Post by Karasu on Dec 16, 2016 6:30:31 GMT
Day 1
With a fury of birds chirping outside his bedroom window, it was a wonder at all how he could ever sleep-in beyond eight o'clock in the morning. His eyes clenched tightly shut at the sudden conscious realization of bird calls outside. They were calling out for one another in act of courting. This had frustrated Karasu, and so he turned over on his left side, facing away from the noisy window in an attempt to best filter out the mayhem of bird calls from disturbing his slumber. This didn't work, and within moments, he was sitting up on the edge of his bed, groggy, flustered, and annoyed.
Seven twenty-one is what his alarm clock had read, which sat there on his bed side table. He turned his head to look at his floor, and he could hear his Aunt Pafu stir about in the kitchen, which he was probably making herself her lunch as she always did before work. Aunt Pafu was an Astrophysics professor at the Corrales University in the city they lived in, Pepper City. She took Kasasu in three years ago after the incident with his parents being killed. Kasasu was fourteen then, and had seen everyone that had been in his life since he had been born, die in a ferocious battle with a tyrant of an enemy amongst an alien war.
There he was, contemplating whether or not if he should get up, and leave his room. Finally deciding to start his daily routines, he stood up and began to get ready, putting on a pair of blue jeans that he had left draping over the desk chair in his room from the previous night. Reaching into the closet, Karasu grabbed a red t-shirt with a screen print of the UCW university logo printing in front. He threw it on, and grabbed a pair of tennis shoes as he exited the bedroom. Aunt Pafu was startled to hear the door close at the end of the hallway and looked up to find Kasau putting on a pair of gray tennis shoes.
"You're up early now, aren't you?" She announced with quiet the friendliest of smiles on her face. This was always her way in socializing.
"I couldn't really sleep." Karasu replied, and looked up at his Aunt, already assuming she knew the reason by it. After he finished tying both his shoes, Karasu sat up, and walked into the kitchen, in search for something to have for breakfast. Quickly he grabbed an apple from the fruit basket at the of the kitchen counter. Turning his head, he looked back at his Aunt Pafu, whom still stood there looking a little uncertain of what else to say.
"I'll be Just outside the city for a few hours before I meet up with Devin at the University.” he told her. It was at least something he could say to break the awkward silence that stood unsettled in the house. Devin was the old superintendent at the University his Aunt Karasu taught at.
"Oh, ok. I suppose I don't need to tell you to be careful, then will I? Have a good time Kasas." She replied with a pleasant smile.
Karas was a nick name that her and his father had shared in calling him. He never minded it, and became accustomed to the name. With a small acknowledging smile he looked back again at his Aunt as he stepped out the door.
"See you soon." he said and he was gone from sight.
It was dusk, and the sun was warming the city. A hover car whizzed by followed with several children giggling as they exited the neighboring houses from across the street. Looking around, Kasau set the apple in his mouth and leaped into the air. Flight took him swiftly as it had been so easy to even hardly concentrate with the ability he had been using since his mother taught him at age seven. With the apple still held in his mouth, he shot across the city's skyline quickly and made it to the out lands in no time.
Karasu landed near a large granite boulder that stood taller than wider. A marker, that he memorized its location not too long ago. Glancing around, he found the area vacant to get started with his usual routine. However, before he started he caught himself remembering again about the events that took place at the same spot four days ago.
Chewing on his breakfast, he took the last bite of the apple and tossed the core into a nearing shrub. Squinting his eyes now, as he sun continued to ascend into the blue sky, he questioned why he was suddenly attacked by that rogue standard robot with no warning. Its words which it spoke seemed to suggest that it knew Kasau's past. Kasasu tried to remember if he had met that robot before, but it looked like many of the lower model droids he seen near the industrial areas of the city. This agitated his mind a little, because during this scuffle not much was discussed or explained before combat took place.
Putting his thoughts aside, Karasu felt there was really no more importance in concerning himself of the recent past. Certainly with such events that remained so vague. Taking another look around, he made certain that he was alone this time. Reaching up above his head, he brought his fingers of his right hand outreached, and followed with closing them tightly as he brought it down to his side. This had him felling that his posture moved into a prepared warm up stance.
He did his usual training exercises that he had recently started up again nearly six months ago. This was held up because of the 'tragedy' of three years ago, which left him without the will to fight anymore. It wasn't until he was bothered by a group of College students of the Judo team, for taking no notice of them and bumping into one of the larger one's shoulder. There was conflict, but had been easily handled with little effort from Karasu. Two punches, a dodge, which followed to a kick and an elbow to the top of one student’s skull.
Still to that day, Karasu felt the yearning for more of a fight, due to his Saiyan blood. It was then he decided from that day on, he would began his training once again. Soon after the run in with the College jocks, he went home early from his usual helping hand with Devin at the school. Karasu swung open the door of his bedroom, and looked directly at the hope chest that laid in front of his bed. Bending down, he opened it. Karasu's eyes searching for one thing and one thing only. It wasn't long after, he found exactly what he'd been searching for. His Gi. This again was nearly six months ago.
Later that evening, after a long day of work with Devin back at the University, they had spent most the day repairing some of the floor boards to the theater stage. Karasu now sat at the dining room table alone looking at his calloused hands. They were also slightly dirty from being on his hands and knees all day hammering and pulling wood flooring. Off white brown wood chips had even covered his light brown hair, and even a grease smudge remained on his left cheek. It wasn't long until his Aunt Pafu walked in through the front door carrying home dinner.
"Oh dear!" She exclaimed in response to his appearance.
"Please Karas, go and freshen up before dinner. You look like you've been playing with the Raccoon children across the street in the mud pits."
"Oh, sure. Sorry, I must have forgotten." He replied, and got up from the table, making his way down the hall and into the bathroom. He quickly showered, got dressed and made it just in time for dinner, when Aunt Pafu finished setting the table.
Karasu reseated himself at the table as to find Aunt Pafu setting down a plate of hot food before him. While getting herself her plate, she asked him a question that she'd been struggling with since she had arrived.
"Are you feeling ok?" she asked.
"Me? I think so, why?"
"I've noticed a small change in you from, let's see. I suppose it started earlier last week, Tuesday I believe."
"Oh?" Karasu replied in question
"Karas, you know you can talk to your dear Aunt. Please, you know I have every right to worry and ask."
There was a certain shift in the atmosphere in the dining room, but as Karasu finished chewing the last of dinner he turned back to look at her.
"I was confronted by something that claimed to know who I was, but I had never met him before. It wasn't any robot I could have recollection of seeing before, although he expected me to fight. The whole thing was all very confusing." he finished saying, his brow furrowed as he thought about that previous day. His Aunt Pafu put her hand on the back of Karasu' and gave him a concerning look, through her thick rimmed glasses.
"Whatever it is my dear boy, I am certain you are wise enough to make the choices you feel you need to make. Your father and mother raised you well enough for that with the time they had with you." she replied. Karasu nodded and took his empty dinner plate to the kitchen. Setting it in the sink, he turned to face his Aunt then smiled.
"Thank you for dinner Aunt Pafu, and thank you for everything."
Karasu was instantly given a smile. A few moments passed and her eyes began to become glossy as she watched him walk into his bedroom. She knew it then it that it was going to be some time before she would see him again.
Day 2-3
Like always, came the cries of his father's muffled yell, which always followed with the sound of a quick snap in what could only be that of a neck breaking. It came so quickly and what continued were horrified screams of everyone around him. His father's name was Shurugazeru, and was called out by his mother, Kyuri. Then were the quick movements that even Karasu couldn't keep track of who was where or what was happening. His family’s friend Jazzor, had engaged the enemy. Even though it had been already too late to save Shurugazeru, anger and vengeance swept everyone's actions now.
"Dad!" Karasu cried while running towards his father's limp and lifeless body. Kyuri was already there, holding him.
"Is he....is he alive, mom?" Karasu asked, his eyes beginning to well-up with tears. He was focused on his mother’s face, unsure what true emotion she was expressing, an unfamiliar look that had been molded.
"Stay here. Guard your fathers' body. Don't move, and everything will be taken care of?" She demanded with such determination in her voice.
"Mom, we can't beat that thing! We just can't! Mom....!" he cried once again watching his mother suddenly vanish.
He then awoke.
The dream, was always the same, never any real recollection to what had happened after his mother had suddenly vanished, and how he survived that day. The most puzzling thing that frustrated Karasu so much was never knowing if that....that Alien tyrant had been destroyed or had simply killed everyone and left.
The alarm went off on his bed side table at the configured time he set it to sound off. Five in the morning, when he knew his Aunt wouldn't be getting up for another one to two more hours from now. Lifting up, Karasu went to his closet and pulled out a capsule corp. branded duffel bag. It was light-gray and big enough to hold several days’ worth of clothing. Dropping it on the floor next to the hope chest that remained at the foot of his bed, he grabbed a couple of items, and then shoved them quickly within its containing empty space. Karasu had then pulled out his light brownish orange Gi, arm bands, sash, boots, and under garments. Shutting the chest, he got to the dresser, pulling out some underwear, socks, a pair of jeans and a belt.
He quickly got dressed and through on his usual gray hoodie and gray tennis shoes. Grabbing his duffel bag he made his way down the hallway, and turned to look behind him because he felt someone was there.
"Please be careful out there." a voice said at the other end of the hallway from within the dim light.
"I will Aunt Pafu, thank you for everything." he replied.
"You'll always have a place to stay. I owe that to your parents."
"Understood. I'll be back." Karasu said with a determined look on his face, and continued out the front door. He Leapt into the air, which was followed with a sudden flash of aura flowing around him that would heightening his ability to fly at quick speeds. Just then he jetted into the clouds and across the skyline. Karasu could see that the sun hadn't even begun to show itself, but only the glow of its arrival. His direction was due Northeast, to where his life had been so drastically altered three years ago, outside Pepper City.
Only fifteen minutes outside of Western City, he noticed a town beneath him and decided he needed something to eat. More or less, his stomach was telling him that he needed something to eat. The town was what he would had considered a Hick town, with only a general supply store and a diner. Landing just behind the diner he planted his foot in the parking lot and could see only several people were within the diner through the glass windows facing the street through town.
A tiny bell sounded as Karasu entered the diner. He glanced around the diner and noticed a very large disgruntled bearded man sipping his coffee and then chewing viciously at his breakfast.
"Sit anywhere ya' like there darli'n. I'll be with you in just a smidge of a minute." a middle aged waitress said aloud, as she was fixing up her brown hair with white streaks that seemed to be all over the place.
Karasu took the first booth closest to the door. He set his duffel bag next to him pressed against the wall and himself. Looking down at the menu that had already been placed at the table, he looked at the all the items trying deciding what he wanted.
"So there young one, what can I gi't ya this fine morn'n?" the waitress asked, hold her pencil to her bottom lip and ready to jot down what he wanted to order on a small pad of paper.
Setting down the menu and sliding it across the table towards her, he felt a little annoyed as he glanced up at the waitress. Her name tag read Peggy.
"I'll have your special, over easy. And to drink...just an orange juice." he said quickly watching her jot down his order.
"Alright honey, I'll have those up for you in a jiffy." Peggy replied
Peggy brought Karasu food, and she smiled at him. She was about to ask if there was anything else, but before he she could even start her sentence, he started quickly woofing down his meal. Astonished at such quickness without a breath in finishing his food. She stood there in awe in front of the table. Karasu then reached into his back pocket, pulling out his wallet. Grabbing the appropriate amount, plus a small tip in zenni, he set it down on the table.
"Thanks." he said to her, and grabbed his duffel bag, then got up walking out the front door.
It was close to eight a.m. now, and while checking his watch he considered walking around for a moment before heading to his destination. This was quickly realized of how much of a delay it would have on his day in arriving to his self-proclaimed mission. Another igniting flash of white glowing aura that surrounded his body, and he swiftly flew into the sky heading northeast.
Three years since he'd been to the site outside Pepper City. He wondered what it was going to be like to go back there. Would he find it difficult, or would it be some place completely new to him? Still jetting through the clouds in the sky, he could see familiar roads beneath him, which he knew lead to Pepper City, most roads did in the desert.
Soon he could see several of the cities skyscrapers towering above the city. He knew he'd have to shift his directional flight pattern off a little to the left to go where that battle had taken place so long ago. Descending slightly in gaining a better view of the landscape below, he whizzed by a few sandy hill tops. The land was so dry, but as he drew closer to the outskirts of the city, the sand began to become dirt. Eventually there was the random placement of trees, and patches of grass. It wasn't long now, he was nearly there. Still in flight he stopped and as he did, the aura simply had shut off from surrounding his body. Karasu had a very puzzled look on his face. He looked off in the distance beneath him, and an enormous crater, nearly a mile wide had remained there.
He remembered it now, his mother telling him to guard his father's body and only he because there wasn't going to be anything left of hers. She performed a self-sacrifice, and he suddenly saw it then, a memory in his mind replying something that his brain never revealed to him, until now. It was the quick and mad dash towards the tall figure of an Alien, still holding a recently life ended Jazzor. The Alien had shoved his fist through Jazzor's heck and out the back. His mother Kyuri, shoving a deadly blow with her elbow into the Alien’s black haired head. It was forced to drop Jazzor's body and it went sailing into a nearby boulder. Before it struck the large boulder, Kyuri was already right on top of him, bringing her two fists locked together and swinging down hard on top of the Alien. It vanished and appeared not to far away. Kyuri, glared behind her at it, and dashed forward, her body beginning to flash with a yellow light. Bolts of static like lights flickered around her, her short black hair waving wildly about her head.
What Karasu saw next, playing like a film as the memory continued, had shocked him in amazement. His mother had wrapped her arms around the alien, and locked hands behind its back. She began to yell as her power level sky rocketed. Moments later, a light brighter than any human/Saiyan eye could look at, flashed, and everything was gone. The explosion from his mother's body took care of it. Karasu struggled there holding on to his dead fathers' body. Rocks and other debris flying passed him. The ground continued shaking, as the orb of destruction continued growing and growing. It nearly reached where Karasu remained.
It was then he realized he must have blacked out from the force of such an attack.
Day 4
It was so quick that he brought his left hand up to his face, as if to slap himself awake. He let out a breath of air that followed. Such disclosed memories had suddenly been revealed to him all at once. He could remember the alien, and his face. He could remember everyone at once dying, and even himself nearly being destroyed. The question now, that he only had, did his mother actually destroy that powerful alien?
The crater was so vast and large, he wondered if his mother had any control of how much energy to use and to exclude the destruction of the city. Let alone nearly killing her own son, which if she faltered even a little he wouldn't be standing there. His mother was the only Saiyan he knew, and was probably the strongest person on the planet that he knew of at the time. For him to be such a small boy, half Saiyan, half human and not to know anything about his alien race of a mother had confused him so.
"She....was so powerful, and died to protect me." He said aloud to himself. Once again he looked into the crater and searched for the bottom, it was deep down, but he could the bottom. The day was nearly over and he felt tired as remembering so much so suddenly. He walked over to a nearing oak tree and set his duffel bag down. Kneeling down next to it, he opened the bag withdrew a small thin blue blanket and sat leaning against the oak tree and covering himself with the small blanket.
"I'll search for anything I can find from that damn strange figure tomorrow." he thought. It was soon that his eyes began to slowly close, as the sun finally set. The crickets began their songs into the night as Karasu slept peacefully. Even though the blanket was small, it was made to keep the wearer warm. He didn't stir all night.
Morning came and with a long yawn, arms out stretched, Karasu awoke to the sun warming his face.
Getting up, Karasu took his hooded sweatshirt off, and set it into his duffel bag. Just before he began to zip up the bag, he stood there for a moment staring and contemplating something that struck a thought. Suddenly he took the remainder of his clothes off behind the large oak tree, and withdrew his Gi from the bag. After several moments of putting his Gi on, he felt as if it was somewhat a perfect fit for him to wear at this age. Did his father and mother know at this exact moment in time that he would try it on?
Its brownish orange color didn't stand out to much, and he gave himself a turn around, looking at what he had put on. It only seemed right, as he had been training for several months back in Western City and now was on his very own quest to find what had happened to that Robot. Suddenly noise echoed of in the distance. Karasu turned quickly, and listened. His eyes were serious and focused. Sensing the surrounding area he didn't seem to feel anything. Karasu felt alarmed, because it began to feel the same as when he had gone with his family and friends to fight the alien. They had an eerie feeling every time they ever sensed him.
Focused, Karsu waited for another sound to drawn him near to what it was that moved, but nothing stirred. Then he felt it, a power level he hadn't noticed until now. What this told him was there was a skilled fighter out there that knew how to mask his energy, but it wasn't until now that it wanted to be noticed.
"This isn't good." he thought, and retied his sash around his Gi uniform.
Walking out into the sunlight of the morning, he could feel a gentle breeze blow through his brown hair. His facial expression became determined in finding out who it was through the thick brush of trees. Still he waited, because he knew who ever it was, wanted to confront him. They both knew about each other's presence. Karasu held off on raising his power level, for his own reasons. One was because he hadn't done such a thing in so long it felt unfamiliar to him now. The other was what he was taught; to never reveal to your opponent to exactly what he's up against, especially if you have some questions to ask.
"Come out! I know your there, and I don't have time to wait for you to play this game!" Karasu yelled. Still nothing moved, but the faint power level slowly began to rise a little off in the distance. Agitated, Karasu followed suite in becoming posed into a martial stance of the Kumite dashi pose. Hands clenched into closed fists, he became more aware and alert.
Stepping from outside the brush, came a figure in a dark deep red cloak. Its face was shielded but it appeared even smaller than Karasu, though it remained hunched over. It turned to face him, and showed its bazaar unclassified face. It had small sharp exposed canine teeth, and its face was an off shade of blue teal. Some parts of its face were speckled in scales of some sort, and its eyes were nearly feline in yellow color and small slits. As it stood there facing him, it was hard to figure out what it could have planned for next, but one thing Karasu could detect was the small smile hidden in the corner of its mouth.
"What do you want?" Karasu asked.
"Me? Oh, I only want, what I was told to do here." it replied with nearly a sly sort of tone.
"Told? What would that be?" Karasu questioned and becoming even more frustrated not getting a direct answer. The creature only smiled as he began walking towards Karsu. In response Karasu prepared for any sudden movements, his stance becoming more in form, lowering himself slightly, and preparing for anything.
It dove into the air, red cloak wavering behind it. Eyes brows risen, Karasu hopped back preparing a defensive assault. It landed just three feet before him and with it's strange like hands began thrusting its claws in Karasu general direction. What Karasu could notice was that it had three fingers with sharp claws for tips and a thumb which too had a claw at the end of it. Karasu dodged and blocked, nearly too easily. With two more jabs in his direction, Karasu twisted his body around shoving a foot into the creature's chest, but instead had struck its forearm, and shoving him back ten yards. Its claw-like-feet dug into the sand-soil like dirt until he finally came to a halt.
Of all the length of time he spent not training himself, and had now figured it would have been at least better in having a sparring partner. Karasu could feel a little doubt he was going to have some difficulty with this nomad. This then set him into a preventative mode, and relaxed his posture from his previous stance and then kneeled down with his hands at his sides. There was a perfect circle suddenly drawn beneath his body on the ground where he stood, and air began to rush upward from underneath him. Raising his power level quickly, the visible gray rushing aura filtered in and waved around him as he focused in raising his power level. Gritting his teeth, he kept a watchful eye on the strange humanoid creature.
The creature remained still and at ease, giving Karasu the same grin. It resulted in raising both its arms and too rushed its power level drastically up. It began screaming in doing so, and brought its body into a crunched over form, and then scuttled back and forth at Karasu. He couldn't see some of its movement then, and realized that whatever this thing was, it wasn't playing around anymore.
"What is this things deal?" Karasu wondered.
Another jab, and a few swipes downward at Karasu, and barely avoiding the attacks, Karasu resulted with a upper cut, which was quickly avoided. The red cloak easily disappeared with its user and turning to sense it behind him. He suddenly felt a hard blow into his face, causing him to stumble back.
Glaring back, he wiped his cheek and prepared his next move. So many thoughts were going through his head, but mainly it what about that nomad and why he was attacking him. And still, that same grin was showing across its face which only began to make Karasu wonder because it only meant he was being tested, since it hadn't directly tried killing him yet. Taking in a breath Karasu, readied himself and lunged forward at top speeds. With kicks, punches, jabs, sweeps, and fists a fury, he wasn't landing any direct hits upon his foe. Staggering back, he found his efforts useless.
"Tiscch." was the sudden sound he made in frustration, and even possible hopelessness. He moved his legs apart into a defensible stance and gathering to what actions he could possible come up with to his unknown attacker. Small words had been exchanged since this recent encounter with the nomad.
"You're not as powerful as I had hoped Karasu." The humanoid creature's drool spat.
"In fact....I'll have to delay this unruled beating and perhaps end this now!" he screamed and leaped forward into the empty space between them soaring directly at Karasu.
Wide eyed, Karasu dashed backwards and giving himself room, but it was already too late. The creature's claws furiously came slashing at him in vigorous random motions. Smacking away some of the blows with martial style blocks, Karasu eyes' squinted in determination and had then changed his position from defensive into offensive and with slapping one last blow aside, he had spun himself around and shot a blowing elbow into the inner core of the creatures chest, sending him fumbling backwards into the dirt.
Sweat began to pool off Karasu' chin. It wasn't as hot as it would appear, and not enough to cause perspiration to develop so quickly. Perhaps it was the rapid collection energy Karasu had begun to make. Not giving the unidentified humanoid creature time to react, Karasu had already collected his chi into the palms of both hands. Shinning yellow orbs of light collected, and it followed with Karasu throwing both orbs into the direction of his opponent.
"HHhheyyyaa!" he cried while firing the first one with a swift push of his right arm, and then with his body twisting around, using his momentum, which caused his second energy blast to catch up almost immediately to the first blast of energy.
The creature arose from his previous abrupt encounter with Karasu, only to have a welcoming of two energy attacks strike him immediately after. Dirt and smoke filled the surrounding area, as the sound of an explosion echoed in the distance.
Using the back of his wrist guard, he removed some of the beads of sweat off his brow. A large inhale and exhale had followed due to the release of such massive amounts of energy he had forgotten he had.
"What, was he?" Karasu thought. The unknown creature had attacked him, leaving him completely unaware, nor did he detect a fraction of a power level in it to assume it was even as strong as it had performed. Within that thought, a low growled laugh began to vibrate within the clearing smoke and falling sand.
"Simple minded, half-breed! Heehheuuurkkeheheh. You have no idea, what he could possibly have planned for you. Now it's all a matter, of how you remember to protect yourself. Shall we play?" he snickered with a question and again began swiftly jolting forward through the forest landscape. Without resistance to the loose dirt under his claw like feet. He nearly left an after image in every directional shift change.
Karasu's eyes tried to follow, but couldn't.
"What does he want with me?" Karasu questioned himself.
Day 4-5
Before Karasu could grab hold of his unnamed enemy, a powerful blow directly connected into the middle of his back between his shoulder blades. Karasu went tumbling forward, smashing face first into an oak tree, the same tree he slept against. Painfully sliding down and landing hard at the trunk of the tree, he reached up holding his face for any bleeding that may have occurred, but more importantly the pain that throbbed with it.
Pulling his hand away and realizing there was no blood to be revealed with such an injury, Karasu stood up to face his opponent once again. The one thing Karasu was coming to find out, was that he'd been so unattached with hand to hand combat, and that not fighting perhaps with any real person had decreased his perception on what his foe may do in an active battle. Closing his eyes for only a moment, he focused on any lost skills he wasn't using currently and to drive them out. This he wasn't certain would work, but had felt something was missing, because feeling this creatures power level, only seemed to not to surpass his. Another question he'd had was, had he not been training himself correctly the last six months?
Getting his act together, he resubmitted his usual fighting stance and watched the nomad venture again into sight, right in front of him.
"In case you are wondering....Karasu, I haven't gone all out either." the red cloaked strange humanoid creature said. Again Karasu halted in his train of focus.
"He knows my name? Where did he come from?!" he thought. This was true, Karasu had only raised his power a little, but still feeling uncomfortable to what range he actually had. He was uncertain.
"Not that it really matters, my dear boy, I am called Horvux. An under lair resident, very unheard of as you seem to realize. I'm here for only means of business, and you are my business!" Horvux cried out as he swiped both his arms out and across, sending dozens of spinning disks that appeared to be enlarged scales that he shot from his body. They swiftly made their destination towards Karasu. With no room to dodge in time, Karasu fired several energy blasts in their general direction, hitting all but three that stuck two into his left arm and one into his chest. His firing blasts had stopped almost immediately as they struck him.
Chuckling, Horvux leaped into the air cheerfully if surprised the attack made their mark. He then brought up one of left claw near his face and clenched it together tight drawing violet blood.
"That rarely works, but let me show you what happens now." Horvux stated and instantly opened his claw. At that exact moment, the three scales started to flicker a glowing yellow light and enlarge. Karasu could feel the entree wounds worsening. Soon as Karasu thought to reach for one of the glowing scales, the three of them simultaneously ignited, sending Karasu flopping backwards. From each location, a trail of dark black smoke flowed from each laceration. The pain from those scales exploding had been quiet damaging. Karsu landed on his back and skidded back nearly thirty feet, leaving a small one foot deep trench.
Karasu slowly got up, and gathered his wits. His back was severally covered with dirt, but now from his chest and left arm, blood trickled down his arm and pooled at his chest. However, Karasu regained his focus and reposed his fighting stance.
Again, Horvux began to chuckle at the situation as it became more and more amusing to him. Karasu became very still and a little more egger to fight to win instead of finding out answers now. Horvux removed his red cloak then, revealing his slender lizard like body, covered in scales, and sleek with a teal like remaining skin. The creature had no hair and appeared to be baled, and bared his small fangs.
In an alteration he heightening his speed in loss for strength, Karasu seemed to instantly vanish. Horvux hadn't expected this and looked directly behind him only to find a right hooked fist to slam directly into the dead center of his face. With a flash of light that slightly appeared from impact, Horvux went flying back, the speed of his body caused nearly a whistling sound. Smashing into an exposed boulder from the ground, it crumpled on top of Horvux as soon as he struck it.
Karasu felt some achievement in d what he had done, because again it had been something he hadn't recalled in remembering being able to do, but he did. Dust from the crumbled boulder rose into the surrounding area, but quickly eased. Karasu waited for the humanoid creature to get up from the assault. In time, he did.
Setting aside a large sliver of rock from off top of his body, Horvux appeared to be irritated. Pushing it aside now, as if the rock had done something to annoy him.
"I think we need to truly end this." He warned Karasu. He crossed his arms building energy, but energy for what, another attack?
"You’re obviously not going to tell me anything I have asked of you, but know this, I won't go down easily." Karasu threatened. And waited for the next move to happen. In a fraction of finishing his last word, Horvux charged again at him. His speed lightning fast, dashing from left to right and just then.....gone.
Going into a protected/defensive pose and looking all around the area, Karasu had lost him again, and began trying to sense for him. Horvux's legs appeared from out of know where, wrapping behind Karasu’s torso, and locking together. Struggling to break free, Karasu tried to unhinge his claw like legs. He tried and tried but it failed in the end. Horvux began jabbing his claws repeatedly into Karasu’s back over, and over and over. Crying out in agony, Karasu could feel the claws enter deep, as the wetness on his body soaked the ground with blood. Before he knew it, Karasu was face down in the dirt, unconscious.
Eyes flittering open, Karasu could feel himself being dragged along the dirt, it was cold, damp, and very dark. Shortly after he blacked out.
Wrapped in thick chains and some kind of harness that had bound his wrists and ankles together, Karasu awoke to find himself hanging upside down in a dark, unfamiliar room. He was under ground in a large cavern, severally weakened and injured. Blood still glistened on his back. How long he'd been out, he couldn't say, but he figured he was alone, and would probably be soon check up on. Gathering himself and trying to struggle free, it was one thing he managed to understand, someone wanted him alive for now.
Peering about the cavern, several crates were scatter about. A terminal was plugged into a generator of some sort, which had given fairly little light but enough to see where he was.
"Good morning half-breed. It's been so, long since I've seen you last. My you have grown." Came a very familiar voice from within the shadows. Karasu shuttered and then froze silently.
Day 5-8
He could feel the acts of imperturbable doom to occur. Hanging there, bound, and nearly broken, he looked inside himself for anyway to break free from his current situation. Waiting, Karasu heard the voice speak.
"I will tell you something Karasu, its' been quiet the difficult task of locating you and sending you a message to come here." the familiar voice continued. It had been so many times that Karasu heard this voice in his reoccurring nightmares of a single memory.
Searching around the room again, he could not sense the slightest bit of energy, and knew that it was only him and the robot.
"Hiding...in the dark?" Karasu murmured. He found it hard to speak from the royal beating Horvux gave him while had laid unconscious. His mouth was swollen on the right side of his face, and he let more blood drip from his upper lip down unto the ground. It didn't matter that Horvux wasn't nearby, but at the same time, Karasu wished he were so he could deliver him an end to his life.
Suddenly, a small dim light began to illuminate a far end of the cavern. An outline of an upper torso and head of a robotic figure was shown now by the vague light. Karasu squinted his eyes at the figure, even as he still found it hard to see while he still hung upside down and all his blood rushing to his head. It wasn't yet clear to him what it was over there in the far corner, but the voice directed its volume at its prisoner.
"What you see the single available being I was able to inhabit before your mother was able to sacrifice herself, I am the being that killed your father and mother, and while during the last ditch efforts to end my life, I placed my subconscious into your teacher bot." the robot eagerly explained. Lights flashed on, and the whole cavern lit up for him all to see. The robot was suspended on a hoist. A fraction of its face gone near the corner right temple where you could see mechanical machinery functioning. The rest only a torso and half of an arm. A spinal support piece lay dangling out of the lower torso of its decrepit body.
Even still, it looked like a half functioning machine, half of its robotic face was missing, and there was scorched marks from his mother’s explosion. One eye didn't seem to function any longer as it drooped closed on his right side.
"I knew you were still around!" Karasu coughed, blood spitting out. He cringed as the aching pains wretched through his wounded body. He searched himself, and realized he was very short of any remaining energy left within him. Although, he only tapped into three fourths of his power, he was lingering back in power while even putting effort in to talking. Horvux made sure to wound him bad enough that if he even tried crawling out, it would prove difficult.
"Just know that I've always known you were still alive." The robot said. " I've known that one day you would come looking for me, in assurance your mother died in vain."
"Don't talk about my mother!" Karasu cried out.
"That bitch of a women destroyed my body, but what she thought would eliminate me, was just not nearly enough. I could sense that she wasn't exposing her full amount of power, probably in the hopes of not taking you or your father's body with her and I." the robot explained.
Karasu had been clenching his bruised hands into fists. He shook violently to get himself free. The robot had been in speaking such away about the one woman he loved as his mother had angered him fiercely. Alas, it was effortless. Karasu of course lacked the strength within his body, as had been beaten out of him.
"After three years, I had the Horvux creature you met yesterday bring you to me. I have a debt to pay in return to what's been done to me. Do you know how hard it is to find a scientist that are obedient enough to repair me?! I kept asking for a design to increase this pathetic machines body power so I could rule this pathetic rock of a planet you call home!"
A cold breeze seemed to funnel through the illuminated cavern as a door from behind Karasu slid open. The steps were too familiar, scaly claws clicked against the stone floor. It was Horvux and he had returned bringing charged battle cells for the power support line to constantly power the robot. It was a wonder how Horvux and the robot met, but it was irrelevant. Karasu wanted them both dead, and by his hands.
"A debt must be paid Karasu. I want to let you know that we know about your Saiyan abilities in becoming stronger after every life threatening battle, but I can assure you that I've taken premeasured precautions. The machine attached to your feet that remains suspending you from the ceiling, will constantly be draining your energy so to speak." The robot explained. "I was able to find one smart enough scientist that could offer some solution in bringing me more power to be obtained. For the last three years or so, this robot’s power cells have been amping on standard city electricity, but there is another power cell structure that was installed and I’ve tweaked it in drawing more power than originally programmed. So finally, as you may be curious to know, the debt is to cause you enough pain nearing your death, every day, for three years."
A hole seemed to drop in the pit of his stomach. Torture, a never ending series of torture for three years is what the robot had planned. Expertly planned due to his knowledge of the Saiyan attribute of the ability to become stronger after every battle. Kareasu didn't know how much was true with that statement, but he remembered his mother telling him that. He always thought that it was just a war tale, to allude bravery into warriors to always proceed into battle.
At that moment, Horvux began pummeling him. Pounding him at nearly all parts of his body, knee's entered into his stomach, elbows struck his face and chest, sharp claws, scraped at his flesh, raw chi blasts smashed into him like being hit by a large truck. Having blacked out, Karasu vision became blurred, but off in the distance, the remaining structure of the robot’s face began to grin.
This was day 1.
The next day around four pm, Karasu couldn't move. His body was in far worse shape than it had been before. His eyes were swollen shut and his mouth was a mess of bleeding gums and dried blood. Lights was beaming on him, probably wakening him from his slumber. He had no idea how long it had been on, but probably to wake him for another brutal beating. He didn't know how much longer he would last. What he knew was he was getting beaten quicker than he could heal, and that there was no way he would probably last the week let alone three years.
"How are you feeling today?" the robot asked. Horvux was standing just over near some crates and a work bench five feet or so by the suspended robot.
"It’s Horvux's way to keep attacking until his pray has become lifeless. He nearly went ahead and destroyed my plan, but I took matters into my own hands."
Horvux turned and walked in front of the robot and this gave Karsu the glimpse of a fairly large wound on his shoulder.
"It won't happen again sir." Horvux apologized.
"Your right, it won't. We've decided that for us to succeed in keeping your daily routine going, we'll have to heal you. In small enough amounts so you don't feel in getting the idea that you can try breaking free." the voice from the motionless robot echoed. "And so, we will inject you with small doses of a serum that should do the trick."
Yet, Karasu didn't receive any does of anything. Not while he was awake anyway. He tried to keep his brain functioning, but became unconscious and remained until the next day. His muscles didn't seem to ache as much as he awoke the next waking morning. His eyes weren't nearly as swollen as they were the previous day and he felt as if maybe he could probably talk. Raising his head, he looked at the rest of his body while the bright beam of light shown on him.
His clothes were tattered and shredded. Hearing about how Horvux went a little too far on him the other day, he could see how much. In some places that his skin was showing through the holes and shreds of his clothes, there were lacerations and bruises all over. The small hum of a large machine stayed constant in the other end of the cavern. Peering over at it, he then could hear a surge of electrical current move from one end of the room to the other. It was then that Karasu’s body began convulsing into a violent tremor. The machine he had heard, was preparing itself for his next torturous episode.
Flashes of yellow and white light emitted from the shackles of his body while he still remained suspended and hanging upside down.
"A debt must be paid." echoed.
Day 9-11
Off and on, Karasu would wake to excruciating pain from energy surges, painful physical beatings, sharp edges being gouged into his flesh and lord knows what else. He black out more often than not, still hanging on to life every time, and waking up still bruised, beaten, and all else weak. What felt like nearly one year had truthfully been several days of these tormented episodes?
At times when he could actually see clearly enough to what was going on to him, he would always pass out to the image of the robot peering over at him. He learned later that the Robot called himself Dawson, as Horvux submitted to one of its commands and answered, "Yes Sir Dawson." Either way, regardless of what it wanted to be called, it was just an item, a thing, a useless piece of garbage, Karasu thought. Still hanging upside down, suspended and bound from ever escaping.
One day, he was left completely alone, without harm. But cold and shivering due to the amount of blood he had lost. He had learned that Horvux had to again make an errand into the city and gather the supplies needed in making more of the healing serum they had been injecting into him. Karasu came in and out of consciousness. Still the robot Dawson watched him, endlessly. He felt such hatred from that machine, and wondered how much pleasure it was having watching him in agony.
"It will never end, Karasu." Dawson said to him, trying to remove any false hope Karasu could possibly gather.
Hanging there, absolutely still, Karasu began trying to devise a plan. Nothing seemed to enter his mind, because he wondered how much of his energy had been recycled and drained again.
"Where was it going?" he asked himself. If anything it was probably using the same energy it had been draining to power itself. Karasu’s eyes scouted around the room, looking for anything that could follow up on an idea to end his situation in some way. The crates were scattered around, probably the remaining instruments used in keeping the robot functional.
His body was turned in such a way he couldn't see what was behind him but he at least knew that was an exit. To the front of him, the hoisted robot Dawson, but off to the left of him was the large machine and terminal. The light that beamed on him usually had been switched off, suspecting there was nothing to view about him today. There was one thought he had, that he hadn't even begun trying. Preparing an energy blast, or somehow creating enough friction in the mechanical bindings in having them release him.
"It won't work." Dawson spoke to him. Of course he was reading his eyes. Karasu had been so lost in thought he hadn't remembered that the robot was always watching and probably keyed into every eye movement made. Karasu looked back, directly at Dawson, but nothing was said.
Something had to be done, any attempt to break free of his capture. It was only a matter of time until Dawson's minion, Horvux came back to unleash another fury of torturous methods on him. Effortlessly he continued to think, and think. He didn't even know what time of day it was, and what was worse was the immense throbbing in his head from hanging upside down for God knew how long.
"What was your ultimate goal?" Karasu suddenly ask.
"My goal? Do you mean before you and your retched friends intervened? Oh, I suppose I had none. It was all too fun, raining havoc on the people in their perfect little lives. Of course we all know where I would have taken things. World domination as my alien brethren would agree. To have everything my play things. “Dawson explained. “Oh course they would not recognize me, but we all can transfer our spirits into people or machines.”
The robot lifted its shattered half of a left arm, and seemed to point at him. Its right eye seem to glow in its after effect. Quickly after doing so, a small machine appeared from out behind one of the crates. It only then move across the floor, moved its little robotic arms, unplugging and plugging in wires that would only be Dawson's power source. Moments went by with a low hiss from the circular power cylinders on the crates nearby. Finishing, the small crab structured robot made its way back to the docking station and it stationed its self.
Karasu looked to ask another question, in means to keep buying time. His hands ached but he'd been left alone long enough to collect some energy into his right hand. So hard he tried not to reveal his doings, however if collecting anymore, he'd easily be detected. Horvux could sense energy, this Karasu knew, but how well and how fast was the real question. Continually still and with the wide range he could muster of his general peripheral vision searched about the large room. There was really nothing he could consume into an escape in his situation, he felt hopeless, but then luck advanced to his side.
In the very moment that Karasu felt complete utter despair in a vast amount of hopelessness, an idea struck him like a lightning storm. Instantly he stopped collecting the little and steady stream of energy into his right hand. The thought replayed and played again as he remembered Dawson explaining what the device attached to his feet draining power from was of that his creator, the rogue scientist Kararsu didn’t know. This contraption to use only enough energy that a family had living in a small home, to power the lights and small electronics that required the minimum amount of power, although, a device had to have a safety measure for it to be really be considered on a family or single person.
In anyone like Karasu, who had a constant and sufficient amount of energy flowing, then perhaps it would never stop. The robot said that Horvux tweaked it to consume even more power than designed to, but as soon as Karasu was nearly empty, it would stop until the provider had enough to live off of. What if Karasu lowered his power level to nearly zero, would it stop?
The half-breed Saiyan held in a small little smile as he immediately began to drop his power level to nearly nothing. Karasu looked up at the small dim light that was glowing at the top of the white device that was fastened around his feet and legs. At first, Karasu could still feel a little bit of energy still being drained, but shortly after, the light faded and flicked off. It was then that not a single bit of energy was leaving him. His body was damaged and wrecked. It would have to be a time when he was nearly recovered from one of the doses that Horvux would inject him with.
Closing his eyes to gather his state of mind in a last ditch effort to force his body to heal its self and recover the missing energy that had been stolen from him. Several times he felt himself nearly dosing off, but shook himself awake at the sign of his consciousness drifting. If he did fall asleep, he wouldn't be in control of his body’s energy and would soon be drained all over again.
Hours continued to pass when the door behind him opened. Horvux had returned with the supplies. Walking in and passing Karasu, he took a glimpse at the motionless and silent half-Saiyan. Quickly he stopped and seemed to become annoyed. Horvux set down the box he carried in with him, and put himself in front of Karasu. Glancing over the bound captive, he reached back with his right clenched claw and swung a blow directly into the cavity of Karasu’s stomach. Instantly, Karasu’s eyes bulged and he wrenched outwards and in result hunched over while hanging, vomiting as much stomach acid he had. He began coughing and quivering in pain.
The cavern remained quiet as Horvux picked up the box of supplies and went to the workbench. Dawson didn't say anything either, but what was surly expected, both were pleased. Nearly fifty minutes passed, until the scaled creature Horvux, collected up a small vile of the healing serum, and loaded it into a hand held injector. The next few minutes were him walking over to Karasu slowly and shoving the injector into his arm and pressing the small trigger that released nearly the entire vile. As Karasu watched, he witnessed the amount seemed to be more than before.
This would work to his advantage.
Day 11
Karasu dangled there as the healing serum did its job working, activating the red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets, as they vigorously were advancing in a hyper active speed, repairing damaged tissue and organs. The feeling that this drug stimulated had a particular odd feeling to it. Almost as if he could feel his blood stream rippling. It was possible, but probably his imagination playing with him, as he envisioned all of his blood cells being so overly active they repeatedly hit the inner walls of all his veins.
Not knowing what time of day it was, Karasu began to sense around for Horvux. He knew probably that Dawson was staring at him as he always did. So, with his eyes remaining closed, he tried very hard to feel around the entire cavern. He began to feel that dark energy not too far. From what he guessed, Horvux was sitting up against one of the crates that resided near the operating terminal.
Slowly, Karasu opened his eyes. Again the beam of light was off, and not shining directly on him. First, he peered over to where the robot would be set, still suspended. To his surprise, it wasn't there.
"Where?!" Karasu thought. This was the first time that Dawson hadn't been directly across the room and constantly eyeing him. It was all too strange and then it developed some concern. Quickly, Karasu searched the cavern, but everything was where it was before, with Horvux in a slumber against a crate, but why the sudden change and where was Dawson? Listening for movement that could have been the robot crawling or even flying about the large room, but there was just no sign of it.
Giving another calm breath to relax his nerves, Karasu felt it was time to act. This would be the only time he could do something like this, because if he failed, it would prove to be his end or worse, trapped again with no chance to end the three years of torture.
"Hey." Karasu said as he expected Horvux to wake up. He didn't though, and Karasu gave another call, but this time a little louder.
"Hey!" he yelled.
This time Horvux shifted violently awake, startled by the sudden loud voice calling over to him. Simply grouchy and annoyed that Karasu had the audacity to disturb him while he slept and in being in his situation no less. Horvux would surely make his way over to Karasu, and continue violently learning not to make such a mistake again. Horvux pulled himself to his feet, and eyed Karasu directly, somewhat waiting for Karasu to explain his recent outburst. Closer and closer he got, taking each step towards him and erasing the distance.
"Well, why did you wake me you damned fool? You know if you don't have a valid reason, I'm going to beat the living snot out of you!" he barked.
Karasu stared back and said nothing. What he hoped was that Horvux wouldn't raise his power level to high, or even at all actually. He was betting that he wouldn't, since Dawson wasn't there to witness his surveillance Horvux could possibly over do it if he wanted to. Unsure how much of his stored power was there, Karasu hoped, and hoped that he healed enough, and just enough to end the scaled menace in one single blow. If Dawson and the stories about Saiyan's ability to become stronger from each near death situation were true, he would need it to really be.
Glancing up at the device fastened to his legs near the harness that suspended him upside down, he could still see the light was still off. It was noticeable enough to give Horvux the hint to look up as well. In that moment as he stepped a foot away from Karasu, his eyes became very wide in knowing his current situation of what could be possibly a disaster. Karasu smiled.
In that faction of a moment, Karasu flexed his entire body, raising his power level in a flash. The force was far greater than what was expected, and instantly, the shackles around his hands crumbled and fell. The device went up in smoke and snapped apart. Karasu began to fall, but easily and quickly flipped around landing on his feet. Right then, Horvux called out, but it was silenced in the same fell swoop when Karasu arched his arm back, and slammed his bare knuckled fist directly into Horvux's mouth. The attack worked, and far more than expected. Horvux still stood right side up, but not on his own. Karasu’s fist had indeed gone through the scaly humanoid creature's skull and out the back. Karasu arm was still extended in the complete shook. Of course he didn't mean to kill him in one fell swoop, but because of his instant rise in power, he simply over did and didn't realize.
Retracting his fist in that instant, he flung it a few times, removing the debris of guts and violet liquid. Taking a few flicks at that, he then began to search the cavern. Even though his body still ached, it wasn't too hard getting around. He found it surprisingly easier than expected. The dose of the healing serum obviously did the trick in getting him all patched up.
Crate to crate, Karasu looked inside, but only found pieces of hardware and wires. It was unnerving not knowing where Dawson was. What he understood was that the robot couldn't move, so it was only then suspected that Horvux put him somewhere. Turning his head, Karasu looked at the only door to the room. Running over to it, he felt around for a handle. There wasn't one, but soon found a key pad. He pressed several buttons, but the door didn't budge. Frustrated, that if some miraculous discovery that Karasu had broken free, Dawson would escape.
With a small energy blast, the door flew off its' hinges and bounced off a couple of walls and the ceiling in the next room. A small faint haze of smoke drifted into the new room. Karasu hadn't seen from the energy blast he had created. It was then he stopped, facing the suspended robot, in the middle of the room. Wires and loads of contraptions were connected to him.
"How....how did you manage to escape?!" Dawson asked, frantically waving his damaged stub of a left arm.
"It was going to happen. I made a promise to end what my friends and parents started. Destroying you!" Karasu said, his eyes serious and clenching his fists in front of him.
The robot's left eye began to glow and with that a beam of red light shot out of it at Karasu. The beam was so fast Karasu didn't seem to notice it even fired. With a backhand, the beam bent off course and destroyed the wall behind Karasu. Standing unfazed Karasu continued his glare at the pitiful machine as it looked for anyway to prevent its demise.
"You were never going to be able to defeat me. My mother did such a number on your body that you were never able to repair yourself. I'm going to finish exactly what she intended in doing, even if it's for me to rip you apart, piece by piece.” Karasu threatened. Leaning forward, it was almost in that instant, he vanished and appeared at the poor defenseless robot set on the floor. Karasu raised both his hands and began collected energy for a substantial attack that would evaporate the robot.
"Fine, but know I will find some way to destroy everything..." Dawson almost finished saying, but was interrupted by Karasu’s attack as a beam of energy exploded out both his palms shoving the robot back and before striking the wall behind it disintegrated in the blasts beam.
The robot Dawson that ruined Karasu’s life at a young age was gone. His family, friends and dreams at been avenged.
Day 12
After several unguided roaming in the acts of trying to escape the underground confinement, Karasu finally found the exit door. The structure he was in, was very large and had probably been made long before the robot (or android if that is considered) Dawson and Horvux made it their own.
The door slid open. Karasu was blinded by the natural rays of light bleeding into the room. Shield his eyes with both his hands, Karasu exited. A cool breeze blew past him, and the outside air was ever refreshing. From what Karasu could tell, it was morning, but on what day? He didn't know how long he'd really been held captive. Days, weeks, months? He really didn't know, and that didn't matter now, he was free. Still, his body was injured enough he couldn't wander into the city, by his glance to the south, was nearly half a day's walk. Karasu’s clothes would be the real attention gatherer, torn, rugged, ripped and blood stained. He needed another change of clothes, but where would he find an extra pair. He doubted that Dawson or the scale creature, Horvux had anything to spare. It suddenly dawned on him, "Where was my duffel bag?" he quickly thought and remembered leaving it set by the old oak tree he slept against, lord knows how long ago, but he had extra clothes in it.
Searching on the ledge of the cliff side, he looked to where about he was, and which way he should start begin his journey back home. Leaping down from the ledge he missed his first landing, and landed hard on both his feet, which quickly buckled and both feet slid out from underneath him, landing hard on his butt. It was then he realized how lessened he was from the whole ordeal inside the cavern. The healing serum worked yes, but what were the side effects. The power he used to defeat both his enemies must have taken more than he had for him to make such a mistake.
"I've got to rest soon." Karasu thought, taking one last gander at his tattered Gi.
Karau’s travels took him a couple of hours to end his first task in receiving his duffel bag. There, here quickly changed into a pair of jeans, a blue t-shirt and jacket. It really seemed useless, but he felt the urge to save his mess of a Gi uniform and shoved it into the bag. Hoisting over one shoulder, Karasu slowly rose into the air. At the current location of the sun, he could tell it was almost noon, and just enough sunlight to get back to his Aunt Pafu's house. It would probably take near an entire day to get back at a slow flight speed, but Karasu was in no hurry.
Hours and hours passed, and soon, Karasu found himself hovering over Pepper City, just above his Aunts home. He slowly descended, landing on the ground in front of the doorstep. The flight home took its toll.
Entering the house, Karasu found his Aunt on the sofa reading a physics document handed to her by one of her fellow students.
"Your home? You look so...are you alright Karasu?!" She asked him, worried while rising from the couch,
"I've had a long....day." he replied. "I need some sleep. Can I tell you about it in the morning?"
"Oh sure, sure dear. Here, let me walk you to your room." she offered, grabbing hold of one his arms and leading him down the hallway. They entered his bedroom, and setting his duffel bag on the floor next to the door.
Karasu pulled of his shirt and jeans, laying himself on the bed. His Aunt Pafu, adjusted her glasses as she had taken notice of all the injuries he had sprawling about his arms and torso.
"Oh my." Aunt Pafu said finally, but Karasu had already fallen asleep.
Laying there, Karasu made very little movement for the next forty-eight hours. Several times each day, his Aunt Pafu would check on his improving health. She often arrived with a small tray of soup or a sandwich, but he would still be asleep and it wouldn't do. She would at least see his chest rise and then fall, which was enough to satisfy her in the worries of his condition.
Karasu’s dreams remained steady. Sometimes there wouldn't be anything at all that he would be dreaming about, but a lot his unconscious travels were of childhood memories. Nightmares never wondered in front of his eyes. They were continuing memories of a previous life, before all he loved and had known, were taken from this Earth. Like training with his father and mother, learning valuable methods in living with friends and neighbors. All of it was a flood of what he'd known prior to the last three years.
His eyes fluttered open from an energetic dream where he had been running through the long grasses of his previous town. The blankets Karasu had gone to bed with were scattered all over the floor next to the bed now, probably from all the dreaming he had. Turning his head, he noticed the sunlight filtering in through the only window of his bedroom. Beaming on the floor, he could hear the early morning chirps of birds singing their love songs. Usually it would bother him, but didn't.
Feeling strong enough to sit up, Karasu pulled himself up and leaned against the wooden headboard of his bed. Surprised at the lack of pain of using his muscles, he almost felt as if he could walk around.
"How did I even get here?" he wondered, trying to remember his flight home from the cavern near Pepper City.
The most concerning thing he felt now was the absolute undying hunger to eat something. Even if Aunt Pafu had brought him food, he didn't eat. At least not while he was asleep for the last forty-eight hours. One more thing he noticed just then was his clothes, they were changed. At some point his Aunt Pafu dressed his wounds and managed to put off his tattered ruined clothing and get some pajamas on him.
"I can stand." Karasu said to himself.
The young man felt he had to get himself immediately back on his feet; life was waiting for him to get started. Almost at once, Karasu was on his feet now, even if was a little wobbly, and it was progress. This brought a defeated smile to his face.
It was then he noticed his Aunt standing in the door way, smiling with him.
"My dear boy." She said with small tears in her eyes and her arms opened wide to embrace him with a prolonged hug.
With a fury of birds chirping outside his bedroom window, it was a wonder at all how he could ever sleep-in beyond eight o'clock in the morning. His eyes clenched tightly shut at the sudden conscious realization of bird calls outside. They were calling out for one another in act of courting. This had frustrated Karasu, and so he turned over on his left side, facing away from the noisy window in an attempt to best filter out the mayhem of bird calls from disturbing his slumber. This didn't work, and within moments, he was sitting up on the edge of his bed, groggy, flustered, and annoyed.
Seven twenty-one is what his alarm clock had read, which sat there on his bed side table. He turned his head to look at his floor, and he could hear his Aunt Pafu stir about in the kitchen, which he was probably making herself her lunch as she always did before work. Aunt Pafu was an Astrophysics professor at the Corrales University in the city they lived in, Pepper City. She took Kasasu in three years ago after the incident with his parents being killed. Kasasu was fourteen then, and had seen everyone that had been in his life since he had been born, die in a ferocious battle with a tyrant of an enemy amongst an alien war.
There he was, contemplating whether or not if he should get up, and leave his room. Finally deciding to start his daily routines, he stood up and began to get ready, putting on a pair of blue jeans that he had left draping over the desk chair in his room from the previous night. Reaching into the closet, Karasu grabbed a red t-shirt with a screen print of the UCW university logo printing in front. He threw it on, and grabbed a pair of tennis shoes as he exited the bedroom. Aunt Pafu was startled to hear the door close at the end of the hallway and looked up to find Kasau putting on a pair of gray tennis shoes.
"You're up early now, aren't you?" She announced with quiet the friendliest of smiles on her face. This was always her way in socializing.
"I couldn't really sleep." Karasu replied, and looked up at his Aunt, already assuming she knew the reason by it. After he finished tying both his shoes, Karasu sat up, and walked into the kitchen, in search for something to have for breakfast. Quickly he grabbed an apple from the fruit basket at the of the kitchen counter. Turning his head, he looked back at his Aunt Pafu, whom still stood there looking a little uncertain of what else to say.
"I'll be Just outside the city for a few hours before I meet up with Devin at the University.” he told her. It was at least something he could say to break the awkward silence that stood unsettled in the house. Devin was the old superintendent at the University his Aunt Karasu taught at.
"Oh, ok. I suppose I don't need to tell you to be careful, then will I? Have a good time Kasas." She replied with a pleasant smile.
Karas was a nick name that her and his father had shared in calling him. He never minded it, and became accustomed to the name. With a small acknowledging smile he looked back again at his Aunt as he stepped out the door.
"See you soon." he said and he was gone from sight.
It was dusk, and the sun was warming the city. A hover car whizzed by followed with several children giggling as they exited the neighboring houses from across the street. Looking around, Kasau set the apple in his mouth and leaped into the air. Flight took him swiftly as it had been so easy to even hardly concentrate with the ability he had been using since his mother taught him at age seven. With the apple still held in his mouth, he shot across the city's skyline quickly and made it to the out lands in no time.
Karasu landed near a large granite boulder that stood taller than wider. A marker, that he memorized its location not too long ago. Glancing around, he found the area vacant to get started with his usual routine. However, before he started he caught himself remembering again about the events that took place at the same spot four days ago.
Chewing on his breakfast, he took the last bite of the apple and tossed the core into a nearing shrub. Squinting his eyes now, as he sun continued to ascend into the blue sky, he questioned why he was suddenly attacked by that rogue standard robot with no warning. Its words which it spoke seemed to suggest that it knew Kasau's past. Kasasu tried to remember if he had met that robot before, but it looked like many of the lower model droids he seen near the industrial areas of the city. This agitated his mind a little, because during this scuffle not much was discussed or explained before combat took place.
Putting his thoughts aside, Karasu felt there was really no more importance in concerning himself of the recent past. Certainly with such events that remained so vague. Taking another look around, he made certain that he was alone this time. Reaching up above his head, he brought his fingers of his right hand outreached, and followed with closing them tightly as he brought it down to his side. This had him felling that his posture moved into a prepared warm up stance.
He did his usual training exercises that he had recently started up again nearly six months ago. This was held up because of the 'tragedy' of three years ago, which left him without the will to fight anymore. It wasn't until he was bothered by a group of College students of the Judo team, for taking no notice of them and bumping into one of the larger one's shoulder. There was conflict, but had been easily handled with little effort from Karasu. Two punches, a dodge, which followed to a kick and an elbow to the top of one student’s skull.
Still to that day, Karasu felt the yearning for more of a fight, due to his Saiyan blood. It was then he decided from that day on, he would began his training once again. Soon after the run in with the College jocks, he went home early from his usual helping hand with Devin at the school. Karasu swung open the door of his bedroom, and looked directly at the hope chest that laid in front of his bed. Bending down, he opened it. Karasu's eyes searching for one thing and one thing only. It wasn't long after, he found exactly what he'd been searching for. His Gi. This again was nearly six months ago.
Later that evening, after a long day of work with Devin back at the University, they had spent most the day repairing some of the floor boards to the theater stage. Karasu now sat at the dining room table alone looking at his calloused hands. They were also slightly dirty from being on his hands and knees all day hammering and pulling wood flooring. Off white brown wood chips had even covered his light brown hair, and even a grease smudge remained on his left cheek. It wasn't long until his Aunt Pafu walked in through the front door carrying home dinner.
"Oh dear!" She exclaimed in response to his appearance.
"Please Karas, go and freshen up before dinner. You look like you've been playing with the Raccoon children across the street in the mud pits."
"Oh, sure. Sorry, I must have forgotten." He replied, and got up from the table, making his way down the hall and into the bathroom. He quickly showered, got dressed and made it just in time for dinner, when Aunt Pafu finished setting the table.
Karasu reseated himself at the table as to find Aunt Pafu setting down a plate of hot food before him. While getting herself her plate, she asked him a question that she'd been struggling with since she had arrived.
"Are you feeling ok?" she asked.
"Me? I think so, why?"
"I've noticed a small change in you from, let's see. I suppose it started earlier last week, Tuesday I believe."
"Oh?" Karasu replied in question
"Karas, you know you can talk to your dear Aunt. Please, you know I have every right to worry and ask."
There was a certain shift in the atmosphere in the dining room, but as Karasu finished chewing the last of dinner he turned back to look at her.
"I was confronted by something that claimed to know who I was, but I had never met him before. It wasn't any robot I could have recollection of seeing before, although he expected me to fight. The whole thing was all very confusing." he finished saying, his brow furrowed as he thought about that previous day. His Aunt Pafu put her hand on the back of Karasu' and gave him a concerning look, through her thick rimmed glasses.
"Whatever it is my dear boy, I am certain you are wise enough to make the choices you feel you need to make. Your father and mother raised you well enough for that with the time they had with you." she replied. Karasu nodded and took his empty dinner plate to the kitchen. Setting it in the sink, he turned to face his Aunt then smiled.
"Thank you for dinner Aunt Pafu, and thank you for everything."
Karasu was instantly given a smile. A few moments passed and her eyes began to become glossy as she watched him walk into his bedroom. She knew it then it that it was going to be some time before she would see him again.
Day 2-3
Like always, came the cries of his father's muffled yell, which always followed with the sound of a quick snap in what could only be that of a neck breaking. It came so quickly and what continued were horrified screams of everyone around him. His father's name was Shurugazeru, and was called out by his mother, Kyuri. Then were the quick movements that even Karasu couldn't keep track of who was where or what was happening. His family’s friend Jazzor, had engaged the enemy. Even though it had been already too late to save Shurugazeru, anger and vengeance swept everyone's actions now.
"Dad!" Karasu cried while running towards his father's limp and lifeless body. Kyuri was already there, holding him.
"Is he....is he alive, mom?" Karasu asked, his eyes beginning to well-up with tears. He was focused on his mother’s face, unsure what true emotion she was expressing, an unfamiliar look that had been molded.
"Stay here. Guard your fathers' body. Don't move, and everything will be taken care of?" She demanded with such determination in her voice.
"Mom, we can't beat that thing! We just can't! Mom....!" he cried once again watching his mother suddenly vanish.
He then awoke.
The dream, was always the same, never any real recollection to what had happened after his mother had suddenly vanished, and how he survived that day. The most puzzling thing that frustrated Karasu so much was never knowing if that....that Alien tyrant had been destroyed or had simply killed everyone and left.
The alarm went off on his bed side table at the configured time he set it to sound off. Five in the morning, when he knew his Aunt wouldn't be getting up for another one to two more hours from now. Lifting up, Karasu went to his closet and pulled out a capsule corp. branded duffel bag. It was light-gray and big enough to hold several days’ worth of clothing. Dropping it on the floor next to the hope chest that remained at the foot of his bed, he grabbed a couple of items, and then shoved them quickly within its containing empty space. Karasu had then pulled out his light brownish orange Gi, arm bands, sash, boots, and under garments. Shutting the chest, he got to the dresser, pulling out some underwear, socks, a pair of jeans and a belt.
He quickly got dressed and through on his usual gray hoodie and gray tennis shoes. Grabbing his duffel bag he made his way down the hallway, and turned to look behind him because he felt someone was there.
"Please be careful out there." a voice said at the other end of the hallway from within the dim light.
"I will Aunt Pafu, thank you for everything." he replied.
"You'll always have a place to stay. I owe that to your parents."
"Understood. I'll be back." Karasu said with a determined look on his face, and continued out the front door. He Leapt into the air, which was followed with a sudden flash of aura flowing around him that would heightening his ability to fly at quick speeds. Just then he jetted into the clouds and across the skyline. Karasu could see that the sun hadn't even begun to show itself, but only the glow of its arrival. His direction was due Northeast, to where his life had been so drastically altered three years ago, outside Pepper City.
Only fifteen minutes outside of Western City, he noticed a town beneath him and decided he needed something to eat. More or less, his stomach was telling him that he needed something to eat. The town was what he would had considered a Hick town, with only a general supply store and a diner. Landing just behind the diner he planted his foot in the parking lot and could see only several people were within the diner through the glass windows facing the street through town.
A tiny bell sounded as Karasu entered the diner. He glanced around the diner and noticed a very large disgruntled bearded man sipping his coffee and then chewing viciously at his breakfast.
"Sit anywhere ya' like there darli'n. I'll be with you in just a smidge of a minute." a middle aged waitress said aloud, as she was fixing up her brown hair with white streaks that seemed to be all over the place.
Karasu took the first booth closest to the door. He set his duffel bag next to him pressed against the wall and himself. Looking down at the menu that had already been placed at the table, he looked at the all the items trying deciding what he wanted.
"So there young one, what can I gi't ya this fine morn'n?" the waitress asked, hold her pencil to her bottom lip and ready to jot down what he wanted to order on a small pad of paper.
Setting down the menu and sliding it across the table towards her, he felt a little annoyed as he glanced up at the waitress. Her name tag read Peggy.
"I'll have your special, over easy. And to drink...just an orange juice." he said quickly watching her jot down his order.
"Alright honey, I'll have those up for you in a jiffy." Peggy replied
Peggy brought Karasu food, and she smiled at him. She was about to ask if there was anything else, but before he she could even start her sentence, he started quickly woofing down his meal. Astonished at such quickness without a breath in finishing his food. She stood there in awe in front of the table. Karasu then reached into his back pocket, pulling out his wallet. Grabbing the appropriate amount, plus a small tip in zenni, he set it down on the table.
"Thanks." he said to her, and grabbed his duffel bag, then got up walking out the front door.
It was close to eight a.m. now, and while checking his watch he considered walking around for a moment before heading to his destination. This was quickly realized of how much of a delay it would have on his day in arriving to his self-proclaimed mission. Another igniting flash of white glowing aura that surrounded his body, and he swiftly flew into the sky heading northeast.
Three years since he'd been to the site outside Pepper City. He wondered what it was going to be like to go back there. Would he find it difficult, or would it be some place completely new to him? Still jetting through the clouds in the sky, he could see familiar roads beneath him, which he knew lead to Pepper City, most roads did in the desert.
Soon he could see several of the cities skyscrapers towering above the city. He knew he'd have to shift his directional flight pattern off a little to the left to go where that battle had taken place so long ago. Descending slightly in gaining a better view of the landscape below, he whizzed by a few sandy hill tops. The land was so dry, but as he drew closer to the outskirts of the city, the sand began to become dirt. Eventually there was the random placement of trees, and patches of grass. It wasn't long now, he was nearly there. Still in flight he stopped and as he did, the aura simply had shut off from surrounding his body. Karasu had a very puzzled look on his face. He looked off in the distance beneath him, and an enormous crater, nearly a mile wide had remained there.
He remembered it now, his mother telling him to guard his father's body and only he because there wasn't going to be anything left of hers. She performed a self-sacrifice, and he suddenly saw it then, a memory in his mind replying something that his brain never revealed to him, until now. It was the quick and mad dash towards the tall figure of an Alien, still holding a recently life ended Jazzor. The Alien had shoved his fist through Jazzor's heck and out the back. His mother Kyuri, shoving a deadly blow with her elbow into the Alien’s black haired head. It was forced to drop Jazzor's body and it went sailing into a nearby boulder. Before it struck the large boulder, Kyuri was already right on top of him, bringing her two fists locked together and swinging down hard on top of the Alien. It vanished and appeared not to far away. Kyuri, glared behind her at it, and dashed forward, her body beginning to flash with a yellow light. Bolts of static like lights flickered around her, her short black hair waving wildly about her head.
What Karasu saw next, playing like a film as the memory continued, had shocked him in amazement. His mother had wrapped her arms around the alien, and locked hands behind its back. She began to yell as her power level sky rocketed. Moments later, a light brighter than any human/Saiyan eye could look at, flashed, and everything was gone. The explosion from his mother's body took care of it. Karasu struggled there holding on to his dead fathers' body. Rocks and other debris flying passed him. The ground continued shaking, as the orb of destruction continued growing and growing. It nearly reached where Karasu remained.
It was then he realized he must have blacked out from the force of such an attack.
Day 4
It was so quick that he brought his left hand up to his face, as if to slap himself awake. He let out a breath of air that followed. Such disclosed memories had suddenly been revealed to him all at once. He could remember the alien, and his face. He could remember everyone at once dying, and even himself nearly being destroyed. The question now, that he only had, did his mother actually destroy that powerful alien?
The crater was so vast and large, he wondered if his mother had any control of how much energy to use and to exclude the destruction of the city. Let alone nearly killing her own son, which if she faltered even a little he wouldn't be standing there. His mother was the only Saiyan he knew, and was probably the strongest person on the planet that he knew of at the time. For him to be such a small boy, half Saiyan, half human and not to know anything about his alien race of a mother had confused him so.
"She....was so powerful, and died to protect me." He said aloud to himself. Once again he looked into the crater and searched for the bottom, it was deep down, but he could the bottom. The day was nearly over and he felt tired as remembering so much so suddenly. He walked over to a nearing oak tree and set his duffel bag down. Kneeling down next to it, he opened the bag withdrew a small thin blue blanket and sat leaning against the oak tree and covering himself with the small blanket.
"I'll search for anything I can find from that damn strange figure tomorrow." he thought. It was soon that his eyes began to slowly close, as the sun finally set. The crickets began their songs into the night as Karasu slept peacefully. Even though the blanket was small, it was made to keep the wearer warm. He didn't stir all night.
Morning came and with a long yawn, arms out stretched, Karasu awoke to the sun warming his face.
Getting up, Karasu took his hooded sweatshirt off, and set it into his duffel bag. Just before he began to zip up the bag, he stood there for a moment staring and contemplating something that struck a thought. Suddenly he took the remainder of his clothes off behind the large oak tree, and withdrew his Gi from the bag. After several moments of putting his Gi on, he felt as if it was somewhat a perfect fit for him to wear at this age. Did his father and mother know at this exact moment in time that he would try it on?
Its brownish orange color didn't stand out to much, and he gave himself a turn around, looking at what he had put on. It only seemed right, as he had been training for several months back in Western City and now was on his very own quest to find what had happened to that Robot. Suddenly noise echoed of in the distance. Karasu turned quickly, and listened. His eyes were serious and focused. Sensing the surrounding area he didn't seem to feel anything. Karasu felt alarmed, because it began to feel the same as when he had gone with his family and friends to fight the alien. They had an eerie feeling every time they ever sensed him.
Focused, Karsu waited for another sound to drawn him near to what it was that moved, but nothing stirred. Then he felt it, a power level he hadn't noticed until now. What this told him was there was a skilled fighter out there that knew how to mask his energy, but it wasn't until now that it wanted to be noticed.
"This isn't good." he thought, and retied his sash around his Gi uniform.
Walking out into the sunlight of the morning, he could feel a gentle breeze blow through his brown hair. His facial expression became determined in finding out who it was through the thick brush of trees. Still he waited, because he knew who ever it was, wanted to confront him. They both knew about each other's presence. Karasu held off on raising his power level, for his own reasons. One was because he hadn't done such a thing in so long it felt unfamiliar to him now. The other was what he was taught; to never reveal to your opponent to exactly what he's up against, especially if you have some questions to ask.
"Come out! I know your there, and I don't have time to wait for you to play this game!" Karasu yelled. Still nothing moved, but the faint power level slowly began to rise a little off in the distance. Agitated, Karasu followed suite in becoming posed into a martial stance of the Kumite dashi pose. Hands clenched into closed fists, he became more aware and alert.
Stepping from outside the brush, came a figure in a dark deep red cloak. Its face was shielded but it appeared even smaller than Karasu, though it remained hunched over. It turned to face him, and showed its bazaar unclassified face. It had small sharp exposed canine teeth, and its face was an off shade of blue teal. Some parts of its face were speckled in scales of some sort, and its eyes were nearly feline in yellow color and small slits. As it stood there facing him, it was hard to figure out what it could have planned for next, but one thing Karasu could detect was the small smile hidden in the corner of its mouth.
"What do you want?" Karasu asked.
"Me? Oh, I only want, what I was told to do here." it replied with nearly a sly sort of tone.
"Told? What would that be?" Karasu questioned and becoming even more frustrated not getting a direct answer. The creature only smiled as he began walking towards Karsu. In response Karasu prepared for any sudden movements, his stance becoming more in form, lowering himself slightly, and preparing for anything.
It dove into the air, red cloak wavering behind it. Eyes brows risen, Karasu hopped back preparing a defensive assault. It landed just three feet before him and with it's strange like hands began thrusting its claws in Karasu general direction. What Karasu could notice was that it had three fingers with sharp claws for tips and a thumb which too had a claw at the end of it. Karasu dodged and blocked, nearly too easily. With two more jabs in his direction, Karasu twisted his body around shoving a foot into the creature's chest, but instead had struck its forearm, and shoving him back ten yards. Its claw-like-feet dug into the sand-soil like dirt until he finally came to a halt.
Of all the length of time he spent not training himself, and had now figured it would have been at least better in having a sparring partner. Karasu could feel a little doubt he was going to have some difficulty with this nomad. This then set him into a preventative mode, and relaxed his posture from his previous stance and then kneeled down with his hands at his sides. There was a perfect circle suddenly drawn beneath his body on the ground where he stood, and air began to rush upward from underneath him. Raising his power level quickly, the visible gray rushing aura filtered in and waved around him as he focused in raising his power level. Gritting his teeth, he kept a watchful eye on the strange humanoid creature.
The creature remained still and at ease, giving Karasu the same grin. It resulted in raising both its arms and too rushed its power level drastically up. It began screaming in doing so, and brought its body into a crunched over form, and then scuttled back and forth at Karasu. He couldn't see some of its movement then, and realized that whatever this thing was, it wasn't playing around anymore.
"What is this things deal?" Karasu wondered.
Another jab, and a few swipes downward at Karasu, and barely avoiding the attacks, Karasu resulted with a upper cut, which was quickly avoided. The red cloak easily disappeared with its user and turning to sense it behind him. He suddenly felt a hard blow into his face, causing him to stumble back.
Glaring back, he wiped his cheek and prepared his next move. So many thoughts were going through his head, but mainly it what about that nomad and why he was attacking him. And still, that same grin was showing across its face which only began to make Karasu wonder because it only meant he was being tested, since it hadn't directly tried killing him yet. Taking in a breath Karasu, readied himself and lunged forward at top speeds. With kicks, punches, jabs, sweeps, and fists a fury, he wasn't landing any direct hits upon his foe. Staggering back, he found his efforts useless.
"Tiscch." was the sudden sound he made in frustration, and even possible hopelessness. He moved his legs apart into a defensible stance and gathering to what actions he could possible come up with to his unknown attacker. Small words had been exchanged since this recent encounter with the nomad.
"You're not as powerful as I had hoped Karasu." The humanoid creature's drool spat.
"In fact....I'll have to delay this unruled beating and perhaps end this now!" he screamed and leaped forward into the empty space between them soaring directly at Karasu.
Wide eyed, Karasu dashed backwards and giving himself room, but it was already too late. The creature's claws furiously came slashing at him in vigorous random motions. Smacking away some of the blows with martial style blocks, Karasu eyes' squinted in determination and had then changed his position from defensive into offensive and with slapping one last blow aside, he had spun himself around and shot a blowing elbow into the inner core of the creatures chest, sending him fumbling backwards into the dirt.
Sweat began to pool off Karasu' chin. It wasn't as hot as it would appear, and not enough to cause perspiration to develop so quickly. Perhaps it was the rapid collection energy Karasu had begun to make. Not giving the unidentified humanoid creature time to react, Karasu had already collected his chi into the palms of both hands. Shinning yellow orbs of light collected, and it followed with Karasu throwing both orbs into the direction of his opponent.
"HHhheyyyaa!" he cried while firing the first one with a swift push of his right arm, and then with his body twisting around, using his momentum, which caused his second energy blast to catch up almost immediately to the first blast of energy.
The creature arose from his previous abrupt encounter with Karasu, only to have a welcoming of two energy attacks strike him immediately after. Dirt and smoke filled the surrounding area, as the sound of an explosion echoed in the distance.
Using the back of his wrist guard, he removed some of the beads of sweat off his brow. A large inhale and exhale had followed due to the release of such massive amounts of energy he had forgotten he had.
"What, was he?" Karasu thought. The unknown creature had attacked him, leaving him completely unaware, nor did he detect a fraction of a power level in it to assume it was even as strong as it had performed. Within that thought, a low growled laugh began to vibrate within the clearing smoke and falling sand.
"Simple minded, half-breed! Heehheuuurkkeheheh. You have no idea, what he could possibly have planned for you. Now it's all a matter, of how you remember to protect yourself. Shall we play?" he snickered with a question and again began swiftly jolting forward through the forest landscape. Without resistance to the loose dirt under his claw like feet. He nearly left an after image in every directional shift change.
Karasu's eyes tried to follow, but couldn't.
"What does he want with me?" Karasu questioned himself.
Day 4-5
Before Karasu could grab hold of his unnamed enemy, a powerful blow directly connected into the middle of his back between his shoulder blades. Karasu went tumbling forward, smashing face first into an oak tree, the same tree he slept against. Painfully sliding down and landing hard at the trunk of the tree, he reached up holding his face for any bleeding that may have occurred, but more importantly the pain that throbbed with it.
Pulling his hand away and realizing there was no blood to be revealed with such an injury, Karasu stood up to face his opponent once again. The one thing Karasu was coming to find out, was that he'd been so unattached with hand to hand combat, and that not fighting perhaps with any real person had decreased his perception on what his foe may do in an active battle. Closing his eyes for only a moment, he focused on any lost skills he wasn't using currently and to drive them out. This he wasn't certain would work, but had felt something was missing, because feeling this creatures power level, only seemed to not to surpass his. Another question he'd had was, had he not been training himself correctly the last six months?
Getting his act together, he resubmitted his usual fighting stance and watched the nomad venture again into sight, right in front of him.
"In case you are wondering....Karasu, I haven't gone all out either." the red cloaked strange humanoid creature said. Again Karasu halted in his train of focus.
"He knows my name? Where did he come from?!" he thought. This was true, Karasu had only raised his power a little, but still feeling uncomfortable to what range he actually had. He was uncertain.
"Not that it really matters, my dear boy, I am called Horvux. An under lair resident, very unheard of as you seem to realize. I'm here for only means of business, and you are my business!" Horvux cried out as he swiped both his arms out and across, sending dozens of spinning disks that appeared to be enlarged scales that he shot from his body. They swiftly made their destination towards Karasu. With no room to dodge in time, Karasu fired several energy blasts in their general direction, hitting all but three that stuck two into his left arm and one into his chest. His firing blasts had stopped almost immediately as they struck him.
Chuckling, Horvux leaped into the air cheerfully if surprised the attack made their mark. He then brought up one of left claw near his face and clenched it together tight drawing violet blood.
"That rarely works, but let me show you what happens now." Horvux stated and instantly opened his claw. At that exact moment, the three scales started to flicker a glowing yellow light and enlarge. Karasu could feel the entree wounds worsening. Soon as Karasu thought to reach for one of the glowing scales, the three of them simultaneously ignited, sending Karasu flopping backwards. From each location, a trail of dark black smoke flowed from each laceration. The pain from those scales exploding had been quiet damaging. Karsu landed on his back and skidded back nearly thirty feet, leaving a small one foot deep trench.
Karasu slowly got up, and gathered his wits. His back was severally covered with dirt, but now from his chest and left arm, blood trickled down his arm and pooled at his chest. However, Karasu regained his focus and reposed his fighting stance.
Again, Horvux began to chuckle at the situation as it became more and more amusing to him. Karasu became very still and a little more egger to fight to win instead of finding out answers now. Horvux removed his red cloak then, revealing his slender lizard like body, covered in scales, and sleek with a teal like remaining skin. The creature had no hair and appeared to be baled, and bared his small fangs.
In an alteration he heightening his speed in loss for strength, Karasu seemed to instantly vanish. Horvux hadn't expected this and looked directly behind him only to find a right hooked fist to slam directly into the dead center of his face. With a flash of light that slightly appeared from impact, Horvux went flying back, the speed of his body caused nearly a whistling sound. Smashing into an exposed boulder from the ground, it crumpled on top of Horvux as soon as he struck it.
Karasu felt some achievement in d what he had done, because again it had been something he hadn't recalled in remembering being able to do, but he did. Dust from the crumbled boulder rose into the surrounding area, but quickly eased. Karasu waited for the humanoid creature to get up from the assault. In time, he did.
Setting aside a large sliver of rock from off top of his body, Horvux appeared to be irritated. Pushing it aside now, as if the rock had done something to annoy him.
"I think we need to truly end this." He warned Karasu. He crossed his arms building energy, but energy for what, another attack?
"You’re obviously not going to tell me anything I have asked of you, but know this, I won't go down easily." Karasu threatened. And waited for the next move to happen. In a fraction of finishing his last word, Horvux charged again at him. His speed lightning fast, dashing from left to right and just then.....gone.
Going into a protected/defensive pose and looking all around the area, Karasu had lost him again, and began trying to sense for him. Horvux's legs appeared from out of know where, wrapping behind Karasu’s torso, and locking together. Struggling to break free, Karasu tried to unhinge his claw like legs. He tried and tried but it failed in the end. Horvux began jabbing his claws repeatedly into Karasu’s back over, and over and over. Crying out in agony, Karasu could feel the claws enter deep, as the wetness on his body soaked the ground with blood. Before he knew it, Karasu was face down in the dirt, unconscious.
Eyes flittering open, Karasu could feel himself being dragged along the dirt, it was cold, damp, and very dark. Shortly after he blacked out.
Wrapped in thick chains and some kind of harness that had bound his wrists and ankles together, Karasu awoke to find himself hanging upside down in a dark, unfamiliar room. He was under ground in a large cavern, severally weakened and injured. Blood still glistened on his back. How long he'd been out, he couldn't say, but he figured he was alone, and would probably be soon check up on. Gathering himself and trying to struggle free, it was one thing he managed to understand, someone wanted him alive for now.
Peering about the cavern, several crates were scatter about. A terminal was plugged into a generator of some sort, which had given fairly little light but enough to see where he was.
"Good morning half-breed. It's been so, long since I've seen you last. My you have grown." Came a very familiar voice from within the shadows. Karasu shuttered and then froze silently.
Day 5-8
He could feel the acts of imperturbable doom to occur. Hanging there, bound, and nearly broken, he looked inside himself for anyway to break free from his current situation. Waiting, Karasu heard the voice speak.
"I will tell you something Karasu, its' been quiet the difficult task of locating you and sending you a message to come here." the familiar voice continued. It had been so many times that Karasu heard this voice in his reoccurring nightmares of a single memory.
Searching around the room again, he could not sense the slightest bit of energy, and knew that it was only him and the robot.
"Hiding...in the dark?" Karasu murmured. He found it hard to speak from the royal beating Horvux gave him while had laid unconscious. His mouth was swollen on the right side of his face, and he let more blood drip from his upper lip down unto the ground. It didn't matter that Horvux wasn't nearby, but at the same time, Karasu wished he were so he could deliver him an end to his life.
Suddenly, a small dim light began to illuminate a far end of the cavern. An outline of an upper torso and head of a robotic figure was shown now by the vague light. Karasu squinted his eyes at the figure, even as he still found it hard to see while he still hung upside down and all his blood rushing to his head. It wasn't yet clear to him what it was over there in the far corner, but the voice directed its volume at its prisoner.
"What you see the single available being I was able to inhabit before your mother was able to sacrifice herself, I am the being that killed your father and mother, and while during the last ditch efforts to end my life, I placed my subconscious into your teacher bot." the robot eagerly explained. Lights flashed on, and the whole cavern lit up for him all to see. The robot was suspended on a hoist. A fraction of its face gone near the corner right temple where you could see mechanical machinery functioning. The rest only a torso and half of an arm. A spinal support piece lay dangling out of the lower torso of its decrepit body.
Even still, it looked like a half functioning machine, half of its robotic face was missing, and there was scorched marks from his mother’s explosion. One eye didn't seem to function any longer as it drooped closed on his right side.
"I knew you were still around!" Karasu coughed, blood spitting out. He cringed as the aching pains wretched through his wounded body. He searched himself, and realized he was very short of any remaining energy left within him. Although, he only tapped into three fourths of his power, he was lingering back in power while even putting effort in to talking. Horvux made sure to wound him bad enough that if he even tried crawling out, it would prove difficult.
"Just know that I've always known you were still alive." The robot said. " I've known that one day you would come looking for me, in assurance your mother died in vain."
"Don't talk about my mother!" Karasu cried out.
"That bitch of a women destroyed my body, but what she thought would eliminate me, was just not nearly enough. I could sense that she wasn't exposing her full amount of power, probably in the hopes of not taking you or your father's body with her and I." the robot explained.
Karasu had been clenching his bruised hands into fists. He shook violently to get himself free. The robot had been in speaking such away about the one woman he loved as his mother had angered him fiercely. Alas, it was effortless. Karasu of course lacked the strength within his body, as had been beaten out of him.
"After three years, I had the Horvux creature you met yesterday bring you to me. I have a debt to pay in return to what's been done to me. Do you know how hard it is to find a scientist that are obedient enough to repair me?! I kept asking for a design to increase this pathetic machines body power so I could rule this pathetic rock of a planet you call home!"
A cold breeze seemed to funnel through the illuminated cavern as a door from behind Karasu slid open. The steps were too familiar, scaly claws clicked against the stone floor. It was Horvux and he had returned bringing charged battle cells for the power support line to constantly power the robot. It was a wonder how Horvux and the robot met, but it was irrelevant. Karasu wanted them both dead, and by his hands.
"A debt must be paid Karasu. I want to let you know that we know about your Saiyan abilities in becoming stronger after every life threatening battle, but I can assure you that I've taken premeasured precautions. The machine attached to your feet that remains suspending you from the ceiling, will constantly be draining your energy so to speak." The robot explained. "I was able to find one smart enough scientist that could offer some solution in bringing me more power to be obtained. For the last three years or so, this robot’s power cells have been amping on standard city electricity, but there is another power cell structure that was installed and I’ve tweaked it in drawing more power than originally programmed. So finally, as you may be curious to know, the debt is to cause you enough pain nearing your death, every day, for three years."
A hole seemed to drop in the pit of his stomach. Torture, a never ending series of torture for three years is what the robot had planned. Expertly planned due to his knowledge of the Saiyan attribute of the ability to become stronger after every battle. Kareasu didn't know how much was true with that statement, but he remembered his mother telling him that. He always thought that it was just a war tale, to allude bravery into warriors to always proceed into battle.
At that moment, Horvux began pummeling him. Pounding him at nearly all parts of his body, knee's entered into his stomach, elbows struck his face and chest, sharp claws, scraped at his flesh, raw chi blasts smashed into him like being hit by a large truck. Having blacked out, Karasu vision became blurred, but off in the distance, the remaining structure of the robot’s face began to grin.
This was day 1.
The next day around four pm, Karasu couldn't move. His body was in far worse shape than it had been before. His eyes were swollen shut and his mouth was a mess of bleeding gums and dried blood. Lights was beaming on him, probably wakening him from his slumber. He had no idea how long it had been on, but probably to wake him for another brutal beating. He didn't know how much longer he would last. What he knew was he was getting beaten quicker than he could heal, and that there was no way he would probably last the week let alone three years.
"How are you feeling today?" the robot asked. Horvux was standing just over near some crates and a work bench five feet or so by the suspended robot.
"It’s Horvux's way to keep attacking until his pray has become lifeless. He nearly went ahead and destroyed my plan, but I took matters into my own hands."
Horvux turned and walked in front of the robot and this gave Karsu the glimpse of a fairly large wound on his shoulder.
"It won't happen again sir." Horvux apologized.
"Your right, it won't. We've decided that for us to succeed in keeping your daily routine going, we'll have to heal you. In small enough amounts so you don't feel in getting the idea that you can try breaking free." the voice from the motionless robot echoed. "And so, we will inject you with small doses of a serum that should do the trick."
Yet, Karasu didn't receive any does of anything. Not while he was awake anyway. He tried to keep his brain functioning, but became unconscious and remained until the next day. His muscles didn't seem to ache as much as he awoke the next waking morning. His eyes weren't nearly as swollen as they were the previous day and he felt as if maybe he could probably talk. Raising his head, he looked at the rest of his body while the bright beam of light shown on him.
His clothes were tattered and shredded. Hearing about how Horvux went a little too far on him the other day, he could see how much. In some places that his skin was showing through the holes and shreds of his clothes, there were lacerations and bruises all over. The small hum of a large machine stayed constant in the other end of the cavern. Peering over at it, he then could hear a surge of electrical current move from one end of the room to the other. It was then that Karasu’s body began convulsing into a violent tremor. The machine he had heard, was preparing itself for his next torturous episode.
Flashes of yellow and white light emitted from the shackles of his body while he still remained suspended and hanging upside down.
"A debt must be paid." echoed.
Day 9-11
Off and on, Karasu would wake to excruciating pain from energy surges, painful physical beatings, sharp edges being gouged into his flesh and lord knows what else. He black out more often than not, still hanging on to life every time, and waking up still bruised, beaten, and all else weak. What felt like nearly one year had truthfully been several days of these tormented episodes?
At times when he could actually see clearly enough to what was going on to him, he would always pass out to the image of the robot peering over at him. He learned later that the Robot called himself Dawson, as Horvux submitted to one of its commands and answered, "Yes Sir Dawson." Either way, regardless of what it wanted to be called, it was just an item, a thing, a useless piece of garbage, Karasu thought. Still hanging upside down, suspended and bound from ever escaping.
One day, he was left completely alone, without harm. But cold and shivering due to the amount of blood he had lost. He had learned that Horvux had to again make an errand into the city and gather the supplies needed in making more of the healing serum they had been injecting into him. Karasu came in and out of consciousness. Still the robot Dawson watched him, endlessly. He felt such hatred from that machine, and wondered how much pleasure it was having watching him in agony.
"It will never end, Karasu." Dawson said to him, trying to remove any false hope Karasu could possibly gather.
Hanging there, absolutely still, Karasu began trying to devise a plan. Nothing seemed to enter his mind, because he wondered how much of his energy had been recycled and drained again.
"Where was it going?" he asked himself. If anything it was probably using the same energy it had been draining to power itself. Karasu’s eyes scouted around the room, looking for anything that could follow up on an idea to end his situation in some way. The crates were scattered around, probably the remaining instruments used in keeping the robot functional.
His body was turned in such a way he couldn't see what was behind him but he at least knew that was an exit. To the front of him, the hoisted robot Dawson, but off to the left of him was the large machine and terminal. The light that beamed on him usually had been switched off, suspecting there was nothing to view about him today. There was one thought he had, that he hadn't even begun trying. Preparing an energy blast, or somehow creating enough friction in the mechanical bindings in having them release him.
"It won't work." Dawson spoke to him. Of course he was reading his eyes. Karasu had been so lost in thought he hadn't remembered that the robot was always watching and probably keyed into every eye movement made. Karasu looked back, directly at Dawson, but nothing was said.
Something had to be done, any attempt to break free of his capture. It was only a matter of time until Dawson's minion, Horvux came back to unleash another fury of torturous methods on him. Effortlessly he continued to think, and think. He didn't even know what time of day it was, and what was worse was the immense throbbing in his head from hanging upside down for God knew how long.
"What was your ultimate goal?" Karasu suddenly ask.
"My goal? Do you mean before you and your retched friends intervened? Oh, I suppose I had none. It was all too fun, raining havoc on the people in their perfect little lives. Of course we all know where I would have taken things. World domination as my alien brethren would agree. To have everything my play things. “Dawson explained. “Oh course they would not recognize me, but we all can transfer our spirits into people or machines.”
The robot lifted its shattered half of a left arm, and seemed to point at him. Its right eye seem to glow in its after effect. Quickly after doing so, a small machine appeared from out behind one of the crates. It only then move across the floor, moved its little robotic arms, unplugging and plugging in wires that would only be Dawson's power source. Moments went by with a low hiss from the circular power cylinders on the crates nearby. Finishing, the small crab structured robot made its way back to the docking station and it stationed its self.
Karasu looked to ask another question, in means to keep buying time. His hands ached but he'd been left alone long enough to collect some energy into his right hand. So hard he tried not to reveal his doings, however if collecting anymore, he'd easily be detected. Horvux could sense energy, this Karasu knew, but how well and how fast was the real question. Continually still and with the wide range he could muster of his general peripheral vision searched about the large room. There was really nothing he could consume into an escape in his situation, he felt hopeless, but then luck advanced to his side.
In the very moment that Karasu felt complete utter despair in a vast amount of hopelessness, an idea struck him like a lightning storm. Instantly he stopped collecting the little and steady stream of energy into his right hand. The thought replayed and played again as he remembered Dawson explaining what the device attached to his feet draining power from was of that his creator, the rogue scientist Kararsu didn’t know. This contraption to use only enough energy that a family had living in a small home, to power the lights and small electronics that required the minimum amount of power, although, a device had to have a safety measure for it to be really be considered on a family or single person.
In anyone like Karasu, who had a constant and sufficient amount of energy flowing, then perhaps it would never stop. The robot said that Horvux tweaked it to consume even more power than designed to, but as soon as Karasu was nearly empty, it would stop until the provider had enough to live off of. What if Karasu lowered his power level to nearly zero, would it stop?
The half-breed Saiyan held in a small little smile as he immediately began to drop his power level to nearly nothing. Karasu looked up at the small dim light that was glowing at the top of the white device that was fastened around his feet and legs. At first, Karasu could still feel a little bit of energy still being drained, but shortly after, the light faded and flicked off. It was then that not a single bit of energy was leaving him. His body was damaged and wrecked. It would have to be a time when he was nearly recovered from one of the doses that Horvux would inject him with.
Closing his eyes to gather his state of mind in a last ditch effort to force his body to heal its self and recover the missing energy that had been stolen from him. Several times he felt himself nearly dosing off, but shook himself awake at the sign of his consciousness drifting. If he did fall asleep, he wouldn't be in control of his body’s energy and would soon be drained all over again.
Hours continued to pass when the door behind him opened. Horvux had returned with the supplies. Walking in and passing Karasu, he took a glimpse at the motionless and silent half-Saiyan. Quickly he stopped and seemed to become annoyed. Horvux set down the box he carried in with him, and put himself in front of Karasu. Glancing over the bound captive, he reached back with his right clenched claw and swung a blow directly into the cavity of Karasu’s stomach. Instantly, Karasu’s eyes bulged and he wrenched outwards and in result hunched over while hanging, vomiting as much stomach acid he had. He began coughing and quivering in pain.
The cavern remained quiet as Horvux picked up the box of supplies and went to the workbench. Dawson didn't say anything either, but what was surly expected, both were pleased. Nearly fifty minutes passed, until the scaled creature Horvux, collected up a small vile of the healing serum, and loaded it into a hand held injector. The next few minutes were him walking over to Karasu slowly and shoving the injector into his arm and pressing the small trigger that released nearly the entire vile. As Karasu watched, he witnessed the amount seemed to be more than before.
This would work to his advantage.
Day 11
Karasu dangled there as the healing serum did its job working, activating the red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets, as they vigorously were advancing in a hyper active speed, repairing damaged tissue and organs. The feeling that this drug stimulated had a particular odd feeling to it. Almost as if he could feel his blood stream rippling. It was possible, but probably his imagination playing with him, as he envisioned all of his blood cells being so overly active they repeatedly hit the inner walls of all his veins.
Not knowing what time of day it was, Karasu began to sense around for Horvux. He knew probably that Dawson was staring at him as he always did. So, with his eyes remaining closed, he tried very hard to feel around the entire cavern. He began to feel that dark energy not too far. From what he guessed, Horvux was sitting up against one of the crates that resided near the operating terminal.
Slowly, Karasu opened his eyes. Again the beam of light was off, and not shining directly on him. First, he peered over to where the robot would be set, still suspended. To his surprise, it wasn't there.
"Where?!" Karasu thought. This was the first time that Dawson hadn't been directly across the room and constantly eyeing him. It was all too strange and then it developed some concern. Quickly, Karasu searched the cavern, but everything was where it was before, with Horvux in a slumber against a crate, but why the sudden change and where was Dawson? Listening for movement that could have been the robot crawling or even flying about the large room, but there was just no sign of it.
Giving another calm breath to relax his nerves, Karasu felt it was time to act. This would be the only time he could do something like this, because if he failed, it would prove to be his end or worse, trapped again with no chance to end the three years of torture.
"Hey." Karasu said as he expected Horvux to wake up. He didn't though, and Karasu gave another call, but this time a little louder.
"Hey!" he yelled.
This time Horvux shifted violently awake, startled by the sudden loud voice calling over to him. Simply grouchy and annoyed that Karasu had the audacity to disturb him while he slept and in being in his situation no less. Horvux would surely make his way over to Karasu, and continue violently learning not to make such a mistake again. Horvux pulled himself to his feet, and eyed Karasu directly, somewhat waiting for Karasu to explain his recent outburst. Closer and closer he got, taking each step towards him and erasing the distance.
"Well, why did you wake me you damned fool? You know if you don't have a valid reason, I'm going to beat the living snot out of you!" he barked.
Karasu stared back and said nothing. What he hoped was that Horvux wouldn't raise his power level to high, or even at all actually. He was betting that he wouldn't, since Dawson wasn't there to witness his surveillance Horvux could possibly over do it if he wanted to. Unsure how much of his stored power was there, Karasu hoped, and hoped that he healed enough, and just enough to end the scaled menace in one single blow. If Dawson and the stories about Saiyan's ability to become stronger from each near death situation were true, he would need it to really be.
Glancing up at the device fastened to his legs near the harness that suspended him upside down, he could still see the light was still off. It was noticeable enough to give Horvux the hint to look up as well. In that moment as he stepped a foot away from Karasu, his eyes became very wide in knowing his current situation of what could be possibly a disaster. Karasu smiled.
In that faction of a moment, Karasu flexed his entire body, raising his power level in a flash. The force was far greater than what was expected, and instantly, the shackles around his hands crumbled and fell. The device went up in smoke and snapped apart. Karasu began to fall, but easily and quickly flipped around landing on his feet. Right then, Horvux called out, but it was silenced in the same fell swoop when Karasu arched his arm back, and slammed his bare knuckled fist directly into Horvux's mouth. The attack worked, and far more than expected. Horvux still stood right side up, but not on his own. Karasu’s fist had indeed gone through the scaly humanoid creature's skull and out the back. Karasu arm was still extended in the complete shook. Of course he didn't mean to kill him in one fell swoop, but because of his instant rise in power, he simply over did and didn't realize.
Retracting his fist in that instant, he flung it a few times, removing the debris of guts and violet liquid. Taking a few flicks at that, he then began to search the cavern. Even though his body still ached, it wasn't too hard getting around. He found it surprisingly easier than expected. The dose of the healing serum obviously did the trick in getting him all patched up.
Crate to crate, Karasu looked inside, but only found pieces of hardware and wires. It was unnerving not knowing where Dawson was. What he understood was that the robot couldn't move, so it was only then suspected that Horvux put him somewhere. Turning his head, Karasu looked at the only door to the room. Running over to it, he felt around for a handle. There wasn't one, but soon found a key pad. He pressed several buttons, but the door didn't budge. Frustrated, that if some miraculous discovery that Karasu had broken free, Dawson would escape.
With a small energy blast, the door flew off its' hinges and bounced off a couple of walls and the ceiling in the next room. A small faint haze of smoke drifted into the new room. Karasu hadn't seen from the energy blast he had created. It was then he stopped, facing the suspended robot, in the middle of the room. Wires and loads of contraptions were connected to him.
"How....how did you manage to escape?!" Dawson asked, frantically waving his damaged stub of a left arm.
"It was going to happen. I made a promise to end what my friends and parents started. Destroying you!" Karasu said, his eyes serious and clenching his fists in front of him.
The robot's left eye began to glow and with that a beam of red light shot out of it at Karasu. The beam was so fast Karasu didn't seem to notice it even fired. With a backhand, the beam bent off course and destroyed the wall behind Karasu. Standing unfazed Karasu continued his glare at the pitiful machine as it looked for anyway to prevent its demise.
"You were never going to be able to defeat me. My mother did such a number on your body that you were never able to repair yourself. I'm going to finish exactly what she intended in doing, even if it's for me to rip you apart, piece by piece.” Karasu threatened. Leaning forward, it was almost in that instant, he vanished and appeared at the poor defenseless robot set on the floor. Karasu raised both his hands and began collected energy for a substantial attack that would evaporate the robot.
"Fine, but know I will find some way to destroy everything..." Dawson almost finished saying, but was interrupted by Karasu’s attack as a beam of energy exploded out both his palms shoving the robot back and before striking the wall behind it disintegrated in the blasts beam.
The robot Dawson that ruined Karasu’s life at a young age was gone. His family, friends and dreams at been avenged.
Day 12
After several unguided roaming in the acts of trying to escape the underground confinement, Karasu finally found the exit door. The structure he was in, was very large and had probably been made long before the robot (or android if that is considered) Dawson and Horvux made it their own.
The door slid open. Karasu was blinded by the natural rays of light bleeding into the room. Shield his eyes with both his hands, Karasu exited. A cool breeze blew past him, and the outside air was ever refreshing. From what Karasu could tell, it was morning, but on what day? He didn't know how long he'd really been held captive. Days, weeks, months? He really didn't know, and that didn't matter now, he was free. Still, his body was injured enough he couldn't wander into the city, by his glance to the south, was nearly half a day's walk. Karasu’s clothes would be the real attention gatherer, torn, rugged, ripped and blood stained. He needed another change of clothes, but where would he find an extra pair. He doubted that Dawson or the scale creature, Horvux had anything to spare. It suddenly dawned on him, "Where was my duffel bag?" he quickly thought and remembered leaving it set by the old oak tree he slept against, lord knows how long ago, but he had extra clothes in it.
Searching on the ledge of the cliff side, he looked to where about he was, and which way he should start begin his journey back home. Leaping down from the ledge he missed his first landing, and landed hard on both his feet, which quickly buckled and both feet slid out from underneath him, landing hard on his butt. It was then he realized how lessened he was from the whole ordeal inside the cavern. The healing serum worked yes, but what were the side effects. The power he used to defeat both his enemies must have taken more than he had for him to make such a mistake.
"I've got to rest soon." Karasu thought, taking one last gander at his tattered Gi.
Karau’s travels took him a couple of hours to end his first task in receiving his duffel bag. There, here quickly changed into a pair of jeans, a blue t-shirt and jacket. It really seemed useless, but he felt the urge to save his mess of a Gi uniform and shoved it into the bag. Hoisting over one shoulder, Karasu slowly rose into the air. At the current location of the sun, he could tell it was almost noon, and just enough sunlight to get back to his Aunt Pafu's house. It would probably take near an entire day to get back at a slow flight speed, but Karasu was in no hurry.
Hours and hours passed, and soon, Karasu found himself hovering over Pepper City, just above his Aunts home. He slowly descended, landing on the ground in front of the doorstep. The flight home took its toll.
Entering the house, Karasu found his Aunt on the sofa reading a physics document handed to her by one of her fellow students.
"Your home? You look so...are you alright Karasu?!" She asked him, worried while rising from the couch,
"I've had a long....day." he replied. "I need some sleep. Can I tell you about it in the morning?"
"Oh sure, sure dear. Here, let me walk you to your room." she offered, grabbing hold of one his arms and leading him down the hallway. They entered his bedroom, and setting his duffel bag on the floor next to the door.
Karasu pulled of his shirt and jeans, laying himself on the bed. His Aunt Pafu, adjusted her glasses as she had taken notice of all the injuries he had sprawling about his arms and torso.
"Oh my." Aunt Pafu said finally, but Karasu had already fallen asleep.
Laying there, Karasu made very little movement for the next forty-eight hours. Several times each day, his Aunt Pafu would check on his improving health. She often arrived with a small tray of soup or a sandwich, but he would still be asleep and it wouldn't do. She would at least see his chest rise and then fall, which was enough to satisfy her in the worries of his condition.
Karasu’s dreams remained steady. Sometimes there wouldn't be anything at all that he would be dreaming about, but a lot his unconscious travels were of childhood memories. Nightmares never wondered in front of his eyes. They were continuing memories of a previous life, before all he loved and had known, were taken from this Earth. Like training with his father and mother, learning valuable methods in living with friends and neighbors. All of it was a flood of what he'd known prior to the last three years.
His eyes fluttered open from an energetic dream where he had been running through the long grasses of his previous town. The blankets Karasu had gone to bed with were scattered all over the floor next to the bed now, probably from all the dreaming he had. Turning his head, he noticed the sunlight filtering in through the only window of his bedroom. Beaming on the floor, he could hear the early morning chirps of birds singing their love songs. Usually it would bother him, but didn't.
Feeling strong enough to sit up, Karasu pulled himself up and leaned against the wooden headboard of his bed. Surprised at the lack of pain of using his muscles, he almost felt as if he could walk around.
"How did I even get here?" he wondered, trying to remember his flight home from the cavern near Pepper City.
The most concerning thing he felt now was the absolute undying hunger to eat something. Even if Aunt Pafu had brought him food, he didn't eat. At least not while he was asleep for the last forty-eight hours. One more thing he noticed just then was his clothes, they were changed. At some point his Aunt Pafu dressed his wounds and managed to put off his tattered ruined clothing and get some pajamas on him.
"I can stand." Karasu said to himself.
The young man felt he had to get himself immediately back on his feet; life was waiting for him to get started. Almost at once, Karasu was on his feet now, even if was a little wobbly, and it was progress. This brought a defeated smile to his face.
It was then he noticed his Aunt standing in the door way, smiling with him.
"My dear boy." She said with small tears in her eyes and her arms opened wide to embrace him with a prolonged hug.