CHAPTER 2: Solitude.

Part 1:

Alone I stand, as I have for centuries, amidst the rugged cliffs of the Iremel mountain, within the confines of my solitary cave. The world below me is but a distant memory, and the only company I keep is that of the ancient deities who have fallen from grace. I am their warden, tasked with guarding them from venturing back into the world, to ensure they do not sow chaos and destruction. A lonely existence, it is, but also a solemn duty that I bear with the weight of the world upon my shoulders.

The passage of time has left me weary, worn down by the weight of my responsibilities and the isolation I endure. I feel it in my bones – the exhaustion of centuries of vigilance, the relentless battle against complacency and the disheartening loneliness that engulfs me. But still, I know that with solitude comes the silence through which I am bestowed with purpose, a guiding light amidst the void.

Today, a surge of energy has rattled the silence that blankets these mountains, igniting a sense of urgency within me. It is an inexplicable force, a longing that pulls me away from the safety of my cave towards the heights of the peak. As I make my way upwards, the weight of the responsibility I carry begins to dissipate, replaced by an electrifying sense of purpose and apprehension. The anticipation of the unknown sends shivers down my spine, as I edge closer to the pinnacle, propelled by a force I do not entirely comprehend.

Through the twilight of the mountain, shadows fade into shapes that I did not expect. Children, ascending the treacherous slopes with uninhibited fervor and joy, breaching the desolation that has cloaked my world for so long. The pounding of their footsteps against the terrain is an intrusion, piercing the tranquility I have grown accustomed to. Fear nibbles at the edges of my resolve, a fear not for myself, but for their safety should they come across the deities confined within these rocky caverns. The mere thought of the innocent encountering such malevolent forces quickens my pace, a newfound determination propelling me towards the danger I sought to avoid.

As I ascend the mountain, a knot of apprehension tightens in my chest. The burden of my responsibilities weighs heavily on my shoulders, and fear tugs at the fringes of my mind. The laughter of the children echoes in the crisp mountain air, a stark contrast to the solemnity of my purpose. But as I near the mountain top, the surge of energy intensifies, mingled with a sense of foreboding. It is not a presence I recognize, leading me to wonder if a new deity seeks to disturb the delicate balance I have maintained for so long. My steps quicken, driven by the urgency of the unknown, and the fervent desire to protect the world from chaos once more.

Finally, as I reach the mountain top, the surge of energy coalesces into a blinding light. I shield my eyes and brace myself, uncertain of what lies ahead. The form slowly takes shape, and a figure materializes before me – not a malevolent deity, but a being of radiant light and unyielding power. A force that has transcended through the ages. As the light bathes me, I am filled with an overwhelming sense of purpose, reassurance and the unshakeable knowledge that I am where I am meant to be. And in this moment, the weary weight of my responsibilities and the burden of loneliness ebb away, replaced by a deep sense of belonging.

He stands at edge of the mountain looking down.His essence forming an energy around him making him look as if he is standing alongside a beast.

"My name is Shinto yuuki and I have come to claim my prize,ooh great Saint"

"And I am Jonah , Saint of the Ural mountains; what businesses have you here.

sureley a man of your stature has better places to be"

"Surely you jest ,ohh great Saint ,I am but a humble lord."

I new from the moment my eyes met his that I am in the presence of a mischievous serpant.I must be careful or the balance of the world will be shaken.

"How long have you been holed up here ,"Shinto exclaims ,"The balance is no more .The world powers are changing everyday.The holy order of Saints cannot stop it .As long as the reverse towers exit anyways!!."

"Have you noticed it , great Saint,I have ascended and as such,I am your doom.Now ,where is Orochi? Bring him to me and I may yet spare you "

Part of me wishes for death but . I am at crossroads knowing fully well winning a battle here will be difficult,for he is already in the zone.Probably has been since the beginning.His eyes see the truth.I cannot even hide from him in my thoughts 💭An icey steam🌬️ is eminating from within him.He's probably❄️ an ice user❄️, and judging from his confidence, he has an innate technique and has probably activated it .The energy surge probably came from it's activation.

For some reason I am sad.The reason itself is alien to me but I must not waver for I am a Saint and we see not through thy eyes but through faith.

And with that I found myself taking a stance and my mouth reflexively activating my technique ready for battle.

"KAI RELEASE; ESSENCE, TENGOKU NO TACCHI(divine touch)."

"Ooh ,great Saint ,I am your doom!!" Shinto says with absolute confidence as he adjusts his posture ready for battle.

The old great Saint adoned In ancient robes faces off with Shinto ,the icy trickster on the peak of the mountain.Shinto exuded a mischievous energy, his eyes gleaming with a sharp cunning intelligence.

A thick mist coming from Shinto shrouds the summit but is pierced bythe reflection of radiant light eminating from the Saint who stands firmly on the icy terrain touching into his divine touch technique.

And the battle commences....

***

Part 2

"Shade!!,Echo!! ,come forth.Now tell me,who dares to disrupt my solitude."

"It must be the Saint,"answer shade before being interrupted by Echo ,"quiet down ,Lispy Lou "Echo says as he laughs slightly to avoid being seen by the Sovereign.

"There is a crack on the door my lord.Something must be going on outside"Echo says as he is pointing at the door.

"We can probably squize through.Permission to go see what is happening,my Lord."asks Shade further lowering his head.

Both Shade and Echo raced towards the cracks after just sensing their master's approval when he lifted his finger.The two find their way top side slipping out of the cracks; afterall they were just shadows with no physical manifestation.

From the edge of the mountain peak they could clearly see what was transpiring.It was a battle of legend.Where one wrong move means certain death.They were capsized with admiration for both the contenders.

"The old Saint is at a disadvantage."

"And how did you come to that conclusion lipsy lou?

"Don't call me that furball!!"

"Spit it out ! How is he loosing.As far as I can see he is holding out well"

" Can't you see ,they are equal in skill ! No the old man is better but the icy terrain which suits his adversary's technique evens out the Plainfield.No matter ,he is already dead ,or will be in a few minutes.In an endurance battle as such it is ,the old man looses as he cannot access the ZONE."Explains Shade nonchalantly.

"For him to win he has to end this quickly before he goes down but from the look in his eyes he has already noticed that"continues Shade as he watches the battle unfold.

Shinto weaves intricate movements conjuring icy projections that soar through the air towards the Saint reacts swiftly as his divine touch ability takes form in his hands which erupts in a spectacular explosion,thwarting the frozen onslaught.There sorroundings were turned into a warzone,the clash of elements reverberating all over the mountain peak.

Shinto observed with a sly grin, his

eyes calculating the next move.

He understood the advantageous

terrain, utilizing it to maneuver with

agility and grace, always staying

one step ahead of the old Saint. The

saint gritted his teeth, feeling the

relentless chill creeping through his

veins, slowing his movements as the

battle raged on.

In a strategic maneuver, Shinto

exploited a momentary opening,

pressing his attack.

As Shinto pressed his advantage,

the saint fought with a fierce

determination and an unyielding

spirit. Burdened with the weight

of what was at stake and of the future , he pushed himself past the limitations of his physical form.Every movement was a testament to his dedication, an unwavering

commitment to honor and duty.

As the battle drew to its conclusion,the saint pushes past his limits and then a smirk forms in his mouth before saying

"ZONE! Divine spear"

The saint's trump card emerged.

Even under the pressure of

Shinto's relentless assault, the spear shimmered into existence, a magnificent manifestation of the bond between the saint and the ancient forces that guided him.

In the final moments, the saint unleashed the power of the divine spear, a blaze of incandescent brilliance that illuminated the

battlefield. The spear surged forward

with unparalleled speed, seeking its

mark with unwavering determination.

But the 30-second threshold loomed,

a restriction which was unavoidable as that was all the time the Saint could manifest the spear with his Kai energy, especially when he was in the zone.Which is a state where the Kai users ability are at their peak.

In a swift maneuver, Shinto evaded

the spear's path, countering

with a calculated strike. The

saint's defenses faltered under

the relentless assault, leaving

him gravely wounded. As Shinto

emerged victorious, the saint found

himself teetering on the edge of

the precipice, gazing out into the

mist-shrouded expanse.

With a distasteful look in his eyes ,Shinto kicks the Saint and magnificently watches him fall into the Abyss.

Shade and Echo follow the shadows down the mountain to see what has become of their master's warden.After a long descent,they find him alongside a boy gravely injured , clinging on to dear life.

"How is this kid even alive?" Echo asks inquisitively.

"Look .The Saint must have given all of his remaining life force after realizing that his end is imminent.But there is so much that can do.We need to take him to the master."Shade says.

"Why? It's just a human kid.What will the master want from him"

"Are you blind! Can't you see the Saint's innate Kai energy establishing itself along his energy core... ." Echo cut's Shade off

"After some time it will be integrated as his own which make him our way out of that cave for good."

Inei s consciousness wavers in and out, like a delicate, fleeting mirage as his eyes look into the abyss on the Shadow's shoulders as they make their way up the mountain