*Evening May 21*
You blink once, twice, three times. The figure you saw had suddenly vanished from sight, the chills keep traveling down your spine...
Ren: Hmm? Is something wrong?
You: N..No just I must be tired.
Ren: Well once Sojiro finishes your curry it should make you feel much better.
You: I hope so.
Sojiro: Well here you go.
Ren: Speak of the devil.
Sojiro places a nice hot steaming plate of curry right in front of you. You thank him for the meal and begin to eat. The curry blows your mind as the flavors seem to accumulate together and explode into something far greater. Finishing your food and coffee, you say good night to Ren and Sojiro to head back home.
The image of the figure still haunting the back of your mind, trying to focus on something else, you take one of your pills to get that small jolt before arriving home. Once you do arrive at your home, you take the time to take a long shower to sort out your thoughts. Not to mention the mark that is slowly spreading on your chest is another valid worry of yours.
After finishing your shower, you grab your phone and begin to send Makoto some texts.
*Your Text: Hey you up?*
*Makoto Text: Yeah? What's going on Y/N?*
*Your Text: I wanted to know something.*
*Makoto Text: Hmm? What is it?*
*Your Text: I don't know. Just.. I feel like I am running in circles. Especially when it comes to my condition.*
*Makoto Text: Are you getting worried?*
*Your Text: I am worried that our time will be cut short. I won't be able to do anything in my life. I feel like I would just fade away. But there are times where I am filled with over confidence and I feel like a different person entirely. It has caused much confusion in my mind and thoughts.*
*Makoto Text: Maybe you are just trying to push past the feeling of your condition and trying to focus on trying your best?*
*Your Text: That might be it.. Well.. Thanks for listening to me, sorry if it was sudden.*
*Makoto Text: Hey don't be sorry. I am here for you.*
*Your Text: Thanks..*
*Makoto Text: You're welcome. Besides, what else am I gonna do with you?*
*Your Text: Hmm..?*
*Makoto Text: You stole my heart I told you, you better pay me back with interest!*
*Your Text: Hahaha, well I will try my best to pay it all off.*
*Makoto Text: You better. Good night <3*
*Your Text: Good night, Makoto.*
You put your phone down and sigh to yourself. More troubling thoughts plague you but you attempt to sleep it off and get prepared for tomorrow....
*After School May 22*
Ann: Are we ready to do this?
Ryuji: Hell yeah we are! We got this!
You: This is me and Yusuke's first time stealing a treasure you know.
Ren: You guys will be fine. Let's get going!
All of you: Right!
Upon entering the Palace, all of you approach it with confidence. Ren leads the group forward, having you be his backup with Ryuji as the next.
Ren: Remember the plan guys! Mona should be able to grab the treasure once we cause the lights to go out and cause the sudden confusion!
Ann: And while that is happening, we get the treasure, and get out.
You: That's the plan!
Yusuke: What if we have to fight to escape?
Ryuji: Then we fight dude! If it comes down to it, we can take on Madarame's Shadow and teach him a lesson!
Yusuke: As much as I would like to avoid a conflict with him.. We must do what we can!
Ren: That's the spirit. Now, everyone get into position.
Upon leaping onto the beams, you help Morgana onto the hook and settle him so he won't sway as he goes down. After a moment, the power kicks out which causes a disturbance, allowing Morgana to be lowered down. You keep an eye out for him as he grabs the treasure and you signal for them to lift him back up.
Morgana: I got it..!
You: Great! Let's catch up with the group.
After helping Morgana by lifting the treasure and running with it, you begin to make a run for it, you catch up with your friends in moments and you bolt to the exit. After getting outside the giant door, you feel a danger approaching..
You: Skull! Catch!
Ryuji: W...Whaaaaa!!!??
You toss the treasure over to Ryuji and even Morgana in the same motion. Morgana yelps as he is thrown. You turn back, drawing your sword and facing it forward to deflect an incoming blast that knocks you backwards past the group. They all are stunned to see you being blasted back and turn to see Madarame standing there with 2 other shadows accompanying him.
Ann: Kage!
You: I'm fine..! Just caught me off guard..
Ren: Madarame!
Madarame's Shadow: I see you pests are trying to steal my treasure..! Well I can't let that happen now can I? If I have to take care of pests like you myself, so be it!
You watch as Madarame's Shadow seems to fuse with the 2 shadows into some weird painting monster. Getting to your feet, you stand next to your friends and prepare for the fight.
Yusuke: So Sensei as turned into this.. has he.. Absolutely vile..!
Ren: Fox, we are gonna change is heart.
Yusuke: You are right Joker, let's change his heart!
Ren and Yusuke charge forward, the paintings react oddly and attempt to whack Yusuke. You channel your power through your sword and slash across the air to summon a purple shadow to block the attack off them.
You watch as Yusuke slashes forward, ice brimming off his blade that shatters off the shadow. Ren uses his grapple hook, launching himself forward and shooting downwards, the shots hit their mark and they back away.
You: Skull! Let's go!
Ryuji: Hell yeah! It's show time!
Ryuji grabs your collar and with his strength, launches you into the air, allowing you to gain a high altitude, as you descend back down towards him, he begins to wind up his arm with his club. He swings at the moment you land on his club which he launches you forward towards the shadow. You grip your sword tightly and channel your power through it. The sword vibrates with the burning desire of your strength, which causes purple flames to burst forth. You slice right through the shadow, landing a brutal critical which lights it ablaze entirely. Having to recover from using a powerful attack, you are caught off guard by a red looking Madarame who lifts you by the throat.
Ann: Kage..!!!
Morgana: Let him go!
Madarame's Shadow: Who?! Him?! I don't think so! I got my own playing chips in this now!
Everyone watches as Madarame splits into 4 entirely different colored entities. The red one is still holding you by the throat. Gasping for air you try to kick away but you are suddenly met with intense heat building from his hands. It causes you to strain and yell in pain, causing your friends to panic.
Yusuke: Sensei! Let him go!
Madarame's Shadow: Fools! I will dispatch each and every one of you by the end of this! Starting with him!
Ren: No you don't!
Ryuji: I'll make you pay! Shit bag!
Ren and Ryuji try to race forward to save you, however they are stopped by the other Madarame's which all use the element they are assigned too.
Ryuji: We can't get close..!
Ann: What do we do!
You: G..Guys!.. Forget about me..! Just take him down!
You begin to struggle against the pain and draw your pistol and aim it at Madarame, pulling the trigger, you land a shot that staggers the one holding you.
Madarame: You shouldn't have done that!
In an instant, you are engulfed in flames, the pain searing your entire body, your bloody scream is heard by your teammates. They attempt to all rush in to save you but are repelled back by the other versions once again. Things start to feel hopeless as your vision begins to fade to black, your strength leaving your body. You are unable to resist and slowly succumb to your wounds.
That's when the red version drops you to your knees, you gasp in the air you can breathe. However you are promptly lifted up by the blue version who smiles wickedly. You try to struggle but are met with a powerful blow to your chest which causes you to cough violently.
Madarame's Shadow: Let's show you the power I have here..!
You watch as your friends start to get cornered by the elemental powers of each version of Madarame. You try to struggle but you are unable to find the strength to move.
You: N..No..! Don't you dare..! *Coughs violently* I swear..! I swear you will pay if you hurt them!
Madarame: Foolish child. Your pleas mean nothing to me!
You witness as the team starts to take the brunt of the damage, unable to do anything as they are cornered together. You try to pull forward and try to stop them, however you feel your chest suddenly burst in burning pain. It is unbearable, causing your body to lock up and shake to the very core. You slip and nearly fall forward but are still being held by the blue version. You feel a tight pressure within your chest, within the mark itself. It starts to swell and burn deep within your chest, almost reacting to the pain and torment you are facing at this very moment. Gasping for air, you feel your entire body grow hot, your muscles seem to tighten to the max, your heart races as fast as it can, pain rushing throughout your body.
You: G..Gahhh!! I..It burns!!...
Suddenly the heat within your body rises, more, and more. Gritting your teeth to the point that blood begins to run down your lips, the mark within your chest starts to slowly glow and suddenly you feel the influence of its presence begin to spread farther. The black veins travel up your neck, up your cheek, and towards your left eye. Straining even further by the pressure being built up, you crack under the pressure, your own sanity and voice of reason begin to fade away.
You: I...! I am going to KILL YOU..!!!!!
Madarame: W..What..!?
You lunge forward, dragging the blue Madarame with your strength. Your friends are momentarily freed from the onslaught they were receiving, only to see you struggling. The burning feeling of the mark and the heat within your body starts to tear from your skin and slowly everyone starts to feel a sudden pressure within the air. Your air starts to flow gently around, slowly speeding up. Then the moment arises as you feel your body seems to feel like it's being ripped apart from the inside. You yell in pain as small traces of black streaks start to flow off your body like little shadow flames. Upon feeling this intense pressure slowly releasing from your body, you begin to push on it. The pressure starts to overflow within you, the black streaks starting to grow in intensity.
Ann: W..What is happening.. to Kage..!
Ren: I.. I don't know..!
Morgana: T..This is the same feeling as before..! But..! This is much more intense!
They watch as you buckle over and push out the built up pressure within you, causing a shock wave to implode from your body, all the Madarame's are blasted back as the black streaks now turn into temporal shadows that seem to weave through your body, you lumber forward, each step you take causes the floor to crumble and crack under the intensity of pressure you are now producing. Your power has tremendously grown, the lack of self-control starts to take over, you begin to froth at the mouth in anger and pure hatred...
You: I'm...Going To...MURDER YOU..!!!!!!
Thank you guys for reading this chapter! I hope you enjoyed it! Things are starting to heat up! How is this newfound strength going to change the course of the story and for our protagonists? Find out next time!
Due to some issues and problems I am facing in life, I am now promoting my Patreon to anyone who wants to support me financially, this not only will provide me with some sort of income, however small or large it is, that will allow me to focus even more effort into writing for you guys. It is entirely your decision to check it out and provide me with any money you want to give me, the lowest starting is 5 minimum. Entirely up to you again, patreon.com/AKAustin is my Pateron for you to visit! Well I will See you all in the Next one! Thanks again!