Mauled to Death?! The Hate for Courage (Part 2)
Apogee Storm Blow (アポジーストームブロー)! Whoever takes the attack is sent flying far or high in the opposite direction. After traveling a far distance, if their body was still intact, the heavy blow "remains" as a geometrical force that tears against said body until death. The pressure of an elephant's underfoot was within that force. However, didn't a Gold Cloth handle the pressure of the sea?
Shir Khan was only eleven years old, being the youngest in the current generation of Gold Saints; now he faced his first war donning the Gold Cloth of Leo. It was about four years ago that he first tried it on, hearing Athena's voice like a melody in his ears. "Did this Cloth choose you? Walk your path courageously and wisely." At that time, the boy did not register the word "destiny", its importance, as he trained. All he knew was that he had nowhere else to go. He could not return to India after being "collected" by a man named Ionia.
Then, about a year ago or two, the Leo Cloth was "stolen"; rather, it was monopolized by a God named Mars. Despite a red orbital body inflaming the sky, Athena's voice comforted Shir's mind to continue training. Evil spirits morphed into animals has leaked into Myanmar and Thailand, testing his martial mettle against them. He was told when he officially took the Cloth, he would join the 12 Temples as one of Athena's greatest voices and protectors.
Now was not a good time to dwindle the defenses of Sanctuary, even with Pallas at the head, next to an injured Pope. At the forefront of the Temples was Gemini Integra, guardian of the third house from the mountain base up. Following was Cancer, then Leo.
Shir was only allowed to go to the Chaos Underworld to sweep up an insect that was bothering him; without divine protection or the Gold Cloth, he could survive to an extent. He was also ordered to find the person who wrote a letter to the Pope: "I know Hell better than anyone. Soon, come and join me." The Pope can be assured that the cub wouldn't be alone. Was he really bait as the Pope said?
With an energetic cry, the vortex that strewed over Shir Khan's body like a web heated up and shattered, replaced by an aura of sun gold across his body.
"So you broke out," said the Specter of The Heavenly Defeat Star (天敗星). The Specter's face—that face that looked like Shir—deepened with creases, his jaw tightening with anger. An accusation finger pointed at Leo.
"You're so stubborn! To think someone like you could become a Gold Saint. It must truly be fate that I become a dark star, and to face you as an enemy. Only the Underworld King could've predicted this."
"An enemy…." Shir spoke under his breath, a dismayed expression on his face as his blue eyes were kept locked on the Specter. His voice then rose.
"HOW are you my enemy, Tabaqui?! That doesn't make sense at all!"
"Because you are my obnoxious little brother!" With the speed and aggression of a giant hunting cat, and the pressure of an elephant's underfoot, the Specter crossed the distance between them in one bound. A low crouch, a leg lifting to knock Shir in the chin. Another Apogee blow.
This anger—no, it must've been something else, Shir thought; he was so flustered that all he could think of was catching the foot. He used both hands for the catch. A screwing vortex of air covered Tabaqui's foot, and Shir heard a thunderclap from the impact of the kick. Why was there hatred?
That too much thinking had Shir by the throat. Shiva laughed. "Now now, you golden cub brat. You are suddenly stifled? It almost breaks my heart to see you like this."
He ignored the taunt and suddenly remembered. Before leaving for Sanctuary, he lived with his uncle, mother, and other children in a rural village near a river. The only true family he remembered having was his—
Immediately, his emotions are directed to the female Specter on the cliff.
"You are a coward, Shiva!" Yelled the Gold Saint.
"Beg your pardon?"
"You turned my brother into one of your slaves, didn't you?!"
The female wailed in laughter. "There's the child-like cub that I know so well. You misunderstand, my boy," said Shiva. "Do you not know? I'm sure you are aware that your brother died. Seeing him before you means that he was chosen and reborn with a star of darkness. We just so happen to meet."
It would've been the perfect opportunity to hit him up close, but the weight of despair—the feeling of seeing that weight upon the enemy—made Tabaqui throw down the Gold Saint like a stack of paper instead. With his newfound strength, a Gold Saint felt like a tiny stone in the hand. Shir Khan hit the ground, an explosion cratering the black-soiled earth. Whether it was the impact of the ground or from seeing his brother, Shir's face showed that his body was full of shock. Shiva continued to scoff.
"It's strange to see him look so unsure and defeated. Now I wonder if you have the hate and courage to defeat your own brother, Tabaqui."
"Shut up! Of course I do!"
"With your new body, your wicked Heavenly Defeat star, as a Specter, you can definitely do it. Because Hades is an almighty God. Your ambitions will make you powerful!"
A weak mumble from a Gold Saint. "But why?"
The Specter looked down at the weary-looking Gold Saint. "We just happen to serve two different Masters, Shir."
"Tabaqui…do you want to defeat me? Is it because of what happened?" His eyes closed. "Over something…so petty? It can't be."
"As a Specter, I would say that I have no choice. Lord Hades has given me the chance to reconstruct myself!"
"And do what?!" The 11-year-old Gold Saint blurted back. His exhilaration to fight evil with a child-like energy and smile, the impulsive drive to confront with a heart of justice were held back. He was still confused about raising his fist against his only family. It still didn't feel real. Tabaqui stalled his answer, looking at his brother while taking an attack stance. His eyes looked serious. If there was a difference between the two, it was in height and the longer loose strands of hair that was free, and not slicked back and threaded into Tabaqui's hair band.
"Before my death, those villagers placed the seed of doubt in me. I became restless with anger after experiencing that…dreadful pain. That suffering. I will destroy the arrogance of humans. The dark star has seen my despair and chosen me to make up for my failure. You faced a tiger, now you think you can face God? You are the face of this polluted humanity, Shir!"
Shir took in a breath and closed his eyes. "So, you're a restless spirit?"
"An immortal spirit! I am much stronger now! And I will fulfill my duty."
Then, those child's eyes snapped open. The sunny glow around his body and Cloth returned.
"I had to make very sure. Because if it's true, if I stand proud to fight, I will face and free my own brother! That is my courage."
"Good! But I warn you. Being brave is just as foolish. That is why you're going to die...for even thinking you can come here and have the faith to make it out alive. You will feel the despair of failure!"
"You'd know that very well wouldn't you, you older brother?"
"Stop bothering me because you're doing nothing up there, Shiva! You taunted me and made me wait long enough"
"But can you do it?"
"What did I say?!"
"Perhaps it's your fate to try, and then to feel disappointed as you die again."
"What was that?!"
"Isn't it useless if you don't succeed, you 2nd-rate hero?"
"Those words…" Similar to the Leo Saint, a foul violet aura covered Tabaqui. He gritted his teeth, "Courage and heroes—I don't want to hear them again. Shir, prepare to die…against the Heavenly Defeat Star, Yali Tabaqui!"
"Leo Shir Khan! Unless our Lord says otherwise, you must fight one another. Your brother is your enemy!"
Shiva's constant jeers, a fanged smile crawling over her plum lips, gave rise to a searing memory. The day that fueled him—no one dared to follow the trail of blood that led to Tabaqui. It wasn't a common occurrence, the shock falling upon everyone. It was said to be the work of gods or demons.
In his heart, Shir apologized to his older brother and brought forward a punch. It didn't make sense at a distance, but a golden flash appeared between the two siblings. Shir appeared before a barrier, a rectangular stone pillar. It suddenly rose before him, blocking his view of Tabaqui, which he tried to reach. He could not see the wicked grin on the older sibling's face.
