Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]



Happy Birthday Dragonball Z Arena!
It has been 18 years since I began my epic DBZ roleplay journey to provide my members with an intense battling experience like non-other. To celebrate , all topics on the site will provide double the power level rewards throughout the month of July. Also, new members who join can take advantage of this event will receive 10,000 Zeni as a welcoming gift and your choice of one clothing item in the Planet Earth Item List. This is a great opportunity to grind power level to give yourself an edge over the competition.

Join us and connect to the DBZA Discord chat below to interact with other members. You will be required to have an active Discord account created before joining so make sure you do so. Once accepted into the RPG I will change your status to allow you to enter various member exclusive chatrooms.


Welcome to DragonBall Z Arena.


You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, viewing most of the boards, and role-playing.






If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features:

Username:   Password:
Multiquote Post
Add Reply
Those Who Sow In Flames; Mei Solo
Topic Started: Aug 1 2015, 06:31 PM (224 Views)
MeiXing
Member Avatar
Novice
[ *  * ]
In another time…

Elder Sister Pyya stood on the top of the temple stairs as she looked down on all the children who thought they had what it took to become members of the highly regarded Kasai Guardians. They were young, no older than ten summers, but that was a requirement to be a Kasai; they needed to start young so the training would mould them into the guardians the Temple would need. It was Pyya’s duty to find the best of the best, to nurture their growth in the way of the Kasai. Old Master Fuega always told her that only the best students could stave off the Cold Dark that would one day encroach on the world.

Pyya never doubted the Old Master, and thus changed her teaching methods to bring out the best of her students. This often meant she used what some would consider incredibly harsh training methods. Today was one of those days where she would use said methods to cut the chaff from the wheat. Those who could not endure her training would never survive the incredible difficulties of being a Guardian.

She looked the children over. With a booming voice she said, “At the end of the day, when the sun is gone and above us are the multitudes of stars in the night sky, only a handful of you will continue your journey to become Kasai Guardians. The devoted, the strong, the loyal, and those willing to sacrifice everything can only wield the everlasting flame. Only those who bear the flames of the four directions, North, South, East, and West, will have the fortitude to go forward with your training.”

“If you do not have the will to endure my training, you will not be shamed, but you will need to find other talents within the Temple. The Kasai cannot abide failure. The Kasai cannot take in weakness. The flame will either choose you as its ally, or attempt to consume you as kindling. You must have a strong body, a strong mind, and a strong spirit. All three must be in perfect balance, or the Kasai will consume you. To become one of our Guardians, you must prove yourselves worthy.”

Pyya then barked at the children. “I want to see one hundred laps around the perimeter of the temple grounds! You will not stop until you have completed this task! Go! Now!”

Crossing her arms, Pyya watched as the students began their run while Old Master Fuega joined her. “I already suspect that only two, maybe three of these girls may become Kasai,” Pyya said, “Many of them do not have the wills to endure my training regimen. I wish we had some better stock to train.”
Old Master Fuega chuckled as she leaned on her cane. “You must give these girls more credit, Elder Sister. I am sure there are some who will be sure to surprise. What about the youngling that I found in the forest? Mei Xing, I believe.”

Pyya scoffed. “She is headstrong, foolish, and clumsy. If she ever learns how to throw a hinotama, I have no doubt. She will reduce the entire temple to ashes all around our heads. She is also a glutton who consumes far too much food. I’d hate to imagine what our stores would look like if she became Kasai and needed even more energy.”

They stood on the top of the stones steps and watched as the girls continued to run. Old Master Fuega simply clicked her tongue and shook her head. “You are only seeing with your plain eyes, Sister Pyya. Look deeper into Mei Xing, and you will see that the tiniest of sparks within that can grow into a brilliant flame.”

“I want you to train her personally, Elder Sister Pyya,” Fuega said, “but I also do not want you to hold back under any accounts. She has what it takes to become an incredible Kasai, and her fire must be nurtured properly. However harsh or unfair you must be, do so. Train her body until there is no bone that can be broken. Train her mind so that there is no illusion she cannot see past. Train her spirit until there is no one who can break her will.”

“But Old Master!” Pyya said in protest, “I cannot be expected to give one girl preferential treatment!”

“Of course not,” Old Master Fuega replied, “Which is why your methods will be brutal to make it look like Mei Xing is in trouble. She needs to endure these trials, for her role will be important in the years to come. But just as this is training for her, it will be training for you. You are impatient and expect much, Elder Sister. You will train her and you will not give up on her, no matter how many times she falls. This is my command as Old Master. I leave it to you to carry it out.”

Pyya did not understand what Old Master Fuega, and she did not like focusing her attention on one student. However, she always listened to the wise words of her master, and so she would train Mei Xing, just as Fuega commanded.

Pyya jumped from the stone steps of the Temple towards the running group of students, landing in front of the little girl known as Mei Xing. The sudden appearance of the Elder Sister startled Mei, who tripped on the ground and fell to the dirt. Mei stood up and laughed as she recovered.

“Uh… hi there, Elder Sister Pyya,” Mei said, “I’ll just get back to my laps, so I can continue my training to become Kasai!”

Pyya looked down on the upstart girl with a scowl. “A girl as clumsy as you needs to work twice as hard to become a Kasai! I want another one hundred laps around the temple grounds in addition to the one hundred I told you to run earlier! Now go!”

Mei balked only for a moment before starting her runs again, this time with Pyya on her heels. “I certainly hope she is worth the effort, Old Master.”

Several years later…

Fuega glowered at the small village that housed her student. Memories flooded her mind lately, and she could only assume that it came from another time when she performed her little masquerade at the Kasai Temple.

Her lips curled into a scowl. She felt everything in those dreams, including the weakness of that Fuega that could stand against the Demon King Piccolo. How she aged so much that she could not even walk without the aid of a cane. Such weakness infuriated her.

Without another word, Fuega began to descend upon the village, summoning two of her Kuro Hinotamas in her hands. Now it was time to awaken the true potential of the upstart’s Kasai so that Fuega could lay claim to its power.

“I found you…” Fuega said, and launched her black fireballs towards the village. The screams would bring Mei out in the open, and then the Black Fire Witch would swoop in for the kill.

***

Mei looked over the edge of the balcony, taking in the sight of the small village. She stayed here for a few days, wanting to get as far away from Fire Mountain and Fuega or anything. Dreams of Cineza’s death haunted her every night. The suddenness of her rival’s death gave Mei nothing but terror. With a flick of her hand, Fuega used Cineza’s inner fire to immolate her from within. There simply was no defense to that kind of technique.

Fuega must now be hunting her, and Mei did not have the power to defeat her master. It took every ounce of energy, every technique she knew to defeat Cineza, and even then, she did not have the killer instinct to finish Cineza off. How could she even hope to stand a chance against a true master of the Kasai if Fuega comes calling?

“What chance do I have…” Mei mumbled, her hands clenched around the railing. “She’s my Master… but she’s a monster. She knows everything about the Kasai… but I developed new techniques that she won’t see coming… but she’s an ancient martial master possessing incredible ki…”

Mei growled as she crunched the railing between her hands. Every time she thought about Fuega, fear and frustration ran through her mind. She needed to train incredibly hard if she was to stand a chance. Once Mei returned to Orin Temple, she would spend days, weeks, and months training in the gravity room if that is what it took to gain the power to defeat Fuega.

“Hey! Hey!” said a small voice behind Mei. “Are you gonna stay for breakfast? We have a lot of good food waiting in the dining room.”

Mei turned to see the innkeeper’s young daughter tugging at her cloth of her cheongsam. For the first time the thought of such food did nothing to ease her queasy stomach. She could even smell the food just waiting to be devoured; scrambled eggs, fresh toasted bread, cooked sausages and bacon—

“Bacon. I can definitely go for some bacon.” Mei supposed that she could never betray the needs of her stomach. She looked down on the little girl and gave her the best smile she could. “Your Kita, right? You’ve been very good to me.”

“I think you’re a neat lady who can do some really nice tricks with fire.” Kita giggled as she took Mei by the hand and lead her to the dining hall. “Besides, you looked rather sad. Bacon usually helps make people happy.”

“That it does.” Mei headed down to the dining hall, picked up a plate, and began to partake in the breakfast feast. Yet before she could even begin to eat, a sudden feeling struck her chest. She dropped the plate and all the food onto the floor, clutching her chest as she tried to quell the pain. It was something she never felt before, an intense pain that felt like a heart attack.

Kita looked up at Mei with concern in her eyes. “Is something wrong lady?”

Before Mei could answer, an explosion shook the entire inn, tossing pots, pans, and people to the floor. Screams accompanied the sound of roaring flames as the towns people fled from the attack that now shook their village apart. Mei staggered towards the exit of the inn despite the pain in her chest, knowing all too well that Fuega had somehow found her.

“Impossible,” Mei muttered, “I kept my ki low to that of the average person. How could she have found me?”

“What’s going on?” Kita screamed, “What’s happening to our village?”

Mei said nothing to Kita, caring only to meet whatever challenge now attempting to destroy this village. Despite the pain in her chest, she bashed her shoulder into door, forcing it wide open into the streets.

It was the landscape of a nightmare. Black fire burned without abating, reducing the village to ash as quickly as it spread. The very light of the morning sun blacked out from the billowing smoke as light itself was devoured by the ebony flames. Villagers ran from their homes covered in black fire. Flesh and bone reduced to ashes just as quickly as wood and metal. Some of the villagers ran to get water, but all attempts to put the flames out were met with failure.

Mei lurched forward, trying to spot Fuega. “I know you’re out there! Why are you doing this? What have these people done to you?”

The click of wooden sandals somehow overpowered the sound of the flames as the Black Fire Witch stepped out of the all-consuming flames. Unlike her previous appearances, Fuega stood straight and tall without the aid of her cane, looking like an older warrior than an elder crone does. The wind blew her grey hair around her face, and her cracked lips were pursed in disdain.

As the two Kasai stared each other down, Mei felt the pain in her chest finally ease up. She could not let her hesitation and fear rule her heart as she stared down her most dangerous foe yet. With a deep breath, Mei raised her hands and prepared for the inevitable battle.

I have to get her away from the village, Mei thought, It’s the only way to protect these people and get some kind of advantage over her!

“Come, my child, why do I do anything?” Fuega smiled with a mouthful of yellowed teeth. “These people mean so little to me. They are nothing to me but kindling to the all-encompassing black fire. Would you like to know the truth? The truth as to why I killed Cineza and now hunt you down?”

Fuega opened her hand and produced a small black fireball. “The Kasai is fire. Fire needs fuel. The ki of life acts as this fuel; it sustains the Kasai and strengthens it. The flame is energy, and through it, anything is possible. In the old days, centuries ago, those of the Kasai were only known as flame wielders. In truth, the Iyashino-en, the Flame that Heals, is our most diverse and powerful technique. You see it as a means to heal your wounds, but have you ever wondered why your flesh never scarred? Why you age so slowly compared to other people?

It is because of the Iyashino-en and the Sukinbaningu, the Burning Skin technique. United, the small energy of your Kasai feeds the Iyashino-en and heals you of your wounds and even aging. So what would happen if the Iyashino-en consumed vast amounts of energy? One’s power would grow exponentially! So I found a way to feed off the inner energy in all living things by burning them. Yet all that did was give me power. It could not stop my aging body from become frail and weak.”

“I don’t believe it…” Mei took a step away from Fuega in horror as she revealed her master plan. “You kill people to steal their ki, not only to strengthen yourself but just to… just to stop aging? Are you truly that vain!?”

Fuega looked up at the billowing smoke. “With youth comes power, child. Even with all the ki in my body, I still have the form of a frail old woman. But I discovered a technique that would restore my youth, if only I consumed enough ki. Yet energy was not enough. I needed something more. I needed my Kasai to become stronger. To do that, I needed to consume more Kasai spirit energy. For decades, I have trained young girls until they reached their potential. Then, when they hit their peak, I eliminate them and consume their very Kasai. Cineza was the last. Your next.”

Mei shook as she stared down her master. She could feel the power simply oozing from Old Master Fuega, but her will was broken. This was Fuega, the founder and master of the Kasai Hato Katachi, and Mei was merely a student, a youngling when compared to Fuega. She only barely managed to stand against Cineza. There was no way she could face Old Master Fuega in a one-on-one battle to the death.

But the screams of the people, those who were harmed by Fuega’s fires told Mei otherwise. They needed someone to help them, to buy them time to flee from Fuega’s madness. If she were to die here, then she would die as she was. A protector, a light in the darkness.

A Kasai Guardian.

“I… I will stand against you!” Mei shouted as she prepared herself for battle. “No matter what it takes, I won’t lose to the likes of you!”

“Very well then,” Fuega said, “Let us begin your final lesson.”

Mei held her fighting stance as she waited for Fuega to make the first move. The Old Master stabbed her cane into the ground with enough force to crack the ground; a display of power if Mei had ever seen one. With slow, calculated steps, Fuega began to walk towards Mei until she was some distance closer. Mei tensed up immediately, ready to jump at the first provocation by Fuega.

Fuega merely stared at Mei as she remained hunched over due to her bad back. Her grey eyes looked at her former pupil with disdain, as if the coming battle meant nothing to her. Instead of focusing on Fuega’s cold eyes, Mei turned her attention to the flow of her own ki, allowing it to pass through all her limbs without any resistance. She would need every ounce of energy to even survive the coming battle.

All Fuega did was stand still, flexing her bony hands. The sounds of joints cracking against one another echoed in Mei’s ears. Fuega then stretched her neck with the sounds of bones forcefully being rearranged reverberating throughout the burning village.
Is she just going to stretch first? This is insane! I’m right here, why won’t she attack? Mei’s thoughts became conflicted; why didn’t she attack first? All she was doing now was giving Fuega a chance to ready herself.

Her brow furrowed, Mei raised her palm, allowing a fireball to quickly form. She launched the burning ball towards Fuega with a shout of “hinotama!”

The hinotama flew towards with great speed as the flames hungered for something to burn. As it neared, Fuega flared her eyes, but otherwise did not move an inch. However, Mei took a step back to brace herself from the sheer force Fuega exuded. The shockwave produced by Fuega’s ki not only dissipated the hinotama, but also forced Mei backwards. Mei dug in her heels kept her stature, though the force did make her create large divots in the ground.

Fuega’s shoulders eased into a more relaxed position. “That was quite rude, my dear,” she said with a sneer. “Have I not taught you anything about manners? Is this how you treat the elderly in the world outside the temple? Hinotamas to the face, for shame. Can an old woman merely do some stretches before she partakes in exhausting exercise? I suppose it is merely the impatience of the young, then, that you wish to hurry things along? Do you have someplace to be, young lady? Is there someone waiting for you once this over? Oh my, Mei Xing, I never thought you had it in you. I bet you break a lot of hearts, hmm?”

The yellow-toothed grin of Fuega only disturbed Mei further as her betrayer of a master cackled. “I’m afraid all dates will be cancelled in the foreseeable future. Today, I will test your combat skills one-on-one. If you impress me with everything you have learned from your travels, then I will reveal the location of the final brazier, which will also be the battleground for our final showdown. If said skills are not to my satisfaction, then I will simply have to kill you for your weakness. Make no mistake, Mei Xing, that in the end I will kill you and take the essence of the Kasai into my own being, as I did with Cineza. I do know the value of a strong flame, however, and wish to consume only the strongest fires. It makes the feasting much more… delectable.”

Fuega smiled at Mei again. “Now if there will be no other interruptions? I would like to get ready for our duel properly.”

She raised her hands to the shoulders of her grey gi and with a hard tug, Fuega removed the sleeves. Tossing the fabric aside, Fuega continued to smile while still stretching her limbs like she was about to get into some light exercises. Mei only stood ready and waiting for Fuega to make the next attack. As much as she wanted to interrupt the traitor master, Mei knew that Fuega had the defensive advantage thanks to her earlier demonstration.

With her fists clenched, Fuega brought them to her sides as her ki began to boil beneath the surface. As her power grew, Mei watched as her master’s body began to shift and change from the various pressures that occurred throughout her body. A force wave of power rippled through the ground, creating a foot-deep crater around Fuega with her as the center.

Mei stood back in horror as Fuega’s strength began to skyrocket to levels Mei never thought the old woman was capable of. Fuega’s body began to change as well with her muscles expanding slightly so that her form was more akin to the healthy toned musculature of an athlete in her prime.

With her body at its peak, Fuega stopped charging her ki and instead smiled at Mei in that hideous fashion that unnerved her. Fuega than stretched her back, cracking her spine into several places until she stood upright with a perfectly repaired back and spine.

“This is my body at it’s peak,” Fuega said as she flexed her hands, “my power at this age at its absolute limits. I do hope you can keep up with one as wrinkly and decrepit as me!”

***

WC: 3465
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
MeiXing
Member Avatar
Novice
[ *  * ]
Elder Sister Pyya stared at a large rock in a mountainous outcrop just outside of West City. She had not been here for close to thirty years, ever since she discarded her old life and devoted everything to the Kasai Temple. Now she returned to the place where it all began, the place where Old Master Fuega had found Pyya, broken and in despair with a blade held close to her own throat. It was here that the Founder of the Temple gave Pyya an offer: join her temple, become a teacher of the martial arts and make something of her pathetic life, or continue with the original plan and slice her throat open, leaving her body cold, alone, and unmourned.

Pyya new that when her time came, she would not be chosen for heaven by King Yemma. Her previous life as a delinquent rabble rouser would catch up to her then. But the offer by Old Master Fuega was too enticing to ignore. After all, after years of debauchery that lead only to death and despair, Pyya was ready to kill herself for a life wasted. The chance to redeem herself in a temple was the ticket to salvation that she sought. Pyya of course agreed but there was something she had to do here first. Now she needed to dig up the forgotten memories to help Sister Mei Xing, who had also saved Pyya from an eternity in hell. It was here she buried her past, both metaphorically...

...and literally. Pyya raised her hand and fired a ki blast into the rock. She ignored the dirt and stone shards that hit her body. They were a minor discomfort to what would come in the days ahead. Pyya walked towards the small crater she created, knelt down on her knees, and began to dig with her bare hands. She swept aside large clumps of dirt and rock until finally she found a simple wooden box nailed shut. The nails had long rusted since Pyya first buried her shame.

The Temple was destroyed. The Kasai Guardians were dead. The rest of the Sisters were huddled in the Orin Temple, awaiting the day that Elder Sister Pyya and Sister Mei Xing would return to bring them back home with Old Master Fuega. If they were to be successful in their mission, then Pyya needed to regain her strength. She needed to become the Elder Sister that the others looked up to. She needed to get the edge back in her life that she had cast aside to be a priestess of the Kasai.

Holding the wooden box, Pyya raised right hand, clenched it into a fist, and smashed the top of the box into splinters. As she reached inside, Pyya froze as her hand wrapped around the reminder of her sordid past. If she took hold of this remnant of days long past, what would that make her? Would she have cast aside all of her training, all of Old Master Fuega's teachings to embrace the life of arrogance once again?

Pyya took a breath. She closed her eyes. She tightened her grip. "You are but a tool of my will. My choices are my own. If I embrace you, it is because of my will to embrace you. I am the wielder. I am strong. No tool can control me."

Raising her hand, Pyya revealed the weapon she used when she ran with a gang in West City. A pair of nunchaku now rested in her hands. Made of black wood, bound by simple steel chains, and emblazoned with the image of the tortoise. While to outsiders it may seem odd, Pyya earned the title of the Snapping Tortoise by using her nunchaku as defensive weapons. Her height and size already formidable compared to most men, expert use of the nunchaku allowed her to be near impenetrable fortress on the field of battle. The tortoise beguiled it's foes by making them think it was slow, but the tortoise was able to snap it's jaws with precision, speed, and power. So too did Pyya wield the nunchaku like the jaws of the turtle, snapping them in a way that caused aggressors to think twice before approaching.

Before today, she used her nunchaku for evil purposes. Now she would use them to help Mei Xing rescue Old Master Fuega. Pyya began to swing the nunchaku in various katas she had learned and honed in her youth, expertly snapping them around her body and catching them with her hands. She never lost step as she practised her forms, even able to throw a few quick kicks in between her combinations. Even after all this time, the nunchaku, the Kurogame, felt as much a natural extension of her body as it did all those decades before. In fact, it felt even better, like Pyya was somehow made whole. She did not feel the same sense of malice as she did in her youthful days either. No, she felt somewhat at peace, despite the terrible situation she was thrust into.

"Pyya the Snapping Tortoise has returned to the world," she announced to heavens, if somewhat mutedly. "I have learned the lessons of the world, and I will set myself out to do what is right. Sister Mei Xing! Soon I will be by your side and we will rebuild our Temple together!"

However, as Fuega made her announcement, she suddenly felt a massive spike of energy. While not unusual for this day and age, what surprised Pyya the most was who that energy belonged to.

"Old Master?" Taking no time to dally about, Pyya slid her nunchaku into her belt and jumped back onto her motorcycle. With the press of a button, the Capsule Corp. bike opened up to reveal a jet propulsion system. Pyya could fly to the ki signature easily enough, but she needed to stay hidden. The element of surprise was important to the Snapping Tortoise, but she also wanted to keep a low profile, for something was very wrong with what she felt.

For if the power did belong to Old Master Fuega, then there was something wrong, for while it felt like the power of the Kasai, it felt malevolent, twisted, and impossibly tainted. Pyya set off, hoping to find that she was not only mistaken, but that Mei Xing would be there as well.

***
Mei Xing stood ready to face her Old Master in battle, though it took every effort not to tremble from the sheer power Fuega exuded. The old decrepit woman with the cane was gone, replaced by a much more significant though still elderly warrior. Fuega new everything that Mei knew, and likely held back some of her own techniques so that they would not be used against her at a time like this. Everything about the Kasai Hato Katachi, Fuega could easily counter being its creator. A good thing Mei learned a few things on her own from other martial artists during her travels and developed a few tricks of her own as well.

Posted Image

Fuega remained standing tall and straight as she seemed to wait for Mei Xing to make the first move. "This is beginning to bore me, child," she said, "I need to make sure these old bones work, but you seem to enjoy standing there like a useless stump. Very well, then. If you don't want to start this final lesson, then I believe the first move is mine."

Battle Theme

With a sudden burst of speed, Fuega rushed towards Mei, her wooden sandales making a trail on the ground as the master charged against the student. Mei did not have time to react as Fuega struck her across the face with a powerful fist strike. The force of the attack sent Mei sailing through the air and into some of the burning carts of the village. Bits of wood and debris collapsed onto Mei. Groaning, Mei took her time getting up, fumbling over damaged cart parts and bits of houses. Mei wiped away a bit of blood pouring from the edge of her mouth as she tried to steady herself. She knew Fuega was strong, but not to this degree.

"Already I am disappointed." Fuega said, "I thought you could do better against a simple punch. Did you not pose an even greater challenge to Cineza? Do try to keep up, Sister Mei Xing, I need to be somewhat entertained before I consume your essence. If I'm not properly entertain, I will have to find other sources of amusement. Perhaps this village and it's inhabitants? They all look like kindling from where I stand."

Grinding her teeth, Mei could feel her rage boiling inside her heart. How could Fuega simply be so callous? How could she have hid such an evil personality for centuries, telling lie after lie to generations of Kasai?

"Take this!" Mei shouted, raising her hands above her head and forming a very large ball of red ki. The ball burst into flames, taking the form of a Grand Hinotama, of which Mei thrust towards Fuega. The massive fireball hurtled down the dirt road, charring the land and reducing anything flammable to cinders within moments. It was a powerful attack most opponents would have difficulty dealing with.

However, Fuega was beyond most opponents. She was the progenitor of the Kasai, the one who founded the Temple and the one who lit the spark within all of her students. As the Grand Hinotama neared, Fuega raised her hands as if to catch the giant fireball. Catch it she did, only being pushed back slightly, her sandals digging a slight trench into the dirt. The Grand Hinotama appeared to do nothing to Fuega, not even scorching her clothes. With a smirk and a grunt, Fuega pushed the fireball until it flew into the sky, exploding in a mass of harmless fire.

"Getting better," Fuega said, though she still sounded bored. "But I remain unconvinced of your devotion to my defeat. I thought I trained you better, Mei Xing. I thought Elder Sister Pyya trained you better. I gave her a simple task, to push you to your absolute limits, to unleash what the student of Master Roshi awoke when you were but a small child. However, I can see that she failed in this task. You are not worthy of the Kasai. You are not worthy of existing. Once I am done with you, I will find Pyya and end her as well. The Kasai Temple will end, and I will start anew. The cycle will begin again, just as it always has. For while a fire may die, the embers can always become new fires and burn hotter than the last."

Mei did not listen. She did not want to listen. All she wanted to do was send a message to Fuega, that she would not be taken lightly, even by her own traitorous master. Mei charged at Fuega, flying at full speed in a direct attack, her open palm ready to strike. Fuega crouched low and readied a fist of her own to counter, only to be surprised as Mei flew right through her.

"A ki after image..." Fuega said. She turned slightly only to be one the receiving end of a stiff kick right to her temple. Fuega faltered for a moment, her footwork now staggering, while Mei followed up with a another kick, this time aimed at Fuega's stomach. The blow struck true, making Fuega wince for a moment, but otherwise there was no reaction. Fuega continued to maintain that cold expressions she carried since the start of their battle.

"It took you long enough to be a little more invested in this battle," Fuega chided, "but too little, too late. With every passing moment, the fear of your inevitable death creeps into your heart."

Fuega then grabbed Mei's outstretched leg and twisted it, spinning Mei into the air and then striking her square in the abdomen with a solid bash of her elbow. Mei could not even cry out in pain as the wind was knocked out of her. Her eyes bulged and spittle flew from her mouth. She collided with the ground and made a small crater, all while Fuega remained standing.

Mei rolled over to her front and slowly pushed herself onto all fours. If only she had more time to train, to get stronger, to learn new techniques perhaps then she would have stood a chance against Fuega, but at this rate she was only delaying the inevitable. She could not match Fuega's strength or speed, nor the incredible power the Old Master carried in her techniques. Mei needed a new strategy and she needed one quickly. Something to catch her master off guard.

"For all I have taught you, I had hoped the world would teach you the most important lesson of all, child," Fuega said as she walked a circle around the fallen Mei Xing. "That the only thing that matters in this world, in the universe, is power. Do you think kind words defeat enemies? Do you think a well reasoned argument stops the tide of evil? Perhaps extending the hand of friendship will halt the fist of destruction? This is the naivety of the world in full force, and you are the standard bearer of such. I saw it the moment you gave Cineza a moment of mercy. She was the one who destroyed the Kasai Temple, who murdered countless of your fellow Sisters and other people before that. She even tried to kill you. Yet you still opened your hand to her. Do you know what she would have done? She would have stabbed you in the back and stolen your essence without another thought."

Fuega looked up to the sky. "You see, child, the heroes of this world that fight so hard to defend it still need power to do so. All I am doing now is the same as they, for I do not want this world taken by evil forces. No, the power of the Kasai, the power over the element of fire must be mine. With it's power will come endless youth, of immortality. Soon I shall be a god of fire, one who can control the destiny of the element itself. For as I always taught you, in the beginning, there was fire. In the end, there will be fire. And so I shall remain at the end of it all, ready to create the universe itself according to my will."

Mei looked up at Fuega, settling on her knees in a kneeling position. She took a deep, ragged breath. "You are mad, Fuega," she breathed out. "The power you seek... isn't meant... for someone like you..."

"Oh?" Fuega raised a brow as she approached Mei, her fist clenched. "Do explain further."

Chuckling, Mei looked up at Fuega with one eye. "You... were respected in the Temple. A matron to the sisters, the Old Master of the Kasai. But now... you are little more than a thief now, just as you were nothing more than a petty thief hundreds of years ago. Too old and feeble to get the strength you want. Too consumed by pride to be anything else but a waste of space. Face it, Fuega."

"Master Mutaito wasted his time on you."

In that moment, Fuega's eyes darkened from indifference to pure rage. She raised her fist high, aiming to crush Mei's skull in a single, fury-infused blow. As she brought her fist downward, Mei raised her own hands towards her face, fingers spread, and shouted: "SOLAR FLARE!"

Fuega recoiled from the blinding light of the Solar Flare technique, giving Mei much needed breathing room. Mei jumped to her feet and bounded several meters away from her opponent. Now was the best time to turn the tables as any. With her arms crossed in front of her and her palms pointed inward, Mei gathered all the ki she could muster. She needed the strength of the True Kasai. She needed the power of fire. She needed...

"The Flame... Awakens!"

A ring of fire formed around Mei's feet, which quickly burst higher into a column. The flames then converged on their creator, forming a shroud of energy that completely enveloped Mei. Soon the flames were absorbed into her very being, allowing Mei to take in the full force of her transformation. Her hair moved like that of a crackling fire with an orange tinge, while embers of ki floated off her body. Her muscles became more defined and Mei took on a fiery aura that swirled every way.

Recovering from the Solar Flare, Fuega looked up incredulously as Mei increased her power several fold. "The Flame will not save you from the one who sparked it in your heart," Fuega hissed. "Do you forget who you are facing in battle? I am the Black Fire Witch! It is about time I remind you of such!"

Fuega then raised her right hand and used her left to brace the arm. A ball of white ki formed in the outstretched palm and burst into flames, only for the fire to take on an ebon colouring. "I will burn you to ashes!" Fuega yelled, "Kuro Hinotama!"

The Kuro Hinotama, the black fireball, hurtled towards Mei with speed and power far greater than even a Grand Hinotama. Despite this, Mei deftly dodged the attack and took to the sky, charging her own ki for a massive attack. The Kuro Hinotama exploded against a rock, leaving absolutely nothing in its wake. Mei did not want to know what sort of damage that attack could do to the human body.

In rapid succession Mei fired volley after volley of red ki blasts and zoned on Fuega's ki signature, each one detonating on the ground in a violent explosion. The ground quaked from the force Mei unleashed upon it and even the very image of Fuega disappeared from the light and explosions of Mei's barrage. Mei finished her assault by calling upon two Grand Hinotamas and throwing them at Fuega with all of her might. The two attacks quickly increased the blast radius of the explosion, leaving only a smouldering crater and trails of smoke.

Unfortunately, it did nothing to stop Fuega. The Old Master flew from the smoke with speed unnatural, her clothes torn into shreds. She charged towards Mei with her fists clenched, each hand surrounded by a ring of black fire. With a shout of rage, Fuega unleashed the black fire in the form of two pillars heading right towards Mei. The strength of the black fire pillars was unmatched, and Mei could only raise a barrier in the nick of time to deflect the attack. The flames struck against her ki with incredible force, enough that she could feel their heat against her skin, even through the barrier.

When the attack dissipated, Mei looked up to see Fuega already upon her. Mei and Fuega began to trade blows, their movements faster than the average human eye could ever perceive. Each strike was checked with a block or dodged with expert precision. Mei thrust her palm forward and slammed it right into Fuega's chin. At the same time, Fuega made for a right hook that connected with the side of Mei's head. The two knocked each other backwards, creating a gap between them.

In the ensuing pause, Mei raised her hand her hand a formed a red energy disc. She gave it a razor's edge and prepared to throw it. Fuega looked up and recognized the attack, but only smiled at the sight of it.

"Ah, the kienzan," Fuega said with a smirk, "Do you think you have the will to use that technique? It will slice me in two. You do not have the killer instinct, Mei Xing. You are little more than a child playing at a warrior. Warriors kill, child. Do you have the will to kill me? Your own Old Master who rescued you from a life of being an orphan? The one who taught you everything? Do you not believe I can be redeemed?"

Fuega spread her hands and appeared to open herself up to the kienzan. "Well then, child, let me see your-"

Mei did not hesitate. She threw the kienzan with all her might towards Old Master Fuega. The kienzan soared through the air towards Fuega. Surprised at the sudden change in Mei Xing, Fuega only narrowly avoided the kienzan, the edge of the energy disc slicing her cross her left shoulder. Fuega grimaced as she pressed a hand against her wound. Crimson blood poured from the massive wound. Fuega choked back disbelief. Her eyes filled with fury, Fuega opened her palm and created a black hinotama.

"You insolent wretch," Fuega said, "I'll do whatever it takes to make your last moments a living hell! Now then..."

"Ho...no..." Mei landed on the ground began to invoke her attack, gathering as much energy as she could into one powerful attack.

Fuega looked down to see Mei charging a new technique. Fuega gasped as she felt the power spike right in front of her eyes. Not only that, but she recognized the technique Mei was channelling.

"That technique!" Fuega gasped. "That is the Kamehameha! But a different version... and offshoot... the Kamehameha is a technique based on water, so you should not be able to use it! Incredible, you changed it by recognizing the characters in the techniques name, but still mastering it's form!"

"Ha...kai..." Mei continued the evocation, the red energy of the Honohakaiha spilling out from the cracks of her fingers.

Her eyes narrowed. "It would seem I have underestimate you, Mei Xing. You finally impressed me with your abilities."

Mei lashed out, thrusting her hands forward and letting the attack be unleashed in its full force. "HAAAAA!!!!"

The massive red beam flowed from Mei's hands towards Fuega, surging through the air like a burning tidal wave of pure power. The kienzan was merely a distraction, the lethal razor edge never meant to actually connect. Mei planned on using the full force of the Honohakaiha on Fuega and thanks to the time given to her by the kienzan, Mei was able to charge it to its Grand stage. With her attack at its maximum, Mei let it flow through the sky right at her Old Master.

"This... is for all of my sisters!" Mei shouted over the roar of her attack. "This is for Elder Sister Pyya... even Cineza! Your rein of terror over the Kasai ends here and now!"

Fuega screamed as the Grand Honohakaiha overtook her, the light of the attack completely engulfing Fuega. The sky was completely filled with light as the attack extended through the air, the stratosphere, and even into space. It was the most powerful attack Mei Xing had ever unleashed. She did not have the means for the kienzan to kill Fuega. However, she did have the means to kill her with the Honohakaiha. Mei would force Fuega to see the power she wanted thrust upon her in the most violent way possible.

Mei would pray for redemption later. Right now she needed to stop Fuega from destroying more live.

Mei let her attack finally dissipate, leaving her drained of energy. Mei collapsed onto the ground, letting her transformation fall as well, returning her to normal. She took large gasps of air as she tried to settle down, but as she took a moment to rest, Mei extended her senses. She could not detect Fuega anywhere. The Honohakaiha must have worked. Fuega was...

"I'm sorry it had to end this way..." Mei said as she slowly rose to her feet. "I wish things were different, but at least it's over now."

"Is it?"

Mei's eyes widened with fear as she heard the familiar voice of Old Master Fuega. She turned around to see her master battered and bruised, but still in fighting shape. Looking on in horror, Mei took a step back, all the while keeping a close eye on Fuega's sinister smirk.

"I have to admit, you finally exceeded expectations, child," Fuega said, "No, not child. You have long surpassed that point. You truly are a Kasai Guardian. I am proud of you, Sister Mei Xing. I am sure Elder Sister Pyya is proud of you as well."

Mei could not believe it. That was her most powerful attack and Fuega took it head on. Not only that, but Fuega hid her ki signature quickly enough and still managed to use her speed to get behind Mei. "This is... impossible," Mei gasped, "Your strength..."

"Is greater than you ever though," Fuega replied. "But now I tire of this game. I want you to behold something, Kasai Guardian. The power I took from Cineza was more than enough to achieve the mastery of my most prized technique, one more powerful than the Iyashino-en. The Wakagaeri-en, the Rejuvenation Flame."

Mei stared in horror as Fuega's ki suddenly spike even further than it was before. Fuega smiled as her body was encircled by black fire, the incredible power she wielded coming to the fire. Soon Fuega vanished from sight, leaving nothing but a swirling tornado of ebon flames. Mei charged another Honohakaiha, drawing what little reserves she had left and let loose against Fuega. She needed to stop Fuega before she drew on the stolen strength of the Kasai.

The Honohakaiha hit its mark true, but was only deflected by the black fire whirlwind. Unable to damage Fuega further, Mei could do nothing but feel suddenly helpless at the sight of her master enacting her own transformation.

The black fire finally ceased, leaving only a simple figure in it's wake. Shrouded by the shadow of the black fire, the figure stepped out revealing herself. Mei finally recognized the form she beheld. Just as Fuega said, she used the stolen power of the Kasai to become young again, and appeared exactly as she did in the vision of the brazier. Dark, youthful skin shone in the light of the sun, while brilliant white hair cascaded down face. Fuega brushed it aside with a simple motion and smiled at Mei Xing. In her young form, she appeared even more sinister than before. Even her clothes changed with this massive increase in power: she wore a black cheongsam gi, silver greaves adorned in rubies, and a diadem with a single gem in the centre on her forehead.

Posted Image

What was more striking were her eyes. While they carried the same red irises as others of the Kasai, it was the whites that bothered Mei, in the fact that Fuega's scleras were pitch black. She looked like a monster from hell in the form of a beautiful woman. However, everything about Fuega's form was paltry when compared to the massive power she now held within her body.

"Well then," Fuega said as she checked her nails. "Am I not beautiful in this form? Not only that, but I'm sure you can feel my power. I think I can maintain this form for a hundred years. Maybe two if I conserve my energy. Well then, Kasai Guardian Mei Xing. Are you ready for round two?"

Fuega's black eyes turned towards Mei. "I promise you, this will be the last."

***
WC: 4502
TWC: 7967
Edited by MeiXing, Aug 23 2015, 12:41 AM.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
MeiXing
Member Avatar
Novice
[ *  * ]
Mei tried to take up a defensive stance, but all she could do was weakly hold her hands up. Fuega continued to smile as she stepped forward, the click of her heels on the ground echoing over the silence created by her transformation. Mei racked her mind for some kind of tactic that she could use against Fuega, but the power gap was too extreme now. Even if she was at full power in her True Kasai form, it would pale in comparison to the strength Fuega possessed now. Still, Mei needed to fight. Even if she was driven to her limits, she would surpass them, if only to continue to be defiant in the face of Fuega.

"Well then, Kasai Guardian," Fuega said, her voice now that of a young woman, carrying a tone of authority. Every sound rolled off her tongue like a decadent, sultry wave that would have been alluring to anyone else. Mei could only hear the evil in Fuega's voice.

"This has been entertaining," Fuega continued, "But I'm afraid our little game of cat and mouse has come to an end. I've been quite entertained by you, for you have shown growth outside of the Temple, just as I had anticipated. For you see, Mei Xing, I realized from the moment I saw you in your little forest home outside of Fire Mountain that you were something unique. On that day, years ago, when the student of my old colleague Master Roshi created a powerful energy attack to defeat a great evil, you, a child of little more than three years of age, opened her ki and helped with the techniques formation. It was at that moment you allowed a reservoir of ki to flood into you. Normal humans do not grow as quickly in power as you do, and it is for this reason I needed to possess you myself."

Fuega was now face-to-face with Mei, the black eyes with red irises even more disturbing up close. "Of course, little things like your parents would only get in the way. They needed to be removed, of course. Not only would the complication be removed, but I would have fostered a reliance in you for me and for the Temple. A devotion in the child for the master that saved her, that raised her, that promised her that she could be something more than a worthless, forgotten orphan. I knew you would expand your powers to levels unseen. I knew your potential would be greater than any of my students and you have proven it by being stronger than Pyya and Cineza combined. I knew your essence would keep me young for centuries, perhaps even millennia."

Her lips curled into a smile that made Mei's heart sink into her stomach. They were two snakes slithered up against each other as Fuega hissed her words. "You fell for all of it, Mei Xing. I played you like a koto, my hand firm the strings that is your life. Now the song is over and it is time for the performance to end."

Mei clenched her fist and ground her teeth as she let Fuega's vile words sink in. This person, this monster, killed everyone important to Mei and then planted the seeds of devotion in Mei at a young age. All of Fuega's words only incensed Mei further. Everything Fuega said only cemented to Mei the final truth of the matter. Old Master Fuega did not die the day when she revealed herself as the Black Fire Witch. Old Master Fuega never existed at all. There was only the cruel, vindictive, selfish demon that stood in front of Mei now.

"What now, Kasai Guardian?" Fuega mocked, "No challenge to my words? No cry for justice? Retribution for the fallen? Do you have nothing else to say before you end?"

Mei's power pulsed once more as her aura burst into an incredible flame. "Why don't you just... shut..."

"UP!"

Mei screamed that last word as she slammed her fist into Fuega's face. She never clenched a fist with the intent on throwing a punch before. She relied on palm strikes and kicks, but never fists. There was no style to this attack, no strategy, no technique. It was just a simple punch fuelled by all the rage Mei held in her heart for this woman, this incinerator of lives. All she wanted to do was punch Fuega's head clean off her shoulders.

Yet Fuega did not budge from Mei's strike in the slightest. Mei's punch did not even appear to connect despite Mei feeling the force of the collision. Fuega stood still as she regarded Mei's feeble attempt at fighting back, her blackened eyes boring into her former student's. With an indignant sound, Fuega snatched Mei's hand away from her face. Her grip on Mei's hand solid, Fuega squeezed hard as she pulled Mei closer to her.

"It is time to break you," Fuega said, slowly and with emphasis on every word. To make her point, she quickly squeezed down as tightly as she could on Mei's fingers, crushing them bone by bone, joint by bone. Her right hand utterly shattered, Mei could do nothing but scream and clutch at her destroyed limb, the sheer pain of it all even forcing her leave her transformed state. Mei fell to her knees, trying to pull her ruined hand away from Fuega but no avail. The grip of the evil Kasai Master was too strong for Mei to pull away from.

"I gave you a chance, girl and you threw it away," Fuega hissed, "I gave you a chance to leave with some dignity intact, but you had to do something stupid like trying to hurt my beautiful face. Now you hand is shattered in a thousand little pieces. Oh how sad for you."

Mei collapsed to her side, holding onto her fingers and trying to crawl away from Fuega. She foolishly thought she could stand against her master and would not pay the ultimate price. There was nothing she could do to stop Fuega from claiming her ki. Everything was for naught. Not only that, but Fuega would find and kill Pyya too. Mei failed utterly and completely to stop her Master, and now the world would suffer for her weakness.

Fuega pushed Mei onto her back with her foot, placing the spiked heel of her boot firmly on Mei's sternum. Mei screamed as she felt the spike press into her, weakly trying to push the foot away. "This is really for the best," Fuega said, "This is the end of the road for you, Kasai Guardian. The final countdown has begun. Can you not hear the bell toll? Soon you shall be a part of me, as with the other Kasai. This was always your destiny, Mei Xing. Nothing more, nothing less. You should feel proud. You, the strongest of the Kasai, will soon become the strongest part of a new goddess of fire. Accept this gift."

Removing her foot, Fuega reached down and took hold of Mei's cheongsam and lifted her up so that her feet did not even touch the ground. As Mei was held aloft, Fuega's lips curled into another sadistic grin. Mei's body felt incredibly heavy, as if great weights were dragging all of her limbs to the ground. She could not raise her hands to defend herself. Her body, drained of every ounce of ki and only barely hanging on, did not respond to her commands to move. All was lost.

Fuega raised her left hand, putting prominence on her index and middle finger, and lifted them above her head. She then brought the two fingers down upon Mei's forehead with great force, but the impact was only like a small tap. Yet as Fuega's fingers pressed against Mei's head, Mei's eyes widened as she recognized the technique. It was the same one Fuega used to murder Cineza in cold blood. Heat began to pour from the point of impact and spread throughout Mei's body as she stood there and suffered the intense burning pain of the Immolation Technique. Even if she wanted to move, Mei was too paralysed by pain to do so.

"Cineza could do nothing to resist this technique," Fuega said in a low voice, "Now, neither can you. It has been a pleasure, Kasai Guardian, but this is your final moments. I imagine it will be painful, but I also imagine it will be brief."

Mei's body began to tremble. She stared at Fuega's fingers as she felt her blood began to boil underneath her skin. All it would take was a single command from Fuega and Mei would be engulfed by her own fire. Mei closed her eyes and began to struggle anew. She would not die the same way as Cineza. She would get out of this attack and take the fight to Fuega, even if he only had one good hand to so with! For all of the Kasai Fuega betrayed and murdered, even Cineza! Mei would struggle, Mei would persevere, and Mei would overcome!

"It ends," Fuega said at last, "Immo-"

Mei's eyes suddenly flared with ki-infused fire, her body unleashing a shockwave that blasted Fuega away from her prey. Mei found herself back in the True Kasai form, but she did not notice this as important. What was important was to take the fight to Fuega here and now with her newfound energy. Mei rushed Fuega with a flurry of attacks and while she could not use her right hand, Mei was able to continue her assault and keep her timing with just her left hand and her feet.

First, Mei struck Fuega with a hard fist right into the traitor master's stomach. Fuega grimaced from the pain and moved her arms to counter attack, only to be struck several time by rapid kicks aimed at her chest. Cursing, Fuega looked up to see Mei raising her left palm point blank into her face with a Grand Hinotama already forming in the centre of her palm. Fuega raised her arms swiftly enough to brace against the black, but could not helping being pushed against the ground and then caught in the explosion of the massive fireball attack.

Mei flew a good distance away from Fuega so that she could catch her breath. She had absolutely no idea where that extra energy came from, but was grateful for it. It gave her some breathing room, but would still be no match for Fuega. She needed to get some time to catch her breath.

Hiding her power and thus leaving the True Kasai form again, Mei ducked behind some rubble. She peeked out from behind her rock to see the dust and smoke from her hinotama attack finally settle, revealing an angry, yet unharmed, Fuega in the center of that storm.

"Where did you get that sudden burst of strength?!" Fuega yelled, "Have I underestimated the potential you carry within? No matter! You cannot hide from me forever! This is the day that you die, Kasai Guardian! Come out! Face me, coward!"

Mei would not be goaded by simple jeers. As she hid, Mei tried to steady her breathing and regain some of her lost stamina. She looked to her ruined hand and saw that it was much worse than she thought. Her fingers were splayed in every direction, and some even had small bits of bone sticking out of it. The adrenaline rushing through her body must have allowed it so Mei could ignore the pain, but the longer the she looked at her hand, the more it began to hurt. However, she could not use the Iyashino-en technique to heal her wounds, as that would cause her ki to spike and alert Fuega to her presence. She just needed to hope that given enough time, Fuega would feel the need to search for Mei, giving Mei more time to properly treat her wounds.

A young girl's scream took Mei by surprise and as Mei peeked from behind her cover, she could see Fuega holding the girl Kita by the neck. Mei gasped and quickly came out of hiding to stop Fuega from potentially killing her.

"Ah, yes, your true weakness," Fuega said, "I suppose I played a part in that as well. Do tell, why this girl seems to have some sort of worth to you? You only met her just today, but you want to protect her, don't you?"

"Let her go, Fuega!" Mei shouted, "She has nothing to do with this! This entire village is innocent of all of this!"

Fuega scoffed at Mei's words. "Innocence... what is that, really? Is it something that should spare the lives of others from the despair of life? From the hardships brought upon them from their greaters? What are they but ants beneath my feet? To me, they are either tools to be used, just as you were, or obstacles in my path to be knocked away. If you stop and help the people, you become beholden to them. You become their servant. What use are the common people to the powerful? I tell you they are nothing."

Her eyes narrowed and she turned her baleful gaze to the unconscious Kita. "People are frail. Weak. Easily controlled by the strong, through might or through word. In the masses they are useless, with only a select individuals who rise among them proving to be of worth. This one could be something, but consider that she is just a lowly little village girl who barely knows anything of hardship beyond the borders of her hamlet. What use is she if there is not someone to give her the push, just like I did to you."

"Face the facts, Mei Xing," Fuega said, turning her eyes towards her student. "If it were not for me, you would be nothing. You would be the same as this cretin here. Alone, afraid, and weak."

Mei's rage boiled once again, but this time concern for Kita stayed her hand. If she tried to go for Fuega, she was certain that she would not get to Kita in time. She tried to look for a way, some kind of technique that could save Kita, but needed to face the fact that Fuega was right. Mei could not hurt an innocent or allow one to get hurt just to get at her enemy.

Her shoulders slumped. Fuega knew everything about Mei including her weaknesses and could easily play them against her. "All right!" Mei shouted in defeat, "All right. You win. I'll give up, Fuega. Just let Kita go."

Fuega's sadistic smile returned as Mei walked towards her master. "I see it does not take much to get you to finally give yourself up."

Mei stood face to face with Fuega, though her eyes darted between Fuega and Kita. "Let her go! You have what you want!"

"...No..." Fuega hissed as she held up her fist, positioning it over Kita's head. "I am still curious about that hidden power of yours! If I can bring you to your breaking point and then consume your Kasai, my power would be immense, my youth remaining forever! I want to see just how far your potential goes! If I have to crack a few skulls to push you to your absolute limit, then so be it!"

Mei shouted for Fuega to stop, though at the speed Fuega could muster, there was nothing she could do. Tears ran down her face as she tried to get to Kita before Fuega could land the executioner's blow.

Before fist could smash skull, a small, blunt object smacked right into Fuega's hand. It was enough to distract Fuega enough for Mei to leap forward and snatch Kita from her masters grasp. Mei then bounded across the wreckage of the village, clutching the girl tight to her chest. As she ran, Mei felt another power nearby. She guessed it was the one that saved Kita. Mei looked up and gasped in surprise at the sight.

Standing tall on top of a narrow post, Elder Sister Pyya stood vigilant over the battlefield with her arms crossed in front of her chest. Everything about Pyya looked different. She no longer wore the cheongsam gi that all Kasai Guardians wore, but instead wore a long jacket with tall, knee-high boots and holding nunchuks in her hand. With a gesture of her hand, Pyya called on the nunchuk she threw at Fuega, which flew from the ground back to her waiting hand.

Pyya jumped from her pillar down to the ground, landing with such force that it kicked up a swift dust storm. Fuega narrowed her eyes at her former second-in-command. "Pyya... you seem different somehow. Did you embrace your calling as a delinquent once again? And here I thought I burned away any resemblance of individuality within you so that you are loyal only to me. I suppose it was only a matter of time until you found your way back to delinquency again."

Snapping her nunchaku into a battle position, Pyya entered a fighting stance. "I thought my senses were deceiving me, Fuega, but my eyes tell me that everything is true! I can feel the energy of my Sisters flowing in your veins. Monster! They shall be avenged!"

Fuega chuckled. "And let me guess. You will be the one to avenge them? Your power is paltry compared to Mei Xing, who I was able to defeat without breaking a sweat. What do you hope to accomplish? Cineza was even able to steal some of your Kasai before you went into the Wildfire state. You have not recovered enough to even stand a chance against me. I will only need one strike to finish you off."

Flipping her nunchaku around with incredible speed, Pyya crouched low and smiled back at Fuega. "I may not have my Kasai, but by reclaiming who I was in this time of need, I have reclaimed my fighting spirit! You are not facing Elder Sister Pyya, Old Master, but you are facing Pyya the Snapping Tortoise! So long as I stand, you will not get to Mei Xing."

Raising her hand and forming a black fireball, Fuega scowled as she took aim at Pyya. "You hold no further interest for me, delinquent," Fuega hissed, "Consider this my final parting gift. Enjoy your time in hell. Kuro Hinotama!"

The black fireball hurtled through the air towards Pyya all while Mei could do nothing but watch. After all she did to save Pyya, now the Elder Sister was going to sacrifice herself to save Mei and Kita. Mei could not bare to watch but also could not look away in the small glimmer of hope that Pyya would somehow survive.

As the Kuro Hinotama neared, Pyya focused all of her attention onto the attack. With a high pitched shout, she swung her nunchaku with precision timing, knocking the black fireball not only away from her, but back at Fuega. Fuega grimaced as she jumped out of the way of her own attack. Mei wondered why Fuega did not simply absorb her own black fire. Perhaps because she could not?

Fuega remained in the air, her fists and clenched and her face marked with frustration. "What is with you fools and revealing some hidden power right at my moment of triumph!? I will be rid of you!"

Calling upon her ki, Fuega created several smaller black fireballs and launched them in a powerful volley towards Pyya. Her focus absolute, Pyya swung her nunchucks every which way, deflected each fireball up and away from her and allowing them to explode harmlessly in the air. Mei could not believe how well Pyya was doing against Fuega, but she did notice that while Pyya's defences held strong, her energy was dropping drastically. In mere moments Fuega could easily overtake her and then Mei would be back in square one.

"Pyya..." Mei whispered as she held Kita close. "I hope you have a plan to get out of here."

When Fuega ceased her barrage of black fireballs, she landed on the ground with a grim look on her face. "So, the Snapping Tortoise lives up to her name. Did you know I once held a title too, years and years ago, Pyya? In a time forgotten thanks to King Piccolo and his war, I was once Fuega the Dread Tiger! It has been a long time since I felt forced to use one of my more lethal techniques. I trust you are ready for oblivion?"

Pyya flipped her nunchaku into a defensive position. "You always were far too wordy, Fuega. Why don't you come here and show me!"

Fuega extended her right hand to the side and channelled her incredible ki into her hand. "Very well. Vorpal Tiger Claw!"

Black ki formed around the length of her hand until it formed long, jagged claws at the end of her fingers. Fuega flexed her hand a few times before rushing towards Pyya with blinding speed. Mei could not believe how fast Fuega could go, but knew that Pyya would not be able to simply deflect this attack like she did the black fireballs. The energy within the claws felt like something very wrong lived within them, and it disturbed Mei to no end. The claw, while made of ki, seemed to be a void of any life energy, instead seemingly like a vacuum for life itself. The only thing Mei knew for certain that such a technique was only used for pure evil.

As Fuega neared with her claws bared and ready to strike, Pyya crossed her nunchucks and shouted the invocation of her own technique. "Brenen Topl!"

Using the last of her ki, Pyya created a body double of her self and quickly dashed out of the way of Fuega's claw strike. Fuega slashed the body double, splitting it into three parts, only for the body to violently explode in her face. The light from the explosion blinded Mei, and the flames from the detonation extended their heat all the way to her. Mei covered Kita with the whole of her body when she suddenly felt someone touch her shoulder gently.

Mei looked up to see Pyya standing over her breathing heavy and ragged gasps of air. "We have to go," Pyya said in between her breaths. "Keep your energy masked and hold on tight to the girl. This place won't be safe once Fuega can recover."

Mei nodded and followed Pyya to a motorcycle that was sitting next to a rock. As they boarded the vehicle, Mei could feel Pyya was truly running on empty. She possessed only the barest hints of ki, her life energy sustaining her despite the weakness. Finding a new found respect and appreciation for her martial arts mentor, Mei climbed onto the motorcycle and kept Kita close. She was thankful that Kita never woke from unconsciousness; she did not need to see the destruction wrought by Fuega.

With the push of a button, Pyya started up the motorcyle and sped off towards the west. As they hurried away, Mei turned around to see the explosion caused by Pyya's burning doppleganger finally settle itself. Fuega stood in the center, her eyes transfixed to the sky, her fists clenched. She turned her head to the left and to the right only once before flying off, thankfully away from them.

Mei gave a great sigh of relief. "She's not chasing us," she said, "but we can't stay hidden forever."

Pyya made a noise of confirmation. "I know," she replied, "just like I know what she is after. I'll explain more once we get to West City and the Orin Temple where the other Sisters are. We need to rest and heal. After that is when we decided what to do next."

Mei nodded and kept her hold on both Kita and the motorcycle tight as Pyya initiated the transformation sequence on the machine. Pyya lifted the motorcycle so that it jumped into the air, a pair of jet engines unfolding and bursting to life. With her hands tight on the controls, Pyya flew the machine towards West City while her passengers remained silent, with the smouldering ruins of a small village consumed by black fire remained a silent testament of the power of Fuega the Dread Tiger.

***
WC: 4025
TWC: 11992
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
MeiXing
Member Avatar
Novice
[ *  * ]
The journey back to West City remained, thankfully, uneventful as Pyya flew the jet-powered motorcycle over the cityscape as the sun set over the horizon. Mei looked down on Kita and stroked her hair with a gentle hand. Despite the roar of the jet engines, she remained asleep in Mei's arms as they soared in the sky. Mei swallowed a gulp of air as she kept her emotions in check; just like Mei years ago, Kita lost everything thanks to Fuega. More lives destroyed because of the vain ambitions of the Black Fire Witch, of the Dread Tiger. Mei needed to get back to her training and hopefully become strong enough to challenge Fuega to real fight.

That was the challenge though. While Mei had learned a lot from her journey, she still held the basics of the Kasai close to her heart. However, those same teachings were given to her by Fuega, who purposefully instil in Mei and the rest of the Kasai Temple flaws so that they would be easier to defeat. As Mei thought about it, it made sense when it came to Cineza's attack on the temple. Who better than Fuega to teach the Rogue Kasai how to fell the rest of the Sisterhood easily? Mei knew without a shadow of a doubt that Fuega taught a flaw to Cineza as well, just so that she could easily defeat her at a later date.

Pyya was able to overcome that flaw by taking up her original fighting style based on her delinquent past. Mei however only had her history with the Kasai. If she did not learn new styles of the martial arts or at the very least find the flaw and close it, Fuega would easily defeat Mei again.

She also needed to move her training to the next level. Weighted garments were not enough any more. Mei could add more weight if she knew how, but more weight was no longer the answer. She needed something drastic that would increase her physical strength to knew heights. There was also a need for Mei to clear her mind so that she could fight Fuega without distraction. The Old Master was gone, replaced by a yonger woman whose heart was filled with greed, vanity, and utmost evil. For Mei to defeat Fuega, she needed to remove the Master who raised her from her mind completely, as that kind elderly woman never existed in the first place.

There was only the Fuega who lived now, and she needed to be stopped before any more harm could come to world.

With the Orin Temple in sight, Pyya flew the jet bike downward until she was able to land it properly. The moment they set down, Pyya collapsed off the side, only to be caught by Mei. However, Mei caught her martial arts mentor with her bad hand, and a new wave of pain shot through her arm. She ignored the pain and propped Pyya up on her shoulder while still carrying Kita in her good arm. Several of the monks and several Kasai Sisters approached to help and while Mei was happy to see them, she waved off their aid, only asking where she can put the two so they can properly rest.

First, Mei brought Kita to where the Sisters were staying and laid her down on a bed. Saddened by the tragedy of Fuega's attack, she looked down on Kita as she rested. Mei turned toward Sister Smoulde who stood by her side and said, "Take care of her. She needs all the help she can get right now. Can you do that for me, please?"

Sister Smoulde nodded, though her face did little to hide her concerns. "What happened, Mei?" she asked.

Mei's face darknened and she hid away from Smoulde. Instead of answering, she began to walk away to a more private place so she could tend to Pyya and her own wounds. She asked one of the senior Orin monks where she could go for such and they helped her find a small room reserved for honoured guests. Once inside, Mei closed the door and laid the Elder Sister on the provided bed. The monks brought food, water, and medical supplies for them, of which Mei was thankful, but there was only one way she knew could heal their wounds properly.

First, Mei needed the use of her other hand if she was to be of any help to Pyya at all. Sitting away from Pyya, Mei opened her left hand and created a small ball of red energy which quickly ignited into a hinotama. Mei looked into the orb of fire she held to her and found it disgusting to look at. It was the first technique that the Kasai were meant to learn, and thus was the first link the long chain that bound the Temple to Fuega's will. In the beginning there was fire, and no truer form was there than the hinotama technique.

Mei needed it though, especially now, for with the hinotama and the second technique, the Iyashino-en, would restore her hand. The Iyashino-en, the Flame that Heals, was the second technique and with the third, the Sukinbaningu or the Burning Flesh Technique, Mei could live for centuries, if what Fuega's words were true. Despite all the lies Fuega had told, Mei did not think that the link between the two techniques was not a falsehood. It only bothered Mei more though, that such techniques seemed to exist only for Fuega to prolong her own life. Mei did not ask for her existence to be artificially lengthened, especially if Fuega tuned said techniques over centuries of lies, betrayal, and death.

Thoughts of morality would have to wait another time though. As she held the hinotama up, Mei pressed the damaged hand against the flames of the fireball. She then enacted the iyashino-en and watched as her body began to absorb the fire. Bones snapped back into their proper place while flesh bended itself until at last her hand was just like it was before. Mei flexed her fingers to make sure every joint had been properly restored. Once she was sure her hand was fine, she put her focus on Pyya.

As she was about to start helping Pyya with her wounds, the Elder Sister waved Mei off. "I'll... recover," Pyya said, though she did not look Mei in the eyes. Instead Pyya's gaze drifted to the window and the cold night beyond. The moon hung overhead with the stars, leaving a serene picture that belied the events of the day. Mei stared outside as well and wondered if the spirits of the moon and stars knew of the trials the pair endured today. Mei then wondered that if the spirits knew, did they even care. Fuega was able to deceive countless women for centuries. Nothing raised a hand against her in all that time and Mei's efforts were futile.

"Mei Xing," Pyya said, snapping Mei's attention from the window. Though Pyya did not make eye contact, Mei kept her gaze locked on her martial arts mentor.

"I know where Fuega is going next," Pyya continued, "It is a place she spoke of often, a place she called the 'Heart of Fire'. It is known as the Furnace of Eight Divisions, and Fuega spoke of it constantly. She said that one day a Kasai of extraordinary skill and power would be able to use the sacred flames to ascend to an even higher state of Kasai, one far stronger than the True Kasai form. She knew where the Furnace was, but claimed that because of her age she would not survive the trials that would lead to the furnace. The sacred flames are on top of a place known as Mount Five Element, but no Kasai has ever been there due to the hazards. A few went to try, but they never returned."

"With all the power Fuega stole from the Kasai Sisters, she likely has all the power she needs to complete the trials of the mountain. If she were to lay claim to the flames of the Furnace, Fuega could become unstoppable. Who knows what sort of power she could gain should she possess the flame within herself. Immortality? The power to destroy the world? The very thought of Fuega attaining such victory sickens me."

Pyya then bowed her head, her long blonde hair shrouding her face. "But nothing sickens me more than knowing I helped that monster in her path to power. I trained the Kasai, Mei Xing. I was the one who taught them how to unlock their ki and go beyond normal women. I was the one who taught them how to make a fist, how to kick, and how to throw their first hinotamas. I was a harsh teacher, but I thought I was doing good for the world to make up for all my sins as a delinquent. Fuega found me when I was at my lowest point and raised me to become one of the Elder Sisters of the Kasai."

As she spoke, Pyya clenched her fists, clutching her blanket tight. For the first time Mei saw tears trailing down Pyya's face, the stoic facade the Elder Sister adopted finally crumbling away from the force of Fuega's betrayal. "I gave her everything!" Pyya choked on her own tears, her eyes wide but unfocused. "I gave her the best years of my life to train Kasai, only to be nothing more than her pawn in her game! I will live the rest of my life with this guilt and there is nothing that I can do about it!"

"Cineza may have killed the Kasai Guardians, but it was Fuega who killed the heart of the Kasai." With this, Pyya collapsed onto her bed and turned so that her back was facing Mei. Sighing, Mei turned back to look to the outside world once again. She did not know what to say that would comfort the hardened Pyya who after all the pressure caused by Fuega seemed to finally crack. Pyya was now vulnerable in ways Mei never thought possible. However, now Mei needed to do something for Pyya and the Kasai.

Taking a deep breath, Pyya whispered. "What do I tell the survivors? They don't know that it was not just a rogue Kasai that ended the lives of their Sisters, but that the Old Master they dedicated to serving was the true source of our Temple's destruction. It would break them, just as the discovery broke me."

Mei stood up and walked to the window. She leaned against the wall, her face close to the glass. "I'm going to find Mount Five Element," Mei said, "And I'm going to find the Furnace and make sure Fuega cannot came the sacred fire within."

Pyya blinked as Mei made her plans known. She sat up and said, "You could not stand against Fuega now, how will you stand against her at the Furnace itself!?"

"You said Fuega could not access the Furnace for whatever reason," Mei replied, "She could have gained the power needed to get to the Furnace several times over, but for some reason she made her attack now. I don't know why, but I think Fuega still can't get access to the Furnace, at least not quickly. I'm going to use this time to train harder than I ever have before so that I can face Fuega in battle. Fuega is an old master of martial arts, but she is more intent on killing and stealing power than she is at actually working hard to become strong. For all of her past talk about striving for martial perfection, she herself does not do it. She also wants to absorb my Kasai into her being. If I train hard and become stronger, she'll want to prove her power over me before taking my essence as her own. Also, I'll figure out a way to get to the Furnace and use the sacred fire to stop Fuega myself."

Pyya merely stared at the back of Mei's head, completely surprised that the young woman was going to back and face the Dread Tiger and her vorpal claws alone once again, despite the thrashing she endured. Mei Xing was different now compared to the young girl Pyya was supposed to mentor. When she was small, Mei Xing was clumsy and impulsive, but incredibly driven to become the best Kasai Guardian she could be. Listening to Fuega's instructions, Pyya trained Mei harder than any of the other initiates of the Kasai Temple. Mei never complained about Pyya's harsh training and while it took her time, Mei accomplished every task Pyya set out for her.

The journey beyond the Temple seemed to have acted as a whetstone for Mei Xing and her skills as a martial artist. Mei grew as a fighter much faster than Pyya could ever manage on her own, and no Kasai Guardian gained the kind of strength Mei did in such a short amount of time. Of course all of this was to set up Mei to have her essence consumed by the treacherous master, but for some reason Pyya saw her student as something different than her own personal failure.

If anyone could defeat Old Master Fuega, then it would be Mei Xing.

Chuckling, Pyya wiped her eyes clean and slowly got to her feet. She groaned as her bones ached, but she was still able to stand next to Mei near the window. "You truly are a stubborn, silly girl, Mei Xing," Pyya said with a small smile. "Perhaps I am a bit wrong. Fuega did not kill the heart of the Kasai so long as the brightest flame continues to shine so bright. This is our darkest hour, but if there is someone who can help us in time of need, it is you."

"I can tell you where you need to go to receive much more advanced training. Simple weighted garments will no longer suffice; you need something much more extreme to attain even greater power. Here in West City is the Capsule Corp. headquarters. Go there and ask for something called the Gravity Machine. I've heard of the effects of training under the stresses of increased gravity and how warriors who go in come out much more powerful. However, I can only imagine that this method is incredibly dangerous. I wanted to get a Gravity Machine for the Temple, but Fuega denied me, stating that the Kasai needed only to live the simple life. We had technology for emergencies, but now I think she was holding us all back. There is also a place known as the Sacred Land of Korin where people are supposed to be able to attain great training from a master named Korin. I'd suggest going there, but be careful as the region is dangerous."

Pyya continued. "Something else you will need to do on your own is to seek out powerful martial arts masters that can teach you powerful and useful techniques. Learn as many skills as you can in the month you plan to have, but remember that Fuega has centuries of experience. You will need to come out with techniques she would never expect, as well as learning fighting styles beyond the Kasai Hato Katachi. Fuega originated that style, but also created the means to counter it. Strike at her with means unknown, and you will have the edge. A wise man once said 'If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat.' Fuega knew herself and you, so she was able to obtain victory. Became an unknown, and perhaps she will fall to battle."

Mei smiled, though it was one that was held back. She was thankful that Elder Sister Pyya was able to recover somewhat from her despair and give Mei excellent advice on what she would do next. However, time trickling down the hourglass, and Fuega would not stay idle for long. She needed to become more powerful and obtain greater skills if she were to ever stand a chance against her master.

Pyya frowned as she looked down on Mei. "I wish I could help you, but unless you have another one of those magical beans of healing, I won't be able to recover enough to help you reach the Furnace. It pains me to watch as you go out to what seems to be certain doom once again, but this is what must be done to defeat Fuega."

"I'll be fine, Elder Sister," Mei said, "I know a few people already I can learn some powerful techniques from, and I'll be sure to go to Capsule Corp. and see if I can't take part of this gravity training. I would just like you to stay here and recover your strength and to keep the other Sisters spirits up. As far as letting them know..."

Mei hesitated for a moment. It was not right to lie to them, but Pyya was right in that the truth could break their already fragile spirits. "Tell them Sister Mei Xing is going to seek out the master of the one who caused the Temple such harm. Tell them I'm going to defeat the source of their pain so that once again we can live in peace. They need strength in spirit more than anything else right now. As much as training is going to help me, I need their collective voices behind me as well. So long as the fire of the Kasai burns, I can overcome the Witch of Black Fire."

Pyya closed her eyes, her smile growing larger. "Of course, Sister Mei Xing. So long as there is hope, the Kasai can rise again. Go in the light of fire, Sister Mei Xing. All of our voices will pray for your victory over the Dread Tiger."

Mei's eyes, filled with determination, met Pyya as she nodded in acknowledgement to her martial arts mentor. Opening the window, Mei took flight into the night so that she could meditate in solitude until morning, when she could go to Capsule Corp. and prepare for the final battle against Fuega.

***
WC: 3038
TWC: 15030
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Brick
Member Avatar
Professional
[ *  *  *  *  *  * ]
TRAINING ROLEPLAY GAINS

Mei Xing
Power Level w/ Gravity Machine Bonus: 1,012,500
Weighted Gear PL: 108,000
Goku Training PL: 202,500
Training Points w/ TP Booster: 19
Battle Experience: 37.5
Goku Tokens: 150
Fame: +2
Zeni: 15,000$
1.75>=0.9 => Earth DB found, congrats!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
« Previous Topic · Mountain Road · Next Topic »
Add Reply

©Dragonball Z Arena 2000-2018 Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, and Dragon Ball GT © BIRD STUDIO SHUEISHA, TOEI ANIMATION. Licensed by FUNimation® Productions, Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z, and Dragon Ball GT and all logos, character names and distinctive likenesses thereof are trademarks of TOEI ANIMATION. DragonBall Z Arena is a fan site for people who want to role-play as their favorite DBZ character. Not to be mistaken for the official site whereby no infringement is intended.