Kodak looked forward, seeing a teen boy. The same age. The same hair as him, only white and red. He also seemed to be holding a red blade with the kanji for destroy.
"What the hell are you doing here!?" Kodak asked angrily "I thought my father sealed you away deep inside my spiritual body!?"
The figure then rolled his eyes. "Relax, also call me Yuto Hayashi. Besides not knowing my name is quite rude y'know?"
Kodak then grabbed him by his black hoodie. "Why the hell do you look like me!?" His face and even his body language was an exact copy of Kodak's. Or rather his former self from the martial. tournament about a year ago.
"You really are just an idiot, aren't you?" Yuto said in a mockful tone. "I am you. Get that through your thick skull you damn slacker!"
Kodak then gets pushed back as strike from the crimson blade's blunt side whacks the side of his head. "That fucking hurts asshole!" He shouts upon receiving the attack.
But as he rubs his head in pain Kodak looks around himself, seeing the unfamiliar environment. "Where the hell am I anyways?"
Yuto shook his head, unimpressed. "Your physical body is moving on pure instinct. Attacking mindlessly at your avatars. So I pulled you into here with my revenant in hopes to knock some damn sense into you!!!"
A wave of dark red energy swept Kodak as he was knocked against the blackened ground of this mental realm. "GAAHHH!!!"
Kodak tumbles further as he legs and arms scrap and rolling violently across the ground. His tumbling then slowed as his hands dug into the blackened ground, stained with his bloody fingertips.
Yuto then rushed from above as Kodak put his hands up, trying to stop him. But it was too strong. He was too strong.
Blackened rubble and debris scattered around the realm as Kodak looked up at Yuto. His eyes could barely see him. And his head was screaming in pain from the ringing in his ears.
"YOUR RESOLVE IS TOO DAMN WEAK! JUST LIKE THAT DAY!" Yuto yelled as another wave of crimson energy crashed into Kodak's face once more.
The insults only persisted as Kodak's resistance grew more. It's as if Yuto was trying to strike him with some type of knowledge or harsh encouragement.
"Weakness, resolve, strength, and will." That's what Kodak was reminded of everything that crimson energy crashed into him. Both from Yuto in the mental realm he was dragged into, and the physical world from Kiko.
The hits increased in both how times they were landed on him, and the ferocity of the attacks.
"It's happening again," Kodak thought to himself. "I'm too weak, and what's worse is I'm angrier than ever before to even do anything. I want to rid myself of that damn weakness."
Kodak's eyes then flashed as another red wave of energy crashed into him, sending into a wall of the blackened mental realm.
His head then slowly fell down as he crashed into the wall. Blood dripped from his forehead.
"So is that all it takes?" A familiar voice called out.
Kodak slowly lifted his head upon hearing the familiar voice. Blood then slowly dripped into his right eye as it became slightly red and blurry.
And there he saw standing before him was his father. Emotions of sorrow, grief, and self-blame coursed through him.
"DAD!?" Kodak went to move, but his body was wrecked. He could barely even stay conscious with his current injuries.
But despite those injuries he pushed forward. His legs slowly stood up, shaking very vibrantly. But as blood poured from his injuries. They began to slowly stop.
Yuto looked over at Kodak, astonished that he was able to stand up. But as Yuto got closer he was able to see that something else was happening to Kodak's body.
"This doesn't make any sense," Yuto thought to himself. "His body should've reached his limits. He's weak, pathetic, and nothing short of a complete amateur." Yuto then began to get closer. His belittling opinion of Kodak grew stronger and stronger as drew near.
His amber colored eyes then widened in shock as he looked closer at Kodak's wounds. "He hasn't developed any type of healing from repaired will. But he's sealed off the bleeding with his kinetic energy!"
Kodak then looked at his father as he walked towards him. His legs hurt, but he'd do whatever it takes to move forward. "How can I move without you by my side, Dad!?"
His father then looked at Kodak with a warm smile
"You need to use that pain you feel, my son. Feel the rage and use that to take action!"
Kodak's eyes then shift from black, to a vibrant blue. The kinetic energy then crackled around his body.
The interface of the system then showed multiple messages.
[Kinetic Charge has activated!]
[New innate skill created: Kinetic Artifact!]
Kodak's teeth then flexed tightly. Memories flowed into his mind. The same ones that ignited both his pain and conviction.
His father wanted him strong both in physical and emotional aspects, despite not having an innate revenant technique at that time.
But his mother wanted differently for her son. She wanted him to lay low and lead a normal life. Not burdened with the fact he seemed powerless. Dal-hee just wanted him to be a kind person who didn't let the weak be taken advantage of.
Those two ambitions of his parents wanted for him clashed in his mind for years. He never felt like those decisions were his own. But now it changed.
Kodak then looked at Yuto, seeing that his face had plastered a smile. But it wasn't kind in Kodak's eyes. It rather seemed like Yuto was smiling at the fact Kodak had just figured out an obvious reason for his convictions.
Yuto then spoke out to Kodak in a lower, yet threatening tone. "You get it now, dumbass?"
Kodak nodded at his harsh rhetorical question. "Yeah, no shit."
Yuto's body then faded away as Kodak heard a few last words from him. "You better keep getting stronger and gaining better control, cause I won't settle for a vessel that has such a pitiful mindset!!!"
Kodak's eyes then burst wide open. His kinetic charge technique surrounded his entire body as he stand still on the ground. His hand then pushed off the ground, helping him stand up almost instantly.
Kiko and Kuroi looked at Kodak, seeing him differently. Their faces looked him, but this time with astonishment. But that astonishment only grew as Kodak's body was surrounded by sparks of vibrant blue energy. It crackled and snapped as he looked at Kiko with.
Multiple messages from system then appeared as Kodak, Kiko, and Kuroi saw the interface.
[Innate Revenant Technique has leveled up!]
[Stats are now visible!]
Kuroi's eyes then widen in shock as he saw the stats of Kodak light up in his face.
Name: Kodak Kawanari
Title: Amateur
Physique: S
Input: C+
Output: C+
Energy Pool: C-
Skills: Kinetic Artifact
Innate Technique (I.R.T): Kinetic Force
Potential: Destructive
Current Rank: Middle C
Kuroi at first wasn't impressed in the slightest, Kodak might have had an amazing amount of physical strength and his innate technique had lots of versatile possibilities. However, he was limited with little skills, average inputs and outputs of power. Along with a below average energy pool.
But as Kuroi looked further down the list of stats he saw something strange. Something odd, yet unbelievable "I haven't seen this before," He thought to himself. "Rather than a rank that a person is projected to be, it seems like it describes what entails for Kodak's power. It could be destructive in any type of way. I have to make sure."
Kodak's back then started to crawl as he began to felt Kuroi's gaze glaring at him. But as he felt Kuroi's glare upon him, a wave of crimson energy began to head Kodak's way. But this time it was different. Kodak gripped his hand tightly as the vibrant blue hue of kinetic energy charged around his body.
And another message appeared in front of Kodak. [2 new skills have been unlocked!]
The crimson energy from Kiko surged from her fist once more as she swung through air, unleashing the energy against Kodak. Sparks of red began its onslaught against Kodak. The energy vibrated through the air as it crackled and sparked with animosity. Or rather it was trying to.
Amongst the sparks of red a shimmer of bright blue began to shine through. Almost like the veil of crimson was about to be cracked. Kiko's eyes then widened in shock as she saw Kodak amidst the the raging sparks of red and blue. "This boy is able to push back and equal my current output of my I.R.T!?"
Kodak then began to push further as he felt himself winning against the crimson torrent of energy. His muscles tensed violently as he began to push back further. His jaw then tightened and flexed as he felt himself being pushed back even harder.
[Skill: Echo State has activated with perseverance!]
Skill Description: When a user uses revenant throughout their body and their innate revenant technique (I.R.T) simultaneously, it causes marks to show along the user's body, which are linked to the user physically, mentally, or even spiritually. The innate revenant technique is used like a spark, igniting the user's revenant and amplifying their current abilities exponentially. The power multiplier varies from user to user. But typically the range is around ten to fifty times a user's normal strength.
Kodak's eyes burn brightly as blue kinetic surges throughout his body. Marks of revenant then surround his body all over. Cuts, bruises, and even burn marks. The sparks of crimson and azure then fade away completely as he stood tall.
"So, is that it?" Kodak said as his fists were up and ready to keep fighting. "You still think I'm not ready?" His words had cockiness and confidence radiating from him, but that wasn't what he was truly feeling.
"Yeah right," Kodak thought to himself. "That simple attack from woman almost killed me! If she didn't hold back I'm not sure even Dad could win!"
Kiko's jaw clenched tightly as she heard his cocky words. Anger and frustration filled her head as she walked aggressively forward. "Is that it?!" She said in a confused tone. "You have no idea what I am capable of you moronic boy!"
Kiko then felt a touch on her shoulder. Her face froze as she looked to her right, seeing Kuroi standing over her with a calm, yet frightful face gazing at her.
"I'd suggest you go back to the mindscape and let me and Kodak talk one-on-one, Kiko." Kuroi's tone wasn't suggesting harmful mannerisms, but Kiko knew deep down that this wasn't the time to test Kuroi's patience.
"Fine," Kiko said in a willingly tone. She then pointed her finger at Kodak with her face radiating with a fiery look in her eyes. "But if he doesn't get any stronger I won't hold back next time!"
Kodak then smirked at Kiko upon hearing her challenging words. "Trust me I'll be ready." He watches as Kiko's body slowly dissipates into a light shade of smoke. Kodak looks at Kuroi with a confused expression plastered across his face.
"Where did she even go?" He asks Kuroi curiously.
Kuroi tapped his index finger on his head. "She's currently in your mind, or rather what we avatars call a mindscape."
Kodak listens carefully to the explanation, hearing the clear clarity of Kuroi's voice. He needed to know more about avatars. Mainly cause he wanted to hear about them. "Is there anything else I should know about avatars?" Kodak asked in an interested tone.
Kuroi grinned at him upon hearing his question. "Sure, but only after we train your revenant a bit further." His grin then shifted back to a natural resting face as he slid across the smooth wooden floors of the house.
Kodak then watched as Kuroi press a button near a wall. The drywall and stone peeled back, revealing a metal staircase leading further down. He walks down the steps, seeing an underground cave, filled with nothing but all types of guns, bladed weapons, and even armor. The blackened room then lit up as Kodak's eyes widened. A black dragon with a golden sword crossed along the symbol.
"I remember this," He said looking at the familiar symbol. "My uncle used to train me down here 24/7. He was a vigilante named: 'The Gale Dweller'. Uncle was powerful, and the I.R.T. was the exact same as my father's. Probably cause they're twins."
Kuroi's eyebrows raised slightly from Kodak's words. "Twins... well how about that."
Kodak looked at Kuroi's face, seeing that he seemed conflicted and nostalgic in some way.
"What's with the look?" Kodak asked him.
Kuroi turned away. "Enough questions. We need to start training." His tone was slightly harsh, and blunt.
Kodak rolled his eyes at Kuroi sudden change in attitude. "Fine, but one day you better explain what happened in your life before becoming an avatar."
Kuroi didn't answer, only keeping his back facing Kodak. His face was stern, yet filled with sorrow. "We begin now. Sit."
Kodak then feels his body instantly sit down upon hearing Kuroi's words.
"What the hell!?"
Kuroi then smirked as he slowly sat down across from Kodak. "My technique allows me to give people commands within their brain. It's pretty handy. But the more complex the command, the more difficult it is to enact on someone."
Kodak raised his eyebrows, interested by how the technique Kuroi had. "So if you could tell someone to die, they would?"
Kuroi shakes his head as a face of annoyance plasters over his face. "Just focus on training for today."
Kodak sighed annoyed at Kuroi's avoidance . "Yeah, yeah. So what now?"
Kuroi's chest then glows an amber shade. But something was different. Kodak could see a core in Kuroi's body. Or rather three cores.
The energy flowed and pulsed through Kuroi's body, almost like it was suppose to be natural.
"This is what you are training for, Kodak." Kuroi said as the amber colored shade of revenant radiated throughout his body. "This is a revenant core. It's created when a person unlocks access to their revenant. But you seem to be different."
Kodak looked at Kuroi with confusion. "How am I different?" He asked with a doubtful look towards him.
Kuroi then smirked at him. "Cause you have a part of your core sealed."
Kodak's eyebrows then raised as a casual face of surprise covered his face. "Oh, that would probably because my father my father had to seal a portion of my power due to another avatar taking over me, and causing havoc."
Kuroi's eyes then narrowed onto Kodak. "Have you talked, or even interacted with them since?" He asked in a low and tense tone.
A wash of nervousness then overcame Kodak. His senses screamed at him to run, but he knew otherwise. "He brought me into the mental realm when Kiko and I were fighting."
Kuroi's eyes then widened and tensed with anger. His chest rose and lowered as he took deep breath upon hearing those words. "What happened?" He said in a slight tone of anger.
Kodak thought for a moment, thinking about the interaction he had with Yuto. The violent nature and harsh ways of making someone like him understand why he did what he did. "He was strange, violent, ruthless, and his overall nature was the exact opposite of my own."
Kuroi scoffed. "Yeah, he was always like that." He said in a harsh tone.
Kodak then looked at Kuroi. "You know him, don't you?" He asked cautiously as to not anger Kuroi.
"I did... for a time, but that's the past and I need to move forward. So please tell me everything you know about Yuto when you met him." Kuroi said as the revenant around his body began to calm down.
The air then began to soften, and Kodak felt his breathing become easier. He could feel the calmness entering the air. He then took a deep breath, feeling himself calm down.
"Yuto's intentions were... weird." Kodak said in an unsure tone. "I was getting tossed around as a red wave of energy radiated from that sword of his tossed me around the mental realm with every blow."
Kodak's face then frowned and the memories of him being hurled around by Yuto made him angrier. "But anytime he struck me all I heard was him saying that I was either too weak, or I had no resolve." His voice shook and trembled with anger. "I hated being reminded that I was weak ever since my father was taken by that evil group of revenant users. But I didn't realize until now how weak I really was."
Kuroi's face then grew soft, almost pitiful. "You hate the weakness you showed because you felt small and insignificant. Just like how I felt from all those years ago."
Kodak saw it, but only for a second. Behind that composed and calm mask that shielded Kuroi. There was his real emotions. The fear and anger of being reminded of what he used to be. The fear of weakness.
But now wasn't the time to pursue Kuroi's current emotions. All Kodak did was trying to remember and tell him about Yuto. "But one thing stood out to me."
Kuroi looked at him, curious. "And what is that?" He asked.
"I think he wants to help me." Kodak replied. "He didn't seem hostile after I learned two skills. He then kicked me out of the mental realm, and I haven't heard from him since."
Kuroi stayed quiet, thinking to himself. Minutes passed as the two of them stayed in silence. Until Kodak tapped his shoulder.
"Yo, Kuroi." He asked him. "Are you okay?"
"Yes, I am. Lets just get back to training." Kuroi said calmly.