Kozuna
Twenty minutes passed on our drive to The Primary, most of which was spent strategizing. Yvira had already notified Anari of what was happening, and we'd planned to go pick her up. However, that was before Nikai started screaming out in terror and agony.
He was still unconscious, but Nikai's body lurched up and down like he was gonna regurgitate. His fingertips started turning black, and the color steadily traveled up his hands while his fingers were curling and twitching.
Yvira backed away as much as she could, but there wasn't much room to do so in the first place. My silent worrying was growing.
"Commander, how far are we from Zara's lab?"
"Not far, we won't have time to pick up Anari, though. I'll have her catch up later. You two, try to keep Nikai. We can't have him causing a scene."
Is this really what happens when a curse seal manifests?
"Yvira, did this happen to me after I blacked out?"
"You were screaming a lot, too." Yvira covered Nikai's mouth to try and muffle the noise. "Not as much as Nikai, though!"
Nikai's wailing seemed to affect my seal. I felt energy swirling inside my hand. It surged through my blood again, enhancing my senses while also recreating the stinging pains from earlier. A singular, intense heartbeat that seemed to make me nauseous for a few moments.
I couldn't help but fixate on the crescent seal, while my teeth unconsciously gritted. That black mark was glowing, letting off dust-like particles in the wind. And Yvira noticed.
Her head cocked for a second, and her gaze bounced between Nikai's seal and mine. Then, the color in her eyes began to radiate. I literally watched her have a lightbulb moment.
"Kozuna- I-I think your seal is reacting to Nikai's!"
My eyelids lifted. I finally saw what Yvira was seeing. Those particles of energy weren't just disappearing in the wind- they were floating towards Nikai. And his seal was giving off the same effect. Noticing it visibly made things feel clear. I couldn't explain it- my seal felt drawn to his, and I had no clue why.
I ended up stretching closer and hovering my seal-marked hand near Nikai's face. Something about it felt natural. Familiar. And it only took a few more seconds for Nikai to shut up and begin settling down. While still unconscious.
"Wh-what'd you do?
"Beats me. It just kinda happened. Like the curses are linked or something. That must be why my seal feels drawn to his."
Yvira raised an eyebrow in curiosity, but Kaiten didn't complain at all.
"Whatever the case, just keep him quiet. We're entering The Primary now. Until we reach the lab, let's try to keep as low a profile as possible."
"Yes, sir. I'll keep my hand over his head if it makes a difference."
***
Kaiten slowed the buggy to a near-crawl as we passed through the busy public roads and into the military sector. Thankfully, Nikai had calmed down by then, and the number of people out and about dwindled significantly upon passing through the gate. There were only guards stationed at specific posts, and fewer actually on patrol. He took the buggy straight through the grounds and pulled into a large, semicircular structure.
OFF-LIMITS was posted in enormous, bold letters above the gateway. Kaiten had to show his credentials just to pass. His presence was the only reason the rest of us were permitted entry. I made sure to glove my seal when the guards stopped to search everyone. We were soldiers. We could hold onto most weapons and gear, but anything prohibited was to be taken away.
"… w-what's all that on Nikai's face?"
"Surely you've heard by now about the incident at Jigen? Two curse wielders attacked- one a turncoat Ozukashi. Nikai was injured during the battle. He's still alive, but we need to find Ms. Zara. She's the only one who may be able to help him."
"We got the news. Lotta dead over there. Go on in, Commander. You know where to find her."
The commander's a better liar than I thought. They actually bought that?
Kaiten nodded. "Thank you, soldier."
After a beat, Kaiten switched on the headlights and took us deeper into what I quickly realized was a rocky tunnel. It was wide enough to be considered a two-lane road, and he really wasn't kidding when he said subterranean.
The place was kinda like a mine. Flickering, buzzing lights hung across the top of the rounded cavern. Raised steely walkways lined the roadway. Metallic supports aided in preventing the tunnel from caving in. Plus, every once in a while, we encountered a doorway along the sides. I had no idea that basically another world existed beneath The Primary.
We passed, maybe, five or six doors down the long stretch of dirt before Kaiten eventually slowed to a complete stop and parked the buggy along the edge. He and I hoisted Nikai up and out together, while Yvira approached the thick, metal door and hesitated to knock.
"Go ahead, Yvira."
"Are you sure, Commander? This feels shady."
"I've already notified Ms. Zara that we'd be stopping by. Go ahead and knock."
Yvira breathed deeply, saying, "Yes, sir."
She knocked lightly, but the door still vibrated. It only took a few seconds for us to begin hearing weird clicking beyond the door, which swung open moments later. Some tallish, masked man dressed in a dark, worn-looking cloak greeted us with half a wave.
"Good day. Here to see Lady Zara?"
"Yes," Kaiten's gaze shifted to Nikai's curse seal. "We need her help."
"Of course. This way- come with me."
***
The door loudly slammed shut behind us as the man brought us inside. We immediately got a good look at the lab's main room.
Zara's lab was populated with a few workers. I only counted six, including the guy who let us in. The whole place seemed to be built of sturdy, dusty-looking concrete. It was dimly lit, at best. Old lights hung from the ceiling, and a few lamps were posted around, too. Steel bars and rods stretched across the ceiling and some sections of the walls- a few were hissing, weirdly enough. There was also this distinct, amber glow coming from many of the humming machines. I didn't know what the hell any of them were for. All I recognized were the few pieces of furniture- a couple of desks, chairs, and tables. Those were the most normal things I'd laid my eyes on.
But what was I to expect? It was a lab. And to top it all off, the main room had seven other doorways leading to more mysteries.
"Lady Zara, Kaiten and his companions have arrived."
"Thanks for bringing them in, Shin."
A tall woman of caramel skin, silky black hair, and shiny, attention-stealing silver eyes stepped out from behind some enormous machine. I hadn't even noticed her at first, but I couldn't take my gaze away afterward. She rocked a black overcoat, skinny pants, and surprisingly-shiny boots.
Mesmerizing.
"Welcome to Lab H-Z, Kaiten! About time you got here." Zara fluttered her eyes with a smile. "You never visit when things are going well. What's the situation this time?"
"I'll explain everything in a bit. For now, is your containment room vacant?"
Containment room?
"It is, but would you mind introducing your young companions?"
Kaiten sighed quietly, looking to Yvira and me.
"Oh, um, I'm Yvira! Nice to meet you, ma'am!"
I kinda half-glanced at Yvira with a weird look. "Name's Kozuna. The guy we're carrying is Nikai."
"Ah, a pleasure. I am Lady Zara Ozukashi. No doubt Kaiten has already told you two a little about me?"
"He has," I quickly answered. "Not much, though."
"Excellent. As it should stay. Come with me, all of you."
Yvira and I looked to Kaiten for guidance, but he was already nudging us to follow. Things just kept on getting more out of hand, it seemed. It felt more like we were in a dungeon than some research facility. I was beginning to wonder what else was beneath The Primary.
"Now then, Kaiten relayed to me the critical details regarding our new curse seal situation." Zara opened the door to her containment room. "This is where we'll hold Nikai. For the time being."
I was shocked when the door swung open. We stepped into a silvery-black room with numerous bar-lights hanging overhead, a few machines mounted against the walls, and finally, a glass cage with bedding and restraints inside.
"Wait- hold?"
What the HELL am I looking at?
Zara glanced back at me, eyes half-open. "You don't know much about curses, do you, Kozuna?"
"No, not really. This is all very new to me."
"The kind of response I'd expect from someone who has spent their entire life among the Ozukashi. "Zara immediately went to one of the nearby machines and began operating it. The glass cage slid open after a few seconds. "Curse seals have different impacts depending on where the seal manifests. For example, your seal is on your hand, Kozuna. It's on the weaker side, so you'll adapt fairly easily."
Easily? I've been in near-constant agony!
"However, Nikai's seal manifested on his face. Worst location, frankly. Hardest to hide, and always results in some horrific transformation. The second he wakes up, he'll transform. Or he'll transform something else."
Yvira gulped out loud. "Um. A transformation? Is it permanent?"
"Temporary, Yvira. He'll revert to his old self after a while, but during the transformation, he'll have no control over himself. Depending on the transformation, Nikai may not recognize any of you. The purpose of this containment center is strictly for situations like this one. It also grants us the chance to strategize. Can't have secrets like these being blabbed out to the public. We'd all be executed."
"Okay, I think I understand. For now, keeping him locked away is the best thing for everyone."
"Precisely. Once his body acclimates to the new seal, we can decide how to move forward. Now, Kaiten, Kozuna, if you'd please put Nikai in the containment zone?"
"I feel like if I move too far, he'll start acting up again."
"Let him scream and shout, then. The walls are soundproofed." Zara scoffed, shaking her head. "At any rate, his body needs to adjust to the curse seal's manifestation. I'm sure you did the same thing."
Matches up with what we know. I was screaming unconsciously, just like Nikai. And after I woke up, my curse randomly activated.
"Yeah… you're right."
This is for the best, then.
Kaiten and I laid Nikai onto the bed, and hooked him down by his wrists and ankles. But the moment I started backing off, he started shrieking horridly again. Zara was quick to seal the glass shut, cutting off all the noise inside.
Painful to watch, but there's nothing we can do other than wait.
"Clear the area, for now." Zara turned, folded her arms behind her back, and started her way out. "We're headed to the holo room."
"Holo-room?"
"Heh. What'd you think the 'H' stands for in the H-Z-Lab, Kozuna?"
***
The more we explored, the more I realized just how huge a single underground lab truly was. Zara's holo-room was far more expansive than the main section. Also a lot less populated. A single command center of consoles and computers sat to our left of the door. However, directly ahead was a "glass" wall separating probably ninety percent of the empty room from the entrance.
The only way into that section was a cylindrical, metal gateway.
"So… what're we doing, here?"
"We're gonna begin deciphering your curse, Kozuna. I hope you're ready."
I raised an eyebrow. "Ready for what?"
"Step into the holo-gate. You'll see in a moment."
The holo-gate? Is she just combining words and hoping they work?
My face scrunched up a smidge. I gave everyone weird looks, and all I got in return was the slightest, nervous smile from Yvira. She backed away behind Kaiten, who was rubbing his forehead. Zara was the only one who looked eager at all.
Breathing aloud, I stepped into the machine as the doors slid open. And, of course, once I was in, the doors quickly slammed shut. I couldn't turn back if I wanted to. But there was something else- something that stirred in the dark. Strange voices seemed to echo in that claustrophobic chamber. Shit started putting me on edge. And that was when I felt it.
The black outline of my curse seal began to bubble up. That deep, vibrating orange swirl returned within the borders. It was the only light I had in the darkness of Zara's accursed invention. But then, another doorway slid open, and I was hit with a surprising gust of chilling wind.
I didn't feel anything. How'd my seal activate? What'd Zara do?
An opening that led to the other section of the holo-room. The restricted section. I immediately heard Zara's voice over a microphone, somewhere above. I glanced over my shoulder to find her, Kaiten, and Zara beyond the glass barrier.
"Excelsior. You're still alive."
WHAT?
"Now! You've got about ten minutes to play around, Kozuna! My Energizer temporarily activates curse seals, and the holo-room is equipped with various means of testing your abilities, understand?"
"I-"
"In other words, just try not to die, Kozuna! For ten minutes! Understood? Excellent!"
"Wait, ZARA-"
I didn't get a chance to reason with that mad scientist at all- I hit the floor hard. The ground shook viciously, and I had new problems on my hands, along with snickering across the loudspeaker.
A pair of blueish, translucent pillars shot out of the ground at opposite ends of the once-empty room. They ascended high above my head, and when I looked up, I couldn't even see the ceiling. Where had it disappeared to!?
I stretched one hand to touch a pillar and quickly found that it felt physical, but strangely familiar. Somehow, I was already getting the sense of what was happening. And maybe that was due to having a curse seal, and its energy coursing through me.
Is this holographic technology? Does the Ozukashi Clan already have these kinds of advancements?
"Zara!" I called out, standing tall. "Are these holographs made from curse energy?"
The microphone buzzed before I heard a voice. "Astute observation! My holo-room draws on the natural deposit of latent curse energy in the world. I developed a way to reshape energy within the controlled confines of these walls. My imagination is my only limit! Now stop analyzing and start moving, Kozuna!"
Why's she in such a rush-
I immediately felt my feet heating up. One glance below was enough to see what appeared to be steam rising from the ground, even though I knew it wasn't steam. My boots were already sizzling, and I snapped back to reality in a flash.
Okay, okay. Pillars around me, ground's getting hot… Oh, AND I have an audience!
My eyes darted from one place to another until I noticed how close the pillars were to the concrete walls. Almost instinctively, my legs lowered into a burning crouch. I could literally feel the curse energy pouring into the soles of my feet. Like I was charging up.
It all came so naturally, yet everything felt slow-mo. I bolted to my right and pushed my foot up against the concrete. And before I could begin sliding back down, I carried that momentum. I sprang between the wall and the holo-pillar several times until successfully reaching the peak.
When I landed, I came to one knee and placed my left hand on the ground, watching the orange energy whirl within the black of my crescent seal. It was an amazing sensation when my curse wasn't actively frying my insides. I couldn't hide my growing smirk.
"Easy. What's next?"
Zara proudly laughed out loud over the mic. "Good work, Kozuna! That speed of yours is incredible, plus, you tend to leave a little trail of orange as you move. Quick on your feet, both physically and mentally. Even a bit flashy for someone so inexperienced with curses! Very fun. But don't get too comfortable!"
The ground rumbled again. I gazed below to find the floor fucking retracting into the walls! All that was left was a bottomless pit. And two more columns materialized within the darkness and rose until leveling out with the first pair. Those holo-pillars formed the four corners of a square when all the earthquaking finally ceased.
"Let's see how speedy you are, Kozuna!"
What's she scheming?
I trained my gaze in every direction. It only took a few seconds to catch a holograph forming in the corner of my eye. Something that appeared almost human-like! My glare flipped in their direction just as the energy shaped into a fucking rifle!
Holographic bullets burst across the four-column battlefield! I ducked and leaped from place to place for a few seconds until things truly clicked. I realized just how much time I had to react.
The instant I landed on another pillar, I snatched my knuckle knives out and flipped them over my fingers. I had eyes on the holograph and his shots. I could see everything, and it was time to prove it to myself more than anyone.
I stood my ground, dancing in place as I deflected and sliced through bullets! And after a few of those, I full-body twisted and hurled one of my blades at my simulated foe.
It was no good for damage, the blade went through the holograph and got stuck in the wall. However, the holographic guy DID flicker and disappear after the object "collided" with him. That much was a win for me. I even earned some applause across the loudspeaker.
"Nice moves, but don't get a big head, Kozuna! You've only been inside for a couple minutes!" The microphone muffled momentarily, but I could still hear the conversation outside. "Kozuna's doing decent. Hah, but I'm gonna mess with him a LOT more!"
Heard that.
"Give 'em hell. Just make sure the kid learns, and make sure you learn too, Zara. Don't just fool around. Anyway, Anari should've arrived in the military sect by now. I need to go find her."
"Yeah, yeah, go and do your commander thing."
Finally making your return? I wonder how you've been holding up, Anari.