An onyx disc floated in what seemed to be nothing but dead space. The disk floated there for a time until several wisp like forms began to phase in. The wisps crackled with chakra and forces of other ancient powers. The wisps soon dispersed and took proper physical forms. There were five in total. Once completed the forms appeared to be robed and humanoid. Their faces were hidden, but upon the back of each robe was a symbol: a circle with a line going down through it. Each of these symbols on their back were different colours. The one with the green symbol stretched out his hands and placed them on the onyx disc which now seemed to be more of a table than anything else. "We are here because we know she is rising. Her time will come, and as Watchers we must see to it that glorious battle is recorded, and with it an individual of equal power rises to meet her." The four others nodded. "I nominate House Toraono. Their lineage has always been strong and mighty. I have no doubt that we can be assured that a glorious history can be recorded from their deeds to come." The voice was distant but still audible.
The next individual spoke had a olive symbol. "My Dear Illx, House Toraono already has a glorious history... though they are the safest bet." This speaker folded their arms. "We should expand the history to another. Not far from House Toraono though." This speaker had a deep rumbling voice. He turned to his companion with the green symbol. "Perhaps someone trained by Queen Azame? She has had her hand in many an upbringing." The first speaker held out a hand for the current speaker to continue. "We have not seen anything come out of House Takahashi in a long time." The speaker offered.
The next speaker had a red symbol on his back. "The Loyalists? Rather boring if you ask me, my dear friend Cajol, it could be an entertaining history to write considering the current Steward breaks with their old traditions. Not by choice, but by circumstance of his birth." Both Illx and Cajol stared at the red symbol speaker. "The Takahashi it is then. I support Cajol in his choice... but the Takahashi are a fry cry away from a Dream of Glory."
Illx waved his hand. "Hah. Kalni. I have never known you to make a decision so quickly. Are you well?" Kalni nodded his head answering his question. "Vorul? Haquart? What do you two think?"
The first to speak was Vorul, whose symbol was light blue. Volrul stroked her chin. "The Takahashi are not ... martial. They are thinkers. The son of Judori does show some martial prowess... but he is not his own man. He needs to be pushed. He needs to find himself." Haquart nodded in agreement. "He must be molded in a way to even remotely promise us a history that even deserves writing."
Illx turned his gaze once more to Cajol who spoke "The Stewards are not kings nor Kazekages proper, but I think some good will come if we bend the rules and subject Takahashi Sousuke the third to a trial of character." All of them nodded in accordance. "To best her, he will need to become more than he already is. Let us observe and chronicle new histories. This assembly of the Watchers is adjourned."
***
The Steward arose to break his fast as he usually did. Once he had showered, and dressed for the day he went to his kitchen. He looked into the fridge for any form of leftovers from the feast that the Toraono clan had back from the engagement party. The Steward's eyes narrowed as he found nothing, but what he did find was a sandwich Kuro had for him as part of his emergency food supplies. It was the last sandwich, so following his breakfast the Steward would need to pay his demonic adopted brother a visit to obtain more food supplies. The Steward took out the wrapped sandwich and went to the table where he unwrapped it and proceeded to feast upon it after saying his morning prayers to Mother Suna for his thankfulness. The Steward was soon greeted by his loving pet Kitchenzilla who seemed more excited than usual. The mechanical pet waved her tale and poked Sousuke's shoulder. "What is it girl?"<i></i> He turned to see a medic nin in the doorway. "Ah."<i></i> The Steward rose up and met the medic.
"Sir. I wouldn't normally interrupt you, but ... we don't know anyone else to go to."<i></i> The medic had navy bobbed hair and a full face. She looked slightly nervous. Perhaps it was because of all people it was her sent to get the Steward. "The medical centre, it's having ... power problems. We've tried to get the system to backup, and that failed. Right now we're on emergency power... but that isn't permanent."<i></i> She spoke slowly but timidly.
Sousuke met her timid and slow expression with a deadpanned expression of his own. "Power fluctuation? Did one of the cores go out?"<i></i> She shook her head. The Steward thought about the matter. "I certainly can't let the medical centre go without power. People's life support depends on that. Give me..."<i></i> The Steward was about to say ten minutes to get his supplies, but Kitchenzilla was already on the case. His pet had his backpack and supplies in her mouth. The Steward nodded his head. "Let's go then shall we?"<i></i>
***
Panic was spread across the white tower. The Steward approached and felt slightly ill. His expression didn't show it, but he would have to try and calm down the panicked people. The Steward met most of the medical staff with a simple nod. Apparently his presence, and cool nature began to spread like wild fire ironically. He was escorted by Mai who introduced herself during the travels. The female medical nin was becoming more calm herself as she led Sousuke into the basement of the tower. The lights were flashing and red, it took Sousuke a moment to have his eyes adjust to the blinking. "When did the power source begin to act up?"<i></i> He inquired as he walked through several hallways.
"About forty-eight minutes ago."<i></i> She opened the door leading into the room. "We figured it was better to get you instead of your father because ... well, you built it."<i></i>
Sousuke nodded and followed her through the door. The machine and drivers were indeed on emergency power. The Steward approached it and began going through the drivers. He pulled out some slots and began analyzing it. He paused. Nothing was wrong with it. "The security door was still intact before you opened up the power room correct?"<i></i> The Steward inquired. Mai nodded her head. The Steward next went to check on the actual power source which was a red gemstone powered by electrical chakra inside. He knelt down and placed his hands on his chin covering his lower face. The orb rotated round and round. "It looks norm--"<i></i> the Steward caught it. A flaw in the crystal orb. It was faint, and certainly difficult to find for the untrained eyes. "It's been tampered with. How? That's plate glass, and the console require an administer code of nine to access it."<i></i> Sousuke looked to Mai for an answer who had none. "Tia or Oba would have the code to do so... but even then it would have warned even me."<i></i> The Steward rose up and began to pace.
"Sir?"<i></i> Mia inquired. The Steward waved her off as he needed an empty room to think. The medic complied and Sousuke was given his space to think. He paced back and forth. He designed the engine, the power source, the codes, everything. It was a hobby that had proved useful ultimately to the point that it had become the main power source of the medical facility.
Compromise in security. A flaw in the orb. Man-made? Possible."</I><i></i> The Steward checked the security door. That was perfectly fine and functioning. No alarm had been raised. A hack? Most probable.<i></i> It was the only answer Sousuke could think of that would permit such a thing. The Steward went to the console and punched in a few numbers. The screen was filled with zeroes and ones. Simple binary coding. The Steward ran through the events of the power room three times. Everything seemed in place. He paused though on his fifth reading. The thirty-sevenths character was off. he went through it again. The character that stuck out was ... it should have been a one, but instead it was the letter L, except lower cased. The Steward went and identified the character. It was indeed a letter that should not have been there since binary consisted of zeroes and ones. The Steward further went and examined the character. When he did so he pulled up another window of codes from that one letter impersonating a number. Oh that is clever... it wouldn't be noticed by untrained eyes, like the flaw.<i></i> The window revealed more codes in binary form. One that the Steward's eyebrows to raise. A systematic shut down of emergency power in five minutes. The Steward removed several wires from his own bag. He began to strip them and began to implant them into various console slots. The Steward next ran a power check for the emergency power supply which was single digits. The Steward took a deep breath and toyed with the settings. Ultimately he forced the plate glass containing the power source to open up after doing some security breaching of his own.
The Steward next summoned his mark one armour, in particular his gauntlet. His eyes narrowed as he watched the power source spin about. The Steward held out his palm and waited the flaw to appear on the rotation. Once in view he blasted it with a plasma charged chakra. The emergency power percentage began to rise from single to double digits. Once the flaw was out of view, he waited for the next rotation and blasted it again. This time the emergency power was going up rapidly in double digits. It took five rotations of the power source, but the Steward ultimately got the emergency power up to one hundred percent. The Steward returned to his bag and took out a green gemstone shard the same that matched the hospital's power source. The Steward again awaited a rotation of the gemstone power source and threw it into the cubical containing the gemstone. He awaited another rotation before blasting it again this time sealing the flaw. The Steward next closed the plate glass securing the repaired and fully charged power source. He had in fact adverted disaster, but still work needed to be done to the main power supply.
The Steward went into the next room. He paused though as something sat waiting for him. The Steward was stressed to find words to describe this thing that stood before him. It was human in shape, but the face was off. It looked somewhat insect like. The colouring was violet, and with that the Steward found recollected the debriefing he had with Kumiko and Kagai. The being had a carapace sort of texture for its flesh. "Adverted disaster did we? Oh very good. My master warned me that only one mind in Suna would have picked up that one flaw in the gemstone power source and the coding".<i></i> The voice was slow, and whispering. "I suppose you've figured out something about me by now. That my touch is..."<i></i>
"Not in the physical realm until you desire it." The Steward finished. "You're not human. You're something ... that should be fiction." The Steward had tried to identify the creature before him.
"I was once a time ago. During the time of the One King, and his crusade against Fuujin."<i></i> The creature spoke. He raised a clawed hand and waved it. "You'll want to know why I am doing what I am. I can assure you it isn't sheer boredom. You see ... should the emergency power have failed I would have had a grand feast of flesh to be had, and with it their abilities. People no matter how mighty or strong they are get sick, and sometimes they grow so ill that they require a machine to keep them alive. Oh yes. I know for a fact that some patients here are from mighty families. Oh course there is the staff here, but I'm not too worried. Once I would have feasted I would have power enough to crush them easily."<i></i>
"That's not happening though." Sousuke spoke up. The creature nodded his insect-like head. "Unbent?"<i></i> The Steward inquired. He was met with a nod. Sousuke had heard of these creatures from the debriefings from various mission reports. The tell-a-tale feature of them was a carapace-like flesh and absorbing powers. "I don't think Unbent have etheralistic abilities... obviously you had the opportunity to absorb ... some fictional being with such abilities."<i></i>
"Admit it Takahashi Sousuke. I absorbed a ghost. It wasn't easy, but it was doable some two hundred moons ago. I merely forced it to..." A smirk-like expression formed on the face of the Unbent entity. "Well you're a clever enough boy to know..."<i></i> The creature stood up and stretched. "It is time that I Kal'kous the Ether feast again! I wonder what I have to gain from your flesh Takahashi Sousuke."<i></i> Without a moment's hesitation the Unbent threw himself as Sousuke. The Steward was not battle prepared so he sidestepped the beings claws which grazed him. The Steward had to buy himself some time to get his mark one armour ready. To do this the Steward retreated, but he did so first by emitting a bright plasma blast from his palm to blind the creature. The room brightened to extraordinary lengths, and even Sousuke had to close his own eyes. "Haaaaaaassssss...<i></i> Kal'kous called out. "This light burns my eyes but not for long!"<i></i>
"Long enough for me."<i></i> Sousuke spoke as he mounted an offensive. He was now steel encased and on hand he had the ebon blade which he swung at his foe. The blade went through each time. The Steward cursed himself for thinking that such simple tactics would have worked. "Hrmph."<i></i> Sousuke was next put on a defense as his foe slashed at him with his claws. Spark flew as Kal'kous made contact. The Steward was put at disadvantage. His foe could indeed strike at him in the physical realm despite being an ethereal being... unless. The Steward evaded more slashes and palm thrusts from Kal'kous. The Steward noticed that before landing a blow Kal'kous would slow down his movements. Why would he do such a thing? Unless...
Kal'kous made another swipe at him, the Steward ducked and just before Kal'kous could scrape him, the Steward slash at his legs trying to hamstring him. The Steward struck something, but the moment he did his blade again went through his foe. The Steward rolled forward and took a split second. His gaze focused and he noticed his slash did infact land. Kal'kous stumbled forward a bit and turned only to fall forward. "You need to be in the physical realm to strike. Therefore you only need a split second to do so."<i></i> Sousuke spoke aloud. "You might be immune to physical attacks, but let's see how heat tolerate your ethereal shell is."<i></i> With Kal'kous crippled, he mounted a more serious offense. The Ebon blade began to super heat and burst into flames. The Steward kept his distance but swung his weapon diagonally. His blade passed through his foe, but flames did not. They caught onto his foe's ethereal body and began to burn. The flames flickered as they went from the physical realm to the ethereal realm where Kal'kous's body resided. The Unbent hissed as the flames burned slowly eating away at his body.
"We are numerous! We are amongst you! Someone will take up my plans for a feast here once more!"[/i] His foe screamed as the fire consumed him. Soon enough his foe faded into nothingness. Where else could ethereal beings go once killed within their non-physical realm? The Steward turned his back as he did not quite have the stomach to watch his foe die in such a form. The Steward retracted his face plate and listened for a thud to come. That thud did not come right away. Just as the Steward turned to see his foe completely gone, his foe was once again upon him slashing at his face. The Steward by instinct brought up the ebon blade to counter, his foe managed to slash at his face cleaving the skin on his right eye. It was the tip of his claw, but it was enough to draw blood which temporary blinded Sousuke's eye. The Steward tried to kick at his foe but the only problem was that his leg went right through Kal'kous's form. <I>"We don't die that easily Steward."<i></i> Sousuke next ran through his foe's ethereal form. His foe had him at a disadvantage.
Kal'kous began an assault that kept the Steward on the defensive. Claws met with fire elemental sword strokes, and no matter how fast Sousuke moved, Kal'kous was getting through his armour. It would be only a matter of time till he tore through the armour and starting getting at his vitals. The Steward tried to force his eye open, but he couldn't. The blood was getting in the way. The Steward ran through one handed fire seals. "That won't work on me. I won't fall for the same trick twice with fiery jutsu."<i></i> The Steward then began to use different seals, little did the Unbent realize that the Steward was going for lightning seals. Upon competition the Steward unleashed a lightning torrent, which stunned the monster for a moment. Kal'kous shook his head as he tried to come to his senses. By then Sousuke had transferred some of the remaining electrical chakra to the Ebon Blade and he mounted his own assault. He began slashing at wrists, elbows, shoulders, knees, and mid sections. The Steward connected each slash how deep they were remained yet to be unseen. Kal'kous made another heavy swing with his arm which Sousuke evaded by rolling under the swipe. "Are you done dancing about little Steward?"<i></i>
Sousuke sheathed his sword and nodded his head. "I think I am. See... my first approach wasn't far enough. The wounds weren't that deep. This time I've slashed at several joints in your body with a different element. Let's see this time see the effect this time. I think it will be far more effective."<i></i> His foe's body did not obey him for a moment, as the wounds began to take effect. More importantly limbs began to fall apart. "I decided to take you apart piece by piece. Perhaps you'll serve a better test subject than saboteur."<i></i> Sousuke folded his arms. "Perhaps then, you too will serve the common good in revealing some more weaknesses."<i></i>
"I won't let you...!"<i></i> The Unbent began to speak in a tongue unfamaliar to the Steward. It was dark and unauible. It sounded like static, but the Steward at the very least knew he was indeed talking. His limbs began to grow dark and solid in form, only to warp into spiral forms before fading into nothingness.
The Steward's face almost formed a frown. "Pity that."<i></i>
***
The Steward sat at a desk. A report in a folder sat before him, and curiously a lighter. He filed the report of his findings in the basement of the Hospital. He himself still had a hard time believing it. He was half tempted to burn the report and call it a glitch in the system. The Steward reached for the lighter and tried to flick it on. Unfortunately it wasn't going to catch. Perhaps it would be best to get Roku to work this device for him as he used it to light his cigarettes. The Steward placed down the lighter and began forming hand seals. "I don't think you want to do that."<i></i> His mother called out as she entered the room. She took a chair from the side and brought it to the table. She sat down facing her son straight on. "That scar on your eye won't be so easily explainable with something so simple as base jumping."<i></i>
"You think so?"<i></i> Sousuke inquired back. "That incident gave you quite a scare."<i></i> Chiyoko shrugged her shoulders. "I don't think you're quite aware of what is in my own report."<i></i>
His mother smiled, "Something about a ghostly being who tampered with the power source."<i></i>
"Don't use that word. This isn't some fiction I grew up with."<i></i> Sousuke spoke back.
"Specter. Phantom. Unbent. Undead. Spirit. This world isn't as explainable as you think it my son. I have eyes and ears in places too. I call in favours you don't know about."<i></i> Chiyoko sat back in her chair and looked at the report. She even went to open it and read Sousuke's curly hand writing. "Things are explainable most of the times, provided you have people who will listen and have some experiences in the matter."<i></i> She turned the page and looked at Sousuke's artistic interpretation of his foe. "I know for a fact you don't imagine things. As a boy it was the hardest thing to get you to think out of the box."<i></i>
"Am I suffering some fort of mild insanity?"<i></i>
"If you didn't just question yourself or doubt yourself, or lack an imagination, I may be incline to believe so."<i></i> The Steward's mother narrowed her eyes as she continued reading the report. "Sousuke, my son, my only son, it's a big world out there. There are strange things out there. I'm sure it'll only get stranger for you. Trust me on this one."<i></i>
***
The onyx disc again was surrounded by a host. Illx. Cajol. Kalni. Vorul. Each of them present. Each of them silent for a moment. I seem to owe you an apology. The loyalist wasn't as boring as I thought he was. Spoke Kalni. He produced a replica of the Ebon Blade. How quick minded he is. That Takahashi Sousuke. Kalni swung the blade in an X formation. He has eyes for detail, and he is cunning to figure out how the Unbent broke in.
Illx waved his hand next. The Unbent may serve her, but they will serve themselves first of all. They are not to be taken lightly. They too play a part in the history coming. Not just the history of Takahashi Sousuke, but for the history of man. Illx turned to Cajol.
Cajol spoke in an almost lyrical manner. Any man may have a great intellect, but few become wise and practical. The Steward was not able to best his foe with brute force. Instead he employed his wits to best render his foe's body asunder. His trials will continue... but he cannot always rely on wisdom to get the job done.
The next individual spoke had a olive symbol. "My Dear Illx, House Toraono already has a glorious history... though they are the safest bet." This speaker folded their arms. "We should expand the history to another. Not far from House Toraono though." This speaker had a deep rumbling voice. He turned to his companion with the green symbol. "Perhaps someone trained by Queen Azame? She has had her hand in many an upbringing." The first speaker held out a hand for the current speaker to continue. "We have not seen anything come out of House Takahashi in a long time." The speaker offered.
The next speaker had a red symbol on his back. "The Loyalists? Rather boring if you ask me, my dear friend Cajol, it could be an entertaining history to write considering the current Steward breaks with their old traditions. Not by choice, but by circumstance of his birth." Both Illx and Cajol stared at the red symbol speaker. "The Takahashi it is then. I support Cajol in his choice... but the Takahashi are a fry cry away from a Dream of Glory."
Illx waved his hand. "Hah. Kalni. I have never known you to make a decision so quickly. Are you well?" Kalni nodded his head answering his question. "Vorul? Haquart? What do you two think?"
The first to speak was Vorul, whose symbol was light blue. Volrul stroked her chin. "The Takahashi are not ... martial. They are thinkers. The son of Judori does show some martial prowess... but he is not his own man. He needs to be pushed. He needs to find himself." Haquart nodded in agreement. "He must be molded in a way to even remotely promise us a history that even deserves writing."
Illx turned his gaze once more to Cajol who spoke "The Stewards are not kings nor Kazekages proper, but I think some good will come if we bend the rules and subject Takahashi Sousuke the third to a trial of character." All of them nodded in accordance. "To best her, he will need to become more than he already is. Let us observe and chronicle new histories. This assembly of the Watchers is adjourned."
***
The Steward arose to break his fast as he usually did. Once he had showered, and dressed for the day he went to his kitchen. He looked into the fridge for any form of leftovers from the feast that the Toraono clan had back from the engagement party. The Steward's eyes narrowed as he found nothing, but what he did find was a sandwich Kuro had for him as part of his emergency food supplies. It was the last sandwich, so following his breakfast the Steward would need to pay his demonic adopted brother a visit to obtain more food supplies. The Steward took out the wrapped sandwich and went to the table where he unwrapped it and proceeded to feast upon it after saying his morning prayers to Mother Suna for his thankfulness. The Steward was soon greeted by his loving pet Kitchenzilla who seemed more excited than usual. The mechanical pet waved her tale and poked Sousuke's shoulder. "What is it girl?"<i></i> He turned to see a medic nin in the doorway. "Ah."<i></i> The Steward rose up and met the medic.
"Sir. I wouldn't normally interrupt you, but ... we don't know anyone else to go to."<i></i> The medic had navy bobbed hair and a full face. She looked slightly nervous. Perhaps it was because of all people it was her sent to get the Steward. "The medical centre, it's having ... power problems. We've tried to get the system to backup, and that failed. Right now we're on emergency power... but that isn't permanent."<i></i> She spoke slowly but timidly.
Sousuke met her timid and slow expression with a deadpanned expression of his own. "Power fluctuation? Did one of the cores go out?"<i></i> She shook her head. The Steward thought about the matter. "I certainly can't let the medical centre go without power. People's life support depends on that. Give me..."<i></i> The Steward was about to say ten minutes to get his supplies, but Kitchenzilla was already on the case. His pet had his backpack and supplies in her mouth. The Steward nodded his head. "Let's go then shall we?"<i></i>
***
Panic was spread across the white tower. The Steward approached and felt slightly ill. His expression didn't show it, but he would have to try and calm down the panicked people. The Steward met most of the medical staff with a simple nod. Apparently his presence, and cool nature began to spread like wild fire ironically. He was escorted by Mai who introduced herself during the travels. The female medical nin was becoming more calm herself as she led Sousuke into the basement of the tower. The lights were flashing and red, it took Sousuke a moment to have his eyes adjust to the blinking. "When did the power source begin to act up?"<i></i> He inquired as he walked through several hallways.
"About forty-eight minutes ago."<i></i> She opened the door leading into the room. "We figured it was better to get you instead of your father because ... well, you built it."<i></i>
Sousuke nodded and followed her through the door. The machine and drivers were indeed on emergency power. The Steward approached it and began going through the drivers. He pulled out some slots and began analyzing it. He paused. Nothing was wrong with it. "The security door was still intact before you opened up the power room correct?"<i></i> The Steward inquired. Mai nodded her head. The Steward next went to check on the actual power source which was a red gemstone powered by electrical chakra inside. He knelt down and placed his hands on his chin covering his lower face. The orb rotated round and round. "It looks norm--"<i></i> the Steward caught it. A flaw in the crystal orb. It was faint, and certainly difficult to find for the untrained eyes. "It's been tampered with. How? That's plate glass, and the console require an administer code of nine to access it."<i></i> Sousuke looked to Mai for an answer who had none. "Tia or Oba would have the code to do so... but even then it would have warned even me."<i></i> The Steward rose up and began to pace.
"Sir?"<i></i> Mia inquired. The Steward waved her off as he needed an empty room to think. The medic complied and Sousuke was given his space to think. He paced back and forth. He designed the engine, the power source, the codes, everything. It was a hobby that had proved useful ultimately to the point that it had become the main power source of the medical facility.
Compromise in security. A flaw in the orb. Man-made? Possible."</I><i></i> The Steward checked the security door. That was perfectly fine and functioning. No alarm had been raised. A hack? Most probable.<i></i> It was the only answer Sousuke could think of that would permit such a thing. The Steward went to the console and punched in a few numbers. The screen was filled with zeroes and ones. Simple binary coding. The Steward ran through the events of the power room three times. Everything seemed in place. He paused though on his fifth reading. The thirty-sevenths character was off. he went through it again. The character that stuck out was ... it should have been a one, but instead it was the letter L, except lower cased. The Steward went and identified the character. It was indeed a letter that should not have been there since binary consisted of zeroes and ones. The Steward further went and examined the character. When he did so he pulled up another window of codes from that one letter impersonating a number. Oh that is clever... it wouldn't be noticed by untrained eyes, like the flaw.<i></i> The window revealed more codes in binary form. One that the Steward's eyebrows to raise. A systematic shut down of emergency power in five minutes. The Steward removed several wires from his own bag. He began to strip them and began to implant them into various console slots. The Steward next ran a power check for the emergency power supply which was single digits. The Steward took a deep breath and toyed with the settings. Ultimately he forced the plate glass containing the power source to open up after doing some security breaching of his own.
The Steward next summoned his mark one armour, in particular his gauntlet. His eyes narrowed as he watched the power source spin about. The Steward held out his palm and waited the flaw to appear on the rotation. Once in view he blasted it with a plasma charged chakra. The emergency power percentage began to rise from single to double digits. Once the flaw was out of view, he waited for the next rotation and blasted it again. This time the emergency power was going up rapidly in double digits. It took five rotations of the power source, but the Steward ultimately got the emergency power up to one hundred percent. The Steward returned to his bag and took out a green gemstone shard the same that matched the hospital's power source. The Steward again awaited a rotation of the gemstone power source and threw it into the cubical containing the gemstone. He awaited another rotation before blasting it again this time sealing the flaw. The Steward next closed the plate glass securing the repaired and fully charged power source. He had in fact adverted disaster, but still work needed to be done to the main power supply.
The Steward went into the next room. He paused though as something sat waiting for him. The Steward was stressed to find words to describe this thing that stood before him. It was human in shape, but the face was off. It looked somewhat insect like. The colouring was violet, and with that the Steward found recollected the debriefing he had with Kumiko and Kagai. The being had a carapace sort of texture for its flesh. "Adverted disaster did we? Oh very good. My master warned me that only one mind in Suna would have picked up that one flaw in the gemstone power source and the coding".<i></i> The voice was slow, and whispering. "I suppose you've figured out something about me by now. That my touch is..."<i></i>
"Not in the physical realm until you desire it." The Steward finished. "You're not human. You're something ... that should be fiction." The Steward had tried to identify the creature before him.
"I was once a time ago. During the time of the One King, and his crusade against Fuujin."<i></i> The creature spoke. He raised a clawed hand and waved it. "You'll want to know why I am doing what I am. I can assure you it isn't sheer boredom. You see ... should the emergency power have failed I would have had a grand feast of flesh to be had, and with it their abilities. People no matter how mighty or strong they are get sick, and sometimes they grow so ill that they require a machine to keep them alive. Oh yes. I know for a fact that some patients here are from mighty families. Oh course there is the staff here, but I'm not too worried. Once I would have feasted I would have power enough to crush them easily."<i></i>
"That's not happening though." Sousuke spoke up. The creature nodded his insect-like head. "Unbent?"<i></i> The Steward inquired. He was met with a nod. Sousuke had heard of these creatures from the debriefings from various mission reports. The tell-a-tale feature of them was a carapace-like flesh and absorbing powers. "I don't think Unbent have etheralistic abilities... obviously you had the opportunity to absorb ... some fictional being with such abilities."<i></i>
"Admit it Takahashi Sousuke. I absorbed a ghost. It wasn't easy, but it was doable some two hundred moons ago. I merely forced it to..." A smirk-like expression formed on the face of the Unbent entity. "Well you're a clever enough boy to know..."<i></i> The creature stood up and stretched. "It is time that I Kal'kous the Ether feast again! I wonder what I have to gain from your flesh Takahashi Sousuke."<i></i> Without a moment's hesitation the Unbent threw himself as Sousuke. The Steward was not battle prepared so he sidestepped the beings claws which grazed him. The Steward had to buy himself some time to get his mark one armour ready. To do this the Steward retreated, but he did so first by emitting a bright plasma blast from his palm to blind the creature. The room brightened to extraordinary lengths, and even Sousuke had to close his own eyes. "Haaaaaaassssss...<i></i> Kal'kous called out. "This light burns my eyes but not for long!"<i></i>
"Long enough for me."<i></i> Sousuke spoke as he mounted an offensive. He was now steel encased and on hand he had the ebon blade which he swung at his foe. The blade went through each time. The Steward cursed himself for thinking that such simple tactics would have worked. "Hrmph."<i></i> Sousuke was next put on a defense as his foe slashed at him with his claws. Spark flew as Kal'kous made contact. The Steward was put at disadvantage. His foe could indeed strike at him in the physical realm despite being an ethereal being... unless. The Steward evaded more slashes and palm thrusts from Kal'kous. The Steward noticed that before landing a blow Kal'kous would slow down his movements. Why would he do such a thing? Unless...
Kal'kous made another swipe at him, the Steward ducked and just before Kal'kous could scrape him, the Steward slash at his legs trying to hamstring him. The Steward struck something, but the moment he did his blade again went through his foe. The Steward rolled forward and took a split second. His gaze focused and he noticed his slash did infact land. Kal'kous stumbled forward a bit and turned only to fall forward. "You need to be in the physical realm to strike. Therefore you only need a split second to do so."<i></i> Sousuke spoke aloud. "You might be immune to physical attacks, but let's see how heat tolerate your ethereal shell is."<i></i> With Kal'kous crippled, he mounted a more serious offense. The Ebon blade began to super heat and burst into flames. The Steward kept his distance but swung his weapon diagonally. His blade passed through his foe, but flames did not. They caught onto his foe's ethereal body and began to burn. The flames flickered as they went from the physical realm to the ethereal realm where Kal'kous's body resided. The Unbent hissed as the flames burned slowly eating away at his body.
"We are numerous! We are amongst you! Someone will take up my plans for a feast here once more!"[/i] His foe screamed as the fire consumed him. Soon enough his foe faded into nothingness. Where else could ethereal beings go once killed within their non-physical realm? The Steward turned his back as he did not quite have the stomach to watch his foe die in such a form. The Steward retracted his face plate and listened for a thud to come. That thud did not come right away. Just as the Steward turned to see his foe completely gone, his foe was once again upon him slashing at his face. The Steward by instinct brought up the ebon blade to counter, his foe managed to slash at his face cleaving the skin on his right eye. It was the tip of his claw, but it was enough to draw blood which temporary blinded Sousuke's eye. The Steward tried to kick at his foe but the only problem was that his leg went right through Kal'kous's form. <I>"We don't die that easily Steward."<i></i> Sousuke next ran through his foe's ethereal form. His foe had him at a disadvantage.
Kal'kous began an assault that kept the Steward on the defensive. Claws met with fire elemental sword strokes, and no matter how fast Sousuke moved, Kal'kous was getting through his armour. It would be only a matter of time till he tore through the armour and starting getting at his vitals. The Steward tried to force his eye open, but he couldn't. The blood was getting in the way. The Steward ran through one handed fire seals. "That won't work on me. I won't fall for the same trick twice with fiery jutsu."<i></i> The Steward then began to use different seals, little did the Unbent realize that the Steward was going for lightning seals. Upon competition the Steward unleashed a lightning torrent, which stunned the monster for a moment. Kal'kous shook his head as he tried to come to his senses. By then Sousuke had transferred some of the remaining electrical chakra to the Ebon Blade and he mounted his own assault. He began slashing at wrists, elbows, shoulders, knees, and mid sections. The Steward connected each slash how deep they were remained yet to be unseen. Kal'kous made another heavy swing with his arm which Sousuke evaded by rolling under the swipe. "Are you done dancing about little Steward?"<i></i>
Sousuke sheathed his sword and nodded his head. "I think I am. See... my first approach wasn't far enough. The wounds weren't that deep. This time I've slashed at several joints in your body with a different element. Let's see this time see the effect this time. I think it will be far more effective."<i></i> His foe's body did not obey him for a moment, as the wounds began to take effect. More importantly limbs began to fall apart. "I decided to take you apart piece by piece. Perhaps you'll serve a better test subject than saboteur."<i></i> Sousuke folded his arms. "Perhaps then, you too will serve the common good in revealing some more weaknesses."<i></i>
"I won't let you...!"<i></i> The Unbent began to speak in a tongue unfamaliar to the Steward. It was dark and unauible. It sounded like static, but the Steward at the very least knew he was indeed talking. His limbs began to grow dark and solid in form, only to warp into spiral forms before fading into nothingness.
The Steward's face almost formed a frown. "Pity that."<i></i>
***
The Steward sat at a desk. A report in a folder sat before him, and curiously a lighter. He filed the report of his findings in the basement of the Hospital. He himself still had a hard time believing it. He was half tempted to burn the report and call it a glitch in the system. The Steward reached for the lighter and tried to flick it on. Unfortunately it wasn't going to catch. Perhaps it would be best to get Roku to work this device for him as he used it to light his cigarettes. The Steward placed down the lighter and began forming hand seals. "I don't think you want to do that."<i></i> His mother called out as she entered the room. She took a chair from the side and brought it to the table. She sat down facing her son straight on. "That scar on your eye won't be so easily explainable with something so simple as base jumping."<i></i>
"You think so?"<i></i> Sousuke inquired back. "That incident gave you quite a scare."<i></i> Chiyoko shrugged her shoulders. "I don't think you're quite aware of what is in my own report."<i></i>
His mother smiled, "Something about a ghostly being who tampered with the power source."<i></i>
"Don't use that word. This isn't some fiction I grew up with."<i></i> Sousuke spoke back.
"Specter. Phantom. Unbent. Undead. Spirit. This world isn't as explainable as you think it my son. I have eyes and ears in places too. I call in favours you don't know about."<i></i> Chiyoko sat back in her chair and looked at the report. She even went to open it and read Sousuke's curly hand writing. "Things are explainable most of the times, provided you have people who will listen and have some experiences in the matter."<i></i> She turned the page and looked at Sousuke's artistic interpretation of his foe. "I know for a fact you don't imagine things. As a boy it was the hardest thing to get you to think out of the box."<i></i>
"Am I suffering some fort of mild insanity?"<i></i>
"If you didn't just question yourself or doubt yourself, or lack an imagination, I may be incline to believe so."<i></i> The Steward's mother narrowed her eyes as she continued reading the report. "Sousuke, my son, my only son, it's a big world out there. There are strange things out there. I'm sure it'll only get stranger for you. Trust me on this one."<i></i>
***
The onyx disc again was surrounded by a host. Illx. Cajol. Kalni. Vorul. Each of them present. Each of them silent for a moment. I seem to owe you an apology. The loyalist wasn't as boring as I thought he was. Spoke Kalni. He produced a replica of the Ebon Blade. How quick minded he is. That Takahashi Sousuke. Kalni swung the blade in an X formation. He has eyes for detail, and he is cunning to figure out how the Unbent broke in.
Illx waved his hand next. The Unbent may serve her, but they will serve themselves first of all. They are not to be taken lightly. They too play a part in the history coming. Not just the history of Takahashi Sousuke, but for the history of man. Illx turned to Cajol.
Cajol spoke in an almost lyrical manner. Any man may have a great intellect, but few become wise and practical. The Steward was not able to best his foe with brute force. Instead he employed his wits to best render his foe's body asunder. His trials will continue... but he cannot always rely on wisdom to get the job done.