Spirit Arts

Three horns, a large eye with slits for pupils, and a spiked body.

Gayle stood absolutely still in front of the grotesque, twisted version of an ogre. A quiet, cool breeze started flowing. A transparent aura shrouded him, the sharpness emanated by his sword made it seem like silent death.

From the side, Aster watched. A growing perplexity took hold of him. The clearing was round and the night sky was clear of clouds. This clearing seemed like a place of mysterious significance.

'What is his power? Even I could not sense it. But this familiarity...'

For Aster, whose life had been devoid of colours, any unknown quantity was a source of interest. In fact, he had gone through 123 worlds on what seems like a whim.

The strange energy gathered on Gayle's sword. He took one step.

[Moon's Crescent]

The grass rippled.

The sword shone like moonlight.

The wind around it became a hurricane.

The slash ripped through the twisted ogre like a chainsaw.

The power instantly disappeared, no, it reentered Gayle's body.

Aster's eyes contained a trace of satisfaction coupled with mild surprise. He remembered the 42nd world he had visited.

'Spirit arts are truly fascinating. The only power I cannot make use of as well as the rarest kind of power in the universe.'

He had only seen Spirit Arts in the 42nd world. It was a far superior version of 'Qi' used by the Murim worlds.

Yet, here was a person capable of using that exact power. Aster thought back to the girl with pink hair. Her power's origin had also been ascertainable.

Once more, Aster felt that this world was important. An existence similar to the Fool had probably taken residence here. Finding 'that existence' before they discover his presence was imperative.

"Should we go further?" Gayle's voice brought Aster back to reality.

"A perfect clear... is crucial."

"For?"

Aster just shook his head, and Gayle took it in stride. After a few months of acquaintance, a tacit agreement to not question each other had been born.

"If you exert yourself, we can finish in a matter of minutes... However, that would mean ignoring 'her'."

"So you won't move till the end."

It was at this moment that the fragility of their connection was truly shown. A single mistake and Gayle would turn his back on Aster. So, Aster decided it was time to reveal a bit more of his might. He could not let Gayle hold on to the illusion of victory.

A chilling aura pervaded the jungle. Unlike the sinister and demonic aura from when he was a Demon King, this one was far worse. It was an aura of pure killing intent. There was not a single other emotion reflected. This was the result of an unimaginable suffering. However, there was one thing which could be discerned within the dense bloodlust. It was a sense of purpose. A purpose which had, at this point, transcended a mere wish or goal.

Somehow, somewhere, peering into the Fool's tapestry had become the former Demon King's true purpose.

Overwhelming killing intent, especially with a purpose, is something which can shake the minds of even battle-hardened warriors. Yet, Gayle stood his ground. However, he did not move, and fear could still be seen in his eyes. He realised that Aster was not someone who he could win against. \

Suddenly, the aura disappeared. Both Aster and Gayle reverted. There was no use talking about it.

"What was her name, Gayle?"

"Aisha von Kreischel"

"A noble... that's considerably harder..."

"As I asked before, what do you intend to do?"

"I intend to create a group of followers," Aster had no reason to hide his intent.

"So I have to defeat her while you watch"

"Yes, that is the plan"

"I hope your goal is not chaos or plain evil. Even though I appear indifferent, I actually do prefer the world as is."

"I have someone I have to find. If I have to do something against your beliefs..."

"..."

As Aster moved forward, Gayle stared at his back in deep thought.

******

Near the center of the forest.

A sizable area of the jungle was covered in a pink mist. A pile of unconscious students laid in its midst. On the mountainous pile, a single girl sat, the hazy pink cloud converging on her. 

Footsteps sounded in the still forest. Two young men rested their eyes on the fear-inducing spectacle. One stepped forward, a beautifully efficient longsword adorned his waist. The other, a man with a distant expression, stepped back, his hands resting in his pocket.

Aster's casual attitude seemed to have had an effect on the young girl. She jumped off the mound of bodies, and her mist gathered around her. 

Gayle readied his stance, his aura rising alone amidst the pink sea. The longsword left its sheath, shining like a pearl in the moonlight. A strong wind started blowing.

Aster was surprised. For the second time that night, too. After all, the girl called Aisha was using Spirit Arts as well.

'This is why Spirit Arts are the ultimate form of Qi. They can be used externally and are more versatile. But... there being two Spirit Artists in such a world... This no coincidence.'

His aura undulated, its power which would have threatened the foundation of this world, was nowhere to be seen. Aster was trying to counter any surveillance, which would also help him identify the opponent. However, his senses could detect nothing. He once again focused on the duel at hand.

Before him, a battle, the likes of which should not be seen between twenty year old youths, was unfolding.