Chapter 22
Months would pass in both realms.
Yet for Suiryu and Yuuji, neither one knew how much time has passed.
As strange as it was, before their training even started with their new grandfather. He told them they had to do one thing first.
Sing a death song.
"What?" Suiryu asked. "What do you mean, sing a death song?"
"When a dragon leaves this world, they sing a song that is within their souls, it allows them to move on in peace. It also helps them mourn the loss of life. I firmly believe you two have one between you. You need to mourn the human lives you lost, from there, we can truly get started"
Neither one knew what it was, they couldn't start their training until it was done. Yet, it was odd. Yuuji sat back to back with Suiryu, one of their training methods to prepare for what is to come is to meditate against each other's backs, to match the flow of energy. Yet in doing so, a song started to come out of Yuuji.
"Wish I was too dead to cry
My self-affliction fades
Stones to throw at my creator
Masochists to which I cater
You don't need to bother
I don't need to be
I'll keep slipping farther
But once I hold on
I won't let go 'til it bleeds
Wish I was too dead to care
If indeed I cared at all
Never had a voice to protest
So you fed me shit to digest
I wish I had a reason
My flaws are open season
For this, I gave up trying
One good turn deserves my dying
You don't need to bother
I don't need to be
I'll keep slipping farther
But once I hold on
I won't let go 'til it bleeds
Wish I'd died instead of lived
A zombie hides my face
Shell forgotten with its memories
Diaries left with cryptic entries
And you don't need to bother
I don't need to be (I don't need to be)
I'll keep slipping farther
But once I hold on
I won't let go 'til it bleeds
You don't need to bother
I don't need to be (I don't need to be)
I'll keep slipping farther
But once I hold on (once I hold on)
I'll never live down my deceit"
Suiryu had heard it once before. Bother by Stone Sour… and yet… it was so poignant. It matched the suffering both of them had endured and suffered through.
When they finished, Yuuji began to weep. Suiryu did too as he suddenly felt emotional.
"There… that's it… perfect, when you calm down, we can truly begin…"
#
Suiryu and Yuuji worked hard on their lessons with Kur, it was amazing to see the progress in such a short time. But neither one knew how much time has passed, let alone how much longer they needed to wait to be born. Or even if the lessons were making them stronger. They have been cultivating for a while now. They would spar with each other when Kur requested that they do and then cultivate again. "Kur… sir… what will happen to Suiryu and I after we are born? Are we going to be babies?" he asked aloud.
"If that's the case, we're going to be huge ass babies," muttered Suiryu. "You saw her, it was like she is going to give birth to us with how we look now!" he laughed.
"That's because she is,"
His laughter suddenly stopped. "What?" Suiryu muttered. "You mean…"
"When you are born, technically it will be your baby dragon state. Not to mention, you aren't going to be dragons right away."
His mind felt as if it would burst at this point. "WHAT THE HELL DO YOU MEAN BY THAT!?" Suiryu fell back in defeat. "Why do I even bother trying to figure this shit out anymore… it makes no sense," he muttered.
"Ah, NOW he's my brother! He finally gets the confusion I've been through for the past few years!" laughed Yuuji, but then he stopped. "Wait… I've been the same for the past few years… HOW COME!" he protested.
Kur snickered aloud. "Oh to be young, I really enjoy this. Spending time with my future grandchildren…"
"Seriously, what the hell have we gotten into?" muttered Yuuji.
"Mom," Suiryu said sarcastically.
"Grow up!"
"Ah, youth…." Kur snickered. But he appeared to be enjoying their company. "Now, young ones, what we have done is merely begin the aspect of cultivation. We have worked on strengthening your ability to hold energy and power that you have not had before. But first thing we have to do next before we move on, is to gain some dragon essence. You need to take it from your mother."
They froze to his decree. Suiryu nodded yet Yuuji hesitated. "Will it hurt her?" he asked. "I don't want to hurt her."
Suiryu sighed aloud and nodded in agreement. "Me either, I mean, she is doing all of this for us… and we repay her by taking more…" he said. "Is there no other way?"
Kur shook his head. "It's a mother's duty, just a small amount is needed, nothing more. She will recover quickly too after you take from her and it's only once. I know many dragons who would suck the life out of their mothers, many did out of greed… my brother being one of them."
Suiryu paused. "Is… he as powerful as you are?"
Kur shook his head. "Much like the divine users you encountered, when they take more than what is needed, the rest is wasted. My brother was trying to be on my level. I didn't take much from my mother, just a small amount and made it my own power shortly after. He thought if he obtained more, he could be stronger… it only killed mother in the end."
"I'm so sorry…" Yuuji whispered.
"But it is the past, nothing more. But you two… I have high hopes for. You are not power driven, you are not hungry for more, you are aware of it and know the dangers it possesses… as well, your hearts are rather pure."
Suiryu was about to argue on that aspect, but pause. He has to remind himself, he is no longer part of Sukuna. He has become his own being and has no ties to the bastard anymore. He didn't say anything for the time being, but they went back to their training.
Cultivation on this scale was nothing like anything he has experienced before. Suiryu could feel his strength growing as it shifted through his body. He could absorb a great deal of it at a time, and yet, he could feel himself hesitating. "I can't…" he muttered as he broke his focus. "My body refuses to,"
"Mine too," sighed Yuuji.
"Then it's time, you need to draw strength from your mother."
They paused, and yet Suiryu nodded. "Okay, Yuuji?"
He nodded as well. "Good, now here is what you do. Meditate, focus on Tiamat and feel how her energy flows." Kur explained.
Suiryu closed his eyes, he felt as if he stood at her side but began to feel her energy. Vast amounts of it was circulating her body, and it continued to do so. Now that you see the flow of energy, you need to obtain some of it for yourself. Wait for the moment until you feel is right and only take what you need. said Kur.
Suiryu nodded. His hand reached out as he gently touched her distended belly. He began to feel the energy once more until he swore it began to course over him like a blanket. He took some. But felt her body contract to it. There was a brief look of pain on her face when he instantly pulled away. It was there for but a moment, and yet, he felt terrible that he cause her such discomfort. 'Sorry mom' he whispered.
Yet after obtaining what he needed, Suiryu found his way back before Kur. Yuuji had done the same as they both clenched their right hand. "Let's see what you gained."
They opened their hands. The power they took from her was no bigger than a marble. Kur was rather surprised by this. "You are aware that Tiamat has unlimited power. Correct?"
"It still hurts her," Suiryu said as his fact turned rather serious. "How could we harm her any farther after everything she has done and continues to do for us? I feel bad enough taking this much!"
"Same… I don't need all of this." Said Yuuji.
Kur snickered once more. "You are very amusing children. You cannot return what is taken, so endure your actions. Now, you are going to consume it."
They gulped nervously, Suiryu took a deep breath and did what was told of him. Same with Yuuji. They swallowed down the small orb and waited.
Nothing happened.
"Huh? What gives?" Suiryu muttered.
"Shouldn't we feel something?" asked Yuuji.
"This takes time, as well, remember where this power came from. You have at least the spark to ignite your own. Don't rush this, understood?"
"So. How do we awaken our own power with what we ate?" asked Suiryu.
"Every dragon is different as to how they grow, you two are going to be rather unique. Only time will tell, so for now. We will move on to other lessons. You have mastered astral projection on your first try. Soon, I will teach you celestial eyes."
"Celestial eyes?" Yuuji muttered in confusion.
Suiryu froze. "You shitting me?" he demanded.
"What's celestial eyes?" Yuuji asked.
Suiryu glared at him. "You don't know? It's like Satoru's six eyes ability… but on steroids."
Yuuji froze. "Wait, what?"
"It's six eyes, but a lot more powerful, you not only see curse energy, but see moments into the future, you will be able to witnesses the victor of battle before it is fought with enough practice." Kur explained. "But be cautious, if ones uses this ability too much, I have seen those who obtain this power go mad when they used it too often."
"Good to know!" snickered Suiryu.
"Then let's begin…"
