Chapter II - Krystal the Blacksmith Apprentice

Part I - Pride

About five years ago my mother went missing. She was a great blacksmith just like my father who went missing around the same time. They worked with someone very often but my parents would never tell me who it was; they were part of a group or "family" as people refer to it. Yet my parents were proud of their work as I was of them. They were strong people and took pride in everything they made. They would never let anything insult them or their work. It was art, it was love, it was life. I started living on my own when my parents went missing and took responsibility for their shop and started becoming an honest blacksmith myself. I made many weapons and armor for people who came from all around the country. I'm pretty famous for someone who was just an apprentice blacksmith. The five years I spent on my own helped me grow as a person and took pride in my own work. I inherited a power that was passed down my bloodline It was called "Double-Edged Sword". Hence the name it was a power that inflicted damage to me as well. Though it's a powerhouse of a unique skill it comes with a huge risk. This skill allows me dishout double of my opponents power but receive half that damage onto myself. It's a risky move and was forbidden for me to use unless it is a life or death situation. After training as a smith and training with my ability in the course of the five years my parents went missing I was able to take care of myself. But one day, when I was attending to my shop, a couple of strangers came by barging in with an injured man needing medical assistance. I gave them shelter and let the man rest in one of the rooms, but something seemed off as when the man awoke he started to scream in agony as if he was being murdered. Oh right, I forgot to say…. My name is Krystal and this is the story not of my own bliss and happiness, but of a fateful day that helped me find myself.

Part II - a Burning Town

As a shadow emerged from the man on the bed it had a devilish look on its face as he threw him to the wall. I gathered the other two that were in that room and rushed them out of there but the shadow soon followed as it came raiding with disaster. As this went on I heard screams but not from inside the shop but outside. When we were able to lose the shadow off our trail we escaped to the outside. What surprised us was not the screaming men and women but the crimson moon reflecting the hell that was going on in the town. Parent and child getting torched on the roofs of their own homes and getting massacred, the ones who were causing this moved in the shadows with laughs of imps. Though I had a grim face with fear I had to gather as much courage and pride I could muster. As I turned around to the other two to ask for their support, all I saw was an enraged expression on both of them. Before I could ask anything They readied their gear and said "Sorry to leave you so soon after your hospitality, but our master needs us." Said the man, who seemed to have a glowing eye, "Yeah, but don't worry we'll save this town. Master is strong, he doesn't give up!" said the little girl. I was shocked and I did not believe the determination of these two. But without a second thought, I said "Let me help as well, I won't just stand by and watch." They gave me an "Ok" and we went on the move as we headed back into the shop, the imps weren't far behind as they dashed through the roofs to follow us. I went straight for my weapon and prepared for combat. All we had to do is stall for time. We went through endless fighting as I used my scythe fighting countless soldiers. Their numbers were limitless and kept coming in waves, I knew then I was to release my power. I copied the strength of the shadow that had emerged from Kaneoke and doubled the strength. Nikke and Sam looked at me and Shouted "Stop! DON'T DO IT." as if they knew the fate I was gonna meet if I extended my power to this strength. The power coursing through my veins stressed my strength, stressing my body putting me in great pain but I had to go through with it. I had to save this town and everyone who was still alive. I looked at the others and said under my breath "Sorry..." And shouted "But this is my town and you demons won't take what my parents left for me'' As I was ready to engage and dash into the enemy, someone tapped my shoulder and said "Don't worry I won't let that happen." I glanced over and a heartwarming face of comfort overcame me and I knew I could trust these words and stopped and stood back.

Part III - God's will

The man who spoke these words with ease stood in front of me with such great power but yet so gentle. He spoke with words so comforting " Sorry to keep you waiting, but you guys can leave this mess to me now." The others stood back with glee and watched as their master was ready to fight a copy of himself who was distorted and corrupted, But Kaneoke without a single movement started unwrapping his bandages and said "I have a favor to ask, can you guys evacuate everyone from this area I have to unleash my unique skill", With a smile he looked at us and turned back at his opponent. The others evacuated the people but I wasn't able to detach my eyes from the scenery. All I was able to catch from Kaneoke's chanting is saying

"..Rage Release"

He then began to Increase in strength and muscle size as his body radiated murderous aura. Kaneoke launched himself onto this opponent collapsing the ground below him, he threw out a kick on his opponent that matched his blow breaking the sound barrier with each hit. They soon start combat on even ground and continuously match blow for blow increasing speed with each hit, but the already injured Kaneoke gets thrown back. He starts laughing and says "Crap… looks like I have to go that far again.." I looked at him thinking there was not one possibility that he could get any stronger than he already was. He was already fighting at a level only acknowledged by gods. But I hear him say "Demon Release". Even his own group was shocked to see what happened next.

Part IV - Devil's will

Kaneoke's power disappeared without a trace and all everyone saw was his body hit the ground. He overdid it and killed himself… or so we thought. As I was the only one who was not shocked at the mere sight I gathered the pride to run towards Kaneoke to protect him; while I risked myself to protect the last hope or the slightest chance that he'd still be alive, but before I even reached him I was blown back by a burst of aura. So much blood lust poured from him that I stood in shock to see Kaneoke stand up resembling the image of the devil himself. He struck with his elbow landing a blunt blow flinching the enemy, Kaneoke took the small window of opportunity to grab the shadow entity by the head and launch him against the ground to then proceed with a downward and endless amount of strikes with his fist creating a bigger crater with each strike. Ultimately leaving nothing behind but rubble, with no trace of the shadow.

Everyone had left and were escorted to safety, the only ones who remained to see the ungodly sight was myself, and the other two that accompanied this frightening man. As the smoke cleared and the panic settled, Kaneoke walked towards me frightened by what he might do. I was ready to activate my ability and fight to my death, but what came before me was unexpected. He walked towards me with no Ill intent or blood lust, he approached me with a warm smile and spoke to me "Krystal was it? I just remembered now… your mother used to be a friend of mine. It's a pleasure to meet you". Speechless, I didn't know what to respond as I was overcome with emotions and questions. Before I could muster up whatever I could and talk he reached out to me with his hand and asked me "I'd appreciate it if you would join me as well, I still don't know why it is but you're an important factor to my past and future. So will you work under me and swear your loyalty to me ?". My heart pounded and flustered because of the words he spoke. Maybe I was too confused in the heat of the moment but I answered with no second thoughts and complied.