Paths of Divergence

Harbinger

Chapter 57

-Harbinger

     The dark and decrepit minka creaks in the endless abyss cold and everlasting. Shizake takes a sip of miso soup which warms his bones like a tight embrace. Maka watches silently with only the sound of her static like breathing echoing through her mask. Shizake's shoulders relax slightly as he slowly becomes accustomed to his surroundings. Shadows flicker and morph across the dusty walls as dimly lit candles dance around the room.

     "Are you not going to eat as well?" Shizake asks before realizing his offensive question.

     The woman shakes her head, "I... don't like to eat in front of others."

     Shizake rubs the back of his neck, "Ah right. I apologize."

"It is okay. I want to ask you something," she says.

Shizake lays his spoon down, looking up at her, "What is it?" he asks.

"At this very moment, what are your thoughts on becoming a sage?" she asks robotically.

The Uchiha ponders. He firsthand saw what Maka was capable of. This would grant him strength beyond imagination. However, this accord isn't just about strength. It's essentially a contract, a duty bound one at that. To strike down those who swim against the current of natural order.

"This hunt you speak of... has it happened before?" Shizake asks.

Maka shakes her head, "It has not. This manner of forbidden jutsu has only been on the rise as of recent. It's apparent that things are beginning to run rampant. Now, you're probably wondering how we know of its existence."

Shizake nods.

"Our leader. The plane in which he exists. Somewhere floating between the gentle fabrics of life and death. He can see far greater than any of us," Maka explains.

"I see," he murmurs. He looks down into the bowl of soup watching the ripples of the broth as the bowl trembles in his hands. "I have no reason not to believe you."

The minka groans and bends as it shifts into the earth. Hollow desolate winds whistle hauntingly outside. Maka remains unmoving, a pale silhouette shifting against the dark. Her static breathing is like tiny prickles to the ears, slow and steady.

"Would you care for a taste of the power we wield?" she asks lowly.

Shizake perks up, alert but confused.

"It is not my job to push you into one decision or the other. If you take up the offer or leave and never turn back, it matters not to me. However, something definitive and concrete may help you make a decision," she says before extending her arm out.

Wisps of black and green energy snakes down her arm twisting and churning. It collects in her palm like thick smoke heavy and suffocating. Shizake's Sharingan activates on instinct in an attempt to make sense of what he's seeing. However the only thing he can make note of is that this is not chakra at all that she is wielding.

"What is this?" He asks.

"Nature energy. Rather, the death aspect of it. I infused some of my chakra so it would be visible. By default nature energy is unable to be viewed by the naked eye. It exists as effortlessly as wind. Just a warning however. Once felt it cannot be unfelt," she says lowly.

       Shizake slowly reaches his hand forward shaky and wavering. He pulls back, hesitating for a moment before taking a gulp of air and resting his hand upon Maka's. The threads of nature energy snake up his arm before converging upon his heart. And then-