...but it is also strange on how easily I am provoked," Yin said looking back out the window with his eyes filled with worry.
"It is strange that you are getting angry so fast brother. It's not like you to get triggered so quickly. Yeah some deserve it, but it has been chaotic than usual...and that's coming from me so that's saying something," Yang said opening his eyes slightly to look up at the ceiling sighing heavily. "Meh, I'm sure it's nothing so let's just relax for now."
"Where's Naofumi-sama?" Yin asked closing his eyes.
"He went off to do something. Don't worry though. He'll come back to pick us up before the wave starts," Yang said while letting out a loud yawn and closing his eyes once more.
"So what do we do while we wait for Naofumi-sama?" Yin asked opening his eyes and looking at his brother.
"Easy bro. We relax and regain as much energy as we can before Naofumi comes back so we stay out of trouble as best as we can," Yang answered with a smile.
"Coming from you brother that sounds like a joke," Yin commented with a chuckle.
"I can be serious to...sort of," Yang replied opening his left eye slightly to look at his brother chuckling as well. "We don't know what to expect from the coming wave brother. So take it easy,"
"If you're the one asking me then I will do just that," Yin said looking at his brother with a soft chuckle before looking at his hands seeing his pale skin shift to a pitch-black only for it to change back to normal. "I will take it easy as best as I can."
-Next Morning-
Yin and Yang waited outside of the Blacksmith shop with the Paladin standing up straight with his great sword on his back while the Beggar leaned his back against the wall. Once Naofumi rolled in with his wagon, Yang smiled and pushed himself off the wall only to turn around and see a group of knights and mages. Blinking at this, Yang raised his hand to ask a question in which Naofumi sighed and nodded his head.
"These five will be joining us for the next wave," Naofumi explained in which Yang nodded and slowly brought his hand back down. "Are you two ready for this wave?"
"Ready as we'll ever be Naofumi-sama," Yin said bringing his hands together and bowing his head.
"So these five are coming with us? Are they any good?" Yang asked with a raised brow while walking up to the five. "Why do you want to join the boss against this wave?"
"We...want to help people. Save those unfortunate enough to be caught by the wave," The young knight answered in which Yang looked into his eyes.
A soft chuckle escaped the Beggar's lips as he nodded his head while placing the palm of his left hand on the handle of his rusty katana.
"He ain't lying boss. He actually wants to help people. Now you see this?" Yang said looking at the boy with a wide smile. "This is what a knight should be...although he's young he has promise...maybe I should train him too."
"There is never a dull day with you Naofumi-sama. Not only is Yang opening up to others but also willing to train someone other than Raphtalia," Yin said with a soft laugh.
"What? I want to have strong comrades and this guy right here needs to get stronger if he wants to fight alongside us. Am I right or am I right?" Yang asked with his right arm stretched out while looking around waiting on a reply.
"You are right brother," Yin responded in which Yang nodded.
"Thank you, bro., It'd be nice to hear it from boss too but I'm sure we'll work on that right boss?" Yang said looking at Naofumi while chuckling one more time.
"I have been meaning to ask Naofumi-sama but what have we missed while I was out of commission?" Yin asked looking at the shield hero.
"Nothing much," Naofumi spoke in which Filo turned to look at them smiling.
"Filo got metal claws for weapons!" Filo shouted showing them her iron claws on her hands when she was in human form.
"Cool," Yang said while nodding his head slowly.
"I was given a new sword from Naofumi-sama," Raphtalia added showing her new sword which Yang's eyes widened as he leaned his head closer to see it.
"Now that's a nice sword..." Yang admitted in which Yin sighed while grabbing his brother's shoulder and pulling him back. "What else happened Naofumi-sama? I am sure there were others,"
"...we ran into the bow and sword hero..." Naofumi admitted while closing his eyes.
"And...how'd it go?" Yang asked with a chuckle.
"They blamed Naofumi-sama for taking their rewards," Raphtalia answered.
"What rewards?" yang asked with his brow raised.
"The dragon as well as the revolution," Raphtalia answered again.
"What revolution?" Yang asked blinking his eyes.
"Enough talk," Naofumi spoke looking at yang who sighed and nodded his head.
"Okay," Yang said with a shrug.
"It's time. Be ready for anything," Naofumi warned.
"Oh I'm always ready to give a whooping to waves," Yang commented.
"As I am always ready to defend the weak," Yin added while taking hold of his buster sword and pulling it off his back to weld it with both hands.
-Wave Zone-
The moment they teleported into the wave zone, it was found to be a village with a few townspeople still around and being hunted by monsters. Yin immediately placed his helmet onto his head and charged forward tackling a lizardman into a building before bringing his sword up and impaling its torso. As Yin was pulling his sword out, another Lizardman lunged toward him seeing as he was right behind him but the next thing it saw was its body upside down revealing Yang had decapitated it mere seconds before it could reach the paladin.
"I'm not going to lie. This wave is a lot more intense than the other," Yang spoke looking around before making their way to the town square where Naofumi and Raphtalia had dealt with their lizardman.
"What are your orders Naofumi-sama?" Yin asked looking around.
"Find any townspeople who did not evacuate and escort them to a safe area where they can," Naofumi replied earning a nod from the brothers.
"You got it, boss," Yang spoke sheathing his katana.
The brothers looked at one another before nodding and running off. After a minute of running, they ran into a girl getting jumped by five goblins with their swords raised over their head.
"Oh no, you don't!" Yang shouted before dashing toward the goblins to appear over the girl grinning. "Ark of Noah," He whispered as he spun his katana overhead knocking the monsters away and allowing Yin to come up and cleave the monsters in half while the beggar caught his katana and placed it by his hip smirking.
"Thank you," The girl spoke looking at Yin then to Yang bowing her head.
"Make your way to the town center. There will be others evacuating as well," Yin said with a smile causing the girl to nod and run off but not after glancing over her shoulder at Yin with a blush on her cheeks.
"You always get the girls man. Even if I save them," Yang said with a groan and his head tilted as he looked at his brother who chuckled.
"Maybe if you bathe every day, you'd get someone," Yin countered while jogging down the alley they were in.
"Hey! I bathe...at least twice a week!" Yang shouted back before raising his left arm and sniffing under only to cause him to snap his head back and cover his nose with his right hand. "Oh damn! Alright...point taken...asshole."
The brothers continued to journey around the village saving any civilians still in the area and evacuating them as best as possible. Upon meeting up with Naofumi them again, Yang found himself looking at an old lady bringing the beat down on goblins as well as werewolves trying to take her out.
"Well hot damn. Now that there is a fighter...and I rarely compliment anyone," Yang admitted with wide eyes while Yin nodded in agreement.
"Yin. Yang. How is the north side of the village?" Naofumi asked looking at the brothers.
"Cleared out now. We finished evacuating the last of the townspeople a few minutes ago," Yin answered while Yang nodded his head.
"So who's the martial artist over there?" Yang asked with a smile on his face.
"She's one of the people Naofumi-sama saved on his earlier adventures," Raphtalia answered with a smile.
"Do good on to others as good shall fall upon you," Yin said bowing his head in thanks to their good fortune before slowly raising his head to look at Naofumi.
"I didn't see you being a preacher Yin," Raphtalia spoke with a smile only to hear the ground of screaming.
"We can chat after this wave is complete," Yin said looking toward the direction of the screaming.
"And here I thought we knew enough about each other," yang joked with a soft laugh before running off and Yin following behind him.
As Yang turned a corner to fight whatever monster was attacking the lady, Yin found himself in a dark area by himself in which made him look around to find nothing but darkness. The sound of distant singing could be heard followed by the chime of a bell. Narrowing his eyes, he followed after the sound of the bell as well as the singing, and every step he took drew him closer and closer with the singing growing louder. Eventually, he came across a large clearing that was lit by seven white lights.
"So, the Todoroki bloodline continues," A feminine voice called out almost sounding like a beautiful songstress.
"Who's there? Show yourself!" Yin demanded while wielding his sword.
"Ahh so that explains everything. The reason why we could not find the Todoroki bloodline," The songstress spoke before chuckling softly.
"Where are you?!" Yin demanded.
"We are right in front of you...dear nephew," The songstress answered before the seven lights crashed into the ground.
As they crashed into the ground, seven large stone slabs appeared in front of him each towering at ten feet tall. Almost every tablet of stone had an animal engraved onto it with one being completely blank. Yin walked to the far right to stand in front of the carving of a lion and looked down seeing the word 'Pride' carved under the animal. As he moved to the next stone slab, he found this one was almost completely blank aside from the word 'Wrath' carved on the bottom.
"What are these?" Yin asked himself as he continued down the slabs to stand in front of a carving of a fox now and under its name was 'Lust' which made him blink his eyes.
Narrowing his eyes, Yin looked at the eyes of the carving to find it blink and look down at the paladin nearly making him jump back gaining a soft chuckle from the fox.
"You need not be wary of us nephew," The Fox spoke as it moved from its sitting position into a laid down position while still looking at Yin smiling.
"Who are you and where am I?" Yin demanded now welding his buster sword with both hands again.
"I am Kitsune of Lust. The third strongest of the seven deadly sins," She answered.
"Kitsune? As In fox. A deceiver!" Yin shouted while gripping the handle of his sword tightly.
"You can say it like that but who am I to blame if not the weak minds of humans who cannot hold in their lust for well...anything?" Kitsune asked with a chuckle while turning her attention to the others before looking back at Yin. "Also you best keep it down Sai...the last thing you want to do...is wake up the rest of your family."
"You are not family! My family is the house of Todoroki and Yang Maeda," Yin snapped now glaring at Kitsune.
"Please. Your father has been telling you lies. How else can the house of Todoroki wipe out an entire army by themselves," Kitsune asked now standing on her front legs. "You are not human Sai. You are far from it."
"Stop calling me Sai! My name is Yin Todoroki! Heir to the Todoroki Household and name!" Yin shouted.
"Your traitor of a father made up such a name because he despised his origins...his past...something he wished to keep locked away...but sadly his past has a mind of its own, six to be more accurate," Kitsune explained before sighing heavily. "And to think he was the second in command,"
"ENOUGH!" Yin screamed before bringing his sword toward the slab only for a barrier to form in front of the sword absorbing the attack before releasing the kinetic energy outward launching the paladin back three feet.
This noise caused the remaining five carvings to start moving as if they were asleep for eons. Their eyes immediately snapped toward Yin as he was picking himself up.
"There he is. The son of Wrath and our nephew...our...savior from this prison," The pig spoke before snorting.
"It's not all that bad. I can sleep for all eternity and not care," the sloth added.
"Of course you would be the only one fine with it. As for Gluttony and I, we have nothing to do and sleeping is not one of our hobbies you lazy shit!" The Wolverine shouted while growling at the sloth.
"What are you going to do Greed? Steal my dreams?" Sloth countered with a chuckle as he placed his hands behind his head and closed his eyes.
"That doesn't sound like a bad idea! Once I'm out I'm going to steal every last one of your dreams to see what makes it so peaceful for you!" Greed snapped.
"Enough," The lion spoke as he stood up and looked around with silence taking the area while he looked down at Yin.
Although Yin was standing up, he felt the hair on the back of his neck stand on end and sweat already rolling down his forehead. The sheer pressure from stare from the lion froze Yin in place from what seemed like years.
"What took you so long...Wrath?" The Lion asked narrowing his eyes.
"I...am not Wrath. I am Yin Todoroki!" Yin shouted while glaring back at the lion.
"You have your father's strength that's for sure...as well as his temper," The lion commented before closing his eyes for a second only for them to open up widely." Kneel!"
Yin's eyes grew wide as he fell to his knee and his hands slammed onto the ground with his head bowed to the lion.
"Much better," The lion said before sitting down and sighing. "Now I ask again...what took you so long Wrath?"
"I...am not...Wrath..." Yin struggled as he felt a strong pressure holding him down which prevented him from getting to his feet.
"I say we let him go for now...with all of us awake, we can now awake his return," Kitsune added in while looking to the lion who glanced toward the fox before turning his gaze back to Yin.
"Very well," the Lion spoke before closing his eyes completely allowing Yin to struggle to stand to his feet while panting heavily.
"What do you mean...now that you're all awake?" Yin questioned while looking at Kitsune.
"When you attacked the spear hero, you unleashed a small fraction of the power of your bloodline. In which it woke me from my slumber...then you released your rage once more when you tried to kill me and being so close to the others...woke them as well," Kitsune explained with a chuckle. "Now we wait,"
"Wait...for what?" Yin asked.
"For you to awaken completely. Only then will we be freed of our prisons," Kitsune answered.
"Who are you all?" Yin questioned looking at the six slabs.
"The lion before you is King. Leader of the deadly sins. The Pig is Buta of Gluttony, the wolverine is Kuzuri of Greed, the Sloth is Taida of...well cloth, and last but never least the snake, Hebi of Envy," Kitsune introduced.
"With our names told...leave us. In time you will become one of us Wrath. Your fate...is already written," King spoke before the slabs released a blinding light that forced Yin to cover his eyes.
Upon opening his eyes, he found himself in the same spot before he walked into a different area.
"What?" Yin whispered to himself before yang ran back panting softly.
"You alright bro?" Yang asked slightly beaten up.
"Brother?" Yin replied before looking at Yang seeing he was getting beaten up. "What happened?"
"Nothing new. Just fighting a horde of monsters. Enough about me, what about you? Where have you been?" Yang asked walking up to his brother with worry in his eyes.
"...how long have I been gone?" Yin asked looking around.
"Bro. You've been gone for a whole hour," Yang admitted with a sigh.
"A whole hour?" Yin spoke gritting his teeth while closing his eyes.
"Yo brother don't worry about it. Come on. Boss wants to talk to us," Yang spoke while his brother opened his eyes to look at him and nod.
The two made their way back to Naofumi to find him looking toward the direction of where the heroes left to. As soon as Naofumi looked back to the town, he saw the brothers running up to him which he nodded in approval.
"Alright what's the plan boss?" Yang asked looking at Naofumi.
"We're going to help the other heroes put an end to this wave," Naofumi commanded.
"About time we show those fakes who the real hero is," Yang spoke while slowly nodding his head.
"Stay focused. There's a reason why the others haven't ended the wave yet," Naofumi spoke while narrowing his eyes at Yang.
"Please. I am as focused as I can be right now," Yang replied with a snicker.
"What of the townspeople Naofumi-sama?" Yin asked looking back at the town to see the three knights, two mages, and one fighter.
"They are in good hands," Naofumi spoke with a faint smile while looking at the defenders of the town.
"I'm sure the fighter over there can hold her own in a fight but...we better make this wave end soon. The last thing I want is to lose some promising people," Yang commented looking at the leader of the small group with a smile.
Naofumi nodded his head before turning toward the mountains as Filo stood beside her master.
"Filo. Raphtalia. We're heading toward the mountain," Naofumi spoke before turning to look at Yin and Yang. "If you two cannot keep up then stay here and help defend the town and its people,"
"I can keep up with you but...can you keep up bro?" Yang asked looking at his older brother.
"I will try," Yin spoke causing Naofumi to nod his head as Filo transformed into her queen Filolial form.
With Filo in her Filolial form, Naofumi and Raphtalia hop on her back before running off toward the mountains leaving the brothers behind.
"Are you sure you can keep up brother?" Yang asked glancing at his brother from over his shoulder.
"Go. I'll catch up as soon as I can," Yin said with a smile.
"...you be safe bro," Yang spoke before looking toward the direction of where Filo ran off to and blitzed after them leaving behind a trail of dust.
As soon as his brother was out of sight, he started to follow after them before being pulled into the darkness once more but this time with the stone slab of Hebi in front of him. This stopped him in his tracks completely causing Yin to glare at the sin.
"Where are you going...Wrath?" Hebi asked before giggling to herself.
"My name is Yin," The paladin replied while narrowing his eyes. "As for where I am going is none of your business,"
"So quick to judge. So quick...tempered," Hebi spoke making Yin's eyes widen. "Ahh I see you haven't noticed yet. It was only a matter of time...for this one time I wish to help you, dear nephew,"
"...what's in it for you?" Yin asked narrowing his eyes.
"A favor for a favor," Hebi answered with a slither of her tongue.
"What's your favor?" Yin asked.
"...haven't thought of one yet. Let's just say...you owe me one," Hebi spoke in which Yin looked at the ground for a brief moment before turning his gaze to Envy and nod his head.
"Fine. I owe you one," Yin spoke in which Hebi giggled before fading away into the darkness while the paladin found himself standing at the foot of the mountain with a large ship overhead.
Appearing under the ship, he could hear the sound of fighting before silence took place. Yin narrowed his eyes before making his way toward the ship.
-Under the ship-
Yin arrived under the boat at the same time as his brother Yang with his sword on his back causing the beggar to look at his older sibling puzzled.
"Bro? How'd you get here at the same time as me?" Yang asked before Yin shook his head.
"I'll answer your question some other time brother. For now, we must assist Naofumi-sama," Yin replied causing Yang to sigh and nod his head.
"Your right," Yang agreed before looking up at the ship overhead. "Alright, so...how do we get up there? I know you can just throw me up there and all but what about you?"
"I'll find a way," Yin spoke gripping his hands into fists.
"Alright well you know what to do then bro. Launch me!" Yang said with a smile.
Yin nodded his head before taking his sword out and gripping it in both hands. Once he had a tight grip on his weapon, Yin spiraled into a circle before yang hopped up off the ground before the paladin brought the flat side of his sword against his brother's feet launching him toward the ship. The paladin watched his brother fly to the ship leaving him behind once more before the image of a snake appeared coiled around his neck.
'Need more help nephew?" Hebi asked with a chuckle.
"...no. I will find a way to get up there," Yin replied before looking around.
"But by the time you do, most of the hard labor will be done. During that time Yang could get seriously hurt and plus...the other heroes are up there. Who knows what they might do against your master and brother?" Envy whispered into the paladin's ear.
"The other heroes would do no such thing," Yin said glaring at Hebi who only snickered.
"Not unless it's the spear hero and his manipulative party member. I am sure she would find a way to kill your brother while you wait here looking for a way up," Hebi spoke looking up at the ship.
"...what do you want?" Yin asked gritting his teeth.
"Another favor of course. You'll owe me two favors for the price of me helping you," Hebi answered looking back at Yin. "Do we have a deal...again?"
"...deal," Yin spoke closing his eyes.
"Then the table is set. Go get them...Wrath," Hebi whispered as her form faded away as the Paladin was being coated in darkness.
-Deck of the ship-
As the Naofumi dealt with the first Soul Eater, Yang crashed into the crow's nest while panting softly before getting to his feet and looking around.
"Where am I?" Yang asked himself while rubbing the back of his head only for him to move to the edge of the crow's nest to see a large Iron Maiden in the sky. "What the hell is that?"
"That is Naofumi-sama's power," Yin answered appearing behind his brother causing him to nearly jump out of the crow's nest before the Paladin caught Yang's arm and pulled him back into safety.
"Bro! What the fuck?!" Yang demanded before Yin walked to his side to look down and see a second Soul Eater spring from the ship to snarl at the heroes. "Later. Let's go!"
"Wait," Yin spoke bringing his hand in front of his brother stopping form joining the fight earning a surprised glance from Yang.
"What are you doing bro? We gotta go help them," Yang asked blinking his eyes but noticed his brother's attention was not on the soul eater but rather something in the sky. Upon following his gaze, the brothers watched as shining projectiles rained from the sky and instantly killed the soul eater.
"How very disappointing," A feminine voice called out as a pale woman wearing a kimono fell from the sky and landed on the dead monster causing it to turn to ash and fade into the wind while holding onto a Japanese fan in each fan in each hand.
"A new enemy?" Yang asked narrowing his eyes.
"You have trouble dealing with weaklings like these? Are you really the heroes who hold the world's fate in their hands?" The strange woman spoke before walking toward Naofumi. "It seems only one man here is worthy of even being called a hero,"
Before she got any closer, she narrowed her eyes and jumped back watching as a heavy suit of armor fell in front of her followed by a hundred katanas.
"Hoo, and what is this?" She asked with an amused smile.
"I don't think you should take another step pretty lady," Yang warned as he landed in front of his brother holding three swords in each hand while he had his eyes half-opened.
"Ahh, the Beggar and...the Divine Paladin. I wonder though...how Divine can he be...when he has already stepped into the darkness?" She asked while narrowing her eyes.
"Seems you know who we are, but we don't know who you are exactly. Care to introduce yourself madam?" Yang asked pointing the swords in his right-hand smiling.
"How rude of me. My name is Glass. Feel free to consider me your enemy," She said while tilting her head slightly. "Now may I ask your name...shield hero?"
"...I'm Naofumi," The Shield hero answered while keeping his eyes on the woman known as Glass before watching her gaze moving back to Yin.
"As for you...Divine Paladin...whose side are you on?" Glass asked earning a chuckle from Yang.
"What kind of question is that? He's on our side," Yang answered while rolling his shoulders back.
"I was not talking to you...Beggar," Glass snapped while glaring at Yang.
"Call me what you will. You ain't gonna get to me," Yang said with a snicker.
"...it may not be affecting you but...the Paladin is a different story," Glass hinted with a smile.
Yang glanced over his shoulder seeing his brother's armor begin to shack and shift from white to black.
"Bro?" Yang asked turning his body to face his brother now.
"Yang. What's happening?" Naofumi asked looking at Yin who's armor was shifting from light to dark.
"I...don't know. This is a first for me. I've never seen bro like this before," Yang answered.
"He's turning to the darkness..." Glass said opening her fans.
"Like I would trust an enemy. I know bro's in there. He's just going through some stuff that's all. Yeah! That's it," Yang countered while snapping his attention to Glass with his eyes widened.
"The Paladin has a bloodline that I can see clearly. I am surprised his own brother cannot see it," Glass replied while narrowing her eyes.
"What the fuck are you talking about? What bloodline? He is the last son of the Todoroki Household," Yang shouted while gritting his teeth.
"...so you don't know of your brother's origins," Glass said with an amused smile.
"Alright you're really starting to piss me off! And believe me! You wouldn't like me when I'm pissed!" Yang shouted while raising all size swords over his head.
"Yin Wrath Todoroki...that is his full name," Glass spoke while closing her eyes. "Yours however...is something I still do not know...is there a reason for that...Herald?" She asked with a smirk.
This caused Yang's rage to fade away and become completely replaced with sheer surprise.
/To Be Continued...