The hill stood desolate and windswept, a barren rise of earth that seemed to exist in defiance of the surrounding landscape. The Administrator climbed its slope with measured steps, his boots crunching against the dry soil, his mind churning with irritation.
Why did he insist on such bizarre meeting places? A short conversation, that was all this was meant to be. A brief exchange of words, a confirmation of plans, and then they could both return to their respective duties. But no. Morato had to make everything as dramatic as possible, as if the fate of the kingdom hinged on the aesthetic of their discussions.
The Administrator reached the peak, his breath steady despite the climb. Before him stood Morato, silhouetted against a sky that churned with unnatural clouds. The man's crimson eyes gleamed with amusement, his posture relaxed, his smirk firmly in place.
"Don't mind the storm," Morato said, gesturing vaguely at the turbulent sky. "We're here for your candidate. I'm not as sure of her as you, but of course, I'm not the one choosing."
The Administrator's expression remained stone-cold. "Pity. Your sight is too limited to find one that's capable."
Morato raised his head slightly, a flicker of something—annoyance? Offence?—crossing his features. "Limited? Mine has been more about now. Yours is about the process."
The Administrator narrowed his eyes. "You have someone better in mind?"
"Fair..." Morato's smirk widened. "Guess times like this require you to have faith?"
The Administrator paused. Around him, the world seemed to hold its breath, the wind stilled, the clouds froze, even the distant sounds of the kingdom fell silent. Everything in his vicinity ceased to move, as if time itself had been suspended.
"Are you testing me, Morato?" the Administrator asked, his voice low and dangerous.
"Who, me?" Morato's tone was mock-innocent. "No... Everyone knows their place, as well as I."
He walked past the Administrator, his steps unhurried, his smirk never fading.
"I doubt you do," the Administrator remarked, his voice carrying a weight that made the words hang in the air like a threat.
*
Another morning it was for the duo…
The long-awaited day finally arrived, and Koshi and Ko prepared themselves for the momentous event ahead. The morning sun streamed through the windows, casting warm rectangles of light across the worn wooden floor. They sat down to share a meal together, the atmosphere calm and unhurried, a brief respite before the storm.
Koshi sipped her tea, her eyes fixed on Ko. She had been holding onto something all morning, a revelation she needed to share. "I met with someone yesterday," She began, her voice carefully neutral. "Morato. He's one of the Administrator's associates."
She explained the conversation, the dark office, the weight of Morato's words. She spoke of the test that awaited them, the uncertainty of what would be required.
Ko listened in silence, his expression unreadable. When she finished, he simply nodded and returned to his meal.
Koshi blinked, taken aback by his composure. "Hmm, you really are fearless?" She asked, her voice tinged with surprise.
"I wouldn't say..." Ko finally responded, his voice trailing off.
"Uh-huh. All that time in that cave really degraded your social skills huh. Guess even my energy can't change you that quickly." Koshi smiled, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "But you're learning." Her sarcasm was a familiar shield, a way to mask her own unease.
"No, my social skills are fine," Ko replied, utterly deadpan.
"Y-Yes of course. They still require work…especially your face, the passive one," She muttered.
"What passive face?"
"The one I'm looking at right now…it's scary…and empty; eyes and all."
Koshi clasped her hands aiming to redirect the conversation promptly. Looking for the new topic of discussion, her gaze landed on his weapon, the sword that had saved her life more times than she could count. "You know, I've been wondering if I should get myself a weapon. Being, if not at the bare minimum average with a weapon would provide me with more options in combat."
Ko looked up, his curiosity piqued. "Hmm. Yeah, I think it would really suit you. So what would be your weapon of choice?"
"Weapon of choice, eh?" Koshi murmured, thinking carefully. "Ah, that's difficult. I've never really tried any, so I guess the one that suits me best. What that one may be, I'm not sure at the moment…it won't be anything heavy, a dagger maybe?
"Well, you can always have one custom built to your liking," Ko suggested.
She nodded lightly, a small smile playing on her lips. "There we go, that's an option."
They finished their meal in companionable silence, the warmth of the morning sun wrapping around them like a blanket. For a few precious moments, the weight of what lay ahead seemed to lift.
*
The location of their showdown was already in hand, courtesy of Morato. Koshi had yet to give up on trying to figure out what would be required of her that would be so difficult. Her mind churned with possibilities, each one more unsettling than the last.
As they left the house, the sunlight bathed them in a golden glow. Ko turned to Koshi, his eyes filled with quiet worry. "So we're going now?"
She looked up at the sky for a brief moment, then addressed his question. "If you're ready?"
"Always," Ko replied, though his tone betrayed a hint of hesitation.
They walked through the kingdom, the familiar streets passing by in a blur. Ko found himself staring at Koshi, perplexed by her odd behavior. She kept shaking her head, as if trying to dislodge unwelcome thoughts.
Koshi was grappling with the fact that she might have to do something unforgivable. Her mind raced through possible scenarios, each one worse than the last. That may be to burn down a village, she thought, her stomach twisting. Or maybe to even sacrifice a baby. She shook her head violently. Okay, stop thinking like that.
Worried, Ko poked her gently in the side. She startled, the frantic line of thinking shattered by the unexpected touch.
"Thanks for that, Ko..." She said, still a bit shaken. "Need need…no need to overthink the situation. And yes, I'll be fine. For today, at least."
"Not a good liar, are you?" Ko thought, his eyes filled with worry.
The transportation site stood at the center of town; a circular platform of ancient stone, its surface etched with intricate runes. The keeper greeted them with a knowing nod, urging them to step into the center so he could begin the transporting spell.
Koshi and Ko complied, their footsteps echoing against the stone. The keeper whispered the incantation, his voice low and rhythmic, and above them, a magic circle formed, concentric circles interlocking with triangles, glowing with a soft, ethereal light.
A low hum filled the air, vibrating through their bones. Smaller arrays formed above each of them, and then, with a flash of intensity, the world dissolved around them.
When they opened their eyes, they were somewhere else entirely.
The land before them was broken and fragmented, a surreal green field that had shattered perhaps due to natural events within the area leaving floating boulders suspended in the air like pieces of a puzzle waiting to be assembled. Chasms yawned between the fragments, their depths cloaked in an unnatural darkness. The sky above was a swirling vortex of grey and violet, the sun a distant, pale orb.
Koshi and Ko stood in awe, marveling at the strange beauty of this peculiar place. It was as if the world had been shattered and left to drift, each piece carrying its own fragment of history.
"Ah, let's get going," Koshi said, breaking the spell.
"Hey, why do we have to find him?" Ko asked, his voice carrying a note of childish petulance.
"We're not... I think we're just early. Let's get higher," she replied.
They climbed to a vantage point, standing high enough to have a decent overview of the landscape. The view was incredible, a tapestry of floating islands and drifting stone, connected by bridges of light that shimmered in the dim glow.
"It's incredible..." Koshi breathed, her eyes drinking in the beauty. But then her gaze sharpened, noting the dangers. "But the land has enormous chasms... That darkness is also unusual…but makes for an epic training ground."
Ko observed the darkness, his appreciation for the landscape overshadowed by the ominous shadows that lurked in the depths below.
"Enough sight seeing. Since we're, let's use the time to warm up," Koshi suggested, and they began their descent.
On their walk downwards an expected presence finally had arrived, in the scream of air as he occupied a space in an instant
The Administrator stood waiting, his form silhouetted against the fractured sky. His expression was unreadable, his posture relaxed, but there was an intensity in his gaze that spoke of matters far more significant than a simple meeting.
"Took long enough," Ko murmured.
Koshi cleared her throat sharply. "Ko..."
"Sorry, not sorry..." He whispered underneath his breath defiantly.
"Apologies for the wait," the Administrator said, his voice carrying a hint of amusement. "He should be arriving soon."
Koshi looked down for a moment, her heart pounding against her ribs. She took a deep breath, steadying herself, and met the Administrator's eyes with unwavering resolve. "I—We're ready," she said.
As if summoned by their readiness, Morato appeared out of nowhere, a flicker of motion, a shift in the air, and he was simply there. A sly smile played on his lips, his crimson eyes gleaming with anticipation.
Koshi gasped, shaken by the unexpected sight of her opponent. "Is this... Who we'll be battling?" She inquired, trying not to jump to conclusions.
"Yes," the Administrator replied, his tone final.
And then he was gone, vanished from the scene, leaving Koshi and Ko to face Morato alone.
Morato's eyes narrowed as he looked at Ko, assessing him briefly before turning his attention back to Koshi. "Look at you," he thought, a sinister smile playing on his lips. "Now then, I suppose it's fair to at least give you two the chance to adapt. So go on, strike first," He declared, his voice dripping with malice.
Koshi's mind raced. She contemplated how she should attack, whether it would be effective enough, whether it would provide any hint of his abilities. Her hesitation stretched into seconds, each one feeling like an eternity.
But Ko had no such reservations. When it came to situations like this, he didn't think, he acted. He unsheathed his sword, the blade singing as it left its scabbard, and launched himself forward. He could fight head-on, take the bulk of the hit, while Koshi prepared something to finish their opponent off.
It was the role he had always played. The shield to her sword.
To Morato, Ko's movements were practically slow motion. The man had almost all the time in the world to react. He vanished from sight…was he even there to begin with.
Ko's blade met only empty air.
Out of Ko's view, Morato reappeared. And then he was engulfed in a pillar of crimson flames that erupted from the ground, the attack nearly catching Ko as well.
Koshi watched, her breath caught in her throat, as the pillar of fire faded. Morato stood unharmed, not even a single mark on his immaculate clothes. Her mind struggled to process the sight.
Jokingly, Morato fanned himself with his hand. "Wow! You almost had me," He said, his tone mocking. "Hm. Crimson flames, huh? How fitting."
Koshi stared at the unharmed man before her, feeling her will fading from her body. "Just how on earth am I supposed to deal with this... He's in another league of his own." Was her thought process.
Ko took the opportunity to strike again, thrusting his sword toward Morato's side. It was wishful thinking, and he knew it, but he had to try. Had to do something.
Of course, it was merely wishful thinking. Morato reached out and grabbed the tip of Ko's sword, stopping it in place with an effortless grip.
He slowly turned his head toward Ko, his smirk never fading. "Impossible, you nearly tore my clothes..." He paused, then laughed. "I'm obviously joking. But don't be discouraged—try again."
In one swift motion, he kicked Ko, sending him hurtling an incredible distance with little effort. Ko's body tumbled across the broken ground before coming to a stop, his sword still clutched in his hand.
Koshi took a deep breath, her eyes blazing. "Okay, hell. It's time for me to do something."
Massive crimson flames poured from her body, swirling around her like a living inferno. The intensity of her aura built, the air around her shimmering with heat. Morato stood firm in the line of fire, feeling a slight pulling effect on him, a gentle tug that seemed to draw him toward her.
"Hmm," he mused, a wide smirk spreading across his face. "I wonder what this one will be?"
A slight pain filled Morato's chest, a constant, pinching sensation, like an irritant he couldn't quite shake. He looked down, and saw a blade protruding from his chest.
Ko stood behind him, his sword buried deep in Morato's back.
Caught off guard, Morato's mind raced. "How could Ko have gotten behind him?" With his senses at such a level, it shouldn't have been possible. He had been watching, waiting, anticipating every move.
But with the assistance of Koshi depriving his senses just enough to not tick him off, Ko had slipped through the cracks. And now, he had paid the price.
Before Morato could retaliate, Ko swiftly drew back, putting distance between them. His movements were smooth, practiced, the result of countless battles fought side by side with Koshi.
At last, Koshi smiled. She had accomplished something in this battle. Arrogance, she thought. He thought I was going for an attack, but in reality, I was just blocking his senses so Ko could get close enough.
She relaxed slightly, straightening her posture. "Good. That means he's not invincible and can be hurt. Now for the really hard part."
Her eyes blazed with determination, a fire that matched the flames she commanded. The battle was far from over.
But for the first time, she believed they had a chance.