Chapter 4: Desire for the Impossible
Unknown Location
General P.O.V.
Marluxia stared with great interest at the portal in front of him. The portal acted as a camera, through which he watched a young dark haired woman clothed in red and black leather armor (infinity blade style leather armor, except for a girl) wandering through the woods of another world. Almost as if sensing she was being watched, the woman turned in Marluxia's direction. The pink haired nobody felt himself shiver slightly at the sight of the woman's blood red eyes. A slight smirk spread across his lips. The woman in the image stood staring for a moment, then turned around and continued to walk. Marluxia closed the portal and chuckled lightly to himself.
"Something funny, boss?" came a snide voice from behind Marluxia.
The pink haired man didn't need to turn around to know that Grimmjow had just entered the room. He simply smiled to himself as the arrancar approached.
"No, just pleased by what I saw." Marluxia replied.
Grimmjow scoffed. "Fine. You know, none of those wimps are ever gonna get this far. I'm just gonna be sitting here with no one to talk to but you, Mr. Chosen One, and that asshole knight."
"Oh, I wouldn't be so sure of that. There is one amongst their ranks who has me quite…interested."
Marluxia reopened the portal surveying the woman so that Grimmjow could see. The blue haired espada looked at the woman in confusion.
"What's so special about her?" he asked.
"You should be able to sense that through this portal." Marluxia answered.
Grimmjow raised an eyebrow, but obeyed nonetheless. It took him seconds before his eyes shot wide open in realization.
"That reiatsu…she's a soul reaper?!"
Marluxia nodded. "And a powerful one at that. She took down one of the guardians by herself, without so much as a scratch."
"What? But aren't they all supposed to be strong?"
"They are. But this girl slew one single-handed. What's more, she seems to be trailing after a small group that took down another guardian. An old colleague of mine is with them."
"Do you think he has something to do with her insane power level?"
"I doubt it. Axel is not capable of such things. However, it's possible that this was only a fluke, and the girl was just lucky. But just to be safe, we'd better keep an eye on her. Who knows, she could prove to be…useful."
Grimmjow was about to express further doubts, but then an idea happened across his mind.
"Hey, I know how to test out your theory."
"Oh? And what did you have in mind?"
Grimmjow shot Marluxia his trademark insane grin. "Let me fight her. If she's as strong as you say, then she should be a good challenge. If not, then she was just lucky."
Marluxia thought for a moment. He had originally planned on saving Grimmjow for the small chance that someone managed to beat the first 39 guardians. It would definitely lower his security if he lost an arch-guardian this early in the game.
"No, not yet. I cannot let you onto the playing field right now."
Grimmjow frowned. "Suit yourself."
"However," Marluxia continued. "I will allow you to chose someone else for her to fight. I too would like to put her skills to the test."
Grimmjow took little time in thinking up an opponent.
"I think I know just who to send…"
Karakura Town
Shinzo
I slowly made my way though the expansive woods of Karakura Park, reaching out with my reiatsu for anything that might be powerful enough to be a guardian. I had spent the day watching over Hisana and Evelyn and their strange new friend 'Axel' as they searched for a guardian. According to the spiky redhead, Marluxia had decided to place three guardians in each of the fourteen worlds where the tournament would take place. If Hisana and Evelyn had killed one, then including the one I killed yesterday, there was still one left. I saw Evelyn take notice of me a few times, but she didn't let the others know of my presence. Perhaps she wants me to make an appearance myself? No matter. It's better this way. Hisana doesn't need to know yet. I sighed as I exited the woods and came out on the edge of a small lake. There was a white fog scattered about everywhere, making the ground invisible. I saw a small island sitting alone in the middle of the lake not far from where I now stood. All of a sudden, I detected an immense amount of spirit energy emanating from the island. Curious as to who, or what it may be, I started wading through the lake towards the island. The water came up to just below my knees, and the fog parted as I walked. The glass like surface of the water reflected the crescent moon hanging overhead, as well as adding an eerie shine to my red eyes. A few moments later, I was on the island. There were a few trees that stood around the edge, obscuring the center of the island from view. I checked my senses again, and found that the source of the immense spirit energy was coming from somewhere within the thicket of trees. I felt a smirk form on my lips.
"So that's where you're hiding. Well whoever you are, it's time to for you to leave this world." I said as I entered the thicket.
Slowly, I made my way through a tunnel formed out of branches tightly woven together. Eventually I got to the center of the thicket, where there was a dimly lit enclosure.
Sitting in the center of the enclosure was an elaborate short sword and shield that appeared to be made out of some kind of blue crystal. The sword appeared to be the source of the spirit energy, so I drew my swords and prepared to shatter it. Just then, a bright light shone from somewhere above the enclosure, forcing me o shield my eyes. When the light dimmed enough to become bearable, I looked to see what had caused it. Slowly descending with a pair of angelic wings, was a very scantily clad blonde woman who wore the equivalent of a semi transparent white bikini and a winged mask over the top half of her face. The woman stopped her descent to where she was hovering over the sword and shield.
"Who are you?" I demanded, swords at the ready.
"I have no name, but you humans often refer to me as the spirit sword, Soul Calibur. Though I suppose if I did have a name, then it would be Elysium." answered the woman.
"Heh, I think you've got the wrong idea, lady. Believe it or not, I am far from human."
Elysium must have been staring at me intently under her mask, because she tilted her head down to face me.
"…you speak the truth. I sense a darkness about you that surpasses that of humans. You desire something, something that is greatly forbidden to you."
"Aw, was it that easy to tell?" I mocked. "Cut the crap, I know you're one of Marluxia's guardians."
"Hmph. Very perceptive, child. It would seem you will be a challenge. I know not what dark desire rests in your heart…" the sword and shield flew from the ground to Elysium's hands. Her wings disappeared as her feet touched the ground, and she readied herself for combat. "But no matter what it is, you will not have it!"
The area around us became cloudy, and I could now see a stairway leading to somewhere bright, along with several pillar shaped structures that were reminiscent of Greek architecture. Elysium pointed her sword at me.
"Pitiful child, prepare to die!" she declared as she charged at me.
I just smirked and held my swords vertically in opposite directions.
"Run them through, Ryuketsu no Bara." I commanded.
My twin swords transformed into six red rapiers, with two in my hands and the other four at my sides. I crossed my blades in a defensive stance as Elysium swung at my head. Her sword bounced off my weapons, and I took the opportunity to slice at her. The angelic woman leapt back just in time to avoid being cut in two. She then ran forward and swung her shield. I side stepped out of its path and thrust a sword forward. Elysium barely dodged the attack, and quickly spun around the tip of my sword to thrust her own at my head. I tilted my head to the side as the crystalline blue blade clipped a few stray hairs. I then spun around and slashed at Elysium's side. She managed to evade the strike, and came at me with her shield again. This time I ducked under the attack and slammed the pommels of my swords into her gut, quickly followed by a kick that sent her skyward. As Elysium flew through the air, I jumped up so that I was above her. I smiled at her shocked face before turning my rapiers upside down and thrusting down at her. My twin blades dove into her unguarded stomach, planting her to the ground as she landed. I smiled sinisterly down at her as she squirmed from the pain. I let go of my rapiers and reached for the mask on her face. Elysium struggled harder to get free as my hand closed around the mask. Right as I tore it off, she kicked me hard in the stomach, knocking me off of her. I put out a hand to the ground and regained my balance as I skidded to halt. Elysium slowly pulled the rapiers out of her stomach and tossed them aside. As she stood up straight and took her stance, I could now see her beautiful eyes. They were a brilliant sapphire blue.
"Just like her eyes…" I whispered.
"What did you say?" Elysium demanded.
"Your eyes, they remind me of someone I know…someone I love…"
Elysium narrowed her eyes in confusion. "I care not for your games! Now be silent and let us continue our duel!"
I simply sighed and shook my head. "Very well, if you wish."
I drew another pair of rapiers from my sides, and took a stance. This time I rushed toward Elysium. She was surprised by how fast I closed the distance between me and her, and barely had time to hold her shield in front of her as I began to bombard her with an endless stream of lightning fast thrusts. No longer able to stand up to my attacks, Elysium spun around to the side for escape. As I turned to face her, she slashed at my chest and thrust her sword forward, too fast for me to stop it. The sword drove into my chest, causing a short spurt of green/black blood to flee my body. Elysium smiled, thinking she'd won. I pretended to go limp for a few seconds before letting a wicked grin spread across my face. As Elysium stared at me in disbelief, I slashed at her unguarded chest. The angelic woman staggered back, with an 'x' shaped cut freshly carved into the center of her chest. The strike had also cut apart her barely held together top, which now barely clung to her breasts. Elysium glared at me in anger and confusion.
"How are you still alive?!" she demanded.
I just smiled and walked toward her. My wounds had already healed, much to my opponent's surprise.
"Didn't I tell you earlier? I'm far from human. If you plan on killing me, then you'll have to do much better than that." I taunted.
Elysium yelled in rage and charged at me, sending blow after blow at everywhere she could. I didn't even try to dodge her attacks. Every time she cut me, the injury would heal up instantaneously. Not even the multiple times she stabbed me made any difference. Elysium got desperate, and decided to test the limits of my regeneration. With a cry of anger, she swung down at my right arm, severing it from my body. My limb fell lifelessly to the floor, still holding the rapier and splattering blood everywhere. Elysium let out a faint smile.
"Hah! You might be able to heal quickly, but it's impossible to regrow your limbs!" she claimed.
"Regrow my arm? Why would I want a new arm?" I said.
I held out the stump that remained of my right arm. The blood dripping from it and the other part of my arm suddenly rose up and turned into tendrils that reached out and connected to each other. Elysium watched in shock as the blood tendrils merged and slowly pulled my arm from off the floor and onto the stump, shortly before the skin melded back together, reattaching it.
"If you ask me, this one works just fine."
Before Elysium could react, I lunged at her with both my blades. With a single strike from both weapons, I disarmed my opponent. I sent another slash that cut across Elysium's waist, knocking her to the ground alongside her weapons. But the angelic woman wasn't done yet, for she quickly rose to her feet and spread out her now blue wings.
"Child of darkness, be gone!" she yelled.
What felt like a dozen invisible blades at once suddenly cut into my chest, spewing blood all over. Falling down on one knee, I looked up at Elysium and saw a dozen crystalline fragments floating around her wings.
"Fine, if that's how you want to play, then so be it." I said as I rose.
I held my swords out, and slowly let go of them. The twin blades remained floating in place, and soon the other four joined them. The six rapiers began to rotate around me, waiting for my command. I stretched out my arms and stared straight into Elysium's hate filled eyes.
"Chi no toge…" the six blades all made six copies of themselves, bringing it to a total of 36 blades. "…no danmaku." (blood thorn barrage) I said with a smile.
I thrust my arms forward, and the rapiers began to fly at Elysium in quick succession. My opponent desperately tried to ward off the attack by forming the crystal fragments into a shield, but to no avail. After the tenth blade struck, Elysium's shield shattered, and one by one the remaining blades impaled her. With just over a dozen rapiers stuck through her, Elysium fell to the ground. The copied blades vanished, and the original six returned to their places at my sides in my hands. I walked over to where Elysium lay motionless. Blood was rapidly escaping her body, and her breathing had become ragged and heavy. Sheathing my zanpakuto, I knelt down beside her and pulled her head up so that she could see my face. Through pain filled eyes, Elysium saw something in me that absolutely terrified her.
"No…it can't be…it was destroyed…" she gasped before coughing up a large amount of blood.
I furrowed my brow in confusion. "What are you talking about?"
"I see now…the reason you are so strong…the evil presence…it lies deep within you…"
I narrowed my eyes at her and smiled sadistically. "Well now, that's one way to talk about my desire. It may not be pure, but no one has ever called it an 'evil presence' before."
Frustrated, I stood up. Elysium cried out in pain as I lifted her up by her hair so that we were eye level. I stared straight into her sapphire eyes that quivered with fear as I inched my face close to hers.
"You know, you really are beautiful. Truly the living image of an angel." I said.
Elysium looked at me in scared confusion.
"But…" I continued. "you are not the angel I desire. You are an annoyance. So, why don't you be a good little pest…"
I opened my mouth and mercilessly dug my teeth into the soft flesh of her neck.
"…and die!"
The taste of the living essence of Soul Calibur was sweeter than I had imagined, and it didn't take long for me to drink her dry, blood and power and all. Elysium could only gasp as I drained her, dissolving into faint blue lights once I had completely devoured her. The area around me returned to normal, with nothing remaining from my duel. Nothing except the blood on my lips, that is. Smiling, I began to walk away from the scene of the battle, licking my lips clean of blood. With Elysium dead, Karakura Town was now free of guardians. I would now have to start searching the multiverse for more worlds. But first, I had something important to take care of.
It didn't take me long to track down where Hisana had decided to spend the night. We are sisters, after all. Suppressing my reiatsu on the off chance she was still awake, I slowly and silently entered the hotel room where she was staying. My sister lay in a bed sleeping soundly, while her belongings sat in a neat pile on the side of her bed. She had decided to take along Achreios, a sword given to our birth mother, along with a medium sized satchel. Curious, I quietly opened the bag and looked inside. Among its contents were some clothing, toiletries, and a few family photos. I reached into the bag and pulled out one of the photos. I smiled as I looked at the scene it displayed. It was a photo of Hisana and me when we were still little. I had my glasses on, and my eyes were still green. Hisana stood next to me, smiling brightly. I shared the same expression, and was holding her hand in mine. I mentally laughed to myself. Even as a child, you are beautiful. I heard my sister let out a soft sigh, and turned toward her. She was still sound asleep, so I decided it wouldn't hurt to stay a little longer. Quietly, I walked over and gazed fondly down at her sleeping form. Even in her adult body, my younger sister was petite when compared to most other people. That may seem odd to most people, but to me it was one of the cutest things about her. I gently put my hand on her head, careful so as not to wake her. Smiling softly, I very gently ran my hand through her soft hair.
"I'm sure you're worried about me, Hisana. I'm sorry I can't be by your side. Not yet. Not until I win this tournament for us. When I do, I'll tell you everything. I'll tell you what we are, I'll tell you about all the special things that only people like us can do. And most of all…" my smile faltered slightly as I finished. "…I will tell you how you mean so much more to me than you could ever know."
Hisana was too asleep to hear me, too asleep to notice the painful truth in my words. But it was better that she hadn't heard me. After all, how could she ever look at me the same if she knew how I felt about her? When I first realized I had these feelings, I didn't think much of it. I mean, it was just some childish longing, right? Nothing serious. But as time went by, Hisana began to seem more and more beautiful, until I could no longer deny my feelings. I found myself often sneaking into her bed, just so I could be closer to her. I passed it off as needing another person to warm up, but I knew that wasn't the case. When I finally came to terms with my feelings, I felt as though I had been struck by a terrible evil. I'm a freak. A freak who's romantically—oh who am I kidding, sexually attracted to her younger sister. I knew it wasn't right, that this is not how siblings should feel, that there was no way that Hisana could ever share the feelings I have for her. And I was okay with that. I was more than happy with just being sisters, with just being friends. But then this tournament came, and I knew that this was my only chance. So as I stand here now, with my sweet, innocent little sister sleeping safe and sound in front of me, I swear to myself that I will do whatever I have to in order to win this game and get my wish. If Hisana will not return my feelings because of our relation, then the only way to earn her love is to sever the ties between us. If we weren't related, then it wouldn't be so bad. With my resolve restored, I quietly snuck out of Hisana's room, taking a picture of her as a souvenir.
"Nice of you to drop by, Shinzo."
I wasn't as startled as I should have been to see Evelyn, the one person who knew my secret, standing by the exit wide awake, and giving me an accusatory glance. I sighed and walked until I was standing right behind her, so that our backs were facing each other.
"Does she know?" I asked.
"No, I haven't told her."
"That I've been following her?"
"Or that you've been guardian hunting, or that you're in love with her."
"…thank you."
"Shinzo."
"Yes?"
I heard Evelyn sigh. "Stop chasing after her. I know it may sound harsh, but I'm saying this because I'm your friend and because we both know it's true."
I knew what was coming next.
"No matter what you do, she's never going to fall in love with you."
I smiled sadly. "I know."
"That said, why are you doing this? Why are you trying to reach something that's impossible?"
I straightened up. "It doesn't matter if it's impossible. This is the only chance I have, and I can't just let it go. I love her so much, it's become harder and harder to restrain myself."
I heard Evelyn turn to face me, and tilted my head so that I was looking at her out of the corner of my eye. She was glaring furiously at me.
"Did you do something to her while you were in there?" she said accusingly.
I shook my head. "I wouldn't forgive myself if I forced myself on her. I want her to willingly fall in love with me, I don't want her to be a slave."
"You mean you don't want her to be like you."
I paused for a moment, then turned away from Evelyn. "I've killed the last guardian in this world. It'll take a while to find the rest, so you won't have to worry about me for a bit."
Evelyn's gaze became less tense as she sighed. "As if. I'm always worried about you, both of you. I swear, if I wasn't around…"
We both chuckled lightly at that. Then I collected myself, and started to walk away.
"See you later, Evelyn. Take care of Hisana for me while I'm gone." I said.
"Wait!" Evelyn quickly responded.
Curious, I turned around to face her. She stared at me with deep sympathy and worry.
"I can't approve of what you're doing, but please, just please, for both Hisana and my sakes…try not to get yourself killed."
I paused for a moment, then smiled and nodded. "I'll be careful."
With that, I turned and headed out the door, and into the streets. I decided to spend the rest of the night at a hotel on the other side of town, so I headed that way. About halfway there, though, I came across a strange scene. I saw a boy with blue hair and yellow shirt with a tyrannosaurus tooth hanging on a necklace surrounded by a group of hollows. I was just about to try and do something, when all of a sudden the boy let out an inhuman roar. He then pulled out an odd looking scepter, which he used to quickly crush every hollow around him. The boy just stood there as the lost spirits dissolved into nothing. One of his eyes was bright red and glowing, and he glared around looking for more things to attack. Cautiously, I approached the boy.
"That was quite impressive, for a kid." I said snidely.
That caught the boy's attention. Now that I was close, he looked about 16 years old.
"Who the hell are you? Are you with Rex Owen?" the boy demanded.
"Rex Owen? Who's that?"
"My other self, the one who has a soul! I hate him! I'd like nothing more than to rip him apart!"
"Then why don't you?"
"Because I'm his soulless, I'll die if he dies. If I kill him, then I kill myself. Dammit, if only there were a way out of this…"
An idea struck my mind, and I smiled mischievously.
"You know, I think I might know how to fix your problem."
That seemed to get the wild boy's interest. "Really?"
I nodded. "You bet. See, I also want to sever a bond with someone, but I couldn't do it. But now there's this tournament going on, and apparently whoever wins gets to have anything they want granted."
The boy smiled insanely. "So that message wasn't just a joke… Hey wait a minute, are you competing in this tournament? Cause if you are, I might just have to kill you."
I gave him the most wicked grin I had. "I'm afraid that's not a possibility for you. Besides, I'm not the one you have to fight, remember?"
The boy frowned. "Yeah, I guess. Killjoy."
I ignored his badly hidden insult. "Say, I have an idea. Since you and I have similar goals, why not work together for now? We can beat the guardians and Marluxia, and then when it's just the two of us, we'll fight for who get's their wish. Sound good?"
The boy thought for a moment. It seemed like he made a decision, because then he nodded his head. He looked back at me.
"Sure. What the hell."
"Great! Ah, I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Shinzo, Shinzo Takanashi. And you are?" I held out my hand.
The boy gave me another of his insane smiles and shook my hand.
"The name's Xalir. Nice to meet you, Shinzo."
38 Guardians Remaining...
A/N: Xalir is an OC created by Ekkuesuteria, from the dinosaur hearts series. The plot thickens, bro 0_0. Now review! Darn it, review! Lol, till next time. DarkNovelist out.