Chapter 3

"Okay, class. Now that we have gone over the basics of the sword than we will be using that knowledge and applying to fight with it. This will not only help you who want to do swordfighting but also for those who will take another path if you need to protect yourself in close-range combat." Souta said. He grabbed his own personal sword.

The sword was made after centuries of welding it. The cracks in it held and distributed sō atari perfectly, making it very powerful. The metal used for it was made from a metal that was strained and purified from blue lava. It was molded from a special mold. That mold was made by mud and clay mixed together from a planet called Earth, almost like a world that did not have energies and powers like this world. That mud and clay had a special energy that could control the energy in the metal. It was cooled in the waters of Mount Perlox, the water sealing the molecules of energy that would carry energy imbued in it. It was the perfect weapon for an Element who specialized in swordsmanship.

"Sir, how are we going to train our skills?" Hanae asked. Souta put the sword in his scabbard before walking to the door.

"Sparring, of course."

~Arena~

"Okay class, as you know, we will be sparring. But, you are not kids anymore. So, you all will be sparring against me." Souta said. The class started murmuring. They knew he was powerful, but they had no idea how well his swordsmanship was.

"Sensei, are you really suggesting for 18 of us to go against one? Even if you were to be a Chaotic Battler, quantity over quality will always win!" One of the boys said. Souta pulled out his sword.

"Whatever," Souta said. He sliced through the air with the sword before lesser quality swords appeared in front of the class.

"Sensei, aren't we going to use training swords?" Emica asked. She wasn't against using real swords, but it was dangerous to use.

"What's the point in using training swords? It doesn't have the same feel or smoothness of a real sword. The weight of one is lighter than a sword, and this sword was made specially to train you in different weights, style, and grips." The students each took one before spreading out, looking at the teacher.

"If we injure you, it is not our faults." Another student said cockily. His family was very rich and very powerful, so how could a measly teacher beat him?

"If you are so sure that you'll win then you all can come at once," Souta said. All the kids looked unsure before the cocky student ran forward, making everyone follow in his wake. The swords broken pieces came together as they all launched at Souta head-on. Souta just smirked, looking at the students.

As they all struck, a cloud of great dust came up, making it hard to see. When the dust settled, Souta was nowhere to be seen.

"Rule number one of sword fighting, make sure that you close all the escapes for an opponent." The class looked up and saw Souta shooting towards the ground, his sword pointed at them. He swung before he landed, incapacitating about 6 of them. They left, their swords were broken.

"Rule number two, never underestimate your opponent." In a blink of an eye, hundreds of after-images appeared, making Souta break the light barrier. He attacked once again, breaking the swords of the rest of them, except for Emica who had dodged his attack.

"Rule number three, always know what your opponents next moves are." The whole class looked in anticipation as Emica and Souta faced off. Emica struck, hoping to hit Souta. All she hit was Souta's after image. She turned around and blocked the attack of Souta, creating a wave of energy to knock everyone back. Souta recovered, wiping off a little blood on the corner of his mouth.

'Worthy to be a Light indeed.' Souta charged at Emica, finally showing his true power. Blow after blow, strike after strike, block after block, the two exchanged attacks. Their speed was so fast, the class's head hurt. The countless after images left behind were mind-boggling, the strength of the attacks releasing wave after wave of sō atari being released.

After the raging attacks, Souta managed to pin Emica to the ground, both of them exhausted.

"You are good, Light," Souta said, his breath laboring. Emica froze, the pain of the amount of energy she spent becoming nonexistent.

"How did you…?" Emica asked in fear. Souta smirked before leaning down. The class had already gone to spar with each other, so no one could see what was going on.

"I needed to confirm that you were Light, and I needed to see the classes potential. Killing two birds with one stone was for all of you to spar me. I could see who sucked at swordfighting while finding out who could challenge me for so long. As I was attacking you, I took note of your locket. I moved around carefully so I could bring the locket out. It worked." Souta reached into his pocket and took out the coin, before imbuing it with darkness from his memories. The coin glowed a dark purple before floating over to Emica. Souta helped Emica up, the coin going over and nestling itself into the locket.

"So, you're Darkness. I wondered when you would show yourself." Emica imbued light into her locket. As they both watched, the normal looking coin and locket melded together, the copper shifting and swirled before becoming a Yin Yang necklace. A similar looking bracelet appeared next to the communication device on Souta's wrist.

"Finally, you guys found each other! I was getting a bit tired from having to take care of her." Hanae said, walking over. She had noticed that the locket was out in the open, and Souta was there, looking at her. Of course, she caught on.

"Hanae! That is so mean! I'm not difficult!" Emica said, frowning. Hanae laughed before she turned to Souta.

"I'm surprised to find you here. I thought all of you Darkness' were lazy bums." Hanae teased. Souta rolled his eyes before hugging Hanae.

"Thank you for taking care of Light," Souta said genuinely. Hanae smiled sadly. Souta wasn't completely himself. Every Element passed on his own consciousness, so Souta had to learn how to deal with them. Those voices in his head could take over whenever they wanted to, and he had no control over them.

"No problem. And taking care of this youngster, you owe me dinner soon!" Hanae said, backing out of the hug. She dodged the punch that Light targeted her with, laughing.

"Yeah, yeah, sure. I don't mind cooking for you. But, you and your food. You're going to get fat." Souta said, chuckling. Hanae glared at him before attacking him. Even with her body, her fighting skills were something to not underestimate. In a couple of minutes, Souta was on the floor, bruises on his body (logic!).

"You judge me and my precious food ever again, you'll get more than a good beating!" Hanae said, snuffing him. Souta groaned as he got up, holding his head.

"Not fair. I'm already so exhausted, and you still wish to beat up your older brother?" Souta asked, feeling sad. The first Darkness put an oath on his little sister to take care of Light because she was the only one he trusted enough to take care of Light.

"Yes. Nothing gets in between me and my beloved food, nothing." Hanae turned her nose up and walked away, arms crossed. Emica chuckled before helping Souta up.

"Better keep your promise Sensei, you don't want Hanae to hit the big thigh that she clutches onto." Emica teased. Souta smirked before clapping his hands, getting the attention of his class.

"Alright class, I can tell that you all are having fun beating each other's ass', but it is time for your break. I don't want to get my privileges taken away, so go, have fun and mingle before next period starts." The class was a bit sad, but they left, knowing that their Sensei would teach more to them, lessons that were invaluable.

"Sensei, why are you actually putting in the effort to teach them? Knowing you, anyone who wanted to gain success in this world was someone who was not even worth a glance." Emica said, looking up at him.

"I don't know. I just find them fascinating." Souta said before walking off. Emica shook her head before going to find Hanae.

'You find them fascinating? How interesting, yet, how ironic at the same time.' Souta's eyes turned dark as he heard the third Darkness speak up. He was very black-hearted for a guardian of the world.

'Third Brother, what do you want?' Souta asked in his mind. Third Brother laughed like a maniac.

'You really wish to save this trash world, as well as all its inhabitants? Are you really going to go against the horrible fate you endure? You are a guardian, not for the people, but for the power of Gaia. Don't feel pity for this world, but feel pride that you will take part in changing it!' Third Brother said. He craved for destruction, he craved for power, he was a true Darkness, but his darkness was not used for good.

'Third Brother, please, put your bloodthirst away. This is Souta's life, not yours anymore. You can not control what he wishes to do anymore.' Second Brother said, his body stepping out from the shadows.

'And what do you have that gives you the power to tell me what to do?' Third Brother asked, turning to Second Brother. Second Brother sighed, before looking at an empty space in the darkness.

'Stop fighting, you both need to calm down.' Fourth Brother came out, looking at the two.

'You have no right to tell me to stop. Darkness is where blood is spilled, it is where the evil hide, it is where fear is born. You all were cowards. You were all useless because you used your powers for good.' Third Brother snarled. His face had an insane look to it, making his handsome face become distorted.

'Being a dick won't make your's any bigger.' Fifth Brother came out, leaning against a wall of darkness.

'And being a coward won't make you more industrious.' Third Brother snarled.

'Now, now. Do not fight. You'll give Sixth Brother a headache.' First Brother came out, making all of them quiet.

'Thank you, First Brother. I was so close to blowing my brains out.' Souta said. First Brother chuckled, before hitting Third Brother.

'And you, you are no longer a real person. You are just here to see how the future is like until the chosen one comes. Then, we are allowed to rest in peace.' Third Brother went quiet at First Brother's words. He grumbled before walking into the darkness, disappearing without a trace.

'Thank you, First Brother. I was about to give Third Brother a piece of my mind.' Second Brother said. He left as well, disappearing in a black smoke

'At least there are no more fights!' Fourth Brother said cheerfully before also disappearing.

'... Good luck.' Fifth Brother said, before fading away. First Brother stood there, the darkness creating a somber atmosphere around them.

'Souta, I pity you, I really do. Having to deal with all of us in your head, how do you manage it?' First Brother asked. Souta shrugged, his body appearing in his mind.

'First Brother, I barely do. I envy you for not having to go through the crap that I'm going through.' Souta said. First Brother laughed, his wrinkled eyes crinkling in joy.

'Please, no need for such formalities. When we are alone like this, just call me Chimon. You are like a son to me.' First Brother said. Souta nodded before a voice echoed in the space.

'Well, I wanted to tell you something, but it seems it will have to wait. I believe that new Light, Emica, is calling you.' First Brother disappeared in a flurry of crows. Souta looked around before his body dissolved, him coming back to reality.

"Sensei! Sensei! It's almost time for the next period to start!" Emica called out. Souta opened his eyes, the solemn look in his eyes never leaving.

"Alright. I'll go prepare." Souta left, his hunched back becoming smaller as he walked away.

'Do you think he's going to be alright?' Second Sister asked. Emica shrugged, feeling a bit worried.

'I don't know, Second Sister. I don't know enough about the voices in his head, and you aren't allowed to talk about them.' Emica said in her head. Second Sister smiled apologetically.

'I'm sorry, Emica. But information like that is classified. If we talk about it, Gaia will make us suffer.' Second Sister disappeared after saying that. Emica looked at the small figure of Souta as he walked away.

'Souta, what are your demons?' She wondered. Everyone had their demons, and some had very dangerous ways of coping with them.

~Meanwhile~

'Are we all here and accounted for?' First Sister asked. The Light sisters and Darkness brothers were all gathered in a dark space, detached from any world.

'Except for Fifth Brother, everyone is here.' Second Brother said.

'Alright, then, we will have to begin the mee-' First Sister was interrupted as Fifth Brother showed up in a few lightning strikes.

'Sorry I'm late.' Fifth Brother took a seat, propping his feet up on the table.

'Alright, now that everyone is here, we can begin.' Second Sister said, looking disapprovingly at Fifth Brother.

'Darkness brothers, is there anything concerning happening with Souta?' First Sister asked.

'Not much.' First Brother said. Third Brother snorted, throwing a knife near First Brother's head.

'Not much my ass. That kid is having ideas on saving this world, to go against Gaia.' Third Brother announced. The Light sisters murmured, feeling conflicted.

'Hmm, interesting.' Fourth Sister murmured. She also liked this world, but for the people who used darkness to help the world.

'That dumbass kid actually wants to go against Gaia's curse. He's begging for a death sentence.' Third Brother said. The Darkness brothers started arguing with each other. First Sister clapped her hands, bringing the attention back to her.

'We will discuss this more in the future. As for us, Emica is having conflicted emotions in her powers. She does not know if she wants to continue to have these powers.' First Sister related.

'Great. Then what, Emica is going to say she loves Souta? Fuck, this is why Fifth Sister isn't around!' Third Brother said. In a blink of an eye, Fifth Brother had a knife to Third Brother's throat.

'Say one more degrading word about Ameterasu, it will be your head.' Fifth Brother was pulled off of Third Brother by Third Sister and Fourth Sister.

'Third Brother, you have no right to say that. Fifth Sister was dear to all of us, so don't make it harder on us.' Fourth Sister said. Third Sister had a more murderous glint to her eyes, but she calmed herself before taking Fifth Brother and herself out of the meeting.

'Okay, so both carriers have problems. That will be all for this meeting.' First Sister dismissed everyone, First Brother staying behind.

'I'm worried. If they do fall in love, what will happen?' First Sister asked, her voice cracking. First Brother pulled her into a brotherly embrace.

'Only time will tell.'