SOD: I have a feeling this is gonna be a doozy.
Andrew: What makes you think that with the chapter?
SOD: It's not the chapter, it's the reactions from everyone reading this.
Andrew: What makes you say that?
SOD: Remember line 10 of the prologue?
Andrew: Oh Aidios, what did you do?
SOD: Welp, hopefully there isn't too much backlash.
Andrew: What did you do?!
SOD: Aidios, I hope there isn't too much backlash. Remember, I'm doing all of this for what is to come ahead!
Andrew: Shinn, what did you do?!
SOD: Read the damn chapter Andrew!
A/N: Please do keep in mind I do everything for a reason no matter how unorthodox or illogical it may seem. Thank you.
Now outside the old schoolhouse, Sara bids farewell to the class notifying them of their dorm. Following behind, everyone goes off on their own leaving Relon, Rean, and Laura. Stopping for a moment, Emma and Fie glances to the trio conversing before walking off.
"Welp, that was something." Relon sighs walking up the dirt path, his childhood friends to both sides of him with Pippin floating in between him and Laura.
"So what exactly happened this morning?"
"Senate happened."
"Oh no."
"Oh yeah. Their aircraft came out of nowhere and fired a beam. Took all the remaining fire I had in me."
"That explains why you looked so beat up."
"Yeah. Good news is I managed to snag one of the members who are now in the RMP's custody."
"Hopefully, they'll be able to gain useful intel."
"You and me both, Laura." They come to a stop back on campus. "But it is good to see you two."
"Same. Honestly, I didn't believe it was you at first. You're so different compared to when we met in Ymir but then again, about eight years have passed." Rean chuckles.
"Yes, The once shy boy I met in Legram is all but a memory now." Laura mentions smiling.
"Hey, I'm still me and that's what matters."
"Indeed. You don't know how good it is to see you again. Father and Klaus were beyond jovial hearing about you wishing to attend Thors."
"I'm glad."
"By the way, Relon, how are Norowareta and the others?" Rean asks.
"They're all fine. Gave me quite the sendoff with the whole town of Celdic and all. Though Aunt Cecily and the others might start worrying when news of the whole train incident comes out..."
"You might want to write to them or fly to Celdic right quick."
"I think I'll write. Going back after that grand farewell would be awkward. But in the meantime, I'm gonna look around. I didn't get a chance to get acquainted with the campus."
"Now that I think about it, neither have I?"
"Nor I. We went straight to orientation upon arrival."
"Might as well look around."
And so they did. Stopping occasionally for small chatter on the topic at hand. Entering the swimming pool, Relon and Laura offered the other a race once they were well situated with Rean as the moderator.
Now exiting, they turn right stopping before the training field.
"Now that's a field." Rean comments.
"Meh. The park's clearing is bigger."
"Now that you mention it, how did Grunoja take the news of you leaving?"
"He took it fairly well. It took us forever to actually get along but in the end, we became close. Like how me and Pippin are."
"Considering you sparred on the daily, I can understand. Training must have been rough considering all of whom you were facing. The results show."
"The same goes for you too, Rean. Being taught the Eight Leaves is an achievement all of its own and you were taking out monster after monster with ease."
"Thanks." He chuckles. "I owe a lot to Master Yun Ka-fai. Dad was too busy with his duties to train me much so most of it I learned from him."
"Hey, Rean."
"Yeah?"
"How has that come along?" An odd silence follows before Rean sighs.
"Compared to yours, not good. It's actually the reason Master Yun Ka-fai ended my training early." He reveals to the duo's surprise.
"You're still haunted by it, aren't you?" Relon questions now to Rean's surprise.
"That obvious?"
"No. It's just looking back inside the old schoolhouse, the signs were there. Rean, I'm sure you know this but holding back out of fear of that power isn't good."
"I know but-
"Rean." Laura interjects. "I may not have been there on that tragic day, but I was there years later to witness Relon transform during his test against Mr. Yujiro. It's power was indeed terrifying. So much so, it almost suffocated me when I first bore witness to such a sight."
"Laura..." Relon mutters hearing this for the first time.
"But Relon snapped out of it on his own accord realizing what he needed to do. Earlier you mentioned joining Class VII out of consideration for your parents, but hearing the little that I have just now, I do not believe that to truly be the case, no?"
"... You're right. Honestly, what happened that day I've yet to fully get over no matter how much I try. I'm the one who killed that hunter. Whether it was out of self defense or not, I still took his life. I've come to terms with that. But the few times that I did transform after, I lost control. Eventually, all training related to my power ceased and so too did all of my training soon after. Using that power, had I-"
"Had you been strong enough, it never would have happened." Looking up, Rean looks to Relon with his eyes closed. "Things could have led to a different outcome. I had a hand in what happened that day too, Rean. No matter what you say, we both committed it. Though you took it harder than I did." Relon walks down to the field motioning for the two to follow.
Stopping a good ways away, he turns to face them eyeing Laura who nods stepping away to Rean's confusion.
"I'm sure Master Yun Ka-fai left you with a lot of wisdom, Rean. Something along the lines of finding your own path. Most wise masters do."
"What are you getting at?"
"Pippin!" Relon calls, the sword flying to his hand as Relon points the sword at Rean. "I too was held back by my fear of the power dormant within me. Master Victor was the one who had to set me straight and even then, I hesitated. It wasn't until I met Nameless in my subconscious that I finally understood that his power is mine to control. Just like how Pippin is my partner to fight with. You too are in a similar position..." Heat expels in all directions forcing Rean and Laura to cover their faces with an arm.
Lowering it, both take in the teen's new appearance as a scorch mark resides below his feet.
"Which is why I'm going to help set you straight just like the others did for me. Not as your friend nor as Relon Tarbin Namikaze-Lucinance. But as a fellow victim of that horrific day! If you truly wish to overcome this fear, this trauma, then raise your blade and fight!" Relon finishes with a mighty shout, a wave of heat washing over.
Gripping his sword, Rean's form trembles.
"Tell me this." Rean looks up. "This power that resides in you. What will you do should something happen to those close to you?" The boy goes still as his eyes widen. "Your father is one of the strongest swordsmen but even he is not invincible. Neither is Master Victor nor Mister. Laura, me, even Elise. If anything happened to us, would you be able to live knowing you had the power to save us but were too scared?"
"I... I..."
"Things are being put into motion and we can't afford to take our time! We're here to get stronger and here you are holding yourself back! So what the hell are you doing here then?!" He raises Pippin ablaze swinging a crescent strike.
Time begins to slow as to Rean, the world going blank. The only thing present is the flaming crescent hurtling towards him increasing in size.
Subconscious
"Rean!" He takes sight of Elise out for Tora to pounce from behind.
"Elise!" He cries out, his vision obscuring to white before he's standing at the entrance exiting Ymir.
"Get him! Today's the day we take down the Divine Blade of Frost!" A jaeger shouts, his men shouting back.
"What's happening?!"
"Rean, take care of your mother and sister." Teo places a hand on the teen's shoulder.
"Teo, come with us!" Lucia cries out, their mother holding her along as they're with the rest of the townspeople.
"I'm sorry, Lucia. As the baron, it's my responsibility to ensure my family's safety."
"Dad, don't do this! There's too many!"
"Hey, now. Giving up on your own father already? Let me see that look of confidence one last time."
"But dad!"
"Listen Rean. You're the man of the family now. Grow up strong. Death is nothing to fear, only to accept. Don't let your fear over a possibility hinder your growth. These were the words Master Yun Ka-fai once told me. Now go, they're coming." He pushes Rean away as he withdraws his tachi.
"DAAAAD!" Rean screams reaching for his father, snow covering his vision as he now falls into an endless abyss.
"I was too weak... I couldn't do anything to help..." Relon mutters, tears rising up and he descend down.
Grieving out of anger, his mind transitions once more.
Now trudging through the dark of night in inches of snow, Rean wanders for what seems like hours coming to a fire.
"How has the short time you've been away done for you?" Glancing up, the boy takes in the sight of his Master, the old man taking a seat next to Rean, both looking at the fire.
"It's just as Relon said. I was too weak. I couldn't do anything..."
"I see. So what will you do?"
"What can I do?" He sinks his head further.
"Turn your weakness into a strength. That is what your friend has done." Yun stands up looking as the falling snow. "Life is like a snowflake; It can either slowly dwindle down a path visible or it can join with others and tread down an uncharted path clinging on to the hope of a better ending."
Hearing these words jolts Rean's head to see his Master walking into the snowy night.
Turn my weakness into a strength...
At the thought, Relon's words echoes.
"It wasn't until I met Nameless in my subconscious that I finally understood that his power is mine to control. Just like how Pippin is my partner to fight with."
He was terrified of using Pippin. His fear was his weakness just as it's mine right now.
Lifting a hand, he watches as a single snowflake lands in his palm followed by for laying atop it. Standing up, he bows in the direction of where Yun wandered off to.
"Relon overcame his trauma turning it into a power and it's about time I do the same!"
Real World
"Fourth form: Autumn Leaf Cutter!" The fire hits its target for it to burst into a small explosion, Relon looking on.
Appearing past the explosion lands Rean, a dark aura veiling the boy. Slowly standing, the teen with dark red slits and black hair eyes the other with red eyes and white hair.
Mirroring each other, they point their weapons at the other. From the sidelines, Laura looks on with worry.
In a flash, both disappear. The sound of clashing steel ringing all over the field before they appear in the middle pushing off sliding to a halt. Both boys hold a stoic expression.
Is Rean in control or has his power overwhelmed him? Laura thinks to see Relon immediately exiting his transformation.
"Seems it worked."
Unresponsive at first, Rean reverts to normal suddenly drop to a knee panting from exhaustion.
"That... was... intense!" He breathes.
"Controlling it for the first time was for me as well. Laura, we're good now." He waves over, the girl rushing to join them.
"Rean, are you alright?"
"Yeah... It just took a lot out of me." He gets to his feet. "Using that is going to take some getting used to."
"If I were you, I'd hold off on using it around others for now until you're more accustomed to it. Unlike me, your power doesn't have an actual life unlike mine so there's still the chance you may go berserk. At least if you do, don't stay that state for so long."
"Yeah, I agree with you there. I'm still not comfortable using it, but the fear is no longer there..."
"And that's what matters. You may not have to use it any time soon but being able to call on it when the time arises may save your life and ours."
"Though your match only lasted mere second, it was truly a spectacle to behold."
"Laura, don't think I forgot about the promise we made when I left Legram. You and I still have a sparring match to do." A smile making its way to the girl's features.
"It warms my heart that you haven't forgotten." She says, a competitive smirk now present.
"But before we do that..." He turns his head off to the woods along the field in the direction of Trista. "YOU CAN COME OUT NOW, FIE!"
"Huh?!" Both Rean and Laura give odd looks to see a white figure jump from a tree onto the ground casually walking towards them.
"Sup."
"How long have you been here?! I didn't even sense you."
"Since the beginning." Relon answers. "Isn't that right, Instructor?" Relon calls, the others looking his way at a shed for Sara to walk out from behind it.
"I must say, even I'm surprised that you sensed me."
"That's because I didn't." Now the four look to Relon for an explanation. "It's not so much that I sensed either of your presences, but rather I felt your heartbeats."
"Oh?"
"I can sense presences but when I'm in that state you saw previously, I lose the ability to sense presences but instead can feel heartbeats. And from a good distance too." He answers, Pippin having left his hand to float to Sara.
"Well, now, that is quite a nifty ability when you transform." She says rubbing Pippin smiling for the sword to rock side-to-side in delight.
"Yeah, when I transform. Unless the situation calls for it, I have no intention of using that. Having it is useful for sure, but using it so much will restrict me from growing stronger."
"How'd you two get it?" Fie wonders.
Taken aback by her bluntness for a moment, they share a glance to nod.
"Had it since birth." Both state in unison.
"Though we'd appreciate it if you two wouldn't tell the others." Relon says eyeing Sara. "We'd like to keep some secrets hidden."
"Fine, fine, fine. I got enough out of you for today, anyway. I'll have plenty of time to find out more on my interesting student~."
"Instructor Sara, are you a cougar?" Relon flatly asks.
"HUH?!" She shouts in surprise.
"Yup." Fie answers with a prankster grin, the other students backing away eyeing their teacher carefully.
"I knew it."
"Pippin, don't go anywhere near her, okay?" Laura cautions, the sword nodding hiding behind the girl.
"I AM NOT! And Fie, don't go stating false information!" Sara cries out, the group of students minus Fie laughing. The latter just retaining her smirk.
Afterwards, Relon, Rean, and Laura decided to hold their match later in the day so they retreat to their dorm. Sara bidding farewell now accompanied by Fie.
"I gotta say, I wasn't expecting you to be so social on the first day.
"Hm? Oh."
"Don't 'oh' me, you know as well as I do that's out of character. So what's up? I was expecting you to run off on your own but you seemed to have stuck with the others."
The short girl gives a shrug.
"Felt like sticking with them."
"You didn't think they'd slow you down?" Fie shakes her head.
"I knew they would but..."
"But?"
"I just felt like sticking around." Sara gives the girl a stoic look.
"You already said that."
"Meh."
"Hmm. I wonder if it has anything to do with a certain boy~." Both stop, Fie remaining unresponsive.
"Doubt: 100." She finally answers before walking off.
Shaking her head with a chuckle, Sara walks after the young student.
Denial is only the first step.
Dormitory
"And that takes care of that." Relon says stepping back to take in his newly arranged room.
A wide desk with a variety of books overhead on shelves in one corner. On the desk lies a glove mount where both of his zemurian gloves are along with a few pictures. One of him and Yujiro, another of him with Alfin and the girls, one of him with everyone from the orphanage, and finally a picture of him and Norowareta. In the other corner, a nicely made bed. On the wall hangs his casual attire and jacket.
Taking a seat at his desk, he sighs.
"I can't believe Pippin went with Laura. It's going to be with her for the night so it can at least wait until later. It's going into the evening for Pete's sake. I mean I'm happy, beyond ecstatic even, but if Pippin is acting based off of my emotions, then it's going too far."
Knock knock knock.
"Who is it?" He calls.
"It's Aurelia."
Raising an eyebrow, he hides away the pictures of Alfin and Yujiro in a drawer.
"It's open." He calls.
Coming through stopping in the middle of his room is indeed the white-haired teen.
"What's up, Aurelia?"
"Nothing in particular." She moves to lean against the wall next to Relon gazing at the wall. "You've had by curiosity piqued since I started training in the way of the Arseid."
"Did I live up to your expectations?"
"You went beyond what I could imagine."
"Haha. I'm relieved. I'd hate to disappoint a fellow classmate."
"After training alongside Laura for so long, we've become that of sisters in a sense."
"That makes sense. You are both girls."
"That too but I was not referring to that in particular."
"What do you mean then?"
"We three are students of the Arseid style. Therefore, in a sense, we're sibling students." She smiles.
"Huh. When you put it like that, I suppose you have a point."
Knock knock knock.
"Who is it?"
"It's me."
"Door's open." Relon calls as in comes Laura and Pippin who halt, the girl's eyes on Aurelia before looking to Relon.
"Am I intruding?"
"No, you're fine. We're just talking about Arseid stuff."
"Oh, I see."
"That alteration of the Earth Cleaver was quite the sight." Aurelia comments.
"Oh, really? Thanks. Honestly, seeing the two of you in action was awesome."
"Indeed. I was so caught up in the moment, I didn't have time to awe at our coordination. Three Arseid users fighting as one to quell their foe. I'm sure father would have been proud."
"I'll have to write to him and Klaus when I get the chance. By the way, I'm guessing you two finished making your rooms?"
"Yes, Pippin assisted me with mine."
"My own held little difficulty with organizing."
"Wow. Must be nice to have help." He eyes the sword who hides behind Laura to the girls' amusement.
"Yours seem about what I'd expect, Relon."
"Basic and easy to put up or away." He notes.
"Very." The blue haired girl chuckles glancing over to walk past the boy inspecting his gloves. "May I?"
"Yeah. Go ahead."
Taking a glove from its mount, she inspects it before putting it on.
"So this is what refined zemurian ore looks like up close."
"Dazzling, huh?"
"Quite. I'm sure it leaves any on the receiving end dazed." She flexes her fingers. "The inside is compacted with cloth to lessen the brunt of the hits with the outside coated in the famous crystal. Your aunt is something else."
"Yeah. I owe her more than a lot. I'm beyond grateful to her. It's thanks to her and those gloves that I can use my martial arts so freely."
"Your aunt must be quick the smith to create something so unique."
"She is. She's beyond strong and she runs the orphanage in Celdic. It amazes me how she's done it all by herself." He smiles at the portrait of him and the other orphans.
"So what will you do now?" Aurelia asks as Laura puts the glove back on its mount.
"Don't know. Might go for a walk to help pass the time until later."
"Mind if I join you?" Laura asks.
"Sure. What about you, Aurelia?"
"I will pass this time. I have a little bit of work to attend to back in my room."
"Okay then. See you later." Nodding, she leaves as Relon looks to Laura and Pippin. "Shall we?"
"We shall."
Heading outside, they're greeted by the kind sight of the Trista in what could be it's most peaceful time.
"I can so get used to things here."
"As can I. It's peaceful. I can only imagine how difficult the curriculum shall be."
"Does the challenge excite you?" Relon grins.
"Indeed it does. The same can be said for you, no?"
"I won't deny it." He shrugs, the two beginning their walk waving to a few of the children.
A small soon breeze comes through, the two stopping to take it in. Glancing to his sibling student, he takes note of her flowing ponytail.
"Hey, you're wearing the ribbon I got you."
"You just noticed? I've been wearing it ever since it arrived in Legram. Honestly I wasn't expecting such a gift let alone on my birthday."
"What kind of friend would I be if I didn't get you something for your birthday?"
"Hehe, you have a point. Thanking you is still something I haven't done."
Laura, don't you thank me for being nice and doing something natural." He deadpans.
"I figured you'd say that. But truly, I'll continue to treasure this gift."
"I'm glad. It's like a piece of me is always with you." He grins putting his hands behind his head oblivious to the tint of pink on Laura's cheek as they begin walking. "But honestly, looking at you now, you've really gotten more beautiful. It's funny how I didn't recognize you." He comments, Pippin nodding though neither notice Laura stop behind them.
Now that I mention it, I wonder how her and Rean would react to Claire and I. Eh... better to keep that one a secret.
"Ahem, I hadn't really realized." She coughs catching up.
"Really? I'm sure Uncle Victor and Klaus must have said it only a hundred times while you were growing up."
"Well... I suppose."
"See? They said it and now we have so therefore, it's a fact. And if someone wants to challenge that statement, then they're gonna have to deal with Pippin and I. Right buddy?" The sword nodding.
"Relon... Thank you. You too, Pippin." She gives a smile, the trio eventually making their way onto the campus.
"It's really amazing just being here officially."
"Yes. I completely agree. Tomorrow will surely be the most challenging yet, but we have trained for this."
"Yeah, we're gonna show this school what we Arseid students are made off. Though, I would like to spar against Instructor Sara..." He mentions goin into a thinking posture.
"Considering she's our instructor, it is only logical to assume she strong as she is capable of watching over all of us."
"What are the odds that she's famous and we don't know it?"
"What makes you say that?"
"Well, throughout my life, I've met a bunch of people with titles. Mister, my aunt, Uncle Victor, Rean's dad, (the royal family) and so on. Just kina has me wondering if she has a title she's earned."
"Well when you put it like that, it is possible. Though with the kind of person she is, I doubt she would tell us if we just asked."
"You're probably right in that." He sighs.
Then there's Claire who everyone now knows of as the Icy Maiden to her chagrin and Osborne...
"Titles really hold their own status, huh?"
"Indeed. I'm sure there will come a time when we too shall gain our own."
"I'm definitely looking forward to that. Maybe mine will have to do with my 'hot' element or Pippin. Who knows, you may end up inheriting your dad's title."
"That would be an honor in and of itself. Either outcome would be more than acceptable for me."
Stopping once more before the training field, both go silent glancing to the other. Nodding, they walk onto the field separating to face the other.
"I've been waiting for this, Laura. Time to see what these last five years have done for the both of us!"
"I couldn't agree more. It warms my heart we were able to keep this promise."
"Same here. But don't think Pippin and I will be pulling any punches just because it's you." He draws forth his partner holding it in a reverse-grip.
"Neither shall I. I, Laura S. Arseid, daughter of the Radiant Blademaster and practitioner in the Arseid School shall be your opponent. What say you?" She draws her greatsword.
"I, Relon Tarbin Namikaze-Lucinance, practitioner in both the Arseid School and Beastial Arts, accept! It's time to duel!"
Lurching forward, they both launch at the other. Laura bringing down her sword as Relon swipes Pippin forward, sparks flying at they meet. Instantly, the sheer strength from Laura begins pushing Relon backwards.
Parrying the girl, both pass the other. Sliding to a halt facing the girl, Laura rushes back in leaping high before giving a loud shout bringing down her weapon.
"Armor Breaker!"
Launching himself out of the way, all he hears recoverin is a mighty thud along with a glimpse of a dust cloud. From it comes Laura running straight at him. Still gripping his weapon reverse, he places the sword ahead of him as he settles into a defensive stance.
Running close to the ground, Laura approaches swinging her sword diagonally upwards, Relon pivoting out of the way to counter with an attempted strike at her side but Laura, with amazing recovery speed, brings back down her sword clashing with Pippin.
Too strong to fight head to head. And unlike with Osborne, I'm not using my gloves. Tch.
In a quick motion, Laura takes note of Relon's lifting foot to push away Pippin blocking a kick sending her skidding to a halt.
"Good to see the same thing won't work twice." Relon notes.
"Of course. Father and Klaus made sure I was well prepared for when this day would come."
"That's so unfair." He chuckles before switching Pippin to a normal grip. "Then again..." His gaze becomes fierce. "I wouldn't have it anyway. Ablaze!" Obey, flames ignite along Pippin's blade.
Gripping her sword, she refocuses on Relon.
"It seems our warm-up is over now, no?"
"I think so." He slowly walks to forward, Pippin pointed at a 45 degree angle from his side. "Ready?"
"Of course!" The moment she finishes her sentence, Relon blitzes towards her, Laura barely reacting as their blades clash.
The sheer heat from Pippin mere inches from her face already making the Arseid sweating.
He's stronger than before!
With the flame covering a good portion of his body, she fails to notice another kick connect with her abdomen sending Laura away.
Quickly recovering and landing back on her feet, she shakes the daze away.
"Crescent Strike!"
Snapping up, she draws back her sword before slashing away the flame attack only to reveal Relon having ran close behind it. Now holding Pippin in a reverse-grip once more, he spins in midair slashing at Laura, the girl barely blocking as the force sends her further off.
Sliding to a halt once more, she finally catches her breath looking to Relon stand back up.
"Come on, Laura!" He growls to her sudden surprise. "I know you can do better!" He snarls walking once more.
The Beastial Arts created by the Wandering Beast himself. A form of martial arts where the longer a battle rages on, the more lethal the opponent's martial arts becomes and the more beast-like their personality shifts. We're aren't even five minutes into our spar and Relon is already like this.
A smirk graces her face as she readies herself.
"Which means the longer we go on, the more difficult this battle shall become... Which is fine by me!" She shouts, a wave of power washing over the field though Relon remains unfazed only grinning at the girl.
"That's more like it!"
Both rush with a burst of speed as the two forces collide resulting in a small explosion. Out of the smoke slides Laura, Relon jumping above to slash the air sending crescent attacks towards the girl.
Swinging each away, Laura jumps meeting the boy as they clash, this time Relon is sent crashing to the ground. Rebounding, he looks up to see Laura spinning forward towards him.
"Earth..."
Releasing a deep growl, he whips Pippin to the side, the sword's fire extending to take the shape of a greatsword.
"Flame..." He hammers his sword towards the ground.
"Cleaver!" Both exclaim in unison.
Flame pillars arise from the ground meeting Laura's blade, streams of flame redirected into all directions as Laura descends.
"Let's goooooo!" Both shout, their attacks intensifying for Laura to break through.
Seeing the girl approach, Relon launches upwards. Laura continuing her assault as her sword becomes coated in a white light extending her blade.
Spinning to gain momentum, she raises her sword once more to bring it down as Relon whips his forward.
All that comes next is pitch darkness.
Okay... about Rean. This was hinted at back when Relon met up with Elise during Norowareta's birthday. Just saying. So... I'm scared to ask this but... thoughts?