Disclaimer: I don't own Star Ocean or Kenshin stuff.
Chapter 10: Reminiscence 1 - Four Beasts
"I'll tell you... about 14 years ago..." Shuyin told everyone in the room. Suddenly the door opened and two figures walked in.
"So they don't know anything huh? Just as I thought..." Drake said as he entered with his sister.
"Would you mind helping me a little? I don't think I remember everything."
"Sure, I'll do my best."
"Very well then..." and Shuyin drew up the memories he had buried away nearly 10 years ago.
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The city bustled with liveliness, as people went on with their everyday business. Within this city stood a majestic castle, and in one of it's chambers a young boy stirred from his bed.
"...where am I?" The red-haired child slowly got up from the bed he was on.
"Whew, thank goodness, thought you were dead after all this time." A youth with short black hair spoke beside him.
"Where am I? What happened?" The child asked the stranger.
"Calm down, you're in the castle of Greeton. My sis and I found you unconscious in the middle of forest while we were taking a break."
"Greeton?" The child seemed confused.
"Yeah, say, where are you from? You sure don't look like a native around these parts, where are your parents?" at this the child's blue eyes suddenly lost the light in them and became cold.
"They're dead... everyone... dead..." He said in an emotionless tone.
"Oh, sorry." Several uncomfortable minutes passed by in silence.
"Oh yeah, I haven't introduced myself have I? I'm Drake Raiyu, what's your name?"
"...Shuyin Magna."
"Nice to meet you Shuyin, you must be hungry, let's go get a bite to eat kay?" Drake said pleasantly and led him out of the room. They strolled by numerous hallways until they reached the castle gate. A guard sprang to salute.
"Sir!"
"Damien I told you that you can drop the formalities and all." Drake told the guard.
"Heh, sorry kid. Oh, is that the boy you and Rena found last week?" Damien said.
"Yep, I was thinking about giving him a look around and getting him something to eat. Seems like he's a foreigner."
"Well have fun then! By the way, your sister just left the castle too, so I daresay you'll meet up with her soon enough."
"Oh is she now? Thanks Damien, later!" Drake then led Shuyin outside towards the city. He showed him around and then entered a small restaraunt near the center of the city. It appeared that everyone knew Drake and showed a good deal of respect towards him, despite the fact that he was quite young. Once in the restaurant they ran into Drake's sister, Rena Raiyu, who was given equal treatment as Drake. Drake introduced the two.
"Hi Shuny! I'm Rena, nice to meet you!" Rena seemed to have a permanent air of cheerfulness about her. Shuyin returned the greeting and the three ate their meals and headed back to the castle. The siblings then took Shuyin to the training grounds, where several soldiers were busy sparring or doing weapon drills. Everyone greeted the siblings and some decided to spar with them. Amazingly, all of them lost spectacularly to the two young children.
"Argh! Man just how are you two so good? I mean you're only what, 16?" One of the defeated men said exasperatedly.
"Actually I'm 15 and Rena's 12." Drake replied. "And we've been through hell-training ever since we were toddlers by our grandfather, he used to be one of the best warriors in Greeton, so yeah."
"Speaking of which, how old are you Shuny?" Rena asked.
"12."
"Hey! We're the same age! Yay!" Rena jumped up and down. Shuyin looked at her with a slightly amused look.
"Our parents died when she was born, and I think I pampered her a bit too much. Add the training she's received on top of that and man, you have one hell of a problem." Drake whispered to Shuyin.
"I heard that!" Next thing they knew, Drake was on the floor face-first.
"Say, do you know how to fight kid?" One of the soldiers asked.
"...a little."
"Really? Then why not have a little spar with us? Men should be fighting as soon as they can, builds character you know. Err... women too, of course." The soldier hastily as he felt Rena's glare.
"Sure, I guess."
"Great, what weapon will you be using?" Shuyin looked at the collection of training weapons and chose a wooden staff. The soldier faced him with the same item. The soldier took the initiative and lunged with his staff, but Shuyin merely cocked his head sideways and dodged it. When the soldier swung the staff sideways he leapt and landed far away from the soldier. He then stood sideways and held the staff near the end with one hand and placed the other hand just below the other end that faced the soldier (This is kinda like Saito's Gatotsu from Rurouni Kenshin, only with a lance). Then, just as the soldier turned around, Shuyin dashed off at great speed, then thrust the lance towards him. The blow connected and the soldier was sent flying into a nearby wall. Everyone in the area stared at the red-haired child, while Drake and Rena traded a knowing glance.
The three gathered at Drake's room and he spoke to Shuyin.
"Hey Shu, there is a tournament coming up soon, and it seems like you're pretty strong, care to enter?"
"Can I?" Shuyin asked.
"Sure, there are no restrictions, so age, gender, none of these matter. You're allowed to bring non-blade weapons, and you used that staff pretty good out there. Come on, it will be fun! Rena and I always joined up!" Drake said pleasantly.
"Yup! We're in the top 4 ranking! We also happen to be knights in the army for that, despite our age." Rena said proudly.
"I suppose its fine..." Shuyin shrugged.
"One other thing, there's supposed to be something special about this particular tournament, but apparently we won't find out what that is until its over, strange huh?" Drake turned to his sister.
"Oh well, as long as we win it, who cares?" Rena said cheerfully.
"The tournament is going to be held next week, so let's get ready by then." Drake told Shuyin.
"But first, lets get some sleep now, its already late."
The other two nodded and went to bed, Shuyin slept on the mattress that was brought up to the Raiyus' room.
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The week passed by, and the day of the tournament came. It was held in a huge arena set up in the castle grounds. Nearly everyone in the city came to watch and hundreds of fighters came to participate in the event. It seemed that Drake or Rena usually won all the tournaments ever since they began participating. According to Drake, there was one other kid his age that won over them sometimes. These three were rivals in a sense, since it was always one of them who won the event. Shuyin and the siblings, who had become fast friends, registered for the game and went into the waiting room, where many fighters had already gathered. Soon a young boy with spiky blue hair and sharp emerald eyes came up to them.
"Hey Kain, been a while!" Drake greeted the newcomer.
"Sure has guys. This time I'm definitely going to win, you better watch out." Kain told the siblings confidently.
"Hmph, I beat you fair and square last time, I'll do it again." Rena told him.
"I'm telling you, that was a fluke! Besides, I beat you more than you beat me anyways!" Kain snapped back.
"Did not!"
"Did too!"
"Happens all the time." Drake whispered to Shuyin. Kain noticed the red-head and went up to him.
"Who's this?"
"This is our new friend Shuyin, he seemed to be pretty good so we brought him along with us."
"Oh, pretty good huh?" Kain looked at Shuyin, "well, just hope that you won't face me, cause I won't hold back just because you're a rookie." Then he walked off.
"Who was that?" Shuyin asked.
"That's Kain Tyran, the one we were talking about. You better watch it, because he means it when he says he won't hold back." Drake explained.
"Ha! I can beat him to the ground anytime!" Rena proclaimed energetically.
The battles began early in the morning and lasted until late in the afternoon, when the onlookers slept in tents set up outside the arena. Shuyin, Drake, Rena, and Kain all made it past the first day. The contestants had been whittled down about halfway, and Drake explained that these tournaments typically took about 3 days. The first day was more of a preliminary round, the second day narrowed down the remaining people until the last 4 remained for the final battle on the last day. The three friends talked about the days events in their room back at the castle.
"Man, that was soooo boring! I hoped that I would face Kain or sis at least." Drake complained.
"Shouldn't you be glad? If we had fought today I would surely have won." Rena teased him.
"Oh, sure you would."
"By the way, you were awesome out there too Shuny!" Rena turned to speak with Shuyin.
"True, you beat all your opponents while barely moving at all, pretty impressive." Drake agreed.
"Its nothing, they were just too weak." Shuyin said bluntly.
"Where did you learn how to fight? I can't recognize your style of fighting from anything I know of." Drake asked.
"I was taken into a school when I was 7." Drake noticed how Shuyin's eyes had gone cold again, and made a mental note not to ask him about his past from now on. Rena thought the same.
"Anyway, looking forward to tomorrow, hopefully these next bunches are better." (Rena)
"Seriously, I expected more since this is the 'Special' tournament and all." (Drake)
"We should get some rest now, its pretty late." The Raiyus agreed and the three drifted off into sleep.
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The next day was more or less uneventful. The opponents were considerably stronger than the last bunch, but the four 'rivals' swept throught the entire thing. By the end of the day, the four chosen for the final match were none other than Shuyin, the Raiyus, and Kain. Kain was a bit surprised that Shuyin had gotten this far in his first ever game, and seemed to be giving a lot more attention now. Once back in their room, Drake and Rena further explained how the final battle is fought. All four contestants were to enter in a free-for-all match until only one remained standing. Unlike the other two rounds, where lethal weapons were prohibited, the final allowed the use of any kind of weapons the finalists desired. Drake assured Shuyin that people rarely died during these matches, since the finalists knew better than to kill simply because they could, although Kain left people half-dead more often than not. Usually, Drake, Rena, and Kain ended up knocking out the fourth competitor and then engaged in an all-out battle. They showed their 'true' weapons to Shuyin (You know what they are if you've been reading).
"But our real secret weapon is THIS." Rena indicated the green gem on her glove, while Drake did the same with his red one.
"These gems contain powerful spirits. We managed to pass the test of the Guardians." Drake told Shuyin.
The Guardians were spiritual beings that resided in the sacred temple near the castle. Those who challenged them and won were awarded Spirit Gems, which grants the user enhanced abilities. However, the trials are extremely difficult, and only few have ever managed to pass it. Currently, the only people who have managed to acquire the Gems were Drake, Rena, and Kain.
"How about you Shuny? What will you be using?" Rena asked.
Shuyin grabbed his bundles, which Drake had brought with him when they found Shuyin in the forest, and took out his black spear.
"Hey, pretty neat. Wait, those markings on it kinda looks like the ones on your bracelet." Drake observed.
"This bracelet... I suppose that it is similar to those Spirit Gems of yours." Shuyin said.
"Really?" (Rena)
"This lance, this armor, and this bracelet are the treasures of my school. It is said that only the founder of the school, the original owners of these items, could use them to their full potential. However, so far I have been unable to completely unlock its capabilities. My master had said that I lacked something... I don't know what that is..."
"Uh-huh, well I bet that you'll figure it out sooner or later Shu, c'mon lets get some sleep, tomorrow's the big day!"
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The day of the finals have arrived. The four finalists made their way onto the arena. Cheers from the crowd shook the air as each of them headed off to one corner of the stage. The king, presiding in a balcony that offered an excellent view of the whole arena, spoke a few words, reminding everyone about that 'special' something. Unlike previous battles, everyone had armors and actual weapons equipped (Drake and Rena are wearing the exact same thing I explained in chap 7. Shuyin is same as always except without the cape). Kain wore a simple black pants, white battle garb with simple armor, similar to Drake. His weapon were sharp steel claws (Like Zhang He from Dynasty Warriors), and he had blue gems etched onto his gloves. They readied their weapons, and when the gong sounded, all four of them charged.
Kain decided that he would take care of the 'rookie' as always, while Drake and Rena faced off against each other. He slowly circled around Shuyin, then without warning pounced, claws slashing away. But all he hit was thin air, since Shuyin was already in mid-air. He swung his lance hard as he descended. Kain parried the attack, but the impact caused him to slide back a bit. Snarling, Kain crouched low and charged, slashing and stabbing fiercely. Shuyin fended off the attacks and struck back. The two were engaged in an even fight for a short while, until both leapt away from each other. Kain then smirked and raised his hand. The gems began to glow as he chanted something, then suddenly he was engulfed in a brilliant blue light. When the light cleared, Kain was shrouded in a strange blue aura, and Shuyin sensed the sudden increase in Kain's powers.
"Razor Pulse!" Kain yelled as his claws glowed white and he began slashing diagonally. Thin, long white beams shot out from each swing, cutting lines into the ground as it charged towards Shuyin. He dodged as fast as he could, but while he was occupied with the beams, Kain was already above him. Kain dropped down and lunged with his claws, forcing Shuyin to jump away. The ground split where Kain had struck, who was already dashing towards Shuyin at incredible speed.
'This guy's way faster than before! I suppose those gems really do increase you powers' Shuyin thought as he dodged the frenzied attacks. Unfortunately, Kain put in an extra spurt of speed and caught Shuyin by surprise, landing a blow straight across his chest. He immediately swung again with the back part of his claw, which was the blunt side, sending Shuyin crashing into the wall with such force that a segment of it fell on top of him.
"Hehe, told you I wouldn't hold back, rookie." Kain sneered as he observed the rubbles. Suddenly, a thin white light rose to the sky from a large piece of rubble, then grew into a wide pillar of light, shattering the debris. Shuyin stood up, his clothes torn and bloody, but unfazed. Kain looked surprised but then growled as he rushed towards his foe again. The next thing he knew, the opposite end of Shuyin's lance (the part without the blade) was driven into his torso, and he was flung back to the other side of the arena. Kain coughed and tried to figure out what happened. Perhaps this was the charging stab attack Drake had told him about? (Gatotsu, duhr). Snarling, he drew back one arm than lunged it forward with all his might.
"Piercing Darts!" Five strands of energy, one from each blade of his 'claw', surged towards Shuyin like five javelins. Shuyin held up a hand and muttered "Angelic Shield" and a white barrier blocked the attacks. Staring in disbelief, Kain noticed that Shuyin's eyes had become, well, different. The once sapphire blue eyes were now sharp feral yellow. The lanceman dashed and yelled "Dragon's Maw!" and the lance split in three, two slicing sideways towards each other and one lunging out straight. Kain managed to dodge the lunge, but was caught by the 'bite', though by not by the blade. Gasping in pain, he leapt back and clutched his left arm, which had been caught between the 'jaws'.
'Grrr... I will NEVER lose to some NEWBIE!' He thought savagely and began dashing around madly, swiping here and there everytime he got close to Shuyin. Shuyin dodged and parried, but was still being cut in several places. He then raised his hand, which glowed with a white aura, and struck the ground (Debris Shower!), sending chuncks of rocks all over the place. Kain grunted in surprise as he shredded a huge boulder hurling towards him into ribbons. Just behind the boulder, however, was Shuyin with one hand held directly in front of Kain.
"Lightning Surge!" Waves of electricity struck Kain, hurling him right towards where the siblings were battling (both had used their gems as well). Startled by the sudden intrusion, the two staggered a bit, just enough time for Shuyin to leap over them and swing his lance at Rena. Caught unawares, the handle part of the lance struck Rena right in the stomache, and sent her skidding across the floor a good distance. Drake quickly parried Shuyin's flurry of attacks with his sword. Then he leapt back and when he swung the sword this time, it split. The blade separated at each of the 'lines' on the sword (Ivy from Soul Caliber II), and he swung it like a whip. He continued to press his attacks, driving Shuyin back until he was pressed against the wall. As Drake struck downward hard, Shuyin swiftly rolled sideways and rammed right into Drake, who stumbled back. Seizing his chance, Shuyin spun around and struck him in the side with his lance handle. Drake was flung away from the blow, but managed to get back on his feet. Both were panting, out of breath.
Drake drew a deep breath, then lunged with his sword, which split again. Shuyin dodged, and the sword tip dug into the wall behind him. However, this was how Drake had planned. The sword reconnected and Drake dashed. His leap and the sword's pull amplified his speed, and in a split second he was right in front of Shuyin. He was about to swing his sword across and strike Shuyin with the flat of his blade by the head, when Shuyin twisted his upper torso and delivered an extremely fast punch to his chest (Think Gatotsu Zeroshiki). Drake went flying back and crashed right into Kain, who had just gotten back up. All three competitors were down. The bell announced that the match was over. Shuyin looked up into the crowd, then the sky, and he tumbled onto the ground.
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When Shuyin came to, he was in the hospital chamber. Drake and Rena were beside his bed.
"Hey, you're awake!" Rena exclaimed.
"...how long were you there?" Shuyin asked, getting up slowly.
"Not long, just got up ourselves." Drake told him. "The messenger told us to head over to the audience chamber as soon as you got up, so let's go".
The three warriors, all in a pretty bad state, walked towards the vast audience chamber. Kain was already there, looking quite furious. He glared at Shuyin when the three arrived. Before he could say anything, the king addressed the four finalists.
"Your performance in the final battle was astounding. No such prowess has been seen in this kingdom for ages!" he complimented them. Then his Minister spoke for him.
"You are probably wondering what the 'special' thing is. Well, it is this: You four are the most powerful warriors in our kingdom, therefore, it is fitting to bestow upon you a special title. Henceforth, you are to be known as the Four Beasts. Drake, the Lashing Viper. Rena, the Soaring Hawk. Kain, the Prowling Lupine. And Shuyin, the Rising Dragon."
The four blinked in confusion. The minister continued on.
"Now, Shuyin, the winner of the tournament, is to be made the leader of this special unit. The Four Beast will be a special attack squad, acting independently from the main army, hacing to answer to no one but the king himself. The reason for creating this unit is simple. We are to march against the countries in the continent of Graitt (I think thats what its called), and you will be essential in the process. Reports indicate that they too, have skilled warriors and leaders, so it was necessary to procure a special team that can eliminate such threats."
"But my lord, we are mere children, are you sure about this?" Drake inquired uncertainly.
"Age means nothing in the face of skill. Have you not bested countless fighters who are more in age, yet less in skill?" The minister pointed out. "The invasion shall begin next year, once the preparations are complete. Ready yourselves until then."
The four youths, still stunned, turned to leave.
"Oh, one more thing." The minister stopped them. "Shuyin Magna, as the leader of the Four Beasts, you are to be known to all, as Kirin Magnus, the legendary warrior of old."