With a firm grasp, Nishi held up Keiji by the throat, the wind blowing aggressively through the clearing they stood in. Keiji thrashed against Nishi, some of his thrashing amounting to attacks, but not very effective ones.
Squinting his eyes, Nishi released Keiji, watching as he fell to the ground gasping for air, "W-wait, I can still-"
"Don't waste your breath, you're at your limit, there is no shame in that," Nishi said as he smiled, looking down at Keiji whose body was drenched in sweat, "You give more effort than most, not to mention the quality of your negativity, the hatred and resentment that boils within you is helping push you," Nishi explained with crossed arms, staring up into the swaying trees.
Slowly standing, Keiji rubbed his throat as he glanced to Nishi with a strained expression, "I-I'm sorry for being unable to replicate my strike against Nakai... Master Nishi," Keiji spoke with regret in his voice.
Looking off towards the village, Nishi responded promptly, "It normally takes much longer to harness your emotions like that, it just means your loathing and rage were sufficient enough to force it out."
Staring off at the village as Keiji now stood beside Nishi, he asked softly, "You said I have talent, right, Master Nishi?"
His eyes drifted to meet Keiji's, before slowly looking back to the village, "Those who harbor strong negativity will always outperform those of kind hearted and gentle people," Nishi paused as he stuffed his hands into his pockets, beginning to walk towards the village, "That's a simple fact of sorcery."
Looking a bit taken off guard by his sudden movement, Keiji staggered as he began to walk alongside him, "So... Sorcery is strongest in the hands of those type of people, Master Nishi?" Keiji asked curiously.
Nodding, Nishi pushed a branch of his way as he reached the outskirts of the village, hopping over a wooden fence as he glanced over his shoulder, "Correct..." Nishi said as he paused for a moment, "I lost count long ago of how many heroes tried to free those under my control," Nishi said with a smirk, "No matter the era, just like how evil lurks around every corner, so too does good."
Looking shocked, Keiji almost falls as he swings his arms rapidly to balance himself, landing on the other side, "Free those under your control?" He repeated curiously.
With a curt nod, Nishi crossed his arms as he replied, "I make frequent use of binding vows to subjugate those around me and to enhance myself," Nishi paused as he flicked Keiji's chest, "You'll be doing the same soon, especially since you lack an innate technique," Nishi said as he turned around, continuing to the village.
Walking through short-cut grass, Keiji and Nishi walked side-by-side as Keiji asked, "Is that binding vow you mentioned like what you did with me and everyone else, Master Nishi?"
Eyes seemed to venomously sting into Nishi and Keiji as they walked through the village, heading for a small house near the center, "That's correct, that particular vow is a useful one, since it has three to four components," Nishi muttered as he kicked a rock across the beaten dirt as he walked.
"We obey your every command, we can't die without your permission, we can try to kill you once per week to escape the vow... and," Keiji spoke in a drawn out voice at the end, holding a finger to his chin in thought.
"You aren't allowed to use cursed energy without permission, of course, if you are trying to kill me then you are more than welcome to," Nishi said with a chuckle.
A confused look mired Keiji's face as he tilted his head to the side, his green eyes flickering, "Master Nishi, if I may ask..." Hesitating, Keiji raised an eyebrow as he shrugged, "Why'd you give them an out?"
Stepping onto his porch, Nishi opened the door as he answered, "It serves two purposes, to enhance the strength of the vow and because it's fun," he spoke in an utterly plain voice.
As they stepped into the room, Nishi kicked off his sandals, stretching as Keiji took his thin jacket off, "F-fun?" He said in a slightly shocked tone, "It's fun for you when someone is trying to kill you, Master Nishi?" Keiji asked in a bewildered voice.
As Nishi sat on the couch, he promptly kicked his feet up onto a table, tilting his head to Keiji, "Huh? Oh, yeah," Nishi said as he glanced back to the old television set as he flipped through the handful of channels, "Keiji, care to get me something to drink," Nishi added as he held a hand behind his head.
Keiji looked caught off guard by this, only nodding lightly, "O-of course, Master Nishi," he said only briefly, heading to the kitchen.
Nishi's eyes tracked him as he left, soon looking back to the television with a smirk on his face.
This one is good, he's obedient of his own accord, craves power for his own sake, and the technique took root well in him, Nishi thought with a chuckle.
It makes me wonder how many of this era are forced and restrained by the shackles of their neighbor, Nishi thought as his smirk died down, a memory beginning to play upon him...
***
Nishi sat lazily on a large throne of silken pillows, small lanterns burned dimly in the room, a well-made wooden floor, finely crafted walls, and an elegant atmosphere that seemed to send a smile across his face.
Glancing up from his contentment, a young woman bowed before him, "Master Nishi, Master Kenjaku has arrived to meet with you," the young woman said plainly, her brown hair swaying as she rose from her bow.
Waving his hand, Nishi replied calmly, "Bring him in."
Unsettlingly calm, Kenjaku, in the vessel of a young man strutted through the hall, a dark red hair, calm and calculated gaze through blue eyes, and a physique honed through years of training.
Wafting the air as he covered his mouth, Kenjaku spoke gingerly, "It always has such a strong aroma here, need you burn incense in such excess?"
Chuckling, Nishi, unbecoming of someone of his stature, haphazardly laid skewn about on his throne of silk, a dangerous smile playing on his face, "One must appeal to visitors, do they not?"
Nodding, Kenjaku looked onward at Nishi, "That they must indeed," he said calmly, his gaze softening.
"So, what is it this time," Nishi asked as his smile died down, his head resting against his hand, "Need someone killed, need a town converted?" He asked as he almost scowled.
"I've since given up on that, you need not concern yourself," Kenjaku retorted as he kept his hands behind his back.
Raising an eyebrow, Nishi looked almost hurt, "Given up? I thought you said something about a merger?" He asked in a confused tone.
"Your technique lacks what I need, although being able to create new sorcerer lines does have its use, it's too fickle a technique and is too inefficient by even my standards," Kenjaku declared as he waved his hand, "I've come to yet another conclusion as to achieve my goal."
His eyes seemed to falter for a moment, Nishi responding almost agitated, "I was quite enjoying the information you were giving me, a shame our exchange has to come to an end," Nishi muttered at the end.
Smiling subtly, Kenjaku retorted, "I do have a parting gift for you, so don't feel too bad, Nishi."
Raising an eyebrow yet again, Nishi smirked as he slowly rose from his silken throne, "Oh? I do love a good gift," he spoke gingerly as he crossed his arms, standing a few feet from Kenjaku.
"Perhaps you've finally accepted my offer to do battle?" Nishi asked as his red heat sweltered around him.
Somewhat of a dumb gaze settled upon Kenjaku as he waved his hand, "I haven't the slightest interest in fighting you," he said with a disinterested expression, "You're the combat lunatic, I prefer to spectate."
The red heat died down as Nishi frowned, "A shame, I always got the premonition from you..." pausing to grin, Nishi squinted at him, "...That I could reach the next level by devouring you."
Chuckling, Kenjaku took his hands from behind his back, "I'll give you information that will serve you even a thousand years from now," Kenjaku said boldly.
Nishi seemed perplexed as he scoffed, "I'm not an immortal like you Kenjaku, not much I can do in even fifty years."
Smirking, Kenjaku held his hand in front of him, "Watch closely, I can only show you this once."
Nishi didn't respond, instead he calmly looked at his hand, his eyes focusing in as he nodded.
A blackness began from the tip of Kenjaku's middle finger, and slowly, it appeared on all the others, reaching down until it ceased at his wrist. Kenjaku smirked with his devilish grin as Nishi looked on.
His eyes were wide and he had a grin of his own firmly stuck to his face, "So that's how you do it," Nishi muttered as he watched the blackness recede.
"Oh? So you truly understood it after only a single example?" Kenjaku asked with a smile as he put his hands behind his back again.
Nodding, Nishi turned around to walk back to his throne, "Yeah, I get the idea," Nishi retorted with a coolness to his tone that belied his excitement, "After all, I've got a pretty good eye..."
***
Ripped from his stupor, Keiji held a glass of tea in his hands, offering it to Nishi, "Master Nishi?" Keiji asked as he looked on almost worried.
Finally looking to Keiji, Nishi took the glass softly, swirling it around as he smirked, "Once I land a black flash... It'll all come flowing back to me," Nishi said quietly.
"Huh? What was that, Master Nishi?" Keiji asked as he turned around.
"Nothing, carry on," Nishi said as he drank his tea and watched an old movie on the television.