“Alright, that's all for today! Go handle whatever business you have for the next two days.” Joscene announces to the group, which takes them all by surprise.
“Huh…? That's it? We just came here to do a meet and greet?” Polo questions while arching a brow.
“AND to pass the decal stickers. But yeah, that's it for today. Because in two days? We head into the Deadly Fire Dragon’s den in the underground mall and kick their asses off their own turf and even further back!” She elaborates vigorously, smiling wide while pumping a gloved fist into the air.
“Oh? Alright, yeah. That's definitely far more interesting.” Polo admits.
“The underground mall is also a part of their territory? I had no idea… but it has been years since I last went down there. But, you know… I’m kind of confused here. How does a gang go about claiming an area as their own? What's stopping another gang from just coming by and also claiming it for themselves when no one is around?” Galivinth speaks up to ask.
“I think it has somethin’ to do with the City Rep website.” Big Red theorizes.
“Yup! Check it!” Joscene affirms before plucking her touch-phone out of her blazer pocket and uses it to surf the web, particularly the website of ‘CityRep.us.com’. She moves to stand beside Galivinth to show the half-cryonean her screen, revealing to him a virtual map of the city that's divided by various colors and gang logos. Within the area they're in, he and Joscene both see that the Poppers and Deadly Fire Dragon have large spread control of multiple city streets near each other. Though, there's a very small rectangle of space with M.O.M.H. on it and displays a different color.
“The red is the DFD’s range of territory and the dirty yellow is the Popper’s range of control. That tiny brick of dark purple? That's the block we snagged from the DFD yesterday.” She explains.
“Oh. I see. But uhh… Who keeps track of what goes on? Do you just… tell someone that we beat another gang up and claimed their spot?” Galivinth prods.
“Nah, couldn't even if I wanted to. No option on the site to send messages to anyone. They say it's a network of people working under an organization called ‘The High Elites’, some really shady folk with connections into everything you can think of.” She answers.
“Yeah, I hear they use cameras and word of mouth to find out what happens in the streets. I hear that they sometimes even have a discreet homie lurkin’ when things pop off. A real mysterious motherfucka’ ya wouldn't even know you're lookin' at, regardless if he or she were standing right in front of you.” Big Red adds after her explanation.
“Oh. Wow, that's surprising and kind of organized in a weird way.” Galivinth comments with furrowing brows.
“Yeah, but we can't get too used to doing things the way we did yesterday. We showed up without dropping formal deets, which is risky. The site recommends dropping the date and time you plan on making a move, so that it can be documented with zero of a doubt of what took place.” Joscene informs further.
“Does that site give ya any more information about the gangs, by any chance? Like maybe the number of members each one has?” Polo throws forward a question of his own.
“Hmmm… Lemme see. Uuhhh… oh! Yeah, it does!” She confirms after tapping at her screen a few times.
“The Deadly Fire Dragon's have 51 members…” She shares.
“A decent number, but I feel like not too many of ‘em are as tough as they're made out to be.” Polo comments.
“They were definitely more capable than the Poppers’ gang members and school students I fought before. I beat 50 Poppers members, but I don't even think I could handle 25 DFD members alone.” Galivinth speaks up again.
“And the Popper's have 442… Holy Moly, bro-dee-nee!” Joscene shares with a tone of shock.
“That's… that's so many!” Galivinth concurs.
“If 50 couldn't stand up to the likes of you during the earlier stages of our training back on Mount Heaven Splitter, then even less of them could do it now. There's nothing to worry about from a massive pack of weaklings.” Naeth nonchalantly assures.
“Tch! Mister tough-guy over here is at it again with that cockiness of his. But… yeah, I guess I haven't really heard about their set having heavy hitters, just overwhelming numbers.” Polo reluctantly agrees with the cryonean.
“Does it know how many of us were in the gang that day, Joscene?” Galivinth inquires.
“Let's see! Aaaand…. Wha–. Heh. Haha! No way, bro!” The female Tai Kwon Do practitioner exclaims.
“What-what!? What does it say?” The half-cryonean presses the matter.
“It already knows we have 12 members!” She answers with a big antsy grin on her face. Though she seems to find amusement in that discovery, that detail envelopes the entire group within a chilling blanket of silence. After fifteen long seconds of quietness, Galivinth is the first to speak up again.
“How…? We only got that many TODAY. The sun isn't even down yet. How did they find out so fast?” The half-cryonean questions with a soft spoken tone full of disbelief.
“Dawg, that's fuckin' wild… W-who’s out here watching us like that!?” Big Red chimes in as he nervously looks around to scan his eyes over the area for anything peculiar.
“Oh nah… I’m going home and staying inside. I’m not finna stand out here like a dumbass frog on a log. Peace, brodies. Let's bounce, Shadow and Jannon.” Polo announces his departure and proceeds to take his leave with his two friends following behind.
“Hey, you at least better be ready to go in two days!” Joscene shouts after him.
“Yeah, yeah! We’ll be there!” Polo responds while giving a departing wave of his hand without turning to look behind himself.
“Hm. If we're all truly done here, then I think we should go back to Mount Heaven Splitter for a bit.” Asura suggests toward Galivinth.
“Yeah, that's probably for the best. We still need to help out and time is running out.” Galivinth concurs. His sights shift toward Joscene.
“It was good seeing you again, Lady Jojo. You can count on us being on the corner in two days.” He assures just before extending a hand out to her. A gesture she doesn't hesitate to entertain as she shakes his hand.
“I already know I can count on you. They're very unusual, but you’ve got a pair of honest and pretty eyes.” She purrs with a grin. The compliment takes him by surprise, though it's simply another moment for her, evident by how she goes on to turn to take her leave, as well.
“Ciao, homeboy.”
[Later At Mount Heaven Splitter… 5:48pm]
Deciding to spend time together for the remainder of the day for old time’s sake, Naeth, Galivinth, and Asura head to the Blue Currents dojo with the other cryoneans. The group just arrives at the bottom of the long and several flights of stairs leading up to the top.
“So this is where you two have been going for your combat lessons? It's such an exotic sight!” Raice comments with a beaming smile.
“Indeed. It's quite the shift from the urban environment up until arriving here. I do not mind at all.” Qoreman concurs.
“Even so, it also seems awfully vulnerable.” Rayson adds as he too looks around to take in the surroundings.
“It's definitely different from being in the middle of a town, but the lack of distractions helps. This place isn't really an easy target. There's unbelievably crazy strong people who live here, so there's nothing to worry about.” Galivinth assures as a soft smile curves his own lips.
“For the time being, yes, some people here do seem pretty strong. By the time we fully mature though, the gap between us and them will perceive them to be otherwise.” Naeth comments, bearing a rather smug grin behind his words.
“Ah, you think it'll really be that much of a jump in capability?” Galivinth questions while arching a skeptical brow toward his cousin.
“I KNOW so, cousin.” Naeth affirms confidently. In turn, Galivinth merely grins wider as they ascend up the stairs as a group. The sound of birds chirping and the faint sound of rushing water from atop of the stairs fills in the atmosphere when conversations end. It remains that way through their venture to the top. Or rather, most of it.
Just as they're halfway up the last flight of stone steps, a commotion suddenly erupts.
“GET BLASTED AWAY, YOU MONSTROUS FREAK!!!” The voice of a young man, one that Naeth is vaguely familiar with, bellows before a rapid succession of noises that resemble explosions roars through the air.
“What was that!?” Asura blurts out.
“Huh!?” Galivinth eyes go wide at what he hears. It takes him by surprise, but also plays back a memory from last week. A recollection of a student from the Cloudy Lightning dojo plays within his mind and sounds alarms within his subconscious. In the next moment, the half-cryonean unleashes his soul essence to its maximum output, taking the others by surprise as his aura expands 7.5 meters and abruptly takes into a full sprint up the steps to head right.
“Wait, cousin–” Naeth calls and reaches out for his relative who's taking off with haste, but the attempt is in vain. The half-cryonean is dead set on reaching the source of the struggle taking place.
“Were those explosives?” Qoreman asks.
“Should we follow? I think we should follow him.” Raice chimes in after the former.
“As far as I'm concerned, there's no alternative choice to be made.” Naeth informs before taking off, inspiring the others to do the same after him. Meanwhile, Galivinth is running at 198mph up the slanting path and past the structure that sits on the cliff overlooking the bridge and waterfall near the Blue Currents temple, and further down the pathway before making a hard right into the forest. He charges through a large bush and the long stretch of bountiful trees, eventually emerging out and into an open grassy field where he spots something awfully peculiar. The sensation that abruptly hits him like a violent thrashing from a restless ocean is also something foreign to his senses. Both are something he can only describe as unfathomably evil.
The half-cryonean steps within the threshold of an intense aura that seems to instantly assault a deep part with an unsettling feeling of his soul burning alive while witnessing a Cloudy Lightning student trying his utmost best to avoid the lethal swipes of dual katana blades in the hands of a beastly figure of a man. The aggressive being stands at the height of 10’1, his skin red as freshly drawn blood, his stature riddled with muscle that almost seems hulking in size, and tattered pants on his lower body.
There's a moment Galivinth skids to a halt as a near crippling fear eats at him from the inside out, but the moment he sees that the student is about to be cut down before his eyes, he finds the will to move again.
“DIE LIKE THE REST!” The inhuman beast of a man’s deep voice cries out as he just reaches the Apex of his winding blow, then brings his blades downward in an horizontal fashion to chop the teen into pieces.
“Guh!?” Jaide grunts when Galivinth tackles him out of the way of that lethal attack, which results in the two landing five feet away to the attacker’s left.
“Are you okay!?” Galivinth asks as he rises up onto his knees and helps the other male into adjusting into a sitting position.
Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
“Yeah… yeah! Thanks, man. I thought I was about to bite the big one there for a sec.” Jaide answers.
“Another fool throwing himself into the blender that is my ire… I welcome it. You too shall meet your end by my steel.” The blood-thirsty fiend almost calmly asserts as he turns to face the two adolescents and point one of his swords at the half-cryonean. It's then the two boys’ eyes go wide. Not particularly at the threat, but instead the sudden view of none other than Naeth being in mid-air. Tight fists at his side, a vicious snarl peeling back his lips to bare those rows of stainless white teeth, his crimson aura blazing around his body at max output, and a descending ax-kick on its way down for the antagonizer’s cranium. Truth be told, it's the most emotion Galivinth has ever seen from his usually aloof relative.
THWUUUMP!!! KRA-KROOOM!
“GWAAAH!?” That mighty blow comes down like a hammer and swiftly brings that beast of a man down into taking an involuntary knee while sending out a shockwave that cracks the earth beneath the grass. However, it's not a blow that neutralizes that red monstrosity.
“You miserable WORM!” The hellish foe exclaims as a retaliation is given in the form of him swinging an arm to slam the bottom of his hand and katana into center mass of Naeth’s chest. An attack the cryonean manages to raise his arms in a vertical fashion to block.
“Tch!” Despite his defense being there, the impact of that hit is so strong, that it propels Naeth off his feet and sends him soaring for 10-feet, then skidding another seven once the soles of the cryonean’s shoes meet the ground again. Luckily, he comes to a stop just before his back hits against the tree behind him.
“What strength… And I thought I was putting forth more force than necessary.” He comments under his breath while shaking the discomfort out of his arms. It's also then that Asura and the others arrive on the scene.
“What… is THAT?” Asura questions upon laying eyes on the beastly red swordsman.
“A threat.” Naeth answers swiftly.
“Don't let your guard down. I can't sense any trace of soul essence from him, but he's definitely strong.” Naeth warns. It's a comment that makes Galivinth arch a brow.
“He can't sense this intense pressure and aura?” The half-cryonean murmurs to himself. From his perspective, he can see and sense the malicious aura flowing around their adversary like unforgiving dancing fire. A maroon color that feels like it's continuously assaulting his soul.
“Oh? I can't sense anything from him either, but I trust your judgement. So in that case…” Asura trails off, pausing only to reach and draw his own dual blades from their sheaths on his back, and tap into his own soul essence. A deep shade of blue dances around him, as well.
“I’ll take this as seriously as I need to.” He concludes his thought while spreading his legs and slightly bending his knees in preparation.
“You have our aid, as well, Naeth.” Qoreman informs as he and the rest step forward to surround the foe before them and tap into their soul essence as well.
“More children of the generation on the rise… What a banquet that's been left out for me! Yes! All of you! Brave certain doom and let my blades pry you from this mortal coil… THROW THINE SELVES UNTO ME WITH RECKLESS ABANDONMENT!!!” The beastly being roars with excitement, both commanding and encouraging for the group to try their hand at bringing him down. His eerie eyes glowing with a neon red radiance as his large hands tighten their grip on his sword handles.
“This guy's freakin’ lunatic!” Jaide exclaims as he too brings forth his soul essence again.
“Agreed. His mental state is one we cannot afford to tolerate…” Naeth concurs. In the next second and a half, he and Jaide both rush in. Naeth from the front and Jaide from behind. The man-beast reacts by taking horizontal swipes for the bridge of Naeth’s nose and upper thighs, only to cut into mere air. The cryonean evades with a lunging front flip while simultaneously preparing a spell.
“LIGH-TOMé!” Naeth exclaims the incantation at the top of his lungs as he unleashes a tier-3 spell, landing another heel kick and also a point-blank bolt of purple lightning that runs down his target’s body.
“Gauhk!” The being grunts upon being hit. The blow manages to stun the man-beast and allows Jaide to take full advantage with a flying roundhouse kick to the center of their foe’s spine, an attack that lands with a heavy thud and causes the being to stagger forward a few steps. That also allows Naeth to exploit an opening with a dual gut punch of his fists both thrusting forward to deliver a firm impact, as well as another severe discharge of lightning that zaps the being.
“Reikra shot!” Jaide exclaims while clasping his hands together in front of himself and aiming both of his point fingers at the man-beast’s back, firing off a blast of cyan reikra energy that hits like a grenade against his target.
“Tch! You're gonna pay for what you did, freak!” Jaide shouts. Seeing no real reason to hold back, the Cloudy Lightning student lets off six more shots in a swift consecutive succession. Each one does certainly hit, but it also chips away at his soul essence and drops him from 300%, to 260%. And that seems to be the straw that breaks the camel’s back.
“Enough!” The hellish being exclaims. Even after sustaining such attacks, the fiend finally goes on the offensive by leaning into the momentum from the push he receives from the projectiles and sends a thrusting knee at Naeth. The blow meets the cryonean’s midsection and sends him falling onto his back. Almost quick in his movements, the fiend then turns to take a swipe at Jaide’s throat. An attempt the teen just barely manages to duck under before jumping back to make some distance. The being nearly takes a step to pursue the retreating youth, but a fireball blast to the back interrupts him. The angry fiend coincidentally turns around again just in time to see Asura charging at him with his own dual blades ready to cleave into crimson flesh with horizontal swipes. The attack comes and the beast of a man blocks it by effortlessly flipping his own blades upside-down in his grasp to resemble that of sabertooth tusks and swiping skyward to not only block the young man's slashes, but use his enormous stature and tremendous strength to repel Asura off balance.
“Fool! This is where you–!” The fiend is just beginning to bring his blades down to plunge into Asura’s shoulders like the bite of a beast, but a flurry of fireballs from the three cryoneans nearby comes flying his way, striking and erupting in quick succession.
“Ah, thank you for the aid!” Asura calls out. As the large adversary staggers several steps to a side, Asura makes up for his mild sloppiness by recovering in time to turn his hands sideways as he spins one good time to slice flesh with both blades and draws a splatter of steamy hot red blood that paints the grass.
“Aaargh! You pest!” The fiend retaliates despite the fresh wounds on his abdomen with another horizontal slash, though finds his blade only meeting the twin set of the teen’s with a harsh clash of metal. In the next moment, the two swordsmen accelerate their movements. Almost like a dance, the two engage in close combat. The teeth aching sound of steel clashing rings out almost every other attack as the man-beast sways out of harm's way, takes a go at cutting Asura down, and blocking when need be. Meanwhile, the teen weaves, jumps, and uses both swords to block one to avoid losing limbs and fatal wounds.
“I have to help him…” Galivinth murmurs to himself before tapping into the full extent of his soul essence, then uses the teachings of the essence shell technique to manipulate his aura into forming a thin outlining barrier around himself. He drops the 3x multiplier from his strength down to 2x and raises his body's resilience to 4x, and only then does he rush in. By the time he makes a move, the man-beast manages to overwhelm Asura by putting the human swordsman in a tough position of blocking both of his large blades - despite the boy defending himself, the fiend uses his raw strength to fling Asura 20-feet away with an incredibly aggressive shove. Galivinth enters the fray with a hook punch to the body from his place standing within the man-beast's blind spot, then follows up with several two-fingers poking jabs to the liver, thigh, and waist. Each connecting hit gives off a faint flash of white, as well.
“Hmm!?” The fiend turns his head while arching a brow and spots the half-cryonean.
“You call those attacks? Don't make me laugh, weakling!” The red-skinned swordsman exclaims as he attempts to bring down a chopping slash atop of Galivinth’s head, though only manages to strike the ground due to the teen stepping aside.
Aware that he has to play the long game, Galivinth focuses on landing more poking jabs to any part of the fiend’s body. He manages to land several before ducking underneath a swipe from the fiend's other sword, then exploits the opening to land another five swift jabs. Just as their adversary is about to retaliate again, Raice joins the close-range combat to lend a hand in the form of sliding on the soles of her sneakers from the momentum of her sprinting beforehand and jabbing a fiery explosive elbow against the fiend's spine, throwing him off balance.
“I won't let you harm him!” The female cryonean asserts with a firm frown. Just as Galivinth is about to throw more attacks of his own, Naeth returns with a vengeance and jumps up onto the fiend's hunching shoulder.
“Especially I…” Naeth adds just before putting everything he has and then some into a soccer kick he rams right into the side of the red swordsman’s face, and just like the other times, a roar and display of lightning accompanies the impact. The blow draws blood and sends the tall foe staggering sideways. There to follow up and meet the fiend's stumbling motion arrives Asura, posturing as he winds up an attack.
“This is it!” Asura asserts as he utilizes a technique of his own. His aura seemingly dwindles in size and his blades receive a neon coating of blue that strengthens their sharpness and resilience both. With that boost he lunges at the red fiend with a twirling double slice that cleaves cleanly through the fiend's neck twice at an angle. As Asura lands on his feet, their foe topples over with his decapitated head falling off his shoulders and onto the ground.
“Jeeze….” The surreal sight takes Galivinth off guard and makes him recoil a few steps.
“I guess we did it, though.” He concedes at the very least.
“Haha! Yeah, we sure did, huh? Good teamwork there!” Asura praises before flinging the abnormally and still burning hot blood off his blades. However, a newcomer reveals himself with a warning to the group before they can properly celebrate.
“Be careful! You can't kill demons with simple methods like that!” The voice of another adolescent male shouts, drawing the attention of everyone. Including the demon laying on the ground.
“Ah, you just had to go and spoil the surprise.” The bodiless head of the red swordsman comments before his body casually climbs back up onto its feet, puts the blades in its hands away, and moves to pick up its head.
“Not that it matters too much. I grow tired of this tedious battle, so I think I’ll just slaughter you all in one fell swoop.” The demon announces before placing his head back on with ease. The cuts and divide of flesh heals until no traces of harm are present. During this, the group is looking on in horror. All but the new individual on the scene who proceeds to dig into the satchel bag he has on his person.
The demon turns to the group again and simply eases his hands into the handles of his sheathed blades. Not drawing, but simply gripping for the time being. Immediately upon doing so, Galivinth feels a new sensation that puzzles him. Despite supposedly being far out of range of those swords, he feels a thin and sharp pressure against his throat and stomach. As if the demon has his blades threateningly pressing against his body despite the distance between them. They can all feel that same invisible pressure that seems so real.
“Tch!” Asura blows air through his teeth, fully aware of what's happening. This is merely a trait of a swordsman who knows his craft. It's why he hesitates to make any sudden movements, believing that anything will set the demon off. Not that waiting to be cut down is any better. Fortunately, the new individual has the remedy for the moment. Of range of sight, the demon doesn't witness him pulling out a couple of small round glass bottles with a clear liquid inside of them, and tossing them.
KLSSHH-KLLSSSSHH!!
“HAAAAAAAAAAAURRRRRGH!!!?? NO, IT CAN'T BE!” The glass bottles shatter on impact and the liquid inside both splashes onto the demon, burning him like acid.
“Quick! While the holy water is dispelling his protections, cut him down once more!” The male instructs. Swift to react to that verbal green light, Asura readies himself with slightly bending knees, then leaps with a great bound to carve the demon’s arms off as he lands. Blood sprays from the massive wounds, but before any bellows of pain can truly begin, Asura gives another swipe that takes the hellish fiend's head off again. This time, the demon’s almost instantly burns up and vanishes without a trace. Every single piece of their foe disappears entirely.
“Seems that REALLY DID do the trick this time.” Asura comments before clearing the blood from his katanas again and then sheathing him onto his back once more.
“Yes, that is the power of faith in God himself at work. A blessed resource allotted to his children to fend off the wicked that plagues this world.” The newcomer informs. He’s a young man who stands at the height of 6’0, has fair skin, blue eyes, short sandy blonde hair, and a lean physique. On his person he wears a black short sleeve turtleneck shirt, suspenders, black slacks, a simple watch on his left wrist, black high top sneakers on his feet, and finally a wooden cross around his neck that hangs from a thin white rope. Of course, there's also the fairly large bag he’s carrying around.
“That was really holy water? I’ve never seen anything like that before. I mean… not outside of movies with special effects.” Galivinth prods curiously.
“Indeed it was! And no worries, I understand why you would be shocked.” The stranger answers with a soft smile.
“Ah, and my name is Zack Masters, by the way. Nice to meet you all, as well see that you're thankfully still in one piece. That was quite a spectacle to see.” He introduces himself and vaguely comments on their fight against the demon.
“I see. Well, I thank you for providing the means to put that monstrosity down. I believe you called it a ‘demon’?” Naeth speaks up this time.
“Yes, that's what that person has become. A demon. One who has been sent back to the depths of fiery torment.” Zack answers.
“Has become? What do you mean by that? Aren't demons just creatures that exist in Hell?” Galivinth arches a brow while shooting another question.
“You're absolutely right. However, demons are just the polar opposites of angels. There are holy works that tell the stories of faithful followers who were granted the privilege of becoming angels in God's kingdom in heaven. Well, there's unfortunately an alternative outcome for those who fell to sin and allowed their vices to drag them to the Devil's furnace down below… Demons are those who have given into the negativity within their own hearts and used it as a driving force to escape the Devil's realm and return to the realm of the living. They're people who used to live here among us as humans, but now are mentally unstable and deprived of their humanity.” Zack explains.
“What!? That's crazy. That was a guy who literally crawled out of hell to cause others problems?” Galivinth questions in disbelief.
“Honestly, that's putting it pretty lightly… that sicko was the one murdering students up here.” Jaide informs bitterly.
“Students? As in more than one? There's been another death?” Naeth inquires.
“Yeah… just… way too many bodies back at the place he was hiding out at.” Jaide answers.
“If only I had realized sooner that he was here… I could have prepared some level of protection and warned the schools.” Zack shares his regret.
“Don't dwell on it much. You provided the means of ridding him from this mountain and that's still worthy of recognition. Hindsight without constructive analysis is just complaining that life did not give you the advantage you didn't know you wanted.” Naeth comments.
“I suppose that's one way of looking at it.” Zack responds to the cryonean, then shifts toward Galivinth.
“By the way, I saw your soul essence during the fight. That's quite an extremely rare color. A biblical one, even.” He informs.
“Oh, is it? I didn't think anything of it.” Galivinth casually responds with a shrug of his shoulders.
“Mhmm! It's theorized to be the color of God’s chosen advocate throughout history. Have you been to The Tower To Heaven yet?” Zack asks.
“The Tower To Heaven? Isn't that the one God destroyed because he didn't approve of it? No, I haven't seen or been to the ruins of it.” Galivinth answers.
“Haha! No, no. That was the ‘Tower of Babel’. The Tower To Heaven is something fairly different. Not only is it still intact, it is also the method his chosen advocate can use to act as a sort of middle man between Heaven and Earth. Only the chosen one can use it and only the most devoted can see it. Well… to a certain degree. To anyone but the chosen advocate, it looks like a structure made of glass.” Zack explains.
“Oh? Where in the world is it?” Galivinth prods.
“It changes with every new advocate born. This time, it's here in this country. Downtown on Moses Avenue.” Zack answers.
“Really now? You said it reaches heaven, right? Are you able to see it?” Galivinth questions.
“Yes, I can see the glass tower. Have you by chance noticed a tall ivory building that reaches beyond the clouds above?” Zack gives a question of his own.
“No, not at all.” The half-cryonean answers.
“Strange. But similar situations like this have been documented before. If you're free and willing, we can meet at the foot of this mountain and I can share a bit more with you.” Zack offers.
“Sure. I wouldn't mind at all.” Galivinth gives an affirming nod of his head.
“Wonderful! Then tomorrow afternoon it is. For now, I should be getting back to the church. It was nice meeting you all, by the way. Please, take care.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~
[ A Couple of Hours Later. ]
The sun is beginning to set and their very brief period of training with their secondary mentors is halfway through it's - ‘they’ being Galivinth and Naeth, of course. During, the other cryoneans agree to wait back at the temple until they're done
“Alright, try the new technique again. You can only improve upon it if you grow accustomed to it, and repetition is the only way.” Kanshuro instructs his pupil.
“Right!” An enthusiastic Galivinth responds before allowing his body to relax and take a deep breath. He focuses on focusing his soul essence around his hands like neon white gloves. Afterwards, the half-cryonean slowly lifts his arms from his side and holds his forearms horizontally in front of himself while his hands move like serpents. His left hand moves in a curving motion to form the top half of a circle while his right chases after his left elbow to form the bottom half of the shape, then both retrace their paths with that same slowness. His hands go on to exchange positions, but now point their fingers outward as his arms extend outward.
CLOOOOOM!
He claps his hands together and unleashes a sonic boom that rattles the leaves of a dozen trees before him, as well as a flash of white far brighter than the ones that his simple attacks give off. The technique is akin to a flash bang for the most part.
“Good. Remember, the Full-Moon Will Purgence technique is effective when dealing with large crowds. It’s meant to disorient and critically impact your targets’ stamina.” Kanshuro informs.
“Understood, master.” Galivinth affirms while drawing heavy breaths. It seems performing the technique half a dozen times has taken a toll on his own stamina. Seeing this, his mentor places a hand on his shoulder.
“That’ll be it for today. Any more and you’ll drop from exhaustion.” The elder of the two conclude their training session for the day.
Meanwhile, Naeth is also learning a new technique from his mentor.
“Already getting a grasp of the Fierce Blast technique, are you? Good. It's simple enough, after all.” Raulow remarks as stands with his arms folded across his chest and watching his chosen pupil.
“Indeed. And here I thought it’d be far more difficult to learn what you have to offer.” Naeth comments as he looks down at his smoking right fist with a satisfactory grin.
“Don't get too cocky, brat. Yours is still at an almost pathetic level. Your range is only three meters, so you’d be wise to remember that, boy.” Raulow advises his student.
“I will be mindful of that detail, master. Your concern is misplaced, but… endearing in its own way.” Naeth smugly acknowledges.
“Hmph. Now, once more and then we’ll conclude your training for the day.” The mentor instructs.
“Very well.” And with that response, Naeth draws out his soul essence while simultaneously inhaling deeply through his nostrils. The prodigal student exhales through his mouth as he extends a foot out and bends his knees, he then draws his hands back to press his left fist into the palm of his right hand. From there, he charges his soul essence into his fist to give it the same explosive properties he would from jabbing a target with his point fingers, which envelopes his hand like a glove of fire. In the very next moment, Naeth thrusts his fist outward in front of himself and unleashes a fiery eruption and a flash of intense red that looks as if a crate of dynamites just went off.
“Consistent. We're done here for now. You may retire for the evening.” Raulow tells Naeth before turning to take his leave.
