Eyes, Hundreds of eyes, thousands of eyes. All looking forward, the source of the eyes was unclear. Darkness covered its body like a warm blanket, its movements were slug like. Inching closer and closer to its prey and its prey was two young women.
One had dark purple hair almost to the color of black with small black earrings, the other had blonde hair and rose red lipstick. They both were on the cool ground. It was hard to tell where they were but even in this darkness they could tell that they were in some back alleyway.
"I…I'm sorry…t-this is my fault."
The purple hair woman choked out those words, though they were hard to say with the amount of fear she was feeling. It was the eyes, the thousand- No hundred- No those two. It was two eyes staring into their souls, Two eyes for two prey.
They needed to move. Could they move? What would happen if they did? Would it attack them if they moved? Those were the thoughts going through their heads.
Each inch they took to run was two inches that thing took to attack them. With a loud scream the thing attack the two women, it approached the two at blinding speed—
—VIIP—
—BAM—
Right before that thing could touch the two something slammed into it, oil black blood erupted from its body and the darkness began to clear up. They saw him, a boy with jet black hair, obsidian eyes and chocolate like skin.
However that's not how they saw this boy, the oil black blood covered the boy's body. Although he was their savior, to them he looked like a demon.
"Are you two oka–"
With a scream the two ran away, since the darkness cleared up it was easier to leave. However this fear of him caused the boy some confusion. Despite this he smiled and wiped the black blood off his face.
"Ah well…I hope they didn't get too hurt. These damn spirits are getting more and more aggressive lately."
The boy jumped off the spirit he had just slain. The boy looked at the sky, it's once navy blue appearance began to dissolve as the warm orange hue of the sun began to rise.
"Morning's comin' I should get home before mom finds out that I snuck out again."
The boy smiled as he ran home, this boy of course had a name. His name was Hoshi Morningstar and although he wasn't an official spirit hunter yet he chose to fight spirits regardless.
"Spirits, they haunt and hunt humans on the daily basis. For as long as humans have been around so have spirits and maybe they've been around longer. At first every nation in the world wanted to fight spirits in their own ways, some fought them, some worshiped them and some avoided them. However this all ended when the first family of humanity, the Rishons' untied the world to one force against the spirits. The Spirit Hunters! And for two hundred years the world became one nation, Pangea. One super country, One super nation, ONE SUPER WORLD!!! Which leads to you, YES YOU!!! At the age of twenty you can join the spirit hunting academy and become a spirit hunter…"
The message played on a laptop monitor as Hoshi snuck into his own room. His footsteps were quick and quiet, it was like he was light as a feather.
Hoshi P.O.V.
I jumped when I heard the click of a lamp light in my room. It was dark so I didn't notice my mother was already in the small room with me.
"Nineteen and you're still sneaking out of the house! I swear all you are is trouble!"
Hoshi: "Ahh! MOM! Where are you waiting for me?! H-how long have you been there!!!"
She wasn't my mother, well biologically speaking she wasn't. She had fair skin and jet black hair with red crimson eyes. I looked nothing like her. The truth was that my biological mother was adopted into the Morningstar family. This lovely woman would've been my aunt if it wasn't for the fact that right before I was born my mother murdered my father.
Apparently he was cheating on her, which came as a shock to many since my father was a known spirit hunter who was kind hearted. So the day before my birth my mother slit my fathers throat.
Three years later Maki Morningstar, my mothers sister, adopted me. Which is why I have ebony skin and she had fair skin. But regardless, She's my mother threw and threw.
Maki: "I swear you caused so much trouble, did you know how worried I got?! Sneaking out, ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME!"
Hoshi: "Sorry! Sorry! It's just—"
Maki: "JUST WHAT!?"
I put my hands in my pockets and looked slightly to the left, it was something I always did when I knew I was in some serious trouble. After all, she was right. Sneaking out isn't honest and she does tend to worry a lot.
Hoshi: "The back alleys of the Besa Region aren't well guarded so I went there to save some people from spirits…although I am sorry for sneaking out…I'm...not all that sorry for what I did when I was outside."
She gave me a simple huff from her breath, it was always hard to tell whether or not she's still mad at me. Especially with her crimson eyes, they always seemed to pierce into my soul. She always could be scary when she really wants to.
-SMACK-
Hoshi: "OW!"
Her attack was swift and quick. The smack of a wooden spoon on my hand stung. Did she always have that in her hand? Nonetheless, she gave me a small smile. Just as quick as she smacked my hands she grabbed and pulled me close.
Maki: "Just…stop sneaking out okay?"
Hoshi: "Yeah yeah...I will."
I wrapped my arms around my mother, she always had this scent of comfort around her. Hugging her felt like time slowed down, like the universe itself wanted our hug to last longer.
Maki: "Now I made breakfast so hurry up and take a shower. You smell like oil."
Hoshi: "Oh geez you're right! Sorry sorry!"
Later, No P.O.V.
After Hoshi and his mothers breakfast the boy left the house to walk around town. It was a small part of the city Hoshi lived in. Within the Zodon region there was a city called "Rans" just a few kilometers west of that city was a town named "Arcburg" This was the town Hoshi lived in.
As the cars passed him by he smiled at the nearby people who walked past him. Hoshi was known as a small time hero within his town. Spirits tend to gather right outside of Arcburg in the forest so when they attack the town he tends to fend them off until spirit hunters show up.
Which led up to Hoshi destination, a nearby donut shop who seemed to love the boy. With the ring of a welcoming bell Hoshi entered the shop. Not even a second later the shop owner noticed the young boy.
"AYYYE!!! IF IT ISN'T MY FAVORITE HERO!!!"
A rather round man screamed a warm welcome towards Hoshi causing the shop residence to take notice of his presence. Just as warm of a welcome he got he gave back a warm smile.
Hoshi: "HEYO TONY!!! HOW HAVE YOU BEEN!?!"
With the sweet smell of bread baking in the shop. The two loud men began to walk towards each other, the rather large Antony bear hugged Hoshi. As this happened a young woman with red hair behind the register saw the sight of this old man and young man hugging. Some of the customers could hear the boys back almost break. With a slight grunt the big man let Hoshi stand on his two legs again.
Tony: "WELL WELL WELL!!! Will it be your regular? let's see if I remeber...it was...glazed with a hot chocolate right?"
He lets out a soft giggle as he replies-
Hoshi: "Yep yep!"
Tony walked back to the kitchen as the large man turned around Hoshi noticed an older woman in the back about drop a bag flour. Quickly Hoshi tapped his foot against the ground at a rapid pace. In his eyes he saw a counter, 1-3-10-17, The number went up at the same pace as his foot tapping against the ground. Not two seconds after the bag began to fall towards the ground Hoshi dashed over the counter and into the kitchen, the red hair of the young lady swung behind her head.
-WHOOOSH-
The red haired woman blank twice as she was trying to understand what just happened. It was like a bullet nearly missed her head, she turned to see the kitchen. Hoshi was holding the flour up.
Hoshi: "Miss let me help you real quick."
The flower was carefully placed on a nearby area, the bag slouched against the cold metal as Hoshi made sure that the woman was okay. The red haired woman whispered to Tony.
"What was that? How did he do that?"
Tony: "Oh yeah...you're new to town I somehow keep forgetting. Max, This is the Hero of Arcburg and what you just witnessed was his Ketsudan."
Max: "Ketsudan? I thought only spirit hunters had those."
Tony: "Everyone has a Ketsudan, it's just that spirit hunters tend to unlock theirs. That ketsudan was his fathers and now it's his. He calls it...Combo."
Max: "Combo? What's that suppose to mean?"
Tony: "I remember when he explained it to me-"
Tony P.O.V.
It was three years ago,
Spirits began to surround the town and rampaged threw the streets. It was terrible many people got injured, but that was the first year that Hoshi began to protect the town. If I could remember it was when his mother was in danger.
There was a Kuma Spirit, a really huge bear. It almost destroyed half the town by itself but Hoshi's mother, Maki Morningstar she wasn't a woman to mess with. Even without a Ketsudan she stood her ground.
The spirit swung at Maki and that's when it happen. When Hoshi unlocked his Ketsudan, they say A Ketsudan is A promise to ones soul. In that moment Hoshi promised to always help and protect others.
That's why I wasn't surprised on what happened right after he unlocked this promise-
Three years ago, No P.O.V.
The town of Arcburg was in shambles, flames roared, people screamed and a Kuma spirit. It was about four meters tall standing on its hind legs, it had burning blue fur with claws as sharp as the worlds finest knifes.
Within the flames and in front of the giant blue bear was Hoshi and his mother Maki. The mother held a bat in one hand but was confused and shocked as Hoshi looked into the spirits eyes. Maki looked at her sons fist, he tightened them to the point of bleeding. His chocolate skin stained with red blood from his own body, Hoshi felt many first that night. This was the first time he felt absolute rage.
Hoshi: "You dare touch my mother? Who the hell do you think you are?! Over here wreaking shit for no reason! WHAT DID WE DO TO YOU!?!"
Of course the spirit didn't respond with words but instead with a growl. Not one to threaten but one to challenged. It stepped towards Hoshi and then, right there Hoshi began to hate. He hated this spirit for touching his mother, he hated this spirit for daring to challenge him.
Hoshi: "HEY, ANSWER! I ASKED YOU A DAMN QUESTION SO ANSWER ME!"
Maki: "Hoshi? What do you think you're doing? Get behind me now!"
For the first time in his life, Hoshi disobeyed his own mother. His eyes looked back towards her and all she could see is his soul. It's said that there is a color black than black, and that color is Vantablack. When his eyes become this color it is said that Hoshi looks like a demon. But this couldn't be further from the truth. In reality it is said that eyes are the gateway to the soul, this is Hoshi being the most honest.
For the first time in her life, Maki felt fear towards her own son. Hoshi turned back towards the Kuma spirit, as his head turned to face it, a swinging claw aimed towards his face. With a quick breath he slammed his fist against the bears paw.
Hoshi: "Hmm!"
Hoshi: [Is that? A number? It say's one and under it there's a three second count down.]
As quickly as he punch the paw he slammed a right hook against the spirits chest. The number Hoshi was seeing went up to two and the counter reset, Hoshi began to understand his Ketsudan and with that he clench his fist and rapidly punch the Kuma. With every vibration he felt his strength grow.
Hoshi: "I think I'm starting to get it now!"
With a strong left hook against the spirits rib it retaliated with a right swing against Hoshi's chest. The claws tore into the boys chest yet despite the pain he slammed his right foot forward, the ground cracked under his strength while he wound up another left hook.
Maki: "OH MY GOD! HOSHI!!! Seriously get behind me right now!!!"
Hoshi: "Hey, everything's fine, see!?"
He showed Maki his cut, the gash was about a half an inch deep with red blood oozing out of body. A tab bit of blood escaped his lips as a smile crept onto his face.
Hoshi: "I'm fine...I'm your son after all."
With that he slammed his left first so far into the spirits face that the imprint of his fist could be seen from the backside of its skull. It's black blood pored onto his arms, and with a smile on his face he pulled his fist out of the spirit.
Hoshi: "I am Hoshi Morningstar, the son of Maki Morningstar. I wonder what yours was...I bet it was as beautiful as your fur."
Present Time
Tony: "That night not a single person died and it was all thanks to Hoshi and that Combo Ketsudan of his. Honestly this whole store would've been shut down if it wasn't for him."
Max: "I...can't believe it...with that kind of power why doesn't he just rule over Arcburg? It's not like he couldn't do it right?"
Tony: "I guess that's just how he's wired. He does good things, and wants nothing in return for it. Hell, he even goes out of his way to travel to other towns just to protect others."
Max: "Still...doesn't it worry you that one day he could just...decided that he doesn't want to help anymore...that he could just snap?"
Tony: "Hmm I see your worry...but honestly I couldn't see that ever happening-"
Max: "WHY NOT!?"
Her outburst caused some people to look at their direction, Tony gave the young girl a worried look. He checked to make sure Hoshi wasn't listening and luckily Hoshi was helping the old lady in the back. He pulled Max aside for a second and whispered.
Tony: "Max? What about him has got you so spooked?"
Max: "It's..."
Her body was shaking, sweat practically running away from her skin as she thought about Hoshi. She had just met him yet something about him shocked her to her core. Her legs where trembling as if she wanted to run but something was stopping her.
Max: "It's his eyes...those pitch black eyes..."
Later
With a warm smile and a bag in hand he left the shop. Max tried to fake her smile, though Hoshi could tell her smile was fake, he just chocked it up to stress. He walked through the town, cars passing him as he went home. He walked like there was a weight on him but this weight was simply fatigue. His eyes had a tint of red to them.
Hoshi: "Geez...I should probably stop going out at night. I feel so empty. Not to mention that this time I traveled like an hour out just to find some spirits. But spirits love the dark so night time just makes sense..."
After entering his home he walks up to his room. He didn't even touch the bag after setting it down he just fell into the fluffiness of the bed. A slow drop of drool left his lips as his body slowly snuck into slumber.
A few minutes after his eyes closed, Maki enters the room. She sat next to him and kissed his forehead, the kiss lingered. Once she retracted her kiss she looked at the light of her life.
Maki: "Rest up my trouble maker. I'll keep these warm for you."
She picked up his bag of donuts, his cup of hot chocolate and went to leave, but once she saw the twitching fingers of Hoshi. She decided to put his things into the microwave and walked to the other side of his bed. She crawled onto his bed and held him, his twitching slowed down, but it didn't stop.
Maki: "You're a spirit hunter in heart body and soul...even in your sleep you feel the need to fight...relax my trouble maker. It's okay too."
She whispered in his ear, hoping that in his dreams he could hear her. After about a few minutes of whispering his hands finally relaxed, believing that he doesn't need to fight at the moment.
After a long nap he hugged his mother goodbye before leaving to walk the streets and help around again. Walking the streets of Arcburg the sun set as he was stopped by an old man.
"Excuse me young man but are you...the hero of Arcburg? Hoshi Morningstar?"
Hoshi turned around with a curious glance, he noticed the old mans build. He had a black robe covering his entire body, his voice was deep and he stood on the rather short side with a cane helping him stand.
Hoshi: "Um yes...although you don't have to say all that. Just call me Hoshi! I honestly hate it when people call me a hero."
"I see...well young man I do need your help. You see there is something coming, or should I say someone coming. Someone that you must stop."
Hoshi: "Who is this someone?"
"Lilith, I believe she is coming back and I need your help to keep her sealed."
Hoshi: "Lilith! Like...t-the LILITH!"
"Yes...please Hoshi we must hurry! If she gets loose the world might be in danger!"
Hoshi: "Point me to the right direction! I'll get there as quickly as possible."
"Wait! Young man I should go with you I-AH!"
Just as quickly as the Oldman spoke Hoshi picked him up piggy-back style, Hoshi began kicking the ground. His eyes blacked as the number on his combo meter went up. The ground cracked and the wind shifted as Hoshi charged into the forest.
Hoshi: "Just point and I'll move!"
"WAIT WAIT WAIT!!!"
-DAASH-
The scenery blurred at the boys speed. The old mans cloak almost fell off as him and Hoshi blitzed threw the forest. Despite the speed the old man managed to point at the right direction at the right time.
"Young Hoshi you have to slow down! We're almost there!"
Hoshi: "Gotcha!"
-SKRRRRT-
The dirt pulled at the feet of the boy and the wind whooshed behind the two. As if the breeze itself was happy to catch up too Hoshi. Infront of the two was a broken down building.
Hoshi: "Is this it? Where Lilith is supposed to..."
"Well yes, I need a strong young man like you to help me. I can make sure she doesn't appear in this world but I need you to move doors. They're made of pure ancient stone."
Hoshi: "Right!"
The two entered the building, the vines wrapping around the front entrance like evil hugging the stone. The old man shined a flashlight into the darkness, his finger nails were oddly black and long. They walked down the hallway. It was rather small, uncomfortably small.
"Tell me young man."
The old mans voice was soft and gruff, Hoshi gave him is full attention. The light bobbed as the old man walked.
"Why did you believe me? Why do you trust me so much that you'd come into the middle of the woods."
Hoshi: "Well..."
The boy looked up genuinely thinking about an answer before he could give one they stopped at a stone wall. Hoshi tapped his foot rapidly so he could move it out of the way.
Hoshi: "Well...you seem trustworthy. I don't really know how to explain it but..."
The sound of stone grinding on each other could be heard as he moved the slab to the side. The old man quickly moved into the next hallway with Hoshi.
Hoshi: "I just like to think that I can trust people, I want to trust people."
As if the old man was testing the young hero he gave an approving nod. In the matter of seconds they were in the main worshipping room. A giant fountain was in the middle of the room, clear clean water ran through it. The fountain had a sculpture of a naked woman as the main aspect of the design. Water flowed out of the woman lips and eyes, it looked like she was kissing the sky and weeping because of it.
"Listen young man, when I start this ritual, spirit's will gather into the fountain room. They see it as a sign of respect to great such a strong force of power. Are you ready to take them on?"
Hoshi: "Absolutely! Let's get it started!"
Not even a few seconds after the ritual started ten spirits already burst through the building. All looking drastically different from the other. All different shapes, sizes, and colors. Hoshi's eyes, Darker than dark, Blacker than black, and a number that only he could see.
He was quick and swift. Every punch, every kick, every knee and elbow was delivered with the intent of defeating each spirit as quickly as possible. In the spirits eyes. Hoshi was a ruthless demon. however, the truth was that Hoshi wanted the spirits to suffer as little as possible.
A fish spirit with legs and arms charged at Hoshi's backside, With a right fist charging at his back shoulder. Hoshi ducked under the attack, cocking back his left fist and slammed it into its right gill. A book spirit and a chair spirit charged towards him from the front.
-VPPP-
-BAM-
-BAM-
With great speed Hoshi gave both of the spirits round house kicks. But again spirits charged the boy and again he quickly defeated them, Meanwhile the fountain in the middle of the room began to glow as the old man was chanting something. It was a language unknown to the boy, however he clearly didn't concern himself with the actual ritual. He just fought, fought like he always did.
"It's almost done young one! Just a little more time!"
Hoshi: "Gotcha! Don't worry I can give you more time!"
The fountain began to shake and crack like an egg waiting to hatch. A black ooze leaked from the stone like thick water escaping a broken cup. This liquid seemed to lore the spirits closer and closer to the center of the room, Hoshi however kept them at bay.
As time went on the more violent the statue became. It got to the point that the arms began to fall off, the sound of stone breaking against the ground echoed throughout the building. The black ink like ooze began to form arms and hands, however before they could reach the old man time seemed to stop.
It was quite for a few seconds or was it minutes? Hours? Days? It was all the same to Hoshi, did time really stop? His brain was trying to process what was going on. But what made it worse is that time began to reverse, the ooze went back into the fountain. When time resumed Hoshi looked at the old man.
Hoshi: "W-what just?"
"I'm sorry for what comes next."
Hoshi: "Huh?"
Before a second could pass Hoshi felt his body began to shake. His vision blurred and once he blinked the old man seemed to disappear. Just a single crow standing where he stood, it's eyes just as black as Hoshi's stared at him.
A single crow.
...
...
...
..
..
.
A Unknown time or place Hoshi P.O.V.
I wake up to the feeling of a soft cloth on my face, a cold feeling on my knees and the blurred sounds of chatter all around me. From the moment I woke up I knew I was kneeling but to who? I could hear voices but it was hard to tell what they were saying. Where they arguing? For what? Voices, voices, so many voices.
But there was one voice I could hear-
Maki: "LET HIM GO YOU FUCKING SCUM BAGS!!!"
"Ma'am please! Calm down!"
Maki: "DON'T TELL ME TO CALM DOWN YOU DICKLESS FUCK! MY HOSHI DID NOTHING WRONG!"
Mom? Why is she here? Just what the hell is going on? Right after I heard her speak the sound of wood being bashed echoed around wherever I was. I guess that made everyone calm down.
???: "Unmask him."
Like that I finally was able to see. The floor had white tiles with these golden symbols on them, I saw the wooden platform I was kneeling on. I tried to move my hands but it was clear that I was restrained with handcuffs.
Maki: "HOSHI!"
Hoshi: "Mom?"
I looked towards my mother. There was a huge crowd, and huge was an understatement. Not to mention that I could see the captains of almost every spirit hunting company in the area. My mother...worried like always. But that's confusing me a bit...why is she...
???: "Hoshi Morningstar."
That voice...that commanding voice, I quickly looked directly Infront of me. I was met with golden eyes, pure golden eyes. Only one family in the entire world has eyes like those and only one man has eyes that intense.
It's clear that the man sitting Infront of me, sitting in an elevated platform with four other platform. Him and his family, the creators of the modern world. Adam Rishon and his family. He had pure golden eyes, this dirty colored hair, fair color skin and a build that demanded respect.
I could barely give a response. I mean who would? This is my hero! The man of men, the fathers of fathers! I'm just confused on why I am here?
Hoshi: "Um...Yes! that is me!"
Adam: "Do you know just how much trouble you are in young man?"
Hoshi: "Not really...no."
I heard whispers around me as if what I had said was wrong. I heard anger and confusion within the crowd of people. But as fast as Adam stood up everything became quite again.
Adam: "What you did last night was unforgivable."
Hoshi: "I'm sorry? What did I-"
Is he talking about keeping Lilith sealed? Why would I get in trouble for that? What the hell is going on?
Hoshi: "Are you talking sealing Lilith-"
As I finished my sentence the people around me seemed to disappear. Honestly it was more comforting this way. It was just me and Adam, He towered over me. But as he got closer I noticed that the handcuffs had disappeared. Adam looked at me, It was that look that you gave right before you put down your dog.
Time didn't seem to stop, it was stopped. But it wasn't just that, it was like we were in a different plane of reality. Like we were covered in a thin blanket so that we could talk in comfort.
Adam: "Hoshi Morningstar...let's have a chat."
A few seconds later No P.O.V.
Maki stood there shaking from rage and worry. But it wasn't just her, everyone from Arcburg was there, one moment Adam was sitting and the next he stood directly in front of Hoshi. Adam had this odd look to him, like he was disappointed, as if they had this whole conversation yet didn't come to an agreement.
Adam: "Hoshi Morningstar! You are being charged with conspiracy against Pangea! How do you plea?"
Everyone stood still...
Maki: "He wouldn't-"
The boy smiled...that's it...he just smiled.
Hoshi: "Guilty on all accounts!"
His mother covered her mouth, Maki couldn't believe what was going on. The boy she cared for, the boy who gave her life meaning again, that boy was now seen as a traitor to all of Pangea.
Adam: "Very well...You are being sentenced to be banished to the spirit world!"
Maki: "WHAT!!! THAT'S LIKE SENDING HIM TO HELL!!! NO YOU CAN'T DO THAT!!!"
One look, all he gave her was one last look. For some reason it gave her comfort despite the fact that the ground under Hoshi opened up to reveal an extremely long drop. He smiled as he fell the last thing his mother saw was him being happy.
He fell, he fell into a world within the world. Well that wasn't exactly the case. It was like falling into another plan of existence. By the time he fell a few meters the hole into the mortal world began to close.
Hoshi: "You really thought that I'd agree to that...hell no. When I get out of here I'll expose you Adam Rishon."
His eyes were exposed to colors he had never seen before. After a few blinks he looked down to see a vast world, the spirit world. Where colors aren't consistent, where time, life and gravity isn't consistent. As he fell a giant raven about the size of a large building charged at the falling boy.
How did he react to this news? He simply smiled.