Chapter 3: Disciple
I stood and waited as the dust settled to survey my surroundings, to decide my next destination.
I really wasn't worried about Gabriel as he's an archangel protected by God, and as for me someone who lives in hell, strange and terrible things happening are common place.
This is even more true for wanderers such as myself.
So as I see a small settlement about five kilometers away i start to head towards it.
When a deep voice coming from behind, surprising me as I couldn't sense his presence.
"I've never seen someone have two brands on their soul before I've especially never seen one wrap around one's soul like that either, it's almost like it's tryna consume ya! I sense that you're strong, and unreasonable so for a girl your age, so let's fight to the death no holding back alright!"
A shirtless burly man with a white tiger wrapped around his waist along with his gold dragon helmet, challenged me while sitting on the boulder above me.
He then rushed me without waiting for an answer
The man ran towards me attacking at speeds that wouldn't be possible for any normal martial artist. It was like space itself bent to his will and instantly he appeared at my side launching a flurry of punches at my weak points.
I weaved through his attacks on instinct then countered with an elbow to the chest, sending him flying crashing into the boulder he was sitting on earlier.
He bounced back revealing his presence completely it was huge, his presence was extremely heavy for a human and his aura spread far and wide it's strength not to be understated. As it destroyed the boulder he was sitting on reducing it to dust.
His aura felt both prideful and lonely like he alone was the pinnacle of existence, such pride was nothing short of awe inspiring to me.
I lacked confidence after failing countless times.
It had become a habit to avoid confrontation. It's part of the reason the people around me got hurt, this fight with this unknown fighter has made me realize that.
"I don't know what you're thinking about but if you won't make a move I guess I'll take the fight to you instead!"
He vanished and then appeared in front of me.
'-Fast!'
I thought as he tried putting pressure on me by condensing his aura, but after living for so long his pressure was basically nothing to me.
Since even if I don't remember the experiences I've had my body does, and it seems it's used to fighting fiercer and stronger opponents.
I pulled out the demon slayer sword Yagumo that I got from the mirror world, that I apparently made and used it to cut along his body while breaking through his crushing technique. The black aura that came from the sword overwhelmed him forcing his body to create a huge crater in the ground.
"-cough"
I started bleeding from every orifice in my body and the power of the white cross's power started to wane. Causing all the pain that it was subsiding to come flooding in with even harsh force attacking my soul.
It must be the sword it's evil aura must've destroyed the delicate balance between the curse I got from mirror realm and the white cross.
The already evil energy in my body got a boost pushing back the divine energy. Not only weakening the divine energy, but by giving the more destructive evil power more energy. It made me stronger thus activating one of the curses on me.
"I need to finish this in the next attack."
After my proclamation and steeling myself with the resolve to end this duel with the next attack.
The unknown man jumped out of the crater landing only a few meter away from in worse shape than me.
This might look like I'm winning, but the mental and spiritual fatigue I've accumulated I am definitely at a disadvantage.
"I can see that the balance in your body has been destroyed, probably because of that wicked sword. However you still stand strong I'll tell you my name and give you the proper respect you deserve! My name is Ryu the disciple of the Fallen, what's your name!?"
Even when giving "proper respect" Ryu was brimming with pride, either for himself or his master. Regardless his actions and way of speaking sparked a change in me.
"Sorry but I don't tell my name to losers!"
I yelled out arrogantly while adorning a smug look on my face.
I see why he's so arrogant now, it's fun…
I knew this girl was strong but her strength is almost instinctual it's like she doesn't know herself. At least that's what I felt through her sword, her body has scars and muscle no one that looks her age should have!
This person seems to have a personality not set in stone yet, like a little kid she even started copying my attitude.
If it's like this I'll have regrets if I died right now, she needs to grow some more, it's a shame but I guess this battle is over.
"Your not exactly what I was looking for, but if you follow me I can change that. This battle is over I can't fight you any longer knowing you haven't reached your full potential.
You shouldn't die just yet.
He shook his head while saying if we continued I would die.
The hell is this guy saying you can't start something and not finish it.
"What the hell! You think the fight is over just because you say so, and your wrong about one thing the only one dying will be you."
I spoke an in eerily calm voice and without thinking I unconsciously release my full power, but something was different from my usual aura. It was purple instead of black like it used to be.
"Sophia original named technique: Wanderer's solitude"
A single thread of energy formed in front of me cutting both space and time, as the instant I drew it cutting Ryu in half
Then his body went poof leaving white clouds of smoke where his body was.
"What just happened, where is his body?!"
In my confusion a hand touch my shoulder.
" It's seems your confused, a natural response for a person such as yourself."
"Who are you!?"
Keeping myself composed ignoring his provocation. I didn't make any sudden movements in fear that if I did so I would instantly die.
If Ryu was to be considered a tiger this man is a dragon if not a god.
" It's seems you know fear, you're better than a certain disciple of mine."
I turned my eyes slowly to see an elderly man stroking his goatee, as he made remarks about he's disciple.
" Hey! Master how could you say such a thing, I'm clearly strong than that little girl!"
Ryu who was hiding behind one of the few remaining boulders. Yelled out saying he was stronger than me.
" Hmph! I don't have a fool that starts a duel to the death, only to tries to back out as my disciple. I should've let this girl kill, but I saved you since the fault of the disciple is the fault of the master so be grateful brat!
He glared at Ryu emitting a heavy pressure while pointing at me saying he should've let him die to my attack.
" I'm truly thankful master and beg you for your forgiveness, but please listen to my reasoning."
Ryu pounded his head on the hard cracked ground asking for his master to listen and forgive him.
"Alright, alright! I'll hear you out, but if the reason isn't good enough be prepared for training so harsh that the torture of hell will be a paradise in comparison!"
The old man stopped Ryu from banging his head on the ground promising to hear him out, promising harsh training if it wasn't sufficient.
It's seems the old man is sweet on his disciple must be nice.
I smiled looking at Ryu and his master interactions.
"The reason is I sensed her potential and felt I would regret it if I died without seeing her realize it!"
He had a serious look on his face, I look at the old man to gauge his reaction. It had softened a little but he had an irritated look on his face.
"Idiot you need still need punishment, however I agree her potential is boundless."
They sat together staring at me intensely making strange sounds as the inched closer to me.
"Hahaha!"
For some reason their faces along with the sounds made me laugh.
"What's so funny" Ryu asked perplexed
"Yes do tell us what's so funny"
Even as the old man gave me a sharp look I couldn't help laughing harder until the pain stopped me.
" Sorry your faces and sounds you made, I couldn't help it."
After regaining my composure I began to speak again.
" You guys keep call me her, my name is Sophia let's all introduce ourselves!"
"The name's Ryu!"
"You can call me Cain."
"So Sophia know that I know your name why not join us and become my disciple? I can teach the strongest martial arts I know."
Cain asked saying he'll teach me his greatest martial arts. However if I think about the curse I'm not particularly keen on getting stronger.
" I appreciate the offer but I don't really want to get stronger."
"I don't mean to pry as everyone has their own secret, but with talent such as yours I'd like to know why.
I explain to both Cain and Ryu about the curses that I got from the mirror realm and only telling them about the curses.
When they asked where and from who I told them so place in the depths of hell and I didn't see who.
"I see in my opinion no matter what you should get stronger and break the curse yourself while enduring, but if you still don't want to do that.
I can teach you other things that aren't martial arts, I have lots of things you can learn without getting stronger."
If what he says is true, he might be able to teach or give me something to break my curses. While letting me regain my memories.
"Alright if it'll make you happy I'll become your disciple."
"Good, good. Then lets not waste any time and depart!"
With that note we followed master Cain into the small settlement I saw before.