A Demon's Tale

The area, not far from the living spaces for students, had been a large open nature filled field.

The entire ground had been decorated in flowers, with some trees surrounding the area as well, providing the perfect mix of shade and sunlight around the field.

If a couple were to choose a nice spot for an outdoor type of date, this area would likely be the best choice here.

This scenario however, was no date.

Nothing close to that.

In a way, it could be described as an area for two friends practicing.

But that practice was far more intense than what could be imagined.

Shiro: [I’m willing to hear you out on this whole thing, since it’ll help us with the trials. But should we really fight out here in the open?]

Kōkatsu: [Hm? ‘S fine. Not like someone is gonna come up here n' complain at us if we do. If they do come up here though, we can jus' scram.]

Shiro: [Fair enough. But also, what’s with the….attire? You’re not worried about wearing that out in the open?]

Kōkatsu: [Oh, this? I’m ok wearin’ this out here. People can stare if they like, but if I wanna get some trainin’ done, then I’m usin' the attire I enjoy for trainin’ the most. Regardless of where I am.]

Kōkatsu’s clothing had now been much different than before, and very minimal at that. She had a sarashi on both her chest and slightly above it, to prevent any possible movement she may have in the middle of her sparring session. Her legs were covered by a purple hakama, with some patterns of white flowers laid across it. Those two items however, were the only two things she had wearing. She walked to this area, with her bare feet out and upper body exposed, and was prepared to take Shiro on like this.

Kōkatsu: [I’m shocked though. For someone who jus' so happens to be the child of a famous martial artist, yer clothes are a lot more simple than I was expectin'.]

Like always, Shiro had worn the same color as usual, white clothes. These clothes however, were much different than what she had worn during school, or even during her moments of relaxation and free time with Kōkatsu. She was wearing a white tank top and white sweatpants. She had sandals while walking to this field, but quickly threw them off once they had arrived.

While focusing on one another, Shiro had noticed something she found rather interesting.

Shiro: [You’re pretty well built.]

Kōkatsu: [What, ya like what ya see? Yahahaha! I kid, I kid! Yeah, I’ve been trainin’ for quite a long while now. If there’s one thing I like jus' as much as good booze or good food, ‘s a good fight!]

While she wasn’t adorned in muscle, Shiro had been decently fit. There was a substantial difference between a much more simple, average build to someone and Shiro.

However, while Shiro may not have been clad in muscle, Kōkatsu was. From head to toe, she was covered in an incredible amount of well defined muscle. From her chest, to her arms, to her back, to even her legs which hadn’t been visible at that moment, it was clear that she was quite serious when she mentioned she had trained for a long time. If Kōkatsu were to enter a weightlifting competition, she would likely end up placing in a top ranking at the minimum.

It seemed odd to Shiro, though. Perhaps it had been due to Kōkatsu always wearing a kimono, but she never really noticed her build being like this. When Kōkatsu would fall asleep, she would do so without clothes, but in those moments, Shiro never noticed her muscles looking like this. She looked fit like Shiro during that time, but not nearly as fit as she had looked right now.

Perhaps she had two sides to her. A much more powerful, on guard side like she was now, and a more peaceful, laidback and defenseless side when she slept or hung out with Shiro.

Regardless of what the scenario was, Shiro knew that in this moment, she couldn’t afford to hold back too much. Even if this was just a sparring match.

Kōkatsu: [Alright, I’m ready to go when ya are. Ya ready, Shiro?]

Shiro: [Yeah, I’m all good here.]

Kōkatsu: [Perfect.]

Kōkatsu then entered a stance, with her right arm spread out towards Shiro. Her fingers on her right were curled in slightly, almost making what looked like a claw. Her left arm was moved back, with her fist clenched near her hip. Her right foot placed a few steps forward than the left.

Shiro too, had taken a stance. Her arms were spread out towards Kōkatsu, with her right arm being slightly further back in position compared to the left. Both hands had their palms facing towards Shiro, and her feet mirrored that of Kōkatsu’s, with the left being placed a few steps forward than the right.

Kōkatsu: [I’ve been waitin’ a real long time to fight someone truly strong…]

Kōkatsu then started to smile while her eyes became more slanted.

Kōkatsu: [So ya better not start disappointin’ me…]

Kōkatsu then shifted forward, kicking off the ground with all of her might and causing a crater in the ground where she was once standing.

Kōkatsu, with that force behind her, charged towards Shiro while in the air.

Kōkatsu: [...SHIRO!]

Her left fist that was once at her side, now soared through the air in an attempt to make an impact with Shiro.

In a split second of a moment, Shiro had moved to the left and disappeared out of thin air.

Kōkatsu’s fist hit the ground where Shiro was standing before, leaving an even larger crater than the one from where her feet kicked the ground seconds before.

Kōkatsu quickly tried to turn and discover Shiro’s location, but her reaction had been a little too late.

Shiro’s location was clear as day, but it was an unfortunate one for Kōkatsu due to…

Shiro: [Yah!]

Kōkatsu: [...hk!]

Shiro had reappeared in the air, to the right of Kōkatsu, and delivered a swift kick to her cheek.

Kōkatsu had slid a few paces back before slamming her right foot down to regain balance.

Kōkatsu: [Heh, so yer the kind of person who focuses more on speed, huh? Alright, TWO CAN PLAY AT THAT GAME!]

Kōkatsu had once again kicked off the ground, but much like Shiro had done before, it seemed like she had disappeared.

To gain a defensive advantage, Shiro flipped further into the air before trying to fly forward using her wings that had now been exposed.

That plan however, failed, as before she could even fly…

Shiro: [Huh?!]

Kōkatsu: [Ya weren’t expectin' this now, were ya?]

Kōkatsu had grabbed her right leg in mid air before she could even move.

Kōkatsu: [I’m pretty good at this sneaky type of shit…]

Kōkatsu then let gravity take control, as she charged towards the ground, carrying Shiro with her by the leg.

Kōkatsu: [...THAT’S WHAT MAKES ME SLY, Y’KNOW?!]

Shiro: [Shit! This is bad!]

Shiro could already tell where this was headed. Kōkatsu would likely send her forward like a whip as soon as they were close enough to the ground.

A hit like that could cause some great damage to her, and in a sparring scenario like this, it would mean total defeat in less than a minute of the battle starting.

Shiro: [Gotta…reduce…the impact…!]

Shiro had then tried to move her body to the side so as to not hit her back against the ground, as well as keeping her arms forward, covering her face.

A loud thud had occurred. The grass where Shiro was slammed had been flattened.

Shiro: [...keh!]

While her injuries weren’t as bad as they could have been, and she had managed to reduce the damage in the manner she wanted to, the power of the attack still existed regardless. She was still falling at a fast rate, and was whipped into the ground by quite the powerful girl.

Kōkatsu: [ONE MORE TIME!]

Kōkatsu then turned around, her body moving at an incredibly fast pace. She was moving so fast that the wind was pushing against her, causing her eyes to squint and her cheeks were moving with the wind. But something as simple as the force of the wind couldn’t stop a girl like this.

Kōkatsu threw Shiro forwards through the air. Due to the force of the throw, as well as the speed she was going, Shiro was having a difficult time trying to get back into a position in which she could defend herself or evade an attack.

Defending herself, or trying to evade, was vital in this moment. As Shiro looked at the air in front of her…

Shiro: [...!]

She saw Kōkatsu far above her. She likely kicked herself off the ground again to gain an even larger distance in the air. Much like before, she was going to come crashing down. This time however, instead of using a sort of human whip technique, she had her right fist raised in the air. It was faint, but Shiro could slightly hear what she was saying.

Kōkatsu: [Higanbana…]

Shiro: [Damn!]

Kōkatsu then came crashing down as predicted.

Kōkatsu: [...FIST!]

This move however, was an advantage for Shiro. Her situation before had been much worse due to her own body being the attack. It was an attack on herself in a way. This one was different though. It was a punch coming straight at her, and while if it hit, it’d likely do more damage to her than the whip, she could also use the fact that it was a punch to her advantage.

Shiro moved her body to her right within the small amount of time that existed, while also grabbing Kōkatsu’s arm, and moving her body slightly above Kōkatsu in mid air.

Kōkatsu: [The hell?!...gack!]

As Kōkatsu’s fist hit the ground the second after, causing a massive crater in the ground with cracks all around it, Shiro lifted her right leg up in the air and slammed it down on the back of Kōkatsu’s head. Shiro used the force of this attack to front flip forward through the air as to gain some distance.

Shiro: [I may not be as physically strong as you are…but sadly for you, I’m pretty damn flexible!]

Shiro then landed on the ground, before entering her stance once again, and charging towards the now downed Kōkatsu.

Kōkatsu slammed her fist on the ground to get herself off the ground quickly, and turned to Shiro.

A flurry of kicks were sent towards Kōkatsu's stomach, and while they hadn’t done much damage, it was still painful regardless and successfully knocked the wind out of her.

Kōkatsu: [...hk!]

Shiro: [Come on!]

Shiro quickly followed up these kicks by spinning around to regain balance, and throwing a right hook towards the same area.

Shiro: [...AAAA!]

Just as the punch was about to connect, Kōkatsu flexed her abs at the exact same moment, causing the pain to shift from Kōkatsu to Shiro.

Kōkatsu: [Don’t go gettin’ cocky on…ME!]

Shiro: [...!]

Kōkatsu sent out a quick gut punch towards Shiro, moving her fist towards her and back at an almost unseeable speed.

Kōkatsu: [How ‘bout…THIS ONE!]

Despite being a bit unstable from the punch she had received, Shiro recovered in time to quickly spread her hands out and toss herself over Kōkatsu, using the knee that Kōkatsu sent towards her as a base for this push.

She did not try to counterattack Kōkatsu, however. She knew that if she had attempted something like that, it would likely lead to a counter from Kōkatsu herself.

The two now had some distance from one another, and it was now a dangerous game of who would attempt to land the next strike.

Shiro and Kōkatsu side stepped slowly in a circle, never breaking eye contact with one another.

After a few moments, they charged at each other at the same time, locking their hands together on contact to see who could push the other to the floor.

Due to the difference in strength however, it was obvious who would win in this field. As Shiro was being pushed back, she quickly used her situation to her advantage.

Shiro lifted her legs into the arm, supported by the arm lock the two of them had. While catching Kōkatsu in surprise, she quickly charged her legs forward, kicking straight into Kōkatsu’s stomach.

Kōkatsu: [...hk–gah!...]

This attack was far more effective than anything Shiro had previously done. Kōkatsu had stood there breathless, her body arched forward from the pain. While she was in this state, Shiro attempted to let go of Kōkatsu’s hands.

This was merely an attempt however, as Kōkatsu’s grip had grown even stronger all of a sudden. Shiro then noticed Kōkatsu moved her body backwards, along with her head.

Kōkatsu: [Like I said…don’t get…]

Kōkatsu threw her body forward, with her head leading the charge, while pulling Shiro in.

Kōkatsu: [...hk!...COCKY!]

A brutal headbutt had been sent towards Shiro. For the first time during this fight, blood was drawn. Specifically, from Shiro’s nose after receiving the attack from Kōkatsu’s forehead.

Shiro fell to the ground, slightly dazed by that attack and completely open for any follow ups.

As she was on the ground, Kōkatsu lifted her right leg up, and sent it skyrocketing down towards Shiro’s stomach.

Even though she still hadn’t fully recovered, Shiro noticed the attack coming and swiftly jumped off the ground a few feet back, to once again gain some distance.

After jumping, Shiro used that same force to once again propel herself forward, spinning through the air before ending her spin when she had gotten up close to Kōkatsu. Her right leg, which was bent behind her, now came charging forward,

In a panicked attempt to counter, Kōkatsu took a step forward and sent a powerful hook towards Shiro.

At the exact same time…

At the exact same time…Shiro kicked Kōkatsu’s chin.

At the exact same time…Kōkatsu punched Shiro in the stomach.

At the exact same time…Shiro spat out blood from the impact before being blown back a few feet, while Kōkatsu fell to her knees, attempting to use her right knee that was lifted to get up again, only to fall over into a sitting position.

Kōkatsu: [...I’m……..mmmm not….I’m not…do……done…….oooooooooooooh…]

Shiro’s kick had been perfectly placed. Due to where she had struck, Kōkatsu’s brain was now in a state of shock. Not long after sitting, Kōkatsu had been groggy and constantly swaying left and right, before eventually collapsing on the ground.

This fight…was a tie.

…or at least it would have been, had it not been for…

Shiro: [...gh!...Damn…that hurt a lot…]

Shiro slowly picked herself off the ground, and looked at the now knocked out Kōkatsu.

Shiro: [She’s…down…?]

Shiro walked over, to see Kōkatsu fully unconscious. Further proof from this was due to the snoring that she remembered oh so well from her nights at the school.

Shiro: [Does that mean…I…win…?]

Shiro stood there, gasping and in pain, but standing nonetheless.

She had been the only one out of the two there to be standing.

Therefore, she had been the victor of this sparring match.

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Kōkatsu: [Mmm…AH!]

Shiro: [Morning! Or well, I guess it’s the evening right now, but still you woke up just now so–you know what, nevermind. Are you feeling alright?]

Kōkatsu woke up, in the bed that she had laid in during her stay at this school.

The two of them were back at their dorm.

Kōkatsu: [What…what happened…?]

Shiro: [Oh well, a bunch of things really. See I wasn’t sure what to do since you didn’t have much clothes on but luckily thanks to my Illusion World I had some stuff stored there. So I grabbed one of my T-shirts from there and put it on you, which is what you’re wearing right now. It’s soft, right? Anyways I put that on, grabbed a towel from the Illusion World for my face, grabbed another one to clean you off slightly, then I had to carry you all the way back here, but don’t worry, you’re surprisingly light. Did you know that? Maybe I got stronger. I don’t know. Anyways, I carried you back here, put you into bed, wasn’t sure if you needed your blanket or not but for the sake of warmth I put it on, then I got a wet towel and put it over your head just in case and now we’re here!]

Kōkatsu: [...]

Shiro: [What?]

Kōkatsu: [No…I mean…what happened?...We were sparrin’ before ya did all that…]

Shiro: [Oh right…well…uhhh…I sorta…knocked you out…and then I got back up…so I guess it’s a tie…]

Kōkatsu: [I see…so I lost…]

Kōkatsu had a sad look on her face, and in a quick motion, Shiro sprung up and started shaking her arms and head.

Shiro: [Nononono! You didn’t lose! I mean…you kinda did…but I did too! I got punched hard and fell to the ground as well.]

Kōkatsu then got up and started stretching her arms in her arms while moving her back forward.

Kōkatsu: [‘S fine, Shiro. If anythin’, I’m happy. It means I still have room for improvement. On top of that…]

Kōkatsu then walked up to Shiro, before giving her a tight hug.

Kōkatsu: [It means ya didn’t disappoint me, Shiro! Ya really are somethin’ else! I’m glad we’re the best of the best of best friends!]

Shiro: [Kōkatsu…you’re…squeezing me…it’s really hard…to bre….]

Kōkatsu: [Huh? Shit, my bad, my bad! Sorry ‘bout that!]

Shiro was then released from the monster-like grip Kōkatsu had on her with the hug.

Shiro: [Hah…thanks. Anyways, you okay?]

Kōkatsu: [Yep! I'm a little bit loose on my footin’, but overall I’ll manage. So what the hell was that fightin’ style by the way? That was some cool shit back there.]

Shiro: [Huh? Oh that was the fighting style my mother taught me. It’s called Babylon Way.]

Kōkatsu: [Babylon Way, huh? ‘S got a nice ring to it. Guess I shouldn’t be so surprised that ’s that good. If the best of the best used it, no wonder I lost in no time!]

Shiro: [I wouldn’t go that far with it. I haven’t fully mastered it myself just yet but--]

Kōkatsu: [That’s even better then! Yer already this good against me n' ya can go even higher from there?! I’m gonna have to improve quick or yer gonna get way too ahead of me!]

Shiro: [Heh. I guess so! By the way, what was your style there? It also seemed pretty good.]

Kōkatsu: [Hm? Oh, 's my own style I made when I was a kid. I call it Flower Fightin’. Goofy name, I know, but it does a good job representin' who I am.]

Shiro: [A flower?]

Silence filled the room, before–

Shiro & Kōkatsu: [Pfffft–HAH!]

The two of them stood there laughing for some time, before having their usual conversations that went on during the night.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The two girls were now lying in their beds, Kōkatsu staring at the ceiling, and Shiro reading a book.

Kōkatsu: [Hey, Shiro?]

Shiro: [Yeah?]

Kōkatsu: [Let’s do the whole trainin’ thing again for the next few days. We probably wanna get ourselves ready for what’s to come but also…]

Shiro: [Also?]

Kōkatsu: [...It was real fun!]

Shiro: [Heh. Yeah.]

The two of them laid there, smiling while thinking about the great battle they had.

Kōkatsu: [Hey, Shiro?]

Shiro: [What’s up?]

Kōkatsu: [Can we secret trade?]

Shiro: [Secret trade?]

Kōkatsu: [Yeah! I tell ya a secret, n' ya tell me one!]

Shiro: [Sure. I’m fine with that.]

Kōkatsu: [Sick! Alright I’ll go first…]

A few moments of silence passed.

Shiro: [Kō? You alright?]

Kōkatsu: […On second thought…can we make a new deal….?]

Shiro: [Sure. Depends on what it is though.]

Kōkatsu: [Can I tell ya my secret…later…n' ya tell me yers now…?]

Shiro: [What?! But doesn’t that break the whole…]

Shiro then looked at Kōkatsu’s face. Her ears were tucked down, while a sad expression rested on her face.

Kōkatsu: [...Please…?]

Shiro: [Fine. But only because it’s clear to me something is up. I mean I guess something always has been up, but still. I’ll let you know something and then you let me know something whenever you need to, alright?]

Kōkatsu: [Yes ma’am!]

Shiro: [Alright. Here’s my secret. I’ve been having visions, at least I call them that, since I was a kid.]

Kōkatsu: [Woah! What do they show?!]

Shiro: [Well, not much really. It’s usually someone standing there with bright red eyes and bright red hair. I can’t tell much else than that, though recently when I came here, I could see the length of the hair. It went down to their hips I’d say. I’ve also gotten a really warm, nice feeling recently. I don’t know why. There’s also some other feeling in the vision that I’m not entirely sure what to describe them as but–]

Kōkatsu: [Bright red hair…bright red eyes…super long hair….like the Bloodfire family?]

Shiro: [...!]

Shiro stared at Kōkatsu with an astonished look on her face.

Shiro: [What…do you mean…by that…?]

Kōkatsu: [Huh? Oh, well, the Bloodfire family, mainly Devi herself, has long bright red hair, n' bright red eyes.]

Shiro: [They…do…?]

Kōkatsu: [Yep! I guess ya don’t know since ya don’t know much 'bout 'em, but 's what they look like! At least Devi anyways. No idea what her daughter in the selection or her other children look like, or even her grandchildren. You alright, Shiro?]

Shiro: [Yeah…it’s just…a lot to process…I think I’m gonna get some sleep…]

Kōkatsu: [Alright, but if ya need any comfort I can always come over n' sleep in yer bed!]

Shiro: [...Will you be naked while doing so…?]

Kōkatsu: [Look, last I checked we’re real close friends but we aren’t interested in each other. The only thing we want is a nice sausage, right?]

Shiro: [DON’T WORD IT LIKE THAT!]

Kōkatsu: [Yahahaha! Anyways, get some good sleep, alright Shiro? We got more practice tomorrow but also I don’t want my good pal havin’ any nightmares!]

Shiro: [Thanks…Kōkatsu…good night.]

Kōkatsu: [Night Night!]

The two of them then turned off their lights, and laid the side of their heads to their pillows.

But even though she planned on going to sleep, Shiro laid there for a few moments, staring at the wall while thinking about the new info she was given.

Shiro: [The Bloodfire family…Devi Bloodfire herself…looks like that…?]

This new discovery was something Shiro could not fully fathom.

The answer she had been searching for her whole life…

…might have finally arrived.

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