�Now now, don�t go hating Knifes, he is still the same boy that I knew, at least deep inside he is. And I plan to break him free of this evils� hold. Either that, or I�ll have to kill him, but that�s only a last resort. Goodbye for now, Naomi,� Kynoto said as he walked out of the door into the misty morning.
Meanwhile, about three hundred miles away, Knifes and a mysterious person were in deep conversation.
�Knifes, who was that man that came after you finished off Triasha?� the mysterious, cloaked man asked.
�That��was Kynoto,� Knifes answered slowly, as if he was having a hard time remembering. The mysterious man shifted him self in to the light. Knifes was disgusted by what he saw. This mans face, on the left side, was burnt and shriveled. His only visible eye was a grey as a cloud and cold as ice, looking hollow and dead. He had little hair on his head, and his body had been severely mangled; arms twisted at irregular angles, his neck was rung as if his head had been twisted completely around, the only things not mangled were his legs.
�Kynoto, eh? Well then, let�s start the game shall we?� The mysterious man said, an insane light glinting off of his grey eye. He smiled reveling rotting teeth and a severed tong. The man shifted towards the door, when Knifes stopped him.
�What exactly do you have planed?� He asked curiously. The man did not reply, yet he did at the same time. There was a deer standing out side of Knifes house. Suddenly, the name �Kynoto� appeared on it and the man snapped his fingers. The mist around Knifes' house surrounded the deer. Knifes woundered what was going on when he saw his answer as blood sloshed against the side of his house. As the mist cleared Knifes saw that the deer had been imploded. Knifes had gotten the message. He was going to kill Kynoto. �It won�t be that easy you know. He has friends in very high places, literally,� Knifes babbled.
�I know, but I also have friends, but in very low places. Besides, he can�t get away from my Jitsu form, mist dragon, no one can�not even you,� He said after he saw the mutinous look on Knifes face.
�I wanted to kill Kynoto, but have it your way. That way, if he kills you, he�ll be tired and I can take him out easily,� Knifes said in a calming voice. The man gave him one last insane glance before he disappeared into the mist. Knifes wondered if he was right in hiring this man.
Kynoto had been searching for nearly four days now, having found a trail of Knifes blood on the ground that stopped some fifty miles from his house, but Kynoto didn�t know where Knifes lived, so he did not go in the right direction after the blood stopped. A voice from behind him caused him to turn so fast that he almost lost his balance. He looked around in the mist, but no one was there. Then that same voice, the one that he had heard only once in his life before today, the voice of Galathrong, the deadliest mercenary ever to grace the Earth, came again from behind him. This time he spun around in a full circle and caught Galathrong off guard. �So, it was you. I never have forgotten your voice, not after what you did.�
�That�s right eh? I killed your parents, brothers and your sister, whom you loved so dearly, and all of your other relatives. Then I destroyed what was left of your real home village, on Triasha�s orders of course. But given the chance, I would have done it again, even without Triasha�s orders. But then is not now, and now is not then, dust to dust ashes to ashes I always say, but then, you never did like the real meaning behind that saying did you Kynoto eh? No, you and Triasha were to busy fighting amongst yourselves to realize that the meaning of that saying was prophesizing the end of the world. Ashes to ashes, referring to all living things being burnt into ashes, dust to dust, referring to the disintegration of the Earth,� He said, that same old haunting insane glint in his misty eye.
�So, you�ve figured it out finally have you? I figured it out some 10 years ago. Now, the person who is to this dusting and ashing is Knifes. I know it, and you know it. That�s why you made him hire you. So that you could escape this doomed rock. But know,� Kynoto roared as his power rose dramatically, �I will have to stop the pair of you. I will beat you, even if I am up against the famed mist dragon Jitsu. Elemental summon, Yanshiko!� The ground rose up and collapsed, then a golem appeared out of the abyss. It was made out of diamond, the fourth hardest rock of that day and age.
�Ahhh, impressive, yet a little monotonous don�t you think, since I can just wash it away. Morning mist, Trinako!� he formed the seals of mist, water, and flood. The mist around them became thicker, denser. Then it rose up into the air and turned into water. It came crashing down onto the golem, indeed, washing it away. �Elemental summon, Estangrtiol!� The man shouted. Kynoto remembered this. He was reminded of what fear was as he saw the gigantic creature rise from the forest. This monster was a powerful creature and even Kynoto only had a very steep chance of stopping it.
�I must use that now, or all is lost. Shenginoki no Jitsu!� He formed the seals of horse, dog, dragon, snake, and light. This attack was a summoning Jitsu. A seal formed on the ground in front of Kynoto.
�Eh?! What�s this?! You�re planning on using that? Heh, this will be interesting. Estangrtiol, prepare for battle!� The man shouted to the gigantic dragon in the woods.
Kynoto got his first look in a very long time at the legendary Mist dragon, as it rose from the woods in an impressive manner. The aptly named mist dragon was, in fact, a real dragon, fire-breathing and all, but it was also slightly different. Fire attacks would not even scratch it. The dragon itself was made out of a rock like material, not really mist; it gets that name for it�s resistance to fire. The dragon let out a massive roar that shook the trees, stirring up many birds that had chosen to roost there. Kynoto looked up to see the dragons armor form on it. This armor was incredible. It was made out of the hardest dragon skin in the world, only extremely powerful attacks and weapons could pierce but one layer of it. �Now, it must be now my old friend, come help me please!� Kynoto thought as he turned back to the seal. There was an explosion as the seal irrupted into smoke and ash. As the wind blew away the debris, a shadowed figure could bee seen. Then the monstrosity came into clear site. Kynoto had not just summoned a creature; he had summoned one of the eldest dragons in existence; Kalam, the crystal dragon.
�Ahh. Now that your ready, lets see what that dragon of yours can do to the dragon of mist!� The man ushered to Kynoto. Kynoto looked up and stared into the eyes of the man,
�Galathrong, you can�t win,� Kynoto said as another voice ushered from somewhere beneath him,
�And I won�t let you win. I am far too noble to lose to a mere mist dragon,� The crystal dragon hissed.
�Hahaha, I see you still remember me Kynoto. Well, let�s see if the student can teach the teacher something, shall we? Oh, by the way Kynoto, I am your teacher and as such, I know most of your attacks, new and old alike, so don�t get cocky boy,� Galathrong said menacingly, a slight smirk creeping onto his face. Before Kynoto knew what was happening, Galathrongs� dragon had his in a deadly hold. Kynoto began to think fast. He rushed onto the head of Kalam.
�Diaitsu-no-shadow-jitsu!� Kynoto yelled as his fist grew dark from the attack. This attack, Kynoto hoped, would break through the armor and kill Galathrong�s dragon with ease. Galathrong realized this and muttered,
�Oh, you�re no fun anymore Kynoto, haha. Using that right off the start. Well then, Estangrtiol, back off, quickly! This is just the beginning my student. Elemental special attack, Earth dragon!�
�What?!� Kynoto said as he stumbled over backward.
�That dragon there can change its element Kynoto, I would have thought that you of all people would have remembered that,� Kalam said, taking off into the sky where it was safe. Since the dragon had become an earth dragon, he could travel underground freely and at great speeds, but earth dragons can't fly.
�Special attack, Hellion!� said the dragon as it hurtled from the earth straight up into the sky where Kynoto and Kalam were residing. Neither Kalam nor Kynoto had suspected this and were caught off guard. The earth dragon had turned into a fire elemental dragon and was now on a collision course with Kalam. The attack hit dead center, stunning Kalam. The dragon of crystal fell from the sky, hitting the ground and shattering into millions of tiny fragments.
�Heh, not so powerful, are you Kynoto? And I thought I was in for a challenging fight. Ha, I didn�t even break a sweat. This isn�t the Kynoto I remember teaching. No, the Kynoto I remember was much stronger then yo�! What the..?� Galathrong exclaimed as he looked down on Kynoto.
�No, I�m your old student alright, but I have learned how to fully harness my powers. Now, I�ll show you just how powerful I am, heh!� Kynoto said, as he smiled and began to power up.
�H-how could you be this strong? I only taught you for five weeks, and you were incredibly strong then, but now you�re..you�re�you�re a monster!! Nothing this strong should exist, therefore, I am left but one choice�I must destroy you!� Galathrong ushered as he held his sword up in front of him. This sword was a marvelous sight, its� golden blade and the encrusted hilt shimmering in the moonlight. He ran forward, towards Kynoto and swung as hard as he could. As the sword came towards Kynoto, he did nothing. The sword hit Kynoto chest and shimmied as it snapped leaving Kynoto unharmed. Galathrong stumbled backwards as he said, �How in the hell did you deflect that?�
�Heh, now do you see old man? You can�t even scratch me. Why, do you ask? Well I�ll tell you. It�s because you have no real power. It�s all in your mind, so this power you think you have is only self-generated. It doesn�t exist but in your mind. Now, see how your old student surpasses you!� Kynoto said cheekily. He powered up as far as he could and attacked the enemy dragon. His hands began glow with power as they ripped through the flesh of the dragon as if it was paper. Kynoto had split the dragon in half before he stopped. Galathrong stared in amazement. Here, his old student, had just killed a dragon, one of the most powerful creatures on the planet, with his bare hands.
�But..but how?! Dragon flesh is almost indestructible, so how!?� He shouted at Kynoto who only smirked and said,
�This is what real power is. Do you still want to fight me now?� Galathrong took two steps forward and said,
�Of course. Now that I know what Trianchu is, I realize that I do have this so called power, but that it has been locked inside of me till now. If you want to know where Knifes is, you�ll have to get by me first!� Galathrong powered up well past Kynoto, proving that the student is always second rate to the teacher. His power was substancial, and it had just come to him. Kynoto was in for a rough fight, not only because Galathrong knew most of his techniques, but also because he knew how to counter them.
�Kamikazi!� Kynoto shouted as he rushed towards Galathrong, hoping to catch him off guard. Galathrong merely stepped to the left and savagely elbowed Kynoto in the back, sending him sailing into the ground.
�Did you think that you could even touch me with that?� He said as he ground Kynotos� face into the ground, causing his nose to break, �Now, time to show you what you have forgotten� Nasignal!� Galathrong punched the ground and sent Kynoto into the air with the repercussion. He positioned himself under Kynoto and pulled off a precise uppercut into Kynotos� stomach as he came back down. Kynoto coughed up blood as he was suspended in the air. Galathrong threw Kynoto up into the air yet again, but this time he jumped with him. He rose above Kynoto and dealt him a bone breaking kick to Kynoto�s back, breaking it in three places. Kynoto sailed into the ground and didn�t get up, but he was still alive. He gasped in pain as he tried to regain his breath. He, very slowly, got up off of the ground and stood to face Galathrong.
�Hmm.. very good old man, but it wasn�t good enough,� Kynoto said, resentment burning in his eyes and lining his voice as he faced Galathrong.
�Interesting, you�re still alive. Thought for sure that would have killed you. But never mind this little technicality, I�ll have you in your grave before the end,� Galathrong said, his voice shaking a little. The attack he had used on Kynoto had taken a lot out of him.
�Heh, tired after just that? Well, I�ll let you see one of my newer attacks then, old man,� Kynoto said as he charged Galathrong, �Dicer!� Kynoto�s sword slid through Galathrong easily. This attack hit Galathrong 20 times, ending, or so Kynoto thought, this battle, yet things did not go as planed.
�That all that does? What a waste!� Kynoto turned to see Galathrong completely healed. He had not a scratch on him.
�What�, but how?!� Kynoto stammered. Then a voice shot out from nowhere.
�Kill him now. Other wise, he will be a burden to me. I will not waste my power on him,� a voice sounding like Knifes ushered from the darkness.
�As you will, M� lord,� said Galathrong as he turned to Kynoto, �Well, it looks like this is goodbye, my most prized student. May we meet again in the after life! Finishing move, GigaBea�WHAT THE�!?� Galathrong had not the time to stop what he was doing as a female warrior came dashing at him. She held her sword aloft as she jumped at him. The sky was stained with blood as she landed on the ground.
�I am eternally grateful to you miss. He would have surly killed me with that,� Kynoto said to the woman, rather shocked that he had almost been killed.
�Oh, don�t mention it. I had some business with him in the first place. Oh, where are my manners, I�m Mirror, mercenary for hire. And you would be?� She asked Kynoto
�I am Kynoto, pleased to make your acquaintance Mirror,� Kynoto said, relieved that she was not after him. As she walked out of the shadows, Kynoto got his first look at her. She had deep blue hair that fell to the middle of her back. Her eyes were a shade of pale grey. She stood at about five feet six inchs tall, and had a slim but well endowed body. She had on a black female warrior garb. Kynoto thought that it was rather revealing, but he was not about to say anything.
�You are Kynoto?? Wow, never thought I�d actually get to meet you, let me explain,� She said, seeing the confused look on Kynoto�s face. �I was hired by a man named Triasha. I suspect that he is a friend of yours?� Kynoto nodded and let Mirror continue, �Well, he hired me to find a kid named Knifes. His orders were to take him out by any means necessary.�
�How much was he going to pay you?� Kynoto asked.
�What do you mean 'was'?� She asked abruptly.
�Just answer the question.�
�He said he would pay me five hundred kataries,� She said, a little hatred in her voice. Kynoto reached into this pocket and brought up fifteen hundred kataries and handed them to Mirror, who was baffled. �What are you doing?!�
�Just take it, since he won�t be able to give it to you himself. Yep that�s right. He�s dead. He got killed by that boy that you were hired to kill. That is who I am searching for. I seek not retribution, but peace. His mind is chaotic and I must clear it, before he does something else that he might regret,� Kynoto said woefully.
�A mere boy killed Triasha? Wow, then this boy is� I don�t think I can handle him,� Mirror said in an astounded voice. Kynoto reassured her,
�You indeed can not. Only I have the power too now. Will you join me? You have been tracking him for quite awhile, and perhaps you have some information about where he is?� Kynoto asked hopefully.
�Yes, I do know where he might be, and yes, I will join you. What can I do against an abomination like that all on my own in the first place?!� She answered Kynoto.
�Well, that depends. If you are any good of a fighter, you might land a blow or two, but they would barely scathe him,� Kynoto said, turning to the forest. Mirror just stood in the clearing and stared into space, trying to fathom Knifes power. When she snapped out of it, she ran after Kynoto.