Chapter 14
'Go time.'
Junpei was in his room, relaxing one faithful day, when he heard Suiryu's voice in his head. Instantly, he sat up and found the brothers. All gave a serious nod.
It was war time.
Heading out on foot, they followed Suiryu's curse energy out of Tokyo and into the farmlands. The brothers kept themselves hidden since at the same time, they could sense Yuuji on the way with others.
"It would be best if we laid low," Junpei said discreetly. There happened to have been a small cliff near by where this battle would take place. They took shelter there for the moment, all the while going over battle plans.
"Choso and I will be the first to attack." Junpei explained. "We will take out the wave together, I'll draw in all the blood that I can and expel it. Brothers, do with it as you will."
They nodded as Tanso stated he would follow up. Yuuji and Suiryu gave them a bit of a notion that they were working on, no doubt they are going to get attacked in waves. Yuuji will take out the first one, the second will be done by his classmates and fellow sorcerers. By the third way it would be a timed retreat to recharge and regroup. As they are, the brothers move in. Tanso volunteered to clean up and bide the sorcerers some time to retreat if needed. 'I may lose some of my familiars in this…' he said and appeared saddened by it all.
"Yes, but at the same time, we cannot lose a life that has yet to be lost. Your familiars should they die, will die with honor." Choso said gently.
It made him feel a little better. Junpei happened to agree with Choso on the notion. "Just think big bro, so many animals you recovered were killed carelessly, by a car, traps or even greedy humans. If they died here and now… they will do so for a greater cause… be proud of their bravery."
His eyes lit up as a firm nod came from him.
"After, I'll help you find new ones too. Okay?"
That alone made Tanso very happy. He hasn't really gotten a chance to spend time with him yet. Junpei is going to be certain that no brother is left out since it appears they all want to help him or just hang out with him!
As the battle began, Junpei prepared himself. They waited for the signal by Yuuji who shouted at the top of his lungs. "ONIICHANS!"
Choso smirked as he came out of hiding. Junpei took to the skies as he got a good view as to what they are up against. "We got at least a thousand here! Ready Big bro!"
"Show us what you can do little brother!"
From the ground and sky, Junpei and Choso used piercing blood. Choso was even able to manipulate his blood to become sharp as blades, it would be like throwing daggers into the masses as the finger bearers were quickly cut down. Junpei kept true to his word as he opened his side mouths, drawing in every drop of curse blood he could before it vanished into nothing. The moment it comes into his body, his curse energy takes over it. Turning the blood to his own before being released again. This time, the brothers have full access to it all.
Junpei was amazed that the sorcerers before them actually took out two waves of finger bearers on their own, yet he and Choso took out one on their own too! But now, more were coming, stronger looking curses as well.
"BROTHERS TO ARMS!" Junpei shouted.
Only to regret it.
It did sound a lot cooler in his head...
#
It was… an amazing feeling.
No, sensation.
Just like before when he first gained curse energy. It was a mixture of fear, adrenaline, nerves and then… he felt like a badass! Junpei felt he could take on the world, no one would step on him anymore and they would treat him with respect! Yet, this was on a different level. On the ground he kept in the middle of the brothers, ensuring everyone had enough of the blood to use, as they needed it. Sanso took the most, as he was forging left and right. He replaced swords and other weapons before passing them off to the sorcerers who lost theirs. Choso took a fair share too but not as much. In the moment, Junpei even made himself a blood sword at random. He was rather pleased with it as he used the blade to slice down a row of finger bearers on his own.
The odd thing was, just as Suiryu said, his human side is still fearful to the event before him. In fact, he felt terrified in his gut, and yet, he didn't give into the fear. With his mindset as well knowing what he can do, he was able to use that fear to fuel himself to keep moving forward.
At the same time, his strength continued to grow.
Still, things were progressing. But then, he saw him.
Just barely through the sea of chaos and war. Junpei saw him, and his blood boiled at the sight.
Mahito.
However, this wasn't the real deal. This was merely part of him that managed to break off and survive. Still, it's better than nothing.
When Mahito saw him, his eyes widened with excitement. "Oh it's YOU! I get to play with you all over again!" he cheered and licked his lips with greed. "Quite frankly, I think you looked a lot better when I transfigured you than you are now…" he paused for a moment as the amused look on his face didn't vanish. "What are you now?" he teased.
It felt as if there were no one else on the field, Junpei focused solely on Mahito, but he began to remember everything the bastard did to him… his family… Yuuji… no… he will not get away this time.
In his thoughts, Junpei was lost in them, but suddenly jumped as Mahito grabbed his arm. "I wonder, what do I turn you into this time?" he asked in a teasing tone…
JOLT
Mahito felt his hand repel.
Junpei smirked as he brushed back his bangs. Granted, the mouths were a dead giveaway that he wasn't human anymore. But still, he revealed his discolored face and black eye. "I'm not the same as I once was before." He said in a warning tone. "We're on a level playing field now…"
Despite his threat, Mahito thought it was amusing. Junpei maybe nothing compared to him, but he refuses to back down, let alone show fear to his former tormentor.
It was time for a little payback.
Despite Mahito's domain going up, and attempting to transfigure him again. Junpei began to think… there was more to that moment than he realized. When Mahito tried to transfigure him again, that voice came back into his head. 'You again? YOU! YOU SENT MY BROTHER AND I TO OUR DEATHS!'
Mahito was repelled, even harder than the last time. Despite the fact a domain give him a guaranteed hit, he was still refused. It was then. Junpei unleashed his. He didn't quite understand the domain he summoned, but all he knew is that it filled with blood.
He also didn't know that the sea of blood that was at his command, would be used in such a method. Forcing its way down Mahito's throat until he continued to expand until…
POP!
Like a fleshy balloon he burst of blood!
The transfigured people he contained were released and quickly recovered. The domain soon went down and Junpei finished him off with Eso's rot ability, ensuring nothing remained of him.
It was the first time he ever felt truly strong and for the better…
