Back With Shuichi, Duo, And Shiro. . . .
“Now then, Shiro. I suppose you’d like to hear about Sacred Artifacts next.” Shuichi had a hand under his chin as he stared at the serious Shiro who still had a frown on his face.
“Yes. . . That would be good, Shuichi. We need to cover that before anything else. First, Sacred Artifacts are called that because that is how they are referred to in the App. What are they?” Shiro was looking at the book in his hand that could summon all of his demons familiar as he asked Shuichi this question.
“My answer would be that they are quite literally artifacts possessing the sacred powers of the gods.” Shiro looked up from his book with raised eyebrows at what Shuichi just said to him, not quite believing it.
“What do you mean?” Shuichi got a sharp look in his eyes as his smile grew wider looking at a confused Shiro.
“Say, Shiro, what do you think gods are?” Shuichi threw Shiro off with this question as he furrowed his eyebrows together, trying to think of a way to respond to what he just asked.
“Yes. Gods. Don’t worry, I’m not trying to convert you or anything. Tell me your definition of gods. Then again. . . that might be difficult for you.” Shuichi had a teasing smile on his face as he looked at Shiro's confused face. “Let me ask you this. Say there’s someone who can destroy an island with the flick of a finger. Would they classify as a god?”
“I think you could call someone who could do that a god.” Shiro agreed with Shuichi on that with a serious expression causing Shuichi to look at him with a satisfied smile on his face.
“Then, what if there’s a person who invested a large amount of resources to create a weapon to destroy the island?” At Shuichi's question Shiro put a hand under his chin thinking for a few seconds with his eyebrows furrowed.
“They wouldn’t be a god.” At what Shiro said Shuichi nodded his head in agreement with Shiro. Shiro was looking at Shuichi, confused at the reason he was asking him these questions.
“Exactly, I agree. Ultimately, whether or not someone is considered god depends on the means they possess, not the results achieved. The latter exchanges resources for the results, while the former. . . completely ignores the law of physics. No matter how much energy you extract from one person, it would be impossible to gather enough to destroy an island. A god, however, could make that possible. They can overwrite the existing laws of the universe. They apply their own set of rules to the world. The Rules of the Sacred Artifacts are precisely the same thing.” Shiro's eyes widened a bit realizing what Shuichi was trying to tell him in a roundabout way.
“I think I understand what you mean, Shuichi. In other words, the Sacred Artifacts are. . .” Shiro was mumbling to himself as his thoughts were quickly passing in his head as he came to a conclusion.
“They are artifacts that hold the power of the gods. That is why, whether they are shaped as swords, books, or clay tablets. . . Shape is immaterial. What’s most important is the power in it: the lore of the artifact. Aside from Tokyo, there are 23 different worlds. Thus, the Sacred Artifacts are tied to 24 different mythological canons. We use the Battle Zones created by the App to wield the power of the gods. You could call this process a proxy war fought on behalf of the gods of other worlds. ” Shuichi had a smirk on his face as he looked at Shiro's surprised face, enjoying catching him off guard.
Back At The Colosseum. . .
Taurus Mask fist connected with my Sword as I held it sideway in front of me. My Sword shook at the force of his hit but not too badly. I lift my leg up to kneel him in the stomach hard and once he gives me enough arm room I slice at him with my Sword. He fell to the ground while letting out a dramatic scream.
Exaggerating far beyond the actual damage he should have taken, Taurus Mask bounces back up and takes his fighting stance once again. Out of nowhere, a microphone appears in one hand. He lifts his other hand high in the air. I was looking at him confused, wondering what was currently happening with this fight. ‘This is weird. . . I know this is weird. . .’
“N-Not bad! That attack from you was pretty good but I am afraid I must defeat you! What a sad fate! It’s your loss! A masked hero can never let others see the identity that lies beneath! For my future business dealings, and for my pride. . . I’m asking you to forget what you saw! Seriously! I’m begging you! To be honest, I’m feeling really embarrassed! I want to hide under my blanket and cry!” Even though the mask was covering most of his face I could tell he was blushing pretty hard and I couldn’t help but sigh deeply at this.
“. . .So dramatic. It wasn’t like I was trying to see your private moment. When you have to go, you have to go. .” I mumbled to myself, hoping that he wouldn’t hear me but my luck was bad as Taurus Mask pointed at me, looking at me with intense eyes.
“What’s the harm in putting on a show? Showing off to ramp up the excitement is part of my job!” I just look away from his intense eyes and fix my grip on my Sword, waiting for the moment that he decided he wanted to attack me again.
“I have someone I look up to. . . A pro wrestler I strive to be like someday! He is the reason why I wear this mask! Strong, kind, and popular! He was the greatest pro wrestler ever, with a soul more passionate than anyone in the world!” I could feel myself sink a bit, realizing that he was talking to himself again. ‘Ahh. . . I hate when he does this. It is so embarrassing to just listen to his innermost feelings. Can’t we go back to fighting?’
“Jeez, he’s talking to himself again. . . He sure enjoys doing that. Me overhearing him wasn’t my fault. He is just so passionate when he speaks. . .” I could feel myself getting kind of annoyed that he was mad at me for walking in on him speaking to himself. It is a public bathroom, of course someone would walk in on you talking to yourself!
“Hey! Listen to me!” Taurus Mask noticed me mumbling again and I could only click my tongue at that, wondering how he was so quick to notice when I did that. He should have used this in the bathroom and this wouldn’t be happening.
“When he announced that he was retiring, I cried! I cried so much I could drown in my own tears! I ditched my elementary school classes and went to his gym! I asked him to not retire until we could form a tag team together! I told him, wait until I too become a pro wrestler and can join you as a teammate!” Even though I was annoyed at first, with him just talking to himself I couldn’t help but tear up at his passionate story. ‘I thought he was only an idiot but it turned out he is actually a good person!’
“Sniff. . . What a touching story. . . Sorry for being rude earlier. I should have just listened to your story!” I wiped away the tears forming in my eyes, feeling so overwhelmed by how much he admired this person that he became a wrestler just to tag team with him.
“That response. . . I kinda want to be your friend now!” Taurus Mask wasn’t looking at me with intense eyes anymore but was now smiling at me. At that smile I kind of realized he was kind of my type. ‘I guess him being so awkward is kind of cute. . .’
“I know I was a superfan! But. . .he told me this: If I really won’t give up on my dream to become a pro wrestler. . . I should fight on. He said I must never hide in the face of fear. That is when I will truly know my opponent. Only then can I touch my opponent’s soul. I may be hurt at times, but that is also how I will meet the ones I can truly call friends. He said that if I continue on that path, one day, I will meet the one who shares my passionate soul! My soul brother!I cried. He gave me so much courage that I swore! I swore I would continue to train for that day!” I was really getting into his speech now, wondering more about the person who he looked up to. I could see that Taurus Mask had tears in his eyes too, which reignited my own tears.
“Now I’m in tears!” I couldn’t stop the tears that were now falling down quickly, not stopping at all. I was wiping at my face feeling too moved by Taurus Mask. ‘I wonder if I had someone like that too, before I lost my memories? That makes me even more upset now that I think about it. . .’
“I know you can feel it. There’s no more need for words between us. Now is the time to resolve our fated rivalry!” As he said this he crushed the microphone and started to shine brightly. The tears coming out my eyes stopped quickly and I looked at him on guard.
“Role of the Hero! Rule of Accession! Engrave mine name of Daisu. . . Erm. . . Ahem! Take two! Engrave mine name of Taurus Mask unto thee! Alight! Corona Borealis!” The cords of the Ring around Taurus Mask’s wrist whip about at his war cry. They combine into ropes that surround you both. They remind me of the ropes around a pro wrestling ring. Like a belt waiting to be offered to the champion, they entwine around us as we prepare to fight.
“Um . . Am I being tied up. . . or what?” I was looking around confused at the ropes surrounding us, not understanding how this could be his Sacred Artifact. It was basically just a wrestling ring and nothing else. ‘Should I be concerned or just feel pity for him. . .?’
“Surprise! My Sacred Artifact isn’t designed for offense. Its power will enforce a mano a mano fight between you and me, with no room for puny tricks. It will be a battle so heated our very souls will trade blows. My Sacred Artifact creates the forum for such battle!” Taurus Mask looks proud as he says this but I only grow even more confused at what is currently happening.
“Huh? What does that even mean?” As I asked this for some reason my body felt weird. I couldn’t explain it but it felt like something inside of me was getting exposed. ‘Is this his Sacred Artifact affecting me? My body feels like it is getting exposed and letting him see everything. . . Like he is seeing me naked!’
“This Sacred Artifact made from the thread of souls will expose all forms of deception, unmasking all that which is concealed! Whether my opponent is underground or invisible, it will form the path to allow us to duel! As a wrestler, I will wrest your true worth from obscurity! I will touch your soul! Within this space, a wrestler has only their body to fight with, testing their true strength! We’ll soon see who’ll be crowned champion! Now, let us end this. . . Huh?” Taurus Mask's expression grew shocked as he stared at me and it was so intense I ended up getting warm in the face, turning to cover my body from his eyes.
“Hm? What’s wrong?” After a few moments of silence I was getting concerned about the quiet Taurus Mask whose eyes kept growing wider in shock. I was starting to feel nervous about what he was seeing to cause him to react like this.
“Huh? What is this? 24 of them?! What?! Is it broken? No, Sacred Artifacts don’t break. . . Hmm?” Taurus Mask was mumbling to himself as he continued to stare at me in shock. I was starting to feel nervous but didn’t understand why.
“Huh? Twenty. . . What? Is he talking nonsense again? Well this looks like an invitation to attack right now.” I was getting ready to attack but stopped once Taurus Mask's expression grew fluster as he stared at me.
“Wait, no. . . There are less than. . . No, wait. . . more? What is this? What are you? All this is. . . inside. . . of you. . .? You’re the same as him! I can tell! I feel it! I’ve finally met you. My other half. . . My. . . soul brother.” Taurus Mask's expression grew excited as he stared at me with bright eyes and I felt guilty about what I was going to do.
“I don’t quite understand, but. . . Gotcha! Boundless Tail!” I attacked him with my Sword which slash through him and his Sacred Artifact. Taurus Mask let out a loud scream as he fall to the ground. I looked at him totally surprised.
“Y-You okay?! I made sure to hit you with the blunt edge of my Sword!” I quickly went over to Taurus Mask who was on the ground and looked at him concerned. Taurus Mask only let out a pained noise before he passed out on the ground. There was a bell that told me I just won but I was too worried about Taurus Mask who just passed out.
Sighing to myself, I lifted up Taurus Mask in a princess carry and took him to the waiting area. I was worrying he would be heavy to carry but surprisingly he felt rather light. ‘I must be stronger than I thought!’
Finally getting back to the waiting area, I found a place where I could sit and have Taurus Mask rest on my lap. I was just there sitting with his head on my lap, my legs falling asleep due to not moving it at all. After a while he finally started to move on my lap to my relief. ‘I will be able to stretch out my legs soon!’
“Ugh. . . Uhhh. . . I see stars. . . shining down on me. . . Ah! W-Where am I?!” Taurus Mask sat up quickly from my lap and looked around fluster. “The waiting room?! What happened to the match?! Where is my soul brother?! Was it all a dream?!”
“Are you. . . talking about me?” I called out to the panicking Taurus Mask who snapped his head quickly in my direction. He went from fluster to happy rather quickly once he saw me causing me to feel a little embarrassed at that.
“Ooh! Did you nurse me back to health, my soul brother?!” Taurus Mask was looking at me with stars in his eyes. I felt my cheeks growing warm at his complete flip in the way he was treating me from before.
“U-Um. . . Soul brother?” I felt confused about him calling me his soul brother. This was out of nowhere and I couldn’t understand what has brought this on. ‘Did I hit him too hard and it ended up affecting his head?’
“Please! Let me call you that! Even if you say no, I will anyway! You have the same burning soul he had. . . I’ve finally found someone who will burn me up in a hot passion! I don’t care if you’re a man or a woman, or another race entirely! You’re a diamond in the rough! As far as I’m concerned, you’re my soul brother, just like he was!” Taurus Mask was gripping my hands tightly in his as he begged me to agree to be his soul brother.
“I’m really confused now but I guess it's okay?” My thoughts were all over the place but I just agreed to what he wanted, hoping it would make him stop looking at me with such passionate eyes. ‘Looking at me like that could make me misunderstand many things, you know?’
“All that aside. . . Fateful encounters really can creep up on you so suddenly. All right! Time for a press conference! We gotta announce our new tag team! Let’s go, soul brother! Strike while the iron is hot!” Taurus Mask got up from the seat we were on and started to drag me towards a place I didn't know, leaving me not a lot of time to process what was happening.
Me and Taurus Mask heard someone clearing their voice, looking in the direction of the sound I felt my eyes brighten in excitement. In front of me was a tiger humanoid who had rather bright red hair. He was wearing all black leather clothing which made him look even cooler.
“Sorry to bother you. Are you Masato?” The tiger questioned me and I nodded my head towards him making him let out a sigh of relief. “My name is Nomad. I have a client who wants to meet with you.”
“Damn, you’re so cool looking!” I had stars in my eyes as I looked at Nomad, who just awkwardly scratched at his cheek. I looked at him confused, wondering if I said something wrong by mentioning he looked cool.
“Cool? I’m not sure how to feel about that. It’s not like I look like this because I choose to. . . Oh, sorry. I didn’t mean to complain. Well thanks anyway. I’ll take that as a compliment.” Nomad was blushing as he rubs behind his neck, which left me with a huge urge to pet him all over. ‘He so cute! Ah but he seems like the type who will react violently if I tell him that directly.’
“My client asked me to bring you to him. That idiot really shouldn’t send his bodyguard on errands like this. Oh, sorry. You probably don’t want to hear me complain about my work life.” Nomad gave me the feelings of an overworked person but as much as I was curious about him I was curious about the person who was calling for me.
“So, who’s asking? If that isn’t too much to ask for.” I don’t know if it is smart for me just to follow him because someone is asking for me. I mean it concerning that they knew my name while I didn’t know theirs. ‘Is this a trap? Did I piss someone off already?’
“The Guild Master of the Ikebukuro Guild. Now are you interested? Then come with me. Alone. I request that you leave your. . . companion behind.” Nomad motion to Taurus Mask who was silent during this exchange. I look at him, concerned he would get upset about me leaving him alone.
“Oh, don’t worry about me, soul brother! I’ll be right here, waiting for you to return! Just don’t forget about the press conference! We gotta measure you for your costume!” Getting Taurus Mask approval, I smile at him before turning to leave with Nomad who was already walking ahead of me.
After Masato Left. . .
“Talk about a surprise! Didn’t think my soul brother would. . .Hm?” Taurus Mask notices a gothic lolita girl in the corner of his eyes. He turned to fully face her and realized that she was looking at him with an indifferent expression.
“Oh, hey there little girl. Are you with someone? This isn’t really a place for a little girl like you- -” Taurus Mask stopped talking once the young girl looked down at the stuffed bunny that was in her arms, looking at it with a small frown.
“You must have angered the Marchioness. Poor thing. That just won’t do.” Taurus Mask raised a confused eyebrow at what the girl just said, nothing understanding what she meant.
“Huh? Marchioness?” Taurus Mask tried to question the young girl but she just simply raised up the stuffed bunny in front of her towards him. Taurus Mask started to feel a little sleepy once the bunny was raised toward him.
“Don’t worry, my dear dreamer.” The young girl gave Taurus Mask a polite smile as she continued to hold her stuffed bunny in front of her towards Taurus Mask.
“Little girl, what are you talking abo--” Taurus Mask was cut off by the young girl as her stuffed bunny opened up its stitched up mouth towards Taurus Mask, causing him to grow silent and his eyes to get dazed over.
“This is a dream. It’s all just one big illusion. Let’s just leave it at that. Don’t you agree, debaucherous March Hare?” A light brightly shines, which surrounds Taurus Mask and the young girl. After the light disappeared the young girl was gone, leaving only a daze Taurus Mask behind.
“Oh, there you are. Hey, Taurus!” Bathym noticed a daze looking Taurus Mask just standing there and called out to him happily, not realizing anything was off about him at the moment. Taurus Mask responded to his call with an out of it expression on his face.
“What happened with your last match? It was a blast until halfway through. Then it ended so abruptly. What happened. . .? Taurus? Hello?” Bathym just realized that Taurus Mask was out of it and snapped his finger in front of him trying to get his attention.
“I had a dream. . .” Taurus Mask mumbled that to himself as he just stared blankly ahead causing Bathym to look at him in concern, not understanding why he was acting this way.
“Huh? A dream? What are you saying? You okay?” Bathym questioned him in concern but Taurus Mask continued on like he didn’t hear him at all, letting out a deep sigh as he remembered the dream he was talking about.
“It was all a dream, so I can’t quite remember the details. . . But. . . in my dream, I finally met my soul brother! What a shame it was just a dream. . . Sigh. . . I thought my wish had finally come true. . .” Taurus Mask's expression grew dark realizing what he experienced was just a dream. Bathym was looking at him in confusion, not understanding what had gotten into Taurus Mask.
“But I know this for sure! Even if it was a dream, that person is my soul brother! Until the day we meet again. . . I will strive to become stronger! No matter what!” Taurus Mask clenched his fist in front of him with a determined expression while Bathym just stared at him like he grew a second head.
Outside The Colosseum. . .
The young girl that was with Taurus Mask before was waiting outside the Ikebukuro Guild building, humming to herself. She looked up when she heard quick footsteps approaching her. A bear in a white coat with a stethoscope around his came to her side, breathing heavily while she looked at him differently.
“Alice! Huff. . . Huff. . . I-It’s dangerous out here! How can you sneak into the Ikebukuro Guild on your own? What if something happens to you?” The bear in the coat was fussing around Alice, who simply started to walk away from the building with no care in the world.
“There’s nothing to worry about. It’s all in my dream, anyway. It can never be more than a dream. The memory of me is never left behind once they wake. That’s how it is. As long as the world is lost to me, no one can find me.” Alice said that with a bored tone, like she didn’t have a worry in a world about anything hurting her or remembering her.
“I’ll never forget you, Alice. As if I could forget a weak little thing like you.” The bear in the coat caught up with Alice and smiled at her. She just looked away with an indifferent look on her face but her lip twitched a little bit at what he just said to her.
“Yes. . . I mean, perhaps. Or should I say. . . Thank you.” Alice awkwardly thanks the bear in the white coat causing him to get all embarrassed about her thanking him.
“Alice. . .M-Moving on! If anyone was somehow immune to your Rule, it would be dangerous for you!” The bear in the white coat was still worrying about Alice but she simply chuckled at his worries.
“Oh, but that’s where you come in. Isn’t that why you’re here, Jambavan?” Alice smiles at the nervous Jambavan who awkwardly rubs behind his head, as he looks down at Alice.
“W-Well, it’s true that I’ll always win a match against someone strong. . . But if my opponent is weak, then I’ll lose no matter what, remember?” Jambavan was panicking again, thinking about all the bad situations where he could end up going up against someone who was weak.
“Hehe. You worry too much. If that wasn’t the case, you’d also. . . Never mind. There’s nothing to fear. It’s all already over. Now, let’s move on to our next appointment, Jambavan.” Alice gestures for Jambavan to pick her up and he does it with a sigh, already used to doing this with her.
They leave behind Ikebukuro Guild as they move farther and farther away from it until they are no longer in the sight of the building.
Back With Masato. . .
After walking down a long hallway with Nomad leading him, they finally arrived in front of a huge door. I looked at the door confused, wondering why it had to be so big. I was wondering how it was going to open when it just swung open by itself.
Walking into the room I saw a man waiting for me with a smile on his face. I didn’t know how to feel about him. He gave off a feeling of someone who is always scheming. But I couldn’t deny his looks. I don’t know if it is the small beard on his chin or the nice looking golden leaves in his hair but I found his attractive. ‘Damn, everyone in this guild is really attractive, that it’s unfair to me.’
“ Your guest is here, boss. You really should ask the manager to do these things instead of me.” Nomad went to stand off to the side leaving me to stand directly in front of the large red-haired man. I felt awkward as I was stared at with interest from the sitting man.
“Thank you, Nomad.” The red-haired man thanked Nomad who just let out a small noise that acknowledged that he heard what he just said to him.
“Well, I guess it’s fine, seeing as you’re my employer. By the way, where is the manager?” Nomad looked around the room with a raised eyebrow, wondering where the manager was which the red-haired man just smiled at.
“He’s with the Rankers.” I looked at him, interested once he mentioned the Rankers, wondering if Kengo was among them too. ‘Is it fine if I asked him to see Kengo? I mean he is the Guild Master so Kengo would have to meet with him.’
“While you’re meeting someone for the first time? I’ve got a bad feeling about this.” I didn’t like how Nomad said that looking at the red-haired man, while keeping my guard up just in case I had to defend myself.
“Masato. Welcome, new berserkers. Welcome to the Ikebukuro Guild. We shall embrace you, warrior and star of the land. Bestowed with talent, fortune, and beauty, even at our birth. . . We are the emperor of this Colosseum, this bloody, muddy, and oh-so beautiful venue for the congregation of gladiators. Though born without a silver spoon in mouth, you have earned a status as a gladiator. We grant you permission to address us as Claude.” I felt it was strange that Claude spoke in third person. Also I don’t know how I should feel about someone who basically bragged about themself to me.
“Claude, it's nice to meet you. But, not to be rude or anything, do you know Kengo? I am looking for him. Since you are the Guild Master of this place I assume you must know him, right?” I felt like I should get straight to the point or else this would be a long conversation.
“We are indeed the reigning power in this Colosseum. There is nothing we do not know of the Ikebukuro Guild. Of course, we know of the one you desire to meet. But why do you seek him? If you want to fight, our attendant can prepare one for you.” Claude looked at me with a confused expression, wondering why I wanted to meet with Kengo but I didn’t care about that right now. ‘I am so close to meeting Kengo! This may actually be easier than I thought!’
“We’re friends, obviously!” I said that with a smile, trying to pretend that me and him never really got to the point yet but in my head we are already friends so that should be enough. I think?
“Heh. . . Such concern for a friend. . . Hahaha. Very well. That is commendable.” I felt my eyes twitched at Claude laughing at what I just said to him trying not to get mad at the Guild Master of a pretty strong guild.
“If I may ask, what so fucking funny?” I couldn’t help myself as I glared at a smirking Claude who was still laughing somewhat. I could feel my hands tighten into fist as I glared at him.
“Friend. Compatriot. Do the strong have any use for such words? The strong stand in solitude. The weak exist only to curry favor with the strong. We, of the Ikebukuro Guild, are gathering of the strong. However, we may have somewhat overestimated the berserker whom you speak of.” Claude had a frown on his face as he spoke about Kengo, causing me to narrow my eyes at him not liking where this was going.
“What do you mean? What about Kengo?” I wasn’t getting a good feeling about what Claude was going to tell me. Is something happening with Kengo right now? I really didn’t like that I couldn’t find him at all.
“The berserker is confined to the room he was given. He has lost battle after battle within the guild. One as weak as he must have used deceptive means to. . . Ah. Now we understand.” I felt something snap in me as Claude kept insulting Kengo. ‘He is being a total asshole right now! Is he trying to get me mad?!’
“That’s a cheap blow! Now I’m mad!” I moved toward Claude but was stopped by Nomad who quickly got in front of the smirking Claude. We both glare each other down as a moment of silence passed between us.
“Hold it right there. I’m sorry, but I must secure the safety of my client. If you will not withdraw, I will have to discipline you!” Nomad was telling me to stop what I wanted to do but I wanted to get at least one hit in towards the smirking Claude.
So I decided to summon my Sword and hold it in front of me, giving Nomad the response to his threat. He let out a sigh but got into a fighting position to stop me from going to attack Claude.
