This chapter took quite a bit of time to write, so I hope you enjoy it! I'd love to hear your thoughts, and if you have a moment, a review of the story as a whole would mean a lot. Thank you for reading!
Two years had passed since that fateful day on God Valley. Two years of sweat, sun, sand, and unrelenting determination. The island, once a place of raw survival, had become a place where Veyra and Argento could thrive.
Veyra, now ten, had grown taller and stronger, her small frame filled with a wiry, athletic energy. Her once-timid eyes now held a glint of steel, mirroring the resolve she had inherited from her brother. Argento, sixteen, stood taller, his body lean and muscular from endless hours of running, climbing, sparring, and practicing with his Devil Fruit power. The metallic shimmer along his hands was now second nature, bending and stretching almost instinctively as he moved, though the full scope of his abilities still eluded him.
Every day followed a rigorous rhythm. Dawn came, and the two siblings rose with the sun. They ran along the shore, sprinting through the soft sand, racing each other from one cliff to another. No matter how many times one stumbled, the other waited, laughing and pushing them onward. Their endurance, speed, and coordination grew with every lap.
Fishing trips became both exercise and sustenance. They had learned to craft nets, read the currents, and anticipate where the fish would gather. Each haul was carefully measured and sorted, the surplus brought to the village to trade. Their reputation in the village had quietly grown.
They were the children who could bring back an impossible catch, always polite, always earnest, earning the trust and occasional smiles of the villagers.
Sparring sessions evolved. Veyra's punches and kicks grew sharper and faster, and though Argento deliberately restrained himself from using his Devil Fruit, he had become a master at reading her movements, dodging, countering, and pushing her to improve. Strength, reflexes, endurance, and control, all honed over two years of relentless, playful, and determined training. Although they would only truly grow strong from fighting in life or death struggles.
Multiple times during their sparring sessions, Argento felt something strange. Without warning, parts of his body would darken and harden, almost like an invisible shield forming around him. His limbs stiffened, and Veyra's small but lightning-fast strikes barely left an impression. He had no control over it, it seemed to act on its own, instinctively defending him. Since it only happened a handful of times. Argento assumed it was a byproduct of his Devil Fruit, some quirk or slip in his control rather than something entirely separate.
They explored the island relentlessly, mapping it in their minds. Hidden coves, treacherous cliffs, dense forests, and secret streams became second nature to them. They built hidden shelters, practiced survival skills, and tested each other's limits daily. No corner of the island remained unknown.
Their routines weren't just physical. Argento spent hours alone, experimenting with his Devil Fruit, pushing the limits of what his body could do. After countless trials, he had finally begun to understand its true nature: the Suigin Suigin no Mi (Mercury Mercury Fruit). At first glance, it seemed like a logia, a power that could turn his body into liquid silver. But the discovery hadn't been simple, it came slowly, in fragments, like pieces of a puzzle revealing themselves only when he was patient enough to observe.
He noticed it in the subtle shimmer that clung to his skin when he moved, the way his hands and arms could deform and stretch in impossible ways without losing cohesion. Sometimes, just a flick of his wrist would send the silver sheen flowing outward, thin and liquid, like mercury sliding across the sand, and he could control its movement with astonishing precision. At other times, it resisted him entirely, as though the fruit itself had a will, refusing to obey or to fully reveal its power.
He had yet to learn how to fully elementalize, to become mercury in every part of his body. He knew the potential was there, he could feel it pulsing, humming beneath his skin, but something intangible held it back, a missing key that he hadn't yet discovered. It was as if the fruit were teasing him, demanding patience, mastery, and understanding before it would surrender its full capabilities.
Over the past two years, Argento had developed a suite of techniques with his Devil Fruit, each showing promise yet hinting at far greater potential. Liquid Fist allowed him to harden the tips of his fingers into a metallic edge, delivering precise strikes, though heavier and slightly slower for now; with mastery, larger portions of his limbs could solidify without sacrificing speed. Silver Flow let him wrap and trap objects or enemies, briefly immobilizing them, but in time it could extend further, control multiple targets, or redirect them mid-motion. Mercury Shield protected him from blows by forming a semi-solid layer, currently draining his energy quickly, yet one day it could envelop his entire body and flow with his movements. Elastic Slash stretched his limbs unpredictably to hit from unusual angles, a technique limited in range for now, but capable of becoming a long-range, whip-like assault.
Molten Step increased traction and absorbed shock beneath his feet, aiding movement; with refinement, it could let him glide, leap farther, or run across surfaces impossible for a normal human. Silver Spout pushed back enemies with a short burst of mercury, modest in its current range but holding the potential to become a precise, forceful projectile. Quicksilver Extension stretched his arms and legs to distant targets, taxing and limited in power for now, but with practice could reach farther and strike with strength while retaining control. Finally, Mercury Tempest allowed him to form spikes or shields from semi-solid mercury, rudimentary for the moment, but it suggested the possibility of surrounding himself in a fluid metallic storm capable of offense and defense at once. Each attack was a glimpse of what the Suigin Suigin no Mi could truly become, a hint of the immense power waiting to be unlocked as Argento's skill grew.
Veyra's mind had grown alongside her body. Over the past two years, she had learned to observe carefully, noting even the subtlest shifts in movement. She could anticipate her brother's feints, track patterns in the wildlife they encountered, and predict the rhythm of the waves and wind. This acute awareness allowed her to act tactically, reacting to threats before they fully manifested, a natural, instinctive precursor to Observation Haki, though she had no name for it, and no understanding that it existed.
Physically, Veyra had transformed. Her small frame was no longer fragile; it was compact, wiry, and deceptively strong. She could sprint across the island's beaches, leap from boulder to boulder, and move through dense undergrowth with near-perfect silence. Her strikes, though lacking the raw power of older fighters, were precise, fast, and fluid, designed to exploit openings rather than overpower opponents. Each jab, kick, and sweep built her coordination and control, and each day of sparring with Argento honed her reflexes and timing.
She created multiple techniques to help with her understanding, Silver Dash, Phantom Strike, Mist Step, Fox Tail Sweep, and Glimmer Strike, became extensions of her body. She moved through them almost instinctively now, chaining movement and attacks with an ease that belied her age. Each technique had limitations: they demanded energy, precision, and care, but together they formed a foundation upon which her future potential could be built.
Beyond combat, Veyra had grown in resourcefulness and independence. She could gather and prepare food, navigate hidden paths, and assist Argento in survival tasks. Their training extended into exploration and problem-solving, fostering not only strength and speed but adaptability and strategic thinking. She learned to use her size and agility to manipulate her environment, taking advantage of terrain, shadows, and natural obstacles.
Though she was far from reaching her full potential, the foundation was solid. Her frame, now strong and agile, could dart between opponents, exploit openings, and coordinate with Argento seamlessly during exercises or fights. Her mind, sharpened by constant observation and improvisation, allowed her to anticipate, react, and think several steps ahead of her enemies.
In essence, Veyra had grown into a young warrior whose body and mind complemented her brother's developing Devil Fruit mastery. With time, experience, and further training, her speed, precision, and tactical ingenuity promised to evolve into a formidable combination. One that could work in perfect harmony with Argento's Mercury powers, ready to confront the challenges that awaited them beyond the island.
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The Section Below is Not part of the story, Thought it would be interesting to give you information on different aspects of Argento & Veyra.
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Argento's Named Attacks
Liquid Fist:Argento hardens only the tips of his fingers with a metallic, mercury-like coating, striking with a semi-solid edge. The attack delivers surprising force with minimal energy due to the small amount of mercury used.
Pros: Efficient, precise, requires little effort.Cons: The added weight slows his strike slightly, and misjudging the timing can make the attack clumsy. He still struggles to balance speed with the extra mass.
Silver Flow:A short-range maneuver where Argento's arm liquefies and wraps around objects or enemies. He can then solidify the mercury, trapping or sticking the target in his semi-solid metallic grasp.
Pros: Versatile for disarming, controlling, or restraining opponents.Cons: If misapplied, it consumes energy and leaves him momentarily exposed; requires careful precision to avoid overextending.
Mercury Shield:Argento stretches a thin layer of mercury across his forearm or body, forming a protective barrier that absorbs impacts. He can also expand it into a massive circular defense around him.
Pros: Reduces incoming damage, allows him to defend against multiple attacks.Cons: Extremely taxing; the longer and thicker the shield, the faster it drains his stamina. Not full intangibility, blows still hit with reduced force.
Elastic Slash:By stretching his limbs like flowing mercury, Argento swings at targets from unusual angles or slightly longer distances. The attack's flexibility and unpredictability make it difficult to dodge.
Pros: Extends reach, creates unexpected attack angles.Cons: Limited power at extended ranges; requires precision or it may leave him overextended.
Molten Step:Argento partially liquefies the soles of his feet to increase traction, absorb shocks, and land silently from great heights. It also enhances his jumping and sprinting.
Pros: Improves mobility, allows safe high drops and stealthy movements, requires very little energy.Cons: Provides no offensive capabilities; overuse can fatigue his legs and lower-body muscles.
Silver Spout:A defensive, short-range burst where Argento ejects a small amount of mercury from his hands or forearms. It can push back attackers, create distance, or form temporary obstructions. Solidifying on command adds a surprise element.
Pros: Versatile for defense and crowd control; can surprise opponents.Cons: Limited range and damage; repeated use quickly drains stamina.
Quicksilver Extension:Argento lengthens his arms or legs to reach or strike distant targets. The ability is precise but taxing, and he can't extend indefinitely yet.
Pros: Extends striking range and allows clever manipulation of surroundings.Cons: High fatigue; requires careful control, otherwise his limbs can snap back awkwardly.
Mercury Tempest:Argento manipulates the mercury on his limbs into temporary semi-solid shapes—spikes, shields, or rudimentary projectiles. This is an early stage of a more complex attack he has yet to master, one that could allow him to hide inside a shell and strike in all directions.
Pros: Adaptable for offense and defense; lays groundwork for advanced techniques.Cons: Extremely draining; limited duration, size, and control. Mismanagement can leave him vulnerable.
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Veyra's Named Attacks:
Rtut Dash:
A rapid sprint combined with acrobatic rolls, letting her dodge and reposition quickly.
Pros: Excellent mobility and evasion.
Cons: Fatiguing if overused. With training, she could extend the distance and fluidity of her movement, chaining evasions seamlessly.
Phantom Strike:
A quick, precise punch or kick where her motion is light and swift, leaving a fleeting blur behind.
Pros: Confuses opponents and creates openings.
Cons: Weak against strong defenses. With time, her strikes could become even faster and harder to anticipate.
Mist Step:
A subtle feint combined with a slide or jump, making her movement almost unpredictable.
Pros: Great for positioning and surprise attacks.
Cons: Minimal damage, mostly tactical. With improvement, she could chain these to outmaneuver multiple enemies.
Fox Tail Sweep:
A low spinning kick or sweep aimed to knock opponents off balance.
Pros: Disrupts footing and rhythm.
Cons: Leaves her exposed if mis-timed. With practice, she could integrate it into combos or rapid follow-ups.
Glimmer Strike:
A focused, rapid jab or tap emphasizing precision and speed over power.
Pros: Can hit weak points and exploit openings.
Cons: Low raw damage. Over time, she could use it to destabilize faster opponents or set up larger attacks.
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Haki Mastery (decided to give you lot an explanation on how their Haki training is going in a 0-100 scale showing how close they are to awakening Haki. With explanation on why they have that amount)
Argento:
Armament: Instinctual Ability 5/10
Observation: Not Awakened 0/100
Conquerors: Reaction to conquerors from his mother 5/100
Veyra:
Armament: Not Awakened 0/100
Observation: Instinctual Ability 10/100
Conquerors: Not Awakened 0/100
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Bounty:
Argento 'D Rtut : 0 Berries
Veyra 'D Rtut : 0 Berries