497 Years ago, The Demon King battled the Five Heroes in an attempt to destroy humanity. The battle was fierce, the impacts it left on the world already killed millions. The collateral damage left Terra in such a state even if the Heroes won, the world would be unlivable.
And they weren't winning.
The Demon King harnessed the power of the 7 Holy Virtues in order to defeat the Heroes. His energy corrupted them, turning them into the 7 Deadly Sins instead. With the power of the sins, The Heroes were defeated.
But being a hero isn't about winning,
It's about saving.
The Heroes sacrificed everything they had for one last move. They used their Treasures, the magical objects they connected their soul to. With them, they created a new world and every survivor of the battle was transferred to this new world called Sub-Terra.
However, they had to stay behind to make sure the portal didn't collapse. They couldn't escape the wrath of the Demon King, and died. But their death closed the rift between the two worlds, making sure The Demon King couldn't enter Sub-Terra. Thus he stayed in the aftermath of their war, amidst the destroyed world.
This event was devastating. Only 76% of intelligent species managed to transfer to the new world. Everyone else went extinct.
This event was named The Split. Every year from now on was referred to as After-Split.
In the year 34 AS, writings were found deep within the oceans. Their origin was unknown, but it was obvious they weren't manmade. After deciphering the ancient language written on them, The Prophecy of 500 AS was discovered.
It said that the user of the reincarnations of the 5 Heroes's Treasure's would re-enter Terra and defeat The Demon King 500 Years later after their defeat. Saving Terra and the 7 Holy Virtues in the process. Every 100 years they would reincarnate once again. The United Government tried to look for their reincarnations each century, in order to guide them to fulfill this prophecy. They called their Treasures Special-Grades, or more commonly known as S-Grade Treasures.
The year is 497 AS. 3 years before the great battle that will take place. The carriers of the S-Grades; The Chosen Ones, are all recruited by the UG.
They are ready.
But, this isn't the story of a hero. It never will be.
Open your eyes, dear reader. Because our story is a tale of choosing, not being chosen.
Because you aren't chosen.
Nobody is.
Not to mention, If the story was about them, you wouldn't be special.
2 DAYS BEFORE TSUYOI MEETS PABLO.
Tsuyoi split his Pogaca in half, his half was a little bit smaller. He passed it to his little brother, Haisha. "You're too focused on this… prophecy stuff. Don't get me wrong though. If you're gonna fly, fly to soar the skies, 'kay? But you should also focus on the present every now and then."
Tsuyoi Ketsui is a 19 year old man with a well-built physique, carrying a mesomorphic build. He likes butterflies, and also not wearing a shirt. Both of them had light-blue hair, but Tsuyoi's was longer and spikier while Haisha's was more messy and fluffy and shorter.
Haisha pouted, he took a bite out of his food. He was smaller than his brother, given that he is only 13 years old, that shouldn't be surprising. The most striking feature about him is his heterochromatic right-eye. Blue and green mixing in the middle, creating a hint of cyan.
The two were sitting on the concrete road, the sky was dark. They stole the Pogacas from the shop next to them but because Haisha felt bad Tsuyoi only stole one.
"One of the heroes is in critical condition, isn't he? And I'm so close to awakening my Treasure!" He shows his Pilot Goggles that were gifted to him by his older brother. "This is fate, big bro! My treasure will be the S-Grade that will defeat The Demon King!"
Tsuyoi smiled in response to Haisha's ambition. He sighed and finished his half in a single bite. "That's the spirit." Though, he couldn't help but think of the possibility. This timing couldn't just be coincidence, could it? With one of the heroes about to die soon, and Haisha being on the verge of awakening a Treasure…
Haisha hugged his goggles and tried to force it. "I love you, Treasure! Love you love you love you love you…" He repeated it countless times. Tsuyoi groaned. "Dude, you can't just force it. The bond with your item must be real. Eventually, if you show it enough love…"
Tsuyoi's treasure, his red robe glowed as he activated it. Blue flames appeared inside his hands. He took Haisha's pogaca and heated it. He gave it back to him afterwards. Haisha took a bite out of his warm food.
"Thanks. But if so… how did you even awaken yours then? I never saw you properly wear it. You just tie it around your waist."
Tsuyoi jokingly gets angry and pushes Haisha. "Stop talking so logically!" Haisha rolled over his back and tried to regain his balance. "Bro!"
Tsuyoi started laughing. "Well, when you defeat The Demon King, just don't you dare forget my name, 'kay?" Haisha managed to get on his bottom and wiped the dust off his hair. "I won't." He smiled with confidence.
Tsuyoi wiped the dust off Haisha's shoulder and got up, waiting for Haisha to finish his food. "That's what I wanted to hear!"
Haisha looked up towards Tsuyoi, curiosity in his eyes. "Where are we going bro?" Tsuyoi started stretching. "You're going to the bar. I got some business to do. You'll spend the night at Mr. Eldar's bar. And not causing problems for him, you got it?"
Disappointment was immediately seen in Haisha's face. He quickly got up. "But…" Tsuyoi gave his backpack to Haisha. "Don't forget to give these to him. End of argument."
Haisha furrowed his brows and made a face. He grabbed the backpack reluctantly and sighed. "...Alright."
He put on his goggles above his eyes, where they comfortably sit. "I'll awaken my Treasure tonight and kick your ass tomorrow!"
Tsuyoi laughed and patted him on the head. "If you say so!" He then turned his back on him and walked away. He didn't want to hold Haisha's hand through the way, he trusted him.
"After tonight's job, I guess I still owe him a lot. I better lock in. I don't want anyone going after me or my brother." Tsuyoi went into the dark alleyways where only the moonlight right above him is lighting his path. "It's midnight. He should be here."
Soon enough, he felt someone's presence behind him. When he looked behind, he saw him. The white-haired kid. He only had his pitch-black robe covering his body, with only his hair and face being visible. He was leaning on the wall behind him.
"There you are," Tsuyoi said, nervousness in his voice. He had his guard up just in case. "Meizou, was it?"
The kid nodded. He only looked around 15, nothing more. Tsuyoi wondered what he could've gone through to be this person, ordering hits like nothing. "Cute brother you have there." A hint of amusement was in his voice. Tsuyoi furrowed his brows at the mention of his brother. "Don't bring him into this. Where is your boss?"
The kid stopped leaning, he looked towards Tsuyoi. "I killed him. I'm the boss now." His voice came out raspy.
Tsuyoi's heart skipped a bit at the cold confession but he didn't falter. "Damn. Congrats on the promotion."
Meizou chuckled, a creepy smile appeared on his face. "Appreciate it." His red eyes gazed through Tsuyoi's soul. Meizou then puts his left hand through his robe, it phases in, leaving Tsuyoi confused. Meizou mumbles something under his breath and pulls out his hand. Inside his palm, is a watch. It is pitch black, almost like it was corrupted by whatever Meizou's Treasure is.
He gives the pitch-black watch to Tsuyoi. "Hold this in your left hand. This Treasure will allow you to make yourself smaller. You can sneak in through the vents and retrieve the Treasure."
Tsuyoi looks at his hand in disbelief and confusion. "Huh? How-" He really didn't understand what Meizou was talking about. "My Treasure… is complicated. Just know that when you hold that in your left, you can use it freely as if it's your own."
Tsuyoi inspected it and nodded. "Got it. By the way, what will happen to my debt, since the old boss is dead and all."
Meizou patted Tsuyoi's shoulder. It's clear he was way shorter than him. "Just do this, and consider it cleared. The job is simple. Go to his house, retrieve the Treasure and come back."
Tsuyoi grew nervous with Meizou's presence. He usually wasn't the type to feel this way. But something about the kid…
"...Okay."
Tsuyoi sighed and left the alleyway. His mission was to infiltrate the ship of a Treasurer, back from the Golden Ages of Treasury. Where men were strong enough to deny the United Government and make them seem like a child throwing a tantrum.
Tsuyoi closed his eyes, already regretting everything he will do. Because this isn't just a Treasurer,
It's his captain. Captain Infamy of the 'Great Rebels'. Tsuyoi was his right-hand man for 2 years, Infamy trusted Tsuyoi so much. And Tsuyoi was willing to throw it away just for the safety of his brother and everyone else he cares about.
Before leaving him behind, Tsuyoi has just one more question. "Why do you want his Treasure so damn much? Only the user of the Treasure can use it, can't it?"
He didn't face Meizou, his back was turned towards him. But even so, he could feel the wicked smile on the kid's face. The smile reaching his ears, the red gaze in his eyes softening just slightly.
Meizou doesn't say anything.
Tsuyoi grunted, he wishes he didn't ask. He leaves anyway without a response. When he leaves his presence, he can feel the weight off his shoulder go away.
He walked through the streets of Thalorien with hesitation. He wasn't scared of anything that could pop out of the dark alleyways, no, but he was conflicted about this whole ordeal. "I'd do anything to keep him safe. He'd understand."
Tsuyoi makes his way to the docks and sees the giant ship of the Great Rebels with all its glory. He has been on this ship countless times. He slept, ate, laughed, cried and yelled on this ship.
He climbs on the ship, each climb he takes makes him more nervous. He eventually gets on board and looks around to see if anyone from the crew is here. "They were supposed to be at the bar tonight. Except for Captain. He doesn't drink. He is probably sleeping." He thinks to himself.
He makes his way towards the kitchen. He opens the door casually and tries to hide his fear. When he enters, he sees Infamy sitting at the table with bottles of rum in front of him. Tsuyoi is taken aback and looks at him in worry. From what it looks like, he is drunk.
"Captain..?" His voice comes out shaky. Infamy looks up at the voice of Tsuyoi, his face lights up. Infamy looks like he is in his 50s. He has long silver hair tied on the back of his head. His beard looks dirty, messy, and touched by alcohol.
"Young Ketsui. What are you doing here?" He asks, Tsuyoi sighs. "Just wanted to check on you." He pulls a chair and sits on it backwards. He rests his arms on the spine of the chair.
Infamy nods, and chugs his rum almost effortlessly. "I thought you didn't drink." Tsuyoi says. Infamy wipes his mouth and burps. "I'm a liar, Tsuyoi. Out of all people you should know that."
Tsuyoi pouts at his response. "But why? Not like we'd judge you or anything. Everyone here is an alcoholic anyway. Hell, I drink from time to time." He takes a bottle from him and decides to sip for himself.
Infamy rolls his eyes and leans on his chair, relaxing. "It's not about that. I just… didn't want you guys to know. I lied for so long I'd feel ashamed you all found out."
He looks at the table, devoid of shame. "But I feel nothing. And I knew I would feel nothing, yet I've still kept it a secret. I've been drunk almost all night because these dumbasses can't help but empty the stocks of a bar whenever we visit an Island."
Tsuyoi nods, listening along. Infamy chugs the last bottle and burps again, wiping his mouth with his hand. "Sometimes, people hide something just for the sake of hiding it. Everyone is too afraid to break the chain."
Tsuyoi looked at the floor in shame. "What are you getting at, Cap'?" Infamy sighs and looks at Tsuyoi. "All I'm saying is don't be a pussy. If you have something to say, say it. That's how I rolled, before I turned to a husk of my old self."
Tsuyoi still didn't look up. Infamy groaned. "All I'm saying is, shit is shit because somebody decided to take a crap."
Tsuyoi's mouth is wide open in disbelief. He looks up and meets his gaze. "What the fuck does that mean, Captain Infamy?"
Infamy tried to chug the bottle one last time, trying to get the last drops. "A word to the wise."
Tsuyoi can't help but smile. He almost forgot his objective. When he remembers, his smile drops. Tsuyoi's hand slowly shakes as he gets up. He fakes a smile and heads for the bottles behind Infamy. "Let me get something for you, you drunk bastard."
As he gets past him, he sneakily grabs his necklace that was on the table with swiftly moving hands. His heart skips a beat as he gulps, holding back tears that dare to burst.
Infamy nods, he too fakes a smile. "Thanks, kid." His lips press into a trembling line, he grips on the table, holding everything in. Both of them know, but decide to hide it.
Just for the sake of hiding it.
"A shit is shit because somebody decided to take a crap, huh?" Tsuyoi's voice shakes. He pockets the necklace and puts the rum bottles on Infamy's table. "I… should go check up on my little brother."
Infamy nods and waves his hand, gesturing for him to leave when he wants to. "Off you go then."
Tsuyoi leaves the kitchen and closes the door behind him. The moment he does, he leans on the door and collapses into the floor as tears burst through his eyes. He tries to make them stop, but it's futile. The knot in his throat hurts, everything he just did hurts.
He knows what he just did is a point of no return.
Tsuyoi decides to sit there and sob until he cannot. At least for a few minutes, Tsuyoi just sobs and sinks his face into his knees. He is unaware of Infamy's shadow under the door.
Tsuyoi decides to get up and wipes his tears with his robe. "Farewell, 'Cap. The man that was my teacher, and my father." He mutters through the tears breaking his voice.
He leaves the ship and makes his way towards the alleyway where he met Meizou. In the shadows, he waits. His eyes are puffy and red, signaling that he cried his heart out.
Meizou appears from behind him. But this time his entrance isn't really quiet, Tsuyoi can hear him coming out of the trashcan.
"Good job, partner." Meizou reaches his hand to get the necklace from Tsuyoi. Tsuyoi turns to face Meizou and pulls the necklace out of his pocket. He reluctantly gives it to him.
Meizou inspects the necklace and grins. Tsuyoi gives the Void Treasure Meizou gave to him. "Here. I didn't even need to use it." He looks down at the floor, ashamed to face him.
Meizou nods and puts the watch back in his robe. He then puts the necklace in his left hand and smiles. "Oh Darkness, swallow them whole!"
Wind swirls around Meizou, his dark robe glows with the color violet. Tsuyoi watches in awe. The necklace slowly gets corrupted like the watch, turning into pitch black. "Good business." He puts the necklace in his robe inventory.
Tsuyoi hums in acknowledgement, he doesn't say anything else. The grin on Meizou's face grows bigger. "Hey. About your debt."
Tsuyoi's face lights up as Meizou mentions it. He looks upwards to meet his gaze. "Yeah? What about-"
Meizou acts before Tsuyoi can react. He closes in the distance and slashes his jugular with a knife. Tsuyoi falls on the floor inevitably as blood gushes out of his neck. Meizou grins and watches him fall. "I was going to make a pun about blood debt but I couldn't come up with anything."
Tsuyoi starts to slowly bleed out. Meizou turns his back on him and leaves the alleyway. "Oh wait, I got it! 'Oh yeah, It's paid. With BLOOD. BLOOD DEBT.', damn that sounds so cool. I wish I came up with that earlier."
As Meizou leaves the sight, Tsuyoi slowly regenerates his throat using his Treasure, Phoenix. It allowed Tsuyoi to represent his emotions with blue flames. With positive emotions, he could heal with flames.
The blue flames covered the wound on his jugular and covered it. As he regenerated he got up, facing Meizou with rage and animosity.
"...You…" Tsuyoi loses his composure. He uses all of the strength he has to push off the floor and leap towards Meizou. "...He does what now-" Before Meizou can react, Tsuyoi grabs him by the face and slams him towards a building. "GIVE IT BACK!"
Meizou laughs, he starts to block Tsuyoi's hits. Even though they are fast, they lack technique due to his rage. "Damn. You have a healing Treasure?"
Tsuyoi can't hear a single word Meizou says. All he can see is anger, all he can hear is rage. All he can feel is animosity.
"Give it back!" Tsuyoi roared, his eyes watered as he didn't stop sending his fury at Meizou. Meizou tries to dodge his attacks. Every punch Tsuyoi throws breaks the wall behind Meizou. "Don't you have any other lines? Is that all you can say?"
Meizou tries to gain distance and create an opening to pull out a Treasure from his inventory. But due to Tsuyoi's never ending attacks, all he can do is parry and dodge. "Don't act noble, you damn brute! You stole it, not me! Why act like you care?" Meizou yells with amusement in his voice.
The words don't reach Tsuyoi, he is too focused, too angry. Eventually, one of his punches hit reinforced walls and got stuck inside it. Meizou uses this chance to backstep and create an opening. "Now." He puts his left hand inside his robe. "Hemokinesis."
A pitch-black mask appears in Meizou's hand. He puts it on his face. Tsuyoi guesses it's another Void Treasure. He manages to calm down just a little and pulls his arm out. "What kind of Treasure do you have?" His voice comes out raspy, he will definitely lose his voice tomorrow.
"The horrifying kind." Meizou says, the mask muffles his voice slightly. It is similar to a hockey mask. Meizou opens his palms and activates the Treasure. His mask glows violet as the blood Tsuyoi left in the alleyway leaves the floor and collects in Tsuyoi's palm as a floating orb.
Tsuyoi regained his form and entered a stance. He didn't allow his rage to consume him, but he for sure let it drive him. "The only thing horrifying is your face. But don't worry…"
His fists flash with blue flames. "...I'm about to make it a lot more horrifying."
Meizou too enters a stance of his own but it looks like he lacks the technique Tsuyoi has. "You can't go further north than the north pole."
He watches the rage in Tsuyoi's eyes. The undying determination that raised him from the dead. He starts to realise that he not only has a healing treasure, but also an offensive Treasure. Meizou got what he wanted anyway.
"This looks unwinnable. But anywho-" Meizou forms wings out of the blood he collected and starts to fly and escape to the skies. "I'm not a dog that barks at a tree."
Tsuyoi gasps, the fact that Meizou tries to escape only makes him more angry. He tries to form wings of his own using his Treasure, but his unstable emotional phase makes it so that the wings are burnt out the moment they are formed. "...No!"
He tries to use his flames to repel himself like a jetpack, but their giant output makes him fumble and fall onto the ground.
He tries to grab Meizou, but he is out of reach. He chases behind the flying man. "Give it back!"
Meizou laughs at Tsuyoi's face as the distance gets bigger, he is fully out of his range with no way for Tsuyoi to reach him. "Damn, almost thought you were gonna fly too."
His laugh echoes through the skies, Tsuyoi falls on his knees in despair. He messed it up like always, he couldn't catch him, he couldn't stop him.
He ruined everything, just for nothing.
And that, dear reader, is the first piece of the domino. The first flap of the Butterfly's wings. This was the beginning of a tale. A tale of a young man chasing the prophecy that left him behind.