"Being the strongest...Is lonely"
_______
It has been an unknown amount of time since Kuro found himself trapped in a temporary prison which sent him to limbo. His golden eyes bore holes into the cover of the book that could literally change the world around him. A power unlike no other. Kuro realized that he was the author of this story.
"Seem's like you've finally realized. Between the circles of hell and heaven, the universe is an endless story. This book brings your personal story to life. You seem very young so, you haven't lived a complete life, so your story is just now beginning"
The elderly man explained with a warm smile which made Kuro relax even more, stabilizing the subtle tremors that shook the realm.
"I see. Thank you all for the warm welcome. One day, I'll help you all reach the heavens"
Kuro proclaimed with a genuine smile, his golden eyes blazing with compassion. The others smiled along with him and nodded in response.
'Soul Art #1: Mirror of Reflection'
With a last farewell wave, Kuro activated his first soul art. The depth of his desire to overcome any obstacles had given rise to a newfound ability imprinting itself into his essence.
A rush of ethereal white energy, exuded from Kuro body like a broken dam. The world began to twist and bend from the sheer pressure emitting from the soul energy, then in seconds, the world snapped like a rubber band reaching its limit.
The realm of limbo shattered like glass and the world Kuro was so familiar with had once again returned to his vision. The thick iron bars that surrounded him, were violently ripped from their position by an immense repulsive force and turned to dust.
"Targeting the demonic energy within the poles to keep from damaging non-magical materials. That takes some pretty advanced control"
The women suddenly announced from a neighboring building. This urged Kuro to follow the sound of the voice, titling his head upward and locking eyes with the women who sat on the edge of the rooftop, staring down at him as if he was but a mere insect.
"I've spent my free time learning all I could about magic. Now I can finally use it. This is only the beginning"
Kuro exclaimed and that's when something clicked in the woman mind. She shivered uncontrollably at the sadistic smile resting on Kuro face, yet she also narrowed her eyes in anger at the disrespect from a mere mortal.
"Let's see what it amounts to"
The woman stated and not even after she finished her declaration, she was forced to perform a backhand spring, narrowly avoiding a sharp piercing beam of raw energy.
"Shit, that was actually fa-"
The woman attempted to begin her rant but was cut off when she noticed a swift blur from the edge of the rooftop. After regaining her balance, her arms were forced up into an x gesture, reacting just in time to Kuro suddenly appearing in front of her and launching a side kick that struck her forearms.
This kick was no normal kick by any means. Kuro figured that the demonic women was impervious to physical attacks unless enhanced with something. To test his theory, he enveloped his leg in more soul energy, and the result was pleasing.
"Soul Art #2: Distance Erasure'
By applying his soul energy into the external world and fueling the ambient energy in the space itself, these two energies generate a void that renders the concept of distance obsolete. This not only resulted in Kuro seemingly appearing out of thin air, but when the kick connected with the woman arms, it had sent her reeling back and off of the rooftop, through another building.
A wisp of soul energy exuded from his outstretched leg, like smoke at the end of a barrel. Once he regathered his balance, Kuro was met with a fist that he narrowly avoided by blocking with back of his own fist. This resulted in a fierce yet small shockwave, sending out ripples of soul energy and magical energy.
"It seems you are worthy of my name. You may remember me as Shura Yami."
'Demonic Art #3: Eternal Chain of the Damned'
In response to Kuro's counterattack, the now aforementioned Shura began gathering demonic energy for her next attack. Luckily, Kuro did not have to wait long as pitch black chains shot up from underneath him in an attempt to wrap itself around him.
'Those chains are giving off very bad vibes. I don't think it should touch me'
Kuro exclaimed as his body began to exude his soul energy in a protective manner. Though the moment the chain met his soul energy, a flash of light blinded both of them and a repulsive force crashed against the two, resulting in both being flung down onto the ground in a violent slam.
Demonic Art #1: Jinx
Shura blitzed forward at such a speed that she seemingly blinked from existence like a heartbeat. A subtle streak of red & black blazing energy trailed behind her in a starry display. Her body now visible in front of Kuro who looked on with shock, waiting for her incoming fist to slam into his body.
From quite a distance, an explosion rung through the air and the bright display of fierce flames rose up high, a subtle shockwave sweeping across the city which made Kuro open his eyes a bit.
"Enough Shura. This end's here"
Another voice exclaimed suddenly from beside Kuro. The wind stirred dramatically which forced Kuro to squint his eyes, trying to get a better glance at his savior. Though once his eyes landed on the individual responsible for saving him, they widened in disbelief and shock.
'Soul Art #4: Gaia's Judgement'
Like a pulse to a beating heart, the new arrival which seemed to be a girl around Kuro age. Her hair was quite unique in color, mostly dominated by silver but with visible traces of multiple shades of a lighter blue.
It was styled in two twin pigtails that reached to her waist and two mismatched colored eyes, red & blue respectively. Her attire consisted of a fitted dress befitting of high-status royalty, colored in a light shade of pink. Her facial expression was that of a cunning and sadistic mastermind. A relaxed small smile hidden behind dark intentions.
Kuro could only admire her beauty and presence in silence, witnessing the female stranger utilizing an energy similar to his own. This piqued his curiosity but before anything could be said, the demonic assailant known as Shura had been struck with an open palm strike to the stomach.
The new arrival had kept Shura's wrist held tight which forced Shura to remain stationary and double over, coughing hysterically. thick roots began to seep out the ground, trailing around Shura and eventually wrapping itself around the demonic being and slowly absorbing the demonic energy Shura was exuding.
"Woah, thanks for saving me. Who are you?"
Kuro asked after managing to stand up on his own. His fingers unconsciously twiddling around each other in a nervous reaction.
"Niyah Monroe, but just call me whatever"
The now mentioned Niyah exclaimed with a subtle sly smirk. One hand rested against her hip and the other held a big rainbow lollipop one would find at a kid's candy shop.
"Kuro Nasaki, pleasure to meet you"
Kuro stated in his short introduction, his right hand now outstretched to meet her own in a gestured handshake. His golden eyes peered into her own mismatched mischievous one's and eventually, she took his hand gesture which sealed her fate. Unbeknownst to her.
"We need to get out of here; it won't be long before she breaks free"
Niyah exclaimed in a sense of urgency, hurriedly eating the rest of her lollipop and tossing it away. Then she began to full on sprint away, shocking Kuro who stammered in surprise for her to wait, enveloping himself in soul energy and dashing forward like a ray of light scattering across the wide planet.