[The Daniels Estate, Havok, Piasu, Ryomania, 10:43 AM, May 7th, Tuesday, 2025]
Erika then grabbed the baseball bat off her backpack and immediately swung forward.
Erika Daniels: "I haven't told you guys yet but I've got powers of my own!"
Surprisingly, the bat grew in size and knocked the three of us backwards. Jack and I got caught in Cathy's aura.
Erika Daniels: "The Divinity Of Wood, sounds simple... But it ain't that simple."
Erika barked out a laugh and slammed the baseball bat into the ground. It stretched out and grew around her like roots.
She had clung to the bat as it stretched upward, lifting her, making an overall sort of pillar of wood.
Erika Daniels: "Well, come on then, hit me!"
James Karawei: "This is not what I expected from training!"
Cathy pushed us off of her with a huff.
Cathy Ariston: "Stop being so damn clingy! Look, we'll do it in bursts. James first, then Jack, and then I. Got it?!"
Before she could say something else, Jack rushed ahead at Erika as some of the wooden tendrils bent downwards to hit him; he dodged perfectly.
Jack Daniels: "No ma'am! I do not have it!" He smirked as he continued dodging the root attacks.
Erika barked out another laugh as she now sat on a wooden chair above the wooden monstrosity of tendrils.
Erika Daniels: "Atta' boy Jackie! Treat this like a boss-fight. Now it's getting fun."
Jack's eyes began glowing again, like in the battle with Normand, his skin hardened and shimmered.
Jack Daniels: "Second Step: Titan!"
He grabbed one of the tendrils and yanked it out from the ground, ripping it off the others, surprising even Erika.
He then lifted it and swung downwards. Erika lifted her right arm and caught it like it was no big deal.
Erika Daniels: "Idiot! Have you learnt nothing from me?"
She jumped up, yanking the tendril out of his grip and absorbing it into herself.
My feet moved before I could even process, and I ran up behind her. Getting into the heat of battle.
Cathy followed quickly.
Cathy Ariston: "Okay, I'm going to boost you, just... run around and shoot her with your freaky vines or something... dumbass!"
I nodded and stretched out my hands as I ran around the pillar of wood.
James Karawei: "Serene Garden: Growth Sprouts!"
Rainbow roses started growing over my arms as bubbles flew out of my hands, and I felt Cathy's aura covering my body, holding me gently.
Erika looked at us, only to be hit by Jack with a spin-kick as he stood on her wooden platform.
Jack Daniels: "Oh, was that too hard?"
She chuckled.
Erika Daniels: "You've already learned teamwork, eh? Not bad..."
She grabbed Jack by the leg, locking eyes with him and grinning.
Jack Daniels: "W-wait, sis, I don't think—"
Erika Daniels: "Shut your trap, ass-hat!"
She cackled and swung him around, thrice, before throwing him into a nearby tree, she flicked her wrist and the tree toppled onto him.
Erika Daniels: "One down! Two more to go... Come at me! Weaklings!" She continued cackling as she sat back in her root-chair.
I furrowed my brow in concentration, and I then shot Cathy a glance.
James Karawei: "Cathy! I have an idea, give me a lift!"
Without hesitation, she threw me onto the pillar, and as Erika turned around, I clasped my arms together.
James Karawei: "Serene Garden: Pinpoint Burst!"
All the bubbles in the area suddenly flew towards her face at an alarming speed. Erika held up her arms as her skin turned into wood, a strange red glow coming from her eyes.
Erika Daniels: "Not bad, dumbass, haha!"
She cackled even as each bubble exploded directly against her, her legs now fused with the pillar itself, twisted. She turned her body to wood.
Cathy desperately stood her ground as the pillar writhed and so did its roots, smacking the ground and me, even though I was protected by Cathy's aura, I did almost fall off the pillar.
I then raised my right hand directly at Erika, and she kicked it away.
I kicked back, and even through all the bursting bubbles we exchanged blow for blow.
Erika Daniels: "Holy shit, Jamie. You know how to fight!"
She laughed deliriously before landing a kick directly in my groin, sending me reeling backwards.
Cathy Ariston: "YOU BITCH!" Cathy gasped and flew upwards, ripping chunks from the ground alongside her.
She flew up onto the platform as the last bubble popped against Erika. Erika turned around with a grin and elbowed Cathy in the stomach, going through her aura and knocking her off the platform.
Erika Daniels: "Stay out of the dance, kitty, you'll get your turn~"
I couldn't stand up as the pillar shifted beneath my hands, trying to trap me.
I grabbed Erika's leg on pure instinct.
James Karawei: "Serene Garden: Fester!"
Immediately, tiny bubble spikes spurt forth from inside her leg, exploding and breaking cartilage and bones. Sharp bubbles also burst forth, causing the skin to tear.
She howled in pain and let out a noise that sounded suspiciously like a gasp.
Erika quickly kicked me in the head, sending me off the platform.
Erika Daniels: "You fucker!~ Can't even kill me... Mhm haha...."
She giggled to herself as the pillar toppled over. Unrooting it with her ability.
Roots came up out of the earth, trapping Cathy onto the ground and me. The pillar fell onto her and me as it split into two. Erika fell perfectly down the middle, arms crossed as her leg crackled in pain.
Erika Daniels: "Alright, shitheads, that's enough! Are you all okay? No? Good. THIS is how you learn!"
She glanced around, waiting for the dust to settle.
Jack pushed the tree off himself, barely, and stood up.
Jack Daniels: "I... I think my arms are crying..."
He said, grinning weakly.
I stood up slowly, clutching my side.
James Karawei: "I'm good, despite the groin shot... You fight dirty, Erika."
Erika Daniels: "So do you, asshole! Look at my leg! This was supposed to be training. Not a battle. Although... It makes me happy knowing you could handle me~"
She winked and went over to where the pillar fell onto Cathy, limping.
Erika stretched out her hand and absorbed all the roots into her body again. Chuckling.
Cathy flew up and immediately grabbed Erika, going high into the sky and punching her.
Cathy Ariston: "I'M GONNA KILL YOU, YOU— HOW DARE YOU DO THIS TO US?!"
Erika put a hand to her throat, staring into her eyes with a serious expression despite being pummeled in the head. Erika's eyes glowed a bright red, mist coming from them, similar to Jack's technique.
Erika Daniels: "Sixth Step: Shalom..."
Cathy's eyes fluttered shut, and they both fell back down to the ground. Erika held up her leg and caught Cathy with roots that flew out of her leg, arms still crossed.
Erika Daniels: "What? You thought that'd fluster me? Moron. Just calm down, this was just a bit of a friendly spar... No need for violence, well, more violence."
She turned her head and spat out a tooth out of her mouth alongside blood and a few strands of Cathy's hair.
Jack ran up to her.
Jack Daniels: "Sis, are you sure you can fix all this stuff? It took Amelia a week to re-plant the hedges and trees here last time!"
Erika Daniels: "Yeah, yeah, don't worry about it. I'll help her if things get out of control, I like gardening too."
She wrapped her arms around his neck, a strange glow covering her body like Cathy's aura, except it being red.
Erika Daniels: "Fifth Step: Selah."
Jack's skin turned back to normal, and his lower lip stopped bleeding. His body began healing rapdily.
I stepped closer to them, glancing over at Cathy on the ground and then at Erika. She looked over her shoulder at me as she released Jack.
Jack Daniels: "Woah... fifth step? That felt better than the third... Never mind! Thanks, sis, you're awesome!"
Jack hugged her and stepped back, smirking.
Erika Daniels: "No problem, ass-hat."
Erika rolled her eyes, looking between them affectionately.
She limped towards me, pointing at her left leg.
Erika Daniels: "You did a number on me, not bad kid."
She grabbed my shoulder and looked into my eyes with the same serious expression.
Erika Daniels: "Selah..."
I looked down at myself and felt her aura encircling me. I felt as though my injuries were dissipating into thin air; I genuinely got healed.
James Karawei: "Thanks... That feels pretty good. And sorry for the leg, I got carried away."
She chuckled and ruffled my hair, pushing me back.
Erika Daniels: "Of course YOU'D get carried away, Karawei~"
Erika then went over to Cathy, still limping... The thorn spikes are causing her bones to crack sickeningly inside of her flesh.
She put her hand on Cathy's forehead as she squatted down, saying the same strange phrase.
Erika Daniels: "Selah..."
Cathy quickly stood up, arms raised like a boxer.
Cathy Ariston: "Wuh...! I'll gut you! I'LL GUT YOU!"
Erika Daniels: "Calm down! It's over, look, I'm sorry, but this is the only way to train you guys. It's supposed to make you think as if you were in a REAL battle, you get it, don't you, Jack?"
She held her arms out, trapping Cathy within a box of roots.
Jack Daniels: "Yeah, but I understood it since I fought that Raijin guy! It's the power of teamwork! Or something to do with energy? I dunno... Feels cool though."
Cathy slowly let her arms fall back into her usual crossed arm stance; she snickered.
Cathy Ariston: "Fuck. You're corny. Alright, I'm sorry... I got carried away, it's all just pretend. Sorry. Let me out."
She glanced over at me and then at Erika. Erika chuckled and absorbed the roots back into her arms.
Cathy Ariston: "Well, what now? I forgive you and whatnot... Even though you kicked James in the groin."
Erika held up her hand and she clutched her left leg, once again saying—
Erika Daniels: "Fifth Step: Selah..."
Her leg healed instantly as her aura flared and then disappeared into herself; my soapy thorns all vanished too without me deactivating my ability.
James Karawei: "Whoa... Erika, what exactly is that?"
She smiled and beckoned us closer with her hand.
Erika leaned over and whispered.
Erika Daniels: "It's Flow... And you'll all learn it by the time I'm done with you, or you're eating grass. Or ass. Whichever hurts more."
Cathy rolled her eyes so hard she almost fell over.
Cathy Ariston: "Ugh, I almost gagged. Gross much?"
Erika Daniels: "I'm joking, Queenie, calm it."
Cathy shot her a death stare, and she just laughed it off.
James Karawei: "Wow... You and Jack are so much alike —I mean... That was amazing! You're super strong and... I think I broke a rib. But you healed it. So we're good, right?"
I muttered, turning to look up at Erika, who was now pacing around us, swinging her bat rhythmically. Which somehow found itself in her hands again.
Jack Daniels: "I told you my sister is strong! Maybe too strong..."
Jack said, sitting down on the ground, no cares at all, and propping himself on his elbows to look at Erika.
Cathy Ariston: "No, seriously, that was quite the workout, even though we didn't do much to her."
Cathy hovered closer, looking over at me.
Erika Daniels: "Pfft, you're super weak though! All you did was kick up some dust... I expected more, especially from you, James."
James Karawei: "Okay... What the heck is that thing?! It's not a real bat, is it? Is that a part of your Divinity?"
Erika put the bat on her left shoulder and looked at me, confused for a moment.
Erika Daniels: "It IS a real bat dumbass, it's just one of those artifact thingies."
Cathy Ariston: "Artifact thingies, seriously...? What does that mean?"
Erika sighed and sheathed her bat into her backpack.
Erika Daniels: "You want the short version or the long version?"
Cathy Ariston: "Don't bore us."
Erika Daniels: "Mhm... Basically... It's like this thing invented by a guy a long time ago, and it's a tool or weapon or an accessory that has special abilities due to being infused by the essence of a Holiness. Which is in them. My bat here is called The Solar Branch. Can't tell ya much else though, The Boss'll punish me~"
She punctuated her words by swinging her bat, sending splinters flying straight into the ground.
James Karawei: "Wow, that's the short version. So, they're basically doohickeys with Holies in them?"
Erika Daniels: "Kind of. There are a lot of them, dunno the exact number. They're made with essences from a bunch of different Holies. Sometimes having natural Holies too. Again, can't tell you much more, Syndicate business, very secretive, yatta yatta."
James Karawei: "I see... Well, thanks for the info, I guess. Everyone seems to be withholding information from us—"
Erika chuckled and stepped closer, poking me in the chest with her bat.
Erika Daniels: "I told you, I have the Wood Divinity. This ol' thing just helps me use it better. Got it? Yeah, you hit it a couple of times, but air bursts won't break it. Nothing will. Now stop looking disappointed, dumbass."
Jack's belly suddenly rumbled, and he patted his stomach and sighed.
Jack Daniels: "Damn, all this talking and fighting's got me a little hungry..."
Cathy Ariston: "Jack's right. We should probably take a break. I'm not even sure how good this training is for us!"
Erika wrapped her arms around the three of us, pulling us close.
Erika Daniels: "Oh, it's good, alright... good enough to fight against The Magi, at least."
Jack Daniels: "The Magi? Is that a new ramen brand? You know I'm more of a soup guy."
Erika Daniels: "They're the next ones coming after you, ass-hat. Haven't you heard the old story? The Three Wise Men? That's them."
Cathy Ariston: "The Three Wise Men? The Magi... You mean like the actual Magi from over 2000 years ago?! That's bollocks."
Erika barked a laugh and pushed us. We stumbled backward onto Cathy's aura, and she caught us gently.
Erika Daniels: "Yep! The same old geezers from back then are still alive today. I can't tell you how, though. I can't tell you a lot of things... Either way, The Boss told them to come get ya—all three of ya!"
I furrowed my brow, letting out a breath I didn't know I'd been holding...
James Karawei: "That's pretty crazy, but Jack's right, we should take a break... It's strange, though. We've only been here for what? A day? And the police haven't looked here yet."
We began walking back toward the main entrance of the mansion. I waved at Amelia, who was watching us excitedly through a window. She picked up a duster and pretended to be cleaning as Erika looked at her.
Jack Daniels: "Why are you so worried? They don't even know what we look like! Plus, there were zero witnesses. How do you even know they're looking for us?"
Cathy threw a small pebble at Jack, who just stuck his tongue out at her.
Cathy Ariston: "Because they came to James's house, you moron. They figured it out somehow— Who wouldn't notice an entire school blowing up? Especially with no apparent cause."
We walked alongside the hedge bushes trimmed by Amelia.
Cathy Ariston: "Erika, do you think it's safe for us to walk around the city? I want to get out of these stinking clothes already! I haven't even eaten in two days..."
Erika Daniels: "See? That's why you need training. Your Divinity is... interesting, to say the least. It repels anything that can be considered 'physical,' including food, drink, objects, and even people. It's a simple downside, but it's annoying. I'm surprised you're still sane! I couldn't go without a good shower every day. That's why my hair is impeccable and silky~"
Cathy Ariston: "Yeah, I noticed, 'Queenie'. Honestly, I'd like not to have an aura at all. But I guess in fights, it would be useful."
The four of us went inside and headed for the kitchen. Jack immediately plopped down onto a barstool, Cathy stretched languidly above one of the clear countertops, and Erika began grabbing ingredients for a steak.
Erika Daniels: "I'm making steak! I don't want to hear complaints, especially from you, Jack!"
Jack yawned and waved dismissively.
Jack Daniels: "Okay, mom, whatever!"
Erika looked back at him, genuinely angry, before turning back to the fridge.
I sat down next to Jack.
James Karawei: "So, how are you taking all this 'supernatural' stuff in? You seem relaxed, like always..."
Jack turned to me, propping himself up on his elbows, his head tilted as he played with a Coco-Cola can. Which was somehow already on the counter.
Jack Daniels: "Dude, honestly... It's pretty damn cool. I sort of always knew about them. Y'know? I mean... Erika—she never really tried to hide it, so I caught her using her wood powers a couple of times when we were younger, then there's the phone calls, my dead parents, the money, the loneliness... Oh, don't worry about it, I don't find it gloomy. It makes me pumped up! I'd like to find out who killed them one day, and now I can probably do that faster! Do you think I have a Divinity? Like her?"
He gestured toward Cathy, who was struggling to drink her can of Coco-Cola. Grumbling and putting it down again on the counter.
Jack Daniels: "I envy her. She has control over gravity and telekinesis. She's super awesome! She's also super kind, just doesn't like showing it. Despite what she says, honestly? I wish I could be like her. She's strong."
James Karawei: "Wait... Your parents are dead? I thought they were overseas somewhere..."
Jack looked back at me, smiling wistfully.
Jack Daniels: "Nah man, that's something I say when I'm not comfy with truth, but after everything... I can trust you bro! Just don't tell Cathy, or bring it up to Erika, it makes her fume~"
James Karawei: "I'm sorry to hear that... I'll... If you need help..."
Jack Daniels: "I know. You don't have to."
Erika turned around and looked at us. She pointed the wooden spoon she was holding at me.
Erika Daniels: "Hey! Shut up! James. Can you go to the butcher's and pick up some prime cuts? I'd send Amelia, but I have a feeling you should go. We're out."
I glanced between Jack and Erika and stood up, sighing.
James Karawei: "You're sure I won't be recognized?"
Erika Daniels: "Uh huh, take this with you."
She handed me the spoon, which turned into the baseball bat from earlier as I grabbed it.
James Karawei: "Woah! What?! Is this your bat...?
Erika Daniels: "Take it. It's just a copy. And I have a feeling you'll need it more than I do! Plus, I can make as many of them as I want!"
She demonstrated by making two more baseball bats with her hands. Winking.
Cathy Ariston: "Stop being weird, Erika! Ugh, just focus on cooking..."
Erika Daniels: "Yeah, okay, sure."
She grinned at Cathy, causing her to bury her head in her hands again and groan. Jack chuckled and opened another can of Coco-Cola, the first one seemingly finished.
Jack Daniels: "Go on, James. You'll be fine."
James Karawei: "I'll try my best... Thanks for telling me."
I gave him a hug, took the bat from her and propped it against my shoulder.
With a nod and a wave, I went out the door. The breeze hit me, and for the first time in a while, I felt... alive.
I holstered the bat, which strapped itself to my back, and it crawled up my face before taking on the form of a wooden mask.
James Karawei: "What the..."
I prodded at it, and the wood shifted under my fingertips, reacting to me.
I took a deep breath.
I was filled with new purpose and determination. Finally.
With that, I stepped onto the front lawn, opened the gate, and ventured out into the whole wide world.