A Bro's Life (AGG-ish Anime Bro Quest)

[X] ...Rush in and cut the arm off. While you've still got the chance.

The rest of the world starts to fall away as you watch Kizawa fight with Arashi over control of his body. The human boy has a firm grip on the red arm with his own, face contorted in rage as he fights against the oni. Arashi, on the other hand, is doing everything in her power to force the human away. Her arm, despite being ethereal, has grabbed the human's head and is pushing it away from her.

Your eyes keep darting between the two, mind racing as you try to figure out what to do. When it comes down to it, you're in rough shape. Arashi is too, but you don't think her injuries are as bad as yours. Not to mention you can literally feel them slowing you down by the second. Yato's emotions are helping you out, but you don't know how long that will be the case. If you're not careful, this'll turn into a battle of attrition that you're not sure you can win.

But now? Now, Kuziwa was giving you a chance. He still had the arm in his grip and the oni was wide open. If you attacked now, you could probably take the arm off easy. One blow is all it would take to end this. Just move in, cut his arm off, and the oni goes away.

But...but...

"I...I can't," you say out loud even as your body shakes with barely constrained energy. You feel your arms get heavy as you shake your head, "I can't do it. Not after all this."

Kuziwa, having heard you, yells again as he pushes back against Arashi, "It's alright, Hayato-san! If it's the only way to stop her then do so!"

"But it's not! There's a way to beat her and let you keep the arm. We don't have to cut it off!"

"Even so, if you could've done that already, wouldn't you?" you flinch at Kuziwa's words. That's all the confirmation he needs. He forces Arashi back, grabbing the wrists of his possessed arm and holding it in place, "Then there's no need to hesitate! Do it! Cut my arm off!" Despite his words, you shake your head in defiance. He frowns and shouts again, "Please, Hayato-san! I do not wish to have my body used to hurt anyone else! The idea of others dying because of my weakness...I couldn't bare the burden."

"But what about you!" your words make both Kuziwa and Arashi pause in their struggles. Both turn to you with their faces masks of confusion. You feel your fists start to shake as you yell, "I...I don't know when you lost your arm. Nor do I entirely know how it feels to live without one. But how did it feel when you got it back?! How happy were you when you realized you didn't have to live that way anymore?!"

This time, Kuziwa is the one who flinches at your words. His inability or unwillingness to respond gives you the opening you need. You step forward and keep talking, "That's why I won't just cut your arm off. There is a way to get that damn monster out, and if we can pull it off then you get to keep the arm! It's a win-win! Why wouldn't I try to pull that off? Why wouldn't I try to make sure you don't have to lose something that improved your life?"

"Hayato-san, it's fine. We just-"

"It doesn't matter if we just met!" you put your hand over your heart as you speak with all sincerity, "You could be a total stranger to me, and I would still risk this much to save you! I'm not doing it for a damn reason! Not for some grand purpose! I'm doing it 'cause it's right!"

The entire arena is silent after your words. Kuziwa and Arashi both stand stunned, watching you with surprised expressions on their faces. You're vaguely aware of Yato saying something to you, but you can't hear it over your heart pounding in your ears. Your breathing is heavy but the adrenaline and confidence in your blood keeps you standing. You can feel the determined expression on your face, never once wavering as you stare both the human and the oni down.

Then Kuziwa closes his eyes.

[Empathy Check: Feelings: 35 VS DC 20: Success! +3XP]

When he speaks, you hear both happiness and sadness at the same time, "Such kindness. Thank you, Hayato-s...no, Hayato-sama."

He turns his head away as he grabs his arm even harder. He shouts with an even greater force, making Arashi's ethereal visage shake as her grip begins to loosen. His grip on his possessed arm starts to tighten...and that's when you start hearing bones break.

"Wh-Are you crazy?!" Arashi shouts, just as shocked as you are.

"Hayato-sama...shouldn't stain his hands...with something like this," Kuziwa speaks through pained groans, his possessed arm starting to bend in his other arm's grip. You could see muscles and veins bulging in the arm he could control, while the other one started to slowly bend at an odd angle. You could see tears start streaming down his face as he continued, "I won't...allow such a pure-hearted person...to perform such an...ugly act!"

"You're insane if you think I'm gonna let you!" Arashi shouts, redoubling her efforts to fight back Kuziwa, "This is my arm! My body! My only chance! You won't take it from me!" But despite her strength, Kuziwa was slowly winning out. His arm kept bending further and further...

"Kuziwa!" the word leaves you as you take off toward the possessed man. You ignore the pain in your legs, pushing them as far as you can without making them break. You don't care about anything else right now. You just gotta get there to stop him!

"My Lord now's your chance!" Yato says in your mind as you start getting closer, "You must take the arm off now!"

"I can't! I won't!" is your response, "I will not break my word!"

"Then you would rather Kuziwa break it in a vain attempt to fix the issue?"

You bite your tongue, unable to come up with an answer.

"My Lord, you know what must be done. If you hesitate any longer, then Kuziwa will let his guard down and the oni will take control. All of your progress will be reset, and you'll have to fight him again. And I don't think the oni will be as easy to defeat next time."

You grit your teeth.

"Please, my lord. You must!"

You do your best to hold back your cry of fury.

"Don't let Kuziwa's actions be in vain, my lord!"

You scream to the heavens as you raise one of your hands. You're only five steps away from Kuziwa now, neither him nor Arashi paying any attention to you. A lump forms in your chest as your arm starts moving down-

[CSC: Yamato Trickery: 102 + 50 (Yameko Trickery) + 10 (Shadow Fox Style: Shadow Moving Passive) = 162 VS DC 100 Great Success! Yamato Is Undetected!]

[Yamato ??? Trait Activates; Shadow Fox Style treated as 100 for this Skill Check]

[Yamato Martial Arts Sneak Attack Check: 100 (Shadow Fox Style) + 50 (Yameko Shadow Fox Style) + 75 (Shadow Fox Style: Soul Splitting Claw) + 21 (Darts) + 15 (Sneak Attack) = 261 VS DC 100 - 50 (Sneak Attack) = 50: Great Success!; +5 XP]

Then you see it.

A flash of golden fur just behind Arashi and Kuziwa.

A blur of motion turns into a shadowy, five-tailed fox.

And, riding atop that shadow, three black darts held between his fingers, is your brother.

Yamato.

You see his lips move and, somehow, you're able to hear him speak.

"Shadow Fox Style: Soul Splitting Claw."

The darts fly from his hand.

They cut through the air, the lights above literally parting before them. Their trajectory? Straight for Arashi.

Not the arm she's in, but her ethereal body.

For a second, you thought that Yamato missed.

But then the darts hit Arashi and embedded themselves into her ethereal body.

There's the sound of a feral beast's cry...then three large red lines appear along Arashi's left side.

"AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!" Arashi screams the arm she's possessing rapidly changing color. The red skin that covered it from fingers to shoulder, now only went up to its wrist. Kuziwa stared at the now flailing oni with awe, completely stunned by the sudden turn of events.

"Lord Hayato! The link between the two is weak! Now is the time!" you're moving before Yato can finish. With an air-splitting roar, you curl your right hand into a fist. Then you bring it down on Kuziwa's wrist.

There's the sound of bones breaking as Kuziwa's wrist bends at an angle...but it's enough.

The last of the red skin disappears from his arm.

And Arashi is sent flying back, form flickering in the light of the auditorium.

---

Finally. Sorry it took so long. Was stumped as to how to handle this whole situation. I hope you guys like it, and it doesn't feel too much like a cop out.

Also, to explain what Yamato did, you know those times in Anime where the MC suddenly masters/learns a technique during a time of great crisis? Then when the crisis is over they suddenly forget it and return to normal? Yeah, that's what this is.

You fall to your knees, adrenaline finally starting to run its course. You wince when one knee touches the floor, managing to hold yourself up by planting a fist against the arena floor. Heavy breaths leave you as your blood stains the ground below. Your wounds don't feel as bad as they did before. You guess that whatever magical bullshit the Oni put on you went away after she got taken out of Kuziwa. Doesn't really matter. You're just glad your arms and legs aren't burning anymore.

"Brother!" you look up to see Yamato running toward you from the stands. Yameko, back in her human form, is following him as he gets to the edge of the seats.

You smile through the pain, lifting a thumb up to show your appreciation. You don't know if he sees it or not. Mainly cause the moment he reaches the edge, he leaps over it with way more agility than you've ever seen him use. Yameko is quick to follow, her tails wrapping around and under him to make sure his fall is a smooth one. They both land with barely a sound, Yamato quickly leaving Yameko's tails to run to you.

"Hey, Yam. How's it going?" you manage to say as he stops next to you, "You sure go-"

"Not now. Show me your arms," Yamato doesn't even wait to grab your arms and starts looking at them.

[Medicine: Surgery: 6: Failure]

He grits his teeth while shaking his head, "I can't tell how bad the damage is. I should've stopped at the medical area before coming here. But that would've cost precious seconds needed to get here to help you. I shouldn't have wasted time speaking to Estella."

"Hey, bro?" you try to get his attention.

He ignores you, looking at your legs instead. His expression gets darker, "Legs are also injured. Attacks aimed at the knees. Likely tried to stop you from moving. If I got here earlier than that wouldn't have happened."

"Bro?"

"Yameko!" he turns around as his Partner gets close to him. She stops in her tracks, a worried expression on her face. He starts pointing at one of the doors, "Go get a first aid kit! Now! Before anything-"

"Yamato! I'm alri-"

"No you're not!" you almost jump at the sound of your brother yelling at you. You haven't heard him yell at you like that in...ever actually. You can't remember him ever yelling at you. Much less with the frustration and anger clear in his eyes. His hands curl into fists as he continues, "You're not alright! Your arms and legs are bleeding, you just got done fighting a monster, you've been fighting like this for who knows how long, and I don't know what to do!"

He starts huffing while his eyes, far more emotive than you've ever seen before, stare daggers into your own. You are left speechless in front of your suddenly very vocal brother. Where has this side of him been hiding this entire time? And why did it come out right when you're actually hurt? A few moments of silence pass with your brother staring you down with his frustrated eyes while you just blink in surprise. Then, as if realizing what he just did, Yamato blinks and turns his head away. He bites his bottom lip as he suddenly becomes extremely embarrassed, "I-I-I apologize, Hayato. That wasn't-I-I didn't mean to-what I am trying to say is-"

[Empathy: Feelings: 35: Pass]

You reach out a hand and pat your brother on the shoulder. That gets him to stop stuttering and looking at the floor. You smile and rub his shoulder, "Don't be sorry, bro. If anything, I should apologize for making you worry so much. And be thanking you. If you hadn't shown up when you did then..."

You let the implications go unspoken. You look down at the floor holding up one of your gauntlet covered hands. Briefly, what you were going to do flashes before your eyes. Were you really going to-

You go still as you see Yamato's hand cover your own. You look up to see him looking at you, eyes filled with understanding. Any turmoil in your heart calms as you look at him. Then you smile. Right. Right now, you should be congratulating your brother. You lift your head then pat him on the back, "But lets forget about me for a second. What about you?! That was so fucking cool! How'd you manage to throw those darts of yours like that? And did you see Yameko!? She looked awesome!"

Your heart rises as you see Yamato visible calm down. His shoulders stop slumping, his head looks up to match your gaze, and his expression is back to the way it usually is. Which is great in your book. While it was nice to see that your brother can still show his emotions, that expression of worry and frustration doesn't suit him. Even his tone of voice has returned to normal, evidenced by his next words, "I am afraid I have no concrete answer for you, Hayato. I am not entirely sure what allowed me to do any of what happened. Perhaps Yameko could tell us?"

The both of you turn to look at the Kitsune. She's knelt down next to Yamato in her human form with both of her tails over his back. Unfortunately, she shakes her head to show she has no idea either. She looks at Yamato with a serious frown, "That technique you used...the Soul Splitting Claw...it's not something a novice should be able to do."

"Novice?" you look to Yamato for an explanation but he only shrugs to show his own confusion.

Yameko continues when it's clear you're both lost, "While I have been teaching Yamato-sama more of the Shadow Fox Style, we have not gone beyond the bare basics of the Martial Art. And even I am merely an adept of the style not a master. But that technique is one that can only be used by those who have mastered the style and are touching upon grandmastery. It directly attacks the soul of the target with the objective being to damage the connection between it and the rest of the body. Doing so leaves the target vulnerable to the rest of the style's techniques."

"Then, how did Yamato use it?" you point a finger at your brother in confusion.

"I...do not know."

"Did you feel anything during our use of the technique, Yameko?"

She places a hand on her head, "Just...your want to help Hayato. That's all. After that...nothing."

"So, my brother somehow managed to use a technique that he shouldn't know just because he wanted to help me?"

Yameko nods.

"That's cool as hell. Thanks, Yam!" you pat him on the back again.

He doesn't react very much, "It is no trouble. I merely-"

"You...," you all turn toward the edge of the arena where Arashi fell. She's still there but her body isn't as solid as it once was. In fact from you're standing, she's literally flickering in and out of reality.

You tense up in case she tries something, but Yato's voice calms you, "Don't worry, my Lord. She has lost her connection to this world. She will not be able to hurt anyone anymore."

"You...do you have any...no, no, no!" she starts shaking her head while reaching out for you with her right arm. But said arm quickly disappears into the ether. She starts to panic as more of her body starts disappearing as well. Eventually, she glares daggers at you and bares her fangs. Eyes blazing with hate she points her remaining left arm at you, "You...you bastards! This...you...you fuck-"

Then, within the blink of an eye, she's gone. You turn to Yato and say, "What happened to her?"

"She is gone. Her soul has left this plain. Another reason that such a forced Bonding Ritual is generally avoided. If forcibly severed, then the Monster's soul will return from whence it came," Yato explains with a finality to his tone. There's a palpable sense of relief from him as he speaks. As if seeing the Oni gone has lifted a weight from his shoulders.

A groaning sound makes you all turn to look at Kuziwa. Your former opponent is on splayed out on the floor, his wrist broken and mouth hanging open. You try to get to your feet but Yamato insists you remain where you are. The two of you watch as Kuziwa's chest starts to rise and fall. The following snoring sound confirms that he's asleep. You let out a sigh of relief, "Good. Good. He's alright."

"That is a good thing. However, there is another issue," Yamato turns his eyes to Kuziwa left arm. No longer coated in red skin, it now looks like a totally normal arm. Save for the fact that the wrist is bent at an odd angle. You wince as you remember when you punched it and heard bones cracking...and at the fact that you now have a bigger issue...

"Yeah...how are we gonna explain his new arm?" you rub at the back of your neck while wracking your brain for an answer...and coming up with nothing.

"We can handle that."

You, Yamato, and Yameko all turn to the new but familiar voice coming from one of the arena entrances. There you spot Estella being wheeled in by Irina. The blonde bodyguard is pushing Estella's wheelchair with one hand while the other rubs at her neck. You can hear her mumbling curses under her breath at the two get closer to your position. You start to panic as your eyes go to Yameko, who still has her tails out. You lift your head up before saying, "Estella! This isn't what you-"

"It's alright, Hayato," Yamato assures you, "they're like us."

"Huh?" you turn back to Estella and Irina, the two stopping a few feet in front the two of you. You spot Yameko bowing to the two out the corner of your eye, while Yamato watches the two with expectation in his eyes.

Estella looks back at Irina, "She and I are...hmm...how do you think I should put it, Irina?"

Irina hums for a few moments, tapping at her chin with a finger. Then she looks down at Estella, "Hmm, how about, consort? Or maybe playmate? Or just mate could work?"

"Ignore her, please," Estella suddenly says, ignoring the smug grin on Irina's face. You tilt your head in confusion, but Estella is quick to get everyone's attention, "But, yes. The two of us are Partners in much the same way as Yamato and you are. On that note, you did a splendid job defeating the Oni. I shall ensure that any wounds you sustained are taken care of, as well as handle explaining the sudden appearance of Kuziwa's arm."

"What of the surveillance room? Did you find anyone?" Yamato asks the two.

Irina scowls, "Nope. Someone was there, we can tell you that. But they got away before we could corner them. Thankfully, the Princess here knows a bit about making doctored footage. Anyone who checks the cameras for what happened today will just get a loop of the first part of your bro's fight."

"And what are you gonna do with Kuziwa?" you say, wanting to be sure that he's taken care of.

"Once he awakens I will offer him the chance to be taken in by my company for a time. We'll say that his arm is an experimental procedure we've been developing that happened to be a success, but had side effects that we need to work on. It wouldn't be out of character for us to do something like that," her intact hand moves over to her prosthetic one for a second. You see Irina's expression soften as she reaches down and gently squeezes Estella's shoulder. Estella thanks her while putting her intact hand over Irina's.

You feel more of the tension in your body start to fade, "And...you think that'll work?"

Irina shrugs, "Anyone got any better ideas?"

All of you remain silent.

"Thought so. Just leave it to the Princess. She loves doing stuff like this."

"That being said," Estella's expression turns serious. She looks at each of you in turn before crossing her arms and speaking with finality, "I believe that we all have much to talk about. Once everything here is settled, I would like the two of you to meet with me somewhere secluded at Raijin. Bring anyone you trust or is aware of what is going on with you, please. I don't know what this Organization is planning, but I will not sit by and let them put the lives of my juniors at risk."

You look over at Yamato.

He looks at you.

The two of you have a quick, silent conversation with your eyes.

"Think we should trust her?"

"She has done nothing to indicate we shouldn't so far. And she is aware of monsters and Bonds. What about you?"

[Empathy: Motives: 33: Pass]

"Doesn't seem like she's lying. So, I think we can trust her. But I wanted to run it by you first."

"Then I will accept whatever you decide, Hayato."

"Got it."

You turn back to Estella and take a moment to think. Then you answer...

[] You'll meet her and Irina after this. Guess it's time to get serious. (1 AP will be locked to meeting Estella and Irina next week)

[] You need some time to think about it. Get to know her a little better. (No AP Lock; New Action Open)

[] You'll have to decline. You don't know if you can really trust her. (No AP Lock: New Action Open; Lose RP with Irina and Estella)

[] Write in....