1 – Temporary Master-2
849 Words
Across a room lined with hardwood floors and covered in spots by broad mats, a much smaller group of fighters square off against one another. In between regular strips of blue carpet running parallel to each other, the biggest groups of combatants aren’t any larger than three people—and that’s a good thing. The energy of the room feels much different with the presence of zol wielders.
Regardless of each fighter’s background, every move looks more deliberate in comparison to the fights I saw below. Some of the barehanded brawls I see of are nonstop and explode with power from fellas built like tanks. Sparring matches involving swords and spears move a lot slower, but each movement is profound. I’m dumbfounded by the fact that dozens of Tavons are in the same room and all fighting each other. Not only do they gotta hold back from destroying the place, but every fight looks pretty lethal.
Shotobai manages to find an open space. I stay paranoid while looking around at swordsmen flashing across the room at speeds I can’t even see!
“What’s wrong,” he asks with a sly smirk, “intimidated?”
“No. I’m not scared.”
“It’s all right to be if it’s your first time. I was, too. When you’ve got a good grasp of what it’s like to experience another person’s tau, walking into a room full of them can be overwhelming. Every fighter here has some understanding of Jeigon: The Spectrum of Power. Let’s see here...”
Shotobai takes out a small, leather-bound book from his black undershirt and flips through it to search for his notes.
I interrupt, “Yo, Shoto, why didn’t you want to fight that guy back there? Did you know him?”
He freezes for a second, and, although he’s not focusing on the book no more, Shoto doesn’t look at me either.
“This is the first time I’ve seen him in a long time, actually. To be honest, kid,” he looks over my head and says, “I don’t think I’m ready to take him just yet.
“The guy we just spoke to is named Samazoshi, and he’s about as strong as the big boss. If I can’t defeat Inen, then I have no chance of stopping Samazoshi on my own.”
“But why not spar with him a little, you know? Check him and see how you match up anyways?”
“Heh. Zoshi rarely ever spars with anyone without killing them. I don’t know if it’s on purpose or if he really hits that hard, but I’ve already been given my first contract—and training for it comes before everything else. Keep this in mind for when you become a Death Officer.”
“You got your first contract? How? Is Grandmaster Kei still on board?”
“Relax, kid.” Shoto snorts. “It came to me in a dream, if we’re being honest here.”
“A dream?” I can’t believe it. “You think your dreams are telling you who to kill?”
“It was a single dream,” he gets serious while trying to stare me down, “and you’re not in a position to teach anyone, brat.”
“My name’s Raiko. Don’t call me no other shit.”
“Psh. Okay, Raik, do you wanna learn about the Maia Spectrum or not?”
“Sounds hard... but I’ll try it.”
Shotobai sits cross-legged and motions for me to sit across from him while holding up his book again.
“Jeigon and Maia are two separate spectrums, but combining the two constantly in training and in battle will start to change how your body develops, understand?”
“Nah. Not really.”
“Well,” he sighs while gesturing toward himself, “take me for example: I used to be a lot skinnier, but both Maia and Jeigon have hypertrophic effects when practiced. Over time, my body’s grown to accommodate how much strength I’m gonna need going forward, and that’s how I’ve gotten bigger with every training session.”
“I think I got you, but I can’t use Maia whenever I want like you can.”
“That’s because you don’t know anything,” he says, “and I’m here to show you what you need to know. You’re going to trace a group of mandalas that you will learn to memorize. I’ll expect you to meditate on each one—if we’re doing this the traditional way, that is.”
“What’s the easier way?”
“We use blood,” he says. “But that’s not really my style.” Shotobai winks. “It’s not a good look to go around using blood rituals to summon whatever you want. Nah. Instead, Raik, you’ve got to understand the basics.
“The Maia Spectrum includes: Genesis, the art of creation; Dizogo, the art of destruction; and Divu, which is the art of fusion. There is a specialty for separating, or ‘unfusing,’ elements—Sedivu—but I’m not the best person to teach you about that.”
“Who is?”
“Eh... well,” Shoto scratches his chin, “Grandmaster Jia would be your best bet. I’ve heard that he’s on board with us.”
“Really? I’ve got to see him.”
I stand up, but Shoto raises one hand and says, “Woah, woah! If you don’t understand the basics, Raik, then he’ll turn you away!”
“Then just teach me the basics real quick.”
“That’s not possible. I can only go over the fundamentals with you and hope for the best. You’ve gotta be more patient.”
“Fine.”
I sit down, and the longest lecture of my life commences.
—
- Writer
