42.) It's About STRIFE!

Shiishii enters the Dragon clan with the thought of the events at home on his mind. He flies through the outskirts and straight through a warp gate that takes him to the central universe of Dracko Draconia. He dashes straight into Draconas Castle, hoping to find Zo'Elgor Jr.

Shiishii: *Whistle* "Daaaaang, this place has really had a fantastic remodeling since the Kirin Wars. (To believe I missed so much over the years.) *Step* * Step * (All these new faces on the wall of heroes. It's still a great touch to start the castle with homage to dead legends. I can see all their passings as their essence was imbued into these very paintings. They all went down the Gabwardian way… fighting.)

*STEP* *STEP* *STEP* *STEP* *STEP* A group of guards come rushing down the entrance hall to engage Shii.

Guard 1: "HEY! Who the hell are you, and what are you doing in this castle!?"

Guard 2: "GET 'EM, MEN!"

Guards: "Right!"

The group of guards attempted to blitz Shii, who was standing all so confused. 

Shiishii: "Whoa whoa whoa! Calm down, guys!"

Zo'Elaniece comes out of a room further down the hall to the right side of the hallway. She immediately catches the wind of the situation.

Zo'Elaniece: *Glare* "Hm!? (Oh crap!) No guys, WAIT- *PRCH* *PSH* *PCH* *PRCH* *PCH*… *SMASH* Hhrrmm!!"

Shiishii: "Oof… my bad." *Scratch* 

Guards: "Oooowww!"

Shii used a quick maneuver of counters using judo, then mantis fist on their pressure points. 

Zo'Elaniece: *Sigh* "Hello Lord Death II. *Step* * Step * * Step * * Step * How have you been?" *Hug* 

Shiishii: "Mhmm! I've been good, beautiful, how about yourself?"

Zo'Elaniece: "I've been quite good honestly, just missing my little Silvio, really. Did you see him back at home?"

Shiishii: "Yeah! I was actually teaching him and my cousin in-law about Zenchi."

Zo'Elaniece: "My son is learning ZENCHI!?"

Shiishii: "Yes ma'am, my father is paving the way for them as we speak."

Zo'Elaniece: "That's GREAT! Mwuah! *Smooch* Thanks for looking after him Shiishii, really grateful for that one."

Shiishii: "Ha! *Step* * Step * Don't thank me, thank my father. He's doing all the work."

Zo'Elaniece: "Haha! Guess I will when I see him next."

Shiishii: "Yeah, I should be thanking you and your family anyway. You guys have been looking after Morpheus since before I revived three months ago. Especially you and your father."

Zo'Elaniece: "Ah, it's not a big deal, Shiishii. *Step* * Step * But speaking of my father, he would like to see us. I was sent to get you."

Shiishii: "Ah, lead the way then." 

Zo'Elaniece: "Alrighty then, come."

Zo'Elaniece leads Shiishii to the king's throne room at the top of the castle. There, awaited King Zo'Elgor, who had been longing to see Shiishii once more.

Shiishii: "So much has changed about this place since I Last visited."

Zo'Elaniece: "Well, of course it has Shii. It's been well over a thousand years from when you last visited us. Time changes, and so do the things that flow with it."

Shiishii: "Pfft! Girl… we're barely even affected by time. It's only when we choose to be affected, but yeah… I get ya."

Zo'Elaniece: "Hm hm. Well, we're here now. Let me just open these doors real fast." *Pat* *pat*… *Push* 

Beyond the doors was a massive room more than 7,500 square feet in size. There was a painting of the Dragon King that came before Lord Zo'Elgor, his father Zo'Elgor I. Statues of the greatest dragons to ever grace the omniverse. A red themed interior all around gold stitched into walls, forming patterns of diamonds and even illustrating the clan insignia on every wall within the massive room. The room also had an abundance of legendary dragon weapons used by the clan for eons. The center was, of course, housed with a massive throne more than 15 ft high. With a base of 9 ft in width. It was encrusted with jewels on the armrests and had gold stitched into the frame. Giving it a more modern Chinese look for the mortals in the back who need a reference. 

Shiishii: "Daaaaaaamn. This place is full of Dracko embodiment man. And I'm guessing that scaly thing in royal robes and armor is your father?"

Zo'Elaniece: "Pfft!! Huhahahahaaa! Yes, that's the old god right there. Father! It's Shii-"

Zo'Elgor Sr.: "SHIIIIIIII!!!"

Shiishii: "Hahahaaa! How are you doing, old timer?"

Zo'Elgor Sr.: "Hahaaa! *woosh* *grip* How have I been? No, how have you been, Young, Death god?"

Shiishii: "I've been pretty damn good, honestly. I am working on my craft and closing the gap in strength. Just gotta keep going!"

Zo'Elgor Sr.: "Hahaaa! I see, I seee! Your power has grown quite a bit since you got yourself back. Seems you're at a 20 on the scale now."

Shiishii: "Yessiiirr. Seems even Zo'Ela over there has grown to a 37 now." 

Zo'Elaniece: "You know me. I want to finally up my range to the multiverse level and aim for the level of Council."

Shiishii: "That's quite the goal there. Might have to talk to you later."

Zo'Elgor Sr.: "Indeed indeed. But I called you over here, so I could speak to you before you handle your business with my son."

Shiishii: "Talk to me about what?" 

Zo'Elgor Sr.: "I've already talked to my daughter about it, but have you heard of the beast, Rashomon?"

Shiishii: *Glare* "Yeah, I got to read about him and his great battle against the Original STRIFE in the past. Even about how my grandfather and great aunt ripped him apart and sealed him. But… Why are you asking about him now?"

Zo'Elgor Sr.: "Hmph! I know you felt that ominous essence from your home clan a while back. Maybe a day or two ago now."

Shiishii: "Yeah, it nearly caused me to turn back, but I felt as though pops and the others could handle it. Do you mean to tell me -"

Zo'Elgor Sr.: "Yes. It would seem he has escaped his sealing after all this time."

Shiishii: "Tch! Well that's just fucking great."

Zo'Elgor: "Yeah, but from what Sir MorZick said. The worst of it all is…"

Zo'Elaniece: "My son became that beast's perfect host."

Shiishii: "Wait… WHAT!?"

Zo'Elaniece: "Yeah. So now we're at a mute point on how to deal with him. Due to the fact that he has my son as his hostage." 

Zo'Elgor: "Well, MorZick did say they tamed him until his abilities come back to his being. But they plan to assist me in getting Silvio to the strength needed to deal with Rashomon on his own."

Shiishii: "That's not a bad plan at all. But with a creature like that, the whole Colossaverse could be in danger."

Zo'Elgor: "Indeed. Even the likes of me, at my current level cannot hope to down that beast at its full power."

Shiishii: "Hmm… then I guess. Strife could just rise to the challenge just in case Silvio can't reach the level in time. *Prch* We can do it for sure."

Zo'Elaniece: "Huh… I think we should honestly do the same father. Rise up so Silvio isn't alone on this in the end. Though it'd be great to see my son take down such a beast."

Zo'Elgor: "Alright. I can get behind that. Anything to help my damn grandson honestly. Can't let this go to pass."

Shiishii: "Ok. Now that we have a contingency plan, I should go find Junior and speak with him." 

Zo'Elgor: "Ah… he should be at the School's training grounds right now. He's been trying to learn a bit more about Zenchi while training the children. Says he'll need it for his next mission."

Shiishii: "Ah ok. He'll be easy to get to… wait a second. Children??"

Zo'Elaniece: "Well yeah. It's Amera, Malikai, my younger brother and your baby brother."

*PEW* 

"Uhh… where'd he… go?" *turn*

Zo'Elgor: "Guess he dashed off for his baby brother. Hwuahahahaaa! Loves his brothers through and through."

Zo'Elaniece: "Yeah."

Zo'Elgor: "So… you want to try this premium Gaia Ale I got from her as a gift?"

Zo'Elaniece: "Uh…. Hmmm… yeah, pour me a cup." *Step* *step*

While Zo'Elgor Sr. and Zo'Elaniece get prepared to be drunk off their asses. Shiishii goes speeding through the central universe and heading straight for the school. He had a lick of excitement on his face as he got to see his baby brother again. During his race for the school's training grounds, Morpheus and the others sat mediating as Zo'Elgor recites the verses of Elevation from the Book of Zenchi. 

Note:( Book of Zenchi was a book written by an anonymous source and contains the teachings needed to master the arts. Or at least make it easier for the masses. There's currently more than one billion copies around the Omniverse.)

Zo'Elgor Jr.: "In order for you to master Zenchi, you must first completely come to terms with your Origin Essence and master use of it. Some say that… your Origin Essence is said to be a mixture of your birthright's essence and your elemental essence. Two abilities we're born able to use from birth. This creates a new signature that actually is your closest friend. It's been there even before your two other essence types could form. Treat it as your closest and most valuable asset. It's quite the weapon. Like Ju and Clarence over here."

Morpheus: "My… (Origin Essence would be true Mayhem. Adding My mayhem birthright essence to my Strife elemental essence would be hard to harness and calm at first. So I'll have to be more delicate and patient with this.) *Inhale* Hmmmmm…."

Amera: (Won't be easy to utilize at first, but once I get this down. Zenchi will be all mine to conquer.)

Zoshen: (Mental Zenchi is my goal for now. I need a crutch that can help me learn the arts faster.)

Zo'Elgor Jr. : "Seems everyone is getting along quite nicely. (Malikai is already exceptional at gaining access to his origin essence. What a quick one he is. But then again… so is Amera.) *Stare* 

Those two are gonna hit their limit soon."

Ju'Mosi: *Huff* *Huff* "Once…. More!"

Clarence: *Huff*…  *Huff* "Gah!... Let's… go!!!"

Both Clarence and Ju'Mosi go silent and perfectly still for a moment. Then they both flash open their eyes and invoke true Presence Zenchi. Their two waves clash and widen the crater beneath, created by constant clashes of Presence Zenchi waves. The force of the blast caused quite the whirlwind, one far greater than the ones they let out before. 

Zo'Elgor: "... Hmph! *PewTING* *BOOOOM* Had to cancel that whirlwind that they made. Now then, let me go rejuvenate those two-"

Shiishii: "I'll take care of it Zo'El Jr." 

Zo'Elgor: "Ah. Shiishii, nice to see you my friend."

Shiishii: "What's the deal kiddos? Hmm HYA! Death de Injury!"

Shiishii uses a delicate manipulation of his death essence and forms particles to go and "kill" a small portion of the concept of injury, located on the two boys.

"Y'all should be good now."

Ju'Mosi: "Whew! Thanks Lord Shii."

Clarence: "Thanks a million."

Shiishii: "Don't mention it. Now onto more pressing matters… MORPHEUUUUUUUS!!!"

Morpheus: "Ah… hrrrmmm! (You know what…) Fuck it. SHIISHIIIIIII!!!"

Shiishii: *Step* *step* *step* "How have you been mann?"

Morpheus: *Step* *step* *step* "I've been good big bro! And you?"

Shiishii: *Slap* *slap* *Clap* "Shit just living my best life, causing death and shit."

Morpheus: *Swish* *Rub* *clench* *swip* "I hear you, I hear you!"

Shiishii: *Finger twiddle* "Yeah, yeaah! *Sniff* Hmm? What the…" *Sniff* *sniff*

Morpheus: "Uuh (There's no way.)"

Shiishii: *Grip* "Yo little ass been smoking Divikeef?"

Morpheus: "Uh… ummm."

Shiishii: "Don't lie either, I can smell it on you. Our noses are great, we 75% wolf god, after all."

Morpheus: "Yeaaaa?"

Shiishii: "Hmm…" *PRCH*

Morpheus: "Ow!"

Shiishii: "Gone smoke some divikeef and not invite me. What kind of brother are you?" *step* *step*

Amera: "Oof. That had to hurt. I'm glad I can smoke and not get in trouble." *PRCH* OWWWW! What the hell, Lord Shii?!"

Shiishii: "Ain't none of yall safe…" *PSH* *PRCH* *PCH* *PRCH* *PCH* 

Malikai: "My… my forehead!"

Ju'Mosi: "Guy's got a heavy ass hand braaah!" *rub*

Clarence: "Ooooowhee! That stings a good one, brah!"

Zoshen: "Damn, big bro, you just gonna let him hit us like that -" 

Zo'Elgor: "Let... let go."

Zoshen: "Wow… that's… that's just embarrassing man."

Amera: "No kidding - Hey wait, what are you doing here, Lord Shii?"

Morpheus: "Yeah, big bro."

Shiishii: "Came to talk to the guy right here. Come on, you."

Zo'Elgor: "I'm-I'm coming bre-"

Zoshen: "Wonder what they have to talk about?"

Morpheus: "Beats me."

Shiishii leads Zo'Elgor Jr. far away from the children and creates a soundproof wall so they can talk in peace.

Shiishii: "Alright, first, I'll have to inform you of the events that took place back home."

Zo'Elgor Jr.: "Alright, go ahead."

Shiishii informs Zo'Elgor Jr. of what happened back at Gahwardia. The events of Rashomon escaping and Silvio being possessed. 

Zo'Elgor Jr.: "W-what the hell, how could all that have happened?"

Shiishii: "That's what I've been trying to figure out. All these events began happening upon my return to this realm. I'm starting to think someone is actually behind these anomalies and when I find out who. I'll hang them by the blade of my scythe."

Zo'Elgor Jr.: "If there is indeed someone who's manipulating this. They won't exist further."

Shiishii: "Yeah, but I came to talk about something else entirely."

Zo'Elgor Jr.: "Oh? What is it?"

Shiishii: "I came to tell you more about Strife, our true goal and the reason for why we Death and Life gods create a Strife group every time.

Zo'Elgor Jr.: "Ah… you've piqued my interest, Shii. But before you talk about strife, how about a little spar?"

Shiishii: "Oh?"

Zo'Elgor Jr.: "Got to pay you back for embarrassing me with that ridiculous headlock."

Shiishii: "Oh… you're on Zo'El Jr."

Zo'Elgor Jr.: "This should be quite fun."

Shiishii: "Most indubitably so. But this will also count as your initiation into Strife."

Zo'Elgor Jr.: "Alrighty then, let's get this thing started!"

Shiishii: "Hmph!"

As Shiishii was just about to reveal more about Strife, he is challenged by Zo'Elgor Jr. A match that should show the both of them, the other's resolve. It's time for a STRIFE MATCH!!!

Next Chapter: Intro to Strife!