The God Of Thunder

The story of Rajin Kikoshi begins in the samurai society of Kenseimura, nestled within the lush green hills of Etris's eastern territory. Rajin was born into a proud warrior family, his father, Hiroshi Kikoshi, being a revered swordmaster of their village. The samurai code was their lifeblood, and Rajin was taught to wield a blade from the moment he could walk.

Hiroshi was not just a swordsman—he was a philosopher, a man of wisdom. He believed that the sword was more than a tool of destruction; it was an extension of one's soul. Every morning, as the sun painted the sky with hues of gold, Hiroshi would guide his son in the art of the sword.

"The sword," Hiroshi said one morning, "is like lightning—swift, sharp, and decisive. But it must also be wielded with purpose. Reckless strikes only invite ruin."

Rajin nodded, his youthful face filled with determination. He trained tirelessly, his hands blistered and his body exhausted. Yet, his father's words inspired him to continue.

One day, as they rested beneath the sakura trees, Hiroshi spoke of an ancient power known as the Ether Contracts. "Rajin, listen carefully," his father began, his tone grave. "Ether Contracts are the embodiment of equivalent exchange. Through them, one may impose conditions upon themselves to gain great power. But remember, such bargains always demand a price. Without balance, chaos ensues."

This wisdom would remain etched in Rajin's mind, even as tragedy struck their village years later. Bandits, armed with foreign weapons and arcane tools, attacked Kenseimura. Hiroshi fought valiantly, but he fell in battle, leaving Rajin to fend for himself. Clutching his father's nagikiba, Rajin vowed to honor his father's teachings and never stray from the path of the warrior.

The arena erupted in chaos as the fight between Rajin Kikoshi and Ren Fuuji raged on. Sparks of electricity danced across Rajin's body, forming draconic armor that encased him in shimmering brilliance. His eyes gleamed with the resolve of a warrior honed by years of discipline. Ren, on the other hand, exuded an aura of eerie calm, their lab coat flapping in the gusts of energy generated by Rajin's lightning.

Rajin surged forward, his movements a blur as he used Spark Swap to teleport behind Ren. A flash of steel accompanied by a crackling roar sliced through the air, but Ren narrowly dodged, rolling to the side. Their movements were calculated, methodical, as if they were studying Rajin even in the midst of combat.

"You're fast," Ren remarked, adjusting their stance. "But speed without precision is wasted energy."

Rajin didn't respond. Words were meaningless on the battlefield. He unleashed a flurry of strikes, each one charged with electric force. Ren countered with uncanny precision, using small devices to deflect the blows or disrupt Rajin's rhythm. One such device exploded into a cloud of shimmering dust, forcing Rajin to retreat momentarily.

"Impressive gadgets," Rajin muttered, his voice tinged with irritation. "But they're not enough."

Summoning more lightning, Rajin launched a massive bolt toward Ren. The arena shook as the ground beneath Ren cracked and splintered. Yet, when the smoke cleared, Ren stood unscathed, holding a humanoid figure crafted from their own blood.

"It's time to end this experiment," Ren declared. They poured a vial of crimson liquid into the humanoid, and it began to swell and morph. In moments, the figure transformed into a monstrous, grotesque baby, towering over the arena. Its cries echoed like thunder, stunning the audience and sending shivers down Rajin's spine.

The baby unleashed a deafening wail, a sonic attack that resonated with etheric energy. Rajin felt his connection to the ether sever, his lightning dissipating like mist under the sun. He stumbled, his draconic armor fading as the baby advanced.

"What's the matter?" Ren taunted, their voice cutting through the cacophony. "Is the great Rajin Kikoshi powerless without his precious ether?"

Rajin gritted his teeth, his mind racing. He couldn't afford to lose. Drawing upon his father's teachings, he made a desperate decision. Placing his hand over his chest, he whispered an incantation.

"Ether Contract: Sanity for Power."

The air around Rajin shifted, growing heavy with an ominous energy. His pupils dilated, and his breathing grew erratic. The price of his contract was steep—he sacrificed his sanity, plunging himself into a feral state. But in return, his power surged to unimaginable heights.

"Third Art: The God of Thunder," Rajin growled, his voice distorted. He dropped to all fours, his body crackling with unstable energy. He darted around the arena, leaving afterimages that confused the giant baby. With a roar, he lunged, piercing the baby's chest with his nagikiba. Lightning erupted from the wound, obliterating the creature in a blinding flash.

As the dust settled, Rajin stood amidst the carnage, his breathing ragged. Ren tried to react, reaching for another device, but it was too late. In a flurry of movement, Rajin severed all four of Ren's limbs with surgical precision. Ren collapsed, blood pooling around them.

"I… surrender," Ren gasped, their voice weak.

But Rajin wasn't listening. His feral state had consumed him, and he raised his blade for the killing blow. The crowd watched in horror, realizing that Rajin was no longer in control.

Suddenly, an overwhelming pressure descended upon the arena. The air grew still, and a figure appeared in the center of the battlefield. Maestro Evengarde Rest, his presence commanding absolute attention, stood between Rajin and Ren.

"That's enough," Evengarde said, his voice calm but firm.

Rajin growled, his blade trembling in his hand. The feral energy within him resisted, but Maestro's sheer aura was enough to override the Ether Contract. Rajin's body went limp, and he collapsed, unconscious.

The announcer, breaking the stunned silence, declared, "The winner is Rajin Kikoshi!"

The crowd erupted into cheers, but the atmosphere remained tense. Evengarde glanced down at Ren, who lay motionless on the ground.

"You live only because I allow it," Maestro said coldly, before turning and walking away, his cape billowing behind him.