Tournament of Tears
Chapter 41: Warnings of a coming threat
He was flying through the air so fast he didn't dare open his eyes. ("Where am I? What happened to the duel?") Everything around him said that he was on the verge of dying, that these kinds of speeds would tear a normal living being to tiny little shreds. And yet he was still alive.
Ichigo suddenly was felt as if he had been plunged into ice-cold water as his entire body went numb. All he could feel was his consciousness. ("Where am I?") Everything was dark because he no longer could feel his eyes…he couldn't hear either. All of his senses were deprived now.
Suddenly he could feel it, a prescense that hovered nearby him. Though he could not see, a bright multi-spiked blue crystal suddenly appeared in his mind's eye. "Greetings, Ichigo Pilkington."
("How do you know my name?") He couldn't shake a sudden feeling of peace that fell over his thoughts. It reminded him of when he was brought to the temple of the goddess Luna, and the calm that seemed to radiate from her. But at the same time it was different, because this peace seemed achieved by silence and darkness. It was just him and this other form…nothing else existed.
"I know much of you because you I have been watching you for these last few hours." The crystal's form pulsed with light in tune with its words. "Your determination to save your world, as well as your other actions, has brought me to the decision that I would come to you with my problem. Will you listen?"
("Are you nuts?") Even though at the moment he had no physical body, Ichigo wished he could strike that crystal as hard as he could. ("The planet earth is about to be destroyed, I don't have time to listen to you right now! Can't it wait?")
"You need not worry about your planet." The crystal floated about silently, shedding meager amounts of light in all directions. "In this place, thought is the only thing that exists for now. Therefore, every second in your world is hours upon hours here. My request will cost you only a second of your time, so please…I beg you to hear it out before turning away."
("Fine, please be quick though.") Ichigo knew that this was ridiculous, but something told him that this crystal was worth at least listening to.
"I thank you. Now then, let me ask you first if you believe in beings from other planets…aliens, I believe they are called."
("Of course. Judai-sensei told me all about his adventures with a bunch of aliens called the Neo-Spacians, so I have no reason to not believe in such a thing.")
"Excellent, then this will make my request make much more sense." The crystal pulsed brighter and suddenly Ichigo's mind was assaulted by images of space, and of planets he had never seen before. "Space is vast, and within it rests many different wonders. Amongst those wonders are the living beings that possess powers that far surpass anything that can be accomplished through both technology and magic. They are species that possess abilities which surpass the ordinary laws of reality itself, in fact." Suddenly images appeared before Ichigo, of beautiful worlds filled with all kinds of wonderful creatures. Some of them resembled things from earth, some of them were nearly impossible to describe…but to him they all were amazing. Something about their prescense sparked that child-like wonder he possessed.
("They're cool…") Ichigo would have blinked if he could have when an image of a world covered by strange rainbow crystals and whirlpools appeared. Walking amongst these dangerous-looking objects without fear were a group of humanoids made entirely of prismatic light. ("Something about these ones are familiar…as if I've met them before…")
"I am truly glad you like them. Unfortunately, most other beings who gained the ability to travel the universe found these ancient and beautiful creatures to be useful for a different reason…" All of a sudden those images became horrid visions of destruction as beams of red light fell upon the surface of these planets he had just admired, bathing them in death and destruction almost instantly. "…for war."
Ichigo watched these images with fear and anger, the latter directed at the fact that such beings existed outside of earth. ("Even away from this planet, there are still hateful beings who wish nothing but destruction upon innocent lives?")
"Yes, tragically." The crystal pulsed a bit brighter. "It is truly a shame, since so many of these races haven't done anything to cause harm. Most of them were peaceful, and didn't even know that there were things beyond the sky."
("Who did this?")
A new image appeared, this time of a giant blood red ship that hovered in space above a now burning world. "They are known as the Blood Children. No one has ever seen one outside of their ships, but they are bloodthirsty beasts that seem to target and destroy these species without reason."
This had Ichigo's full attention now. ("And they simply go uncontested throughout space and slaughter whole planets worth of peaceful creatures?")
"No!" The crystal suddenly flashed brightly, bringing a new image. This was of some kind of strange-looking ship that resembled an icicle, made wholly out of dark blue crystal. "These beings worked to save as many members of these species as they could. They are known as the Infinites."
("Infinites?") Ichigo immediately made a connection. ("It has something to do with that…") A memory flashed through his head, of the Infinity Chaser card being torn to shreds. ("…never mind…")
The image changed to a strange planet that seemed to be made entirely out of the same dark blue crystal as the Infinite ship. "This is Crystal Haven. It is a constructed planet meant to be a safe place for the survivors of those horrid slaughters…until…" Suddenly a dark shadow fell over the planet, and like wasps a swarm of red ships seemed to appear around it. After a few moments the whole planet lit up like some kind of Christmas ornament, red and orange being the only colors visible. "The Blood Children found the sacred haven, and attack with their full force. While the Infinites managed to hold them back, an evacuation was put into order, sending numerous different ships across the universe at speeds the Blood Children ships could not keep up with."
Once more the image changed, this time to an Infinite ship that looked badly damaged. "Out of those, this ship carried the most important item of the Infinites power."
("The most powerful item? What was it?") Ichigo was captivated now by this story…something about it made him want to learn all he could.
"It was called the Infinity Mind. All of the Infinites' technology was based off the concept of using crystals as a focal point to create amazing powers. In that vein, the Infinity Mind is a single crystal about the size of a pebble. Within it rests infinite energy…"
("Infinity energy? If the Infinites had the power to create such a thing then why didn't they just use it to destroy the Blood Children?")
"Because that is not the infinite power. The Infinity Mind possesses the ability to create strong amounts of energy useful for single small effects. Its infinite power means that it is a constantly recharging energy source…it cannot be exhausted. While very useful to a single person, it cannot produce enough energy all at once for such a thing. And yet the Blood Children wanted it, though the Infinites did not know why."
("Alright, now it's time to explain what this has to do with me.")
"Very well." The image continued, showing the Infinite ship suddenly veering off course and flying right into the atmosphere of a planet. "The ship that contained the Infinity Mind also had within it some of the most powerful and unique of the creatures that the Infinites had saved. Amongst them, I believe you have already met one." The image changed to a boy with a clothing setup Ichigo could never forget.
("Erian? Erian is an…alien?")
"That is correct. 'Erian', as you call him, is what is known as a Negation Entity. They come from the planet you saw earlier, the one with the rainbow crystals and whirlpools…they are the most interesting of the species because they behave in odd ways that most creatures wouldn't follow. He is the reason I have come to you, because you became his friend so quickly and somehow brought about a creature that possessed the ability to fuse with the Negation Entity easily. Something about you is special, Ichigo Pilkington."
("Tell me about it…") Ichigo mentally muttered to himself at the 'special' comment. ("Anyway though, so you're telling me that this ship crashed on earth? What do you expect me to do about it?")
"Erian, like the other Infinity Travelers, is currently wandering this planet without any understanding of it. Also, their powers are dangerous as well as unique and powerful. Erian's abilities are not deadly, but some of the other Travelers…well, let us just say that they are a danger to themselves and to the planet Earth while they wander its surface unguided."
("You want to go guide these guys?") Ichigo sighed. ("Listen, what do you expect me to…")
"I come to you because you possess something that no other human so far has. I am in need of a being that is pure of soul, pure of heart, pure of mind, and also capable of wielding great power. These four things have been nearly impossible to find, in all of these last few months. However…you meet these requirements. Ichigo, you are the only one I could find that meets those requirements."
("Don't mess around with me. There's nothing pure of heart, soul or mind about me! As for understanding how to control power…I'd be dead by my own damned hand if not for having guys like Halo around to help keep these immense energies in check for me. Trust me, I don't fit any kind of requirements that you have.")
"Just through the duel against Sestros, I will prove you wrong. You are pure of soul because you were not tainted by the darkness Sestros released, which would have turned any other soul into either a terrified wreck or an enraged monster. In fact, your inner soul was so pure in that aspect that you didn't even realize you were immune to it."
"Secondly, you are pure of heart because when your mother spoke those words of hatred about you, you took it upon yourself to accept responsibility for things that you couldn't have possibly been responsible for. That showed that you were willing to sacrifice yourself just to end the pain of others."
"Thirdly, you are pure of mind because you were not choked by the dark illusions that Sestros attempted to subdue you with. His torture methods had no affect on your mind because you were too mentally calm to be affected by them. Things that would have broken the strongest wills simply were ignored by you because you focus on the here and now more than anything else."
"Fourthly, I point simply to your ability to stand in that duel against Sestros. Your body was damaged, and your energies were exhausted. Yet unconsciously you were using the power of the Dark Halo to convert the darkness of the Darkness Game into extra energy to keep yourself standing. It is normally a talent that Halo only could use knowingly, but somehow you figured out how to use it without even putting thought into it."
("……") Ichigo would have been beet red in the face if he actually possessed such things at that moment. ("Listen…you're really overestimating how strong I am in those departments…")
"Ichigo…the Blood Children will be coming to earth. They want the Infinity Mind, and it cannot protect itself on its own. Also, the Infinity Travelers need to be mustered to help repel this threat. They possess the powers to do such things, but they need a guide here on earth."
Ichigo felt panic in his mind at the first part of that announcement. ("They're coming to earth? No, they can't…")
"Nothing that you demons have can stop them. Their technology is on a level similar to the power of the greatest magic of this planet. Also, they know of the Darkness Games and intend to use them to their advantage in finding the Travelers. I beg of you…please…"
("Okay, I've got it already.") Another mental sigh came from Ichigo. ("But I have to beat Sestros first, or else there won't be an Earth for the Blood Children to come to!") Suddenly he felt warmth, and he was back in his body and floating in front of that crystal. "Finally, that was starting to creep me…"
"I do not intend to send you into this battle unarmed. I am will help you and advise you when needed." The crystal floated closer to him. "My power is your power, master. And my power is the power of the stars. Use me, and I swear that you will defeat Sestros permanently. To you his Immortality of the Night might be some kind of dark invincibility, but when compared to the powers I will grant you it is merely an affliction that needs to be cleansed."
Ichigo stared at the little crystal for a few seconds, and then gasped. "Wait, you're the Infinity Mind? And you can talk?" Suddenly everything was painfully bright again, and he was moving once more. Squeezing his eyes shut, he prepared for a collision into something.
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"Yeah?" Ichigo looked down at himself…and realized that he was glowing light blue. "Huh? Wait…what's this…" Whatever else he was going to say faded as he suddenly disappeared in a burst of blue light.
"………" Erian stared at the spot where Ichigo had been standing. "Ichigo? Ummm….hello?"
Sestros just watched the empty spot quietly. ("He will be back…I know he will. However, with only three minutes left until the world comes to an end…")
Less than a second later Ichigo reappeared in the same spot he had been standing, except now he had his eyes squeezed shut and he was bracing himself for something.
"Ichigo!" Erian nearly yelled into the other boy's ear. "There's only three minutes left, hurry!"
Snapping his eyes open, Ichigo immediately went back into a dueling stance and fanned out his hand. ("No time to wonder, I've got to win right now!") (Hand cards: Graceful Charity, City of Shadows; Noirtropolis, The Warrior Returning Alive, Final Shadow Velocity Thief, Infinity Traveler Negation Entity) ("I can't win with these cards…damn it…")
("Master, I am with you.") A strange glow came from his right hand. Looking at it, Ichigo blinked in surprise at what sat around his ring finger. It was a band of solid gold with a very ornate clasp hanging onto a deep blue crystal about the size of a pebble.
("This is the Infinity Mind?") Ichigo frowned. ("How do I make it work?")
"Ichigo, what are you doing? There's no time left!" Erian looked panicked now, sweat dripping down his face.
"Your annoying friend is correct, Ichigo. Come and see that you cannot win!" Sestros snickered and started to laugh…
Ichigo had closed his eyes for a few seconds, as if he was listening to something. Then he opened his eyes and smiled wryly at Sestros. "You've got that wrong. Actually, there's no way you can win."
"What was that?" Sestros snarled angrily. "Even now you still speak nonsense?"
"It isn't nonsense at all." Ichigo pointed right at the Dark King's chest. "Your Immortality of the Night is a cancer that I intend to remove. But first…" He lifted his right arm up into the air. "Awaken, Soul of the Stars!"
To be continued…