Capítulo 83: My Ambition

[Date: 1/16]

[Time: 6:00 PM]

[Location: Destiny Central - Falling Hearts Stadium]

The sun began to dip below the horizon, the sky becoming hues of orange and gold as the sun began setting. The energy of the crowd was still electrifying, the bands continuing to play the fans what they wanted to hear. I continued watching from the back, the mysterious man standing beside me and watching closely.

Soon, Ashley's band came out, a few people of the crowd cheering as they knew who they were. Aubrie, Ashley, and Cassidy began to set up on the stage. As Aubrie and Ashley set up, their eyes scanned the sea of people for me until they noticed me in the back and smiled at me.

"People of Destiny Central! Are you all having fun tonight?!" Ashley began on the mic, the crowd cheering and getting even more pumped for the final act before the main band came to play.

"Yeah! That's what I like to hear! Before we begin, I want to say this is our first time on the big stage...and I want to thank Falling Hearts for giving us a chance. This is a big moment for all of us and I hope you like the three songs we've prepared!" Ashley finished, putting the microphone back in the stand.

The crowd cheered for them, a few people chanting "Dark Destiny". Aubrie looked at Ashley and and Cassidy making sure they were ready. Once they were all ready, Cassidy set the tempo with her drum sticks. The crowd quieted down as Ashley began to play the first melody.

Aubrie joined in, the song they were playing sounding dark and mysterious. Soon the chorus began, all three girls playing together. The crowd cheered as they began to feel the song hitting their bodies.

"Listen closely...Yoshido. Their music is more than just metal. It has meaning behind it. Something you won't truly understand," I said, crossing my arms and my gaze fixated on the three on stage.

Yoshido watched them play, listening to their melodies calling out into the air. He listened to how Aubrie sang, his skin crawling at her lyrics and Ashley's harmony. The crashing of Cassidy's cymbals echoed around the stadium, Ashley's guitar howled out, and Aubrie's guitar screamed with emotion.

My Grace!

Grace!

My Love!

Just notice me, hold me in your arms!

My Grace!

My Love!

Notice me! Notice me!

The Love Demon beside Yoshido began grunting softly, feeling the extreme emotions behind Aubrie's and Ashley's voices. She listened to the crowd cheering loudly, her heart racing faster. She held her arms and felt chills crawling down her spine as she listened to the song, becoming slightly overstimulated. Once the song ended, she finally calmed down her wings wrapping around her body.

"What's the matter? Can't handle the emotions exuding from those three? No need to worry, there's only two songs left," I taunted, a smirk playing on my face.

Yoshido glanced down at me, noticing how confident I was. He couldn't detect any fear in my heart, not a hint of nervousness. 'Who the hell is this guy exactly..?'

"Thank you! That song was called My Grace! I'm glad you all liked it so much! Our next song is a fan favorite, Moonrise!" Ashley exclaimed, listening to the crowd cheer and her adrenaline pumping even more.

Ashley looked at Aubrie and nodded her head. Aubrie smiled at her then led off the song Moonrise, it's more uplifting and hopeful. The crowd seemed ready to sing along with the song, the three girls feeling the energy of the crowd rushing through their veins.

As Aubrie began singing, she heard the crowd singing along, her smile brightening as she rang. She began to give more energy, sensing the electrifying feeling the crowd exuded. Ashley joined in with the harmony, soon Cassidy joined in as the background singer.

Moonrise and tonight it's me and you!

Tonight is where dreams come true!

Moonrise!

Tonight!

It's me and you!

Let's go!

The crowd sang along to the chorus, each person putting their hearts into the song. I listened to the crowd, feeling their energies combining into one which sent chills down my spine. The way everyone in the crowd sang along with Ashley, Aubrie, and Cassidy was amazing, the stadium becoming more energized.

As the song ended, the crowd erupted with cheers, everyone still singing Moonrise as an encore as the song resonated with them. Hearing the crowd singing the lyrics sent a wave of pleasure and happiness around the bodies of the girls as they listen.

"To them, this is more than just a Passion. It's more than just a Talent. It's the connection they are building with the crowd, with their fans. This is real Charisma. The ability to move a crowd no matter what stage of fame they are in," I said, standing up and looking at my watch.

Yoshido watched as I stood up, looking over at his Love Demon and noticing how overstimulated she looked. It was like she couldn't even focus on anything anymore, her mind racing with different emotions.

"Sensitia isn't very...trained is she? Well certainly, she will not be able to function after this song," I said, looking at the stage.

The crowd was still buzzing with excitement from the last performance. The girls stood on stage, catching their breath and soaking in the energy. Aubrie stepped forward, taking the microphone in her hand.

"Thank you so much! You've all been amazing tonight. We have one more song for you, and it's a very special one to us. It's called 'Gray,'" Aubrie announced, her voice steady but laced with emotion.

The crowd cheered, some fans recognizing the title and getting even more hyped.

Cassidy began with a slow, steady beat on the drums, setting a haunting yet captivating rhythm. Ashley followed, her guitar emitting a melancholic melody that filled the stadium. Aubrie joined in, her guitar adding layers to the melody, building the song's emotional depth.

As Aubrie stepped up to the mic and began to sing, her voice was soft and resonant, carrying the weight of the song's message.

I feel gray when I'm without you…

You!

Gray! Hey!

I feel gray when I'm without you!

C'mon!

I hate the time when you're not here!

Ashley and Cassidy provided harmonies that amplified the emotional intensity of the song. The crowd swayed and moved, their collective energy feeding back into the performance.

From my spot at the back, I watched the girls pour their hearts into the music. Even Yoshido and Sensitia seemed captivated by the song's raw emotion. Sensitia's wings fluttered nervously, her red eyes wide and fixed on the stage.

I feel gray when I'm without you!

It doesn't feel the same without…

You!

Aubrie's voice cracked slightly as she sang the final "you," her emotions overflowing. The crowd was silent for a moment, the song's impact settling over them like a wave.

Then, an eruption of cheers and applause filled the stadium, the crowd showing their appreciation for the heartfelt performance.

"Thank you! We are Dark Destiny, and we hope you felt what we felt. Have an amazing night!" Ashley shouted into the mic, her voice triumphant.

As the girls left the stage, I stood up and clapped, my heart swelling with pride. They had done it. They had connected with the crowd in a way that few bands could.

Yoshido glanced at me, his eyes narrowing. "I see what you meant. Their music… it's powerful."

I nodded, my gaze still fixed on the stage. "Told you. They're more than just a band. They're storytellers, and their music reaches the soul."

The girls ran up to me, their faces glowing with excitement and tears of joy. "Did you like it?" Aubrie asked, her eyes searching mine.

"I loved it. You all were incredible," I said, pulling them into a group hug.

As the hug ended, I felt a tap on my shoulder. Turning around, I faced Yoshido and Sensitia. "It's 6:30," Yoshido said, a dangerous glint in his eyes.

I took a deep breath and nodded. "Alright. Let's get this over with."

The concert was over for me, but a new battle was just beginning. The energy in the air shifted as we moved away from the crowd, preparing for the confrontation ahead.

Aubrie, Ashley, and Cassidy glanced at Yoshido, their bodies shivering with discomfort as they gazed at him. I looked at the girls, giving them a soft smile and placed my hands on the shoulders of Aubrie and Ashley.

"Ladies...go have fun and celebrate your amazing performance. I will give you money and you can spend it however. I have business to tend to.." I said softly, gently squeezing the shoulders of Aubrie and Ashley.

"Shiro...who is that man? Where are you going?" Aubrie asked, gently holding my wrist.

I glanced back at Yoshido, noticing him impatiently tapping his wrist. I turned my gaze back at the girls. "He's an enemy of mine who came from Sanctuary City. I don't want him hurting you, so I'm keeping you all safe by having you all celebrate.."

I took my keys out of my pocket and handed it to Aubrie, cupping her hands in mine. "I will come back to you all...I promise that."

Aubrie looked into my eyes, her heart beating hard against her chest. She closed her eyes as I kissed her lips and felt a pang of sadness within her, but knew if I promised something, I would keep it.

Ashley gazed at me then closed her eyes as I kissed her next, her hand gently grabbing my arm. The kiss lasted a few moments before I finally pulled away, Ashley's eyes fluttering open. Her gaze softened, her expression saddening as she watched me walk backward.

"Be safe, babe," Aubrie said softly, watching me leave with Yoshido and Sensitia.

"I will," I said, giving the girls a wave as I walked off.

I gestured for Yoshido to follow me, Yoshido following closely behind me. Sensitia looked back at the girls, feeling their emotions and her eyes darkened, her heart beginning to hurt with them. She shook her head and followed closely behind Yoshido.

[Date: 1/16]

[Time: 6:45 PM]

[Location: Verdant Grove]

The moon began to rise over the horizon, the Golden Star above twinkling brightly, casting a warm glow through the canopy of ancient trees that shadowed the lush greens below. The air was still, the silence of the grove only broken by the distant rustle of leaves. No soul was around to witness my battle against Yoshido. It was just me and him, accompanied by our Love Demons and my Systems.

Ambitia leaned against a tree, shrugging her shoulders and sighing. "Sister, you can just give up. With me on Shiro's side and being the Elf of Ambition, you can't win. Yeah, I am the lesser version of Ardor, but I still have the same effects. I can work with any Trait, and as a standalone, I am still powerful."

Sensitia scoffed, placing a hand on her hip. "Here you go, acting like you're better than everyone else. Empathy is probably the best Trait you can have right now. With my newest ability, Sixth Sense, I've been undefeated currently. There's no chance your precious Master can win."

"Is that so?" I asked, rolling my wrists and looking at Sensitia with a smirk. I chuckled softly, summoning my gauntlets. "Someone better tell her to check the track record because everyone I've fought so far, I've sat them down."

"Vance," Lust-E said.

"Lockdown," I replied.

"Caden pre-amends," Lust-E said, smirking at Yoshido and Sensitia.

"Lockdown," I repeated, crossing my arms.

"Romeo, Lane, Phoenix, and Ruby?" Lust-E asked, looking at me with a smirk.

"Lockdown," I answered, smirking at Yoshido and Sensitia.

"Kismet and Lotus," Lust-E named.

"Lockdown. And listen up, I started this prized run from beating the guy at the top. Your daddy, Axel," I taunted, smirking at Yoshido.

"Lock. Down," Lust-E said, smirking at the two.

Yoshido laughed coldly, shaking his head as he stepped forward. "It's funny. I hear you drop all these names of your past victories, but the reality is…you wouldn't even last a minute against me."

Ambitia, Lust-E, Suru, and I exchanged glances before looking back at Yoshido. I shook my head and sighed, my muscles tensing in readiness.

"You know it's true because with my Sixth Sense, Clairvoyance, you won't even be able to land a single hit on me, and that's the facts. It's your turn to be locked down," Yoshido chuckled softly, surrounding himself in light blue energy.

I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the moment. The grove seemed to hold its breath with us, the ancient trees bearing silent witness to the clash about to unfold.

I hopped up and down, energizing my body, then kneeled on one knee. I placed my hand on the grass, closed my eyes, took a deep breath, and exhaled. "Maluhia…" I chanted softly, standing up and letting out my Tribal Howl, transforming into my Tengoku Form.

Yoshido got into his stance, his gaze focused and ready. His Crest of Empathy shined in his eyes, his aura flowed around him calmly, and his body tensed with readiness. "Let's see what you've got!"

I crouched down into a starting position, combining Wind and Fire to form Lightning around my body. My eyes glowed a bright gold, the Golden Star above shining brightly. I bolted ahead, launching the first strike at lightning speeds.

Yoshido smirked, perceiving my attack in slow motion, then dodged my strikes, blocking and parrying each one. He countered with a clean strike to my face, knocking me back. I flipped backward off one hand, firing multiple fireballs at Yoshido from my hands and feet.

"You say you've locked down everyone, yet I don't see anything more impressive than what other alchemists can do!" Yoshido taunted, deflecting each fireball, then dashed toward me.

He launched a swift strike at me, using his Sixth Sense to read my emotions and know what move I was going to make next. He landed his strike, then delivered a powerful kick to my head, staggering me. He followed it with a swift uppercut, knocking me into the air, then launched me away with a roundhouse kick.

I grunted softly as I rolled backward on the ground, recovering onto one knee. I huffed and stood up, catching my breath. 'His Sixth Sense, how does it work?'

{Suru: It uses his Extrasensory Perception. He's reading everything about you—your energy, your mind, your emotions—to know what you're going to do. It's basically Precognition and Syncognition at the same time.}

[Lust-E: You can't clear your mind nor blind him because he can still know what you're doing with Syncognition. Sixth Sense is a dangerous ability. The only way to beat it is if you outsmart him.]

I looked at Yoshido, studying his stance. It was very unguarded, but because of his ability, he knew he wouldn't need a guard. My back was really against the wall on this one, but I knew I had to win this not only for myself but for the girls as I promised I would return to them.

"So you believe that ability is enough to save you, huh? Well, allow me to show you versatility," I said, walking forward and activating my Unleashed State.

I dashed forward and went for a Destiny Flash, but he dodged it with ease, a confident smirk playing on his face. Suddenly, an invisible force struck him with a Destiny Flash, staggering him. He dodged my next attack, but another invisible force struck his midsection, causing him to groan and stumble backward.

'What…is hitting me..?!' Yoshido thought, his mind racing.

I began to launch a series of attacks. Yoshido dodged each strike, but as fast as he dodged, a series of invisible blows began to strike him. He soon caught on, evading the next attack and noticing it was a Wind Clone. He focused on the Wind Clones, dodging their attacks with his Sixth Sense while using his normal senses to block and evade my strikes.

'He can only perceive so much of the present and future at once…his Sixth Sense can't outmatch my Unleashed State,' I thought, continuing my onslaught of attacks, each strike deadlier than the last.

Yoshido dodged my next strike, but I caught him with a knee to his stomach, then launched him into the air with an uppercut. I formed Love Bomb in my hand, Ambitia appearing behind me and fusing her energy with mine. I fully charged it into a Sigil Bomb, pressing it against Yoshido's body, and it exploded, knocking him away.

Yoshido crashed into a tree, then fell onto one knee, panting softly. He coughed a bit, slowly standing up and grunting. 'He somehow bypassed my Sixth Sense… No, it isn't that he's bypassing it… he's overloading it..!'

"What's wrong? Worried you're gonna be locked down just like the others? That…or you're scared you'll die just like Vance did," I taunted, getting back into my stance.

Yoshido growled softly, shooting a piercing glare at me. 'Axel told me to stay wary of him and his ability to quickly adapt…but what is that ability? How did he adapt to Sixth Sense so fast..?'

"I think it's time to show you some new skills...Skills that come straight from Esoria itself," I said, my tone full of confidence as I pat Suru's head. "Let's do this.."

"Alright!" Suru exclaimed excitedly, holding her hands out. "Summoning Monarch Index... Activating Grand World! Because you're a Liberator Rank, you have access to Skills and Abilities all the way up to Rook Rank."

A book appeared in front of me, its pages flipping rapidly and Esorian Symbols floating around my body. My iridescent energy flared around my body powerfully, my eyes flashing iridescent colors to resonate with the abilities I was granted.

"When others say they were holding back, they are usually bluffing. However...when I say I'm holding back, I mean that. This is True Talent. I have the rawest form of talent. This...is what I call my Luscious Ambition," I said, slipping my hands into my pockets.

Yoshido stared at me, his eyes widening in awe at the energy exuding from my body. Sensitia looked surprised as well, her body shuddering with anticipation as she sensed abilities she never thought anyone could possess.

"To make this fair, I'll stick with only one ability. Envisioning. Just like you have one ability, I'll keep it to one ability," I said, shrugging my shoulders. "And I won't even lift a single finger... I'll stand in this exact spot. I'll even only limit myself to the base version of this ability."

'Envisioning? What is that?' Yoshido asked to Sensitia mentally.

"It's...an ability that allows him to bring anything in his imagination to reality. It's a stronger version of his base ability, Esoteric Source aka Esoteric Force Manipulation. It's truly a double edged sword. From what I know...it has no weakness," Sensitia answered, bracing herself for battle, her eyes looking at Ambitia who hasn't moved from her initial spot.

"It is a Skill that mixes the Ambition Trait's Main Skill: Indomitable Willpower and the Talent Trait's Main Ability: Ace of All Trades. If we want to win...we need to target my sister. There's no other way," Sensitia finished, locking onto Ambitia.

Yoshido nodded and glanced between me and Ambitia, knowing both of us were equally dangerous. He could feel the rapidly growing ambition from us, his body shivering from the power we exuded.

"It's all or nothing from here...to think he'd turn the tides this fast.." Yoshido muttered to himself, lowering his battle stance and guarding himself.

I closed my eyes and smirked, letting out a soft chuckle. "Come at me, Yoshido."

~{To Be Continued}~

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