Spurn of Desperation

Yasuken stands up on his two feet and looks at Toshiku, still dazzled. “I don’t understand… why does me being in this room alter my physical state?” Naoto begins to speak. “There’s little to no benefit in explaining such to you. I can see that clearly now.” Yasuken frowns. ‘Tskk, this guy…’ he thinks. Toshiku looks up and begins to speak. “Keikō. The simple answer is Keikō.” Yasuken remains confused as Toshiku begins explaining with an excited expression on his face. “Keikō is a very special and powerful energy present within every being. Any organic entity that exists has Keikō embedded within it. It’s the mysterious force that drives all life and is the gears of the universe. Keikō is inside me, you, and all of us. It’s responsible for my speed and Naoto’s raw strength that you witnessed earlier. With each different organism, comes a different, unique variant of this energy. These variants are known as ‘Keikō Strains.’ You could think of these strains like a human fingerprint; exclusive to everybody. This exclusiveness stems from genetics and lineage the same way DNA does. And just like a fingerprint, every Keikō Strain is one of a kind and no two beings in the world have the same variant. Because of that very fact, the same way you could expect every being with Keikō to differ, their strengths and weaknesses differ as well.”

Toshiku continues. “Keikō Sanctums are enchanted rooms that resonate with an individual’s Keikō Strain. While the exact effect of each sanctum on a strain is different, the results are simple. There are three possible alterations to a strain that could take place: Nullification, Reduction, and Invigoration. Nullification Sanctums render one’s use of Keikō completely dead. There’s absolutely no degree of Keikō manipulation they could do if the sanctum resonates with their strain. Reduction is a sanctum type that substantially decreases the power level in attack, speed, and durability of a Keikō user. And lastly, Invigoration. Invigoration Sanctums are quite the contrary to reduction. They greatly increase the strength, speed, and durability of a Keikō user. “Is this why the Naoto dude’s power level didn’t seem to differ between our first altercation?” Toshiku smiles. “Precisely. As you may have figured by now, the quarter in which we are standing in right is an Invigoration-Type that most closely resonates with your strain. This sanctum is one of many in this forge.” Yasuken gets up. “I… think I understand.” Yasuken looks up. “But what exactly are the points of these quarters?” Yasuken asks. “Training. They help to simulate certain scenarios by a combination of different fighters with differently affected Keikō Strains. While in other instances, someone may prefer training with amplified strength to work on the frequency in which they master a technique. And it’s not uncommon to see someone entering a sanctum that nullifies them to refine their skills in Keikō-less combat.” Naoto looks at Toshiku with a straight face. Yasuken looks at Toshiku solemnly. “I’m… sorry.” “Huh,” Toshiku says with a confused look. “What’s there to apologize for?” Yasuken then peers at Naoto. “I came into this forge in the wrong state of mind. I was angry, confused, sad, and inconsiderate of much around me. It’s obvious now that you guys don’t want me dead or anything. I’m sorry for whatever outlandish words or acts I committed in this… sacred building,” Yasuken still says with minor skepticism in his tone. There’s a moment of silence and stare. Toshiku smirks slyly then begins. “Ahh! Won’t you look at that Naoto! The kid isn’t as much of the rascal you say he is, isn’t he?” Naoto tsks with a smile. Yasuken chuckles then continues.

“But I must ask. You came here with a purpose. What exactly is that purpose?” “ I need to know who killed my grandfather.” Toshiku gasps. “Who was your grandfather?” “His name was Yuuma Moji. He was brutally slain by a group of several killers. I’ve made up my mind to do all in my power to track down this murderous faction and avenge the innocently slain soul of my grandfather! I won’t allow anything to stop me or stand in my way. So, please… Anything you know about Yuuma. Please…” Toshiku grows a solemn look on his face. “I’m sorry Yasuken. There’s not a thing I could help you with. I’ve never heard the name of such a man and Sukira has already been torn down from the ground up, it’ll be almost impossible to recover any trace back to these murderers.” “Exactly! Almost impossible is still well under possible! We can still try! You guys are strong! Please help me! If I could gather you two’s help along the way we can make an amazing team!” Yasuken exclaims. “Us?” Naoto says with a disrespected look on his face. “Us, help you?” He laughs. “Toshiku, please…” Yasuken says in surrender looking at the grandmaster. “I’m sorry Yasuken. But no.” Yasuken’s face turns to sorrow. “Is there anything else me or Naoto could be of assistance to?” Yasuken looks at the sheathed sword by his side. “Yes… Yes, there is.” “And what would that be?” Naoto asks in suspicion of Yasuken’s intent. “I searched this domain for hours upon hours. The very existence of this forge was in question to all the citizens of The Metal, yet I still spent the last of my energy looking for it. This sword…” Toshiku squints. “…was a very special object to my grandfather. He never taught or told me anything concerning it but preserved and treated it like a holy grail. As I’m now ready with enough courage to take on whatever forces were responsible for the death of my grandpa, I believe this is now what I must do. The destiny I must take on.” Naoto peers in intrigued. “Before I march any further in my solidified resolve of vengeance, it’s now more than evident that this is a necessary step of responsibility for me to take,” Toshiku smirks. Yasuken lays his hand on the sheathed sword and begins again. “As the only one in all of The Metal capable of this feat, Mr. Toshiku-kun…” Naoto begins to smile. “…I’ve made up my mind to have this katana blunted and held as a keepsake in honor of Grandpa Yuuma!”

“WHAT!!!” Toshiku and Naoto say in sync. “WHAT THE HELL’S WRONG WITH THIS KID!” Naoto says as he’s being held back by a flabbergasted Toshiku. “Umm, did I say something wrong?” Yasuken innocently questions. “OF COURSE YOU SAID SOMETHING WRONG YOU BOMBASTIC IDIOT!” Naoto backfires. Yasuken stands there nervously with a broken smile as a bead of sweat flows down the side of his face. “YOU JUST SAID YOU WANTED TO BLUNT THE SWORD OF FULGUR!” Yasuken relaxes. “Fulgur… You keep saying that. They keep saying that.” Yasuken’s memory flashes back to the moments before he blacked out in Sukira where he also heard the word ‘Fulgur.’ As Toshiku is still restraining a mindlessly arm-flailing Naoto, Yasuken pulls out and looks down and begins to ponder at the sword. ‘What even is this thing?’ He thinks to himself as the indented line across the katana's edge illuminates again. “PUT THAT RELIC DOWN!! IT’S CLEAR YOU HAVE NO REAL SENSE OF ITS TRUTH!” By now, Yasuken has completely drowned out the racket caused by the astounded Naoto and Toshiku. ‘What can it do?-- Where did it come from?-- Why did…’ Yasuken’s thought pauses. ‘…why did those guys come after it?’ Yasuken sheathes the sword back. “Master Toshiku, please answer this question.” Still aggravated, Naoto buts in as Toshiku finally releases his restraint over him. “NO! No more questions for you. I’m sorry grandmaster, but it’s become clear that this child has overstayed his unwelcomed welcome.” “Wait Naoto. Let’s hear this kid out. After all, he recently just came off a terribly traumatizing event.” Toshiku smiles at Yasuken. ‘It’s obvious who the more empathetic one of the two is,’ Yasuken thinks as he looks up at Toshiku's beaming expression. “So, Yasuken, what is this question?” 

Yasuken takes several steps until he’s up close to Toshiku and Naoto. “I’m weak. I’m slow. I’m impulsive and a lot of my actions lead me into bigger trouble than I naturally find myself in. All my life, everywhere I go, I attract trouble and danger. I’ve had to adapt and grow stronger in my own way. This lifestyle that I’ve been living and worrying about on a day-to-day basis… is absolutely nothing compared to this journey I want to embark on. Getting stopped roadside by a gang of knuckleheads is lightwork in the scheme of the Sukira massacre. Or the everyday problem of foot pains or soreness from having to carry fruits back and forth from the marketplace is relief when put next to the stress I’m ready to undergo. I can’t stress how serious I am about this but I can do all in my power to prove it to you. I acknowledge that there’s a vast collection of information that I don’t know. There’s a vast amount of danger and elements to this life that I’m yet to learn. And utmost of all, there’s an incredibly vast amount of potential within me that’s yet to be achieved. Now, I’m just a small little village boy. I’ve spent all my life within the bounds of the outskirts of The Metal. Related to people too old to joke with, and surrounded by kids too young to speak with, all my life up until this point has been a big ball of inexperience and easy times.” Yasuken points at Toshiku. “You’re a blacksmith. You can try me by fire. Test me and see how far I can hold up… how much I can take. You can mold me into the warrior you see fit and forge me into a strong fighter. I’m willing. Whatever it takes. Please… Teach me more about Keiko and its history. I’m willing to study the ins and outs of it. Whatever it takes. Even if it requires countless hours of repetitive training for me to pick up on a technique… Whatever it takes… I’m ready to do away with every ounce of weakness in me!” Naoto tsks. Yasuken bows down on one knee and smirks concealed. ‘I have to be getting through to him,’ he thinks to himself. ‘I know I am!’ Yasuken continues aloud whilst still kneeling. “Grandmaster. I request that you take me in as a student to teach me. And take me in as an apprentice to train me. I am prepared for all that may lay ahead. Whatever it takes!” There’s a moment of silence. 

Yasuken looks up at Toshiku. Toshiku looks down at Yasuken and stares. With a jolly expression, Toshiku replies. “Wow, Yasu… very profound! I really respect your tenacity.” Yasuken stands up to Toshiku. “Thank you, Grandmaster. With that being stated, what do you say in training me up as your pupil?” Toshiku takes a deep breath in, then exhales. With a straight, unbothered face, Toshiku responds. “No.”