Kuroi no Mahou
First Fight
…
The wind grew cold… Oozora Tsubasa knew that he and Matsuyama are farther from their part of town. Patches and patches of ominous clouds covered the bright sun. Misery came with fear and fear with horror. Tsubasa began to think Matsuyama's already lost his mind. But he was here for one thing.
" Where in the part of this place is Yoshiko?" questioned Tsubasa, already growing suspicious of where Matsuyama's heading. But the Furano Captain didn't pay attention and just walked briskly.
Tsubasa felt guilty. He asks Matsuyama in a rather strained tone once more " Where are we going, Matsuyama?" And then Matsuyama stops.
Turning his head, a pair of regretful eyes glanced at Tsubasa. He answers in a baritone voice " The demon gave me clues to where to find Yoshiko. It all concludes that Yoshiko is at the temple—located at a much more deeper part of this town. Let's go. I fear for her safety…"
The Nankatsu Captain nods his head as they continued walking… When out of nowhere…they hear a horrible cackle… The two captains glance back but see nothing. Matsuyama's remorseful eyes filled anger as he steps forward to where they heard the noise.
" Matsuyama?" gasps Tsubasa.
A horrible mannequin figure appears— with dangling arms and feet, and a pair of glowing holes for eyes. With a mouth full of fangs and the head scratched and bruised livid… With blood smeared on its chest—it wiped numerous victims…
The Furano Captain snarls and dashes forward" A Ningyou no Kuroi, Tsubasa! Be careful and aim for the strings controlling it!" then, with one backward flip and a graceful landing, Matsuyama ends up on the puppet's flank.
Tsubasa hopelessly poses forward and shouted back to Matsuyama " But I don't know any White magic!"
Matsuyama winces as the puppet drags its body towards Tsubasa. He then untangles his bandanna and clasps it between his balled hands while his pallid knuckles were in contact to each other. A white aura surrounds the Furano Captain as he prepares to say the Spiritual Power Incantation.
Power of the Lord most benevolent, lend me your pious weapons to vanquish evil! Come forth—Wind Stalker Whip!
In a loud throttle of wind—Tsubasa gasped as the puppet was only a few feet before him. But—before it could injure Tsubasa, the puppet stopped and turned around…able to sense White Magic. The Nankatsu Captain gaped at the moment he saw Matsuyama. Surrounded within a whirlwind of light, Matsuyama's eyes closed shut and his white bandanna into a seven-footed whip…
With Matsuyama's left arm stretched, he pointed an accusing finger at the puppet while he grimly smirks " This is for your boss."
The puppet cackles manically as it dashed toward Matsuyama. The teen was unmoved for he knew what to do. In one glowing light—the puppet missed Matsuyama except his cheek—which trickled a small line of blood down to his chin. But, Matsuyama was already in a slashing pose as his whip traversed in a well-known trick, maimed the puppet to pieces which resulted in an explosion of blood…
Tsubasa was unable to register what happened. He knew Matsuyama was deftly fearless in soccer. But, he never knew this part of Matsuyama for he barely knew him. Was he this sadistic? Soon, the glow that surrounded Matsuyama disappeared and his white whip became a bandanna.
Tsubasa gulped silently as he rushed towards Matsuyama, his voice laced with awe " How did you do that? I mean—that was so cool!"
The Furano Captain noticeably saw fear within Tsubasa's eyes, but he just played along by giving Tsubasa a weak smile " When I was in Hokkaido, I learned some magic from a few folks. Yoshiko gave me this very bandanna when we were playing against you guys; and, it was just—like this. It's the first time I tried this trick but I didn't know it can get so bloody."
Tsubasa nods his head and compliments " I wish I could learn stuff like that sooner. But first, let's find Yoshiko!"
" Ha, ha. That's supposed to be my line." Chuckles Matsuyama as they both head for the temple before them…
Soon, as they moved forward, dozens and dozens of different kinds of puppets appeared… All blood thirsty for White Magic casters. Tsubasa kept very close to Matsuyama who seemed not to notice a thing. But as they both advanced, the place grew darker and colder. They didn't notice the puppets disappearing and reappearing nearer. But they stood within a group unnerved for the Furano Captain.
" Say Matsuyama, how did those things appear?" questioned Tsubasa, as his pacing hastened.
Matsuyama's eyes lingered in the surroundings and he said " Probably Black Spiritualism. It meant that inanimate objects—whether new or old—could be possessed by evil spirits. It's only been a day and look how they grow in number. But spirits can't be guided so easily—someone simply beckoned them." Matsuyama's eyes pierced the darkness " And that someone is the one who kidnapped Yoshiko."
Tsubasa merely nodded in reply. He simply feared getting in Matsuyama's way. But the Furano captain couldn't have made him come with him only to be a burden. It was something else—but Tsubasa couldn't ask…
After seconds of walking, Tsubasa can't handle the stench of blood from Matsuyama. But, he couldn't afford himself to cover his nose from him. He only knew sooner or later he'd end up just like Matsuyama—reeking with blood…or worse…
" We're here." Matsuyama intercepted Tsubasa's thoughts. Tsubasa can only nod as his face was drained with color living it only pale.
Before them was a large temple—with rows of violet, hostile pillars and steep stairs with forbidding cracks. Masses of bloodcurdling trees surrounded the temple in a daunting way. The two teens can fairly see hanging carcasses and massive silhouettes of shadows atop thick branches. But—above the steep stairs, a pair of figures can be clearly seen…
" Yoshiko!" gasped Matsuyama out loud—his voice laced with trepidation and longing.
Yoshiko can barely muffle Matsuyama's name for behind her, a broad figure kept a hand in front of her mouth. And before Matsuyama stalked the stairs, Tsubasa dashed first—all fear gone. It's time I should help Matsuyama!
And with an enormous leap, Tsubasa didn't hesitate to land a kick on the chest… Sadly, the stark figure grappled Tsubasa's leg and swung him behind. With a loud crash reverberating the temple, Tsubasa flipped and flung the stone out of the ground due to the immense force—he could've barely made that alive…
Matsuyama growled inwardly and dashed the stairs " Tsubasa!" And then, jumping on the last step—he suddenly glowed white…
Hand of God, Saints of Heaven, Holy Spirit, lend your power unto me; grant thy rite of light, Shiroi no Mahou!
He stretched his leg backwards and prepared a kick—dearly hoping to knock the figure back… But, it remained unmoved… He yelled fiercely as his leg advanced forward—" Shi-nee!"
His kick was evaded easily, as the darkness grew bigger… The figure disappeared before him… Inwardly cursing, he flung his leg forward as he slowly untangles his bandanna once more… He bit his lip as the darkness surrounded him.
" MATSUYAMA! LOOK OUT!" the innocent voice of Tsubasa hung in the air as Matsuyama quickly glanced where he heard—but in a lapse of a second, his chest was pounded against a vigorous fist… And then a second later—he was on the ground.
Tsubasa's eyes widened at the moment he saw Matsuyama fall. An anger aroused in him as he struggled to get up. The figure clasps Yoshiko in a threatening way before Tsubasa. All of a sudden—a light boomed all around the teen and unbelievably—a pair of large and luminous wings grew on his back. It was so radiant and bright that the whole temple was seemingly glowing. Before Tsubasa knew it, the figure threw Yoshiko on the ground and fully faced him. It took off its hood and it revealed—a man… with black hair and blue eyes…smiling with imminent victor.
Tsubasa's whole body was graced with white whirlwinds that seem to form a tornado around him. His every step—thundered the ground as air sizzled under it. " You mess with my friends…" his voice tough with courage "…You mess with me…"
And within a lapse of a second—they were on the air… None of them managed to punch the other, attacks met counter attacks and a thrust conflicted with a counter thrust. All array of punches and kicks were useless to each other. And before Tsubasa knew—he was already hovering along with the wind, his wings greatly flapping against the thriving wind currents. And then—with a stroke of fine luck, Tsubasa stretched his bare hand upward freely and a white sphere circulated over and over again. Windstorms conflicted with the figure struggling to keep his pace, but alas, he was stuck within the wind.
Tsubasa soars along while the sphere on his palm broadens as wind currents gather around it. And in one fleeting wave of wind—Tsubasa violently throws the sphere towards the figure…
And then in one blast of light, the district regains the forgotten sunlight as the darkness vanquished in one wave of conflicting light.
A few minutes passed… Tsubasa opens his eyes and finds himself lying down on the cold cemented floor. Rubbing his aching eyes, he stands up and finds the place warming with the sun up once more. Looking back, he sees his wings slowly disappear in a burst of translucent feathers. And as he was looking around, he sees Matsuyama and Yoshiko.
Matsuyama struggles to stand and then feels a warm hand over his forehead. "Y-Yoshiko?"
" It's alright, Matsuyama… Tsubasa saved us." Responds Yoshiko with a fervent smile.
Tsubasa rushes before them and mumbles loudly " Look at the place, I mean—did I do this…?"
Matsuyama heaves a downward thrust until he's on his knees. Looking at Tsubasa, he smiles " I knew you could do it."
" Who could ever know you possess such a distinguished power, Tsubasa?" comments Yoshiko patting the teen on the back.
But before he can answer—he finds his eyes blurred… His surroundings went vague and his body lost all strength and energy… Darn… I'm losing it. I shouldn't have—used up all… but… At least I saved Matsuyama and Yoshiko…
Then—Tsubasa collapsed…
It was midnight. Tsubasa was lying on his bed, the cold, seething from the windows to him. His back resounds with cold pain and forces his eyes wide open. He knew very well of his condition and never thinks twice of not standing up. The uncomfortable feeling weighs on his whole body. Settling his head over the side, he feels the soft pillows. Then, he mumbles without thinking at all" Matsuyama is not one of the chosen ones…"
What am I saying? Ponders Tsubasa as he hoisted his hand over his mouth. He desperately clutches his back and feels a cloth wrapped around it. Matsuyama bandaged Tsubasa's back. He also must've dragged Tsubasa home.
Glancing sideways, Tsubasa offers himself no sleep and just stares blankly at the ceiling. A lot has been happening to him and these things will soon take the wave of his life. He will soon control what God has given him—and this power can lead the earth to its salvation or destruction. A while ago, he got a glance of what kind of powers lie within him. And inside his head, he couldn't say but it told him that it was only its weakest…
He holds power greater than that… Because of his Fujutsu Object, the Wings of Hope, he can do spells and hold immense powers of no limits.
Even as Tsubasa thinks about it, it sends terrifying chills down his spine. Even as he didn't know it—sooner or later—a chosen one will appear…
A few miles away from Tsubasa's home—A friend returns to Shizuoka… With brown locks of hair reaching on the neck, big eyes of innocence and a warm hearted smile, he happily walks forth as his father, goes away to check in for their lodging.
Misaki Taro happily plays with his soccer ball under the light of a lamp post when—it flickered. He looks up at it with probing eyes, when it flickered again. Suddenly… Taro's surroundings slowly dimmed. Standing under the lamppost, he can no longer see the lodge, the sky… Before he knew it—he was standing alone with his soccer ball.
" Dad? Anyone?" mumbled Taro loudly as he picks up his soccer ball and clutches it on his chest. Unfortunately—the light began to flicker… Taro can only close his eyes—as the darkness engulfs him…
Tsubasa… Help me…
Tsubasa wakes up with his back arched and his eyes wide open… He can only think of one thing… Taro's in danger. In a swing of his legs, he was on his feet. But, he shook. He is absolutely in no condition to fight… But his inner instinct told him to save a very important friend who's only miles away…
Quickly, Tsubasa dashes down the stairs—but much to his surprise, his mom doesn't wake up. Grabbing a brown jacket from the coat hanger, he limps towards the door. Once he was already outside, he desperately begs God to give him more strength…
Then with the last string of power remaining in him—he bursts in radiant light… His wings reappeared within the light and then he crouches, preparing to launch himself above.
" Be safe Taro—I'll rescue you."
With one blast of a turbulent wind, Tsubasa flew up in the sky, in hopes of saving his dear friend, Taro…
To be continued…
A/N: Third Chapter is finished and then Taro's going to be fully introduced in the next chapter. I hope you all will stay tuned because I'm going to be updating moderately. And PLEASE! Please Review those who read!
