Agnisotra: Origin Tails

You two have probably always been wondering what exactly the 2 of us can do right? Well, today is your lucky day! We will show you! You might not like it though.

“We know you 2 are very skilled but nothing you can do will surprise us now!” I wonder. I stretched out my hand. [Fireball]. I didn't hold back a lot on this. This fireball was one I would use before our training in the separate space. Their eyes opened wide and Cecilia made a [water wall]. Unfortunately for her, I have a sister that specializes in steam explosions so I know exactly what is going to happen. I link my vision with Gregory.

We are going to use the steam as cover! The steam explosion launches them backward. I stand on Gregory’s hammer which he swings causing me to fly at them. Mid-flight I shoot [water balls] at them The moment I land on the ground I used [Turning leaf] and swapped Gregory to me. Gregory seemed to be charging a heavy hammer slam which was completed when he got swapped and appeared in front of them. He sent [earth pillars] at Charlize and Cecilia. They were dealing with my water balls and got hit by Gregory’s pincer attack. They tried to jump up because Gregory’s attack was continuous but Gregory snuck some shadow magic in that attack so tendrils of shadow pulled their feet back to the ground. Meanwhile, I jumped up and shot another uncontrolled [Fireball] at them.

“Cecilia, you deal with Agnis! I will take Greg!” Gregory used [Shadow vortex] and prevented the two from executing their plan. I made 6 shadow clones while Greg launched himself like a pinball at the 2 and hammered them into the air. I set up [Lightning Umbrella] But Cecilia managed to escape. Charlize was disabled for now due to the [Lightning Umbrella] It looks cool and maybe even silly but if you get hit by the tip of the umbrella it is hard to break free from it. It is easy to escape if you get hit by another part of the umbrella. That is the weakness as well as it takes a lot of setups. Unfortunately for my opponents, I have a high accuracy so I will hit at least one target.

“What is this!” Charlize was using some wind barrier to limit the damage she was getting. That is an umbrella! Cecilia tried to help Charlize by trying to grab her with a [water whip] but Gregory slammed the water whip with his hammer. And then chucked his hammer at Cecilia. She formed a [water wall] which I froze and shattered.

“Aah!” I fist-bumped Gregory and we waited till they recovered. Charlize managed to escape the umbrella and Cecilia got up.

“Ugh, they seem different today.”

“I think we should take this more seriously”

“But we might kill them! They might be strong but they’re still kids!” Cecilia tried to stop Charlize. A strong wind started to envelop Charlize. Shall I go control or damage? Damage please, we don't have all day.

Ok. I shot out multiple daggers and wires. I didn't forget to set up some [Boss music]

This again? You don't like some good music? Do I even get to do anything?

You can keep them busy while I do some light setup. Gregory shot an earth pillar at his hammer which he was holding sending himself and the hammer flying toward the two.

“Here he comes!” Gregory kept them close by utilizing [Gravity] and kept swinging his hammer. He seemed to miss a lot but there seemed to be some rhythm to it. I inspected his skill and it seemed he was adding some attribute called [momentum] to his swings. I realized what he was doing. This is the kind of skill that ramps up in power, if you are going to get hit by this skill better do that at the start but he will probably lock you in a combo. Once they get hit by that hammer once it is over, they will get comboed till they get defeated. I guess this is his message to me: be fast else I will finish them myself. I finished my setup and started my first [Accel turn]. The friction vaporized my shoes.

Shit! I forgot to get custom shoes for this! Idiot! If you’re ready I will send Charlize over to you!

“Ha as if!” Gregory amped up the gravity on Charlize making her unable to dodge Gregory’s hammer as he smacked Charlize over to me.

Thanks. I caught Charlize, but not in a literal sense. I caught her in a web of strings. I already started using [Dagger torrent] and she was right in the middle of it. I don't know what Gregory’s technique is called but he is already combining Cecilia. A crowd gathered and is watching by as we finish our combos. I kept my lightning purple because I didn't want to kill her. Gregory also seemed to kill his combo early to make sure we didn't become murderers in front of a crowd. The crowd was silent and then cheered. I fist-bumped Gregory again and we walked away from the scene like badasses.

That was some good exercise. I think I understand now how you feel when you can’t finish your combo. It feels wrong. Yeah, nothing we can do about it. The troll ran at me.

“That was awesome! Please marry me!” Rejected! What is wrong with her? I just beat up her mother in front of her eyes and this is what she’s thinking about?

I think Cecilia’s daughter is approaching us, do you want to run? Yeah, let’s get out of here!

Hehe. Noo! Not like that! I shot Gregory with my steam cannon and followed him. He landed neatly in front of his door.

You know, one day I will kill you! I will be looking forward to that day. I helped Gregory stand up and we relaxed for the rest of the day and talked about possible combos we could do and strategies we could make. I decided to go home for dinner. Even though Gregory and I still had much to talk about. I felt a bit relaxed. The day started a bit messy but the latter half was quite fun. As I walked through the streets barefoot the streetlights flickered and went off.

What in the name of Hourai? A blackout? I’m still surprised that things that surprise me keep happening, call it surpriseception. I halted. Shit! How could I forget? I tried to teleport home but it failed. Ugh, Great this stupid space again. I made my 1 km high frost pillar. I looked around. I couldn't even see the town square from here. This closed-off space seemed to go outside Boshi town though but this is weird. Where are the shades? Are they stuck in another enclosed space? Or are they in the sewers? Yet again I’m surprised. The sewers are empty but it seems that the sewers go beyond what I can see here above ground. Is this the return of sewer adventures? I jumped toward the boundary of this space to make sure this boundary actually exists and that it isn't just my vision that is blocked. Nope, another invisible wall. I approached a manhole. Well, it wasn't a manhole because Ted placed a big heavy rock on it. I augmented my left leg and attempted to kick the rock off the hole.

“I wouldn't do that if I were you sweetie.” I lost focus and dropped the augmentation causing me to kick the rock without augmentation. Ouch! I grabbed my foot and fell down. The owner of this voice was none other than our blue-haired god-slapping busty witch Azu.

“Come! Let me heal you!” No, I’m ok!

“You are not ok! You're rolling around clutching your foot in pain!” I wonder who is responsible!

“Why aren't you wearing shoes?!" It's… complicated Azu put her hands in her side.

“What is so complicated about it, tell me!" Uh, that is also complicated. She stretched out her hand at me. This isn't some trap, is it? She didn't say anything but continued stretching out her hand. I grabbed it, and she pulled me up and pulled me in for a hug. I knew it!

"But your foot doesn't hurt anymore, does it?" Is hugging the only way you can heal me?

“It is proportional to the area of physical contact.” I was afraid that would be the case. So, what are you doing here? You’re not going to convince me that a super-strong witch got trapped here too by coincidence.

“Hmm, ok then I won't say that! It is just that the prison seems to weaken whenever a space like this appears.” Hmm, that's the first thing you've said that makes sense in a while.

“Aww, don't be so mean!” Well, you appeared last time when my buddies were stuck in a space, besides that, most of our encounters were in a space like this.

“Yes! I can communicate a little bit when there isn't but it is limited. I get more freedom when a space like this opens up.“ Azu spun around with her arms stretched out giving the impression that she felt free, even though she still was imprisoned. So why is it a bad idea to go down there? I will smack you if it is a silly reason!

“Ooh, will I get a spanking? Sounds exciting!” Right off goes this rock! I augmented my leg again and prepared a kick.

“Wait! Azu dove at me and I dropped the augmentation and kicked the rock again without augmentation." Ouch! Are you trying to assassinate me?

“Hehe, nobody assassinates their target by making them kick rocks barefooted.” So uhm, can you get off me?

“Is your heart racing?” Get off me, please?

“Make me!” … I released all my tails, wrapped them around her, and moved her off me. Ugh, I need to visit Uraya for anti-headache potions, I think you do more damage to me than any guardian has ever done.

“Ooh, so fluffy! Talking about Uraya, she told me that you're the son of Edea Hourai. Is that true? Is it true?” Uhm, no?

“Hehe, you can’t fool me! I can't believe you’re the son of my idol! Now, I’m sure! I will stay at your side!” Uhhm why? And I'm just some brat! Go harass other people!

“Tss, young Agnis, you don't understand!” Azu made a serious voice but she was still stroking my tails like she was charmed by them. Exactly I don't understand.

“Let me ask you, what is your life expectancy?” Uhh, between 5 minutes which could be when I manage to piss you off, and somewhere till infinity, I guess?

“And what is my life expectancy? Uhh, I don't know. I think I've read that Witches get between 1000 and 10 000 years old, it is quite a wide margin.

“Well, it is higher than that but you get the idea. You have been raised between humans but races with longevity think differently about this. We measure our ages in Kaledonian years but the measurements in our race ages aren't that far off.” That sounds like a convenient excuse. This answer unsettled me. It lined up with the behavior of Viridian’s daughter Hisui. She is about 60 years older than me… in Kaledonian years, and kind of raised me with Viridian when my mom was busy. than me but ever since I started to mature mentally, which tailed beasts do at a very young age, she started acting differently. Nono this can’t be it, right?

“It seems like you just remembered something along the lines of what I just said, what age are you according to your race?” A bit over 1 year.

“And your friends?” Uhh, Raishin, and Gregory are also 1, I’m the youngest because it will take longer for me to 2 years old.

“And you seem to realize that the rate at which your races measure age is different right?” Yes…does that mean?

“Witches gain 1 witch year every 1000 years, which makes me just a bit older than you since I’m 2 witch years old!” Nooo!

"You mentioned that you had bad experiences with charm attacks, right? Do you know what female nine-tail foxes are specially gifted at? Charm attacks.” It felt like the world as I knew it started to collapse. So, you’re saying that If I ever meet Hisui I should run as fast as I can? I just thought she was eccentric

“Oh, so Hisui is her name? What is she like?” Scary and you are quite similar to her that is why you scare me and I try to keep my distance

. “Oh, so she is charming like me, you have your work cut out. But I will stop teasing you, for now,” I didn't do much but I felt extremely exhausted. “It is cute how dense you are.” I’m not dense!

“Hmm, I disagree, about the sewers, you will get attacked when you get there.” Oh, so now you’re answering me properly? And attacked by what? Azu wrapped herself in my tail and seemed to have missed my question. I’m so mentally exhausted. Attacked by what?

“The tree of course? Some fast pink spears will turn you into anto an Agnis beehive, and I won't allow that.” I can dodge!

“There is hardly space to dodge! I won't allow it!” She was still playing with my tails. I was too mentally drained to resist. So, what do we do then?

“I play with your tails till I feel like cracking this place open.” You can get me out?!

“Yes, but then I go back to being extra imprisoned.” Oh. but last time you could move around even after the space was closed!

“That was at the end of the 5 days when I had enough time to save up some energy to stay a bit longer,” Ok… you can play with my tails. I wanted this to be over but I also didn't want to rob Azu of her free time. I decided to get back at her and tickle her with my tails. Hey, Azu, what are you going to do after we break this prison? Azu tried to speak but wasn't able because my tickling made her laugh uncontrollably. I paused my tickling.

“I would like to travel and see how the world has changed! But I also want to stay with you guys, you guys are fun!” What about your family and Paul, Paula, and Uraya? Azu was silent for a bit. It seemed like she didn't think much about what to do after she would be free.

“Paul and Paula have each other, I’m not sure about Uraya… I actually don't have any family; I was relatively alone… They are my friends but… It feels wrong to say this but they were kind of my retainers, I see them as my friends but... I want to have a life of my own!” I didn't know what to say in response to this. “I don't care for the witch community anymore, they weren't nice to me before all of this happened, they only saw me as a powerful witch but not as someone with needs or dreams. They just forced me to fight that army alone because they didn't want any casualties and that if I would fall that I at least would take out a big portion of that army. I just want to live my life without my peers forcing me to do this because I’m responsible as a powerful witch and do that. I’m sick of it!” Azu became a bit agitated and I stroked her with a tail to calm her down. I thought for a bit. I didn't have any experience with this but I know someone who has. My mom seemed to have been in a similar situation. She was often frustrated. After all, she had to do some things because she was the empress even though she would rather want to just go out on an adventure and have fun. I stood up. I think I understand you better now. I don’t say this to be mean but I don't think you can come with us, at least not now.

“But why? Am I not sexy enough?” Ugh, it has nothing to do with that. I have 3 reasons! Firstly, you should still work out things with Paul, Paul, and Uraya, you can’t just disappear and leave behind the people who have put up with being imprisoned here for over 2600 years. Secondly! This is me being a bit selfish but if the witch community discovers you are free and decides to continue their stuff, we will be caught in the crossfire, and I am going to be blunt here, the moment witch spells will fly around, we 4 will just get vaporized. You are strong but I don't know how well you can protect us while fighting off a horde of witches and, to be honest, after all the pain you went through, I don't want to put you through more, So I would suggest you either figure out how that is going to go or join us when we are strong enough to contribute. And thirdly this one is similar to the second point, the issue with the gods, you will be fine fighting gods, we won't, we will be even more useless in that aspect than if you get abducted by the witches. An uncomfortable silence fell. Azu buried her face in one of my tails and screamed in it. She raised her head, she looked sad.

“I’m afraid you are right; you might not believe me but I’m quite smart you see. Unfortunately, I can think of way more reasons to not join you guys, the only reason I have to join is that I want to. I... I really want to..." I started to feel sorry for acting so coldly toward Azu. She slapped her cheeks. “I can do this! How about 10 years?” What?

“I will sort this mess out in 10 years! And then go adventuring with you guys!” Uhm you can take your time you know.

“So cold! But I can do it! Because I’m awesome!” You have an amazing recovery, that is awesome indeed… Azu walked toward me and hugged me.

“I will be saving up a lot of energy so you won't see me for the rest of this and the next timeline, I will need it to help you in the last one, it is going to be rough, I’m afraid you guys might die so I will try to get enough energy to spend the full 5 days with you at the end. Don’t go missing me now.” Is the last timeline that bad?

“You probably already know, don’t you? When I saved you after that pretty frost attack, you were so close to dying for a third time, Please don't be so reckless ever again.” I will try my best.

“How many lives do you have left?” Uhh, enough don't worry.

“Please tell me…” Uhm, 3 lives. Azu looked at me and hugged me again.

“I think I need to go, every bit of mana counts, promise me you won't die before I can help you out.” I promise.

“Thank you.” The cheery Azu seemed to be replaced with a melancholic Azu. I think I like the cheery and flirty Azu more. “Have you looked at the magic skills and passive skills I gave you?” Uh, a bit yeh.

“These skills I gave you are a package; you don't necessarily need them but they will make using my custom skill [Azure Mist] easier. [Tsunami] makes your next 3 skills completely free, no mana no casting. [Flood] costs a lot of mana but has no casting time and is great for setting up very strong attacks. You will have 1 free attack slot, and you can use whatever you want, make sure it is powerful, but I’m sure you will do such because powerful skills either take long to cast, cost a lot of mana, or both. The last skill to cast for free could be [Azure mist] The only requirement for it is to use a damaging attack. [Azure mist] hardly costs mana but has a long cast time. You can do these all for free after using [Tsunami]. Now for the specifics of how my skill works, you will find out, I’m sure you will like it. A slight spoiler: after you used [Azure Mist] there is a low chance that you can lose unless you self-destruct. Don't use it on opponents you don't want to kill.” Azu walked to a random spot. “Do you remember what skill I used to help you guys destroy the root?” Uhh, Tsunami, right?

“Yeah, that means my next 3 skills are free. And this is the first free skill [Dimensional fracture]” The dimensional space started to crack and the sound of glass cracking could be heard loudly. “Please be careful” The dimension shattered and everything was back to normal. I looked around. Azu was nowhere to be seen. I thought back at what just happened. She looked really sad there at the end. I headed home and took some snacks before taking a bath. Was this the correct thing to do? With Azu at our side, we wouldn't have to be afraid of anything, besides the witches and gods. Was it worth making a woman sad that has been locked up for over 2 millennia because I’m afraid of witches and gods? Am I correct? Or am I the asshole? Normally I don't mind being the asshole but this situation has a bitter taste. Over time I have started to see her as a friend. Would I leave my buddies behind because I was afraid of witches or gods? No, I wouldn't! I would go through hell and back for them. I decided to apologize to her the next time I see her. With that in mind, I fell asleep.