Kapitel 355: The Title of First

Returning to present day. . .

A glorious hall made of luxurious materials reflected light coming from a glowing ball. The beautiful sight would leave many breathless, yet everyone present was in no mood to enjoy the scenery.

A voice boomed across the hall, "I have gathered you all here to discuss something that poses a threat to our world. As you already know a beast of the Calamity level has risen in the western half. Thousands have perished under its wrath, and I fear once it is done it will cross the river."

Murmurs spread across the hall. Concerned faces anxiously discussing among each other. The individual spoke above them, "Thus I propose we act upon the ancient treaty! I know we have had our conflicts, whether it be political or physical. I know some of you have bad blood with others, long lasting grudges yet to be settled, and more. With such a powerful threat, I propose we throw away these petty squabbles and pool our resources together. We must end the threat!"

Someone objected, "End the threat? Several Fourth Star combatants have fallen against that beast! I doubt a single individual present here has a Fifth Star under their command."

"I am aware of this, but keep in mind that each of these Fourth Stars were by themselves. If we work together-"

"Work together?!", another objected, "You want us to sacrifice our blood and bones for this threat. For all we know the beast will never cross the river!"

"Silence! Can you sleep at night knowing that at any moment everything you worked for will disappear?! Your fear over a potential loss is unwarranted when the threat is capable of wiping us out completely!"

"So what is it your suggesting?"

"We put together a team of our elite. Each nation will contribute one of its greatest warriors. Together we will either seal, or kill the great beast!"

"Do we know if it even can be sealed?"

"It was sealed before, it can be again. What matters is that we stop the threat before it ends more innocent lives!"

Arguing began to spread across the hall. As influential figures concerned more about the short-term loss that might happen, than the long-term loss that proved to be inevitable, did everything they can to dissuade others.

The doors to the hall shook and opened. Everyone quieted down, interested to see who would dare interrupt such an important meeting.

A figure with silver hair and eyes walked forward. As they approached they spoke, "All this talk about losses, you fear the unknown. After all you were given a surface-level plan that required you to give up a valuable resource—with no guarantee of success at that!"

The figure now had everyone's attention. They spread their arms, "I propose a different course of action. With a properly thought out plan. One, I can guarantee, has quite a high success chance."

~ ~ ~

-<>-

Jarvis approached the agreed location. A small space in a forest, barren ground surrounded with a octagon shape of trees.

Kiro showed him the location before, though never told him what it was supposed to be for. After he contacted her, she told him to meet her here.

Kiro descended from one of the trees, "I hardly ever here you so serious Mister. Is something the matter?"

"I need to know more of Origins."

"I told you all I know Mister."

"Which you heard from someone else right?"

She rose an eyebrow, "What makes you think that?"

"When you explained it the first time, the level of information you gave wasn't the amount you could discern from legend. Nor was it close to what you could say if you properly studied the topic. It fit right around the point of you hearing the information from someone else. Someone who is familiar with the topic."

"You're suddenly a detective this time?"

"I wouldn't have pried further if the need didn't arise."

"Alright, sure I heard it from somebody. Why do you need to know?"

"Have you heard of what's happening West?"

"Only snippets, I haven't been around people much."

"The Calamity of Goju awoke."

". . ."

"I was able to confirm it myself. It had that same strange feeling I felt from the Phoenix. It's a Hydra, the Origin Hydra."

"This is grim news Mister."

"So you know?"

"I wouldn't have told you much even if you offered everything you had on yourself. However if what you said is true, then the situation has changed."

"I need to know."

"I can show you, the person I received the intel from. However you must make a contract."

Kiro tossed a talisman towards Jarvis. He caught it and a string of information flew into his head, "A NDA. . ."

"Something like that, except if you break it the consequences will not be in anyway small."

Jarvis channeled a bit of MP into it, the talisman then shattered. Kiro faintly smiled, "I see you have your heart set into stone. Alright let me warn you."

She walked up to Jarvis, "The NDA doesn't state this, but don't go prying into what you see. Not everything is as what it seems."

"I'll keep it into mind."

Kiro stomped the ground, suddenly an array of runes appeared in a puff of smoke. Jarvis was unable to gain a clue of what it meant before his vision warped.

He closed his eyes and rubbed them. Upon opening them he found himself in a village obscured mostly by fog. It was strangely quiet, not a single soul was outside.

He heard Kiro's voice, "Focus, stay close to me. Else you'll get lost."

Jarvis followed her footsteps, carefully placing his feet where she did. Faint whispers entered his ears, but the words were indiscernible.

They soon approached a temple of sorts. Kiro stopped in front of the door, "The person you are about to meet. You are to treat them with respect. Understood?"

"Yes."

"Good, walk through the doors."

Jarvis walked up and pushed the door, but it didn't budge. Kiro shook her head, "No, walk through them."

Putting his hand down he then stepped towards the door. His foot passed through it as if it wasn't there.

Inside the temple was barren. The floor made of tatami mat. The walls made of a wine red color. At the other end of the temple was three paintings and a shrine. Two of the paintings were worn, and he was unable to guess what they were. The one on the center was as clear as day however. A picture of a red Hydra was on it. Five heads staring directly ahead.

"A stranger enters these grounds. To come here requires an invitation."

"I was sent here by Kiro."

"Kiro? That troublesome child actually let someone in here? Amusing. Kneel on the cloth in front of the shrine."

Jarvis did as he was told and waited.

The voice continued, "That book on your hip, let me see it."

Jarvis hesitated for a moment, however the book was tied to his being. Lifting it he offered the book with two hands.

It floated to the front of the shrine. The pages flipped slowly yet methodically. The voice seemingly mumbling to themselves. They then paused on a page, "A Kitsune?"

"Yes."

"It has its bead still, yet it remains in this book?"

Jarvis was a bit surprised they could tell what his book was capable of. For it mostly just looked like pictures. Remembering Kiro's words he answered, "It still has its bead, it had asked to continue with me and I offered for it to stay in the book."

"You gained the trust of a skeptical Kitsune. Now that's funny."

It flipped the page again and saw nothing but blank pages, "It's empty?"

"I don't usually ask for creatures to join. Those that are there willingly asked to join, three I had to convince for an emergency."

"Do you intend for it to stay this way?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"I don't want to create bonds with creatures purely for my own intent. I never bring up the book unless they ask to join my travels. I feel like if I do, it may sully my intentions with creating the bond in the first place."

They closed the book and returned it to Jarvis, "Why have you approached this temple?"

"I hope to gain information of the Origins."

"Your reason?"

"The Calamity of Goju awoke in the west. I can tell it's an Origin, but I still don't know what they are specifically."

"So you've witnessed its awakening. I assume you can see the picture above then?"

"Yes."

"And what of the others?"

"I cannot."

"Hm, the Title of First is not easily gained. The creatures first to exist are of immense power. Many have passed, giving the Title of First to a worthy descendant. No one knows what the requirements are."

The figure then revealed themself. A handsome individual in a temple robe continued to speak, "The Hydra is an exception. It is Immortal, truly the First of its kind. However such power corrupted its mind, and it had to be sealed."

"Nothing can truly be immortal right?"

"This is true, but the Hydra is a sort of exception. It's immortality isn't due to eternal life. Rather due to its abnormal regeneration. Able to revive by even the smallest piece of flesh. But that isn't necessary. For its true life force comes from its heart. An object so invincible even a Fifth Star found themselves unable to scratch it. It was this same heart that was sealed, preventing it from truly reviving."

Jarvis blinked and suddenly was able to see the second painting. It was a sort of raccoon. He then frowned, he felt like that wasn't right.

"You see it now yes? The second painting."

"Yes."

"These paintings reveal themselves to those who seen the Origin."

"That means-?"

"I inherited the title of First. I am the First Tanuki."

Jarvis had a complicated expression, "I can't feel the same thing I felt from the others?"

"Others?"

"The feeling of Origin. . ."

His expression was one of surprise, "You can feel it? Here take my hand."

Jarvis was shocked at their excitement. He held their hand gently and felt a sudden force touch his palm. It was the same feeling, "Yes, this is the same."

The man laughed, "So it's you! What others gave this feeling?"

"The Hydra and a Phoenix."

"Haha! To think the legend was true!"

"Legend?"

"Never mind that. Kiro come in!"

Kiro walked through the door, "Yes respectable elder?"

"You've brought someone interesting."

"I am aware."

"Have you told him the truth?"

"No, I had him sign the contract too."

"Alright I'll be the one to give the news."

"Respectable elder?!"

The man returned his focus to Jarvis, "Welcome to the village of Tanuki, I am Juon. Currently the holder of the title of First. We welcome you to our village."