10 years later,
Location, Kyoto Orphanage, Kyoto, Japan
"Oi! Oi Aren't ya coming!" a boy screamed to a one behind him while running ahead.
The young one was very smart looking, well fitted and more energetic for a boy at his age
"Huff! Your enthusiasm seems to be exceled up more than usual today." the other boy exclaimed as he continued panting trying best to hold his breath.
For a young boy this Kid was extremely well matured and smart. He had a way with his words and sparkling charisma of attraction. With his twin coloured eyes and greyish hair , he was a good looking boy.
Both the duo was cheerful pair of happy soul who had enjoyed the warmth of love and care at atmost peak. As the wind crossed down the hill side the charming pairs of lion cubs played under bright sky of that which we witness at Savannah.
"Hehe! I'm all set everyday for playing" the young kid at front exclaimed joyously.
"Alright! If this is what you want then; here I come!" the back kid replied with confidence.
"Hey! Hey! Dont't think you can win over me!" the front kid excelated his speed as he decalres his ability.
Both the kids reached atop of the hill and took the hold of their breathe.
"Huff-Huff! This is true pleasure! I love this Hill more than anything!" the first boy piled up his emotion in relief.
"Yeah! I agree here Souma!" said the boy with a sense of agreement.
"Kir! Souma! Both of you come now it's lunch time!" said a beautiful sister dress in catholic attire who was not so down the hill. Her voice is gentle and soft like that of nightingle and beauty that of white swan.
"Huh?" Both of them reacted to the voice and looked down a little. With full might and joy they yelled in happiness replying,
"Yes! Sakura-nee!!"
Location, Kyoto, Headquarters, Kyoto, Japan,
Cheif Executive Room
"Good Morninng Sir!" a familiar strong and well managed voice enters with warm salutation in Chief Executive room.
"So, Cadet Diabolik how does it feel to be back on duty? Ready for your missions?" The Chief Executive asked the re-joined Diabolik with warm greetings.
"Sir, Cadet reporting, I am all set for my duties nothing feels much better to serve in the army again." Diabolik replied with steel resolved and strong voice.
"Good, that's the spirit Cadet! Alright let's fill you with details. We have recieved intel from our informants that Xenostians plan to attack th Kyoto Orphanage to intrept 'Blessing' ceremony and most worrisome fact is that some senior officers are also involved in this. Our mission is to stop them, okay?" the Chief filled diabolik with alot of information and details on mission.
"Yes Sir!" Diabolik replied with two single words with concrete and clear voice.
It was strong and filled with intent of anger and sense of duty too. A 'Soldier on Duty' is enough to explain his case.
"Well said! I want results in our favour this time." the Chief ordered.
The conversation ended with this, Diabolik leaves the scene and heads towards the mission place.
Location, Kyoto Orphanage
"Hehe! Sister Sakura I won against Kir today too!" Souma boasts in joy.
"Hey! It was all because I was not in the form today!" Kir tries to tackle his statement.
"Bleh! Loser is a Loser. No matter how many reasons you give." Souma stuck out his tongue to tease Kir more.
"Damn you!" Kir gets annoyed and react hiding his embarrassment.
"Quit it you two! You already of age to awaken your 'blessing' yet still fight like kids. This worries me alot for your future." Sakura scolds both them.
"But it was him who started first! " Kir moves his head down as he put blame on Souma and pouts.
"About our 'Blessing' what is it actually?" Souma asked with a curious face
"Haha! You still don't know even this!?" Kir laughed arrogantly and continued
"Ever since Xenostians attackedd our earth was charged by unique energies released by their machinery. It affected our ecosystem alot transforming our whole species on planet. Animals were turned into 'Phantom Beast' and for humans they gained unique 'abilities' which we call 'Phantom abilities' . It has some unique traits and heridity to it like each human can have only one phantom ability and a child of two phantom ability user will have his/her unique ability that have no relation to ability of his/her parent. A human is capable to have his/her phantom ability activated at age of 10." He exclaimed nonchalantly.
"Oh! So this 'Blessing' is just like 'Awakening' , right?" Souma concludes all the information in one line.
"Yeah, theoratically it's acceptable." Kir nodded with his reply.
"But who cares I have uncle Diabolik and Dad with me. I don't think it maybe neccessary." Souma continued with his opinion.
"Hehe! Even then you have to awake your ability since the federation has this law permanent" Kir speakes in a threatening tone.
"Damn!" Souma shivered as he reacts.
"Okay! Both of you that's enough! After lunch you will go to 'Ceremony Hall' Sakura intrepts them and orders them with annoyed tone.
"Yes!" they replied like soldiers being instructed.
Both boys left the orphanage and headed to ceremony hall after their lunch.
"Hey! Hey! What do you think our abilities will be like?" Souma asks Kir excitedly as they head towards the Ceremony hall.
The duo was in joyous mood as this was a big moment in their lives.
"Well I don't know what I will be gaining in our fortune but I hope for a ability to change people's mind." Kir replied wit an ease smile.
"And why is that so?" Souma asked curiously. He was astonished by Kir's choice.
"So that I can end the war for once and all." Kir finished the conversation with his statement. His voice was filled with resolved.
Secret Place, Unknown Area...
A tensed atmosphere with many people sitting in shadows gathered around altgother. All have a serious and tense look but a malice intent; all of them have covered themselves with hoodies. It was like as if a big scheming was been done.
"Is everything being executed according to plan?" A big fat man asked with dull and creepy voice.
"As far we know te organization has got the information of our plan but yet have failed to locate us." another person replied with a rough voice.
"Who dares to betray us by leaking the information!" a creepy and scary looking man said as he hit the table violently.
"I believe that he is not one of us but present here." a young man exclaimed with his murky voice. It felt like he was leader of all those present there.
"Here Sir, your water." a butler passed them a glass of water.
"You know-- " The young man continued as he held the glass of water.
" We never kept the butler after the previous one died."
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
By saying this he swung his finger up in the air and then towards the butler. A pen kept inside a man's pocket who was adjacent to him flew out and got struck in neck of butler.
"Aaaargh!" the butler groaned in pain a stream of blood flew out from the neck. He died with as much pain he could have with.
"Well that's enough demonstration for all of us that what will happen if any of you betrayed, right?" the creepy young man said with a grin on his face.
"Y-yes!" all other member trembled in fear as they muster the courage to speak.
Location, Reception, Ceremony Hall
"Wow! The hall's bustled up; Kir!" souma speaks with a excited and astonished tone.
The reception was housefull with children and their guardian either be teachers, caretakers or parents themselves. It was scenario of festival there.
"Hey! Sheesh! Keep it down or you will make a clown of yourself and me!" Kir scolds Souma as he felt embarrassment on Souma's reaction.
It was common for a child to be astonished but in case of Kir he was pretty much of an old man.
"Excuse me? Are you entry number 646 and 648, Kir and Souma?" a Nun with gentle voice approaches Kir and Souma with a detail file. It seems the file held the information regarding all children who came for their respective 'Awakening'.
"Yes, it's us. Is it our turn now?" Kir replies with polite tone.
"Yes, you may move in the hall. The batch of 645 to 675 is ready leaving you only." she politely responded.
The Nun guided them into the hall where the ceremony was being held. Their batch was ready now it was their turn. The stage was set with a high priest who had covered his face with white veil and dressed in a old catholic attire. It was classic fantasy world awakening set.
"Good Luck!" Souma wished him with bright smiled.
"Hmm.." Kir nodded in response.
He stepped forward and within few second was standing near High priest. His eyes glimmered with steel resolve; a flame of will was burning within him but yet he was awfully calm for a kid. All eyes were set on him. What will he gain? A common question was visible on the people present there
"With the will of thine powers! Thou shalt guide this young man the way he deserve. Oh Heavens! Bless him with his 'Ability'." The Priest by saying this channelled a huge surge of energy into Kir's body.
"Aargh!" Kir groaned in pain as the energy forced it's way in.
The massive amount of energy channelled it's way to Kir's nerves, neuron and veins. It send electrical impulses all around in his body refreshing his body muscles and creating a common network of connection. As the energy moves it send shivers down his spine as a proof of agony that he was feeling. At last the process ended with a jolt. A spark of energy was observed in eyes of Kir before the energy vanished out visibly.
"Thou hath been granted the ability of 'Manipulation'! You could manipulate and interwine the minds of people." The priest declared with a loud voice. The hall echoed with his voice.
"Amazing Kir!" Souma reacted with excitement as his brother attained a great ability but the problem was he reacted too extrovertly making Kir again embarrassed.
"You idiot!!" Kir scolded him with embarrassed tone.
Souma jumped in joy and made a monkey of himself.
After a while,
"Now entry number 648, Souma!" said the Nun.
"Good Luck idiot!" Kir wished him luck.
Souma, as he went, stood eye to eye towards priest. He had a strong believe on his capabilities and was looking forward to what he gains as his ability.
"By thine Grace of you overlord, please guide your child to his fate." High priest blessed and started the ritual.
"Whirrr!" whole hall was once again engulfed in light of energy. All eyes once again set on stage but this time on Souma.
"Aargh!" souma gritted his teeth and endured the pain as the energy went in him.
"Whirrr!" the energy continued to flow but no change was seen.
"Hm? What's wrong with this kid? The energy seems to fell into deep hole as if his body is a deep well.." The priest felt an uneven phenomena happenig in case of Souma. As he murmered in deep voice. He continued to channel his energy only to feel it being vanishing somewhere in Souma.
"Aaargh! Aah!" Souma shouted in agony and released a massive blow of energy in the surrounding.
Everyone in the Hall got shooked up by the blow.
"Souma!!" Kir gets anxious.
"Father priest! Are you fine?" the Nun near the High priest helped him to stand up.
"I am fine." the Priest replied with serious and worrisome tone.
"Father, what is the ability of this child?" The Nun asked to conclude th surprise.
"None.." the Priest mumbled under his panting breath.
"Pardon me?" the Nun who was unable to catch what he said. asking in a polite tone to request him to repeat his statement.
"I said, 'He' has no ability. He's a complete waste." The priest declared loudly.
"What? A waste?"
"Doesn't that mean he will taken by government?"
"Such a pity for him.."
A chain of comments began. Everyone was critical of the situation. An overwhelming tense atmosphere seems to build up around Souma.
"All of you shut up!" Kir thundered with loud voice.
"He is my brother and I know better than you if he is waste or not. Souma let's move." Kir declares and held Souma's hand to move
"Son, you have a good ability don't go. In front of major crisis such small sacrifices are neccessary. Forget about this waste." The priest said with a selfish tone in his statement.
"You don't dare to touch me!" Kir roared in anger. His eyes shone and he glared at the priest.
As Kir glared at the priest, a sudden pain shook the head of the priest. He held his head and felt weak. Taking the advantage of situation both of them escaped.
Afterwhile...
Souma was in low-spirits, he was very dissapointed and sad over the result of ceremony. somehow he muster the courage and with faint low-voice, words came out his mouth,
"Hey Kir, am I really a waste?" He asked.
"What do you believe?" Kir replies instantly to his question as they moves.
"I.... don't know.." He mumbles in low voice.
"Sigh!" Kir let out a short sigh indicating his worry over his brother's unhappiness.
He then continued, "Listen, Souma. I know you are in deep sadness and sorrow because of what has happened but remember, your talent is not what defines you but your ability to bypass the limits of your own."
Kir's words were like those of low sparks that ignited the extinguishing flame of hope in Souma. He quickly cheered up. Afterall even mere empty comforting words are enough to make someone happy if its from his Kin.
"But should I do now?" Souma asked with empty face indicating his anxiety for future.
"You should apply for 'Martial Art Sect'." Kir suggested, jolting Souma with another idea.
"You have great physique, fast reaction and determine will in other words all requirements of a martial artist." He continued.
"But this will still not fill that gap of a 'Phantom Ability'." Souma saddens.
"You will remain a fool. Don't understimate the power of a warrior. Moreover there's alittle surprise for you there." Kir chuckles as he explains.
"What?" Souma asked curiously.
"There has been news that the current Leader of Martial Art Sect is going to retire as such he aim's to host a contest to not only choose new Sect leader but also pass his 'Phantom Ability'." Kir explains the situation.
"Inherting a phantom ability...?" Souma ponder on Kir's statement.
"Mhm, the sect has a secret technique that allow them to pass their phantom ability to new students who does not have one but for that you need to be selected as disciple under the Sect leader. This will help you to join the academy that those of phantom ability user can do." Kir explained with confidence in voice.
"How do you know so much, Kir?" Souma asked.
"I gather the intel by studying and reading books that's why I told you to study but you remain a goofball." Kir scolds as he answer Souma.
Souma was now cheered up. He knew what he need to do and what should his next step be. It's common to feel relieved when we sort out our goals. By Kir's encouraging and guiding words he was all determined to do as guided.
"Okay, thanks Kir. Now I am sure about what I need to do." Souma clenches his fist to show his resolve.
"Good, now that's the Souma I know!" Kir smiled.
"Alright, now let's speed up or Sakura-nee may get worried." Souma said.
"Yeah, Let me contact her." Kir nodded in response to Souma's
As they continued to move Kir began to contact Sakura who was at orphanage.
"Huh?" Kir reacts in surprise.
As he tried to click on his smartwatch to contact Sakura no response was observed from other side. This continued to happen for almost half of their way. That was very unusual for them.
"What's wrong there? It's unusual for her to not pick up and even after so many tries." Kir murmers as anxiety began to develop.
The anxiety continued to deepen with time. Now it was clear that something happened out there.Kir, strongly believing his instincts about some wrongdoing, started running while holding Souma's hand.
"What happened brother?" Souma questioned in confusion seeing Kir being nervous.
However Kir continued to run and run ignoring the question from Souma. His speed keep getting more faster. At the end panting and gasping trying to hold their breathe they at last reached their destination. Just as they looked up to see their lovely orphanage again which they left happily before their ceremony. A sudden scenario shook them to core. A scenario they didn't expect could happen in their wildest dreams.
"Gulp!" Souma fell and tried best to hold his tears.
"How come-?! It 's not possible." Kir kneels and hit hard his hand on ground.
The orphanage was destroyed. It was razed to ground as if a bomb fell over it leaving traces of only destroyed planks and material of it. Surrounding area was also affected the plants, animals; no living species could be observed near a radius of 10 km.
"What does it mean?" Kir cried and clenches his hand on ground. Tears fell from the cheeks of his as if streams of river from mountain; unstoppable in nature.
"Baaaawl!!" Souma cried with all his might. The sharp pain and intense grief was made clear in his voice.
The Young duo who was cheerful a while ago was left in intense grief of their loss on their home. Both wailed in pain and cried as they looked at the scenario of their destroyed home. The frustration, loss, sorrow, saddness and all other type of painful emotions gradually clouded their eyes and fell from it in form of tears. Kir who was deeply struck by this remain stationed there. Both of them were not able accept and process that had happened here. Slowly Kir stood up...
"Haha... Hahahaha!! Ridiculous! Ridiculous! How ironic is my life! At birth I lost parents! Once adopted I had a father a family at orphanage. Even knowing that I have no ties with them of blood but I did not complain because I was happy with what was given! Then why? Then why did you took them from me!!! Oh you God!!!!!" Kir screamed with all his might cursing his fate and God releasing his anger and sorrow.
This was a common outcome to observe when such a blow is posed on a child of 10 years old. Children afterall are not meant to shoulder cruelty in anytime of world. They are innocent souls afterall.
"Damn you God!" Kir again roars in anger but this time jolts of electricity runs here and there. He radiats light from himself. Slowly a tense and terrific pressure broke out in surrounding. It felt like thousands knives piercing at once.
Souma who was there was intimidated by the malice and horrific pressure. Anyone can feel nausea from it. The pressure continue to increase and then a sudden surge of energy blew out from Kir.
"Aaargh! Aaah!" Kir yells and a dark blast occurs it razes the ground to debries and pushes Souma back with a lot of force. Souma before losing his consciousness mutters his last words,
"K..Kirr..r...!" a sense of worry and saddness was expressed. He then fell unconscious.
"Boom!!" as said before the ground got razed covering the area 10 times that of the observed by Kir and Souma. Souma got severly injured and Kir was not there to be found. As if he got teleported or never exist there before.
To be continued........