Return of the Fallen Volume 6 Chapter 84
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Author: Blue_Rat
ch84
(“So how do ya feel?”)
Kazuki examined his body and felt extremely light and powerful. As he kept a barrier of aura around him, the dark energy couldn’t enter him. His body was now clear of Zetrazz’s breath/aura and therefore he was no longer being suppressed by it. For many months, his body was being held down with a crushing like force. Now that it was removed from him, Kazuki felt as if he had lost a few thousand pounds off his back.
Casually throwing a punch in front of him, his fist tore through the air with unprecedented speed. Oren’s warrior blood started to pump through his veins as he admired such power.
Not only did the suppressing force disappear from his body but the Azirian blood as well was forced out of him. Before he had to constantly suppress the vile blood with his aura just to simply move around, now though another burden was lifted from him. Add to the fact that he also grew a few inches and with it, his bones extended and toughened and his muscles expanded slightly. All of this due to the baptism he had just received. Kazuki had never felt so powerful before. It was as if mighty chains had been binding him this whole time and now he had finally been set free.
(That Azirian blood had finally been removed. After so long I can finally breathe a sigh of relief.)
Kazuki nodded.
“I feel incredible. Every movement of mine is so light and my body is like steel. I feel as if I could smash an entire mountain. The only thing I can complain about is the baptism itself. That shit was incredibly painful. It felt as though I was being torn to shreds time and time again. You said every ape goes through this not just once but twice. My question is how?”
(“Hmm, the baptism is usually not so violent. What you experienced seemed to be a hundred times worse than usual. Going into it I really didn’t know how it would affect ya and only recommended it after I saw how fast ya body recovers. I didn’t think the compatibility would be so vastly different. In the end, though, the great alchemist Zephris made orichalcum for us Adrola apes. It’s only natural it would affect us less and some foreign creature much much more. I’m just glad ya didn’t die, it’s been far too long since I found someone so strong yet friendly that I could compete with. It would have been a real shame to lose ya but I believed in ya and look ya survived. Good job.”)
Kazuki didn’t know what to say to that and went blank for a moment before Oren tossed something over to and Kazuki quickly caught it. In his hand he was surprised to see a ring made from orichalcum, a small purple gem inlaced on the top.
(“That’s for ya. This way ya don’t have to constantly keep a barrier of aura up. With this ring on it will naturally keep Zetrazz’s dark energy from invading ya.”)
Kazuki was stunned. This piece of metal may not be rare down here but on the surface, it was mythical and legendary, Many thought it to be a fairytale, and many more would trade all of their most sacred treasures or kill family to obtain even this small piece, yet Oren, with a casual flick of a finger, was giving it away as if it were a booger.
Oren loved seeing the dumbfounded look on Kazuki’s face and joked.
(“Hmm, If ya don’t want it just give it back. It won’t be any meat off my back. I just thought it might come in handy. Maybe I was wrong though?”)
Oren casually reached forward, pretending as if he would take it back and Kazuki reflexively his it away into his chest. Oren broke out in wild laughter after seeing Kazuki’s reaction.
(*BWAHAHAHA!*)
(“Ya seriously thought I’d take it back. That was priceless. Even the strong can’t deny their greed, am I right?”)
Kazuki tried to play it cool but his actions already spoke louder than words. In the end, Kazuki sighed and shook his head.
*Haa*
“You’re not wrong. Even a king would act like I did seeing such a priceless treasure being tossed about like trash. For you, its’ different because this stuff is everywhere. For me though, this truly is a grand gift. Thank you.”
Kazuki didn’t know how he could ever pay Oren back. With this ring, it basically guaranteed Kazuki’s survival whilst down here. He may not be able to use all of his magic due to there be very little in this environment but there was enough. He could use just enough fire magic to fly out of here once he reaches the cliff wall or possibly even change the shape of the spikes jutting out of the wall with the element of gordonia. The possibilities opened before him and stretched beyond his horizon.
All of this became possible because of this small ring.
(“What thanks. That’s absolutely not necessary. We had a mutual exchange in the end that benefited us both but in the end, I’d say I’m still just barely indebted to ya with this ring. Because of ya strange healing powers, I was able to regain my memories. With it, I took control over my power once more, and now I have my kingdom back. You on the other hand regained ya freedom but you’re still stuck in what ya would call a strange unfamiliar world. Besides like ya said the ring doesn’t mean much to me, but also, the ring is only part of the gift.”)
Oren pointed at the ring, gesturing with his chin for Kazuki to take a look inside.
Kazuki wasted no time. Extending a small amount of magic into the ring, a large storage space was perceived.
No, not simply large but incredibly so. Kazuki still had two rings on his fingers. His own and the one that used to belong to old Tilly. The inside of both rings didn’t surpass a 10 by 10 area. This ring from Oren though absolutely dwarfed the two. The storage space inside stretched far and wide. The distance was a mind-numbing 100 miles in diameter. The number of things one could fit inside was insane. If he wanted to, Kazuki could potentially store a few small cities within.
This space though was only part of the gift. In the depths of this storage space sat a large block of orichalcum metal. The size of this was as big as a two-story house.
Kazuki’s imagination began to run wild thinking of all the things he could do with this treasure.
Oren saw that Kazuki had zoned out and once again loved the dumb expression the weird creature called Kazuki wore.
(“With that amount of orichalcum, now ya can say my debt has been paid in full. In fact, I would say ya definitely owe me, hehe ha.”)
There was no doubt this was true and Kazuki knew it.
“How can I ever…
Oren raised a hand.
(“Forget it. Right now there’s nothing ya can do for me nor do I want anything. Sorry, I just lied. There is actually something ya can do.”)
Oren’s expression changed and he had an excited yet demented smile.
(“Seeing ya power while ya fought my late son was one thing. I knew then that it would be difficult for me to beat ya without using my strengthening aura but now after the baptism, I see that your strength has increased once more. Now with my aura, I’m not sure I can actually win but damn is my blood on fire just thinking about it. I want a match with ya and I want ya to fight me with everything ya have. If ya really want to pay me back, ya won’t refuse this selfish request of mine.”)
Kazuki could see how eager Oren was and he had to admit there was an itch inside his skin. With this newfound strength, Kazuki as well wanted to know his limits. He tried to hide his smile as he thought about clashing with Oren but it was pointless.
“Shall we head to the arena right now or wait until after lunch?”
(“I love food but battle…I love it so much more. To the arena.”)
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This time there was no audience and the entire arena was completely sealed off so no one could enter and no sound could escape to the outside. For several hours the two clashed back and forth. Oren’s advantage was in his aura manipulation and he could pull out greater strength but Kazuki held the absolute advantage in speed. Especially after the Zetrazz’s breath/aura had been removed from him. In the end, Oren could no longer touch Kazuki and was forced to rely on orichalcum for defense but he couldn’t do much in that regard either. Now that Kazuki had access to his magic, he could manipulate the orichalcum nearly as well as Oren. In the end, Oren could no longer fight back, and Kazuki prevailed.
—————————————————————————-
A few days later, Kazuki had finally said his farewells and left with a grand celebration from Oren and his apes. Oren was not much for flashy words but still he tried to send Kazuki off with encouraging thoughts.
(“Good luck Kazuki. That fight with your sister sounds fun, too bad she’s not my sister. If ya ever come back down here, make sure ya swing by my city so we can have another match.”)
“I don’t plan on making a return trip to these parts but if I do, I’ll definitely stop by for a good fight and huge feast, your treat of course.”
The two exchanged a laugh before Kazuki left. Apes lined the streets and their roars echoed out behind him along with thunder like drumming as they pounded their chest with cheers. These Adrola apes were proud to have a such a strong friend to their city and hoped that one day Kazuki would return.
Leaving the city of apes, Kazuki left with a smile. He made a good friend and gained more power and strength than ever before.
(Now to find my way to the surface.)
Once more, Kazuki returned to a world of darkness.
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