Will, Desire, and Soul

*CLAAAANG*

Two blades met—each showing the reflection of its opponent. Green and hazel eyes burning, unwavering. Unyielding.

“I’m Jay.”

“Yuushin.”
“Let’s do our best to survive this together, Yuushin.”

*swoooooosh*

*CLING CLANG*

Their swords were different yet the same. Their shadows felt just as gelid, their blades were just as sharp, their weight just as heavy. Yet the memories and choices each one carried flowed in paradox.

Paths that were so similar to each other…and yet so distant.

*CLIIIING*

“Do you wish to go back, Yuushin?”

“I—honestly, I don’t know.”

*CLAAAAANG*

“There’s someone waiting for me, so I need to go home.”
“You can count on me.”
"Thank you.”

Each strike shook his bones to their core—the air reverberating with the heated metals clashing. And with each strike, their wishes and intentions became clear. Both men knew those swords did not thirst for blood and death.

They cried for freedom.

For a place called “home”.

*CRAASH*

“I will go back. I have people waiting for me, you see.”

“This is not my home. It’s not where I belong.”

From the very beginning, Yuushin admired Jay. Envied him. For having people so close to his heart, for being so certain about where he belonged, for having things worth protecting. For having a purpose worth fighting for.

Which was why Yuushin never hesitated.

*CLAANG*

*RIIIING*

“…I know we talked about this before, but Yuushin… I don’t want you to feel obligated to help me.”

“Didn’t I say it already? I will help you. I want to.”

Even in that moment, after everything that happened between them, Yuushin still wanted Jay to succeed. He wanted that man to find a way back home to his family—to reunite with his wife and children—to have a happy life.

“You should be more selfish, Yuushin.”

Perhaps Jay was right. Perhaps Yuushin should be more selfish.

Still, the way their paths collided and diverged in this world wouldn’t change. Their feelings, their purpose, their goals—nothing would change.

“I was right, after all… You’re truly a good person, Yuushin.”

“I admire you, Yuushin. I truly do.”
“I wish we could’ve spent more time together.”

I feel the same way about you, Jay.

You and I…we feel exactly the same way.

*CLING CLING CLAAANG*

Jay’s movements were somehow familiar, his swordplay tickling Yuushin’s memories. Its precision. Its rhythm. Its attacks. But where had he seen them?

Soma flowed through Yuushin’s arms, the energy bursting out of him like a golden wave, shooting out of the sword with a blast. The light around Jay’s glowed brighter one second before, the man’s sword cutting right through the Soma just as it was about to hit him.

Not giving much time for Yuushin to prepare another attack, Jay charged without holding back—his blade swinging through the air as it tried to land. Yuushin did not dodge. Instead, he let the Soma flow through him again, gathering right at that single spot.

As the sword clashed against his ribs, it ricocheted with the same speed and strength, giving Yuushin the perfect opportunity to strike back. And while those green eyes watched him, the other man’s steps never a second too late as they moved away, a soft chuckle tickled the air between them.

“You are actually crazy strong, huh?”

There was no malice or mockery in Jay’s voice. Somehow, it made that moment even bitter. Yuushin smiled, not being able to hide the small hint of irony in his tone.

“What are you supposed to be then?”

Jay shrugged, his sword blocking each of Yuushin’s strikes. “I just had a great teacher.”

At that very second, Yuushin widened his eyes.

A teacher…?

He finally remembered—no, he could see it. Overlapping Jay’s silhouette and form, someone whose blade moved in the exact same way. A knight with black tiger ears and tail.

“Is your teacher a theryan with yellow eyes and black ears?”

For a split second Jay stopped moving, his blade halting mid-air, before a smile melted on his lips. “So you’ve fought Merzora?”

Merzora…

So that’s her name.

Until that moment, Yuushin never knew. Well, she never gave space for introductions.

“I beat her. She’s down at the dungeons now.”

Although this time Jay’s sword didn’t freeze, the shock that appeared in those green eyes were soon replaced by pure amusement, a laughter bursting out of him with such a boastful and heartful sound, it warmed the air around them for a single moment.

“Oh, Yuushin…never once. Not even once did you fail to amaze me.”

Now it makes sense…

Why Jay was so good with the sword. Why they were practically at a stalemate, with neither side being able to completely overwhelm the other. And the problem was, Yuushin had no time. Not when he couldn’t use the Enhanced State again. Not when across the room, there was another fight—one even more vicious and erratic.

And Vel was not looking well.

The demon ruler was practically out of breath, sweat and blood running down her purple skin, while her eyes weighted with exhaustion. And while the Arch Bishop was not looking much better, nothing changed the fact both Yuushin and Vel were the intruders there.

If someone like Lyr could transport to Decimus’ tower, how long until Veritux sends reinforcements?

And what is preventing them from sending a Bishop? Or someone even stronger?

Not only that, but they still needed to get Lyr to safety. They had Kez, Johnny and Heidi outside too. Each second the party spent in that place—one of Veritux’s great headquarters—was like gambling with death.

Yet what can I do?

Yuushin’s body was burning from all the Soma. The Soma he was using to take away his pain, to lessen the fatigue, to reinforce his muscles, to keep his reactions sharp. And within all that heat, as he held the Tuning Weapon tight in his hand, the man could feel. Sense.

The electricity.

you know what you can do
you know what you must do

Yet could he do it? Even after Heidi tweaked the weapon, the way to manipulate Soma and Soulchant was so vastly different from one another, and Yuushin had grown so used to reaching out to his Soma…the more he reached for it, the more distant it felt from his grasp.

You have to remember, Yuushin. How it felt to use Soulchant that very first time.

What I was thinking—what I felt.

He had to recall.

*BOOOM*

A sudden light blinded them all, its radiance followed by the sound of something crumbling. And the second Yuushin’s vision cleared, all he could see was Vel buried within a wall, her fingers barely holding the sword.

“Again and again we warned the people of Ekkarys…our Veritux made it clear how your foul, nefarious kin had no right to bask in our Light.” Arch Bishop Decimus’ had a thin trail of blood running down his mouth, the man’s robe filled with dirt and tears. “Yet for once, I must thank your foolishness. You spared me the effort of going after you.”

Vel flinched as she pulled herself from the wall, her black wings faltering before failing to make flight. Yet even when Vel fell to her knees, she stood right back up. And pointed her blade at Decimus again.

The Arch Bishop scoffed, his eyes baffled. Yet Yuushin knew. He knew.

Vel is at her limit.

She might not be able to take it.

Yuushin tried to rush toward her, only for a blade to come rushing at him, forcing him to lean back. The sword cut the air right above his eyes, the blade almost touching his skin.

“I already told you, Yuushin. I can’t let you pass.” Even when Jay spoke in such an apologetic tone, all Yuushin could feel was anger.

Frustration.

I need to help her. I have to help her.

But how?

How can I use Soulchant?

Clenching his fists, Yuushin forced himself to clear his mind. To think.

Remember. I have to remember.

That day, he used Soulchant twice. Once to call out to Kez, the second to purge the plight from her. But how did he do that? Why did it work?

*SWOOOSH*

Without giving him any breaks, Jay continued to charge. Yet even if the man’s sword grazed him, even if Yuushin couldn’t block and dodge that well, he continued to think. To focus.

What was Soulchant?

“It just so happens that Soulchant is all about intent. Will.”

An energy that makes things possible—that was what Lyr said.

That day, what did Yuushin want? What did he desire?

*CLAAANG*

Two strikes.

*riiip*

One blocked with his sword, the other cutting through his armor.

What did he desire now?

Now, I want to help Vel.

Make sure she wins.

And how could he do that? How could he make sure of that?

Then…a memory.

“I can sense Veritux’s chants.”

Lyr’s words.

“All this primeval magic in the air, it’s drenching everything with Order energy.”

It had been the same back at Vel’s castle, right? She couldn’t defend her home properly because of the priests’ chants. In that case, what if…

…I make all this Order energy vanish?

Yet for Yuushin to do that—

*CLING*

*CLANG*

*SWOOOSH*

I have to use Soulchant.

Yuushin clenched his jaw. He focused not on the spark making his body burn, but on the electricity that had once set his entire soul aflame.

What was Soulchant? Willpower and intent.

feel the electricity

And who was Vel to him? Someone dear to me. Someone worth dying for.

feel its current

And what would he never allow it? To have Veritux take something from me again.

feel its pull

So Yuushin focused on that electricity—that energy. One that was raw, piercing, overwhelming, undeniable, its intensity immeasurable.

Kez had once said something about Soulchant.

“You pour all your desires into your soul…”

what do you want

what is your desire

He let the electricity dominate him. Down to every cell and every pore, the energy kept resonating within him. And when Yuushin could hold it back no longer—

“—and have it scream at the world”

He let out a scream. One so loud and fierce, it tore through his throat as it sent it out waves. Waves that bent the air, and made everyone stop.

When Yuushin fell to one knee, even if he couldn’t sense any magic—whether it was primeval or wild—he knew.

Simply by looking at those lilac eyes, he knew.

“Retsugo Yuushin. You have my gratitude.” Vel flashed him a smile, right before black flames burst from her arms—flames that moved to her wings and sword.

Then, she turned toward that man. The one who was sprawled on the floor, robe in tatters, eyes widened.

And when he heard her voice, Yuushin became certain.

“As for you, Decimus. My foolishness will be your end.”

How Vel had no intention of letting that man live.