My name is lora. And i'm a driver. Drivers are those who bonded with powerful beings known as blades. And mine is jin. I bonded to him when i was a child. The mercenary who stole his cole crystal. Gort wasn't happy with me. And tried to kill me. Jin cut him down and promised to protect me from that day on. And so here we are. As wandering mercenaries.
After surviving an onslaught of volffs and a buloofo. One jumped on me while the sword was in jin's hand. He slashed it off of me. And finished off the rest with an ice barrage. He gave me a hand up.
"Thank you jin." i said.
"Well…we've got room for improvement." jin said.
"Like what?" i asked.
"This fighting style. It magnifies our strength, sure, but it leaves us wide open. When the sword is in my hand, you're left defenseless." jin said.
"What, You won't keep me safe?" i asked as i walked towards him and put my hand on his cheek "i'll keep you safe, always!" i said. Repeating what he said to me. All those years ago.
"You…you still remember that?" jin asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I've thought about it…every day for 17 years. I'll never forget it. The day you set me free from a life of misery." i said. Looking at jin with a smile.
"I see." jin said. Me and him began to walk out of the forest. But then i noticed something coming from the sky. A small light blue well…light. It then became a flash. Blinding me and jin. Once the flash died down. A person with light blue hair was on the ground face down…i approached him. But jin grabbed my arm. "What are you doing?" jin asked.
"Come on jin. He probably needs help." i said. Only to hear the rustling of grass behind me. And i saw the man stand up. His eyes were ruby red. He looked around a bit. Before looked at us.
"Where am i?" he asked.
"Your in the lasaria woodland. In torna." i said. He looked at me with a raised eyebrow.
"Torna?...How did I end up here?...and who are you two?" he asked.
"I'm lora. And this is jin. How about your name? Can you at least remember your name?" i asked.
"My name is….kaku…kaku tachinowarui." he said. Should i mention how he appeared in a blast of light?...probably not.
"Well…would you like to travel with us? We can help you find your missing memories." i said.
"Sure. let's go." kaku said.
"Really? That easily?" jin asked.
"Why not? You two seem nice enough…and not like i have much choice. I'm in unfamiliar territory with my only memory being my name. So. i'll take what i can get." kaku said. And thus, our party became three. We made our way out of the woodland. And found a burned village. I saw a blonde boy. Looking lifeless.
"What happened? Are you alone?" i asked the boy.
"Looks like the only survivor…these burn patterns don't look like malos's handiwork…must have been humans…looting and pillaging while the world burns." jin said.
"Sounds about right…which is why i'm glad i found you two. Cause there sure as hell as plenty of people that would probably kill me for my jacket. Or sell me into slavery for quick cash." kaku said. He then put one knee on the ground. In front of the boy. "Want to come with us? Lora and jin are good folks, and you as hell can't stay here. Can you walk?" kaku asked. The boy nodded. "Alright. Good going." kaku said as he stood up. We all then left the burned down village.
On the way to the rendezvous point with haze. I asked the boy some questions "and…your family? Were they with you? Should we go back and…" i said.
"Mikhail…" the boy said.
"Hmm?" i asked.
"My name is…mikhail." Mikhail said.
"Oh! Right. I'm lora. And these two are…" i said.
"I don't have a family. I was sold to this village from estham. So…i'm all alone." mikhail said. I thought for a minute on how to respond to that.
"Right then! Starting today, we're going to be your new family! We'll take you back to our friends, and…"
"You people? You're strangers. You don't have to pretend to care." mikhail said.
"Give it some time lora." kaku said. "It's clearly obvious this kid has been around nothing but people who wouldn't care if he got eaten by monsters. All we can do is try to be there when no one else was. And let trust build until he feels comfortable around us." kaku said.
"That was…good advice kaku." jin said.
"You sound surprised…what do you think i am? A simpleton?" kaku asked.
"No…it's just I didn't expect an amnesiac to know how to handle social interaction." jin said.
"Social interaction is a skill…not an memory. If getting amnesia made you forget skills…well dealing with an amnesiac would be a lot more difficult having to reteach them simple things such as how to use a fork." kaku said. That's…fair.
"I'll scout ahead. You and lora look after him." jin said.
"Oh of course. Be careful. And jin." i said.
"I know." jin said. As he put on the mask i made him.
Timeskip/camp.
I explained to kaku how blades and drivers work. He seemed interested. But he wasn't willing. He wasn't willing to risk his life on a gamble. Which is fair enough. "How sad…that village, I mean." i said.
"It is." jin said.
"That blade, malos…he didn't do that, did he?" i asked.
"The towns razed by the aegis were completely obliterated…i plan to inform the mercenaries about this." jin said.
"How could a person do something so awful?" i asked.
"Not everyone is like you lora…people like you protect us. While others just want to mug us in an alley. They see something they want. And they'll do their damndest to get it. No matter what they have to destroy. Or who they have to hurt. The people who burnt that village are the same. Pure scum who found that village. Saw that they had something that they wanted. So they destroyed it. Killed everyone and took what they wanted. Because they believe that they're strong. And this gives them the right to crush whatever or whoever they please, Failing to realize their wolf pack, Is going to attract bears. In this case. The mercenaries jin is going to inform. And then. The trash that destroyed that village will learn just how truly weak they really are." kaku said. He then yawned. "Anyway. Let's get some shut eye. This journey is far from over. And we can't defend ourselves if we can't keep our eyes open." kaku said…it took a bit for me to sleep…kaku's view is… cold…but not inaccurate.
The next morning/rendezvous point.
"Haze isn't here yet." i said.
"Guess we'll have to wait." kaku said. We kept walking until i saw…malos's handiwork. A massive hole. Looking like it was made of glass.
"What the? This is…this should be the village of feltley" i said. Jin got on his knee to examine.
"It's almost like glass…rumors says that's…the hallmark of the aegis." jin said.
"Nothing can regrow. Nothing but can be rebuilt. This malos…is certainly a threat. No doubt." kaku said.
"But why would he do this?" i asked.
"Maybe there's a reason…maybe there's not…for some. There's no reason. They just do evil. For the sake of evil." kaku said.
"Both of you! Look out!" jin yelled as he grabbed out of the way of an attack. Kaku managed to dodge easily.
"Are you both alright?" kaku asked.
"It's nothing, let's go! Kaku. get out of here!" jin yelled. Only for kaku to look at the machine that attacked us with pure rage. And to my surprise a light blue flame emanated from his hand. It soon died down revealing a sword with a glowing blue blade.
"You'll pay for that sucker punch! You tin can!" kaku yelled. Before either me or jin could move. Kaku rushed at it. Dodged it's claw swing. and with one slash…cut off it's leg. Despite the loss of limb. It came at kaku with it's clawed arm. Only for that to be sliced to pieces by a spin slash. After that. Kaku hopped on the back of it's neck. And rapidly slashed at the head of the machine. Reducing it to metal bits. He breathed heavily. And jumped off it's torso. And walked towards us.
"What…was that?" jin asked.
"I don't know…" kaku said. As he looked at the sword in his hand. However the blue flame came back. And the sword disappeared. "Didn't know i had that kind of power…but what was that? That wasn't any normal monster." kaku said.
"Not an ardanian titan weapon either." jin said.
"Maybe it was malos's…" i said.
"It was…quite impressive. For once. No one needed my help. Shocker." i heard someone say. Kaku turned around. me and jin looked behind him. To see a blonde woman wearing a white dress with an emerald core crystal…alongside her a hooded man.
"So this piece of junk did belong to malos? Well i sent it to the scrap heap where it belongs…so who are you two?" kaku asked. Only for the hooded man looked at jin.
"Hey…wait a minute." the hooded man said. He put down his hood revealing short silver hair. And…
"The emblem of torna!" i yelled.
"You are…jin right? Wow. i can't believe it! I came all the way out of here. And who do i meet other than the paragon of torna and his driver!...you're so young. That core crystal was stolen 17 years ago. Quite a feat to pull a heist like that at that age." the silver haired man said.
"Is that seriously the story you're going with?" kaku asked. "If it is. Then you're just asking to make the torna authorities look like a joke. It would be pretty humiliating that the core crystal of the paragon of torna got stolen by a kid. Wouldn't it?" kaku asked.
"A fair point…but if she didn't steal it. Then who did?" the silver haired man asked.
"Most likely…she happened to come across the real thief's loot. And find the core crystal. Resonate with it. And the rest is history." kaku said.
"Most likely? You mean you don't know yourself?" the blonde blade asked. Kaku shrugged.
"Neither of them have told me about their past…but they were willing to help a complete stranger like me…and a kid who's home was burned down by bandits…they proven to be good people, and that's more than enough reason to believe them." kaku said. Jin drew his sword.
"Kaku. there's no point in talking." jin said. The blonde blade walked forward as well.
"Have it your way." she said. She summoned a white and gold sword. With a glowing green energy blade. She and jin clashed.
"Violence it is then." kaku said as he summoned his sword again. And charged at the blonde blade. "You two go for him. He's the easier opponent. I got the blondie here." kaku said as he readied his sword.
"Blondie!?" the blonde blade yelled. Kaku charged and clashed blades with the blonde blade. He was relentless. Not giving her a moment to collect her thoughts. But it worked on our favor as me and jin can focus on the silver haired man.
"What are you!? No human can have this kind of power. And would you please give me some space!?" the blonde blade yelled.
"What's the matter? Can't handle a relentless opponent!? You came at us! And now you pay for it!" kaku yelled as he swung his sword relentlessly at the blonde blade. The crystal on her chest started to glow. A huge beam of light came from the sky. And blasted kaku. Sending him flying.
"Kaku!" i yelled.
"Serves him right!" the blonde blade yelled. I was about to strike. But we all saw kaku get up. His shirt was destroyed. And one of his pant legs was ash. But he got up just fine. He brushed off his shoulder like that attack was nothing.
"Nice move….now it's my turn!" kaku yelled. As blue energy started to course through his sword.
"Enough!" the silver haired man yelled. He put his sword away. And approached us with a smile.
"You!...incredible! All three of you!" the silver haired man yelled.
"What the hell?" kaku asked. I'm right there with him. The blonde blade closed her eyes and shook her head.
"That last attack? The force behind it was absurd. Incredible! And you! Young man! You got up from mythra's artifice attack like it was nothing! Your toughness and resilience is down right super human!" the silver haired man yelled.
"Why are you complimenting me!? We were trying to kill each other 5 minutes ago!" kaku yelled. Utterly baffled.
"Oh, and…passing the weapon? What a concept!" the silver haired man yelled.
"He's not even listening." kaku said with a sweatdrop.
"Yeah. get used to that." mythra said with a look of silent suffering.
"How did you ever come up with that idea?" the silver haired man asked.
"Oh, well…we were…broke." i said.
"We couldn't afford meals. Let alone with another sword. So we made due." i said. Both the man and his blade had a look of utter shock. Jin face palmed.
"Crap…i'm stuck with two nice bums who can barely feed themselves…oh well." kaku said. The silver haired man bursted out laughing.
"You're kidding!? Oh man. You guys are the best! I haven't laughed this hard in ages. I really really like you three!" the silver haired man said. Baffling all of us.
"Okay. clearly this guy is off his rocker. Can we knock him out and bail? For all we knew, he was planning to blow up torna?" kaku asked.
"Master addam! Sir!" someone yelled. We looked up to see haze alongside a gormotti boy waving.
"Milton!" addam yelled. As milton ran up and hugged him.
"Oh thank goodness you're alright. Master addam, are you hurt?" milton asked.
"Master…addam? You can't be THE addam origo!?" i asked.
"Who?" kaku asked.
"The lord of aletta…and fourth in line to the throne of torna." jin explained. Kaku looked at him with shocked eyes.
"You're kidding me!?...this spaz is royalty!?" kaku asked.
"Oh come on, milton. I've been with him the whole time. You really think those three can cause any harm?" mythra said arrogantly.
"Considering i took your strongest attack like it was nothing. Maybe you shouldn't act so cocky." kaku said with a deadpan look.
"Her strongest attack?...you've been using your dumb artifice again, haven't you?" miltion asked.
"Dumb!?" mythra yelled.
"So yeah, sure, nothing to worry about, right?" milton asked.
"Pardon me? But who are you?...and why are you shirtless?" haze asked.
"My name is kaku tachinowarui. Another lost person your driver took in…as for your second question…i took a sky laser to the kisser. My body Didn't take much damage. But my clothes did." kaku replied.
"Nice to meet you kaku. I'm haze." haze said with a bow and warm smile.
"She saved me from the jaws of some nasty monsters." milton said.
"Well i'd better give her my thanks." addam said.
"Haze!" i yelled.
"Oh. was she with you?" addam asked.
"I'm sorry to keep you waiting, my lady." haze said.
night/campsite.
"Well these new clothes aren't my style, but they'll do. Thanks haze." kaku said. As he was wearing an male version of my outfit. It was light blue where mine was red.
"It was no problem sir kaku." haze said with a smile.
"Don't call me sir haze. I'm no knight." kaku said with a smile.
"Yeah, your a berserker if anything." mythra said.
"Mythra!" addam yelled.
"No, she's right." kaku said. As he looked at his hands. "I have no clue where that anger came from, But when a sword is in my hands. It's like I'm a different person." kaku said as he gripped his hands hard. "I don't know if i'll ever find out who i am. But i'm glad i'm not searching alone." kaku said with a smile. I smiled back. I decided to tell everyone my past.
"I see…so that's when…what a sad sad tale lora." addam said. As he began to cry.
"Oh here we go again." milton said.
"Honestly what jin did to gort…that pig got off easy, I would have taken my time tearing him apart." kaku said, anger emanating from his voice.
"Your bloodthirsty side is coming out again." mythra said.
"This time, it's justified, murdering an innocent child is as vile as you're gonna get. Any waste of skin willing to go that low. Deserves no mercy." kaku said.
"I agree." haze said. Much to mine and everyone's shock.
"This got…disturbing fast." jin said. Milton gave a tissue to addam.
"Don't let it get cold, now." milton said as he handed a bowl of stew to mikhail. Kaku got himself a bowl of stew. Started wolfing it down.
"So is this why you became a driver for hire?" kaku asked. As he got a second helping.
"Hey! That's for everyone!" addam yelled.
"Then stop crying and start eating." kaku said.
"I guess i like the freedom…this way, i'm not tied down, so i can help out, with causes i really believe in, you know? Going's tough everywhere you look these days, right? I can't ignore it can i?" i asked.
"I understand." addam said.
"Fat load of good that'll do in the long run, the world keeps turning anyway." mythra said.
"True…what were doing might not amount to much…hell we'll probably be forgotten when we die. But does that mean we're not gonna try helping out? No. making things a bit better can give a lot of people hope. Especially in this dark time. Where there's a blade hellbent on destruction with the power to cause it. People need hope. You and addam deal with malos. While we keep the despair of the people back. We all have our roles to play. Your's to be the sword that ends malos, while we be the shield that protects the people and give them hope." kaku said.
"Hmph…didn't expect that from the guy who was madly swinging a sword at me a few hours ago." mythra said.
"Says the girl who's partnered up with a spaz who will swing a sword at you one moment, and in the next. stop fighting to sing praise to his utterly baffled and confused opponents." kaku said.
"Hmm…good point." mythra said with a smile.
"Hey!" addam yelled. Mythra and kaku laughed. Shame kaku couldn't be the one to partner up with mythra…those two get along so well.
"So about jin…i suppose you have to take him away from me." i said.
"I could try to slay you right here." addam said. And before any of us knew. He had a blue sword to his neck. Held by kaku. Who had a terrifying death glare.
"B-but. My mission is to stop the aegi's destruction..to subdue malos. Not seek out lost trinkets. Who cares about paragons anyway. I certainly don't. So please kaku. Could you lower that sword?" addam asked. Kaku lowered it. But not before giving addam the "i am watching you" hand gesture. "How about…you three join us, lend us your strength?" addam asked.
"You mean four…or are we just ignoring haze?" kaku asked.
"Oh! Apologies!" addam yelled.
"It's alright." haze said. She winked at kaku
"You're incredibly powerful, there's loads i want to pick up from you. Like that trick from before…we'll say i found the paragon on my journey…and decided to entrust him to you. To help with malos. Well? Sounds plausible?" addam asked.
"That's just…" i said.
"So lora and jin get to stay together. And i get a chance at that bastard malos? Sound like a win win to me." kaku said.
"You really are a battle maniac. Aren't you?" milton asked.
"...i've seen the kind of destruction malos causes. Completely glassed. Absolutely no way for life to return. And that kind of destruction going to continue as long as he remains alive…so i'm down for changing that." kaku said. He then rolled out a sleeping bag. And went to sleep quickly.
"He's already asleep?" mythra asked.
"That was fast." addam said.
campfire/addam pov.
While kaku was sleeping. Everyone else was chatting around the campfire. Me and mythra stood back a few feet away. Mythra sighed.
"Something wrong?" i asked.
"I'm not sure how to feel…about kaku. He's shown to have a pretty violent temper, quick to draw a sword. Hell he's a rabid beast in battle. That aggression isn't normal." mythra said.
"On the other hand?" i asked.
"He's….probably the easiest person for me to get along with." mythra said. I laughed.
"Mythra! I'm hurt! I thought i was your driver." i said.
"Shut up you spaz." mythra said with deadpan eyes. We both laughed.
"I can see what you mean…honestly i feel like he's better to be your driver then i am…we never truly saw eye to eye. But he, despite his aggression. Got along with you quite quickly…maybe you can both help each other open your hearts." i said.
"Open our hearts? What's that supposed to mean?" mythra asked.
"That is something you'll have to find out on your own." i said….this will certainly be an interesting adventure.
author's notes: yep. another story begins. also i should give a rundown of kaku's arts and camping skill.
vanguard skills:
bomb strike. (has a smash effect)
explosion. (break effect/aoe)
mad rush (foward effect/topple)
rearguard skills:
cosmic flare (aoe)
guardian (increases defense and hp of vanguard.)
unforgiving rage. (aoe/damage increases on how low vanguard hp is.
specials.
level 1: deadly fury
level 2: gaea rage (launch effect)
level 3: freikugel
level 4: sword of damocles.
crafting skill: kaku's blacksmithing.
kaku can improve the weapons of himself. or his teammates. increasing the damage of their auto attack and arts. an example. kaku's crafting skill on a greatsword will make it a greatsword+1. the maximum is ten. and all level 10 have unique names.
lora's battle braid: eternal bond.
jin's nodachi: frozen promise.
haze's crosier: false goddess.
addam's greatsword: hero's sword.
mythra's aegis sword: burning light.
minoth's gunknives: time's shadow.
hugos arming sword: emperor's arms.
brighid's whipswords: inquisitors flames.
aegaeon's chroma katana: imperial waves.
kaku's sword of the wasteland: the last knight.
materials required: ore.
(yes there is a meaning to all of those names. anyone who's played both xc and the golden country will probably get most of them...but what's does kakus mean...only the future will tell.)
