Strength Beyond Strength

Chenko: “After everything was over. My body had reduced to how I am now. I am just a pile of bones at this point. I awoke in the garden and found this house along the way. This staff was next to me when I woke up. It’s been 400 years since then. I sat here in agony for all those years. I didn’t know what to do and was unsure of how I could even move on. I regret every single second of it. I say I can change, but I don’t know if I could even after all that happened. I’m worthless.”

Claudia: “I’m…sorry. You suffered enough. Do you know what happened to anyone since then? I’m sure they are long gone at this point though.”

He shook his head as if to say no, but agreed with her statement. He knew everyone was gone at this point. He had hoped the kids had a decent life, but he would never know.

Astro: “Thanks for the story, but we gotta get going. Let’s go Claudia. We don’t have time. That just ate it up.”

Claudia: “Wait Astro. Use that brain for a second. You’re trying to find Kastor and this man has been to his castle. Idiot. Hmph. And I’m just supposed to be here for the ride.”

Astro sat back down to listen to the man explain the location of his castle and the location of the garden. However, he had told them that the garden constantly moves, so it is extremely difficult to find. The blue orb in his staff grants him access to it though, so he can move freely when he pleases. Chenko explained how the orb also grants access directly to Kastor’s castle. They had options either way.

Astro: “Perfect. We have to go now. Bring us right to him. A roundabout way wouldn’t do us any good.”

Claudia: “Yeah, but we get the ingredients from the garden. You could give it to your friend. Speaking of…Eat the stupid cookie. It’ll help you.”

Astro was hesitant to eat it at all. But he saw the impact it had on Claudia and caved in. His mana regained and boosted to a higher level. His scythe lit up dark purple as well as if it had boosted itself.

Astro: “I don’t feel anything special. Screw this. Let’s get going.”

Claudia: “Thank you sir.”

Chenko: “Of course. You are welcome any time. I will look for you if you ever come back.”

Claudia still wondered about that staff. The mana it was giving off was insane. Chenko saw her questioning this and spoke as if reading her mind.

Chenko: I would give you this staff if I could, however…You’re going to have to come back…And stronger at that. I cannot just give you this. When you’re strong enough. Come back. And I don’t mean just a little stronger. I mean the best version possible of yourself. You will need it. Good luck guys. Beat the crap out that man for me.”

Chenko sent them off through the blue orb that opened a pathway directly to the castle. They walked through, deciding to skip over the Garden and challenge Kastor directly. While going through, Astro questioned Chenko’s story.

“Hey, how come in Chenko’s story, he kept saying he was coming here to battle Kastor, but when he showed up, it was a different person named Shin?”

“Hmm, I don’t know. He did that Shin kept saying master, so maybe he is a servant.”

Skeletons surrounded them with swords and started to attack off impulse before they could finish their conversations.

Astro: “Get down!”

They were stronger than Astro had thought, but he was able to hold off. They kept coming. Claudia fended off just as fine for the moment.

Claudia: “They’re not gonna stop. Astro. Come here. Stand close to me.”

Claudia put her right hand in the air with just her thumb sticking up. With her left hand flat, she held it out underneath her right hand and slammed both onto the ground. A red circular barrier formed around them. It radiated pulsing waves every 3 seconds, ultimately destroying the skeletons that were before them. They formed back together immediately, but the barrier kept dismantling them. Another trick that Claudia had learned, completely not normal in this world.

Claudia: “What do we do? This barrier will hold, but their regeneration is too quick. They will pierce this eventually. We have a minute at most.”

Astro: “They don’t have physical bodies. I can’t actually destroy them. They are imbued with mana. I don’t think any of my techniques will reach them. Not that we actually need to. We just need to get to the inside of the castle. Can you make us fly again?”

Claudia: “Yeah. I’ll do us one better. I can make a barrier fly. I’ll break it when we get to the door and throw a Smile Chaplet. Be careful.”

Claudia stirred her hands in circles above her head. The barrier rose from the ground and broke, before a new barrier of an angry smiley face formed around them. The skeletons followed underneath and threw the swords at them. One eventually pierced the barrier. Astro reflexively reacted and deflected the swords.

Astro: “Hurry!”

Claudia: “Okay.”

She blasted off to the castle. The skeletons began to fall behind. They reached the front door and released the barrier right before barging in. They both aimed to kick the door while flying in, yelling, “Let’s go!”

Silence filled the atmosphere.

Night fell quickly as the day disappeared.

A man stood on the front porch and had both of their legs in his hands. He threw them away onto the sand and stared them down. He spoke.

“ Who are you?”

The man before them stood tall with black hair covering his face wearing all black with golden shoulder pads and a golden necklace. He grimaced at them in annoyance.

“Answer me!”

Darkness shrouded the entire area. Claudia and Astro felt death creeping down their spines. Claudia was too afraid to speak. Astro looked around in caution of what was to come. He knew they were pinned down. They had nowhere to go. He answered carefully, knowing that this was probably the man that Chenko had described in his story.

“Astro…And that’s Claudia. We came from The Garden and sa…”

The man appeared in front of Astro in a flash. He flicked Astro away with 1 finger across the sand. Black smoke circled around him, preventing him from escaping even with his shadow technique.

“Lie to me again and I’ll make you my dog for eternity.”

He looked at Claudia before speaking again.

“Mind telling me the truth, young lady? Or should I slice both your necks and put your heads on pikes in the middle of the dunes for the animals to consume?”

Claudia: “Okay. Okay. Those truly were our names. We’re looking for someone. We heard he was here.”

The man looked around at the skeletons who failed to do their jobs. He got up and walked over to the steps of the castle while criticizing his soldiers. He stretched his hand out with his back to them and slowly lowered it. In doing so, the skeletons began to be crushed into the ground. Only their heads remained above the surface. The heads rolled over to him and formed a large throne that he sat upon while he looked down at the two mysterious people in front of him.

“What to do? What to do? I guess I’ll release this monkey over there. Let’s hope I didn’t kill him.”

The smoke released and Astro fell to his knees coughing.

“Oh? Interesting…You two are very interesting indeed. Any normal person would’ve suffocated by now. Very well. I shall grant you my name. I’m Shin Kurayami. You will call me Shin. Nothing else. If I hear anything else, then I will kill you right on the spot.”

While Shin spoke, Astro had triggered his telepathy and connected it to Claudia. “Claudia, don’t speak. This is Shin. The man that Chenko talked about. Listen, don’t do anything against this guy unless you fear that he will kill you. We both don’t stand a chance. I knew this going in, but the overwhelming difference between us is insane. And, this isn’t even Kastor. Don’t provoke him or we’ll both be dead. He is concealing all his power and still hitting us with attacks. We’re at a major disadvantage. Just wait for the right moment and leave.”

Astro didn’t like being controlled and talked down to, but growing up with his lifestyle, he became accustomed to doing whatever needed to be done in order to survive. Two different cities with similar appearances provided survival tactics that helped him succeed in this goal.

Claudia stayed still and Astro stood up and looked at Shin, awaiting his next move.

Shin: “I don’t like liars. Be lucky I didn’t kill you. Although, you already know that I tried to. You use dark magic, don’t you? I sensed it for a second when I flicked you back. I sense large amounts of mana from both of you. You’re clearly not normal people. Where did you get that scythe?”

Astro: “I didn’t even use my mana for more than 0.1 seconds before I released it. You still sensed it anyways, huh? I should’ve expected that from someone in this land.”

Shin: “You did a shitty job at trying to conceal it. Too bad you both can’t conceal your mana all together. You must not be as strong as I think. This won’t be any fun today. If I feel like it, maybe I’ll let you guys train under me so we can play more in the future…You there. Claudia was it? You don’t carry a sword, yet you contain lots and lots of mana. And, if my nose is correct, I smell a witch and…An elf? Hmm, I’ve never met an elf in these lands. Your home is quite far away from here. But, even more, you are a witch as well.”

Claudia: “I was born both. They cast me out early on because they feared me. They even tried to kill me thinking I was the Devil.”

Shin: “The Devil? That should be celebrated. No one should be disowned and abandoned for being a devil. The Devil is a great figure. He grants death to all. Nobody in this world can escape him. He is truly wonderful. If someone wishes death, then he will grant that to them in the best possible way he can. They will be brought to a better world far from this one.”

Shin stood from his throne. “And someday…He will come for me.”

Astro and Claudia stood still, not saying a word. This man was crazy. They both knew this. They didn’t know what slightest words could anger him, so they waited and waited until he spoke finally about what they needed.

Shin: “Ahh, enough talk about him. I could go on and on. Let’s focus on why you both tried to bust into the master’s castle. If that had happened, I would’ve got into a lot of trouble, so you can see why I am very frustrated right now. If I recall, Claudia, you said you both were looking for someone. Who is this someone?”

Astro: “He’s a young boy with white hair and white eyes. He had a large sword with him probably shrouded in water when he came here.”

Shin: “Hmmmm. A young boy? There was a young boy here, but not like the one you’re describing.”

Astro’s eyes widened, knowing exactly who it was. He had been focusing so much on Dante that he hadn’t even begun to question or think about the past events. He looked down at the sand and bones before him as black and dark purple mana began to mix and light up his body and scythe.

Shin smiled in excitement, but then quickly grinned again as Astro came to his senses.

Astro: “Where is that boy? The one you just described?”

Shin: “What if I said I had killed him? What would you do then, huh? Would you charge at me in anger? Would you try to cut my head off? No. You wouldn’t. You’re too smart for that, am I right?”

Claudia: “Stop. Please. Both of you.”

Shin: “Shut your mouth, elfwitch. You’re a waste of potential. We could have some fun if you took this seriously. But as of right now, you have no room to talk. Now…What’s your move, smart boy?”

Astro knew he was cornered. His anger got the best of him, but he made the right decision. He owed it to Lucky and Dante to find them both and bring them back. His only option in his mind, though a losing option, was a fight to the death. Astro disconnected the telepathy to Claudia to conserve mana.

Astro: “Claudia. Move out of the way. Get as far away from here as possible.”

Astro took a deep breath before exhaling and chanting out Hades Breath, which covered the entire area in similar smoke to Shin’s power. Since eating ingredients from The Garden, Astro’s power had increased immensely. Not only did his overall mana improve, but the effects of it through his scythe and original powers were boosted as well. He could feel it in Hades Breath alone the increase in density and strength in its particles. He felt that his opponents could move even slower through the smoke now, but not Shin. He was different.

As his mana lines lit up, he heard yelling in the distance. A young boy was running across the land of sand and bones being chased by a large creature made of bones.

???: “Help! Help! Help! Get away from me you giant rat!”

The boy entered the area of the castle and the creature sped to a stop as if it wasn’t allowed to enter. Shin glanced over his shoulder and the creature turned around and sprinted in the opposite direction as fast as possible. It whimpered like a frightened child that got their favorite toy taken away. The boy walked into the middle of the three of them and spoke in an excited, but anxious tone.

???: “Ahh. He almost got me. Thanks everyone. I was in the middle of fighting a bear in a forest and when I stabbed him, this glass object broke inside of him and his body lit up all yellowy and then I ended up in this place getting chased by that huge monster. Oh! Wait. Clara said I should always introduce myself first before speaking. Sorry. I’m Welpen Agatsuma. Nice to meet you all!”

Shin spoke immediately to lighten the mood, changing completely from his previous persona.

Shin: “Welcome! Welcome Welpen! Perfect timing. We were almost done talking.”

Welpen: “Talking? That man doesn’t look like he wants to talk. He looks like he’s going to hurt everyone here. I will help! What is all this smoke? It’s hard to move through this.”

Shin: “Oh don’t worry about this. I’ll get rid of it. He was just showing me his new moves. We have been friends for a long time, but haven't seen each other in a while. You want to see one of my powers, Welpen? I’ve been working on this for a long time. Let me know if it’s pretty cool.”

Shin pointed his right arm out with his index finger and thumb pointed like a gun.

Shin: “Darkness Level 2: Stillness.”

He pretended to fire this imaginary gun in the air at Claudia and Astro. The whole area converted into waves of grey and black color. They were able to move, but barely. Welpen was unaffected by this, but Claudia and Astro moved like they were in slow motion. Even worse, the air thinned and they were unable to breathe that much.

Shin: “Do you like my technique, Welpen? Pretty nice right?”

Welpen: “Yes sir, but, they don’t look like they are doing so well. Can you release it? They look like they are struggling.”

Shin: “Oh. Of course. I think I went a little too much on this try. Maybe the technique isn’t perfect yet. Don’t worry. They won’t be mad. I’ve known them for a long time.”

Shin released the technique while they coughed up blood on the ground.

Astro: “Do all your techniques strangle people to death? Tch!! This is ridiculous. God Damn, Kento. Why couldn’t you just help?! We’re like ants right now.”

Shin: “Isn’t that cool, Welpen? Such loyal friends that they would even die for me if I wanted to improve my power. Now…What can I do for you young boy? I need to prioritize you over them right now. I can always talk with them later. After all, you are a guest.”

Astro retriggered his telepathy with Claudia. They both conversed about how crazy this man was. It was like he flipped a switch mentally and was completely different with this kid around. Astro spoke to Claudia through their minds.

“Claudia. Have you thought of a way out of here? I have my Shadow Transportation, but I can’t bring you with me. Can you get out of here?”

Claudia: “I think I can. I can’t teleport like you though. I can only fly at high speeds. I have to bring my mana up slowly though or else he’s going to detect it. He might sense it even so. Give me 1 minute. Distract him if something happens. I know you’re strong enough. You’re a mighty and strong man.”

Astro: “This is no time to be making jokes, you sleazy woman.”

Claudia: “Wow…I’ll earn your love one day.”

Astro knew this was going to be impossible, but they didn’t really have another option.

Welpen: Well, a lot happened, but I’m looking for a girl around my age. Her name is Isara. She’s really nice and I chipped her sword on accident, but then we fixed it, but then I think she was still upset and she left Clara’s house and I don’t know what to do. I think she may still be upset with me, but I need to find her. Something about some blacksmiths or something. Agh, I’m not sure. I’ve been in 5 different types of temperatures in the past couple days. My head isn’t all there.”

Shin: “Isara? Isara? I can’t say I have. I don’t think she is in this land. My master would’ve said something I’m sure. Although…He has been hung up in his room for a while. Stay with me, Welpen. When he is doing better, we shall ask him to survey the land. He will tell us if Isara is in this land.”

Astro couldn’t let this happen. Another kid in front of his eyes about to be taken away by darkness. He couldn’t find Lucky or Dante and now…this young boy was about to be next. As he thought this, Claudia was ready to go and screamed into his mind, “Astro, let’s go!”