Beginnings and Ends (14)

Ashiro and Fumiko sit the room, wanting for Kodak to wake up. Their worries only get worse with the passing minute, hoping the worst didn't happen to their friend. Fumiko's eyes start to tear up, fore the first time she was showing her true genuine emotions.

Ashiro slammed his fist into the wall. He wished that he fought with Kodak. He felt that the outcome could've prevented his best friend from ending up bedridden. He continues looking at his best friend. "I could've done something, anything. But now he's in such a critical condition." His hands clenched tightly, breaking the skin and bleeding onto the floor of the room.

They continue to despair about Kodak's condition, when suddenly his body starts to glow. The wounds close up and start to heal his battered body. 

Kuroi speaks into Kodak's mind. "Once someone reaches a certain level of mastery of revenant. The user has a low grade healing factor. While not the best, it still heals cuts, bruises, and even minor injuries."

Kodak arises from his bed and looks at his two friends. "Good morning." The sun shines through the curtains, beaming onto his face.

Fumiko tears up even more and hugs Kodak immediately. Her crying intensifies even further, she then starts to feel strange like something else was. "W-what is this feeling?"

Fumiko's tears start to disappear and her body starts to glow a purple aura. Kodak looks at her, surprised. "(I sense revenant coming from Fumiko, if I had to guess her technique would involve her family's swordsmanship.)"

Kuroi takes his astral form, looking closer at Fumiko's aura. "(Hmm, her aura alone is just barely a B-Rank. After unlocking her revenant core she could prove to be around Kodak's level of strength. But what's more is the nostalgic feeling I'm sensing from her energy. It's similar to her.)"

Fumiko begins to see the silhouette of Kuroi, confusing her. "Kodak is that you?" He looks at Fumiko confused. He was right in front of her, her vision of Kuroi improves even more. Until she sees his astral projection. 

"Whoa, who the hell is that?!" Fumiko jumps back, her hands suddenly spark up with revenant. Her hands flicker between the activation and deactivation of revenant. Kodak stands up from his bed, placing his hand on her shoulder. "Hey... look at me. You're okay Fumiko-Chan. In fact Ashiro's still dealing with how to activate his own revenant." Kodak says, teasing him.

"Oh very funny jackass." Ashiro says, slapping his friend on the back. 

Kodak turns away, focusing his attention to Fumiko's unstable control over revenant. "Hey, focus on me Fumiko. Control the energy surging violently through you. Suppress that unstable energy, imagine you're in the eye of the storm. Find a middle ground for this newfound power."

Kiko looks at Kodak trying to calm the unstable revenant Fumiko was unconsciously using. "(He's able to calm her pretty easily. It's almost like Kuroi's relationship with me. Their gonna learn to depend on each other and grow from this.)"

Fumiko calms her panicking slowly, telling herself to control it. The energy starts to calm down and her body starts to feel something brewing. A feel of consciousness leaves her body and Fumiko faints. As she falls Kodak catches her and places her on the bench in the hospital bedroom they stood in. "Looks like she's gonna find out her avatar before you Ashiro."

Kodak smirks at him, like an idiot. Ashiro scoffs and shrugs off his friend's teasing. "Yeah, about that. I think I met my avatar." Kuroi looks at him, wanting to know who it was. Kodak smiles towards Ashiro, impressed by this big progression.

"Looks like you're gonna be using revenant pretty soon Ashiro. Not to mention how much you're truly gonna learn about this amazing power." Kodak's eyes turn dark blue and his aura reacts to his excitement for power. The strength felt amazing from Ashiro point of view. The energy was greater than anything he could have imagined. He couldn't wait to find out how strong he could or can be.

Behind the door of Kodak's room in the hospital lurked a couple individuals. They looked at Kodak, one of the men spoke. His voice was coarse. He looked at Kodak, his eyes filled with a thirst for fighting.

"So that's the Kawanari kid I've heard so much about. He's got amazing potential and knowledge of revenant. But at his current strength, he'll be thrown aside like some used toy."

A woman smacks the man over the head. "Shut up you bloodthirsty freak. I think that Tensai boy takes after Godai a little bit."

A person from the shadows lifts his arm up, revealing a portal. "They're not ready yet. BUt when that time comes they'll be ready."

The group starts to walk through the portal, Kodak then senses something outside the door and rushes forward. He looks at a portal, people walking into it. "Who are you!"

A bulky man looks back and grins. "FINALLY SOME FUN!" He rushes forward, attempting to grab his opponent. But to his surprise Kodak narrowly dodges. An old man then intervenes and shoves the bulky man into the portal. "I apologize for my friend. He loves strong opponents, and we're just leaving."

The old man starts walking through. Kodak grabs his shoulder and his aura reacts strongly to his anger. "You better tell me what the hell is going on you old bastard!!!"

The old just shrugs off Kodak and walks through the portal, with it briefly disappearing. He looks at the bulky man before and shakes his head. "Do you know how bad it would've been if you had fought him?"

"Whatever, he's probably weak, he was a measly B-rank."

The woman then spoke up. "He was holding back, my estimate would be about 70% of his strength. He's roughly a mid tier A-rank. If you two fought he would still lose but you'd have major wounds. He also seems vastly skilled in martial arts. If he gains enough strength he could turn out to be another Kenji case."

[Tensai Family Household]

Kodak and Ashiro arrive at the house. Satsujin opens the door and hugs the two of them tightly. "I thought you were gonna die Kodak! Ashiro you gave your old man a heart attack when I heard you were in the infirmary."

Kodak smirks and walks inside. He hears a familiar voice and looks towards Aiya. "Hello Kodak, are you okay from the school's attack? I heard you were sent to the hospital."

"I'm fine Aiya-San. How is your sickness? You look even paler than before."

Satsujin turns his attention over to his wife and walks over to Kodak, with Ashiro following. "I have something to tell you both." His voice shook with hesitation and sorrow. A tears drip down his face and onto his jeans. "Aiya only has 2 weeks to live. If I were you, I'd spend the most time as you can possibly with her." He sobs even harder, his wife lending her shoulder. He falls to his knees and hugs his wife. Her smile still bright as ever, her embrace with Satsujin was peaceful. 

Kodak looks at Aiya, he saw pain behind her eyes. The pain of leaving this world and everyone who cared about her behind. "(She's gonna die, she's still got so much life in her though.)" Kodak clenched his jaw and walked to his room. He shuts the door, locking it. HE then takes a meditation position and relaxes his entire. The revenant circulates through his entire body, he could feel every muscle and joint being pushed to their limits. "(I want to get stronger and never lose like in that fight. Fumiko was told by her avatar to train straight away. If she can do it then so can I!!!)"

He then feels his muscles cramping up, but he doesn't stop. Kiko and Kuroi then appear in front of him in their physical form. "Stop, Kodak. I get you want strength but do it tomorrow. You need to rest from your fight against Maeko, plus it gives you the chance to spend time with Aiya."

Kodak releases the meditation and strain he brought up on himself. "You're right Kiko-San, I need to take time off with my family and friends. After those 2 weeks I'll start my training."

Kiko smiles, proud of Kodak's sympathy for the Tensai family. Kuroi then pulls Kiko to the side. "What the hell are you doing?! He needs to train for the upcoming threats that still lurk in this city. Jashi is still out there trying to find a way to make Kodak's life a living hell. Not to mention Maeko and her crazy partner are as well!!!"

Kiko looks at Kuroi angry. "Not everyone is able to just train off like a barbarian. Kodak needs to take time to properly heal, not physically but mentally. He's just been trying to power through all this trauma and pain through perseverance. It's just not how the body's mind works. You know that as much as the next guy. Especially after whatever caused Fuku-San's anger and suffering to amplify even more."

Kuroi's fist clenched. Kiko was right, "You're right. Kodak does need time to heal, but if this backfire and someone dies because of lackluster training then I'll never let this go."

[The next day...]

The sky shines brightly with the sun illuminating the playground full of children. Nao and her brother Atsuo arrive at the playground with their father waving to them from his car. "You two play nice and listen to Kaiya. She's your babysitter, I have to go work now."

A girl with hair resembling a white lotus exits a taxi, thanking the driver for the ride. She walks up to Satsujin's car and he greets her with a firm but thoughtful handshake. "Thanks again Kaiya, I was having trouble since Kodak is held up with helping Aiya and Ashiro had to focus with after studies."

Kaiya smiles towards him and nods her head. "No problem boss. I love the kids anyways. In fact it's an honor to look after the children of the Tensai family." Her words were a little much but she meant it. Satsujin could tell from the look in her eyes. 

He takes off, driving to the "Tensai Family Diner." It was empty and quiet, before multiple family groups burst through the door. Satsujin sighs and cracks his back. "(Looks like another long day in this diner. But in a couple days it'll be Kodak's birthday.)"

The loud sounds of children playing interrupt Satsujin's train of thought.

[Back at the playground...]

Kaiya sits on a bench, watching Atsuo and Nao play with multiple children. She pulls on the collar of her shirt, with whining detected in her voice. "It's so hot today, But anything for the Tensai family."

Two people watch Kaiya, lurking underneath the roof of a nearby church.

Maeko complains to Yami, whining immensely. "Can't we just kill those children when it's not as hot outside, I mean how can it be this hot when it's fall!?"

Yami puts his finger up, gesturing Maeko to keep quiet. He then whispers with caution in his voice. "If we get caught then that kid who fought you might show up and kill us both."

Maeko scoffs at the idea of losing to Kodak again. "I won't go easy on him like last time. This time I'll show him the true power of my technique!"

Yami ignores the arrogance from Maeko and focuses on Kaiya.

"It's pretty damn hot. But anything for the Tensai family."

Kaiya waves her hands in front of her face, trying to cool down quickly as possible. She then notices Maeko walking over to the same bench she sat on. She just stood there staring at her. Kaiya got fed up with this old woman's strange behavior and walked away. Maeko swipes her arm at Maiya. She then feels pain traveling to her body and falls to the ground.

Blood spills on the playground, the sound of Kaiya's decapitation echoes throughout the area. It's quickly followed up by the screams of parents and even the children. 

Yami smiles and runs into the Playground. "TIME TO FEAST!!!" 

Maeko looks over and grins her fangs. "Time for us to unleash our true desires my dear!" The couple runs through the area and starts to tear through the large number of people. Parents are torn to shreds as children watch in horror as family are killed. Not just the adults but even the children.

Nao stands traumatized from the massacre happening right in front of her very eyes. "(WHAT'S HAPPENING!? WHERE"S KAIYA!?)"

Nao looks down and immediately throws up at the site of Kaiya's dismembered head. "AAAHHHHH!!!!!"

Maeko looks over and sees the helpless Nao screaming. "SHUT UP YOU FOOLISH GIRL!!"

Kodak sits down on the couch, watching a TV show with Aiya. The show was generic, same old cops and robbers. But the comedy was hilarious, The TV then suddenly changed to the news.

Kodak watches in horror as he sees dead bodies buried over the playground he last saw Nao and Atsuo at. "(I NEED TO HURRY!!!)"

Kodak puts on his jacket and shoes, and pulls the hoodie over his face. "Sorry Aiya-San." He runs across the streets, collecting kinetic energy. "(PLEASE DON'T BE DEAD!)"

He jumps with his legs fully charged with energy and flies through the air.

Maeko smiles towards Nao, her leg is broken and her arm is dislocated. Her screams echoed the playground. Maeko stares annoyed at her yelling and scoffs at Nao. "JUST SHUT UP!"

Maeko swings her arm at Nao, she closes her eyes. She thought about everyone she loved: Kodak, Ashiro, Satsujin, Atsuo, and Aiya-San.

But the attack never came from Maeko as Nao hears a familiar voice. "It's ok Nao. IT'LL BE OKAY SO PLEASE ATSUO TAKE HER OUT OF HERE!!!!!!"

His voice rippled throughout the area. Atsuo carries his sister and hurries to a police officer. "MISTER PLEASE MY SISTER NEEDS HELP!" 

The officer looks at Atsuo and his body then starts to make strange noises. Like something breaking, no ripping apart.

The officer gets ripped in half and Yami appears. "Buzz off brat."

Kodak's eyes look over in horror. He tries rushing at him, but Maeko punches him and holds him back. "Our fight isn't over. So just watch, after all you deserve this."

Kodak then watches as he sees Yami holding the helpless Nao by the throat. "NOOOOO DON'T DO THIS YOU HEARTLESS BASTARDS!!!!"

Maeko starts laughing as Nao feels Yami's hand closing around her neck. It felt suffocating and death approached her, closer and closer with every moment.

Maeko then starts to feel her grip loosening and Kodak starts to overpower her. "LET GO YOU PIECE OF SHIT!!!"

He feels his body tense up and some of his hair strands turn dark purple. His aura was overwhelming and Maeko felt something she hadn't in a while.

It was fear, the fear of such an overwhelming opponent that she could help but jump back. Kodak then disappears from her and Yami's line of sight. The ground shakes and suddenly a streak of dark blue lightning speeds through the road, tearing through it with such raw power.

Yami then suddenly sees Kodak in front of him. 

Kodak's body felt unlike anything before. It was stronger, faster, and his proficiency with revenante was vastly stronger. 

Yami gets sent flying by punch straight to his face, blood leaks from his broken nose and he begins to see why Maeko was defeated by Kodak. Yami smiles and an aura of revenant surges through him.

"What's your name warrior." He asked, wanting to know Kodak's name. But he says, "Shut up and fight!" Punching Yami even harder and faster. More blood leaks from Yami's face as anger builds up.

"(He's not even listening. His level of focus is impressive. It seems he only focuses on the opponent in front of him and doesn't want to lose sight of the fight he's in right now. Whoever trained this boy did well. He's just a straight up monster, but I feel like he's holding back. Not necessarily himself, but a greater force."

Kodak and Yami land on the ground, circling each other. "Your strength is incredible, not many revenant rankers nowadays can content with me."

Kuroi looks at Yami, worried for Kodak. "Be careful, he's strong even without his revenant. BUt you pushed him to use it, so we have no idea what his technique is."

Kodak smirks, confident against his opponent. "(I know that much Kuroi.)"

Yami and Kodak stop circling for a moment and they stand for a moment. Yami rushes first, his speed was impressive. But Kodak could keep up with him. Yami continues to chase after Kodak, narrowly missing each attack. "(I know you said to be careful Kuroi-San... BUT WHO GIVES A SHIT!!!"

Kodak's kinetic energy pool leaks into his revenant, increasing his revenant aura. "(I've been storing up kinetic energy and gathering revenant with the bodily shockwave technique. The next hit I land will murder this bastard!!!)"

Yami senses something off with Kodak, ever since they started this fight he sensed him getting vastly stronger with every movement he made. Yami then rushes forward and kicks at Kodak's legs but he disappears, speeding around Yami at speeds that rip through the ground. The aura surrounds Kodak, only getting stronger and stronger. 

Yami strikes keeping up but he couldn't, it was like Kodak just kept getting faster and faster. "(He's so fast?! Not even most A-Ranks could hurt him. Is he just like the demonic prodigy Kenji!?)"

Yami tried to catch Kodak but it was no use as he only got faster and faster as he collected more kinetic revenant."

Kodak the suddenly stops and dodges another attack. The nearby land gets ripped through Yami's attack missing Kodak. He smiles towards Yami and he activates his aura but something was different, his aura disappeared.

Yami looked at him confused, but he couldn't hesitate now. It was a wide open shot to kill this unstoppable opponent. "(I HAVE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY!!!)"

He rushes forward, his fist etches closer towards Kodak. "Dumbass." He said, confident that Kodak was finished.

"Who's finished?"

Yami then feels an immense pressure crushing him into the ground. "GAH!"

Kodak smiles and looks down upon Yami. "Surprised right? You didn't think I'd let you get close for no reason. You're even dumber than Maeko.

Yami smirks, "You think that measly shockwave you sent out to know her back killed her? You're underestimating us-"

Yami then gets pulled out of the ground and Kodak crushes his neck slowly, "Talk."

"W-what?" Yami looked at Kodak confused. Why he's being questioned by his enemy. "What is your goal."

Yami smiles and opens his mouth. "To help Jashi in making you suffer. I mean he killed your mother and sister. So it's only natural he kills that whining brat."

Kodak eyes widen in fear. "(NO, NO, NO! THIS CAN'T BE HAPPENING. SO THAT'S WHY KIKO AND KUROI WANTED HIM DEAD SO BADLY. HE'S TO BLAME!!!!)"

Kodak's eyes then flicker purple and his hair turns even more dark purple. "Sorry but I have to end our fight short, goodbye."

He tightened his grip, trying to snap Yami's neck, but before he could Kodak sensed something interrupting him.

He looks to his left and before he can react, he's hit in the face by a blood red machete. It slashed across his face and blood trickles down his face. He looked forward and saw Maeko.

Yami smiles as Maeko tries to protect him. "Just so you know boy, when she fought you she didn't even use half of her power."

Maeko speeds forward and tries slashing Kodak once more. But he deflects the blade and sends her flying back. Kiko smirks at Kodak and cheers him onto. "Looks like you finally used your family's martial arts with revenant." He smiles and replies to Kiko's cheers. " Well, it was tough, in the beginning I couldn't even throw a punch with revenant. but if I just let my abilities and martial experience bleed into one another, the power increases dramatically."

Kuroi smiles and shares his opinion. "You're getting used to using your martial arts more. That's good, in the near future you might unlock your innate revenant technique soon."

Kodak smiles and rushes at Maeko slicing off her arm. "AAAAAAAHHHH!!!"

She jumps back in pain, holding her arm. "Wait why can't I use my innate technique?!" 

Kodak looks at her surprised. "(Kuroi, why can't she use her technique?)"

He looks Maeko and is shocked by what Kodak had just struck. "(Your attack somehow damaged her revenant. It seems not only are you able to absorb kinetic energy and add to your current power, but your strikes do chip damage to her output. They don't do much but over the course of a fight. Your opponent will lose their output further and further, unless they're able to perform a death burst.)"

Kodak looks confused, "(What's a death burst?)"

"(I'll tell you later, just focus on the damn fight! Look she's attack once more!)"

Maeko rushes at Kodak, shooting a blast of blood at him. "DIE YOU DAMN BRAT!!!"

"Too slow."

Kodak shoots out a kinetic energy burst combined with bodily shockwave, sending Maeko flying through the air. As she flies through the air, she wonders how she could beat such a dangerous opponent. "(He's got me beat in physical attributes, but he doesn't even know about domains. I'll just kill with mine. After all, I can damage his soul in mine.)"

Kodak jumps through the air and brings his hands up, slamming her with a double hammer fist.

"You know you can't beat me. So just die!" He rushes forward, but something felt off. Kodak then jumps back and keeps his stance on the defensive, but before he could do anything he sees Maeko strike a hand sign. Her middle and pointer finger extended up with her thumb out. 

"REVENANT DOMAIN: BLOODTHIRSTY DOMINATION!!"

A massive barrier forms instantly around them both. Kodak looks around himself, blood drips throughout the domain and the only sound he could hear was lost souls of the dead. But one soul was very different. It seemed like a little girl, the soul called out to him. "KODAK!"

It was Nao, she was dead. Kodak's face fills with tears and punches the ground, shaking the domain. "Was it you..." He muttered under his breath.

Maeko scoffs at Kodak's anger and starts mocking him. "Was it me? No shit dumbass, anyone who is eaten by me has their soul stored in my domain. I will admit your friend, oh what was his name? Shiro, Ash, no, no. I know now, the boy's name was Ashiro. He put up a decent fight, but he fainted pathetically. He had no control over his powers, But soon you all will come to face the consequences of unlocking revenant. Also don't worry, I didn't kill that boy, he was not worth eating, same with his little brother."

Kodak's eyes cry even more, was there he could do to stop the people he loved most from dying? 

"Maybe I should convince Jashi to kill that boy's father and then that pathetic wife of his."

Kodak instantly runs around the domain, gathering kinetic energy and revenant. He screams and his body goes even faster. The domain shakes profusely, Maeko scoffs at Kodak's desperation. "YOu can't break a domain. It's not possible to you brat."

The domain the starts to shake and Maeko falls to the ground. "(RADIAL AURA!?)" Kodak crosses his arms around his chest and feels the kinetic combine with his radial aura. Cracks form around the barrier of the domain and Maeko's eyes widen in fear of what was happening.

"NO....THAT'S NOT POSSIBLE!!!!!"

The radial aura increases in power and crushing power from the massive amount of kinetic energy Kodak collected. "BREAK YOU BASTARD!!!" His hands light up with the dark blue glow from his kinetic energy, the air gets heavier. Maeko gets crushed even further and she watches in horror as the domain shatters completely. Kodak then gathered the radial aura back to aura enhancement. His body shrouds with overwhelming power. He then hears running behind and looks over. "DIE YOU FUCKING BASTARD!!!"

It was Yami, "How predictable." Kodak raises his hand, a shockwave of revenant condenses into the palm of Kodak's hand, shooting out at Yami. 

He stops running towards Kodak and looks down to see a massive gaping hole in his chest. "D-d-damn you..."

Yami falls down, dead.

Maeko looks at her lover dead, But she doesn't have time to grieve, as she needs to escape.

She runs away, trying to make it to the city. She races through the terrain, dodging multiple trees and rocks. Maeko continues running, almost tripping on a rock.

She sees the entrance to the city and she smiles. A fist then penetrates her stomach and pain shot through her entire body. "GUAAAHHH!!!"

"You should've just killed yourself. Cause then I wouldn't have to do this." Kodak says coldly towards Maeko.

His arm pierces through her stomach and his fist reels back, covered in blood. The ground drips with the crimson color of blood. She stubbles, trying to get to the city still. Her vision starts to get blurry and a trail of blood follows behind her. Kodak looks at Maeko as she bleeds onto the battlefield.

"You...will...not.. be able to save anyone... you piece of shit-" Maeko says, grinning at him.

Kodak punches her with revenant aura violently, blood splatters over the ground. The punches only get more violent with every strike. Blood drips from his hands, his fist plunges his hand

By the time he's done he is panting and covered in blood. He looks at his hands, the feeling of blood on his hands as he took someone's life was, horrible.

"(So this is what it feels like having blood stain my hands. I hate it, I never want to do this unless it's necessary.)" Kiko takes her physical form, looking at the aftermath of Kodak's gruesome battle with Yami and Maeko. Kuroi then takes his physical form, following Kiko. "Where is he?" He asked, wanting to know if their successor was alright. Kiko looks over the bloody battlefield, her worries for Kodak amplified further. "(Please don't be dead!)"

She runs through the gruesome terrain, until she stumbled upon Kodak. His body covered in blood, his breathing was fast and distressed. 

He looked at his hands, his breathing became short. He then feels lightheaded and he begins to think about how Jashi killed his family members. "(I'M JUST A MURDERER!!! LIKE HIM")

He dug his hands into his shoulder, tearing away flesh. Blood drips from his shoulders, his revenant reacts to it and begins healing him.

"FUCK!"

Kiko watches Kodak continuing to tear at his own flesh, and healing once more. Her heart aches from his pain, her eyes begin to tear up as Kodak screams in agony. "AAAAAHHHHH!!!"

His screams make Kiko fall to her knees, it was mind-numbing and torture to listen to. "MAKE IT STOP!" Her voice echoed through the bloody battlefield that still had the lifeless corpses of Maeko and Yami.

Kuroi couldn't take this anymore, putting his hand on Kodak. "Hey, look at me. What do you see, feel, hear, and name me 2 things you want."

Kiko looked at the method Kuroi was using, it seemed calming and reassuring to the distressed Kodak.

"(He's really good at calming and reassuring others.)"

Kuroi calls out to Kodak once more, wanting to help him through this pain and struggle. "I know you're in pain. But please, let me help you Kodak-San. I know what it's like to lose someone you love. Trust me I've experienced it way too much in my lifetime. So look at me and don't give up."

Finally Kuroi's speech gets to Kodak and his short breathing starts to fade away. "I see you Kuroi. I feel the warm grass along with the sun beaming on my skin. I hear the wind blowing through the trees. I want strength and justice for my loved ones that didn't deserve this!!!"

Kodak wipes his tears, standing up. He walks into the forest, washing the blood off him. His reflection showed in the lake he washed himself in. His hair was fully dark purple and his face had a scar. It crossed from his nose to his left cheek. He splashes water in his face, washing away the blood. He shakes his hair, drying it.

[30 Minutes 

Kodak walks down the street, reporters surrounding the Tensai's house. "What the hell?!"