The Speed of Light - Desecration Arc

"Here is the next part of your training," Tsuyoshi Kage had told his four students this time six months ago. They had travelled for just a few seconds, but it would have taken a day on foot. Kage was currently looking up at a massive, obnoxious structure. It was very similar to a cycling track in the Olympics, with a bent, oval shape that dipped on the inside and became wider on the outside. It was all hastily put together with scraps of ugly metal, and some parts on the outside looking in were hollow.

"What in the hell even is this?" Tomokazu asked, dumbfounded at the bizarre structure that was laid in front of them.

"This is the Light Speed Chamber," Kage stated proudly, putting his hands on his hips and puffing out his chest.  "This is where all the Gods, including your father, Tomo, and many other powerful people come to increase their speed to as fast as light. Here, you can go as fast as you want with no repercussions. It breaks and heals your legs over and over again, healing them so much that you explode through the sound barrier and into the speed beyond."

"That...doesn't sound safe," Bibi pouted. "Besides, how am I even supposed to do that? The other guys have loads of manna to prevent damage for a while, but I'll just be burnt to a crisp as soon as I start running."

"Of course, I have something different for you in mind," Kage winked at his student. "For the rest of you, take to the start of the track. I can record your speed from here. Your target is three hundred and thirty thousand kilometers a second, which is the official speed of light. Good luck, my wonderful students!"

Hiroshi, Tomokazu and Wisteria all nodded at each other, and flew up to the starting area.

"Who should go first?" Tomokazu asked, and Hiroshi took a look over at his girlfriend.

"Ladies first?"

"If you insist," Wisteria laughed, getting on one knee, and putting her hands on the starting line, very much like a professional runner in an Olympic race. As soon as Wisteria was ready, a massive, neon green sign began to count down from ten in front of them. Tomokazu ran to the side, as to get out of Wisteria's way. Hiroshi stayed by her side, nervous.

"Make sure to be very careful, Babe. I'm not sure how safe this is," Hiroshi said nervously, fiddling with his hands. He wasn't sure why he was more on edge after the fight with the Love Crystal. 

"Your love for Wisteria is clouding your judgement, she will be fine. Let her go all out," Kuro-Yami sighed, getting annoyed at all this love talk. Hiroshi knew Kuro-Yami was jealous of Wisteria, mostly because Hiroshi knew himself that if he got even closer to her, he would grow soft, and his longing to eliminate selfishness from the world would be but a dream.

"Don't worry, Oshi, I'll be fine," Wisteria smiled, her heart warming at Hiroshi's concern for her. "Love you. Wish me luck!"

"Wish you the very best of luck! Love you too!" Hiroshi told her, before stepping back. Three seconds left. Ice crystals began to form underneath Wisteria's old, thorn shoes, and the oval arena groaned and spurted into life. It whirred a brilliant, azure blue light, that exploded out of the sides of the oval shape.

Two seconds. Tomokazu and Hiroshi looked on nervously, and they levatated upwards slightly.

One second.

At that moment, Wisteria launched herself forward, and within the blink of an eye, she had rushed around the whole arena. She look behind herself, stunned at her own speed. Her legs felt like they were on fire, but she was unharmed for the most part. She sank to her knees and took a breath, still trying to process what had just happened.

"Well done, Wisteria! You just hit one hundred and seventy five thousand kilometers per second! You are around half-way to the light speed barrier! Next person up, please!"

Hiroshi analyzed the set-up. It was clear that the arena took manna of the person that was running, and put all the power into their legs. He helped Wisteria stand to her feet.

"How was that?"

"Um...difficult, but...somehow that adrenaline...it felt incredible!" Wisteria said in between gasps. Hiroshi smiled, and prepared for his own run. The darkness gathered underneath his feet, and his breath went to the back of his throat. He got into position, gathering up all his energy, and forcing all the manna into his legs and feet. Three...two...one...

Hiroshi launched himself forward as Kuro-Yami cheered him on. He yelped slightly, the pain in his legs impossible to ignore. He stopped at the finish line, panting and sweating like crazy. His ears were ringing so badly, he almost couldn't hear  Kage's announcement.

"One hundred and sixty thousand kilometers per second! Not bad! Just under half-way there!" 

Hiroshi gasped, and shook his head in shame. Under fifty percent. That was awful. He got to his feet, and joined Wisteria, who was standing off to the side.

"Don't worry about it, Oshi! That's the whole point of this training! You will get even faster!" Wisteria said in an upbeat, cheerful tone. Hiroshi laughed softly. Wisteria was the only person that could make him laugh, no matter how bad he was feeling.

She was the only reason he kept fighting, as well as keeping sane.

Finally, it was Tomokazu's turn to run. He got into the starting position, wind swirling beneath his feet.

"Three hundred and thirty thousand kilometers a second? Yeah...I can reach that," he grinned, his smirk becoming more determined. The wind gathered up at his feet more, only desperate to propel him forward.

He yelled out in anger as the clock counted down from ten. He launched himself forward at one, and he wouldn't stop running. Even if his legs fell off, he was determined to keep going.

He wasn't going to lose another fight again.

He crossed the line, skidding on his feet. 

"How's that Kage! How was it!?" He yelled out, hoping for a high score. At first, Kage stood by in shock, unsure of what to say. Then...

"Three hundred thousand kilometers a second...wow...Tomo...prehaps you have even more potential then I realized..."

"I'm going to prove to the world that I can surpass the level of a God," Tomokazu stated boldly, facing his back to Kage.