"What are you doing Mina?!"
Muryou yelled out as he narrowly avoided a heel kick that would've severed his head from his body. His tone held confusion and anger from the unprovoked attack.
"If you think I'll just sit back and wait until you get stronger to beat me then you're just all looks. I'll just beat you now so you can't beat me later"
Mina proclaimed in a factly tone, regathering her stance the moment her kick missed the target. Then her left arm shot forward, an open palm towards Muryou's chest. Unfortunately, it was parried by Muryou who smacked it out of trajectory with the back of his left hand.
Though before Muryou could counterattack, he was forced backwards to avoid another sharp kick followed with parried palm strikes. Mina's style of fighting was chaotic and swift, her agility carrying her body like the wind as she switched between a flurry of kicks and punches.
Fortunately for Muryou, he was able to keep up with this onslaught. His eyes moving with the movements of Mina and his body already reacting and getting ready to react to the next strikes. To any onlookers, they were locked in a fierce stalemate by parrying and counterattacking.
Eventually, Muryou attempted a feint right hook which Mina fell for. His arm missed her face on purpose, giving him the momentum to twist himself while releasing his knees. This allowed him to fall to the floor in a near instant, using his hands to balance his upper body while utilizing his right leg for balance and his left leg to strike by extending out in a slight upward sweeping arch.
Mina was caught by surprise at the sudden drop, putting her arms up to defend her face but was met with a kick to her left ribcage. Her body doubled over from the force of the impact, the sharp wind whipping around them in a centripetal fashion. Then it struck. The bridge of his leathered boot striking her cheek with an audible smack ringing through the grassplain.
"Ugh!. It's always something! I don't want to fight, stop trying to force my hand…it won't end well."
Muryou stated as he recovered, utilizing his momentum to flip himself to the side, narrowly avoiding an axe kick from a recovered Mina. Her cheek slightly bruised by the solid kick and her eyebrows furrowing in anger. Then like a steam hose, a crimson aura exuded from her body.
The space itself seemed to tremble in fear, the ground quaking in response to this surge of power. The wind stirred with vicious intent, her silver and gold eyes giving off a radiant glint amongst the chaos. It was an utterly beautiful display of chaos in its raw form.
"I am a crowned star. A being revered across the realities. One of few who has conquered their own alternate counterparts. You are strong, yes. But I am more skilled and versatile"
Mina proclaimed with a mischievous smirk, her mismatched eyes staring down Muryou has he slid into an abnormal stance. His right arm tucked to his side in a 90 degree angle, his left arm extended out with his palm facing towards Mina. His stance was disciplined and lowered to stabilize his core and for maximum control of his body.
"Fine. Don't say I didn't warn you. People tend to forget I am not ruled by conventional laws. Not even the Laws…"
Maryou began speaking, his tone turning from one of confusion to one of calculated coldness. A complete 360 in his mood. His eyes narrowed as he prolonged his sentence, a subtle audible crunch of the grass underneath his feet gave indication of movement, though when Mina realized what just happened. It was too late.
Muryou was already in front of her, it seemed as if distance and speed was just a mere concept and rendered obsolete. His fist already moving, connecting with Mina's stomach while also twisting his body to deliver a swift second attack. A cross elbow to the cheek his foot landed on the first time.
"Agh!-"
Mina yelled out in pain, her body stumbling to the side in an attempt to regather her balance. Then as she did, Muryou was once again in front of her. A series of combo strikes landing across her body, each strike was swift yet sturdy. He moved as if he was a tidal wave flooding over a city.
"ENOUGH!"
Her rage escaping her lips, a fierce burst of crimson energy spilled out her body and expanded in a full 360. Tree's that were unfortunate enough to be caught in the crossfire had toppled over suddenly, boulders reduced to nothing but ash and the sky crackling with thunder.
A shocked expression flickered over Muryou's face as he was hit with her chaotic energy. The density being even heavier than he imagined, forcing him off of his feet and into the air with ease. His chest stung like a pinch and twist of his skin.
'So this is the chaotic force of existence eh?. So if she really does exist, then so does order….wait..'
Muryou proclaimed within his mind as he realized, if chaos was here and currently in action, that meant even if he did or didn't defeat her, the crowned star of order would arrive to fix the mess. Unfortunately, he didn't have time to focus on this since he was forced to utilize his true source of magic.
By extending his hand out with his palm facing Mina's approximate location, he initiated a specific ability of his magic. Watching as a blitzing beam of chaotic energy rushed forward towards his face but was met with his palm.
Upon contact, the crimson energy burst into glass shards of theoretical nature. The multicolored shine it gave off was mystical in essence, as if it was transmuted to something else entirely. Soon these theoretical shards faded back into reality and out of the physical plane, becoming the intangible energy, once more.
"I am Muryou Hoji. The child of unknown possibilities. Also known as the Free One. Hated by even the gods themselves."
Muryou proclaimed with a sly smirk, gazing down at Mina as she widened her eyes in shock upon registering the information. Mina knew of a child that tilted the power of the multiverse which was the reason that the crowned star was formed.
It was to locate and have this child become a member of the eleven crowned stars. Unfortunately, no one could find this child for 16 years until now. Standing right in front of her was the child blessed by true freedom. Unbounded by the shackles of fate and unrestrained by the chains of destiny.
"I knew it!. I found it strange you didn't have a red thread of fate, typically those who don't have one are bound to die. But I guess you can't die if fate & destiny has no hold on you."
Mina proclaimed in excitement, watching as Muryou dispelled her chaotic mana with relative ease as if it was nullified. This earned a nod from Muryou who slowly ascended to the ground with grace, his raven colored boots crunching the small leaves underneath his feet.
"Free magic. A type of magic not bound by the laws of reality. A magic that can manifest any supernatural & magical phenomena based solely on the desire to be free from everything. No care in the world. I guess you could say…it's the pinnacle of absolute magic."
Muryou proclaimed in a matter-of-factly tone, a grim smile gracing his divine-like features of optimal physical health. His thoughts pondered on his parents, wondering if they were still alive or if they were found out since he unknowingly kept them all from being found by his desire to never be found. Activating his magic for the first time at a young age of 3.
Mina tilted her head at the bold statement, her thoughts wandering to the eighth crowned star. Then a small chuckle, wondering how that crowned star would feel upon hearing such a statement. Her arms folding under her bosom, her eyebrow raised in confusion.
"Nullifying magic is neat and all but calling it the pinnacle of absolute magic is a stretch. I know someone who is truly blessed with absolute magic and trust, her magic is far more potent than whatever that was."
Mina stated in a harsh tone, her eyebrows now furrowed as she narrowed her eyes towards Muryou who simply stood there without a care, as if he didn't just get attacked. This led her to become a little hesitant, knowing that any type of soul manipulation with her chaos magic would be rendered obsolete.
"You seem to misunderstand women. Free magic isn't just nullification. It is the embodiment of freedom. I can do whatever I think or know I can."
Muryou proclaimed with an undertone of arrogance and fact. His magic truly did allow him to do anything he wanted but the downside was with this type of freedom, his creativity was limited, and the learning/training process of different magic was stressful to him. So he knew while it was a powerful magic itself, he was still a weak user of it. Though, he was the only user ever recorded in history.
"They say the only other being to wield such power, gave the eleventh crowned star some problems. Once I defeat you, that should be proof of my skills"
Muryou proclaimed and without uttering another word or allowing Mina to utter a single one, he was gone. His hands grasping tightly around Mina's head, his grip stronger than steel which reduced Mina's ability to counterattack with her magic in close range.
An audible gasp escaped her lips, then a gasp of lost air left her mouth. Muryou's knee now drove itself into her sternum while pulling her head down, forcing her vision to be obscured and her balance to be thrown off.
Her vision blurred and she saw doubles, her legs were wobbly and her body felt heavy. Everything spun though she remained upright, trying her best to regain her senses but to no avail. His strike did more than just harm her body. It affected her very own soul.
"Now. Let this be engraved into your mind, soul and body. I am Muryou Hoji. The Free One. It is unfortunate that I was your opponent, but your fate was decided the moment you attacked me."
Muryou stated as he began walking forward, each step was deliberate and audible. Inducing fear into his adversary who couldn't stabilize herself, attempting to flee but falling from the buckling of her legs. Leaving her to the fate of Muryou.
Tears began to fill the corner of her eyes, closing them in acceptance to what was to come. After a few minutes, nothing happened. Her eyes slowly cracked open to see Muryou in front of her with his hand out, offering to help her just as the effects of earlier attack faded.
"Instead of accepting me in your group. How about joining mines?. Stand beside me not only as a comrade, but a worker under her boss. If not, that's fine too. I don't particularly mind, just leave me alone if you do"
Muryou proclaimed with a red hue in his cheeks, his pale eyes glancing to the side to avoid any more embarrassment. Though, he was shocked when Mina slapped his hand away and stood up on her own. A smile of her own gracing her scarred face. One that exposed her true feelings that were hidden deep away.
"I don't need help or do I want to join your stupid team. I already got my brother in this group and that's all I need. Bye"
Mina proclaimed with a hint of embarrassment but also snarky. Her tone was rude and crude without a care to how the person she was talking to felt. Then she dispelled in a burst of crimson rose petals, theoretical petals of the chaotic force. These wild petals were stirred up by the wind and obscured Muryou's vision, until eventually the petals were taken away by the breeze of the wind and restored his vision. Though he immediately noticed that she was gone, a sigh escaped his lips as he turned his head just a bit behind him.
"So I was right. Greetings second crowned star of order. To what do I owe the pleasure?"
Muryou asked with a hint of mischievous humor and sarcasm, his black-red tinted hair billowing in the stirring of the wind. The whispers of the air increasing the tension between Muryou and the now stated second crowned star, Hibura Kotoski
"Honestly. You tend to always cause a mess I have to clean up. You and her are way more similar than you think. Anyways, I am here to do my job. Restore order in this chaos ya'll made"
A tone belonging to a tenor proclaimed, holding a sense of duty and gentleness. It wasn't loud nor was it soft, it held discipline and wisdom beyond years. Patient and waiting.
Then the second crowned star stepped from the shadows, his snow-white hair flowed down to his back like an avalanche of snow. It was defined and groomed, his eyes were crimson like the inferno of the underworld and his expression was nonchalant.
He adorned a long sleeve academy outfit from long ago before being crowned as the second star of order. It was black and red stitching spaced up his arm sleeve in an x like fashion similar to how shoes on boots are tied and he wore simple black pants to match with deep blue open toed combat boots.
Muryou nodded with a small chuckle, his right hand scratching the back of his head in a sheepish manner when confronted about his shenanigans. Despite that, they seemed acquainted with each other.
"I do believe it's been 3 years since the last time we saw each other. You remember what you asked me?. Well, my answer is…"
Muryou uttered out suddenly, his thoughts reminiscing of the day he first met Hibura.
Flashback…
"Mom, I'm going hunting for a bit."
A young 13 year old Muryou spoke out in the stylish cave he and his parents resided in, hiding themselves from society. A nervous expression crossed his mother's face and his dad subtly sighed.
"Please be careful and watch how you use your magic. You know that your mana is unique so they'll be able to locate you. If anything happens, return here asap."
Muryou's mother stated in a motherly stern tone, one filled with concern and worry. A wide grin soon plastered over Muryou's face, he knew that his mother was a worry wart but he also knew the dangers of being found out after years of hiding.
"I know mom. I promise I'll be back before sundown. If not, don't worry. I've gotten a hang of my magic."
Muryou proclaimed as he ran out the carved hole of the cave, a type of entrance/exit for them. Soon, Muryou reached the outside and found himself surrounded by the vastness of trees. The scent of rain reaching his nose and the sounds of the lively creatures reaching his ears.
Eventually his wide crimson eyes glanced up at the starry night sky. The moon hung over his head with no clouds to obscure its light, faint howls of wolves stretched across the silent world. All in all, Muryou found the night very much freeing.
"Honestly. She gets all worked for nothing sometimes. I haven't seen anyone around here for most of my life-"
The young Muryou stated in a loving chuckle, pondering on why his mother was so cautious. Though he had to guess that it was because he was still young, muscles were undeveloped so defending himself against an opponent of overwhelming strength would be obsolete.
His sentence was cut short when his ears twitched at the subtle snap of a twig and the subtle rustling of the bushes. Muryou immediately turned towards the bush with narrow eyes, awaiting to see what was behind or inside of it.
"Show yourself."
Muryou commanded simply, his voice imbued with unnatural authority that shifted reality itself. Those two words unknowingly imbued with his free magic had shifted reality. Like a subtle beat of the heart, space itself had thumped and silence once again reigned supreme.
"That's some powerful magic you've got. Nice to meet you, My name is Hibura Kotoski."
The now named Hibura proclaimed, his short white neck-length hair fluttering against the subtle breeze of the wind, his crimson colored eyes sparkled with childlike innocence and wisdom beyond years. A gentle smile across his gentle pale face upon stepping out the bushes.
"Muryou, and thanks. I don't know exactly what type of magic it is, but I think it might be related to speech magic. Anyways, why are you in the middle of the forest?"
The young Muryou asked with a small tilt of his head, stepping forward a bit to get a closer look of the young boy in front of him.
"Well. Honestly, it's a little complicated. I'm trying to clear my head though so I decided the best place would be the forest since it'll be hard for my parents to search here."
The young Hibura stated with a hint of sadness, the glossing of his eyes gave Muryou the hint that Hibura was in a rough predicament. This made the young Muryou sigh a bit, his arms crossing over and under his armpits.
"Well, since it seems they haven't caught you yet, let's hang out for a bit. I'm out here to catch some food. Oh I know, I'll show you my magic and you show me yours."
Muryou proclaimed with a mischievous grin, his arm unfolding and laying next to his sides. Then the young Hibura nodded back in affirmation, both now standing in their respective fighting stance. Hibura's left arm bent behind his back while his right arm extended out in a 45 degree angle His fingers straightened out in an open palm facing towards himself.
Muryou's stance was wide, his legs bent out in a subtle crouch to stabilize his footing from any attempted leg sweeps. His left arm lowered and bent 90 degrees up towards his chest with his palm facing up and his fingers pointed forward. His right arm extended out with an open palm towards Hibura, his body also facing towards the left in a southpaw stance.
"Sure. Don't disappoint me though, I tend to always have to clean up afterwards."
The young Hibura exclaimed and with that statement, they both rushed forward, the wind picking up speed and rustling the branches of the trees from the sheer speed of the two crowned stars.
"Want to be friends?"
Flashback over
"Sure, let's be friends."
Muryou proclaimed with a wide smile, his hand extending out in a gesture of a handshake, waiting for Hibura to seal the friendship with confirmation.
"Yes. Let's."
Hibura replied in a gentle tone, a calming smile resting on his face as he stretched out his arm, grasping Muryou's rugged hand with a gentle firmness.
'Woah. I guess he really did stop using his fists. So that mean's his kicks must be more powerful now. Heh, last time his fist packed a punch'
Muryou proclaimed within his mind as they both released the handshake. Muryou slipped his hands into his pockets and Hibura had crossed his arms, an assuring silence washing over them.
"My Order magic has gotten stronger since then. Want to see?"
Hibura asked with a subtle tilt of his head. This urged Muryou to nod his head in excitement at the prospect of getting to see the legendary order magic in action once again.
Hibura grinned and with a snap of his finger, a starry night filled the sky in a beat of a heart. Sparkling lights struck lines across the sky in a dazzling display of cosmic beauty. Though just as it began, it ended shortly after. The cloudy sky restoring back to what it originally was.
"Amazing. Say, do you want to come with me to the main city?. It's been so long since I've been revealed to the world, so I want to cherish it as much as I can"
Muryou proclaimed as he stared at the sky in a daze. For a moment, he saw something beyond than just this world. The vast vacuum of space filled with countless other worlds and possible lifeforms. A chance to discover new things. Then just as that hope filled his mind, he was broken out of his daze. a subtle shimmer of hope in his eyes to find a place where he can just be free from it all.
"I would love to. Though i hope you don't mind if my sister come along, she tends to be a bit overprotective"
Hibura proclaimed with a small chuckle. The subtle wind stirring his long white silky hair that stood out from his crimson eyes filled with otherworldly wisdom, it was as if it saw past the truth of reality. A glint of stability. Though now that Muryou looked more closely at Hibura, he seemed to have favored his mother in appearance.
'I see why. He could be mistaken for a girl if he didn't have the voice he's got now. Jeez, Elves are something else entirely'
Muryou proclaimed in his head as he shrugged his shoulders in acceptance, turning and beginning to walk away with a small smile on his face, Hibura tailing right beside him as they walked along the forest and out to the main city.
"Sure I don't mind. Maybe it'll be fun."
Muryou proclaimed as they began their travel to the main city with different goals but willing to help each other reach them.