An Assassin's Respite

Akeno's Theory

Kazuna follows Akeno to a janitor's closet.

“Uhmm, is there a reason that we're here?” He asks.

“Well, if what these voices have been telling me is true, then yes. This is a room in the hotel that doesn’t have any security cameras, so what we say in here won’t be heard by anyone else.” She answers.

“Right,” Kazuna says a little nervous about what she’s going through.

“I know it may seem like I’m acting like a nut, but there’s a reason for it.” She assures him.

“Don’t worry, I don’t think that you’re crazy, just worried about what could have you so shaken up.” He replies.

The statement brings a smile to her face.

“Thank you, Kazuna.” She replies. She took a deep breath before she spoke again.

“Before I get into the voices I’ve been hearing and my strange dreams, there’s a question I have to ask. You know where powers originated from, don’t you?” She asks.

Kazuna sighs as he leans against a cabinet in the closet.

“My answer to that question will depend on what you’re basing that on.” He replies.

“I thought that would be your answer.” She says with a sigh. 

“A lot of the things I’m going to say I had speculated about but had no proof or nothing to connect it to." Akeno states.

"But why didn't you share them before? Knowing what your power is, I'm sure you would have been able to figure it out or that at least they would have had some bases." Kazuna states.

"I guess I never have properly explained how my power works. Although my power does increase my intellect, I can't simply figure things out. There has to be something I can connect it to. But ever since we came to this island, so many things that seemed extremely obvious came to me. First, your power allows you to draw power from the dragons that dwell in your swords. That would mean that a long time ago they were living dragons with bodies of their own. If that’s the case, then there’s a possibility that there were or even are other dragons.” She starts.

“You would be correct about that. At one point in time Karma, Kirin, and Bahamut were dragons with their own free will and bodies.” He confirms.

“That was something I had assumed before we came to the island, but once we arrived and I could feel the power from the island, I was able to put something else together. Power’s came about after a strange light illuminated the sky. Your power allows you to utilize the power of Kirin, Bahamut, and Karma. Could the enlightenment have happened because of a quarrel among dragons? And if that’s the case, then could everyone’s powers derive from dragons that lived long ago?” Akeno theorizes.

“That’s quite the theory,” Kazuna replies.

“I know, but it makes too much sense to simply be a theory. I have done extensive research on your clan both before and after I met you and I have come to the conclusion that your clan has been around for thousands of years and has been connected to every major power that has existed in the world. Why have you been able to exist outside the law for thousands of years? You must know something that has elevated you to the status of untouchable.” She elaborates.

“You know, ever since I arrived at GA and heard what your power was, I knew you were going to be a problem.” He notes.

“I have always been one to ask questions.” She says.

“Can’t say I hate that about you. But, everything you’ve said so far is nothing but speculation. However, knowing you, there’s something that pulls it all together.” He notes.

“With all this flattery you might make me fall for you.” She says jokingly.

“But in all seriousness, that’s where the voices come in. It’s as if I’m talking with someone through telepathy. They’re constantly giving me hints, leading me to conclusions that I would not have been able to come to on my own. The voice is the connection my power needed.” She adds.

“I see. That is quite troubling. Bahamut, what do you make of this?” He asks the dragon.

“It truly seems like the time of your destiny is upon us. Ms. Akeno, the voice you are hearing most likely belongs to Athena, the dragon of knowledge. In any case, could you please continue?” He asks.

“Right. When I’m awake, the whispers are simply telling me to think. To rethink everything I’ve assumed and imagine the unthinkable. I thought I was going crazy at first, but then when I went to sleep on the first night I started to think otherwise. The dream didn't feel like a dream. I was in full control over what I said, my thought process, and my body. Once I overcame the surrealness of the situation, a voice started to talk to me. The first thing it said was ‘This island is strange huh? The environment strengthens powers, I wonder why. I wonder if the enlightenment has something to do with it?’.” She starts.

“I wonder why Athena is being so aggressive in her approach?” Karma wonders.

“I have a guess as to why. Before the first night ended and I woke up, the voice said ‘The time is almost here. You must help him overcome himself or we’re all doomed.’” She answers.

“This is starting to become very troublesome,” Bahamut notes.

“It also said ‘I wonder if other people can draw strength from dragons? Maybe everyone can but he can just draw more power from them? Maybe mutations exist because they draw a large amount of power from dragons?’” Akeno continues.

“So that’s where we’re at, huh?” Kazuna says while staring at the ceiling.

“Kazuna, what does all this mean?” Akeno asks.

“I guess I’ll explain. I gave Kagura a short explanation a while ago, but it’s obvious that I’ll have to give you the full story. You might want to sit down, this could take a while.” He says.

Akeno heeds to his suggestion and sits on a bucket in the corner of the closet.

“Thousands of years ago, 3,567 years to be precise, a conflict that would determine the fate of the world took place,” Kazuna says starting a tale from long ago.