It was a long day in Astera, Sage had just spent the whole day helping the people all over the town. The sun had already set and his stomach was grumbling, demanding Sage for some food. So instead of going straight to the guild, where Sage stayed in, he went to the nearest pub to fill his empty stomach. The mage walked into the guild, he was wearing a very simple cloth that day, the orange light of the pub lit his appearance, revealing to those who looked on to the newcomer a slim man with long white hair tied to his back,  with a simple sleeveless black tee and black pants to go along with it. Few of the people in the pub noticed him coming in, but that wasn't a huge surprise. Without anymore delay he made his way to the bar counter, made up of fine wood. He pulled the red cushioned stool from underneath the counter and sat on it. He looked at the bartender, with his arms resting on the counter and a friendly smile on his face. The bartender quickly noticed this and dropped the thing he was doing, "Oh yes, what would you like sir?" he asked. Sage went on and ordered himself a fish fillet, with some salad and rice on the side, he was really hungry. He also ordered for a cup of warm milk. While waiting for his orders, he couldn't help but overheard the two gentlemen who was a seat apart from him. He heard them talking about a creature called Barrang who had been terrorizing the outskirts of Astera and that people actually died because of it. Sage, being a member of the Phoenix Feather, who should have been protecting the people of Astera, knew that he must act soon. He wondered if the creature was the one he encountered the other day. His food then arrived, seeing the warm aromatic food made him drool and took his mind off the Barrang matter for a while. He finished his food and went back to the guild.

By the time he got there, it was already late and everybody was likely asleep. He was also very tired so he decided to just crash onto his bed and have a good night sleep. The next day, Sage woke up pretty early, probably because he slept pretty heavily the night before. He got up from bed and prepared for the day. Sage felt fresh after the shower, he also smelled very nice from the shampoo he used, he needed to take care of his hair somehow. He dressed like how he always does, black clothes and a white cloak, draped around his shoulders. He proceeded to make some breakfast in the kitchen of the guild. It was truly a blessing to have the kitchen with all its appliances so that Sage could easily use it to cook. As it was pretty early nobody was there yet. So he was alone, and he liked it that way. He made some french toast with half boiled eggs to go with it. As he was done cooking, he ate his breakfast, and it went by fast, he then proceeded to cook, but now for Shimura. As he was done, he headed for Shimura's room, and once he's there he'd knock on the door. "Hello? Shimura, I need to talk to you!" he said, hoping it would wake him up. If Shimura was to open the door, he'd see a bright friendly smile with perfectly toasted bread and a bowl with two halfed boiled eggs. Sage also brought syrup for the toast and soy sauce and pepper if Shimura wanted to add some flavor to the eggs. The smell of the food was quite strong as it was just cooked, the texture of it looked really soft and tender as well anybody would want a bite of it.

WC: 640

The rest of the night he could not sleep well or at all for that matter. He kept on having dreams of his time back in his clan’s estate, his childhood, his sisters, his uncle, and his father. Shimura dreamt about how his uncle took him under his wing, and how Shimura was basically born to become a weapon and servant to his older brother who was to take over the clan. More importantly, he remembered the night that his father gave him the scar, and in his dream he was reliving that moment, the argument they had, and then the fight. He woke up as his father scorched his face in the dream, his breath heavy as he sweated badly. After that nightmare Shimura could not return to sleep, and therefore, spent the rest of the night starring up at the ceiling, as morning approached he decided to take a shower. The shower managed to calm him down and relax him, being in the shower was some of the few moments he could actually feel at peace. As he relaxed in the shower Shimura heard someone knock on his door, Shimura cursed under his breath and turned the shower off. Wrapping a towel around his lower body, the magma mage held the towel up with one hand and opened the door with his free hand: while his muscular chest and tone abs remained free to see. It was Sage. Shimura cocked an eyebrow and glanced down at the plate he held in his hand. “Food? Well then you surely are trying to get that promotion, aren’t you?” he question, and took a moment to study Sage. "What is it kid? What do you want?"

As the door swung open, he saw Shimura wearing only a towel, only covering part of the lower body while revealing the rest of his well toned body, and they were both only inches from each other. He was petrified for a few moments, his face turned a little bit red. He could see that the man's hair was wet and that droplets of water were trickling down his body, he knew that he didn't come at the right time. This made Sage feel very uncomfortable but he must hold himself back and focus on the matter at hand. He took hold of himself and cleared his throat, "I-I need you to help me with something," he began speaking, and his eyes were only focusing on Shimura's eyes, he tried really hard to not look elsewhere. "I've heard that there is a monster terrorizing the outskirts, and there are reports of missing person and abandoned caravans that looked like they were attacked by something big." he paused for a moment and then continued, "so I need you to help me investigate and take down this monster and end it for good. I don't want anymore lives to be lost." he sounded desperate and sad, it really saddened him how lives are on the loose, he looked down for a moment. But then he looked back at Shimura and smiled brightly, "that's why I made you breakfast! So that perhaps you might consider helping me with this case." he said, explaining the food.

WC: 252
T WC: 892

It seemed that the white hair male was petrified at Shimura’s half nudeness, good lord. What was wrong with this little brat? Has he not been in the boy’s locker room before? Shimura thought to himself as he glared down at Sage with the same fire as before. Tch, this pretty boy was surely a sorry excuse for a solider, surely whatever he would need to be important to bother Shimura at such an early time. The magma mage took a moment to thoroughly analyze Sage, his eyes stopping on the plate that contained toast and a bowl of half-boiled eggs. There was also some syrup, which Shimura cocked an eyebrow at judgingly, alongside soy sauce and pepper. Sage would mention that he needed some help with something, the magma mage grunted and sighed. “No bacon?” he question before pushing the door open more for Sage, just enough that he could slip in under Shimura’s arm. “Place the plate of food on the trunk in front of the bed, and stay in one stop.” While Sage entered into the room, and while his back was turned to Shimura, the magma mage pulled a bathrobe, which had been hanging on a hook by the door, over his body covering himself and dropped the towel. "You'd make a good house wife, pretty boy." He tied the large bathrobe, which made him look like a regal Emperor, so that he wouldn’t flash sage. With that Shimura walked into the room, grabbed the plate, and sat down on the bed while munching on some toast and watching Sage like a predator. “A noble cause, dangerous, as you should know we have a process in which missions like this are filled out on an application and sent to me. Wherein I assign soldiers to the mission, of course based off their abilities and skills.” He would place the plate the bed, and with toast in his head approach Sage, starring him down. “So knowing that there is a system in place, why should I give you special treatment, and aid you in the quest? Eh?"

It was very ungrateful for Shimura to comment on how there was no bacon. But Sage didn't take this to heart it wasn't as if Shimura rejected the food completely. But he took note to himself to cook some bacon later in the future. Sage was invited in, which was good. But he had to pass by Shimura's almost nude body, and being inches closer than previously. But to not make things awkward, he mustered some courage and walked in, holding his breath as he pass by the muscular man. He hadn't tied his hair yet, so it might get very close to Shimura, though there was nothing to fear, he shampooed it that morning so its all soft and sweet scented. He placed the food on the trunk just as instructed. What Shimura said afterwards took him aback a little. Wife? Pretty? What did he meant by that? He began to overthink. Before Shimura could find him standing there awkwardly he gathered himself and stood up straight, shoulders relaxed and placed his hands in front of him on top of one another, like a butler. He would listen as Shimura spoke, not uttering a single word. As he was done, he'd let a little sigh. "Because we don't have that kind of time! People are in great danger! Even a single life that's lost is way too much! I can't sit idly and wait for some stupid application to be filled out! I want to act now! and you are coming with me." he said with determination and passion in his voice. His arms weren't frozen while he spoke it danced around to express his emotions. It was quite rare for someone to even meet this part of Sage. But he really could not just wait knowing lives are in danger. If one would look at his violet eyes they could feel the pure raw energy radiating from it.

WC: 320
T WC: 1212

For the most part, Shimura was an ungrateful little brat due to his noble heritage. But within recent years he has somewhat managed to break out of some ill-gotten habits. However, if he were to be bribed into doing something he did not want to do, well then, he expected to be spoiled- therefore he wanted his bacon. Admittedly, Shimura did not understand why Sage was so flustered and awkward right now, it simply did not make sense. Granted, Shimura was half-way nude, but he was also covered up and they were both men. Did Sage not have any brothers or something? Good lord, this kid was unique. Sage stood there like a butler, which again caused Shimura to shake his head in amusement, as he starred the newbie down. If Sage were a woman he would have flirted with the pretty boy, but well, hmmm. Sage spoke passionately about people being in danger, and that even a single life is way too much. Shimura was honestly impressed and slightly attracted to the passion and determination that the pretty boy radiated. He could not help but smile in satisfaction, and bit the inside of his cheek, just ever so slightly. Shimura broke eye contact, and with his arms folded behind his back he walked slowly to the bathroom. “You have a lot of balls ordering me around pretty boy, how come you can’t do this on your own?” he would question and pause for a moment. Next to the bathroom door was a dresser, Shimura stopped to pull him out an outfit to wear. “Very well. I will help you but in exchange you would owe me a favor pretty boy, understand?” he paused for a moment, “Your passion has also moved me, passion is what makes a living person. Therefore, handle yourself well Sage, and I might offer you a promotion, it would be wise not to deny my proposition.” With that he dropped his robe as he disappeared into the bathroom, with no care in the world.

He gulped as he realized what he had done. It was very not like him to order people around and speak in such tone, what got into him? Probably the passion and the will he had to protect the people of Astera were so strong it sparked a fire in him. Sage was afraid that Shimura would reject his request and make him look like a fool. His eyes followed Shimura slowly, awaiting for his response. A breath of relief escaped his mouth as Shimura agreed, he was happy that a smile formed on his face. "Yes, anything you'd like." he'd say briefly, a favor wasn't that much to be asked, especially from someone who likes to help people. The next thing Shimura said sounded very much like a compliment. He was happy that the two of them could finally get along, his smile was the proof of that. The word promotion made him feel even more happy, he hadn't been in the guild for that long and already a promotion? Anyone would be delighted to hear that. But as soon as Shimura dropped his robe, Sage wasn't smiling anymore, his face red as a cherry. As Shimura went on to the bathroom, Sage stood there, still trying to process what happened. After a couple while he collected himself and breathed properly, "I-I'll wait for you in the kitchen!" he said and took off with all the now empty plates that he'd brought earlier, he did not want to be scolded by Noyiah.

Sage and Shimura continued with the mission and stood in the middle of the forest, in the outskirts of Orichidia. Before, they talked to some of the townsfolk and was told that they didn't need to find Barrang, Barrang instead will find them.

WC: 297
T WC: 1509

Shimura was honestly looking forward to the mission, and to get to know Sage a bit more. There seemed to have been a fire in him, one that admittedly peeped the magma mage’s curiosity. Or well it silently piqued his curiosity, potentially a grain of something else, but Shimura was not too sure as to what it was. Whatever the case, if Sage handled himself well in the battle to come, and if Shimura liked the way he conducted business- then Shimura might offer Sage a position as his right hand man, someone to tamper his burning aggression with cool logic. But Sage would need to show a lot of courage and passion if that were to be the case. Furthermore, it might take multiple missions and tests for him to keep that position and to prove that he was worthy of it. But for now, Shimura believed that he had a perfect candidate for his second in command, for now at least. The magma dressed in his usual attire, a crimson officer uniform with a trench coat hanging over his shoulders like a cloak. He met with Sage at the kitchen, with a squad of soldiers, and a man in rags. "Come lets go." with that the group would leave for the forest.

The group arrived in the forest, and Shimura ordered his men to stop, and prevented Sage from traveling any further into the forest by placing a hand over his chest. "In chess the pawns go first dear Sage, but fortunately it would not be a waste." he said coldly, they were still in the middle of the forest, but a little ways away from the creatures territory. He was not going to let the beast ambush them, instead, he had planned on setting a trap- one that required bait. Fortunately for Shimura, he had brought a prisoner convicted of murder as bait. In Shimura’s eyes the man forfeited his freedom as soon as he committed his crime, and therefore, he had no rights. Whether Sage agreed with him or not, Shimura did not care, he held no power here. Plus, it wasn’t like Shimura was going to let the man die, he’d intervene before the criminal could be killed. Shimura sent the prisoner out into the beasts territory, and waited for the creature to attack the murdered.

Eventually, the creature did attack, and it burst forth from the ground and aimed to pick the prisoner up. But that was when Shimura intervened, a tendril of magma shaped as a fit smacked the creature right in the chest. The squad started to surround the monster and one man removed the prisoner form harms way, shooting arrows and weak magics at it. A coat of magma would wrap around Shimura, as the magma mage would rush forward as the creature’s focus was on the other soldiers. While distracted Shimura rammed himself into the creature and then punched the creature in the leg, causing an eruption of magma to occur. He then took a moment to gather his strength, and create another power eruption, before using his magma fist to damage the creature two more times. The creature turned to slam his fist into Shimura, but one of the soldiers shot at his head, giving Shimura time to roll back and dodge the attack. With distances between the two, Shimura pump his magical energy into his arm, it would become supersized before Shimura launched it forward. Upon impact the magma fist would erupt, creating an unstable pool of magma that fizzled below the creature. Shimura would then smash his arms into the ground, causing magma to erupt forward. The creature roared in anger, and as Shimura launched two more magma fists directly into his face. “SAGE BACKUP NOW.” He demanded panting a little, a couple of the soldiers, tried to use a rope to trip the creature, but they failed.

[651]
[TC: 1,989]

SUMMARY :

Sage was glad he asked Shimura to aid him with the mission, he brought along with him some soldiers. The more people joining this mission, the easier it is take out the monster that had been terrorizing the outskirts of Astera. When they arrived at the forest, Shimura ordered them all to stop, and he said something peculiar, something about chess and a pawn. At first Sage didn't quite understand what he meant, until Shimra signaled to one of the guards to release what seemed to be a prisoner with his hand cuffed. Sage could not help but gulped, was he going to sacrifice the man? Sage thought. But he trusted Shimura, he could not be that cruel, right? Sage stood quietly as the poor man walked further into the forest. Then there it was, the beast shooting off from the ground, before Sage could act to save the man, Shimura already did first, this was the time Sage saw him using his magic, it was a destructive one, calling forth the blazing hot magma to attack the creature. The soldier grabbed the prisoner back to safety. Sage was relieved, he was glad that he trusted Shimura.

Then they started attacking, and so did Sage. After the soldiers had fired their spells and arrows, Sage held his staff up, pointing it directly at the creature. His eyes locked on to the giant beast. At the end of the staff, a purple cube formed, and as it was forming it lets out an out-of-this-world noise, it sounds like a burst of energy. The purple cube had little cubic aura around it as well, making it look even more out of this world. The purple cube then blasted towards the beast and caused an explosion as it made contact with the beast, the explosion looked like it was from out of this world as well, being purple in color and lets out an out-of-this-world booming sound. The beast was distracted by all the ranged attacks that it didn't notice Shimura charging forward at him with his magma coated fists. Shimura dealt a heavy chain of attacks at the beast. But a part of their plan didn't go as planned, the beast did not trip from the rope some of the soldier had set, and Shimura demanded Sage to do something, and he knew exactly what to do. Although he hadn't perfected this ability of his, it was the only way to save Shimura from being annihilated by the beast. He lowered his staff and placed his right hand on his temple, his gaze onto Shimura. His eyes changed in appearance, and instantly, Shimura vanished. No where to be seen. All the soldiers were completely baffled, even the beast who was about to hit Shimura with its claws was dumbfounded by this. "Your leader is fine, let's finish the job!" Sage shouted to the soldiers so that they could focus on the matter at hand. Sage had only used this ability of his a couple of times, and only very few ever saw it and almost none knew such ability even exists.

WC: 519
T WC: 2028

Summary:

Contrary to what Noyiah would say about him, Shimura was no idiot. His father made sure that Shimura understood the basics of combat and warfare, and that Shimura understood his limitations. Usually, those lessons on his own weakness were violent and designed to discipline Shimura into submission. After all, he was not supposed to have ambitions and motivations of his own, and he was born to be a tool. Though, his father would fail, the proof of Sosa’s failure painted across his face. At first, Shimura hated the scar, as he found it to be hideous, but over time he had grown to appreciate the scar. It was now a symbol of his freedom and his burning determination, which had seen him succeed in nearly all ways possible. For now, Shimura was a military commander of a guild, and has started to create a legacy free from his father. Hopefully, he would find someone to share his legacy with and then someone to pass his legacy down to, but right now that was not his main focus.

"SAGE" Shimura called out as the creature came calling out to him, the magma mage starred the monster down. He realized that this may be the end of him, and he had two choices. Choice number one he could go out screaming like a coward, or choice number two, he could muster up whatever strength he had left and go out like a heroic champion. Seeing that the latter would be the most honorable and noble of ways to die, Shimura clenched his fist, and started to run towards the creature before leaping into the air. Ready to either deliver a finishing blow, or be eaten, Shimura was prepared for whatever outcome that may occur. But without warning, Shimura felt some strange magic suck him into a different dimension, and he disappeared midair and landed into some alternate dimension? Where the hell was he and how does he get back! Meanwhile, the soliders continued to aid Sage in their battle against the creature.

[347]
[TC: 2,336]

While Shimura was safe in the Kamui dimension, Sage and the rest of the soldiers proceeded to land their attacks on the beast. The magma and flames that were caused by Shimura were still raging on, hurting the beast and burning all in its path. Meanwhile the soldiers used arrows and spells to weaken the beast. Sage knew what he must do, and put an end to this beast that had been terrorizing Astera.

With his left arm, he rose his staff into the air, pointing it directly at the beast. He waved the staff sideways, and three dimensional purple cubes formed in the air, he then made a pushing action with his right hand towards the cubes, and all three of the cubes flew forward, directly at the beast. As it made contact with the beast the cubes exploded with a loud weird-sounding explosion. At last, the beast fell down, heavily damaged from all the attacks. Sage lets out a breath of relief, glad that it was all over. Shimura would be teleported back into the world as Sage deactivated the spell. Sage then noticed something moving in the bush, he wondered what it was and checked on the bush. What he found was an adorable fire ferret that seemed very frightened. He instinctively picked it up in his arms, and to his surprise the fire ferret rubbed itself closer to Sage. At that point he already knew he's keeping it.

Suddenly without anybody anticipating it, a random man walked towards them and cheering them, "Marvelous! Marvelous! Here, take some money. This beast would make a beautiful addition to my collection!" he rambled while handing Sage a big pouch of jewels, which he would of course spread it evenly with everyone that had contributed to the fight. He'd turn to Shimura and smile at him, "You did great today!".


WC: 307
T WC: 2335