Chapter 5 – Resolve
D38 Roll Result: 26
D37 Roll Result: 3
“Tables, chairs, furniture of all kinds. Bottles, spoons, wooden utensils. Whether it’s artwork or a simple house out in the woods, as long as it’s made of wood I can make it. And it looks good enough for rich folk to want it in their homes.”
“Alder, Balsa, Hickory, and Beech~. Mahogany, Maple, Oak, and Teak~.”
“Whether it's softwoods or hardwoods, I can handle them all!”
“Before you say ‘morning’ just remember that I start with cutting the wood up. And I happen to be very good with the axe.”
Saturday morning saw me working out on a beach. If I wanted to take advantage of [Roman Holiday (Fate/Legends - Empire of Antiquity)] I needed to train and get stronger.
At first, I wanted to simply try the calisthenics exercises I saw on YourTube but quickly realised that they wouldn’t do much for me.
So, when the forge graced me with the knowledge of woodworking for my newest Perk/Star, I decided that building a nice cabin by the beach would be the perfect workout and give me the chance to clear my head. Being able to go running along the pure white sands of an isolated Island in the [Mundane Supply World (The Celestial Foundry)] and then going for a dip in the waters to cool off was a lovely bonus.
[https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/c11ee2a5-b177-4208-8bdf-4bcda91041e0/dg8ifk8-ae38e9e8-8b39-4636-bb49-1960bcceedea.jpg/v1/fill/w_1199,h_667,q_70,strp/beach_sunrise__ai_art__by_applegrowth_dg8ifk8-pre.jpg?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7ImhlaWdodCI6Ijw9NzEyIiwicGF0aCI6IlwvZlwvYzExZWUyYTUtYjE3Ny00MjA4LThiZGYtNGJjZGE5MTA0MWUwXC9kZzhpZms4LWFlMzhlOWU4LThiMzktNDYzNi1iYjQ5LTE5NjBiY2NlZWRlYS5qcGciLCJ3aWR0aCI6Ijw9MTI4MCJ9XV0sImF1ZCI6WyJ1cm46c2VydmljZTppbWFnZS5vcGVyYXRpb25zIl19.1A47PyND_-zUA2ZLKYCf18E2819uFf27q0IPICoQk6E]
The school week had ended. After Dinah had snatched Fox and shown her off to everyone in the class, the brats somehow found the courage to interact with me…and for the life of me, I couldn’t push them away.
Surprisingly, I didn’t actually mind it that much. Sure, they were dumb sometimes, but school was actually turning out to be quite a lot of fun for me. Since the studies weren’t a challenge, just letting go and fooling around was incredibly refreshing.
It was with a nostalgic feeling that I’d once again found myself as the leader of the troupe when playing, creating inane little games and getting everyone involved. It was just like when I was an actual kid. I’d realised that it was older teens and adults that I had trouble being open with. Perhaps, it was the spark of innocence that hadn’t yet been tainted by the world that put me at ease?
Then again, I normally would have put up more resistance, but I needed the distractions. Whenever I found myself with time to think, my mood plummeted. It was bad enough that even Taylor had approached me and initiated a conversation on her own! That too, just to ask me whether I was okay and make small talk!
But I couldn’t help it. Ever since I’d met Dinah and seen the suspicious-looking van, my mind was in turmoil.
Before then, my mind was clear. I had a clear goal to save Earth-Bet. The things happening in Brockton held no interest to me. Who cares if there are drug peddlers going around creating havoc in town? Who cares if Nazis go around attacking non-whites? Who cares if the ABB kidnap women and throw them into forced prostitution?
…Who cares if the little girl you somehow ended up friends with gets kidnapped, drugged up and twisted until she’s completely unrecognizable to those close to her? Until the light of her eyes is dulled, and she’s turned into nothing but a tool for a disgusting villain?
When those questions were unsaid. When I’d only subconsciously thought of them. They were something that went without saying.
And yet, all it took to make them ring hollow was voicing them in my mind.
----------------------------------------
Sitting on a wooden beach chair, with various rocks laid out on the shallow sea water in front of me, I started at the fish I’d caught and put on the rocks to test my Hamon.
(A/N: Some people might prefer that I use the word ‘Ripple’ instead of ‘Hamon’, but I’ve always watched Subs when watching anime, to the point where I understood enough of the Japanese language to be motivated enough to study the written language and give the JPLT N5 level test and actually pass. So, Daniel will call it ‘Hamon’. You can think of it as ‘Ripple’ if you prefer it.)
Rising, I channelled my Hamon energy into my hand, yellow sparks like the light of the sun appeared and I chopped my hand towards the fish.
“HAAAAAAH!”
My breathing patterns were perfect. My theory was sound. The skills I’d gained from [Infusion (JoJo)] and its accompanying powers meant that I guaranteed to do this without error.
I would use the Hamon Breathing Technique to channel my Hamon through the fish, without damaging it, destroying the rock below it.
And yet, when my hand struck the fish, the aquatic lifeform was pulped, killing it instantly. My hand continued, striking the rock below, only damaging it slightly.
“Just what am I doing wrong?! Everything I’m doing should work! It has to work!”
Frustrated, I fell back onto the warm sand and closed my eyes to feel the light of the sun on my frame.
This wasn’t the first fish I’d killed trying to make use of my only offensive power. It was something I wasn’t even sure would be enough to deal with even a fraction of my problems and yet even that was something I wasn’t able to use.
D38 Roll Result: 2
D35 Roll Result: 5
Suddenly, the Forge came through and delivered a star, yet my hopes were dashed as soon as I realised what it was.
“The ability to regulate my powers…or to simply switch them off. Are you giving me a sign too, Forge?”
I was left with a feeling of helplessness.
With my thoughts wandering, they went back to the issue of Coil and Dinah.
I wanted to stay far away from the Plot of Worm, but my issue wasn’t that I couldn’t escape it. There was nothing stopping me from ensuring my own safety.
Stolen story; please report.
So, what was the problem? Why couldn’t I just forget about it? Why did I have to lose sleep at night, dreading that I’d come to school one day and that I wouldn’t see the bright green eyes I’d come to associate with the hellion I looked forward to meeting every day?
…I had to face the truth.
When I’d gotten [Programming Miracles (Alterworld 2.4)] it was an easy escape. The perfect excuse to ignore the plight of others, since I was doing it to ‘save the world’.
But that was wrong. Even though the ONE Game Plan was possibly salvation for the people of Earth-Bet, I couldn’t single-mindedly, focus on it and ignore everything else! I couldn’t act like I didn’t want to save Dinah!
…I couldn’t act like I didn’t want to do the right thing, that I didn’t want to be a Hero now that I’d gotten the chance to become one…
Otherwise, how was I supposed to face Mom and look her in the eyes, when I finally went back home? Tell her that I’d betrayed my morals, that I ‘saved’ the world, made sure that the threats wouldn’t follow me back, and scampered back home like a wounded dog.
“But what was I supposed to do?!
Even with my superhuman physique, it would take time to train and reach the level of strength to make a difference! I’m more durable than normal humans, but bullets will still pierce my skin! And Coil’s mercs had freakin’ lasers that could cut through concrete!
On top of that, Hamon, something that could have given me what I needed to at least stand a chance to oppose him and save Dinah doesn’t even work! Even with it, I didn’t have the confidence to do anything against an enemy who always worked through minions, someone who never showed himself until he had all the pieces needed to defeat his opponents! What the fuck am I supposed to do without it?!”
Holding my face with my hands I couldn’t help but scream with frustration.
Slumping in despair and exhaustion, I could almost feel tears gathering at the corners of my eyes.
In the end, I could only laugh bitterly at my pathetic display.
I wasn’t someone who succumbed to my emotions easily, but I think that was mostly because I never had anything worth getting upset over, not for a long time.
The last time something like this had happened…was ironically around when I was 12 or 13 years old. Something about my schoolwork or maybe it was something to do with my friends, I couldn’t really remember that now, but I always remembered how I got over it.
Once again, it was the most important woman in my life who saved me from my problems, or at least showed me the way forward.
‘Don’t be a moron kid. I’m not going to tell you how to fix this, because I want you to do it yourself. Someday you’ll go through something similar, and you won’t have any help, so you’re going to find a solution yourself. But I’ll give you a hint…Sometimes, son, the easiest solutions to a problem are the easiest ones to overlook…’
“The easiest solution huh, Mom? There’s nothing easy about preventing a kidnap—”
Like lightning, an idea tore through the jumble of my thoughts to the forefront of my mind.
Instantly, I was up on my feet.
Distantly, I could feel something in my heart. My breathing, not getting heavier, but stronger.
*Thump-thump* *Thump-thump*
Still, I set aside those feelings in favour of my thoughts.
“That’s it! There’s no way to win against an enemy that will keep finding out more about me every time he uses his power until he cannot lose! Not with what I have now, and I can’t rely on getting lucky with the next star the forge provides! There’s no guarantee that he won’t grab Dinah ahead of schedule, I’ve already ruined canon just by existing in BB.”
Pacing around the rocks where I’d placed the fish, the more I thought of the idea, the more I felt that…it could work.
“Hehe, he…if I can’t stop Dinah from getting kidnapped…THEN I JUST HAVE TO KIDNAP HER MYSELF!”
*Thump-thump* *Thump-thump*
“I have access to an entire universe of my own! Stashing a single 12-year-old girl here isn’t a big deal at all! Wait! Wha—What’s this feeling?!”
*Thump-thump* *Thump-thump*
“My Hamon! It feels different?! How?!”
At that moment, I hadn’t completely understood what was going on. But, then I remembered something vital. Something that was once again easy to overlook.
Master Will Anthonio Zeppeli's words rang through my mind, whether they were from the anime or from the memories I’d received, I couldn’t tell.
‘…The Hamon Breathing Technique is born from Courage!
The achievements of men are products of Courage!
The magnificence of man is the splendour of Courage!...’
More words from people I couldn’t quite remember.
‘…Your Love for your family! Your Resolve to protect them! Your Hope for a brighter tomorrow! All of them drive your Hamon forward! They are the secret to your strength! They are why you cannot be defeated, JoJo!...’
In hindsight, it was obvious.
I couldn’t use my Hamon properly, not because my breathing pattern was incorrect, or my control over Hamon energy was inherently bad, or some other aspect of my technique that was flawed. It was simply because my mindset wasn’t correct.
Bogged down by negative emotions. I had no Willpower, no Resolve, no Hope. I had no expectations. Didn’t even think I would have a small chance of success.
So, it made sense that the moment I found my Hope and gathered my Resolve, I succeeded for the first time.
Following some deeply buried instinct, I walked along the beach. Bathing in the light of the rising sun along the way, with the characteristic yellow sparks of Hamon Energy dancing across my body.
*Thump-thump* *Thump-thump*
*Inhale* - *Exhale*
Walking towards the water, I carefully began infusing Hamon to my bare feet and the below, creating platforms for me to walk on.
Ripples began appearing along the seawater.
Slowly but surely, instead of sinking in, my feet, and hence my whole body were held above the water.
*Thump-thump* *Thump-thump*
Like Jesus of Nazareth, a miracle was performed.
Walking on the water, I continued until I was far away from the beach. The turbulent waves calmed down wherever I walked until the portion of the sea I stood on looked like clear glass. Only the faint ripples on its surface betrayed its true nature.
‘…Hamon is always easier to channel through liquids, remember that JoJo…’
Raising my hand, I began focusing like never before and channelled Hamon throughout my body.
*Thump-thump* *Thump-thump*
The reason I failed to achieve the effects I wanted from Hamon was because I had no Resolve the first time I used it.
The reason Jonathan Joestar’s Hamon was so strong was not because he was a genius, but because of his Heart, endless Willpower, and willingness to do Good.
*Thump-thump* *Thump-thump*
If I ever wanted to grow close to his level of power, then I couldn’t act as pathetically as I had before. It was an insult to the memory of those great Hamon warriors.
I knew that this wouldn’t be the last time it would seem like I’d hit a wall I couldn’t overcome, or I’d hesitate to do what I knew I wanted to do because I lacked the Courage or Resolve.
*Thump-thump* *Thump-thump*
“Here and now! I promise to always move forward! No matter how Hopeless I may feel!”
*Thump-thump* *Thump-thump*
In response to my feelings or perhaps it was simply due to the light of the Sun that had fully revealed itself, my entire was engulfed in more Hamon, than I’d ever felt before.
Readying my hand, I took up a stance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lTcZL9J5ow
*Thump-thump* *Thump-thump*
“HAAAAAAA—”
Concentrating all of my power, in my palm, I sent it screaming down towards the water!
“—AAAAA—” ‘HAMON OVERDRIVE!!’ “—AAAAAH”
Ripples over crackling yellow power spread through the impact point in a some-like shape, the water barely being disturbed with the strike.
And yet, for an instant, that portion of the sea glowed with the power of the Sun.
*Thump-thump* *Thump-thump*
Then there was turmoil, as the water violently shook, and shadows of shapes began rapidly approaching the surface.
With great splashes, all manner of aquatic lifeforms began launching out of the water.
From colourful fish of all sizes to carbs and other crustaceans to the small shark-like fish that are so common in reefs.
The telltale sign of Hamon showed in all of them as they were covered in crackling yellow power.
In the centre of it all, I stood, watching as the sea creatures rose to great heights and dived back into the water, all swimming away in a panic.
Before they could all disappear, I caught a couple of the crabs and lobsters before they reached the waters.
“HAHAHAHA!”
The triumphant feeling of success was something I could get used to.
While I hadn’t tried the earlier test to see if I could safely channel my Hamon through a living being, this test succeeding meant I wouldn’t have any trouble with it if I tried.
The Overdrive had taken a lot out of me, but I had enough strength to safely walk back to the beach. Recovery wouldn’t take long either.
Regardless, I had the entire day to play around with my Hamon and get used to it.
I had everything I needed.
I knew what I had to do.
Tomorrow, I would set out and perform an Anti-kidnapping Kidnapping!
----------------------------------------
Remaining CP: 100
Total Word Count: 2597
----------------------------------------
Perks Gained this Chapter:
* Craftsman (Generic Builder) (100CP): You have a talent for creating things requiring wood as well as selecting the best wood for the job at hand. Creation times are halved for each purchase of this knack and the results are always visually impressive if you so wish.
* Toggle (Young Justice) (100CP): Toggle allows its user to forgo learning to control their powers by simply allowing them to turn their powers off when they aren't needed. This can be done per power, so there isn't a need to go without the ability to teleport because you don't want to use your super strength. Also works on out-of-jump powers. You can think of this like a dial. It can be on, or full power, as well as off, or no power, and anywhere in between those two states.
----------------------------------------