Aspirations
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Revenge. Such a human emotion, a human fault. Animals do not seek vengeance for their dead, for what is done is done. There is no point in seeking further death, for natures creatures kill not for sport, but for food, for survival. Humans are the most inhumane creature of all. We never realize it, because we consider ourselves superior in every aspect to the rest of Gods creatures, just because we think we have a technology and culture that reigns high above everybody and everything else. But we are a base species, one that is greedy and selfish in nature. What kind of creature kills for power? What kind of creature finds a sick and twisted pleasure in death and destruction, simply for the sake of it? Revenge is just another excuse for violence created by the human spirit. There is no practicality in its purpose. It is just one of the qualities of our souls that we claim with denial and reluctance...
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I am Soleiyu Hikaru Hikoken, younger brother of the warrior,Tsukiyo Hikoken. I was slain at the age of 18, killed by the archenemy of the Hikoken clan, the War God, Shogi. My brother was possessed by him, taken body and soul, for life. My brother, my family, was tainted by this action. He lived out the rest of his existence in a prison, he lived his life in a living hell, and I could do nothing. I only watched as Shogi looked into his eyes so intensely. I looked too. I saw fear. I had never seen fear in my older brothers eyes before. I had never seen him be afraid, but he was now, now as Shogi loomed over his being, as Shogi kept walking forward and my brothers sword ran through his chest, blood splashing everywhere. The monster did not feel it. Tsukiyo didnt even scream when Shogi touched his scalp, disappearing in my brothers head, his heart, his soul. One of the old gods, thats what Shogi was, and he needed a shell to retain his existence in the material world. He picked my brother because he had inherited the Power of the Phoenix in our family blood, to control of the living flames of the heavens, a jewel that appeared in the generations of Hikoken blood once every 20 generations. My brother was no longer himself, and I watched him as I was drowning in a pool of my own blood upon the ground. He loomed over me, the remnant of my family no, it was Shogi, total and complete. He had smiled, made my brothers mouth move by the strings of a puppeteer, his sword raised high above his head, preparing to plunge it straight into my heart. I didnt mind, for this was not him, Tsukiyo, onii-san. I only smiled back, as I felt the cold metal pierce my body, my life draining from my shell. I could do nothing, helpless, so helpless, my honor, my life, flowing from my broken frame into the ground beneath me.
Why god? Why didnt you save him? Why couldnt you have let me help him? I was good, wasnt I? Why did you make my life collapse before my eyes...?
My body died, but the body is only a shell. The true spirit of the warrior is something much more, something intangible and immortal, something that refuses to kneel before death. That is what my father had told me in my lessons as a warrior.
That day, I did not die. My soul would not rest, more like refused to. I was dishonored... no, my family was dishonored by this act of injustice, and I had not yet been given the opportunity to take a chance for revenge. I refused to take my leave from the material world, refused the afterlife given to me by the archangel. I took the eternal pathway to nothingness, the endless road, all so I could have another chance to fight, to win back the honor of my family name. I became a ghost, a wandering specter that had no direction, all so I could find the beast, face him in battle, and kill him. But when I finally did come back, things were different, and Shogi was long gone. My brother, Tsukiyo, was a thousand years dead. What could I do? I had given my very essence for vengeance and all I received were empty hands. Was this [GOD]s doing? Was He/She to cheat my life? My purpose? Was He/She against my trials to reclaim the justice that was so wrongly taken from me? Did you think I would simply sacrifice my soul for nothing? I am not another part of the herd for you to lead to the slaughter. I will find him. I will find my deceased brother and bless his spirit with the honor he did so deserve. I am a man, and I will restore what is rightfully mine...
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I remember that image so vividly, so freshly in my mind, finally finding hiss gravestone for the first time after my return to this world.
Nobody, save Kazuki, was around to hear Soleiyus words as he silently floated above the burning sands of the desert, the warrior following closely behind. Youve never seen your relatives place of rest, have you Kazuki? Kazuki shook his head.
I never cared, he said coldly. He was your brother, not mine.
Soleiyu chose to ignore the comment, he had not come to argue. Instead, he concentrated his vision on the glowing globe in his hand. The orb, about two feet in diameter, floated above his palm in a swirling mass of glowing color, mostly green and yellow.
You are so ignorant, muttered Soleiyu. If it werent for my brother, you would have never come into this world today. He stared intently into the orb, which now glowed brightly. This is Valkairs orb, the toy of the Demon God himself. But he hasnt been around for thousands of years since his defeat by Yuutsu, so the power of this relic goes unchecked. Even the weakest mortal could utilize its incredible energies... if they had the knowledge to do so. He turned to look back at Kazuki as he continued floating forward. And this orb shall open the gateway to your ultimate battle. The warrior only snickered loudly.
And yet, you needed ME to dig the damn thing up, he said.
Fool, said Soleiyu. This sphere was buried 8 miles beneath the planets crust. Im a ghost. I barely have enough energy to retain an astral form, let alone bore into the earth.
And what do you plan to do with the orb after you send me back in time? said Kazuki. He never saw Soleiyus curt grin in response to his question.
Why, he started. I shall do what I have been thousands of years to accomplish. I shall make a final visit to my brothers grave, and then depart from this world for good.
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Edge walked once again through the dark hallway that lead to that mysterious library. The door creaked as he pushed it back, and a small wave of dust was lifted off the ground as he set foot in the room. He stared about at the piles of old testaments. In Path to the True World, Words of the Goddess Midori, the text had said that the Orb of the Demon God, Valkair, would be the key to opening the Temple of Ordeal. If there was an answer to be held, it would be within one of these books.
He began to read. The minutes passed, his eyes fastened to the pages without interruption. Hours passed, and the pile of discarded works on the table grew. Edge sighed as he picked a large, leather bound volume from the shelf. What if there wasnt an answer? What if he was following a trail that had been blotted out long ago by the effects of time? But there was no possible way of telling as such, no way to confirm whether what he sought was indeed only the legend of fairy tale or the truth of the Shiken's words. The only thing he could do was be patient and wait, wait until he could be sure which path to take before he made an action.
He turned to an unlabeled chapter in the book...
...the power of Valkairs Orb is not to be taken lightly. I care not of what the rumors have said, for the Devils influence is still present in that foul relic. However, dire times call for dire needs, and the Orb will once again arise for some purpose in the world, whether it be good or evil. But only two types of creatures can naturally track the energies of the orb: one of the Devils spawn, or one with a pure human spirit. Valkairs son, Yuutsu Akuma, had both these traits. His demon and human blood, along with his righteous spirit, allowed him to help Kai in tracking down the seven pieces of the shattered orb so many years ago. If nobody has found the Orb by this day, then perhaps it still sits in its full form somewhere in the middle of the Inuyama school grounds where it was left ages ago upon the Demon's God second defeat by his son's hands. Yuutsu had originally shattered the orb during Kai's era, but beneath the power of the cataclysm released by Kuroko Tsuyoi, the relic, along with its master, were resurrected in their full glorious power. The Demon God's son managed to slay his father once again in a battle that I myself had witnessed, but the orb stayed intact this time and sunk deep into the earth, waiting until Valkair would once again be ready to wreck his havoc upon the world.
And thus, I hope the person reading this parchment has good intentions in mind for the usage of the Orb. I put this map on paper in hopes that a pure man find and possess this power before a demon. Remember, the recovery of the Orb is not without consequence, for the act in itself is an omen of the Demon Gods return to the mortal world...
---Yuu DeOrden 60:23:78
Edge studied the map that followed intently.
What is this?" he muttered to himself. The geographical area looked familiar, but every landmark on the map seemed so lush in comparison to his own world. Out of curiosity, he electronically overlayed a digital map of Akuji onto the area provided with his computer, and it fit perfectly. It wasn't that the map was of a land not on his world, but rather that it was simply of a time long before modern mapmakers had ever touched the continents.
The legends are true then... he whispered. Where the land of Inuyama once was, the land where Yuutsu Akuma had confronted his father for the final time before his death, there was now nothing but miles upon miles of wasteland. Not even the crumbling structures of buildings littered the area, for this had also been the site of the last battle of the nuclear cataclysm as well. Edge stared intently at the manuscript before realizing the others were waiting for him. A simple scan, and the map was copied in his memory within seconds. Edge rushed out the door to begin his quest for the Temple of Ordeal...
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Everybody was packing up so fast that nobody ever noticed Iesu make his way into the hospital truck. He entered the rebel transport and came up beside Pents hospital bed. The broken warrior looked up wearily from his place of rest.
So... said Pent, pain in voice. I hear youre leaving today, going off with Yoshime and Kouryuu on some kind of mission, eh? Iesu nodded, and lay his cross against the wall.
I figured I owed you a debt of gratitude, said Iesu. Saving me and Yoshime like that, so I came to visit one last time. He trailed off, mind still occupied with other ideas. Why was he leaving with that girl, Yoshime? There was something in his head, pushing him...making him do things that he didnt understand... why---
Head still in the clouds, eh?
Iesu looked up abruptly from his daydreaming at Pents remark, cheeks coloring a deep crimson. He tried to straighten his posture for what he was about to say. He had come for more than just apologies, didnt he? Something else was burning on his mind, something about why Pent had acted so selflessly...nobody had ever acted like that for him, nobody was ever willing to make that kind of self-sacrifice...
Um, he said. What--- He paused, unsure of what to say. ....why did you save me? I mean, you didnt have to...
Pent smiled as he forced his body to sit up.
No life is more important than another, he said. You have to learn how to give and take. Heck, its my job, isnt it? Thats what being a rebel is all about, being just and righteous and all that crap! Youre still young, you have time to learn these things. Pent craned his neck toward the entrance. HEY!!! Cant a guy get some coffee around here?!?
Iesu tried to stifle a laugh as looked at his watch. Kouryuu and the others must have been done packing by now. He should get going.
Thanks, Pent, said Iesu as he backed up to leave. Thanks for everything. Pent simply gave him a quick two-fingered salute.
Anytime, kid, said Pent as he looked toward the entrance once again. WHERE THE HELL IS THAT COFFEE?!?
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All of that had happened hours ago. Now, Edge felt the wind rush in his face as they skimmed over the deserted wasteland in a rebel hovercraft. Yashiro hadnt had any time to spare because of the relocation movement, but he had been willing to provide a meager means of transportation for the group. Edge had long ago transferred the map specs to Kouryuu because she had better surveillance technology than he did, so he took the time to examine his surroundings a bit as the harsh winds blew in his face.
He peered over the side, watching the barren landscape sweep by. This had once been the site of a great civilization, the home of great warriors long ago. This had once been the land of legends... turned into nothing more than dust by the advancement of technology. Akuji was already deteriorating at an expontential rate, would he soon be dissolved into nothingness as well...?
There! shouted Kouryuu.
She was staring out ahead of the vehicle towards what looked to be a large canyon up ahead. But as the vehicle neared its destination, the hole in the ground began to look more and more like a giant crater than a naturally created phenomenon, spreading out like a gigantic valley, funneling down to a small point below.
I dont like this... muttered Double as he began to decrease the speed of the hovercraft. Zero peered over his shoulder curiously.
Ne ne, said Zero. Theres bad energy here... Yoshime looked up at Zero in confusion. How could she see such a thing? How could Zero sense anything but the conventional sources of power that all robots can attune their sensors to? Yoshime let her mind wander into cyberspace for a moment as curiosity piqued her interest, peering into Zeros mind to try to classify the source of such an ability. Suddenly, something flashed across Zeros consciousness with lightning speed, but this time Yoshime could tell that it was the same presence that she had sensed before when they had first met Zero. She mentally tried to follow, but it was gone before she even knew it. What was this thing that she kept seeing in the android's mind? Was this having an influence on Zero? If so, how far did that influence go...?
Yoshimes link was abruptly cut off as the hovercraft skidded to a halt, and Kouryuu smashed Double upside the head.
IDIOT!!! she shouted. Do you want to rupture the gas lines?! Double rubbed the back of his cranium as he gave Kouryuu a dirty look.
Sheesh, he said. Dont blame me if youre not behind the wheel. Its not my fault that you never had a drivers program uploaded into your hard drive... youd think any stupid--- OW! Kouryuu smacked him upside the head again before he could finish the sentence. Her brow twitched as she hopped off the craft.
Just because I cant drive... fumed Kouryuu as she stalked off towards the crater. That stupid inconsiderate" Double watched her go as the others disembarked from the vehicle.
That little... cursed Double. Even if she is some outdated rebel scrap, I would think she would still have a drivers chip. Then she gets on my ass because Im doing all the work, and shes not...
Edge, Yoshime, Zero, and Iesu took care and kept a careful distance behind the bickering couple as they made their way through the rubble. Kouryuu and Double both scouted the descent first while the others patiently waited behind.
The green haired android carefully peered into the huge hole to examine the site. Kouryuu was already moving downwards with Double following closely behind. The canyon must have reached at least five miles beneath the earths crust, and at that point, it met a swirling sea of molten rock that had been upheaved from Akujis core. Between those two points, the remnants of an ancient building were disheveled along the walls of the canyon. Kouryuu had stopped near a particularly large construct, a short ledge on which four huge pillars had fallen about a small pedestal, discarded to the side as if it had been tossed across the valley. The scene itself looked very serene, despite the swirling fires below.
Wait here, said Edge to Yoshime as he jumped down to meet Kouryuu and Double at the wreck. Yoshime pouted angrily as she watched him descend.
That jerk, said Yoshime. He doesnt have to treat me like a little kid. Zero smiled happily at her in an attempt to cheer her up.
Dont worry, she said. Hes just as young as you are. Hell mature soon!
Yoshime forced out a smile, thinking it ironic to hear those words from somebody who didnt think of much else besides playing VF and FV video games, whatever those were. Of course, she had to remind herself that Zero was over thirty times as old as she was, and she should certainly have more experience in those areas than she did. At least, she presumed as such. Sometimes the pigtailed girl's actions belayed such an innocent presumption.
Yoshime let out a sigh when she felt the light touch of a hand on her shoulder. She turned to find herself facing Iesus benevolent smile.
Dont frown like that so much, said Iesu. You look more beautiful when youre happy.
Yoshime felt her heart skip a beat.
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Edge slightly adjusted his gravitational weight as he floated down so his landing would be soft. Ever since his battle with Yujin, his gravitational gift had become easier to learn, more inherent to his thoughts and responses. His training sessions with Kouryuu had helped a lot, but he felt as though he learned more when he practiced by himself than when he was put through all the various battle drills of an instructor. Sometimes he wondered just how far could he push himself. How much power could he channel at once?
The thoughts flew out of his head as he touched down next to Double. Kouryuu was staring intently into the ruins with foreboding eyes.
Um, started Edge. A sharp and angry look from Double cut off the rest of his words.
The Orb isnt here, he said gravely. Kouryuu absently nodded but continued to let her attention be absorbed by the shattered building before here. Double continued on. Im guessing that this structure, he motioned to the remains of the temple around them. ...was where the Orb was held in. There's nothing here but rubble now, but the incisions in the rock are still fresh, meaning that this so-called canyon wasn't necessarily something that had come about naturally. It was created to get to the Orb. Somebody beat us to it.
This was a shrine, said Kouryuu, still staring at the pillars and pedestal. Something constructed long ago to hold in the power of Orb. Somebody beat us to the claim. She paused for moment, her hands rolling into tight fists. I can feel it, she whispered. I can still feel its trail. The energy is very strong...
Confused that he didnt notice before, Edge opened his sensors to all channels. He could feel the energy trail that the Orb had left as well, but it was only a very faint taint on his scanners.
Kouryuu said Edge. I can barely feel the energy. Double appeared to be having trouble finding the Orbs trail as well.
It must be your sensors, said Double to Kouryuu. I dont know what mechanic messed with your system, but they must have given you some serious hardware, even if they were stupid enough to never teach you how to drive. Kouryuu snapped out of her trance and glared irately at Double, but refrained from physical violence.
Lets go, said Kouryuu. The energy readings on my sensors is still recent. This complex couldnt have been destroyed more than four hours ago. Edge blinked incredulously. Only four hours? To do all of this damage?! Kouryuu didnt notice his worry and continued on. We can track the Orb and catch up by tonight if were lucky. Weve already wasted enough time as it is. With a quick wave of her right hand, Kouryuu attached a laser wire to higher ground and began scaling the rock walls back up towards the hovercraft. Edge glanced over at Double. The assassin simply shrugged.
Hey, kid, said Double. Dont look at me. Youre the one who wanted to come on this journey.
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Edge landed on top of the earths crust softly. He and Double were the only ones not in the hovercraft, but Edges mind had become preoccupied with other worries. Who would want the Orb besides himself? He had thought that he was the only one who wanted to become human...but....
... those words... from the book, the one he was looking at before they had left the rebel camp, the one that had the map to this place. It had said, I put this map on paper in hopes that a pure man find and possess this power before a demon. The Orb could be used for other purposes, couldn't it? It was not specifically a key for the Temple of Ordeal, just a relic with the power to open its doors. Somebody with evil intentions have taken the Orb? But the only map of its location was in that library, it would have taken forever for somebody else to find the Orb without it.
"Damn," he muttered to himself. "I guess Kouryuu already predicted this kind of outcome. Mustve been why she was so serious about everything."
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But who could have taken the Orb?
Edge stared out into the deserted plains again as Double began the hovercrafts engine. As he turned to his pack to fish out a snack for Yoshime, Edge saw that Iesu had already done the deed and was now engaging in lively conversation with her. Something struck a tender string in Edges soul, something that brought a brief and sharp moment of pain, but he couldnt tell what it was...
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Soleiyu watched Kazuki sleep under the night stars. He needed no sleep himself, being a ghost. And so he simply watched his kin rest for the night, observing the cold indifference etched upon the man's face.
"Kazuki... so gullible. I almost feel sorry that you shall be the major pawn in my vengeance against Shogi. You havent even realized it, have you Kazuki? Such a foolish child, only caring about the future and never the past. If you had taken the time to pick out one of those fairy tales that you take so lightly, you might just find a foreboding omen to your future. You never knew, did you? Your battle with Hashira, you shall have it, and then you shall die. Your own blood, Satomi Oshikisama, the origin behind the great power you take so much for granted, shall slay you with her spear. Her husband, my brother, shall consume you in the fiery Hell of the Hikoken fires.
Kazuki, you could have been the greatest warrior of our family. Instead, the trees seed shall never be passed on from this point on, for your fate will give me what I have been waiting for..."
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Soleiyu smiled as he held Valkairs Orb in his hand, the colors swirling and shifting with each passing second. Finding the relic had been easy. The information was given in a book written by Yuu DeOrden, a former servant of the Demon God, in an ancient library that he had found long ago. It had taken Soleiyu three hundred and seventy-two years to find that ancient text. However, years are but seconds of a ghosts existence, for time does not affect the undead like it does the living. And now his patience had finally paid off, for his dream was about to come true.
The Orb glowed brightly in Soleiyus hands, and he smiled.
Kazuki slept soundly upon the dusty ground of the wastelands...
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Yes, Lord. I am here as summoned.
Toy nodded in response to Yujins address in the dark chambers. His enforcer cyborg stood still behind his throne, always prepared to eliminate any threat that should appear.
The Orb has been uncovered, said Toy. Yujins eyes widened in surprise, but he quickly hid his shock behind a grim mask of ice. Toy continued speaking. Valkairs Orb is a valuable tool. It must not fall into the hands of Edge and his party of followers. I will give you the coordinates of the Orbs location. I want you to retrieve it for me. Understood?
Yujin bowed deeply.
Yes, Lord, he said. I shall take my leave now.
Yujin was gone in a swirl of blue sparks, and Toy allowed himself to relax. The Orb was indeed a powerful tool... too powerful. He couldnt destroy it. The Orb was as indestrucable as its master, Valkair. He simply needed to eliminate anyone who would wish to use the Orb for their own purposes. Then he would be safe for the time being. Edge was becoming an increasingly dangerous individual, but could all that power be turned in his own favor? Could Edge be the one?
Toy shook his head wearily. Too many things to keep track of, even for somebody like himself. For now, the Orb needed to be retrieved, that would solve many of his problems. And then, perhaps if time permitted, he could afford to play it safe and destroy the Edge project once and for all. After all, it would just be better not to take any unnecessary chances.
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End Aspirations