Blazing Regalia

Chapter XVII: Resonance

Xon & Xenon exit the rulers layer, and are in the depths of purgatory once more. Xon doesn't feel a change in gravity yet.

Xon: "Before we leave can I try something?"

Xenon: "Sure, we're in no rush."

Xon sits down and begins meditating, hoping to get in contact with "himself." He feels his body lose its weight as his surroundings disappear, he hears armor crackling behind him.

Xon?: "This is the first time you've summoned me intentionally, pretty easily too, I'm impressed."

Xon: "I appreciate the compliment but I'm here to ask a question."

Xon?: "I'm listening."

Xon: "Before, I thought you were just talking to me from somewhere far beyond our world, but your soul, or rather a part of it, is inside me."

Xon: "Earlier I used something called "Rebound," Is that your technique?"

Xon?: "Yes, I'm once again surprised you used it so early. I guess the underworld is accelerating your progress."

Xon: "Can you explain the technique? I don't fully understand it."

"Xon" walks in front of the young Xon.

Xon?: "Rebound was among my most important techniques, it's a technique that defies the common principles of reality, which is why it takes such a toll on your body. The technique itself draws upon both your aura and your muscles, it temporarily binds them together, before strengthening them both."

"Xon" swings his fist forwards.

Xon?: "That was a normal swing, now watch as I use rebound."

"Xon" swings his fist forwards again but significantly faster, Xon notices that behind "Xon" are numerous light blue afterimages, they repeat his motions before disappearing in the blink of an eye.

Xon?: "That may have seemed like a singular swing to you, but it was over a thousand swings for me."

Xon?: "The strength of the technique comes from its unique property of time, as you begin your strike, amplified by rebound, you'll notice that time will pause, and just as you are about to strike your opponent, your attack will reset to its starting position, as you keep the momentum."

Xon?: "For now, only use 2 rebounds at most, that amount wont cause any strain to your body, but still allow you to strike that much harder."

Xon: "It seems like a draining technique, also taking patience, having to repeat the same attack over and over again."

Xon?: "You're right, but soon, you'll learn something that will help with that. But that's all I'll tell you. If you don't work hard to reveal the rest, then you'll become soft."

Xon: "I understand."

Xon stands up, and walks before "himself," he releases his aura and coats his fist, before striking forwards. "Xon" remains unmoved.

Xon: "Didn't work."

Xon?: "You'll understand soon, as long as you train. Also from now on, just refer to me as "X.""

The void begins to crackle, and Xon closes his eyes.

When he reopens his eyes he finds Xenon sitting before him.

Xenon: "You done meditating? I never took you for a spiritual person."

Xon: "First time for everything."

Xon stands up and they begin walking further into purgatory, as they walk, they notice a wall of multi-colored flames appear in the distance.

Xenon: "Those are the outer walls of Purgatory. Pretty much the entrance or exit depending on which side your on, for us its an entrance."

They approach the flames and Xenon enters bluntly, Xon follows shortly after. He notices that the flames don't burn, but instead he feels his body get heavier the further he walks forwards. They exit on the other side of the flame wall and notice a large empty landscape, which immediately off-puts Xenon.

Xenon: "This area should be filled with bleak flames and ravaging workers, it's here where your soul is forced to burn and labor as punishment, but.. everything is gone."

Xenon lays his hands on the ground, and a shadow runs along it, expanding across the area before them. The shadows begin to cover an incredibly large area, before large gaps appear in the shadows. Xenon approaches the areas gapped in the shadows and he extends his hand forwards, feeling the heated metal before him.

Xenon: "Everything is "still here," we just can't see it."

Xenon refocuses his shadows, revealing a path before them. Xon looks up briefly and notices a shining light, he notifies Xenon and they look towards shortly before it flashes violently, blinding them both. In their moment of vulnerability, Xenon feels a sharp pain in his back, he turns around and swipes his hand, making contact with something behind him.

Xon: "You're bleeding."

Xenon looks at his shadows on the ground, he notices several gaps emerging.

Xenon: "There's people here!"

???: "Thats one of the Sirins! Kill him!"

???: "Take the kid, he's probably a new inmate."

Xon and Xenon share a brief glance.

Xenon: "Do it."

Xon grabs Xenon by his arm and swings him around before launching him forwards, afterwards he feels the warmth from the men's hands grabbing his arm.

Xenon: ("That's one strong ass kid.")

???: "Don't move."

Xenon lands swiftly and releases his shadows once more, allowing him to "see" everything around him.

Xon is slowly walked by the invisible men, somewhere far, far away.

Xon: "How come I aren't invisible too."

???: "You'll find out soon enough, if you prove that you're worth the trouble."

Xon: ("A trial? I guess it makes sense that purgatory is filled with scum who only care about strength.")

Xon and the men stop suddenly after walking a while, and a bright light flashes Xon directly in the eyes. Completely blinding him for a few seconds. As his eyesight returns, he notices that the mn are slowly becoming visible.

Xon: "I can only halfway see you guys."

They flash him again, his sight takes slightly longer to return, but he see's the men completely. The man before him speaks.

(1) ???: "Judging from the fact that it took two flashes to enable you, you clearly have something up with you."

(2) ???: "He threw the Sirin earlier so he's physically strong, make him fight The Dune, we need more competent fighters."

(1) ???: Then do that.

Xon: ("I just can't catch a break from fighting, huh?")

The men release Xon.

(1) ???: "You'll randomly by attacked by a man, just fight as best you can, you will lose so just focus on showing us what you're capable of."

(1) ???: "Now that you can see, go get familiar with the landscape here, the resting area is directly west of here."

Xon sighs and nods his head, before leaving the small tent they were apparently in.