"The Art of Elements"
[ ]-Action {}-Explanation ( )-Character in Thought "Italic"-Time Lapse
Age: 14+ By Rajin and Clutch
Quick Letter To All
One of the letters that were sent to a possible participant in a country directly between China and the United States.
"Hello, I am very happy to say you have been recommended to join the Suit, Masked Musketeers. As you know, we are one of the groups who are participating in the Suit tournament, Art of Elements under the Nejon Federation. For this, I can't tell you how excited we are to train and develop you for the upcoming tournament.
If you are wondering how and when you should be arriving, we provided a list of instructions on a separate document in the letter. Aside from that, we'll be awaiting your arrival in the Nejon Federation. Make sure you have a safe trip!
By Suit Master of the Masked Musketeers,
Henso Ju-hei
Chapter 1 "Off To The Nejon Federation"
It was the middle of March and the Spring season was in full effect. We open in the east of Kanagawa prefecture in Japan, a bustling large capital everyone knows as Yokohama. It was a beautiful day with the skies clear and a light breeze flowing through the air of Yokohama's port. There stood a short young woman, her name was Misao. With pale skin, a dark green mom's braid that reached her waist and bright teal eyes; she wore a retro outfit of a black puffer coat over a white long sleeve shirt, a green skirt with high socks and black flats; her waist was also tied together with a black ribbon and a small white rose hair clip on the left side of her hair. Misao had with her a few traveling bags sitting beside her. As she looked up towards a massive cargo boat holding many people on it, she felt intimidated but held a serious look. Coming up behind her was her Uncle Genichiro. An average middle-aged man with light skin, short moss-green hair and light blue eyes. He wore a brown full body trench coat, blue jeans, and black shoes.
Genichiro: [Exhales] There she is. The boat that will bring you closer to your goal.
Misao: [Determined] (That's it, the ship that will help me.)
Misao and Genichiro started to walk towards the boat with the bags in hand. As they drew near, Misao noticed there were many workers carrying cargo in and out of the ship as well as unordinary people walking onto the ship's deck.
Genichiro: Take a good look, Misao. Anyone of those participants can be a contender for the tournament.
Misao: [Surprised] They even allow brutes like those guys to join?
Genichiro: Of course. Anyone has a chance to be apart of a Suit as long as they follow the requirements each one placed.
Misao: [Skeptical] But didn't you say they needed to be between the ages 17-24? They look way older than that, borderline monsters.
Genichiro: "Never judge a book by its cover." Now, come on. You're already on your way to greater heights.
As they walked around, Genichiro spotted a tall woman wearing a silk black and white servant suit with refined sharp edges and not a single wrinkle in sight. Her hair was a long, black and smooth Hime cut that reached the middle of her back.
Genichiro: [Approaches the woman] Quinn. It is so good to see you again.
In that instance, the woman turned around and revealed that she was wearing a happy white theatrical mask. Misao was instantly surprised as the woman replied with "Genichiro?". Genichiro gave a slight smile as Misao stood stunned by the fact that this woman was wearing a mask comfortably in broad daylight.
Quinn: Finally, you are here. I was almost afraid that you weren't going to make it in time. [Looks at Misao] And you must be Misao. It's a pleasure to meet you.
Misao: [Still stunned that she was talking to a woman in a mask] Uh, likewise.
Quinn: Well with you being here let's skip introductions for now. I'm sure you both had a very long outing to Yokohama from Ine Town.
Genichiro: It wasn't that bad. Only 8 hours of driving hasn't killed anybody yet.
Quinn: Anyway Misao, come with me. I will show you to your room on the ship. [Calls out to another worker] Taki!
Taki: [He comes running over] Yes, Quinn.
Quinn: Could you finish up on inventory inspection? I have to show this new recruit where her room is.
Taki: No problem.
Quinn: Great.
Genichiro: Misao, remember this is going to be an interesting experience that will also help you learn more about your father's condition. Don't lose focus.
Misao: I already know what my goal is, uncle. And I won't stop until I get that wish!
Genichiro gave Misao a smile as he hugged her. Quinn then led Misao onto the deck of the ship. There, Misao saw a wide area filled with different participants lounging around either talking to each other, starting fights or simply sleeping in a comfy spot they found. Quinn continued to lead Misao into the ship's corridor. As soon as Misao entered through the door she bumped her forehead into someone's elbow as they were cracking their knuckles.
?: Hm? Oh, I didn't see you there.
Misao: (Ow.) [Rubbing her forehead] It's no problem. Happens all the time. (The disadvantages to being unnoticed because of your height.)
Misao looked up to see a taller woman with light skin, blonde afro curls, and ocean blue eyes. She had a blue traditional Chinese martial arts outfit, white pants, complemented with black flats. She also offered a pretty light smile.
?: [Takes a more detailed look at Misao] Hey, you look cute. [Misao blushes] Quinn, you didn't tell me you allow kids on this ship.
Misao: [Quickly gets annoyed] Who are you calling a kid?! I'm 17!
?: [Positive mood] Really? That means you're only a few years younger than me.
Quinn: Darcy, if you would please excuse us but I need to get her to her room.
Darcy: [A bit disappointed] Oh? Alright then. It was nice meeting you cutie, I hope to see you around here more often.
Darcy leaves the doorway onto the deck while Quinn shows Misao to her room. After Quinn showed Misao her room, Misao instantly dropped all of her bags onto the floor and fell directly into her bed.
Quinn: You must be really tired.
Misao: [Muffling on the bed] I am. The commute here was brutal.
Quinn: I can see that. Luckily this room is especially for you so you don't have to worry about a roommate. Whenever you are ready, you should either take a nap or walk around the ship since we won't be setting sail for an hour. Also, if you ever need me, I will be on the deck of the ship.
Misao: Alright.
Quinn: Cheers.
Quinn leaves the room and Misao drifts off to sleep. Misao suddenly wakes up and it's dark throughout her room.
Misao: [Waking up] Huh? What time is it? Did I oversleep?
The door to her room then creaked open as if being pushed by a non-existent force. Misao then gets up out of her bed and pulls the door back. As the door opens, she sees a stretched out abandoned hallway with flickering lights flashing on and off with not a single person around.
Misao: What… where am I? I feel like I'm in…
Suddenly a sound goes off as if a heart monitor just flatlined. Misao continues to walk down the hallway as if she's been there before. She then sees a room whose door is wide open and proceeds to enter it. She then sees a lifeless body laying on a hospital bed.
Misao: [Gasps] Father!
As Misao attempts to get closer to the hospital bed, but the bed continues to get farther and farther. Next thing you know, a dark figure looms over her father smiling with malicious intent.
Misao: NO! Get away from him!
Misao continues to struggle as she tries to reach her father but it seems as if she is running in place. She soon then drops to the floor as if energy has been drained from her. As the mysterious figure stands there, he stares at Misao as he takes his hand and drives it through Misao's Father's chest and takes out an orb of light and consumes it.
Misao: [Crying] What's… happening? Who… are you?
The mysterious figure starts to walk over to Misao covering each area of the room in darkness with each step he takes. He then takes his hand and holds it in the air as darkness consumes it.
?: [Laughs maniacally]
Misao quivering in fear, feeling helpless and as if she is being confronted by the devil himself, continues to sit there frozen in fear. Tears running down her face with a shocked look as she watches the hand of the mysterious figure drives toward her face and...
Misao: [Breathing heavily] Huh?!
As Misao wakes up from what it seems was a nightmare she sees a light brown-skinned male about 6'0 with a twist out fade, shining brown eyes wearing a black hoodie and black cargo shorts standing over her bed. As he stands over her he has a puzzled expression on his face.
?: Hey, you good?
Misao: What? Who…?
?: I'm not gonna lie I got scared for a second there. It would be just my luck for me to come across someone having a seizure or heart attack.
Misao: What do you mean and… how the hell did you get in here?
?: Honestly, I was just chilling, exploring the ship and everything and I just heard screaming coming from this room. Thought someone was dying so I just came in to check.
Misao: Well I'm not dying so you can get out now.
Misao pulls the covers off of her and gets up out of her bed.
?: Tch hehe.
Misao: What's your problem?
?: [Smiling] Nothing it's just that ...you short as shit.
Misao: [Gets annoyed] First of all, I'll have you know I'm 5'2. Do you know what that means? [Closes into the boy's face] It means that I'm almost the average height for a female!
?: [Laughing] Yeah aight, whatever you say shorty.
Misao: [Face glows red with anger] GET OUT!
?: [Still laughing] Fine fine I'll leave. I'll catch you around I guess.
The boy eventually leaves and closes the door behind him.
Misao: [Sighs] Boys are so annoying. But… that dream… It felt so real. I…
Quinn: [Intercom turns on, over the ship's intercom] Excuse me, everyone, I would like all guests to please convene onto the deck of the ship if you're not there already. Thank you. [Intercom turns off]
Misao: Huh? I wonder why Quinn wants us to meet up on the deck of the ship. I might as well go check it out.
Misao puts on her black flats and then proceeds toward the door. As she opens the door she sees many people walking toward the direction of the deck of the ship.
Misao: (Woah, there's a lot more people than I expected.)
Misao followed the flow of people as she walks down the corridor. She notices how burly and big some of the people are on the ship as she is nudged and pushed around through the crowd of people.
Misao: (Ugh! And yet none of them have any type of manners at all! Like come on now, I know I'm not the tallest person in the room but still.)
Soon the crowd of people met a flight of stairs made out of steel that leads to the deck of the ship. As Misao gets to the top she struggles to glance through the number of people in front of her. Soon she finds an opening between a couple of tall men and sees a circular arena type area styled with white tiles on the deck as well as Quinn standing in the middle.
Misao: (Well, there's Quinn.)
Quinn: [Clears throat] Good evening everyone, you must all be wondering why I called you here. Well as all thirty of you should know you were all recommended to join Masked Musketeers.
Some in the Crowd: YEAH!
Quinn: Well I'm glad you all show enthusiasm for being here… too bad … twenty-seven of you will be heading back home. [Everyone in the crowd is confused]
Guest #17: What do you mean? I thought we were all invited to join Masked Musketeers.
Quinn: Correction, you were recommended not invited.
Guest #26: [Chuckles] I expected as much when I received a number on our way in. [The crowd murmurs to each other]
Misao: (A number? I didn't get one.)
Quinn: Can you all be quiet and allow me to explain? [The crowd quieted down] We at Masked Musketeers want the best of the best. We want members who are courageous, strong-willed, full of determination and heart. Many of you may be strong fighters and many may be somewhat proficient in using your element but to us, that isn't enough to be called a Masked Musketeer. For that, we will only be selecting 3 of you to join. But to decide who will be coming with me and joining the Suit we will have a ten-person free-for-all.
Guest #7: Free-for-all? Is she serious?
Guest #16: Hmph, I ain't even worried. I can win this easily.
Quinn: As you can tell from your designated number, that will determine what group you are fighting in. The fighters from #1-#10 will fight in the first group then #11-#20, and lastly, #21-#30 will be in the third group. The rules are fairly simple, if you are knocked out you are disqualified and if you step foot out of the arena you are also disqualified. That includes being knocked off of the ship. Hmph, then again, those who failed will be thrown off anyway.
Guest #3: Hmph. Sounds easy enough.
Quinn: Oh and one more thing….. killing is allowed.