AN: Third chapter will focus on the main protagonist. Please review and have fun reading : ).
Act 1- "Death Of Beginning"
Chapter III: "Kurayami"
The alarm clock rings to his ears prompting him to slowly open his eyes. Rubbing them with his hands, his eyes swollen red stares at the white ceiling. It has been 3 days since that argument he had with his father. It has also been 3 days staying here in this new apartment he is living in as well as attending university.
After turning off the ringing alarm clock, he slowly gets up from bed and lazily opens the curtains.
"Bright. . ."
He complains with his eyes still red in color.
It was another busy morning for him and Thursdays couldn't any be worse. Slowly going to the sink to wash his face, he reminisce his first day in the university. Although he expected it to be a bit grand, he never thought it would any less normal.
While ashing his hands as the pouring water gushes, he suddenly feels his right hand searing in pain again. "Not again," he says as he bit his lip and clenches his left hand on top of his right. This has been a repetitive occurrence since it first happened 3 days ago. He went out of his way to even go to a doctor and see if there is anything wrong but there wasn't. Yet, until now, he still feels the pain especially when he least expected it.
The only other reason for this is probably magecraft related in which he hopes not. After all, he already promised himself to never be involved with any magi affairs.
"Maybe Kuroha knows what to do with this. . ." he thinks as he wipes his wet hands with a white towel while ignoring the pain he is feeling. He believes that since his little sister knows a lot more than him when it comes to magecraft, she might figure out how to fix this pain he is facing. "She might know some rune to relieve myself from pain," he also thought.
As he prepares to go out for his 4th day in Tokyo University, he stares at himself on the mirror and thinks, "Living a normal life like a normal person," he murmurs as he smiles and walks off.
Leaving his apartment, a young woman in her early 20's greets him while sweeping on the floor, "Good Morning, Shiho-kun."
She said waving at him.
"Good Morning, Suzuki-san! I'm off!" The boy, Shiho, cheerfully waves back at the landlady of his apartment.
Running off while carrying his bag, he sets out on a path without magecraft. A place where there would be no complex problems to worry about.
And so he thought. . .
"AAAAAAAHHHH!"
Shiho shouted in agony as he crumples the piece of paper he is holding.
"You got it tough, eh, Shiho-kun?" The boy with glasses beside him peeks at the crumpled paper.
Shiho scratched his head numerous times.
He said he will never have complex problems again. He just said that to himself a while ago.
But now, everything he said, was overturned by this sheet by paper.
"Better luck next time, Shiho-kun!"
"Shut up, Aho-ryu."
"Cheer up. You can still comeback for the next activity," a sweet voice addresses him from behind.
It came from a girl with pinkish hair and similar in age as Shiho.
"Thanks. . .Sakura-chan."
"No problem!" She smiles as she pats Shiho's shoulder.
It was 3 pm already and all his classes are over.
Since it is still quite early, Shiho decides to make a visit to his clubthat he is in.
Walking behind the school's main building, he stumbles upon a medium-sized Dojo.
Hearing sounds of wooden sticks clashing at each other, he lets out a smile and enters the building.
"Hey, everyone!"
He exclaims as he looks at the people dress in their kendoattire sparring at each other.
Noticing Shiho's presence, they all bow down and respectfully replied Shiho's greeting, "Good Afternoon, Vice-Captain Kuroyami!"
"Yosh!"
He says while flustered by his peers' response.
"What brings you here? I thought you were busy with your exams?"
A woman in her late teens, a year older than Shiho, approaches the latter as she removes her men showing her beautiful but enthusiastic face.
"I flunked it, Rina-senpai."
"Heh. So the man who defeated me without a sweat and took the position of Vice-Captain flunked his first written undertaking."
She teases sarcastically while chuckling with her right palm half-covering her lips.
Embarassed by this, Shiho scowled in an annoyed manner and fired back, "I'm not good with words, I'd rather use my swordas my answers."
"Yes, yes. Graduate in the University by the sword. It will definitely bring you a decent job, Shiho-chan."
"Tch, Don't try to provoke me, Rina-senpai. I might wipe the floor with you again."
"Hohohoho, so the sword freakwishes to challenge me? Fine. I'll be taking back my position from you."
Fire lit on both their eyes.
While having pride and determination, the two gazes at each other with intent to attain victory.
Because of this, the atmosphere in the dojo lit up like a scorching fire.
And, all the other members nodded at the thought,"This outta be good."
As Shiho changes to the kendo protective gear, Rina-senpai practices her swing on the opposite corner.
"By the way Rina-senpai, where is Sanada-senpai?"
Shiho calls out as he fixes his kendo men on his head.
"He is currently out of town attending a seminar about. . .eh, I think its about global warming."
"Heh, Sanada-senpai truly is an environment-geek."
"Not as bad as you are, sword-freak."
"Shut up."
With both competitors ready, they stand at the center wielding their wooden swords.
The countdown starts for their duel.
There was no more need for honorifics.
The bowing for respect has been done with their own mind and heart.
Now, they aim to defeat the other.
"5. . ."
The first count as they held the handles of their shinai tightly.
"4. . ."
The former, Rina, sweatdrops as she stares at Shiho's composure.
The latter, Shiho, calmly closes his eyes while feeling his surroundings.
"3. . ."
Someone has yet to make a move.
The spectators, the other members of the club, sitting and watching the two, can't help but feel impatient.
"2. . ."
However, unaware to them, the two has already started their duel.
A mental battle that can only be perceive by the combatants.
"1. . ."
And, as it comes to pass, the physical engagement is about to begin.
"SHAAAAAAA!"
Rina shouts as she raises her shinai heading down to Shiho's head.
It was a fight with no holds-bar.
Only the basic rules of kendo will be followed.
However, for these two, rules are only a means to bind their thirst.
Their crave for victory cannot be quenched.
Rina, understanding this, knows that if she doesn't go all out she cannot win.
"HAAAAAAA!"
Shiho roars as he swings his shinai to counter the downward slash of his opponent.
Reflecting Rina's attempt, Shiho connects with his own counterattack.
While thrusting his shinai towards Rina, he unhesitatingly moves closer to his foe.
Rina, knowing Shiho full well who loves frontal assaults, sidesteps to her left to avoid the incoming thrust.
"You are mine!"
Rina swings her shinai towards Shiho's men.
If this move connects successfully, its her win.
However-
Shiho grins as a response to her exclaim.
It was not a smile of acceptance of defeat.
It was the opposite.
As if saying, "All went according to plan," Shiho chuckles inside.
Rina swings her shinai but, shockingly to Rin and even to the spectators, is block by the shinai of her target.
"How did you-"
"You got careless, senpai."
Shiho rotated his right wrist counter-clock wise to move the wooded sword to the direction of his right shoulder.
Yes, that is the direction of his opponent's attack.
Due to the power of Rina's attack, the bouncing effect of it being reflected is great.
Instead of cleanly hitting the head, the shinai simply brushed it.
"No fa-"
Before Rina can react, Shiho rotates his body to face her and begins a fury of strikes aimed at her shoulders and head.
Because of being startled a while ago, Rina has a hard time of trying to fend off the attacks of her opponent.
To Shiho's delight, Rina's posture was disrupted.
"This is my win."
Shiho mumbles as he swings his shinai to repel Rina's, and then quickly doing a side strike to the men.
The connection succeeds.
Silence befalls over the dojo.
But after a few seconds, claps were heard from the audiences.
"It is your win, again."
Rina disappointingly shrugs and sigs while removing her men.
"Thank you very much, Rina-senpai."
Shiho exclaims bowing to her.
"Still, it is odd."
She mutters as she bows back.
"What is it?"
"Your style with the sword. It is too untraditional. And the way you attack, lacks spirit."
"What do you mean?"
Shiho tilts his head confuse by his senior's words.
"Forget about it. Maybe its a loser's delusions."
She chuckles leaving Shiho dumbfounded.
It was already 6 pm.
As Shiho walks pass a dark alley on his way to his apartment, he glimpses a group of men encircling someone.
"What is that?"
He asks himself as he stares at the ongoing situation.
"Hey babe, give us that bag of yours!"
One of the men commanded as he pushes the woman to the wall.
"Please let me go."
She requests while trembling in fear.
"No can do, miss little polkadots."
One of the men chuckles as he lecherously stares at the woman's waist.
"Pervert! Maniacs! Go to-"
Before she could continue, someone slapped her face pushing her sidewards to the ground.
"Shut up. If you just do what we want, we might promise not to do anything painful to you."
"Somebody. . .help me. . please. . ."
The woman tearfully pleads as she lay to the ground with a swollen cheek.
"Take her by force."
One of the men orders and as a response, two of the men slowly crawls towards her.
Suddenly-
"May I ask what's going on here?"
Shiho places his hand on top of the man who ordered's shoulders.
"HA? Who the hell-"
A punch interrupted the man from completing his sentence.
"Annoying."
He complains as he fires a sharp glance at the glaring men at him while rubbing his swollen fist with his uniform.
"You are dead meat, boy."
"Yeah, try me."
He taunts as he signals the woman to run away.
Seeing it, the woman nods and does so.
"Oy, Where'dya think you are goi-"
Before the man can chase after the running woman, a trash can's cover hit his face.
"I'm hurt. Please notice me, senpai."
Shiho sarcastically scowled at them as he made an insulting grin.
It was already very late when Shiho arrived at his apartmet.
As bruises and scratches covers his body, Shiho takes his keys from his pocket and inserts it to his doorknob.
"Ha. . .wait."
As he twists the knob, it appears as it is open.
"Who could. . ."
Suddenly, someone opens the door from the inside.
A surprised face covered Shiho's as he faces the intruder of his apartment.
"Kuroha?"
"Good Evening older bro-wait what happened to you!?"
And that is how he was scolded by his little sister afterwards.
"Good grief older brother. You really can't control that temper of yours, can you?"
Kuroha complains to him as she places a bandage to his forehead.
"I already told you a countless of times; I wasn't picking a fight with anyone. I tried to defend some girl who was being bullied."
The little sister, having heard of the excuse for like the hundredth time, sighs and traces a rune on his brother's chest.
"Here. It is my self-modified runefor light healing. It is not the best but it can manage broken ribs."
"Thank you, my genius little sister."
"Stop that brother. You and I know you have more-"
"Please stop. As much as possible, I'd rather not talk anything related to magecraft. Allowing you to heal me with it is already breaking my oath to myself not to anymore get myself involve with it."
Kuroha, full of sorrow after his brother's claim, looks down.
Noticing this, Shiho changes the topic with a question he was curious to ask since seeing her.
"Why did you come to visit me? I don't think father would have any interest knowing his failure son'scondition."
"Brother don't talk like that of father."
Kuroha defends their parent but Shiho rolls his eyes at her words.
"And as for my reason, I wanted to give you this!"
Kuroha takes out a rectangular object covered in purple cloth from a small bag behind her.
"What is this?"
"It is your advance birthday present! It is a magic about runes from our motherland."
"I told you already Kuroha, I do not wish myself to get involve-"
Shiho stops midway as he notices his younger sister's puppy eyes begging him to accept the present.
Ever since they were children, Kuroha was spoiled by their parents.
And on top of that, Kuroha would always get what she wants especially from her older brother with those killer eyes.
"What can I do with those eyes of hers?" Shiho asks himself in defeat as he sighs.
While scratching his cheek, Shiho mumbles, "Thanks," which prompts Kuroha to smile cheerfully.
"But I won't use this! I'll only accept this because this is my little sister's gift."
Kuroha nodded to his brother's words.
For her, this was fine.
Although it was sad that brother gave up on their world, as long as he still alive and happy, it also makes her happy.
In her brother's stead, Kuroha swore to carry on the family's will.
While doing this, Kuroha also promised that, she'd like to fulfill brother's wish to have a life full of obligations of a magus.
Because the man before him, her older brother, although big, strong and straightfroward, is actually a delicate person in the inside. And, only Kuroha knows of this fact.
That is why. . .as the little sister that receives the chance to participate in the Holy Grail War, she will protect his brother's future.
Kuroha stood and took the bag behind her.
"Brother, it is time. I need to get back and prepare the ritual for tomorrow."
"Ritual?"
Shiho asks as Kuroha nods as an answer .
"Yes, do you remember the Holy Grail War father talked about? My participation is already assured."
Kuroha mumbles as she turns around and slowly tries to take off her indigo shirt.
"Wait Kuroha what are you doing!"
Blushing at his sister's activity, Shiho tries his best to cover his eyes.
However, a moment later, Shiho notices a tattoo engrave on his sister's back, right on top of the spinal collumn.
"Kuroha, what is that?"
"It is my right of participation. This is a command seal of the Sixth Rank:Powers."
"Command Seal?"
"Right. This appears to anyone that was chosen by the Grail to be its seeker. Right now, I am placed at Powers
means I am at the sixth degree, the second to the weakest, in this tournament."
"You mean there are five others better than you?!"
Kuroha nodded as an answer.
Shiho was shocked in disbelief.
The little sister he knows that has surpass even him when they were young practicing magecraft was nothing compared against others.
And then, Shiho remembers something else.
The fact that the Holy Grail War means killing the other participants.
That is when Shiho lashed out.
"Kuroha, the Holy Grail War is a battle royale to the death, am I correct?!"
Shiho recalls getting that information by eavesdropping from the conversation between his father and grandfather.
"I am prepared."
"Shut up. Come with me, I'll talk the sense out of that old man!"
But to his surprise, Kuroha pulled out the hand he grabbed and shook her head.
"Please don't brother. This is my personal decision. I believe this was needed to be done for the sake of our clan."
"Kuroha you might-"
"Don't worry, brother. I know mom will watch over me."
With a smile, she walks out of the room and out of Shiho's apartment leaving the latter unable to respond.
"Ku-damn it!"
He rages as he slams his hand on the wall.
He then notices the book Kuroha gave to him.
"Why. . ."
He mutters.
"Why do the world of magi always interfere with my life. . .with the people precious to me. . ."
He mumbles in silence.
"I hate you. I hate you. This world, I hate it."
And then, the pain in his hand convulses once more.
He then remembers that he wishes to consult this to his sister.
But, as he saw his sister off a while ago he realizes.
The two girls that is precious to him: his mother and sister, seems so close but so far.
The gap which is called the will of being a magus.
The concept of 'magecraft' and the world of magi.
It was the one and only thing he truly despises in this world.
Immature, ridiculous or stupid it might be, he desires in the deepest of his heart,
"Someday, I'll definitely. . .definitely. . .escape from this world."
That was the night when his wheel of fate was born.
~Chapter END