ALRIGHT, PEOPLE, THIS IS THE MOMENT YOU HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR: THE ONE, THE ONLY, THE FINAAAAALS OF THE VALE REGIONAL TOURNAMENT! THIS SHALL DECIDE THIS YEAR'S CHAMPIIIIIIOOOOOOON!
On the right, we have Carmine Fandango! She's a promising individual who has shown to be very capable of using her Estoc to deadly effects!
And on our left, we have our current champion of the Vale regional tournament! He's strong, he's fast, he's devious! He's filled with secrets and 0 intentions on telling them! Give it up for the Magenta Magician: It' VALEEEENTIIIINE!
"Go go, Valentine! Go go, Valentine!"The audience resonated with shouts and cheers as I stepped into the Arena. Matador Carnage was resting on my back.
Carmine was grinning at me haughtily. Her outfit was that of a traditional knight, fully armoured with shining crimson plates with an estoc in her hands.
"I'm sorry, my friend," She shouted out with a smile. "But I'm afraid that you'll no longer be champion."
"Oh, please~," I replied. "If you can last 5 minutes, the champion seat's all yours~."
And Magenta offers her the same deal he gave to Daniel last year! Will this match be any different!?
"Don't think I don't know your tricks; I've seen what you've done."
"Oh?"
"I don't fully understand it, but I know that you won't be an easy opponent."
"That's an understatement~."
"I know, but I can't show you how I feel in this match, right?"
"I suppose so. But let me tell you something."
"I'm all ears, champion."
"The moment you walked into this arena,"
I pointed my index finger at her, subtly shooting out an Aura thread (hidden with Aura Concealment(隱)) to her jaw.
"This battle was already over, and its victor was chosen."
What a statement from Magenta! Is he that confident in his capabilities!?
I saw Carmine frown at my words, as she pulled her estoc back and prepared herself.
"Then I guess you better be trying your best to stay as the victor!" She shouted.
"No. Not really~, it doesn't take that much effort."
Let's see if the match really will go as Magenta predicted! The match will start in….. 3!
I saw her crouching down, putting more force in her back leg, ready to lunge.
2!
I crouched down as well, attaching my 「Sticky Fingers」 to a spot in the floor 10 metres west from me.
1!
Fight!
She quickly lunged forward, pushing her estoc out to stab me.
She was fast, really fast. And she was no doubt relying on her speed to attack the moment the match started, to catch me off guard and get at least one direct hit.
And it did catch me off guard, I didn't know she was going to travel that much distance in less than a second.
And thank god I made preparations before this fight started: the amount of Aura enveloping her blade was absurd.
I quickly contracted the 「Sticky Fingers」 on my back feet, and lunged to my left. The contraction assisted my dodge, and the estoc barely missed. I could feel the wind pressure on my cheek, made from the jab of the blade.
A quickly delivered a quick jab to her side, which she just took, before countering with another jab from her estoc. Enveloped my arms with 「Sticky Fingers」, and brought them up to guard myself against the lightning-quick jab.
MAGENTA HAS BEEN HIT! PERHAPS HE BECAME TOO CONFIDENT!
Carmine smirked at the hit, even if it was guarded. But she faltered when she saw me smile.
The estoc was now coated with 「Sticky Fingers」, with the Aura strand that connected her jaw to my index finger now transferred to the blade.
If I do this right, the fight will end in the next minute.
I subtly pulled out a steel ball, making sure that she didn't see what I did.
Man, Palm techniques are the must needed base for all competent magicians.
I jumped back and brought Matador Carnage up as a makeshift shield.
Carmine simply pulled out a magazine and loaded it into her estoc.
"I don't know what you're planning, but this is going to end the match." She stated.
"I agree, but not in the way you expect~," I replied.
I saw her frown, and the blade started to spark with electricity.
PACHICHICHICHICHICHI!
So it was lightning dust.
The electricity started to jump from her blade to her legs, and then her arms. She was crouching herself, and like that she was gone in a flash.
She didn't charge straight in though, she appeared behind me.
Where I was vulnerable.
But it didn't matter where she was since my Aura was already placed.
AND LIKE THAT, CARMINE IS GOING IN FOR THE KILL! IS IT THE END FOR OUR CHAMPION!?
「STICKY FINGERS」!
BAKIII!
WHAT'S THIS!? CARMINE'S ESTOC HAS BETRAYED HER! NO DOUBT MAGENTA HAS PULLED SOME STRINGS!
Her estoc twisted in her hand before it could land on me, her arm twisted along with her estoc, and the blade landed on her chin with the same force she used to jab at me.
PACHIRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!
The electricity she charged her blade with backfired, going right through her head, a considerable amount of her Aura was expended in negating the damage.
The shock (of both sources) caused her to become disorientated. She was vulnerable
But her course of flight remained unchanged: she was still heading for me.
I jumped into the air, spinning in the atmosphere filled with shock and awe. I twirled the giant curved blade around my body, turning into a small cyclone of crescent blades.
And she was too shocked to even a guard. She could do nothing but feel the pain of the dance of a thousand twirling blades
But the time she landed in the ground, a crater forming under her due to the crushing final blow of Matador Carnage, her Aura was completely depleted. All we could hear from her were coughs and groans.
[You have defeated Carmine Fandango!]
[You have gained 20,500 Exp!]
[You have gained (1) level!]
MY GOODNESS, A COMEBACK IN LESS THAN A SECOND! DID MAGENTA PLAN ALL OF THIS FROM THE START, OR WAS LADY VICTORY SIMPLY ON HIS SIDE!? NEVERTHELESS, THE WINNER IS OUR CHAMPION: MAGENTAAAA VAAAALEEENIIIIINE!
The crowd roared into cheers at the match. I simply looked to the crowd and bowed.
"Word of advice," I turned to the slumped figure in the crater. "You need to be more aware of what's around you."
And with that, I walked out of the arena, spreading cards around the floor as I left.
Goal Cleared!
Objective: Win the Vale regional tournament!
Reward: 67,000 Exp, +500 Fame, Evolution of Title: [Vale Regional Champion]
You have gained 67,000 Exp!
You have gained (2) levels!
You have gained +500 Fame! People have seen your performance and skill in maintaining yourself as the champion! Now people in Atlas and Mistral have started to hear about your achievement!
Your Title: [Vale Regional Champion] has evolved!
Title: [The Vale regional 2-year champion]
It felt great, to be quite honest.
Not just the fame, but the fact that I was the strongest 15-year-old in Vale.
But I was overconfident. I was too enraptured by such fights.
I didn't realize that while I was fighting away for being the top of vale for 4 years,
Evil started to dig its root on Remnant.
Growing, so that its roots may destroy not just Remnant,
But also the harmony of the multiverse maintained by Ahura Mazda.
Chapter 8: 「Tranquil」 times, 「Spreading」 Rots
"You….. you want us to do what now?" I asked.
We were in an expensive restaurant in Vale, and plates of lavish food were encircling the table.
People were looking over to our table, whispering to each other. Some were even taking out their scrolls to take a picture.
But the offer this man in front of us gave made us ignore the enticing smell of sauce and meat, as well as the attention we brought to ourselves.
"We want you three to star as a mascot for 3 new Pumpkin Pete's brand."
Vegas raised his hand.
"Yes?" The cleanly dressed businessman asked.
"I-I get that why Magenta would get that offer… b-but, why us? Why me and Heat?" Vegas asked as he looked to Heat.
Heat nodded in agreement, wanting to hear the answer as well.
"Well, it's because you three are famous for your dynamic." The businessman answered.
"Excuse me? Could you please specify?" Heat asked this time. He was confused by what the businessman stated.
The businessman smiled.
"Not only are you guys famous for being 4 to 3 years semifinalists, but you guys have become quite famous in Vale for your achievements of clearing out the Grimm, and for the teamwork you all display. They have even started to call you 3 'The Casino Crew'."
"So you're saying that we got famous for being a team?" Vegas asked.
"Yes. And that created quite the synergy to all 3 of your fame."
"...I see….." Heat simply stated, putting his thumb and index finger on his chin, contemplating.
"I have a question," I asked.
"Fire away."
"Why didn't Bale Sprite get any offers like this? He was the 2 years Vale regional champion as well."
"Well, that's because of the difference in the two of you, to put it lightly."
"I don't understand."
The businessman sighed.
"How do I put this…. Of course, Bale Sprite has also garnered his fair share of fame. He was skilled, and he showed that in the tournament. However, his skill was straightforward. It was that of a highly-skilled fighter, yes. But, it's human nature to see something fresh. Something original. Of course, some people would argue otherwise. And depending on the result, they may be right. But in this case, it turned out that people were drawn to something fresh. You're fighting style was something that people rarely saw in public. Your semblance, your fighting style, they don't know what to expect. It's like a magician's show, flamboyant on the outside, riddled with secrets on the inside. That's why they call you the Magenta Magician. You brought something new to the table, and people ate that up without hesitation. Combine that with your actual skills surpassing Bale, you just garnered fame like a celebrity. Well, I guess you are one now."
"... I see."
The businessman took his glasses off and started to clean them with a handkerchief.
"We also have 3 products ready. Here," The businessman pulled out a scroll and handed it over to us.
3 boxes were displayed on the screen.
Pumpkin Pete: Strawberry Blush, with a magenta coloured box. Guess this was mine.
Pumpkin Pete: Citrus Crush, which had oranges, lemons and mandarins in them. The box had a golden hue to it, and this was no doubt Vegas's.
Pumpkin Pete: Cranberry Rush, a crimson box with Cranberries lining the side. Crimson hue coating the box. This was Heat's.
"Damn….. Look at those boxes!" Vegas remarked.
"And we're gonna be in them…." Heat followed.
"I take it you 3 like the design?"
"YEAH!" Heat and Vegas shouted in unison.
"Could we get some samples to test out?" I asked instead.
"Wait, why would... Oh yeah, that makes sense." Heat was the first to understand my request.
"Hm?... Oooh, it won't sell well if it tastes bad, and then it'll just be an embarrassment….." Vegas found out my intention soon after.
"Of course, I thought you might ask that, so I brought the samples as well. But before that, let's eat what's in front of us first, shall we?"
We didn't complain, and we dug in soon after.
Suffice to say, the cereals tasted nice. Not the greatest, but it was enough to make a considerable profit without us on the front of the box.
I didn't expect that they'd sell out so fast when we did put our faces on it.
"Your face is on Pumpkin Pete's! I can't believe it! You're famous now! Ooooooh, I can't wait to tell my friends about this!" Ruby was running around the room with the Strawberry Blush box.
Ruby was also a Signal student, passing last year's entrance test (which was being pitted against other participants, instead of Grimm). She managed to pass, but only barely. This shocked Ruby, and that was understandable. Not only did Yang manage to pass with a solid undisputable rank, but Heat got in as 3rd place and Vegas and I also got first place in my entrance test. She was the only one between us
She made it her mission to nag Uncle Qrow to train her, which he finally relented.
Apparently, Magenta Carnage became an inspiration for her Crescent Rose's appearance, with the function and the base being Harbinger, Uncle Qrow's scythe.
Huh, never thought I'd be inspiring the main character's weapon.
…..
Damn, I feel happy, actually.
"Well, I need to go and get a new pack of cards. The one I'm using is getting bent, and the edges are splitting. Vegas and Heat also asked to buy some chips and soda for the Boys Sleepover night we have on tonight. You guys need anything in the city?"
"Ooooh, oooh, I need some more parts to finish up Crescent Rose! I'll come with you!" Ruby shouted, placing the cereal box back down on the table and running up to me, ready to go out the door.
"I don't need anything, so you two have fun on your date~," Yang replied with a grin, winking at Ruby.
"Yang! It's not a date! We're just going out to buy things." Ruby retorted.
"That sounds like a date to me, sis." Yang simply answered, putting her hands behind the back of her head and slumping further into the couch.
"You know how she is, Ruby. Just ignore her when she teases you." I said to Ruby, giving reassuring pats on her shoulder.
"You're not helping."
"Am I not?"
"Haaauuugh… Let's just go…" That's all she said, before walking out the door.
Jesus Christ, the consequences of my decision.
The cards I liked to use was nearly sold out, barely staying on the shelf thanks to the clerk refilling it.
Once people found out what cards I kept using, it brought on a Red Staple effect. People started buying the 2Ⱡ playing card like it was a shard of a sacred relic.
I managed to buy two packs of cards, and 2 1.5L 'People Like Grapes' soda bottles and 3 150g barbeque potato chip packets at the Patch City Mall. After that, we went on our way to the weapons shop.
Luckily, people didn't outright bother me as I walked with Ruby, but I did see some people look at me, whispering and pointing.
One kid even outright shouted out my name. I simply turned to smile and wave.
"...Sorry about this, Ruby…." I apologized to Ruby, who had to deal with this when she didn't have to.
"It's fine, they're not bothering us, anyway!" She replied cheerfully. She started to break into a sprint when she saw the weapon shop.
"Come on, Magenta! The shop's right over there!"
"RUBY, LOOK OUT!"
She ran across the road without even looking.
She turned to see a fucking Panda Trueno speeding towards her.
And she just froze like a deer in a headlight.
I quickly shot out a thread of my Aura onto her back and willed it to contract as fast as possible.
「Sticky Fingers」!
She was immediately pulled backwards, the cord of elastic Aura flinging her into my arms.
SKKKKKKRRRRRRRRRRRRRRT!
The Panda Trueno did an excellent Kansei drift before stopping, the driver got out of the car in bewilderment and fear.
"We're fine!" I shouted out to the driver, who looked and sighed a breath of relief when he saw that the short black-haired girl safely secured in my arms.
"For god's sake, Ruby! I know you're excited about your weapons, but you nearly died like an idiot for it! Look both ways, Uncle Tai kept telling you this!"
Her face remained blank and neutral, before tearing up.
"... I'm sorry…" That was all she could muster out of her voice. She was scared, even if she was safe now. "...I'm sorry…"
"...Look, just remember to look both ways before you cross any more streets. Ok?" I tried my best to calm her down, reassure her that she was safe.
This shit scared me just as much as she did.
She had Aura, sure, but it wasn't enough to withstand a goddamn speeding Panda Trueno.
Her legs breaking would've been the best-case scenario
And I didn't want to think of the worst-case.
I just kept Ruby snug in my arms for quite some time. Ruby decided to turn around and bury her head into my chest, trying her best to not cry.
She failed.
/-/
We managed to cross the road, safely this time. Ruby held onto my hand and refused to let go. She was still scared, judging by her nose, eyes, and cheeks still being red.
And I told her to stick close to me.
Her initial excitement slowly returned once she got inside the shop.
Motor, pistons, and other pieces of machinery lined up the shop, all vital for weapons.
"Oooh, oooh, oh! Magenta, look!" She pointed to a few of the parts encased inside glass shelves. There were hydraulic pistons and collection of gears. Not to mention metal frames and plates.
"There's too many of them, I don't know what to choose!" She put her hands under her chin, bending over the shelves to look more closely at the weapon parts.
I decided to use the 'Observe' mantra to see what was indeed the best part.
"So, which parts do you need again?" I asked.
"Oh, I need the gears and motors for the frames on the scythe part, as well as the pistons for the handle!"
I quickly looked around the room. There were a few good ones, but I managed to pick out the best ones in the shop.
Hydraulic Piston
Rank: A
+45% Extension speed
Rotational motor
Rank: A+
+50% Rotating speed
Scythe Frame
Rank: A+
+50% Durability
"Here, these should do it." I handed over the parts to Ruby, who widened her eyes at the prices stickers on them.
"Magenta, I can't afford these, I don't have enough!" Ruby said with owlish eyes. She was starting to put them back.
"But I can. I'll pay for it. Come on." I walked up to the counter and pointed to the parts in Ruby's arms.
"I'd like to buy those parts, please."
The clerk, an old man with a beard and golden tint in his grey slicked back hair, just chuckled and calculated the price.
"Magenta!" Ruby shouted in embarrassment.
"You'll need those parts, Ruby. Signal and Beacon aren't going to be as easy as you think."
"But…."
"Don't worry. You can pay me back by doing your best. Make me proud with Crescent Rose."
"That will be 5,67Ⱡ."
"Magenta, that's too much for me! I can't take it!" Ruby was still objecting to me paying for her parts, which only strengthened once she heard the price.
"Not much for me. Besides, you really will need this." I answered her back, trying to reassure her as I handed over the Lien cards
The man chuckled as she looked over to Ruby.
"That's quite the dedication for your girlfriend, lad. You don't see that very often from kids like you."
Ruby's cheeks darkened at the clerk's word.
"W-we're not dating!"
"She's a childhood friend."
"Sure, sure. That's why they all say. One moment, they're just childhood friends, then the very next moment they're found kissing each other."
"... Are you related to Vegas by any chance?"
"Yeah, I'm your friend's grandfather."
"... Thank you for the parts, Mr Dandelion."
Jesus Christ, what a coincidence.
"You're welcome, Magenta. I hope you stay close with little Vegas for a long long time."
"... I'll make sure that I do, sir…."
I walked out of the shop, taking the blushing and bumbling Ruby with me.
"A-a-are you really sure that y-you're okay with g-giving me t-these?" She was stammering her words out while she motioned to the parts in her arms.
"Like I said, Ruby. I'm confident to say that I'm ok giving you those parts. Besides, I got a lot of money from sponsorships and whatnot, and I don't know where to use them. I'm only 15.
"I'm going to cherish them forever." Ruby whispered to herself as she brought the parts closer in her arms.
I simply smiled at her as we returned home.
/-/
"Ruby, why are you just hugging those parts?" Yang asked her sister.
Ruby had simply put the incomplete Crescent Rose in front of her, and just huddling the parts that Magenta bought for the past 15 minutes.
"Oh, Oh! No reason, I.. I just wanted to….. Feel the parts before it went into Crescent Rose! Yeah!" Ruby stammered out a response, thinking at the top of her head for an excuse.
Yang simply smirked at her sister.
"Oh, so you wanted to feel the parts that Magenta got for you, huh? Is it that special for you?"
"Y-yeah! Of course! It's from a friend!"
"And not because it's specifically from Magenta?"
"W-what!? No! Just get out!"
Pomf!
A pillow landed on Yang's face as Ruby rushed to close the door.
"Jesus Christ, Magenta! I SAID HEAL!" Heat was shouting at me for my lack of skills in Grimm Hunter World. The potato chips and soda bottles were lined up on the walls of Vegas's room.
"I'm trying, the fucking Beowolves this piece of shit called out is fucking with my drinking animation!"
"Stop fucking complaining and just fucking kill them already!"
"It takes too much time and effort!"
"MOTHERFUCKER, IT'S TAKING YOU 4 MINUTES TO FUCKING DRINK AROUND THOSE BEOWOLVES! JUST FUCKING KILL THEM AND DRINK!"
I was definitely carrying my team. No complaints about it.
"So Heat," Vegas asked beside him. "How's your ankle?"
"It's fine, why?"
"Oh, I thought it'd hurt because Magenta's fucking dragging us down by it."
"I don't know what you're talking about. I'm definitely doing my part." I answered flatly, trying my best to hide the frustration in my voice.
"I didn't know deadweight was a crucial role in this game."
"You did not just call me that."
"It was a genuine question, it's your fault for associating it with yourself."
"Fuck you, I know you're fucking insinuating it."
"I don't know about that one chief. Heat, what's your opinion on this?"
"It's a genuine question. No hint of insinuations or any insulting undertone there."
"... You guys are just out to fuck with me."
"That's just your hunch." They both said in unison, focusing back on the game.
Yeah, I was definitely carrying the team.
/-/
"Wait, your sister's in Shade Academy?" Heat asked Vegas. This was the first time we heard more about Vegas's older sister from our Vegas himself.
"Yeah, she got in early. So she's already 3rd year."
"...Damn, your sister must be the family favourite, huh?"
"Eh, she never managed to get into the semifinals for the Vale regional tournament though, so we both get equal love for different reasons."
"... There shouldn't be a reason for parents to give equal love for their children…" I was perplexed by Vegas's statement, which Heat and Vegas laughed at in response.
"We're just fucking around."
"Guess Magenta's never experienced it, since he's an only child."
"Oh yeah, Magenta really is the only child between us three."
"... Huh, I really am."
"Yo, speaking of which. Heat, how's your brother?"
"Hunting Grimms and married too early. I'm gonna be an uncle at age goddamn 16."
"Yo," Vegas and I both said. "Congrats."
"Oh, thanks. I'll tell Magma that you guys said your baby wishes."
"Oh, well that," We continued, synchronised just to fuck with Heat. "And the fact that you're gonna be an old man at the age of 16."
"... Fuck both of you."
"Hehehe~ Have fun cleaning up after the baby when you go to babysit him."
"Oh fuck you, I'm taking Heat jr to your house to have him fuck up your room, Magenta."
"...Jesus Christ, you named your brother's kid after yourself?" Vegas deadpanned.
"Narcissist."
"Hey, fuck you. I didn't name my nephew after myself. My brother did."
"...Wait, so your nephew's name is actually-"
"... Heat jr. Yes."
"... Are you really that close with your brother, or is his sheer determination to fuck with transcends even fatherly love and responsibility?"
"... We didn't have a father, so it was my brother taking care of me most of the time. He's…. Haaauugh…. He's… he's got some brotherly love to give. A lot."
Vegas and I looked at each other, but before we could say anything Heat interrupted.
"No, he's not that obsessive kind, he's just overprotective."
"... How overprotective?" Vegas asked.
"Well, one time when I got into a fight with a kid in a playground….. And lost, my brother got the word of it and started training me at the age of 9 so that I won't lose again."
"Aah, so the substitute father type," I replied.
"Yeah, exactly. Your father was the same, wasn't he?"
"Yep. He… he was a lot more sadistic when he trained me, though."
"But hey, guess it was tough love when you managed to get to learn the 「Spin」, and how to control your Aura at an advanced level," Vegas said with a grin, patting my back.
"..."
"...Right?" Vegas asked. I felt Vegas's hands grip the back of my shirt.
"..."
"... My fucking god, he knew how to do it beforehand." Heat was the one who finally stated the silence. Vegas's hands left the back of my shirt, and instead reached for my collar.
"YOU BASTARD, I THOUGHT THAT SHIT WAS TAUGHT BY YOUR FATHER! JUST HOW MANY TALENTS DO YOU HAVE!? WHO'S DICK DID YOU HAVE TO SUCK TO GET THIS MUCH POWER!? WAS IT BROTHER LIGHT!? WAS IT THE FIRST TREE!? WAS IT THE GREAT SAND IN THE CENTER OF VACUO!? TELL ME!" The revelation seems to have been the straw that broke the camel's back.
Vegas rarely got angry. But when it rains, it pours.
"YOU TELL HIM VEGAS! SHAKE HIM HARDER!" Heat was agitated as well. But then again, he was agitated 14 hours every day.
/-/
"... So," I continued. "In order to start the advance Aura control like mine, you need to learn how to increase and decrease the amount of Aura on your body."
"... Wait, so it's not just turning it on and off?" Heat asked, both Vegas and him sitting together in front of me and trying to learn the Aura control better. This was the first time for Heat, while Vegas heard and understood the concept when we first met in the entrance test.
He didn't get very far, though.
"Nah, it's not a switch. Don't think of it like that, think of it as a dial."
"...A dial.."
"Yeah, you need to learn how to control your Aura fluidly. It needs to be like your 6th limb."
Heat silently looked to the floor, then up to me.
"... Don't you mean 7th?"
"What? No. It's 6th, you know: 2 arms, 2 legs, head, and Aura.
"No, then it's 7th."
"... I don't get what you mean."
"We already have 6 limbs: 2 arms, 2 legs, a head, and a dick."
Silence invaded the room.
"... Heat," I finally mustered. "A dick isn't a limb."
"...? Of course, it is. A dick is a limb."
"No, a dick is not a limb, Heat."
"Why not? It has blood vessels and nerves, as well as muscles."
"It doesn't have bones, the arms, legs, and head still exist when you're a skeleton. Not your dick."
"But a phrase related to your dick is called boning, so it still has relations to bones."
"That's just a phrase. It doesn't matter since it doesn't have any bones."
"And octopus legs have no bones, but they're still considered limbs of an octopus. In fact, we can still move our dick with our mind, so it's a limb."
"First off, we are not octopi. And second off, our control over our dick is limited. It's not that fluid to be called a limb."
"Guys," Vegas interrupted. "Can't we just search this on the scroll."
"Hell no."
"Don't ask a stupid question, Vegas."
"Wait, why not?"
We both turned to Vegas.
"Listen here, Vegas," Heat said. "This shit is not something you want to be left on your scroll search history."
"Whether it's vulgar or not, having people find out you searched for this question is going make them look at you funny," I added. "Even if they don't say anything about it outright, they're view on you will now have associations with those weird questions. It's not worth it."
"Exactly," Heat agreed. "You don't want this shit stuck on your scroll for all the world to see. It's embarrassing, and it's going to give people the chance to pick on you for it."
"We can only trust ourselves in this argument now."
"Ok, ok. I get it." Vegas relented.
We argued about this topic until 2 am.
We started at 10.
ALRIGHT, PEOPLE, THIS IS THE MOMENT YOU HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR: THE ONE, THE ONLY, THE FINAAAAALS OF THE VALE REGIONAL TOURNAMENT! THIS SHALL DECIDE THIS YEAR'S CHAMPIIIIIIOOOOOOON!
On the right, we have Vegas Dandelion! Part of the famous 'Casino Crew'! A close friend of our 2-year consecutive champion Magenta Valentine and 2-year semifinalist Heat Corona, he's just as deadly as his friends with his unique applications of coins!
And on our left, we have our current 2-year consecutive champion of the Vale regional tournament! Our Magenta Magician, riddled with secrets and surprises, his performance makes it clear that he's not gonna go easy on his friend: on the contrary, he looks like he's itching to get an excuse to fight his friend without restraint! Give it up for our Magical Matador, MAGENTAAAAAAA VALENTIIIIINE!
"Magenta! CLAP CLAP CALP! Magician! CLAP CLAP! Magenta! CLAP CLAP CLAP! Magician! CLAP CLAP! Magenta! CLAP CLAP CLAP! Magician!"
"Jesus Christ, you got your own chanting now."
"I know, I still can't believe they're calling me the Magenta Magician."
"Well…. Let's give them a show they won't forget, shall we?"
"That we shall, my friend."
"GO! GO! GOLDEN GAMBLER! THE ELDORADO OF THE DANDELION LAS VEGAS!"
We both faltered out of our stances as we looked to see the other half of the crowd chanting for Vegas.
"... Dude, I have my own chant now…"
"Congrats, now you're called the Golden Gambler."
"... We're both being called something from Vacuoan culture….."
"... Are either of us from Vacuo?"
"Nah fam, I'm from Atlas."
"Oh shit, I'm from Atlas and Mistral."
"... Wait, I knew you were from Mistral cuz of your dad, but you were from Atlas as well?"
"Yeah, my mom's from Atlas."
"... Oh shit, Mrs Valentine? Judging by the way she acts, I thought she was from Vale or Mistral as well."
"I heard that a lot."
Looks like the two are striking a conversation like they're on a Boys Night Out! What friendship! Let's see if it still persists once the match starts in…. 3!
"Hey," Vegas suddenly started as we both went back our fighting stances. "The announcer reminded me, you wanna go for a Boys Night Out after this?"
2!
"Yeah, def."
1!
"Oh," I remarked. "Maybe we should invite Ruby and Yang as well."
"I see what you're trying to do~."
"... You know I actually do have an excuse to hit you now, right?"
Fight!
/-/
"Fuck, that hurts!" Vegas remarked, rubbing his jaw. "Did you really have to kick me that hard?"
"Hey, you nearly broke my arm. You can't give me shit for that."
"I didn't know you turned off the Aura on your left arm!"
"Now, now ladies." Yang interrupted. "Now's not the time to fight again, it's time….. To-"
"-HAVE SOME FUN!" Ruby shouted out, jumping in joy.
"They're right, you know." Heat added. "It's time for some celebration, not another argument."
"..." Vegas and I turned to each other, and we both shrugged our shoulders.
"Guess so."
"Agreed."
"Well, then, let's celebrate our finalist and our 3-year Vale regional Champion!" Yang announced.
"But seriously, that entire fight is gonna be famous on the internet now."
"Huh? Really?" Vegas asked.
"Yeah. I mean, normally, a fight goes on about 5 minutes average, and 7 minutes max. Your fight went on for 11 minutes, and I saw everyone stay at the edge of their seat with every move you guys made."
Huh, I did get an additional +300 fame with my +500. Maybe that was why.
Pomf!
"Oh no, I'm so sorry, sir!"
We all turned our heads to the commotion.
We saw that Ruby, in her excitement, had accidentally walked into another pedestrian on the streets.
The man's black coat (which highly resembled those that priests wore), had been tainted with an orange sludge, an empty plastic cup in his hands suggested that Ruby walked into it and spilled it on him.
Ruby was really panicking, whipping her head around to see if there's anything to wipe the spilt drink off.
The man, pale white skin with dark lips and black circles around his eyes, making it look like his eyes didn't fit in the eye sockets, which only made him more unnerving since he looked like his was only in his 20s, simply smiled and waved his hand. He had a very wide-brimmed hat on, the width was nearly reaching his shoulders.
"It's fine, it's fine, young lady. Accidents happen." He said in a calm, soothing and reassuring voice. He whipped a handkerchief out from his pocket and calmly wiped the stain off his black buttoned-up coat.
"I-I'm really sorry, sir! I don't know how to make it up for you!"
"No need, miss. Just, be careful and be aware of your surroundings this time. Oh! Actually, I just remembered. Do you know where the Stellar Seas Cafe is? I'm new to this place, so I'm not too sure where these shops exactly are."
"Yeah, it's actually close from here," I answered. "It's just around the corner, you just have to go straight from here, cross the road, and turn right."
The man turned his head to me, and the moment his eyes met mine, a shiver went down my spine.
He just stared at me, as if his eyes wore drilling into my very mind.
His expression didn't change, but I could tell that the atmosphere around him was gradually getting heavy.
Then the atmosphere lifted itself when he smiled.
"Thank you, young man. I hope you all have a good day."
"You too, sir."
"Merci, beaucoup."
The man took one more look at me before leaving.
"...Mersy bowcoop?" Ruby muttered.
"That's… a phrase I never heard of." Vegas remarked.
"Agreed."
"...Well," Yang concluded. "That was a creepy guy."
"Yang…" Heat deadpanned. "A Rose-Xiao long family already disrespected him by spilling his drink, he doesn't need another one of you to disrespect him behind his back."
"... Yeah, you're right. Sorry."
"I'm not the one you should be apologizing to."
The shop was bustling, crowded.
"... Finally, there you are, Cioccolata."
"Sorry for being late, Mr Durian. I'm not familiar with this island, so I got lost."
"And how did you get that stain on your coat?"
"A young lady walked into me, and unfortunately crashed into my cup."
"Shit, talk about unfortunate."
"Not that unfortunate, though. It seems that 「Good」 Karma, and 「Bad」 Karma, both decided to accompany me today."
"Oh? How so?"
"I found the youth we were sent to look for, by the 「Boss」."
"... What did he look like?"
"Pink hair, headband, quite fair skin. Oh, and one more defining note."
"Tell me."
[Jojo's Bizarre Adventure Golden Wind Ost - Tension]
"He is indeed a wielder of the 「Akashic Record」. I saw the programmed 「Codes」 through the Vajra-Eye technique you taught me."
"...!"
The man, who's name was Mr Durian, immediately sat up straight from his chair.
"So he is a celestial."
"I'm afraid not right now, Mr Durian. He hasn't unlocked the ability to use 「Vajra」 yet."
"That doesn't matter, so long as one is connected to the 「Akashic Record」, their potential to ascend to Aeonhood will remain intact."
"... So 「Boss」 is right to remain wary of this youth?"
"... Yeah, we've got a reason to actually start being scared now…"
"How so? We have demons and gods on our side. Much much stronger than him too."
"... Listen up, Cioccolata. You're only human right now, so you might not understand this, but I'm only going to tell you this 「once」. He isn't just an 「Akashic Record」 user. He wasn't gifted such program by some half-assed 「god」 like those two shitheaded brothers that are in charge of Remnant. He had his personally gifted by the top god himself."
"... Top… God?"
"「Ahura Mazda」. That means something."
"... Are… are you allowed to speak of such things out here in the public?"
"... Don't worry about that, Cioccolata. None of the people in this cafe is human. Except you."
"...!"
Cioccolata saw the customers in the little shop freeze. Their small chatters, warm conversations, even the clinking of cups and scraping of forks and knifes stopped.
It was as if they were in a show, and the pause button was pressed.
"... These guys are all 「Yaksas」, probably sent by 「Atavaka」 to try and catch us."
"..!"
Celestials, Nature spirits to be exact.
Under the teaching of Buddha, they were benevolent protectors of the people and the ideals of the religion they follow.
Left alone, and they descended to demonhood like the Rakshasas. Feeding on human flesh and ravaging the mountains that they call their home.
Fierce
Deadly
And surrounding them.
"...What should we do?"
"... Kill them, what else could we do?"
As soon as the words left Mr Durian's mouth, the entire people in the cafe started to change.
Their fleshes distorted and their limbs elongated, the air around them started to bend and twist, before hiding them in the haze they created.
And out appeared humanoid abominations, horns sprouting out of their heads and metal plates growing out of their obsidian body like armour. Blades were drilled and nailed into their arms and hands.
And all of them charged straight into the table of the 2.
And yet Mr Durain simply remained in his seat.
"Wow, that movie was intense!" Ruby exclaimed as she walked out of the theatre.
"The main baddy was like, sitting on a chair in that steak house restaurant, and all of the people there were huntsman trying to catch him, but when they all jumped at him he was just sitting there, and then BWAH! HA! HA! WATAH!" Ruby started to imitate the main antagonist, making karate noises as she whipped her hands around.
"Not to mention the mind-game that guy played, too. It was like watching Magenta's fight on a bigger scale." Added in Vegas.
"I liked the right-hand guy to the antagonist, though," I remarked.
"You mean that psycho? I thought you'd like the main antagonist himself." Yang asked.
"Eh, the righthand man had more emotions." I simply stated, shrugging my shoulders.
I didn't know what was happening in Remnant back then.
And honestly, I don't know whether I should regret being ignorant back then, or miss those peaceful times of ignorant bless.
Because the knowledge started to haunt me the moment I found them.
[JoJo's Bizarre Adventure Golden Wind OST - Capo]
The entire shop was splattered with black blood. Cyan wisps of light were rising out from the corpses around them.
Mr Durian had a top half of a Yaksa's head in his hand, gripping it by the mouth.
"Wow….. beautiful." That's all Cioccolata could muster at the scene Mr Durian painted.
And he remained in his seat the entire time.
Mr Durian quickly threw the head back into the mass of corpses and pulled out a scroll.
Torurrururuurruru…
Torururururururu…
Click!
…. Durian, is this you?
"Yes, 「Boss」. We made progress, but it seems we have a problem."
…. Speak.
"We managed to find the kid, and you were right. He did have the 「Akashic Record」, just like us."
…. I see. That is indeed the result I wanted to hear.
"... And…. 「Atavaka」 found us. He knows which world we are hiding in now."
I presume he sent his fellow 「Yaksas」 to target you, under the orders of 「Vaisravana」.
"... Yes, sir."
…. No matter, it won't be a problem any longer.
"Does that mean you have succeeded, sir?"
Yes, I had a very 'pleasant' 'chat' with Madame Salem. She has agreed to our deal, and you two will now be working with her subordinates. I hope you two are ok with that.
"... I trust your decision enough to follow you, sir."
That is fortunate. Take Cioccolata with you, and go to Vale. I'll send you the address to where you two will meet her subordinate. Her name is 'Cinder Fall', and you will be working with another associate named 'Roman Torchwick'. You will help them in their plans, and we will get what is lurking beneath the city.
"... Sir, apologises for speaking out of line, but what would we do if they become… uncooperative?"
….. Whether they agitate you with words or foolishly overconfident display of power, give them the 3 「chances」. You remember the 3 「chances」, correct?
"... First their legs, then their arms, then their head…."
Good, you do remember it. Killing is inefficient, but an uncooperative load may pose a bigger threat than those that directly oppose us. Show them that simply lounging around is not an option when they work with us. Show them who has the real 「Power」.
"... Won't Madame Salem disagree with this?"
She doesn't have a choice, just like how she didn't when we made the deal.
"... Understood, sir. Enjoy your evening, 「Boss」."
I'll pray that your side of the mission goes without a problem, Durian.
"... We got new orders, Cioccolata. We're going to Vale, and we're going to be working with a girl named Cinder. If she starts shrieking at you to threaten and intimidate you, you're free to do as you please."
"... Understood, sir."
The shop then became silent, empty.
Shit, sorry for the late.
Got busy.
Just so you know, like JNPR's figures all being those that crossdressed or RWBY being fairy tales, the whole DMND team will be an allusion to deities and other spirits that are considered malevolent in texts.
First off we have Magenta Valentine, an allusion to Loki. The oh-so-famous cause of Ragnarok and is the god of mischief
Vegas Dandelion is Clauneck, the demon of wealth.
N and the other D will be revealed when they are introduced.
Heat, on the other hand, is an allusion to Cernunnos, the Celtic wild god.
Next chapter is probably going to be the finale for Signal Arc, and I'll try my best to make it interesting.
Speaking of which, I'd really like to hear what you think about our new characters that were introduced this chapter, along with few new informations!
Because I feed off of responses and feedback, that's why.
Thank you!