Best Friends and Trust - Desecration Arc

*Author's note - Hello everyone! I quit my new novel, as I wanted to spend more time on this one and make the best story possible, I hope that's alright! Enjoy! :)*

Tomokazu yelled out as he struck his sword down on the training dummy, wooden sparks flying everywhere. The head, which was a circular oak object with a white circle drawn on it with a straight and horizontal line marking the center, fell off its body. Tomokazu pointed his palm at the head and used his wind magic to keep it from falling onto the forest floor, and he placed it back on the makeshift wooden body.

“Wow, that was amazing!”

Tomokazu turned around, facing the man who had come up to talk to him. Hiroshi.

“It wasn’t that cool,” Tomokazu said, shifting his focus back on his sword strikes. Since everybody had lost their swords in the battle with the heroes, Tomokazu was using a basic wooden sword.

“You aren’t going to kill anybody with that,” Hiroshi said with a smirk on his face.

“I know that smartass,” Tomokazu gave a small chuckle. “I was thinking we could head to Titania for some swords. The technology there is awesome! I mean, they have guns and better armor and shields and-”

“Wait, Titania has guns?!” Hiroshi cut Tomokazu off, dumbfounded.

“Yes, and apparently, they have these things called ‘cars’, which is a vehicle that you control that brings you from place to place, without the help of an animal! Isn’t that cool?!” Tomokazu responded, not realizing how excited he was getting.

“Well, cars and guns are a normality in my old world,” Hiroshi smiled, sitting down on an uneven, grey rock that was nearby.

“Really?”

“Yeah. It makes me not miss my old world at all. Sure, not having a phone or a car sucks, but the community in Lightley is so vibrant and wonderful. Everybody wants to help one another out,” Hiroshi’s smile slowly started to fade as he continued. “I wonder if anybody misses me in my old world…I had a foster mother. I mean, I didn’t have much of a connection but…I guess I still miss her.”

“Of course you do, Hiroshi,” Tomokazu sat down on the rock beside Hiroshi, wrapping his arm around his shoulder. “You are human. Stuff happens. Bad stuff. It makes us stronger, Hiroshi. It’s why I think you’ll be the strongest person in the world. You fight for what’s right, no matter how bad your life gets.”

“Thanks, Tomo, it means a lot,” Hiroshi gave a small grin, before changing the subject. “So, why is there a ceasefire when Titania could easily beat you with their technology?”

“Because Titania doesn’t have Tsuyoshi Kage.”

“Is Kage really that strong?!”

“No, he’s stronger. He is ranked the ninth strongest person in the world, only behind the eight Gods. It’s why for a long time, he was considered the God of Light,” Tomokazu looked up at the sky, where the moon had just come out, it’s light reflecting off his face. “Do you think one of us really could be the God of Light?”

Hiroshi pondered the question for a second, before giving his answer.

“I think Kage sees the potential in one of us. In terms of sheer power, yes, any of us could become it. However, I think it’s either you or Bibi or Wisteria.”

“Why can’t it be you?”

“I have killed innocent people, Tomo. Even if I have the power, I don’t have the heart. I would say the same about you too.”

“Rude.”

“I think…I think it’s most likely Bibi,” Hiroshi said with a smile.

“What?! Why Bibi?” Tomokazu squealed, surprised at Hiroshi’s answer.

“Because that woman has a big heart, and she’s so strong, despite having no manna or magic. Wouldn’t it be so poetic? That’s why you need to take care of her and make sure she’s happy, as she needs to make you happy too,” Hiroshi patted Tomokazu on the shoulder, before standing up. “Come on, I’ll give you a match.”

“Sure! I don’t have a spare training blade, though,” Tomokazu stated.

“It’s fine, I want to work on my hand combat anyway,” Hiroshi said, making his way to the center of the circle. Tomokazu trudged behind him, fiddling with his hands.

“Oshi?”

“Yeah?” Hiroshi turned around in shock. Only Wisteria ever called him that.

“I…I’m sorry I didn’t understand how you felt. I should have been there for you. I understand why you did what you did. Your emotions are…complex.”

“Tell me about it,” Hiroshi sighed. “You know, I trust you Tomo, because you’re my best friend. Can I tell you something?”

“Sure, fire ahead.”

“I was diagnosed with depression in my old world,” Hiroshi told Tomokazu, losing a dent of confidence as the words left his mouth.

“Oh…,” Tomokazu responded simply, being unsure how to respond.

“Yeah, and without my anti-depressants, life can be really hard,” Hiroshi shrugged. “I suppose I just snapped, and I should be the one apologizing. I’m sorry Tomo.”

Tomokazu felt strange. He was always taught to push his emotions deep down, as training and fighting were all that matters. Once he won, it didn’t matter what he felt, but with Hiroshi, he felt like he could be himself.

And it was so relaxing.

Tomokazu Onuki slowly walked over to Hiroshi Akuma, his eyes narrowing.

“Hey…Tomo, what are you…”

Tomokazu reached his arms out and hugged him tightly. Hiroshi returned the favor.

“Is this, how friends show that they care?” Tomokazu asked.

“I’m not sure…you chose to ask the guy that had one friend his whole life?” Hiroshi asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Yeah, you are right this is weird,” Tomokazu said, pushing himself away from Hiroshi, who had a small smile on his face.

“That’s your first time doing that isn’t it?”

“No! Shut up! I’m never doing that again, and I hate you!” Tomokazu brandished his fake sword, but a big smirk spread across the length of his face. “Thanks for being my friend, Oshi.”

“As I am grateful for you, Tomo. Now, are we going to spar or what!?”

“Bring it!”

The two men charged at one another, determined to win for bragging rights.

Kuro-Yami sat in Hiroshi’s mind.

A fiery outrage burning in his eyes.