Chapter 8: The Boy with Lilac Eyes

“He has an interesting look in his eyes, that’s for sure.”

With their day over, the girls returned to the mansion, resting up for tomorrow. Yet while Adora went to sleep peacefully, Ashura sat at her bedside in contemplation. Many things ran through his head tonight. His current living situation, the concept of magic, and the people he’s met thus far.

“What a crazy world…” He mused to himself, keeping a low voice to not disturb his ward. Floating over to the window, he gazed out to the moonlit sky and widened his eyes at the sight. “I never got a good look at it the other night, but that moon’s got some rings on it. And why is it so… blue? This world just gets weirder and weirder.”

“But y'know, I like weird.” Ashura hummed to himself again. “A world full of magic, and musical magic at that. Becomin’ a rockstar all over again will be just as fun, that’s for sure. Plus, between Drills and that other kid from today, we might have our hands full soon.” He turned back to watch Adora’s sleeping form, currently hugging a stuffed owlbear and dozing peacefully. “Sleep tight, kid. Something tells me we’re gonna have a lot on our plate soon.”

Letting out a ghastly yawn, Ashura floated into the bed and flopped himself next to Adora. His eyes slowly shut as he too, drifted into slumber. His dreams were filled with him performing with a brand new band, but he couldn't make out their faces. All he knew was that they were brimming with potential.

x-x-x-x-x

A few weeks had passed after Ashura and Adora were accepted into the Muse’s class. Although it took a bit of time, the duo were able to acclimate themselves into the class easily. It helped a lot that the class was limited to them, Elzette, and 4 other seniors who barely appeared due to their other obligations. Professor Truesdale was not lying when he said it was small; it seems like the talent to be a Muse is a rare one.

Currently, the duo were at their regular class for the day, getting ready to pack things up. Adora hummed to herself a song she wrote earlier, attempting to get it down right before deciding to put it to string. Ashura was doing some air guitar motions before settling down and resting his arms on Adora’s head.

“Hey Addy.”

“Why are you on my head?”

“Cuz I wanna. Anyways,” Ashura poked a finger into Adora’s cheek, much to the bluenette’s annoyance. “We’ve been practicing for a good while now in that Muse class, and it’s kinda cool. Buuuut…”

“But?”

“Come on~! We haven’t rocked out in AGES! You gotta at least do a small show for the people in the cafeteria again!”

“But doing a show like that is scary! I’m still too nervous to try going up there myself…”

“Well you’re not by yourself, dummy! You got me! But you do got a point... Hey! Why don't we go find some bandmates?” 

"A bandmate? Like, a marching band?"

"Nah, nah, see, I was a part of a rock band when I was still alive. So in order for us to start getting some motion, we need a band! First things first, we need to get a drummer! They're super important! They set the beat for the entire song, can't go anywhere without 'em!"

"A drummer? But where are we supposed to find someone like that?" She suddenly felt an intimidating presence in front of her, sending a chill down her spine. She craned her head up, only to be met with lilac ones boring into her soul.

“Eep! H-H-Hello… H-How can I-I help you…?”

“You are Adora Rockett, are you not?”

“Y-Yes, I am? B-But I don’t know why-”

“Good. Come with me.”

“E-Eh? But why?”

“...” The boy remained silent as he walked away, prompting Adora to give a very confused look. Before she could object, the teenager was abruptly kicked out of her body once more. Tumbling out as a soul, she pouted at the new inhabitant.

“Why did you do that, Ashura?!”

"Because I got a feeling that this might solve our problem. Come on, let's see what he wants.” Ashura shot up and followed the dark-skinned boy out of the class. Adora floated beside her and nervously twiddled with her fingers, unsure of how to feel about the situation.

The duo eventually made their way to the empty gymnasium that they practiced in before. The dreadlock-ponytail boy was waiting inside, sitting on a chair patiently. His hands were currently in an open position as he stared intently at them. His lilac eyes glanced up at the new arrival before returning to what he was doing. Ashura shut the door behind her as she came up.

“So, what'd you want from me? I'll warn ya, try anything funny and I'm crushing your balls.”

“No, I have no intention of anything of the sort. My name is Verso De’Ondre. I called you here because you are a prodigy when it comes to being a Muse.”

“Haah?”

“You, who had no talent other than minor Arcana, suddenly became a Muse. You made performances for others ever since last month, and the way you handle your instrument feels like one who has practiced it for decades, yet you only just unlocked it. It is all very telling to me.

“So... what's your point?" Ashura put her hands on her hips, giving Verso a small glare. "What does being a Muse have anything to do with what you want to do?”

“I want a prodigal eye to observe me. I am a Combatica student first, yet I was told not to pursue the Musical Arts. But I remember seeing you perform and seeing how different it was from the other Muses." Verso tightened his hands into fists, trembling with a fire that wished to burn. "You didn’t adhere to the prim and noble principles of Music; no, rather you played with the feeling of your soul. And that is what I wish to learn from you today. I wish to achieve what I was told not to bother with, to feel free.”

"Damn, talk about a backstory. But even still, where do I even begin to help this guy...?"

“U-Um, I might have an idea, actually.” ‘No kidding? What’d you got?’ “Sir Verso did mention he was a Combatica student, was he not? I think if we watch his form in battle, we might get an idea of what he is looking for.”

“Oh, is that so? That’s easy, then. Oi, Verso!” Ashura called out to the quiet boy, getting his attention. “Let’s have a lil scrap, you an’ me!”

“I’m… sorry?”

“That’s not what I meant at all! Ashura!!!”

“I think I can help ya out a bit, but first, you’re gonna show me what you already do best. So come on,” Materializing her guitar, Ashura poised it like a great axe, readying for a fight. “Give me all ya got!”

“I...I understand. If this is supposed to help me achieve my dream, then so be it.” Verso held his hands out before a bright light flashed in his palms. When it died down, two twin sabers filled his hands as he got into a dual blade stance. “I must warn you, although I summoned my blades to be nonlethal, I cannot guarantee your safety in this exercise.”

“Who cares about that crap, let’s rock already!” Verso nodded before immediately lunging at Ashura, closing the gap in an instant. Ashura barely leaned back in time, avoiding a slash that rode harmlessly above her face. Using the momentum from the dodge, Ashura swung her whole body around, Rottweiler making sparks along the ground as it dragged. With a violent golf swing, the electric guitar slammed into Verso, sending the boy flying.

He adjusted his form midair before thrusting his blades down, allowing him to skid to a halt. Spitting out some blood, he dashed again, this time aiming for an overhead slash. Ashura went to hold up Rottweiler to defend herself until Verso made a surprising move. Halfway through his assault, he stomped on Ashura’s foot, leading her to cry out in pain and lose her focus, leading to the bluenette being left wide open. Not wasting the opportunity, he struck; wailing on the girl with precise strikes on her arms and torso.

“GrrrRRRAAAHHH!!!” Ashura roared, gaining her footing back and shoulder checking the dreadlocked boy. As he skidded back, Verso noticed Ashura’s form being hunched over. He was worried he went too far, until the cocky grin of the rockstar shone through. “You got some balls of steel, kid. Now get ready for some metal!”

Verso had no time to react before Ashura strummed her guitar, a piercing shockwave echoed through his body. He was sent tumbling back, the soundwave knocking him off his feet. Every time he made an attempt to get up, Ashura slammed onto her guitar once more. The pressure of the rockstar ended up being too much to bear, and Verso submitted to the mighty guitar. The dark-skinned boy fell into unconsciousness moments later, with the last thing in his vision being a cocky, blue-haired guitarist.

x-x-x-x-x

“Oi, get up, bozo.”

Verso’s eyes fluttered awake as Ashura was slapping his cheek. He managed to bat her hand away as he slowly got up, head still spinning from his battle.

“What happened…?”

“Ya got your ass kicked, that’s what.” The girl grinned smugly, thumbing to herself. “By yours truly, mind you. You were pretty cool back there, but I was just better, y’know?”

“I see. So I am still lacking.” He got up shakily, making the girl give a little ‘whoa’ in response. “Tell me, Miss Adora: What did you think of our battle? Is there hope for me?"

"Hm? Oh, hell yeah dude. In fact, I think you might be exactly what I'm lookin' for!"

“...Go on.” Ashura’s eyes lit up as she stood up, excitement scrawled on her face.

“So! First things first, the way you moved in our brawl was sick, and you aimed for a lot of specific spots while you hammered down. Plus, the way you used your legs to gain back momentum was pretty sweet too. Now, with that being said, I'm gonna have you try something.”

Before Verso could ask what was going on, Ashura quickly turned on her heel, grabbing a bunch of random gym equipment and spare parts. She arranged them in a strange manner around Verso, confusing him greatly. Once she had finished, there were several barrels and can lids set up around him while he sat on a stool.

“Ta-da! Makeshift drum set!”

“A what?”

“Drum set! You know, drums?” Getting a blank stare from the lilac-eyed boy, Ashura groaned a bit. “Just, summon your swords and follow your training.”

“I do not understand, what do my swords have to do-”

“Just summon the damn swords!!”

“Fine.” Materializing his blades, he purposely made them blunt as to not damage the equipment. “Now what?”

“The same way you fought against me? Whack your swords against these things in the same motion.”

Verso was very confused, but also intrigued. If this was a step towards the right direction, he would try it nonetheless. He performed his overhead combo on the drums, first with a stomp of his left foot before a four-hit tandem on the arms and torso. One blade strikes the body first, then the second one follows up on an arm. The next volley followed a similar pattern, but on the other side. A stomp at every rotation is needed to break the enemy’s guard, and some bashes across the head to also get in more damage.

As he continued his rhythm, Verso noticed something strange. His heavily practiced drills were making… music. Honest-to-gods music, he couldn’t believe his ears. A genuine smile broke along the stern boy's face as he continued to drum, breaking from his practiced drills and going into a rhythm that  came from his heart. Ashura grinned back, strumming along with her guitar.

Verso closed his eyes as he began to get into the groove, smiling as he could feel the groove coming on. Bobbing his head to the rhythm and Ashura’s riff, he did not even notice the radiant glow on his twin blades and the makeshift drums. Ashura, however, realized what was happening and began a smooth electric riff, jamming in tune with Verso. Her verses went low, giving Verso more momentum to keep going with his drumming.

With a final triple slam, Verso raised his blades in victory. Amidst his excitement, he sat confused for a second as his blades' familiar weight seemed almost nonexistent. Glancing upwards, he noticed they had become smaller, almost like steel batons. The next thing he noticed was the drum set he was using just now had also underwent a similar transformation. It was now shaped into a proper professional set up, with true drums and cymbals adorning it. 

“Congrats, Verso.” Ashura applauded, giving the boy a thumbs-up. “And welcome to the crew.”