In the philosophy of dualism, there are two sides: Yin which represents darkness, and Yang that symbolizes the light. These two forces must always be kept in balance, lest one side grow too powerful and bring harm to the Multiverse.
(Cue: Dive Into The Heart -Destati- Third Inception-Kingdom Hearts 3)
In the darkness, there was nothing until it slowly started to light up. "Where...where am I?" a voice said before they opened wide to find themselves standing on a large stained glass floor. He looked around before finding the floor was a picture depicting two sides. One showed a figure that was kept hidden and standing among the stars while the other showed a figure standing among some ruins of a once thriving civilization.
To this end, a cycle was created: two warriors would be chosen to carry out a ritualistic cycle that would keep balance in the Multiverse. One was a hero chosen by the stars, and the other would seek power from the void.
"What is this picture?" the voice asked itself before three pedestals appeared. One held a single sword, the second held a staff while the last carried a shield.
Now...a third force has appeared in this conflict. They shall be involved even if they desire peace. Now...which path shall you take? The path of a warrior, of a mage or a knight?
"Well… I've always been more of a hands-on fighter…" the voice pondered before making its decision. "I'm going on the path of the warrior."
You've chosen the path of a warrior. One who is quick to join the battle who refuses to sit on the sidelines. This path is not the easiest, but it's not the hardest either.
The sword then turned into particles of light as it flowed into the figure before the other two weapons vanished. After that, a large shadow began to consume the floor as the figure started to sink in. "What...what is this?! I can't get out!"
Do not be afraid. The path you walk is neither light nor dark. But a road leading to the twilight. Do not worry, we shall meet again, warrior created from the twelve.
"Warrior...created from the twelve? What does that even mean?" they asked as they sunk deeper in.
May your journey be fruitful. As for this cycle...well, no one truly knows how this will turn out. Good luck...Ethox.
"Ethox...Ethox!" a voice called out as the person awoke.
"Huh? W-Whazat?" The Nobody of Theo Starcrest drozily mumbled as his eyes fluttered open to a man in armor forged from black crystals.
"You know, this is part of the reason why I picked to follow you. You sleep like this, bandits are bound to rob you blind." they said.
"Oh, sorry Mirror Match." Ethox said as he got up. "I guess I was a lot deeper in sleep than I thought I'd be. Even had a weird dream."
"You can tell me all about it on the way. Come, it's only a few miles to the next town." Mirror Match said.
"And then after…?" Ethox asked, stretching a bit.
"Then we can find an adventurer's rift and get to the Town of Tales. That's where you wanted to go after all." Mirror Match said.
"Yeah…" Ethox said.
His name...is Ethox. He is a Nobody born from the demise of Theo Starcrest. He was once a high ranking member of a cult known as the Anarchy Kings. However, after the group's disbandment during the Etherian War, he was left without much purpose. So he took to wandering with Mirror Match, an alternate version of King Sombra from a mirror universe of Equestria, as they travelled across multiple universes, hoping to one day find his counterpart, the only person he could call brother. Their journey has brought them to a world called Gaeabrande.
"...and then after I set my decision on the sword, a big hole of shadows opened up right below me, and I started sinking into it." Ethox recapped his dream as they were walking through grassy fields.
"Hm, that is quite a weird dream." Mirror Match said.
"I know, right?" Ethox replied. "It's confusing. Warrior created from twelve? Hero of the Stars? A cycle for keeping balance? What's it all mean?"
"I don't know myself. But perhaps once we arrive in the Town of Tales, we may get some answers." Mirror Match said.
"Hey, that town is where that guild everyone's been talking about is stationed, right? Mythos Hearts?" Ethox asked.
"Yes. And recently, they've been undergoing a major recruitment drive in the Adventure Universe." Mirror remarked. "It's almost like a pattern, but for what, I can't say. It's certainly odd."
"Well, it's like you said, we'll get some answers in the Town of Tales." Ethox said.
"Yes, hopefully that is the case. Otherwise we-" Mirror match said before something started to happen. "Hm?"
"Hey, Match?" Ethox asked. "Is the sky supposed to turn red in these parts?"
Sure enough, when the former king looked up at the sky, the color was indeed a blood red color, complete with dark clouds.
"That doesn't seem right… even for a world in this universe." Ethox said.
"You're correct. The only reason something like this would be happening is if there was a powerful force of evil nearby." Mirror remarked.
"Well, it's definitely not coming from you anymore. You were purged of all the darkness inside. This… this is something else. This isn't dark magic." Ethox said.
"Yes… this presence. It feels…demonic in nature." Mirror Match sensed. "And it's coming from…"
He pointed in front of the two, to the very town the two were traveling towards. There were fragments of a sort of barrier around it, though incomplete near the top.
"...Edona!" Ethox realized. "Mirror Match, we have to go and see what's up!"
The two ran to the town and passed the barrier, heading into the village.
"What could be here taking its time in a little town like this?" Ethox asked.
"I don't know, but be careful." Mirror cautioned. "With the amount of power, it's undoubtedly incredibly strong. Best to-"
Mirror Match stopped in his tracks before he grabbed Ethox and quickly ducked both of them behind one of the buildings.
"What, what's wrong?" Ethox asked.
"Shh! The demon's at the center of town." Mirror whispered.
"It is?!" Ethox whispered, taking a look.
"A note for the goddess and hero." A feminine, lacadacial voice spoke out.
"What the?" Ethox asked, seeing a feminie demon with jet black hair and a big bust. Her attire consisted of a revealing swimsuit that revealed a lot of skin, followed by pantyhose and blue heels. Instead of normal feet, she had goat-like hooves. Her face looked similar to a goat (horns included), and she had hair on her body. She also had goat horns and a tail, resembling a centaur-like human-beast crossbreed.
"The two of you better show up soon. Because if you don't, this little town is history!" the demoness spoke, as if talking to someone who wasn't there. Under her hooves, one of the villagers laid on the ground, fear evident in his eyes.
"Please, don't do this! I'm begging you!" the villager pleaded, only to get a hoof stamped in his face.
"I'm slicing off everyone's heads, lets say: one resident every ten minutes?" she said, before bringing her large sword down on the villagers head and decapitating him in one slash, spraying blood everywhere and making the villagers scream in panic. "Oh my, the red fountains that humans make are just so pretty. So let's paint the town red!"
"Oh my god…" Ethox gapped, his expression shifting from shock to disgust to anger in the span of three seconds. "That… that demon has to go!"
"Ethox, wait!" Mirror Match interrupted. "We can't rush into battle against that one. Look at her, the power she possesses is obviously beyond anything we can deal with for long. We need to think of a plan before we attack."
"She's slaughtering innocent people, Match! We can't just sit here and do nothing!" Ethox argued.
"I know, but think about it this way: if we just jump out there and challenge her outright, we die. If we die, all the villagers die. But, if we go about it intelligently, there's a chance we can save them. Otherwise, we do them no good by throwing ourselves to death." Mirror explained.
"Well… I guess you have a point-" Ethox started.
"PAPA! NO!"
The voice of a little girl snapped the two out of their conversation, making them poke their heads back out to see the demon holding a man at bladepoint, and a little girl running up to his side. "Don't hurt him!"
"Dammnit, she's aiming to kill him now!" Ethox said.
"Ethox…!" Mirror Match said.
"He's got a little girl, Match! There's no time to think of a plan!" Ethox said. "If we don't do something now, he's dead, and I'm willing to bet the demon will send his kid right after him!"
"...You keep her busy." Mirror said. "I'll evacuate the villagers. Go!" he said as his body shifted into a shadowy fog and moved away from the cover.
Ethox turned back to the demoness, narrowing his eyes as he prepared himself for battle.
"Stop! I'm begging you, don't hurt my papa, please!" the little girl pleaded.
"Oh, don't worry little girl." the demoness said. "You won't feel lonely because you won't be alone, because I've decided you'll be going out with your dear daddy." she said laughing.
As the little girl screamed, suddenly the demoness heard a battle cry and saw someone charging at her full speed, ramming into her and sending her back away from the father and daughter, putting his back to them.
The demoness recovered and wiped her mouth. "Who are you?"
Ethox stood in front of the two villagers. "Don't worry, she won't touch you again. And as for you," he said, turning to the demoness, "I'm just a passing wanderer who doesn't take kindly to someone who holds villages hostage to lure someone out. If you want a fight…." Ethox summoned a Keyblade to punctuate the declaration. "...I'll give you one!"
In response to this challenge, the demoness chuckled. "How interesting...how interesting. You're not who I'm after, but I suppose I can do with a nice warm up."
Ethox spun his keyblade, a long, dao-based sword with 12 kanji representing a sort of animal etched into the blade. The hilt was based on an eastern dragon in a circle, and the keychain was a yin yang symbol.
"But do you even know who you're dealing with, mystery man?" the demoness asked, hefting her giant sword. "I am one of the Four Heavenly Kings serving under the demon lord. I am Chaos Machina!"
"(Heavenly King…. Mirror Match was right, she's definitely a big shot. Can't afford to make any mistakes.)" he thought, turning back to the father and daughter. "Get to safety, quick. This is gonna get ugly."
The two got up and ran off as Ethox turned to face the Heavenly King and got into a battle stance, his face determined.
(Cue: This is Gonna Hurt- Sixx A.M.)
Chaos Machina licked her lips before her left eye faintly glowed, analyzing Ethox and his stats. "Hmm… not bad. Much stronger than a normal human… but not strong enough!"
The demoness leaped at the Nobody, sword over her head, as she brought it down to slice him in half. The assault was halted when Ethox blocked with his Keyblade, sparks flying off as he struggled for a moment.
"(Keep your eyes on all your opponent's movements: their arms, their legs, their eyes. If you see a weakness...exploit it!)" Ethox recited in his head as he shifted his weight to the right and removed his Keyblade from the struggle before slashing into Machina's side.
She winced in pain before bringing her blade down, Ethox dodging as it smashed into the ground, causing a fissure. He flipped in the air before throwing his Keyblade like a javelin, which Chaos Machina knocked away, before he dashed in and resummoned it to his hands as he clashed blades with her again. Ethox leaped back before the two parried each other's swords and pushed against each other before being sent back.
"Hm, you're not half bad." Chaos Machina remarked. "No human has been able to keep up with me, much less withstand my attacks. You're not a human aren't you?"
"Well, I am one. Technically." Ethox said. "I'm just a hollowed-out shell left behind when someone with a strong will died."
"Oh I see… so what you're saying is you don't exist, is that right?" Chaos Machina grinned. "You are quite strong, and there might be more to you than just what's in front of me."
"Having second thoughts?" Ethox said.
Chaos Machina laughed a little. "Alright then… seems like I'm gonna have to take this a bit more seriously."
"Huh?" Ethox asked.
"Release!"
At the utterance of this word, Chaos Machina's body bulked up considerably, a symbol appearing on her forehead.
"Whoa!" Ethox exclaimed in shock as Machina laughed.
"Oh, you thought you'd won already?" Chaos machina asked. " Well I've got some bad news. REAL fighters who play on expert mode always have a little something extra hiding up their sleeves!"
"(Dammit! She's unleashed more of her power. It's unreal!)" Ethox thought before he narrowly blocked a sword swing aimed at his neck. However, the force of the blow still sent his body flying into one of the buildings. Ethox landed on the floor, coughing before he got up.
"So, you can survive a blow from me in this form, eh?" Machina said. "Your type of race is always so unbelievably durable. No matter. It's only a matter of time before you break and get sent back to the nothingness you came from!"
The Heavenly King leaped into the air and prepared to bring her sword down. Quickly, Ethox escaped the house before it was reduced to rubble. From the wreckage, Machina leaped out with a slash that Ethox barely avoided, being forced to keep away as the demoness pressed the assault.
"What's wrong?! Not going to fight back?!" Chaos Machina said slashing repeatedly. "I thought you were some big shot!"
Ethox parried a slash from Machina and leaped back, landing on another house.
"I'm just getting started. As it so happens, I've got some tricks up my sleeves too." Ethox said. "(Just as soon as I think of one…)"
So it is power you need. It seems you've yet to figure out the powers of the blade you hold. Your original could call upon power borrowed from the 12 Astral Zodiacs...you also have a power similar to his.
"A power like his? What do you-?" Ethox asked before his mind suddenly got a flash, a beast roaring in his mind.
Boy...now is the time for your rise. However, you are not strong enough to wield all of them...yet. So...consider this one a gift. But do not worry, by journey's end, you'll awaken all of your hidden power.
"My power huh?" Ethox asked. "Okay… let's try it!" he said, holding his Keyblade horizontally in front of him.
"Hm?" Machina asked.
(Music Shift: The Tiger Warrior- Killer Instinct)
"My claws will move mountains." Ethox spoke as one of the kanji on his Keyblade lit up and he was surrounded by an aura shaped like a tiger. "Lend me your strength, great predator of the jungle who has the presence of a king."
Ethox's eyes flashed as the tiger roared, swinging his blade sideways as the aura dissipated into a thinner version.
"You have an Augmentation Skill, eh? Good, this won't be as boring as I thought!" Chaos Machina charged again. Once again, the blades clashed; however, to Chaos' surprise, her sword was pushed out of the way by the Nobody, throwing her off balance, allowing Ethox to deliver a thrust into the demoness's stomach. The attack created a shockwave that pushed the Heavenly King back.
"How in the-" Chaos said as she scanned Ethox again. "(That can't be right… his attack has received a massive boost!)"
"Not taking me lightly anymore?" Ethox asked as he charged at Chaos Machina, forcing the demon to jump back to avoid the slash. From there, the tables were turned as she tried to create distance from her opponent. Ethox gave chase, the two fighting blade to blade as they were hurled into the air.
"Let's see you beat this!" Ethox said, throwing his sword into the air and caching it. With a yell accompanied by the tiger's roar, he executed a downward slash that Machina countered in a clash, the impact causing giant claw marks in the ground.
(End song)
The two then landed on the ground a distance away from each other, Ethox's aura wearing off, the two slightly breathing a bit.
"Hah…. that was quite the surprise there. I was on the defensive with that skill of yours active. But it looks like it's worn off now." Chaos Machina said.
"I see...so I can't use it continuously. That's kinda unfortunate." Ethox said.
"Are you done now? Cause it's time for you...to depart from this life!" Chaos Machina laughed before she was suddenly consumed in flames.
"Huh...did...did she hit some kind of limit or something?" Ethox pondered.
"Well whaddya know?" A new voice said. "I leave for ten minutes and some stranger goes and tries to mess with these crazy monsters."
Ethox looked up into the sky and saw a man with dark hair in steel armor and black clothing seemingly standing in the sky over the village, the final embers of a massive flame floating away from his outstretched hand.
"Whoa…" Ethox silently said as the man descended onto the ground. "(Is he the guy the demoness was talking about earlier?)
Suddenly, the flames were blown away, Chaos Machina shown to be still alive.
"Yaaah!" she yelled, looking at the man. "So, you finally here? You've certainly kept me waiting with this distraction keeping me busy."
"Wait, distraction?" Ethox asked.
"It doesn't matter anymore. Now I have the pleasure of taking you both out in one go." Machia said whireling her sword. "You two are so troublesome… I'm sure I can beat you two, but I want to be doubly sure. Get ready, here comes my special technique. I call it Demonic Curse!"
"Uh oh… that doesn't sound good." Ethox said.
"Here's a secret." Chaos machina grinned. "A real, REAL fighter who plays on expert mode always has a little something extra hiding under the little something extra!"
"...I feel like she just made that one up on the spot." Ethox sweated.
Then, right before his eyes, Chaos Machina grabbed her sword and… impaled herself with it!
"Uh… what the?!" Ethox asked. "Did you just commit suicide?!"
"Oh, I'm not taking my life at all, boy. It's the Demonic Curse, of course!" she giggled. "With this overwhelming power…. I shall deal death to you both!"
The sword flew out of Machina's body as it fell to the ground. For a moment, all was still. Then, the corpse's wound began to bubble before a giant arm emerged from it. Soon, Chaos Machina had transformed into a giant, bullish demon!
"Okay… really starting to regret not taking Mirror's advice now…" Ethox said as he took up a battle stance once again. "But I can't give up, not with the villagers at stake!"
He took a step towards the demon...only for the newcomer to put a sword in his way.
"Stay back, scarface." he said.
"Hah! It sounds like neither of you understand the difference in our power!" Machina said in a distorted voice. "Just one blow… one blow will separate your heads from your bodies!"
She then leaped into the air and then dived back down to the two, slamming right into them and bursting a hole right in the center of town.
In the dust, Ethox had his eyes closed. He then opened them up, and saw the man was holding up Machina's fist… with just one arm!
"What?! Impossible, how can this be?!" Machina asked in shock.
"With just his arm?!" Ethox asked. "How?!"
"Guess you're tougher than I expected. Whatever." Machina said, flying into the air and summoning all her magic into a powerful orb. "I'll summon all of my magic into my fists using this ability, the Demonic Delete! Turning you, that wandering fool and this entire village to-" she was interrupted when she saw the man gone. "Where'd you go?"
She suddenly saw the man right in front of her, in the air again. She reeled back in shock.
"When did you learn the Flight Skill, how is that even possible?!" she asked.
Ethox snapped his fingers. "(I get it! He blanketed her with flames so she wouldn't see him coming and learn he could fly too soon! The flames were a smokescreen! Whoever this guy is, he's got some serious planning skills. He's…)"
The unnamed hero then coated his sword in flames, surrounding himself with an aura in the shape of a phoenix.
"No! Not the Magic Sword Technique!" Machina said in shock. "Isn't that an Upper Tier Skill?!"
"It is. It's called Phoenix Drive!" the hero said as he flew straight towards Chaos Machina. After an unseen slash, he stops behind the demon, whose body starts to crack. With a final death moan, the Heavenly King explodes, blanketing the sky in light.
"(...he's AWESOME!)" Ethox finished the thought as he watched the explosion with shining eyes.
After the explosion faded away, the sky returned to a blue color and the barrier around Edona vanished.
"Wow...guess Ethox did it. Good work!" Mirror said as he and the villagers returned.
"Uh, I didn't do anything, Match. This guy did." Ethox said as the man landed on the ground. "He's the hero that demon was talking about before. Didn't get his name in all the-"
"Seiya!" another new voice called out as the now named hero was embraced by a beautiful girl with blonde hair and blue eyes wearing a white dress.
"...Well that answers that question." Ethox stated. "Hey, is everyone safe and accounted for?"
"Yes, I kept them away from the battle. Though I must say, I was worried about you." Mirror Match said. "I was concerned that demon would kill you effortlessly."
"Well, I was able to match her moves. And halfway through the fight, I got access to this weird new power." Ethox said. "Speaking of which, I think I finally understand what the 'warrior created from twelve' part of my dream means."
"That's great, Ethox." Mirror said. "You'll have to tell me about it later. For now, we should probably talk to this hero, he knows more than we do about what happened here."
"Good idea. Hey, Seiya...we…" Ethox said before seeing Seiya approach the remains of Chaos Machine. "Uh...what are you doing?"
"Being safe." Seiya said gathering fire in his hands before unleashing a powerful fire attack on the area before more and more were piled onto the already charred remains as the town also caught on fire.
"What in Harmony's name are you doing?!" Mirror Match shouted in shock.
"She's a Heavenly King! If a single piece of her remains, she might regenerate!" Seiya said as he continued the onslaught.
"Has he lost his mind?!" Mirror Match asked.
"No, that's just his method." the girl said before showing them a paper.
"Huh...his name is Seiya. One defining trait...Extremely Cautious?!" Ethox read.
"That's right. This hero...TAKES CAUTION TO A WHOLE NEW DIMENSION!" the girl yelled over the flames.
The three of them took shelter as Seiya unleashed more flame attacks, which he called Hells' Fire. After a while, he took a breather.
"...are you done?" Ethox asked as he peered out. "Because I'm pretty sure those pieces are nothing but ash now."
"Nice." Seiya said. "Now to finish it." he said, taking up another stance.
"Wait... you're seriously not done?!" Ethox asked as seiya charged up another attack, this one more powerful than the last.
"Get away from him! NOW!" the girl yelled as Ethox dashed away.
"MAXIMUM INFERNO!" Seiya said, unleashing a fire attack that burned the entire area to cinders.
"Brave heroes...please...just leave our little town and never come back." the mayor said on the verge of tears as they departed.
"Well...that was…" Ethox muttered, trying to find the proper word.
"This man is insane." Mirror Match stated dryly.
"Yeah, but he's definitely strong. I would've been toast if he hadn't come along and saved my bacon." Ethox said.
"Excuse me?" a voice asked as Ethox looked behind him to see the Villager he rescued and his daughter. "Thank you so much for saving us, and the village. We're sorry for making you leave after everything was destroyed."
"Don't worry about it. I'm just glad I was able to save you two from that demoness." Ethox said.
"Can I please get your name?" the villager asked.
"Hm? Oh, it's… Ethox. And the man who kept you all safe is Mirror Match." Ethox said.
"(Ethox?)" the woman perked up. "(That sounds familiar. Where've I heard that name before?)"
"Here Ethox. Take this." the man said, giving him a sack of money.
"Really? You're giving this to me?" Ethox asked.
"Yes. It's the least we can offer. Share it with that brave hero who defeated the demon." he replied.
"Hey, shades of grey." Seiya said. "If you're gonna accept that, ask if there's more."
"I believe there's quite enough in the bag as is!" Mirror Match spoke up.
"Easy, Match." Ethox said. "Don't worry, I'm only taking what's given to me. There's no reason to deprive someone of all their money."
"You've got no sense of thoroughness…" Seiya sighed.
"That would make him no better than a thief!" the woman replied.
They said their goodbyes to the couple and headed to the outskirts.
"I saw you fighting Chaos Machina before." the woman said sitting on a boulder. "I can't thank you both enough for acting the way you did and keeping the village safe."
"It's no trouble at all. We were just travelling this land when we saw what was happening." Mirror Match said. "We couldn't just stand by and watch."
"Well...it was still nice to have your help. My name is Ristarte. I happen to be the Goddess of Healing. And you…" she said before looking at Ethox. "No way...his face...that blade. It can't be...the Star Warrior? No… youre someone different."
"Um... what?" Ethox asked.
"It's probably better if I discuss this with the other gods back in the Divine Realm." Ristarte said.
"Oh good." Seiya said. "I was hoping to go back there."
"What?! It's not so you can do more training!" RIstarte said. "Don't tell me you want to go back already?"
"When the enemy learns we beat a Heavenly King, they'll likely send enemies stronger than her after us. I must be 100% ready." Seiya said.
"But, if we don't continue onto the next town, we won't score any good weapons." Ristarte persuaded.
"Yeah, I would like to get some new armor…" Seiya said. "Could you make some for me? You can make beds and stuff."
"I can only create things in the Divine Realm. Bringing anything from there is forbidden. And excessive assistance to humans is against divine law." Ristarte replied.
"So you're useless." Seiya said.
"Wow! I healed one of the townspeople's burns, in case you forgot!" Risarte said.
"Medicinal herbs could've done the same." Seiya bluntly retorted. "In other words, your value to society is no greater than a leaf."
"Ouch…" Ethox winced.
"In any case, I'm due for some more training. So open a portal, plant lady." Seiya said.
"Alright, but only on the condition that those two come with us." Ristarte said. "Wait, what did you just call me?!"
"You want to bring them with us? They aren't part of this whole thing you dumped on me." Seiya said. "What if they're spies of the Demon Lord, and they report all my skills and stats to him?"
"Oh yes, we're spies that fought one of the Demon Lord's top four generals, helped protect an entire village and didn't lift a finger to help said general defeat you." Mirror Match replied sarcastically.
"Hey, they're coming with us! Especially him!" Ristarte said, pointing to Ethox.
"Me? Why am I so important?" Ethox asked.
"Violet would definitely want to meet you." Ristarte said.
"Violet...you mean...Color God of the Adventure Universe Violet?" Ethox asked.
"Yes, that's her. She manages all the deities in the Adventure Universe." Ristarte said. "She knows more of what I'm talking about than I do."
"Fine… they're coming, but I've got my eye on them." Seiya said. "Let's go."
As the four headed through the portal, Ristarte thought to herself:
"(Great… first a weirdo hero and now the third force in this whole 'Cycle of the Stars' thing. How is this gonna work?)"
