Chapter 10 to embrace it: Joshua vs Kirihara
A/n: this wasn't a match, This was putting the fear of God into someone. All reviews are welcome, And I know some are thinking "Why is this oc so damn overpowered!?".
Simple...
Because I thought I'd try out an overpowered type character this time.
-the next day-
Sunday had begun, But today, Their would be no class. This was the start of the selection match for the Seven Star Battle Festival. All students were excited to see this years match up, All wanted to see who each student was paired against this year, And who would be selected.
-Fourth training field dome-
"It has finally begun. The selection match for the Seven Star Battle Festival. Vermillion's first opponent is Momotani, Who's also known as "The Heavy Tank"! His "Goliath" is a very rare armor device, And releases a Heavy Charge from it. Will we get to see it explode today?!" The announcer said.
Everyone from the stands shouted:
"Go, Momotani!".
"No one can beat you in close-ranged combat!".
"She lost to the S-Rank!".
"Show her the pride of a senior student!".
Joshua was watching from the stands as well, "Go! Stella! Kick his ass and burn him to pieces!" He shouted.
Stella and Momotani got ready to battle, Stella had fortunately heard Joshua as she smiled in her head and aimed her sword at her opponent.
"Unlike those loud people up there, You seem to understand your situation. This is an actual fight" Stella said "Naturally, If you jump in, You'll get more than hurt, Unlike when we fight in our phantom forms. Think hard before you make your decision".
Stella then flared her fire magic around her as it got stronger, Momotani was breathing hard under his armor.
'D-Damn...she's right! This isn't a mock battle, It's an actual fight. One wins, One dies...I...I...' Momotani thought as he then feel to his knees.
"I-I give up!".
WINNER: Stella Vermillion
Stella then powered down her fire magic as she smiled at her opponent, Joshua stood up from his seat. "Woo! Stella!" He said, Stella glanced to the stand as she heard him and saw him wave at her, She waved back at him as she blushed.
'Joshua' she thought as she blushed even more.
-locker room-
Stella was in the shower as Shizuku and Alice were waiting for her. "An A-Rank knight really is so much stronger" Alice said.
"Her opponent was disappointingly weak, So it's nothing to brag about" Shizuku said.
Stella was washing herself as Joshua then started to show up in her mind, She blushed as she imagined him sneaking into the girls locker room and taking a shower with her. She bit her thumb as she moaned out his name.
"Joshua..." She cooed as she realized that she was in the shower for a bit longer than she planed to be. She got out as she walk over to Alice and Shizuku.
"Well, As far as today's concerned, Shizuku is right. I heard you two won your battles too".
"Yes! Thank you for that" Alice said.
Suddenly Kagami burst into the locker room "You guys are so awesome!" She said, Stella was surprised as she dropped her towel and tried to cover herself up.
"Kagami! Don't scare me like that!" Stella said. "I'm sorry. But you are first years but still had sweeping victories" Kagami said "So when I saw together, I couldn't help it".
Shizuku had a sweat mark on her cheek, Alice on the other hand just smiled.
"Who are you?" She asked.
"Oh, Excuse me! I'm Kagami Kusakabe from the newspaper club!" She said "I'm trying to be the best journalist!".
"Oh, The newspaper club. So you hear a lot about the rumors going around at school?".
Kagami pondered at Alice's words. "Well...I'm a journalist and not a gossip reporter" he said as she then smirked "But sure, I hear some things...".
"Oh my. Sounds like we'll get along well" Alice said darkly "Can I call you Kagamin?".
"Sure!" Kagami said.
Stella and Shizuku just looked at them.
'Oh dear god...' They thought.
-meanwhile-
Joshua was in his dorm room as he was on YouTube watching videos from Kirihara's last year win. He was pacing back and forth as he was on the phone with his parents.
"You and your friends were attacked in the mall by a terrorist group!?" Jessica said "Oh hunny, I'm so glad your okay".
"Thanks mom" Joshua said "I'm sure that auntie told you the rest of the details about yesterday?".
Samuel spoke up on the line.
"Yes, She did. She also told me that Stella Vermillion is your roommate" he said "So, How's that going for you? Are the two of you bonding? Or...have the two of you tried to kill one another?".
Joshua smirked.
"We had a mock duel over that, And I won. But we're good friends now".
Jessica and Samuel looked at each other and smiled, They were proud that their son was able to bond with their family rivals daughter. That's when Jessica and Samuel asked him something a bit personal.
"That's great!" Samuel said "I know, But I'm curious...did the two of you ever...well?" Jessica asked. Joshua went bright red as he shook his head.
"No! Of course not! We're friends. Besides they follow a strict code remember? No dating or anything with an outsider, Or family rivals" Joshua said. His parents sighed in relief on their end, If Joshua and Stella did anything and the result was grandchildren, Then the Vermillion Empire would surely rage war with them.
"Oh yes! You're aunt sent us the information about you being in the Seven Star Battle Festival selection match. We're so proud of you, We'll be rooting for you today, Everyone in the family is going to be watching and cheering you on!" Jessica said happily.
"Thanks mom" Joshua said. That's when the door opened up "Joshua! I'm back!" Stella said as she ran up to him.
"I'll call you guys latter after the match" Joshua said.
"Okay, We'll let you practice and focus. Do your best, It's not about winning, It's about the fun of the battle and making some new friends down the road. If the opponent is too powerful, Back out! Your life is on the line here, And we don't want to lose our only son".
"Right! I'll make sure to do that. And dad...".
"Yes?".
"...is that bastered-".
"No! Absolutely not! Vektal is not a part of this family anymore! After what he tried to do to you, We'll never accept him back!".
"Good! I hope he gets arrested for life!" Joshua said "Well, I have to go now".
"Okay, Be careful out there on your match...we love you" Jessica said. "I love you too mom" Joshua said as he hung up his cell and put it up it in his pocket. Stella looked at him with a smile on her face.
"Your parents?" She asked. Joshua nodded at her "Yup" he said "Their happy to see me doing well, And they said they'll be watching me today for my match. Speaking of that, You did wonderful out there! I was rooting for you".
"I know you were, I saw you. And come on, It's me, You know. It was to be expected". Stella then glanced at the laptop "You've been watching his videos the whole time?".
Joshua paused the video as he turned to Stella.
"Yeah" he said "I want to know when to time his attacks. I read that his technique was called "Invisible area", Not only his appearance, He can also make his sense of presence and smell impossible to detect. The perfect stealth camouflage, And I read that it's also one of his features of his device, Oborozuki. Thank you student handbook Wikipedia".
Stella looked at the video and snorted "Humph! Beating up his enemy from a safe place. I don't like the way he fights" she said.
Joshua agreed with her, "Same, His method is so different from knightly that he was nicknamed the hunter instead".
"Chicken is a good enough name for him, But he's a difficult one. Maybe even for you" Stella said. Joshua crossed his arms, "I have Crystal spear, But even with my own range attack, I won't be able to sense him at all..." He said. Stella then placed her hand on his shoulder.
"Will you be okay?".
"Are you worried about me by any chance?"
"N-no! I just don't want you to lose to a guy like him!"
Joshua smiled at her as he looked at the video. "Thanks, This will be my first time doing an actual fight...". Stella then pondered a bit.
"Joshua...".
"Hm?".
"Are you...are you going to use your darkness magic against him?".
Joshua was quiet when she said that, Ever since yesterday at the mall, When he used it on Bisho. He was hesitating to use it again. Part of him was still scared of it, As he still believed that he would become corrupted by it. He then walked over the chair and grabbed his coat.
"I'm not sure that I can answer that now..." Joshua said "I'm gonna get some air for a bit".
"Oh...okay...be careful" Stella said to him, Joshua nodded as he headed out the door.
-outside-
Joshua was walking in the park as he was thinking, He thought about yesterday and what Stella had just said to him. "To use my darkness magic..." He said to himself "Yesterday was just my emotions getting the better of me. But to straight up use them in the selection match? No...no I can't become a beast...I got lucky yesterday. I was in control...".
As Joshua kept walking, Alice was walking down the other path. "Hmm? Oh, Joshua" she said "It's good to see you".
"Alice? What are you doing here?".
"Just enjoying the view, Can we talk for a bit?".
"Oh umm, Yeah...sure thing".
The two then found a park bench and sat. Alice decided to go first.
"Joshua...yesterday at the mall...".
"Oh! Well, I was...well...".
Alice smirked "You were in full control".
"Maybe...but I got lucky. If I had used more, Then I might have became corrupted".
Alice shook her head at him.
"Ah...and here I go once again telling you that your just making excuses for yourself because in all honesty...".
"What?" Joshua said.
"The more you keep Ignoring the darkness magic, The more you begin to doubt yourself and stay afraid of it. You're so used to all the suffering it has made you feel since you were five. You have the strength to control it to it's full potential, But you're still too scared to embrace it. You have to let go of your fear and show it that your it's master. Not the other way around. The bottled up power that your heart wants to let out...I just hope that someone will show up and hear the screams of your heart".
Joshua just looked at the water as he sighed "Maybe...maybe you're right, Alice".
Alice poked his head. "Just looking out for my friend" she said.
-latter that night-
After Joshua's talk with Alice, He was in bed thinking about what she had said. 'To let go of my fear...' He thought 'Can I truly master my darkness magic without any problems? Despite me wearing this damn collar?'.
As he was thinking, He then felt a hand touch his hanging right arm, Joshua glanced as he turned his body to the side.
"Stella? You're still awake?" Joshua asked. Stella just kept holding onto his arm as she spoke.
"Y-yes...".
"Why?".
"I just can't sleep, That's all".
"Heh, Your selection match is over. You have-".
"I'm not worried about that! I'm...I'm worried about you".
Joshua then moved his arm out of her grip as he then made his way to the bottom bunk, He sat on the edge of her bed. "So you were worried about me after all?" He asked, Stella leaned up in her bed and nodded at him.
"Yes" she said "I was worried about you. I was just too embarrassed to tell you". Joshua sighed as he hunched over a bit. "Then why didn't you just tell me that you were worried? You know I could have talked this out with you" he said.
"Because I...I...".
"What did I say about beating around the bush".
Stella just remained quiet for a bit until she then held out her arms towards him. Joshua was confused by her gesture.
"Stella?" Joshua said "What are you-".
"Can you hold me?" She asked as a faint blush was present on her cheeks. Joshua just kept looking at her until he leaned over and held her in his arms. The two stayed like this until morning, Stella however had her own thoughts to worry about as she just increased her grip on Joshua's body.
'I don't...I don't want to lose you...'.
-the next day-
Joshua, Shizuku, Alice, And Stella were all standing outside. "There's still time until your standby hour. What do you wanna do? Do you wanna see the ongoing battles?" Stella said. Joshua shook his head at her "Nah, I'll go into the waiting room and meditate for a bit. I need to focus on my fight" he said as he glanced at Alice who had a serious expression on her face.
"Be careful" Alice said to him.
"I will..." Joshua said as he went inside. Joshua made his way to the stand as he took a deep breath.
:Due to the selection match taking an actual fighting format, Your life is at risk. If you understand it and still wish to participate, Push "Agree" button:
Joshua gently slammed his fist on the agree button.
'To let go of my fear...' He thought.
"Hah hah hah! Wow, You're such a man, Making an instant decision like that! Up to junior high school, All matches are conducted in phantom forms, So many kids surprisingly hesitate at this point" a voice said.
Joshua turned around to face the person that was talking to him.
"This is my first time, So I have no hesitations" he said.
The person just smiled at him more "Wow, So cool! Seriously cool!" She said "But I guess that's expected of the Legendary S-Rank knight!".
"And who are you If I may ask?".
The young woman smirked at him as she walked closer to him. "I'm Nene Saikyo, The Demon Princess of the KOK top league" Nene said as she stopped at Joshua's proximity "And you're the Directors little nephew Joshua Gekkage, The lord Prince of the Gekkage Royal Family".
"You know me?" Joshua said.
Nene smiled at him "Your aunt and I have known each other for a long time, I'll also be working as a part-time instructor this year too" she said as she then held onto him closely.
"I also heard that you're unmarried too. So...how about it? Maybe tonight...I can give you a special private lesson on how to control the darkness within you, Eh, Cursed Lord Prince".
"So you know about that-".
"Damn you. What are you doing to my nephew?" Kurono said as she was behind Nene, Nene quickly retreated behind Joshua.
"Whoa! You scared me! Don't do that, Ku. I almost killed you accidentally" Nene said.
Kurono sighed bitterly "I won't be killed by someone like you. Unless you want the wrath of the Gekkage Family on your indecent ass! More importantly, What happened to the commentary and supervision for the third match?" she asked a she opened her left eye. Nene had a small sweat mark on her cheek.
"Oh, You know..." She said "It was such a depressingly miserable fight, So...".
Kurono then grabbed Nene from behind Joshua as she dragged her away. "Go back to your post, You walking public indecency. And stop flirting with my nephew!" She said.
"O-okay! Don't pull on me!" Nene cried "Save me my sweet Lord Prince!".
"I said stop flirting with my nephew!".
Joshua just blinked as he then saw the doors for the selection match open up. 'Nene, Huh? She's very...strange...' He thought as he walked inside.
-locker room-
Joshua was standing near a sink as he was washing his face with cold water. He was thinking about everything that had happened in his life.
"This is it..." He said "My first match...heh, To think I wanted to avoid school for this...but...".
That's when Joshua had flashbacks of the incident at Frostwill, As well as what Alice said yesterday. He looked at his eyes that he hated so much, "To let go of my fear..." He said "I'll...I'm still afraid...but, I'll do it! I'll try! Just you wait, Kirihara! I'm gonna kick your ass!".
-the arena-
All of the students had taken there seats as they were looking forward to this section match. Kirihara, A former winner of last year was up against Joshua, A legendary knight that holds the S-Rank and wielder of Crystal magic. Even though he won a mock battle against Stella, His family rival, Everyone wanted to see what he could actually do in combat.
Meanwhile at London and at home, All of the Gekkage family members were gathered around the huge screen tv as they awaited to see their relative fight in his first actual fight. Jessica and Samuel held hands as they waited for Joshua to take the stage.
"Oh Samuel!" Jessica said "Our son's first match! Oh I'm so worried about him".
"Relax hunny, Joshua will be fine" Samuel said as he crossed his fingers "Show your opponent no mercy, Son!".
In London, Ikki was in his room with his friends that he had made in school. All of them were in his dorm as they watched the tv. "Dude! What move is your cousin gonna pull off?" One of Ikki's Friends asked him, Ikki just looked over at his friend.
"Not sure" he said "Besides his Crystal skin and Crystal spear, I never saw any other magic power that he has pulled off with it. But I know he'll do something cool".
That's when the announcer spoke:
"Look at this! The biggest field in the school, The Great is packed with spectators! The fourth match is finally about to begin. This is Hangetsu Tsukuyomi giving the play-by-play, And we also have Instructor Nene Saikyo as a commentator!" Hangetsu said.
"Hello" Nene said with boredom.
"Now this match cannot be missed!" Hangetsu said as Joshua and Kirihara walked out on stage. "One is someone who, Even as a first grader, Made it to the Seven Star Battle Festival last year. A C-Knight, Shizuya Kirihara!" Hangetsu said.
Kirihara smiled as his fans cheered him.
"He's so cool!".
"Kirihara!".
"And the other is someone, Who in the whole wide world, To own the title of S-Rank. And beat their families rival Vermillion in a mock battle! The Lord Prince of the Gekkage Royal Family, Ivory King and Legendary one himself, Joshua Gekkage!" Hangetsu said. Joshua had a stern expression on his face as he and Kirihara stopped a few feet in front of each other.
Everyone at the Gekkage family home and in Ikki's room all cheered.
"That's my baby!".
"Come on son! Beat this smug kids ass!".
"We're all rooting for you boy!".
Ikki smiled at his cousin "Joshua, You can beat this guy. I know you can" he said.
Joshua took a deep breath as Kirihara smirked at him. "I can't believed you actually showed up" Kirihara said "That means I can beat you up like a rag doll, Right, Legendary one?".
Joshua only had two things on his mind:
The first being able to kill his fear as he kept thinking about Alice's words over and over in his head like a broken record.
The second, Was to cut off both of Kirihara's arms.
"I don't care..." Joshua said "Just as long as I cut off your arms!".
"Ohh, Is that right?" Kirihara said "Well, I wish you luck on that. It's time to hunt". That's when some vines came around Kirihara as he grabbed a glowing yellow fruit.
"Oborozuki".
Kirihara's fruit then turned into a bow as he spun it in his hand and gave Joshua a mocking thumbs up. Joshua then placed his hand outward.
"Your life ends here, Vexanora".
Joshua summoned his device as seven Crystal pillars rose up behind him and shattered.
LET'S GO AHEAD
Joshua then stabbed his curved sword into the area floor, "Ivory Crystal ultra greatsword!". That's when a huge chunk of white grayish Crystal started to form at the hilt of the curved sword and raise it up to Joshua's head, As the tip of the Crystal was a sharpened rectangular shape. He picked up his enhanced sword with ease.
"This will be the only thing that I shall use against you, Kirihara" Joshua said.
Kirihara smiled at him "Oh my, Such a big weapon" he said "But are you sure? Using only that hunk of Crystal won't help you against long range attacks! Or...are you going to tap into the so called dark you claim to have?".
"That's what I intend to do!".
"Heh, Well then, How about I help you tap into it". Kirihara then placed his bow to the side as he played his fingers like a piano as he snapped his fingers. He turned invisible as a huge forest was now around the arena.
"There it is! Area invisible!" Hangetsu said "We can't see Kirihara anymore!".
Joshua glanced all over the forest as he listened for Kirihara. "Just remember..." He said to himself "Just let go of my fear...". That's when an arrow was shot, Joshua was able to block it as he then swung at the other arrow.
"Gekkage got two arrows down!" Hangetsu said. Joshua then swung at three more arrows, As one of those arrows deflected back to Kirihara, Getting him in the shoulder.
"Geh..not bad" Kirihara said as his stealth camouflage was visible for a bit before he vanished.
Hangetsu stood up a bit, "Ah! Looks like one of Kirihara's arrows hit something! Did Gekkage find Kirihara?" She said as Nene sighed in boredom. "Ahhhh...Kirihara's area invisible can't make arrows invisible" she said "Little prince was able to make one of his arrows deflect back at it owner".
Joshua kept deflecting arrows left and right as he was able to see Kirihara's footprint on the ground. 'There!' he thought as he then threw his ultra greatsword at him, Kirihara was able to dodge the attack but was punched in the face by Joshua. Kirihara quickly retreated to higher ground.
"My goodness, You're really keeping up" Kirihara said "let's make this even more interesting".
"Fine with me" Joshua said.
Kirihara then disappeared "Oh, Right. From now on, I'll tell you where I'm shooting you" he said. Joshua was a bit confused by this. 'Huh? Why a long range fighter tell someone where their...oh shit!'.
"First, Your right thigh".
An arrow was shot right into Joshua's thigh.
"Aghhh!" Joshua screamed as he stabbed his Greatsword into the dirt.
"Next, Your left arm".
Joshua was then shot in the arm.
"Ughhh! What the fuck!?".
"Heh heh, Unlike a piece of shit like you, I'm a genius, You know?".
"You're an asshole and a coward!".
"Oh? Am I? There's no way I'm going to stay the same forever!".
Joshua was holding onto his greatsword handle for support, He didn't expect this to happen. "What are you getting at!?".
Kirihara smirked while he was invisible. "This year, My area invisible can make even the released arrows stealth. It's not perceptible until it hits you. You got that, Moron? Next, Left hand then the right!" He said as he fired two arrows at Joshua.
"Aghhh!".
"Now, Your chest, Shoulder, And abdomen!". Kirihara then shot his arrows at Joshua, "gahugh! " Joshua cried out in pain as he fell to his back.
"Unbelievable! Kirihara has gotten stronger since last year!" Hangetsu said. Stella, Alice, Kagami, And Shizuku were watching Joshua getting beaten by Kirihara.
"This is bad" Alice said.
"Lord Prince Joshua is getting hurt".
"But, This isn't like him" Stella said "Why won't he use any of his other Crystal abilities? He can totally take him out with just a few-".
"He's still afraid..." Alice said, Stella looked at her "What? Afraid? Don't be silly, As if Joshua is afraid of his enemy" she said. Alice just watched as Joshua kept getting hit by one arrow after another. "He's still afraid of the darkness in his body still, And is trying to use it, But he's hesitating".
Stella was in shock as she looked at the live feed, 'Joshua...' She thought 'So that's...so that's why you only made that weapon...you're trying to accept what you really are! But you're still too afraid to tap into it!'.
Meanwhile at home and in London his cousin and family were in horror. "No! Joshua! Back out! Don't die over this!" Samuel said as his wife was crying, Afraid that she was about to lose her only son. Ikki and his friends were not doing well either. "Joshua! Come on! You can do this!" Ikki said as he stood from his seat.
Joshua was covered head to toe in wounds from Kirihara's arrows as he kept firing at him. "Get it together, Legendary one!" Kirihara said "For a guy to claim that he can wield darkness magic, You sure haven't been showing it! Your abdomen again!".
Kirihara shot three arrows this time in Joshua's abdomen, Joshua felt the growing pain as he fell to his back. His whole body covered in scars, he was breathing slowly.
"Come on now, You said that I would see your true power. But I don't see any darkness magic from you at all" Kirihara said, Everyone in the stands were a bit surprised by this.
"Huh? What does he mean?".
"No Blazer can wield darkness magic".
Joshua was realizing what Kirihara was doing, He was mocking him, And getting the crowd into it as well. "Your right hand!" Kirihara said as he shot at Joshua who was still on the ground as he gritted his teeth.
"Come on! Those that can wield the darkness magic are considered cursed ones! Those that are born are turned into beasts! No blazer in history, Not even the legendary Gekkage can control Darkness magic as you claim that you can!" Kirihara said.
And just like that, Joshua was right. He heard the crowd of his peers mocking him and laughing at him:
"The Prince of Gekkage able to wield darkness magic?!".
"He's out of his mind!".
"He may be an S-Rank, But he's no god".
Joshua was on the ground still breathing, His eyes were totally lifeless. But inside his mind, His mind was full of unbridled rage. He wasn't afraid, Not anymore. He just needed something, Anything to tell him otherwise.
"Oh no, They're laughing at you. Aren't you mortified?" Kirihara mocked as he kept shooting at him. Stella was fuming with rage at everyone who was mocking Joshua, She knew she needed to snap him out of it, Because if he didn't, His life would come to an end.
"Hey, Why don't you tell me yesterday that you could wield the darkness magic? You wanted to show your true power, Right, Legendary one?" Kirihara said. Joshua just kept hearing his peers mocking him:
"Huh. He's no blazer of darkness".
"An S-Rank claiming to control the darkness, Impossible".
"Just because he was born with rare Crystal magic, No blazer can wield two magic powers".
"He's not even a beast".
"I guess mastering the most chaotic magic in history is not in the Gekkages favor".
"He can't wield it, Nobody can't. Not then, Not now, Not ever!".
Stella just looked at Joshua who was still getting shot at, She was getting angrier by the second.
"All these people who do nothing but mock him in this battle...and they don't even know...they don't even know how much he's suffered. He's the only one to live...to survive as a cursed one..." She said.
Joshua was actually able to stand up a bit as Kirihara then aimed his bow at him.
"Next..." He said "Is one of your organs!". Kirihara then fired at Joshua's liver as it went right through him. Joshua fell to his knees as landed on his back.
Kirihara made himself visible as he stood on a tree branch.
"Hah hah! It seems our Gekkage has fallen. I guess we should change his title to worst one! Let's all cheer him up! Worst one!".
"Worst one!".
"Worst one!".
"Worst one!".
"Worst one!".
"Worst one!".
The Gekkage Family and Ikki and his friends were panicking and enraged at what was going on.
"How dare that little bastered!" Samuel said as he stood up from his seat.
"JOSHUA! GET UP! GET UP!" Jessica cried as she was fearing the worst for her son.
"Dammit cousin! Don't let him make a fool of you!" Ikki shouted "Get up and fight back! Fight!".
Stella finally lost her temper as she stood up from her seat.
"SHUT THE FUCK UP!" Stella shouted "DON'T YOU MOCK MY FAVORITE LEGENDARY KNIGHT!".
Everyone looked at her, Even Joshua was able to glance a bit "St...Stella..." Joshua said. Stella looked at him as she had tears coming down her face.
"Lord Prince Joshua! What are you doing, Acting so scared and looking so miserable!?" She said "Why are you too afraid to tap into your darkness!? I like you better when you're able to accept what you really are! You need to kill all of your fear and embrace the darkness at all times! You worthless idiot!".
That's when Joshua snapped his eyes open, He felt his mind finally break, The 10 years of endless fear; gone. He finally shattered all of his fear, He didn't feel afraid anymore...
'Heh...how weak of me...' Joshua thought 'I may be cursed, I may have innocent blood on my hands, But...to possess what many have tried and could not control it to my will. What a waste...it's time to finally cast aside. I'm one of the fucking lucky ones! To be the only one in existence to control the darkness like I do! It's time to cast aside my useless fear, Open my heart. And EMBRACE THE DARKNESS!'.
Joshua then began to fight back the pain as he forced himself up, Stella was watching him as she had a viable blush on her cheeks. Joshua then opened his eyes, But one of them was different. His right eye was now back to it's normal form, He sighed as he felt his sharp canines were no longer there anymore.
Joshua looked at his reflection in his own blood, He could see his right eye was back to normal, But his left was still corrupted.
"Thank you, Stella. That's just what I needed to stop feeling sorry for myself for 10 years!" Joshua said. That's when Joshua glanced to the side as Kirihara laughed.
"Hah hah! Being scolded by your family rival that you pepped on?" He said "then I guess I'll aim for your brain next. If it hits you you're dead!" He then fired at him.
'I can access the darkness to my will' Joshua thought 'The collar has to stay though. I may hate it, But It's what's keeping me alive! Now...Oh that's right, I was gonna cut off Kirihara's arms!'.
As the arrow came closer, Joshua then made a huge black aura form around him, The black aura then connected with the arrow and burned it. Kirihara as well as everyone else was in utter shock.
"Eh? W-what!? How is that...THAT AURA IS DARKNESS!" Kirihara said In a panic as he fired again. Joshua then made his dark aura emit more as another arrow was burned, He then glared at Kirihara as his left eye glowed red.
"This...this is the POWER OF DARKNESS!".
Joshua then stabbed his greatsword into the ground as a jet black violet vortex spun around him, Everyone in the crowd had their mouths drop. The legendary S-Rank knight, Was wielding darkness magic, But they all knew one thing:
He was going to get back at every single one of them who mocked him.
Kirihara was freaking out as he began to run away. "No! He can't! He's cheating!" He said. Joshua then pinpointed him with a permanent lock.
Joshua smirked.
"Heh, Even in stealth, I can find you! Thanks to my pinpoint lock-on!" He said as he then went after him at Mach 1 speed. Nene was laughing as she kicked her feet up.
"Hah hah hah! Seriously? He really is cursed after all!" She said. Hangetsu was confused "Huh? What do you mean, Nane? How is Gekkage able to access and control that darkness magic? That shouldn't be possible?".
"The collar around his neck" Nene said "That little thing let's Lord Gekkage have full control of the darkness magic to his will, it allows him to channel and create whatever he wishes. He can't take off the collar though, Or else he will turn into a beast. The collar is the only way a cursed one can master the darkness magic to their will". She said as she closed her fan and had an alluring smirk on her face.
"My sweet Cursed Lord Prince, Show these fools how a survivor of the dark deals with worthless trash" nene cooed.
Joshua was all over Kirihara as he was now toying with him. Kirihara was freaking out more and more.
"Million rain!" Kirihara said as he shot a barrage of arrows. Joshua then made a black fireball and aimed it.
"Dark Firaga!".
Joshua then shot a huge fireball at the arrows, Kirihara was scared, He was literally scared shitless.
"No! Wait! Stop! Stop it!" He pleaded, Joshua showed him no mercy as he kept slashing at all of his arrows, He then raised his Crystal greatsword.
"Dark flame!" He said as his Crystal greatsword was now coated in a black and red fire. He then coated it with Crystal spikes too, To make it even more powerful.
Joshua then slammed his sword into the ground as 5 to 14 mini black and silver dark vortexes and dark Crystal spikes came all over the area. Kirihara was now trapped, He had nowhere left to run.
"No! No! No!" Kirihara said as he turned to see Joshua walking towards him, His left eye glowing bright, He spun his greatsword sword as he aimed it at him.
"I'M TAKING YOUR ARMS YOU LITTLE SHIT!" Joshua said as he made another black fireball in right hand, Kirihara aimed his bow at him.
"I know, Let's play rock, Paper, Scissors!" He said as he shot a huge arrow at him. Joshua then fired another dark Firaga at it as it blew up in seconds, He then activated his Crystal skin as he then dashed at Kirihara with his eyes out for blood.
"That's darkness. It could kill me! I could die! I don't like pain! I admit! I lose! I lose! I SURRENDER!".
Joshua stopped in front of Kirihara as he glared at him, He then gripped his greatsword tightly as he then swung it at Kirihara, Slicing off his left arm, Then his right. Kirihara screamed in agony at the loss of his arms.
Joshua then sighed.
"There" he said "Now I forgive you".
THE WINNER: Joshua Gekkage
"The game is over!" Hangetsu said "Joshua Gekkage, The legendary S-Rank knight has won his first official match. And not only that, The only blazer in history to wield the infamous darkness magic and be born with two superpowers! The legendary S-Rank knight of the Gekkage has actually done the impossible and controlled the darkness magic!".
Everyone stood up from their seats as they cheered and roared for Joshua's victor. Joshua had his eyes closed as he then slammed his greatsword on the area, Making a loud shockwave.
"Well well, Joshua finally got out of his fear" Alice said.
"Lord Prince Joshua" Shizuku said with relief in her voice.
"That's the power of darkness when controlled!" Stella said in awe as she saw Joshua look back at her as she looked back at him, With her cheeks still blushing. That's when Joshua passed out from his injuries.
"Joshua!" Stella said.
"medical team! Please take Kirihara and Gekkage to an IPS capsule immediately!" Hangetsu said. Nene smiled "Heh, I knew I couldn't miss this years's selection matches" she said with a smile as she glanced at Joshua "My sweet Cursed Lord Prince".
The Gekkage family all cheered and thanked God that their son wasn't killed. "He did! He's moving up!" Samuel said. Jessica held her husband crying.
"My little baby won his match!" She said.
"And he was able to break free from his own fear" Samuel said as he nodded his head 'Thanks Vermillion, I guess we better make room for a new future family member' Samuel thought.
Meanwhile in London, Ikki and his friends were having a fit.
"Dude! You see how he was, Slash! And he was all pissed off and stuff! And...and...your cousin is a scary motherfucker!" Ikki's friend said.
Ikki smiled as he saw the medical team take his cousin away. "Yeah, We Gekkage are pretty good at putting fear into people".
-the medical room-
Joshua was in his bed as he was in bandages. He was almost close to death if he hadn't activated his power, He had bunch of apology letters from his peers that mocked him during his match. As well as many girls cell phone numbers, More letters, Get well cards, The works.
Joshua woke up as he leaned up in his bed. "Ahh, Fuck that was painful. I should have cut off his balls as a bonus too!" He said as he then activated a black fireball in his hand. Joshua smiled at it.
"Finally...I've finally killed what was holding me back...". He then glanced to see Stella sleeping at his bedside as he smiled at her. "Thank you, Stella" he said.
Outside of his room Shizuku was standing at his door. "Oh, Shizuku? Aren't you going inside?" Alice said to her. Shizuku looked at Alice until Alice embraced her in a hug.
"That part of you, I love the most" Alice said as Shizuku dug her head on her chest.
-meanwhile-
"No! You kept looking at me while I was drooling!?" She yelled "You stupid asshole! I hate you!".
"Goddammit! Stella, I'm healing okay!" Joshua said.
"What the hell was your problem, Letting that guy best the crap out of you like that!?" Stella asked. Joshua sighed as he smiled at her "Sorry" he said "I guess I needed to awake up one last time. I made you worry".
Stella looked away from him "Y-yes you did!" She said as Joshua looked out the window. "I'm sorry..." He said until Stella gave him a serious look.
"Joshua".
"Hm?".
Stella was about to beat around the bush until she remembered what Joshua said as she sat on his bedside.
"I like you, Joshua" Stella said "And I don't care if we're supposed to be rivals, Enemies, Taboo or whatever! I'm so glad that I met you. You make me feel so strong whenever I'm around you, And I feel that, Now that you've embraced the darkness, That I like you even more".
Joshua was quiet on his part for a bit until he spoke.
"Then it wasn't just me..." He said "Because I tiny fraction of me was honest when I said that I had a soft spot for you...".
"Mean you...liked me too?".
Joshua was now blushing red "Yes...and..-" his words were cut off as he felt Stella's lips lock with his as her hands held his waist and the back of his head. Joshua embraced Stella as well as he returned the loving kiss, The two stopped kissing as they laid their heads on one another's.
"Hey, Joshua" Stella said "When we get to the top in the Festival. I wanna fight you! All of you!".
Joshua was shocked at her request, But sighed as he smirked at her.
"Bring it on!" He said "Fire vs Crystal and darkness!".
The two Knights then held hands as they blushed and smiled at each other.
"The Lord Prince and The Crimson Princess" Stella said "A romantic battle it shall be".
A/n: wow! My hand hurts! Okay, Hope you all liked this one. Woooo! Stella got her man! Now they need to fuc- *aheam* sorry, Don't want to give that part away.
Reviews are welcome, And I'll see you latter.